aterat | Voice x2 [Open to All]

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Voice x2 [Open to All]

Hello? Hello. I think they can hear us. [There is a soft echo of ruffling and shifting as two voices come from the small phone. They vary in volume, getting louder and softer as they move the phone's mouthpiece.

One voice is sweet like warm honey, friendly and feminine while the other is melodic, like waves gently rising and falling but a touch deeper in its cool notes.]

... We should introduce ourselves, yeah?

Yeah. Right. We are your friendly neighborhood Gullwings! And we were investigating a possible danger here in the city. We need to find a star shaped key. But, it's a bit more complicated than just that.

[Yuna pauses and looks up at Caelan. Should they tell people more than that? They don't have too many answers and Yuna isn't sure if she can accurately explain how she is able to reach out to the spirits. Summoners don't seem to be common in this world.

Caelan gave her a look back, a nonverbal nudge that even if they didn't explain the but about spirits, they should say something more about their excursion. The sewers were definitely not for the novice adventurer.]

And we'd like to report that if you get it in your heads to go nosing around in the sewers, you should be properly equipped for defense. As the rumours suggested, there are all manner of strange, unpleasant things down there.

I'm working on a proper map now, and I'll have copies made when it's ready. Going to need to make another trip or two down though. You'll find them at the Gullwings office when they're done.

[He fell silent at that, glancing back at Yuna to see if she had anything to add. The specifics of their journey down were more her business than his, and he'd let her decide if anything further needed to be added on the subject.]

Right. We want everyone in the city to be safe. If you need an escort in the Sewer's, we will have someone at the Gullwing office who can help. It will likely be me or Caelan but Jagger is always there and knows how to reach us. Also... well... [She pauses and tries to figure out how to phrase what she wants to say.]

This key that we're looking for. I don't think finding it will be difficult but we have a choice to make and it isn't something I can decide for all of us. There is a terrible evil being held in the cemetery. It can be left there but I don't think that's right. It's controlling the spirits in the cemetery. As a summoner, it was my duty to lay spirits to rest. I can fight this thing, with help from my friends and cleanse the cemetery but it will be dangerous and one person won't be able to fight an army of spirits... that is, if these souls are truly being controlled.

I think we should help but we'll all need to work together to do it. I don't want anyone getting hurt.

That is all. Thank you.

[ooc: The purple text is Yuna and the blue text is Caelan. You will receive replies from both of them because they are standing together and holding the phone. We can do 3-way calls or indicate who you want to call individually and assume it is a personal call that happens an hour or so after the initial call is sent out.]

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Sounds like you're undertaking a pretty dangerous mission.

[That has him shake his head.]

So what is this key for, the cemetery itself?

That's right.

There is a doorway in the sewer that leads to the cemetery. I can sense the spirits on the other-side. The rest of the cemetery is warded. It looks like one of the Aspects had warded it to protect those in the city from the creature within.

I don't know everything but the key is star-shaped. Likely held by one of those in charge within the city.

I made sure to draw a likeness of the indentation it’s supposed to fit in if you need a visual reference.

Yuna’s right though, it’s probably being kept by someone they trust. Perhaps the guard fellow.

You can sense spirits..

[That has Steve shake his head again because it made him wonder about his parents and especially Peggy. But there was no time to get sentimental about all of that now. He could let it affect him later and try as he had, he couldn't get drunk. So he focused on what Yuna was saying instead.]

So you're looking to use the key to get in..but what if that creature comes out?

[Steve then grows both thoughtful quiet after hearing from Caelan though he draws a blank about who the guard could be.]

A visual would be a great idea. But we need to come up with a plan before even talk to anyone about gaining trust to turn over an important key.

[Unlike a certain person he knew who said once 'I have a plan - attack.']

That's right. [She confirms in a soft tone.]

Using the key will release the Litch that's currently held within the cemetery. If we fail, is isn't guaranteed that Athony will be able to seal it again and I haven't been able to speak to him directly since talking to the City Guard Captain.

That is why I wanted to ask those here. I am willing to risk myself and I will give all of myself to fight this this creature but other fiends could be released from the cemetery at the same time.

I want to make sure that the city remains safe is this happens.

[It’s probably a good thing that Steve can’t see them over the call, Caelan was giving Yuna a rather curious look at the idea of bothering with getting their trust to turn the key over. It wasn’t that he disagreed! It was best to play nice for as long as one could, and it would be easier if they just handed the key over willingly... But if the aspects and head of the guard gave them issues over this? The Selkie would offer to do what he did best, and steal it. If only because he’d promised to help Yuna do what she needed to do to help put the spirits within to rest.

