Page 1 of 7

When stone meets information [MT+PT | Invite-only | IC]

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 5:44 pm
by Nacrad
08:30, 3 Sep 2020
Riverfort Grand Central Station.

"Train A12 calling at Shantow, Muichow, Amoy, Foochow is boarding at Platform 7..."

It's a busy scene, passengers from the commuter towns in the PRDM were shoving each other in an attempt to get to the subway station, or to the bus stop outside. Suddenly, a portal opened up just outside the North Square of the station. A short, tanned woman wearing some sort of primitive leather clothing appeared and fell through onto the hard concrete floor, startling a police officer on guard nearby.

"AD13232, There's a... portal that just opened up on the North Square, and a Bronze Age woman, at least I think she's from the Bronze Age. She's probably in her 30s, or somethng. Over."

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 5:58 pm
by Kiu Ghesik
Nacrad wrote:08:30, 3 Sep 2020
Riverfort Grand Central Station.

"Train A12 calling at Shantow, Muichow, Amoy, Foochow is boarding at Platform 7..."

It's a busy scene, passengers from the commuter towns in the PRDM were shoving each other in an attempt to get to the subway station, or to the bus stop outside. Suddenly, a portal opened up just outside the North Square of the station. A short, tanned woman wearing some sort of primitive leather clothing appeared and fell through onto the hard concrete floor, startling a police officer on guard nearby.

"AD13232, There's a... portal that just opened up on the North Square, and a Bronze Age woman, at least I think she's from the Bronze Age. She's probably in her 30s, or somethng. Over."

Ari, Daughter of Oloughin, the successor of the Great Unifier of the Nations of Ghes, the One whose Banner Guides the Thunderhead, the Bringer of the Flensing Wind, the Northern Terror, the Mad Nomad, and a dozen other titles, was bored out of her skull. She was thankful for the opportunities her position as Caller brought her, the fame it gave her, her title as the People's Hero, but nonetheless, it was... quite irritating, especially when her main responsibility when not warring was the direction of the constant debate of a band of half-senile old men with beards as long as their rambling sentences. But nonetheless, they were her elders, and they were to be respected. So, she did her best to attempt to pay attention to their conversation, which was...
"The passing of the Ashen Wind is over us, I feel. The debris has settled, the gale has stopped, the smoke has gone up to heaven. Thus, we may turn to..."
A grass fire. Of course. Because the Ashen Wind was to be heeded as anything more than a bringer of ill-news after the ill deed had come to pass. Well, it was better than the debate about yak meat.
Ari sat her head in her palms. There was nothing she could do about this but wait it out. Oh, well, at least-
Wait.
The ground beneath her felt... soft, somehow. It was as if it was giving way to something not quite ground but not quite water, either, something... not there. Suddenly, she felt the surface beneath her give way, and as she fell she was able to let out a single short yelp of surprise before she was gone.
Tumbling end over end, she felt wind rushing around her, but there was nothing she could see with her eyes. It was like looking into something that simply did not exist. Then there was a light, something beneath her, cold like the cast of the sky as rain passes, and in another moment she was suspended in air over stony ground. Then gravity took over, as it is wont to, and she struck the ground.
The last thing she thought before the darkness descended again was that the man next to her was wearing a very strange black robe over his body.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 6:08 pm
by Nacrad
"AD13232, she seems to have fainted, I think I'll need an ambulance here, over."
"Roger that. Confirm it's in the North Square?"
"Affirm. I'll go check her vitals. Out."

The police officer left his post, and walked over to Ari. He tapped her shoulders, "Hey, are you ok? Can you hear me?"
No response. He tilted his head so that his ear is over her face, and put his hand around her wrists.
"One one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand... Pulse check, breathing check. Recovery position it is."
"AD13232, the woman has a pulse and is breathing. I do not see any wounds."
He recalled the training he had, and put her into the recovery position. Before long, the ambulance arrived, and she was put onto a stretcher, then pushed into an ambulance, the cool air-conditioned vehicle blowing on the people.

