nexus_crossings | The Silence of the Storm

Entry tags:

event

The Silence of the Storm

Rations have been cut. Again. Everyone is on one bowl of watery soup a day. Sometimes with crackers, sometimes not. Most people are too tired and weak to do much more than sit around and talk, and nobody discourages them in the slightest. Work has to be rotated constantly as people weaken quickly, but the fires still need to burn, people still need to guard the cooks and rations, and the sick still need to be tended to. Soon the hardest job is keeping up morale while the big expedition comes back. All the gods and heavens of the multiverse help them if they don’t come back with supplies, and soon.

The boundaries have tightened to an almost suffocatingly small space. It doesn’t take much to imagine where they will be by the end of Winter, which at least makes planning a little easier. People are already relocating to deeper in the Plaza. Unfortunately it means that those who have enough energy to often end up fighting with their neighbours, as the close quarters tests everyone’s patience. There are a few spaces carved out for like minded people to shelter from the dreary situation. Mechanics and those like them have set up a nice little place close to the Crossroads Café, and a break area for those helping the sick is sheltered in a room behind the injured and ill. Zandros moves from groups to individuals, looking for help in creating some form of morale boosting display that will adhere to Isidor's instructions. People are surviving in whatever ways they can, but it's reaching breaking point.

((It's the Final Event Post, everyone! OOC Post is here! This is for those stuck at the hub while the Main Expedition is going on. There will be a second part to this post for the Return of the Expedition. In the meantime, have fun!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Other distractions are a good thing. It keeps people at bay, out of Natalie's business and makes easy for finding good hiding spots. When Isidor approaches, there's a certain warmth to the air, indicating that the Pokemon trainer might not be completely alone. There's a growling noise coming from one of the nearby rooftops, yellow cat-like eyes stare down at Isidor with caution. Upon closer inspection, one can see the prowling form of Incineroar, tail flickering in the air.

Natalie turns her gaze from the skyline, staring at Isidor with an expression that borders angry and thoughtful all at once. This woman, her posture and stance, only seem to light the fire within. Her eyes lock with Isidor's before speaking up.

"Every time I see you, I am left with a perplexed feeling. Your nature confuses me greatly, more now than ever." She shakes her head no to the offer. "The offering is not what I desire. Is that why you actively sought me out?"

At this point Isidor has seen all kinds of people in all shapes and forms. Though she notices the strange creature, it's within the boundaries and it's not attacking her. Therefore it's not a problem. For now.

Isidor focuses her full attention on Natalie, and raises a sculpted eyebrow at the observation. She waits until the other woman has finished speaking before looking distantly puzzled.

"I sought you out because you need to eat and rest." Her expression evens out again. "I don't care how bad it was out there, I won't have people dying because they won't take care of themselves."

The large cat Pokemon sits up, gaze ever firm on Isidor, but isn't going to make an aggressive move unless ordered to. It's only natural for a Pokemon to be protective of their trainer, especially since a questionable conversation is occurring.

Natalie turns away from the woman, laughing a little under her breath, but there's clearly an unfriendly mood in the air. It's something only the Pokemon trainer seems to understand at the moment, her perception of Isidor and why she's not a fan of the so-called leader of this camp.

"That's a bold set of words coming from someone who seems completely unfazed at the shortage of people who came home from the expedition." She might not have fire magic, but there's enough passion in her voice to indicate her feelings. Loss of life is not something she's not coping well with. "Let me guess...you only care because if I die, it would look bad on your leadership skills. People would start to question things and chaos would arise."

This time both her eyebrows rise, slowly and steadily, as she shifts on the spot. It's very clear from her tone that she's not about to let such a barrage of insults pass by unaddressed. "And where did these vicious judgements of my character come from?"

"You said the words, that you don't care about how bad it was out there. It didn't happen within these walls, where you have taken the leadership role of the survivors." Natalie stands up, not making any attempt to walk over to Isidor, but her stance is full of pride.

