Altered Tundra

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

“Wait, so we’re free to wander?” Jaakuna had a rather mischievous grin on his face.

Emiri let out a small sigh. Grant looked at Jaakuna, surprised. “You’re...surprisingly peachy,” He commented.

“And why wouldn’t I be? We have what may be our only chance to explore the one place none of us have been to.” Jaakuna explained the reason behind his cheerfulness. He would then look at Grant. “You can’t earnestly say that you aren’t the least bit curious about what sort of secrets are dwelling within these walls, can you? That goes double for the rest of you.”

As if Shion was stupid enough to leave things for just anyone to see. But Jaakuna seemed determined, and so Grant would shrug. Nadeline, however, was on Jaakuna’s side, nodding. “I admit, we didn’t get a chance to truly see how the cogs turn around here,” She stated as she would stand.

“You don’t have to ask me twice. I’ve been waiting to go snooping once we stepped foot here.” Savayna bluntly stated.

“We won’t ever get a chance like this.” Wesley had stated, siding with Jaakuna as well.

Wait, did this mean what Jaakuna thought it meant? Did they actually agree with him for once? “So, I have an idea and you all are on-board? Why don’t you guys ever side with me more often.”

“Because your ideas lead us into more trouble.”

“Mhm.”

“Trouble we usually have to bail you out from.”

“Your last idea led to Levi gaining Zodiark so…

Emiri shrugged.

That actually hurt. To think that they would say such things about him and his ideas actually wounded him. But, despite what their cheap shots, Jaakuna prepared himself to turn the other cheek and not react as he normally would because he was a mature man now. He was the Transcendent. Above all else, if he wasted time fighting with them, they would run out of time that would be better put to use exploring the secrets of Utena.

”Let us get to work then! This place isn’t going to explore itself!”

Nadeline stood up from her chair and placed a hand on her hip. “This place has a far reach, would it be better to divide and conquer? Or shall we go together?” She asked.

“I think splitting up is a superb idea.” Wesley added, echoing Nadeline’s sentiments.

“Yeah, I don’t care how we do it. But how shall we go about it?” Savayna asked.

And then suddenly, the lot directed their attention to Nadeline. “Since it was your idea, you choose for us.” Jaakuna said.

She bore a smug smile, enjoying the attention. “The most action will happen with Jaakuna leading the way, most likely,” She said. “And of course I’d like Wesley to accompany me.”

There was no other way to describe that notion more accurately, and Grant let out a sigh in relief. “The coalition of reason plus Savayna will stick together, I suppose,” He said, nudging Emiri.

Emiri nodded, though she looked at Jaakuna for a moment. Words seemed to be on the tip of her tongue, a protest, perhaps? Nothing was said, however, and she threw on a smile. “If it’s the coalition of reason, then we should have Wesley with us,” She told Grant.

Savayna looked at the two and kind of shook her head. “If our history has taught us anything, it’s that the most successful voyages are ones where I’m with Jaakuna.” She shot Emiri a smug look. “And of course, every party needs a healer. Sorry to say, but I’m going with Jaakuna and Nadeline.” She stated more than requested.

“Don’t I get a say in this?” Jaakuna asked, seemingly blindsided.

“You can say yes.”

“But what if I don’t want to?”

“Tough shit.”

Jaakuna scowled, though he looked at Emiri, giving her an apologetic smile.

Meanwhile, Wesley simply shrugged, looking at Nadeline. “It seems we have a change in plans, my darling.”

“Parting is such sweet sorrow my dear, but one of us needs to keep an eye of those two,” Nadeline stated, giving him a wink.

“And now the coalition of reason is complete!” Grant laughed as Emiri gave him a grin.

“See, now you get it,” She told him, hooking one arm with his and the other with Wesley, putting her in between the two. “Shall we?”

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Whilst Meli went on a verbal rampage about her, Michel was trying to find the right words to say in response to anyone but her. He knew fanning the flames would only deepen the wrath that was surely to fall upon him once the two of them went behind closed doors. Though, a curious thought came to him: will she be angrier than she was about him abandoning her for all that time he went to every corner of Ivalice? Or will her...rocky history with the Poisonous Rose be even worse than that?

I don’t think you really want an answer to that, Michel. Shemhazai was right. As much as he wished to know, some things were best left unsaid.

But there was still the fact that Michel — regardless how Meli felt about her — needed Ivy for this mission. There was no one currently available for missions that was more fitting than her.

“Utena’s Poisonous Rose…” Wesley mused, mumbling something to himself.

“You say something?” Jaakuna asked Wesley.

“I think I know this Poisonous Rose. Though, I’m not absolutely certain.”

“Well, what makes you think you might know this person?” Savayna asked.

Wesley thought about it for a moment. “I remember going over some documents my father had left unattended to because of his untimely, sudden murder. There were some papers that detailed some dealings between my father and Utena.” Wesley’s eyes went to Shion. “In it, my father had a signed contract with Utena to where, in exchange for access to Utena’s information network, my father would feed them information about any rogue Utena flowers operating in Dalmasca’s sand. The one that my father had primarily exchanged letters with was someone called ‘The Poisonous Rose’.”

“Oh.”

“Oh.”

Michel couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. “Not surprising, I suppose. She’s always been one to--”

And as if he would go to speak, out of a puff of pink smoke, a woman with white hair appeared on one knee, head bowed, and most importantly, her silver hair covering all traces of her face. “I’ve come as soon as I could. Is there something you require, my mistress?” She spoke, keeping her position as she was.

