The Merry Band of Magic and Ineptitude!

[signatures]

When; DESERT CITY EVENT; Feb 15 - Feb 30 (Keep in mind that time passes double in Desert City, so it will feel like Feb 15 - March 15... Correct me if I'm wrong!)
Rating; Anything from G - R depending on violence / cursing.
Characters; THE MERRY BAND OF MAGIC AND INEPTITUDE and anyone else who would like to stop by.
Summary; This is a general log for anything that occurs during the desert event with this group, from coming together / being picked up to getting to the safe zone. If you have any general questions or want to contact the group OOCly as a whole, please feel free to use the plot post linked above!

Please "date" your threads via the subject line; if you want it to be between two characters up until a certain point where someone can jump in, please note that oocly as well (via brackets or the subject line also)!

I think that's all! If it becomes too cluttered / confusing, let me know and we can figure out another method :)

Comments

Feb 15 - mid afternoon

[totallyinaband]

[Over-all, this was not Stephen's best ever day. After a thoroughly enjoyable Valentines day he'd woken up not in his bed, but in a largish sand dune roughly the size of his bedroom. He has no clue how long he's been wandering around this desert, trying to find any sign of life. If this is a curse, it's a fucking irritating one. He'd managed to find one set of clothes in a sandy area that used to be his closet, and is currently ruining a perfectly good plaid shirt by sweating buckets in it. He doesn't dare take it off, because he can already feel a nasty burn on the back of his neck and doesn't want it to spread.

He sees something moving in the distance, and without thinking, hurries over. He's tired, hungry, and thirsty as hell. He is so not cut out for this. Except it turns out not to be a fellow traveler at all.]

Oh FUCK.

[signatures]

[ Eames had thought the figure bumbling about might have been Stephen. It'd been a quick debate with himself but ultimately the sign of movement underneath the sand more or less makes his decision for him. He sidelines Stephen entirely, grabbing the canook at the elbow and tugging him along as Eames dashes toward the meager half-shelter provided by one of the few remaining buildings, though it's difficult to call it much of one considering it mostly consists of half a roof and only one remaining wall. It at least gets them out of the immediate path of whatever the Hell that is supposed to be for five seconds, Eames next going for his pistol at his side. ]

You look almost purple, [ he notes mildly, clicking the safety off as he peers carefully around the corner. Where'd it go? ]

Feb 15 - after sunset

[charring]

[There is a big, white van beside what used to be the Hospital. At least, Charlie thinks it used to be the hospital. She's pretty sure that's what that was and has her arms full of stacks of medical supplies that she's loading into the van.] Stack it neatly.

[This is told to whoever is inside the van, also known as the Great Rumbly Bitch. It's loud. It smells a bit off and occasionally dies, as Charlie discovered earlier when she tried the AC. Whatever, though. She's just going to be ducking back inside for one of two coolers she's filled with blood for Ed. Crouching to pick one up, she sighs and shales her head with an annoyed snort.] I have no god damn clue how we're going to keep this stuff edible for long.

[totallyinaband]

I still can't believe we're taking an actual vampire with us.

[Stephen wipes his arm over the back of his forehead and heaves another box into the van.]

Did you get any more bedsheets?

Feb 15 - morning | Eames & Ariadne have to get out of the house

[boutant]

[ She's woken up in unpleasant ways before, but really, this takes the cake. The animals are missing, and luckily part of her room is still intact, but the rest? Sand. Everywhere.

Shouting seems like a bad idea -- a bad idea that could bring walls down -- so she pulls out her phone and sends a quick text to Eames, who should be in the next room. ]

please tell me i'm just imagining the fact that i'm stuck in a sand dune. and if not, if you could find a way into my room, i would really appreciate it

[ While she waits for an answer, she shoves a few salvageable things into her messenger bag, including some clothes and scarves (she's already dressed and has one tugged up over her nose and mouth) and the box of condoms Eames gave her for Valentine's Day (that asshole). Her throwing knives and gun are next, at least until they can get out. ]

[signatures]

[ Eames isn't sure what to think, at current. He'd woken up to his room being extraordinarily dark, sand piled nearly all the way up his window, small streams of it sprinkling from the long cracks in the ceiling everytime he so much as breathes. In another world his reaction might just be to roll over and go back to sleep or wake up alternatively, but this isn't like those times, and while Eames isn't above panic he's longsince learned how to shove that sort of thing down in favor of the present. He's grabbing the few of his guns that he keeps in this room along with boxes of ammo and carefully placing them into one of his duffel bags, extra clothes of both thin and thicker nature depending on what the nights are going to look like, assuming the entirety of their shelter is going to turn into sand at any moment - all of Arthur's things are around but the man himself isn't, which could be a good or bad thing alternatively. With the sand as high as their windows (that or the very foundation of the house has sunk which doesn't make him feel much better, Yusuf's room is in the basement) he works quickly to pack up everything he thinks he might need in a way that won't be too taxing to lug around that he almost doesn't hear his device going off, carefully stepping around a pile of sand on the floor to pluck it off his nightstand.

