catch-all open log!

[rebells]

Who: Anyone and everyone!
Where: On the beach, and various other places throughout the hub island
When: Day 80, and the next couple days after
Open/Closed: open log for hub shenanigans!

[This evening, someone has placed an old, rusted-over camp stove on the beach near the coven's row of huts--anyone examining it in detail will see that it's not operational at the moment, but that could potentially be changed, couldn't it? If someone was handy with mechanical things . . . .

Next to it is a crate (which, from the weight of it is empty) and pinned to that crate is a sheet of paper with a map on it, something like a much cruder, black-and-white version of this:



with the following key:

1 - crags. Contain snakes which may be poisonous. Watch out.
2 - ocean, going about one mile out from the coast.
3 - lagoon. Contains thick reeds (could be woven or shaped into tools) and frogs (edibility uncertain).
4 - abandoned campsite.
5 - orchard. Currently, trees are diseased and bare. Plant healer needed.
6 - abandoned house. A family used to live here, from the looks of it. Still contains some useful supplies.

And there should be a 7 north of base camp with the notation "graveyard. Graves unused." but the player forgot and is too lazy to go back and fix it right now. Observant individuals will note that the map looks like a more detailed version of one hanging on the door to a certain coven member's cabin, one that has a note on the bottom: "Have information? Ask for Jay."

Other than that, it's a quiet night on the hub island. We've been here for a couple days; maybe you're getting restless? Want to check out that ocean, or lagoon, or even those crags? Maybe just go door-to-door in the beach huts? Maybe you're sick of shrimp and looking for other things to eat . . . hopefully someone's got a fire going tonight, and thought to kill a boar . . . .

What are you doing tonight?]


((here or here for place descriptions))

Comments

a.

[allconsumed]

[Velvet is out on a stroll by herself when she sees him. She isn't so worried about hostile cats, but she can't help but wonder what the hell he's talking about. There's a glance at his hands then down towards his feet.]

I don't see paws.

[spaceforged]

[He shrugs and finishing patting down the sand. Behind him is a mess of very precise looking animal tracks.]

The Qri's magic made me a shapeshifter. But if people don't care I won't worry about accidentally causing a panic.

[He sets the shovel down against a tree where he'd been keeping it.]

[allconsumed]

[Shape-shifting, huh? And this guy is self-aware enough to consider whether he's scaring people. Interesting.]

Other people might.

[She lifts her chin a little.] Let's see it.

[spaceforged]

[Shiro takes two steps back and breathes in. In an instant, the man is replaced with the horse sized robotic lion. He raises up on all four feet and shoves sand into one of his paw prints.]

That's exactly why I didn't want to alarm anyone. The tracks could be mistaken for a creature on this hub island.

[allconsumed]

[Velvet has seen a lot, but nothing quite like this. She raises her eyebrows then starts to circle Shiro to get a more complete look.]

If they saw you, I doubt anyone would think you're a wild animal.

[spaceforged]

Until they get used to me being around they might not know what I am at all. Still, you have a point. I haven't seen any technology I'd be familiar with here. [He keeps still and sits, to allow her a better look at his unusual form. The more informed people are the better they can all work together.]

I'm Shiro, by the way.

[allconsumed]

[Velvet puts her hands on her hips then shakes her head a little. It's weird to her, but she'll get used to seeing him around quick enough.]

Even if you're not used to it, we have everything we need to survive. For now.

[She shrugs.] I'm Velvet.

[spaceforged]

I meant that there's no similar technology to mistake me for on the island. Unless there are other flying robotic lions.

[Not that he knows how to fly yet.]

What do you think of this place? It feels like a home base.

[allconsumed]

What makes you say that?

[A beat passes, then she partly answers her own question.]

I guess I have only seen other members of the coven. That and we're completely isolated.

[spaceforged]

They came here the first time and returned here after journeying to another world. There's no one else but the Coven here. ...But it could be repurposing land.

[Shiro stretches and returns to human form with a shake of his head.]

Whatever it is, the Qri isn't going to help us. We have to get ready ourselves.

[allconsumed]

[Repurposing for who or what? Velvet isn't really curious enough to ask.]

Fine by me. I don't trust any of them.

[spaceforged]

You're not alone. We know next to nothing and the veterans of this coven, Genette and Brie aren't forthcoming with answers. ...what little they know or seem to know, isn't any reliable sort of lead.

Who would trust that?

[allconsumed]

Nobody with instincts to survive.

Using force to get answers doesn't seem smart, either. Good thing I'm patient.

[She's really not, but acting rashly has gotten her into trouble in the recent past.]

[spaceforged]

But, we can ask them what sort of missions they're done for her in the past. Any details like when the energy source appeared, and how soon after their arrival.

It's not much but it would be something to go on. It would give us some idea of how the Qri operates.

[allconsumed]

We could. Anything is better than nothing.

[Violent interrogations are more of her strong suit. She doesn't make for an ideal diplomat, sadly.]

Still, there's nothing stopping them from saying whatever they want.

[spaceforged]

Yes, but the risk is worth it. We won't find anything out if we don't ask.

[Nothing ventured, nothing gained.]

Even if they lie, that tells us more about the situation. If they're willing to cover things up. There are more things wrong than we initially thought there were.

[allconsumed]

[She can't argue with that.]

That's true. I just don't get a kick out of the idea of doing their dirty work, if that's what it is.

[Anyway…]

What's your name?

[spaceforged]

Shiro. [They'd exchanged names before, but he doesn't mind repeating himself.]

Right now, we don't have many choices...but, it doesn't seem like we're being punished for not doing exactly what she wants. At the very least, we have that in our favor.

[allconsumed]

Right, you told me. Sorry.

[His robot lion form was a tad distracting.]

If they do decide to start lording over us like that, they'll regret it.

[spaceforged]

We'll just have to see. So far, Genette just appears to firmly believe in the Qri and doesn't like any questions that might invite doubts. I haven't spoken to Brie yet.

[allconsumed]

I can understand wanting to be loyal.

[She shrugs.]

Thanks for the info. It's useful.

[spaceforged]

Anytime, Velvet. We’re all in this together.

[He nods once.]

I can understand wanting to be loyal. But there is always a time when loyalty has to meet reality. If they don’t hold up to each other...it never ends well.

[allconsumed]

[Velvet frowns at that. It resonates with her in an interesting way.]

What reality? I would never have believed all this could be real. Being transported away by some magical force. Ending up here. [She motions around.] Part of me still doesn't believe it.

There are people who would defy everything to protect what they love, and there are people who do anything to make their own reality. Is that wrong?

[spaceforged]

[He blinks and holds up a hand.]

It isn't wrong at all. [Blue eyes and a fierce look from under dark hair flashes across his thoughts. If it had been wrong, he wouldn't be so sure Voltron would be in good hands while he's gone.]

But that's not what I'm talking about. Whatever things were like in her world, Gennete is following faith. Her leader isn't keeping direct communication with her. She has little support yet is expected to convince others, or at least speak for her.

All she has is loyalty and faith. If the Qri turns out to be false...

[allconsumed]

[Her voice grows sharper.]

Like I just said, the power is real.

We're here, and even though I'm not at my full strength, the power they gave me still works. It's reliable. Based on what you've told me, there's no reason for Gennete's faith to waver unless something goes very wrong.

If the Qri is evil, or if it turns out we're only being exploited, then that's a reality we prepare for. If Gennete's faith is a threat, then we'll deal with her. Whatever she believes doesn't scare me.