adregem | 000 - voidtreckerexpress Universal Contact Post

Wow, look at you. Sneak-ky!

[ But is that a real betrayal when it's something like that? It still sounds cool anyway, Tidus can't deny that--he wouldn't mind the chance to be sneaking around enemy grounds to get whatever he had to.

Nothing to speak of if he'd actually be any good at it. That's not what a fantasy is about!

Unlucky for Roland's hopes and dreams, there's no animated cutscene as the next area loads in, but hopefully he doesn't mind just your usual in graphics cutscene as the camera pans out on their new location as it shows their characters looking up and around. They've gone from the depths of a dungeon under a castle to outside by some cliffs, a large tower spiralling high upwards surrounded by a dark forest. The skies are dark too, stormy, and around them is an endless sea thrashing murky waters too riled to be traversed by boat.

Their sight blurs some by the pattering of the rain being thrown down from the clouds. ]

So how you like using magic? Can you use magic?

[ He doesn't actually know... does making things appear and disappear count? ]

I had to look the part. We were being spied on, so you had to put on a show. [ He recounts this experience easily, even though only a couple of months had passed since he had played the role of traitor. He pans the camera around the unlocked area one more time, enjoying the attention to detail in the rain and sky. With the VR effects, it almost seems like he's actually outside himself. ] Then again, the escape could have been a bit better. [ He moves the joysticks around, breaking his magician out of his pose cycle and jumping at some rocks that looked like they could be stepped on. They could not. ] But at least I can say that I've had the unique experience of being turned into a frog. [ Enjoy, that wasn't a joke. ]

[ There's a path that seems to wind down, into the beach, but the chaos is too much that it blocks their way. It was another puzzle to get to the other side, it had to be right? He notices a couple of animal statues, all assigned colors. His magician runs up and down again as he presses button after button. There are some clicking sounds...then nothing. ]

It's a completely different discipline from what I'm used to, but it's nice to live out a fantasy. Looks tiring, but what role isn't? [ UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR, YOUR WHOLE LIFE IS A FANTASY NOW ROLAND. ] It's sadly a talent I wasn't born with. I tried learning from Evan, but nothing really stuck. I'm pretty sure I'm the only one in his dream team that can't cast a spell to save my life, too. Some moves in my Arms Band use Dark spells and Fire spells to enhance how effective they are, but casting it the way this guy in the game is doing? Fat chance. It's just not in my cards. [ That's true, wasn't it? Evan and Leander were mages; Bracken had fire magitek; Tani had storm spells; Batu had earth. ] Maybe you'll have better luck teaching me a spell or two, Mr. Glowing Hands.

[ It's a joke but if Tidus wants to give it a shot, he won't deny it! And it's not like he's forgotten what Tidus did for him earlier on. He won't forget the light that wrapped around him, healing him from within. ~~Familiar, even in sleep.~~ ]

Edited 2020-07-29 18:43 (UTC)

Whuh?

[ Sorry, what, frogs? That's what that gets out of Tidus because uhhh, sorry we skipped that spell effect that turns characters into frogs in his fantasy installation, come again??

Or not, since there's a whole beach and puzzle to figure out. And Tidus doesn't remember how to solve it (actually, he hasn't remembered how to solve any of them, not even the candle one--they look familiar, and that's about it), and Roland seems the sort who likes to figure these out himself. Who is Tidus to deny him? ...or really, he's trying to jog his memory about what it is they do by looking out from afar. Wasn't there something about the order of colours...? ]

It's one glowing hand. And you're better off asking Yuna to teach you a spell or two. I get what I'm doing, but telling someone else to do it... There's better users around, you know?

[ There just are, and that's not him being self-deprecating. He's got enough of an idea of what he's doing and the hardships of battle to make his abilities increase under necessity, but he didn't see much point him attempting to teach people what he does when there's others more fluent in it than his handful of months.

But he knows Roland probably isn't serious (then again, the way the guy is, maybe he'll think about giving it another go!), and he's curious himself to ask after a pause: ] What's the difference between a staff and your Arms Band anyway?

