EVENT | GUIDING LIGHT

[alderwood]

Characters: ALL!
Date: June 1st-5th, 2014
Location: Keeliai, all sectors
Situation: Following Evandau's announcement about the soul lanterns and new housing, the Foreigners are shuffled around while Malicant's agents try to complicate this as much as possible!
Warnings/Rating: Possible mentions of violence from the cultists, plus various characters' reactions to moving.

LINKS
Fire Sector | Earth Sector | Metal Sector | Water Sector | Wood Sector | Cultist Shenanigans | Speak with Eva & Celaunn | OOC Plot Post

The new Basswood Commander, Celaunn, stands watch outside of the building with one ready hand resting on the hilt of her sword while her protectorate goes inside. A prodigy of magic as she is, liberating all the Foreigners' souls right out from under Malicant has left Evastelei far more expended than any of them care to admit. She looks as tired and worn as Evandau sounded on the radio post, but she tries to cover it with good humour, much as can be mustered given the situation. Eva's sent out messages to the ones whose essence she's felt resonate for each address and upon arriving, carries the lanterns into the new units whether they're all present or not... she's a busy lady and when this is all done she might just sleep for a week.

"Couldn't rightly explain some of these set-downs," Eva says as she goes about hanging the lamps up in the central part of the house. For most of the units, this equates to the main living area, though sometimes in the kitchen or unfinished room -- the layouts on each building has variations, after all. "One of those things you just have to feel, I reckon. Never figured Evandau much for leaving new bottles of wine on the pillows after all, so this will have to do."

While she's in the buildings, she'll run her hands over the wards built into the walls, letting them light briefly with various colours of light depending on the purpose, a symbol-based language not unlike runic illuminating at her touch and then fading to invisibility again.

"Now for these," she'll continue once she's sure she has all their attentions. "These are the best I could do on short notice, what with the Creature throwing all his resource at breaking Eshai's spells. That's why none of you could get into the Throne Room few weeks back-- that was a right bold move on your parts, by the way. See if you can't talk tall and smileless up there," she jerks her head toward the front of the building to indicate Celaunn, "into learning something from it. Chilu's are too by the book."

She'll explain how the lanterns are strengthened by proximity of those whose soul they house, and the dangers of staying away from them (particularly in a Dreaming state) for too long. "You don't want the Creature coming to rip you out of here," she says, jabbing them in the chest for emphasis, a deep frown distorting the burned scar on the one side of her face. "Be something like putting your insides through a wind shearer. Don't recommend it, that's for certain. Are you paying attention? Don't be moving these anywhere. With the power of these, I can understand why Eshai wanted to keep them close but keeping them from you... well, it wasn't the only thing she and I disagreed on."

Once she's satisfied that they've got as much information as she can provide at this time, she'll remind them as Evandau did: these lanterns are their Keeliai anchors and should they be destroyed, it won't be a trip back to their worlds that they can look forward to. "Without these, I can't keep you from being lost for good," she'll add seriously. "Good luck with them."

Comments

open

[hisbabygirl]

[She can't find people. There's so much going on and while Sarah has no objection to moving, more so when it's for the safety of everyone, she can't find the people she needs the most.

So here and there in the crowd is a tiny blonde girl with a bag slung across her back, stopping from time to time to look around and scan the area.]

Oh man, where are you all...

[wintershepherd]

Sarah!

[ Jack's spotted her and cut across the crowd with ease, the Wind and his own agility making him light enough on his feet that he slips through the throng of people like a snowflake of his namesake. ]

Hey, there you are. How goes, kiddo?

[hisbabygirl]

Jack! Long time, no see.

[The moment he's there, Sarah can't help but feel a bit better. Jack's been a stable point in her life since she arrived on the turtle and that's something she can't thank him enough for.]

Hey um, I'm okay. I kinda... can't find my Dad. Or the others.

[Though Ellie and Tess, she hasn't seen for a few days now. Until confirmed, Sarah refuses to believe them gone. They must be off doing something important. Yeah, that's it.]

