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shardmods ([personal profile] shardmods) wrote in [community profile] shardbond2025-01-18 06:00 pm

INTRODUCTIONS






With your battle complete, and your injuries sort of patched up, you're finally free to catch your breath... at least until the terminal flares to life again. Your brief conversation with the person on the other end may have left you with more questions than answers, but they are true to their world. Next to the terminal, a glowing golden portal suddenly appears - blinding in its light and large enough for only a couple of you to enter at a time. Regardless, it remains open, showcasing a strange, warehouse-looking building on the other side, with a long hallway and several closed doors. It's not entirely clear where this new location will be, but at least it doesn't seem to have spider robots or be out in space.

/// L O A D I N G . . .
I've got everything ready on my end.
I'll explain everything to you once you're here.
No more secrets, I promise.
Please watch your step, and make sure everyone comes along!


Staying behind is not an option. Whether you trust the person on the other end of the terminal or not, it seems this is your only path forward. Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and step through the portal.


THE BASE


The light begins to clear as the last of you enter the portal and come out unharmed on the other side. You'll notice immediately that the portal displayed the exact place you've ended up - a fairly run-down warehouse, with you all standing in a hallway that extends in front of you, lined with doors that are shut. Before you go wandering off, you might want to turn around - after all, you can hear the whirring of machinery behind you.

You'll find that there's another set of doors there - one that is closed and another that leads into a larger room that seems to be a makeshift lab and control room all rolled into one. There are monitors carefully (but a bit haphazardly) strewn across the room, the wiring capably done but rather unprofessional. One of the screens shows a diagram of a gemstone, another shows a list of coordinates that don't make any sense, a third seems to be showing security cameras... basically exactly what you'd expect for someone's base of operations.

And that base of operations is staffed by... well, you'll have to look down, as he's not exactly human height.

Standing before you is someone unfamiliar to all of you. He's not very tall, but he stands out from the crowd with his yellow fur, bright blue eyes, and twin tails. He's an anthropomorphic fox and he's looking at you all a bit nervously, waving a hand in greeting.

"Um, hi." He says. "I'm really sorry about the confusion. And the robots. And your missing memories. And your injuries. I really didn't expect things to turn out like this..." He trails off nervously, scratching his cheek before forcing a smile again. "But thank you so much for agreeing to help us. My name is Tails. I'm one of the members of the resistance.

"There are medical supplies here, for you guys to use. I'm sorry, I'm not a medic..." Sure enough, you have access to quite a few medical supplies present in this room! Go right ahead and patch up your friends with the good stuff. You've even got painkillers here!

He clears his throat and continues. "Like I said, no more secrets. I couldn't tell you everything while you were in that other world, because I was afraid of my transmissions being picked up by the Doctor. You guys are the only hope for this world, because the three of us can't beat him alone. So we had to turn to help elsewhere.

"Doctor Robotnik - or Eggman, as we call him - is a genius scientist. He's made a lot of robots and gadgets, but that's not the reason why we need your help. He's got an item of immense power - the Master Emerald. With it, anything he thinks and desires can become reality. He made a giant robot from pieces of cars, trucks, trains, you name it! And that giant robot alone is enough to pose a huge threat to the city, but he didn't stop there.

"The entire world is controlled by him. He even controls the minds of all the people native to this world. They can't fight against him. They act like mindless drones, going about their daily tasks with no way to fight back. And he's created a lot of robots - they might even outnumber the people, at this point! Everything and everyone is under his control."

A brief pause as Tails breathes and steadies himself. "But my friends and I are able to fight back. We have to fight back. And you guys agreed to help us. I'm sorry that you don't remember it, but my friend Sonic spoke with each one of you. He told you about what's going on here and he asked for your help. And all of you said you'd come help us.

"I'll do my best to answer any questions you have. But right now, I'm the only one here. I lost contact with Knuckles at the start of this week, and I've been trying to figure out what happened. Sonic's been trying to find help in other worlds, so communication with him has been spotty. But I'll let him know that you guys are here now, so he should return soon!"

Tails exhales and forces a smile. "Together, we can defeat Eggman."


THE AFTERMATH


Though it's a lot of information to take in, Tails will happily answer any questions you all may have. He tells you that this warehouse is their base of operations, hidden right under the nose of Eggman's forces. Unfortunately, they need to be very careful because robots are always on patrol - and are specifically looking for the three of them. For now, it's best for you all to remain near the warehouse and travel in pairs, if you do go out into the city for any reason.