Frogs. You know. They go, ribbit ribbit? I had to think of an escape plan, and someone recommended a magic pill that could temporarily turn you into a frog. We escaped safely through the sewers...well, apart from getting chased by rats. [ He says this with such a casual tone that you might have to wonder if he's just pulling your leg. But Roland isn't a joker, so you know this has to be true. Keep up Tidus, this is all the rage in the fantasy scene yknow!! ] You have no idea how happy I was when I turned back into me. I was convinced I'd be a frog forever at some point. That would have been some retirement plan.

[ HEY HELP HIM OUT HERE, Roland may be capable in real life but in game logic dictates he has to spazz out first, so he's just moving around re-reading the same text boxes over and over again. He nudges Tidus from time to time with a gentle poke of his elbow over his arm, muttering 'am I warm? is this it?' and the occasional 'what's the objective again?' They make some leeway with an order of colors - strangely enough, they're similar to the colors of the teams on the train!! - but it still isn't the correct pattern. Something was telling Roland there were five statues and not four, which is why nothing happened after they clicked the apparent statues in that particular order. He starts running around the map trying to find where it is... The banter was kind of refreshing, if he was going to be honest with you. So was this what it was like to have a hobby like gaming? ]

Heh. Fair enough. [ Some clicking on the controller, moving the joystick about. Was that a hidden statue behind a bush??? ] Wait, are you telling me your girlfriend is on the train, too? Yuna's here? [ He turns his head, swiveling the VR headset with him. He's asking this because unlike A Certain Punk he knows, he doesn't stalk the Passenger Roster for names AND HOW MANY POINTS THEY HAVE!! ]

[ HE IS CORRECT, there is a fifth statue. But it's a mystery unto itself because the statue is split into half, like lightning went through it, a clean strike through the middle. Is this a spell? DOES HE HAVE A SPELL??? ] An Arms Band is just a piece of equipment to hold weapons and other items inside of it. It remembers the skills you learn with your weapons too. Inherently, if the person wearing it doesn't know magic, it won't instantly grant you the power to cast. So I guess you could say, the staff of this Mage - [ He jumps twice. ] - would technically go inside the Arms Band.

[ Another short beat. ] I hope I have enough points to order two more of those. [ Y'know. As thanks. Tidus might like one. Shut up you're sentimental!!! ]

[ excuse you he doesn't nose the passenger roster all the time--just when he's bored!! But okok Tidus isn't so cruel as to ignore Roland's pleas for help, answer his nudges with 'I'm trying to remember,' and beginning to move around the level himself, going from statue to statue... ]

Huh? Yeah, we showed up at the same time. She's Purple Team too, but she was on the last mission. [ Meanwhile, he's trying to click the statues, and geez, it really has been too long since he played this...

And Roland finding a fifth statue doesn't help jog his memory!! His avatar comes over to join him, and he swivels the view of the layout to see if there's any pattern, or if the answer will click. ]

Hey, it'd be useful for the missions. If all you have to do is wear it and it works--maybe we can get a few for some people on each team to hold supplies in? Or even Black Squad.

[ The specific generosity goes over Tidus's head. But a thought has clicked with him, and actually about clicking...! ]

I think we need to examine the statues in order. --but hey, I can try buying them too. I wonder if the train'll care?

[ Roland takes in the instructions well and begins to examine the statues in order, just as Tidus mentions. He starts muttering phrases under his breath again, some of which will be audible. They're mostly ramblings about the right combination, but as it stands, it almost seems impossible to do the clicking order on his own because one statue finishes its round too soon. Way before he can run over or jump towards the next one.

Another teamwork challenge, is he even ready for this???? ] Do you remember how to click on the statues split between two players?

