Event: Healing Waters

[voidtreckermods]

"Good morning passengers, it is day twenty three of the month of Grasshopper. All passengers of the Voidtrecker Express require rest. Next stop Jema’grethy Island. All passengers prepare to disembark."

It is a very strange morning message that rings through the train on the morning of day twenty three but as the passengers of the Voidtrecker Express wake their screens glow with the colour of the void and a holographic screen pops up for them to read.

World #2554098133741: A world once inhabited by an ancient civilisation and now preserved as a historical site, nature reserve and well-being retreat. It is famous for its relaxing hot springs, calming atmosphere and beautiful beaches.

It is a popular void-traveller destination, particularly among void missionaries as a place to rest and recuperate after difficult missions.

The Voidtrecker Express will spend three days here, arriving today and leaving on day twenty six of the month of Grasshopper. The dressing carriage is open for your convenience.

It is time for a holiday it seems!

Preparation

For those who go to explore the dressing carriage they will find a variety of beachwear and wetsuits. One cupboard has a pile of tents and groundsheets in all four team colours.

One cabinet is exclusively filled with beach towels, in a kaleidoscope of colours, designs and patterns. Another is filled with different shapes and sizes of plain towel dressing gowns. There is even a cabinet with buckets, spades and small rock-pooling nets.

It seems they are in for quite an adventure.

Arrival

"Shortly arriving on World #2554098133741. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

The train lurches and rattles as it leaves the void they will get a glimpse of silver-purple sky and a beautiful ocean below.

However some passengers might be a little more than distracted, one staring at that table for a second too long, another seeming lost in thought for a couple of seconds, a longer than normal pause in a sentence. They see a vision, a glimpse of a life that is not their own. Not all at once, but here and there as the train descends to the island.

But then it is gone and things are back to normal. Just in time, as they come to land.

Jema’grethy Island

The train has landed on a grassy ridge, overlooking a beautiful beach of white sand and the ocean beyond. It is warm, but not too hot, a cool ocean breeze cutting through the heat making it pleasant. Behind them is a grassy plain, changing to forest in the distance. There is the sound of birdsong in the purple sky. To the west the land is more craggy, the silhouette of a fortress in the distance. In a word, it is idylic. A sense of peace permeates the island.

A little more worrying is the volcano-like structure in the north. But even a quick glance will show it is not a typical volcano. There is no smoke and the liquid slowly running down it in rivulets is pink and blue.

Exploring the passengers will find beautiful beaches, ragged cliffs to walk and caves to explore. Where it is more craggy the beaches are made of pebbles- perfect for rock pooling.

The place has no people, but it is clearly maintained. The eastern beaches have racks of shallow boats, both canoes and one- or two-person sailing dinghies. There is also a small building in which scuba gear is stored, along with several waterproofed manuals and instructional literature.

Ruins of ancient houses are scattered across the island, but the main settlement is built into a rocky section in the north-west that has been secured with ropes and stairways cut into the cliffs, perfect for scrambles and hikes.

There are no living quarters, but there are sheltered sections with basic toilet facilities marked as camping grounds in five different sections of the island - by the hot springs, within the ruined fortress, beside the harbour, on the eastern beaches, and on the northern face of the mountain.

Hot Springs

To the west are the hot springs. They have both outdoor and indoor areas; the indoor areas being wooden loghouse saunas, changing rooms and storage sheds, whilst the outdoor areas are a tiered series of pools spilling down the side of the mountain and shaded by brightly flowering trees. The waters are hot, mineral-rich and soothing.

Perfect for overly stressed, world weary Void heroes...

(OOC: More setting information is here, please feel free to go wild with the setting and have a fun and relaxing time. You can use this post as a catch all for your holiday or make your own posts on middleofsomewhere. More information about how the memory event is structured is here!)

Comments

[blitzcheer]

"What?" It comes out of Tidus's mouth before he can even thinking, head turning to Inigo, everything about him baffled. Incredulous. What is this knife at his throat? Is he really doing this? To him?