You'll find that those closed doors lead to rooms that have been set up for all of you. They're a little lacking, with only two beds, two desks and chairs, and two trunks for you to store your belongings in. Though you do have some changes of clothes in the closets, the designs may not be to your liking. They were picked out for you by three animals who only wear shoes and gloves, so...

Get ready, because it looks like you've a lot of work ahead of you.



sacrificialpawn: (In these times of doing what you're told)

for Skylark, cw: mentions of alcoholism

[personal profile] sacrificialpawn 2025-01-22 08:03 am (UTC)(link)
[Even though the battle itself is over, Oscar is restless, on edge in a way that he hasn't been since a certain fateful day in Garancia years ago when his entire world came crashing down around him. The situations really aren't comparable - after all, no one died today, as close as things may have come - yet the images in his mind bubble up regardless of his best efforts to try to push them back down, lock them back up where they belong.

He wants a drink. He wants several drinks, wants to drink until he passes out even knowing well that won't make the memories disappear. But that isn't an option here, so instead he opts to try to distract himself by starting up a patrol around the warehouse just so that he can feel like he's doing something, anything to be useful, because he sure wasn't earlier--

His side, still untreated after the laser struck him during the battle, burns with each breath, and he welcomes the pain as a reminder of just how badly he'd screwed all of this up. He's a soldier. He should have taken charge, told the others who didn't know how to fight to stay back... but no, he'd left all the responsibility to someone else and just sat back and waited for his orders like a good dog.

So, in the end, that really is all that he's good for after all...

A sudden sharp twinge of pain from the wound prompts a hiss of indrawn breath, and his first mistake is thinking that he's alone when he pauses to lean heavily against the wall, closing his eyes in an attempt to make everything stop spinning quite so much.]
saltofthesea: (skylark09)

[personal profile] saltofthesea 2025-01-22 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[ On the one hand, Skylark should count himself lucky he wasn't harmed during the battle; on the other hand, he is not in the best of moods, though it could be worse. It's why he decided to focus on picking a room and try to get himself at least somewhat settled so he can figure out what to do henceforth.

It's by coincidence that he happens to be there when Oscar leans against the wall. Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately, from Oscar's point of view), he is well-versed in injuries, and he likes to think that he's at least somewhat experienced in handling more troublesome patients (if he isn't then what the hell was the stuff he put up with for?). Which is why he approaches though he doesn't make any other moves. ]


Follow me, please.

[ No, Lark is not going to let Oscar say "no". The only option he's getting is how much of a fuss gets kicked up over this. ]
sacrificialpawn: (No one knows)

[personal profile] sacrificialpawn 2025-01-23 07:29 am (UTC)(link)
[Ah, damn. He'd thought everyone else had already retired to the rooms for the night...

Pushing off the wall, he straightens back up with a brief grimace as that movement just makes his lightheadedness that much worse. Whether it's from the blood loss or from the prolonged lack of sleep, he can't tell; likely both.

It's still nothing he can't walk off, he thinks. No point in getting the kid all worried about him...]


Thanks for the concern, but I'm fine. I'm just a little more tired from that fight than I thought, that's all. A nice hot shower and somethin' to eat and I'll be right back in shape again.

[And he smiles, because it's much easier to fool people with a smile on your face. That's one thing he's learned well by now.]
saltofthesea: (4THUIKr)

[personal profile] saltofthesea 2025-01-23 08:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oh, this is one of those types, huh. He sort of wishes he could emulate Azhar's brooking-no-nonsense attitude here, but he'll have to make do somehow. ]

You got hit by one of those beams, right? That's not how it works. [ Spoilers: he's going to worry anyway. ] And I dunno, but I figure that if that's really all you need to be right as rain again, you wouldn't be here bracing yourself against the wall in the first place.

[ Since Oscar doesn't seem to want there to be a huge fuss over him...]

Now follow me or I'll get someone and turn this into a real huge fuss.
sacrificialpawn: (One not simply)

[personal profile] sacrificialpawn 2025-01-23 08:45 am (UTC)(link)
If that's what you're worried about, it barely grazed me. [It's a lie.] I'll wash it up in the shower and put a bandage on it. Deal?

