middleofsomewhere | Crashing Down: Start

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Crashing Down: Start

As the Voidtreckers are going through their morning routines on the 24th Quicksand, there comes a train announcement over the comms. When it ends, their SCAs glow and bring up a holographic screen as is common before a mission. There's a few hours to prepare before a new announcement:

Shortly arriving at system #78961112094711. Leaving the void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.

The train shakes as it leaves the void. As explained by the mission brief, those who are not wearing their SCA will not be able to physically leave the train.

But for those that do, they will find their SCA lights up with their stopwatch. Counting down from five hous.

CRASHING DOWN: START

QUICKSAND 24 ~ TEAM OBJECTIVES ~ LOCATION INFORMATION ~ OTHER DETAILS
ASK QUESTIONS ~ SHENANIGANS ~ TEAM PLOTTING ~ MISSION TASKS/REWARDS

HOUR ONE

The Voidtrecker Express lands them within a voidcraft multistorey, the same one as when they came to holiday at the Irue Grotto. As soon as it does, their SCAs vibrate and bring up a message, audio and transcript (including brialle) become available from a Ministry worker: the tethering station is on the first floor, and there will be people and gear waiting for them, depending on what jobs they're taking up.

Evacuation plans have already begun, and everything is going to get hectic, fast. Voidtreckers will have no end of work available.

1. PROCESSING. For the more tech-minded, plenty of help is needed. Containers of SCAs in storage need to be scanned and made sure they're not faulty before they're loaded up and sent off to communities outside the Irue Grotto. It's a simple if tedious process, but necessary. There's also helping to process people, getting visitors to the planet back to their voidcrafts, so they can leave and make room for more voidcrafts to station.

People can help civilians through the health scanners, or help manage the cyro-pods that they'll be placed into, Setting up the pods isn't too difficult, it just requires hands and the ability to follow an instruction manual. The void scientists happily give this task to any voidtreckers availible to help so that they can get on with the tasks that require more know-how. ( ORANGE1 )

2. GATHERING. The Ministry also need help with bringing in people. Hover trams will help take officials - including Voidtreckers - into the Irue Grotto, to pick up people at farther parts of the city, and who can't walk to the tethering station. Directing people is necessary, as well as making sure that people have caught the message of the evacuation in the earliest hours; but also those less keen, not taking the call seriously will need to be persuaded.

People are also needed to begin going to further out communities. There are emergency broadcasts throughout the planet but the ministry and the local governing groups are aware that not everyone is going to have heard them. The ministry scramble to give the voidtreckers official passes, to help give credibility to their announcement of evacuation. ( PURPLE 1, BLUE 1 )

3. JOIN THE QUEUE. Help will be needed to help keep some semblance of order, to create a flow to keep everything running. Out in the streets, or even in the tethering station, people will become more panicked if they think they've missed their ride, if they have to wait for too long. It's not yet violent, but people with presence will be useful for helping keep everyone sensible. ( RED 1 )

HOURS TWO AND THREE

The work continues to bring people from their lives to the tethering stations, now packed by anxious individuals. There's aid needed for people outside the Irue Grotto, a call for drivers and more volunteers to stay back and help with tethering processing to get people onto the liminal stations. Panic rises with the tension, and there's also signs of disbelief for what's apparently going on.

The Ministry are handing out SCAs to be taken to those who can't come to the stations, to help with the tethering process. With quick training, people can tether themselves, and arrive at the liminal stations awaiting them.

1. ALL ABOARD. Even in the most busy of void hubs, the tethering and platform systems are not designed for an entire planet to arrive all at once. Those volunteering can access the void by a device at the tethering station. The ministry workers explain that it won't disrupt their own tethers, and they will be able to freely walk through the barrier back to the ministry building. The platform is larger than any voidtreckers have seen in their time in the void, closer to the transport station. There are rows of train tracks, but also docked air craft, space craft, there's even a port with voidcraft that look like traditional ships that would sail through water, if there were any water in the void.

All those tethered have tickets and so should know where they are going, but volunteers have been given tablets with an ever growing database to match passengers up to their voidcrafts. From there, it's a case of helping direct people, carrying luggage, and hurrying children along.

