Seasong: The Waves, They Will Rise

The Monsterworks · Post by **The Monsterworks** » Sat Oct 15, 2016 12:18 pm

Jack Smith

Jack and Ethan make it back to the edge of camp, when Ethan pauses suddenly. He grabs a hold of Jack's arm. "You think we...I...should tell anybody?"

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Adahy and Emma Ashevak

coming soon...

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Kayla Flanagan

coming soon...

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Molly Rivers, Crazy Zane, Tarein, and Ulysses Walk

Molly's decision to simply go into her shell turns out to be a good one. She surreptitiously keeps an eye on things, but the situation works itself out in an unexpected way...

~~~~

Zane is just starting to feel about as pleased with himself as a man cuffed and deposited inside a police station can. Man, they've gone downhill here. I could've just run right out. Getting the cuffs off would've taken a bit of doing, but otherwise...
Finally, the sergeant turns around. He glances at Zane, unconcerned. "You may have just saved your life, Zane. Congratulations." He lifts his radio to his lips and says something quietly. A trio of armed swat cops march through the door. They give Zane dirty looks. Looking forward to taking me out, were you? Yeah, I'm not about to give you the pleasure.

They sit down beside him and everybody seems to be waiting for something.

~~~~

Thankfully, the situation with 'Crazy Zane' works itself out and Ulysses won't have to share a holding cell with him. He was really not looking forward to that.

He looks at the paper in his hand. You'd better be worth it all.

Then, the gate to the cell is opened. The strange Asian woman is placed in beside them. She looks confused and none too happy, but she doesn't make a commotion. People try not to stare at her and she tries not to stare at people. One of the Italians tries to say hello. She looks at him strangely and he awkwardly retracts his hand. Things calm down and everybody just seems to be waiting.

~~~~

Molly is just starting to wonder if she'll ever get out of this awful situation when the doors open and a sopping wet woman in a raincoat hurries through. She flips back her hood to reveal wavy, dirty-blonde hair. Ah yes, Marigold.

"Oh my," she gasps, taking in the number of her colleagues in the holding cell.

"Hello," she addresses the sergeant. "Are you the chief here?"

"Just a lowly sergeant, ma'am," he replies, in a rich Ghanaian accent.

She looks somewhat nonplussed for a moment.

"But I am the one in charge at the moment," he says with a hint of a smile. "How may I help you?"

"I...um." She glances at the holding cell.

Phineas gets up and interrupts. "This is is Marigold." He sweeps into the conversation. "She's come here to have them released to her. She promises responsible conduct back home for all of us bad little drunkards."

"All?" The sergeant inquires, looking skeptically at the cell.

I'd have thought only us people from the university, Molly muses.

"Well, those of us whom she knows," Phineas replies, before Marigold can.

The sergeant looks at Marigold. "Is this true?"

She nods vigorously. "I have money for fees and things too."

The sergeant leans over and talks in low tones with the secretary behind the desk. "Please, speak with this woman. We'll need you to sign some things, and then please get your friends back to their homes safely."

Colleagues, really, Molly thinks. That would be the more apt word.

"As for you," he turns to Phineas. "You were a witness, correct?"

"Yes indeed" The professor replies. He rocks back and forth on his heels and points to Ulysses. "And I can clear that man."

~~~~

Ulysses starts. Good! Someone can get me out of jail. My feet are too valuable a resource to remain locked up here for any longer.

Within two minutes, the old professor, Phineas Marlowe, apparently, has given a witness testimony, the cell door is sliding open, and Ulysses is walking free. He saves a little sneer for the drunk boyfriend who started the fight. He's been trying to cuddle his girlfriend for most of the time and she's been summarily rejecting him. Ulysses resists blowing her a kiss as he exits. Rebecca's gonna be his girl, not her.

