TEAM ONE EVENT LOG

[recollecters]

PESGARE

READY: START. Roster: Theodore Leonhardt + Atsushi Nakajima, Augustine Sauveterre, Shinji Matou + Makoto Yuuki, Nazuna Nito + Apollo Justice, Sakutarou Oda + Howard Phillips, Carter + Mao Yata + Izumi Miyamura, Hitori Togusa + Sora Pu'uwai, Pitou Blythe + Astin Beaufort, Elizabeth Brisby + Ritsu Sakuma, Junpei Tenmyouji, Light Averly, Kiyotaka Ishida, Soujirou Katsuki + Peter Hoboken On the morning of the fourth at 9am, you'll find yourself gathering at the beach with several other volunteers. Many of you will find yourself partnered up and with a name in mind, and awaiting in front of you is a small fishing boat equipped to carry your group. A text comes through not long after, Zee's name attached. All aboard! Welcome, good morning, thanks for coming out. We've got a little journey ahead of us. Hope you like the ocean. Stepping aboard, you'll notice that the boat is equip with everything you could need for a short trip three hours south of the city: fishing poles, breakfast, life jackets, etc. In addition, you'll find a handful of flares with the Retrospec symbol stamped on them that you may want to take with you. At the end of this trip, you'll find yourself pulling into a harbor of a region known as Pesgare. Constantly overcast with the threat of rain, Pesgare is a bustling little harborside town with a wide ocean and streams leading fishermen and traders in from all parts of the world. There’s greenery and the scent of salt in the area and it’s a balmy sort of feeling the longer you linger outside. The region known as Pesgare is filled with cramped quarters and cobblestone-esque roads and it’s hard to tell who is and isn’t from the area. There are multiple languages that can be heard (including some that are absolutely not from this earth) and it’s hard to track all of the activity in the main village. Along the roads are brick buildings and wooden shacks and the general area of the town itself is only about 500 square miles. Most of the area to explore ahead is the ocean itself to other ports and islands around. Everyone in the town is friendly. Literally everyone. It’s hard to find anyone who isn’t in a jovial mood and who isn’t willing to help a neighbor or a stranger and they will be happy to chat about the places they’ve traveled or the people they’ve met along the way. Several of the stories revolve around travels around the globe from once upon a time, and there are others that speak of worlds far off and strange planets that you may never have heard of. It’s hard to tell if they’re serious stories or not though as the townspeople regale the tales and laugh all the while. It’s hard to go anywhere in the town without someone stopping to offer you a free loaf of bread or rush up to talk about how you remind them of someone. It’s busy, busy, busy. A lot of the places in the area appear to be trade posts for certain specialties. This includes weaponry, types of fish, cured meats and veggies, bakeries, books, equipment, curio wares and more. It’s all about supply and demand and barter and trade here. It’s not recommended to travel at night, so most out-of-towners are directed to the inn at the top of the hill, The Ontispan. Several stories high and easily the most recognizable building in the port, you will find that it’s near the lighthouse and the owners, an elderly couple, are more than happy to take you in. There’s plenty of room! The lodging is nice and comfortable and the rolling sea outside your window is calming. However, payment must be made in the morning. No problem, right? You must have your wallet on you, mustn’t you? But the amount due is in a currency you do not have. You’ve never even heard of it! How are you supposed to pay for something like this? It’s all about supply and demand and barter and trade. The boat you came on is nowhere in sight and none of the other fishermen will consider taking you back to the mainland while you're trying to leave without payment. Looks like you'll just have to work off your debt, now won’t you? This is the Team One Event Log! You are free to toplevel and thread as you choose on this log, but only team members may utilize this log. Remember, your activity to qualify for your two free memories and one item is supplying at least 30 comments spread over the three objectives per group (minimum of 5 comments per objective!) with at least three members of your groups. You will not be eligible if you do not participate in all three objectives somehow, and you will not be eligible if you only stick with your preferred partner! People who are paired with partners will experience some of the following: -Telepathic connections, but only the thoughts you don’t want your partner to actually hear. You can also use this to influence your partner’s thoughts. -Color fades when you’re not cooperating, it brightens when you are. -Cause and effect. If something happens to your partner, you feel it (i.e. if your partner trips somewhere, you’ll feel the effects.) -Timers. You and your partner will have a countdown embedded somewhere (hand, foot, chest, whatever) and if you don’t complete your missions and see each other before the timer runs out, consequences occur. These are not required and you may play with these as little or as much as you want! Important links to mod toplevels are: Mod Questions, Participation Reporting, NPC questions. Please be aware you are responsible for reporting your own participation & objective completion efforts with links. You must ICly tap into the log within the first 48 hours, or you will be removed from your team. If your activity is low per objective, the moderators may reach out to you about reassignment as well. The schedule for Team One is as follows: 3RD: Objective 1 posted (9PM EST) | Threading for Location Travel | Threading for Object One Objective 2: Info for Objective Two | Threading for Objective Two Objective 3: Info for Objective 3 | Threading for Objective Three Mar 3rd: Outro Objectives will be given in mod toplevels to this post with instructions; please check the log currently for Objective 1 to see how this will work.

