Halcyon

The Ice Age

Oh my god! What a fail. I need to, um, edit that. Oops ... don't know why I thought his name was David. Does the foreman represent all the workers in district 6 or just the miners? Are there different foremans for each occupation?

Oh thank you! I was worried it wasn't going to match up to your intro.

The Ice Age

If it weren't for the thermal suit that clung to her body, Abigail was sure she was bound to freeze. Wiping her goggles, the ice excavating crew she was with were held up underneath an old ruined building. It was made out of metal. Abigail knew that much. It was tall to. Probably as tall the peak of the dome city she wagered. The dome city. Just thinking about it made her wish she were back within its safe, warm interior. Though she lived in the under city with her kid sister, it was better than out here praying that the snow-shear storm wouldn't split her body in half. She'd seen the icicles that fell from the sky up close and personal. It was far closer than she cared to be.

Playing with a dial on her thermal suit - a second layer that was thin as paper but somehow kept her warm from the thermal packs that rested on her back - Abigail adjusted it so it was just warm enough to keep her body from turning into an ice sculpture while conserving the thermal heat. Her large fur overcoat, stuffed pants, boots, and thick gloves helped immensely, but no matter what she did, the chill always found its way in.

"Renault! Get your ass back here!" Even though the voice was distorted, Abigail knew Norton's - the ice excavation lead - voice. "Wander too much further out there, this hunk of metal ain't going to save you from the shears! Thought you'd know better as a veteran. Christ. I think I was wrong."

Turning around and heading back to the convoy, Abigail merely shrugged as she came to stand by the fire. "You actually got it going? I bet it was Jasper."

Norton made a face. "Don't trust my fire making skills? It's dangerous to jump to conclusions, girl."

"Making assumptions is just as deadly," Abigail said as she brought her gloved hands near the fire. "Know how much longer the storm's going to be around? Too bad our reader got caught out in it. Gill was it? Why the hell did we risk coming out? The foreman knew the storm was coming and last I checked, the city still had enough fresh water to last us another month. The storm was suppose to pass by tomorrow. Somebody really messed up."

Richard came over carrying a bag. "I got the rations if anyone's hungry. Unfortunately, I can't find the can opener," he said. "I bet the storm could help out with that."

"You wanna volunteer as the opener?" Norton asked as he pointed to the blanketed whiteness beyond the convoy's sanctuary. "Be my guest. While you're at it, why don't you see if you could go find the 'off' switch for the goddamn blizzard? We have a few hundred liters worth of water. Not worth shit if we don't get it back."

"Won't get paid either," Jasper chimed in. "While I love all of your company - especially Abigail over there - I hardly do this for the good of the dome city. Take away my paycheck, and you can bet your ass I'd find a new job. Like those other guys over there. Just from how they're acting, you can tell they're newbies. Scared shitless by the storm I bet. Very typically. Hell, I'm shaking in my boots right now. You know what I don't get though? Why do all the upper city folks get the nice jobs while us under city folks get the hazardous jobs with little food, appalling conditions, and all those wonderful under city benefits? Anyone see a problem here but me?"

Abigail rolled her eyes as she ducked from a sound. A large icicle crashed at the edge of the building's covering. Taking a deep breath, she shrugged it off. "Why you always going on about your stupid conspiracy theories?"

"Conspiracy? More like equality."

The miner sighed. "Just how things work. You know what would be interesting to try out? Democracy. You remember reading about the old world in the history books. It'll be a matter of time before the state bans those things, but allowing everyone to have a voice... you think that worked?"

Norton scoffed. "What idealistic bullshit. Why, it makes my cold heart almost fill up with hope. We're stuck in our roles - like it or not. You can keep bitching and moaning, but the fact of the matter is, we ain't going nowhere. Unless you brown nose the hell out of some upper city snob, you'll always be trapped in the under city. I know many who tried. You know what happened? They were either shot for transgressing or simply disappeared. Sentinels could give two shits less about what happens to folk like us. My philosophy? We all die someday. Might as well make the most of it."

