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

helltree

[notjustawriter]

I don't believe that at all.

[....]

I told you about trackin' down werewolves, but I didn't tell you everything about them. Should a werewolf who never harmed a human die before the werewolf who turned him, his soul can't pass into Heaven. It remains trapped. Like a ghost, I guess you could say.

A man spent over a century like that by the time I learned about the case. His good fortune I was supposed to track down the one who kept him trapped like that, I suppose.

"Hell on Earth" is a sayin' for a reason where I'm from.

[pr159]

Right. You never know with all these different worlds.

[ He could ask about the weight thing, but he doubts any answer he'd get to that would clarify anything. ]

In any case, if it actually smelled like cooked rappig meat like this, then... yes, it's probably pretty safe to say it wasn't all straw inside. However you want to deal with that knowledge.

It did sound like you weren't really sure if it was the same or not, though.

[scythegun]

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who finds such an idea ridiculous.

[He turns to Gabriel after a moment, taking in all that Gabriel has to say.]

I can't imagine how difficult that was for him. It sounds like a dreadful existence.

[Maybe not as bad as the helltree, but definitely not doing a lot better.]

[planetary_bonds]

I hadn't...considered that.

[But he really should have. After all, they'd run into Wesker, right?]

You too, huh?

[Yusei grimaces, then corrects himself.]

Well, he hadn't justified it like that, actually. More of the "I'm doing this to save the world," type, actually. I'm not sure if that's better or worse than sheer indifference...

[planetary_bonds]

[Rideaux might end up stumbling over Yusei, who's been crouching by the stream for some time. He's got one glove off and is letting his hand simply linger in the water, watching the glittering water pass between his fingers. He looks pretty out of it, all things considered.

Not too out of it to notice he's in Rideaux's way, though, so he'll abruptly pull his hand out of the water and apologize, like he's been found doing something he shouldn't. There's an air of "child caught with their hand in the cookie jar" about him, which is...honestly kind of odd, given how he usually is.]

Sorry. I didn't interrupt you, did I?

[planetary_bonds]

[Yusei opens his mouth as if to answer, then closes it, looking genuinely at a loss.]

I...I'm not sure.

[h

have you not been like. washing yourself. or at least changing clothes

yusei?]

[blunders]

[...Yeah. Heinwald isn't the only one bothered by that. If they'd been called a little earlier, maybe they'd have a chance, and yet here they stand as enemies. Against someone who genuinely doesn't want to hurt them.

Of course, all things considered, Felicia isn't...surprised by the assertion, but she is more surprised by the second remark after. That's...

...Something that can wait--Felicia will nod her head when he says that much, and that much is true. Emma and Hanneman would probably have a field day, at least.]

Don't worry, I'll get it to them too! I thought I'd ask you first since you were over here, though.

[But she'll keep all of that in mind too, don't worry. But she does circle back to that second bit once she's had some time to think.]

...If I can be honest, I'm not sure how...affected I feel about that. It's kind of...it's useful to us, right now, I think? To try to get used to even the worst conditions will serve us well, at least here. [Hrm.] It's a little scary, but I feel like if I can at least put it to the back of my head for the sake of the others, it'll all be okay.

[Felicia's look briefly goes back to the fire, before she turns all too quickly back to Heinwald.]

...Have you ever been scared? In dealing with any of these...grotesque things.

[blunders]

[Oh!]

Yes, I do! I've been keeping it safe with my supplies! Did you want to check it out?

[abysstery]

[It's JRPG logic he ain't gotta explain shit.

Heinwald is not entirely unfamiliar with death. When he was mimicking Yeager's motion on his own cravat, the scar circling his neck and the discoloration below were ever-present. It's...eerily similar to Wesker's scar. Even so, that experience cannot be compared to Yeager's.

The reveal of Yeager having a blastia all along—let alone one taking the place of a vital organ—catches Heinwald off guard. His eyes widen slightly, verging on intrigue. But he never gets quite that far, not when he can see how Yeager feels about it.]

It wasn't by choice, I take it.

[scythegun]

[He's aware of Heinwald's scar - maybe it's part of the reason why he decided to actually talk about this for once in his damn life.

It takes a moment for him to reply to Heinwald's words, and his gaze has dropped back to the weapon as he continues to mess with it.]

The Great War happened ten years ago, and resulted in a great many losses for the Empire. Many of the Imperial Knights were killed in combat against talking monsters.

[Entelexeia are a little more complicated than that, but whatever, it gets the point across.]

The Commandant of the Imperial Knights was successful in bringing only two soldiers back. One stayed with the Commandant and became a Captain of the knights; the other fled to join the guilds to avoid the Commandant and the Empire.

[...It isn't a direct answer, but it's probably close enough.]

[pr159]

No. [ If he was interrupting, he'd be hearing about it already. ] Just thinking anyway.

[ That reaction is noticeably odd, though, and he's not just going to ignore it. He tilts his head, trying to get a better view to see if Yusei was actually hiding anything. ]

What were you doing?

[alchemicals]

Yeah, if you could show me how to use that or something, that'd be great.

[planetary_bonds]

[The only thing he's really trying to hide is the fact that he'd had his hand in the water, so Rideaux can see Yusei blatantly pulling on his removed glove despite his hand being wet...]

Nothing in particular...I was just thinking as well, I suppose...

[It's not a strange answer for either of them to give. There was...a lot to think about.]

