middleofsomewhere | Under the Sea: Conclusion and aftermath

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Under the Sea: Conclusion and aftermath

Ritual

The jellyfish is no more and as red team take stock of their injuries, or collapse from exhaustion the lights zip around them, singing their song of joy. They gather around the light that had been inside the jellyfish and now that it has been released it is obvious this light is different. Stronger. They surround it and the song gets even louder as they begin to move towards the plinth.

In the caverns where the purple and orange team are there is a stillness. For those in orange team still in the cavern they can only hope that the instructions they gave out had been followed. Luckily for them they have been, Purple team have done a remarkable job of defeating the crabs and cleaning the temple. The priests gather around the shell on the alter, arms linked together in prayer as they seek to re-sanctify their temple. As their prayer begins they will invite the voidtreckers to join them, though no one is forced into taking part in the ritual. They suggest that they use their strange wrist jewellery to open communication with their friends in Bui.

The monster on the beach is defeated and though the fight is still raging against the crabs, a beacon has been built and lit. The islanders who are not fighting gather around it, linking arms, drawing any voidtreckers who don't object to joining them into the circle.

The song begins hesitantly, almost as if everyone has forgotten the words and only half remembers the tune. The SCA translates, the prayer is simple, a blessing on the land and its people, deliverance from the darkness and hope for the future.

The light from the jellyfish reaches the plinth and is set upon it. The song heightens and the light shoots upwards, blinding in its brilliance.

Through the dark storm clouds a light streams towards the island, most of it towards the beacon on the island though there is a break away light that goes towards the train, where some of orange team have set up a second beacon. It swirls around those on the train roof, singing a song of happiness and bounces back towards the island.

The light reaches the main beacon and hits it with a strength that lights up the whole sky. The light splits more solidly into two and speeds off over the ocean. Light pours into the underground caverns, not caring about the ocean and rock in the way, the light pools into the shells, the caverns glow warmly.

Outside the storm calms, clouds roll back, the sun shines. The sea stills. The wind stops. The sun is rising, a beautiful dawn. Any monsters left scuttle away, vanishing into the ocean, away from Bui.

Those with any powers that they couldn't reach before find them returned in a rush. Those who can sense life find this world teeming with it. A song that dances between every plant and creature.

Some of red may have evacuated to the train but those who stayed to see the ritual through, the world around them seems to melt away and they find themselves back next to the rock pools. Among their number there are some confused looking islanders who intrinsically draw closer to those who helped free the lights.

Orange and Purple

Down underwater there's noise and a babble of voices as the citizens of Bui wake up. There's a shimmering around the city now, like a shield though they can pass through easily. Parents scramble to locate their children and all check on loved ones and friends.

The familiar voice of train announcements is heard through Orange team's SCAs. Orange return to the VoidTrecker Express. Once everyone is on board it flies low over the ocean, skimming the waves.

In the underwater temple the priests finish sealing the ritual and then it is time to begin the return trek. There are no monsters this time and after a few hours, as they emerge onto the first of the sandbanks they will find the VoidTrecker Express is waiting for them.

Red and Blue

The monsters gone, those of the island gather everyone from the rock pools and for a few hours everyone sleeps.

At about noon the islanders begin to stir, begin putting things to rights. Wood is moved from the strategic points to more communal campfires on the beach. Any dead monsters that haven't been gathered for food have been washed out to sea, disappeared into the depths. They begin to prepare food and won't turn away any helpers. Though those who have been fighting are encouraged to rest.

The islanders bring blankets and start to gather. Everyone is exhausted but the children, in the way of children find the energy to play in the sea and the sand.

Beach Day

Early afternoon the train lands on the beach and everyone gets a holographic message to their SCA.

Mission successful. Well done Voidtreckers. Enjoy the rest of your day. You will find suitable clothing in the dressing room. A new recipe has been added to the kitchen information points.

The dressing room is indeed open once more, this time it holds swimsuits of every style, shorts, t shirts, wraps and beach skirts. Sun hats and sunglasses can also be found. It's a bit of a mush mash but they should be able to cobble together something other than their uniform wet suits.