"You could've gone out there with us. Used your magic or whatever skill that was used to fend off our attackers. It would've been much more helpful than letting humans with no power throw their lives at your feet! Instead, you hid here in safety." She takes a deep breath, resisting the urge to attempt any physical violence. No. Natalie wants to say her feelings on the matter. Death has not been kind to her sanity.

"I respect the guidance you have given the people, but you lack empathy and remorse. Those who fell for your cause...I hope you never forget them."

"My cause?" Natalie couldn't have chosen a more baffling way to put it. As the word slips from her own mouth, Isidor's eyes narrow once more. "If you truly knew my cause then you'd know how ridiculous you sound. No, you're more content to judge me and place yourself as the righteous fool."

Isidor lifts her chin. She's too tired to sound offended or angry. "You don't respect my role. How can I blame you? You clearly know nothing about it. So persistently blind to the fact that I sent gods and guardians and warriors out there, and warned all of you of the dangers ahead. You volunteered, and then you judge me. Me. Who you know nothing about."

She tilts her head ever so slightly to one side. "Have you been taught politics or warfare? Disaster relief or management? Do you know the full extent of damage that rioting, lawlessness and violence can do? Do you know how difficult it is to maintain law and order while people are being fed water and pine cones? While many of the strongest people are out protecting the volunteers? Do you think people weren't eyeing each other up and starting to see meat?"

"And you judge me. Without ever knowing me. Or asking me what I am feeling or experiencing. All because I won't let your self-flagellation or self-righteousness kill you." Isidor scoffs. "What a villain I am."

"I don't understand you at all. Why you're spending time talking with me, when there are others who are missing, sick and wounded who could use their leader. I've been considering going back out there to search for them. Blaze told me to go back without her...That's going to haunt me for years to come." She has no idea how her words will be perceived, but there isn't a chance to fire back with more comments, as Isidor's statement leaves her reeling for an answer.

She's not smart. Headstrong and powerful, yes, but lacks the ability to see the forest from the trees. Isidor is right, but the Pokemon trainer can't admit her mistakes. Instead, she just finds herself staring blankly at the woman, as if lost in thought.

"If you were given the chance to leave before this happened...would you have done it? Prioritized yourself over the common populace?" Her anger has subsided, but there's a clear level of agitation coming from the cat Pokemon.

Natalie needs to know this answer more than anything else, something personal is clearly on the line here.

What is this woman talking about? Isidor's so busy trying to follow the topics as they jump from one to the other, that she can't spare a moment to try and figure out why she's saying all of this.

And then there's that question. Such a stupid question. From Natalie's tone she's looking to take the high road, making this a question where only the most self-righteous, self-sacrificial answer will suffice. Completely ignorant of nuance, or sense. Never mind that less mouths to feed would be help in itself. That anyone who had that choice should have taken it if they wanted to be sensible or good or kind, morally or logistically. Never mind her brother, who needs and deserves her protection. Natalie is upset. Isidor can forgive a certain amount. Which is why she holds her tongue, takes a deep breath and exhales slowly.

Isis give her patience.

"You don't seem to consider me much of a leader. You don't seem to want one, or want to work with one, either," she says calmly. "If you did, you'd speak to me instead of sulking and planning by yourself. And if you had, you'd know that I fully intend to look for anyone out in the snow. But first I'm waiting for stragglers to stop trickling in so we're not looking for anyone who's back here, and risk more lives."

More firmly she continues, "You might even have noticed the other people doing their jobs, who don't need me, while I make sure all the people who came back are ok."

The raid has truly left Natalie is a perplexed state of mind and the one person she could confide in is no longer present. Blaze. Doubled with the fact that she's honestly never experienced such a harsh situation, let alone blurring the lines between personal problems and the mission has left her own mental status as questionable. Food nor sleep will fix that, only easing the inevitable pain.

Her question is indeed one to simulate another argument, and much to the young woman's surprise, it doesn't get answered. The response causes her to show a hint of confusion to Isidor, not even recognizing who is standing in front of her. The only thing she knows is that Isidor is a good leader, powerful and just, but Natalie doesn't want to admit it...

