aterat | 001 🔖 Crystal Broadcast ~ The Gullwings Reborn

I’m glad you think so, I’ve always thought that it’s best to discuss possible joint endeavours face to face.

[He’s been very choosy when it comes to his teammates before now, his team was a very close-knit group. So the idea of joining another was... a nice potential for a little familiarity, but he did need to know what he was getting into, and if they would be a good fit. If not, he certainly wouldn’t mind passing information along to Yuna if she was as earnest as she seemed.]

A gathering of all the interested parties would be a good chance to see how the potential group might get along, some place public. Maybe a tavern or a food establishment.

I think so too.

We can meet there but I don't know if all the locations here are well known. There are colored rooms we've been given and each seems to have a common area. What if we meet there to start? That way everyone can find their way.

As long as it’s a public space, and the other inhabitants of the floor don’t take issue with it, I don’t see why not? The coloured buildings are all fairly close to each other, no one would have far to go.

[A pause followed that, before he continued to ask Yuna a slightly more specific question.]

What colour of building would you hold it in then?

[He presumes the one she lives in would be the place, and he doesn’t know which that would be. Caelan definitely didn’t recognize the voice from around his own building, so it couldn’t be the red one.]

Well, I am living in the Blue Building... [There is a brief pause before she continues.] So we can hold it there to start. You and I can meet there too. That way, if someone has questions they know where I live and can ask me there.

I don't mind.

[It'd be easier.]

[Easier in some ways, difficult in others.]

Blue building...?

[He had to pause for a beat, because of course she was in one of the odd coloured buildings. Similar to an actual seal, he had a very hard time telling blue and green apart. So he couldn’t even begin to guess which of the two buildings Yuna was actually in. He’d need to work around that...]

Alright, I’ll meet you at your building then. Perhaps you’d meet me outside? Wouldn’t want to waste time wandering around looking.

That's right.

[She thinks it'd be easy to find.]

Yeah, I can head there now if you'd like.

I won't be hard to spot.

[Yuna has a very particular style.]

[It would have been very easy if he were any less of an idiot and just admitted to the issue. Alas, he was silly that way.]

Fantastic, I have plenty of time to spare today, so I’ll head right over.

[Had plenty of time every day as it stood right now.

Caelan lowered the crystal, and hummed a little as he glanced out the window at the weather. Deciding the coat wasn’t necessary he made his way out of the red building and glanced between the two that had him so confounded.

He was pretty sure that even if he didn’t see her, he might just hear her first given her volume at the start of the conversation. Lucky for him, the green building had no one outside of it, while the blue building appeared to have a young woman waiting. Excellent. As long as that was Yuna, he knew which building was which.

Caelan was a tad shorter than the average fellow, his long hair done up with silver and black sea-glass hair pins to keep it out of his face for the time being, and his clothes were simple but elegant. A black waistcoat with silver buttons, pocket watch looped around into a pocket, his pressed white shirt closed at the neck with a brooch of the same design as the hair pins. Of course, his hands were still in their black gloves. They were for more than sneaking around.

Making his way over, he raised his voice lightly. It’s not a yell but it carries, melodic and light.]

Are you the lovely lady that I was just speaking with?

[Yuna stands out in a crowd. Not just because she's short and cute but because the front of her shirt is partially open, with a black insignia holding together the sturdy pieces of fabric and lace. She's wearing short-shorts but then a piece of purple and white fabric drapes off of one hip and an adventurers pouch rests on the other. Behind her is a pink hood and what looks like a small fraction of her hair; braided, wrapped and trailing down to her ankles.

When she turns towards Caelan she smiles, her mismatched eyes glittering with the warm light of the sun.]

Yes. I am Yuna.

It's nice to meet you in person.

[Her fingers lace behind her back as she falls into a comfortable stance.]

I admit, I like this much better than the crystals. They're convenient but it isn't really the same as talking in person, you know?

[Yuna is used to meeting new people and doesn't show any signs of awkwardness or worry. It's just another meeting. Though she is excited at the prospect of possibly meeting a new friend and Gullwing.]

[Yes, this was absolutely the woman he’d spoken to over the crystal. The voice matched, as did the energy behind it. Similarly, he’s quite used to meeting people and socializing. There’s an ease to his words and his form is relaxed as he drops into a sweeping bow in greeting. His movements were generally fluid, and a tad theatrical.]

It’s nice to meet you as well, Yuna. You can call me Caelan.

[He straightened a moment later, smile bright as he felt like he’d won something just by getting this far. It was a good day when you could spin a potentially awkward conversation into something better.]

I would agree, it’s much nicer to have actual company than to speak into a crystal for a whole conversation. We do live rather close anyway.

[Another interesting little thing he’d noticed upon checking out their expected living situations. Everyone who had been brought here from other worlds were kept in a very specific, contained little area. He wondered if that would ever change as it suited arrivals or if things would remain the same.]

You know, we could almost set up some formal meeting area or festivities in the front of the buildings? Given how they’re all positioned in a square, it could be useful if the weather is nice.

It's nice to meet you Caelan.

[He isn't what she'd expected but then... Yuna doesn't exactly know what to expect. There are so many people and so many different worlds. She can't imagine them but she thinks that some of them might be very different from Spira.

She has only spoken to Caelan briefly and his voice had been logical and kind. He appears to be open to learning about her idea and interested in making friends despite being forced to live in a strange new world.

So far, Yuna likes him.

She doesn't know if she can trust him or if he's able to handle himself in a fight but she is willing to give him the chance. They could be friends.]

I think that's a great idea.

[Her smile widens.]

I don't know who we'd talk to about setting up meeting area like that but I am sure we can figure it out.

[Yuna pauses thoughtfully and then decides its best to start with addressing any specific questions that he might be curious about; about her or the Gullwings.]

So, is there anything you want to ask me?

[He tapped his chin lightly with a gloved hand, glancing back the way he’d come at the space between all four buildings.]

You know, I don’t think I’ve seen even a glimpse of whoever is in charge of the housing area... If there is anyone that is. Perhaps the Aspects that greeted us when we arrived?

[Who knows, it was just another question for the pile now that he thought about it.

He moved on to the questions though,]

There are many things I’d like to ask you, the better question is where do I want to start with them? Perhaps I’ll start with this ‘Gullwings’ plan you’ve got and move on from there.

[There’s something a little more secure about discussing the plans in person than over the crystal as well, he doesn’t like not knowing who might be listening. Caelan doesn’t trust their hosts just yet...]

Do you have a particular direction in mind for exploring and learning more about this world? As I said, I’m a little more curious about what’s being kept under wraps within the walls for the moment, but I admit there’s some strange waters beyond them as well.

[Figuratively and literally he’d found after doing a little swimming.

He paused before adding,]

And what sort of skills do you value in a group?

[Yuna isn't sure but she doesn't see any harm in asking. There is likely someone in charge of the city... somewhere and the aspects are probably a good place to start. That or Roiman who seems to organize much of the city.]

Alright.

[She nods and waits to see if there is a specific part of the Gullwings that confuses him.]

I don't have a firm direction or plan in mind. I want everyone to have input in what we do and what they're comfortable with and what we find will probably change the plan. [As it has many times in the past.] I want to explore. A man named Jagger said that he isn't much of a fighter, so I was going to ask if he'd organize what we found. Maybe he can uncover clues looking at things that we can't.

I don't know about the city either. There are things I want to look at but these things can be dangerous.

I want to proceed with caution.

[At least until they know a little more.]

Any skills are fine. We need people who can do everything. Like I said, Jagger isn't much of a fighter. I usually go out and explore and I have the tools to do that. I won't make anyone do anything they don't want to do. We all have strengths that can help, you know?

[Caelan listens, his attention undivided as she explains and answers his questions. He likes the answers, of course, it’s sounding like a group in the proper sense of the word. Taking the other possible members into account, finding space for those who had skill sets other than fighting... Being careful and not jumping headfirst into the potentially dangerous situations.

It would be a good environment for him, if he thought he might fit in somewhere. It wasn’t as though he could go back to what he’d been doing prior to arriving.]

That I do, there isn’t a point to building a team if the entire group’s skills and ideas aren’t taken into consideration. And caution is never a bad thing, as my friends liked to remind me often enough.

