[Open] Hit the Ground Running

[tantailizing]

🧙 WHO: Zidane and anyone who wants in!
⚔️️ WHAT: New arrival and open log for the month!
🕒 WHEN: Whenever arrivals get dropped in and forward
🗺️ WHERE: Red Spring, CameCon, Brocéliande and beyooond
⚠️ WARNINGS: Nooo? ... No... will update if needed.


[I. The Red Spring - Training Grounds]

[His world had magic so figuring it out wasn't difficult, but the application was different and limited. Or maybe he was out of practice? Quickly figuring out it had nothing to do with elemental or healing, it seemed physical again. Honestly, fine with him.]

[At the training grounds, he had one ability down already: speeding up. If he knew what else could be done with it, he would probably try it out, but instead, others might see him running the obstacle course, taking a break after completing it, and then repeating, steadily increasing his speed. However, he's still new, and it's evident he's exhausting himself at some point. His familiar - a moogle - tugged his tail to stop him with a 'kupo!', but he stood up, waved it off, and took to the course again.]

[Maybe intervene?]


[II. It Figures... Flood/Blackout]

[Only coming to the CameCon out of curiosity, he's only semi-surprised when the flood began? Like, it happened at the hot springs and spoiled that so why not spoil another event?]

[Helping people who wanted out of the water was all fine and dandy if ridiculous. The water wouldn't damage everything they bought that bad; living was more important than losing that apparent limited edition pillow. And then, of course the lights had to go out.]

... Alright, unless anyone's got a candle on them or the right magic, I'm gonna need some dry table cloth and a chair leg!

[He'd find it himself, but rattling tables and chairs with his magic might not help keep panic down.]


[III. Keep Your Vines to Yourself]

[Zidane's really in this forest due to the reports of missing people since he'd rather not be here. It reminded him plenty of another stint in a forest that he'd rather not repeat, and not without the medicine to counteract things going south.]

[Fortunately, the vines were friendly - unfortunately, too friendly.]

[Not that he doesn't manage to slink his way from plenty attempts to grab him, but he knew he lost some fur. Of course, he's lucky; other people that came into the woods? Maybe not so much and he's listening out for anyone who might find themselves in a predicament.]


[IV. Selfies with Selkies]

So... you wanna try talking to him, or should I go?

[Holding his basket in his tail, Zidane raised his arms behind his head and tilted his head. He's not human, but who between the two of them would be better? The Selkie looked like a cool enough guy, but Zidane's also not here to listen to another guy attempt to flirt should his companion be a woman.]

[The Cereus de Anima was kind of a pressing matter they should deal with sooner rather than later.]


[V. Wildcard]

[OOC: Putting this option here as a more general exploration of Camelot without making a sixth prompt so he can be encountered in various locations about the City. Look, he's very good at getting into places and curious enough right now. If you wanna plot in more details, hit me up at plurk: demidemonLove. Also, if you'd rather some prompts on his TDM, that's still available here and open to being carried over!]

Comments

[tantailizing]

I'm guessing there was a falling out over all this happening? Sheesh, make our jobs harder....

[But he says that with a casual shrug.]

That's true. And we all wouldn't be in Camelot still. Well, good news, I'm always up for some exploration! And if these kingdoms wanna throw more trials our way, sure, why not?

[inemeraldfaith]

I'm not sure if this is something that happened before we started arriving here or if Camelot just hadn't bothered being in touch with the other kingdoms before. That's a good question too. As much as I want to say I have all of the answers, there's a lot I'm still trying to figure out.

[His reaction, however, coupled with what appears to be some kind of reassurance, is warming to hear.]

Sounds like you'll be able to face anything that comes our way. We should try bottling some of that to pass around. I don't think everyone's quite as ready for that.

[tantailizing]

Awe, don't worry about it. I'm asking you all these things, but you're not from this world either. We'll just add it to the list of 'things to figure out'!

