We are off to see the Crystal Tree!

[greenmagick]

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.]

Comments

Shumi/Moomba Village

[greenmagick]

[The creatures here were peaceful and happy to have visitors in their town however they seem weary of the Crystal Forest itself. It’s easy to get lost however the Shumi will give hints and clues that will help the heroes through the Crystal maze. It’s a small village with a sparkling stream cutting through its center as well as basic shops.

The town has been built with the trees and terrain instead of merely sitting on top of the landscape and together it’s a beautiful sight to see.

ooc: Feel free to make any posts and top levels that occur on in the village here!]

Re: Shumi/Moomba Village

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

Jack has not stopped staring wide-eyed like an excited five year-old at everything since this trip began, but it's even worse here, once he sees the village. He knew there had to be people living here, but the sight of how they've integrated themselves into the forest is amazing, even for the things he's seen before.

They have time to resupply here, right? And meet the locals? And try all the food? As soon as he's got his chocobo stabled, Jack is looking around at the nearest person who doesn't seem dog-tired. "Come on! Have you ever seen anything like this?"

[rialynn]

"Not even in my dreams," Rialynn laughed, ready to race along behind him. She wants to see it all. Supplies are nice, and her stomach is growling, but she's far more interested in meeting the inhabitants and exploring the village from border to border. So if Jack needed a tagalong, he definitely had one champing at the bit.

At least, for a whole five feet before she stopped and stared at multiple buildings and the river and the treetops and the villagers.

"...I don't...where do we even start?"

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

Jack laughs brightly, and he is quite pleased to have Rialynn along. It always looks and feels a little less weird if you're not the only one playing tourist. "I've always had the best luck, start with the food. Doesn't matter where or when you are, restaurants are always a little more open to people who are just passing through. And then they can point you in the next direction."

See? Space-hopping 101. But as they walk, it's lucky the village isn't crowded, because Jack is still trying to take in every sight he can. "Got a friend back home, he'd be so sad he missed this." Lost village in a forest where the trees are made of crystal? If he didn't already know that the man wasn't here, this would be right when Jack would be expecting the Doctor to pop up.

[rialynn]

Rialynn nodded vigorously. She was hungry, so food sounded like a great place to start. She ordinarily went straight to a new town's tavern as well, but only because it offered the two things she needed most: a room to stay in, and a job to pay for said room. He had good advice about traveling in any case, and it made her think he probably had a lot of experience.

"Do you travel very often?" she asked, trying to keep her pace at least somewhat relaxed instead of indulging in her childish impulse to race across the village at top speed to see more things more quickly. "I mean, it seems like you really know what you're doing. And your friend, he traveled with you a lot too, I'm guessing."

Heaven help the world if Rialynn and The Doctor ever wound up in the same room together, for their combined excitement might cause a really obnoxious and nerdy explosion.

"I guess you'll just have to take very thorough notes about what you see here, so you can share your stories with him once you meet up again, right? I'd be happy to make a copy of what I've got so far, if you need it."

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

"We did," Jack laughs a little, "is it that obvious? I didn't for a while, found myself staying in one spot for a lot longer than I'd ever intended to. I was actually just about to go travelling again when I ended up here!"

Jack leads the way into a busy restaurant, picking a place that has more people going in and out of it, instead of something off the beaten path.

"I've been taking some notes of my own..." There's a blue journal waiting in a drawer at home that Jack has taken to writing letters to the Doctor in, just in case the man finally shows. "But I'd always be glad to see someone else's take on things."

"What about you? You used to travel, back home?"

Re: Shumi/Moomba Village

[bloodypast]

Vincent watched the other hero, amused at the obvious glee. It almost reminded him of times past. "I have seen something similar, but not. It reminds me of the Forest of the Ancients back on Gaia." Which brought bittersweet memories considering all that happened.

Perhaps it was a good thing that Cloud was not on this expedition.

Re: Shumi/Moomba Village

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

Gaia again. Jack pauses when he looks to Vincent. Right. Another of that big group with Cloud and Yuffie and Sephiroth. The man he'd gotten most of the details of the world from was in crystal now, but Jack was always curious about any story of that world.

Maybe then he'd figure out why so many of them were here.

"Forest of the Ancients?" Jack repeats. "Now that's an odd coincidence. Any relation to the idea of the Ancients on this world?"

Re: Shumi/Moomba Village

[bloodypast]

"We would have to know more about the Ancients on this world." And more about the Ancients from Gaia too, to be fair. Vincent was certainly an expert in neither.

