Walkabout - Journey's Middle And End

[chases-aliens.livejournal.com]

[1]

A large bonfire had been built in the middle of a forest, giving the people who came along for the ride time to reflect as Dita poured a handful of dust into their hands.

"The natives who taught me this said that sending your wishes and worries into the fire, revived them as well wishes for others. Focus your thoughts, your desires and your worries, and cast them into the flame."

[2]

Mountainside. You've been climbing for the better part of the day, and while the end seemed in sight, there was also a lot of whispers and questions for you. People in the shape of your own friends and family were asking you questions. "What is your goal? What do you feel is right?" You are hearing the whisper of the spirits on this scared mountain as Dita waited for you at the top of it.

[3]

Xing Village. A small village known for its ore deposits on the old China/Gucun border. Now under attack. Warlords have battled over this area, and now with Adventus broken up, it was also ready to be taken by a larger, stronger power. Currently, half the village was in flames as people shot it up with large generic Adventus mooks stolen from their resources. At the forefront was a large portly man of Chinese descent who was barking orders.

"Our mission is to defeat them. You'll find your final answers in this sacred village. Everyone ready?" inquired Dita.

[4]

Returning to the Chalice after the battle to deal with the aftermath of the violence. And yet, there's a happy aura from everyone, like they had found answers they sought. It was to say the least, welcoming. They're also at IS Academy now as well.

Comments

4

[emorangerpink]

So you made it back safe and sound.

[Laura eyes up the signs of battle on the returning mechs.]

...More or less...

[She's in the hangar, but not kitted out for work - in fact, she looks dressed up to head out somewhere.

Re: 4

[chases-aliens.livejournal.com]

Ah, sorry, sorry for making more work for you, Laura! We happened upon a town in need of protecting so we stepped in as an intervention.

You look wonderful by the way. Are you going out?

[emorangerpink]

Well, I'll forgive you, then. Not for the work, but for the risk. Did the trip do everyone some good?

[She looks embarrassed at the compliment.] I was going to head out to the Academy for a bit. It's a while since we got to stop off anywhere peaceful.

...Maybe you'd like to come along? I mean, once you've settled back in. I wasn't leaving right away, I... er... came by once I heard you'd gotten back.

[chases-aliens.livejournal.com]

I think it did. Everyone's found new direction, which was the purpose of the trip completely.

I would love to! Let me get showered and changed first, and I'll meet you down there, all right?

[emorangerpink]

Sure thing! And... welcome back.

[chases-aliens.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll be right there. [And soon Dita's back dressed in a pink sundress with a darker red top.] Sorry for making you wait!

2

[wimpy-cure-ever.livejournal.com]

[What was she doing here again? Oh, yes, trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her life. Of course, she didn't think she'd get dragged into a mountain climb. But, here she was climbing with all of her strength. She could hear the whispers as if people were there... yet, weren't. Not in the usual sense.]

My goal... I... I want to help everyone.

Re: 2

[srwuga_mods]

Help everyone. This is uncommon to us. Why would you wish to help a world that is in peril?

[The spirits seemed to be genuinely curious as they ascended this sacred mountaintop after all.]

Re: 2

[wimpy-cure-ever.livejournal.com]

Because... because that's why I was chosen as a PreDesu... and because I don't want others to suffer.

[There's a slight gasp as she misses one hold, but corrects herself.]

Re: 2

[srwuga_mods]

Helping Friends.

Giving them something to look up towards.

These concepts are alien to us.

Why would you want to do this?

What do you want as a PreDesu?

Re: 2

[wimpy-cure-ever.livejournal.com]

I want to do this because... because I never had anyone to look up to. My sister was injured years ago. I rarely saw my parents and the only person I really had was my grandma...

I don't want anyone else to feel the same way!

[She keeps going, ignoring the need to wipe the sweat off her face.]

What do I want as a PreDesu? I want to be a hero. I want to heal this broken world somehow!

