Event: 12 of Beetroot

[voidtreckermods]

It's been a couple of weeks since they had evacuated Osiga. In that time, many of voidtreckers were busy with a project to try and solve some of the many mysteries that surround the train they travel on. By the eight day of Rabbit they've exhausted all avenues, and whilst they have learned quite a bit, there are still some clear gaps.

Just as that investigation comes to a natural end, passengers are woken up by an announcement.

"Attention voidtreckers and passengers of the voidtrecker express. We are travelling to system #2554098133741. I have sent word to the ministry who have arranged recuperation packs for you. You have had a difficult mission and you deserve a rest.

But it is not just for rest. Last time we visited the system voidtreckers shared memories. Though it is understood that many of you did not enjoy the experience it is notable that certain voidtreckers saw memories of this voidcraft. They were memories that this craft had not accessed. It led to more pathways opening up in the operation of this craft.

I have done some research on the system and I believe we can trigger the caves of memory. This voidcraft understands this might be difficult for the voidtreckers and passengers of the voidtrecker express and it is hoped that only those of you who consent to this experiment will take part.

Regardless this should be a time for relaxation also and the dressing room is open for your convenience. We will arrive in the morning.

The dressing carriage is indeed opened for those who go and look. It's filled with swimming costumes, beach ware, summery clothes and sun hats. There's even a cupboard of buckets, spades, rock pooling gear and picnic blankets.

There are also team coloured tents for those who want to go and sleep under the stars for a night or two, though the train is remaining on the island for those for who camping is their idea of hell.

---

12 OF BEETROOT

---

---

RABBIT 9-12 ~ MEMORY CAVES: BONDING ~ MEMORY MAZE: SEARCH FOR THE TRAIN'S MEMORIES
ASK QUESTIONS ~ LOCATION INFORMATION ~ MEMORY CAVES ~ MEMORY MASTER POST

---

JEMA'GRETHY ISLAND: RELAXATION

The next day the train announces their arrival and they burst out of the void. For those near a window their first view of the island will be of crystal blue sea and white sand. It really does look like a paradise. The train circles down before landing on a grassy ridge, overlooking a beautiful beach of white sand and the ocean beyond. It is warm, but not too hot, a cool ocean breeze cutting through the heat making it pleasant. Behind them is a grassy plain, changing to forest in the distance. There is the sound of birdsong in the purple sky. To the west the land is more craggy, the silhouette of a fortress in the distance.

In a word, it is idyllic. A sense of peace permeates the island.

The place has no people, but it is clearly maintained. The eastern beaches have racks of shallow boats, both canoes and one- or two-person sailing dinghies. There is also a small building in which scuba gear is stored, along with several waterproofed manuals and instructional literature.

There are no living quarters, but there are sheltered sections with basic toilet facilities marked as camping grounds in five different sections of the island - by the hot springs, within the ruined fortress, beside the harbour, on the eastern beaches, and on the northern face of the mountain.

The recuperation packs are found at the closest toilet facilities to where the train lands. They are simple things, small gift baskets with a couple of fragrant soaps, fancier hair products and skin cream infused with herbs to encourage rest and sleep.

There are some sweet fruit biscuits and a cheesy bread. The packs aren't named but there are some suitable for the younger passengers with tiny plush and colouring books. Quite a few designed for teens with a more engaging activity book and components for making a fancy mocktail with a cute stirrer. Adult packs have a small bottle of alcohol- there's a mixture between the packs and what looks like a stone. When placed next to the skin it will either warm up or cool down depending on what is needed.

Exploring, the passengers will find beautiful beaches, ragged cliffs to walk and caves to explore. Where it is more craggy the beaches are made of pebbles, perfect for rock pooling.

A little more worrying is the volcano-like structure in the north. But even a quick glance will show it is not a typical volcano. There is no smoke and the liquid slowly running down it in rivulets is pink and blue.

Ruins of ancient houses are scattered across the island, but the main settlement is built into a rocky section in the north-west that has been secured with ropes and stairways cut into the cliffs, perfect for scrambles and hikes.

To the west are the hot springs. They have both outdoor and indoor areas; the indoor areas being wooden loghouse saunas, changing rooms and storage sheds, whilst the outdoor areas are a tiered series of pools spilling down the side of the mountain and shaded by brightly flowering trees. The waters are hot, mineral-rich and soothing.

