phantasmalrift | DUNGEON LOG: AMESTA FOREST

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.

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[ Noctis is just grabbing a bowl of noodles when--

He freezes. It's a good thing he hasn't picked up the damn bowl, because it would've slipped right out of his hands.

For a while, he doesn't know what to say. Then-- ]

.... nice bird.

...her name's Luscinia.

[Who ruffled her feathers and whistled a short snippet of a tune in greeting.]

[ He's slightly caught off-guard by the little tune, but he recovers well enough.

Noct has a friend of his own, a small winged cat. She's very tiny. ]

... Luscinia, huh. That's a good name.

I thought so, at least.

[...]

Are you...alright? After all of that.

[ The question catches him horribly off-guard, and he has to take a moment to process that Ardyn is expressing concern for him. Noctis doesn't look at him for a while as he pushes his noodles around in his bowl. ]

I'll be fine, [ he says finally, but there's an edge to his voice. He can't push the image of his friends and himself corrupted by the Scourge out of his mind. ]

...that bad, huh?

[Ardyn sighed, looking away and occupying himself with idly petting Luscinia.]

[ He stiffens a little. ]

Why are you even asking?

You can hate me all you like and be entirely right for it. But I'm going to be concerned about you after something like that, whether you wish it of me or not.

That's not what I'm asking.

[ He takes in a breath. ]

Why are you concerned about me?

...I just am. There's no easily explainable reason for it.

... Right.

[ He makes a small, frustrated noise, and the memory of that day up in the train hits him.

How long were you in the dark? ]

I just think after everything that you've done, I might deserve something of an explanation.

[Ardyn took a deep breath, pressing a hand to his eyes.]

You're right. So where should I start?

[ For a moment, he's caught off-guard yet again. It's a feeling he's not sure he wants to get used to, but he thinks will keep happening again and again. ]

... Start with why you're so worried about me.

Because with all that's happened since things were brought to an end--the Noctis I know is...something of a friend of mine, unbelievable as that surely sounds.

Edited 2018-04-28 19:29 (UTC)

... Yeah, it sounds insane.

[ He's looking at Ardyn suspiciously, arms crossed tight against his chest. ]

How did that happen?

A combination of seeing how the Astrals decided this would end, and a freak chance that put him in the same insane murder for entertainment nonsense as I was.

... You said something like that. So, what? Some version of me got dragged into this-- bullshit, and he forgave you or something?

Oh--no, I think we know forgiveness is well off the table. Coexisting is more what I might call it.

Coexisting.

With you.

...You want me to prove it?

Yeah, I do. If you can.

[A digital camera appeared in Ardyn's hand in a flash of crystals; with a resigned look and a few button presses, he held it up to show a candid picture taken in an unfamiliar house. Ardyn in the high collar and vest without his coat, and Noctis ten years older but still clearly himself--the pair of them obviously mid-conversation with the former wearing the smirk of someone that just told a terrible joke and the latter trying very hard not to dignify it by laughing.]

[ Noctis looks at him with a frown--he's obviously suspicious, but he finally gets himself to look at the camera. And what he sees, it... it's confusing and he isn't really sure how to react to it. ]

That's... [ He can't ignore it, either, the resemblance between the two. ] ... I still... I don't--

[ He tears his eyes away from the screen. ]

I never said it made sense. [The camera disappeared in the same flash that had brought it, Ardyn looking away and fidgeting with a ring on his left hand.] It doesn't. It never has and never will.

... Yeah. You're right.

[ He doesn't miss the way Ardyn messes with the ring. ]

So what happened to-- Something happened to change you. What was it?

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