folkmeme | happy hump day tfln

Then you will find me north of the Puca Park settlement. There is trio of rock pillars from which I am maintaining vigil.

[ Probably nice and tall but overall an easy landmark to spot from ground or air. ]

Edited 2024-04-26 05:18 (UTC)

I know the place. I'll be there in about twenty minutes. Got any specific pastry requests?

No, thank you. I will be waiting.

[ This probably meant 'no I'm good, don't worry about a pastry'. But easily can be read as 'no preferences and thanks'. Text is text after all. ]

[ Steve shows up ninteen minutes and forty five seconds later, with a cardboard tray of drinks and a bag of pastries. ]

You didn't say what you wanted, so, I got a couple.

[ When he arrives, Elidibus is going to be found perched on top of the tallest of the pillars. The Legend has four wings; in the sun it is hard to see the starry sparks of light, but the dark feathers' subtle colors stand out. They are loosely spread. One might think he is taking advantage of catching cross breeze and shade they can provide. Someone might also think he's sunning his wings.

It's both. Totally both.

There's plenty of room on top of the pillar for a couple people and their snacks. Especially when Elidibus folds in the wings again. ]

Ah. I should have explained with more clarity.

[ He's got a light baritone, a vaguely British accent and speaks in that archaic way that his written responses possessed. But otherwise looks like an average guy in his early thirties. ...With wings. ]

Nevertheless... you have my gratitude. I will not reject your generosity.

[ He will absolutely take at least one pastry and whatever beverage Steve decided to provide. ]

It is calm for the time being. Though there seems to be some manner of disturbance on the horizon, I've yet to feel the draw to render aid.

[ A direction is indicated. A bit of dustup, but it is far from Puca Park's direction and it could just as easily be a confrontation between monsters or predator and prey. ]

I'm here to help if there are monsters.

[ That's actually his specialty. But then he offers a drink and the pastries. ]

Don't worry about waste - anything you don't want, I'll eat.

[ He looks like he'd eat a lot. ]

You always have your wings out, Elidibus? Did you have them previous to coming here?

[ The offerings are graciously accepted. He has water and can conjure more if he needed to but there might be something appealing about the cold cafe drink Steve has provided. He lays claim to only one pastry.

The question prompts a contemplative glance in Steve's direction. ]

No, though there is no need to here in the open. In confined spaces or where I would be otherwise remiss in my manners amongst a gathering is when I dismiss them for a time.

[ Did he have them previous? Yes and no and... maybe. This seems to draw a slightly puzzled look with a furrowed brow. It clears quickly, though not without a flash of color shifting emotion in the man's gaze. ]

As to your other query, the answer is complicated. Though suffice to say I have worn many forms and some had indeed possessed wings.

[ Ah yes, that millennia old life of his. ]

What of you? Though since you seem pressed to remember you were capable of flight, perhaps the answer would be apparent.

That obvious, huh? The wings are pretty new for me.

[ Not that new, he's had them for over a year, but he often doesn't take them out because he's slightly embarrassed by them. They give him this sort of ethereal angelic glow with the halo, which he just finds a tad on the nose. But now he has other things capable of giving him flight as well. ]

But I get it. Now that I can turn into a dragon, it feels almost like it was always part of me.

[ Anyway. ]

Tell me about these creatures.

[ While he also helps himself to a pastry. Even if Elidibus only wants one, he is still welcome to the rest. They wouldn't go to waste, but, there's no reason not to. And Folkmore's not all that big, so, they're the best, in Steve's humble opinion. ]

[ Most born with wings and flight do not make it past adulthood forgetting how to use them. Steve earns a quick, odd look when he mentions the capability of turning into a dragon. Then the expression clears. ]

Ah, one of the Fox's gifts, I take it? What I would call dragon seems very different from the perceptions of others here.

[ Elidibus has a halo as well. In the bright sun it is virtually invisible. But if one looks very closely, they might see a hint of the purple hued, double rimmed shape in line with the back of his head. It probably looks fantastic at dusk and beyond. Anyway, he's being asked about the forms he's taken. There's a quiet, thoughtful delay. ]

Most were beings which were... sometimes earnest. But when they try, they can accomplish great things despite their limitations.

[ For a moment he closes his eyes. Well aware of a Legend's habit of expressing emotions through the shifting colors, maybe this one is one he wants to keep hidden. ]

It is unfortunate they forget the lessons of history so easily.