Comments

[standalonehuman]

Togusa has been out on the docks, occasionally casting very worried glances out to sea. Not all of the boats have been accounted for yet, but one of the people who is actually in charge around here noticed Togusa's overeagerness to go out there and 'grounded' him to the docks. A good call, because he would absolutely work himself to exhaustion if given half the chance. Except that tiredness would make him a risk on a boat if he made a mistake.

So, he's staying as close to the action as he can, and helping with the docks. As each boat comes in, it needs another wave of work to make sure that it doesn't get swept back out to sea and become another danger.

Togusa startles when Soujirou takes his arm, but he quickly recovers with a smile in return. "Absolutely." He tugs the hood of his rain slicker up more. "Where do you need me?"

[spes_phthisica]

[Excellent! Any positive answer is honestly all the encouragement Soujirou needs to take a steadier hold on Togusa's arm and gently tow him along after him. You know, as you do.]

It seems as if a lot of things will be washed away or broken by the storm if they're not secured. So I thought I'd take a look around and see what I can do.

[He beams up at the taller and definitely more muscular man - neither of these is particularly surprising when you're 5'5 and skinny as a rake - giving his arm a playful poke with his free hand.]

And I think in some cases I might just need a bit of backup, you know? I'm afraid I'm not all that big and manly. [Soujirou Stop.]

[standalonehuman]

Togusa absolutely bursts out laughing at Soujirou's description of him, it's so unexpected that he can't help it. "That has to be the first time I have ever been called either of those things."

He's got a haircut that he can only seem to get away with because Izunia's letting his own grow out even longer, and a stature that is small when you stand him next to Officers Hoboken or Boudin. This. Is. Hilarious.

"But I'll help, I'll help," he assures Soujirou. "I'm glad everybody's pitching in. That's going to matter more than one specific person."

[spes_phthisica]

[Soujirou giggles in turn, shrugging his thin shoulders slightly.]

Well, you're certainly bigger and manlier than me, right?

[Well, he's definitely smaller and he's currently wearing pink fuzzy leg warmers on flower-patterned leggings, so possibly he has a point. Possibly he's just being ridiculous, though.]

I believe so too! It's so nice to see everyone trying to help, and I bet the people here feel the same. [Taking care not to slip on the wooden steps down to the pier, he looks around.] I think we should look for smaller boats that would get broken if they stayed in the water first. Just in case someone's forgotten about theirs, you know?

[standalonehuman]

Togusa holds up a hand in objection. "I was recently told that I am completely unqualified to judge that sort of thing. I have a friend who is such a convincing drag queen, I thought he was a woman the first time I saw him. And he would be able to beat me in any sort of fight I proposed. So, the whole concept is complicated."

Togusa follows along, and he nods to Soujirou's assessment. The larger boats seem to have been taken good care of. The fishermen whose whole livelihoods depend on those boats of course took their time with them. But some smaller crafts might have been overlooked.

As they walk, even over the sounds of the wind and rain, Togusa can start to hear one, a rhythmic thunking of fiberglass on wood that accompanies every wave. "Something's definitely loose." He walks down to one side to try to spot the offending boat.

[spes_phthisica]

Well, it's possible I might still be able to beat you in a fight. But what's that got to do with the price of fish?

[Skinny as he is, he's still very aware of his raw natural talent and previous experience when it comes to martial arts. It's just that he's pretty sure that it's not going to translate well into wrangling boats and dragging heavy objects around, so a little more muscle mass is needed - or more to the point, just about any muscle mass. Admittedly, he's well aware that muscle mass doesn't automatically translate to manliness either, but he digresses.

Soujirou runs a bit ahead, peering over the edge of the pier on the other side. The boat has already taken in some water, and is already lying so low in the water that he almost misses it.] Ah, there it is! [He frowns down at it.] I think one of us has to get in to undo the mooring and attach our rope instead. I'm he lightest, so... do you think you can hold it steady?

[standalonehuman]

That gets quite a big smile out of Togusa. "Fair point. Especially with Retrospec now." It was the biggest contrast: two moments, six months apart. Togusa and two of his friends went into the subways, a very dangerous situation, and the first time they were heavily relying on Togusa to protect them. And then when the same three went down again, it was vividly clear that suddenly Togusa was the one on the low end of the power scale. Not that he was complaining.

Togusa gives Soujirou a concerned look, but he nods. "I can get it." It's a precarious balancing situation, to nearly drape himself over the edge of the pier to reach the boat. He can snag the rope a little, and pull the boat the smallest bit closer. Then he gets a firm grip on the edge of the boat. "Okay. I got it." A worried look at Soujirou. He doesn't like it when someone else is the one to put themselves at risk. But he knows this is the right call.

