melodiesoflife | To Esdham!

Entry tags:

To Esdham!

WHO: Rukia Kuchiki, OPEN
WHAT: Rukia makes a trip to Esdham for multiple purposes, the least of which is to deliver a beautifully illustrated report of the past month's summary. You might find it useful if you got lost in the last event. You might not. The post is for the report itself, but feel free to tag in for CR on the way there, on the way back, or while in Esdham itself.
WHEN: September 5th - 7th
WHERE: Esdham

As you were already made aware, the Tarutaru Palitutu, formerly known as Jessie, sent an ultimatum to the Heroes of Light requesting a meeting on the Calm Plains. If they did not appear, she threatened she would destroy the city of Aqures Ixen. We went to meet her as requested, and as promised she appeared with the Moogle Artemicion and the Heran known as Deweg. Upon arrival she asked if the Heroes of Light had discovered an alternative to defeating the Calamity that had not been previously attempted by former generations of Heroes. She claimed that our attempt to communicate with the Calamity through the Avatars had merit. She claimed that we needed these three things:

1. To improve and perfect the Soul Divider, located in the First Crystal.
2. To control the fragment of the Calamity that lingers within all Heroes summoned to this world.
3. The power to face Garland.

To test us, she attacked with the Ultima Weapon.

We were called upon to use our strongest attacks and abilities. Though some perished, it was only temporarily, and no casualties were suffered. As for Deweg's status, we cannot confirm it at this time.

Directly after the defeat of the Ultima Weapon, Palitutu banished us to the Rift, where we were able to gain access to our home worlds. It took the entirety of the month, and though many did find their way to their home worlds, we were not able to locate Palitutu until the very end of August. Accompanied by Artemicion, she informed us that she would consider us too weak to do what needed to be done unless we managed to kill her.

The ensuing battle was short, and we did come very close to ending her life. Though it was heavily considered to let her die, and heatedly debated, in the end we decided it was best to keep her alive for the time being so long as we had a way to prevent her from simply teleporting away to resume her previous crimes.

Artemicion is, as far as I am aware, currently incarcerated while Palitutu remains in critical condition at the hospital. Her fate is to be decided at a later time, presumably by the current regent Cid, but possibly by the Heroes should he defer the decision to us. In the aftermath of the battle, a gold crystal was given to us by Palitutu, which is being used to slow the progress of the Calamity and buy us more time to accomplish our objectives.

We apologize for the length of our absence and, after sufficient rest, we are ready to resume our duties to halting the crystallization of this world and saving those worlds from which we hail.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Mikleo is silent for a long time as he listens to her words. The battle was a harsh one and he was one of the few that thought it was better to keep her alive. Sure she was frustrating and she tried to kill everyone-- and abandoned many of the Heroes of Light to their death but generally, they needed answers and answers would need to come from her.

Of course, for the time being he didn't really know what to expect of the situation other than to take it as it is. He was after all watching every minute of it happening in silence, while wanting to say things but keeping himself from doing so because his thoughts were mostly voiced by the many that were on his side. He only supported them with potions and other healing things he had packed. ]

It's truly unfortunate that she has to go through such means to make a point. I can't say her methods are ideal-- but I suppose in a way, it is giving us the question of how strong is our determination?

[ He closed his eyes. ]

Thank you for this, even if I have experienced it myself, it is helpful for those who were not involved in the initial fight. I've also learned what I have missed as well.

It raised several questions about ourselves that shouldn't be ignored, certainly.

[Rukia frowns, her face serious at first.]

Most concerning of all is our lack of unity. I had not expected the debate over Palitutu's fate to become quite so heated. Harsh words and even threats were exchanged. I can't say I'm impressed with the behavior of many individuals.

[She shakes her head at his offer of thanks.]

No need for gratitude. There are certain duties I must fulfill as an enlisted member of the military. I'm pleased that you found it useful. How are you faring?

It does indeed. It isn't something we should take lightly.

[ He puts a hand under his chin as he closes his eyes. He seemed to be in deep thought for a moment. ]

Everyone was fueled by their emotions and what they wanted to do. Such things cannot easily be stopped. Unity is even harder to achieve when there are several different beliefs.

