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

[ninjabanish]

[As Alice climbs down, unbothered by the steep slope, she seems to be on guard. Something's... wrong here. Something's not right- She-

"I became an alchemist, so I could fix this body. To be who I really am."

Whose memory is that? But it was hers. But, it wasn't hers... Who?

"Father. I have eliminated those adventurers, as you requested." "I see... Good work. But I think this is the end of your usefulness to me."

She recoils, like she's been struck. She doesn't know what's going on anymore. She draws her shortswords and lashes out, striking at the only thing she can see- The crystals on the walls, leaving a trail of sparks and flying shards.]

[liveofftheland]

Alice!

[Marie runs out, but stops and hangs back. She has her other hand by her crossbow arm and her eyes alert.]

Alice, hold! I don't see an enemy. What's going on in here?

[ninjabanish]

Marie?!

[And her knife is turned, a guarded stance against Marie. Is this... the real Marie? Or another illusion?

No, she's real. She has to be real. But...]

When... did you arrive here?

[liveofftheland]

Just now. Sophie said you were here. I got the explanation on Fissures, but what...?

[ninjabanish]

... I'm sorry.

[She has to take a moment. Try to recover her composure.]

This place... Seems to be showing visions.

[liveofftheland]

[sigh] Of course they'd be magic crystals. We're going to need to make sure this doesn't mess with everyone.

[summerbloom]

Alice!

[ I'm sorry Alice, were you freaking out? That means it's time for the legendary Sophie technique of bundling you up in a cooldown hug. Or as much bundling up as Sophie can do when she's so smol and Alice is so tol. ]

Alice, stop it! Its okay!

[ninjabanish]

[That gets her to freeze. She stares blankly into space. Then... Her knife. Then... Sophie.

"Father. I have eliminated those adventurers."

Those adventurers... That has to mean...]

... Sophie...

[summerbloom]

[ –Sophie just shakes her head furiously. She barely even wants to acknowledge she's seen such a thing, that there could even be the possibility that Alice would put an end to everything like that. But she needs to reassure Alice that no matter what– ]

That never happened! It wouldn't have happened! I'm not gonna believe it!

[ninjabanish]

[... she lowers her head.]

I- I don't want to believe it, either! But...

[But the vision is vivid, the red on her blades, and her father, with a dispassionate expression, simply deciding she's more useful dead than alive now--]

[summerbloom]

No buts! Because I'm–

[ She lets go of Alice, but it's only so she can take the taller girl's face in her hands and make her look up and meet Sophie's gaze. ]

I'm right here, aren't I? If I'm right here and Mister Aran and Miss Marie are, then you know it never happened! And you don't have to believe it.

[have_hat_will_travel]

H-hang on! You're going to break your swords like that!

[Pidonus looked spooked as she saw Alice start lashing out - not yet having seen for herself what's going on...]

[ninjabanish]

[don't be silly, these are RPG swords, they don't have a durability mechanic

She ignores Pidonus' warnings, continuing to lash out.]

[have_hat_will_travel]

What did you even see that's doing this?!

[Pidonus, having not experienced the real effects of these crystals quite yet, is confused as hell about this sudden burst of anger, to say the least!]

[ninjabanish]

Something impossible! Something that did not happen, could not-!!

[she's just. swinging wildly now.]

[have_hat_will_travel]

[After a few swings, Pidonus raises her rapier - sheathed - to block one wild swing.]

An illusion, then. Breathe, collect your thoughts. You can resist it.

[thecageysort]

Alice.

[Aran keeps his voice firm. Not out of any anger, but in the hope that it'll get through to her better. He won't approach too much. Not that he's worried about getting hit - honestly, he can take it - but he doubts it would make her feel any better if she hit him by mistake. She's clearly having enough trouble as it is.]

Stay with us, now.

[ninjabanish]

[That voice--

That name. Calling her real name. That's right. In that memory, she didn't have that name.

She focuses on Aran's voice, and her arm stills. She slowly, slowly twists and puts her knives away...

...

And then slumps down to the ground.]

[thecageysort]

[Now, he does approach. And he lowers himself down. Not touching Alice yet, because physical affection is not, exactly, his strong suit. But he can do his best to be here for her anyway.] ...It's alright. It wasn't real. You're still here, with us.

[ninjabanish]

Aran... I saw...

[She freezes.]

We- I- We needs must get you from this place.

[thecageysort]

Hey, hey. Maybe spend a little less time worrying about me right now. First and foremost, I need to know that you're alright.

[hairpincurves]

[Akira yelps and jumps back, having rounded the corner to see Alice lashing out.]

Ah-- Alice! H-hey!

[ninjabanish]

Akira-?

[She grits her teeth, trying to resist every bit of her body screaming at her to run away. Every instinct she has is in fight or flight mode.]

Stay back- This place, it shows foul visions...

[hairpincurves]

I've... I've seen a couple too, yeah.

[Some of them haven't been... too bad, but... a couple of them...]

Most of the ones I've seen so far, I was lucky enough that they weren't bad, but...

[... She shakes her head.]

Are you okay?

[... in hindsight, the answer's pretty obvious, but, well, the question's already out there now.]

[ninjabanish]

I...

[The tension in her- It just snaps. Suddenly, it's gone, like a string wound too tight.

She slumps to the ground.]

I... killed them...