Field Mission 3: Brushing the Sun, Part 1

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Are there really no bananas on board this thing? NAVIGATION 1. FIRST, YOU DRAW A CIRCLE Click here for the RNG thread! A. IT'S TIME TO GET TO WORK That certainly isn't to say that your previous efforts have not been hard work. But one half of this mission has been fine tuned, a logistical machine of well-oiled cogs, the creative efforts of a man who has so much to make up for. After the three-hour journey across the sky, you and the three other Reclaimers you boarded the glass orb with will be deposited right in the dead center of Maru, where the Bureau has set up a small camp for gathering, sorting, and sending off supplies. It's chilly, but not unbearably so. The air is thin, but up here, it's probably the cleanest you've breathed anywhere else in Faerun — new and old Reclaimers alike. Whatever goal you decide to work toward during your stay here, after a quick rundown of how supply gathering will work (it's pretty simple: You bring supplies, the unnamed Bureau members assigned to the base will send them off), you're turned loose to the gnarling wilds of the floating continent. Because, as the header says, it's time to get to work. And you most certainly haven't gone unnoticed. 2. USE YOUR PATH ACTIONS WISELY B. ROWDY RUMBLE Those of you who aren't quite combat ready might be getting something of an instant crash course in the art of a hostile encounter — though, perhaps in a bit of a lucky streak, goblins, like the pack of three of them that are leading the charge here, are, uh. Well, they're morons. But these particular three see a bunch of humanoids flying in on what are very clearly cursed globes, and they see a bunch of humanoids wandering the lands and attempting to cash in on their treasure. They were here first, you know! Even if they don't entirely understand why the mine they were here first in isn't exactly on the ground anymore. Or where exactly they are to begin with now. Or ... well, frankly, nothing about any of this makes any sense. Whether you're back at the base at the center of Maru, or whether you're out in the fields, toeing at the ground for hints of treasure underneath, you, and whoever you happen to be traveling with, will be approached by a rather bold trio. And whatever treasure you may have on your person? They're rather keen on taking it. What will you do? Fight? Try to reason with them? For those of you with the combat experience, there are, of course, much bigger fish to fry. Take a look at the YOLO's guide to monsters for a full list of the hostile critters you can challenge to a wrestle during your stay on Maru. C. NIGHTLY WHISPERINGS You've probably heard the rumors by now — the fact that nobody seems interested in going to the small lake and waterfall on Maru once nighttime rolls around. Seems pretty silly, right? Superstitious, even. It's a rather beautiful patch of the floating continent, and if your previous expeditions digging through the ground are any indicator, there's a wealth of valuable items to be had underneath the surface. Hubris might lead you to camping out near the water's edge, for just one evening. And sometime around midnight, provided that same hubris hasn't put you to sleep, the light of your campfire, or the light of the moon, suddenly extinguishes. It's like being wrapped up in a cloak of vantablack, in very nearly every single sense, not just sight. No rustling of leaves, no sound of the wind passing through every nook and cranny of the continent. No light. No nothing. If you decide to book it out of there, be careful, lest you accidentally wander into the lake, without a clear sense of where exactly the exit is. But if you choose to hold steady, after about an hour, the silence and darkness clears — and the scenery returns to normal, as if nothing happened. Something did happen, however. Whether you stayed there for just a moment, you sat through it, or you slept through it, if you were anywhere near the lake at midnight, you'll be subject to a nightly enchantment coming from an unknown source. You may pick one of the following: ○ The next time you are asked a question, whether it's what you had for dinner or whether you're all right, you will be magically forced to answer it truthfully. The effect wears off after one question. ○ When you speak, you'll hear yourself speaking normally. Everyone else will hear you either making an animal noise, or repeating a sentence you've said before, regardless of its relevance. That goes all the way back to your canon! The effect begins at sunrise, and lasts for three hours. ○ Whenever you try to leave, it feels as if your shoes are suddenly made with two tons of lead. You will not be able to move away normally. Someone's going to have to carry you out of there. ○ When the sun rises, you will be magically reduced to half your height. The effect lasts for five hours. 