melodiesoflife | Footsteps in the Snow (Central Lost Continent)

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Footsteps in the Snow (Central Lost Continent)

Characters:Saori Nakagawa, Ira, James Kidd, Lydia Deetz, and NPCs
Where: Lost Continent (Center)
When: March 5th
Summary: The four awaken in the chilly tundra of the Lost Continent without a sign of civilization nearby.

At impact, Ira had held out his hand in an attempt to summon another Corridor - at the very least, he wished to get those already injured to safety. Yet as he reached out, something far more inexplicable had reached back. He found himself falling, before oblivion accepted him. It was a sensation he hadn't felt in years, this sleep of stasis that had overwhelmed all of them - one that he thought would never be again. As it took hold, he didn't know if his hand had grabbed air or railing, but he knew, in the end, there was no fighting it any longer.

What he didn't expect, was suddenly finding his face hit with something so bitterly cold. Grunting, he shakily moved to place his hands beneath him, wincing as he felt the chill within his gloves. Why was it so cold? Hadn't they just been over the desert?

None of this made sense, but he... had to get moving.

Blearily looking around, he saw three others lying in the snow around him. Without much thought, he stumbled in the frigid clime to reach out to the one nearest to him in an effort to shake their shoulder and wake them.

"M-Mom, L-Lydia, Mary," he called out through his teeth chattering. Of all the times he was mad about inheriting shit from Riku the island kid- "We n-need to get moving."

Wait, why did his voice suddenly sound more matured? And when did his bangs get so long? "Ugh, the h-hell's going on?"

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Mary hoped it was just them. That there were no moogles lost in the snow anywhere. She hadn't seen any sign of them but she still spared a glance back in search of her companion and Tnitiate, hoping she was safe. But for now getting out of the cold was all she could do.

She failed to notice Ira's discomfort as she half hauled, half was hauled into the back of the sleigh. She lamented not being of more help to the others but at least they seemed to be safe now. Still, her instincts pushed on even while she struggled to stay awake. Her eyes flashed with her Eagle Vision trying to get a better grasp on their rescuer.

She wasn't in fantastic shape, but she'd be fine in due time. For now she just settled for curling closer to Saori, drinking in her body heat.

The woman grunted in response and hit the reigns again. The sleigh moved more quickly than before as it traveled west again.

Kadoc was frightened. Not too many people he knew could turn into bats, especially young people who didn't learn enough magic to do so at their age. "W-what are you?" Were they faeries? Were they going to reward them for their kindness?

"Speak up, we'll be arriving at the camp any moment now." There would be no time to ask questions while the survivors were washed up and fed.

Through Mary's vision. She saw that the woman and brown curly hair behind the coat hood. Her face was perpetually in a frown, hardened by years of struggle. Kadoc was not as thin as the woman, and his face was rounder and childlike.

Edited 2017-04-19 11:34 (UTC)

Oh no Kadoc's reaction was so precious, but he wasn't the type to point it out. Instead he slightly leaned into bat!Lydia as he wrapped himself (and her by extension, making sure she wouldn't be suffocated by it) with the blanket once he was in the back of the sleigh. As instructed, he touched nothing of what was back there with them - only clung together with three of the most important people in his young life. Though he had to admit he was just as curious as their two rescuers.

"Just four souls who found themselves awaking in the snow, far from home." With how much time had passed, he had no idea how they would react to the three words 'heroes of light'. He'd always tried not to refer to himself as a hero, anyway - for he knew a lot of the things he had done were anything but. And with how much time had passed, who knew what sort of standing they had with the general populous? "What's the camp like?"

Kadoc nodded, still wary of the girl that could turn into a bat so quickly. "Did...Kalki do something to you?"

The woman looked downward in thought. After a minute, she opted to answer Ira's question. "It's the auxiliary camp, but it's been forced to grow. Don't worry, we'll have space for you. The Head Engineer used the extra time he has now to build stables and sleeping quarters." She blew off a large snowflake that landed on her nose. "When he isn't moping, that is," she muttered more quietly.

