No Place Like Home: The Return

[voidtreckermods]

---

NO PLACE LIKE HOME: THE RETURN

---

a silence broken...

It's been a very difficult few days. Rocking and rolling into the void and out again. Watching their friends out of the window as they wander from world to world. Meanwhile those lost on worlds continue to wander unable to return to the train at all.

"All attempts at returning those who left have failed. This voidcraft cannot do it alone. It is lucky that unlike those that have left before them, I can still sense them.

But I cannot bring them back alone. This is perhaps too advanced for Voidtreckers, but you have done the improbable before. You say you wish to help. This is how you help."

Their SCA's light up with a message. Or rather, a series of instructions:

In the unlikely event a tether gets stranded on a liminal space platform or between their own world and the platform space, you should, in the first instance, contact the Void technicians who monitor their non-travelling self. However, in the case they cannot be reached or there is a mass displacement of tether, an anchoring procedure can be carried out.

Ideally, this will involve two fully tethered individuals to retrieve the lost tether. One should be a stationary anchor. They should be outside of their void craft, if possible, and in physical contact with it. The second should be a roaming anchor reaching to draw the tethers back. In situations of mass tether displacement the stationary anchor can hold mutiple roaming anchors but it is recommended to not exceed five. In this situation, it is recommended that anchors rotate between stationary and roaming.

To start an anchoring of this kind, those anchoring should activate their anchoring program. Those staying station should reach out to the tethers of those they plan to steady. This might cause some emotional upheaval, and they will need to stay steady, especially if connecting to more than one roaming tether. Roaming anchors then must hold the person they search for in their thoughts and move towards them. It is recommended that the lost tethers activate their emergency beacon to facilitate being found and returning but this is not a necessity.

Once the roaming anchor has found the lost tethers they must keep hold of them and guide them back towards their craft, the stationary tethers must draw them back, pulling them through.

There is an additional note at the end, in different font.

It is as Anan told you. Your minds should visualise it. Be strong Voidtreckers.

... a short-lived dream

The doors open and anyone who wishes to try this can leave onto the platform. It is empty, devoid of the figures they had seen before; and, beyond the fog, devoid of anything. But searching requires their SCAs, not a path, and as people get into teams, they can activate their anchors and begin.

For those who will roam, their minds become filled, visualising light, void, voices and chaos; their bodies feel less stable, like they might unravel if not careful. But for those who will stay, when they touch the Voidtrecker Express, they will feel more stable, grounded. The fog shifts, but the world moves around them without pulling them in.

Thinking of the person they wish to keep stable, a mental and emotional link will be established, and they will feel each other as the roaming anchor sets off to find their missing crew.

---

Outside the train...
For those that had left - either by choice or by strange happenings - they have found themselves back at their anchor point during Poi 26, regardless of where they were before. For those unfortunate enough not to have a world to return to, or those who were stuck between in the first place, they will find themselves alone, in a fog filled space where no matter how far they walk, nothing greets them.

All those in fog or back in their world receive the same message from their SCAs.

Hold fast. Press your evacuation button. Your friends come.

---

RETURNERS: FLEETING HAPPINESS

But it's likely before the message arrived, that something wrong has been noticed by those outside the void. More than the bizarre ability to travel between existences, an inability to move far from where they appear. Back at their anchor points, they may notice - in time - colours sometimes flash across the sky, streaking through clouds or making trails in a night sky. At first not much, something to be easily dismissed but it builds. People talk, wonder at what is happening.

For the colours aren't the only thing. Across worlds, in cities, kingdoms, villages, underworlds and space stations, people are dreaming. Bright colours, vivid dreams. Prophets spring from nowhere, people claim to know the future or to have seen the past. Some talk of places and worlds they could not have seen.

Perhaps at first it can be explained away, there are always such people. But more people talk, from urchin children to commanders, people dream and the colours dance.

ANCHORERS: A STEADY HAND

While the stationeries will feel grounded, they aren't blind to what's happening to their roamer. It's as if they're both linked, intimately, meshing together, and they will need to work to keep their feelings separate; hearing each other's thoughts, their feelings. Images of what the other thinks and memories shared between them.

And then there is the search for their teammates, amongst the multiple of realities. Existences move past the roamer, threatening to lose them in the mess, but they must persevere, keep their thoughts on the individual, their stationary anchor to help them. Until finally, they appear - in a world they perhaps know, don't, the kaleidoscope colours of the void faint above their heads.

Speak to each other, keep each other focused, certain, and find who you came to save.

BOTH: HOLDING ON

Searching for individuals, the anchorers will find themselves at a character's anchor point; if they haven't moved far from here or another world, it will be easy to locate them. Now is the time to convince them to come back, and then the eventual work of doing so.

