rustyhonesty | [Empatheias] IC Inbox

[ It's about 3-4 days after the trip to Ephyria, which still feels a lot more than it was advertised to be. But a hum comes through Jean's amulet, and a voice who should sound familiar by now. ]

Hey, Jean? How're you doing?

[ There's a slight uneasy energy in the far back of the call...but compared to most Tidus has made, this one is more comfortable than the rest—has a purpose that's more important than how creepy mind communication is. ]

[Jean's mostly been taking it easy after that trip and he's lying on the couch, reading when Tidus contacts him.]

Hey. ... I'm doing fine. Still pretty tired, but at I'm not as sore anymore.

[His mental voice does sound pretty tired, but also rather content at where he is, so perhaps that will help him feel more comfortable, at least.]

How about you?

Me? I didn't have to worry if my arm was going to make it. [ A joke! But also true. He's pleased though that Jean seems fine, despite an apparent lingering exhaustion. ]

I'm just glad that it's over with. After all that... I'm still not really sure what happened.

[ He does. But also doesn't. ]

[Jean does laugh at it.]

My arm was fine after a day. Luckily it wasn't a bad kind of poison.

[At least there's that.]

Yeah... I'm not all that sure either. Return trip home was sort of a blur...

I guess we did it? [ Why doesn't it feel like more of a victory, in that case... ]

Well, if you're ever up for some good food, I'll buy. 'specially after that save you made with your thingy-majiggy. [ Helping to boost them through the walls closing in. ] Who needs magic when you've got gear like that!

[They didn't get the victory fanfare...]

I couldn't have made it possible without your spell, so I think we both deserve a pat in the back. But thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

The gear's definitely saved my life... but also put in me in serious danger.

It didn't this time! [ So hey, good gear. ] What's it for normally, anyway? Is that just how you fight? Swinging around everywhere?

[Oooh boy. You asked. Jean's exhaustion gets an additional stronger emotion: seriousness.]

It's to fight, yeah. It's our only means of reaching our enemies' neck and kill them. The enemies range from a few meters to ten, so gotta have something to climb the distance with. Especially when they only die if we cut their nape.

They're called titans. Humanoid looking mindless naked creatures that eat humans. As I said my gear has saved me many times, but if I had joined the army and never learned how to use it... ['He might have never been in danger'. Negative.] well, I might be dead, after my home town got attacked.

[ Just give Tidus a moment to process that. ]

Uh, wow. That sounds rough.

[ Buddy. Another pause. ]

Giant tall naked people?

[ It's not that he missed all the rest, it's just. You know. ]

I wish I could say that's the worst part.

[Thanks Zuko.]

Yeah. They don't have any genitalia though, which is a blessing

Huh--yeah, you can say that!

[ Not that he really wants to think too much about Giant Naked Humans, but had to get his head around that. ]

What causes them? Do you know?

[It's completely understandable.

Jean's mood drops down a bit more, but not into "critical must stop talking" range.]

They're humans that have been transformed into them using a serum. Why that serum exists and where it comes from is still a mystery.

That's why they eat us. They're trying to turn back into humans by eating a human who can shift into a titan at will. An intelligent titan, you could say. A titan shifter.

Ugh...

[ It's both a sound and feeling: of disgust, but not without sympathy. How can't you feel any when hearing that a guy and his world has to suffer something as grotesque as that?

But it's still disgusting. Tidus is silent as he attempts to find any words adequate to respond to that too, but even when he does... ]

I'm sorry, that sounds...insane. I can't imagine going through that.

[ It doesn't feel adequate at all. Is there anything he can say? But the sympathy comes through stronger than the initial ugliness of hearing of the situation. ]

[The feelings of sympathy are received and Jean feels warm. The other emotions he understands completely so he doesn't mind them.]

Yeah. There's a lot more to the story... Unfortunately. But maybe that's enough depressing story time already.

It's your story. You tell as much or little as you want. [ He's not going to press or stop Jean. Just- ] Wish I could say or do anything.

[ Hhhrrmmm. ]

Isn't there anything here that can help? You're stuck here... there's gotta be something you can do to help you when you get back!

[Jean doesn't say anything to that, but he does understand what he says, which is clear from his emotions. He'd tell him sometime, if there was a need to or if it just came up. Just right now, he's not up to it.]

Hmm... I wonder if I could transfer the corridor of death to titan territory...

[ That gets a laugh out of Tidus, the humour bubbling through. ]

Crush all those titans left, right, and from above? Yeah!

Then you can make the biggest fireball and chuck it on the remains. Just for good measure!

[Jean definitely laughs now, too, his emotions taking a much more cheerful turn, even if still tired.]

That would definitely be a sight to see.

You go through a death corridor for someone, they should give you a hand back. Thras should be more than happy to help!

[ Though- ]

Be a lot better if he was bigger and scarier. [ Heh. ]

I'm sure he'll grow in size before we head back to our homes.

[Who knows, really.]

Ugh, then he should do it fast! I don't want to be stuck here too long -- I've already got a bunch to do before I get to go back home.

[ Let him go back hooommmeee. ]

Are you on an adventure, back at "home"?

[Empatheias] IC Inbox

voice; here to ruin all the sap

voice; oh no my sap

voice; no continuous flow of sap now!!

voice; I guess you need to be surrounded by sap then

voice; gross, am i a tree

voice; yes

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voice; I heard that first line in Auron voice

voice; must talk about stories, always

voice; in a dramatic way

voice; become the protag of AOT, jean!!

voice; no thanks!!

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