EVENT #07: ASPHODEL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

[vivalamods]

EVENT #07: ASPHODEL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT PLANNING

The Corsairs have been mobilized and preparations are underway. As negotiators are dispatched to Vindess to prepare for the evacuation under Imperial noses, the crafters and suppliers set to work, preparing the new settlement and whatever airships can be spared for the evacuation. Some Corsairs have even taken it upon themselves to build or “liberate” more airships for the effort.

As always, when the goal is certain the Corsairs move as one. Together, they will see Asphodel completed. All hands are needed, the question is, where do you lend yours?

MISSIONS

Prepare Asphodel: Get the new settlement of Asphodel up and running to receive the refugees from Vindess.
Priority: Critical
Challenges: Corsairs will need to keep the settlement hidden while also making suitable housing and preparing farms and other amenities to sustain life. It will require a large amount of excavation to get in order, as well as construction of homes, furniture, and other facilities. The work will be backbreaking and the timetable is extremely aggressive.

Prepare Citizens for Evacuation: As the citizens of Vindess toil under Imperial lockdown, the Corsairs must prepare the entire population for evacuation.
Priority: Critical
Recommended Roles: Negotiators and Infiltrators
Challenges: Corsairs will need to convince the entire population to evacuate. There are a number of methods that can be employed, while many are going to be reluctant the Imperial crackdown has shaken the settlement and unease is high. There is evidence within the Imperial offices that Infiltrators can recover that show mass executions with lists of “dissidents” have been scheduled for April which the Corsairs might make use of if they choose to investigate. Other options include capturing potential dissidents and taking the entire willing population while executing or taking prisoner loyalists, or other methods the Corsairs determine for themselves to make this happen.


Acquire Airships: The Corsairs always need more airships, and moving an entire population will require heavy effort and can use as many ships as can be mustered.
Priority: Optional
Recommended Roles: All
Challenges: The Corsairs don’t have the major Ether Stones that serve as the airship engines and will need to either capture or salvage resources to increase the size of their fleet. While the Corsairs have been investigating airships that don’t require Ether stones, that research is still a distant dream, but some Corsairs may want to spend some time pushing that investigation along to see if they can make it a reality sooner rather than later.

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Comments

[purplexing]

If there's one thing that stokes the adrenaline, it's encouraging words from a familiar voice. True, this voice is still off in some ways, but the important thing is Donnie knows who it is, and it's enough to bolster him if he'd been flagging.

The drill eats through the rock without a problem, rubble giving way to the next expanse of caverns beyond.

"Woo!" Donnie whoops, letting the drill vanish in motes of magenta light. He sways slightly as he pumps a fist.

[supersmashbrother]

Hyping up his brother when he's not being big-headed is one of the things he can offer as the eldest. It comes as naturally as knocking him down a few pegs, but the enthusiasm is well-deserved. He hasn't seen that in what feels like a long time.

Raph laughs, clapping his hands together as he joins in to pump a fist in the air with Donnie. "Nice work, Don! You got through that fast." Using the pause to wave away the dust that comes with the debris, he gets back up onto his feet. "This would've taken longer without the use of your Ninpō!"

[purplexing]

He'll leave the rock clearing to others, sinking down to sit on a nearby boulder so he won't fall over. How long has he been at this again? Who knows. While he knows it's not a great idea to be overextending himself using any magic, it's the quickest way to get things done.

"Yeah, I'll sa....er, wha?" Donnie tilts his head. "Nin...po?"

[supersmashbrother]

"Hah. The Hamato Ninpō?" The corner of Raph's mouth twitches, scrambling to explain yet another point his brother isn't already familiar with. "Uh...it's like a mystic energy that's been passed down through the Hamato Clan for generations. Anyone in the family has the ability to access that power an' do stuff like you did just now."

He may be oversimplifying. Technicalities aren't really his thing, but he can try to beef it up as much as he can.

...Come to think of it, Raph only realized Donnie was using his mystic powers the second he saw it glowing.

He didn't feel any connection at all.

"I mean, how long have you been able to use your powers?"

[purplexing]

Donnie stares. So that power was something Raph and his brothers have always had? Even after talking about it with Shu, he's still not sure how he feels about that. It's different, but not? He still hasn't figured out what it was that had bothered him when Shu had said Raph could do the same thing that he did. And yet it seems like Raph wasn't terribly surprised to see Donnie making use of it.

"...not too long. Less than a year?" He rubs at the spot where once he'd had to wear one of those suppression bands, an anxious sort of gesture. "Shu said you could use the same sort of magic. I...I never thought I could do such things before."

[supersmashbrother]

The stare is worrying enough to make Raph check himself. He's sure he's speaking the same language. At the same time, it's also telling that the power is still a new concept to him. His brow creases slightly, lacking any judgement at the length of time Donnie has been around his powers.