It can be in agreement, or force. Taking a hold of the person, the anchorer can pull them into the mass of chaos. Just like when they helped the guests return to their worlds from the false Diagad, all parties become battered by images, voices. Voices like sirens; 'Just stay,' the voices encourage. 'Just let go and drift into the chaos. It will be easier.'

But they must be strong, move towards their anchor and towards the craft. The crossing doesn't take too long, perhaps ten minutes each way, and once they get to the craft the person they are rescuing glows gold and vanishes. The anchors will know instinctively that they are safe on the train.

And indeed, the rescued will find themselves within the luggage carriage - exhausted, but safe.

TRAIN: AN INEVITABLE RETURN

Exhaustion is something all parties will experience, once everyone is returned to the train and the adrenaline wears off. Those who anchored will be hit with a total exhaustion, leaving them unable to do much more than eat and sleep for a few days. Those rescued won't be as bad, but if they decide to join in with the efforts, they'll too face the soul-tiring experience that other anchorers are.

There's likely to be efforts, to help soothe people over this time. And as people return to their life on the train, they will see the marks of the last few days for those who stayed behind. Broken ceramics, books out of order in the library; the ICPs in the standard coach, storage, sports and games carriages broken, and some damage to furniture.

But for the scars brought on by this event, surely, they will heal - eventually.

OOC NOTES

OOC post. Ask questions here. New second part OOC post here.

First phase of the event took place during Poi 22 to 25; the second phase takes place during Poi 26 to 28 (20-25th February).

VISITING WORLDS: While during Poi 26, it will be possible to go back to wherever they were, or other spaces. However, they will have increasing difficulty doing this, and will feel themselves getting more lost if they try world hopping too much over the next 3 (void) days. It's like something is trying to pull them back, or pull them, but into nowhere.

SCAs: The SCA's comms will not be active at this time.

Comments

[wewillwewill]

~Poi 25. ICP Roster~

With little fanfare at some point in the day, the marker indicating the occurence of death appears next to the name 'Elidibus' in the passenger roster. Of course there's little to do but wait, if anyone wants to do anything at all. But with the name remaining part of the listing, then those familiar enough (or have familiarized themselves enough) with the system will understand it's only a matter of time before the dead returns...


~Poi 26. Luggage~

When the Warrior of Light and the Crystal Exarch had sought to seal him after his defeat, Elidibus had gathered the memories of his beloved friends and family about him and prepared to sleep. Until such time as the Tower's systems dispersed his aether and returned it to the Aetherical Sea of the First, or lest someone managed to free him so that he might continue his duty. Until that fated moment, he would sleep.

And dream.

But the train had grabbed him at the cusp of this. Robbed him of his world, his duty. The physical copies of the memories he'd had restored to him. This latter had angered him. But the weight of the former's priority had stayed any effort to strike against this overpowering entity. He'd found a measure of something beyond the benefit of recovering his energy, biding his time and learning of new knowledge beyond the kin of his world... his reality. He'd even managed to regain some of the lost stones. Though not all. Not... yet.

Three months on the train, hardly any time on the First at all had passed; but then the Ascian had long been used to the passage of time on one world having little meaning on another. It could be faster or shorter. Even exactly the same; so perhaps it was only expected that the Ascian reconnected to his star when he was... needed. Particularly considering...

Well anyway. It wouldn't have escaped the ancient being's notice that the train's tether might work to keep him a true death. But setting aside the uncertainties of the unstable tethered, there was nothing in his choice that gambled on the chance of a safety net. Naturally he had given his all. Yes, it was beautiful as they say.

---

Quiet and dark. Here, Elidibus found himself dreaming. Memories a little less fragmented and frayed. Pieces he'd gleaned from the Convocation stones' knowledge. It was not the wash of restoration he would have imagined. Yet much of it seemed more real than simply 'reading' what someone else had put down and assured him was true.

Awareness returns and with it, lethargy. Discomfort. These were not traits one should feel. Creeping, growing; the former sensation is not unfamiliar to an aetherical being. But the physical discomfort- for physical it most certainly is- is distinct and foreign to someone who may be familiar with the sensation, but has not experienced it in the vast majority of his life span.

I. Luggage Entry, Poi 26.

A shell-styled suitcase with rollers and handle thunks over on its side from a sudden, violent shake as though the contents were surprised. There is quiet that follows as the same contents begin to realize struggles not only avail little, but disorient and further exhaust. There is a meticulous search before the zipper begins to move. Manually, there's no sense of magic and a hand emerges, followed by arm and finally the further unzippered hatching of one Ardbert-shaped (at least as far as the host-body goes) Ascian.

One very pale and weak and who doesn't move further in the immediate moment though he knows he must. "So you've seen fit to keep me after all. Or could you not help yourself?" Elidibus questions to the air around him. After all, hadn't the Voidtrecker Express said it's always listening? Always watching? He lets out a sigh. It's hard to explain his emotional state. Bitterness is present. Resignation. Not acceptance by any means, but there is at least a sense of acknowledgement.

