Toxic Love: The Exalt Oracle

[beleos]

NOTHING GOES OFF WITHOUT A HITCH

You feel it, the moment that the Exalt oracle opens its eyes, like something that rips through your body from head to toe, something that feel like fire, wild. It sears into your veins, like acid and fire, something that triggers something that makes you want to run, or perhaps turn and face something head on. Before you can find what sets you off – if you could find it. Bearers know what this sensation is, it is different but the same at its core. The emotions, the feelings it sparks are different – but in the end, you know it for what it is: An Oracle.

Kenos groans from the awakening, like a part of a whole sparks to life, and though you do not know what it is that they want yet, you understand and know their existence down to your core. That feeling to attack or defend, perhaps even flee, does not leave you, but instead it fills your veins, you feel it thrumming, pulsing, like the beat of a heart – if one has one. With the sense of awakening, bearers know the shape of what comes next, they will be asked to act, to do. You do not know how it will happen, or what the Exalt will ask of you, but the knowledge that it will happen is borne from experience, not from the Oracle itself.

As you begin to move, to… look, you are not long for this day, it clouds your mind, a hazy, drowsy feeling takes over, the encroaching dark that threatens to swarm, crowding from the sides, taking over your vision – until… it fully takes over, and Bearers are put into a deep slumber.

---

When bearers awaken, it’s difficult to make sense of what your sleepy eyes see. Structures begin to swim into view, and they like tall figures looking down upon you. It’s difficult to tell what they are at first, but as you wake up, you begin to see, they are not people, or creatures, but long spore-like stalks. Some have ribbed overgrowths that you can see, and some end in growths that ripple and hang over, but have no “cap”. They tower over the bearers, like towering spires and buildings, on all sides, as if they were trapped in a ring of them. As bearers look around them they will notice tall green spires around them as well, and it takes a moment for things to really settle in. Mushrooms. Blades of grass. The springy moss about them is almost as tall as they are, low to the ground. There are pebbles that appear as boulders, and the thunderous steps nearby indicate an insect or arachnid walking by, far larger than you. There is a stillness to this space, like a held breath, and as the bearers awake, and regard one another, and then to the center of the circle is – a small effigy in the center.

It is here, the Exalt Oracle, and you feel compelled to regard it, before you are given a pang down to your core. It compels you – pleads, asks, begs, and demands, all in one – for what it wishes for. Precious mementos and precious items that they are missing. They have been lost, and they are somewhere within the Liosachán. It beseeches the bearers to return its items, and begs they be returned here to the circle. There are no words, but there is a pleading sensation, a feeling that these items are treasured by this Oracle.

You feel at your sides, your pockets, and find one item on your person, a weapon, a companion, whatever it is you would bring with you to the conflict, shrunk down to a tiny size with you.

Stay steadfast, bearers, and capture the flag Oracle!

SURVIVAL OF THE SMALLEST ( DAYS 1 - 5 )

Unlike the still, stale apocalypse that had been the setting of the Iconoclast Oracle, the greenhouse is lush and vibrant with activity.

The Effigy present within yearns to be reunited with what belongs to it, fixated upon the five items lost within the greenhouse. The swell of its longing fills all Shardbearers, urging them to take action, claim the items and present all five to it to attain victory for that Faction.

Over a period of ten days, Shardbearers of both factions will have to navigate environmental dangers, and the normal procession of time, as the greenhouse is going about its daily routine. Workers plod around like towering goliaths, weeding and watering and pruning the greenhouse's contents. The Liosachán's native population of fae begin to take notice of the newcomers in their midst, emerging from grassy mounds hidden in the natural landscape to spy and pry about the newness surrounding them.

Naturally curious, and equally dangerous, the fae of the Liosachán are Highstorm natives. They range in cool coloration, from soft violet-greys to deep stormy blues, and wear clothes fashioned from of goods pilfered from the pockets of workers, dropped on the ground or handcrafted from the environment itself. Wielding bits of copper tightly wound into blades and spears, they are a ferocious and cunning little people who seek to trick, trap and toy with Shardbearers. Direct violence is anathema to them, but violence that happens as a result of falling to one of their ploys is a badge of honor.

DAY ONE - THREE. The Effigy initially urges Shardbearers to build bases of operation for defense and practicality, as surviving ten days without supporting one another is a surefire way to meet a grisly, tiny little end. Resources must be gathered: gather food and water, prepare shelter, establish unity and organization and prepare to set off into the wilds soon.

