Swirling Consequences Start

[voidtreckermods]

On day Seven of the Month of Quicksand as passengers are beginning their day there is an announcement over the ICP system. “Attention voidtreckers and passengers of the Voidtrecker Express. Please give your attention to the following message from the void ministry.”

A blurring of the screen and it fades into a video of an elderly woman, skin a swirl of purple and blue sat behind a dark wooden desk hands folded neatly in front of her.

“Greetings crew of the Voidtrecker Express. I am commander Orlaith of the void ministry. As you will be very aware, you were recently involved in a dangerous and somewhat foolish experiment of the tethering system which we assume was initiated by your voidcraft. We received your call for emergency assistance, and were able to stabilise your craft enough to allow it to focus on ensuring crew safety. We are under the understanding that it was a crew member who used the emergency signal given by the Inspection Arm of the ministry, and that member should be commended. So too should you all, for we have reports that the crew of the Voidtrecker Express took part in a risky and difficult anchoring task to ensure the safety of all. As ever, the crew of the Voidtrecker Express exceed expectations for a crew with no formal training.

However, in less positive news, the actions of your Voidcraft have had a ripple effect throughout the void. Worlds that are non void active have reports of seeing void activity in their skies, with residents reporting dreams and uneasy feelings. In void active worlds there are more serious incidents. We have voidcrews in thousands of systems working towards stabilising the void access points.

We understand that after such an ordeal, your crew may be exhausted however we do need your help. System #5739 is a hub world that is extremely void active. It is used to weathering void storms and the barrier between the world and the void is thin. However, it is currently experiencing an unprecedented amount of void activity and world bleeding effects. We need a team to go in and help the citizens there, clearing out any issues and helping stabilise things from within.

The people there know about the void, and are used to void travellers. However, try not to stir up any extra trouble.” The last sounds almost exhausted. Their reputation may precede them.

The video ends.

I assume no one has any objections as voidtreckers have chosen to work with the Void Ministry. Please see your mission briefs. This is not a catastrophe mission."

They have a couple of hours before landing, a few hours to study their briefs and prepare for what is to come. Teams might chat, people might give out equipment gathered over the months, some of the passengers who have been on the train since the very early days of the month of Apple may have advice to give.

Either way a couple of hours later there is another announcement. “Shortly arriving at System #5739. Exiting the void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one...”

---

SWIRLING CONSEQUENCES: START

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WEARY WANDERER ~ FOREST ~ SCRUBLANDS ~ FARMLANDS ~ COMMS

QUICKSAND 7-10 ~ TEAM OBJECTIVES ~ LOCATION INFORMATION ~ OTHER DETAILS
ASK QUESTIONS ~ SHENANIGANS ~ TEAM PLOTTING ~ MISSION TASKS/REWARDS

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ARRIVAL

The train shakes as the view of the void leaves its windows, giving way to a cloudy and wet sky in its descent. There's a small bump, and they land on a set of tracks that lead them uphill. Grassy mounds can be spotted on either side, occupied by sheep, goats, and the occasional six legged antelope grazing. In the farther distance are secluded farm houses, or small clusters of buildings.

Things don’t seem so bad, until the clouds spark with colour that sends animals running, far skittish for anything they're used to.

The sparse hills give way to more trees as the train weaves through them, until finally comes to a stop at a small station, no more than a raised platform in the woods. With a sigh, the train doors open, and passengers can walk out into the clearing. Once everyone who wishes to leave disembarks, the train sets off once again, flying up into the air and out of sight.

"Oh good. You’re here!"

Looking over, voidtreckers will spot a young girl at the edge of the clearing.

"Ma said we should expect some void heroes any day now. She’s put some stew on."

And she’s off. For any who wish to follow her, she leads them to an inn, The Weary Wanderer written on a sign. It’s a large inn, larger than might be expected in such a remote place, and the innkeeper Albany quickly organises rooms and food for any who wish it.

