Pirate Age: The Prequel-Sequel

[SilentxChaos]

Collab bet'w Winter, Mizos & Silent​

And Alicia makes three​

In the morning when they all reconvened, Jack couldn't take his eyes off Cedric. His brother stuck close to Luro, avoiding him, acting like he didn't exist. Jack didn't dare approach. Not now, in front of Shay and False Alicia, and when Cedric made it so clear he didn't want to talk. It consumed Jack with anxiety. He wrestled with pushing it away as he hovered near Runali.

One thing managed to disrupt his wallowing–unsurprisingly. Adelaide came out of their room with a whole new look, conjured up like they'd changed their room. A revealing outfit inspired by Arbirean style: cuffed, puffy pants made of transparent blue gauze, a white sash around her waist, a crossed top of deeper blue and trimmed in white. Strips of tasseled cloth connected from her shirt to gold wrist cuffs. Her hair was teased into an afro with one side made into cornrows, accented by more gold jewelry. The only part that remained the same was her bag of flowers.

She paused in their doorway, smirking as she watched Jack's jaw drop. Their eye contact didn't stop until Shay arrived and Runali jabbed her elbow into Jack's side. He cleared his throat, cheeks heating, and looked away.

They traveled to the kitchen, during which Jack remained quiet but observed everything around him. He got the jolt of a lifetime when Jackie appeared.

His eyebrows shot up when she threatened him. What is this? I'm nothing like her… He squared up against her, a snarl rumbling in his throat, fingers brushing along a hidden blade. Snake and jackal, waiting to see who struck first. It might've come to blows if it hadn't been for Runali stepping in.

Jack harrumphed and crossed his arms. "I'm not seeing the resemblance…" he muttered but kept eyeing her, and Cedric–Shit, there's too much going on-- while everyone settled down. He wanted to approach his counterpart but Adelaide got to her first. He took one step before hearing her lilted chuckle. A gust of wind made him stumble. She forced him to turn around and pushed him away. "Go play with the others." She gave him a tap to the back.

"Play?" Jack frowned.

"Someone told me you're like my dog. It amused me."

"Woof woof," Jack muttered sarcastically. Adelaide laughed.

He waved a dismissive hand and went over to where Alicia sat with Tashi. He lit a cigarillo–and bristled when Jackie did the same thing. "Is this as weird to you as it is to us?" he asked Tashi.

Tashi attention was on a square wooden board when Jack approached, it was decorated with strange oval items of different colors resting on the board. She was setting the oval's in a particular way, causing the colors to shift as she did so, other shifting colors in response. She made no effort to speak to her counterpart or anyone else, though there was no animosity coming from her. She was as approachable as usual thus when Jake spoke to her, she calmly set down her current piece, and turned to face him, giving him her undivided attention.
"It was at first, but I have grown used to it. Whether that is a good or bad thing is another matter."
She closed her eye at this and shifted slightly.
"I have met many 'Jacks' and 'Jackie's', and I was there before you all awoke, even if just for a moment. I was more surprised then…though I will admit that I am a bit more surprised. All of you are among the most 'normal' I've encountered. That is weird to me."
She opened her eye again before adjusting her eyepatch and returning her hands to her lap
"I can understand if this is strange to you as well."

Jack's lips quirked up. "Just a little bit." He shook his head. "Would you explain your…purpose here? For Imposter? How did you even get involved with them?"

Tashi gave a small nod at this, they seemed to be adapting well so she paid it no further mind and decided to answer his question.
"Our purpose is the same as yours. To hunt the Realms and acquire 'supplies' for the war effort. It is difficult to explain, once you actually finish a job, I assure you it will make far more sense. I could explain it, but the…what do you call it…jargon won't make any sense. I believe you will be taking over the job we have been doing. Which I wish you the best of luck in the regard."
Her eyelid lowered slightly as she considered the second question.
"Through strange circumstances outside of our control, my Captain requested I not share too much on that yet. I mean no offense but we have encountered many 'you's', some were not so welcoming. That information reveals a fair bit about us and could endanger our crew needlessly, as First Mate I have to minimilize risks where I can…especially with Luro around."
She gave a small bow at this.
"Once the Captain meets you and 'sizes you up' I can answer how we got involved should she give the nod of approval."
Raising her body she reached up and brought a hand to her chest.
"I can share however that we also are not from this world, but that is all. Now if I may pose a question…what is your relationship with Luro? Both of you if possible."

Alicia had been seated quietly with what appeared to be a cup of tea, not too far from her other self but not so close as to insinuate she was comfortable with the situation. She'd raised her cup halfway before pausing once the conversation had started with Jack's arrival. This new information was important and gave more clues to aid her own suspicions.

"Luro is a friend." she replied simply. "I'd wager he's either the smartest of us all, the most foolish or perhaps just lucky." she lightly shrugged. "Could be all three or none at all, but I trust him and he's earned that from me" she replied before placing the cup down neatly in front of her.
"Which is more than I can say for you." she closed her eyes with a slight frown as her fingers parted from the cup in front of her, eyes opening to fall upon her other self. "You… we, are a result of our different choices right?" her gaze was critical of her reflection as she spoke. "Then the extent of my trust in you will depend on where our choices began to separate from one another. I imagine that feeling is mutual."

"So spare me the details for how you got mixed up in this if you must, but I would hear how your life differs from my own before you made it here." If her suspicions were correct based upon what she'd listened to thus far, the milestones in their stories should be somewhat similar with the choices made being what separates them. Then again, she could be wrong but if so at least she would be closer to understanding the situation further.

Jack twisted the cigarillo between his lips and leaned back, also curious to hear about this.

"A friend…trust…I see. He will be happy to hear that. Thank you I will share that with my Luro the next time I see him, that will saitate his curiosity," Tashi gave a small nod at this.
Tashi shifted her self slightly to Alicia to listen to her properly, she met her gaze with a strange serenity, merely closing her eyes as the state of their 'relationship' was mentioned. Whether she expected this response or was taking it in stride was left unsaid, but she opened her eye and nodded at the mention of choices. The idea of mutual feelings however were only met with a slight lowering of her eye, and a silent stare.

Tashi's eye moved to Jack before returning to Alicia, folding her hands together she spoke once more.
"Regretfully I can't share all of that, as those choices play a part in how I have become...'mixed up in this', similar to you all and I cannot share specific instances as I do not know exactly which...'Alicia' you are. Thus where our stories converge and separate is mostly unknown to me."
Tashi said this before raising a finger and tapping the side of her head.
"When you came here we 'Resonated' with you. We have more experience in this realm so it was a natural response not purposeful, but we saw your memories, parts of them. I however broke away when yours filled my mind Alicia, out of common courtesy."
She said this before lowering her hand.
"I have no intention of sharing my entire life story, and I do not know every moment where our 'history' converges. I can only guess from my observations and what little I have seen. If you are fine with that, then I am fine sharing. However I only do so because I peeked at a few of your memories without permission. Jackie has told me Jack's so he can be included in this as well."

She glanced at Jack at this not forgetting he was there before focusing back on Alicia.
"With that said other me…" Tashi's reached up and covered her eye patch with her hand. "Do not trust me. I would prefer it that way, so I also feel no obligation to share for that reason."
She lowered her hand from it closing her eye.
"We have the same parents, and the same siblings...all of them."
She let that hang in the air knowing her other half would know what she meant before continuing.
"I have beaten Odyn, and I lost my father shortly afterwards."
She opened her eye at this and motioned to Alicia's swords.
"I also carry Shusui, but I am sure you noticed that already."
She stopped there as she had finished 'sharing' her history with them.


A short exhale was all Alicia gave in response. She'd expected more but she wasn't about to make complaints about it openly, even if the frustration was evident. "Very well then."

She reached back towards her cup before raising it up towards her lips for another small sip before setting it back down between her hands. "I'm sure you have a good enough reason for all this in the end. Regardless of how our choices differ, I know I wouldn't fight for anyone I thought to be evil." silver eyes returned their stare against that single red iris.

"So if you're anything like me at all, that'll be true for you as well." she held her silence to sink that in a little deeper before shifting her gaze towards Jack. "What do you make of all this Jack?" she asked, raising a hand to casually wave away his cigarette smoke.

Jack choked on his inhale when Tashi admitted to seeing (some) of their memories. "What?

He immediately glared at Jackie–because he knew she'd have looked at all his, damn them both for being one of the same–and the displeasure at his hypocrisy made him grumpy. He settled back, waving his hand to say ignore me, and listened to the rest of what Tashi had to say.

When Alicia turned to him, Jack pressed his lips together and sighed in thought. "Tashi, you say you don't know which 'ones' we are. Care to explain? I imagine it goes beyond 'Are we good or bad versions' if you have peeked into our memories, seen our lives. Even if you were polite enough to stop before going too deep," Jack inclined his head to her.

"To answer you directly, Amaiya…shit, I don't think it matters what we do or don't make of it. We're helpless in this scenario," Jack spread his hands out and shrugged, clearly unhappy with his own statement. "We're pawns on a chessboard, not even a bishop or rook among us to give ourselves an advantage. Our allies, our enemies, our fight is not our choice save for what our own survival dictates. Normally I'd try to find another option, if only just to gain some control…"

A chill crept up his spine as he remembered standing before Imposter. Luro with a hole in his skull. "The Grand Summoner of Trovale has the power to fight our whole crew, and she's a mere human lucky to be born with magic. I will not make the mistake of believing we can outmaneuver, outmatch, outsmart Imposter. Not in their own realm. But, just for once, I wish we would end up in a situation where we had a choice," he added softly, eyes half-closing, a measure of wariness seen in the slump of his body. A hand absently brushed through strands of silver that hadn't been there before he'd brought Cedric back to them.

Tashi's red met silver as she retained her stoic stare at Alicia's comment, her eyelid lowered slightly at 'reason' but she chose not to speak. She only offered a nod to her to show there was an understanding of where the two of them lied with each other. Her shoulders seemed to relax slightly before her gaze moved to Jack at his question. She had ignored him at his silent request and had a feeling what had caused him discomfort, speaking of it wouldn't help either of them right now.

Reaching over she took a few of the oval pieces off her board and set them down on the table.
"For a moment imagine that there is an Amaiya, a wandering swordswoman in this realm."
She grabbed one of the pieces the 'Amiya' before continuing.
"Now imagine an Amaiya, let us say she chooses to go by Alicia in this realm."
She picked up the 'Alicia' piece and held it up.
"There is no notable differences between them."
She held the two oval pieces and sure enough they looked exactly the same, same color, same shape.
"Until the two end up in conflict they are indistinguishable from each other."
Tashi hit the two pieces together, when shedid the 'Amaiya' piece turned red and the 'Alicia' piece turned blue.
"Until you 'witness' this change they are the same as any other. That is the case with you all Jack. Amaiya will slay the blood of the innocent, and has no qualms fighting for evil, survival is her only desire, if her life is not threatened she will not draw her blade. Alicia however will fight for good and protect others but she is quite prone to punish what is 'evil' with extreme prejudice. Showing no mercy to criminals or any involved with them."
She set the two now colored pieces down before grabbing a third colorless piece and setting it in front of the two pieces, before tapping it.
"This is you right now Jack, all of you. You are colorless, I do not know which one you will become. It is more than your memories…how will you respond to Imposter, how will you face the trials in front of you, I can only guess from what I know. Neither the red or blue are perfect, both carry their own faults, you are right that it goes beyond good or evil. It is too early to see what you will be in this world, where you will go…and how you will handle the absurdity that is this reality."
Tashi said this before setting another piece down.
"I hope you are not forced to face 'possibilities' that defy your logic…but if you should."
Tashi tapped the piece causing it to turn black.
"It will force questions about you that should never be asked. Whether they are 'real' or not will stop mattering if you stay here too long."
Tashi picked the pieces up and returned them to the board.
"I can no longer say I would 'never fight for evil'...because I know a me that would. I've looked her in the eyes. That is how this world is, all 'possibilities' are here…even the ones you can't even fathom…so I need to know which one you are. What if all it took was one or two moments Alicia, one or two moments to change everything you are. That is the question that will be raised here."
Tashi eyelids lowered a bit at this and her body seemed to tense, she closed her eye and seemed to push down whatever was trying to rise up and managed to regain herself relatively quickly.
"However your existances cannot overshadow ours, thus why we can stand here with you. I took a chance with that knowledge. I hope I do not regret it…and do not worry. When you grow accustomed to this world…you will see ours, whether you want to or not."


Alicia patiently listened and observed the demonstration, finding it comfortably easy to understand since it was being delivered by, well… herself. She'd thrown Jack a small reassuring smile in response to his comment on their situation, sympathizing all too well considering their habit of walking into the strangest of situations. Though even she had to admit that despite their adventures this was pretty far up there and considering they had all died once that was saying something.

"Well that brings me back to why I initially asked you about where our lives diverged." she spoke again, returning her attention back to her other self. "For that question to be answered, only from my perspective as opposed to your own." she admitted, being forthcoming in what she'd been trying to ascertain from the beginning.

"But I suppose you already knew that." Alicia realized she'd have to keep in mind there were no secrets kept from herself. It would seem that only the more abstract concepts of what made up their dividing personalities would be what separated them. But even if this version of herself in front of her was indeed evil, she was still Alicia and thus would still think and act similarly up to a point.

"Our other selves then, those we'll chance to meet when gathering this resource Imposter desires." she decided to move the conversation on towards something else that'd been on her mind. "What effect will the removal of the resource have on their worlds?" she asked curiously. "Before I agree on taking anything from anyone, I would need to know the consequences first."

Tashi offered a small nod to her, the fact she had chosen to answer at all came partially from an understanding of necessary perspective, the other part was kept to Tashi herself and she made no effort to expand upon that reason. She seemed content that they were changing the subject though at her question she offered her a shake of her head.

"Regretfully I cannnot share that with you. I mentioned it before but Imposter wishes to explain such parts to you. I believe I referred to them as the 'fun' bits. Specifics such as that are not for us to clarify, they are matters Imposter wishes to touch on with you. So I am unable to answer that question for you."
Tashi closed her eye at this.
"He wishes you to wallow in ignorance until it is deemed no longer necessary. You may ask an audience with him after your mission to speak your grievances...just do not be surprised if he 'snacks' during it while Shay paints a portrait...to hang on his 'Wall of Foolishness'."

Tashi seemed to squeeze the bridge of her nose at this, a small sigh escaping from her before her eye opened. It seemed as if she wanted to say something further on the matter, but looking at her counterpart she seemed to hold her tongue. Perhaps she disliked the situation herself or maybe she understood herself enough to know the words were meaningless to say. Whatever reason gave her pause was kept within her as she spoke again.
"I will leave the matter at that. Imposter whether on a whim or by calculation is being very particular about what you learn, it will all come in due time, it did for us...though we perished a few times in the process admittedly."

Jack closed his eyes. He took one long meditative breath and when he opened them, he seemed…perhaps calmer wasn't the right word. Accepting. Ready. Only another fluttering glance at Cedric contradicted his shift of mindset.

"Alright. I get it. Roll with the punches and all that," he made a gesture and then blanched, feeling like he turned into Runali for a moment. "Can you at least tell us your opinion of Imposter? Perhaps our chances of getting back to our world and not, no offense, stuck here doing his bidding like you seem to be?"

Alicia had been doing well to hide her frustration so far, though even she couldn't hide the slight irritation at getting no answers as they spoke. She also didn't like the implication of finding out the consequences after the fact as opposed to finding out before. She supposed that was part of his game as her other self lightly alluded to with her reply. "I see." she replied simply, the shortest answer being the better to prevent her voicing the frustration of this all openly.

She cast a glance towards Jack as he gave his question before giving a nod, seeming to appreciate this question as it seemed to open another avenue of interest she hadn't considered in all this Turning her attention back towards her reflection, she braced for yet another dodge from the answer however she remained hopeful still to glean anything even if the information was substantially inferior considering the greater questions they needed answers to.

"It's a good question, I'm sure you're at least allowed to offer your own opinions. Unless you're bereft of that right too."

Tashi watched the two in silence, her eye moving from one to the other as they spoke. She closed her eye and let out a small sigh. Reaching over to the desk a blue fire appeared under hand, when she took hold of it a teacup appeared which she set on the table. Opening her eyes she turned the steaming cup slightly before responding to them.
"If you find my answers unsatisfactory, you are free to speak with Shay who acts as your Aide. You seek clear answers in a world without them, I cannot help with that."
She spoke with the same calm as before as she picked up her cup, carefully with both hands. Taking a short sip she didn't respond to their inquiries immediately, whether she was forming her thoughts or was in no rush to answer was left to the two's observations. She set the cup down before looking back at them.
"I said I would answer questions about us Echo's, as much as I am able. If you seek answers in other affairs such as the Realms, returning to your world and the like, then speak with Imposter. I am bound by no reason to answer such questions, and feel no obligation to humor them. I offered the intial opportunity only because I understand your confusion to some degree."
Tashi picked up one of her pieces and tapping it with her finger made it turn silver, she fiddled with the piece as her eyelid lowered slightly.
"I am permitted to share my opinions…but I have no desire to share them with you."
Her eye raised to the two of them before she tapped it causing it to turn purple.
"You will see my memories one day in the end. You will know my opinion then whether I wish it or not, that is our connection…intimately cruel."
The woman picked up the piece and set it back on the board before standing up from her seat.
"Make mistakes and see the world through our eyes. At that point it will be worth sharing my viewpoint. Presently it would be meaningless and a waste of time. Now if you'll excuse me."
Tashi picked up her cup and walked away from the two.
"I will take breakfast in my room today Shay," she said as she passed the servant. "I have work to catch up on."
The swordswoman made her way down the hall, the game on the table consumed in blue flames before vanishing leaving no trace of it behind.


Alicia said nothing as her other self spoke before collecting herself up to walk away. Only once she'd left did she turn towards Jack and offer a small shake of her head. "Please tell me I'm not this difficult back in our world." she spoke to alleviate the mood a little as she collected herself up from the table.

She took a moment to stretch before releasing a deep exhale. "Well, I suppose we should just speak with Imposter… as unpleasant as I'm sure it'll be." she once again looked towards Jack. "Would you like to join me?"

"Oh, you're much more fun," Jack replied with the most neutral expression, pausing, before letting slip a half-smile to let know Alicia he was joking.

He got up and stubbed his cigarillo out on a plate. "At your leave, First Mate. I'm more than happy to." His eyes slipped over the crew–as always, staying too long on one particular obstinate member. "We should have Cedr–I mean, the rest of the crew come along too. Might as well get the nightmare started."

 

[SilentxChaos]

Collab bet'w Mizos and Silent​

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Adelaide, in her fine new garb, sat on the table directly in front of Jackie. She placed her feet on either side of her legs and leaned in, staring intently, as if expecting something from Jackie. After a long moment, she reached into her bag and presented Jackie a yellow lily. "This one suits you the best. For the moment." She smiled.

The woman had reached for ingredients but stopped at the presence of Adelaide, Jackie's eyes were cold as she leaned into her, and she made no effort to move. However when the flower was presented to her, her gaze moved to it before softening slightly. She blew smoke sideways to keep it from going towards Adelaide, before putting out the cigarillo.
Brushing her hands off she gently took the flower from her before a small smile graced her features.
"I can accept this," she said before placing it in her shirt pocket. "Had you not presented a flower…you would have been an Adelaide I would have to avoid."
The woman adjusted her glasses at this before with a small flourish of her hand a daffodil appeared between her fingers, she held it out to Adelaide.
"From my Adelaide to you…I think the message is quite clear," she said with a smile. "How are you adjusting…and did you come to talk or play?"

She took the daffodil with a pause, twirling it between her fingertips. "Message received. Where is my counterpart?"

The daffodil disappeared into her bag. Adelaide swiveled so she was no longer obstructing Jackie's way, crossing her legs and resting her chin in her hand. She smiled an empty smile in response to Jackie's questions. "You should know that you don't need to ask either of those of me. I am adaptable and always looking for fun."

"That...is a fantastic question," Jackie said with a small sigh as she grabbed the ingredients once again. "Afraid I don't know, if she wants to be around she is, if she doesn't want to be she isn't, but I don't need to tell you that. She'll return soon enough."
At her comment of 'fun' Jackie let out a small chuckle.
"Yeah...you're definitely her all right."

Adelaide cocked her head to one side, not done appraising the woman. "You do resemble Jack as the Stardusk captain pointed out. But you take after Esmella more than he does." She paused, waiting to see Jackie's reaction to her mother's name–the mother that died giving birth to Jack. "Tell me about your mothers."

She grabbed her cutting board clearly content about something but whatever it was stayed with the woman as she started washing parts of the meal.

She was cutting vegetables as Adelaide seemed to take her in more, the woman didn't seem to mind and while she seemed focused on the task, the way she moved showed she was showing some consideration for the person near her, at the very least she wasn't ignoring her.
At the mention of Esmella, her chopping seemed to stop for a moment, but it was just that a moment, barely a blink and she returned to chopping.
"Inquisitive one aren't we?" she said glancing sideways at Adelaide.
She focused her attention forward again.
"Sure I'll play along," she said pushing the vegetables to the side and moving them into a nearby bowl.

"Clara Song and Lily Rose are two of them. Any more than than that and I'll have to wait for the Captain's call. Said not to share too much without sizing you all up first. Personally it matters little to me, answers or not the ending to all this will be the same."
With a wave of her hand fire left her hand and lit the cauldron as she threw the other ingredients in.
"We don't know which ones 'you' all are though so not much can be done. I didn't peer into your memories, but your counterpart did. Thus why she gave me a very simple warning. 'If that one doesn't hand you a flower keep away from her'. You're one of the few who have been touched by Imposter after all, makes you...'special' if you can call it that. Now if you're that curious, then you tell me something interesting. Quid pro quo."

Adelaide's lips parted slightly. "You read our–"

"What?" Jack's stuttered indignation cut her off. She peered over her shoulder to see his molten-eye glare narrowed on Jackie.

Adelaide brandished her smile like a weapon. "Suspicious enough to look at his memories. Polite enough to keep yourself from the others. Or is it just me?" She shrugged away the question. It didn't matter–the knowledge that they could do it was enough. And her side couldn't. Her eyes flashed with hypothesized understanding.

"Being involved with Imposter has its perks for you. What's the cost? And in payment for your answer," Adelaide tilted her head. "Why should I, if my counterpart told you my memories?"

"Not purposefully I assure you. Comes with the resonance we share with you all, you needn't worry you'll see ours soon enough, just gotta get used to those bodies of yours. That being said saw way more than I intended…seems that me also met Hoshi, adorable."
Jackie motioned to the 'Vessels' they were in before she started stirring the cauldron.
Feeling a glare she glanced over at the source, she offered Jack a toothy grin and raised her eyebrows a few times, as if to silently tell him 'yes I know about that' in her own way before focusing her attention back on her food.
"Adelaide…do you really think your counterpart pulled me to the side and told me 'hey I got the latest gossip on my other half', when I asked her what she knew, she just smiled at me and continued the conversation."
Jackie shook her head a bit at the memory.
"Kind of like what you're doing now," she said picking up the spices. "I'm answering you cause it helps pass the time, that's it. That being said I like your question so I'll tell you this."
Jackie glanced at Adelaide, her smile held a strange warmth to it and she almost seemed ecstatic to answer her question.
"You'll see that cost soon enough yourself."
With an somewhat exaggerated shrug she chuckled at the woman before grabbing a nearby egg, and closing one eye observed it closely.
"No sense spoiling the surprise for you. You like fun right? I assure you the 'perks' are quite fun. That being said…"
Jackie moved the egg over a bowl and with a practiced hand cracked it and poured it into the bowl.
"Answers do nothing here…absolutely nothing. So in the end I have no reason not to answer you I suppose…but I think it'll be more entertaining if you see it for yourselves. I can't wait to see the look on Jack's face personally. I hope I'm there for it."
Jackie smiled a little at it before grabbing an apple and tossing it to Adelaide.
"Taste it, and tell me if it taste the same as the ones you know, or if there's a difference. Is it more tart' for example."

Adelaide caught the apple with her wind, which solidified into her hand and she took a bite. She tilted her head side to side. "Too sweet. Why?" She set the apple down. "We know things are different here."

Closing her eyes, she took a meditative breath, and when she opened them she looked calmer. A wildcat lowering its hackles. "Alright. I'll let Imposter surprise me. Not you yet. On to the more important questions."

She leaned in close, close enough to smell Jackie's skin, and for a moment her body seemed to fizz around with bits of silver wind wisping out.

"Why did you want to kill Jack immediately and why are you wearing glasses?"

Jackie's smile grew a little bit wider at Adelaide's answer and she glanced over at her for a moment while she mixed the eggs. She offered a nod at Adelaide's acceptance, in the end there was little to be done on the matter, and Jackie of all people had no power to change that.
At Adelaide's approach she cast a sideways glance at her, her eyelids lowered slightly at the questions and she calmly moved the bowl slightly to the side.

"Lot's of questions with this one," Jackie said with a small grin. "My reason for today…because I felt like it. My reason tomorrow…who knows that's the fun of it. I'm sure at some point there was some deeper reason, maybe there still is. I don't consider it worth thinking about it, I know I want to kill him, reason for it stopped mattering the moment I laid eyes on him. Shame he saved Cedric, can't do anything about it now."
Jackie held up the apple with the bite still in it.
"I wear glasses for the same reason this apple was sweet to you," Jackie said. "It's part of the 'perks' we have. Also be careful."
A sudden shock came off Jackie's body, a current running along Adelaide, it almost resembled a snake coiling around her but the feeling left as soon as it came, it was a brief shock but it smelled surprisingly of daffodils.
"Gone or not she doesn't like people getting close to what's hers," Jackie said putting the lid on the pot. "I kept it from frying you though, even if I want Jack dead I have nothing against you or Cedric…presently anyway. Who knows what tomorrow will bring though."