For Shardbearers demonstrating particular selflessness, favoring the protection and defense of another, the Effigy responds warmly from the third day onward — rewarding them with a sign of their dutiful nature towards others in the form of fairy wings, the form of which are unique to the Shardbearer themselves.

DAY FOUR. The sudden thunderous sound of a storm begins. No, not a storm, the tumble and crash of water pouring down upon the greenhouse — the workers of the Liosachán perform their routines faithfully, after all. In watering the garden, the danger of the environment threatens to overtake Shardbearers and their work alike. Drops of water fall, their size equal or larger than even the tallest of characters, and trickles of water muddy the ground in the form of raging rapids.

The security of Meridian and Zenith's camps is even called into question, because as simple as the act of watering a garden is, it is a nightmarish situation for such itty bitty Bearers to be in!

DAY FIVE. By day five, the fae of the Liosachán no longer lurk and linger in the corner of one's eye. They make themselves known, having prepared a banquet below one of the mushrooms, within sight of the Effigy. A table draped in spider-silk lace awaits any Bearer who comes near enough, the sagging piece of driftwood polished to a gleam with golden sap, leaving it waterproofed and pretty to behold. A handful of corks serve as seating, with most of the fae draping themselves across scraps of cotton as though they are simply at a picnic.

They invitingly wave to Shardbearers, chattering brightly in their foreign, lilting tongue, waving tiny sandwiches and little clay pots full of jams and honeys, brandishing sugared berries that they bite into with gusto, staining their arms and faces in swathes of blue and red. They clearly are welcoming to whomever comes upon them, urging them to avail themselves to the bounty they have prepared. Perhaps some characters know better than to eat the food of the fae, recalling legends and lore about the mystical properties and implicit bargains made in becoming a guest. Perhaps some have no idea, and are simply hungry enough to dig in!

UNWILLING TEN-ANTS ( DAYS SIX - EIGHT )

The scuttling, scrabbling feet of ants crawling over surfaces, winding their way through this grassy playground, has become normal. Their feet thunder as they go about their business, and it seems to be a normal cadence to life here in the underbrush, in the greenhouse. It is normal, and it is has become nothing to really concern oneself with. They are ants, after all, what do they do, but work? Endlessly, continuously.

That is, until the heavy, loud sounds of their feet draw closer to whatever place that the bearers have found to camp in. Whether solitary or as a group, these workers are no longer content to simply ignore the bearers, but they are a curiosity, perhaps even a bother. You have disrupted their lifestyle. The sleepy pattern of obtain food, return ot the hive, and back out again now has obstacles. Now there are not simply the fairies, who live their own lives and existences, a part of the ecosystem, but now there are these tiny bearers. Fighting, working together, arguing and disagreeing.

You are disruptive to their way of life.

The ants have come to collect on this due, and some bearers that are vulnerable, or perhaps merely caught, are taken away, your weight so light compared to the rest of their burdens that they carry. The strength of these ants is overwhelming, incredible at this size, and try as you might, if you are caught in their strong mandibles, you cannot escape. An ant, after all, carries 1000 times their weight with those powerful jaws. You, bearer, are nothing to them.

They squirrel away the bearers within their hill, a complicated network of tunnels, junctions, and large spaces. Down within, where the air becomes stifling, and stale. The ants guard their pray, and you get the distinct sense that they see you not as people, not even as enemies, but as prey. You will be food – perhaps to the eggs that are gathered within this room, where you can see the stirring of new life, just beneath the surface. You may not have very long to live, if these little larvae get their mouths on you.

Or perhaps, your friends will save you? Once it is discovered that bearers are missing, the trail of ant prints on the ground is apparent – they are not stealthy creatures – and the feet lead from the locations of several kidnapped bearers toward the grainy ant hill that lies not far away. The hill itself swarms with life, with worker ants all over the surface, scuttling about, looking for the next meal for te colony. Or perhaps for more bearers to bring back for their young.

It will be dangerous, bearers, to save your friends. Should you choose to do so, you will be kicking the anthill, and the ants will protect what is theirs. Even if they just took it. Those bearers belong to them, now! Rescuers will find not only your average worker ant, ready to defend, but winged male ants will attack from above, and deeper, within the nest, near where the bearers are kept, lies the strongest ant in the colony: The Queen. Staggeringly large, strong, and vicious, when her subjects begin dying. She will do everything in her power to protect her colony, and that includes killing bearers, if need be. Or trying, at least.

Good luck rescuing your friends, bearers!

