starlogs | Floaters

Entry tags:

Floaters

WHO: OPEN with Nekomaru Nidai!
WHERE: The training facility and other areas of the ship
WHEN: During the blackout, but also a general catch-all for the rest of the month
WHAT: Event catchall
WARNINGS: Possible talk of death and occasional shit jokes. Will update if needed.

A. Training Facilities

[Nekomaru was down in one of the training facilities taking part in a morning workout when the shit hit the fan.]

Whoa! What's going on? [The lights were out, the sounds of doors slamming shut filled the area, and he found himself floating onto the air on top of it all. ...Not just him, though. Various weights and barbells were floating haphazardly through the air, where they could cause harm to anyone.

Slowly the giant man tried to swim through the air, with the light of just one small flashlight clutched in one hand.]

Watch out!!

B. Wherever

[After making his way out of the training facility, Nekomaru spends the rest of the blackout slowly making his way through the various halls and other areas of the ship, such as the atrium and the shopping center, looking for anyone who may need help. He'll even call out whenever he's near a sealed door.]

HEY!! IS ANYONE IN THERE?! I CAN HELP!!

[It's not hard to miss his booming voice, and he can at least get most sealed doors open with some amount of effort. Are you trapped in a room, deciding whether or not to take a chance on this loud savior? Or are you also exploring the area and trying to avoid a collision course as you both try to swim through the air? Perhaps you find him when he's trying to break into his own room? The possibilities are endless.]

C. Wildcard

[Feel free to set something else up before, during or after the blackout! After the blackout and at any time for the rest of the month, Nekomaru could be available for getting stuck in any room and/or getting trapped in anti-gravity temporarily. Or if you have something else in mind, feel free to hit me up for plotting]

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Playing Hero, are you.

[It's dark, insanely so--and even more worrisome when you full well know that you're stuck in a broken goddamn ship in SPACE. Maybe that's why it might be even more worrisome to see the visage of a man, illuminated by red lights glowing in his belts and on his boots, wearing a skull mask making its way through the hall with a growl.]

These doors are no goddamn joke. You're going to wear yourself out if you attempt to break every single one down to save the people inside.

[It's a unique appearance for sure. One that he'd expect to see moreso on the pro wrestling circuit. But to each his own - Nekomaru won't be daunted by his appearance, or his words.]

I know full well what I'm getting myself into! If I can put all the energy I have into helping people free themselves from being locked up, than I will! It's a simple as that!

[Nekomaru might look less cool than his speech implies at the moment, as he's trying to right himself from floating upside down, but oh well.]

...Do you, now. [Are you also aware that you're floating upside-down there, buddy? Reaper cocks his head to the side almost mockingly, following the coach's 'flight path'.]

If you can't find your center of gravity, it doesn't matter how much energy you put into freeing people.

You look like a brute, but... ha. You haven't dealt with this sort of situation before, have you.

[His expression does straighten somewhat in response.]

I've never had to deal without gravity before, no. I now see that I should have made use of the antigravity chamber in the training facilities before.

[He points a hand in determination.]

But don't think that means I'll just give up! If there's one thing that NEKOMARU NIDAI can do, it's to adapt! I'll rediscover my center of gravity, I'll help free trapped people, and I'll kick the ass of anyone who wants to get in my way!

[That sure is some determination there, bud. But it's not going anywhere if the guy can only flail around his dramatics while attempting to get the weightlessness to work the way he wants it to.

Reaper wants to laugh, but--once again, he reins it in for now.]

The only thing in your way right now is physics.

If you really want to help people, then find yourself something to use as leverage. Otherwise those meaty paws of yours aren't going to get you far.

Physics? Ha! A true sports manager laughs in the face of physics!

You want me to find leverage?! [He smirks.] Fine!! I see some leverage right now!

[With that, he tries to push himself through the air towards Reaper, in hopes of using him as leverage.]

[Jughead was taking this opportunity to nap-- it's dark, floating's pretty comfortable, he's slept weirder places-- when he hears the yelling coming from a nearby corner of the shopping center.]

Dude, seriously? [And he swims over, lazily, towards the source of the voice.] You know in space malls no one can hear you scream. 'Cause there's like nobody here.

Oh yeah? Gahahaha! [He guffaws in response to that voice.] Then what do you call yourself?!

I said like nobody. An approximate number! [He grabs on to a nearby something to stop moving, righting himself.] And anyway I'm not meeting the standards of trapped that you're looking for. No doors here keeping me down, only my existential sadness and the fact that the fryer is broken.

Congratulations on your freedom! [He says roughly, with just a hint of deadpan.]

You know what helps to keep that sadness away? Doing some work!! You don't have anything better to do, so you might as well help me with my search!

[The internal UGHHHHHhhh fine is visible on his face-- or it would be, if it wasn't dark. But he shrugs, figuring it really would be a better use of his time. At least this rescue mission doesn't involve a soon-to-explode planet.]

Is the cornerstone of your search and rescue mission really just yelling? Because while that's a helpful part of a balanced aid attempt, I don't think it's gonna get you very far when a ton of these doors are soundproof.

Soundproof! [His eyes widen in alarm.] Now that's one factor I didn't consider... It's very alarming!

[But after a beat, he comes to a realization.]

That's it! I just have... yell louder!! That way if someone can't hear me, they'll at least be bound to feel the overwhelming power of my resolve!

[He pauses. It's too dark for Jughead to really see his face, but.... he's pretty sure this guy is serious.]

You know what? Sure. Yes. That will definitely communicate the overwhelming power of your resolve. [Sighs!!] But what if-- and just go with me for a second, here-- what if you yelled while looking for crowbars or emergency door releases.

Are you a bad enough dude to multitask?

[Nekomaru responds with a startling bellow.]

NEKOMARU NIDAI IS A BAD ENOUGH DUDE FOR ANYYYYYTHIIIIING!!!

[And now he gives a determined point.]

If there's a crowbar floating around anywhere, I'll find it! I swear it on my pride, Burger Face!!

[That is a voice he hasn't heard in a while. Hinata keeps his grip on the bar he's been using to navigate by and reaches into his pocket. The soft blue light from his powered on student id is light a small flashlight.] Nidai. It's me.

Do you know what's going on?

[It's hard to see anything. The halls seem so remote in the dark. Hinata pulls himself along the bar towards the sound of Nidai's voice and calls louder.]

I'm coming to you!

[Nekomaru's eyes widen as he recognize that voice, and he quickly aims his flashlight's beam towards the direction of the voice in hopes of seeing the person he's hoping to see.]

Hinata? Is that you? You're here too?! [And he quickly begins practically doing strokes through the air towards the ahoge-haired boy.]

I have no idea what's going on, but I'm here!!

Yeah, it's me. [Nidai has no clue what's happening either... The flashlight focused directly on him forces him to tuck his of away and hold up a hand against the harsh light. He's the same as ever. Mostly average save for the spike of hair.]

There is some bars along the edges of the hall. I've been using those to navigate by. ...You're alright, right?

[The calm fades, he can't help it. Last time he saw Nidai he was. Not alive.]

Bars? Huh... Now that's a clever idea! [He then shines his flashlight around towards Hinata's hands to try to determine the placement of the bar, and now he guides himself to grab onto one of those bars with one hand. His expression is full of emotion and on the verge of tears, though.]

Of course I'm alright! I'm definitely doing a lot better than the last time we met... [Which, from his point of view, was after he took that blow from Monokuna for Owari. He doesn't want to dwell too much on it, so he laughs it off.]

But that's all in the past now. Right now, I'm healthy as ever, aside from being stuck in this peculiar situation!

I'm glad you're here. [Relief rolls through his mind and adds energy to his movements as he pulls himself along using the bars. He meets Nidai halfway with a tired sigh. This whole situation has been insane. But no more than usual.]

We'll figure something out about this whole power deal. ...but know anywhere we could get more flashlights? People we find will need them.

[In the light, his own joy at finding Nidai is on his face and a brightness on his eyes. It carries into his voice. Adding a lighter quality to everything he says.]

Ahahaha! [He guffaws warmly like a big child as he grabs onto the bar and steadily brings himself closer to Hinata. His excitement at seeing his friend is palpable!] Same here. You're a sight for sore eyes, you know that?

As for the flashlights... I bought this one at the shopping center a while back! It was on sale, and it seemed like it would come in handy. [Especially considering the blackout that he did remember at the time.]

