TURN FIFTY-NINE: PLAN FOR FUTURE TIDINGS
So, this would normally be about the point where i would say that the next chapter is coming up. However, I've decided that this isn't really a good point, in my personal opinion, to end the chapter. There's still a few things that need to happen. So, for the time being, I'm content with letting the turns go on. The next chapter can wait.
Also, I'm thinking that, for the next intermission, which should be very soon now, I'm going to do a check-up post to show everyone where the inactive-player characters are right now, what they are doing, what they have seen, and how the rest of the world is progressing. Like I assured so long ago, even the ones who have dormant players still interact with the world. I just want a chance to show that to you.
This turn will be short because there's some dialogue going on and I'd prefer not to try and "automate" your responses. I'll be replying with more dialogue within the next day, so it should not be a major concern.
"I can only speak for myself, but I have no reason to decline your offer, so long as you understand that if your military turns against anyone left of my home I will turn against them. As for what I want, I want help to go home and rescue anyone left, and help finding my sisters."
LirianArtemis chuckles and crosses his arms, saying,
"Wonderful. Well, I suppose that - wait. You are talking about your home. Are you, perhaps, from any of the Visteré islands? Visteré? Atis? Telenos?" He drops his playful expression and instead takes on a more serious tone.
"Part of the objective of my forces is to ensure the security of the Visteré islands. We already know that the Theyin Empire has invaded that sector and has inflicted quite the damage on the region. You have my word and my honor that nobody from the Jaunatne Coalition's forces will even attempt to harm anyone on any of the Visterés." He looks down for a moment before speaking once again.
"Well, if you are from one of the Visterés, maybe you could assist us in even more ways than I thought possible. And, in return, we can aid your home and the surrounding islands, as is one of our main wishes for the area. I am curious about your request for assistance in finding your sisters, however. Where do you believe your sisters are, and how did they become lost?"((Apologies for not replying sooner with dialogue. This week was my finals week, and I had no time to really do anything. I'll try to be more punctual now.
Also, yes, the Visteré islands do include Atis, as well as the surrounding islands of Visteré Mit, Telenos, Ossis, and a few minor islands.))
Cautiously make my way over to the captain, expecting anything and everything. If he makes any kind of mood to attack or arrest me, swiftly run back to my golems and have them come to life, forming a wall of soldiers inbetween me and them. If they make no attempt to attack or arrest me, then simply go with what they do, and try to remain close to the captain. I wish to initiate conversation with him...
RuneYou're a little bit apprehensive about this. Considering what the invasion forces did to the island, you're not exactly comfortable hanging around the soldiers. However, it's not like you have much choice in the issue. You could attack them with the golems, but that would entirely blow the cover of your operation and possibly jeopardize everything you've worked for so far. You could try escaping in the tunnels and seeing if you could lose them, but surely they would still be able to find you, given enough time. At least with the diplomatic option, you will have time to figure out what you have to work with and how you could resolve this without hinting at your paranormal operations down in the crust of the earth.
You walk forward with the leader of the team and ask him if he is going to arrest you. He gives you a slight smile and shakes his head, saying,
"As long as you comply, we have no reason to do so. Just stay out of this area. If you live on this island, we'd ask you to stay around your village or town." Seeing as you have no real reason to object yet, you decide to go along with them. Seeing as they have been on the surface for a while, they'll know more about recent events than you would.
((Now's the time for dialogue, if you wish. Or, you could continue the action and I will simply address where they take you next.))
"Yes, the Professor of Paradox. And you are?"
I stare at her impatiently. I'd rather not talk.
Cat SchrodingerShe begins to talk before cutting herself off.
"The... Professor of Paradox," she remarks.
"Right. Well, my name is Teresa Walters. My associates and I are doing some reports on this island's University. In particular, I am talking about a few of its most prominent members in history. With the unfortunate and untimely death of Sir Leo Anders the Second, I wanted to see if I could collect some information on his personal life. Would you, perhaps, happen to know anything about this man and his activity within the University?" As she talks, one of her aforementioned associated retrieves a tan folder from his satchel and hands it to Teresa. She promptly flips it open, skips to a blank page, and produces a pen from her pocket.
((Once again, this section is mostly going to be reliant on your dialogue [or lack thereof], so it's pretty short for that reason.))
((Emotional Support: I appreciate your writing skills and your way of coping with things when under pressure or fatigue. Please go at your own pace, because we are all OK with these things! Thank you for the constant notifications; we hope you are alright there!
