EVENT | LANDFALL | EVIDET

[ironwood]

Characters: ALL!
Date: January 28th to February 11th
Location: Evidet
Situation: Tu Vishan has washed up near the coastal city of Khatronma.
Warnings/Rating: Add warnings as needed.



The suddenness of the looming cliffs takes even the kedan by surprise, in spite of a number of them trying to plot their course with as much knowledge of the ocean’s currents as they already had. Tu Vishan makes landfall without any of the grace shown in previous times, bumping into the cliffs before finally coming to rest on the reef and rocks at the low tide around Khatronma.

Most of Khatronma's shores consist of steep iced cliffs, and once it becomes clear there is no threat, the residents of Khatronma oblige by establishing scaffolding across from the walls of their city to the turtle’s back. A customs area is quickly set apart, and the residents of Keeliai welcomed -- with some slight confusion. The Khatronmans are just as surprised by the unexpected docking as the kedan.

---

LINKS
Khatronma's Landmarks | Launch Day! | The Emissaries | Item Retrieval | Special Location (initially closed) | OOC Post

OOC
Please direct questions to the OOC post!

Comments

LAUNCH DAY - FEB 1

[ironwood]

On the day of the launching of the Bronzeglider, Khatronma’s newest paddle-steamer, Khatronma turns out for the occasion. The majority of the residents gather on the cliff-side, where they can wave banners with the city’s colours, cheering as the Bronzeglider is lowered into the water. There is no confetti or fireworks, or anything which leaves the hand -- in this climate that’s only asking for trouble or pollution!

The short strip of beach at the base of the cliff is reserved for those who built the ship, the place of honour with the best view (and access to the ship in the event of unforeseen catastrophe!), while the inlet which is the city’s main harbour is layered with people and stalls. Most stalls only sell food and mildly alcoholic drinks, but a few sell banners advertising the city as well as individual shipyards -- all of whom take personal pride in their own ships. The overall mood of the day is jovial and upbeat, and the shipbuilders seem happy to share their success with the visitors.

The launch goes well in spite of the weather and the blizzard forecast for the evening.

[looksfine]

She had been present due to...sheer curiosity, mostly.

It had been some time, dreams aside, since Aya had been in the presence of a traveling vessel. A ship, colloquially, though this was a far, primitive cry from her beloved Interceptor. Still, there was a noticeable air of frivolity around her as she stood amongst the crowd. Out from the rest of the crowd, lacking the outerwear protection others required.

Because she didn't need it. The cold had no affect on her whatsoever, nor had she ever sought the need to keep up a pretense of otherwise. No coat. Not even a sweater. In fact, the only additional article of clothing she wore that day was a little hat atop her head. A souvenir sailor hat.

The merchant she'd gotten it from had insisted.

[gathersnomoss]

Zelgadis had also been curious about the ships, having an interest in travel himself. Unlike Aya, he had a cloak and hood on. Someone had pressed a banner into his hand as part of the festivities and he hadn't gotten rid of it yet. "You here to watch the launch too?"

[looksfine]

She did not need to turn to speak to the newcomer. Or nod in response to his question.

"Yes. I have never experienced the maiden voyage of such an interesting vessel before."

[gathersnomoss]

"It's impressive they can make iron thin enough to float but still strong enough to travel the ocean. And that it doesn't corrode from the salt water."

Zel understood the basic principles of shipbuilding: make sure your ship was less dense than water and also water-tight. Theoretically that meant that any material could be used. In practice, his world hadn't gotten past wooden ships.

[looksfine]

"It is not impossible."

Though saltwater corrosion was hardly the most pressing concern, it was all a matter of science. And if there was one thing that Aya knew (ignoring the fact that she knew a lot)...it was science.

"There are several methods that could be employed in order to slow down the oxidation and subsequent corrosion of certain metals created with subtle multiple densities and/or compositions."

[gathersnomoss]

"better alloys, you mean," Zelgadis said.

