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ximilialog2023-12-07 02:19 pm
STATION LOG.04
● ● ● S T A T I O N 4 . 0
Throughout the month of December, the Orbers will find that the door to the North Wing is sometimes left open — perhaps, at this point in their stay, the two permanent residents of the wing trust the other inhabitants of the station to tread with care.
Should anyone slip through the doorway, they will find that the large sphere, crackling sharply with magical energy front and centre and surrounded by open circulation, is still there, and so are the orbs it houses, many more now than a year ago at this time, swirling inside it. The voices are still there, too, whispering, sometimes louder, sometimes barely heard; sometimes threatening, sometimes offering everything you could imagine, if you just take a step closer — and one more, one more...
However, if you do, the barrier will not hesitate to throw you across the room, a safety measure both for you as much as it is for the orbs. That very barrier is what takes up most of Degar’s time, and he can be often seen striding into the barrier like it doesn’t exist, spending hours upon hours inside the barrier, fortifying it, making sure there isn’t even the smallest crack that could spread when the orbs are finally all together.
The rest of the North Wing remains as it has been: in the AI maintenance room, 0-L1V-14 still remains in Viveca’s old body, walled off from the systems of the station, but still online, with Viveca trying to spare a few moments each day to fix her coding, revert her back to the uncorrupted version she used to be.
The former team’s living quarters are still unchanged, too — or perhaps “carefully preserved” would be the better term, every single bed and item where it had been last left by their owners. The room may mean more to those, now, who had witnessed the old memories during June’s mission: the small elephant toy bringing to mind Yudae, clutching her daughter’s toy in one of the memories; the leather jacket Emerton always wore left bundled on one of the beds; a large, well-carved bow resting against the wall; a pile of neatly-arranged books underneath a bedside table.
In the power and life support room, most of the pods lining the room are still decorated with a glowing, blue stripe; all but one, which has a red one. The large room connected to it on the side, with one chair in the middle, is often occupied by Viveca — though just as often, she sits in the chair with a vacant expression, pupils moving infinitesimally, as if scanning something no one else can see.
With Viveca working hard to locate the last two orbs and Degar dedicating most of his time to containing the restless energies of those that have already been acquired, there’s really not much else to do but play the waiting game. Fortunately, the season the station has timed itself to is steadily approaching what many know as winter, making for a number of seasonably-themed options with which to distract oneself.
1.0 Though most of the Ximilia remains relatively the same, hanging from the ceiling at different parts of the station will be an unassuming sprig of mistletoe — a holdover from a previous celebration of festivities. The mistletoe (brought over from the lush forests of the planet Yeviunus) come pre-charmed with a small spell that invokes a feeling of peace and affection, meant to encourage camaraderie among the crew. Of course the festive foliage is easy enough to avoid, and the spell’s potency depends on the Orber’s susceptibility to influence.
2.0 Any members of the crew wish for a little more wintery ambiance are welcome to take a stroll in the sunlight room. (Don’t worry, this room’s projected sun is a very regular sun of the Earth variety. No watching pupils here!) Every day a fresh blanket of snow covers the ground, thick enough for one’s feet to sink into and leave impressions, and the air is crisp and full of the scents of various conifers.
The pond has frozen over, making a perfect canvas for ice fishing and ice skating. Fishing poles, hockey sticks, and ice skates of every possible size and shape can be found around the pond’s shoreline, ready for use.
Every evening, right as the sun dips into the horizon and the temperatures drop drastically, large bonfire crackles away in the room’s largest clearing. Scattered around are conveniently-placed fallen logs to offer any interested party view of the calming scene, with plenty of knitted blankets for everyone who might want one. (Or not! Perhaps there is a blanket-thief among you, and poor Orbers may be forced to share a blanket between them. Woe!)
Located not too far from the bonfire is an out-of-season tiki bar that is nevertheless doing its best. It is always fully stocked, with plenty of options for even the most discerning of drinkers.
Elsewhere within the sunlight room, Orbers may come across the memorial erected by members of the current crew. The memorial itself is a large stone pillar, its colouring hovering between gray and black; carved into it are names of everyone who has ever been a part of the crew — not just the current crew, but the past crew, too. On the stone slab the pillar stands on is a small plate, for wishes and letters; should one be placed on it, it will rise into the air as if someone were pulling it, stop once it reaches the name of the person it was meant for, and burst into flames, burning away — as if by disappearing, the words could cross between worlds and reach the one who should hear them.
3.0 Sometime in the middle of the month, the common living area will feature a simple wooden table holding a box and a sign. On the sign is a note hand-written by Degar that reads:
Next to the sign, in the box, are a neat stack of various quilt blocks for the taking, along with a number of art supplies. Perhaps now is the time to finally show off your handcrafting skills… Or maybe ask around to see who's willing to teach it.