Abigail laughed as she walked over to Richard and took one of the cans. She wiped her goggles. It was canned beans. Same shit they always took on excursions beyond the San Francisco dome. Checking the temperature on her personal excavation terminal (PET), she made her way back towards the truck as she grabbed Richard. "Eat out here and you'll freeze. Pro tip. Always check your PET. It's negative -100 degrees out," she said. Reaching towards the truck's door, she opened it. Ushering Richard in, she closed it and took off her rebreather. Taking out a knife, she stabbed it carefully into the can and pried the thing open. Taking a mouthful of the super chilled ration, she let the contents warm in her mouth before she swallowed. "Don't mind Norton or Jasper. They always argue when we're stuck out here. What did you do before this?"

Richard was mirroring Abigail as he opened a can of his own. "Agriculture. Raising animals and stuff," he said. "I got bored and asked to be put on an ice team. I heard about how few join up with this crew, so I thought what the hell? The pays good though. Really hazardous. Mining ice isn't the safest job."

"If it was, everyone would be doing it. We get the gear, the pay, the training, but the sign on for the job is long. In exchange for all these 'luxuries', we have to excavate for five years. Few see the end of their second. I'm on my fourth." Finishing her can, Abigail placed it on the ground. "Covers my sister and I. I don't see myself leaving this occupation willingly. Pay raise and stuff for veterans. That's the goal."

"Shit."

"Yeah," Abigail said. Hearing a fist slam against the hull, she motioned for Richard to put his mask back on before she opened it. "Norton. What's up?"

"Storm's passed," he said. "We're heading back before it decides to come back. We kind of need our navigator. You know? So we don't drive into a big fuckin' hole."

"You're an asshole," Abigail said. "Lets go."

---

The warmth of the undercity was a welcomed change. Abigail was dressed in a green long sleeve shirt and brown shorts as she made her way through the maze she called home. She was paid well for the haul her crew had brought in. It'd provide enough tokens for her and her sister to cover food and the bare necessities they needed. On many occasions, Abigail wanted to purchase new clothes. Having more than three changeable pairs, however, was a commodity that they simply couldn't afford. Even with her paycheck and outings, things were still pricey. She wondered if the upper city had similar problems. She doubted it. She'd seen those victorian, pompous layabouts. Hard labor was probably as foreign to them as fine dining was to her. There was simply no way to afford something like that.

Coming to a small shake on the corner of a busy intersection, Abigail took out her keycard and swiped it. When the door clicked open, she walked in and ascended three stories of stairs. She groaned in effort. As if she hadn't done her daily walking, lifting, and dodging already. Why the hell couldn't the landlord install an elevator? The rent was already robbing her blind. In fact, it went up. Could've gone up more if the mayor hadn't put a cap on it. Old tenets paid the rent they started with while new tenets paid the new rent fee. At least the uppers did something positive.

Getting to her door, Abigail swiped her key and walked into a small cramped kitchen/living room. As she put her stuff down, she felt somebody collide right into her. She was about to throw them off until she heard her sister's voice. "Goddammit Katherine. I thought I said not to do that!" Abigail said as she hugged her kid sister tightly. After their parents died, she assumed guardianship. In the beginning, it wasn't easy. Not easy at all. "Glad to see you too. Have you eaten yet?"

"I waited for you," Katherine said as the younger Renault - brunette unlike Abigail - led her into the kitchen. "I went to the ration station and asked for a full bowl instead of a half bowl. To share. Abby, they cut the sizes again." Abigail looked at what looked like beef stew and frowned. What should've been filled to the brim was only half full. "I told the ration chief that I paid for a full, but he told me the Adviser told them the caterers had to cut our portions. We can't survive like this, Abby! It's not enough. Not with me working in the mines while your out of the dome!"

"Those upper city bastards," Abigail said. Picking up the bowl, Abigail swallowed as she fought the urge to slurp down the contents of the bowl. Her stomach yearned for a spoonful, but her heart told her no. She handed it to Katherine as she sat down on a makeshift stool. "Here Kitty Kat. You go first. I'm not that hungry. My crew had some extra rations I scuffed down. Beans." It was a lie - the extra rations part. However, she worried about Katherine getting fed before herself. "I'm going to go talk to our foreman. See what he can do for us. If they keep cutting our portions, goodbye productivity. I doubt the uppers would want that. How're you feeling baby doll?"

Kat looked up. She was already half done with the bowl. "Better. Abby, just have some. Please?"