“Well, there’s a whole lot more of you than there was.” She takes in the group after Maia explains that they are from the Voidtrecker Express. “Storms are getting worse, we’re getting reports of stampedes, landslides and monsters coming through the colours.” She explains. She has some maps of the area and happily allows her main common room to be turned into a planning station. She’s clearly used to void travellers.

THE WEARY WANDERER

The inn has a large and open floor, the entrance close to where a fire crackles, chairs and a table beside it. To the right are places for eating, and kitchen doors that lead in and out, while to the left is where a counter separates another route to the kitchen, and to the family's own private quarters. By here too are the stairs leading up into the bedrooms, with some also available on the ground floor.

There's enough room for the voidtreckers to squeeze into the front at once, and the tables can be joined to create a more team atmosphere.

The problems are everywhere it seems. Farms need help, dralite chicks need rescuing, and their parents reassured before they go on a murderous revenge spree. Voidtreckers can stay or plan or jump right into things - the forest and scrublands are the closest to reach with both behind the inn, while the farmlands will take half a day to reach. Alabany will mark on the maps where to go for the farmsteads, or ones she knows about, and allow her inn to be used as an intiial base.

For those whose skills lie more in cooking and maintaining camp, she will happily take their help in the kitchens, or suggest They go down to the nearest farmsteads and lend a hand there. It'll take about half a day on foot to reach the nearest few, but many hands are needed. They will have better tools for moving debris and making repairs; she has a few, but not enough for everyone, and she'd rather they be used around the forest if anywhere. She needs those!

Albany will warn about the dralites, and to plug your ears if you're going through the forest. Their screeching can stun and slow people even at a distance, and with everyone worked up, it makes it hard to get through. They happen to like bugs, and a fruit called matts - similar to dates, fruits that grow off certain small trees in the forest.

---

YELLING HEIGHTS: FOREST

Location of: Dralites, young and old, their nests; monkeys, voidblobs (uncommon), fruit cups and purple stars. Displaced people.

The Yelling Height's forest reach spreads far, wrapping around the lower third of the great Ciyesia mountain and its budding fellow heights, with trees as tall as redwoods making up most of its wood. This gives plenty of space for travellers to move through, but the treetops create thick canopies that shroud the world below, the dots of penetrating light visible in contrast. Against some trees can be found what look like bushes, and there's plenty of them around, along with moss; but looking closer, these have hollow middles, made up of pin needles, twigs, feathers and all sorts. Some have been ruined, some have eggs inside.

High-pitched cries can be heard echoing, but it can be hard to tell how far, or what distance they come from - there's too many, making what should sound distressing, sound like a racket. While there's paths that can be followed, some of the wood has fallen, with ways disturbed by rubble that's tumbled all this way down from the mountain. There are signs to aid - those that haven't been knocked over - to give some sense of direction. Still this wood is hard to navigate, and Voidtreckers will want to be careful about rushing in without a plan. Trouble lurks in all manners...

Dralites can be found scattered around this forest, big and small - Albany will tell them as much. The youngest are easy to locate, unable to fly, and make a lot of noise. Slow-moving and dragging their heavy wings, they need help moving with any speed. They can be found alone, or attracting the attention of the great chinchillas or monkeys (who see them less as prey, and more as something to bully and take out their frustrations on).

Some will accept help from the first person that approaches them, jumping on them and wrapping their wings around their neck or head, clinging on and accepting them as their ride. They will need to be returned to their nests, and will reject any nests that aren’t theirs. It'll be very similar to escorting a toddler, often throwing screeching fits if they don’t think their helper is trying hard enough, which can make it difficult for people to move around.

They are hard creatures to please, even so more the adults who are furious that their nests have been disturbed. As large as a sheep with larger wings and powerful talons they might just swoop down and grab smaller unsuspecting voidtreckers and carry them to their nests as workers to help fix them. Some of these adults may be near their nests, or will be seen swooping around above-head at startling speeds, searching for their young.

There are eggs that have gone missing too. A place they can hatch safely is essentia, since they can easily become pray or be snatched by the monkeys who live in the forest and steal from the inattentive.

As well as helping the dralites, there are herbs that can be collected here. Purple Stars are leaves that grow at the top of tall trees. These can be found deeper into the forest, and are different from the other trees by their branches only growing at the very top, their bark stripy. They will need to be climbed, or flown up to - not getting startled by adult dralites is essential, or becoming target practice to the monkeys. They have rocks.

Deep in the most dampest sections of the fores, Fruit Cups grow in a tangle around spider plants, that will ensnare the unwary into it’s sticky grip. For every few flowers, there's a wide trapping of the spider plants, vines impossible not to get stuck to. But as difficult as they are to collect, they are useful, and the potions they make will be handy to the communities that require help. Some voidblobs have gotten trapped here too, and they'll become active once people get close.

---

YELLING HEIGHTS: SCRUBLANDS

Location Of: Farm animals, some voidblobs, great chinchillas, farmers in need; ruined paths, craggle leaf. Some dralites, mostly adult. Displaced people.

The trees eventually give way to a mix of rock and dirt, stone jagging up from the ground underfoot that travellers will need to watch out for. Vegetation is littered around, patches of shrubs as often easy to catch the eye as grazed grass poking out around mossy-coated stone. There are paths, or were, but only the remains of them can be found, the area reshaped by landslides.

Animals can be found isolated or in some groups, spooked by any newcomers around, and the odd shepherd trying their best to get their herds under control. But there's further trouble than blocked paths to deal with - because these jobs can never be simple.

The farmers' plans are to bring the grazing animals back down to the lower ground and to their farms, but they'll need help clearing up paths and guiding them off the mountain and back to their farmsteads. Not only will it mean moving debris and locating animals, it will also mean protecting them from the predators in the area - and other trouble.

The horned goats, often a worry on these slopes, have grown even more aggressive. They ram into herds and farmers alike, even attempting to send them rolling. They need driven off, away from the herds. The chinchillas are also more aggressive, running rampage through the hills and attempting to down the livestock and to take them back to their nests.

There will also be sightings of the voidblobs for the more unfortunate, dubbed such by the locals. Gelatinous and luminescent, they are a mess of what were likely multiple creatures that have been fused together, patches of fur and teeth and claws held together with thick veins of colour. They attack indiscriminately and without reason, and are difficult to take down, never responding to blows of any type. You only know when they're taken out by when they stop moving - otherwise, they will continue.

During the first night there is a disturbance on Ciyesia. Trees are felled, the mountain seems to rumble and more animals flee, spilling panicked down the mountain to the farm lands below. For whatever aid is giving to the area on the first day, this event causes more damage to the surrounding areas.

---

LOWER LANDS: FARMLANDS

Location of: Voidblobs (common), great chinchillas, a few horned goats; ruined pathways, farms in need; people to craft balms and potions, access to tools.

While not as high as the Ciyesia mountain, nor as shrouding as the blanketing forest, the rolling countryside shows its sloping and uneven distance, varying fields split by tones and sandy paths - or what should be sandy paths. But the damage to the earth is noticeable, chunks of the various mounds ruined, broken at parts. You can see trouble, ensuing or approaching, just by looking around long enough.

And the biggest trouble will be reaching it.

Buildings squeeze against fields and fencing, separated far from anyone that could be called a neighbour. But there's a few of what can be called villages, where trades are conducted and visitors are sure to stop. There's usually a singular inn, but people looking to call on the help of a void traveller to help with this mess. They can promise hot meals and some goods in exchange, but first needs to come the help.

Though moving the herds closer to the farms is a sensible idea that doesn’t mean the farmlands themselves are safe. Landslides have cut communities off, some of the chinchillas and horned goats have made their way down the mountain and angry dralites stalk the plains looking for their young.

The shaking of the earth and the landslides have caused damage and debris. Trees have been felled bolders moved, barns and houses have been damaged. There’s a big clean up operation required. Farmers have wheelbarrows and shovels and Albany has some more that can be borrowed. It will require a team effort to clear the roads and make sure essential supplies get where they are needed.