[ He tries to figure out the vector path again - the shortest distance from one to the other. This time, he's quiet though, not as much mumbling. ] I need to pay closer attention to the Purple team. I haven't met her, but she seems nice. I suppose she has to be if she has such a cheeky boyfriend. [ Snort! Laugh! ] I'll keep my eyes peeled for her name on the network. I wouldn't mind giving magic one last shot. [ Spoiler: Unless he has a higgledy next to him, or those cool Materia orbs Reno had, Roland's really not going to be good at it. He's all skills, not spells, after all. ]

Well, it's worth a shot to try and get Arms Bands in any case. If the train allows it, we'll be able to ferry items much easier. You saw how I used it, right? [ Okay, his character begins repeating the same pattern on the screen, three times over to be exact. Pls watch Tidus avatar!! He thinks this is the right way to do it, so they just need to split the work again!! ]

[ That snort-laugh-listen-to-me-I'm-so-funny!! from Roland gets a scoff that might as well be an audible roll of his eyes.

But he'd been looking between the different statues and figuring out with Roland which would be the best ones to split between them, saying, 'I'll take these two, and--you wanna go for the fifth or me?' in deciding their order. It looked like either of them would be able to make the run to the last one from where they end up. Actually--'I should, I've got the higher speed stat.'

Because everyone knows magic users are slow!! But as for the arms-- ]

You uh...waved your hand out, right?

[ did he get it. Actually, whether he did or not, he'll just say- ] Show me later. They're not too big though...maybe we can try a small order of them.

[ That's why he JUMPS, Tidus, get with the program!! Your imagination skills are lacking, in Roland's mind, he's been dashing from place to place since the start of the game! But with a system that might just work, he gets his character into position. He doesn't reply right away, focused on the goal of clicking everything into place with Tidus' archer warrior jock. He says another corny one-liner, like 'Time to get the job done!' and off they go, dashing from one corner of the map to the next, until they both dash for the last statue to click. Roland accidentally bumps his guy against Tidus' avatar, but they managed to click it regardless.

A small cutscene plays, where the rain quells and the waves still. The water turns a clear shade of blue, and they hear a bell in the headpiece. They solved it? THEY SOLVED IT. ] Nice work! [ Don't be embarrassed, but he did another fist pump again. ]

Sure. It's a little bit cooler than just waving my hand, but you got the gist of it. Heh. [ Stop cramping his style, there's some mental fortitude to it as well! He swears it! ] Yeah. Though I'll have to warn you, this train did something to my Arms Band. It used to be able to carry so much more back home. Now...it's down to my three swords, my pistol, and an item I can swap out with something else for space. Our kidnappers aren't making it easy for us, I can tell you that much.

[ YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO GO DASHING TOO but who is Tidus to complain, as long as they got the thing to click! Also, as long as Tidus can't see the fist pump...

But then, he may be getting more into the zone now, little by little. He definitely chuckles confidently after the cutscene finishes and Roland's feeling all smug about solving the puzzle. Ah, to be as young (or as much of a newbie) as Roland...! ]

Uh...huh. Really? Huh. [ Well, that sucks, huh. ~~And Tidus is going to forget that detail by the next time they talk, whoops.~~ ] You think anyone could try fiddling with it? --if we get any spares, [ he adds, since he wouldn't want to offer up Roland's own personal one to tests of science. ] I know there's a magician here who sounds like she's got a few things she can do... oh yeah, and there's someone who can replicate things!

[ Huuhhh he's remembering a few things now-! ]

Okay, do we cross the sea? Do we get some treasure? Look, I can see where we need to go! [ He discovers that by clicking the rightmost joystick downwards, his VR experience is enhanced as the camera switches to a first-person POV. It's as if he's looking out himself, by the beach. It's...nice. ]

[ He finds a couple of breakables before they trot off, so he starts destroying them again with well-timed melee hits using his weak staff. Five more items for Roland, oh yes! ] Well, well. Aren't you Mr. Popular? [ He says it with a smile, like he's happy to see him get along well with so many others on the train. ~~They grow up so fast!~~ ] I'm all for it if we can cheat the system. We're not getting the help we need to be effective, so I'm not opposed to undermining the people who kidnapped us and expect us to do world-saving work at the same time, without question.

