#… 𝘓 𝘖 𝘈 𝘋 𝘐 𝘕 𝘎 ⁴⁰⁴ ! 𝐍𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐀 ╱ THREADS.

[vig1lantnakia]

𝙻𝙾𝙲𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽 : ON ISLAND, POST PART #3. 𝙵𝚁𝙾𝙼 : SAAD, NAKIA. 𝚃𝙾 : CLOSED STARTER. [ 5 / 5 ] — capped !

Even if Nakia has seen a lot of death and terror in their line of work, and surely more than the regular person out there- seeing a woman disintegrate into salt particles is a first. It's terrifying to witness, and just like many others, all they can do there is stand frozen, trying to comprehend what they have just seen. It seems like a cruel joke, to bring them all here, to not give them any answers, to force them into seeing someone else die like that. Again, it's not Nakia's first, though the sudden nature of it all definitely makes it one of the top worst. Is it a warning? Is there more to come? And what happened? How the hell can they prepare to protect themselves from a supernatural phenomenon like that? They stand near one of the poles with the loudspeaker on top, and glare daggers into the object when they hear footsteps approaching. They begin to speak, before they even figure out who it is standing behind them. "I want to bring that thing down and tear it apart." Simple, though they don't know exactly how they will reach the speaker just yet. "And no- It has nothing to do with anger issues, I think figuring out how the receiver works could help." At the very least, help him learn how communication works in this place.

[vig1lantnakia]

Their eyebrows shoot higher at the response, disbelief lingering on their expression before settling on surprise again. "Oh, really? How many people do you know here?" It is one thing for only Nakia and Zair to show up here ( which would still be too much of a coincidence on its own ), and it is another thing for more people they knew to be around. It seems more targeted now, to know there is a sort of connection between a few of its residents. What does it mean? Would it unfold to be more complicated as they slowly got to know more people around? Zaid does not seem to be in a similar panic as them by the revelation of their connections, or if he does, he decides to do so outward about other anomalies instead. The techie files it away for later and barely manages to turn their attention back on the man in front of them. The death in question is a particular anomaly impossible to ignore, and as Nakia pulls back, their face turns into a grimace. More open than usual, more pained. "Yeah — I- I did. That was — crazy. Didn't even seem real." "Right in front of us too —" They want to make us more panicked, more afraid- Nakia cuts himself short, doesn't utter those theories. No good would it all bring, not when Zaid's turning his attention to something more useful, which is the remainder of the feast laid in front of them. "Yeah, yeah, I'll join you." Pulling up a chair, they sit down on it, reaching out for one of the sandwiches. "Don't think this will beat yours — but we gotta eat and all that." Takes a bite, before returning back to Zaid's comment from before. "But yeah, sorry you are stuck here too — but it's good to see a familiar face."

Zaid was a touchy-feely person, but he'd never hugged Nakia before. Hell; he'd rarely even encountered Nakia in-person. The bloke was mostly words typed on a phone or email - whenever Zaid needed technical assistance. Which apparently was a thing in fucking Manhattan. Under the glitz and glam of the huge American metropolis, things broke down on the daily it seemed - power, internet, even POS systems.

Zaid had only seen Nakia in person had been brief blips: showing up at the backdoor of Chutney to collect their takeaway (and Zaid always slipped some cash inbetween the takeaway boxes a well. Mans got to eat, but mans also got to pay rent, Zaid thought) and disappear again. But Zaid did know Nakia's face, found it ridiculously comforting now.

"The odds are greater than you think. My ex is here too," Zaid huffed, looking around as if Tej might materialize just to spite him. But no Tej appeared so Zaid focused on Nakia with a broad attempt at a smile, that faded at Nakia's muted little query. Nakia, so understated. Typical shy, sweet, nerdy sort, was Zaid's first impression, and it stuck.

"Nah, bruv. I don't know what the fuck is going on. With these -" Zaid flicked his bracelet roughly. "Or waking up here, or - or fucking Maria. Did...did you see her explode?" Zaid shut his eyes for a moment, surpressing a shudder. "I reckon we're all asking the same bloody questions. And wondering who the fuck is gonna explode next."

Zaid looked down at the remainders of last night's feast. "But alhamdulillah, it's so good to see you. Or - actually maybe not alhamdulillah; it'd be better if you were back home, yeah? It'd be better if we were all back home."

He picked up a slightly stale cheese sandwich. "You hungry, mate?"