Most of the farms and villages have protections in place, but they are overstretched and exhausted. Villagers take turns patrolling, protecting the herds and the people from creatures should they be goats, chinchillas or the new and terrifying void blobs.

Extra people to set up perimeters are very welcome, as are those who can drive the creatures back into the forests. It’s not just the homes themselves that need protecting but also the paths between them, so voidtreckers and others can deliver supplies to the further afield communities.

Making the herbal remedies will mean finding the right people for it, but locating the villages is a good bet. Tinctures and teas are the best method, boiling the plants and breaking them down over hours. Even if you're not experienced, people being around to help monitor the pots and bottle them will be helpful. The craggle leaf are good as they are to feed upset livestock, but also as medicine, for helping against the voidstorm's headache-inducing effects.

---

FROM THE VOID...

DISPLACED PEOPLE: Once or twice a year, people can be found in the Yelling Heights, wandering around dazed and confused, hailing from a whole other world. Since these storms have begun there have been at least two a day, perhaps more that have yet to be found. They have no memory of arriving, some might not even have memories of who they are, or where they come from.

For now they need found, gathered in once place and care given to them.

VOIDBLOBS: The voidblobs, as they have been dubbed by those who have seen them, are truly monstrous creatures. Perhaps once multiple creatures they have been fused together, a mess of fur and teeth and claws held together with thick veins of colour these creatures have one instinct and that is to kill.

They are rampaging, strong in their urge to destroy. Fighting them is difficult as nothing seems to slow them down until they die, it’s hard to know how hurt they are and injury doesn’t seem to stop their brute strength or will to kill. They rarely will stop and fight either, requiring a team just to keep up with them as they will lash out and fight but keep rampaging on, drawn towards groups of people or creatures. They can be found anywhere.

VOIDTEARS: For now, it's Red Team's task to find these tears and secure a perimeter on them - a difficult enough job that will take the first few days of the mission. They aren’t visible except in the storms, and so finding them requires braving them, where the wind sings with void music, rain pouring with hail, and a strong sense of unease growing until it too unbearable to endure. But the exact point of the tears must be found: a spot where the kaleidoscope of colours shines down onto any under it, only visible in that area.

STORMS: These are scattered around the lands, never moving despite the clouds that do. In the storms, the voidtears pulse with colour. Being near them is uncomfortable, and there is always the risk of a voidblob coming through. Being near the voidtears for too long even outside of voidstorms will lead to headaches, and so it is wise to rotate who is guarding them.

THE FIRST NIGHT: Late into the first night, there will be loud noises, the earth rumbling and a worrisome show of lights as the full moon hangs in the sky above. There may be word from fellow voidtreckers what's going on, but either way, this disturbance will bring out trouble into the night, breaking fencing and some buildings that were on their last legs.

OOC NOTES

OOC Post ~ Questions ~ Shenanigans ~ Tasks Check-In & Mission Rewards
This log lasts for 7-10 Quicksand, with the next log going up on the 21st March (11 Quicksand). Please remember that we will be determining the progress of the mission by task objectives being fulfilled, so PLEASE visit the task objectives toplevel and let us know what your character has been working towards! We accept handwaves (especially if your character is around but you're on hiatus), but actual thread links will count more towards success!

An extra list of prompts for ideas, arranged by team (click):

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RED TEAM

You've either wandered into a group of voidblobs or see some approaching. They're annoying on their own, but as a group, they can cause serious damage.

The voidstorms are easy to find by the literal storms they bring, but the tears themselves? They're a pain to, only visible once you're right under them. How will your character persevere in the search? Flying, if you can, might seem the quickest option, but a closer level to the sky seems to make the headaches and disorientation worse.

You've somehow been convinced into fixing up a fence during watching the perimeter. Yes yes, that's important, but the area is clear for now, and what if an animal gets loose? More hands will get this done quick.

BLUE TEAM

What kind of people will you find out there in the wild? Someone desperate for an offer of aid, or someone suspicious, distrusting? Are they even human, or some other race - or sentient object?

