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

[founderinglight]

Don't worry, I find you somewhat obnoxious myself.

[How is that comforting, Izunia?!?]

[myocordial]

Hm. [He fails to resist the urge to roll his eyes.] Only somewhat?

[founderinglight]

Perhaps that was polite of me.

[He's a politician.]

But ultimately, there are a number of points in your moral perspective that I agree with. They're just wrapped in the most infuriating package possible. You're reasonably aware of yourself and confident in who you are, which I find admirable; you don't apologize for being that person. It's just that that person is one that I clash with on damn near every possible issue.

By and far, that makes you not the most obnoxious person I've ever had to deal with. Just the most obnoxious one whose company I will tolerate for anything like an extended period of time.

[myocordial]

Maybe if you tried being less obnoxious yourself, you'd find it easier. Not that I expect that to happen anytime soon. Or ever. Like I said, I think you're probably just like this. [...] But good. That I infuriate you.

[That's what he's going for.]

How flattering, though, that you find me tolerable.

Such a high honor.

[founderinglight]

Honestly, if you think I'm so terrible, you should meet a few more politicians.

[That's certainly the sort of obnoxious he won't tolerate.]

I am done with hiding and acting and pretending to be someone I'm not, not only in the literal sense but the figurative as well. That I am still figuring out who I'm going to be does not mean that I will change that person. Especially for someone who, by their own admission, despises me.

[He is not without conviction, never has been, even if those convictions are sometimes very much at odds with Heart's. In spite of his state of mind, there is a determination in it.]

[myocordial]

A good friend of mine was one, for some time. I didn't mind him nearly so much.

[Of course, he also frequently erased people's memories so he could keep his job, but we don't talk about that.]

...Then you can expect me to continue to be infuriating. I'm not interested in pretending either. So I don't really feel like being polite or civil around you.

[founderinglight]

I would lose respect for you if you did.

[And that is the simple truth. He'd rather have the honest, infuriating Heart than a pleasant one.]

[myocordial]

I might try to punch you again, at some point.

Or kick you. That's probably more appropriate...

[Gotta uphold the Kamen Rider tradition.]

[founderinglight]

Ah, but -

[He waves a finger dramatically.]

- this time I won't stand still for you.

[myocordial]

I really, really don't need you to.

[founderinglight]

We'll see about that.

When we have legs. The usual number.

[myocordial]

Look forward to it.

You haven't seen me actually try yet.

[founderinglight]

That goes both ways.

Metaphorical pistols at dawn, three days after we get back?

[myocordial]

[That gets a... well, more of a smirk than a smile, but close enough.]

That eager, are you?

[founderinglight]

Did you think you're the only one who enjoys a good fight or two?

[Come on now, Heart.]

[myocordial]

I'm not sure it'll be much of a fight. On your end of things.

[founderinglight]

Underestimate me at your peril.

[He looks... not smug, exactly, but confident.]

Given your nature, should I assume that lightning magic is off the table?

[myocordial]

...

[Ah.]

It won't break me, if that's what you're worried about, but...

[founderinglight]

There's a difference between fighting for enjoyment and going for the kill, and I'd prefer to avoid the latter.

[So, you know, better to get this ironed out now?]

And it's my natural leaning to boot, so I'd prefer to know now than after something happens.

[myocordial]

...I'm not so fragile that I'll break from some lightning magic.

Use whatever you wish. I don't care.

[Oh, someone's being real stubborn about this.]

[founderinglight]

...Very well, but don't hold me responsible if it turns out otherwise. I'm trusting you to know your own limits.

[He'll leave it at that.]

As for me, unless you have some kind of darkness-summoning ability, I think you've already hit on anything you're likely to.

[myocordial]

I know them well. I have very few of them.

[for fuck's sake, heart]

I definitely don't have anything like that.

...Is my transformation still a problem? I want that to be clear in advance.

[founderinglight]

It shouldn't be now that I'm aware of it. Perhaps don't do it when I've just awoken, but otherwise it ought to be fine.

[You know he kind of doubts you right now if only because of the SHITlist Ardyn's given him so far?]

[myocordial]

[wow excuse you, you get outta here with that doubt, it's FINE. breaking through limits is what he does.]

Noted. I don't think that's gonna be a problem.

I usually stick with this-- well, um, not this one-- [because shark, you know] --but my human appearance, for the most part.

It's just simpler that way.

[founderinglight]

I imagine so, yes. And likely more comfortable, too.

...Did the Fissure magic affect your other form? Now you've gotten me curious.