[He chuckles.]

I don't know about bottling it, but you can point me in people's direction! Let's see if we can get them going!

[inemeraldfaith]

I doubt you'll need me to point you anywhere. Most of the people I've met here are pretty easy-going, but you'll know when you find someone who isn't. I've found there are some people who are very loud about what they think of things here.

[And some people would rather complain for the sake of complaining instead of trying to do anything to improve things for themselves. Aerith can't go around saving everyone and she knows better than to try, but it doesn't stop her from at least putting in the attempts. Even when she's met with an outright hostility.]

Either way, I don't think you'll have a problem here at all. And if you ever want someone to show you around, I'd be happy to.

[tantailizing]

Yeah, that sounds about right. Some folks just gotta air their grievances.

[He has overheard that happening before... and then some, but that's besides the point. Still, coming to a new world and being a stick-in-the-mud? Boo...]

I'd appreciate it! Almost forgot, my name's Zidane.

[inemeraldfaith]

Couldn't stop them if you tried.

[She replies with a grin. Then she gestures to herself.]

Aerith. It's nice to meet you. Thanks for letting me spy on your training and interrupt you.

[Although she's going to guess that he probably didn't really mind.]

[tantailizing]

... I mean, I'm gonna.

[Even if it's for a few days, that's victory.]

No problem. Feel free to spy on me more... if we get to talk again after.

[Not at all~]

[inemeraldfaith]

Is that your way of asking me to stay around and watch you?

[She thumbs at her chin thoughtfully with an amused smile.] I didn't have anything better to do, so I can stick around and watch you train. If something happens— [Like if he gets hurt...] —then I can help you out.

[tantailizing]

Maybe it is~

[He wouldn't mind the company of someone besides his moogle. When she agrees, he's beaming.] Sure, but you'll see. I'll be fine.

[It not like there will be a jump cut to later where he finally crashes into an obstacle. That would be ridiculous.]

I've made you wait forever, but I love Zidane.

[inemeraldfaith]

Now, is that confidence because you're absolutely certain or are you trying to reassure me?

[Aerith seems to be teasing, though she removes herself from any potential crossfire just in case something does go catastrophically wrong. She hardly knows him, but she gets this impression that he's a bit reckless and those kinds of people are the sorts who do tend to get themselves into trouble.]

I feel like you're probably an expert at getting yourself out of jams. Not sure why I'm getting that impression, but it's just a feeling I've got.

[tantailizing]

Hmm... can't it be both?

[He grins, going along with the teasing still. What? It's fun! Thooough good idea she moved. She's not wrong about that recklessness...]

Honestly, you could probably say that about a number of people where I'm from. Adventuring is a popular occupation.

[inemeraldfaith]

It can definitely be both.

[Aerith finds a safe place to lean, positively tickled pink by the idea of adventure. It's something she hasn't gotten to do much of herself for reasons that are obvious to her.]

I always wanted to do a bit of that. I guess being here is an adventure, though. Is that what you did as a profession back home?

[tantailizing]

Hehe, good!

[He'll do a few stretches to get ready to start going again.]

Nah, I'm part of a traveling theater troupe.

[inemeraldfaith]

A—

[Really? She wouldn't have pegged him for that at all. Well, maybe a little with the way he carries himself. It takes a certain kind of charisma to play a role, after all.]

You're an actor?

[She tries to think if Midgar's ever really had anything like theatrical pieces. She can't seem to recall any off the top of her head, though. The misadventure at the Honeybee was akin to it, but...

Just not the same.]

I don't think I've met one before. So you travel and perform? That sounds like being an adventurer to me.

[tantailizing]

Surprised?

[Don’t mind him posturing a little. Doesn’t he have that look? That magnetic stage presence? Then again, he’s best in action roles than anything lead…]

Well, traveling is normally done by airship. If we have to go on foot, we’re ready to deal with monsters.

