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.
no subject
Lev/Lyubov doesn't notice Bart's frown—though they'd surely be sympathetic if they knew the details of Bart's life, they themself have no direct personal experience with well-off families, with families that have power that can be extended beyond its immediate context. The fact Bart might disagree simply does not occur to them, in short.
"Nu, yes, exactly," they say, "death ... death will come. And we should greet it as is proper, and let the dead depart. This place, ekh. This place, it feels like ... like a bell-jar holding spiders, nu? Except at least the spiders so trapped, they get to die."
But then, the distraction that comes along is major enough that just about any topic would be swept clean off the table—class consciousness, death, burial, the importance of sitting shivah. They even totally let the bit about the disease that plagued me previously go by without comment (but they do take note of it, and they'll remember—they'll remember to make sure Bart is safe).
"Wait, wait, nu," they say, excited. "Thou said'st ... leviathan?" They beam. "What mean'st that term, to thee?"
They pause, and add, "seamoth is like, a lovely word." They bite their lip, a little abashed. "I've often wondered, what the sea looks like. The real sea, the part the fish live in, not the skin of it visible to us."
no subject
The discussion on the matter of life and death is at least a comforting one, and Bart is clearly more at ease with that side of the talk, making him more willing to continue on and open up more as his new friend grows excited at the mention of leviathan. A lightbulb flips on in his mind, and his smile grows again.
"The classification of leviathan creatures is very close to the classical definition, immense sea creatures populating the open ocean where there was food enough to sustain them. From the smaller, bottom-dwelling Seatreaders to the Reefbacks, to the absolutely immense Ghost Leviathans out in the void around the habitat where I'd had the questionably good fortune to land. There were many in that environment, as temperate as it was. If it might take your fancy when we've returned to the village, I've taken to writing down and documenting those creatures that I can remember, in case they might escape me later as I take in other information. I want to share the things that I've learned out there in the wider universe."
no subject
Lev/Lyubov, who'd rather been hoping for such a reaction from Bart, smiles, listening to the other talk. The offer to show them the notes takes them aback a little—it is far from unwelcome, quite the opposite, but unexpected still.
"I would love to!" they say, and they can't help but bounce up and down on the balls of their feet a little, energised by the prospect. "Akh, nu, like. Forgive my presumption, art thou a natural philosopher? I ... well, nu. Had I not been so suited to the bays midrash, I might've ended up in the secular academies. Uhm. Not that like, the two are exclusive? Just ..." they bite their lip. "A polymath, I am not. Polyglot, nu, sure, but then, so many are, by where I'm from."
They were already well-disposed to Bart, but this just cinches the deal—Bart's enthusiasm for the natural world and his clear love of learning are both things Lev/Lyubov values for themself, after all.
"I would be honoured, if thou wert to share thy learning with me."
And then there's the fact Bart rather reminds them of someone. Iogann might be a couple of years older, and never quite so voluble in spoken language, but the similarity is nevertheless there. But they resolve not to mention it. Best not to dump you remind me of my adopted son on a new friend so soon. Or maybe ever.
no subject
Bart's hands move restlessly as he explains, fingers tangling together then coming apart again as he gestures loosely out toward the trees surrounding them on the seldom-treaded path.
"When I was invited to come along on this expedition there was nothing that could keep me away. I've seen such interesting creatures already, I'll certainly have to return to find and observe them further to get a more complete idea of their habits, group dynamics, anything that they might reveal to me. It's the same with some of the ocean fauna; the man that runs that shady little emporium has a craft that I know how to operate, and I would love to be able to take it out into the surrounding water to see the things that Doctor Coldwood told me about. If it were something that you would be interested in, I'm sure that modifying it to seat two would certainly be do-able!"
no subject
It was just a superficial resemblance at first, the age and a slight similarity in Bart's posture and face, but the more they talk to Bart, the more he reminds Lev/Lyubov of Iogann, especially of how Iogann gets when he's talking about the things that truly interest him — botany and alchemy, and yes, actually, biomes. Places that are themselves alive, as Lev/Lyubov sees it, through a somewhat mystical lens.
"Cycles," they echo; "and biomes, they ... nu, my ..." they pause, then decide that like, in for a penny, in for a pound, and carry on, "my son. Mine eldest. He says biomes, habitats, the places living things live, they themselves are alive. And not like, in the sense of a genius loci hanging around, nu? In a more material sense, and by me, a more ... abstracted sense, too."
