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

b

[blitzcheer]

"I wanna check out the farmlands, see about getting the people safe and doing whatever we need to around there. It sounds like there's a lot of people around there that'll need help."

He's got one of the marked maps, thanks to Albany, spread out on a table. He taps at it, around the open hill lands.

"If we get them cleared up, it'll be easy for the farmers coming down with their sheep 'n' that, right? But we can see if they can get their animals through a transgate."

He's already let Roland know about that plan, had him help in collecting the gates so they could spread them out. They should probably test one, see that it doesn't muck up, but he hasn't thought to do it just yet.

[adregem]

"Agreed. Plus, I've been told the farmers will help us with our tasks, so it's a solid plan. If we see any civilians, we reroute and get them to safety first."

Roland is a little worried about the open fields surrounding the outskirts of the forest, leading into that plain of grass and earth. Void storms are no laughing matter, especially when they're spitting out all sorts of nasty things here and there. He sets this aside for later and focuses on the task at hand, one step at a time, leaning over the map with his fists against the table.

"What happens if the transgates don't work on alien animals?"

Contingency planning comes naturally to him, so such a thought immediately comes to mind without any hesitation. "What's our backup?"

[blitzcheer]

"Fliers." Actually a question that doesn't require thinking, even if he shrugs a little with it. "I mean - that's always been what we go to. Not for animals, but.. Jingyi can turn into a dragon, you've got Trunks and Raven -- Raven's moved people around."

Also: "And we can't forget Spider, now that she's back. She won't be good for moving around animals, but - better than nothing if there's people around who need a quick move."

[adregem]

He knows Tidus can easily hold his own when it comes to missions like this, tried and tested as they are, but Roland still can't help but feel a tinge of heightened pride and respect for what he hears. He nods, smiling.

"Then you better keep them on speed dial, pro. Nice work." A beat. "One of us can turn into a dragon? Huh. That's...new." Not unheard of, given the nature of the void, multiverses, or even just magic in general. Still! It's enough to give him pause.

"Anyway. It looks like we have our game plan. I have a map with a couple of farmers who already have a relationship with the people from this side of town. We can start there. Give me a second to copy the map."

Why he isn't relying on the tech that he is is no mystery to anyone who knows Roland even remotely, but it's also a wonder that he doesn't whip out his cellphone at this juncture to take a picture for easier reference. Instead, he's bent over the table again, copying each line and curve with relatively mastery. It takes him no time at all to make a duplicate map, marked with strategic X's, on a separate roll of parchment.

[blitzcheer]

Roland, not going for tech? It makes sense in this circumstance, at least. Their own SCA maps weren't as useful as they could be, and Albany was handing out the maps like candy. It sounds like too that Roland's already been talking and getting useful details, and Tidus wasn't going to dismiss taking any of that.

Instead, he rests against the table, hands and arms propping him up as he watches him.

"I'll make a call-out and see who'll be better at helping with the clearing the roads, once we see how bad they are -- superpowers, and that." You know, 'cause there's a difference between 'good at shovelling' and 'good at moving great weights'. "I don't wanna waste my time clearing anything if someone else can do it with a snap." A snap of their fingers, by the click that Tidus gives his own there.

"But, might be good to just get out there and see how things go, then do a check-in later."

[adregem]

"Right you are. Get the best person for the job to do the job."

It's a mantra he can not only get behind, but one that he's practiced back when he still ran the country. Work smart, and all.

The second map is finished in record time. The original is left pinned to the wall where most of the plans had been laid out to dry, as reference in case each of the teams had to touch base. He made a mental note to also let people know about it over comms, later. For now, he rolls up the map and tosses it expertly to Tidus, confident he'll catch it. His hands make quick work of tightening his gear as he sets out to start, except he remembers something-

-and looking around the Weary Wanderer, the idea returns to him just as fast. Roland halts, hand on his waist, then whistles quietly. All at once, Rannygazoo's little helpers, higgledies that follow the boss, appear out of thin air. The complete dozen of them. Their caped crusader jumps into existence, though he remains standing next to Roland's boot.