3. MINE CART MADNESS D. I'M ABOUT TO LOSE MY MINE, UP IN HERE, UP IN HERE. Eventually, you'll probably find yourself down in the mine's labyrinthine system of tunnels and networks that seem to sprawl out in nearly endless directions. Be careful when you turn corners, as there may be an Umber Hulk or a Basilisk waiting for you in the darkness, but as you look down, you do notice tracks that head in nearly every direction. Whoever had initially excavated this area was quite laborious and thorough with the pathing down in its deepest delves. One turn leans to another long corridor, and maybe another turn leads you back in a circle. Mining equipment can be found almost everywhere, left to rust and decay with the passage of time that could only indicate hundreds of years of being completely unbothered. You step forward, and look to see a path that carves out into four directions- straight, left, right, and back. And you quickly realize something doesn't feel right. That's true- as you begin to step forward and take a path, you find yourself back to where you started after walking for a little while. Turn back, and you might notice that you're in the exact place you just were as well. Maybe you brought some chalk with you, or maybe you managed to drop something here like a breadcrumb trail to tell you which way you've already headed. Or maybe you don't even notice it until you've been walking for hours, but you're stuck in a loop. Of those four directions, you'll notice something peculiar if you start to take notice. ○ One direction will always lead you back to where you started. ○ If you listen close enough, down one hall you'll be able to hear the sound of a coastline, weak waves echoing and crashing against the shore. Follow that sound and you'll come to the source of it: a large standing pool of water that sits absolutely still, no tide. You can swim to the bottom of it, not a problem. There doesn't seem to be anything there. But the walls are bio-luminescent, coated with weird fungi that you definitely don't want to eat. ○ When you look on the ground, you can always find baby fire beetles at the mouth to one of the spokes. Follow those markings long enough and you'll inexplicably be sent back to the mine's entrance. ○ One direction is completely nondescript, but unlike the first one that sends you to the beginning of the maze, you enter a new area that doesn't hold any of the signs that you were there previously. You can follow this lead for several iterations, and eventually come to a four-way that has no features noticeable whatsoever: no beetles, no sound of rushing water. But you head down one of them and you're back to where you started. E. I'LL FOLLOW BEHIND YOU ON RAINBOW ROAD. Mind boggling puzzles aside, you're welcome to explore the depths of the Lost Mine of Phandelver. One of the more ridiculous, albeit, fun adventures you can take is a mine cart ride through the mine down to the farthest reaches. It starts off relatively bumpy and doesn't seem to smooth out at any given point, but it's the closest thing you're going to get to a roller coaster ride down here in Faerun. Reaching the end is a matter of waiting the cruise- and you eventually come to a dead end. There's stuff you can mine down here as it empties out into a vast, damp cavern. Iron, several types of cheap gemstones, and rocks can be found pretty much anywhere. If you're looking to rebuild Vista Virs, this is a good place to start. If you're looking to make a little cash on the side, that's possible too. We're not here to judge your moral intentions. Getting back isn't as fun as it was coming down here, as you're pretty much stuck pushing the cart back to where it was if you want to take things out. Don't worry about the logistics too much; there always seems to be a cart available for you to descend, and oddly enough, it never feels like it's the same journey down and back twice in a row. F. BEEN HERE ALL NIGHT. BEEN HERE ALL DAY. There are a few notable places to explore while you're down in Phandelver: ○ An administrative office, complete with desks that haven't been touched in years. Several papers are still there, with dates that go far and wide back into the past. Touching them causes it to disintegrate into dust. For anyone who makes it down there, there is a lockbox to be found that can be opened by smashing it on the ground or attempting to unlock it with thieves' tools. While the contents are up to you to decide, nothing in there should be magical beyond a simple potion of healing, aged... several centuries. ○ An old room that seems to be barred from the inside, about an hour's walk past the mine entrance. Outside, you can find several skeleton carcasses of humanoid creatures that have long since died down here. If you try to make it into the room by force, you'll be greeted with a barracks that once housed the dwarves who worked down here. You get the sense that a battle happened in these parts, but beyond that, it's kind of hard to tell what went down. ○ A large quarry with a practically neolithic drill in the center of it. It hasn't seen use in quite some time, but be careful as the drop can be upwards of 100 feet. Another prime locale for mining, this area seems to house sturdier metals. Hence, the drill being necessary. Be careful, this is prime Umber Hulk territory. ○ Various storerooms that housed supplies for the workers of the cavern. You'll find wine and spirits down in the depths, and who wouldn't want to try some 300 year old whiskey? The climate down here is particularly perfect for keeping and storing these rare and fine vittles. Drink up, it's on us. ○ One peculiar room that when you enter, you feel a chill sort of feeling take over your body. There's a bed in here, with a storage chest at the base of it. Attempting to open it or touch it or even having an intention to steal/uncover what's inside will cause you to hear incredibly powerful and loud screaming in your head, enough to make you clutch your ears and take psychic damage from it. Hm. 4. WILDCARD The floating continent of Maru is your world to explore, and your story to write! You may use any of the prompts we've given you here, or you may come up with your own prompts — you can utilize any part of the setting provided in the OOC post. If you'd like the outcome of a particular thread randomized, or if you'd like to investigate a particular part of the setting, feel free to drop a note in the RNG thread and we'll set up a roll for you. As always, be amazing. You're two for two on reclaiming Grand Relics, and we can't wait to see what you do here. blurb code by photosynthesis

