balance_logs | Lunar Interlude 3

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Lunar Interlude 3

	What a mess.
	NAVIGATION

1. NEW RECLAIMERS

A. WELCOME WAGON

For the 14 of you who will be arriving today, the story is the same: though you may not remember it, there was a moment where you were living out your life, at home or wherever you were ... and then there was the moment the Hunger came. And amid the television static that is your memory of that moment, a hand reached out to you, beckoning your escape as the tendrils of darkness destroyed everything that ever existed about your world.

"Would you hurry this up, please? Your world no longer stands a chance. Come with me, we are the last bastions of hope for all universes everywhere. And we're going to need you."

And then, unceremoniously, you are dragged through the universal wringer and plopped down on the soft, though not quite cushioned, grass of the Moon Base Quad.

You're not alone, either. Along with the newest members of the Bureau, in a fashion probably not unlike this, there are people waiting here for you. People who wanted to see the heroes the Director has managed to bring in this time.

People who are excited to see what you're capable of.

You have a few minutes to talk with each other — or maybe lob a few questions at the impromptu welcoming committee, or any of the older Reclaimers who may happen to be nearby. But before long, you're whisked away to a different area of the Moon Base.

B. THE VOIDFISH

The 14 of you are quickly divided into three groups, and brought to the easternmost geodesic dome, to an elevator in a well maintained, but sparsely landscaped field. There's nothing particularly ominous feeling about the space — in fact, the two guards who greet you at the elevator entrance seem pleased with your arrival. You are, after all, one of the few chosen by the Director, the few who will reclaim what the Hunger has destroyed.

And in a few moments, you're about to find that out for yourself.

After a tightly packed elevator ride, your group is ushered out to a rather grand looking hall, banners of the Bureau of Balance adorn both sides of smooth metal walls. And inside the Voidfish's chamber stands a tank — impossibly tall, and soaked in a black ink that obscures whatever the tank may be holding.

You may notice a melody, someone playing the violin. It's a bard, on his third round of introducing Reclaimers to the Voidfish.

When he's finished, he pulls out a few pieces of paper — sheet music — opens a drawer at the bottom of the tank, drops the papers in, and shuts it.

And suddenly, it seems you've forgotten everything that may have been ironic about that melody.

If you seem alarmed, the bard takes notice of it.

"Yeah, man, like... don't think too hard about it, it's like that every time. I'm guessing you're here to be inoculated? Just a heads up, you might want to, like, seriously, hold your nose while you drink it down. It tastes wicked gross, man."

You sort of get the sense that he's said this speech once or twice in the past. It's well rehearsed, much like the stories you'd expect a bard to be able to recite.

"Anyway, I'm supposed to tell you that you have a choice. If you drink the black stuff, you'll be able to hear through the, uh... Huh, how do I describe it? Through the [TSHCSCHTSHCHSC] sound. You guys like, hear that? Anyway, it's all about knowledge or something. I don't know, I'm just here to, like, feed the thing. We call it the [TSCHHSCHSCH], by the way.

So, like. You get a choice. You can drink it and understand stuff, or not drink it and then hear that crackling noise all day every day. If I were you, I'd drink it. But, hey man, I'm not like, your dad or anything."

The bard takes five cups and draws liquid from a spigot connected directly to the basin of the large tank. Stormy, muddy looking ichor is drawn into them, one by one. He offers each of you a sip.

Drink it (he wasn't kidding about what it tasted like), and you're inoculated to the wisdom of the Voidfish. You try to remember the song this bard played a few moments ago and the melody, the meter, every octave, all come back to you. And if you think back to your arrival, some of the things you may have heard other people in the Quad say, that simply sounded like static, are suddenly clear. Bureau of Balance. Grand Relic. Reclaimers.

Yet you still can't remember the Hunger or what it had done to your world. And as you look back to the tank in front of you, the water has become clear. There's a jellyfish, as tall as a building, floating within. You look into the body of the creature and you can almost make out a beautiful, tiny universe floating within it.

2. THE TEST OF INITIATION

With your new knowledge on the Bureau of Balance and your purpose here in tow, you are led without hesitation to the Arena, where the final phase of your initiation into the Bureau will be held. You are partnered up, whether it is with someone you drank the ichor of the Voidfish with, or perhaps even a veteran Reclaimer, who either stopped by to help, or simply out of curiosity.

