realityshifted | and then there was darkness

and then there was darkness

[Wherever you were before, you aren't there now. At once, everyone is pulled into one general area. The stars above flicker once, twice. There is a horrendous sound like gears crunching, a metallic grinding like a scream, and then it all goes pitch black. There are no stars, no auras, nothing.

In the distance, one can hear a British man swearing and kicking at something.]

Don't tell me that's— ah, bollocks. Don't worry everyone, I'm working on it.

[From the direction of the black hole, there is a sound like a World War II air raid bell. And then there is silence.]

[ooc: plot start! Make your own threads and posts and go nuts.]

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[Oh for god's sake. A brief moment after the Plane is bathed in darkness, the glow of Mu's cosmo fires up, though it does little to cut through the darkness. Still, it's something.

Mu himself is wearing the Aries Cloth, and he looks down at himself, something akin to relief in his voice.]

Well. At the very least, I'm dressed.

[Loki has sent a doppelgänger to go find the source of the voice, but so far, he's had no luck locating it. After the last time he tried a similar tactic, he's not surprised to have failed yet again. They have ways of subverting his magic in ways he cannot overcome, much to his annoyance. So, he focuses on the situation at hand. Part of him is, admittedly, impressed that the stars of the Astral Plane gave off so much light--but any admiration for these stars wanes upon learning that he's trapped here now. It's an inconvenience, but not one he can't overcome. When he sees Mu start to glow, he approaches him with an amused expression on his face and a slow, crackling fire held in his hand. The sight gives him a much needed distraction from his anger at their current situation.]

I see I am not the only one who favors a horned beast to go into battle.

It seems to be a popular motif. [Mu turns and faces Loki properly, noting the fire in his hand. He had hoped to keep his cloth secret from the Asguardian, but circumstances, it seemed, dictated otherwise.]

This is my golden fleece, the cloth of Aries. I suppose I'm lucky to have been wearing it when I was - I cannot return home. can you?

[Loki gives him a curious look, wondering who else does. He still prefers his own horned helm, but sadly, there was no occasion for him to be wearing it when he was brought here.]

Aries... The name sounds familiar. This is one of your gods, is it not? [But with Mu's question, he tried again to return home--and cannot. He shakes his head.] It appears I cannot do so either. Has anything happened like this previously?

Not quite a god, no, but a mythological figure nonetheless.

Hn. It has. If this follows from past precedent, we may be trapped here for as few as two days, or as long as thirty, and it is unlikely we're alone. [with an inflection on 'we' that implies he's talking about the planegoers as a whole, not just the two of them.]

[He folds one arm behind him, brow furrowing as he thinks. The fireball doesn't seem to hurt him in the slightest; it barely gives off any heat (and won't until he wishes it to.)]

I remember wandering across these starry grounds with no memory and--[And what, he doesn't elaborate. He purposefully put that fake Casket of Ancient Winters out of his mind the moment his memories returned to him. He didn't have the heart to destroy it despite it upsetting him on a level he'll never admit to himself.] My apologies. [He forces a smile.] The mere thought of that incident still angers me, as it no doubt does for anyone else who was similarly afflicted.

Tell me, is this the first time the stars have fled this Plane of Astral for destinations we know not?

[It's unsurprising to Mu, who's own Cosmo has taken the shape of fire more than once, but never harms him.]

As do I, but that was hardly the first time we were effectively trapped, nor was it the first time that we had been trapped in that very building.

No. The first time was...[A pause, as Mu thinks,] perhaps five years past? I seem to recall they came back after slightly longer than a week, but I may be off by a few days. The second time was significantly shorter - a hiccup compared to the first.

If this is at all similar to prior incidents, then it's vital that we locate food and water as soon as we can - it's possible that the kitchen will not restock until power is restored.

[His expression turns serious. This could very well happen again in the future. He isn't exactly looking forward to that. This time is enough. But it's when Mu brings up gathering supplies that Loki's tone becomes somewhat sarcastic. The regenerating food is one of the things he has taken for granted here.]

Well, is that not convenient? Has the magic of the kitchen always been so tied with the light of the stars? Something such as that ought to be mentioned in the guide.

