OPT-OUT EVENT LOG: SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT, WEEKS ONE AND TWO

[asgardmods]

The volunteers from the LOCUSTS! event last month found in Odin's office endless research into Ginnungagap and a handwritten note from the King prior to his collapse. All arrows are pointing in the direction of the sacred canyon, and so it is that the Travellers will be initiating their own investigation into whatever Odin believes may be down there. It will be done without the eyes of the gods, however, so the trip will be a dangerous one without a map to lead the way and there may be many unforeseen obstacles along the way.

Week One: Day 441 / May 1-3

Day 441 ( April 30/May 1 )
As per the whispers on the street, the Travellers that've decided to go on this trip will meet up in the earliest hours of Day 441 at the Gate of Fire. Pack and prepare for a long haul, as this one will be a difficult journey. Any of those that went on the Down This Road opt-out event may want to offer up their memories as a vague guide into the canyon, but either way - without the guidance of the gods, making it to Ginnungagap safely will be nigh impossible.

After the Travellers sneak their way out of Asgard, they will make way towards the canyon to the east. Travel will be slow and difficult, particularly in moving through the forests that have been ravaged by the recent flooding. When they make camp for the evening, they will suffer the same strange sensations as those in Asgard just before 11PM: they will simultaneously feel a flicker in their bodies, like a missed heartbeat or a cut-off breath. Those in Freyr house that were present for the god's death and those that were present for the Friendly Fire event will recognise the sensation; it will happen twice more before one final blip. In that moment, everyone will essentially have a minor blackout: their vision will fade, their bodies will freeze, and there will be an internal sensation of dropping.

After this, the Travellers outside of the city will feel something of a drag towards Ginnungagap. It will feel like an outside force beckoning them inward, to someplace they belong. The compulsion will be relatively easy to overcome, but it will linger all throughout their journey through the depths of Yggdrasil.

Week Two: Days 443-445 / May 4-9

Day 443 ( May 4/5 )
Approaching the border between Asgard and Ginnungagap will bring the Travellers closer to the Fire Giants' kingdom of Muspellheim. From this distance, they will just barely be able to make out the great volcano, still lit at its peak, and a heavy black cloud that lingers over most of the kingdom. In this area, it may behoove them to keep an eye out for Giant patrols and pockets of defects from Surt's ranks, all seeking safe ground somewhere in the relatively neutral territory of Ginnungagap. They will be volatile and attack upon sight, but no groups will be any larger than five, maybe six at most.

As they sneak and fight their way across the plains, they will find that Ginnungagap is sparsely littered with old trees and short, soft grass on the outskirts of the canyon, streams flowing from varying mountain peaks into the vast space below; deeper within, it is sheer rock and sharp edges that are harsh and unyielding. If one were to look at it from above, they might think someone stabbed a knife into solid stone and carved out a jagged wound, and so it is moving through the canyon itself, where one false step can lead to certain and painful death.

[ OOC NOTES: This is the mingle log for WEEKS ONE AND TWO of the Something Significant plot event! Remember that your only characters who signed up for this opt-out event by the deadline will be able to participate. Please put your character's location in the title, as well as either OPEN or CLOSED and the DATE. For more details, please head on over to the full rundown HERE. If you have any questions, please let us know, and have fun! The event log for the SOMETHING OMINOUS opt-out plot log can be found HERE.

SPECIAL NOTE: As of the power expansion plot, bracelets will work outside of the city along with god powers. Characters WILL be able to communicate with those inside of the city of Asgard, as long as the party has his or her bracelet on him. ]

Comments

leonard mccoy ✩ multiple locations ✩ days 441-5

[sufferably]

i. day 441 | early morning | open

( mccoy and early mornings have never gotten along particularly well. although he’s right on time when the group leaves, he’s drowsy and more irritable than usual. he constantly adjusts the straps on his medkit and glares fiercely at anyone who tries to make too much small talk as they leave the city.

he’s back in his uniform, too, and it’s the first time he’s really worn it since arriving in the city. for some reason, it feels right. he’s a fretful traveler, constantly double-checking his pack and doing random, silent headcounts of the rest of the party.

but mostly he’s tired and speaking in mono-syllables. )

Coffee, ( he says mournfully, at one point. whether that’s a plea or a complaint is open to interpretation. )

i. day 443-5 | all day | open

( despite his very audible and verbose complaints, mccoy’s a good friend to have on a trip like this. he routinely makes sure people are eating enough, that small scrapes and bigger injuries are dealt with, and he may even be good company for a conversation or two in between bedding down for the night.

over the days you can find him in several places—tending to anyone being injured, scouting ahead in some very perfunctory fashion, or tripping on the roadside and falling in a very not-covert way. such is his life, really. )

I’m a doctor, ( he’ll say for adding emphasis, ) Not an explorer.

iii. day 443 | early afternoon | for jim & evy

( a few days in an everyone's a bit worse for wear, tired and sore and perhaps more than a little stressed. but there are those inevitably quiet moments when the party stops moving and everyone can pause to catch their breath.

it's during one of those breaks that bones happens upon both of them at once. this isn't necessarily a bad thing, considering that evelyn and jim top his list of people to keep an eye on, during this adventure. but it is a bit strange-- his life from home and his life from asgard coming together in ways he can no longer ignore. it's been eating at him for awhile-- has he gotten too used to being here, too wrapped up in this world's causes?-- but for now he pushes those thoughts aside and says, casually: )

We should probably grab a bite, while we can.

iii.

[proudofwhatiam]

[Evy's grown used to the tenor of these days over the course of several expeditions--lots of trudging, occasional stops--but in the middle of them, they're still rather wearying. She's taking advantage of this rest period to do just that, simply sitting quietly on her pack, taking everything in.

She glances up from her reverie when she hears Leonard speak and gives him a little smile, unaware that he's speaking to a group here.]

I think you're right.

[bartalk]

As long as it isn't trail-mix.

[ there's nothing wrong with roughing it, but after a few days of dull and tedious walking, his excitement over the idea of leaving the city had turned more into drudgery. But a Captain didn't whine (too much) about circumstances, so his current outlet of choice was to whine instead about the food.

right now his full attention is on Bones, and although he's been on the look out for the lady of Bones's dreams, he's yet to notice Evy. 'Librarian and archaeologist'— his current mental image of her was someone far more severe and bookish.

probably with a stereotypical pince nez ]

Think one of the artists here could whip up a replicator if I described it?

[sufferably]

It won't work. ( that's directed at jim with a roll of his eyes. ) You can magic up a dragon, but heaven forbid you get your hands on anything that actually makes sense, or has the hope of getting us out of the Dark Ages...

( he cuts himself off abruptly, shakes his head. he looks from evelyn to jim and back again, then motions between them. )

Jim, this is Evelyn Carnahan. Evelyn, this is Captain Kirk.

( he realizes, belatedly, that he very much wants them to hit it off. )

[proudofwhatiam]

[By this point, Evy's guessed who the man is. He has an easy way of talking with Leonard and if the word "replicator" is anything to go by, possesses the same vocabulary: occasionally baffling, often futuristic.

And since it is that Kirk of his, she's determined to make a good impression. However gruff Leonard can be, it's clear from what he's said that he thinks highly of the man; it'd be nice if his opinion of her was favourable.

She stands and offers Kirk her hand to shake.]

How do you do, Captain? Leonard's told me a bit about you.

[bartalk]

[ Jim turns, with a smile growing so rapidly on his face it could only be considered as Cheshire. He shoots Bones a wide eyed look before turning about to Evy, taking her hand and shaking it firmly. ]

Evelyn! [ he grins even more widely ] Just call me Jim.

Nice to meet you Evelyn. I'm so happy to finally meet the lady that Bones can't stop babbling about.

[sufferably]

( bones backs up a step to give them room, but he's overwhelmed by a feeling of massive apprehension. he's a worrier by nature, but the look he shoots jim is all malice. )

I don't babble.

[proudofwhatiam]

[Evy's eyes widen. She wasn't expecting to meet the man and find he'd heard about her--but it sounds as though it's been nice things, which is...well, nice. And probably should be unsurprising, but this is all still new territory for her.

She raises her eyebrows at Leonard, amused, as if to say babbling? really?, before turning her attention back to Jim.]

"Bones"? He didn't tell me he had a nickname.

[bartalk]

He loves it.

[ Jim waves to Bones when Evy turns away, as a sign of 'it's all good', in case Bones was worried (and he always was). ]

And he had a lot of good things to say, but none of them were are nice as meeting you in person.

[ it's unabashed flirting, but in this case, it's complimentary more than an attempt to woo. Bones, he thinks don't screw this up. ]

i.

[true_renaissance_man]

[The small canteen at his side was given a shake indicating there was liquid inside but...]

Tea. While I have tried coffee a few times, it is just so bitter even with cream and sugar. I could not develop a strong liking to it.

You do look like you could use a cup though! Not used to getting up so early? I prefer to sleep in too but there are times when that is not possible.

[What was that about being grumpy at those who excessively chattered? You sir, have stumbled onto a talker!]

[sufferably]

That's the point. It's supposed to be bitter.

( he grumbles all of that, looking at the other man skeptically. he hasn't seen him around, before, but that doesn't mean much. )

There's a reason you're so excited?

[true_renaissance_man]

Really? How terrible... Not if you like bitter things, I suppose, but...

[A hand was waved in the air brushing that bit of conversation away.]

You are not? The chance to explore and possibly find something we missed the last time we visited Ginnungagap is very exciting!
I am not looking forward to the possible dangers but, with a smaller group like this maybe we can slip past any that may exist. I knew there had to be something out there I was not seeing! With this new clue...

[Ah now the little wheels in the curious mind were spinning, trying to remember if there was anything he had seen or drawn before that might some how be connected to that note.
At least there is a moment of silence while he completely spaces out.]

Have you been before?