Time to laze around on the beach or for those who still have energy swim or play. A few hours later a ripple across the water brings some of those from Bui and they swim or lounge on rocks to talk.

Food and stories

Food is cooked and shared, the islanders will happily try the voidtreckers' offerings and share their own. As the sun begins to set they gather around the fires. Stories and songs are shared and there's even some dancing for the brave.

Voidtreckers can choose whether to sleep in their own beds or spend one last night on the island before the train flies off into the sunrise and into the void.

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Ignis spotted the Shield, as he'd know that profile anywhere. It was such a difference to see the beach in daylight without darkness, storms and sea monsters but it was certainly a welcome sight.

The advisor himself had managed a change of clothes but of course he had on a white shirt and white cargo shorts. There was one missing next to the other's side and that's what concerned the blondish man but first thing first.

"So there you are."

"Here I am." Gladio replied to Ignis and gave him a smile as the other approached him. "Not looking the worse for wear. You guys did a good job here." He continued. Though he had no idea what had gone on, other than what Prompto had told him, that had just been from his point of view though.

"Heard you guys had a lot of fun here. A giant sand monster?" He laughed and gave a shake of his head. "Hard to imagine."

He nodded at the worse for wear comment as if the shield shouldn't expect anything less. "Of course we did a good job." Ignis replied. Well this man had pride in spades at times and this was one of them.

"Yes, we had one of those here. And that reminds me..." He paused and looked at Gladio. "I understand where you were and why. However, I would like to ask you to be the other co team lead on missions." The advisor paused again before continuing. "No doubt we'll get another influx of Blue team members on the next platform. So the more eyes we have on our team the better the chances are for survival, especially if we run into a particularly nasty guest like our sea monster friend again."

Gladio looked very confused as to why a sand monster would remind Ignis of something like that. And 'other' team lead? There were others? He had thought it was Ignis alone. Though it became clear after Ignis had spoken why he was suddenly reminded of team leads when speaking of sand monsters.

"There are other co-leads?" He asked carefully, unsure if he was understanding Ignis or not... and if he should have been hurt his friend had asked someone else before him. Though he supposed it would make sense. Eos was a long way from here. Their friendship was mainly there, after all. Ignis was much closer to the people on the train than he had ever been with him, it felt. But he gave a slight shrug of a single shoulder before he lifted his cup to his lips and drained it. "... Whatever you want, Iggy. Won't change what I do."

"There are." Ignis confirmed with a nod of his head. And then he waited as Gladio finished what he was drinking. The answer wasn't quite what he was expecting though he figured he might get an answer such as this. "So might I inquire as to why you would turn it down?" There was a slight pause. "Not that I'm saying you're turning it down."

The advisor decided to sit after asking that question and looked at the shield. Maybe he was being too business like and needed to just do the thing the boys called relaxing. It was hard for him to do back home though he managed it. Here it seemed all he did was work.

"I think I'd rather hear what you want."

Gladio... hadn't been aware he'd turned it down. Had he? He thought back over what he'd said and no, he was very sure he had said that he would do what Ignis wanted. And if Ignis wanted him as a team lead despite having others who could do the job he wouldn't argue. Ignis felt he needed more and that's what mattered.

"Then what's the point in answering that question?" Gruff voice thick with confusion.

He watched Ignis sit himself down and chuckled softly, though the question also confused him. "I have what I want, Iggy. Aside from being home and or having my family here with me, there's not much else I need."

"I'm merely trying to get your thoughts on the matter." Ignis smiled when he said this, realizing he'd inadvertently confused his longtime friend. He thought back to when Gladio had been holding onto him, scared and anxious on the floor of the train car. It was a precious memory and the advisor shook his head.

However, at the Shield's answer Ignis couldn't help asking. "There's no right or wrong answer here when I ask this. But would you rather be home, or would you rather be here?" He took a moment to sip his coffee to give Gladio a moment to think.

The question itself had been asked gently, because the advisor was simply trying to get into the other's head and see where he was at.

