DUNGEON LOG: KEYSTONE REEF

[phantasmods]

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.

Comments

[riderofcharlemagne]

[The excitement is more irritating than appealing. Why did this guy have to be interested in these wrecks like he is? He supposes that's just one of the many things he loves about humanity, the existence of common ground between enemies, the prospect of uniting on the same interest...

...but he is also flawed, just like humans are, and though he isn't one he's still going to carry over his grudge and not let himself be warmed to Shido.]

I was a famed adventurer in my life. Naturally, I want to explore all of this.

[He gestures to the wrecks around them, his theatrics dampened just slightly. Bringing his arms back down, he folds them across his chest.]

Haven't you heard of the paladins of Charlemagne?

[makejapangreat]

[Yeah, he can tell the guy doesn't like him. And if that's out of loyalty to Akechi? All the better, honestly. He has every right to stand by his son's side, and he's glad that he is.]

Ah. I suppose there's merit to that as well.

[Exploration, adventuring... going wherever you pleased and discovering new things and lands along the way.]

I haven't, no.

[riderofcharlemagne]

[Huff.]

Seriously? How uncultured...

[Nevermind that he's from a different world; he's seen enough mythological similarities through the names Goro's mentioned to believe his folklore might not be too separate from his own world's.]

You're missing out. They're pretty exciting tales.

[Shido's banned from storytime. Go read a book.]

[makejapangreat]

[ummmm??? he has the most baffled look rn...]

Where did that come from?

[riderofcharlemagne]

[He throws his arms up in the water.]

Well, if you've never heard of me, what do you know about world history and culture?

[makejapangreat]

[He raises an eyebrow, crossing his arms loosely in front of him.]

That's like asking someone what they know about food or people. It's quite a broad topic.

[riderofcharlemagne]

[He huffs. Stop making valid points, Shido.]

I guess you don't know a lot about food or people either, then.

[He crosses his arms, too.]

It's just a little disappointing.

[makejapangreat]

[Helpfully:] I'd know if you told me. [But somehow he gets the feeling that's not going to happen???]

[riderofcharlemagne]

[You see, on one hand, Astolfo really likes recounting his adventures, and would otherwise jump at the chance to go on about it, let alone require prompting.

But, this was Shido.]

Nnnno. I won't do it.

[He seems to be protesting more against himself than against Shido.]

[makejapangreat]

[wow, what a shock]

Can I at least have a name?

[riderofcharlemagne]

Make sure to remember this name, Masayoshi Shido!

[His attitude turns right around, as he twirls in the water to pose.]

Of one of Charlemagne's twelve holy knights- [He regrets the loss of his cape, so he draws his sword and points it dramatically upwards instead.] - of the great hero- the paladin Astolfo!

[After a moment, he sheaths his weapon with a grin.]

Got it?

[makejapangreat]

[???

Shido swims back a little reflexively when he takes out the sword. Ummmm?]

... do you always introduce yourself like that?

[#judge]

[riderofcharlemagne]

...More or less.

[Sometimes with a sword, sometimes with a lance, most times with his cape.]

What about it?

[He asks as if Shido's question is the most absurd thing.]

[makejapangreat]

Why?

[So much??? Needless movement?]

[riderofcharlemagne]

I have to leave an impression, you know.

[He has?? Too much energy??]

[makejapangreat]

Then I suppose you can consider that a success, Arnoldo.

[arnoldo]

1/3

[riderofcharlemagne]

Of course, I-

[...]

2/3

[riderofcharlemagne]

[???

Arnoldo??]

3/3

[riderofcharlemagne]

[Arnoldo?!]

It's Astolfo.

[makejapangreat]

[He raises his eyebrows slightly.]

Ah, yes, of course. My mistake.

[riderofcharlemagne]

[SQUINTS]

Don't make it again.

[makejapangreat]

[He raises his hands disarmingly before lowering them.]

So, find anything interesting out here?

[riderofcharlemagne]

[He should probably feel a little bad about Shido getting so defensive. Probably.]

That's a loaded question. It's all really interesting.

[makejapangreat]

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...

[riderofcharlemagne]

[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.