( closed ) life like the unplumbed sea;

[transmit]

WHO: Elysium & friends(?)
WHAT: This is now just a catch-all for everything
WHERE: Everywhere
WHEN: 2024
WARNINGS: Blanket warning for possible explorations of dark themes in general, please tread at your own risk. I will, however, endeavour to include specifics in headers if applicable.

Comments

[wheft]

[ 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?

[transmit]

[ 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!

[wheft]

[ 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.

[transmit]

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?

cw suicidal ideation, looks up

[wheft]

[ 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 🧍‍♀️ ]

🥹

[transmit]

[ 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.

[wheft]

[ 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?

[transmit]

[ 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. ]