Adelaide's amused expression slipped to the wayside, revealing the blankness beneath. "Your concern is unnecessary," she said.

She stepped away, putting the half-eaten apple on the table, and continued, "One last thing. Then you won't get any more questions from me." Her tone turned bored, it was a wonder why she was bothering to ask again.

"What made you and your Adelaide come together?"

"I'm aware but I am me," Was Jackie's simple response to Adelaide. "Noted though. Next time I'll just let you die, good way to get Jack to attack me now that I'm thinking about it while being innocent."

Jackie was starting to grab plates offering a shrug at it being the last question when Adelaide's question reached her, she froze for a moment, her eyes narrowing a bit before she finished grabbing the plates and setting them down. The woman's eyebrows lowered slightly and her finger tapped the counter.
"Afraid that one is a bit too personal. So I'll have to politely decline answering that one."
She glanced sideways at Adelaide.
"...but it was different than you and Jack, that much I saw…well in some ways."
She focused her attention forward again.
"Off you go then, seems they're finished over there. Oh and Adelaide one last thing, just so it's fair game…don't try meeting your other self even if you get her memories."
The woman's amber gaze carried something behind it, a depth that she had kept hidden or 'put away', within it was a darkness that almost reached out towards the woman. Different from the look she gave Jack, but with a similar warning.
"If that happens…then we'll have a problem. Tell Jack that too."
With a blink it was gone and she smiled back to normal as if the conversation hadn't happened.
"All right enjoy your breakfast!"

Adelaide's new look

 

[Mizos]

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Once everyone's 'first job' was taken care off Shay with a wave of their hand caused all the plates and utensils to vanish once everyone was finished eating. They motioned to a nearby Passageway after this, which caused Zilia to question how long the door had been there. Realizing she probably won't get an answer she put it aside as Shay spoke to them.
"We'll be going through here first. Please follow me."
"Hold on a sec!"
Jackie called out to the group as she entered back into the room, she held a small box out to Luro who blinking took it.
"What's this?" he asked, turning the box in his hands a few times.
"It's a lunch to take with you. You may not be my Luro, but you got his face so it's hard not to worry. You can share with anyone not worried about it….I mean you're immortal so even if I poisoned it, that wouldn't matter but hey grey your hair as much as you want."
"Thanks Jackie."
"No no no, Big Sis. Not Jackie."
"Oh uh…thanks Big Sis," Luro said smiling at her.

Jackie gave a content nod at this before resting her hands on her hips.
"Hmmm didn't have as much affection as mine but I'll take it. All right get out there and kill as many people as possible today, make sure it's extra painful."
"Okay!"
"No!" Zilia said stepping between the two. "A little as possible. That's the goal."
"Aw," Luro said before putting the box in his sleeve. "I was already thinking up ways…"
"He has enough bad influences, please don't be one of them," Zilia said glancing at Jackie, causing the woman to raised her hands and grin.
"Captain's not here so someone has to give him a small push…but okay I'll leave him be."
"...be safe," Tashi said before turning and walking away from the group. "Come Jackie. We have our own duties."
"You really came back just to get me didn't you? Try not to die other Stardusks. Except Jack, you can die as much as you want. Also Tashi 'be safe' you don't want to say something more profound."
"Beauty in simplicity," she said walking through the watery door.
"Great she's back to not being talkative, it's gonna be a fun mission today…"
With a wave from Jackie the two vanished through the Passage.
Shay waited a moment seeing the water had changed colors and once it returned to it's normal 'grey' he gave a small nod to the others before walking through it.
"Well let's get this over with. They said we'd 'understand' once we go through it ourselves," Emil said adjusting his hat. "Immortal or not really trying no to die today though."

"It's not just me who thinks this is odd. Jack?" Runali watched Jackie give Luro a lunch and then looked over at Jack. "But I guess brothers in one in life, siblings in another." Confusion crossed her expression for a brief moment when Jackie said the captain wasn't around. "I'm the captain here you know…" For the most part it was mumbled and left to wayside as the conversation continued on.
"If she hates you so much… Is that considered something she should work on or some weird self reflection to think about?" The question remained unanswered as the two echoes of the Stardusk crew vanished behind the waterfall. "I'm seconding Emil. Rules still stand. Try not to die please." To Luro, though mostly for Zilia's comfort she added, "We can assess how many casualties will be needed as we go. We'll hope for Zilia's low goal of 'as little as possible' but," She looked at her crew, shrugging because anything could happen. They were already seeing double. "Remember, our main focus is getting outta here." Runali walked backwards through the passage after Shay.

When the crew walked out they found themselves on one of the battlements of the castle, staring down at the countryside below. The door had popped up in the middle of the structure as they walked out. The moment they were out Shay turned and holding their palm towards Adelaide caused a green glow to surround her before it faded.
"...apologies Lady Adelaide. By His Highness request, I'll have to remove your Devil Fruit for a moment…I will return it shortly after we reach our destination."
"...he really doesn't trust her does she?" Emil said.
"No it is as Lady Tashi said, it is for her safety. It will make sense once we reach the Enclave. It is temporary I assure you. Normally I cannot alter your abilities but to prevent…curiosity I was given permission this time."
Shay pointed ahead for the crew, ahead of them were endless plains of grass, the coral-colored greenery stretched indefinitely into the horizon, the gentle warm wind passing over the grasslands made it hard to believe it had been winter the day before.
A light blue sun shone high in the sky above them and Zilia pulled Luro down by his shirt to keep him from staring at it out of curiosity.
"Our destination is there."

Following Shay's finger there was a large area in the distance with structures that were difficult to make out due to their distance, they seemed specks at best from where they were. With that said something felt 'off' about it even from a distance, there were what looked like floating spheres from what they could see.
"What's that over there?" Luro asked pointing to the right.
Shay's gaze moved over to what looked like a large town in the distance, it was clear to see it was a relatively large settlement even from the castle. Perhaps it was the size of Jaipur, maybe Sunter itself, either way it was a relatively large town.
"That's the Captial," Shay said. "It's divided into multiple districts but we won't be heading that way. We'll head there afterwards to see His Highness."
Emil could see other small specks in the distance and figured they might be towns but he was pulled away as a small glow surrounded them, looking down the crew would find a circle appear below their feet before it would rise up close around them, encasing them in what looked like a transparent green bubble.
Luro blinked and pushed against the edge of it only for it to stretch out at his touch as if it was made of rubber.
"One moment," Shay said.
When they spoke the words the bubble turned opaque hiding the outside from them, for a moment it felt as if a large burst of wind had blown past them before the bubble 'popped' and they were near their destination.
"Welcome to the Great Enclave," Shay said motioning to the area in front of them.
"How did we…huh?" Emil said looking back at the castle in the distance before looking ahead again.

"Maybe start a list, Emil." Runali looked around, tapping her foot against the ground to see if another bubble would form. "I think we're gonna have more questions than answers at some point." She glanced up at the sun again and then the grass. "Probably too late of a sentiment."

Their destination seemed to be a large plot of land, and the spheres from earlier were still there but being closer revealed how big they actually were. Some were easily the size of Lady Luck, floating aimlessly in random directions.
The area itself almost seemed 'divided' from where they were, the grass of the land shifted into a bright yellow, akin to wheat and looking closer it was clear to see that it was rising and falling, growing and shrinking over time as if the land itself was attempting to make up it's mind at what it wanted to be.
Strange enough the grass trapped in uncertainty didn't stand out the most in the expanse, nor the floating spheres, but instead were the numerous temples randomly scattered over the land. They differed in structure in some capacity, a few of them looked as if they belonged in Yula Fei, some reminded Luro of the temple with the numerous traps they found at one point.

A few towered over the crew and a few matched their own heights, they were made of different materials, some were stone temples with fancy pillars of some unknown figure, others were simple wooden ones with no flair, and Emil noticed one that was aflame in the distance.
"What exactly is this place again?" Emil asked pointing ahead.
"It is the Great Enclave. You remember when I mentioned there were areas His Highness' power doesn't reach, your room and the meeting room…this is the largest example of it. This is what happens when two Sovereigns powers collide, they create areas such as this. Since Facade is only supposed to have one, it creates a stable instability, the Great Enclave is the middle point between their Domains, where their clash of power is strongest. Their powers cancel each other out creating this independent domain."

Shay pointed ahead and far past the yellow grass there was green grass on the other side.
"That's the start of the other Sovereign's Domain, similar to His Highness their power cuts off here. That's why most of the battles happen here."
When Shay mentioned 'battle' a loud yell rang out and further south of Stardusk two forces were running at each other, one side was dressed in clothes similar to Shay, though their colors were full red, and another side dressed in what seemed to be leather armor with hints of purple mixed into their clothes, they brandished weapons and their seemed to be a large number of them, easily a few battalions from a glance.
The two sides crashed into each other, cutting each other down a little further down with no hesitation, red splattered along the yellow as bodies were thrown every which way.
"...are we on a battlefield right now," Zilia said looking at Shay.
"We are yes. Ah but don't worry they won't come over there. They only fight over the smaller temples. Without protection entering the larger ones would kill them almost immediately."
Zilia stared at the scene, blinking a few times as she watched people being cut down, littered with arrows and blown up by explosives a stone throw away.
"Right you mentioned a war didn't you…"
"We did yes," Shay said nodding. "You needn't worry your duties won't be to fight the opposing army. Are you prepared to enter the temple?"

"Huh, would you look at that," Runali leaned over to Zilia. "Guess we are on a battlefield." It was a minor relief that they didn't need to join it, but watching bodies fall felt a little foreboding, as if they were next to fall in the front lines. "Well, hope they have good doctors." She looked at Shay curiously. "I get having 'parlay' territory to fight out your problems but," She pointed at the nearest temple. "If whatever's in there can kill the higher powers, what's keeping us safe from it?" Still, even as she asked, she ushered Shay forward to lead the way inside. It was probably best to avoid stray arrows and explosives while they were just 'visiting'.

"That would be me." Shay said in response to Runali's comment on their safety. "When you enter a temple you'll have an escort to keep you safe and not dead…this time it's me."
"I suddenly want to go back…" Emil said brushing his hat off. "Also can I borrow some paper to make a list?"
Shay turned to move towards the temple but stopped as a group of people ran towards them, dressed in what was considered Imposter's military outfit.
"Shay! We're pushing past the front lines could you call for reinforcements. We're going to enter the other Sovereign territory."
Shay looked at the speaker and the small battalion behind him.
"Um…that's not a good idea. His Highness made it clear why you should never enter the other Sovereign's domain."
"It's fine we're protected by our King. We'll handle it. We'll hit them with a pincer attack from the back, they're distracted right now anyway."
"T-that is true and you are but you really shouldn't-"
"It's fine! Look we're pushing forward tell the backline to cover us okay."
Shay held their arm out as the group ran off towards the edge of the Enclave.
"His Highness informed me I shouldn't try to stop anyone who does that….he's going to be upset later…well this is a good opportunity. Before we enter you should watch this."
Shay pointed at the other group, the moment they entered the other Sovereigns domain, or rather when the tip of their boots crossed the border their bodies immediately turn to ash, and dissipated into nothing. No screams, no change in expression, in an instant all traces of them were gone without warning.
The ones fortunate enough to be further back screamed and stumbled backward away from the edge at the sight.
Shay watched the scene stoically, their mouth a thin line before folding their hands in front of themselves.
"As mentioned before if a Sovereign doesn't want you in their Domain…that happens. The other Sovereign will only see you all as His Highness' troops…so you'll be killed without hesitation. So please don't enter the other Domain. Sovereign's can give you a 'True Death', if they kill you not even His Highness will be able to bring you back."
With that said Shay held their hand out towards Adelaide, and the glow returned before fading once more.
"I've returned your Devil Fruit power to you…if Lady Adelaide had used her power and reached out too far with her wind…she would have been erased before even realizing she'd crossed the threshold. Now that you are aware I hope you will avoid it from here on, in all aspects."
"You couldn't have mention that earlier?!" Emil exclaimed motioning to the border.
"...His Highness figured it would be funny if you ran off without realizing and got yourself killed…then remember he'd be down a 'piece' if you died so he changed his mind."
"I'm pretty sure he'd still find it funny," Luro said tilting his head at Shay.
"He…would yes thus why he won't stop you…but your Root will be destroyed so please do not do it. Anyway our temple is this way."

With a nod Shay turned and made their way towards a nearby temple, it rose high out of the ground and seemed made of black marble, the steps leading to the top seemed somewhat cracked, but some of them were in perfect shape. Upon reaching the top of the stairs there were two pillars by a large open entrance, the inside hidden by shadow. A crown of flowers rested atop both pillars.
"Flowers?" Luro said. "You like flowers right Ali, you might like this place."
"His Highness informed me it was a simple Realm, it shouldn't take too much effort to gather what we need. Once inside I'll explain the rest of your job. Let's head in."
With that Shay walked forward into the passage, when they walked into the 'darkness' it seemed to ripple revealing it wasn't a simple shadow.
Luro ran in after and Emil's eyes twitched at the absolute lack of hesitation.
"...I really don't like this," Zilia said. "Leaving also isn't an option anymore."
She glanced behind her to see the stairs were gone and she noticed Emil pushing against an invisible wall that had popped up around the edges.
"I'm guessing once someone enters, no one from the 'outside' can go in anymore. That or it's to prevent people from leaving," Emil said lowering his arm. "No point worrying about it now. Hanako stay close to me."
Emil rotated his arm pushing down his worry and entered the shadow.
"Please be peaceful," Zilia said walking forward herself.

"Hey Adelaide," Runali watched as people disappeared into nothing with a look of genuine surprise. "I know you like to float and y'know, not be attached to piracy all the time, but maybe follow this one captain's order and try not to float… too far away." As useful as her disappearing acts were, the idea of meeting a True Death because of Imposter's lack of details seemed more gruesome than being attacked in war. At least they could see the war happening. She agreed with Emil's sentiment, sharing looks around with the rest. "Goes for everyone till we get a proper lay of the land without it trying to kill us too."

The temple itself was less surprising, and yet she stood between Zilia and Emil, watching Luro run forward. "My instincts are saying it's a bad idea, but they're also saying the only way out is forward." She looked at the rest of them, leading the pack towards the temple. "I think it stopped being peaceful when we were capsized in the storm Zil." Runali refrained from being so bleak, realizing the 'undead' part of this was getting to her - like it did each time she ended up dying and being brought back. "But, I s'pose that's one thing we can be hopeful for still. We might want to hurry though. Luro going first usually means less chance at being peaceful."

When the group entered the temple, darkness surrounded them on all sides as they proceeded forward, towards a singular light. Once they passed through it the crew found themselves in a forest, under a blue sky surrounded by greenery on all sides. It was more than likely spring from the weather and cool breeze that passed them. The 'entryway' they came through vanished once they passed through it.
Shay and Luro were ahead, the former was holding onto Luro's sleeve the redhead stopping confused why Shay was keeping him from continuing forward.
"S-sir Luro. We must wait for the others."
"I was just gonna look over there."
"Then why is your gun out?!"
Luro was holding his rifle, and he looked at his gun then back at Shay.
"So I can shoot if someone attacks me…or if I feel like it."
The distressed servant looked back at everyone as they appeared and Luro seeing everyone grinned and walked over to them, which caused Shay to let go.
"O-okay…there is a lot to look out for in a realm but for now let's go over three important things to note within a realm. As per His Highness' instructions, I'm to inform you of the finer parts of your job now."
"After passing through the creepy passage," Emil said resting his hands on his hips.
"...I apologize, he wanted you to 'be in the thick of it' before getting answers, he believed it was more fun that way. Please do not worry I volunteered to accompany you to keep this outing simple and mostly safe…hopefully. So let's review."
Shay held up one finger.
"The first thing is to identify the Realm, to figure out if it is a 'Possiblity' or a 'Memory'."
"The difference?" Zilia asked taking out her notebook.
"Possibilities are events that haven't transpired in your present life, memories are events that have. Future Realms are…complicated but considered the former. Realms always focus around a 'Central Moment' so knowing this will help with the second part."
"Makes sense…kinda," Zilia said writing down the information. "What's the the second thing?"
"The second is to locate the 'Discrepancy'," Shay said holding up a second finger. "The Discrepancy is an entity born from the conflux of energy in a Realm. They normally take mortal form but they can be objects as well. We find the Discrepancy…we find the Core. Discrepancies are things that don't exist or shouldn't, they're fakes. Also they may already know we're here so they are more than likely hiding."
"How the hell are we supposed to find them then," Emil said crossing his arms.
"Whoever the world is tied to will know what to look for. For example, if you were within a 'Memory' in Utsukushi and Sir Jack was there…he would be the Discrepancy, you didn't meet him until later so he doesn't match the experience."
"...so it relies on the memory of the person…and I guess whoever else knows about it," Emil said resting a hand on his hip.
He glanced over at Luro.
"...really hoping this world isn't connected to Luro then."
"Hey I remember a bunch of stuff Emily."
"...that better have been on purpose Makachi," Emil said narrowing his eyes at him.
"The Third thing," Zilia said moving the conversation along.
"...we need to avoid drawing the attention of the Shepards."
"What are the-"
Zilia cut herself off as she picked up presence, she glanced over at Luro whose hand was already resting on his rifle. A person had appeared nearby, and fake Observation or not it was hard to miss this person.
Shay waved a hand and a bubble surrounded the crew, they put a finger to their lips and pointed towards the source.
A person walked through the trees and into view of the crew, they looked in the direction of the group causing Emil to flinch, but the person didn't seem to see them, though they did stare at their direction for a long period of time before looking away.
"...this person has good instincts," Shay said. "I'm concealing us from them so we should be fine. We can speak normally within my bubble."
The person in front of them was a woman with large oval glasses, her long black hair was tired in two braids, she was dressed in what seemed like a green sweater over a black shirt and black pants. Her brown boots dug into the earth a bit as she adjusted her footing.
A lit cigarette hung loosely out of her mouth and the woman's face seemed stuck in a permanent scowl, she exuded an aura that screamed not to approach her, which the animals of the forest happily obliged.
Shay shivered a little in the woman's presence and took a small step back even though they couldn't be seen by her.
"Perhaps we should move away from…"
Shay cut themselves off noticing Zilia was staring at the woman, eyes wide her body shaking and her mouth agape, Luro's brows arched at the frozen doctor before she finally found her voice.
"...Mentor."
"Mentor!" Emil exclaimed looking at the woman. "That clearly dangerous woman is Dr. Vilimar?" Emil said looking ahead again.
"That's…no…she…she's dead this…this can't…" Zilia brought a hand to her head. "M-mentor is…"
Luro looked ahead at the woman who blew a puff of smoke out of her mouth and clicked her tongue.
"Are you sure Z," Luro said looking over at her.
"...I'd never forget her face."
Emil eyed the woman who even the plants seemed to be leaning away from.
"She reminds me of Seliria but wayyy less approachable...and probably more violent." Emil said. "What's the call here?"
"Approaching her would be bad, we still don't know if this is a Memory or a Possibility."
"So stay away from her, more than happy to do that," Emil said. "Zilia you…Zilia?"
Zilia was already walking forward paying no mind to Emil's very on point instincts, Shay grabbed the back of Zilia's outfit before she could leave the bubble, but the doctor was clearly stronger.
"P-please don't leave the bubble! Sir Luro please assist me."
"Z wants to see her Mentor person though," Luro said folding his hands behind his head.
"That's not the point! If she sees us that would be really really bad. I don't have time to explain Lady Runali please help me stop her!"
Zilia was already reaching forward towards the bubble ready to walk out of it.

With a stronger grip, Runali pulled Zilia backwards and placed an arm over her shoulder to keep the doctor at her side. "Let's be reasonable, Doctor. We're in a different realm where the sun gets to be blue. I can't be the rational one for you and Luro. You saw those people disappear into nothing, who's to say it won't happen here too. Peaceful, remember?" She looked up at the woman, staring through them. Her curiosity grew but she kept her friendly hold on Zilia tight. "If Moss says we have to stay put, I think it's in our better interests to stay put until we have… better answers." She looked over at Shay. "Memory or Possibility. Well, we've got our first answer. This one's tied to the doctor. Now to find the… problem? The odd one out… which could be the fact that this… senior doctor is alive. So, what happens if we interact with them? And what exactly are the Shepherds? You may want to answer quick because she can break out of this if she really wanted to."

She had other questions, mostly for Zilia, like if this was a mentor that would decide to fight first and question later or if she even liked this Mentor anymore - experiences she had with Luro and her own mentor, and Jack that she didn't want to repeat without at least a warning.

Runali's pull and words seemed to be enough to pull Zilia out of her reveries, she gave her head a small shake and looked over at Runali before give her a slow albeit hesitant nod. She took a few steady breaths and in that moment Dr. Vilimar walked off, vanishing into the trees. Zilia looked up as her mentor faded into the distance.
"...thank you Runali," she said this before calmly stepping away from her. "I…lost myself for a second there I'm fine now."
Zilia removed her glasses and rubbed her face for a moment taking an extra moment to calm down.

"Thank you Lady Runali…as for the answer to your questions."
Shay gave a firm nod at this before looking at Zilia who lowered her hand and putting her glasses back on waved them on to continue.
"Lady Zilia being here is already a problem, but thanks to His Highness' power as an Imposter she doesn't look like…her. None of us do. We all have taken different appearances, you wouldn't have walked up to Master Vilimar as 'Zilia Vilimar' you would have looked different."
"I-I see," Zilia said. "Right…and Mentor…never saw an adult me, no promise she'd recognize me anyway."
"Indeed. To each other you look the same as you can see through the illusion…but to the outside world we look far different, and that is necessary to avoid the Shepherds."
Shay this with a nod for continuing.
"The Shepherds are the equivalent of gods in these Realms, put simply…they ensure their 'flock' stay together and safe, or rather that the Realm stays proper. Discrepancies…are disturbers of that and…well…we are also fakes of this world...invaders so we are also Discrepancies."
"Right…" Emil said. "We're also these Discrepancy things…is that why the other one could find us?"
"Correct…the Core Discrepancy is hiding from us and the Shepherd of this Realm. The Shepherd's only desire is to maintain harmony so if they find us…they will try to kill us without hesitation, no talking will work, we're akin to stowaways on their ship holding a box of stolen treasure in our hands. If we do something or 'act out' the Shepard will find us easier."
"Such as meeting Dr. Vilimar in a moment when she isn't supposed to meet someone," Emil said.
"Exactly…this moment is connected to Lady Zilia but whether it's her memory or another possibility born from her presence in the facade is yet to be seen. It could be a childhood memory…or a world where she never meets Lady Zilia…which means her meeting this one would be really bad. Even if it was a memory…this Zilia isn't the one she knows"
"Are Shepherds strong," Luro said digging his hand in his sleeve pulling out a bottle of rum. "Are they DJ strong or fire lady strong."
"It would take time to explain what they are, much less their strength. However they are capable of seeing your Roots, they can give you 'True Death'."
"...so we're playing hide and seek with grim reapers," Emil said. "With no previous warning…fantastic."
"Apologies…it was His Highness orders…but I-it's okay," Shay said, raising their hands. "Shepherds are very meticulous, even if they find us, they'll test us to make sure we don't belong. They have to manage this entire world, it will take them a few 'attempts' to absolutely confirm we're fakes, especially since your Vessels hide your Roots very well. They won't erase us just like that, if we were part of the world and they did so it would create more problems."
"How do they test us?"
"By killing us."
"So we die either way?!" Emil exclaimed, throwing his hands up.
"Not 'True Death' just regular death and they attempt it, only attempt."
"I'm still trying to get past the regular death part," Zilia said shaking her head.
"The Shepherd will find us eventually, when that happens we'll have to handle their 'Trial', if we can avoid drawing attention to ourselves we can minimize the encounters. If the Shepherd fully figures out we don't belong…we'll have to retreat before they erase your Roots...which will be bad if His Highness finds out."
"Noted," Zilia said. "So avoid actions that draw attention."
"Yes. So interacting with your past self, or killing a bunch of people at random, things of that nature. If the Shepherd sees too similar 'selves' in one place it makes it obvious one is a fake. If you have further questions you can ask me later. For now we should find Dr. Vilimar. I can tell she's part of the Central Moment."
Shay put their hand on their chest.
"The goal of an escort is to assist with this matter. With that said there's nothing wrong with covering all areas, the Sovereigns' influence doesn't exist here so we can travel freely without fear of reprisal."
"So we can do scouting to try and find the Discrepancy…got it," Emil said. "Still this is tied to Zilia right? So best to stay near her."
"...I don't know what this moment is," Zilia said before looking in the direction her mentor went.
"...still let's do what we came here to do…while avoiding this Shepherd."
"Hey Z,"
"Yes Luro?"
Zilia turned to see a cloaked figure standing next to Luro, they were dressed in a full white robe, their face hidden behind a white mask, the eye holes were too small to make out the eyes but the entity 'looked' human at the very least, it was a little shorter than the redhead and stared at the group in silence, though it was clear it's 'eyes' were appraising them.
"I saw this person walking in the forest, so I ran over to them and offered them a drink."
"...Shay is that the Shepherd?" Zilia said looking over at the Servant.
Judging by Shay's wide eyes, agape mouth and eventual nod the doctor sighed.
"...of course it is."
"Imperfections?"
The Shepherd's voice seemed a mixture of many as it posed its question to no one in particular and as they raised their arm, their gloved hand glowed before the group were quickly surrounded by humans dressed in general pirate garb, all appearing in a blink of white light. If not for their blank eyes and twitching bodies that bent every which way one would think they were actual humans.
Zilia counted twenty that she could see as power ran through her body.
"A Shepherd? Where's your sheep at, if you aren't careful-" Luro said looking over only to see the Shepherd was gone.
"Oh they're gone."
Luro downed his bottle as one of the creatures approached him, raising his rifle he shot one through the skull as it drew his sword, red splattering on the tree behind it before another stepped forward to take its place as it's body dissipated.
"Luro I swear if we don't die I'm killing you myself!" Emil said drawing his weapon.
"L-let's make it through this then follow Dr. Vilimar's trail," Shay said. "Also I'm not allowed to help you in terms of fighting unless certain conditions are met. Sorry!"

