After Storm Log - Month 2

[rookshire_hill]

The storm pummeled them hard, battering the windows and walls with enough force that it was obviously some kind of magic that kept the windows from shattering under the pressure. It howled and raged, tireless in it's attempt to wipe them off the map. There was no 'eye', no respite. Just constant wind and occasional shuddering walls. Which made it all the more special when the morning of the fourth day broke in quiet.

No. Not quiet.

Silence.

No grinding of the building rearranging itself, for beyond the ally port things had finally settled, though nothing looked all that different. No familiar birdsong or rustling of the strange rabbit/ferret creatures. Not even the timid knock of a friendly villager, come to make sure they'd weathered the storm. Nothing. Upon opening the door, however, it became very clear as to why.

Apparently, Rookshire had taken them for a ride on the winds because the door opened and a wave of sweltering heat gushed inside, carrying with it bits of sand and grit. It stung the eyes and the dry heat made lungs ache with each breath. Harsh light followed the heat, blinding after three days inside and while the eyes adjusted a little, squinting was going to be a regular thing on this world.

Stepping outside proved what common sense should have already guessed: They had settled in a landscape of arid desert and cracked terra. What wasn't hard packed ground was loose grit that gave way until someone sank up to the ankles. They were closer to what appeared to be a city, at least? Though, upon closer inspection, many of the buildings were broken or crumbling, visible from even that far off.

All of that might take a while to notice in favor of the two celestial bodies that were in the sky. One was most of the way risen, dark red in color and so big it felt like one could simply reach out and touch it. The other had just crested the horizon, an icy blue that contrasted hard against it's red sibling. It wasn't quite as large, but nevertheless it was just as close.

As the day progressed, it became very clear that the two ran on very different rotations. The blue sun raced across the sky, while the red lumbered behind. As a result, night was a short affair, barely six hours in total. Which, considering the hushed sound of wings and the heavy clicking sounds that can be heard even through the walls of Rook, that might be a good thing.

~~~

Locations

Offices | A group of four small rooms where the visitation rooms once were. Two are furnished with a desk and an overstuffed armchair, the other two have comfortable chairs in a circle. Therapy rooms maybe?

Showers | As the tin says. It opens into a room with cubbies lining the walls, like the people here weren't allowed actual lockers. There are a few towels scattered around. The shower room itself is pretty basic: bare concrete, shower heads up too high to actually touch, plastic knobs for the water, and a drain in the middle.

Supply Room | Looks like we found where this place got it's supply drops. Huge loading bay doors are stuck shut, of course, but there are boxes of shit everywhere.

Chapel | I guess even inmates? patients? need a church. Wooden pews, but they're bolted to the floor. No books in sight, but there is a cabinet on the back wall. Stained glass windows, but...reinforced? And is that a painting of barbed wire fences?

Swimming Pool | Okay, so finally a nice room. It's an actual fucking swimming pool. The room is pretty, too. The two long walls are solid windows. I bet it keeps the water warm even in the winter.


~~~

Current Stores

1000/1080 Food
2160/2160 Water
0 Firewood/Fuel
+3 New Faces

Comments

Bulletin Board

[rookshire_hill]

[IC notes, requests for things, and notes about the local area]

Search Tracking

[piercetheheart]

If you're going out see who else has already gone out looking for shit and pick a different direction. Make notes here, count your steps.

Do NOT let any of the animals outside unsupervised.

[bloodyashes]

[This handwriting is way too loopy, enough that although it's very neat, it can't be read at a glance.]

Also, if you're going out, wrap a sheet around your head and shoulders to reflect the light and try to stay as cool as possible. Keep it loose.

Doing a loop of the immediate area around the building with Kyra.

-Asch.

[piercetheheart]

5/22 Gladio + Spirit

2000 steps North, 1000 steps West. Flag set at the edge of the city. Looks like there's some vehicles.

Prompto- Come with on the next one?

[want_to_belong]

Vehicles? I'm in.

[piercetheheart]

didn't get a chance to look too close at anything but if anyone's gonna be able to get something running it'll be you

[want_to_belong]

If nothing runs we might be able to find gas

[piercetheheart]

for the genie right. I was so out of it that barely occurred to me. We need to not be out in that heat every day though so give it a few

Step Map

[piercetheheart]

[broplaints]

[The next time Gladio looks at the map, he'll see that it's not only been drawn on, but that there's also now a note tacked onto the bottom:]

Knocked some of the sand loose for you, big guy.
Let me know if you need help getting it all.