He bends the knee, addressing the higgledies.

"It'd be rude if we just up and left our thoughtful caretakers, right? Make yourselves useful while we work. Go on." Roland's order is taken to heart as they do as they are told; whether or not they can be seen by those they're helping. The inn bustles with activity as each sprite carries ales of drink, plates of food, bowls to be washed. Some are shocked to see it, some take it for what it is despite the initial shock. No one was in the mood to turn down decent help, regardless of where it came from.

He turns back to Tidus with a renewed mood. "Let's go."

[blitzcheer]

The roll is snapped up midair, his catching reflexes still up to snuff. And thereafter, Roland looks ready to get going, Tidus eyeing the map but figuring he'll save it for later when he reads the other man's initial movements.

But oh, he's got ideas. Ideas that lead to more company within the inn in an instant, little friends that begin bustling around. Tidus huffs, a humorous sound, wondering if to add any of Gibb's own into the lot. But, they all had different personalities - it might be better they keep the backup around, in case they need it.

"Aye aye," Tidus replies, and he'll follow Roland out the way they came, a day sky above their heads. It's a scenic view, simple, sparse; but what it has plenty of are the rolling hills that gives the area its name of Yelling Heights. Only a few can be spotted however from where they are, the plain they're on rather far stretching itself, a dirt road close and made over time.

Tidus is unfolding the marked map, eyeing it. ... and tilting his head with a squinting, looking back out, trying to bring everything together.

"Alright, sooo... are we going to these names?" There's names on the map, and he's tapping at a few of them. "It looks like...this one path goes really far. Man, I wonder if we have those markers on our SCA maps like last mission?"

Granted, those were Ministry-provided additions. But he feels like he's going to need help making out where he is.

[adregem]

"...Hm. Look. A couple of them branch out, here, here, and here."

Instead of checking his actual SCA, Roland opts to rely on the map provided, peering over Tidus's shoulder to study it up close. Against the light, regardless of the overcast, the parchment is paper-thin, almost transparent beneath thick lines of black ink. It makes it easier for him to tell which landmark is which, though at some point, the hills begin to melt into one another, making it far harder to tell where the horizon line actually lies.

His finger rests under his chin in thought.

"Well, in any case. It's a good idea to walk towards the farthest point person first. We can walk by the ones along the route and introduce ourselves. That way we've got waypoints along the path."

It's better than wandering around, hoping to find a voidtear in this chaos.

"...You don't suppose they have horses here, do you?"

[blitzcheer]

"Maybe?" He starts to look over his shoulder, considering if they should go back and ask Albany; but there's others in their group, and they'll probably be better off taking the horses if there's any around. Or they might have to go to the farmlands in the first place, so it'd be pretty useless.

There's the stuff of a small huff in his throat, except-

...

...

... except Tidus gets an idea, slowly resting his gaze on Roland.

"You know what I have? I have Gibbs."

Look at this even slower smile tugging up on his lips. Hey. Hey Roland. Remember what Gibbs can do?

(Jump out of Tidus's heart right then and strike a pose on the ground in front of them, sensing his opportunity. That's what.)

[adregem]

Like higgledy, like owner.

He takes a second to stare at the posing high higgledy before him - did they rehearse this?? - before turning back to the culprit in question, a dry expression on an otherwise expressive countenance.

"You...want us to surf there?" Roland rests his hand on his hip; the typical overthinking skeptic. "Won't that make the path muddy for everyone else?"

[blitzcheer]

Bingo, Roland! And that smile turns into a full-fledged grin, teeth and all, when Mister President guesses right.

"No way!" Tidus confidently - and cheerily - insists. "We'll keep off the ground, and we'll zoom off to the first place we wanna go. We can even get some height if we want to!"