[ It's here Elidibus stops for a time to take small bites of the pastry, a sip of the beverage and in general seems to contemplate. His descriptions certainly had an easily deduced analogy given what Steve already knows about the man. But there is also a brief addition sublimely offered between bites. ]

These wings I possess seem cast in homage to Lord Zodiark. They are not... His power, but of the Fox's designs. But I am grateful for it, as the distance seems to have dulled our connection so much as to seem.... nonexistant.

[ Bite. Sip. ]

[ He lets Elidibus finish, this is all extremely important information to know about him, so he files it away, but he also says: ]

I meant about the creatures that are going to attack Cruel Summer.

[ Because that's what he came out for. Where there's a mission, there's a Steve Rogers. He looks out at the horizon, trying to see if he can spot anything. ]

Though I'm sorry that you can't feel the connection between you and your lord. I promise that he's out there. If it helps, I talk to my god all the time - he never responds. Not directly, anyway.

[ And yet, his faith is unshaken. ]

[ There comes a time, sometimes many, many times where a person is wrong. Elidibus knows this, just as he knows it is rare for him to be so at the end of the day.

Therefore, when Steve tells him that he just wanted to know about the creatures of Cruel Summer and not the creatures whose forms he's inhabited throughout the ages, there is just an absolute face he makes of bewildered startlement out of keeping with what one would expect from a somber, serious-minded immortal. His quick to shift his gaze sharply away to hide whatever intense emotion might follow.

There are wheels turning in his head. Had it been the desert sun and heat? Or the beverage and pastry; some cafes were run by spirits notorious for enspelling their products to faciliate calming moods and open communciation. And he hadn't thought to check because Steve "Mr. EFFIN CAPTAIN AMERICA" Rogers had somehow gotten under his usual cautious guards.

Though he looks at the sky, at his beverage and pastry and even with a slight sideways look at Steve, there is no harsh accusation or suspicion. Ultimately, he has only himself to blame for the mistake. This reaction and assestment only takes moments and most may have just been to avoid showing what a brief flare of intense... embarrassment(?) does to his eyes color. ]

...Forgive me then, of speaking on matters which have little relevance to our task here. The monsters of Cruel Summer vary. Those in particular you see on the horizon are a creature I know as chimera. There are three which is unusual unless there is outside influence controlling their actions. Though I do not think that is the case here. They have been fighting each other for some time.

[ There seems to be another contemplative moment here. Then Elidibus takes another bite of the pastry. If that had caused his earlier faux pas, it's too late to turn back now. Might as well not let it go to waste. ]

Even injured, it would be dangerous to allow them to continue. But I see no need to interfere until the victor is determined.

[ Talk of gods and faith... It may not get missed that Elidibus does not follow up on Steve's assurances, given how exacting he generally is with his responses. It is not as if he doesn't have commentary. He does. A lot of it that is both insightful and introspective in nature.

...But it really only applies to the laws and experiences of his star. To fundamentally apply those paradigms to Steve's world, Steve's god would be... improper.

And there is much that would be overly complicated to explain, particularly when Elidibus is still very unsettled that he had spoken so openly about his personal feelings at all. Theology as it is viewed on another world can absolutely wait. Hey look at those Chimera over there!]

Edited 2024-04-28 16:16 (UTC)

It's alright, Elidibus. Your business is yours alone - I won't tell anyone about your past, or that of the creatures you've taken forms of.

[ Though, he doesn't understand why that's so personal if he chose to share it so easily, but he understands that he might be embarrassed over the miscommunication.

He reaches out and takes Elidibus by the shoulder, gripping it assuringly. ]

I think - if the creatures here are anything like the humans, they'll come back from the dead. That might be why they're always fighting.

Have they been attacking anyone?

[ Or is this just a general watch to make sure they don't cause any trouble? He's fine with that - he'll still want to help patrol. ]

[ Tension forms under the contact. While he doesn't pull away, Elidibus seems... let's say resistant to gestures of physical contact. ]

Thank you. Though ultimately it would matter little in this realm.

[ The few people that would get the context already know most of it. And he had not been so complacently verbose that he had let anything particularly damning slip. The gratitude for Steve's willingness not to speak does not seem feigned though. Elidibus readily turns back to the matter of beasts in Cruel Summer. ]

Have you known the beasts that appear here to be capable of returning to life?