[vig1lantnakia]

𝙻𝙾𝙲𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽 : THE HUB, ON ISLAND. 𝙵𝚁𝙾𝙼 : SAAD, NAKIA. 𝚃𝙾 : ???, █████, ADARSH. [ @mc-adarsh ]

Nakia is nowhere near a spiritual person. Their belief lies with technology and science, and if there is anything unexplainable, they poke at it with a Phillips screwdriver until they can figure it out, or let it bother them until they come up with an agreeable theory to a problem. This, however, the feeling they have that they know this person — is not one they can figure out as easily as switching the RAM from their computer. They let it fester for a few hours, before making their way to the other, attempting their best at looking non-threatening. With their average height and hunched-over posture, they rarely do. Nakia is the type of person you don't notice sitting at the corner of a cafe, or the subway. It often works in their favor. "Hey- Adarsh, isn't it?" The hacker starts, mulling over their words before speaking them into existence. The tips of their lips are curled in an attempt at a smile, though nothing genuine crossed their expression much since they mysteriously appeared on this island. Maybe they will get used to it eventually, though Nakia seriously doubts it's any time soon. "It's Nakia." They begin, a proper greeting, even if it feels wrong on their tongue. Have they done this before? At another time, and another place? "I was wondering... If you go by any other names?" The cat's out of the figurative box, and they attempt to clarify the odd question. "I could swear we met before — but the name Adarsh really does not ring a bell, for some reason."

[vig1lantnakia]

The skepticism is fine, Nakia does not take it to heart. It either has to do with how they don't know each other, or the simple fact it's a far-fetched theory to begin with. They return the question with a shrug. "It's possible." The pondering by the stranger is welcome, even if Nakia is a bit too confident in their own skills when it comes to most things technology related. The observation, as well as the theory, however, are both valid, and Nakia does not reject or dismiss them. "Could be hard wired — could be not. Only one way to find out." Hence, their quest to bring that thing down. Hey, maybe it also has to do with the fact that they do want to dismantle something, and have been going insane with lack of things to do. Nothing they would admit very easily, though. The fact most tech on this damned Island are very outdated, is something they also took notice, something that they find suspiciously off. Another clue filed away for later, waiting to be brought together with others as time went on. A shrug, shoulders moving up and down at the question. "Yeah, you could say that. I work at tech — am an IT guy of sorts." Understatement of the century, even if it holds a semblance of truth. "Even if there is no receiver, it will still give me something to work off on."

Chance isn't exactly quiet as he plods about. Given the current circumstances, he doesn't really want to 'surprise' anyone - nerves were frayed enough as they were. The noise over the speakers had been like something from a horror movie... Screeching, wailing... Like some kind of animal (or person) being tortured and then - pop. Just like that... One of the survivors just... Pop.

It was grim, and more than a little disturbing. But beside feeling creeped out, Chance can't help but feel intrigued. Whatever power had brought them here held some manner of sway over life and death - like that? An instant and... Gone.

"Hm? Oh... You think?"

There's a squint from Chance, eyeing up to the top of the pole against the dawning light.

"I mean... That they have receivers?"

It's an offhand pondering from the lanky Irishman... Just pulling together a few observations of his own.

"When I checked out the warehouse, it looked as though all of the media and appliances and tech was at least 20ish years old or more."

A few steps closer and Chance is flicking the pole with one finger, a soft metallic 'ding' sounding out into the air.

"Maybe they're hard wired."

He finally turns to face the other with a shrug, that same finger making a motion down the pole to the ground and then - away - in the direction of the distant tower.

"I dunno... Just a thought. Wouldn't know a receiver if it hit me in the face to be honest. Is that your gig, pal? Techy stuff?"

[vig1lantnakia]

Although the lack of doubt in Nakia's motivations is a pleasant thing to hear, the only trace of that on their expression is the raise of an eyebrow. "Oh. good, then." They start, the tip of their lips only barely curling into a grin. "And yeah- I do understand some might be inclined to wreak havoc here and there- and that would be within their right." If they didn't need to live here another day, they'd be advocating to burn it all down, just in spite of whoever's behind this. And this is telling, for Nakia's never been the outwardly violent type of person. A shrug at the question, they look back up at the cameras again, before focusing their gaze on her. "It's — possible. I can't know until I actually have it down and dismantled. I also don't have my gear but — because there's a possibility, I want to go for it." Then, the posing of a deal, while surprising, they find it to be rational. They all want to get out of here, after all — unless one of them is involved, which is also possible, though no use thinking of that without any leads. It will only drive them more paranoid ( which is, quite likely either way ). "Deal. I'll bring it with you — in case it's heavy."

If Darcy was being honest, she was just passing by. She didn't intend to talk to the person. Yes, the cameras and the generator all were of interest to her, but plenty of people were checking out all of the devices around the island, she needed somebody who understood what they were doing cause she for sure wouldn't, just by looking at them.

But then they spoke, mentioning tearing the camera apart, and that made Darcy stop in her track for a few moments, and then stepped up next to them.

"Even if it was anger issues, I guess it would be understandable. But for the record, I didn't think that was the reason you'd want to do it." She looked over at them, tilting her head. "Can you actually figure out how they work? If there is any connection with-- I don't know. I don't actually know how cameras work, but I do agree that they could hold some secret, something that could be helpful for us."

