futurology | Entries tagged with graham humbert (once upon a time)

It has come to my attention that some of you are weak.

[Audentes, you've probably not been able to overlook... the centaur lady in your midst, but enjoy her rare and potentially very rude network appearance that... by all appearances is being filmed in the Oska stables.]

Should you wish to be wise and correct this failing on your part, I am willing to instruct in archery those who show promise.

But do not mistake this offer for kindness. I am not a gentle teacher.

That is all.

hedonistic

ok listen up, this is actually legitimately important

if this is your first time getting locked up like this, you need to understand one main thing going forward: our lives are less than worthless to these people. every second we're still breathing is a second more than they needed to give us.

i can't promise that we're going to be okay. i don't know if ALASTAIR gives enough of a shit to come for us. but even though i'm not gonna be the guy who has a lot of pretty words to say to keep hope alive or whatever, i do know a few things about staying safe in here. surviving, if this is for the long haul

1) don't make a fuss or be a nuisance to the guards. don't draw attention. the more forgettable you are, the better off you'll be

2) try to avoid using your jewel comms as much as you can. if they realize we're communicating through these, they'll be confiscated

3) DON'T TRY TO BE A HERO. this is the most important point here so i'm gonna repeat it, DO NOT TRY TO BE A FUCKING HERO.

we're not in a fucking action movie, trying to escape or break everyone out will get you in deep ass shit, maybe even made an example out of. don't fucking do it.

mistruths

[ There's a brief beat of nothing before the image focuses on a goat with really big horns that appears to be...eating rubble. It is, in fact, taking large bites out of rocks and chewing it slowly as it stares at the camera (or the person holding the magitech) balefully.

and then the camera switches to Loki, though the goat is still visible in the background. It really is a very, very large goat. like, bear-sized goat. ]

Yes, good job, congratulations, and well done to all of us, I'm sure. And as our efforts to rebuild continue, I would like to point out that someone seems to have misplaced their, ah, pet. If this one is anything at all like the ones I was once familiar with, I would caution any and all who might come across it to take care.

[ As he speaks, the goat has wandered over, and is now trying to take a bite out of Loki's hair. ]

By the Nine.

[ Loki shoves it away, and the goat glares at him again, Loki glaring right back, before it belches out a small plume of fire. Luckily, there's nothing flammable in the immediate vicinity and it goes back to chewing grumpily on more stones. ]

Thor. Odinson. Come retrieve this ridiculous creature before I rend its flesh from its bones and enjoy it for dinner.

catphishing

I know there's still a lot of work we need to do to repair Oska, but we need to take breaks too, right?

I have an Xbox so I thought maybe it might be fun to have a games night. I only have 2 games and CoD is probably the wrong tone after we had a big fight already, but I have Quiplash which is way lighter.

Basically it generates a question or part statement and you have to answer it or fill in the blanks with the funniest answer. Kind of like Cards Against Humanity, but you write your own answers and everybody votes instead of taking it in turns. You can just watch if you don't feel like playing so it's a really good group game.

Would anyone be interested in like a night where we did that?

scarletcast

[ username reads: wanda ]

[ Having had time to recover from the fight, Wanda looks no worse for wear. She's outside in the abandoned village, out of the glare of sunlight, moving her fingers slowly. Thin red wisps of hex energy weave around her fingers. A small rock, part of a doorframe, and a water bottle are moving in a slow, lazy circle like they're being turned on an invisible Ferris wheel. ]

[ She's quiet at first, concentrating. Then, she pulls the water bottle into one hand. The other two objects keep circling. ]

What is this called, where you are from?

[ Her mouth curves in dry amusement. ]

Is it magic?

secondnature

[For once, Keith is actually alerting people of something from his own magitek! Surprise, surprise. Well, he talks to people enough, but this is a specific thing all in all.

Anyway, here he goes:]

Hey.

I asked Lloyd if there was any way we can get armor. If you go to Team Kittypaw, they can make an adjustment to your uniform to make it into light armor. It won't save you from explosions, but it should help on the fly.

