These are from the ruins of what looks to have once been some sort of city on my asteroid.
I've been doing a bit of exploring and Liryn's come with me a couple of times. The ruins are pretty big though and so if you have some time and wouldn't mind a trip up there then I'd appreciate the help.
I'm by the community garden that we met when we talked about the Blackwatch meeting if you're out and about tonight and want to meet up and discuss, otherwise I can get out and about most evenings
Athene
He backread the message and then read it again, but he couldn't think of anything else to add and so eventually Athene hit send.
And then he realised last minute that he'd forgotten to add the two photos that he had taken from his and Liryn's brief exploration of the city ruins, the pictures a quick and inexpert shot of some of the carved patterns that they had come across.
The second typed message was even briefer but at least he remembered to add the two photos in this time round:
SMS to Thraen 2:
I'm sorry, it would probably help if I attached the pictures in question.
Athene
Second message sent, Athene picked up the cup of take-out coffee that he had picked up prior to starting his patrol and contemplated his surroundings.
He hadn't meant to do more than send the photos to Thraen, had in fact planned to ask Ida if she would come with him... But the awkwardness that seemed to have sprung up between then since the night of the shared nightmares was still there and the question had ended up remaining unasked. And her coming home injured hadn't helped either - had simply reinforced the whole 'not now' of everything.
That had been almost two weeks back though and Athene was still putting off asking Ida, he had wanted to go again however, perhaps even for a longer trip than the snatches of time that his previous visits had mainly been and with the Blackwatch now a thing it made sense to share anything potentially interesting that he might come across.
Asking Thraen had ended up being something of an impulse thing, especially since the relationship between himself and the other eternal was more one of acquaintances than anything else. They weren't friends, something that was rooted in their two very stances on the war and a night when Thraen had tried to kill a General strangely turned Lieutenant by the name of Bischofite.
It was only later when his paths had crossed a turned General again Bischofite that he had learnt that Nega-officers could be demoted as well as promoted, something that the other had let slip when he confronted him about intervening in Thraen's attempt to kill him.
Athene shook his head and drank some of the coffee. He didn't want to think about that night or Bishofite and he didn't want to think about the sudden distance between himself and Ida.
And besides he and Thraen had done okay together when they had visted the Moon together and come across that library.
He drank some more coffee and reminded himself that there was no guarantee that Thraen would get his message and no guarantee that he would get a message back if the other eternal did - particularly not tonight when the other might not even be powered up.
He still planned to wait for a while though, just on the off chance.
After all he liked the gardens for all that he didn't visit them that often, the place special to him in that it was the place where the PSSG had formed and the place where he, Tsui and Ida had joined hands and made a promise that they would do all they could to help newbie senshi and knights.
He shook his head in an attempt to physically dispel the memories and drank some more coffee. Even with autumn slowly making the march into winter, the gardens were a pleasant place in which spend a few stolen moments and have a bit of coffee before heading back on the patrol beat.
Ivynian
Sorry for the delay in getting this up Ivy, the laptop has been in a particularly sulky mood this week. Let me know if I need to change anything
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 11:43 pm
SMS to Athene:
I'll be there soon. I can make time to go- how long were you thinking to go? It will effect what we should see about packing. It'll be a good opportunity to see if the amount of stuff a senshi can bring is the same volume as two people or not.
The lack of the pictures with the first message was a cute, human slip that felt normal to regular cell phones more than to senshi life. The message was unexpected from the other eternal, though a pleasant mark of some of the starting influence of the Black Watch. A taste of the possible open communications and approaches between more senshi and knights. It was a shock to consider more communication as a thing needing to be gotten used to.
Maybe I won't be the only one caught by surprise that there's any sort of message on my phone. I haven't heard anything from Ash or anyone else on prompting people to check out their homeworlds. Well, at least there's one. He started on his way, practicing some rudimentary parkour type moves without a great deal of success. If he could manage it eventually, it would increase mobility and effectiveness, but he was just too off with insomnia.
Its difficult to tell much about the place from just the shots...but those do look promising as patterns. Maybe we can find more. Water, shelter, food. Climate...that is going to determine a lot. I wonder if Athene has ever gone camping before? Some people haven't. I don't know practically anything about him. He didn't seem the camping type though. Too.....what... Domestic? He wanted to bring baked goods to the meeting and ferries. He was so distressed at the idea of killing in a war.
