[GP/status] OtherWorlds: Welcome to Asphodel Station

[st_aff]

By the time the Crystal Room, recently and precipitously vacated by Kash, had closed itself off to begin its transformation, the incipient connection to a new world had already been reflected in the Inn's shops. Notably, after Valentine's Day, the boutique had begun to stock two new clothing trends. First came the heavily weighted apparel, almost like blankets for those on the autism spectrum, designed to hang against the body and stay against the body, most of them in fairly neutral shades and modest styles. Then came the exquisitely light, unusual fabrics, that seemed made for dancing and twirling. They often had extra fabric, tubes and ruffs, and layers that when caught in the wind would puff out into shapes. These tended toward the colorful, and while rarely what any 21st century Earth person would call scandalous, they often seemed to be playing peekaboo with spectators and the flesh beneath.

Other, less interesting, changes happened more suddenly. Every room had fresh water bottles delivered daily. The chef's chicken dishes inexplicably began to contain a great deal of cream, cheese, and cream cheese. The ice machines occasionally acted up and spit a stream of cubes at people passing without filling a bucket.

In retrospect, when the Crystal Room opened onto the deck of what might once have been some kind of space yacht but had become more the equivalent of an overcrowded tour bus for penny-pinchers and scholarship kids, it was more obvious than ever that where they'd be going, what they'd need when they'd get there, and the camouflaging of their arrival wasn't entirely random. The captain and passengers of the dirty, overcrowded space-bus SC Trolley couldn't possibly have cared less where the extra passengers came from, if they even noticed. And the docking crew on the pretentiously named Celadon Ring (third from the top, reserved for miner-leave ships and the odd 'leisure' travelers), was more interested in clan personal matters than in how many people were supposed to be on the ship versus how many left through its doors. After the first few hours of the ship's arrival, no one cared at all, which made it very easy for the people of the Inn to come and go.

Whatever intelligence lay behind their off-world jaunts could do little about their appearances, however, and their strange fleshy colors and hairstyles drew unpleasant looks from many on station. The Verineans in particular were none too thrilled by the appearance of a long-forgotten race, and behave more haughtily than ever. The Trovians poked them curiously and ran away. Most of the others avoided them. Only the Gunnii and the Diggers seemed to take them in stride.

Nevertheless, the noisy Hub with its welter of foreign tongues, the familiar patter of bargains and auctions, backed by the odd and occasionally terrifying structural creaks and groans, smelled of tarnished metal, less than fresh bodies, and commerce. Away from the pristine living quarters in the wealthiest petals, Asphodel was a trade station, and anyone with goods to trade and a will to trade them wouldn't be turned (too hard) away.

The rings and Paidia, the upper and the downbelow were something of a different story. Dangerous in the rings and the downbelow, downright welcoming in the Paidia, and off-limits without bribes on the upper, they had their own rules and their own essences. In truth, the station was large enough with so little in the way of true government, it might as well have been several small nations bound together by a gravitational system and air supply.

Regardless of where they planned to go, any visitor that exited a ship in one of the rings was made to watch a welcome video while waiting for the lifts. It contained the basic rules, offenses punishable by death, and an overview map of the station. Exchange rates in currencies unknown to the Inn were posted at the lifts exit doors. Yet whenever any first left the rings for the Hub or elsewhere on Asphodel they couldn't help but be unprepared.

Comments

Closed to Liz Parker

[st_arkintern]

The pronouncement comes in a flurry of words that leave his mouth so fast and wild that even Peter can't really remember what he said. There's only a few phrases he can remember with utter certainty: "Portal open", "space station", "you have to come and see this", but not much else.

And minutes later, they're standing in front of a screen playing a welcome video; it's clear that the neatly-dressed and pallid-skinned woman is reading off a teleprompter. Her voice is calm and soothing, and Peter himself is a little weirded out that he can understand it at all. Had someone slipped a babel fish into his ear overnight?

"I kinda wish that Ruby Rhod was in charge of announcements," he says, turning to Liz. He realizes a half-second later that he's not sure if The Fifth Element was out before or after 2001, or if Liz had even seen it. "Have you seen The Fifth Element?" he asks. "Mondoshawans, Leeloo, that really cool alien opera singer?"

