CAVERN.

[atrueheroine]

[Another encounter with the Shimmer, another round of confusion, frustration and exhaustion. It's probably going to be a fairly unanimous opinion, but Page much preferred the circle of peaceful corpses over the tree of suffering.

She emerged from the river just in time to hear what the Shimmer had to say, and it leaves a bad taste in her mouth. But regardless of feelings, it's probably wise that they don't move away from this cavern for the time being; the fire, remnants of that horrible tree, is providing light and warmth. They couldn't really ask for much more, especially after spending the past week in darkness.

So Page will swim back to the fire, placing herself in front of it and unwinding her headpiece, letting her locs fall free around her face. She's soaked, miserable and cold. As awful as the source of the heat is, she needs to dry off. The last thing she wants is to fall ill.

Not that it would mean much - sounds like a problem for her body. Wherever that is.

You're free to join her, or do what you will; time to rest, before the new week begins.]

Comments

[pr159]

[ ... ]

I feel like I'd probably need a lot more context to understand what you're talking about, but I'm not sure I want it. You think this missing person ended up inside the scarecrow or something?

[ They're usually filled with straw, right? Hence the burning? ...He knows fucking nothing about agriculture. ]

[atrueheroine]

Wet.

[...thanks, Page.]

I can't say I expected to have to go swimming, down here, but I suppose it's nice to have a source of water.

[Nnnnoooot that she suggests drinking from the area where they've all. kind of been cleaning and bathing themselves, but at least it's flowing.]

The light is nice, too, despite the source of it.

[alchemicals]

"Haunted" is not exactly the word I would have used for that.

[instrumentalized]

[ .... you... you have some weird ways of venting? Killing things to deal with anger is bad, probably, but alright. That's a thought for another time. ]

... we'd be wasting resources.

[alchemicals]

Depends on what the crystals are made of, and how hard it is to blow them up as a result.

[bruh]

[skelkro]

I think so... in fact, I think Mr. Skelkro was even heavier than usual that day, but I had thought maybe he had just... put on some weight recently.

[... With what, Emma??]

[scythegun]

Ja, that certainly was a strange choice. I suppose maybe they thought the Shimmer was a ghost, if it appeared to them...? That woman's appearance is a bit ghostly.

[abysstery]

[And even if it did consider understanding it at one point, it's definitely not going to now. Heinwald knows he has to come to terms with this.]

It makes what it said before leaving all the more confusing, about not wanting to harm us. It would not care for the pain of those suffering from what it does to them, but it would say that in the same breath? [...] The Shimmer is absolutely frustrating.

[At least they were able to bring relief to those in the tree. That's...one good thing out of this horrible mess.]

Yeager...may I ask if this has a particular relevance to you?

[instrumentalized]

That's... basically research.

[ Garma is not usually down for this sort of nonsense, but honestly? Please distract him. Please distract him. Blowing up rocks has never sounded so beautiful. ]

[alchemicals]

...That's true, yeah. Makes me think they didn't talk to her at all, though.

[blunders]

[She does wind up taking a look for a moment, a little surprised--she's certainly seen Heinwald's face and the unusual tones there, but to know it extends further...

...Felicia's going to tactfully look away from it, honestly. Surprised as she is, making a spectacle of it isn't going to help anyone.]

I can hardly blame you; I feel much the same. It feels like talking to a brick wall, and it's...disheartening.

[Either way, though, Felicia...shifts a bit uncomfortably at that, but she's not going to be dishonest.]

...I'm alright now, at least. I have to admit, it gave me quite the shock to see the tree stare at us, and those limbs on the trees...gods. It was awful. I can't imagine how much they must have been suffering there. But...I hate to say it, but I feel almost like I'm getting used to this.

[...Actually, though, that reminds her--]

I did at least manage to get a sample of one of the leaves from it, though--I'm not sure if that's anything you'd like to see? It didn't hurt them to take one, at least.

helltree...

[crestological]

...hm.

[Hanneman overhears that, and...]

I think it’s certainly a complicated issue. I do believe it is worth it to pursue all avenues if you can, but sometimes it is simply just hopeless.

[alchemicals]

Sounds good, doesn't it? Come on, let's go look at them at least. If it'd just be a waste of time to destroy them, then we don't have to.

[notjustawriter]

And he actually gave menacing speeches instead of pretending not to care while stalking us for weeks on end!

[We're... positively talking about AM. Right then.]

I wouldn't be surprised if they've sent a group in after us, even. We lost at least a week, maybe our "bosses" already think we're dead.

[scythegun]

I can't imagine trying to discuss anything with it. You'd have more success with the rocks here.

[That question gets him to hesitate for a moment, head tipped a bit before he returns his attention to his weapon.]

Not to me, no.

[He's smiling, but the expression has gone icy.]

I simply don't like the idea of a fate worse than death - certainly not anything like what those people have experienced.

[blunders]

[...Very convincing, Kimbley.]

Well, I am glad to hear that they've healed up nicely. Just be sure to be careful, especially when we exit this place! These rocks can be a little unforgiving...

[source: fell on face, got scrapes, they're at least healed]

...Are you sure you're alright, though? I won't pry if you don't want me to, but...you don't seem it.

[scythegun]

Perhaps they fled the moment they saw her. Which may have actually been a better idea than trying to talk to her, given how successful everyone else has been at that.

[planetary_bonds]

...I'm not sure.

[Yusei hasn't really spoken much to the Shimmer this time around, if anything he seemed more avoidant, lingering near the water instead. This hasn't changed, and he's actually taken a glove off so he can dip his hand in the river, just watching the shimmering water pass between his fingers.]

The way time has passed in here...and it's been going on for so long before we were even called, right? It...should be something we expected, but...

[They just can't help but hold out hope, huh...]

[scythegun]

...Yes, it is.

[It's quiet, and it sounds like Yeager's focused on something else entirely as he says it.

But after a moment he turns to Hanneman.]

We did what we could for them. It isn't an ideal ending, but it is an ending. I imagine they appreciated it.

[As much as they could, given the circumstances.]

[instrumentalized]

Maybe if the rations were any more appealing in taste it'd still have a point...

[ But even then, with all the weird body feelings going on...? Who knows. Anyway, it doesn't matter. ]

You've given up on guard duty?

[alchemicals]

Tell me about it. I was a little concerned Garma was going to ask to talk to its manager or its mother or something.

[...]

Can I ask you something?

[blunders]

[... ... ...

Okay, she's trying to remain dignified at that, but--that gets a small laugh.]

That makes two of us. Honestly, I think I might take a page out of Kimbley's book and give my hair a good wash after all is said and done--it really is so nice to be near the water for once.

[...]

...I'm at least glad that we ended their suffering. They didn't deserve to be left to that fate.

[alchemicals]

[Felicia...

It gets him to hesitate for a moment, though.]

...I'm okay, yeah. Might ask you for a favor, though, I don't know.

[scythegun]

Only for tonight. I doubt we'll have anything to deal with right now.

[The Shimmer knows we're here, after all, and we haven't seen a cougar in forever. Though if we get mine cougars he's going to be real disappointed that he didn't get to fight them.]

There are plenty of others who will pick up my slack, ja? You don't have to worry so much.

[scythegun]

I'm a bit disappointed he didn't.

[Yeager inclines his head a bit at the question.]

Of course. What is it?