It doesn't take him long to get out of there and back to his pad. Head sore and ears ringing, but with a girl to woo, Ulysses quickly falls asleep.

~~~~

Marigold notices the other people in the cells. "What about them?" she asks the secretary.

The mousy little woman looks up. "Well, one's the instigator and he'll be getting an aggravated assault charge. The other's his girlfriend. Your professor's testimony should see her out."

"Yes, but what about the one dressed like she's just come from a period film?"

The secretary looks as Tarein. Tarein can feel eyes upon her and she glances back.

"Oh, that one doesn't speak a word of English."

Marigold perks up. "Well, I study Asian languages for a living" Well, I'd like it to be a living, but for now I pay my bills by working in that godawful lighthouse.

"You're welcome to try," says the secretary.

Marigold scuttles up to the holding cell. "你能听懂我说话吗？"

Tarein recognizes that this isn't a western language, but it's still not a tongue that she knows. Chinese, perhaps? Cautiously, she shakes her head. It would be amazing if somebody here could understand her.

"あなたは私の言うことを知っていますか？"

That's Japanese! Tarein doesn't know the exact words, but it's some hope. This time, she speaks. "당신은 한국어를 구사합니까?"

Marigold starts. The dialect is not one that she's used to. "예! 네 ... 조금 ..."

Finally, Tarein has somebody that she can talk to. There are so many questions that she has that she scarecely knows where to start...

Post by **That Kode Guy** » Sat Oct 15, 2016 1:16 pm

Tarein

만 조금?

Tarein's mind races. She has SO MANY QUESTIONS!!! And yet... she doesn't know if this person can understand them all, let alone answer them. She decides to play it safe for now.

"가르쳐주세요, 미스, 나는 어디? 나는 매우 혼란 스러워요..." says Tarein. "이것은 내가 사용하고있는 것보다 훨씬 다릅니다."

The Monsterworks · Post by **The Monsterworks** » Sat Oct 15, 2016 1:32 pm

Tarein

Marigold concentrates. This is much different from what she's used to. Korean has never been her forte, but she can get along in it.

"당신이 어디에 당신은 정말 몰라?"

The woman shakes her head.

How to put this. It's going to sound strange. She's not on the wall so much as she's in it. "당신은 벽에 있습니다...erm...이 곳은 '벽'이라고합니다."

Tarein nods, understanding and yet not understanding.

"당신의 이름은 무엇입니까?" Marigold tries.

Post by **That Kode Guy** » Sat Oct 15, 2016 3:03 pm

Tarein

Tarein stops suddenly. 중국의 벽???

She takes a look at the woman. The woman certainly doesn't look Chinese. The facial profile and hair colour give it away immediately. Could she have come from the West?

What WAS this Wall? Why WAS everything so... different? Questions for later.

"Tarein," comes the reply. "그것은 낯선 사람에 의해 나에게 주어졌다..."

She remembers her father, long ago, telling her the origins of her name... 큰 마음 ... 'keun ma-eum' in her native tongue, 'great heart'. A weary traveller had taken shelter with them before her mother's childbirth. From what Tarein remembered of her father's words, he was a great warrior. He had a horned helmet...

The Monsterworks · Post by **The Monsterworks** » Sat Oct 15, 2016 4:34 pm

Livorno and Falmouth Sectors, The Wall

"내 이름은 메리 골드입니다," says Marigold. However, before they can continue, one of the officers opens the cell door and another two step inside. Molly, Fabio, and Paolo are ushered out. Molly's backpack is given to Marigold, who still isn't quite finished with Tarein.

She turns to the sergeant, matter-of-factly, and addresses him. "Sir, I honestly believe that this one will be no danger. She merely seems to be a lost traveler from the Eastern Savage Lands. If you require a witness testimonial from her, I can act as a translator, but I'd ask that you release her into my custody for the time being."

The sergeant looks around. A couple of other drunks have been hauled in, and as he watches, Murderous Maud. He turns to his officers and tells them to get the other drunks in with Boyfriend and girlfriend for processing and then to open up the other cell and get Zane and Maud inside. He turns back to Marigold. "Alright, you can have her, but if she causes any trouble, it's on you." He leans over to the secretary. "Have her sign a release form."

Marigold faces Tarein. "당신은 나와 함께오고있어. 당신은 내 집 오늘 밤에 잠을 수 있습니다."

Tarein doesn't have a lot of other options. "고맙습니다," she replies in a bit of a small voice.

"Last bit of business," the secretary pipes up. "You lot" - she gives Fabio, Paolo, and Molly a stern look - "won't be saddled with criminal records, but you're going to be up for some community service."

"Me too?!" Zane enquires.

The officers beside him glare. Zane grins. Maud laughs.

"No," the sergeant says, glancing over their papers. "It's hard time for you, and your partner-in-crime."

Beats the electric chair. Besides, I'll get real food in there.

Anyway, into the cell with you two. The cops take away Zane's bar, and then lead him and Maud into a holding cell. Maud makes a pouty face. "Handcuffs?" she asks sweetly, holding her wrists up.

"Eat shit!" says one of the officers.

Maud proceeds to try to bite him and takes a billy club for her effort, knocking her to the floor.

She comes up laughing hysterically, "Was just followin' orders, guv'nor!"

The police slam the door shut.

