[muffled spooky scary skeletons playing in the distance]

[geonomy]

Who: You! Me! Everybody!
Broadcast: idk but we've sure got a pretty broad cast of folks eh, eh
Action: HECK YEAH PLANET MINGLE
When: 10/7 until plot update or recaptcha

It's a deep, deep forest filled to the brim with fungi, mysterious life forms, and pitch black darkness. Explore if you dare and discover all these things and more! Just don't get lost...

Comments

[noprophecies]

[she frowns as well. She doesn't know what that is, but - Erik wouldn't mention it if it wasn't important]

What would it do if it behaved normally?

[exothermia]

A pulse like that would have turned off all the electronics on board the ships. It still felt like one... just with none of the actual effects.

[noprophecies]

How strange . . . [the technology is still beyond her, even with the help of the augment, but she knows that's a very, very bad thing.

She huffs a little bit] There is something else, but I don't know if it is me or actually something worth worrying about.

[exothermia]

What is it?

[He returns to digging up the last of the flower, putting it in with the rest.]

[noprophecies]

It feels like we are being watched.

[she frowns, then faintly shakes her head, picking up the trowel she was using and turning to another plant] That is the best way I can put it. And it is not in the same way we are watched by the audience.

[exothermia]

[It's automatic, the way the idea of being watched makes him tense. It's subtle enough that it may not be noticeable, but for the way he pauses before replying. Of course they're always being watched in some way... the idea that something else is doing so, on top of that, isn't a pleasant one.]

The animals? [It's a suggestion only. He had seen some of the strange fauna on their way to this spot.]

[noprophecies]

[she glances over at the pause. She doesn't want to make an issue of something like this until she figures out who else feels it, but . . .

She shakes her head and is quiet for a moment, trying to work out a better way to say it] No, not like that. It does not feel that way to you?

[exothermia]

[He has to think about this. After a moment, he shakes his head.]

No. Not really.

[noprophecies]

[that's what she expected, but she still wrinkles her nose]

Perhaps I've finally lost it, then.

[exothermia]

[He reaches over and nudges her shoulder with a fist.]

I doubt it. You and I have very different senses.

[noprophecies]

[she blinks at the contact, then quirks a smile]

I know. [she tilts her head] It was mostly meant as a joke, but - I may hunt down an elf and ask them if they feel it, too. They are more attuned to this than I am.

[exothermia]

Certainly more than me. [Magic is as far from his expertise as it can get. He cinches the bag shut after dropping the trowel into it.]

There are elves here?

[noprophecies]

I spoke to one over the network. [she waves a hand] I think there are others, but I haven't bothered to speak to them.

[which is a surprise to absolutely no one]

[exothermia]

[He nods, accepting that. Who Tempest chooses to speak to is her own business, and he knows that being half-elven has lead to wariness on her part.]

[noprophecies]

[oh so much wariness, but it isn't as bad as it used to be. Then again, her cousin isn't here to smooth out the bumps, like he did back home]

In any case . . . if you are down here by yourself, be careful. It could be nothing, but - it is rarely ever nothing.

[exothermia]

I don't think I'll spend much time here. [The forest is a pleasure to be in, after the closed spaces of the ships, yet Erik's level of interest is still low. It's the same with most things.] I'll keep that in mind, though.

[noprophecies]

[she tilts her head at that, but hums a little and pushes to her feet, brushing dirt off of her pants]

Mm, well, I will just have to ask you to accompany me down here again. I am certain I can find another excuse.

[exothermia]

And here I thought this was a legitimate purpose.

[noprophecies]

It is legitimate. These will be going in my room, just like I told you.

[she gives him a smile, small and impish]

But it was also an excuse to get you to come spend time with me as well. [away from the ships and, hopefully, to get his mind off things. That part goes unsaid, though]

[exothermia]

[He lets out a light sigh, glancing upwards through the trees. It really is pleasant to be outside. As long as his thoughts don't stray to the other woods he used to live beside.]

You don't need anything too elaborate for that.

[noprophecies]

You mean I can just ask? [she puts some mock surprise in her voice] Goodness, who knew.

[exothermia]

It's a well-kept secret.

[He gets to his feet, brushing stray dirt and blades of grass from his pants. For this exercise, he'd worn the standard Fleet-issue jumper, the most suited to utilitarian work. Not that his other clothes were pristine, but he'd gotten used to the idea of having work clothes.]

[noprophecies]

[aha, she got him to joke around a little. She's in her usual tunic and pants, attached to them as she is, but she's without her cloak and gloves - both folded and set aside, since it would be silly to work while wearing them both]

My, then I will have to keep that to myself and keep up the excuses for show.

[her nose wrinkles briefly as she massages some kinks out of her hand, scars sticking out in contrast to the dirt] I hope you will let me thank you properly for helping me with this.

[exothermia]

Properly...? [He doesn't know what she means, really. Surely she isn't going to give him credits.]

[noprophecies]

[she pauses what she's doing, glancing up to raise both eyebrows at him]

Yes? Let me buy you a drink. [a pause] Or dinner, if you do not drink anymore. One of those.