acatalepsy_logs | cavern explorations.

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cavern explorations.

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the depths below.

exploring the caverns.

All of you will have the same entrance into the caverns -- it will involve going underwater and traveling about one hundred feet through a tunnel which breaks into into a massive cavern, full of air. The breeze is mysteriously fresh, for being both underground and underwater, and before you are three massive dark tunnels. It's hard to decide which one to go toward, but inevitably, you are drawn toward a specific tunnel.

For your top level comments, include what group you are in your subject line. . You will be in the caverns for roughly one week's time in order to get to the information at hand. That doesn't mean you have to stay below that long, but be prepared to pack whatever you need in order to live down there for that long There will be fish to hunt in the waters and the water itself is fresh, but sleeping on the cold marble-like surface might suck, especially if you're wet. And . . . once you get into the meat of things, what are you going to find?

group a.

The tunnel by which group A travels down is narrow, to the point of claustrophobia. And along the way, you will run into several obstacles. You will have to travel through underwater tunnels that, again, are narrow and claustrophobic. Stalagmites and stalacites make navigating through the waters treachorous, and getting stuck is not an impossibility.

Additionally, as you move through the pathways (both water and not), you begin to notice little lights flickering in the water. At first, you think it may be crystals sparkling in the water . . . but upon closer inspection, you begin to realize that they are bioluminescent eels. How cool! However, about halfway into your journey, you begin to notice that theyre getting a bit . . . larger. And, should you allow yourself to be attacked by them, not only do they bite, they seem to suck out your energy. These eels feast on magical energy, and suffering a bite from one of these eels will completely eradicate your Astoria granted powers for five hours. Have fun with that.

Finally, at the end of your journey, you will reach what feels like a dead end . . . in that you come upon a small alcove type area, with no discernable exit. And, upon the far wall, you see what appear to be cave drawings. Intricately carved into the stone, with a language surrounding the pictographs that no one understands, are what appears to be two women. One has longer hair, to her shoulders, holding a white orb in her hand. The other, with cropped hair, appears to be holding a blackened orb in her hand. Their arms are intertwined, connected, but there is a large fracture in the rock, scorched across the woman drawn in white, as if someone (or something) has attempted to blast it to bits.

Eventually, upon some investigating, you come across words that you, somehow, do understand, scrawed in a messy text, carved into the stone. Those words?

group b.

The tunnels that Group B heads down are considerably wide, all things considered. Most of the journey in the tunnels for Group B is above-ground and doesn't involve going underwater . . . which may be a good thing, as the water pathways in this tunnel are deep. The water is still crystal clear, but you somehow still can't see the bottom of it. It looks as if it goes on forever . . . and ever . . . and ever . . .

Eventually, though, you come into a second massive cavern, with a huge underground lake. The lake is full of dark shapes that dart underneath the surface -- horses, with the tails of fish, as they pop up to the surface for a gulp or two of air. But when they notice the strangers on the shores of their territory, they circle ranks and edge themselves closer . . . and if you get too close to the shore, you may feel teeth sink into the edge of your coat and an abrupt tug to be pulled into the water.

To be clear -- the kelpies themselves are not particularly violent. However, they've never seen otherworlders like you before, and are definitely scared. Not fighting against them will ensure their slow trust, and they will generally leave you alone. But if you attack them? They'll fight back, and they will drag you down to the depths below without a second thought in order to protect their own.

Eventually, you come across a third massive cavern, with another underground lake. The water seems to sparkle with energy -- tiny lights dance across the water, skipping across the surface without a care in the world. Touching the water will result in temporary paralysis of whatever you use to touch it -- magic, so powerful that you cannot possibly comprehend it. The energy is too much to handle, and you, too, cannot see the bottom of this lake. However, scattered across the walls, are runes carved into the marble. It's a language you do not understand, but you do come across something that you manage to understand . . . tucked amongst the runic symbols:

group c.

Group C enters into a beautiful crystalized tunnel, with white crystals jutting out into the tunnel. It looks beautiful, but it makes for treacherous going -- the crystals are razor sharp, and sliding through them requires elegance and grace to avoid being turned into ribbons. Move slowly -- you need to in order to make it through this maze of crystals.

Eventually, you make it to a wider tunnel with various deep pools of water scattered along the floor. The pools seem to be endlessly deep, reaching to impossible depths that you cannot see. However, the pools seem to have an . . . alluring feel to them. You are drawn closer to them, curious, inquisitive . . . you want to get into them . . . and if you dip into the pools, watery arms of the sprites that live within these pools glide around you, and coax you into the depths below . . . but you feel calm, serene. Hopefully someone is looking out for you.

