middleofsomewhere | Wings of Wonder: NPC Interactions and Investigations

Wei Wuxian feels the pull, glancing to Yondu as the young sali speaks to them. He smiles and briefly cups his hands and nod-bows to her for the warning.

"Thank you for your help, and may your tasks go well."

They're off so fast all he can do is gesture toward his fellow Trainling, and the older sali with them.

"Time to take our Uncle here on over. Thank you, Enshala, for agreeing to allow us here!"

Can the Forever One hear him? He's not sure, but it's a decent enough bet he says so while falling in with the direction they're being pulled. He's wary, of course, but he's also alert to how familiar this all feels in the end. This is the Forever One. That much he can trust.

"Got it. To some extent at least, I'll see about going East with some of the rest for the purpose of seeking out the four you named that direction." He gives stone hands a squeeze of reassurance he's not sure this one can feel, and smiles.

"We're a bunch of misfits, but we do more good in the scheme of things than ill. Whatever guidance you and yours are willing to offer will be welcomed with open arms."

"See? He's fine." He turns to show the unconscious larger sali to the smaller before she departs, just to reassure her. About as fine as a limp man set to bruise later likely should be. He hauls him in and lays him in front of Enshala, grunting with effort in order to not just drop him.

"Alright, here he is. Thanks for talkin' to us even if he's gonna be the one better for hearin' ya."

By now Jingyi complies, but his tailtuft is firmly held up in front of his hips now. If he's already going to be resigned to nudity, he can at least feel like he's not also flashing everyone his genitals the whole time.

Likewise, he verbalises an agreement for what the issue is, and leaves the cloak on the indicated location.

"Nightwork will work fine, do you have cutting shears?" Scissors or anything of the kind.

Ryo manages to start answering questions, and Jingyi, who is trying not to run his fingers into his tailtuft out of misplaced nerves, frowns and nods along with him.

"We'll make do with supplies as we must. Water is what I guess... people always need more water than they think." Realistically, and can do more for longer as long as they're hydrated. He frowns, pulling his hands away from the blue fur of his tailtuft to gesture. "Our group divides into teams to tackle problems, and skills are all over the place. Both of us deal with energies in different ways, and I change shape into a larger, flying creature," he says, partly rambling as he gestures to his strategically placed tailtip. "Makes me good for defending from air or transporting people," he finishes, not sure if that... helps.

"I have hands," replies the sali to Jingyi on clothing, eyeing around his waist, stepping to see where the tail forms at. From there, they bundle the fabric as they listen, selecting a spot, and stab in a clawed nail cleanly. From there, they tear downwards, letting the gown hang so they can better get to the end.

Once the tear is formed, they hold it out for Jingyi to take. Stopping to take in them both, and to decide on their replies:

"So a mess of people here to help, ask to help, with not a basic idea of how to offer help, and who have no idea how to calculate the worth of their help. Like stumbling younglings. Have you reached out to your others yet? Talked to them? Speak more."

As they now turn back to the wardrobe, searching, this time for less time. Bringing out a cloak as they described: one that opens in the centre, but has a tie; furs hanging on either ends, but coming past the waist area. An added round of fur along the shoulders and close to the face, another hood of an animal - something similar to a caribou, with eyeholes free and slits for horns to protrude through.

It's a good thing that Madoka finishes lowering the beam again just a split second before there's suddenly another voice, or she certainly would have dropped it in surprise straight onto her own hands or feet.. but thankfully there's no injury - for now - as she turns her head around to see the source of the noise, clearly startled. Not even having time to mind the young sali and their pain like she was planning to, as all of her attention is now drawn towards the more intimidating factor in the space.

There's the instinct to grab her bow off her back, just to have something steady to hold on to in the middle of her nerves, but Madoka does at least realise that might just rapidly escalate the situation here - especially with how the older sali is armed. So she instead keeps her hands at her sides, hoping that the fact that she's technically unarmed will help here.

Even though she's so nervous. She's never had to deal with a situation like this before all by herself.

"Y-Yes!" She forces out, more in reply to the older than the younger sali, her face paling just a little. "I'm here to help! I.. I heard that there was someone trapped in here, so I wanted to free them.." For a brief second her gaze shifts back to the younger sali, her gaze and nerves softening when she sees the state of their leg. "B-But they're hurt. If you can help, please help them.."

Maybe that shouldn't be the priority here. Maybe the priority should be not having the older sali turn that blade on her, but this feels more important to Madoka.

Yondu will have to wait once the pair reach a building, large, about two storeys or so, with only slits for window spaces showing an upper floor in an otherwise dome-shaped dwelling made from woods and dried grasses. Two markers sit close to the entrance, repelling them for a moment, glowing to their presence - until it's pushed back, the glowing dying by some unseen hand minimising their protection to allow the pair - or three - inside. It will be strange to pass them, but better than not - Enshala waits inside.

There are a few others, too. They enter into a curved room, an entrance room, with curtains for doors that hide wherever they lead. Circle seating that comes to meet a fire pit in the centre, and by it, the statue of the Forever One, Enshala, sits. Chin raised, hands grasping their knees, a commanding presence even in stone.

A sali waits by the side close to where they enter, seeing the body, and holding out their arms with a "Give" for it. To move them from one shoulder to another, so they can be taken beyond one of the curtains.

There sits a sali by Enshala, leg done up in dressings, meeting the presence of the two with suspicion eyes. A mortar and pestle in their lap, and work pausing to address them.

"Why are you here? We want answers, now. Your reasons, how you came here. Explain."

Boy, there's nothing quite like being insulted for offering to help. The sali isn't exactly wrong, but gods, so much for tact. He takes a moment to tamp down his temper and choose his words. "We don't usually have much information when we arrive somewhere - we get our goals, and we have to figure out how to do them. And no, we haven't - we've been talking with you. We haven't had time." He does his best to keep his tone even, and for the most part, he succeeds. For the most part.

Ah. Perhaps he should warn people before he does this. "Sorry... Um... Sorry." He sounds embarrassed. Still the man climbs on his back as Taiki manoeuvres the arms band over his hoof and kicks the discarded clothes that had fallen from him when he transformed into it. It's a well practised move by now and soon he is ready.

"I'll go slow." Not that he had a choice, this world was so difficult to fly in. "You can hold my mane... Um... Sorry I'm Taiki I don't know your name."

Maybe that would have been a first step.

Jingyi's words just seem to confuse them and though that confusion doesn't disappear through Elidibus' explanation it does lessen, they recieve nods from the two Sali at the front.

The Sali behind mostly look confused.

"We will deliver the message from Hemla and thank you for bringing it to us. We see no issue with allowing you to remain on the central island, there are no settlements of our people there at the moment. We shall spread the word that you are to be allowed to rest there."

Another glance, at Takechirou this time. "If Hemla preferred him this way then we would not disagree, he does seem a helpful creature. There is much to be done, the storms have caused a lot of damage. We would share aid with you, if there is any assistance you require."

Like for like. A fair trade.

As Danny walked through the ship he would hear more crashing and then the sound of something coming towards him before a creature jumped at him.

It does seem to be an attack, though that might not be obvious straight away. Instead the creature grabs anything it can, clothing, a hat, a bag, trying to steal it and leap away.

Danny had certain reflexes when it came to something jumping out at him and grabbing at him. Without thinking he forms a ball of ectoplasmic energy in his hands.... which immediately destabilizes and explodes, throwing him back to the floor.

It does seem their feelings are correct on not tampering and indeed a feeling inside both of them, as well as the flowers around Takechirou seem to draw them forwards, mapping our a path for them, avoiding the markers.

Until they come to the entrance, they will be able to hear sounds from insides. Nothing too worrying but the clear sounds of Sali working and talking among themselves, grumbles about the storms, the odd mention of the visitors, but mostly just work talk.

They do look interested in the small boy declaring he would fight but they glance at both Lan Wangji and Jake and seem to consider them suitable guardians at least, of this odd child.

"They were out in the forests when the storm hit..."

They looked at Lan Wangji. "Yes. Our bridges are broken. Do you have the skills to fix them?"

The sali studies Madoka, but not without glances to the one beside her. "Older!" the child repeats, and the weapon lowers an inch - but they jerk their chin in direction of the animal.

"Take a hold of the woolie's ties. Anything funny, and I won't hesitate."

They wait for Madoka to do so before they slip the weapon into an arm sheath, under the sleeve of their clothing. Taking careful but immediate steps to the injured sali, they command, "Move back," to Madoka; demanding, but not as harsh as it could be. So they can examine the injured leg, check the state of it.

"Monsha," they say, then go silent. The child nods after a wild, then turns their head to Madoka.

"They're friend, I promise. They help far lands. The Forever Ones of the East must have called for them!"

Jingyi accepts the altered sleeping gown, suitably impressed that the sali has sharp enough nails for what they do. Given his own close cut blunt human nails, he can only sigh internally.

