middleofsomewhere | Wings of Wonder: NPC Interactions and Investigations

"He hit his dizzy spots. Everybody got 'em." Yondu blurts out 'cause you know what, he's got no time to explain pressure points or nothin' like that, and he knows with kids you occasionally gotta jump aboard the proud vessel 'MakeShitUp' just to give them quick answers to troubling questions.

Now that he's sure the kid's gonna be alright he moves in to help, grabbing the older sali to try and wrangle its arms behind their back. He can't do much about the plants, but if they touch him he just pushes back with Grow the other damn way! thoughts.

"What about the red gem on 'em? They got one an' y'all others don't." Meaning maybe they should get it off him.

Yondu is there, helping try to handle the older sali, and Wei Wuxian shifts his attention briefly to the younger. He ignores the small cuts and lacerations that made it to skin instead of hooking only cloth.

"The storm's responsible for bringing what's altering their minds, but isn't the direct cause. Has there been anything red falling?" Then he waves a hand, reaching to his side for rope. "Young Miss, I'm thinking we need to restrain this Uncle so we can bring him to... who is it, Enshala here? Can you bring us to Enshala?"

Tying up the older sali would be his plan while Yondu has his arms back, along with slapping a silencing talisman on his forehead: he has no idea if it'll work, with how energies are here, but applied directly to the man it might keep his voice from producing sound. Might. Otherwise, gags have always had a purpose, haven't they?

"No! No no no! Don't you touch his gem!" The young sali is ready to smack them over the head with her staff if they so much as poke the older sali's gem. She is on guard as they start to tie up the older sali, who struggles a little but can't really do much now that he's bound. He will glare angerly at them, however.

Once she's sure they are not going to attempt to do anything with his gem (for fear of scrappy young sali head bonking), she'll be more willing to listen to their ideas again.

"You know about our Forever Ones?" Her brows furrow. The Forever One could help. They must be able to. "Okay. Follow me."

"What's the gem do?"

Once the man is bound he grabs his scythe to take with him. The bow and arrows he hands off to Wuxian. "We'll give 'em back later."

He hauls the Sali up over his shoulders fireman style with a grunt and moves alongside the younger Sali and gives her the scythe so she can hack through as she needs to. It's her leading the way, after all.

"An' how bad has it gotten? Are they eatin'? Goin' back to their families? Takin' care of themselves at all?"

He adds the quiver and arrows to his carried items, nodding to Yondu, and turning his attention to the young sali.

"My name's Wei Wuxian, Young Miss. I exchanged energy with Hemla of the central island, not long after we arrived. Hemla shared a memory of the sudden nature of the storm hitting, and the names of the Forever Ones on the other islands. I figure if anyone can help clear a mind, it might be your Forever One."

Meaning he falls into walking along, not even remotely contesting that Yondu can handle carrying the older, bound sali. Wei Wuxian is only sometimes a fool, and wasting his energy helping in that quadrant right now would be entirely foolish.

"Breaking it is punishable by death or be indebted to them for the rest of your life." is the young sali's answer. The gems do do something, but she's wary about giving more details. However, she does not lie about the punishments one could face from breaking the gem. There will be very bad consequences for tampering with the older sali's gem.

The Forever One will know better than her. She only just got her job in the community not too long before all this happened. The young sali takes the scythe and begins to lead them to the shelter housing the Forever One on this island.

"Good to know. Got enough debts as it is."

Well, that answers that. They can't mess with them, but maybe they were doing something to them? Yondu had been suspecting maybe they were some sort of security or military originally. Maybe he wasn't far off. Some special position, anyway.

Luckily Yondu's dealt with enough wounded (or drunk) crew that he can head in that direction and keep himself balanced with the horned man slung over him like he is. He'll trust Wuxian to get his back if something pops up.

"Ah, good to know, thank you, Young Miss."

Beyond that, however, he acts as the rear guard for their small group, listening for anything else moving their way, and keeping an eye turned skyward for anything flying over. Some, like fellow Trainlings, would be fine, but the ones delivered by the storm and causing the wrongness on the islands?

Well, considering he's fairly sure they are why the older sali was attacking one of his own...

"Where were you during the storms?" A question asked before they reach the destination their young sali friend has in mind.

As they close in to their destination, the air becomes lighter from the faint remainders of the red colouring in the air; the birds don't seem to be swooping around as much this way, or making their flight patterns take this obvious open space into account for whatever reason.

But the two Voidtreckers will feel it, at a point. Once the sali has answered the question, the three have chatted a bit, there is an even more noticeable shift in the air: a near tangible pushback. It's not impenetrable, but there's something discouraging in going against it. A weight on them, a prickling at their bodies.

