khuioduan | [NPC] A Heartfelt Plea ; video

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[*] npc

[NPC] A Heartfelt Plea ; video

[ The tall Arybar woman who appears on the video today sits farther back from the screen than most; at an average height of over 7 feet, these feline-featured humanoids often have to hunch to use the stationary network consoles. Even still, it's not hard to see the open distress on her features, her ears drooping, or hear the edge of desperation in her voice. ]

I, ah... this message is for Dreamfolk specifically. My name is Tiaghae.

Lately there have been a lot of posts talking about people -- Dreamfolk -- seeing visions about people they don't recognize. The names you've been mentioning, they wer-- are crew members upon the Narrakra. Ms Eitria, she's their navigator! And the older Castian gentleman, Nerrin, he's the Chief Engineer if my memory serves.

You see... my nephew, Faias, is also aboard the Narrakra... he just graduated the academy not too long ago, he couldn't stop talking about his new posting. And th-then this happened...

We've gone to the Sentry about the disappearances, and that people are receiving these visions, but they're telling us that since they can't be substantiated, there's nothing they can do.

So I'm making a plea to you all directly: if you have any information that he's alive, that... that he's safe, please... tell us.

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[The voice that comes over the link is deep and calm, though not unsympathetic to the woman's plight.]

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the significance of a "nephew", but I know myself and one other person have had visions following Faias. [Padparadscha had never quite gotten to the mass post with people sharing the stories they'd seen, thinking that perhaps someone else who had seen the boy would respond instead.]

He lives, I can tell you that much. [How much more they should tell her is another matter entirely.]

[ Tiaghae seems perplexed at first, but she clarifies for Padparadscha.]

Faias is the son of my brother, which makes him my nephew.

[ She leans forward toward the screen, anxious. ]

You did? Do you know where he could be? They said the Narrakra left no traces, even though it should have. Is he alone or is he with the rest of the crew?

I see. [It's useful to know - Padparadscha's heard "son" and "brother" in their time here, so they can figure out from that it should be a relatively close family connection.

While Padparadscha doesn't want to leave her question entirely unanswered with how anxious she seems, they wonder how much should be said here. It takes them a few moments to respond.]

He was with the crew the first I saw of him. The other visions...were unclear. It was difficult to tell whether he was with anyone, but I think he must have had companions of some kind from what I saw.

[Living things feel pain sensitively, it seems, and cannot simply replace their body parts. If Faias' leg had properly been healed, removed or replaced, they doubt he would have been capable of doing it himself.

If the still broken image was the true one, however...]

How... how many visions have there been?

I'm so glad he isn't alone.

If there's anything you can remember that might help the Sentry know where to begin their search, I beg of you...

I've had three. Others may have had more. [Despite the lack of video, Padparadscha shakes their head, producing a faint tinkling sound.]

I saw less of the surrounding area each time. The first was in a jungle, I saw that part clearly, but the second was only fog and mud. And the third was just the sensation of a hot sun that I remember. So I'm afraid I have little to start a search with.

A jungle...

[ Tiaghae seems thoughtful at that revelation. ]

I wonder if... no, it couldn't be, could it? We Arybar... we're originally from a land that was a jungle.

[That gives Padparadscha brief pause, as if they're considering something.]

Were there any unusual things that lived in that jungle alongside you? All lands have their threats, after all.

[The question is whether those bizarre shadows are a natural one or something else.]

I never lived there, we Arybar don't live that long, so that was was several of our generations ago. Some of the books that survived from Valishaera might still be around, perhaps at the library?

I'll see if I can find them, then. Did you never hear stories of it yourself?

[Padparadscha is largely curious about that - their impression of living things is that they're supposed to pass down their knowledge to their replacements, so it seems odd for no knowledge to have carried down other than in books.]

[ Tiaghae sighs, her expression tightening a little. ]

Yes, I do have some stories passed down through my family, but I'm rather more thinking about Faias at the moment, not reliving old tales.

Those old tales could be relevant to him, if your guess is accurate. [Padparadscha's tone is mild still, but they're not pursuing the topic without reason.] Something like a living shadow appeared in the dream in the jungle. I wondered if it might have been a natural inhabitant of that place.

But Valishaera doesn't even exist anymore, how could something from there still be...?

[ She sighs again. She doesn't mean to turn aside potential help that they could be offering, but it's hard to focus when she's so worried about her nephew. ]

A living shadow... no, there wasn't anything like that, that I'm aware of. Creatures of all manner, yes, but aside from the inan they were all normal creatures like you'd find here in Khu Ioduan.

I see. [Inan exist here as well, to their knowledge, so that doesn't quite match what they're thinking of here.] It's unlikely I can be of more help to you with what little understanding I have of the matters of living things, but there is good reason to believe your nephew is still alive.

[ Even that little bit of assurance seems to help Tiaghae, for what it's worth. ]

I'm so glad... all I want is for him, for all of them, to be able to come home. I know Sentry work, especially in the Naval Division, has its risks, but... he's so young.

How young? [Padparadscha is somewhat curious - living things age differently to their own species, so there's a good chance he's barely a pebble by their circumstances.] I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with what age is usual to join that kind of work for living things.

...Sorry... [He's never caught a hint of Faias.]

...Just...how long ago was this?

[ Tiaghae appears confused by the question. ]

How long ago was what?

[He's sheepish when he answers because he knows it's kind of inappropriate—someone who's worrying doesn't want an interrogation. But—]

When did the ship set out...

[—He continues on anyway. When things have gotten like this, he needs to know. (Or at least...that's how he justifies it to himself.)]

Oh... the Sentry ship was on its regular patrol during the first week of May when it disappeared.

Why? Is that significant?

[ She's desperate for anything to work with. ]

[...He's going to assume that she doesn't mean the first week of May years and years ago...]

...I saw him. One of them. I'm...not sure if it's significant.

[He really doesn't want to even bring up the possibility that Nerrin might be dead, much less Faias. And hey, it doesn't have to be true... It's just, there's no way to go to the dimension that Nerrin seems to be trapped in, as far as he can tell.]

...I think he's alive.

Oh stars, I'm relieved... is there anything you've seen that I could pass along to the Sentry?

[Well that puts Judai in a bind. That he inflicted on himself.]

I'll, uh. I'll tell the Sentry. First-hand sources, right? [~~His school-learnings are showing.~~]

[ Tiaghae looks very grateful. ]

Thank you so much... will you tell me what they say? Perhaps if a Dreamfolk goes to them rather than one of us...

[He can do that. Probably.]

Uh, not to be rude... But why would that matter if it were one of us? [He has an inkling—something to do with Dreamfolk existing at all, or something—but...is that weird? He doesn't know if it's weird. He doesn't interact with the Sentry much.]

The Dreamfolk are delivered by the Dreaming, was what I was thinking. Logic may not play into it so much, I admit, but I'll gladly take the illogical if it means I can do anything at all to get Faias and the others home safely.

Oh—right.

[He rubs his head. He doesn't mean to look doubtful or anything, but this isn't shaping up to be one of those things he can go along with even if he doesn't understand it.]

[He can get the sentiment behind doing one's best, though, at least.]

Yeah, I'll let them know. [Maybe if he manages to convince them that he knows more about the Dreaming than he really does? But that's for later, when he actually goes to do it.]

And, hey, uh, thanks.

No, thank you. We need every bit of hope we can get, that they might all return safely.

As far as I can tell, everyone lives except a person called Meoni, who was with Faias. I cannot promise Faias's safety, but the current state of knowledge is that he at least is alive. Meoni was not quite so fortunate. If you happen to know Meoni's family and could put me in contact with them, I would like to let them know his fate, as well.

I took the liberty of cataloguing the various visions Dreamfolk have been experiencing based on their narratives here [ Rutile includes a link to a network post they made several days ago asking about the visions ]. Unfortunately, I am not qualified to explain their significance to you, but I hope you can find some amount of comfort in the information the Dreamfolk have contributed so far. If you've already seen them, I apologize, but we know as much as is presented there.

It is despicable that the Sentry, sworn to protect the people of this city, is not responding to the disappearances. It may be more effective to organize on your own and take direct action. I truly hope, for your sake and theirs, that everyone is alright.

[ Tiaghae responds in voice, and hopes that Rutile won't mind. The Arybar have large digit fingers that make typing quickly more of a challenge than for some other races. Even so, her breath catches at the revelation of Meoni. ]

Oh no... no, that can't be. Meoni? You're sure? She was in Faias' academy class, they graduated together. Surely you must be mistaken!

Sentry ships are the only ones outfitted capably to safely travel outside the barrier, so I don't know who else to ask.

[ Rutile has no problem with that, and even answers as soon as the message comes in so they can communicate in real time. ]

My knowledge is secondhand, so mistakes are possible. I've had only two people directly mention Faias and Meoni to me. That's the best I can do, insufficient as it is.

[ The regret in their tone is evident, even when they switch topics, prudent as ever. ]

Forgive me, I haven't been in Aifaran long, and your patience is appreciated. Is the Narrakra a Sentry ship?

Edited 2018-07-08 11:19 (UTC)

Yes, it is. One of their newer ones, in fact. There hasn't been any contact since it disappeared in May, nor any sign of it other than the recovered lifeboat when that missing Kin'nal girl was found.

I just got here, but I only saw your nephew.

Someone happened to his leg, I think. It was hard to tell.

His leg? Was there anyone with him to help?

I didn't see anybody else.

Sorry.

[ Tiaghae responds in voice; the Arybar have large digit fingers that make typing quickly more of a challenge than for some other races. ]

I see... well, he always was a resourceful boy. I wish there was something more I could do...

You and me both.

[ Tiaghae isn't sure what else to say in response to that. ]

Thank you for letting me know.

[ She’s Faias’ aunt. Oh goddess... but she must need some encouragement right now. Ilda doesn’t want to lie, but this all just too heartbreaking. Maybe...

She takes a deep breath and steels herself, then makes the connection. ]

Hello! I’m Ilda.

Um... I had some visions about Faias. He’s alive.

Hello Ilda, it's nice to meet you, even if this is the reason...

I'm just so worried about him, about all of them... this shouldn't have happened!

What were they supposed to be doing out there, Ma’am?

And, um... who’s Meoni...?

It was just a routine patrol! The Sentry does them all the time...

Meoni was in Faias' academy class, they graduated together.

They were close, weren’t they? He... he was upset by what happened to her.

Yes, they were. Faias doesn't have any siblings, so I believe Meoni being around his own age might have been a nice change for him. I met her a few times.

[ Ilda can almost feel Tiaghae’s anguish as if it’s her own. Well, maybe it is. She knows all this is breaking her heart, especially because she’s seen other, more terrifying visions of Faias.

So she puts on her game face... and tries her best to be convincing. ]

Don’t worry, ma’am. I don’t know about the others, but Faias is alive and safe. I’m sure of that, at least.

[ Tiaghae exhales gratefully. ]

Oh thank you, sweet girl... even that small bit of knowledge makes things a little easier. I just wish there was something more I could do.

As do I, ma'am.

[ She pauses, frowning thoughtfully. ] Perhaps I can talk to someone from the Sentry... [ Valdis would help, wouldn't she? After all, it's Valdis. ]

How long have they been missing, ma'am? And how long were they gone when you first reported their disappearance to the Sentry?

The Narrakra disappeared in May, and there hasn't been any sign of it other than the recovered lifeboat when that missing Kin'nal girl was found.

It was actually the Sentry themselves that let us know that the ship had failed to report its normal check-in, so they've known since the start of all this...

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[NPC] A Heartfelt Plea ; video

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