[Open] | They say goldfish have no memory

[sublimated]

Method: Action or prose
Who: Kanda and anyone who wants to run into him
Where: Byalan Island (various)
When: Feb 9-13
What: Kanda killing things exploring the island's waterways and caverns.

Comments

i hope this is the right day >_> (action!)

[energyof]

[ Much like the stop at Poring Island, Cassidy had spent most of his time off of the ship and inside the undersea tunnel. It was doubly exciting for him because Byalan was unfamiliar territory, the likes of which he had only heard of second-hand. Luckily, as was common in his line of work, exploration went hand in hand with hunting and by this time Cassidy had made several drop-offs of Vadons, Hydras and other foodstuffs with the help of Sograt.

He was grateful that the Kukre, thieve happy as they may be, were not strong enough to haul off his catches.

By this time, Cassidy was more keen on exploring than hunting. As such, he traveled lighter, but carried an additional quiver of wind arrows. So far, with Sograt at his side, he hadn't felt the need to use them, but as he approached the entrance to the fourth level, his caution grew. Mobs of those mermaids were no laughing matter and what lurked farther down could only be worse...

The two moved quickly, sticking close to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to themselves. Hunters were not made for large mobs, after all- they were meant to deal with opponents one-on-one, not always directly. ]

Eeeeexcellent, works for me!! :D

[sublimated]

[By Kanda's reckoning, the third level of these caves provides about the right balance for him to work his blade without getting bored, and still having to worry too much for his safety. He's been curious of the level below, but given how inquisitiveness doesn't tend to be a driving force in his nature, he's not bothered to spend time on it beyond a few fleeting thoughts.

By their final day on the island, though, the third level is beginning to become too routine. That is, until he hears a sound of movement unlike that made by the monsters he's been slaying practically for the sport of it.

He steps quietly onto higher ground, withdrawing from the edge of the water that stands on the cavern floor and he waits where he knows he'll be mostly out of sight...until he sees the top of a recognizable head, and an even more recognizable coat of fur.

Stepping out of his semi-shelter, he glares at Cassidy and mutters under his breath.] Tch. Great.

[energyof]

[ Sograt picks up on Kanda's movements, head swiveling in his direction. That, in turn, causes Cassidy's attention to follow. ]

Ah...

[ That guy. Cassidy can feel himself getting tense already, something his partner doesn't miss. Briefly, the hunter considers moving on, but he had already acknowledged the other man's presence.

Cassidy doesn't loosen his grip on his arrow, though he does lower the bow a fraction-- but that's more because familiar person or not, he's still not going to leave himself open to attack from mermaids and shellfish monsters. ]

Hey...

[ If it weren't for their little exchange previously, he might have mentioned his surprise that Kanda had bothered to get this far at all. ]

[sublimated]

[Kanda says nothing to return the greeting and only gives Cassidy a scowl which manages to encompass both him and his canine companion.

He doesn't have his sword drawn at the moment, but that is only because he knows his training in sword-drawing techniques would let him react to an enemy at a moment's notice, not because his guard is actually down.]

What the hell are you doing here?

[As if his own presence couldn't warrant the exact same question. It's not like this is his territory or anything, but he ignores that detail. After all, he was there first.]

lmao his territory, ilu kanda

[energyof]

[ Odin alive, was this man always so grouchy? The corner of Cassidy's mouth twitches, as if he can't decide between smiling or frowning. His face settles on 'slightly exasperated.' Sograt merely watches with what looks to be boredom. ]

We're exploring. [ A pause in which he wonders if he should expand. It wouldn't hurt to let Kanda know, at least, about what was ahead if he continued. ] There's a section in which breathing underwater is possible.

The world according to Kanda, it is a special place.

[sublimated]

[Well he certainly isn't showing any signs of becoming any less grouchy anytime soon.

But he does show his surprise at that last declaration. He knows that there are special diving suits that allow people to explore the oceans. They've got huge brass helmets and an air hose that goes up to the surface where someone turns a pump. But simply breathing underwater? That sounds like a trick.

He gives Cassidy a disbelieving look.]

How?

