∞ 35: Reminiscence [written/action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Twenty more days.

That is what Faeren has told me. When Luceti was still at its most unknown and the time of day was the least of my concerns, she observed. October 27, by the calculations based off my calendar. As I think of it now, I imagine it will be a depressing day when it arrives. But the reality will likely be less stunning. Unless, of course, the Malnosso have set the day aside for an anniversary experiment.

Because that is what it will be: an anniversary.

There were 20 of us, in the beginning. Ironic how I write that on this day. Of those 20, there are only 3 of us who remain. The houses were occupied by one or two at most, and the only community housing building was largely empty. That first day was the only time I could reliably record the population of the Luceti for several months.

Then came the floods. Not the experiment, but the droves of people. Luceti fell into chaos; a cacophony of confused souls who couldn't wrap their minds around the situation. As quickly as the chaos settled in, the Malnosso made themselves known by sending the rains and stealing away individual test subjects.

It hasn't ceased since then. The kidnappings, the experiments. But the Malnosso have changed their tactics, ever so slightly. They do not speak or taunt anymore, as they did before every experiment in the past. They have developed a system for introducing new test subjects, which has since then been dubbed the New Feather cycle. They have been seen, and yet have not, by several inhabitants.

Some call Luceti home now. Some cannot imagine ever leaving it. Some live in a daze, comfortable in this peaceful anarchy. Some have given up entirely.

Twenty more days.

[action]

[Albert sits on a bench in the fountain plaza, his expression closed. He looks pale from his time spent indoors nowadays. In fact, he looks rather numb, just sitting there with his journal.]

Comments

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Indeed.

We are each other's weakness.

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

You're still here. How long do you intend to wait before something motivates you?

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

My calculations have brought me to the conclusion that I've waited longer for Caesar than Caesar has for me with my three abductions combined.

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

In conclusion, you have had far too much time on your hands.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

The barrier expansion experiment was a welcome diversion, I must admit.

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

There is data left to verify, and it would be helpful to have another pair of eyes along, on my next return visit. Should matters not require me here. If it truly has been a year since this all started, I would not be surprised if some present or other were in store for us.

Or would you rather wait out the twenty days to see what that may turn out to be. [Her tone is not very approving of this option, subtle as it is]

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

I have my own tests I need to do; with the circumstances as they were before, I couldn't do any tests as I would have liked. [there's an audible sigh] Reliable transportation would be a welcome addition to this world.

[And he will just ignore that other option, Raine. Hmph.]

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

I'm surprised that nothing happened last week when I went up there, myself. Perhaps they're feeling a bit confident again. [Raine shakes her head a little. Taking a moment to sit like this is starting to make that tiredness hit, but she forces herself to ignore it]

And yes, it would be. Rhieards would be especially useful, in a place like this.

[Well good. :| Or else he might have gotten another scary look directed at him.]

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Perhaps they feel they have worked out any abnormalities in the previous barrier. It might be worth going through tests already performed in the past, considering the new perimeter boundaries. We may even wish to look other areas that may not seem obvious; the span of the barrier south of the village, or beyond the western forest, or even beyond the northern lake.

Rhieard? That sounds somewhat avian in origin.

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

Hm, yes. It will be a good idea, for comparisons sake. And yes, I agree. It would be useful to find out precisely how much space we do have thanks to the new perimeters; our efforts have generally been focused in only one area, thus far. There also is an interesting... illusion effect, that you might want to take note of. And ... something else.

Yes, they were small one-person vehicles that we used to travel to far off places.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

We, as a population, may have focused our efforts on the mountains because of the base seen beyond the barrier. But unless there is anything visible beyond the barrier on the mountains, we should give the rest of the barrier perimeter our attention. Please tell me of your observations.

Vehicles. I'm afraid that my own world relied on steeds -- horses, dragons, dragonhorses -- and carriages, and blinking mages, for the most part.

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

As you should be aware, the new perimeters are largely where we had been able to walk out to; to the edge of the island. But now the barrier itself seems to present ... an illusion, of there being more land outside of it, as opposed to just -- sky, as we had observed. It seems as if it should go out farther than it already has. And that ... movement, that we noticed, that we couldn't quite see. That's still out there, as well.

They weren't especially common in our world, either. Yuan can provide a better explanation, to be honest.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Yes... If we had had more time out there, I would have spent more time with our flying units and allowing them to scout beyond the edge. But considering the barrier is in place again, the issue has become a moot point. ...As for the movement, I would much rather it remain beyond the barrier. The last thing we need is another potential wing thief, or worse, wreaking havoc.

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

That's likely where our sudden illness comes in. Regardless, it's a moot point, and we'll simply have to devise other ways and other methods. It's just always better to be doing something, instead of letting it slide.

It's in here, with us. It just hasn't come to the village, whatever it is.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Being a workaholic by nature makes the choice of action so simple.

And yet you would venture out of the village, alone?

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

Should it not be?

[she shrugs a little] As of late, there seemed to be little other choice, otherwise.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

When you begin to feel mired in doubt, even the simplest of choices are thrown into question.

[He gives her an unreadable glance, then looks out towards the mountains. There's a tiny owl visible against the cloud-laden sky.]

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

Perhaps so. But there's no use to be had in sitting and stewing.

[she sighs a little, her gaze looking out at nothing in particular, really]

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Hm. I have to agree.

[Albert lifts his arm as he sees the tiny owl descending. The elf owl ignores the arm entirely and instead lands on Albert's head. There's an irritated sigh, but he's quiet as Rune twitters in his ear.]

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

Hm?

[she raises an eyebrow at the owl's antics]

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert averts his attention over to Raine, looking somewhat ridiculous with the bird on his head.]

...Some observations require a different perspective.

Rune tells me that some of the animals are venturing from their own areas to "unchallenged spaces" with the incoming winter weather.

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

The additional territory gives them more space to explore as well.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

It presents another issue, namely the animals' comparable imprisonment to our own. As this barrier stretches, there is more barren land that can be, or needs to be, covered.

It also means that any ideas of becoming self-sufficient, away from any products that the Malnosso supply us with, is a far way off; if there were any plans to kill animals here for meat, we would have a very limited supply. I would not be surprised to find any new water bodies to be desolate of marine life.

[Action]

[wise_maiden]

I see what you mean.

It all requires looking into, lest emergency plans are need to be put in store again.

[Action]

[chikaidestroyer]

Indeed.

[And at this point, Albert stands, brushing off his coat meticulously. He maintains his little vanities, even in Luceti ... even if the owl in his hair does its best to ruin that image.]