Lieutenant Commander Divya Tam: That Time the Cloud was Pulled Out from Under Foot

[mrsciroth]

((Middle Realm, Back Lot 7, USP Quantum Containment Realm 1, The Tangle))

After falling for some time, the merciful and heavenly Goddesses saved our heroes. They were kind enough to bestow them with Hero powers in exchange for the honor of receiving a Quest.  We shall see if the heroes are worthy of the gift they have been given or if they fall short.  We all know what happens when heroes disappoint the perfection that is the Goddesses. Stay tuned to find out what happens next …

Tam: You're here? You made it?

 

She literally hopped from cloud to cloud on her way over, and her inner child squealed.

 

Talyra: Less “made it” and more “dumped here after ratings freefall”.

 

Tam: Please don't say fall.

 

Vharo: All I had to do was navigate a sunless void but yes, I'm...here. Wherever exactly here is.

 

As the fog continued to lift, she noticed more of her surroundings, which looked less like clouds as the minutes went by and more like transparent fabric draped over white tumbleweeds.  She also noticed that her friends looked odd. They did not seem to be made of flesh, the color of their clothing and hair lacked depth, and they were missing a dimension.  She looked at her hand and saw the same thing.

 

Tam: Is it just me or do we appear drawn?

 

Thunder clapped twice, and the was a distinct sound of people she could not see sucking in their breath.

 

Talyra: So we are. Pardon me. What are your names? I recognize your faces from the USS Thor. I am Talli-

 

The woman paused. Divya was not sure why, but she could feel gears in her brain jerking back to life.

 

Talyra: Talyra. Ensign Talyra.

 

The woman she had once known as an intelligence officer tapped her chest. 

 

Vharo: Ensign Vharo.

 

They looked at Divya expectantly, which made her realize she had not been prepared to answer the question.

 

Tam: I'm ::presses her palms to her head:: sorry. I'm having trouble remembering anything before falling. Tam? Yes, that's it. I am Tam. Divya Tam.

 

It was odd to remember Vharo, her rank, and position better than her own name.

 

Talyra: I overheard that conversation. They called you a “hero”?

 

Vharo: It sounds like the pair of you received more information than I have.

 

Tam: I have no idea what is about to happen, but they have given me extra strength. My guess is that we will be fighting something or entering a weight-lifting competition. From the clouds and giant grumpy women over there, I'm betting on an ancient Earth Roman colosseum.

 

The clouds around them began to move away, revealing a landscape miles below them. It made her want to cling to the cloud beneath her feet, but looking at the weird construction of the cloud did not help her stomach.

 

Talyra: They didn’t tell me anything. I was hoping one of you would have a better idea.

 

Vharo: I'm glad to see the powers that be continue to be drama buffs. I hate for this to be simple for once. ::she let out an exasperated sigh::

 

Talyra: Well, I’m appropriately attired for that, at least. Can I at least get the pretty parasol to go with it?

 

A parasol appeared in Talyra's hand. There must be some sort of transporter technology at work. Whoevver was at the controls had very good aim.

 

Talyra: Every good Romulan knows how to play a villain, right? It’s right there in "How to be a Romulan 101".

 

Vharo: I have its companion book if you need it, 'How to be a pirate 101'

 

Tam: Hey, where is the Barzan how to book?

 

She almost laughed for the first time in a long while. It felt wonderful to be with actual people, and incredible to be with people who understood what she was going through. Hopefully, she got to keep them.
 

Vharo: Right, now that we've come to terms with our lot in this life. Can someone explain to me how exactly they intend for us to commit this heist and save this princess, this ::she gestured to herself and then the other two:: isn't exactly covered. I'm running off one conversation I had with some more...worldly friends.

 

She shrugged.

 

Tam: No idea. ::gesturing to the other side of the clouds:: Those two gave me a guest, but nothing on why or how to complete the quest.

 

Goddess # 1: You see what they send me to work with. Worthless!

 

The tone made Divya want to save Princess whosit just to prove she could, despite the fact that she hated being forced into anything.

 

Talyra: Response

 

The clouds around them had floated away, and the clouds they were standing on seemed to be getting thinner.

 

Vharo: I think we are about to start this quote 'quest' given we are about to be standing on literally nothing instead of figuratively nothing ::she dipped her head at the clouds:: no-one of you picked flight per chance?

