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MISSION: START
[ when you awaken - when did you fall asleep, actually? - you'll find that your surroundings are those of a small ship's seating, sterile but comfortable, where you are strapped in for your own safety. Were you dressed in your Eudora-issued flightsuit before..? well, either way, you are now!
outside the round, reinforced window is a lush, green planet, atmosphere filled with thick and fluffy clouds that break up the verdant world waiting for you. the window doubles as a screen, words and data filtering across the clear surface, all of it about a planet called Verdure. it includes the current planetary time, temperatures of the surface where your vessel coasts closest above, a few points of interest whose locations are indicated by tags made on the planet.
stowed away in the storage compartments inlaid in the walls of the space are helmets for your suits, along with assorted tools and even weapons for your convenience. oddly, as well, there are... fancy outfits? as if you are being primed for a special occasion, with even some elegant and matching masks. there are a small handful of choices in each of your sizes available to you, so you haven't necessarily been assigned a particular outfit for what's in store for you - but you don't exactly have that many choices, either.
a familiar voice eventually chimes in over an intercom, still filtered as always but there's something new to their tone as they speak: ]
outside the round, reinforced window is a lush, green planet, atmosphere filled with thick and fluffy clouds that break up the verdant world waiting for you. the window doubles as a screen, words and data filtering across the clear surface, all of it about a planet called Verdure. it includes the current planetary time, temperatures of the surface where your vessel coasts closest above, a few points of interest whose locations are indicated by tags made on the planet.
stowed away in the storage compartments inlaid in the walls of the space are helmets for your suits, along with assorted tools and even weapons for your convenience. oddly, as well, there are... fancy outfits? as if you are being primed for a special occasion, with even some elegant and matching masks. there are a small handful of choices in each of your sizes available to you, so you haven't necessarily been assigned a particular outfit for what's in store for you - but you don't exactly have that many choices, either.
a familiar voice eventually chimes in over an intercom, still filtered as always but there's something new to their tone as they speak: ]
... hm.
Rise and shine, everyone. Hopefully you all got some rest on the way out here? You'll get used to the short distance lightspeed jumps, eventually, but getting some shuteye does tend to help quite a bit. At least in my opinion: a nap can fix most anything.
Anyways, we'll be arriving at Verdure here in about thirty minutes give or take. Plenty of time for you to gear up and review the docket for the mission - you're all new, this tour, but this is a pretty common task we've performed. If you have any questions, get them in now.
I'm mostly going to be your mission control, so that I can pilot the ship, but I'll help how I can.
[ adrastea's voice fades, but the comm line remains open with a blinking light in familiar blue in the top right corner (insomuch as a circular window can have a "corner," anyways) of the screen.
but there's also now a timer, with ESTIMATED ARRIVAL TIME marked above it, at the bottom of the screen beneath the scrolling information available to you. better get started. No time to waste!
should you investigate the built-in storage, you will each find the following: ]
but, additionally, adrastea mentioned a docket, didn't they? turns out the window screen is touchable, responding to all four of your touches and registering your identity through wireless communication between it and your nanites. you may manually scroll through the information provided, clicking through the various tabs and links that are visible in highlighted words, specific images, and data files attached to the docket. ]
once you've completed your reading up about the planet itself, the outposts, the final docket of information locks on the screen. ]
but there's also now a timer, with ESTIMATED ARRIVAL TIME marked above it, at the bottom of the screen beneath the scrolling information available to you. better get started. No time to waste!
should you investigate the built-in storage, you will each find the following: ]
â—‡ Your helmets, obviously. A button on either side can be pressed to retract the entire thing into an earpiece, to whichever side the button you pressed was on. Press it again to pop the helmet back out over your head.[ unfortunately for everyone, hopefully you're comfortable with one another, because... well, there's nowhere private to change into your new getups.
â—‡ Your flight suits, which can be converted into a bracelet by pressing two fingers down over your pulseline. Repeating the gesture will unfurl the suit under whatever you're wearing in case of emergency.
â—‡ A variety of tools, which you are allowed to pick and choose from. This largely includes: industrial, but compact, flashlights; lengths of flexible wire rope, up to 15 feet long at most; knives, meant for cutting through tough materials, both foldable and sheathed; mattocks, hatchets, hammers; 12 inch prybars; screwdriver style multitools with a power drill function; medium sized first aid kits; and old fashioned compasses, just in case.
