A New Platform [Intro Post August]

[voidtreckermods]

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PLATFORM STOP: MONTH 19
(SYMPHONY)

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BEFORE ARRIVAL

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day sixteen of the month of Symphony. Points have been updated on the system."
The voice of the Voidtrecker Express welcomes passengers at the same time as always, sometime after breakfast. With points updated, everyone can spend the morning shopping. Most people will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later, as the colours of the void outside the windows blur more and more.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. The weather is sunny with a cool breeze. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."
A lurch and a jolt, and the windows fill with the fog that means they are at a platform.

ON THE PLATFORM

1. THE ARRIVAL

At first, all your character can see is steam billowing around them as they come to their senses. But as their eyes adjust, they find themselves on a platform. The stones are cobbled beneath them and there are small stone shapes lining the edge, decorative in nature. The sun is shining but there is a cold wind, blowing through the platform at intervals, almost biting in its chill.

They stand in clothes not their own, in a style they might not even recognise. They're carrying a rucksack on their person, and for a moment it seems to just be them, alone on this platform. Before the fog starts to subside, and they'll see they're one of Twelve figures: all facing the tracks, and all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies, the latter in one of four colours. Purple, red, blue or orange.

But then there's a roaring sound to get their attention, and out from the fog arrives a train. A sleek black, it reads The Voidtrecker Express in gold lettering on the side. Every one of the doors hiss as they open automatically, and out pours a strange assortment of people, over a hundred at least. Some are human, some less so, with a majority wearing the same hoodie of four colours as they do, though some sport outfits in a variety of styles.

The train doors close behind them, and the vehicle is cloaked in the same fog that hides the world beyond the platform. A group of people head towards the gates of the platform, their expressions blank and unaffected by their surroundings. Danielle Phantom, Fai. D Flourite, K'zeka Tia, Ruggie Buchi and John Connor They disappear through the barriers, but no one else can - all people can do is wait until the train re-emerges, finishing whatever changes it's making.

2. BOARDING THE TRAIN

After a short time, about ten minutes or so, the fog clears and the doors hiss open again. Everyone will feel a pull when they do, a need to board, and those from the train may encourage new arrivals to board. This feeling grows into one of apprehension and turns worse the longer they stay off-board.

For those that do board, they may find themselves in a few different carriages, but most likely the standard coach. A row of seats sit available, with a few tables between each. More likely than not, some cookies have been set out with jugs of drink, and cups available for pouring.

For those that don't, however, they're likely to attract attention if they're spotted. And if that fails... an unfortunate end will await them.

a. New arrivals will notice a screen and console in every carriage sharing the same message, and a stack of leaflets in holders by them offering further information to the curious (see 'Publications'). There are lavatories available on each carriage on one end, with another console with a deposit box under it at the other. This is the train shop.

b. It'll take some time for newbies to figure out the layout, even if there's only two directions to go in. Go one end, and you'll find the food stores and washing utilities. This month's key ingredient is broccoli, and you're sure to bump into others curious about what's in the stock.

c. Go to the other end, and you'll find the sleeper cabins. Plaques sit on the wall by each door with the names of their occupants, and one of these will be yours - hopefully, they'll figure out that swiping their ticket against the doorpad will open it up to them. In most rooms, the occupied beds are obvious, leaving the spotless, empty spaces for the newcomers. Room is tight, but there are storage cubbies at the head of each bed, beds fold up and, the bottom bunks double as benches for the small table. There is storage under those benches full of spare blankets and pillows.

d. At the farthest end in this direction is the luggage carriage, where passengers who have bought items from the train shop will find their purchases. These are scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags, but there's also a small fridge and kettle here with bottled water, for those who want a quiet drink.

e. Of course there are the new additions to explore. A fireplace has been added to the library, complete with a rug and plenty of soft reading pillows. For those less inclined to sit still there is a swimming pool carriage, complete with foam fish. Plenty of fun for all.