"Maybe you're right, because for the longest time, I..." No. Natalie mentally shuts that thought out of her mind: the desire to think she could lead people, when in reality, this situation proves otherwise. She's jealous, envious of those in power and Isidor is truly a person of that title. "There's no point in sending other people out there. Anyone who didn't get back by now is most certainly dead. Those things were merciless and only wanted blood."

As for the population, there's a fearful look in her eyes upon hearing that others are doing work without supervision. Instinctively, her hand goes to her throat, rubbing aimlessly at a few spots of skin. "If I follow your requests, will you leave me alone? Then you can go back to doing whatever tasks you're needed for."

For some, honouring the dead is important. For others, it would be a matter of saving the souls of those passed. High stakes. Not ones she could dissuade everyone from. One life to save a loved one's soul. At this point it might be all someone feels they can do. Not something she can take lightly, at any rate. Not something to talk to Natalie about either, at this point.

"I'm needed for this," Isidor says swiftly in return. Her tone isn't harsh but she doesn't so much as blink as she watches Natalie. "To make sure everyone is safe in here from themselves as well as others. I know what these things can do to a person. I'm not leaving any of you alone with that. One way or another, you will be safe."

Moving her hands out of her pockets, she folds them in front of her and tips her head at Natalie. "It would just be easier for me if you were within one of the buildings where we could keep an eye on you. People will leave you alone. You're not the only one looking for peace and quiet. But I'd like you all to be close."

"I already got attacked once within the torch line. You may try to promise me things, but my level of trust is already shattered. My loneliness is to prevent me from snapping at others, at least that much is clear."

Natalie's starting to grasp that Isidor has no intent of letting her be this way, forcing her closer to the swirling masses of people. The silence is what she needs more than ever now, not to be restricted to a particular place for 'observation'. It seems pointless to fight over this, but how long can she really stay cooped up with people around.

"Somewhere quiet as well. I do not want to hear anything or anyone right now, not until every single person from the convoy returns home." She does have a frown on her face, relenting to the request begrudgingly. "If you can't promise me silence, then I would prefer to stay here."

A breathless laugh escapes her. "What do you think this is? The Ritz?"

Smoothing her face back into neutrality, she shakes her head. "You talk about me as if I'm the selfish one, but I'm not the one making demands." The gaze she fixes on Natalie is stony then. "Back there is warmth, and food, and safety. That's a luxury these days. We all have to sacrifice comfort and preferences. This isn't about comfort. This is about survival."

"But if you stay out here?" She looks around her, takes a few steps back down the path she walked, before turning back to Natalie. "Well I'll have to send someone from security to watch over you. Which takes them away from other tasks." She shrugs. "But then, that might suit you. You can blame the next person who gets robbed on yourself that way, if you like. You can add it to the guilt soup you're brewing."

There's a pause, some resistance is fighting back this time. Trying to act like a rational human being is hard under these stressful times, so even speaking about mental health is rather personal. "I don't trust myself around others currently. The sounds stimulate something within my brain; I get agitated and stir-crazy...That's why I came out here. To be alone so I wouldn't punch some idiot who wants to babble on about victories."

Natalie's shivering where she stands, but it is due to the cold or something personal? Either way, she's clearly trying to hide her fears and maintain what little sanity she has left. There's no spot that truly guarantees safety for her currently. Again, Natalie feels no empathy or understanding from Isidor, just direct commands for the 'greater good'. This woman gets under her skin so many different ways that it pisses Natalie off that she must conform to orders that go against her very nature.

"You would say such a thing to force my hand..." Her eyes glance upward at the cat Pokemon, who leaps to the the ground behind Natalie. Incineroar is back on two feet, standing next to his trainer protectively. Without saying a word, the two start walking back to the main area, each with a stern expression on their faces.

There's no need for words. Anger is the only thing pushing Pokemon and trainer forward, into a rather uncertain future.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The Silence of the Storm

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject