I've Been Through the Desert on a Horse with No Name

[theskyaccepts]

Who: Tsuna and you!
Where: In the Desert
What: To complete his sentencing, Tsuna has led an expedition out into the desert to find the ruins of Tresed, and see if anything has changed Last time
Warnings: Risk of injury and possible death, hallucinations, monsters. Additional warnings to be added if needed.
OOC Notes:
-You do not need to have responded to the OOC Interest Check or the IC Interest Check to join in. Please feel free to dive right in!
-Timeline wise, ICly the expedition will return prior to the 15th so that we're all back for the event, but please don't feel you have to rush anything
-On a more personal note, while there is a risk of death with this expedition and if that's a direction you're interested in going for please do, I would also like to keep the body count to a minimum if possible. The ramifications of leading a bunch of people to their deaths is not necessarily something I want to play out with Tsuna at this time. Thank you!



The Expedition and Scouting Parties

The thing about deserts is that they are harsh environments. Unforgiving, some might say. The sun beating down, the wind whipping sand, the sound of monsters making their way through the desert. It's not the kind of place anyone would really want to go into, and yet, Tsuna is determined. Whether it is the effects of his sentencing or his own backbone finally making itself known, he has led this group into the desert for answers. It's not easy, and it weighs on him, but his face is set as he sends out small scouting parties, consulting maps and other information that he has, hoping to find the ruins of Tresed.

Sandstorms are prevalent in the area, so small scouting parties are being sent out to try and find some paths through it. Going out too far runs the risk of getting lost, injury, or potentially death. There are some monsters about, but they also have to contend with the storm.


The Oasis

But eventually, relief comes. An Oasis is discovered with clean, fresh water and edible vegetation. A respite from the harsh winds of the sandstorm. It's a chance to catch their breath and consolidate what they have learned so far. But as is so often the case in this world, things are quick to go awry. Mirages, of course, a key part of any desert expedition, start to appear. Images from that previous trip out to the ruins.

If you were on that previous trip to the desert, you've seen these images before but something about them seems off, wrong, not quite right. Warped, some might say.

If this is all new to you, you're seeing something that's happened before. But if it is wrong or right, who's to say?

But it might not matter if you've been in the desert before or not, because this vision is from the perspective of one of the Shadow Creatures that attacked before, and were ultimately killed. It comes with feelings of aching hunger, despair, and mindless fear in those final moments.

Or maybe it isn't an image of the desert at all. Maybe it's something far more familiar. An image of home, in the past, the present, or the future.

The Message and Returning Home

A message appears on the Chosen's tablets. Text, barely legible but undeniably a message:

FIND ME

But despite searching, and Tsuna will want to be thorough, the source will not be found, and they will be unable to trace it.

It's not much, but it is something. And they can return to Aldrip with that knowledge. One thing is clear though. They are not done with the desert yet.

Comments

Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler | OTA

[digthefuzz]

[Kurt has come along for this expedition in his true blue from as Nightcrawler! For those who don't know his image inducer, that's the only name he'll give - although it could be very easy for those who knows him to recognize him as Kurt and to get him to come clean about it as well!]

A. Sand Trek

[As the expedition begins, Kurt puts his teleportation power to use to help out. Disappearing and reappearing with puffs of smoke that smell of brimstone, Nightcrawler shows up distributing water bottles to some of the others.]

This heat's hard to beat, but we gotta give it a try! [He doesn't always pay attention to how close he teleports to others, so he might accidentally spook people while bringing some over!

And when there's monsters afoot, Kurt's here to help too. If anyone's in a sticky situation, especially a non-combatant, Kurt can teleport over and place a hand on their shoulder to teleport a safe distance away from the monster! Otherwise, he can offer support in an all-out monster battle.]

B. Noasis

[Kurt is initially excited once they reach the oasis. He leans down and looks into his reflection in the glistening water.]

Sweet!! A real live oasis! It's not just in the movies! That's the most awesome part of this journey by far...!

[He'll waste no time scooping water into his mouth!

Or later on, he might end up seeing things. Now it looks like he's in the foyer of a nice-looking mansion.]

Aw yeah! Home sweet home! [He'll quickly throw himself onto the nearest couch, even if it might feel harder than usual!]

C. Lost and Unfounded

[After the message makes the rounds, Kurt holds up the tablet while checking in with others.]

Um... Did we find... who are trying to find? [He looks baffled, and he hopes someone has answers. Because he really doesn't want to leave anyone stranded in this desert!]

D. Wildcard

[Feel free to come up with an alternate prompt or hit me up for plotting!]

A

[solitarysoul]

[Kurt's sudden arrival with a water bottle gets a rifle pointed at him, but at least Levi registers quickly enough that this isn't an attack and lowers the gun.]

Um...thanks?

[This power was, and the guy's voice, familiar. He definitely doesn't know any blue guys, though. Hm.]

[digthefuzz]

[Kurt very quickly regrets this! During the moment that the rifle's pointed at him, he does look shocked and starts to raise his hands. But as it's lowered, he hands the water bottle over.]

You- you're very welcome! [He takes a step back.] Sorry if I spooked you. I should be more careful with my teleports...