The dralites aren't good at in any way but wailing. But their eggs are unique, obsidian in appearance. So if you see a monkey carrying any such thing, or see one being carried by a great chinchilla - that's no lucky lump of goal. That's your way of calming down the ticking time bombs of angry parents.

PURPLE TEAM

Farm work isn't your chore, but the farmers need all their herds before they go anywhere, so you're getting involved whether you want to or not.

Make a good impression on the farmers, and they're likely to help you out. Need to borrow tools? Or can you convince the farmers to let you and your friends borrow some, passing them onto the people who need them?

ORANGE TEAM

Herb collection is hard enough with tall trees and spider plants but watch out for the monkeys who want to steal the prize.

Once herbs are collected they can be made into potions. They aren't too difficult to make and Albany has recipes if asked.

Herbs aren't the only things monkeys want, there's a group converging on a dralite nest, those eggs look very shiny.

ALL TEAMS

Distance is a real concern. Who will go where, where are places and people in need? Scouting is a good idea, and so is organising who will be best, where. ... or, you can just go and do your own thing.

Image Sources: Top header - Tavern - Farmlands - Void coours

Comments

[blitzcheer]

Is it a blessing that Elidibus doesn't get to answer Pahja's question?

Nevermind, that it's unlikely a difficult one. But it so happens that Tidus deals with his business quick, and at the time of Emet-Selch's dramatics, Elidibus would've felt a tingle - a feeling somewhere in his head, very much Tidus, rather eager for attention and approval.

(Not like a golden retriever, okay. Just let him come over!!!)

All he needs is the slightest acceptance, and with it--

Well, there's still some adjustments and workings out Tidus needs to figure out with this whole being summoned business, and it couldn't be more clear when one (1) youth appears above Elidibus's head. His feet at an angle, luckily, but that's still a chest being dumped down on him, and the rest of the guy with a "Waahh!", bringing down the highly respectable(??) Ascian.

Why did he appear above Elidibus? How did he become tilted above him? Is this a glitch in the Matrix?

None of these questions are more important to Tidus than the dizzying in his head, and trying to see straight. "Uhhggghh..."

Sorry, Elidibus.

[wewillwewill]

"He is an interesting individual," is all Elidibus has to offer for Emet-Selch's not-quite rhetoric. "If nothing more you might find him a diversion, however temporary." It's not exactly a selling of Tidus's qualities. It is however insight. And Elidibus rarely offers insight without a reason behind it.

Pahja's cheerful smile and strange question really brings the man's attention around though. Quick and focused on the miqo'te, his brow furrowing with confusion. This might be because he still wonders why she's so freely friendly with him or how she would think to ask such a question. It might be because she thought Elidibus might have made a friend with a mortal.

Thankfully, the Ascian is then distracted by the 'calling' of the young man whose status of friendship is in question.

There is an overwhelming sense of déjà vu as a Tidus-shaped chest effectively lands on Elidibus's head. Somehow the massive great-axe doesn't get involved in this head-on collision but that's probably just an instinct to let the weapon fall to the side than any profound foreknowledge.

Elidibus is not dizzy, he would claim. Yet the collapse to the ground had winded him and there'd definitely been a knock of his head- both in Tidus' bulk and the grass-covered ground, blessedly free of anything resembling a rock at the time. There's something like a soft groan on his part as well before he's assemled his wits again.

"It seems you'll need to work on visualizing your target." Comes a remark.

Elidibus will move... once Tidus has managed to collect himself and shift away from the ground cushion that is the Ascian's 'borrowed' body.

[apokroteo]

Have you made friends, she asks, and it's such a typical thing for Pahja to do, to ask, that it almost amuses Emet-Selch as is. Unfortunately, he's being dragged out of a quite nice nap and asked to do work, and if it were anyone else he might well simply decide not to do it.

Unfortunately, in the end, he is quite weak to those he cares about. The fact that there are a number of those that he cares for on this strange train is enough to frustrate him entirely.

He's about to make a comment, likely one that is smarmy in nature, when the young boy seems to appear out of nowhere and drops entirely on top of Elidibus. Resisting the urge to laugh, Emet-Selch instead takes a step back, giving the two of them a little space as he tempers his own amusement into something a little more manageable.

