hugtopia | Video - Early Malom, a couple days after the party

[Action; at Kiwi and Will's house]
[Will isn't expecting a package. He hasn't ordered anything, after all--and why wouldn't he go pick it up at the store, if he had? But he gladly signs for the small padded envelope regardless, and retreats to the living room to open it. A single, marble-sized Pokéball spills out into his hand; he gasps out loud, immediately standing to enlarge it and let out the Pokémon inside. A Hypno appears in a blaze of crimson light, looking around the unfamiliar room.]

Reve! Y-you--I thought--

[A little choked noise, like he's trying not to cry, and Will throws his arms around her for a tight hug.]

I'm so, so sorry. I never meant to abandon you, I didn't know I'd be leaving.....

[Video]
[Once the reunion is out of the way, Will flips on the video feed to make a post, looking more genuinely, radiantly happy than just about anyone has seen him here.]

Hi, everyone! I've got a favor to ask--or maybe an offer to make? I guess it depends on how you look at it!

Another member of my team arrived today! This is Reve.

[The camera pans over to show a Hypno sitting on the couch, polishing an already glittering pendulum. She looks up at the introduction, raising a hand in a silent greeting.]

Reve is a Hypno. Hypno are technically omnivores, but primarily psychovores--they mainly eat products of other creatures' minds. In this case, it's dreams. Where I'm from, I can normally easily keep her fed just by battling, since that's my job. That's not an option in Havenwell, though.

So my proposal is this: if you have nightmares you want to be rid of, or even if you just need help getting to sleep and want to keep your dreams, please let me know! You can contact me privately too, if you'd rather not speak up where everyone can see. There's no need to pay, of course--you're already giving us something, after all.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There's much more to be done than simply what can be accomplished on the field. After all, I myself prefer to remain outside of combat. One of the most crucial areas of import is information, and you would be excellent at that.

[Both with and without psychic abilities. Will was rather good at networking, and not all information he needed was necessarily related to combat.]

I assure you, I have earned the respect of His Radiance. With my word you would be treated with respect and provided for generously. And your entourage as well.

His Radiance..... you've worked directly with the Emperor?

[That would explain Verstael's high standing. A fully supplied and staffed base far from the heart of the kingdom, all the funds he needs to conduct his research and exploratory expeditions..... At home, there are no obstacles to get in the way of Verstael's progress. He simply has to work until he makes breakthroughs and delivers results--which he obviously already has, and will surely continue to do so.

What information would they need aside from military intelligence, though? It sounds nice, but..... He may not know much about Eosian politics, but he knows enough to be aware of the fact that they're at war--and at war with people he also cares about very much. Will looks away, rubbing the back of his neck.]

I..... don't want to work against Lucis, though. You and them are both my friends.....

[He grew silent for a moment. Not angry. He'd hardly tried to keep Will from doing or being with whoever he wanted around here, and though Verstael had his position that was important to him he hardly expected Will to be heavily invested in the war. Yes, he had wanted assistance with the military effort. After all, he wanted to spare Niflheim's soldiers.

But he wasn't going to force Will's hand. That wouldn't do him any good in the end.]

There is other research as well. Our world has ruins scattered about it with hidden treasures from the past. But beyond that, there is research into the gods, as well as simply keeping peace among Niflheim's territories and allies.

...And after our time here, there may be relations with others dimensions to think of as well.

Ah--ahaha, you're right. I hadn't even considered what could happen if this means we're able to travel between dimensions after we've saved Aellyn. You could have hundreds of different worlds you suddenly need to negotiate diplomatic relations with, and that's not even taking into account their politics.....

[The distress over imagining being forced to choose between those sides is short-lived, distracted as he is by the thought of negotiating politics on a so much grander scale. And of course, the ruins, too, are something considerably more familiar to him.]

I've explored some ruins too, while I was traveling in my world--though any treasures there were wasted on me, since I'm no scholar.

There will be much work to do, and your talents will be indispensable.

[Can't accuse him of not trying. Just like with Ardyn, Verstael saw value there and he wasn't going to faff around and miss his opportunity.]

Were you to accompany me you would certainly have access to more information about any ruins we explored.

We still don't know if we'll be able to go to anyone else's world's after this..... But if anyone could figure out how to do it, it would be you, right? You're a magitek expert!

Perhaps, there may be others. But I won't allow anyone to surpass me easily.

And we will. If there was a way to come here, there will be a way back. I suppose... That would many questions in the air. After all, others from my world have come from many different times. So what will happen when we go back...?

Still, we must try.

Video - Early Malom, a couple days after the party

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