the_isle | Makin' that change

Yen Sid's plan was working it seemed. The crew working with him made a narrow but passable path away from the school. Knowing the Isle well, Yen Sid threaded them between buildings, theorizing correctly that the vines passed around the more solid of the walls, rather than through, which made for small gaps in alleyways that the group could pass through without using up their limited elixir. Thanks to his knowledge, and their team work the group was able to make it to one small stretch of shore.

A battered broken down old looking shop sat a bit back from the lapping waves. Somehow even the ocean seemed menacing in this place. Just out a bit beyond it they could see the sparkling glittering of the barrier. And beyond the barrier, beyond the dark close ocean and the storm tossed distant ocean, land. A small proof that this Isle was not the whole of this world.

"Be cautious in the ocean here. For those unfamiliar with oceans in general, the water here is salt. Even unpolluted it is unsafe to drink. But there are ways to make it safe. Now that we have the path we can bring water back to my lab to be desalinized and cleansed. For those who can swim, I would advise not to. Despite how narrow a strip of ocean we have at this point, some of the predators that lurk on the isle, such as the alligators and crocodiles and carnivorous fish, may be able to swim these waters. Thankfully I suspect the sharks that could would be of little concern to most full grown adults." Of course they had kids here.

"However, if we are cautious and stay above the water line, we can fish. I recommend fishing in pairs unless we can find a way to ensure that we can build platforms that the crocodiles and alligators cannot climb. One to fish, one to keep a watchful eye."

In time they could consider hunting the gators. But as of now they had no weapons capable of that, and he was not about to encourage this group to gain such weapons. Even if some were already trying to on their own.

Shaking himself from his thoughts, he turned to the shack and drew the new comers' attention to it as well. The crooked main sign read "Clayton's Catch all" in dripping red paint, long since dried and weathered. Whoever had painted it hadn't been very neat, hence the ominous blood like dripping and clumps of dried red. Under it, spray painted in a dull yellow an added subtitle read "Bait to catch all your fishy prey"

"In that shack, we should find some things to aid us in fishing. Rods, lures, traps. But this is the Isle, temper your expectations if you think anything in there will be new. But you have all managed thus far, I am certain your ingenuity will help you to find ways to fish even with tangled lines, broken rods, rusted traps, and cracked lures."

And with that he tucked the sprayers into his wide sleeves. "I shall gather containers for us to use to bring water back to the school for preparation. Even if we catch no fish, we will be in better shape for having better water. Those who wish to help, follow me. Everyone remain alert. We have now opened a path between the shore and our school. We are not the only ones who might be able to use that path."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yen Sid made his way back along the path to the school. He knew where to find several suitable containers, and knew where there might be several more, though those may take a bit of searching to locate. Some of the trash bins would likely work- after all, they'd rarely, if ever, been used for their intended purpose- but moving them would be prohibitively difficult if they were full of water. Maybe they could be used for storing the desalinized water?

Emerging back into the relatively open area surrounding the school, he headed toward his office where the first of the containers was, when he noticed that one of those who'd come back with him seemed to trying to get his attention. "Hmm?" he said, pausing and turning to face them. "Did you wish to speak to me about something?"

"I do," Foulques said with a nod. "Though I would prefer it to be in private, if you are willing."

"No one else is here at the moment," he said, nodding to the empty classroom. "Feel free to come inside."

He followed Yen Sid into the classroom, movements a bit stiffer and more awkward then usual until he exhaled slowly. Why in the gods' name did the prospect of a simple conversation feel more daunting than entering into combat would? He paused long enough to close the door behind them- though not lock it, if that were even possible- before turning back to the old alchemist.

"I would speak frankly with you regarding the matter of helping me to construct a proper spear," he said. "The practical reasons you have heard, but there are other, more personal reasons. And because they are personal I would have them kept from the ears of those who might attempt to use them against me. I am... willing to trust that you are not such a man."

If Yen Sid knew the level effort it took for Foulques to muster even that much trust, he might well be impressed. Or perhaps depressed. Or both.

He considered that as he took a seat, settling his hands into the sleeves of his robes, making it look almost like one long sleeve going from shoulder to shoulder. He inclined his head to indicate that he was listening, and that the trust was not misplaced.

Once Yen Sid had taken a seat Foulques continued. "It has not escaped my notice that you are hesitant to grant me my request," he said. "At one time, I may well have viewed such hesitation as cowardice, but having seen the sort of mad fools who reluctantly call this Isle home, I find I can't fault you for your caution. No craftsman with a shred of honor or sense would create weapons to be placed in the hands of the old virago and her ilk."

"And though I've never desired conquest as they seem to, I can make no claims of moral superiority. My life too was driven by thoughts of vengeance against those who had wronged me. While my ambitions were perhaps not so far-reaching, I nonetheless willingly walked a path of rage, destruction, and eventual madness in pursuit of them. And were it not for a certain adventurer, I might walk that path still."

"There are some who have begun calling her a Warrior of Light, and tales are being told of her laying low even the Primal Ifrit. How much truth there is in such stories I cannot say. I know only of her skill with a lance, and it was for this reason alone that I faced her. I had convinced myself that the Lancer's guild was naught but a house of cravens, that true courage could only be found by placing oneself in great danger. When my own courage faltered as we faced the Lord of the Bramble Patch while hers stood firm, a wiser man would have seen the lesson the Guildmaster was attempting to teach. But I only clung to my belief with greater fervor, and allowed the cracks in my surety to drive me further into madness. When I faced her again at Alder Springs, I had convinced myself that defeating and slaying her would be proof of the rightness of my belief that I alone knew the path to true courage."

"Instead, t'was I who was defeated. Thrashed so soundly as to leave no room for doubt, my much vaunted courage gave way to panic. I attempted to back away, but too late realized my back was to a cliff. To her credit, the adventurer attempted to save me, but she was not quite quick enough; I fell, and but for the magic that snatched me here, I would have been dashed to death on the rocks below. Whether it is by fate or chance that I yet live, the fact remains that only death awaits me should I somehow return to Eorzea. For good or ill, this world is now my home."

"I tell you this because I feel it prudent that you know from whence I came to this place. And because I believe it necessary to put what I will say next into context, and let you know that I make no attempt to deceive you into believing me some innocent karakul lamb, thrown into this gaol by misfortune alone. My actions, whatever may have prompted them, have rendered me deserving of little sympathy or pity; I am a man with blood on his hands, and that is not a thing that can be undone."

He pulled a carefully folded sheet of paper out of the sheath that held his now useless utility knife, one Yen Sid would recognize as one of Mal's VK fliers as Foulques unfolded it to look at it. "Though perhaps... it may yet be mitigated."

Edited Date: 2023-08-07 02:25 am (UTC)

A single grey brow lifted when the flier was unfolded. "Perhaps it may, I have yet to hear how arming you would aid that, however," he said calmly, inclining his head to indicate that Foulques should continue.

Makin' that change

Page Summary

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags