synflux | ( closed ) life like the unplumbed sea;

[ wow, he's Ready ready. she would've been largely impressed if it weren't for his ego, but she'll have to concede for now. ]

I hiked at a jungle before, if that helps. I've never really taken one as a hobby before, though.

[ it's so tempting....... and since they aren't in the desert wasteland anymore, it. should be fine. aside from a cursory glance at the okinawa map prior to coming here, she has no idea what to expect from this place. that alone's already gotten her excited enough to nod. ]

I'll just let him know where I'm going in a sec. [ she doubts they'll be losing signal here, but it's nice to have someone reliable as an emergency contact just in case. ] And I already have my duffel here, so... [ gestures at him ] Lead the way.

Yeah? I've been taking day trips here and there, even back in Neo Tokyo. It's nice sometimes, just to get away from the city. How about I give you a couple of routes I've enjoyed for a nice date with the good monsieur?

[ he still made them back in vegas, but as one could imagine…… they weren't nearly as pleasant. anyway, there's something of a fond expression on his face as ishmael presumably contacts said 'good monsieur' … oh, love.

once she's done, a toss of the aforementioned compass in her direction, fully expecting her to catch it. if not, it won't break falling on soil—probably. ]

… Y'know. I cooooould lead the way, but that wouldn't be much different than going on my own. [ a sidelong glance. a smile. if he wanted to be tip-top efficient, he'd go on his own. ] Where does your instinct tell you to go, Ishmael? What drives your curiosity, and where might your feet take you? I promise not to get us lost——and you do have your emergency contact.

[ unsaid: they also have the rescue and recovery team worse comes to

worst ]

I... [ GROAN ] I'll take a raincheck on that. Now stop embarrassing me and--

[ she neatly catches the compass that he just tosses at her, and she can't help but admire it a bit, stroking the glass surface. it's a little poignant, how she'd thought she'd lost her compass to the sea all those years ago. now, anyone here is willing to be her compass or just hand her one without expecting anything back.

it's still a lot to take in, and she gives the compass another look before leading the way as elysium urged her to with a huff. come on, birdman. ]

That's the thing, though. I usually overplan for these things. [ there's a dirt trail leading further into the forest that looks... recently used? so let's take that. ] I'm curious, sure. But I have to be cautious in case something out here decides to want a bite out of me. At least the crabs aren't too much of a threat.

[ not like the trash crabs back at the mudflats of district 21. in another life, she was making a living out of those little guys, selling them for a hefty fee while covered in sticky muck and garbage. she has it way too good now in this mirror world... ]

Edited 2024-07-04 01:10 (UTC)

[ Does she think Elysium's actually teasing her about it? The idea elicits a laugh; if it were genuine teasing, she would know. It's a little cute when her admission of embarrassment only makes it more tempting to tease her. Yet, as a miracle of nature, Elysium decides to show restraint. ]

What exactly are you so ashamed of? Wriothesley's a good catch, and you're certainly his equal. Together, you two make quite the picture. If anything, I believe you both could afford to flaunt a little more.

[ Which… he'll get to see eventually, hehe. If nothing else, their wandering around does make for good time to make conversation. He can't say he's surprised by her admission of being somewhat of an overachiever from their encounters thus far; diligence is something she seems to have in spades, and it is one of the primary motivators behind his encouraging her to freestyle all the more.

Planning is important, yes, but how are you to find yourself if spend all your time fixated on the details? ]

If it's anything like back in Neo Tokyo, there shouldn't be anything more than the crab kaiju within the area. It makes me wonder if kaiju are naturally territorial…? Including past records, it seems unlikelier than not that you ever encounter more than one species at a time. And from several regional guides, it seems like the only wildlife we need to worry about is out in the ocean.

[ The dirt trail it is! As they travel along, Elysium's eyes will be on the landscape around them rather than Ishmael herself. ]

Does that quell your fears, any?

[ annoyed, she clicks her tongue. whether they choose to flaunt their perfectly ordinary relationship or not is none of his business. he should also know by now that wriothesley is super lowkey; he'd never want to show ishmael off and vice versa. and that's perfectly fine. ]

Old habits die hard, is what I'm saying. Maybe this beach didn't have anything bigger than the biggest crabs we've seen so far. But back home, there were. And they could kill you if you're not careful.

[ but, after mulling it over while walking a few feet further into the forest, she relents with a sigh. ]

...I'm aware that I can be a little more than neurotic, though. Guess I can never get used to these places that aren't out to get me if I put my foot on the wrong spot on the ground.

[ so loosens her shoulders, and looks at the compass in hand. ]

Do you usually explore on your own back home? Like how you helped out those people in your memories?

[ As with everything else he's gone along with for the bit, he doesn't chase the one between her and Wriothesley any further when she's decided to drop it. Sure, sure, queen. The purpose of this excursion isn't to get under her skin, after all—not completely, anyway! ]

Someone has to look after the squad, right? If you're aware of it yourself, it's not a bad thing to exercise caution. I can't say that I haven't gotten into loads of trouble on my travels, so it's rather a good thing that you're here to balance me out.

[ He matches her sigh with a cheeky grin—he says that, but for "trouble"? He's surprisingly free of scars. ]

And before I got picked up by my last job? Pretty much, yeah.

[ As they walk, he runs gloved hands over foliage and inspects it in front of him. He stops when she stops, and will patiently wait without commentary until her feet decide which way to take her. ]

I'd about seen every place you could think of, by then——that town you saw was one I'd probably stayed at the longest. As for the place you're from…. [ a glance over in her direction. ] Given what I know of it from the other people I've met? I don't think I'd blame you for feeling the way you do.

[ memshares, what a ride ]

[ he doesn't need scars when he's got crystal lesions underneath his clothing, tbh. she gives the compass another look, peers at the unclear path before them, and leads elysium west from here. ]

So you've met the other ones. [ she slows down to let elysium match her strides. ] I'm the only one I know who lived near a body of water, though. I have a much more different experience compared to landlubbers as a result, but you probably know that by now.

[ as irritating as elysium is, it is comforting to have someone who is well-versed in this kind of topic. still, she can't help but be cautious anyway; she's always felt a little cursed once she starts opening up her doors a little. ]

I hear that there used to be an aquarium near these parts. [ she brushes aside a thick curtain of leaves draping off a tree branch. ] It's probably abandoned by now, but it'd be a nice find if we come across it.

[ God, he sure hoped there'd only be one place insipid enough to call itself the City… Except they're kind of talking about this in the other thread too soooooo he's just going to nod, maybe make the assumption that they might not know each other considering the librarians and boxes only ever mentioned each other. Given what she says as well, it sounds like it tracks??

Now, the mention of an aquarium catches his attention; he leans forward, a mischievous glint to his eyes as he laces his hands behind his back. ]

We can head there now, if you want. [ He says, like it isn't even a question as to whether they'll be able to find it or not. He looks at her, then looks at some other direction. Wonder where that'd lead them, right? ] All that's left is probably ruins, but we can still check it out in the name of good ol' reconnaissance.

Never been to one before?

[ she was going to get all snippy with him like "do you even know where it is??" but then -- ]

Yeah, of course. Just... not in a very long while. I might have gone to one after I quit from work.

[ a little taste of freedom after squandering everything that had gotten her to a cushy job in the first place... sigh. ]

Even if it's still standing, I doubt we'd find any fish in there. Maybe it's infested by crabs by now. [ wrinkles her nose before extending a hand at her exploration buddy(?). ] Water?

[ unfortunately, elysium a freak who memorises maps… multiple maps… every map… all while taking them and improving on them himself, as well as having an innate sense of the cardinals. his sense of direction: his one undeniable talent. ]

'Might' have, huh… how long ago was that?

