mooglenet_backup | [Video/Action for Rabanastre-bound]

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[Video/Action for Rabanastre-bound]

[This happened before so it's not a surprise to Penelo, but unfortunately it's still heartbreaking to see her home completely devoid of people. She's standing inside Migelo's Sundries, checking the stock like she did when she was still a young orphan under his wardship. Everything's in order. Only there are no people. No customers lifting goods, haggling over prices. No shopkeepers endorsing products or taking payment. No one. The streets outside the shop are the same and it's frightening. Never in her life has she seen her the bustling desert capital wholly empty.

At long last, she'll take a deep breath and turn on the phone, forcing herself to smile and find the best in the situation.]

I don't know how, but it's happening again. Never thought I'd see Rabanastre so quiet. It's almost like it's somewhere else entirely.

[What she's not saying is that it reminds her of Nabudis in an eerie way, only even then there were the shrieks and growls of monsters lingering in the Mist. Here, there's not even that.]

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[Well. All of this coming and going and popping to and fro was really starting to make Balthier something resembling irritable. It was not so long ago that he was last in Rabanastre, but it was curiously different somehow. Even as he stood in front of The Sandsea, the streets were empty, and a quick look in the window was enough to confirm that it was empty indoors, as well. He frowned and began to take a few steps towards the nearest shop, pausing when he heard his phone notify him of a new message. Taking it from the pouch hanging at his belt, he views Penelo's message and promptly responds.]

I've found my way here, as well. This has happened before? What, precisely?

Last year, people started walking into places from home. I ended up at the Paramina Rift. Mjrn was in Eryut. It was empty then too, not even any monsters. But when you tried to go somewhere else, you left.

[Which is why she's afraid to open the door of Migelo's shop in case it all goes away again, but she needs to know. She gasps when the street it still there where she can see it and doesn't vanish when she steps outside.]

[He looked up to survey the street in front of him. It seemed fairly open, nothing different than it was at home aside from the entire lack of people. Not a hume or bangaa in sight. He snorted lightly.]

Not a soul to be seen. I've turned up by The Sandsea. If I venture further, then, will I find myself back in Gaia?

[He took a few more steps forward, turning left towards where the armory and Migelo's shop took up residence.]

So far, so good, at any rate.

[Hurrying along the streets of Rabanastre was none other than her Princess, clutching her little boy in her arms and desperately seeking some sign of life. What had happened here, that the entire city was deserted? Where were her people - the vibrancy, the life? Whether she was fuelled by fear, determination to have answers or concern for the whereabouts of her husband, who could tell. She's a little breathless, reddened cheeks either a product of exertion or the desert heat.]

[Seeming to catch voices on the breezeless air she passed the entrance to Lowtown and turned by the Sandsea, further - there had to be someone - only to halt in her tracks at the image before her.]

Balthier!

I don't know. I'm still here and I left Migelo's. Hmm...

[And as she comes down the street from the south, rounding the corner, she spots people at last! Only it's two very familiar souls.]

Balthier! Ashe!

His back was turned to her, but the sound of her voice was enough to give him pause, and he halted his progress immediately to look over his shoulder for its source, half-turning in the process. He noted the child in her arms and turned fully, discreetly straightening his cuffs.]

Princess. So that makes three of us. Are you unharmed?

[He glanced back as Penelo's voice cut through the too-still air, extending a hand to her as she moved towards them.]

At least this magick, if that's what this is, didn't scatter us far from each other. Alright there, Pen?

[Admittedly there was some relief in finding the two of them there, but Ashe wouldn't even consider lowering her guard, not when her city was in such an incomprehensible state and her son sat nestled in her arms. Looking between the two, she nodded.]

Yes - We're fine.

[The royal infant follows his mother's gaze, staring curiously at the new company.]

But the city - where is everyone?

Yeah. I'm tougher than I look, remember?

[Although she's decidedly creeped out.]