Gladio didn't need to think. "Home." He answered, not looking at Ignis but out toward the sea. Home was where he would have rather been, if he had been given a choice. But since choice had been taken from him he needed to find a way to live his life as best he could. And he was finding that to be somewhat of a difficult task.

And yes, he knew that to leave would mean to give up what he had with Prompto and Noctis... But what he was learning was that both had feelings for him before the damn train. They could have the same thing back home, he was sure of that. At least he hoped. But there was no way of knowing. The others had seen into little parts of his future but no further than several months. What about a year? Two years? What then? Gladio had no idea.

"But what does it matter where I wanna be, Iggy?" Gladio was back to being confused again, only this time he went and sat down beside the advisor to do it.

"I'm not the only one. I'll bet if you ask, most people will say they want to go back. As far as any of us know we weren't asked to be here. Most of the people here don't belong here. Home is where we all belong." No matter their fates. Maybe they would be able to change things, maybe not? Gladio hoped they could.

Ignis nodded, he hadn't honestly expected any other answer. Gladio was just being honest and that was what the advisor would have, that the man be genuine with him. Home meant danger though they obviously faced that here. But back home the Shield could run. And not run as in away but be free and traverse new ground and put up the tent while directing Noct and Prompto what to do.

Those fond memories were gently shaken by Gladio's question and he looked over at the other man. Green eyes noted the Shield was sitting closer which made Ignis happy, but he said nothing regarding it. "Because I worry about you." came the honest reply. There was no bullshitting, no pulling punches, no headgames with that answer.

And when the Shield went on about wanting to go home again he nodded. Reality wouldn't be put off forever, but it was giving Noct a chance to figure out who he was. And he hoped they'd remember these times and this place because it might help Noct grow up a little more and be able to better focus even more on what being a king meant.

To the last he shook his head. "No and I heartily concur, every time I see one of the children on a mission or even an adult that isn't meant to fight, I have to admit it has me grinding my teeth."

Gladio chuckled and leaned to the side a touch to nudge Ignis' shoulder with his own. "Aw, you care about me, Iggy?" It was a nice thing to hear, it wasn't often that Ignis would admit to such a thing. Usually if he'd done something... But Gladio wasn't sure he had this time. So just what was Ignis worrying about?

"They all do well though." He had to admit. "For their lack of fighting still, they're... tenacious and stubborn and more determined than any fighter I've seen." It didn't change the fact that they shouldn't have been out there fighting, but they were doing their best and Gladio was proud of them for that. He'd seen it over and over again back on the train how everyone pulled their weight and did their best to support the divers. "... Doesn't change the fact we should all be home. But we do the best we can while we're here."

Ignis always worried even if it didn't come off that way in glares that very clearly said something else. The contact of the shoulders made him smile though and it was a nice thing that didn't happen very often. And for the Shield's answer he got a half hearted pretend offense face and a reply of "Of course." If he didn't then he wouldn't have been on the floor of the luggage carriage trying to soothe Gladio's anxiety.

He sighed and tried to focus on the positives about the children that Gladio was talking about here so he nodded. But the last part had his curiousity piqued.

"I know you say we should be home. But what is it in particular that you miss so badly?"

"It's home, Iggy. For better or worse it's where we were born and raised. You don't feel any loyalty to that?" Gladio looked at his friend in shock. Was it really that strange a thing to want? While he knew he would be able to make a living where he was and make something of a home for himself, his true home would always be Eos. But at the same time his home was with Prompto and Noct.

"Iris is back there, Iggy. Iris and a world going to hell. Insomnia was destroyed and will need help being rebuilt, because it damn well isn't staying destroyed. There's so much to do back there, people who needed our help." And yes, the world, the open spaces, the air... he missed everything about his world. He missed the familiar.

"Of course I do." Ignis shot Gladio a look. But deep down, his loyalty was on the train. Noctis was here, and so were his fellow Crownsguard. On top of that, he had a fiancee and a daughter on board. Yes the advisor damn well knew they had to save their world, but he knew the prophecy of Noct's fate that he fully intended to fight. And since Gladio wasn't aware of this, he wasn't going to disagree.

