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.

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Madoka seems content enough with him agreeing. Granted, she's used to Ignis not putting up too much of a fight about this with her - especially by now, like he's starting to get used to her dragging him off for some rest. She's still letting him get plenty of work in, after all, it's just.. someone has to draw the line for him somewhere, and Madoka will gladly make that her duty as his daughter.

Besides, she loves his company, and it feels great to be able to have that all to herself for a few moments. Though she'd hate to admit such a selfish thing, even just to herself. Still.. it makes her lean against him a little as they're sitting there.

"Um.." She has to think for a moment. It's not that she's nervous about telling Ignis. He's always been so supportive of everything. It's more just that she's figuring out the best way to put this. "Before we left to go on this mission.. Someone told me they like me. In a way that's more than just liking someone as a friend, I mean."

When his daughter leans against him, Ignis can only smile. It's nice to have this sort of affection going on and he's more than aware stolen moments like this will be brief. As she hesitates, he can only guess the topic might be hard for her to talk about, but he's patient and waits quietly, slipping an arm around her side to keep her close.

The news however has him smiling. Well it was about time even if she was a bit young. He wouldn't be a hypocrite though, because he'd harboured secret feelings for Noct since he was about Madoka's age. Come to find out though that his feelings had in fact been reciprocated all that time as well. So the smile was still in place as he looked down at her.

"So tell me, who's the lucky person?"

Tony was going to be unhappy.

Edited 2020-05-14 01:05 (UTC)

That smile definitely was expected, but it's nice to see all the same. It's really amazing how supportive Ignis is, no matter what she brings up to him, and it only makes Madoka adore her papa all the more. And with that arm around her, it's easy to just enjoy being held as she tries to figure out how to talk about a slightly flustering topic.

"Ple Two.." At least the benefit of being on a train with a relatively small population (compared to a city or anything like it, anyway) is that she doesn't have to explain who it is. Especially since Ple Two has been around for such a long time. Still, Madoka says it somewhat shyly, wondering if it might not sound too strange that she and Ple Two have this thing going on of all people. Madoka knows they're very much opposites in some ways, but that's exactly why she likes the other girl!

"S-She's really cool..! And really strong too." Well, mentally, at least. Until you give her a huge fighting robot to add into the mix. "And she has an unexpectedly cute side that I really like.."

Ple Two? Well wasn't that unexpected? But still, Ignis just smiles and holds onto his daughter. He only smiles at Madoka's further revelation that the girl is strong and is cool. At hearing the other had a cute side, the advisor couldn't help but chuckle.

"You know, I would say some of those things about your Dad." Tony was cool and strong in the advisor's eyes. And that cute vulnerable side he rarely let anyone see. So whenever it came out, to the strategist it really was a big deal. It made him love his iron knight hero all the more.

"Well when you see her, please inform her that I am happy for you both and I should expect to see her at our family dinners as often as she would like."

Although his first remark makes her look a little surprised, she does get it when she thinks about it. It's true that her dad is really cool and really strong.. but also definitely unexpectedly cute. Even though she thinks it's unexpected in a different kind of way when it comes to Ple Two. She can imagine the girl coming across as stoic to some people, maybe..

But before she can say anything about it, she's immediately even more surprised by what follows. It's not as if Ignis has ever been anything but super supportive, but the words still - positively! - catch her by surprise. Madoka smiles widely, and although her cheeks are still a little red with how flustered she is, she seems genuinely happy as she turns to throw her arms around Ignis and cling to him.

"Papa, thank you..!" Because that's just the sweetest response. Especially since she hadn't even considered bringing Ple Two to their family dinner yet, but now she's thinking of it, she loves the idea. "You're the best..! I don't know if she's done that a lot back home.." Probably not, considering what she's seen of Ple Two's circumstances, "But I'm sure she'll like it!"

Suddenly his daughter's arms around him and Ignis smiled. He didn't know what he did to deserve this unexpected but very welcome hug. The advisor is trying to figure out what she's thanking him for as well but he's happy she's happy. But when Madoka says the part about that she might not have done a lot of that back home it clicks.

He smiled at his daughter and held on a little tighter. "Well our team is our family. So there's no reason why she couldn't have been there all along. But since the two of you are together that's even more reason don't you think?" He let go a little so he could put their foreheads together.

Moments like this were precious and Ignis smiled. "Be sure to tell her soon as I've found good news and things to look forward can help keep people focused during missions." Like he would drive Noct crazy with wanting his beloved Ebony coffee after fights.

"I will!"

Madoka smiles. There's a lot to smile for here, after all. There's that warm - and maybe just slightly nervous - feeling that blossoms in her chest whenever she thinks of Ple Two and the very new thing between them, but also just the always welcome and comforting close proximity with her papa. It's hard, if not just downright impossible, to worry much about the mission and the monsters they have to face when she's just so happy.

"Me and her will keep an eye on each other during the rest of the mission too." Especially since Ple Two seems to be feeling a bit off on this island. "So it'll all be alright. We'll all get back safely so we can have a fun family dinner!"

