open mingle: 11/4-11/11 (or whatever. follow ur dreams)

[sniptuck]

[ NEW MONTH, NEW US. Are you attempting to figure out ways to solve Naoko and Jenn's respective problems? Helping to make the base island nice and fancy? Or any other type of shenanigan that isn't listed above because I don't know your life and am not privy to every single bad idea to come across the crew? Well, it's time to make all of that happen here!

Anyway have fun and use this for threading. Make sure to check out the November OOC post and there is also a CR meme up. THAT'S IT, HAPPY SCORPIO MONTH!!! ]

Comments

[imsorey]

[he's more confident in his abilities when Mikleo's working with him--the affinity for water helps, when they're constantly surrounded by it, and it's the sort of comforting presence that makes him feel like he can do anything.

he puts as much power behind it as he can muster, picking up a little extra from the Songs and letting it spread through the Emperor as much as he can. she's huge, bigger than anything he's purified before, but she isn't a hellion and there isn't as much malevolence as he's expect from anything back home. there's no less of a sense of success when the malevolence dims through their combined efforts.]

[oneandmikleonly]

[the heavy feeling that comes from being deep in the Void seems to lift a bit, too...they've achieved something here. Mikleo squeezes Sorey's shoulder when they're done...this is the closest they've come in their lives to purifying a true dragon. even though it's a pale shadow of what that experience might be, it's still a triumph.

it's surprising, too, when she swims closer of her own accord and thanks them, her words coming through more clearly.]

[imsorey]

[he was so focused on the effort that it takes a little longer for Sorey to realize what they've done--but the understanding slowly dawns on his face when Mikleo squeezes his shoulder, when she speaks to them, when he fully sees how much they accomplished. he's ecstatic when he responds to her, grabbing Mikleo's hand and squeezing it tightly, beyond words for what it means to them for this to be remotely possible.]

[oneandmikleonly]

[leans his shoulder into Sorey's as he acknowledges the Emperor as well; it's hard to see a smile down here, but one can certainly hear it in their voices.]

...I think it might be okay to just sit and chat for a bit...you did a good job.

[imsorey]

[there's nowhere to really sit underwater, but Sorey gets comfortable anyways. he's still running on adrenaline and disbelief, though, so he doesn't stay still for too long before shifting around again.]

We all did it together. It was probably more effective because she agreed to it, don't you think?

[oneandmikleonly]

Mmm. If only hellions at home were so cooperative.

[Mikleo is pretty still for his part, using the water to hold them roughly in place near the Emperor rather than paddling; if Sorey's trying to get anywhere in particular he'll help him along the same way.

His next thought is directed at the Emperor; he's feeling a little overawed himself]

Which is to say, thank you again, ah -- ma'am.

[imsorey]

[Shifting his attention back to the Emperor too]

That's right--thank you for your cooperation! If you ever feel like you need it again, just let us know.

I was actually thinking that if you're bored down here too, I could tell you some stories. We've got more than a few to share.

[When she indicates her interest he nudges Mikleo.]

Hey, what's a good one to share?

[oneandmikleonly]

Tell her about how you and Rose got into Rolance. Go on, I'm sure she'll love it.

[imsorey]

That one's probably, uh, more exciting if you were there for it.

[oneandmikleonly]

[wickedly]

I bet I could make a decent approximation of the scene. We are in the dreamscape, after all.

[imsorey]

[abort abort]

You don't need to do that. It can't even be that funny if she doesn't know what getting married is.

[turning to the Emperor to appeal to her instead, since Mikleo can't be reasoned with]

It's really not that interesting, it's not even a story anyways.

[oneandmikleonly]

She had to be there, is that it...?

...why don't you tell her about becoming a Shpeherd, then? You can get the gist of that across without explaining too much terminology.

[imsorey]

I don't know if that's too interesting either...

[but it's better than the alternative, so he does take a moment to pull up the memory. They're pretty small compared to her, so he's not sure how effective his demonstration will be, but he works to project his memories--actually project them like they're on a large screen. but the scene is displayed as more of a puppet show, with Sorey moving the figures around with a thread of connecting string.]

But you could say it started when we met Alisha. Or were you think of when we were already in Ladylake?

[oneandmikleonly]

Either-or, though starting in Elysia might make it drag on a while -- oh! Why not show her the view on our way down the mountain, though?

[imsorey]

Oh yeah! That's something you've got to see.

[shifting the background scenery to the view heading down from Elysia, all blues and purples and pinks from the sunrise.]

It's pretty different from this world; we have water there, but where we live is all on land.

[oneandmikleonly]

Yeah. We lived a pretty long way from the sea.

[Mikleo strengthens the images Sorey's producing, adding more detail and vibrancy...the Emperor responds with interest, the landscape they're showing her as alien to her as Iniidae's seascapes are to them.]

[imsorey]

Coming here was really only the second time we've seen the ocean. It was...pretty new.

[he moves their puppet selves down the mountain, trying to show her a variety of scenes--forests and meadows, and the sprawling view of Ladylake surrounded by water.]

[oneandmikleonly]

[she shifts a little closer again, examining what they show her...Mikleo adds in things like the ruins and shrines; made things. they stick to showing her sights that they enjoyed, experiences that touched them positively...

it's hard not to feel a little homesick, but they manage.]

[imsorey]

[it's not as painful as it was the first time they tried recreating bits of their home; this time it's for someone else, to show them and share. it doesn't completely erase that twinge of wistfulness, but it's easy to focus on descriptions and block it out.

it's exciting to show her what the inside of Ladylake looks like, which is an easy distraction--she's very interested in the structures, the commerce, the interaction between humans. he knows the feeling, really.]

Ladylake is one of the bigger cities, since it's the capital. The others don't have nearly as many people. Which means Mikleo doesn't have to worry about people bumping into him.

[oneandmikleonly]

[a little dryly, though matter of fact about it, when she turns an inquiry in his direction]

I can't really be seen much by humans -- kind of like how we can't hear you singing when we're awake? That's the closest equivalent I've seen on Iniidae, I think...

[imsorey]

I think that's the best way to describe it. They're both sort of physical barriers. But it's just something to resolve so everyone can live together.

[oneandmikleonly]

[he tilts his head at Sorey's answer; at her reply]

...you know, it all kind of ties together. Maybe if we can find a way to, to put you back in the waking world as well, ther might be similar mechanics to breaking the perceptional barriers at home...? It's a stretch, but...

How did you get down here, anyway?

[imsorey]

[listening to her explanation quietly, trying to make sense of it. her story...alarms him a little bit, though he tries to keep his face neutral. thank goodness for breathing masks]

So someone made you immortal and put you here...And you never figured out why.

[oneandmikleonly]

The Reefbacks already said you lived a long time. And if you have kids...why would someone want you to live forever, in this way...? That's just...strange.

[imsorey]

We might be able to piece it together more if we knew who did it. But if it was that long ago...are they even still around?