Dr. Elias Conrad Coldwood (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
arcanegrasp) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
ph_logs2024-03-06 08:20 pm
arcanegrasp) wrote in ph_logs2024-03-06 08:20 pm
Closed Mini-Event - Expedition and Field Study of Marrow Isle
(This mini-event is closed to those who signed up in the available period, as following: Bart Torgal, Vika, Okami Amaterasu, Tarantulas, John Watson, Cerrit Agrupnin, R' Morgenshtern, Angel, Ylva Wolfsdottir, Zelda, Jean, Gerard Keay, and Laios Touden!)
It's a calm, sunny morning, balanced perfectly on the fulcrum between winter and spring. There's a light chill in the air, a bit of a relapse from the warmth of Merrymeet, but nothing drastic. The gentle bite of brisk morning breeze is bracing, energizing. Which is just what is needed as the expedition group headed up by Dr. Elias Coldwood gathers at the South Train Station.
When those who signed up for the trip begin to appear, one thing is abundantly clear: Elias is thrilled that they're here.
He wastes little time with getting everyone their camping backpacks and supplies, listing out everything that he's brought for their venture (including everything they'd need to camp, weapon maintenance tools for those who agreed to defend, first-aid kids for the medically inclined, and for all, a pouch containing 100B as promised compensation), and, borrowing a short rock fence for a podium, he stands upon it and clears his throat.
"Everyone!" He calls over the chatter, and as the group settles, he grins. "I wanted to take a brief moment to thank you for coming along with me on this study. For much of my time on the island, my work has taken little priority in the interest of our townspeople, and to have so many interested in furthering our understanding of the island around us has meant a great deal to me."
"To begin our expedition, once everyone has their bags on their shoulders and are ready to move out, we'll be heading---" He pauses, only briefly, to point towards the treeline behind Leeds Estate. "Northward, along the train tracks, and into the surrounding forest to begin our studies. We'll be setting up camp just before the train's bridge, near the waterside of Hatchet Lake. Rations have been packed, and we'll stop twice more today for meals. If you haven't had breakfast, I suggest doing so when we stop to set up a base-camp of sorts."
He hops down, spry as ever, and once he's hauled his hefty pack onto his back, he watches the others do the same - and only once they'd seemed to settle does he raise his hand over the heads of the crowd to catch the eye of anyone towards the back of the group.
"Daylight's burning! Let us be off!"
As soon as camp is arranged at Hatchet Lake, and there's no sign of anything that could interrupt, the research begins!
The group, for the most part, will divide into pairs or three-person teams, and begin to comb the nearby woodlands to observe both flora and fauna. Field notes on any observed species will be gathered at the end of the day before dinner and carefully stored in one of many waterproof cases for protection against the elements.
While there are many creatures to see, the first day goes without a hitch. Mingling among the expedition members is encouraged, as Elias insists that a good rapport is crucial to team synergy and cohabitation while camping.
The morning sun rises slowly, and the dew in the forest shines brightly under its rays.
Morning comes, and with it, a new day of study.
The group pushes on towards the bottom eastward base of Crane's Ridge, where the cliffs above the mines pose a new environment, yet one that isn't so easily viewed. Dull-furred goats eyes them from further up the peak as they begin to set up camp, well away from the ruckus of the mines.
Today doesn't quite go as smoothly as the last, however. A Pine Devil sighting sets the tone of the day on edge, and venturing too far away from camp starts to feel less like a good idea. Tension rises, and specimens to observe are fewer and further in-between, frightened away by the shadow of dark wings from above.
Elias is adamant on his refusal to turn back, however. With such competent fighters in their midst, what worry would they have about being stolen away? Buddy up, and all should be well.
It's early in the morning, when the chiming of a sending stone breaks the silence.
At first, Elias is glad to try to ignore it, but when it chimes again, he leaves his tent in a huff to answer it. He steps away from the camp to try to let the other expedition members rest while he spoke.
There's quiet chatter, and a pause. In the sounds of the quiet morning, with birds stirring and wildlife starting to crunch leaves and twigs gently around them, it's hard to tell what he says. It's mostly a sound of disbelief, but there's a hopeful edge to his voice.
The call ends, and, while he stows away the sending stone, he spots it.
Any other members of the group who are awake at this hour can see him freeze from where his gaze drifted up to the branches of a tree. Perched so high above the ground, starkly visible against the dark browns of the woods, is a vibrant, pink-headed bird.
And, just as soon as it's seen, it's gone.
There's only a beat of silence before the chaos begins.
"EVERYONE, WAKE UP!"
There's an edge to his voice that his usual calm never bears: a frenzied, desperate excitement. He's not wasting time before he's rushing into camp, taking down their cooking tools, and packing everything he can that doesn't have sleeping bodies in it. (If they take too long, he may just try to do so. He won't, but the thought is there.)
"Up, up, we're changing plans!" He urges the group, and as soon as even a fair handful of them have peeled themselves out of their sleeping bags, he gesture's sharply towards the mines, the top of Crane's Ridge ever visible from their camping spot.
