i'm not a superhero [September Catch-All]

[aetherweaver]

Who: Nara’a and various people.
What: September catch-all - starters will be in the comments. Contact me at atrypical or Matt#6266 if you’d like one.
When: All through September.
Where: All throughout Trench.

Content Warnings: Violence and possible death - will add to this if it comes up.

[Prompts below. If you want a custom one, just let me know!]

Comments

Absolute Immersion

[aetherweaver]

Nara’a is a relentless reader. If he sees a rare book he’s going to dive in metaphorically… and more literally than he intends. He’s tough, but he can manage - probably. He’s not exactly prepared, especially not the first time, but he’s resourceful enough.

Of course, he’s not the only one reading a lot lately… and his own memories are dangerous and terrifying.

[Either put your memory here or hit me up on the plotting post to get one for your character! You can even write a starter and I can make a memory based on that.]

[survivalthroughhate]

The problem with Maul's life is that being put in mortal peril happens about every other Tuesday for him. And that was just in his own galaxy before he was brought to Deerington and the possibility for danger increased exponentially. Well, hopefully Nara'a is prepared for just about anything to happen.

The book tells the tale of Darth Maul fighting against the first Jedi he would ever kill, a beautiful young Twi'lek Jedi Padawan named Eldra Kaitis. Soon enough, Nara'a is sucked inwards and is suddenly in the middle of the battle between the Sith, the Jedi, and a whole lot of people shooting at them. There's no way this could possibly end badly for them all, right?

[aetherweaver]

He doesn't fully understand what he's reading, but before he can go look for a reference or index he's pulled in. He recognizes Maul, though not the person he's with - presumably Eldra, then. As for himself, he quickly uses a soul crystal to change into his paladin armor. He doesn't know what those blasts are made of, but he does know he wants a shield against it.

And he does whip out his shield, blocking bolts with an almost preternatural swiftness as he looks at the Sith and Jedi. "Are you okay?" Look, he's not going to be able to explain how he suddenly appeared, but he can at least be concerned about them.

[survivalthroughhate]

This Maul is a lot younger than the one in Deerington, not that it's easy to tell given the tattooed skin, though it's clear he's about four inches shorter than he currently stands. He's maybe twenty, twenty-one at the most. Maul is focused on deflecting the bolts back at the hunters coming after he and Eldra. They may have teamed up for the moment but that's only out of necessity. He still plans on killing her soon enough.

The appearance of someone else startles him. The Sith isn't sure where he came from, what species he is, or why he's helping them. Maul deflects another another bolt and it catches one of the hunters in the heart. "Who the hell are you?"

Maul assumes he's another one of those who had been bidding on the Jedi and who have come to try to take her back after Maul stole her away. She may be a foe but she deserves respect and Maul wasn't about to let her be auctioned off like a prized cow to let someone do Force-only-knew what with her.

[aetherweaver]

Aw, young Maul... he's almost cute. Not that Nara'a is going to say that. He's not stupid and he's not suicidal. He's dressed for battle and he isn't about to let someone get hurt if he can help it. They may be surrounded, but he's been in worse battle situations.

"Right now? An ally. Someone with an interest in not letting either of you die." He makes a gesture with his hand, and a translucent shield surrounds Maul for a moment, connected to Nara'a by a thin cord of translucent light. A blaster bolt speeds towards the Sith, but hits the shield. Nara'a flinches but doesn't grunt in pain or anything.

"You can either waste time fighting me or waste time fighting them. Your choice."

[survivalthroughhate]

Maul has no interest in trusting this newcomer but at the same time he doesn't have much choice. Another set of hands to help push back the hunters is welcome right now. He assumes what he's witnessing Nara'a doing is just some form of advanced tech that he's never seen before.

Despite the odds of three-on-six, the criminals are soon dispatched. Maul turns to Nara'a. "You have my thanks for helping. For that, I will spare you." For now, anyway, Maul can't allow anyone who has seen his lightsaber to live for too long. It's a dead giveaway that he's a Sith and if any word of it gets back to the Jedi they might become curious why there's a Force-user running around the galaxy with a red blade. All his master's plans would be in jeopardy and he would be punished severely for that mistake by Sidious.

He gestures to the vast landscape of the deserted moon they are on. "Now run along. The Jedi and I have business to attend to and you are not a part of it."

[aetherweaver]

He snorts at the proclamation. Sure, Maul could try to kill him if he wants, but it might not work out well for him. He's tempted to stay and fight, but this is a memory. It wouldn't really do anything to change the past, as tempting as it is to try. He sighs and puts away his weapons. He's not sure how to get out of here, but...

