middleofsomewhere | [OVERFLOW] Event: Healing Waters

It's okay. A Gundam is a specific type of mobile suit created for us to try and stop OZ from taking over the colonies. They got their name because they are made of Gundanium alloy, which is still one of the strongest elements that we have discovered.

[ He's about to take that first step towards their little mountain climb, but Roland shakes his head and can't help but pause at that. He turns to give Quatre another look, eyes slightly narrowed as he thinks. ]

OZ? A...threat, of some sort? I apologize for being so blunt, but might you be from the military? You're talking about colonies here, so I'm assuming that's more or less your line of work with your, uh, Gundam. [ He's also never heard of Gundanium alloy in his whole life. How fascinating! Roland wonders if that's something that can be ordered on the shop. ]

[Quatre stopped when he did, turning to look at him]

I suppose paramilitary would have been a good description of what we were. See, OZ was controlling the actual military from behind the scenes, and all it was control. OZ didn't care about the people, either on the colonies or on Earth.

...I see. [ It's not unheard of to have an unofficial military unit functioning independently, but it was uncommon enough that it gives Roland pause. As someone who ran a country, the creation of a separate unit apart from the military meant things were probably not doing so well...And Quatre pretty much confirms it. ] Corruption runs universal, no matter where you go. And from the sounds of it, you meant planetary colonies, huh?

[ He starts the climb in earnest, but he goes slow. ]

Heh. It's only this particular adventure on the Voidtrecker that I realize how small everything really is, in comparison to all the other worlds I didn't know existed. Like a real life movie.

They were space colonies. Many of them orbiting the Earth. They originally had their own government control, but the Alliance with OZ acting behind the scenes began to take control of them.

[Quatre began to follow him]

It is amazing to hear about all of the places that others are from. I never would have thought about most of them.

[ Now that was a topic that hit close to home. Too close. But all he really shows for it is a quiet hum to signify he was listening. As the climb begins in earnest, immediately Roland sees why this was the path less traveled: it was so uneven that it would require more than your basic level of agility. ]

[ He pauses as he stares at ascending planes of ground and stone, none laying on the same level as the others. ]

What happened, then? To the corrupt officials who were using their power for personal gain?

[Quatre noticed that as well, following along behind him as they climbed. It was certainly far more unstable, but he had done a lot of precarious things in his time. He stopped beside Roland, looking at the same thing he was until he spoke again]

Many died if they were unwilling to change. Many also decided to change their ways and support the colonies. Some of our greatest allies have been those who were initially against us.

But I believe we have finally achieved peace in our world.

Hm. Sounds about right. Was it an uprising of some sort? [ And implicitly, Roland wished to ask if his involvement with the Gundam he mentioned played a role in it. He wonders if Quatre would read into that, read between the lines. He did want to seem subtle about it, but nevertheless, Roland is always invested in learning more about the politics and histories of other worlds. ]

Though you may want to hold that thought. How do you think we should get up here? I'll boost you up first, then help pull me up, maybe?

[Quatre would gladly tell him more about that. It was just a long and complicated story so he didn't want to get too in-depth if someone didn't care. Having lived it and been in a family with enough wealth and power to be considered a player just by existing, he knew probably more than most people wanted to hear. If he really wanted to know, he'd share]

That sounds good. I'll go first and help you up. [He moved so that he was closer to the edge where they needed boosting onto, ready for Roland to ]

Right. Coming in, then.

[ He crouches on one knee and readies his hands to catapult Quatre up to the edge, interlocked and stable to give him that boost. ]

On the count of three. One, two...three!

[ As Quatre positions himself, Roland will be there ready to lift him up high enough to grab more than just the edge. He was no tank, but he's got the upper arm strength to do it with ease. ]

[Quatre glanced back and when he was ready, he used Roland's help to push himself up onto the ledge.

Quatre was not as strong as some of his other teammates, but he would certainly not let that stop him. Besides, he'd been trying when he could.

