(no subject)

[maskormods]

WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: Jeopardy -> Heropa
WHEN: Nov. 19
WHAT: A resolution and a swear-in
WARNINGS: Please label threads

Somewhere, in a place that is and is not Jeopardy, time has passed. To some, it may have felt like mere hours; to others, days. For time doesn't truly touch this place. Only fate exists here, for imPorts to change or allow to proceed as it will.

Somewhere, the sisters look into the hearts of those with the power to decide the fate of this entire world and know their choice. A blinding light grows, forcing even the strongest to close their eyes, and as they do so, a vision of what could have happened appears in their minds. A world wreathed in flames, fire and screams echoing ceaselessly as they depart; a peaceful world, healed and whole and well—and a certainty that another world has paid a heavy price.

And then there's the sensation of three powerful forces leaving, two taking an unwilling third with them to wherever they are going. This world will be left as it is now, and its future will be whatever the people here make of it.

MEANWHILE, IN HEROPA

One week into the mysterious storm that has enveloped much of Jeopardy, citizens across the nation are losing hope. The government continues to monitor the situation at a safe distance, but cannot enter the affected part of the city, though one SEAL team did make an attempt, only to become lost in the wind for hours before emerging without ever making it through. While the storm hasn't grown, neither has it shown any sign of changing.

The heroes who bravely charged into the storm have not officially been given up for lost, but with no news coming from Jeopardy, few believe they will emerge unscathed. To honor their sacrifice (?) and offer sorrowful natives a means of coping, a candlelight vigil kicks off outside Heropa City Hall at 4:30 PM EST.



Speeches are given. Commemorative t-shirts are sold. It is at this point that a large portal of light opens up in front of the building and deposits all imPorts who entered the storm, as well as a confused but unharmed Layla and Sally Clapp. A stunned silence falls over the crowd — followed shortly by an eruption of cheers.

Organized chaos quickly reigns over the occasion. Medical personnel are quickly called in to aid any imPorts who might need it, and government officials quickly descend, one thing on their mind: what the heck happened, heroes?! ImPorts are asked to state, for the record, exactly what they experienced — which leaves a lot of room open for the more creative among them. Just what each imPorts is willing to confess to or lie about is up to them, but there are other imPorts at hand to refute or support all statements.

While imPorts are technically free to go, all are encouraged to enter the building for a debriefing with government officials. Those who care to share their story begin to paint a picture of what happened, and a flurry of transportation begins to move between City Hall and the local porter outpost, as Jeopardy will certainly require some aid now that it is fully accessible. Reports begin to filter back that while there have been some casualties and collateral damage to the city, it is far less of a disaster than the government anticipated during the storm, no doubt due to imPorts' efforts. Additionally, news from other porter cities begins to arrive; with the dissipation of the Jeopardy storm, all dimensional anomalies elsewhere have ceased.

Following the briefings, ImPorts may go home and get some rest, although they may have trouble shaking off the crowds — which are largely ecstatic that the people who apparently saved the world are in front of them.



While imPorts were occupied with the post-disaster debriefings, locals have used the time to launch an impromptu celebration of their defense of this world. Local restaurants, breweries and nanas have hustled their finest wares over, and free food and drink are flowing for the homecoming heroes. A local party & events organizing company has strung up some lights and tents in the park across the street from City Hall, lending a festive atmosphere to the area. T-shirts being sold to honor the assumed-fallen heroes have been 'edited' with permanent marker, going from 'FALLED HEROES' (there was an error in the print run, given the notice of less than a week) to 'RISEN HEROES' and are, regretfully, being given away for free.

For those who stay, an impromptu party breaks out, and the occasion quickly becomes the latest swear-in, albeit with a more casual emphasis on the actual swearing-in than usual; a card table is set up with the usual seals and documents, but it's a bit haphazard.

Along with tasty libations, local musicians start jamming on acoustic guitars in the park's gazebo, setting up some cheerful background music—or maybe you're not too tired to dance? A local physical therapy school has rolled in multiple portable massage tables, with free sessions for sore heroes!

