finalflight | OPEN POST; [ TAKA AMBULARA / ORIGINAL ]

[Blue. Something in him feels like a shard of ice, and even he can't quite tell if it's alarm or the beginning of critical information truly about to unfold. Both, maybe.]

Just wondering if there was any kind of connection. You know, me being here, you being elsewhere — wouldn't it be a logical correlation that maybe the world you visited could've been somehow related to my own? Might've been my own? Like there's a shared doorway we've passed through. Why, I'm pretty sure I know of a town that's supposedly infamous for its blue flowers.

[Casual shrug.]

Then again, that doesn't make sense, does it? Because then you would've recognized the name Saxea, and said something before now, right?

Edited 2025-01-10 00:53 (UTC)

Or maybe...

[Silently, she pushes her drink aside and leans forward with her elbows resting on the table.]

... It's safer not to make assumptions.

[Who is she talking about? Him? Herself? Yes.]

[Ohh?]

And who's the one making assumptions here, miss? [He huffs.] Maybe it'd be better to put all our cards on the table?

... I suppose so.

[Lucinda draws back, putting her hands in her lap and thinks. Finally, she decides it's time.]

Turner's Vale.

[She turns her head to glance outside the window where the parking lot is.]

It wasn't so bad.

[Well.

That would explain that telltale feeling of nails prickling at his gut — he was right. There was something here worth unraveling, and it's critical.]

Turner's Vale...

[If only the others were here— No, actually, that might be detrimental. They haven't cool enough heads to be blasted with this relevation to not upend the conversation completely; Taka does, or so he believes.]

[IN FACT, he affects at utterly casual as he leans back in his chair, arms crossed.]

That's a Dredger town, you know. Or, it was. [Hand waggle again.] Ahh, it's complicated, but... You know, Miss Lucinda, we've been trying to figure out how to get to that place for a little while now.

So I've been told.

𝓘𝓽'𝓼 𝓹𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓷𝓸𝔀.

𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓲𝓽 𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓼, 𝔀𝓮 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓼𝓪𝔀.

[Lucinda remains eerily calm which wouldn't be so abnormal with her usual countenance, but in this case there's more to it than that.]

Was it because of the forest surrounding it? Coming from the inside, that was the biggest challenge among other things.

[She does seem calm; taking it all in stride. He wonders if he should read into that, too.]

Precisely that. The forest surrounding the town is, well, I don’t know. Cursed? Enchanted? Whatever you want to call it, anyone who enters is fated to get lost and wander endlessly, seeing visions of their worst fears. New and old nightmares on repeat. The only way to escape it with your mind intact is to follow the path into town or out of the forest… But that path, apparently, doesn’t show itself just for anyone.

[He sighs.]

You need to be invited by one of the villagers first. And that’s… What’s the saying? Its own jar of worms?

We say "can of worms" but it's fine.

[Neither here nor there.]

Funnily enough, I woke up in that forest. I might have been lost indefinitely if I hadn't been found.

The things you've just described, I experienced at a later date.

Edited 2025-01-14 18:32 (UTC)

Mm, bad luck on your part. But it does make it sound like there's another way in, so maybe we don't have to travel the entire continent hoping to stumble onto an invite.

[Leans forward a little.]

Who found you?

[At this point, he basically knows that she met Weir. How else would she know that the Vale used to be a Dredger town? No one knows about the previous world that he's ever met, after all; no one except those who still remain.

But maybe he just wants to judge how quickly she'll confirm it herself.]

I think you already know.

[There's no room to be evasive, not anymore, but somehow she manages. Her friends stir beneath her skin; whether in reaction to his name or to her stirring memories of her time with him.

One of the servers, sensing the tension in the air, quietly passes by to take their dishes and disappear into the back of the restaurant. When they're gone, only then does Lucinda conitnue.]

I stayed with him for a while, as I've said. We had our... [The medium gestures lazily with one hand as if it means anything.]

... Disagreements. But all in all, I held up well.

A man like Weir Dredger, I'm surprised you could stand him at all. He's a bastard.

[He says his name outright as though to drag the elephant in the room into the spotlight. Like it might disperse the roundabout way she's treating this subject — that, and he doesn't mind sharing his own opinion of the man. It isn't very high.

His gaze is sharpened; not cutting, but it's clear he's focused on her replies and body language now.]

How much did he tell you?

Indeed.

[She will not disagree on that note. Regarding her body language, she has hardly moved a muscle except for the slightest shift in her seat for readjustment, a hand moving to brush a strand of hair away from her face. Hardly anything to read except those pauses and careful considerations that have colored her replies so far.]

I know what he did.

𝓖𝓸𝓷𝓮. 𝓔𝓻𝓪𝓼𝓮𝓭.

𝓦𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀𝓷 𝓲𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓓𝓻𝓮𝓭𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓱𝓪𝓭𝓷'𝓽 𝓽𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓭.

𝓟𝓸𝓸𝓻 𝓼𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓼 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝔀𝓮𝓻𝓮.

... Taka. What are your thoughts on ghosts?

[Purposefully still, statuesque. That's telling in its own right. Taka laces his hands together, elbows propped on the table, and rests his chin on his fingers.

They'll loop back around to Weir. Taka's patient. This is a conversation to treat with care.]

Ghosts? Do you mean if I believe in them?

Something like that.

[Her hands move to her lap and she taps her fingers thoughtfully against her thighs.]

When I was in Turner's Vale, there was a significant lack of... Death.

[She lets that word hang between them for a second.]

... I don't know what the Vale was like before that ritual. Only what he's told me. But what was there before, is gone now, including the original inhabitants. Even I couldn't find a trace of what and who was there previously.

Right now, it's a lively place. Everyone was kind to me as I said. But if it interests you, Weir was unsettled by the state of things, even before I appeared. He's a man used to a rough life and anticipatng that any day could be his last as a Dredger.

[Lucinda has that much of an understanding of that bastard, loathe as she is to admit.]

After what he did to you and your world, he isn't resting on his laurels, so to speak. He's quite suspicious of what has resulted. Oh...

[And she snaps her fingers as if just remembering in the moment.]

The hole is still there in the forest.

[His mind whirs. Strains, the gears working so fast to throw the context together so it can form a tangible shape he can then slot into the picture as a whole and-

A lack of death. So, Lucinda is able to sense ghosts—or some manner of them—and no such thing exists in the Vale. Well, that makes sense — Weir did not destroy the old world with death to allow a new one to be built atop it. He erased it entirely. To make a world that... What? What? What was the motivation?

This has always been unclear. He had his suspicions, of course; the life of a Dredger is not a kind one, and no doubt he wanted to change his circumstances, crafting a new life for himself. He'd not blame him for that. But why the total obliteration of what came before? Did that "god" of his have anything to do with it?

New information, though: not all of the world's been remade. The Pit is still there. Why? No, the answer is obvious: definitely because of that god.]

...I see.

[Another strange clue he's clung to:]

What do you mean he's unsettled? He doesn't like living there?

[Hello???? All that trouble and still unhappy with it — the notion agitates even Taka a little.]

Edited 2025-01-14 20:47 (UTC)

[That last part actually gets a genuine chuckle out of Lucinda.]

I know, right? He's certainly more comfortable than whatever life he had before. Considering the circumstances of how that place was shaped and what's behind it—

[She knows of the "god" too.]

... His habit of being overly suspicious isn't too unwarranted. As much as I enjoyed myself, I always had a thought in the back of my mind going "But perhaps...?"

[Her hand waves lazily in the air again.]

Well. I'm where I'm supposed to be now. He caused me more trouble than the townspeople.

[She does know a lot; strange. He'd not expect the Dredger to share that much with anyone. The man seemed dodgy, seemed closed-off at best. He wonders if it was just manipulation, then, but he did help her return to her world, so who's to say?

Very strange.

But something else is not clicking, and he leans back again, screwing up his face.]

Now, hold on... You said he's suspicious...

[Implying he doesn't know what exactly feels strange about the place?]

[No way.

Suddenly, Taka barks out a laugh.]

Ha, you mean the bastard doesn't even know the truth behind his own town? The one he wished into existence?

[When asked about being housed in another world, Lucinda had whimsically described herself as an unwanted roommate. The medium has notably kept as much of her personal feelings beyond vague statements out of this talk between her and Taka.

besides, it's her chance to dog on Weir when he isn't around, it's funnier]

I'm quite serious. If I had to take a stab in the dark, he certainly wished for something, but didn't understand his own desires. And thus, what resulted is a new world he can't totally comprehend.

[Lucy moves to remove the apron around her neck, pulling it taut and folding it neatly. Only a sections of her tattoo around her collar peek out.]