[Jagger... Yes he’d met him already, down at the docks on his first day. From the small encounter, he found that he liked the way the guy thought, definitely a good mind to have on a time.]

I can fight if I have to, my friends made sure of that. Though I prefer to avoid direct confrontations if they’re unnecessary.

Yes. I sometimes jump into things without always thinking them through. It isn't on purpose but people need help and I can't stop myself. I think we all have something like that, you know? And that's why a team is important. Not just for me but for all of us, we need people who balance us and friends.

We'll all protect each other.

[She smiles as she explains more than he'd probably asked for. Yuna is a lot of things but she isn't good at hiding how deeply she cares for others. She also isn't a very good liar.]

If you'd like to join, could I ask you to be in charge of the exploration in the city? And if you need help, you can call on me. I don't think anyone will do just one thing but all work together to pursue what we think is best.

I can certainly understand that? It’s not a compulsion one can fight easily. I admit I’ve yet to do so, much to the chagrin of my own team at home. But they put up with it anyway, and they back me up in a similar fashion.

That’s what a team should be, at its heart. A group of like-minded individuals that can balance each other out.

[He responded with a softer smile. Now he’s a wee bit homesick, if only because to him the team was practically family. They were like a second pod to him, especially when work had taken him farther from the shores he grew up on.

The offer of course warms him up to the idea of joining a little more,]

Yeah? Well that would be a little more of my speed to start, I’m more at home exploring city settings than I am forests and fields. I’d offer to help with the seas but the docks are in a sorry state, a team might not have as much luck going that way.

[But the city would give him a chance to figure out a little more on how this place worked, and give him a feel for what people might join them. Then... Then maybe he might offer more, but until then Caelan would continue to be cautious about sharing his other abilities.]

[Yuna smiles, her mismatched eyes warming at the agreement.]

I think so too. My cousin was with me on the Gullwings but even if we hadn't been family, they were all close to me. I miss them but I know that they're doing okay, wherever they are now.

[Rikku and Paine, Brother, Buddy, Barkeep and Shinra: they will keep going and keep Spira safe until she gets back. Yuna can't help but feel a little homesick too but she's sure she'll see her world and her family again. This is her story and it's going to go how she wants it.]

It actually might be best if we both explore the city to start. If this is to be our home, for now, we should make sure it's safe for those who aren't used to fighting. [Yuna's grin tilts into a bit of a smirk as a silver burst of magical energy gathers in the palm of her hand. The magic shapes itself into the form of a gun before becoming solid, silver and metal.] And don't worry, I got your back. I always protect my friends.

[Because they were friends now, right?]

That’s the nice thing about working with capable people, you know they’ll be likely to still function well enough without you around, yeah?

[He’s hoping so, anyway. Caelan had been in the middle of a heist when he’d been scooped up and brought here, and hadn’t gotten to the meet point to see if everyone was all fine and accounted for. They probably were, but he disliked not having a chance to see everything through to that point.]

I’m glad you think so, I’ve heard and seen a few curious things since I arrived. I think it’d be sensible to start working out what might be going on in a few places, and to see what the boundaries for safety are for those who might go wandering around.

[Caelan’s eyes dart curiously to the light, a surprised smile spreading across his face at the display. Another human with magic, and quite interesting magic at that... Very useful magic considering her ambitions.]

Well isn’t that a particularly impressive talent, you’re definitely well-equipped for exploring, aren’t you?

[Well... He wouldn’t deny being friends, they’re at least well on their way to it. It just takes a little time for someone to properly earn his trust. Especially those who were human. Yuna seemed like an earnest sort of person, and fun. He liked that a lot, if they worked well together, and she proved to indeed have his back? Yes, they’d be good friends.]

I definitely look forward to the chance to work with such a capable sorceress!

I think so too.

[She's really excited to know that they're thinking along the same lines. It's nice to have like minded people around and Yuna already really liked Caelen.]

I am. I have explored all of Spira and I hope to explore all of this world too. You never know what you might find.

[Yuna's cheeks flushed.]

Well. Not a sorceress exactly but I have a few different types of magic. I first learned white magic, to heal, when I was growing up in the temple.

