DUNGEON LOG - TELOVIA MINES

[phantasmods]

The day dawns bright and early - the same as most every expedition. The only difference is that you'll need to take the teleportation pad to Lodestone as a starting point - the gliders and drones are already there. There's clouds on the horizon, though, so if you're going to take a glider and go, you'd better get going.

There's some new additions, though, to the usual group of androids seeing you off. Tau is checking over the drones ready to carry those who can't or won't use the gliders, and Muon is practicing opening and collapsing the wings of a glider with bright yellow sails. She grins at anyone who approaches, shooting them a thumbs up.

"Don't worry about getting lost or falling behind! As long as Tau's here, they'll keep us all together."

And with that bit of bright cheer, it's off towards the mountains you go...

----

From the air, the remains of the mining town are almost impossible to tell from any other part of the forest. The trees - especially the old ones - are much thinner, and that's really the only sign of what's below.

But Muon's bright yellow glider, leading the way, dips down into the treeline before landing in an open space, and anyone who isn't paying enough attention to follow will feel their glider being herded in the same direction by Tau's power - control not outright taken, but more of a nudge, like, hey buddy it's this way. The group lands just beyond the border of the Fissure - a tiny stable spot in whatever's left of this world.

And a good thing, too, because landing in the Fissure itself could prove quite difficult...

Comments

[riderofcharlemagne]

[He nods.

Then, he remembers.]

Yeah! He was, once. I remember lending him to Bradamante during the whole thing with Roland, she took real good care of him!

[He ventures to step forward a little, cooing the creature over.]

He's not quite like my Hippogriff, but Rabicano is an incredible horse.

[founderinglight]

This is a horse?

[Now he really wishes he could see. Izunia extends his free hand gently, to allow the creature to inspect and sniff.]

[riderofcharlemagne]

Yep!

[Far from your standard horse, but a horse all the same. At the friendly stranger, Rabicano gives a curious sniff, tentatively approaching.

Ever impatient, Astolfo gently guides Izunia's hand with his own to the horses' face, allowing him to touch the bridge of its nose. It's soft, not like fur but like a delicate breeze, and is both warm and cold to the touch.]

[founderinglight]

Hmm. I don't think it's quite what I was expecting.

[Hi there, critter?]

Even with one in front of me, I have trouble imagining anything like a spiracorn that's docile enough to ride.

[riderofcharlemagne]

[...]

What's a spiracorn?

[founderinglight]

... I'll show you a sketch later.

[Everyone says they look like horses From Hell.

He's just gonna continue... patting the nose...]

[riderofcharlemagne]

[Rabicano enjoys those nosepats. He gives an encouraging huff to keep it up.]

Riding isn't a problem for me, but horses are docile enough. [With some exceptions, but, you know, not murderhorse levels.] It's staying on him that's the hardest part.

[And not just because his balance is terrible right now.]

[founderinglight]

Can't be much more difficult than a chocobo at full gallop, surely.

[riderofcharlemagne]

[Izunia can't see the excited grin on his face right now, but it sure is there.]

He's quite a bit faster than that.

[founderinglight]

Is he, now? A pity I can't see it.

[But is he faster than a warp?]

[riderofcharlemagne]

You can see him when we get back.

[Because there's no question about whether Astolfo's taking it back with him.]

But - [And here it is, what might possibly a terrible impulse decision.] - you could still feel it.

[founderinglight]

...Just remember that I'm only as sturdy as a regular human, dear.

[He's not a Servant please don't get him into trouble like one when he can't use his usual ability to phase through things to compensate.

But he trusts Astolfo, terrible impulse decisions and all.]

[riderofcharlemagne]

Don't worry- I rode him when I was a human, after all.

[Not being one of his noble phantasms, the horse is a rather nostalgic sight. Holding onto Izunia, he moves to stroke Rabicano along his neck, giving him a light pat at the base.]

You'll have to help me up, though, Master.

[founderinglight]

[Izunia mostly follows the sound of Astolfo's footsteps and that pat.]

I don't think that should be a problem. Just let me get a feel for -

[He just gestured at all of horse.]

[riderofcharlemagne]

Alright, Master! Whenever you're ready!

[But ideally as soon as possible.]

[founderinglight]

[It's okay he knows you're impatient. Just let him do the thing here and - oh that's quite a long back - okay he's got a reasonably good handle on this.]

Ready?

[Given balance bullshit he's just gonna put you up there, Astolfo.]

[riderofcharlemagne]

Ready!

[He extends his arms up, he's ready to be picked up!]