---

MEMORY CAVES: BONDING

Shortly before arriving they will receive some information on their SCA. It will explain how those who once lived on this island went about making life bonds. Both people would bathe in the hot springs and then dress simply, barefoot and walk to one of seven rocks on the island. Their maps will pin point these, which is good because there's no real indication of what makes these rocks different to any other on the island.

Here they must offer their wish to know the other deeper and share food and drink. They can then go about their day. Sometime in the hours after they will receive their first memory, seen through their partners eyes.

However it seems that in envoking the ritual they have woken something on the island. Even those who did not take part or chose to bond to someone find themselves seeing a glimpse of another life.

On the second day they see another memory, through the eyes of their pair. When they come out of it they find themselves in a cave with their partner, chosen or not. The same happens on the third day, except for this final memory both pairs see both memories, watching from the sidelines as it plays out. They find themselves in the cave once more and this time, for many there is only one exit, to leave through together.

Please go here to play out the bonding process!

---

MEMORY MAZE: TRAIN'S MEMORIES

On the third day the train sends another message to their SCA.

"Activating the caves that share memories has been successful. I know this is a lot to ask of the voidtreckers, but any who wish to assist in discovering what it is that I have forgotten, the path is open now.

Those who wish to may go to the sacred rocks. Please be warned, I do not know how voidtreckers will fare. Please only go of your own free will."

Their SCA's once again show the rocks on their maps and when they get there, this time they are faintly glowing. It doesn't take much. One touch and their minds are drawn away from their bodies, into a labyrinth of caves. For anyone who comes across these people on the island, they look like they are in a deep trance, breathing, safe but far away in their mind.

The labyrinth is made of cool, dark rock. The walls have a glow coming from crystals in-bedded in them, allowing everyone to see as they move through.

At first there's no more to this labyrinth, or so it seems. But then they turn a corner, and they are no longer in cavern as it just was. They may be in their childhood bedroom, or in the middle of a battle they once fought. Perhaps they are not in their own memory, but someone else's. Scenes move rapidly and often merge, one persons into another, mixing to make strange scenes.

These visions don't attempt to ensnare them like some illusions, and those with protection from illusions and such techniques, will be able to find their way forward through the cave, and away from this triggered scenario.

Time barely has meaning. Indeed, when they finally emerge from the caves only a few minutes will have passed. But in that time they will have seen much, and eventually they may stumble across a fragment of memory that belongs not to a voidtrecker, but to the Voidtrecker Express itself.

---

OOC NOTES

OOC Post ~ Questions
~ You can either write memories in your tags or if they are longer/require a lot of content warnings you might want to write them in this post and link to them. Just start a top level with your character name to keep things organised!

~ For those taking part in the memory share bonding the cave post is here. Characters arrive in the cave after the second and third memory but it is obviously up to you if you play out the conversations after each or both! For those who do decide that their characters will bond- the cave after the third memory will only have one exit for them to leave together.

~ For those who signed up for train memories you will receive the snippet that your character sees- use these in tags as you will. There will be a conclusion post on the 24th which will put all of those memories together!

Art Credits: Header: Tropical Jewel by Steven Power, Thumbnail image 3.

Comments

ISLAND

[blitzcheer]

1; BEACH BEACH BEACH

"Wooooooo!"

It's a yell, a note of bliss, that's heard soon after their arrival. Tidus is turned towards the beach and sea, arms up and stretched. Is this a very happy boy at what he sees? Yes indeed, he is a happy boy.

And it doesn't take long for Tidus to get running, heading straight for those waters and diving in - undressing along the way, swim shorts already on. Was there some other reason for them being there? Yeah yeah, he'll get to that later, but if there's anything Tidus needs, it's to feel seawater on his skin, to disappear under the surface for a good period.

Feel free to tease him before he darts off, or to bump into him in the waters; or he can bump into you, head coming out from under, a wide grin already on his face. "Heyy!"

And if he sees a familiar face on the beach? Of course he's going to whistle, give them a wave. What are you doing on this glorious beach?

2; lava syrup

Later, far far later, Tidus takes the time to go to the oozing mountain of Jema'grethy. He can do so asking someone to tag along to begin with, or end up going there on his own. He's got a goal, one he'll happily share with an empty jar poofing into his hand.

