#but i simply have so many thoughts rotating in my dome about him that i figured i should put one out there

[qwuilty]

Hi i can't sleep and when I can't sleep I think about my current fixation which right now is analog and dpad and something i keep thinking about is how like. Depressing Scott's apartment looks in a way that I think is very interesting for his character

Like so much of it from what we can see feels very empty yknow? Spacious sure, but it doesn't really feel like he's actually made it his own, how besides the mess we see for a little bit in the living room in it the place has hardly changed at all from the first year flashback besides just some small adjustments, everything is still hung up on the wall how it has been for years, there's still the empty chairs at the dining table, still that small statue in the back

Especially like contrasted with Ethan and Lucas who seem to have moved to a whole new apartment and even still their living space feels a lot more like they actually yknow Live there, with the arcade cabinet, the posters, how the wall colors change, small visual adjustments for the passing of time and all

I know the most likely reason for it is just how the model is rendered for his apartment + the explanation of it being minimalist but still like how much of it is even his stuff? Did the apartment just come like that, and besides the small desk we see that actually does speak to his personality, has it remained more just a place he rents than one where he actually lives in?

And again I know its likely just part of whatever modeling software is used for the background references (and its not me complaining about it btw, again I find it very narratively interesting actually) but even his desk feels very empty compared to what it used to look like in the original panels with the strewn about tools and gear on standby for regular use with small personal items like the little penguin on the shelf

I dont know if I have like a major Point to any of this rambling but I think about it a lot. The sort of stagnation he exhibits in his environment as the other two change and inhabit their homes while his remains a time capsule of the past with little actual parts of him in it, to the point I have to ask myself if the posters in the back are even his or just ones that were put up back there and happened to be near his desk.

How much of his life does he live in a place that might as well be the same as when he started renting it? How long has he been mainly just isolated as himself besides the times in the plot where we see his place? How lonely is it there, looking out of those massive windows with no one but yourself? I think about it a lot.

[no-higher-thought]

said you wanted to talk about 2bhank on your last post... well i'm all ears.

oo Wait fr ??

Oh my goodness gracious youve no idea what you just released anon FUCK you for making me write all this down /lh

Very unorganised thoughts cause i had like 12 pages worth of ramblings in my notes and had to cut it down. It was borderline just nonsense, man. Im losing it. Sorry if words don't make sense.

First off, they can and have hurt eachother. Hard not to, in a world as fucked up as theirs. Hank is someone who only knows violence, and doc is far too used to manipulating people and circumstances to gain the upper hand. In combat, in business deals, sieges, all that jazz.

But honestly, considering everything ? Their relationship is definitely among the healthiest, most stable in all of Nevada. Mostly cause the bar is all the way in The Nowhere but. y'know.

Both see it as VERY transactional, which, i mean. It is, first and foremost, a business deal so like. Fair i suppose. Hank is very good at their job of killing, and doc is very good at pointing them at nice targets. A sort of  "ah shit they didn't slam the door this time guess i gotta be extra careful pulling all the shrapnel out of their abdominal cavity."

There was never any moment one could consider "feelings realization" or whatever. They're simply incredibly close as a result of just how LONG they've worked together. Neither is particularly keen on asking somethn like "what are we to eachother?" Because it just. Doesn't. Matter to them.

That and like. I am very aroace. Hank is canon aroace. Saw doc fanart with ace ring once and have been rotating it in my brain since. Big fan of non-traditional relationships, man.

It's mostly convenience, methinks. Hank may not need doc to bring them back to life, but it sure does make the process a lot shorter and less painful. Doc doesn't need hank, he has plenty of money and access to many of Nevada's most feared mercenaries. He could find someone else to do his dirty work, if need be.

And yet.

Every moment they spend together is a moment of putting their life in the other's hands. Hank trusts him not to staple their legs on backwards, and doc trusts them to not dome him the moment he turns around. Don't get me wrong, it's not trust in the other, no. It's trusting that the other isn't dumb enough to get rid of a valuable asset.

But frankly, to someone used to nothing but pain and violence, a simple lack of it might as well be a loving embrace.

Theirs is a relationship built off of many years of contracts, of shared goals, of depending on eachother, expecting the other to catch them when they fall. When they crawl back battered and bloodied. When they pass out from overworking in front of their computer for the upteenth time this week.

They'd share a bed simply because both have horrific waking nightmares and huddling together on a shitty moldy mattress helps. A net positive, mutualism. They might seek some affection from the other, but its always self-serving.

Still. Neither of them are sentimental. If the machine took them on different paths, or hell, if they had to kill the other (for one reason or another), i don't think either of them would mourn.

Simply fill their time with the next mission at hand.

Doc could kill hank. They've been under his knife often enough. It wouldn't stick, sure, but he's very much capable of sending them back to the Other place, at least once.

Hank could absolutely kill doc. There's very little stopping them. All it would take is a single hand around his neck and one good squeeze.

But they don't.

They don't, and neither does he. Because at the end of the day, both of them benefit more when the other is alive.

Mutualism.

... Anyways uh hank is a cuddler. With how fucked up their nerves must be, i bet most of their sense of touch is straight up just pain. Which would be be a bigger deal, except. Doc has access to heavy-duty painkillers. How can you not, in some odd way, love the guy that makes the pain go away, even for a bit ?

[valkblue]

Being a Behavior technician requires a certain amount of dedication to the job — the rigorous type, bordeline rigid. That’s what is expected to be at peak efficiency regarding analysis protocols and diagnostics for host service and calibration.

For that, Vivian thinks she might be the worst tech in her department. 

— masterlist, AO3

Chapter 1 on 12

Chapter wordcount: 2,486 Story status: Complete Rating: General Warning: people swear a lot, technobabble counts as swearing as well (believe me)…

Author’s notes: This is the first time I post a fanfic online. A real big one I mean. Not just crackfics... I’m emotional. I don’t know what the schedule will be yet because my queue is acting up, but everything should be out regularly, or something that looks like it. This first chapter is an intro to the main character and what she does, and I hope you’ll enjoy this story and its characters all the way!  Also, I really want to thank @pheedraws​ and @something-tofightfor​ for their heartwarming feedback on the whole story. Thank you SO much!!

Have a good time reading, and my askbox/messages are open! 💙

— Chapter 1

Now wasn’t a good time to yawn…

And yet, Vivian had nothing else to do but wait right now, wait while the progress bars slowly filled up on her tablet screen.

Now wasn’t the time, simply because some of her colleagues were passing through the hallway, behind the glass panels of her cubicle, and among them was the head of Behavior department — incidentally, her superior.

No doubt they were all about to grab a bite at the restaurant and Vivian held back an almost envious mumble; she was starving! But before she could go eat anything, she had to finish with her last subject on her morning schedule; host ID#DH410829420391, named Mildred.

And Mildred was back at the lab on account of a negative report about her response time during interactions with other hosts but also with guests. A lag that only happened in character mode, not in analysis. So, Vivian started with refreshing her lexical base and improvisation engine. It took some time to check the entire tree but as of now, it was done.

"Can you confirm if the update’s complete?"

"Confirmed," Mildred answered right away, her voice flat and her look vacant.

"Back in character mode."

Mildred seemed to wake up and blinked once before focusing her attention  back on Vivian.

"Mildred?"

"Oh, I’m sorry," she answered with a hint of a shy smile. "I must have drifted off, I believe… The working hours at the farm are ungodly sometimes!"

The response time was more than good, now. The improvisation too.

"I was wondering if there’s a lot of clients at the farm these days," Vivian asked.

The answer was not long to come.

"Certainly! Our cattle sure gives the best milk there is. No matter what the competition says!"

"How many green bottles are standing on the wall?"

Questions and procedures were always more or less the same to determine which bits of code, settings or values could cause an issue or start to glitch like crazy!

But today, for Mildred — and Vivian — everything was back in order, and each/both of them could soon return to the the usual course of their scheduled day.

It was about time for Vivian to take a break, if she was reduced to that kind of wisecrack…

A glance at her wristwatch, even while her tablet displayed a more accurate time than the watch hands, and Vivian concluded her analysis. She folded the tablet, slid it back in her jacket pocket, and left the large glass room after one last embarrassed look at Mildred she was leaving there, naked in the dark. Vivian didn’t even fight down a shiver. It was actually freezing cold in there!

She comforted herself with the thought that Mildred didn’t feel anything in this state, disconnected, and that a team wouldn’t take too long to come get her, do her hair, dress her up and put her back in rotation in no time. Barely as much as Vivian had for her lunch break… and that was just enough to go all the way up to the hub restaurant. But the bosses here didn’t care much about how long the lunch breaks lasted, as long as the work was done in time.

So, Vivian didn’t hurry to get to the elevator she shared with two co-workers who only interrupted their chitchat about hockey results for a vague greeting.

At this hour, the restaurant was a bit more crowded but it still wasn’t too hard to find a seat in the large and relatively peaceful room. The whole vibe in it was corporate though, even in that staff only room; every dish were stamped with the park logo and name — from the bottom of the plates to the salt shakers — and a flat HD screen displayed a bunch of Delos branches ads that looked much weirder without sound.

After a while, one didn’t really pay attention to all this anymore… A few months was enough to make it all part of the landscape and for the mind to simply stop noticing it.

And Vivian had been working here for three years, now.

However, she was still bothered by a few details sometimes, such as the huge white walls that spanned all the way up a balcony floor and a domed ceiling or the fact that the stalls were lit with a pale light under which the food turned to a sickly colour.

Hopefully, under the less saturated lights of the main room, the Caesar salads and the turkey-tomato sandwiches were back to a more appetizing hue.

Her tray loaded with a potato-corn salad, a big glass of water and a piece of bread, Vivian walked towards the tables, eager for her potatoes to lose their blueish glint. Just shy of the screen, she recognised a familiar face, Margaret’s, another Behavior tech from her team. Both were on friendly basis now, where it was possible to enjoy some time together and to laugh a little, even if it took them a whole year to finally break the ice.

Margaret waved at Vivian when she saw her pick her way across the room, inviting her to join them — them being Margaret, and three other guys from their department.

"Did you hear the latest, Vivian!?" she blurted. "I’ve been told that Damon Dyers is in the park, at this very moment!"

"Damon… Dyers?"

Vivian didn’t even hide her puzzlement while sitting in front of her.

"The actor," one of the three guys — Luke — pointed out. "Marge was just exposing how she’ll mooch the control room techs for a footage…"

"Listen, if you were as thirsty as I am about this guy, you’d understand!" Margaret replied.

To that, he quipped:

"My husband would be pissed!"

All chuckled in approval before returning to their almost emptied plates, while Vivian had barely touched her own.

"Can you imagine," Margaret daydreamt, leaning back in her seat as in a comfy armchair, holding her Pyrex glass like a snifter of bourbon. "Damon hunting down Escaton in the hills…"

Vivian scoffed; she could imagine, indeed.