[spes_phthisica]

[Retrospec certainly does change things up a bit. As someone who has always been talented, he’s finding himself rapidly passed by his friends as they gain superhuman powers, while nothing in his memories so far seem to indicate the same will happen to him. He might’ve felt a bit more hopeful on that front now that his eyes have changed to purple, but well, history isn’t on his side - quite literally. Okita Souji seems to definitely have been a completely normal being.

He gives the other man an encouraging smile, noting his discomfort but fairly sure that this is the best way of doing things. He takes an already looped end of the rope he’s carrying and drops it over a mooring post, unwinding a fair length of it behind him. Then, trying to gauge when the waves aren’t going to have to boat coming up to meet him, he takes a swift leap across Togusa’s straining back, landing in a couple of inches of cold sea water, glad he’s wearing cheap knock-off converse. There’s a stomach-lurching moment of impact and general wobbling, and then he finds his balance.]

Okay... just going to tie this rope on first. [Because he doesn’t want to go adrift on the sea, thanks. He’s not a genius at knots, but he finds a spot for a temporary mooring rope and compensates for skill with sheer temacity and a lot of rope.] And then you’re going to have to move a bit sideways, because I think the little snaps are under the boat on the front - or the fore or whatever it’s called.

[standalonehuman]

Togusa is very sure that there is nothing else waiting for him, in the realm of physical changes. He saw a memory of the man Retrospec wants to turn him into fighting for his life. If he'd had super-strength or anything extra to give, he would have given it in that moment. Instead he got out through some trickery and good timing of the use of his sidearm.

Togusa is holding very still as Soujirou works, and he can feel when the mooring line starts to take some of the pressure off. It's not as hard to keep the boat in place. He grunts in response to Soujirou's order and starts to move in the direction he needs, never quite letting go of the boat.

"I've been out with the fishermen a few times, and I still couldn't tell you," he admits. "But they've been very good about ordering around the volunteers 'go that way' instead of sticking to boat terms." Togusa can recognize when it's time to shut up and take orders, and this entire time in Pesgare has fallen into that realm.

[spes_phthisica]

[To be honest, though, it's not really the super human strength Soujirou wishes he could have - he doesn't mind being an average human in that respect. But the accelerated healing both Kiyomitsu and Yasusada have demonstrated would be nice. However, the chances of a man who died from tuberculosis having had any of that is minuscule to the extreme.

He practically has to bend over double over the side of the boat to get to the metal clasps holding it - rather flimsily - tethered. He's definitely glad that he's not trying to do so from the pier, or he'd risk falling into the water... or possibly having his hand crushed between the boat and the pier, if Togusa wasn't holding it. Then he scoots to the aft of the boat and does the same with the thin rope holding the boat to a small buoy - though that one is already coming undone, he notices.]

O~okay, it's free. [He bites his lip, looking around.] I don't think we can actually just drag it from the water onto the pier, not when it's full of water. Maybe if we tow it and get it closer to land... [He spots a small area of gravelly beach right by the pier.] Maybe over there?

[standalonehuman]

Togusa looks up to follow where Sojirou is pointing, and he nods. "All right. Come on up here, so you don't accidentally fall in?" And it'll be easier with the both of them towing the boat.

He grabs on to the line, and drags himself back up to his feet. A deep sigh as he can feel rainwater getting inside his parka again. He really just needs to give up on the idea of keeping his hair dry. Once Soujirou is with him, he starts to slowly pull on the line, leading the boat through the water along the pier. It's slow, with a lot of water sloshing out of the boat while they go, but they can make progress.

Once the bottom of the boat hits gravel, oh, it is suddenly not as easy. Togusa tugs hard, and it only drags a foot. "Aw, hell." He has to go closer and start to tip the water out of the boat as they go, or he'll never get it on to land.

[spes_phthisica]

[He nods and gets up on one of the seats in the boat, balancing there for a moment before springing back onto the pier. It's a pretty slippery and not entirely graceful landing, but the important thing is that it doesn't end in disaster.

He tags along with Togusa as he tows the boat, mostly just holding the rope steady and leaving the tugging to the other man - it seems ill-advised for the both of them to be pulling in different directions. But as they reach the beach, he can feel the rope go taut, and tries to tug as hard as he can as well. No luck.]

We need to empty it out, right? [He hurries up to the boat too, grabbing hold of the side and pushing it downward. It seems to work, but there's a certain inevitability about their future that becomes clearer the further down the edge of the boat goes.] ...We're going to get soaked, aren't we? [His hair is already dripping with moisture, and his rain coat doesn't actually cover his legs all that well.]

[standalonehuman]

Togusa frowns at the uncooperating boat, and he grimly nods at Soujirou's question. "My friend Ardyn would have something to say here about rising to meet our inevitable fate."

He gives an appropriately overdramatic sigh as he leans his weight fully on the edge of the boat, and the water starts to slosh out in a wave. It lightens the boat, and absolutely drenches any part of Togusa that he had managed to keep dry so far. Why had he even bothered?

It takes a few tries to get the boat tipped properly, but Togusa can already feel it moving again as the water flows out of it. At least the plan is going to work, and the boat won't end up lost out at sea.