Zin? That's— [ catching himself before he can make a potentially suspicious comment about this guy's vases ] —that name sounds kind of familiar for some reason.
[ maybe he'll just volunteer "you might know me from my vases" or something ]
But yeah, it's nice to meet you too. Sorry about the village, though...
Oh? You might've heard of me before! I'm a craftsman, you see... I wouldn't call myself famous or anything, but I sold a few of my works here and there before the village became deserted...
[But he nods.]
As a matter of fact, there is! Do you want to come over to my house to discuss it? I need to drop off my supplies for me and my wife, anyway.
[ALSO SOMEHOW I MISSED THE NOTIF FOR THIS I'M SO SORRY]
Hm? Yeah, I usually do.
[He'll lead them to his house. It's small and looking like it's seen better days, but it's still standing, at least. Inside is... kind of a mess! There are tools and books everywhere, along with various works of art, some in progress. A calendar on the wall lists the year as 12XX.
Perhaps most prominently is a bed in the corner, where a woman lies unconscious, hooked up to some kind of life support.
Zin drops off his supplies, before gesturing around. There are probably a few chairs.]
[ do any of the in-progress works look like they have a signature yet!!
anyway. cloud making himself at home is standing with his arms crossed like an asshole. luckily, sebastian is the one who is rude and asking about the wife, right away, so. ]
... This relevant to the work you want us to take on?
[There is definitely pottery lying around, and yeah, some of the works have a familiar Zin etched into them.
Zin just smiles sadly.]
... Yes and no. Fiends corrupted her, you see. I was able to defend myself, but... the result is what you see. She'll probably never wake up again, and even if she does... it would probably be the end for one of us.
Even so, I can't help but hope she does. But even if she doesn't, she loved the works I created—and so, at the very least, I want to put together the best I've ever done, as one last gift to her.
[Zin heads over to a corner of the room, less messy than the rest, before showing Sebastian and Cloud what might be a familiar vase, though clearly unfinished. The black paint isn't fully finished, and neither is the white outer layer.]
The problem, though, is that I've run out of the supplies I need. I can gather more in a nearby cavern, but it's dangerous to go by myself, so...
[ he is staring at it like it killed his family, because he's wondering if the vase is going to come alive with spirits and cause some kind of ripple effect. well. it doesn't matter they're here to change the past anyway so he shakes his head ]
We can do supply gathering, yeah. You got a list? Neither of us is big on pottery.
[ probably. he is realizing he does not know what sebastian is into. he feels like... maybe... the law... but they are from a lawless land...? odd. ]
Even if I gave you a list, you probably wouldn't be able to recognize it by sight. However, you could come with me! Problem solved. How about it? I'll try and compensate you for your services too.
[Zin will grab a bag, lean over to kiss his wife on the forehead, before leading Sebastian and Cloud out of the house. He takes them to a cavern not far from the outskirts of the village, its entrance dotted with mushrooms, as a creek runs nearby. Bright blue streaks litter the ground, as though some kind of scar in the earth.]
Oh, there are probably fiends. Allegedly, there've always been a few that lived here, even before the calamity. Speaking of which, did you know that they say that started right here, a hundred years ago? That's what my grandparents told me, at least.
[He points inside the cavern.]
There are some plants and fungi inside the cave that I'll need for my paints. I used to come here with friends, but they've all died or left the village, so...
but ok, cavern time. he glances over at cloud at that comment about the beginning of the calamity. ]
They saw the start of it themselves, you mean?
Um... maybe one of us should go in there with you and one keep watch out here? Though, uh, maybe we should actually make sure there's nothing hiding in there first?
[ this is the second time in a row dw give me sebastian's comment but not jan's. hilarious? anyway, cloud is like oh finally an actual timeline for our stupid time travel adventures and shares that with a glance at sebastian. ]
Did they ever tell you exactly how it happened? [ HOW IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED, MAYBE. anyway; ] Might as well all go in. Not sure how deeply we'll have to go, and if one of us is outside when something happens in there, we won't be able to communicate.