~~~~

Molly considers heading straight home, but pops into her 'office' briefly to take a look at the state of things. What an altogether dreadful day, and tomorrow promises to be precious little better, given that big announcement coming down from the government. Perhaps she'll have the opportunity to work on the sound gun further. Marigold handed it back to her, more-or-less unharmed, as soon as they were away from the station.

By the time that she falls into bed, she is thoroughly exhausted. Molly does not wake up until considerably later than usual the next morning, and sees the expected notice headlining her morning paper: "Stone Chamber Votes 37-13 to Evacuate," with a subtitle of "Women and Children to be given priority".

~~~~

"Well," says Maud, "Looks like they bagged you too." She sits down on the bench across from Zane.

People come and go from the station. Zane waits.

~~~~

Tarein finds herself brought outside. There are lights here. Lights everywhere, and one cannot see the sky. There are no trees, grass, or animals. She has given up trying to understand for the time being. She is just taking in this strange new world. She gets the sense that Mary Gold has plenty of questions as well, and is a friend, of sorts. She falls asleep that night in a strange bed, in a strange place, full of strange people, wonder how and even if she'll ever get back home.

Cha0sFerret · Post by **Cha0sFerret** » Sat Oct 15, 2016 4:54 pm

I'd hate to be the bringer of bad news, but this is a matter of safety. The group needs to know that this area might not be safe.

I nod.

The Monsterworks · Post by **The Monsterworks** » Sat Oct 15, 2016 5:01 pm

Jack Smith

Ethan makes his announcement around the largest campfire. Immediately, it touches off a panic. People start hurling questions at him and Jack. Jack hides behind the fact that he really can't answer.

People are debating whether or not they should just get the hell out of Dodge right now. A couple, though, refuse to believe it. At least two or three others express a need to go and scout. Already, Jack counts six shadowy figures streaming up the hill, each attempting to scout stealthily. At least one of them is going to get caught, Jack realizes. and armies don't take kindly to having their movements observed. Shit! Sometimes it's just better to protect people from themselves. For a moment, he's caught between actions. Should he go up and try to stop them, let it play out, or cut and run right now, since he's already more-or-less packed?

Alexjh · Post by **Alexjh** » Sat Oct 15, 2016 5:08 pm

Molly decides to start the day with version 2.0 of the sound gun. Much as it may have gotten her into trouble, it had proved it's worth conceptually at least... and maybe if she could donate the design to the police department it might get her out of that community service....

The aim would be to have a focusing dial - the omnidirectional setting was potentially useful and so best to leave as an option, but a cone or possibly even a beam at the other end of the spectrum would allow it to be a lot more of a useful tool... Waterproofing is probably a good idea too given the current situation here....

After lunch though she feels like she ought to go find Marigold or Dr Marlowe, perhaps they can give a bit more detail on the goings on of the previous night.

Cha0sFerret · Post by **Cha0sFerret** » Sat Oct 15, 2016 7:03 pm

I had a feeling this would happen. They're gonna get themselves caught, probably drag these guys back here. There's no guarantee they'll attack, though. Maybe they're friendly? I'm not gonna bet my life on that.

I go and crouch behind the truck farthest from the hill, and listen.

Madman · Post by **Madman** » Tue Oct 18, 2016 6:33 pm

Emma Ashevak

Emma tries not to glare. She also tries not to glance at the pinkish boulder. Still, he's another one of those mountain hermits - not the kind to care about money. Women, though... how long has it been since he's felt a woman's touch? Should I be worried?

"For your safety, huh?" Emma looks sourly at her ankle. It's swollen and will probably take weeks to heal. "How about my safety?" It's a bit selfish, really. Then again, that's how all of these guys usually are: tunnel vision, focused on their own needs.