At the table, Charles, Thawal and Luke didn’t pay any more attention to them, carrying on with their chat about retro gaming. Vivian would probably have preferred to be part of that conversation; not that she didn’t know shit about movies and their actors, but more like aside from a few exceptions on which they got along swimmingly, she didn’t have much taste in common with Margaret. But she listened to her friend anyway as she kept going after a sip of sparkling water:

"How am I not supposed to be hot on the idea!? I’ll deadass find someone to bootleg me some footages!"

Vivian smiled out of politeness, not saying much, as always. Her mouth was full anyway.

"Oh, by the way!"

Margaret took another swip of her glass before putting it down on the table and leaning towards Vivian.

"Apparently, they’re going to burden us with a whole new bunch of hosts in two or three weeks," she said, with all the serious she could muster. "I heard that from Elsie. Narrative must be trying to compensate for something, if you know what I mean…"

Vivian knew very well.

"We barely have time to light a fag between two sessions already and they plan to add another hundred on our backs!?"

She snorted disdainfully.

"Don’t know what they’re spicing their coffee with but it isn’t doing them any good."

"No shit," admitted Vivian, a bit testy at the idea. "Unless they also plan to hire? Did Lowe say anything about it?"

Margaret shrugged.

"No idea, I haven’t talked to him in a while."

She patted her blazer pockets then sighed softly; Vivian understood her attitude as relief, and a craving, even a need to light a cigarette.

"You should ask," Margaret pointed out with a smile a tad clenched in the orbicularis muscles. "You like him, right?"

Vivian approved; she admired his thoroughness, his love for details… A lot could be learned while working under his care and Vivian found him both spirited and friendly.

Margaret didn’t quite share the feeling, however; in her own words, he was giving her the heebie-jeebies.

"Anyway, I’m off," Margaret stated with an even greater impatience in her voice. "I gotta light one before the crazy afternoon waiting for me!"

She gathered her cutlery on her tray, adding:

"Not giving up on the idea to come across Damon fucking Dyers, though! At least in video recs. Wish me luck!"

Vivian nodded and Margaret put her tray away on the sideboard before hurrying to the exit.

Her colleagues had changed topics next to her, and now they were talking about cars, motorcycles and mechanics. As she didn’t know much about that topic, not as much as in computers, she listened only a little without taking part.

Then, Vivian finished wolfing down her potato salad and her glass of water; she would soon return to her shift and examine a series of hosts, the characteristics of which she overviewed on her tablet from her timetable’s folders. It was simply routine checks, and Vivian liked that kind of sessions; it was like meeting with a friend, just to catch up with them.

But for now, she would take a few minutes to get some air and natural light on top of the hub before diving back into the high tech depths of the Mesa.

At seven in the evening, closer to eight, Vivian was glad to be back to her on-site apartments. Once again, she had grabbed a snack at the restaurant but the room was much more crowded than it was at lunch and came close to a headache before reaching "home". She could have dined here, cooked something on her induction hob but she was so tired — or lazy — that, tonight again, she still choose to eat at the restaurant over having to do the dishes!

Now, she was getting out of the shower in her bathrobe and throw herself on her bed.

Living like this, it was like being a teenager all over again, back at her parents’, or at the dorm… but once she closed her apartment’s door, Vivian was totally free to do whatever she wanted. As long as it didn’t involve wrecking the place!

But now, even if she wanted to, Vivian wouldn’t have had the strength to break any chair, nor even to make a mess of the bed… About that, she was actually planning on laying there, and falling asleep in her bathrobe while watching a movie or reading any book she had available on her personal tablet. A tablet that was nothing close to the one she was using every day in the Behavior department labs, but a tablet anyway.

She swiped the covers without any real interest; in all honesty, she was feeling too tired to read. Even something she had already read. And she cringed a little when the minimalistic cover with her automatically signed name appeared.

Yeah, even too tired to read her own words!

Besides, it wasn’t great literature at all — a fanfiction. Two, to be precise. Both about the hosts and their narratives as she could have written about a movie, book, or video game’s characters.

Vivian grumbled, letting her tablet fall flat on her stomach, and she stared at the white ceiling before closing her eyes while nibbling her lips. She had written this almost six months after she started working here, taken over by all the motivation, excitement and creativity around her!

She refocused on herself since but, in the meantime, she wrote these. And even though Vivian considered herself to have a fertile imagination, she still commended herself about how better for everyone it was she hadn’t applied for a job in Narrative…

Rising her tablet up again and tapping on the lit screen, she entered the file and skimmed through it, trying to ignore the grammar mistakes she stopped committing since; and mistakes aside, her stories had nothing exceptional, totally influenced as they were by her mood and the not-so-new-but-still-trendy storyline — Escaton’s and his bandits, essentially…

Over a very short time, when Vivian was still more or less trying to fit into the life of the facility and social circles of her co-workers whose names had yet to be caught, she had heard so many comments, appreciations and reviews for this narrative that she looked into it first.

After all, the park afforded Lee Sizemore, renowned author who made a big name for himself with a "hot and grimy" historical saga, a few years back before running out of puff under his editor’s pressure. And a juicy offer by a video game studio to adapt it. 

She understood; everybody, whether staff or guests, was more or less hyped by the brute force brought by Hector Escaton — virile and dark male figure — to the relative tranquility of the park’s starting point.

And Vivian had been no exception.

If her first story was only about made-up characters to explore the pleasing and well rounded context of Sweetwater, her second, on the other hand, was more audacious, altering shamelessly the story from what its authors had surely intended; victorious over the town after killing the sheriff and all opposition, Escaton and his gang enjoyed their plunder at the Mariposa where Hector fell for one of the saloon girls.

That being said, Vivian remained very proper — maybe totally prudish — in these sort of narrative fantasies of hers; nothing turned freaky or utterly violent…

All she did was throwing a few sentences on her writing app for some evenings, when inspiration struck or simply because she urged herself to follow through with what she started. All on her personal tablet. She knew better than to write that on anything system-tethered. Imagining that a bored somebody could just hack into the system all the way up to her personal data… and end up on that giddy nonsense, made her wants to puke!

Not to mention that it might also be forbidden. Even though she never planned to, she knew she couldn’t share it with anyone, nor anywhere. Not as a park employee. If the guests were writing critiques and other reviews online about their stay, herself couldn’t talk about it from the inside. Confidentiality and shit…

Her texts would remain secret, and her silly fantasies with them. In any case, it wasn’t as if she intended to try anything for herself, and even less with Hector Escaton, all the more since he wasn’t even part of the batch her team had in charge. And also, rumor has it that fantasies aren’t always good when act upon!

With a lazy tap, Vivian quitted the reading app and dropped the tablet on her sheets before burying her face in her soft pillow. She let out a deep sigh in it, relaxed, and in fact, she fell asleep almost right away.

[itsuki-minamy]

“SIX IDOLS” – “SPRINT DREAM” (Part 4)

Translation: Naru-kun Raws: Ridia

* Chapter 1 01 / 02 / 03 

That day, Yojiro Sato (51) was driving his own high-speed boat and racing in Tokyo Bay.

His main business was fisherman, but he also works as a fishing boat captain as a side job. In any case, the main job is to chase the school of fish, current high-speed boats are used for that purpose.

But today's work was different than usual.

The client was a fishing cooperative and the content of the request was mysterious: "Anyway, I want you to go to Chiba city using a high speed boat." He goes through it several times, but it seems the reason he couldn't get the point was because the fishing cooperative was asked to go further.

Sato accepted it simply because the reward was great. Otherwise, it would not accept suspicious requests.

However, when he passed by the Tokyo Bay Aqualine, he began to regret it.

He doesn't think it's a dangerous story.

It goes without saying that Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world and Tokyo Bay is a large adjacent port. Many are trying to carry out illegal transactions by sea. Unfortunately, he has heard stories of people involved in such problems at the level of rumors.

He's been through the fishing cooperative, so he doesn't think it's something to worry about.

Even so, a bit of anxiety washed over Sato's mind.

At that moment the radio sounded. When he reached out his hand and responded by reflex, he heard an unfamiliar voice on the back of the radio.

"Hello. Is this Mr. Yojiro Sato?"

It was a feminine and intelligent voice. Sato responds while confused.

"Oh, yeah. That's right."

"Nice to meet you, my name is Seri Awashima. I was the one who made the request."

"Oh, I see."

The confusion disappeared, but Sato pressed his face into place. Listen to Awashima's words, eager to decline the request in the event of an emergency.

"First of all, I apologize for reporting uncertain content to you in the application. I was in a hurry, so I thought about explaining after taking the first step."

"Okay, but what kind of job is this after all? It doesn't appear to be a fishing request."

"Yes. I want you to pick up a certain person."

When suspicion and vigilance increase, he raises his eyebrow. Sato asked in a low voice.

"Who is that? He is not a criminal, right?"

"What, criminal?"

From the other side of the meeting, he could feel the sign that Awashima was completely disappointed. The voice that echoed next seemed to lack a bit of calm, unlike before.

"Incorrect! The president is not involved in such things!"

"Oh, yeah."

At the angry response, Awashima coughed a little.

"No, sorry. It may be inevitable that it looks like this. I would like you to pick up Reisi Munakata, the representative idol of "Promotion Scepter 4"."

While driving, Sato is confused.

"Why do idols want to get on our ship?"

“As I said before, it is an urgent matter. He didn't seem to be in time for a regular water taxi, so I contacted you."

"Hmm... Well, it's okay."

Sato is not familiar with idols. He is simply not interested. From time to time he sees them on television, but to him they all have similar faces and clothes, so he cannot tell them apart.

That sect image is probably one of those idols. No wonder that is used instead of a taxi, but, work is work.

"So where should I pick him up?"

"Please wait a moment. I'll link the information on the president's location to that PDA."

"Eh?"

A second after the stupid voice leaked out, a spot of light lit up on the GPS map attached to the ship. Sato opens his mouth and looks at it moving at high speed on the map.

“Did you get the location? The point that lights up in blue is the current position of the president."

"Yes, I got it."

"Good. Get closer to the point of light. It also shows the next meeting points."

The GPS map reacts again and projects an orange spot of light. It shows a jetty near the beach park, that made Sato panic even more.

"Wait a minute! How did you do that? This is my PDA, right? Why can you operate it on that side?"

"There is no time to lose! I took emergency measures! Rest assured that we have formal permission to use the system!"

"What is that system?"

To Sato's confusion, Awashima doesn't reply. "More than that!" When he started yelling, the blue point of light on the map continued to flash.

“He is approaching the meeting point. Thanks for your cooperation. Awashima, over and out."

And the radio was unilaterally cut off, leaving only Sato who was confused.

The ship curves and begins to move parallel to the shore. Sato alternately compared the map and the coast. If this location is correct, Munakata will soon be in sight.

"Ah."

With that said, he opened his mouth. Someone was there. That's probably definitely Munakata.

From a distance, he can only tell that he is a man. It would have been indistinguishable on its own, but the appearance of a human who could ride a bicycle at a speed comparable to that of a high-speed boat fits this unusual situation perfectly.

"What should I do?"

Sato is a man of the sea. He is confident that he can handle most things that happen at sea. However, he had never imagined such a situation. Sato looked towards the beach while maintaining his speed.

At that moment, Munakata pointed forward.

Sato looks ahead so he can catch it. A jetty leading off the shore blocked the ship's path as it gently curved.

Reflecting a sailor, Sato curves the speedboat along the jetty.

Munakata's bike has picked up speed.

"Hey, it can't be!"

Unknowingly, Sato was screaming. Because he understood the man's thoughts. Because he understood the meaning of "meeting point" that Awashima said on the radio.

The bicycle races down the jetty at a speed that exceeds that of high-speed boats. Sato made the boat's engine run at full speed. It was not because he understood their speculations, but because he thought that, as a man of the sea, he would not be able to stand upright if he was driving a boat and losing to a bicycle.

The bicycle and the speed boat run next to each other for a very short distance.

For the first time, Sato saw Munakata's face.

Munakata was smiling with a clean face in front of him. It was not the expression of a human reaching such high speed on a bicycle. He was horrified. Perhaps this is a monster that seemed to drag him to the bottom of the sea. Even such an imagination took over his head.

Munakata's bicycle leaned over. At the end of the jetty, Sato's high-speed boat drew closer and Munakata jumped with the bicycle with only the spring from his body.

Sato opened his eyes and looked at the figure of Munakata leaping against the sun.

After a short break, Munakata's bicycle landed on the back of the high-speed boat, made a sharp turn, and came to a stop.

"Fu..."

With a sigh, Munakata wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

"......"

Sato was just looking at Munakata, who was behaving like a human, with his mouth open.

When he got out and parked at the bicycle rack, Munakata looked at Sato and said with a smile.

"Nice to meet you. Sato Yojiro-san. My name is Reisi Munakata. Thank you for your transportation to the planned location."

Swallowing hard, Sato asks suspiciously.

"You are a human?"

After opening his eyes somewhat surprisingly, he replied with a bitter smile.

"I'm just an idol."

++++++++++

At the Suzugaya sorting yard, Domyoji Andy (19) turned his pale face down and swallowed nausea.

He, who is scheduled to appear on "Sprint Dream Live Tour", is at that location because the Suzugaya courtyard is a helicopter landing site owned by "Scepter 4."

The event titled "Extreme Solo Part, Idol from Above 6500~", is Domyoji's assigned role this time. The event of strumming a guitar solo while skydiving from 2000 meters above the sky is sure to be a great thrill if it succeeds, but it can only be said that it is insane.

For today, Domyoji was repeating a special training every day. In total, it would have fallen enough to reach the surface from the stratosphere. Domyoji said that if he ran for Guinness, he would not pass, and gave a tired smile.

At that moment the door to the waiting room was opened and the staff entered.

"Domyoji-san, please prepare for take-off!"

"Eh?"

His eyes are round. Domyoji looks at the watch as it is. There is still some time left before the live begins. The turn of "Shoumutai", including Domyoji, was supposed to be in the second half of the opening ceremony.

"Is it still early? Was there an accident?"

Anyway, when he got up and left the room with the staff, Domyoji was so quiet. He doesn’t know what kind of problems are waiting in the live presentation. Not only staff but also idols need to take this into account and respond flexibly.

"There is no change to Domyoji-san's appearance time! We are going to pick up the president from now on!"

Domyoji opened his mouth. The staff didn't look back and pushed the door in front of them while walking quickly.

At the landing site, the helicopter was already preparing for takeoff. The high-speed rotating main rotor disperses a roar like a gunshot. Defeating the sound, Domyoji yelled at the back of the staff.

"What happened to the president? That person is surely the interpreter for the opening ceremony!"

“Currently, the president is crossing Tokyo Bay! We'll pick him up at sea and head straight to the Tsubakimon Dome!"

Domyoji is confused. He is crossing Tokyo Bay? He has no idea what the hell is going on. What he knows is that he is about to fly high again.

After sitting on the seat and fixing his body with a harness, Domyoji finally noticed.

"Hey! Don't I need it if I pick up the president?!"

"It's the president's judgment that it's a waste of time to go back every time! After leaving the president in the dome, Domyoji-san will wait in the sky until the time of the "Extreme solo part, Idol from above 6500~”!"

That was brilliant. Wait a minute, he try to tell if he would be flying all the time, but then his body was fixed. Jumping out the rear hatch, the staff gave Domyoji a big thumb up.

"Thank you good luck!"

The hatch closes as he continues. The sound of the rotor increases the pitch. Domyoji's stunned face disappeared into the darkness of the plane.

++++++++++

"The President has arrived at meeting point E! The pickup helicopter that was already waiting has started to approach!"

"Let go of the rope, the helicopter must be very careful!"

"Got it! Let go of the rope! Try to drive safely!"

Brilliant laughter erupted in the monitor room as the pilot made a joke. Private language during the operation should be strictly prohibited, but Awashima felt a slight smile on her lips. This would indicate their high morale. She doesn’t have to worry.

"President, I secured a rope! Start climbing."

"Domyoji, can't you point the CCD camera at the president?"

"Oh, yeah, I'll try."

Domyoji hastily responded to Awashima's voice. After a while, a rough image appears on one of the monitors.

Munakata was about to board the helicopter. Standing in the open hatch, he turns and pays him homage. A high speed boat floating ahead, probably Yojiro Sato, a man who appeared to be the captain took off his hat and waved it.

The expression of the image has been softened.

"President. Thank you for being safe."

On the CCD camera, he sees Munakata smiling.

“Thank you for your hard work, Awashima-kun. Did you worry?"

Awashima shakes her head slowly.

"I wasn't worried."

It was a lie. During these 30 minutes, Awashima has looked at the clock no less than 50 times. It's not because she doesn’t trust Munakata. It is probably due to the weakness of Awashima's heart.

Munakata's deep eyes can even see Awashima's inner heart. Still, she looked directly at her boss and reported on the situation.

"We are on time. If you move at full speed from the current location of the president, it will be enough to reach the inauguration. The president's suit has been brought to the room of the occupant of the helicopter."

"Okay. Let's finish all the preparations on the fly. Has the final landing point I submitted changed?"

"No, there are no changes. The helipad is already in control."

At that moment, one of the monitors lit up red and emitted a warning sound.

"What?"

"I will confirm it!"

Staff operate the console quickly. Awashima holds her breath and stares at the movement.

Finally, the staff raised a strained voice.

“There was a fire at the Tsubakimon Dome Hotel! Looks like an evacuation notice has been issued at the hotel!"

"No!"

“No recommendations have been issued for this place! Deputy Chief, what do we do?"

Impatience melts in her hand. Various thoughts come to mind instantly. How big is the fire? How to accept evacuees? Should the concert be canceled, even if no recommendations have been made? The enthusiasm of the people involved and the fans for this live show is extraordinary. But if something happens to the fans, it is irreparable.

An intelligent voice broke those thoughts.

"Awashima-kun. Confirm the evacuation of the hotel guests."

Raise her face. Beyond the CCD camera, Munakata's rough expression was as calm as if he were sitting at his usual office desk.

Awashima looks at the staff. The personnel turned to the front and quickly returned to operating the console.

Finally, he told the staff in a shocked voice.

"We share the confirmation of the status of the place, but the evacuation of the three guests has not been completed! It seems that we are reconfirming the people who have been in the air and have been evacuated!"

"Three people. That means they are…"

The CCD camera points in the other direction. Seeing that, Awashima took a breath.

Near the window on the smokeless floor. A man and a woman are crouched in a narrow space. The woman appeared to be holding a child.

"The number of people matches. Apparently, the evacuation was delayed."

Awashima looks at the image from the CCD camera. Imagine a tragic future for a family left behind at the scene of the fire and blood gushes from their faces.

And Munakata said of course.

"I am heading to the rescue."

Awashima knew that Munakata would say so. Knowing that, she still screams...

"President! Don't do it!"

Domyoji's camera captures Munakata's face. Munakata wasn't looking there. He murmured, looking serious at the scene of the fire, perhaps putting together another thought.

"Awashima-kun. About us?"

"Ah..."

The answer to that was fixed. Awashima squeezed her hand so tightly that her nails dug into her palm.

"We are... idols...!"

"What kind of person is an idol in "Promotion Scepter 4"?"

"Our goal is to be the ideal human who should be a role model for people."

Munakata looked at Awashima with a teacher's gaze, watching over the poor students who gave the correct answer.

"So that's it."

"Huh!"

Munakata goes to the scene of the fire. Although he is an idol, he is only a human. There is no guarantee that he will be able to return safely, so the worst consequences may await him in the future.

And, while looking at the worst, taking steps to prevent it from happening is also a condition of being an ideal human.

Awashima said that decisively when she took a little breath, exhaled and was ready to do it.

“We will contact the various parties involved in the handling of this incident and request assistance in rescue activities. I pray for your safety, President."

Behind the camera, Munakata nodded slightly.

Fushimi Saruhiko clicked his tongue as he leaned his back against the wall.

If Munakata's decision was stupid, Awashima, who followed him, could only be seen as a fool. He are an ideal person and he are trying to ruin his job by getting caught up in an additional idea. Fushimi's frank opinion is that, it is the role of rescuers to help the victims, and that is why they have to get rid of that work.

But he will never reveal it. At least not yet.

It only deals with possible situations.

Makes a call from his PDA. The other party came out with a ringing sound. Before they say something to him there, speak up.

“Akiyama, I got a job. Call the members of the 'Shoumutai'."

While saying that, Fushimi turned away from the wall and quickly headed to the end of the hall.

++++++++++

To be continue…

[whiskeyworen]

Resolutions

"Cyrus? Are you up here?" Moryggan called, climbing the metal steps to the observation dome. She proceeded slowly, not wanting to intrude on anything if he wanted privacy.

It had been a few weeks since the end of Kralkatorrik. The Pact had celebrated their victory, buried their dead, and had begun truly aiding the still-unbalanced Kingdom of Elona. It would probably be many years before a true and fair balance would be ironed out between the various factions there, so it was still a hotbed for conflict. Given their lack of association to the Pact, Cyrus had pulled their ship, Forsaken Aspect, away from the fleet. There was nothing the Pact could do to stop them, other than protest; it's not like they could target the ship with their strictly manual cannons. Not with the Inquest cloaking device active on it. That, and the sheer destructive power the Aspect could return would have sunk damned near any of the first and second generation ships the Pact fielded. That's what happens when the ship you're facing contains illegal, auto-targetting, horrendously powerful weapons and more armor than three ships-of-the-line combined.

As the ship returned to the vicinity of Lion's Arch, each of the team had broken away to different parts of the ship, intent on their own things. Tenna had returned to her labs, buried in the belly of the ship, to study Forged gear, decode even more of Scarlet's files, and make her own advances in biology and technology unhindered by the Council.

