DUNGEON - BELLMARE ENCLAVE (BELLMARE MOUNTAINS, PT 2)

[phantasmods]

The shadows are starting to grow very long as you crest his particular ridge - it's not night yet, but it will be soon. In the shadows of the afternoon, with a tall mountain already blocking the sun, lies a snow-covered valley that is different from the ones you've come across thus far in your investigation.

This valley is home to a town, and unlike all the settlements you've seen so far - Incendia, the Telovia mining town, and the manor - it's very much active. There are actual people in the streets, visible from above, going through their days on snow-free streets, bundled up against the cold.

Those of you who asked were told of the handful of people who didn't go into the slumber of stasis as the Fissure conditions of the world grew worse and worse, instead isolating themselves and trying to continue living their lives as they could. Now, it seems, you've found exactly such a group.

Welcome to the Bellmare Enclave, and enjoy your stay.

[[OOC: Welcome to part 2 of the dungeon! For the most part, interaction with the town's NPCs can be handwaved as described on the main information post. Worth noting are the following major things: The Bellmare Enclave isn't expecting visitors, though the people are generally friendly to the new arrivals. They don't know about the time dilation effect of their Fissure - to them, it's only been about eighteen years since the Slumber Plan was put in place and they withdrew from the world. And finally, by a similar token, they have no idea how far the Fissures outside of their own have grown - while it's not uncommon for them to find odd objects from time to time, they'll assume that the characters are just arrivals from other places within their own world, rather than outsiders, until told otherwise.]]

Comments

[splendidandhonest]

[arrival] [Brain is... astounded to find that there's a place full of people here, much less a fully realized town and everything. And what's more, everyone is friendly, with everyone coming up to gawk at him and all of the strange equipment he's wearing.] Yes... yes, I made all of this myself... I know, it's quite impressive, but I would really like some time to myself... [Yes, time to himself to study everyone in secret and take readings on them. They live in the vicinity of a fissure, for god's sake! The fact that his equipment is recording everything about them seems lost on them for the moment, however. Eventually, Brain is able to pull himself away. He spies someone he knows doesn't belong here either, and approaches them.] Can you believe we found all of this? [Town Hall and Library] [Brain eventually found his way to the town hall... which was also the library. Just the place he wanted to go to! Information on the town's history would likely be found there! ... And of course, it had to be the night where the books were put aside and everyone was encouraged to be social. Brain could be found sitting at one of the tables, moping, looking mournfully at the bookshelves.] So close, yet so far...

library

[stavros]

[There's a tiny teenage girl in there, taking down notes as she talks to the townspeople. She waves at him.]

You don't look too okay.

Re: library

[splendidandhonest]

[Brain let out a groan of annoyance, but nodded as the girl reached out to him.] I'm not. Today has kind of put me through the wringer.

[stavros]

Do you live here, then?

[splendidandhonest]

In this town? No, of course not. I'm a visitor. ... Are you a native of this town?

[stavros]

I've only just arrived. So you're...?

[splendidandhonest]

... Then you aren't aware of the station, then, and of all the brave adventurers gathered together there, eh?

[stavros]

I haven't heard much. Actually, I've mostly only met other new arrivals. It's certainly troubling to see this happen all over the place.

[splendidandhonest]

I see. Well, in any case, allow me to be the first to welcome you here. I was in your shoes just a bit ago myself.

[stavros]

So is everybody here in the same situation?

[splendidandhonest]

Aside from the androids who oversee our station, and all these natives apparently, yes.

[stavros]

Apparently, you say. So you've only just encountered the townspeople yourself?

[splendidandhonest]

That's right. In fact, I more or less just got here.

library

[myocordial]

[You know what, he shouldn't be surprised to find Brain staring at books. How very fitting.]

Such a dismal expression... And staying out of the way, I see.

You should cheer up a little, Brain.

Re: library

[splendidandhonest]

... Ah, hello Heart. And yes, I'm being a good boy today. No trouble from me. [He sighs.] I'm trying to be cheerful but all my attempts to learn about the fissures have seemed stymied today.

[myocordial]

Hm, I see.

[He nods. Also, honestly Brain, he hadn't been worried about you acting out whatsoever. Because. It's Heart.]

And staring at the bookshelves is... solving the problem?

[splendidandhonest]

Well, I mean, I don't know any other recourse. [...] Unless I tried stealing some. ... Or I could talk to people I guess. ... ... But seriously, I could steal some...

[myocordial]

You certainly could. I wouldn't mind, but I feel that, perhaps, other people would.

Though I could make it incredibly easy if you did want to.

[...Is he joking or serious, it's real hard to tell.]

But if having nothing better to do is the issue, you could always spend time with me, instead.

[splendidandhonest]

... I think I'd like the latter best, honestly. [He smiled.] Sit down with me?

[myocordial]

Hm, of course.

[And he does take a seat.]

Don't tell me all you've spent time on so far is trying to gather information?

[splendidandhonest]

Well, no, not exactly. I also chased a fox-like creature around for a few hours and got carried off by a giant bird.

[myocordial]

[A beat.

And then Heart laughs. Because oh, honey.]

Oh, I see! You've had quite an eventful time, haven't you?

[splendidandhonest]

You could call it that. Or you could call it terrifying. [He actually laughs himself.] I thought it was going to eat me...!

[myocordial]

I'm sure it wouldn't have.

...Probably.

[Probably, he says...]

[splendidandhonest]

If I did, you would have come to rescue me, wouldn't you?