Complete Dunnstads Ilmea's Lament Nooks and Crannies (ft. Brutus and Lily)

[Haru]

The sage of endless stories sat together with the newly christened hero of the people at a table together. Their verdant dining area sat on a fenced overhang that overlooked the rest of the city. It was a grand villa, one that served a fantastic suite of Greek-like cuisine. Overlooking the warm, sunlit city that sat by the blue coast, Haru asked, "The day has been wonderful so far, has it not?"

Brutus had been led by the loose leash by his new compatriot out to the capital city of Dunnstad, the home of the most important leaders of Falderen save for D'vangelline herself. Brutus had been here a good few times already, and each time they checked the towering man out for a moment before letting him through, recognizing the hero of the people. It had been even faster this time, seemingly letting the two through with not so much as a word upon sight of the white sage.

Haru had taken him through crooks of the city that hadn't otherwise come to notice by others. In particular, there was a blacksmith deep within the crooks of the dockyard that would otherwise never had been found by Brutus alone. After all, who would have gone to a man that worked on warship equipment to look for player gear?

Haru did, and it was a damn good call. The man was a master of the craft, and showed Brutus some REALLY snazzy cannonballs that he sold away for cheap on Haru's request-a favor for the 'Absolution Beyond Cloudburst', whatever that had meant. He talked about how he could forge a cannon made to be fired by one man rather than a whole crew as well, though he needed a day or two to finish up the work.

Besides that, Haru had shown off a really nice hole-in-the-wall for breakfast and a drink, as well as this gorgeous spot up high in the city near the castle. It was frequented by nobility, it seemed, and it showed by the prices of the food. These were almost as costly as the cannonballs had been...

Surprisingly, it was worth it.

"A friend of ours should be showing up soon, by the way. I thought our little adventure would be fun with a party of three. Does that sound nice to you? I'm still paying for all of us, of course. Ha, ha, ha..." His laughter tuned along with the distant sound of the ocean waves. Truthfully, he'd come to this restaurant for another reason besides just to show Brutus around-He'd left Lucy here yesterday when she'd logged off, knowing that she would return just about this time of day. Any minute now...

@Brutus Dahlgren @Lucy

 

[Brutus Dahlgren]

Brutus squinted as he went through his grand tour with Haru. He'd met the sage under mysterious circumstances, but it would appear the stars had aligned and brought him to his vary own Merlin of sorts. Haru appeared to be the Phil to his Hercules, the Chiron to his Hercules, maybe he just had Herc on the Brain. Either way, he had a new source of high quality ammunition AND another canon in the works. Something worth his status as an up and coming hero of the people. Something worth protecting people with.

"That's too kind of you, sir." Brutus would quip back looking around. "Already you humble me with your wisdom and knowledge of the land. I haven't left Honeyhome and Brishal save for a quest or two. But in order to be a hero, I need to be a hero to everyone, not just a small selection of the land."

He would take a seat and twiddle his thumb, idly waiting for their other companion to show up.

@Lucy @Haru

 

[Lucy]

𓍊𓋼˙༺❀

It had been another day just like any other day for Ceria. She had attended to her flower shop, made several floral arrangements and even interacted with a random number of customers, making a pretty penny in the process. The only difference between this day and the days prior in the week was two facts. First of all, almost every single customer was absolutely rude to her. Second of all, Haru had made plans with her for when she got home from work. As soon as she got to her room she could log onto Terrasphere, and that she did.

The world materializing once again around her, this was just as exciting as her first time logging in the day before, only this time she was more joyful. She had the opportunity to hang out more with Haru, and maybe even more lovely people if they stumbled upon them. Though there was always that nagging at the back of her head that perhaps-- she annoyed Haru, or maybe even that he wouldn't be waiting for her like he said he would be...

