melodiesoflife | We are off to see the Crystal Tree!

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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.]

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[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 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!]

[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?

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.]

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.

Don't I know it! It happened once when I was auditioning in this place called Greenport. Twenty seconds into a tragic tale of lost love, and my stomach growled. Completely killed the mood.

[All the while she struggles with the wrapper, which crinkles noisily. Finally she uses her teeth to tear the corner, and she beams triumphantly as she strips off the thin foil wrapping. And so long as he doesn't mind, Rialynn is more than happy for the company.]

Let's start with the river, then! I'm dying to know what crystal forest river water tastes like. It must be incredibly refreshing!

[She's already starting off in that direction. Someone's excited.]

[Usually, people over-crinkling wrappings on food items is one of those things he finds just a little rude, but in this instance he'll let it pass; he knows how difficult those things are to get into at times. Actually, though he doesn't much look it, he finds Rialynn's tale of stomach-growling somewhat amusing to imagine. Yes, that certainly would kill the mood.]

Sure-

[But she's....already gone. Not that it takes much of an adjustment to his usual walking pace to catch her up, though.]

Might I suggest you at least make sure the water is clean, first?

[One of the things he's insisted on the troops using while filling up; purifying tablets, just in case.]

Oh, certainly.

[She smiles up at him, touched by his thoughtfulness. Unfortunately, her idea of making sure the water is clean is far different than his. But then again, her world is also very different. Filtered water is practically unheard of, but then again, so is smog and pollution. Reaching the banks of the river, she looks at the water to verify that yup, it looks clean!]

[She flattens herself on her belly to make sure she doesn't slip on the bank and scoops up some of the water in her palm. It's amazingly clear, without even a speck of dirt that she can see. She lifts her cupped palm to her lips and sips, and her eyes brighten.]

It's so fresh. Better than rain water, even! You have to try this.

[Or he can get one of those boring purifying tablets.]

[It's just another one of those symptoms of the different worlds they are from.

Still as Sephiroth comes to the edge of the bank and watches Rialynn lower herself to scoop up the water and taste it, he finds it hard to keep the light frown he wears from becoming deeper. He really doesn't approve of how she just reaches out and drinks water like that; not all impurities are so obviously seen. An eyebrow is raised as she comments that he has to try; not a chance.]

I'm alright, knock yourself out.

[It wouldn't be his fault if she then ended up getting sick, after all, yet at the same time he feels like the responsible adult. It's not a comfortable balance.]

Edited 2016-01-29 13:16 (UTC)

...That's an unusual phrase...

[Rialynn takes a moment to turn it over in her head and make sense of it, then dips her hand into the water once more. Sorry, Sephiroth. Her world is still nice enough where things like this are fairly common.]

[When she's had her fill, she rolls up to a sitting position, loosely holding one knee as she tips her head back and admires the beauty of the village. This thirst is one that's far more difficult to slake. Just as she comes from a world that remains simple, it also lacks the magic and wonder of this world. All the inhabitants look the same, more or less. Trees are made of wood, monsters are ordinary animals, and politics are strictly for those wealthy enough to care. They don't have crystal forests, or the ability to cast spells. Even white hair on someone who isn't venerable is pretty much unheard of.]

You know...maybe it's strange to say this, considering our circumstances and all, but I really love this world.

[She turns her head to admire a shimmering shadow cast by one of the crystal trees, and the tiny rainbows reflected upon the ground by the rays of sunlight.]

It's breathtaking. I can understand a little better why whoever was responsible for bringing us here was so desperate to defend it.

[Sephiroth remains still stood back from the bank of the river itself, watching Rialynn as the disbelief over her drinking water right from the source like that eventually starts to drop off. She's hardly the first Hero he can imagine doing such, and it is more than likely a hang over from the more-polluted world that he comes from that's causing the discomfort.

He tilts his head a little to the side, looking at the back of her head only as he considers her next words. He soon finds himself looking up and over the scene before them; a quaint village set within crystal trees. If there were any such place like it on Gaia, Sephiroth didn't know about it.