[ If this was Glenwood, the would have all been hit with the Malevolence and turned into Hellions. Mikleo would have to watch them all suffer a sad fate while being unable to do anything. Luckily it was not Glenwood and such things didn't exist here, but it didn't make it any less serious. ]

Killing her or attempting to kill her was fruitless from the beginning. She holds many keys that we need to unlock the mysteries we faced. Now she is in critical condition and are unable to do anything but wait and prevent the Calamity from consuming the world.

[ He clenched his fists. If only he had done more than he could back when the fight brewing but Mikleo knew he wasn't able to do anything on his own with the amount of people and emotions that were displayed. ]

It is still a very helpful thing you did, regardless of what reason it may be for. I am doing fine, much better than I was a few days ago-- and yourself?

[Rukia nods.]

Agreed. I have no wish to sound cold, but she is indeed a resource. And I do not believe her to be inherently evil, so much as desperate. In a way, I pity her.

[She folds her arms upon the railing of the balcony to look out over the city.]

But I can't begrudge the others of their ill feelings. I was not present when she betrayed them, nor had I known her previously as a friend when she was simply known as 'Jessie.' Even so, there are some who handled the matter very poorly.

[Rukia's glance falls to the side, taking in the clenched fists in silence. He's frustrated, it seems.]

I'm well. But what do you mean, a few days ago?

I suppose in a way that word is fitting. She is pitiful.

[ He replied nodding his head to her words. She wasn't wrong about it either. He didn't want to sound objective but Palitutu was a source of answers that they all desperately need and now they didn't even know if she'll survive. The Crystals were all acting up strangely and he knew for a fact that people were dying and not coming back. What was going on?! He doesn't even know anymore. Once he found answers, he gained more questions. It was frustrating. ]

Indeed.I am not fond of her ways but I heard many stories about her. I don't recall ever really engaging with her the way others have. I only read about her in documents and such in the library and the computers that had our information displayed.

[ He looks away. ]

A lot of things have happened in the last few days, is what I meant to say. The past month has been the worst it's been since I came here.

Edited 2016-09-12 05:34 (UTC)

I cannot disagree with you.

[It really has been the worst month, and she was one of the Heroes who caught the plague going around. There's a sneaky sort of loneliness that creeps up on her when she least expects it, and it dwells longer than she'd like it to stay. The Calamity continues to spread, the Heroes are fighting and calling each other foul names, their worlds are suspended in the Rift... Sometimes the weight of their responsibilities is crushing. But what can she do? There's no time to sulk, and it accomplishes nothing. If anything, dwelling on sour feelings just makes things worse.]

You've undergone a fair number of trials yourself before joining with the rest of us, I understand. So to hear that it's the worst from someone like you, the situation is dire indeed.

[She loosely holds her hands, resting her forearms on the ship railing.]

Are you all right? You seem to be the type who worries more for others than yourself. Your needs should be met as well.

[ He wished that things would brighten up a bit more but the world is falling into chaos and there's nothing anyone could do to stop it at this moment in time. He really hoped that Palitutu will be okay so that they could at least extract information from her. He still didn't believe that she was after one thing. It felt like everyone was being tested moments before they saved her in critical condition at the hospital. The Calamity wasn't going to stop for anyone. Honestly, there's so much they needed to learn about the Calamity that it frustrated him not being able to have that information. ]

Indeed, but it isn't any excuse on my end. I promise to be a better companion to everyone that is involved for the future. I don't want to watch as others suffer while I am unable to do anything to protect them.

[ He offered her a small smile at least. He wanted to reassure her that they'll get through this somehow. ]

I'm fine. This isn't a situation that I am unfamiliar with. There is more at stake than what I am used to but nothing I can't handle. Thank you for your concern, but even you have to worry about yourself, no?

[Case in point, he's brushing off her concern so he can fret over her. Rukia peers at Mikleo, then sighs.]

What's to worry about? I appreciate your concern, but there's nothing wrong with me.

