EVENT: Exploration

[rekindlemods]

There's a nervous feeling to this morning. More than a few people milling around the giant gates of Districts Five and Three. Among them are officials, giving safety and advisory talks on what to expect outside, and hoping that people will listen: it's not safe outside the walls, there is an energy drain in place that can only be held off by keeping in contact with someone (and that only lasts so long) plus a reminder on where the signal was pinpointed. Somewhere off to the north east of the city...And to be careful out there, above all else.

True to the announcement, the city gates open in the morning hours with plenty of heavy rattling noises to mark the occasion. And with that, all that's left is to step through the gates to the world outside.

Out there it feels like there's a near permanent coating of rust and ash on every surface, determined to work its way onto your mouth and into your lungs. Looming out of the shattered remains of streets and sidewalks are crumbled buildings that look like gaunt old skeletons of the familiar Saeng Seong locals. There's a stillness to the air that can weigh heavy on one's shoulders…And can probably get all the more heavy if you're not keeping up contact. You DID bring a buddy along to help you explore, right?

The company is probably needed, given how empty and desolate the outside feels. Save for the occasional groan of a ruin falling a little more apart...And perhaps a skittering of something close by.

Welcome to the dead zone ringing the city. Best look alive out there.

Comments

open

[dragoncrest]

A.

[Ever the cautious type, Freya doesn't particularly want to head out on her own, not knowing what might be out there or how things might affect her, so she's approaching the others as they all head out to offer her partnership. Safety in numbers...

She doesn't introduce herself just yet, instead deciding to get straight to the point.]

Do you have an idea of what you're going to search for?

B.

[Being on her own does offer some advantages, however, such as higher mobility--her jumping prowess allows her to easily traverse the ruins and head towards the source of the signal that they were asked to locate--though she isn't opposed to searching for relics or technology. She's not about to avoid anyone, however, so as she head in that direction, it's likely she'll stop to greet those she sees to replenish her energy. How the greeted will react to a tall rat woman with a spear jumping down to meet them remains to be seen.]

A

[capturespecialist]

[Certainly she'd seen some strange things in Saeng Seong, so she should definitely be less surprised about a tall rat woman. And she is, but not by much. None of her team's out for the moment - conserving their energy until she's out of the city proper - so she doesn't have to worry about too many introductions...]

Some of the groups in the city have put up requests, so I was going to take a few of them on. [They're nice and neatly outlined for what they want exactly. It's so nice.] After I've cleared a few of those, I guess -- it's out to do what we were formally asked to do, about finding the source of the signal.

[A tougher job. But her main focus is the first: fetch requests.]

[dragoncrest]

[Freya nods. It seems like a reasonable plan, to do a little bit of everything just in case one of them doesn't pan out. The red-hatted woman brings a hand to her chin in thought.]

I admit the talismans and masks they mentioned interest me. Magic items are common in my world, and I would be glad to learn of how it works in this place...

[Perhaps it may even help them discover a way to restore the city more quickly--or even better, find a way home without their help. But she leaves those thoughts for now, holding out a hand to the girl.]

My name is Freya. Would you mind if I accompanied you? [She's armed with the spear currently strapped to her back, so she certainly wouldn't be a burden.]

[capturespecialist]

[Crystal only works with her team -- but, given the nature of the mission... And how the outside was supposed to be... Her Pokémon might not even be enough.]

I wouldn't. My name's Crystal, but you can just call me Crys. It's nice to meet you, Miss Freya. [She takes the hand and gives it a small shake, smiling.] I should've probably asked this before agreeing, but -- how do you do with animals?

[...though pokémon aren't exactly animals and they can't really be compared, it's the simplest term people'll understand.]

[dragoncrest]

And you as well, Crys.

[The dragon knight tilts her head slightly and brings a hand to her chin, not sure of the reason for the question. Nonetheless, she has no issue with animals and animal-like things, be it getting along with chocobos or slaying dragons.]

I do fairly well with them. Why do you ask? [She imagines there must be some relevant reason for it, but nothing about Crystal really gives her an indication of what that might be.]