Instead of taking the time to reply, he opens up his door just enough to slip out, taking the few short paces to Ariadne's door and opening it in much the same way - though all of his caution is for not, as soon as he steps inside the very hallway seems to collapse upon itself into sand. He quickly shuts the door with a grunt before any wave of the sand can swarm into the room, looking at Ariadne and then to her window. At least her side of the house is faring a little better - the sand is at a slope just outside, the light coming in somewhat more clearly, so they must be closer to whatever surface is up there. ]

Hey, [ he greets, a bit lamely, gesturing toward the window. ] Let's pry that open and get out before the rest of the house caves in on us, shall we?

Feb 18 why not - afternoon

[beifongbandit]

[ Toph couldn't decide which was worse: traveling the desert in a hot metal box on wheels, or walking through the desert on foot. The van makes her nauseous, but it's faster than walking was. And there's water.

Deserts just suck. She's really starting to hate everyone and everything. Which means she's taking it out on everyone else, sorry. She's laying in the back on the floor of the van and bitching when the thought occurs to her. She's almost looking forward to a monster of some kind, just to have an excuse to get out and walk around a little. ]

If you start singing that song again, I am going to punch you.

[ She's got a good punch. ]

[signatures]

If you're going to punch anyone, take it out on the vampire.

[ Eames notes from the driver's seat of said van. When the Hell did they pick up so many people? And why? They've all their merit, granted - most of the younger members of their little group know a fair bit of magic, which safe to say is much more than Eames to start out with. ]

[totallyinaband]

Have you got another idea to hold off the boredom?

Feb 15, evening - Mae rescue/pick-up

[brobeforehos]

[As she runs, sneakers sinking in the sand, Mae remembers. She remembers at one point Mr and Mrs Crawford took the kids to the beach down near Lyme Bay. She remembers the feel of sand between her toes and Jamie's laughter while the sandcastle they'd built got swept away by the waves. She remembers it, because it was before she'd been old enough to notice that her father was disappointed in his (experimental) family, and her mother didn't know how to deal with this small people depending on her nurture and attention.

This is nothing like the beach. To begin with, it's more like a desert. She's never been to the desert, but she's read enough books about ancient Egypt and novels about adventurers travelling the dark continent that she knew she was in great danger of dying.

For one thing, she wasn't dressed properly for this. Her entire apartment had turned into a dune of sand, and with it her belongings, which had Mae unprepared for survival. By some blessed stroke of luck, she'd thought of wearing leggings under her skirt that day, and a cardigan over her t-shirt. The leggings didn't cover lower than mid-calf, making the trek through the sand a difficult one, but she had to persist; the cardigan had turned into a haphazard turban to keep away an iminent heatstroke.

For another thing, there was the thing in the sand. It had been following her since she'd left the apartment-turned-dune, armed with only a frying pan she'd grabbed off the stove before it had time to dissolve into sand. She gripped it like a life-line and kept running, awkwardly, getting more and more tired. Times like these, she wished she had magic powers of her own. To begin with, she'd transport herself to some oasis, or maybe a tropical beach. Complete with a Mai Tai.

The scream, animalistic and strange, was the first hint at danger, and Mae froze. A second later, a gigantic, absolutely repulsive thing resembling a giant worm emerged from the sand, inches away from her. With all the strength she could muster, she swung the pan hard, smashing it against the side of the worm's open mouth.]

Have you considered veganism?

Feb 15, evening - Mae rescue/pick-up

[charring]

[The moment Charlie spots Mae and the sandworm, she's parked the van and out of it in a second. She didn't know what the thing was, nor did she care. She just hoped it was flammable. Her sneakers thumped on the sand as she hurried over, already focusing her ability on the creature.

Sliding to a stop, she let the fire out in the form of several small balls of fire that seemed to just appear in front of her before shooting towards the beast.

It yelled, roared and turned to face Charlie who was smirking slightly.]

That's right, honey. The bigger threat is over here.

[It hesitated. Charlie didn't. She let out more of her ability, the fireballs a bit bigger than before, letting up long enough to let the thing turn away from Mae.]

Might want to run to the van, whoever you are. I don't know how long this thing'll stay distracted.

FEBRUARY 16TH

[entangles]

[ Foresight is always carrying a gun on your person no matter if you're out on a police sting or buying ice cream at the grocery store. Or if you're taking an early morning walk, only to realize that the world around you is crumbling into sand.