Comments

[alethiological]

[ That is indeed a yikes, but it's so tiny underneath the weight of non-surprise. Good Souls like these always get bashed. How it's always been. She gets one more internal squeeze, all feathers and warm thoughts, it's okay to be upset, dumbass but it's just a casual reminder, one last mental jab in the side, but then leaving her to her privacy otherwise.

The curiosity is hovered over, nearly recoiled from, but she's right. Don't think of it as forcing. Just. Don't sit on it. Send the thoughts across as they go. Not now. This is a Mission/Assignment/Purpose. Need to stay focused. Maybe downtime/later tonight. I'll explain later.

The rest doesn't get a direct response. Merely undercurrents of slotting pieces into place, trying to rally up Words (hate speaking aloud, mortal language never translates well), with a small dusting of 'ugh stop @'ing me, I get it' but less annoyed and more throwing jokes-

And then Shinjiro talks. Thoughts freeze, retreat from Maya as if burned, not ready for this, immediately devolve back into internal gears slotting into place with an answer, immediately cracking when they're shoved backwards a step (you must answer the question), shit, restart/retry, can't talk about the Contract, breach of privacy, he'd start yelling at Maya instead, that's not fair, So It Has To Be Him. And then all thoughts shut off. ]

No. [ Which is obviously True But Bullshit, but no one gets a chance to dismiss it, because Shinjiro gets verbally pinned. ] I owe you an apology for the other day. My words came across as forcing you away, when that was not my intent.

[ So much for dodging the subject. ]

[dialetheism]

[ There's a sense of relief when Shinjiro bites the bullet and asks first, because that means they're not the only one that's utterly confused right now. It only survives a moment or two before getting thrown out the window, along with any hope they had that this trip would be a comfortable one, but the brief camaraderie was fun while it lasted.

At least Will's apologising. That's... nice. Alarming for so many other reasons (he never does that unprompted, please don't be some kind of bodysnatcher-) but nice. ]

... From being taken to the medical bay?

[ They're still missing so much context here, but that's fine. It's totally not bothering them. Nope. ]

[feytality]

[ will continues to be a huge dork. she's content to just forget about the subject, (as always) but there is something she wants to add. ]

[ I'm happy you're both alive, you know. I hope one day you two can come to feel the same way. ]

[ the rest, she lets go. if he wants to tell her, he can. if not, her focus will move on. she's easily distracted. ]

[ it's hard not to add to the conversation -- especially with some sass or by giving will a hard time, but she doesn't want to make this weirder than it already is. ]

..... He can be a bit of a jerk, Shinjiro, so don't take it too hard when he puts his foot in his mouth. He's just naturally like that.

[ there, vague enough that it doesn't imply she was responsible for this. mentally, will gets some encouragement. ... which is probably worse than the sass. ]

[petsthedog]

[Allll aboard the hot mess express. The denial isn't unexpected but Shinjiro's mildly stunned that the first thing out of Will's mouth after that is an apology. Which is like, embarrassing, because he wasn't going to talk about it in front of the others, but then Maya speaks up and then he's just looking back and forth between the two of them with his eyes narrowed a bit. He actually remembers now, didn't Will make a telepathic connection with Lion back in Vista Virs? Maybe now he's done it again with Maya for some reason. That'd explain the distraction.