"Thank you officer, we'll take it from here. Do you find any ID on her?"
"No, sorry."

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 6:33 pm
by Kiu Ghesik
Nacrad wrote:"AD13232, she seems to have fainted, I think I'll need an ambulance here, over."
"Roger that. Confirm it's in the North Square?"
"Affirm. I'll go check her vitals. Out."

The police officer left his post, and walked over to Ari. He tapped her shoulders, "Hey, are you ok? Can you hear me?"
No response. He tilted his head so that his ear is over her face, and put his hand around her wrists.
"One one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand... Pulse check, breathing check. Recovery position it is."
He recalled the training he had, and put her into the recovery position. Before long, the ambulance arrived, and she was put onto a stretcher, then pushed into an ambulance, the cool air-conditioned vehicle blowing on the people.

"Thank you officer, we'll take it from here. Do you find any ID on her?"
"No, sorry."

Blinking, Ari felt consciousness return to her, as she felt painful white light stab into her eyes. A dull pain was radiating up from her legs throughout her body, something she almost wished a return to blissful oblivion to avoid. But she could not. She didn't know where she was- clearly, it was not the Meeting Tent. It was too bright. And it was not the place she had seen ever so briefly, either. She felt like she was lying on a pile of blankets. Groggily, she opened her eyes, wincing as the light flowed into her eyes.
She had to stifle a gasp.
The... place... she was in was strange, unfamiliar. It was a room done all in white, its walls littered with a strange assortment of objects, covered in scratching and... writing? Yes, that was the word. Writing. To her left was another wall, this one covered by a thick cloth tapestry suspended from the ceiling. Directly across from her was a strange black pane of what she could only assume was glass, dully reflecting her own body lying prone. A harsh, metal smell filled her nose. Something struck her in that moment, as she contemplated this strange smell, so removed from the earthy, rich scents of her home, and her gaze returned in a panic to the glass across from her. She was not wearing her robes. Rather, she was clad in some strange clothes, not unlike the man she had seen before she blacked out. Looking at herself, she could see they were a sky blue, and thin, too thin to keep the chill of this place from setting her body shivering. She tried to stand but could not- a tug on her left arm kept her in place. She leaned over to look at it and saw it was bound to the frame of this thing she was lying on by some silver device. She pulled at it, but it was strong, stronger than even bronze chains, and she fell back on the bed.
And then she noticed something else.
There were tubes stuck in her arm.
The panic that had been welling inside her now took over, and she began to breathe faster and faster. Her knifes were not at her belt, she was bound in a foreign place, she had no idea what was going on, there were tubes in her arm, this wasn't right, wasn't right!
Ari screamed a bloodcurdling banshee scream as she thrashed against the cuffs.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 6:43 pm
by Nacrad
The ambulance drove down Courage Avenue, a busy alleyway down the center of Riverfort, as the first aiders
"Pulse 53 bpm, blood pressure 99/63, what's her name again?"
"We don't know, We can't find any ID on her. Par for the course for someone falling through a fucking portal or something. Give her a placeholder name. What about AR? I love Ariana Grande."
"Don't know why that's relevant, but AR I guess."
Suddenly, one of the first aiders heard something fall to the floor, then the blood pressure measuring machine started moving, before she let out a blood-curdling scream. Looking to the side, he found the strange woman on her stretcher, looking curiously at the measuring sleeve tightly wrapped around her left arm and panting in panic.

"Hey you, you're finally awake. We're gonna get you to the hospital. While you're at it, what's your name? Don't worry about that sleeve. It's a bit tight but it's there to measure your blood pressure. I'll remove it for you."