After the proctor confiscates your weapons for the test, the room you are placed in is stark white — it sort of gives off the vibe that it was supposed to do something other than look so sterile once upon a time, but for whatever reason, that function is lost. With a sound similar to an airlock, the door is shut behind you, and the outline disappears, the lines of the door frame magically filled in with the rest of the wall.

Your task here is to escape. You are provided with the following tools:

○ A small flatware set from the café. Two forks, two spoons, two butter knives
○ A popular Faerun children's toy: "It's Elementary, My Dear Brewer: Chemist Set for the Discerning Beginner." It's essentially a simple chemistry set.
○ An inflatable hammer that plays one progressive note of a jingle a lot of you probably hate by now with every hit.
○ A wooden toy sword.
○ A plate of spaghetti — hear us out, though. Thanks to a Reclaimer who came before you, and thanks to the robot that's making your food, it's the kind of spaghetti that grants you extra strength for an hour after eating.
○ A crowbar, with a note attached to it: "DO NOT USE CROWBAR."

Seriously, don't use the crowbar — the purpose of this test is to assess your ability to find a solution outside of the most obvious one. The purpose of this test is to determine if you are capable of resisting the call of a Grand Relic.

Use your wits. Use the path actions granted to you when you arrived. Use any ideas your partner has. But do not use the crowbar.

3. NEWBIES AND VETERANS, AROUND THE MOONBASE

A. I'M YOUR BIGGEST FAN

The Reclaimers were already sort of elevated to a certain level in the Bureau, as The Director's chosen few, the ones who were ultimately tasked with saving everyone, and the ones the rest of the Moon base is charged with assisting. And now that the Reclaimers have successfully brought home two Grand Relics, they're ... starting to become something of household names. Moon Base names?

The next time you wander into town — an old Reclaimer veteran or a brand new face — you may very well be accosted by a well-meaning, if curious admirer. And they have questions: Did you get to hold the Grand Relic? Is it true that you took out a sandworm by tricking it into tying itself in a knot? Can they see your weapon? Would you spar with them sometime? Maybe they're not quite this annoying. But still annoying.

You may need the assistance of another Reclaimer to escape from this wholesome new Adoring Fan of yours.

B. MALFUNCTION

Resting on the Moon Base is your time to catch up. Maybe there's someone you didn't spend a lot of time with in the Netheril. Maybe you're new, and you're still working on meeting as many of your fellow Reclaimers as possible.

Which is fair. These are the people you will have to cooperate with for the foreseeable future, so it's best that you get to know them as well as possible, right?

And then, one day, your Bracer buzzes with a message:

Hello!

Not all that curiously, the message appears to come from a username that you recognize. Whoever it is, it's another Reclaimer — one that you know well.

Much more curiously, the message is followed by an odd beeping, and a perhaps familiar two-toned sound of something shutting down. And when you try to message your friend back, you may find that:

For the next 24 hours, your bracer's translator feature is broken. You will not be able to understand Common — and when you speak, you won't be translated into Common. Have fun with that!

And yeah, that probably wasn't actually your friend messaging you. Add another mystery to your list of weird phenomena that needs addressing.

C. POWERING DOWN

This is meant to be a few weeks of rest while the rest of the Bureau prepares for your next mission. The Director, however, believes that this free time should be used to better oneself however they might see fit, and she certainly won't stop anybody who'd like to spend time in the areas they've visited previously — and any new Reclaimers who would like to learn a little more about Faerun.

Grab a pal and try these options, both on the Moon Base and beyond, on for size:

○ Stop Dying 101: Also known as Fatalistic Fauna, and Danger Sense to channel your inner barbarian. This is a class that was introduced after the first field mission that offers instruction on basic survival strategies when up against the more inhospitable areas of Faerun. The class is open to everyone, but if you have died at least once during the course of Balance, attendance is mandatory (Unless you're an old bird who was talked into teaching a class instead). Yes, that means you, Komaeda!

Curiously, the simulators for this class seem to be working just fine. Neither the Director nor the instructor are going to question it. The monster of the month you'll be facing is the Tarrasque (scaled down to size, but that doesn't make it any less terrifying) — are you cunning enough to escape the simulation? Or are you going to go against the point of the class and try to fight it?