IN SMALL PACKAGES ( DAYS NINE - TEN )

The day after the ant-pocalypse brings with it the brush of recognition — the Effigy has foreseen the likely victors, and calls to them to approach it once they have suitably recovered. It judges them the ones whom are most devoted to what binds them, loyal to memory and remembrance, and begins to clamor for them to restore to it what belongs rightfully. Thus begins a full day of resting, locating last-minute items, shoring up defenses and preparing for the sprint to the finish line.

Certainly your rivals will not allow you to simply walk to the Effigy unassailed and unchallenged.

Eat, rest, ensure your fellows are close and bolstered, for tomorrow begins the final rally.

On the morning of the tenth day, Meridian Shardbearers approach the Effigy with its five items in hand. In the midst of the mushroom ring, the Effigy stands as it had in the beginning — arms outstretched and back bowed skyward, gnarled fingers seeking contact with that which has been lost to it. It awaits, it strains, and even as it does, it requires one last test of ability. From the shadows of the towering mushrooms, the rasp of scale and soft hiss of a great beast descends upon the fae ring.

A gleaming garden snake, with glossy black and green stripes, blocks the way between approaching Shardbearers and the Effigy.

Between its bright eyes, pressed upon its brow is a scattering of brighter scales that appear to be in the shape of a delicate, three-leafed plant with spiraling patterns for leaves. It braces itself against the approach, and there is no doubt that to claim victory, the serpent must be subdued. Though Meridian approaches with victory in hand, they have not yet attained it — their rival faction and this beast remain in their way.

MISSING LINKS ( THROUGHOUT )

As the Effigy desires to be reunited with what belongs to it, the swell of its longing stirs something more within all present Shardbearers.

With that foreign longing arrives knowledge: beyond the five items prized by the Effigy itself, there are other lost things within the greenhouse. Like a compass, each Shardbearer's mind points them in direction after direction, urging them to seek and explore. Implicitly, the thrum of comprehension fills your mind: these are things that do not belong to you, per se, but seek to have your hands ferry them home.

Amidst tangled brush, hidden under doffed acorn cap, tucked away in the belly of a fae's glittering den, lost in the depths of a puddle of spilled water that seems an insurmountable lake now, folded secretly into the petals of a towering, skyscraper-like flower, there are three additional items hidden within the tumultuous landscape that each Shardbearer feels a draw towards. Things that belong to someone else, eager to be reunited with them, but subject to whim.

Upon locating and retrieving one, the Shardbearer is filled with a sense of information — they know who this item belongs to, and they will know that they have a choice. Bonds are fragile things after all, and they exist to be enforced or abused, in order to advance a goal or to deepen a connection. How will you treat someone's precious bond? How will they treat yours?

NOTES

Here are some prompts to set the scene and foundation of the Exalt Oracle! — The theme of this Oracle is a loose edition of capture the flag, where the Effigy's items can pass through multiple hands within the ten day allotment.

— For additional ideas and fun, it is known that several Shardbearers have concluded their efforts to fulfill the Greenwood Yards' sidequest request.

— All details of the Exalt Oracle can be found here, and questions for the mods can be submitted here.

CODING

Comments

Open Starters

[envoyoftwilight]

I - She's a Survivor (Day 1 ~ 2)

[The notion of being caught in a forest, forced to depend on her own survival instincts is what she would consider beneath her. In the Twilight, others have provided for her. Even in Hyrule, she had at least one who was inclined to do her bidding. And now, in this new world, this new situation, Midna is starting from next to nothing. That's not how any of this ought to be going. Menial labour is just not at all suited for her.

It doesn't stop her from wandering through the collective of massive flora and towering mushrooms, just in hopes of seeing a familiar face she can mooch off of. Taking stock of her immediate situation, it doesn't seem favourable. She's resourceful when she has to be. Challenge has never stopped her before and it certainly won't this time either. And she's not too proud to take advantage of a situation when she's in need either.

Which is exactly what she intends to do when she happens upon a rather modest camp-in-the-making. It's probably yours. Any food gathered? That's probably about to be hers, too. Because Midna seems very much inclined to make herself right at home. Or to simply steal the things you've already gathered.]

My, my, my. Don't mind if I do.

[Or perhaps this is a situation where you happen upon her tiredly wandering before she's gotten her theft and mooching on. That's always an option.]

II - Princess in Distress—Maybe (Day 3)

[She's about had her fill of this. Not only is the forest just teeming with an impromptu adventure of survival games, it's filled with no shortage of obstacles. Pits made by the natural inhabitants of the forest, buzzing little creatures that have likely chased Midna more than once, sticky webs created by friends of the arachnid kind, and other like things that have taken up residency.

