middleofsomewhere | Under the Sea: Mission start

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Under the Sea: Mission start

After fleeing the strange shapes in the sky the voidtreckers are perhaps not looking forward to yet another mission and indeed the first few days of Fiddlesticks go by without any strange dreams, no warning that another mission might be nigh. Yet on the morning of day five their SCA's will glow with the colours of the void and a holographic message will appear.

Preperations

The dressing room is open once again, though the clothes this time are simple in choice. A wet suit for each void trecker as well as a pair of flippers, a helmet and a breathing pack. It at least has instructions and there will be a little bit of time for them to figure out how to use them. Apart from that there are some waterproof packs for supplies to be packed in.

They will have a couple of hours to get ready for their mission.

Arrival: Blue and Red

"We are now approaching world #7625000129523. Drop order is Red and Blue, Purple then Orange. Red and Blue team to doors. Arrival in world #7625000129523 in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

The train shudders and lurches as they exit the void, the view from the window goes from the ever shifting void to a beautiful deep blue sky. They fly through the air and swoop down to land on a sandy beach. The doors open allowing those who are taking part in the Blue and Red missions to debark. The doors close and the train swoops up into the air.

The beach stretches from one side to the other, in the distance as the beach turns into sloping green hills they can see a village. Beyond that there is a jungle. Any red team who check their SCA will see four points, the rock pools.

The villagers have noticed the huge train sweeping down onto their island and so contact is made quickly. They will be quite accepting of the help and explain the situation. They will help any of red team to the rockpools if asked.

Red

The rockpools are built up and indeed made so the water will reach a persons waist if they stand in them. The water is cold but not overly so. When the water shoots up anyone in them will shoot up also.

They will find themselves in a vortex of water, with anyone else who enters that rockpool. The water itself seems to be fighting them, tendrils of water reaching out of the whirlpool to try and drag them further into the chaos. It takes a whole lot of willpower to stay in the centre, the water can be fought with weapons, even with fists. They feel as if they are falling or flying, perhaps both. Surrounded by the pure chaos of the ocean.

Blue

Hopefully they spend the day helping with preparations because when night falls the monsters emerge from the sea. Terrifying twisted creatures. The villagers only have simple weapons but will tell them that fire is helpful against these water creatures.

Hold off the monsters and keep the people safe.

Purple

The doors close and the train flies off into the sky, flying over the island to the other side where it lands on a rocky bay, near tall towering cliffs.

"Purple team to doors." The doors open, allowing the purple team to disembark before flying off once again.

In the cliff face there is a large cave entrance, over the entrance there are symbols, translated by their SCA's. Clear mind, clear heart. Come those who seek to serve.

There are six people stood by the entrance, looking quite surprised at the new arrivals. One, a woman with silver hair recovers enough to speak first. "Ah. Void warriors. We are honoured by your help."

Once introductions are made the spiritual leaders will happily accept the escort and their adventure can begin.

Orange

They fly up and out across the ocean, a longer flight than before but eventually they descend and there is a slight juddering before they land, floating on the ocean.

"Orange team disembark, please use luggage or dressing carriage doors only."

They will step out onto an inflated platform that streches around the train. Down below are the depths of the water and their SCA's show them at the point of Bui. It is below them so all they need to is dive.

The dive takes a while, and depends on their swimming ability but hopefully with a bit of teamwork they arrive at the silent city of Bui.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Maru looked away and sighed, muttering under his breath about how bothersome this all was, and again wishing for Madoka to come and help him explain this.

But since she wasn't there he was on his own to deal with too many questions.

"... This was how I was created." He answered with a shrug. "My siblings are different animals... One is a bat." If that helped. Old Child was definitely a bat.

Though the next two questions, he didn't have to answer the night one because the guy seemed to get it. The next had his eyes narrowing. "... I don't like it." He hated it, in fact. If he could go without drinking blood for the rest of his eternal life he would. Though he knew that wasn't possible, now he had an Eve who wanted him to fight with her.

"Cool, how many siblings did you have?" He asked. If he were a vampire who turned into animals, he'd want to be a chocobo. "Are any of them birds?" A hawk would be cool! Or maybe an eagle like the one on Gladio's back!

He was getting distracted but that answer about the blood brought him right back. He was surprised at the confession. "Really? Have you been drinking that stuff that's in the refrigerator?"

He thought about Tsubaki... He thought about him and the others. "Seven..." He replied slowly and then just as slowly he shook his head. There were no birds, unless their creator had made more he wasn't aware of... But he was pretty sure that was only Tsubaki. And there was no chance of the man making any more. Not now...

Maru's eyes widened a bit and another shake of his head. How... Why? Were there other vampires on the train? Why would they allow more monsters on the train? "... Never..." There was the slightest of growls to Maru's voice then. He wasn't too happy with this line of questioning...