I'm sure they'll turn up eventually though.

[wintershepherd]

[ He knows that's true, that he hadn't been around WO-3A as often as normal in the last few weeks, ever since the bombings. With the fishing shop temporarily closed for damages and the new responsibility of the Welcome Center from Evandau, the spirit hadn't wanted to leave the Center unstaffed at any point, day or night in the instance of new arrivals (and the fact that almost half his staff had vanished in the last month).

So when Sarah mentions that Ellie and Tess haven't been seen, he gets a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Despite this, Jack keeps a light tone and a smile. ]

We can look for them, if you want some company. Do you know where you're staying, with this new housing? What about your dad?

[hisbabygirl]

[Still scanning the area around her, Sarah nods her head.]

Yeah, thanks Jack. That'd be great.

[She shoots him a smile, but it doesn't quite show in her eyes. The girl is worried and even if it's unsaid, both of them know why.]

I'm in the wood area still. Moo Way or somethin'.

[Or you know, MU-WEI, but close enough.]

Not sure about Dad.

[wintershepherd]

Yeah, I'm still in Wood too. Actually I think your building is the one right next to mine, which is uh...

[ He pats down his sweater pocket and pulls out a scribbled on paper. ]

Mu-Hao. The one with Zatanna and Armin.

[hisbabygirl]

Aww, lucky! I'm glad you guys are close by still.

[It's a huge relief, really.]

Can I come bug you? Once we're settled in a bit I mean.

[wintershepherd]

Of course you can, anytime. You don't need to ask... I'll tell Zatanna to make sure her magic lets you in all the time, all right?

[hisbabygirl]

That'd be great!

[Though she's kind of curious about that.]

Wait, is she putting spells on the place or something? Would taking that down make it less safe for you two?

[wintershepherd]

Just to keep certain people out who show up when they're not wanted, that's all. And no, it won't make us less safe. Besides, it's important that you're safe too.

[hisbabygirl]

If you're sure it won't be trouble then yeah, I'd definitely like that.

[She scans the street a moment then looks back to Jack.]

Are you headed that way now? Maybe we can go together and I can keep lookin' around while we do.

[wintershepherd]

[ Jack nods, making a mental note to send Zatanna a message when he had a moment. ]

I don't actually have any plans right now, so we can go wherever you feel like it. Have you had breakfast yet?

[alphatar]

[This must have been Korra's third trip between suites. Her weight set alone took one trip by itself. ]

Excuse us. Pardon. [Saying those is routine at this point considering the crowd. Everyone's moving and Korra pulls on Naga's harness to stop the polarbeardog.]

Hey, almost didn't see you there. [Korra leans forward to look at the young girl and Naga simply moves her snout over Sarah's hair to profusely sniff.]

Naga. [Her warning's enough to make the animal stop, but not enough to prevent her from wagging her tail.]

[hisbabygirl]

Whoa!

[One moment there were people and then suddenly there was a giant bear... dog... thing... sniffing at her hair. Sarah ducks down, trying to get away. It tickles enough to get a giggle from the girl.]

No, nonono, stop that!

[alphatar]

[Korra can't help but smile as she hops off Naga.]

Easy, girl. [She pushes up against Naga's neck to make sure she keeps her intrusive nose away.] Sorry about that, Naga's just curious.

[She looks down at the bag.] Oh wow, they're making you move too? [Adult foreigners, sure. But kids? Korra didn't think Evandau would order that.]

[hisbabygirl]

So I'm seein'! It's okay. Just so long as she doesn't want to eat me or nothin', we're good.

[Sarah grins up at Korra, genuine at first, though it fades a little at the mention of moving. The kid nods.]

Yup. I gotta admit, I'm not really sure what I'm gonna do. I don't know anyone in my new house.

[alphatar]

[Korra waves her hand dismissively at Naga while rolling her eyes when Sarah mentions being eaten. As if that would ever happen. Except when Korra threatens someone with Naga in her future back home, but SHHH.]