[ Elidibus has subjugated the monsters of Cruel Summer before and had not seen- yet- any indication that the population doesn't shrink. Rather, it flows, beasts coming in and going out of the realm without particularly overwhelming it.

He doesn't really seem surprised about humans returning. But he's been here a bit and there's been a few times where people have inferred it happens that he would not have looked into the matter. ]

Hm. This is the first I have seen the chimera. I suspect it is more they had manifest where they have not had such opportunity. Yet mankind would be as much prey as any beast to such creatures.

[ Elidibus appears the muse for a moment. ]

It may be best to consider another approach than the most straightforward.

I know that the people have been capable of returning to life.

[ That's his answer. Nothing stays dead here, that he knows of. They only disappear, go back home, sometimes returning to this place. But it can take people from different worlds, so, of course it would be able to sustain their lives.

He takes a breath. ]

I think maybe it might be best to cage them if they're causing a problem. Even though I know we don't have anywhere to place them, I think it might be worth a shot.

[ Where will they even find a place or a cage? ]

Maybe we can find someone to make an enchantment.

[ Hawke, or someone. ]

That way, we won't have to kill them.

[ Since he doesn't know if that's possible. ]

Or we could just ward the town.

[ This is all safer ground than dealing with the discomfort of making a mistake. How to handle a monster problem. Easy. Elidibus closes his eyes to weigh the options carefully.

If the chimera, creatures capable of wielding fire and ice and thunder alongside their physical gifts, were able to reincarnate here, then it was only a matter of time they did great harm. Wards only kept the creatures at bay. Death would slow them down and moving them elsewhere would simply make it 'elsewhere's problem'. ]

Given our options, it seems wisest to contain them. I possess the requisite knowledge of the sealing magicks, thus we need not burden anyone else with this matter.

[ It's true Elidibus doesn't seem to have any visible weapon right at the moment. But he also doesn't look the part of a mage, either. Depending on your view of mages that is. The gear looks like a fantasy take on a frontline combatant.

Then again it doesn't look like he should be looking comfortable in it while standing in blistering desert heat but that doesn't seem to be a problem. Magic, right? ]

Still, it would be best to subdue them before I do. Especially with three in such close proximity.

[ Otherwise known as 'beat them until they can't fight being locked in a cage'. Or being sealed with magic in this case. ]

Great, if you know sealing magic that'll help a lot. I'll distract them, you contain them.

[ That should work. Steve's magic isn't very strong but his fighting skills are advanced. And he doesn't mind facing an enemy that's far more in number than he, or one that has unknown power. He's faced countless enemies like that before, and if these chimera are poised to attack the town, then unfortunately, they've found themselves on his bad side. ]

How much will they need to be weakened?

[ Steve is thinking they could be corralled more or less like normal animals - which means he isn't actually aiming to hurt them very much, but it seems like Elidibus thinks that might not be a choice. Like perhaps that's a necessary part of capturing them, incapacitating them first.

And Steve's all out of chimera-level tranqs. ]

[ Elidibus is not in a situation where he couldn't fight and use the sealing magic. But with a tilt of his head as if weighing options, he offers a nod. ]

Very well. I look forward to seeing what you are capable of.

[ Now... while the Ascian is all too willing to throw a mortal into solo combat against three giant creatures that are capable of manifesting elementally charged attacks and are often overwhelming to mortal adventurers when even one is present... He isn't going to let Steve go with the mistaken impression of what he is contending with. The man brought him ~~starbucks~~ snacks for Zodiark's sake! ]

Do not mistake what you are about to face as mere beasts. They are resilient and able to bring to bear fire, ice and lightning charged attacks. You may consider them a form of magic, should you desire. Attack them until they are brought to a standstill. The more exhausted they are, the more effective my magicks will be.

[ So basically... somewhere between unconscious and about 30% of their health bar? Though this probably won't be as.... bad as it sounds; the chimera have been fighting one another for a little bit.

The perspective of distance is probably making the beasts seem smaller and more manageable. But once the two decide to move closer, Steve will get a full appreciation of scale. On what could be called the main body the central leonine head still rises above a human being at six-something and the serpentine heads flanking it tower further.

The desert, particularly at this time of the day when the heat has turned the sands scorching, is littered with patches of ice and what looks to be sand heated to semi-glass and signs of fulgurite- formed where lightning strikes.