There's the sudden sound of footsteps rapidly coming closer, and a moment later there's Madoka, already attaching herself to the blue-haired guy with a hug and a giggle. "Maru, there you are!"

It seems she did manage to pick up the last bit of the conversation the two of them were having, since she turns her head to look at Prompto (though not relinquishing her hold on her not-so-kitty bodyguard, thank you very much) with a half-pout. "Uncle Prompto, don't you know that Maru is a good kitty? He wouldn't just drink blood like that!"

.. okay. Well, technically Maru has had her blood already, but that was a tiny bit, so Madoka isn't going to count that.

"What were the rest of them?" He asked, trying to think up what kind of animals the others were. There was probably a fox or wolf, right? Then uh.. maybe a.. um.. rabbit? Did vampires and rabbits go together?

He frowned as he saw the reaction to his question, but it brightened a bit with Madoka joining them. Still she picked right up on the conversation and he was suddenly getting scolded! Oh no! Cute niece was scolding him!

"Wha- no! I wasn't.. I didn't mean anything by that," he looked at Maru, shaking his head and holding up his hands. "I've never met a vampire before! I didn't know that was a bad question! I'm sorry!"

As if somehow she's sensed his discomfort, Madoka was at his side. And better than that, arms had gone around him. Immediately he could feel himself begin to relax, though his head was lowered and he couldn't quite look at either of them.

How could they easily talk about things like that? Didn't they know...? He was a monster. Though sometimes, when Madoka was there and defending him like that, sometimes he didn't feel so monstrous.

He leaned into her embrace just a little.

It's not a surprise to find Maru comfortable with her hugs. He's never put up a fight about them, despite her having hugged him an awful lot ever since their made that contract.. But him leaning into it while looking downwards and not saying anything does feel the slightest bit off - just enough for Madoka to keep holding onto him with one hand and use the other (with a bit of reaching) to gently pat his head, like she'd do if he was in his cat form too, hoping it'll relax him a bit.

Her head turns to look at Prompto though, giving him what she hopes is a reassuring smile.

"I-- It's okay, uncle Prompto. You couldn't know! I know you're a really sweet person who wouldn't want to say anything mean to someone." That much Madoka is absolutely certain of. There's no hesitation in her voice at those last words. "It's just.. well.. um, maybe it's a little hard for us to imagine since we're just regular people.. but it's got to be tough when you're different from everyone else, you know? It might make you feel strange, or there might be some things about your nature that you don't like, but can't change because it's just who you are.."

It's not like Madoka knows everything about Maru's issues (or Prompto.. actually not really being a regular human, for that matter), but considering his dislike for the whole drinking blood thing, she can guess a little bit.

"But.. I think it doesn't matter what you are. Just that you're a good person regardless. Don't you think so too, uncle Prompto?"

Huh, he kind of acted like a cat even in this form. That was pretty cute! It was sweet how Madoka was doting on him too. He'd be really happy for them both if he wasn't feeling awkward and maybe a little guilty about what he'd asked. He listened as she explained and started nodding along that yes, of course, he'd never intend to be mean to someone! That wasn't who he was.

However, the rest of it had his breath catch in his chest and he stared at her. For a few brief seconds, he forgot the cat-man-boy-guy was even there and just.. stared. Did she know? Had Glads told her? No, he quickly dismissed that thought as preposterous. But then how..

He realized belatedly she'd stopped talking and his cheeks colored. "Uh.. right." It was hard to know what to even say to that, but he knew she was waiting. His tunnel vision widened enough for him to recall Maru. Oh! Right. That's why- it didn't have anything to do with him. Yep. His different-ness was still a secret.

"I mean, yeah. I didn't want you to feel bad, I just was worried if you'd need some help. You might be wearing orange and spend your time being a kitty, but you're here with the blue team which makes you a teammate. If you were a vegetarian and the only food around here was steak, it'd be the same thing. You might need some help to get what you need and that's okay. That doesn't make you a bad different, just.. you know, sort of different." He frowned, unsure if that had really come out how he'd wanted it. "But you can be a good person and be different. Nothing wrong with that!"

Was he a good person? Maru wasn't too sure about that... For a moment he seemed to shrink in on himself a little more, as if he were trying to hide away from the whole conversation. He was tempted to just become a cat and take off. But Madoka had come to his aid, she was doing her best, the least he could do was stay and listen.

"... I don't... drink blood..." Maru managed to get out, understanding that the guy who was Madoka's uncle was going to harp on this. So he needed to make himself clear. "... And now I can't, even if I wanted..." Because he had an Eve now. It was only her blood he could drink. And even then it was the small amount needed to fight for her, to feed on her resolve, her will to fight. The stronger that was, the stronger he would become. But at any other time he hated to do it. Maru hated being a monster...

