[network/action] @LELRIC; MAPS AND MEETINGS; Day 008 and 009

[armoured]

A: Network (Voice); 8am - Open

I've been doing some thinking.

[Al jumps right into it, as all forms of 'hello it's me' he rehearsed in his head, seemed stupid and awkward. He sounds content, though determined.]

My previous advice to travel westwards and southwards may not be the best now. I've been as far west and south as I can, and I've found almost nothing in the way of food or water supplies to sustain just me, let alone more of us. We need to find a place where we can scavenge, or even hunt, and that isn't to the southwest. If anyone has found any clues to where we could find anything to help us survive, please share it with us.

I know a few of you already know this, but Stephanie started a map that we're trying to put together collaboratively. It's not an exact map, that's impossible without the dimensions of this place or a frame of reference, but it's possible for us to start filling in routes based on where we have travelled in relation to the snow wall. You can find it here. The more people that can help with this, the better for all of us.

[He pauses, before exhaling audibly.]

Finally... there have been more deaths reported, and I know at least one more of them never talked to anyone here on the network. Please, if you're out there listening, don't make that mistake. We're a team here, you have to talk to us and trust us. We need to start thinking of each other as friends, not just as strangers stuck here, and that means learning about one another. So... won't you all talk to me? Tell me where you come from, and who's waiting for you to come home?

B: Closed to Clarke (Action; Day 008)

[Aside from a brief meeting with a woman early in his travels, Al has seen nobody else in person here. So it surprises him deeply when, as he is tramping through the snow, he catches sight of something out of the ordinary amongst the sea of white.

A splash of colour.

A person!

It only takes a heartbeat for Al to start running towards her, arms waving wildly to try and get her attention.]

Here! Over here!

C: Closed to Tadashi (Action; Day 009)

[After meeting with Clarke the previous day, the two of them had struck out together under the assumption that it was better to stick together. Perhaps in the enthusiasm of seeing someone else, or perhaps just out of necessity, it was close to the warning period when they eventually came upon shelter that day.

After a quick look inside, Al has slipped out again to inspect the perimeter before lockdown. Imagine his surprise when he sees a familiar figure walking towards him. He may only have seen Tadashi over the video of the tablet, but he recognises him at once. The same probably can't be said in reverse, as Al always uses the voice function. So Tadashi may not be too happy about being charged down by a seven foot suit of armour with large spikes.]

D: Closed to house 60, square J11 (Action, Day 009

[Quite a few people are surprisingly converging on the same house this evening, all looking for shelter against the night cold. This section is an open one for all people in house 60 to interact with one another, not just Al.]

Comments

action; building 60 party

[sageprincess]

[It's getting late. Not quite enough for the tablet's 7pm warning to start chiming, but getting close enough that Zelda is starting to feel uncomfortable about being outside. Fortunately, a house that seems to be mostly intact is within sight.

However, those are very clear tracks in the snow around it and leading inside.

It's not as though her group has much choice; backtracking the way they came will only lead to a broken down building that will be risky trying to fit all three of them inside. And being defensive hasn't done much good thus far. Maybe a more open approach is in order, despite years of Sheikah training screaming at her otherwise.

Zelda opens the front door to building 60 slowly, peering inside cautiously as she calls out:]

Hello? Is anyone in here?

[armoured]

[It never rains but it pours.

Al has been alone for over a week, and then in the space of two days he suddenly has multiple companions. It raises his spirits every time he hears a voice, because it gives him hope that his warnings and advice have been heeded. Maybe everyone is heading to the same general location, and maybe there are small pockets of community forming all over the place.

It makes his voice warm as he stands up to greet the newcomer, clanking slightly.]

Yeah, there's a couple of us, but there's more than enough room. Please, come in, get warm!

[promises_to_keep]

[Lea follows Zelda up to the door and easily recognizes the strangely tinny voice as belonging to Alphonse, from the network. He sidles inside and rubs his hands together, hefting his backpack and then glancing around the house. It's a good sized house, at least, so there should be room for all of them.

[His eyes fall on Al and he's a little surprised. He gives a low whistle.]

Wow, you're... taller than I was expecting. [He's used to being the tallest one in the group, at 6'3". This kid sounds like he can't be older than fifteen or so, how is he like seven feet tall?] You're Alphonse, right? I've seen you around the network.

@MarbleHornets; voice

[genreblindness]

I, uh. I'm not so sure there's anybody waiting for me.

[His family might be, but chances are they already assume that he's dead. It's been a long time since he contacted them.

He knows he's being a bit of a downer with that, but there's not much else he can offer by way of honest answers.]