If you want something bigger, like what I have, you'll have to have the people in the forge make it. I don't know how that works. So that's up to you to figure out.

Right. That's all.

[OOC: essentially, there is a new option under the AC bank that characters have to ask for IC that will adjust their uniform into a kevlar-like light armor (albeit magically). It costs 75 coins. I wanted this announcement here before AC and the AC bank closed, so here it is!]

fateality

All right I definitely get that we have a big moral dilemma about the whole thing with the folks in Zymandis breaking out and causing a real mess at Oska and did we do the right thing and now we have a big fight coming up, but I have a real big need here.

I'm out of liquor. Went through it all, it's all gone, and we're still on this cat planet and they don't have anything like, say, cat bourbon or whatever.

Please tell me someone has something.

neveroutwrenched

[When the cat Ratchet had talked to told him about magitek, he’d assumed it was a joke. When he was gifted with a piece of ‘jewelry’ to utilize it, he was absolutely sure he was being pranked. But here he was, using what basically looked like a cat collar as some kind of communication device, sending out transmissions to who knows where to who knows who.

It was definitely comical.]

Alright so, what’s the deal? ‘Magic’? That’s gotta be a joke right? This is just some kind of holographic technology, or some kinda, I dunno, modified radio wave, or...well I mean, I don’t really know exactly, but, one thing I do know - [He pauses, laughing, almost more at himself than anything else at the absurdity of it.]

...is that magic is not real.

gutpunching

[To absolutely no one's surprise, Jason is not really a big team player when he's got a choice. But after some re-evaluation of where they stand and some gentle ("gentle") urging on Lucina's end, the network pings with a short call for volunteers. (The hard truth of it is he can't flat out count on himself to be reliable for very much longer. So, even more clipped than is characteristic—)]

If anyone's still interested in where Dr. Percy disappeared to, we could use a few more sets of eyes down in the sewers.

[What follows is a short attachment of information for interested parties. Including an image of an odd metal door with alien symbols on the combination lock, open to reveal a network of matching metal-plated tunnels. The coordinates one would need to find it in the sewers ping in soon after.

For those who need a little more context before volunteering, soon after the post hits, it gets a clarifying (and politer) addendum from Lucina.]

(OOC NOTE. Jason and Lucina have a (suspected) lead on Percy's hideout in the sewers but the maze of metal tunnels it's hidden in are too much for two people to cover, so it's time to alert the rest of the crew. Responses to this post may come from Lucina or Jason, BUT feel free to threadjack/use this post to plot if your characters are inclined to help and/or get info out in preparation for the 3/25 log.)

heelies

[There appears the grave countenance of Achilles, son of Peleus, his princely features marred by grief. His eyes are rimmed red and below them sink dark purple hollows. His beard is untrimmed and his golden curls, once long and flowing, hang choppy about his ears, hacked off by his own hand. Yet still he stands with shoulders squared and chin held high, as befits one who speaks before the assembly, and still his voice rolls forth like the iron-grey clouds that fill the sky before a storm falls.]

I come bearing unhappy news amidst a sea of unhappy news - but for me, no news could be more unbearable than this. An honorable man lies dead, overpowered in all his power, victim to one of the flesh-hungry who strike fear in the breast of this city. This was Menoetius' son Patroclus, my dear brother in arms...my partner in life. He was not long among this crew, and thus if you have no other cause for lament, then lament that you are robbed the opportunity to know him for a friend.

Yet now you might meet him through my words, I who have known him for the better part of my life and love him as I love my own life. Among the Achaeans there never was a kinder man: he cared more for the man beside him than for himself, and what he had he shared generously with friend and stranger alike. Almighty Zeus, bright-eyed Athena, and Apollo the lord of light always received supplication and libation enough from his hands. With so worthy a man gone down to the House of Hades, the country of the living is left far poorer.