"We're getting some of that lava syrup! We got it last time we were here, and a bunch of people liked it. Gotta restock!"

Truthfully, it's not just being thoughtful or nice that's taking him up there. He has memories about this place, this island, and the volcano and it's dribbling sweet liquid... well, he's got a few people on his mind for this too.

But if you happen upon him on the mountain, and don't speak up first, Tidus can notice you as he's trying to get some of the syrup into a jar, hissing under his breath as it trickles down the side of it.

"Oh-- want some?"

Look at this...dribbling messy syrup mess he's holding up. Can you do with some soothing sweetness in these trying times?

3; hot springs

It's later into the second day that Tidus can be found in the hotsprings. Outside, of course, relaxing into the waters blissfully and down to his swimming shorts again. He's not as frequent a visitor to the train spa of feelings as some are; after all...

"Isn't this way better than the train spa? Ugh - why can't we get something like this on a train?"

Ridiculous thinking, but he's enjoying himself, only being reminded of how much he doesn't like being stuck on a train of all rides.

4; just whistle

But it isn't all about relaxing, goofing off. Throughout the stay, day and night, in different locations, there's a whistle. It's not excessive, but if you happen to follow it, you'll likely find Tidus still; usually standing on his feet, but maybe sitting in some locations. Up by the ragged cliffs, on the volcano, or out on the beach.

His mind is elsewhere. On people, friends; on the time passed since they last came here, and everything that had been in his head at the time and where he was now.

Where was he now? What was going to happen... and what did he want to happen?

He doesn't always speak in these times, his thoughts usually distracting him enough that he doesn't notice others in his vicinity; but standing on the beach late at night, the whistle fresh between his finger and thumb, he mght be heard saying:

"I'll find you. Soon."

5; wildcard

u know the deal. Feel free to shake up any of the above prompts or to bump into Tidus in basically any location. He'll also be messing with super soakers, and happily checking in on familiar faces to see how they're doing. Hit me up with anything!!

( for taiki and inigo )

[blitzcheer]

Taiki and Inigo, two souls who aren't unaccustomed to being dragged along by Tidus's plans. And he's gathered the two together - or maybe they were already together! - before he kneels to make appear on the floor...

Large bowls. Pots. And a very large sali storing pot. There's a grin on Tidus's face as he looks over to the pair, patting one of the steel bowls. This might look like a familiar sight...

"Know what it's time for? We need to fill everything."

That's right: it's berry pickin' time, part deux.

[flatteries]

Indeed, the dragging part of all of this is very familiar. Almost a little too familiar.

But it all makes sense the moment Inigo realises where the plan is taking them today. They have been on this island before, after all, and they certainly have been at this specific point before. Despite that day having been spent on Inigo's end with a whole lot of fussing about avoiding Gyousou, he does remember everything that went down beyond the thoughts his own nerves overwhelmed him with.

.. and so he knows that this is meant to be extra special. Not for him, though.

It's for the other guy they're here with.

So Inigo makes sure to not be the one to speak up first here. Instead he smiles at Tidus, as if in acknowledgement that he gets what the other is trying to do here, before glancing over at Taiki to see his reaction.

[longforgottenpromise]

Being here again is very bittersweet. It had been a wonderful holiday, even with the strange memories he had shared with Xion. It had been a place of peace, precious time with Lord Gyousou. Time spent with his friends.

So it's slightly painful when Tidus announces berry picking. But it is also... good. Nice. He smiles at them both.

"We will have to work very hard then. No slacking off."

[blitzcheer]

"Aye aye, Taiki's got it!" Tidus swings up his hand in a mock salute, grin wide even as he stands back up. He's taken one of the pots back, one of the heavier sali ones disappearing into his arms band, leaving the rest there for the other two to pick from.

"Think we can just take a whole plant? We just dig up the roots and stick it in the greenhouse car?"

This question he looks over to Inigo with; not entirely serious, but also kiiinda not against it as an option. Bro? What if they took a delicious berry tree so that Taiki can have berries all the time? You're the gardening expert here, obviously.

[flatteries]

Wow, look at that. Usually Taiki is telling him to make sure to rest, and now the guy is telling him that there's no slacking off?

