event } lime, coconut, explosions

[seeingyou]

WHO: All y’all
WHAT: A nice vacation to ease everyone in
WHERE: Various locations on Alkonost Island, including Navi
WHEN: Sept 12-30
WARNINGS: Use ‘em in your threads if needed!

Welcome to Alkonost, the beautiful tropical island on the planet Tetagari where you have just made an emergency crash landing! You’ll be here for a while, so settle in and get cozy with your new shipmates until Navi is repaired and ready for takeoff.

Alkonost is a small island with an eponymous beachfront village, with the rest of the land covered in tropical rainforest, dry forest, and grasslands. Most of the land is still wild, as the Alkonost population is centered at the beach, though ancient ruins can be found a bit more inland. Alkonostians are a humanoid, amphibious people, with light green skin, gills, and webbed fingers; they are friendly and welcoming to tourists, business contacts, and intergalactic refugees alike.

Speaking of business, the main exports of Alkonost are various types of fish, shell jewelry, and a unique, dark red pearl that is only cultivated in the waters surrounding the island. These red pearls are highly prized on other islands and provide the bulk of income for the Alkonost population. They’ve also recently attracted a band of pesky pirates, which has taken to raiding export ships and even the pearl farms themselves, on occasion. Warning signs are posted near the shoreline and will be explained by locals if asked.

While visiting, you can elect to work as part of a fishing or pearl farming crew, or with one of the island’s fruit collection squads, and you’ll be paid daily in fresh fish and equally fresh fruit. For necessities of the non-consumable sort, the village open-air market is open every day for all of your shopping needs. Otherwise, grab some sun on the beach, dance and sing around bonfires at night, get to know your fellow passengers, or just chill on the ship and get to know Navi.

Comments

[secreteary]

[likewise, Martin is too determined to stew in his angry misery to pay attention.]

Nothing. Nothing! Just clothes. Not my pack, not the rope, I even had extra statements for you hidden around... Nothing.

[there's a noise somewhere between a thud and a thwack from the mystery person on the other side of the tree. after a pause, a tiny "ow".]

Now I've gone mental, except I dunno which power this is. Spiral, I guess? Thought Helen'd show up, though.

[suddenly, he yells.]

I sure wish she would right about now!

[eyediot]

[Muttered:] Helen would be good right about now.

[He starts carefully putting things back in his bag, now that he's reorganized it.]

No, this isn't Spiral. It's- I don't think it's connected to anything?

[secreteary]

[another thunk.]

Just... Just perfect.

[a long, quiet sigh. there's a beat, then Martin tries to add some iota of optimism into his tone:]

Still. Maybe we need a little more vacation.

[eyediot]

Fairly certain I'm done with vacations for the time being.

[Remember how he has that problem of working more than he's living?

Speaking of.

Wait.





Wait.

He moves to look around the other side of the tree, hand bandaged and neck still wrapped to keep anything from reopening the wound.]

Martin?

1/2?

[secreteary]

[Martin would know that voice if he was deaf, dumb, and blind. it isn't until Jon brought up his work ethic that Martin finally realizes who he's talking to.]

Jon?!

2/3

[secreteary]

[when he tries to clamber up to move around to Jon's side, Martin doesn't even manage to get to his feet. in his excitement, he instead just grabs Jon in his arms and topples them both over.]

Oh my god, I thought- I didn't know what had happened to you, I--

[reluctantly peeling himself back, Martin holds Jon's face in his hand and just beams with gentle adoration.]

I was so worried--

[secreteary]

[and then Jon gets a loving kiss right on the mouth.]

1/?

[eyediot]

Martin, where did you even--

[And then he's grunting falling back ow owowowow Martin-]

[eyediot]

[Hands on his face.]

Well I'm fi-

[WHY are there hands on his face-]

3/4

[eyediot]

[UM.

EXCUSE.]

[eyediot]

[Nope. No, nope this is not what he signed up for, this is officially not real and he is in a strange dream.

