System Glitch: In The City: Ship Ahoy! [location: Osten]

[theextras]

The day of July fourth was spent dealing with annoying, static-ridden transmissions from the tablets. Hisses, bleeps, pops, and occasionally what might have been an indistinguishable voice saying something unintelligible. The interruptions ceased in the evening, and the city went back to being quiet and empty.

The fifth brought more of the same, but shortly after noon something curious happened: if one consulted the map, they'd note a dot out in the ocean. Zooming in on the dot showed that it was not one but many dots, each with a familiar name attached, and observation would show that the dots were headed toward a never-before-used ferry terminal on the Osten waterfront.

Go meet your people, Taxon, and send them to get showers post haste!


ooc: The ferry terminal is a proper building so our vampires aren't in danger of going foom.

And that's that! Thanks everyone, this plot's been ridiculous fun, now back to your regularly scheduled hijinks.

Comments

[Rooftop of Azkadellia's building]

[azoftheoz]

Cain's offer that she could stay with him if she wished had easily turned to Azkadellia shadowing him as he went about his day, listening when he explained things to her, and spending her evenings studying up on the subjects that she had not in the past thought to look into.

Horticulture. Containter gardening. What things she could find on Otherside law enforcement to help her to try and understand Paul better. The latin books made her sad, but she looked them over anyway, trying to hide the sadness and longing that came with the memories of all she and Cain had yet again lost.

Now, wearing a long denim skirt that fell to her feet and a button down shirt that with sky blue and navy stripes, she had a smudge of dirt on one cheek, more under her nails and a huge grin plastered on her face.

"Do you do this often," she asked, kneeling by the wooden box and looking up at Cain.

[Rooftop of Azkadellia's building]

[hasaheart]

Sometimes in the evenings they would read together and try to make sense of the Other Side, some evenings more successfully so than others. It still boggled his mind, trying to imagine such a massive home land. Just trying to wrap his head around the many, many levels of management it took to keep order was enough to give him a headache. At least, that's what he told himself and Azkadellia: the headache was down to eye strain and too many levels of bureaucracy, but he wasn't too sure that was entirely true.

Thinking about the Other Side inevitably lead to thinking about his own home, and the two people he missed most out of all those that had disappeared overnight.

Most of all, he was just tired, but Azkadellia's never ending quest for knowledge was heartening and infectious and he couldn't help but be drawn in. He was along for the ride whether he wanted to or not.

Make no mistake, he wanted to know as much as he could. Just in case, he told himself in the quiet hours when his young friend had left or lay sleeping in her chosen guest room. Just in case. You never know.

He cleaned three houses almost obsessively, watered three sets of plants every three days like clockwork. He vaccuumed and dusted and shook out rugs and folded blankets and fluffed pillows...and he did his best to be a good role model. He taught Az to cook, and to grow her own food to the extent she was comfortable with. They listened to music sometimes, the collection Glitch had given him that first winter here, as a house warming present. Sometimes he couldn't bear the melodies.


Today's no different from any other day, apart from yet another cute hamster trick being broadcast every now and then to one and all. 'Cute'. It's last annual all over again, and yet another reason that Cain left his tablet behind.

He looks up, elbow deep in a big bag of plant soil, and gives her a warm smile. He can't say he's surprised she's taking her cues from him, clotheswise. She'll figure it out, all in due time. What she likes to wear for her own sake. If she feels comfortable in shirts similar to his own, then who's he to dissuade her? She needs all the comfort and security she can get.

"All the time, princess. It's...kind of like meditation, to me. Like ironing. Your mind quiets right down, and all that exists is you, your tools, and a heap of wrinkly clothes."

[Rooftop of Azkadellia's building]

[azoftheoz]

Learning wasn't just about books, and so it was Azkadellia was learning from everything she could. The rhythm of the music. The scent of the soil, and the way wood smelled with the sun baking down on it. Some days she felt like a sponge, trying to soak it all up, learning as she could. It was the only thing she seemed to remember from her childhood beyond that of her sister and the time they had together, and that she couldn't bring herself to focus on. Not now.

Her own tablet was nearby, turned away from her though she knew there was few people for it to broadcast to, but close enough she could hear if there was a message. Or if DG's voice came through. These days the tablets seemed so quiet, yet she couldn't bring herself to try and go without it.


Her nose wrinkled at his analogy, turning her attention back to shifting the rocks that would allow for drainage at the bottom, settling the soil around them in great heaping trowels full.