Scrambling up onto the edge, he sat for a moment before moving to kneel on the ground, one leg braced behind him to keep from sliding, one hand reaching down to Roland]

[ There were makeshift footholds indented in the dirt, so when Roland grabs onto Quatre, he helps his burden by jumping first to get some height, then resting his weight against the solid rests. It allows him to climb up a bit faster, and hopefully reduces the effort on the other man's part to lift his weight. When they're settled, he dusts himself off with two hands before standing at attention. ]

That wasn't so bad. You okay? [ He'll assess his mountain climbing partner for a bit before he moves on and starts walking. ]

[The footholds definitely helped Quatre be able to hold onto and help pull him. If he'd had to do it all on his own, it would have taken far longer and much more effort on his part]

No, not bad at all. Yeah, I'm fine.

[A little dirty from kneeling down to help pull him up, but no worse for wear. He continued the hike up with him]

It's nice here.

But if you've seen space, does something as simple as this still compare? Heh. [ He crosses his arms and does the same; takes a look around, letting it all overtake him. Roland breathes in deep, the air sweet from the syrup. ] Kind of making me wish the presidential package came with a free trip up there too.

[ Roland smiles. Whatever Jema'grethy had in store for them, at least they had silver linings like this. ]

I think so. The colonies in space were basically large cities. There were a few parks, but it was nothing like this. If you looked up in a colony, you saw more buildings, not the sky. This is certainly much better.

[He smiled. He found nature very pleasant and understood that it was something to cherished since he'd never had this when he was younger]

Presidential package?

Heh. Nothing. [ He shakes his head and ventures forth, even closer, even higher so that they can see the very best of the mountain. Sometimes his little understatements hiding as jokes slip out, but he won't mention much of it now that he's caught himself. ]

So, what was the name of the colony you were assigned to?

[Quatre didn't ask any more about it. It was either an inside joke that he didn't know about or something of like, but in the end, it didn't make much difference as they walked up the mountain]

Nothing fancy. It was called the L4 cluster because that block of colonies and associated satellites were located at the L4 Lagrange Point.

...Well, I guess that works. Nobody said naming countries had to be creative. [ Roland quips wryly. ] Apart from that special metal you mentioned, is there anything else you'd like to see from your home world? Something you could try to order for yourself on the train?

That is true. It just sounds so technical rather than someone's home. Still, makes it easier to remember where they are located. L4 is always at Lagrange 4.

[He thought about that for a moment as they walked]

My violin. I miss being able to play it.

Maybe you could name it on your own? Why not, right? [ Who would stop him here, anyway? ] Especially if it'll help endear it to you even more. [ And from this, Roland speaks with experience. Names have power, even if it's just your own way of calling home. ]

[ They're close to the summit at this point, if the stronger breeze and sloping ground was of any indication. He was glad for his walking stick to help give him some leverage on softer soil. ]

Wow. I'd love to hear a song or two if you manage to get it. [ Roland smiles, turning back to Quatre. ] I haven't heard an instrument from home in a long time now...

Well, that is true. There's only so many here who would know or care.

[Home was always home, but Earth had always been far more appealing for him. He still did care about the people on the colonies, always had]

I'd be happy to. I'll have to see if I can request it from the train.

That's certainly one way to put it. [ He's encouraging about it, strangely so. ]

[ At last, just at the right time when Quatre speaks, the vast landscape of Jema'grethy is revealed to them at the top of the mountain. The sun is beating down steadily at them, but the breeze is refreshing and the smell of the sea is mingling nicely with the syrup running down the veins of the soil. ]

I'll remember that, then. I look forward to being in your audience. [ Roland smiles; closes his eyes and takes it all in. ]

I'll have to think about it then. See if I can come up with a fitting name.

[Quatre paused for a moment, looking down the world now stretched before them from this mountain. It was breath-taking, the sort of thing he had always wanted to see when he was on the colonies, dreaming of going to Earth]

Thank you. I appreciate that. I will let you know when I get it.

It's beautiful up here.

Let me know about it, once you do? [ Roland turns to him, in a generally good mood. ] And yeah, it is.

[ There's a swell of silence that follows, with just the breeze to keep them company. When he speaks next, it's a bit more foreboding, that serious air returning to him naturally. ]

...If only it was just beautiful, and nothing more.

I definitely will.

[Quatre was quiet as well, enjoying the wind blowing around them, carrying the scent of nature. He'd been thinking the same thing about this place, that it was not all that it seemed and he glanced over when he spoke]

Yeah... those visions when we first arrived.

[OVERFLOW] Event: Healing Waters

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