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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Inigo really is unharmed. Sure, he's tired. There's been a lot of fighting, especially ever since the clouds started rolling in and the monsters stopped taking breaks. But Inigo is extremely good at hiding exhaustion when he tries (especially when hiding how tired he is after constantly fighting for days is what he did back home all the time) and he managed to get through all the battles without any injuries - if not partially thanks to being near someone as skilled in battle as Gyousou.

It's also mostly thanks to the latter that there aren't any sea monster remains left on Inigo, thankfully.. or this reunion would get a lot more awkward real quick. Instead Inigo just smiles when he spots Taiki heading their way. Rare pride blossoms in his chest at the realisation that Taiki spotted him just as he was still here with Gyousou - proof that he's lived up to what he promised his friend.

"Taiki!" He immediately calls out. For a moment it looks like Inigo is about to throw himself at the other to hug him, but then awkwardly stops as he glances between Gyousou and Taiki. Ugh, right, Taiki would probably first want to properly greet his king, huh.. He kind of feels like an idiot for almost inserting himself between that.

Gyousou is, at least, now unharmed. The worst of his injuries had already closed and begun to heal by battle's end, and a shower and an hour's rest has done the rest. Neither of them carry traces of the battlefield, he's made sure of that - even if he was left wondering, as he implacably sent Inigo to wash and change a second time, whether this was what parents felt like.

Hoping that Taiki's senses would have returned with their victory, he's stayed near Inigo. After all, Taiki had made some kind of promise to reunite with the young noble. When Inigo jerks forward like a kijuu forgetting its leash, complete with a guilty look back, he can't help a laugh.

"Go ahead," he urges.

He is so glad to see them both unharmed, he has been so anxious the last few days. Worrying about what was happening on the beaches, so scared his heart had been in his throat.

As the storm had raged and there had been talk of a giant monster he had been so afraid for them but here they were, both well. He smiled at Inigo and started towards him but paused himself and looked towards Lord Gyousou.

Because he should greet him first. They might have dropped almost all formalities here but he should still see to his king first.

But the urging from Lord Gyousou made him smile, he nodded a half bow at him and then crossed the distance to hug Inigo. He had promised after all. Double hugs.

"I'm glad you are safe."

Inigo definitely feels embarrassed about his sudden stop mid-action. But even as he lightly blushes over it, something about Gyousou's urging seems to not only make Taiki smile, but even put Inigo a little at ease as well. He can't help it - there's just something about the man's presence. He practically oozes authority, so just him saying something as simple as 'go ahead' calms down some of his nerves.

And then there's Taiki's hug, and that completely makes the last remainders of said nerves fade. The boy's arms wrap around Taiki in turn, and he buries his head against the other's shoulder, letting it rest there for a few moments. It's just really, really comfortable. Taiki's hugs always feel extra special. There's almost a comical contrast between how easily he was killing monsters before and how softly he is hugging Taiki now.

It's only at the words that he lifts his head a little once more, just enough to be able to look at Taiki with a smile. (Still not letting go though, he was promised double hugs!)

"Well, I don't think anything could have happened to me." It's no feigned confidence about his own abilities this time. Instead he just glances over his shoulder back at Gyousou for a moment, offering him a smile as well. "I would have had to be a complete fool to let myself get hurt next to someone that skilled."

He meets Taiki's half-bow with a nod and a warm twist of the smile that came from his laughter, and crosses the remaining distance to the two of them more slowly than Inigo does, to give them plenty of time for Taiki's greatly-anticipated 'double hugs'. Which, more than anything, dispels the remaining fatigue from his limbs.

"It was a challenging battle," he allows, though his eyes are bright with pride and the memory of their defense of the beacon as he returns Inigo's smile, this time. "You were determined to keep me safe, and so you have. Thus the king returns victorious to the taiho."

He doesn't let go either, he keeps his promises and double hugs means just that. He managed a small smile back, though he is still worried about them both. Still he can only agree with him, Lord Gyousou is very skilled.

Taiki is perhaps silly to even fear for him. But he never will not fear to see him go into battle. Many things can happen and even the strongest warrior can be taken by surprise.

"Thank you." He said quietly to Inigo before finally breaking off and turning to Lord Gyousou with a slightly more formal bow this time.

"I'm glad you are back safe, my lord." His look took in Inigo too, "Both of you."

The moment Taiki lets go, Inigo also turns to the older man. Although there's no formal bow on his end - instead there's just his cheeks faintly lighting up. Inigo is so hungry for validation, and when it comes from people as impressive as Gyousou, it feels double as important as it usually would.

"I think you mostly have yourself to thank for your safety." Not that Inigo doesn't feel like he didn't contribute, but he feels like Gyousou most likely would have been fine by himself as well, since-- "It was an honor to be able to fight next to someone like you."