Elidibus doesn't expect a direct answer from the train. It's no doubt busy with other matters right now, given the circumstances before he'd... died. But he can certainly be overheard if anyone's been looking out or happens to be in the car at the time of his revival.


II. Medical, Cabin L1-B, , Poi 26-???

Whatever had happened to cause his death had taken at least as much of a toll on Elidibus as anyone who acted as an anchor to rescue the others. But he was on no rescue list and the roster had definitely marked him as having died. For a short period of time though, he will be found in the medical bay, occupying one of the beds or perhaps visiting for an examination.

It's not as if the Ascian is trying to overtax himself or not get rest. But trying to keep him cemented in a place where he can be monitored is going to be another matter entirely. He might turn up in his cabin if visitors come looking for him there. And there are even a precious few he might reach out for, as more return to the train.

Two things are clear however. Once Elidibus is found in a location, he isn't very mobile. Sitting, sleeping, perhaps eating. Teleportation doesn't appear to be an option.

And he's considerably weakened. Though no injury seems to exist, there is still a sense that he was only recently on the brink of demise. Perhaps that is normal for revivals through the train's 'service' though?

III. Wildcards, Open or Closed Poi 26+

[OOC: Feel free to contact me for scenes. Elidibus will absolutely not fight attempts to get him to rest, recuperate, bring meals, otherwise help. People who (correctly) suss out that his moving around is a form of defense and try to offer protection will be treated depending on context. This is also a good time to corner him. Sing stupid songs, try to pester information out of him, etc etc.

Asking about his death may or may not be rude and may or may not get a response but it DOES relate to Endwalker expac related material (6.0) so be warned! He will also be trying to rent out a hire room from A or B sleepers for a couple days for privacy for Poi 27-28 and can be eventually bothered there too as an option as long as the hire goes through. Please PM to check before threading that one.

Folk who track by life-force/souls might have a bit of difficulty finding him right away. Whatever happened seems to have virtually drained all of his lifeforce. It will slowly recovery but not before the exhaustion passes. But hey, he's still around. Just not the bright beacon he normally is. He will definitely not be in any state to anchor or participate in rescues.]

[invigorates]

Lioriley had been watching the roster since the rescue missions had begun, making sure to track any changes — disappearances, appearances, changes in color from the standard four to gold. The marker beside Elidibus' name was not as foreign a symbol as one could hope someone so new would know; she had already seen it once before after the incident with Malekith aboard the previous platform.

She did not know him well, of course, but their previous discussion had been pleasant enough and even if it hadn't the heaviness in her chest still would have weighed her down. He had died out there — and she could only hope that it was not alone and calling for help. But death never was so kind, was it?

She checked, then; scouting the luggage compartment much as she had when the Svartálfar had died and been subsequently returned to the train, hoping to find a sign of life instead of the empty air and closed luggage. On that first trip, she did not find it, and with her self imposed duties to tend to - she could not linger for longer than a few moments before rushing off again, intending to return as soon as she was able.

Maybe it was pure luck (of which she usually lacked in the good variety), or maybe the train knew somehow that she was looking. Whatever the case, the Lunari had arrived back at the luggage area to hear the soft thud of the suitcase; the sound of it unzipping, and the familiar voice questioning nothing - or what he probably assumed to be nothing at the time. But Lioriley was standing there, wide-eyed, coiled lines of magic along her skin pulsing rapidly with her ever increasing heartbeat. How the train did such a thing was beyond her, but she could not help but be grateful for it when people returned whole and mostly unchanged from the jaws of death.

"Elidibus." She called softly, finally composing herself long enough to hurry over to him, hands outstretched to set gently upon an arm if he did not pull from it. "You are back. Are you...all right?" There was a hesitation, because she already knew the obvious answer, even if he did not say it. No one was just all right after they died, surely.

[wewillwewill]

Someone was already there. Elidibus hadn't been aware as he would usually be and perhaps Lioriley doesn't hear the catch of his breath at the realization but she might notice a brief tension in the figure that's laying on his side, back facing her at first.

His gaze would be dangerous. There are threats on this train, one which would fall on him as though he were prey if the opportunity presented itself or the timing was right. He must fight. He should... shouldn't he? The footsteps seem light as the figure approaches. Not the heavy steps he'd expect from a certain tall Garlean, nor someone digging in for a sudden burst of speed that heralds an attack. Light and quick but not silent. Elidibus hears the woman speak and closes his eyes. There may... be some relief.

Someone who seems inclined to offer help instead of ridicule or take advantage of his weakness. At least that seems to be most likely. The Ascian has a faint smile at what he sees as an irony though.

"What a curious question to ask someone who met their journey's end." As exhausted as he sounds, there appears to be something very like humor. Probably not exactly. There's too much boiling under his skin currently. Or rather too little. He's utterly exhausted.