[ our walkie-talkies... anyway they will accompany the old man inside in exchange for backstory, please. ]
[Zin gestures to what looks like a grave marker near the entrance of the cavern.]
No one's sure, exactly... but from the sound of it, a spirit lost control and became a powerful fiend, back then—now known as ████████. A few dead humans were found on the scene as well, though no one's certain whether they died first, or if ████████ killed them after becoming an evil spirit.
[Anyhow, inside they go! They can see inside, at least, with the cavern lit by glowing mushrooms.]
Watch your step—there are some traps lying around, set up by people who were hoping to take out the fiends.
[ cloud is walking around cautiously, looking every which way for traps or fiends or whatever. and god imagine if the bad guy's name was marshmallow. How wild would that be. ]
It usually happens because of grief or despair—an inability on the spirit's part to let go or move on from something. Any spirit can become consumed, though outright becoming a fiend only happens to those powerful enough to obtain physical form, yes.
[Anyhow, Sebastian and Cloud anxiously watch their step, but these are MAGIC traps where your chance of activating them are determined by someone sitting behind a computer screen rolling dice, and so as they walk along—arrows suddenly coming flying from nowhere at them. And at Zin too, who yells and ducks.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
guestservices) wrote2022-07-10 05:39 pm
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We're human, and we don't eat people. [ this feels important to note ] I'm Cloud, a mercenary. And this is Sebastian, my...
[ .......... ]
Travel companion.
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Nice to meet you. I'm Zin—and this is where I live, yes. These day, though, it's just me and my wife. Everyone else...
[His face falls, as he gestures at the village in disarray.]
If the fiends didn't get them, then they chose to leave in hopes of finding safety elsewhere.
[He pauses.]
Though... you're a mercenary, you say?
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Zin? That's— [ catching himself before he can make a potentially suspicious comment about this guy's vases ] —that name sounds kind of familiar for some reason.
[ maybe he'll just volunteer "you might know me from my vases" or something ]
But yeah, it's nice to meet you too. Sorry about the village, though...
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[ thinks sadly to his backstory as he looks at the remains of the village, etc, and also mentally goes "wow so many people named zin" ]
That's why I'm a mercenary. There a job you need done?
[ he could pretend to be polite but that is what he has sebastian for ]
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Oh? You might've heard of me before! I'm a craftsman, you see... I wouldn't call myself famous or anything, but I sold a few of my works here and there before the village became deserted...
[But he nods.]
As a matter of fact, there is! Do you want to come over to my house to discuss it? I need to drop off my supplies for me and my wife, anyway.
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[ wow if this is a coincidence it is a weird one ]
Sure, we can come over for a little bit.
[ right? ]
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[ they'll follow! though now that the guy said that about vases. hm. ]
... You usually leave a signature in your work?
[ like a... compass??? ]
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Hm? Yeah, I usually do.
[He'll lead them to his house. It's small and looking like it's seen better days, but it's still standing, at least. Inside is... kind of a mess! There are tools and books everywhere, along with various works of art, some in progress. A calendar on the wall lists the year as 12XX.
Perhaps most prominently is a bed in the corner, where a woman lies unconscious, hooked up to some kind of life support.
Zin drops off his supplies, before gesturing around. There are probably a few chairs.]
Make yourself at home.
no subject
he notes that calendar and sits down, looking around the room. what kinds of in-progress art are we talking here? paintings, sculptures, POTTERY... ]
Thanks. It, um, seems comfortable?
[ ...maybe it's rude to ask, but ]
I-is your wife...?
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anyway. cloud making himself at home is standing with his arms crossed like an asshole. luckily, sebastian is the one who is rude and asking about the wife, right away, so. ]
... This relevant to the work you want us to take on?
[ her being. comatose. hrm. ]
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Zin just smiles sadly.]
... Yes and no. Fiends corrupted her, you see. I was able to defend myself, but... the result is what you see. She'll probably never wake up again, and even if she does... it would probably be the end for one of us.
Even so, I can't help but hope she does. But even if she doesn't, she loved the works I created—and so, at the very least, I want to put together the best I've ever done, as one last gift to her.