He walked over, and removed the sleeve, the velcro making a ripping sound as he did so.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 6:55 pm
by Kiu Ghesik
Nacrad wrote:The ambulance drove down Courage Avenue, a busy alleyway down the center of Riverfort, as the first aiders
"Pulse 53 bpm, blood pressure 99/63, what's her name again?"
"We don't know, We can't find any ID on her. Par for the course for someone falling through a fucking portal or something. Give her a placeholder name. What about AR? I love Ariana Grande."
"Don't know why that's relevant, but AR I guess."
Suddenly, one of the first aiders heard something fall to the floor, then the blood pressure measuring machine started moving, before she let out a blood-curdling scream. Looking to the side, he found the strange woman on her stretcher, looking curiously at the measuring sleeve tightly wrapped around her left arm and panting in panic.

"Hey you, you're finally awake. We're gonna get you to the hospital. While you're at it, what's your name? Don't worry about that sleeve. It's a bit tight but it's there to measure your blood pressure. I'll remove it for you."

He walked over, and removed the sleeve, the velcro making a ripping sound as he did so.

Ari was... confused.
The tubes were not in her arm? They were only attached to it? But they had seemed so...
Oh, well. There was a more pressing matter at hand.
There were two people in the room with her. She looked at them for a moment, wondering how she had not noticed them before, when she felt the entire room jolt. Her eyes widened in surprise for a moment, and then narrowed. These people...
They had taken her captive. Yes. That was it. That was why she was in these strange clothes. That was why she was cuffed to this soft table. She had better not show them anything. She was not surprised that the room shook, that was normal. Surely.
There was just one problem, though. They had asked her her name, but they had said it just a moment ago. They spoke with strange accents, sure, but it was still Ghesite. Surely they knew who she was. But why, then, would they ask?
She chose the safe answer.
"You have to know my name. None in this world do not."
It would be wise to try and keep them in the dark as to who she was. Maybe it was a lucky guess? Who knew? After all, she was among strange folk, who had captured and bound her. It was best, then, to be cautious.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 7:01 pm
by Nacrad
"If you don't tell us your name, we'll give you a placeholder name. Yes, we don't know your name, as you fell through a portal, or so we're told. So please, tell us your name or we'll call you AR."

"And by the way, don't worry. We're taking you to the hospital. Also, welcome to Nacrad."

The ambulance hit a traffic jam, and came to a stop. The driver, who sat in the front out of view, let out a curse. He cranked the steering to the right side, and tried to squeeze through the traffic, but failed. He went back into his lane, and grumpily waited.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 7:10 pm
by Kiu Ghesik
Nacrad wrote:"If you don't tell us your name, we'll give you a placeholder name. Yes, we don't know your name, as you fell through a portal, or so we're told. So please, tell us your name or we'll call you AR."

"And by the way, don't worry. We're taking you to the hospital. Also, welcome to Nacrad."

What.
Na... crad? what the hell was a Nacrad? It was no land Ari knew of. Well, maybe that was the reason they did not know her name. Perhaps she was too suspicious of things. In that case... they would need to hear her name. And they would also need to hear her titles. She could think of one in particular. Yes, it would do nicely.
"My name, man of... Nacrad..." She said, the word strange on her lips, "Is Ari, Daughter of Oloughin. I am the Chosen of the Sky-Mother's People, she whose banner guides the Thunderhead."
That would show them who she was. Surely they knew of Thunderhead and the legend behind it. They would be terrified of her then.
She set her head back down on the bed, a satisfied grin on her face, as she watched the orderly, awaiting his reaction.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 7:18 pm
by Nacrad
The first aiders were confused. They now knew that she's Ari, and her family name is probably "Ologhin", but who the hell was was the "sky-mother" and who is "Thunderhead"? It sounds like some ancient far-off religion.

"Ah, thank you, Ms. Ari. May I ask who 'Thunderhead' is? Is he like Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? That was a genuine question, by the way, we don't have that religion here."

Suddenly, the driver tried to squeeze through a gap in the traffic, but failed again. "Fuck all of you! Ugh, traffic is always shit around here."

