[SE] more bright ideas

With a to do list always essentially miles long, the Sword opted to check off a portion further down but no less important. If he wasn't tracking monsters, then he was trying to track the Valkyrie. Ru’s disappearance had marked another trend of cyclical sieges, and despite the news that she unharmed, the sinking feeling never quite left his ribs. Not one to rest on his laurels, and he’d never forgive himself if something did inevitably happen and he hadn’t even tried, he went towards outer layers. The less likely portions to find her; what with old ghosts and haunting ruins, despite so many alterations, still lingered and remained embedded within minds; hard to shake wraiths. Given that he had fewer and fewer tendencies to seek out the Hollowed Grounds, unless visiting Kiada, Fox, or Danta, he opted to start the day’s trek there.

Without a scent trail, he simply snuffled along brambles and thorns, nettles and brush, skimming over the layers of isles with his nose down or immersed amidst the wind, long, blackened form roaming through the trees in purposeful, determined strides. The only distraction would be the familiar contortions of Ancients nearby, clearly enjoying the flames of a bonfire, and he shook his head with amusement, before rounding out another portion of the islet; figuring if he could wander down all portions of it, that meant one less avenue for her to have settled within.

Deimos

I will either find a way, or make one

canine stock | background stock

All this time I didn't know
You were breakin' down

It had been quite some time since Sohalia had visited the Grounds, and she wouldn't be here now if not for the hope that someone, somewhere would know what was happening in Stormbreak. The Inner Quarter was where she'd spent her morning, delving through books in the Atheneum, hoping to have some breakthrough - and when she'd come up empty, she'd left the library, full of frustration, and taken to the skies, flying until she reached the Outer Brambles, where she dropped to the ground and shifted into her tide jaguar form.

Hot, scorching dirt shifted under her claws as she padded through a sea of dying grasses that crunched underfoot. Despite being fairly well-suited to the heat, given that her current form was native to Torchline, she couldn't help but note that it was blisteringly hot. She stalked through the dense woodland and thorny brambles, unsure what exactly she was looking for but feeling unsettled and anxious, like if she stopped moving it might actually cause her physical discomfort. So onward she went, deeper into the islands, eyes flickering over shadows and ears twitching to pick up distant noises.

I'd fall to pieces on the floor
If you weren't around

Sohalia

The rustling nearby made him still – blending into shadows and crag, save for the twitch of his ears, the quiet back and forth as his eyes swept along the scenery. Some unfortunate hope, immersed there in shades, pricked and lanced there in his chest, that perhaps Ru was nearby. She’d been found. The mystery solved and the crisis over. That’d be it.

Instead, it was a tide jaguar. Unaware he knew the person within the shift, he hesitated; gaze narrowing. He knew they weren’t native to the Grounds, but that didn’t mean much of anything nowadays; with so many people traversing. Could be an Attuned, could be something else altogether. He took a deep breath, permitted the familiar rumble to go warding through bonds; he supposed if there was no answer, then he’d simply be talking to another animal, and likely, given both of their predacious abilities, neither would bother the other. Hello?

Deimos

I will either find a way, or make one

canine stock | background stock

All this time I didn't know
You were breakin' down

The hellhound was an unexpected discovery, as was the voice that rang through the Attuned bond a moment after Soh stumbled upon the creature by accident. Deimos? came the surprised query, silver eyes blinking in the shade of the brush as she stepped out into the open, studying the hellhound as though doing so might reveal some trick of the light. She might not know the Warden of Halo well, but to find him in the Grounds at random seemed... odd, somehow.

But then, she supposed the same could be said of her, so she shrugged off her surprise quickly enough. How are you? she inquired instead, her voice polite and friendly. Despite her best efforts, though, her frustration was likely to bleed through into the Attuned bond, giving away her general irritation and growing panic that she'd found yet another problem that she wouldn't be able to solve in time. Then again, maybe she was afraid of nothing, paranoid after all she'd been through.

I'd fall to pieces on the floor
If you weren't around

Sohalia

If her Attuned measures of frustration were bleeding through the bond, so was his modest surprise at her reveal – hellhound eyes widening for a fraction before they returned to his normal, slightly narrowed outlook, and snorted. Sohalia, he gave in greeting initially. Busy, though that was nothing new. Just his goal and motivation for these moments were not laser-focused on Halo, and more so on his disappeared friend. I came here to look for Ru – have you seen her anywhere, by chance? He couldn’t recall if they’d ever gone beyond meetings, for a brief time, when discussing the taking of Abandoned mines out of Stormbreak – but on the notion that the Valkyrie might’ve been spotted, he’d at least take some multitude of information to pass along.