"We'll take the kingdom back, of that there is no doubt." the strategist replied with a shake of his head. He briefly wondered if staying in Insomnia might've helped, but Noct's safety was his, Gladio's and Prompto's first and foremost concern.

"And until we can go home, we simply help where and who we can."

Ignis said that, but there was something in his eyes that told Gladio otherwise. He didn't comment on it, but he did look away. Maybe he was the only one...? Prompto had taken to life on the train like he belonged. He had a feeling Noct probably enjoyed his time on the train more than life back home. The other three had experienced something that Gladio couldn't imagine, even when told about it detail. So he didn't have that same reason to dislike home. And no, he had no idea of the secrets Ignis kept from him, and had he known, maybe his thoughts would be different. But since he didn't... he missed home. He missed his sister.

"Right..." Well, with his mood sufficiently ruined, Gladio sighed and leaned foward a little, he pulled his knees up and draped his arms across them.

Ignis shook his head. Noct was alive and safe where he was and he didn't have half of the burdens that he did back home. The advisor had been accused of spoiling the king and he of course had no problem with things remaining that way.

But at seeing the change in posture, the advisor grew concerned. "I know we're still working on the riddles of those that stay or go. There's even a hypothesis that the longer you're here the less likely you are to leave." His voice cut off for a moment lost in thought. "I personally don't see the validity of such a statement."

He tried to smile for Gladio's sake. "Who knows..at the next train stop maybe we'll all be back home."

"... That's just it, Iggy." Gladio gave a low, sad little laugh. "For as much as I'd wanna go home... Leaving would mean leaving the things I have here. The people I've met... It'd mean going back to..." to being alone.

He moved a hand to run his fingers through his hair... and then dropped his head onto his arms with another little laugh. "I miss home, Igs. I miss my world. I miss my sister. But I don't wanna lose what I have here. I don't want you to lose what you have here." None of them. Noct was so much more relaxed now, Prompto was happy and the life of the party. Did he really have any right to be so selfish as to want them all to go home?

The advisor filled the end part with 'Nothing' but he remained silent. It was weird to hear the other refer to their world as his but maybe that's how he saw it. And if anything his heart ached for the bigger man at hearing that the Shield didn't want his friend to lose what he'd gained.

Ignis didn't want to ask Gladio if he'd prefer Iris be here, but there was a chance she would show up. Obviously the other was suffering enough without his questions adding onto it. "I appreciate your kind words. But I'm afraid it's the risk we all take in forming connections here."

There was a sad sort of smile. "I wish it could go both ways, to bring home who and what we have here. Maybe some hoe we'll find that too."

Didn't everyone think of their home as theirs? There were no other worlds like it. That was the one that held his childhood memories. His home and what was left of his family. And while he would feel unbridled joy at being able to see Iris again... Having her on the train would hurt. She would be trapped like the rest of them. He couldn't wish that on her no matter how much he would love to see her.

Gladio gave a low laugh and smiled where Ignis couldn't see it. "Yeah... them's the risks of falling in love, huh?" And he never thought that would happen. Not once but twice. Was he being greedy? Maybe... But how could he deny the feelings of the two men who cared for him?

"... Who says we'll ever get to go home though?" Gladio asked, his voice a little muffled. "What if we're here till we're old and gray? What if our reward isn't being sent home but being dropped off on some paradise world to live out the rest of our days? And what..." He lifted his head here. "... the hell does a Shield have to do to get a hug around here?" Dammit Ignis, can't you tell a guy in need? Hug him already! He has a sad that only a hug can cure.

Ignis smiled gently at Gladio's question. "Yes, we do take quite a risk with our hearts." He had especially since Tony was still even now and rightfully so hurting over losing his wife Pepper and child Morgan. So the pair hadn't started out with declarations of forever and there were bumps along the way to even get to such a point. And then there were more bumps and a break down..but it only showed the advisor how very much they loved each other. And even though Ignis had tearfully given the engagement ring back and wanted to chase Tony's retreating form that night, he had to respect the other's decision and it hurt worse than any wound he'd ever received.