As the foreign object who definitely doesn't belong here, one might think she'd have a little more respect for the native creatures, but she's just insensitive enough to put that on the proverbial back burner. In this particular instance, she's found herself trapped between a rock and a hard place, a stumbling onto an abode she just doesn't belong in.

Something she could probably get herself right out of if she actually expended the effort to do so. Instead—]

Oh, no...! Whatever will I do? I'm afraid I can't face this on my own!

[She says it just loud enough to linger in the air, over the top, and unnecessarily dramatic. The truth is, she's probably fine, but no one else needs to know that. Won't you come to her rescue? Potentially get a free pair of wings? Realise she's a fraud?]

III - Under My Umbrella (Day 4)

I've had about enough of this.

[On what seems like more than a few days into this whole ordeal (though it's really only been a few), Midna has finally begrudgingly accepted that she will have to play by the rules in order to get through whatever this nonsense is. When she's considered the nature of the Oracle hunts, this is not what she's envisioned. Somehow a battle or a war might have been more welcome, if only because it would seem slightly more familiar.

Beggars cannot be choosers, and Midna is evidently a beggar in this scenario. (What horror, really. A princess falling down from atop her grandiose throne.)

The moment drops of water begin to collide onto this, that, and everything, she's quick to take shelter beneath what she feels may be more sturdy, she scowls.]

If it's not one thing, it's another. [Shaking her head slowly, she peers out from underneath her hiding spot.] On the other hand, could be an opportune moment for a bath.

[They could all probably use one, honestly.]

IV - You Look Delicious (Day 5)

[For all that she has been likely near unbearable for those around her in the midst of this little hunt for trinkets and trying to return some of the objects that she's found, Midna is not about to turn her nose up at a free meal. Especially one she doesn't have to prepare for herself. To her, it hardly matters the source, which could likely be a result of Midna eating considerably far less or simply not being as good at survival as she would think herself to be.

It doesn't take her long to look over what's being offered, still just as fascinating as any other food she's seen since her arrival. Everything continues to be so rich and vibrant, so unlike the muted tones and foreboding Twilight.]

Are you actually going to eat that or just stare at it? Because my patience is running out.

[She's kidding, of course. Midna never had much patience to begin with. Just let her have your food.]

V - Wildcard (Day XX)

[For everything else! New prompts, mix prompts, whatever you might fancy. We'll make it happen!]

II

[hauntedking]

[ That's a familiar voice and Dimitri, as kind-hearted as he is, isn't going to turn down a cry for help. He's still not quite used to navigating this place and all of the differences it has to a 'normal' woods or forest. Creatures he recognizes as small blown up to be huge and threatening. Weeds and grass and plants that suddenly tower over him. It's all very dizzying, but he's managing as best he can. It's not like there's much of a choice, anyway.

So Dimitri comes through the 'undergrowth', clambering over a fallen leaf that would otherwise be crushed under foot. He can't see her - not yet - but he can hear her. ]

Midna? Is that you?

[ He slides down the far side with a little grunt. ]

Keep talking!

[envoyoftwilight]

[She knows the voice well enough that hearing it almost immediately inspires a smile out of her. Of all the people to come stumbling upon her, even if only by virtue of simply being in the right place at the right time. She couldn't have picked someone better, honestly. Dimitri seems just kind enough that she could take advantage of him, if she wanted to. Although knowing he appears to be rather important to Yuri, that's not exactly what she's chomping at the bit to do.

But she has time to have moral dilemmas later. Instead, as she hears him, she hastily lifts her hands in an attempt to dramatically make herself look a little more roughened around the edges. It helps if she can sell the act, of course. Not to say Dimitri might not be clever enough to pick out the truth, but there's nothing wrong with tugging on his heartstrings a little. She manages to only just shift her hair out of place and render what little garb she has on askew.

For the most part, however, it's probably not a real good attempt made by her. Midna takes too much pride in her appearance.]

Dimitri— [She begins, lifting a hand to help carry her voice.] —I'm by a rather large collection of skulltula webs and I doubt they've been abandoned. [Well. Spiders, but they might as well be the same. Until she learns otherwise, they're just skulltulas.] Look for something like that. I'm the prettiest thing you'll find in this forest.

[hauntedking]

Skulltula...? What on Earth is a skulltula?

[ It doesn't sound particularly pleasant, whatever it is, and Dimitri is ever helpful - so he starts to pick his way through the oversized undergrowth. It doesn't take him that long to find her, honestly - they're not trying to hide, after all. And while he might be able to look through someone and find the truth of the matter he's never really been one to turn down someone in need of assistance, no matter who they are. So perhaps she didn't need the small theatrics. ]

There you are-

[ He comes into view, casting a wary look around him to make sure there's nothing large lurking nearby. ]

What seems to be the trouble?