[energyof]

[ He shrugs. ]

You're better off asking a Sage. [ Cassidy motions towards the general direction of the entrance to the fourth level with the tip of his bow. Sailors in Izlude had given him a rough description of what lay ahead, but he hadn't bothered to purchase a map. It's not like he'd get much out of it and reselling was a hassle. ]

Sograt and I are heading there. [ And while that was true, it was also unfortunately true that they wouldn't be able to venture very far. The duo had lasted this long with relatively little threat to their lives because of the mostly solo-nature of the monsters thus far. However, as the third level had introduced, monsters were more keen on mobbing the farther the undersea tunnel deepened. A Hunter wasn't fit for that kind of conflict.

Cassidy wonders if he should extend an invitation to the swordsman. It would probably(?) be beneficial to have another fighter, but Kanda was still untrustworthy in Cassidy's book. What if he tried to attack them? It was highly unlikely that anyone would come across them so deep inside the tunnel.

Maybe he was being too paranoid. Cassidy was fairly confident in his and Sograt's ability to escape if necessary. Hm. ]

[sublimated]

[Kanda doesn't know any Sages, and if he did he probably still wouldn't have bothered to ask them. He isn't actually interested in the particulars or any kind of science behind it--that isn't his area.

He had asked 'how,' but the kind of answer he really wants is simple, encapsulated and easy to perceive in its whole. Without it he can't help his own curiosity. It's like needing to open the door into the center of the house in order to come outside through the back door.

Of course he's not going to extend an offer to work with Cassidy per se. Kanda hates teamwork too much for that. But he'll try to find out more from him nonetheless.]

You've been there before? Or are you just trusting enough to take it on faith that you won't drown.

[energyof]

[ He pauses in his reply, brow arching at Kanda's not-question. ]

No, I haven't, but yes, I'm trusting enough that I won't drown. It's fact. [ While he had never experienced the phenomenon for himself, it was widely accepted as true. Too many adventurers over too many years had attested to it and Sages had come down to investigate it for it not to be.

He shrugs his shoulder, this time to adjust the quiver slung across his back. ]

You can see for yourself, if you want. [ That was about as much of an invitation Cassidy was willing to give at the moment. With a small dip of his head as a means of signaling his departure, Cassidy begins to continue walking to the fourth level. After a beat, Sograt follows him. ]

[sublimated]

[Looking at him carefully for a moment. The truth is that he would like to know about this place, and he is just a bit curious on the phenomenon of breathing under water (which does sound simply unbelievable to him).

He's sure as hell not going to just trail mutely behind like anyone's shadow though. Just as Cassidy seems ready to simply walk away, he speaks again.]

Where?

[energyof]

Down the steps, somewhere this way... [ His reply is automatic and it takes him a few second to realize that Kanda had shown an active interest in something.

Huh. Well, it was breathing underwater...

Sure enough, after a few more feet they reach an old structure of some sort, with a stairway heading downwards. Who, or what, had crafted it was a topic of much debate among the scholars, but Cassidy sure as hell didn't care. ]

So... [ Peering down the stairs, which look pretty damn dark the farther down they go-- which makes sense. He wouldn't guess there to be a light source so far below, underwater. ] Down here.

[ Sograt does not look pleased. ]

[sublimated]

[Kanda looks down the stairway as well, then glances back at the relative brightness around them where the firelight reflects off the cavern walls.]

Tch. Does it magically bestow ability to see in the dark too? [From his tone of voice, he might as well be blaming Cassidy personally for someone having had the stupid idea of creating an underwater cave to begin with.

He casts a glance at Sogart.] Maybe your dog has wits enough to know that this whole damn thing is stupid.

aaa sorry for the delay in reply

[energyof]

[ He glances at Sograt, frowning slightly. Well, it was true that going underwater was probably the oddest thing they'd do... ]

You can stay here, if you'd prefer that. [ But Sograt doesn't reply, an answer Cassidy takes to mean she'll follow anyway.

Smiling, he shrugs at Kanda's initial remark. ] I've heard that there's some sort of light source... but it's probably not very strong. Well. Let's find out.

[ He waves Kanda on. Obviously, Sograt's willingness to accompany him underwater has bolstered Cassidy's mood. ]