[capturespecialist]

I have a pretty large group of them, and they can be pretty shocking to meet at first. [No one's reacted super badly to them in the five or so months she's been in the city, but it's still something to be cautious of!] They're friendly though, and they're very well-trained.

B

[allbymyself]

[Not very well, unfortunately; both Silver and his Typhlosion step back at her entrance. The fire badger, at least, gives her a curious look -- his redheaded trainer doesn't give her anything but wariness. Just because she hadn't immediately attacked them like the rest of the stupid beasts around here doesn't mean she's free from suspicion. Especially with her looks.]

Can I help you? [He's not asking to be nice or actually interested in it -- he just knows the sooner he hears her out, the sooner she'll leave and he can return to his own goal.]

[dragoncrest]

[The Dragon Knight observes him a moment, glad to see the boy isn't completely alone, but she's not sure that his... pets (are they Pokemon, she wonders?) will be enough to keep his energy up. Though thirteen-year-olds are capable of great things, she can't help a bit of a protective instinct at seeing someone young out in the dangerous ruins.]

I was looking for someone to accompany as I searched these ruins, and you and your companions are the only ones I've seen nearby.

[allbymyself]

[He's about to refuse her - working with someone? Not his style, because he can handle things on his own. He's a big boy. He doesn't need help! On the other hand, his earlier mishap is still fresh in his mind, and he's still not feeling 100% fine from it...]

Fine. Just don't get in my way. [His Typhlosion gives her a friendly wave when Silver turns away; it's allowed to be nice to strangers as long as its trainer isn't looking.] I'm not looking for anything that city wants, so don't expect me to help you with that if that's what you're out here for. I'm looking for a way out of here.

[dragoncrest]

[A small smile reaches her face as she nods to the fire-type in greeting, undeterred by the trainer's attitude.]

I assure you I'm capable of helping.

[Training to be a knight and doing some world traveling does that. But when he explains what he's after, she's a bit more concerned and steps forward to make sure she follows him closely. A way out, out in this kind of place?]

Do you really think you'll find a way back to your world in these ruins?

[allbymyself]

[Silver tenses up when she steps forward, and he gives her a frown when she questions his intentions.]

There isn't one there. [He glances back towards the city, or -- where he thinks it might be. Must be.] I assume no one's been out here before, going by how cautious everyone is, so who's to say there isn't?

[He'll find it, go home, and finish heading off to Victory Road to beat the Champion.]

a

[littlerat]

[Here's another person not quite used to tall rat women (or men). He stares, but just for a second or two before he catches himself, and focuses on the question asked.]

Not really. I'm going to take a look around and bring back whatever I can. [He looks back again, but this time not so enthralled by her features.] You?

[dragoncrest]

[She's used to the stares at this point, so she simply takes it in stride, nodding in response, expression hidden under her hat and hair as usual. Man, there sure are a lot of teenagers out here today.]

I don't have much preference, as long as I can help. [It's been a while since she got to do sidequests stretch her legs like this.] Though I admit I would like to search for these moveable shrines they mentioned, as well as the source of that signal.

[littlerat]

[Her nose is as long as her hat! He thinks about both the shrine and the signal- asking details on both of them - but his curiosity on the latter wins out.]

What do you think about the signal? Did you hear it when it was broadcast?

[dragoncrest]

I did not, although it was recorded and I was able to hear it later.

[She recalls the mysterious voice that interrupted the first broadcast of the priestess, letting out a quiet hum as she puts her thoughts together.]

Whoever it was, they implied there were dangers to come. It would not surprise me, though it has been mostly peaceful here since I arrived. But if we can find the source and discover what might be behind that threat... it would be best to do so sooner rather than later.

[She's already lost two lands to violence and war; she's not about to witness a third be harmed, even if she wasn't taken here her by her own will.]

[littlerat]

[He thinks on her words, and in doing so is silent. He's not entirely used to voicing his own thoughts out loud without question, but he considers it when thinking through what he recalls of the posting that brought the whole thing to his attention. That, and. You know. The fact that she didn't mind sharing with the class either.]