They're gesturing too, twirling their free hand in the air. But they mention not the details of the spiritual sense. They'd rather not accidentally insult Bart, or derail the conversation. There's no need to bring matters of faith or skepticism into the start of a friendship, they figure.
no subject
He smiles faintly, nodding once. He wouldn't begrudge anyone their faith, after all, and Lev seems like the least hateful sort to talk on their beliefs.
"I've never really placed any specific label on the belief in the cycles of life and the lingering presences in some spaces, but in my life I've noticed a sort of...energetic difference in places where life thrives, whether it's visible or not. In places like this, there isn't a single square inch where there isn't some form of life playing out its existence in whatever way it's adapted to." Bart slows, and turns in place, walking in a small circle, gesturing out at the ground around them and the rustling leaves pushed about by a gentle breeze. "There are miles and miles of fungal systems that sprawl just beneath our feet, entire colonies of insects, trillions of lives all around, and every single one significant. And here we are, in the middle of it all, experiencing the sheer weight of all of those tiny little lives. If there truly is divinity in any of it, I think that that is where it lies."
no subject
Lev is nodding along as Bart talks, half in agreement and half to show that they're listening, that Bart talking at length about the things he cares about won't bore them — it's not really because they suspect Bart might've encountered much cruelty and indifference, but rather because they're interested, and a little worried about their face blanking out without them being aware of it.
"Thou'rt like ... far from wrong," they say, and after a moment's pause, turning over in their mind the pros and cons of getting into mysticism, they merely add, "thou lovest the world, this one and the others thou hast dwelt upon; and thou carest for the world, that much is plain. Like ... 'tis not my place to dictate where others might see divinity, nu? Such things come from the heart, or not at all. But I do agree with thee, that the divine is not, nu," they hold up their hand, gesturing to the sky, "up there? Not exclusively, like. It must be here, too, if it must be anywhere in specific."
They don't ask how Bart feels about those that brought them here, especially the old white-haired lady. That might turn out to be an unpleasant conversation for both of them.
no subject
Magic, it has been said, is indistinguishable from particularly advanced science to the untrained eye.
"I've met so many people with a lot of different opinions on the subject of faith and the divine. I imagine I'm not going to be particularly popular with them, with such a...holistic idea of it all..." He's a bit bashful on the subject, belatedly wondering if he's managed to insult them with his ideas.
no subject
Lev is pretty sanguine about it all. Their views on science tend towards curiosity — as with almost all sources of knowledge — and for a second they don't quite understand why Bart says some might object to his views. But they do figure it out quickly enough, once they think through the matter.
"By me, such views present not no challenge nor offence," they say, though they don't shrug off Bart's concern, adding, "in any case like, if I snubbed everyone what holds different from me, I'd have no one to talk to, nu? And it'd be a pity to not get to talk to thee."
no subject
As such, he still looks somewhat sheepish even as he nods. "In that case, I'll certainly look forward to getting to talk and exchange ideas. I quite like talking with you, when we can."
no subject
Lev/Lyubov smiles at Bart, hiding their concern at his ... no, not shyness, precisely. They've already decided that Bart's quite outgoing, when someone takes the time to engage him, to be open and friendly. But he's still acting cautious.
Well, they have a few guesses as to what kind of thing might've made Bart thus. But they've definitely enjoyed talking to him.
"Of course," they say. "Nu, look, conversing with thee, it's made this hike much more pleasant. I'd love to cement a friendship, once we're back in town."
no subject
"Having a reliable friend here would be lovely, for certain. I'd love to be able to just...relax and talk with someone about what we find out here, or life in general. You will join me for tea when there is time for it?" He looks hopeful when he turns back to Lev.
no subject
Lev/Lyubov nods, eagerly. They're intrigued by Bart, for sure — but not as a curiosity. As a potential friend. The fact he reminds them of one of their kids does have a lot to do with it ... though he reminds them of themself, too.
"I'd love to!" they say. "Nu, like. It does give me something to look forward to, while we're hiking around the wilderness. And that's always valuable."
They smile.
"And once we've set up camp, I'll come find thee," they add.