The locals who haven't dispersed yet are also around, likely to seek autographs from the world savers, while podcasters, BlueTubers and regular nosy nellies might lean in with a recording device, asking for the real story of what happened. For imPorts who become too intoxicated or exhausted to porter home, many locals are offering couches to crash on — although the pillows they use may later show up on ePay.

Comments

ota

[fauxmarth]

[from the dark of a monster's maw descending on her closed fist to the bright skies of the waning afternoon, to say that Lucina is jarred by the change is...well, it's right, but clearly an understatement. the ringing in her ears makes the eruption of cheers a muffled sound, one so potent it shakes her ribcage as she turns and sees, through the cluster of other salvaged imPorts, the sight of citizens in shock and celebration.

mute and still tensed up from the midst of her brawl, she watches Darin give his victory speech, only half-hearing the words.

is this...real...?

Darin's there... and...the others? she does slow and careful scans of the disoriented crowd around her for sign of those she knows, those she loves, her heart wrestling with the start and stop of fear. those who she locks eyes with get lengthy stares as she goes through the process of finding, recognizing, and accepting that they're there. any more than that is too much, and her eyes move again.

Today is the first day of the rest of our lives!

it's weird that, somehow, she can hear Owain yelling somewhere in that noisy crowd. Lucina, we did it! We will have defeated Grima! You'll see!

with tears flowing freely and unbeknownst to her, Lucina wavers, her hand going to the empty belt and scabbard at her hip, then drops to her knees with a choking sound, and weeps. what little of the princess is seen that night can be only in glimpses of some desperate embrace with a friend or ally or seated in obscurity from afar, her mind as far away from the singing and dancing as one could get while still being present. at least, until she's joined and pulled back, given reminder of where she is and what has transpired.

[the_caped_crusader]

[ there's only a hand on her shoulder, having snuck up beside her, silently contemplative as he spots sally and layla at the head of the crowd. he doesn't look great, suit ruined and bloody, but there seems to be no loss of energy... a boon from the sisters, he supposed. ]

[fauxmarth]

[it takes a couple minutes for Lucina to notice the weight on her shoulder, and a moment after that to remember where she is. it doesn't feel real, but...it must be. nothing's come to lash out at her yet -- just the weight of a battle-warn hand.]

Forgive me.

[she'll get to her feet, almost wiping at her face before she catches herself -- wouldn't be good to try doing that with gauntlets on. gods, the state of her...the state of everything...!

she turns her head to see whose hand it was, doing a bit of a soft double-take. swallowing on a guilty pulse that rises up and forms a lump in her throat, she nods her head a little.]

I'm relieved...you've made it, too.

[the_caped_crusader]

Like I said, I've been doing this for a long time.

[ he was hard with her so she would live through something like this, but now that it's over... well, this is not one of those times. so, he takes it upon himself to wipe some of the more egregious tears away with the thumb of his glove. better than her gauntlets, at least. ]

But... you, too.

[fauxmarth]

[she's a bit too worn down to be startled by the soft gesture, but her face does get a touch pinker all the same.]

Now, I suppose... [she gulps again, her mouth twitching.] We find out if I'm of worth...without that sword of mine.

[wow, saying that aloud actually hurts, and spoils a bit of the bat's work on her cheek.]

[golisolation]

[Catching Lucina's eyes during Darin's speech, he nods towards the back of the crowd of heroes as he makes his way out of it, and around the corner of the building. He doesn't want to be in the limelight like this, he doesn't like this...heroic attention. It's not him. So, by the end of Darin's speech, and when Lucina crumples under the emotion of it all, he's...tragically not present.

He's merely waiting for that whole thing to end, so that he might catch up with Lucina once she's done with her duty of blessing the crowd with her heroic presence, or whatever. When she finally steps away, she'll find Guzma around the corner of the building. Leaning against the wall with his arms crossed as he waits, but when he catches sight of her, he shoots her a grin—until he notices the obvious signs of crying.

