phantasmods: (Default)
Phantasmal Rift Mods ([personal profile] phantasmods) wrote in [community profile] phantasmalrift2018-05-31 11:39 pm
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DUNGEON LOG: KEYSTONE REEF

Expedition day dawns, as usual, with an android mass text -

Okay, so, this time we're aiming to go out and stabilize the Fissure in the reef you can see up a little to the north of here. The waters are usually pretty calm this time of year, so if you can swim instead of needing to take a boat, that'd be a great help. We only have a few of them.

Also, I know that last time was a mess, so I'm just gonna say this: If you need to get out for any reason, just send us a message and a picture of your location. We'll get a drone out to you as soon as we can and bring you home. No questions asked.

( ゚▽゚)/ Stay safe out there! When you're ready to go, meet us down at the beach. The rocky, sparkly one, not the sandy one.


Unlike previous expeditions, this time there's no rooftop sendoff - instead, as Charm noted, the tables are set up on Glitterstone beach, along with a series of boats pulled up on the sand. Two rowboats that could maybe sit six people but probably better suited for four, a trio of inflatable rafts (with motors attached to the back, all mismatched) of about the same size, a two-person dinghy and a long canoe that could hold two or three.

Besides the little fleet, there's also the usual bagged lunches (in gallon ziplocs this time, and other such watertight containers), and every boat is equipped with a large number of those chepa dollar-store water bottles, all with their airtight store seals. There's also a selection of life vests and other floatation thingies in a box next to the table. Strange hovers over the setup, checking watertightness of a handful of first aid kits with a spritzer and a bucket to submerge things in. They give a little wave to anyone passing by headed to the boats.

For those who opt instead to swim, everything seems perfectly normal until you reach the border of the Fissure... When, very suddenly, it isn't.
beguiledcard: (ren/g ♪ not in Kansas anymore)

man, has it already been that many? I'm on a roll!

[personal profile] beguiledcard 2018-06-21 11:25 am (UTC)(link)
[ The teasing actually earns a laugh!

Because it's difficult as hell to feel genuinely sad when you're as high as Akira is. And the other thing about being this way? He is having trouble fully grasping Shido's words. He gives a small wry smirk and shakes his head. ]


Well... yeah, it does? How can I properly be there for the people who have been through a lot, if I'm too busy dwelling on things that... weren't really that bad... Not like my dad ever really hit me. And he never drank or anything.

[ And he's left searching his memory at that question. Finally, a small snort slips out. ]

What? You want a list? Well, I guess I can start with the worst - getting arrested. He fully believed that I deserved it and everything that came with it, you know? I should have stuck with the lesson I learned years ago about keeping my head down, according to him.

[ He grins widely. ]

Even if I do technically have you to thank for getting to meet all those wonderful people, I also have you to thank for my parents not calling me once for an entire year. The one time I tried calling, they told me not to bother them until I learned my lesson. Perfect grades, perfect attendance, perfect record in clubs...

[ THIS IS NOT A LAUGHING MATTER, BUT... h e h ]

Dad really wanted it all from me. I had one job.
beguiledcard: (ng ♫ nervous fidget)

jesus christ a 1 on paying attention to his words + 15 on words

[personal profile] beguiledcard 2018-06-21 12:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He can see that falter. He should... keep his mouth shut, and he shouldn't even think to say something like this, but guess who's momentarily getting lost in thought after Shido's last words. Help "this one" sounds so... strange to him.

Even now, he asks himself why it ever even had to come down to that in the first place. Why did Yaldabaoth have to ruin so much, in the first-fucking-place, honestly... ]


He's one I intend to give another chance.

[ And that's one impressive amount of faltering happening to his expression. His eyes widen for just a split second, so maybe it's clear he just said something he isn't so sure he should have said... ]
makejapangreat: (guilt)

[personal profile] makejapangreat 2018-06-21 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[. . .