"Miss Shu's right— although to be fair I dunno how magic an' mystic stuff work here. Took me a bit to get it back during that bug episode," he says with a soft grunt. "'Specially after the fact I got collared an' put to work the second I first got dropped..."

He shouldn't be putting this on Donnie, though, getting back on track by tracing the origins of his mystic powers.

"Back in my world, we all kinda dove into it when we first, uh, borrowed some mystic weapons. Well, save for you." He doesn't mean to put it so bluntly. Softening it up a bit now. "Bein' more into science an' technology, you were pretty skeptical of it. But that version of you eventually came around! He did the same thing you did just now."

[purplexing]

Mention of being collared has Donnie step forward, eyes wide with worry. "They didn't overload your Ether did they??"

The reminder that Raph had been brought in as one of those directly pushed into working for the Imperials churns something in his stomach. He's seen the conditions of those he's helped rescue, and he's not sure how long Raph might have had to put up with that. It's nevertheless not something that Donnie ever wished for any of his family to experience.

But Raph continues to explain the mechanics (hah!) of how he and his brothers had come to use magic back home. All of them except him. Like...some weird reverse. It's a lot to take in, and he's not sure if he should be proud or...something else.

"So...you can all make tools and things with magic?" He'd thought that was a him thing. But he supposes it tracks if they're family.

[supersmashbrother]

"Ether? Oh− " Raph pauses, muttering to himself about ether being synonymous with magic and mystic energy before speaking up again. There really isn't any way to sugarcoat what Donnie already seems to know firsthand, and that alone makes him angry at the Empire jerks for harming family.

And those eyes...is it okay to just gather his little brother up to comfort and assuage those fears?

Possibly. But for now, he'll close the gap between them to sit next to Donnie, resting a large hand on the turtlekin's shoulder.

"...They got pretty close. I felt like I couldn't move for hours." Not that he wants to actively recall the feeling of muscles violently seizing up, nor the feeling of constriction occurring around underneath the upper half of his jagged plastron. "Unfortunately, Raph didn't learn fast enough the first time. They really don't care what they do to people, do they?"

Although his mouth twists slightly, his anger slows its simmer. He welcomes the change of pace Donnie brings with his other question.

"Not quite! Yours is specific to you. Our powers take different forms." He uses his free hand to count off these points. "Leo, he's able to open up portals for quick travel, but he can also use it during combat to his advantage. Mikey's gets a little more complicated. He can use fire and can extend the chains on his nunchucks− ooh, but he's able to throw huge things around with those chains like they're nothing! Plus he's recently figured out how to open up dimensions." His brow knits. "'Cept that's still too fresh to fully comprehend, so we stuck a pin in it for now.

"As for me," he continues, "I grow bigger."

Okay. True, but maybe that's too simple.

"Just picture a big, glowy Raph that can smash a whole lot more. I can also just focus on my arms and extend them out. But yeah! It's useful for punchin' an' protectin' everyone."

[purplexing]

It seems Raph doesn't have to hold back as the moment Raph's moved in closer, he's got a Donnie-sized limpet attached to him. His arms can't reach all the way around but it sure seems like he's trying his hardest to hold on so tightly. There might be a muffled 'I'm sorry' in there.

He knows how scary and awful that had been, but the worst of it was not having anyone to go to for comfort. The Imperials mocked him, scoffed and scolded him. Being alone only made it more terrifying. Had his brother felt the same way? But Raph is stronger and braver. At least the Imperials might have been a little intimidated by him.

Talking about something different helps a little. Donnie somewhat reluctantly loosens his embrace, sliding to sit back down.

They...have different forms of power? He blinks, looking up at Raph as the other brothers' abilities are explained. "Portals...?" And Fire and...what, super strength? That's somehow harder to wrap his head around. Adding onto it dimensional travel... Well, it's not so crazy a thing when here is a Raph from a different dimension, and the Empire pulls in people from their gate like nothing. It's different to hear that a little brother can do something similar and the thought sends Donnie's head spinning enough that he looks like he'd fall over.

And Raph...

So it's not weapons... It's...him. And somehow it's fitting.

[supersmashbrother]

Raph feels the wind rush out of his lungs in surprise, looking at the goggles that sit on top of Donnie's head.

His heart aches.

Donnie's trying to comfort him? He doesn't fully register the apology as he reciprocates, almost burying his brother in his arms. He's not sure what warrants the reaction, but it doesn't sit right with him. And he wants to ask.

At the same time, knowing may anger him more.

So they take their time. Once Donnie is ready to let go, Raph opens up his arms, leaning back when he goes into explaining alternate brother lore. "The portals are like these bright blue rings that appear in mid-air," he says, gesturing a circle. "They're not always the same size, but they can lead anywhere if Leo puts his mind to it. Sometimes it's just across the way. An' if we need a quick getaway, he's able to send us somewhere safe either in another part of the city or at home." A small frown. "Then again, he sent us to Tahiti on accident that one time..."