The sali with them will not notice it, but they'll be drawn into a private conversation at the same time, by their own crystal, unbeknownst to the pair.

'You bring strangers. Speak now - are you sane?'

A positive answer will concede the air some around the group, if with still a discomfort persisting. One that Wei Wuxian may feel as familiar, with his dealings with Hemla.

"Inside," the young sali says as she feels herself step into the better air. She's safe now. The Forever One will know what to do.

'I am. These outsiders say they are here to help and have spoken with Hemla. I bring them because I believe you will know what to do with them better than me. And maybe you can help one of our own who is acting strange.'

The young sali looks at Yondu.

'One outsider has red eyes, but he still seems to have his mind.'

There is a shift in their conversation, subtle as Hemla's name is spoken, but not lasting as the young sali goes on. A few seconds given to consider, before the young sali hears:

'Fine, I will see them. Tell them to bring our own, I will lead them. You, look for others, keep your head. Call if you need help.'

The uneasiness doesn't shift for Wei Wuxian and Yondu, and instead, they feel their bodies - their attention - being pulled in the direction the young sali had been taken them to. A feeling that comes with a prickling to their skin that they should continue that way - with the older sali.

'I will. Thank you.'

"The Forever One will see you now. Bring him, and be on your best behavior, or you'll be sorry," the young sali says not with the tone of a threat but more like a child trying to warn another about a strict adult. "I've got other things to do now."

And with that, the young sali runs off, calling for people who need help and for her lost woolie.

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.

"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."

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."

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?"

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.

"What is this?" The sali laughs, disbelieving, such look thrown at the pair of them. "You give ridiculous reasons and expect such answers in return? For what? You come by Hemla's encouragement, speaking now, but speak nothing of your intentions? To help? For what price? What cause?"

They gesture out in their direction.

"You treat us with disrespect, like kits seeing an opportunity to spread their territory and ravage anything else in it. You will not act on your own on our lands. Who do you think you are?"

Wei Wuxian just smiles, standing with his hands at his sides.

"I'd give better ones if I found value in lying. The truth is lamentably just that ridiculous."

He spreads his hands as he lifts them, palms turned upward, empty.

"Giving each other the chance to listen and speak in turn helps, in my experience. Is it customary for your people to lay clear terms of cost and motivation at the start of any negotiation? For mine, it's customary to start with an introduction."

He repeats the bow. "Wei Wuxian, of the Voidtrecker Express. We're tasked with assisting worlds in distress. We've been dropped here for the next seven days or so. What questions you have are ones we'll attempt to answer, should you wish to ask them."

His hands fall back to his sides. It's hard, he knows it, when you feel backed into a corner, you feel your world's been attacked and it has, and you're living under the strain of it all. All he can say he has in this situation is... a great deal of empathy.

Already he's wondering how much asskiss he has in him. Some indignant part of him wanting to lash out at being talked down to. But that isn't the same case here. Not like he doesn't lash out when he's scared (and doesn't like to admit that's what he's doing). He can do this, right? He dealt with the Sovereign. He dealt with the worst kind of Kree. He can do this.

"I just know the birds don't like us any more than they like y'all. So whether you want us here or not we're gonna be fightin' 'em of. At least ask us somethin' about how we can help ya out."

They don't look entirely pleased listening to Wei Wuxian, but at Yondu's addition, their displeasure becomes harsher. "Keep that attitude that you can do as you please, and you won't be fighting just the birds," the sali snaps at Yondu.

"You come as strangers to us, sending your people around in a time like this. Is it customary for your people to come to the lands of others and proceed to think you can act as you like? Saying that this is help - what help is how you speak to me? That you will do as you please?"

They look to Wei Wuxian. "Know now we won't suffer arrogance. We want negotiations, to plan and understand, but we will not have any of those who came with you acting as this one threatens to. This is our home."

"Yondu." It's not a quelling sound or motion, but he does turn, with softer tone, to look at his fellow Trainling. He speaks lowly and levelly, not trying to keep what he says away from any of the sali, but definitely keeping his focus on Yondu.

"This is their home. If they weren't feeling all sorts of things about what's happened, or feeling like outsiders are stepping in to solve things like they aren't already, I'd be concerned. If we say we're helping people, that means we listen to them, too. If what the people here want is for us to stay on the central island and do nothing but keep out of their way, I know you'll help me call back everyone to do exactly that."

When his attention shifts, his voice is only louder by merit of returning to normal conversational volume.