Abigail patted her tummy and grinned. "I'm so full that I couldn't even chow down a cupcake. Actually. Never mind. Pastries sound delicious. Oh god." Getting to her feet, Abigail wanted to sleep, but she had to go talk to the foreman. While he wasn't in charge of the ice teams, he was in charge of the miners. The older Renault was going to speak on her sister's behalf. This was unacceptable. "I'll be back in a bit okay? I got a pretty good paycheck on my card. I'll pick something up on the way, okay?"

"A cup cake?"

Abigail laughed as she tapped Katherine's nose. "With sprinklings. We'll split it."

Katherine smiled. "I wouldn't be opposed."

"I'll be right back then. Stay put, 'kay?"

---

It didn't take long for Abigail to track the foreman down. If she remembered correctly, his name was David. Katherine had told her he was fair and really cared about the workers. However, he kept to the under city. That was something Abigail could respect.

As she drew nearer, she saw the food adviser storm off while Dave continued to converse with a finely dressed woman. A blonde. Abigail was momentarily taken off guard by a mixture of emotions. Why the hell was a beautiful victorian upper down here mingling with filth like her? Whatever the case, that was something that she needed to save for a different time. "Foreman!" Very aware that she was interrupting a meeting, Abigail looked at the upper with unmasked disdain. "My sister just told me the portions were cut. Why? The prices are sky high, and we're not getting enough."

Looking over at the uppers, she rose an eyebrow. "I don't suppose this is a problem you, upper," she said. Taking a deep breath, Abigail pinched the bridge of her nose. "My sister's lost too much weight. She won't tell me, but her clothes are getting bigger. You're suppose to represent the miners, right? I won't watch her starve!"

The Ice Age

By the way, can I control David for dialogue purposes or no?

The Ice Age

Nearly done!

The Ice Age

Abigail Renault



Age: 27
Occupation: Ice and Metals Excavator
Quarters: Undercity within the San Francisco Dome City

The Ice Age

@Spizzey

Here's the thread! Post your character up when you can :)!

The Ice Age

The Mayan calendar ended on December 21, 2012. This was thousands of years predicted for a civilization that would no longer live to see it. Archaeologists, researchers, and scientists of the modern age had predicted that when the calendar of this ancient civilization ended the world as we would know it. But no one could answer just how the world would end. Panic and paranoia ravaged the masses with theories as realistic as super cell storms to zombie science fiction and even religious judgement. Governments expected nuclear holocaust and the start of a third world war that would leave the planet a barren and hospitable planet. Religious factions and cults were all to eager to determine this ending date as the judgement of god and for all of those who did not obey his might would be striped of this world in a fiery inferno, left to rot in the deepest pit hell had to offer. Everyone else? Well, they were divided. Some believed it to be a hoax, while others speculated that science would have eventually turned against us and take over the world. As outlandish as most of these doomsday theories were, no one-not even preppers-were prepared for the actual events that took place on December 21, 2012.

MULTIPLE PLANES COLLIDE IN OFF COURSE COLLISIONS!

"Hello this is Diana Wreath with News 2 bringing this emergency broadcast. All around the globe planes and ships have either collided with each other or have capsized, killing hundreds and leaving thousands injured..."

"..It's unbelievable, the navigation system of ships, trains, planes, and other electronically enhanced gps systems have all failed...."

"..according to scientists all of the planets satellites have moved to a different location and are no longer in their programmed orbits. While there is no current statement for this strange phenomena, scientists are all at work to solve the problem."

"Judgement day is upon us."

"Looks like the Mayans were accurate as doomsday has now hit the world leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured in the US alone. Other countries have reported similar accidents and numbers are growing by the minute. The United Nations are currently convening to understand the problem at hand. When we know more, you will know more. This is Reese Warthwright CNN.

Members of the United States government, staff, scientific community, and the house and senate convened in United Nations Mission building in New York. All were tense and chatting among themselves worriedly about the events that happened. Most of the members were off on leave due to the once cheerful holiday season of Christmas. Now, everything was bleak and dismal as they sat in their chairs. A man was at the front organizing his papers, he was around his early 30s. The man called the attention of the crowed room, the lights were dim, and he began his presentation.

"Friends, delegates, and colleagues alike. After hours of research we have discovered that the satellites are no longer in their original orbit. This is because of the fact that the earth itself is no longer in the Goldy Locks zone. Our planet and other planets alike have shifted out of our original orbit. The cause of this mass orbit realignment is to to a phenomena that we know little about; Dark Matter. As of what we do know it is the force that holds the known universe together such as the stars, planets, and all things made up of atoms. We think that because there was a shift in this Dark Matter in our solar system it has caused the planets to fall out of their orbit.