 

Tam: No, no, no. I don't want to fall again.

 

She glared at the Goddesses.

 

Tam: How do you expect us to quest if we die reaching the ground!

 

Talyra: Response

 

Vharo: Just remember we have to commit to this ::she scrunched up her face:: story, my last experience confirmed at least partially that the audience isn't performing willingly and they will use the threat of their expulsion or ours to keep the story on track. Vharo finally took a beat as she looked around, there was no audience seemingly this time but she felt the odd sensation that someone was still watching or more accurately judging.

 

Goddess # 1:  Listen to your friend. She may be the only on your side.

 

The giants laughed a bitter, cruel laugh. They continued laughing until they were doubled over, giggling and gasping for breath. A feeling of utter cruelty washed over Divya as she thought about how much she disliked them. It was a terrible feeling that Divya pushed away. She was not going to let this place turn her into that.

 

Tam: I will commit and do what it takes to protect you both.

 

She held out her hands to her partners.

 

Talyra: Response

 

The cloud under her feet faded away to nothing. Divya clamped her eyes closed and concentrated on the feel of hands. The cackling faded as the wind rushed past her ears. When the cackling faded, the sensation of her stomach moving more quickly than the rest of her returned.

 

oO Not again. Oo

 

 

((Lower Realm, Back Lot 7, USP Quantum Containment Realm 1, The Tangle))

 

The panic rose in her chest and almost had a chance to take over her mind, but was stopped short by the loud thud of three Starfleet turned actors hitting the ground.  The wind was knocked out of her, so she lay on the ground for several minutes, consumed with the attempt to breath.  When she finally had enough air in her lungs, she assessed her body.  Nothing seemed to be broken, but there was a distinct lack of the searing pain she'd expected.  Instead, there was a dull ache all over.  Tentatively, she wiggled her toes and fingers and everything else.  Surprisingly, everything seemed to be working.

 

Finally, she opened her eyes and saw a baby blue sky with fluffy clouds. To one side was a dirt road winding over a green hill with mountains in the distance.  To the other side, the dirt road ran under a wooden archway and extended past several stone buildings with thatched roofs. The sign hanging from the archway displayed the carved word, Village.

 

Tam: That's original.  Are we all okay?

 

Divya stood and discovered she was uninjured and that she'd had a wardrobe change. Her arms and legs were warm. It was a delightful surprise. A leather undershirt and culottes gave her a modest covering, but the armor on her torso showed off her chest in the most impractical way. At least she had the protection of metal pauldrons, gauntlets, and greaves. The long sword strapped to her back was a fun discovery.

 

Talyra/Vharo: Response

 

Tam: This certainly is not a coliseum.

 

In the distance, movement caught her attention.  Someone in all black was waving a card with printed words.  Divya raised her hand, palm out.  This seemed to confuse the someone, but they stopped waving the card long enough for her to make out the words, Go In The Tavern. She shrugged, as it was inevitable, and put on her actor's voice.

 

Tam: Shall we check the tavern for work and get substance?

 

Talyra/Vharo: Response

 

Lanterns hung from the rafters inside the main room of the tavern.  Long tables and benches, designed for communal meals, filled the room, with a large fireplace on one end and a bar on the other side of the room. There was a smattering of patrons in the room.  They and the barkeep all stopped talking and looked up as the Heroes entered.

 

It was more than a little uncomfortable, but Divya strode in with confidence, sat down at the table, and waved at the barkeep.  She leaned to speak to her crew, but a balding man with a ukulele hurried over to their table.

 

Bard: Oh, thank goodness. You must be heroes. We didn't think we would get another Hero.  It has been so long, and now there are three of you.

 

He clapped his hands together and deepened his voice.

 

Bard: Hear ye all. The heroes have arrived at last to save Princess Tiarra.

 

Tam: Ummm-

 

Another card caught her attention. It told her to accept the quest.

 

Tam: Mmm, yes, the princess from whereisville?

 

The man stiffened and looked at her skeptically.

 

Bard: Wichalsnizalgonaldorf. In the mountains over the hill. ::narrowing his eyes:: What kind of heroes are you? What can you do?

 

Talyra/Vharo: Response

 

 

((Tag/TBC))

 

 

Lieutenant Commander Divya Tam

Chief of Operations

USS Thor

A240104DT4

She/Her (character and player)