"Oh, is that the only thing he need work on?"

Glancing at Pahja, half to check that she is well and to judge her own level of amusement, Emet-Selch breathes out and settles himself down, arms crossed and expression once again it's usual level of calm dispassion.

"I suppose now we might be able to begin?"

[likeyouknow]

What Emet will see is Pahja laughing, loud and unashamed. Oh, Elidibus, when will people stop falling on you? Pahja does not take a step back but instead offers a hand to help Tidus up. Someone has to, and considering that Elidibus is in no state to and Emet would not, she does it without a second thought.

"Do not worry about it," she says to Tidus, "Elidibus may not remember it, but it would not be the first time someone has landed on him suddenly." Has she told Emet that she hadn't traveled into the past once but twice? No, but he can put it together soon enough.

Once she's certain their visitor is back on his feet, Pahja offers another hand to Elidibus, should he wish to take it. "Aye, we had best not keep Emet from his nap. He will get, shockingly, even crankier." Sorry, Emet.

[blitzcheer]

Bless Pahja! - who yes, has no restraint for her laughter over the obvious reason, but she's the one offering a hand, just as Tidus has gotten somewhat onto his knees, helping him the rest of the way up -- and off from Elidibus.

Nevermind said Elidibus wasn't in a position to help, but you know. Bless her.

Though, it's more embarrassment than thanks Tidus is carrying, but he still slips out a "Thanks" to her one he's on his feet, not as up to date as to what's been said, what's going on. There's another guy he knows who spoke, one he takes a glance at, but there's still Elidibus on the ground - who he would've offered a hand to, but Pahjka has her senses about her before he gets to.

"Uh... right." Right. He's here for a reason. Tidus looks around at everyone again, then back to Elidibus, shaking off the weirdness from being in one place, and now another.

"Elidibus told you the idea? The Blues need to find people dropping in from the void, and I know people have different...energies." Said, like he knows that's a thing, but also is weird and strange to be coming out of his mouth. "--So maybe there's a way of figuring who's coming down from the void that isn't any of us. From the train."

There. That sounds possible, right? Totally not like one massive headache?

[wewillwewill]

Elidibus may be a little knocked around, but he's aware of the others reaction. The blows to his dignity can be largely ignored. Pahja... well, she's the type that laughs a lot and besides she is helping Tidus get up. And Emet-Selch has already been kind enough to hold back obvious amusement so that's enough.

But the Warrior of Light is shot a look and there is definite tension when she lightly mentions he may not remember. She'll not be reprimanded for choosing to bring up his patchwork memories because... well, it's not as if they're friends. But when the polite wave of a hand indicates that he'll 'kindly refuse' her offer of aid, it's probably related to the slight flinch he'd experienced when she cheerfully spoke of it.

"It's not the first time Tidus has landed on me because he's used this ability. But it's only a matter of time before he improves."

Probably. Just got to work on the impulsiveness, right?

Rising to his feet, Elidibus slowly straightens himself out and gives a careful shake of his head. Good no dizziness. Of course around this time Tidus is launching into the discussion which the Ascian had certainly not brought up yet. Better to keep Emet-Selch from retreating while there's still time.

"While I can help in a certain capacity, I'm still recovering from events that transpired when I returned to my star. Creating a way to detect those not native to this place that will exclude the passengers of the Voidtrecker Express should be straightforward." He looks at his fellow Ascian. "But to do that, I would need to entrust the task to you. It should be a simple task for one of your clarity."

Though introductions are also in order, right?

"Tidus, these two arrived on our last platform stop. Pahja Nyancoya is from a version of my star where she is the Warrior of Light, like Q'uila Sunrise and K'zeka Tia." He nods at the woman who helped the youth to his feet. Then looks at Emet-Selch again.

"And this is Emet-Selch, one of my-" there is a slight catch of hesitation. "-...a member of the Convocation of Fourteen. We are colleagues."

