{EVENT #1} ADVERSITY 131425.845119

[expiationmods]

THUS DO WE HUNGER

MOD NOTES: Welcome to the first event! Please direct any questions to the corresponding comment below. Note that characters can be involved in multiple prompts (whether you choose to thread that out or not), and that character decisions and actions taken on these prompts will affect future events, storylines, and relationships with other peoples of Expiation. In two weeks from this event, the moderator team will be posting a poll on the OOC community that will allow players to share what actions their characters took and two weeks after that, there will be an announcement made sharing said results, how those actions have impacted the state of the world, the game's story, what information can be used ICly, and so on. The various prompts are, of course, optional, so you're not required to travel to Rumpitur if you don't wish to. You're not required to help the locals or other Chosen during the food shortage. There is an option to simply not be involved, and that too can have potential repercussions on the future of the game's overarching story and other characters.

WE'RE STARVING HERE!

HOW TO REPAIR A REFRIGERATOR 101

     

Do you remember the fishing tournament where a variety of locals and Chosen alike submitted a bunch of fish for a very modest and unimpressive wooden sculpture? Well... about that...

Aldrip's refrigeration has catastrophically failed and as a result, the food stores that the locals have been keeping are now on the verge of total and utter collapse. The townspeople are in an absolute uproar. According to them, this has never happened before and though they would normally just pray to Those Who Were There for a resolution, they kind of need something immediate. Otherwise, all residents of Aldrip are facing the very real threat of starvation.

The good news is that you can help!

The more handy of the Aldrip townsfolk are going to get right to work on repairing the refrigeration units. At present, the only units that exist belong to those who are making food and providing them to the townspeople. This means people like the tavern keepers, the inn, bakers, and other miscellaneous cooks, are those who possess and control these refrigeration units. If you've got some handyman skills, put them to work, though be aware that working on repairing the technological malfunction might just be an electrifying experience. Literally.

---

THE ALTERNATIVE TO COOKING MAMA

     

There sure has been a lot of opportunities to cook, but now Aldrip needs cooks and would-be cooks like never before!

Those not necessarily good with repair work might find themselves better suited for hunting the local wildlife, whether that's on the meadowland plains or taking, yet again, a fishing pole into hand. A good deal of the meat, vegetables, and fruit that was already preserved has spoiled and will need to be replaced hastily if people want to continue eating.

With bodies going to retrieve replacement food, there's suddenly an open and demand for people who either already have experience with cooking or just really want to learn. There's no better way to learn than some truly hands-on experience. For those with some cooking in their background, even if it's simple at its best, the kitchens are free and available. You might not have your choice cuts of meat or whatever else you might be accustomed to preparing, but fortunately the dried spices and herbs aren't impacted by the food shortage. Consider making something flavourful or just really spicy. (Alphen, we're looking at you.)

If you haven't cooked before and you're one of those who's just dying to learn, pair up with a buddy in the kitchen, or fumble along. Beggars can't be choosers, after all, and we're facing a crisis. Maybe the threat of having no food will encourage people to try whatever you make, no matter how black, crispy brown it might turn out.

The more innovative and creative individuals may find a way to dry / dehydrate anything caught or harvested. Or we can just have a huge impromptu grilling adventure where people hold raw meat over fire. Your choice!

WE'RE OFF TO SEE... THE NAGA?

WE COME IN PEACE

     

Aldrip is hardly the only settlement on the continent of Expiation and though the various peoples of these settlements can often stick within their own, when times are hard and adversity encroaches on livelihood, they're not against seeking the aid of others. Some of the more well-travelled of the Aldrip locals are planning an expedition to visit Rumpitur, an impressively-sized village on a peninsula to the east of Aldrip.

They are ready and willing to take all volunteers who are interested in accompanying them to barter for food and other potentially needed supplies. The visit to Rumpitur will require travel through the Pessiria Forest, a thick veil of trees that one can be easily lost in, but if everyone's together, then it shouldn't be an issue.

Consider joining the expedition and getting to know some of Expiation's other peoples.

Rumpitur is home to a race of naga-like people with scaled features, tails, sharp teeth, and forked tongues. Their way of life is considerably more simple in comparison to some of Aldrip's fancier advancements. They are skilled combatants and a fishing people, whose diet primarily consists of seafood. In Rumpitur, one may take note of their many-in-number stone constructs, depicting a notable and perhaps significant naga.

Although they may seem intimidating at first glance and can have terse ways of speaking, they are amicable enough and will be willing to do business with Aldrip and her citizens.

---

OR MAYBE WE DON'T

     

The visit from Aldrip, which is a rare occurrence indeed, results in much confusion for the Rumpiturian people, and this may or may not be considered a blessing to those who could be more unscrupulous in nature.

Although the visit to Rumpitur is meant to be one of peace, locals of Aldrip and the Chosen alike have the opportunity to steal supplies from the people. If they choose to do this, they may find that there are no immediate repercussions for this course of action. The likelihood is that this visit has caught the Rumpiturians so off-guard that they're not expecting to be robbed. Of course, how this will impact things in the future remains to be seen...

Individuals may grab as much as they can carry, depending on what they've brought with them. The locals of Aldrip who planned this expedition provided convenient-to-carry containers that can be filled with anything retrieved from the village and her kind. Larger containers will require at least two people to carry when filled, so perhaps you're inclined to work with a partner-in-crime. Just remember that for every action, there's a consequence, even if you're not seeing it right away!

Rumpitur will not notice that they are missing inventory until well after Aldrip has left and travels back through the forest to town, so no one need fear the chasing and hissing of snakes into Pessiria.

Probably.

HOLD ONTO YOUR VALUABLES

IT'S NOT REAL... RIGHT?

     

Those who've decided to brave the forest will find on their adventure to Rumpitur that it's rather straight forward and proceeds without incident.

The sky above the trees is a difficult thing to see, blocked out by the way the evergreens stretch and imposingly tower above. At times light may scatter through various openings in branches, but it is a largely darker atmosphere, and at night requires the assistance of candlelight or related.

Travellers with the courage to make way through the forest with the others may hear occasional snaps, cracks, whispers, and more enigmatic sounds that are difficult to justify with logic. Of course, whether this is all in the head or something truly more sinister at play is up for debate. Despite the strange occurrences that one may experience, no members of the Chosen will find themselves harmed or otherwise physically disturbed initially. That said, some may later find themselves haunted by strange dreams and visions of the forest in the future if they are especially sensitive to such things.

Were those sounds real? Were you just hearing things? It's probably wisest not to investigate further. At least, maybe not now...

---

COUNT YOUR NUMBERS

     

Aldrip has a great many stories about Pessiria Forest and many of the other towns, landmarks, settlements, and people scattered across the continent. Most of these stories seem to depict folklore or a certain mythological feeling about them, implying that many of the locals don't truly believe in any of the more macabre tales. Pessiria Forest has no shortage of poetry and song that pertains to its supposedly 'holy' grounds and mysterious happenstances.

There are several alleged accounts about people having gone missing in the forest, due to how complicated it is to navigate by one's self. The more people travelling together, the safer it is purported to be.

Before leaving for Rumpitur, heads have been counted to ensure that wherever they start is also where they end up, however, for the more observant, one may find that the returning party is short of a few heads. Maybe some of them stayed behind to further the diplomatic efforts with the Rumpiturians. Maybe they're going to catch up later. Maybe they took a different pathway through the forest with some of their mates. Maybe there's something more untoward going on.

If this is brought up to the locals, the leaders of the expedition will warily make note of it and conduct their own investigation. At least, they say they will. Either way, it's suspicious no matter how you may turn it. Perhaps put heads together with another and see if you're just miscounting.

Comments

open — hold onto your valuables

[mercedis]

FOREST FEARS.

[ It isn't uncommon for people to go missing during travels. In a forest, especially, there is no shortage of places to fall, rocks to trip over, cliffs and ravines and caves to end up lost in, and that's not even taking into account monsters and thieves and other dangers. It isn't surprising to him to find that the numbers are off: even from the start, as they head back through the forest from Rumpitur, there's less people than that with which they came. The leaders of the expedition are quick to praise his quiet comments and reassure that they'll keep an eye out and count again--but he doesn't think it's quite that simple. Rather than draw attention to it again, he keeps a quiet watch.

The nights feel particularly long, in the forest, and though he's used to staying up and standing guard, this night feels longer than the others. Around the campfire, he tucks himself down into the dirt, knees bent to his chest and arms slung across them, hands linked loosely between his legs; there's rustling around him, but it's just the quiet noises of sleep, blankets shifting, heavy breathing. Steeling himself, he takes in a long, slow breath and lets it out: movement nearby makes his eyes lift, the inhuman glow of the mako in them softened, in a way, by the bright crackle of the fire in front of them. ]

...Don't tell me you're planning on sneaking off into the night. [ His voice is low and almost bemused--he doesn't want to wake anyone up, but he is curious as to whoever might be awake and moving around. ] We're already losing numbers.

[ The sword at his back shifts, a little, as he shrugs his shoulders. ] I wouldn't complain if you wanted to do a perimeter walk together, though.

i am assuming he has his buster sword, if not lmk and i can edit!

[usarinpa]

[ Mizuki stops when she hears his voice. She hadn't intended to sneak, and she didn't make the journey with anyone in particular in the first place, so there's no reason to think any of them would give a shit about her. Still, there's a feeling like she's been "caught." It's difficult to draw herself away from the inviting warmth of the fire, but nevertheless, she brandishes her trusty pipe, lowering her guard slightly when she sees it is someone friendly.

His impossibly large sword is hard to miss. ]

Couldn't sleep. [ Maybe she thought she could try and locate some of those that have gone missing, but thinking about it now, it really doesn't seem like the most sensible of ideas. ] I wouldn't complain about some company myself.

[ Care to join? ]

[mercedis]

[ There's something faintly amusing, just as it's off-putting, to see a girl brandish a weapon at him: it's not like he thinks she'll swing, but the pipe looks sturdy, and anyway, he's dealt with enough hooligans around Wall Market who did some serious damage with tools like that, as though anything can be dangerous in the right hands. His gaze falls on the pipe for a moment, studying, before he looks at her.

He hasn't gotten her name, but she's definitely not one of the natives: he thinks the stark color of her hair gives that away rather easily. Then again, he looks like something of a misfit himself, in the company of all these other people; with a soft grunt, he braces a palm to the ground, pushing himself back up onto his feet. ]

Then let's take a walk. [ He isn't afraid of them getting lost: it doesn't seem to work that way. ] I don't sleep well anyway.

[ The sword at his back shifts as he moves closer to her, but practiced, he keeps enough distance to not be crowding in close; he gives a short nod to the trampled path that will take them out of the campsite proper. It's a gesture similar to ladies first: some backwards brand of chivalry. ]

[usarinpa]

[ ...Cool. For a moment, she didn't know how he would react, especially when she sees his sword. Perhaps she didn't expect he would join her, but she seems to visibly relax as she gives a nod of acknowledgement. Between everything that's happened lately and now this threat of starvation, Mizuki certainly hasn't been sleeping or even eating well. ]

It's probably because of this forest. [ Her voice remains low for the others that still may be sleeping. She starts to lead the way towards the trampled path indicated. ] Sometimes I think I'm hearing things.

But a forest is a forest, right? [ Forests make noise. They don't kidnap people, though... ]

[mercedis]

A forest is a forest. [ That much he can agree to, with a faint hint of amusement in his voice as he falls into step behind her. ] What else would it be?

[ Something terrifying? Full of monsters, perhaps? That's something he would be able to handle, but--it does make him think of something, his gaze going sidelong to her as he comes up at her side. Better to walk as equals than to trail behind her the whole time. ]

I never sleep well, but are you saying you're having trouble since being in here? [ A faint, narrow-eyed gaze up to the trees, then back at her. ] How does it feel?

[usarinpa]

[ Mizuki keeps up her pace, making no effort to slow down or speed up as he comes up beside her. She glances at Cloud while he surveys the trees, then starts to do the same. As her gaze wanders towards the canopy, there's the sounds of insects buzzing, and the hooting of owls that she hasn't seen.

In and of themselves, neither is unusual for a forest, but how does she explain it? Maybe she's been more paranoid lately. ]

I'm not really used to camping out in the first place, but it's kinda... [ a pause. ] eerie? I don't know, it just feels like we're being watched.

Maybe I'm just concerned about our numbers. [ The missing. They'll turn up when they get to Rumpitur, won't they? ]

forest things, heart-to-heart, and a wildcard

[inemeraldfaith]

[Aerith has been known to get herself involved in many a dangerous situation. Sometimes it is entirely by coincidence. Sometimes it is rather intentional. Sometimes it simply is circumstance, something out of her control, or something that has ever consistently been poised against her.