[sufferably]

( bones is used to working with geniuses, after a fashion, so he vaguely recognizes the pattern of an excited explanation followed by a blank moment. still, that doesn't stop him from staring, trying to figure out if the other man has actually said anything or is just filling the silence.

he huffs out a breath and smiles, wryly, even as he shakes his head. )

Haven't been out of that damn city, before. But the exploring thing's not too different from what I do back home, so I figured I could help.

( there's another shrug, because ginnungagap is certainly not just any other uncharted planet. but he can create the equivalency for his own peace of mind if he wants. )

[true_renaissance_man]

[The problem at hand held no ready solution, so as difficult as it was he would just have to... sigh, wait until they actually made it there to see what might be found.

With this settled in his mind he could greet wry smile with a warm one of his own. Not that the expression wasn't tinged with just a hint of apprehension for the gentleman who had never left the city before.]

You might have wanted to wait for a better occasion for your first trip. With out the Gods with us this could become very hazardous.

[A light chuckle proceeded the rest.]

But if you are an explorer you might be more fit for this trip than I.
I enjoy exploration but I usually end up spending more time in towns and workshops.

[sufferably]

That's why I'm here. I'm a doctor, I can help with hazardous. ( but maybe that isn't the whole truth. as much as bones disparages his mission and extended profession, there is something fulfilling about seeing the unseen and discovering the unknown. here, where any small step might help them lick this thing, that becomes even more pronounced. and he's sick of sitting around and feeling useless, besides.

he grimaces at leonardo's chuckle, but there's no sincere venom in it. )

Towns and workshops don't sound half bad, to me. Exploring, as a profession, could stand to be bettered with a few creature comforts. Hotels, and a bar ever few hours or so.

[true_renaissance_man]

Ah! That is a relief! I am glad some one with medical knowledge is coming along.
This was all arranged so quickly I wondered if people had planned well enough for the trip.

[You might see a lot of work out there Doctor. He hopes not, but you never know...]

They are fine places, most of the time... But one does need to get out and see the countryside too. In this case the chance to solve a possible mystery was just too tempting.

[But enough about him. The newly discovered Doctor was given a scrutinizing look. He was after all wearing an unfamiliar uniform. It sort of created questions.]

Where, or should I ask, what time period did you practice medicine in?

[sufferably]

I think they did the best they could, all considered. ( he says that with a light shrug and an idle wave of his hand. at the other man's questions, he huffs out something like a laugh. )

The 23rd century, by standard Earth dating. The year was 2260.

444

[cheerleader]

[Claire's been sticking to him for a good deal of the journey. While it was the Doctor that she followed to be included in on the trip in the first place, it's McCoy that she sticks to like glue. Out of everyone here, she views him as a guardian of sorts. The first couple of days she branches out and visits with familiar faces and makes an effort to speak to people she doesn't know yet, but this day finds the group traveling through terrain that leaves her a little curious. She's interested in walking along the line of the canyon, staring at the depths down below instead of straight ahead at where she's going. She walks with her arms outstretched, like she's on a tightrope, stumbling every now and then from her lack of attention. She might be fifteen, but she strongly resembles a reckless little girl playing around.]

How far down do you think it is to the bottom?

[sufferably]

( he sees what she's doing and pales immediately, brows scrunching together as he takes a few steps toward her. he looks down at the canyon and swallows, and suddenly the depth of it seems not unlike the unknowable quality of space-- the only certainty being that one wrong step could kill you.

so he grimaces at her, and waves her towards him. )

Long enough for one hell of a fall. And definitely not the sort of thing you need to prove your courage to.

[cheerleader]

I'm not trying to prove anything. I'm just having fun.

[She glances over at him with a smile, continuing to walk along the edge for a few more seconds before trotting her way over to walk at his side. ]

It feels like it's taking forever to get where we're supposed to go.

[sufferably]

( his eyes widen for as long as she's that close, but he bites back the majority of his slightly paranoid tirade on the dangers of would-be cliff diving. )

That's the point of a covert mission, y'know. You pretty much has to take it slow.

[cheerleader]

Ninjas don't go slow, and they're pretty covert.

[Because yes, this group just screams quality ninjas.]

I wonder why the gods didn't give anyone the power of invisibility.

[Her fingers wiggle a little as if she's pretending to be invisible and sneaking up on someone, but she remains close to his side. For now.]

[sufferably]

Because they can't, probably.

( he has very little faith in the gods, and every new adventure is only proving him correct. )

That's why we're roughing it out here, pretending like we know what the hell we're doing.

[cheerleader]

[She delights in his pessimism, laughing and reaching up to pat at his arm.]

I think the Doctor knows what he's doing. Maybe. And I'm good at pretending I know what I'm doing.

[Watch as she swerves her way back over to the edge, to resume her tightrope walking. Yep. She knows what she's doing.]

[sufferably]

He can't even keep himself in one piece, I really doubt that he knows his own mind, half the time. ( mccoy's met at least half a dozen of the doctors since he's gotten here, and he maybe still begrudges them the use of the title.

this time, he can't stop paling and a bit and reaching towards her. )

Claire, I'm serious. This is nothing to be playing with.