Mission: Burying the Past in Zompania

[lucetimods]

Who: Anyone who volunteered
What: A very special mission that will bring you honor. Or maybe just traumatic memories. Whatever.
When: July 20th - July 24th
Where: Zompania, or what's left of it
Summary: Mission detailed here. There are graves to dig and buildings to raze, and plenty more for the volunteers to stay busy with.
Rating: PG-13 for probable mentions of gore and other sad things

Direct further questions here!

Comments

[endgames]

You're not.

[But I am. For bringing you out here.

Well, it's stupid to dwell on should haves and shouldn'ts. Soon as he's near to him Shikamaru drops a hand on Masaomi's shoulder, squeezing gently.]

You're upset. This isn't a war anymore; you don't have to bite it back.

[generalflirt]

[ He looks up at Shikamaru - only to see the wall of his helmet. The peripheral vision in them isn't bad, but you can't look over your shoulder. He stares at the wall, but then huffs as he tries to get back on his feet. ]

I can handle it.

[endgames]

I know you can. [His grip turns firm, pushing Masaomi back down.] So take a minute and orient yourself.

[He sounded like he was on the brink of a panic attack moments ago. Pushing yourself right away back into that is stupid; it's better to calm down first.]

[generalflirt]

Yeah. [ Inhale through the mouth, exhale through the nose. Inhale. Exhale. He isn't experiencing his first panic attack, and he knows the process to break past it. Even then, though, he didn't want to do it in this suit - this is making his breath feel hot and it's echoing a little bit in here. Ugh, ugh... ]

[endgames]

[There's unfortunately not much Shikamaru can do about that, though he puts together that it's no doubt a problem. For a moment he speculates on whether he could make a dome utilizing the magic Twila taught him; whether or not such a barrier could protect them from the dangers of the volatile Shifts sweeping the area.

If what Bil said about Shifts affecting Shifts is right it should work, but it also seems too risky to attempt over something like this...]

I wonder how immune animals are to Shifting.

[If he can't help one way, he can at least try the basic approach. Talking.]

[generalflirt]

Animals, huh...? Some people don't have their Pokémon in suits, so there must be less risk there.

[ Plus there's carrion birds, and he saw at least a squirrel or three out here. Some mice... ]

[endgames]

We haven't seen any animals suffering from weird effects. What's more, they're not usually impacted by the ones that happen in Luceti...

[Even the standard that brings anyone else back to life when they die. He won't bring that up for obvious reasons.]

Maybe they're an exception.

[generalflirt]

Animals also don't have extra wings. Maybe they're brought in like ... items or something.

[ You know, like inanimate objects... that's a weird idea ]

[endgames]

The ones born here are like that too.

[generalflirt]

The parents didn't have wings either though. It's just a theory, but then, Linda doesn't have wings.

[ This is somehow much easier to talk about - something way out of his depth like this. He licks his lips, as he breaks into a better... breathing pattern. ]

[endgames]

[That was the idea. He hums. Masaomi sounds like he's beginning to do better now; that's good.]

Even species that have to be native to this world don't have them. Like Shift Hunters. Wonder what sets them apart...

[generalflirt]

Y-yeah... wonder if those are natural, or if they just got invented by someone.

[ Okay. Okay. He grips his knees hard and makes to stand properly. He can do this ]

[endgames]

[Shikamaru rises with him, offering a hand this time to help him if he needs it/wants it.]

[generalflirt]

[ ... Fine, then he'll take it. He doesn't need it to get up, but he's going to take this to hold his hand. There we go. ]

[endgames]

[Shikamaru pats him on the shoulder when they're both upright, in a gesture that's meant to be comforting but seems to second-guess itself halfway through the motion. He still tries anyways.]

We're almost done here. It'll only take a few minutes to finish what I can carry. I'll talk to the Malnosso and have them send someone back for the rest.

[generalflirt]

We should put a marker here to help them find it then.

[ Or something ... ]

[endgames]

I'll mark the trees on the way back, so they can follow our path. I'm sure their tech-heads can figure it out.

[They'll want to send someone out to look at the altar, if their reaction to the ones in the city were anything to go by. Shikamaru makes to break away now, to wrap things up.]

[generalflirt]

Right, that makes sense. [ Should they make a marker here? Should they...? No, the markings on the trees are probably legit. He nods. He doesn't feel that useful here, but oh well.. ]

[endgames]

[Honestly, Jean probably had a point when he said if they found anyone this far out, it'd be better to bury them where they lie. It's what he'll suggest to the Malnosso. Hell, there's probably even more where these guys came from, between other battle sites and animals dragging people off.

He doesn't say any of this out loud, though. Just suppresses a shudder as he passes by the altar, and picks two more soldiers at random to seal up.]

That should do it. Let's head back.

[generalflirt]

Yeah... let's do it.

[ He swallows. He feels totally useless here. But... no, no, don't think about that - he's doing what they were here to do, and he assisted. Right? Yeah... ]