Onward: Orange

[voidtreckermods]

On the second night those still on the train may be woken by rough seas, the train lurching and rolling in the waves.

If they manage to sleep through the choppy waters they might instead be woken by the voice over the ICPs. "Orange team to doors. Orange team to doors."

Those that head the instruction and exit out of the luggage carriage or dressing room doors will be met with a strange sight.

The sea is glowing. Or at least part of the sea. Underneath them, from where Bui lies there is a light that shines upwards through the dark water, rippling over the water, breaking into specks of light in the waves.

It seems it is time for another investigation.

Night Dive

The water is even colder at night, the water eerie as they make the dive down to the city. The whole city is lit up, light reflecting off shells and coral.

The light seems to be coming from the far palace. Outside the palace there is a sigil, in the shape of a shell, glowing brightly. It had not been there before, nothing to suggest there had been anything special about that patch of ground. Yet it glows now.

Crabs

The city of Bui, until now, has been peaceful, eerily empty even. But as they investigate they will find a different problem. Some of the giant crabs have found their way to the city. Not overwhelming numbers, but enough to be a problem, especially as their aim seems to be attacking the sleeping citizens.

On the Train

For those who remain on the train dawn brings it's own problems. Dawn breaks into darkness, the sun barely penetrating. Shadows are deep and the temperature cooler. It is not too dark to see, more like an endless twilight.

The seas remain rough and choppy, like a storm is brewing.

Comments

[singlefaith]

"Ah--" Ran pinks underneath her helmet. Direct compliments about her fighting skills aren't something that she's used to. "Thank you."

She's going to try not to think about that image of mashed seafood too much. "I don't like killing anything, but." A breath, shaking it off, not finishing the sentence. She doesn't like hurting anything, but they'll hurt the Buians if she doesn't do something.

"It's amazing -- your sword is going through their armor so easily. I think that's been the hardest part of fighting them so far."

[so_dark_a_road]

"You're welcome," he says. He's noticed that among Voidtreckers, it's not unusual to be embarrassed at compliments. Especially when the compliments are well-deserved!

"Most people don't like to kill, even those who have been warriors all their lives." And if she hasn't, then it is all the more admirable that she's willing to do this in order to save others.

"Yes, I just keep sharpening the sword until it will cut through pretty much anything. Anything we'd find down here, anyway. Is that why you've taken up smashing the crabs, because their armor isn't otherwise easy to break or pierce?"

[singlefaith]

Ran definitely isn't a warrior -- at least no one who's trained for war. She's a high school karate champion, trained to defend herself and others, but not trained to kill. Attacking the crabs is happening only because there's no other choice . . . because they'll harm others, including her teammates, if she doesn't. And that's not an option.

A nod. "I'm trying to aim for the joints as much as possible? The joints don't have the same kind of protection -- can't, or it would keep them from moving. They're at least more vulnerable there. Otherwise, the best I can do is try to hit them against the rocks and hope I can get the right angle or enough force to crack the shell. That's just harder with both the armor and because it's hard to get enough speed with the water drag."

A sword probably would make this a lot easier -- though she's not honestly sure if she could do as Curufin is doing and slice in. "How are you managing with it?"

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin would say that hand-to-hand combat is excellent experience for anyone who must take it to the next level, that is, war.

"Good thinking! Those crabs can't armor themselves completely, so you look for the parts that aren't covered. And I like your idea of smashing them against the rocks to break their shells. You seem adept at using what you have to accomplish a goal." He smiles. He's impressed.

"I started training with the sword when I was an adolescent, long before I actually needed to use it against a real enemy. And then, my people were at war for six hundred years against extremely dangerous foes. So, the sword arts feel very natural to me. But when I came to the Voidtrecker, I came without any of the weapons I was accustomed to handling. So, on the first mission, I picked up some goblin swords and knives. They aren't the same quality as Elvish blades, but they're adequate. And as I said, I hone them to razor sharpness. Are you interested in learning how to use a sword? By the way, I'm Curufin Fëanorion."