"Whose side are you on?" Because there's an obvious side to be taken here, and it's more offensive not to take the bro side and to go for fair and justice! Roland's ninety, they're both the same age! Roland can't get offended, he's too old and expired to know what offended means!

It certainly loses Inigo the arm in any case, 'cause cops don't get comfort. But there then come in the higgledys, and Tidus, with another no-brainer comment coming out of his mouth:

"Can you set him on fire?"

You know. Just asking.

[flatteries]

Tidus's initial reaction leaves Inigo looking baffled. What is he doing wrong here? It's not that strange to want Tidus to apologize to Roland too when they were both harassing each other with their abilities, right? Inigo would apologize, but he literally has no abilities that he could have abused a few moments ago to begin with!

(Unless you consider his hug attacks an ability..)

But before Inigo can even say anything or point out to Tidus how weird and unfair he's being - just because Inigo won't indulge him in certain unprocessed issues with parental or authority figures! - Tidus continues.

With that question.

And Inigo looks over to Roland, and although it's hard to read the looks on those tiny creatures' faces, it sure looks like they're considering the question.

That only leaves one priority for him. Inigo gasps and immediately dives forward, just bodily throwing himself at Roland with a force that's hard enough to knock both of them straight into the water. It's intentional though - no higgledy could think of setting him on fire while Roland is underwater!

When their heads rise back up from the water, Inigo looks at Roland with big, worried eyes. He kind of looks like he could start crying all over again.

"R-- Roland, are you okay?" This is not even Inigo attempting to suck up. No, this is just genuine concern, because of course Inigo's toddler brain is going to make this dumb petty spat out to be something much worse and threatening than it really is.

[adregem]

First of all, the higgledies can get too playful when they know the circumstance calls for a little mischief. Even when they actually look like they might listen to Tidus's request to burn him, he immediately tells them through whatever bond he's got with Bambosh, to absolutely do NOT do that, thanks very much!

Second of all, that's pretty rude, thanks higgledies for having his back? He can't speak to them so he won't know it, but they're having just as much fun as he was. So that's what they begin to reflect.

And finally, he is quite certain that at this point in time, Roland was sure of a heart attack. Inigo comes flying at him like a squirrel flying through the trees, the only indication of its motion found when he's suddenly trying to expel water from being inhaled!!! He's underwater without much warning, so he flails to return to the surface. Coughs through Inigo's words, realizing...that he actually thought he would be set on fire...

Behind a wet mop of long hair, Roland spits out some water unceremoniously and just nods. Nods quietly and without a single word out of him. Walks over and pats Inigo three times on both shoulders, before wading to the side of the pool and resting the nape of his neck there, staring up at the trees.

"I accept Tidus's apology." Is all he says before he starts to float again, same starfish, different energy.

Teenagers are a force to be reckoned with...!

[blitzcheer]

Ah.

From his spot on the edge of the pool, Tidus watches it all. Inigo's spontaneous rescue, the spirit that has left Roland's body once he re-emerges from the pool. The energetic higgledys. A strange air of content about him, like this is all normal - this is now what normal is going to be. Huh. Who knew, that this would be his life?

Watching as what remains of Roland floats away...

"I think you broke him," he remarks casually to Inigo; like that's a fine observation to make, nothing to worry there. He waves his legs some in the water. "So. You wanna stay here with Rol? I think I've had enough for the day."

You know what? He's good. He's had all of what apparently passes as relaxing in this place. Not what he expected, but. Duly noted, hot springs.

[flatteries]

Somewhere between the pats on his shoulder and then the odd, odd rest of Roland's reaction, all Inigo can do is stare, wondering what just happened. He just saved Roland, didn't he? Didn't he do a good job?

It's Tidus's voice that keeps Inigo from going full on guilty puppy, since it distracts his attention, his gaze moving towards the other teenager while Roland floats on in the background.

"You're kidding me," he says, clearly exasperated as he pulls his hair back with one hand to keep his wet bangs from obscuring his vision. "You can't just do this and leave."

[adregem]

He can still hear them talk, head above water and resting against stone. A similar thought occurs to Roland, how funny these things turn out after the chaos dies down and they're left in the quiet. It settles in nicely, though, like it's meant to be there. A friendship he never expected to gain, but cherishes regardless.