"...You could say that, yeah," Ira muttered, glancing down at the bat on his shoulder. She'd told him before the confrontation, what going back to that city meant to her. And as much as he hated to speak for her, when no one else spoke up, he felt obligated to fill the silence. "Though her turning into a bat is more due to her Job than what that hag's done."

He glanced at Saori, muttering under his breath, "Seems like we missed a lot."

Bundled up as she was, Mary made quick work to restore the feeling in her fingers. This was a worse chill than she'd ever faced but she still had some training in how to deal with it, even if it never came to practical use in her old life. She knew of other Assassin outposts in northern waters who had to deal with such things.

She still felt worn out and ready to go back to sleep, but she struggled to stay awake at least until they were someplace with a proper fire. And talking would help her with that. "We're no friends of Kalki, if that's what you're asking." Not that she wasn't given every opportunity to make a change. Mary was impressed with Riku's careful response as well.

"This Head Engineer...does he have a name? And a fireplace?"

Kadoc was surprised, worried that he said something wrong for Mary to respond like that. "No, not at all. Sorry if I sounded like I did." He folded his hands at looked at the floor.

The woman still had questions. With the camp buildings now visible and a group of people waving at the incoming sleigh, she took a break from watching the road to talk.

"You must be good if you can turn into a bat at such a young age. Have you been practicing?" She patted Kadoc on the shoulder, silently comforting without having to smile. "What do you think? Of course we got fireplaces. We're not going to throw you out into the snow.

"The engineer's name is Gelin. I'm sure he could use the company to cheer him up. By the way," she turned to the back of the sleigh, "I'm Mevanwi."

"Kadoc," said the man, finally introducing himself to the others.

Once the sleigh reached the camp, Kadoc jumped off the seat and ran into the nearby makeshift hut. The buildings looked sturdy enough to last in the wind, but they were a mix of wood and metal that gave the impression they were built in a hurry and without the intention to be permanent. Mevanwi beckoned to a nearly group of heavily covered camp members and explained that they brought some people they found in the snow, so help them get out while removing the supplies. Mary, Saori, and Ira were assisted out of the sleigh.

If they paid attention, there were no children to be seen.

Kadoc returned from the hut. "Gelin's in here. We'll get you dinner after we unpack."

Edited 2017-04-22 17:29 (UTC)

"Gelin. Got it." He knew who to pester later with questions, and likely get a feel for how they reacted to the Heroes. Still, he pondered whether or not it would be wise to continue to snark at their rescuers. At least it meant Mary was still awake, though.

"Ira," he replied in kind. "This one," he said, slightly lifting up his shoulder, "-is Lydia." He felt they deserved a little bit of honesty, for their kindness. Mary and Saori could introduce themselves. Mainly because, ike him, he wasn't sure which name Mary would prefer to be introduced as. They both had different pseudonyms, after all.

But there wasn't much time to inquire further as they approached the camp, he stole a peek outside, surprised by the fact that he was the youngest present. (Granted, no one else would realize this, considering he appeared to be at least twenty-one.) Yet he still managed to smile faintly, putting on a brave face as he was helped out the sleigh.

"We owe you one," he said in response to Kadoc, keeping the blanket closely wrapped around his shoulders as he moved to approach the hut to keep himself and bat!Lydia warmer in the harshness of the winter winds.

Saori nodded in agreement to Ira's assessment. Given the fact her son apparently had a growth spurt while in stasis, it was safe to say several years had passed. At least the confirmation that their rescuers weren't Kalki supporters put her mind at ease.

"I'm Saori," she gave a small bow as she introduced herself once she was out of the sleigh. "Once we get our strength back, please let us know if there's any way we can help."

