Echoes Of The Black Sea Ep.1: An Express Of The Future

[Mortelatuzia]

Kathy giggled, this boy Reach was quite amusing. She had never seen someone with such a humorous personality, then again...
"Sure, why not?"
She wondered who this, Lady of Light, was. Whomever she is, she's part of that H.G. her parents told her to avoid. Perhaps she was a Stigma like her. Or, more likely, she's just another rich political figurehead. Either way, she might as well ask Reach.
"Who is this, Al- Altrin Du Loc, anyway." She asked with a complete lack of accent.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Lake Town, Hesnet

When Kathy agreed that he showed her around, Reach smiled again and then turned around, walking a few steps forward. When she asked him who Altrine Du Lac was, though, he turned on his heel, and stared at her, confused.

"You really are not from around here, are you?" He asked, though he already knew the answer. It was rather obvious, really, at least from what he had seen thus far.

He then simply sat down on the sidewalk -Where, by the way, it was perfectly fine to sit down- before looking up at her and answering her, clearing his throat before speaking.

"Altrine Du Lac was one of the first colonists of Hesnet, back when colonization was only just beginning and thievery and banditry were rampant on the periphery of the worlds. She escaped death when all of the members of her family, along with many others from her colony, were killed by bandits. Supposedly, after that, she found a sword in a wreckage, and it imbued her with the Stigma of Light. Details on that are foggy, some people say that the sword was stained with the blood of a Stigma bearer and that when Altrine grabbed it she had an open wound on her hand, but I prefer to think it was magic." He said, smiling yet again, before continuing. "Anyway, after that, she rounded up those that remained, and defeated the bandits. She then went on to form a band of law enforcers. The colony survived and eventually became Lake Town." He explained, before standing up and dusting himself off.

"So, Altrine," He said, motioning towards her statue in front of the fountain. "is basically Lake Town's heroine." He stated, smiling.

[Nature-Spirits]

Françoise was shocked at this revelation. "What?" she exclaimed, her accent suddenly very strong. "Non, non, I must return to Shaara. If I do not zey will think something 'as 'appened to me." Her breathing grew faster and shallower, and her eyes widened. The air stilled around her, and her jaw was twitching uncontrollably. It's okay, Françoise, she assured herself mentally, trying to control her instincts. Her hands, clenched into fists, knuckles white, trembled.
And then, in a matter of seconds, it had passed. Her breathing returned to normal, and she closed her eyes tranquilly. Her accent once more faded, she said, "I'm sorry. I overreacted. I will come willingly, of course. I can send a message, yes?"

[Mortelatuzia]

Kathy giggled slightly.
"N-No, I'm not from anywhere near here."
She thought over the story. This Altrine character did seem important, although almost certainly a figurehead. Who knows, perhaps she'll find out sometime.
"What does her...Stigma, do exactly?"
She decided it would be best for her to obtain as much knowledge she could about this place. After all, if she wounded up in a predicament, it would mean she would know her enemy before they knew her. And that, is one of the keys to Terror.

[Terintania]

Starfall Plaza, Hesnet, past dusk (Planetary time)

After everyone had been interrogated, Seton stood before all four of them (Franky, Corvo, Seton, Urvin) and cleared his throat before speaking.

"Alright, now that the questioning is out of the way, I have something to announce to you all..." He said, taking a deep breath before continuing.

"Since you all have some... Special, we'll say, situations, the H.G. has decided that it would be best if you all were sent to a protected town to live for a while, until things calmed down. You are the only witnesses of what happened to Mr. Enghei, after all, and you might be targetted for it." He stated.

"So... I'm afraid you're all going to have to pack your things and then come with me." He finally announced.

"Can I set up my shop there?" Urvin asked. Seton nodded.

"I can get you the permits." He said.

"Alright. Nothing to lose, I guess."

Corvo seemed probably a little more interest in the idea of going somewhere to live for protection then most people would be. It was because he didn't exactly have a home, so what did he have to lose? Hell, he might even be given a home, who knew. He didn't feel like asking though, but he thought it would be the nice thing to do, seeing as you know, making people buy their own house when you forced them to move would just be kind of an assholy thing to do. "Alright....All I need to do is get back to Azora and grab my backpack...." He said, pretty much saying that's all he needed to do to be backed.