NaNoWriMo Discussion

@Tybalt Capulet I think that's a common occurance for people doing Nano. Unless you plan months in advance, you have no way of knowing how the MC or any of the other characters are gonna end up until you actually write them out chapter-by-chapter.

That's how it was for me last year when I completed my first Nano novel. I mean, I've been doing this for 4 years now, but last year was when I finally reached the 50k goal. I am aiming to do that again this year.

Shuffle your music player and post the first 10 songs

Your Lie in April (Mix) — Masaru Yokoyama — Your Lie in April Original Soundtrack
The Beginning — Magic Sword — Magic Sword Volume I
Solaris [GRV Extended RMX] — Colossal Trailer Music — Weighted Ground
Sunset — The Midnight — Sunset
Vector to the Heavens/Xion’s Theme [Cement City Remix] — Yoko Shimomura — Unknown Album
Devil’s Calling — Parkway Drive — Ire
Lesson Learned — Enkay47 — Lesson Learned
Lose Yourself(Acoustic Cover by Alexi Blue) — Alexi Blue — Lose Yourself(Acoustic)
Every Time We Touch (Cover) — Jonathan Young — Every Time We Touch
Satisfy — Nero — Between II Worlds

NaNoWriMo Discussion

@Tybalt Capulet Hopefully it doesn't change mid-story. =-= Though, I'm reeeeally liking how my first chapter came together. The MC is a strong, smart heroine. She has her politician father's ability to charm and her mother's grace. Truly a force to be reckoned with. I feel sorry for whoever becomes her enemy.

NaNoWriMo Discussion

I'm getting a late start as yesterday(well technically today) I was feeling out of it, but I'm going to try and get back on track by day 3 - four at the latest. I've got a clear vision of what I want to do in the first act, so it's all a matter of getting it into writing.

NaNoWriMo Discussion

I'm unshamefully doing soapy romance akin to daytime soap operas.

Got a problem? Fite me irl.

please don't; I'm very weak irl.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Even if they had a general location, there was still the fact that the Creature wasn't necessarily in Bhujerba. The most logical guess would be that the Creature was somewhere in the surrounding area, perhaps even higher than where Bhujerba currently floated: high above the Archadian-Dalmascan sea. Though, while that was true and the instinct they had was to go guns blazing on them, Wesley felt indifferent towards this approach. It was mostly because, given the immense threat that the Creature posed to not only the group present, but all of Ivalice, simply going in with nothing but their magick and weapons was, in Wesley’s opinion, a fool’s errand.

“I am not certain that’s wise.”

Savayna raised an eyebrow. “What’cha talkin’ ‘bout, Wes? We know the where, so best not to waste any time. We have to do this.”

“Going straight in without a real plan would only benefit the Creature.” Wesley added, crossing his legs as he looked around the table. “I believe we need confirmation of its exact whereabouts before we act hastily.”

“Then what do you suggest?”

Wesley’s eyes stopped on Michel, which made the green-haired male to curiously — and somewhat suspiciously — arch his eyebrow at him. “With your experience, I vote in favor of Michel leading an expedition to scout out Bhujerba for any clues leading to the Creature.”

“I’m flattered, but are you sure about this?”

“It makes sense that it’d be you. The rest of us lack the abilities to jump through the void at any given moment. If things do go south, you can get yourself out of harm’s way. There’s also your experience at espionage to factor in.”

Michel let out a chuckle, though he would turn it to a smirk. “Very well, Wesley. If this is what you feel is best, then I will do this.” Michel said, eyes going to Shion. “I’d be more comfortable if I would be allowed to bring Meli with me. Additionally, I’d like to request, with your permission, that the Poisonous Rose assists in this mission. Her skills will be beneficial and would make mission run a lot more smoother.”

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As she had went on about the truth of the Creature, there wasn't so much as a hint of neutral expressions on any of their faces. To be quite honest, this was a bit of a shocker. To think he was up there in Ivalice's skies, shrouded in such dense mist that no one — not WEsley, Nadeline, Grant, Savayna, or even Jaakuna, who had the Gift of the Ram in his possession — took notice to where this being had been hiding all this time. And why should they? When you wanted to operate in the shadows and didn't want anyone to take notice to your presence or your plans, sometimes the best thing to do was hide in plain sight(as Shion had pointed out).

"Do we know where exactly the Creature is waiting?"

"I do," Jaakuna rose to his feet slowly, groaning. He felt like he got ran over by an airship.

"You do?" Savayna raised an eyebrow, doubting Jaakuna.

"Well, I know the general area that the Creature may be."

"Oh, please enlighten us." She dared him, smirking.

"The Sky City of Bhujerba." Jaakuna said, looking at everyone. "I believe we can find the Creature near Bhujerba." He then looked to Shion, "that is what you were going to say, wasn't it?"

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

It was almost as if Shion was deliberately fanning the smoke to this fire that was the animosity between she and Emiri. Neither of them was doing anything to quell their petty dislike for one another. When one had said one thing to the other, they’d respond with an equally-hurtful retort that would escalate it to higher temperatures. At a certain point, one had to wonder if it would cross the point of no return…

Wesley rubbed his eyes as he let out a groan. He seemed to be the only one who not only could speak without it hurting anyone and do so with a clear head. Savayna wished to see them fight. Nadeline probably didn’t want to get involved. The Gods knew Grant had no idea what to say and Jaakuna was in no position to voice any of his opinion on the matter. Michel and Meli were doing their best to ignore the rising tensions between them, so it was up to Wesley to quell the situation.

“Ladies, perhaps this could wait until a later date?” Wesley suggested, looking at both of them before letting out a sigh. “We have more pressing matters such as how we’re going to find the Creature. Or have you forgotten?”