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 8:01 pm
by Kiu Ghesik
Nacrad wrote:The first aiders were confused. They now knew that she's Ari, and her family name is probably "Ologhin", but who the hell was was the "sky-mother" and who is "Thunderhead"? It sounds like some ancient far-off religion.

"Ah, thank you, Ms. Ari. May I ask who 'Thunderhead' is? Is he like Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? That was a genuine question, by the way, we don't have that religion here."

Suddenly, the driver tried to squeeze through a gap in the traffic, but failed again. "Fuck all of you! Ugh, traffic is always shit around here."

Hmm. Not the desired effect. These people did not know of the Thunderhead, Ari thought. They must be northerners, then. Clearly, not the Berghi, but still. That was moderately better than the alternative. The traders could be reasoned with better than others. There would be reason to tell them of the myth. She thought back to her childhood, and to her time with the priests, and what they told her. She recited the warning of Thunderhead as if by rote.
"Thunderhead is no Thor, whatever that is. He is stronger than it. In my land- it is to the south of here, if I have placed you right- there is a sea to the east. It is a great sea, and the sun rises over it. Thunderhead grows here, where he is weak, and the Sea Wind feeds him, and blows him west. She only does this when she is angered against us- which is often, as she is a fickle thing. He grows strong from her nourishment, and he gathers to him great hosts and hordes of winds. And when he rolls over the land all are afraid of him. He holds the powers of drenching rain and crashing thunder, and he brings water and fire with him, and blinding light. Only a fool does not fear his coming, and all flees and hides when he marches. He is fed by the Sea Wind, and it is only when the West Wind comes against him that he is calmed and stilled, and he returns to slumber."
Ari paused. There was a certain element of drama to the telling, and the pause was essential to it. For a moment, the room was silent, but for the buzzing and rumbling she could still not place, and the sounds of the driver. He was irritated at something, she could tell.
"And you need not call me 'Ms.'. It is not a title I have earned. Use my name, or call me Caller. That is my first title." That would give them something to think of, surely.
She still had one question, but it could wait until they responded to her telling. That was more pressing.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 8:09 pm
by Nacrad
The men thought for a while, then it suddenly made sense. The "Thunderhead" is a typhoon.

"Ah, I understand now, Caller," one of them answered, "We call them 'Typhoons'. And we do fear them, but we have built everything to withstand them. That's why we don't fear them as much now. Plus, we can track typhoons and make early warning of them."

Finally, a gap opened up on the side. The driver cranked the steering all the way, and slipped into the traffic. He plans to turn right onto the Central Motorway, the interchange to merge on being in sight. His angry cursing died down, as the traffic finally eased up slightly.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 8:17 pm
by Nacrad
Suddenly, a push notification came through on one of the medics' phones. He read it out loud, "A squall line is approaching Riverfort from the north east. Winds up to 80 km/h, thunderstorms and heavy rain is expected. Thunderstorm Warning is now in force."

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 8:19 pm
by Kiu Ghesik
Nacrad wrote:The men thought for a while, then it suddenly made sense. The "Thunderhead" is a typhoon.

"Ah, I understand now, Caller," one of them answered, "We call them 'Typhoons'. And we do fear them, but we have built everything to withstand them. That's why we don't fear them as much now. Plus, we can track typhoons and make early warning of them."

Finally, a gap opened up on the side. The driver cranked the steering all the way, and slipped into the traffic. He plans to turn right onto the Central Motorway, the interchange to merge on being in sight. His angry cursing died down, as the traffic finally eased up slightly.

Ari's eyes opened at this.
"You have defeated the Thunderhead? This is a great feat. I am impressed. We can only hide at his coming."
Things just got more complicated. These people were surely not of the traders, then. They were something else if they could master the storm. She needed to know more. That other question, then, seemed more pressing to ask by the moment.
"So, then. What is this Thor figure? I have not heard of it."

At the medic's words, she blanched. "A storm? Are we safe? Did a priest tell you that? We need to be somewhere safe. Somewhere sound. Will we be there soon?"