[piercetheheart]

You wanna light it up or you want me to get Iggy to?

[broplaints]

Man, I gotta do everything around here
=P
Want to come with me?

[piercetheheart]

Think I'm gonna miss the light show?

[piercetheheart]

There is running water in the city. As soon as powers are back up:

-Noct & Iggy should head out to the city with at least one back up, preferably 2
-Prom & Ardyn need to stay here
-find as many containers as possible. Bottles, buckets, jars, anything.
-Fill as much as possible, transfer to Armiger
-Those of us on the hospital side can help with unloading and storage.

WANTED

[piercetheheart]

Also I know you assholes are gonna make fun of me but I usually still like to have a shirt. You find anything that might fit me and is sturdier than sheets I'd appreciate it.

AND SOME FUCKING SOCKS

[want_to_belong]

[Added with an attempt to imitate Gladio's writing stile]

AND A THONG

[broplaints]

[Written beneath Prompto's attempt is another, although it is a bit better.]

ALSO CONDOMS GOTTA SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THESE YOUNGINS

[piercetheheart]

I mean sure? Maybe we can convince Ardyn to play then~

[You asked for this]

[scourgingstars]

I'll kill you.

[broplaints]

Don't involve me in this he's my uncle.

[Holy shit did he just claim Ardyn?]

[scourgingstars]

I've never heard of this child before in my life.

[broplaints]

Don't be like that Uncle Ardyn

[want_to_belong]

MAKE SURE THEY'RE EXTRA SMALL OTHERWISE THEY FALL OFF

[broplaints]

MAYBE SOME VIAGRA US OLD GUYS NEED SOME HELP SOMETIMES

[bloodyashes]

[So, hey, Noctis, someone who doesn't even know what Viagra is saw you writing that, and - ]

Found: One sense of maturity. Previously property of one Noctis LC. Barely used. Please return to owner immediately.

[just_another_hill]

...Children. Don't make me turn this building around.

Don't think for a moment that I won't confiscate your pencils.

[notsoholyspirit]

[Spirit's handwriting is a surprisingly neat and loopy script.]

Planning to survey the area outside. I'd like to start by going straight out--what would be due North.

Anybody interested in coming? I don't think it's safe to search entirely alone. We should at least be in pairs.

[piercetheheart]

'm down. First thing tomorrow before the suns get too high?

-🥀

[Yes he's a nerd and instead of signing his name just doodles a little Gladiolus flower instead.]

[notsoholyspirit]

Okay...

Who is this?

[piercetheheart]

Gladio, shield, big guy

[little scribbly doodle of the tatt ]

[notsoholyspirit]

Ah. Don't think we've met.

Spirit. Tall, red hair. Just got here during that storm.

Night Sounds & Local Wildlife

[shatteredlenses]

For those who have not noticed, during what little night there is in this place, there is a fair bit of noise going on out there. From what I can make out, it sounds to be methodical clicking, hissing and various other sounds that might come from a creature with a beak. I suspected they might be birds of some kind at first, but further investigation makes it seem more likely these are actually large bugs that track using sound, a type of echo-location if you will.

Ardyn, Gladio and I tracked the sound to one of the large mounds nearby today. They are not just mounds but the kind of open-topped earthen burrows one might find with common ground insects. The closer we got to the mound and the longer we lingered around it, the more upset the sound coming from it became. From what we could determine during our short visit, they are quite large and eat mammals leaving behind pellets like one might see an owl leave behind.

Considering how many mounds there are in just this area, it is safe to assume they are likely connected by an underground network meaning that the bugs could theoretically follow us underground without us knowing it.

As a result, if you linger too long near a mound or upset them for any reason, DO NOT RETURN STRAIGHT HERE. Take some kind of wondering path, or, if there is no other choice, take shelter in the city for a short while before returning. While we have had no reason to be outside at night so far, the last thing we need is these creatures laying an ambush or attacking and forcing our hand.

Ardyn is currently recovering from the trip, while I believe Gladio has already returned to exploring. I will be around, however, should anyone have any questions about what we found.

[bloodyashes]

[Around the time of the New Moon, Asch starts scribbling in a map detailing his discoveries as he vanishes off to wherever the heck he's been vanished to.

The grocery store and water plant are marked, but not the fuel station. Unfortunately, he doesn't know what that is or that it would be significant.]