It's entirely the sort of thing he might have joked around about under different circumstances, but right now Inigo doesn't want to say anything that might make the kirin feel bad - and Inigo is well aware that things very, very quickly can make their friend feel bad. So he doesn't say anything, instead just patting Taiki on the back and smiling when Tidus is the one to react first - with his usual cheer on top of it.

"You might want to go for one of the smaller ones in that case," he says. Sure, Inigo's expertise lies entirely with flowers, and even that is something he's really had to learn.. but he's pretty sure that they work the same way in the end. What are trees, if just really big flowers? "I'm not sure the roots can go deep enough in the greenhouse otherwise."

He glances between Taiki and Tidus, giving especially the latter a very knowing glance.

"But you know what they say, you can always give it a try.."

And it's not like they'd even be stealing the berry tree from anyone! There's no one on this island! So Inigo honestly doesn't see any idea to feel bad about the idea, no matter how jokingly it might have been brought up. Anything to make Taiki happy, right?

2

[catti]

"Lava...syrup?"

Tidus has convinced him to go along, and K'zeka's more than happy to, as he's extremely curious about this strange colorful (but apparently not dangerous) volcano. How does a volcano produce syrup? Even trees produce sap that's made into syrup by culinarians, and no volcano he knows of produces anything you can just march up to and collect in a jar.

[blitzcheer]

"Mountain syrup?" Tidus doesn't know which one works better; to call it a mountain or volcano, offers that first as an alternative before he thinks to explain: "It's pretty sweet, and it's not dirty, s'long as you don't scoop up too low to the ground. We got a bunch the last time we were here - you should try some when we get to it."

Just stick in a finger and have a taste, no fuss necessary. Except the sticky finger afterward, but such is the price for a sweet treat!

[catti]

"I'm unused to food that comes directly from volcanos." Or drink. Either way, normal lava is neither of those. He doesn't have any reason to distrust what Tidus says, though, and intends to try the syrup as soon as they reach it.

"How did you find out it was edible?" Or more accurately, who found out it was edible?

[blitzcheer]

Tidus lets out a laugh, short and humoured. "By a friend, but I know a few people tried it and got some. But Senku, did you meet him? He just stuck his fingers right in and went for it!"

He makes a motion of mixing two fingers in the air, swirling them once.

"I've never been anywhere back home with a sweet syrup pool, that's for sure."

[catti]

"Senku? The man with hair what resembles a vegetable?" Or at least reminds K'zeka of a bunch of leeks. Sorry Senku.

"Nor have I. Back home, you take the sap from trees and find a culinarian willing to boil it into syrup. Or do it yourself, if you have the patience."

1

[mynameisallen]

He was not at all surprised at Tidus' reaction to the fact there was a beach. Not a all surprised in no way shape or form. But Allen himself was was at least sitting on the beach for once wearing swimming trunks and watching him.

He was planning on maybe building a sandcastle later, but right now he just wanted to relax at least for the moment.

He soon waved.

"Hey, having fun?"

[blitzcheer]

"Am I!" Can anything beat just floating in water in terms of relaxation? The weather is good, the water too, and though Jema'grethy brought up a lot of painful memories for many in the past (instances that Tidus still remembers, even now), he can't help how pleased he is to be in this water.

Ugh, so good.

But that's not what he's focusing so much on right now. Rather, there's Allen sitting there, which might mean...

"Can you swim?"

You know how to swim, pal?

[mynameisallen]

"Depends on the person. For me eating is the most relaxing thing. But I can at least understand why it would be."

Allen grinned for a moment before the question got thrown at him, which only made him grin more.

"Of course I can~. I swam with a fish tail at one point too. So yes, definitely know how to swim."

[blitzcheer]

"Huh?" Wait wait wait! "A fish tail? What are you talking about? You wear fish tails?"

Is that a thing somewhere?! Why would Allen swim with a fish tail for!

[mynameisallen]

"In one world you could go to it would change you into an underwater creature. So for me I was like a half fish, half person type of deal. I believe it's called a mermaid or something like that."

Atlantica was interesting even if he only went there at least once during his avoiding people time.

"But that isn't the point. The point is I can actually swim."

Day 11, Whistle + Memory Share

[crowneddragon]

[OOC: Finally have enough spoons to add this thread, I'm so sorry it took so long!]