For those who would rather not be around panicked people, there's plenty of work loading animals, be they pets or animals from the zoo, who have their own dedicated voidcraft. ( ORANGE2 )

2. THE IRUE ZOO. Outside the Irue Grotto the planet is pretty rural. Not far from the city is The Irue Zoo, a clutter of domed conservatories customised to house creatures from across the system's planets: avians, reptiles, creatures that don't match anything Voidtreckers know. The zookeepers have already had collars delivered- devices similar to SCAs but for use on animals. They do however need help getting them on the creatures. For any tiny animals, there are chip guns - but, you'll need good aim.

Using drones, those piloting them can also help to make sure an area has been cleared and no one left behind, without the person piloting even being physically present. ( PURPLE 2, BLUE 3, ORANGE 3 )

2. OSIGA VILLAGES. In the villages, there are families who just don't have easy access to reach the Irue Grotto: not everyone has a vehicle. Some eagerly climb into the Ministry ride that Voidtreckers take to reach their communities, while others will need help to go to them instead. They might have family members who can't make the trip, others are more worried about their pets or farm creatures, for those lucky to have indoor farms. Luckily the SCA packs that voidtreckers were given also contain the animal tethering collars- the ministry had factored that into their evacuation plans.

More of a challenge are those who refuse to leave the lives they made, who've barricaded and are making it difficult to be helped. They might not trust the ministry. They might not believe that the threat is real. Or they might resist the idea that this threat cannot be fought, after all they are Osigan, not a weak people at all. ( ORANGE 3, RED2, PURPLE2, BLUE3 )

HOURS FOUR AND FIVE

As their countdown clocks tick to two hours remaining there is a message from Anan. The main bulk of people have been processed by now, freeing up those helping in the grotto to move out to further flung communities. Almost all efforts are now on the portable tethering kits, voidtreckers encouraged to travel by speeder to get to as many places as possible.

1. OFF WORLD. Anan waits at the main transport hub next to a space ship. It's not particularly large, clearly made for short inter planet journeys rather than long durations in space. She looks understandably worried, Chiff sat like a hat on her head, but she welcomes people on board for half an hour before they leave.

They're headed to a space station, getting there not for the faint hearted as it's situated in an asteroid field. Luckily, Anan can pilot her way through safely. The station is mostly occupied by elderly people and small children, suspicious people, a couple even tangry at Anan for leading strangers to their door. She takes their ire with humility but is quick to get down to business.

Here like on Osiga people have varying reactions to the news. The children are frightened but generally tough souls. Some of them know Anan and Chiff already and that helps with coaxing them. ( RED 2-3, BLUE 3, PURPLE 2-3 )

2. ON PLANET. The easily convinced have been evacuated by now, which leaves those who are, for variety of reasons, more difficult. Some are the furthest away from the Grotto, the travel time longer. Here, there is often unrest. There's been a couple of hours for people to work themselves into a state of panic. Even those ready and prepared to be evacuated are frustrated.

As they travel they might even find bands of people moving towards the grotto, angry and assuming they have been forgotten, abandoned. They can be calmed, especially when they learn that the voidtreckers have tethering kits and are here to help. But it will take some loud voices and calm personalities to break through that fear and anger. ( BLUE 2, PURPLE 3 )

3. THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE. But what of those who are adament they will not leave? The refusers are not one homogeneous group. Some refuse to believe what is happening. World eaters? Whose heard of them? Who are these strange people who are trying to empty their world? They never did trust the ministry, setting up in Irue like that...

Others truly believe that leaving their home to an otherworldly threat is an act of cowardice. Surely they should stay and fight. Stand against this threat and drive it back. They have weapons, surely if everyone just made a stand they could stop what was about to happen.

Others just can't bare to leave their homes. They are old and would rather face their fate in the comfort they know rather than leave to go to the void- they might know of it but that doesn't mean they trust it. Others are very aware of what this means, they survive but their bodies do not.

Some can be convinced, others are more stubborn. It may be best to focus on those who do want to leave, but there is no easy answer. ( RED 2-3, BLUE 3, ORANGE 3, PURPLE 2-3 )

All the time the skies are calm and clear, no sign of the approaching danger present. In some ways, this makes it harder; te only indication they have is their SCA clocks counting down. Hours turning to minutes, counting down to catastrophe.

