16338/Tomb Raider Shadows: Paititi

Tomb Raider Shadows: Paititi
Date of Scene:	15 November 2023
Location:	Amazonian rainforest village of Paititi
Synopsis:	Steve finds Lara and Jonah's crashed plane in the Yucatan jungles, and meets up with them in Paititi.
Cast of Characters:	Lara Croft, Steve Rogers
Tinyplot:	Tomb Raider: Shadows

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Lara Croft has posed:
Not long after the tsunami hit the nearby coastal cities, Lara and Jonah had set off onboard a charter airplane. Their combined patience were running thin due to the nature of what had already begun to unfold. The mythical dagger of 'Chak Chel' had been found, and Lara had taken it. By taking it, she'd set off a series of events that would lead to more destruction, if she couldn't stop it before the upcoming solar eclipse. Time was rapidly running out, and the magic of the dagger being 'real' was still settling in for both of the driven adventurers. "Of course it was real." Jonah had quietly said on the plane ride, while Lara continued to search through her journals. "Why wouldn't it be? Aliens. Heck, a ffriend of mine back in New York says his neighbor has a ghost that comes to talk to him every Wednesday just after midnight. Why wouldn't a dagger that can control the oceans, and the rains be real too?"

Lara wasn't listening, but she was making quiet noises toward him to pretend she was. Jonah smirked at her. "Speaking of rains... That storm to the south, it's looking worse than we expected."

That had drawn Lara's eyes up, to peer out one of the windows within the plane's interior. She shrugged it off then, and moved to sit beside Jonah, to talk to him about their journey, and the leads she was considering.

Mere moments after that, the storm had struck, quite literally. A lightning blast took out one of its engines, and everything went to Hell after that...

A day later, and the Yucatan jungles were being hit by irregular levels of rain, with only moments of sunlight shining through the dark clouds.

Lara and Jonah had survived the plane crash, they'd made a trek through the jungle to a small village called Paititi, where they'd been taken in by the locals.

The help that they'd received at Paititi had proven to be invaluable. Lara had discovered the route to a number of ancient Mayan temples that she had been going through one by one, searching them ffor leads that would take her to her goal of finding the 'Silver Box of IX Chel before the dagger could be taken to it, before Trinity could find it and perform the ritual that would see the end of the world become a certainty.

Trinity, essentially the 'WAND' to HYDRA's SHIELD, was equally in search of the 'silver box' in the same region of the jungle. Lara had come across a number of their people in her trek through the jungle so far, and each meeting had ended in bloodshed... in death.

To track Lara Croft now, was to ffind death and destruction in her wake...

It is late evening in Paititi, the locals are preparing food for dinner, while Lara is in her shack strapping a backpack on, and preparing to go to her next ancient temple to check for the 'silver box' ... Jonah is there, trying to convince her to rest, though he knows she won't.

Steve Rogers has posed:
The plane tilted, banking to the left as it reached the end of another leg of the search grid. "Escuchame. Are you sure that their plane was out this way?" the pilot asks, though keeping his eyes peering out of the cockpit ahead and the window on the side. Looking down at Amazonian rain forest.

"No, I'm not. Tracking was lost during the storm," Steve Rogers replies. "But this is the best place to start," Steve says, leaning forward in the copilot's seat as he looks for any sign of debris that might indicate the location of a plane crash.

The search plane is a small thing, little bigger than a Cesna. Encouraging the pilot to engage in the search and rescue hadn't been easy, and Steve was pretty sure he could still smell a lingering bit of whiskey on the man's breath.

But the man had done his job and they had scoured miles and miles of the rainforest. "I really need to set her up with Avengers comms," Steve murmurs to himself. But knowing SHIELD probably wouldn't want her carrying them, even if Lara wasn't against it herself. He grabs the mike for the radio, keying the button and saying, "This is Charlie Alpha Papa calling for Lima Charlie. Are you out there Lima Charlie?" Lima Charlie. LC. Lara Croft. Enough she'd know it was her, especially when the person calling was C-A-P. Steve was reluctant to use her SHIELD call sign, unsure if she was on a mission that she'd want SHIELD's electronic surveillance to pick up on.