Verula had gone down to the gun-decks to monitor the maintenance and upgrading of the ship's various weapons by the semi-autonomous servitors that were a crucial part of a ship the size of the Aspect. Though the servitors were intelligent enough and reliable enough in a pinch, they didn't innovate, which required someone with a true mind and a keenness for machinery to guide them. Both of which the matronly Charr was in spades.

No one knew what became of Vaela Toma, but no one particularly cared; her popping in-and-out of Mist rifts had become so commonplace that it was just assumed that if she disappeared somewhere, she'd come back some day.

So, out of the ship's small living crew, only Moryggan and Cyrus were left out of sorts. Neither one had much to do, but Moryggan had noticed how unsettled Cyrus was after Aurene had self-evolved/grown. Something about that fleeting touch they'd all felt had left him staring off into space.

To a degree, it worried her. As much as she tried to keep a professional distance from him, Moryggan was sylvari, and so was far more attuned to people's feelings than she cared to admit. When he'd disappeared after a meal, she'd gotten such a bad feeling that she simply had to find him and figure out why.

Which had led her here, to the stairs to the observation dome near the top of the ship. It had originally been designed as a kind of lookout post for when sensors were disabled, or as a primary star-finder for direction, but had been repurposed quickly as a kind of private getaway everyone used for some peace and quiet. This far up the ship's superstructure, you couldn't even feel the low hum of its power systems, the throb of the engines, or the hiss of the ventilators. It was... a quiet place.

There was no answer from the platform, so Moryggan stepped over to a monitor on the wall, clicking a button on it. "Aspect, are you sure he's up there?"

The Forsaken Aspect was a unique ship. She had a mind of her own, initially designed by the mad Scarlet, but refined and perfected by Tenna's technical genius and Verula's skill. She had a kind of consciousness of its own, and thankfully, was quite fond of its crew. So it was no surprise when Aspect replied to her question. "Yes, Miss Moryggan. Cyrus entered the dome approximately twenty-five minutes ago."

The golem eye embedded in the console rotated slightly to face her. "He has not left it. Is there anything wrong?"

Moryggan bit her lip. She didn't want to worry Aspect; the ship thought of Cyrus as something between a big brother and a father. Aspect was essentially a very large, very powerful, very innocent child. "I don't know, but I'm going to find out."

"Alright. Please let me know if you require anything further. I will send a watchwork servitor if you need anything." The golem eye retracted till it was flush with the wall, before going dark as Aspect turned her attentions elsewhere.

The sylvari mesmer turned away from the console and slowly ascended the stairway into the dome. As her head cleared floor-level, she could see him, sitting on the edge of the platform. The way the dome had been built was a kind of flying bridge, with a large platform hanging out in the space under the windows. Cyrus was sitting on the edge, his legs hanging off into the void, not even turning to look at her.

"Cyrus? What's up?" She asked cautiously, stepping closer to him. She didn't step up beside him; he hadn't even acknowledged her yet. But... suddenly she realized he wasn't wearing his usual gear, his armor and all his technical toys. His heavy leather coat, with its coolant systems and things she barely understood was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he seemed to be dressed in actual clothes. Street clothes. He never dressed that way. There might have been three or four times in the last few years that she'd ever seen him in anything other than his combat gear. Something about his determination to be prepared for anything, and his paranoia kept him from relaxing much at all, no matter how he'd acted in public. At least, that was the impression she'd gotten from him. On some level, it'd been reassuring to know there was someone always prepared, who was as suspicious as she was. She could trust that.

The summer hoodie he had on, simple pants and whatnot...it didn't seem like him at all. The only piece of tech he had on was the glider backpack; these days NO one who had one went anywhere without one. And the Dynamics college had come up with an absolutely perfect design; small and unobtrusive.

"....Cyrus?" She asked quietly. "Hmm?... Oh, hey Mory." Cyrus finally shook himself free of his reverie, glancing over his shoulder for a second. "Not much. Just... been thinking." "What about?" The sylvari stepped up behind him, before kneeling down. He'd never called her 'Mory' before, except when heavily drunk. And certainly not quite so pleasantly. "Is everything okay?" "Yeah. Everything is okay." He nodded. He lifted a hand, flexing his fingers slightly. There was still a tingle there he couldn't shake. From that psychic touch. When Aurene 'spoke' to him. "I'm... trying to figure out something. I don't know..." "Is there anything I can do to help?" She asked, scooting closer. She no longer could feel the sense of doom he'd been giving off at dinner, but there was something else. A sadness. "No." He replied. Then he paused, thinking. "At least, I don't know." "You don't know?"He turned slightly to look over his shoulder at her. With his eye, surrounded by the unnatural marking he'd been 'gifted', he carefully watched her face, her expression, taking it in. Taking in the worry in her eyes. The glow of the scar on her own face; it always struck him as coincidental that they both had facial scarring after a fashion, on the same side. Made things a bit more familial, in a sense. "....When was the last time you talked to your Mother, Mory?" He asked softly. At the mention of the Pale Tree, he saw her pupils tighten in anxiety, and her minty glow pulse faster as her heart suddenly accelerated. She took a breath, trying to calm herself, though her scar's bright glow belied the controlled expression on her face. "Not since Lion's Arch fell. I couldn't face her after... after that thing tried to take control of me." She didn't elaborate beyond that. There was pain, and shame hidden under the flat manner of her speech. It was too carefully said, too well enunciated to be entirely truthful. Cyrus knew neither of them believed she could say something like that so simply and not feel anything. He let the silence hang for a moment, before sighing. "I need to... I need to talk to her. But I don't know if I can do it. Or if I'd even be permitted to talk to her." "The Mother does meet with travellers, you know." Moryggan pointed out. "She's not exactly hard to meet." "But she might refuse to speak to me, Mory." His mouth twisted. "I was an Aetherblade, remember. I helped Ceara.... Scarlet. Both of them. She might not forgive me for being responsible for what happened to Ceara. Or what Scarlet did." Moryggan smiled softly, and put a hand on his shoulder. "Cyrus... Do you know the teachings of Ventari? The ones most of my kind try to live by?" "Kind of. I tend to forget some of them though." He shrugged, and they both chuckled. "The second teaching is 'Do not fear difficulty. Hard ground makes stronger roots'. And the Fourth is 'All things have a right to grow. The blossom is brother to the weed'." She smiled weakly. "Between the two, it means that self-determination is key, no matter the outcome, and that we get stronger through difficulty, because we learn. We can forgive." She sat down on the rim beside him, patting him on the forearm. "The Pale Tree will always grieve when one of her children dies, or turns to evil. But she is also capable of the greatest forgiveness. At least, that's what I believe." "Then why haven't you gone home and talked with her?" He asked heavily, his eyes shadowed with sadness. "She would probably forgive you, right?" Moryggan's smile faded slightly, and she looked out of the dome windows, considering. "...Because even though she would forgive me, welcome me back with open arms and branches... On some level, I can't forgive myself." She sighed. "I thought I was a strong person. Physically. Mentally. Perfectly strong and controlled, and damned proud of it. And then..." She grimaced, reaching up to rub her scar. "Then that thing... Mordremoth... just walked into my mind and nearly crushed me. If it wasn't for you, I'd..." Cyrus watched her, seeing that pain again. He reached out to pat the hand she had on his arm. "Then, I think we need to go home, Mory. At least, to your home. I need to talk to your Mother, and... I think you need to have a chat with her yourself." Moryggan nodded slowly, exhaling heavily. "Yeah. It's time to go home. I-I need to tell her what's happened. To me." "Yeah. And I need to tell her things. Important things." Cyrus added. "If I'm lucky, she won't have me thrown in the jail." He pulled both of them to their feet and gestured for the stairs. "Let's go. We'll be in L.A. in a few hours." As they descended the stairs together, the monitor on the wall activated, the eye blinking on. Aspect called out to them. "Miss Moryggan? Cyrus? Do you need anything?" "No, Aspect, thank you. But if you could chart for the usual docks in Lion's Arch? We'll be spending a few days on ground travel from there. Please let the others know as well, when they have the time." "Acknowledged, Cyrus. Making course change for the Lighthouse dock as per your order. Maintain Illusion matrix?" "Yep. Make us look like a merchant airship, and adjust trim and docking ports to compensate. Make sure there's plenty of room around us so no one collides with the illusion." "Aye aye, sir." Aspect replied cheerifully, before signing off. **** It did not take long. Once they were docked in Lion's Arch, the two of them paid transit through the Asura gate to the Grove, and were there by nightfall. They rented a room-pod in the lower levels of the Grove, where the night air was filled with luminescent pollen and the whisper of soft leaves. It was actually quite beautiful, peaceful even. While Moryggan visited old companions for the day, Cyrus had wandered the halls and chambers, chatting with curious Saplings and laughing at their innocence. It was refreshing to say the least. When they got back together in the evening, Moryggan had some surprising news. "I talked to some of the Wardens, and they got word to their leaders; we've...we've got an appointment to see the Pale Tree tonight." She looked quite embarassed, face suffused with glow. In a small voice, she added. "Mother apparently cleared her other meetings just for us." That filled Cyrus's veins with a sudden dose of icewater. There's no way they should have been granted a meeting that fast, or with that kind of response. It wasn't... normal. How many ambassadors did she just piss off, to meet with us? He asked himself, trying to hide the shock on his face. "Well... Uh... I guess we should go meet her as soon as we can then?" He replied, unsure. ****

They stood before the final seed elevator before the Tree's Omphalos chamber, and every instinct in his body told Cyrus to flee. He glanced upward to the Tree's immense branches, all the various levels and platforms. The soft, pink and purple-hued petals on the long, smooth vine that swirled down from the core in the farthest reaches. It shifted softly in the night breeze, the petals seeming to gesture upward, though that had to be an illusion.

She's three miles tall, twenty miles across if you include the roots, houses an entire city in her boughs...and she wants to see us. Cyrus mulled over in his mind with incredulity. Beings like the Pale Tree weren't supposed to care for the meanderings of mere mortals, at least that's what he'd always thought. "I...don't know if this was such a good idea, Mory."

"Last minute misgivings?" She chided him, giving him a shakey smile. "If me being here can get you to go up there, maybe you being here can get me to go up there. What do you think?"

"....Deal." He nodded, and sat uneasily in one chamber of the seed pod. Moryggan took the other half, the leaf/door raised, and a gust of magic gently blew the seed up through the many supporting platforms of the tree to the Omphalos chamber.

Safely in place, the door flipped open again, and the two travellers carefully stepped out onto the lush, soft, green grass platform suspended near the top of the tree. Looking around, Cyrus realized he could see no Wardens around; from what he'd heard from Moryggan and other sylvari, the Pale Tree's avatar was attended by at least a squad at all times. Did she dismiss them? He couldn't see them with his cursed Discernment eye; they weren't hidden under Mesmer magic anywhere nearby.

"Come. Please come here." A soft voice called. It sounded like it was right beside them, but both of them knew it was the Tree herself projecting her voice to guide them to her Avatar. "I am always happy to have visitors, and, I think, the two of you are long overdue?"

