Event | Turtle Dive | January 20 - 23 | Underwater zombies crave your briiiiiines

[ironwood]

Characters: Any and all PCs
Date: January 20th - 23rd
Location: All Sectors
Situation: Tu Vishan continues swimming along the ocean floor after his monumental dive, but it turns out there are a whole bunch of undead that want in on the party!
Warnings/Rating: Underwater situations, violence, potential gore; to be updated as noted.

>See the comments of this post for various situations and areas available for tagging.
>Each header will be set for a date and/or area.
>Feel free to start your own header for specific situations.
>The Palace subplot will be run in a separate log.
>Refer to the two OOC posts for further details. 01 | 02

Comments

The Palace of Landed Sky

[ironwood]

Santo // OTA

[zerotoawesome]

[Things had gone to hell rather quickly, and what had started off as a study in 'I told you so' for Santo about the turtle diving underwater had become something much more serious. The mutant was trying to play it off like it was no big deal, like the zombies didn't scare the pants off of him, threat to his personal safety or not, and that he was actually looking forward to cutting loose (though he was on some level), but deep down he was concerned. Not for his own well being, of course, but for everyone around him and especially his friends.

Victor wasn't in any shape to be out risking himself, so Santo left him behind to watch over the protected areas while he went out through the city to smash down any zombies he came across and to save as many people, kedan and foreigner alike, as he could.

After hours of this, though, even Santo was starting to get tired, though it was a mental exhaustion instead of anything physical, and after realizing that his explosions were starting to lack the needed force to drop the monsters and that reforming his body was getting more difficult (and he was starting to run out available materials), Santo makes one last trip to the palace to deliver a group of people to its safety.

Exhausted though, once he makes it, he leans against one of the walls, sliding down to sit and catch his breath. He'd get back out there soon, he told himself, once he stopped feeling like he could sleep for days.]

[alpha_squad_leader]

Everything go okay out there?

[Wrapped in less blankets in case he had to actually move and fight and looking twice as miserable because of it, Victor came to find Santo as soon as he heard he was back.

Sliding down to the floor nearby Santo, Victor waited for his friend's answer.]

[zerotoawesome]

[Santo doesn't reply right away, feeling like he was close to dozing off for a few minutes until he notices Victor sitting down next to him. He sighs.]

It's pretty crazy, dude. The zombies are actually pretty tough, and I think they're learning too, since I had to stop punching them after a while and go back to old tricks like launching my fists at them.

[He sinks down a little more, looking over to consider Victor for a moment. Despite how tired he felt, Victor looked way worse than he did right now. He knew that the cold must have been getting to him.

Without saying a word, he pulls off his old gray Xavier Institute sweatshirt and holds it out to Victor, giving him a look that tells him that he better take it. It would be way too big on Victor, but it was warm, and Vic could use it more than he could. He could feel the cold, but it didn't both him or slow him down. Just ignore the fact that it has some bloodstains, dirt, and holes from where Santo had to explode in it.]

How are you holding up here? Any problems?

[alpha_squad_leader]

They're learning? What do you mean?

[Yes, he's worried.]

Why'd you ever stop that, anyway? Learning new tricks is no reason to give up on old effective ones.

[The sudden sweatshirt makes him jump a little and give Santo a look. The sweatshirt gets another before Vic just takes it and drapes it over him with the other blankets. It's big enough on him to be one anyway.]

Thanks.

[He shakes his head.]

Things are alright here. The police force is surprisingly not completely useless. A couple got through but they get put down and tossed back out quick.

[zerotoawesome]

I mean that they get better or something. Not enough to make much of a difference, but I've never seen a zombie dodge a punch before on purpose.

[He shrugs it off though, not wanting to scare Victor.] They still suck, though. Not even a challenge for an awesome guy like me. [He offers Victor a small smirk, but it still somehow shows that he's feeling tired.

He doesn't say anything in response to the thanks. He didn't need to be all touching and sentimental with Victor. The guy knew that Santo cared.]

That's a shocker. [He laughs.] Next, you'll tell me that we're not going to be blamed for this somehow.

Do you have everything you need? I'm going back out, so I'll try to find something if you need it.

[alpha_squad_leader]

Whatever they are, they aren't normal zombies. Nita said they were swimming around after all and zombies tend to not do that.

[Victor's too cold and tired himself to even tease Santo after the smirk. Instead he just leans back against the wall a little more.]

Surprisingly, we're not being blamed. I think they knew this was going to happen. [Which just annoys Victor more than he's saying.]

I'm fine. You should stay and rest up for awhile.

[zerotoawesome]

Yeah? You can add to her info that the things are fast, and I'm pretty sure they tried to counter my attacks, for what little good it did them...

I'm pretty sure exploding won't work on them anymore either. They were hesitant to pile up on me after that.

[Which is kind of unsettling for Santo, since he's been tearing through the monsters. If they were still living people, more than mindless corpses, he'd be pretty messed up about it.]

I can't stay, dude. Someone has to make sure those things to reach the palace and help get people to safety. I'm immune to them... It's gotta be me.

[alpha_squad_leader]

Great. I'll add it to their wiki entry.

Surprise them from now on then.

[He sighs.]

Yes, you can stay. You want to help people, fine. Running yourself ragged won't help. Rest up and recharge so you'll be at the top of your game and better able to help out.

Pepper Potts || The Palace of Landed Sky

[the_other_eight]

[Once Pepper has pulled herself together after the initial confrontation with the creatures she does an quick and dirty search through the network to see where needs the most organization. Clearly it's the palace which is being used as a safe haven from these things. She quickly gathers her things and makes her way there, and, in a short amount of time has made short work of the chaos that might have remained. She stays well out of the way of those who are defending or fighting off the creatures. She knows she's no use there. Instead she sets up areas where the wounded can be tended to (provided that they aren't about to die and become a zombie themselves) and has established an area where the children can be kept safe and still play.