DEPARTURE

Spend your time exploring, if you will. But people will have half an hour before a second horn sounds, encouraging any stragglers taking advantage of the fresh air to board. After five minutes from this, the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train begins to rumble with activity, and the platform starts to disappear into a fog as the voidcraft moves. A female-coded artificial voice echoes throughout the train.

"Welcome aboard, passengers of the Voidtrecker Express. Please take the time to read the passenger information displayed on the Information and Communication points, and familiarise yourself with the layout and emergency exits."

The train begins to tilt, leaving the ground and rising up into the fog-filled sky.

"Entrance into Voidspace imminent. New passengers are advised to remain seated. Entry into Voidspace in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

A shudder, a jolt, a lurch to the left. A flash of light, colourful and blinding. As quick as it happens it is done. The train seems to steady itself. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours.

Welcome to the Void.

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NAVIGATION ~ GAMEPLAY ~ SETTING ~ CHARACTER INITIATIVES ~ QUESTIONS

Comments

Esteban Drake | Purple Team | OTA

[crowneddragon]

I - Weather Stone Garden Carriage
Coldness nips in the Weather Stone Garden carriage today.

Nothing as much as a breeze stirs in, but tiny flakes drift by from the ceiling, leaving the stones with a thin dusting atop their facades. Stone limbs and statues of creatures big and small, silent as graves buried under thin shards of ice.

In the quiet, Esteban breathes deeply in and out, breath puffing into a cloud that ghosts above him, limbs stretching as he wakes up. He turns when he notices someone approaching, the quiet leaving little room for sneaking.

"Heya~ Y' ever tried shiftin' gravity in the snow?" He grins at his companion. "It's great! Y'should try it!" Dubious encouragements given, Esteban tosses a spare grav-con he's borrowed --temporarily, at least this one-- this morning, in case he had someone drop by. His grin is the extra nudge that was probably not needed.

II - Swimming Pool!~
Alright, Sunshine and other sports fans! There's a swimming pool in the train now!

There's a bit of disappointment at realizing he didn't help out as much as he wanted for the carriage, but that gets dwarfed by the excitement! They have a pool now!~

The train is barely allowing people back in that Esteban is arrowing straight to the newfangled carriage, darting to it with a grin. Five minutes later and he's managed to get into a swimsuit, poke around at the odd gills that are supposed to help him breathe underwater, and dive bombed into the deeper end to try them out.

Now? Now all he needs is a victim friend to play blitzball with. Or swim around with-- he's not picky, he'll take either.

III - Dressing Carriage
The dressing carriage is awfully quiet. In the semi-gloom, the spiderwebs are drifting across the carriage, untouched even though Webs has left quite some time ago. A shrine to someone who is gone, in some ways.

The ropes of silk hang from the rafters in large clumps, and after a tug or three, Esteban climbs one to the upper part of the carriage, a netting of silken threads. They form a web, in their own way-- not one Esteban would associate with a spider, but one nonetheless, and he settles at the top there, feet swinging down into the lower edge, but far enough above that he's not worried to hit any passers by.

It's quiet up here. A gentle, soothing silence. He uses it to stretch into the webbings and weave strands together in old forms of braiding he hasn't practiced since-- years ago.

Oh~ Peeking down below him when he hears the door opening, Esteban can't help but grin as he stretches, limbs shifting-- and he drops down to the floor below, quiet on the thick carpet, creeping softly behind his new companion.

"Boo~"

He totally deserves whatever is coming next for him.

IV - Wildcard!
[OOC: As always, Esteban will roll with Anything~]

Dressing, to be mean

[nobodys_puppet]

Too many new people! Freaked out, Xion had opened a dark corridor and fled. It led her to right outside the dressing carriage. She almost opened another one except...

This car should be empty now. No mission. And this way she can tell Axel she was exploring, and he wouldn't yell at her for spending all day in their cabin.

Breathing a sigh of relief and looking forward to some place quiet and empty, Xion opened the door and slipped inside. It is dark and for once her jacket does what it was supposed to - it helps her blend into the shadows. Helps her hide. Which would have been great... if he hadn't seen her silhouetted by the door when she had first entered.

