[Action in Caedarva Mire]

[futurefab.livejournal.com]

It should be around here somewhere… [Lilisette sorely misses the company she recently left, but she has a task to accomplish as well. She vaguely remembers the map that Vincent showed her on her sky phone, but it looked like a straight shot so she hasn’t checked it all day. Besides, she has full faith in her navigational skillset.]

[But as she moves forward, she notices thick curls of mist forming around her ankles.] Weird. [She makes a face, crinkling her nose in a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty. No one told her this would be easy, though, so she presses forward and moves a tree branch out of her way as she walks forward.]

[As soon as her feet are clear of some brush, her pointed ears pick up the faint rustle of dirt, grass, and leaves. She reaches for her dagger quickly, and as soon as she sees the beady eyes of the bug she does not hesitate to fling the dagger through the bug, into the dirt. It squirms, working to break free of the blade that that’s grazed its body and pinned a few of its legs to the ground.]

[Lilisette has enough time to tap out the steps to her Thorned Stance before it jumps at her, the chigoe small and angry. Its teeth rip into her arm as she rolls to the side to grab her dagger from the dirt so she can face the insect with her full arsenal. They make a few more swipes at one another before the bloodsucker attaches itself to her side.]

[She lets out a soft wince, but she does not hesitate to drive her dagger through it, the tip just barely grazing her flesh. Blood runs down her side, but it’s nothing a waltz cannot fix. The cleaning of the dried blood is left for later as she holsters her daggers, but her steps are more cautious as she moves onward. At the first sound of snakes she stomps out a Spectral Jig for good measure. Whatever this place is she wants to be rid of it as soon as possible.]

[Yet just as she comes upon a clearing, she sees decaying bodies moving around a pool of water.] That’s just… too gross. [She makes a face of disgust, one hidden by the spell of her dance, and swallows past a nauseous lump in her throat as she slips past them. Coming face-to-face with the source of the snake-like noises that she had heard earlier causes her mouth to fall open, and she barely skirts by the half-woman, half-snake Lamia.]

[Just as she believes she’s in the clear, she hears a small melody from a horn. She turns toward the noise just in time to see an Imp lock eyes with her, a sinister grin on its small face as it begins to cast on her.] Goddess help me. [She moves just in time, the fire spell licking at her back and singeing the ruffles on her carefully-kept uniform. Her disguise gone, she begins to run through the Mire, her only hope that she can outrun the beasts that turn to give her a hungry look as she passes them.]



((Tags for Rishfee and Vincent. Come save your favorite dancer!))

Comments

[immortal-lion.livejournal.com]

[In situations like this, the worst thing that you could possibly do is run. Needless to say, as the dancer flees for her life, she's running into the vision of more imps, waking up more jnun, stamping on more chigoes and running past more lamie. Rishfee isn't far away in fact. He's been tracking the footprints of a certain qutrub. Yet something is wrong. The voices within the mire stir; some amused at the dancer. Some infuriated. Some eager to see more bloodshed upon the grounds which they themselves had died in.

...Steiner. Was it him?

Without any more thought, he unsheathes both of his scimitars and runs in the direction of the voices, skidding to a halt just shy of the dancer -- eyes widening at the inevitable mass of monsters out for her. He doesn't recognize the figure. Not at first -- he's too busy simply gaping at what is persuing.]

... Stop! Stop running!

[Without waiting for a response, he moves his arms into the casting position; the strangest sound soon emerging from him. If Lilisette was familiar with the Apkallu, she'd recognize it as the sound it made as it yawned. All of the creatures stopped instantly, echoing their own monsterous yawns, before falling to the ground.]

[futurefab.livejournal.com]

What in Altana's name... What is this place?! I feel as if I've stepped into the Shadow Lord's playground.

[immortal-lion.livejournal.com]

[She's a middle-lander. He's aware of that all too quickly at the fact she used that expression. He'd overheard mercenaries use the same within the streets of Al Zahbi. He keeps his eyes on the monsters, making sure they're not showing signs of stirring as he responds to her.]

This is Caedarva Mire, though your questions should best be left until later. The staging point is northwest of here. It's a safe encampment where you can be treated should you need.

[His tone is friendly, as always. But there's a slight edge to it- a suspicion. In Alexandrian territories or not, the Mire (to him) will always belong to Aht Urhgan. Needless to say, those that would wander in are not welcome. He's got a few questions for her too - what she is doing here the most paramount. He turns to her when his shoulder is touched; and he focuses on her shaking hands.]