[solitarysoul]

S-sorry.

[He looks a bit ashamed for his knee-jerk reaction, even though he thinks he was in the right. But he doesn't want to make people feel bad.
Levi takes the water bottle. He has others in his satchel but more couldn't hurt.]

Do I, um, do I know you?

[digthefuzz]

[Kurt does know he has to be more careful about spooking people with his ability. It's long been a thing for him!

At his question, Kurt smiles lightly.]

You do, actually. [While he's been trying to keep it secret, he doesn't want to keep lying to people, especially ones he's been getting to know. And he feels like he can trust him, recently.] At the TWAT meeting the other month. You might not recognize me with all the fur, but... I'm Kurt. And this is what I really look like.

[solitarysoul]

Oh! Its good to see you again. Um.

[He pauses for a moment. Was it rude to ask why Kurt was blue now but not before? It probably was even if he's confused by it. Maybe he's a shapeshifter as well as a teleporter. It probably didn't matter, so after an awkward pause he moves on.]

Its good to see people I know on this trip. How has it gone for you?

[digthefuzz]

[Well he seems to be taking it in stride at least! He'll definitely take that over reactions of fear or hostility.]

It's good to see you too! And well, it's been going okay. It's cool to get out of the city and explore and all. But there's also - y'know, all the downsides that come from the desert!

[He chuckles as he wipes some sweat from his brow.]

Sand and my fur don't always get along. So how've you been holding up?

[solitarysoul]

Yeah, I thought about exploring before but I didn't get many people who wanted to go with me. Its not really safe to travel into unknown territory by yourself here.

[Since Monsters and all that.
He nods.]

Yeah...its really hot. I've been on long marches before, but this is the worst. I hate it when the sand blows around and you can't see the most.

[Its probably in his hair and clothes, but its not that noticeable yet.]

[digthefuzz]

Definitely. This is no destination for a solo trip! I'm glad we have some good numbers out here! Hopefully that will keep things going smoothly and safely.

[Kurt chuckles as he moves along.]

At least the water should help with the heat! A little bit. But the sand really is a problem in a lot of ways! Man, it sure gets everywhere.

[He swats his tail around in an attempt to clear the air a little.]

[solitarysoul]

Yeah, people weren't kidding when they said there were monsters out here.

[He nods and raises the bottle Kurt gave him a bit.]

It really helps. I can't wait for the sun to go down though!

[digthefuzz]

Right... The monsters are another big downside! And another reason to watch where we're going...

[At least there's no sign of any right now.]

I do hear you there! I've had more than enough sun for today. I hear deserts can get pretty cold at night. I could really use a good cool down!

[solitarysoul]

Do they? I've never been in one before. I hope its not too cold.

[digthefuzz]

That's what I hear! But I hope so, too. I didn't exactly think to bring a coat with me! We might need to make a real good campfire later.

B

[theskyaccepts]

Did you...live in an oasis?

[Tsuna asks. The mirage has not quite caught up with him it seems.]

[digthefuzz]

[Kurt looks very comfortable sprawled up on a large rock right now. He looks towards the organizer with confusion.]

Um, no? I mean, I know they both can have this grand feeling to them, but an oasis and a mansion are very different!

[theskyaccepts]

Well, yeah, obviously. But we're still in an Oasis.

Unless a mansion showed up when I wasn't looking.

[But it's not the biggest oasis.]

[digthefuzz]

Showed up? We're the ones who showed up here! I don't know how we ended up hear, but why don't you sit down and take a load off! Everything's gonna be okay now that I'm back at the mansion.

[theskyaccepts]

[Tsuna grimaces slightly, unsure of how to proceed. But if these are anything like the illusions he is familiar with, he might be able to do something.]

Um...where? And why do you say that?

[digthefuzz]

Why do I say what? [He gives a confused blink.]

Can't you see? We're in a mansion right now! It's cool, I live here. So it's not like you're trespassing or anything. Just take a seat on that comfy couch. You look like you could use it! [He gestures towards another large rock.]

[theskyaccepts]

I mean, I appreciate that, but also I don't see a mansion. I just see the oasis still and you're just pointing at a large rock.

[Don't get him wrong, he'd love a mansion right now.]

So are you sure you're seeing it?

[digthefuzz]

What are you talking about, man? I think you're going mad-

[He blinks, and as he does, the image around him shifts a little. He pauses for a moment and then goes on with a deadpan-]

...Please don't tell me this is a mirage...

[theskyaccepts]

I...I think it is.

Sorry.

[He does sound genuinely apologetic.]

I've been seeing things to.

[digthefuzz]

Please... can't you let me live with this a little longer??

[He moans as the desert itself comes back into focus.]

So what've you been seeing?

[theskyaccepts]

[Tsuna grimaces, apologetically.]

Sorry...really.

[He sighs.]

If it's any consolation, nothing all that good. I wish I could see my house.

[digthefuzz]

It's fine, I'll live. But this 'sofa' is starting to feel a lot less comfy!

[With a burst of smoke, he teleports over by the water to get some relative cool. Now that he's back to his senses, he looks back towards Tsuna.]

So how are we doing, o captain my captain?