Is Shain okay?

[Penelo might be fighting some maternal urges to want to hold the little guy, but it's been a few months since she minded the baby for Ashe. Also hard to miss the little prince trying to take everything in.]

We can't be the only ones here. If all three of us were brought here, someone else must have come, as well. Penelo, you mentioned that it was on a much smaller scale the last time this occurred?

[He shielded his eyes with one hand as he looked off into the distance.]

I can see through almost to the bazaar, if you look down that street. I'm curious; could you see further than you could walk the last time?

[ In the background, there's a very quiet Oerba, but it's an Oerba without the crystal ash and without the Cie'th. Vanille's not in sight, but it's her voice coming through. ]

Yours is empty, too?

[At Penelo's reference to her son's health Ashe looked downward, where he was just drinking in the sight of Rabanastre - someday his own city - with wide eyes.]

I see no change in him; the experience appears not to have caused him any ill.

[It was Balthier who earned her attention next. This scenario reminded her staunchly of the past, the familiarity drawing on her memories. She, too, turned toward the bridge leading to the bazaar, but Ashe merely squinted, choosing to cover Shain's eyes rather than her own.]

Last time... Yes, the limitations would not permit us to travel far. You suggest we make our way further?

I'm not sure we'll accomplish much else otherwise. Though, to be honest, I don't know that we want to leave this place or not. If it's a way home, I wouldn't say no, but the emptiness tells me otherwise. There is something at work here, and I find the whole thing very disquieting.

[He paused, turning his attention to the child in her arms and offering a subdued smile.]

This is Shain? He has your eyes, Princess.

Then we make for the bazaar. Should we reach a boundary, we turn back.

[Wanting this to be a mutual decision, she looked to Penelo, awaiting her opinion before making a move. Her mind lingered on Rasler, on the certainty that she wouldn't take an opportunity to return to Ivalice without him. But then, in the midst of musings Balthier addressed her son.]

I... I have been told so, yes.

[In the bright sun Shain blinked, but that didn't deter him from making little grasping motions in the direction of Balthier's earrings and pursing his lips in the effort to reach upward.]

Mmhmm. This happened before but I... not at my home.

[It's really got her worried too.]

[Penelo nods in acquiescence that they move to the bazaar.]

The last time it was a little different. You could see what was beyond but when you crossed a certain place, you went back. Like in Eryut, the only thing there was the center of the village. You could see the rest but when we tried to go further in, it went away.

Mjrn said she could still hear the Wood and it was angry that the Viera weren't there.

It's happened before? [ That catches her attention. And she looks worried, too. ] Why is this happening?

[Basch had only arrived in Rabanastre a few minutes before. He had arrived in the Southern Plaza, and had to stand there for a few moments. It had been some time since he had seen Rabanastre last, having been in Archades for some time.

After letting it sink in, the Captain began wandering through the empty streets. The silence was unnerving, to say the least.

Rounding a corner after some time walking, he spotted those he knew up ahead.]

It seems as if I am not the only one present. [He said, after moving closer.]

[Ursula peers at what she can see of the city with great interest.]

What a beautiful city....

[Pause.]

My home is empty, as well. It's...unsettling.

I don't think anyone knows.

When it happened before, you couldn't go very far before you went back, but this time it's like the whole city is here.

All of Oerba's here, too. And it's different. It's not supposed to be like this.

Penelo?

[Edward chimes in after a moment or so after the earlier footage ends. He's unsure what to think about this latest turn of events, but the bard is riddled with worry. Is this Garland's doing? It must be, but how!? No sort of magic is supposed to be this powerful.]

How is this...happening? This is your home, is it not?

Captain. [Balthier gestured broadly with one hand, fingers splayed.] How good of you to join us. You look well. Any news from your part of town?

Penelo? Is that your home?

What do you mean?

I'm sorry. Are you alright?

[She'd brag on her home but it's not the time just yet.]

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