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You could've guessed that taking a Pilgrimage was going to be quite the Change, but you don't think that this is what ANYONE meant! ...Actually, does this really count as a typical Pilgrimage anymore? It's not a typical year when a weirdly shaded meteor comes CRASHING DOWN into the Island north of your home. That aswell... you can't say the island's name ever since the impact. That's what you're here for though, to discover and fix the issues that've been happening since.
Those issues... seeing those weird, nearly transparent versions of people. Can't really tell where they came from, what they're trying to say... most people just find them neat, and think nothing of it. Well, aside from Vaugarde... Home had the worst of it. People attacked by something, you still can't tell what it was.
It's always a little weird to see people disregarding their 'Spatial' encounters. You get it! It was a really interesting change to see, even if they look an awful lot like Sadnesses. But unlike the rather rare sight of Sadnesses, these spatial tears are really common! You're kinda baffled that most people didn't question it... Well, aside from the people who died trying to sail there.
It has you rather nervous to be sailing there yourself...even if you're protected by the Orbs of your country. You're glad those were just stuffed in the basement of the Houses. Dusty they may be, they're rather powerful! And you're very thankful for having Isabeau find ways to affix them to your ship. You're kinda interested where he got stuff to stitch them, or why he thought of that first..
Well, if anyone's interested in learning things, it's certainly madame Odile. Always noting down stuff in that notebook of hers... She seemed to be looking for something in Vaugarde. Maybe you can help her after dealing with the current threat? You'd ask her about it, but she seems silent... you think it's just her planning, but she actually seems a little nervous to be sailing. You're trying not to think of how easy it'd be to fall down off this rather frail ship, either. Fortunately, the shore's just in sight.
"Lightless sand..." You'd shift your boots to see the sand move, a little amazed by it. The sound of the shore would be interrupted as Madame Odile would write down what she saw with a... distant curiosity? Seems like Isabeau would notice as well, as he spoke your thoughts aloud.
"M'dame?" he'd ask as Madame would correct herself. "Back with us now?"
"Yes, I... Apologies, Isabeau. Can't fault your researcher for being lost in her thoughts now, can you?" As she'd slip her pen in her book while closing it. You wanna know what's in that book...
"Suppose so! This place isn't really that common a sight... giant-weird-shaded-meteor excluded." Isabeau says, as if he's not also curious...
"Really now? I happen to think the meteor contrasts rather well with the dark, tall mountains." As Odile held her book to her side.
You were waiting for someone to mention how HOT it was for mid-day! "Well, I'm ready to see what it looks like on the inside! ...T-The meteor, I mean." You're trying to shift focus back to the problem at hand...
"Yes, it's rather time to focus up, isn't it? The village out here looks fine, but we're heading into territory we've never known before.. keep up your guard, you two." As Odile would hold her book firmly.
___
The houses here are...kind of a nice sight! Most of them have their front doors locked, so you can't see into the first room. But on the other hand, there's a lot of shiny decor hanging from the roofs, and most of the houses have benches, snacks, bikes, and toys in front of them! The people here likely knew their neighbors well.
"Hmn..." Isabeau seems to be thinking about something. "a little creepy that it's this silent..."
"Not really the type of stuff I see in my type of horror books..." you slip, trying to think about something to talk about.
"I'd be a lot more spooked if I was in a horror story like yours, Mira."
"I'll get you to read one someday, Isabeau. Count on that." You'd respond with a fake-serious pout.
"I'd say most of the townsfolk have gone to a shelter..." Odile seems to wonder at Isabeau's comment. "I can't imagine living in a place so loud... it makes me wonder how you managed in Jouvente, Isabeau."
"Well, not that I knew everyone's life story, M'dame. Suppose I tuned it out with my environment-"
Speaking of the environment around you, everyone goes quiet as a shot of something- most likely craft- was fired off. You place your hand to your rapier as Isabeau places a hand on the, um...boulder? You were calling it that, but the surface seems to be more of a cold steel... Odile would probably write it down, if she weren't taking a stance for combat.
"Ready?" His tone shifted stricter, as you nod.
The door lets off a quiet sigh of some kind, before retracting in and sliding back...
You keep dashing through your damaged home, trying to find some clue of what to do next. You need to press further, but it's near impossible to slip by that Crafted Doll-
You snap to attention hearing that odd door shift open. You hold your wish-granted weapon at the ready as you whisper to activate your scanner... and perk up a little. You lower your weapon as you raise yourself up. ...Giving a slight wave, a little baffled.
The Curious One would give a hesitant wave with her free hand, keeping her book close. The Strong One would give a smile and think to speak, only for the Adventuring One to speak first in a gentle voice. "Hello..? Um, it's nice to meet you!" Ah, Vaugardian... likely the same for the Strong One, though the Curious one seems different.
You attempt your best to communicate, but you haven't learned much of any language. You just know -'s father spoke vaugardian and it appears mostly similar, so... "...hhhHello to you aswell?" Your accent shows pretty bluntly... "What are...you doing...here?" You end up trying to get your meaning across by moving your hands around.
Thankfully, the Curious One seems to pick up on this. "We're...Travelers, of a sort. On a quest to discover and correct the issues that started the day this...thing, impacted this country." She speaks your language! It's slow and the words are a tiny bit off, but she seems to have read up enough for communicating. You smile bright and stretch casually a little. The Adventuring One seems to pick up on a lot of words, though seems to be slow. The Strong One is completely lost, however.
"Oh! Um, well, Hi there?" You're a little lost for words. You suppose they probably are, too! You're wearing a very abnormal, lightless suit of armor with a tube-like weapon covering your right arm. The armor does open at the neck so they can see your face, though the clear, glass like strip over your eyes is probably a little weird. ...Right, your scanner! You hold a hand up hoping they pause, and press at the side of the visor, scanning them.
You read off a bunch of names, and the visor translates what you intend to say at the bottom so you can read it aloud. To make sure, you think to point at each one saying their name. "You're...Mirabelle, Odile, and Isabeau..? If this finicky thing's right..." They seem to all be a tiny bit shocked- which is when both you and them realize they have their guard up aside from the Strong- aside from Isabeau. They let their weapons down, ready to talk.
A slight awkward air passes by, before Isabeau speaks up. "Hello to you too then, stranger who knows our names!" You'd slightly wince, not expecting his voice to be that loud.
"Yeah, t-that's- It's this visor..." You'd tap the glass covering your eyes. "Crafted... well, I think. I was lucky to find it..." You're pretty sure your wish made it and guided you, but you never can be certain. "And- I'm reading a translation, I haven't said anything...weird?? I hope??"
Odile would speak up. "We certainly have questions. But no, you haven't managed to swear us all out, or the like." You'd sigh in relief. You should get them someplace safe.
"I have a place to rest nearby, I can probably answer a few things there." They would look to each other before nodding, as you turn and hold a hand back on your weapon. They follow suit.
You sigh in relief as you reach the location labeled 'Save Room' by your suit and lay back in a chair which is slightly inside the restful, circular chamber that restored the suit. You're glad there's enough seats in here, as Mirabelle took a seat on a bench, Odile took a rolling chair you'd see in a doctor's office, and Isabeau would sit back in a large, dark recliner. Seeming to stare at your cloak you hung on the wall...
You're snapped to attention by Odile. "Let's get straight to the questions." You nod. "Firstly, who are you? Are you a resident of...this Country?" You hate she can't elaborate, but nothing's new.
"I'm going by Siffrin at the moment, and I live here."
"Going by? It's not your name?" Ah, here we go...
"Madame, maybe it's something more private..? If they'd like to go by it, then..." Mirabelle would interject, likely curious but also a slight bit defensive? Vaugarde had something with multiple names...
Best to correct her and be clear, though. "It's just for the moment, considering all the... stuff going on? Siffrin, He/They." You sit up in your chair to get ready to clarify though. "It's because I can't use my name, otherwise it'll start being erased.." At their confused looks, you sigh. Monologue!
"I've yet to find out why, but speaking about...anything really, from here, will lead to it being...Forgotten? If I said my name, I'd look like I got distracted, dozed off, something. And I wouldn't know a thing of what you said." ....They look confused at this??? "...Umn, is that...not what you were going to ask about?"
"We were...talking about the...spatial distortion things? Seeing people or things we can't touch..?" Mira asks...
Admittedly you turn your head confused there. Stares range from disappointed to confused Well, there is one thing. "Like those odd portals..? I haven't spent much time on the other side, b-"
"You've gone into one..?" Your attention snaps back as Odile cuts you off.
"Yeah.. Not very pleasant. There's only spaces of lightful spots you can rest in, but outside from that the Dark....world, is very difficult to go through. I'm practically always having to use supplies I find to heal back up."
Odile would be taking a *lot* of notes at this, letting the other two talk. You liked hearing other people talk, they didn't get a lot of speaking room. ...Apparently they were VERY eager to talk though-!
Mirabelle is seems to hold her hands together pondering, like she wants to ask you about a lot of things. "So, umn, Nice to meet you!" Oh right, you didn't really have a normal introduction.
"Nice to meet you aswell, Mirabelle." ...it's a tiny bit awkward. You don't really know much about these people, nor do they know you. She occasionally glances down to your arm cannon, clearly eager to ask something about it. "...are you curious, or...?"
"YES! Yes, umn..." clearly letting that slip, she tries to find words for it... "Well, I've just never seen something like it... outside of some books.." You tilt your head curious, but she seems a little... embarrassed to talk about it? "A-Anyways! How does it...work? Is it just channeling craft, or..?"
"Somewhat? It does take hand signs, but not the...normal ones?" You kinda stutter, trying to explain it but. your hand is. currently in a cannon?? "I-It was one of the first things I tried, though. I can still craft with my free hand, but this is a lot more powerful than my scissors craft.."
"Oh! I'm scissors type aswell! Well, that and paper." Oh! You've heard about dual craft types, but you've never seen a user of it. "So it doesn't use rock, paper, or scissors... what kind of craft is it?"
"Well, I...don't really know. I'm guessing it's craft, but I can't really be certain..."
"What an interesting change..! Is it just a weapon? What else can the suit do? Is It comfortable? Where'd you find it?! Is it like that alien story of- " You kinda can't tell the rest, lost in the sudden flood of comments...
Isabeau would wave a hand in front of Mirabelle. She'd pause and back off with a mumbled "Sorry..." She seems really eager to learn about it, though! Maybe you can give her straighter answers... or at least one.
"Um. I. Well. mfhngmfhnfdmg-" you'd blush and stutter out. Why did you leave your hat at home during the day of impact...? "Well, I... I found it on this Ship? At least it's labeled as a ship..." You sorta glance to the side. Admittedly, you've been rather confused here...
You feel like one of them mumbles something about something cute, but you didn't hear much. Seems like Isabeau has a question though. "Just a topic change! I was curious...that cloak over there, if it's yours, did someone Craft on the stitching..? It's a really interesting way to do that, if so!"
Huh... that's rather common here. "Really? we do it a lot on most of the clothes here... though, not a lot of people wear cloaks like I usually do. Something about how often it catches... I've always found it comfortable, though."
"We did see some clothing left to dry on the way here..." Odile would cut in, seeming to note down a lot of things you didn't mention, and was curious about things as little as clothing? You wonder what she was writing down. Maybe you should ask sometime. "A lot of it was...simplistic. Made for function, not personal fit."
Isabeau would seem to consider it over. "Hmn, I didn't see a lot of variety either... aside from Sif here." Sif? He'd notice your curiosity and stammer a little. "S-Sorry! I didn't think about if we were that close yet, just a buddy thing-"
"No, it's fine?? Just not really common to get a nickname..." Names aren't very important in your culture- or every other culture seems to place more importance on it. You still only have one name, regardless if you're going by Siffrin right now. "Is it just.. the first three letters? Like you'd be Isa, Mirabelle would be Mir, and Odile-"
Odile stops you before ending up with a nickname herself. "I'm fine to keep things professional, Siffrin. Isabeau just likes to be quick friends with anyone he meets." Her tone would shift, but in a way that makes it seem like she's trying to push herself back on track?