○ Winding down room: A small room filled with the kotatsus brought back from Vista Virs, board games, books, and other quiet activities for one of the days where you're feeling a little more restful. At the front of the room, a keyboard and other instruments are waiting — unnamed Bureau members will offer a few quiet, soothing performances throughout the day, but you're welcome to play as well.

○ Visiting New New Aspen: You may have noticed that there's an enormous tree (You say Christmas, we say Candlenights) jutting out past the atmosphere, nearly touching the Moon Base itself. This was the site of the first field mission, and the tree stands as a monument to the Reclaimers first success in recapturing a Grand Relic. At the bottom of the tree, a peaceful town that cherishes the ornaments it makes sits. The mayor of New New Aspen, Matthew, will greet you warmly, and invite you to any number of ornament carving classes, or to dinner with his Aunt Laurel (She's a giant spider, by the way), or to even just spend some time with the giant cats that protect the town.

Perhaps worringly, though, the cat captain of the guard, Bread, is missing.

○ Visiting Vista Virs: A town in the middle of an unforgiving desert that was left completely destroyed. If you choose to return, expect to be put to work — you'll be gathering supplies, helping rebuild homes, or just comforting the Needlers, a race of catcus people who inhabited the town, who have lost everything.

D. THE MOON IS YOUR SPACE OYSTER (WILDCARD)

There are plenty of other locations around the Moon Base that you can explore at your own discretion. Feel free to refer to the Settings page for more ideas on what shenanigans you can get into.

Additionally, we'll be fielding Bender rolls again this month! If a food item was destroyed in a failed roll previously, you may roll to try to fix it. Bear in mind, of course, that you may make it worse.

Successful food rolls will stay in place at this time, and can be utilized how you like. Keep in mind that only one magical effect can be in place at a time.

blurb code by photosynthesis

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I don't fucking know!

[Bakugo spits that at Deku, feeling his face heat up and normally his hands would too.. if only they could.

He doesn't know how that makes sense. He doesn't know how anything here makes sense but until now he'd just been ignoring it. Going along with whatever to avoid having to think about it. Now...]

But I've been here for two goddamn months-- I thought I was the only one that survived that Hunger bullshit for two. Months.

[His arm trembles, as does his expression. He looks like he could explode at any moment, honestly. He's not even mad at Deku right now, but more so at the Director. At himself. At everything else. There's so much that he feels right now that he just.. doesn't know what to do.]

I don't know either!

[He snaps back, feeling his own face get hot underneath the cold sweat. It's unpleasant, like having a fever, and his brain doesn't seem to want to think straight.

The woman just told him everyone was gone. That's it. But Kacchan had been here. He'd been saved. Did she lie? Why... what was the point? Thinking you were the only one alive was a horrible thing to think about for the short time he'd been here... but for two months?

He grips Kacchan's wrists but this time, in a steadying fashion instead of defensive.]

...I. I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm late.

[Honestly, Bakugo could punch him right now. He feels like he needs to punch something, right now, but at the same time honestly.. Deku's apology stops him from doing so. In the past he'd find it patronizing, but since the two cleared up their misunderstandings and became... more or less friends, he's been able to stand that caring side of Deku's more than he used to.

And honestly. It's not Deku's fault, it really isn't. It's not his fault that Bakugo had to suffer by himself for two months. Suffer the survivor's guilt that clawed away at him as he just fucked around and did absolutely nothing to help anyone. Suffer as strangers tried to dig their way into his wounds, and learned more about Bakugo than he ever wanted them to.

It's not Deku's fault. And truth be told he.. really needed him right now. Even if he'd never admit it to him in a million years-- it was so goddamn relieving that he was actually alive.

So, he loosens his grip on Deku's collar when Deku grabs onto his wrist carefully, and he ends up slumping forward a little bit. Resting his forehead against Deku's shoulder, his voice a low growl.]

You should've come sooner, you fucking nerd.

[Izuku sighs, letting the tension in the air dissipate as Kacchan drops his forehead against his shoulder. He knows his childhood friend doesn’t like to be vulnerable like this. Then again, being told everyone you know is dead might make a reunion with your worst enemy a relief.

But still, what had happened here to make Kacchan like this? It makes him feel a little nervous. But for now he stands up straight and just lets his friend lean against him for as long as he needs, like this is all perfectly normal.]