He hadn’t ignored those irritation notches and apprehensive flares though; was perhaps mildly grateful they didn’t reflect his own. Tilting his hellhound head briefly, his nostrils flared for an instant, catching the smell of another bonfire started nearby, ears twitching as the Grounders were serenading each other across the wild flames. You all right?

Deimos

I will either find a way, or make one

canine stock | background stock

All this time I didn't know
You were breakin' down

Surprise filtered down the Attuned bond; Soh couldn't blame him. She wouldn't have expected to find herself roaming the Grounds, either. That he was busy was also not shocking, given that it seemed to be his general state of being any time she'd come across him. But his current task had her eyes widening. I haven't seen her in - gods. A long time, Soh said, trying to think back to when she might have last seen Hotaru and coming up empty. She softened, though, recognizing that the Valkyrie must be important to Deimos, if he was all the way out here looking for her. How long has she been missing?

As for her own frustrations, she blinked slowly, then shook her head. Stormbreak is in trouble, she said after a moment. We've been having - well, earthquakes, I suppose, though I'm not sure how that's even possible with a floating region. She glanced away, her gaze fixated on something only she could see; all she could think of was the lives that would be lost were they unable to find a solution soon.

I'd fall to pieces on the floor
If you weren't around

Sohalia

The answer wasn’t surprising. It seemed Ru had moved like a ghost, a wraith, again – lingering just under the surface, tangible and real and naught but a wisp of smoke all at once. If she hadn’t done this before, on multiple occasions, and seemed to be fine, according to Frey, he’d be even more concerned and on edge, but the principle matter remaining left him wondering why of all things. Since LongNight, according to Sunjata. Apparently Frey said she was fine, but Flora could not channel her. He left the other inquiries to hang there in silence, a hellhound shake of his head the only hint of his frustration.

The other news caused his attention to wane, eyes narrowing as he glanced back at the tide jaguar. Earthquakes. Not to dissuade or disarm, hoping to offer an alternative to either panic or bedlam, his mind went to previous circumstances, all those years ago in a previous war. Maybe the isle intends to come back down? Did it not go further into the sky during the time we were fighting the Ascended? If that wasn’t the case, however, then things would, and could, go south (heh), quickly. Have you spoken to any of the gods? Or started evacuations? The other regions could serve as safe havens and refuges, given the relative repose otherwise; and it would give leaders’ time to parse through everything else with their citizens safe elsewhere.

Deimos

I will either find a way, or make one

canine stock | background stock

All this time I didn't know
You were breakin' down

Soh lowered her haunches until she sat primly, her tail moving to wrap around her front paws. She couldn't frown in this form, but her confusion and dismay were obvious all the same through the Attuned bond. She might not have a particular relationship with Hotaru, but the Valkyrie was Flora's mother and Sunjata's partner - both figures she considered to be good friends. If something had happened to Hotaru, then...

I'll keep an eye out, she said, worry in her voice. Do you know of any other demigods going missing? Could this be something that could happen to more people? Could this herald the return of the Family, or some other cataclysmic disaster? Even the reassurance of Frey couldn't quite loosen the unease in Soh's chest.

Of Stormbreak, Soh shook her head. I meet with Zavien soon, she said. And we'll make a plan. She hesitated, then: If... if we do need to evacuate... would Halo be willing to accept any citizens of ours who would choose to go there? I know it's a lot to ask, but - But what choice did they have?

I'd fall to pieces on the floor
If you weren't around

Sohalia

Another set of eyes and ears would be beneficial, and he granted a short nod, ignoring the tension through the bond, because he had his own apprehensions and could only delve so much further into another’s before it felt all-consuming, overwhelming. That would be helpful. Thank you, he granted instead. As for other demigods, he shook his head. Not that I am aware of. So if anything, it was likely an isolated, and very Hotaru-centered incident.

As for plans and meetings, he could only offer what she’d asked – the bestowal had been sitting there behind his teeth regardless, mind conjuring the shelters, the emergency areas within the Palace, and medical stations already situated for Halovian resident. It would be simply to permit the same towards any Stormbreak refugees. Of course. He doubted anyone would take up the notion, but it was there just the same, a safety net for those fleeing the tumbling fortress. Without knowing the cause though, his machinations went a little world-weary, pondering if this was going to meander and strike through other lands as well.

With the rounding and chorus of glee coming from the Ancients nearby, Deimos’ gaze went towards their melee and chaos, inwardly snorting. I am going to head this way, jerking his head in their direction, in case Sohalia still wanted to follow while they discussed political matters.