She's checking her list of amenities that are running in short supply when she hears a noise coming from nearby. Quickly, she turns to see what it is.]

[depicted]

[It is just Dorian, and at the speed of his term he smiles to reassure her. There is a thin, cylindrical bundle in his arms, not too large to be cumbersome, roughly the size of a bundle of torches.] I didn't mean to startle you. Not a zombie, I swear it.

[the_other_eight]

[Pepper raises her clip board in a false attempt at being threatening. She really misses the lovely PDA boards that they had at home.]

Are you sure?

[She eyes the bundles in his arms. Good. The people outside need reinforcements. Hell, they need a rest, something to eat and these damn zombies to be gone. Without realizing it her eyes train to the hall that leads outside. So many people she cares about are out there right now, fighting. Being in here she doesn't know if they're alive or dead, and her lips turn into a slight frown before she draws herself back to the man she was speaking with.]

Are you making a supply run or heading out to fight?

[depicted]

Haven't felt any cravings for the flesh of the living, so I think we're all right.

[The thing in the bundle may not actually be sticks. But shh, don't tell the Emperor that Dorian is smuggling an overly affectionate carpet out of the Palace. The carpet wouldn't leave him alone.]

[But the important thing is that he has made it look like a bundle of sticks, and he is not actually a terrible liar.]

Heading back out.

[the_other_eight]

[Pepper clearly doesn't notice the hidden carpet, but he should show it to her sometime.]

Be careful, and don't get scratched.

[She offers him a bright smile. The smile doesn't reach to her eyes though. She's too worried about the people who are still out there.]

[depicted]

[He does actually notice that, and well, comfort a pretty woman or charge out to pain? He can stall for a few moments. So Dorian smiles at her, reassuring.] I'll be fine. Will you be?

[the_other_eight]

I'm not the one going out there.

[She glances out there again.]

[depicted]

It isn't so easy staying behind when others go to fight. [Not if you care about other people, anyway, but even Dorian has been hit with the affliction now and again]

Robin | Closed to Damian and Zatanna

[hackingyoursensors]

[Dying... didn't really agree with Dick. He'd been disoriented when they pulled him out of the ocean ('How did I get here' barely crossed through his mind before the images flashed through his head again).

He had died.

It's a thought that hasn't quite sunk in yet. How could it? He was still here warm and living and breathing. Even if he still felt a little cold and shaky but he can't tell if that's just because he hasn't recovered from being dragged out of the ocean and told he'd died.

In any case, the caravan had taken him to the palace. He'd tried to convince them to take him to Keeliai-- he had to tell them he was okay, to warn them about his new body double.

They wouldn't. So now he's nervous and feeling shaky and very much not like himself.

And so he sat, leaning against an outside wall of the palace, hoping everyone else made it through alright.

(Hoping that "he" hadn't killed anyone. The thought makes his stomach twist, and he tries to push it away.)]

[demon_brat]

[Damian and Zatanna hadn't really talked all that much, on the ride to the palace. Where they were checked for injuries, then admitted inside. But he took one look at the entry hall and how crowded it was, and he crowded her into keeping on moving, looking for a place where she would be, by his standards, safe.]

[Which is how they found the yard... and the small figure leaning against the wall, there. Damian stopped so suddenly that it was absolutely possible for Zatanna to just run into his back.]

[backwordscompatible]

[She didn't know if she was still pissed or distraught or depressed or anything other than partially in-shock. Most of the fight had since left her, as she slowly followed the younger Robin towards the castle. There would be someone to check up on her; a few scrapes and bruises, minor injuries from having been thrown so forcefully to the ground. And then there was the whole lightheadedness and vertigo from having almost drowned.]

[Not looking where she was going, she did crash right into him.]

What now?

[Then she looked up, and saw what he saw.]

[Her jaw dropped.]

...no way...

[hackingyoursensors]

[Robin doesn't notice them immediately. He's absorbed in his thoughts, his worries, his memories.

It takes a minute or so before he feels the eyes on him and looks up.

He looks tired and worn, despite being physically fine. His smile is tired, but it's there. He looks relieved.]

Zatanna, Robin! Man, I'm glad you're okay.

[Unless they'd.... His expression sobers.]

You are, right?

[demon_brat]

This is what happens, on Tu Vishan. Don't know about the kedan, but the one foreigner who had been killed before returned to life and was fished out of the ocean again. I suppose the kedan would be bringing them here for protection.

[Damian's words were low, meant for Zatanna alone. His eyes were down, not looking up at anyone's face. Not moving, either.]

[As Grayson approached, he took a step back, crossing his arms.]

I am fine.

[backwordscompatible]

[He...was alive. Smiling, like nothing had happened out there. Did he not remember?]

[She'd heard about the one foreigner in the past, but it never occurred to her that the same thing would happen again. Not the way he'd been blown to pieces like that. Even thinking about it still brought a wave of nausea.]

It's...really you, isn't it?

[She remained rooted to the spot, eyes wide, until she got verbal confirmation. Possibly even after.]

[hackingyoursensors]

[He looks concerned. They knew he'd died, hadn't they? He still wasn't sure how long he'd been away from the city (it didn't help that night and day were all relative now.)

He nods. He can't quite smile again, though.]

Yeah.

[demon_brat]

[And now that Damian knows that, yes, the place did work this way still, and Grayson is somewhere as protected as one can get, right now, he - can't. (And doesn't want to.)]

Stay here. She [thumb sideways at Zatanna] almost drowned, so keep her warm and comfortable.

[And he just. Turns to go. Conversational bombs are a thing.]