In this nation flung so far from my fatherland, strange enough that the shores of windy Ilios seem almost friendly, I have not the riches I once possessed. I cannot give so grand a funeral as I would wish, as great-hearted Patroclus deserves, like that which I gave on the headland over the Hellespont. There a thousand men harnessed in bronze bore the son of Menoetius to his pyre, each one's heart filled with a dirge, while my deathless mother and all of the daughters of Nereus rose from the sea wailing and beating their breasts - but who in this land shall mourn him so? The honors I heap upon him here shall be only a pale shadow of all that he is worth, and for this my grief grows twofold.

If you have any respect for the dead and for the laws decreed by the gods, then hear my plea. A pyre must be built that my dear friend may pass proper into the House of Hades. At present he wanders lost by death's gates, the Acheron's distant shore far out of reach. How can I rest while he who is dearest to me suffers unwearying? Thus, his pyre must be built today. There is more than space enough in Oakwood Park, which lies to the west. I need strong men to stack the timbers, whatever wood can be found, and others to assist in the slaughter of the oxen, that the rich blood may make sacred the flame. None need worry about drawing the curious eyes of the Woodhurstians, for Sieglinde the Green Witch shall shield the area from sight by her clever magic.

All who come to honor Menoetius' gallant son are welcome to feast afterward. To fill my stomach when my heart is so empty is hateful to me, but what food and wine I have I shall freely share with any who proves a friend to my dear companion even in death.

[CLIFFS NOTES VERSION: His not-at-all-platonic life partner is dead (again), so anyone who lends a hand in performing Ancient Greek funeral practices shall be fed a hearty dinner of oxen kebabs. I will post a log for the funeral this weekend, but that will mostly provide narrative for the various rituals and handle the aftermath. You are more than welcome to assume your character's involvement there or in the feast that follows. If you have any questions or would like to plot, please PM this journal or find me on Discord at aristosachaion#4902!

EDIT 3/15: I have come down with a fever and am slightly dying, but nevertheless I will do my best to persist in answering these tags. Sorry for the delay!]

grunehexe

This is Sieglinde Sullivan, the Green Witch.

I shall not waste my time or yours with much pleasantries. The situation is dire, as you know.

Several of our number have been working tirelessly to develop a vaccine to this virus, and hopefully a cure.

Tests of the vaccine are proceeding smoothly, and we have seen positive results so far- it may be available within one or two weeks time if all continues to go well and no adverse effects present themselves.

I cannot guarantee nor estimate potential cures, and it is not my intent to elevate your hopes, but know that we have several leads we are exploring. Samples of blood, particularly from those of the non-humans within our ranks who are or may be immune to the virus, are much needed at this time if you have not already been solicited.

To protect against the possibility of contamination, four of us have set up in separate locations.

Urahara Kisuke, in the hospital laboratories. Peter Parker, in the university laboratories. Sonia Nevermind, at her apartment residence, 20B of Woodhurst Court. I myself have relocated from the hospital to a residential office, at 45 Pinehurst Drive.

Samples or supplies are welcome there. The others may speak for themselves, but in my case, I will not tolerate any distractions or intrusions, so please do not abuse the knowledge of that address.

[ooc; just a note from some of the Team Science members so that characters can have a better IC idea of what's going down on that front! Stay tuned for more OOC and IC info on/near the 25th!]

competing

[With all the information coming out, it's apparent to Keith and Lance that one big elephant in the room has been ignored: the infection among the recruits themselves. Keith is tired and on edge, as he needs nothing to do with the infection to be cranky. Lance is jittery, too. But they have to talk about that elephant before it gets too late.

And for some of them, it might be. That's what Keith is really afraid of right now.]

Hey. It's Keith.

and ya boy, lance! [Because things are already pretty doom and gloom as it stands, and maybe things could use a little lightening up? Or something...

It’s a little more difficult to differentiate between people in a group message like this, but it’s a better idea to get something down on text in case they need to refer to it later, and anyone who knows either of the boys can probably tell them apart pretty easily through diction alone.]

we know your mind-phones have been pretty busy lately, but theres something keith and i wanted to talk to you guys about.