He doesn't answer, instead quietly resuming searching. He's... definitely not still giving the jellyfish a wide berth? That'd be needlessly excessive? He's just... making sure to check over here if they've missed something, that's all...!]
makejapangreat: (guilt)

[personal profile] makejapangreat 2018-06-21 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
You're taking this rather well...

[He looks at himself, tail wriggling as he tries to figure this out.]

These effects... are temporary, right?

[pls don't tell him he just lost his legs forever, he needs those]
makejapangreat: (smirk)

[personal profile] makejapangreat 2018-06-21 06:44 pm (UTC)(link)
I can't dispute that. So many ships from different eras and worlds, with various equipment and structure...

I'm particularly intrigued by the stone ship. I assume the runes carved into it are what initially gave it its buoyancy. [A bit of a smile as he brings a hand up to his chin.] I wonder... if perhaps the runes were destroyed in some areas, and that's why the ship crashed? ... no, it's probably more than that. Such a design would make a ship far too vulnerable...
makejapangreat: (smirk)

[personal profile] makejapangreat 2018-06-21 08:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[...ah. That is rather sobering, and the smile... actually falls away from Shido's face. Unlike Akira, he was only kissed twice, so he'd only had a pleasant buzz... but it wasn't enough to guard him from the realization of how, once again, his actions so dramatically degraded someone's life.

...and somehow, because it's Akira, it... hurts even more?]


Sounds like multiple jobs, to me. A full year, hm... [A sigh, then he shakes his head.] What a shame that they would deliberately distance themselves from such a brilliant young man. Truly, they don't know what they lost.

[Waaaas that a lot? That felt... strangely like a lot... but there's no taking it back now.

He coughs a little into his hand.]


In any case, people are just human, Akira. Even parents. And it doesn't excuse demanding so much of you, but it does mean even though he's your father, what he thinks of you doesn't determine your worth.

After all... [His tone grows warm.] You've helped my son through so much. You're part of the reason he's able to smile and laugh and be full of life, even after living through so much pain, misery, and hopelessness. When you're with him, I can tell just by looking how you bring so much joy into his life.

You've made him truly and honestly happy... and for that, I'm eternally grateful.
makejapangreat: (alarm)

[personal profile] makejapangreat 2018-06-21 09:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[The words have him pausing, then after a moment he looks up at Akira, not sure if he's understanding what he's saying.

But if he is...]


... what?
dragonmouth: Everyone had great face structures. (The shrooms were awesome.)

[personal profile] dragonmouth 2018-06-21 09:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I'd be surprised if they weren't. Most enchantments like this back home were bound to a certain location, so once you left...

[She sounds hopeful, at least.]
riderofcharlemagne: (uwah)

[personal profile] riderofcharlemagne 2018-06-21 11:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[For a moment, Astolfo's stunned at the fact that Shido's saying words that he doesn't find intolerable. They're interesting, even.]

Uh, yeah. [He...has a valid observation?] Runes were used in parts of my world but I've never seen something like this before.
press_start: (frowning nanami)

[personal profile] press_start 2018-06-22 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
[She looks him in the eye with a great deal of conviction for her teeny anime girl body.]

There's no age-limit on games. It's not strange for anyone to play it, no matter what age or even if you're an alien that shoots lasers.
beguiledcard: (ren/g ♪ why are some adults gross)

[personal profile] beguiledcard 2018-06-22 07:04 am (UTC)(link)
[ That was a lot, and... it takes a lot for Akira to force his mind to focus, but once he does focus?

Well, needless to say, his expression is softening a little into slight wonder. He blinks a couple of times, and just falls... quiet. The happiness that the kissing fish have caused him is definitely amping up the positive feelings that come with that last part, and...

And, while he's taken it all in (and fully understands what's being said), he doesn't begin to know how to respond to it. ]
beguiledcard: (ng ♫ hmmm...)

[personal profile] beguiledcard 2018-06-22 08:19 am (UTC)(link)
[ He quietly looks away, for now. Sorry, Shido. ]
makejapangreat: (regret)

[personal profile] makejapangreat 2018-06-22 05:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well... one way to find out, right?