But as you move through the tunnel with the pools, you begin to notice signs of life. Not necessarily plant life, or animal life, but signs that people are here. There are footsteps from one pool to the next, wet markings that seem to be permanently wet no matter how much you wipe them away. There are watermarks along the walls, handprints against the marble. And as you begin to walk, begin to notice messages scrawled along the walls, carved deep into the marble.

Every single word is the same.

group d.

Unlike those below the surface, the lakeside shores of Lake Dona seem to be relatively peaceful. Nessie is lazily swimming around and offering rides to those that need it, and campfires are soon built up around this makeshift camp of those who are sitting around to wait. The network does work with those in the caverns, so keeping in contact is far easier than it was in Struxta!

However, in the last days of the investigation, as Group A, B, and C begin to discover the messages in the caverns, storm clouds begin to roll in. It begins to downpour, a frightening crack of lightning streaking across the side with alarming regularity. And, on the final day of the exploration, a voice seems to float through the deluge. And it isn't Astoria's. But it seems to be . . . odd. And suddenly, a message appears on your watches.

¿ɯǝ ɐǝɹɥ ʎon ɐɔu ˙nʎo ɥǝdl ʇo ǝuǝp ᴉ ˙ʎno ɥǝdl ʇo ɐʍʇu ᴉ ¿ɯǝ ǝɥɐɹ nʎo ɔuɐ

What in the hell could that be?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Panic sets on him quickly as those hands grab at him, adrenaline spiking in his blood, but with the both of their strength combined, he is able to pull free, falling backwards roughly, cold, chilling water soaking him up to his elbows. Gods...that was close, and he scurries a few feet further back just for good measure, in case those...whatever-they-were can reach up from the depths. ]

H-holy sh-shit... [ He breathes through chattering teeth, thoughtlessly reaching for her, as he pulls himself up into a sitting position. ] Yeah, I...I'm fine, thanks to —

[ Something warm and slick meets his fingers as he touches her arm, and his gaze tears from the pool over to her, snapping wide with alarm. ]

Y-you're bleeding!

[ her relief is palpable, alisaie's hard grasp on him softening immediately, though her heart still pounds against her ribs. that was a little too close for comfort - a few moments in either direction and he could have very well been dragged to the depths. it does not bear thinking about.. ]

- hm?

[ oh. alisaie glances down. her clothing is stained dark with blood in many places where the crystals tore through her coat, and there are deep cute on her legs where the skin is bare. she'd hardly felt it. she hardly feels it now, for the adrenaline still surging in her veins. ]

'Tis nothing. It looks worse than it is, I suspect.

[ Even if it's not as bad as it looks, it still looks pretty bad, and her attempts to brush it off seem to do little to quell his worry. He carefully extends out her arm, noting the rips in her clothing - had she...gotten these while running to save him? They look fresh.

His heart sinks into his stomach, and his eyes dart up again, searching her face. ]

C'mon. We ought to get these cleaned up. I mean, I owe you one for saving my life, anyway.

[ He's pretty sure he still owes her more on the helping-each-other-out scale, anyway, after all she did for him while he was sick. ]

[ she'd protest, but.. okay, she really can't. it would hardly be fair. she knows full well that she would want to do the same for him - need to. the helplessness she felt while caring for him had been crippling, so if he feels some need to make it up to her, she can't begrudge him that.

besides, she probably should get them bandaged anyway.. it's all dank and slimy down here. so she heaves a sigh, because she has to show some displeasure, then nods her head. ]

All right, all right. But.. further from these pools, if you don't mind.

Yeeeeaaah, I'm with you on that one.

[ He won't soon forget those hands reaching up out of the water to grab him...or more chillingly, how peaceful he felt walking into the depths. What had come over him, anyway? Some kind of magic? If Alisaie hadn't caught sight of him, he might not have...

But better not to think on that too much right now. He's cold and wet but ultimately no worse for wear. She got the worse end of the bargain in this case. ]

You're not gonna give me a hard time if I try to bandage you, are you?

[ Because that is exactly what he's gonna do. Keeping a light grasp on her arm, he helps her to her feet before starting back towards where the group had made camp for the day. Among his things is a first aid kit, because for once in his life, he's prepared! ]

[ by the time they withdraw to the camp she's beginning to feel it, a bit - the stabbing, sharp pains where her flesh has been cut into, and she's grateful to sit once they arrive, though she does her best to conceal it. prompto would fuss over a bruised knee, she hardly needs him hovering even more than usual. the cuts are deep, but none of them life threatening.

still, she hisses through her teeth as she slowly shrugs off her heavy coat. ]

No, I will not.