[ And this is coming from a guy who literally leads a country. Thanks a lot dumb train overlords!! ]

Stop taking all the heals, will you? [ He can't get an arrow off before Roland's going and breaking all the jars! Ugh! Leave some of the action for the rest of us!! But the beach leads them up along a stony bridge, which opens up into the forest that surrounds the tower like a fortress... very spooky. ]

Who cares what the train or whoever thinks? I don't. [ Huff. Can you hear the bitterness in him, 'cause that sure made it rear its head. ] If it's got some reason for running things the way it does, then it's on them for not letting the rest of us know. And I don't think very highly of anyone who'll risks other lives. If it's one life for a world of them--no. I'm tired of sacrifices.

[ And that sour lemon has led them near a split path, but nothing deep. Tidus goes to the left which leads to a dead end, but an item on the ground. Wild thorns and thicket helps to make sure they don't wander off and get too lost... ]

[ Roland catches the bitterness, the pain, in an instant. The thing is, apart from any other time he would have comforted or consoled Tidus, he knows right now, he can't. Roland is a leader - a president, a king. Self-sacrifice was always part of the job, and he knew that coming into the role. He said it once, and he'll say it again: the moment it's called of him to be in the line of fire for his people, his citizens, his family, he'll jump. He'd gladly give his life if it meant more would be saved; if the sacrifice ends with him. It's the duty of a president. The duty of a king.

Evan would say the same, right? ]

You're too slow. Here, I'll wreck a couple of jars for you, take what's inside them instead. [ Is he good at deflecting or WHAT? He focuses on the game for a moment, not wanting to get Tidus antsy, especially not after they almost exploded at the Standard Car, with his unwillingness to be healed by a tired friend. He leans forward, back still ramrod straight, with his character exploring the area of wild thorns, peppered with strange looking flora. He moves his avatar again, this time closer to the fortress, and a text box appears, saying something about how the front door was closed, and they'd need to find another way in. ]

I knew it. [ He says this with so much certainty, you'd think he solved a huge mystery. ] I knew we'd see a damsel in distress. Who else could be up this huge tower? A lady we have to save, that's what.

Edited 2020-07-30 15:30 (UTC)

[ It's fine that Roland says nothing of it. It's personal, that feeling, the heat that accompanies Tidus's scorn and displeasure. He's glaring into a visor and presses hard on the controls, though it makes no difference than the pressure put onto his fingers and thumbs. ]

It's the wizard that's up the top. We gotta get a potion to wake the princess. [ Sorry to spoil it, and maybe with a bit of a cold tone, but also, it was spoiled on the beginning screen that Tidus didn't give Roland any time to read. ] Slow down here--there's a few bats up ahead.

[ But his annoyance isn't anything directed at anyone, just the leftovers of what was there still clinging to him. Tidus slows his avatar's pace, quiver being pulled and striking at a bat hanging asleep, not yet woken. He manages to do the same for two more, but an arrow misses--and it wakes the bat up with a squeal, coming for their heads. ]

A potion? [ He sounds a little offended. ] That's so anticlimactic. It should be the kiss of true love. That's how the fairy tales go. [ As if Roland has any right to act like he knows romance. When the bats begin to swarm them, he starts charging up his Fireball spell but it's not an AOE so it can only take out a couple of bats at a time. He's starting to get lost in the game again, his body moving from left to right as if the more he squirmed in his seat, the more agile his character would be. Boomer logic!! ] Gah! These things are going to use up all our healing items! Do that thing that you did with the slimes. The arrow volley!

[ There's quite a lot of enemies to mow down just to get into the next stage. He is, as Tidus mentioned, rightfully slow. The bats, however, are incredibly fast and they hit his mage before he can finish his casting. It's irritating Roland, who has now resorted to jumping again, until he can find spots on the map where they're not bothering him as much. As they play, he tries to redirect his companion's feelings to something, hopefully, more savory. ]

That game you mention from time to time. The one you're really good at. What is it? Why do you like it so much?

