melodiesoflife | Player Plot: The Crystal Caves

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Player Plot: The Crystal Caves

Who: Anyone who's signed up for the plot
Where: The Crystal Caves under the planet's surface
When: Oct 10-16
What: The Heroes are exploring the tunnels starting from beneath the Crystal Life Tree in hopes of finding something that might help them interact with the Soul Divider and the First Crystal.
Warnings: Potential battles. More to be added as needed.

The journey begins from the Crystal Life Tree. Those who can't make it there on their own are teleported by Jade, after which everyone is given their rations and equipment. After all, who knows how deep they'll have to go?

See the OOC post for information and sign-ups!

1) A Dangerous Journey - for mingling and battles
2) Signs of the Old Cycles - a modded group thread
3) ???

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Selphie is holding two cups of tea in her hands and looking at both of them quite dubiously. She offers one of them to Rukia as she sits next to her friend.]

This tea isn't going to kill us, is it?

[She looks over at what Rukia is reading and merely shakes her head in response. Rukia really liked those books didn't she?]

Another one? What's this one about?

I certainly hope not.

[ That'd be a problem for Mikleo since he doesn't want to freak out about their health and cure them of poison. They're in a very dangerous place so to speak, thus being on their guard is the most important thing they can do right now. ]

I see you're reading, Rukia.

[ He turns from Selphie to Rukia as he greets the other girl. ]

I'm fine for the time being. Please let me know if you both require medical attention.

Edited 2016-10-11 03:40 (UTC)

I don't think so. Thank you.

[It might poison, confuse, slow, paralyze, shrink, or frogitize them, but kill? Don't be silly. Rukia smiles her thanks to Selphie, wrapping her hands around the mug and chasing away the steam with a slow exhalation of breath.]

[At the mention of her book, Rukia brightens.]

Indeed! It's about a pair of werewolf brothers who slowly fall in love with one another while wrestling with their inner demons of kleptomania and shyness. It's quite scary.

[And she never knows what will happen with each stunning new chapter.]

I'm well enough at the moment. But I would prefer it if we found no more of those dead dragons.

[So saying, she rolls her shoulder with a faint wince in memory of how the thing had torn into her.]

What brings the two of you down here?

[~~Besides double experience points.~~]

[Selphie stares at the cup of tea in her hand and allows for it to warm her hands up instead as she casts a bland look at Rukia's choice in literature. If one wanted to call it that at any rate. Given some of the books that had been read to Selphie during her week of bed rest, she's hardly surprised at the synopsis of the book.]

Romance novels? Sheesh. You need some adventure stories in your life.

[She pulls a small candy from a pouch and pops it in her mouth. Her throat was still a bit sore but she was well enough to wander about again as Selphie beams at Mikleo.]

I'm okay but I'll let you know. [She grumbles.] Stupid Zombies making me waste white magic just to clear them outta the way...

[Speaking of white magic, Selphie throws another Cura volley at Rukia when she sees that wince.]

I want to learn more about this place and I wanna pay back some favours.

[Selphie may or may not have been pestering Jade for more info about Crystallis after his report came out.]

[ Mikleo smiles when she beams up at his comment. He can stand by an individual who enjoys reading books just as much as he does. Maybe that’s an understatement but he’s gotten used to having Rukia around as a person he can talk to about his nerdy ways. ]

H-Huh?

[ And he got suddenly excited over nothing. He doesn’t really comment against her reading interest but even that makes him look a little confused. ]

I see, so it’s some sort of folklore—fiction right?

[ He replied giving her a once over. ] Scary huh?

[ Now maybe he’s a little interested but not really. ]

Ah yes, the dead dragons.

[ He’s only seen a few dragons in his lifetime. Most of which were either dead or no longer exist. One being Edna’s brother who was turned into a Dragon. Eizen was it? ]

I heard there was some sort of excursion going on. I figured I’d offer a hand, seeing that I would very much like to see the inside of it all. It’s rather dangerous to go alone, however.