I guess I’m still always trying to catch up to you.

[He murmurs. He wishes that were the truth of the matter.]

[Good, that's good. If he tried to hug him or do anything even remotely affectionate in return, Bakugo definitely would have punched him then so this is.. good.]

Shut up.

[Bakugo grumbles that at him, and he gives himself about a minute before he pushes himself away from the other boy. His eyes look a tiny bit red but if he was crying, he wouldn't say.]

...so. This test bullshit, yeah?

[He decides to stop dwelling on the fact that nothing makes sense anymore and instead just. Tries to focus on the task at hand, falling back into his usual loud and boasting self.]

They just love to play tricks on us and make us do shit we usually wouldn't do, that's the kind of organization we're stuck following for now.

[The tone of Bakugo's voice tells all. He doesn't trust them, and that trust has been broken even more now that Deku's here.]

[He does shut up. He shuts up and just takes in that Kacchan is here with him, that he’s safe from the Hunger, still a constant in Izuku’s life. Even the end of the world can’t tear them apart. Somehow, they keep getting pulled back together. Somehow. When the other boy pulls away, he reaches up to briefly rub at his eyes before looking around the room.]

If nothing else, with our combined Quirks, we can probably pretty easily break down one of the walls. They’re probably less sturdy than the door.

[Then he glances at Kacchan.]

Or do you think that’s a round about way for them to get a sense of what we can really do? For one purpose or another.

[At the mention of their Quirks, Bakugo's expression immediately sours. Of course Deku wouldn't know, but the idea of having to explain it to him and deal with him worrying over it makes him want to puke. It's enough that he can't use his Quirk half of the time, he doesn't need someone else rubbing salt into that wound.]

Don't got my Quirk on the moon.

[But at the same time, it's probably something Deku deserves to know, no matter how much he'd rather stay away from that topic.]

Those assholes erased it, and I can't use it even if I fucking wanted to. That idea's out of the question, so we might as well try something else.

Erased it? Like Aizawa Sensei’s Quirk? How is that possible?

[He flexes his fingers. He can feel One for All within him still. But it’s quiet, like only a small spark of the roaring fire came with him. Does that mean the vestiges he met were gone too?]

I still have One for All. But it’s definitely been weakened. I don’t think I can use it at more than one percent at most. I don’t know if it would be enough to take down a wall…

Maybe we could pry the door open with one of the knives?

[Deku can see the way Bakugo's eyes narrow at the mention of still being able to use One For All... or maybe he's mad that such an important Quirk has been dampened so much? Either way, he doesn't voice either opinion but he still just yeah. Looks pissed.]

I don't get how they can erase or weaken our Quirks, but when I'm off the moon base I can use mine again. It's definitely weaker too though... those fucking bastards.

[Bakugo growls that angrily as he walks over to the many items they have at their discretion.]

Worth a shot, though. The only other idea I have is using that noodle shit and punching the crap outta the wall.

[He says this as he picks up a knife, and walks over to where the door was, looking it over to try and find the right place to stab it.]

[PISSED IS SORT OF YOUR DEFAULT KACCHAN... But he can definitely tell that's strange. Why would he be able to keep his Quirk but Kacchan can't? But only when he's on the moon?

Seems calculated. Targeted. But he won't ask for now. He follows Kacchan and leans over his shoulder.]

Try where the handle is.

[Deku you're not helping anything right now.]

I FUCKING KNOW WHERE TO TRY! I WAS GONNA DO THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE, YOU DAMN NERD!

[But at the same time, it feels so familiar to yell at Deku over such small, insignificant things.. it's kind of nice.

Either way, he stabs the knife where he's directed, but it doesn't go through the wall. So he tries again... and again.... slooooowly chipping away at the wall one tiny itsy bitsy chip at a time.]

Break faster you piece of shit wall!

[Aaaand now he's stabbing it at Hyper Speed.]

I just meant maybe-

[Oh well. Anything he says is going to be ignored isn't it? Probably best to keep quiet so he doesn't get even angrier. They are stuck together in this small room together.

Don't break the knife, Kacchan.

...He's totally gonna break it isn't he.]

[He totally is.

