one last perimeter check

[siriusly]

Who: Spacetrain Impact (Childe, Diluc, Kaeya, Manabu)
What: a scouting trip, testing some waters!
When: early June
Where: from the Waystation to the edges of Trench's border

Content Warnings: monstery shit, perhaps!!


The timing may not get any better: With the sun back, the weather warming (well, most everywhere except Shiver), and the season stirring a coldblooded thirst for adventure, there's no way Manabu can just sit on his hands any longer. He sends out some messages, packs up his gear and, with Magnet striking out ahead of him, takes the nearest lantern to the Waystation to wait up for the others.

From there? A little further... They'll leave that...nasty, giant mass of...whatever unbothered. It's beyond the border Manabu's interested in exploring, but they gotta make sure it's safe to even get that far.

Still, one step forward is more than none!

Comments

WAYSTATION

[siriusly]

[meetin' up and vibing at the Waystation!]

[searingwing]

[His arrival is announced by a sense of someone watching. Forseti his jet black nightmare horse seems to appear out of the shadows with a hooded rider.

Once they get close Diluc pulls his hood back and exposes his bright red hair to those who might be waiting. He gets close enough and dismounts, putting a hand on his horse’s nose.] Let me get my gear then you can go eat.

[The horse tosses his head but there’s the air of something a little too pleased.]

[siriusly]

[Magnet perks up first and barks, prompting Manabu to finally peel his eyes away from the tree line.

he holds up a hand in hello, waiting for Diluc to gather things and mosey his way. Magnet will scamper over to investigate the horse in the meanwhile.]

You're first! [second, technically. but.] Did you bring horses for everybody?

[searingwing]

[Diluc nods and points back the way he came.] I did. They’re just inside the tree line. Forseti is the only nightmare but, horses from the town stable as just as good. Each is loaded with a small set of emergency supplies in case we get separated.

[He removes his pack and Forseti trots off in the other direction.] He’ll be back when I signal. …I’m glad we’re getting the chance to do this. I want to know what’s out here.

[siriusly]

Eh? Eh, really?? [Manabu double-blinks, looking out where the horse is off to, Magnet giving chase.

while rubbing the back of his head:] I was just kinda being funny... [animal-riding, huh...]

[searingwing]

For a venture like this, even using them as pack animals is a good idea. [Diluc says with a brief flicker of amusement in his eyes.] Don’t worry. You’re with a former and current Calvary Captain. We will help you adjust of you wish to ride.

[He lifts an arm and Dellingr appears, ruffling his leathery wings.] Other wise I’ll scout ahead from time to time while we proceed on foot.

[unmelting]

[Kaeya is not far behind -- having left his current ride back with the other horses -- and is shaking his head at his thoroughly dramatic partner. Diluc and the nightmare, like something out of a fairytale.

Like he's one to take, if the regal white peacock strutting behind him is any indication.]

It's been a while since we've taken on a proper expedition. It will be nice to shake off the rust.

[searingwing]

Yes, it would. This is what we are trained for and I can’t deny I feel a need to flex every bit of that training. [Diluc says as he offers his arm. For either man or peacock is hard to say.]

I always preferred the wilderness to cities. Remember how the other trainees were about camping? They didn’t even know how to do it.

[He smiles just a bit. More amused than mocking. They had spent summer after summer learning camping and the like.]

[unmelting]

[Rime is the one to take him up on the arm -- a quick flap of wings and the peacock alights on Diluc's shoulder and settles himself in, reaching up to preen at Diluc's hair in greeting.

Kaeya just laughs.] I remember. And everyone so surprised that young Master Ragnvindr of all people was so comfortable roughing it.

[They were good times, and Kaeya doesn't bother hiding the fond smile on his face for once. No sense trying to mask around Diluc; the other knows him too well, and has full access to his thoughts.]

[searingwing]

[He strokes his hand down Rime's back and thinks again of the saddles packed away in Forseti's saddle bags. He sets about unloading supplies from said horse.] They should have known better. We live outside the city.

We always have. [But he sobers a little.] I'll need your help drawing accurate maps. You were so helpful for Lumine when you sent her seeking your grandfather's treasure.

[There's a spark in his eyes. Yes, he not only heard about that but kept an eye on the situation.]

[monoceroscaeli]

[When the Harbinger arrives, he is bright and chipper and ready. He has his own pack on his back, with cookware and a fishing rod attached to it.]

Ah, I hope you've all come prepared. I can already smell the scent of monsters, lying in wait for us. How thrilling! I can barely contain my excitement.

[Of course, battle is the only thing on his mind- part of why he wanted to come in the first place.]

[siriusly]

[the 'oh yay another person's here' good vibe is immediately dampened by Childe...being Childe.