[She sighs, tossing some of her hair out of her face. And it's true, for the most part. Certainly she misses Raven, and she does fret about Ichigo sometimes, but they're just little things. It's nothing that threatens to slow her down or throw her off track of her responsibilities.]

And yourself? Are you eating properly?

[ That's the kind of person he is. He won't change no matter how much anyone tries to fix him. Mikleo was just the type of being that would throw a fit over his friends and the ones he cared for deeply. ]

I am aware that physically there is nothing wrong with you, however even the strongest of Heroes will have some worries.

[ He replied giving her a look for her answer. Mikleo understand that thought though since he's the same way. There's no use getting depressed. ]

As I said, I'm fine. I do what is necessary to maintain my health. You don't have to worry about me.

I can't argue that. Everyone has something they fret about. I'm just not certain why you believe my worries would be any greater than someone else's.

[In other words, if this is about Raven, she'd like to know who's telling people that she's broken up and distraught, because she isn't going to lose her composure that easily.]

Then if I'm not to worry over you, shouldn't the reverse be true?

[She smiles, nudging his arm with her elbow.]

I don't but you appear a little troubled for the lack of better words. Of course, I have no intentions of prying into your personal business. It is something I've noticed from our conversation.

[ He replies with an honest yet blunt answer. He doesn't know anything about anyone that Rukia might be thinking about. He's just good at picking up vibes when he feels them. He certainly does feel that there is something wrong but he's going to leave it alone right now and move on with the conversation. ]

I suppose that's true. Perhaps, we should change the subject?

[ He replied with a brief smile as well when she nudged him with her elbow. ]

[Rukia is quiet for a moment. She dislikes placing her worries on the shoulders of her friends, especially those she hasn't known for a long time. She really should just leave things unspoken, but if she does, she has a feeling he'll just worry more. If it really isn't as big a deal as she's claiming it to be, then why is she keeping such a tight lid on her feelings? Ah, well. He's sure to find out sooner or later, and if not from her, from Chappopo who was far more heartbroken about Rukia's 'true love' being lost forever than Rukia.]

The man I was dating has gone into Crystal Stasis. That is all.

[She crosses her wrists as she leans upon the railing, looking out at the landscape below.]

It happened to him several times before, so it wasn't a big shock, and to be honest, I'd expected it to happen much sooner. So while he is missed, I feel nothing but gratitude for the time we were able to spend while we were able. My concern now is whether or not I will be able to persuade my superiors to assist with the purchase of a sapphire crystal in order to protect this region from the Calamity's approach.

[Rukia glances at Mikleo.]

Do you think of me as heartless, for being unable to mourn?

[ It's not that Mikleo wants to pry or anything. He was being considerate of her feelings.However it's not like he's going to ignore the feelings that were coming off of her. Being someone that was perceptive, Mikleo had a hard time brushing it off completely. He feels content knowing that Rukia was honest with him. He offers her a sincere look fro the reply. ]

That must be difficult for you to deal with.

[ Seeing that neither Sorey or Rose were awake right now either. Mostly, he could understand it in regards to someone that is precious to her. Sorey was someone who was very precious to Mikleo in a different way, but the feelings were mostly similar. ]

I do not think it is heartless for you to feel that way. I'm certain that the person would not wish to see you saddened. It is difficult but for all of us who are here-- it's best if we move forward. At least, then we're more guaranteed that we'll be able to save those close to us.

[ He added softly. ]

Yes...this is true.

[But it's more than that. If she really examines her feelings deep down, there's a tiny kernel of anger too. Not at Raven, or anyone in particular, but the fact that the situation has happened at all. Frequently. It's unfair, and part of her feels robbed. But these feelings are foolish, she knows. There's nothing to be done but think back on her opportunities with gratitude. She hadn't expected to experience anything like this at all, so she should be satisfied.]

[She should.]

In any case, there are reasons why I'd prefer to keep quiet about it. There are those who might worry far more than the situation warrants. Explaining my feelings on the situation forces me to reexamine it each time as well, and though I'm not heartbroken, it's still far from pleasant. As you said, I would rather move forward.

[The ship is starting to descend, and Rukia pulls away from the railing.]

