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The Spirits Within: Oakridge Chronicles

WOOPS I TOTALLY SUBMITTED BY ACCIDENT PLS FORGIVE

The Spirits Within: Oakridge Chronicles

_{O A K R I D G E A C A D E M Y
Airfield
Jack Chambers}

---

The serious reply Subira gave made Jack pout as always looked forward to their snarky conversations, little battles waged through snide comments and flippant remarks.

It would have been safe to say that Subira and Jack's entire relationship was built around and solidified through conflict since they first found each other as sparring partners (though Jack often felt more akin to a punching bag than an actual opponent) before turning into competitive gym rivals. Their personalities often clashed, their ideologies were radically different, and when words could not suffice between them their spars turned into near death matches. Still, both held a deep respect for each other and knew that no matter their differences, they would always be there to support each other when the time came for it.

Although looking at some of his other unlikely friendships, he supposed he had a habit of attracting opposites.

All this in mind, Jack honestly wasn't too broken up over her reply. At her promise, he shrugged, knowing her general dislike of crowds and told her not to worry about it.

He raised an eyebrow when Selene spoke, unaccustomed as he was to hearing her saying anything. He watched her leave to board the aircraft, wondering what happened in her life to make her the way she was before returning his attention back to Subira only to find that Thael had somehow sneaked up on both of them.

"Hey!" Jack exclaimed, wrapping the handsome man in a friendly hug. "Guess all we're missing now is Rogart. Honestly surprised to see you though, Goldie. Then again, I guess the same could be said for the rest of our party." Or maybe they were just the right team to put down a raging Eidolon, but Jack decided that was better left unsaid. After all, it could have been argued that out of all the Guardians heading toward Kinabalu, Jack was only one remotely interested in even trying to communicate with the Eidolon. While Jack initially changed his mind from restoring the Nexus Reactor to subduing the Eidolon in response to try and balance out Subira's viewpoint of seeing spirits only as tools, he didn't know if he could temper out an entire team. A brief notification in his HUD popped up as it updated the Kinabalu squad's roster, adding in Thael and surprisingly one other student that he didn't know much about. Still, from what little he had heard of her, his hopes of a peaceful encounter with the Eidolon dropped even further.

Still, with a smile on his face and a skip in his step, he boarded the aircraft alongside the rest of the crew.

---

_{A I R C R A F T
Jack Chambers}

---

With his helmet closed and the festivities of the night finally catching up to him, Jack quickly fell asleep once he found a comfortable enough position in his seat. Unfortunately, nightmares plagued him the entire trip. Visions of a great shining city, burning down again and again as a terrible beast made of flame and fury rampaged through its streets. It tore through hospitals, houses, factories, apartments, burning everything in its path.

And yet, there no screams in his dreams, no cry for help, no sign of life anywhere in the broken city. No sound anywhere, save only the pitiful wails of the terrible beast.

As the aircraft landed, Jack awoke with a start, shivering, sweating, and reminded all too much of home.

---

_{M T . K I N A B A L U
Sidio Village
Jack Chambers}

---

The moment the aircraft door opened and the first waves of the ocean air breezed in to the craft, Jack was hit with an immediate sense of wrong. While he followed the rest of the Guardians and listened idly as they conversed, Jack was doing his best to hide his shaking hands by holding a death grip onto his backpack filled with his gear.

Then Subira called him, and he snapped his attention toward her. Something about staying in the town center, keep the peace, all that jazz. It was odd, but he never really saw her as a team leader, considering how abrasive her personality usually was. Still, it was good to see her take responsibility and actually work with others. He gave her an easy smile and a mocking two-fingered salute. "Can do, boss lady."

He quickly turned around, breathing deeply to calm his nerves. Shaky, uneven gasps slowly turned into cool, measured breaths, circulating and soothing his entire body as he slowly regained control of his body. Ready for the task at hand, he pushed toward the center of the crowd that was slowly growing around the Guardians. Staring with equal parts of fear and awe, they cowered under Selene and Roxelana's gaze, entranced by Subira's words as she issued her orders, and ogled at Thael with his glowing frame and impressive physique. Despite being fresh-faced graduates, they exuded power and everyone could sense it.

The crowd finally turned their attention toward Jack only after all the other Guardians left. Lacking the primal aura his team had exuded, most looked at him with disappointment. He had no fearful attitude, no commanding aura, no spirits waiting to burst from his body. Nothing that fit their images of what a Guardian should be. Still, he felt every piercing gaze boring down on him from every angle, studying his every move as they began their hushed gossip. Still, as he stood in the very center of the plaza, they knew he too, was a Guardian.