...I heard the broadcast when the post about this went up. It sounded like they were warning about the priestess from what was said around the feed. [He crosses his arms, mind thinking on the ominous words.] But if it's supposed to be especially bad out there, I'm as curious as everyone else as to how they've been keeping okay outside.

[He pauses, briefly.] But it doesn't sound like everyone in this city is on the same page. The scientists and the priests and so on.

B

[noparachute]

[Steve's been traveling with Tony for the longest time, but for right now, he's on his own. Walking further into the ruins by himself isn't really smart of him, but he hopes to find someone else soon to help relieve the touch symptoms. At least the bright red, white, and blue shield on his back is noticeable.

...Hopefully he won't attract monsters though.

He stops walking when Freya jumps down in front of him, instantly recognizing the noble rat lady. Steve hasn't seen her at all, not since he was still small and skinny, so this is a pleasant surprise.]

Miss- I mean, Freya. [He smiles a little; she looks well and ready to fight.] Out exploring these ruins too?

1/2

[dragoncrest]

[Though she saw the shield, she didn't quite remember it from when she first saw it on the network, instead thinking the tall man a stranger. One who could take care of himself judging by his physique, but he could be one of those stubborn types...

... which is why it takes her several moments to recognize the man addressing her, standing there with a confused frown mostly concealed under her hat.]

I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage...

2/2

[dragoncrest]

[Wait a minute... She knows that voice, and that face. And that shield? How could she forget that color combination? But what's in front of her doesn't match her memory otherwise at all, and her surprise is clear, though her voice is mostly calm as always.]

Steve?

[noparachute]

[Freya's inability to recognize him at first doesn't surprise Steve, so he's not offended or hurt by her reaction at all. Not the first time this happened and hey, he did grow over a foot and gained an extra hundred pounds. Not every day something like that happened.

Besides, she ends up recognizing him anyway.]

Same guy, just had a good experience with the gym lately. [He tries to make things light, but he'll give her the truth about his change if she asks. It's just not something he normally brings up otherwise.] It's good to see you again.

[dragoncrest]

[She absolutely does not believe that he's merely been working out. Not even in her world does such a thing happen.]

How many years did you spend, exactly, in this gym?

[For him to have grown that much, some time must have passed. Then was he sent home, as Loki and Severa had been, and brought back? ... She supposes she's just glad that he remembers her, unlike those two.]

B

[heretic_hamlet]

[For his relief at seeing her, Ramza might as well have hailed her down himself; he just wished he had more to show for his work so far, especially if he was willing to go off on his own to do so.

After all, the religious artifacts he'd found weren't exactly what he was expecting. but given his prior troubles with 'sacred relics' perhaps that was for the best.]

Freya. I pray your search was fruitful?

[He casually tucked a fanged stone mask into his satchel.]

[dragoncrest]

[Freya is just as glad to see Ramza, though she can't say she's been much more successful. She has two pockets full of things she doesn't understand the use for, though the metal and plastic certainly looked impressive when she first spotted them.]

Somewhat. I picked up some strange-looking devices that may be of use to the city, though I did want to see these small shrines the priestesses asked for, simply out of curiosity...

[She brings her attention to the item Ramza is putting away. Speaking of the religious sect...] Was that one of the masks they described?

[heretic_hamlet]

The shrines? I had only seen two so far, and only in passing; the beasts in these wastes did not give me much of a breadth to push them...

[But with Freya's words, Ramza nods, and opens his satchel to retrieve the odd, almost fiendish-looking mask. He studies it thoughtfully, checking it front and beck, before holding it up for Freya to see.]

One of several I've found thus far. Supposedly they're of great importance or power, but... well, at a glance I've yet to see it.

[Of course, he'd heard the same about auracite.]

[dragoncrest]

[She wonders if they'll manage to retrieve any at this rate. Hopefully someone else will have had more of an opportunity...

Freya steps closer to examine the mask, though she only does so for a moment.]

It doesn't outwardly seem magical, but perhaps it's something only the residents of this world can draw out. [Something like summoners and all that... she wouldn't know where to start. Best to leave it to the professionals and do what she's good at--namely, searching and fighting.]