Whatever her internal dialogue might be, Emma does not let any sign of it show outwardly. She senses that this man isn't a threat. "I'll tell you what," she offers, "let's make a deal."

Kayla Flanagan

Kayla starts the next day with a mix of euphoria and nervousness fluttering through her stomach. So much money! she thinks, but cautions herself not go spending big wads of it. That would be suspicious. After skipping breakfast, she wanders down to the market outside of town and goes to Golden Arches for a meal. She picks up one of the newspapers and notices that her robbery is news. As long as I'm not news, it's okay, I guess. Feeling a bit adventurous, she decides to get on board one of the trucks that goes right into Youngstown proper, wondering if she might be able to purchase a sewing machine for her family. It's always better to control your own income. That way, you never have to do things for other people or rely on them to do things for you. For a moment, she thinks of her mother. If there is one thing that Kayla wants more than anything else in life, it's to be as independent as possible in every way possible.

The Monsterworks · Post by **The Monsterworks** » Wed Oct 19, 2016 12:37 pm

Ulysses Walk

Ulysses usually isn't one to care much about the news, but the evacuation order can't really be ignored. It disrupts what would've been his usual quiet Sunday, spent recuperating from wild Friday and Saturday nights.

Women and children first. Well, that sort of dims the prospect of romance. For once, Ulysses actually reads through his morning paper. There are assurances that this is merely a precautionary measure to ease food and living space burdens. Yep. That's a lie. He remembers that old professor - the drunk one who got him out of that cage - muttering about mutation and shipping danger and 'tip of the iceberg'. Phineas. That was his name. Phineas...something. You don't soon forget a name like that. Ulysses isn't sure if the man was just drunk, a quack, or onto something. He flips through a few more pages of coverage. Weather's cleared up,at least. That one big story has pretty much dominated the papers. Then, he sees the name. Ulysses zeroes in on the article. It's a short summary of proceedings in the government chambers leading up to the vote: "Dr. Phineas Marlowe presented his recent findings regarding a possible link between species of the family luxnigrum, more colloquially known as 'Bios', and the recent attacks on swimmers and pleasurecraft. Though the committee moved to add additional precautions when loading and unloading vessels, it deemed the actual threat minimal."

Ulysses' ears are still ringing from last night, but they're better than they were yesterday. He can hear almost perfectly well. With the day off and nothing much to do, he decides to go up top. Maybe a day in the park would do him some good. Before he goes, however, he has a flash of inspiration. The phonebook! He opens a cabinet door and pulls it out. Maybe I can find her number in there. He flips through the pages until he reaches "Rose." There are a lot of Roses. Hmm, how about 'R. Rose'? Then, Ulysses is seized by an uncharacteristic apprehension. Should he start calling various 'R. Roses' or should he just leave well enough alone and wait until Saturday?

Molly Rivers

After a satisfyingly productive morning, Molly has a light lunch and decides to call up Marigold.

"Oh yes, do come over," says Marigold over the phone. "I have the most intriguing guest, and..."

Molly waits. This is a pause for dramatic effect, mostlike.

"Well, there's more, Molly. That's what I can say for now."

Molly contemplates her next course of action for a moment. Marigold lives quite close to the university, after all, as do most of the people who conduct their research there.

Jack Smith

It isn't long before there are shouts and encounters. A few people run, and a few people start to drift away from camp. Jack wonders if he should do the same or wait this one out. As he's trying to decide, a troupe of soldiers in a truck round the apron of a hill and come rumbling towards the camp down the gravel road. In the middle of them, Jack can make out the gleaming medallions and insignias of a uniformed officer. Time to run, or to see how this plays out?

Larry Walker

The potential situation dies down quickly, and muscles is approached by a chubby man in a nice suit. Wait a second, I know that guy! Willard... Willard something. Pitchman. Slimy. He'll sell anyone anything for the right price. What's he selling, and who's buying?

Larry's been making a killing at the tables. People here think they're pretty good at Blackjack, Poker, Rummy, and just about everything. Unfortunately for them, they're not. Hmm, he thinks, Should I just leave him to what he's doing and keep squeezing these saps dry, go and say hi, or move tables and snoop a bit while playing? As he glances over, Willard's pulling out an expensive cigar and leading muscles over towards the elevator. Looks like this is going to be a more interesting night than I bargained for.