â—‡ A total of three outfit options each, with matching masks and accessories, all appropriately sized for each individual on the mission. Get fancy. Mix and match if you desire to get creative. You'll certainly have to get creative if you want to bring any equipment, after all!
â—‡ Again, for each of you, a weapon of your choice. Don't think too hard about ammunition or charges, should it require that, but keep in mind that they'll still need reloading, should you fire them. Sheaths, holsters, and straps are included if needed.
but, additionally, adrastea mentioned a docket, didn't they? turns out the window screen is touchable, responding to all four of your touches and registering your identity through wireless communication between it and your nanites. you may manually scroll through the information provided, clicking through the various tabs and links that are visible in highlighted words, specific images, and data files attached to the docket. ]
What you come to learn is that Verdure is a small, forested planet, with a dense atmosphere that causes a greenhouse effect and a lush spread of vegetation across a majority of the surface. For the most part, it isn't inhabited, so it doesn't have an official population, but it does have frequent enough traffic instead. Many neighboring planets seem to see Verdure as a fount of resources, or somewhere to visit as a novelty, not somewhere to live.[ but those outposts don't matter. the sea doesn't matter.
The aforementioned points of interest are few and far between, to support this: a few outposts for collection of resources; an inland, freshwater sea that comprises a quarter of the planet's surface; and the Hanging Gardens. Most outposts are established closest to this unnamed sea, numerous small spacefaring ships coming and going, to and from their motherships, collecting the wealth of this planet for others. Exploration is slow, a low priority being built outwards from the sea.
once you've completed your reading up about the planet itself, the outposts, the final docket of information locks on the screen. ]
THE HANGING GARDENS
Your destination is the Hanging Gardens, an estate of a sort that's been built north of the inland sea to preserve and protect a huge portion of the planet's natural beauty as the threat of colonization looms over it.
Named for what it is - at first glance, trees, flowering bushes and shrubs, and various vines have been planted and arranged everywhere in such a way to make it all look like it's hanging and draped across the grounds - the Hanging Gardens are a prime destination for a bored or flighty member of the spacefaring aristocracy. The construction of the estate is extraordinarily opulent, sprawling, and gilded, showing off the wealth of those that funded its creation.
Only the elite of the elite are allowed within the Hanging Gardens, to partake in the rubbing of elbows and posturing that the attendees of various parties that happen. Information about the going ons and happenings of any soiree within is practically next to none.
But that's why you're here, isn't it?
Named for what it is - at first glance, trees, flowering bushes and shrubs, and various vines have been planted and arranged everywhere in such a way to make it all look like it's hanging and draped across the grounds - the Hanging Gardens are a prime destination for a bored or flighty member of the spacefaring aristocracy. The construction of the estate is extraordinarily opulent, sprawling, and gilded, showing off the wealth of those that funded its creation.
Only the elite of the elite are allowed within the Hanging Gardens, to partake in the rubbing of elbows and posturing that the attendees of various parties that happen. Information about the going ons and happenings of any soiree within is practically next to none.
But that's why you're here, isn't it?
The goal of this mission is to infiltrate the latest party being held. While not a genuine masquerade in that identities are kept 100% secret, it isn't uncommon for many attendees to arrive in masks to certain celebrations, of their own volition; it's for propriety and privacy, you understand.Let's get started!
With your questionably attained invitations to this shindig, once you manage to integrate yourself into high society, you'll be required to complete the retrieval of an unfortunately classified item located in the heart of the gardens. It's only referred to as a heartseed, whatever that means - even Adrastea doesn't have an answer there, much to their annoyance. Fortunately, this particular shindig is one held yearly, where partygoers trek into the depths of the estate to admire something called the Blossoming Ceremony. You will, essentially, be walked right in, so long as nothing goes awry and you're not caught.
[ one of the two doors in the small ship lets out a pneumonic sigh as it opens, and adrastea steps out of what looks like an even smaller cockpit. they have a datapad under their arm, and the soft, faint blue glow from inside their helmet fills the void left by a lack of emoticons at the moment. they make their way with a steady clip of their heels across the floor to one of the seats, settling down and crossing one leg neatly over the other. ]
Alright. You've got a little time before we touch down - I'll be on board trying to clear a spacial disturbance that's blocking our path from leaving Strihira and heading to our next destination from here, while you four are meant to go rub elbows with the locals and see if you can't figure out if something planetside is actually the cause of it. Supposedly there's something called a "heartseed" featured at the center of the gardens, but we don't have much more intel than that.
But if you need me, I'll come and pick you up so we can get out of here and see if we can't find an alternative route instead.
Alright. You've got a little time before we touch down - I'll be on board trying to clear a spacial disturbance that's blocking our path from leaving Strihira and heading to our next destination from here, while you four are meant to go rub elbows with the locals and see if you can't figure out if something planetside is actually the cause of it. Supposedly there's something called a "heartseed" featured at the center of the gardens, but we don't have much more intel than that.
But if you need me, I'll come and pick you up so we can get out of here and see if we can't find an alternative route instead.
Edited 2024-03-03 22:57 (UTC)
[ it's go time.
after all your preparation and discussion, whatever questions you might have had for adrastea, the ship finishes its descent through the atmosphere and down into an avenue utilized for arrivals. because it's for spacefaring vessels, it's not a road - it's filled with water, as if it's there for boats instead. the small craft you've been in for the past half hour lowers a plank, and the sole remaining door opens up to allow your exit onto the planet's surface on the inner bank of this fixture. the air is thick with the fragrance of flowers, of plant life, and it's so very fresh, if extremely warm. to combat the humidity brought on by a planet with a greenhouse climate, a number of oscillating fans have been situated on either side of the path up to the grand building awaiting you. attendants flutter around the arrivals, offering to take coats, to valet the ships that arrive, greeting with enthusiasm in practiced delight.
but they do ask for your invitations, whether they be physical or digital, before they allow anyone to pass down the path to the celebrations.
when they're given, they bow ceremoniously, allowing you through, bidding that you enjoy your time here in the Hanging Gardens. adrastea bids a calm, confident "good luck" before the ramp retracts into the ship again, and they take off rather than allowing any of the attendants to pilot the craft.
you're, of course, not the only people arriving for the Blossoming Ceremony. many masked and unmasked figures walk the aisle, talking amongst themselves or greeting others regardless of familiarity, admiring the plants and statues of glasswork that surround them already.
some people can be found in gondolas in the water, at least in the areas not occupied by ships that are coming and going. tittering ladies with hand fans are escorted and aided into these gondolas, as servants hold the boats steady or inquire as to whether or not any of their guests would like to partake in finger foods or flutes of champagne. no one seems to be asking for ages, either, under the assumption that if you're here, you've paid quite the pretty yen or leaf for it.
after all your preparation and discussion, whatever questions you might have had for adrastea, the ship finishes its descent through the atmosphere and down into an avenue utilized for arrivals. because it's for spacefaring vessels, it's not a road - it's filled with water, as if it's there for boats instead. the small craft you've been in for the past half hour lowers a plank, and the sole remaining door opens up to allow your exit onto the planet's surface on the inner bank of this fixture. the air is thick with the fragrance of flowers, of plant life, and it's so very fresh, if extremely warm. to combat the humidity brought on by a planet with a greenhouse climate, a number of oscillating fans have been situated on either side of the path up to the grand building awaiting you. attendants flutter around the arrivals, offering to take coats, to valet the ships that arrive, greeting with enthusiasm in practiced delight.
but they do ask for your invitations, whether they be physical or digital, before they allow anyone to pass down the path to the celebrations.
when they're given, they bow ceremoniously, allowing you through, bidding that you enjoy your time here in the Hanging Gardens. adrastea bids a calm, confident "good luck" before the ramp retracts into the ship again, and they take off rather than allowing any of the attendants to pilot the craft.
you're, of course, not the only people arriving for the Blossoming Ceremony. many masked and unmasked figures walk the aisle, talking amongst themselves or greeting others regardless of familiarity, admiring the plants and statues of glasswork that surround them already.
some people can be found in gondolas in the water, at least in the areas not occupied by ships that are coming and going. tittering ladies with hand fans are escorted and aided into these gondolas, as servants hold the boats steady or inquire as to whether or not any of their guests would like to partake in finger foods or flutes of champagne. no one seems to be asking for ages, either, under the assumption that if you're here, you've paid quite the pretty yen or leaf for it.