Being a mother, the lack of children was rather odd to her. Surely they would've heard or seen some evidence of them by now. Perhaps this Gelin person could fill them in. Saori was the one to open hut's door and let Ira and Mary in first.

"Head Engineer Gelin?" she asked once she closed the door behind her.

Lydia waved a wing and gave a nod and soft squeak when Ira pointed her out. She was just gonna stay like this for the moment, since it was easier for her to not consume more resources. Although she was careful of claws and his hair where she was on his shoulder.

She did wish she could use more job skills like this, but hopefully it wouldn't be necessary in the camp.

Kadoc nodded and held the fur blanket guarding the entrance from the cold away, allowing everyone to pass through. Just as Kadoc was about to let go, Mevanwi jogged up to them and slipped through. The cover fell back into place, sealing the four in a warm, dimly-lit room.

A fire was lit in the center of the round hut with blankets strewn about the floor. A low desk was covered in papers and pencils without any sense of order, and by the fire, opposite of the Heroes, was a blanket burrito.

"Gelin!" Mevanwi spoke at the blanket burrito, which responded with a groan.

"We found some stragglers in the snow, stop sleeping and look after them!" She strode over and tugged at the blanket until it rolled over to reveal a face and a mess of red hair. Nearly eight years ago, this doppelganger assisted the Heroes in tracking down Mograma. However, as Zelda was not in this group, he did not recognize anyone for who they really were.

"Eeeehhhh..." he whined and pulled the blanket tighter around him. "Grab a blanket. Too cold."

Mevanwi lightly kicked him in the side and sighed. "He's been like this ever since the Snow Beast showed up. I keep telling him to find some other way to get our goods, but all he's done is mope." She turned toward the door, briefly stopping by the Heroes with a soft expression. "Maybe you guys can cheer him up," she added and exited.

"Snow Beast, huh. Tell us more."

It sounded like a quick way to repay their kindness, eliminating a threat that posed a risk to supply lines. If they could get some time to fully recover and clothes better suited to the climate, he was confident they could handle it.

Unfortunately, Mevanwi left as he asked. Sighing, he approached Gelin instead. Tossing a blanket at him from the floor. Unfortunately for the doppelganger - while he didn't know Zelda like the others may have, he wasn't the kind to let someone mope.

Mary didn't mean anything by it. She'd hoped that the engineer in question was Cid, but perhaps that was a bit of wishful thinking. But she hadn't meant to make Kadoc feel like he was being accused of something. Perhaps it was the chill in her bones that made it seem like snark. At least everyone seemed to be in good spirits.

"Mary." She responded in kind as names were offered around, her hands rubbing at her arms to keep on warming up. She was glad to be assured they'd be allowed to warm themselves. It was a little hard for her to be readily trusting right now. But her real name would do well enough, and it was a measure of trust she was willing to offer.

Of course, trying to get back on the trail of good will nearly went out the window when she saw the hair of the engineer, her eyes going wide for a moment. Yet his time with the Heroes was before her own and he wasn't someone she remembered. Not that she'd ever have trouble in the future.

In the warmth of the home Mary was still shivering but she could feel her strength renewing already. "Looks like we're both in agreement there but...there's a monster roaming in the snow? What sort of trouble has it been causing exactly?" It seemed obvious enough but it was worth asking. As she did she looked around at the others. Seemed like just the sort of task they were fit to help with.

Gelin remained still, eyeing Mary. He appeared to be perplexed by her question. "You don't know about it?" That gave him the energy to sit up, though he immediately shivered and pulled the blanket tighter. "Everyone here knows what that is, even those guys that never leave the Village of Santa Claus."

He gave a show of taking a deep breath and sighing as loudly as possible.

"What cozy lives they must have. Large, modern houses, warm fires, surrounded by family...ah, to live in the comfort of the bustling city! To be free of the worries that plague us scavengers! Our days are dedicated to a noble cause for the people, only to tread with death each day we travel to the west! And now, with the way to Trano Golsaucia blocked by that guardian, we have no use! No purpose! What is an engineer without the parts he must build with? He is just a bum that scribbles drawings on paper!"

He threw himself back onto the floor, his head hitting the mat with a thunk. Gelin slipped his hand to his head and rubbed the sore spot.

The griping was beginning to annoy the hell out of him, but the little tidbits Gelin was giving was starting to paint a picture. Rolling his eyes, he at least tried to maintain a facade of calm. However thin it was.

"How long has it been blocking the way?" he asked, though anyone who was aware likely could tell it was a double-loaded question. This oaf? Probably not so much.

Saori glanced at her son but couldn't fault him for being annoyed. Still, they needed to get on his good side and start branching out to the rest of the villagers if they hoped to have any idea of what the state of the world was at the moment. She goes over to Gelin's side with soft smile on her face. "May I take a look? I don't have any healing magic, but never hurts to check, right?"

She spoke after her quick examination. "You misunderstand. We were...out of commission for sometime and found ourselves out there, scattered from the rest of our companions." Hopefully that would do enough to cover the fact no one in their party was dressed for cold weather.

"The last time I remember this Village, it was completely different from what it is now. What happened out there?"

Geline grunted and slipped the blanket off his head. There wasn't any bruising on the side of his head, but he whined as she inspected it anyway. Life was difficult and he couldn't bear the pain.

"Someone kidnapped you?" That was how he interpreted Saori's explanation. "Ah...The Village hasn't changed much since last year. Still the biggest city in the world. We're the ones that go out and hunt for food and whatever. The problem is that we can't sneak into Trano Golsaucia and steal some of the Archfiend's things. I guess it finally got smart and make this huge robot to guard the entrance. We would go fight it, but it's not like we're Heroes of Light." He sighed. "We had several men killed, so we're retreating until we come up with a better plan."

He leaned against Saori and closed his eyes. "Which is pretty much never."

Mary mentally took back her moratorium against snark, but she held onto it for the moment. Don't worry Riku, Stabmom is in your corner.

She was glad that Saori was here to play good cop at least. Diplomacy was never quite her area, and the only folk she was ever the best choice to talk with her the ones who were worse at it than she was. Murderers and thieves were easier to talk to than anguished fools. But it seemed like he was doing something right if he was respected here. An engineer they said? The people living here probably owed their lives to him.

Her eyes narrowed at the talk of an Archfiend with a giant robot. She had no clues to it, but considering the ones she'd seen about did that mean that it was one of the Heroes? Did they have a~~nother~~ traitor?

"Maybe we can try to do something, to repay you for rescuing us. What do you know about the Archfiend and their robot? Any other defenses?" She didn't have access to either of her airships though. That would complicate things.

Give him some credit, Goddessmom. While he felt a bit of comfort that Stabmom at least looked to be a similar level of annoyed, he hadn't yet voiced any of his irritation at the whining and doesn't plan to. Instead he crossed his arms under the blanket, careful of his movements so that Lydia didn't accidentally slip or claw at his skin and hair to keep hold.

"That's... one way to put it," he stated, not quite sure if that was an accurate guess or not. "Our mode of transportation crashed. Next thing we knew we were waking up in the snow without a scratch." And that was all he planned on saying about it unless pressed further. He was far more interested in this Archfiend and their giant robot. If push came to shove, he'd at least be able to transport everyone back here with his Corridors.

"Oh." Gelin stared at the fire for a minute, still cold but feeling much warmer after actually talking to other people. "Where were you guys headed? We can help you find a boat in the village."

He didn't believe they - a group of ordinary people - could defeat the Archfiend of the robot, but if they were new to the area and curious, he may as well tell them about it.

"The Archfiend of Wind. Of course, it's using the crystal in the temple to make it so windy all of the time, but we've never seen what it looks like. Ever since that day five years ago, the temple flew into the air, monsters invaded Trano, and only we scavengers could get in. The whole place has been filled with factories and robots, no doubt for that Archfiend's terrible use."