He kind of wrung his fingers together when Urvin and Seton started talking about Urvin having a shop there. Once they were done, he kind of stammered,"I....Do..." He sighed, then said,"Would you still have use for a helper?" In kind of a quiet voice. He clearly wasn't very comfortable with asking that, mostly because he was basically asking Urvin if he could still help out with his shop. It was only awkward because, what if he didn't let him?

[Escalan Corps-Star Island]

Tristan opened the door fully, stepping inside. "Forgive me for intruding; I merely wished to inquire if there was anything I could do for you. And if it's not too much to ask, may I perhaps have the benefit of knowing what you're going to do on Pilarnir?" He took his hand off the door's latch, and in doing so, noticed he wasn't wearing his gloves. Damn. I'll have to fix that sooner or later, I guess.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Starfall Plaza, Hesnet, past dusk (Planetary time)

The inspector noticed Francoise's apparent shock at the revelation, but he sadly couldn't do anything about it, he was just told about it, not asked for his input. He was going to go and try to help Francoise calm down, but, apparently, she managed to calm down by herself, for which he was glad. When she asked if she would be allowed to send a message, Seton nodded.

"Of course. In fact, there's a public intercom over there with access to public interplanetary channels. You can use it to talk to your friends or relatives and tell them that you're fine." He explained.

When Corvo explained that he needed to go back to Azora to get his backpack, Seton nodded at him. "Alright, go fetch it, there's a Gate nearby. We'll wait here." He said.

Urvin, upon hearing Corvo's question, nodded at the young man. "Yeah, I would still have use for a helper. You want the job?" He asked.


Lake Town, Hesnet

Reach nodded when Kathy confirmed that she wasn't from around there. He wondered what a foreigner who apparently knew very little about the place she was in was wandering alone through Lake Town, but he figured he could ask that later. For now, he himself had to answer one question.

"The Stigma of Light?" Reach asked. "Well, basically it lets the bearer control light. It's rather... Intuitive." He said. "Children of the Lake -That's what the bearers of the Stigma of Light are called, by the way, and also the reason our town is named like this- can use light to blind others, or concentrate it to use it as a weapon. Or at least that's what I've heard. I don't know much about that." He explained.

"Anyway, my turn. Why did you come here?" He asked afterwards.


The Rivadir

Arda simply stared blankly at Tristan after hearing his questions. "I don't need anything, I'm fine, thank you." She said in response to his first question. She glanced over at Artan before answering the second. "We're heading to Pilarnir to get something unique from that planet. He," She said, motioning towards Artan. "is going to help me." She stated. After a few moments, though, she spoke again. "Why?"

[Terintania]

Starfall Plaza, Hesnet, past dusk (Planetary time)

The inspector noticed Francoise's apparent shock at the revelation, but he sadly couldn't do anything about it, he was just told about it, not asked for his input. He was going to go and try to help Francoise calm down, but, apparently, she managed to calm down by herself, for which he was glad. When she asked if she would be allowed to send a message, Seton nodded.

"Of course. In fact, there's a public intercom over there with access to public interplanetary channels. You can use it to talk to your friends or relatives and tell them that you're fine." He explained.

When Corvo explained that he needed to go back to Azora to get his backpack, Seton nodded at him. "Alright, go fetch it, there's a Gate nearby. We'll wait here." He said.

Urvin, upon hearing Corvo's question, nodded at the young man. "Yeah, I would still have use for a helper. You want the job?" He asked.

Corvo nodded to Seton, but obviously he waited for Urvin's reply before he did anything. He smiled at Urvin and nodded,"Yes, I do," He said. Maybe if he got a job he could finally turn his crap of a life around. He would never forget what had happened that night, though....He frowned just thinking about it, before snapping out of it and saying,"I'll be right back." He darted off to the gate and took it to Azora.