Before we get a move on in attacking Zymandis' agent, we need to look at our own numbers. A lot of us are sick. Maybe less than I thought. Or maybe more. Either way, we have to know who's sick and make a plan to help our own. And I'm serious about HELPING. Not putting someone out of their misery or any of the other stupid stuff I've heard from some of this team. We need to stop this disease. We need to help our own. Once everyone's BETTER, we'll make a plan for what to do next as a team.

[It's harsher than necessary but likely less harsh than how it might be normally, given Keith's frequently frustrated tone of voice. Text mitigates some of it, even if his frustration definitely does become CAPITAL LETTERS.

Lance, meanwhile, is quite eager to gloss over that sharp reprimand because seriously guys — kumbaya.]

yeeeeeah, so — helping! getting a head count is definitely ideal. we cant afford to be silent on this and we definitely CANT be alone right now, cuz every one of us affected and on our own can be a huge risk to everyone here. so we were thinking… since the city shut it down, we can use the middle school. those of us infected can stay there while we wait for our people to find that cure. like a quarantine safe house.. i know its not ideal, but its something. especially for those who dont have any other contingency plans.

[A pause. Well. May as well get the ball rolling, right?]

ill be there.

( ooc; p.s. there is an information plotting post for the quarantine space! )

grunehexe

Greetings, Audentes. It is I, Sieglinde Sullivan- also known as the Green Witch. I am sure you are occupied with your own matters during this valuable personal time, but I must interrupt for three announcements, if you might lend me your ear.

The first is that Date Masamune, one lord of Oushuu, has been transferred to a different team. I know that not many of you have been with us since Chantes, but he was a valuable team member, and he will surely be missed.

[By her, perhaps most of all, but she manages to keep a straight face, hastily moving on.]

The second is that it has come to my attention some of our members come from worlds where literacy is not as prominent. Access to book learning is one of the most important aspects of an education, so I shall be using some of my time here in Oska to improve this situation. I am able to instruct in multiple languages, but I shall be focusing primarily on what many worlds call English, as I found it the most useful for communication during the period when our translators were defective. You may join open sessions in the castle library each day from an hour past noon.

On that note, thirdly, I need your assistance with one of those new pupils. As much as I prefer to work alone, I am afraid this issue deals with a delicate combination of spellcraft and science, and so I shall be opening up this project to others of like intellect hopefully differing experience. Graham, if you would like to say a few words?

[She reaches forward to turn her magitech brooch. revealing a certain rugged Huntsman. Said huntsman, for his part, was listening. Which explains why his first word seems more relevant to her second announcement than her third.] ...Pupil? [He's aware that means student, and feels as if he might have to explain to Sieglinde he can indeed read and write... though perhaps his handwriting leaves something to be desired...

That can be a conversation for another time, however. There's more important matters at hand to discuss now.]

Those of you present in Perdition's Rest might recall, I have been heartless for a long time. I've asked Sieglinde to help me try and find some kind of solution, though it occurred to me the secrecy didn't aide in finding a solution. [Talking to Koltira had reminded him of how much more he could do. He owed it to himself, and perhaps those who cared about him and wanted to connect to him better, to do all he could instead of asking Sieglinde to do it for him.] If you think you might be able to lend aide, or have any questions about my condition, I'm here to answer them. Even if there's no perfect solution, I'd ... I'd like to feel things, again.

[Feel things properly is perhaps the better way of putting it, but considering this is a great deal more than Graham tends to talk already, he nods and indicates that's all he has to say, and Sieglinde takes back the video.]

How anyone capable of lending a productive hand could deny such a sincere appeal I do not know. I have seen we have new recruits among us, so we look forward to hearing from you if you have experience with medical surgery, curses, or other magics.

Thank you.

whatshimadayou

[Hanzo can be seen in the kitchen, in the middle of cooking, apparently. In the background, one might the familiar signs of Chihiro walking past, assisting the surly archer.