"There!" Steve says, pointing to a scar in the trees. The plane banks over and heads that way. At the end of the debris and scorch marks is the wreckage of a plane. "I think that's them," Steve says.

The pilot nods and says, "Oye, it'll take awhile to get there. You'll probably need to get a helicopter, there's nowhere I can set down."

Steve is already grabbing his pack from the back and strapping it on, fixing his shield on his arm. "It's alright, I'll take it from here. You've earned your money, Pablo."

And with that he opens the plane door and jumps out of it.

Lara Croft has posed:
When Steve made his landing, he'd find himself on a bank beside a body of water, with the remnants of a plane broken apart all across it. The rains had already put out the ffires, but the plane's surface was clearly scorched to hell and back. The majority of the plane was missing though, likely in the water of the lake...

But hope wasn't lost. Steve would find a set of boxes beside the water, gear boxes. Someone had pulled them out of the plane and had emptied them out.

Steve's radio would crackle. "alpha... papa?" A male's voice spoke.

"This is, uh... Chef Murphy. Do you copy?" It's Jonah's voice, unmistakable to Cap's ears by this stage of their friendship.

"Charlie Alpha, Papa. Do you copy?"

All around Steve the sounds of the jungle are thick in the air. The lake would be idylic... iff it were not for the plane wreckage marring the land around it, some of it even hanging from a massive tree leaning over the side of the lake's waters.

Steve Rogers has posed:
The parachute had just barely slowed Steve from the much-too-low jump from the plane, Steve landing in a roll to absorb the extra impact. He'd quickly stowed the chute and then made his way over to examine the wreck.

Seeing the signs of the post-crash activity lifted a little of the worry that had been gripping his heart. And the crackle of his radio did even more.

"I copy. It's good to hear you're voice, Chef. How are you and your companion, over," Steve replies on the radio. He's already looking around the area. Crouching to eye tracks that lead off into the jungle.

Straightening, he begins following them even as he waits for Jonah to respond over the radio. His eyes sweep the jungle, spotting an anaconda loitering in a tree, waiting for a meal. Steve knows Lara is skilled enough to be able to survive in an environment like this. Though he's more concerned about Jonah dealing with the jungle.

Lara Croft has posed:
"We're as good as we can be." The Cheff responds over the static-charged comm line. "Things are heating up in the jungle quite a bit, Charlie Alpha." The Hawaiian man adds, his voice laced with noticeable tension. "Look. Lima Charlie is pushing theirself to fix things. To fix it all, before it gets way worse. We're in a safe place right now though, not far from the splash down site, which I'm willing to bet you've found by now?"

Steve would be able to tell that Jonah is absolutely beating around the bush here, which means people might be listening in that he definitely doesn't want to share sensitive information with.

"Lima is headed out to check on another lead. I can try and catch up with them, or come help find you." The mysterious Chef states as his radio clicks over.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Thankfully it isn't all that easy to trek through the jungle without leaving signs of one's passage. Especially for someone like Jonah who has no training in it. "That sounds like Lima," Cap replies into the radio. "I will find you. Just stay put and stay safe. Switch to the channel that's the same price as my favorite entree, and keep listening there in case," Steve says. #6. So delicious. With extra spice in the sauce.

The heat is soon making itself felt on Steve, even if it is late in the year, it never really cools off here. Insects bite his neck, ignored except for slapping them away.

Steve makes good time. It isn't long before he's climbing up a tree on the edge of a village of some sort. Moving for a better view to try to confirm if Jonah is still in the village that their tracks have led to, and whether any inhabitants there are friendly.

