Joshua Rosfield (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
empyreancatastrophe) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
songerein2023-10-09 10:54 pm
empyreancatastrophe) wrote in songerein2023-10-09 10:54 pm
Entry tags:
I've been shaking, waking in the night light
Who: Joshua (empyreancatastrophe) and your character
Which: Open Log
Where: You get to pick! Outskirts of Reverein, Wikki Archives, or Crystal Caves
What: A catch-all for part of October!
Warnings: If you haven’t finished Final Fantasy XVI and/or care about spoilers, don't click that cut text.
No More Playing Flames [OPEN]
[Joshua finds himself practicing at the edge of town—far enough not to hurt anyone, but close enough to seek help if he should need it, if he thinks to ask. He’ll have to see if it’s worth it if he finds himself in a groove. Only time will tell.]
[With a deep breath, he begins to channel this still mysterious power of dreamotion, both familiar and foreign, carrying its own weight distinctive from the magicks of home. As he extends his hand, a fiery glow envelops his fingertips. It dances like flames in the night, ethereal and unpredictable. He's practiced this skill tirelessly, seeking to harness its potential and overcome the fatigue that always follows. He has to become stronger. He has to be able to protect others.]
[And that’s today’s goal. He’s created barriers back in Valisthea, yes, he hasn’t honed the art to accommodate the split-second decisions necessary in battle without Phoenix’s raw power. Not yet, at least.]
[Drawing upon his emotions, he reaches deep into his heart, searching for a source strong enough to bolster his attempts. Although not outwardly emotional, Joshua finds no trouble in tapping into the one well he knows will never run dry: the love he holds for his brother. He remembers their childhood, the laughter, the shared dreams, and their promise to protect each other. He’s already decided that it’s this love, this unbreakable bond, that will fuel his magicks here in Songerein.]
[Now he just has to get them to work in a way that won’t leave him drained.]
[The barrier materializes like a fiery wall, a translucent, otherworldly shimmer that wavers in the air with the intensity of a blazing inferno. His brow furrows in concentration as he infuses it with the strength of his emotions, willing it to hold strong and last longer than before as it crackles with power, a fiery resonance that vibrates through his veins. Still, Joshua can feel the toll on his strength, the way dreamotion saps his energy with every passing second. It's a different kind of fatigue from what he's used to, a weariness that settles deep within his bones. Vastly preferable to coughing up blood after greater manifestations of his power, but not ideal.]
[Regardless, he stands his ground, determined to push the limits of his abilities. The barrier remains stable, its fiery glow unwavering, as if infused with the essence of his love. A sense of accomplishment washes over him, and for a moment, Joshua believes that not only can it contend with the exhaustion, but possibly win. He's making progress, slowly learning to control this enigmatic magic while connecting it to his deepest emotions!]
[But all good things must come to an end. With each passing second, the shimmering wall weakens further. The fiery glow fades to a smoldering ember, and cracks start to appear, like a fragile glass sculpture on the verge of shattering. Desperation takes hold as he struggles to pour more energy into the failing shield, to reignite the fiery glow, but his fatigue proves too heavy an anchor. The barrier sputters and disintegrates into a shower of fading sparks and dissipating flames.]
[Joshua stumbles backward, drained and defeated, his body aching from the effort as he lowers himself to the ground with heavy breaths.]
[He didn’t mean to make such a show, and thankfully there are few civilians who can see him from where he is, but it’s still enough to call attention to anyone curious enough to check up on that peculiar burst of flame.]
Page Against the Machine [OPEN]
[The Songerein Wikki Archives proved far smaller than Joshua initially thought they would be when he first questioned about their existence. However, the treasure trove of information is far from disappointing, and he’s found himself darting in and out of the archive over the course of multiple days, poring over text after text in search of the truth about his noctaere incident.]
[Days that he’s easily spent hour upon hour deep in research. Sure, he could take the books home, and he has a couple of times, but there was something about the atmosphere that made him more productive in his search.]
[Or it would if he could find exactly what he was looking for.]
[Joshua’s tired eyes scan the pages with increasing frustration. The symbols blur together, and the words become a dissonant jumble in his mind. If anyone were to ask, he’d vehemently deny it, but the truth is that he hasn't slept much, if at all. The lines between the past and present practically disappear as fatigue gnaws at his resolve. He's run himself ragged, driven by the need to understand why this incident echoes the burden his body bears back home. He’d trapped that monster within him wholly of his own volition, and he would gladly undertake the task a hundred times over if it meant protecting his brother, but he can’t deny its mental and physical toll.]
[Joshua should have been free of that malady—he certainly was from others—in this form made to traverse dreams, and yet…]
[…he has run into nothing but wall after wall. He’s uncovered plenty regarding the dangers of nightmares and noctaere, the cleansing thereof should one find oneself in possession (in all senses of the word) of one, and how to confront them, but nothing on their unique brand of affinity towards him. Or the other way around.]
