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dreamposts ([personal profile] dreamposts) wrote in [community profile] songerein2022-08-13 01:03 pm

{ Saving Oz }




SAVING OZ


After a month of increasingly windy weather, it all comes to a head when a giant book appears right above the town of Reverein. It opens its pages facing the town and a large tornado emerges, descending down to cover the entire town. Miraculously, no buildings are destroyed, but the entire population is sucked up into the air and into the pages of the book. It's a wild, twisting ride until everyone crash lands into a strange city all in emerald green. The tapirs make their usual rare appearance and look around before gasping, "Oh! It's the Emerald City from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz! Looks like a mess though… And so do you!"

As pointed out, everyone will find themselves dressed or transformed into some semblance of one of the five main characters: Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Woodman (Tinman), and the Cowardly Lion. They could be wearing authentic costumes, have an almost complete appearance change, partial transformation, and anywhere in-between. While they are mostly stuck in whichever "role" they've been initially cast in, they can temporarily change if a different role would work better. They gain additional abilities fitting of the character, such as the Scarecrow unable to bleed as they are now made of straw, the Tinman always wearing or made of some kind of metallic armor, the Lion have wind blasting roars and the strength of a real lion, Toto able to become a real dog, and Dorothy has their charisma stat shot up through the roof. Everyone will be able to use their dreamotion and original abilities as well, so they can be even more creative. While there are no complete personality changes, some may feel some "adjustments" to fit their role at times. Some roles will be more effective for certain tasks and objectives, and they will receive additional buff bonuses to help clear it.

With the help of local citizens who have formed their own rebel force, everyone must now help push back the nightmare force that has taken over this story and lure out the mysterious new "Wizard" that is the source of all this chaos. If they can fill a giant emerald with positive dreams and launch it at the "Wizard," then it'll be a mission success.

For any questions, refer to the Game Notes and comment there.



I. HELPING THE CITY



Emerald City is a mess, but not lost. The rebel force has a base set up to help direct everyone and serves as the main camp for aid and rest. There's plenty to do, and now that they have "Dorothy and her friends" again, they may be able to win back their proud city. Oh, if only they could find the Princess Ozma...

A. Porcelain Rubble. Aside from the usual physical destruction, large portions of the city have turned into porcelain and broken apart. A special glue is available and becomes more potent with dreamotion infused into it, and as soon as pieces are glued back together the structure will return to its original form. However, there is a risk of someone turning into porcelain the longer they remain in the area and will need to be glued back together if broken (fortunately no one can die, just lie helplessly in pieces). Perhaps those who are cast as Toto can help sniff out trapped individuals, while the Scarecrow's straw would make for excellent padding for those broken pieces.

B. Statued. Many citizens have been turned into statues, scattered all over the city and outside the walls. They need to be moved to safety first before a cure can be used as it takes time to fully work. Special sleighs fashioned after the Gump are available to help carry any statued citizen to safety; just be careful when driving it as they are very unpredictable. Once in a safe spot, a few drops of the potion will start the curing process. The many witches that cursed everyone to begin with are still out and about, ready to turn anyone unaware into statues. Strangely, the spell bounces off metal, so those cast as the Tinman will be great in offering support and could even try and reflect the spell back onto the witches to turn them to statues instead.

C. Into the Poppy Field. The dangerous poppy field known for its ability to lull any who are flesh and blood to sleep until their dying days has been inching closer towards the city, perhaps drawn by the nightmare energy flowing out from it. To make matters worse, they now can move their roots and leaves to try and ensnare people. A special plant killer diffuser has been developed, but it requires anyone cast as Dorothy, the Lion, or Toto to take the diffuser and run into the field as deep as they can before they succumb to the pollen, which will activate the diffuser. Either the Tinman or the Scarecrow must then make their way through to fetch them. Those who volunteered to run in can use their ability to dreamwalk and appear as a little wisp to help guide their would be rescuer to their slumbering body, even give them some help with the snares. (Mod: for threading purposes, characters can either partner up as the sleeper and rescuer, or both can be rescuing an NPC that served as the role of sleeper instead).