Lara Croft has posed:
"Copy that, Charlie Alpha." Jonah replied. "It's good to have you here too... See you soon."

As the sun begins its descent, casting a warm, golden hue upon the lush landscape, the village of Paititi comes alive. Narrow pathways wind through a tapestry of vibrant greenery, adorned with intricately woven fabrics and vibrant flowers that add bursts of color to the earthy surroundings. The air is filled with the distant sounds of daily life?chants from a distant temple, the laughter of children playing, and the rhythmic beat of drums accompanying a lively celebration. The stone structures, adorned with ornate carvings, stand as testaments to ancient craftsmanship, seamlessly blending with the natural beauty that envelops the village.

The market square bustles with activity as locals engage in trade, their wares ranging from vibrant textiles to exotic spices. As the sun's last rays kiss the horizon, Paititi exudes an enchanting serenity, that may even surprise Steve at just how nice and welcoming it looks.

He'll hear music too, coming from some unseen radio that casts echoes around the edge of the jungle perimeter. Within moments, Steve will see Jonah on the edge of a wooden porch in front of a shanty-style tavern of sorts. He's talking to a local woman who stands beside him, the big Hawaiian man appears to be in good shape even ffrom affar, which is saying a lot considering the shape that plane had been in...

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Rogers lets out a small breath of relief at seeing Jonah at the tavern. "Better than I would have expected. Maybe I'm turning into a pessimist," Steve says to himself as he drops down out of the tree and then begins making his way out of the last of the jungle underbrush and into the open.

He approaches the village slowly, just to be safe. Give them time to see him coming. His iconic shield might not have any meaning down here, but seeing it could also worry them. So he removes his backpack, affixing the shield on his back as he makes his way towards the village. Soon falling onto a small path worn in the grass that leads between the idyllic buildings.

A few kids rolling a hoop come past, stopping to stare at him. Steve gives them a smile and a wave and continues on. The kids following at a bit of a distance, until they've followed him to the outside of the tavern where Steve approaches Jonah. "Most of my experience with plane crashes don't involve getting to enjoy a cerveza after. Though there was a monastery in Italy that made their own wine, now that I think about it," he says, moving over to offer Jonah his hand. "Glad to see you're ok. How is Lara?"

Lara Croft has posed:
The woman with Jonah nodded toward the approaching man, causing the bulky Hawaiian to turn around to see Steve ascending the side steps up to the porch area. Jonah laughs heartily, and steps toward Steve, instantly embracing him with that loving style of only someone like Jonah can exude. "Steve. You made it. Thank the Gods..." He says with relief touching his face.

Jonah steps back then, as he motions to the local woman. "Captain America, this is Mora. Mora, Captain America."

Mora, Lara's age, steps to Steve to offer her hand, and a look of surprise. "Welcome to Paititi, Captain." She says in a kindly accented voice. "We are honored to have you here. Wait until the children find out who you are..." She says with a small laugh.

Jonah claps Steve's shoulder. "Let me get you a drink. What are you in the mood for?" He asks, as he starts in toward the tavern which is an open-air affair, with the bar just a handful of paces under the roof. On the bar is the radio playing the soft melodies, and behind it is a local bartender, with two local patrons seated at it. Jonah is quick to place an order and bring the drinks back to pass around to everyone.

"You didn't run in to any trouble in the jungle, did you?" Jonah asks Steve then, sounding a bit more dire.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Rogers takes Mora's hand in both of his to shake. "Hello Mora. Thank you for the warm welcome. To myself and my friends," he says to her, giving the woman a soft smile. Steve glances around, hoping he might catch sight of Lara but figuring from Jonah's comment that she's probably off doing her thing.

Setting his pack done, Steve settles into a seat next to Jonah. "A cervaza would be perfect." He waits for Jonah to return with the drinks and then says. "No trouble. No signs of anyone but snakes. Spotted the crash from the air and parachuted in," Steve says, lowering his voice to keep the conversation private.