OOC NOTES

OOC Post ~ Questions ~ Shenanigans ~ Tasks Check-In & Rewards
This event will last for 1 IC day, and OOCly runs from 16th to 22nd, with a conclusion going up on the 23rd.

CHARACTER AID: Lan Jingyi will be offering transport over distance, Lea can create keyblade portals to move people; Thanatos and Tidus will have functioning transgates to allow movement between where they are and back at the tethering station. Elidibus will also eventually be creating portals and force-teleports.

Art Credit: Header

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There's a shake of the teen's head before they start on their way, a note of hesitance soon vanishing from their steps as they see the directions Rezo mentioned.

"I'm good. I'll be okay." A brief pause follows where they smile, and with their destination in view, they start off at a light jog, to test their knee for a bit before they gain the confidence to run the nearly empty streets.

"Stay safe! An' don't trip up again!" Esteban calls out behind the priest, letting the teen get some distance before he waves at them goodbye. At least they would be safe. Time is still slipping by, but it's one more win, another person who will be transferred properly to a ship, where they will be saved.

"So you're a healer?" He asks Rezo, grinning now that he's found an ally. "Most people missin' from the stations are those that got in trouble. Wanna wait here an' I bring them up t' you, or should we set up somewhere easy to access lower in the caverns? Help them as close to on-site as possible?"

Rezo listens to the teenager running off, pleased to note the even sound of their footsteps speeding up. Evidently, not a limp remains; he allows himself a moment to be pleased with himself over this before returning his attention to Esteban.

“Yes, I’m a priest,” Rezo says. Even though priest may have somewhat different connotations for Esteban than for Rezo.

Rezo listens as Esteban goes on to explain the situation, and considers. There are workers from the void ministry close to the tethering station, so he shouldn’t be as strongly required there. If there is a problem with groups of injured people unable to bring themselves to the station, then he’d probably be a bit more helpful fixing them up as quickly as possible.

“I can come to them,” he decides. “Do you already have an exact location in mind?”

"Oh, your gods are still alive in your world?" There's a note of surprise in Esteban's voice, before he focuses on Rezo's next question instead.

"Yeah; I've asked a few families t' help out whoever they have hurt in the plaza. It's a few flights lower-- c'mon!" He's not running ahead thankfully, but Esteban does take the lead, and his stride covers a fair bit of ground without him even trying. He stops some distance ahead, waiting for Rezo to catch up before shifting slightly.

"There; y'can see them from here," he indicates as if... it would be that simple. There's a quick tap-tap that follows, his feet rapping along as he starts on his way down the stairs that were stretched just below them, before he turns, a confused furrow between his brows as he makes sure he hasn't lost his companion at the top of the stairs.

[[ooc: I could go into a whole ramble on my headcanons on it but I shall refrain. :V]]

That is a hell of a response, enough to momentarily startle him, and Rezo manages to get out a “...Probably,” before Esteban moves on. First figuratively, as he explains the situation in a bit more detail, then quite literally as he hears the young man take off.

Luckily, Rezo is adept at following sounds, so it’s more surprise at the abruptness than anything else that lets Esteban get a noticeable head start. Rezo hurries after the young man easily enough, coming to a stop a foot or so away as he can tell Esteban has stopped, and the echoes inform him that there’s a bit of a drop up ahead.

“Ah, good,” he manages to get out- it’s not sarcastic, from Esteban’s phrasing it’s clear they won’t have far to travel and that is good. Rezo slows, letting Esteban hurry on ahead while he feels around for a stair railing.

Fortunately for him, there is one, and he keeps a hand on it as he makes his way down about as fast as he can reasonably manage without potentially falling on his face.

He goes to ask if the priest is alright, but he figures if the priest slowed, he has his own reasons as to why. He's half-nosy enough to ask, but he's been... trying to learn the better part of discretion lately, so Esteban falls back into his favourite pastime instead.

Asking other nosy questions.

"So y'r a priest? What sorta duty d'you fill up 'f your gods are 'prob'ly' still alive?"

He has slowed his pace tremendously, thankfully, and he sets himself on the side closest to the chasm, as an extra bulwark against Rezo falling down-- though it's anyone's guess if he's done so on purpose or not. The handrail is also useful in that it indicates when they've reached a flight lower than the previous one; the rail curving and joining into the wall as the space opens up a little wider.