It's a good thing Madoka is so oblivious. The fact that Prompto just nearly misunderstood what she was talking about goes about fifteen miles over her head. Instead she just smiles at his words as he agrees with her. That sounds like Prompto the way she's gotten to know him. He always tries so hard to be sweet!

Although it doesn't seem to fully help Maru, which is worrying. Madoka is totally fussing over the other here, which probably looks ridiculous since Maru definitely is the taller and older-looking one here. But Madoka looks up at him with a tiny, but very serious-looking worrying frown, making sure to keep holding the other to hopefully provide him some comfort.

"Hmm, Maru doesn't drink blood to live." And honestly, even if he did, Madoka wouldn't judge him. It's like Prompto said, people should get the help they need. But since Maru seems to be trying to explain this to Prompto, Madoka figures she can help out as the one with more energy here. "He can eat just like us! He really likes snacks. Like chips."

She gives Prompto a small smile at that, despite the hints of worry left in her face, to try and make things a bit lighter.

Prompto couldn't say he wouldn't have a little problem with Maru drinking blood. On the train it was no big deal since the train supplied blood- which he never really thought about till now (where did it come from??)- but here? How was he going to get that? Prompto wouldn't want him hurting anyone. Although one look at this shy boy made him think he probably wasn't going to be doing that.

"Cool! I ordered some of those on board and got crab flavor. It was a lot better than you might think it would be." He dug in the pocket on his leg and fished out a couple random pieces of hard candy. He held it out to Maru. "Would you like some? I bought a whole bag of candy too."

Maru might have been taller and he might have been older, much older, but in a lot of ways he was a lot more fragile than he cared to admit. While he might have been physically strong, mentally he wasn't at all. But he knew he needed to try, for Madoka's sake if nothing else.

He made himself sit up so as to stop leaning against her, but he was able to give her a small smile of thanks.

Then to the other guy he nodded and reached out to take one of the hard candies. "Thanks..." As peace offerings went it wasn't a bad one.

Don't worry, uncle Prompto, Madoka sure wouldn't mind being a living blood bag!

Thankfully for either of them it's not a subject that has to be breached right now though. Madoka is way too happy at seeing Maru smile, even if it's just a tiny bit. Her worry about him hasn't entirely faded, but that's exactly while she'll be sticking this close to his side until he's feeling better.

.. except her thoughts are completely distracted the moment Prompto pulls out that candy and gives one to Maru. Oh gosh, that looks so good. But with Madoka being Madoka, of course she can't just ask if she can have one too! It'd be too selfish!

Instead she's just staring at the candy with really obvious yearning puppy eyes.

Iggy might skin him alive if he found out Madoka was a living blood bag and didn't stop it. Fortunately, he didn't think that was going on. If she said he didn't do that, then Prompto believed her.

He waited a moment with his hand out with the candy in it and noticed Madoka staring at them. He gave her a smile. "You too! I have more. I bought a whole bag of them." He made sure Madoka got two and Maru got another piece before he was done dishing out treats. He took the last piece and ate it himself. "So,.. can I ask you something?" He looked at Maru curiously. "If you're both a cat and a guy, do you prefer being one or the other? Is it weird if people pet you?"

He'd already popped one of the sweets in his mouth, though the second one was given to Madoka because he was a kitty with little kitty paws and holding them was not the easiest thing.

Maru cocked his head a little when the guy asked about a question, and then went and asked it before he could say anything. Then he shrugged. "... Being a cat is easier." He spoke around the sweet in his mouth. "I don't mind people petting me." Though it was still odd when those same people felt the need to pet him even when he was human. Madoka had taken to doing it. Shiny Guy as well.

Prompto gets instantly rewarded for his good deed of sharing the candy with a super cute and bright Madoka smile. Prompto really has earned his favourite uncle status, especially since he was smart enough to bring candy along on the mission!

She's still smiling as she nods along when Maru says he doesn't mind people petting him. "I pet him all the time, uncle Prompto. Even when he's human." Although that means she has to stand on her toes since she's so tiny.. But she's a determined little thing! "After all, no matter whether he's a kitty or a human, Maru is so soft and fluffy!"

That was the best reward ever! Totally worth having a slightly sticky pants pocket for it. This was now going to be a tradition. He would hence forth be 'the uncle with the candy'. He liked that title.

He snickered at Madoka saying she petted Maru even as a human. He looked at the boy- who was probably about his height or so and shrugged. Why not? He reached out and gave the guy a pet on the head. "You are soft and fluffy!"

He glanced down at Madoka and suddenly noticed the height difference. "I could put you on my shoulders if you want to reach him easier."

Maru blinked. He was soft and fluffy? He was looking at Madoka in confusion, so didn't really see when the other guys hand stretched out to land on his head... And he very much almost pouted.

"... I'm not soft and fluffy." Maybe as a cat sure. But as him? He wasn't soft or fluffy.