[envoyoftwilight]

[No, she definitely needed the small theatrics.

When he does find her, she's been very patiently waiting, though takes particular care not to lounge or treat any of this like a vacation. It's been anything but a vacation, truthfully. She takes a moment to eye the path he's made just to get to her and she looks undeniably pleased. Yes, that'll do.

At his address, her keen attention turns back onto him and with some care, she reaches over to the webbing that she's been standing beside and playfully she plucks at one. In a normal size, she'd just break it. Now, it seems sturdy and strong, nigh unbreakable.]

Skulltula. [Spider, she means.] Anyway, the more important thing is that you were able to cut a path right to me. How impressive. I don't suppose you've set up a little home in here somewhere, hmm?

[Operation mooch off of Dimitri beginning...!

Maybe she was fine all along.]

[hauntedking]

You mean a spider...?

[ Maybe it's just another word for spider where she's from. It's probably not that important. He glances back at the path he's been blazing and then turns to her with a firm nod. If he's being taken advantage of, he doesn't seem to notice. ]

I've been building a campsite, yes. And it's open for other Meridians to use as they please - I'd like to fortify it a little more, honestly, but it will hopefully keep most of the wildlife out. Are you in need of a place to stay...?

[envoyoftwilight]

Something like that.

[In short, that's right.

He seems very willing to lend her assistance and she perks right up at his implied invitation. To stay for an extended period, probably not. Although she's already made her decision to take him up on his offer, she tries to put on airs, as if she means to make it seem as though she's giving it a good deal of contemplation.

She couldn't have run into anyone better, honestly. Doesn't he sort of owe her for her 'assistance' with that strange crustacean eldritch thing they tangled with before? (Not that she really helped much.)]

If you have some extra food, I will not mind relieving you of it. Sitting for a while might be nice as well. Ideally, could construct a palanquin and have a few able-bodied darlings carry me.

[She's kidding about that last part. Probably.]

I

[helloween]

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

[ Just as Midna thinks she's going to get off the hook and collect Dark's items for the taking, he plops a forcefield-like barrier bubble all around her. It's sort of like a hamster ball and an invisible game wall all in one. She's not going anywhere with his stuff! ]

If you wanted to shack up and get cozy together all you had to do was ask me, Midna.

[ Because this is definitely her way of flirting with him, isn't it? There's no way she'd waltz into his camp to take his things and actually believe she could get away "unpunished," now, is there? It's obvious she is pining for his attention! ]

[envoyoftwilight]

[Ah. She knows that voice well. Before she even has the chance to grab anything, he takes her attention and solidly places it on the more pertinent matter at hand, which is evidently that she's been very much caught right in the act. No sense in defending against it, perhaps. Midna's much too proud an individual to outright lie even, and there is quite the distinction between misleading someone and spreading intentional falsehoods.

Or rather, that's just another loophole in how Midna conducts herself with others. If she's not responsible for how someone else interprets something she says, how can she truly be held at fault for not correcting an assumption made?

Turning from where he's found her, she is all sweet, impish smiles.]

As romantic as that sounds, I'm more interested in finding a way to keep myself looking beautiful for the entirety that we might be in this little forest paradise.

[That is to say, food, drink, and bathing are at the top of her desires. Maybe lending some assistance to some of the Meridian with the intentions of creating a balance between the two factions, as she and Yuri had discussed not long before.]

[helloween]

What're you saying? You're always beautiful!

[ It's said in a way that suggests Dark has said it many, many times. Practically a golden ticket to giggles from his harem girls or a fun night together in the sack. Dark moves closer to the bubble he's made around Midna, eyeing her from the outside like a kid ogling a giraffe or something at the zoo. ]

Are you really so helpless you've got to steal my supplies? Don't tell me you've never been away from home. What're you going to do without someone to brush that pretty hair of yours?

[envoyoftwilight]

[Is she? She certainly likes to think so, though misadventuring through all of this really is solidifying just a touch that no, she doesn't necessarily know how to survive in a situation where she doesn't have someone to do things for her. She likes to think she could have endured without Link's help in Hyrule, but given the situation (being trapped in an imp's body, largely not having access to her real arsenal of sorcery), she isn't sure that's reality's reflection.