He scowled. "We should have known it was building something to keep us out forever. Steal a rich man's jewels repeatedly, and he puts up an absolute security system. Only now that system is stopping us from making a living..."

Gelin sighed once more. "It was too good to last. And don't think about heading over there. The Snow Beast - that's what we named it - blends into the surroundings. It'll kill you before you can spot it."

"We're not looking for a boat. I guess we're limited to sleighs since all that wind would make even the most seasoned airship pilots turn back."

When Gelin leaned against her, Saori didn't have the heart to protest or shove him off. If it could help him feel better, she supposed there was no harm in it. He was considerably much bigger than her which made sight even more comedic. She had to take off Garland's sword from her belt to get comfortable. Something told her she may be here for a while.

"Five years...? And what about the Heroes of Light?" she couldn't help but murmur and then looked at Mary and Ira. Guess that would explain Ira's growth spurt. She doubted anyone would have had the guts to get a glance of this Archfiend. Still, an Archfiend with an affinity towards robots?

"We....might have a way around that Snow Beast's camouflage?" She made eye contact with Mary. The problem was they lacked strength in numbers to take down this Snow Beast.

It certainly would explain the growth spurt. The last time he remembered being this tall, it was only for a week at most in real time - and an illusion besides. This time, he's 3% sure it wasn't the case.

...Okay 97%. He's no sweet-loving, sugar cube munching, child prodigy detective.

"Right. Only our numbers are lacking." In the back of his mind, he'd acknowledge being concerned for the others' well being. Unfortunately they can't confirm either way if they're stuck here. He returned that Saori's glance with his own, before also turning to Mary and the little ~~birdy~~ batty on his shoulder. "Sounds like our best bet may be heading to the Village of Santa Claus to see if they've heard of anything."

Which was going to be awkward in and of itself, considering his real thing had denied Santa existed and he had a falsified version of his memories and may or may not have thought similarly after two Christmases in the Tower. Oops.

"The winds don't reach the east end of the continent. If it's New Mysidia you're headed to, you'll follow the shores towards the east." He spoke without the added dramatics, as this was sound advice rather than a declaration that he was having a horrible time.

He did perk up at hearing some of Saori's questions. "Heroes of Light? Didn't they die after they killed Garland or something?" He paused to recall what he had learned over the years. "Yeah, I heard that were the main targets during the apocalypse. Smart of whoever did that, going after the only people strong enough to stop this."

Mary's been flexing her fingers all this time and her hands finally felt like they were back to normal. Gently she shifted about, feeling her muscles move. There was no pain beyond the soft burn of being out in the cold too long. No permanent damage. That was good.

"Dead eh? I've heard that a few might have been able to survive. But scattered to the winds and separated it." Her gaze shifted to Ira and she offered him an approving nod. "Sounds like a good place to make our next heading. If our luck is with us some of the others might have found their way there as well."

Her gaze then went back to their generous hosts, "If you can provide us with clothes and supplies to help us on our way we'd appreciate it. And if we can find a way to deal with both the snow beast and the Archfiend....well..." She let it hang there. It was a bit of a foolish offer and she knew it, but she knew that if there was anything they could do they of course would. "Is the Snow Beast more between here and the Archfiend's lair? Or is it on the way to Santa's Village?"

Gelin attempted to scoff at Mary's suggestion, but he chocked on his aching throat and had a coughing fit. "That would be a nice story. The Heroes of Light coming back one last time to save us all."

He looked up, watching Mary for a few minutes. In that time, his eyes lost the tragic faraway look and only focused on what was right there in that room. "If you're serious about this, don't risk fighting or sneaking past it. I don't want anyone else to die." His gaze turned towards the door. "It's near Trano Golsaucia. Once you see the flying temple, you have to turn back and head to safety, alright?"

Footsteps in the Snow (Central Lost Continent)

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