They will not remain in slumber forever. Come with me to the staging point, or attempt to outrun them. I would suggest you choose the former rather than latter as they know these lands much better than you appear to.

[futurefab.livejournal.com]

F-fine. Lead the way.

[immortal-lion.livejournal.com]

Excellent choice.

[Especially since if he was the betting sort, he'd put a bronzepiece on the fact she'd only survive aroundabout seven minutes. While the imps would probably forget all about her, the chigoe would probably return to underneath the earth and the jnun would most certainly make for the nearest swamp and resume slumber the lamiae absolutely would not leave off until she was slaughtered, eaten down to the bones, reanimated, and tottering along behind them as yet another of their unfeeling, unflinching, unthinking undead servants. The fact the lamiae has her scent right now seals her fate. She's not an opponent, or an enemy. She's prey.

He does as requested; leading with careful and considerate paces. While it's obvious that he's rushing, he makes extra efforts to avoid long patches of grass, wide-open spaces, and the swamp itself. He speaks, finally -- as they near the staging point and he opens the large steel doors -- standing aside for her to enter. It's obvious by the markings on the doors from tooth and nail that many creatures have tried to gain entry, but none have succeeded -- or even came close to it.]

...I remember speaking to you some days past. You are new to this world, aren't you?

[futurefab.livejournal.com]

I've been here a week.

Your name is Rishfee, correct? One of the Empire's Immortals...

Is this place... a part of our world?

[immortal-lion.livejournal.com]

[Her eyes would see a clearing with a slight dip -- four posts made of a strange metal poking out of the ground, (what's left of the Runic portal. Unfortunately in disrepair.) a few shelters that look sturdy enough yet completely different to the houses one would find in the middle lands, consisting more of elaborate silks than anything. O-Oh yeah. Also, there's a large spot in the centre of the staging point; of burned grass. Or more accurately? Dead-beyond-all-imagination-and-never-ever-ever-coming-back grass. Namely, where Nareema died in her soulflayer form. He moves away from her, spying the aversion of the eyes, and then makes for the tent after sealing the door.

...Yes. This area is part of the territories of Aht Urhgan. Though a small section of the mire with connecting areas mainly inaccessible, it is still expansive. Some of the monsters within the mire have come with it, as you well know.

[He moves inside one of the tents, shortly reappearing.]

I hope you have a taste for coffee. It is all the provisions I have to spare, currently.

[futurefab.livejournal.com]

So... Did this place show up when you did? Could there be...

Sure... Thanks.

[immortal-lion.livejournal.com]

[Thankfully he either pretends not to hear it or doesn't- there is no response on the matter from him. He prepares the spiced substance, lightly handing one to her before moving toa small fire. He starts it again quite easily, and rests beside it. ]

..No. It was some time after I arrived that it did. It appeared with places from other worlds entirely at great expense to Gaia. A large percentage of their population simply vanished completely. Some towns as well. Even now, the mire is a scourge to the neighbouring towns. The lamia within the mire have been known to add numbers to their now paltry forces of undead by raiding them at nightfall. ...As such, I remain here to stop them.

[Before this, he had quite a cushy life in Lindblum, did you know. He looks up to the girl.]

If you are uncertain of this place's origin, why did you seek it? Forgive me, but it is hardly anything remotely hospitable.

[futurefab.livejournal.com]

I see... Then, this must be it, I guess. How peculiar, though, for land to suddenly appear. This world is more strange than I first assumed.

But... Do you stay here alone?



This isn't where I planned to end up. I was making my way to Mysidia, or I thought I was, when I stumbled upon the Mire.

[chaos-vessel.livejournal.com]

Mysidia is past here. You would have been better off traveling toward Alexandria. [Vincent comes up behind her with little warning, or ceremony. It's a tendency of his that hasn't been helped by staying with Rishfee, or the hunt he went off on with Sephiroth and Zack. Fighting monsters, and being around people with enhanced senses, means that he keeps his movements quiet. There's an answer to both of Lilisette's questions, though, with his appearance.

He moves past both of them to start preparing some coffee of his own, taking only a moment to glance at Rishfee- mostly checking for him hiding injuries.]

[futurefab.livejournal.com]

Vincent Valentine.

When an adventurer doesn't know the land, they forge their own path. But... Is it just the two of you, then?

[immortal-lion.livejournal.com]

[The fact the two appear to know each other makes his sit up, inclining his head to Vincent with a slightly curious expression before his eyes are drawn back to the fire. There's another sound within the encampment, coming from the gate. It's the sound of a woman screeching. Needless to say, the lamia has woken from her forced slumber and Lilisette's scent has been followed accordingly. The sound is terrible. Claws scrape against steel, the door is beat upon as if the lamia is dying; yet she cannot enter. He doesn't do anything in response, well knowing the fact the gate would hold through hundreds of the creatures doing the exact same thing.

She seeks Mysidia. That's some comfort, at least. ]

Now it is three. My advice to you is to forget the sentiment of forging your own path and to stay here for tonight. The mire's real inhabitants wake during the night; and your trip toward Alexandria and then Mysidia will not be a safe one. They do not care for the fact you mean them no harm. They despise the living. As you currently are just that, they will wrap you in illusion and likely lead you headfirst into the deadmist marsh. In the morning I will guide you out of the mire, toward Alexandria.

[chaos-vessel.livejournal.com]

[He nods in return to Lilisette speaking his name, ignoring the muttered curses, and joining them in sitting by the fire. In response to Rishfee's curious glance, Vincent simply gives a slight shrug. He knows her, yes, but it was only from one brief conversation, one about Rishfee and Lilisette's world. He does glance over toward the gateway where the Lamia is clawing to get in, but ignores it when it's obvious that this monster, like all the rest, can't get in.]

Two is enough.

There are an enormous number of monsters still in the valley before Mysidia. Carving a path through them would be unwise.

[futurefab.livejournal.com]

I'll remain here for the night.

I know this is only a part of Vana'diel, but... to think Kindred would exist so far east. I assumed they were eradicated in the war; how did they cross the Gugru Blue?

Well! You said you battle the Lamiae at night? Sounds fun. When do we start?

[immortal-lion.livejournal.com]

[He pauses, the sentiment to take her through the mire quickly disappearing with Vincent's words. Truthfully, he'd prefer not to take the girl all the way to Mysidia. Three or not, a valley full of monsters is a valley full of monsters. A living nightmare, and something that'd be likely to claim one, or even three people with ease. Also, it's a derailment. He intends at the very least to show Vincent Nashmau; mainly so the qijirn which dealt him the explosives can become familiar with his figure. Familiar enough hopefully to start dealing bullets to him.

He raises his eyes from the fire, and brings them to Lilisette. Needless to say, he's never seen a dancer before. And Lilisette didn't exactly vut a very impressive picture out on the field. His tone turns to one of more than slight disbelief.]

... Was that a joke? The lamia are more than mere monsters- They favour charming their prey to attack their allies. Furthermore, anything to do with them requires one mistake to end up worse than dead. I plan to deal with them. Any more than the one is a foolish notion.

[chaos-vessel.livejournal.com]

[Explosives, and the possibility of cheaper bullets, is attractive to Vincent, of course- he mainly makes his gil through monster hunting, so having to waste that same gil on constantly getting bullets in Lindblum is irritating. It's one of the reasons he switched over to using a bow more. A different, less expensive source of them would be welcomed.

If Lilisette's anything like the girl he thinks she is, then she probably won't like Rishfee saying that. But with just those daggers of hers, she does seem rather unprepared for the monster playground that is the Mist Continent right now. Still, she made it this far, which probably counts for something.

He doesn't miss that Rishfee intends to deal with them on his own, either.]

It's easier to avoid deadly mistakes with a group.

[futurefab.livejournal.com]

I can't tell which you're looking down on more--myself or the middle lands--but you don't know anything about either. Do you believe your lands are the only plagued with such unsavory beasts? Or do you presume I'm incapable of doing anything but prancing around a battlefield?



If you think you can keep going on your own then you're the foolish one, you Imperial dolt. I'm offering you a hand; you could at least pretend to be grateful.

[immortal-lion.livejournal.com]

[He half suspected that Lilisette would not have liked that, but he wasn't exactly prepared for the words which followed. He blinks slowly, half tempted to ask Vincent what the living hell she was going on about, but catching himself. Instead he merely watches her little fit - words calm.]

As you haven't noticed, I hadn't mentioned the middle lands or you. Neither of you understand the lamia. Fighting them in numbers is a mistake- for they can turn any allies against anyone. If you wish to charge in there and get killed, it's more of a burden for me to destroy you afterwards.