Deimos

I will either find a way, or make one

canine stock | background stock

All this time I didn't know
You were breakin' down

There was an uneasy relief in the knowledge that it was only Hotaru who seemed to have gone missing. Perhaps this was not a widespread problem, then, nor one that would spread and take most of their strongest protectors from them.

The Stormbreak conundrum, though, was a bit more problematic. While it was helpful to know that her people would have a safe place to land (or several, if the other regions were willing to help displaced Breakers), that didn't lessen her worry about what was happening or why. Still, she managed a pulse of gratefulness through the bond. Thank you.

Rising from her seated position, Sohalia fell into step beside Deimos. I'll walk with you a ways, she said. A few moments of silence passed, and then: How is Halo faring with this weather?

I'd fall to pieces on the floor
If you weren't around

Sohalia

With those portions managed, and the unfortunate notions of Stormbreak occurring, his mind churned into multiple different directions as they walked. Does anyone know why it is going to come down? He’d had his theory mentioned earlier – but if there were other forces at play, the regions should be aware – in case they needed to start investigating notions within their own kingdoms.

While her inquiry passed through, his eyes were on the Ancients, though they seemed to be spiraling outward in their dance around the bonfire. His eyes went to the collective people nearby, but none remotely resembled Ru, so he figured they would move on. We are doing all right. Some random wildfires, but we can usually keep them contained. Easier to do on the tundra, where there was simply naught to burn but ice and snow.

He might’ve said more, but suddenly there were Ancient gazes on him. Doggy! one announced loudly, and before he had a chance to do much of anything else, a stick launched towards them, burning on one end. Snorting, because despite his massive shape and size, perhaps they figured he’d want to play fetch, he did grab hold of the non-flaming end, loosening a bark around his teeth.

Deimos

I will either find a way, or make one

canine stock | background stock

All this time I didn't know
You were breakin' down

We don't know yet, Soh admitted, feeling a bit flustered. When the tremors had started, her first thought had been to try to seek out information - but without a specific god to whom she had devoted herself, going to them hadn't been her first thought. It seemed obvious now. Instead, she was out here on some wild goose chase, searching for answers that perhaps could be handed to her or Zavien by one of Caido's deities. I'll try to keep you posted.

Fortunately, talk shifted to Halo after that, and Soh might have responded with further inquiries as to the tundra's wellbeing, but just then, a group of Ancients nearby seemed to notice them. While one child cried, Doggy! and threw a flaming stick towards the Warden, some of the others seemed to realize that she was there as well. Not as inclined to play fetch with a big cat, it wasn't until Soh sauntered over to pick up a flaming stick of her own that the other children seemed keen to include her in the game.

I'd fall to pieces on the floor
If you weren't around

Sohalia

Without some semblance of an answer on that forefront, they’d be left to other ministrations and machinations. There could be hundreds of reasons; the possibilities all confined to potentials for now, and he tried not to let himself stew into a mind contorted and coiled by the endless litanies. But he knew they’d all fought for so long; for peace and refuge, comfort and serenity, and to have one region ultimately falling to pieces would make any leader wonder if theirs could be next. Thank you. Because that was all they had; acknowledgment and inquiries.

Then there was the game - of which he was beginning to understand. Bowing low in his front, as if he might’ve been playing with Erebos, one of the Ancient kids squealed in delight, then began to run. Several of the other followed suit, waving their hands, either in begging or pleading for them to join. He tilted his head, snorted, then figured in a why not canine shrug, before launching after the youths, stick still on fire. Uncertain if Sohalia understood the parameters, he threw another question her way. Do they want us to catch them?

Deimos

I will either find a way, or make one

canine stock | background stock

All this time I didn't know
You were breakin' down

The flaming stick heated the side of Soh's face; had it not been for the way the children's eyes lit up, she might have dropped it and slunk back into the shadows of the brush. But the Ancients began to shout and run, seemingly pleased to have found players for whatever game they wanted to play, and Soh flicked her tail in feline amusement as she watched their antics.

As Deimos launched after the children, Soh followed suit, bounding after a small group that shrieked with laughter at the sight of a tide jaguar chasing along with a flaming stick in her mouth. She could have caught them easily, but she wasn't quite sure of the game they wished to play - was it fetch, or tag, or something else altogether? I don't have much experience playing with children, Soh replied, amusement clear in her mental voice. Much less in this form.

I'd fall to pieces on the floor
If you weren't around

Sohalia