She thought she heard something... maybe? She stood totally still, listening.

When he yelled Boo she jumped a mile. Thankfully, she was fairly agile and good at dark and shadowy places, so not only did she manage to move away from him and turn as she jumped, she also landed neatly without falling. Her Keyblade was in her hand before her boots touched the ground. She stood in a defensive pose, ready for him to attack.

[crowneddragon]

There's a cheerful laughter that follows her jump, careless and free.

"Gotcha~" he teases lightly, rising to his full height now that he's revealed himself. Without the gloom of the dressing carriage, he would have been hard to miss, and he's surprisingly quiet on his feet for someone as imposing as he is. "Good reflexes though! That's a quick step-back."

There's a short pause as blue eyes glance along her form, hidden beneath her cloak. He doesn't see much of the person he's startled, just that they have crouched and are ready to strike back, but haven't retaliated right away. Also--

"Is that a giant key?" He blinks, confused as he stares at the weapon. "'S it a-- weapon?" There's more than enough confusion in his tone to show he has no interest to fight at the very least. It's a weird thing to even imagine, a key-weapon, but that has got to hurt if it's swung with enough force. To be fair-- anything can be a weapon when swung with enough force.

"Name's Esteban! It's nice to meetcha, shadowy-person?" He teases again, apparently shelving the matter of the keyblade to be polite first. Or as polite as Esteban can ever think of being when faced with a new person to befriend. "I haven't seen y' 'round before. Are y' new?"

Does he ever stop asking question? It doesn't look like it at first glance.

[nobodys_puppet]

His light teasing tone only makes her tense up more. What did he want? Was he like the bullies back in Diatu? How would she hide it if she was getting bullied again? She didn't want her friends to get in trouble defending her.

And more... with these weird bonds, if she was hurt... would Taiki and Roxas be hurt too? She couldn't let that happen! This time it was her turn to defend her friends!

When he asked about her Keyblade, her grip on it shifted slightly, all the answer she planned on giving.

But he kept talking. And talking. Why? Why did Somebodies talk so much?

And why did he think she was a person? Couldn't he see that she was... well... just her?

At that last question she just shook her head. Did he mean new to the train? In which case... no she'd been here for a while. If he meant all together new well... Roxas was the one who counted, but she had to be almost nine hundred days now, right...?

[crowneddragon]

Alright. No talking. He can deal with that. He's training to deal with that, and maybe he's not the best yet, but he's been making progress with short sentences, his hands flicking through the signs easily enough, eyebrows raised in his question.

{Can you sign?} the SCA by his wrist pipes up, voice sharp and metallic, as he continues again. {My name, E-s-t-e-b-a-n-- Esteban} The SCA garbles again, {Your name, what?} He pauses at this, at least slower when he has to think his signs through instead of bounding off far too enthusiastically for anyone to keep up with.

Done with the signs, Esteban straightens to his full height, and shifts his head to the side to sustain the question, a grin wide onto his lips as he tries to be patient around the smaller shadow. He thinks they're a girl? Maybe? He's not too sure, with how deep the shadows seem to envelop her, but there's something about her stance, he thinks. Or maybe he's just wrong, he'll have to be patient. Patient. Even though he's horrible at that.

[nobodys_puppet]

When he started signing, she jumped back, sure he was casting a spell. She landed lightly, Keyblade held to ward off blows, but they didn't come. Instead words came from that thing Axel told her she always had to wear. It came in handy sometimes, like when they were on that mission that was so dark and it had a light, so she strapped it to her Keyblade.

But now it was talking. Did everything about this Somebody talk?

"If you're going to attack me, just get it over with!" she snapped, finally, the tension getting to her. She... she would be in trouble if she fought back. But if she didn't and he beat her up, Axel and Roxas would find out and go after him and they'd get in worse trouble. So she had to risk it. To protect them.

II

[healerscorned]

[Nia can be found at the pool in her recently revealed Blade form, just floating along on her back. If one looks carefully, they might notice the water subtly shifting to avoid her running into the edge of the pool.]