He smiles though, and even moreso when Taiki speaks. "I'm also very much glad to be back."

Inigo may not look tired, but he's just very good at hiding it. It's been a rough few days of constant battle. He's definitely glad to finally get a break from that.

It's force of habit that has him place one hand on the crown of Taiki's head, ruffling his hair with gentled motions, like one would soothe a kijuu or a child. A habit years old. It doesn't quite match his current appearance or manner, but when Gyousou finds himself thinking, perhaps-- he instead doubles down. His other hand lifts, and mirrors the motion on for Inigo. He's feeling too energised, too himself, to hesitate on expressing his wholehearted approval of them both.

"Now the formalities are satisfied," he sounds almost conspiratorial, "shall we find somewhere to rest until the celebration?"

Taiki has spent most of his life out of place. In the wrong world, a false replacement child in a family who deserved so much better. A kirin who knew nothing of how to do what he should have been able to do instinct. A useless kirin who could do nothing to help his king or people. A broken kirin in a false court.

The amount of times Taiki had felt like he belonged could be counted on one hand and they were all brought upon by Lord Gyousou.

A hand on his head grounded him in a way nothing else could, calmed him, banished the lingering anxieties from days of waiting out the battle. Fears of what could have happened melted away as his hair was ruffled.

"I can fetch food. You both must be starving."

No matter how tired Inigo feels, there's such a warm smile on his face as he watches Gyousou gently rufffle Taiki's hair. It's so obvious from Taiki's actions how much the king means to him, and so Inigo can only figure how much getting such a comforting gesture from him must mean as well. And it's great. This is what Taiki deserves. Nothing but kindness and happiness.

Except the same gesture is suddenly turned onto him by Gyousou as well, and Inigo blushes. It's easy to write off as embarrassment on the part of someone much too old to receive hair ruffling, but no, it's just.. nice. Even as he kind of feels like he might be intruding here on something private between two people who belong together. Someone like him - a prince without a kingdom, a son without parents, a child fallen outside of time itself - doesn't really belong here.

But it feels nice, and for that he'll indulge in the selfishness of enjoying it anyway.

"You tell me. I could eat a ho--" Oh wait, what if that saying also stomps all over the apparent delicate sensibilities of Gyousou and Taiki's world?! "A... a whole.. cabbage..?" (An attempt was made.)

He decides then and there: despite being a relatively young immortal, being fifty years older than either of them more than satisfies the relaxed forms of propriety he's observed over the past two months.

"I could certainly eat," he agrees, hands lingering for a moment before they both receive a final, light pat in unison and he drops his arms to his sides. A glance around, and he notes a small plaza surrounded by the local fruit trees a short distance away, with a lean-to shelter he supposes would be for performances were it not currently half-filled with fishing equipment and paraphernalia pulled away from the shores by the villagers to protect them from the monster attacks. There are several benches. It looks perfect. He directs Taiki's attention to it. "We can wait for you in that plaza."

Taiki nodded when the place was pointed out to him. "I won't be long."

He smiled at them both and turned to go and find some food, there was plenty to choose from at least and he would make sure to get choice. He doesn't really know either of their food preferences.

Once Taiki leaves to get the food, Inigo turns to head towards the plaza to find a good bench to sit down on - although he makes sure to look and see that Gyousou is coming right along. In fact, he's even (in a moment of potentially terrible decision making, considering the tripping and looking like an idiot danger) walking backwards that way so he can look at the man and smile.

"He seemed very happy to see you again."

"A ruler and his kirin are inseparable," he quotes, though the formality of the phrase is lessened by the raised eyebrow he's giving Inigo for the odd way he's walking.

"Odd, isn't it? A kirin is happiest with his king, and experiences great sadness when parted from him. Such is the revelation of Heaven. But without a revelation, or any word from the Heavens, he smiled brightly to see you again. I can't thank you enough for that gift."

Hey, it's still going fine! For now! Inigo's naturally nimble feet ~~(and inherited +4 luck skill from his mother)~~ make it easy to correct his balance the moment his heels threaten to snag on a rock and make him trip. Besides, it's only polite to properly look at Gyousou while walking, right?

Especially when this topic seems to interest Inigo, turning his grin into a more curious expression.

"Well, I don't think I did much, but.. is that first part meant literally? Are you two connected in some sort of mystical way?"

"The kirin is the vessel by which the heavens choose a king," he explains. "And through whom they continue to let their will be known. The moment he chose me as King Tai by bowing at my feet, Taiki swore to obey me and never desert his post before my throne, establishing our covenant."

His mouth twitches, a momentary unhappiness. "Even here, with no throne to desert, our connection remains strong. Proof that the heavens have not abandoned us."