4

[minorbeat]

(Sure enough, soon as she gets word of Dita's return Seiren is right in front of Dita.)

Liebely, I hope there wasn't too much trouble on the trip. If there was, feel free to tell me and I will do what I can to make it up to you.

Re: 4

[chases-aliens.livejournal.com]

Oh there wasn't any trouble at all. We visited a lot of sacred spots and the people on the walkabout found their answers they were looking for. Your Hana seems to be in quite the excited mood as well.

[minorbeat]

(Seiren nods a little approvingly.)

That is good to hear. I would like a report on the trip just in case there might be anything I need to know.

Himesaki? What exactly got her spirits up so high? Did the answer really have that much of an effect on her?

[chases-aliens.livejournal.com]

The spirits asked her what she wanted. She wants to be a hero, but is now willing to take it step by step. To learn, and grow, and never lose herself. But at the same time, she's learned you can't save everyone.

I'll give you a full report once I manage to get to a computer desk, but I dare say that she is much more happy than she has been for a long time now.

[minorbeat]

(At the mention of Hana wanting to be a hero, Seiren's eyes widen ever so slightly before she turns away in hopes of covering it up. She does so quite expertly, but Dita can 'hear' the whirlpool of emotions in Seiren.)

A...hero, huh? Interesting...I may have to speak with Himesaki about this.

3)

[vjockey.livejournal.com]

Xing... I remember this place...

[He takes a steadying breath and grips his controls.]

Ready.

Re: 3)

[chases-aliens.livejournal.com]

All right. Lets move out. [And the thrusters fired as Dita took off in her Dread, leading the pack.]

Re: 3)

[wimpy-cure-ever.livejournal.com]

[And joining Cheng and Dita is Hana in the Desu Tsubomi. This was it, time to prove that her way works.]

Right behind you...

[vjockey.livejournal.com]

[The Jotunn dove into the battle like a charging bull. Rather than taking the Advents out at range and causing even more chaos between raining shell cases and explosions Cheng opted to take the Advents on in close combat. Not his forte, but he's been putting much time and effort into it.]

We need to push them back as quickly as possible.

[He takes a few hits, but replies by literally disarming an Advent and smashing it hard into the ground.]

Does anyone have eyes on their leader?

2, sorry I'm late!

[sunshine_maiden]

[The day's been getting increasingly surreal for poor Sora... Dita's overview of the trip hadn't exactly prepared her for this, and while she's capable of scaling a mountain, it's not an easy task. But as the apparitions grew louder, Sora realized why she was here. 'What is my goal? After everything that's happened, I...']

I... I don't know what my goal is. I know I want to find myself, to determine who I really am inside, but I don't know how to search. My heart's desire is to protect everyone, no matter the cost, but I don't know if I'm strong enough.

Re: 2, sorry I'm late!

[srwuga_mods]

Strength. Desire. Hope. Protecting.

These things are what makes Sora Sora.

But what is Sora?

Who is Sora?

[sunshine_maiden]

[She's glad the spirits aren't objecting to her desire to protect, but... that is the question, isn't it? The "Sora" from before. The "Sora" from Fairy Park. The "Sora" now, confused as she is. They all feel like different people, and yet they all feel like her. But...]

...which one's the real me? I... I'm not sure anymore.

[srwuga_mods]

Real. Fake. Truth. False.

These things shape you.

Sora. Is it a definition of who you are?

Or is it something you wish to become?

[sunshine_maiden]

That's... [...a good question, actually. "Sora" certainly referred to her, but which her? She'd always answered to it, sure, but none of them were ever truly her. Just faces she showed to the outside, facets of herself. What was the real her?]

The me now isn't "Sora". The me two months ago, or the one from years ago, wasn't really "Sora" either. "Sora" is... [She shakes her head as she reaches ever higher on the mountain.] Sora is who I'd like to be, when the dust settles, when I can get myself together. Someone who's confident in both her abilities, and herself. Not like the mess I am now.