Oh, hey there. Someone looks excited for the pool.

[crowneddragon]

[After the huge splash he caused when dive bombing in the water her words are almost a surprise. Esteban shakes his head free, and passes a hand across his face to see better when he notices--]

Woah-- what happ'ned to y'r hair? [He doesn't remember it being nearly as long. Oh wait--] It looks great though! Did you get horns on y'r head?

[Clearly, he is a master of observance today.]

I like any change at all~ [It serves as both an answer to her question, and a small nudge at her new form, curiosity brimming in him.]

[healerscorned]

Horns? Those are my ears, you twit!

[The pool water moves on it's own to splash Esteban's head.]

As for the change, I just realized that there's no real point to pretending to be something I'm not here. It's not like anyone actually cares if I'm a Blade or not.

[crowneddragon]

[The way the water moves has him blink wide blue eyes after brushing the splash off from his face, peering at her. Was that some of her odd magic? She'd mentioned it wasn't aether, but to control water that way?]

They're so long though! [He's tempted to touch them. But that probably wouldn't fly, and her hair really is long and pooling around her. It makes it a little harder to swim around her without touching it. Better start actually asking things--]

What's a Blade? I don't think y'r talkin' 'bout a weapon here. [Of course, Esteban is genuinely curious as he asks-- he's always curious.]

[From her magic, to her potions, to the leaves familiar to her world, questions peppering every discussions that he has with anyone. He's greedy like that. And Nia, for being blunt and to the point, has indulged him the answers he sought so far.]

sorry for wall of text

[healerscorned]

[Then it's probably good that Nia doesn't really mind explaining things.]

That's not entirely off the mark, but it is a lot more complicated.

[Nia holds up a hand and a crystalline scimitar wreathed in flowers appears for a moment before she dismisses it.]

We were originally meant to guide evolution, bring back humanity after our creator's mistake led to their extinction. That actually worked like a charm, so go us I guess.

Once that was done with, things kinda shifted gears. Blades change just as much as any other species, so we had to adjust to having mainly humans as our Drivers. Oh, a Driver is someone who can resonate with a Blade's base state, a Core Crystal, and bring them out of it. Under most circumstances, a Blade can't exist without a Driver.

Anyway, we shifted from bringing with us useful tools and items to mainly weapons. Pretty understandable, as Alrest is a bitch to survive in. That's about when humans started calling us "Blades," I think. Can't be sure, Blades lose their memories when they return to their Core Cr- I mean, OUR Core Crystals. Sorry, pretended to be human for so long that I slip up sometimes.

POOL POOL POOL POOL

[blitzcheer]

Drop everything, everyone, there's a pool in town.

Esteban would be sorely mistaken if he thinks he's the only one beelining for that carriage. Tidus knew it was showing up, and for whatever moment of hesitation he had in wondering if there's anything more important he has to do, it turns out, bzzzt, nope, there's nothing better than inspecting the new car.

But where does that put Tidus in Esteban's pool adventures? The half-elf will find out soon after divebombing, and the eventual resurface; perhaps he's wiping his face, or he's just floating there, getting his bearings after the bombing.

Except--there's a tug around his waist, and he's being pulled back down underwater, long enough so he's submerged once more and spun around. It's with that turn that the restriction leaves -- Tidus's arms, as he makes himself visible as he moves back, keeping himself lowered into the pool with ease.

And even managing a cheeky smile. Because who needs gills when you have eight or however many lungs?

[crowneddragon]

One yelp later and the water rushes over his head.

Most people would probably get worried, maybe even panic a bit. Esteban, on the other hand, has a definitive idea of who that would be, and he hardly minds more than a huffy splutter, removing the gills long enough to stick his tongue out at the blond underwater.

He's not going to try and keep up with Tidus if it means he has to climb back to the surface for a breath each minute, so the weird contraption gets slipped past his lips again, and he takes another, careful lungful through it before going deeper in the pool, and closer to the blond. He has an odd way of swimming-- his entire spine bending and waving rather than kicking his feet as most people would. His arms still help direct him though, and once he's level with his friend, there's a raised eyebrow and a chin jut.

