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

[founderinglight]

Not that I can see, but be careful anyway.

[shipoutofluck]

...If it's only fifteen feet, I should be able to handle it.

[He's as cautious as he's been the whole time since he's lost his sight. And there's, indeed, nothing in the way as far as Izunia can see.

As it turns out, that does not mean it's safe. Turns out the ground in the specific part Eizen is walking across is uneven. Just uneven enough to be a slight problem when you're walking with no goddamn clue where you're stepping.

Especially if there's a stray tree root.

There isn't even a tree that close by. It's just there. Because fuck Eizen.

The point of all this, is that the Reaper, the first mate of the Van Eltia, companion of the Lord of Calamity, trips and falls right on his face.

WASTED]

[founderinglight]

...Or perhaps not.

[You can practically hear the wince as well as the way Izunia is trying not to laugh. What else can you even do at a moment like that.]

I really would come get you, but I'm blind beyond the border of the stable area myself, and, well... let's not combine your luck with blind warping.

[Someone would probably die.]

[shipoutofluck]

[There's just a moment of Eizen not moving, because he's just taking in the state of his life right now. But he gets up again, slowly, with the single most tired sigh ever heard in the known universe.]

I wouldn't advise trying that, no. It's fine.

[It's fine, this is just how his life is.

But this time, he seems to make it there okay. No more stumbles. And after a few steps...]

...

It really was just right here the whole time, wasn't it?

[founderinglight]

I'm afraid so.

[Welcome to camp, which is admittedly half furniture brought by Armiger. When he's close enough, Izunia will offer Eizen a hand.]

But if you're hungry, I can't burn food I've already made, so you can at least come sit for a warm meal.

[shipoutofluck]

Don't say that, it might seem like a challenge.

[It's that kind of day, Zuzu. It's very noticeable now, in fact, that Eizen kind of looks like a mess. Parts of his coat are a little singed, he's a little dusty from his adventures in the tunnels, and now his clothes have dirt on them from that fall.]

...But aye. [Since he's offering and all.] I think I could use that about now.

[founderinglight]

Let's go take a seat, then.

[Gonna just lead him over to the low tables before settling in to pull out for and, yes, a bit of alcohol from his Armiger. You seem to be having that kind of day, Eizen ]

[shipoutofluck]

Hm, sure.

[Rest and booze. That's exactly what he needs. You're a goddamn lifesaver, Izunia.]

...I liked the fire better.

[founderinglight]

[Look he's doing his very best, here.]

So did I. Being able to move around without the creeping fear of darkness and the things in it is a treasure.

[shipoutofluck]

One I now realize I haven't appreciated enough.

...You got issues with the dark, right? So all the worse for you. [He remembers that, vaguely. That... list thing.] I think some of my luck might've rubbed off on you.

[founderinglight]

Yes - our world's daemons can't tolerate sunlight or similarly bright artificial light. It's very much all linked together, unfortunately.

[Eizen might notice that for once, Izunia doesn't argue the point. He doesn't say that he can handle it or that he'll be fine. He's just... Tired.]

[shipoutofluck]

[...He takes a drink.]

I guess at least you have the light as your ally. [For what it's worth.] ...Well, don't worry.

[Eizen raises his drink a little and smiles at Izunia.]

If any daemons show up, I'll just punch them for you.

[Obviously phobias aren't about what's rational and what might actually happen, and they both know that. It's 100% just an attempt at lightening the mood. Wait, who was trying to make who feel better here again?]

[founderinglight]

Yes, and I think in my panic I might have blinded anyone who came near for lack of being able to confirm it for myself, at least at first.

[But there's a smile nonetheless.]

I feel safer already.

[shipoutofluck]

You should. There aren't many that can say they have the Reaper's protection.

Of course, most people probably wouldn't want it in the first place. They're smart like that.

[Unlike Izunia, who is an idiot.]

[founderinglight]

It's the sort of thing that goes both ways, isn't it? We look out for each other.