She's smarter than to go headfirst into something she can't necessarily see well, though toys with the idea of being able to break past. Prison cells, after all, have not been able to hold her. She could potentially make way right through. Perhaps. Her magic in this world doesn't seem to be as powerful and things she ordinarily could do, she's found she can't here. There's no way to determine without testing it out first and in front of Dark is not the way she wants to go about this.

Midna offers him an unamused expression, choosing very deliberately not to say anything outright.]

I prefer to think of it as being resourceful. You were just going to gather more eventually, weren't you?

[Pointedly, she avoids the rest. Yes, she's been away from home before. Even a little like this. But does it count if she had someone else doing the heavy lifting?]

1/2

[helloween]

[ What's with the gloomy face? He'd assumed it was there usual back and forth, but she's not meeting him with the enthusiasm he'd expected. Even his "you're always beautiful!" hadn't worked its magic. What gives? She on her period? ]

2/2

[helloween]

Fine, fine.

[ He flicks the barrier she's in with his finger, the sound of it like a glass trinket. With that, he lifts the magic from place so that she's free to wander off with the supplies she'd collected should she want to. But that's the thing about her, really— whether Midna admits it or not, Dark doesn't sense that she actually wants to be left by herself. ]

They're yours if you want to actually use them. Me getting more is easy sauce anyway.

[ For demonstration, he uses his Sodom spell to shave off more bark from a nearby tree. ]

But are you really sure you want to try setting something up by yourself? Consider this an opportunity to not, if you don't. Basic animals like rats or insects are the size of monsters now. You better be careful out there if you want to survive.

[ Without looking at her directly, Dark tests Midna to see if she'll invite herself to stay with him after all. ]

ii

[prizeneck]

[Her plea resounds dramatically, an appeal for aid embellished with performative helplessness. Midna’s words, crafted as if she hangs on the brink of reliance on another, resonate with undertones that surpass the façade. Mamoru has often witnessed this, too much intricacy within what would otherwise be just simple need, but it’s enough to capture his attention.

That and, well, something in the inner pocket of his jacket keeps thrumming with something that he can only pinpoint as recognition. Not unlike the psychic equivalent of a fanfare of a GPS once you reach your destination.

He understands, though. An inclination to forge alliances amidst the upheaval of unfamiliar circumstances. He could, after all, step forward and try to solve her apparent dilemma. But instead, he just stands his ground, half away from her line of sight, to see how well she could fare there.]

[envoyoftwilight]

[Someone.
Is too smart for their own good.

Or Midna is just a bad actress (which could be entirely the case depending on the audience). When she isn't rewarded with some grand fanfare of proverbial saviour / guardian angel coming to her 'rescue,' she looses a deep sigh, lifting her hands to muss about her hair, askew lengths of orange and blonde. Normally better kept, but given that she's been missing some items of hers since arriving in this forest, she doesn't look nearly as put together as she'd like to.]

Certainly worth the effort, I suppose. [It seems like she's saying it to herself to begin with, but it's actually spoken to what appears to be a simple leafhopper who is not at all interested in the princess' affairs and would likely rather just go on about their day.] And you aren't even listening.

[Like she could expect anything less. Perhaps in a fit of misplaced frustration with the situation or the notion that she will likely need to walk another however many footsteps to mooch from a different settlement, Midna lifts a hand and expels a short burst of twilight energy, which does little more than blowing the leafhopper from the blade of grass it's been hiding on before it goes bounding in Mamoru's direction.

Because chances are, whoever this Mamoru is will make for a considerably nicer companion than Midna.]

wildcard! lmk if this doesn't work!

[wolof]

[ This truly was perfect.

Perfect being the last thing that Akua Sahelian wanted to be. Obviously, there had been some measure of boldness to this, but she had thought it would be fine. The plan, of course, would be to slip in between the cracks of this pocket of earth -- a small crevice that would be likely difficult to find if they were their normal size, but at this size it was easy to squeeze in, passing a few steps within. She had drug Midna with her, in fact, towards the price. Hoping that it was a Zenite's item. It was not one she had felt a pull toward, but...

It had been there. She'd caught sight of it, and the option had been to leave it, or take it. Akua Sahelian would always take. She was Praesi, after all.

The unfortunate part had been, after they had slipped inward, the entrance had shuddered -- the influence of a passing worm -- and the entrance had caved in. Inconvenient, but doable, right? It should have been. They could simply blast their way out, but... the cave in had landed something much larger over the entrance. Simply blasting it -- given the force required -- was looking more and more difficult by the moment.

She had already sparked a globe of light, and looked around the small crevice they were in. There were paths, so they weren't squeeze in, but... This could go poorly. ]

Any ideas as to which direction we should take?