Mirabelle, or maybe Mir, would break the silent tension. "Well I don't mind a nickname! I think I prefer Mira, though..." You nod. Mira makes sense.
Odile would sigh a little though, before speaking up "Well as much as I would like to entertain this chat, I think we should be learning more about the supposed 'Ship' we're in. You know, the reason we came here?"
Both Mira and Isa seem to agree with a nod, shoulders slumping a little. "Well M'dame, can't fault me for being curious, oh book-holding one." You'd look up at his phrasing of that, though it seems he didn't mean much behind it aside from a joke. You look down a tiny bit, him not noticing.
"Well, I'm more than curious to learn about a culture which is seeming to be forgotten." She's a little blunt with that, isn't she... "Which we can talk about as we explore." As she stands up, you do as well.
"You seem to know the most about our surroundings, Siffrin. Mind taking the lead?"
You nod. "Alright. I've mostly been around this area, because I can't manage to get to the door leading to the rest of the ship..." ...Oh, you should probably tell them why. "Right- If you see sort of a.... Tall, Colored Doll? Just- Run. No fighting it, you will lose. ....On that note, be cautious of cold areas."
Mira and Isa seem confused at the definition, but Odile makes quick note and asks further. "Colored... would you be talking about the weird shades across the outside of the ship?"
You nod, though... "Were you never... told of what color is, back in school?" They all seem confused.
"...No, I wouldn't think so. In fact, I'd go to say that the theory of color is very recent. Considering we've only just discovered it." What???
"Wh- Really? It's one of the most repeated tales of how powerful Wish Craft can be... I guessed it was taught everywhere. My teacher, Mr- "
You stared off, apparently. Odile seems to be snapping her fingers at your face. "Wh-" ...You just, awkwardly lean away? You look at all of them, a mix of confused and scared faces? You try to think what felt so off and- ....there's a recent, disgusting, partially familiar feeling, in the back of your mind. "...Did I mention something about my...country, home, or...?"
Odile would seem to click something together. "...Yes. You mentioned your teacher, and color. A cautionary tale, of a sort." You sigh a little. That's not nearly as bad as it can, and has been.
"...Thanks for telling me." You stare off to the side a little, looking down. Odile would seem to consider mentioning her thoughts, but she's probably writing in that book of hers, first.
Isabeau would break the silence, a little bit fast. "So- this shade is a color? That's pretty interesting to learn about! I don't know if I can really call it Dark or Light though...does it have a name?"
You'd look back up. "Well, not...really? I've seen pools of it around at times. It has a weird way of reflecting things... Might sound stupid, but I kinda came around to calling it Myrc? Like a...twisted mirror sort of thing?" You blush, your free hand ruffling the hair on the back of your head.
Isa seems interested, Odile makes a note of it, and Mira seems to like the name! "Hehe, I think it's a fun word!" You smile back. Validation!
It's much of the same sights you've seen maybe ten times by now. Though all of them seem to be curious. Part of you says their guard isn't up enough, but you don't know much about them. Why they all came together. And you did the very awkward thing of scanning them before asking.
...Speaking of, you may as well scan things over again. You get much of the same- the sliding doors being left open, metallic desks trying to use some form of craft to display information, and everything having additional information that says "Object has experienced wavelength manipulation within the previous five to six months." About the crash day. You don't know what wavelength manipulation means, though.
The only thing that really catches your attention is the scratched map that tells you the room beyond your current one was a 'Backup Generator Station'. That could open a lot of things up for you, even including this same area.
...You see an alarming mryc shape on your visor though. One that's moving, on a regular cycle. You hold your arm out to tell your... team? To tell them to pause and look ahead- ...Oh right, you're a lot faster. That's why you're talking to yourself in your own head. You walk back to them silently.