Jack looked one way, and those that met his eyes fell silent. He looked at another way, and they too fell silent. Then he removed his helmet, and all fell silent. Just as they studied him, he studied them all, looking at every person in the crowd with an impassive face. The tension was palpable as each side merely stared at each other, unsure of what would happen.

And then all tension was broken as Jack broke into a boyish grin and gave an exaggerated, almost comical bow. The crowd seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. Some even laughed. "Hello, hello fair citizens! First things first, yes me and my colleagues are Guardians, no bad things don't always happen right after GUardians arrive somewhere, and yes, we are all single." He winked toward no one in particular and a gaggle of giggles broke out amongst the crowd as some of the younger members of the crowd looked toward Selene, Roxie, Subira, or Thael.

"We would appreciate your full cooperation with us as we conduct our business. We are particularly looking for any information on strange events that may have happened recently in the mountains or nearby mines." Many among the crowd immediately stiffened, and the mood grew more grim and foreboding than before. Jack didn't let it falter his speech. "Any and all information is greatly appreciated to us or at the army base set up just outside your village. Otherwise, please go about your day as normal. Thank you!" With that, Jack gave a flourish and the crowd slowly dispersed. Many stood and hesitated for a bit, often taking a half step toward him before thinking better and moving with the rest of the crowd.

Jack stood in the plaza center for a little while longer, offering encouraging smiles at all those who hesitated, but still no one approached. It seemed like whatever it was, the people in this village didn't particularly want to talk about unless pushed. Still, he knew there was always one area in a place like this where one could learn about all things spiritual and after asking for directions, he began walking toward the other side of town, toward the shrines nestled at the base of the mountain.

---

_{M T . K I N A B A L U
Sidio Village Shrine
Jack Chambers}

---

As he walked, he fished out a pack of cigarettes hiding in one his pockets. It took him a few tries to get one cigarette out and shove it into his mouth, his body shivering with equal anxiety and revulsion as it always did whenever he indulged his smoking habit. It took even longer to light it as his fingers refused to cooperate with the ligher, and the whipping wind of the storm flew about everywhere (it was with some displeasure that he noticed the wind was blowing toward the mountains), but he eventually did it.

He took his first drag, letting the smoke collect in his mouth before blowing it out in a blue, oily mist.

Though he didn't often smoke, he blew through half of his remaining amount before he reached one of the local shrines. It was decorated in the typical Etrosim fashion: spartan and bare, save what was necessary for worship. Still, the familiar trappings of it all helped calm Jack down, his spirits responding in a similar fashion as they ebbed and flowed from his body, washing him in an array of gentle colors. A Caretaker of the shrine materialized in front of Jack, the Elder Caretaker it looked like if his extensive tattoos were any indication. Sadness tinged his eyes, but otherwise his face betrayed nothing, his voice was cool and calm as it shifted and lilted with an unfamiliar accent, like a gentle ocean wave.

"Greetings, Guardian. I would ask if you had come to pay your respects, but I think the overwhelming military presence suggests otherwise."

Jack gave an apologetic smile and nodded. "Unfortunately so, Caretaker."

"The Eidolon in the mountains, I presume?"

Jack said nothing. The pair stood in quiet understanding for a while as the Caretaker saw what little hope Jack had in having a peaceful and meaningful intercourse with the Eidolon.

"Tell me, Guardian, what are you feeling?"

It took a moment for Jack to answer. "Lost."

"A vague answer."

"A complex question."

The Caretaker shrugged. "Only if you make it so."

They stood in silence once more, each regarding the other. The Caretaker looked to be in his mid 50's, yet still solidly built despite his age. Though the man wore a thick white garb in preparation for the storm, Jack knew the Etroan tattoos that peeked out from his clothes covered every inch of his skin. The tattoos themselves faintly shimmered and glowed, much in the same way Jack was right now. "The winds rush toward the mountains, Caretaker. I feel my spirits being pulled toward the mountains. I feel myself being pulled toward those mountains. Spirits are gathering within that storm and even if there is no Eidolon, one will form soon."

"Or maybe it is a simple storm, and there is no Eidolon. That recent events happened because of the usual unpredictable weather and a series of bad luck. Even if there is an Eidolon, or even if one is forming, is that a bad thing? That an Avatar of Etro comes to protect Etro and Gaia? To keep sacred what is most holy?"

"And should this village be in its path? Should all of mankind get swept aside in the fires and floods of Etro's wrath?"

"And I ask again, is that such a bad thing? Ultimately we all return to Etro, only to return again refreshed and renewed. Perhaps it is time for us to start anew. To rebuild our connection with Gaia and Etro."

Jack stood, perturbed, and said nothing.

"Well, I suppose that is a debate best left to the scientists and philosophs. What I can tell you is that the trails leading up to the summits of Kinabalu have all become incredibly dangerous to traverse. Snow has been steadily melting from the top of the mountains, causing flash floods and sudden rock slides all throughout. The frequent storms that have been happening as of late have not helped matters, either. If you plan to traverse up there, be careful. There have also purportedly been some Mordrem sighting but again, with the harsh weather conditions as of late, it has been difficult to confirm anything. That is all I know. Etro be with you, Guardian."

"And spirits guide you, Caretaker," Jack muttered, completing the phrase. He stood contemplating a while longer before sending the data to the rest of his squad. He himself, however, would take a while before he rendezvous'd back with the rest of the Guardians.

---

Summary

Jack worries that the current squad composition will be more smashy-smashy than try any diplomancy with the Eidolon. He has a nightmare aboard the craft because mysterious vision shit. Once the aircraft lands and Selene diddly-doodlies to do her thing, Jack quickly follows suit and goes to a local shrine where he then has a DEP DEEBATE with an old geezer. Old geezer finally stops rambling and says climbing the mountain will be dangerous because of flash floods, rock slides, and possible Mordrem. Jack sends all this info to the rest of the squad because he has a fancy suit, but will take a while before he actually rendezvous back with the squad.
@Redrum@Prisk@Ozerath@Hexaflexagon

The Spirits Within: Oakridge Chronicles

I'll wait until around 11:59am PST for @Redrum to post to see if I need to make any last minute changes. Otherwise mine's will be up by then

The Spirits Within: Oakridge Chronicles

I shall have a post up by, at the latest, Sunday

The Spirits Within: Oakridge Chronicles

Absorbing the beast and the spirits within

@Redrum

Bam, title drop, we're done here boys and girls, pack it up.

On a serious note, @Prisk, @Redrum, @Ozerath, @Hexaflexagon, do y'all mind splitting up and coming up with our own NPC rumours and fun times and meet up after we each post, or do y'all wanna stay together?

Of Gems and Greater Things

Hey I'm sorry, but as of right now I don't think I can reliably continue this roleplay. I'm sure you've been expecting this for a while but I've been struggling to find the motivation for this roleplay for this past week. You're a great partner, a great writer, and have been incredibly understanding, thank you.

Best of luck to you!

The Spirits Within: Oakridge Chronicles

@Prisk

For the Kinabalu mission will you and Rockette be controlling the NPCs for the info, or can we take over those as long as we run whatever we want to do by y'all first?

_{The Wicked Witch of the West went her own way}

The Spirits Within: Oakridge Chronicles

How will we be moving through the DZ? Are vehicles going to be provided, or are we One Ringing this journey?

The Spirits Within: Oakridge Chronicles

Since y'all are being so mushy, I would like to thank the people who collaborated with me on creating relationships with their characters and Jack. I've been roleplaying on and off for many years, but in most roleplays I took part in I never really had a chance for any meaningful interpersonal relationships with my characters and fellow players. You can then probably imagine the giddies my heart had when those relationships were being referenced in people's posts.

I'm honestly incredibly excited to work with everyone and hope we'll all craft something beautiful together, and if not beautiful, at least a wonderful mess. So, to new memories I guess.

The Spirits Within: Oakridge Chronicles

_{O A K R I D G E A C A D E M Y
Friday, June 5
Jack Chambers}

---

Operation Downfall loomed over Oakridge for months like the Mordrem they were to face. Distant, unreal, but too quickly becoming a reality for many of the students that take part in the fighting to come. Despite the attempts of the student council and the administration, the atmosphere became more somber and more tense as the end of the school year drew closer and closer each day. Those who didn't throw themselves into their studies lost themselves in any form of escape they could find.

Luckily for the latter, Jack was very much an enabler of escapism and for months he and a small crew of others had planned a massive send off party to be held the day before many of the students would be shipped out. Fundraising came from everywhere, all to provide for the bass pounding music, the venue itself, and of course, top quality alcohol for the masses. Of course, there were cautions taken. No illegal narcotics, no sex, and there were bouncers to keep the peace, either volunteers or hired, all to provide good and relatively clean fun. After all, it would be no good for the military if the Academy's best and brightest were to be locked up the day before they were to be sent out on their missions.

All in all, it was to be a night of unrelenting hedonism. It was a night not to be necessarily remembered, but a night where everyone could forget the worries of the world and live. For many, it might have been the night of their lives.