At the current rate the earth is going, we will still be orbiting around the sun. However, with each passing year we will get a little bit farther and farther away. As we spiral away the global temperature will drop one degree. It is expected that in 30 years the global temperature will reach a stasis of -465 degrees. Until then all we can do now is work on a new structural material that will last these harsh temperatures."

The Mayans may have been right about the apocalypse, they just didn't know how long it would take. As the announcement came out about the current situation the government assured the public that everything was 'under control'. The first two years were the easiest, and the most fun. Places that had never seen snow got free snow days to go outside and play, hot water when thrown to the icy tempuratures was turned to mist, everybody laughing and playing. This was the calm before the storm. At the beginning of year four crops started failing and food was starting to get scarce, prices soared 300% then their food value was worth in abundance. Can goods were raided at every opportunity and people began a mas exodus to the equator and third world countries hoping to escape the cold.

Midway through year five Canada, Russia, Europe, and parts of Africa had been blanketed in glacier and snow. From the US to the tip of South America every inch of land was covered in a white blanket of snow, the oceans so packed with frozen ice they could be walked on as though they were made of land itself. As temperatures became colder the need to cover up every available inch of skin became more of a necessity. It did not take long for people to start pointing fingers and demanding that the government get everything under control.

In response to the growing panic the United Nations responded with building geothermic domes on a large scale to encompass cities near geyser fields. The steam from the geysers would be able to power the domes to keep temperatures consistent for plant and animal life alike. One such city was San Francisco, California. It was originally intended that the dome would encompass the upper city and then a lower city would be made to accommodate loud machinery and extra housing for workers and residents alike. The few that were built were spread apart so far that if not for new communication systems neither would have any idea that the other existed. At 7 years the global temperature had dropped 10 degrees and was still going.

Synthia was sitting at a large oak desk scribbling down appointments and crossing out errands and met agenda meetings. The air cool against the back of her neck as her blonde hair was pinned up. The female worked as a secretary for her uncle who was mayor of district 6 of the San Francisco Dome. As such she was in charge of meetings, appointments, and attending events for her uncle whenever he would be out. She also was present to record personal meetings with the Food Distribution Adviser and the district Treasurer, among other various jobs and obligations.

She grabbed a napkin dabbing the last few drops of black ink onto it before sheathing the quill in its proper holder. Standing up, she grabbed her parasol, a light blue lace umbrella and headed out of her office. Today she was going to attend a meeting with the Food Distribution Adviser and some minors who were at an impasse with what to do. Meanwhile her uncle was attending a District meeting. There was new excitement about an asteroid that had landed near the northern pole. She wasn't sure what all the excitement was about, but from what she had heard from her uncle it could be a life or death scenario when the final pieces of the atmosphere fall down into snowflakes.

~

The Food Distribution Adviser was a small wiry man and a stick shoved so far up his pompous little ass that some people believed he couldn't bend over. He was a very rich man, and owned a small patch of farm land. As Synthia carefully made her way down to the Under City she could hear the Adviser yelling angrily at the foreman. The foremans name was Dave Burgeriose and he was an old friend to Synthias uncle. Dave was a stocky man, built tougher than any diamond in the world and didn't take shit from anyone. While he had the funds to live in the Upper City he preferred to stay in the Under City and keep a low profile. Government conspirist and all that jazz.

"You? Demand more food?! I think not! You know that rations are given weekly by the Caterer."

"Adviser the rations we have now are too small and we work long hours to ensure the Upper City as well as the Under City have enough electricity and temperature maintenance! All we ask is for a bigger ration cut."

"A bigger ration cut? A BIGGER RATION CUT?! The rations now are proportionate to a 2000 caloric diet and are of nutritious value for you and your...miners..to sustain enough of a life to work!"

"The portions aren't big enough!" The Foreman reiterated. "The tray is far to big for the little food that is given. A ration half bowl is now only a quarter ration!"

"This is my problem how? You should be discussing this with the Caterer! They provide the ration distribution we just give them the minimum amount that the have to serve!"

Dave was about to open his mouth in protest when he saw Synthia and shut his mouth. "M'lady." He grumbled more angry at the adviser.