He frowns, but then looks. Directly at Will. Ahhh, the oath of regrets is going to get a bit more of a workout today, because he was going to accept your apology in his awkward Shinji fashion but one moment first.]

You dragged Fey into our business?

[alethiological]

[ Oh God, not again. There's a glare at the question, but one more of panic than actual anger. That's not his business. But Shinji Asked, so the expression immediately dies into apathy, gaze unmoving, voice pitched in a near monotone. A perfect stonewall in action again.

Unfortunately, there's a Master here now, which means the narrative has to go into detail. Siiiiiiiigh. Feel bad for me. Drapes self over couch and whines a bunch.

Though the narrative will also bitterly admit it's relevant, mostly because Maya can mentally see in action what putting an Order on him does. The initial reaction is a very blatant 'I'm not narcing her!!!', still bumping up against the oath that he threw at Shinjiro way back when. A nagging reminder, like a gun pointed at one's head. Answer him. There's an attempt to try and find a loophole out of it, countless thoughts flying too fast to catch, but there's a timer for these things. It runs out. Answer. No, outting Maya isn't fair, that needs to be on her terms. He just needs another way to word it--

Too bad. All free will and thought dissolves, or at the very least gets shut off in one stark 'click' of a light switch. Maya's end receives pure suffocating silence and the only thing left is the oath made, a self-inflicted Order.

Answer. ]

Yes, I dragged Fey into our business.

[dialetheism]

[ ... Welp. That's a thing.

So after the previous uncharacteristic burst of penitence, they couldn't help but keep an eye on Will, unnerved somewhat by both the apology itself and the automatic switch into more formal speech. That caution pays off in the form of front row seats to the ensuing murder of any semblance of expression on his face, and a helpful reminder that he did make a Contract with Maya, if only because there's no other reason for a reaction so extreme. More worries there for another day. Deal with the problem at hand first.

'Our' business stings somewhat, a reminder that no matter which way this conversation is cut, they're on the outside of it. But at least they can still commentate freely if it's out in the open like that, and it... kinda beats waiting in silence for the stupid bubble to be ready? (That's too much of a stretch, even for them.) ]

That's enough of that, both of you. [ And that's the beginnings of a stress headache already, awesome. ] It was an apology, not an accusation - or do you both derive some measure of joy from re-starting the same argument for the third time in a row? It wouldn't exactly surprise me at this rate.

[ They cross their arms, for want of anything else to do with their hands. Small mercies there. ]

And besides, is it really 'dragging someone into it' if you're bringing it up again in public?

[feytality]

[ yeah, it's a first hand look, and she doesn't full get it, because the only time she gave him an order, she was mostly dead and freaking out a lot in general. it's worrying. she actually physically puts a hand on his arm. ]

.... Hey.

[ What happened? Are you okay? That wasn't me, was it? ]

[ first rule of being maya: immediately assume it's your fault. but, as always, lion is the voice of reason, and she puffs up a little bit in general agreement. ]

For the record, there was no dragging. I asked him about it 'cause I saw the look on your face. So if you're going to get mad at someone, get mad at me.

[ excuse her she's feeling a little defensive. ]

But Lion's right. He apologized, so just kiss and make up already!

[petsthedog]

[What the actual fuck just happened. Shinjiro actually stares openly at Will for a moment, and at least the other two can see that if that was his fault--he clearly didn't intend it. It's just that even as he's pieced together from what was discussed in Vista Virs that Will is somehow compelled to answer questions, he's never seen the man blank out to this extent before. Like he answered it against his...well, will. It's creepy, and Shinjiro doesn't like it, anymore than he did when he tried to give Will an out in the first place.

And then Maya explains that she's the one who asked, and really, it all makes sense now. Shinji's not mad, specifically--a bit annoyed, but if Will had said that thing about answering questions to him, maybe he'd also said it to Maya? Shit, he doesn't know. And now Lion's getting involved without knowing anything and shit, it's awkward to try to explain it to them, because he'd have to get into his feelings and why he was hurt which he absolutely doesn't want to do. Gross. He just wanted to stamp them under his feet and just get on the damn orb, honestly.]

...Geez. This is stupid. [How does he even talk this shit out with an audience? It's embarrassing! He sighs.]

I ain't mad, Fey.