After a while he returned. He skidded to a stop, since he'd been running, next to everyone one with his backpack over his shoulder. He was panting slightly, but not like he had worn himself out to much. "Ok, I'm ready whenever," He said. There was something to his voice that didn't sound as happy as it had earlier, and in fact he sounded a little depressed, even if he tried to hide it. This was due to thinking about how he'd basically always lived on the streets, and thinking about that night....That poor girl....And her parents, how horrible they must have felt. Did they still mourn for her? He took a shuttering breath and tried to push it from his mind, but the image of the little girl was still clear in his mind...As clear as it had been the day she died. That was one thing he hated about having photographic memory: He knew he would remember that girl like a photograph forever, and part of him wanted to. Part of him wanted to feel guilty for what had happened forever. He didn't want to forget, but at the same time he did.....

[Mortelatuzia]

Kathy felt as though her heart just stopped beating. Why she had come here? She was not even quite sure herself. She really just wanted to escape from the wretched grasp of her boring home and have an actual life. And also to spite her parents for keeping her there. But would he understand? No, she shouldn't spill out everything, that was too personal and she had no intention of getting too close.
"I'm...on vacation. Decided I might as well see the worlds."
Reach seemed to want to know a little too much. As a precaution she turned her head toward him and held a gaze her about five seconds before looking around again. It wouldn't seem weird, just an innocent glance at him would do no harm. But in truth, she was scanning for the things that would make him regret the day he was born. Or at the very least make him faint.

[Escalan Corps-Star Island]

I'm not sure I like this. . . If I'm being dragged into events beyond my control by my passengers, my reputation, self-sufficiency, and livelihood could all come crashing down. There's got to be more to it, but I need them off my ship as fast as possible.

Tristan shrugged and replied, "It seemed like common sense to know a bit more about one's guests. But as I doubt I'll be learning anything more, I bid you a good day. We'll arrive at Pilarnir shortly." The young man turned and exited the room. Nearly sprinting back to the bridge, he seated himself and began making adjustments to the bearing and speed. The ship had been at a near-stop for the past six hours- Tristan thought it wise not to reveal what the ship could do nor to go anywhere without getting a better idea of the consequences.- while not alerting the passengers to this fact. The hums and rumbles of the Rivadir's massive plasma engines vibrated the entire vessel slightly. Three hours later, they would begin their approach to the icy world that was their destination.

[Eon Prime]

Starfall Plaza, Hesnet, past dusk (Planetary time)

Alex had been questioned before the others arrived. According to her she hadn’t seen anything and they believed her so there was no reason for her to stay, it was amazing how fast the medical tents had been raised while she was being questioned. Not that she was very surprised, what did surprise her was the number of people who returned after the attack, she wouldn’t have come back if you had paid her, well maybe then, but still.

Now she was in her hotel room adjacent to the plaza, hoping to avoid any more excitement for the duration of her stay in Hesnet. The lights were off so no one would see her sitting in a comfortable black chair in front of the window that overlooked the sterile-white tents in their various different clusters and the H.G. personnel moving about below. What was all that about, she thought, referring to the Red Gospel earlier, what could they gain by attacking the festival? Was it a simple act of terrorism? And most importantly, why was she so curious? This wasn’t her world, and it certainly wasn’t any of her responsibility, there was nothing she could gain from getting involved.

With a sigh she stood, turning the chair the other way so that any visitors wouldn’t be able to ascertain where she was looking. Then she stumbled over to the bed and fell onto the soft blankets. Not yet, I still need a shower, I can’t go to bed feeling like this, despite the thought she lay there for several more moments before stirring. When she had finally gotten up she stumbled over to the bath room and sat down in the tub, despite the fact that you could now be sprayed with a mist that consumes all bacteria and waste on your body, man’s old habits died hard and many still felt the most refreshed from traditional means of cleaning. A small holographic display appeared with the various options for bathing, it accepted voice commands so she simply stated her preferences and as the tub began to fill she fell asleep.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Starfall Plaza, Hesnet, past dusk (Planetary time)

"Alright, you're good to go, apparently, so just wait here." Seton said to Corvo, before turning to Franky and Francoise. "As for you two, ladies, well, night is falling, so you all should probably get your stuff ready. If there's anything either of you need but can't bring alone, I'll just contact someone to send them over."Lake Town, Hesnet He stated.

After that, he turned to Urvin. "Aren't you going to get your things from the stall?" He asked. Urvin simply made a dismissive gesture with his hand. "You'll just contact someone to send them over." He repeated.