"Right." He looks at the Jedi, considering warning her of what's to come... but there'd be no point. "You take care of yourselves now." He starts heading out over the rocky terrain, wincing slightly at the thought of not helping someone. He has no desire to get injured by that weird sword though. Hopefully the memory will let him out soon.

... And then he really should let Maul know that there's a book with his memories in the Archive.

[survivalthroughhate]

Maul lets the strange man go. He figures he'll catch up later once he's dispatched the Jedi Padawan he's currently dealing with. His attention turns back towards Eldra and they exchange a few words before their battle begins. It's one of the last times Maul will have to turn his back on the Dark Side and once again he'll squander the chance. Ironically for someone who has to use them in order to access his powers, Maul's so out of touch with his emotions that he doesn't realize part of him is attracted to the Jedi and that is part of the reason he keeps thinking of sparing her life.

It won't be enough to stop Maul from his course of action. His master's claws are set too deep into his mind and he can't bring himself to do something that would cause punishment. As Nara'a walks off, he'll hear the unique sound of two lightsabers clashing time and again as the two combatants square off. Soon enough, the memory dumps him back out.

Maul is not going to be pleased hearing that his memories were viewed but he won't be enraged as he might otherwise feel. Hadn't he already gone through this in recent memory with the memory-sharing the Omnis and Omens had done?

The Great Hunt

[aetherweaver]

Nara’a isn’t known for his great hunting skills, but he is known for being in and out of the forest frequently. For one, he likes the walk through the woods between Feed and Trench. He’s quite capable of using the lamps, but he likes walking through the forest.

What he doesn’t expect is the monster that starts stalking him as he gets near Trench. It’s not that he’s inattentive, it’s just that… well, the woods are full of a lot of beasts and animals that make noises. Just because there’s a noise doesn’t mean it’s coming after him.

But the Bugge is after him, and it’s following him into the city. He doesn’t notice it at first, but after a bit he definitely does. He starts to run towards Sanctuary, but it’s a while - and the beast is huge. He could definitely use a hand, running through the streets as he’s chased by the thing and trying to remember his mental map while he does.

[burnitblack]

Dabi keeps to the shallows of the woods around Trench, not one for tangling with the beasts by himself outside of hunting missions and the occasional lack of choice. He isn't afraid of them, but does have a begrudging respect for their annoying presence and occasional power. The latter is more problematic the deeper in the woods one goes, so staying near the outskirts limits the risk.

However, due to a combination of disliking fish and having a contact in Feed, which produces fowls and turf meats, Dabi's been more willing to take trips to the area to get fresh food. Occasionally bringing things to trade with the people around there if he gets someone interested in something, or vice versa.

But this time... he's not even out of the city on his path to the lamp that'd take him to Feed before he sees Nara'a bolt past. Followed by-

This fucking thing again?!

Dabi scowls towards it in annoyance before holding his hand up and blasting the Bugge right in the side, from the side. A completely surprise (and cheap) move with no regard to holding back.

[aetherweaver]

He turns and skids at the sight of the blast of fire, staring at Dabi. "Don't - I'm trying to get it to Sanctuary -"

Dabi probably doesn't care, does he? He huffs and goes over to try to get in the way. "Something like this has to be hurting - it can be healed!"

He has to try. He's been doing his best to bring beasts to Sanctuary. Even if there's nothing left of them by the end, they have to keep trying. Some people must be able to be saved.

[burnitblack]

One of the nearby roofs is left scorched from the high-aimed blast of fire. Fancy running into this guy again, huh. He lowers his hand as the creature got reeling backwards from the light and fire, not looking at it for a reason.

"It's hurtin now." Callous as ever, noting the way the creature's shaking and swinging one of its arms, now on fire as the blue flames curl and climb across its fur. Not enough to immolate the damn thing though...

"This thing ain't supposed to be healed, idiot." And jerks his thumb over his shoulder, indicating the destruction that's followed the giant creature in its wake after entering the city. "Or did ya miss all that behind ya?"

[aetherweaver]

He sighs - he can't do anything about the roof right now other than hope. "Well yes, of course it's hurting - what do you mean that thing's not supposed to be healed?"

Better explain fast, Dabi - Nara'a goes to hit it with a low kick to try to stun it. "Hold on, you asshole!"

[burnitblack]

Dabi gives him a flat look. "Did ya happen to look over your shoulder while ya led this fucking thing through town?" Something this big's been crashing through the streets, hitting carts, knocking over plants, breaking cobblestone roads. It's not like Nara'a's been inviting a fucking puppy to follow him home.

He's not going to tell him the real reason just yet. That'll come later, when the guilt'll hit harder. (That's what you get for befriending an asshole.)

[aetherweaver]

"I did, I just -" He jumps backwards at the swipe the thing gives him, growling a little bit. "I don't want it to hurt anyone..."