Synthia did a curtsy for him and the Adviser huffed in disgust. "Foreman, always a pleasure." She turned the the wiry man. "Distribution Adviser, nice to see you again. Now tell me, what seems to be the conflict today?" While her tone was polite the adviser knew how to read between the lines. Synthia was not someone he wanted to cross just yet.

"The workers are demanding more food." He glared at the foreman. "Again."

Synthias blue eyes looked from one man to the other. "So why haven't you increased the portion size? We dealt with this issue last month." She turned an icy gaze to the wiry man. "I even made sure the proper paperwork was filled out and approved. That is unless you embezzled the food to construction workers to built that add on to your mansion."

Dave had to keep from snorting and the Adviser blushed angrily at the girls impudence. "You would accuse me-"

Synthia waved a dismissive hand. "Adviser I make no such rash accusations. However, I do expect that workers portion sizes be increased. There is a bit of a crop shortage because the soil is being changed out and refertalized for the new season, but there is plenty in storage for workers to eat an adequate amount of food." Synthia turned her blue eyes to the foreman who jumped slightly. "Also there is a charity auction this month, all the money donated will go to increase worker wages so that better clothes, equipment, and food prices will drop making it easier. As such I will talk with the mayor to have a new workers food policy ensure that there is enough to go around."

"I will agree to no such increase!" The Adviser grumbled. Food was short right now and if they gave most of it to the workers what would the upper city have left? Scraps? No way.

"Then you will work and live in the Under City Adviser. When I talk to the mayor about your mistreatment of food distribution, you'll more than likely be fired and replaced."

"That's blackmail! You can't do that!"

"Oh Adviser I can. My uncle is a fair man and I am also fair in my judgement. My uncle won't go on my word alone, but launch a full investigation. When other districts hear of how you were striped of your title and power you won't get back to the Upper City and live out your days working. Perhaps by making an example of you that'll prevent other distributors from being greedy with their food supplies." Even though Synthia was blond she was absolutely ruthless. Her uncle had taught her well, and it was important to be fair. Everyone in the Upper City gave her crap for being the Mayors niece but had known she'd never abuse that power unless the situation called for a direct intervention. She was a rather quiet girl, preferring to keep to herself. The trio continued to talk about new food options, how big the portion sizes where to be, and how much the worker wage would be after the charity auction after the adviser stormed angrily back to the Upper City.

Endure. Survive. (Set in non-canon Last of Us world)

Oh man ... so tempted. I know we may have a 1x1 going soon, but Last of Us themed story. So. Uncontrollably. Tempted.

Looking for mature RP partner. Thanks! (read at own risk!)

I'm listening to the song right now. It's very soothing! Currently, the video is showing a row of elephants walking across a desert. Ha!

I don't doubt that at all. It was all very well written from what I recall reading. It's pretty rare to find a zombie roleplay that isn't all about going on a war path while slaughtering walkers left and right. It's a shame it died off. If you should ever consider rebooting it, I'd love to be a part of it. Truly.

Yes! The detective/police idea is fine with me. Hence the reason why I mentioned it. I'd be more partial to adding a spin into the pairing be it post-apocalyptical or fantastical. I'm usually all for reality stuff, but I wanna switch things up for my own sanity. I'm a pretty big believer of combining pairings and settings, so if we wanted to blend in an alien, post-apoc, fantasy, or home invasion backdrop into the pairing, I wouldn't be opposed whatsoever.

No biggie on being silly! Everyone needs one of those here and there.

There my thoughts for you whenever you come back around. I may be out for the rest of the day. I'll check back in once I'm back from errands though.

Looking for mature RP partner. Thanks! (read at own risk!)

Hello Azseth,

I'd be very interested in writing something with you. Admittedly, I have seen your writing already with 'Surviving: The End'. I love your focus on character development while the more apocalyptic elements acted as mere context for the setting. Of course, there was some zombie killing here and there, but ... the character development. Simply splendid to read.

Similarly with you, I can't promise consistent posts. My schedule is pretty scattered, but I will reply when I can.

Anyway, if you're still looking, at this point, I'm more interested in a Post-apocalyptic, war (home invasion maybe? Think Red Dawn), alien invasion (Falling Skies influenced), or the police/detective pairing.

I can send a writing sample, if you'd like. Just let me know :)!