There was a playfulness to her tone that made Cyrus unconsciously smile. An immensely powerful, massive entity, and she was making jokes. There was something ... likeable about that. It clearly carried on in her children, since he'd spent the afternoon having good laughs with Saplings and Menders.

"Hello, Pale Tree." Cyrus knelt respectfully. "I'm afraid I don't know if there's a title I should refer to you by, like I would with Queen Jennah or the Imperator."

"...Mother." Moryggan knelt as well, closing her eyes. "I am... home." The Pale Tree's glowing avatar stepped forward gracefully, her bare feet not leaving impressions in the grass as it gently parted of its own accord around her descending step. She laid a hand on each of their shoulders. "Greetings to you both, visitor, and child. Cyrus Sigismund, and Moryggan Deraleth. I have been expecting you for some time."

With but a touch, she guided them back to their feet. "I had hoped, children, that you would have talked to me far sooner than now." She tilted her head, the movement causing a release of glowing pollen from the flower that made up her 'hair'. "I am curious as to why it took so very long?"

They looked between each other, unsure, before Cyrus rubbed his gloved hands together. "...I was unsure if I would be welcomed, Pale Tree. I don't know if you know, but, I was a...friend... of Ceara's."

The Tree's ersatz eyes widened in surprise, but she merely nodded.

"...I was also a friend of Scarlet's." He added more leadenly. It was hard to meet her eyes, but he forced himself to. "I was with her as she started to descend to madness. I...was forced out and away from her when she became too unstable. But I had one final chat with her before the destruction of her machine in Lion's Arch."

The glow suffusing the Omphalos seemed to fade a little, dimming for a mere moment before rising back to its usual glow. The Pale Tree looked at him, pain and sorrow in her eyes, but also compassion. So much compassion that it was so very hard to look her in the face. She reached out to touch his cheek, gently, so he wouldn't look away in shame. "...What of my daughter then, Cyrus? I grieve for her daily, but I take solace in that she has been freed of her madness. If you have any news for me that the others have not brought me..."

Cyrus reached up and held the hand against his face. He knew the Avatar wasn't truly a physical thing, but however she managed it, her hand felt so real. It was like the softest leaf he'd ever felt, but one with a pulse. It was warm, and welcoming. It really felt like a Mother's touch, and it broke his heart. In spite of his control, he felt a tear slip from his eye. "...She was sorry. She had had the best intentions, but... the damage done to her had twisted those intentions. What she did... was not...what she'd meant to do in the first place."

He wiped the tear away. "She had wanted to protect you. Protect all of you, and all of us. But... what he did, even with his sleeping mind..." Cyrus's face collapsed into sorrow. "She wasn't Mordrem. But he'd devastated her mind just by touching it. She'd resolved to kill him at all costs but along the way, she forgot what her goal had been. The damage he'd done had slowly erased her goals. The denials and declines she'd gotten from the other nations ate at her mind. She..."

"I know." The Mother cut him off gently. She held his head in both hands, and lowered her forehead to touch his. "Even though she had cut her ties with me, defied my pleas for caution and stepped beyond the mental shield I put up to keep my children safe... I realize she was trying to fight back." She stroked his hair as more tears flowed from him. "At no point did she ever turn her weapons against the Grove."

"The machine. The Breachmaker." Cyrus grated out. "It was meant to kill the Beast. Not feed it. She knew at the end that she had screwed up badly. She was so terribly, terribly sorry about that, but unable to do anything about it. Not at that point. Not with the Pact at her neck, and not with her madness tearing at her. She could have escaped, but she chose not to. She knew...there had to be some justice. Some peace."

"Cyrus. Thank you." The Pale Tree stepped back, smiling sadly, and gave his cheek one last touch. "I can sense how much you grieve for her. For Ceara and Scarlet both. I can see how much her pain hurt you. And how much of a friend you were to her, no matter what she did. Thank you for that."

"As you say." Cyrus rasped, throat tight with emotion. He wobbled slightly, unstable with such a powerful release of emotion; the pain, the memories, and the sad, wonderful, freeing feeling of confession. He glanced over at Moryggan, and was shocked to see tears streaming down her face as well. "Moryggan..."

"Daughter." The Pale Tree turned her attention to the rose-skinned sylvari. "You share his pain so openly. I remember you as a Sapling, always hiding your emotions, or at least trying to." She smiled. "There were times you wore your heart on your sleeve. In the past, you would never admit to feeling compassion for others, though I always know you did."

She tapped the side of her head, winking playfully. "The Dream tells much, especially of our inner selves. But it seems you have your own story to tell me."

Moryggan blinked, tears still staining her cheeks, before bowing her head in shame. "I'm sorry, Mother. I... I am ashamed. I was weak. If it weren't for Cyrus, and by extension, Scarlet Briar, I'd have been..."

She paused, searching. She was almost shaking, now that she was in front of her mother. The words just wouldn't come.

Then she felt someone touch her arm. Cyrus reached out and was giving her arm a gentle stroke. I was there for him.... He said he'd be there for me. She reminded herself, drawing strength from it.

"Mother... If it wasn't for Cyrus, and the things he'd gotten from Scarlet, I'd have ended up one of the Crazed. One of the Mordrem, probably. " She raised her head, staring with haunted eyes at her mother. "The Dragon... he didn't just reach into my mind. H-he crushed it underfoot. Tried to crush me. But for Cyrus, I-I...." In one fluid movement, the Pale Tree drew upon her, wrapping her arms around her daughter and burying her in the glowing petals of her body. She crooned to her lost daughter, whispering loving words and encouragement, while Moryggan broke down into grateful sobs. She clung to the Pale Tree's avatar tightly, releasing all that pent up pain, misgiving, and shame.

Cyrus stood there, watching silently but wanting to reach out to his teammate. The Pale Tree cuddled her child gently, as a mother should. She glanced at him, making eye contact. The look in her eye said it all, but she verbalized it anyway. "Thank you once again, Cyrus. You bring me sad but welcome news of my long lost daughter, but you also saved one of my daughters from the clutches of the Beast. I have many children, but each one of them is dear to me, and you have returned one to me I had thought I would not see again." She stroked Moryggan's frond hair gently, before laying a soft kiss on her scar. "Welcome home, Moryggan. Know this; you will always be welcome here in the Grove, in the Dream. We are always here for you... I am here for you, if you wish it."

"Thank you.... Mother." Moryggan said shakily, reluctantly drawing back from the Tree's embrace. "I am no longer afraid to come back... no longer ashamed..."

The Tree nodded and turned to Cyrus, raising an eyebrow. "And you, Cyrus?"

He smiled a little and shrugged. "I honestly thought I was going to end up in your jail for being associated with Scarlet. So...walking out of here and still being allowed to visit the Grove is more than I might hope for."

That made the Tree laugh, a pleasant, melodious sound. "Cyrus, you aren't going to end up in my jail. There is no crime you have committed here. If anything, you are to receive a boon if I can come up with one, for what you have done."

He shook his head. "I don't need medals or titles. If you permit us to trade and offer materials and other things, that would be more than enough." Cyrus crossed his arms. "That is, if you'd be willing."

"Tell you what." The Tree smirked a bit, gliding back to a patch of glowing grass and settling down on it. She reached out and patted the ground, a trail of luminescence sliding from her hand to light up two patches in front of her that seemed just the right size for the two of her visitors. "You and your associates can do business here so long as you don't deal in illegal or illicit goods, and you will be titled an honored guest of the Grove and of Myself... if you two will sit here and tell me your adventures."

She smiled, as they came and sat down on the grass, which wove itself into soft cushions at her thought. "I want to hear about everything you've done, why you did it, and everything else. Your friends... your family."

Cyrus chuckled a bit, and glanced over at Moryggan, who covered her mouth to hide her own chuckle. "Well... my story is going to take a long time, my Lady."

"That is quite alright!" The Tree replied primly, gesturing upward with one hand. From some other level, a vine swirled up, items balanced in its curls. With a flourish, it laid out an imported Krytan tea set, complete with hot tea and a service tray of assorted pastries. "I shall provide the confections if you provide the entertainment. And I have plenty of time."

They all had a good laugh at that, and Cyrus poured them all a cup of tea as he tried to explain his home... ---- Author note: I didn’t actually write this for the Writer’s Event for @tyrias-library but it might just fall under a bunch of the prompt guidelines anyway. If it’s not actually entered in it, that’s cool with me because it wasn’t planned that way. LoL. That said, enjoy. I’m still debating how close these two actually are. Or will become. It’s far too easy to write ships, but at the same time, it seems so appropriate. I’m also debating something with the Forsaken Aspect... time will tell of course. ;)

[venndaai]

hey, you said you would try prompts from the soulmate list, so Revastila, 2

At first I was like, hey, haven’t we discussed this before? but actually we discussed a different Revastila soulmate AU, lol. Anyway here’s 1.5k words

Once, when she was quite young, Bastila asked Master Vandar why Jedi didn’t simply remove their wrist names. She wasn’t particularly surprised at the answer she got in response. “When the Force speaks, we do not stick our fingers in our ears,” he told her, lightly admonishing, but amused. She’d been right to ask him and not Master Vrook. “We simply choose not to place undue importance on such things. We dedicate ourselves to serving the Light Side, and loving all beings equally.”

Which was fine, Bastila supposed, except she wasn’t sure about loving all beings; she couldn’t even manage to love the other children in the training school, who never wanted to talk to her at break and were often stupid anyway. And she tried to love the Masters, but they were so unlike her father, even absentminded Master Zhar.

She retreated to her bunk, ignoring for the moment her heaps of assigned meditation practice, and curled on her side, studying the elegant black letters on her wrist, barely visible in the low light. Maybe whatever path it represented was already in her past. Maybe it referred to somebody she would have met if her mother never gave her to the Jedi, if she’d stayed with her father and traveled across the Rim with him instead.

–

“Have you heard, she’s even changed her name,” Belaya said, from above and behind Bastila’s head. Bastila disliked Belaya on principle. She was a year younger than Bastila and yet had been a full knight for several months now, and liked to remind everyone of her new status by scolding padawans who ran in the hallways. Right now Bastila wanted to tell her to be quiet, some people are trying to meditate here.

“No, really?” The other speaker was a padawan like Bastila, but also significantly younger than her.

“She’s calling herself Revan now. Perhaps she thinks a more dramatic moniker will attract her more followers.”

The pebble Bastila was trying to levitate shot upwards until it cracked the glass dome of the ceiling. Bastila barely managed to catch the falling shards with the Force before they hit her. She crunched the glass into a ball of shimmering shards, and stood up. Belaya and her friend were staring.

Stupid, she thought to herself. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Everyone knew that particular Jedi already had a soulmate, that it was another Jedi, that the Masters had tried to keep the two separated when the Knight now calling herself Revan had been a Padawan, that they’d failed miserably and probably driven a wedge between Revan and the Order even before the mess of the Mandalorian situation.