"So what is the situation? And how is Lara? Where is Lara?" he asks, his concern showing through. Since he arrived in the Yucatan to help with the tsunami recovery efforts, he hadn't gotten to talk to Lara, just exchanged a message or two. Without that he might not have known about her plane that didn't return.

Lara Croft has posed:
Jonah and Mora both take seats as well. They exchange glances before Jonah puts his right elbow on the edge of the table and leans forward, his drink in his left hand now. "Lara is not injured. Not physically anyway." He tells the Captain. He's clearly trying to formulate the right words in his mind. "She's gone through a lot since it all hit the fan, Cap. I don't know what she told you, after the tsunami... But it's bad. It's real bad. I told her we needed to reach out to you, to the Avengers, and anyone else who could help, but she said it was too late, that you all had your hands full now following that giant wave. She's convinced that only she can stop what is coming now."

He pauses, and his chair creaks a bit under his weight.

"The Apocalypse. As if we didn't have enough of those going around to worry about." He says with a dark huff of a laugh chasing that claim.

"Ancient Mayan Gods are not happy, Cap. I'm not sure how we're going to settle them down again."

Mora is quiet as she listens, most of this she's already heard by now anyway. But when she glances away, and looks back, she reaches out to tap Steve's wrist, and nod over his left shoulder.

There, in the village, Lara is walking through one of the pathways, some of the village children running around her asking her questions and holding their hands out for candy or trinkets from the 'crazy adventurer.'

She's dressed in dirty hiking pants, a dirty button-up shirt with a black tanktop poking out the apex of the half-buttoned front. She has a bag over one shoulder, and her dark hair is a tied-back mess of unkempt mayhem. But she's there, she's not injured, and she's headed their way...

Jonah catches sight of her and starts to rise up. "She must've forgot something." He says as he raises up a hand and is about to call out to her.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Roger's face is laced with concern, worry lines showing as Jonah and Mora start to scratch the surface of what is going on. "Well, not to full to stop an Apocalypse," he replies, nodding for Jonah to continue.

The touch to his wrist and the gesture turns Steve about in his chair to look where Mora is indicating. Relief runs through him and Steve beats Jonah to his feet. The distance between the tavern and Lara is covered in short order. That relief spilling over, Steve moves to gather Lara into his arms, pulling her to him as he spins her around him once before letting her feet return to the ground.

"Now," he says, trying to not let his worry show too much in his tone. Though she'll be able to read it from Steve easily enough, "What is it I've told you about going off and fighting Mayan gods to prevent the Apocalypse, without me?" he asks in a teasing voice as he leans his forehead against Lara's.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara is on a small bridge over a creek that runs through the center of the village when she pauses and sees Steve there on the other side of it. They meet up in the middle of the makeshift wooden bridge, and embrace just-so. Lara squeezes him tightly as he spins her around, and all the while the gaggle of children are rushing around them celebrating with them because they don't seem to have much else worth doing right now!

One of the children spies the shield on Steve's back and is shouting 'Captain America!' over and over, causing the other children to laugh.

Once back on her dirty booted feet, Lara is smiling up at Steve and placing her dirty hands upon his chest. "I'm sorry." She says when their foreheads touch. "I've screwed everything up. I set in motion all of this. The tsunami... the heavy rainstorms. It's all my fault. I have to stop it before the coming eclipse. I have to stop Trinity from finding the box, and opening it with a sacrificial ceremony using a dagger that /I/ discovered, and /I/ lost to them." She sighs, her shoulders shaking as the stress of all of this is clearly weighing on the British noble, out here far away from home, and immersed in the kind of trouble that she somehow seems to wiggle her way in to.

"I can't believe you're here..." She whispers then. "Trinity is here. HYDRA ..." She tells him. "The locals are engaging with them in the jungle, their people are dying just to keep this place safe... but.." They can't hold them back forever, Steve would know.