[armoured]

There will be, you just might not have had the chance to meet them yet.

[Al firmly believes that nobody will remain alone forever. If J has nobody now, then he will soon find new people to care for, and who will care for him.]

Besides, this will be a great ice breaker story to tell someone when you meet them.

[That was a terrible joke.]

[genreblindness]

...I don't think I'm going to have that chance.

[He's more or less accepted by now that he died. And even if this isn't an afterlife, even if he's really back from the dead, it does not seem likely that he's going to make it back home.]

C: Closed to Tadashi (Action; Day 009)

[tadashiwashere]

Tadashi had been pushing himself the past few days. Yesterday, it had really gotten to him after the injection had startled him awake and he'd barely travelled at all, choosing instead to just walk to the next nearest shelter before calling it a day and spending a (blessedly) quiet evening in with Mochi.

Today, he took his time, thoroughly searching everywhere he went for anything useful. His bag was starting to get heavier from the various items he'd collected along the way, and he was beginning to get the idea that leaving some things behind at the next shelter might not be a bad idea. Mochi was being uncooperative, as well, insisting on exploring some in the snow instead of riding dutifully in Tadashi's messenger bag like usual.

It was late by the time he dragged himself into view of the next shelter. Mochi was sleeping in his bag again, and his shoulder felt like it would fall off if he carried the cat for another block.

Unfortunately for Tadashi, he was concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other when Al spotted him. By the time he glanced up again, all he could see was a giant suit of armor charging through the snow right at him.

Tadashi flailed, back-pedaled, and fell over as his sneakers slipped on the snow, sending him sprawling with an undignified yelp.

[armoured]

Of all the people that Al has spoken to over the tablet, Tadashi and Steph were the two who he has bonded with the most. He still cares about everyone, even the people he hasn't spoken to at all, because they are all trapped in a frightening new situation in need of allies. But these two... he really feels like they're friends already, and his concern for their wellbeing is ever at the forefront of his mind.

So to see one of them approaching is wonderful. So wonderful that he hadn't considered how his appearance might shock Tadashi, only caught up in the joy and relief of seeing him here and unhurt. It's only when Tadashi falls backwards that he pulls up short, suddenly looking remarkably ashamed for an expressionless suit of metal.

"O-Oh... sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

[tadashiwashere]

That voice... Tadashi squinted up at the suit of armor with confusion that was starting to tip toward recognition. Mochi gave an indignant meow at that moment, breaking the last of the confusion and sending Tadashi scrambling to retrieve the cat as he started to walk off. Once he had Mochi gathered up in his arms, Tadashi turned back to the suit of armor, still uncertain.

"Al?" he guessed, lifting one eyebrow as he waited for confirmation. "Alphonse, right?"

He'd only ever heard his voice over the tablet, but... it sounded just like him. He was just a lot... taller than Tadashi had been imagining. Somewhere along the way he'd started picturing Al as maybe just a few inches taller than Hiro.

After a beat, he was certain that the voice matched up and he grinned. This... this was really great! He'd spent so much time alone at this point, that seeing someone else -- especially someone who he felt like he knew -- was the best thing he could have hoped for.

[coleader]

( B | DAY 008 )

[ Since she left Hook on the fourth day, Clarke has been all alone. She's been in a couple buildings with evidence of other people in them, namely ALPHONSE ELRIC, DAY SEVEN, TRAVELLING SOUTH carved in the walls, but has never been there to see them. All of her human contact has been strictly virtual. She'd prepared for loneliness when she left camp, but this is an isolation like she's never known.

When she hears him call Here! Over here! she isn't entirely sure she isn't hallucinating. When she thinks about it, though, it's more likely she'd hallucinate Wells or Raven or Bellamy calling out to her than anyone else. She knows this voice, and it isn't any of them. ]

Alpho— ...nse? [ She calls out as she turns to face him, but her voice fades away to nothing as she sets her eyes on him. He looks a little different than she'd pictured. ]

( D | DAY 009 | OTA! )

[ Suddenly, there's more people than Clarke's seen all week crammed into one house. It's overwhelming, but comforting at the same time. Falling asleep is difficult when the only sound is the wind and your own breathing.

Later in the night, after lockdown, she perches on the couch in the living room. It feels unreal to be surrounded by people again, too good to be true. A feeling of foreboding makes its way into her heart; as always, she's waiting for the other shoe to drop. ]

So, [ she starts in an effort to distract herself from the dread. She's more in leader-mode than friend-mode, however, so the conversation is about as interesting as expected. ] I think we should talk. Share everything we've seen, anything relevant someone has said, every little detail. We can't keep any discovery to ourselves if we want to get out of here.