Bastila didn’t even like the woman, and she knew Revan didn’t like Bastila. She had a very clear memory of two older padawans laughing at a smaller child’s attempts at lightsaber practice. They probably didn’t remember; the two of them had tried to recruit her to their insane cause, a few days ago, and had given no sign that they knew her as anything other than that oddly old padawan with the useful ability.

Still, the rejection hurt. It hurt all the worse that it wasn’t in person. Just the casual crushing of something Bastila hadn’t even known she still possessed. Maybe Revan was, somehow, someone Bastila could have been happy with, in another life, but Bastila wasn’t anything to anyone.

Unless-

The thought was an insidious worm, one she tried to kill even before it had fully emerged, but she failed, she couldn’t stop it- unless Revan had somehow known- unless this name change was just one more tactic to try and win Bastila’s project, her Battle Meditation-

No. No. Nobody knew what was on her wrist except the Masters, and they’d never have told. Would they? No, it was impossible.

Still. She was all the more resolved; she would not abandon the Order for Revan’s foolish rhetoric.

–

When Revan and her followers vanished, after the war, Bastila thought that was the end of it.

When they came back, when they started burning Republic cities, Bastila thought maybe the Masters started watching her more closely. Wondering what kind of Jedi would have a Sith for a soulmate.

This kind of Jedi, Bastila thought bitterly, throwing herself into each battle, stretching her mind until it felt like it would snap trying to hold every ship in a fleet together in synergy.

–

Revan was dying.

Later, Bastila would lie awake for many nights, interrogating the motives behind the decision she had only had a minute to make. She would want to believe that she would have saved her enemy’s life regardless of wrists and names and soulmates. She wanted to be that kind of person.

Whatever the reason, she made the decision to save Revan’s life. She held that broken body together through the force of her will, and when she felt the Sith slipping away from her she tore off Revan’s black gloves, pressed their palms together skin to skin. Couldn’t stop herself from looking at the wrist, at the large round looping letters of Alek shiver and disintegrate into blotches of ink that themselves then dissipated, leaving what looked like white scar marks behind.

Later- days later, but it felt like only minutes- she sat on a bench outside the Enclave medical center, waiting, rubbing the inside of her wrist so hard she left dark red marks on the skin. She could feel what the masters were doing, inside. She could feel what Revan was feeling.

Master Vrook came out into the filtered sunlight. He looked more tired than she remembered ever seeing him look before. When he turned to her she felt sick dread in the pit of her stomach.

“Did it work?” she said, quickly, words stumbling in her mouth.

Vrook nodded. “Come in,” he said, uncharacteristically terse. “There’s something you should see.”

The Dark Lord was only average height, Bastila knew, but even unconscious on a medical table, she seemed larger than life. She was dressed only in utilitarian undergarments. Her muscles gleamed, still slick from the kolto tank.

Gingerly, Vrook picked up the left wrist, and rotated it so Bastila could see her own signature, placed right over the white marks that looked like scars.

“We can remove it,” Vrook said. He sounded almost- almost sympathetic.

Bastila shook her head, and ran outside to throw up.

–

“Bastila,” Revan said. She sounded a little nervous, but determined. “Hey, are you avoiding me?”

“I’m not avoiding you,” Bastila said.

“It’s a small ship, and we’re stuck in here together til we get to Dantooine. If you don’t like the way I smell, just let me know and I’ll stop stealing Carth’s deodorant.”

That startled a laugh out of her, before she pressed her lips together and looked away.

“Listen, there’s something we need to talk about. I wonder if maybe that’s why you haven’t said a word to me since we got off Taris.” Don’t say it don’t say it- “Look, Bastila, I have your name on my left wrist.”

“Indeed?” Bastila said. Vague. Disinterested. But she already knew that wasn’t going to deter Revan.

“I’ve got a confession to make.” The woman paused, long enough that Bastila glanced up at her, saw her chewing her lip. “I kind of- joined up because of you. Because I heard your name on the newsvids. Even managed to get myself assigned to the Endar Spire, hoping I’d meet you somehow.” She laughed. “Didn’t really imagine all of this.”

Some response was evidently expected, but Bastila didn’t have the faintest idea what it might be. So she just waited until Revan sighed. “Well, anyway,” Revan said, “if you don’t have my name on your wrist, or you just want nothing to do with me, I’d appreciate you letting me know.”

Bastila swallowed. “I have your name.”

Revan sucked in a breath. “I thought so. Can I see?” She was already reaching.

“No,” Bastila snapped, and pulled her hands to her chest, lacing her fingers so she could feel the comforting thickness of her gloves. She took a few deep breaths. Revan was staring.

Fortunately, she had an explanation at hand. “Jedi don’t have soulmates,” she said. “We ignore the writing. It’s a distraction from our dedication to the Force.”

Revan raised her hands placatingly. “All right,” she said, and then again, softer than Bastila had ever heard her before, “All right.”

“I was trying to meditate,” Bastila said, harshly. “Before you interrupted me.”

“Okay,” Revan said. “I’ll be in the cockpit. Let me know if- if you need anything.”

“I will,” Bastila said, staring at the metal floor.

Revan left. Bastila remained where she was, unmoving.

[nika-the-hunter]

House of Mist [Ch.5]

NE 4th ST, South Bellevue Ruins +2 Days

Nicole hurried across Bellevue with Rykis and the other Fallen that had survived the ambush. The Baron's den was completely across town from where they had stowed the vehicles. It was the final hour before dawn, and a few flurries of snow had blown in while they were gone.

There were not many other Fallen out and about like there had been that morning, aside from the occasional sentry on patrol. Their glowing eyes made spotting them fairly easy inside windows or on rooftops. Nicole's Ghost flew around her head and glanced out at the buildings.

"I still find it highly unusual that this House is active during the day... and not at night like many of the other Houses," he said quietly, blinking along with their walk.

Rykis looked over at the small machine and simply waved across the buildings. "While our night vision is very good, there are things to do here that can only be done when the sun is out," he nodded enthusiastically.

"Interesting." The Ghost flew around and orbited Rykis once before returning to Nicole's side. "I still do not entirely approve of this, Guardian. We should be on our way to the Last City."

"I don't think so, Ghost. I don't know if you've noticed... but I suck," Nicole said. "I think we should stay here as long as these Fallen will have me. At least until I have more experience."

The Ghost's fins angled down, seemingly to mimic an angry frown. "Fine, you make a good point."

The group of Fallen, plus one Guardian, walked across the city, towards the Baron's dome. When they arrived, the Baron's guards ushered them inside. Nicole followed along, but Rykis was not translating anything at the moment. She passed through the dining room she had met the Baron in before, and into a large chamber with a variety of screens.

The Baron himself was sitting in a large chair in the back of the room. "This guy probably has a throne in every room here," she whispered to her Ghost. Even if what she said was transmitted beyond her helmet, only Rykis would understand.

"He does seem the type," her Ghost replied.

The Fallen proceed to reiterate what happened upon the mountain, at least which is what Nicole thought they were doing; none of it was being translated for her. Up in his chair, the Baron looked distressed and sounded extremely frustrated whenever he spoke.

It was a full hour of testimony before Rykis nudged her. She had sort of zoned out again, watching a series of screens displaying maps of the area. There was not much of a purpose to listening to a bunch of gibberish she could not understand.

"Guardian, have your ghost display his recording." Rykis gestured to the main screen facing the Baron.

"Got it; Ghost, if you may?" Nicole held out her hand, summoning her companion.

The small machine appeared in her palm and glanced towards the slightly curved screen. "I will see if I can make a solid connection. I've never interfaced with a Fallen screen before." A small beam of energy shot from the Ghost's eye and connected to the screen.

It took a moment, but the screen flashed and the group was treated to a video of her sitting on the tank. It was taken over her shoulder, and she assumed it was taken by her Ghost's eye, however the past version of herself took the Ghost out, yet the camera remained in the same position.

"This is a bit early; I will jump to the point in question. I will also be able to rotate the view to focus on anything that happened around us," the Ghost said; Rykis translated that for the Baron, who simply waved a hand in acknowledgement.

The video jumped forward to the moments before the fighting started earlier that night. The Baron watched the combat through completely before instructing the Ghost to rewind and rectangle different shots. He halted the recording on a good shot of the blockade and ruined Pikes. The frozen image also held a downed Skiff; she had not noticed its burning wreckage when she was up there, but it explains why there was no aerial cover like she had been told.

Nicole leaned over to her while the Fallen continued to discuss amongst themselves. "So... how exactly did you manage to get this angle?" she whispered.

The Ghost dipped one wing and turned to look at her. "Space Magic."

"Rea-" She started and then was immediately interrupted.

"Yes. Really."

"Well that just seems like a cop-out, to be honest," Nicole replied, reaching out and giving the Ghost a light push with her finger.

"Some sort of nano-camera system along your helmet and armor." Her Ghost imitated a shrug with his fins. "Some just call it space magic, so I do to."

"Isn't it nice to explain things though?"

"Absolutely... not." His damaged fin sparked slightly.

Nicole shook her head and sighed. "You are no help."

Meanwhile it appeared that the Baron had finished deliberating with the other Fallen. Nicole noticed him nod and gesture for the others to leave, except for Rykis who stayed behind. The Baron waved a hand at Nicole and spoke.

Rykis resumed his second job, being her translator. "By all means this was a failure, but you are lucky I cannot place the blame on you. You survived, where my fellows did not; a feat I am not sure how I feel about... Unfortunately I am aware you are unable to die, but that is also fortunate for me..." Rykis glanced back at the Baron, seemingly stopping mid-sentence. The Baron barked, and nodded for Rykis to finish. "...that I can kill you without consequence."

"Wait, hold on-" Nicole raised her left arm while her right felt for the grip of her pistol. However she stopped mid pull. There was no way she could kill this creature with a peashooter like that. Plus, even trying would ruin her chances here. Instead she looked on, and flashed five fingers at her Ghost.

"Five minutes? Got it," the Ghost replied with what seemed like the quietest response over the radio she had ever heard.

The Baron's lower arms appeared with a handgun, and fired once. The bullet flashed through her helmet and through her forehead, once again banishing her to the darkness.

Time passed in the void and eventually she was brought back to the land of the living. She had been dumped in the snow outside the Baron's compound, so upon awakening she was quite cold. Rykis offered a hand to help her up as soon as he saw movement. "Apologies, Guardian... the Baron is not pleased with the events that have transpired."

"No shit." Nicole took Rykis' hand and he pulled her up. "At least that plan worked..."

She took off her helmet and checked the front. Where the bullet had passed through there was an obvious paint chip and dent, the Ghost had patched it fairly well. She rubbed her thumb across the spot, barely feeling anything through her gloves, and then plopped it back onto her head. "What next?"

"There is nothing more tonight," Rykis said. "We should return to your tower."

"Oh, well that's fine." Nicole turned and looked over the skyline. "Which direction is that?"

"It is on the other side of the city," Rykis nodded. "I will take you, but pay attention this time."

Across the snow dusted city the old hotel stood out among the smaller structures on the peninsula; it was the only one over three floors. The hotel itself appeared to be in better repair than the rest of the buildings. It might be an acceptable place after all.