[If there was one thing that Caelan had been very interested in since arriving, it was the fact that many humans seemed to come from worlds where magic was more common to them. Even in his own, humans and magic were a rarer thing. Not entirely uncommon, but not just anyone had it. Those with it in their family were usually due to there being actual faerie folk in their bloodlines. Others were gifted by those with power, or had borrowed it from deals with those of the magical community.

So this was all a very new, every interesting experience. It also made it easier to pretend he didn’t know much about magic at all when dealing with magics he hadn’t come across before.]

Not a sorceress exactly...? Forgive me, what would that make you then? Your world sounds very interesting, Una. To know more than one kind of magic?

Or magic at all, I suppose.

[Her expression softens as she begins to speak about her home and Spira as a whole.]

There are people who can access the magic around them and shape it in various ways but my training was different. I was born with the talent, like my father before me, and I became a summoner. Summoners are practitioners of the dead and able to manipulate many types of magic.

The magic I use now is from one of ShinRa's inventions that allow me to do the same thing but instead of pulling it from my own life, I take it from this sphere.

[She pulls out the sphere-grid and shows Caelen the water magical orbs set into the metal machina that allows her to access the sphere's magic with ease.]

This was made just for me.

[Caelan listened with interest, this was all very different from magic as he knew it. Especially different from magic that humans could do in his world. In a way, it wasn’t a surprise. Different worlds likely meant different ways of magic and systems, but it was still fascinating.

His eyes ran over the sphere-grid with some obvious curiosity, he can get a light sense of the magic in it, the element in it. Like tended to call to like, even in other forms after all. It’s still very unfamiliar, so he looked up with a little hum.]

What a strange and interesting system...? [A pause, as there’s something nagging at his brain.] If this is to prevent you pulling magic from your own life, where does this magic come from then?

This comes from Spira.

[Her expression falls into a stoic pain as she recounts what she'd heard in the forest; in that spot that she'd held so dear to her heart.]

It grows.

But the magic has been weakened. Ever since the Faith were finally allowed to rest. Magic comes from life. I don't know how much longer my world will have magic. I am the final High Summoner and I will likely be the last to wield the summoners magic. The teachings aren't needed and machina have begun to replace traditional methods.

I’m sorry, that’s very sad for your world... I imagine that’s a difficult thing to come to terms with.

[Magic always needed some form of price, and a balance. The fae had certain obligations to make sure the balance remained, and not all of them were pleasant when the need came around. So many humans had very little idea of what was going on in their world, and what the balance did for them. Even some fae had been getting a touch complacent in recent years.

And so much in his world, of fae kind, relied on it to even exist. Were there creatures and beings of magic in Yuna’s land? Caelan would have liked to ask further, but... that could get to be rather telling. So he lets the matter rest, and focused instead on the other thing she’d said.]

Machina...? Like mechanical things, inventions? My world has been progressing a lot with such things in recent years.

[Yuna shakes her head.]

It's alright. I have fought for Spira and while it's sad... everything will fade in time. I will miss them... the people connected to the woods and I want to try and keep them alive but I'm only one person and the world has changed and grown, just as we do.

[Her smile becomes wistful but warm.]

Yes. They aren't common everywhere but they've gotten more common and cities have finally had the chance to rebuild. Everything is changing but... that's why I don't mind being here so much.

[If Yuna didn’t sound so sad about it, if she hadn’t admitted to wanting to do something for the people connected to ‘Spira,’ Caelan might have shifted in moods. He didn’t like hearing about situations like that, where worlds changed to the point entire peoples were lost. Nothing was forever, even for the fae, but there were some ends that were harder to swallow than others.]

This place is definitely a little more magical than mechanical from what I’ve seen, though I wonder if that has something to do with the need to bring people here to build things. Progress without those to generate it tends to stagnate.

[Not that he’s complaining. Caelan had found he fit in to the place rather well, inconvenience of being picked straight out of a job and finding himself away from his friends aside. Aside from the forges (too much ironwork), he felt comfortable enough roaming around.]

001 🔖 Crystal Broadcast ~ The Gullwings Reborn

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<3

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