For Jack, it was just another successful party.

---

_{Saturday, June 6
Jack Chambers}

---

It was by about three when the last stragglers of the party were sent back to their dorms, partyers who would no doubt regret their decision to stay so long in the coming hours. Much of the initial party crew had already retired for the night, but there were a few who had no urgent matters and stayed to help for the cleanup. Jack himself stayed up all night, mingling with some and caring for others, making sure everyone had a good and safe time. There were a few issues of some of the Guardians peacocking their powers, but others quickly put a stop to them. Afterwards he helped with the cleanup, thanked the crew that stayed, and hit the showers, ready to wash the night off.

By the time Jack had finished drying off and gotten dressed, the world still lay dark. Despite his spirits nagging for him to sleep and rest his body, he took the time to walk the silent grounds, perhaps for the last time. Oakridge Academy, despite its faults, had still been home to him for many years, as it had been for a number of the other staff and students. A safe haven in a world where such were becoming few, it was scary to think that he may never set foot on these familiar grounds again. It was even worse to imagine how many of his friends would never set a living foot in this world again.

Jack's mind was gently shaken from such thoughts as the sun began to crest over the horizon, though whether that was through his doing or the spirits it was uncertain. Truth be told, it was hard to discern what he still had control of over himself sometimes. Some Guardians struggle and curse themselves at their lack of communion with their spirits, being able to easily communicate with the beings that inhabit your every pore and crevice, beings that can influence your thoughts and change your mind was not something completely enviable either. While Jack did appreciate his deep connection with spirits in general, valuing their wisdom and guidance and certainly wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, there were times when Jack had to wonder who exactly Jack was.

His trance was quietly broken as an early morning runner breathed out a greeting as she passed by him. Celeste, he think her name was. Not wanting to seem like a Mopey Mary, Jack responded with a smile and a wave. As she ran out of sight, he let go of breath he didn't know he was holding.

Deciding he had spent enough time skulking about with his sullen thoughts, Jack went to get himself suited up and ready at the airfield where he would be taken to the Mt. Kinabalu staging area. While most people who knew him expected the spiritualist to go on the Eidolon mission given his prenatural ability to commune with spirits, Jack actually had much more interest in retaking the Nexus Reactor since he deemed that having the reactor fall would be much more detrimental to Downfall and much more beneficial in the long run to the military than what a single rogue Eidolon could accomplish. When the Aesthetics Squad began conversing about their chosen mission and hearing that Subira had the intent to hunt down the Eidolon, however, Jack knew he couldn't let that happen. Knowing Subira, she would have been more likely to kill it first, or worse absorb it, both in his eyes a graver danger than trying to reclaim the reactor.

Within the hour Jack had kitted himself out in a light armored suit, standard survival garb, and his usual complement of weaponry consisting of an adaptable rifle and all of its attachments. His other gear, long since packed, was picked up from his room before he quickly headed toward the airfield with the morning personnel. Attendants politely guided him toward a waiting aircraft carrier, which was to be the transport for those headed toward Kinabalu. Amongst the myriad of supplies still littered about the ship, he saw several crates that were clearly listed for a MOV. Jack briefly wondered about his dad and attempted to call him one last time, but like all the other times Jack has tried recently, there was no answer. Jack pushed the obvious answer away and briefly wondered whether he would see his dad when they made the carrier would make the supply drop.

Just as the crowd began to grow larger and larger on the airfield as more students and personnel got ready for the Operation, he spotted Selene coming toward him, evidently one of the other Guardians who would come on the mission with him. He didn't know much about Selene aside from the more commonly known facts and from what little he's seen of her whenever Jack talked with Olivia. All the more reason for Jack to be on this mission, he supposed. Nevertheless, she was to be a teammate, and Jack offered a friendly smile and wave as she made her way over to the carrier.

Subira came by in short order in all her spunky glory. He took her smirking glance and playful question in stride as he put on an air of indifference. Through helmeted eyes, he examined his nails through gloved hands as one arm was crossed over his chest supporting the other. "Oh, you know," he breathlessly sighed, "it was just the best night Oakridge has seen since forever, you know. Nothing big. How about you, do anything interesting last night?"

---

Summary

Jack and co threw a killer rager. He stayed up all night having fun, taking care of people, and cleaning up afterwards. After the party, he had depressing thoughts and a reoccurring identity crisis before suiting up and getting ready for Eidolon fun times. Said hi to Selene and is being a playful snob to Subira even though she can and has kicked his butt. Many times. @Prisk @Redrum