At the touch of the Lunari's hand, Elidibus doesn't flinch away. Rather he starts to force himself to try and rise up by getting his vessel's arms braced somewhat beneath him and trying to push. This is meeting with mixed results but it's clear he's determined to show he still has the strength to rise.

Or at least the willingness to get to his feet and continue on. "...Pray help me to my feet. I would not lie on the ground as if I were defeated."

Whether he's going to be capable of keeping his feet under him is also in question. But when he turns his head to look at the woman, there's a deep well of determination that requests compliance. Elidibus isn't one to give up.

[invigorates]

Any humor in his tone was lost on her. In fact, the comment seemed to make her wince, her dark eyes misty with unshed tears she desperately tried to hold back. As relieved as she was to see him alive - well enough, apparently, to make such comments - she could not help the weight of guilt and sadness that always came with death. Even those she had no control over.

But she might have had control over this, if she had been quick enough. The past few days had been trying. There were just too many people to save and not enough left to save them quickly enough. If Elidibus did not make it, who was to say others would not fair the same?

"Yes - o-of course." She gripped his arm a little tighter, shifting to try and lift it up and over her shoulders to provide some kind of leverage for him to stand. She was not a strong woman - not physically, at any rate - but she still did her best to try and steady him, hoping to at least get him to his feet if nothing else. "Do you require healing?" There is an unspoken second question in the lilt of her voice: would it even help?

[Closing I (Luggage Entry) to Lioriley]

[wewillwewill]

What humor there was... perhaps it'd be better to say it was bemusement that the question 'Are you alright?' was asked. He certainly hasn't the energy nor interest to pursue it further. Already what little strength he's gathered is waning. Whether it's consciousness or the attempt to rise that drains him so Elidibus isn't sure.

Whatever the man is going through, he seems to have enough wits about him to take care with the help Lioriley offers. Both will probably realize soon that standing is too much to ask of his strength or hers; Elidibus falls heavily against the nearest wall, a knee weighing against an empty crate. Though with the Lunari's aid, he'll at least be able to keep a certain dignity by shifting around and turning crate to seat, wall to backrest.

Eyes closed, the Ascian sags against the supports, trying once more to assess his condition. Far, far more drained than his defeat, yes. But it would be shocking not to be. Elidibus opens his eyes again and studies the source of timely aid. Recognition dawns on him.

"You're one of the newest passengers. ...Lioriley, wasn't it?" Elidibus furrows his brow momentarily, having spied the mist of tears, the sign of guilt and sadness. They possessed no close bond and barely a handful of words had been exchanged between them before.

The Ascian muses the matter and comes to think of a few possible reasons. Though it will not be immediately broached. Instead he offers an answer to her unspoken question. One that takes a tilt of his head in consideration before giving a shake (very carefully) of his head. "I fear your own life would be spent ere I gained even an onze-" some unit of measure it seems "-of what I need to recover."

Not that he's in any shape to really determine if that is a fact, nor will he imply his uncertainty. It's usually a reasonable assumption in most circumstances. Now Eldibus looks steadily toward the Lunari.

"I don't know how long it's been. I believe it was the twenty-fifth of Poi." Since he died. Minutes? Hours? Days? "What day of the train's month is it? What has happened since?"

He has no reason to expect Lioriley's grief is specifically for him.

[invigorates]

She winced again, this time from the impact of his knee upon the crate. A softly murmured apology lost somewhere in the sound of shifting wood and the grunts and groans that came with adjusting until Elidibus was comfortable enough upon his new perch. Lioriley - somewhat reluctantly - loosened her grip and took a single step back, still well within reach of he needed to grasp her for any reason.

It didn't matter that they barely knew one another. Lioriley had cried for plenty whose names she did not even know - death was a companion she never wanted to see again, and yet it always came to visit without any warning; always leaving her unprepared and shaken.

To his question, she simply nodded, looking him over as if appraising his current state properly. He certainly seemed far worse for wear than Malekith had when he returned - and she had to wonder if it was the method of death that caused such lethargy, or if Elidibus was simply unlucky and the trains current state made it more difficult to wholly resurrect him. She could not say for certain herself.

"I am willing to try regardless." She could offer something and even if it didn't work, at least she could say that she tried instead of just letting him sit there to suffer.

She was silent for a moment; considering; still clearly distressed if the way her leylines crackled and pulsed was any indication. Something that only seemed to grow more intense when he said the date. Yesterday? That was when the symbol had appeared, so it made sense. That didn't make her feel any better about not being able to help him - the knowledge that it had been so recent and they had likely been so close making her stomach tie in knots. "The twenty-sixth. Since I saw the indication of your...condition, we have continued our efforts to find those lost in their worlds. Though I suppose you may not have been aware of that?" If he was home... probably not.

[wewillwewill]

Comfortable is a relative term. But for now he seems able to keep himself from tipping to one side or another and that's enough. Better than lying on the ground for anyone to see.