We need to tell each other about ourselves, too. If you're hurt, hungry, if there's anything you need, speak up now. I know I've got supplies I'm willing to share.

B

[armoured]

[Al is used to the initial double take by now.

Even in his own world, even among people he knew, he was an oddity. He resists the urge to make himself smaller out of embarrassment, focusing instead how good it was to see someone in the flesh.

And not just someone random, either, but someone he's spoken to and liked.]

Right! I'm so glad to see you, I was beginning to think we were all somehow passing each other.

[coleader]

[ Clarke's mouth forms a small 'o' for a moment. Then, in a split second, it's gone, replaced by a smile. She's too thankful to see another living being to question his appearance, and too accustomed to strange things happening. ]

Me, too. I saw some of your markings on the walls. I figured you must be near.

[ She reaches for the strap of her backpack, ready to pull out any necessary items, despite the fact that she isn't exactly well-stocked. ]

Are you all right? Is there anything you need?

D

[sageprincess]

[Zelda is similarly not quite comfortable, albeit for different reasons. Unlike most who have been dragged into this strange and icy prison, she's more than accustomed to being alone. It's not something she liked, perhaps, but it became her normal. Lea was one thing - the first person she encountered face to face here, a bond forming from the practicality of having someone to watch your back in an unfamiliar place. Link was another - even if her feelings on the matter are complicated, there's comfort to be had in a familiar face.

This is the biggest group she's been a part of in years. Even knowing knowledge about her title is limited among those also trapped here, she can't help feeling an anxious itch in the back of her mind.

She keeps close to Link and Lea throughout the night, seemingly content to watch the group converse rather than add much in herself. But when Clarke turns the discussion to more serious matters, she can't remain silent in good conscience.]

There is clean water to the east of here. A working bathtub close by, and a-- [A hesitation, as she recalls the word for the building they found] --a 'gas station' a few days walk from here, if you are being careful. We were able to refill all of our bottles there, enough to last another week at least with proper rationing. ... Unfortunately, there did not seem to be much in the way of food in that direction.

[Dog kibble is very hard to keep down, by the way.]

Additionally, I have been fortunate to come across two small medical kits if anyone here is injured. Their contents are not exhaustive, but we should be able to treat most basic cuts and sprains with them.

... Finally, the biggest clue I have found thus far has been in regards to a woman by the name of 'Jia Xú'. I asked about the name over the tablets a few days ago, but to put it simply: Jia Xú was apparently a woman who lived in this town before... it was abandoned, I suppose. [Who knows what happened here, specifically, but abandonment works for her purposes in this moment.] She worked in a hospital - Stephanie, or 'Spoiler', said she found a 'key card' for the hospital with Jia Xú's name on it, though neither of us have seen anything in regards to where the hospital might be located. Meanwhile, I found an S-D card that created a new application on my tablet: 'keys'. When I look at it, it says I am in possession of one key identified as 'Jia Xú', but it does not give me any reference for how or where that key is meant to be used.

[Zelda earned the title 'Miss Exposition'. She's done now, really.]

[coleader]

[ Wow, Zelda.

The worst part is that Clarke is listening intensely the entire time, just as interested in listening to the exposition as Zelda is in telling it. Nerds. ]

I'm not sure gas will do us any good, but let's keep that in mind for refills.

[ Jia Xú is nothing new to Clarke; their initial conversation had been about it — her — and what the purpose of the 'key' was. She does, however, perk up at the mention of a hospital. There have to be medical supplies there, and maybe medicine, too, if they're lucky. They might not be able to get it in full working condition, but they could probably make a few areas usable. They can't be too careful here, after all. ]

I think our next order of business should be scouting the area for hospitals. I don't think that those findings were coincidental.

[ Which could mean they're being lead into a trap, but somehow Clarke doubts it. If they were here to be killed off, they would have been. They're entirely at the Admin's mercy, subjected to blackouts and injections whenever he or she pleases. ]

Especially not if Jia Xú is a key. There's something to find there.

(A) - video

[villainously]

( hook himself has been favoring the anonymity of text lately when he bothers to speak, frankly he hasn't had the head for it and when he did the tablets were barely working. now, though, they seem to be functioning and Al might just be one of the few he cares enough to actually talk to, face to face...

or. face to tablet. you know, whatever.

he doesn't look great, pale and drawn, but at least he's still kicking. )

We saw a school. It's fairly empty but we found some food there... Not sure how long it'll last. It's a bit south from the north wall.

