[Ekko nods with a subtle smile as she regards him with a surprised look, clearly impressed by his genius but who wouldn't be, right? Given his youth he was used to people doubting him only to prove the naysayers wrong at any chance. A simplistic shrug of his shoulders is ushered forth at the mention of the toxic chemicals being dangerous as he looks out to the skies above thinking about the trials and tribulations of his home world speaking up again.]
You have to be willing to take risks if you want to survive back where I'm from, Zaun is an unforgiving place where only the strong survive.
[A brief pause as his attention shifts back towards Tifa with a somber look.]
Sometimes it's worth it to try something dangerous if you can achieve your dreams in spite of it.
[As they begin to wade out further into the open waters the pair begin to take in their newfound surroundings, the quiet stillness of the ocean calming as they venture away from the bustling city limits.]
Like right now for example…I've never been on a boat in my life and it's a bit nerve racking but that didn't stop me from enjoying this to the fullest, right?
[Almost on cue a set of fireworks crackle out loudly with a bang as they are let loose into the dark abyss, bright streaks of blue and green starting off the grandiose event causing him to gasp audibly at the spectacle.]
[She grows quite in response to his words, contemplative. It's not as if she doesn't understand the sentiment. Life on Gaia has it's fair share of problems, mostly due to Shinra and their corruption. The people in the lower sectors of Midgar live simple but impoverished lives, constantly in danger of losing the resources they need to survive due to lack of work, illness, or monster attacks. The sky itself is choked out by the top-side city hanging above, forever out of reach.
It's that harshness and resentment that led to the eventual creation of AVALANCHE. That started the reactor bombings. That gave Tifa something to hold onto while deep in her anger and feeling the sting of helplessness. Finally, she nods. Because she does understand.
But she's also seen how quickly 'something dangerous' can beget something so much worse.]
And is that your dream? To be an inventor?
[She seems genuinely curious, as her gaze darts away from the water and re-focuses on him. It's only when the loud whistling of the fireworks begin crackling in the sky that she swings her head away to get a good look at them, a smile forming on her lips.
His gasp draws her attention back, and she almost laughs at his surprised expression.]
[If only they knew how similar their worlds situations were with his people in Zaun being left at the wayside compared to the wealthy top sider's of Piltover. The Council was in charge of their city state but did little to remedy the constant struggles of his fellow Zaunites who were oppressed by the dictator of the Lanes, Silco's influence putting a stranglehold on his home as the people either adhered to his rule or lived their lives in constant fear. That is why Ekko created the Firelights in a bide to bring hope to those who had none, a chance for order to be returned after the tyrant took over in Vander's place.
A confident smirk quickly falls into place when she asks if he wants to become an inventor, pulling open his jacket to reveal one of his own creations to her.]
You're already looking at one, Tifa. Here, check it out...Just don't drop it or we are going to be royally screwed.
[Gently passing it to his counterpart for her to examine the yellow rock like crystal which might bare a striking resemblance to the Materia she is used to in Gaia. Another barrage of fireworks course up through the sky to illuminate the vicinity as the boy gawks with his jaw agape at the astonishing spectacle.]
Once or twice but never up close like this...We could sometimes see them on Progress day in Piltover but I never went top side to watch them firsthand.
[She reaches out and accepts the object being passed to her, cradling it carefully in her hands. The sight of it immediately reminds her of materia, and her eyes widen in surprise.]
You made this? What is it for?
[In the spirit of sharing, she holds out her right hand, palm down, giving him a view of the shining orbs stored within her glove, near her wrist, one green and the other yellow.]
It kind of reminds me of materia. I only have these two now, but there are many different kinds and they all have their own abilities.
[Tifa remains facing him, but allows her eyes to dart to the side every now and again when a new sets of sparks alight the night sky. But something in his words draws her attention back to their conversation.]
Top side?
[She could be misunderstanding. But exactly what else could that mean?]
[As Tifa closely examines over one of his greatest inventions in memories past a proud smile crossed his features, Ekko nodding at the initial question answering her in due kind.]
That's right. It's a grenade that upon impact of its target expands to encase them in a solidified crystal which holds them in place for a limited time.
[When she reveals her own special tech the boy cannot help but look over the Materia with an earnest look of interest, pursing his lips a bit as he curiously glances over them in kind. Slowly his attention shifts back to her with her gaze trained intently on her own.]
Materia, huh. What kind of abilities if you don't mind me asking?
[Watching the fireworks unfold every so often he reveled in this unique opportunity, a warm smile forming over his lips before she mentions 'top side' again, quickly fading as a solemn sigh escapes his parted lips.]
Yeah...That's what we Zaunites call the privileged citizens of Piltover back where I come from. They prosper above the surface meanwhile in Zaun we live off their scraps fighting for survival.
[She listens intently to his explanation, her expression shifting between startled, when he says the word 'grenade', before settling into a look of appreciation as she examines the object in her hand.]
Temporary containment. That's some smart thinking.
[She can think of several situations where something like this would have come in handy.]
Only...how do you get it back once the time runs out? Is this a one-time use only kind of thing?
[Tifa doesn't mind talking about her Materia at all. It's not as if their uses had been a secret back home. She lays a finger on the green orb first.]
This is a wind Materia. It's pretty self-explanatory. It allows me to channel and control the wind a bit. I can combine it with my fighting style to make myself faster or give my hits some extra omph.
[Her finger trails to the yellow orb next.]
This is a chakra Materia. It helps me be able to heal myself if I get injured in a fight. It's not super strong healing magic or anything, and it won't work to heal others. My friend, Aerith, has much stronger healing magic.
[She can feel a shift in the conversation as she watches his smile fall away. She almost wants to take her question back, re-route them back to a safer topic. A happier topic. But it's too late.]
I'm sorry. [Her voice comes out quiet, but gentle.] That doesn't sound too different from Midgar. Living in any of the...seven sectors below wasn't easy. Each one had its own difficulties, but one thing remained true, everyone was struggling to survive. Wishing they could be on the upper level where Shinra and those employed by them got to live in lavish comfort.
One and done I'm afraid but they come in handy when I'm in a pinch.
[Reaching out with his upturned palm to retrieve the grenade once she was done examining it in full detail, stuffing it carefully in his coat pocket where it would not cause any unwarranted issue.
As Tifa begins to explain the nature of this Materia, Ekko blinks wide in astonishment as she goes over their various uses. To think they held such variance in power depending on their make up was nothing short of brilliance, a mixture of technology fused with arcane magics the likes of which he'd never thought possible until Hextech’s inception within Piltover. Even then their usefulness would be critical in changing the tides of battle and could think of more than one occasion when such potential would have been extremely useful, especially healing abilities after his brush with death during his fight with Jinx none too recently before arriving here.]
Wow- Materia sounds amazing. I wish we could harness such magic that anyone could use. Back home people must be born with it, calling it ‘Arcane’ arts but is shunned by a lot of Runeterra for being so dangerous.
[He takes a minute to think silently on everyone he'd left back home in Zaun who were fighting for survival, all those who looked up to him for guidance. A shake of his head is given as he sighs out solemnly with a wave of his hand.]
Don't be. Not like it's your fault. But it sounds like our worlds are more alike than I thought, Tifa. This ‘Shrina’ kind of reminds me of Piltover’s Council who hold sway over both nations and yet they do nothing but line their own pockets and help those top side while we fight amongst ourselves in the Lanes struggling to survive another day.
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expiationlogs2024-06-10 07:58 am
no subject
You have to be willing to take risks if you want to survive back where I'm from, Zaun is an unforgiving place where only the strong survive.
[A brief pause as his attention shifts back towards Tifa with a somber look.]
Sometimes it's worth it to try something dangerous if you can achieve your dreams in spite of it.
[As they begin to wade out further into the open waters the pair begin to take in their newfound surroundings, the quiet stillness of the ocean calming as they venture away from the bustling city limits.]
Like right now for example…I've never been on a boat in my life and it's a bit nerve racking but that didn't stop me from enjoying this to the fullest, right?
[Almost on cue a set of fireworks crackle out loudly with a bang as they are let loose into the dark abyss, bright streaks of blue and green starting off the grandiose event causing him to gasp audibly at the spectacle.]
no subject
It's that harshness and resentment that led to the eventual creation of AVALANCHE. That started the reactor bombings. That gave Tifa something to hold onto while deep in her anger and feeling the sting of helplessness. Finally, she nods. Because she does understand.
But she's also seen how quickly 'something dangerous' can beget something so much worse.]
And is that your dream? To be an inventor?
[She seems genuinely curious, as her gaze darts away from the water and re-focuses on him. It's only when the loud whistling of the fireworks begin crackling in the sky that she swings her head away to get a good look at them, a smile forming on her lips.
His gasp draws her attention back, and she almost laughs at his surprised expression.]
Have you never seen fireworks before either?
no subject
A confident smirk quickly falls into place when she asks if he wants to become an inventor, pulling open his jacket to reveal one of his own creations to her.]
You're already looking at one, Tifa. Here, check it out...Just don't drop it or we are going to be royally screwed.
[Gently passing it to his counterpart for her to examine the yellow rock like crystal which might bare a striking resemblance to the Materia she is used to in Gaia. Another barrage of fireworks course up through the sky to illuminate the vicinity as the boy gawks with his jaw agape at the astonishing spectacle.]
Once or twice but never up close like this...We could sometimes see them on Progress day in Piltover but I never went top side to watch them firsthand.
no subject
You made this? What is it for?
[In the spirit of sharing, she holds out her right hand, palm down, giving him a view of the shining orbs stored within her glove, near her wrist, one green and the other yellow.]
It kind of reminds me of materia. I only have these two now, but there are many different kinds and they all have their own abilities.
[Tifa remains facing him, but allows her eyes to dart to the side every now and again when a new sets of sparks alight the night sky. But something in his words draws her attention back to their conversation.]
Top side?
[She could be misunderstanding. But exactly what else could that mean?]
no subject
That's right. It's a grenade that upon impact of its target expands to encase them in a solidified crystal which holds them in place for a limited time.
[When she reveals her own special tech the boy cannot help but look over the Materia with an earnest look of interest, pursing his lips a bit as he curiously glances over them in kind. Slowly his attention shifts back to her with her gaze trained intently on her own.]
Materia, huh. What kind of abilities if you don't mind me asking?
[Watching the fireworks unfold every so often he reveled in this unique opportunity, a warm smile forming over his lips before she mentions 'top side' again, quickly fading as a solemn sigh escapes his parted lips.]
Yeah...That's what we Zaunites call the privileged citizens of Piltover back where I come from. They prosper above the surface meanwhile in Zaun we live off their scraps fighting for survival.
no subject
Temporary containment. That's some smart thinking.
[She can think of several situations where something like this would have come in handy.]
Only...how do you get it back once the time runs out? Is this a one-time use only kind of thing?
[Tifa doesn't mind talking about her Materia at all. It's not as if their uses had been a secret back home. She lays a finger on the green orb first.]
This is a wind Materia. It's pretty self-explanatory. It allows me to channel and control the wind a bit. I can combine it with my fighting style to make myself faster or give my hits some extra omph.
[Her finger trails to the yellow orb next.]
This is a chakra Materia. It helps me be able to heal myself if I get injured in a fight. It's not super strong healing magic or anything, and it won't work to heal others. My friend, Aerith, has much stronger healing magic.
[She can feel a shift in the conversation as she watches his smile fall away. She almost wants to take her question back, re-route them back to a safer topic. A happier topic. But it's too late.]
I'm sorry. [Her voice comes out quiet, but gentle.] That doesn't sound too different from Midgar. Living in any of the...seven sectors below wasn't easy. Each one had its own difficulties, but one thing remained true, everyone was struggling to survive. Wishing they could be on the upper level where Shinra and those employed by them got to live in lavish comfort.
no subject
[Reaching out with his upturned palm to retrieve the grenade once she was done examining it in full detail, stuffing it carefully in his coat pocket where it would not cause any unwarranted issue.
As Tifa begins to explain the nature of this Materia, Ekko blinks wide in astonishment as she goes over their various uses. To think they held such variance in power depending on their make up was nothing short of brilliance, a mixture of technology fused with arcane magics the likes of which he'd never thought possible until Hextech’s inception within Piltover. Even then their usefulness would be critical in changing the tides of battle and could think of more than one occasion when such potential would have been extremely useful, especially healing abilities after his brush with death during his fight with Jinx none too recently before arriving here.]
Wow- Materia sounds amazing. I wish we could harness such magic that anyone could use. Back home people must be born with it, calling it ‘Arcane’ arts but is shunned by a lot of Runeterra for being so dangerous.
[He takes a minute to think silently on everyone he'd left back home in Zaun who were fighting for survival, all those who looked up to him for guidance. A shake of his head is given as he sighs out solemnly with a wave of his hand.]
Don't be. Not like it's your fault. But it sounds like our worlds are more alike than I thought, Tifa. This ‘Shrina’ kind of reminds me of Piltover’s Council who hold sway over both nations and yet they do nothing but line their own pockets and help those top side while we fight amongst ourselves in the Lanes struggling to survive another day.