The Archylte Steppe, Gran Pulse, Thursday

[pulseof_life]

Today their destination was not ruins, but rather a rough village built of rusting metal and wood. In the distance large monsters could be seen flying.

The village was surrounded by lush plains with tall grass that whipped in the wind and concealed dips in the ground, while rivers made for natural boundaries with few bridges having been built to cross them. The most efficient way to get around the plains was to travel by chocobo.

But avoid the Long Gui, which was clearly visible even at a great distance. No one went near it as it was the largest monster in the world but placid, unless provoked.

[NFB and for them that have been invited. The theme song for The Archylte Steppe is Plains of Eternity.]

Comments

Daytime -- Arrival

[pulseof_life]

The locals aren't very talkative but they seem happy despite that.

Re: Daytime -- Arrival

[fewer_explosions]

Liara's brow furrowed as they arrived. "I have... not seen a lifeform that large," she muttered, though whether it was intended for an actual audience was a little fuzzy. "Perhaps I should have left Thessia more often."

Or perhaps not.

Re: Daytime -- Arrival

[genesishero]

"How hasn't it collapsed in on itself because of how heavy it must be?" At least Liara wasn't the only one a little thrown by the sight of the Long Gui. "Back on Earth, the largest lifeforms have to stay in the water because there's no way they can hold their own weight on land without being crushed."

... Or else they were giant space beings that thrived on delicious planets and so on. But that was different.

Re: Daytime -- Arrival

[fewer_explosions]

"There were your dinosaurs," Liara felt obliged to point out. "But you are right that it is most unusual. It must have a very complex internal structure."

Re: Daytime -- Arrival

[genesishero]

Evan gave the monster a critical look. He'd seen plenty of dinosaurs just last weekend, after all.

"Pretty sure that guy's way bigger," he decided, and then gave his shoulders a shrug. "I don't think I want to get close enough to see if it's really, really huge, or just closer than I think it is in perspective."

He chewed his lip in thought.

"I wonder if any of the locals know how it manages that, or if they just keep their distance."

Re: Daytime -- Arrival

[fewer_explosions]

"I am not sure."

Liara cast a look towards Yeul.

"Yeul gives me the impression they are not curious sorts," she said.

Daytime -- Explore the Village

[pulseof_life]

There's a weather changing device in the highest building.

Daytime -- Explore the Plains

[pulseof_life]

But carefully! The monsters are strong here.

Or you can ride chocobos. Monsters will not attack while you're mounted but the moment you dismount, they'll be around!

Re: Daytime -- Explore the Plains

[genesishero]

Evan had decided that today was a good day to leave Ozzy back in his room and just poke around without having to worry about his puppy getting eaten by monsters outside.

And, okay, he totally had to check out the chocobos, because those things were amazing. And kind of adorable. They were big fluffy chickens with droopy dog ears!

Re: Daytime -- Explore the Plains

[3girls-1core.livejournal.com]

Sholeh had been a little apprehensive about entering a field full of monsters, but as soon as she saw the chocobos, all thought of danger flew out of her head. "We can ride them?" she asked, excited. "You mean it?"

Re: Daytime -- Explore the Plains

[genesishero]

"I've already been riding," Evan replied, reaching for the reins of one and guiding the bird over to meet her. "They're actually pretty docile, once you're on them. And fast. I mean, it isn't quite rocket boots, but..."

He kind of wanted to bring one back to the island with him. He couldn't. But it would have been cool if he could.

Re: Daytime -- Explore the Plains

[3girls-1core.livejournal.com]

"Do you want to go again?" Sholeh asked, turning a pair of hopeful eyes towards him. "I'd like some company."

She held her hand up for the chocobo to...sniff? could birds sniff?...and giggled as it wark!'d at her. "They're very cute!" She turned back to the bird and dropped her voice down a bit, making it soft and husky as she spoke to it. "Hi there. What's your name? I'm Sholeh. Will you be my friend?"

Re: Daytime -- Explore the Plains

[genesishero]

Evan chewed his lip and smiled as he listened to Sholeh making friends with her chocobo, and then reached over to guide the one he'd been riding before back to him. His chocobo made a 'wark' sound of his own, and then leaned down (and down, and down, and down) to nuzzle his massive beak against Evan's chest.

"I think he'd be happy to go for a second ride today," Evan laughed. "And yours seems to like you, too. Let's!"

Re: Daytime -- Explore the Plains

[3girls-1core.livejournal.com]

It took another moment for Sholeh to stop hugging her chocobo (are you sure they couldn't take one back to the island, Evan?) and agree that, yes, going riding was probably more fun for the chocobos than just standing still and cooing at it all day.

The only problem? Chocobos were very tall and Sholeh was--less tall.

"Is there a mounting block somewhere along here?" she asked.

Night -- Back in New Bodhum

[pulseof_life]

Relax! Have that last conversation before bed.

Re: Night -- Back in New Bodhum

[pulseof-chaos.livejournal.com]

Caius set Evan down on the bed the boy was using, unpocketed a potion, twisted the cap off and set it down on the nightstand beside the bed.

Then he took two steps back and settled into the desk chair and watched Evan quietly. Implacably patient.

Re: Night -- Back in New Bodhum

[genesishero]

It took Evan a while before he even realized that something was sitting on the nightstand. It took him longer still to actually look at the object, which, by now, Ozzy was attempting to get a good sniff at from the spot on the floor that he'd wandered over to.

A few minutes more, and he looked back down at the bedsheets, potion untouched.

"What is it?"

Re: Night -- Back in New Bodhum

[pulseof-chaos.livejournal.com]

"A wound potion," Caius said quietly. "Looking at you, I can see that your injuries are trying to heal themselves and would have already, but you're still injured. The Vampire must have hit you with Woundga. The potion will take care of that."

Re: Night -- Back in New Bodhum

[genesishero]

Under any other circumstances, something like a potion would have fascinated Evan to no end. Today, he just looked back at it listlessly, and then nodded, silently reaching for the bottle.

He stared at it for a moment more before drinking the whole thing back in one go, not so much as making a face at the taste.

"Thank you."

Re: Night -- Back in New Bodhum

[pulseof-chaos.livejournal.com]

He inclined his head.

"You have no control," Caius said disapprovingly.

OOC

[pulseof_life]

Plains of Eternity is one of my fav. songs on the entire soundtrack. Sometimes I'll just leave the game on and let it play.

If you want a monster attack, let me know. The Long Gui is totally off limits though. That thing has more than four million health points.

Re: OOC

[3girls-1core.livejournal.com]

Zeela: I'M GONNA POKE IT WITH A STICK!

Re: OOC

[pulseof-chaos.livejournal.com]

Caius: GET BACK HERE.

Re: OOC

[3girls-1core.livejournal.com]

Zeela: Stiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick!

Re: OOC

[pulseof-chaos.livejournal.com]

Caius: You will be dead before it ever notices you. It will step on you. Do you want your sisters to die?