Elidibus admits internally that he likely wouldn't have been able to get to this stage for a while without Lioriley's help. But again he shakes his head at the offer of healing, remaining firm. "I'd rather you save your strength to aid me in reaching a more comfortable place to rest than exhaust yourself and leave us both wanting for aid."

Besides it's not healing he needs, exactly.

A day by the train's reckoning? Though the Ascian hesitates before nodding and pausing for thought, it doesn't appear he's startled. Relieved might be a better word, since there seems to be little to catch up on and no great crisis that is causing Lioriley's overt distress.

"Efforts? I was not aware, no. Of those who sought to return home have there been any losses?"

What an odd question for someone who seems to have been a loss to ask. He seems to realize it or maybe it's that and the Lunari's continued signs of distress. For Elidibus does offer quietly.

"What happened to me was entirely of my own volition and of a matter solely of my star. Pray do not consider it a failing on the efforts to rescue those stranded to reach me in time."

The man's eyes close again and only a slight list of his body suggests it is as much to weather a wave of exhaustion as it might be memory of whatever conviction led him to demise.

[invigorates]

Strength. Ha. She had already proven herself not nearly strong enough to even get him to his feet without him having to cradle against the wall. Perhaps she should call for another — Tidus, maybe, was the first that came to mind. But he was busy too. They were all busy rescuing those lost to the void, flickering in and out of their worlds onto the platform and then onto another.

"None before you." So far as she was aware. And she would be aware, wouldn't she? So diligently keeping records of those aboard, those who were retrieved, those whose names found a symbol beside them marking their end. Elidibus' words are comforting, in a way, but not enough to assuage the endless turmoil that frothed inside her. It was not his fault — she was always like this. Always staring death in the face and wondering if it was her fault even when, logically, she knew there was nothing to be done. She had not pushed him to his death, she could not read minds. But logic had no room to breathe with this particular subject.

She couldn't just...freak out, though. The Lunari took a deep breath and refocused, instinct drawing her mouth upwards at the corners even if it was far too late for saccharine smiles. Her facade had already broken with the unshed tears and the damned telltale signs of her magic causing sparks to crackle along her skin; emotions worn on her sleeve in a very literal sense. But she tried regardless, because maybe it would help. Just a little.

"Regardless." She said, voice steady as the small hand that braced upon Elidibus' shoulder when he tipped, doubtful she'd do much to leverage him at all but trying despite it. "You were lost, and you need to be tended to. The medical bay is —" a beat, and one could almost see her mind whirling as she mentally shifted through the layout of the train she had only just begun to memorize. "Not far. Once you find your feet, we can take you there. Tell me what your ails are — lethargy, aches?" another silent and very obvious question: tell me how I can help you.

Early Poi 27 /kicks down door

[catti]

From the time K'zeka returned to the train, he's been up and about, either helping others try to get their fellow passengers back onto the train or pacing somewhere and debating if he should have tried harder to stay behind.

He's busy enough that he doesn't really even notice whether Elidibus has or hasn't returned until he notices that the man's name is still on the passenger roster but he's nowhere to be found.

It takes a bit, but he finally finds that name is on one of the plates outside of one of the hire sleepers as well and immediately decides to knock on the door to see if he might be in there.

"Elidibus?"

/scandalizedface-pullsupcovers

[wewillwewill]

What might be surprising is that on knocking there is a small well of aether. A small spell sigil that appears and disperses with apparent harmlessness. If the miqo'te is a particularly scholarly type, it was just a spell that sends an alert to someone that it's been triggered. Odd only if you realize it's strange for someone of the Ascian's stature to be using such 'simple tricks'.

In honesty it's all Elidibus could muster by way of defense. At least he'd be awake if someone came to the door. There's a long pause before K'zeka's knock is answered.

"Come in." The voice is certainly belonging to the person sought. The door unlocks but is not opened for the visitor's sake. That's left to whether they want to come in on their own.

Shades on the window will be drawn and the room will be lit with dim but serviceable lighting. Elidibus took the time during that long pause to address his position on the bed; now seated, the duvet still around his waist and his back resting against the pillows and wall of the sleeper. A lighter sheet is draped over his shoulders and covers his torso but it's probably evident that he's wearing no shirt underneath.

The facilities to make beverages have seen their use by way of a used cup on the table next to the ICP and he or someone had brought a meal; the plate and utensils have long been set aside but not yet cleaned up. Nothing of particular remark about it, except that it points to the notion that he hasn't left the room for some time since occupying it. Nor does Elidibus move from the bed, watching silently.

"K'zeka Tia. What brings you to visit?" He sounds fine. Looks... exhausted? Many people who have been serving as anchors are starting to flag in that same way. Yet Elidibus was never seen or notice serving as one in the last couple of days.

