DUNGEON LOG: AMESTA FOREST

[phantasmods]

Hello everyone!

Up and the others think that we have enough stabilizers ready for the next expedition! We're going to the forest to the south this time, but it shouldn't be too far for anyone to walk. If you're REALLY going to complain, you can talk to Top on the roof and catch a ride on one of the drones like before.

The scenery's really nice, but there's definitely some kind of magical effect going on in there - as far as we can tell, the day doesn't progress inside the forest. It's stuck a little while after sunset - probably when the Fissure first appeared? (°ヘ°)

Be careful out there! Don't be afraid to call for help if you need it and we'll send a drone your way! o(^▽^)o And Strange says no stupid stunts this time, got it? (；¬д¬)

You'll probably see a big tree on your way there, before you're under the cover of the forest! That's the Infinity Tree, it's a really big willow. Charm can probably tell you more about the mythology if you're interested. He's gonna meet you guys there at the end of the expedition, so try to work your way in that direction as you go!

(｡･ω･｡)ﾉ See you when you get back!

After Down's message, characters will find things set up much the way they were last time on the roof. Top is making last-minute adjustments to the drones, and there's tables with food and medical supplies set out - the latter a little sparse compared to last time, so hopefully you kept your first aid kits from before. The table of stabilizers, on the other hand, is much more full.

On your way, you might also see some of what the construction drones have been putting together so noisily these last few days - there's the metal shell of a building, similar to but smaller than the Station, to the immediate west, just off your path to the forest in the distance. Nothing much indicates its function as of yet, though there are significantly more windows.

To the southwest stretches the border of Amesta Forest - about a mile distant, though still easily within sight. As promised, the Infinity Tree sticks up from the far edge, easily visible for those who need a landmark either now or later in the dungeon. If you get lost, you can probably find your way up a tree somewhere to get a perspective on it, and which direction to head in.

The silver mist doesn't begin until some distance into the forest, the time of day gradually changing to the eternal twilight mentioned as you approach the boundary of the Fissure itself. There's no distinct border, just a slow shading towards late afternoon and then sunset while the mist increases around you.

And as the mist wraps around you, and exhaustion you might have felt from the walk out here starts to evaporate... You've well and truly arrived, now. Better keep your eyes open.

Comments

[photoshooter]

Well, only if Gladio isn't here. You know that, right?

[nightcure]

Ugh, don't remind me. He'd make us wake up at, like, five in the morning or something to run or lift weights.

[photoshooter]

Do we even have weights? Dude, he'd be waking us up at five in the morning to lift us.

[nightcure]

Hey, at least we could probably sleep? At least we wouldn't be doing the lifting.

[photoshooter]

I wanna ask if you really think you could sleep through that, but I already know the answer.

[nightcure]

You can sleep through anything if you try hard enough.

[photoshooter]

[He chuckles and ruffles Noct's hair.]

Buddy, that isn't even a little bit true for regular people. You're something else, Noct.

[nightcure]

[ He grins and pokes Prompto's forehead. ]

Yep. I'm one of a kind.

[photoshooter]

Guess I'll have to spot you to make sure Gladio doesn't drop you on your face while he's deadlifting your snoozing body. [Pat pat! Prompto bats at his cheek with the back of his hand.] That's the money-maker right there.

[nightcure]

Wow. It's not my charm or my loyalty? Stone cold, Prompto.

[photoshooter]

Those are nice, too, but you can't sell photos of loyalty!

[nightcure]

Hey, if anyone can figure out how to do that, it's you.

[photoshooter]

Heheheh. ...All kidding aside, you know I'd never sell pictures of you. I mean, unless you wanted me to. Royal photobooks! We'd never have to scrounge for motel money again.

[nightcure]

Yeah. I know.

[ He grins and nudges Prompto with his hip. ]

You'd never sell me out in any kinda way. But at least we don't have to worry about money here, right?

[photoshooter]

Thaaaaaank goodness. What would we even do for a living? Maybe we'd really have to become seaside supermodels, I don't have any marketable skills.

[nightcure]

Pfft, with your face and mine? We'd be rich. We could buy the biggest house, a big pen for the chocobo...

[ He thinks for a moment. ]

I dunno. You're a pretty great listener. Or you could be a personal trainer.

[photoshooter]

[He snorts.]

What? I'm not Gladio. Maybe I could be, like, your assistant sushi chef instead. Or a waiter, I can probably do that.

[He lifts his chin, practically sparkling.]

Noct, let's open a beach restaurant like Coctura's!

[nightcure]

[ ..... huh. ]

You know what? That's not a bad idea, Prompto.

[photoshooter]

Oh, man, it's gonna be great. We're gonna have so much fun, dude! What'll we call it?

[!]

Noct Gar's Sushi Bar!

[nightcure]

[ Pfffffffffft. ]

You really wanna call it that?

[photoshooter]

I think it's up to you, you're the chef.

[nightcure]

Yeah, true.

[ He grins a little. ]

Noct Gar's Sushi Bar it is.

[photoshooter]

Dude. It's gonna be legendary.

[He settles happily again, daydreaming of sweet capitalistic domesticity with his Best Friend Man Pal.]

...Aww, hey, your flower died already. Here, let me get it.

[His fingers brush Noct's hair gently aside to take the withered chrysanthemum from above his ear.]

[nightcure]

Hell yeah it is. It's us, after all.

[ He blinks a little, then looks at Prompto's flower. ]

Huh, yours did too. Stay still for a moment.

[ He gently plucks the poor dead flower from Prompto's hair. And he definitely ignores the way he feels a little warmer from Prompto's light touch. ]

[photoshooter]

Hmm.

[Prompto closes his eyes as Noct takes his flower, twirling the dead stem of Noct's between his fingers.]

Guess we shouldn't pick more, if they go that fast. Maybe if we get a pot, we can rehome a couple, though? Some of them are really nice.