4.0 So, about that Yulevibes Dinner. Inquiring more about it from either of the permanent residents of the station will reveal that it is a dinner meant for celebration and companionship. Every Orber is invited (and highly encouraged to attend, but of course that’s their prerogative), with the simple request that — if they so choose — they bring along a dish from their world. It’s not entirely a potluck, as there will be more than enough food to feed them all should none choose to participate, but the hope is to encourage Orbers to share a little more of their home with one another… perhaps with the intent to remind them that home is not so far away now.
The dinner is held on the third week after their return. The entire common living area has been transformed into a cozy winter retreat with low chairs, plenty of pillows and cushions, knitted blankets, stringed lights and flickering lanterns. Projected onto the walls are scenes of a calm winter evening, not unlike what one might find in the sunlight room. The main event, of course, is the dinner itself — there must be twenty, maybe even thirty-something dishes occupying a long table flanked by dozens of mismatched chairs. Have a seat, get cozy, fill up your plate and enjoy the vibes and company.
Afterwards, it’s time to lounge around and relax. Board games of various kinds from various worlds appear on low tables, popcorn is inexplicably encouraged to get strung up and worn (what else are you meant to do with it?), and hot cider is passed around by the mugful. Degar plays a few songs on his lute, but as the food coma starts to hit he switches instead to DJing a few songs he’d handpicked especially for the evening.
Barring any food fiascos (or drunken mishaps, you do you, Orbers), the evening is one of relative peace and comfort. Though brief, it provides a much-need reprieve from all that might plague one’s mind… Which is good, because the next morning comes with some rather concerning news.
The morning after the Yulevibes Dinner, Viveca’s voice rings sharply in everyone’s earpieces.
Her voice, having started out as calm and serious, turns even more grave.
It sounds as if she’s grimacing, thinking of what a single, free orb was able to do in Amaryllis Grove, all on its own.
She trails off, but what she leaves unsaid hangs in the air: no matter how much magic — no matter how powerful — that they pour into the barrier keeping the orbs from influencing everyone around them… it might not be enough. Whatever the team’s eventual decision is going to be, it might not be as clear-cut as they might have thought.
F Y I
• Throughout the month, remember that all the locations in the two wings and the center of the station are available to use, even if they’re not detailed in the prompts in this log. So feel free to make your own wildcard prompts using the training room, the armory, the living quarters, the kitchen, etc.
• If characters want to speak with Viveca or Degar (or both of them) regarding anything mentioned in this log, they are encouraged to do so through the reach the residents page.
• Please note that the voting post regarding what to do with the orbs will go live on December 20 in preparation for endgame.
• And finally, if you have questions about anything in this log, please direct them here.
no subject
Seem to be doing better than just standing.
[ He manages a small smile to that. There's hope if he straps on a couple of blades he could manage the same. ]
Where are the skates?
no subject
That's true, I suppose I'm also moving.
[another giggle bubbles up in his throat, he smothers it back down and turns, gesturing toward the pile that's opposite of where they're standing.] Over there. They seem to have every size, it shouldn't be too difficult to find yours.
no subject
[ Bucky heads to where Sizhui gestured, then turns back to point a stern finger at him, and tries to sound as serious as possible, without hitting real threat territory: ] If I fall, though, you are not allowed to laugh.
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he blinks a few times, points at himself with the opposite hand and innocently inquires,] Me? Goodness, I would never dream of it! [this isn't a lie, either, considering his concern would likely override any amusement.]
no subject
[ Skates on his feet, Bucky stands for the first time in several decades, on a blade, but his legs take to the balance fairly easily. He can't believe he's doing this, but he might just be that bored. ]
Not as fun as I recall. [ He mutters that as he glides out a little way on the ice. Child him probably had a very different outlook to skating on ice. ]
no subject
but sizhui's smiling again shortly thereafter, pushing away from the barricade and sweeping outward nearer to the middle of the pond where he twists around so he's facing bucky and stops. he waits patiently, brightening somewhat once he does come out, one foot moving to give him the faintest push closer, that way he can hear him better, which makes him soften in turn.]
No? Maybe we need to figure out new ways to make it fun again.
no subject
You sound like you have an idea already?
no subject
Like, a race? Or maybe tag?
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[ Then he chuckles. ] We could try a race.
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You're never too old for games! [he scrapes one skate across the ice in front of them, drifting in an irregular pattern as they glide along.] Okay, what are the rules?
no subject
[ Bucky still tests the ice with his feet, but is gliding smoother already. He shrugs to the rules. ] First one to go around, return to this spot, without falling down, is the winner. One rotation.
And winner gets to decide what we do next.