Even though he's already been wrecking things... things can be fixed. The dead can't return. "I just want to get it healed!" He doesn't want to hurt anyone, but it's not like he can really get this thing to come along quietly...

[burnitblack]

Dabi glances to the side as that swipe misses Nara'a but crashes into the window of a shop instead, throwing glass inside and sending people yelling into the back. "So ya led it into town. What happened, didja forget the forest ain't crawlin with people?"

Hearing Nara'a yelling about it getting healed earns a snarling scoff from the villain and he lifts both hands over his head. Flames erupt between his fingers, combining into a ball of blue fire. "Baka. You and those Sanctuary people are so obsessed with bein heroes, ya never stop to ask whether ya should!"

The word punctuates with an overhead shot, slamming a torrent of flames directly at the Bugge towering above them.

River of Regret

[aetherweaver]

He’s not unfamiliar with waking up in strange places at this point, but being on a small boat is definitely a new one. He was just picking up a feather… huh. He does remember the ravens, but it’s… odd. Trying to get his bearings, he looks around. There are bodies on the shore, and he recoils in shock as he realizes who they are. People he couldn’t save.

“For those we have lost. For those we can yet save.” The words ring in his mind as he takes a deep breath and looks over at the other people in his boat.

“Ah. Hello there.” This is awkward, but he’s determined to make the best of it like he always tries to do.

[siriusly]

"Mh-?"

Manabu could be found hunched forward, head in his one hand, other hand dangling off his lap. He lifts his head at the sound of someone else being here, eyes wincing.

"Uoh, Nara'a...you got stuck here, too?"

[aetherweaver]

He smiles at Manabu, glad to see the other man. Sure, they're in a weird situation, but it's always easier when you're with a friend.

"Yeah. I picked up a feather and... here I am." He's pretty sure it's related to the feather - what else could it have been? But he keeps his gaze on the other, not on the bodies on the shore. "... Are you all right?"

cw corpses

[siriusly]

"Aa, well..." His lips pull back in a brief grimace as he turns his head to peer over the bridge of his nose at the scene passing by.

...Yep. Corpses. SDF officers strung up in heinous ways. Vines and barbed wire.

He closes his eyes.

"I just didn't expect to ever be back here again."

Shadowbringers/Endwalker spoilers

[aetherweaver]

There's other bodies, twisted into nightmarish monsters, lying on their sides. Their large eyes seem to stare at the two in the boat, but there's nothing behind the eyes - no spark of life, or anything resembling any sort of animating spirit at all.

"'Back' here? You've been here before?" He leans forward slightly, trying to ignore the giant creatures on the shore. He doesn't want to talk about them right now, okay? He's busy with Manabu.

[siriusly]

"Yeah." His fingers lace tightly together, elbows digging into his thighs as he hunches back over again.

"A year. A whole year ago. I was here a year ago." It's been that long! A whole solar cycle. "And the worst part is...getting used to it. I really, really shouldn't be okay with just sitting here. Enduring this again. There's no good reason for this, especially not again."

[aetherweaver]

"... So we can expect what's happened before to happen again." Interesting... and frustrating, if he can expect the things he's already seen to come back. "So how did you get back from here the first time?"

There are more bodies, including a very small one. Nara'a sees it out of the corner of his eye and inhales sharply. "I hate this place sometimes."

[siriusly]

Right... Nara'a's not been here the same amount of time. This shouldn't be Manabu just sitting here complaining about his dismal luck.

He swallows, keeping his eyes squeezed shut for a beat before lifting his head and looking back at him with a severe expression - forced resolve. Fake it until you make it, baby.

(Or rather: Stuff your own problems to the side and handle others' first and foremost. Work work work, baby!)

"You ride through it. I'm not going to tell you there's some good, deeper meaning here other than...accepting that you're here now. Far and away from the people you're attached to - the ones from your homeland. They're the ones lining the riverbed right now."

Bloodsport

[aetherweaver]

Nara’a is no stranger to nervous energy. He’s felt it many a time, and he does try to work it out by running, by training… but it’s still there. Frustrated, he tries to not think about it - but then he hears what the townsfolk are saying and he grins to himself.

A Coliseum - or close enough to it. He’s quite familiar with the gladiatorial contests in Ul’dah, and he’s participated in a few fights in there himself. He eagerly jumps into the pit and takes on whatever monsters people throw against him. Normally he’d do his best to drag them to Sanctuary, but not with this kind of energy. He does feel a touch bad for them, but… well.

It’s when there’s people around that things get interesting. Other Sleepers have a lot of tricks up their sleeves, and he’s eager to see them.

Alternately he can be caught between matches, cleaning blood and ichor off of his outfits and eating whatever snacks are provided in the area. He has to keep his energy up for the fights, after all!