[ she says through a frown, inspecting the bloody holes left behind in her jacket. those will want mending.. ]

[ Before she sits, he rolls out his bed roll and layers it with an extra thick blanket, making it as comfortable as possible - you know, as comfy as a cold, wet cave dwelling can be. He props his pillow against the wall before motioning for her to sit, and then offering her a hand to do so. ]

Good! 'Cause not gonna lie, this is probably gonna sting like a bitch.

[ He says casually enough, but an anxious tone underscores his words. She's only in this condition because he was too stupid to realize he was being tricked, and then...he's no medic. Cleaning and dressing wounds is easy enough, but what if he messes up? What it he makes her uncomfortable or does something wrong?

Dropping down next to her, he pulls out the first aid kit. ]

Heh, I'm more used to using potions...but I'll try 'n' go easy on you.

[ ah look at this good boy, rolling out the red carpet for her, huh.. she appreciates it, even if she'll tsun at him for being so fussy!! this baka over here.. ]

'Tis hardly anything I cannot handle.

[ she says, with a wave of her hand. have you seen these battle scars, prompto? alisaie makes getting hurt a weekend pasttime. ]

[ That's nice and all, but it isn't going to stop his crippling guilt and you know it!

Carefully he starts to unpack the kit, pulling out ointment, swabs and bandages, worrying at his bottom lip with his teeth. ]

I-I know. You're one of the toughest people I know! Still, I...

[ His tone sobers further. ]

...I'm sorry. I...don't know what I was thinking. I...wasn't thinking.

[ when she's bleeding and injured, alisaie has roughly half the patience for shenanigans that she normally has, which is not very much at all, so she's quick to cut him off before he can go too far with the apologies. ]

That's quite enough of that. Clearly they wove some spell over you, it wouldn't be helped. Had I been nearer, it could have just as easily been me.

[ her clipped tone clearly brooks no argument either, mostly because she's confident. it was unfortunate, yes, but it was hardly his fault - prompto is not the first she has seen drawn unnaturally to these pools. if anything, the fault is hers for separating herself from the group to keep picking at those crystals.

anyway. ]

Anyroad, I am hardly in danger of bleeding out. I'll be fine.

[ His words halt abruptly in his throat, and for a moment, all he can do is look at her with a sort of struck wonder. It's really...just that simple to her, isn't it? He was under some kind of enchantment, so she doesn't hold him responsible. She forgives him so quickly — never even blamed him in the first place.

Finally, he smiles, and nods. He's learned not to argue with her on this point. It would seem her lessons are starting to sink in. ]

Right. Still...I am sorry about this.

[ Gingerly, he takes a hold of her wrist, turning over her forearm, and applies one of cotton swabs thick with ointment to one of her cuts. It probably feels awesome! ]

[ ah

well he wasn't wrong, that stings like a bitch. alisaie hisses, her arm jumping involuntarily in his hold, but she fights to keep still nonetheless. what the heck!! but she meant it when she said that she's had worse and felt worse, so she can grit her teeth and bear it easily enough. it does not, in fact, feel awesome!

after a moment's pensive silence she lifts her eyes to his face. ]

Have you ever considered a career in healing?

[ Even as she reflexively jerks back from the sting, Prompto keeps a firm but gentle grip on her wrist, his thumb smoothing carefully over her skin in an attempt to sooth. It sucks, he knows, but he's quick about it, at least. Already he is moving on to the next cut on her arm, swabbing it clean, his brow taut and his eyes focused. ]

Oh...I can't say I have. [ Would that...really fit him? Better than a fighter, perhaps, better than a monster hunter, but he'd never really given much thought to what he'd choose as a career, aside from lofty dreams of professional photography.

What would he have eventually gone for, if his life hadn't taken the turn that it had? ]

I dunno...I'm usually better at making a mess of things than fixing 'em up.

Oh, I don't know about that.

[ she says, through a soft chuckle. ]

I think it is something you would be quite good at. Learning the method is only a matter of practice and study, but a kind, gentle bedside manner is a natural gift.

[ ah.. that was a goopy sort of comment. alisaie's ears flush a soft pink. ]

That is, I think it is.. something to consider, at least, if it appeals to you.

[ As he continues his quick, quiet work, his own cheeks redden at her compliment, but there's more to it than just flattery. By now, he puts a lot of stock into her opinion. If she thinks he should consider it...maybe he really should.

It has...a nice ring to it, anyway. Being a healer. Making people feel better when they're hurt. What sort of work could be more rewarding than that? ]

You know, I...I will. [ A light chuckle. ] It'd be good to have a back-up plan whenever we're done savin' the world, anyway.