What brings you to Esdham in any case?

[ It’s a natural thing to feel, despite her not being so human, she was quite human on Mikleo’s terms. It’s the same way with him. He’s quite the type to be very human despite his seraph origin. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. He’d honestly would feel something similar if he were in her shoes experiencing her loss. He can’t judge her to reprimand her for having feelings obviously. ]

Indeed. Perhaps it is best if we leave the conversation at that. I appreciate you trusting me enough with sensitive information.

[ He offered her a small smile before giving her a look. ]

I’m trying to learn more about everything in this world. It’s at a constant state of destruction and perhaps being Esdham would assist me in finding more answers that I cannot in Aqures Ixen.

[ Mikleo’s need for knowledge is definitely obvious. ]

Perhaps.

[It's probably a good idea to move away from the conversation. She's still not entirely sure how she feels, and probing at those feelings might lead to some disturbing revelations about herself.]

It was supposed to be a rather prosperous society before it had to convert the majority of its resources to protect its borders from imperial invasion. There may be a great wealth of knowledge buried and forgotten within the city.

[She folds her arms with a small smile.]

Were there any places in particular you wanted to go?

[ It's something that will probably take time to process. He can understand that to some aspect. He looks off for a moment before speaking again. ]

It seems that way. I am eager to learn what it has to offer and what historical factors there are that can assist us in our journeys in the future.

[ As he said that, his eyes sparkle at the thought of historical things that he could gain knowledge on. ]

I'm not very familiar with it but if there are ruins or perhaps a library with books, I'd like to go there.

Ruins?

[That wasn't an answer she expected. She has a couple of book-loving friends, and the drive to seek more information about this world is always pressing, so she understands the library. But the pursuit of ruins? Hmmm... She holds her chin thoughtfully for a moment.]

I don't believe Esdham has anything in that particular regard, but the devastated region of Roalie is further to the south. It was destroyed by the Empire several years ago. The area is now a desert, I believe, but I haven't visited myself. That is where Cid supposedly hailed from too.

[ He's definitely a lot more active than he appears. Mikleo can go on for days if he wasn't in a mortal form right now. He waits patiently for her to continue as he crosses his arms. He knows that the other people he asked about ruins gave him the same thoughtful look. ]

I see, so there isn't much in the area but there is something south of here? Perhaps, I can inspect it? I rather like to know what has happened in the past where I was unable to be a part of.

[ He's concerned as he replied to her. Eventually, he uncrosses his arms. ]

Edited 2016-10-25 04:58 (UTC)

[Rukia inclines her head.]

I can go with you, if you like. I need to take care of some urgent matters first, but once I know my schedule, I may be able to set aside some time. There are monsters roaming about the area, so traveling alone wouldn't be wise.

--Ah! You should bring water as well, just in case you happen to find a Flowering Cactuar. Doing so will help you increase your experience with your jobs.

[ He nods his head. She has good advice and he's a fool if he doesn't take it. ]

Alright, I appreciate the assistance Rukia. Shall I wait within the area until you are done with your task?

[ Mikleo questions as he gives her a look. ]

That is fascinating. I heard that you can do that but I've never really tried. Perhaps, it will be something to attempt.

Certainly. I can see that you're settled comfortably at the Esdham inn, if you like. I'm not certain how long I will be, as I don't have a direct link to the president at my current rank. But I will keep you updated once I know.

[She turns to gesture vaguely at the city.]

In the meantime, I'm certain you'll have plenty of sights to explore. It's a large city, and quite safe too. Surely you'll find something to capture your interest?

Thanks. That sounds good to me.

[ He replied keeping the smile as she offered. Rukia was indeed a very interesting character. He has to admit that much anyway. ]

I do not mind waiting. After all, your warning is important.

[ He nods his head. ]

I'm certain I will. Thank you.

[OOC: Wrap here? Since Mikleo's got a quest to explore Roalie now, we can assume that Rukia was too busy getting that sapphire crystal to go on an expedition and they decided to go explore later when things are less hectic.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

To Esdham!

Gonna hit this first with Mikleo since I 'm on his account :D

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject