modormenace: (Default)
modormenace ([personal profile] modormenace) wrote in [community profile] f20202020-09-15 12:53 am

SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2020: THE SYNOD IS CONVENING.

All fourteen Gates simultaneously reverse polarity. For the next seven days, and only these seven days, any imPort stepping through a Gate will arrive safely in the Porter building: the only place on this fractured planet that can safely contain the energy of the imPort community in its entirety.
SO IT BEGINS
THE SYNOD
THE
DEATH
TRAIN

While the Gates are the simplest form of transportation, those making the journey to the Synod from the White Tower have the option of travelling by train, if they wish. Despite the playfully grim moniker, there haven't been any recorded fatalities on board the Death Train in many years. Or ever, really. Raw, untamed entropy doesn't do anything as simple as kill.

For that delightful reason, passengers will be reminded at frequent intervals not to attempt to leave the train once it enters the active zone of the Porter's defenses, or to do anything that could jeopardise the integrity of its shielding.

The journey is relatively comfortable and takes approximately two and a half hours. A limited menu of pastries and alcohol is available from the buffet car. The smallest tables seat two.

 

As the train passes through the entropy-saturated wasteland of the Deathdome, the view from the heavily tinted windows of each of the train's four-person cars is impossible to comprehend: every atom of the landscape is in a constant state of flux, scattered in endless possibilities across the multiverse.

WELCOME CARPET

Inside, you get the impression of three towers; no view from outside is possible. You're totally sealed inside for the week, by the same Fate-built tech that shields this place from the ravages of cosmic radiation— the train station is built into the structure, entrance tunnel hermetically sealed.

You're greeted by welcome robots, primitive little things full endless enthusiasm and covered in dents. What they lack in intelligence they make up for in persistence and durability. Each and every ImPort is assigned their own personal robutler.

Though they tend to hinder more than help.

Boop boop boop boop. They provide you with a complimentary swag bag. Inside is one (1) t-shirt, one (1) top of the line tablet (pre-loaded with this year's Agenda and a simple game app that looks suspiciously like 2048), a stress ball, personalised souvenir pen and eraser (but no pencil), and of course, a lanyard keycard for accessing the comfortably adequate accommodations provided for all attendees.

Given the week-long Synod, your room itself is a decent suite, furnished with dark colors, redolent with a smell you can't quite place. You may find yourself assigned an unexpected roommate, which may feel awkward considering you'll find arrayed on the beds, a half-dozen complimentary tickets to the spa, restaurants and the power gym, with its preternaturally durable equipment.

Robutlers constantly remind: do not attempt to leave the Porter facility or do anything to jeopardise the integrity of its shielding.

CONVENTION

Talks and panels take place in the convention area, which feels like a miniature city within the Porter's defenses, a hive with padded audience seats, wide stages, and complete with holographic audiovisual equipment that's curiously compatible with presentation software from every city.

Here, ImPorts will present and debate various topics regarded as major concerns for all. [OOCly, players are invited to suggest topics! Scroll down; they will be added below.]

This is also something of an expo, where cities practically demonstrate— or show off their good works. From the latest hovertechnology models to demonstrations of healing powers, playful duels in the forcefield-enclosed stages to magical books that temporarily transfer skills on touch, this is the place to pretend you're showing off your cards... while playing the most important ones close to your chest.

PANELS AND DEBATES

PRESENTERS
TOPIC
Joseph Kavinsky vs [N/PC]
White Tower ImPort Overpopulation and Dimensional Instability
Tony Stark and other technopaths
How Technology Will Save Us
Joshua Foley
The Mysteries and Intricacies of ImPort Physiology
Count Dooku and volunteers
ImPort Factions Must Align Against the Shared 'Resistance' Threat
Jin Bubaigawara (x3)
The Twin Cities are NOT Dimensionally Unstable No Matter What You Heard
Kang
Bridging Old and New: Maintaining Infrastructure with Limited Modern Resources
EVENING
EVENTS

Every night of the Synod, ImPorts gather to dine in a grand hall with a ballroom party. Each dinner is hosted by one ImPort city, gruntwork complete with robutlers-- which guarantees food safety, and complete with multiple cuisine options, cultural decor, and entertainment.

Given the range of cities represented, food options vary from greasy burgers to six courses of seafood and blue venison, and rarefied vegan fare.

When ImPorts aren't here eating, they're most often talking. Ergo, it's not uncommon for low-key drama to break out, but this year, the majority of Synod days seem to be passing uneventfully.

Fortunately, speeches are reserved for daytime. After dinner, it's time to dance.

 

The last song of the night is always obscure music no one can quite remember the words or melody to afterward. It's a slow dance song meant for two or more partners; the ballroom grows dark and the world seems to fade away. Or rather, it just fades back into one's hotel room.

THE BLACKOUT

On Monday, September 21st, shortly before the Gates are due to resume ordinary function and allow attendees to leave, the Porter building suffers a power cut.

Abruptly, all the lights cut out. Music stops. Your faithful robutler freezes in place, unresponsive— though its internal systems appear to be running, the centralised command hub that it relies on has fallen silent.

Though the robutlers are out of comission, technology-minded ImPorts and their tech drones hasten to reassure that systems analyses are underway. Within a few hours, repairs begin, the estimated time being two days.

In the meantime, thanks to the diversity of powers on hand, there is enough food and water. Candles start to circulate. It might even be a little romantic, if it weren't for the chaos outside. Characters might find themselves trapped in an elevator for a few hours, or compelled to seek comfort from one another.

sighsheavily: (pic#14315119)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2020-09-24 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
If he was looking to take her off-guard with that movie cliche of a trick, he did well, and having forgotten the setting (even the gross doom-colors??) and the stakes, Cecelia indulges the moment and embraces the thrill. She doesn't want to be left with a breathless laugh and simpering smile, considering the image she tends to go for, but it can't be helped.

How was it put once?

"You kiss by the book."
forgeabettertomorrow: (We can fly if you believe)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2020-09-24 12:55 am (UTC)(link)
Darin does his best to keep the kiss as chaste as possible. After all, they both had images to maintain and a relationship like this could compromise a lot politically. But even so, he's reluctant to break the kiss, even as he starts to pull Cecelia to her feet. As such, one kiss turns into several more intimate, more wanting pecks, resisting the necessity of pulling apart in favor of her innate warmth. But for all of his willpower, just being with her like this made him feel like there was no one else in the world.

Finally, still embracing her, he asks.

"Is there anything else I can do for you? Personally, I wouldn't mind ditching the rest of this evening's gatherings."
sighsheavily: (pic#14281460)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2020-09-24 12:58 am (UTC)(link)
"Would that I could." That mention of gatherings brings her back to reality, her expression falling. "But no. I came here for a reason. I'll need to see it through, or I risk making a failure of it."
forgeabettertomorrow: (Ehehehe well...)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2020-09-24 01:01 am (UTC)(link)
"I could...wait for you until the gathering is over? Do you have a proper escort? Master Skywalker hates it when I stick too close so...I'm free."

In case she had any doubt that he'd rather escort her.
sighsheavily: (Default)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2020-09-24 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
She tilts her head, arching an eyebrow.

"You mean to attach yourself to me for the duration of this in Luke's stead?"
forgeabettertomorrow: (But what does 'being anime' even mean?)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2020-09-24 01:07 am (UTC)(link)
"To be honest...I feel more at home with you than I do with him as of late. Like...when I'm with you...you help me to part the haze..."

He reaches down and takes her gloves hands delicately in his.

"I feel happy. And...I'd like to see where this leads. By my own choice."
sighsheavily: (pic#14315119)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2020-09-24 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
Gods. Damn him.

She sighs, looking down and away as color rises back up in her face.

"Idiot. Twisting my words to attack me back..."
forgeabettertomorrow: (Don't know how to quit)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2020-09-24 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
He laughs, a little bit more of that fire creeping into his voice.

"Come on now. You'll know when I make an attack on you."

And from the tone of his voice, he doesn't mean their usual spats...though this could certainly end in a different kind of fireworks.
sighsheavily: (pic#14315118)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2020-09-24 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
"D-don't be lewd," she cries, yanking her hand free and swatting his before bustling past him, back into the cacophony of the party, making a bee line out of it.
forgeabettertomorrow: (Master blacksmith at work)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2020-09-24 01:22 am (UTC)(link)
He lets out a deep laugh and follows her easily enough. No one would dare get in his way and with the smirk on his features...well, it's easy to assume he's up to no-good.

The wide berth allows him to keep up with her fairly easily.

"Who said anything about that, hm~?"
sighsheavily: (pic#14281461)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2020-09-24 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
If anything, maybe it's to her benefit to look so put out, exiting while pursued by giant Empire brute.

"Don't act that stupid, you idiot," she grumbles, eyelid twitching at the sound of her own words. "I know full well what your tone implies!"
forgeabettertomorrow: (this Lance guy sounds alright)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2020-09-24 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
It takes only a few strides for him to catch up and match her pace.

"What tone? You suggested I was attacking you. I was merely stating you would know if an attack were coming. And I wouldn't dare mount an attack on you here, as these are peaceful proceedings, of course."

Though the smile on his face certainly implies he's not ruling anything out. It also betrays that he might have thought of her in less wholesome terms at least once before this evening.

"Though, I can't deny that I'm always the one looking for a fight."

As to what kind of fight, he lets the implication hang. He's clearly enjoying this.
sighsheavily: (pic#14281461)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2020-09-24 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
The absolute 180 he's done from self-doubt to this smirking fool is as infuriating as it is endearing -- perhaps more the former, given the dangerous location she finds herself in.

"What fight is it now, I dread to wonder," she grumbles.
forgeabettertomorrow: (eyyyyyy this guuuuuy)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2020-09-25 01:27 am (UTC)(link)
He laughs.

"You know, you really worry too much. I know this place isn't really your scene but you could try and find something you enjoy, right?"
sighsheavily: (Default)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2020-09-25 01:35 am (UTC)(link)
"Something found me," she retorts, shooting a quick look over her shoulder. "I wound up not having to look."
forgeabettertomorrow: (Ehehehe well...)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2020-09-25 01:37 am (UTC)(link)
"Okay...in that case, there has to be something I can do to lighten your mood!"
sighsheavily: (pic#14281461)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2020-09-25 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
"Than you already have?" She slows to a stop, turning to arch an eyebrow at him. "What's your passing grade, then? Because if you're expecting me to act like some giddy schoolchild, I'm afraid you'll be left very disappointed."
forgeabettertomorrow: (I don't really get it but...)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2020-09-25 01:48 am (UTC)(link)
"I just want to see you smile. You've got a pretty smile."
sighsheavily: (pic#14281458)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2020-09-25 01:50 am (UTC)(link)
She scoffs at that, turning her head away stubbornly even as her face gets red again.

"You already saw it. Pay better attention next time!"
forgeabettertomorrow: (Ehehehe well...)

[personal profile] forgeabettertomorrow 2020-09-25 01:51 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah but like...what's wrong with smiling all the time?"
sighsheavily: (pic#14281462)

[personal profile] sighsheavily 2020-09-25 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
"It never suited me."

She folds her arms, scowling darkly down the hallway at the sight of other guests of the synod. "At least, not in such places. It isn't safe, no matter how you insist. It's never been safe when so many imPorts gather in one place."