If you're looking for a date, maybe it isn't me you should be playing with? [ Maybe one of the other super duper old fogeys on this train??

At least for Tidus, this area is more suited for his archer, though he does seem to have to keep telling Roland, 'hey, don't run off ahead' just to stop him from triggering all the bats around. Tidus is trying to take them out the sneaky and easy way, and...failing at it even without Roland, but hey. He doesn't go for sneaky usually, alright. Sometimes he forgets to look in the other direction. ]

Huh, what? [ Game? ] Uhh-- blitzball?

[ Was that the one? Considering blitzball isn't just a ''game'' to him...! ]

[ He audibly scoffs at that, like he's laughing at an old memory that's funny or amusing. And in a way, it was. He feels his age when Tidus mentions things like this. How would he react, he wonders...? ] Hey, you asked me out. Way to woo me, kid. [ ALSO WOW APOLOGIZE TO THE ELVES, YOU DELINQUENT ] Princess or not, I think I've done all there is to do on the dating scene, thanks.

[ Sorry to ruin your plans bro, but Roland's mage just straight up burned through a whole area covered in grass and ivy, and the clearing it reveals has the mother of all bats - a mini-boss that could have been avoided had he not wandered in 8) He swears in real life - just a short and sweet dammit! - and the fight evolves into a real struggle. Isn't this just pleasant? ] We're coming, princess! Sorry, my bad. Can we run away? [ Look at his mage try to jump out of a fight. He doesn't realize that to run away, he's going to have to just literally, run his character out of bounds until the meter on top of his head fills up. ]

Blitzball... [ He tests it out, words foreign on his tongue. ] How do you play?

Ugh.

[ That's what you get for taking that this far, old man! An ugh that's deserved at this man thinking a cool young guy would be after him! Or would struggle to? Find out in all your Voidtrecker doujins of your favourite ships, there's no judgment here. ]

What did I tell you-- [ why doesn't this guy listen! Why is this now a babysitting job! ] Just keep running--I'm not telling you anything about any blitzball 'til we blitz out of this match!

[ Which with both of them they can, though after Tidus fires an arrow at it to try and keep it back before joining their avatars into continuously running on the spot until the game finally lets them leave the area. Tidus keeps having his character run, saying as he does so- ]

We go the other way, through the swamps! Let me take the lead, alright? You're gonna use all your magic up before we get to another fountain.

[ And running ahead is exactly what Tidus is going to do until they get to the fork in the path that Roland decided to choose for the pair. ]

Okay. [ Okay!! He's even turning around his avatar to regard Roland. ] We go down here, and frogs are gonna jump out from the swamps. You activate them, run, and I can hit them from afar. Okay?

[ Look, a plan. A plan that's sensible! Because that's exactly how he and Light played this last time. So absolutely nothing can go wrong this time, right? ]

[ Whoa, okay, okay. All this rising energy is getting Roland tense. He's close to actually standing up with so much happening on screen, plus Tidus' intense instructions. He's grimacing at what he sees through the VR, trying his best to jump his way out of the flurry of bats and monsters blocking their way because he awakened them prematurely. ] Alright, alright! Go, I'm following you! Just - just trying to shake off these darned things! [ YOU MADE HIM SWEAR AGAIN, Tidus your influence!! ]

[ He's clicking quite frantically on his controller, trying to get his bearings. When Tidus stops to inform him of the plan, Roland just hums seriously and jumps his character up and down as confirmation. ] Roger!

[ His magician gets into position and the plan is a GO. Tidus begins his arrow barrage as intended, and Roland plays his part well....at first. He refrained from jumping during this part of the game because of how narrow the pathway was around the swamps, but the ground moves, and he failed to anticipate the shift from right to left. When he jumps to activate two frogs at a time, jumping in sync so that there was a moment where they could be hit at the same time when they lined up at the middle, he misses, and slips into the sticky green muck from whence the frogs came. He actually...shouts. ] Ngah! Hold on, let me get out - !

[ The game punishes him with a 10 second lag, as his magician moves to free himself from the mud. He can't jump, but you can hear his finger absolutely abuse the right joystick as it clicks violently against the plastic casing. ] So close!

