Afterlight [ IC / PG-16 / Started / Not Accepting / Co-Hosted by the sexy Axi ]

[a bad post]

"We don't have to face it alone," the boy beside her said, whom she recognized as the protester she had asked to move earlier, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. She had the thought to flinch away from it, not totally comfortable with being touched by a stranger, but decided after a moment's deliberation that it would be okay.

 

"But, don't we?" Alice responded to him with a sad tone, and a wistful look before leaning back into her seat allowing the smooth waves to rock the boat into a steady rhythm and felt her consciousness slowly ebbing away... when a huge moment ruining wave crested over the side of the ship and drenched her. Despite the situation she couldn't help, but giggle to see her companions in the same situation. For the first time Alice really took in her surroundings, amazed by the beauty of the aboveground.

 

The mood though was fouled by the arrival of the priestess, Vivian. It seemed that she was not popular among the people of the boat, and being booed, one of whom including the boy next to her. She cocked her head to the side analyzing the boy that had offered her kindness just before, and was now taking part in a discriminatory act against this woman for her beliefs. Maybe he wasn't so different after all. The pregnant woman next to him had an even worse reaction to the holy woman trying to bless her child.

 

"Is she not entitled to her beliefs?" Alice asked both Damien and Madeline, "you may not share her views, but she has offered you no ill will, in fact quite the opposite. Then why if she has done no wrong doing unto you, would you treat her with such unkindness?"

 

While waiting for their answer three more people approached the group, and asked questions, though Alice declined to answer merely studying the three boys. Again though the boat's rocking lulled her to sleep as she fell asleep on Damien's shoulder, with quiet even breaths.

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

"If she truly meant no ill will, then she would've kept her mitts to herself!" Madeline scowled at her and Damien's most recent companion Alice, but only 'cause she was still sour over Vivian's so-called 'blessing', "You can't just judge someone by the surface, and ya certainly can't tell me that I don't have a reason not to trust her,"

 

Sure enough two more came, and it already felt like Madeline was the center of attention. First was Izaya who'd just said hi. Madeline nervously giggled and waved, blushing at the sight of him. She might've suddenly developed feelings for Izaya, but a promise was a promise, and Madeline promised herself to stay away from him until she learnt that neither of the two personalities he was rumored to have would come to harm.

 

And then there was Sintel, who... Madeline was about to give up right then and there. His naivete clearly knew no bounds, and his unrealistic optimism was starting to get on her nerves. Still, Madeline couldn't exactly ignore this guy, and leave him clueless as to what the real situation was. Instead, her head sank low.

 

"Y'know, some of us have more important things to concern ourselves with; like the upcoming trial, or all the family and friends we've been torn away from, or the lives we've once lived," with that said, Madeline looked up, and stared Sintel straight in the eyes, "I don't expect you to comprehend what everyone else is going through right now, but I'd appreciate it if you'd open your eyes to the misery that surrounds us all..."

[Ren✧]

Damien watched as people began to gather around himself and Madeline. The two seemed to be attracting quite the crowd, and in all the excitement, Damien had almost forgot about the girl to his side. "But, don't we?" She asked solemnly, Damien raised an eyebrow. He could understand her pessimism, after all, they all had just been ripped from their homes. It was understandable to feel lonely. Damien found himself clutching the necklace that hung around his neck. 'I will get back to them.' He thought.

 

"Hi there..." Damien looked up. Standing in front of them was a boy with clam, turquoise eyes. However, as Damien studied him the soft light in them shifted to a dangerous gleam that made Damien jump slightly. As soon as he thought he had saw the shift, it had disappeared. 'My imagination...only my imagination.' He thought, trying to push down his skepticism. If he was going to survive then he would need a group of people he could trust. And he definitely wasn't going to get the help of that religious girl.

 

"Is she not entitled to her beliefs? You may not share her views, but she has offered you no ill will, in fact quite the opposite. Then why if she has done no wrong doing unto you, would you treat her with such unkindness?" Damien turned to the girl, Alice as he now remembered. 

 

"She can believe whatever she wants, I don't give a damn. But, I won't let her justify what the Council did to us. Besides everyone knows that the church is in bed with the Counc-" Damien stopped himself, already knowing that it was too late. Alice was the daughter of a Council member. She wasn't going to believe that the Council was just trying to kill off the unruly, surplus population. "Never mind." He muttered, turning away from Alice and back to the boy that had just approached.

 

"So...um...my name's Damien, and you are?"

