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]

[For the mods: I’m fine with any kind of level of injury short of death.

The smell, and that awful drone, whilst horrible, Astolfo could at least bear with. Upon seeing the siren, he draws his sword, that tangled mess calling for some hacking and slashing. He swims towards the creature to close the gap for their fight. He feels something of an unpleasant feeling, some kind of resistance in his mind, and tenses slightly. A feeling that echoes one felt before, it’s enough to bring him to an abrupt stop, fear creeping onto his face, sword still clutched in his hand.]

obv I'm writing the boss responses but anyway MAYBE I'LL LOSE A TENTACLE

[founderinglight]

[Izunia is only just drawing a sword - the greatsword, because bigger enemies mean bigger chopping to do - when he realizes how Astolfo is frozen.

And for once, his reaction is immediate and un-thought-out - he just reaches out and puts a hand on his friend's shoulder to pull him back from whatever's made him freeze.]

No time for that now, my friend.

[riderofcharlemagne]

[Izunia's touch seems to snap him back into action, but rather than providing reassurance it only seems to make him more panicked.]

You need to get away-

[He's too close. Though he would, in a more clear state of mind, believe Izunia capable of holding his own against him, he's far from thinking clearly right now. All that dominates his thoughts is the image of turning on a friend, one he swore to protect, unable to control himself or do anything to stop it.]

I don't want to hurt you.

[founderinglight]

[Izunia knows panic when he sees it, that edge of irrationality -

The touch drops away, but he stays right where he is.]

You're not going to, little moon. Come on and breathe.

[He doesn't entirely seem to realize that the endearment's slipped out...]

[riderofcharlemagne]

[Astolfo catches onto that term of endearment, even if Izunia hasn't.

It's enough to give him a moment of pause, comfort breaking through the stream of panic. In all his fear of turning on the one he'd sworn to help, he forgot their relationship was not so one-sided. If he lost himself, he could surely trust that Izunia would reach out to pull him back.

He looks to Izunia with a gaze that's both understanding and appreciative, much calmer than before but still somewhat shaken.]

I- [His gills puff out in a deep breath.] I don't want that to happen again. Not to you.

[founderinglight]

You're all right. I'm quite good at not getting hurt, as you should know by now.

[How many times has he phased out of your way at this point, Astolfo? It's a Lot with how much you've been sparring together.

He offers a hand. Need something to squeeze? He's got you covered.]

[riderofcharlemagne]

[That gets a laugh out of him.]

You're right about that.

[He takes Izunia up on the offered hand, squeezing it tight with a good percentage of his strength.]

How about we go and make quick work of that thing?

[founderinglight]

Absolutely.

[He squeezes back, and it's not exactly a weak grasp in itself.]

There's no shame in having fear. But you aren't alone.

[riderofcharlemagne]

Strange that you're the one telling me that.

[That's a clear, unmistakable smile on his face now.]

[founderinglight]

All we can do is support each other, isn't it?

[Because that's what friends are for.]

[riderofcharlemagne]

[He nods firmly.]

Until the very end.