"A groundbreaking piece of news has been given to us, and we're going to need to finish the expedition of the mainland another time," He speaks, fast and insistent. "But we've got to get packed now and move, people! With some urgency, please! Any who don't plan to continue, you're free to take the train home."
He whirls back to whoever's closest, and places a hand on their shoulder, giving an enthusiastic shake.
"Anyone who's looking to make the discovery of a lifetime, however, come with me!"
-----
Within the first steps of the deep cavern, so lush with life, Dr. Coldwood is looking almost dizzy with excitement. He's not been treating his body with any kindness or consideration to his age, and he's similarly relented very little with the group in mind. Between the slow, conscious pace of the expedition before, this is night and day.
The first clearing he finds, he shifts his bag off his shoulders, and faces the group once more.
"Here. We'll set camp for the day here, and tomorrow, we'll push on."
Telling tomorrow from today was an unclear practice, all things considered, since no natural light leaked into the caves. Anyone with a watch may be able to tell it best. There's little time wasted in the arrangement of the camp from the expedition's leader - his own usually neat, meticulous arrangements are slapdash at best.
He stresses that the groups need to be in pairs at the minimum, that anyone not yet ready to delve into the wilderness can continue to arrange the camp, and to exercise caution.
And then, only waiting fleeting few seconds before he picks a few possible-volunteers to drag off, the study begins, strange and new.
Paradesium welcomes the exploration party with open arms.
It's a calm, sunny morning, balanced perfectly on the fulcrum between winter and spring. There's a light chill in the air, a bit of a relapse from the warmth of Merrymeet, but nothing drastic. The gentle bite of brisk morning breeze is bracing, energizing. Which is just what is needed as the expedition group headed up by Dr. Elias Coldwood gathers at the South Train Station.
When those who signed up for the trip begin to appear, one thing is abundantly clear: Elias is thrilled that they're here.
He wastes little time with getting everyone their camping backpacks and supplies, listing out everything that he's brought for their venture (including everything they'd need to camp, weapon maintenance tools for those who agreed to defend, first-aid kids for the medically inclined, and for all, a pouch containing 100B as promised compensation), and, borrowing a short rock fence for a podium, he stands upon it and clears his throat.
"Everyone!" He calls over the chatter, and as the group settles, he grins. "I wanted to take a brief moment to thank you for coming along with me on this study. For much of my time on the island, my work has taken little priority in the interest of our townspeople, and to have so many interested in furthering our understanding of the island around us has meant a great deal to me."
"To begin our expedition, once everyone has their bags on their shoulders and are ready to move out, we'll be heading---" He pauses, only briefly, to point towards the treeline behind Leeds Estate. "Northward, along the train tracks, and into the surrounding forest to begin our studies. We'll be setting up camp just before the train's bridge, near the waterside of Hatchet Lake. Rations have been packed, and we'll stop twice more today for meals. If you haven't had breakfast, I suggest doing so when we stop to set up a base-camp of sorts."
He hops down, spry as ever, and once he's hauled his hefty pack onto his back, he watches the others do the same - and only once they'd seemed to settle does he raise his hand over the heads of the crowd to catch the eye of anyone towards the back of the group.
"Daylight's burning! Let us be off!"
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6TH
As soon as camp is arranged at Hatchet Lake, and there's no sign of anything that could interrupt, the research begins!
The group, for the most part, will divide into pairs or three-person teams, and begin to comb the nearby woodlands to observe both flora and fauna. Field notes on any observed species will be gathered at the end of the day before dinner and carefully stored in one of many waterproof cases for protection against the elements.
While there are many creatures to see, the first day goes without a hitch. Mingling among the expedition members is encouraged, as Elias insists that a good rapport is crucial to team synergy and cohabitation while camping.
THURSDAY, MARCH 7TH
The morning sun rises slowly, and the dew in the forest shines brightly under its rays.
Morning comes, and with it, a new day of study.
The group pushes on towards the bottom eastward base of Crane's Ridge, where the cliffs above the mines pose a new environment, yet one that isn't so easily viewed. Dull-furred goats eyes them from further up the peak as they begin to set up camp, well away from the ruckus of the mines.
Today doesn't quite go as smoothly as the last, however. A Pine Devil sighting sets the tone of the day on edge, and venturing too far away from camp starts to feel less like a good idea. Tension rises, and specimens to observe are fewer and further in-between, frightened away by the shadow of dark wings from above.
Elias is adamant on his refusal to turn back, however. With such competent fighters in their midst, what worry would they have about being stolen away? Buddy up, and all should be well.
FRIDAY, MARCH 8TH
It's early in the morning, when the chiming of a sending stone breaks the silence.
At first, Elias is glad to try to ignore it, but when it chimes again, he leaves his tent in a huff to answer it. He steps away from the camp to try to let the other expedition members rest while he spoke.
There's quiet chatter, and a pause. In the sounds of the quiet morning, with birds stirring and wildlife starting to crunch leaves and twigs gently around them, it's hard to tell what he says. It's mostly a sound of disbelief, but there's a hopeful edge to his voice.
The call ends, and, while he stows away the sending stone, he spots it.