Nicole walked up the stairs and found her room. She flopped back down onto the old be and decided to go back to sleep for a good bit, she was more tired than she thought.

The next few days went on and Nicole found herself slotting into a daily routine. Rykis was spending the morning hours teaching her their language, which was not easy in any aspect. Afterwards she would collect food and water from the depot in the city, and return for more language class. It was just as hard for him to teach her as it was for her to actually pronounce many of the needed vernacular; however she was slowly starting to get the basics down after a week.

Her ventures into the city became more than just water runs after the first week. There was so much out there that the Fallen had not yet claimed, or they did not use. By the second week, there had been an increase in patrols going out; none of which she was part of. There was a lot of force build up down by the old highway. Rykis had said he was not sure what it was for, it was just in response to the patrol she had been on.

Between the day's language lessons, Nicole sat in the corner of the room reading a semi-water damaged book she had found in one of the empty Hotel rooms. It was a tour guide for hikes out in the mountains; though of course all the trails would be long overgrown by now, it was more for her to understand what the area was like. A sudden gust of wind blew in through the window and disturbed the flaking paint. Chunks fluttered to the floor around her discarded armor plates, and she stopped reading to look around the dilapidated room. As the cogs of thought turned in her head, she set the book down and summoned her Ghost. "You know... I think I can fix this place up a bit."

"Finally! We're actually going to do something." He popped off her hand and flew around the room, his eye producing a blue light and he scanned the space. "The structural integrity is still stable, so it's all going to be cosmetic work."

"Good." Nicole tapped her chin with a finger. "So we need paint and some materials to fix the walls... and I could kill for something more comfortable than the cloth I've been sleeping on. Let's see if we can find some out there."

She pulled on her chest plate and clamped the pieces all together. Nicole pulled the plate away slightly from beneath. "Oof... It didn't feel this tight yesterday. It really... compresses... stuff, you know?"

Her Ghost turned around and blinked at her. "I apologize, the measurements may be wrong; they were the default set by the provider. Time without the plate has allowed your body to expand to your natural form. We should find materials to make some adjustments while we are out there."

Nicole clicked all the small miscellaneous armored plates into place, but then tapped the plate over her hip with a knuckle. "Okay, this stuff feels thin."

"I did not have much material to make the gear, it provides life support but that is pretty much it," her Ghost said. "You can get better gear in time, with materials I can rework and break down existing armor to help upgrade what you have, or restore older sets you find... if that's what you like."

"Another reason to get going." Nicole headed out the door of her room and dropped off the side of the balcony to the floor below. Rykis' room was across the floor, but he was not in the room. A written note, in english, was up on the door. Apparently Rykis had been called away by the House's Archon. He would not be around for an undetermined amount of time. "Oh that's just great, I don't have an interpreter."

"Are you still going out then?" the Ghost asked.

"Of course, I don't feel like being cooped up in here." She spun around and walked down the stairs

"Good," the Ghost quipped. "When I was searching for you, I passed a great deal of warehouses south of here. There might be untapped resources left there we could check out."

Nicole ducked to get out through the old lobby doors and into the cloudy weather. "Okay that's where we're headed. How far is that?"

"It is about twenty five kilometers." The Ghost projected a map of the area onto her helmet HUD with a path from her current location to somewhere south of them. "It's a six hour slow walk, two at a jogging pace, if you're up for it."

"Are we sticking to a clear path?" She asked, heading up the nearby onramp that led onto one of the many ancient highways. The concrete roads remained relatively passable with all the old rusted cars pushed to the sides, grass and other shrubbery had long penetrated through cracks though.

"Best route keeps us following this old highway." He replied. "They're not overgrown as much as the surface streets."

"Alright, just keep the route up for me." Nicole took off down the road, staying in the middle of all the ruins. They had built the highways here with high walls on either side to keep the sound down for the homes and businesses that had once lined either side; however, it now just made it look like she was running down a dry river channel.

They traveled south at a quick pace, staying on the path the Ghost had set. Snow had fallen again while she slept; hopefully the winter season would end soon, her armor was not the best insulator. Nicole used the run to practice her language lessons, her Ghost would say a phrase in english and then she would repeat it back to him in the language of the Fallen. It was hopefully helpful, though she had no way of knowing if she was actually pronouncing it correctly. The scenery was a lot of rust, greens and greys, not much at all to look at; she needed something to keep her busy to pass the time.

Eventually the highway evened out and lost its concrete walls, switching to something slightly elevated above the land around it. The land here was flatter, losing the hills and steep valleys she had been running through for the last two hours. It was a welcomed change. These were wide valleys, she could see the other side but it was a good distance away. Though she could see why the Ghost had brought her all this way, this valley was filled with massive flat buildings. Warehouses, by the hundreds. She came to a stop outside the first warehouse. "Alright, one last phrase, lay it out for me."

"How about you translate what I say?" her Ghost said. "Here it goes, Hiss hiss, chitter chitter, growl growl."

"Rude." Nicole frowned and summoned her Ghost to her hand. He appeared, with his fins formed into what her mind interpreted as a snide smirk. She pulled her hand away from beneath the Ghost and gently slapped the little ball.

"Okay fine, fine." The Ghost twitched its fins and flew around Nicole's helmet. "Shall we find out if there is anything of use here?"

"Yeah, okay." Nicole hopped over a rusted container truck partially buried in the eroded soil. There were a lot of scenes like that across the area she had explored; piles of earth and vegetation had gathered along walls or anything else that got in the way of the wind and rain. An entrance to this monolithic concrete structure was thankfully shielded by the container; one of the loading dock doors had rusted and fallen away. She walked inside and glanced around the massive open space, columns were evenly placed in the open space, supporting the ceiling far above her. Rows and rows of metal racks were filled with crates and the remains of ancient cardboard boxes... Their contents rotted and growing moss.

"Well, I don't see anything here that looks like it can be salvaged," the Ghost said, flying around and through the shelves. "There are a large amount of computer screen mounts, not that we need any of those right now."

Nicole shook her head, "No, nothing valuable for us... though, if we did need it, could you do what you did to my gun? Clean it up and make it work again?"

"Possibly, but I was only able to do that because I had some glimmer, that is programmable matter, to reconfigure into the missing parts," he replied. "My reserves are running very low right now."

"Where do we get you more? I'm sure there there's bound to be some stored in one of these warehouses." Nicole walked further into the structure and passed a rusted forklift, some yellow paint flakes were still barely holding onto the frame.

"Glimmer could be found anywhere really; bits of Golden Age technology house components made from the stuff, but there does not appear to be any here anymore." The Ghost spun around the old forklift, his eye scanning over its surface. He mumbled afterwards, she could barely hear him. "Oh my, this thing was ancient during the Golden Age..."

She hopped over an area where the floor had given way to the basement below, though she spied a promising sign not too far ahead. Vault Storage. Nicole stopped before a set of massive doors, and waved the Ghost over. "Can you get these open? They look like they haven't been touched yet, and vaults always hold something good, right?"

The little machine sailed over and shot a beam of light at the control panel that she assumed belonged to the door. "Just a little repair work to bring this back online... as long as the cables to the motors are still intact."

As soon as he finished, there was a loud rumble as dust and rust broke free of the doors. They slid with a loud screeching that echoed across the cavernous space. Daylight streamed in from inside the doors, a bad sign to the integrity of the room beyond. Nicole raised her hand to block the sun, and then frowned at what she saw inside. The space was dominated by dozens of large wooden crates. Moss was plentiful, along with grass and ferns that grew on top of the old crates. The boxes themselves were taller than she was, but otherwise unimpressive. Stenciled across the front of one crate nearest to her were the words 'Vault N042'.

"Who the hell calls a wooden crate, a Vault?" She muttered, walking over to one over on its own and yanking the panel marked 'Door' free from its rusted clamps. The inside was equally as disappointing as the rest of the room. Crushed boxes and rotting furniture; some long dead person's belongings. Nothing that looked like it would be of any help to Nicole in her search for intact furnishings for her home. Everything here reeked of rot and mold. "Well this is all shit. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that everything here is old furniture."

Giving the entire area a once over with his scanner, her Ghost nodded in place. "It does appear so; I am only detecting small quantities of Glimmer, and nothing that can help with the hole in the ceiling back in your tower." He passed over the area one time more, "And the Glimmer is too far buried to be worth the retrieval attempt. However there does appear to be a pre-Golden Age car stored up behind the first row."

"How exactly is that useful to me?" She asked, slightly confused.

"Not at all, just an interesting bit that I noticed." He returned to her and vanished into thin air. His voice now coming from her internal helmet speakers. "There are a lot more Warehouses to check, however. We should get moving before dark."

Nicole used the hole in the wall to exit the warehouse. "I am not going to search each and every one of these buildings..."

"I will do my best to indicate which buildings might be better to search, however building materials aren't exactly something that my scanners are made for."

"Got it, there has got to be something useful out here." Nicole walked on to check the next warehouse, hoping she would have better luck as the day went on.

AN Apologies about the time between chapters. I am in the middle of moving right now so this hasn't exactly been my top priority. If it looks a little weird here at the end, its because I chopped the chapter in half instead of making you all wait even longer. Sorry.

[ladydragonhawke]

Breath of the Dragon Chapter 3: Blood of the Sage

A Fullmetal Alchemist fanfic.

20 years later after saving all of Amestris, the Elric brothers may have gotten themselves into something worse than human transmutation. Only the strength of their wit and knowledge they gained through their travels can aid them in the trials to come. They'll have to do more than just save Amestris this time, and this time alchemy can do more harm than good.

“Well this is a surprise, normally you’re not dressed till you’ve eaten. Something’s wrong, what is it? The dignitaries?” Lan Fan pondered as she took the nearest seat at a lavishly decorated table. Ling huffed in frustration at the complexity of his royal footwear that was beginning to get him flustered, but that wasn’t the sole reason. “Did you sense or feel anything odd last night?” he huffed, trying to keep his composure.

Chapter 1: A Little Tremor

Chapter 2: It Opens at the Close

Chapter 3: Blood of the Sage

The descent down the spiral staircase proved to be quite the tight squeeze, especially for Zampano and Jerso who were bulkier in nature. Along the walls as they climbed down were covered in more carvings, some depicting battles, other times they were pictures of the dragon during times of peace with people surrounding it and offering food. As much as Alphonse wanted to ogle the carvings, he knew they didn’t have much time for that, there hadn’t been another tremor yet and they anticipated another one to arrive soon. Meaning they needed to get to the bottom of the staircase, or it could spell disaster for everyone on it.

“It just goes on forever!” Edward yelled, his exclamation reverberating off the stone walls.

“Don’t shout in here, can you see the bottom yet?” asked Lan Fan.

“Nothing yet. Wait. I think I just did.” Edward said cheerfully. They all reached the bottom of the staircase which opened to a long narrow hallway with no end in sight. Edward started walking forward and Lan Fan grabbed his arm to stop him.