Re: Closed to Liz Parker

[st_hotflashes]

Peter had been so excited that Liz almost didn't think to bring anything. Thankfully she decided that her jeans and red tank top were probably not enough and grabbed a red plaid long sleeve shirt. She also took the backpack she had picked up from the store at the Inn, which meant it was a soft baby pink bag and not one she would have picked out herself back home. Inside was a notebook and some pencils and a flashlight.

As she stood there in the elevator, Liz was trying to take everything in. She wondered so many things - was this something similar to what Antar looked like? Would Max's race be here? She tried to pay attention to the rules, but it was hard with all the new things.

She looked over at Peter when he spoke, though, and it took her a second to realize what he said. "Oh, um, yeah. I remember it. Whenever a science fiction movie comes out Roswell's UFO Center holds a screening of it and my dad always add some sort of special to the menu." She looked embarrassed and scrunched her nose a little. "For that we had 'Multipasta' and 'Big Badda Burger'."

Re: Closed to Liz Parker

[st_arkintern]

Peter is more enthusiastic about it than Liz seems to be. "Are you serious?" he exclaims. "I'd love to try the both of them. Seriously! If we ever happen to get back home," he says, trying to push the conversation he had with River song awhile back from his mind. "I'm definitely going to have to stop by your restaurant."

Speaking of...

"What do you think about trying out alien food?" he asks. "I mean, there's no way I think we can be really 100% sure that it's the kind of stuff that can be consumed by humans--" Peter says, thinking of the Quarians and Turians and their particular dietary requirements. "--but, I mean."

Peter swallows.

"I mean, maybe not," he says, on second thought. "Maybe we can find a place to grab a drink instead. Like some sort of space-lemonade or something." If it was a mostly-water based like tea, he's pretty sure it will be safe, but Peter can't be absolutely sure. A drink was probably safer than food. There were way too many elements involved with food.

Re: Closed to Liz Parker

[st_hotflashes]

It felt nice that Peter thought the diner was cool rather than lame. She supposed it was because he wasn't from Roswell so it gave him a different perspective. People in Roswell were often over the whole alien thing except to make money from tourists.

Liz had a bright smile on her face as Peter talked excitedly. She couldn't quite help herself as she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, then went to grab his hand to hold. "I think... I think I'm okay with trying anything that looks like it's safe. I mean... the hotel wouldn't make a world appear that could really hurt us, could it?"

This was her first time, so she had no idea, of course. "Did you already take a look around?"

Re: Closed to Liz Parker

[st_arkintern]

The kiss is a surprise, but not an unpleasant one. Neither is the hand-holding, either.

"I don't know," Peter admits. So far, the one place he had been to seemed safe enough. This place had a lot of rules, though. And not normal rules, like at school where you couldn't smoke on-campus or get into fights. The weird kind of rules that made you feel like you were going to screw up and get arrested. Which seemed pretty likely, given their rather harsh penalties for any transgressions.

Still, they wouldn't throw them in jail, right? It wasn't like they were 18 yet.

"Just a little," he says, and it's the truth. He had made plans awhile ago that he and Kitty would find a great little date spot for the two of them the next time the portal opened, but as soon as he saw the portal, he stepped inside, and then immediately went to grab Liz. "We promised that we'd explore this place together."

Re: Closed to Liz Parker

[st_hotflashes]

The fact he waited to really explore the station made Liz's expression brighten a little. She didn't think it would have mattered so much, but she really appreciated the gesture. "We did. And I've ever really... explored something like this before. The closest thing maybe is Disneyland, so hopefully I don't embarrass both of us." She half joked as she the hub came into view. "Promise me you'll stop me if I look too silly."

Re: Closed to Liz Parker

[st_arkintern]

"I don't think you'll be silly at all," Peter says, but he knows very well that his bar for silliness is pretty far up there. Even now, he still did impressions of the other Avengers from time-to-time. The ghost her shared his suite with didn't seem particularly impressed, but Peter was sure it was just because he didn't actually know them.

"You know, that would be a great place for a portal to open to," Peter says, leading the way through the station corridors; his hand still grips hers firmly, as if he's worried her might lose her in the vast crowds of the station (because he is). "An amusement park. Good food, fun rides, overpriced souvenirs..."