[ Yes, he’s after the ruins-- all the ruins. ]

Favors? What do you owe Selphie? I am glad to hear you are alright.

[Rukia blinks in surprise. The supposed pain was only phantasmal, a grim reminder of their tussle, but she supposes it can't hurt to get some extra healing just in case she missed anything. She gives her shoulder a light roll then smiles, inclining her head.]

Thank you. I've tried adventure stories, but they're a little predictable.

[There's more dialogue in horror stories too, which help her improve her vocabulary and ability to communicate with others. Or so she believes, anyway. Nodding vigorously to Mikleo, she digs in her pack until she finds the last book she read and passes it to him: 'Born to Be Bound.' Enjoy, Mikleo!]

Correct! And a fine choice for the holiday season, I might add.

[She looks awfully proud of herself. Of course, if Mikleo doesn't want it, he can surreptitiously put it in ~~Albel's~~ someone else's bag to let them discover the fun. But she, too, is interested in what favors Selphie thinks she owes.]

Favors to who? Jade?

[Not. That. Book. Anything but that book. Selphie stares at it in disbelief before she makes quick work of claiming it for her own and stuffing it into her own pack. Nobody needs to be subjected to that book like she was when she'd come down with her cold. She stares at Rukia before emphatically shaking her head.]

Nooooooo no no no no no no no! You don't wanna read that Mikleo. You really, really don't wanna read it. Choose Your Own Adventure books are the best! You should try those out sometime.

[Selphie really is of a mind to burn 'Born to be Bound' as she will stubbornly refuse to relinquish it if they demand its return. When the conversation turns back to the perky brunette's reason for being in those caves though, she relaxes and smiles softly.]

Jade for always answering my questions and helping me out when I first took over Cuppa Kupo from Anise and Rukia for looking after me last week when you didn't have to.

But I think some things you have to see up close so I think this is one of those times.

"Born to Be Bound?"

[ He stared at the book with an incredulous look for a moment. Somehow the title itself was telling him not to delve into it. He probably won't for his own sanity but the boy can't help but be curious at what was inside it. He stared at her for a moment before replying. ]

I see, so you rather like stories of adventures and fantasy.

[ He wasn't in any way insulting her or anything. He's merely making an observation as he nods his head. ]

It has a rather intriguing title. I am rather curious of what the contents are.

[ He puts a hand under his chin as he held the book in his hand at the stammering of Selphie. Choose Your Own Adventure, books? Humans surely have a huge imagination. Then again he rather loved folklore and the Celestial Record was something he buried his face in. It was a factual piece of work in the end but before it was only telling of legends. He was content in finding that the legends were reality. ]

I see.

Oi, don't take things that don't belong to you.

[Rukia just takes it right back out of the pack, brushing it off with her fingers. Mikleo is an adult, he can make his own decisions about what he wants to read. Besides, if it's not his thing, she needs to return it to the library like the responsible patron that she is.]

[She also might be trying to think of a way to hide it in Jade's things later just to get back at him for making him spit her coffee all over the lab.]

[Speaking of Jade, she's a little surprised to hear that he lent Selphie a hand at the Cuppa Kupo. That's kind of him. So that's why he was moving about as a waiter...! She snaps back to the discussion at hand, glancing between the two.]

Well, there's a summary on the back. You can see for yourself if it's your type of book.

[Flipping it over, she passes the novel to Mikleo before loosely holding her knees.]

This is a strange place. I wonder why it's so heavily populated with reanimated corpses. What could they possibly hope to find down here? How did they get here in the first place? It's perplexing.

Hey!

[Selphie's about to protest Rukia going through her own pack after confiscating the book when the conversation turns to the matter at hand. Her arms wrap around her torso as she looks at their surroundings with trepidation. She wasn't too keen on these caves and would be tickled pink to leave them.]

