[Quest] Pursuing the Ghosts of our Nightmares

[fonic_chord]

Party: Cantabile, Tear
Location: Blessenwood, outskirts, field at night
Goal: Determine the source of the ghost rumors, and defeat any ghosts that might appear
Affection: ---
Status: OPEN
Warnings:Tear might totally wimp out on us, gaiz. Ready the smelling salts.

Comments

So sorry for not replying yesterday. X_X;;

[forgottenoracle]

[ Given Cantabile's uniform, she blended into the shadows somewhat well. With the black, blue, and purple, in addition to the decoration on the right side of her tabard, which just so happened to vaguely resemble claws, in juxtaposition with her intact golden eye which caught the dull glow of the moonlight, she might have passed for something menacing when viewed from afar. Luckily for Tear, her instructor happened to stand up straight and lack any mischievous motives when calling upon her former student. In fact, upon witnessing Tear's punctuality, Cantabile cracked a smile. It seemed that issuing the transfer wasn't such a bad idea.]

Good, you're here.

[She cast a glance around for any of these alleged ghosts, though given her blank expression, she seemed highly inquisitive of the matter. Really, all of this superstition struck her as silly. Some punks were just trying to scare the younger pipsqueaks, she concluded, regardless of whether or not ghosts existed.I don't think we'll find anything, but at least the villagers will stop

'Tis fine. Cherry's injured anyway.

[fonic_chord]

[Indeed, it was lucky for Tear that Cantabile was not in a mood for mischief, and also that several years with the Oracle Knights had taught her to remain alert. Tear turned to face her former instructor as she became aware of the other's approach. Even after all of this time, Cantabile hadn't changed. Somehow Tear had not expected her to, although for a fleeting moment she wondered if she still resembled that child who had foolishly believed that joining the Oracles would help her to better understand her brother, that following through with a promise she had made when she was only five would somehow solve everything.]

I didn't wish to keep you waiting, Instructor.

[Tear adjusted her grip on her staff, her attention split between the older woman and their surroundings. She hadn't seen or sensed anything either as of yet. That suited Tear just fine, but it didn't solve the problem in the least.]

If we are unable to find something to show for our efforts, it's also possible that the lack of evidence will cause the rumors to continue

D: Katana hopes Cherry feels better soon.

[forgottenoracle]

Hm...Looks like you're shaping up to be a decent soldier.

[Cantabile didn't flatter, and she was not opposed to changing her opinion of others. However, so far, she had no complaints about Tear. The former runt seemed to be taking her duties seriously in showing the decency to show up on time. That was a good start.]

Yeah, you've got a point. I'd like to think that a lack of evidence would prove them wrong, but it wouldn't exactly prove us right either. Ideally, we'll find someone causing mischief, but if the rumors are just rumors, then there might not be anything to find.

[Superior or not, Cantabile smirked at the response. Good girl. Tear was thinking for herself rather than saying whatever would please the higher-ups. Daath needed more people like that, as far as she was concerned. Then again, she and her opinions were sent to the middle of nowhere.]

[Looking around one more time, just in case some bold and stupid ghost decided to wander out, then looked back at Tear.It sounds like there are a few different rumors spreading

[fonic_chord]

[Tear was silent for a moment. Not long ago she would have taken such a remark as a serious compliment. But now...? Now she didn't know. Being a decent soldier, even a great soldier, was nothing to brag about. The melodist trained her face to seriousness.]

I thank you for saying so, Instructor.

[Tear mulled over this for a moment. Surely even if something was going on, it didn't occur every single night. Tear wasn't entirely certain they'd find anything, and repeating this watch several more times seemed a likely possibility in order to catch the culprit. If there was one.]

Yes... Additionally it may take several attempts to actually catch the culprit in the act and to determine an identity - assuming there is a culprit. They may not go through this routine every single night, and if they're aware that people are growing suspicious, they may not appear at all.

[Tear fell quiet again as she absorbed Cantabile's words. Murdered? Buried? Ah... How... lovely. Tear hesitated for a split second, in her mind, one beat too long, and then

[forgottenoracle]

[It looked like Tear didn't trust her very much, not that Cantabile was surprised by that development. Well, the humble response wasn't so bad. The last thing she wanted was for Tear to become cocky, but it seemed that the girl had a good head on her shoulders. So Daath might be less screwed over when they got back to Atlas. Good to know.]

[At this point, Cantabile was no longer looking at Tear, instead checking the ground as she circled the tree. She stopped at the knot to check it as well, brushing her hand against it as if the face would reappear after she pulled away. Letting her gaze linger for a moment, she returned to Tear's side.]

Not appearing at all, eh? It's not the fastest way to solve the problem, but it'll work eventually.

"Assuming there is a culprit," you say? So, do you ever believe in ghost stories?

[fonic_chord]

[Tear mentally cringed. She wasn't about to admit her fear of ghosts point-blank. The melodist struggled to come up with an acceptable, honest response.]

I can't be sure about... ghosts, but with all due respect, Instructor, the past year has convinced me that there are some things in this world that cannot be explained. While I would prefer to believe that these incidents are harmless pranks, the possibility does exist that they are the work of something else. I have found that it's best to keep an open mind when dealing with a situation that you don't completely comprehend.