An understanding stretch of a smile slowly creeps up; there was a time when he thought much the same with regards to the condition of this world when compared to his own. It had degraded away over the months though, hammered into oblivion by their circumstances as a whole. It feels refreshing, to take a step back to that way of thinking. And so much simpler.]

It's not strange to say. [Carefully Sephiroth steps out towards the bank; still a little behind Rialynn but he didn't really want to have to raise his voice.]

Not that there is chance very often to appreciate it, but some of the locations really are something else.

[Rialynn tips her head back and smiles up at him, before looking out over the river. She knows a lot of people were really shaken up by what the sage showed them. But as for her, she felt little more than a sense of relief that it was over, and a vague disappointment that she'd seen very little of the unfolding story before she was killed and cut off.]

[This is nice, though. She likes spending time with the others, getting to know and appreciate the people who will one day come together to save the world. Rialynn adamantly believes that Sephiroth will be one of these people. He's strong and calm, and has a natural way of inspiring people to believe that they're safe so long as he's there to defend the peace.]

Which place is your favorite so far?

[Unlike a lot of people; Sephiroth doesn't have a clue, only the Sage's tiring philosophical comments had accompanied him while all the other Heroes had slept. That said, he's been through enough 'visions' during his time here to know full well to cut a certain amount of slack towards those who were having trouble coping so soon afterwards.

They'd recover from it, either that or they'd allow it to crush their spirits; something he's been close to himself, before.]

In the whole of Crystallis? [It's a filler of a question, but it serves while he thinks.]

I've not been everywhere, of course, but the County of Flence is very picturesque; especially towards the end of the summer.

[He stops, considering that place too, might soon be devoured by the Calamity once it really starts to move again. It's one of the more special of places to him as a result of the long weekend getaway he'd taken after a Battle once.]

The Temple of Water is near to there.

Flence?

[She's sure she'll remember the name, but just the same, she takes the opportunity to dig out her journal and right it down. Beneath that, she writes 'Temple of Water' since it sounds like it's a sight worth seeing as well.]

I'll keep that in mind. Summer is a great season for sightseeing, isn't it?

[Rialynn closes the book, resting it on her thigh as she combs through her thoughts.]

What are the Temples for, anyway? We woke up in one of those, didn't we?

[At least, she's pretty sure it was the Temple of Fire they found themselves in, with that big glittering orange diamond floating there.]

The fact that the days are not only warmer, but longer, gives a lot more time to explore with. Just, make sure you save up enough gils to see you through.

[It's stated matter-of-factly, almost as if he were reading it from a book. It's true though, even if Sephiroth doesn't appreciate when it's -too- warm he does feel more comfortable in the warmer months. Everything is a lot less depressing, too. He wonders if they'll really get to see much of the world in the summer again though; again, it all depends on the Calamity.]

If past events are to be any indication, the large Crystals housed at the four major temples are something of a go-to point for the life energy of this World, when it wants to return to the Planet. I believe they help to regulate the low of life throughout Crystallis; but I'm really no expert.

[Save up enough gils? Rialynn's nose crinkled a little as she grinned and tipped her head. It sounded as if he were worried about her. She rocked back a little.]

That's all right. I'm a performer, I'm used to making a living as I go. It's pretty rare for a bard worth their salt to go hungry.

[Unless the crowd is particularly stingy, or dangerous. Her interest is piqued, however, at the mention of the crystals.]

Really? That's something else, isn't it? Maybe I should work my way around to seeing them, at least once. It can't hurt to get to know the rest of the world while I'm at it.

[It's practical advise really, Flence is pointedly not on the cheap side. Then again, even if there weren't really bards --outside of fairy tales-- back where he's from, he quickly ties it up with what she says about being a performer. It seems to make sense, though he doesn't really consider it a profession one could make a load of money from. Not that he hasn't seen a fair few, even citizens as opposed to Heroes, who do make a living doing exactly that.

At least, he can talk about Temples, Crystals and various running theories about Crystallis; to more than his hearts content. Sephiroth knows well the value of bouncing ideas around and off other individuals.]

Well the Crystal of Earth is off limits - or at least as far as we know. The Calamity claimed it with the initial push when it had been awoken...before it went dormant before.

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We are off to see the Crystal Tree!

Shumi/Moomba Village - A. Entrance

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