[He's a bit more standoffish than he would otherwise be in part because this kid reminds him of Eric, and that in turn serves to remind him that Eric would no doubt be reacting exactly the same way in this situation.

Maybe that also makes him just a tiny bit homesick, too. For a brief moment, his mind prompts Is Claude overworking himself again? Is Eric worrying himself sick? before he shakes it off and starts to walk away, intent on finding somewhere to hole himself up alone before his mood gets even worse than it already is.

... only to stumble not two steps into his attempted retreat. Well.]
saltofthesea: (skylark24)

[personal profile] saltofthesea 2025-01-23 09:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ Lark is pretty sure it wasn't just a graze, but he doesn't get to protest before Oscar tries to retreat.

...And then almost instantly stumbled, leading Lark to rush over to try and catch him. The keyword here is "try" because Oscar is much, much taller and bigger than Lark is and ever will be. ]


This is what I mean–
sacrificialpawn: (Swallowed by pain)

[personal profile] sacrificialpawn 2025-01-23 09:22 am (UTC)(link)
Damn it...!

[But there's really nothing he can do other than curse when his legs no longer seem to want to hold him up. He's at least aware enough of what's happening to try to avoid putting his full weight on Lark as much as he can, but past that? Yeah, he's not looking too good right now.

On the plus side, Lark will likely be able to get his way?]
saltofthesea: (skylark41)

[personal profile] saltofthesea 2025-01-23 09:29 am (UTC)(link)
[ This is Lark's life now, half-dragging and half-supoorting a grown man nearly a foot taller than him.

Without another word, he'll try to bring Oscar into a room while praying to god's that it's unoccupied or this will be very awkward. ]
sacrificialpawn: (In these times of doing what you're told)

[personal profile] sacrificialpawn 2025-01-23 10:30 am (UTC)(link)
[To Oscar's credit, he does his best to assist Lark in getting him to a room since even he has to admit at this point that he really does need to lie down before his body decides it's going to make him lie down whether he wants to or not. He curses again, inwardly this time, because the one thing he'd been trying hardest to avoid was giving anyone a reason to worry about him (there was already more than enough worry to go around today).

Can't even get one simple thing right... truly batting 100 here, good job, Oscar.]
saltofthesea: (skylark58)

[personal profile] saltofthesea 2025-01-23 10:33 am (UTC)(link)
[ God news, Lark did pick an unoccupied room! He does his best to haul Oscar over to one of the beds. ]

Wait here, I'll go get some supplies.

[ ...Not that Oscar can go anywhere right now, but Lark feels he ought to at least say it. ]
sacrificialpawn: (As he slowly fell apart)

[personal profile] sacrificialpawn 2025-01-23 10:44 am (UTC)(link)
[He can't go anywhere, can't even protest, and it galls him even as he recognizes how much he actually does need this help. All he can do is lie there on the bed and wait for Lark to return, fighting off the urge to close his eyes and finally get some decent sleep.

Really, what he wouldn't give for a drink right now...]
saltofthesea: (skylark99)

[personal profile] saltofthesea 2025-01-23 11:03 am (UTC)(link)
[ It takes Skylark a bit, but he's figured out where they keep the first aid supplies. He also went to get a towel and a bowl of ester, because...well, yes, he expects he's going to have to clean that wound too.

He comes back with all these things in his arms, then approaches the bed. ]


...Kinda surprised you're still awake.

[ It would have made this a little easier, maybe, but he sets the supplies down, then motions to roll up Oscar's shirt so he can see exactly what's going on there. ]
sacrificialpawn: (In these times of doing what you're told)

[personal profile] sacrificialpawn 2025-01-24 03:48 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, so'm I.

[It's a tacit admission that the pain might be a bit worse than he's letting on.

When Lark motions, he reaches down to untuck his shirt and unbutton the last few buttons to allow him to roll it up; he begins to do so, only to encounter a slight obstacle in the form of the shirt being stuck to the wound with partially-dried blood.]


... s'pose this is what I get for lettin' this go...