Fortunately they are not going to immediately notice the approach of the tiny creatures; their priority is the.... shall we say territorial dispute among peers. ]

[ Steve isn't afraid of the creatures. To be fair, if he didn't find them a threat to the general population, he wouldn't even be fighting them. He's only choosing to do so on the idea that they are dangerous and must be dealt with.

But that's normal for him, here.

The size of the creatures don't intimidate him, either. He approaches them slowly, shield raised, but otherwise unarmored, wondering if they will strike first.

Though he is not wearing his armor, he is wearing the bands that can call up a suit, and he has plenty of magic and new abilities. He's extremely resilient, and he prepares himself for the fight, eyes sharp, but still hopes that there won't be one, that they'll just come quietly.

It's not about showing off his power, though of course if they react immediately to Steve getting in their territory - he'll be ready. ]

[ Elidibus wouldn't be monitoring them at all if they weren't a considerable threat. Steve will get to learn quickly why they were assessed as such.

Aside from the field of elemental violence the trio of fighting chimera have wrought- the patches of ice do seem to fade after time but the amount they're thrown has kept them present in near perpetuity- it is clear this is not a territorial or hierarchical scrumble among a pack. They are going for a fight to the death and the winner gets to claim.

One might consider whether Steve, a bare 6'2" something dot on the sand is even going to be worthy of their attention given the overall fight. But as he approaches with shield raised, the nearest of the chimera immediately notices. The right dragon-serpent head snaps around, eyes glowing a brilliant blue. That's the only warning received before its mouth opens seconds later to disgorge a massive cone of ice at where the 'small' figure was standing.

Whether it is simply that hyper-reactive to anything not it, whether some ingrained instinct told it that anyone approaching with a shield might have 3 or 7 other trained fighters in the wings, this thing is very aggressive and the others are likely sure to engage, particularly if Steve goes on the attack.

Elidibus had followed, but remains outside of the chimera's engagement. He would act should Steve need backup, but he truly wishes to see what the man is capable of. Or if this was merely a mortal fool overconfident and unaware of just what he signed himself up for. ]

[ooc: Feel free to sum up or be vague! Sounds like Rogers has more than enough equipment to take on these lads plus what he's usually capable of. XD ]

[ Steve moves like a stream, easily weaves in and out of the chimeras, hitting them with his shield, as all of them attack. He uses most of his powers to his advantage - with his ability to teleport in between pools of light, he deftly moves out of the way of many of the attacks.

One where two of the chimeras attack at once - one with water and one with fire - Steve leans back and guides the water to douse the other's fire, and lobs the water over at one who appears to be the weakest.

But he takes a few hits too - mostly when they work together, as a team. Regardless of how hard they charge, he gets up immediately. And he doesn't let the chimeras know when he tires, despite it starting to wear on him after awhile having to fight three at once.

All four of them seem a little worn, and Steve's gotten some hard bruises and his shirt's a bit torn. Armor might be nice. ]

[ One of these is truly meant to be handled by a group and that group would generally be at least beyond the capabilities of normal folk on Steve's world. Such as magic and enhancing their attacks and bodies. And... healing.

There's three and Steve Rogers is moving like a lithe expert in slaying the Eorzean monsters. To be honest, Elidibus expected to step in far more quickly than he does.

Who needs armor when you have a powerful healer, Cap? Elidibus conjures a massive axe with a blade span easily as wide as his shoulders and the handle on par with a short spear's length. But before he charges forward, one hand, palm outward, is pointed in Steve's direction.

Energy flows naturally and while clothing doesn't really repair itself, flesh and bone begins to rapidly knit and the bruises and pain are, if not gone, becoming exponentially easier to ignore.

Any burns or liechtenstein marks that had been earned from the elemental assault are also disappearing.

At least one of the chimera seem able to sense the source and have started to turn in Elidibus' direction. But this is what the man wants and further incites the beasts by finally running forward. The axe is brought up in a powerful overhead swing and sent down toward the nearest of the lion's heads. The blow may seem glancing, but energy seems to erupt from that too, sending out shockwaves that cause the sand ripple upward in its wake.

Slowly, all of the chimera are beginning respond to this as if it's a greater threat than what Cap had been for the past several minutes; not because it is but because it's what it's designed to do. Be big, look big, be threatening. It'll have the effect of turning a majority of attacks and the beasts physically toward him, particularly after he considers a round of follow-up strikes and blows and making use of the four midnight wings. It is not perfect; there are nine heads between these chimera after all. But it'll make it a lot easier for Steve to move around; especially because those big blows Elidibus executes never seem to affect his would-be ally. So if he wasn't struggling as much as most people before.... ]

They are near to their limits. A little more will see them brought to a standstill.