Esteban's steps keep going, surprisingly light for how tall he is-- at least now that he's not carrying another person. He's also more careful not to run off and ahead-- it wouldn't do to leave Rezo behind after all.

The question gives Rezo pause, given that it’s not strictly related to the mission they’re on, but- as long as they’re still headed towards the patients, it’s not really going to slow them down. And making conversation can help people keep calm, he knows.

“Advancing the study of magic, particularly white magic, occasionally getting involved in the petty politics of the Sorcerer’s Guild and most importantly, serving the people in need,” he replies. “Our Gods may be lost to us, but there are always those in need of healing and counseling.”

Really, as far as those within the mazoku barrier are concerned, a priest is more akin to a doctor than to a preacher. It’s a complicated, and perhaps sad story, if Esteban cares to dig further.

As they reach the next flight, Rezo digs a little himself: “Are the Gods in your world more available?”

There's a snort, and Esteban smiles a little ruefully as he shakes his head.

"I mean, there's Eriat that overlooks th' Moon Mountains, but most she does is look gorgeous in the night sky. Or when the sunlight breaks into colours through her ice once in a while. Iiyeta's more discreet, but she's a goddess of shadows and secrets, so it's not that surprising. She's why her an' her sister survived when the gods got swallowed. The others are all dead." He shrugs an easy shoulder at this, taking the next flight of steps slowly to keep up with the priest.

"Most 'f the Immortals still remember when the gods walked 'long their city walls, but for us poor younger people, we haven't met them, so religion is..." he pauses, searching for a proper word, "dwindling." Ah well. It's not like it overly concerns him, if he's to be honest.

"So mages are a bit akin t' leaders in your world then?" he asks back, curiously. "No--wait; you said there's a sorcerer's guild, but you're a priest. Is there a difference?" Hun, this is turning out to be a lot more curious now that Esteban prods a bit more at Rezo's casual words.

Edited 2022-04-28 11:22 (UTC)

‘Swallowed’ begs the question of who- what- did the swallowing. Perhaps the Gods of Esteban’s world have their own natural enemy, like the mazoku are in Rezo’s? It seems their situations are not unalike, then. Whoever the Immortals of Esteban’s world are, they sound like they are in a similar position to the tiny, reclusive handful of black and golden dragons that still survive inside the mazoku barrier. Not to mention the diminished presence of religion and God worship.

The suggestion that mages are ‘leaders’ nearly makes Rezo snort. He smiles wryly instead.

“Kings and statesmen rule the countries, regardless of whether or not they qualify as mages,” he explains, “Though I have known plenty of sorcerers who believe they deserve more say on how the world outside of the Sorcerer’s Guild is run. As for the difference between a sorcerer and priest, well, you can think of ‘sorcerer’ as a more general title, whereas a priest specializes in white magic- magic that heals, protects, and dispels evil spirits.”

Following along with Esteban at a respectable pace, Rezo continues, “The title is something of a holdover from when ‘priest’ meant a devotee of Aqualord Ragradia. By all accounts, holy magic was utilized similarly to how white magic is used today, so I suppose the association came about after holy magic was lost. Not that we’re wholly agnostic today. Most priests pay at least token respects to Flare Dragon Cepheid.”

Rezo… doesn’t, and hasn’t for a long time. But for all his skill, Rezo is a poor example of a priest.

“Now, on your end, I’m curious. Who is it that swallowed your Gods?”

"Kings? So it's a milit'ry rule?" the half-elf prods. He's not much versed into politics, but its the way he understands that particular hierarchy. It seems a bit odd to him to live in this sort of system, but then, he's hardly known more than the Moon Mountain's system of governance all of his life. It's no wonder others baffle him.

Aqualord Ragadia and Flare Dragon Cepheid are definitely subjects he wants to touch upon, later. He still can't help a delighted little "Oh! You have dragons!" when he hears it though.

The... distinction between sorcerers and priests does not work well with him. He expects they're like specializations of mana? He's heard of specializations in mages, but he... hardly knows any, to be fair. Then there's the matter of Holy magic and--

"Oh, your magic's d'vided by elements?" This-- this is the thing that raises his voice as they reach the next flight of stairs, curiosity winning him over as he boggles at this. Oh! Well that would explain why Esteban is not catching on to much of what Rezo speaks. They don't categorize mages the same way at all, he realizes with a snicker.