And by that I mean, after about two minutes of rapid stabbing, on one particularly hard stab forward the knife suddenly bends in half. Not breaking but definitely not.. able to be used like that.]

FUCK--

[In a fit of anger, Bakugo throws the knife harshly onto the ground before he snatches up the spoon next and tries it again. They're going to be here all day.]

I'm not sure that's going to do anything...

[Then suddenly he gets an idea. He leans forward and grabs Kacchan's shoulder in excitement.]

Kacchan. What about your new powers? The ones they gave you here?

[KACCHAN IS SUGOI SO HE MUST HAVE SUGOI NEW POWERS RIGHT.]

Paws off!

[Bakugo rips his shoulder out of Deku's hand, with a little bit of a huff. It's true he does have abilities but..... b..but....]

None of those freakin' powers would help in this situation! They made me the lamest goddamn class in this entire fucking place!

[Aaaand he's throwing the spoon now in another little tantrum. It's just How He Be.]

[JUST GONNA. GO RETRIEVE THAT SPOON. He might need it.]

Oh... I guess the powers they give us here don't really make much sense. I'm a bard but I can't really sing... or play any instruments. Remember when we learned recorder in fourth grade? I wasn't good at all. And I still get so nervous trying to talk to people sometimes.

I don't really understand it.

[IT'S FUNNY RIGHT? Kacchan likes to do a good burn on him so maybe it will cheer him up.]

[You know, normally Bakugo would absolutely take the bait to humiliate him and laugh at how bad he is at everything he does but something Deku says gets him to freeze completely.]

....what the fuck did you say? You're a bard?

[Great. Just. Perfect.]

Um.

I don't really know... why...

[He swallows, feeling as small as he did back in middle school when Kacchan stared him down. Things are different now. But he's still intimidating when he wants to be.]

"Why?"

[Bakugo definitely can be intimidating when he wants to be, and being trapped in a room alone with him is probably... understandably nerve wracking. Poor Deku...

Either way, he raises his voice a good five octaves, yelling at him even though this isn't even anything his fault.]

BECAUSE I'M A BARD, YOU GODDAMN PUNK!!

[MORE THINGS FOR THEM TO BE RIVALS OVER YAY]

I got that!

[He raises his hands up as a sign of surrender and stepping back a foot or two.]

I meant, I don't know why I'm a bard! It just... it doesn't suit me at all!

You're damn right it doesn't!

[If Deku's stepping back, Bakugo's stepping forward with a scowl that looks like it could kill.]

It barely fucking fits me but at least I'm actually a goddamn musical genius! Unlike you, who could barely string three notes on a fucking recorder together!

[ah hes bringing that back]

Hey!

[APPARENTLY IT'S OKAY WHEN HE SAYS IT ABOUT HIMSELF. But... it's definitely true. Still, he's stopped stepping away from Kacchan and instead is just standing in the middle of that empty room, looking thoughtful.]

It just means I have to work harder, that's all! I'll... figure something out. I guess I don't really have a choice...

[He glances up at Bakugo.]

Have you used your bard powers yet?

No shit! I've been here for two fucking months-- did your dumbass brain forget that already?!

[God why is he even so mad at Deku... right. Because it's Deku.

He does back off a little bit, scoffing in anger as he looks over at the tiny, little dent he's made in the wall.]

....the only abilities I got are ones that don't do any damage. Unless I aim 'em at a person, anyway. Doubt I can insult a wall until it crumbles.. even though that'd be fucking sweet.

I didn't forget! I just... wondered how you learned to use them. Since we have to go on those missions... I guess you've already been on one, huh?

[There is something familiar about this dynamic that's comforting. Even if he's the one getting yelled at. Oh well.]

I don't think mine really do any damage either. ...Ahh, but if anyone could insult a wall until it breaks, it's you, Kacchan.

Yeah, I've already been on one. Worst fucking mission of my life.

[Buuuut he'll get into that later. Because Deku has complimented him and that means he can't back out now.. so with a little "tch" sound, he juts his jaw forward and walks over to the wall with his hands in his pockets, a nice sneer crinkling up his nose as he... yells. At. The wall.]

What the fuck kinda wall are you, hahh?! I could chip away at you with a fucking spoon, you weak-ass cardboard-ass piece of shit! Do you seriously think you can stand up proud with a foundation that bad?! Don't make me fucking laugh!

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