[catti]

A sigil appearing and disappearing isn't an unusual thing, so he pays it little mind when it doesn't attack him for being there. And were it any other situation, an alarum would be cause for concern if he wasn't already trying to see if the occupant of the room was there.

'Come in' says a familiar voice and he does, sliding the door back shut with his heel once his tail is clear of the threshold.

Elidibus is in bed and K'zeka assumes he'd just woken the man up. The second sheet draped over his torso is a little odd, but compared to anyone else the cat's ever met, fairly tame and not worth more than a mental note and raised eyebrow.

"Haven't seen you around the train in a few bells and went looking." And notably not apologizing for apparently waking Elidibus up.

[wewillwewill]

Just a light sheet around the shoulders. Shouldn't be too out of the ordinary, right? Something to keep the chill off a bare torso. The usual polo shirt and pants are folded neatly and there's no sign of any other clothes.

Elidibus doesn't expect an apology. Though he seems resigned to someone familiar with him to have finally tracked him down to see what he was up to; there were a lot worse options than K'zeka.

"A few bells?" The Ascian knows better. He'd returned to the luggage car the previous day and hadn't been seen. Shaking his head, he fixes the miqo'te Warrior of Light with a direct look. "Since my return I haven't made my presence known. You've come to find out why have you not?"

There is a short sigh before Elidibus continues. "Our relationship is not one to need small talk. Pray feel free to be more direct about your inquiries. I admit I would prefer we not dance around the matter." Perhaps this last is as much a sign that he's truly exhausted and not just putting up a front.

[catti]

"A dozen, then," he admits, shrugging. "I wasn't looking the entire time."

After all, part of that time was spent back home and while there, Elidibus was one of the very last things on his mind. Once back on the train, he assumed the Ascian's apparent non-presence meant he finally left the train. That was an incorrect assumption and the reason they were chatting.

"But very well. Aye, I saw you on the passenger list and nowhere else, so I got curious and figured I'd go find where you've been hiding." Which was slower than he wanted because he can't sense an individual's aether as well as Q'uila can. "And why."

[wewillwewill]

Even Q'uila might have trouble finding Elidibus right now by seeking him through his aether alone. Not because the Ascian is hiding it. There simply isn't the bounty of an Unsundered to find.

With any luck it will give Elidibus more time to recover undisturbed.

But the Ascian is still here. And the question K'zeka presents, why Elidibus is hiding is a matter that requires thought on the best way to answer. There is no easy one, a fact which is written in his expression as he observes the Warrior of Light before him.

"During my return to the reality I knew, events in my absence had unfolded in such a way that it was my duty to redress." There is... so much of a story hidden in those words. What he learned from the Warrior of his star. What had happened. What was... no more. But he refused to show signs of the emotional turmoil in light of the miqo'te's presence.

"Doing so was to be my final act as Elidibus. That I'm here is only through the tether which still binds us to the Voidtrecker Express." Something that he knew would be a possibility. And one the Ascian was almost certain he was more displeased about than happy.

[catti]

"Your duty? What events were those?"

There's a chance they're related to what he experienced--or heard about, rather--back in his version of home. There's a chance they're not.

There's a chance Elidibus isn't willing to reveal them, but his guest really doesn't have much else better to do, so he'll stay, leaning back against the wall.

"Wait though, first...are you saying you were meant to die?"

poi 26

[wishalone]

The moment Kyoko finds out Elidibus is back on the train, she goes looking for him, snacks in hand. The medical car is not the first place she thinks to look for him, or the second, or third, and by the time she finally finds him there, she's trawled over the rest of the train twice.

Kyoko hesitates just outside the door for a moment, but then she strolls in boldly, playing it casual and ignoring the elephant in the room. "There you are. I've been lookin' all over for you."

[wewillwewill]

In fact at this point it's one of the recovery rooms. A quiet place most people won't think to look for the Ascian who can generally heal himself. And never seems to get particularly injured. Physically anyway. And that appears to be the case here; the figure laying on the bed appears to be doing nothing more than sleeping.

Though that's not to say he's taking advantage of a spare bed by any means; even in slumber he has a look of someone whose suffering from utter exhaustion. Needless to say it's a full few moments after Kyoko boldly enters before he seems to wake up at all. Another moment where he might seem almost startled or alarmed that someone got so close.

"Who...?" After some tension and focus, Elidibus seems to relax a little. "Kyoko." Not necessarily someone who is going to try to murder him in his moment of weakness. Good.

The man seeks to rise, a little struggle to get to a sitting position to address the visitor in a more dignified way. "Why did you seek me?"

[wishalone]

He looks like hell, and his reaction to her intrusion almost makes her feel bad. (... Alright, it definitely makes her feel bad. There's a tiny spark of genuine guilt in her chest that she doesn't know what to do with, so she does what she always does with that kind of thing: her damnedest to ignore it.)