Either way she easily forgot about that small voice in the back of her head as she saw everything in front of her. Haru, sitting literally right beside her, and he was still wearing the flower crown that she had made him! Lucy couldn't help but feel overjoyed, he must really like it! I'm so glad! Another man, one she didn't know, was sitting next to Haru, twiddling his fingers. Was she late...? Lucy opened her palm menu, Nope, i'm actually right on time...

A wide gleeful smile flooding her facial expression, all fear gone from her mind. Not even waiting for another moment, Lucy leaned forward. Her chair falling over, filling the room with a loud bang and crash. Though Lucy wouldn't follow the behavior of the chair; for her body was now wrapping around Haru, forcing him into a hug.

"Work was awful today! There were so many rude people coming in. Enough about that though, how are you and how did you sleep?" She waited a moment longer before letting go of Haru to stand to her feet. She would reach forward, delicately placing the chair back upright. Apologizing to the people besides their group, she turned towards the new person. Noticing him properly this time and studying him, "Why are you so tall?" She blurted out the first thing that came to her mind.

Covering her mouth before more of her thoughts slipped out, she began to laugh. "Apologies, I didn't mean for that to come out. I'm Lucy, I'm assuming you're a friend of Haru's?"

@Haru @Brutus Dahlgren

 

[Haru]

"It's cool to be tall, you know. Ha, ha, ha..." The Sage's gentle laughter could be heard through Lucy's hair. A gentle pat on the back was what girl received for her display of affection. He didn't seem surprised, yet it took a moment for him to register that she had embraced him.

His gaze turned towards the strong and capable Brutus as Lucy began to let go of him. "This is a strong and righteous fellow, Lucy. He works to be a hero of the people, solving problems wherever he goes. I only wish to be as generous as he in my later years. Ha, ha, ha. I'd met him while you were away for a time, and I thought it would be fun for us to go on an adventure together in search of secrets."

His hands curl together, gesturing forward as if to ask 'how does that sound'?

 

[Brutus Dahlgren]

"Aha, another adventure and another adventurer." Brutus grinned, beaming bright as he stuffed another breadstick into his mouth. He'd run the waitress ragged keeping their basket of free breadsticks filled during their wait. "The name is Brutus, Brutus Dahlgren." He would offer the short woman a hand to shake and a warm smile. "Though some people have taken to calling me Bruce it would seem."

He turned back to look at the strange ghostly sage and squint a bit. His way of laughing seemed genuine, but the notes seemed so...tense. Like he was forcing it.

Artificial perhaps?

Either way, he would simply carry on, worrying about what the sage was up to or hiding would do him little good, the man was an enigma wrapped in a mystery. "Either way, it's perhaps time to order some food and figure out what it is exactly you have planned for us. It is rare I head out to Dunnstads, I am curious what you have in mind."

@Haru @Lucy

 

[Lucy]

𓍊𓋼˙༺❀

I do love secrets and adventures. It's been super fun so far... Lucy was not at all opposed to having this man join them on a journey. It would be nice to make more friends.

Lucy held out her arm to shake Brutus' hand. "Nice to meet you Brutus, it's aspiring to meet someone that's working to become a hero of the people." As if right on queue, Lucy's stomach let out a loud grumble. Face once again turning bright red, "Why is me being hungry a common theme around here?" She puffed her cheeks in a pout, "How come neither of your stomach's make hungry noises?"

The waitress would head over, Lucy would be asked of her order first before the other two. Placing her order, she waited patiently as the waitress took the other's orders. With the waitress leaving to get the food made, the three were met with silence.

Fiddling her fingers, Lucy was the first to break it with another loud sound coming from her stomach. "So uhhh... Weather's pretty nice." Grimacing internally, Lucy would pinch her hand, "I mean any plans for this adventure? Where are we gonna go?" Lucy waited for her question to be answered. The absence of voices before wasn't uncomfortable to Lucy.... it was just.... kinda awkward. Most likely because of the fact that she didn't know Brutus, along with the fact that her stomach wouldn't stop grumbling.