[ a glance at her hair, and a tip of his head to suggest that he's contemplating something. with its length, he really wouldn't be surprised if she'd been growing it since she'd quit. has she? but, he looks away from the direction he'd been facing to glance over at her again. ]

But, just kidding. I haven't forgotten who our navigator is today. Don't let me steal the helm from you so easily, captain. You have to keep a tighter grip on it!

[ a shrug. ] I dunno. In my early twenties? You do the math.

[ oh those were the days - getting into a cushy desk job right after graduating, things like that. elysium had seen her at the tail end of that phase too, though she didn't start growing her hair out until after surviving that hellish voyage.

she frowns slightly at being called captain, but otherwise doesn't mind it too much. ]

And this captain is asking you for water, you good-for-nothing seadog. [ -- ah, that sure felt like she's channeling ahab just now. she cringes. ] Anyway, let's just keep moving. Looks like there are some ruins up ahead, too.

It's my first day on the crew, and you're already getting at me for not being able to read you perfectly?

[ Gosh!! But he opens up his messenger bag nonetheless, and tosses an insulated flask over in her direction. It's one of the more expensive models, for certain——this is where his money goes, apparently, outside of superfluous bachelor parties: top of the line implements for travel. Enjoy the ice cold water, Ishmael! ]

But, looks like. [ Her little chagrin elicits a grin—it almost feels like his days prior to Rhodes Island, when he had nowhere to be but in the moment. He almost misses it. ] How does it feel so far? Wandering without a specific purpose, other than to see what's out there?

[ wtf those aquaflasks saved my life... ishmael appreciates the ice-cold water, thank you.

with her thirst quenched, she continues leading the way. ]

I'm... not really sure. After surviving the Lake with the skin of my teeth, I was wandering with one goal in mind. [ KILL AHAB KILL AHAB KILL AHAB CRUSH HER BONES TO DUST AND EAT HER HEART OUT ] It's... terrifying at first. Usually I had to plan everything out, but I didn't really account surviving for this long.

[ tfw you didn't fucking permanently die like you originally planned so now you're like....... what now 🧍‍♀️ ]

[ much like how there are already electric mugs designed to keep liquids warm, they probably have even better technology for it and keeping things cold in the year 22xx… permanently cold water on demand. imagine that. ]

The first step always is making yourself uncomfortable, since that means a desire to change from status quo.

[ a soft laugh as he continues to follow and watch out from her flank. ]

But I'm glad your spirit never truly let up. You can't call going from day to day living, but to live, you first have to survive, yeah? Considering that it's only been recently that you've been able to start figuring things out, and that you've already got the hardest part done, starting——take it easy.

[ that's the secret, cap... she's always uncomfortable. though lately, she hasn't been feeling that - which in term is making her uncomfortable anyway? does that make sense?? ]

Yeah, I will. Just... one step at a time. But at the same time, I also learned that it's okay to take my time in these things.

[ it's okay if she hasn't figured everything yet. who even has, anyway? probably not elysium, that's for sure. he's as flighty as a bird, while she's lost at sea as ever. there's something poetic about it.

after a couple more treks, ishmael makes out a ruined building covered in vines and other wreckage. she then runs off, stopping right in front of a sign that is too dilapidated to even make out the words. ]

You think this is it?

[ Time. Elysium's expression softens perceptibly at the mention of it. ]

It really is. Still, I hope to continue receiving updates on your journey. Perhaps not for every step of the way, [ it's fine that it isn't his role to play, a tease lining the edge of it, ] but whenever you have a moment or two. Just from one adventurer to another.

[ With a casual wink, he turns his attention to the signage—from his knowledge of it, he knows perfectly well where they are and what it is. But, again, that's ruining the fun, isn't it? ]

Only one way to find out, right? If we end up finding some bones or the remnants of glass tanks, we'll know for sure. Until then, we can keep our minds and spirits free——not every adventurer had the luxury of the path paved for them, after all.

[ truly the most productive of all supply runs…… tho, this is probably a good endpoint as they mill about until they remember (or acknowledge) what it is they set out for to begin with. ]

( closed ) life like the unplumbed sea;

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cw suicidal ideation, looks up

🥹

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