[The tone gets Loki A Look.]

I'd imagine that they draw their power from the same source, as do most of the other structures on this plane. We ought to hurry. I can fast for a time, but I'd rather not if it could be avoided.

In essence, a single, load-bearing source. What a terrible design flaw. [He shakes his head.] You may go on ahead. I will find what I need when I wish for it. One cannot possibly think of food so soon after a large breakfast.

[His continued casual and lightly sarcastic tone belies the bad feeling he has. He knows all too well from the stories told to him as a child that there are many things lurking in the dark, and the light is there to balance it and keep the dark at bay.]

That seems to be the case, though I don't know it's origin.

[Are you freaking serious, Loki.]

Forgive my speaking candidly, but that seems extremely shortsighted. You may be unwilling to think of it now, but I do not know how long this blackout will last. It may be days before we are able to secure more foodstuffs.

[Loki just smiles. Mu doesn't know that a doppelgänger is already in the kitchen procuring him a small supply of what he will need. And when he wishes to eat from it, then he will. But all the Plane-goers ought to feel lucky that he has no desire to hold all of the food hostage, because he easily could.]

Your concern is touching, but worry not for a god of Asgard. We are taught how to survive in the harshest of conditions, be it in the midst of a mighty battle, or the coldest of winters. I can go days without eating if I must. Fortunately, I am not like my brother's friend, who must eat to generate enough energy to think.

For which I should be thankful, hm? Well, if you are confident, then I will not attempt to persuade you further.

[He makes a face, and not one he makes around these mortals much. The second-hand embarrassment mixed with a hint of disgust (not with the man so much as his eating habits) is very clear on his features.]

Trust me. If you knew Volstagg as well as I, you would be.

And many thanks for thinking of my well-being. [He puts a hand to Mu's shoulder.] You are, indeed, a friend.

[How much truth there is to that statement, however, remains to be seen.]

[Even in the half light, Mu catches the expression and manages to restrain his reaction to only a chuckle.]

I shall count my blessings, then.

Your saying so is a compliment and an honour. If you require my assistance, do not hesitate to seek me out.

[Loki inclines his head, putting his hand over his heart almost as a pledge.] You will be the first one I seek out should I need it. [He won't, but he finds that these mortals need such reassurances of feeling needed.]

Fare you well. [He smiles and then begins to walk away, his heatless ball of fire flickering in his hand as he moves.]

[well this is somewhat disconcerting, especially considering how poor the lighting on the ship was before he got pulled away. And the voice…]

That's reassuring. [he turns, looking for anyone else- or just some light.] Does anyone recognise that voice?

Edited 2013-11-02 11:17 (UTC)

Not a clue.

[Castor's voice sounds like it's a few feet behind and off to Hawk's left.]

Don't suppose you have a light, huh?

[he turns that way, then, straining his eyes to try to see her.]

I'm afraid not! I didn't anticipate this turn of events, unfortunately. And… well, you wouldn't be asking if you had one yourself, would you?

No such luck, I'm afraid. [There's a shuffling sound as she pats down her pockets] I have some flint on me, but I'll need tinder if we want to get a fire going.

Then we should see if we can find something here. But where is the question…

We should probably figure out where we are, first.

Yeah that would be helpful. Might be hard if we can't see anything though.

I suppose we'll just have to feel our way around, then! [he laughs a little, tucking a bit of hair back.]

Speaking of which… the easiest way to keep from getting separated would be to keep in touch, wouldn't it? [he's somewhat gratified she can't see the embarrassed smile on his face, though probably if she could there wouldn't be a call for it in the first place.]

[She is way ahead of you, dude. Castor's wandering fingers brush against Hawk's back, locating and grabbing hold of his ponytail.]

Whats...

[The hands travel upwards to the base of it, whereupon they stop]

Is that all hair?

[well, it's better than some parts of him she could have grabbed.]

All natural, I assure you! Please don't undo it, I dread to think what it'll be like to redo it with no light.

Yyyeah I can feel the weight of it...