Magnet doesn't mind, and he'll bound over to greet and get pets.]

We're not here to start mowing monsters down, you know...we need to survey the area first, get a sense of what we'll be facing!

[monoceroscaeli]

[Look, it's his favorite dog, happily pawing his legs and thus receiving all the pats he'll ever want from Childe. He tells Magnet how good of a boy he is, before looking back up to smile at Manabu.]

Don't worry, I know how important it is to get an idea of what your enemy is capable of first. But after that, I'll be more than happy to clear the area of any pesky monsters that try to linger around too long.

[If one squints hard enough, Manabu might even see a glimmer of light in the dead eyes of the Harbinger.]

Perhaps they'll lead us to an even bigger den of foes to slay. But I shouldn't get my hopes up too far, should I?

[siriusly]

[exasperated:] Reel it way in, okay? At least until we get a full party together for the real trek! Anything we leave behind might leak out to people who weren't asking for it, you know?

[it's a notion that hadn't fully formed in his mind until chatting with Ryunosuke about it, but...they don't really know where the zealots hide, nor what other kind of people out there might want to hurt them upon discovery.]

[monoceroscaeli]

[It's true that he wouldn't want to get non-combatants involved with his fighting or any plans he has. But...]

Are you really going to keep me from the battle?

[Look at these eyes. They're the infamous puppy eyes that even the Traveler can't refuse. But do they work on everyone???]

How cruel, Manabu...slaying powerful foes is the most exciting part of adventuring. Finding treasure comes right after that.

[unmelting]

I've told you before you're a strange man, haven't I?

[It's a good natured question, spoken with a laugh as Kaeya approaches and claps a hand lightly on Childe's back as he passes.]

But good to see you in high spirits. Admittedly, I feel excited for the exploration myself.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Childe only laughs when called strange. He knows all too well he's a little different than most people.]

When was the last time you got to go out on an adventure anyway?

[He asks, shifting his pack on his back a little.]

I can't imagine you ever had much of a chance with the Knights. With your Grandmaster absent, I imagine the remnants of you are left to keep a tight watch over the city.

[unmelting]

It depends on what you count as an adventure. The duties of a knight extend beyond the city's borders, of course.

[But Childe is right. They've kept close to Mondstadt since Varka left, tightened their ranks while so much is afoot and their forces are divided.]

Still, you're not wrong. It's been a while. And this world... I'm very curious about it.

[monoceroscaeli]

Aren't we all.

[Childe would like to personally tear it all down himself, but that's an impossibility right now. But chances to learn more, he'll take it to try to reach that goal.

So he gives Kaeya a friendly smile, still looking excited to strike out and see what they could find.]

Unfortunately, I've been told to behave myself for this trip...so I may have to skip out on my favorite part of exploring. I'll want to hear some stories from the lot of you instead to keep me entertained.

[He wanted to fight monsters. :(]

PERIMETER

[siriusly]

[if i take one more step mr frodo it'll be the furthest from home i've ever been]

[unmelting]

[Each step they take, Kaeya wonders why it is they're all only making this trip just now. He's been in the city for half a year, the others even longer. But then again, he supposes that the City has kept them busy reacting and trying to keep their head above water. And then the winter...

He shudders. He doesn't want to remember some of the Winter. Better to focus on the now.]

I wonder if there's a range of our Omnis. Or our Omens for that matter. [Will they eventually wind up entirely out of contact with the rest of the City? ...is now the time to bring this up? No, no it is not, but it's never stopped Kaeya from talking before. Why start now.]

[siriusly]

[at that mention of omens, Magnet barks, a little indignant. Manabu hums thoughtfully, himself still on foot. look- him and horses? it's tricky. he's trying to avoid adding unpredictable elements.]

I was worried about the Omni range, yeah... Omens not so much. I mean-- they're part of us, right? So they go where we go?

[unmelting]

Good point. I doubt we'd lose the ability to call them, but I wonder if they can call into the network after a certain distance.

[No contact. Into the wilderness. Not that he's unused to that. There's no phones in Teyvat.

Though he's used to the monsters and threats in Mondstadt. Around here? Not so much. He adds, with a grin in Magnet's direction.] No offense intended of course. Rime wouldn't approve of my doubting his abilities either.

[siriusly]

Mn... I guess we'll find out, huh? I mean, it should be fine since we're still technically in the border, but... [he goes a little pink and looks elsewhere.] but I was going to call someone to check that anyway! So. Yeah.

[unmelting]

Good plan.

[But Kaeya's nosy enough, especially at seeing that bit of a blush,] Anyone in particular you're calling? Someone worried for your well being?

[Sorry, Manabu. He's too nosy for his own good.]