theunrivaled | Open Log - Welcome to the Main Camp

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Open Log - Welcome to the Main Camp

Moments ago, there was an earthquake. You might not have felt it, but it definitely happened. The collapsed tents and spooked horses serve as evidence that something unsettling shook the main camp not that long ago. The soldiers and citizens don't seem terribly frightened, as if they've gotten used to the ground trembling by now, but more than one stops to look toward the tall spires of rock separating the comfortable and well-ordered areas of the camp from a deserted battlefield. It's as if they wonder to themselves whether something deep in the pit on the other side might have caused it...again...

And then they realize that something else has happened.

You are here – or near here.

Prompt 1:

Immediately after the latest quake, people simply appear in and around the main camp. The residents don't actually see it happen, but they turn around to find a person where there wasn't one a moment ago. You might be that person! You might wake up inside a canvas tent, perhaps even lucky enough to be resting comfortably on an unoccupied cot. You might wake up on the open ground outside with an awful lot of gawkers standing around you. Or, you might wake up about ten meters down the road from the gates of the camp, in clear sight of the guards and the tents just beyond them. This is definitely the time and place to start grabbing strangers and asking them where you are, why you're there, and what the hell is going on.

Prompt 2:

Maybe it's not so right-away, but you've woken up all the same and had a look around. Maybe some of the soldiers have done their best to answer your burning questions. At least one thing is clear: the natives all dress in simple robes and tunics, the soldiers in similar plate or mail armor, making anyone in other garb stick out like a sore thumb. The women who run the Teahouse have noticed this first, and are doing a fine job offering the utmost in hospitality to the strangers in the off chance that they're allied with one of the lords of the land. They'll make sure you have a place to sleep, a good meal, and the best tea the Han Dynasty can provide. It may be a bit rustic for some, but it's comfortable and pleasant. Can it be worth settling down here for a while? Or is this place missing something crucial – like the ability to use your magic?

Prompt 3:

There's a lot to explore in and around the Main Camp. The various tents set up on different levels overlooking the middle area are open to be claimed, and some of them look a lot more fancy than others. As long as there's no famous lord laying his head there, why shouldn't you? The central ground of the camp contains the Merchant's stall, the Teahouse, and the Armory, as well as the stocks for the misbehaving. The bathing area is downstream from everything else, where the river passes under the rocks and empties out onto the plain beyond. There's a few areas of interest outside the camp perimeter, too, and none of the guards are stopping you from going out there. The main road looks well-traveled and vanishes eastward into the distance across rolling plains. On the west side there are high cliffs of cooled lava separating the camp from the former battleground where the Hydra was destroyed. It's rocky and perilous ground, but the adventurous can climb down winding, crumbling paths into a deep crevasse. There doesn't appear to be anything down here, but those of a magical or mystical inclination will sense the lingering aftereffects of great power.

If one were to travel a short distance northward, they'll find the Wuzhang Plains standing quiet and empty, the fortifications left in whatever half-damaged state they were in from the last battle waged here. There is also a temple along the southern ridge, looking decidedly like it doesn't belong there with more traces of mystical energy at its center. Here, the wayward traveler will be beset by small units of spindly, gray-skinned soldiers bearing spears and swords, no more than half a dozen at a time.

Prompt 4: Wildcard

Whatever floats your boat or isn't covered above! Refer to the Arrival page for details of what is and isn't to be found in the Main Camp.

In time, the Merchant makes an announcement. Not long after the Great Cataclysm, some of the mystic soldiers now guarding the main camp arrived with mirrors they claim to have enchanted so that the scattered warlords can speak to each other from a distance. He is under obligation to give one to anyone who asks, and suggests that they may try it out whenever they have the courage to do so.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Asshole. [shoots him a look right back, and then uses his chin to gesture toward the guards milling about in various places] It was the guys in the greenish-bluish outfits. I could've handled all of 'em just fine, but they did something. Dunno, probably have some kind of ability.

[he doesn't even really know how it happened, it's all a blur, but like hell if he's going to admit that someone magicked him here or something]

Besides, you think I'm gonna really haul off and kill all the peons just because one got in my face?

Ability? Hmm.

[Well, that's annoying.

He rolls his eyes at the question.]

Kill is a bit strong...

[Maybe knock 'em out for a few hours, what harm could that do? Sanji peers at one of the closer guards, though he's still far enough away that he (probably) wouldn't be able to stop Sanji from smashing the shit out of the stocks.]

Think you can outrun 'em? Because I ain't helping if any shitty abilities or whatever are just gonna make it so I end up locked up right next to you.

[He's pretty sure there's not much that can take on both him and Zoro, but...new place and all, and they DID manage to wrangle Zoro one way or another, so maybe they shouldn't go kicking everyone around until they know more about what they're dealing with. Especially if they're gonna be here awhile.]

Kill, beat the shit out of - either way. [honestly, he wasn't that ruffled but the soldier he offended definitely was.] It wasn't a problem until swords were drawn, then it went to hell.

[Now that's a difficult choice to be presented with. Can they get away? Probably, but it might get messy. Let Sanji get captured with him? Hilarious. But maybe not worth the week of cold-shouldering that would follow.]

Funny as that would be for about a minute before you started complaining, maybe we should avoid that outcome. [just this once] If you can get me out without bringing all of 'em down on us, fine.

[Also, he doesn't have his swords. They're a few feet away with a plain old human guard. Escaping without them is not an option.]

[Arches his eyebrows.]

And how the hell do you expect me to do that? I ain't sweet-talking any shitty male guards.

[Sanji shifts his weight and exhales a last lungful of smoke, accompanied by an aggravated sigh as he drops his cigarette and stubs it out beneath his shoe. He then lifts that same foot and almost lazily swings it around toward the stocks trapping Zoro, stopping just short of actually touching the wood.]

Too bad it can't be this damn easy, marimo.

[And then of course they're almost immediately surrounded by about five guards, and Sanji quickly holds his hands up, foot still hovering in place as he plasters a cheesy grin to his face.]

Oi, oi! Just messing with him, fellas. Not about to do anything stupid. How long's the poor bastard locked up for, anyway?

[To Zoro's credit he doesn't flinch, no matter how close to his face that foot comes. The experiment is extremely useful, they can both see how fast the response is - and his good eye goes to the three bigger men in teal tunics and pants, silently telegraphing to Sanji that those are the ones he needs to be wary of.

"He's only been there an hour," one of the others responds. "When he calms down and learns not to threaten violence inside the camp, we'll free him."

Zoro's take on that answer is to make an annoyed face]

Yeah, sure, right. What do I gotta do, apologize for something I didn't do? I mean, yeah, I drew on him, but he drew first! It's self-defense, dammit.

[never minding that Zoro would have obliterated the other guy in one hit, their strength levels were that disparate]

[Sanji eyes the three teal shitheads as soon as Zoro glances at them. They still don't look like they'd be that much of a challenge, but again, new world and all. And they've currently got Zoro locked up, so...]

Shut up, dumbass, don't make it worse.

[Is his only comment at fist, as he finally lowers his leg and slides his hands into his pockets. His next words are directed at the guards.]

Look, he's an idiot, but he's not a guy whose bad side you wanna be on. If anything, he might be able to help you out.

[Sanji might be getting ahead of himself. He doesn't know why exactly they're here now instead of that other place (or better yet, home), but you don't have to be a genius to at least NOTICE some things. Such as the soldiers milling about, and where there are soldiers there's probably fighting to be done.]

You got soldiers around here -- is this some kinda shitty army?

[Zoro grumbles under his breath but obeys. If there's any sweet-talking to be done, that's Sanji's forte and he knows it. There just has to be some subtle annoyance at being told what to do, first.

The teal soldiers stand down slightly, easing back their spears, but it's the guy holding Zoro's swords who speaks up. "We are all part of the Coalition to defeat Orochi," he hastily explains. "The mystics' soldiers have come to protect our main camp, it would not do well for anyone to threaten it."

Zoro squints up at Sanji's back and murmurs more quietly, so only he can hear]

What are you trying to do, get us recruited into another war?

[Snorts softly.]

No.

[He matches Zoro's quiet murmur before pointedly raising his voice so the guards can hear.]

But if they even want a shot at trying to ask you to help fight this Orochi guy, probably ain't a good idea to piss you off right from the start.

[Then he cracks a grin purely for the guards' benefit and lightly knocks his foot against the stocks.]

Even if it is funny as hell. But trust me, this guy's only dangerous if he's not on your side. He wouldn't carry around three fuckin' swords if he didn't know how to use 'em.

[With a nod toward the swords in the guard's arms.]

[he appreciates the vote of confidence, but Zoro isn't so sure that pointing out how dangerous he is will actually work in his favor.]

Yeah, well, I'm already pissed off, so too late there.

[The man with his swords looks down at them with a humble sort of look that suggests he had already been wondering why anyone would need three. The mystic guards visually consult one another, silently debating whether this argument has any merit. Finally, one gets straight to the point: "Who are you that you should care whether we keep him restrained for the safety of the camp?"]

[Only dangerous to the enemy, though!! Pssshhhh what could idle threats possibly hurt?

Sanji shrugs in response.]

Just someone who knows him from before we showed up in this place. Been dealing with his shit for years.

[He pulls his hands back out of his pockets, now holding another cigarette and a lighter which he quickly puts to use.

And then he backs up a step or two.]

He ain't gonna harm your innocents. But fuck it, I can come back for him later if you're that concerned. What's a couple more hours like that, eh?

[HE TRIED, MARIMO. ...Sort of!]

[of all the things, the guards are fascinated by whatever Sanji's doing with his little stick and the fire. SORCERY. It sufficiently distracts them for a moment, and then one finally snaps out of it and contemplates his words. Apparently, a friend of the idiot is worth vouching for him.

"We will release him," the guard says warily, "but if he causes any further chaos, as his comrade you will be locked up alongside him." They're calling Sanji on claiming responsibility for him. Of course, if he says no, Zoro's stuck, but the offer is there.]

Don't be an asshole! Ugh, this is so stupid...

[INSTA-FROWN as he pauses mid-turn because he'd totally been getting ready to go check out the food offerings around here and was just gonna let this situation work itself out without him.]

The hell, I don't wanna be his damn babysitter. Can't I just kick his ass myself if he throws another tantrum?

[I mean, nakama or not, Sanji's not planning on spending time in the stocks anytime soon. GOT THAT, ZORO?

He even gives him the stink-eye to make that abundantly clear.]

[Ooh! That's one idea Zoro hadn't thought of. His head comes up sharply and he looks almost too eager]

Yeah, can we just fight each other since we know each other? Would that count as trouble or not?

[the mystic soldiers look like they have nothing in their experiences to prepare them for two idiots like these. More staring, more murmuring, and then one gestures to the other guy wearing russet-red to go ahead and unlock the hapless fool. "Very well," one sighs, "but we'll be watching." And off they go back to their posts.

Zoro is thrilled, meanwhile, to be free, and is keeping that in mind as a get-out-of-jail-free card. Hell, changes are if he makes trouble again it would be with Sanji anyway, so cutting to the chase on that one makes sense.]

There you go, I knew you could find a way to convince 'em.

[...]

.....

[Yes...that was exactly the way Sanji meant for that to go. He gives Zoro an unimpressed look.]

Getting my shit all tangled with yours was not my idea. There's no way in hell I'm letting them lock me in those things, so you'd better stick with your own suggestion and don't go fighting anyone who ain't me for now.

[Or, well. That's weirdly possessive sounding, but whatever. Sanji mentally shakes it off and just rolls his eyes.]

You're lucky I didn't have a camera on me.

[If cameras are even a thing in this world. It looks decidedly less technological than the other place.]

Yeah, yeah. [over his shoulder as he goes to demand his swords none too politely from the last guard. At least the guy doesn't cower back from him, he's got some spirit in him.] Lucky for both of us that they'll let me kick your ass.

[maybe that's laying it on a bit heavier than it needs to be. He turns around with everything settled in place, brushing off his t-shirt.]

Heh. Wasn't even thinking of that, but looks like the phones didn't come with us. Uh... [it only then occurs to him that maybe the cook doesn't remember a jaunt in futurespacecolony. Maybe? But that remark is a good enough test, as is the dumb t-shirt itself with Vietnam's handmade haramaki.]

[The first comment just draws a scoff from Sanji, but he's momentarily distracted by the t-shirt that Zoro's brushing off since he can actually read it now that Zoro's standing.

Heh.

And then it quickly dawns on him, same as it just did to Zoro, that it wasn't actually a guarantee that this was the same stupid moss-head he'd just been sharing an apartment with for however many months. Shit, what a huge fucking assumption to make. What if it wasn't that Zoro and Sanji had gone and done something really embarrassing? Geez. He's abruptly not only super relieved but also mildly kicking himself. Can't let his guard down like that, not until they have a better idea what's going on.

...Is what he tells himself, but the relief is still there and he's still staring at that dumb shirt, and fuck it. He tears his eyes away, gaze drifting back up to Zoro's face, and then can't help grinning a bit. Zoro's own hesitation just stretches the grin wider, and he huffs out a soft laugh.]

Nah, no phones.

[There, that's your subtle confirmation that you've got the right Sanji.

But now that he's thinking about it, that actually kind of sucks. He'd gotten used to that stupid phone! What, so no more texting Zoro ten times in a row just to annoy the shit out of him??!

Annnd now he's frowning again.]

...Well fuck.

[Dammit, cook, stop with the infectious grin, it spreads like wildfire. Zoro is elated to see it, knowing that he knows what Sanji knows and vice versa. Everything, including his hesitant fumblings.]

Good, that thing was a pain in the ass.

[the change in demeanor takes him aback, though]

What? Don't tell me you actually want one of those. And the colony that came with it. Look... [he tosses his head toward the larger portion of the camp just beyond their point] ...maybe it's even more rustic than home but it's still a lot more like home than that place was. There's guys with swords who know how to use 'em. I ain't complaining.

Wouldn't turn it down. It was convenient. The phone, not the shitty colony.

[Again, the ability to ~~pester~~ contact Zoro whenever he wanted was something he'd started taking for granted, forgetting it would disappear if they ever got back to their own world.

As for this one...

Sanji follows that head toss, taking a slow look at their surroundings. He doesn't look overly impressed, and might even be making a somewhat disgruntled expression. It's not that he'd prefer the shiny appliances and flashing screens assaulting him at every turn, he's just thinking of all the shit he'd started embracing, admittedly probably more than Zoro had. He'll miss his cooking show, for one.

And no more kung fu and pizza marathons.

He sighs.]

Find me a damn ocean and then we'll talk.

Yeah, well, it ain't like I had a den-den mushi in my pocket in the first place so I can't even offer you that.

[NO NOT THE KUNG FU MARATHONS]

Hm. It'd be nice to see the ocean again after so long. The real one, not a fake. Oi... [he accosts the nearest peasant walking by] Where's the ocean from here?

[unlike the soldier, this guy stammers a bit before mentioning east - something something Wu something castle, nowhere Zoro is familiar with. He lets the guy go with a nod and turns back to Sanji, only vaguely smug]

Eastward.

Even if you did, den-dens ain't the same. [SIGHS AGAIN, overdramatically this time.] Now when you inevitably wander off and get your ass lost, I might never fucking find you again.

[This place seems pretty big, after all. Something that's basically confirmed as he listens to the peasant try to give them directions.

But hey. Ocean. So there IS one here.

A jolt of excitement goes through Sanji and he can't even be bothered to act annoyed by Zoro's smug look, instead just humming thoughtfully as he takes a drag of his smoke.]

You forgot to ask how long it'd take to get there. [Okay so apparently he can't help snarking a little.] Probably more importantly, though... [He glances at Zoro out of the corner of his eye and makes a vague gesture at the general area all around them.] What the hell? Did you manage to get any answers about why we're here before they locked you up?

[at least he didn't leave some poor den-den stranded in Cerealia...]

You wanted me to find it, I found it. I don't care how long it takes to get there. [left unsaid, he's more than aware that if it's a lengthy trip, they'll have to prepare and that means hanging around here for a few days. Which, Zoro is not opposed to. Primitive though it is, it's also vaguely familiar in some sense, like a campfire on a sky island.]

Eh...I overheard some people talking. [small sigh] They sound just as confused as we are, for just showing up outta nowhere, but no one's freaking out. One thing's for sure: this is some kind of military camp.

Yeah, I kinda picked up on that.

[Said dryly, since he did just try to use the fact that Zoro is a fighter to their advantage.]

Orochi. That's the name they said they're trying to defeat.

[He glances around the camp again.]

I guess they're expecting us to hang around? They've got extra tents and shit.

[that's why you keep Zoro around - to state the obvious after everyone else has already figured it out]

Well, it's not like we've got anywhere else to be right this second. Might as well get a good rest and some food. [he rubs his head, only now remembering more subtle details of what was going on prior to finding himself in a weird camp surrounded by lava. Like insomnia.] I already feel more like myself...though I could go for an actual nap.

[Oh yeah. Insomnia.

Sanji shoots Zoro a look suddenly, eyeing him up and down.]

A nap would probably do you good.

[As for himself, yeah, he's definitely still curious about the food. Wondering what this new world has to offer and all.

He changes direction slightly, angling them towards a cluster of tents and jostling Zoro's shoulder as he does to make sure he turns with him.]

Not entirely sure what the deal is here, but go see if you can grab one of those. I'll sort out some meals for us.

[is successfully steered in the correct direction. Smart move, cook. The moment of contact makes him glance down, suppressing a little smirk to himself.]

Yeah, all right. Shouldn't be too hard. We'll save the ocean for after we get our bearings, yeah?

[haha him talking about bearings. Right. Anyway, he roams along the line of tents with their door flaps tied back and ducks his head into the first one that doesn't appear to have anyone's weapons or gear stationed outside. It looks unoccupied, just a few plain pallets on cots and nothing else - no bags, no trunks, no fluttering flags, nothing.]

Here, this one... [as he pulls his head out and looks around for where Sanji went]

Edited 2017-08-19 05:38 (UTC)

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