[Apparently, she can read stupidly well into his scowls??? This is a tragedy tbh, how is he supposed to hide his reactions under a resting bitch face if she can read them anyway? He scrubs at his face.]

Just didn't think we needed to get into it here. [Ah, fuck it. He'll catch Will later. Seems easier.]

...Look, it's. Fine. Apology accepted and shit. Let's just get goin' already.

[IS THE BUBBLE EVEN READY. MAYBE IF SHINJI LIKE. LOOMS AT THE PLATFORM IT'LL COME SOONER.]

[alethiological]

[ It's still static after his answer, but only a few heartbeats past Maya's concern, then it's like slamming a hand on a wall until you find the light switch and everything turns back on. There's only a blink and switching to glaring in Avi's direction in reality, but internally it's like trying to shake off the start of a migraine. Or a surprise uppercut. Both.

Ugh, annoyed/tired/hate when that happens. You free will types have it easy. Punctuated with Maya's assumption of it being her fault getting her mental snoot booped. Wasn't you. Going against orders never works out well.

One hand rests on top of hers in the reassurance of 'seriously, he's fine'. Mostly fine. Parts of the conversation still went past while he was out. Replaying would make the zoning out more obvious. Work with what's here. Shinjiro's having a tsundere moment and Maya's shitposting.

He can work with this.

There's one short spark of gratitude for the new arm again, because Shinjiro gets the attention while a thumb is jerked in Lion's direction. ]

I'm dating that one, so it's either your hand or I leave bite marks.

[ He's fucking with him. He has to be fucking with him. ]

[1/2]

[dialetheism]

[






Please hold. There seems to be a problem with Lion's ability to process words right now. They will reboot momentarily. ]

[dialetheism]

[ There's a noise like steam escaping an unwatched kettle, as they go through the five stages of grief in approximately zero seconds and react on sheer instinct. Will, thankfully, will forever be an easy target to find and summarily execute, even in the midst of a feelings-slash-mortification-induced panic attack.

Poor Shinji and Maya. They don't deserve this. ]

Okaycanwepleaseleavenowthankyou-- [ Said to Avi, who really isn't paid enough for this either. ]

[feytality]

[ she's relieved it's not her (despite the mental booping, how does one even mentally boop??), but that also raises more questions. ]

[ I thought I was the only one who could give orders! Wasn't that kind of the point of the contract thing? Like, aside from munching on my magic or whatever.... ]

[ had shinjiro managed to somehow give him an order? she squints at him. well, judging from his expression, it wasn't intentional, so she's not blaming him. she's still feeling defensive, though. ]

[ here's the thing. maya might have a gooey center, but, frankly, she's still a little shit. so if either shinjiro or lion are expecting her to interfere, or stop will from being a shit, she..... just laughs. a lot. it's cute (?) and even more unfortunately for will, she laughs even harder when lion attacks. he totally deserves it. ]

That's not what I meant, weirdo! C'mon, don't make Lion jealous!

[ Will and Lion, sitting in a tree..... ]

[ yes, she is in fact five years old, why do you ask? ]

[petsthedog]

[There's so much happening here. The first thing that happens in response is Shinji pulling back his hand on reflex. TIME FOR INDIGNANT BARKING.]

The hell--don't make it weird!

[Also huh, he didn't know Will and Lion were dating. That makes sense, actually.]

[alethiological]

[ Admit it, Lion. You missed it. There's an immediate hiss, the usual recoil two feet away from them, a token bit of swearing but cutting off 'sadist' before it manifests. Also a fun bonus side-note for Master perks in that he didn't feel it at all and reacted as if it did. Let the kid have satisfaction. Even the thoughts are weirdly calm in the wake of The Ushiromiya Heir's Villainy.

(Good/<sigh of relief>/They're doing better)(Can teach you later/good way defend thought barriers. Wack 'em with a newspaper internally) Remember when we met/how I gave you an oath on accident? Repeat. But he's not Unworthy. Can't remove it.

All with the internal equivalent of a kanyeshrug, an afterthought of 'my fault for ignoring it', a quick mental summary - Lion's self-destructive thought train is replaced with Too Many Feelings, Shinjiro's reverted to angry squawking with no real anger behind it, and Maya got some genuine amusement. Even if it's only temporary, it's weighed as a net gain. ]

How is it weird? Some cultures use kissing as a greeting. Don't be disrespectful.