[It's wry, tired. There's no one to blame for this but himself, after all, and a part of him can't help but feel that it serves him right. Still, compared to Raven and some of the others, this really wasn't worth wasting any more of Wolfwood's energy on at the time, so in that sense he feels justified in his decision to ignore it for the time being.]
Edited (when u notice a mistake hours later...) 2025-01-24 05:14 (UTC)
saltofthesea: (skylark109)

[personal profile] saltofthesea 2025-01-24 08:48 am (UTC)(link)
[ Lark looks at this with the vague air of someone internally going yikes. He soaks a towel in the water then wrings it before carefully pressing it against the wound, hoping to get it damp enough they can try to peel the shirt off the rest of the way. ]

...Suddenly I wonder if you would've passed out first if I hadn't bugged you.
sacrificialpawn: (One not subtle)

[personal profile] sacrificialpawn 2025-01-25 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
[The laugh that slips out at that is tight, strained.]

Prob'ly...

[Honestly, he really doesn't look great despite his best efforts to seem otherwise. For all that there isn't a huge amount of blood on the shirt itself, the black fabric of his pants hides a lot... He at least seems to realize what Lark is trying to do, however, and shifts a bit to allow him more room to press that damp towel against the wound and try to soak the fabric loose.]

Just need a little rest, that's all.
saltofthesea: (skylark41)

[personal profile] saltofthesea 2025-01-25 07:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ Once it seems wet enough, Lark slowly tries to peel the shirt off. ]

Are you used to healing faster or something...
sacrificialpawn: (In these times of doing what you're told)

[personal profile] sacrificialpawn 2025-01-25 07:27 am (UTC)(link)
[And peel off it does! Though yeah, that wound is definitely rather yikes and will need some of Wolfwood's healing later. It's pretty deep and still oozing sluggishly because apparently this idiot hasn't even bothered to try to slap a makeshift bandage on it or anything.]

No... just used to gettin' hurt.

[The fact that this is considerably worse than the usual may be beside the point.]
Edited 2025-01-25 07:28 (UTC)
saltofthesea: (skylark113)

[personal profile] saltofthesea 2025-01-25 08:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ Lark grimaces a little, then looks at one of the bottles, squinting at the label before he soaks a wad of cotton with it, then presses it to Oscar's wound. ]

Then you should know to at least do some first aid if you're not gonna get medical attention immediately.

[ Sir!!! ]
sacrificialpawn: (No one knows)

[personal profile] sacrificialpawn 2025-01-25 08:16 am (UTC)(link)
Shit--!!

[It's honestly a good thing he's too run down to do more than jolt slightly when that cotton makes contact with the wound, the disinfectant making it burn with pain.]

Warn a guy before you do somethin' like that...

[... oh. Yeah, he's feeling lightheaded for sure now. As much as he hates to admit it, he really wouldn't have been able to remain standing for long if Lark hadn't come along.]
saltofthesea: (skylark106)

[personal profile] saltofthesea 2025-01-25 08:42 am (UTC)(link)
Weren't you the one who said you're used to this sorta thing?

[ ...Okay, he swears his bedside manner is usually better than this, he's just mildly annoyed at this grown-up. He'll dab at it until he thinks it's sufficiently clean, then start unrolling the bandages. ]
sacrificialpawn: <user name=paperforest site=plurk.com> (Swimming through the ashes of)

[personal profile] sacrificialpawn 2025-01-25 08:56 am (UTC)(link)
Doesn't mean it doesn't still hurt when you're not expectin' it.

[Closing his eyes, he takes a few deep breaths to steady himself. Then, as a grudging warning:]

... sorry if I pass out on you here. My head's really startin' to spin.
saltofthesea: (skylark54)

[personal profile] saltofthesea 2025-01-25 09:01 am (UTC)(link)
That's fine. Better for you to pass out in bed instead of...well, anywhere else.
sacrificialpawn: (One not simply)

[personal profile] sacrificialpawn 2025-01-25 09:16 am (UTC)(link)
You don't have to stay if I do. I'm not about to die or anything like that.

[Ugh, that Don't die, Oscar! really got to him more than he wants to admit.

What would it matter if he did, anyway...?]
saltofthesea: (skylark114)

[personal profile] saltofthesea 2025-01-25 09:26 am (UTC)(link)
Saying stuff like that is what jinxes things, you know that, right?

[ Spoiler: He does not intend to leave until he's 100% sure Oscar is going to be okay. ]
sacrificialpawn: (No one knows)

[personal profile] sacrificialpawn 2025-01-25 09:33 am (UTC)(link)
Hey, do I look like I'm gonna die?

[Probably the wrong thing to say! Heeeeeee kind of looks like hell right about now.]

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