This is perfect!! Thank you so much. ♥

[envoyoftwilight]

[She couldn't have called herself a charitable person, but she did like Akua's company. At least, enough to revel in it again. And again, if that was the way things were going to go. There were others she could have thought of that would have been worse off. She wasn't certain she still felt that degree of confidence when their way out conveniently became a makeshift wall.

Attempts to move it had... not exactly gone as Midna expected. Not because she couldn't use Twilight energy. That hadn't been the issue at all. It was either that, as suspected, her normally very impressive abilities in the Twilight just weren't nearly as impressive in this world, or whatever had come down the way they came in just was too much for her to handle. Both being particularly feasible and neither giving her any amount of pleasure.

In the dark of the cave, there was the faint glow of the various markings in Midna's dual-toned skin, significantly dimmed by the light that Akua conjured. As her eyes adjusted, she examined their footing. Wasn't like they had a map. Wasn't like either of them (presumably) were familiar with the lay of the land, as it were.]

Unless you know something I don't, the direction might not make much of a difference. Better to just take one than it would be to stay here and discuss. Since you have the lighting, however, you should go first.

[As to whether that was true or not was debatable. In likelihood, might have been more appropriate to have Akua in the back. If they lost the light, there wasn't going to be much to use to navigate. It wasn't as though Midna was some pretty otherworldly glow stick.

On the other hand, she had to wonder about the light properties of Akua's globe, though that was a concern coming from someone who had an aversion to such natural radiance. The artificial lighting, as she'd learned from Link, didn't seem to be an issue, however.]

Unless you're afraid. In which case, I supposed I can act as more than a pretty companion.

[wolof]

[ She nodded in the dim light. She, as well, had tried to push at whatever had blocked their way, but without an appropriate source to siphon for power (read: blood sacrifice) she wasn't going to be able to move it. Whatever it was, it was considerably larger than she was, and while her power hadn't diminished... it had shrunk to scale, as it were. She couldn't lift something that was many times her size? Which was frankly? Rude.

Her lips pursed, as she turned to look at the path before them. It was not cavernous, but it was not tight either. She pressed the globe into the wall, and it seemed to flash as if it was going out, before the wall of the cave converted to a strip of light along the wall. Squiggly letters that seemed to form in the air — their shape and design would not be remembered by anyone who did not already know it — and she started to walk. ]

As tempting as it is, to feign fear... [ She said, with a confident, flirtatious smile. ] I'm afraid my pride will not allow me. [ A beat, as she began to walk. ] I did not think a boulder would have ever stopped me, but we are so small now, I fear I cannot move something of such great scale without a source for power — or time. But we have the luxury of neither right now.

[envoyoftwilight]

It takes a certain kind of courage to even fake fear.

[Midna doubted she would even be willing to entertain the notion herself. There weren't too many times that she had experienced it. And the times that she had... she wasn't certain she was willing she'd admit to it. Better to just seem fearless than the alternatives. Like so many other emotional ideas, fear was just a crack in proverbial armour.

Wearing a sly smile that seemed characteristic of her, she trailed after, walking in the wake of what light Akua had been kind enough to grant them both. For a moment, looking back toward what had closed them in with a curiosity that had touched her when she realised just how small they all must have been in this place. She'd taken her regular appearance, her regular height for granted. It was certainly one hell of a way to make her think about things in a different way.]

I think given the circumstances, it might be beneficial to assume we're likely to run into more situations like the cave-in. I imagine if we weren't so small, we'd likely be able to simply kick it aside. We'll just have to get creative. Between the two of us? I'm confident there's some innovation in there.

[Probably. Although she supposed she might have been more inclined to make Akua do the work and to take credit for some of it.]

[wolof]

Yes, I agree. [ Ambition between the two of them was a curious thing. Yes, Akua had met her ambitious match in Midna, but so had the Twilight Princess. Though Akua was no royalty, they did not have Dynasties of a sort in Praes — she was as close as one would come to a shoe-in for Dread Empress, were Malicia had fallen at any given time before the Doom. After, well.

One cannot rule as a shade.

She shook her head, and let the light trail forward, her steps cautious but not wary, as he kept ahead. Forward, there was some sort of drop. ]

It would be much easier if I could summon enough power to simply move it. Alas, the will of creation did not see fit to make the rock easier to move, so we must follow the path forward. [ It is a shrug, this trial would offer something, yes? ]

Nor do I have the means of sufficient power yet. Perhaps within I will find... [ A pause, and a glance back. No, she did not think Midna would take issue. ] Appropriate blood-price to summon sufficient power.