[ It's delivered in pure deadpan, but internally it's just the emotional equivalent of Maya's gremlin cackles. Always fun to pick on the prudish types a little bit.

To loop back around to the beginning of this tag, Maya gets gently newspaper'd mentally. I would not put Lion in a tree, they'd fall out and die/bad track record/oh shut it fey <happiness/embarrassment at equal levels>. ]

[dialetheism]

[ They absolutely did not miss it and they refuse all evidence to the contrary. (They did, shut up.) Though he does earn a solitary point back for skipping sadist this time- they were expecting it, frankly, and it would've only made things worse(/better).

Nevertheless, they're stubbornly ignoring both of the apparent five-year-olds in the room. Though the red flush of embarrassment is really kinda distinctive when contrasted against their pale hair, so really they're fooling nobody in the long run, especially not themself. Let's go bully Avi instead, that's a fun distraction. ]

[feytality]

[ will... what a nerd. well, maya's lips are sealed. ]

[ What do you mean? Is Lion okay? And.... um, I have no idea what you're talking about. Or, thinking about, or whatever. Is an Oath more powerful than an Order? ]

[ she wasn't privy to his thoughts when the oath happened or when he nearly self-destructed trying to fulfill it, so this, like everything else in the master spectrum, is sailing above her head. he really did pick the worst person for this. ]

[ she keeps a straight... ish.... face externally, but she's giggling internally with him while he's giving shinjiro a hard time. ]

[ Why are you and Shinjiro calling me Fey? It's super weird! (she doesn't like it) And I won't let you distract me from the truth with your dumb nitpicking! WILL AND LION SITTING IN A TREE, K I S S I N G! ]

[ it's a good thing lion isn't privy to this nonsense. maya leaves no survivors in the trolling department. ]

[petsthedog]

[THIS TROLLING IS THE RUDEST. WILL IS SO RUDE.]

Don't give me that, we already greet...ed....

[SHUT UP HE COULDN'T THINK OF A BETTER WORD, OKAY.

--oh, and there's the bubble, thank god. Shinjiro's shoving his hands in his pockets and skedaddling into there. MOVE IT OR LOSE IT Y'ALL.]

[alethiological]

[ It's a simple question. 'Is Lion okay'. But it gets a quick mental equivalent of someone pulling out a whiteboard and scribbling a pro/con comparison sheet, then having a board meeting where everyone argues on if it's worth it. On one side, a large investment in the asset that is Lion Ushiromiya's mental and physical well-being. The other side is made up one large solid con of "Lion will find out I narc'd, and Lion will kill me".

Yeah. No contest. And the thoughts snap shut with the determination of a martyr.

Brat's going having the same self-worth issues as me/you. Useless. Didn't do enough. There's better people. Problem is they're not admitting it. If they won't talk about it, best I can do is be nearby. Internal shrug, and then the more important question is shoved off like it's nothing. Oath is one I made. Orders override it.

Insert one small flatline that allows Lion to escape, mostly because there's a whole mental switchboard hit to keep the expression from changing. Menace!!! Maya is punished via being dragged into the most half-hearted easily escapable headlock. Noogies. Stop shipping it!!! I use surnames as a means of disrespect/scolding (not sure about Shinjiro) will call you Fey forever.

Wow, what a shit. But Maya wins all the troll points here from the sheer embarrassment actually making him come off hassled in reality. ]

Aragaki, your grammar is atrocious. Work on it.

[dialetheism]

[ It's a small miracle for all involved that Lion was already halfway into the bubble, wrapped up in their own private bitchstorm and thus completely oblivious to any telepathic dunkings or physical emotion-noogies. All is fine, all is forgiven, clearly they just need time to cool off. Time they won't have in a three-hour fantasy car ride, but time nonetheless.

Except. Then a sentence of such utter hypocrisy was uttered within earshot that they actually, physically, seriously freeze in place and flat-line for a good second or two. ]

I'm sorry, what.

[ Hi, Will, how are you today, are you enjoying the sheer disbelief being thrown your way. ]

Don't be an ass, Will, I've heard you say sentences that contain about a third of the syllables they're meant to have.