D. First Aid. For any who prefer to stay out of combat and help the wounded and scared, the base camp is stocked with medical supplies, food, and other necessities to help weather out the attack. They do need to be resupplied, however, so those more daring to venture either into the city or outside the walls to get items should take someone capable of defending just in case. Some places include an orchard of lunch pail trees that grow fully stocked lunch pails filled with various foods. Lions will be great at climbing them while Scarecrows can shoo away annoying crows. Another is gathering wood in a cursed forest where the trees have become Fighting Trees. The Tinman's ax is lethal against them and will chop through them easily.

E. Yellow Brick Road. The famous golden yellow brick road has been broken apart and needs to be repaired so additional support from neighboring areas can come in. Because it's a magical road, it needs to be fixed in a magical way—which is reliving the whimsical, iconic, song and dance of Dorothy and her friends. The Munchkins have created special silver shoes that anyone of the cast can wear and it has the magic to inform the wearer how the musical rendition goes. It will also "help" their movements to skip and dance along the broken spaces. Should they be successful, the broken and missing bricks will be repaired and the road will start to shine. So partner up, link arms, and belt out those vocal chords because they're off to see the Wizard!


II. FIGHTING FOES



There are numerous enemies attacking the city, but while some are original to the story, many are abnormal creations or noctasers, the unholy union of noctaere and the Story Eater's minions, Erasers. Of course the Story Eater would have a hand in this! But with the advantages gained by the roles, they can be defeated.

A. Wheeling Monkeys. The Wheelers and the Winged Monkeys have been ensorceled and are creating havoc within the city. However, instead of violence their actions are more…goofy. They're throwing rotten eggs, colored water balloons, creamed pies, and other strange pranks to hinder everyone's movements. They're relatively easy to capture and even prank back. The more aggressive ones, however, are actually noctasers and will need to be destroyed via dreamotion. Those cast as Dorothy will be able to distinguish those who are original to the book and the disguised noctasers as well as inflict extra damage to weaken the noctasers. Everyone in the cast is strong against noctasers.

» BONUS: THE GOLDEN CAP. The Winged Monkeys were once free but after the Golden Cap was ripped apart to steal its magic and now many are once again enslaved. Dorothy can convince the originals to join their side, if they have some Golden Cap fragments that appear when a noctaser is defeated. The more noctasers defeated, the more fragments collected and the more Wheelers and Winged Monkeys will join their side!


B. Meeeelllttiiiinng! Those witches are causing the most problems, and they are abnormal creations that need to go. Because they were fashioned after the Wicked Witch, they are weak to water, especially dreamotion infused water. The trick is actually getting to them as they are often found flying high above. There are numerous small hot air balloons that can be used to fly up and to either hose the witches or dump giant buckets of water, both tools already attached to the balloon basket. Just be careful because it just takes one giant tear to pop the balloon and send everyone into a crazy spinning crash to the ground. Having a Tinman to help deflect spells off their armor will be a great help.



III. SWEET DREAMS



The Projector of Dreams has been set up and several beds with the magical headsets are available to those who wish to volunteer and produce positive dreams that will be used against the Wizard. These dreams will be funneled into a giant emerald that will be launched from a cannon at the Wizard once lured out.

A. Positive Dreams. To help the Projector, positive dreams are needed. These dreams will briefly be projected onto the emerald so those nearby monitoring things may catch a glimpse of the dream. Perhaps those who are dreaming will have theirs be more interactive to try and get others in and create a stronger positive experience.

B. Luring out the Wizard. The Wizard is holed up in the Throne Room of the castle and needs to be lured out before the dream infused emerald can be hurtled into it. The methods to do so might seem a bit unorthodox, but it will work and may give a hint on who the "Wizard" really is. Everyone is told to play various children's games within the Emerald City's castle. Tea parties, hide and seek, tag, games—whatever they can think of. As they play, a strange shadow that looks like a young princess will emerge to either watch or join in. Players can either incorporate the shadow playing or just focus on their characters, but the shadow will always be happy and laughing. The goal is to produce happy, positive fun feelings, so there are no dangers. Unless someone wants to throw in a noctaser or something to spice things up.

pactmarshal: (patiently waiting)

[personal profile] pactmarshal 2022-08-30 12:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Trahearne relaxes his stance as Aerith retrieves the piece; he leans over to get a better look, curiously eyeing the glint.