Roland chuckles, returning to his old sense of self. Lets himself float nicely again, limbs gently swayed by the natural waves of the pool.

"It's fine, let him go. Not unless we want to give him another hug before he leaves?" He jests, eyes closed peacefully.

[blitzcheer]

Wow, please don't suggest hugging to Inigo after what nearly happened last time. That might be what's picking Tidus up onto his feet quicker, and definitely the reason for the caution in his voice.

"Noooo thanks. Inigo nearly took me out that way already -- and he nearly did the same to you too, huh!" Funny that. Sounds like a good reason to put on his most charming voice:

"Well, I forgive the both of you. If you wanna try taking each other out, be my guest."

[flatteries]

It's a funny contrast. Sure, Inigo usually is the first to start on the dramatics, or to start shrieking, but those moments never really tend to land in annoyed territory as much as just general upset territory. 'Stress is not good for the baby' territory. (The baby being Inigo.)

Right now though? He looks so mopey. Even in the face of the total casual talk coming from the other two.

He looks over towards Tidus, just.. pouting.

"I'm so never talking to you again."

He's literally going to talk to Tidus again later today. Or tomorrow. It's said with the same determination a five year old would have about such a statement.

[adregem]

"You know that's not true, Inigo."

Roland pipes up, calls it out from where's floating and finally sloshes back into a seated position, with his legs dangling against the water. He squeezes out the water from his hair, back to normal like the whole affair was just a passing little detail in their day. Definitely par the course, as far as Roland's concerned.

"But honestly. You don't have to stay here for my sake." He nods his head, as if encouraging them both. "Go on. Do what you two normally do when you're making plans and getting into trouble. I'll stick around and enjoy the open air."

[blitzcheer]

This face, does it look bothered by those threats, Inigo? He's the image of relaxed, a hand on his side and the smile resting easy on his mouth. He doesn't even need to state the obvious when Roland does, his smile increasing a little for it.

"Nah, why don't you two enjoy it? Since you're both so chummy these days." As the reason why has yet to still be revealed to him...! "It's nice, but I like being able to swim in my water."

He pauses, and looks over at Inigo especially. Heh.

"Not gonna miss me, are you?"

[flatteries]

Somewhere between you know that's not true and not gonna miss me, are you the stress is too much for the baby. Inigo ends up frowning more and more, and after a moment of silence, like a vulcano right before eruption, he moves over to the side of the hot spring, pulling himself out of the water. Every inch of him looking like a little kid throwing a tantrum, despite being much older than that.

"No." He doesn't even know who he's saying it to. Roland? Tidus? Both of them? Who cares. This is dumb. Look at these two making this whole situation dumb and then making fun of him after, like it's all his fault! Hmph!

"I'm going off! And I'm going to have much more fun than either of you! By myself!"

Inigo doesn't wait after those words, just stomping back towards the dressing room to get his clothes and leave. To have fun. By himself.

(He's totally going to ask Gerome for cheer up hugs.)

[adregem]

Roland watches Inigo storm off, but whatever instinct he has to chase after him to really apologize dies down at the realization that time is the best thing to calm a teenager down. He's learning as much as he can from them, that much is certain!

So as soon as he's alone with Tidus, he just shakes his head and waves at the other with a casual hand. Sinks himself back into the water, towels forgotten and higgledies back inside his heart...or wherever they go when they're done being mischievous.

"Have a good dip in the ocean. You know where to find me if you need me." Which he doubts, but it's just a nice sign-off to say.

[blitzcheer]

Tidus is baffled. Amused too, face twisted between the two expressions as he watches Inigo storm off over nothing. Nothing! He was moping about Tidus going off, now he's the one leaving? What even? It would have been easier just to sink underwater if he wanted to sulk.

Well, whatever. He throws his arms up for his own benefit, shoulders shrugging, leaving Inigo's moods up to that. And for Roland-

"Sure. Try not cooking up whoever comes in next. Weirdo."

Just a nice parting shot, and he'll get going now. Seee yooou aroouund ooold maaaan.