victory_road | •||• At the beginning with YOU

[It should have been a relief, waking up to find the pain gone, to no longer feel as though her very being was being burned away. What Ziva felt upon first coming to was just panic, though. She sat up abruptly, gasping loudly from the sound as she found she was no longer struggling for every breath, no longer felt as if something was building up inside of her stomach and lungs, drowning in liquid light.

Alarmed, angry, frantic, she'd swept her eyes all around in search of the Exarch, in search of the sound of the gunshot, in search of her companions. Alas, she found none, instead greeted by a strange and unfamiliar bedroom...

She assumed it was such, anyway, since she awoke in a strange bed, albeit in familiar clothes. Something about her surroundings only further increased her sense of unease. It was unfamiliar, yes of course, but beyond that she could tell that she did not belong there and had no idea how she could have wound up there. Sounds from downstairs also suggested she wasn't alone in this home. Rising, she decided to investigate, not immediately noticing the addition of the small sphere attached to her clothing as she'd made for the stairs.

If only that had been the end of it, the worst of it. But no. Of course it wasn't. Just ten minutes later she was being shoved out of this strange little house by a strangely STRONG middle-aged woman. She'd just managed to pick herself back up when the backpack flew out the door next and landed square in her face. Ziva went down with an indignant, muffled curse, landing on her back with both hands on the bag, which she immediately pitched away.]

Gods DAMN IT! Now I'm angry!

Edited 2020-06-10 01:25 (UTC)

Edited 2020-06-09 21:39 (UTC)

[Hythlodaeus had just ducked into the denser forestry to to take a piss and came back out of it only to see some startlingly familiar faces. Or- No, wait. The shorter woman only resembled someone, but he was certain about the taller fellow with the tattoo on his face. They were the last ones he saw before he felt Hades' soul hit the lifestream. ]

[Still dressed in his communal black and mask still firmly on his face he calls out before he knows what he wants to say.]

You two! Pardon me, I...Um! Hold on now! I need to speak with each of you!

[And after this eight foot tall man comes a ten foot tall Tropius]

[Tired. That about summed up how they were both feeling. Tired. And VERY confused. When Hythlodaeus finds them meandering down the road Ziva isn't sure what to make of the voice calling out at first. They haven't exactly encountered anyone else since New Bark Town, but glancing back--

She visibly startles, hands going up before her in surprise before the words register.]

Ah- listen, friend-

[She begins, hands going up further on either side of her head in the universal "WE MEAN NO HARM" gesture.]

-we've not been here long enough to cause any trouble, so whatever it is, we didn't do it. Probably.

Edited 2020-06-10 01:36 (UTC)

[ Suddenly waking up in an unfamiliar room isn't so much a surprise as it is a creeping dread. He'd long known what the Exarch's plan had been and what it would mean for them to return to the Source. He hadn't banked on things going sideways in quite so extreme a way, though. What of Ziva? The light would have likely continued to corrupt, and then...

He doesn't leave the bed immediately, despite how uncomfortably small it is? He's too busy sorting through his thoughts, half expecting one of the other Scions to burst in and fuss over him and the situation. Alas, it's not a Scion, but a complete stranger that eventually bursts into the room and ushers a very baffled Elezen from the home, shoving a backpack into his hands just before the door shuts with a slam.

There isn't the time to worry further as he hears a very welcome voice shouting from nearby. Quick strides take him towards her, his expression momentarily relieved once he realizes she's hale, whole, and still very much herself. For now, at least, but they could figure out the specifics of her situation once they've figured out where they are. Since this is...definitely not the Source. ]

Mistress Ziva...Full glad am I to see thee. Ere we seek out our missing companions--[ And he just kind of. Stops? Talking? And stares, because she sure does look like a hyur right now. ]

[ Urianger takes a small step back at this man who is, somehow, even taller than he is (and rapidly approaching, at that).

He raises an eyebrow at that 'probably,' though. Way to be convincing, Ziva. ]

Aye, 'tis as my companion so...aptly claims. We seek not confrontation.

Edited 2020-06-10 20:21 (UTC)

[Urianger's voice isn't what she expected to hear, and a good thing, too, as it's enough of a surprise to knock the wind from her sails for a moment. Looking over from her spot on the ground, she spots her elezen companion and-- immediately takes notice of what's missing if only because she was LOOKING for it. His ears, normally peering from beneath his hair, they've lost their distinct points, just as hers had been changed.

Even so, some measure of relief washes over her next, because if he's here she isn't alone, and the others might be as well. If anyone can help her begin to make sense of any of this, it's Urianger. The matter of what she'd learned just moments before is less pressing than their current predicament or the fate of their friends.

Her shorts she gives an abrupt pat down as she stands, brushing dust away and stumbling closer. She's only been without a tail for ten minutes at most and she already hates it!]