If Tidus' blitzball is anywhere near, he better be ready to protect it right away, because Esteban is ready to lunge for it, and start the game. They don't have nets, they don't have any other player, but Esteban's been swearing up and down that he would play with Tidus, and Jema'grethy doesn't count.

[blitzcheer]

Unfortunately, there's no ball currently to be found - there wasn't time to bring it out! But with that almost challenging look (or one that Tidus is deciding to read as such), it inspires it to be brought out, and Tidus spreads his right hand out to give room for the ball that materialises at his palm. His grip's already firm on it, as he moves it back, knees bending and his spine adjusting as he gets ready to make a diagonal throw--!

--But they're not the only ones in the water, and not the only ones ready to play games as a nearly see-through creature torpedoes itself against the ball and sends it spiralling away before Tidus can! And another comes knocking at the back of his head, ruffling his hair. Alas, it's Gibb's higgledy gang coming out from the blue to join in with the fun, even if it means going against Tidus. The crowned high higgledy can be seen swimming with its tiny cape going for the ball with pals, while one of them continues to try and cling onto Tidus's hair. For what reason?? To stop him?? Well, he's been slowed by the interruption.

But how about our friend Esteban? Now there's more to enjoy the sport, whether it's true blitzball or otherwise. Those higgledies want this ball - and he must battle to take it for himself!

(Also known as: just grabbing it from them, or pushing it away. Watch as one clings onto it, but ends up slowly spinning in the water with it....!)

[crowneddragon]

There's a puff of bubbles as Esteban startles to see the little higgledies piling about them, surprised to see Gibbs and-- is that Rannygazoo? Laughter dances in his eyes, up until the moment he notices the little higglepals have gathered around it, and don't seem much keen on sharing just yet, complicating the game quite a bit.

Esteban snickers, the huff of his breath disturbing the water all the more, as he rolls forwards and at the ball, darting as much as he can around the little translucent beings. Sweeping above them, he reaches for the ball and cusps the little higglepal clinging to it, keeping them safe as he rolls into that senseless upside-and-sideway world.

Ball in hand though, his challenge is more aimed at Tidus when he runs off, trying to make some distance down towards the edge of the pool (his goal?) without using any of the walls to help him kick away. Seems he remembers Tidus talking about the giant sphere of a pool that he's used to.

But the little higgledies are surprisingly fast in the water, their limbs almost phantom-like as they roll about and knock the ball out from his arms with a kick. It forces him to shift in his direction, and gives a blatant opening for the blond to use.

rannygazoo wouldn't be present btw, he's linked to roland :( gibbs can summon water higgles

[blitzcheer]

The higgledy may be quick in their dominant element, but they're not very graceful, especially not when trying to handle balls much larger than their entire being. The one that Esteban peels from the blitzball has an expression of surprise to see anyone - ... or, that might just be how all higgledy look with their squiggly-shaped eyes. There are few thoughts going on inside that brain.

Tidus, however, has snapped out of his confusion, following around Esteban and his beloved ball to join this chaos of a game, each participant with their own somewhat different goals. Not even the higgledies are of one mind, some of them enjoying the water, a few more interested in this ball game, and Gibbs certainly interested in making companions from his body and their surrounding water for more fun. It might be a hassle for him and Esteban, but Tidus doesn't bother to deal with Gibbs antics at the time being; seeing that ball getting knocked from Esteban and a trio of higgledy swimming together as a trio to swim it into an entirely different direction than what it was being taken in.

Away from both Esteban and Tidus. He's swimming to catch up, but it seems the trio are actually coordinated, sharing a braincell!, and they've kicked up their speed where even Tidus is struggling to keep up. Still he's dashing as well as he can underwater, feet kicking, and as he spots the trio moving swiftly to the side opposite of him, to get around both him and Esteban--

Tidus tries gesturing for Esteban to go to the side to block them off there, so he can block them off at another. Was this meant to be him vs. Esteban? Maybe, but these higgledies are changing the rules!!