[ This kind of magic, Steve is used to seeing now, here in Folkmore. He doesn't flinch when Elidibus brings down the axe, and he feels rejuvenated from the healing.

Honestly, if he couldn't have told it was a test before now, he would know it by now because clearly Elidibus can handle these creatures by himself and just wants to see someone else do it for once.

Steve's not mad - he's holding his own; he's felled planes before and this is pretty similar, running on top of a moving vehicle that's trying to kill him. They also have less friendly fire, which is quite annoying, but having Elidibus's assistance is nice.

The one thing Steve doesn't have, besides the water, is offensive magic - aside from his shield, he mostly uses his fists or his wits, getting them to ram into each other.

With the help, however, things end quickly, and the chimeras are resoundly beat, and Steve, wiping off a little sweat from his brow says: ]

Why do I feel like that was an audition?

[Elidibus did mention Steve was welcome to help even if he didn't directly need the assistance. Though it's pretty understandable why that might have come into doubt on seeing the task.

The concept of friendly fire seems... fluid. Sure, whatever extra 'energy' or 'magic' pours out from the other man's blows to keep the lions both in check or attentive to Elidibus does make the creatures shudder and flinch in ways they did not do before. But the energy itself just never affects Steve. Probably best not to think too hard about that.

Now that the battle is over, Elidibus lands and folds his wings. This time they're dismissed, proving he can hide them after all. The exertions have affected him, sandy dust mixing with streaks of sweat that will need to be washed. But he appears largely unharmed. He offers a faint smile. ]

I will not deny I took the opportunity to observe your abilities, since you were confident in them. I was impressed that I nearly need not have stepped in at all.

[ Although calm and polite as always, there is an underlying sincerity within the words. What he witnessed was no small feat. ]

But allow me to deal with the matter of sealing these creatures away, lest they awaken. This will take but a moment.

[ The axe is somehow stowed at his back; some form of harness built into the armor but then Steve's probably used to that for his shield. Elidibus proves that it really will only take a moment. The gesture is another simple one of a raised hand and gathered energy. White light emblazons the ground under the chimeras with an elborate sigil. The three bodies shimmer before becoming something like balls of fiery energy. Chains and bars form diamond shaped cages before a short gesture causes all to vanish.

The whole process may have taken a couple of minutes. ]

I believe it would be best were we to retreat to somewhere more comfortable.

[ Elidibus made it look very easy. In a manner of speaking it was. But by another that still had to be taxing on some level and Cruel Summer is called such a thing for a reason. Also it'd be ill manners to keep Steve hanging out here for fun. ]

You would be welcome to rest at my home in Puca Park before beginning your journey home.

[ He watches with rapt attention as Elidibus puts away the creatures, blinking at them a little bi because the energy that surrounds them reminds him of when people get trapped into stardust orbs by Thirteen.

He wonders if that's something he can learn, or if that's something only she can do. ]

That sounds like a good idea, pal. Sure, I'll come by.

[ He's got the afternoon cleared out to take care of this situation, so he might as well hang for a bit before going back to work eventually. ]

[ It is definitely a show. Though it probably at its foundations is different from whatever the Fox does. For one, there's no orb around or apparent container. But maybe Elidibus just sent them elsewhere.

It's probably fine that this guy has three caged very dangerous monsters in his possession. ]

Pal? Ah yes.

[ Another casual term for friendship. Well it won't really serve much to refute it. ]

Then let us be on our way.

[ But rather than do something tame like walking Elidibus brings up his hand in a now rather familiar gesture of spellcasting. He and Steve are engulfed in a cloud of billowing darkness. With little sense of transition other than the change of scenery, the pair are taken from the middle of the scorching desert to the calm environs of a lot in Puca Park.

Worry not. If Steve had arrived and left his bike parked near the pillar, he'll notice it's not been forgotten and is now casually leaning on its kickstand nearby.

All the amenities will be made available and probably unsurprisingly, the inside's a little more sizeable than the out. Steve will be welcome to stay as long as he needs to clean up, rest and be on his way to whatever other work he has for the day. ]

happy hump day tfln

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Spoiler Warnings: Potential FFXIV spoilers past this point. Maybe.

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Feel free to do a fancy knockout dynamic to finish things!

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