Urianger! Thank the Twelve.

[His staring drew out a scowl, not because of HIM, but because it put her attention back rather abruptly to what he must be noticing.]

You too, then. I don't know what sorcery this is, but I mean to find out. Are you alright?

[We're just. Not going to focus on ME right now because it's so much easier NOT to talk about how I nearly lost control and turned into a murder beast!]

[Estinien had, true to his word, woken up with the sunrise the day after he spoke with Solus and had gone to obtain more supplies--food, water, enough for a few days of travel for two people--and then set out.

Luckily, he'd had the foresight to return to Cherrygrove and attune to the warp panel there, cutting out a week of travel. A shortcut they wouldn't be able to take on the way back, unfortunately...

It is what it is.

He bypasses a few faces on the road, pausing only long enough to answer challenges from other trainers and make camp late on the first night, catching a few hours of sleep before waking and moving on again, this time though, keeping an eye out for the man Solus described. If he'd kept walking, they should meet at some point today.]

Ah, I meant not to accuse you of any misdeed... I merely wanted to speak. It seems we just came from the same starting point.

[He frowns for a moment. Wait. What if they were from different times as Hades was? This would be very strange indeed, so—]

...But first, do you recognize me? Or, I should say, those garbed as I am? [As he gestures languidly to himself.]

Ah, you must mean that odd, creepy little village.

[If she'd had any truly genuine concerns about Hythlodaeus' intentions, they'd have been eased by those words. More than anything she'd been startled, and her mind had jumped half jokingly to the lighter of several possible negative conclusions.

Truthfully though she wouldn't have been all that shocked, given their run of luck as of late, and her... er... heated approach with "mom" back there. Not that she'd done anything actually HARMFUL. But- back on point.

Looking Hythlodaeus up and down she does genuinely try to recall having seen such attire before, but as the frown she bears will probably make plain, the attire is unfamiliar. Her arms fold and she tilts her head for a moment, frown deepening with thought, but then she gives it up and looks questioningly to Urianger, then to Hythlodaeus, conceding:]

I'm sorry to admit that I can't say I do.

[She actually feels kind of bad about that. She prides herself on never forgetting a face, no matter how "inconsequential" the other party deemed their previous encounters.]

But it sounds like... mayhap I should?

[Since meeting up with Hythlodaeus the journey has become more interesting. She's been exceedingly grateful for Urianger's familiar company, and she wouldn't have objected to it being just the two of them, but having one more friendly face along did help it feel a bit less strange (if one could ignore the music, which she certainly can't). They had, after all, been traveling with a full party before arriving here. The more, the merrier, and it seemed to help keep her mind from lingering on events leading up to their arrival for the time being, at least.

It was as they were meandering down the road on the third morning that someone else she DID recognize came into view.]

Ah, hey now, that's Estinien, just up ahead!

'Twas called 'New Bark Town,' as I recall.

[ The "New" is pretty apt, considering they all seem to have appeared there under similar circumstances, new to this world entirely. It would all be very interesting...if it wasn't so disconcerting, especially considering the events leading up to their arrival. Though that's all besides the point.

He also gives Hythlodaeus a quick lookover, one hand going to his chin as his head tilts in thought. It's clear the stranger thinks they should recognize him, but...his outfit doesn't stand out as familiar. The long robe and mask do bring to mind the Ascians, of course, though it's not an exact match. After all, Hythlodaeus's way of dressing is much less...extravagant when compared to the intricate robes many of the Ascians wear. ]

...Nay. [ He says finally. ] We have encountered those who similarly cover their faces, however, thine own attire is otherwise unfamiliar.

[Hythlodaeus' arms drop to his sides and he just stares, caught entirely off guard. He had come over to them to ask a favor to protect Emet-Selch, but it seemed that they... Wouldn't do the thing he didn't want them to do anyway. But he still felt as if he needed to keep track of them. ]

[But without knowledge of Amaurot. Wait, did they even... How to test the waters here? His curiosity overrode his sense for a moment.]

I'm a dear friend of Emet-Selch's. Hythlodaeus, Chief of the Bureau of the Architect. [And then he reaches a hand out to Urianger because he really doesn't know who this tiny woman is.]

[ They had been keeping an eye out for Estinien while on the road, though even with a description of the man Urianger wasn't sure he'd be able to spot the man. Though he had heard of him through various reports through Ziva's exploits in Ishgard and beyond, Urianger had never met him. That's not even taking into account the strange way in which this place affects appearance.

So he's glad when Ziva points him out. He remains silent at first, figuring that as Ziva and Estinien knew one another (or so he assumed), either she or Hythlodaeus would be the better suited to strike up a conversation and explain the situation as it stood.

Though he does nod his head in polite greeting once they're close enough. ]

[It's Ziva's turn to be taken aback, caught off guard, her eyes growing wide and her mouth slightly agape. It sounded as if this man had just confessed to being an associate of Emet-Selch, a "dear friend", no less.