What might stick out to those who know Hanzo is a really obvious haircut and earring additions.]

Sometime ago, I had said I would make this team a meal. I had meant to, after Zeta 12, but there were unexpected interruptions.

There is time now. And Chihiro-san has been kind enough to assist me.

Should you like, there is okonomiyaki in the kitchen. There are variations, depending on your preference.

[He turns one over.]

If you are not familiar with it, as I expect many of you are not, it is similar to a pancake, but it is savory, often with cabbage and meat. I am able to do variations, if needed.

...In any case. Consider yourself invited to a meal. Or do not.

digophelia

[ Here is Alice. Here is Alice trying to tune her lute and after a few strokes, Alice manages to remember a melody. ]

Ah, it surprises me, even now, I remember how to play it. It's been a few months.

[ It does sound a bit better after she's tuned it a few times. Maybe it was that out of tune? ]

And how the piano lessons I had as little girl have never really faded away. String or piano, music notes and scales are hard to forget. It's odd to think how much I used to loathe piano lessons as a little girl.

[ That's fine. Alice treasures them more as an adult, now. Especially this lute. ]

I recall some faces here in Osaka, but others... not so much. I do hope some of you have stayed out of some trouble, yes? I'm certain that some of you are already dreading the inevitable fussing from me.

Tell me, then, if you remember me... what did I miss?

[ That's her strange way of saying she misses some of you. ]

araigneedusoir

[She's been listening and watching more than actively participating as of late, so this is her first real time addressing the network as a whole since she joined up. She's away from the group -- but not far, as evidenced by the layout of Perdition's Rest visible behind her -- and high up, obviously keeping watch.

Someone has to.

It takes her a few seconds to gather her thoughts fully, having been mulling over all the information that's come to light...and various people's opinions on what they should do next. Of course that's not her topic of discussion, at least not yet.]

I know I wasn't the only one looking for answers after the Saloon burned down. I'm curious to know if anyone else found or heard anything interesting.

[She holds up a shard of glass she'd found in her search -- the bowl she'd discovered as well has been left with the Sheriff for safe keeping, all she wanted was a single piece -- balancing it between two of her fingers.]

This is a piece of a glass bowl that I found hidden under the beds in the employee quarters. [Though she spent the entire time in there worried something was going to fall apart on her.] According to the Good Sheriff she found one of these bowls outside the church around the time the late Reverend left to join the Deemers. The glass itself isn't something the Qorral use in their everyday life, which means it potentially has connections to the Taraxa.

[With that she carefully slips the shard of glass into the pouch she'd been keeping it in.]

blessure

[Considering all that's happened there isn't much Félix can do to look as presentable as he would prefer when addressing the others here, but he has done his best. His sprawl is casual in the way of someone who likely spent a good amount of time making certain his clothing fell just so and his blond hair is artfully dishevelled to frame his face. While it's not quite the level of excessive presentation that would be expected in the circles he usually moves within, it will have to do. After a moment to allow the unseen audience to take a look at him, Félix finally speaks.]

While it has been terribly interesting to see everyone arguing about what we should do here, where we should all focus our efforts and such, I can't help but wonder why it is that there doesn't seem to be anyone in charge of our... [Here he pauses delicately.] Band of heroes?

I cannot confess much experience in military matters, but even so it seems strange to me to send a company of forces anywhere without someone to report to and keep them in line. Not to mention it seems as though it would help a great deal with conflicts such as the one we're currently facing if there were a captain or commander to lead us.

[Here he holds up a hand, forestalling what he imagines will be the immediate concern on people's minds.] Please, before anyone says it, no I am not suggesting that I take on such a role. As I've said, I have no experience in such matters, nor have I interest in leading here.

I'm simply curious why it seems as though we have little rank and order here, and if there is any thought towards if there might be some among us suited for such heavy matters.