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his left hand raises, thoughtfully tapping his cheek then he nods in agreement.] Okay, that sounds fair to me.
Oh! And no extra help with abilities or superpowers, just natural-born speed.
no subject
[ Bucky moves his head back and forth to the superpower bit. ] Well, that's a little harder for me not to tap into. I have better reflexes, super strength, and speed. [ He licks his bottom lip. ]
But I'll try.
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he lifts his eyebrows with interest, gives a firm nod and then clarifies,] Okay, well, I think those sorts of things can be exceptions because I have a couple of them myself. I suppose I should've simply said ‘no cheating’ in this case.
Haah, let's just do our best! [there, that's somewhat better. rather than linger on a silly misstep,] Ready? Set... [pause, paaause.] Go! [and then he'll take off, but only if bucky does at the same time.]
no subject
[ Shown by how Bucky actually gives a brief chuckle. ]
No cheating, then. For us.
[ He doesn't wait, though, he takes off at the word Go! ]
no subject
the laughter is still ringing in his ears even after they've taken off. so far, so good, it seems like he is helping bucky come out of his shell a bit more, and the race will hopefully offer more of a chance for them to just have a little fun while they're relearning this old pastime.
they both go at the same time and sizhui's focus is immediately on propelling himself forward as fast as possible, although now he's laughing, clearly enjoying himself despite the fact he might not be the fastest between them.]
no subject
[ Bucky - oddly enough - has all of those forced years of training to thank for his balance still being in tact as he glides across the ice. It allows him to stay fast, even if he's still trying to make his feet not feel strange. He propels forward and isn't too surprised to find he hasn't gotten far from Sizhui. ]
[ It doesn't bother him, though. This was low stakes to start with. The company is turning out to be better than he bargained for. He risks turning around to skate backwards and see if that allows him to pull ahead. Maybe not the best idea, but he jumped out of a plane without a parachute - he can handle a wall. ]
no subject
they're not too far apart, either. he can add more speed and probably get close enough to deem it being caught up, but bucky is turning suddenly, skating backwards, which catches sizhui entirely off-guard. it isn't something he would attempt, specifically during a race, and yet he's enthralled with bucky's precarious movement.
as instinctive as it is to warn him, he forgoes it for now, continuing to push himself forward with his attention focused on what's coming up ahead of them, that way he can be prepared.]
no subject
[ Bucky does hiss out, though, and he definitely loses some time on that stunt. The worst blow is probably too his pride, since he is a fairly serious person, but that was embarrassing. ]
I'll catch up. [ He says that in a pained tone, though he tries to sound normal about it. ]
no subject
they're supposed to be racing, sure, and someone else who cared more about winning might have kept going, but not him; sizhui's the type of person to always make certain another individual is alright first.]
Are you okay? I was going to warn you, but I wasn't fast enough. I'm sorry.
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[ He breathes in, gasps out, then starts to get himself up. ]
Not fast enough, huh? That's the excuse? [ He's just teasing, even he sounds a little gruff. ] I'm fine. You don't need to apologize. [ He won't admit it, but it was his dumb idea to try out after all this time. ]
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sizhui's eyebrows lift with consideration, he blinks once, twice, then huffs a laugh, shaking his head afterward. if he were the type, he would help bucky up and then push him right back over into a snowbank for that, but he isn't.
instead, he slides closer and carefully moves to help bucky back onto his feet, a small smile quirking his lips at the edges.] I know, it's not a good excuse. [even though it was bucky's idea in the first place.] But as long as you're okay...
no subject
It's my own fault. And I'm made of metal. I'm fine.
[ He's not, but Bucky is hoping at least Sizhui knows that's a joke. ]
You could have won, you know?
no subject
sizhui's eyebrows do lift with interest, however.] Metal, hm? [while, yes, he does sound curious, the amused smile coming across his face at least conveys that he doesn't fully believe it.] Ah... well, either way, I'm relieved to hear you're alright.
[sparing a glance across the ice, his shoulders lift in a faint shrug and he withdraws once bucky's upright again.] I could have, but making sure you weren't hurt was more important.
we can probably wrap this? Or play the next game out, I don't mind
[ Oh no, and might take him too seriously, too. Bucky smirks a little and lifts his left arm, vibranium and obvious with it's dark tinted metal, of course, only his hand is visible, at the moment. ] Well, the arm, at least.
The rest of me is extra durable. [ Nice way of saying he's a supersoldier, extra strong, against his own will. A conversation for another time, perhaps. ]
[ He isn't even sure what to say to the next part, not for a while. Almost sheepishly, Bucky rubs the back of his neck. ] I guess you win by default, which means you get to pick the next game.
i'm good with wrapping here!! we'll have to see what comes next and perhaps get another thread going