When the Band of Magic and Ineptitude happen upon the Fed, they'll find her in a less than enviable situation. She's facing off a giant sandworm with a series of crooked, spine-like teeth. The shrieking is horrendous, a harmony of nails on a chalkboard and the guttural warble of a monstrous bird. A series of shots fire. More shrieking, as two of the bullets manage to hit the creature right in the left eye. The creature flails, and Olivia hits the sand, taking cover behind a mound. ]

"Damn it" -

[signatures]

[ Not this shit again.

Eames is already tired of sand worms and it's only been day two of the City being turned into this scene, altogether far too much like Star Wars to his liking. At least Star Wars had Harrison Ford. If Eames had a man like Han Solo on his team he might be better minded of it but as he doesn't, regardless of the magic users onboard their merry little adventure, he's less than enthused. Still, spotting the scuffle from not terribly far away, Eames looks over at Jack.

Considering they're headed in that direction, they do have to clear a path. ]

Jack?

[ He tips his head toward the flailing worm. ]

[likeboudica]

[ Tessa stays well back, aware of her own uselessness in situations such as these. But once the sandworm is taken care of, she makes her way over to Olivia. ]

Are you all right, ma'am?

Feb 15 - night | CAMPING TIME CAMPING TIME

[boutant]

[ Ugh, it's cold at night in the desert. They've picked up more people -- well, she and Eames ran into Charlie and a vampire, then Eames found Stephen, then they split up to find supplies, and then they all met back up again, and then they found Mae trying to beat up a sandworm with a frying pan.

Really, this is only to be expected.

Still, it's time to camp. Firewood has been gathered and Charlie is her own box of matches, so that much was easy. They've found some food and water, enough that they're at least not starving, and now it's time to sleep... except for Ed, who's just waking up.

Welp. ]

[totallyinaband]

Can you pass me some more of that rope?

[Stephen had been hoarding blankets, sheets, and broom handles all day and is working on setting up a few crude tents. Being a boy scout came in handy after all...]

Re: Feb 15 - night | CAMPING TIME CAMPING TIME

[charring]

[Charlie's also just waking up. It's easier to keep an eye on a vampire when you're on the same sleep schedule. She's going to be sitting down beside Ariadne now, not dressed for the change in temperature but when one burns hotter than normal and it's entirely natural? The cold feels damn good. She has a bag of dried apples from some store they raided or another and she's holding it out to Ariadne, smiling slightly.] I heard earlier there was a safe zone.

[signatures]

[ Eames is on watch nearby as he'd let Charlie take the time to nap. He doesn't particularly want anything to do with the vampire and it's questionable enough that they're stringing one along, but Charlie herself is quite useful and he doesn't want to lose her first. The vampire is apparently a required sideitem to a firestarter, who knew. Though with Charlie's attention divided between the vampire and a night shift, he suspects as long as this Ed keeps sated, maybe he'll have his use, too.

That said, once Charlie is up and about, Eames can actually sit down himself, having gone into one of the makeshift tents Stephen provided for them for some privacy as he fiddles with his device. ]

CAMPING TIME CAMPING TIME

[socoolbrewster]

[Ed climbs out of the van, pile of blankets abandoned, and almost immediately starts glancing around to re-orient. New place, new sounds, new smells, and after snagging a bag from the cooler he's mostly set to face the crowd like an actual person.

He stalks over to the campfire and drops down outside the circle to watch; close enough that he can feel its heat, far enough away that it won't prompt a knee-jerk response (hissing at flames really isn't the best first impression to be making). He'll just sit over here and watch you all with his blood. Maybe try to hunt a little later.]

Feb 16 - evening | Ariadne vs. No Name round 1

[boutant]

[ She's just looking for firewood, no big deal. Her messenger bag is back at camp with the others, but she has her throwing knives on her thigh and she's within shouting distance. ]

Fight!!

[withloadedguns]

[And, meanwhile, out in a shallow place shielded with enough scrub for shelter (good for keeping the wind off), there's a low pile of firewood and the rudiments of a camp. There's a horse tied nearby (with a cat in a basket slung on the saddle). And there's someone crouched nearby at that pile of firewood with matches and some soft kindling. The only light is the stars and the red glow of the cigarillo in his teeth. Three guesses as to who it is hiding out in the dark like this...]

for ed; post-hunting, close to sunrise, feb 19th

[charring]

[She didn't go hunting with Ed to keep an eye on him. Really, she was feeling a bit selfish and overwhelmed by all of the people and wanted to take her body heat elsewhere. Being a breathing space heater has it's limits. She ended up sitting on a rock, keeping an eye out for less-than-friendlies while Ed went out to do whatever.

It was entirely to stretch her legs and had fuck-all to do with not wanting Ed to leave. Which she'd deny entirely.

And for the most part, she stayed warm throughout the evening. And fairly well fed, though considering her stint as a homeless kid, she was pretty content with a half bottle of water and a bag of trail mix. It worked for her.