He swims back out of the border of the fissure, and instantly reverts to human form and breathes a deep sigh of relief...

After a moment, he swims back and changes again and makes a face.]


Urgh... I wouldn't advise changing between forms in quick succession. [He feels a bit queasy...]
makejapangreat: (neutral)

sunk* not crashed

[personal profile] makejapangreat 2018-06-22 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
There are no such runes in my world, so I can only postulate. But is that correct? Do they lose their power if their design is disturbed?
makejapangreat: (alarm)

[personal profile] makejapangreat 2018-06-22 05:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[...?]

I.. I'm sorry? A... laser-shooting alien? [this seems. strangely specific??]
makejapangreat: (neutral)

[personal profile] makejapangreat 2018-06-22 05:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[... okay, part of the reason he might have actually said all that in the first place was because he. Hadn't. Really expected it to get through? But good god is he being looked at with a startlingly aware expression right now.

A... awkward...... there might be... the tiniest bit of red coming to Shido's cheeks?]


Anyway... why don't you come with me and we can set up some of the Fissure stabilizers?
makejapangreat: (neutral)

[personal profile] makejapangreat 2018-06-22 06:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[...

Well, he won't press it. Instead, he finally gets up and brushes himself off.]


Are you all set to go into the Fissure, then?
beguiledcard: (Default)

[personal profile] beguiledcard 2018-06-22 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He opens his mouth, almost as though he's about to say something. Instead...?

Well, after a pause, he just... nods. ]
beguiledcard: (ren/g ♪ yeah sure I'm listening)

[personal profile] beguiledcard 2018-06-23 03:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ He nods. ]

Yeah. I've finished helping a few others set up, and everything is stored in my inventory, ready to go.

[ After tilting his head to the side just a bit, hand twisting a strand of bangs, he asks, ]

Do you want some healing items? You'd have to keep the stuff in your pockets, but... better safe than sorry.
makejapangreat: (alarm)

[personal profile] makejapangreat 2018-06-24 07:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Healing... items?

[The name seems rather self-explanatory, but like magic (or psychic powers) it's still a bit... of a wonder?]
dragonmouth: (Default)

[personal profile] dragonmouth 2018-06-24 10:25 pm (UTC)(link)
I suppose that's good to know...

Have you tried going underwater?
riderofcharlemagne: (makasete yo scoob)

[personal profile] riderofcharlemagne 2018-06-25 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[Despite being a creature of magic, Astolfo himself knows very little about spells. He's a Rider, not a Caster, after all.]

...Maybe? I guess it'd make sense, from what you've said.

[It's enough of a compliment to feel weird to come out with.]
biddentodance: (Now's your chance to run for cover)

i???? lost this tag????

[personal profile] biddentodance 2018-06-25 11:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[He already exchanged Terrible Puns with Akechi, he's golden.]

Pretty sure he doesn't even need an audience. [Man Punning Alone With Salad??? Thy name is Shuji Ikutsuki.]

...'s just a cold. [No it isn't.] I'll be fine. [Not if he keeps this up.]
makejapangreat: (alarm)

[personal profile] makejapangreat 2018-06-26 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
... I've not...

[Naturally, he holds his breath when going under, even though he doesn't actually need to? He is rather amazed by how clearly he can see under the water, however.

Also isn't aware he can speak underwater.]
makejapangreat: (neutral)

[personal profile] makejapangreat 2018-06-26 03:55 pm (UTC)(link)
How odd... wouldn't it make more sense to write the runes on the inside, then, where they're not likely to be disturbed? Or perhaps the ship has some sort of protective coating over them...

Stone is a very peculiar choice of material, too. Besides its tendency to sink, water, especially saltwater will quickly erode it... though perhaps the runes played double duty with that. Granted, magic is quite versatile, so perhaps they mitigated or compensated for many of the drawbacks.