A New World

(Respect to 葉月ナツ)​

 

[Mizos]

​

An explosion of red threw the summoned creatures back, their bodies dissipating as they crashed against the nearby trees, Zilia lowered her hand seeing her side was done.
Emil stabbed his sword through one's skull, and watched as it let out a low groan before its body turned to ash evaporating completely shortly after.
"...the things bleed then vanish," Emil mumbled, throwing a bit of blood off his blade.

Shay looked around seeing the 'entities' were now gone and let out a small sigh of relief, Emil wiped off his blade before putting it away, brushing himself off he walked over to Luro who was staring at the bodies as they were vanishing.
"Luro…let's make a note that people in white robes with masks are not fun people okay," Emil said.
"Hm? Ah okay Emil," Luro said looking over at him.
"...you're gonna forget five minutes from now aren't you?"
While Emil lamented their near future, Zilia let the energy fade from her hands and looked in the direction her mentor had gone, her eyes narrowed slightly and she looked over at Shay.
"Let's hurry and follow her."
"R-right. Please follow me."

Shay motioned ahead and led the way towards Dr. Vilimar, the group didn't need to walk far before the section of a town spread out before them, different stalls lined the sides down a long cobblestone road, people calling out to passersby to try their games or wears, dressed in a variety of outfits, it appeared to be a small festival from the looks of it, akin to a mini Utsukushi. The sudden appearance of the place threw Zilia off a bit as she looked down at her feet to see the forest immediately turning into a street within a few steps, looking past the buildings and houses that lie beyond the stalls she could still see bits of the forest.
They'd found a small town resting in the middle of the woods.
"What exactly is this?" Zilia said, narrowing his eyes a bit.
"The Central Moment is all that matters in this place. The world is built around it so everything else is…left out," Shay said. "Of course those within this world don't notice this. We being Discrepancies do though."

Shay knelt down and picked up a stone before tossing it forward, when they did the stone vanished when it touched the 'town side' showing the separation.
"So if we see someone else who notices how 'off' everything looks they're probably the Discrepancy then," Zilia said looking into the town. "Lead on Shay."
"Right."

"I think we should have gotten a swarm warning." Runali weaved through the last of the robed figures' attacks, leaving openings for her crew to make the final blows. Her curiosity won over her interest in fighting, more focused on which way Dr. Vilimar was heading off to. She started to tell Emil there were easier ways to get Luro to remember things but they already started to move. "I know we're not trying to be noticed by her, but isn't following a scarily observant woman the easiest way to get noticed? That's gotta be somewhere in the spy handbook, right? Jack? Ade?"

The sudden scenic shift caused her a bit of vertigo, not expecting trees she was being mindful of to turn into booths and grass and twigs she was careful not to trip on into stone. A little ungracefully, she misstepped and used Cedric's shoulder to catch herself. She gave his shoulder a little pat, smoothing out his outfit, before regaining her sense and looking around. "I guess a memory is technically a… moment in time rather than the passage of one." She didn't sound very convinced, but oddity was far from surprising in the past few hours they had been here.

Shay started to walk forward but stopped as a pink orb hovered near the group, Zilia glanced over at it watching as the orb expanded forming into an oval near then, it reminded her of a mirror as she peered into the hole. The 'mirror' seemed to flare up for a moment causing the once empty center to turn black causing her eyes to twitch.
The darkness within it seemed to shimmer like water slightly and Zilia stared at her own reflection in it before crossing her arms.
"...Shay what is this?"
"That's a Fracture."
Zilia looked over at Shay making them realize she wanted more information.
"Oh um…these worlds are kept in order by the Shepard…but they are still unstable. These pop up from time to time. His Highness is more versed in it than me…but I believe it's due to the temple's having connections to each other and-"
"Simplified Shay," Emil said. "Luro's zoning out."
"R-right. You can think of them as mirrors into another part of the world. When a world is formed it connects to all those within it…including those not present in Facade. Put simply, this is a moment tied to this world, either Lady Vilimar…or Master Vilimar. The moment isn't strong enough to manifest as a Central Moment, but there's enough influence for it to manifest as a Temple. Think of it as a 'memory' of this world or its inhabitants."
Shay held up a finger.
"We don't have to deal with them though, the Discrepancy won't hide in there. The Fractures are small and don't linger for too long. It's possible to look into them and see the memory…but there's no point going into one, the Shepherd will erase it soon enough. Let's keep going."

Shay walked on but Zilia lingered looking at the Fragment, Luro glanced over at her then back at Shay. Walking past Zilia he walked forward and leaning forward poked his head into the Fracture causing Zilia to jump a bit, a moment later Luro pulled his head out then looked over at Zilia, he grinned at her before following after Shay.
"...the hell did he see…also did he really stick his head in with no hesitation," Emil said.

Emil followed after Shay and Zilia eyed the portal before sighing and walking over herself, sticking her own head in she pulled it back out a moment later, adjusting her glasses she calmly wrote something in her notebook before closing it and walking on.

Fracture: Beginnings

A pair of footsteps echoed in the large wood, two figures in robed cloaks ran through the dark wood, keeping close to each other, always within eyesight. One of them was hiding something within their cloak protecting it to the best of their ability, the other figure pointed ahead causing their companion to nod and they picked up their pace.
Vilimar turned a page in one of her books, her eyes narrowing slightly as the rain pattered against her window. It was a tad annoying that a storm had come at this point, she had wanted to gather herbs but this rain came out of nowhere. She decided to use the time to catch up on her reading, at least that was the plan before something drew her attention. Her eyes raised from her book as a knock came at her door, the woman blew a puff a smoke to the side and clicked her tongue as she stood up putting out her cigarette in the process. She didn't sense any hostility but no sane person would approach her door in this weather, much less at all. Armamanet flowed up her arm as she was more concerned about how she didn't sense the approach of 'two' people.
She threw open the door prepared to punch first and ask questions later but stopped as she noticed a basket on her doorstep, she blinked before looking up picking up the traces of the people, her eyes twitched slightly as she finally recognized them.
Two people she truly didn't want to see again.

Kneeling down she picked up the basket and removed the blanket, even before she had she knew what lay under it, but seeing it with her eyes confirmed her suspicions. Her eyes narrowed as a baby girl stared back at her. A note was tucked into the basket which she took and read first.
"Assholes..." she mumbled looking back up into the forest. "This is how you want me to repay your debt huh..."
She looked down at the child, stared into eyes she had seen before, and watched as the child reached up towards her, a smile on her face. Vilimar took the baby's hand into her own.
"...guess you're stuck with me then. How unfortunate for you kid."
She said before entering the house.

If she could appreciate one thing about her crew it was that the majority of them were better at retaining the details than she was. Sure she was a captain, but the devil was in the details and she had seen him plenty to know that the bigger picture was more important. So when Emil was yet again exasperated by Luro, she gave him a pat on the shoulder and laughed. "I think you should take a page from his book and stop asking so many questions -- about what he does at least. It'll drive you mad faster than this place will. But, if you wanna swear your allegiance to the Stardusk so I can rub it in Nikos' face then by all means, I'll let you in on all the Luro secrets." She hummed in mischief, only to raise a curious brow when Zilia followed suit. To it, she looked over at Luro. "Stop being a bad influence, we only have one doctor." Though, she couldn't say she wasn't curious, but Shay was already walking off and splitting the group up was probably a bad idea. "Say, Moss," She looked at the booths in passing. "How much interaction can we have with this place without causing a scene? Other than being found out by the Robes and the odd one out, if we mess with some of these," She gestured towards a booth of different baked goods. "Will that cause ruin and despair?"

"...Valid point. I should know him enough by now to just let some things go. It's habit at this point though," Emil mumbled. "Also I'll have to politely refuse. Until I beat Nikos in a formal fight I can't leave the Prophets…also Kara would hunt me down."
He shivered a bit at the thought before following the others, he glanced at a few of the stalls at Runali's question curious about this himself.
"No that should be-"

Shay cut themselves off as a loud crunch came from nearby, he turned to see Luro munching on a piece of fruit clearly taken from the stand, noticing Shay looking at him he turned to gaze at him. The two stared at each other before he held the fruit toward Shay, the servant raised their hands silently refusing it, which caused Luro to continue eating his snack.
"...eating is fine. While this world is…different it's still a 'reality', people eat, sleep and die just like in your world. Something like this wouldn't draw the Shepards eye. Even a few deaths wouldn't draw their attention…however."
"If we level the town or mess with the main actors of this weird 'play' the Shepard will find us," Emil said adjusting his hat. "We're a supporting cast, so mundane things won't draw attention."
"Correct, a wonderful analogy Sir Emil," Shay said nodding.
"Well I am me after all," Emil said grinning and giving a small shrug.
"By all means though."
Shay motioned to the numerous stalls at this and smiled.
"If something interests you then feel free, I sense Dr. Vilimar she's not too far and is standing still. You can peruse as we walk, whatever funds you have should still be on your person."
"Jack! This meat is really good! Can you make some later," Luro said holding up on of the skewers. "Better than this guy's especially!"
Ignoring the glare Luro was getting which was being directed at the rest of them as well, Emil spoke up.
"...we're really not going to draw her attention right? I know at least three of us are used to being followed, if she's used to it as well Runali's comment bears a bit more weight. We're also a group here…way more noticeable."
"M-my power should hide us and we're in a crowd as well. It should be fine."
Emil sighed at this before walking over to a stand and grabbing what looked like puffs on a skewer, paying the person, which he was happy really could be done with the money he had on hand, he took a bite of it. After swallowing he waited a moment before patting his body, giving a nod content he was still breathing he grabbed a second piece before holding it out towards Hanako.
"Here. Best to keep your strength up by eating something, it's safe and doesn't taste terrible. It's like eating a sweet cloud."

Shay pointed ahead and continued forward, Dr. Vilimar wasn't terribly far from their position the woman seemed to be standing at a stand with multiple books. Zilia watched the scene in silence while Luro was eyeing pistols for sell at one of the stalls.
"...what is Mentor-"
"Mommy!"
Zilia flinched a bit as a voice called out from the crowd, a child ran towards Vilimar with another woman chasing after her. The voice though it was in front of them, seemed to come from all around them, different from the other voices around them.
The smoking doctor turned only to have a little girl cling to her leg, the woman stared down at her eyebrows lowering slightly, before glancing up at the woman.
Luro turned in time to see the interaction and tilting his head pointed at the kid.
"Hey that kid looks like-"
"Zilia," Dr. Vilimar said narrowing her eyes at her. "...you were supposed to stay near your babysitter. Also I'm not your mom."
"I found you Mommy!"
"...I've been gone five minutes and again, not your mother," the woman said putting out her cigarette. "Also don't cling to me."

The young child did resemble the doctor but was significantly smaller, she had a round face, and her amber eyes were full of hope and affection. Her silverish hair hung to the middle of her back and she wore a long white sleeveless dress, with brown boots.
Vilimar looked up at Zilia's 'babysitter' and the woman flinched before looking away, the doctor clicked her tongue and made a motion with her head, which caused the other woman to promptly walk away head lowered.
"I'm so happy I found you Mommy, what are you doing?"
Dr. Vilimar held up a finger and was handed a small notebook, making a shooing motion with her hand the child took a step away and she handed the notebook to her.
"You need to practice your writing, keep this with you, and write in it. Also not your mom."
The child held the notebook with both hands, before her eyes suddenly lit up looking back up at the raven-haired woman.
"Is this a gift?!"
"No it's a teaching tool. You need to-"
"Yay! Mommy's the best! I love you!"
Luro looked over at Zilia who was covering her face with her hand, red tinting the Stardusk doctor's cheeks and her body trembled as she bit her lip, she was gripping her outfit with her other hand clearly trying to maintain what little composure she had.
"...Lil Z really likes the smoking lady."
"Can we move on please," Zilia said lowering her hand. "No one needs to see this. Shay what do we do next? Please tell me it's to move as far away from here as possible."
"I-I'm sorry but we need to stay nearby and look for the Discrepancy…"
"...I'd really appreciate it if everyone would forget this moment then," Zilia said. "I wasn't that clingy…so this has to be a Possibility….please be a Possibility."

Shay had only been through half of their explanation before two muffins 'appeared' in Runali's hand. One she happily ate while the other she had planned to pass to Zilia, only to pause upon seeing the kid. "Baby Z??" She could clearly see Zilia's embarrassment and grinned. "Aw, little you cute though!" As a peace offering, she handed Zilia the muffin. "What kid isn't clingy with their parents? Psh, you shoulda seen me with my dad, I was always trailing behind him." She gestured towards the doctor and little Zilia. "And this is your memory, or life, or however Moss was explaining it, you'd know better than any of us what's outta place here." Somehow she ended up with a drink in her hand. "If it makes you feel better, Jack and Cedric have at least ten moms fawning over them constantly so if we end up in their memories you can tease them as trade."

Zilia silently took the muffin, seeming to calm down a bit, with a sigh she took a bite watching the scene, though her gaze did glance over at Jack and Cedric.
"...that would be interesting to watch…" she mumbled.
Emil looked back at the scene to see Lil Z holding her arms out as far she could.
"I love Mommy thissss much!"
Zilia pulled her hood up over her head and let out a low groan as she covered her face with both hands, Vilimar unphased by the child's declarations pointed down at her notebook.
"...that's not a real measurement," Dr. Vilimar said. "Also not your mom. Now write your name in it. I taught you that much."
"Kay!"
Lil Z took out a pen and opening the first page of the book wrote in it, seeing this she pushed her glasses up.
"...well this is definitely a Memory and not a Possibility," she said. "...can't deny that anymore."
"What makes ya say that Z," Luro said.
"...Mentor should write her last name in that notebook."
Luro looked back over at the two only to see Lil Z had stopped writing, causing Dr. Vilimar to look down at her.
"...what is it?"
"How do you spell your last name?"
"Why the hell do you need to know?"
"Cause you're my mommy."
The woman's eyes twitched but she spelled her name aloud for the child after reminding her once again she wasn't her mother.
"She's really pressing that 'not mom' bit isn't she," Emil said crossing his arms.
"She took me in when my parents left me, by blood she isn't my family…though a child of course wouldn't understand that," Zilia said this as she pulled her hood down watching her younger self hold up the notebook. "That's just how she was."
"There! Vilimari just like you said!" Lil Z said pointing at her writing.
"...it's Vilimar," the woman said before taking the notebook and writing it in herself. "Spelled like that."
Handing it back to her Lil Z nodded staring at the name, bringing the book closer to her face.
"Actually you know my name you can just call me that and-"
"No Mommy is Mommy."
"...I'm not your mom and again you can just call me Vilimar and-"
"No! Mommy is Mommy! If I don't call you Mommy you'll be sad."
"I assure you I'll be fine."
"No! You'll be sad. I don't want you to be sad."
"...let's just go," Vilimar said as Lil Z followed her.

Zilia watched the two walk further into the crowd stopping at a few of the stalls as they moved forward, keeping them in sight was a bit easier since Lil Z kept stopping at almost ever stall.
"...well she's full of energy," Emil said resting a hand on his hip and looking over at Zilia. "...what happened to you?"
"You say something Emil," Zilia said adjusting her glasses.
Emil's eyes twitched a bit and he cleared his throat and looked away.
"...Lady Zilia you're positive this is a memory?"
Zilia gave a small nod and digging in her sleeve pulled out an old battered notebook, closer inspection would show it more than likely only survived this long due to the meticulous care of the owner. Zilia opened the first page showing handwriting inside the cover, on it was 'Zilia' written in a clear child's handwriting, and 'Vilimar' scrawled next to it in a rough fashion.
"Well that makes it easier then…a memory doesn't have too many wild cards after all…but you were very young it seems."
"That's true I barely remember this…I don't remember being…completely like that."
"I LOVE MOMMY SOOOO MUCH!"
"Why is she yelling?" Zilia questioned, gripping the side of her head. "...this is unpleasant, let's hurry up and find this Discrepancy…but I barely remember-"
"Go AwAY. LeaVe mE aLOne."

A new voice echoed in the area, somewhat distorted filling the ears of the crew from all directions, in the same moment hostility washed over them like a wave. Zilia felt her hair stand on end as a clearly upset creature had laid their eyes on them. Shay shivered slightly but grabbing their wrist managed to stop their shaking, an invisible pressure pushed against them almost trying to push them away from the area, it wasn't enough to move them but it was clearly trying.
"...Shay is this," Zilia said.
"It's the Discrepancy…but I still can't sense them…why? This doesn't make sense," Shay said looking around. "It's…far stronger than it should be. This temple is small and it's barely been up…this makes no sense. I feel as if it's all around us…this normally only happens in larger temples…and even they don't always have this much hatred."
"I'd get used to it."
Shay looked over at Emil who had drawn his weapon tapping it against his shoulder.
"Things are never simple with Stardusk. It's your first time so I won't make fun of you for it…but somehow when they get involved things get way more complicated than they should be."
"I saId tO lEAve!"
"Don't wanna," Luro said putting his hands on his hips.
"Please don't goad it…" Shay said lowering their head

Almost as if in response to the redhead's defiance an invisible forced slammed into the crew, far stronger than before, Zilia raised her arms as the buildings and road around them were blown away, wood and stone flying past the crew. The town and all within it seemed to vanish in that moment, and a small red orb appeared in front of the group as the 'weight' vanished around them.
Zilia slowly lowered her hands and Emil straightned his body, he glanced back at Hanako his eyes twitching not realizing when he moved in front of her before taking a step to the side.
Earth was covering Luro's boots and had solidified, the rock fell back into the earth having kept the carpenter on his feet , his gaze moving over to the orb.
"What's that?" Luro asked pointing at it.
Shay was fixing their outfit which was now covered in mud and brushed a bit of dirt out of their hair.
"I don't know but it's emitting an immense amount of energy…for some reason, it's not doing anything…else…oh."
"What?" Zilia questioned.
"Imperfections."
Zilia felt her heart sink into her stomach and started looking around for the familiar voice, searching for the Shepard, the creature appeared near the orb however and grabbing it crushed it in its hand.
"It freaking snitched on us! Seriously!" Emil exclaimed throwing his arms up.
"Imposters? No…not sure yet. Must check."
The creature waved it's hand and the wood around them was blown away, the trees vanishing by the Shepard's will, the group was left in a tree less forest before a loud rumble approached from the distance.

Turning a strange sight found them, three brig ships were approaching the group, gliding along the forest floor as if it was water in their direction. The cannons on the side of the ship focused on them before firing at them, the ground exploding nearby as a barrage of shots filled the area around them.
"Whoa! Guys look at that! The ships are sailing on land! How do they do that! Wait maybe they-"
"Luro this is not the time!" Emil said. "I mean yeah I'm curious too but kill first, inspect ships after!"
"Is that really what you should be focusing on," Zilia said looking at the two.
"I-I'm picking up 36 signatures of people," Shay said. "S-sorry I still can't help you past that."

"You gotta admit, it's not every day you get to see a ship sail on land." Runali ducked out of the way of most of the debris, leaving her with some dirt and mud on her that she didn't seem to mind. She looked at the rest of her crew. "Alright everyone, Ship Team and Shepherd Team. Keep the Shepherd busy enough to not send more ships this way!"

"Dibs on the right one!" Luro said running towards the right most ship.

 

[Capt. Blu]

​

Runali had more than enough faith in her crew to deal with the Shepherd and all of their tricks, so she turned to Shay with a bounce in her step and the muted excitement of someone about to get into trouble. "I trust you can handle yourself, yeah?" As the others began to branch off in different directions, Runali assessed the sudden battlefield with a captainly gaze. She watched her crew mapping out each of their abilities, planning out their attacks, and assessing the damage that it would cause. There were several possibilities and hundreds of ways things could go, but as the captain she always had to make sure there was a plan for all of them. In this case, that included making sure Shay was safe. "Alright Mossu, you may not be able to help, but I don't need you in the way and getting hurt. Would be bad for us, and you, and probably the rest of this debatably fun trip." Without missing a beat, she sidestepped the both of them out of a cannon's line of fire as if she was leading a dance. "Consider yourself an honorary Stardusk for the time being since you're the only helpful creature in this undead world and we don't want you to die!"

She politely shoved Shay next to Hanako, out of the way of the next cannon blast. Before it could hit the ground, she imagined the gloves around her hand and envisioned the tunnels of air she could create with them. To her surprise and intrigue, it felt like nature itself bent to her will even more so without the gloves to aid her. A second and third cannon fired and she yelled over to Adelaide. "A little help on the redirection!" The wind was never her strongest element as limber as she was, but she still managed to funnel the cannons, two into the middle ship and one into the Shepherd and the signatures Shay had pointed out earlier. "Heads up!" She called out to her crew when the third cannon was headed in their direction, but she didn't stay to watch the aftermath, with the middle ship being her main focus. Runali took a running start, a metaphorical fire under her feet as her right hand frosted over in ice. She could feel the resistance, something indicating that while the power she wielded was similar, it wasn't quite her own. There was a limit somewhere, but the only way she'd figure out where was through using it until she couldn't, or using it until the limit was broken.

Runali slammed her hands against the ground as the middle ship continued to sail forward, only for pillars of rock and ice to emerge from below. The ice pillars pierced the sides of the ship while the ones made of rock slammed into it and caused it to lean dangerously into the leftmost ship. It continued to move forward, but with a well timed icy rock throw, the cannon was nudged and ended up shooting into the ship on the left. "I can definitely see the appeal here of having all those cool tricks and powers. It is kind of fun."

Whatever was left of the patches of ice melted away as a heatwave in bird form soared above their heads. Had there still been trees, they would have burned away in seconds as Coral flew past. But the only thing that took damage, that melted under the intensity of volcanic temperatures, were the two ships that Runali had turned her attention to. The metal of the ships melted and the wood began to catch fire and spread, forcing both ships to stop before they could barrel through her crew. "Aha! Thank you, thank you. A lovely performance by yours truly, Coral Pearl herself." She bowed to the invisible crowd, an indication she had spent a little too much time with the Court captains on her 'off days'.

 

[Mizos]

Hanako!
Cedric!​

Emil's eyes twitched at the sheer amount of things happening around him, it felt like he was being pulled in several different directions, he was pretty sure if there were three of them they'd have trouble balancing everything going on, even with how amazing he was. His gaze moved over to Hanako for a moment before looked forward again. Taking a deep breath and grabbing the tip of his hat he pulled it down slightly and closed his eyes. The situation didn't matter, he was a Prophet at the end of the day, and if he could survive Nikos' training he could survive this, he just needed to address the situation.

Ignoring the earth being blown up around him as the ships continued to fire he focused his thoughts, panic was the enemy. He was Emil and this was nothing compared to his greatness, simple as that. The Shepard was behind them, a god who controlled a good chunk of this world but their attention was focused on them, they were in fact just standing a few feet away staring silently. The reason for their apathy was probably because of the test being pushed on them, namely the three ships approaching their position, a necessity trial to determine whether they were 'real' or not in this world.

According to Shay there were 36 people on the ship which meant twelve people each manning the ships, and the vessels were very real considering the craters in the earth from their cannonfire, so his earlier theory was useless. The most efficient option was simple when he stopped to think about it. Opening his eyes he pulled his hat back up and looked at the two nearest to him.

"Hanako…Cedric. You guys wanna take out the middle ship since Luro's attacking the right one. The Shepherd's leaving us alone so I say we deal with their toys before turning our attention to them. I for one don't like getting shot at while fighting anyway."

Emil drew the gunsword from his waist and rested it on his shoulder. "If you want of course, I at least am going to deal with those ships…"

Emil cut himself off and turning his body raised his blade cutting an approaching cannonball in half as it approached causing the two halves to slam into the earth past him. "While they're less of a threat. What about you two?" He looked back at them as he twisted the handle of his rifle, a bullet loading into it.

Cedric inclined his head in acknowledgement. He summoned his bow and started playing. A soft, lively tune slipped between the roar of the cannon. Uninterrupted light turned into flaking scales that shimmered and distorted the colours around them. The effect dimmed gradually until only the truly observant would notice the odd flickering in their vision. Part of the spell made itself known - cloaking the 36 enemies in white. Their movements, their location on board and below, visible to everyone whether they had observation haki or not. His purple eyes searched for Luro which telegraphed his intention to aid the gunner. The tune grew louder and darker the longer he played.

"A no … " Hanako's hand shrank around Moss's. Her mind failed to keep up with the de-volving situation, weighed down by the questions that danced in her head, both in Feian and Common. She stood there, like a lost child, before Emil broke through the fog. She turned to stare at light falling from his hair and she found her anchor. She exhaled, reaching for her sword hilt, and pausing for a wavering second. "Shay-ta, please stay by Cedric-hyeo's side. I'm going to help Emil." She smiled brightly, a warmth that disappeared in a flickering haze.

She was a blur of blue zipping towards the middle ship. She bent her knees and leaped into the air. She sliced horizontally to redirect the incoming cannonballs. The metal kissed the edge of her blade and flew to the side. She pursed her lips, vowing to attack with more strength next time, to avoid hurting the others accidentally. Redemption came with a roaring boom. Her arms burned as she swung down and out with all the force her thin arms could muster. She was knocked away by the blast. Her hair flying loose around her eyes as she dropped into a crouch.

Hana felt her breath coming in spurts. She doubted she could continue intercepting forever. Bits of a plan pricked her mind. Something about destroying the cannons, she remembered afterwards, and she plunged the tip of her sword deep into the ground. This dark soil was bound to have water underneath, water which she could use to her advantage, she assured herself.

