Expedition Open Log!

[trustycrowbar]

Who: Gordon, everyone who signed up on the board, everyone who DIDN'T sign up too. Feel free to tag around.
What: Going out to locate and procure supplies.
Where: Anywhere on the island. (Major locations in comments below.)
When: The morning after the post on the message board.

"Alright guys, we're headed southward from the mansion. I heard there was a lake around that area; it might mirror the one near the school. From there, if we haven't burned too much daylight, we'll follow the edge of the island--not TOO close, obviously--and see what we can find. We better pair up for safety, and because I only have so many of these."

He produces a handful of... what look like ping-pong balls going through an awkward metal-head phase, each with an antennae attached.

"I made these transmitters, one for each of you that signed up. They don't transmit any sound, but they will tell us how far apart we are from each other. That way it'll be considerably harder to lose one another out there. If you get lost, just follow the signal, and you'll find someone. I also took a few hours and wrote a crude program to map out the island using a relay from my tablet back to the mansion. It's not foolproof, but it'll be better than nothing."

"Everyone ready? Alright, let's go."

Comments

The Mansion: pairing up

[trustycrowbar]

The foyer is dusty and cold in the early morning, but everyone is there. So, who do you choose? Or do they make the choice for you?

The Woods: Random Encounters

[trustycrowbar]

The woods are dense, and scattered with rocks suggestive of old ruins but not really worth any use. Maybe if they investigate just a little mor--

OH NO! Something has lept out of the undergrowth! What is it? An octorok or two? A pack of feral rattatas? A malboro? An angry wiggler? It could be any of these or something else. And whatever it is, IT'S HEADED RIGHT AT US!

The South Lake: A Rest

[trustycrowbar]

It's uncanny. It's almost like something had carved out the lake at the Academy and then dropped it onto the island, surrounding trees and all. It rings with echoes of their old home, so it seems like the natural place for a midday break.

Do you sit by the lake? Climb on the rocks? Put on that bear suit you have with you, and scare the crap out of someone as a prank? If you're the spontaneous type and don't mind the chill, you could even take a dip in the lake! Who knows what you might find down there...

The Crags: Watch your step!

[trustycrowbar]

The foothills of the mountains are pretty forbidding terrain, this is where teamwork really comes in handy. Do you help your partner climb, or shove them off just to hear their goofy Wilhelm-scream on the way down?

The... Beach? Really?

[trustycrowbar]

Yeah, really.

There's a small sea that perpetually falls over the edge of the island in a waterfall. The bay is ringed with warm sand, and the trees look suspiciously palmish here. Things might be buried in the sand, from pretty shells to canned goods to bits of tech from the school. However, the afternoon is wearing on, and some might be more interested in having a rest in the sand than looking for anything...

[trustycrowbar]

It might be akin to being the weird kid in the class who pairs up with the teacher on field trips, but who wants to pair up with Gordon? He's too busy poking at his tablet at the moment to notice who's there...

[mach_n_roll]

Sure, Sonic didn't sign up for this. But since when has something like that ever stopped him? He was curious about the group trip out, and actually had traversed the island himself a couple of times already.

...since it was basically one big green blur, he didn't remember much, but he at least knew a little.

[ihateplumbers]

You get Bowser.

You win.

"Beardon," growled the 8-foot-tall dragon turtle that you somehow didn't see standing next to you, so engrossed with your tablet as you are. "Looks like I'm stuck with you."

Re: The Mansion: pairing up

[tank_rockarms]

A wall of muscles and blue hair shows up.

So many muscles. So very blue. He would be a good partner for you to partner with, as he would be very useful for the lifting of heavy objects.

[trustycrowbar]

What.

WHAT.

Gordon looks up at the turtle-monster, eyebrows raising.

"You, uh... didn't sign up." He says, a flat, startled observation rather than an outright denial. WHAT IS THIS, WHY IS HE HERE TO HELP.

...Simple answer, probably: He's NOT.

[birdlady]

A very small princess could use a very large muscleman, don't you think?

[itsjustrats]

Nobody wants to be Garrett's partner, but that's okay, because he doesn't want to be your partner, either.

Re: The Mansion: pairing up

[magicdancer]

Well, looks like Gordon is otherwise occupied, so Shantae was in the market for a partner.

[tank_rockarms]

Probably not.

I mean, yes, probably yes.

"Hey, you uh, you know, need help with anything?" Max asked. "We're supposed to go out with someone else, I guess. I'm good at heavy liftin.'"

[ihateplumbers]

"Signing up for things on bulletin boards is for grade-A chumps, Freezeman," responded Bowser.

[will_be_god]

Good because Cyrus doesn't want a partner either and is doing this soly for requirements.

[trustycrowbar]

"That's 'Freeman.'" He corrects, trying to catch Shantae's eye apologetically, only to be eclipsed by Bowser's shell. Better luck next time, Gourdo. He looks back up at him.

"...Alright. We'll team up. Hell, the more people we get on this expedition, the better."

[ihateplumbers]

"Right, right, Freedmang," said Bowser nonchalantly.

"So you're the lucky human who gets to help me find my missing airship and minions." What a treat for you.

Re: The Mansion: pairing up

[garmentgoddess]

Hello Shantae want to partner up with a hyperactive housecleaner?

Re: The... Beach? Really?

[garmentgoddess]

It had been a long time since Rene had been to the beach. Years in fact. And the lakes in Gallia sure weren't anything tropical!

She wanted to run around and swim and build sand castles and make sand angels, but there would be so much more time for that later on. She could have some fun in the sun anyway.

...wait was that giant shell a music box?

[trustycrowbar]

So that's his scheme. "I'm humbled by the privilege. But I need to level with you; there's no guarantee we're going to find your airship out there. Assuming a completely random teleportation rate, it's much more likely that it's out in the void somewhere than actually on the island."

[ihateplumbers]

"Well aren't you just a Negative Nancy," growled Bowser. "No, they're out there, stupid and useless, they're out there, huddled in some corner, waiting for me to find them all, praying for my guidance and strength and intelligence to lead them into being slightly less stupid and useless. "

[trustycrowbar]

Gordon starts to retort but stops. The image of resistance soldiers huddled in buildings, refusing to move a muscle unless The Freeman led them to victory and winging about how much they missed cheese happens to cross his mind.

"You know, I can see where you're coming from. I'm sure there are a few out there somewhere."

[megabuster]

"Need a partner?" Rock asked Sonic with a smile.

Hey, the blue heroes needed to stick together, right?

Re: The Mansion: pairing up

[magicdancer]

Sure thing!

Better luck next time, Gordon.

"So, guess we're working together. I'm Shantae!"