"I don't think I'll ever find delight in ironing," she said, giving him a side eyed look. "It's so... tedious," she teased, lips curling into a smile to mark it as such. "I like cooking though."

Even if she hoped that one day she would be facing cooking for herself. She accepted that when Paul came back - never letting herself think if - that these days would be further between. It was only right, after all.

[Rooftop of Azkadellia's building]

[hasaheart]

"You'll be surprised the things you'll come to like. Just you wait and see." Big hands make for big handfuls, and before long he's filled a fairly large pot (designated for a lone tomato plant), and brings the bag over to help her with the box. Somewhere in the background, there's a murmur of something that you can't hear, but he can feel it in his belly. Probably just another alien trick with the tablets. What else can they do to shake things up, or whatever.

"You're getting better, you know. At the cooking thing. It's all about practice, not being afraid to go with your gut."

...maybe it's not just a murmur. Murmurs don't usually have rhythm.

Wyatt frowns, looking at his young friend. "Am I going crazy, or-- Can you feel that?"

[Ferry terminal]

[personaldemon]

Jason shaded his eyes with his hand, watching as the ferry drew in to port.

Well, this had all been thoroughly ridiculous. If it was an omen of things to come, he supposed he had been quite suitably initiated.

As soon as the boat docked, Jason left the ship behind. Others in Taxon were, apparently, happy to see each other; he had no such bonds.

"Excuse me," he said coolly to another inhabitant blocking his path out of the building. He had things to do.


[OOC: feel free to be that person if you need to harass mister grumpy!]

[Ferry terminal]

[azoftheoz]

Despite seeing Paul and Cain find one another, that tight band around Azkadellia's heart hadn't loosened at all. She was thinking of a million things, including her family, Glitch, and that she should probably get her things from Cain's place and slip back home while others reunited.

Jumping at the sound of a voice just behind her, she turned, pale and wide eyed.

"I apologize," she said, scooting back. "Hadn't meant to be in the way."

[Ferry terminal]

[personaldemon]

"Yes, fine, if you don't mind--"

He breaks off, blinking as-- to his slight surprise-- he actually recognizes the dark-haired young woman. The witch. Who had provided useful advice on his arrival.

As far as how he feels about people in Taxon, she's certainly in the top half of the spectrum. It possibly helps that he hasn't been confined to a ship or an island or a barge with Azkadellia for the last month. That alone makes him more charitably inclined towards her.

"I beg your pardon," he says, less brusquely. "Miss Azkadellia, wasn't it?"

[Ferry terminal]

[smecker]

Paul grabs at the barge's railing. He has one of the worst hangovers of his entire life, so this may partially be for leverage in case he ends up hurling last night's rum over the rail into the harbor, but it's possible he's also just anxiously scanning Taxon's shores for a familiar face.

He looks.... special. Sunburned despite his best efforts to avoid it-- there was only so much skin you could cover up-- wearing the remains of his poofy pirate shirt and snug pirate trous-- several days since he's shaved, razors had been not quite non-existent but definitely in short supply. Chapped, cracked lips, ragged hair...

Pretty fucking far from fabulous.

[Ferry terminal]

[hasaheart]

Quite frankly, the only thing that matters to Cain throughout the agonizingly long tram ride (with TWO connections from Speares, nonetheless, and he couldn't possible hate the insane distances of the city any more than he currently does) is that his people, his damn family is in one piece and whole and sane and they're coming back.

Every step of the way he keeps telling himself not to get his hopes up, because remember the last time you did that and what did you get for it? Nothing. A grave and a wooden plank with your wife's name carved into it. That's what you got for wanting to believe just for one second that Zero wasn't a manipulative, lying, scheming son of a bag of shit every waking hour, even when he thought he finally got to kill you dead.

He runs from the tram stop closest to the pier that he didn't even know was there until today, barely waiting for Azkadellia to catch up. Somewhere along the way he grabs her hand and pulls her along. They're already late, the damn boat is probably already docked and they need to be there and--

Into the terminal, more running, out onto the dock and skidding to a stop - Wyatt for one couldn't look more frantic if he tried. Despite his very best efforts, he's entirely too close to panicking.

"PAUL! GLITCH?!"

[Ferry terminal]

[azoftheoz]

Her chest felt like it was in a vice. Something hard and metal squeezing tight around her heart until she could hear it pounding in her ears and she wasn't sure if her ribs would explode or not. None of that stopped her though.

