(no subject)

[malik_caesar]

Who: Malik and Vatheon
Where: The Plaza
When: Thursday, August 23rd, Late Evening,
Style: Whichever you prefer
Status: Open

What the…

[ Malik was used to teleportation, he was even used to traveling through aquatic bubbles and landing on new planets, but this was something new. He had stepped into the teleporter to head to the Amarcian Enclave and ended up here, he clearly remembered that part.]

[He blinked. He certainly didn’t remember the giant coral thing standing right in front of him. Or being soaking wet?]

[ Did I get completely drunk and blackout? No, that wasn’t it either. No hangover. His hand goes to check for his mythril bladerang. That was still there. He relaxes a little and folds his arms across his damp chest while taking in the surroundings. A few drops of water fall from his goatee and onto his arms.]

[ Besides the enormous glowing coral, and… he finishes looking up… being under an ocean it seems somewhat normal. He was in some kind of plaza. Was that a sign for a welcome center? With hearts on it? ]

Huh.

[Wherever he was, it didn’t seem too dangerous.]

Comments

[zelda_hylia]

[Zelda had been on the way home from the committee for the night when she sees another dripping wet person standing there in the plaza. Grabbing a towel, she walks up to him with a smile.]

You just arrived here, I take it?

[malik_caesar]

Yes, although I don't actually remember getting here. I must be in the wrong place.

[Her easy approach and smile causes him to ease a bit more and his arms slowly unfold from his chest and move to his sides.]

[zelda_hylia]

I'm afraid this place has drawn you in, sir. None of us are here by choice. Would you like to come inside? I can explain things in more detail.

[Zelda gestures back towards the Welcoming Committee. The cutesy sign doesn't really suit her, but she's never bothered changing it. It's nonthreatening, so why bother?]

[malik_caesar]

Does that mean it's some kind of prison?

[ He extends his own arm towards the building to indicate his agreement and silently say 'ladies first'.]

[zelda_hylia]

In some ways, I'm afraid it is.

[She heads in, picking up one of the brochures and holding it out to Malik.]

This has most of the basic information about Vatheon in it. Why don't you give it a quick look? I'll make some tea. Please, feel free to sit down.

[There's a table and chairs nearby, and what looks like a small kitchen in the back. There's also a bathroom with a shower off to the side in case people feel the need to rinse off all that saltwater.]

[malik_caesar]

Thank you.

[ He switches the hand he's holding the towel in and takes the brochure. As the woman walks away to make tea, her answer causes a quick flurry of thoughts.]

[ In some ways it is? Meaning that it is? I suppose in some ways I deserve to be in one. It's a bit strange though. An ominous thought flashes through his mind. Am I dead? A rather pleasant one then follows. Maybe I can finally meet Lorelia.]

[He dries himself as best he can, focusing on his rear first, and then sits down. He opens the brochure and begins to read it while alternately drying his face and hair.]

[ The news is comforting. He's not dead. And what's this about time? Maybe Lorelia could be here.]

[zelda_hylia]

[The princess returns a few minutes later with a tray. She sets it down in the middle of the table and pours out some tea for Malik, placing it in front of him. It smells like it might be some sort of calming blend - chamomile, maybe.]

How do you take your tea? We have milk and sugar.

[He seems calm enough, but she knows it's an overwhelming amount of information. If he has more questions, he can ask on his own time.]

Irished up woman!

[malik_caesar]

[He sets the towel down and tries to smooth back his hair. It still sticks out in some odd directions.]

I don't suppose you have anything stronger?

[He sets the brochure to the side as well and straightens his facial hair.]

Wow, she is a *lady*, she doesn't have anything like that.

[zelda_hylia]

I'm afraid not. It didn't seem prudent to me to mix alcohol in with an already confusing situation. There are bars here in Vatheon, though. My friend has one inside his... establishment. You're free to visit.

[Ugh. Zelos is the most embarrassing roommate. Running a Host Club. Seriously.]

You can get cleaned up here first if you like. We have a shower, and I can take care of your clothing.

[lucentpalisade]

[ Sophie was often out at odd hours - she felt so restless lately, she just couldn't stay put, and the bubble of Vatheon was relatively safe. There was something a new scent amongst the usual scents of Vatheon tonight though. A familiar musk. ]

Captain?

[ Scanning scanning - AHA!! Sophie is trotting your way Malik, happy! ]

[malik_caesar]

[He had just stepped out of the welcome center and was looking at his brochure map for where he might spend the night when he hears a familiar voice. He looks up and sees an approaching Sophie.]

Sophie?!

[He had seen her on the list of course, but seeing her in person is a different matter. He quickly stuffs his map in his pocket and heads towards her, grinning widely.]

[lucentpalisade]

[ This is awesome, she usually went to the coral at least once a week to ask it to send their friends - and though it was a coincidence that they show up, she was convinced it was because she asked nicely. But the girl was very pleased to see Malik all the same. ]

You're here. We've been waiting, Captain. You're late. [ ... like it's his fault to be one of the last to show up. Sheesh. ]

Asbel is here too, and so is Cheria, and Hubert, and Pascal. [ All things he already knew, but she didn't know that. ]

[malik_caesar]

[He pats Sophie on the head and musses her hair a little. In the process a few bits of salt fall off his arm and add a bit of flavoring.]

Sorry about that Sophie. I didn't mean to keep you waiting but I wasn't aware that I was missing!

Sounds like almost everyone made it here before me. Have you all been doing well?

[lucentpalisade]

[ It's a familiar gesture, comforting in its way. ]

We're all okay. Asbel will be happy to see you. [ A thoughtful pause. ]

Pascal was here first, then Cheria and I - then Hubert. Asbel was late too. You want to go see them, right?

[malik_caesar]

That's good to hear. [He looks down at her.]

I would like to see everyone but isn't it late?

[lucentpalisade]

They won't mind. [ Well - they MIGHT. But Sophie doesn't think they will! And well, if he insists he wants to wait, she'll just hang out with him until morning instead! ]

Cheria found us a house. [ A pause, because naturally Malik will stay with them too. But uh - they're going to have to find a bigger one since all the rooms are taken up. ]

[malik_caesar]

Are you sure? [He pauses a moment considering it.]

I suppose it's not that late. [And even if it is, he enjoys the thought of dropping in on everyone unexpectedly.]

Lead the way.

[dreamchasing]

[ She had only gone into town for a few things, really. New arrivals were coming in, and while she was curious, her mind had obviously been elsewhere ...

... but lo and behold, as she made her way toward one of the shops in the plaza, she saw him. Captain Malik Caesar.

This was ... a pleasant surprise, to say the least! Asbel would be happy, too. She smiles, making her way over to him. ]

Captain Malik? It's really you, isn't it?

[malik_caesar]

Cheria! This is a pleasant surprise. [His large smile would seem to back that statement up.]

Yes it's me, who else would it be? It's good to see you.

[dreamchasing]

[ Yes, quite pleasant! It's always good to be among people you know. ]

I'm sorry, this place can just be so strange sometimes ...

[ Sometimes she has to wonder if this is one huge dream that keeps getting weirder. ]

I'm glad to see you, too!

[ Oh, but he's soaking wet ... she laughs a little, apologetically, then gestures for him to follow her. ]

Come on, we'd better get you a towel and some dry clothing ... we can get those for you over here. I'll explain what I know about this place in the meantime.

[malik_caesar]

[He follows her while continuing to look around at the new surroundings.]

What exactly is this place? I'm fairly certain I didn't intend to end up here.

[A very brief pause.]

And why is that you're here?

[dreamchasing]

To be fair, I don't think anyone really expects to end up here ...

[ Vatheon is the inquisition, didn't you know. ]

This place is known as Vatheon. It's ... a little hard to believe, but we are actually a city in a bubble under the sea.

[ She makes a face, then looks up toward the captain. ]

... Then again, we have seen some pretty unbelievable things ourselves, haven't we?

In any case, Vatheon tends to pull a lot of people into the city, from different worlds, and different timelines in those worlds, even.

[ She fidgets a little as she mentioned timelines. She had to wonder, considering how everyone in the group was so scattered timeline-wise ... where did Captain Malik fall along the timeline? ]

I've heard a few explanations as to why we're pulled here, but nobody really knows for sure how or why it happens, only that it does.

[malik_caesar]

[We live on a planet with an atmosphere that is surrounded by a suspended ocean. This isn't so bad - except for the inquisition part, random and infinitely long kidnappings, curses, and... okay. Maybe it's a little bad.]

We have seen quite a few things that I never thought were possible. After all that, it's hard to be too surprised about something like this.

Altering time, though. That's new.

[He notices her unease.]

Is something on your mind?

sorry, work has left me without a brain for the zombies to feast upon :D;

[dreamchasing]

[ It's mostly harmless! .... mostly. Except when harmful things happen. ]

I ... um.

[ Wow, this was hard to ask. ]

What is the last thing you remember from back in our own world? I come from Sophie, Asbel, and Pascal's future ... but Hubert is a little farther than I am, according to him.

[ Yes, awkward time shenanigans. ]

So.. you're safe from Z-Day - LUCKY! Also don't worry about it, I take solace in GW2

[malik_caesar]

[He quietly looks at her while he thinks a little before answering; sizing up her question and his answer. How would she react? What exactly did she know?]

Well, from my time everything is going along nicely. Lambda is no longer a problem, little Queen isn't trying to destroy all humans, and I'm an ambassador for Fendel. These days I'm not really fighting as much as I'm working to improve my country and our relations with Strahta and Windor.

I'd like to think I've really changed the Chancellor's mind. The citizens of Fendel have warm water and are beginning to prosper. I'd say our people and our diplomatic relations haven't been this good in decades.

[He gives her the big picture, mostly focusing on himself and what he's been doing. If she wanted more specific details, like those about herself or the others, she would have to ask.]

If you're asking what the very last thing I remember was, it was stepping into the teleporter for the Amarcian enclave.