enchanted forest . mingle

[misconceived]

WHO Forest planet occupants!
BROADCAST N/A
ACTION Enchanted Forest / Spa Time
WHEN Upon reaching the system (Jan. 4) to leaving it (Jan. 31)

[ It's another day, another planet for the Drift Fleet to explore. Whether it be relaxing in the landing field, checking out the spa (and subsequently getting urged to enter the woods), or taking on the Enchanted Forest's game, there's enough to do for stir-crazy Fleet members.

Just remember one thing: make it look good. ]

Comments

[idealistic]

...Yeah.

[ letdown is a bit of an understatement, but he does at least appreciate the shoulder pat. as short as it was, it's enough to pull him out of his mild depression and continue down the path quietly.

but hey. Kaneis probably deserves a bit of an explanation since he wasn't... around for Kratos's departure. he turns back with an apologetic smile. ]

Sorry. It's been over a year since I saw him. Heh, guess I kinda let it get to me.

[wilder]

Over a year?

[That...surprises him. This is the first he's heard about it]

Where'd he go?

[idealistic]

Derris-Kharlan.

[ which explains why he was silent hoping that they were coming by the comet when they heard the music before. ]

It separated from us after we reunited the worlds. Dad left to get rid of the exspheres there and I stayed so that I could take care of them back home.

[wilder]

Seriously? He just took the first comet off planet and left you to deal with Aselia?

[Oh. Oh. That just makes his blood boil. He knows it's not his family, it's not even his world - but he can still feel that old anger lighting up again.]

What a jackass.

[idealistic]

[ he can't help but snort at that. ] Yeah, probably.

[ even with a different name and dimension, he really hasn't changed all that much, huh? ]

It's fine, though. I haven't really thought about it until now.

[wilder]

[He gives a little huff. He's still mad thinking about it, but at least Lloyd sounds...a little better? So that's good? He thinks?]

[Whatever. He can think about it later]

Yeah, well- whatever then. Let's just get outta here okay? Before it makes illusions of actual good food or something.

[idealistic]

[ yeah that helped to cheer Lloyd up more-- or, at the least, get that dumb illusion out of his mind. he groans pathetically. ]

Don't say that! I seriously won't be able to resist if they put that out.

[ look it's been a while since he had a good slab of beef okay. ]

[wilder]

[He makes a snort]

Oh c'mon Lloyd- you're not that desperate, are you?

[idealistic]

If they made it look good enough, probably. [ he's only half serious. he groans again. ]

I can't even remember the last time I had anything with beef in it...

[wilder]

You've only been in the fleet a few months, Lloyd.

[idealistic]

And that's a few months too long that I had to look forward to that stupid protein crap. [ even though he barely ate it at all. ]

Don't you miss eating your favorite food? It's been a while for you too, right?

[wilder]

[Yeah man you don't even eat it, whatever]

Well, the last planet had some seafood. Sure, it wasn't snapper- but it hit the spot.

But it's weird...you know what I do miss? Curry.

[idealistic]

[ oh! that sure perks him up! he looks back with a smile. ]

Yeah, same here! It's been even longer since the last time I had some good curry.

[wilder]

Yeah! And not just any curry, it's gotta be the good ol' spicy stuff.

There was this guy in Exsilium, he was related to one of my roommates so I'd eat dinner with him a lot. And he always made us eat mild curry. Mild.

[Asbel you were a friend but he still kind of hates you for that]

[idealistic]

...Mild curry?

[ yyyyyeeeeeaaah no. he understands your pain, Kaneis: it has to be spicy or bust for curry. ]

That guy must have had some really weird tastes. I can't even imagine what mild curry tastes like.

[wilder]

Not great. Like a brightly colored stew or something.

[Not that he has anything against stew but dammit it's not curry]

But he kept insisting! He'd go on and on about how mild curry was a superior tasting curry when I pointed out curry's usually spicy.

[idealistic]

[ yeah he's wrinkling his nose at that description. that sounds kinda gross, honestly. ]

That's weird. Guess he just can't handle spicy. [ ... ] How can you even make curry mild and still call it "curry"?

[ HE IS HONESTLY CONFUSED BY THIS. ]

[wilder]

No idea, I never managed it. Usually his girlfriend...friend...kid's mom...whatever she was to him- usually she'd make it.

[idealistic]

[ ...wait, what is she supposed to be to him again? ]

She must be a pretty amazing cook to pull that off... [ it sounds like something Regal or Genis could do, but there's no way he could pull it off without following a recipe.

amidst their conversation, Lloyd notices something a little off about their surroundings. it takes him a moment, but once it does... ]

Hm? Where'd the lights go?

[wilder]

[tbh Kaneis has no idea. Cheria and Asbel made no sense okay. WHO ADOPTS A KID TOGETHER WHEN YOU'RE NOT TOGETHER?]

Yeah, she...

[He trails off when he notices the lack of little lights]

...That's...a good question.

[A good, worrying question]

Let's keep going, okay? Maybe we'll get an answer.

[idealistic]

Sounds good.

[ no need to be told twice: he continues on, checking back occasionally to make sure Kaneis is doing okay.

it's awhile before there's any other change: it's by a very small margin, but the forest seems to be brightening. ]

Maybe this means we're close to the end?

[wilder]

[Kaneis is doing mostly alright. He's tired, and sick of this trail- but the thought that being out in the dark sucks is enough to motivate him to keep going. The more things lighten up, the more he seems to be looking around...as well as complain]

Man, I hope so. My feet are killing me.

[idealistic]

[ on most instances, Lloyd would have rolled his eyes at Kaneis (/Zelos) complaining about his feet hurting. probably would have told him to quit complaining and to keep walking, as well. this particular instance, though?

he couldn't agree with him more. ]

You're telling me. I can't wait to get out of this stupid forest.

[ considering what they saw along the trail, it's no surprise that Lloyd would want to get out of here ASAP. ]

[wilder]

[Lloyd's reaction isn't even surprising to Kaneis. Of course he'd want to get out of here after what he saw. Who wouldn't? So he makes a simple "ha" as he keeps walking. The further they go, the lighter it gets - much closer to the daylight they saw when they first went in.]

[Soon enough, it opens up to what looks like a clearing with some giant, twisted up trees - red and gold leaves with black branches. Kaneis slows to a stop]

So....is this it?

[idealistic]

[ Lloyd slows beside him, staring up at the trees with silent awe. the war the red and gold from these trees sharply contrasted from the green foliage of all the other trees... it was beautiful in a way. he feels something slip into his pant pocket at that moment, but it doesn't quite register. a thin gold chain that wasn't there before hangs delicately from his pocket. ]

Hm... [ without warning he shoots off, running past the three intertwined trees to the other side of the clearing. he disappears behind the trees only for a few seconds before emerging from the other side, jogging up to Kaneis with a grin. ]

Hey! I think this is it-- I'm not seeing a path behind 'em!