Caelan was trying to be on his best behaviour though, and focused on the other topic. A plan.]

Ideally, if you’re going to break into a place like that, it’s best to have a group on the outside to help with containment. Which is where this broadcast comes in, we’re going to need bigger numbers than just two or three people to cover both the inside and outside.

[As it stood, Caelan could fight but more for defence than taking on monsters. Especially on land.]

There’s more than just what’s inside the cemetery to consider as it stands. Lots of nasty things call the sewers home to begin with.

This was something he'd never dealt with before - things like spirits. It made him almost regret not having his shield with him now but past was past and handing it over had been the right thing to do.

Yuna's words brought him to then think about this Captain Guard and what kind of person he was. Was he friendly or not? But thoughts then changed to hearing about the cemetery denizens that would definitely not be friendly at all. And he too had a feeling it was going to take more than just them to pull this off.

So he nodded. "Safety is important, especially your own."

He listened carefully to Caelan's words and agreed. "It's wise to have back up, especially if there's going to be things inside and outside of that cemetery that we're going to have to worry about." And he would totally agree with the man that it was best to play nice until that didn't work anymore, having been down that road himself. There was a small sigh as he wished he had some folks from home here with him, but he had to shake his head. This wasn't Wakanda but it could go awry.

"No one's likely to hand over a key knowing what the citizens here would face."

You don't know that and... well, for the moment this is our home too. So if they won't give us the key, we'll take it.

[She looks up at Caelan and flashes him a devious grin. Yuna is very sweet but she doesn't have the same respect for those in charge that most people do. They've always held secrets and have tried to protect or hide dangerous things that the people had a right to know about.]

But I'd like everyone to be safe and since you think the same, maybe you could help us get a group together to be our second line of defense. I'll go in first with Caelan backing me up. You can be top side at the cemetery with a few others.

I know that Vincent and Nida can also fight and we can ask others too.

[Caelan glanced at Yuna with a look of utter delight, he supposed he had done her a disservice by presuming that she wouldn’t be supportive of stealing the key. Now they had something more to talk about later...

For now, he voiced his agreement after spending more time listening to the conversation. Nida and Vincent seemed like sound options for approaching, even if he only knew one of them well enough to say so with certainty.]

I like your thinking, Yuna. Besides, if I know anything about powerful things being contained... It usually only works for so long, eventually something erodes enough and you get a flood you aren’t ready for. Best to take care of it now, and help those spirits find peace, rather than pretend there’s nothing wrong.

[He hummed a couple notes, the matter of growing their numbers was a tough one after all.]

If both of them are willing to help, that’s at least two more capable people. It might be worth seeing if they know anyone who might like to volunteer as well.

[A thought struck him then, something as important as having enough people to fight.]

Might also be worth a trip back to the historium to have another chat with the directory, see if it has any information on the thing we’ll be facing. If it has any weaknesses, or abilities that might complicate things.

[Can Nida resist a little ribbing of his absolute favorite neighbor? Nope. Literally can't. He had been tempted not to reach out, but come on, he's bored.]

Well well well, Bytheway. You putting yourself into danger in the sewers and risking the evening musical performances that you grace Siren and myself with? That's really not okay. Next time you're going out, let me know. I could use the exercise. Besides, I want to practice some spell work as well, and I haven't tapped you for waters for a bit.

[But he should probably address the other issue too, shouldn't he?]

This thing you're looking for, Miss Gullwing, you bothered looking up yet? I mean, rooftops and places like that. If you need some eyes for it, I'm probably your guy. Or Altair. Or maybe Vincent, he looks like he might be able to get himself into places that aren't traditionally accessed.

[Yuna frowns.]

It's Yuna. [She isn't a fan of titles or nicknames. Rikku can call her Yunie but that's because they're family.]

That isn't really the issue. The access is just here, below the sewers. I had tested around the cemetery with Vincent and then confirmed with the Orb in the library. This is the way in but if we take down the barrier around the cemetery then the spirits above can flood the city.

[Don’t mind the utterly cheeky expression that crossed his face as he took the phone for a moment, Yuna. Caelan couldn’t help it, Nida is one of the people who brought it out of him. His tone was just shy of a laugh as he spoke up.]

My sincerest apologies for my thoughtless behaviour, my friend. But I have to find something to fill my time with when you’re not climbing in my window! I am more than a magic fountain and an entertaining show, after all.

[Unlike Yuna and nicknames, he still has no issues with being called Bytheway. It’s amusing and he liked to be amused. Still, he just managed to reign in the silliness a bit.]