The moment they were off the tram, racing along in ballet style slippers, not having bothered to find her boots and lace them on. She didn't care. Her feet could bloody through the run. None of that mattered.

Lagging though not out of desire and then his hand caught hers and she had no choice. For that Azkadellia was grateful.

Nearly running into his back as he stopped, looking up at the railing.

"Where are they," she asked, trying to glance at the tablet on the wrist but everyone was dots on top of dots.

[imperial_long]

Long is.... actually asleep. It's not his fault the deck of the barge is pleasantly sunny. It's noisy, of course, but Mayland has an amazing ability to fall asleep at the drop of a hat, regardless of exterior distractions, noise, motion, or other such problems.

So when the barge pulls in and docks, Long is sitting in what passes as the barge's prow, arms wrapped around himself, leaning back against the railing, eyes blissfully closed.

[electro_girl]

You'd think she'd be the first one off the ship, that's how much Gwen really wanted to be off the ship. But in spite of herself, she lingers, watching the passengers depart and noting one particular absence.

She smiles to herself and turns back away from land. It doesn't take her long. The last time she found him, he'd been asleep too--in a comfy chair in the library. It seems like a long time ago. Unfortunately, there isn't any poor library patron to blame for waking him up. Gwen has to do it--by gently pushing him in his shoulders with gloved hands. In case that doesn't rouse him entirely, she says, loudly:

"For someone who doesn't like the sea, you're taking your sweet time getting onto land."

gwen <3

[imperial_long]

"Mmnn?" Long blinks at the gentle jostling of his shoulder, opens his eyes.

Light and there is still the persistent rocking, and ... ah. Gwen.

He offers her a just-waking-up smile-- less polite, more genuinely pleased to see her-- and sits the rest of the way up, blinking around.

"Ah. Are we in port, then? I think if I must travel by sea then doing so unconscious is the best way to do it."

He gets to his feet, fighting back another yawn. A shower. Clean clothes. There is much to be said for reaching civilization again.

"It appears we're both in one piece." And he is pleased, about this-- pleased that Gwen in particular came to no harm on the island. She is a friend. What a delightful concept.

[Ferry Termnial]

[thelonewolf]

Arya hesitated before actually leaving the barge, chewing her lip in thought. In her hand she fingered a small iron coin. Yes, a part of her hoped this ship wouldn't take her back to Taxon--but to somewhere far away in the east, to Braavos, where she could find the man who gave it to her. "Valar Morghulis," she said to herself, and then put the coin away. It was stupid to even hope. Taxon was her place now. She couldn't even leave if she wanted to.

But...there was no one there for her to hug and kiss and cry for. She hadn't been in Taxon long enough to think of it as a home. And seeing everyone reunite with those that hadn't gone made her sad. It made her think of Nymeria, and Jon Snow. If he were here, he would be happy to see her no matter what she'd done, she was sure of it. It made her miss her mother, whom she never got to see. Maybe she could've, if the Hound hadn't stopped her. Maybe then everything would be different.

But it wasn't and she was here. And there was nothing for her here, or anywhere. She put a hand to her face to angrily brush away any tears that might fall, but her cheeks were dry.

[Ferry Terminal]

[ownlittleprison]

Arya at least isn't lonely all on her lonesome. There's someone else there with no one to hug or cry or laugh with. A tall, lanky pale guy in Bermuda shorts that have seen better days, and a red shirt with a bright yellow and green palm tree print, who just happens to come to stand beside her. Hands in pockets, squinting slightly in the sun, but otherwise relaxed.

It isn't easy, being the odd one out. Never is.

It's even worse when you're a ninety-something guy standing next to a kid of what, eight?

That's way too young to feel like this.

[Ferry Terminal]

[thelonewolf]

Hey! She's twelve!

Arya glances up at the man beside her. She's seen him, but she's mostly tried to keep to herself. He looks like a big dumb parrot in his colorful clothes, but his face is very pale and solemn-looking. She looks away, saying nothing, wondering why he isn't running onto land like everyone else, except for the sleeping man by the prow.

[Ferry Terminal]

[aintnoconvict]

The crossing was thankfully quite smooth, so any unsteadyness as Glitch makes his barefoot way down the gangplank can be blamed soley on alcohol. He's gained a bit of a beard (which he may hang on to for a while), lost a noticeable amount of weight, miraculously managed to tan a bit, and is dressed in a garish printed shirt and cut off shorts.