"Ours are d'vided by technique. Wildling mages interact directly with the Aether of the world, Runescript mages use runes as a medium t' direct the flow of Aether, and Mana mages process the Aether into Mana b'fore expanding it 'round them in an aura for easy use."

"They're also the ones t' "rule" over the Moon Mountains; prob'bly the same as your guilds? Each city's run independently, 'cause we can't build roads b'tween them, an' reaching the next mountain over's generally a three-four day trip at least. Wildling mages in particular 're the ones to watch over the Naming Trees, an' make sure that they're healthy an' keepin' the Aether veins near the surface, where others c'n access 'em."

“It really depends on the monarchy,” Rezo says, and “A few.”

Rather fewer dragons than there were before the Koma War, certainly. Even Rezo has only run into a handful of them, and that came from purposefully seeking them out. There is a lot one could say about dragons, and about the forms of government in the world, but he has little time to elaborate.

Although he does manage to elaborate a bit on the magic system: “Shamanistic magic is divided by the elements that it draws power from. Black magic and holy magic are something different, as they draw power from other sources.”

‘Aether’ is an unfamiliar term. He’s heard ‘mana’ used as another term for ‘magical energy.’ Esteban’s explanation makes it sound as though aether is the rawest source of magical energy available in his world, and apparently it can be found in veins, like some sort of ore. ‘Naming tree’ is another strange term.

The question Rezo settles on is: “Do your people only live in the mountains? Are there no other places suitable for habitation?”

There's a soft snort morphing into a snicker by his side, the voice still jovial and bright as he answers his new companion. These chats are certainly entertaining to the half-elf, and he's enjoying what they're sharing even though they'll get cut short fairly soon. The last flight of steps split them from their destination, after all, and he makes a mental note to track the priest down After All This.

"Well, we're not called th' Moon Moutains of the Wandering Seas continent for nothin'," is his first answer, amused and bright before he goes on with a better explanation.

"Eriat's tidally locked over the moutains an' the saltgrass seas; when the two other moons come 'round in their cycles, the tides they cause rip anythin' an' everythin' aside; hence, the saltgrass seas. We also get small floods when Eriat an' Khaari 're both in the sky, but they're less of a hassle, 'cause Iiyeta's on the other side of the world, an' Iiyeta's the strongest pull for bein' the farthest."

Alright, his turn now.

"Was your Aqualord--" oops, he's forgotten the exact name-- "the source of Holy magic? Was he a god, or somethin' like it? Are your elements magics based on creatures or are there sources in your world or it just... is? Unless it's created within' the people that cast it? Is Dark magic diff'rent from Holy magic or do they hold the same base of power?"

He's quick to ask all of these in a row, far too curious now that Rezo has answered even just a fraction of his questions. For each that gets a response, twelve more crop up as he wonders just how different or similar their worlds might be, eager at the prospect to hear more, no matter how little.

Rezo is somewhat bemused at Esteban’s laughter, and there’s a brief expression of wariness on his face; he's uncertain if he should be offended or not. It smooths out to his regular, priestly smile very quickly though, as he contemplates.

So everything below a certain level in Esteban’s world just gets flooded too regularly to be worth settling? And there are three moons who are also Gods- with the possible exception of Khaari, he should ask about Khaari- but Esteban has questions of his own, and Rezo cannot resist elaborating.

Rezo goes into full Lecture Mode, his walking pace slowing accordingly.

“Aqualord Ragradia was a God, and a source of Holy magic, yes. Holy magic spells would draw power from the Gods, of which there were five: The first and most powerful was Flare Dragon Cepheid, who created four subordinates, of which Aqualord Ragradia was one. Cepheid disappeared after the Shinma War, approximately five thousand years ago, whereas Ragradia was killed a thousand years ago as a result of the Kōma War, and the other subordinates were all sealed away behind a barrier created by the Mazoku.”

Anticipating the obvious question, Rezo continues: “The Mazoku are the natural enemy of the Gods, and the source of Dark magic. They are far more numerous than the Gods, and even I could not name all of them. And Shamanistic magic draws power not from beings like the Mazoku or the Gods, but from the forces of nature itself.”