"I would make different choices if I could. I don't think it's particularly helpful, or less than insulting, to have a hundred or so strangers tossed into existing problems. I apologise for our transgressions, even more so for the timing. Arrogance serves us poorly, I agree." That the timing is why the train has thrown them in now has already been implied, if not directly said. He means it, too. If the people here only want them to leave well enough alone to let them take action, then they will. Even he, a notorious meddler, knows better than to presume his help is what's needed.

Even when it has been, even when he's sacrificed everything, the world can unsure it's not enough.

"I can break down a list of our skills, and our supplies. What we'd ask in turn, which starts with a place to camp without being an intrusion. Anything else is beneficial, but unnecessary if it falls outside of fair exchange. By chance we're on the central island, and Hemla has communicated with a handful of us. Not adequately to offer negotiation, more... memory, emotion." He lifts a hand, to tap it against his temple. "Or that was what I encountered."

It is a problem when a man whose never had a home has difficulty fully relating to the concept. But he sighs out his nose, grunting.

He's no good at negotiations. And he's not got a face people take pity on if he makes appeals. The only thing he's ever been good at is bargaining.

"What I'm meanin', is we gotta defend ourselves against the birds too, no matter what island we're on. And when we get off the train, we ain't got no choice but to wait for it to come back. I don't care so much for myself but there's a lotta young people on our crew and while we're a capable bunch we're all... oil and water here. Your magic, your world, differ'nt from anything we've encountered." Or that he knows of, anyway. "Not all of 'em can defend themselves as usual."

He holds up his hands, palms out, and then slowly, slowly reaches into his coat and pulls out his Anulax battery. It just looks like a glowstick, but it's a lot stronger than that.

Can't bargain unless you put something on the table. "We're here seven? Eight days? Lemme put somethin' on the table. This is a personal item, valuable. Big energy source. Hopefully you got somebody that can confirm that," he mutters the last bit. "Putting it out there as somethin' I don't wanna lose. If you don't believe I don't wanna traumatize those kids, then at least believe that. Hell, it might even be able to power somethin' for ya if you put it in the right hands."

He keeps it held out in his hand as he speaks, making no quick movements.

Eyes flit between them both, the stern hold of their gaze never leaving with either. The mortar and pestle sits in their lap forgotten as they speak, a small silence once they're done.

Until the sali finally sighs behind a closed mouth, puts the tools aside.

"Your trinket means nothing to us as it does to you," they first dismiss, waving their hand at what it signifies, more than its potential use. "You have young, we have young - we negotiate and keep words only with people we believe. We have no reason to give information to outsiders that can take it and wait to stab us in the back. I do not yet disbelieve you won't. My heart is cautious. Your truths are maddening. But-"

They motion to the seats by them, cushions on the floor.

"You have one chance. Sit."

They wait for them to follow this, then don't delay any further in speaking.

"To your custom, Wei Wuxian, my name is Asha. Camps can be allowed, but we can only give permission for this island. Central is Hemla's domain, and their choice is theirs." They pause, eyes flickering onto the statue beside them, and then return to the Voidtreckers. "For your people here, we will accept fighters, and those with strength to search the barns and hothouses. Those skilled with medical - we are searching for one of the buildings to bring people to, injured, quicker to go to than to bring them immediately here. If our talks go well, we will permit you use of them too, for your own, than to expect you to carry your injured off. But as for the Red Storm-"

They pause again, hand waving up with fingers towards the ceiling.

"--We cannot help you. Remove the threat, bring our people to safety, and Enshala will work to rid it. But you cannot be protected as we are. As you know, what did you say? Oil and water."

Wei Wuxian ends up cautiously leaving his shoes at the entrance, those boots he's had since, well, showing up on platform. He otherwise sits as indicated, listening to Asha for the duration before and after.

"Well met, Asha. Understood, and agreed. We'll formally ask Hemla as soon as possible. Depending on who's on Central island now, I can reach them and have one of ours who can communicate with them ask now."

There's no reason to delay beyond the impoliteness of speaking over SCA at the time. Then again, given the way it appears there's a mental connection between Forever Ones and the sali, conversations may not need to be as verbal for them as the Voidtreckers as a whole.

"We'll spread the word regarding what this island is accepting from our number. Most of our medically skilled treat traditionally in addition to any other ability they have. Medicinal prescriptions would be deferred to your people." For toxicity, for unknown cross species reactions, for anything of that nature, such as it was. Probably obvious, but better stated than allowing it to seem like their own healers would bridge that particular gap when otherwise practising medicine.

Wings of Wonder: NPC Interactions and Investigations

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Did you want a Forever One in this thread?

We are down!

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There will be 2 NPC posts for a few tags!

young sali and older sali reporting

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young sali ollies out

wei wuxian waves gently in the distance

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

no problem!

Re: no problem!

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watch me cheat on this one

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