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]

I got a bunch already the first time we were here. And Cloudy doesn't show up well on film.

[His hand drifts from the big blossoms to a smaller flower. After a moment, he picks it and hands it up to Noct, smiling a little.]

Here, put this in your hair. I'll take a picture of that and send it to everybody.

[nightcure]

Cloudy. Adorable.

[ He grins, then makes a little face as he takes the flower. ]

Really? Fine, but you've gotta put one in your hair, too. We can take a selfie, Selfie-Master.

[ He picks a flower, too, and puts it right in Prompto's hair. ]

[photoshooter]

[He chuckles, then cozies up to Noct, getting his camera ready and then turning it to face them.]

Smiiiiile.

[nightcure]

[ He grins and slides his arm around Prompto's shoulder, pulling him even closer--their cheeks are touching, and he realizes Prompto's very warm. It's nice.

It's not hard for him to give an actually nice smile, instead of a dopey grin or a smirk. ]

[photoshooter]

[Click. Prompto stays mooshed into Noct's face, happy to be held as he turns the camera around and checks the result.]

Aw, worth it. You're even cuter than Cloudy when you smile like that.

[He holds the camera up so Noct can take it if he wants.]

[nightcure]

[ He snorts, pushing Prompto's face a little. ]

Awww, you really think I'm cute? Maybe I'll start smiling more for you.

[ He grins and takes the camera, snapping a surprise picture of Prompto. ]

[photoshooter]

Ah--

[Noct gets a reasonably cute shot of Prompto looking round-eyed and surprised before he snorts and breaks into a warm round of laughter.]

I wouldn't mind! Things are better when you're smiling, dude.

[nightcure]

[ He turns the camera around to look, and he grins widely. ]

Yeah? You've got a pretty cute smile, too.

[ He hands the camera over to Prompto. ]

[photoshooter]

[He accepts his camera gladly and then turns over to rest the back of his head on Noct's leg. Noct's turn for pillow duty again.]

You think so? I had to work on it for years, you know.

[He flips back and forth between the two pictures and decides firmly, reaching up absently to brush his fingertips along Noct's wrist, just for contact:]

Ehh, I still like yours better.

[nightcure]

[ He's not gonna complain, for once. Noctis grins and plays with Prompto's hair, and his fingers curl a little. It's nice, just hanging out with Prompto, with his warm and steady weight against him. ]

Gonna have to disagree, dude. You've got the way nicer smile.

[photoshooter]

Nah, trust me. You don't even know what you're missing, I almost never manage to catch your best ones. You don't like sharing 'em with the camera.

[Prompto looks up at him, utterly trusting and adoring.]

I guess maybe it makes 'em more special.

[nightcure]

[ And Prompto looking up at him like that makes him feel warm. He watches him for a moment before he pokes Prompto's nose. He's smiling, though. ]

That's sappy as hell, dude.

[photoshooter]

Best friend privilege, I'm allowed. I say nice things about you and you have to accept them because they're true, I'm the expert. Just call me Dr. Argentum, PhD in Noctology.

[<3 <3 <3]

[nightcure]

[ He snorts and goes back to idly playing with Prompto's hair. ]

Wow. Who gave you that degree? I'm gonna need to see some certification.

[photoshooter]

[He's not sleepy, but he closes his eyes anyway, enjoying the movement of Noct's fingers in his hair.]

Oh no, I left all my papers in another dimension... How else can I prove my credentials?

[nightcure]

Sucks for you. Guess you won't be able to pick up a good job after you spent all that time and money on your studies.

[ He could sleep right now, if this stupid place could let him. Noctis is so relaxed, so content, and he really doesn't want this to end. ]

[photoshooter]

[Prompto pushes himself up and then flops right across Noct's stomach. King down, king down!]

Nooo, I staked my entire career on this! Where else are you going to find someone who'll listen when you start talking like an Assassin's Creed fan dictionary?

[nightcure]

[ Noooooo! Noctis lets out a light oof before pushing Prompto off and flopping on him. ]

Hey, can you blame me for loving the best video game series in the world? No, you can't.

[photoshooter]

Oof!

[After a second to catch his breath, Prompto laughs and wraps his arms around Noct. For someone who hates insects so much, he sure can be a cuddlebug.]

No, I can't, you got me.

[nightcure]

[ Prompto's laugh is a good thing to hear--so nice, that Noctis finds himself laughing, too. ]

Yeah, that's what I thought. Besides, you love it just as much as I do.

[photoshooter]

Yeah, 'cause you got me into it!

[Noctis's laughter rumbles through him, when they're on top of each other like this. It's the absolute best feeling in the world.]

Man, remember how you used to rush through your homework so you could play? And you'd ask if I finished, too, and I'd totally lie out of my butt because I didn't want to say no? Good times.

[nightcure]

Uh, yeah, so we could bond through falling out of trees and stuff!

[ He laughs again, and Noctis realizes he's never going to take this for granted. He feels lighter, whenever he's with Prompto. ]

Not like I can blame you. Homework's a total drag.

[photoshooter]

Totally. All that time we spent at the arcade instead of studying? Super well-spent. Not a single other thing we ever did was more important.

[And, because his hands are not freezing today, he will pet Noct's hair properly like the weird cat friend he is.]

[nightcure]

[ If Noct were a cat, he'd definitely be purring. ]

All those heart-to-hearts we've had? Totally lame compared to video games.

[photoshooter]

I'm glad we understand each other so well.

[Even as Prompto pretends to be stuffily solemn about it, he's snickering.]