Lake Town, Hesnet

Reach raised an eyebrow when Kathy gave him his answer. "...That's it?" He asked, and continued after a few moments. "You don't expect me to believe that, do you?" He asked, though he didn't really sound accusing. He simply sounded... Amused, more or less. "You do..." He added afterwards.

Reach then simply gave a shrug. "Alright, I'm not going to pry. But let me ask what you're going to do. You're not from anywhere around here, and I can guess that you don't know anyone from around here, either. Do you even have a place to stay?"


The Rivadir

Arda simply stared blankly at the door for several moments after Tristan had left, blinking once before turning back to Artan. "He seems a little paranoid." She observed, and then turned back to the door. When the Rivadir started vibrating, Arda, for some reason, let out a small chuckle, before turning back to Artan.

"Wake me up when we're there, alright?" She said after yawning, before tossing her coat and scarf onto a table nearby, and letting herself drop on the bed. After that, it didn't take her very long to fall asleep.

From inside the room, aside from the sound of the Rivadir's plasma engines, if one paid attention, a faint humming could be heard.


Pilarnir

The Rivadir finally landed on the icy planet, and Arda stepped out, now with her full attire again, walking into the white desert and looking around. The environment was so familiar... And yet so strange. It was similar to her home in many ways, yet different in many others. While she was no stranger to the cold, and it in fact was a defining characteristic of her home, there was also so much light... It might have blinded her, if she wasn't aware that this was an entirely different planet. But she was, so she simply stared out into the distance, waiting for Artan to come along and perhap for Tristan to bid them farewell, as she doubted that he would be accompanying them in their 'quest'.

[The Inritus Extraho]

The Rivadir

Arda simply stared blankly at the door for several moments after Tristan had left, blinking once before turning back to Artan. "He seems a little paranoid." She observed, and then turned back to the door. When the Rivadir started vibrating, Arda, for some reason, let out a small chuckle, before turning back to Artan.

"Wake me up when we're there, alright?" She said after yawning, before tossing her coat and scarf onto a table nearby, and letting herself drop on the bed. After that, it didn't take her very long to fall asleep.

From inside the room, aside from the sound of the Rivadir's plasma engines, if one paid attention, a faint humming could be heard.


Pilarnir

The Rivadir finally landed on the icy planet, and Arda stepped out, now with her full attire again, walking into the white desert and looking around. The environment was so familiar... And yet so strange. It was similar to her home in many ways, yet different in many others. While she was no stranger to the cold, and it in fact was a defining characteristic of her home, there was also so much light... It might have blinded her, if she wasn't aware that this was an entirely different planet. But she was, so she simply stared out into the distance, waiting for Artan to come along and perhaps for Tristan to bid them farewell, as she doubted that he would be accompanying them in their 'quest'.

Artan stepped off, wearing his iridescent glasses once more, and holding out another pair for Arda. "Take these, Arda; without goggles, the snow can blind you. It's like looking right at the sun." Yes, he carried two pairs. Just like he carried two pairs of crampons, and two waterbottles. You always carried two on Pilarnir. You always had the possibility of running into someone who needed help. He nodded, and looked around at the surroundings.

"I know where we are...." he murmured, and began walking off, yelling over his shoulder "Come on, I can show you my hometown. And we might get to see the Ice calving."

[Escalan Corps-Star Island]

The ground began to shake as the ship lifted off once more, lift thrusters melting deep holes into the permafrost. The scent of charred vegetation reached the nostrils of Arda and Artan. The shadow of the Rivadir overhead swung in a wide arc before disappearing to the south in a burst of verdant flame. Inside the ship, Early sat at a secondary communications post, speaking slowly and softly. "In that case, we shall see you in- well, however many days. Godspeed, my friend." Hydraulic fluid tensed in cables as a steel door opened against the thin air. A small craft, vaguely reminiscent of a British Spitfire or Hurricane from long ago, exited at high speed and turned back. Staying high and out of sight, it used several suspensors mounted beneath its airframe to slowly coast along once near the curious duo on the snow below. Staying out of sight behind a nearby glacial peak, Tristan waited, sensors scanning for any unusual activity below.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Pilarnir

When Artan handed her a pair of iridescent glasses, stating that without them she could be blinded with the snow, Arda nodded and took the glasses, putting them on, before looking around. Certainly, now the perpetual whiteness wasn't quite as blinding, though it still was much more than what she was used to. The part of Gliese in which she lived was called the 'dark side' for a reason, after all.

"Thanks. I'm used to the cold, but not all this light and clarity." She stated, before following Artan through the snow, moving through it with relative ease, catching up with Artan. "So you live around here then?" She asked.

[The Inritus Extraho]

Pilarnir

When Artan handed her a pair of iridescent glasses, stating that without them she could be blinded with the snow, Arda nodded and took the glasses, putting them on, before looking around. Certainly, now the perpetual whiteness wasn't quite as blinding, though it still was much more than what she was used to. The part of Gliese in which she lived was called the 'dark side' for a reason, after all.

"Thanks. I'm used to the cold, but not all this light and clarity." She stated, before following Artan through the snow, moving through it with relative ease, catching up with Artan. "So you live around here then?" She asked.

Artan nodded with a smile. "Yeah, do you see the pass between those two mountains?" he asked over the crunching of their steps in the snow, pointing to a pair of mountains with a cleft pass between them. "My little town is right at the bottom." He grinned. "It's maybe a mile or two; good thing we're both dressed warm, I guess." He kept walking, happy to almost be home.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Pilarnir

Arda listened to Artan and looked at the place he had pointed towards, seeing the pass between the two mountains up ahead, and nodded upon hearing that his hometown was at the bottom of the pass. "I see." She stated. She wondered for a moment what it must have been like to, on a morning just like any other, look up and see those two white pillars of nature looming over you and everything you know.

"Interesting." She commented. "My home was in the middle of a valley. The 'Valley of the Hares', it was called." She explained. "Anyway, what do you think we could find in this planet? You're the one who grew up here."

[The Inritus Extraho]

Pilarnir

Arda listened to Artan and looked at the place he had pointed towards, seeing the pass between the two mountains up ahead, and nodded upon hearing that his hometown was at the bottom of the pass. "I see." She stated. She wondered for a moment what it must have been like to, on a morning just like any other, look up and see those two white pillars of nature looming over you and everything you know.

"Interesting." She commented. "My home was in the middle of a valley. The 'Valley of the Hares', it was called." She explained. "Anyway, what do you think we could find in this planet? You're the one who grew up here."

Artan smiled. "I've never been to Gliese..." he murmured. Artan nodded, and kept walking. "We could possibly get you a shard of True-Ice, I guess? Or maybe we could try to find you a Prism Crystal... those are my favorite, but I'm not sure we could find one. They're really rare and you have to go under the snow..." He shivered. He remembered when the two people that ran the small store on the next block had been doing the same thing, searching... then the ice collapsed and they died.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Pilarnir

"It is not a very nice place to visit." Arda said when Artan commented that he had never been to Gliese. "But when you live there... At least for me, it was not so bad." She explained, before listening to his suggestions. This time it was she who didn't know what the other was talking about. The terms True-Ice and Prism Crystal were foreign to her. The place she lived in, despite being a cold, cold place, was in many ways different from Pilarnir, after all.

"...The Prism Crystal sounds fine to me." She said at last. "But you'll have to tell me how to know when I've found one, because I've never seen or heard of one." She stated.

[The Inritus Extraho]

Pilarnir

"It is not a very nice place to visit." Arda said when Artan commented that he had never been to Gliese. "But when you live there... At least for me, it was not so bad." She explained, before listening to his suggestions. This time it was she who didn't know what the other was talking about. The terms True-Ice and Prism Crystal were foreign to her. The place she lived in, despite being a cold, cold place, was in many ways different from Pilarnir, after all.

"...The Prism Crystal sounds fine to me." She said at last. "But you'll have to tell me how to know when I've found one, because I've never seen or heard of one." She stated.

Artan shrugged. "There's one in the main tower of the City that you can see. They're... you know how some crystals are clear, like glass? It's an odd mixture of crystal and water; the crystal holds a relatively small volume of water inside it. It's... hollow, I guess? But filled with water. The water inside can fracture light like a prism when you hold it to a light, and it makes the most beautiful series and patterns of rainbows..." He grinned. "I used to try and replicate them with other pieces of ice and crystal, but I never could. They're really rare!"

