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

[monoceroscaeli]

[Don't leave him out, now. He trots up on his own horse right after Diluc, next to Manabu.]

It's as good of a plan as any. [Especially if there is danger later.] I'll leave a trail of elemental energy from there so we can find our way back easily. Perhaps our Mondstadt friends can do the same with any other paths we may come across.

[Note to self- later that night, inquire more about what Kaeya and Manabu were talking about.]

[siriusly]

[GREAT now Manabu's boxed in by horses and dudes. he shrinks a little before realizing he's doing it and forces himself to straighten up, marching a little more purposefully.]

If that sticks around without getting eaten up or washed out...then yeah, that's a good plan. I'm not an artist, but I know we'll need to draw a map or--

[he's cut off by a low, but very present rumble coming from the trees near them - one potent enough to spook the horses.]

[unmelting]

Certain plans?

[Sorry everyone. Doesn't matter if there are monsters. Kaeya is still fixed on that. Diluc will probably feel Kaeya's attention start going straight to their mental connection until, well, he realizes he should pay attention to what they're onto now.]

That's an inspired idea. [He nods at Childe. They can do that, and if they organize it right, it could help them work out a way to map the place in addition to a hasty retreat if they need it.]

Oh. What's that? [His hand drops to his sword and his eyes sweep over the area even as he reaches up to calm the horse he's been leading by the reins while he harassed chatted with Manabu.] I'm not sure that sounds like a very warm welcome.

[monoceroscaeli]

[His horse does a frightened dance at the noise, and he does his best to calm it down before it gets too spooked. Childe, however, feels like he's getting his wish- a monster to fight, or something of the sort.]

Well, I welcome it, [he says, his eyes somehow managing to shine despite how the light has been snuffed from them.] I was wondering when things were going to get exciting around here...

[His polearm appears in his hands, ready to take on anything that might bound out of trees. Please, be a monster...]

[searingwing]

[Diluc’s claymore appears as he settles into the tried and true stance of a Calvary fighter waiting for the charge. Forseti bears his father sharp teeth in a sneer.]

When indeed. I’ll take the left side. [Whatever it makes the rumbling sound again and long vines as thick as tree trunks spiral out of a gap between the trees. A large blood shot eye opens wide and rows of bone and wooden teeth frame the darkness.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu unclips his saber while trying to keep horse reins in his hands - not that easy when the animals are more cognizant of something bad pressing along the treeline.]

O-one of you needs to handle these things, though! [the horses. 'cause he's not!] We don't know if whatever's out there wants us or horse for dinner. [or both!!]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Dismounting from his horse, he walks a straight line towards where he can see the eye- oh, this is a new one, and it looks like it'll be fun.]

Diluc, are these horses trained to come back to their riders if they run?

[Because that would solve Manabu's issue if they are. Childe's eyes are wild with bloodlust now, and he'll fight this thing all by himself if allowed.]

[searingwing]

Yes, they are. And if they tried to run too far Forseti will go after them.

[Forseti snorts, pawing at the ground. Diluc leans forward rather calmly but they seem United in purpose. The vines wind their way through the trees possibly to pull the main body along through the trees.

Maybe this was one a person. It is difficult to say. Nothing human is left. Diluc drags his hand over the claymore. Ice begins to spread over it like a curtain being drawn.]

[unmelting]

[Kaeya releases his grip on the reins and draws his own sword as well, stepping forward. He looks around at the other three. Well, they're ready if nothing else. Some of them downright eager.]

Only one? I feel a little like we're ganging up on it.

[Kaeya clucks his tongue. Poor sportsmanship, clearly. Of course, by opening his mouth, he's thoroughly jinxing them, and some large, hulking shape shambles its way out of the tree line shortly thereafter.]

Never mind! [He chirps happily.]

[searingwing]

I told you that your quips would get you in trouble one day. [Diluc remarks with that frosty tone he has told drunks to get out of his tavern. There's affection laced in it at least. He sighs.

He slips from Forseti's back and lands, light on his feet but he moves like a tiger on the prowl. He pivots to get a look at both of their attackers. He shifts his grip to only one hand on the hilt of his sword as Dellingr pours into the blade.

The blade turns dark like a stormy sky.]

[siriusly]

[everyone's just...letting the horses go do their thing, huh? well, fine. out of sight, out of mind: Manabu follows suit, but doesn't make his move to advance forward - instead opting to start walking around to another angle, little omen in tow. he gets a few steps around before the tree line is broken by a mass of vine-like tendrils, seething mouths, and way, way too many eyes.

gross.]

I don't think anyone's going to get the drop on it! [on account of all the eyes.

while hustling to take point on the opposite side of his comrades:] Burst it down!

[monoceroscaeli]

You don't need to tell me twice, [replies the Harbinger, thirsty for battle, to cut it down tendril by tendril. It sounded fun. It would be fun.]

I wonder how many eyes I can put out before you all get to it?

[His bow appears in his hand, and he begins to fire off a relentless amount of arrows aimed right the multiple eyes of the target, putting himself front and center for its ire.

He laughs like a madman, enjoying every hit he scores.]

[unmelting]

[Kaeya just laughs.] It's happened before, it'll happen again.

[His mouth will always be his biggest problem, but oh well. He's good at getting out of trouble with it too. Words won't work here though and as he starts to nod in agreement to Manabu, well, there goes Childe.]

Right right, just mind that you keep your aim on the creature!

[Since Kaeya has comparatively sad ranged abilities, he will be making his way into melee range, summoning up the magic in his blood to wreathe his sword in flame, seeing if he can't take care of some of those disturbing looking vines.]