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 8:25 pm
by Nacrad
"Thor? He is from the Nordic Mythology. Legends has it that he is the Son of Odin, and can summon lightening and thunder whenever he wants, with a swing of his hammer. Not that it is seriously believed by anyone, anyways. This is all just in the movies."

"Also, we didn't defeat typhoons, so to speak, we are only able to track them and make good shelters. The storm that's coming at us? Pff, that's paltry compared to even a Tropical Storm. It's just a minor inconvenience if anything. And no, it's not a priest that told me that. It's the Nacrad Meterological Authority, the same authority that tracks typhoons for us."

At this moment, the skies became darker and darker, as the first wisps of wind blew over the city. It's the downburst, and heavy rain will follow soon. Such is Nacrad in summer, no need to worry. At least, that's what the paramedics think.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 8:33 pm
by Kiu Ghesik
Nacrad wrote:"Thor? He is from the Nordic Mythology. Legends has it that he is the Son of Odin, and can summon lightening and thunder whenever he wants, with a swing of his hammer. Not that it is seriously believed by anyone, anyways. This is all just in the movies."

"Also, we didn't defeat typhoons, so to speak, we are only able to track them and make good shelters. The storm that's coming at us? Pff, that's paltry compared to even a Tropical Storm. It's just a minor inconvenience if anything. And no, it's not a priest that told me that. It's the Nacrad Meterological Authority, the same authority that tracks typhoons for us."

At this moment, the skies became darker and darker, as the first wisps of wind blew over the city. It's the downburst, and heavy rain will follow soon. Such is Nacrad in summer, no need to worry. At least, that's what the paramedics think.

Ari nodded, relaxing a bit. This "Thor" was just the Thunderhead, then, in a different form. She had seen that happen before. That was an interesting detail about the "meteorological authority", though.
"If they watch the sky, they are priests. That is the role of the priest, to know how to interpret the sky."
She noticed the dimming of the light outside and the room becoming dark, and for the first time she realized where she was. This... room, she supposed it still was, was moving. It had to be a chariot enclosed on all sides, then. An interesting design, but nothing unprecedented, once rationalized. What was more interesting was what she saw outside- the sky was incredibly dark, or at least the sliver of it she could see from the bed was. Instinctively, she shivered.
"Where... where are you taking me? I would like to know."

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 8:42 pm
by Nacrad
"We're taking you to the hospital. We need to know what pre-existing illnesses you have, and keep you up on the medication you need, after all, you passed out back at the train station. Don't worry, it'll be quick and painless," said a paramedic, unaware of the darkening of the sky outside, "A priest, however, isn't one who interprets the sky. That'd be a meteorologist. A priest in fact interprets the Bible."

The rain began to fall, as distant lightning lit up the dark roads briefly, then the roar of thunder broke though the otherwise quiet ambulance. The paramedics however made no notice of the sounds.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 8:50 pm
by Kiu Ghesik
Nacrad wrote:"We're taking you to the hospital. We need to know what pre-existing illnesses you have, and keep you up on the medication you need, after all, you passed out back at the train station. Don't worry, it'll be quick and painless," said a paramedic, unaware of the darkening of the sky outside, "A priest, however, isn't one who interprets the sky. That'd be a meteorologist. A priest in fact interprets the Bible."

The rain began to fall, as distant lightning lit up the dark roads briefly, then the roar of thunder broke though the otherwise quiet ambulance. The paramedics however made no notice of the sounds.

Ari noted that these Nacrad people called their priests meteorologists.

Despite the fact that these people were not showing any worry at the thunder outside, and that they had told her they were safe, Ari shuddered at the sound. It brought memories to mind of hiding in a tent as the winds howled outside and every moment felt like it would be her last. But nonetheless, they had told her that she was safe, and she had no reason to mistrust them at the moment. If anything, she was beginning to trust them, despite how unwise that might be. So, she was inclined to believe them, even if their reassurances did little to make her feel safe.