[ Tidus doesn't see him, but he's sure he can feel the guy getting tense beside him, or that's just the effect of his words and all the small mutterings he lets out. Tidus is trying to be quick in his aim, telling Roland, 'hit that one!' at times when he thinks he needs more time, and in an instance where Roland's magician gets pounced on from both sides, trapping him in place.

Too bad about him falling into the gooey green anyway. ] Just keep movin' to the platform that goes into the swamp. You can't jump out, no matter what you do. There was one back there.

[ 'Back there' being where they came from, but Tidus doesn't turn his avatar in direction. He wants to deal with some of these frogs by trying to activate them early by shooting into the sections where fat bubbles can be seen popping up onto the surface of the swamp, unfortunately to not effect. So he runs in and out, before the frogs can pincer or grab at him with their long tongues. ]

You see any cousins in here?

[ Because you know he gotta. ]

[ He holds back a chortle, but he's learned to keep his attention on the happenings on the game versus stopping to react independently to Tidus' egging. ]

Oh ha ha. Very funny. [ Aaaaand he's finally out! WATCH HIM SPAZZ TO GET BACK ON TRACK, ON THE PLATFORM. ] I was a really good looking frog, I'll have you know. I had hair!

[ Is he moving on without him? Gah. Roland takes an ether, one out of the three he's stacked, and starts casting fire spells. With Tidus' arrows from the front, they were actually making a good tag team, hitting their targets in succession from both ends. Roland even levels up his mage, unlocking his first AOE skill for the Wind element: Gust Spinner! ]

Hey, would you look at that! A little hard work is all it takes! [ Ignore corny old man, he's finally caught up to Tidus. Only now they're stuck at an area where only one player at a time can cross the final pathway of the swamp, which was being swarmed by frogs and bats from above. Someone had to stay behind to take on at least one of the threats so the player crossing can focus on the narrow path and attacking the remaining monster. He faces his character towards Tidus and changes his stance. ] Captain, I'll go. I need to make it up to you, for failing you! [ He voice acts this with an unnecessarily deep and dramatic voice. You've done it, Tidus. Are you happy? He's reverted into full President Geek. ]

[ yeah yeah mister fancy pants with the moves, show off more! ]

You ever thought about putting on a stage play? I got a friend I told who should try adapting some of her adventures into some. You should play a part in one.

[ Considering how dramatic he gets when playing a video game. Heck, if the guy is like this with a videogame, let's see how he is when he actually has to put on an act! Tidus might not be able to move, allowing Roland to go ahead after all with a, 'alright, we'll try you first--I'll see what I can hit' but he does do as he promises: firing off a few arrows towards the bats in the distance. He catches the closest few, but the way ahead is long, and anything else, Roland will have to deal with on his own.

But if that leaves Tidus free... ]

My 'game', Blitzball--you play it underwater. One ball, two teams, and you got to get it in the other team's goal. I played professionally, if I didn't tell you already--was even the star player back home, once.

[ He speaks about it fondly, but there is a wistful note--something not here, something missed. ]

I did act the part of a traitor, so maybe I just might have the acting chops for it. Heh. [ Never mind that 1. he did eventually get caught and 2. Evan only bought his act...for a time. If Roland really wanted to betray you, he would have done it so well that it'd be too late by the time anyone realized it was a ruse. ] Are you saying that because you want to be my manager, Tidus? I'm touched.

[ Roland does surprisingly better at this part of the game because of the new skill he's unlocked, which takes less SP to cast, but is useful for blowing back the frogs jumping up at him with the wide reach of its cast. So it gives him a pattern to fall back on while he moves his mage carefully across, timing his moves against Tidus' archer, his ears perked up listening to his tale. ]

Underwater? That's mighty impressive. How do you breathe? [ Did Hydropolis have a similar game? ] I can't believe I'm playing with a hotshot athlete! [ The delivery is a prodding joke, but Roland's actually in shock that he was a star player. Wait, was? ] Oh no, don't tell me. Did you get beaten by the ace of another team? [ HE'S INVESTED IN THE STORY. ] What did you guys call yourselves?