I'll try to add to the map what I can.

( frankly he didn't have the head for it until very recently. his tablet has a program now for making a map, he's just been too out of his own head to try. )

[armoured]

Killian!

[Al pretty much ignores everything that he just heard about the school and the map, though some part of his mind did absorb it and will remind him to come back to it later. Relief has eclipsed all of that, relief and joy for a friend that he hasn't seen in almost a full week.]

Where--?

[He starts to mouth the question, but a little niggle of worried anger makes him rephrase it.]

I thought you were going to keep in touch! I was worried about you.

[villainously]

( he might like to lie. it might look better if he did. now is no time to be incapacitated or force people to look after him, and he was down for the count far before the network was.

still, he likes Al enough to try to be (closer to) honest. )

I couldn't. I wasn't quite myself for a few days, and then ... well, I don't quite know what happened to the magic glass after that.

( not working entirely, or only working with haunting screams overriding everything else. )

I'm all right. I didn't mean to worry. And yourself? ( it seems like Al has been doing quite a bit of work organizing the people trapped here, which is a good idea. even though Hook himself has never been great at trusting strangers. )

@Chillinski; video

[figureitout]

So...

[That is what the video opens with-- the voice, and a- finger? Pointing at the tablet. Though then it moves, and there's a face peering at it, looking equal parts like he's trying very hard not to be embarrassed about something, and like he's 110% done with everything in his life right now.

Both would be accurate.]

Remember the convenience store? The one I talked about? On the network? A few days ago?

Still there. Existing, you know, for scavenging, or food... ing. Also, it's being stocked, I checked. So- yay for possibly not starving to death?

[Y..ay...?

The embarrassment comes from the fact he totally forgot to share this detail (with first running into a gaggle of guys in one building, then the network going crazy and with one more injection, it's maybe excusable to forget about something like that)... and the done-with-everything comes from the fact that. Guys. Don't go forgetting about the store where you can get food that is not a good thing to do.]

voice only @LELRIC

[armoured]

Really?!

[He sounds as excited as if Stiles had given him a free puppy for Christmas, and there isn't even an iota of blame for keeping it to himself for a few days. The important thing is that it's being shared now, and they can work on getting people there as soon as possible.]

I don't remember exactly where you said it was, or... I guess you can't say exactly, because we don't know this place well, but can you figure out roughly where it is in relation to the big snow walls?

A, and...voice;

[croi]

[Because he's stomping around in the snow right now and fuck aiming the camera, it would basically be a bunch of dramatic snowy winter vistas and coat and maybe some blue. So voice.]

Oh? So what of you?

[They can get to the useful information part later.]

[armoured]

[It's good to hear from Lancer again. Every time Al hears from someone he's spoken to before, it warms him inside with relief to know that, even if they're not okay, they're at least alive for today.]

What do you mean? What about me?

voice; @BAELFIRE

[jumpship]

Everything starts to look the same, but the map will be helpful. It's really a great idea.

[ he used to make maps when he still lived on board the Jolly Roger, after all. ] I'm from... well, Neverland. [ not exactly home, but that was where he was taken from. ] I don't think there's anyone waiting for me to come back. No one that I would want to wait, anyway.

[ no family, at the very least, but enemies? oh yes. better to avoid those. ]

[armoured]

[It's the kid that he spoke to when he was new here! He hasn't heard from him in days, and Al can't deny the jolt of relief to hear from him now. He's only a little kid, maybe younger even than Al, and he's been thinking of him and worried about how he's been faring.]

...I'm sorry.

[Nobody should feel that alone and unwanted.]

But I'm sure that won't be the case forever. You'll make new friends, and new family, so there's still a reason to get back to, uh, Neverland.

Voice; ID: max;

[feralone]

You're going to make it hurt worse.

[It was an odd thing to say to a kid. It was also, surprising, a lot less blunt than he usually was despite the fact that it was...still fairly blunt. He made this argument once before, something similar anyway. He had been as blunt as could be then. But that had been to an adult that he knew would understand him.

This was...different. Harder somehow. Not that he would admit it. And not that it kept him from still saying the harsh words that needed to be said. Or maybe they didn't need to be said, but just wanted to be said.]

voice @LELRIC

[armoured]

[Al will never understand this way of thinking. He grasps the principle behind it, but not the circumstances that could lead someone to ever feel that way. He feels a sudden rush of sympathy for Max, and for the unknown things that have brought him to those conclusions.]

You're wrong.

[Gentle, but firm.]

The bonds of friendship can motivate people to work harder, and look out for each other more diligently, than being faceless strangers.