 

[Haru]

"I think I'll take you to a lovely little spot out on the sea today. Do you see the way the blue water sparkles?" He gestures off towards the ocean on the horizon. Just as he said, the water sparkled in the distance. Faintest shadows flickered over-shore, perhaps waves or the shadows of birds.

"And I assure you, Brutus, that it will be worth your time-both of your times in gold. Ha, ha, ha..."

The three had a wonderful luncheon out on the veranda together. Hugs were had, jokes were made and eventually the food was all gone. Once it was, the three departed to the coastline. The man Haru had spoken to before was at the docks, apparently waiting for the sage to arrive with a boat on dock. This was Haru's boat, apparently-and there was a really shiny cannon atop of it.

Maybe it was even Brutus' new shiny cannon.

Departing from the coast, Haru's guidance took the three off into the vast blue sea of Ilmea's Lament. It was a feared sea by many a sailor on the ship who said that brightest of skies could fall dark and stormy in moments' time. Yet as @Lucy 's gut felt, this would not be happening today. The weather was a beautiful blue all of the way to his destination-a cute little island, one of several that seemed to be nearby. This appeared to be a chain of isles of some sort.

"How romantic of a visage we've found. Do you wonder what we'll find here?"

@Brutus Dahlgren @Lucy

 

[Brutus Dahlgren]

Brutus was having a jolly good time. A full belly and a booze cruise? With a canon like that mounted atop the deck, they could not go wrong. He enjoyed the fresh air, the bright sky, and the company. Haru, despite having something...off about him and how he spoke, was pleasent enough company. Lucy was a new face, not one he had really gotten to know yet, he was curious what type of player she was, but as time went on he got the succinct impression that she was rather new to this whole affair.

He used to be able to relate.

As Haru explained the scenery to be the backdrop of their adventure, he got a distinctly "Pirates of the Caribbean" Vibe. He imagined there was some buried treasure somewhere out here, or perhaps it was sunken deep underwater for some brave adventurer to dredge up. And he would voice his opinion as such.

"Looks like there's some sort of treasure to be found out here. I'm not sure if its pirate treasure or what, but the whole island gives me big....buried or sunken treasure vibes."

@Haru @Lucy

 

[Lucy]

𓍊𓋼˙༺❀

Lucy had gobbled up her meal, satisfying her stomach. Paired with the cheery talk and laughter, her emotions were satisfied as well.

However... That all changed when the trio arrived at their destination. The clear blue sea, the boat... It all gave Lucy an incredible amount of fear. She would back up away from the group, sweat dripping down her forehead (figuratively).

Now, Lucy didn't mind being on the beach... She loved sitting on the beach in fact, it was the water.... Lucy held up her hands, shaking her head. "T-treasure sounds nice and all... T-this might come as a sh-shock... But...." Lucy gulped, her eyes widening... "I d-don't know how to s-swim...."

Even though the chance she would have to swim was very low, since they would be going on a boat, Lucy was still absolutely terrified of getting on the boat in the off chance that she fell off.

Never thinking she would be in this situation so soon, she was fully shocked. Truth be told, when she was little she had attempted to swim... Once.... Though it was a pure accident, she had fallen in the pool. If not for her mother (who had dived in to save her due to the fact that the lifeguard hadn't been paying attention), Lucy would have drowned. Since then, Lucy refused to even try swimming, refusing to learn. One trauma was more than enough for her.

 

[Haru]

Haru took note of this. His plan once thought out had a hitch, yet one that was easily smoothed over. How could it not be, when he was so confident in their destination? It was a beautiful set of isles-he wouldn't want a single fear to dilute the intertwining blues of sea and sky.

That is why he deigned to hop off the boat first. This was done without warning, prompting others to look and see where the man had went. If the lack of splashing was any indication to their expectations, the sight they saw was a showing of what kind of man had brought them here-a fulfillment of those very expectations. As naturally as grass, Haru stood upon the water front without sinking an inch. He stepped a few testing steps in a cute little circle around the waves.

After this, he extended a hand out to the boat.

