tentacles

[aetherialslumber]

[ It wasn't that Urianger had gone missing, per-say. With the Dragonsong War, things had been busy elsewhere. None would pay attention to him - notice the weirdness going on. A child vanishing, people moving out of Vesper Bay.

More and more vanishing. No messages from Urianger. Okay, maybe he had vanished. But now, word had finally gotten out. One of the Warriors of Darkness had come to the Scions, of all people. Begging /them/ for help, some THING that wasn't a Primal that they knew of nor one they could end.

They had been ignored, a trap, or so people thought. Until an Ul'dahn managed to choke out something about a plant... THING in Vesper Bay. And so, Thancred had gone to look for it, while Alisaie still recovered from her poisoning and the Warrior of Light went to investigate Ixal activity.

The Waking Sands seemed to be where it was coming from. ]

Comments

[wordsinthesoul]

[Vesper Bay… The place they'd first moved to, after the Calamity. There's memories enough there, and so Thancred's worried- what of the Sands? What of Urianger- has he disappeared, as well?

He borrows a chocobo- being sure to release the bird well out from the settlement proper, so that it doesn't end up caught, and then continues onwards, to see what's immediately visible.]

[aetherialslumber]

[ What's visible is clearly tendrils, reaching though the Waking Sands, examining anything nearby. They even dip into the bay itself, it beginning to drain up.

But one of the tendrils trembles as Thancred approaches. The whole mass seeming to shudder, but not certainly. He has no idea if anything is walking near him. On him. ]

[wordsinthesoul]

[Pulling out the water to feed it, he assumes…

He kneels down to examine the tendril a little closer, frowning.] A plant-based entity…? Where did you come from, then? [Why here, indeed? He wonders, looking around- where's the center of this?]

[aetherialslumber]

[ A soft little sound came from it, as it tried to wrap around his arm, tried to dig under his clothes. It seemed to be coming from the Waking Sands... ]

[wordsinthesoul]

Hey now. None of that, thank you. [He reaches to pull it away, gently, concerned- is that what's been happening to all the others? And- if it's from there…

He doesn't run, but he does move with intent, and purpose, pushing the door open.]

[aetherialslumber]

[ As he'd reach to pull it away, it'd tangle onto those fingers. Not painfully, more curious. As the door opens - it was half-open already - the ground and floors both are covered by the vines, blooming with so many flowers. Corpses tangled in them.

They seem to lead into the Solar. ]

[wordsinthesoul]

Huh... [That’s interesting. And before- was that curiosity, too?

But that’s worrying- even as the flowers are lovely, covering the Sands in colour. How many are there? He gives the corpses a concerned look- trying to see if he recognises any, and still not ready if he does.

Seeing where they lead fills him with dread. That far? How- and why? He moves closer, reaching out to see how deep the vines go.]

[aetherialslumber]

[ Thancred may have seen them before... the Warriors of Darkness. As well as some of the merchants who came to Vesper Bay. Some, even less recognizable, seemed to be Lalafell...? Maybe? Plants grew out of them.

But in the Solar, Urianger sat. Urianger sat, looking just as he always has. Basking in holes made, seeming to enjoy having sunlight hit him. If he's noticed Thancred, he hasn't moved.

But still, he is being inspected. Almost led closer. ]

[wordsinthesoul]

[He frowns at them, wondering. Those five… what were they doing here? They'd spoken of- some strange thing, but- this? And- others he didn't know well, but- it's still unsettling- especially those who might have been Lalafell. These plants- did they take over…?

It's a relief to see Urianger- for a moment, at least, because then- he has to wonder why Urianger seems so untouched.

He stops for a moment- waiting to see what happens- trying to look Urianger over a little, too, to try and gain a little more understanding.]

[aetherialslumber]

[ As soon as Urianger feels Thancred get closer, his breath, his eyes snap open. Even more golden then usual, they stare. Inspect, quietly. But only his head moves, his cloak covering most of his body.

And then, Urianger whispers. ] ...Thancred? You live?