[ her smile broadens. it's easy to picture him as a healer, a chirurgeon, or a nurse.. not only is he good with people in general, he's got a passion for helping others. he can brighten their days, why not heal their wounds as well? not only would it be good a good fit, it would be good for him, and go a long way to helping lift that self-esteem of his up off the ground. there is nothing more rewarding than helping a fellow in need, after all. alisaie might not do it through healing, but she achieves it in other ways. ]

Good. Write me a letter once you become an esteemed healer.

[ she says lightly, offering her other arm once he's finished with the first. ]

[ He chuckles again, before taking her other arm, lightly grasping her wrist as he had done with the first. and taking a fresh swab to her cuts. He remains focused on his task, though he starts to loosen up a bit more, his movements less stiff. He's less worried about accidentally hurting her now, more trusting in his ability to actually do this.

It isn't a big step, but it's a step, all the same. ]

Heh...I'll be sure to do that. Y'know, with how much our worlds have in common...maybe they're not that far off from one another on the interdimensional street.

[ And that's...a nice thought, that maybe even before they came here, they weren't so far apart from one another. ]

[ his ease of demeanor is contagious, and as he settles, so too does she, he'll like as not be able to feel the way her body relaxes, her arm in his hold less stiff. the ointment still stings, and she gives the occasional hiss when it sinks into a particularly deep cut, but otherwise she is still and complacent.

see, this is exactly what she was talking about!! what a good healer this boy would make. alisaie knows a few healing spells but she's got the sensitivity of a rock when it comes to caring for people, most of the time. granted, some people need that.. looking at you prompto.. but it's still, you know, not ideal behavior.

anyway. ]

Closer than you might think, I would wager..

Yeah? You really think so?

[ His grin widens, and he glances up at her briefly before he moves onto her legs. Which are...not so easy for him to hold and touch, and there's a definite splash of color to his cheeks and a trembling in his fingers as he does so. But he's no less gentle and thorough as he continues to clean her wounds, tending to each and every last one. ]

U-um...I like the sound of that. It's like...like even though we're from different worlds, we were always destined to meet somehow! Who knows, maybe we would've crossed paths even if we never met here...like -

[ He goes a little quieter. What is he even saying? ]

Um...like fate.

[ But he doesn't mean it like that kind of fate!!! (Yes, he does.) ]

[ alisaie is no less aware of the fact that he's.. touching her bare skin here, and for some reason it's a bit more intimate on her legs than her arms, but he's doing a good job. if her face is warm then, well, it often is when she's around him, so what difference does it make? ]

.. something like that.

[ the words ride a quiet chuckle, though a pang of homesickness couples with it. ]

Hydaelyn used to be.. different. Eons ago the Mothercrystal excised the darkness from herself, and in so doing, shattered the realm into thirteen echoes. Other worlds, similar to my own, standing on their own.

[ That causes him to look up abruptly, his eyebrows jumping as his hands still. ]

Wait...you mean to tell me, you think Eos might have once actually been a part of Hydaelyn?!

[ Whoa...he was just being sentimental. But knowing there might actually be some truth to it... ]

That is exactly what I am saying.

[ she'd suspected it for awhile, since hearing about eos from prompto and his friends, and while she cannot be sure, there's no harm in bringing it up. ]

It could be mere conjecture, but it is certainly worth considering.

[ It takes him yet another moment to refocus on the task at hand, but by the time he dips his head down to finish up with her legs, he wears a smile. It certainly is worth considering...

What a perfectly wonderful thought that is. ]

That'd be pretty cool, not gonna lie...maybe your world can come kick the darkness outta mine again.

[ Maybe, if when they go home, if they can keep their memories... ]

[ she smiles, but it is a wry, weary thing, her gaze softened at the edges with something like regret. ]

Would that we could. Traveling between realms exacts a.. heavy toll.

[ one she could not pay, if she hoped ever to assist eos. but that's irrelevant. she shakes her head. ]

Though doubtless it will be necessary. I have every faith in you and your brothers. You will save your Eos. You must. Hydaelyn's very fate would be at stake, should what I suspect about our worlds be true.

[ no pressure. ]

...Oh.

[ He would ask what she might mean, what that cost is, but it...doesn't feel like the right time, somehow. If she wanted to share, she would have, and besides, she's move passed the point for now. It's just one more thing he will file away for later, to ask at another time, to complete his picture of her life before this place. ]

We'll do our best. Things're...pretty bad where I left off, but...we'll make it. I know we will.

[ Even if he can't believe in himself, he can believe in his friends, in his king.

At last, he pulls out the bandages. ]

You ready for phase two?

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