EVENT: BLANKET FIC

[trainmasters]

Who: All the lovely Heroes!
When: Day 44, morning
Where: Around the train

[ It may have been only a few days, but did that heatwave feel like it lasted forever to anyone else? No? Either way, it's gone now. Bringing with it a blessed coolness. Actually wait, it's cold-- too cold! Worse yet, not even going into the train seems to really help. Fortunately, someone seems to have been kind enough to leave some nice, fuzzy blankets lying around. Too bad it doesn't seem to help much unless you share them with someone...

Either way, you're in luck because you've got some new teammates on the train! The notification appears cheerfully on everyone's Chains:

WELCOME NEW HEROES

Enjoy the cold...? ]

[[ NOTES: You're welcome to make team posts if you like, or intro directly into this mingle if you haven't already. Until next month's placements, the cold snap will persist-- along with the lovely blankets lying around. Enjoy! ]]

Comments

[nhaamasblessing]

Maybe it's just what you need to straighten your back out again. Like a backboard, except it's me — I'll gladly offer you my continued services for a low low fee.

[pats his cheek gently, her other arm slung around his shoulders to hold on]

[firstworldproblem]

[So very affronted and offended at the cheek pat as he stiffens and his jaw tightens, and she literally has a front row seat to experience it. Trudging forward. Looking for an appropriate place to ...]

I will drop you.

[And of course he's not going to mention that her pressed up against his back feels warm. Not enough to stem the cold as per requirement, but surely doing a better job than any of the layers of clothes are affording him.]

[nhaamasblessing]

[She almost feels kind of bad, but at the same time, something deep within her is telling her that this man deserves to be teased.]

But I'm so warm and cozy up here... surely you wouldn't.

[not to her, who has done not a single wrong in her life]

[firstworldproblem]

Surely I would.

[And he does release his grip and simply drop her.]

[nhaamasblessing]

[THUD. she hits the floor, but instead of being affronted or mad about it, she's actually laughing, back on the floor and hand against her forehead.]

Very rude. I suppose I shouldn't expect impeccable manners from someone who attempted to stab me upon first meeting, but here we are.

Then again, I suppose I do deserve it a little.

[firstworldproblem]

Still sore about that, are you? Well the fault is yours and your terrible memory. You are absolutely right that you deserve that.

[Folding his arms and not offering a hand as he investigates his sparks.]

A pity. It looks like we will have to walk after all.

[nhaamasblessing]

Well, it was only yesterday.

[frowning a little while he's not looking, hopping up to her feet. she still didn't fully know how to process the idea of being both a hero and a monster, and having hurt this man, but that was that. if he turns back, she's all smiles again.]

Into the cold, I suppose.

[firstworldproblem]

Into the cold.

[Shuffling outside. He's not very fast, but it seems they walk out into the cave covered with crystalline shards in a rainbow array of colors.]

[nhaamasblessing]

[She'll match his gait, hands stuck in the jacket pockets. it's extremely cold out here, but she'll deal.]

It's very beautiful in here...

[Gonna reach out and touch a shard, surprised at how warm it felt despite the cold outside.]

Huh. Touch this.

[firstworldproblem]

Just because you said so? I think not. I'll need more convincing than that.

[nhaamasblessing]

[wow you're mistrusting!!]

I wouldn't still be touching it if there was something wrong, would I? It's warm.

[firstworldproblem]

I daresay you have questionable taste.

[But he does reach out his hands and touch a crystal, albeit briefly.]

So it is. Isn't that strange? Why would they be warm to the touch?

[nhaamasblessing]

[well, she doesn't know enough about herself to dispute it.]

I should hope it isn't alive or something of the sort.

[firstworldproblem]

Even if it was, would you not drape yourself across them for some semblance of warmth?

[nhaamasblessing]

[...considers.]

Well, it is quite cold. But I feel like it would be significantly more comfortable to just relent and sit with someone for a while instead of going to the effort of harvesting rocks from the walls.

[firstworldproblem]

I'd say the physical activity would warm you right up, but such a lie that would be.

You have all your abilities, correct? Well go one. Taking one should be a trivial task for you.

[nhaamasblessing]

Unfortunately, I don't remember what I can do. Maybe if you gave me some indication of what I used to do, I can figure it out...?

[firstworldproblem]

Oh, very well. Just this once. I will not be so generous upon every encounter.

[He goes to her elbow and begins instructing her on how to channel aether. It's more difficult to explain when he can't demonstrate himself, but well, can't have everything.]

[nhaamasblessing]

[she listens attentively, and luckily enough she's a pretty quick learner, as the Warrior of Light is wont to be. Taking a deep breath, she reaches out, channeling her aether into a spell.





Which ends up being Holy. Which explodes the wall in a blaze of exploding light. She covers her face desperately from the spray of rock, peering out from beyond her arm as the dust settles — well, at least there's rocks on the ground now.]

Oops?

[firstworldproblem]

[Hiding behind her --- of course he is! Though with the height difference it is not as effective as it would be.]

Of course, of course, such would be the first spell ushered forth.

[nhaamasblessing]

I'm sorry, that was much more power than I anticipated. Are you quite alright?

[firstworldproblem]

Merely blinded by your sudden display of radiance.

[He rubs his eyes to accentuate the point before looking at the rubble.]

Shall we continue on?

[nhaamasblessing]

Probably a good idea, before I invoke any more destruction on this cavern.

[firstworldproblem]

[Trudging forward and arriving eventually at the pristine, white beach. It's quite lovely and the fish are colorful, but that's not why they are here. Emet-Selch walks out to line where the sand turns dark from the waves lapping up on the shore.]

And there ----

[Pointing at a smaller island two kilometers off the shore surrounded by darker waters.]

--- is the corruption.

[nhaamasblessing]

[coming up to stand next to him, shielding her eyes to gaze out towards the island]

And the only way to fight this corruption is through bonds, correct?

[because every bone in her body is itching to FIGHT, though it's certainly not by a means she's used to]