Of course, Peter's drawing these conclusions entirely from stories he heard from other people; he hadn't actually been to any theme parks. Fairs, yeah, but actual amusement parks were another beast entirely.

"You know, I haven't ever been to Disney," he admits. "Or Six Flags or anywhere else."

OTA

[st_eelyourself]

As he had done wiith the other two portal worlds, Piotr began by walking.

He was content to stay in the places that were open to them for now. The locations that required bribes would require more time and he wanted to get down some preliminary studies before heading blindly into dangerous territory.

Eventually, when we was satisfied, he found a place to settle down and sketch in the Hub. It really did seem like the most logical place to start. With a small smile, he cracked open a new journal. Hours passed before he looked up again but when he did, he was pleasantly surprised to find someone nearby.

“Hello.”

Re: OTA

[st_makemeastone]

She'd known she'd find him on the station - because she knew he liked people and sketching. It was strangely reminiscent of when they'd met with her perched nearby watching him quietly until he noticed she was there.

"New faces to draw." And new minds to fill hers with thoughts and emotions. She was working on a way to float on the tide, but it didn't always work.

Re: OTA

[st_eelyourself]

Piotr was, as always, happy to see River come to rest next to him. Much like her namesake, she seemed to flow from place to place, only slowing now and then. "New faces, similar setting."

Re: OTA

[st_makemeastone]

She didn't entirely see the similarities in setting, but this place was far more like places at home so she was distracted.

"Compact, enclosed." She nodded. "But they were not brought here."

Re: OTA

[st_arkintern]

"Hey!" Peter exclaims in greeting, waving a hand. He's really relieved to see a familiar face in this place, especially Piotr, who was both familiar and friendly. Though he'd been living in the Madonna Inn for almost eight months now, there were still plenty of people he hadn't really had the chance to get to know.

"I'm glad I found you. I was thinking about drawing something myself."

Not that he's any good at it. He pulls out his sketchpad and then sits down next to Piotr. "Hope you don't mind if I join you. Promise I'll be quiet if you need to concentrate or something."

Re: OTA

[st_eelyourself]

"Hello, братик," Piotr smiled and patted the bench next to him. "Sit. Please. It is always good to see you, and hear you. Do not worry about holding your tongue. I do not need silence."

Flipping his notebook to a blank sheet, he looked over at Peter, "And what here is inspiring you?"

Re: OTA

[st_arkintern]

"I mean, everyone here looks so weird and cool," Peter says. "I'm too nervous to ask people for photos, but I think it'd be nice to at least try and draw them so someday I don't just --"

Peter gestures with his free hand.

" -- forget about this."

Re: OTA

[st_eelyourself]

"Have I not shown you my paintings?" Piotr tried to think back, but could not remember ever doing so. "That is what I do when we go home from these temporary worlds. I paint so we don't forget."

He flipped back to the first sketch he'd made of the market, it was incredibly detailed and paid close attention to the shapes of the buildings to give an almost photographic representation of the space. "The library is finding books. Along with these, someone may find a pattern to these portals someday."

Re: OTA

[st_arkintern]

"I haven't," Peter says. "Though I'd like to." Peter's artistic skills were pretty limited, but that doesn't mean that he can't appreciate the art of others. Especially Piotr.

Peter examines the sketch very thoughtfully; instead of just glancing down at it and being done with it, it's clear he's taking in all those details as his eyes scan over the picture. It's only after he's done that he looks over at Piotr.

"Yeah," he says, smiling. "I found a few books for the library, too. I don't think my sketches will be that great, but maybe it will help too."

Peter pulls a pencil out of his sketch pad and starts drawing the rough shape of one of the aliens sitting nearby. They look bored.

"Did you do anything else while you were here?"

Re: OTA

[st_eelyourself]

"Back at the Inn, I will show you. They are in the library." He usually didn't like talking about his finished pieces with people, but the way Peter was looking at his current sketch made him think that the younger man would appreciate them.

"It is hard to know what will help, so I just draw what I find interesting." He smiled down at Peter's beginning of a drawing.

"I spend most of my time doing this but I also help Regina carry in supplies. I have tried to find art supplies to buy, but have not had luck talking with the residents here."