There is, without a doubt, the likelihood that Aerith has involved herself so heavily in Aldrip's food conundrum that she has likely pushed herself too hard, too far, and done too much. With everything going on, it has been a difficult thing to focus on some of the other things that have happened in the background. Hard to focus on whatever Sephiroth might be doing when people are facing starvation. Hard to focus on any personal issues or feelings given that there far bigger things at play.

But in the quiet as night falls and they make their way back through the forest, they have really nothing but time to reflect. Hoping they can go back to an Aldrip where they'll have food waiting for them. Or at least the means to make that happen in the coming days. They're an innovative bunch. Aerith is positive they'll figure things out. The only way they wouldn't would be if people were going to surrender.

Many of them don't seem to be the type.

She's had to take some moments for herself, away from the others. Not so distant that she's out of eyesight. Just enough to breathe. It almost feels like she hasn't done much of that, all things considered. When she hears Cloud speak up, she looks over her shoulder and it doesn't take her long to turn the rest of the way.]

Oh— [She wears a small smile. Subdued and light, but seemingly as genuine as it ever is in his presence. What would she do without him?] —sorry. I should have known I would going to get your attention. Shouldn't you be getting some rest? I'm sure you've been non-stop busy, busy, busy.

[mercedis]

[ Busy, busy, busy--in some ways, it would be easy to give into that excuse. Things have been tense lately, with the breakdown of the units keeping food stores back in Aldrip, with keeping this trip out of the city diplomatic, and now, with keeping track of all the locals who are traveling with them. It isn't something that takes all of his focus, but rather, it's something he's forced to become his focus; if he thinks too hard about everything else, he's worried that the bridges keeping his mind in place might start to decay. The pull of Sephiroth, wherever he might be, and that strange SOLDIER who came shortly after--it all screams at him in ways that he doesn't understand, yanks his thoughts from headache to headache with reckless abandon.

Even now, as he stares up at Aerith's small smile, he feels it pressing at his temples. Something that she said, once. A name, back in that playground, sat hip to hip. The first person she ever liked.

The thought is there, and then it's gone. With a soft breath, he shakes his head a little, and slides over slightly--offering her the flattened leaves where he'd been sitting, as though it's the gentlemanly thing to do. At least it would be safer than having her plop down and accidentally sit on pointy sticks or rocks. ]

Can't fall asleep on the job. [ There's a faint, wry smile in answer to hers--and he waits, pointedly, for her to sit next to him at the fire. ] You're safe here, if you want some time away from everything.

[ Where did those words come from? Stumbling over them, slightly, he feels embarrassed--maybe it's just his own worry, tugging at him, that Aerith is pushing herself too hard; they haven't really had a chance to speak in depth about anything happening, keeping most things light and to-the-point, but he notices more than he lets on, and he can tell that she's slightly, just slightly, starting to dip beneath the surface of everything that's happening, like the water's just slightly too deep for her to reach the bottom.

With a soft breath, he turns to face the fire again; his chin tucks down, like the shadow of the flame over his face might erase any bashfulness. ]

What's on your mind?

[inemeraldfaith]

[He offers her a place to seat and she doesn’t need much more of an invitation than that to join him. Plopping right down without much pomp and circumstance, she finds her weight resting onto her palms as she listens.

”You’re safe here, if you want some time away from everything.”

It’s an incredibly sweet thing to say. Cloud may not even realise just how kind it is, or how necessary it might be for someone like her. He understands more than perhaps he ought to. More than she wishes he did, really. She doesn’t like causing him worry. He’d probably tell her it’s fine and it’s what he’s good at. He’s often so quick to dismiss the things that actually mean a great deal.

His attention turns onto the fire. Chin dipped down. He must be just as thoughtful. He often seems it. Maybe she’ll find the means to pry into him a little. Edging a little closer, Aerith settles her head to his shoulder. Perhaps she should ask first, but that’s not really how she works.]

Hm… I think I’m just replaying everything from the day. I might be tired? We’ve all been pretty busy today. Helping out in Aldrip. Coming all the way here. Trying to make good with the snake people. Coming back. I thought I was seeing things. It’s probably just me, though. Do you mind if we just sit like this together for a bit?