A pause and then, "I do remember seeing a ladder in the warehouse yesterday when I checked it out, so I can get it for you. That can get you up there. If you're willing to share after, if you find something."

[vig1lantnakia]

The first question doesn't seem right, as they watch the person in front of them, taking in all the details of his face. The hopeful tone of his voice, the questions that follow after one another, it all points at something Nakia does not know just yet. It also does not help how the actual name of this person is not something the techie knows. All they know is that it wasn't Adarsh — yet the actual answer isn't anywhere within their memory. It vexes them. Nakia hates not knowing things. "I — I think I do." They start, though their tone does not convey much confidence. The details are missing — does this have to do with their appearance here? Or is it disconnected to the mystery of the island? Nakia does not know. This many mysteries all at once does not spell anything good. "I don't remember very clearly, but you seem familiar. I can't point out when, or where. I usually have a really good memory." "You don't know me either then, huh?" When initially reaching out, their theory was that the person would remember them too. Does not seem it will be the case. Then, the person continues to speak, and Nakia realizes they have been a little inconsiderate, going off from the frustration and hesitance in Adarsh's words. "Sorry- to hear that." It's quieter, awkward, yet genuine. Losing their memories would probably be the only thing that could make this whole experience even worse. "I thought you would too. And we would figure it out after that —" The words are probably too honest, and Nakia pulls back a little, both literally and metaphorically. "It's fine- we can figure it out. What did you use to do for work? Back... back at home?"

Adarsh was convinced he was very much alone: nobody knew him, understood him, or seemed to much care for what he was going through. And now with his antics the day before, he was certain most people would keep away from him. Right now: he welcomed it.

But on the long run… he knew he was going to feel even more miserable for it.

When someone said his name - the one he thought was his, hoped was his - he barely reacted. It wasn’t until a face came into view that he realised he was being spoken to.

He frowned. “You know me?” he asked, hopefulness coming into his voice, scratching against his mind like a sudden wave of daggers. “You recognise me?” Recognise, he’d learned that word now. “What do you know me from?” He felt on the brink of shaking the other, demanding to know everything when the question got him off guard. “Another name? I… no, I don’t know. I don’t know if Adarsh is my name,” he admitted.

He felt suddenly frustrated for oversharing. For sharing his emotions without having needed to explode for some reason. He took a deep breath and studied the other. Nothing dawned. No emotions bubbled to the surface, the empty void stared back and watched with without supplying any information.

“I don’t know you,” he said, as the frantic look crossed his face. “There is nothing… shouldn’t I remember you?”

Maybe the other was wrong. Maybe they’d never crossed paths.

[vig1lantnakia]

It's crazy to think about everything that's happening. Nakia still feels like they will close their eyes, and when they wake up, they will be back in their flat again, learn that it was all a nightmare, a weird dream that could not possibly be true. Then they blink, and find themself on this island again. There is no escape, no answers, and they feel their patience growing thin, scrambling to find information, to try to measure up all these people around them. Some, they know, and some they don't — and that makes it all the more confusing. They are in the hub, to grab something to eat, to take a break from staring at all the tech around the island until they give them a proper answer. A familiar voice reaches their ears, and their head snaps back up, eyes widening at the sight of someone they could call a friend. Someone who does not know who Nakia truly is, but that rarely means a thing nowadays. "Zaid?" They let out, mouth open for a few seconds more, before there are arms wrapped around them. Nakia accepts the brief hug, his own coming to wrap around the other. They have never been a truly tactile person, though a familiar face now, feels like water in a desert. "What the hell are the odds, man —" When they pull back, they look up and down at him, as if trying to figure out if it really is Zaid, or yet another trick. "Yeah- It's me. How- Do you know anything? About... All of this?"

location: the Hub, again @vig1lantnakia

If Zaid wasn't in shock yesterday, waking up on that bloody cruise ship and running about like a stupid chicken trying to understand what the fuck had happened, he certainly felt in shock now.

Maria was gone, and it seemed the world had gone mad. Zaid wandered in a strange liminal surreality, where he felt both exhausted and strangely...energized? His mind a blank, which was what led him back to the Hub.

The feast from the day before, now in shambles. A lot of the food was gone, some of it carefully packed away as leftovers. But the point of Zaid returning here was that it was a known quantity for him. Food - he felt comfortable and was comforted by the presence of vegetables and breads and chickens. Simplistic, maybe, but necessary while he tried to gather his thought.

And when Zaid looked up from a plate of sandwiches, he saw a ghost.

"You're joking," he murmured under his breath, and then louder, coming closer to make sure his eyes weren't playing tricks. "Nakia? Is that you, bruv? Are you serious - you're here?" Zaid lurched forward for a hug, not caring if Nakia didn't want it. An enthusiastic pat on the back, to boot. "Fucking hell, it really is you."