a group comprised of numerous attendants - not dressed like those of the Hanging Gardens, but clearly in the same capacity - buzz around an individual like a hive of bees and their queen, masks decorated but otherwise simple by comparison to said queen. the figure, a woman with long, flowing white hair and wearing a glamorous golden gown, has a starkly intricate mask and the air of someone that would rule this estate even as a guest.
others mingle or make their way down the cooled path. no one stands out quite so magnificently as the queen bee, but they gather in clusters. a trio makes their way up into the doors that await the attendees, before disappearing through them. a pair are disembarking from their ship and talking to some attendants. some musicians are getting their equipment rolled in, followed by a group of elegant, beautiful figures - humanoid, but not all human. a large group is bickering amongst one another, elderly and posh and entitled if you had to guess. something about letting riffraff in for such an important ceremony as this. just what is the world coming to these days?
alright, boomer.
to start you off: with the nat 20s that owner and temenos rolled, they will be able to notice that there are a number of guards milling about, dressed to try and blend in with the guests but more obvious to a trained and observant eye. even with masks on, it's hard to miss the posture if you know what to look for.
aircraft are coming and going, even after adrastea takes off with your craft to go find somewhere to land. some of them are ritzy like a sportscar would be, while others are more simple while still being elegant. but there are some that are landing that seem to be very industrial, more boxy, and their destination isn't the main avenue, but insteaed behind the building ahead.
what's the plan, stan? ]
Edited 2024-03-04 03:40 (UTC)
Adrastea-san. Did you seriously just kidnap us a second time?
[ girl help. ]
[ girl help. ]
Well. At least, I suppose, they asked this time.
[ hi adrastea. temenos is poking around the clothing, staff in one hand, tugging on fabric with the other.... investigating.... ]
Finding information and solving a puzzle...? I'm feeling a bit spoiled. Have you been down to this place, before?
[ hi adrastea. temenos is poking around the clothing, staff in one hand, tugging on fabric with the other.... investigating.... ]
Finding information and solving a puzzle...? I'm feeling a bit spoiled. Have you been down to this place, before?
Small mercies that you actually got the notice in advance, isn't it?
[ rueful, amused, but their head tilts thoughtfully. ]
No, not this planet. I've been on a mission like this of my own before to another one, though, so it's something that I've dealt with.
[ rueful, amused, but their head tilts thoughtfully. ]
No, not this planet. I've been on a mission like this of my own before to another one, though, so it's something that I've dealt with.
Edited (my ICON) 2024-03-03 23:09 (UTC)
...Excuse me? Shouldn't that be a little more of a problem than you're acting?
[ it's a very good thing thoughtshare isn't happening now because he's definitely just thinking "hope you do a better job with this than you do with the security systems~!" and feeling like all of his clothing options being dresses is a little pointed. ]
[ hello. he is trying to be polite but he is definitely the disgruntled teenager waking up meme about this. but yes. at least they were asked. ]
Is this normal...?
[ he assumes having to do special tasks is because it was mentioned in orientation but. help. ]
Is this normal...?
[ he assumes having to do special tasks is because it was mentioned in orientation but. help. ]
[ a slow, but calm sigh. ]
I'm not the kind of person to panic over things. It doesn't really do anyone much good, in the long run, so I've been working through the situation since the lightspeed jump completed.
We're already in orbit of the planet, and I'll need to recharge the ship to complete the return jump. If we can complete the mission so that the Eudora can leave Strihira, then, great. If we can't - you guys get to spend a little time dressed up and taking a break off the ship, and we'll figure something else out.
I'm not the kind of person to panic over things. It doesn't really do anyone much good, in the long run, so I've been working through the situation since the lightspeed jump completed.
We're already in orbit of the planet, and I'll need to recharge the ship to complete the return jump. If we can complete the mission so that the Eudora can leave Strihira, then, great. If we can't - you guys get to spend a little time dressed up and taking a break off the ship, and we'll figure something else out.
Yes, although the kidnapping again part isn't. But we're already here, so you guys can consider it a bit of a vacation to enjoy free rich things and time away from the ship if you wind up not fulfilling the mission.
[ just vibes with the disgruntled teenager energy of it all. it's fine. wakey wakey. ]
[ just vibes with the disgruntled teenager energy of it all. it's fine. wakey wakey. ]
Edited 2024-03-03 23:20 (UTC)
Recon, more than anything else. Blending in with the population of the planet to get information. You're not really going in to acquire the heartseed, you're just going to see if you can't find out what it is and if it might be the problem causing the spacial disruption that's keeping us from taking our route to the next planet.