"When we visited, the place was deserted. Long since abandoned." Whereas this place...was still vibrant. Had inhabitants, and full of life.

Re: Shumi/Moomba Village

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

"Fair point. They don't seem to be any sort of alien race that I've come across before. But it's so hard to tell."

"But you guys, Cloud and his buddies," sorry to put it that way, but Cloud was the first one of the group that he'd met. "This isn't the only similarity to your world, is it? Place I come from is nothing like this, magic isn't real, and we don't have the cool giant birds."

Re: Shumi/Moomba Village

[fearlessherosheart]

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

Re: Shumi/Moomba Village

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

Hmm, it is a curious thought, as soon as Tazendra mentions it, Jack looks at the nearest tree quizzically. "Maybe the trees keep growing, even if you hollow out part of the inside?" He wants to reach up and test the strength of a branch, but he draws his hand back. "Hmm. Breaking the architecture might not make us warmly welcomed."

Re: Shumi/Moomba Village

[fearlessherosheart]

"That is true' most people are not fond of guests who break their homes. But they must be strong enough to rest furniture on."

Re: Shumi/Moomba Village

[rialynn]

A. Entrance

[Rialynn takes slow, reverent steps into the village, her head tipped back, hazel eyes dancing with delight. She revolves in place as if she can't possibly see enough of this place before hurrying to catch up with the rest of the group.]

Have you ever seen anything so beautiful in all your life...?

[She has to make a story out of this. Somehow, someway, it's got to happen. Maybe she could even try poetry. It's never been her strongest talent as a bard, but it feels like the sheer beauty of this place deserves to be put down on paper and memorialized.]

B. Near the Stream

[Rialynn's curious about the Shumi and the Moombas, enchanted by both races. They're strange looking, but kind and welcoming. She's a little shy about the attention at first, until one of the Moombas asks her what she's carrying on her back. That's all it takes to get her to open up.]

[It isn't long before she's gathered a little audience near the stream where she sits on a crystal root, lute held in her hands, her fingers plucking out a gentle melody.]

Listen to the sound, the sound of silence roaring
You can hear it in the waves, I know your heart remembers
Everything it needs to know, awakened from its slumber
Everything it needs to know right...now.

[Her voice is a clear and bright soprano, softened so as not to disrupt the quiet peace of the village.]

Shumi/Moomba Village - A. Entrance

[shinrasfinest]

[During his time in Mysidia previously, Sephiroth has heard very little with regards to the Crystal Forest but to say words couldn't describe it is something of a understatement. Rialynn isn't the only one who has slowed her pace, eyes captured in awe of the beauty of this crystalline forest. It throws a cold, glittering and somewhat blue hue all around, and light fractures in the most peculiar ways. It's almost as if the crystals glisten all on their own.

To think there is a settlement built within this mysterious environment. It doesn't take much of a stretch of the imagination to wonder if the City of the Ancients, as he'd read of it in his file once, might well be a little similar. Words on a page though-]

It's really something, that's for sure.

[He can't make out if it's inhabited yet, though. They weren't running so low on supplies but he knew they'd have to start rationing soon unless they found something in the way of alternative sustenance.]

[rialynn]

[Rialynn pauses to examine one of the shops, which looks half-crafted out of the tree itself in which it's nestled. She's about to bolt toward the river to see what it looks like, but stops when her stomach suddenly makes a loud complaint.]

Er...

[Well. That's embarrassing, especially around someone who looks like some sort of noble foreign prince. She shoots a quick glance at Sephiroth, then looks out at the rest of the village.]

I guess maybe we should see about getting something to eat...and restocking supplies...

[That's the sensible course of action. But she wants to explore so badly!]

[shinrasfinest]

[By the quirk upwards of one of his eyebrows, Sephiroth seems almost to be impressed at the loudness of the noise that comes from the stomach of one so much smaller than him. He didn't find it polite, at all, but they were on an expedition and things were rougher than if they might be in another city; humans make noises and sometimes involuntarily, just like every other species.

He offers a small huff of a chuckle as Rialynn looks away out in the direction of other buildings scattered within the trees.]

That would be the smart thing to do. I've a few soldiers spread out looking so that should turn up something soon.

[Despite their eagerness to press on further into the forest, a few hours spent re-stocking or resting would likely be a boon later on.

The next thing Rialynn might see is Sephiroth extending a small cereal-bar like package in her direction.]

To tide you over?

[rialynn]

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.]