Hey, maybe you're my new roommate. [She returns the faltering smile in full force, Korra's not about to let her feel down if she has anything to say about it.]

Why don't Naga and I give you a lift so we can find out? [Naga lets out a small, but happy, bark and Korra's still smiling when she points at herself with her thumb.]

I'm Korra.

[hisbabygirl]

[If there's one thing Sarah loves about the turtle, it's the people she's met and the friends she's made. Already, Korra is down as someone she'll be bugging in the future. Sure they've only just met, but the older girl is just... cool.

Also Naga. Naga is all kinds of cool too.]

I'm Sarah. I can only hope--

[Wait. Did she hear that right? Sarah's face lights up.]

Can I really ride up there with you?!

[That might of come out a little more eager than intended.]

I mean. Naga is okay with... me?

[alphatar]

Sure she is. [Korra looks over her shoulder at her animal companion.] Naga, this is Sarah. She’s a friend.

[Of course Korra’s saying it for Sarah more than anything, but it does mean the polar bear dog gets to sniff through her hair one more time. And Korra gives a sharp grin.]

Come on, we can see everything a lot better up there. [Korra squats down and puts her hands together to offer an assist to get Sarah up to the saddle.]

[hisbabygirl]

[Her face breaks into a grin at the introduction and Sarah cackles gleefully when Naga sniffs her.]

Okay, cool!

[It's a little nervewracking, climbing onto the back of a creature so big and not native to her world. She trusts Korra though, and Naga is great so far, even if she's aware that being on the animals bad side would probably be a bad thing.

Once she settles into her seat, Sarah grins to Korra.]

We don't have anything like Naga back home. I mean, nothin' as friendly as she is at least.

[Her focus is more on the polar bear part than the dog side, if only for Naga's size.]

[alphatar]

She’s the only tame polar bear dog from my world. [Korra lets out a ‘hup’ as she easily climbs onto the saddle behind Sarah.] Trained her myself.

[That’s some kind of assurance, at least Korra thinks it is. She reaches around Sarah to grab the reins to Naga’s harness.]

You’re in charge, where should we go? And who should I look out for? [She doesn’t want to believe that Sarah’s just out here on her own. Not like Victoria was when she was here.]

[hisbabygirl]

How do you even do something like that?

[However it was done, Sarah is damn impressed and thrilled to be where she is. At the question of where to go and who to look for, she pauses.]

Uuuh, well. My new house is in the wood area. I was trying to find my Dad and my friend before I go there though but... I dunno where they are.

[Sarah glances at Korra.]

You haven't met Ellie have ya? Or my dad, Joel. He's uh, an older man. Tall with a black beard and waaay more grey hair than he had when I knew him.

[alphatar]

[Korra only smirks at the question. Training Naga’s something she just did, and that no one’s ever been able to do it before. Well, that’s just tough for them.]

Uh- [Her brain’s slowly putting together a face for the description Sarah’s giving her.] Yeah, I met Ellie at a landfall.

[The Wood Sector’s a place Korra’s visited way too often, so she easily guides Naga in it’s direction and making sure to keep an eye out for Ellie. Then that face comes to her mind and Korra opens her mouth for a full second before anything comes out.]

Does your dad have, guns?

[hisbabygirl]

[That Korra knows Ellie is a comfort. Sure it doesn't mean they'll find her, but at least there's that bit more common ground between them.

Korra's question about her father earns a pause. Sarah nods.]

Yeah, he's uh, from waaaay in the future from what I am. The world got real dangerous after I [Died.]-- after I came here. have you met him too..?

[alphatar]

[Korra’s mouth shrunk while her eyes grow bigger.]

Yeah. I think I have. I’ll keep an eye out for either of them.

[Awkward isn’t a strong enough word, not for Korra. She can’t even think of how to feel about helping a sweetheart like Sarah, only to learn she’s the daughter of the man that shot her.

Thankfully, Naga knows Keeliai well enough to pad towards Wood without much need for guiding.]

When was the last time you saw either of them?