Go toward the light...

[trpmods]

Temperatures are slowly starting to drop on Agra 10, but that’s not the only new thing you wake up to this morning (Friday). No, there’s something else afoot… and it’s mint. Lots and lots of mint.

The mint appears to have broken out of the greenhouse. And it’s everywhere. Any little crack in the pavement, on stairs, even climbing up the walls and dotting the exterior of the shuttles (is that a thing mint normally does?). If you venture into the forest, you’ll see that the mint has also taken over much of the forest floor, carpeting the underbrush and crawling up trees.

At least everything smells good?

But you’re not the only one who smells it, apparently.

It happens that night. After darkness falls, a cluster of furry, glowing animals walk the streets of Temba, bleating a noise somewhere between a sheep and a horse, scattering out without purpose. They’re not quiet and don’t care if they walk into a place where you’re sleeping or if you’re in the middle of their path.



They’re glownies, and they’re on a mission, it seems. Apparently attracted by all that mint, they begin munching it up like they’re starving.

And if all that noise doesn’t wake you up, then congratulations! You get the pleasure of waking up on Saturday to see the puffy horse-like animals wandering around everywhere. They’re inside the hotel, drinking out of the fountain, nosing up to the shuttles, and even… well...

It seems they’ve eaten their way through the mint in the forest, too.

Or, at least, some of it. Now, there’s a long, obvious path in the minty carpet, glownies all up and down it, munching on the edges as if trimming it. It seems almost inconceivable that they’d be able to do all that in a night but the proof is staring you right in the face. The forest now has a long, clear path going straight through it which, if followed, will lead you to the sound of crashing waves and low, distant moaning noises that echo out of unseen places.

The glownies have cleared a path right to the ocean.

The water is clear and laps against a bluish, almost purple sand. Shells sometimes wash up along with a wave, each one smooth and opalescent from the years of being polished by saltwater. Now and again there will be small animals that look like fat, green lobsters walking around. When they get too close to a glowny, the animal will give it a sharp kick before the meaty claws do any damage. A smart move since the claws have a toxin in them. It won’t kill you but it will definitely have the pinched body part swelling up and itching like a bad wool sweater. If you can manage to catch one, though, they are as delicious as their Earth counterparts so choose your own adventure there.

There are fish splashing around in the water and plenty of sticks around for attempts at spearing them or making a pole. If you have string, of course. Or, maybe, as you look around to try and find some, you stumble upon something even more interesting than that:

Caves.

Dotted along the coastline are stone outcrops that have dozens of caves. The low moaning sound comes from some, but that is probably just the wind, right? Go investigate and you’ll find that they’re laced throughout with the same mineral deposits that seem to make up the power sources you may have found in the city. And this stuff seems far more potent. Your communicators will “wake up” and glow more brightly, seeming to charge up when you pass a vein of the stuff. They might even turn on and off erratically.

And if you have anything on you that’s made of any kind of metal (including vibranium, Starfleet alloys, etc.), or powers that are linked to energy or, well, power… you’re in for some weird - and possibly inconvenient - side effects.

Maybe you keep getting static shocks out of nowhere. Sand and dust might stick to you mercilessly, like you’re electrically charged. Maybe your metal [insert body part here] seems to glow sometimes, or function erratically. Or your powers might be dampened - or boosted. You might swear you can feel electricity buzzing in the walls, but there’s nothing there. Gosh, that’s annoying.

Additionally, some of the deeper, darker caves might have a few hidden treasures inside:

One will lead down, the air cold and clammy until you come to a collection of dusty boxes. There is writing on them in a language you can’t understand but, should you open them, you will recognize the containers as holding medicine. Lots of it, actually, with some new items no one (not even medical-specialty characters) will recognize.

One will open up into a large system of hot springs, steaming invitingly from several different pools. This could be a great chance to wash off, relax, or try to sneak into one of the more secluded pools and spend some time with someone special.

And one will have random, scattered piles of what appears to be scraps of fabric and battered, random electronics components, of the type you might find in the city. In fact, it’s reasonable to assume these are Agrii relics… except for the fact that they seem to be in much better shape than their age would imply. Huh. That’s strange, isn’t it?

Mod notes:

The effects of the mineral deposits are totally up to you! Note that it cannot be anything that would permanently maim or kill your character; but otherwise, feel free to have fun with it, especially for characters with metal bodies/body parts or powers particularly attuned to energy. The more annoying, the better, in fact!

If you have questions about possible effects, or anything else your character might encounter/find in the caves, just drop them below!