Kayla Flanagan

The truck drops Kayla off on the outskirts of downtown, and she walks the rest of the way, eventually finding herself in the Cavalcade Market. There are some exotic fruit vendors, and she picks up some kiwis for Kirk and Mom. I don't know why they like 'em so much. She also grabs a few new towels and stuffs them in her backpack, before coming upon the appliance vendors. There are fancy new washing machines and refrigerators, vacuum cleaners and ovens, none of which she'd be able to take back with her anyways. Then she spots it: a sewing machine. It's a brand-spanking new Swiftease 3000, imported direct from The Wall, but it's expensive: almost $1400. Kayla wonders if she should purchase it or keep looking. Then the idea occurs to her that she might be able to get it for free...

Tarein

Tarein wakes up later than usual and still in this unfamiliar place. The sound and scent of frying eggs, though, is a familiar one. Marigold's voice rises above the sizzling and snapping, however, speaking more of those strange western words.

"Well, there's more, Molly. That's what I can say for now."

Yet, when Tarein creeps out of Marigold's living room and into the kitchen, wearing the 'pajamas' that Marigold lent her last night, there is no other person in the room. Instead, Marigold seems to be speaking into a small, odd-looking horn of some sort. The horn is connected to a box with numbers and a little wheel on it by a curly cable. Marigold finishes her conversation with the person who can hear her through the horn. Tarein is fairly sure that she can hear a tiny voice on the other end.

Then Marigold smiles. "You must be confused," she asks, in something like Korean.

Tarein quirks an ironic smile despite herself. "'Confused' doesn't even begin to cover it."

Marigold takes the pan off of the incredible furnace that spits flames and flips some scrambled eggs into a pair of plates. "Don't worry," she assures Tarein, "you'll learn more soon, at least until we find a way to get you back home."

Tarein nods appreciatively and picks up the fork. "How do I...use it?" she asks.

Marigold breaks out laughing.

Crazy Zane

Zane is sitting there, watching people come and go from the holding cells. They don't put anyone inside his cell. It's just him and Maud. She's sitting on the floor, cross-legged, also watching people. Suddenly, she looks up at him.

"Hey Zane," she offers, "Wanna have sex?"

Rebecca Rose

Despite her rough night, Rebecca finds herself up top in the Millennium Park gardens, looking after her new strains in the university's greenhouse. Higher yields mean less people shipped away to Savage Lands. To be honest, she's not sure how she feels about it herself, and when that's the case, she usually just immerses herself in her work.

Rebecca stops for a moment to smell one of the new strain of roses. Not only poetically perfect, it's a guilty pleasure of hers. For some reason, the scent reminds her of Ulysses cologne. Flying Dutchman, that's what I'll call it.

After a couple more hours, she decides to go out and take a walk by the waterfront.

NWOWWE · Post by **NWOWWE** » Wed Oct 19, 2016 12:44 pm

Fun's fun Larry thinks, but this looks very interesting. Besides, he's made a decent amount of winnings already so he can afford to take a break at least. So he gets up and goes to investigate.

Post by **MadBull** » Wed Oct 19, 2016 1:17 pm

Ulysses walks back to the bar where he met Rose yesterday. He'll ask the barkeeper if she's a regular, for why wait a week if there's a chance he can see her there sooner?

Madman · Post by **Madman** » Wed Oct 19, 2016 1:27 pm

As tempting as it might be to steal something like that, Kayla doesn't wanna push her luck. The swiftease is big and not exactly easy to conceal. Instead, she pretends to keep looking, even though she's determined to get that swiftease. She very visibly steals glances at it, even as she stands on her tiptoes to see over counters and things. I'm still waiting for that growth spurt that mom keeps saying is going to happen. Kayla skips over to the table where the swiftease is and starts admiring it. Sure enough, the vendor notices her interest. Gotcha! she thinks. Now to reel you in.

"Hello, young miss, and how may I help you today?"

"Wellll," Kayla begins. She bites her lip and rocks back and forth. Then suddenly she grins and points to the swiftease. "I have some allowance money," she offers. "How much is it?"

Toxic · Post by **Toxic** » Wed Oct 19, 2016 1:31 pm

Adahy pauses for a moment to decide what to do....does he really want to have somebody else around for longer than necessary?

"Eh, fuck it. What's your offer?"