caveofsapphires | smaller patch of fading sky [ open ]

WHO: EVERYONE. All PCs thus far will be in this log, through active tagging or implication.
WHAT: THRILLS. SPILLS. Hiking trip toward the Diamond City.
WHERE: The Overworld.
WHEN: Forward-dated to May 1st (Tuesday) through May 7th (Monday).
WARNINGS: May contain violence or other mentions of physical harm. This is not summer camp.
NOTES: More information can be found on the OOC post here. Please read it!

Gathered in the morning haze, Sleepers were brought to the mouth of the Cave with plenty of supplies and equipment. Compasses that would point them toward the City. Backpacks full of clothes and food, medical kits, tents and even weapons. Stun rifles and knives — to fight off any unwanted company, they said. ("Watch out for their bite," Ryan had commented. "Those fuckers are downright feral.") The straight and narrow path would get them there in six days if they kept a good clip. They were sent off just like that. Refusals to leave were met with a wall of guard force officers blocking the entrance back into the cave city. No way to go but forward, unless someone was particularly stalwart about remaining.

From the exterminator's station near the mouth, leaving the Cave was as simple as a short hike upward into the fresh air of the Overworld. Dust and an uncomfortable sort of heat pervaded the atmosphere, light winds stirring up the sand and teasing the meager bits of vegetation that had grown. No matter what direction you looked... it was all wasteland, cracked ground and desolate emptiness. Jutting up from scarred ground were boulders and small spires made entirely of glass and patches of stone; instead of reflecting the harsh sunlight, they seemed to absorb it and only add to the muted loneliness of the atmosphere. As far as the eye could see, there was no life to be found.

With no other option, the Sleepers eventually made their way onward.

After he'd made sure Gabriel was as safe as he could be, Aziraphale had hung around, out of worry and because he wasn't sure how to proceed. Such things as geography had never presented an obstacle to him before, and even if they had, he had been an urban creature for so long that he would be out of practice by now.

On the evening of the sixth day, he was sitting on the edge of the ravine, looking out to the City in the distance. So close. It almost seemed designed on purpose to tantalize them. You've gotten this far, but this is where you're defeated. Sighing, he put his chin in his hands and watched the stars come out.

He'd have to get up and walk soon, he knew he would, but what could five more minutes hurt?

Aziraphale wasn't the only one feeling restless that night. Jonas couldn't sleep, as he kept staring at the city and wondering what new life lay ahead for him there. For all of them.

He started a new life before. Not that he wanted to leave Kelowna but he would never change his decision to steal the nequadria and defect to Earth. Even how he was treated in regards to the death of Dr. Jackson, he wouldn't change a thing.

But this, this unnerved him more then that. This was a life that he had no idea about. There was no SG-1 there for, albet reluctant at first, support. He would have to be someone new, John Hamilton, not Jonas Quinn. No new start, but fitting into an already started place. It was daunting.

Finally, he got up to take a walk, hoping that might help induce some sleep. And he was not surprised to find he wasn't the only one having trouble sleeping. "How's Slyvester?" He asked softly as he came to join Aziraphale.

Starting at the sound of a voice behind him, Aziraphale turned to find - oh, what had his name been - the young man who'd helped them before. With a tired smile, he clambered to his feet and dusted off his pants.

"He's much better," he said. "Still in pain, I think, but he was able to get a start towards the City, so he's clearly doing better than I am." His smile slid towards the self-deprecating, though he wasn't aware enough to realize it.

"Thank you for the help before, by the way," he added. "I don't know that I ever caught your name, Mr. . . . ?"

The self-deprecating smile just brought forth a smile of his own from Jonas, who knew it was a common sight on his own features. "Too much too fast I guess. At least he seems to know what he's doing with that power of his so he's ahead of me as well." After the scuffle with the wild creatures, he'd refrained from attempting to use his powers again. Just too much going on.

"I'm glad to hear he's feeling well though. I'm glad I could help. I'm Jonas." With a soft sigh, he looked over to the city in the distance, "Though, I suppose this close to our goal, you should call me John."

"Oh, has something come back to you as well?" Aziraphale looked up curiously, wondering what it might be. Gabriel's he hadn't particularly had to guess at; he knew what an archangel could do, but this man . . .

Well, anyway. "I think you saved him, actually," he said, "or at least saved him from himself, I doubt he's very good at dealing with pain." No experience, after all.

Following Jonas's look, Aziraphale frowned. "Oh, dear, well. I was so used to being honest with people about who I was, but who knows what sort of measures they'll have over there to prevent us from speaking the truth?" There might have been a hint of bitterness in his tone, but he didn't bother to conceal it, instead turning away from the City to the man in front of him. "I'm Aziraphale. Once we get there, I'll be John as well, I suppose, John Gates to keep confusion to a minimum."

smaller patch of fading sky [ open ]

6th night

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