[Tear didn't embellish on this. While discussing the events that had taken place back on Auldrant didn't seem such a bad idea, Tear was well aware that now wasn't the time.

Tear quietly scanned the area for movement, checking around the roots by prodding them with the tip of her staff. It seemed a normal tree. There was nothing unordinary about it. There were no ghosts.]

[forgottenoracle]

[Cantabile narrowed her eye in an attempt to make out the shape behind that light. There was...something out there. The longer she stared, the more she noticed something slightly lighter than the surrounding shadows. When a stray breeze, she could have sworn it had...billowed, , when the wind calmed, it seemed still. She raised an eyebrow, suspicions raised. Whatever it was, it seemed to be hovering. As long as it remained in place, she had an idea on how to efficiently put an end to this: The shockwave of a Demon Fang would knock it over, but should the culprit be nearby, she would risk causing injury, which she assumed would clash with the villagers' interests

[fonic_chord]

[Something about the ghost... it seemed to be billowing. Ghosts didn't billow did they? The appearance seemed more like that of an abandoned piece of linen. The moon caught the white sheet and illuminated it, causing it to take on an eerie glow of its own. How had she not spotted this earlier? The blood, the movements, the light... they'd been looking elsewhere. Clearly someone was toying with them, or else trying to make an escape. The "ghost" seemed stationary. A decoy? Tear paused where she was, a few yards off from said ghost and looked around again.]

It's a decoy. [With a quick flick of her staff, she yanked off the sheet and it toppled to lay in an unmoving heap on the ground. She looked around again, wondering if the culprit had already made a clean getaway, or if it was still out there somewhere in hiding.]

[forgottenoracle]

[This discovery did not amuse Cantabile. Had it been a more elaborate decoy, she might have applauded the culprit somewhere in the back of her mind. She drew behind Tear to confirm the sight for herself. Lo and behold, this runt had made a sloppy effort. If they were going to try to be scary, they could at least try.]

I thought so. I hope this isn't the best this guy can do. You spotted the light, right? Did you see if it went in a certain direction?

[Given the fading of the light, the prankster probably extinguished the source before fleeing. Still, there was a chance that the faintest outline of the runt could have been visible. Cantabile did not consider her missing eye to be a handicap, but having an extra pair of eyes helped have eyes in the back of her head.]

[fonic_chord]

[Tear nodded slowly.]

Perhaps this decoy was made in haste. As for the light...

[Tear paused, glancing around uncertainly. She was quite certain that it hadn't been anywhere near this decoy at the time in which they saw it, but.]

I can't be absolutely sure, but I don't believe it was headed in this direction. I'm under the impression that it was skirting around us in hopes of making a quick retreat.

[forgottenoracle]

[Cantabile was beginning to wonder whether or not she'd have to eat her words now. She still doubted because--come on, even a shadow could become the ghost in some horror story. But she needed proof either way, and she needed to get rid of the ghost one way or another, either in catching the culprit or killing the creature. She wouldn't complain, no matter the result, but

[Hey Vegeta, what's the scouter say about his power level?]

[fonic_chord]

[If I got the name wrong, just tell me. I wasn't sure. There were a bunch of different ghosty things.]

[Recognize this thing? Tear didn't want to stick around and examine it! A quick Innocent Shine, and-- But wait. Yes... she thought she had seen this creature before. Where? Choral Castle surely. And elsewhere. It was a variety of monster she had previously fought against - one that did indeed resemble the everyday depiction of ghosts that had scared her senseless for years. It could glide through the air quite easily, and also seemingly disappear.

But even if she recognized it, it wouldn't do much good if it got away. Tear made an attempt at stunning the creature now that it was directly in front of her.]

Pow Hammer!

[Clinka! Have a toy hammer dropped on your head, Mr. Ghost.]

I... It looks like a Poltergeist. I've noticed most of the monsters I've seen are species from Auldrant.

*points to the icon above yours*

[forgottenoracle]

[That's the right name, if memory serves. Though I don't remember where else they show up and whether or not Canti would have encountered them unless she lived under a rock. Also, the place mentioned at the end is supposedly called "West Rugnica Plains."]

[The ghost dropped to the ground as the hammer stunned it, leaving it in a wobbly and dizzy state. Good, Tear had gotten it before it could get away. Nice reaction. Maybe a little more effective than punching it.]

[Cantabile circled around so that she could have a better look. Lo and behold, it was a sack of potatoes, just an animated one. It appeared to be carrying a glowing little sphere. That was interesting...Sure, she'd seen a few of those insect-ridden monsters mistaken for zombies, but those things weren't floating pieces of cloth. That would never stop being a little weird, at least when she held the stance that ghosts didn't exist.That's not what comes to mind for me, but I'm guessing you have the right term for it

Re: *points to the icon above yours*

[fonic_chord]

[Tear approached from the other side, feeling much better now that a possible culprit had been identified. She kept her eyes on the monster, just in case it recovered or began to vanish.]

It's strange that the monsters are familiar. It leaves me to wonder if the monsters are physically from Auldrant or if Atlas and Auldrant are similar enough to have yielded the same species.

There's a possibility that it came here on its own. Perhaps monsters like this one inhabit the area's ruins. I have not yet visited them, but the last time I remember seeing a monster like this was in a vacation home by the sea - one that had been abandoned and is now in a sorry state. It's literally falling apart.