Any other members of the group who are awake at this hour can see him freeze from where his gaze drifted up to the branches of a tree. Perched so high above the ground, starkly visible against the dark browns of the woods, is a vibrant, pink-headed bird.
And, just as soon as it's seen, it's gone.
There's only a beat of silence before the chaos begins.
"EVERYONE, WAKE UP!"
There's an edge to his voice that his usual calm never bears: a frenzied, desperate excitement. He's not wasting time before he's rushing into camp, taking down their cooking tools, and packing everything he can that doesn't have sleeping bodies in it. (If they take too long, he may just try to do so. He won't, but the thought is there.)
"Up, up, we're changing plans!" He urges the group, and as soon as even a fair handful of them have peeled themselves out of their sleeping bags, he gesture's sharply towards the mines, the top of Crane's Ridge ever visible from their camping spot.
"A groundbreaking piece of news has been given to us, and we're going to need to finish the expedition of the mainland another time," He speaks, fast and insistent. "But we've got to get packed now and move, people! With some urgency, please! Any who don't plan to continue, you're free to take the train home."
He whirls back to whoever's closest, and places a hand on their shoulder, giving an enthusiastic shake.
"Anyone who's looking to make the discovery of a lifetime, however, come with me!"
-----
Within the first steps of the deep cavern, so lush with life, Dr. Coldwood is looking almost dizzy with excitement. He's not been treating his body with any kindness or consideration to his age, and he's similarly relented very little with the group in mind. Between the slow, conscious pace of the expedition before, this is night and day.
The first clearing he finds, he shifts his bag off his shoulders, and faces the group once more.
"Here. We'll set camp for the day here, and tomorrow, we'll push on."
Telling tomorrow from today was an unclear practice, all things considered, since no natural light leaked into the caves. Anyone with a watch may be able to tell it best. There's little time wasted in the arrangement of the camp from the expedition's leader - his own usually neat, meticulous arrangements are slapdash at best.
He stresses that the groups need to be in pairs at the minimum, that anyone not yet ready to delve into the wilderness can continue to arrange the camp, and to exercise caution.
And then, only waiting fleeting few seconds before he picks a few possible-volunteers to drag off, the study begins, strange and new.
Paradesium welcomes the exploration party with open arms.
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We are just dashing straight past plausible deniability here.
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Watson takes a long, deep breath, to steady himself. "And what of you? Where do you envision yourself featuring in this scene?"
CW: we're getting more explicitly spicy here. This is a sexual conversation.
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Watson thinks about this for a moment. He has a very good imagination. He smiles, and pulls Cerrit's face a little closer to his own so he can kiss him on the beak.
"Now, tell me, was this part of your plan when you signed me up for this trip, or did this idea come later?"
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Infuriating, frustrating, and also all the more erotic for that. That things between them have maybe taken their time getting to this point also heightens things somewhat, for the same reason. He contents himself with giving Cerrit a firm pinch on the thigh. "The things I think about you, you know."
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"Perhaps I should make a list," he says, "so that I don't forget anything."
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If Cerrit really can read notes from the air, well. That's potentially useful! And also not something that he will immediately abuse.
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Serious response here.
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That's a sobering example, but an effective one. Watson reaches to take Cerrit's hand in his, threading their fingers together. "Well, I will see if I can't come up with some more pleasant things to see than that."
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But Cerrit's hand squeezes against Watson's. Yeah, it's a fucked up example. He never has laid the events of that night out neatly for his partner to know.
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He says this and also looks at Cerrit, because he has a notion of how that statement might be taken, but also he very much needs to see how it is actually taken.
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The very tip of a talon moves to rest against the back of John's hand, so very lightly.
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"I do know that," Watson says. "I also know how thin the line between those things can be, and how much care it takes to walk it." He takes a slow, deep breath, and lets it out in a helpless laugh. "Pain without harm has, hm, powerful therapeutic benefits, shall we say. My God, but I want you."
And surely camp is hours from now!
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"Are you still awake, John?"
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"Of course I am," John murmurs. He sits up a little, the blanket falling to one side. His chest is bare, despite the chill in the air that is inevitable with camping in spring; he extends a hand to beckon Cerrit under the covers with him. "Come here. Let me look at you."
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"Hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long."
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He watches Cerrit openly, a smile on his face. The promise of shenanigans in a tent has him feeling giddy, like a boy. "And I've made the bed as warm as I can. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to your being ready for bed yourself, though."
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Watson notes this without comment. Instead, he runs his fingers through Cerrit's feathers as he settles himself in a comfortable way that is also as close as possible. He shivers a little at the nip, not a wince but a pleased little thrill that runs through him.
"My God, no, definitely not sleep yet."
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"Just remember, if you're too loud, everyone will know what we're up to."
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He has, in fact, left off his pants as well. Watson is entirely naked. This is something of a risk in itself, in a tent in spooky woods with spooky monsters, but there had been something appealing to him about waiting naked in the bed.
"You're still slightly dressed," he points out, as close to a neutral tone as he can manage. He loops his arms around Cerrit, and wriggles close; there's something nice about being explored.
CW: we are getting nsfw here, in case anyone missed that fact.
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