That prompts him to push off the wall and approach her, his expression full of concern.]

Yo—Lu? What—this ain't over Darin's stupid speech, is it?

[fauxmarth]

[thank gods...

she'd wandered a bit, lost in and out of her head amidst all of this bustle, but making her way back toward the building they'd all landed on brought her in sight of him.

Lucina slows to a stop partway as he draws near, her eyes red and face still wet. can't really wipe off when your hands are sporting steel and spattered with monster filth...

her head tilts slightly at the question, squinting with confusion. Darin's speech? what-? after a beat, letting that sink, she shakes her head.]

No. No, it...

[she looks to finish that answer, but lets it go, her gaze flicker down. after a beat, she moves forward, gently settling her head against his chest.]

[golisolation]

[As she rests her head against his chest, he automatically brings his arms up and around her. He's no good at comforting people--hell he doesn't even know how to comfort himself! So...he just holds her close to him, silent as he brings his head down to nestle against the top-back of her hair.

Monster bits be damned, he doesn't care how badly they all probably need to wash off. Himself included.

He's no fool, though. He noticed she was without her sword, and while he was never made privy to its importance, he had an inkling of an idea. So, he's left wondering if that has something to do with this, or if the relief itself is what's bringing her to tears, or...

Whatever it is, he'll let her say on her own, if that's what she wants. Or, if she just wants to cry on his chest, that's fine too. He just hopes she doesn't expect him to know what to say, because he absolutely doesn't...]

[fauxmarth]

[she's not much to hang onto, all banged-up plate and such, but if it helps, she doesn't linger in place long enough for it to be too uncomfortable. she just...needs this bit of assurance. she'd worried that sight of him and Scizor receding into the city...that was going to be the last she'd see of him.

at least she's run out of tears to cry for now, so she won't be staining him much more.

eventually, lifting her head:] ...I'm glad you're safe. Is your team...?

[gods, she hopes he hadn't had to give any of them up.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[It's not long into the night when Darin finds Lucina. He walks up behind her, noticing the empty scabbard and places his hands on her shoulders.]

...I hope you don't mind I downplayed the sacrifices.

I wanted to give the civilians something to celebrate. I didn't want to hold this over their head like...

...Well, you know...

[fauxmarth]

[she glances over her shoulder, shaken out of her thoughts, and blinks at him.

it takes a beat, but:]

...Did they take something from you, too?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Nothing nearly as precious.

[He says feigning a smile.]

I'm here. We won. The world's safe. That's what counts.

[fauxmarth]

[what does that mean, Darin. he's lucky she's too worn to press on it right now.

she nods, blinking through a couple fresh tears that she lets fall unfettered.]

Yes. And, gods willing...it's enough for now.

LU HUGPILE!!!!!!!!!

[h2no]

[it's kind of weird (or maybe it's not? there's not exactly any "proper" ways to cope with this sort of thing, after all) that after everything and a definitive close... it doesn't feel that way. waiting for the other shoe to drop, as it were.

he sits next to lucina, hesitating a moment before putting an arm around her shoulders. he doesn't quite know exactly what's made her cry, but it's not exactly hard to guess, not with what he knows of her.

quietly:] I wish they'd seen this through.

[whether he means owain, jacob, kanaya, kaneki or any of the countless people that've been ported out or the natives that didn't make it, it's not clear. he just knows this isn't going to be as easy as one might hope.]

APPROVED

[fauxmarth]

[does it really matter who he meant? there's a list, and any number can fit the bill. all of them, some of them...even ones who weren't on that list to begin with. what would her parents think, after all of this?

she's not much to lean onto or hold, considering the state of her armor, but that doesn't stop her from leaning in turn, heartened and grateful that he's there at all.]

No, I...I think I'd wait a week. Or two. And then bring them along. Not...thrust them in the midst of this now. Not when I can't properly see to them.

[h2no]

Depends on what they'd want themselves, should they be capable of making that choice.