[apokroteo]

The way Emet-Selch looks at Pahja, a raised brow that has an air of frustration, is likely enough to let anyone know his frustration with her cryptic commentary for now. There'll be time enough later to get into the semantics of it - and he's not entirely certain he wants to know - but there is work to be done.

Much to his upset, of course.

"Yes, yes, we're all glad to see one another and the introductions are marvellous. I am the esteemed Emet-Selch and I would like to have this matter done and dealt with before it gets even more out of hand." It's not as if he really cares about wasting time - from what he has heard from others there is an abundance of it to waste here - but he has a reputation to maintain.

Especially if Elidibus is going to continue to introduce him with near enough his proper title.

"It can be done easily enough." He lifts his hand, almost ready to do a quick little snap. "A tracking mechanism of some kind, yes? That seems easily done."

[likeyouknow]

It seems as if Pahja is an expert in irking her Ascian company, but if it bothers her she does not show any sign of it. Elidibus and Emet's insistence on their full titles does have her rolling her eyes and shooting a look at Tidus that conveys these guys, huh rather effectively. She does adore Eemet-Selch, even though that is decidedly not in her best interest nor the sign of someone in possession of sound judgement, and her last few interactions with Elidibus prior to her arrival have secured him a place of fondness in her mind. But she is well aware that they can, and are, a bit much.

To say nothing of their desire to commit planetary genocide fourteen times over. But that's over and done with! Probably.

"That can differentiate from us and those from the portals, Emet," She's quick to remind him. She knows she doesn't have much to offer in the way of applicable skills and is here mostly to do the Emet-Selch wrangling. Turning to Tidus she nods, happy to extrapolate where the other two have decided not to.

"What they are referring to is Emet's ability to identify distinct souls at a glance. There are none alive on our star who possess such keen sight as he." A little praise goes a long way, and she gives him a small smile. "So aye, it will be as easy as he says."

[blitzcheer]

You gotta call out his teleporting hiccups to your friends, Elidibus? Rude.

There's embarrassment there, but it's not like it's much on top of what was already there, and Tidus is a big boy. He does look at each person as they're introduced, catching then Pahja's own subtle communication, and he's getting something of a clue of their personalities. This Emet-Selch? Very much someone who'd rather be somewhere else (like a very elaborate room in a castle, or something), while Pahja seems more relaxed.

But, wait -- K'zeka's one of those warriors thingy? K'zeka? That guy?? That information gets an inward ??? session from Tidus.

He's just the chocobo guy, in Tidus's mind.

But nevermind that. Onto business!

"Then - that's great! Anything that helps us find these people." He does look from Pahja to Emet-Selch as he speaks his approval. "There's a lot of ground to cover, and the locals really don't get many coming through as they have since this recent trouble started. But we can take care of the rest if you can make us somethin' to find them."

He does pause then, then looking at Elidibus, then back at Emet-Selch.

"Do you...need anything first?"

He is thinking about how Elidibus likes a 'base' to work off, first...

[wewillwewill]

Hey! Elidibus expressed confidence that Tidus can fix the error and that should count for something, right?

The look Pahja shares with Tidus isn't missed, but Elidibus isn't going to bring it up any more than he's done much to speak about how Pahja calls his comrade Emet. Right now, anyway. It'll probably come up another time; after all both of them had earned their titles countless times over. It's probably no wonder Elidibus sticks to them in public.

"It shouldn't be necessary here," he explains to Tidus. "While on the train there is few places to draw aether from than my personal reserves. I'd be willing to do this in certain cases, but for personal items I'd rather have something I can convert into aether for the desired creation. There's far less limitations when we're visiting a world."

Well most worlds. There's plenty of stuff to convert to aether if needed that folk will simply not miss. But all this is setting aside how Emet-Selch tends to go about it and is just an explanation.

Elidibus looks at Emet-Selch. "Do you want me to assist? I've studied the tethers and how voidspace interacts with a star's aether." He has, of course, discussed these concepts with Emet-Selch in earlier days since their arrival. "But it should be simple to eliminate those tied to the Voidtrecker Express and focus on sentient life not native to this star."