Madoka giggles as she watches Prompto pet Maru. It's just cute.. It's not too surprising, considering how friendly Prompto seems all the time, but it's still just nice to see them getting along.

(Or, well, whether or not he's getting along with someone is always harder to measure with Maru and his lack of energy.. but they seem like it right now!)

"Uncle Prompto, am I not too big to be on your shoulders?" Madoka, please, you're literally pocket-sized. But after curiously blinking at the blonde for a moment, she instead turns her gaze to Maru. "And Maru, you're really soft and fluffy!"

She's reaching up to try and pet him even as she says it...

".. Um, unless you don't want to be..?"

"It's your hair. Isn't everyone's hair soft and fluffy? I don't really go around touching people's heads all that much so I may be wrong in assuming."

He looked down at her and his eyebrows rose sharply. "Are you kidding? Check 'em!" He flexes his arms in a few very exaggerated poses. "I could carry both of you on my shoulders!"

He dissolves into more laughs before calming down enough to look at the cute blue haired cat-boy. "So uh.. do you like fish? I've heard cats really like fish. Do you ever have the impulse to bat stuff with your hands like cats do?" He glanced around wondering if they could make a game of this. "Fetch is only a dog thing, right?"

Maru glanced at Madoka before he slowly sank down to one knee so she could reach. Even if he hadn't really liked it, he wouldn't have seen her struggle to reach him. As it was he didn't really mind it, he was just surprised that these people actually seemed to want to pet his hair in his human form.

If they said it was soft and fluffy though, he suppose he couldn't argue. They both couldn't be wrong, could they?

"... I like grilled fish." Did that count. Maru frowned, was this guy making fun of him? It was hard to tell. "I don't..." Though as a cat he had, to entertain the girls at Mahiru's school. They'd seemed to find it cute.

It's so cute how Maru actually moves down so she can reach. Madoka is taking it as a sign that he's okay with her petting him like this, so she does exactly that with a smile on her face as she listens to Prompto and Maru exchange words. (She'll even give an approving giggle at Prompto "proving" his strength over there, since it's cute! He did carry her before, just not on his shoulder, so maybe he actually could carry them?)

Her gaze shifts over to Maru's frown though. Is he uncomfortable? Due to their bond, Madoka can at least feel a weird kind of feeling coming from him, so after petting him another time Madoka slowly stops, but still sticks by the cat boy's side.

"I think Maru actually doesn't have that many cat instincts." She's saying it thoughtfully, like she's considering it even as she's saying it now. Madoka hadn't really thought about it before.. "He's not really a regular kitty, after all. He's a person. I've never seen another cat that likes chips the way he does.."

"Aww," Prompto coos seeing Maru be so sweet to Madoka. Clearly this guy was the best the to happen to Madoka! Well, besides maybe her getting adopted by Iggy- he was a little biased there though.

His smile dropped from his face when Maru didn't look very happy with his questions. Madoka's explanation confirms that he'd gotten the wrong impression here.

"Oh, sorry. I just think it's really cool that you're part cat. That'd be really fun to turn into an animal. I wasn't meaning anything by it." He looked at Madoka. "What animal would you like to be if you could do that? I'd want to be a chocobo!" This shouldn't surprise anyone. "Have you seen a chocobo, Maru?" Whether he says yes or not, he's getting a suddenly appearing camera held out to him with the picture of what Inigo affectionately calls 'oversized chickens'.

While he might have thought it was easier being a cat, and sometimes he did act like a cat more than a 'normal' person, he wasn't a cat. He didn't go mad over catnip. He wasn't that keen on tuna. Maybe he'd played with ribbon to entertain people when he was a cat, but as a human he'd never had an urge to chase a ball of yarn around.

And yet there he was, crouched down so that his Eve could pet him.

Before he could say anything though, the subject was changed and the blonde guy was showing him a picture of some giant bird. He looked at Madoka's friend curiously. "... Did you make that word up?"

Okay, this is clearly a better topic, so Madoka relaxes a bit again. (Don't mind her just slightly leaning sideways against her favourite kitty person though, like an affectionate way of keeping contact between the two of them.) In fact, she even laughs a little when of all the things Maru could be asking about that picture, it's that question he's going for.

"No way, they really exist where he comes from. They look kind of different from the animals on Earth, right? Like if ostriches looked a bit more like chickens!"

Prompto's love for them is really cute though. She's always happy whenever she sees her uncle get so excited.

"And.. um, if I could turn into an animal.." Madoka hums, before giving the absolute Madoka-y-iest answer ever. "I think I'd like to turn into one of those big dogs that they have up in the mountains.. um.. what are they called again? St. Bernards? They save people who are lost or dying in the snow! I'd really like to be able to do something that important."

Under the Sea: Mission start

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slides in ;)

Yay Madoka!

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