Of course, even while he’s moving slowly, Rezo is still moving, and they reach the bottom of the current flight of stairs soon enough. Feeling the change in the railing, Rezo is reminded of where exactly they are.

“Forgive me,” he says, “While I do enjoy talking about magic, I should not get distracted. Are we close to our target?”

Hun. Rezo has given him far too much to piece together for Esteban to double take at his words, simply nodding as his pace remains steady.

"Yeah, 't's right over there." His voice is softer, while he ponders at the information; Rezo's brief skim over thousands of years of history bring him to even more questions that don't yet have answers. Gods and Mazoku and at least two wars. It takes him a minute to remember where he is; time running out and people needing help. Right. Right. Distractions would have to wait.

"Alright, I'mma get anyone that needs help up here! Go ahead an' help out those you can! I'll be right back!" the half-elf promises with a grin and a wave, and he bounces away quite abruptly, feet rasping against the rocky ground as he runs off. It doesn't take long for his voice to echo between the stones, calling out to whoever can answer, searching for the lightly wounded and those with trouble moving to bring to the priest.

Soon, footsteps approach, weary voices quietly asking Rezo if he is here to help, as they linger nearby. There are a few that struggle; rasp of feet dragging on the ground, of the rattle of someone's ribcage not dragging air as deep as they would if they were healthy, and no doubts they could do with a word or two of reassurance.

Edited (forgot that there were already some people there.) 2022-05-04 21:48 (UTC)

“Stay safe,” is all Rezo manages to get out before Esteban hurries off, leaving Rezo in rough proximity to the meeting area.

Well then.

It isn’t long before Rezo hears new footsteps, and he turns and approaches the sound. It seems he has quite a few patients to take care of.

“Yes, I’m here to help. My name is Rezo, and I am a healer. Are you in need of any assistance?”

He is approached first by a woman with a painful limp; he nods along as she explains the problem, holds his hand over her leg, and casts Recovery. The woman’s uncertainty is replaced with awe at how easily she can move her leg once more, but Rezo gently waves off her thanks and her questions with reminders to head to the tethering station.

Rezo continues to be all smiles and confidence as he casts Recovery spell after Recovery spell, all too clearly in his element when it comes to fixing people up. His pool capacity may not be what it was before he arrived on the train, but it’s still considerably higher than average, allowing him to repair sprained limbs, inflamed bronchial tubes, and commonplace exhaustion within just a few moments of magic.

By the time Esteban gets back he’ll find that the gathering has thinned out considerably, and that the few people remaining are looking at Rezo as if he’s sprouted a pair of angel’s wings while he gives directions to the nearest tethering station.

It's a child Esteban is carrying when he gets back; just a mild case of a scrapped knee, but he'd tripped down the stairs, and his mothers were fussing nearby, both of them worried about any bruises and bumps he might have gotten. He glanced about the small plaza when he let the boy to a more manageable height once more, letting a soft whistle as he considers how much of it has emptied out.

"Nice. You okay though?" He asks Rezo with a raised eyebrow, checking him over for any sign of weakness. Shivering, whiteness at the tip of his fingers, blue lips-- any indication that he might be running out of mana. But then, Rezo didn't quite work that way, did he? He'd have to ask later to make sure.

"I've checked most of the streets below; so we sh'ld be ready to clear out once y're done." There's a stronger note of concern in his voice, but he doesn't prod while there are still nearby Osigans. Also, this spurs a lot more questions Esteban still wants to ask-- his magic's limitations and recovery, for example. Should he offer water? Maybe a bit of food?

Rezo waves a hand. “I am fine. This much isn’t anywhere near enough to tire me out,” he says. This dismissal is automatic, but afterwards Rezo internally does pause to pay attention… Does he feel any fatigue or pain?

Fortunately, the answer turns out to be no. Good, both because this is far too early for him to start flagging, but also because he’s not sure if he could bring himself to backpedal on his words. He really needs to figure out where his new limits are, but opportunities to test them aren’t readily available on the train.

“I am glad to hear that medical emergencies have not been commonplace as of yet,” Rezo continues. “Now, who have you brought me?”

Whatever Esteban may have to say in response is immediately interrupted by the pair of mothers frantically explaining how Firu fell down the stairs and how worried they are about how injured he might be and if they’ll be able to make it to the tethering station in time, while Rezo’s eyebrows rise a notch or two at the fretting.

