melodiesoflife | We are off to see the Crystal Tree!

Entry tags:

We are off to see the Crystal Tree!

WHO: OPEN! Those setting out towards the Crystal Tree~
WHAT: Terra has arranged an expedition. Keep in mind that this takes place after the January Event!
WHEN: January 17th - January 27th
WHERE: Plains of Sorrow, Crystal Forest & Crystal Tree~
WARNING: None.

[ooc: Information and plotting about this adventure is posted here. If you have any questions please post them here as well. It's assumed that Terra posted up a help wanted for the heroes who don't know her to see if they want to come along. Settings will be described in top posts to keep thing organized!

Please note that the Friendly Monster and Crystal Tree sections will be one long thread.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Ohhhhhh...

[She stares at the bar like some sort of valuable treasure. She probably saw him eat one or two while they were crossing the plains, and she's been curious about them...enough to know that the wrapper is peeled off at the very least.]

You really don't mind? Thank you so much!

[Rialynn accepts, looking up at him as if he were her new best friend. He just might be. That was honestly very thoughtful of him! Her eyes light up and sparkle as she proposes her next question.]

Well, as long as my stomach isn't making any obnoxious noises...do you want to take a look around?

[Exploration is far more fun (and much safer!) with a buddy.]

He wasn't answering with his name? That was a little spooky. Maybe she should have sat a little further away. Gingerly she took the salt pouch back and tucked it away.

"Rialynn," she answered, a little more shy about answering questions that had to do with her personally. She knew Terra, but hadn't really spoken to the others that much. All of them seemed to have an otherworldly color of hair or eyes. Or both. Was that really the norm in this world?

Her eyes remained on the ground. "I hurt people Vincent... I became a monster. The monster I've always feared and... I found love but it wasn't..." It wasn't Sephiroth and Terra had no idea what to do. She remembered everything so keenly that it still hurt to think about.

She didn't remember killing anyone but she hurt people.

"I'm sorry." She wanted to cry but she didn't deserve that release. Her pain was nothing compared to what she had bestowed onto others.

Jade was distracted. In his defense, he had reason to be. Although he knew he had arrived in Mysidia two days earlier, a part of his mind kept insisting it had happened two years ago. Trying to wrap his head around the memories that weren't quite memories was giving him some trouble.

And that wasn't even accounting for the things he remembered doing.

It was therefore no surprise that Jade was quieter than usual today, walking in the back of the group and handling his campsite duties with mechanical efficiency. Anyone who knew him well enough would likely notice the lack of the usual smiles and jabs. Still, he had promised to come and help uncover the secrets of the forest... even if he did wonder whether he should be trusted with such knowledge now.

Edited 2016-01-27 16:22 (UTC)

In truth, this world needed more people to be able to mesh so well together as Sephiroth and Vincent did not only with their approaches to duty, but their cool-headed logic and reasonable way of thinking. Most of the time, anyway. There had been a certain atmosphere that lingered around some of the other Heroes in the wake of whatever they'd been shown by the Sage a couple of days ago, but both himself and Vincent hadn't been affected so it was in fact rather comfortable to be taking a watch with him tonight.

It wasn't for a good few paces, and a long sweep of his vision out over the horizon that Sephiroth dared to make a low comment. Even if it was a kind-of opportunist one, in case Vincent might have any troubles himself during their journey so far.

"The others seem to be coping well, camping out under an open sky like this."

Reaching out, careful of his claws on his gauntlet, to rest his left hand on her shoulder. "Terra," Voice gentle, quiet and soft. "From what I understand, it was a vision of a possible future. Not what has to be." Or such was his hope, even if some seemed wanted to live up to what they had seen.

Yuffie could indeed be an amazing Princess, but Vincent absolutely preferred if it happened in ways that played out differently than what she's told him of.

A nod of acknowledgement. "Vincent Valentine." There you go Rialynn, no need to be quite so frightened. "I am also from Gaia." Like a few others on Crystallis. Allowing the silence to linger for a bit, like a comfortable friend for the darker gunslinger. Then venturing another question. "When did you arrive?"