Her plans nudged along by Runali's charge. She didn't wait for the wreckage to cool before striking. Hanako pushed her blade further into the soil and channeled more of her into the waters below. They rumbled sleepily at first, then roared awake like an angry God, and punched the Shepherds skyward into the mercy of Adelaide's winds and Alicia's blade. Hana wicked the sweat out of her eyes. There was one ship left! Hana's foot dragged backwards to kick off when she heard him.

'Shield your eyes,' Cedric warned the crew telepathically.

Hanako staggered to attention, utterly confused by how she could hear him so clearly when he was not within shouting distance. She searched for Emil, Amaiya, or Runali - anyone for reassurance or clarification. Anything -

She yelped and sidestepped continuously as beams of white, yellow and blue shot past her. Hundreds and hundreds of beams racing forward, twisting into sound, leaving the rest of the world in shadows that writhe and melt. Tears sprang to her eyes as the brilliant lines crossed and collided. The movement was relentless, angry and growing out of control; the beams burned every person on deck creating enough of an opening for the crew to descend upon them.

Hana freed her sword and spun back to stare as Cedric lowered his violin. The man's shoulders hunched forward and his head inclined in Shay's direction. Sid jabbed the violin bow vaguely in the direction of the wreckage, and the two made their way towards the rest of the Stardusk. Looking past them, Hana could see Runali-seo'tai, her sister, Jack-tai'cho and his wife. Her curiosity remained tacked to Cedric's retreating form. She thought he was a weak and sickly man from the moment they met. Someone useless on the battlefield, or so she assumed. Now she couldn't shake the feeling that he could have done much more. He held back for some reason and that bothered her enough to send her running towards Emil.

"Emil, what do you know about Cedric-hyeo? Amaiya-amue told me I'd understand him and his powers eventually. I - I don't think I can. I've never heard of a devil fruit quite like his before. What is it really?" She fidgeted. "I could ask Jack-tai'cho, but I don't think he'd want to talk about his brother today. They were barely acknowledging each other this morning. I mean - well, I think you're the best person to ask. You know so much!"

Emil returned the nod to Cedric and looked at his hand remembering Shay's words, he took a moment to mimic the feeling he knew all too well, to let the familiar sensation run through him and while he didn't expect anything out of it, to his own surprise a red mist suddenly surrounded his hand. His eyes twitched a bit before he remembered that Luro's gloves also worked in this place, despite being technology like his.
"Weird but okay…" he mumbled before his gaze raised to the destruction now happening in front of him.
He noticed Luro had given Cedric a nod before turning his attention back to the ship, the Prophet let the mist flow into his blade before he raised it and aimed it at the ship Luro was approaching. The middle was his original intention but he already noticed Runali was handling that just fine.

A few shots rang out and raising his other hand he snapped his fingers, explosions soon followed blowing apart a few shots aimed at the redhead and giving him a bit of fog to approach without worry. He rested his gun back on his shoulder knowing Luro could handle the rest alongside whatever Cedric was planning, he knew better than to be in the 'path' of the redhead while he was having fun.
His shots didn't land exactly right, much less the mists effects but that probably played a part in the power not being 'exact'.

His gaze immediately went to Hanako to check on her well being causing him to catch her own display, and for a brief moment he actually forgot he was on the battlefield, he could only watch mouth slightly agape as the swordswoman blade moved through the air to intercept the approaching threats, stare as the wind caught her undone hair before water rose in response to her call. He found a grin cross his features and his grip tightened on his weapon.
"Well I can't go being outdone no-"
Emil cut himself off at the sudden voice entering his skull, the shock caused him to almost miss the display that followed, one that reminded him once again whose presence he was in, this was Stardusk at the end of the day, not the crew to do things by halves. Thus with a heavy sigh he returned his blade to its home, just in time to catch Hanako's approach.

At her question his brows arched slightly and his gaze moved over to Cedric for a moment, he moved a hand to his hip understanding not being able to approach Jack about this. Though at her final comment towards his intelligence the blonde grinned and pushed his hat up slightly, a wide grin resting on his face.
"Well I mean I can't deny that, I can definitely answer that question with my knowledge."
A small chuckle escaped from him before he cleared his throat and took a moment to regain a bit of his composure, crossing his arms he looked over at Cedric.
"Out of respect for his privacy I won't share everything…but the Ravens did research into him like all other Stardusk."
Emil's eyes narrowed slightly.
"His power isn't connected to Devil Fruits, it's something else entirely. It's hard to put into words 'what' exactly it is, but…it's akin to something like the Power of Destruction, not born of the fruits but powerful all the same, though I believe Cedric's is…a bit more complicated. Let's leave it at that for now and catch up to the others."

 

[Winter]

​

Alicia rubbed her temples with her fingers with eyes closed as she tried to wrap her head around all of this. It was getting more confusing by the minute and it was starting to get difficult for her to keep up. That being said she felt she understood the main points or at least enough to watch out for the potential dangers involved. In addition she also came to realize that using her ascendant abilities would be a poor decision considering the destructive potential and the amount of energy involved latent in their surroundings. The moment she'd ascend herself she'd become a beacon for these Shepards, so it'd be far safer to take a more conservative route regarding her combat choices.

Upon seeing the small little Zilia and how she acted around her former mentor, she couldn't help but melt a little even going as far to let out a small "Aww." at the sight, choosing to ignore the discomfort it would likely bring to the poor doctor burying her face in her hands. Her smile soon faded a little as she realized there was every possibility of suffering the same fate within a memory of her own, or perhaps something even worse. For the crew to witness her childhood years was fine, it wasn't a part of her life she'd find herself embarrassed by. The problem would come in seeing those memories for herself, those she had lost and would eventually come to lose. That would be a pain she didn't know if she could handle.

Before she could contemplate the thoughts further it seemed they would be greeted by yet another of these guardians, her hand instinctively moving to the hilt of her sword as she took a stance. As the roar of the cannons quaked her black blade cut the air within a second, cutting through the ones which drew close while others were parried and deflected back towards the ships. She took a moment to look for Hanako, feeling thankful that those blue locks made pinpointing her easier among the chaos. She felt a need to support her, to make sure she didn't suffer from a costly mistake. But she didn't, she had to trust her youngest sister would be ok, besides she'd noticed Emil appeared to be keeping a good enough eye on her lately.

She still wasn't entirely thrilled about that but there still hadn't been time nor appropriate moment to bring it up and speak of it. Seeing that the others were handling the ships, Alicia turned her attention towards the Shepard and began making her move. The roar of water was heard behind her and the corner of her mouth lifted a little in response. The water column blowing the Shepard into the air was Alicia's opportunity to capitalize on the situation, thus did she leap into the air before expelling a tremendous amount of power behind her to increase her speed and direction. Like a projectile she sliced through the air to land her foot against the creatures side, aiming to send the guardian flying away in the opposite direction. Hopefully they would have ample time to make themselves scarce if they could make some distance, or at the very least consider withdrawing if this wasn't something they could win against in a straight up fight.

 

[SilentxChaos]

​

Why? That singular question ricocheted in Jack's mind during their expedition into the Realms. Why did these worlds of memory and future exist; why were they centered around Stardusk; why did Imposter need so much energy from the Core Discrepancies? The latter unsettled Jack more than anything.

For all his confusion--which, to his selfish relief, was mirrored on his crew's faces-- he didn't bother to voice them. Not yet. Rolling with the punches.

In both of the Sovereign's "trials", Jack slipped easily into a support role, covering the weaknesses in their defenses and keeping wayward enemies off his family's back. Armament flared, fire roiled, lightning whipped. It was all... effortless.

Which means the third battle won't be... Jack thought as he purged the straggling "pirates" that managed to escape Luro's attack on one of the land-sailing ships. They died silently in a torrent of gold-white flames. No matter where he was, he kept the Shepherd in the corner of his eye.

How does fighting the Shepherd prove that we belong in its world? Nothing made sense. Stop asking questions.

Gods, was he terrible at that.

When finally there was a pause, Jack found Cedric. He blinked the remaining spots from Cedric's attack from his eyes before giving his brother a hesitant smile. "That spell was new. You're getting more powerful every time we fight. I'm proud of how far you've come."

*******


​

Jack's serious thinking face was clamped on tight, his jaw tensing until Adelaide expected fumes to erupt out of his ears any second. How frustrated he was to be in a world he couldn't control or understand. How entertaining it was to watch, This would amuse her for months to come.

Not that Adelaide held none of her own... reservations. The glance they shared when they stumbled into Zilia's memory said it all: What possible versions of their lives would Stardusk be forced to live? Jack, she knew, prayed it was not his and Cedric's time in Trovale. More trauma there than water in a flooding dam.

As for herself... her lips curled away from her teeth, making her look feral. She caught Luro noticing as he gave her a skewer of meat. She ripped into it and he didn't need to ask.

As for herself, well, it didn't matter to her. The entertainment would be in Stardusk's reactions.

Adelaide didn't want to steal Runali's fun with the cannoballs, but "redirecting" them soon became "slicing them into pieces and occasionally flinging shrapnel at Luro, just to keep him on his toes". She near-missed Jack with one-half of a cannonball, to which the battlefield filled with his string of curses. Followed immediately by Adelaide's laughter, everywhere.

When the cannonballs stopped, she stayed another moment afloat to listen to the conversations, listen for the Shepherd so she may capture his presence next time, and to mess up Moss's clothing.

Adelaide settled next to Emil and Hanako. "You forgot about me." She tipped her empty smile at the younger Tashigi and narrowed her eyes ever so slightly. "Surely you've heard of the Trovalian Summoners, now that Trovale is officially a part of the World Government? They're the only people left who wield magic."

She paused dramatically, then shrugged. "Or something to that affect. Cedric is one and his limits are unfounded. Who knows, he may blow up the whole crew one day. By accident, of course. He already almost did once, when he summoned a demon in Tuleveste. It's how Jack's eyes got burned." Leaning over, she evaded Hanako's personal space, getting uncomfortably close to her face. "Trovale kept their Summoners hidden for centuries, hoarding their piece of magic through stones called aehteriums. Which in turn manifest their familiars and empower their abilities. Very rare. Very dangerous. Digging your nose too far into their world could be... misfortunate."

Adelaide tucked a strand of Hanako's hair behind her ear, fingertips trailing down along her jaw, before the older woman finally stepped away. She smirked at Emil. She likely pushed his buttons hard enough. "Should you let curiosity get the better of you, come find. I guarantee I know more than your boyfriend here."

With a wave of her fingers, Adelaide twisted into wind again, and--for the time being-- remained aloof in the sky.

 

[Mizos]

​

Shay could only provide a nod as they watched all that transpired in the last few moments, their safety was secondary to Stardusk but they could survive if the worst happened. At Runali's words however the servant's eyes widened at the very idea.
"H-honorary…R-Right! T-thank you very much for the honor!" Shay said with probably too deep a bow once Runali was gone.
They looked over at Hanako and looking over at Cedric moved over to him at her request, their eyes went to Shepherd once just to make sure they weren't going to interfere, and as usual they were watching in silence. While Shay wanted to move them away they ended up focusing back on the battle at hand, their eyes moving from Stardusk to Stardusk. They had heard stories and seen snippets of memories but it paled in comparison to watching it all firsthand.
"Wow…"
The words escaped from them at the display, there were so many stories of Stardusk and their exploits, of the feats they accomplished in the world above and watching all of this, it was hard not to believe them in their entirety. Shay managed to pull themselves out of their captivation to focus back on the task at hand once the ships were taken care of.

Emil's gaze moved over to Adelaide at her sudden entrance, he purposefully didn't mention her but if she was going to share of her own volition he wasn't going to complain.
"Or we can just speak his business that also works," Emil said as Adelaide filled in the blanks for Hanako. "Well you are 'close' to him, by all means explain the whole thing."
His eyes twitched a bit however at how close Adelaide got to Hanako, he did his utmost to keep it hidden however, though his eyes narrowed at a very specific comment. He wasn't sure what to be more upset about, the fact she had misread their relationship…or that she implied she knew more than he did. This moment of contemplation caused him to fall silent as the others gathered. He didn't want to cause trouble for Hanako by allowing rumors to spread but she also insulted his honor by questioning his intelligence, his eyes twitched at this internal battle.

Once everyone had rejoined Shay watched as the ships faded away, dissipating as if they had never been there.
"...you fight differently…" Shay said bringing a hand to their chin. "...well the ships are taken care of so we can-"
Shay turned as they spoke only to see the Shepherd was in the distance motionless.
The color immediately drained out of the Servants face noticing that the Shepherd was in fact dead, their head was lodged in the dirt and their feet pointed up as their arms were essentially glued to their sides, they looked like a white stake that had tilted slightly from a distance. Luro laughed at the sight and Emil's eyes twitched not sure whether to feel bad or confused at the creature's strange death.
Whether it was Runali's 'redirection', Hanako's geyser or Alicia's 'shove' away from the situation but the Shepherd was in fact not longer alive.
"...the Shepherd is dead…" Shay said.
"That's good right," Luro said folding his hands behind his head.

Shay immediately held their hands out, a glow surrounded the group and the world shifted around them, the forest vanished and the group found themselves instead on a long dirt road. Small hills rested alongside them and fields of flowers filled the area on both sides, stretching out far in the distance of the twin embankments.
"Where are we know? Shay why did you-"
Emil started to question their guide only to see they were kneeling down with both hands on their head. He was actually worried they'd end up in the fetal position if this kept up.
"Shay?"
"...we killed the Shepherd."
"That's one less problem right," Emil said crossing his arms. "They were trying to kill us."
"...I wish I had time to properly explain the whole thing…" Shay said raising their body. "I apologize for not explaining properly before in our limited time. I take fault for this."
Shay gave a small bow at this.
"To keep this short. The Shepherd as mentioned before is a god…and they can't 'die' so long as this world remains standing. So they're going to come back to life soon…which is bad for us. I mean attacking them was bad…but killing them is…"
Emil stared at Shay before his eyes twitched as if the Servant's words clicked.
"Ah I got it. We were supposed to play hide and seek…and we…well punched the seeker in the face so hiding is no longer an option."
"That is correct. The Shepherd knows we are Discrepancies and will kill you soon, hiding is impossible now…" Shay trailed off folding their hands together. "Ah b-but it is impressive you killed one. Shepherds vary in strength but they're still pretty strong."

Emil wanted to comment that was hard to believe considering what they saw but decided not to comment on it.
"That thing attacked us twice though," Luro said. "It's not fair we can't fight it."
"I-I understand but the Shepherd wasn't 'violent' towards us, it was just watching us. If we hadn't touched them…they probably would have left…maybe."
"I mean you are right it was just standing there but I'm with Luro on this, it started a fight with us twice. Also how did that thing die…I don't think any of us hit it that hard, save Runali. Alicia basically kicked it right, can you die from a…actually scratch that it's very possible," Emil said rubbing the back of his neck. "...did Alicia's kick...never mind."
"I'm sorry but we should go right now, your lives are in serious danger. I'm removing us from this Realm…we'll have to mark this venture a failure. His Highness is goin to be-"
"Hold on Shay."

Zilia's voice entered the conversation and she turned her gaze to the road, on it was Lil Z and Dr. Vilimar making their way down the road. Since the crew was in the middle of the road they were actually in the two's path, Shay was about to mention they move when Zilia held a hand up keeping her eye on the two.
"Mommy…are you going to die?"
Dr. Vilimar looked over at Lil Z who was walking next to her, the child's gaze was focused on the dirt road and all the energy she had before seemed non-existent now. Vilimar put her hand on Lil Z's back and motioned towards the field of flowers.
"I know this...it's shortly before my Mother became my mentor...shortly before I became her student."
"You mean Mommy rig-" Luro started to say before Zilia's spoke up again.
"A few moments before my Mother became my Mentor...didn't think I'd relive this."

Zilia watched the two enter the flowers before Vilimar took a seat, her younger self sitting in front of her.
"Do what I do," Vilimar said as she reached into the flowers. "If you see one with a long stem, grab it."
The two seemed to mess with the flowers around them for a moment with Lil Z looking up at Vilimar then down at her hands multiple times.
"What's going on Z," Luro said looking over at Zilia.
The doctor however didn't respond, she just watched the scene in silence causing him to look back at it himself.
After a few moments Vilimar was holding a very well-made crown of flowers and Lil Z was also holding one, though it was a bit misshapen and could hardly be called a crown.
"Wow…" Lil Z said looking at Vilimar's crown. "That's so pretty Mommy…how did you do that?"
"...my mother taught me, though I haven't made one in decades," Dr. Vilimar said. "Surprised I'm still this good at it, mine used to look like yours."
Looking at the crown she set it on top of Lil Z's head.
"You're going to learn all kinds of things Zilia, on your own and from others. You're going to meet plenty of people in your life, some you'll like and some you'll hate but you'll walk away from each one with an experience, maybe a lesson and each one will make you a better person."
Vilimar adjusted the crown slightly before taking Zilia's and placing it on top of her own head.
"I'm gonna teach you as much as I can so when those times come you'll be ready, you're a Vilimar after all. So I can't go dying anytime soon."
"Shay."
Shay looked over at Zilia as she spoke to him.
"To retrieve the core do we 'have' to kill the Main Discrepancy?"
"Well…no we don't, so long as they give it up willingly but the Core Discrepancy may not be willing to conversate, giving up the Core would be equivalent to 'non-existence' or death in your terms, so most will fight to the-"
Zilia held her hand up energy gathering around it as she pointed it at the two in the field.
"I know you can hear me, you might want to block this."
Zilia fired a red sphere at the two in the field and Shay's eyes widened as an explosion of red followed, dirt and flowers blown up as the energy exploded outward.
"Zilia!" Emil exclaimed looking over at the doctor.
"...I'm tired of this world…it's embarrassing and I want to leave so I'm ending this," The doctor said. "Isn't that right me?'

A blue dome exploded outwards from the field, passing over the crew and coating the entire area in an azure hue. Everything around them seemed to freeze in place, the falling flowers, the birds flying in the air above them, everything but their own bodies seemed stuck by the strange new force. A pair of footsteps approached them, and Lil Z stepped out of the smoke, her eyes resting on the crew. Dr. Vilimar seemed stuck mid-conversation in the distance which confirmed Zilia's suspicions.
"...she can see us," Shay said.
"...I figured," Zilia said crossing her arms. "Why are you taking my form?"
The Core Discrepancy walked forward without responding, as she did her form grew as she got closer until she looked exactly like the current doctor, Emil wasn't sure how to feel watching Zilia 'grow up' in front of him and just stayed quiet.
"Never mind that's not important right now," Zilia said holding her hand out.
When she did a blue glow surrounded her hand before a pair of glasses appeared in them, she held them out to the Core Discreancy who took them and placed them on her face.
The two stared at each other in silence for a short moment, the Core Discreancy's eyes glowed for a moment which caused Zilia's to glow, the Doctor's eyebrows arched for a moment before her eyes shut.
A heavy sigh escaped from her and pushing her glasses up she looked at her doppelganger.
"Not pleased you showed me that...listen we want the core, if you're me then you understand what saying 'no' means here."
The Core Discrepancy's eyes moved to the crew then back to Zilia
"...I understand."

The other Zilia moved her hand over her chest, as she did a rainbow colored sphere exited their body, when they did their body changed from Zilia to a black silhouette, their form seemed to break off into pieces, constantly repairing itself, as if they were an onyx flame.
The 'Core' in their hands radiated an immense amount of heat yet it didn't burn, it seemed to 'pulsate' as well as if it were a beating heart, its colors flowing off it with each 'beat', it didn't take much to realize whatever this was it contained an unbridled amount of energy.
The sphere flew out of their hands and for some reason flew into Luro's chest, the redhead looked down and pat himself as it entered his body blinking a few times.
"I got it guys," Luro said giving a thumbs up. "Huh it tickles a little."
"...I will hold onto your dream. Zilia Vilimar," The Core Discrepancy said drawing Zilia's attention back to them.
"...this isn't my dream it's my Mentor's, but you already know that."
"...but you share the same dream."
Zilia's eyes narrowed as the creature turned and walked away from the group, its body breaking apart as they walked back towards the frozen Vilimar until it was no more.
"Z?" Luro questioned as the doctor kept her back to everyone.
"...let's go I'm quite done with this place," Zilia said.
Shay nodded and holding their hands out, a bubble surrounded the group, as it did a familiar figure started closing onto them from the distance, the white cloak of the Shepherd entered their vision just as all sight was blocked from the bubble.

When the bubble became transparent once again they were outside the temple, having returned to Facade. Zilia's gaze moved over to the temple watching the large structure crumble, falling apart piece by piece. The chunks of it would fade away before touching the ground, this process continuing until the temple was fully gone, all traces of it vanishing in front of them.
"...good job on you first successful mission," Shay said. "...Lady Zilia are you-"
"I'm fine," Zilia said looking over at Shay. "Just bothered by why that thing had my face, that's all."
That clearly wasn't all but Shay could tell the doctor wasn't in the mood for questions.
"...Core discrepancies are strange entities, they do not possess feelings of their own at first, not until they fully manifest. It could have latched onto your memories and emotions and became you…but it also could have become Master Vilimar or a random human just as easily…why they choose such forms are beyond my understanding…they just pick what is most 'interesting' or 'stimulating' if I had to make a guess, some don't even change."
"...I think it became a version of me my Mentor knew, that wasn't my memory after all it was hers…once I realized that it was easy to figure out the Discrepancy. That can happen, right? Places born from the memories of those we know."
Shay gave a nod at this which was enough of an answer for Zilia.
Zilia took a deep breath and turned to everyone.
"It being so embarrassing made me focus more than I probably would have and while I'm not pleased about our first one, at least we have an example of what we'll have to do in this place. I will admit the Captain's comment however raised my suspicions. My mentor was my idol even when I was growing up…that woman wasn't what I saw as a child, it's just how she was, I figured it was her Memory at that point that and her comment on dying."
Zilia's eyes went to the ground for a moment.
"Mentor hid her disease well but she also hated lying, she wouldn't say that to me. It's just wishful thinking and she hates that the most."
With a heavy sigh Zilia raised a finger and pointed at the group as a whole.
"Okay we're done with this, and we're now going to wipe this experience from our minds, or at the very least never mention it again. Also no Aww's if you think about it, that just made me want to leave faster."
"I mean it's kinda hard to forget-" Emil started only for Zilia to glance at him.
"If we die and our Roots are 'attacked' we'll forget surface memories," Zilia said adjusting her gloves. "I'm guessing recent ones count for that but we haven't tested it yet, are you volunteering Emil?"
"Never mention it again, noted," Emil said holding up a hand. "Already forgotten."
"Good, let's get back then I'm actually hungry and-"

Zilia started to move when she noticed a very large group was approaching them from a distance, it didn't take long for the sound of yelling to reach the group, along with a few arrows flying in their direction, narrowly missing a few of them.
Luro stepped backward as a javelin landed where he was, poking it to confirm it was real, which it every much was.
Upon closer observation there appeared to be a very large force approaching them, over a hundred troops were closing in on them from a quick headcount, but she could see more behind them.
"Shay, care to explain," Zilia said pointing at the approaching army.
"...um…if I had to guess they saw us leave the temple…so they're trying to take the energy since they couldn't enter it themselves."
"Can you get us out of here," Emil said looking over at him.
"I'm um…out of energy I'm very sorry. I'll need a few minutes."
"Few minutes is easy," Luro said taking the rifle off his back. "Whoever kills the most gets to choose dinner tonight! I'm going to pick something really hard to make if I win Jack!"
"I'll join in on that," Zilia said holding her hand out. "I wouldn't mind releasing some steam right now."
"Okay I don't care what anyone else chooses but we cannot let Zilia win, she doesn't understand what 'hot' means, if you want to be able to taste for the next week we should beat more than her," Emil said. "Also unrelated Hanako what do you want to eat tonight?"
"I-I'm counting over one hundred and fifty, just hold out a few minutes please!"
"I'm not exactly in the best mood right now, so you showed up at a bad time," Zilia said as energy coursed through her body.

Shay's gaze moved over to Zilia as the group approached the crew, there were questions he had for the doctor, many but the most pressing one that entered his mind. The one that stood out the most after all he had seen, after witnessing the bright eyes of the young girl as she stared at the woman she called mentor now, all Shay wanted to know was…

​

 

[Fox of Hearts]

Chasing Winds - Adelaide & Hanako

​

"I've heard about the Grand Summoner. She's born with magic so strong that people fear her like a Goddess. I'm not sure … Amaiya-amue is plenty strong. I find it hard to believe anyone can be stronger than my sister," Hanako confessed. "If she's the strongest, then Cedric-hyeo can't be that strong."

Her brows furrowed. Adelaide's tone caught her attention - it pierced deeply like a rose thorn in flesh - and shocked her. Surely, Jack-ta'cho's wife must accept her brother-in-law to some degree. Hana tilted her chin up and called to the woman in the wind. "Are you not happy or proud of him? You don't speak of him with the same warmth you have for Luro-fuku. Why?"

The wind hmm'ed around her. Adelaide decidedly remained abstract, but her voice tickled Hanako's ear like a warm breath. "Why are you so curious, petal? It's not of my concern how you perceive me."

"You're different in ways I can't explain. It's not a bad thing, I don't mean that - it's, um, you offered me the answer to my question without telling me your exact thoughts. It feels like an invitation to a game, a guessing game." Hana removed one of the flowers from her hair and held it to the wind. "It's like layering a mystery on top of a mystery," she smiled. "Making you the brilliant author and I the confused reader."

She watched the flower disappear. "I see you as a much bigger and more beautiful flower. Have you seen a Wind Wandering Lily? You remind me of it. Brilliant in colour, appearing mysteriously, and filled with nettle that hurts for days. Safe in the hands of one who knows it well, the way Jack-ta'cho knows you," she blushed. "I expect no less from his wife. An, are there other things you can tell me about Cedric-hyeo? I'm trying to fully understand how much of a danger he can be."

