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

[makejapangreat]

Not all wood is equal when it comes to making boats. For example, if a wood doesn't have certain kinds of oils in it, it may rot very quickly when exposed to water. Softer woods aren't suitable for retaining the structural integrity of the boat... and so on.

[riderofcharlemagne]

...You know a lot about boats.

[Genius observation there, Astolfo.]

[makejapangreat]

They're a hobby of mine. Though admittedly, I'm more familiar with the workings of what would be considered a modern vessel for my time. Such as this one right here.

[He gestures to the boat they're next to.] Looks to be a naval ship. A corvette, to be precise. My own country doesn't use these, but many use them for convoy escorts.

[riderofcharlemagne]

They've sure come a long way from my era.

[He regards the ship with some fondness for what he's learning about it.]

I'd love to be able to go on one- maybe a luxury cruise liner? [He grins at the thought.] Ah, but then I wouldn't be able to drive it...I guess it would be the Captain's duty to see to his passengers too, though...

[makejapangreat]

[There's definitely a reaction when Astolfo mentions the cruise liner, a twitch in his expression and a slight tensing of his muscles... before he forces himself to relax again, though perhaps... not as much as he'd like to be. The slight shift in his expression and tone hints at the fact that they've touched on something that he isn't comfortable thinking about.]

A cruise liner is all well and good, but I would prefer something like a speedboat. You and the endless ocean; you can go wherever you please.

[riderofcharlemagne]

It does sound nice, but you don't get all the fancy drinks and canapes with a speedboat, or all the people... [He notices Shido's discomfort, and is hardly the type to ignore it.] What's the matter?

[makejapangreat]

[He holds a blink for a moment, then looks away.] My ugly past has a way of rearing its head at times... [A mirthless chuckle escapes him.]

[riderofcharlemagne]

I can't say I'm surprised.

[makejapangreat]

Indeed... it's just something that I'll have to live with to the end of my days.

In either case... it's been nice meeting you, Arnoldo.

[riderofcharlemagne]

[Some moments later, perhaps even after Shido has left, there comes a yell.] ARNOLDO?!