[wordsinthesoul]

[He doesn't seem so obviously changed, but- it's still odd. Still strange.

…but this is Urianger, and Thancred takes another couple of steps closer. Still worried, but- ah, what is there but to reach out to him?]

…I do. I- I know I was in some trouble, but- I'm fine now… [Fine enough, at any rate.] What of yourself? These are… new.

[aetherialslumber]

[ He was quiet, as he raised one arm... his fingers turned to vines, but not the ones connecting to the ground. To touch Thancred, mournfully.

He had never learned what happened, in 3.2. It had never gotten to him. His golden gaze barely wavering, he tried to stroke the others' cheek. ] ...I am fine, Thancred. 'tis under control.

[wordsinthesoul]

[More vines- different. Thancred reaches up to take them, moving closer so that he can press them to his cheek, and reaches out for Urianger with his other hand.]

Is it? I… forgive me, but- I don't understand. What happened?

[aetherialslumber]

...Left to mine own devices, I felt I could gift myself more knowledge. Awaken what slumbered.

[ Urianger kept touching the other, his eyes seeming to finally focus. (He didn't have his goggles OR glasses on, no wonder he was struggling to see.) ] It has been... lonely. But this is what is expected of me, is it not? To know.

[wordsinthesoul]

Gift yourself…? I… 'tis hardly the awakening I would have expected.

[Oh, Urianger. He's still concerned, but- he offers Urianger a little smile, trying his best.]. Your goggles- are they here somewhere? [Maybe- he can do that, at least.]

You've always been so studious. It is a part of you, but… I expect you to be you. I'm sorry to have been gone this long.

[aetherialslumber]

I... know not. They were with me earlier, but... some tried to hurt me. They fell of them. [ But then, anger entered his voice. The vines tensing. ]

...I am myself.

[wordsinthesoul]

Perhaps they're still around here- I can look, if you'd like. And you protected yourself. [but he doesn't move when he feels that, eyes on Urianger.]

You are. It is a good thing- is it not?

[aetherialslumber]

...I knoweth that I appear different, Thancred. [ His voice drops to a whisper. His voice quiet, his body still tense. Vines trying to sneak their way around Thancreds' legs. ]

[wordsinthesoul]

…you do. And I'm worried, but- you still speak to me as my friend.

[He shifts, reaching out to touch a hand to Urianger's chest, palm flat- but he doesn't move away.] Are these yours as well?

[aetherialslumber]

We are friends. Even with mine loneliness... you care. You all care.

They are. For... you shall not leave again. [ But they still feel loose. It's lucky this Thancred is immune to tempering - for the Primal Urianger is trying to temper him, words tough. ]

[wordsinthesoul]

We do. You're- you're our friend. [But they haven't shown it so well, have they? He curls his fingers, unhappy- and looks up sharply at that.]

Urianger? [He inhales, closing his eyes against the power, and leans into him. Trying to keep a hold on himself- trying to understand. This- is this what happened…?] Why?

[aetherialslumber]

You shall leave, and I shall be forgotten. [ His voice is barely his, but he is also close to crying. Close to crying, as he just wants him to not leave. Vines beginning to tighten, trying to dig under his clothes.

...is that what he did to the others? ] Please stay.

[wordsinthesoul]

You won't be. I- I know it's not much, but- there were reasons. I'm sorry. [He feels close to crying, himself- trying to move a little closer, to try to hold Urianger. If he has to- if something happens, then- perhaps that's better. The vines are- uncomfortable, and he's afraid, but- he's here. Maybe it'll be enough.]

I- there are duties. But I will. Urianger, please…

[aetherialslumber]

[ He seemed to smile, as he was held. The vines did not dig in further. Even if Urianger hated the touch.

For something seemed to have changed, Urianger looking at Thancred. Curiousity filled his gaze. ]

You still fight mine desires... mine enthralling.

[wordsinthesoul]

[He relaxes a little, if cautiously- not moving away just yet. But he lets go, a little- shifting to meet Urianger's gaze.]

…yes. I… still wish to be myself. As much as I wish to care for you.