As he got closer, he gave it up- no point in alarming Athene if he messed up and ended up faceplanting. The other came into view and it struck again just how delicate looking the other eternal was. And how difficult it was to seem like Thraen himself was doing anything except looming just by being in the other man's vicinity.
"Sorry to keep you. I'm not fast on on my feet right now, and not agile enough to surf the 18 wheelers. The pictures look definitely viable. Worth looking more into. Have you ever been camping before- just here on Earth, I mean?"
It wasn't long before his phone pinged with an incoming message alert and Athene set down the take away cup so as to more easily read it.
That it was from Thraen was something of a surprise as he honestly hadn't expected to hear back from the blond eternal so quickly.
Athene read through the message and then started to tap up a return message. He actually had a few words tapped out before he hesitated, thought about it and then cancelled the message. After all Thraen's message had said he would be at the gardens soon and so it seemed pointless to message what he could as easily tell the other eternal in person.
He didn't have to wait long - the eternal aura that pinged on his senses alerting him to the other's presence before he came into actual view.
"Good evening" he said quietly as he got to his feet, then picked up the coffee cup almost as an afterthought as he added. "And I haven't been waiting long - thank you for coming."
He drank some of the coffee before continuing, verbally answering the last message the taller senshi had sent him "I got your text but thought it might make more sense to wait until I could tell you in person, but I was thinking of going over a weekend - at least to start. I have classes on a Friday but could go after and then we could come back at some point on Sunday - at least if that works for you?" He made it a question, waiting to hear the other's answer before nodding at the question that he'd been asked about camping.
"If we're talking tents then actually I have - I had to do it back at school as part of my D of E." He continued, a rueful note slipping into his quiet voice as he admitted. "But that was 5 years ago and only for a night and to be honest I wasn't that great at it." In the end it had his partner who had ended up doing most the tent set up. "Although I wasn't too bad with the camp stove." Certainly he had been better at that than at the tent set up.
Ivynian
D of E refers to the Duke of Edinburgh Award and Athene would be referring to the bronze level which can be done from 14. It comprises of 4 sections - Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition and takes a minimum of about 6 months to complete depending on whether you cram do the the Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections. The Expedition is actually a two day (1 night) trip that you have to plan for and complete. A lot of public schools in the UK get their students to do at least the bronze level (although there is also a silver and a gold level) since it's seen as a way to broaden your skills and (depending on the public school) character building.
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 3:45 am
Context clues at least gave that whatever a D and E was, it involved some sort of camping. "Having been camping is a start- most things get easier and more efficient with practice. A Friday to Sunday would be....two nights, about that much in days. 48 hours, give or take. "
"It begs the next question- is it hospitable enough in weather and climate to do that? Is there any precipitant? And what level of care to you have for crossworld contamination- how we handle trash and waste, and whether we bring cookables instead of astronaut food being part of that. " With what little existed in the primer of investigating their worlds, no one seemed to give much thought to alien bacteria, viruses, mold, or invasive species scenarios effecting either the early or the homeworlds in their collective traveling about. Maybe the 'magic' has some power in that, considering the presence of gravities, atmospheres and ruins unseen by any Earth science. He personally hoped it did, rather than everyone just shooting themselves in the foot in some Prometheus movie like reenactment of scientific failure and process stupidity.
"We might want to make a shopping trip of it anyway. ...If you have time?" Thraen rubbed his hand over his face, trying to stimulate thought. " Having been camping, do you own any gear already? I have some things in storage from hiking trips. And do you mind sharing space and quarters for ease and convenience? One tent for two is better than two tents or two lean-tos. Better for conserving body heat as well if its cold. "
"A check list of needs would be.....a Tent with stakes and guylines, sleeping bags, Multi-tools or knives, hiking packs, mallets, headlamps or flashlights, MRE's, trashbag, toilet paper, first aid kit and matches as a minimum. Other items pending the climate, terrain and comfort levels you prefer. "
litian
I have never heard of this~ Learnin' new thiiiiiings
Athene wasn't sure that the overnight spent camping during the expedition section of his D of E really qualified him for Thraen's having been camping statement, especially given the fact that 5 years had passed since said event and it was an event that hadn't been repeated.