Hana knew she was stepping on rocky ground simply because she didn't know the woman's true thoughts. Sid was part of a powerful crew, so even if he was the weakest - or an unknown, he would remain a threat. "He seems drowned out by everyone else. Amaiya-amue can ascend into goddess form, Luro-fuku has creative weapons and a mysterious power, Zilia-seo'tai has a deadly devil fruit, and there's you and Jack-ta'cho, capable of hunting down anyone to the ends of the earth. Cedric-hyeo doesn't have the same feats of power or skill. It's impossible that he can blow up the crew one day."

Adelaide laughed, everywhere. "You're a flatterer. Cute." She took the flower offered and remained silent for many heartbeats.

"You're amusing too, so I will indulge in some truths. You're a naive idiot: Talking in certainties you have no control over. Nothing is ever impossible. Cedric is weak in character and that can blind many to his power. Even me." She admitted and Hanako felt the shiver of cold fingers trailing the back of her neck. "But he's surpassed death. He is no longer plagued by chronic illness. He's only holding himself back now."

The air changed, a heaviness settling on Hanako like the atmosphere itself was coming down, bringing all the density of the wind and clouds and stars to settle on the ground. Suffocating. Unbearable. It didn't last–the feeling rushed by so fast, it could've been one's own imagination.

Except Adelaide was back in her human form, if semi-translucent. She looked at Hanako out of a face that vanished in twirling tendrils around the edges. "Everyone's a danger if they wish to be. Why do you care about Cedric so much? Are you looking to…swoon him? Won't your boyfriend get jealous?"

Hanako's chin dipped lower, humbly accepting the criticism. "I have a lot to learn, tai'n, about the world outside. My amue is the person I use to measure everyone - she's the strongest person I know. Hm," the teen gazed at stars, and allowed her body to shift with the weight thrusted upon her, sinking gracefully onto the dug up floor. "I guess I don't have a definite answer for Amaiya-amue this time, too. This is the first lesson that drags on forever."

Hana would have sat like Alice Liddell among the flowers, sorting through the information she learned, had Adelaide not reappeared. Saku-yahime, her mind whispered, or the summer-y version, of the flower deity overseeing the harvests. Hana's lips parted and the blues of her eyes danced in admiration. Faltering as crimson suns tainted her pale cheeks.

"Aniyo (no)! Cedric-hyeo's an oto'konen!" she waved her hands wildly. "I - he's pretty but I'm not into men who like men. He, he's like - you know, to be admired. Please don't laugh! Oto'konen means pretty young man … ye," she panted towards the end, feeling panicky at the implication. Hana prayed that Adelaide-tai'n was foreign enough not to know the accidental double meaning. "I don't think it's wrong if he likes men. I prefer blonde men with lively eyes. They draw me to them like the sun god," she clapped her face. "Emil, I like him to the point of confusion. Boyfriend doesn't seem like the right word. He's more precious than I can describe."

She turned towards the teen in question. "I think you look better than Cedric and Jack-ta'cho." She teased as her hand brushed against his, and she stared into his eyes, lost for a few minutes. Blinking slowly, her attention was captured by Shay, and Amaiya nearby. "I didn't realise the Shepherd's dead." Her frightened eyes scanned the group. "What does this mean for our mission?"

She stuck close to Amaiya and Emil throughout the rest of the mission. She was too polite to say much to Zilia when she sensed the doctor's mood. "Ne, Amaiya-amue, do you think Zilia-seo'tai will be okay? I wouldn't want to have people to re-live some of my private moments. Maybe, just you." She swallowed dryly, and grabbed her sister's hand. "You look lost in thought. Would you like me to be quiet?"

"Look out!" Hana's sword flashed to cut down the arrows. She wasted no time dashing towards Shay, remembering her previous task, and Cedric-hyeo was not close by. She slid to the stop in front of him. She panted as she leaped into the air, and her feet landed on the first javelin, she vaulted, changing its trajectory, and leaped from javelin to javelin to cut down the arrows. She landed close to Emil in time to hear Luro's challenge to the group.

"Eat? Oh, I love Amaiya-amue's tempura udon." She beamed. "Maybe we can ask my amue to cook if we win? I really miss her cooking." She turned around to shout to her sister. "Amue, can you cook tonight if Emil and I win? I want to eat your udon."

She nodded as her eyes sparkled. "I'm relying on you, Emil! I'll try to send them towards you." She doubted she could bring herself to kill. Defending and corralling the enemies felt a little less terrible. She wasn't sure. It was something she needed to think about once this is over - she kept smiling. "Ganbare, Emil!" she cheered him on.

Ribbons of water followed Hana's hand as she focused all her energy into the air. The girl leaped off again, spinning around, entangling four archers. She hurled them into the air into Emil's line of sight. She was on her tip-toe and kicked in the opposite direction, sending another one into the air. She divided her water whip into two. She whirled around, deflecting more projectiles, forcing more to scatter. She jumped after the nearest group. She slammed the whips into the ground hard enough to split the earth. She watched the ten fly and explode into flames.

"Huh?" The smell of charred flesh overwhelming her. Hana clapped a hand over her mouth, as she tried finding the source - a blazing, dragon that ended in a massive explosion. "Summoners are ... strange," she gasped as her head towards Cedric to confirm if he was the one attacking. She couldn't think of a better word to describe confused thoughts. "He's using so many elements. Amue, can we do the same?" she asked of her sister when the woman passed her.

The shadows pulled away from beneath her feet, gathering into the center, and pulsing with strange energy. Hana jumped up the nearest branch as the black core exploded to release snaking, thorny shadow vines in all directions. These converged to form a twisted tree scraping the sky, and its branches poured goopy blackness that slowed the retreating men. Hana summoned a second water whip, snagged a nearby branch, and swung down to grab Shay by his arm. She landed the both of them on the branch. From there, she could see the Stardusk advancing on the battlefield despite the black puddles building up on the ground. Only when enemies passed, tendrils shot up and impaled them, but Hana remained skeptical. Adelaide's words echoed ominously in her mind.

"Are you okay?" she checked with Shay. Her eyes already scanning the retreating tides for signs of Emil. She bit her lower lip, worrying excessively about her precious friend, but she managed to stop herself from leaping down. It wasn't long before she spotted one of the crew. "Runali-fu'tai! Are you - is it safe to come down?"

 

[SilentxChaos]

​

Cedric inclined his head although his gaze never softened. His shoulders hunched defensively; his violin dissipating back into chilling mist and his hands thrust deeper into his pockets. He stepped slowly towards Jack. His right hand squeezed the man's shoulder. "I try, Jack. You are the reason I fight."

He allowed a smile to butterfly across his face, but it dampened neither cold nor the intensity radiating in waves. This wall separating them scared him. "Your awkwardness is obvious. I - tell me what's bothering you. It's last night, oui?" His toes curled inside his boots, and his mind wanted to dodge by sucking up to his brother. Tell Jack he preferred the man to Jackie. Or, something similar. "Jack? Don't lie to me." He pressed on in Trovalian.

Jack's brow creased at Cedric. "What else would it be about? You've been angry at me before we even came here." He wasn't harsh, just confused. "You made it clear you didn't want to talk about it last night so I tried to respect that. Are you going to tell me what's bothering you?"

"Which reason do you want to hear? Jackie's tattletale or the reason we stopped talking?" the summoner offered. He grabbed his dangling forearm tight enough to wrinkle his sleeve, that apprehension penetrating his body. Sid darted his head around ever so often, relaxing when it was clear no one was approaching.

"Cedric…" Jack started reaching for him, but stopped, and sighed. "I've never stopped loving you the same way. Never stopped caring. My heart…stopped… when you got hurt in the throne room. My body froze, my lungs filled with ice. I couldn't breathe…but I couldn't help you either. Zilia could, so I sent her to you. But…"

He sighed again and looked to the sky, searching for what he wanted to say. "It's not just…us anymore. There's…more in my life now. I'm sorry you weren't there to see it. I wish you were. I came for you as soon as I could." His hands spread out, helpless. "I love you, brother. Always will, no matter how things change."

"It feels wrong!" Sid's hand shook as he continued staring at Jack's feet. "Adelaide thinks I'm a brat, I know, but you can't let go. I need you. Can't you see that? I need you so much. I'm not strong enough to stand on my own feet. Not smart enough to know any better. You are both."

He found himself gripping Jack's arms close to the shoulders, barely making indents in the solid flesh, emphasising their difference in strength. The shifting difference in their height, Sid unaware of his steady growth since he awoke. He pressed his head against Jack's chest, and he tried blocking out Shay's panic over the dead Shepard. He couldn't! Not with Jack's thoughts seeping through his consciousness. New emotions that are foreign in his usually calm fére.

Sid swallowed and unwillingly stepped away. His mind drifted back towards his brother even as he watched Zilia confront the Core Discrepancy. He clenched his fists tightly, unwilling to confront the fear crawling inside him. To relive moments in his life, Jack's life, was the last thing he wanted - their demons should never see the light of day, their vulnerabilities opened them to judgement – opinions he'd hate for the rest to have. Thoughts about him, especially, and what he needed to do to survive before Jack saved him. Sid merely nodded silently when Zilia's eyes passed him; he never "awww'ed" when she encountered her kid self, because he would be as embarrassed if he saw a younger him. For one unguarded moment, he allowed that fear to burn in his eyes, and it was at that moment that his eyes met Jack's again, reinforcing his pleas. He hated feeling this exposed.

"I don't expect you to understand," he murmured, too soft for even Jack to hear. He expected his brother to leave him behind again and fuss over Zilia. Sid guessed he would have done the same if he wasn't this shaken by his realisation - his past was fair game. He guessed the closest Jack had would be Oubila.

Jack placed a cautious hand on Cedric's back. "You're stronger than you know," he replied, gently, "But…" he looked up and saw what was happening: Zilia confronting her Core Discrepancy. "We have to go. We'll talk about this later. I promise."

Jack gave Cedric a reassuring smile and squeeze. He stayed close – after Cedric's confession, he wasn't about to leave his brother's side. His gaze tracked Zilia, kept note of everything around them, and tried to ignore his whirring thoughts.

Sid's arm caught Jack in the chest. A bullet hole stared back at them, a step more and it would have connected. Cedric drew out the metallic cards from his hip pouch. He flung back at the shooters illuminating them. Fireworks blossomed into the sky, drawing attention and derision from the group spotted, but Sid ignored them. Red, yellow and white sparks filled the air, twisting and swirling, turning into a writhing dragon. It opened its more - teeth twinkling brightly, its roar crackling like hundreds of Feian firecrackers, and it barrelled towards them. The group of six exploded as the flickering body passed through. The dragon swerved, narrowly avoiding Runali and Amaiya, and descended on at least three other groups - six, seven and nine!

The summoner huffed. He squatted on the ground as he waved the magnetic gloves to recall the cards he used. He gripped them in his hands, sinking finally to the ground, and holding out his hand. When he stopped, he shouted to Luro. "What's the score? I'll catch up …. soon." He waved his hand to get a hand up from his fére. "I miss your broth, Jack. Jackie doesn't make it right," he joked. "Sorry I asked her this morning. You were busy when I came in."

Sid had withdrawn new, inked cards as he staggered to his feet. "I'm not going to have something spicy tonight … I hope," he smiled, unexpectedly, as he tilted his head back and whispered. "I'm not serious. I think Zilia deserves a treat tonight." He finished by tossing his cards into the distance.

Shadows moaned and writhed, gathering into a massive sphere before thorny tendrils snaked in an engulfing flood that left puddles around. From these, sharped thorns shot up and dispatched stragglers. Sid laughed, swayed, and fell backwards, relieved that the spell turned out exactly as he envisioned. He pressed his arm over his eyes - he was embarrassed he couldn't do more. He was too tired, too dizzy. He moaned. "I'm not winning," he joked. "Not today."

"Just take a breath and stay down. I think you've done… a lot," Jack smirked, seeing the number felled by his spells. "I'll never get tired of seeing your magic at work." Cedric could see the awe and pride in his eyes, watching the dragon wreak its havoc.

That was all the exchange Jack could muster before another wave descended on them. With focused fire, he slew them effortlessly, first by morphing a protective wall around Sid that lashed out anyone who dared to be close. Then he swept in with fists of Armament-fused black flames, punching and kicking his way through the fodder. Skills improved by Runali's constant sparring matches.

The enemy dwindled rapidly, until one bunched-up group remained, feinting to Jack's left. A giddy breeze caressed his cheek and his half-smile turned bloody. He dodged a hail of bullets, slammed fists together, then forward, and out torrent his fire. Adelaide captured it, stole it, making it her own. It blossomed into a cyclone, growing, growing, until a miniature fire tornado torched the battlefield.

Jack sat back, basking in his wife's prowess. "Gods, she's beautiful," he said to Sid.

A tiny beam of light struck Jack's cheek, stinging it briefly, as a pouting Sid peered from the other side of the wall. "Have you no shame, fére? Flirting in front of your younger brother." His lips twitched with barely contained laughter as he appeared beside Jack in a soft whoosh. He leaped and head locked the man. "I can't believe you get distracted this easily, pére. You live too dangerously." (pére = old man, a pun on fére which means brother)

He swayed drunkenly before pulling Jack with him to the ground. Jack on top of him somehow, sweaty and musky, but Sid resigned himself to the grass, for once not letting his screaming fussiness destroy the moment. He hugged Jack from behind. "Just don't say anything. I … I'm fine. Tired that's all," he murmured as he slowly lost himself to sleep. "Yeah, tired …" he continued; his eyes closing and he went slack under his big brother. D

Jack let Cedric pull him to the ground, playfully, and vaguely tired himself. Three battles in one day…and how many more are yet to come? He shook his head as Cedric fell asleep beneath him

"Still need work on knowing your limits, I see," he murmured. Jack hauled Cedric onto his back, carrying him with only one groan while looking into Runali. "I think we're all in for rest? A long one."

 

[Mizos]

​

​

"Thanks and I got them!" Emil exclaimed to Hanako as the bodies flew at him, with a flourish of his blade he cut them down with minimum effort, grinning as his blade pass through the body of another, throwing the blood of his blade he moved it to his shoulder as he observed the next batch.
"Don't think about the compliment earlier Emil. Focus on the battle. I mean I know I look good, so don't think about how Hanako thinks I look better than Jack and Cedric…I mean obviously I do but hearing it…..should I have said it back…no focus!"
Emil shook his head and got back into a fighting position.

Fire exploded outwards as bodies were consumed by yet another explosion of the redhead, a grin adoring his features as he watched the bodies fall in front of him, he was only pulled out by the question posed to him about number.
"Huh? Were were counting?!"
"You were the one who proposed it!" Zilia exclaimed as knocked an arrow with a barrier.
Another group started running towards the group and Luro grinned seeing more people showing up.
"Haha this is fun! They just keep coming!"
"That's the problem Makachi!" Emil exclaimed as he cut down another of the soldiers.
He wasn't sure how many he had cut down at this point, he was keeping track at first but he realized that each time they killed a group, another was always right behind them. They weren't necessarily strong but they seemed infinite at this point, no matter what they did to them more just appeared ready to fight.
He figured with that show Cedric and Adelaide put on put on they'd at least considered retreating, but they were even sending units forward to take the brunt of the attack while the rest ran through, literally sacrificing their numbers just to try and get closer.
They had a moments reprieve at best before more showed up, not enough time to change locations and barely enough to breathe, by time he quickly wiped the blood off his blade more were already approaching. They were always in the distance approaching no matter the bodies that piled up around them.
"What is with their morale," Emil mumbled. "I mean Luro's along with Adelaide are roasting them alive over there and Zilia…"
Emil trailed off to see Zilia making a sweeping motion with her hand, as she did a group of soldiers had their heads removed in one clean movement.
"Is doing that…"

Zilia's gaze moved back to Shay as they kept their hands folded in front of them, their head lowered. They had moved back to the battlefield after Hanako moved them, though they had expressed thanks for removing them from the danger at time.
"Shay, how's it looking?!" Zilia exclaimed back at him.
"I-I almost got it!" Shay responded, opening their eyes and raised their gaze to her.
Zilia however felt a chill run down her spine when she took a good look at the servant, red tears ran down the side of their face and blood dribbled out of their mouth, the tears seemed more like mini waterfalls that dripped onto their clothes or dissipated into the grass at their feet.
"Shay…what's going on!"
"I-it's fine I almost got it! This happens sometimes!"

Zilia's eyes narrowed slightly as something clicked in her mind; the cost of an ability on the body. She didn't understand how Shay's worked but there was always a cost to power, all that time watching Cedric suffer using his own should have forced her to pay more attention to such things. Shay at the end of it all had put a barrier around them, moved them over a great distance, concealed their appearance, and even sensed things for them. Even keeping a barrier maintained for a long time was enough to wear her out, adding all of that on top of it and she'd probably start spitting up blood herself.
"Lady Zilia…please don't make such a face. Please remember that I am a Monster, use me as you see fit."
The smile that Shay gave her caused the doctor's stomach to churn, something about it felt…familiar, all too familiar.
Zilia turned forward again and held her hand out. She wanted to avoid using too much energy without more knowledge but she couldn't ignore something like this. A black and white glow surrounded her hand, her silverish hair shifted into an obsidian as she tried to imitate the feeling once more.
"Chat-Chat Fruit…Nihility's-"
Zilia cut herself off as a large shadow suddenly appeared over the approaching army, the approaching soldiers even took notice of the strange shadow as it completely covered their forces. When they looked up to figure out what was approaching, a large ship introduced itself to their bodies.
"...what," Zilia said as the energy left her body, her form returning to normal.

Ahead of them, a ship was tearing apart the approaching group, encroaching on land similar to the ships in the Realm and crushing anyone unfortunate enough to be in its path, which included the troops that were approaching them. Emil had instinctively raised his hand to cover Hanako's eyes at the scene, though he wasn't keen on looking at himself. Calling it gruesome was putting it lightly, a few tried to outrun the vessel with no hope, their bodies crushed under its weight giving the bottom of the ship a new red coating.
"Hey the ship isn't slowing down and it's getting pretty close to us," Emil said. "We should probably do something about-"
Luro walked forward a bit and Emil cut himself off as the redhead stood a little bit ahead of everyone, the ship didn't seem to slow down causing Zilia's hand to glow blue in case she had to shield Luro. She had no idea what he was planning but she decided to trust him as her gaze moved to the deck of the ship, someone was standing on the bow of the vessel, arms crossed as the boat sailed across the earth.
The ship by some strange force started to slow as it approached Luro and stopped just a little bit short of the carpenter whose gaze moved to the sky as the figure leaped off the top of the ship.

The person flipped through the air before landing a few feet away from the group, their hands on the ground before quickly raising their body and throwing their arms out, puffing their chest out slightly.
Zilia's eyes twitched at the scene and Emil lowered his hand but Luro applauded the 'landing' causing the person to bow at them. Now that they were closer to them it was easier to make out their appearance, they wore a white button up dress shirt with the top button undone, worn with a black vest and accompanied by a pair of black trousers. The figure was a woman with long flowing red hair who wasted little time approaching the group arms still outstretched. She walked with a sprightly gait as if nothing could stand in her way, her feet moving to a silent rhythm, movements that would be difficult to do in regular shoes she did in her black and golden knee high boots. Her body twirled as she moved from side to side, her hair thrown every which way, and a confident smile played across her lips. Her movements were simple but somehow felt exaggerated by the woman's flow and general disposition until she finally stood in front of them.

It was in this moment Zilia realized something, the woman was wearing a black blindfold over her eyes and before she could question the woman, a bright blue flame erupted nearby and Tashi walked out of it towards the newcomer, while the other swordswoman did a decent job at concealing her emotions, her furrowed brows and slightly hunched body revealed her current state, more than likely due to the stranger.
"How do you manage to cause this much trouble in such a short amount of time."
The woman rested her hands on her hips and tilted her head slightly at the swordswoman as if silently questioning her question.
"I would love to hear your reasoning on this one…Captain."
"...Captain?" Zilia mimicked looking over at the blindfolded lady.
The redheaded woman looked, as much as possible considering her eyes were covered, at the group and offered them a grin.
"A bit late but the name's Runali, Captain of the Stardusk Pirates. Ah you can call me Nali for the time being. Pleased to meet ya."
She turned fully towards them and offered a somewhat exaggerated bow.

​

"We don't have to win, we just have to hold them off!" Runali reminded Emil and the rest of the crew as wave after wave of soldiers rushed at them. Usually, she'd be a nuisance, dodging and weaving through their attacks just to frustrate them. But the goal was to keep them away from Shay so she made quick work of each that got in her line of fire. At one point, much to her entertainment, a large flaming elephant manifested itself on the battlefield, stomping and swinging its tusks back and forth into soldiers. Coral followed suit, catching whoever dodged out of the way of the elephant with sharp, heated talons and her beak. Those that tried to cut into her ended up with melted blades and hands.

The elephant disappeared and she took some steps back, standing between her and her crew as the ship barreled towards them. Zilia's barrier was effective, but Runali was ready to break another ship if she had to - only to watch when Luro walked forward and the ship stopped. "Curious." She stood at his side, looking up to see the figure making their grand entrance. Something about this figure as she landed and approached felt foreboding and exciting and familiar. Then as the woman got closer, she realized it was the red hair that spelled trouble in Runali's mind. But what made her fully pause was the woman's introduction. She was the captain of this world's Stardusk. Runali was supposedly looking at herself.

"I-"... She looked at her crew, curious about their reactions, then to Luro, then back at 'Nali'. It was obvious she had a ton of questions, but she couldn't help but gesture to her own eyepatch and then to Nali's blindfold. "Did… you lose both? Or are you showing off - because it was a very cool landing and of course I would do the same thing."

Zilia stared at Nali who laughed at Runali's comment towards her blindfold, the doctor removed her glasses, cleaned them then put them back on only to remove them and clean them again. Her glasses were for show at best, so the fact she was doing this repeatedly was a clear enough sign of her mental state. Luro on the other hand had been staring unblinking at the other Runali, his head slightly titling to the side. Emil was squeezing the bridge of his nose muttering something about 'never telling Nikos' while trying to process the information himself.
"Well thank you other me I figured you'd get it. Oh but about the blindfold here's the thing-"
"Captain our conversation is not over. Please explain why our ship, which was docked at the harbor is here."
Nali looked over at Tashi and held a hand up to the group with a smile before turning towards her first mate.
"Do you remember how our job was to clear the way for the other Stardusk. Make sure they're not attacked when they leave the Temple with the Core."
"I do. It was to be my task but I was occupied and I remember you volunteering for it…wait you-"
"First impressions are important Tashi. They need to be memorable. It did take a moment to move the ship here, so sorry for the delay on that other Stardusk."
Nali looked over at the crew, holding her hand out towards them a blue glow surrounded their bodies including Shay's, Zilia felt a bit of her exhaustion leave her at this and Luro rotated his shoulder feeling less stiff. Shay also stopped bleeding as well and seemed less winded than before.
"Bit of a pick me up for ya, are you better Shay?"
"Y-yes. Thank you Lady Nali."
"Back to the matter at hand Captain. Our ship is now nowhere near the ocean due to your antics."
"Tashi…listen to me."
Nali reached forward and set her hand on Tashi's shoulder causing the swordswoman to look into her 'eyes'.
"You can't go sweating the small stuff."
Nali gave Tashi a small pat on the shoulder and the swordswoman's expression seem to shift slightly, for a moment her appearance was akin to a hummingbird drinking from a flower, to the tickle of a spring breeze, the dance of leaves in autumn, perhaps even the trickle of a spring after winter's kiss.
A small exhale escaped from her before her hand went to her saya.
"...Tashi you look mad."
"I am not mad Captain. I am very calm."
"No you're definitely mad. Furious even."
"You joke Captain."
Zilia didn't 'see' anger from Tashi but her instincts still told her to stay far away from her at the same time.
Zilia blinked and Nali was gone, she wasn't sure where the woman had gone but following Tashi's gaze helped her locate the other Captain…who was next to their Alicia.
Nali was resting on the balls of her feet staring at Alicia's swords with a hand under her chin.
"So that's how it is."
"When did she?"
When Zilia turned the woman was already gone now next to Adelaide eyeing her clothing.
"Ah I get it."
Zilia turned again only to see her next to Jack, her fingers templed as she looked at his dreadlocks.
"Oh ho is that right…"
She tried to focus her attention on her but each time she tried to look 'directly' at Nali she was already at the next person. Nali rubbed tufts of blue hair between her thumb and forefinger next to the other Tashigi now.
"Fascinating…"
Emil's eyes twitched seeing her near Hanako and just as he turned to say something the woman was leaning against his back with his hat on her head, arms crossed under her chest.
"Well this is interesting."
He spun reaching out for her only to find his hat back on his head and the woman next to Cedric, pulling at the fabric of his clothes slightly.
"Well well…"
She weaved between each member of the crew, never staying in full sight, a dance at the corner of the eyes at best as she pulled on the sash around Luro's waist.
"That explains it."
At Runali's turn she didn't 'vanish' from sight again as she released Luro and looked at her counterpart, she walked over to her normally without her teleporting trick and 'stared' into Runali's eye. Whether she was looking at the one covered or uncovered was a mystery but whatever she saw caused her to grin.
"I like that look. Very nice…just what I'd expect from me."
She took a small step back as Tashi walked back over to her.
"Captain we still need to talk about-"
"Tashi."
Tashi's brow arched a bit as she watched her Captain face, Tashi's body relaxed slightly and she gave Nali her full attention, Zilia noticed the swordswoman's expression had relaxed a bit as her hand moved away from her sword.
"They pass. You have my permission to share what you need too. Nothing that'll get anyone harmed of course."
"...if that is your wish, Captain. I trust your intuition."
"Good and it's only part intuition, they still have 'innocence' in them, shouldn't be an issue."
Tashi's eyes moved over to the group and she gave a small nod before looking back at Nali.
"I would still prefer their Adelaide and Hanako not meet ours however."
"I'll trust your judgment on that First Mate."
Nali looked back at the group and motioned to them.
"I'm sure you have plenty of questions, especially Jack. I dislike long-winded explanations so I'll leave that stuff to Jackie and Tashi. Sorry for the cautiousness but my crew's safety comes first, I'm sure other me can understand so I hope you all do too."
"Captain don't dump things you don't want to do onto me. You know Jackie will purposefully leave Jack out of the discussion, and I will have to explain it again later."
"Tashi is Jackie around?"
"No Captain."
"Then I only do it cause you're my favorite."
"Please give the respect I have for you back."
Nali laughed a bit at her first mate before looking back at the other Stardusk.
"Still I won't leave you with nothing since we're in the Great Enclave and they can't hear us. Shay could you return the ship to the ocean. I'd like to speak to them privately. Also since he can see your memories…"
Nali knelt down in front of Shay causing the Servant to jump slightly.
"Hello Imposter, heard you're a guy now, guess I'll see when we meet again. That 'thing' is done so I'm taking a break. All right off you go Shay."
She ruffled Shay's hair and the servant nodded before speaking to her.
"Oh uh…sure. I'm off then"
Shay walked over to the ship and holding their arms out encased the ship in a giant bubble, looking closer at the ship it looked similar to 'Lady Luck' though the design seemed slightly different. After a moment both servant and ship lifted into the air before flying off to the west.
Once Shay was gone Nali turned back towards the group.
"All right, now let's have a proper frank discussion with no interference. Other me is there something you want to know. Oh and Seliria's safe I'll tell you that right now, ran into her yesterday."
"I want to know something after Runali," Zilia said raising her hand slightly. "Also thank you for informing us."
"No problem and ask away. Though I won't promise the answer will be what you want."
"Really…"
"Does your Runali answer every question people pose to her straightforwardly?"
"...fair point."
"Then this shouldn't be surprising. You know what Echo's are at this point. Anyway I'll answer three questions, one from Runali, and one from Zilia, third is whoever asks first after Zilia."
"...why three specifically?" Emil asked.
"Cause I'm a Captain and I got Captainly things to do…also because I feel like it. You got serious long long-winded questions ask Tashi or Jackie. They're good at explaining stuff."
"Only because you refuse to."
"Well thank you First Mate."
"That was not a compliment Captain…"
"Oh I won't count the earlier question, so feel free to ask another," Nali said pointing at her blindfold. "Choose carefully, we all know Imposter won't give you a straight answer, don't waste it."
Zilia felt her body tense a bit but getting any kind of answers was appreciated, but what bothered her a bit was Luro. He had been staring at Nali in silence for a long time now, no movement just watching her. She wasn't sure how to feel about the look in his eyes, it felt as if he was looking both at and past her, a gaze painted in muddled obscurity, which wasn't uncommon for him but this one felt different, but she looked away knowing keeping her focus on the other Captain.

It felt like looking in one of the Court's fun mirrors watching Nali disappear and reappear around her crew. She knew those curious looks and poses a little too well. Nali was searching for something, but Runali couldn't guess what. She did, however, relax knowing that there was no ire behind it and general curiosity that she had plenty of. Still, she found herself running fingers through her own hair as she stared at Nali's, especially when she finally stood in front of her. "The safety of the crew always comes first." Runali hummed in agreement, moreso about the long winded explanations than the actual safety of her crew. It was almost a shame they were so similar because now she couldn't complain about being limited on questions. Runali would have done the same.

"What do you mean? I always give straightforward answers!" The laughter in her voice betrayed her tone, no matter how much she believed herself. "You guys just ask complicated questions sometimes, that's not my fault." She waved them away, turning to size Nali up again. Yes she had questions, but selfishly none were related to their current mission. "Hmm… Give the crew three questions and then make mine a bonus. You and I both know, the serious questions always come from them anyway." Without waiting for a proper answer, she looked between Tashi and Nali. She looked at that red hair and the blindfold, absentmindedly tapping her eye patch. "If our lives are echoes of each other… but we ended up with such different looks…" She crossed her arms, a brief moment of solemn across her face. "Are you what would've happened if the devil I made a deal with was Imposter?"

Nali offered a smile to Runali's answer but patiently waited for her questions and the others, though a chuckle did escape from her at her crew's complicated questions. Her head turned slightly to look at Tashi who averted her gaze. When Runali spoke again posing a bonus question her brows arched but she didn't say anything, she just listened to Runali's question which seemed to be an indication that she was in 'agreement' with her request.

At Runali's actual query, Tashi's gaze shot back over to the Captain, and Zilia could say for the first time she saw surprise in the swordswoman's eyes. Nali's smile however only grew wider and she held her hand out, palm up towards Tashi. Digging into her sleeve the First Mate set a coin in her Captain's hand.
"I told ya Tashi."
"Her intuition is the same as yours Captain, just as you said. Jackie owes me a gold coin for 'covering her' now."
"Well you're smart enough not to make the wager. That's on her."
Rolling the coin over her fingers her head turned back towards Runali.
"That's correct other me, I knew you'd get it. Though to be exact…all of us are. That's what the Echos are, Stardusks who made a deal with Imposter. Though it's unfortunate you know that, too late to stop it now."

In that moment something ran through the crew, all at the same time a feeling enveloped them, an extremely unpleasant one to put it mildly. Zilia's hands covered her stomach and she hunched over, Emil felt a splitting headache hit him and he had to put his foot down to keep from falling forward, Luro gripped his chest as pain coursed through his body though his gaze remained unblinking still on Nali. For each person there something 'attacked' them in some way, from the inside out and their bodies responded in some manner against the invisible threat.
Zilia covered her mouth as a nausea rushed through her, her eyes moved to Nali who watched with a small smile still playing with her coin.

Something flashed in each of their minds, Zilia saw another her, and Luro saw another him, Runali saw Nali's smiling expression echo in her thoughts, Alicia saw Tashi staring at something in the distance, Jack saw Jackie watching the shadows, Adelaide saw a woman from the back, though it was easy to tell it was 'her', Hanako saw someone with her face, her lips curved up slightly though her eyes distant, and Cedric saw something stare at him, though there was no face or eyes it was easy to tell it was his own gaze but something obscured his 'vision' for some reason. Emil saw a blonde-haired youth with red tints in his hair in a hat with his hand towards the sky.

For an instant their counterparts all flashed in their heads and after an intensity, which caused a loud groan to escape from Emil as his headache worsened for a moment, the feeling faded.
Zilia's chest heaved as she moving her hand away from her mouth, she wiped a bit of drool away with her sleeve surprised she didn't lose her breakfast for a moment there, it felt as if everything in her wanted to leave her, as if it didn't belong.
Luro's face seemed to relax showing whatever pain enveloped him was gone now.
"W-what was that?" Zilia questioned.
"That was Facade."
Zilia's gaze moved up to Nali at this.
"W-what do you mean?"
"You weren't kept in ignorance out of cruelty…well from some of us. The more you learn about Facade the more it learns about you. Unfortunately, you got a pretty big secret there so it 'laid claim' to another piece of you. Other you put it best Zil, imagine Facade writing a story about you but the pages are mostly blank, the more you learn about it…the more it fills in those pages about you."
"Subsequently the Temples who tie into all of us, will grow and develop from this. The Realms tied to you will be more difficult to go through now…some will anyway. The canvas was originally mostly blank, but you have given Facade more 'paint' to work with now."
"Y-you couldn't tell us that sooner?" Emil asked lowering his hand from his head.
"Telling you is giving you information. It'd be the same as revealing our identities, this same thing would have happened, just sooner and that temple you just came from would have been deadlier. The shepherd there was weak right? Died quickly probably, cause the Realm was weak, might not be the case next time. The 'secret threshold' increased that's why we can reveal this to you now with minimal consequences."

This was too much to take in, the 'Echo's were…them who made a deal with Imposter. Her gaze moved to Tashi whose red eye moved over to her. She didn't 'look' much different from their Alicia minus her appearance, she knew the eyes of Imposter, she saw them through Luro's, and those eyes didn't match what she saw on that beach back then.
"T-that's impossible. We'd never let Imposter…"
"Facade is a world of possibilities other Stardusk…whether they are real or not is a complex question…but it doesn't change what this place is. We exist because the possibility existed. That is all there is to it."
"I mean two of you went 'looking' for Imposter so it's a bit weird to say it's 'impossible' I think."
Being one of those two Zilia couldn't respond to that and just averted her eyes from Nali.
"Though I think one of you had an idea already…right Luro?"
Luro continued to stare at Nali in silence not saying anything at first but he spoke up as his hand lowered.
"...that's why you smell like me. Why other Alicia did…"
"That's right Luro. I got the Imposter in me…surprise."
While Nali waved her hands at this and smiled, Luro's smile shrunk a little at that information and Nali's eyebrows lowered slightly as her hands slowly lowered.
"...it's not your fault so don't make that face okay."
Nali's voice seemed to soften for a moment and it was brief but the Captain seemed a bit 'smaller' as she tried to comfort Luro, it faded as quickly as it came however as she slapped her cheeks bringing herself out of whatever funk she almost fell into.
"Okay that's three. Questions over."
"Huh?" Zilia said. "That wasn't-"
"What was that? What do you mean? You could not tell us that sooner or rather you could not reveal that secret sooner? Three questions not counting Runali's 'bonus' one."
"Ah…s-sorry I took the last question," Emil said. "I-in my defense I was still reeling from whatever that…no I won't make excuses. I am sorry about that."
"Shay is almost back anyway so no more private conversation anyway. It's not intentional on their part but Imposter does peer through their gaze. Can't have these talks with them around...ah it's a pain working for that guy sometimes."
"The three questions were meant to help us weren't they," Luro said smiling. "Thank you other Captain."
"No thanks needed. I got a bit of a soft heart for my crew, whether they're 'mine' or 'another' doesn't matter. Still I was hoping to give you answers without Facade affecting you yet…haha other me really does attract trouble huh?!"
"Captain you attract just as much trouble."
"Huh what are you talking about I'm an angel."
"How damaged is our ship Captain?"
"Moving on," Nali said changing the subject. "You can ask more from now on if you'd like… though Facade is cruel isn't it? If you choose ignorance you're safer but your chances of escape are lessened, if you choose answers its grip tightens on you and escape while more possible…feels farther away. This world truly is twisted."

Runali had her eyes closed after a searing pain made her see nothing but white. She waited for the pain to subside in her eyes while placing a hand over her heart. There was a hollow, ghostly feeling there and it reminded her of when Jones made a show of 'taking' her soul. Except, she wasn't connected to him in this place and the emptiness lingered enough for her entire being to feel icy.
Eventually it died off just like the rest. "One," She held up a finger. "Never thought I'd prefer being haunted by Jones. I'll give him his kudos whenever I see him again. Two," She lifted her eyepatch enough to rub both her eyes with one hand. "It makes me more curious," When she was sure she could see straight, she looked between Nali and Luro, well aware of his unusual silence. "About what that means for Luro." She watched a familiar solemness disappear from Nali as she answered another question she didn't actually ask. "Right. Possibilities. Things that could've happened to us but didn't." She refrained from mirroring Nali and patting her cheeks and instead straightened up. "I'm not gonna stand for being called trouble by my self. It was an honest question!"

"Definitely prefer Jones, way less complicated but I'm not gonna let me say I'm not trouble."

Hearing more about Facade made her sigh and ruffle her hair a bit. "We're stuck here until we're not. Got it. Simple as that."

Shay manifested before the crew once again in one of their bubbles and landing nearby looked between the two groups, they blinked before looking at Nali who grinned at them.
Zilia wanted to try and press for more answers but that was impossible at this point, Shay even if they didn't want to be, was a window to Imposter, their 'privacy' was gone now.
The other her…she saw her for a moment, a Zilia who made a deal with Imposter, the thought terrified her.
"Is everything okay?"
"Everything is fine Shay. Off you go other Stardusk, I got things to do here so go on ahead. We had a moment's reprieve…but another attack will come soon."
"Watch your step around Imposter…though that goes without saying."
Nali crossed her arms and lowered her head, a silent indication she didn't have anything else to say, and Tashi closed her eye as Shay held their hand outwards towards the crew.
"Are you ready to leave everyone? His Highness is waiting."

Runali gave a salute to Nali, a nod to Tashi, and patted Shay on the shoulder. "Fine as it can be considering we're still stuck here and missing a festival we planned to go to. But woe is us while Imposter makes us pawns in their games." There was a lightheartedness to it despite the truth, but she carried on with a smile. "Sounds like we're on Moss' time now. Gotta get to the chopping block and appease the king." She gave Shay a gentle nudge. "Probably should also question about the whole orb flying into Luro thing too. So many questions, so few answers. You know how it goes, Captain. Oh! And you'll have to teach me that disappearing trick at some point too! I need it so I can bother Nikos when I get back."

In her silence Nali gave Runali a thumbs up at teaching her the 'disappearing trick', there was a carefree smile on her face and it grew a bit when Runali said 'when I get back'.

The Grinning Observer

 

[Fox of Hearts]

Faint nodes of apple trickled up Cedric's nose bringing back memories of their days as farm hands. Jack's smiling face would always peer at him through the window. It's part of the reason he loved apples, green ones came specially from that farm. They represented happiness and golden afternoons in the best way possible. More importantly, they reminded him that Jack had been carefree and happy once upon a time, and he wished to bring that same joy back to that ageing face. The smell of baker's yeast followed at the tail - cidre (apple cider) his mind deduced, Jack's favourite way of preserving the sweetness of fall. Strangely more alcoholic than it needs to be, but they can blame Luro for that. He was tempted to burrow deeper into this dream, but he heard Jack calling to Adelaide. The man's voice breaking up amidst the cries of battle.

That sound, Sid's eyes burst open, and he leaped from his brother's back. He sneezed softly from the dust whirling around them. "Fére, Adelaide," his groggy voice fought against nature's howl. "Didn't we defeat them all?" He gripped Jack's shoulder to rebalance.

He sucked in his breath. Shadows at the edges of his vision danced tauntingly; his head done in by the unending swirl. He vomited on the ground. Two kittens stared back with blurring faces as Sid remained supported by his shaking hands. "Protect Jack for me." He ordered the cat sisters.

Chaos blinked. Her body dissolved into ash-y smoke. More darkness infected the air around them as baleful, green eyes burned by Jack's side. Sharp teeth glinted as a final warning. Sinewy, black was the panther that barrelled into the group. Her teeth ripped a man's throat open. His blood bleeding black and adding to the foggy darkness. His comrades' eyes bulged in fear. Their minds dimmed and echoed as more of Chaos clawed through their bodies. Her poison burned hotter than Jackie's fire. The panther reformed and she mowed down the man too close to the chef.

"Jackie, right." Sid's voice guided the youngest of his familiar.

Glittering sunset flames whooshed and swirled. The enemies were separated forcefully by the searing heat. And, leaving them vulnerable to Jack's better half. Jackie appeared before the re-treating group in her kitten form. She purred curiously and stepped forward. Her body grew in size and her fur lost all colour save baked orange and black. She tackled the first to run on Jack's command. Her movements were precise and complemented the man she adopted as her second Master. She paused and raised a bloody maw. Her roars loud enough to alert Jack of the approaching ship. The brothers were too close!

Cedric's arm snaked through Jack's. The tailor felt resistance threading the solid muscle - momentarily, but time was against them. He could see the lines separating blanks forming the hull. Sid tugged Jack into a backwards jump. Their bodies passed through an all white void. Sound hitting a hundred times harder as their bodies kissed the grass a safe distance away. All their senses seemingly reborn when they emerged. Sid reached into his coat and tossed Jack a bottle of smelling salts. "At least you've stopped vomiting," he teased.

Already his attention was on the blindfolded Nali. Her stage presence was glaringly bright in the quiet of her carnage. She was, also, obnoxiously loud, he commented waspishly even when she and capitaine sounded (mostly) the same. His eyes crossed as she suddenly in his face and reached for his sleeve. Sid flinched instinctively but kept his hands visible. There was no need to trigger Tashi or Jackie, if that crazier version was around. He freed his arm with a gentle tug. "Capitaine, I don't think Other Me, if he exists, would like you messing with his clothes." he suggested playfully. He was minorly hopeful that the statement was true after noticing Nali's clothes. She was what he hoped Capitaine would look like every single day. Sharp, fashionable, and careful. He vowed to double down on Ru's wardrobe after this adventure. "She's my new muse."

He tracked Nali like Chaos staring down mice. Every detail of her outfit seared into his memory. The material, check. The pops of colour, maybe. Her colouring was not exactly Capitaine's. This mirror was winter to Runali's summer. He wasn't completely out of the conversation despite his fascination. He simply chose to hold his tongue. Questions were Jack's domain, and he was there to play secretary when Jack's secondhand was away, or so SId insisted. He shifted his gaze to Runali when she mentioned the Imposter, but inevitably his eyes went back to Nali. The squirming monster was back in his stomach, and he tasted the sting of bile. He turned to stare at Jack. 'Are you thinking the same thing?' Sid heeded Nali's warning and kept his thoughts vague. He was sure he needn't go into detail about their pact with Jones.

He watched his brother's face with Adelaide's mask. Blank and internally amused when it hit him that he'd never seen Jack like this in a long, long time. Maybe ever. His brother tried being the rock in his life. He continued sitting in the grass giving Adelaide the honour of soothing Jack. He couldn't forget 'la femme' (the wife). He threw his arms back and leaned on them. Slipping to a full fall when fear zapped through him. He pressed a hand to his mouth to suppress his cries, his moans, when this sickening feeling reclaimed his life. He curled to his side, hugging himself, as he stared blankly. His mind was aware of his other self. Face cloaked in mystery, annoying so. Sid ground his lower lip, wondering helplessly, if "other him" suffered the same pain and terrors. Maybe almost losing himself to that wretched disease. He anchored himself using Chester's concerned nuzzles. He slowly uncurled and pushed himself back into a cross-legged position. He gathered the fuzzy caterpillar into his arms and hugged his oldest familiar tight. He closed his eyes and allowed wisps of emotions to filter into his mind, the crew's, whatever was most tangible.

"Luro, fére, let's steal Jack for a drink tonight!" He called as the redhead passed. Calling Luro brother started out of spite but he realised it felt oddly comfortable after a day of constantly doing so. He refused to admit why as his cheeks heated up. "He needs it," Sid angled his head in Jack's direction. "I think the night markets in the square would intrigue him." Intrigue me, he selfishly thought. He loved the colours and strange fashion on parade there. He was almost disappointed that only this him liked being invisible in the crowd and admiring pretty clothes. What would his other self like? Jackie liked cooking as much as Jack, so he thought… non, he guessed he'd never get a chance to kidnap himself and to question the man about their other selves. "Maybe, we can find them today. I'm down for some kidnapping." He wanted to say "Other Hanako" but he won't do so within Moss's and Tashi's earshot. If Tashi was as protective as Amaiya, they'd cause their first mate endless headaches.

Luro's approach grew more tempting after glimpsing his other self. He was sure Jack would relish the opportunity to become the imposing Spymaster again. Sid was more than happy to indulge his fére as it would sate his own curiosity and annoyance with this strange world. Nali's parting words were a cruel hint at the things they need to find out, at the Imposter's pace, at Nali's pace. Non, he was sure they were better off having more control. He bumped arms with Jack. "You aren't allowed to say no. You and Adelaide," he emphasised. "Luro and I have this planned out perfectly. And, capitaine! Keep Amaiya distracted tonight, oui? I promise we'd have something planned for you two another time," he crossed his heart with mock solemnity. "Ade, I'll let her decide on second thought. It's hard to separate a married couple that's why we invited her too."

 

[Mizos]

​

"Sure."
Luro's response to Cedric was quick without hesitation at his request, whether it was because it was a request from his brother or because he said the magic words after 'a' were left to the winds.
"That all sounds really fun, I wonder what drinks they have here…"
Luro grinned at the thought of it and he gave Jack a thumbs up when Cedric mentioned a plan, he was glad Cedric had one, his involved two donkeys, a mongoose and a palm tree.

The bubble enveloped them and Nali waved to the group, Tashi giving a small bow as the bubble turned opaque once again and cut off the outside, the group moving away from the battlefield. Nali watched them go and Tashi looked over at her companion.
"Captain…you have that 'I am planning something' look."
"How can you even tell with my eyes covered? You're something else Tashi. Also no I don't."
"How long have I known you Captain."
"Fair point…wait I feel like I'm forgetting something."
Nali turned as another army approached the two, Nali calmly shoved a hand into her pocket as the group approached, she glanced over in their direction as they raised their weapons. Arrows started raining down towards the two and Nali snapped her fingers.
"I forgot to tell her about the blindfold!"
"...You need to be more aware Captain. Let us hurry and deal with this."
The two calmly stepped to the side as the arrows landed where they were before walking towards the approaching opposition.

When the bubble popped the crew found themselves in a town, from basic appearances they were more than likely in the square. There was a large fountain next to them, which seemed to be a sculpture of Shay barely holding up a series of jugs which poured into the water around them. Normally fountains made in such images had some manner of symbolism, or at least showed the 'good' side of the subject. This just seemed like a marble of someone being overworked.

The crew were surrounded on all sides by buildings of various sizes, most made with white brick though a few were red further down the road. Grey cobblestone rested at their feet leading in different directions, stretching endlessly down different paths, showing that they were in the center of this town. Tantalizing smells filled the air, from fresh baked bread from nearby bakeries and sweet shops, to the flowers planted here and there throughout the town; some placed in containers and others planted within the town itself in the small patches of greenery.
People wandered all around them, dressed similarly in blue and white flowy clothes akin to Shay's in a sense, though the servant's seemed only a 'slightly' bit fancier. Some stood behind wooden stands selling a few of their wares while others wandered about the town.
People of varying ages walked with each other, from children to adults but there was one thing in common with all of them.
"...everyone's smiling," Zilia said.
The doctor noticed that the people within the town were smiling, they didn't seem fake either, their eyes held a light in them. They walked tall and laughter filled the streets, a song of joy that surrounded them.
"Welcome to the Capital everyone. The crown jewel of our kingdom."

It wasn't until they were taking steps into the capital that Runali fully froze and gave a dramatic 'agh!' noise. Before anyone got too startled, Runali placed a hand on her cheek and sighed. "I forgot to get my answer about the blindfold… Ah well, maybe another time…" Almost immediately, she snapped back to put her attention on the new place. She noticed the happiness too and for it to have looked so natural, seemed the opposite. She lowered her voice, partially joking as she said, "Maybe they're all puppets. And maybe when we're not lookin' they collapse like the dead to start it all over again." Her voice was eerie as if she was telling a scary story over a fire, but it was broken up by her laugh. "Would be creepier than when the Court had us stuck on their ship."

"Captain…" Zilia mumbled before sighing and focusing forward again.
She was on the same page however, them all being puppets would make sense more than anything else, she didn't like how it was being told like a horror story though, they were a step away from actually being in one.
"I expected the citizens would at the bare minimum be indentured servants…maybe worse…anyone else?" Emil said raising his hand. "Considering our own circumstances anyway."
"I expected intestines to be lining the buildings by black nails and half open bodies strung up along the buildings like banners," Luro commented. "Random screams would fill the once silent streets at strange intervals though there would be no one breathing in sight, carried by the harsh winter wind."
"That's very…specific," Emil said slowly lowering his hand.
"That's one of the memories Imposter showed me before…or is that my memory," Luro said crossing his arms. "...I don't remember anymore but I expected that."
"You looked awfully calm for an expectation like that…also seriously is he just being this mean to us?"
Emil looked over at Shay.
"And Shay."
"Well I've seen it a few times at this point," Luro said with a small shrug. "Also probably."
"When?! Also why just us?"
"...U-um His Highness is the King that would be very bad…and no one is a puppet. I apologize but I have no idea why his Highness treats you in such a way," Shay commented. "His Highness should be this way. Please follow me."

"Maybe we should check if we can 'pass up' temples, just in case we get one involving Luro's memories," Emil said crossing his arms. "...don't see it going well though. Well Jack has a silver tongue with my backup it wouldn't be impossible…"
"Are you worried about going to a bad one Emil?" Luro asked looking back at the Prophet.
"How is the one you mentioned not bad?!"

Shay lead the way to another part of the town and just as the servant said Imposter came into view in the distance, he seemed to be carrying a large crate which he sat down in front of one of the houses.
"Will this work?"
His gaze went over to an older woman who rubbed the top of the crate.
"Yes…thank you Your Highness. I apologize for bothering you."
"Ah I was free anyway, don't worry about it."
"Mr. King!"
Imposter turned as a few voices called out to him, and smiling he knelt down as a few children approached him.
"Mr. King can we play today?!"
"Ah I'm sorry everyone…I have to do some grown up stuff today…but I can play with you tomorrow, anything you want to play since I have to pass up today."
"Okay now it's bothering me," Emil said crossing his arms. "Is it just us…and Shay."

​

Imposter ruffled a few of the children's hair before standing up and noticing the crew, he walked over to them stopping a few feet in front of them calmly adjusting his sleeves.
"Wow he didn't snap their necks at all," Luro said scratching the side of his his head.
"Don't say that when he's in front of us," Emil said knocking on Luro's back.

Zilia wasn't sure how to react what she was looking at, this man seemed completely different from the 'king' who was leering over them not that long ago. The very air around him felt different and the way he carried himself seemed far more relatable, the small smile on his face held no malice behind it and his gaze was clear and focused.
"...are you Imposter?" Emil questioned.
Zilia closed her eyes glad Emil said what she was thinking.
Imposter smiled and held his hand out, as he did the orb flew out of Luro's chest stopping just before his hand, the sphere seemed to blink out of existence before the man's body glowed.
"Walk with me. This won't take long," he said walking down another road. "If you wander off I'll answer that question in a fun way."
"...yep definitely Imposter," Luro said walking after him.

While making their way to the unknown destination a few people stopped Imposter, either to speak with him or thank him for some previous instance. No one approached him with fear or avoided him for the same reason, it was a strange sight to see but this was apparently enough for Zilia to figure the risk was worth it.
"Imposter."
"Yes Zilia."
"May I pose a question?"
"With the effort you all put on I believe a few answers are fair, which I appreciate by the way. I chose an easy Realm…but you still dealt with a Shepherd all the same. I'll get the specifics from Shay later…now what's your question?"
Zilia looked over at Luro, then the others before looking back at Imposter.
"We all saw a king…one that wasn't you. Who was that?"
Imposter stopped walking and turned slightly to look back at the group, his eyelids lowered slightly and Zilia's body tensed a bit wondering if she had crossed a line.
"...you saw that memory?" He posed this question his eyes moving to each member of their group. "Hmmm I suppose that makes sense, you are connected to Facade after all."
Imposter turned and walked forward again, ahead of them was a large Passage, the familiar water gates from the castle rested within their path down the narrow street, by now all the people around them had vanished, the area they were in was definitely an older part of the city and not a single soul filled the area excluding them.
"I'll answer that question once we passed through there. Don't worry it's one way if you have permission to pass through. It's about time we had a…frank conversation."

Much like everyone else, Runali didn't trust a 'kind' Imposter, but then again, she didn't think Imposter actually hated them as much as he just liked being a nuisance. "Gods and Monsters have too much time on their hands. We just drew the shorter stick and became the center of this one's attention. I don't think hate's the right word. More like bored and that somehow got bad for us." She shrugged, watching Imposter be flocked by citizens. "Or maybe he's jealous Jones got to us first - well, 'cept Luro of course." She continued to speak until Imposter was in front of them. And even though she carried a relaxed posture, following Imposter and her crew along, she was still readily tense when Imposter gave Zilia his full attention.

She relaxed again when he started to walk, joking a little as the space grew emptier and emptier. "Don't think your people would like seeing you kill a bunch of pirates in cold blood in front of them, huh? Fair, gotta keep the peace." She did give a nod though, adding. "Glad you appreciate our hard work and effort to leave, though."

"Runali's pretty much right. I only hate Luro, it's boredom for the rest of you," Imposter said glancing back with a smile.
"That makes sense, bored Imposters are a bad thing," Luro said with a nod.
"I'll admit I'm a bit jealous about Jones though but what can you do? I know some of the plans one of the Imposters had for Alicia especially that I wanted to see, Luro you remember that one right?"
"The tall or short one?"
"Tall one."
"Oh yeah that one…"
"Haha still I wouldn't kill in the middle of town huh…what an interesting statement…"

Imposter stepped to the side letting the crew pass through the Passage first before he walked through. When the group exited they found themselves in a small white tent with no noticeable exits save what they walked through. There were a few guards standing nearby, their gazes moving over to the crew at their appearance. Their grips tightened on their weapons but when Imposter walked through they relaxed.
The tent was mostly empty and judging by the fact earth was under them instead of cobblestone they were more than likely no longer in town. Directly in front of them were three people all knelt down with their hands tied behind their backs, one man and two women lined up in a row.
Imposter walked to the man on the far left and stopped in front of him, the people were dressed similarly to the citizens in town but unlike the others they shivered in the presence of Imposter.
Their eyes met him but it was clear they wanted to look away, some unknown defiance preventing them from doing so.

"Join me."
Imposter spoke to the man whose eyebrows arched at the man's words, there was no animosity or harshness in his tone, he spoke the words with the same care of commenting on clear weather. Imposter said nothing else causing the man's eyes to narrow.
"I won't join you! Our Sovereign isn't you they-"
The man's words were cut off as red suddenly stained the back of the tent, the two next to him flinched as the top half of the man's body exploded, his lower body unceremoniously falling to the side as his 'remnants' spilled out.
Zilia's eyes twitched a bit at the scene, Imposter hadn't so much as moved, not even a twitch of the fingers.
Emil eyelids lowered slightly and he put a hand on Hanako's back as a silent reminder someone was nearby.
Luro watched with his normal expression, though his head did tilt ever so slightly at the scene.

Turning Imposter walked over to the woman in the middle, his face and clothes still stained in the blood of her comrade. Parts of her friend rested on the side of her face and her lip trembled with that reality.
"Join me."
The woman trembled but swallowed back the rising emotions and looking up at Imposter opened her mouth.
"I-I will not join you, I-"
Once again a spray of red splattered against the back of the tent, and Imposter only watched as the woman's body fell to the side, only her head had been removed, blown apart by the same force that had killed the first man, the third woman watched as Imposter turned and walked over to her. Her entire body shook, her eyes twitching as she fought the urge to not look away from the creature staring down at her, as if she knew averting her gaze meant her death, even as the residue of her companions clung to her, coating parts of her skin and sliding down her neck.
"Join me."
"I…will join you."
Imposter remained still for a moment before clapping his hands together a grin finding its way onto his face.
"Fantastic! One sec!"
Reaching forward he poked her forehead with his 'less bloody' hand, and a red glow surrounded her before fading away.
"Take her somewhere where she can clean up and get a change of clothes, then find out what she can do. Make sure you listen to her now, she's one of my subjects."
The guards nodded and removing the woman's rope gently led her through the passage.
Emil's eyes moved to the two bodies on the ground, they knew Sovereigns just turned them to ash when they killed them, there was no reason to kill these two violently except intentionally.
It didn't feel like intimidation, they were already terrified of him from the beginning, a warning maybe? He wasn't sure but the fact he held the same smile on his face throughout that whole exchange bothered him, there wasn't even a twitch.
He killed them as if they were old friends without blinking.

"Loyalty...Stardusk."
Imposter turned to the crew.
"That is all I desire of you, of anyone who serves me. Provide me that…and I need little else."
He smiled at them, the same smile from outside though with his new appearance, coated in the remains of the 'disloyal' to say it was a bit warped was an understatement.
"You know now that time has no real place here. If I send you back no matter how much time you spend here…I can make it so only five minutes have passed in your world. Not sure if I told you that or not."
Zilia's eyes widened a bit at this before Imposter turned and walked over to them.
"I can't send you back in time since your bound by mortal laws in your normal forms, but forward in time isn't too much trouble. Should you spend days…weeks…months or even years, no time at all will have passed in your world. You will make your tournament…well so long as I don't throw you twenty years in the future, which I will of course avoid."
"I'm sorry did you say years," Emil said raising his hand.
"I did. We're fighting a war did you think it'd end tomorrow? Of course if you work hard and provide me resources…the war will end sooner. So I shouldn't 'need' to thank you. Your efforts will bear the very result you desire, leaving here. Isn't that enough thanks?"
"...I'd still like a thank you," Luro said raising his hand after Emil.
"Play the game then and I'll do the same," Imposter said walking up to Luro. "If you want an empty thank you then I'll provide it."

Imposter reached forward and grabbing Luro's shirt used it to wipe off his face and hands, the carpenter watched in silence as he did this before his clothing was released, the red on Imposter skin now on his clothes.
Imposter waved a hand over himself making the blood vanish as if it'd never been there, Zilia twitched realizing his intent at that point.
Imposter motioned to the Passage behind them as the water shifted slightly.
"You can head back to the castle and rest, night will fall soon. Oh and Zilia to answer your question…what you saw was the man whose kingdom I poached."
Zilia's eyes widened a bit at this and Imposter grinned.
"Want details talk to Shay. "I will say however that I've taken care of the kingdom like a proper King for generations. I mean…"
A glow filled the man's eyes and he motioned towards the crew, a smile seeped in perverse animosity adorning his features. The expression on his face wasn't one a human would make, not one with any manner of conscience.
"I stole every one of those smiles out there…wouldn't you protect them too?"
There was more to this, Zilia could feel it at this point but something in her instincts told her asking that question right now wasn't a good thing.
"Oh before I forget," Imposter said closing his eyes, the glow left his eyes and his 'expression' returned to normal as he opened them again. "Emil you're becoming a scout, Adelaide you'll be given dual duties, Scout and Core Retrieval. You can choose which one you'd prefer…well unless I want you to go, you'll know when that happens. Shay explain the basics to her later."
"Wha-" Emil started but Imposter made a shooing motion.
"Off you go, you want an audience with me talk to Shay. I put special time aside but I'm a busy guy here you know. Oh but Jack and Cedric…I'll be calling you to the throne room at a later date. I'd recommend responding when that time comes, or I'll have Jackie bring you and I'll recommend in a small basket….or maybe I should ask Hanako."
"Which Hanako," Luro said causing Imposter's smile to grow a little.
"Who knows…I kinda want Jack and Cedric not to show up now. Anyway off you go."

"Well… that's one way to keep a smile on everyone's face." Runali wasn't sure if this outcome was worse or better than everyone being puppets. It was starting to feel the same. Though at the mention of loyalty, she remained silent. There were many things she could have given; her weapons, her title, her power, her sight even. However loyalty was the one thing she could not give. It was not only bound by other forces, but it was tied to her crew as well. Just as they were loyal to her, she was all the same to them. Plus, she didn't even like Imposter. And a false loyalty was worse than not giving it at all. If anything, she figured it was a favor not to be loyal. At best, he would get her cooperation, even if that meant it was under threat of being killed. Or worse, missing out on years of time.

She placed a hand on Zilia's back, urging her towards the passage as an indication that it was best not to prolong the conversation with Imposter. And to those that spoke up, she gave an additional, "Years, he said." Runali gave a look, one a captain would give to corral her crew in one direction, before nodding towards the passage. "There will be time." For what, she didn't say. Not in front of Imposter. And with how malleable time was for the king of this world, there was some truth to her words. "For now you play the roles. Complain about it later, Emil so he doesn't give you a worse job." Runali hung back, making sure her crew passed before she did. "Your highness," There was little respect for the title, but she said it no less. "Of all the pirates out there… Of all the people out there…" She glanced up at Imposter, remembering the nonhuman nature he had, and decided to sigh away her question. It felt a little pointless to ask, so instead she smiled politely. "I hope we can come to… an agreement that works for all of us in the end of this. Luro, especially since he's been with you the longest." She shrugged. "Would be nice."

Emil seemed to catch the hint and though he was little irritated he nodded and moved towards the Passage, Runali's word was law by Nikos' orders, that mattered even now.
Imposter's gaze moved to Runali at her words, and the king's eyebrows arched for a moment, he smiled however and offered a nod.
"I will ensure the favor is properly returned Captain Lev," Imposter said. "For Luro…"
He looked in the redhead's direction.
"I'm resisting the urge to kill him…best I can do right now."
Imposter gave a shrug before his eyes moved to those remaining, his eyelids lowering slightly.
"Hm…I've given you a fair bit of information today…haven't I…"
Zilia grabbed Luro wrist not missing the Captain's touch earlier and pulled Luro with her through the Passage not offering a response to Imposter, he only smiled at the group left, Shay offering a bow before entering, the door shifting once they were all through.
"What an interesting intermission…"

When the group passed through they found themselves in the hall with their rooms, Shay had walked with them and spoke up once they made it through.
"Lady Adelaide if you would come with me I shall discuss your new duties, Sir Jack I would also ask for your company. Lady Jackie requested an audience with you when you returned. She promised 'not to kill you' in response."
Zilia eyed the servant but from Shay's expression, it was clear they were just handling their duties, or at least that was her guess at this point.
"...Jack and Adelaide I'll catch you up later."
"Then with your leave…"
With that Shay turned and walked through the Passage with the two, while it turned into a wall in the past the door remained this time, more than likely due to the fact they had more 'freedom' now.
"...let's head to the meeting room," Zilia said, pointing to the door at the end of the hall. "I'd like to cover something with everyone. It won't take long."

Within the meeting room, with only a round table and chairs, all lit by a single lantern housing a blue flame, the group had gathered. Zilia seemed extremely adamant about entering the room to speak privately so Emil admitted to a bit of curiosity.
"If you don't mind Captain permit me to take lead in the discussion for a moment," Zilia said looking at Runali before looking back at everyone.

"The floor is yours." Runali gestured as she took a seat in one of the chairs. She stared at where Jack and Adelaide had disappeared to for a moment longer before focusing on Zilia once more.

"So…we all felt that moment back there. When Facade…'touched' us I suppose."
Zilia eyes twitched a bit at the memory but continued.
"I gathered us because I think…it's a good idea to gather more information in Facade…even with the risk."
"...not that I don't disagree but care to explain," Emil said.
"Of course. When all that happened…I connected with my other self, same as everyone else. When that happened I gained a bit of her knowledge…and if the Echo's words can be fully believed the other me is very well informed of Facade. I experienced that. When that happened information poured into my head. It took me a moment to sort it though."
Emil gave a small nod at this, he didn't know how to put it into words himself but when that 'incident' happened Facade felt less….strange, it was only by about 2% at best but he felt a shift, as if he understood something else about it.
"Because of that, I confirmed two things. First is that the moment we experienced connected us more with our Echo's, we'll probably start seeing their memories soon."
"Don't like that but okay, what else," Emil said adjusting his hat.
"...Enclave's really are places Imposter can't hear us. That was confirmed a moment ago as well. I think Imposter expected Facade to affect us because he gave us information…but it didn't because our talk with Nali did it."
"...bastard probably wanted to watch us kill over, but when we didn't he seemed curious," Emil said. "Which meant he didn't hear our conversation with Nali. Since we were in the Great Enclave. Anything else pop up Zilia? I mean both of those are good to know but nothing else came to you?"
"...nothing concrete," Zilia said bringing a hand to her head. "Everything's jumbled from what I got from my Echo. It's like…having pieces without the puzzle, it doesn't make sense. If I connect with her again I imagine I'd learn more…which begrudgingly I do want."
Zilia lowered her hand from her head.
"If you agree with me on gathering more information…then I'd like to discuss what we should try to figure out for the time being. I personally want to learn more about the Echo's myself, if not to figure out this other me as well."
"I want to know the lay of the land…which I guess works out me being a Scout if my job is what I think it'll be," Emil said.
"Good idea," Zilia said. "I'm curious what lies beyond the Great Enclave."
"Shay," Luro said raising his hand slightly.
"...Shay?" Zilia questioned.
"Shay seems to like us for some reason. I wanna know why."
"...I don't know if I'd use the word like. I'm pretty sure Shay is just doing their job."
"No," Luro said shaking his head. "Their eyes shine sometimes when they stare at us and we're not looking. I wanna know why. They also learned our language by speaking to the not us."
"...can't believe I'm saying this but I'm with Luro on this one, you wouldn't learn Feian for fun. You'd need a good reason."
"Did you have a good reason Emil?" Luro questioned looking over at him.
Emil pulled his hat down slightly and cleared his throat.
"A-anyway I like this idea, figuring stuff out. I'm in."
"...okay so Echo's, general geography and…Shay? What about everyone else? Anyone have an idea what we should pursue, an idea, or a task we should keep in mind?"

 

[Fox of Hearts]

Collab (Previous Round) between @Winter and @Fox of Hearts

"Amueeeee, wa' hae amue twigim yu'don." (Big sis, I want your tempura udon) Hana reminded Amaiya as she slid to cover her sister's back. "Jack-ta'cho's udon doesn't taste the same."

Water hosed the ground. Mud sprayed the air, screening the sisters from the next wave, giving Alicia a chance to breathe. Hanako wiped the sweat from her brow; Aomi, her black blade, was the final barrier between the soldiers and her body. There had been too many near misses - most dispatched by Emil and Luro, but the teen saw her odds dwindling and self-preservation kicking in.

Annoyance flared when she spied the passed out tailor. "How long will Cedric-hyeo sleep? We need him." She feigned right, kicking the man to the ground, and leaped into the air. She slammed her sheathed blade onto another's head. Vaulting, her legs spread and her feet sent two sprawling. She gritted her teeth. "I can wake him."

She scraped the ground. Spikes of frozen mud flared in a snaking wall. The battlefield cleaved into a ying-yang formation. Enough of a gap passed through the centre for the two sisters to remain standing back to back. Hanako grabbed her sister's arm. Springing to the air, her feet connected. One, two, three men down. More were closing in. She spied the shadowy mass of a ship. She turned and her mind blanked. Those screams dredged her soul, scraping away the flush from her cheeks, and left her fingers curled. She was back there. Crushed. People falling bloodied around her. She hyperventilated as warm darkness blinded her. Hana's hands flew upwards and gripped Emil's fingers. She gulped and pressed closer to him.

"Gamsa'n." (thank you)

Seeing blood affected her. Those walls she built to shield her fragile mind were crumbling. She knew the smell too well, thankfully, she was too distracted, or she'd be the next one down. Her sisters knew this - they saw her reaction when she was little; she sliced her hand, stared at the blood and vomited. She remained wilting in Amaiya's hug for a long time. Today's edging towards more than she could bear. She stood there, shaking. "Is it over, amue?" She smelled her sister. Even without feeling the woman's embrace, she could tell where Amaiya was standing, her senses honed thanks to Satia's gruelling tutelage.

Alicia wanted to make a comment towards Emil as he covered Hanako's eyes but decided against it. These were the kinds of scenes her younger sister would need to become accustomed to seeing if she wished to venture into the wide open world. To try and shield her against it would only serve to delay the inevitable. "It would appear so." she replied once the ship had ceased movement over those unlucky enough to have been dragged under it.

The arrival of the other Runali wasn't unexpected at this point, although the difference in appearance wasn't something she could have been prepared for. The red hair gave her more of a Luro aesthetic and that detail was all the more interesting after they learned that she'd made a deal with the imposter in their own timeline. Alicia remained quiet as Nali moved and blinked between them, her eyebrow raising just a little at the interaction between her and Tashi which was… actually very familiar feeling all things considered.

The grip Tashi had on her swords didn't go unnoticed either. Alicia of all could tell when she was in a state of readiness and she too had firmed her grip upon Shusui in response, her silver eyes narrowing just slightly as she paid close attention to subtle movements. Though once her stance appeared to relax Alicia would follow soon after, exhaling quietly through her nose as she stood a little straighter. "Did you notice?" she asked towards Hanako, curious to see if her younger sister might have picked up on the detail too.

"About Tashi-amue or Nali-fu'tai?" came the perplexed answer. Hana felt the difference when Nali's blue washed over her; she noted her sister's other self tensing and grabbing her saya. She didn't know what Amaiya wanted her to comment on specifically. She wrung her wrist nervously as her drifting eyes avoided the redden ground around the ship. She swallowed. "I think they aren't a perfect mirror. Our fu'tai doesn't have red-hair and you don't have an eye patch. Jackie-tai'n is the most different of the three."

Red strands flared in her periphery followed by an uncomfortable tug of her hair. Hana shrank away, not daring to do more than that. Her hand reached instinctively for her blade hilt. She blinked and the woman teleported off to disturb someone else. Emil was next. Nali stole his hat and was leaning against his back. She reminded Hana kabuki actors, exaggeratedly dramatic, and more dangerous in her mind. The confidence unnerved her. Fu'tai, their fu'tai, never showed off like this. She found her sister's eyes. "Nali-fu'tai hides her strength well."

Alicia didn't answer Hanako with a reply right away, taking a moment before eventually responding with a single nod. In truth she had hoped Hanako had developed enough of an awareness to sense when someone was preparing for a fight, thus she was interested in knowing if she too had caught the subtle movements of her reflection. Hanako's answer was still acceptable, it at the very least revealed that she was paying attention and not simply taking things at face value.

"You haven't been around Ru that long, she has her own way of expressing her skills. You'll see what I mean eventually.." Alicia softly smiled towards her younger sister before turning her attention back towards what was happening. "Oh and on that subject, please don't ask me silly questions when we're amidst a battle you know better than that." Though her reprimand was light, her tone conveyed her seriousness. "But I suppose I can make tempura udon for you if Jack is prepared to lend me his kitchen."

"Yay!" Hana giggled and tackled the swordswoman from behind, pretending to ignore the warning. Blue and silver, their hair mingled, before the teen let go, and hugged her sister again. The tightness reflected that she understood. Hanako remained with her arms around Alicia's waist. "What does Fu'tai mean when she said Nali-fu'tai is the version of her that made a deal with the Imposter?" the apprentice's brow furrowed. "She speaks like the Imposter is a devil or another deity. I'm so -"

Piercing heat stabbed through her heart, causing the girl's fingers to claw at Alicia's clothes. Hana wailed and melted to her knees, her arms descending to along with her. She panted softly. "Ne, amue … amue?" she sensed the shifts in the older woman's stance and it scared her. "Are you okay?"

Hana's voice petered away. Her mind stolen by the mirror of herself, a face similar and yet unnervingly sadistic. She shook her head in denial. Tashi-amue said her other self was kind, but what she saw didn't feel that way. She was confused, afraid, so very, very afraid. Wasn't this the darkness she saw back in the dojo? The inner darkness waiting to drown her. She raked her fingers into her hair. Head downcast and her screams stifled by the whitening of her lower lip. She wanted to keep trusting Tashi-amue; she desperately did, because hating the mirror was like hating her precious sister. Tears dotted her skirt as she wilted into a prostrate position. Everything was a tired mess in her head, all she wanted was to hide in her room. She squeezed out the last of her sorrow and rose to her feet. She nurtured a hesitant smile as her hands found Alicia's and Emil's.

"Let's done keep them waiting! Runali-fu'tai's waving. Come!" she encouraged as she pulled them along. "I'm going to pout until Jack-ta'cho agrees to let amue cook! Emil, I'm gonna make sure you get a big bowl!"

Alicia reached up and put a hand to her head, wincing as she too saw her alternate self. The image of herself casting her gaze outwards towards the horizon. While it didn't seem upsetting, there was something there which she couldn't quite put her finger on. By the time she recovered she was already being pulled away by her younger sister. "Alright alright, no need to rush." she replied softly. "Maybe Jack can help me, he is the best cook we know after all." she smiled as she followed after Hanako and Emil.

 

[Capt. Blu]

Runali mulled the idea over and over in her head. Finding more information was more risky, but it would help them navigate the world around them. As Zilia spoke, she balanced on the back legs of her chair weighing the pros and cons of the idea. "Hmm…"

It wasn't until the others began to voice what mattered most to them did she finally let the chair fall on all fours and lean against the table. "It's a sound plan but," She raised a curious brow at Zilia. "It's dangerous." She raised a hand to stop the group so she could clarify. "Not just because we're playing in a world that's not ours but because we don't know what'll happen if we… I s'pose know too much about lives we don't live." Runali knocked on her temple with a fist. "Pain is easy. We can all take a bit of it. I just… worry that if we get too involved the ties between us and those Echoes may get a little too tangled, y'know?" In her time being captain, she was already a little on edge about having the group separated in some place she considered undead. There were already too many unknown factors for her to trust that Jack and Adelaide would be safe with only Shay as their guide. She could only hope that if Nali was anything like her, even with Imposter's influence, she'd restrain her crew from attacking their mirrors.

"Don't get me wrong, I wanna know more about the Echoes just as much as the next. Especially want to learn what the captain's whole deal is with the," She gestured to her face. "Oh and the poofing thing she was doing. But I don't want to be her, y'know? The red hair looks nice on Luro, but I don't think I can do long hair again. Pretty look at, a nightmare for all the fighting." She pointedly looked at the ones with longer hair and chuckled. "Dunno how you guys do it." She shrugged. "And learning about the land itself might be useful, like knowing who this mysterious other king was, but I'd also like to pass on accidentally… I dunno switching lives with the undead because we know too much." She knew it was something other than being undead, but she could barely wrap her head around it, nor did she really try. Lumping this with Jones and the rest was just easier.

Runali adjusted her eyepatch. "Nevertheless, I do wanna pursue the un-pursuable. The king himself." She waved a hand as she dramatized. "Imposter. After all, he knows everything and just doesn't wanna tell us. I'm sure I could get in his good graces- or eh, whatever grace that means he'll entertain conversation without killing me for being boring." She thought about the chances of it happening and how often Imposter used being busy as an excuse. "But I did just mention the danger of it all… and he could easily snap and kill us so maybe Shay really is the next best thing." She ended her thought by clasping her hands together. "First mate? What do you think? Cedric?" She leaned over to look on the other side of Alicia. "And you too Hanako, you're more part of this crew than Emil is since he's just visiting, you get a say in the matter as well. But," She held her grin as she faked a whisper. "If you manage to convince Emil to abandon Nikos to be a Stardusk, you'd get a bounty that's as high as Adelaide's for sure."

 

[Fox of Hearts]

​

".. l'me nargue." Sid grumbled. He remained leaning against Jack's back, arms crossed, and staring at the obliterated view. "Non, I know the mind games have begun. We're talking about "me", Jack, and you know I hate losing."

He puffed his cheeks when he saw Alicia turning their way. He peeled away from his brother, instantly, and joined the First Mate. "Jack refuses to see my point," he shrugged dramatically. "He'll have to admit I'm right if I succeed. Do you think I'll succeed?" He teased as he lowered his voice to a breathy whisper. "I'm going to steal from the Echoes. Tell me whom you'd like to target," he smiled as he leaned close enough to smell her perfume. "I'm serious, Amaiya. I can't let my other self win."

He allowed her to step away first, and he trailed behind with his hands deep in his pocket. As tempted as he was to tail the entire group, he doubted he was in the mood to watch Emil and Hana flirt. The two have gotten much bolder ever since they entered Facade. They were openly walking around with their hands entwined, probably oblivious to the fact that everyone was watching them. His own hand twitched as he remembered the few times Alicia's was in his; a faraway dream now, given the widening gap between them. Would she even look at someone much younger? He obviously knew nothing about her preferences in love. Alicia was - and had always been - this ethereal muse, someone he couldn't stop thinking about. He hinted about his deeper feelings and she never reacted. He saw a flutter to his side, turned, and saw his sister-in-law's face. He broke his gaze - wishing, no begging, her not to breathe a single word. Not even Jack knows about his latest heartbreak - he always loved too deeply and never had his feelings returned.

Needing to distract himself, and Adelaide, Sid reached for Chaos's head. "Cherie, you know what to do, oui? Scout this place, and track "me" if you find them. Steal what you can and return immediately. Remember, stay safe. I prefer you returning empty-handed than not at all." Her weight disappeared from his shoulder without another meow. He scooped Jackie off his shoulder and held the tiny kitten in both hands. "Find Nali or Tashi, Jackie. Don't steal from them. Play with them and bring back any gifts they offer you. I'll summon you back when I need you."

He spied Chester curled around Alicia's neck. Those green eyes darted away the moment Jackie disappeared, forcing Sid to jog back to Alicia's side as the group spied the Imposter. "Are you going to aid your sisters?"

Chester yawned, sharing his thoughts with his Summoner and Alicia. 'Only if Alicia agrees to this. I much rather make sure you don't lose something in return. You've always been petty.'

"I'm not -"

'... self-absorbed, petty and self-destructive, yes, we all know. I'm sure your traits are not too different given your past. We don't even know where you two diverge or what form the other familiar or familiars take. Your thoughts, Amaiya?'

Cedric wrinkled his nose. He shoved his hands back into his pockets as he stuck by the First Mate's side. Annoyed at Chester's continued commentary. His oldest familiar choosing to divert the conversation to the world around them. The overt happiness and the cult-like fashion, which reminded the cat of Yekaterina, the capital closest to Lebov's home. The cat purred.

'I'd love to see what lies keep them smiling brightly, and how it relates to the strange dream you, Hana and Cedric shared.'

Master's and familiar's eyes blazed as the group followed the Imposter into the tent. Sid pretended to be detached when he saw the prisoners. A familiar chill tickled his neck, causing him to ball his buried fists, when the man splattered. His concern - drifting towards golden eyes - ought to be Jack. He knew his brother would hate the injustice before them, more than he ever would. Hanako - he noticed her fingers whitening as they dug into Emil's wrist. Her face was buried into the nape of his neck like her life depended on it. He picked up the sobs she tried desperately to swallow. Jack's voice was starting to nag in his head. By Stars! Even his bloody conscience sounded like that annoying man, Sid huffed as he side-stepped towards the lovebirds.

He fished out a card and ignited the ink. Fluttering into his palm was a white handkerchief. This he tossed toward Emil and inclined his head towards Hanako. He rounded his shoulders and slid over to Jack, knowing that Emil would recognise the smell of Alicia's perfume. The scent would comfort the distraught girl, or safe her from fainting, at least.

He ran an arm around Jack's shoulders and pulled his brother closer. Enough, he hoped, to break Jack away from those dark thoughts. Such anger had always been Jack's burden, one he never fully empathized with. He understood cruelty and injustice in a different way. He hummed softly and allowed the glowing spell to burrow into the man's skin. 'I know, and I'll support you when the time is right.' Sid assured his brother. 'Let me ease the tension building inside, and keep your mind clear.'

—----------------------------
​

Hanako crushed the handkerchief in her hand as she curled up on the nearest chair. Half of her soul remained inside the tent, maybe returned back to the bloody streets, she couldn't tell. She was barely focusing on the plan. "A ye," she stammered, uncurling and suddenly hyper aware, as Runali-fu'tai mentioned Emil. "Emil's very loyal to Nikos-fuku," she asserted. "It's so sweet, very inspiring … I, well, I hope to be like him too."

She started strangling the handkerchief as she sat hunching forward. "I can follow him."

"To what?" Cedric raised his eyebrow.

"Anywhere."

"He offered to scout the area for us," the tailor prompted. "Capitaine was saying -"

Hana blinked as her mind finally caught on. "No, I mean we can scout the area together. I'll be happy to talk to Shay-tai too. I wanted to talk to Tashi-amue too, but Amaiya-amue would know her better."

"If we are splitting into pairs, or threes, I'll take Luro with me. I have a hunch that we can borrow one of the other Stardusk for a few hours. A little chat, maybe more," he smiled as he waved his hand vaguely, imitating Jack's mannerism whenever the man was thinking on the fly. "There's nothing dangerous about sharing drinks with them, Zilia." It's not like he never kidnapped anyone before. Their level of "alive" depended on the mission. Most of the time Madame Charlotte wanted them to never be seen again. Jack was never told about these missions, only because he doubted his older brother would approve of fourteen-year-old him dirtying his hands. Jack confirmed these misgivings in his final moments back in Bonifaas, and he didn't want to spoil their last moments back then.

His smile turned up as he grabbed for Luro's wrist. "My cats will keep us all connected." He tossed one of his earrings towards Runali. "Keep Jackie's today. I'll need Chaos later." He didn't mention Chester as he knew that the cat would volunteer to follow Alicia. "Capitaine, Zilia … Amaiya?" he checked one last time.

Hanako locked fingers with Emil. She glanced at her amue, suddenly, as it occurred to her that Amaiya may object to her spending time alone with Emil unsupervised. She wished her sister trusted him more; he was a true gentleman and her very good friend. She began playing with her hair as she waited for her sister to give her blessings for them to leave.

 

[Mizos]

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The Captain as always made a valid point and Zilia offered a nod to her, well aware how dangerous it was. If she could come up with any other safer options she would prefer that, but their lives were constantly at risk, able to be ended on a whim, and she was still trying to figure out how they would balance when to be careful and when risks needed to be taken and this felt like the later, at least to a degree. She hoped with more information they could be in less danger but Nali was correct on one thing, both options were going to make their lives harder.
"I agree Captain...I didn't get a good look at mine...but I could feel the difference and I'd prefer not to become her either. Also Luro..."
She trailed off at that as Luro tilted his head, she didn't like the idea of a Luro who accepted Imposter, she met Imposter unfiltered through Luro once and he almost snapped her neck, but she didn't see the other Luroand she didn't want to make assumptions about him.
"Well, unnerving as he can be I'm sure I'd prefer this one. Still...I dislike just sitting and letting Imposter do what he wants."
At the mention of hair her gaze moved to those with long hair and pushing up her glasses she admitted to her curiosity.
"...my hair is short and it sometimes gets in the way...I have no idea how you all do it. Especially you Luro, your hair is almost always down...and Alicia's is always perfect even after a fight. Meanwhile, I have to fix mine after almost every fight...is it because you both control wind...wait does Adelaide's..."
Zilia shook her head realizing that was another matter, Alicia's perfect hair was something she'd never get a full answer to, she made a gentle peace with that fact.
"...Imposter huh...that is true, extremely dangerous but knowing our enemy is important too. Luro you're the best chance we have with that. If anything comes up tell Runali immediately."
"What if I don't know if it's real or not?" Luro asked rubbing the side of his head.
"...we'll gauge the importance later."
"Kay I'll try to remember."
Zilia had many comments on that but left it alone for the time being wanting to focus on the other's views.

Emil listened to the conversation but his gaze kept moving over to Hanako, replaying that moment from earlier in his head. He had only given Cedric a sideways glance at the gesture but he took the handkerchief all the same. His fears however were coming true and his gaze moved to Luro at this, the two's eyes met and the redhead offered him a smile. That caused the Prophet's shoulders to drop a little as a bit of the tension left.
"Hanako you should stay with everyone," Emil said looking over at her. "Adelaide and I were assigned to this job...and I don't want to give Imposter any openings. I'm not as good as Nikos or Tari on this thing...but even I can tell when something feels off. I spoke with Luro at length when we shared a room to try and pick up Imposter's...habits."
Zilia's brows arched a bit at this and Luro folded his hands behind his head.
"Imposter's doing Imposter stuff...definitely."
"I'm sure he wanted you to offer scouting with me...he specifically gave the job to Adelaide, which bothered me considering Jack is better at this kind of thing currently...hard as that is to admit yet he didn't bring him into it. I don't know what he's trying to do luring you into this but I'd rather not play into his hands. He's up to something and he's making it obvious."
"He probably knows Hanako would want to come with you and that you'd notice his intent," Luro said closing his eyes. "That's what it feels like."
"Make someone take a course of action then fault them for it, the oldest trick in the book," Emil said his eyebrows narrowing. "...why'd he make it obvious is what bothers me....well if it even is obvious. Gah I hate this, I can't tell if he's doing it on a whim or purposeful...it feels purposeful but at the same time..." Emil trailed off shaking his head.
While hating to do so he let go of Hanako's hand and placed it on her shoulder.
"...I will keep my promise to you no matter what. I'm not going to put you in more danger though. So please stay with everyone. I asked Luro to keep an extra eye on you as well, as much as he can anyway, you'll be safer with Alicia and the group then just with me. Also we have no idea what's out there. Until we do it's better not to move as a group. He has an eye on you for some reason, so best you be with as many people as possible."

Zilia eyes narrowed a bit and she noticed as Emil pulled his hand away it trembled slightly, he had hidden it from Hanako at that point and closed his hand into a fist at his side to stop it from shaking. She knew how proud Emil was, and in this moment he couldn't guarantee Hanako's safety, he had to accept that weakness and he was doing his best to keep a straight face in the midst of that. She hoped that whatever this 'interest' was in Hanako it would pass quickly, he already admitted wanting to see something happen to Alicia in the past, which she was going to ask Luro about later.
"...once we have a better understanding we'll help as much as we can Emil. He's right though Hanako, your 'job' if it can be called that is the temples. I don't want Imposter to claim you weren't 'following orders' and punish you for it...especially if he's bored one day. Let's not give him that kind of opportunity. He's shown he'll kill us for less."
With a sigh, she looked over at Cedric at the mention of getting a drink with the Echo's of all people.
"...just make sure you're back in your rooms and asleep at some point. We don't know the castle all that well, and if you go missing we'll have no way of finding you...also there's always a chance of danger when Luro is involved. Don't forget Imposter can sever that connection with the cats whenever he wants, he's done it once already. That said if you're just having drinks then I don't need to worry...right."

Zilia eyelids lowered a bit at this and Luro gave her a thumbs up.
"Then I look forward to hearing about it later...in explicit detail. That said there's one more thing."
Reaching behind her Zilia set a book on the table, it was a simple book with a grey cover and a yellow tassel, originally the size of a small notebook Zilia waved her hand over it and the object grew in size matching a regular book.
"...whatever happens in this place I'd like you to tell me at some point. I won't make you of course but I'd like to know all you learn. Luro told me years ago that he wrote things down to keep some sense of self with Imposter...granted because of his jumbled memories he's not sure if he wrote it or Imposter did but thankfully I don't have that problem...and hopefully won't in the future."
She closed her eyes at this before opening and continuing.
"I'm going to keep a Chronicle here as well, that is part of my job and writing things down may help avoid confusion and will let me fact-check anything. I'm not sure how trustworthy our memories will be here so better safe than sorry. I think it'll be good for keeping an eye on our mental states as well, if something we once thought was weird becomes normal I'll have a record of it."
She tapped the book with her finger.
"I asked Shay for a book and they gave me this, showing me the trick with it. A stack of books was affected by the Enclave and Imposter wants nothing to do with then, this was one of them. So what's written in here will also stay hidden at least that seems to be the case. Keeping notes, and maintaining our sense of selves I think that's important so-"
"Astral Diary."
"Huh?" Zilia said looking over at Luro.
"Let's call it the Astral Diary."

Zilia stared at Luro who pointed at the book, she handed the book to him, and grabbing it he dug in his sleeve. Pulling out a pen he wrote 'Astral Diary' on the front and handed it back to Zilia. He put his hands on his hips clearly proud of his idea and the doctor slowly turned back to the others.
"...right Astral Diary," Zilia said. "Okay so that is all I really wanted If anything comes up I think it'd be a good idea to use this room. If Alicia has something important to say, the Captain has some comment for us, or anyone else having a place to 'gather' could help out."
With a nod Zilia picked up the book and put it away.
"That's all I had to say. Thanks for hearing me out everyone. If no one has anything else to add...why don't we meet here tomorrow morning to talk more about how to carry out our plans. Once again I'll be Chronicling everything but the Captain is right let's not get too 'tangled' with our Echoes, if that concerns you feel free not to tell me anything, and I won't show the Diary to anyone that doesn't want to see it. I'm...going to take the risk so we'll have the information if need be."

---

The kingdom filled the minds of Stardusk once again, the Capital that they had seen that day came once again within their memories that night, entering their dreams or lack thereof. However this capital was far smaller than the one they knew, and while the same smiles were on the people's faces somehow the kingdom seemed...brighter. The King made his way down one of the town streets, he raised a hand to the people who called out to him, he smiled at his people, spoke to those who came up to him and thanked the guards who patrolled the town.
The King at one point had to politely excuse himself as most of the town wanted to pull him aside for one reason or another, it was easy to see the monarch was beloved by his people and it was clear to see he cherished them. He held the hand of an older woman and after thanking her for the pie she had given him the other day left and entered into a nearby building.

Within the building were a few tables along with a counter in the back, it seemed to be a restaurant from first appearance and when the king entered the staff turned and with smiles across their faces raised their hands to him.
"Your Highness! Welcome. What brings you to our humble establishment once more." A man behind the counter said.
"I would like my usual if you please."
"Haha coming right up."
With a wave of his hand one of the servers nodded and moved into the back room.
"Once again thank you for your business, your Highness."
"I love the food here so thank you. Also I'm fine being called by my name. I keep telling everyone in town that too but..."
"You've done far too much for us to do that Your Highness. I mean for me alone you ran in the rain during a great storm just to bring my daughter medicine..."
"Anyone would have done that though."
"Even if that is true you were the one who did it so at least let me show due respect. We all feel that way."
After a moment a young woman walked out of the back, a petite woman in a brown dress walked out, her long black hair was tied in a long braid and she walked over to the table where the King sat.
"Hello once again your Highness."
Hello _____, how are you doing?"
"I'm doing just fine thank you for asking, apologies for the wait I was finishing up another order. You like the way I make the usual right, are there any specifics you want today?"
"I'll have it the same as last time. Sorry for always asking for you."
"That's easily enough done, and it's no issue at all. I've served you for over a year at this point, you're one of the nicer customers."
"I'm happy to hear that. Oh may I ask one more thing if it's not too much trouble."
"Of course your Highness what is it?"
"Would you marry me?"
"Sure I....huh?"
The woman raised her eyes from the paper to look at the King who offered a bright smile to her.

---

The following Morning

Zilia's eyes narrowed a bit as sunlight fell into her room, she had decided to sleep in her own bedroom that night wanting to get a headstart on the Astral Diary, and not wanting to disturb Runali. Slowly opening her eyes her gaze moved to her ceiling...only to have green canvas meet her eyes instead. She blinked a few times before reaching over and grabbing her glasses and putting them on, adjusting them she looked again only to see once again that green met her vision.
"...huh?"
Sitting up she quickly looked around before realizing she was in a tent, she was positive the bedroom was her own on the ship, and when she attempted to change it back nothing happened, she was without a doubt sleeping in a tent and on top of that she could see grass which meant she was outside.
Getting out of bed she quickly dressed herself and exited the tent walking outside, when she did she noticed Luro was standing nearby already looking in a direction.
She noticed there were other tents around them and she was pretty sure it was everyone else, at the very least she could sense their presence, though she didn't pick up Emil's for some reason.
Looking around her they seemed to be in some sort of camp, past the circle of tents that was probably Stardusks she could see tents in the distance, along with pots cooking food, people training nearby and the like. While all of this was confusing what bothered her was that there were people walking around, people wearing the uniform of the army who attacked them yesterday. Her guard had gone up but they were paying them no mind, a few even looked in their direction and waved before going about their ways.
"...Luro I know this is a long shot but do you know what's going on?"
Luro pointed ahead and Zilia looked where he was looking, which seemed to be Imposter's castle in the distance...and before that the Great Enclave.
"That's the castle," Zilia said.
"Yep," Luro said lowering his hand.
"Which means we're in the other Sovereign's domain?"
"Seems like it."
"...yet we're not dead."
"Well we might be dead but yeah we're not dead dead...what is dead dead anyway?"
Zilia fell to her knees before clutching her head.
"I have no idea what's going on anymore..."
"Haha I never knew," Luro said grinning. "Let's just wait for everyone to wake up."

View attachment 251485​

 

[Capt. Blu]

Collab bet'we Captn and Silent​

​

Something soft, furry, and insistent batted at Runali's face, after the dream of the smiling King and his proposal faded away. Something scratchy licked her cheek next. When she opened her eyes, Jackie the kitten mewled at her. She jumped down on the floor and turned, looking at Runali expectantly. She mewed again.

It was still dark… presumably meaning it was still in the middle of the night, but who could tell with Facade? Jackie kneaded on the carpet and turned in a circle, quietly communicating her impatience so as not to wake up Zilia.

"If the ship's not on fire… go get Tashigi…" With eyes still closed, Runali waved the sandpaper tongue away. When it became incessant, she bemoaned. "Luro can take care of the oncoming ships I don't- okay, okay. I'm up." She yawned and opened her eyes, taking a moment to adjust to the darkness she wasn't expecting. When there were two large cat eyes staring at her she sighed, stretched, and shimmied out of her hammock just as silent as the cat that woke her. Runali looked back to where Zilia's half of the room extended, expecting a mountain of books. All she spotted was the other end of her own room, Coral perched with her head tucked in her wings. She remembered the doctor mention something about writing, but it was too late for her to remember in full. She remained quiet anyway as she followed the cat out of the room. Once the door closed behind her, she spoke. "What is it Jackie? Someone get locked out of their room? Got stuck in a well? If it's about treats I can't help you."

It was none of those things, as she followed the cat all the way to a balcony, spotting Jack on his own. "Ah. I guess that's cause for an emergency too. Can't have my favorite cook brooding and sad all by himself in an unfamiliar place." She picked up the cat, chuckling knowing that she was within earshot of the man.

Jack startled when he heard the captain's footsteps approach, but managed to compose himself before she rounded the corner. He sat on the ledge of a balcony with a clear view of the twinkling town below, rum bottle in hand. He threw a glare at the kitten that was undercut by his smirk. "I told you not to get her. You've been hanging out with Chester too much."

The kitten purred, likely in rebellion. Jack rolled his eyes. He gestured for Runali to come over. "Want a midnight sip?" he offered her the rum.

He looked back out at the landscape. "Adelaide's gone," he admitted, "Off on Imposter's missions. I don't like us being split. The crew." His eyes slid over to the captain. "Alright, out with it. I know you've been bottling things too."

Runali relaxed in the familiarity of a late night like this. She leaned against the balcony, first with her back turned to the scenery and her attention on Jack. "She knows an emergency when she sees one." She moved to Jack's opposite side, to face the town and see him out of her peripheral. Not one to say no to a drink, she took his offer, returning it with a hum of acknowledgement. It was a regular thing for the captain to worry. She always kept tabs on where her crew had disappeared to when they were in unfamiliar territory. Didn't mean she could always stop them.

But when Jack turned the attention to her, Runali scoffed. "I was awoken by the beast," And to this, she effortlessly scooped up Jackie with one hand to raise her to Jack's face, "to see you moping. And you turn your sights on me?" She clicked her tongue in a tease. "Your spy deflection doesn't work on me, chef. I know you far too well." Her words drifted off into a sigh as she shrugged. "Captain-ly concerns, is all. Splitting up. Here of all places. Being puppets to Imposter's vague games." She rested her cheek in her hand. "Makes me wonder if other Pirate Lords like Sterling had to go through a literal hell just to get to that top spot." With a hand over her heart, she dramatized, "I mean even the best of the best want a break sometimes too, y'know." She waved the thought away. "Hm… Guess I'm concerned about Luro too and how he's handling all of this… Imposter madness. But, he's smart. I know he can take care of himself. And Adelaide's smart. A little nosey when she shouldn't be, but she knows danger. I think she values her life just a little more than she values the hunt."

"I doubt Sterling experienced anything like this," Jack muttered darkly. He continued, "I am watching Luro. He is handling it better than I expected…well, he did gets himself shot in the head. I will hold that against him," Jack said with conviction.

"Someone has to." Runali chimed in with a shake of her head and a smile. "I would if I could."

He took the rum back, swigged, and handed it back to Runali. "Also don't tell Adelaide I'm worrying. We made a promise…way back when. She'd kill me."

She took the drink again and looked at Jack expectantly. "Silly of you to think she doesn't already know. You guys are one and the same. You're both a whirlwind of worry for each other. It's cute." She took a swig and set the bottle between them, watching Jackie wander back and forth on the balcony's ledge. "I don't have to tell her anything. She's hung around Luro so much I wouldn't be surprised if she could smell it on you." She patted his shoulder and teased. "I'll make sure Tashigi has your funeral preparations. I'll mourn your loss, not that I think death could even part you from your wife."

Jack laughed. And drank. And admired the nightly scene for awhile, enjoying his captain's company, until the dredges of sleep finally settled in. He yawned and stretched.

"We better get some sleep before we end up…wherever we end up tomorrow." He shook his head. "Fighting a war for Imposter. I worry he'll never let us go."

Runali's lips pursued at the idea of being stuck there forever. She ran fingers through her hair and put on a brave face as the haze of sleep returned. "We're Stardusk. We'll figure it out.

--

After sleepily making her way back to her room with Jackie wandering between her legs, the sunlight was not the most welcomed presence. There was no cat anymore, but a curious bird at her head making soft and confused chirrup noises. "There's benefits to beasts on the ship…" Runali yawned and shooed Coral from above her head. "I'm up, I'm up."

After stumbling into her clothes and into a more "awake" appearance, she nearly tumbled out the door as she stepped out onto grass and not the hallway she expected. Her one eye met Zilia and then Luro before she looked back at her room behind her. She looked at her crew again, and the others as they filed out, debating their stress level. When she decided stress was only confusion, Runali straightened up and stretched. "Alright then, this is how we're starting the day. Goood morning. Do we have all hands on deck for… whatever this is?"

Jack stumbled out of his own tent next, looking hungover and squinting against the bright sunlight. "Ugh. Where the hell are we? Couldn't we have at least been giving a courtesy call…"

The spymaster moaned and rubbed his head. "Zilia, I hope you can make that hangover cure."

 

[Winter]

~"Are we not but a mirrored reflection of our choices, well what if the mirror were to shatter."~

Footsteps fell to echo along a hall of endless mirrors, each passing reflecting back a different image to the silver haired woman as she passed them by. Runali, Jack, Luro, Hanako, Zillia and Cedric each glancing back devoid of emotion. Alicia went to call to them, but silence answered as words refused to form sound in this temporary emptiness. The hall quaked suddenly, the floor starting to crack like glass before shattering into thousands of pointed shards as she fell.

Alicia found herself falling into the darkness, wind tearing through her silver stands before the world opened beneath her to reveal that she were falling towards a dead city, desolation spanning towards the horizon beneath dull grey storm clouds while the twisted silhouettes of tall buildings watched her decent as if in mourning. She looked around to see the rest of the crew were falling with her, their bodies limp and eyes closed as they began to slowly disintegrate one by one. Alicia called their names, but the wind consumed it.

With each disappearance a burst of lightning arched through the sky in the far distance, the bolts of white taking the shapes of the crew for a mere moment in flashes of historical events long since passed. As if the heavens themselves were telling the closing chapters of a long story. Alicia looked below her, the ground approaching as she curled and braced to meet her end. She blinked, the cold ground against her back as she slowly collected herself to her feet, finding herself standing within a destroyed open area,

A fountain of black eroded marble held the statue of a melancholy woman pouring nothingness into the partially destroyed basin. But then she turned and saw the crew, her friends standing a short distance away facing towards her. Their faces were twisted in anger and pain, cheeks catching the light to suggest tears had fallen for some. Her eyes looked past them upon catching a glimpse of white, to see a body laying motionless on the floor beyond them. Alicia's body, she was dead.

Suddenly Runali closed the gap within a mere moment, slamming her fist into Alicia's side before Jack followed her up with a kick that had her slam against the fountains basin. She held up a hand but a flashing arch whipped through her arm severing it entirely as Hanako flash stepped into view. Alicia tried to move, tried to run in confusion and panic but a wire of red from Zilia whipped around her throat and anchored her in place just as a flash punctured a projectile through her chest from the barrel of Luro's rifle.

She fell to her knees as they approached what was left of her, looking up at such hateful expressions as Runali raised her fist to deliver the final blow. Then those same shards of glass began to fall around them like rain and just before that final moment time itself begin to slow, just enough that she caught a glimpse of her reflection in a passing shard and saw her eyes... they were purple.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~​

Alicia woke suddenly with a gasp in her tent, raising her arm and clutching it in her other as she looked down to see it was still there. She exhaled softly and looked towards Chester who seemed to be sleeping in a ball nearby. After collecting herself she closed her eyes for a moment and held a hand to her head, taking a moment to process that dream before getting herself up. It'd all been enough to distract her from realizing she was in a tent, but then she couldn't say she was too surprised about it given how changeable and inconsistent this place had been since their arrival.

She leaned down to pick Chester up into her arms before making her way out of her tent to see Luro and Zilia, hesitating for a moment before furrowing her brow for having done so. "Well, glad to see I'm not the only one who woke up.... here." she trailed off as she looked to the distance to see the castle in the distance. "Oh... " she spoke, not too sure what to make of that as she stroked her hand through Chester's fur. "And we're not dead? I'm not sure whether to be thankful or annoyed that we may have been told another lie. How long have the two of you been awake?" she asked curiously.