[inemeraldfaith]

I am! [He looks proud of himself. It takes a moment of his pride before she laughs.] I've never actually met an actor before, so I don't know how they should act, but given how you carry yourself, I thought you might be a mercenary. But to be fair, it's not like I know a whole bunch of those either and of the ones I do know, they're kind of all over the place.

[Although Zack wasn't really a mercenary, she supposes. Zidane acts a little more like him than someone like Cloud, though.]

It sounds to me like you know a little bit about everything. Acting. Combat. How to make people laugh.

[tantailizing]

We act differently on stage and off... well, unless your name is Lowell...

[That jackass...]

I look like a mercenary? Hehe, they must be pretty cool where you are... well, until they actually have to work. Don't get me wrong, it's another occupation, but sometimes the job, eh, no thanks.

[He grins wide.]

Between shows, we have downtime. The Boss thinks it's important we know a little of everything. Also, if we stay idle, we miiight get into a little trouble.

[inemeraldfaith]

I'm not sure I'd say you look like one, because I think there isn't any one way for a mercenary to look. But adventure and actor aren't normally things I'd expect to hear coming from the same person. Again, though, I've never met an actor, and definitely not a travelling one.

[She thumbs at her chin before she continues.] Most of the people I knew back home couldn't exactly afford to do much adventuring. I'm sure a lot of them wanted to leave home, but therein is the issue. To them it was home. I always wanted to go adventuring, though.

[tantailizing]

Hehe, that's true. Aren't a lot of theater troupes that travel like mine. Most people just come to Lindblum to see the performances in the Theater District.

[But if one paid enough, usually...]

That makes sense. If it's inconvenient to try adventuring, it's better to stay home. But, if you got the will, you outta try.

[inemeraldfaith]

I think I'm inclined to agree with you.

[Aerith's circumstances back home have made it somewhat improbable for her to go adventuring. All things considered, however, she can't very well talk about that. And she wouldn't, even if she felt like she could.]

I like to think I'm making up for that adventuring while I'm here. Camelot is pretty different from what I'm used to, so I feel like every day is a little exciting. But that might be a bit of an optimistic view. Plenty of people here want to just go home and I can't fault them for it.

[tantailizing]

Yeah, I can't blame them either, but I think people could stand to enjoy being somewhere new once in a while. We'll all be home soon enough and they might not get an experience like this again.

[Seriously, it'll be a waste...!]

Besides, it'll be a fun story to tell when they go back.

[inemeraldfaith]

Well, we don't know that for sure, right?

[Thumb poised at her chin, she raises an eyebrow thoughtfully.] To my understanding, we're here until we've learned enough on... magic? I think that's how it goes. We're supposed to use what we learn on magic here to make our way back home. There's not really a timeline available for that. Everyone's going to learn magic at their own rate, so maybe some of us will go home before others.

[Aerith shakes her head before she continues.] I don't know how to measure that. Somehow I don't think everyone views this as a 'fun story.'

[tantailizing]

There might not be a timeline, but as far as things go, you usually find things over as soon as they started. And if you're right, some of us might be gone before others so you better make some friends while you can!

[He shrugs.] Eh, probably not. I'm sure some people were in the middle of something dire and again, they'll be back at it soon. Still, the worlds need to be saved here in order for any of that to happen. And with so many of us, now's not the time to be doing things solo.

[inemeraldfaith]

I agree with you. On much of that.

[But just because she agrees doesn't mean that it's easy for anyone not accustomed to this whole 'friend' thing to just jump on board. Yes, of course they can say 'do or die,' but that's not really the approach she wants to take. Aerith is known to push a little, but...]

Let's do our best to inspire those around us to join the cause, hm? I think between you and me, we can probably tackle just about everyone here. Us personable types have to stick together, after all.

[tantailizing]

[Oh they'll learn... they'll learn...]

Yeah! We'll make it work! And if it doesn't, time for another plan. It'll work out somehow.