Had Sephiroth been told of what would happen in a hypothetical future? Vincent knew because of a few people having told him. For the most part it seemed as though few wanted to talk about whatever horrors they'd witnessed.

This was not at all that different, again except in size, than traveling with Avalanche. Vincent was not encountering trouble. "That you bring experienced men who know how to set up camp has certainly lessened any learning curve needed." Was his own soft reply.

Easier for all of them to adjust, when presented with the example of military on how to 'do it right'.

He didn't move to take the seat that Kidd vacated, still unsettled within himself whether he might patrol the perimeter first to grow a little more accustomed to the chilliness outside. With nothing in the way of landscape features that might cut the wind some it did rage rather ruthlessly across the sand sometimes. They hadn't encountered a sandstorm, of the caliber Sephiroth were used to in Esdham, but perhaps it wasn't the right time of year.

"In some ways, yes. For an example, Malboro can be a pest even in the most unexpected climes; they're quite resistant to sub-zero and also drier environments. They're not fast or particularly strong but they don't need to be."

Behemoth, in particular, Sephiroth used to take time on the outskirts of Midgar -taking them down for sport. Usually with one-hit kills. Thoughts like that brought a smile to his face as he thought on the custom job that was currently on hold in the lab waiting for him to return to.

"We're accustomed to many of the monsters, or similar ones, that are present here. Or at least, based on my own experiences."

"Aye. On the other hand given the monsters that roam these lands the extra hands are probably for the best. I'm not sure how many of us it would take to bring down....Behemoths were they?" She kept walking and tugged on the robes. Better than what she had at the start of the month but she could do better. She'd have to speak to Saori about it when she got home.

She frowned at the thought of leaving Saori worrying after her but at least she had spoken to her properly this time. And speaking of those who had been personal allies...

"You're from the same world Yuffie is...Sephiroth as well, correct? Have you encountered creatures like these where you're from?"

Vincent fidgeted far less. Politely not acknowledging his companion's fidgeting either. "It would depend on the skills of those present." Whether it was fast, or slow, to take a Behemoth down. Or whether they could, at all. "There are Behemoths on Gaia."

Not at all. There is plenty where that came from.

[Under a look like that, who wouldn't crack a smile? Sephiroth's is light and while not outstandingly friendly he nods as she takes the bar from him. They aren't the most tasty -that's a fact- but they are packed full of the nutrients anyone might need in an extended field trip like this one.]

Stomachs...have a habit of doing that when you're running on empty.

[Her last question is answered with an open shrug.]

If you'd like; I'm mostly just keeping an eye out for the troops.

Pirate clothes were made for comfort and mobility as a sailor. Assassin garb was made for similar reasons but a bloodier means. These mage robes were warm, but certainly not made for movement. She was unused to them and felt no need to keep up appearances to the contrary.

She cast a sideways glance at Vincent. Clearly he wasn't much for conversation. She'd known men like him. Most of them were very good at what they did. "I suppose so."

Definitely not one for idle conversations, sorry Kidd. Letting that train of thought and conversation die, silence comfortable and companionable to Vincent. Even if he was aware it wasn't always for others.

"Certainly not the outfit to go roof-running in." There's a hint of dry amusement in his voice. Remembering the 'official' meeting they'd had and the subsequent challenge he'd been issued.

Kidd kept a wary eye as her group moved through the dense trees. It wasn't the fact that the group was split up that concerned her about this place as it was the creatures that were said to inhabit it. Had she come as an Assassin then it wouldn't be difficult to climb the trees and scout their surroundings. With the mage jobs she came as she was stuck strictly as support.

Still, this place was beautiful. It at least had that going for it. And once they found the tree and rejoined with the others it would likely be easier to leave.

She looked to the other two. Duster was new but he seemed capable enough. And the military air that Tear carried herself with was ironically comforting to the pirate.

"What do you two think? I'm afraid I'm more used to navigating the seas than forests. At least, not from the ground."