"How long will it take before we arrive there? It is... unwise... to be out in a storm."

PostPosted: Wed Sep 02, 2020 8:55 pm
by Nacrad
"I'd give it 10 minutes. Although since traffic is so bad here, it might take longer."
Of course, 10 minutes would be an insanely optimistic estimate, as Central Riverfort's traffic is world (in-)famous. Regardless, the ambulance finally merged onto the motorway, which is still somewhat congested. It is elevated a few meters above the surroundings, and is also subject to some stronger winds, which started to pick up, as the rain started to pour. Thunder came closer and closer, but never seemed to hit anywhere close. At this point, the outside is dark enough to warrant the use of the headlights.

PostPosted: Thu Sep 03, 2020 3:07 pm
by Kiu Ghesik
Nacrad wrote:"I'd give it 10 minutes. Although since traffic is so bad here, it might take longer."
Of course, 10 minutes would be an insanely optimistic estimate, as Central Riverfort's traffic is world (in-)famous. Regardless, the ambulance finally merged onto the motorway, which is still somewhat congested. It is elevated a few meters above the surroundings, and is also subject to some stronger winds, which started to pick up, as the rain started to pour. Thunder came closer and closer, but never seemed to hit anywhere close. At this point, the outside is dark enough to warrant the use of the headlights.

For the moment, Ari was silent. There was nothing to be done about her present predicament, she saw, and despite the clear danger outside, these people here with her were calm enough about it. And, so, she did her best to try and remain calm herself. It was the first rule of diplomacy that one should not let one's adversary know that you were on anything less than even ground than themselves. Nonetheless, she was getting increasingly more worried as she saw the light outside dim yet further. So, putting on her best "totally-not-fearing-imminent-death" face, she turned to the paramedic nearest her and spoke, her voice measured yet ever so shaky.

"So. What will happen to me after we arrive at this place? You mentioned that I would be... examined? I guarantee you, that isn't needed. I am the pinnacle of health among my people." She tried to move one of her legs and winced at the sudden sharp pain in her ankle. Probably sprained, she thought. She had done that as a child, after a horse had thrown her off its back. She had been unable to run after that for a month, and she could only walk with her leg braced.

That would complicate... certain things, should they come to pass. Well. These people had given her no sign of immediate hostility. If anything, they were somewhat gracious. Maybe she could get them to see to it? Oh, well. It was worth a shot.

"On second thought..." she said, wincing again, "my legs feel like they've been beaten with a hammer. Tend to them."

That was... not the most diplomatic thing to say, come to think of it.

PostPosted: Thu Sep 03, 2020 4:31 pm
by Nacrad
One of the paramedics said to the other, "Patient is complaining of painful legs, we should probably treat them."
The other quickly typed something onto the computer, probably along the lines of "complain of painful legs", the click of the mice and keyboard briefly breaking the silence of the ambulance

Turning towards Ari, the paramedic started speaking, "I'll now check your ankle, it might hurt a tiny bit but it'll help me determine how bad you've hurt yourself." He put on a pair of latex gloves, then took off Ari's shoes, then moved each foot in each direction, Ari wincing in pain as the swollen ankles obstructed their movements. He turned to talk to the other paramedic, "Give me an ice pack and a compression sleeve. She has sprained ankles, both legs, and it seems pretty bad."

Within a few seconds, after not that much rummaging through the shelves, he got an ice pack and a compression sleeve. He pinched the ice pack to make it cold, then wrapped it in a piece of cloth and put it on the most swollen spots, then he got another ice pack and did the same. "This'll reduce the swelling until we get to the hospital, where we can actually treat you," he explained, as he slipped a pillow under Ari's ankles, elevating them, then putting on the compression sleeves on her ankles, "OK, this will do for now."

Turning towards the computer, he quickly typed something in again, to update the record sent to the hospital.