1: Emet-Selch has FRIENDS????

2: Why would any who had an inkling of who they were admit to such a thing?

3: For what purpose had he approached them, then, and so willingly divulged that which would surely be best left secret?

4: Emet-Selch has FRIENDS?!?!

Skepticism soon replacing surprise, Ziva's brow furrowed as she tilted her head briefly in a gesture of confusion.]

Forgive me, but your claim beggars belief. Emet-Selch is a self proclaimed ageless being and a bit prickly, besides. Anyone he may have considered "friend"...

[Some measure of understanding dawned, or at least what she thought to be understanding.]

... would have to be from when the world was still whole... from Amaurot.

[A conclusion she jumped to so readily only because Emet-Selch had spoken of such time with such nostalgia that it was impossible for her to mistake his words for anything but truth. He had never given her the impression that he regarded his fellow Ascians as "friends" so much as comrades in arms, individuals with whom he shared the same ultimate goal. This one wasn't dressed like an Ascian, however, and they had never come across the name "Hythlodaeus" in all their travails.

She may not be as book smart as the others, but her memory was damn sharp.]

Edited 2020-06-14 21:05 (UTC)

[ It's a wild situation to be in, especially with her changed features thrown into the mix.

However, he is immensely relieved to see her. Despite the precarious situation they only just left behind, miraculously...Ziva seems fine. She's not being corrupted by the light. If only he were able to see her Aether to be sure... ]

Aye, despite our present circumstances, I am hale. [ He pauses briefly, to study her carefully. ] But what of thee? With the warden's light so poised to overtake thee completely, my health pales in comparison to thine.

[It looks as if that bit of news offers some relief, at least. It's a little short lived, though, because she soon after looks uneasy again.

Oh, okay. Never mind. I guess we ARE going to focus on me right now.

The concern is understandable, of course, but damn if she knows where to start addressing all of THAT.

At Urianger's prompting Ziva does direct her gaze down towards her hand. All that she sees, however, is normal skin, no blinding light washing out her vision, no pain or pressure coming from inside, just... normal, almost TOO normal, though that's probably just because she'd forgotten what normal felt like.

Lifting her gaze again to him at the mention of the light that was overtaking her just minutes before, Ziva looks... ashamed, perturbed, not quite meeting his eyes, or at all, truth be told. There were a lot of things happening, some more pressing than others, but let's just take a second to let it sink in that she was maybe five minutes away from attacking the people she loved. Oh, and SOMEONE SHOT THE EXARCH.]

Aye... I'm fine, for now. Whatever's brought us here, wherever here is, it must be quite the force to reckon with. I feel as if nothing were ever amiss. Would that I could say the same for the others... I was not the only one who heard the shot ring out just before we arrived here... was I?

Edited 2020-06-17 18:09 (UTC)

...Amaurot?

[ It's a question that's more to himself than any of the others, though he does send Ziva a curious look. He hasn't heard the name before, but he could remember when Emet-Selch was speaking about the world as it was before, when they had gone to slay the lightwarden in the Rak'tika Greatwood. It's not difficult to figure out Amaurot was either a city or even the name for a country, perhaps.

He is curious about Hythlodaeus's intentions, however. He was not outwardly hostile, which is of benefit given the situation, but at the same time...he can't help but be wary of anyone who is friends with an Ascian.

Though it sounds as though Hythlodaeus may actually be from a time long, long before theirs, so perhaps the suspicion is unwarranted. Though he supposes they'll see once they learn more about the man.

Urianger takes the proffered hand and gives it a firm shake. ]

A pleasure to make thy acquaintance, I am Urianger Augurelt. Much like thy appearance, thy title is one equally unknown to me. From thy words, however, it seems my companion and I should have heretofore been familiar with thee?

[ He's going to very casually side-step the mention of Emet-Selch, for now at least. Best to see how he continues to act before touching that with a ten-foot pole. ]

Edited (whoops discord coding) 2020-06-18 05:28 (UTC)

[Correction: Emet-Selch has one (1) friend.]

I had hoped that you might. It would have saved me some explaining.

[So now he can't. And won't. This dialogue tree has been locked.]

Yes. We seem to be mismatched in time, unfortunately. I am from Amaurot as the little woman says— the city which Emet-Selch and I lived before our calamity. My name is Hythlodaeus.

[He furrows his brow under his mask. The side-stepping was irritating. He wanted to place them, but his knowledge was both expansive and curated. Frustrating. At least he had vagaries Better than nothing.]

[He glances down at the woman, breaking him from his idle study as she points him out. Oops. He had been spacing out, he might have completely missed the other! Well, he figures that he stands out enough. It would have probably been alright. Hythlodaeus stretches his arm out, offering a sweeping wave .]