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Pilarnir

"I see. So they are basically rainbow crystals?" Arda inquired. She had heard of crystals that could project rainbows and other colorful lights, but assumed that it was either a rumor or an unique formation, or perhaps an event that happened only once. She had never really thought that such crystals could exist in such quantities that some people were willing to look for them, much less that they existed in such quantities in a civilized planet.

"They sound quite unique. But I'm sure we'll be able to find one." She stated.

[The Inritus Extraho]

Pilarnir

"I see. So they are basically rainbow crystals?" Arda inquired. She had heard of crystals that could project rainbows and other colorful lights, but assumed that it was either a rumor or an unique formation, or perhaps an event that happened only once. She had never really thought that such crystals could exist in such quantities that some people were willing to look for them, much less that they existed in such quantities in a civilized planet.

"They sound quite unique. But I'm sure we'll be able to find one." She stated.

"Yeah, I suppose they are. Problem being if the crystal's cloudy, or the water inside evaporates, or it cracks and leaks out... suddenly it's just a useless piece of rock. Well, not useless. I've replicated them from multi-part broken ones before, but... it lacks a certain something." He smiled - they were almost back to his town, and he could see the small forms of people running around now, moving from house to house.

[Corrian]

Franky was never a fan of announcements. They were always depressing, or unpleasant. Well, not always, but a big majority of the time. Even at her school. At her school they were usually about some student that died, or something like that. And if it was an announcement in the form of, say, a family announcement, it was typically about some new house rules or something along those lines.

"Special?" Franky said, raising an eyebrow, but she seemed to be more spinning that word around in her own mind then anything. Nothing that went on felt particularly like a special situation to her, so she wasn't sure what to think of that wording. After he explained it more though, she let out a sigh. Like she expected, the announcement wasn't exactly all too pleasing. "Fantastic" She said with a frustrated sigh when he talked about the fact they might be targeted for being witnesses. "Just fantastic. All I wanted was a freaking vacation" She grumbled to herself, shaking her head, turning more into her more easily angered side at the moment. She was also more upset again just because of the fact Seton just mentioning what she had witnessed brought back the image, and she really didn't want to remember that image. She pushed it back, though, deciding now wasn't the time to get too emotional.

"I'll get my things, then...." Franky said with a sigh. She knew telling her parents about this wouldn't be the most pleasing conversation. They'd likely worry about her, which was fine with her, other then the fact obsessively worrying over her always got on her nerves. She would miss her family while she was gone, and her friends, but she would go, if she liked it or not.

After a bit, she left to go get her stuff. It didn't take her long, really. She had pretty much everything of hers in the same general spot in her room, and could easily gather it all up. Which she did. After doing all of that, she checked out, telling the Hotel person something about the fact that what happened at the festival made it so she had to leave, and couldn't stay any longer, before she headed back to the others again, announcing that she was ready. She noticed Corvo looking like he may of been having some emotional issues, but didn't say anything at the very moment.

[Escalan Corps-Star Island]

Cerulean digits and words flashed across the inside of Rivanil's visor- apparently the scanners mounted beneath the fuselage of his vehicle had detected something. Keying in search parameters and narrowing the focus of the beams, the anamalous reading was identified as a small settlement at the foot of a nearby mountain range.
Just through that pass. . . I'll wager that's where Arda and Artan are headed. In fact, it may well be Artan's home settlement. Let's see. Tristan checked the map of Pilarnir his computers carried against the description Artan had given him. Spot on, actually. Perhaps I should go down for a look? Tilting the joystick in his hand ever-so-slightly to the left, Tristan wheeled the craft in a tight circle and dropped low to the snowpack, accelerating as he raced down the slope towards the city.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Pilarnir

"Perhaps it is simply that the water percentage inside varies, or that the method you utilized for replicating them is imperfect." Arda suggested after hearing out Artan about his efforts to replicate the Prism Crystal. "Either way, I suppose I'll see how special they are soon enough." She stated once she noticed that they were nearing Artan's hometown, and then simply started scanning the landscape, looking for the place Artan had called the main tower of his City.