In the mission I went on, it wasn't dissimilar. Aristocrats, a party...
I'd say we could return to file a complaint, considering we were warned but not exactly walking on board the craft ourselves. But I need to recharge the power of the craft so that we can make the return jump back in full, so we might as well either find out what we can.
In the mission I went on, it wasn't dissimilar. Aristocrats, a party...
I'd say we could return to file a complaint, considering we were warned but not exactly walking on board the craft ourselves. But I need to recharge the power of the craft so that we can make the return jump back in full, so we might as well either find out what we can.
I see...
[ ah, well. at least it's a different planet than the (looks at smudged writing on hand) sexy vampire planet they all know super well by now. ]
What sort of people will we run into?
[ ah, well. at least it's a different planet than the (looks at smudged writing on hand) sexy vampire planet they all know super well by now. ]
What sort of people will we run into?
[ you are speaking his language. ]
Now that, I am more than capable of.
It says here the population is wealthy aristocracy. Are they from this particular area, if someone asks? Or do they come from other realms - far further off planets, and the like. [ how much lying does he have to do, actually ] And I know you've not much information on the heartseed itself, but will it be something that is talked about openly? Or something kept secret - or is that something we must suss out when we arrive...?
Now that, I am more than capable of.
It says here the population is wealthy aristocracy. Are they from this particular area, if someone asks? Or do they come from other realms - far further off planets, and the like. [ how much lying does he have to do, actually ] And I know you've not much information on the heartseed itself, but will it be something that is talked about openly? Or something kept secret - or is that something we must suss out when we arrive...?
Edited 2024-03-03 23:39 (UTC)
[ i honestly just wanted to do fits. so, after changing and carefully setting aside his vestments and folding them, temenos ends up choosing... this one! he's buckling the cloak around his neck once he settles in, staff in hand, and turns a little, testing the material. swish, swish. some of it jingles softly every now and then. ]
I feel a bit like the Pontiff.
[ if pontiff jorg could see him now..... the masks are a little weirder, and he plucks up this one a touch thoughtfully, then peers around to see what the others are looking through... ]
I feel a bit like the Pontiff.
[ if pontiff jorg could see him now..... the masks are a little weirder, and he plucks up this one a touch thoughtfully, then peers around to see what the others are looking through... ]
Oh. Then I'll be fine.
[ sometimes you are used to dealing with all types. ]
Are any of them dangerous? Or is it just security we would have to be concerned over?
[ sometimes you are used to dealing with all types. ]
Are any of them dangerous? Or is it just security we would have to be concerned over?
[ well he can't exactly argue with that. ]
I guess a break won't be a bad thing. [ party party ] They really can't give us more information than this? We have no idea what to even look for.
I guess a break won't be a bad thing. [ party party ] They really can't give us more information than this? We have no idea what to even look for.
Edited (missed a wholeass word) 2024-03-03 23:45 (UTC)
[ *either find out what we can or enjoy it WAUGH I CAN'T TYPE TODAY
they huff a soft, synthetic laugh at that. ]
No one is from this planet, and from what I've gathered... many of them paid an exorbitant amount of money to be able to attend this ceremony. So you can certainly say that you're not from here and be able to get away with it. [ considering... ] I think perhaps you may have to sus it out when you arrive. Your listening ears might be wise, here, Mistral.
they huff a soft, synthetic laugh at that. ]
No one is from this planet, and from what I've gathered... many of them paid an exorbitant amount of money to be able to attend this ceremony. So you can certainly say that you're not from here and be able to get away with it. [ considering... ] I think perhaps you may have to sus it out when you arrive. Your listening ears might be wise, here, Mistral.
[ they nod, not surprised really. looks at owner......
but they pull up their tablet to flip through. ]
Not particularly, looking at it. A bunch of nouveau riche and old money alike, sucking on their silver spoons... the security will probably be more of the problem, but I've managed to acquire the four of you invitations into the party. Unless you act out of line, I truly doubt they'll look too closely, at least for a while.
but they pull up their tablet to flip through. ]
Not particularly, looking at it. A bunch of nouveau riche and old money alike, sucking on their silver spoons... the security will probably be more of the problem, but I've managed to acquire the four of you invitations into the party. Unless you act out of line, I truly doubt they'll look too closely, at least for a while.
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