Ah, at last! Thank goodness you're here with us, Ziva.

[He's going to continue waving until Estinien makes some indication that he's seen them.]

[~~That's still more than she thought he'd have!!!~~ No but really, in hindsight Ziva felt a little bit... well, like an ass for her approach of the topic. It had been a long and extremely emotional day, and her patience had long since worn thin, but that didn't excuse casually speaking of such things without discretion. It was just fortunate (in a matter of speaking) that Hythlodaeus was not apparently inclined to begrudge her for the tactless observation.]

Seven hells...! And here I thought being dropped off on some strange shard and turned into hyurs was the wildest thing we'd experience today.

[But she digresses, offering her hand to shake next.]

Well met, all the same. I'm I'ziva Ganajai. I hope you can pardon the outburst. Most folks will tell you tact isn't exactly my strong suit.

[She's also chatty.]

[Having been provided with a description for Hythlodaeus, at least, Estinien would have noted his presence before long--an 8 fulm tall man is difficult to miss. He even vaguely recognizes Urianger, having seen his sleeping form in the Rising Stones when he'd looked in on Alphinaud.

(And then been reminded far too keenly of Hamignant, though Alphinaud's body still took breath. He didn't look long before leaving.)

Ziva, though, when he finally turns and sees the group, gets no recognition whatsoever. He thinks she's just another Hyur who's traveling with the two men.

The indication that Hythlodaeus will be getting is simply him approaching with purposeful strides, Iceheart bounding along beside him.]

Hythlodaeus, I presume.

[He glances at Urianger, but he doesn't know his name, so he just inclines his head respectfully.]

I am afraid we have not met, Scion.

[Ziva also gets a look, but no greeting. Oops.]

Edited 2020-06-21 04:53 (UTC)

[She flashes Hythlodaeus a grin and a thumbs up before Estinien reaches their merry little band, at which point she's hopeful to welcome another familiar face into the fold.

But that's not what happens, is it?

... Hello??? EXCUSE? Wat IS happen???

This is Ziva just. Staring. Staring up at you blankly. Expectantly. Annnnnd she's rewarded by a big fat nothing.]

... So first you sweep me out of the jaws of death like a princess, and then suddenly I'm not even good enough for a hello? You wound me, sir. You wound me greatly-- I thought we HAD something, Estinien...!

[One does not simply ignore the Warrior of Dumbass, you see.]

Edited 2020-06-21 05:02 (UTC)

[ Urianger is a little surprised by Estinien straight up ignoring Ziva. He's heard the man can be brusque, but thought that, at the very least, the two of them would be on decent terms with one another. Yet he's acting like he doesn't know her.

How peculiar. ]

Nay, we have not, though I have heard much and more of thy travails from Mistress Ziva. I am Urianger. Glad am I to meet thee, Master Estinien.

[ So there had been truth to Emet-Selch's words, back in the Qitana Ravel. Interesting...he would have to wonder about all that later, though.

He'd be more surprised by the time travel if he didn't know it was possible. He's trying ]

Given thy reaction to the knowledge we ostensibly lack, would I be right to assume the reason for such an abnormality is as of yet unknown?

I'ziva, is it? I must ask, though it seems we have all arrived in quite short order, I feel that there is some significance to who is here. I understand, at least, why your companion is here. So... Who are you, exactly?

[He turns his calm gaze back towards Urianger.]

You would be correct. Even the most vaunted Emet-Selch was surprised to see me. ... And you must know by now that little can.

[Honestly, Hythlodaeus is content to observe however this unfolds. There seems to be a curious mismatching.]

I think it would do us all some good to introduce ourselves anew. Title, station, name, and... hobby.

[Estinien, for his part, looks incredibly confused, blinking and stepping back and just taking a bit of time to stare intently at Ziva.

The reason he's acting as if he doesn't know her is that he doesn't. Has never seen anyone that even looked like her, much less "swept her out of the jaws of death". The name, likewise, is unfamiliar.]

...I know you not.

[He looks from Ziva to Urianger, then to Hythlodaeus, then back to Ziva. What is happen, indeed?]

You cannot be speaking of the battlefield at Ghymlit Dark.

[He speaks hesitantly. Because that Warrior he'd dragged off the battlefield was certainly not a small blonde woman. And it's not like he rescues people from the field of battle often enough for this to be an event that has happened multiple times.

He's been here long enough to know this world is strange, but surely not that strange. Except...Hythlodaeus's chiming in also catches him off-guard. Title, station, name, hobby?

Literally only one of those he knows how to answer, and it's the most obvious one, everyone here already knows it, so he just. Stares.]

•||• At the beginning with YOU

•||• Ziva and Urianger

•||• Ziva, Urianger, and Hythlodaeus

•||• Ziva, Urianger, Hythlodaeus, and Estinien

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