Comments

Saturday

[theladyofwinterfell]

( Sansa has the agriculture specialization and, as such, she often keeps track of what goes in and out of the greenhouse. She's been learning the use of the plants here on Agra 10 and has found some that are good for clothing, some that are edible, some that make fine dyes. She's never seen quite this much mint, though, and any recollection she might have had of Littlefinger is swiftly put out of her mind at the sight of the glownies everywhere.

Lady is fascinated by them, chomping at the bit to run and hunt, and Sansa calls her to heel. These animals seem to be peaceful grazers and they have plenty to eat besides; she's much more keen on shearing these animals for wool than hunting them for their meat. Besides, wool grows back and is renewable. Others have come out to see the glownies and Sansa addresses the person nearest her. )

Does anyone have a knife or something? We could try and see if these...creatures will allow us to shear them for wool and milk them to make cheese and butter. It's worth a try, anyway.

( Lady whines plaintively and Sansa curls her hand into the scruff at the back of her neck. )

No, Lady. We will not be hunting these creatures, so disabuse yourself of that notion now.

[seeingscarlet]

I have this?

[Wanda produces a strange makeshift knife made from scavenged metal and twine crafted from vines in the greenhouse. It's too delicate to be used as a weapon, but the blade is sharp, evidently honed by her powers from the odd warping along the edge.]

It works on plants in the greenhouse, but I don't know if it will cut wool.

[pileofspirits]

→ Beach
The not-lobsters and the not-ponies don't bother Phalanx much. Animals tend to either ignore or avoid the being, so they wander down to the beach without giving the strange creatures so much as a second glance. Their attention is focused solely on all of the shells. Happily wandering along the edge of the water, letting their ankles and the hem of their cloak of rags be splashed by the waves, they spend what seems like hours collecting tiny treasures in the sand.

→ Cave
And once Phalanx finds themself happily lost in a network of caves, those little shells become fantastic toys. Finding a seat where the air seems to hum the strongest, they can be found sitting in the center of what seems to be a slowly-orbiting flock of tiny shells. The sparkly little things hover and spin in the air, sometimes jittering erratically and sometimes drifting much more lazily, dancing in a cloud of invisible energy.

→ Hot Spring
Once all of their playing, collecting, and exploring is finished in the caves, they finally find themself in a chamber full of hot springs... and being that they have already had one recent experience with what happens when they're dunked into water while still wrapped up in their many layers of rags, they cleverly decide to sit on the edge of one of the pools instead of climbing right in.

But, sitting on the edge of a pool is boring. They dip fingers into the water a few times, and toss pebbles in to watch the splash, but that soon grows old. Curled up with their chin resting on their knees, they watch the steam rising from the water and basically sulk.

cave

[reconstitution]

It's hard to ignore being given opportunities to explore more of a planet everyone is stuck on. Inevitably, he ends up in the caves, because of course he does. The further he goes in, the more the unease starts to settle in. Having a prosthetic arm normally comes with a few drawbacks, and it's not uncommon for his fingers to twitch of their own accord. Mechanical synapses send off a bit different than organic, after all. This level, though? His arm should not be jolting the way it is, and it's cause for concern.

All that is thrown out the window the minute he lays eyes on Phalanx and his flying shells.

"..Um."

[pileofspirits]

When Phalanx's friend wanders into view, they glance over with a smile, and point to the shells hovering around them. "--Dancing?"

Oh, but then the ghosts notice the distracting way that metal arm is twitching and jolting. They move to point at the arm instead, still seeming nothing but entertained by the whole thing.

"You're dancing too!"

[tempredmental]

[Beach]

[Keith was more happy about this on Lance's behalf than his own. Sure, he found it okay, but it wasn't something that stirred a lot of nostalgia the way it did for his boyfriend. It was a nice change of scenery, at least.

He was currently investigating possible ways to catch fish, but then he found it a lot easier to dig up some shellfish instead.

Someone make sure he doesn't get pinched by a lobster-thing, please.]

=====

[Caves]

[The caves were much more interesting than the beach for someone like Keith. That it until the energy started to get to him. If he didn't know any better, he'd almost think there was a Voltron Lion down there, but the energy wasn't quite what he was used to from the quintessence he'd been interacting with since leaving Earth. It was enough of an annoying buzz, though, and he found that he had to take a few breaks while exploring and just get himself out of the area.

He settled down near the entrance to one, his own sensitivity to the energy not strong enough to pick it up outside, and attempted to just focus for a moment, working on a way to deal with it so he could explore deeper.

To someone passing by, he might look like he was either meditating or napping while sitting up.]

=====

[Hot Springs]

[Keith made it! And was rewarded by finding the hot springs. He knew he should bring Lance back here, but he was going to make sure it was safe first. The energy he felt coming into this place left him wary, so he wasn't going to drag his boyfriend into a potentially dangerous situation.

He could be found poking the water and checking for hazards for a little while before he finally was convinced it was okay. After that, he'd head back out to find Lance and bring him back.]

Hot Springs

[the_tailor]

[The moment Keith had told Lance about the hot springs, he'd gotten up and was ready to go immediately. This world rather lacked amenities, and a natural one such as this was something he wanted to immediately take advantage of. Sure, he lacked a swimsuit, but if he was just going with Keith, it's not as if he needed one.

After making sure the pets would be okay on their own, the two paladins make their way down through the caves and to the springs. Lance's smile is bright as he looks upon them, and after placing down his things, he immediately starts to strip.]

This. Is. Awesome.

[tempredmental]

[Keith's eyes widened a bit. Sure, they didn't have swimsuits and there wasn't anyone else there right now...]

Aren't you afraid of someone walking in on us?

[Keith hadn't completely stripped down...]

[reconstitution]

Ocean
[ It never matters what shape it takes, Winter can never get enough of the ocean. The fixation started in the Fleet, and by now, it's tradition. When the path to it is cleared, thanks glownies, he can't help but find his way there.

Despite the purple-hued sands and the small threat of the green lobsters, his shoes are off and pants rolled up. He'll wade if he wants to and nobody can stop him!! If he's not wading, knee-deep in rolling waves, he's planted a few yards away in the sand, just watching the ocean do its thing. Join him, he won't bite. ]

Hot Spring
[ Screw sharing the moment with someone special. He's old, he's tired, and dammit if he hasn't been having an awful time since he got here because that's how his life goes. Winter is quite enjoying the almost too-hot water and the resulting steam. The ships have never been great for baths, and definitely only had room for one. Hearing approaching footsteps, he even bothers to crack open an eye to watch whoever is disturbing the quiet. ]

I'm guessing the rules of 'dibs' don't apply on alien planets?

[ Hey, a guy can dream, right? ]

Wildcard
[ Want to have cave shenanigans or deal with technology malfunctioning? Or anything else, really?! Hit me up with a prompt! ]

Hot Spring

[outstandingbalance]

You going to tell me you're not open to a little company?

[Natasha's foot steps are familiar, steady as she approaches. There's a pause and the sound of clothing hitting the ground, the soft sound of heavy fabric. Even without opening his eyes, she knows James will guess what she's doing.]

[reconstitution]

[ He knows her movements all too well by now. Her heartbeat is a soothing thing, and he makes a bit more room for her to join him. Of course he doesn't mind the company when it's her. Natasha is always the exception to the rule. ]

'spose I could be convinced to be a little sociable.

Ocean

[tingmoonshadowpowers]

[Rayla was keeping her distance from the water's edge quite carefully. She was curious enough to explore, sure, and she'd heard about the caves. She wanted to see them. But that meant going past the vast massive body of fear just beyond that purple sand.

Then she saw him, wading about, knee deep in that substance that she both feared greatly but desperately needed to live. She cringed.]

What're ya doin'? Are ya actually walkin' in that?

[reconstitution]

[ Honestly, he wished it was easier to tune out the sounds of someone approaching and just enjoy the moment, but as soon as another heartbeat registers in his ears and the sound of hesitant footsteps draws nearer, he can't help but be aware. It's not someone he's familiar with, but that's not a surprise anymore. Winter turns to look over his shoulder at her, brows raising. ]

Sure, why not? It might be purple, but it's still sand.

Ocean

[the_tailor]

[Upon finding the ocean, Lance already knew he was going to be out here a lot. It may have not been the warm waters and smooth sands of Varadero Beach, but it's still an ocean, and that gives Lance a sense of nostalgia and comfort even if the sands are alien and purple.

He's splashing around a little, his own pants rolled up, when he spots another person down the shore doing the same. Lance smiles and wades over, waving.]

Little cold for swimming, but it sure is something, huh?

[Not that the temperature is probably going to deter him soon enough anyway...]

[reconstitution]

[ He offers Lance a nod as he gets closer, not doing much more than shuffling his feet into the sand a bit more. ]

You could say that again. I've seen a lot of shit, but purple sand is definitely a first.

[stillgotmyleftarm]

[Bucky's always been a city boy; but being a city boy with access to Coney Island, the beach isn't a completely foreign entity. Figuring out how to catch a crab-lobster-thing for food is, however - and it appears that assuming the super soldier serum will save him from pinches was overrated, because you might come upon him scowling and cursing and scratching at a forearm or an ankle like it's insulted him.