B

[not_most_days]

[The village was indeed something that Kidd was not expecting in their journey. It was one thing to be told that they would be coming to such a place, or hear the chatter and rumors at the pub about the creatures that lived there. Finding the village and the inhabitants though did not compare to the stories. Kidd was reminded of those moments when she had the luck of finding uncharted islands. Though of course the lack of fatal traps left by natives was a bonus.

The Shumi were a tad disconcerting but they seemed welcoming enough. On the other hand Bonnie seemed offended when Kidd commented on how cute the Moomba were. It took a few minutes of coaxing her moogle to play nice and in that time she noticed a few of the creatures wandering off. She followed them to where Rialynn had sat down, letting the music guide her the rest of the way.

The mage robe clad Asssassin smiles as she listens, leaning against a tree and trying not to disturb the bard or the audience. She's content to wait until the song is done.]

[rialynn]

[When the song finishes, Rialynn offers a polite bow of her head as her audience shows a brief, calm display of appreciation. This is more along the lines of what she expected to encounter when she first set out as a bard -- traveling to strange new places, meeting new people, and sharing songs and stories as a means of bonding together.]

[Of course, she didn't imagine those new people would look like giant mole people or tiny fire lions, but that just makes the experience all the more interesting.]

'What about ballads? You said you knew some of those. Those are songs that tell a story, right?'

[Rialynn nods at the Moomba.]

That's right. I've been working on a few of my own, but most of the ones I know were written and performed by other bards. Let's see... There's the one about General Taylor...

[She pauses, realizing she has more people watching than just villagers as she catches Mary's eye. She raises her eyebrows, a silent question to see if she's needed to help out with the group's duties.]

[not_most_days]

[Kidd just tilts her head in response. There's no need to drag the woman away from what she's doing, especially if the locals are enjoying themselves. The pirate then offers her a smile and nod of her own, trying to show her own enjoyment as part of the audience.]

Don't mind me lass. Just enjoying the show. Most all the songs I know are drinking songs and sea shanties.

[She pauses a moment, but after a moments thought decides to press the point.]

I don't suppose you know 'Leave Her, Johnny'?

[rialynn]

I know several of those myself! Do you have a request?

[She'd be glad to play it! ...Eeeeeeeeexcept she doesn't know that one. Her mouth forms a small 'o' as she looks sheepishly apologetic.]

Well...I guess I don't know that one...but if you know it, why don't you sing it out, and I'll play the melody once I've got the hang of it?

B.

[mindofathief]

[Duster was immediately enthralled by the adorable little creatures; it brought back memories of Saturn Valley and the kind people that lived within it. It didn't take long for him for him to endear himself to a ground of young Moomba, whish now follow him every step through the village. Even he has no idea why the children find him so interesting.

He leads them by the stream, and five small Moombas dash over to watch Rialynn play her lute, amazed at how her small human fingers can pluck such tiny strings.

Duster follows them at a leisurely pace and stops several feet away from the musician.]

Hey. [He whispers, drawing the attention of the youngest Moomba, who had come too close for comfort.] Come here.

[The child obeys, and Duster holds onto its hand, making it listen to the song from a distance.]

[rialynn]

[Rialynn flashes a smile and a wink at Duster. She wasn't about to interrupt her song to ask for space (nor would she have done so even if she weren't singing), so she appreciates his subtle handling of the situation.]

[When the song finishes, she inclines her head in thanks at the quiet, subdued applause from the villagers that assembled to listen to her.]

...And that's just one of many things bards do. The bards and dancers here in Crystallis are even more special. There's real magic in their music and moves, that can baffle enemies, strengthen allies, and change the flow of battle!

[She shoots a pointed look at Duster, giving a subtle jerk of her head to invite him up to join her if he so chooses.]

Would you like to hear the music of a maaaaaaaaaagic bard?

'Yeaaaaahhhhhh!'

[mindofathief]

[When Rialynn looks at Duster, he glances to the side before pointing to himself. Him? The children next to him look up in amazement.]

'Can you do that, mister?'

[He shrugs.] I don't know a lot of magic, but I know how to play the ocarina. [Instruments came naturally to Duster. While it wasn't rhythmic like the double bass, it involved less complicated fingerwork. Learning a few basic notes was easy.

But, well, how can he say no to a group performance? He lets go of the child Moomba and reaches for the light blue ocarina in his side pack. There's no need to add any more of an introduction, so he finds a spot next to Rialynn and smiles at the audience.]