[feytality]

[ okay, she eases off on the teasing even before the headlock happens, mostly because the mental discussion of lion and orders sobers her. why are there so many people here who think they're useless? in her case, it makes sense, but lion and will are both just being silly. clearly. though, uh, she's trying not to communicate that to will. she's also not admitting it, thanks. instead: ]

[ Okay, what can we do to help? ]

[ and --- ]

[ Why did you do that if you don't want to follow it? Should I.... order you out of it? Also, it's WEIRD. ]

[ will is so confusing. also, a menace. she protests mentally against the 'fey' -- and then protests verbally as he's headlocking her, shoving at his arm. ]

Hey! What the heck!

[ she's escaping the second and running into the bubble, ducking under shinjiro's arm and puffing her cheeks at will. protect her, shinjiro!! ]

Will, you jerk. My hair's all messed up 'cause of you!

[ the temporary alliance is over. ... temporarily? ]

[petsthedog]

[Lion is a Good and bless them for this callout, because Shinjiro is going to piggyback on it:]

Shut up, you understood me. And your Japanese is as shitty as mine, anyway.

[Sure they're talking Common right now but it's the principle of the thing!!!

Also, there's a Maya under his arm now? Ah. Apparently this is happening. He just lets her stay there tbh, she's about the appropriate height for an armrest anyway. At least they're all in the bubble now...? If not. Necessarily seated.

Poor Avi suffers so much,,,]

[alethiological]

[ He has been super-intense on Maya's privacy, so while brackets can be seen, Maya gets away with her horseshit with only the vaguest sense of general unease. The kind that comes from knowing someone's hovering right over your shoulder prepared to suffocate you with nags and hugs the instant it goes a bit too loud. But. Privacy. The distraction ball is slapped back in her direction.

I don't know. They won't talk to me. Digging into it feels too much like home/work/executions. Not sure if a call-out would make it better or worse. Every other emotion to this point has come through like a print out of someone's intended meaning on a post-it note, maybe occasional scraps of something Legitimate it stapled to said notes, but this one is blatant concern. Loud worrying intensifies.

It also immediately disappears to offense when Maya @'s him on main.

Ugh!!!/Not weird!/Didn't mean to! Said I'd answer his questions but I used the wrong Method and it stuck! He still deserves it/hasn't wronged, but if you don't mind ripping it out, then yes. Order it.

This is thought with actual focus as autopilot takes over the rest in the worst way, speaking a flowing professional monotone as he sits. ] Let it be known I apologize with most sincere regret, Master Ushiromiya and Lord Aragaki. I shall endeavor to use proper speech in the future, as to not offend your definitions of common decency; therefore future use of foul language or improper syntax is forbidden.

[ Oh, relax/I'll fix your hair on the ride down/after we land. ]

[dialetheism]

[ Do you ever have one of those days where you regret every individual event that lead you to where you are now, only to inspire a burning hatred in your heart at whichever cosmic power allowed this to happen?

Yeah, that. They're surrounded by actual children. And if he wants to play it like that, fine, they can keep pace just as easily. ]

Thank you, Willard. [ The second syllable is given special care for extra emphasis. ] Such precautions should certainly make this trip painless.

[ All said while staring him dead in the eyes as they sit down on the opposite side of the bubble. Because yeah, poor Avi, he's really going to get in deep shit at this rate. ]

Ah, nobody forgot anything, did they? We should probably get going.

[feytality]

[ shinjiro has to protect her from will now that he's attacked her hair for no reason at all!! ]

Willard?!

[ (now they've done it. willard? executions? yikes.) but more seriously-- ]

[ I'm sorry, I don't know Lion that well. (she does want to help, but she doesn't know what to suggest. maybe they just need time? or--) Maybe..... there's something only they can do? That might help? ]

[ will's the expert, here. she's got limited suggestions, and she's rolling her eyes slightly at his shenanigans. ]

[ Okay, so what should I do? Um, like, an order to undo your oaths? ]

[ the idea of actually giving orders still makes her very skittish, but if it's so he isn't forced to do something against his will (winks), it's probably worthwhile. he also gets a mental huff and puff for the hair fixing comment. ]

[ You're such a mother hen... ]

[petsthedog]

[Ohhhh Lion, Lion bless you. For perhaps the first time today, Shinjiro shifts from that omnipresent scowl. He smirks.]

Willard, huh.

[Now he has ammunition to use against 'Lord Aragaki' hohoho.]