phantasmalrift | DUNGEON - BELLMARE ENCLAVE (BELLMARE MOUNTAINS, PT 2)

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.]]

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[climbing down]

[One of the new people is making the trek down dressed like this, which is weird enough. She doesn't seem cold, though, and looks at the light show with interest.]

Light refractions... That's different.

[memories that aren't]

[Kokoro stands tense in the crystal cavern, staring ahead. The vision comes, and it looks... very normal. Kokoro and what look like her schoolmates sitting and talking on the green, having a normal conversation. Nothing out of the ordinary outside. Friendship bracelets instead of communicator bangles.

"Can you believe how much homework she gave us?"

"Do you think Madoka-chan could help if I asked nicely?" This from a dark-haired girl stuffing a test with a 30% into her bag.

"She's a genius engineer. You said that was for Health class." A tall older blonde girl shakes her head.

"Aww... What about you? You're great!"

The illusion-Kokoro laughs nervously. "I can't do your homework for you. My big brother would have a fit if I condoned cheating." She smiles. "But he'd probably also say we're lucky to have such troubles..."

The real Kokoro pulls a rounded glass bottle out of her scarf and flings it forward. It shatters against the crystal, spilling water all around.]

Begone, illusion!

... Welp. That's definitely an adventuring outfit if I ever saw one.

Might I ask about the magic on it?

[A reminder that Pidonus is dressed like this...]

And, yes, the crystals are a thing. Odds to evens they've got some weird magic, too...

The uniform isn't enchanted. It's just an expression of the Platonic Power I'm using. That's what's protecting me from the cold.

[Kokoro gives a suspicious look.]

But that means your dress is magical, isn't it?

Not directly? It's an extension of my own abilities as a Succubus, technically.

I just... Still kinda default to this outfit. Even though I don't like my Queen who enforced it anymore...

Edited (HTML Tag Fix) 2019-01-03 23:51 (UTC)

So you are a demon. You seem different.

Yeah. For one, I try to be honest about it, and I'm generally trying to toe the Good line of things. I am capable with charms and other mental influence... Though that broad umbrella includes my magic music, which is altogether positive for those who receive it.

By which I mean it electrifies your weapons for a serious damage boost.

My rules for when I use the influence is to protect myself, to protect others, and for someone who quite literally asks for it. Which no one has yet. Which honestly is comforting.

...Well, you seem serious about this. I suppose anyone can do good. My name is Kokoro Belmont. It seems only appropriate to exchange greetings.

Pidonus Marasia. I've got... A lot of issues, to say the least.

...Well, it seems you and your travelling companions have a lot of stories.

That's one way to put it.

And you're certain it's not Bacterians? Bizarre things usually are.

Where I'm from, if it's genuinely bizarre it usually involves Abberrations of some sort. Mind Flayers and the like.

... Are Bacterians human-like below the head, then their head has a bunch of tentacles instead of a mouth, with a penchant for eating the brains of intelligent people?

...I suppose one could look like that, they can change into a lot of things, but their usual form tends to look like some kind of organ. Like a brain or a heart. Only gigantic.