Still he's recognizable by the zipper, the mop of curls which has gotten wilder despite Bagoas' efforts, the careless sort of way he walks, and the blink of long eyelashes and face-splitting grin when he spots a tall blond guy and a dark-haired girl.

Incoming.

[Ferry Terminal]

[hasaheart]

And just when Wyatt thought he was done not-crying, there's Glitch coming at him full throttle, full speed ahead, and he can feel his face twist right before the groan rising from his chest and ending up a sob.

Imminent collision in 3...

[Ferry Terminal]

[aintnoconvict]

--one. Two can, as usual, bugger off forever.

It's almost more of a climb than a leap, but either way Glitch ends up in Cain's arms with his chin tucked over one broad shoulder for a gasp or two before pulling back because he needs to see. One hand secured to the back of his neck, eyes searching that familiar face, and the only thing he can ask is that same old stupid, stupid question.

"Are you okay?"

[ Ferry Terminal ]

[panicswitched]

To be honest, Ashley was just glad to finally be back somewhere that was relatively well-known. At least she understood it better than whatever the hell had just happened to them. She headed down the gangplank, wondering if there would be anyone on the other side waiting for her. Part of her didn't think so. It wasn't as though she had many friends here, after all. And she was dead back home anyway. May as well just expect the silent treatment.

Still, she couldn't help looking. Just in case.

[ Ferry Terminal ]

[azoftheoz]

People had been reunited. Those that she had tried to be there for and who were hurting, and those that she had missed herself. Yet she found there were more than those from the O.Z. that she found herself looking for, or at least glad to see.

Spying Ashley was one of those moments, one of those people.

Shifting past others, she offered her a smile.

The last time they had been face to face, Ashley - well her glitched self - bad been trying to kill Azkadellia. She didn't act like it in the least. She smiled, looking her over as if assuring herself that Ashley was okay.

"Glad it seems everyone made it. Sorry you didn't get home."

[ Ferry Terminal ]

[panicswitched]

Oh, well wasn't this a little awkward. Ashley took a breath and offered Azkadellia a smile.

"I'm just glad to be back on solid ground. In the city, anyway." Because the island thing had been on solid ground, just... not ground she knew. The comment about not being home made Ashley blink for a moment before she realized what it had meant. Well, it wasn't like she ever broadcast what exactly she didn't have to go home to.

"Kinda glad I didn't. There's not really a whole lot for me to go home to."

[Ferry Terminal]

[loveawkward]

Making his way off the boat, much more eager than he should have been, Josef looked around at all the reunions happening around him. Smiles and hugs and kisses and two things occurred to him.

Everyone that mattered to him had already been on the boat with him, and with the exception of Mick, he hadn't seen two of them disembark.

Trying to be nonchalant, he looked about for Bagoas and Madelyne. Or, really, Summers. He was taller and kind of had that whole "here I am" vibe about him and it was possible Madelyne was with him anyway.

[Ferry Terminal]

[thepersianyouth]

After the big to-do of the night before, and the consequent dancing and competing the night away, Bagoas decided to hang back for a little while as the others hurried onto shore. He would like to think his aches and pains were lessened by his own carrying on, but as he made his way across the gangway he had to admit at least to himself that all he really wanted was a nice, fragrant bath before retiring for the day - or the rest of the month.

Spotting Josef in the crowd, however, he is reminded of something else: Remus, and Josef's vow to talk to him in Bagoas' stead. He would ask to be escorted to his place were he not in such a state...but perhaps tomorrow evening, after dark.

"Josef," he says softly, slipping his hand into the crook of his elbow. "Would it inconvenience you were I to ask for an escort home? I think I'm too tired to walk, and you must know your way around the communications."

[Ferry Terminal]

[loveawkward]

The moment he spotted that long hair and the rich tones of both skin and eyes, Josef smiled. That joyous look widened when Bagoas took his arm. Reaching across himself, he patted Bagoas' hand as he asked for assistance.

"It would be my honour to see you home safe and well," he said with a nod. "I would offer to carry you but I suspect that would not go well for either of us." He wasn't worn to the bottom of his veins. Not yet. Though with the way he'd pushed himself, he suspected a day in his freezer would help, though a handful of pints would have been heavenly in that moment. Even if they were bottled.