hugtopia | Video - End of Lasohm/start of Malom, about a day after the breach is resealed

[The city is still in a state of disarray, though the fighting is over. Everyone will surely need to pitch in for some extensive repair work to make Havenwell what it once was. Will is sitting on a somewhat mangled chair on a cafe's patio, disheveled and powdered with stone dust, looking more exhausted and discouraged than most people here have ever seen him--unless, of course, they happened to help him endure the agony of the battle's psychic backlash.

He's doing his best to smile regardless, and holds up a slightly rumpled piece of paper to show the camera; on it are some surprisingly good line art head shots of Akira, Akechi, and Kei done in pen. They may not be exactly artistic, but they're at least faithful to their subject matter; he's even helpfully tagged each with hair and eye colors, since he could only work in monochrome.]

Has anyone seen these three recently? My roommates all vanished during the fighting. I figured they must have had their hands full, and maybe they got hurt and needed to stay with someone, but.....

They aren't answering their tablets, and they're not at any of the temples. I've been searching around town, but I haven't found them yet, and Arche can't pick up any scent trails, either. I'm starting to think maybe they got sick, and..... got worse.

[Anyone who's seen or experienced the strange illness that can grip the newcomers may understand what he's talking about, and why he's so worried--people fading out of existence entirely is a frightening prospect. His voice is quieter now, as he reaches out to end the recording and submit it to the network.]

.....I'm not sure I want to stay in my house anymore.

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[As much of a mess as the city had become during the attack, it pains him to see it now, as beautiful as it had been, now broken in some places. He is far from a stranger to loss, having survived the destruction of one world and the near destruction of a second as its people struggled to count their losses and make what living they could.]

[The look on the man's face isn't far from a specter painted over nearly every face he had ever seen in one shade or another. He can't help but reach out, as he always has, and offer what he can. If he can.]

I fear I have not seen them, but I will do all I can to keep looking during my efforts to help the city recover.

[Mention of them having gotten sick, well... That's certainly concerning. He doesn't want to upset the man further, but if there is an illness going around, he will need to know what to look for.]

If they are not well and I should find them, I should like to be prepared to care for them, if urgently necessary, but my magic may not be enough. What symptoms should I be aware of, and is there any suggested treatment?

Thank you, Exarch.

[His smile turns a touch more genuine at that. When isn't the man helpful and kind?]

It's..... The way you'd instantly know if it's that illness is if they look ghostly--you may be able to see through parts of them. Other than that..... High fever, dizziness, weakness, exhaustion, being confused and disoriented? It's a lot like other serious illnesses, aside from that kind of fading.

If you find anyone like that, get them to the temple they belong to. The priests will know what to do.

[He would offer more if he could - it is who he is, after all - but he does what he can.]

Deeply troubling symptoms if I have ever heard, especially when the body itself begins to fade. Truthfully, I have not heard of that one in any world, but I will keep watch, regardless.

[And here, he grows silent, considering. His heart wants to reach out to Will, to help quiet the man's obvious concern, even though realistically there is nothing he can do to make it go away. But this is a city that seems to thrive upon physical closeness, and though he cannot comfortably reach out and touch someone without exceptional reason, he cannot deny a grieving soul companionship when he has it to offer. And a convenient reason.]

[His voice softens when he speaks next.]

I wonder if you would care to allow me to join you in your search. We may cover more ground alone, but the threat to these walls may not have been completely eradicated. Shall we watch each other's backs, do you suppose?

Neither have I. It sounds like it's something specific to this world and its magic? Because we're not from here--because we're really not even supposed to be here.

[He wonders what it is, specifically, that makes this world just not..... agree with some people like that. Plenty of other people seem to come from highly magical places, after all! So what causes this? What makes some people fall ill and start to just..... come unmoored from reality, even if it's only a little? How do they stop it?]

That sounds like a good idea. I assume those monsters have all been taken care of, but it's always possible there could be a few stragglers. Where are you?

[There is still so much he doesn't understand about this world, despite his rather determined attempts at uncovering secrets and unearthing even the smallest tidbits that might help explain or even reverse both what had happened to this world and how to save it - and return them home, all without having to fall ill unexpectedly to leave space in this world to do so.]

Yes. I am not wholly a stranger to such a concept, but I would like to discuss this with you in person, if we may. At present, I am near the temple of Ohma, but 'twould be no trouble for me to meet you wherever you choose. Where shall I find you?

I'll just come over there! Ohma's temple is an easy landmark.

[He's been there plenty of times, after all; by now, he could probably find his way to the temples from anywhere in the city. And..... well, let's be honest, here. Exarch really doesn't strike him as the kind of guy who routinely goes to the entertainment district to unwind. He might not know the names or locations of the cafes.

It may take a few minutes for him to wind his way over, but Exarch may spot him coming down the street soon enough. No more monster attacks yet, at least!]

[Without knowing where Will is, he doesn't have the means enough to try to meet him halfway. Left with nothing more than to be patient, something he has in abundance, he settles himself outside of the temple entrance to wait.]

[And it isn't long before he finds himself watching Will approach; he rises and meets him half in that, at least.]

You are unharmed, I see, and full glad I am for it. I worry for the denizens who make their homes within these walls, now more than ever.

I'm fine! I haven't seen anything all day.

[Will holds up a reassuring hand--although the fact that he's been roaming around alone and unprotected all day may not be as reassuring as he hopes.]

I think the locals will be okay, too. They've been staying inside for all this, after all--and metal's harder to bite through than flesh and bone.

[Not nearly as reassuring. To see the man unharmed is one thing, but it's true enough metal is harder to bite through than flesh and bone - and they are neither made of such unforgiving material.]

One can always hope for the calm and the quiet, but safety in numbers and all, just to be certain.

[He smiles and turns his hooded gaze down one street, then another.]

But pray, tell me, where have you been able to take your search thus far? I had been roaming the roads just east of here before I came across your message.

Video - End of Lasohm/start of Malom, about a day after the breach is resealed

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yay! --> action!

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