[Zin heads over to a corner of the room, less messy than the rest, before showing Sebastian and Cloud what might be a familiar vase, though clearly unfinished. The black paint isn't fully finished, and neither is the white outer layer.]
The problem, though, is that I've run out of the supplies I need. I can gather more in a nearby cavern, but it's dangerous to go by myself, so...
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Oh... That's really nice of you. And that one does look really special!
[ are... are you going to put her ashes in it someday... ]
So you're asking us to get the supplies to help you finish it, right?
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[ he is staring at it like it killed his family, because he's wondering if the vase is going to come alive with spirits and cause some kind of ripple effect. well. it doesn't matter they're here to change the past anyway so he shakes his head ]
We can do supply gathering, yeah. You got a list? Neither of us is big on pottery.
[ probably. he is realizing he does not know what sebastian is into. he feels like... maybe... the law... but they are from a lawless land...? odd. ]
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Even if I gave you a list, you probably wouldn't be able to recognize it by sight. However, you could come with me! Problem solved. How about it? I'll try and compensate you for your services too.
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Oh, so just like, protect you while you get the stuff?
[ nods as if this is a thing he is remotely good at ]
That... sounds okay, I think...?
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[ in this timeline. also, wow, someone actually offering to pay him first. incredible. ]
Lead the way. If there are any fiends, Sebastian will take you somewhere safe while I deal with them.
[ this is code for sebastian your job is to protect the old man ]
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[Zin will grab a bag, lean over to kiss his wife on the forehead, before leading Sebastian and Cloud out of the house. He takes them to a cavern not far from the outskirts of the village, its entrance dotted with mushrooms, as a creek runs nearby. Bright blue streaks litter the ground, as though some kind of scar in the earth.]
Oh, there are probably fiends. Allegedly, there've always been a few that lived here, even before the calamity. Speaking of which, did you know that they say that started right here, a hundred years ago? That's what my grandparents told me, at least.
[He points inside the cavern.]
There are some plants and fungi inside the cave that I'll need for my paints. I used to come here with friends, but they've all died or left the village, so...
no subject
but ok, cavern time. he glances over at cloud at that comment about the beginning of the calamity. ]
They saw the start of it themselves, you mean?
Um... maybe one of us should go in there with you and one keep watch out here? Though, uh, maybe we should actually make sure there's nothing hiding in there first?
no subject
Did they ever tell you exactly how it happened? [ HOW IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED, MAYBE. anyway; ] Might as well all go in. Not sure how deeply we'll have to go, and if one of us is outside when something happens in there, we won't be able to communicate.
[ our walkie-talkies... anyway they will accompany the old man inside in exchange for backstory, please. ]
no subject
No one's sure, exactly... but from the sound of it, a spirit lost control and became a powerful fiend, back then—now known as ████████. A few dead humans were found on the scene as well, though no one's certain whether they died first, or if ████████ killed them after becoming an evil spirit.
[Anyhow, inside they go! They can see inside, at least, with the cavern lit by glowing mushrooms.]
Watch your step—there are some traps lying around, set up by people who were hoping to take out the fiends.
no subject
[ glowing mushrooms is my favorite aesthetic jan thank you ]
Oh, yikes... thanks for the warning.
[ he is now anxiously focused on the ground... am i going to have to roll for not getting caught in a bear trap ]
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Does it only happen to physical spirits?
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[Anyhow, Sebastian and Cloud anxiously watch their step, but these are MAGIC traps where your chance of activating them are determined by someone sitting behind a computer screen rolling dice, and so as they walk along—arrows suddenly coming flying from nowhere at them. And at Zin too, who yells and ducks.]
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[ he wonders what would have hurt that spirit so badly... but doesn't have much time to dwell on that, because hello arrows ]
Whoa!!
[ ALSO DUCKS with a 13 ]
Did we do that?!
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[ cloud is so busy thinking about the plot and only rolls a two when it comes time to dodge. goodbye cloud. eat some fucking arrows ]
--Shit, watch out!
[ he tries to move the old man out of the way but his 2 probably killed him instead ]
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