A blink, and he notices Donnie being a little overwhelmed by the information. "H-hey, you okay, Donnie?"

[purplexing]

It might be that he's also looking for long overdue comfort. He's never really mentioned specifics to anyone, and Raph is the last person he'd want to worry over him.

Donnie's not sure if the explanation is helping any. It still sounds impossible, especially in trying to imagine his brother doing such things. Ugh, he'd be so annoying. ...but then...nothing would be able to stop him from just appearing to take Donnie home, either. A power like that would be so useful to the Corsairs. But then his brother'd be dragged into things, and that had been the last thing Donnie wanted. Yet with every passing month he truly starts to wonder if ignorance is indeed bliss.

He runs a hand down his face as he closes his eyes. "Y-yeah. I think I overdid it a little, earlier," he admits. Having to mentally jump hoops to palate this information unfortunately isn't helping either.

[supersmashbrother]

The warmth of the hug, even the recent memory of it, dulled the sharp edges of the experience that made its way to the forefront of his mind. Short-lived confusion overtaken by stomach-churning fear. A burst of anger cut short when the Imperials quickly subdued him, throwing him to the ground...

Explaining things isn't getting the point across any better, and it seems to be adding to the adverse reaction Donnie expresses. "Gotta build up that stamina, buddy," he says with a slight smile, trying to hide the worry lines that still etch themselves into his facial features. "You're off to a great start, but some training will do you some good. You'll get the hang of it in no time!"

[purplexing]

He'd never let any Imperials take Raphael again. He'd stop them before they can get to his family here. Ambitious thoughts, but Donnie knows he wouldn't hesitate to save his family.

He keeps his own trauma buried. Raph doesn't need to worry about that. Anyway, they're far away from any nobles or Imperials that would look down on them. They were helping to set up more people here. Slowly but surely they've been winning people over to their side, their eyes opened to the truth of the Empire.

Donnie smiles weakly at his brother-twin's encouraging words. "I guess..." he says. He knows there's a bit more to it too, now. All this time he's been doing it the hard way. "I'm working on it."

[supersmashbrother]

Being a team and defending those that can't defend themselves are important, but family comes first. Raph will continue to look out for his family no matter where he is.

He's used to confronting his brothers, prying out information where it needs to be said. He often does this more with Leo than the other two; Donnie gets this treatment from time to time, of course, but learning and relearning patience is a constant. He's willing to leave it alone for now.

"Good." He nudges his purple not!brother. "Hey. Whenever you're up for it, maybe we can spar!"

[purplexing]

The suggestion makes the purple-clad turtle brighten. He nods. "Sure. I'd be good for it," he says, eager to see how this Raph fights. "I'm sure we'll have plenty of time for it. First we need to get things done around here."

There's still a lot of work to handle in preparation for people to move in, but he thinks they've been making fair progress.

[supersmashbrother]

Study for study, in a way. Raph will get to compare Donnies and satiate the restlessness in lacking any actual sparring since he got here. Having a good feeling about this, he laughs and gets to his feet. "Ah, right! We gotta pull our weight 'round here." He takes a second to stretch, warming up as he goes to meet with the others still working on clearing the debris.

"Not bad. Step aside an' let Raph get this!"

Big words, big confidence. Yet he means it. With a small 'hup!,' the turtle summons his mystic power: red light suddenly fills the space as Raph's form grows large enough to tower over the Corsairs near him, staying small enough to not block the pathways made. "Alright, watch out." Big hands collect the larger pieces of rock, carrying them off to the side in less time.

[purplexing]

Donnie starts to push himself to his feet, envying Raph's spryness in the moment. And then his brother double starts to glow red, echoed by another form of himself so much larger, and the turtlekin can't help but gape.

"Whoa...."

Raphael had always been huge to him, but this goes far beyond that. And although he hates to admit it, there's some small part of him that is soothed for whatever prickly feeling had spawned when Shu had first told him that Raph could do what he did, because that isn't quite it at all. Raph has his own brand of Ether magic or...this ninpo thing, and Donnie... Donnie still has his.

[supersmashbrother]

Raph tromps over to the next pile of debris, all smiles and unaware of the line of thought Donnie is going through. He's been too used to having this power, growing with it, losing it, and then regaining it within a short span of time. There are other details he hasn't even gone over with Donnie, but he can probably bring it up again when they aren't trying to finish tunneling.

Dusting off his hands, he goes to remove another rock. "Hey Donnie! Tapping out already?"

[purplexing]

"Wha-? N-no! Of course not!" Donnie snorts, shaking his head to get his thoughts cleared. He grins, heading over to start helping with some of the rubble. Maybe not the pieces as huge as the one Raph's handling, but he feels he's caught his second wind. Or is it third...

Well, whatever. They'll get this handled!