PostPosted: Thu Sep 03, 2020 5:22 pm
by Kiu Ghesik
Nacrad wrote:One of the paramedics said to the other, "Patient is complaining of painful legs, we should probably treat them."
The other quickly typed something onto the computer, probably along the lines of "complain of painful legs", the click of the mice and keyboard briefly breaking the silence of the ambulance

Turning towards Ari, the paramedic started speaking, "I'll now check your ankle, it might hurt a tiny bit but it'll help me determine how bad you've hurt yourself." He put on a pair of latex gloves, then took off Ari's shoes, then moved each foot in each direction, Ari wincing in pain as the swollen ankles obstructed their movements. He turned to talk to the other paramedic, "Give me an ice pack and a compression sleeve. She has sprained ankles, both legs, and it seems pretty bad."

Within a few seconds, after not that much rummaging through the shelves, he got an ice pack and a compression sleeve. He pinched the ice pack to make it cold, then wrapped it in a piece of cloth and put it on the most swollen spots, then he got another ice pack and did the same. "This'll reduce the swelling until we get to the hospital, where we can actually treat you," he explained, as he slipped a pillow under Ari's ankles, elevating them, then putting on the compression sleeves on her ankles, "OK, this will do for now."

Turning towards the computer, he quickly typed something in again, to update the record sent to the hospital.

Ari jerked at the cold wrap's touch. It felt like a rag soaked in creek water, but much, much more colder, almost like snow or frost. And it was so dry! But the man did not act like it was a strange thing at all. And, after the shock of the first touch, it wasn't anything too surprising. It was just... strange. Not right. Something unfamiliar. These people had defeated the Storm, they had said, and now they had captured ice? It was impossible, yet here it was. And she had to keep them from seeing she was afraid of it, or at least disturbed by it. Her face, though, was something she had less control over, and with the paramedic as close as he was, she was afraid he saw her shock. Maybe he dismissed it as simple pain. Hopefully.

Now he was pressing at something, just out of her sight. There was light flashing across this glass pane, and what looked like the writing she had seen earlier, what she could not read. She watched him, curious as to what it could be. If anything was apparent in this place, it was that it was far removed from the plain she called home. She had spent remarkably little time thinking about that, and the reason was apparent. She was overwhelmed by all of this. She had been conscious for barely ten minutes here and she was already exhausted by all the novelty of it. She would need time to think, later. And she knew she would have it. They had taken her knives from her, that much she was sure of. She did not feel their familiar weight at her side. And her moccasins, too, though she had seen them take those. They were right at her feet. It was still an uncomfortable feeling. There was much she had to think about, and little she trusted herself to ask these Nacrad-folk. It had been almost ten minutes now, anyways, since they had told her the place they were taking her- the "hospital", whatever that was- and they were not there yet. Hopefully, they would be soon. The sky was growing darker and darker outside.

PostPosted: Thu Sep 03, 2020 5:33 pm
by Nacrad
"Keep right to leave the Central Motorway at the next junction towards Riverside North Parkway, then keep left to join the ramp westbound," the GPS system suddenly said, directing the driver. By now, the traffic has been moving at a decent rate of speed, but it is still nowhere close to how fast one would drive on a regular motorway.

The winds also began to pick up, the rain lashing at the side of the ambulance making quiet tapping sounds, which would only become stronger as it drove on the relatively unsheltered ramp. They are close, however, it's just a block of streets until the hospital. Within 2 or 3 minutes, they had arrived at the hospital, and her stretcher rolled into the hall of the hospital, in sight of the television which had its sound on.

"...In other news, the Nacradian Marines in the Middle East have successfully taken over the Great Bitter Lake and the City of Ismallah. The Suez Canal is now liberated from Egyptian hands, and commercial traffic will begin soon."

PostPosted: Thu Sep 03, 2020 6:03 pm
by Kiu Ghesik
Nacrad wrote:"Keep right to leave the Central Motorway at the next junction towards Riverside North Parkway, then keep left to join the ramp westbound," the GPS system suddenly said, directing the driver. By now, the traffic has been moving at a decent rate of speed, but it is still nowhere close to how fast one would drive on a regular motorway.

