adregem | 000 - voidtreckerexpress Universal Contact Post

[ Once Roland has been added to the screen, Tidus starts fiddling with his own character, deciding the type of build and hair before moving on after onto clothes. He's the type to make his character as close to he is, so of course he's got muscles and looks absolutely like the perfect guy out of a teenage girl's--or boy's--magazine.

But for the time he takes on style, somehow, it's Roland that takes even longer. And when he hears what he hears- ]

Dooon't you take forever thinking 'bout what's practical, gramps. It's all aesthetics! Only thing that matters for that is the class you pick. This down here.

[ One of the last options to be chosen, that also picks your weapon. The main default is a sword and shield, but then there's a staff, bow and arrows, magic-

Tidus settles on archer, just because. ]

[ He actually sounds mildly offended at that. ]

Hey, don't discount the power of looking the part!

[ But he does take his cue since Tidus was finished way before he even got to weigh the options of having a different hair color. He rushes his character selection, and ends up with...a rather typical looking hero, a little rough around the edges, but has a regal feel to it, your standard young adventurer. His character is tall with bright blonde hair and sky blue eyes. ]

These games are so detailed. We used to just do all of this manually, y'know. Read them in choose-your-own-adventure storybooks, play as figurines on a board...Heh. Technology sure is something.

[ He cycles through all the classes. He sees Tidus' archer, and hums in thought. His first instinct is to pick sword and shield, but since this was a fantasy roleplaying game, he decided to live out a different class instead. He clicks on the Magician. ]

There. [ The loading screen pops up. ] ...I hope I get a broom to ride on, this time. [ ???? ]

What tech did you have where you're from? [ Tidus asks as the wonders of technology is admired, since it's small but interesting curiosity to figure out: how many people had little to no tech in their worlds, what level of it did they have? Not many people ever seemed to have Zanarkand's level, but, well...

That other comment is going to get a far more puzzled thing, however. ]

What?

[ what?? did he hear you right old man, does Tidus want to know. ]

Tech where I'm from? [ Or tech where I was born? He leaves it ambiguous for now. ] It's a lot like this, I suppose. I had the Leafbook in Evermore, and it was connected wirelessly to other devices so I could keep track of everyone around the world. I used to own a tablet too, back in the day, but I used it mostly for...official duties. [ AKA Tidus' favorite word, work! All in all, Roland isn't tech-deprived at the least, but he's never been like Tani and Bracken who took to technology like fishes in water.

If his own hacked online journal was of any indication. He's still bitter about that. ]

There's a country called Broadleaf, allied with Evermore. They're probably a bit more hi-tech and sci-fi than my own world. Maybe I'll get to show you what I mean, if we see it in that picture book?

[ The loading screen is finally done, and their characters render at last. He smiles - they look really good! And for the first time since Tidus asked him to play the VR console, Roland feels a bit excited. So much so that a bit of his elderly facade breaks by just a tiny bit, and his excitement bleeds into his follow-up. ]

A broom. Y'know, witches and wizards in those stories fly around on brooms, casting spells and curses. I used to think with all the magic in Evermore, I'd get one delivered to me. Turns out they still used boats and airships, just like back home. Color me disappointed.

[ Tidus hums, and it doesn't sound so foreign to him what Roland describes. Names of brands he's never heard of before, but that's to be expected. He wonders if to add anything himself? In Zanarkand, or if, In Spira...

He decides to go for neither, and lets the conversation go on as it does. On the screen they're in a hall before a pair of grand doors that a red line of carpet slips under, other characters around them of the appearance of castle servants. That's what the interior looks like: a castle that glitters with care and riches. ]

I dunno why you'd wanna ride a broom, [ tbqh, ] but hey, whatever you want. [ But anyway, the game-- ] Use the left stick to look around, you should see me--the right one'll let you move.

[ And indeed, Roland should see Tidus--or Tidus's character, with his quiver and arrow peeking from behind his back, dressed like a Proper Cool Anime--is stood there facing him. There's no need to rush and progress the game before letting Roland get used to the controls. ]

Hey now, don't knock it till you try it! It looks kind of fun to me. [ And he doesn't doubt that if he had a chance to ride a broom, god he would. He would do ALL that cool movie stunt stuff because guess what, you wanna woo Roland? Bring him to the movies!!! ]

Left stick to look around, right one to move - [ Roland echoes the instructions clearly, and it doesn't take him long to get it done. It almost looks like his own avatar is checking Tidus' character out since he's still clunky with the camera controls, but he's impressed at the attention to detail. Of course, he would choose a sporty one. Heh. ]

[ Roland's own Mage is...perhaps not as spicy as Tidus' character, but he looks like he's ready to cast a mean spell or two! He starts running around in circles, though the movement is dizzying. Very dizzying. ] Ugh. My head. There's a lot going on!

[ Why ride a broom when you can ride an airship?? get better tastes roland ]

Yeah, it's pretty bright in this first part. Next part's darker. [ A lot darker. ] You wanna move on and see how you do there?

[ They can always switch to the bigger screens at least, but this is the guy's first time, so best to see how he adjusts to it first. This wasn't what Tidus figured he was going to be doing when he rolled out of bed that day, but hey, it's not so bad. None of this is serious thinking, and he likes that there's no need to rush. ...for now. But he's taking his time, hanging by the door to the next room and waiting on Roland's decision. ]

[ Jokes on you, HE HAS!!!! /blows Tidus raspberries!! ]

Taking off my training wheels early, huh? I can respect that. Let's do it. [ Roland speaks as if he was on an actual mission, and maybe he is. He wants to know if this is something he can do in his off-time, right? So he gives it his all, tries to enjoy it, and it's not hard to do so. It's an objectively fun experience. He controls his character through the door and enters the next area. His character hits lots of walls - the depth of perception is still a little skewed - but they make it through and he takes what Tidus gives him and leads the small party out. ]

Where's our mission? Do we slay a dragon? Rescue a damsel in distress? Save the world from impending doom?

[ In sharp contrast to Roland's stillness as he plays, the character he controls jumps around in circles, runs wherever he goes. ]

[ roland PLEASE nevermind this experience isn't that chill.

They're in the courtyard now, since Roland doesn't know the definition of chill, a ring of land and garden with a fountain as its centrepiece. Plenty of room for Roland to go zoomies around, while Tidus gains twenty years to be the guy going slow and sighing on the inside. ]

One thing at a time, alright? We gotta meet the King's adviser, then he'll make us go through an underground dungeon so we can find a portal over to another island.

Weren't you complainin' about a headache a second ago?

[ Yes, he's here and calling Roland OUT. Like this isn't exactly what he did the first time he played with Light. ]

[ The more his character sees in the game, the wider his grin in real life. He feels light, and it's a comforting warmth that tingles and excites in a way that tugs at his heartstrings. It's almost ironic given his life in the Second World was basically...this. ]

Heh. The King's adviser? I didn't know I was in this game.

[ BA DUM TSS, please laugh, he's here all week. He chuckles and tries to follow Tidus, who starts leading their characters where they need to go for the first mission. He jumps half the time instead of just walking, and when he's not jumping, the running continues. He stops ahead of Tidus' warrior from time to time, like an excitable puppy waiting for their master to catch up. The difference between the player and its avatar was so striking, it was funny. ]

Dizzy. And I got used to it. Cut me some slack. Now, hurry up! No slowpokes on this adventure.

[ GO AHEAD CALL HIM OUT, he'll just run circles!! Somehow, he was able to get his giant staff out too. He leans down and presses the button combination again. The avatar cycles through stances. ]

If you're an old man in a robe... ohhh wait.

[ YEAH YEAH HE WENT THERE, GRAMPS. Alright, Roland got a scoff out of Tidus before he said that, but he's still getting all the sass because Tidus is never forgetting that you old, Roland. Not his avatar though, clearly, going around the place like a puppy indeed. Has Tidus found it? Has he found Roland's Youth.

There's a few jars along the way that Tidus stops them at, pointing out- ] You should check 'em, there's potions sometimes. [ Because Roland needs the true RPG experience.

But they're getting closer to where they need to be, a door guarded by two soldiers in full armour blocking their faces with their helmets, and the mentioned 'old man in robes' waiting with them, still in that RPG 'will only be activated when you go to talk to them' manner. The adviser is the cliche of his profession: wise bordering on pompous, but loyal in his speech. He explains there is a magical mirror that will take them where they need to go, but it is deep within the underground, lurking with monsters. But with the mirror he gives them (a quick 'Magic Mirror Added to Equipment' popping up on the screen) they will be able to use it.

Good luck, brave adventurers...! ]

Ready to be a hero?

Please. Look at this guy, he's nowhere near as good looking. Plus, I've got better hair. You can't deny that.

[ 48 is the new 20 and you're going to have to live with it, PUNK. He draws his weapon out and starts firing the entire list of his basic spells in succession just to destroy the ceramic jars lining the throne room. He has so many questions because why would you even put your resources inside JARS, for everyone to see and take from??? Logistically, these games need to be more true to a real kingdom! But he doesn't voice this out, instead he plays like he's trying to do five different things at once. His eyes scan through the text as the old adviser speaks and he's reading it quite fast, but he's also jerking his character around to get more Potions like he was instructed to do so, and the game mechanic doesn't seem to stop characters from moving around. The text box just stays in place while Roland's mage farms potions and leaves a wake of destruction. ]

I don't trust him. I'm willing to bet he's going to play a weird part later on. Have you played this game before? Don't tell me.

[ Yes, Tidus. Yes you found his youth. So now you're going to have to suffer. You thought President Serious was bad, wait till you meet President Geek. As soon as the instructions are given, he readies himself for the real action, his body tensing up like a coiled snake. ]

I was born to be. [ He clicks the prompt away and the loading screen sweeps them into the first dungeon. I've always wanted to say that! ]

[ You know. He could have just approached the jars and take the goodies that way, but no. This is the true face of Roland and Tidus is taking notes. Such as, wow this guy is having a lot of fun for someone who was just wasting time calculating the number of carrots.......

And he's trying to guess the plot of a dumb 'defeat the evil wizard' game. Please.

The dungeon is exactly as it sounds, long narrow stone corridors with prison cells barred by cold, hard steel. There's the sound of dripping water leaking from somewhere afar, the flickering torches burning endlessly on hooks from the walls. It gives off a chill regardless from visuals alone, the faintest of background music tinkling away in their ears. ]

So- You wanna go first, or me? Since you're born for this. [ ... ] Plus, you'll probably fire a fireball into my back if I did.

[ There's also the fact he's an archer, and while neither of them are up close and personal classes, his is less so. It's not as if it's difficult to see where they should go, though there will be a few dead ends. The game is kind, not throwing them straight into a fight.

Regardless of who ends up going first, Tidus will ask as they start to move, casually: ]

Ever been thrown in jail before?

[ He hums out his intrigue as the opening layouts play out, showing them the first floor of the dungeon. Every textured surface, every pixel in perfect place, really brings him back to a different time and place. This is the one time he takes his character to a complete standstill as his fingers move the leftmost joystick, just tilting the camera side to side, all around, up and down, taking it all in... ]

This reminds me of a place we had to run away from. It's been so long since then.

[ Though the game does lack a certain sense of danger and urgency than his actual experience. He was escaping a coup with Evan then, the first time they ever met. A lifetime and a half ago, now... When he's done assessing the dungeon, his avatar bursts to life again, staff out and his stance ready. He smirks, happily taking the lead from Tidus' archer with a characteristic seriousness you'd attribute to Roland any day. It's just a game, bro. ]

Of course I'm going first. I have to protect my ranged unit. That's just Strategy 101. [ .... ] And that's really funny. I'm a professional, I've never had friendly fire and I'm not about to start in a game, I can tell you that much! [ PUNK! DELINQUENT! ]

[ He moves his character a little too fast, exploring like he's on a sugar high. This causes him to fall off platforms, get wet in ditches, and clip his character against dead ends, but it's all part of the fun for Roland. Eventually, they meet their first fight - a couple of generic looking bats and slimes with a skeleton thrown in, again, looking awfully familiar from the monsters he's seen in Evermore except more kiddish and less menacing. His mage...charges up at them, hitting them with his staff with weak melee before he casts fireballs up close. He goes through this motion to help Tidus shoot from relative safety before he hears Tidus' question. ]

Sort of. If you count Sky Pirate jail time, sure. [ He kills a slime! He uses a basic ice spell and it's more effective than the fire! ] Evan and I were cuffed and we got this close from getting thrown off a cliff to our untimely ends. [ Another falls under the staff of the mighty Roland! Someone should really tell him to stop casting magic while jumping. It looks cool but it's disorienting. ] Have you? I can't imagine, you're such a nice, polite boy. [ You can practically hear the smirk dripping off of his voice. ]

[ IT'S JUST A GAME, BRO.

But for someone taking a game so serious, what kind of mage bothers attacking with their staff?! What a waste of time, but at least with Roland rushing on ahead, it gives time for Tidus to pull out his own weapon and attempt to use it. For all his own professionalism and sense of done it, i'm a pro over how to get from Point A to Point B, he's never played this class before, going for the standard sword and shield.

The bats are the fussiest, but luckily the skeletons' hitboxes don't care about the spaces between their rib bones, and when they're hit, they flail their bony arms up in a stun. It makes it easy work for Roland to knock them with magic. ]

What're you tryna say? [ Cheeky! Tidus isn't taking that! ] I got thrown in jail 'cause some jerk kidnapped my girl! And there wasn't any nearly for us--they dumped us into dungeons full of fiends so we'd get kill!

But we didn't 'cause we're better than that. [ yeah everyone else who died that way are chumps!! There's a treasure chest awaiting down one of the forks in the path, and Tidus's character kicks it open with a foot, revealing armlets found to be equipped. Thank you, he will. ]

[ He has a system, don't question it if it works!! He creates a surprisingly effective combo, and he even unlocks a nice finishing move where he douses the last blob with ice before burning it with a fireball. He just invented his own Class of magician, you're welcome. ]

You don't run out of arrows? If only it really worked that way in real life.

[ Roland is too busy fixing his camera angles that he misses out on the freebie. He isn't salty about it, but you will hear him kind of scoff. He saw that. He was gunning for it! Rude! He catches up with his jumping and running and they encounter their first puzzle, where they have to light candles in quick succession to open the big gate. The only problem is that they'd need teamwork, since the candles were so far apart, and they were each timed to only stay lit for a certain number of seconds. Roland's avatar begins to run incredibly fast in every direction - every direction - in an effort to memorize the fastest route among three candles that weren't equidistant. He's a geek and you did this, you did this Tidus! ]

That's...actually really honorable. Your girlfriend is lucky to have you and your friends. [ HE FOUND THE ROUTE. Center, Left, Right! ] Heh. You must have enjoyed fighting your way out of that. Why was she kidnapped in the first place? Did she get hurt?

[ He obviously means this, he knows she's probably okay by now but just in case, he is worried that something bad happened to her during that time. Roland's stoic but he isn't made of stone. And for Tidus to mention her this casually, he reckons she must mean a lot to him. ]

[ They need teamwork?? Too bad the pair of them are a horrible match and will never work out. Actually, with the way that Roland is just zooming around the place, he wonders if Roland will try to solve this puzzle on this own or actually let Tidus take part in it. ...or tell him to.

So don't mind as he stands to the side looking like he's waiting for Roland to figure it out. You've got this, champ. ]

She's fine, [ he can answer, that's the easier part of that question, but for the rest. ] It's uh, kinda complicated, but the guy wanted to marry her to get her to help him do something stupid. [ And you can hear how unimpressed Tidus is to remember it. ] But he's gone now, thankfully. For good. Some people are just nuts, y'know?

[ Not even the peanut and celery kind. ]

[ He's still jumping. That avatar is going to get a lot of good leg gains today. Roland kind of leans in to shrug at Tidus' arm since he can't really see him, and it's almost, almost juvenile. He's letting loose and having fun, no more calling out! ] So this might not work the first time around, but let's try it out. Light the center candle first, then when you see me go around the leftmost side here, where the other candle is hidden behind a door, run to the right candlestick. We have to meet back at the middle after we light all three, so jump if you have to get speed.

[ He won't do your homework but he'd probably tutor you after class for free. Such is Roland's fate. As they get into position, he still keeps his ears open for Tidus' short tale. Roland quirks an eyebrow at that. ]

He...forced her hand into marriage? That's despicable. What reason could he have had to do something like that? [ His avatar cycles back into a neutral position as they ready themselves. ] You're right. It takes all kinds. I guess some things really are just universal, whichever world you end up in. [ Not that there were a lot of nutjobs in the Second World. Maybe...President Zip was kind of a nutjob when he was being manipulated, but apart from that, he can't think of anyone dastardly enough to force a maiden to wed. It doesn't sit well with him, no sir. ]

You sure you can't get it? You nearly had it that time.

[ You know, Tidus is fine just standing over here doing absolutely nothing, and he totally wants to see if Roland would try it if he said it as (somewhat) earnestly as he did. Are you sure, Roland? Are you positive this isn't a solo puzzle??

But as his tale, there's a dismissive tone in his reply. ]

It was all politics. Wasn't really important or what he wanted Yuna to do, it was just show. [ Pah. It puts a sour taste in his mouth to even think about, reminds him of the apple in his real lap, though he doesn't go for it. ] That was my brush with that kinda thing though. Religion ran Spira, people called Maesters who decided this or that for everyone. Far as I know, there wasn't any voting with that.

[ Then again, far as he knows about anything, they could have had duelled to the death to appoint people to positions. ...'cept, he doubts that. Most of them were all lanky and old. ]

[ Oh no you don't. Roland runs his character around Tidus' warrior in fast circles again, like he's trying to carve is path into the ground. ] Even if I could get it on my own, why would I? I'm playing with you, so we have to do it together. [ Circles!!! Around!!! You!!! ] Besides. I have a feeling this isn't going to be the last puzzle yet, so the next one's on you. Captain.

[ He jumps in place, the bugger of an avatar. But Roland as a player is once again still, sitting up with a straight back and his neck barely craning from side to side. ]

[ He's happy Tidus is sharing a bit of his own world with him. It's...nice. ]

Interesting. Spira, huh? From experience, politics and religion rarely mix. When they do, trouble like that tends to follow, and history is a cruel mistress, rarely forgetting the mistakes of men. I can't say I support such a system, but I'm in no position to judge given what little I personally know. [ A short beat passes. ] Maybe he was actually in love with Yuna? And used his position to curry her favor?

[ Who is this guy, why is he such a big kid? Let's ignore the fact Tidus would absolutely do this to someone else if he wasn't as zoned out of it as he came into the game, but this guy! He's like sixty or something in real life! Why is he acting like he's four!! ]

Do you have to run around all the time?

[ No acknowledgement of their actual goal here or the puzzle, but with that said, Tidus will move his avatar with an exaggerated sigh into place. ]

It wasn't love. [ Simply stated, but firm. He could just tell directly what he was after, but when Roland is in high fantasy mode...ugh, the reasoning will sound stupid. But he does decide after a beat of his own- ]

Yuna was a summoner, she was going around Spira to get the power to take down a problem in the world called Sin. Seymour wanted to use to so he could get--stronger.

[ That was basically it, wasn't it? But it wasn't as simple as him just gaining ultimate power or whatever, and the reason for his slight hesitation in describing it as such. But Tidus wants to keep the details simple, short. But also, with that said and now with him in place: ]

Ready?

[ For this puzzle? ]

[ The role reversal isn't lost on Roland and you could say that's making him more self-aware that this was fun, and now Tidus knows what its like for your buttons to get pushed 8) But also because...he feels a bit silly, and he sort of enjoys feeling like he can just relax once in a while. Not have the burden of the worlds - two worlds - on your shoulders.

The nightmare doesn't help that disposition either. He needed this. He will need to forget it, eventually. ]

Ha. Looks like someone can't keep up with my close-range magician.

[ The light quip at Tidus fades away as he notices the sincerity in his answer. The small dips of hesitation to expound on more. Roland won't force it, he doesn't have to. He surmises enough from the story, enough for him to know that these things were important to him. Yuna is important to him. ] I see. [ He clears his throat, but it isn't audible. ] I'm sorry both of you had to go through that. Sometimes...people do crazy things, when they want something bad enough. [ The weight in his own words are evident. ] Sometimes when you want something to happen, you won't care what happens to anyone else. But that's not love.

[ He shakes that off as if it was nothing, expertly dodging ~~repressing~~ that emotion with practiced ease. He resumes his stance and his finger twitches to move the joystick. ]

Ready and waiting, cap.

[ Tidus is fine with leaving that particular subject there, nothing more that he wants or need to say. Spira was fussy, complicated, and there were some parts he could look back on with some absurdity, but he wasn't here to share his entire story.

Then again, he never get to say about how a zombie fiend was waiting for them in the water....

But now's the time for this candle puzzle, which they don't get the first time, unfortunately. Wherever he was meant to watch Roland do after he lit the centre candle, well, maybe Tidus wasn't listening too well to those instructions earlier. And he'll defend himself on his hill with the grumbling he gives as to the reason- ] You were runnin' 'round too much.

[ Grumblegrumble, getting him confused. But he's ready to go on after that, and they can get it the second time--the amount of time they have to pull it off now as short as it seems when you try to do the task on your own. The way opens up with a 'wall'--and not even attempting to be a wall, with an arch of bricks around where the door obviously is visible in the design--dropping down into the floor. ]

We're coming up to the first boss soon. [ And speaking of bosses, that word alone reminding him of a conversation at the end of the mission, or near to it- ] You know, I thought we beat that mission pretty easy.

I was jumping to signal the timing! Come on, pay attention.

[ The banter continues until Roland talks Tidus' ear off about how he made sure there was enough leeway in between lighting one candle to the next to get a headstart. It's the typical tone he would usually use but if Tidus listens closely enough, he'll know that Roland was actually immersing himself pretty well in the game. He has his own play style, and he'll never admit to it, but he's glad he's doing this. He's happy to discover something new. ]

[ As soon as the outline of the 'hidden' door is visible, his character once again readies his staff. He's a bit apprehensive. It's just a game. Bro. ] I hope we're prepared enough. You're not even at full health. [ He's one to talk. His own magician is in the Yellow Zone. ] Well, it doesn't matter. Surrender is the only defeat.

[ He isn't sure what mechanic will come into place here, so he lets Tidus lead the charge. His avatar walks this time, as he learns to gently tilt the joystick versus jerking it around with his thumb. ]

That mission? You mean the one on Terra? How so?

You reeeally like stories, huh.

[ 'Surrender is the only defeat' It might be the environment though that's making Tidus a hundred times more ribbing than usual, and when they're both with avatars like this...! But it's fun teasing all the same, nothing serious. Roland seems to be getting into it, so unless he's just automatically like this about everything...well. That's not bad.

Still better than counting carrots. ]

Well, we had that big last fiend that showed up, right? 'Cept, I dunno if it showed up then or was already around. But in the lab there was a machine that kept saying something was approaching. But that giant fiend was already there. So what was approaching? And how come all the fiends got destroyed just because we took down that one?

[ Did Tidus miss something. He knows there was something about aliens (didn't Roland tell him that, even?), but it was still...strange. Something off.

Was he just used to harder challenges? ]

It's not like it was an easy ride or no one was getting hurt, but after all that mystery, doesn't it feel like we...I dunno. Left too early?

000 - voidtreckerexpress Universal Contact Post

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