phantasmalrift | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He'll assume it's maybe a little of both, until proven otherwise. ]

Me?

[ Since he's apparently doing awesomely right now at the whole thinking thing... ]

I'm great, actually! [ that's..... a grin that someone like Prompto would normally wear??? ] There were these fish earlier that bit me a few times. I've been in a great mood, ever since.

[ A beat. ]

There haven't been any bad signs, so far, so I'm just swimming it out.

Well, you're acting a bit oddly, but I suppose as long as you aren't hurt...

[He better not be. No worrying grandpa.]

[ Grinning! ]

Worried about me, huh?

[ Buuuut he isn't so far gone he won't think to give a word of caution. ]

Actually, if you come across any fish that seem to be kissing you? Don't let them hang around too long. The ones who got me might have done real damage if I'd let them. Apparently I taste great.

[ For some reason, this is very funny, so give him a second... ]

I fret about most people your age. Many of them do quite foolish things.

[ That gets a snicker. ]

Well, I can't say that's a terrible idea. I fret about most people my own age, because most of us can be idiots.

[ It's said fondly, but... where's the lie? ]

I would agree, but the only other person within a century of me is Ardyn, and I fret about him by default regardless of how stupid he's being at the moment.

[ Ah... his expression softens at the mention of Ardyn, and that gets a small nod. There's a pause where it might be clear there are several thoughts going through his head, but all he winds up saying? ]

I'm really glad I got to meet someone like you.

[ akira ur also very high plz explain how u got there ]

You're one of the few adults who proved I can trust them.

[ Well, fine. Guess it's just going to be like this. ]

...I try. Even if I don't always succeed, I try to be worthy of the trust placed in me. Not just yours.

[ He's moving to stretch out a bit, basically just... swimming on his back, a calm smile on his face. ]

And that's what makes you one of the better adults around here.

[ Glancing over to flash Izunia a grin. ]

Heh... Most adults I knew when I was younger seemed to assume that kids were just supposed to trust and happily rely on them, by default. And not only are you doing better than that, you're actually way cooler than any of them could ever hope to be.

[A bit of a sheepish smile, there. Akira, you're a flatterer, you disaster.]

The role of parents and other adults is to teach children how to be adults. Those who refuse to let themselves be questioned and pretend that their mistakes don't happen aren't teaching very good lessons, are they?

Though you would think people with only two digits in age would remember a little better what growing up is like than someone like me...

[ Maybe if he weren't affected by fish, those words would have tugged at something. Their role is to teach... and one might think it's to protect, right? Heh...

His smile brightens a little, and there's a hint of teasing in his voice. ]

Well, they do say wisdom is supposed to come with age, right~? I'd say you've had more than enough time to rack up some wisdom points.

I'll let you in on a secret -

[And he even drops his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.]

- Wisdom has nothing to do with age. It primarily has to do with how much you fuck up, and what you do to keep from fucking up further.

[ Something about how this is being said as though it's top secret? Has him snickering. ]

Fair enough. It's human nature to screw up a lot, but taking the steps to fully improve the future for everyone else doesn't seem to come naturally.

...For the future, huh?

[For a moment, Izunia looks like he's somewhere else, talking to some other person. Then he closes his eyes, and his smile warms.]

Before this place, I had no care for the future at all. You saw that well enough for yourself.

[ He nods. ]

I did. But... what matters most to me is how each person is now, and the you I know now is someone I'm proud to know. You've come a long way.

DUNGEON LOG: KEYSTONE REEF

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