The winds also began to pick up, the rain lashing at the side of the ambulance making quiet tapping sounds, which would only become stronger as it drove on the relatively unsheltered ramp. They are close, however, it's just a block of streets until the hospital. Within 2 or 3 minutes, they had arrived at the hospital, and her stretcher rolled into the hall of the hospital, in sight of the television which had its sound on.

"...In other news, the Nacradian Marines in the Middle East have successfully taken over the Great Bitter Lake and the City of Ismallah. The Suez Canal is now liberated from Egyptian hands, and commercial traffic will begin soon."

Ari listened absent-mindedly to the sounds of the "hospital" as the gurney rolled along- a strange feeling, the wheels passing like a whisper over this smooth tiled floor- and caught as she did spoken words that, unlike the majority of this place's chatter, were of some interest. Capture. Liberate. These Nacrad-folk were engaged in a war. Maybe that was why they had brought her here? They wanted to gain her aid, that was it. They wanted her warriors. But they did not know of her- this whole thing was all too confusing. There was nothing to be gained from it until further thought could be given to the matter at hand.

She would at least mention it to the paramedics, though. Information was never something that should be needlessly passed up.

"You are engaged in war? Why, what is it for? What did these people do to you?"

PostPosted: Thu Sep 03, 2020 6:18 pm
by Nacrad
At the time, the paramedic was helping Ari to get in a wheelchair

"Oh, the war in the Middle East? We were there to--" a paramedic answered, before being rudely interrupted by his radio, "Heart attack on East First Avenue and North First Parkway, patient is critical. it's an emergency. Go immediately."

He quickly pushed the empty stretcher towards the ambulance, then turned on the siren, forgetting that he was mid-sentence. Life is hectic in this large city, and there is little time to engage in small talk. In a few minutes, a nurse came along, "OK, Ari... Oloughin, you have been registered on the NHS. Strangely we don't have any info. I'll now put a identification strip around your wrist."

She put a plastic strip around her right wrist, which read:
Given name: Ari     Middle Name: /     Family name: Oloughin
Age: Unknown Gender: F
Nationality: Stateless ID number: /
Note: No info avail., susp. coming from portal

PostPosted: Thu Sep 03, 2020 6:24 pm
by Kiu Ghesik
Nacrad wrote:At the time, the paramedic was helping Ari to get in a wheelchair

"Oh, the war in the Middle East? We were there to--" a paramedic answered, before being rudely interrupted by his radio, "Heart attack on East First Avenue and North First Parkway, patient is critical. it's an emergency. Go immediately."

He quickly pushed the empty stretcher towards the ambulance, then turned on the siren, forgetting that he was mid-sentence. Life is hectic in this large city, and there is little time to engage in small talk. In a few minutes, a nurse came along, "OK, Ari... Oloughin, you have been registered on the NHS. Strangely we don't have any info. I'll now put a identification strip around your wrist."

She put a plastic strip around her right wrist, which read:
Given name: Ari Middle Name: / Family name: Oloughin
Age: Unknown Gender: F
Nationality: Stateless ID number: /
Note: No info avail., susp. coming from portal

Ari looked at the paper strip on her wrist. It had something on it, writing in the same characters that had been on the glass panes she had seen, and on the robes the people around her wore. But she did not know what it meant. She had to ask. She had to. Even if she did not want to. It was embarrassing. She was already in this chair with wheels, and at least she was unbound, but it was clear they did not even even consider her enough of a threat to bind her still. She began to work up the courage to, but then stopped midway through opening her mouth. She looked at the nurse and coughed, hoping to get her attention.

"My things- they were in the... the thing with the flashing lights. Did you get them? They are important to me. And- and..."

She felt her cheeks flush red, embarrassment swelling within her.

"Can you tell me what this thing says?" She held up the arm with the yellow band on it. "I... cannot read."