Odo - OTA

[st_artrekodo]

Odo stood still for a while, all of his many senses reaching out to feel this place which looked more familiar to him than anything he's seen since his... abduction? arrival at the inn? change of scenery? Anyway. No two stations were alike, yet they all had some unmistakable markers, some common layout, some unwritten laws that seemed to link them through time and space. His first impulse would have been to check out the security system and meet its people, but he was aware that it would be purely sentimental and would get him nothing if potential trouble, so he settled for the official objective he set for himself and those who would help: find a decent power source. That was the key to anything else they'd want to achieve. And of course, if he could find out where and when this station was relatively to his own, contacting the Federation or even DS9 would be the priority, but first he had to prove they were in the same universe, which was far from a given.

Without really thinking about it, he slightly morphed his appearance to adopt the clothes and complexion or the locals, knowing that relations were always easier when people could relate to each other. He turned to the guests who had come with him. "Ready to dive in? Stay close and I advise against touching or eating anything..."

Re: Odo - OTA

[st_everybodylives]

"Where's the fun in that?" River isn't exactly looking for trouble, but it does seem to find her with startling regularity.

Kitty had a theory about punching a hole in whatever pocket dimension they were usually stuck in that might actually work except it would require far more juice than the standard outlet so power source was on her to do list but she was also absolutely going to try whatever the local equivalent of tequila was.

Tag Sora

[st_huntermom]

Mary had decided, after her excursion with her youngest son, to come back to the station and look for some things that might help people at the Inn. She would never say it out loud, but a gun would be nice. Maybe some clothes that weren't pink or rhinestoned either. She also wanted to feel like she was capable without an escort.

So she found herself walking among stalls and merchants selling wares, looking for anything interesting.

Re: Tag Sora

[st_rongheart]

Sora had worked out, fairly quickly, that there were no Heartless on the station any more than there were Heartless at the Inn. That was good in most ways, because no decent person would wish Heartless on anyone, but it was also bad in that he had no idea why the station had suddenly opened up. What other than Heartless could unlock worlds?

But there was no one to ask about that or talk to about that who'd understand what he was talking about, so he shoved it into the back of his mind and spent time poking around the market-y place. No Donald, no Goofy, no Kairi or Riku, and no one who'd heard of them either, but there was plenty to look at anyway.

Which was how he ended up in an out of the way alley-ish place, surrounded by a group of big... alien people. Aggressive ones, who wanted him to do something and moved with him when he tried to get away. "Come on, guys," he pleaded. "Just let me go, okay? This doesn't have to get worse."

It wouldn't be right to use the Keyblade or his magic against actual living people. Sora hoped he wouldn't have to.

Re: Tag Sora

[st_huntermom]

Mary was holding up some sort of electronic. The person at the stand was telling her how it worked, but it was still very confusing. She thanked the Frog-like person and started walking away when she caught sight of a group. The group seemed fixated on something and from experience their stances didn't look friendly.

She moved a little closer and noticed Sora. She instantly felt a surge of protectiveness. Arms crossed and a stern motherly 'get off my lawn' expression, Mary approached. "Is there a problem here?"

Re: Tag Sora

[st_rongheart]

Oh, Mary! Sora wasn't sure whether this made things better or worse, but he did his best to slide closer to her. Either way it was better than being alone, whether or not things got worse. "I'm trying to make there not be, but these guys aren't listening." He scowled at the group of aliens, who were not impressed.

That was pretty normal. Sora didn't really intimidate anybody all that much. "I don't wanna fight them though."

Re: Tag Sora

[st_huntermom]

Mary was vaguely aware that Sora had mentioned he used to fight, but she didn't want the kid to have to - kids shouldn't need to fight. Maybe a part of her felt that strongly because she couldn't prevent her sons from fighting at this age but she could project her ability to protect onto Sora. Not that Mary was overtly aware of this.

"What exactly do you want?" She looked at the alien group.

A Frog man, much like the one like she had just talked to, sniffed and lifted his chin. "Give us the boy. He's strong. Good entertainment."

Mary narrowed her eyes. "He's not something to own. Maybe you should move on somewhere else."

But they didn't seem to move on. In fact, they seemed to close ranks.

Re: Tag Sora

[st_rongheart]

Sora sighed and closed one hand into an almost-fist, calling the Keyblade out into it. "I'm not gonna be any fun anyway, I promise. And you're not outnumbering us so much anymore. So come on, please just go?"