I did ask him about it; about if he was happy, that is.

[She never did get that answer. And she thinks Taka can guess that much.]

[Scoffs! Scoffs-laughs!]

Happy? A guy who makes a wish like that isn't happy. I'd bet he didn't even know what he really wanted, beyond whatever he agreed upon with that thing underground. Pah.

[What an idiot, that Dredger.]

Shouldn't make big decisions like that unless you can sort yourself out first. What a selfish man... [Sighs, running a hand through his already-tousled hair.] Do you know why it's so hard to get an invite to Turner's Vale, Miss Lucinda? I figure you deserve to know, since you had to live through being there.

Edited 2025-01-14 21:45 (UTC)

[She nods in agreement. Weir Dredger was a selfish idiot.

To answer his question...]

I had the impression the forest made it difficult.

[She would know.]

But that was from my perspective from within. I was trying to leave. What I wasn't aware of was that an invitation was required to get in.

So enlighten me then.

Oh, yes. Those woods are rather infamous — everyone knows you can’t just stride in like you own the place, unless you want to pay the price for entering without permission.

[He shrugs, looking up at the ceiling.]

Ah, but I’m sure there are probably fools who’ve tried. Mainly, though, it’s because the villagers rarely leave the Vale. And when they do? No one wants anything to do with them. Kind as they all may be, they’re just bad luck — if one approaches you, and you can often tell because they’ve always got an image of that flower pinned to them somewhere, or wearing that blue color, then people try to get away as fast as they can. Be as polite as possible and end the conversation quickly. I’ve heard merchants have practically given away their things for free when one comes up to barter with them, just to be rid of them.

Because if they’re nice enough to invite you into Turner’s Vale, you have no choice but to go. If you ignore it, then tragedy is bound to come your way. I’ve seen proof of it myself.

[He drops his chin, looking at her again.]

That’s because you never want to slight a Fae. That’s what the Vale’s turned into now — a Fae village. Twisters of fate, for good or ill, and usually troublesome.

That's...

[Her brows raise and her eyes widen ever so slightly at Taka's revelations. It's the first time she looks unsettled ever since they sat down together. All three of her spirits inaudibly hum under her skin, intrigued by what they hear and indignant about how they couldn't perceive the Vale residents properly.

Lucinda brings a hand up to her lips thinking deeply yet again. She wasn't invited, but her presence was happily accepted. Concerned, she tries to remember if any townspeople invited her directly or indirectly in town. Either way, she had stayed and accepted their generosity in day-to-day life. Being naturally mild-mannered and polite probably helped off-set any direct damage.

And Weir was also there with her. A number of other factors swirl in her mind, but it may not matter now.]

I don't know whether it was because of Weir's presence or if I was already in the forest to start, but I didn't incur anyone's wrath or slight anyone in that town. That or...

[Maybe Fang was a natural deterrent. Well, she'll never know, but now she knows about the Vale's true nature though it doesn't necessarily make her feel better. It was good to escape the jaws of a monster, but it wasn't great knowing she willingly slept in them.]

Mm. Well, it seems Weir is an exception to the rule. They don't mind him being his usual self or at least they don't outwardly show any offense.

[There's always satisfaction in relaying information that someone else was oblivious to; it strokes his ego somewhat, though that's just the case (no pun intended) for every detective, surely. Still, he doesn't take too much mirth in Lucinda's reaction, for clearly this has shaken her somewhat.]

I did some reading and poking around about the Fae; there's not a lot, but they don't sound inherently malicious. Just otherworldly, like when they interact with mortals, their presence alone changes lives. They curse or bless you with bad or good luck, and you don't have a say on where those dice land, or how it manifests. Most people know better than to take their chances.

[Not outright evil, not outright good. Simple entities that leave waves in their wake.]

If you said they were nice to you, I doubt it was for show. You were just lucky, welcomed in because of— [He pauses.] I don't know. Maybe because whatever brought you there skipped the invite process. Maybe because Weir accepted you into the Vale, even if temporary. Maybe the "invite" can be as vague as "come into the town for a bit."

[Still so much he doesn't know.]

As for the man himself, he's probably considered a villager; one of their own. Why wouldn't he? He made the wish with that damn Heart. He was one of the original residents of the Vale. Ha, maybe he's an honorary Fae now...

[Which would suck for the rest of them, but. They'll cross that bridge when they get there.]

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