[apokroteo]

Emet-Selch is, of course, well aware of how depleted his comrade has been of late - the losses in his aether can be linked directly to his brief return home and there's a soft, quiet part of him that has no desire to place more of a burden upon his shoulders. Not when he has much aether to spare and the ability to use it well here, given the strange feeling of nostalgic familiarity.

It is also true that there is no one alive who might match his Aethersight. That leaves him with a little pang in his heart, to think of souls long gone.

"It should be easy enough, yes," he confirms with a nod of his head. His eyes drag over to Elidibus, taking him in, before he huffs a little. Best to play this as arrogance rather than concern, he thinks, and so he does, stepping away and lifting a hand. "I'll not need your assistance, I assure you. I'm quite capable."

His hand is in the air, raised, and he quirks an eyebrow.

"Are you ready?"

[likeyouknow]

Pahja expects him to snap, and isn't at all surprised when he raises his hand. It's enough to get her to at least attempt not to interrupt him. Especially when he's being helpful! Sure, she might have had to cajole him with Elidibus' help but a pair of big, round eyes and a pointed "please" have never been so effective.

"No, no, he's a 'sorcerer of eld', in his own words." She swats at Tidus' arm in a friendly manner, attempting to get his attention so that Emet, at least, will get the praise he probably thinks he deserves as his reward for going out of his way like this. Whether or not she agrees is one thing, but she's happy enough to play into it in order to give him some positive reinforcement.

Which makes him sound a lot more like a pet she's training rather than a man she adores, but. Details.

[blitzcheer]

"Oh." It's a springy oh as Elidibus explains - about preferences, and reserves of aethers being on the train (???). He kinda wonders what those are, but this isn't the time to ask as things move along. But Pahja does successfully get his attention with the slap, even if he's blinking at the title shared.

"Does that...mean something?"

Is it any actual title? A self-proclaimed one only? And all this particular talk of magic and titles is reminding Tidus faintly of his earlier days in Spira, of knowing nothing about things the people around him do.

help, everyone is too magically nerdy here.

[wewillwewill]

"Very well," Elidibus acknowledges. He doesn't seem offended and likely isn't. After all there is a reason he's asking Emet-Selch and it's not just about the other Ascian's known clarity of sight.

On the other hand, Pahja's comment draws notice, as well as Tidus's confusion.

"It's naught more than fact," he says, addressing the two quietly as he shifts closer. He's not overly worried about breaking Emet-Selch's focus; the man is extremely good at what he does and there's thousands of years of practice behind it. Still there's no need to raise his voice either. Or point out that even if it's fact, it's still a fancy way of putting it. Emet-Selch's fondness for theatre is well known to him.

"We're of an older race, who wielded far more powerful magics than anyone native to our star in the present day is capable of alone. And even among us, he is an exceptionally gifted one."

He doesn't seem to be criticizing Pahja, mind you, nor boasting of his race's capabilities. 'It is what it is'.

[apokroteo]

It doesn't take all that much focus to summon what is needed to create the items, but Emet-Selch is nothing if not a font of drama and desire to show off. It's about the theatrics, of course, given who he is, and the slight moment of being able to show off in front of a stranger.

With one snap of his fingers a set of items appears in front of them, hovering for a moment before he reaches out and takes them into his hand, letting a thumb brush over them before he turns his head.

"And there we are. A matter of moments and the deed is done."

Leaning forward, he offers it to Elidibus with a shake of his head.

"Is this enough?"

[likeyouknow]

She doesn't applaud for him, though she does shoot Emet a wide, approving grin before taking one from him to look it over herself, trying to satisfy her own curiosity before handing it off to Tidus, leaning in conspiratorially.

"If you praise him it will soothe his ego and make him easier to work with," she says in a theatrical whisper, knowing full well Emet will hear and most likely scowl at her. "But yes, people like myself and the other Warriors of Light do not have the capacity to wield creation magicks like Elidibus and Emet. There is a reason why," she says with a slight shrug. "But it is a long, complicated thing that involves a ten thousand year long gamble."