[which... they're not, and they won't be. he knows this.

briefly, he realises he has no idea if the porter still even works. the thought prompts him to grab another shot glass from someone passing by and down it.]

Y'wanna move this to a rooftop? [seeing as they're both capable of flight.]

[fauxmarth]

[she shakes her head a little.]

I've got no energy in me to float, let alone fly.

No...this is fine.

[some of the rowdiness is actually a balm -- joyful noises, instead of madness and fear.]

If it's fine, I'd...rather just sit here for a while.

Re: ota

[timetravelandguns]

[ There is a gentle hand on her shoulder and a presence by her side, quiet, calm, and utterly glowering at anything or anyone who approaches or wants her time. They may not know each other, hardly at all, really, but he saw her in battle, and he thinks she deserves the time she needs. He has been in one war or another his entire life, and this was, without a doubt, a war, a vicious one that took a lot, and cost a lot. And now it is, apparently over. And now... now is time to recover, to weep, to reaccess, and to rest. Until the next one begins.

And so Nathan Summers, called Cable, stands vigil, as he has before, and will again. He does not cry, for he is so exhausted he is not sure he can, but he looks at her with a gentle calm, and nods. For this moment, the whole world can go away. For this moment, let there be peace. ]

[fauxmarth]

[it takes a couple minutes for Lucina to collect herself. she knows she must look a pathetic sight amidst all this joy and relief, but one can't really control the pain of a fresh hole in the heart, can they?

Falchion... the last physical remnant of her family, her life before the Grimleal ruined everything. rarely was it ever out of her grasp, and now...]

...Forgive me.

[she doesn't even know who it is standing sentry! she peels one of her gauntlets off so she can at last wipe her face and eyes, blinking the last of her tears as she climbs up to her feet. expecting Archie or Darin, she pushes a smile on her face as she lifts her head--]

Oh...!

[and is mildly surprised to see neither. rather--]

...From that wasteland...

[who was he, again? how long ago was that, now?]

[timetravelandguns]

Nothing to forgive. We all need... time.

[ He offers her a small and approving smile. She is not the first to be surprised by him and won't be the last. They have all been through a lot. And he hates to see soldiers tired from the war, lose more. So he will do his damnedest to protect them all. ]

That's me. Cable.

[ Cable looks at her, measuring, as he offers her a hand, too and a nod. ]

Welcome to the After.

[fauxmarth]

[after a quiet sniff, she smiles small, shaking his hand.]

Thank you. I'm glad to have the chance to see it, at least once. And thank you, too, for the aid back there. I wouldn't have gotten very far without it.

[storyseeker]

[Elena doesn't know Lucina that well, but she can't walk away when she sees the other woman seemingly fallen to pieces.]

Hey...

[She goes over to her, a look of concern evident on her face.]

Can I get you some water or something? Is there anything you need?

[fauxmarth]

Oh-- [gods. this really won't do-- around so many people? Lucina can't stand tears even alone, but being caught with them is...]

Forgive me, I...I just... [she tries to wipe her eyes, forgetting she's still covered in gore-spattered gauntlets and plate, recoiling at the last second.] Gods-! Ah, alright, I...I just need to clean myself up, is all... [and get back onto her feet. she can accomplish at least one of those things right now: she pushes herself up off her knees and onto her feet, her face red with shame.]

[storyseeker]

Hey. Hey, it's okay. Come with me, let's go.

[Before Lucina can rush off in embarrassment, Elena puts an arm lightly around her shoulders, guiding her toward the building.]

Come on, I know a side entrance with a quiet hall.

[She will take her to a place of healing: the ladies' room.]

[fauxmarth]

[ah, yes, one of the hallowed halls of ladydom for many a girl -- a bonding place Lucina's rarely taken advantage of, considering her nature and origin. no better time to get to freshening up among peers than when one is covered in monster viscera, yes?]

I hope you weren't...caught up in that storm of madness, Elena. I can't say I saw you among those who fought, but so much was going on so often that I may have just as easily missed you...forgive me if I did.