trans_9 | Welcome to Orongo

Once those who decided to go along on the mission were gathered on the Obs Deck and had time to go over the mission briefing, the detachment procedures began.

As with the missions before, the doors to the Obs Deck closed before it detached itself from Stacy, tethered by a massive umbilical cord. Those who had been on missions before would find the experience familiar if still somewhat unpleasant, but for those of whom this was their first mission, the sudden lack of gravity and lurching feeling as they entered the atmosphere would come as a surprise.

Thankfully though, the ride was quickly over as they landed safely on the planet below, the gravitational dampeners of the Obs Deck gently dropping the crew members back on their feet. One of the walls opened up, forming a ramp to the ground below. There was a sudden, slight gust of air as the door opened as the thick air rushed in. Even so, the air felt quite warm and refreshing.

Looking outside, the crew would see the bright yellow sun looming overhead, quite close in comparison to the sun on most planets. A handful of small, silver clouds dotted the blueish purple sky.

Ahead of them stood a rather impressive looking plateau, surrounded by a tall, ornate stone wall which was covered in tribal markings. Directly ahead was a large gate through the wall, with several small stone buildings in front of it. Beyond the gates, a larger settlement could be seen. Surrounding the plateau and covering the surrounding region were numerous strange, blue and purplish trees and plants.

~~[ooc: hold up until subthreads are set up]~~

[ooc2: ready! feel free to tag!]

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Jamie cast a glance at the...whatever it was. She (he was guessing) wasn't precisely the strangest creature he'd ever seen, he just had no idea what, exactly, she was. At least she seemed friendly.

"Both," he said in response to her question. "We have no idea why we're supposed to be here and even if we did? Stacy doesn't have the greatest track record for accurate intel." He sighed, more in anxiety than exasperation. "I'd really just like to get whatever it is we're after and get out of here before something goes wrong."

She clicked her tongue against her teeth, sort of a clucking sound, and shook her head a bit.

"I think I can see why you feel the way you do, but sometimes, that just begs for trouble. I do not sense danger and the elements are quiet, but..." Alastirra nibbled on her lower lip. Forethought wasn't always her strong point.

"We do not have to spread out and search, do we? There are just some sort of trials we may have to undertake? I would not mind helping you do so, if it came to that."

"I'd rather prepare for the worst and be pleasantly surprised than the other way around," Jamie said dryly. He'd been lectured before about his self-defeating, pessimistic attitude, but the past few years he'd found it increasingly difficult to look on the bright side of anything. It was habit by now, and one he couldn't easily shake.

He contemplated the woman's offer with a slight frown, going through a rapid series of internal debates, natural suspicion warring with the knowledge that this task had to be completed somehow, and finally he nodded, cautiously.

"If you really wouldn't mind," he said, with a small, tight smile. "I'm Jamie Hemeros. Nice to meet you."

"Farseer Alastirra of Telaar, but please, just call me Alastirra. The elements certainly don't care about titles or clans, neither should you." She chuckled.

"If I minded, Jamie, I would not have offered. Besides, you seem to have enough caution for the both of us. You can probably teach me something. Nobundo--he was one of my teachers--would faint!" The Draenei laughed and smiled, silvery eyes crinkling at the corners.

Gosh but she was...upbeat. He gave her another smile, this one vaguely resigned.

"I don't know about teaching you anything, but I wouldn't mind knowing what kind of skills you have in the event we run into trouble."

She was right about Jamie having enough caution for any two people. Hell, back home he'd had to act as the voice of reason for his entire team of five.

"Well. I am trained in hand-to-hand combat." She jingled the armor she wore meaningfully, and smiled. "I prefer maces, which is why I have a pair. Hmmm."

Alastirra's expression turned thoughtful. "I can enchant my weapons with elemental powers and cast elemental spells to augment my melee abilities. Lightning and fire, as an example. I can summon spirit wolves. I cannot imagine we would not be safe, with that at our disposal. What say you?"

The Draenei smiled again. This was actually looking like it might be fun!

"That is a pretty impressive résumé," Jamie conceded. And started feeling woefully inadequate.

"I, um. I'm afraid I don't have nearly as many skills as you do. I'm pretty good with machinery, but we don't have any of that down here right now. And I've started studying magic, but I don't know very much yet," he finished lamely.

In other words, if something hideous attacks them you're pretty much going to have to save them both. Hope you're okay with that, Alastirra.

"Tch," Alastirra said, openly scoffing. "I know my own shortcomings. Too much firepower and not enough foresight? Aiiii."

She lifted a hand to her forehead, sighed, and shook her head.

"No, you have just as important a part to play. Obvious threats I can handle. Things that are not so obvious, well, perhaps you will have to give me the heads up, you know?" She certainly didn't seem to mind the fact that she might be the more destructive one, in any case.

"We are a team. There is no i in that. I need you."

Giving people the heads-up in battle: again, Jamie's job back home, though it'd been four years since he'd actually fulfilled that role. The notion of returning to it was almost comforting - and Alastirra's professed faith in him, even though they'd just met, was also reassuring.

"I'll do my best, then. I hope I won't let you down, if it comes to that."

"I doubt you will. There is strength in you...even if you are not certain of it. And wisdom is strength of its own." The Farseer certainly sounded confident enough. Then again, she usually had confidence enough for two.

(Yes please! I'm going to do her first ritual passing thread shortly!)

"Mn." Jamie looked away, ducking his head. Her words were kind, but having people praise his as-yet-unproven strengths made him a little uncomfortable - self-confidence never had been his strong suit even in the best of times.

"...um. Thank you," he said awkwardly. He cleared his throat a little. "Well. Guess we know what we have to work with if we get into trouble, anyway. 's always a good thing."

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