He squirms and pulls away, covering his mouth with one hand and eyes wide. Before brows lower in mild irritation.]

Martin, what are you doing.

1/???????

[secreteary]

[excuse me what do you mean 'excuse me']

What...

[wait.]

people in...

[hang on.]

love...do......?

2/???????

[secreteary]

[being pushed off gives Martin the first opportunity to realize that something's...off.

maybe a few somethings.

he squints at Jon.]

3/??????

[secreteary]

[he blinks rapidly as information processes.]

done i guess???????

[secreteary]

Your... Y-your eyes. They're not--

[oh god.]

The bandages...

[oh no.]

Are they...

[he points at the hand in particular.]

Fresh. They're fresh. Why are they fresh.

Re: done i guess???????

[eyediot]

[That's--

No, he'll come back to 'people in love' because there's too much to try and understand and unpack there.

But when Martin points, he moves his hand from his face and looks at it. Then back at Martin.]

Because they... just happened a week or so ago? It happened before I went to America.

[secreteary]

Ame--

[Martin's forehead rests in his hands in a gesture of utter disbelief and some amount of horror, before burying his face entirely in his hands.]

That's not--

[his voice is so quiet. so sad. so...

...lonely.]

That's not fair.

[eyediot]

[As irritated as this whole situation is, and as much as that invasion of his personal space immediately put him on edge, Jon can at least see how deep this upset is.

He shifts, getting a little more relaxed and watches him.]

...What isn't? Talk me through it?

[secreteary]

[there's a deep inhale and long exhale from under those hands.]

I.

[the waver in his voice is unmistakable, but Martin clears his throat and tries again.]

...I can't.

[no. not "can't". he won't.

finally pulling his hands away, Martin has tears in his eyes. more than that, there is a terrible fury written all over his face. his eyes are hard and very, very hurt.]

I'm getting answers. Now.

[Martin scrambles to his feet and turns towards the ship...

but doesn't start walking until he looks back at Jon, his expression some mixture of grief and hurt. then he heads for Navi purposefully, fists clenched.]

[eyediot]

What--

[NO WAIT. Hold on!!

Jon sees that look in Martin's eyes and wonders just what the hell he did to cause that. He wont' know unless Martin explains it.

Jon stumbles up to his feet, bag flip flopping around his frame trying desperately to follow.]

Martin- Wait! Just- just tell me what's going on?

[secreteary]

[Martin stops dead, and just yells:]

America!

[he turns around and throws his arms up in the air, exasperated. his volume doesn't change.]

Was almost two. Years ago. For me. Almost two, Jon! A... A mess of things have happened since then!

[he grins and laughs a little, but it's absolutely mirthless.]

I don't even know how it's possible! Maybe the stupid ship has answers, because otherwise I'm going to be convinced that I'm going mad.

[eyediot]

[The saving grace here is that Martin's never really been the jokster of their team. So Jon can at least know that Martin either fully believes this, or is panicked and freaking out and exaggerating. Neither scenario is ideal.

One hand he keeps on his bag's strap to keep it steady, the other he holds out, placating.]

All right- Yes, I-i agree. I... would like answers as well. So let's go get them.

[secreteary]

[well. that takes the wind right of Martin's sails. he deflates somewhat, still looking a bit belligerent but also a bit...relieved?]

...Fine.

[Martin pushes his glasses up, huffs, and turns around, power walking to Navi again.

after a minute, he visibly deflates some more, and slows down enough for Jon to catch up, but he doesn't stop. he looks at Jon, soft and worried.]

Are you...okay? Maybe there's salve for your burn somewhere?

[eyediot]

[When Martin slows, Jon takes the opportunity to catch up. Damn tall people.]

I-- Maybe? I didn't exactly take stock of this ship as we were crashing. But there's likely a medical station somewhere.

[secreteary]

[Martin nods and goes quiet for a while, his gait less determined.]

I'll look later.

[he doesn't offer to help. he doesn't offer to Fuss.]