But yes, I’d appreciate a little assistance down there to finish off this map. We could use a good idea of how to get between all the exits, and what parts are safer for people to traverse... Especially if Yuna’s cemetery showdown gets complicated, and we need to get people off the streets. She’s going to be needed topside to put the group together till we find that key, so I’d rather not drag her back down there in the meantime.

[He gave his friend a little look, he knew she’d join him again in a heart beat... But to divide their efforts was probably smarter, especially where the group was small. Volunteers would make it easier.]

I’ve met Vincent, he seems like a good candidate if you both vouch for him too. Don’t know this Altair person though, but if you think he’d be keen to help we should talk to him? The key could be hidden anywhere, the more eyes the better.

Forgive me, Miss Yuna. I do have to agree, though. Flooding is bad.

[Ugh, undead spirits in the sewers. Nida hates the idea of that. Ghosts need to stay wherever they go after they pass, thanks.]

You're not wrong, Caelan. It's useful to work small teams, split the load. I would like to provide what assistance I can. If I'm good for anything, it's protecting people. Sort of raised to that line of work.

[He does sigh, though.]

Altair is not the most forthcoming. But he might be convinced. Though if you do not want me watching you so that you can keep serenading me, then please, I ask you both to let me help with the search. I'm getting a bit... bored. I don't do well with down hours. I think too much.

There was a sigh as Yuna seemed to not agree at first. But he was sort of used to that from back home too and everyone was allowed to have their opinion. Steve just thought in practical terms. If he was dead and wanting to rest, he'd probably be pretty upset to have that eternal rest disturbed.

But then she spoke of stealing the key. And Steve didn't know if anything they were saying to each other could be recorded so he hesitated about agreeing openly so he just laughed. However, the laugh was brief at hearing he'd be the second line of defense. Then again, there was a nod at the part about the cemetery though he had no idea who Nida or Vincent was.

So he remained quiet as Caelan spoke and once he was done, he shook his head. "Plans might be better made in person where it's more private."

How...curious. [ Well, this is definitely an interesting thing to find out about the cemetery. ] What do know of the evil being held inside?

I know that the lich inside is controlling and binding the dead to her.

[She glances over at Caelan to see if he has anything else to add to her summation.]

[Yuna looks between the phone and Caelan, her eyebrow rising curiously. She has questions for him which will likely come about after this phone conversation.]

You two are close? That will be helpful if you want to lend us aid Nida.

We need to find the key first. I believe that Anothy might have it or the way to access it.

That's true. Once I know who is interested in being involved, I'll host a meeting at the Gullwing office.

[She looks up at Caelan as if to confirm with him.]

That will probably be best. It'll give people time to get to know each other as well. [Which Caelan knows her opinion on. It's important to trust the people you were walking into combat with.]

How does that sound to you Steve?

That is very dark magic. It would mean that lich is quite powerful. [ A pause ] And quite dangerous.

Dark magic?

[Yuna frowns.]

What makes it dark? Is it because the souls are being used?

Dark magic is mainly offense. Often you use it at the risk of your soul being corrupted. [ A pause. ] White magic can heal and protect.

I see. I can use black magic but I think that's different.

What you call Dark Magic sounds like the summoners arts, except that I don't believe that they corrupt the soul. Soul's are corrupted with or without magic and power. It's someone with those abilities who define what their magic is used for.

I don't think that any magic is inherently evil. It all depends on how its used. This Lich traps spirits and uses them. I can use the same ability to release the spirits and help them rest.

More than likely there is a difference. Different worlds have different rules.

White and dark does not inherently mean good and evil. In my world they simply come from different sources. I wonder where this gets their power. [ A pause. ] How do you release spirits?

It's hard to explain.

I am able to manipulate them but I try to guide them by opening myself to them and leading them to a place where they will be able to rest.

Why?

The dead need guidance.

Filled with grief over their own death, they don't wish to face their fate and they resent those still alive. They envy the living and in time, that envy turns to anger, even hate. Should these souls remain, they become fiends that prey on the living.

That's how it is in Spira and that is why the Summoners perform the Sending.

Fiends? As in vengeful ghosts? Or are fiends something else in your world?

They are the spirits of those who are unsent but they are no longer ghosts. They become monsters that attack the living.

Ah, I see. Are all the monsters in your world spirits that became monsters because of that?

Not all.

There are many types of monsters.

[Including the people who lived in Spira.]

But that is most of them.

It must be difficult to know that some monsters you encounter may be people.

Yes but not as difficult as it once was.

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