[ By this time, Roland manages to get his mage across. Now it's time for him to return the favor while Tidus' archer makes his trip. ]

I'm just trying to find you more hobbies!

[ Let's not get crazy with ideas now! ]

The Zanarkand Abes, [ he starts first with Roland's questions, since best to go last to first. Maybe. There's pause between as he focuses on the games and for the fiends that respawn, the bats appearing from the fog that surround them and the frogs just hopping as they please onto his path. ]

And I can't be a star player if I'm all this way away from home, can I? And does no one else play sports in water? Everyone always asks me that.

[ Roland isn't the only one with tricks up his sleeves (or in his staff!), as Tidus shoots off arrows that explode as they make contact, catching more than one frogs in the way. Those are more trickier for him than the bats, which are made for an archer class to take down. Just as the slimes were a better match for Roland. ]

You never heard of training to hold your breath longer? It's not something everyone can do, but it's not impossible.

[ Roland just kind of listens, a little bit more intrigued about Tidus' past than he is with the game. His distraction costs him quick though - bats start nipping at him, draining his health bar to half. He makes a sound of frustration before he tries to resume his composure as a mage, covering the swamp's floor with his new AOE move. ]

Hmm...

[ Eventually, Tidus's exploding arrows and Roland's wind and fire whittle down the horde of monsters. They're a little bit closer to the secret entrance of the tower now...Wherever it is. His avatar begins its jumping sequence again, the most energetic of all mages across the land! ]

So you're the star player of the Zanarkand Abes...a blitzball team, who plays the game underwater. [ He's kind of impressed actually. Tidus is probably the equivalent of a big time college athlete if he was on Earth. He's easygoing, happy-go-lucky, someone who'd get the attention of any professional team as soon as he graduated. Imagining a life Tidus could have lived in his own world made him smile, and he's glad his companion doesn't see it. He'll just call me corny again.

Instead of voicing out any of those thoughts and feelings, Roland goes the playful route again. His avatar waits for Tidus' archer at the end of the stage, ready to move on to the main dungeon. ]

Guess I shouldn't be daring you to a breath-holding contest any time soon, eh? What's your record? Five minutes? Seven? How long does a round last in blitzball, anyway?

Edited 2020-07-31 11:08 (UTC)

[ Roland just likes to press the jumping button, doesn't he. ]

A game lasts ten minutes, five minute rounds each. [ The screen darkens as their characters go into the tower by the back door. One might think that realistically it should lead into a kitchen or some sort, but fool, this is a dark scary tower in an RPG, and so it leads straight into a small lobby with two armoured 'statues' standing on each side of the door going further in. Tidus hurries over to one of the pots before Roland can get to it and breaks it with his bow. ...literally, that's the animation, him whacking a pot with a bow.

He gets a healing item for his efforts. ]

But I can hold it longer than that! Half an hour, a lil' more? I haven't swam in ages though, so I'm probably getting rusty. But blitzball is about taking a beating, so I'm no wimp at what I do.

[ Before they go into the next area, Tidus warns as an aside, 'We've got soldiers to deal with, ice magic's good for 'em', and it's what Tidus has been saving up most of his own magic arrows for. And indeed, when they move onto into the next area, similar statues stand as they did in the other room, motionless... until they come close, and then they draw their swords and flails! ]

000 - voidtreckerexpress Universal Contact Post

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/skillfully deflects the arms band mechanics in favor of the other thread's direction, lmao

they just wanna talk workshop too much, the losers

this is why they're friends 8) and uh oh, i smell ~foreshadowing~ again

ur nose is clogged

hand over the claritin

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tidus should add frog pills to his list of things the train needs, fyi

tidus will never be rich bc he be spending it all

he is rich in other things...........like love & friendship

booo those SUCK

arent you an RPG protag....isn't that ur thing....

spoilers he's the villain!!