We'll have to find our way there and look for some more!! [He figures the stores are pretty definitely closed with the power outage, but that's a bridge that they'll cross when they get to it. Right now, finding flashlights for others is the priority.]

Do you think you could guide us there? Without the gravity on moving a bunch of flashlights shouldn't be too difficult.

[Or it could be. Or gravity could come back- He shuts those thoughts inside. They don't have time for paranoia.]

[He reaches Nidai and glances about. The ship looks eerie like this. He decides not to think about that too.]

Do you remember what the store front looked like? So I know what to look for.

Of course. As strange as this place is, I think that I've gotten the lay of it! So I'll lead you straight to the shops!

[He tries to think back as he moves along the bars.]

The store front? It's a general store, so it doesn't look two remarkable... but there was a big stack of cans in the front window!

Let's also keep an eye out for anything suspicious. The ship lost power for a reason. [They need to have a plan. He can work on that while Nidai leads the way. So far, as he moves to follow, he has a few ideas.] Can you tell me more about the ship's systems?

What you know about them.

[He nods and starts using the bars to move along, directing Hinata towards the shopping center. As he moves, Nekomaru briefly frees one hand to pick at his ear.]

What I know about them isn't much... A lot of this technology is far beyond the scope of a mere team manager! But based on how everything went haywire on the same time, I'd say all the systems must be connected somehow!

Or they were attacked all at once. [He follows Nidai at a slightly slower pace, using the time to glance around. There isn't a lot to see with only the flashlight to illuminate patches at a time. But he feels better for making the effort.]

It could be both. They haven't really explained much at all. The orientation felt...even more lacking than Usami's and just as suspicious.

And less cutesy! [He says as if that's an important point to make.]

But you're right. These guys are very hush-hush about most of this operation. I may owe them, but something about this whole set-up rubs me the wrong way!

[He silently clambers forward for a few moments.]

...I'm glad you're here, Hinata. MAYBE NOW THINGS WILL START MAKING SENSE!

[Owe them? What could Nidai owe them for?]

...what do you owe them for?

[They have been quiet. The fleet crew could have told them a few more details but they haven't. The facts they have feel lacking.]

[He hesitates for a moment, because depending on what Hinata remembers or rather doesn't remember, this could come across as a shock. But there's no getting out of it now...]

My life.

I was at death's door when I arrived here, and they treated me. Restored me to peak physical condition... I had thought for sure that Nekomaru Nidai's final firework had been spent.

[He freezes in mid-motion, his mind offering up the night on the beach. On the heels of the memory is the knowledge that Nidai has no idea what they actually are. He stares straight ahead of them and forces himself to keep moving.]

It wasn't. I remember past that. But you weren't the same after that. ...Nidai. That was when you protected Owari, right?

[Nekomaru tries to keep looking and moving forward gravely as he speaks.]

That's right. So you do remember it! I took a punishment for that fool. ...The way you talk, it almost sounds like I survived that...

Ha! Maybe this old body of mine's a little more durable than I thought!

Ni-Nidai-kun...?

[After Nanami has finally gotten free of her room and has been wandering the halls for a while, glow of her Game Girl Advance the only thing to light her way as she floats through the air, she pauses as soon as she hears the familiar booming voice.]

Is that... you? I can barely see in here.

[She tries to keep the tremble out of her voice. Her heart is still pounding from when she'd been trapped in her room.]

Nanami! That's me, in the flesh!

[He tries to shine his flashlight towards her to give her more of a visual.]

Now look into the light and come closer. AND ABOVE ALL, REMAIN CALM!

[The booming voice in the hallway should be the opposite of calming, but Nanami is able to relax and do exactly as he says. Because Nidai-kun is here... And because he's with me, I'll be safe...

...That's right. She was in the dark and didn't know what to do before, but it's okay now. Her friends are with her, whether she can see them or not.

Nanami follows the light, closer and closer - and then he's there, her eyes able to discern his big figure from the faint light of the flashlight. If it wasn't already difficult for her to move in the gravity, and also if she weren't so shy, Nanami would've hugged him tightly in relief now that she's close enough.] Nidai-kun... I'm so glad you're here. [She settles for flashing him a warm smile, if a little watery.]