"Alright, alright, lis'en." Esteban is quick to interject, trying to shelter Rezo from the anxious mothers without being dismissive. "Rezo's a great healer an' all, but he won't get much done 'f he can't check on his patient! Give him a bit of space, okay?"

He doesn't shove them off or anything, just settles between them and the priest, while leaving their child in their full view. He hadn't expected to play the part of person-barrier this morning, but if it's what's needed, he'll be happy to give them a distraction. He doesn't let them budge him when they try to move him aside to see better.

"An' the tetherin' stations aren't goin' anywhere. We'll play tour guides 'f you want!" He snickers; well aware that the economy of this world is focused on its tourism.

"By the way; you've got nice plazas 'round here, I noticed! Is there a pattern to them? Seems like a bit of a rest area when climbin' up an' down the stairs, yeah, but you've gotta use them for more than that--"

It's a... silly subject.

Well, not quite silly; Esteban doubts that these people will see their plazas again anytime soon, and their culture is no doubt going to encounter some clash from the loss. But it is a subject, and he does press the two mothers to answer him, while Rezo works behind him, trying his best to keep their attentions distracted through the procedure, if only so that they don't pester the priest.

Rezo is fortunately no stranger to anxious parents, and could probably work around them well enough on his own, but it does make things easier to have somebody else there to handle the reassurances. While Esteban keeps the boy’s mothers busy, Rezo kneels and gives him a quick examination to make sure there isn’t anything more complicated than a scrape to heal.

The boy shakes his head at Rezo’s quiet questions and squirms at the prodding. The squirming, Rezo thinks, is probably a good sign. Rezo goes ahead and casts, confident that they’re good to go with the Recovery spell. And again, there’s a warm glow, and within moments the scrapes close up and bruises fade away.

The boy stares down at his knee, his mouth open in a little O.

“I believe we’re done he-” Rezo says, just as the boy leaps up and, crying out “Moooom!”, darts back towards his mothers.

So, the half-elf had been bracing for an attack from the front. The child's ~~backstab~~ surprise tackle gets him hobbling off to the side, letting the little family gladly clutch onto each other as they speak of reassurances.

Oh well. That's all for the best, he figures. He glances at the priest again, grinning at him wordlessly before he turns to the little family.

"Alright! Now we're off to the tether stations!" He cheers, and as promised, he settles himself into the role of tour guide, nudging off to the front of the small group-- a handful of other passengers joining them as they make their way to the steps.

Esteban' blabber is easy enough to follow at least, his voice filled with eager sunshine as he speaks to-- but mostly at-- the group, mentioning things he'd noticed on his first visit here. Architecture and sunrise symbology, he lingers onto the mention of the festival and re-asks questions he might already know the answers to as they make their way up to the stairs. Rezo can easily tell when Esteban turns back to face the group-- his voice growing twice as boisterous-- as he checks to see if anyone is falling behind. Most especially his VoidTrecker companion, who'd been a bit slow to walk down to the plaza.

Rezo doesn’t exactly return Esteban’s grin, unaware that the other man is even looking at him, but Esteban may notice that he’s smiling softly at the way the family is joining in together.

“Lead the way,” he says, standing up after Esteban cheers. “I’ll be just behind you.”

And Rezo will follow along with the group, as it seems they’re done in the plaza and the tethering station will be a good place for him to regroup and figure out where he might next be needed. Not to mention they do attract attention on the way, so he can be there to help shepherd everyone.

He’ll smile a little at Esteban’s exuberance as well- and really, smiling is a default expression for Rezo, who has a reputation as a reassuring priest to keep up- but after a while he tunes out Esteban’s tour guide spiel and fidgets with his SCA.

Four hours left.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Crashing Down: Start

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Esteban is really not observant, lol. Can Rezo move around fine?

For the most part, yeah! It's not super obvious he's blind except under certain circumstances.

Got it! Thanks for clarifying~

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this is... partly canon, partly headcanon/reconciling contradictory canon stuff

Lol, welcome to Esteban asking questions that aren't (directly) in the source material XD

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Mmm, fade to black? Should I have kept Firu and his mothers around a bit more?

Nah. This seems like a good end point!