They came from the ones she had picked out as wrong, which meant they obviously had some significance (Not that...they'd killed any of the others? Maybe they would drop something else? Perhaps that's worth testing.). And so her cheeky remark earns a little chuckle.

As she poses her last question, he straightens himself again, but still keeping his eyes on the gold pieces. ]


My other thought was currency, but they're clearly not coins. So, no. None any better than that. [ He directs his attention to her with a smile. ] If anyone could make use of strange gold pieces, it would be the rebellion.

[ You know, discounting the fact that the monkeys that are still whirling in circles around them. ]
everblooms: (ꕥ and staring at your phone.)

[personal profile] everblooms 2022-09-02 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ For now, the best place for these trinkets is one of their pockets. She supposes it'll have to be her for now, though pockets are the last thing she has on this dress. The glinting golden pieces get slipped into her blue and white pinafore, hopefully where they'll stay. As Trahearne considers taking another one of the monkeys down, Aerith holds his gaze with an inquisitive raise of her brow. ]

Maybe... but they could still be worth something, right? You never know what someone will trade for them!

[ She's imagining a bag of coffee, though, perhaps some soap. She's not well-versed in identifying precious metals, though this one feels rather heavy and curious. ]

So, how many more you think we got to deal with before this group lets up?

[ Staff in hand, she's ready for it— though she's wondering if it's possible to shield the two of them and bail for now. ]
pactmarshal: (hope and pride)

[personal profile] pactmarshal 2022-09-02 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ They are definitely worth something. Nothing worthless shines like that. There's a glint of agreement in his eyes as she brings it up, but he's honestly not too keen on trading them. He wants to find out what they do first...

There are more pressing matters, though. When Aerith offers her question, he steps back and turns his attention to the whirling monkeys, grip readjusting on his scepter. ]


No telling. But then again, I can't see what you see.

[ Does her role as...the girl (?) give her this special power? It must do. All the monkeys look the same to him. ]

We can speed this up, though. Mark whatever ones you see are wrong, but don't wait for me to follow up. I'll do what I can to eliminate all of them.

[ At least, it seems his cowardly role doesn't have an effect on his analytical mind. He can at least come up with good ideas. As for pulling them off? Well...perhaps they'll find out.

--No, he will do it. Aerith has stated her belief in him, which means he can't disappoint her.

But if he does, then. Well. Then they can bail. ]
everblooms: (ꕥ on an inside joke.)

[personal profile] everblooms 2022-09-02 06:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[ This is a thought that hadn't struck her, but now that he's offered it up, she thinks that he's a bit of a genius for it. If he can handle the work, they can get it done without issue, she's sure of it. ]

You got it! [ The Arcane Scepter blinks to life, the stones within it working together to cast a spell. This time, it's a long, drawn out flash of magical energy that even lifts Aerith from the ground, briefly, as she whips it from monkey to monkey. Though beads of sweat are forming on her face now, she makes it look easy— perhaps it is, for her. ]

How's that? [ When the bright white light is sucked back into place, zipping out of existence, it leaves behind it the scent of scorched fur, and the cries of numerous monkeys. It's three more, marked for execution, and they all whirl round and round while the rest laugh. Aerith's feet touch the ground as she breathes out, deep and elegant. ]

You got this, keep it up!
pactmarshal: (sword//3)

[personal profile] pactmarshal 2022-09-02 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Trahearne nods at the ready, expecting much of the same as he'd seen before when--

His jaw essentially drops and his gaze snaps to her when she starts casting. He did not think there could be an upgraded version of marking monkeys. He thought she was wielding a scepter much at the same level as he was, but now it's clear that she was holding back. More powerful than he. Couldn't she just take care of this herself...? ]


That was--

[ He's about to answer her (clearly rhetorical) question when she puts him back on track. With a nod, he sets his jaw, and returns his attention to the monkey tornado.

He whips out his off-hand, vines lashing out through the air to strangle one of them in mid-air, and he follows up with a slice of darkness. Monkey, dead. He sees the next one coming around, and he whips his scepter at it, lacerations all but making it minced meat. And when the last one comes into view, he sends out another slice of darkness, cutting it clean in third.

Laughter erupts from the monkeys as the last one falls, gold glimmering from within the corpses. And Trahearne, in the meanwhile, peers over at Aerith, as though looking for approval. ]
everblooms: (ꕥ i feel so far from where i've been.)

[personal profile] everblooms 2022-09-02 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He doesn't have to wait long for praise. Aerith, being as open as she is, doesn't hold back when something impresses her, or thrills her. While Trahearne makes chicken nuggets out of the monkey meat she's marked, she's dazzled by how quickly he disposes of them. Her expression lights up, the smile on her lips widening as she cheers. When he's finished, the gold falls to the ground. She does go to gather them first, giving him ample time to wonder just how well he's done.

...But not for long. After pocketing them with the rest, Aerith holds up her hands, palm up, for a high-five. She's beaming, pleased as punch, and standing on the tips of her toes so that he might be able to see better what she's up to. ]


Fantastic! Great job, give it up!
pactmarshal: (ehehehe)

[personal profile] pactmarshal 2022-09-02 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The light on her face is good enough approval. His posture eases as he slots his scepter and focus back into their places at his hip, and he rolls his shoulders to relax himself as she goes off to collect the mysterious gold pieces.

He isn't expecting, however, both verbal praise and an offer of a double high five when she whirls around back to him. Her enthusiasm is infectious--he can't help a smile cross his own face as she beams, though it's a touch confused. ]


Ah... Thank you?

[ Duly, he brings up both hands and lightly smacks them against hers. ]

I could say the same for you. [ Ever allergic to praise, he deflects. As his hands drop, he tilts his head. Trahearne, too, is always the type to voice positives and compliments when he sees it's appropriate. And now that it seems it's...over (?), he sends it right back to her. ] That was spectacular, Aerith. I'm impressed.
everblooms: (ꕥ with people or i'm alone.)

[personal profile] everblooms 2022-09-02 10:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Their hands connect together, delighting her further. When it ends, Aerith swings her arms behind her back, holding them there as one hand grips the other's wrist. Without an ounce of shyness, she kicks her foot back and forth— the monkey tornado that had encircled them moments before disintegrates as, one by one, each of the winged monkeys leaves them be. It's not quite as fun to mess with people when they're happy, and praising one another, you see.

In contrast to him, she takes compliments well enough. Shaking her head, she speaks with a playful little tone. ]
It's more like you kept me on my toes out there, Trahearne. We make a good team! Where'd you get the skills to pull all that off? Not a SOLDIER, are you?
pactmarshal: (mother would know)

[personal profile] pactmarshal 2022-09-02 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[ As the monkeys leave, Trahearne's gaze drifts briefly to watch them go. They...they did it! And he helped! Relief colors his face and his smile widens, proud of himself to have worked past the gnawing cowardice in tandem with a stranger.

She speaks up just as he looks back at her, and he nods with enthusiasm. ]


We do make a good team. [ There are only a handful of people with whom he's had the same thought, but never on a first meeting like this. He wonders if they'll get the chance to do this again. When he's fully confident in his abilities and not dressed like a cat. ]

I am a soldier, of sorts. [ He does not hear the all caps. ] But my necromantic skills are mostly self-taught over many years of refinement.

[ He doesn't let his own explanation breathe for very long before moving on. Now that she's asked, he's taking that as permission to satisfy his own curiosity. ] ...Which means that is a high compliment coming from someone of such high calibre as yourself. I must know how you learned to fight like that.
everblooms: (ꕥ maybe i'm more clever.)

[personal profile] everblooms 2022-09-03 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
[ Were she a less honest person, Aerith might feel bad about the answer he gets. She shakes her head and parrots him, laughing a little bit. On one hand, she thinks that Hojo might be inclined to agree with him, but on the other, she thinks that Shinra higher ups would be deeply amused to hear "the subject" praised in such a way, by someone with actual combat experience. Trahearne is not a SOLDIER, not in the sense of what it is to Aerith, but he admits to something similar. Then again, she's been keeping up with Cloud all this time...

You know, Cloud could benefit to take a leaf out of Trahearne's book, now that Aerith thinks about it. He's even willingly worked with her, respected her own skill, and relied on her as much as she relied on him. She's pretty sure he would never tell her to 'watch out' because monsters prey on the 'weak targets.' Hah. ]


Monsters. [ She says, voice lilting as if it's no big deal. ] In the slums, if you want to get around, you learn to protect yourself. They were getting pretty close to the city, before I got... here! So, I learned a few tricks. Happy to hear you like them so much!
pactmarshal: (i'm listenin :))

[personal profile] pactmarshal 2022-09-03 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[ A leaf out of his book...

In his eyes, he's worked with an equal, if not more powerful, partner. She doesn't strike him as weak at all. If anything, he might even come to her for protection or an escort if that sort of situation were to ever arise...though that might also be the cowardice talking. ]


I see. Like myself, in a way. [ There is a positive tone to his voice, despite the somewhat neutral statement. ] In all honesty, I believe learning in the field is the best way to hone one's skills. And I can see that method didn't fail you either.

[ This is the second person he's met from a slum, too... He really doesn't know how to address that, considering his people happily slept in the dirt and among the foliage and--

Oh, right! ]


That reminds me, I wanted to ask you before I was so rudely interrupted. [ He tilts his head in curiosity. ] Who is this friend of yours that knows Eustace?

[ Perhaps he knows them, too! because he's aPPARENTLY OFFICIATING THE WEDDING NOW ]
everblooms: (ꕥ it's more common than you think.)

[personal profile] everblooms 2022-09-03 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[ This is, in truth, a very reasonable question, and Aerith fills the silence by rolling back and forth on her feet, humming thoughtfully. It covers up the fact she is mulling over how no one has really given her this kind of respect before— maybe Zack had, once upon a time, having wanted to see her succeed in business. ]

Thanks, Trahearne. [ Really. Most people treat her like she needs to be coddled; this is the first time she's really been independent, the more she thinks on it. Even her mother's coddled her, held her back from the world she's wanted to be part of...

Ahem. ]


I met him at the beach. He taught me how to slice things like that with dreamotion. Could be great for making a lot of bouquets at once! [ Now that she thinks about it, though. ]

Another friend of mine mentioned you to me that night, too. Susato.
pactmarshal: (it will be difficult but not impossible)

[personal profile] pactmarshal 2022-09-04 05:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ At her thanks, Trahearne smiles a touch, and dips his head in a nod. She needn't even thank him, in his mind. He thought he was just stating the obvious.

That's right--she did mention, in the initial chaos, that it was Eustace who taught her some dreamotion tricks, didn't she? Eustace really is a good teacher...though he isn't sure he would attribute all of her skill to Eustace, because that would be an insult to what he sees as proficiency she honed herself.

He is not, however, ready for the statement that comes after that. His mouth is open, about to ask about bouquets when she surprises him. ]


Susato mentioned me? The Mikotoba girl? [ He had literally only met her that very same day, at the beach. Had he really left that big of an impression on her to talk about him to another stranger? His smile grows a touch confused, and he asks with some trepidation, ] ...What did she say?
everblooms: (ꕥ picking it apart.)

[personal profile] everblooms 2022-09-05 05:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Mhm. The very one. [ After all, she makes such an impression. Could any other Mikotoba girl be in question? ] She's friends with Eustace, I think. And Tifa— [ "his fiancée," she almost says, but it's not her business to share so Aerith snaps her mouth shut and smiles, lips thin. ] She's a friend of mine. From home. You know, her other home.

[ She's seen her little home with Eustace, after all, come to collect her in the morning just to hang out, and steal her away from him for a few hours. It's great fun imagining it as being so mischievous. ]

Susato told me about you. How you're from another planet, and you're Syvlari, or something like that. Sorry, did I get it wrong?
pactmarshal: (teehee)

[personal profile] pactmarshal 2022-09-05 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He chuckles a little bit. ] Aren't we all from different planets, in a way? [ Very technical, but he thinks it's funny that's one of the distinguishing markers he's been assigned. ] Susato was correct, and you remembered well. I am sylvari.

[ He's...kind of impressed she remembers this fact about a total stranger from weeks ago. He can't imagine what sort of conversation it must have been to let that fact stick in her mind...aaand you know what, he's not going to try and guess what that might be. Other people's conversations are not his business and he still doesn't understand why people talk about him.

There's a more important matter, after all. ]


You're a friend of Tifa's! From her home realm? [ This is exciting! Trahearne lights up. Tifa is kind and gentle, so Aerith must be a good person, too. ] It's no wonder, then. She and Eustace are--very close.
everblooms: (ꕥ we promise each other.)

[personal profile] everblooms 2022-09-06 07:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The idea that they're all from different planets is quite true, though she supposes he has no way of knowing how that one statement manages to assuage the sense of worry that keeps finding her. Aerith looks at him with her expression falling for a moment, considering his words, and she knows she'll think about them later. For the moment, though, she just listens to him, turning towards him to face Trahearne with her complete attention. They should start walking, she realizes, but Aerith could not imagine not listening to him right now. She's fascinated by him; for her own personal reasons and for the simple fact she really is talking to a tree person. Goodness! She never thought they'd actually talk back. ]

They are. You must know, too, then?

[ The engagement? Or... their relationship, just in general? Hm. Maybe she shouldn't open her mouth too wide for now. ]

He's a little bit of a jerk, but I see why she likes him. [ Their love is genuine, you see. Aerith can see that. ] Although, I'd bet he would hate to hear that, don't you?
pactmarshal: (omfg please)

[personal profile] pactmarshal 2022-09-06 08:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He nods slightly. He "knows" in that he saw the dream. He "knows" in that Tifa revealed their relationship to him. Trahearne isn't the sort to pry, taking in information only when others are ready to share, so it's kind of his fault he doesn't know much more than "knowing."

It's also kind of his fault that he's friends with notorious talker, Eustace. ]


That he's a jerk? I'd like to believe he has a touch of self awareness. [ Trahearne chuckles. He can easily picture Eustace shrugging the insult off. ] Eustace is a good friend of mine. He's rather...aloof. A lone wolf, if you will. I doubt he means to act as a jerk deliberately.

[ Though Aerith had Trahearne's complete attention in turn moments earlier, his gaze drifts as he thinks of his friend. He was a strange one--deliberately kept his distance, yet cared so deeply. In all honesty, he doesn't know Tifa as well as he does Eustace, but perhaps they shared things in common. Or perhaps she saw just how deeply he does care.

The little smile on his face remains as he looks back at Aerith, a slight hint of a tease to his voice. ]
Does he not have your approval then?

[ He knows these things are important to...animals. Assuming Aerith and Tifa were indeed close, that is. ]
everblooms: (ꕥ 'cause when she dances.)

[personal profile] everblooms 2022-09-06 09:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[ A tease is welcome. She swears the only person who ever seems to be up for that these days is Tifa, who surely is just glad to have her around now. Aerith tilts her head, curious, and then smiles in such a breezy way that it's impossible to miss how entertained she is by his quip. ]

My approval? I don't know if he needs that, anyway. I just got here, he barely knows me. [ Then again, Aerith probably doesn't know what exactly that means. Tifa's a big girl, though, she can do what she wants, but it's simply par for the course that Aerith sort of stumbles into the world, far after the fact, coming around just in time to see the climax of something. Outsider or not, it doesn't matter much when you've been as such your whole life. ]

More like... this is a dream, right? So... I just want Tifa to do what makes her happiest. And if that's the guy that electrocuted me, I guess I'll let that slide. On your recommendation, of course.
pactmarshal: (what ???)

[personal profile] pactmarshal 2022-09-06 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry--

[ Whatever else Trahearne was going to say in response to what she said, likely more intelligent and well-thought out questions for her, immediately goes out the window. He tilts his head in shock, leaning back slightly at the word electrocuted.

He'll always be willing to give Eustace the benefit of the doubt, but it isn't like he knew the man on a deeper level. Maybe he really was just an awful jerk. All perspectives are valuable, even when it comes to people. ]


--He did what to you?
everblooms: (ꕥ it's the five of us.)

[personal profile] everblooms 2022-09-06 09:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There is, actually, a pretty good story behind it all. She had almost thought she would stuck in a conversation about fate and destiny if he took the other conversation branch, but this? This is much funnier. Aerith laughs, waving her hand, as if it's no big deal. Maybe it isn't? ]

He's a petty guy with a mean streak who doesn't like being put into baskets. Why, doesn't sound like the guy you know?

[ Honestly, it speaks more about Aerith than it does Eustace... ]
pactmarshal: (hope's just a sunrise away)

[personal profile] pactmarshal 2022-09-08 06:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ Trahearne is a staunch believer in destiny, and he would have loved a deep discussion on the finer points of it...

...But not in this situation. Because what? ]


Not at-- Is he even small enough to fit in a basket? How did he get there?

[ Or was it a very large basket?

Aerith might be laughing, but Trahearne still looks just as puzzled. ]
everblooms: (ꕥ and we all got hurt.)

[personal profile] everblooms 2022-09-11 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
[ Instead of explaining directly, Aerith uses her hands to try and measure the size he was at when she stuffed him into the basket. Purse dog size, she deduces, and looks back up to Trahearne like this is all quite normal, even if the way her smile is wider betrays that she thinks it's really funny. ]

You haven't seen him yet, have you?

[ He will know... soon. ]

But he didn't like it! Not at all. So he took it out on me, even though Iwas doing him a favor.
pactmarshal: (ehehehe)

[personal profile] pactmarshal 2022-09-11 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Curiously, Trahearne watches, taking in her gestures and what she says with tilted head. The Eustace he knows is much bigger than that. What does she mean when she-- ]

Pale Mother preserve me, he's been turned into the dog, hasn't he?

[ His confusion immediately switches to a surprised delight, and his vine tail swishes in much the same manner. He'd been so busy fighting with his own cowardice that he hadn't even thought about what his friends were up to during this whole ordeal. ]

I'm so sorry he did that to you. I understand we have little control over our assigned roles, but I thought he loved dogs. I'd imagine he would enjoy being one.

[ Much like Phantom would probably enjoy being a real cat, he thinks. ]
everblooms: (ꕥ still i refuse to let you slip away.)

[personal profile] everblooms 2022-09-11 10:56 pm (UTC)(link)
You'd think so, wouldn't you?

[ Maybe he had. She looks aside, away, and whistles a little. ] He'll probably like it with Tifa. [ She's a cheeky little shit when it suits her sense of humor. ]

You don't have to apologize for him. I'll get him to do it to me, one day. That's my new mission!

[ She's starting to walk, back to the base of operations, and holds her staff with a tight, determined grip. It all feels so serious... even if it's terribly funny. ]
pactmarshal: (they won't stop until everyone is dead)

[personal profile] pactmarshal 2022-09-13 07:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Oh. And she's off.

Trahearne still can't get over the image of dog-Eustace, how angry he must be in a smaller body, how furious he must have been with Aerith. Maybe he would like it better with Tifaaaaaaaaand he's not going to think about that. It's not his business.

So he jogs to fall into step with Aerith moments later. He's still thinking about dog-Eustace, so he's a bit confused as to why she seems determined to get him to apologize now, when certainly there will be more opportunities later. ]


Is that where we're-- No. [ His thought process finally catches up to him, and he points to her apron (?). ] We're returning the gold pieces to base, is that right?

[ Well. Aerith is, at least. And Trahearne will be tagging along until they get there. ]

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[personal profile] everblooms - 2022-09-13 21:38 (UTC) - Expand