Swimming Pool

[terribletwos]

Roxas heard about the pool, and while he knows next to nothing about swimming pools (he figures it might be like an inside beach), his curiosity compels him to check it out. When finds it, he doesn't immediately jump in like most. (Probably because he's not in swim trunks yet). Instead, he just seems kind of baffled by the whole thing. It's like a beach but with a hard floor made of tiles instead of sand. And there's no waves either or any shells to be seen.

He watches the people who seem to be swimming along just fine either way. Especially the guy who just dived in. Before approaching the edge and leaning over to feel the water. It doesn't seem any different...

[crowneddragon]

It's still calm yet while everyone is still making their way back inside the train, their casual approach leaving the pool for now semi-deserted. There's some splashing as Esteban darts in and out of the water, reveling in the change, the simple excitement of swimming, when he hasn't seen a flood in so long. The water is strangely not salty, but it doesn't ruin his mood for so little, and instead, the half-elf swims in that odd-way of his, spine bending instead of his feet kicking at the water.

He spends a few minutes in the pool, breath sweeping in and out of his lungs through the strange device, when he catches sight of newcomers, hesitantly closing in on the water, so slow and careful, when it clearly won't bite. Mischief narrows his gaze when he spots a head of blond hair leaning, his hand creating ripples as he dips it in.

Well, now, that's a dare.

His ambush is ready when he manages to peer at the stranger from the water, blue eyes meeting with his own. His gaze narrow, the gills making it hard for anyone to see the grin on his lips, before Esteban surges upwards, a warm, wet hand reaching out to grasp at the teen, meaning to pull him into the pool. Quick reflexes would easily dodge his attack, with the warning that he's given, but anyone too slow is getting pulled in!

[terribletwos]

Roxas does have some pretty nice reflexes. But he also doesn't have shoes designed for pool adventures. So while he does manage to jerk back at the hand, with a shout, his attempt to scramble to his feet goes terribly awry, as he slips on the pool's edge and stumbles back into the water. Possibly right into Esteban's face.

[crowneddragon]

... Alright, so maybe it did bite.

His companion smashed into his side before Esteban can quite understand what had happened, but he's quick to recover, having expecting it. The water cradles them both, soothing the light sting of a flailing limb, and the half-elf skims up to the blond, an arm wrapped around his torso as he kicks away from the edge. He's holding Roxas firmly, but his hold loosens when he's less likely to crack his arm or worse, his head against the edge of the pool.

Esteban threads the water for them both, supporting his newfound companion until he gets his bearing, hand ripping off the gills from his mouth as he watches the other with obvious concern.

"You alright?" he asks in a rush, carefully looking at his companion in case there was any obvious telling signs of pain.

[terribletwos]

Roxas is both soaked, confused, a little sore from the crash and also kind of pissed. And sort of treading water, he's still working on his swimming skills but has enough latent ability from Sora to not immediately drown). He rough pushes away from Esteban and does his best to stay afloat, though trying to swim with shoes probably isn't the best idea. He flounders for the edge, still a bit dazed, as he glares daggers at the other person.

"What's with you?" he snaps, clutching at the edge and shaking his wet hair to the side. "Do you always try to drown people like that?"

Pool

[mynameisallen]

Allen had mostly been here in a case of exploration of something new and currently hadn't had much thought about actually swimming except maybe for exercise purposes. For him the thought of what was going on and what need to be doing he had in his mind needed to be at his best physically.

After he had checked out the swimming pool he at least decided to maybe do a few laps around, so after getting changed into some swimming trunks with the scars he had on his torso now on full display he went to sit at the edge of the pool. He was going to take a moment just to sit there to feel the water at his feet.

let me know if I put too much, iirc Allen gets kicked around a LOT.

[crowneddragon]

"Allen!" There's a bright call from across the entire length of the carriage, a redhead kicking up to wave as he spots his friend from that distance. He dives the next moment, surfacing only halfway for a single breath, before diving again. It's only when he gets close that Allen might notice his swimming is a bit odd, with his feet staying together, and his entire spine and body bending as he moves.