You put a finger to your lips. "That's the thing I was talking about." You point to the Doll. It was mostly humanoid in structure, aside from it's head which was once a representation of a planet. You can't say that planet's name right now, but it wouldn't matter much. Humanoid it looked, the rivers of myrc across it's body distorted it beyond what it could seem. And you've seen those limbs move before, how they shifted....
They all nod quietly, trying to sneak back. ....They don't know these halls as well as you do, however. As Mirabelle slips through a door, Isabeau can't do the same, having to shift it open a little. ....Only to manage to bang it against a desk- which then leads to a chair slowwwwwly tipping over until it falls and LOUDLY CLATTERS against the floor. Blind it all.
Mira is holding her hands over her mouth trying NOT to speak up, as Odile is frustratedly waving her hands at Isa. You know it doesn't matter though- right now, your main concern is crawling closer. "Just go- you can handle whatever else you'll find!"
Odile would think to speak up, but goes silent as you push her just an inch to the side, the Doll shooting a chunk of ice at where her head was. As Odile would simply push the apparently "Shattering" door open with Craft. They'll find a safe way back....
Meanwhile, you CAN'T take that way back! It would lead the Doll to them! And the only other room you even have a full route to is a dead end! STARS, you're royally screwed! Can't help the moment though!
You feel your heart pound in your chest as you fire at it, knowing it would only scratch the armor. MAYBE dent it if you had a good shot. You fire twice more before sliding underneath the luckily standing Doll....
And managing to do so! Including keep it's attention focused on you! Which great for the team, but not great for you!
You dash through the halls, this section having a lot of weird layers to climb....stairs and all. You'd spot that dead end room though! You haven't gone in because you'd have to shoot it open, but sound's not a problem when you're already being chased by the thing you'd wanna hide from!
The door's frail metal is sent into the back wall of the room, the shards sticking out and....Hah! There's not a THING to hide behind in here! What Luck! The only thing catching your attention is a puddle of that myrc shade and....well, could that even work? That's a huge risk, but...
You slide for the puddle, kneeling down to charge your shot. Your knee and everything below is damp in the shade you feel Weird touching, but your hopes rise in your insane plan as you see the shade crawling up your arm, into the cannon. You can feel air around you as the myrc drains into the cannon.
"Let this work, let this work, let this work...!" You mumble and wish to yourself as the Doll enters the doorframe- and the moment they get an inch closer, you FIRE.
.....It takes a moment to process that there is simply. no upper torso of the thing anymore. A circular removal across the arms and waist. You'd define more, but as it loudly falls to the ground, you realize there simply IS no more.
....You're breathing. Alive. Not dead in whatever chilly manner that thing would have chosen. "....Hahah-!" You nearly start laughing, before you fall back and realize that adrenaline was fueling you. "hhhaaahh.....Stars, where's the universe leading me now...?"
As you're laid back to the floor, you notice that the Myrc liquid was coming from a cylindrical tube simply labeled "Phazon Research - Storage Unit 089". You look back to your cannon, as the 'Phazon' would seem to evaporate, or maybe sink into the cannon. You catch a glimpse of your reflection in this stuff- a lightless figure with myrc rivers across it. You can't question it longer as it fades, but you know from this encounter. That it'll make you stronger, enough to find your family.
You'd lean up- the....husk, of the doll seeming to have a glow to it. Darkless lines and squares rising up from it. ....You'd lean in curious, holding a hand to it. You nearly wince back as the light twists and centers itself around your hand. The husk disappearing as light swirls around your body before seeming to burst before fading away. Your visor displays a....hand? You notice it's the right hand, the one in your cannon.... You make the shape, holding simply the Index and Little fingers up.
Your cannon would suddenly shift- now feeling cold to the touch. You try to fire it- and notice that ice forms at the impact of your shot. You'd glance at the notification on your visor.
{You got the ICE BEAM.}
Hopefully this will prove helpful... but your main priority is getting back to your team. Luckily, you've walked this path many times before. You dash off to the 'Save Room'.