"Shall you come with me on this journey? Trust me just a little, will you not? Neither of you will sink-that is my promise to you."

And sink they would not.

@Brutus Dahlgren @Lucy

 

[Brutus Dahlgren]

Brutus peered over the edge of the boat, down to the sage who was busy recreating one of the miracles of christ. Maybe the water was super salty and letting him stand on it, but more likely than not there was magic involved.

"Well then," Brutus drawled, "If you insist."

Taking a deep breath, Brutus would adjust his jacket, and then casually hop down off the edge of the boat, landing with a THUNK on the surface of the water and sending several ripples outwards from his point of impact. He would marvel at the notion, taking a few test steps as he sought to keep his balance. It was kind of like walking on a waterbed, the "ground" giving way ever so slightly as he took heavy steps. Between the fresh, salty air, the bright sun, and the warm breeze he was half disappointed they weren't actually swimming right now if he was going to be honest. Turning back to the boat and by extention, Lucy, he would raise his arms up.

"If you're worried about falling, I'll catch you!" he would call out.

@Haru @Lucy

 

[Lucy]

𓍊𓋼˙༺❀

Standing on water, Haru was bringing the Holy Bible into Terrasphere. Lucy's eyed him up and down, still scared but not as scared as she was before. The THUNK that sounded next to her in the water made her jump out of her skin, "Holy- You just scared the crap out of me..." She pressed her hand against her chest, letting her breathing calm down.

If someone as heavy as Brutus could walk on water, then maybe she could as well. Lucy took a tentative step forward, feeling the surface of the water with her feet. It was an odd sensation, her foot didn't sink through, and it didn't really get wet apart from the soles of her bare foot. Reaching out, she latched one hand onto Brutus' arm, and the other hand she grabbed onto Haru's hand.

"Y-You guys better not l-let go of me or let m-me fall in...." Lucy took another step forward until her body was now hovering on the surface of the water. Little fishies swimming up to her toes, giving her small kisses. Lucy let out an anxious laugh, "Ha..Ha..." The trio slowly made their way to the boat.

The fear that had been fueling her being replaced by fulfillment, "I-I DID IT!" Lucy squeezed both Brutus and Haru, (Brutus of the arm, Haru's hand) "Shall we set sail?" Lucy let go of the two before making her way to the center of the boat where she sat down on her bum. Not wanting to move or make her way to the edge, even though she wanted to look out into the ocean, who's to say she wouldn't fall off?

 

[Haru]

He had originally intended to simply walk to shore from here. However, Haru was not one to deny such an earnest request. The Sage took wheel of the ship himself and began sailing once more once Brutus was back on board.

Their destination was the other side of the isle, laying anchor just before the shoreline. It was much more readily apparent as to the shape of the archipelago out on this side of the blue horizon-the islands were arranged into a ring-like shape altogether.

Was something at the middle, waiting within the deep blue pit?

Though Haru teased such question with a nattator's cadence, sail there he did not. Instead, he took the two out to the landmass of the near isle. The three Adventurers delved into a jungle of tropical trees, eager to find what lie within.

"Ha, ha, ha... Did you know that people can't seem to find these palm-like trees on nearly another island? They're considered to be quite rare... resilient, too. They've stood here for years on end within the storms of Lament. Think about that."

As if to contradict himself, he plucked a large leaf from the tree as if taking paper out of a pile. Holding the leaf to his lips, the Sage played a small, jaunty little leaf-tune that brought the carribian atmosphere of the isle to the surface.

@Lucy @Brutus Dahlgren

 

[Brutus Dahlgren]

Brutus was vibing with the tropical air to the land. Haru had something up his sleeve, right? He could only imagine what they were getting up to, sunken treasure, buried treasure, maybe the treasure was the friendship they were building along the way.

Maybe.

There was something to admire in the palm trees presented. Though the irreverence Haru afforded the leaf seemed to derail the train of thought, the giant let his mind dwell on the tree. It was flexible, but unmoving. It didn't let storms bother it, it was just vibing.