"The water's great! Y'should come in already!" he teases, grinning with all of his teeth before he adds a little detail he finds quite strange about this water. "Not salty though-- is that normal for a pool? I mean, sure, it's like a river, but I've never swum in a river b'fore. They're too 'mportant t' contaminate. The sea's easier access." Plus, it was easier to swim in the seas where his aunts were concerned.

He's really excited though! He's been spending time with Allen often enough, but it's a pool! He heaves halfway onto the tiles, his ribs pressed against the cold blue squares-- and it's only then that his eyes catch onto what he's been seeing.

"That's... not a glove, 's it?" His arm is red, entirely red. The sort of red that seems burned all over, only, it stops just a bit below his shoulder, where one last band wraps around his bicep. Scars slice their way across his torso, punctures and claws and who knows what else, and Esteban can't help the wince in sympathy, struggling with that new revelation.

Dead Guardians in a ditch, what had happened to him?

"Uh... you okay?" He can't help it. He knows it's a dumb question to ask, but there's so much, and... Esteban doesn't know how to help. He doesn't know how to help with this, other than to try.

[mynameisallen]

He waved slightly seeing a familiar face, but it wasn't long before he caught onto the way they other was swimming. It wasn't unusual to him since it seemed similar to how he would have swam if he had gone to the world of Atlantica because he would have been half fish and no legs.

"That's because it's a pool so it's not salt water. But it has a chemical in it, I believe." So it was something different, but after moving his legs a little bit he finally got in.

Once he was sure that he was at least fine he focused on the conversation at hand which he was surprised it was about his arm of all things. He was so use to it that honestly he thought it was normal.

"Nope, that's my actual arm. My innocence lives in my hand, but affects my whole left arm. If you've ever seen my claw that's what it changes into." He smiled slightly it didn't affect him and he at least now knew better than to overwork it too because that just always ends badly. But soon he chuckles.

"I'm fine. I may bear a lot of scars both physically and mentally..." He knew better than to say he was mentally okay, he probably wasn't. "But I wouldn't be who I am if any of that happened. I will just keep walking." Ended with a smile before he breathed in and went under the water for what seemed like forever, but was only a couple of minutes while he tried to go around and behind his friend.

"Boo~" he said laughing slightly, he wasn't trying to be scary, but he was trying to for once be playful.

[crowneddragon]

Yeah, the diving around stinks of avoidance to Esteban. But he kind of gets it. He likes Allen, likes him plenty, but he can get that he's not the closest person to him, and it's maybe none of his business. No it's definitely none of his business.

He's still nosey though. And, meant to or not, Allen has given him a clue, a thread that he can follow up on, though maybe more later, seeing as his silver-haired friend went for a rather lengthy swim.

Seriously, how many people have eight or more lungs on this train? Snickers escape Esteban while he turns back and into the pool, diving in as well and swimming around. He seems to like the deeper end, and challenges himself to holding his breath every so often, so Allen gets a clear shot when he's just breached the surface again, taking a deep breath--

And jumping straight out of his skin when his friend playfully called out to him, flailing limbs sinking him quickly underwater as he kicked away from the sound. A shiver races down his back, but Esteban yanks himself away from the scare fast enough that he settles, spine itching as he turns with wide blue eyes--

And starts laughing out loud.

"'Dians, Allen! Y' almost scared the elf right outta me!" he snickers, bright eyes gleaming under the sharp lights. "I didn't know y' had it in you!" There is not a single vengeful bone in Esteban's body after all. But it's pretty rare that he meets people that will actually tease their friends with minor pranks such as this one.

His smile widens, before he threads higher in the water, an arm sweeping through the surface of the water to create a thin layer, cresting in a wave that curves over Allen's head.

"This means war, I hope you know!" He calls out, diving underwater so that his companion can't retaliate right away. He swims some distance away, an unvoiced game of tag, or maybe a waterfight lingering if Allen takes his challenge.