He didn't share his doubts with Thraen however, instead nodding at the taller eternal's assessment of 48 hours. "I'm freer in my movements than I used to be - my house mates are senshi too" he admitted, before correcting himself. "Well senshi and Liryn." He could leave a brief message for them, something that would have been unthinkable had he still been living with his cousin and much as he loved Saffy, his senshi life was not something he was prepared to share with her - particularly not since the night he, Ida and Liryn had all had that shared nightmare.
And to be honest the way things were, Athene doubted that either Liam or Orah would notice him slipping away for a weekend - although it wouldn't stop him from leaving the note anyway - it was only polite he do so and besides even if they didn't Liryn probably would and he didn't want to worry the little mauvian.
He looked thoughtful at Thraen's questions "The weather's been pretty warm on the visits that I've made so far, although I've never stayed later than late afternoon - even in late afternoon it was still warm though, although not as warm as when I've been there earlier." He gestured at the fabric of his senshi outfit "Basically during the day it seems warm enough that I'm okay walking around in this - at it has been on the times I've been there - although I can't speak for the nights."
A thought occurred to him, "In fact it's the sort of warm that I'd associate with having to slather on lots of sun block - given that if I don't do it during summers here" and by here he was referring to Destiny City here "Then I start to turn lobster-red relatively quickly, but some reason I haven't needed any of the stuff on Athene."
The thoughtful look was still on his face as he added "I'm not sure I want to leave litter on my asteroid," he thought about it. "At least not if it's not decompostable." He thought about it some more "Although I'm not sure if something that will compost here will necessarily do the same on Athene."
He absently tugged some of his hair as he continued "And yes, I have time to make a shopping trip - I would have had to do one anyway for water, because Athene doesn't seem to have any - at least I haven't seen any on the visits that I've made to date."
He shook his head about the camping gear "No I don't have any, not here." He had no idea if his grandparents had kept the gear that he'd used back when doing his D of E, although he doubted it and besides it was a moot point anyway because even if they had then it was in the UK and not here. "And no I don't mind sharing if you don't" he said quietly, adding "I'm not sure how much I can carry with me, but I'd rather not add anything unnecessarily." He rummaged in his satchel and pulled out the small first aid kit that he kept in it. "But I keep a first aid kit to hand these days" he held it out as he continued "It's basic, but do you think this will work? If not, I have a bigger one at home that might do the trick." It was Orah's idea to keep first aid kits on hand on the just in case, but Athene had gone along with it and he didn't think that she would mind him taking one of the bigger ones. He thought about it some more before adding "Although it might be helpful to have some Watch specific kits." Particularly given that injuries kind of came with the territory of powered life.
Ivynian
sorry for double quotes, did a quick edit for stray missing words
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 1:22 am
"If the Sahara is any weather example, heat during the day can be freezing at night. We might want a breathable all weather tent, but polar bags just in case. I think double polar sleepers are made. I don't mind 'togetherness'. " which was polite enough phrasing for being smooshes against someone as much as humanly possible when one was camping in frigid locations.
"That sort of a kit will probably do for a light trek- you are right about the Watch needing to make kits though. Medical glue, splint rods and stock ties would be my suggestions for such things off hand, but we can list things better with some. Research, survival manuals, and another trip to some campion store. There's an REI and a Cabela's, I think. Did you have a preference of which to shop at? They both have good product and run the price gamut. Both will have water portables and waste management bags to look at. "
Imagine living with other senshi- it would either be great for having less stress, or awful for never really being able to turn off that aspect of life. For all that I ever seek to turn it off. Moot point. Certainly a more ready community and help at need. Possible frequent patrol partner. Or partners.
"Do you have access to a vehicle?" The thought came like a flash in spite of rambling thoughts on other paths. "If we go shopping, we will need to get the stuff from the store. I've only got a bike or take buses. "
Athene shook his head at Thraen's question about where to go to pick up camping supplies "No, no preference" he admitted. He hadn't had reason to stop by either place and so no reason to favour one over the other. "Although I guess that if one shop is for whatever out of stock of anything then we always have the option of checking out the other."
He looked thoughtful for a few moments at Thraen's question about a car. "I'm in a similar position to you car-wise" he admitted. "I have a license but no car so tend to either walk or take public transport, but one of my house mates has a car and if I really need to I can borrow my cousin's car." Seeing if he could borrow Orah's car would in some ways be preferable to Saffy's in that he could tell her the truth about why he needed it, with Saffy he'd need a story - although he could always use the helping out a friend reason especially since he'd borrowed it for that purpose on a few occasions since finally getting his license earlier on in the year.
Another thought struck him "By the way you probably should have another way of contacting me if we're going to do this" he pulled out his senshi phone as he spoke and tapped out a quick message before hitting send.
Given that the message was to Thraen, it wouldn't take long for the taller senshi's phone to buzz with an incoming message. A message that had a single name - Arian Laith - and two phone numbers, one a cell.
He slipped his phone into his satchel as he added quietly "You'll be able to get a message to me on either number if you need to."
Ivynian
I'm sorry I'm always so slow
Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2014 12:57 am
"The REI is in a shopping center, so it's fairly easy to bus to and from it from the campus area ? It saves borrowing vehicles. We could meet at the edge of South Campus and go from that station? I think it is only one transfer." It had been a while since he'd been shopping at that specific plaza, but he thought he had the right one in mind. There was a Michael's craft store, a Barnes & Noble, and a Panera not too far from the REI.
He pulled his phone when it rung, considering the name thereon and trying to mentally connect it to the small man he'd only known for months and months as Athene. It hardly feels like it fits. Arian. Not so austere as a hearkening to a goddess of wisdom and battle. We will all look so strange, playacting in our jeans and shoes and coats like we're normal people. I wonder how far Arian takes trying to be normal. The trust of a name... it is more than I expected after what happened. After deliberate silence.
A careful sort of trust and truce, fragile as window frost. "We can message back and forth with times that are good then and get this rolling."
Some quick thumb motion replied with like information - Quenton Marinus, cell phone number. Name for a farce-life, too broken to bother with the surname having much meaning. There was senshi work, and there was the studio or the office. "You are welcome likewise, as far as contacting me. Just don't seek out my apartment near campus- its a compromised location and has had negaverse agents in it. I don't think there will be trouble of just generally associating with my civilian identity, though. "
"I look forward to helping with the exploration. Thank you, Athene. For contacting me. " Especially if he lived with other senshi. Others that were likely more safe, more friendly, more anything pleasant to the other eternal's personal sensibilities that he was himself. Curious all the more not to call on them. It will bear out in its own time.
litian
NP~ Did you want to end this one to move on to the next rp?
Athene nodded at Thraen's REI suggestion "That works for me" he said quietly and it saved him the trouble of checking with Orah to see if he could borrow her car or having to come up with an excuse for Saffy about why he needed to borrow her car.
After sending through his short message to Thraen, it hadn't taken long before his phone had buzzed with its own incoming message, habit having him pulling out the phone to glance through the message.
It didn't take long - it was as short as his own had been, the information as significant if somewhat surprising because Athene hadn't expected a reciprocation when he'd messaged Thraen with his civilian name.
"Thank you" his voice was solemn as he slipped the phone away. Civilian names - the name beneath the glamour - were more valuable than gold dust and Athene was not blind to the trust implied in Thraen sharing his with him, the 'thank you' his way of acknowledging it. His voice lightened, a slight smile briefly quirking his lips "And I should be the one thanking you - for being willing to come along with me to Athene."
He picked up the up to now forgotten coffee and took a sip of the remaining contents, which had cooled.
There was things they'd need to do before the weekend trip - buying stuff for the trip being the most immediate - and Athene also knew that he'd have to let Orah, Liam and Liryn know that he'd be taking off to Athene for a weekend so that they wouldn't worry.
And if asking Thraen was perhaps an odd choice given their history together, Athene also knew that there wouldn't be any preconceptions or the awkwardness that there would have been if he'd gone ahead with trying to ask Ida.
There wasn't really anything to add so he said quietly "Thank you again and I hope you have a good evening. I'll message you."
Athene found that he was actually looking quite forward to the upcoming trip.
Ivynian
fin on my end and I'll try to get the next one up later today