"I heard you were back." She manages to maintain her casual tough-girl air, mostly. There's a beat of silence, one she should be filling with how she feels, but she can't bring herself to. Instead, she follows it up with, "I brought some fruit," which comes out sounding kind of lame to her ears. She tries to cover it up by holding up her train-issued knapsack, heavy with the promised fruit.

She knows he likes to eat healthier than her, and... wanted to bring him food. Which is laden with its own unspoken meanings, too. She definitely feels kind of lame. All that thinking she did while she was sitting around on her thumbs, and she feels like she's still failing to do this kind of thing right. (And it shows in the bit of hunch to her shoulders.) But she has to try. She's resolved on that front, at least.

[wewillwewill]

Finally he manages to sit up in an acceptable way. There is a short pause where he makes sure his sense of balance is intact before lookig up to regard the teenager. Kyoko will be the focus of a brief study; no it's not about caution or wariness. But might be curious about the level of attachment she has, not only to visit but bring him food.

He can't have missed what the importance of food- or rather having it and not wasting it- is to the girl, even if she probably hasn't told him the details as to why.

"Thank you," he offers with a nod of his head. The words are grave and seem sincere. Even if he doesn't know the reasons why she would care, he acknowledges the value of the actions and what they might mean to her. It certainly could do a lot to make them feel less lame, with Elidibus taking it so seriously.

To be honest he is hungry; earlier exhaustion had completely overwhelmed any thought of eating before but when presented with an opportunity, the Ascian realizes he should take advantage while he can maintain consciousness. For visitors there is a single chair in the recovery room and he gestures to indicate it, then at the bag as a prompt for its contents.

"I welcome the opportunity to eat. You're welcome to stay for a moment and tell me how you fare. How much progress has been made in recovering the others." Is it still even the 26th? Well Elidibus will find out.

poi 28

[blitzcheer]

By now, Tidus has heard that Elidibus is around. Figures anyway, by the lists being passed around and the name ticked as present. He's not really had the time to visit or see anyone. If he's not helping with the anchoring, he's resting up, and he's been able to do less of the former than he'd prefer to be, by this time.

But his thoughts are becoming harder to keep together, focus drifting, time moving in large chunks before he realises he's been staring off in a daze. Doesn't realise that when Elidibus speaks to him, turning his head, he isn't actually there at all. That wasn't a voice, that was--

A thought. It's probably an odd sight for Elidibus: whether he's on or off the comfy hire bed, Tidus has appeared on top of the sheets, head turning, everything about his posture showing someone who was sitting; but his knees rise without anywhere to hang off like one would a proper chair, and the shift in balance knocks Tidus off-balance and onto his side.

At least he's on a rather soft bed. But the interruption to his everything does get a 'huh!' out of him, a groan, and more movement than he's achieved all day as he picks his head off the bed to upright himself - seeing Elidibus, wherever he is, and scooting into a cross-legged position, tucking his legs in close.

Just. Let him rub/wipe at his face with his hands. Uggghhhh.

[wewillwewill]

Exhaustion still doggedly clings to Elidibus and the past three days have been focused on slumber in relative peace; first in one of the medical recovery bays, briefly in his assigned cabin and then as more and more people were returned, retreating to a couple days in a hired sleeper.

Visitors have found him of course and he'd managed to scrape together a small spell to wake him when someone tried to breach (or knock on) the door- about all he could manage in his current state. And after that? A lot more sleep.

But food was also a part of the recovery. And while he's still extremely fatigued, Elidibus has found an improvement- however minor- since the first day he'd struggled out of a suitcase and found himself on the floor of the train's luggage car. And yes Tidus, he still is in the bed, back propped by pillows and the car's wall, blankets around his waist and a bed tray that will be narrowly missed by the youth's sudden arrival and tumble.

The Ascian had been thinking of Tidus. Whether to reach out to the youth and ask him to come visit. Perhaps broaching a favor. Though admittedly their parting words had still been strange and left much unspoken and said favor would have been one of irony considering the topic. But wanting to talk to Tidus has been on his mind. About practical matters. Maybe personal ones. But would Tidus like to talk?

It was mentioned before, the tray of food present and narrowly missed and a beverage that had been fortunately in a mug instead of a glass and thus hard to tip over as the bed shakes under the weight of the young man's haphazard landing and subsequent struggle on the mattress. There might be some sloshing and a definite jostle of the remaining meal (something hardy and of double portions). Blessedly the bed's largish so there's plenty of room to adjust without a weird tangle.

Elidibus stares at Tidus. His hand is raised, palm faced outward in the beginning of a gesture that musters his preciously reclaimed reserves into a defense against this sudden intrusion. That the Ascian still stares in alarm and his hand hasn't lowered an inch suggests just how on edge he is. That is, if Tidus's ability hadn't alerted him to the threat.