How can I be, like this tree?

Brutus found himself musing. He would turn to Lucy and Haru, wondering if they were getting anything nearly as profound as he was from this, but he had a feeling what he was perhaps alone in experiencing this metaphor.

"Alright, so we've made it to this island, we've walked on water, we've witnessed the tree. What are we up to Haru?"

@Haru @Lucy

 

[Lucy]

𓍊𓋼˙༺❀

​

child of nature...

Being on the boat had it's strengths in that the faerin was clinging to the floor terrified out of her mind. Only to make matters worse as Haru joked about a dark blue pit in the water. Lucy would just close her eyes and wish that the ride was over soon, not knowing if they were passing the pit or not... Quite some time passed before she opened her eyes again, the island closer to them now.

The red-head would slowly push herself up, now crouching rather than sitting. She would call out to Brutus, being the one not steering the boat. After she had his attention she would ask for him to help her to the edge so she could peer at the water. He made his way over and walked her to the edge of the boat where she leaned forward.

A wind from the sea instantly smacked her in the face, letting out a gasp she laughed before swaying from the strength. Fear replacing her fun joy as she sunk her fingers into the edge trying to stay unmoving. The security that Brutus was next to her and ready to help her should she fall was comforting and as she got used to the wind she began to loosen up and relax.

Once again she would lean forward and peer over the edge, catching sight of something jumping among the waves. "Is that a dolphin?!" Lucy had to shout to be heard over the wind and the splashing of the waves and boat. She pointed with her finger as Brutus would confirm what she saw. "Sometimes I wish I could swim so I could be with the dolphins..." Lucy had to admit that being a fish would be pretty cool... It would probably feel like flying to just glide through the water with ease. "I wonder if it's possible to temporarily become a mermaid in this game...." Lucy small comment would go barely unnoticed due to how soft it was amongst the buffeting wind.

Thoughts of the sea constantly swirled her brain, although it held great fear for her, she was more lenient to being on the boat... Just due to the fact that Haru and Brutus helped make her feel safe... Having friends was a truly wonderful thing!

Time seemed to fly by as the trio made it to the isle, the coastline filled with palm trees, coconuts, bananas, literally anything one would find in Hawaii. The faerin would watch as Haru plucked a leaf, saying something about their resilience before he began to blow into it, filling the air with music. Brutus asked about what they were doing here, and Lucy would begin to wander away from them.

Her gaze on all of the nature surrounding her, feeling more at home than on the boat, despite the wonders of the dolphins and fishies. Blazing red hair, stormy grey eyes, Lucy would go closer to the east side. The trees were alluring her and drawing her in. She couldn't resist the draw, her hand resting gently on one of the palm tree's trunks, still within shouting distance, yet she was not close enough to hear what the two boys would talk of should they communicate. Her gaze unfocused, staring into the distance. Everything new and fresh, the aura and voices of the nature on this island were vastly different than on the mainland that she was used to.

@Brutus Dahlgren @Haru

 

[Haru]

Haru allowed her to go without a word, and for Brutus to introspect towards himself. He played the leaf-whistle to his content, passing the time as they came to grow in their own ways.

He had known that she would depart. What Lucy and Brutus needed most was experience, and for that they required change. They required new horizons... they need to see that which was different to what they knew, so that they understood that change could be found in anything.

Even themselves, no matter how far they'd grown.

This was a place of nature, as well as a place of the dead. What Haru had not told these two was that it was a place that grave destruction had taken place. The damage to lives that had occurred in the sky, both digital and that of human soul, could not be counted. All had been lost when they had fallen from the sky into the ocean pits. They all fell, and all were lost in all but memory.

Absolution Beyond Cloudburst.​

Only memories of promises and experiences remained. Haru directed these lost fragments to the isle, stimulating the imagination. He wished for the two to have realization in a way more beautiful than those upon that fortress in the sky had found.

He played his song for his friends and enemies. He played for the little puppet in the cage and for Urukhan's fury when he had opened it.