[mercedis]

[ His eyes, caught on the sight of the fire in front of him, shift: it's a flicker of surprise, almost disbelief, when Aerith's head touches his shoulder, and though he tenses there, he doesn't find it in himself to shrug her off. In some ways, it tells him a lot more about her state of mind than she might realize; she's always been like this, tugging at him and touching him and nudging him along, but that soft weight on him isn't the sort that's meant to embarrass him, or fluster him into reaction.

She's tired. He can tell she's tired. And if there's some kind of comfort that he can provide her, it doesn't feel right to push her away from it.

Clearing his throat, faintly, there's just the smallest shake of his head. ]

I don't mind.

[ Silence is something he's good at--but even so, he doesn't like it when Aerith is quiet. Something about it doesn't feel right, like he wants her to be able to pour out the words and thoughts that bother her, so that he can crush them like a friend should. Like a bodyguard should. Like anything else that his thoughts might be pushing towards should. For a long moment, he focuses on the crackle of the fire; he turns her words over carefully, considering.

Seeing things, hearing things: in some ways, he knows that there are parts of her he'll never understand, but if this isn't the Planet that they come from, is it speaking just to her? Or everyone else? ]

What sort of things were you seeing? [ It's quiet: not out of disbelief, but a gentle pleading to understand. ] Just tonight? Or all day?

[inemeraldfaith]

[It’s possible a part of her expects him to draw away. To otherwise find some kind of reason or excuse to put distance between them. That he doesn’t says quite a lot about him. About them. How they’ve come to be where they are. It’s not as though they’ve not seen plenty together. It doesn’t feel like it’s been very long, but there’s been quite a bit all jam-packed together.

Wouldn’t be a surprise that any of them would be tired, honestly.

Shifting just a touch closer to him, giving his questions some thought, she folds her hands together in her lap.]

I think I only saw stuff on the way back. Or thought I did. I’m not sure. I couldn’t make it out. Not all of it, anyway. There was a child I saw earlier, but it turned out to be… not related to the other stuff.

[Because she can’t imagine he’d be happy to hear that she and Sephiroth were exchanging words. She’s the one who told him to stay away from the man. Not… that she exactly sought Sephiroth out either.]

It might have just been a feeling. Something about being here feels a little strange. It’d be a good idea for everyone to move along as quickly as they can. I don’t want us to stay here any longer than necessary. It might be nothing, but it’d be better to not take the risk.

[Lifting her head just enough to leave chin on him, her green eyes meet blue counterpart.]

You didn’t see anything, I guess. Maybe it really is just me.

[meiren]

[ He had, in fact, been planning on sneaking off into the night, though more out of a need to move than anything nefarious. The constant whispers have Zhou Zishu on edge enough that sleep probably isn't happening, and all that nervous energy has to go somewhere. Forests may not be his usual playground, but moving around in the dark is second nature.

At least until someone looks right at him, and Zhou Zishu slows to a curious stop. The familiar-looking massive sword catches his eyes first before he takes in the familiar wielder as well. Apparently they're just bound to run into each other amongst the woods.

It might be that vague sense of comradery that has him snort faintly in response. ]

And if we both go missing?

[ It isn't exactly a no, sarcasm aside. ]

[mercedis]

[ It's both a relief and an annoyance to see someone he recognizes--but somehow, the breath that he releases is more amused than anything else. He remembers this guy quite well, actually, and there's something pleasurable about seeing him again. It means that there's a little more permanence in this place than he had originally thought.

With a faint smile, just at the corner of his mouth, he pushes himself up onto his feet, brushing off his pants deftly with one hand. ]

Then we both go missing. Think you could tolerate that much of me?

[ Though he takes a few steps closer, they're careful: he doesn't want him to think that he's crowding him, intent on forcing him to stay within the camp boundaries. ]

Come on. A walk might wear you out.

[ Rather than wait for him to move first, Cloud brushes past him, his steps slow and measured as he heads out for the very edge of camp. ]

[meiren]

[ Walking hadn't exactly been what he'd had in mind, but it seems petty to ignore the offer now. With a quiet exhale that isn't quite a laugh, he moves to follow after, catching up after a few strides. ]

You feel it too?

[ Good to know it isn't just him, at least. Zhou Zishu is comfortable with a certain amount of paranoia, but hearing things in the dark is a bit of a step beyond. It doesn't stop him from being a little too alert as they walk, but at least he hasn't drawn his own sword yet. ]

I'm surprised anyone is sleeping.

[mercedis]

They're worn out.

[ And in a way, he understands it--it's hard to be traveling so much, especially for those who may not be used to it. Sometimes it feels like something that's difficult for him to do, even, like he's done it so often that it becomes monotonous, a boring task. ]

Not sure if it's the forest, or the...people.

[ It seems better to be polite: it's not that he's saying that he suspects anything, especially from the place they've just come from, but it can't be ruled out entirely. ]

Did you feel anything back there? It all seemed pretty normal to me.

[meiren]

[ He hums faintly in response, only slightly dubious, though whether that's at the idea that there's any level of tired that would allow someone to sleep through mysterious noises or at calling a few days worth of travel exhausting is unclear. Either way, his eyes slide towards Cloud at the question, one eyebrow lifting wryly. ]

Aside from the snake people?

[ Oh they'd been fine, but not exactly what Zhou Zishu would consider normal. Still, it's a question worth answering. ]

Not that I noticed. Letting us trade only to ambush us to take it back seems like a poor use of resources.

i'm here to give you more threads with me

[maiestas]

[Rin isn't one to particularly fall asleep in the forest. This place was creepy enough as is, and honestly, she couldn't really relax. She wasn't one to sit still in the first place, so, when the others are sleeping, and simply stands up and starts to walk in a general direction where she heard the voices from. Curiosity certainly getting the best of her, until she stops when she hears Cloud suddenly speak. Hand on her katana, as the corner of her lips curve into a wide smirk.]

Maybbeeee. I'm never one to sit still, and honestly, I'm always the one that goes ahead and checks the perimeter.

[Of course, she wouldn't be opposed to him coming with her. In fact, they would make a great team. So, she finally turns around to look over at Cloud with another smile. Happily tucking her katana back to her side, before stretching out her body to prepare for this walk.]

Let's go together then. This forest is pretty creepy, and I honestly, the voices are starting to get to me a little bit.

♥

[mercedis]

[ There's a soft breath as he works himself back onto his feet, brushing off the back of his standard issue pants--if there's anyone that he feels comfortable falling into place with for this kind of thing, it would definitely be Rin. There's a sense of camaraderie that he has with her, at least so far in being both the type of soldiers to take care of those around them, that makes it easy to find a simple routine. The combination of her katana and his sword should easily dissuade anyone that might pursue the camp.

With a short nod, as if encouraging her to head out ahead of him, he approaches, one hand reaching at his back to steady the handle of the buster sword there. ]

...The voices, huh? [ It's hard for him to admit that he hears voices all the time: honestly, he can't tell if there's anything in his head that's the forest's doing, or if it might just be his own tangled web of memory. ] What do you hear?

[ It isn't accusatory: rather, he's acutely curious, glancing at her slightly before looking on ahead. ]

[maiestas]

[There's definitely quite a bit of trust between the two that Rin can sense, and full glad she is that Cloud wants to go with her. Even if she could handle herself, that duel between them was more than telling about his abilities. She felt safe around him, and knew that, if things did go south somehow, she could rely on him. So, she definitely feels less nervous about the voices now that Cloud as awake.]

Just whispers here and there. It's kind of hard to sleep when I feel like there's a brush of wind against my ear or something.

[Ori ears were quite sensitive, and not in a good way. She sighs, and brings her katana forward to drive the point home to any ghosts, or ghouls that want to try and haunt them while they walk.

Taking a step forward, the sound of leaves and rocks crunch underneath them, and for now, it's certainly just the two of them.]

Do you not hear anything?

[mercedis]

[ It's a complicated question--and one he had hoped to avoid. Hearing her experience, and knowing the experiences of some of the others they're traveling with, means that he gets a feeling for what it's like. Soft whispers, quiet like the wind, there and then gone again: it's not the first time he's felt something like that.

So it's hard to say, definitively, that it's the forest; it could very well just be his own head.

With a faint grimace, almost a smile, he shakes his head a little. ] ...Nothing more than usual, anyway.

[ A short swallow, as they continue along the perimeter, steady and sure. ]

Back home... Well. I heard weird things from time to time. It's hard to tell if the forest is also whispering or not.

[sincleavers]

[He can't sleep. He tried to, at least for a little while, but he keeps thinking about the difference in their numbers. The lackadaisical response. It's too unsettling not to worry about, so it's not long before he gives up the attempt, opting instead to take first watch on the other side of the camp.