[Gods above and below, how can anyone function with that much hair! Castors hands feel their way to Hawk's shoulder and she steps a little closer]

Alright. I'd suggest we start walking but...this place is pretty big. If we miss a building, who knows how lost we'll get.

That's true… But if we don't go somewhere, we'll be stuck here, and we might end up here a while. May as well pick a direction.

[he reaches out to feel along her arm for her shoulder in turn.]

[She stays still until his hand has found it's mark, though she keeps looking around futilely for any source of light.]

Too much to ask for a candle, huh? Well, which way should we go?

[he gives her shoulder a squeeze, then. It's better now that they both have a feel of something that's real, right? But the lack is decidely distressing.]

I suppose usually they think the stars suffice. And you wouldn't think those would go out, so…

Well… why not that way? To the left.

Good a direction as any, I suppose. Let's go.

[It's an adventure, she tells herself while her heart beats in her throat. It's just another adventure.]

If all else fails, hopefully someday we can navigate this area simply by touch!

[though it'd help if there was a little more feel to the floor. and some way of telling whether they were close or not…

For now, though, they just have to hope for the best. He pushes a smile, even if it's not visible.]

I don't think I got your name, did I? I'm Hawk.

A point of reference would be really helpful if that were the case. The floor feels pretty even, too. If we wanted to get around by touch, we'd still need something to actually touch.

Hawk? I like it. I'm Castor.

Perhaps we could create something, then. Some sort of line along the floor, maybe…

Thank you! Castor sounds very nice, too. Does it mean something?

We could probably tie rope from one building to the next, but that still involves finding one. Anything on the floor could be kicked out of place, or tripped on.

[Castor is many things, but most people don't seem to realize how practical she can be.]

...You know, I have no idea. Ma never told me.

And I'm not sure I've seen that much rope around here… That's a good point, though. Wouldn't be any use if it ended up scattered all over the place.

That's a shame. Though I suppose that means it'd mean whatever you made of it, then.

Well, we could use this mane of yours...

[She's joking, of course, and her voice reflects it.]

Nah. I suppose I could always ask around, but at the end of the day, its my name. It means me.

[he laughs, reaching up to tug at a lock]

I don't think it's quite long enough for that! But maybe eventually. Or everyone could contribute! [that might strike some people as a touch odd, though.]

Not a bad way to think about it. No one could reasonably get you confused with anything else.

I'd offer, but I don't really have enough to donate to the cause.

[Not that....Hawk can see it right now.]

I'd hope not. If someone did, I'd have to change my name!

That's all right. Another time, perhaps! Or perhaps the others will have enough between them.

And then you'd have to adjust to being called something else. Too much bother, really.

Way too much. So! I'm happy with my name, even if it doesn't mean squat.

Now, what direction do you want to start in.

Well… we haven't found anything yet this way, so…

[he peers forwards, straining his eyes, and shakes his head.]

Let's try a little to the left.

[and shall we say they find something that way?]

Left sounds good. Let's go left.

[library?]

[library it is! a bit further on, and while he has one arm outstretched, he still has enough momentum to bang into the wall some.]

Oof! Well… we're here. Wherever 'here' is. Now… let's find the door.

[which shouldn't be too far away, just a little to the side]

[There's a somewhat loud whirring noise as the Doctor flicks through various settings until he's found the "torch" one for his sonic screwdriver. It's still fiercely blue, but it does the job. He can feel goose pimples form all the way up his arms. He doesn't like that feeling, not at all. He doesn't remember when the stars stopped shining here like this. Stuck in the middle of a field of pitch blackness just makes him feel that much smaller and alone--and he knows he isn't alone, not here.

He sweeps his sonic screwdriver/torch around in a circle, looking for anyone who may be near him.] Hello? Anyone there? [He knows he heard a voice with a British accent a few minutes ago, but he doesn't recognise it. He'll have to investigate as soon as possible.]

[ Well.

That's just a little worrying.

As soon as it goes dark, he fishes a small torch out of his inner pocket. It would be a lot more help if there was more to shine on, but the Plane has an awful habit to be long stretches of nothing. ]

Working on what, exactly?!

[ ...hey, it's worth asking. Don't judge. ]

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