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

[hairpincurves]

... Almost anyone. We don't need two versions of Shido-san around the Station.

[Murder counter needs to stay ticking along, after all...

RIGHT MOVING ON.]

... Ah, well, you don't need to believe that strongly. Actually, it might be for the better if Akechi-san doesn't show up. I'm worried about what would happen with her and Goro in the same building.

[beguiledcard]

[ He winces just a tiny bit at the thought of another Shido...

... and then something unreadable appears on his face at the mention of another version of Goro Akechi. (Actually, what would the female counterpart's name be...?)

There's a quiet exhale as he glances to the side for a moment. Finally, he lets his expression ease into one of genuine worry. ]

I hate that I'm- not actually sure how it would go with Goro being around another version. [ a quiet 'heh' ] This is something I should have been helping him with, from the start. Even though I shouldn't be feeling like I've let him down, somewhere...

[ Sighing a little heavier as he rubs his hand over his face. ]

[hairpincurves]

[She lets out a soft exhale.]

I mean, I've been worrying about it since the first trip to Incendia and never brought it up, so...

[She makes a face.]

Besides, it's probably better to confront this sort of thing now since we've got our issues settled. [She can't help but feel like bringing it up before would make them seem a touch hypocritical...]

[beguiledcard]

[ He gives a slow nod... ]

That's... actually the reason I never brought it up. I suspected it would be a problem, as soon as we left the mall... After I met the Akira from Goro's timeline, I did imagine how things might have gone differently, if he had been meeting the Goro Akechi from my timeline...

[ He releases a tense breath. ]

I'm not sure where to even begin with helping him. It's not as though we can just temporarily summon another Goro Akechi here for him to work things out with...

[hairpincurves]

I have no idea either, frankly. And actually broaching the topic... that's tough enough, even if we did know how to help.

[beguiledcard]

[ He's quiet for a moment. ]

Well, it needs to be brought up, period, before we'll learn anything about the full extent of the problem...

[ Rubbing... a hand over his face now... ]

[hairpincurves]

Yeah... Well, I'm sure the two of us will figure out something. We've been lucky so far, but we really do need to get this settled before another Goro Akechi or an Aiko Akechi shows up...

[beguiledcard]

[ He nods... and then he gives a faint smile. ]

Aiko, huh? [ a beat ] Cute name.

[ Now isn't the time to consider the name fitting of a likely very cute person? Akira...

There's a quiet sigh as he looks upward. ]

You're right... Maybe we can create a relaxed setting and lead the conversation into that topic?

[hairpincurves]

Isn't it? She's super cute. And smart, and beautiful, and charming...

[She allows herself a dreamy sigh before-- right. Focus. More important topic at hand here. She clears her throat, going a bit pink in the cheeks, and then nods.]

Maybe talking about it over food or something...

[beguiledcard]

[ There's a small, knowing smile... But he doesn't outright poke at that first part. ]

I wouldn't mind hearing more about her, sometime.

[ He nods. ]

Sure. Let's do that - maybe in an apartment?

[hairpincurves]

Maybe when we're somewhere where we're less prone to freezing our asses off.

[She snickers, then nods.]

Absolutely in an apartment. I don't like the idea of just anyone being able to overhear.

[beguiledcard]

[ He laughs quietly and nods. ]

Deal then. We can plan it once we're all back, safe and sound, from this.

[hairpincurves]

Sounds like a plan!