If he's being completely honest, Alphen had thought about it -- taking off to find the missing people, that is. He doesn't want to leave anyone behind, even if they're not someone he knows. And the thought that something might have happened, when there's no shortage of capable fighters around to stop it...well, maybe he's not unsettled only by the leaders' response. He knows better than to take off on his own, though. Of all people, he certainly understands the value of strength in numbers.

So instead, he's sort of restlessly moving around every so often, trying not to disturb people, but clearly at least one person has noticed.]

You counted them missing, too, huh? [He exhales. Honestly, he's glad to know he's not the only one who won't chalk it up to "miscounting, everything is okay!"] ... I wasn't planning to sneak off. I could use a chance to stretch my legs, though. If you want.

[mercedis]

If you want. [ He repeats it mildly, a faint sense of amusement: is there really any other option? He doesn't feel confident in letting someone out beyond the camp boundaries, even if it's someone who looks fairly capable and confident in their abilities. It just wouldn't be the right thing, or even the heroic thing, to do. ] Yeah, I want.

[ With a soft sound of exertion, a breath past parted lips, he pushes up onto his feet again, nodding a chin towards the path that leads them out of the camp. ]

Might be good to fill up the water before we head back out in the morning. Heard there might be a stream nearby.

[ --which, of course, could be the whispers around them, bleeding into the faint, soft trickle of water through the trees. It's hard for him to say, but going out together isn't a horrible idea, especially when this guy seems pretty calm and capable, outside of the restless pacing.

One hand reaches for one of the water skins, slinging it up onto his shoulder, before he decides he may as well take point. With a short nod of his head, as though to excuse him stepping in front of the guy, he makes careful, soft steps through the brush and down the little trodden path. ]

...How many did you count? [ Soft, almost quiet, as they start to make their way out of camp. ] Missing, I mean.

[sincleavers]

[A brief smile flickers over Alphen's face at the response. Maybe the way Cloud feels isn't so different from him -- holding onto too much responsibility to wander off alone, but still wanting to check things out.]

Can't argue with that.

[Whether there really is a stream or not --Alphen doesn't remember seeing or hearing one, but he's not exactly the quietest or most perceptive person in the world-- it'll be nice to get out of the camp for a few minutes. Move around without the risk of waking people up.

He grabs the other water skin and follows, pulling up the rear without complaint. At other times, he might be more interested in taking the lead and exploring untrod pathways. Now...well, now is not one of those times.]

Three. [His face takes on a more thoughtful expression, maybe almost worried.] Two in the morning and then another in the afternoon. You?

[mercedis]

Three. [ He repeats it not out of jest, but simply to cement the number in his thoughts. ] Yeah. That's what I got.

[ With a short grunt, he continues down the path, where the light of the fire back in the camp behind them seems like a distant warmth, now; the darkness settles over them, the breeze tickling at the leaves of trees around them, but his ear is trained to listen for that sound of water, letting his feet move in that direction.

There's one faint glance over his shoulder, reassuring that Alphen is following him, before he directs his gaze down to his feet. He doesn't want to trip, and in this kind of darkness, the unnatural flicker of mako in his eyes is all the more telling. ]

Figure we're gonna wake up in the morning with another couple gone, though I don't know how. [ There's a faint frown on his lips as he says it. ] No monsters, right? Not around here, anyway. It doesn't quite feel real.

[sincleavers]

No offense, but I hope you're wrong about that.

[He doesn't sound like he disbelieves it, though. Just, well...a little worried. Three missing is already bad enough.

Alphen picks his way down the trail, capable but maybe not entirely graceful in his armor. This type of terrain isn't exactly unfamiliar, though he's not used to traversing it in the dark like this. The hilt of the Blazing Sword glows faintly even when it's not drawn; it doesn't provide much light to see by, but it's not a bad way for someone to keep track of him. A little like those eyes, perhaps. They do seem to have some interesting folks among the Chosen, don't they?

He's quiet a moment, thinking about Cloud's words. He's right, of course. Something is off about all of this, even if it's hard to tell how at the moment.]

If something ate them or carried them off, we probably would have seen something, at least. A trail, or a sign of struggle... But they couldn't have vanished into thin air like this. Almost like they didn't exist in the first place.

[Both from the completeness of their disappearance, and from the lackadaisical response to the missing.]