"Tidus? How?" Ordinarily he'd be able to glean some measure of understanding of what might have occurred. Elidibus... isn't even close to top form and is still considerably alarmed.

[blitzcheer]

It had been enough to think of Tidus to trigger it - a link of familiarity, their presence close enough for even Tidus's exhaustion to feel it. An invitation, if unknowingly - and it's a very, very good job the bed is big.

Tidus brings his hands down to see just how big it is, a better assessment being taken of his surroundings beyond the known face. The hire car - Tidus knows about this. He's been it in a few times with Jingyi and some friends, and why Elidibus is here...

Well, that's not an immediate thought. The one that's worth his attention is Elidibus's How, and Tidus huffs, a grogginess made from the past couple of days than because the guy dares ask why Tidus is suddenly on his bed. That's a good question, actually.

"Ugh-" Ugh, gotta get it out of system, "--I thought you...spoke to me? I don't know," he sighs helplessly. "It's that power I had back in Jinnjar - it makes me move to people, if they let me go." This isn't as eloquent as he could be aiming for, waving his hands near his head. "I don't know why... ugh, sorry, I'll get off."

Is he on Elidibus's legs? We're sorry, man, let's just scoot off over this way. Appearing in anyone's bed suddenly like this? Awkward. Strange! Never tell anyone about it out of context!

[wewillwewill]

Definitely not the four-person cabin rooms, thank goodness because then there might have been witnesses. Well for Elidibus it would have been a concern of people seeing him startle so easily instead of the awkward social entanglements. But still, less witnesses the better.

Why does intertwine with How here and Elidibus is patient enough now it becomes clear that this isn't some form of attack. His hand is lowered and he holds the meal tray still as Tidus finds a place to adjust. Whether this is off the bed entirely and onto a chair by the room's ICP and table or if it's to a clear space on the bed, the Ascian won't be troubled. "I was thinking of asking you to join me soon, so do not let it trouble you greatly. Please feel free to remain."

Though probably not on his legs, yes, hence the latter comment is said only after Tidus has finished finding a better position.

Elidibus muses, recalling the events in the city of Jinnjar. There is a frown and a furrow of his brow as the ramifications become clearer. "Yes, I recall something of your power. And I know others have manifested theirs as well." Tidus will be studied a moment and the recipient of another small frown.

"Have you been overtaxed by the rescue efforts? I will not ask you to stay and speak if you've need of rest." He's not really one to speak. Though more because he shows signs of exhaustion as well, even if it weren't for the same reason. But it does seem to be genuine concern.

[blitzcheer]

Any other time, Tidus would get off the bed and go to the chair than hang around the end of a guy's bed. But Elidibus is offers for him to stay, and what seems weird and not weird...isn't really calculating the same as it normally would, right now. He's got one leg hanging off the bed, sat between a place where he could easily get up, but he's curious. Elidibus wanted to talk to him - what about?

"Long as you don't want to talk some big or long topic." It's a joke, but about his limits as well, though he doubts there's anything at length that Elididus wants to go into with him. But he has things he wants to say, too - ask, and he takes the moment to do so.

"How are you? How'd...going back to your world go?"

[wewillwewill]

Elidibus shakes his head. Well he can be concise with his request anyway.

As for the rest? Well it would be wrong to say Elidibus didn't expect the questions once he realized they would speak again. But even now there is a moment of hesitation. At least he can answer the first part easily.

"I am exhausted. The journey to my star and events there have taken their toll, far more than I imagined." The Ascian looks as tired as he claims though even the worn expression and paler than normal features is a vast improvement over his condition when he first returned a few days ago.

"I don't know an easy way to tell you of what happened. But I imagine you would find it worse that I said nothing at all." Elidibus seems to be trying to give Tidus time to brace for... something. What that is becomes very evident soon enough.

"My absence allowed one of my Sundered brethren to act on his own desires and authority. With it, he brought an end to our god. This led to the return of the Final Days, the event of my star's destruction which led to Lord Zodiark's creation."

Elidibus allows himself to exhale slowly. News of Zodiark's destruction had been both horror and blessing. Emotions play across his features before he schools them again. There will be time for that. Later.

"Fandaniel was defeated with Lord Zodiark. But I alone could not forestall the Final Days again and even if I could, the Voidtrecker Express bound me in place. So I gave my all to the Warrior of Light and created the portal through time that he needed in order to find the clues that would aid him in finding a means to stopping the destruction of our star."

Forgive him if this has a little Tidus. The Ascian watches the youth carefully as he concludes the tail.

That journey would take him to before the beginning of this tale. Before the world had been Sundered by Hydaelyn's will. And such a long journey could only have been accomplished if I gave all that I am. Thus it was to be my final act. But know I did so willingly."

Raising his arm, Elidibus briefly displays the SCA.

"The train drew me back from my journey to join my brethren. Whether for a purpose or because it is the nature of its program only it can say."