With regards to what the others might have envisioned; Sephiroth knew well enough of situations like that to keep his nose out. This was the only time he'd been ever spared of an experience like that and so knew it would take time for the dust to settle again. What anyone would come forward to tell him, they might well do in time, but for now he's content enough not knowing. He had enough on his plate what with the expedition they were currently engaged in.

"Exactly. It certainly didn't take much consideration, to think to bring them along. I'm authorized now, at least." Not that he hadn't been in a responsible position before; the Battle of Aqures being the benchmark that had pretty much made his career.

"Those that want to learn as well have been taking part; these transferable skills might make the difference someday."

I am Tazendra. And yourself?

[Tazendra is perfectly relaxed; she was skilled and had no problem with the occasional night-time monster fight. It would jsut make the trip more interesting.]

Tazendra had been one on third watch, and was walking around, trying not to get bored. It had been decidedly quiet that night, and her sleeping habits at best had never quite gotten used to a 24 hour day.

"Ah, is it time?"

"I have not," Tazendra admitted. "I wonder why they build inside the trees rather than on the branches."

"Perhaps some sort of marking?" Tazendra didn't seem that bothered. Whatever it was, they could find their way out, and they had plenty of supplies. It would be easier if one of them could teleport. She regretted not making that appointment at the lab to get her old skills back. She'd have to do that on her return.

[He nods. She's got the spelling right. Flipping through the journal, he lets out low whistle.]

Wow, you've written a lot of stuff!

[He's impressed.]

I guess I never really thought about it, but someday people might want to know what we did.

[He looked back slightly. He will hope for a better future at least, or try to anyway. At the question though he just gives a small nod, even for a brief moment.]

So long as you are insight, it should be okay, or if you want to go further I guess if you had someone with you.

"Just about." A fall of silver on either side of his head soon receded as he nodded sharply at her. "I'm most likely a few minutes early, but you should try to catch some sleep at least before it gets light."

The last thing they'd need, in putting the camp down and moving on, would be for anyones lack of sleep to be a reason for potential delays or complications.

[Ramza started forward, giving the creature as wide of berth as the path through the thick copse of trees allowed.

The adamantoise stopped its pacing and lurched forward, taking a snapping bite at Ramza's leg. The armor he wore kept it from doing major damage, but it still smarted.]

Father above! I think we must attack. It has a foul temper.

[He swiped Excalibur at its flank as the creature retreated back out of arm's reach.]

While Duster did not have the Jobs that would allow for ease of climbing trees, as a Monk, he had strong arm and leg strength that agreed with muscle memory. Despite what Kidd and Tear could have thought when they first saw the limping, scruffy man, he knew how to navigate forest terrain. He took the lead, scouting ahead for enemies by climbing onto smaller trees and rocks. This was almost like old times, just him and his friends walking through the wildnerness, fighting off chimeras until they reached their destination.

He held out a hand to the others as the group approached a hill and ran up. He stopped mid-step on top, and with an unconcerned face, turned back.

"There's some skeletons on the road ahead," he stated in a monotone, unsurprised tone.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 5 of 22

We are off to see the Crystal Tree!

no subject

no subject

Night-Guard

Jade Curtiss | Open

Sephiroth - Plains of Sorrow - Night watch, 4th shift, a few days in?

Re: Night-Guard

no subject

Re: Sephiroth - Plains of Sorrow - Night watch, 4th shift, a few days in?

Sephiroth - Plains of Sorrow - OTA [& 4 squads of Esdham troops]

Re: Travel

Re: Travel

no subject

Re: Travel

Re: Travel

Re: Group V: Kidd, Tear, Duster

Sephiroth - Plains of Sorrow - Night watch, 4th shift, a few days in?

Re: Camp -- OTA

Re: Sephiroth - Plains of Sorrow - OTA [& 4 squads of Esdham troops]

Re: Shumi/Moomba Village

Re: Group II: Tazendra, Sheena, Vincent, Sephiroth

no subject

no subject

Sephiroth - Plains of Sorrow - OTA [& 4 squads of Esdham troops]

no subject

Group V: Kidd, Tear, Duster