His head tilted to the side when the Shield began questioning whether or not they'd leave and there was a gentle look. "I don't believe we'll be here quite that long." His hand reached out to touch Gladio's arm. And that's when the dark head raised his gaze and asked the question about a hug.

This was where Ignis knew his more observant nature got in his way. But he got up and moved over to Gladio. "You should have asked sooner." This was said with a smile and Ignis put his arms around the other's broad shoulders to enfold his friend in a hug.

Gladio rolled his eyes. "Didn't think I'd have to ask. I'm the picture of misery. Only thing missing was the dark cloud raining on my parade." While there was obvious teasing in his tone, it was still tinged with truth. His thoughts had turned him down a path of sadness and he really and truly wanted to turn off of it. He'd been down that road already and it had been a struggle and a half to find his way back. But he'd managed. The others had helped him in the end. And he'd learned a valuable lesson. Gladio couldn't take for granted that people would just automatically know what he needed, they weren't mind readers. He needed to speak up. So speak up he did. And Ignis actually came through for him. Gladio had half imagined his advisor would brush him off or something. It was something of a relief he hadn't.

He smiled for Ignis and leaned a little against him. "But thanks. Know it's a dumb ask but... I guess there are things I shouldn't be thinking about." Another lesson leaned. Home was a topic he needed to avoid from now on.

The dark cloud raining earned the tiniest laugh out of Ignis but he knew when Gladio got into these moods it was no laughing matter. Back home he could go off on his own or go hiking or camping but here...that was a little bit different. There was no 'out doors' that the Shield could go hiding in or work his thoughts out. That was the trouble with trains. Outdoors you could go for miles and think. This place wasn't offering the other man anything of that solace or space.

"It's never dumb to request help." There was the gentlest admonishment in the advisor's words when he said that, although he knew he was being hypocritical. He smiled though when he'd felt Gladio lean against him. It reminded him of their time in the luggage carriage where it was just them.

Like now.

He shifted a little but didn't try to pull away. "Maybe talking things out would help instead of keeping it locked inside?"

Edited 2020-06-07 04:41 (UTC)

"Iggy, yeah, that's true for some things. But there are things just not worth poking at. We know it's there, nothing we can do about it right now. So we can leave it alone." And that's what Gladio was going to do. No more talking or thinking about home. What was the point in making himself depressed over things he couldn't control? The others didn't seem to be as bothered by it after all, just him, so he didn't know how to really explain himself. Ignis hadn't seemed to understand his feelings and Gladio didn't know how to explain them more than he had.

He gave his friend a gentle smile and lifted a hand to pat his arm. "You can let me go now. Think the clouds been chased away now."

"Alright." Ignis said. He didn't know how to tell someone to 'just adjust' to life on the train because even with as long as he'd been here there were days when adjustment just seemed difficult. Sure he had plenty to keep him busy (much better too with Noct, Gladio and Prompto here) but there were times he felt like tearing his hair out. However, he just didn't say anything and kept on.

The pat on his arm gently shook him out of his thoughts and there was a smile at the Shield's words. So he pulled away and looked at the man who'd been at his side for a very long time. He wished he had some comfort to offer but Gladio loved to roam and there really wasn't much room to do that here at all.

All he could do was nod. "Should they come back, just let me know." And he'd be there.

Gladio laughed and gave Ignis a warm smile of gratitude. A standing promise of a hug, was it? That was how Gladio was going to choose to see Ignis' comment at least, mainly because it pleased him to think that if he was feeling down he could seek Ignis out no matter what and demand a hug.

Maybe he'd do it just for the hell of it? Just to see his expression.

"Thanks a lot, Igs. I'll try not to stand under many dark clouds, but if I do, I'm glad I can use you as an umbrella."

"Of course." Ignis huffed slightly as if his tail feathers were ruffled and he was offended. He wasn't offended at all and was only playing of course. "It's like that one song Peter played..I do believe the title was Umbrella. It was originally done by a lady named.." The advisor's voice trailed off as he thought about who it was that sang the song. "I believe Rihanna..but someone else had redone it..."

He paused and put his head down to think some more. "It was redone by a lady named Jazelle as I recall."

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