We will need a reservoir, to create enough power.

[ They stepped up to a drop. Akua looked down. She could see the bottom, though... ]

Shall we move further down?

I, now that I've finally recovered from travel

[warmare]

[There is little point in recovering the objects for the Oracle if they have no fortified camp to defend them in. As much as she trusted in herself and her own power... she could not keep all of them on her person. They would need to share the load, no matter how little she thought of many of her fellows and their commitment to the cause. To that end, Hayame is gathering materials, foraging, and, since her bow had been promptly returned to her hand by her... ally... hunting. Mostly that.

And when someone she knows only by the briefest sense of Communion and sight reaches out towards the supplies she has gathered...]

If you value that hand, you will not lay it on things that do not belong to you.

[Did this woman think she was... sneaky? Or was she simply so brazen that she did not care? The seven and some feet tall dun centaur woman staring at her from nearby certainly cares little about the why and more about the what.]

WELCOME BACK FROM TRAVEL. It has been my turn to recover from it, now!

[envoyoftwilight]

[What stops Midna probably isn't actually the what that's being said, but rather the source of the what. Hayame has a very distinctive tone she uses. Easily intimidated to those who might be turned by such things. Of course, Midna doesn't know her well, but her impressions have simply painted the... jinba (as Midna reminds herself this is not a human and horse hybrid)... as firm. Serious, perhaps. Maybe a little too serious.

(Or maybe the idea that Midna seems to take things not seriously enough.)

As she rights herself, she lifts a hand to flick some of her orange and blonde hair back. Midna suspects she looks like a hot mess, though she won't dare to utter anything like that aloud. No sense in whittling down what little of her pride remains in this new world of new experiences she certainly never asked for.]

It is a rather beautiful hand. [Midna begins, all confident smiles served up with what must be a helping of arrogance.] You've got quite the keen eye, haven't you. Of course, I shouldn't be surprised given your history. Archery, I've heard, requires that sort of thing.

[Of course, she's playing it off as though she's not absolutely been caught doing something she probably shouldn't be doing. A shame it's not someone she can charm. Hayame isn't going to make this easy.]

[warmare]

[Midna isn't alone in her judgement of Hayame's character. Or at least, how it comes off to others. She has been accused more than once of being too harsh, too serious, too divorced from the concept of fun or tease to even understand it well. And her expression now... certainly does nothing to sway that notion.]

Having a beautiful hand will serve you little in this arena, I think you'll find.

[Both because it implies someone may not have done much manual labor or fighting in their life... and because Hayame isn't about to stay her hand just on account of beauty. Now that the "greetings" are out of the way she begins to approach, the one eye she has left in her face (the hole where another had once been covered by leather patch) narrowing.]

Neither will flattery. Now that my keen eye has spotted you near to thieving, have you anything else to say?

[envoyoftwilight]

[Midna chortles softly. That's also true. The only one who benefits from her beauty is herself. Even back in the Twilight where it might have just been an undisputed fact that she was eye-catching, there was no real practical use for it. If anything, it might have been more akin to a curse.

She wears a smile, then. Perhaps she should be more ashamed. Midna's capable of such a feeling, after all, but not about this. Or maybe this smug demeanour of hers is just an impressive bravado. It can be so difficult to determine with her.]

Oh, my. You thought that was flattery? [Her smile grows as she continues.] You can't be blamed for that, given that you hardly know me. I like to make it considerably more apparently when flattery is involved in the picture.

But— [She lifts a hand and gestures dismissively. She's so dramatic. As if Midna speaks sometimes just to hear herself.] That's not what you asked me about, is it. The only thing I'm trying to do is the same thing as everyone else, and that is survive. I prefer to think of 'thievery,' in this instance, as a survival tactic. So since it seems I won't be pilfering you of unnecessary things, I'll be direct. If you have anything you feel you can endure without, I would like to take it off your... hands.

[Hooves. She almost says hooves. She's so tempted to.]

[warmare]

[So it wasn't flattery enough to be flattery from this woman. Fine. Now she knows. Not that she thinks she cares.]

If you wish to survive, you should learn survival tactics beyond "thievery".

[That, she is adamant about, stern and serious. Not that her expression has been anything but stern when interacting where Midna has seen her.]

If you want charity, you will not find it from me.

[She sees very little point in caring for or coddling the members of Meridian she views as less useful or enterprising in the fight for the Oracles. She never has, and she has said as much to many- which has endeared her to very few.]

The only thing I am willing to grant you in charity is showing you how to forage yourself with those pretty hands.

[- But would this woman put forward the effort?]