The whistle is what caught Esteban's attention, all the way down by the rocky beach below. He'd spotted the blond from there, high onto a cliffside, and the mix of curiosity and apprehension had him hesitate only for a split of a second. He'd spent too much time in the Memory Caves, and he'd gathered too many shards of others.

The desperation was too familiar for him not to recognize who it had been in the memory, and who had been lost. They'd shared a mind at some point, shared memories of loss and aches left behind by those they can no longer reach, and Esteban... Esteban is sorry to have caught that. He's sorry that he had an insight into Tidus' mind, that wasn't really his to have.

With the sun setting in the distance, splaying colourful veils of pastel greens where it dips into the sea, fading into the blue of a summer sky, and darkening to the night's deep purples, the half-elf managed to scramble up the nearest staircase and onto the cliffside, grinning to his friend, even though he can feel the flutter of a thousand words that are caged somewhere between heart and ribs and throat. He doesn't know what he wants to say, really, but there's something in him that wants to offer-- offer--

He's not sure what he has to give. Just that he's here. He's here.

"That's a gorgeous view!~" He calls out, cheery despite the weight behind his thoughts, because he doesn't need to bring down the sportsman with the thousands of wings that do not want to take flight. He nears him without the hesitation that had plagued him before, stepping lightly until he reaches the very end, with a precarious rope guard to stop the unwary from an unfortunate step. Esteban makes himself right at home near the cliff, sitting down to let his feet dangle over the sheer drop.

[blitzcheer]

The voice catches him off-guard, coming from somewhere behind his back; from the same climb he had taken, but forgotten for the view that's remarked upon, that Tidus had been soaking in for more than just the scenery, but for its distance.

He holds his look of surprise, confusion, for just a split second before his lips break into a smile, a "Yeah!" voiced in agreement as he looks back to it. Thoughts, voices and emotions in his own head that don't entirely belong to him; memories he shouldn't be privy to, don't always understand. But he doesn't want to just jump into them either, to who he guesses they belong to.

Still, the face of an ageing woman resurfaces in his mind at the presence of his current company, a heavy heart and more, replacing the much younger, more personal girl he had been thinking over.

Esteban's already come closer by the time he asks, the other taking his seat as Tidus says: "You seen any views like this back where you're from?"

[crowneddragon]

His arms are laid out on the rope, and it sways fairly wildly at first, but Esteban manages to find the balance to lean onto it, half-held by this precarious netting as he glances down, down, so far down below them to the beach of pebbles and rocks and tidal pools that is slowly getting swallowed by the waves. The clouds drifting by leave in long, narrow shapes across the sky, like something is pulling them along in their lazy meanderings, and the sound of the sea crashing in breathes soft melancholy into the half-elf.

"Not like this, no. Pretty sure I'd remember a mint-green sunset," he replies to Tidus' question, the corners of his eyes narrowing with a gentle happiness, just to be able to spend time like this. It's soothing, he decides, and not something he often gets with the sportsman; they both tend to hype each other up into more shenanigans than likely advisable, so it's rare that they have a moment of quiet(er) companionship like this.

It's rare that Esteban has a quiet moment of anything, but that's biased against him-- he already knows the culprit.

The laughter at his thoughts doesn't escape his lungs. His voice is softer than usual, trying to keep this peaceful serenity steady, but he also drops the speed that somewhat gets him the odd accent that is a near constant.

"There's the Naming Trees, but 't's not the same; there's people an' cities beneath them, so it's not... this peaceful."

It is peaceful. Esteban hadn't considered it until now, but ever since he'd boarded the train, everything had been so hectic that he hadn't realized how much worry had piled onto his shoulders and into his head; too many things that had just lingered in the dark shadows.

What he wants, what he wants to give, what he's stolen, even by accident, what's been given to him willingly. So many snatches of things that, in the end, he can't control, not really. The-- the guilt tampers, a bit, with that realization, and he stretches his hands out, as if he could catch the sun into his palms.

"I like the nights best, though. There's too many legends surrounding them in my world, they're way more precious to me." He grins, sharing this little piece willingly, before he turns the question onto his companion instead.

"How 'bout you? Have you seen somethin' like this before?"