Edited 2020-05-18 21:34 (UTC)

"That sounds like a fine plan." Ignis smiled hugging his daughter against his side. In a way this was just like it always was. Madoka and Ignis hit it off on their first mission and here they were again on a beach. It was nice and relaxing, at least for a few minutes because they didn't have that really on their first mission.

"Yes, if the two of you keep an eye on each other and encourage others to at least tag along with one person on every mission, it will help our team leaders keep a better track of who we have with us on each one that we have."

He paused and thought a moment. "So what shall we have for dinner?"

All Ignis has to do is say the magical h-word (help, it's help) and Madoka is instantly up for anything. Of course she'll encourage everyone to stick together with someone else if that's what helps! She loves to help! So she smiles again with a nod.

The question, though, takes a bit more consideration. She's actually not quite sure what Ple Two likes to eat, it's just never come up before.. Maybe she should sneakily ask the girl at some point?

"Well.. After this mission, we're probably going to end up with a whole lot of seafood, huh." She luckily didn't witness any of it herself, but she did hear other people brought along meat from their last mission. And there sure is a whole lot of (aggressive) sealife here.

Madoka was adorable when she smiled and Ignis mentally took a picture whenever he saw it. He saw the smile change to something more thoughtful and looked at her curiously. Obviously the wheels were turning in his daughter's head and he remained silently waiting.

There was a nod at the guess about seafood being plentiful. "Yes quite. We always bring home quite a bit of food that we keep in the freezers returning back from our missions. The seashell gathering won't be an issue due to giving those to your Dad. But the seafood will be quite well stocked indeed." Ignis paused. "Should she be allergic to any ingredients, simply let me know ahead of time."

Madoka thoughtfully nods along to what he says, until he arrives at that last part. She doesn't look totally shocked, but she definitely has a surprised look on her face, and for a moment Madoka presses her hands to her mouth. She's looking very much like someone who just remembered they left the gas on at home.

After a moment of the surprise, she leans a little closer to Ignis, her cheeks pink with shame. She even whispers, despite there being no one else around to overhear. "Um.. Papa, was I already supposed to know that about her before we.. um, you know.. got together..?" Is she an awful girlfriend already?!

The hand clapped over his daughter's mouth was concerning. "Madoka?" And why are her cheeks pink? But then she leans in and asks her question which made him let out a tiny laugh. Giving her a smile, the advisor shook his head. "No darling. That is what courting is all about, you learn about each other. And even when you think you know everything there is, there's still more that you weren't aware of."

Tony constantly surprised Ignis at turns with that. If he thought he knew the way his hero was going to react, he found out something new.

"Really..?" At least she doesn't seem offended by his laugh in the slightest. Madoka does look unsure for a moment more, but the more she thinks about it.. Ignis is really smart. And he wouldn't lie to her. So if he's saying that, then it must be right. Maybe it really is okay that she doesn't know.

The girl slowly nods.

"I.. I see, I'm glad.. I feel like there's still a lot I don't know about her yet. But if that's normal in relationships, then that's good.." This is the first time Madoka herself has been in one, after all. "I do want to learn all those things about her though, of course..!"

Ignis nodded with a smile. "It's alright that you don't know about each other, but you will and I assure you that's quite normal. I didn't know everything about your Dad and I'll tell you a secret that I still don't even after almost a year." Or at least by his own calculations that was right. He was paying attention to the calendar though, making sure things were correct.

He would never steer her wrong on purpose and it was comforting that maybe they could learn together in some ways. Tony was sure to have more advice having had far more experience and wisdom. Maybe he could impart some of that to their daughter as well and together they could both help guide their daughter in her own relationship journey.

That is really reassuring to hear. Especially since her dads have been together for so long already.. That makes it much less weird then that there are still plenty of things she doesn't know about Ple Two yet - they only just started dating, after all.

"Thanks, papa. I really feel reassured hearing that." And so she wants to properly thank him for hearing her out! "Do you think dad is going to be happy for us too? I can't tell him until after the mission.."

H.. a... haa.... Just don't think too hard about that one, Madoka.

He smiled with a nod at his daughter when she said she felt reassured. Hopefully that meant he was doing this parenting thing correctly. But then Madoka goes and asks that question and he thinks back to the part about Maru.

Still, there's a soft spot in the iron knight's heart for his second daughter and so Ignis nods. "I'm sure your Dad will be happy for you." Because Ignis would pull Tony out and talk to him again if that's what was needed.

Ignis really is doing this parenting thing right. After all, Madoka doesn't seem to doubt his words even for a moment. If he says her dad will be happy for her, then she trusts him immediately. So she just smiles.

"I'm glad."

Although the thought of her dad does pull her mind back to that whole conversation about Maru to begin with. And everything that she finally had to tell both her fathers about her situation back home in full. Madoka knows what she'd have to do if she ended up back home suddenly, but.. she doesn't want to think about that too hard right now. After all..