He might have even played the music for himself, too, for once in his life.

When day past and noon came and went, Haru ceased his music to wonder whether it would snap either of the two out of their reverie. He hadn't expected the two to be pondering about the world for so long!

@Lucy @Brutus Dahlgren

(Also a mention to @Ashifili because this thread was secretly a tribute to him)

 

[Lucy]

𓍊𓋼˙༺❀

​

child of nature...

The fairy hadn't expected to stay alone for very long, but the voices of nature had lured her in, causing her to leave the group further.

Her dainty footsteps moving forward, deeper into the island. The tales of misfortune whistling and humming in her ears, the events that had unraveled her being made known in her mind. Haru's loss and misfortune, his death... The fact that he had already died two times before half of his body being ripped from the sky.

Her eyes were clouding with feelings that could only be described as #NOTPOGGERS. If anyone were to ask, Lucy would just say that she was fine. (Lucy is a woman, duh). After the knowledge had filled her mind, her feet would lead her back to the company of the others. Her body, dragging, her emotions all over the place. It was around noon when she burst through the treeline.

Crying out for Brutus, and Haru, the thing she needed the most with her spain was company. The company of friends, when the two would reach her side she would grasp onto both of their arms. "Haru.. Why didn't you tell me that you're UI locked..."

@Brutus Dahlgren @Haru

 

[Haru]

The look on his face was not one of surprise, but was a look of befuddlement all the same. It seemed she'd thrown him for a loop with that question for a moment. Perhaps it had been the sudden nature of it, but his lips were for once curled into a resting frown.

"...Ha, ha, ha... I find myself surprised, Lucy. I hadn't thought you knew of the fate of the third death to begin with." A pause lingered in the air. It seemed as if, for once, Lucy had found something that the sage was reluctant to talk about.

"I... have never been one to speak of the dead. It'sjust not something I need to do. Brutus here is sharp, and knows of such things. You are bright as any star would be, and there is no need to dim your heart with such talk.

And yet..." His gaze sought the horizon, the scenery he had seen when he had died. Out of his lips, the wind carries his solemn words, "It's not very cool to hide away secrets, now is it..? Ha... What a fool I am."

His laughter trailed off. Soon there was nothing that Haru had to say.

@Lucy @Brutus Dahlgren

 

[Brutus Dahlgren]

Brutus placed his other hand on Haru's shoulder and shook his head. "Hiding things from people is definitely not cool, but I can understand why you would do it. There's a certain nobility in stoicism, but not amongst friends." He would take a deep breath and sigh. "So this is the place you died eh? Seems rather morbid to bring your friends here to explore your death zone, but I suppose there is a lesson to be learned in it, eh?"

He would use his other hand to ruffle Lucy's hair, trying to cheer her up. "Then perhaps we should go explore then, see what there is to see, wander the leftover desolation of the land. There is oft to be stories to learn in places like these."

He shook his head, the wind fluttering in his hair and his jacket blowing in the wind. "Eh Haru? That's why we're here aint it?"

@Haru @Lucy

 

[Lucy]

𓍊𓋼˙༺❀

​

child of nature...

"I can understand it being a heavy topic, and one that you don't wish to share with people, but nonetheless you're my friend and I care about you. We don't have to talk about it anymore, don't worry." Her hair was then ruffled by Brutus and Lucy let out a complaint. "Heyyy, get down here!" She reached up, jumping to try and ruffle Brutus' hair back. Her cheeks puffing and her face flustering as she tried and tried. "Not fair. Why do you have to be so tallllllll." Another complaint. Giving up on her attempts to get him back, she looked back at Haru.

Exploring the island seemed like something she wanted to do, given how her eyes sparkled as Brutus suggested such a thing. But it wasn't up to her, it was up to Haru.. He was the one that had died here after all, and he was the one that had taken them here. If he was uncomfortable exploring his death zone, she would understand.

@Brutus Dahlgren @Haru