He finds the assessment pretty direct, which would be offensive if anything about the train was well informed. It isn't, in his opinion, but Ryo doesn't sound entirely at ease--or more, at least somewhat annoyed. Jingyi is still doing up the front of the gown, so his tail is what comes around to gently nudge at Ryo's thigh. Since smacking anyone generally doesn't help, that's for wrestling, and it's not like he wrestles anyone here.

"Ryo, would you please contact the rest of us by the SCA thing? Full channel?"

Frankly because for one, Jingyi is still being handed a different sort of shall cloak whatever it is, and he's saying thank you before giving it an eyeballing and pulling it on.

"Basically," he says. "Though younglings stumbling around feels better than calling ourselves elders and stomping around assuming we know much more than we do. Half the time, we can't even say where we're from or that we've been brought there by our vessel in the first place. It's a headache, having to pretend to be anything other than what we are. It doesn't make for many negotiations, so aside from we help you and you help us, what can we say? We're operating in the dark."

He smooths out the fur, wondering if he should feel at all weird that he's wearing another creature's skin. He'll... worry about that later. (Think of where silk comes from, Jingyi. Ponder that for a while.)

"We came down here after the birds and to see if we could contact anyone, especially Enshala." Which, belatedly, is entirely honest. "Another group is going East, to try and make contact with the people and four Forever Ones there, by Hemla's asking, right Ryo? They needed more than that crystal piece they asked you to bring them. A third is to the West, scouting, and a fourth is to the North, doing the same while patching up the bridge. The fifth group is staying on the central island, working on the bridges East and North."

He pauses, then gestures towards the pouch his SCA keeps looped at his wrist. "I have that uncle's bow and staff, can I leave those with you?"

Honestly, it's not like it takes much to command Madoka around in the first place. Even if the other isn't being incredibly harsh about it, the girl is definitely intimidated. Enough so to not really think about what he's asking of her - though she later realises it can't really hurt, once she's actually stepping back while trying to hold onto the animal.

In fact, since she figures she can't do much about the younger sali's wound, she instead moves to gently pat the animal with the hand that isn't holding the ties, trying to calm it down after such a stressful experience for it.

"We got a call for help," she says after the sali tries to explain to the other. Madoka figures she's got to do her part in that too. It's unfair to let the burden of explanation rest on the child. "That's why we came. But it seems those red storms that have been bothering you have already struck pretty badly.."

He doubts it'll make full sense, really, but he lifts his hands to make gesture of a bow. Enshala is their own presence, but it's clearly different to be surrounded with even a handful of sali, versus Hemla in the grass.

"Hemla passed along your warning to the West. The East was already not responding when your message reached them."

Hands lowering, he considers his words when he spoke.

"We've come from our own ship, traveling the space between worlds. When it detects a world in suffering over a specific cause, it brings us there in an effort to help stabilize the situation. We've been scouting the islands for information, that's why we're here, and reaching out to speak with the East on Hemla's encouragement. With some bridge repair on our end, mostly to the North and East. My understanding is the red storm is lingering to the West dangerously, and the North doesn't have the blessing of a Forever One in its defense. The flying creatures are brought by the storm, correct? Like these birds we're seeing overhead here? Or did they exist before, and started acting oddly after the storm?"

Ryo's attempt at explanations doesn't change much about the expression the sali wears, neither showing contempt, nor much else from neutral. They let their attention move onto Jingyi, though they don't stay still a gesture to tell him to keep talking as they take a pot from a shelf, looking inside, closing the lid again and turning back. Walking over again, and already offering a free hand at the request.

"When you search new lands, you never know where your feet step. But you take what tools you can with you - your skills and experience your sharpest weapons. Don't bend your ears - learn." She looks at Ryo at that end part pointedly, the saying on the similar lines of: Don't be uselessly defensive.

Then, she looks to Jingyi. Her tone is mostly muted, but there is a level of agreement, approval, that comes through as she speaks.

"Stumbling younglings willing to learn grow well. Go, if you are going back outside. Our people are spreading the word about you. The healer is to go with me to decide their use here."

Elidibus leaves the matter with Jingyi at the stern stare. Even if he has plans to bring something up later, right now would not be the best time by any means to hash out How to Diplomat.

The response of the sali to the explanation does offer some insight; namely that Voidtreckers are unlikely to be known widely amongst the sali, whatever their stance on outsiders or aliens to their world in general are. At the same time, outsiders are not completely dismissed even in the midst of a threat such as the storms. And thus, there is room for future relations.

"Among our foremost concerns is knowledge," Elidibus answers. "As my companion said, we've been asked to investigate the anomaly to the west as well as other endeavors. But we're also strangers to your lands and customs. What you can offer to add to our understanding dangers and your people, as well as your needs would be welcome."

Elidibus considers momentarily. Then appears to recollect a matter that may be relevant.

"When we arrived we found an abandoned settlement and have made our encampment there. But we also discovered a number of beasts which may have belonged to the people who once lived there. What we could find and calm have been corralled and there are those tending to them as best we can. But you may wish to send someone to reclaim them soon."

As much because the train's passengers do not know the specific needs as to take the burden of their care away so they can get on with their mission. At least, that would be the nature of Elidibus's intent, along with a more positive impression to the sali.

The Ascian then pauses and glances at the other two again in case they have more to add.

"Yes, there is too much risk in tampering with them if they can be avoided," Elidibus agrees. He studies Kiyoiri and Takechirou a moment, attempting to gauge the stability before nodding.

"I believe we're fine for now," the Ascian says with confidence. "Your connection is strengthened with contact and I can still endure. I will help you if needs be." He certainly has enough to spare in helping Kiyoiri, even if it's as a means to make it to a safer position.

On reaching the gate and hearing the voices of the sali however, Elidibus is surprised. While a presence calling for help had been felt from a distance, he'd not been aware that the enclosure itself had been occupied; and at that, with sali going about their daily lives as if normal.

Surprised enough that it appears on the Ascian's face, though clearly he seems to link the effect of the markers to the reason he couldn't discern anything, by the way he glances sharply in the direction of the closest.

"It seems the cautious approach is ever more the correct choice," Elidibus offers wryly in a quiet tone to Kiyoiri. But then his voice raises, projecting to those within the enclosure.

"Three visitors seek to enter. May we have your permission to do so?"

Kiyoiri nods, but does not speak- not loudly in any case. Instead she whispers to Takechirou- uncertain, and cautious.

"...Lower your head, so they can see Hemla's flowers, while not seeing you as a threat. ...However," she adds yet lower, "...If there is too much red as warned, and they are dangerous, we need to reach the Forever One as fast as possible, so be ready to run."

Other than that...

A nod to Elidibus. Here they go.

The sali doesn't look at Madoka, continuing to assess the other's leg, asking a hushed "turn" to make it clear how hard they bite on their bottom lip to follow. A quiet sigh is let out, and they straight their back, now looking at the pink-haired girl.

"We've heard word of outsiders. Fine; for now, we need to gather our numbers. Shelter has been picked - you will follow me, take the woolie child with you. I will carry Monsha- quiet!" The sali snaps when the child, Monsha, starts to protest. They bite on their lip harder, tears in the corners of their eyes.

But the sali continues. "-You are to watch our backs. Drop the rope, lose the animal to use your weapon in danger, but don't turn it on any of our people if you're not skilled in destabilising. Understood?"

There's an impatience to the sali, fit for the mood, the situation. A readiness to get going, but even they can see - assume - this is a child. A child to instruct, and hope the weapon on their back isn't just for show.

The nudge and the request are obvious, and for a moment it rankles: he's upset at how they're being talked to, so he's being dismissed.

...but generally if someone does that, it's for good reason, isn't it.

He doesn't move away quite yet, struggling with his temper, with his response to all this, and trying to keep an ear open for the conversation as it moves on-

Only to be chastised by the sali.

He nearly loses his grip on his temper again at that - what do they think he's been doing? What do the sali think any of the voidtreckers have been doing in the two whole days they've been here? He's sorry that trying isn't good enough-

-oh.

Oh.

There's a reason Jingyi is handling this just fine and he isn't, isn't there. It's his problem to deal with. He is out of line here. He can...he can recognize that much, at least.

(He's starting to recognize the feeling, the pressure in his chest and the tightness in his throat, when something hits him far harder than it should - or at least, harder than it hits other people. It's far from perfect, but it's progress.)

He swallows it back and closes his eyes, taking a breath and letting it out slowly. He can deal with his problems in his own time; for now, he's here to help with someone else's, and that needs to take priority. "Okay," he says, opening his eyes again and looking at Jingyi. "Maybe you should make the call once you get outside. I'll join when I can." Because it sounds like Jingyi is about to be left to his own devices, whereas Ryo definitely isn't.

When Wei bows, Yondu does as well. Not as steeply, it's another Ravager salute with a double-pat of his fist against his chest. He didn't encounter Hemla. Didn't have the capacity to do so.

"We got some pretty intelligent, experienced folks with us. We can help ya out." He reaffirms whaat Wuxian's saying, but doesn't add to the question because it's something he's been wondering about as well.

Wings of Wonder: NPC Interactions and Investigations

wei wuxian waves gently in the distance

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we reversed order because it was better for him to go first

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no problem!

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Re: no problem!

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