[Leaning back in his chair, arms limp in an undignified spread over its sides as if defeated, Joshua huffs his displeasure aloud.]
Founder preserve me, if it is not one thing it is another.
[Lamentations thrive on woe and despair, neither of which are solutions, but they sure feel good when you’re grumpy.]
[This probably isn’t a good impression for anyone meeting him for the first time, and to anyone who’s gotten to know Joshua a little bit over the past month and a half, it’s definitely a change.]
Fortune Favors the Cave [CLOSED TO RYU]
[Joshua's heart pounds in his chest as he and Ryu stand at the entrance of the cave, the glow from the small orb of fire he’s called forth to light their way flickering against the rough, jagged walls. Shrouded in darkness, the deep cavern holds the answers he seeks to the mystery of what has happened to the Orkilins’ precious dreamotion crystals. Despite their undeniable beauty, Joshua can't shake his feelings toward these otherworldly, yet somehow familiar, gems.]
[He remembers his home, where the power of crystals was both revered and feared. They were coveted for their power to cast the magicks that only came naturally to a select few, manipulating the very essence of life. But it was that very power that slowly inched Valisthea into chaos and ruin. The Blight, its swathes of death and decay sprawling across the land like a sickness, was, as far as he and the others knew, the product of the Mothercrystals’ insatiable thirst for aether. Joshua had seen firsthand the destruction crystals could cause. It would be foolish to say this knowledge doesn’t at least partially fuel his determination to uncover the truth behind the recent thefts.]
[As they begin to venture into the cave, the walls seem to close in around them, and the echoes of their footsteps bounce off the rocky terrain. Joshua's eyes remain fixed on the crystal formations, their soft, ethereal glow casting an eerie light. He can't deny their beauty, but it's the knowledge of their potential devastation that keeps his fingers from reaching out to touch them.]
[Joshua's oddly quiet, even for someone as reserved as he is. Ryu may want to break the ice for this one!]
Wildcard!
[Want to do something different? Write a starter! Alternatively, hit me up via PM, via the game discord, or at my plurk:![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
goatlegs]
empyreancatastrophe) and your characterWhich: Open Log
Where: You get to pick! Outskirts of Reverein, Wikki Archives, or Crystal Caves
What: A catch-all for part of October!
Warnings: If you haven’t finished Final Fantasy XVI and/or care about spoilers, don't click that cut text.
No More Playing Flames [OPEN]
[Joshua finds himself practicing at the edge of town—far enough not to hurt anyone, but close enough to seek help if he should need it, if he thinks to ask. He’ll have to see if it’s worth it if he finds himself in a groove. Only time will tell.]
[With a deep breath, he begins to channel this still mysterious power of dreamotion, both familiar and foreign, carrying its own weight distinctive from the magicks of home. As he extends his hand, a fiery glow envelops his fingertips. It dances like flames in the night, ethereal and unpredictable. He's practiced this skill tirelessly, seeking to harness its potential and overcome the fatigue that always follows. He has to become stronger. He has to be able to protect others.]
[And that’s today’s goal. He’s created barriers back in Valisthea, yes, he hasn’t honed the art to accommodate the split-second decisions necessary in battle without Phoenix’s raw power. Not yet, at least.]
[Drawing upon his emotions, he reaches deep into his heart, searching for a source strong enough to bolster his attempts. Although not outwardly emotional, Joshua finds no trouble in tapping into the one well he knows will never run dry: the love he holds for his brother. He remembers their childhood, the laughter, the shared dreams, and their promise to protect each other. He’s already decided that it’s this love, this unbreakable bond, that will fuel his magicks here in Songerein.]
[Now he just has to get them to work in a way that won’t leave him drained.]
[The barrier materializes like a fiery wall, a translucent, otherworldly shimmer that wavers in the air with the intensity of a blazing inferno. His brow furrows in concentration as he infuses it with the strength of his emotions, willing it to hold strong and last longer than before as it crackles with power, a fiery resonance that vibrates through his veins. Still, Joshua can feel the toll on his strength, the way dreamotion saps his energy with every passing second. It's a different kind of fatigue from what he's used to, a weariness that settles deep within his bones. Vastly preferable to coughing up blood after greater manifestations of his power, but not ideal.]
[Regardless, he stands his ground, determined to push the limits of his abilities. The barrier remains stable, its fiery glow unwavering, as if infused with the essence of his love. A sense of accomplishment washes over him, and for a moment, Joshua believes that not only can it contend with the exhaustion, but possibly win. He's making progress, slowly learning to control this enigmatic magic while connecting it to his deepest emotions!]
[But all good things must come to an end. With each passing second, the shimmering wall weakens further. The fiery glow fades to a smoldering ember, and cracks start to appear, like a fragile glass sculpture on the verge of shattering. Desperation takes hold as he struggles to pour more energy into the failing shield, to reignite the fiery glow, but his fatigue proves too heavy an anchor. The barrier sputters and disintegrates into a shower of fading sparks and dissipating flames.]
[Joshua stumbles backward, drained and defeated, his body aching from the effort as he lowers himself to the ground with heavy breaths.]
[He didn’t mean to make such a show, and thankfully there are few civilians who can see him from where he is, but it’s still enough to call attention to anyone curious enough to check up on that peculiar burst of flame.]
Page Against the Machine [OPEN]
[The Songerein Wikki Archives proved far smaller than Joshua initially thought they would be when he first questioned about their existence. However, the treasure trove of information is far from disappointing, and he’s found himself darting in and out of the archive over the course of multiple days, poring over text after text in search of the truth about his noctaere incident.]
[Days that he’s easily spent hour upon hour deep in research. Sure, he could take the books home, and he has a couple of times, but there was something about the atmosphere that made him more productive in his search.]
[Or it would if he could find exactly what he was looking for.]
[Joshua’s tired eyes scan the pages with increasing frustration. The symbols blur together, and the words become a dissonant jumble in his mind. If anyone were to ask, he’d vehemently deny it, but the truth is that he hasn't slept much, if at all. The lines between the past and present practically disappear as fatigue gnaws at his resolve. He's run himself ragged, driven by the need to understand why this incident echoes the burden his body bears back home. He’d trapped that monster within him wholly of his own volition, and he would gladly undertake the task a hundred times over if it meant protecting his brother, but he can’t deny its mental and physical toll.]
[Joshua should have been free of that malady—he certainly was from others—in this form made to traverse dreams, and yet…]
[…he has run into nothing but wall after wall. He’s uncovered plenty regarding the dangers of nightmares and noctaere, the cleansing thereof should one find oneself in possession (in all senses of the word) of one, and how to confront them, but nothing on their unique brand of affinity towards him. Or the other way around.]
[Leaning back in his chair, arms limp in an undignified spread over its sides as if defeated, Joshua huffs his displeasure aloud.]
Founder preserve me, if it is not one thing it is another.
[Lamentations thrive on woe and despair, neither of which are solutions, but they sure feel good when you’re grumpy.]
[This probably isn’t a good impression for anyone meeting him for the first time, and to anyone who’s gotten to know Joshua a little bit over the past month and a half, it’s definitely a change.]
Fortune Favors the Cave [CLOSED TO RYU]
[Joshua's heart pounds in his chest as he and Ryu stand at the entrance of the cave, the glow from the small orb of fire he’s called forth to light their way flickering against the rough, jagged walls. Shrouded in darkness, the deep cavern holds the answers he seeks to the mystery of what has happened to the Orkilins’ precious dreamotion crystals. Despite their undeniable beauty, Joshua can't shake his feelings toward these otherworldly, yet somehow familiar, gems.]
[He remembers his home, where the power of crystals was both revered and feared. They were coveted for their power to cast the magicks that only came naturally to a select few, manipulating the very essence of life. But it was that very power that slowly inched Valisthea into chaos and ruin. The Blight, its swathes of death and decay sprawling across the land like a sickness, was, as far as he and the others knew, the product of the Mothercrystals’ insatiable thirst for aether. Joshua had seen firsthand the destruction crystals could cause. It would be foolish to say this knowledge doesn’t at least partially fuel his determination to uncover the truth behind the recent thefts.]
[As they begin to venture into the cave, the walls seem to close in around them, and the echoes of their footsteps bounce off the rocky terrain. Joshua's eyes remain fixed on the crystal formations, their soft, ethereal glow casting an eerie light. He can't deny their beauty, but it's the knowledge of their potential devastation that keeps his fingers from reaching out to touch them.]
[Joshua's oddly quiet, even for someone as reserved as he is. Ryu may want to break the ice for this one!]
Wildcard!
[Want to do something different? Write a starter! Alternatively, hit me up via PM, via the game discord, or at my plurk:
no subject
Before we do, let's make sure you aren't hurt.
[He wants to see what the centipede dropped, as well, but like Ryu said earlier, there are things that are more important!]
[Joshua smiles at the thought.]
We both know what happens if we run off without thinking.
[A little self-deprecating humor to lighten up the mood. He's not the best at it, but he tries.]
no subject
There's a little blood, but I should heal pretty quickly.
[Is it for comedic effect or because he's a god that he heals quickly? The world may never know.]
no subject
[Except he totally can.]
[At the sight of the wound, Joshua shakes his head with an amused huff.]
Regardless, let us take care of it anon.
[He reaches out with his hand and hovers it above that bit of blood. His fingers glow with healing magicks, masked as flames, but gentle in their heat as they mend Ryu's skin.]
There.
no subject
[He lowers his shirt and nods firmly.]
Now we should explore?
no subject
Yes, my friend. Now we shall explore.
[He rises to his feet and holds out a hand for Ryu to take.]
no subject
I heard it drop over there, near its corpse. Do you think you can light the area up a little bit?
... Um. Please.
no subject
[Joshua redirects his orb towards the body of the centipede (or what’s left of it). As it travels, he catches eye of Burning Thorn, and makes note of its location.]
[He makes his way over to pick up the sword and, satisfied it’s still in working order, sheathes it once more. Then, he continues towards the body.]
no subject
[It's hard to see, but he scoops up a dark gemlike item and stares at it. It feels...]
[... wrong. Somehow.]
I don't know what this is... maybe we should see if anyone else knows?
no subject
Be careful. It’s filled with nightmare energy.
[That’s all Joshua is able to discern, but he is at least sure of it.]
[Ryu shouldn’t be handling such an item. Neither of them should be. However, it doesn’t change the fact that bringing it back to someone to study is probably the best move to make. Better than letting it stay here where another animal can pick it up.]
[His tone remains measured, but it carries a subtle urgency.]
We’ll bring it back to the Orkilins. They will know what to do with it.
[He makes a mental note to do so with the stipulation they share their findings with Reverein. He’ll put those diplomatic skills to use and negotiate as necessary.]
Wrap it up as best you can and put it away. The less we are exposed to its power, the better.
no subject
[He puts the crystal in the middle of the shirt and wraps the fabric around it tightly before putting it in his bag. Given how Joshua reacted it might be better if he carries it.]
Why would a bug have something like that? Unless it ate it. ... I guess that would make sense.
[He looks over at Joshua and further down the tunnel. He wants to explore more, but... with how Joshua got hurt he doesn't want to put his friend in further harm.]
... We should head back. There's got to be a healer who can look at you.
no subject
[At the question, he gives a slight shrug. He genuinely doesn’t know.]
It would.
It could also be part of why it was able to hold so much nightmare energy without becoming a noctaere. It’s something to bring up when we deliver the crystal.
[When Ryu suggests leaving, Joshua doesn’t disagree. Not directly.]
[But… there’s something. Something about the air. Something brushing against the center of his chest, both repelling and beckoning him.]
[He looks back over his shoulder at the hole the centipede crawled in through.]
[Maybe if he could grab a little peek…]
One moment.
[He gently pats Ryu’s shoulder in reassurance.]
Just one. I promise.
no subject
[Fine. He trails along behind Joshua, careful to keep his eyes and ears open. If he can just manage to keep his friend safe...]
[Well, maybe it'd go some way towards repairing the scared and uncertain feeling in his heart. He knows it won't, but maybe it will.]
[(It won't.)]
Just be careful... we don't know what's down there. It could be just about anything.
no subject
[He cautiously steps forward, towards the opening. With every footfall, the chill creeps into his chest, but curiosity pulls him.]
[Only so far, though. Soon, the discomfort is too much and Joshua can't help but stop just a few steps into the entrance. He keeps his face set, all the better not to worry Ryu further. The source of that pain is unmistakable.]
...It's all nightmare energy.
no subject
[He's not and he doesn't know who is, but maybe someone who was helping with the reactor might know? They'll have to ask around.]
... We should head back. I don't think I have the energy to transform again if we run into another one of those creatures.
[He reaches out to take Joshua's hand gently, anchoring him and reminding him of which way he wants to go.]
no subject
Right.
[If nothing else, traveling deeper wouldn't be fair to Ryu. Then, of course, there's the myriad of other dangers that potentially await.]
[Most definitely await.]
[Joshua turns away from the mouth of this new tunnel and places a hand on Ryu's shoulder once more. That single action alone is enough to melt that nebulous ice that threatens his well-being.]
Thank you, my friend.
[For everything that is left unsaid.]
Let us return to the outside world. There's much to discuss with the Orkilins.
no subject
[He doesn't need to say it, he just... feels it. Emotions ran high today on multiple levels, and he's just... tired. He leans into the other for a moment before starting to walk back towards the way they came.]
[... He doesn't let go of his friend's hand. He's not familiar with scholarly types, but Joshua at least seems to be the sort of person who might get lost... so he'll hold the other's hand as long as he doesn't pull away.]
I'm just glad to be here with you.
[To share the adventure. To protect each other. To help each other. The bonds that he's making... surely it can be enough, even for someone like him?]
[It has to be.]