Now? She was heading back to the van, making a bee-line for the vehicle and the space within. She needed to stretch out and sleep. Night shifts sucked. She could easily rest with the others under the tents Stephen made, but she still needed her space. Crawling into the van, she made sure to stay well out of the space Ed occupied. There was a spare blanket in there and her backpack made the perfect pillow. It's just going to be a bit before she can drop off. She's busy staring out a crack in the blanket of the nearest window, probably watching the stars.]

[socoolbrewster]

[Ed stays out as late as he can, taking full advantage of the space, the quiet. It's something of a welcome change, after the noise and bustle and constant sensory assault of a group of people stuck in a van for hours; even though he's dormant for most of it, it still manages to creep in, coating the inside of his nose, his ears, until he's fairly sure he's getting more input than they can possibly all be giving out.

He actually manages to catch something too, which is a bonus; he'd half expected there to be nothing out here, or nothing he'd be able to get without it trying to get him first. It's a tired hare, not quite right but still recognizable, thin and rangy. It tastes like dust and sand going down, but he drains every drop anyway, savors every heartbeat as it pounds then slows then stops completely, relishes the undercurrent of frenzied terror running through it. He's still unsatisfied after, but he's started to accept that he's never going to be completely sated, it's just how it is. Especially not with things as completely fucked as they are.

He feels the sun's approach before he sees the fingers of color starting to streak the sky, and he makes his way back to the van quickly, tugging the door open and ducking inside without advance warning and pulling the door shut behind him. He makes a beeline for his makeshift nest, just another thing that isn't as satisfying as it should be; it's either bury under blankets or burrow under the sand, and he's sure as shit not a mole. He'll deal until they get a more permanent solution figured out. Charlie's there, he doesn't even need to see to know she's there, but he pays her little mind other than the briefest of acknowledging nods; he assumes she's asleep, even if he really knows better.]

FEB 15 (late to the party, sob, sorry guys)

[likeboudica]

[ There had been sand in the City before, but at least then one could still take shelter in the houses and the sun wasn't burning quite this hot.

Tessa has little enough knowledge of how to survive in the desert. She meant to make her way to the library, hoping that it would still be there and that she'd be able to find information on how to behave in this new environment, but so far, she hadn't had any luck in finding it.

So Tessa kept walking. ]

FEB 15 (late to the party, sob, sorry guys)

[charring]

[Charlie's driving again. This means picking up strays. Sorry, Eames, but for all her stand-offish behavior and occasional gruffness, Charlie is too nice to let people stay in a dire situation. She spots Tessa through the dusty window of the white van and slows to a stop, watching her a moment before hopping out.]

Hi. I'm Charlie. Get in the van. We have water.

[Charlie. What the fuck was that?]

February 16, evening; following the previous thread with No-Name

[withloadedguns]

[Someone is approaching the campsite--actually, it's several someones, since there's a horse involved, and the human figure approaching seems a little strangely shaped. Perhaps it's carrying something. Or someone.

The horse follows along, quite and docile. The figure walks in closer.

Close enough and it--he--calls out (because this is how you approach a campsite where he comes from: you warn them of your approach--unless you're Up To Something).]

Hello.

[ooc: Following this thread.]

Re: February 16, evening; following the previous thread with No-Name

[signatures]

[ Eames is the one keeping watch, shifting his weight on his feet as he squints down the way toward the stranger. Not that it... helps much, this dark out. ]

Who's there, then?

Feb. 17, close to sunrise

[ruthless_hunter]

[They might notice a small dust cloud on the horizon getting closer. As it gets closer, the sound of a car engine can also be heard.

Turns out it's a green and black car with spikes and red windows that make it impossible to see inside.

Said car stops near the campsite, kicking up a bit of sand, and seems to be eyeing them.]

Well, what've we got here?

Feb. 17, close to sunrise

[charring]

[Charlie knows that voice. She was about to fall asleep in the van after a night time hunt with Ed, but Lockdown was important to her. She didn't mind staying up a little longer just to say hello.

Climbing out of the van, she walks over with a small smile.]

I was wondering when I'd see you.

[Don't pay any attention to the sunburn. It happens.]

feb 15, afternoon

[guardianjoker]

[The sand wasn't anything new really but it seemed to have gotten worse as the days went on, since there wasn't much that hadn't turned to sand already-- it was everywhere she looked. Her guardian character were with her so that did help Amu feel a bit more at ease, but with this sudden encounter with one of the creatures in the sad, it made her feel even more anxious.

Amu was already out of breath, trying to hold in any urge to scream because of how creepy this was and that in itself wasn't something Amu could handle very well at all. Currently she's in the middle of trying to get away from the thing that had been following her and maybe find some place safe to go. Luckily she character changed with Ran so she can be seen hovering above the ground with visible wings generated on ankles and wrists to make her fly, just high enough to avoid it but well that was only a temporary solution until she could figure out what to even do]