[Aix]

The sad truth that Vivian was unsurprised to receive such reactions now, but the fact that she was not surprised did not mean it did not still hurt that she was rejected so readily. The pregnant girl was so vehement in her distaste that it brought a grimace to her face as she thought of it. What had she done to earn such hate? She made a note to try to ease her way into the girl's trust, she seemed so worn to be a mother at such a young age, that must be why. She reassured herself like so, but the despondent thoughts continued. The way so many of the crew had completely turned away at her teachings, going as far as to boo her... She feared for them, she did, what would they do in this strange and dangerous world without Aix's blessing? How can she face Aix if she continued to fail in her duties as a holy maiden? She needed to properly guide them to the light. Taking these thoughts with her as she went about, she decided to aid others in adjusting the sails.

 

It was not as though she did not prepare for this trip solely with her prayers, rather, Vivian was no stranger to menial work, her charity was not solely in the generosity in giving her prayers, but also in volunteering work around Isahron. In the nights before, she had studied on the operation of a ship already while the rest had to look at the operational manuals when going about. This was again another opportunity that she could not fail and she grabbed the manual from a nearby man to, at the same time, grab his attention. "Over there, pull on that knot, please," she said, pointing. The man looked at her with a bemused look and then a frown, but she showed no weakness. He looked around at the others and sighed, silently and submissively doing as she said, it was likely he didn't have the heart to figure the manual out anyway. "Thank you," she said sincerely and when he glanced back she rewarded him with a smile.

 

A smile is a powerful weapon, indeed, happiness is infectious and was important to maintain, at the same time, bringing happiness to another naturally improved their impression and relationship with you, even if by only a little. It was something which Vivian innately understand and she wielded this weapon with deadly effectiveness. However, she knew that even this was not enough to break the barrier between her and the rest, but, nonetheless, she would continue to try. Again confiscating the manuals of two others, she succeeded in ordering them to do as she said and soon the ship was going on its proper course towards the mainland.

[Astolfo]

~ in the heavens ~

Far above, in the idyllic skies, a thundering roar started to sweep in, and the bright blue drained away, turning into a dark grey among black. In less than ten minutes, day had fell, giving birth to the raging storm. As if the seas were trying to imitate the sky, the water started to broil and froth, massive waves quickly forming and tearing across the ocean. To the sides of the three ships, the water was caving in, giving sight to an endless depth below, which would drink the seas and feast upon men and ship alike. The storm growing worse by the second, rain began to pour down, and heavy gales screeched. Pushing the sturdy sailboats off course, with rowing power helpless against the anger of nature, one could but wonder and hope for the best. Huge tidal waves built up, and then crashed down on the ships, drenching everyone inside, and knocking everyone off balance. The whirlpools which were growing ever nearer, caught the edges of one ship, and sent it flinging off to some coast far in the south, the people inside terrified for their lives. Another of the aquatic spirals hooked onto a second ship and flung it far off to the north. As the one remaining ship floated in the water, gigantic floods of brine continued to push and pull it about, in every which way. In the midst of all this chaos, the only things to be heard, besides the people, would be echoing cries of thunder, the cacophony of the now-hard falling rain, and the sharp, screeching sound soy the wind…
 

~ Sintel ~

Sintel was waiting for the pregnant lady to respond to his question, when he noticed the light levels dropping quickly suddenly, and peered up to the pending disaster. Stumbling back in shock, he fell against the side of the ship roughly. Almost losing his balance as the rolling waves turned and tipped the boat, he clung to the boat's rail, making sure not to fall off, and scanning for clues and more information. Upon seeing the enormous whirlpools in the distance, he just stared, his mouth agape. Turning back to yell to everyone of the new danger, he couldn't get the words to come out of his mouth, but practically everyone was frozen in shock, more or less like him. Growing frantic as the storm grew worse, he yelled. "Everyone! Take cover, and hold onto something as tightly as you can, and don't lose your gr-" Abruptly cut off as seawater poured onto the boat, he coughed and choked, spitting out what he could. It left a stinging sensation in his eyes, and a horrid aftertaste, but that was the least of his worries at the moment. Carrying off at least two people with it, who couldn't retain their grasp as the slick water rushed in, they were pulled into the waters, screaming and shouting, but ripped away from them too far to rescue. Gritting his teeth, Sintel craned his neck and looked around, trying to make sure everyone had somewhat of a grip on something. As he himself was at the sides, he could just see the first ship being yanked away by a massive whirlpool, and being thrown off to the south to some barren shore, far off in the distance. Looking the other direction, cued by a massive creaking noise, the other boat nearly capsized, but managed to recover, but it wasn't out of the woods just yet, and got ripped off by the aquatic currents, shot off to the north like a drunk cannonball. To his despair, he could view the coast they were originally supposed to land on, and while they had gotten much closer, partly in thanks to the storm, it was still a good distance away. Too close, but too far…

[Super Chaos Sonic]

Izaya was happy to have them respond with the "hellos" and other greetings, as he thought it right to respond back. "I'm Izaya...Izaya Futatsu..." he said with a small smile...however...that brief smile was gone within just a little while.

