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ximilialog2023-12-05 10:23 am
CONCLUSION: THE SUN NEVER SETS ON AMARYLLIS GROVE
The town continues on in chaos and fear when Kanan returns to the rest of the orbers to relay what he’d learned when speaking with the mayor. With the immediate threat of the Silent Companions attacking the defenseless and confused residents of Amaryllis Grove now subdued, those that have slowly regained their wits about them begin to look to the orbers, these strange neighbours who never seemed to quite fit in for reasons they could not discern and still can’t quite understand even now. But they look to each other too. Realizing that the shackles they had placed around their wrists and throats have fallen, the same ones that had kept them subdued in fear of being incinerated by the all-seeing eye above them when it had always been a suffering of their own making, they feel freer than they ever have, and it’s … confusing. It sparks relief in some, and deep-seated resentment in others.
It seems that the show isn’t over quite yet.
The sky above steadily morphs into something that looks greyer, is more tangible – more real. The veil that had kept the little town trapped within its own bubble suddenly lifts and the sun which had been all-watchful and intentionally pleasant eclipses over a slightly duller, but no less bright globe just beside it.
And then like the flip of a switch, some of the townspeople suddenly lash out at each other. The angry shouts and cries result in the team quickly having to put together a plan and seeing it through, even when the small town appears to be shattering apart in every way that counts, with fault lines burrowing themselves deep across streets and lawns, damaging homes and caving in town buildings, and the people determined to see their own ends after years and years of self-imposed oppression.
Even before orb negotiations can begin, Bones, Newt, Yujin and Chishiya work quickly to provide a place for the injured to be taken care of, away from the unexpected onslaught of violence. Meanwhile, Yzak, Daisy, Andy, and Clarke immediately take initiative to control the crowd, breaking up the fights that may lead to more fatal ends, and hiding those that can’t defend themselves into empty houses and abandoned buildings. Fitzchivalry finds a place just for this purpose, safely stowing away those who might cause more harm than help so that the show under the watchful eye is to the orbers’ advantage. Because if it’s a show that the orb wants, it’s a show the orbers are willing to provide – but only on their terms. At least so is their intention.
It appears to work.
While the sun gleefully flickers from bright to brighter against the pewter-hued sky, its large mass unknowingly moves in closer to inspect the stage and its actors. Sensing an opportunity to purposefully divert the attention of the great eye away from their own back-up plan of attack, Ahsoka, Kanan, and Sherlock will encourage the townspeople on their side to continue creating chaos. And hoping to capture the focus of the great orb long enough for a rational, non-violent negotiation, many of the team hang back on the defense, including Hagakure, the Darkling, Doctor Strange, and Sabriel, who are ready to strike at the orb or to shield those from its harm if the situation starts to turn sour.
It’s Ziggy, Emily, Arctic and Vash who collectively make their way up into the sky to meet the bright sun halfway while Yujin, Joric, Minimus, Cyram, Yuri, and Sizhui remain on the ground as further support for the cause of diplomacy. Chantilly Stuart, in her heels and her hair redressed to perfection once more, joins the group of orbers, having been convinced to join the conversations. Her face looks stern and pinched, as though she would really rather be anywhere else but here but her obligation and duty as leader of this town means that she must be present no matter how awful things get. She seems to search the crowd for someone or something familiar, but she’s quickly distracted by the conversation happening above. Her husband, likely stowed away with the others in safeguarding, is nowhere to be seen.
The great iris swivels on its axis to pinpoint the group of four, surprised … or perhaps impressed.
Cutting away from Emily’s argument in the name of compassion and sympathy, which the orb simply does not care for (as the light begins to flicker too-bright and then dim again, and the Darkling lifts a hand at the ready to summon his shadows), Ziggy clears her throat and offers an exchange more in tune with the great eye’s desires. If it were to leave the town be as it is, their team could help to reunite it with others of its kind, promising it more power and longevity, especially when it seems to be frustrated at the state of things in this town. (Present events notwithstanding.) Essentially what it boils down to is a free ride out of Amaryllis Grove and a chance to feel more complete and whole and stronger, for the small price of leaving these people alone – and why wouldn’t it want that, right?
For a moment, the sky feels too still, the sun hidden by the light of the orb remaining inconsequential to the fate of the people living in fear beneath it. The eye trains its piercing golden gaze on the teenaged girl, and for the first time that the townspeople have ever known, the sun that is the eye that is the orb begins to speak in a voice made up of many, many voices. It’s a familiar sound to the orbers who hear it every time they embark on a new mission – that mix of discordant voices layered over each other.
It helps that Ziggy’s offer of some of her personal goal power whets its appetite, showing it the possibilities beyond this place. Perhaps it has outgrown these tired, small people and their trivial attempts to appease it. The eye’s gaze bores into Ziggy, almost blinding her, but beyond the gold iris and intense heat from the light, she might notice something else: past the intimidating sphere of brightness is something familiar; it’s smaller and more solid, an obsidian orb that seems to be the conductor of this terrible symphony.
And now it sounds wondrous and gleeful.
Ziggy nods, and responds ‘yes’.
There is no time to see to the townspeople, to check in on the mayor, and to know that the town of Amaryllis Grove will be safe. Ziggy stretches out her hand to accept the orb in her palm, just as she and the rest of the team feel the familiar tug that calls them back to the Ximilia station.
The bright, near-blinding white of the station may cause a little bit of confusion for a number of the team who might have mistaken it for the light of the sun, but when they slowly open their eyes and adjust to the sound and smell and sight of the station around them, they’ll see Viveca and Degar awaiting their arrival as they always have.
Ziggy lets out a deep breath and steps forward to offer Degar the orb they’d collected. But something doesn’t feel quite right.
Indeed, Ziggy’s palm remains empty as the team exchange further confused (and worried) glances amongst each other.
She and Degar turn to each other, and then back to Ziggy.
He addresses the rest of the team.
She moves to follow Degar back into the North Wing, but seems to remember something just before she disappears through the door.
With one last comforting smile, she leaves.
N O T E S
This is the end of the 17th mission! If your character goes back to review the mission file, they will notice that next to its name, a little check-mark in green has appeared.
As noted: the mission's orb did not return on the station with the team. This will be further addressed in December's station log, as well as the next mission file. Characters are free to reach out to Viveca or Degar here.
This is not an official log — however, for the next couple of weeks, your characters have downtime on the station and all its locations (aside from the north wing) are available.
Players are encouraged to make their own logs for what they do during the downtime.