[looksfine]

"Among other options, yes. Including a highly glossed polytetrafluoroethylene exterior coating."

She may or may not know a little something about the latter.

[gathersnomoss]

Zelgadis has learned a bit of chemistry since he arrived, so he's able to recognize a chemical name, even if he hasn't a clue what sort of chemical it is. "Is that something that could be made here?"

[looksfine]

"With the right equipment and access to proper facilities, yes. I am certain it is, if not yet known to the general public, then statistically feasible."

Granted, said equipment and access were still beyond her reach.

[gathersnomoss]

"Right equipment as in 'somewhere might have the machines' or 'maybe it will be in the weird things that sometimes show up in landfalls," Zelgadis said.

[looksfine]

Her head tilted to one side, curious. Aya had yet to experience the joys of surprise items located during landfalls, and although Kyle had once imparted this knowledge to her long ago...

"Please elaborate."

...it had been her understanding that items found were specifically tied to Foreigners.

[gathersnomoss]

"Sometimes people find weird things from their own worlds," Zelgadis said. "They're usually personal items, but some of them, you couldn't tell. I found a guitar once, and I couldn't tell you if it was one I'd played before or just like the ones made on my world."

[looksfine]

"Then how can you be certain the guitar was meant for you?"

[gathersnomoss]

"No one else claimed it," Zelgadis said.

[looksfine]

"Process of elimination is not necessarily proof of ownership."

At this point, she wasn't protesting so much as leaving room for open debate. There were even traces of a smile on her lips. A pleasant, amicable conversation between allies.

[gathersnomoss]

"But it's not proof that someone else owns it," Zelgadis replied. "Either way, musical instruments are delicate enough that having someone to care for them helps keep them in playable shape."

[looksfine]

An impasse, then. Neither of their arguments could outweigh the other.

"Similar to that of the ship." In terms of delicacy. Maintenance necessity to ensure continued maximum efficiency.

[gathersnomoss]

"Most things do better when there's someone looking after them."

[looksfine]

"...most things, yes."

But not all.

Aya, for example, was perfectly capable of doing routine self-maintenance on her own physical form. So long as the damage was minimal and she remained mobile.

[gathersnomoss]

That's Aya looking after herself.

That gets a raised brow. "It doesn't hurt anything."

[looksfine]

Semantics.

"I never meant to imply it did."

ota

[denyamenti]

Bakura's bundled heavily against the chill of the inlet's shore, hands wrapped around a drink that's both hot and alcoholic, the best of both worlds. Not that it's strong enough to have much of an effect, but it's the thought that counts. One might wonder why he's standing out here to watch the launch when it's pretty clear he's disgruntled by the temperature, but that's a question for another time.

What is interesting -- and startlingly uncharacteristic -- is that he's got a little Bresilykian child standing beside him, clutching a newly purchased coloured pennant, eager to wave it once the Bronzeglider slips from its berth. And for whatever reason, Bakura hasn't moved away from the boy's proximity.

Hope this goes better than the last time...

[redlightgreenlight]

His scent made her wrinkle her nose as she recalled their few encounters, none of which had ended well. Even her attempt to save his life had ended in failure, at least on her part. But there was something different about him, not just the lack of his ghosts, but his demeanor, though she was not so foolish as to believe that his near death experience had changed him. She slowly made her way over, giving him plenty of time to move away if he so desired.

[denyamenti]

To be fair, since he was alive and functioning (pretty much), the effort hadn't all been in vain. Regardless of how Valdis felt about her own participation, Bakura didn't see any of the group who'd intervened at fault or as not influential (save Solomon, but that wasn't a positive reflection on the necromancer).

His eyes flick into her direction as she approaches, but he likes this spot with the good view and out of a snowbank, so he just holds his ground and stares fixedly ahead at the ship being prepped for launch, letting her initiate conversation if she wanted. The Bresilykian boy beams up at her, clutching the coloured pennant.