All the meanwhile, Hibber-Gibber is doing a joyful dance below, rolling his stubby 'hands' and then throwing them out. He's positive about this plan!!

"Me and Gibbs have this in the bag. We're a perfect team these days!"

[adregem]

He stares at Gibbs, then at Tidus, then at Gibbs again. His brow frowns deeper, with very little of that explanation actually convincing him this would be safe.

Then again, they would cover a whole lot of ground in a very short span of time.

Like...a lot.

Damn it.

"You know, the last time we did this in the train, we didn't quite catch the landing. Not even in that world with robots and weird houses. I'm assuming by now, you've practiced?"

[blitzcheer]

"Roland." Roland. Could a name be said so disappointed, so disbelieving, so played up as how Tidus says the man's name now, by any other? No, not at all. He even looks ready to shake his head, but why do it when it can all be implied?

"Is this a lack of trust, or are you just feeling weak in the knees today? Want me to hold your hand when we go up? C'mon, you can admit it to me!"

But he doesn't need to, as he puts his hands on his sides confidently, chest even puffed out a little.

"Don't worry! Me and Gibbs are the best - you've got nothing to worry about!"

[adregem]

Famous last words, if I ever heard any...

Lucky for Tidus, Roland would rather not waste any more precious daylight trying to convince him of a different approach. Either it would work, or it wouldn't. He can't really argue on the logic.

Besides, it might be fun (?). He fondly recalls the first time he ever had to put his faith in spewing water slides to cross huge gaps of undersea platform, tens of thousands of feet beneath the abyss. That worked out well for them all, didn't it?

He takes a tentative step forward.

"I'll...take your word for it."

Cowabunga??? Up, up, and away???

[blitzcheer]

"Great!" Famous last words. Tidus drops the tone and takes the last few steps to bring them together, Gibber already following when Tidus calls: "Gibbs, into place!"

He grabs onto Roland's sleeve; not harshly, but a good grip, as if following up on that I'll hold your hand offer seconds ago. But there's no need to bring attention to it, his other doing its thing of balling up in front of his chest, a small burst of air around him while Gibbers starts to glow.

"Ready, set-!"

Already by those words, the ground pushes them or - or water does, a disc of it, Hibber-Gibber the Hopeful disappearing as liquid into its spherical that grows. Tidus juts out his arm, his hand, thrown in direction.

"--Go!"

And they're flying with speed, a knock as the air first collides them at their new speed, but nothing that'll topple them over. There's fresh air and wind blowing in their face, but this ride is steady, a tail of water that leaves a splatter of their direction taken.

Behold, Roland: They have been practising.

[adregem]

"Whoa-!"

The grip Tidus has on his sleeve makes it harder for his opposite arm to grab hold of the back of his shirt, uncertain of how to stand on both feet when the elevation takes him off-guard. One can never truly be prepared to be propelled up into the air, wave-surfing on solid ground. But to Tidus's credit, they grow stable faster than past experience would have him believe. Before he knows it, they're crossing vast distances, flying high over the ground, their hair whipping behind them.

"You make a good co-captain there, Gibbs!" He proclaims loudly, against the splash of the violent torrent. Mission aside, he allows himself a bit of fun, slowly letting go of Tidus's shirt and using his own weight to balance carefully against the pressure of the water, now grown solid to the touch. A small laugh escapes his lips, thoroughly impressed.

When they close the landing, Roland isn't sure of how it'll go now that they've gotten more experience with the technique. He holds the back of Tidus's shirt again, glancing at the guy waiting for any particular instruction.

"Any time now...!"

[blitzcheer]

It's not every day that they get real distance; not having to take curves as soon as one end of the sports gym comes, an actual wind in their face and hair. Tidus still has his own hold onto Roland, at least until he feels the other guy letting him of him, and does the same. Balance, Tidus knows a lot about it, and he trusts the solid density that Gibbs has made under them. He only needs a little of Tidus's magic to go, and the rest is up to him -

And it's exhilarating, the lift-off they take from the ground and the height they keep, ignoring the rising and falling hill lands.

It feels natural, normal, and Tidus is still giddy as they start to feel the pattering of rain above their heads, a discolouration above their heads. Hears Roland fussing beside him (okay, not fussing, but), giving him a dismissively fun "We've got this!" full of confidence.

For their speed slows as they come close to the ground, a gradual, steady thing without a lurch or abruptness. The disk of water comes to a stop above ground, and Tidus takes a step off, a "C'mon" to get Roland to follow him off. Look at them, all manners instead of just dropping their feet onto the grass.

And once they're both off, the water reshapes together, forming back their high higgledy pal with a 'pop!', and a 'Higgle!'

The air around them has a certain tense energy about them, but Tidus and Gibbs have yet to notice as Tidus crouches to high-five his pal.

[adregem]

He hops off the stream of water without further ceremony, and catches the celebration between mate and higgle pal. Roland has very little else to say apart from eating his own words, which he's happy to do if he can be convinced his hesitations were for naught.

"Well now, call me ye of little faith, then. You should be careful, pro. I might ask you to give me a ride to places more often." Roland jokes easily, patting him once on the back before moving to Gibbs who deserves just as much praise.

Except when Roland bends his knees to give the high higgledy its own just reward, his mind suddenly catches up to the adrenaline. Sorry for leaving you hanging like that, Gibbs! But he notices it fast; how things have changed all around them, and it feels dizzying that has nothing to do with their ride. He attempts to spot their location on the map, alert and on edge.

Roland frowns. "Damn. I didn't notice if we went north or east. Where do you suppose we are?"

The forest was a less visible on the skyline from where they stood, but they could be anywhere between the open plains or the far stretch of the yawning farmlands where they needed to alert the people of their plans.

[blitzcheer]

How could you do this to a higglepal.

But Gibbs is as aware as Roland comes to be, sooner than Tidus himself. Who frowns at the question, thinking, looking around for the sight of the inn that they come from, but nothing immediately sticking out.

"Uhhh..." Uhhh. "What about the map?"

By map, Tidus means the SCA one by how he brings it up and clicks onto the map icon, bringing up one similar to that of the Albany-provided physical copy. Albany's with more details, but the SCA showing a dot of where they were.

Only themselves, of course. Can't have a dot indicating where a teammate is, even if they're right beside you.

But he shows it to Roland, while holding out the parchment map for Roland to take.

"Here. This help?"

[adregem]

He has to triangulate their location for a bit here, eyes narrowed in deep thought, roving over points and lines that seem familiar, and some that look completely new. At some point, he has to make an educated guess based on both resources, and when he's confident he can figure it out, he rolls up the map and nods to Tidus.

"Can't be too sure, but it looks like we're nearer to the lowlands now. See there? If we walk further ahead, we'd be where most of the farms are. Or, were."

Debris and disaster was an understatement. While the plain itself stretched over, empty and vast, the damage of void storms had already made their mark. Bigger farm houses spread across the horizon, felled by falling trees. The ground is broken the more he peers over the spanning land mass, and tiny dots crawl and move in sluggish paces.

Those are either people or monsters, and they did not have the luxury to flip a coin on it.

"Come on, then. We're on the right path, thankfully. First guy to look for should be past that wreckage. Nice work, Tidus."

[blitzcheer]

Tidus is watching, trying to peer into Roland's mind by the actions he takes - looks, gestures, whatever - while he plays the part of observer to his mapping. He's only half-paying attention between the two, Roland's map not as clear to him from the angle.

It doesn't matter. The man doesn't take long, motioning to and from the two as he speaks up, then leading their gaze to a world larger than any paper or device. Tidus sees the moving dots, and the mess of the landscape before them that brings an urgency to get involved. He knocks Roland lightly with a hand to his arm, suggests, "One more ride" as a means of getting there quicker, and only a small second allowed for Roland to decline.

Otherwise, Gibbs will be of similar mind, and their quick travel can be brought back again. One more time won't hurt, though they'll want to take a break from it after. But Tidus isn't concerned; between the three (or four) of them, whatever they meet, they'll be ready for.

[adregem]

He doesn't complain this time, hopping aboard, eyes focused on the dots that slowly grow in size until he can make them out as clear as day-

-people. There was no doubt about that. Roland nudges Tidus's closest arm with a careful elbow. They are maneuvered to the ground with relative ease, and he knows they're already both running to meet the group of farmers and civilians who seemed to be escaping from the worst thing possible.

"That's a void blob? Gah."

It's a gross affront to the senses; unnatural and unbelievably speedy for what its gelatinous pastiche of parts and limbs are worth. They can split the task here - one to herd the people to safety, while the other plays around with the creature until they're in the all clear. Regardless, his arms band glows to life, sword in hand.

'If that thing is here, does that mean there's a tear nearby? So close to Albany's guys...'

[blitzcheer]

Hibber-Gibber is following as best he can behind their feet as they come to ground once again, Tidus keeping in pace with Roland, and bringing out a weapon in sync with him too without a second thought at the ghastly sight. He would have some remark to make on the weird creature (weird, but familiar ... a little) under usual circumstances, but Tidus waves a hand out, jogging in direction of the people.

"Keep running, we'll deal with this! We're here to help!"

A few more higgledies of blue form where Hibber-Gibber is, tiny cries ready to lend aid, once they can get in position. For the time being, Tidus makes a quick switch from blade to his Spiran pistol, aiming it.

"Roland! Distract!"

It's a signal, and a clear plan, as Tidus starts to rapid shoot at the gelatinous form to get its attention. Small bubbles can be seen making contact, some signs of penetration, but the creature doesn't appear immediately concerned.

[adregem]

The people don't need to be told twice to stay as far away from this altercation as possible. They run the opposite way as Roland takes the directive, darting fast with his sword at the ready. It looks sturdier up close, though it doesn't take too long for its full attention to focus on Roland when he practically zips into its periphery with remarkable speed.

He didn't just pay a courtesy visit to Evermore, after all. With or without the knowledge of his train life in mind, he was bound to rediscover some techniques left behind in that world, and then some.

"Got you-!"

His sword glows violently bright as it makes contact with the blob, its misshapen globe of a body wiggling and jerking in place. Roland manages to slash it in quick succession, but the nature of this beast was as chaotic as the void it came from. A long, slithering tentacle - or was it a claw? - shoots out from its immediate side, lunging for Roland's body without bothering to brush off the damage. He dodges it with a roll and slashes its offending limb before another arm grabs his sword's blade, forcing him to be on guard.

"Are they far enough?" He shouts to Tidus, his mind honed on one thing and one thing alone: getting those people to safety.

[blitzcheer]

Thanks to Roland's clash with the monster, the civilians have made distance, or mostly. One's stopped with Tidus, giving a warning about how 'that thing won't stop 'til it's dead!'

He has a pitchfork in hand, but Tidus nods and jerks his head. "Alright, we've got it. Keep going, alright? Protect the other people!"

It's a distraction that lasts just a few seconds before Tidus can look back and see where Roland is, how he's doing. Still in the midst of fighting, rolling to get out of the way of an attack and another following. Tidus breaks into a sprint to get closer, just as the call comes.

"They're fine!" He's pulling up the weapon, and starts taking potshots for the outstretched limb grasping at Roland's blade; lacking the precision of it was a blitzball, not having Roland's same skill with a gun, but the near-infinite amount of bullets gave enough to tear into the limb, ripping into it.

Too bad that the monster didn't really care about pulling back - but maybe if Roland did, he'll be able to get back his sword - and a claw, too.