[OTA] Oddities and Outposts

[heartsthespades]

Somehow, at some point, Jordan had become the person people complained to. And so when it became evident that something was wrong with travel outside, no less than four people complained to him about it - including a Castle guard who was returning from visiting his brother, one of the Hearts' border guards

Comments

[standlikestone]

And someone's just. You know. Cheerily walking along in Town, hands in pockets, practically whistling with happiness. When she sees Jordan, she'll give him a happy little wave, slowing to a stop. "Hey, Novak."

[heartsthespades]

He carefully smooths out his expression and raises an eyebrow. "James," he drawls. "And what has you with a spring in your step and a song on your lips?" Just got laid, probably.

[standlikestone]

"Oh, nothing." She shrugs, rocking back and forth on her feet. "Weird shit going on in the Deck, though. People can't get back Outside or something? It's crazy, man."

[heartsthespades]

"Yeeeah," Jordan says, and his brows go higher. "I think I've heard about it about thirty times today, actually. I don't think it's ever happened before." Hence, it is an actual problem.

[bluntforces]

It's not been a great few days. He woke up early Monday to head back and hit the last two days of studying before finals. Except there was no leaving. And then there was another day of no leaving. And now there is still no leaving.

And spazzing flipping out quietly on the inside has taken the final turn into flipping out a little bit on the outside.

Evan's not designed to keep put in one place, in many ways. And the knowledge that he can't go anywhere beyond the edges of the Deck? Has him bouncing unhappily on the balls of his feet and asking literally everyone who looks half-awake if anything's changed. Even if that everyone includes Jordan Novak.

"--hey. Have-- you heard anything?"

[heartsthespades]

Ah, Evan. It's hard not to smirk at least a little bit - despite his genuine concern that had had him at the outposts most of the day. Solely because of Riley's comments earlier, of course.

"I just got back from the outposts where I got reports that no one can leave, and even tested it myself. No dice." He gives Evan a sidelong look. "I hear you have finals."

[bluntforces]

There is no time to be off-put by smirking ridiculousness. There's no time for anything except more bouncing up and down because... because.

"I do." Like right now, actually, in theory. "People-- are workin' on this, right?"

[heartsthespades]

He's never had finals, but he suspects they aren't actually the end of the world like Evan McCartney's making them out to be. "We're working on it as much as we can work on something we don't know the details of in the first place," he says. "It's kind of hard to fix the magic when it just happens."

Though...he is beginning to wonder if there's something wrong. Another reason to talk to Clive.

[heartsodarkgrey]

Greylan had been heading back to his home to start holiday baking, rifling through his bags to make sure he'd gotten everything when he spotted Jordan. Noting the concerned look the man had he headed over to him. "Penny for your thoughts?"

[heartsthespades]

"I like to think they're worth more than that," Jordan says, dryly, and then shrugs. "I wouldn't plan on going anywhere anytime soon."

[heartsodarkgrey]

"The most likely are but sadly I only have but a few pennies left in my pockets after shopping." He tries to joke before frowning worriedly. "What do you mean? What's up?"

[heartsthespades]

Normally he'd snort out a laugh, but now he just tips his head to one side. "I'm surprised it's not buzzing around yet," he says. "No one can leave the Deck. People can get in, apparently," which relieves him, since Hadyn is doing some weird Meet the Family thing with Elisha, "but once you're in, you can't go back out again."

[cauldronsbubble]

"Reporting live from the scene is Mister Jordan Novak," Seb announces loudly, slinging an arm around his friend's shoulders as he comes up from behind him. "Doing some scouting to find out about our little problem?"

[heartsthespades]

Such an eyeroll, Seb. Really. Where is your newscaster suit, anyway? "Futilely," he says. "There's no rhyme or reason for it, but we definitely can't make an impromptu trip to anywhere right now." And it was telling, really, that his inclination wasn't to report to Tunde...

But Clive.

[cauldronsbubble]

"Which is actually terrible. My phone hasn't stopped buzzing all morning." He retrieves his cell from his pocket, holding it up to show Jordan that someone else is calling Seb at that very moment. "I had to take a break from their complaints, good lord. For the most part, they're posh ladies who demand that I still get supplies from Outside for their parties coming up. Even if I can't get out. So that should be fun."

[heartsthespades]

"I thought Clubs were supposed to be self-sufficient and adaptable," Jordan says, quirking an eyebrow before he shrugs. "Unless Katriane batted her lashes at you, in which case it all makes sense." Well, that did, at least. Nothing else did, really.

"I wanted to talk to you about something, but there hasn't been a moment lately."