"Things are really nice like this, huh..? I'm really happy being here with you and dad." And even if Tony may have to leave them for a while like right now on a mission, he'll always come back. "And then there's Ple Two now, and Maru, and all my uncles and friends.. I never could've imagined that when I showed up here alone."

"We're happy to be with you too so don't forget that." the advisor reassured, leaning over to give her a kiss on top of her pink head. There had been a bit of hesitation on his part doing even that much, it just was going to take time to get this whole affection thing down even if he knew his daughter enjoyed it.

Ignis smiled at hearing Madoka's thoughts about having a family and friends here on the train. He just felt so fortunate that now she would now of course have her own stories with the fabled men that traveled with her Papa. He no longer had to tell her tales from back home regarding them because they were here and they spent time together. And he felt fortunate every day that everyone seemed to get along and loved each other.

"Your Dad and uncles are made of magic, as is your girlfriend." Ignis smiled with a nod.

Madoka smiles at the kiss. It's sweet, and she really does love it. Tony has done it plenty of times with her, after all, but that makes it all the nicer that Ignis seems to at least slowly start to get used to doing the same. She even leans against him after it.

Although that last statement makes her smile with the tiniest hint of mischief.

"Papa, I think you forgot one very important person made of magic." Him, of course. She won't let him leave himself out of it! Her papa is just as great as the rest of them.

It's always precious to him to see that smile and he loves the fact that Madoka is leaning into him after it. But he looks in surprise to Madoka that she's saying he forgot someone regarding being made of magic.

"If I've left anyone out, then that would be you." After all, it was her unflagging strength and faith that got him through one of the darkest times of his time on the train here. Ignis would never ever forget how she spurred him on to keep going.

Somehow the girl manages to look both flustered-surprised and yet pouty at that answer at the same time. Because it's a super sweet answer - and even sweeter with that sentiment behind it - but at the same time totally not the answer she was looking for! She wasn't trying to fish for compliments, she swears!

So with her cheeks still faintly pink, Madoka quickly shakes her head.

"N-No, that's not what I meant! I meant you, papa!"

Don't think he can leave himself out of this!

"You're so amazing. You've been taking care of all of us, and you're so good at it. Everything would've been so different if you hadn't been here." Especially since if he hadn't been here, Madoka wouldn't have been adopted in the first place. That was all because of Ignis taking that first step.

"Me?" Ignis asked, taken aback by her answer and that pout. Why was his daughter pouting at him? He simply never thought of himself as anything special. Even now with Tony's ring back on his left hand, the advisor just counted himself as lucky.

And then Madoka proceeded to tell him all of the wonderful things and he didn't know what to say at all. "I.." His voice cut off because he wasn't sure how to reply. "That's..what I do." He really didn't know how to take praise for something that he'd been doing since he was six years old.

Figuring she was looking for something more than that he could only shake his head. "If I'm so amazing as you say, then come give your Papa a hug." He could really use one of those about now.

Of course Ignis is getting a hug the moment he asks for it. Madoka already loves hugs without being asked, and if her papa wants one, then he sure is going to get one! She hardly misses a beat before she's already moving to cling to him, happily leaning against him.

But though the pout might have faded, that doesn't mean she's done trying to get the fact that he's amazing through to him. Maybe it's more than a little hypocritical, considering Madoka always dismisses compliments too, but she's much too determined to think of that much.

"That doesn't make the things you do less amazing though.." She mumbles while leaning into the hug. "No one told you to become my papa, right? It's something you decided yourself. And you've been so nice to me, and done so much for me.."

And not only her, but listen, she figures maybe it's a little more believable if she at least keeps it to things she can speak of from personal experience.

"I think that's really amazing. That makes you one of the best people here, papa."

Wrapping his arms around his daughter had the effect of letting all of the tension and the stress exit his system. He loved Madoka's hugs but still was working on being a parent and was still a little hesitant on giving it first. This was because he was spoiled with Noct always initiating it first so the advisor would know it was okay at that point to go on and hug him.

"Well..no" Ignis let his voice trail off and he stopped. She just reminded him of a baby chocobo chick that needed someone to be there for her. Really he couldn't think of much he'd done except be there. Food was something he would've done anyway and then here she was thanking him for that..and maybe protecting her in battle too? That was something the team leader should do..but if it made him special in her eyes, he could take that.

"I'm glad you think so darling." The words came out softly and it was all he could say without crying.

She's still just contently leaning into the hug, but something about the softness of those last words makes her lean up - very gently and carefully, because Madoka doesn't want to break a single part of this hug when it's so nice and warm - to press a slight kiss to his cheek before settling right back in for the hug.

"Of course I think that."

It's only natural. Madoka may be really, really bad at saying no to people, but how would she have done something as big as becoming Ignis and Tony's daughter if she didn't think the world of the two of them? It's such a mystery to her that Ignis can't see that about himself.

"So.. never forget that, papa. No matter what happens, I'll always think you're the best."

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faithfulsupport - 2020-06-02 03:48 (UTC) - Expand

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