[notjustawriter]

Agreed.

This... this can't go on.

[What the hell had the first group been thinking?]

[abysstery]

I appreciate that, Felicia. I'll be happy to give it a look before you being it to them.

["Happy" isn't quite the right word, but he'd be lying if he said he wasn't interested. If the tree and past corpses grew crystals, he wonders how long it will be before he finds them embedded in his own skin.

He quietly listens to Felicia, watching her all the while. When she asks about him, he smiles. It's intended to be reassuring, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.]

I suppose I had moments of fright in my younger years. But after a certain point, my view changed. "I've seen much worse" became my default response to things like what we have witnessed here in the Shimmer. But I asked for it. I sought out truths despite any fears or reservations I may have had, and I have no regrets.

It is true that growing accustomed to these sights will be beneficial, but it is unfortunate that they have been thrust upon you so.

[notjustawriter]

Yeah, I can't imagine either. It's not like I ever met him or anything like that; he was trapped, unable to interact with the world.

Gracie was convinced he was lookin' out for me, though. Think he might've appeared to me in a dream, come to think of it.

[abysstery]

[It's more than close enough, and more context than Heinwald believes he deserves. Still, he's appreciative of it.

His own gaze drops, his expression growing somber. Being revived after dying in combat is an entirely new level of horror that Heinwald cannot even begin to imagine.]

Were you able to find any amount of solace with the guilds?

[He clearly made a name for himself to become a guild leader, but...is he at least finding any enjoyment out of the life that was forced upon him?]

[scythegun]

Oh? Tell me about the dream.

[blunders]

I wouldn't mind that at all, Kimbley. Whenever you'd like!

[Felicia just straight up beams after saying that! She's definitely excited to be of some help and...honestly, to show off the cool machine because it's so cool.]

Honestly, I'm glad we haven't had to use it for anything serious--we've been good at avoiding severe injuries like that, at least.

[scythegun]

[There's an argument to be made about how that man and Yeager are two different people, but frankly, he's far too tired to try to find a way to express that. Heinwald's question isn't helping much, and his gaze darts to the side.

"Solace", huh...]

I don't know.

[It's a complicated mess of feelings he's not entirely sure he still has and doesn't really want to start evaluating right now.]

...Only one other person knows about all of this back in my world. I would prefer it if you kept this between the two of us.

[There isn't really anything behind it; it's just... blank. None of the usual cheer or enthusiasm or flair, it's almost startlingly simple in comparison to how he normally acts.]

[alchemicals]

Yeah, we have. Whenever you're not busy, then, I'd like that.

[For...science, or something.]

[abysstery]

[Upon receiving that answer, Heinwald can't help but feel like he's overstepped his bounds. Asking someone who has been unwillingly revived if they've found comfort in their new life...well, Yeager's here, isn't he? Maybe that says a lot on its own.

He mercifully lets the subject drop there, not wishing to push Yeager any further on it.]

Of course, Yeager. This truth will be safe with me. [...] Thank you, for speaking to me about this. I believe I have come to understand you better through it.

For what it is worth, I am glad to have gotten to know you over this journey. I am certain that I would still be floundering had you not come to me with valuable insight in my worst moments. I do not know how to begin repaying you for it, but I at least wanted to make sure you were not alone with your thoughts tonight.

[scythegun]

[That gets a soft, hollow laugh from him.]

I've only ever done what I wanted to do at the moment. I thought you could use the company, and I'm pleased I was able to provide you some assistance.

[And for what little it's worth, that isn't as much of a lie as it could have been.]

I appreciate what you've done for me tonight, then. This is... something I have tried very hard not to think about for ten years. It all caught up to me far too quickly, and it's only now I have time to process it.

Today was particularly bad for that, I suppose.

[A lack of existence is always worse than one that's less than ideal... Funny how sometimes a one-off remark like that can have more impact on you than a horrifying people-tree.]

[abysstery]

[Living in the moment, trying not to think of the past...mm. That certainly tracks.]

You were correct, even if I thought I did not want company in the moment.

[He shifts to fully face Yeager again.]

And here of all places. [Does he mean the Shimmer as a whole or camped outside a smoldering tree of charred flesh? Both? Looking back on it, this has probably been eating at Yeager for a while.] Granted, I imagine there is hardly an ideal place for confronting these thoughts.

Our circumstances are incredibly different, but if there is any aspect of your own that you wish to work through with me...I may have more insight on the matter to offer than most.

[scythegun]

It is a bit of an odd place to do this much self-reflecting.

[...Mostly because of the horrible peopletree, but the Shimmer in general is not exactly the best place to have deep existential thoughts that he probably should've been dealing with years ago.]

It's appreciated, Heinwald. I wasn't exactly planning on discussing it with anyone, but you do seem like one of the few who is best equipped to handle hearing all this.

[He absolutely knows how fucked up this is, and you don't inflict this sort of thing on someone who's going to have problems handling it. Can you imagine trying to discuss this with Garma?? Garma does not deserve.]

Now that I've let this particular cat out of the bag, I suspect I will have to try to confront it eventually. For now, I don't plan on doing that. I can only deal with a little bit at a time.

[Maybe that's not the way he should be handling it, but it's not like we have therapy in Vesperialand so it'll have to do. Anyway, he's at least sounding like he's approaching his usual self without getting overly flippant about the whole thing, so maybe this is progress. Slow-going progress is still progress!!]