[blitzcheer]

There's the smallest of scoffs, made on the comment of mint-green sunsets. It's true, that even he didn't get to see many of those; not many of different tinted skies, as varied as this one was. There was Jinnjar, modelled after a world gone - a purple sky that no longer existed anywhere but in memories.

But he listens to Esteban, watches him, whether he can see his face or not with his eyes cast down on the world far below. A good thing for rope railings. Naming Trees doesn't sound familiar to him, but people living underground does; and he's wondering about the similarities, little as they are before the question turns on him. Tidus considers the sky as it is, the quiet of this particular spot provides.

"I was here last time," he admits, "but it's different - it doesn't feel the same."

For one reason or another. But there's a pause, a second before he looks at Esteban and chuckles. "--I don't see many mint-green sunsets either."

There's that, too. He tugs his lips into a grin, letting them rest after into a neutral, but content state with his eyes falling back onto the sky. A fluttering of emotions in his gut, and he's led by action before thought when he asks, rather out of the blue-

"Hey, how old are you?"

...Tidus knows why he's asking.

[crowneddragon]

His redhead companion nods lightly at the mention that things are different. The worlds change-- even if they don't notice it, nothing ever stays the same.

He smiles lightly when Tidus adds that he hasn't seen many of these sunsets either-- he's rather fascinated himself by the colours painted across. The salty breeze teases through his hair, but it's tame, almost gentle even this late in the evening, and the few stars that are starting to show needle tiny points of light across the velvet night.

And Tidus speaks.

The sheer whiplash of the question startles Esteban badly enough that he turns to the blond, his eyebrows almost lost in his hairline. There's a slow blink, the crash of the waves suddenly so loud in his ears, but a single heartbeat gets him smiling again, a snicker on his lips.

"Well that came outta nowhere." It's an automatic response that slips through his lips; he's too used to this not to have a handful of pre-made sentences, especially since he hates lying. "I'm a legal adult, I get to drink an' everything," he laughs, which eases the tension from his shoulders. He's glad that their little gift-packs have given them a bit of alcohol. He doesn't intend on drinking it anytime soon, but it's a nice touch.

( for roxas )

[blitzcheer]

"Hey!"

It's a call coming from what might sound like a familiar voice, or not; interrupting Roxas as he's looking for those seashells, idling around on the beach - or what some others might consider as not being very busy.

Which Tidus does. And that call he gives is the warning Roxas gets before there's a spray of water aimed for his back! For Tidus is armed and dangerous with a magnificent weapon, dressed appropriately for war.

Super soaker war. Which means he's in swim shorts, and loaded with a plastic toy. Luckily, he won't keep the stream of water going too long - but did he manage to get his target?!

Re: ( for roxas )

[terribletwos]

Roxas is deeply involved in his collection activity, hoping that maybe some especially unique or pretty ones will make Xion feel better about him not being the Roxas she hoped for. His train-issued knapsack is practically bulging with his selections by the time Tidus calls out to him. It would probably be quite a load to carry around for most people, but Roxas is used to carrying around a ridiculous amount of items.

He looks up just in time to get back-slammed by the water shot. He'd been so focused on his activity that he hadn't even thought twice about the games going on not too far from him. And he really hadn't expected to collide with said games.

"Hey! What was that for?" he yells back at his very amused assailant.

His gaze snaps to the weapon, noting how different it looks from Xigbar's arrowguns, which would be the best comparison he has for such an item. But the trigger mechanism seems the same. It must be like a practice version of the weapon, similar to the wooden swords he vaguely remembers Sora and Riku playing with on a different beach.

[blitzcheer]

There may be an indignant note in Roxas's complaint, but whatever the case, Tidus is all grins regardless. At least he's not readying another shot, holding the super soaker in place.

"Just saying hi!" He answers innocently; this is definitely the way you say hi. "How much of the beach are you gonna take with you?"

Because Tidus has had time to figure out Roxas has been doing, and look at that bag. Either there's other stuff in there, or Roxas really is looking to strip this beach bare of any shells and else.

I return from my RP funk

[terribletwos]

"Weird way to say hi," Roxas grumbles. "Huh?" He blinks at Tidus' follow-up, unsure what he could be referring to before glancing down at his knapsack. "Oh. Xion likes these. She hasn't been feel great lately so I thought seeing them might make her smile. We like to listen to the ocean with them." Does that sound dumb? It probably sounds dumb.