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

[motherfucking_ghost]

I know...I know.

...They deserved it.

[burninglight]

...yes. [He pulled Church a little closer, running a hand through his hair.] They did.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Seems...kinda wrong to wish that was me, huh.

[burninglight]

You needn’t justify it to me. I of all people am not about to deny how vengeance feels.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Mm. Just sucks to think there's at least one universe where I saved myself, I guess.

[burninglight]

I understand. [and obviously he’s very much not letting go]

...I’m not letting anyone hurt you again. I don’t know how much that’s worth after the fact, but despite it all I’m not about to allow anything of the sort.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Worth about as much as me not letting anyone hurt you again after the fact.

Means I like to think it's worth a lot.

[burninglight]

You know that’s worth everything to me.

[motherfucking_ghost]

's what I thought. Don't sell yourself short.

Man the Director's an old bag of dicks though. If I ever look like that when I'm old, we're dying everything.

[burninglight]

Oh, you’ll look much better, I’ve no doubt of that. You’ve the clear advantage of not being an enormous sack of garula shit.

[motherfucking_ghost]

I'm definitely starting to go grey, though, aren't I.

[burninglight]

Are you uncomfortable with it?

[Ardyn tilted his head slightly, looking thoughtful.]

I think it’s a dignified sort of look on you. But if you don’t like it I can help you color it.

[motherfucking_ghost]

...Dignified is good. Dignified, I like dignified. Makes people think the best of me before I open my mouth.

[burninglight]

It’s not a terrible quality. Pretty attractive on you, too.

...Gods, with any luck I’ll age as well as Regis did—maybe a bit slower, though.

[motherfucking_ghost]

You would look good in silver. Silver fox.

[burninglight]

You think so? Suppose I can’t very well dye it if that sounds so interesting to you. Not that I think I’d want to.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Guess what, nerd, you're handsome no matter what.

[burninglight]

Yes, well so are you. Nothing to be done about it, I’m afraid.

...Feeling a little better?

[motherfucking_ghost]

Less upset in a confused way, slightly less murderous, so let's go with yes. Pretty sure a computer can't fix human fragility anyway.

[burninglight]

It’s a good start. Human fragility is ever going to be a difficult matter regardless.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Makes life scary and precious at the same time?

[burninglight]

Terrifying and wonderful. I’d not trade it for anything.