Marooned!

[cornichaun]

THE MAROONED MEME



When you’re stranded. When there’s no way out.

At least this you’re not alone.

WHERE ARE YOU STRANDED?
1: Island. Surrounded by the ocean, shipwrecked on an island. Far away from any civilization.
2: Planet. Is it an uninhabited wasteland? A teeming forest, crammed with alien life forms? Does it have enough oxygen? Storms? Predators?
3: Moon/Asteroid. Low atmosphere, low gravity. You better hope that you have a survival pod where there’s enough air and heat.
4: Adrift. A ship on the ocean; a power-dead space station; a skimmer floating through the levels of a gas giant.
5: Oasis. Not quite marooned in the same sense, but you’re surrounded by empty desert, too far to cross. You might as well be trapped by the water of the oasis.
6: Cave. Again, not quite in the same sense, but something has left you trapped underground. Did you slide down a chasm? Suffer a cave-in? Either way, you’re down here to stay, for the time being.
7: Other.

WHO’S WITH YOU?
1: A friend. You’re in this together.
2: An enemy. Maybe war brought you both here, and war left you stranded behind. Could be that you’re an enemy in a more mundane sense: school rivals, an assassin and her prey.
3: Strangers. You were both on that boat for vacation, and now you have to survive together.
4: A lover. Some honeymoon, huh?
5: Other. For any other variation.

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?
1: Food and water.
2: Shelter. There’s a storm coming. The nights are cold, here. Or do you just want a sense of security?
3: Communication. How can you get someone to come rescue you?
4: Predators. Something’s trying to kill you…
5: Escape. If you can just fix the ship…
6: Each other. One more hour and you might kill each other.
7: Injury/Disease. One of you needs medical attention. Hopefully the other can muddle through.
8: Other. Any other problem you can think up!

Comments

[orcsurfing]

Legolas caught that curious quality of voice, a slight change from exhausted to something a lot stronger and hardier. Such confidence, such certainty that he was the sole survivor. It could mean only two things, but Legolas wasn't about to assume much, or assume poorly of someone he just met. So far this man did not seem a threat at all.

"I noticed you did not give yours in return," he remarked instead, lifting both eyebrows as he considered the question. It wasn't just any Empire the man was asking about, but the Empire. Were there any when they left humans to fend for themselves? No, no Empires, only Kingdoms. Each of them independent, though not all of them thriving. Legolas shook his head, before continuing on to answer, "We do not build empires and you are the first Man to make it here and bring news of any built by your own folk."

[commandor]

Ah. Right. He hadn't. It's just not a reflex, for Cassian. When he has a false name on the tip of his tongue, he feels free to give it, every time. But when there's no one to pretend to be, no easy mask to show everyone else, he tends to be at a bit of a loss.

They don't know of the Empire. They don't know of the Empire. The sheer impact of that statement drives Cassian's planned response out of his mind. It makes him feel as though the ground is shifting and buckling beneath him. He lets out a breathless laugh, and, for an instant, truly and honestly considers attempting to hide out here for the rest of his life.

Duty, as always, draws him back.

"My name is Cassian," he says, looking up into Legolas's eyes. "You've been away from the human world for a long time."

[orcsurfing]

Human, so that was what they wound up calling themselves. It was not too far from the name under which the elves knew them, but it would not have been hard to remember even if it was otherwise. He would use it, from now on, and share his findings with the others.

But that would be later.

"Well met, Cassian," he tasted the name on his lips, mimicking the way Cassian himself spoke it, and found it pleasant, rolling off nicely and smoothly. A good name, though its meaning he could not comprehend. "And you are quite right, it had been a long, long time. So long that I had not even been conceived when we left you behind. Will you sate my curiosity, and share what it is like, beyond the sea?"

Legolas glanced around, purposefully, before returning his gaze back to Cassian with a hint of intentional sheepishness. "Though perhaps not out here, but rather someplace more suitable to great tales— should you accept my invitation."

I would really like my life to stop being so insane.

[commandor]

He can barely scrape his thoughts together. He is beyond exhausted, beaten to hell and back.

"So long as it can wait," he says, "I'll tell you all you like." He should be more cautious, since he doesn't know what the Elves' capabilities are, what their interests might be. They might -- gods, they might want to keep him here, since now he's the only person around who knows they're still alive.

He shifts up to his knees. He doesn't move to his feet on purpose -- a show of respect, of submission, because -- well, what else is there?

"I request protection, aid, and succor," he says, formally, "under the laws of hospitality. I have nothing to trade but my debt, but it belongs to no other, and may be freely given." Please, help me.