Do you... know what happened, though? [Her smile shifts to a frown.] Why did the power and the lights go out?

[Nidai was totally ready to deliver a SHSL bear hug from his end, but yeah, the lack of gravity was a Thing. Rather, he opted to shine a toothy grin at Nanami to try to assure her that all was well.]

It's good to see you, too. You alright?

As for what's happened, I have no clue! It's awfully suspicious, but I haven't seen any signs of anyone up to no good yet. It's anyone's guess what's going on here! [He still is particularly wary because he remembers what happened the last time a blackout wad sprung on him. But he remains optimistic for Nanami's sake.]

[Words catch in her throat at the question. Earlier she hadn't been, but... Now she thinks she's okay. Or she probably is.] Y-yeah. I'm alright.

Mm... If there's no one around it's possible they could just be hiding, but... [Nanami shakes her head.] No, sorry. It's probably better to just hope for the best, especially when we don't have any proof of anything.

I wonder if there might be a way to fix the light or gravity, though. This is kind of... [She struggles to find a word before finally settling on one.] ...difficult.

[He's relieved that she's alright, although the stutter does leave him with some tentative concern as he tries to drift closer towards her. He doesn't have any objection towards her idea of optimism, at least.]

I'm wondering the same thing. It's very inconvenient!!

I don't know much about technology myself, but if I had to take a guess, the only thing we could do would be to try to find our way to the power source of all of this. Maybe there's a way we can switch things back on!

[Nanami nods firmly.] I remember playing a game or two like that... If you get to the core and turn things on or bring someone who can repair it, the power will go back on! [The Eluvio is a big ship, and Nanami doesn't know if it'll be the same it was in those games... But it's not a bad place to start, at least.] I don't know if either of us will know how to fix it, but maybe we can look around and see if anyone else knows how.

I haven't met many people since Nanami-san and I arrived, but... Nidai-kun, do you know anyone that might be able to help?

Ha! It may be unlikely, but you never know... Maybe it really could work like that! [He says with a grin. But then he takes a moment to ponder their question.]

Hmm... I've been meeting a few interesting people since I came here, but I'm not sure if I know anyone with skills that would help with this... We'd need a real tech wiz! [Maybe even Souda would be helpful at a time like this.]

It's okay. It might be a little tricky with the gravity the way it is... [She gestures helplessly at their floating bodies.] But let's give it a try anyway. There must be someone here who knows how to fix a ship like this.

Ah... And maybe we should try to find Hinata-kun and Nanami-san to make sure they're alright. Unless you've seen them since the power went out?

[She does feel a little worried now that she's calmed down enough to think about it... They didn't get trapped like she was, did they?]

The gravity's just another obstacle to overcome, like a hurdle in an obstacle course! [He states firmly.]

I ran into Hinata earlier, but we should try to find him again. He'd be relieved to know that you're alright! And we should definitely try to check up on... um... Nanami as well! [So he didn't hallucinate there being two of them. That solves that!]

[Nanami nods, making a noise of agreement.] Let's try to find them first then, and we can look for other people who might know how to fix the ship after. [Her friends have to come first. That will never change.]

Nanami-san might still be in her room, so we can look for her there... Do you know where Hinta-kun went after you saw him, though?

Alright, now that sounds like a plan! [He declares excitedly.] As for Hinata? I'm not exactly sure where he went, but I was able to find him a flashlight. Unless he needed to go to the bathroom, I bet he's probably exploring right now!

Nanami-san can come first, then. Hinata-kun will probably be alright for a little while longer, and... [She hesitates, but only briefly.] If Nanami-san is trapped in her room like I was, I want to help her as quickly as possible.

You were trapped? [He says as he looks at her, full of concern.] I'm glad you were able to get out... but you're right. That's all the more reason to check on her first!

[Nanami gives a brief, hesitant nod.] Mhmm... I was stuck in there and I didn't know what to do at first, but. I got out eventually. [She doesn't want to think about it too much. Even the thought of it still makes her shiver involuntarily.] But thank you, Nidai-kun...

[She smiles at him, though.] Right... Together we'll find them for sure. Let's go!

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Floaters

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*his Id. Damn phone tagging

It happens

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