Well, we are underneath a giant crystal tree. It doesn't help with the creepiness of this place though. I think we'll be okay if we all stick together. Safety in numbers and all that jazz.

[ Mikleo stares clueless at the two girls as they talk on about something he can’t quite understand. He watches as Rukia takes the book back into her hands. He raises a brow as he waits to see what happens next. He is an adult and he does appreciate that Rukia is letting him be one. Of course, he’s not sure that the book is what he needs to be an adult with. He just lets out a sigh as he waits for the two of them to finish whatever they are finishing up. ]

I’ll—make sure to look into it before I make any decisions. Thank you, Rukia.

[ He manages a bit of a smile and a laugh at the two of them. They are good friends. He’ll admit that much. ]

I’m not entirely sure but a place with reanimated corpses seems to be hiding something if you ask me. People usually use such methods to keep people out. If we don’t let it get to us, we can pursue the answers that we seek.

[ Mikleo points out in an almost sage like way. For a boy, he has a way with words. He outs the book away in his bag for the time being. ]

Indeed. I think it is better for all of us if we remain together.

Perhaps. Their presence certainly does seem unnatural.

[Her brow knits, for the presence of any sort of undead is enough to trouble a soul reaper.]

I wonder if someone placed them here intentionally, or if they're remnants of battles long since passed. There are certainly plenty of clues to indicate that there is a history of strife within these tunnels. I wonder.

[The problem is, there's no one they can ask who truly knows. The sage might, but he's been so reluctant to explain anything, she doubts there's any point in asking him. Rukia sighs.]

[Selphie frowns herself, admitting to herself that she's very ill-at-ease in these caves.]

Well, we came here for a reason and we're not gonna let a bunch of undead get in our way. They're trying to keep us from something, that's for sure.

Indeed. That is why I'm posing this theory. It's unsettling in a way. I wonder what really is going on.

[ He muses as he places a hand under his chin. He looks off for a moment before replying to Rukia again. He thinks that it might be the case. After all, since people only want to create danger to shield a secret. At least, that's what he's been learning. ]

So I've heard. We'll be able to learn more about everything, including all the cycles.

[ Mikleo gives Selphie a worried look for her frown. ]

No, we'll fight our way through if we have to. I believe we'll get more answers from moving forward than withdrawing at this point.

Agreed.

[Rukia nods to the both of them, solemn and serious.]

Would that I knew more about this world to divine the appropriate answers to our questions. It's fortunate that we have those with us who are more knowledgeable, like Jade and Sparks. They may be able to connect some of the fragments together that we could not.

[She shifts her legs to the side, leaning on one hand.]

We should also get some rest soon, especially if we have guard duty tonight.

Yeah...

[ Selphie scowls at the mention of guard duty. She hadn't lucked out with the watch shifts at all. ]

I never thought I'd be doing guard duty or camping out with friends again while saving the world. We'll get to the bottom of this together.

Indeed. I would like to learn more about the knowledge that they possess. Such knowledge will be useful to all of us in the future, I'm certain.

[ He nods to her words as well. ]

I want to be able to assist with the matter as well. I can take the first shift guarding if you want.

[ He offers Rukia as she suggests they rest. Seraphim didn't need too much rest and Mikleo seems to think his human body can manage it. ]

It's not like we have much of a choice considering the threats that are wandering about at night. It will be alright, Selphie.

[Rukia chuckles and shakes her head.]

Jade is the one in charge of assigning guard duty shifts. If he hasn't approached you about it, I wouldn't worry too much. But I'm glad you're willing to help.

[They're both shining examples of how a young brave Hero should be.]

Rest well. I'll see you both in the morning.

[Or whatever passes for morning in these caves.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Player Plot: The Crystal Caves

2!

room for one more?

Always!

Meebo in the middle~

always in the middle you all. XD

Nuh uh, Rukia was the sandwich filling last time!

Just as long as it's not Selphie turn next...

Selphie in the middle ~

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ugh, fail tag is fail...

all good no worries

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