Meanwhile Taiki was gathering food. There was plenty to choose from and he took a large plate to fill, it will be easier to carry and it means they can each eat what they feel like without awkwardness.

He's pretty sure there's nothing Inigo cannot eat, but he is unsure. Still he takes a couple of grilled fish, some of the crab, even some crab wrapped in bacon. He also puts some grilled vegetable skewers on the plate as well, careful that they were separate from the meat.

He filled a coconut shell bowl with fried seaweed and took some fruit, balancing that on top of the seawead.

He began making his way slowly to the place he had left his king and his friend.

"I.. wasn't aware that he was that important."

Inigo seems kind of baffled by it. Even as he says the words, his tone makes it sound like he's still trying to process them. Inigo may be a prince himself, but in a way he feels completely out of depth next to Gyousou and Taiki in the face of this information. He's far from a heaven-ordained king or some vessel of heaven.

He shoves that feeling down as quickly as possible though, instead thinly smiling as he spots Taiki slowly starting to approach them again from the corner of his eye.

"It does make sense though, I suppose. Someone as infinitely kind and gentle as him ought to be that special."

"Even among his kind, Kouri is exemplary. Ensuring that he believes it is..." He, too, sees Taiki making his way back, and he, too, keeps his expression pleasant. "I suppose that will be my life's work, undoing the damage my mistakes have done to him."

He smiles to see the two of them and continues over to them, not hurrying too much for fear he will spill the precariously balanced food everywhere.

"Um.. I hope I got enough, but if you are still hungry after I can fetch some more."

They had both been in battle and though he had never done such a thing himself he knows how exhausting it must be for them.

He places the food on a flattish rock, arranging it so it won't topple over.

There's definitely a moment where Inigo looks at Gyousou with instinctive surprise at those last words, because.. wait, what did he just casually slip in there? It's not even like he can ask about it, since Taiki is here now and he'd feel like it'd be more than just kind of rude to do that right in front of him! So Inigo is just left to wonder - what mistakes? How deep does this suffering well run?

Thankfully he manages to shove the surprise down and instead smile brightly at Taiki the moment the other puts down the food. It's fine. This is fine. Everything is cool.

"Hey, I can grab the food next time. You don't have to do everything!" He instinctively reaches for the food before realising that dangit, he's in the presence of a king and can't just act like a total caveman! He quickly pulls his hand back and gives Gyousou a smile instead this time. "You should pick what you want first, milord."

"There will be plenty of meals you can fetch when we're back on the road, if you want to." His reassurance is jocular. There are no attendants here, they're all of one, unknown rank. Seeing the etiquette of different worlds overlapping is entertaining, at least.

But even thinking that, he still takes the offered precedence; he reaches for a different piece of fish, catches it between his fingers, and then picks up one of the fruits in his palm. Those will do for now. "This is plenty, Kouri, thank you."

Inigo just gets a smile from Taiki, because it is kind of him to offer. But honestly fetching food is the least he can do when these two have been fighting.

He sits on the ground and smiles again at the thanks, and in amusement at Inigo.

Inigo's cheeks are still a little pink. Perhaps still out of embarrassment for how stupid that must have looked, or maybe since he can realise that Taiki is amused by it.. But he's just doing the right thing here! Gyousou isn't just a king in title, his whole personality seems to scream king. It very naturally makes Inigo want to act at least a bit more respectful than he usually would.

Once Gyousou seems to have grabbed the food he wants though, Inigo no longer hesitates. He grabs one of the pieces of fruit and just shoves it right into his mouth, taking a way too big chunk out of it as his first bite. His cheeks are sticking out like a hamster's. Apparently someone here was more hungry than he was letting on to.

"Bwoh, it's bwo gwood!"

(Well, I did say 'act respectful', not 'display actual manners'..)

"I'm sure we'll all miss the food here by tomorrow," Gyousou agrees, before tearing off a strip of the fish from the crispy skin, and rolling it before eating it in one bite. He keeps one eye on Taiki to ensure that he also begins to eat, and the other on Inigo so he doesn't choke. Otherwise... he can think of no better way to relax than to sit in good company and enjoy a meal after a job well done.

Edited 2020-07-01 19:13 (UTC)

faaaade

longforgottenpromise - 2020-07-04 07:53 (UTC) - Expand

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Under the Sea: Conclusion and aftermath

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sorry! had this down as taiki's tag orz

I'll let you have one more round before he returns properly

what an omnious threat

taiki like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFufoOgCMW8

The mood whiplash between that video and that tag is strong!

inigo @ gyousou right now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI6SUSBaKRU

IM SORRY i lost my original tag and i panicked

I panicked and made it sad is 12k life tbh

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fade to black here?

faaaade