That said, I like how you portray my character--on the flipside from what I write That's nice resonance.))
Eleri felt like lead. As literal as the idea hit her, she felt fatigued all around, from arms to legs, along with the feeling of having strapped weights to her chest--she just realized lately that her, thinking, managed to steal away all that focus into getting her going, than paying all that focus into her woes and bodily pains. Her thoughts were still on a roll, and she wouldn't deny them rightful passage into examining and assessing her surroundings. She was just a walk away from the town, though approaching at nightfall may give suspicion (especially given her self-consciousness about her form). She decided to transfer the decision to Flynn, realizing that without him, she wouldn't be having this adventure of her life time, and with that in mind wouldn't even be feeling so free in thought and in body...despite all the fatigue such adventures entail.
While the growing reminder of a nice bed nudged her, she managed to smile. It was weeks since she slept on a comfy surface, and enticing as it was, she felt as if her body was getting used to a more rugged environment, and her thoughts drifted to how stories of adventurers and travelers honed their skills and toned their body to meet the outlook of a worldly sage. It was inspiring.
She broke off from her train of thought, feeling her tail with her hand, roping it around her before releasing it. "Flynn, are you up for walking the way there? I think nightfall may be best, though the choice is yours in the end. I can easily, probably, hide in the forest and support you as close as I can towards the village--there may be guards or watchmen, I'm unsure. It's been a long time since I've socialized with...practically anyone, and I may just be remembering how things are in my place. We can spend the night and early morning resting someplace cozy here, though: If we approach tomorrow by dawn, I may have trouble with attention considering my...figure, and all that. Are you ready to meet other people?"
Decide openly. Coordinate with buddy Flynn!
((Thanks, though with all of my work for the semester done, I can start putting out updates MUCH quicker.))
EleriFlynn leans forward from his position in the grass as he seemingly stares down at the houses below. You know that he probably can't see the individual houses, but he most likely has a general sense of his location.
"So, if we're where I think we are," he begins with a musing tone,
"then the Preston family home shouldn't be all that far down. It's actually a little farther from the rest of the village - a little.. disconnected. They know me well there and will be able to treat me, like I said. It's just, well..." He sighs and looks down.
"Okay, so... there aren't any guards or watchmen or anything like that. Nobody official. But there's often animals that come prowling around at night, trying to look for food n' stuff. And since the village has some farm animals, a lot of the townspeople prefer to keep guns around. Including Theodore Preston, who's the head of the Preston household. He's a little paranoid sometimes. I don't think it'd be good for you to come very close. I think, if we get down there by night, you'd at least be able to go to the woodline outside the perimeter of the house before I'd have to go on my own. From there, I can walk just fine."He thinks for a few seconds before piping up once again.
"The Prestons are great. They'll take care of me just fine. I'm just a little worried about where you'll stay. I mean, it'd be really rude of me not to help you out at least a bit. But I'm not sure if you're planning to leave as soon as I'm taken care of, or if you want to stay around a while, or something." He sighs wistfully.
"Still, there's the problem of.. well, y'know.. you being extraordinary and all. I don't think the Prestons would like it very much, even if I tried to persuade them to let you stay around." He runs a hand through his hair as he tries to figure out a plan.
"If... if the Prestons haven't done any renovations recently, there's a tool shed near the back of their property which you might be able to stay in. But that'd be neither comfortable nor really safe. I don't know how often Theodore checks the toolshed, and if he found you, he'd probably, well... shoot you for trespassing?" He laughs nervously before groaning in frustration.
"None of the houses around here are really vacant, and nobody here would be all too hospitable to you, I'd think. They wouldn't give me the chance to let them understand." He exhales slowly. Turning to you, he smiles and says,
"I don't have an idea. I'm really sorry. We could try to find somewhere higher in the mountains for you to stay, but I'm... not really confident in how that would turn out."
Author's Note: This ended up shorter than I thought it would be, mostly due to the fact that dialogue still remained prevalent and there wasn't much to explain that hasn't already been explained - at least, in terms of detail or sensory descriptions. But that's alright - great, in fact! Dialogue is very useful for progression, in my opinion. Plus, it's less restricted by concrete turns and allows me to set a smoother flow.
I probably should've said this much earlier, but whatever. Whether or not you've already celebrated your holiday, I wish you some very
HAPPY HOLIDAYS no matter where you are. I hope the season treats you well, and that you're all doing fantastic right now.
Thanks so much and I hope you enjoy the coming updates,
Artemis