chikaidestroyer | ∞ 65: Upon the smoldering battlefield [voice]

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∞ 65: Upon the smoldering battlefield [voice]

Status reports, everyone. Let's try to account for as many as we can.

If you know of any casualties or disappearances, please note them as well. They need to be kept track of in case the Malnosso decided to act while we were ... preoccupied.

Congratulations are in order. We've survived without losing the village. Now it's time to recover and aid the wounded.

If there are still any able bodies available, I would like a sweep of the perimeter done for any signs of the intruders. Feathers, clothing, armor -- if it's available, it must be studied.

...Please also be aware that the New Feather cycle, if it has returned to normal, will occur beginning tomorrow. Explain the situation to the best of your ability. Newcomers need to know that this isn't the usual state of the village.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yes, I am. Judging by the lack of reprimand in your voice, I presume you're still out, too.

... Yes. I sent Genis home during the battle, but I'm not certain if he's still there.

When you've finished your errands and are ready to return home... please come meet me in the Eastern forest.

[He frowns at the peculiar request, but doesn't say anything.] Very well.

... Thank you. I'll see you then.

[She figures he'll be a while; but she can wait. There probably are people who still need healing in the area, after all.]

[It's actually more than two hours later when Albert finally finishes meeting with various contacts. Since the forest edge is so close to the house, he brings Astrid back to the stable before walking past the barricades and into the forest.]

[Raine isn't too far away, though it's a bit of a walk. She's sitting in the center of a small cluster of trees that should be familiar, her staff laying near her, splintered at the end and useless. Her robe has some splashes of drying blood on it, though it's hard to tell whether it's hers or those who she's been healing.]

[By comparison, Albert looks ... pretty much as impeccable as ever. Perhaps a little tired, a little dusty, but. Definitely not as battle-worn as Raine.]

Professor.

... Albert. [Raine's first instinct is to check for any apparent injuries on his person, so her eyes carefully study him briefly, though she doesn't move from her position.] You seem unharmed.

I was quite far from the action, so it stands to reason... [He trails off as he moves closer.] How are you doing?

... True enough, though it seems that some of them did get to the village. [Her face is dusty. Her hair is a mess. Her eyes are tired.] I'm ... better off than most I've seen. There's something wrong with my foot. It's swollen, but I can't get my shoe off to check properly, and spells aren't making it any easier.

[All in all, this really isn't much different from how he sees her after overworking. Except for the blood and dirt bit.] And you decided it wasn't worth mentioning to anyone prior to you walking all over the place?

[Probably not, but she's also had a companion die in front of her, with an injury she's been unable to do anything about. Again.]

It didn't bother me at the time. The adrenaline, I suppose.

[He could probably say something callous to that, but. Well. Whatever.]

I see. [And he's going to continue watching her before speaking further.] You had something you wished to talk about?

[Jerk.]

I was presuming that you were spending the rest of your time gathering more information. I'm curious to what you may have learned. [She pauses for a moment.] Aside from that, I could use the assistance.

[Handsome jerk.]

[He looks at Raine with an unreadable look.] And so you came out here, to the forest, with a bad leg. When there were closer places you could have gone. [He just might think you lost some marbles out there.]

... I was already in the area. [Sort of.] Does it even matter? I thought I could handle it, but that didn't work out as planned, so I waited for you instead.

[Read: You've been scheming for a piggyback ride for weeks and this worked out juuust right.]

You had two hours to make your way home. [...He sighs. Bah, dropping that subject now.] What have you heard?

[Maybe she thought you'd bring the horse.]

A few more confirmations of the dead vanishing, mostly. Nothing new from the perimeter search as of yet. [She slowly brings herself to a standing position, using the tree for support.] I know that some were being soft on the enemy, but the weakened ones were finished off by others.

[Maybe he should go back and get the horse, then.]

They were all dead within two days. Regardless of the few losses on our side, it was a slaughter. They either underestimated our power, or we were overly cautioned of what they were capable of.

I expected stronger, from what we were warned against. John did mention something about weakening them before then. Whatever it was he did, combined with our restored powers, allowed us the victory. If it can even be considered that.

It was a victory. Though we remain under Malnosso control, we haven't been exposed to the outside world without a plan.

The intruders' goal was to remove us from the Malnosso's influence by removing us from the barrier.

... Hm.

At the very least it shows that most can work together under threat of crisis. The problem now is keeping the awareness up, before everyone becomes too distracted by parties.

It will happen regardless of what we do. Communicating with the masses effectively and figuring out how to continue doing so is the best way to maintain control of the situation.

Do you intend to call for another meeting, or let some time pass before then?

[She tentatively steps away from the tree, indicating that she's ready to begin ... walking.]

Let them catch their breath, recover from their wounds. [He gives Raine a pointed look before he moves to help her.]

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