He quickly learns, however, that if you bring a vibranium shield down on the things hard enough, it'll stop them in their tracks without any adverse effects. He does not, though, know what to do with the thing after he's killed it, because he can skin a rabbit or a bird after spending a couple of years on the European front, but a lobster? Nope.

Aside from the beach, however, he's also drawn into the caves, both after hearing what other people have found in them, and out of innate curiosity. He explores them slowly, warily, slashing marks into the walls with the edge of the shield... which quickly picks up some weird properties, thanks to the stuff in the walls. It ends up making the edges of the shield glow - and they also appear highly magnetic, which he discovers when he gets his communicator too close and spends a good five minutes prying them apart, holy cow.

And then there's the fact that every time he touches the shield, his hands and forearms end up humming and glowing for a good long while afterward. That's freaking disturbing, although as far as he can tell, it doesn't seem to be doing any harm.

So far?]

[Caves]

[tiedonastring]

[Hux wanted to take some time exploring the caves. It provided a break from his work on the Power Plant and escape from people. He welcomed the solitude exploring the caves provided.

He could smell a heavy metallic smell and was very curious of what was the cause for it. It was hard to see and pulled out the small crystal rod from the Power Plant to help light the way.]

Re: [Caves]

[stillgotmyleftarm]

[Bucky's busy peering at a particularly obvious vein of the mineral lacing the walls - for the most part, there isn't much of it, but here and there, there are larger deposits of the stuff.

It means, of course, that his forearms are definitely providing their own light when he sees another light out of the corner of his eye, straightening up as the figure comes into view - ]

Oh - hey, [he greets - maybe a little short but not unfriendly. He doesn't know Hux more than by association, but that doesn't mean he's going to be rude.] Finding anything interesting?

Beach

[brooklyn_boy]

Steve isn't laughing at Bucky. Sure isn't. But he is laughing pretty close to him. Really close as the poor guy scratches and scowls and tries to be the lobster hunting champion of the world. Finally though, Steve has to intervene. He is giggling as he steps closer and grabs Bucky's hand to investigate his bites. Thank God he took the medic data point. Steve tuts and fishes into his bag for something to treat it.

"You will need a pot and water to boil," he says as he pulls out a cream and starts spreading it over a pinch. This should work. Probably. "Unless these are different than regular lobsters and that makes them explode. Who knows?"

[stillgotmyleftarm]

It is not funny, Steve - is what the flat expression on Bucky's face is saying, even if there's a tiny twitch to his lips, like yeah, he gets it might be a little funny. In the right light.

At least Steve's taking it seriously, because it itches like a motherfucker, and Bucky kind of really hopes that cream might do something to help.

"If this thing explodes, we're stockpiling 'em as weapons," Bucky says - grumbles, a little - although finally, finally his expression starts to relax. "Don't have a pot, but we could probably find something to use as one back in town." He eyes the creatures scuttling along the beach, and the occasional glowny aiming a kick at one. "Maybe they've got the right idea."

there's no way this can end well

[reconstitution]

[ The caves certainly offer a mystery to try and suss out. The way his vibranium arm jerks sporadically of its own accord and the way the cave walls seem to glow from time to time. He wanders through the caverns, trying to see if he can come up with a source. Honestly, Winter's not quite sure where he is, but he's positive that he'll find it when he wants to.

As he turns into another branch of caverns, his arm does something it hasn't done before. It's drawn forward in front of him, almost as if something was dragging him forward and boy he does not like that shit one bit. Despite trying to dig his feet in and get whatever it is to stop doing that shit, Winter still ends up being pulled down the hallway by some unseen force.

Bucky may hear the low cursing in Russian before he even sees Winter, but he's still coming that way. ]

well is overrated XD

[stillgotmyleftarm]

[Bucky does pick up on something - first, it's actually the noise of someone moving, but second, it's that low cursing. He's currently crouched down examining what might be a vein of the stuff that's making his shield and hands glow in the wall, but his head snaps around in the direction of the opening to the little cavern he's in when he hears the noise.

He's just starting to get to his feet when he sees... well. He isn't entirely sure what's going on here, but it looks... interesting.] Are you trying to use that thing as a dowsing rod, or...?

Question for the Mod!

[complicatedliar]

Is it possible to remove some of the mineral from the caves--and if so, does it retain its properties?

And additional question!

[complicatedliar]

Can the glownies be domesticated? (not necessarily for riding, but for like pulling carts, etc.)

Re: And additional question!

[trpmods]

Just letting you know we've gotten your questions and answers are pending!