 

The ship hit the pending disaster within the form of a terrible storm. Everyone began to rock with the boat, but the worst thing was seeing two people being carried off by the mighty flooded tide, as he could only hold on tightly, watching them drift off deeper into the gale. He held on tightly to the railings of the ship, seeing how the others were doing...he could only see Sintel, but holding on, but he hoped for the others to be safe as well.

 

That's when he saw the other ship...being ripped by the currents...to the north end of their position...and that was the last Izaya saw of that ship...

 

At this moment, all Izaya could do, was close his eyes tightly...hold on for dear life...and hope that they made it to shore...

[Ren✧]

Damien listened as the boy introduced himself as Izaya. "It's nice to me-" Damien began, but paused as he sensed something go amiss. He couldn't quite put his finger on it until the first drop touched his head. The ball of fire in the sky had been shrouded by nebulous shapes in the sky. Their dark color casting deep shadows on the ships below. "What the - " Damien didn't have time to finish the thought as the boat suddenly pitched forward, dumping him suddenly from his seat on the bench. He tumbled across the deck of the ship, grazing Izaya slightly, but managing to catch himself before he fell too far away from the small established group.

 

Within moments a vicious wind whipped around the members of the ship, and not long after a cold, icy rain pelted them from above. Having never seen something like this, Damien watched the worsening weather with wonder. Lightning cracked across the sky, sending an explosion of thunder to ripple across the darkened landscape. "Wow..." Damien muttered to himself, finding himself in total awe. Both fear and fascination gripped his chest, as he fought his way back to his feet on the pitching and rolling floor of the deck. "Everyone! Take cover, and hold onto something as tightly as you can, and don't lose your gr-" Sintel began to say, but was abruptly interrupted by a wave that crashed onto the deck. 

 

"Dammit!" Damien said to himself, desperately trying to combat the situation. "Quickly!" He shouted over the heavy roar of the pounding rain. "Get under there!" Damien instructed Madeline, pointing to the bench that he had just been pitched off of moments before. Taking care of her was of the top priority. Her pregnancy was in danger in such harsh situations. Taking his own advice, Damien curled up under the bench and securely fastened his position. Now that he was out of the shrieking wind and protected, albeit ever so slightly, from the relentless rain, he waited for the storm to settle and the ship to return to its course. Of course, had he seen the other ship be tossed far away into the ocean, he may not have had such an optimistic outlook. 

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

Before the storm, Madeline got off the wall and moved to see what Vivian was up to. Unfortunately, she didn't get far when all of a sudden, it seemed like hell had fallen from the skies above her. She was quick to stumble because of the ship's constant swaying, and because it continued to do so, there was no getting back on her feet. Desperate for a solution, Madeline had tried to listen in on Damien's voice, but it was drowned out by the howling winds and the torrent of rain water.

 

Unwilling to give up that easily though, Madeline crawled over to the railing and, after cringing at the sight of two others drifting into the open sea, finally found the strength to stand on her feet, using the railing to counter the storm's attempts to force her back down. It was then that she discovered Damien under the bench.

 

'Of course! That bench'll be a lot sturdier than this piece of shit railing!' Madeline gathered the last few nerves she had left, "I'm coming, Damien!"

 

Madeline bolted for the bench with all the leg strength she had, taking a huge risk in losing her footing. She could've landed flat on her stomach, stuffing up any chances of Hope's survival in the process, or end up veering off to one side of the bench and collapsing on her side. But thankfully, none of those events came to pass. As soon as she got there, Madeline wrapped her legs around one leg of the bench and one arm around the top of it. All she could do from there is hang on...

[Cray-Crow]

After the growing group had so readily denied the holy girl's presence, she left to aid the ship to properly sail the seas. Just before she turned away, Ahri had seen a great sadness overcome her expression, and he couldn't help but feel sorrow for her. He questioned whether she deserved their rejection. Either way, Ahri didn't ponder on that thought for long, for what invaded his mind was far more unsettling.

The sky. There were... these grey and black tufts in it. Its beauty remained but the sky's pleasantry was now replaced with a sort of ferocity.  A resounding crash filled the air as the start of a sea storm presented itself. The sea became fierce, and the winds harsh. Just then, a wave came aboard and swept two of the ship's passengers to sea, and a fear came to Ahri like no other. What if he was swept into the open nothingness of the sea? What if he died today, here?

His eyes scanned the boat's deck. Others were scrambling to grab hold of the wooden seats or the railings. In the distance, the other ship was swept away by a whirlpool, the other nearly capsizing before being taken off course to who knows where. Ahri maneuvered to the mast of the ship and grabbed hold of some ropes that were tied around it. The toss and turn of the ship caused him to grip the rope for dear life, blistering his palms. Ahri yelled for other passengers to join him, as there was more rope to hang onto. Together they pleaded that what this was that was assaulting them so would end as abruptly as it came.