{He turns then to Vincent. His words to Lilisette were calm and frank, dismissive even, but Vincent at least should notice that her fit actually annoyed him. Quite a lot more than what he's trying to show.]

...Besides. I don't even want to entertain the thought of fighting you.

[chaos-vessel.livejournal.com]

[Vincent couldn't have told him much, since he didn't know anything more about Lilisette than Rishfee. He certainly notices Rishfee's irritation, just as easily as he can read Lilisette's. He doesn't exactly want to step into the middle of it, but if he doesn't it probably won't get sorted out at all.]

Then there's nothing stopping her from taking control of you, either.

[He only crosses his arms, and ducks his head behind his cloak's collar at the last part of what Rishfee said. There are too many layers to that statement for him to even bother to respond to them all, so he simply doesn't do anything beyond acknowledge that it was said.]

Then what methods do you use to fight them?

[futurefab.livejournal.com]

I'd love to see you try. Exactly.

There are many types of dances with many uses. They didn't place them on the front lines during the war for nothing.

[immortal-lion.livejournal.com]

[The war, again? He decides to not comment on it and merely looks away, half tempted to tell her to trot along quite merrily to become an undead servant of the lamia. Yet as mentioned, it becomes more of a problem for him. It's sort of funny, really. While middle-landers are not liked in the near-east, she's actually the first one to hit every single nail laid by the talk upon the streets of mercenaries which are more trouble than what they're worth on the head.]

... Here.
If you want to go on this fool's errand, take this. It will protect you; but I only have the one. If you see me or her become charmed, I advise that you run back to this staging point as quickly as you are capable.

[He rises, and walks to the tents. Then he pulls a certain something (http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/Merrow_No.17%27s_Locket) out of one, and throws it to Vincent. You know what he really, really wants to say? "Or shoot her." But there's a little thing called humanity that he just can't seem to get over - and is actually envying the other Immortals for being capable of, at the moment.]

[chaos-vessel.livejournal.com]

[If it was truly a private conversation, they would have managed silence, or at least a good deal more discretion. As it is, Vincent is glad for the corroborating opinion, even if Rishfee obviously doesn't think it means much.

He examines the locket, then raises an eyebrow at Rishfee.] You think it will be able to reach me so easily?

[He doesn't bother to put it on at the moment. Doing so would probably requite removing the cape first, anyway.]

[futurefab.livejournal.com]

[She sighs; he could only disregard her so long.] Since we're going to do this, why don't we at least pretend to get along so we can get out of one another's hair with haste. These things likely have a weakness, and they likely have a tell before they try to take one of us--likely one of you is more to their taste. In any case, why don't you share what you know? We can only work well together if we're open with one another. You've fought them, you have the intel.

And you. [She turned slightly toward Vincent.] My sambas probably won't do much for you, but I'll do what I can.

[immortal-lion.livejournal.com]

[He sighs. Then he straightens, and moves his arms behind his back as he speaks. Lilisette would likely see it as politeness, but Vincent's been around him long enough to know that Rishfee actually tends to do that when he goes on auto-pilot.

...He disregards most of what she has said, much like he's disregarded all of her questions to this point and decided simply to not answer. But one thing she says does sink in; the sooner they do this, the sooner they can dump her on the outskirts of the mire, wave goodbye, and go to Nashmau as originally intended. ]

They are as I have said. If you weren't listening, I will reiterate my point. They are aggressive hunters, which hold the ability to turn allies against one another. We refer to the status as charm. They're similar to your lands beastmasters; only we are the monsters. ...And generally, they are much more successful in their attempts to charm than any beastmaster. "One of us being more to their taste" is a foolish sentiment, and has caused the deaths of many imperial soldiers and foreign mercenaries in the past. We are little but meat to them. Meat... and potential servants.

[He moves his gaze to Vincent.]

...I believe your abilities at distance will at at least matched with the lamiae. Their weakness is close range. If you were to keep your distance as normal, you would soon learn their accuracy and speed in a painful manner.

[chaos-vessel.livejournal.com]

Then we'll just have to take it out quickly. Whether you want it or not, you have our help.

Right. Then I'll stay as close as I reasonably can. [Arrows and Guns both work at a farther range, after all. His best weapon when he's closer is the demons, and with Lilisette there, he doesn't want to use them if it's at all possible, even if he doesn't have much control of the demons in battle. He glances over at Lilisette and nods.] Focus on doing what you can. Don't waste energy.