$dishearten: \ (29)$

dishearten

( this post has been a long time coming. he's needed time to digest the news of the fate of the deemer, and that's even without a heart. it's uncomfortable to be faced with a legion of those that suffered as he had, only worse. by all intents and appearances, there was nothing left of them now.

does that make him lucky? that a part of him still remains, however dismantled from being controlled for decades?

lucky or not, it gives him perspective. a lot of perspective. and for better or worse, he feels the need to share it, in the hopes the rest of the team might understand a little better. )

By now I'm sure all of us know the condition of the Demeers. That they are being manipulated and controlled by a force outside themselves. All information we have indicates that there is nothing left to them after the Taxara infiltrate, their personality wiped and their body lost as a vessel for the means of another.

( he grimaces, unable to quite look the team in the eye as he continues. )

I hope that most of you do not know what it feels like, to not be in control of yourself. It is not a feeling I'd wish on anyone, because I've lived it. I was enslaved for longer than I lived freely. When I was young and foolish— ( some of Audentes can remember that man, thanks to the time shenanigans back in Oska. the Huntsman, full of heart, but full of anger too. ) —I made a promise I ultimately refused to keep. And I paid for it, when an evil queen stole my heart and used it to control me.

( he's outing himself, as the man Sieglinde is trying to help. Graham himself is starting to realize that is too much weight for her to carry; he'll have to broaden his search. but not now, not when there's more important tasks at hand. )

She made me steal. She made me hurt. She made me kill. She made me... do whatever would please her. And I could not resist, nor escape, though it didn't stop me from trying. I have been in the place of these people, for longer than most of you have lived. If it is true, that there's nothing of them left after these creatures took them over, then they are lucky to not have to witness their hands doing the work of another. But even if they are not, believe me when I say living as a slave to the hatred of someone else is a fate worse than death.

If we cannot save them, we owe it to them to bring them to rest.

( it's a negative perspective, and he knows it. but if he were in their place, and he has been in their place... he knows what he would want. )

heavyhitter

hey guys guess what: blankets!!! me and TF to the fucking rescue, we rustled up like 40 of these bad boys
super cozy, some nice patterns. one of them has a robot wolf on it
it was also all entirely legal

they're ALMOST free, all you gotta do is tell me a story then come get one (i'm by those spiky ass fat plants that bleed if you knock them over)

also since i have 40 and there's more than 40 of us, i guess also pick someone to get cozy with

slapfight

[it's about a DAY after Rey and Keith's message goes up that Peridot's patience wears out. she may no longer be a Homeworld gem and she is aware that there were multiple objectives in this mission, but the Deemers are not as important to her as, say, THE CONTINUED SAFETY OF THIS MISERABLE PLANET.

THAT THEY HAPPEN TO STILL BE ON.

it's time for enlightenment, friends. courtesy of this lime green drama queen.]

I realize that these "Deemers" you're all so focused on are a threat that shouldn't be ignored, but may I remind you of the much bigger threat? As in the fact that this planet may actually collapse in on itself if we don't do something about the mining? As someone who has been stuck on a planet that came this close to being destroyed by a similar situation [well not exactly, but she'll exaggerate a bit for effect], I don't want to repeat that. Ever.

[she waves a hand in a shooing motion condescendingly] So while you all go out and chase down... brain worms or whatever they are, I'm going to orchestrate the destruction of the remainder of the mining efforts, and anyone who wants to take care of a real threat can join me before it's too late. It may go against everything I know as a kindergartner, but as a Crystal Gem, I can't let a planet be destroyed just for its resources, even if it's an objectively terrible planet.

Especially while I'm still living on it.

That is all.

FUTUROLOGY NETWORK.

Entries tagged with graham humbert (once upon a time)

video | un; quickfish

text; un: shitpost king

video; un: loki.2

text; un: ASCIIanything

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text; un: redlion

text; un: cardmaster

VIDEO; UN: RATCHET

text. @red (& responses from @lucina)

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text | un; sieglindesullivan

text | username: xXx_trueblue_xXx & redlion

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video - no melody will soothe this outrage

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text, @TARANTO, day after the saloon fire

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