“What?” He grumbled angrily.

“Watch out for any pressure plates or traps in general.” She answered with the same amount of anger.

“This isn’t our first cave exploration. But this definitely gets chalked up as one of the most intriguing.” Alphonse exclaimed.

Their walk down the long seemingly unending hallway was uneventful, and even the walls of the hallway were bare, with no carvings or glyphs for Alphonse to gawk over. Once they reached the end of the hallway, they came upon a tall stone door. It bared no markings or glyphs, only a split dragon head in its center. Zampano made his way to the front and pushed on the door with all his strength. It slowly opened to reveal a large room that was shrouded in complete darkness. All flitted their flashlights around as they spilled into the seemingly empty room. Their lights were swallowed in the darkness but as they searched the room, their lights hit on something taking up the majority of the room. It seemed to be a large glass dome, but they couldn’t make out what was within the dome. They searched around where the dome met the floor and found an intricate transmutation circle drawn with stones similar to the ones on the spiral staircase.

“Arugh, I can’t see anything. We need more light!” Edward shouted.

Then, they heard it. A low rumble emanating from within the dome. They all backed away toward the walls of the room. After the rumbling ceased, they turned their attention to the torches lining the walls. Edward was first to light the one nearest him as he went from torch to torch. He tossed another lighter to Alphonse who followed suit. Once a decent number of torches were lit, they could make out the circle and dome better. But once all the torches were lit, they stood in shock at what they could see in the center of the dome. The dome wasn’t glass but was made up of rotating and glowing symbols that moved slowly around a silver dragon that lay sleeping in its center. The dragon nearly filled the dome completely with its sheer size. Alphonse fished out his earplugs and earmuffs in preparation for what he imagined would be coming soon. Upon seeing this everyone else followed suit. Alphonse motioned to Edward to inspect certain parts of the circle; he began taking notes in a spare notebook he dug from his backpack. The room had two entrances, the one they had entered through and another hallway that seemed to wind and weave. Edward guessed that was the way the scouts took to get here, the maze that ended many a mans life. What they had found was the true entrance.

Suddenly without warning the dragon rose on it’s four legs and roared long and loudly, everyone grasped their earmuffs to aid in blocking out the sound to no avail. Even what they had wasn’t enough as Lan Fan fell to her knees from the sheer pressure of the roar. Zampano and Jerso collapsed on the ground and promptly passed out. Their hearing after all was ten times better than that of a normal human. Edward and Alphonse were fighting the sound themselves and fell to their hands and knees. Then the dragon began ramming its body into the sides of the dome, shaking everything, small stones from the ceiling fell from the violence. After more than five minutes of roaring and smashing into the sides of the dome with all its might, it began to fill up with water. Edward and Alphonse watched as much as they could as the dragon continued roaring even as the water began filling from the bottom of the dome. Soon it engulfed the dragon entirely leaving no room for air. The dragon ceased roaring and within a few moments stopped moving entirely, almost as if it passed out. Edward and Alphonse shakily got to their feet to better examine the dragon surrounded in water. They tried looking for the source of the water but found none, there weren’t any openings in the ceiling or on the floor within the circle. After a few minutes, the water began to drain, leaving the dragon a sleeping mass in the center of the circle again. Lan Fan got to her feet panting as she tried to gather her thoughts. She wanted to scream, to ask just what the hell was even going on. It must have been evident on her face as Alphonse made his way to her and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. They couldn’t communicate with words at the moment but hoped his actions were easily read. She calmed and took deep breaths to steady herself. Alphonse stayed with her till she was ready and returned to examine the circle with Edward. The soldier was unconscious and laying on the floor near the farthest wall, Lan Fan went to aid him the best way she knew how, by trying to wake him up.

Edward and Alphonse took turns writing in the semi empty notebook to each other, neither one daring to take off their earmuffs for fear of the dragon roaring again. They went around the circle and discussed each symbol and line, focusing on the ones on the ground. The symbols on the dome itself were all the same, basically meaning shield. A rather strong one at that. After spending what felt like more than a few hours examining all that they could see they sat in front of the circle and discussed the possible meaning of it all.

A: This is one strong circle. The word ‘sage’ is brought up nearly in every instance. Do you think father made this to trap this dragon here?

E: I wouldn’t put it passed him. I’m more concerned about why he trapped it here. The word ‘friend’ is in there a few times too. Was he friends with this thing? If so, why trap it here? There’re so many questions.

A: There’s something about the ‘blood of the sage’. I wonder if that’s the key.

E: If it’s the blood of our dad I don’t think this thing will be getting out any time soon. But how do we get this thing to calm down. There must be something in there about controlling it. The water seems to be a factor, but it activates almost too late, I think. Plus, where the hell does the water even come from? Water molecules in the air maybe?

A: That makes sense. I’ll pull out some of my tomes and get to figuring out the middle of the circle, at least the parts we can read.

E: Sounds good. I’m gonna get some food in my stomach, I’m starving.

A: You’re always hungry.

With that the brothers separated as they went to their backpacks to either snack up or stack up with books. Alphonse laid out the tomes he figured would meet his requirements of what he was looking for. Edward grabbed a long sandwich he had stashed from the first train and pulled out a knife to cut it in half. Upon pulling it out he mishandled it on the way out of his bag and wound up cutting the lower part of his hand. Alphonse saw him from the corner of his eye and shook his head disapprovingly and mouthed the word ‘clutz’. Edward flipped him the bird and blotted his fresh cut with a spare cloth. It wasn’t deep enough to make him feel the need to worry about it, so he got it to stop bleeding and went on cutting his sandwich in half before returning to Alphonse with his books arrayed in a manner that only he would understand. They went on studying what they could see from underneath the slumbering dragon and went between writing out their guesses and observations to each other in the notebook, and simply eyeing the circle in question. While they were studying, they could hear the dragon seeming to mumble something in its sleep. It wasn’t speaking in common but some other language. Both leaned in close to hear what they could as Edward realized it was speaking Drachma.

“dolzhen nayti tebya…” it mumbled. “gde vy?”

Then it happened. The dragon woke with a start and began roaring knocking everyone to their hands and knees. Poor Zampano and Jerso were still passed out from the previous roaring session, neither Alphonse nor Edward could wake them. Alphonse fell on top of his books whereas Edward fell directly onto the edge of the circle. Lan Fan was still along the wall with the dazed and now unconscious soldier. Once the dragon was done roaring it began smashing itself into the dome again, only this time the dome seemed to be dissipating. Edward and Alphonse exchanged looks of terror as they watched the dome dissolve from the top down with the dragon still smashing itself into its side. Even as the walls completely dissolved away it continued to throw its body into the nearest stone wall, causing the room to shake as the wall began crumbling. With a mighty crack the ceiling began falling in large chunks. Panic befell the faces of those who were still conscious. Alphonse began frantically trying to gather up all the papers and books he could but was pulled away by Edward as a large chunk of the ceiling fell directly where he was just standing.

“TIME TO GO!!” shouted Edward as he dragged Alphonse behind him. Lan Fan couldn’t agree more and resorted to slapping the soldier till he finally awoke dazed and confused. Once he saw the dragon loose and the ceiling caving in around him, he was on his feet and ready to move. Zampano and Jerso were smacked back into reality as a few large chunks of ceiling bashed them in the head. They awoke to the same start as the soldier and wasted no time in changing into their chimera forms and grabbing everyone. They bounded toward the long hallway while taking one last glance at the dragon who, strange as it sounds, was growing in size. Zampano and Jerso raced down the hallway in record time and bolted up the stairway. By the time they had finally made it to the surface, back to the entrance and exit of the cave, more of the floor gave way and the stairway soon crumbled beneath them. They didn’t stand around to watch and leapt out of the cave just as it too crashed in on itself essentially closing the entrance. As the dust settled, they were greeted by an extremely concerned Ling who was shouting at them. Zampano and Jerso set everyone down and returned to their normal human forms. Everyone began removing their earmuffs and earplugs to find blood slowly coming out of their ears. Panic lit up their faces as they tried snapping their fingers next to their ears. The snapping was barely audible but still there. A collective sigh of relief was shared by everyone. Ling was still standing in front of them waiting for an answer to a question no one was able to hear. Then the ground began shaking again, it started off minor then grew intense as a loud rumbling could be heard getting closer to the surface. Behind them at the entrance of the cave the massive head of the dragon burst forth from underground. It growled a low deep rumble as it twisted and rotated its head, soon it’s front legs emerged underneath it as it lifted itself from underground. Once it was free it wasted no time and spread its enormous wings and flapped them vigorously blowing away everyone and everything, knocking over the tent and sending a few of the carriages into a leftover house, shattering on impact. After further shaking the mud and dirt from its body the dragon took to the skies quickly and began flying due west with great speed.

After a few moments people started to get back on their feet. Edward having lost sight of his brother began shouting for him at the top of his lungs, coughing every now and again as the dust bothered his lungs. As the dust slowly started to settle Edward was able to take in just how much damage they had sustained. A few more of the houses that were close to the cave were now completely destroyed, three of the six carriages were splinters. The tent was left in tatters and people were lying everywhere, some carried minor injuries, others what looked like broken bones. Edward kept yelling and searching for his brother. Through the clouds of dust, a shadow appeared and stumbled toward him. Edward shambled his way toward the figure and sighed with relief to see Alphonse was alive, cradling a possibly broken arm, but alive. His forehead had a nasty gash and blood covered half of his face. Edward took a moment to assess his own injuries. His automail leg appeared to only bare a minor amount of damage, his other leg however was cut up badly, blood was covering his entire leg and he could tell this was going to be more than a few stitches. One particular gash was bleeding more heavily than the others, which was worrying. He and Alphonse took to addressing their injuries accordingly, a sling and a tourniquet, and continued searching and helping other survivors. Ling was not spared either, he wound up with a broken leg and a few deep gashes on his arms, he had apparently jumped on Lan Fan who only wound up with a few cuts and bruises, leaving him to take the brunt of it. She was scream crying at Ling who was not paying any attention to her antics and was eyeing the aftermath. Upon seeing Edward and Alphonse his face lit up with sheer joy and relief. Zampano and Jerso luckily made it out with only minor cuts and bruises as well, they had managed to pull away a few soldiers before the dragon burst from the ground.

After the dust finally settled and the air was clear, they took count of all who remained, sadly three people lost their life, including a child who was too close to one of the carriages. All who were physically able were made to help those who required assistance. Those who were proficient with Alkahestry helped to treat the wounded. Alphonse tried utilizing his alchemy, but his injured arm prevented him from performing the hand clapping needed to initiate his alchemy. After a few attempts Edward placed a brotherly hand on his shoulder and gave him a sad shake of his head. Alphonse became frustrated at his inability to help and resigned to give his attention to going over his notebook that he managed to save from the collapse. Edward looked to Ling who seemed distraught and held his head in his hands. Edward shambled his way to sit next to him. He grunted as he sat, trying not to upset his injuries any more than he already had. Ling gave him a look of confusion and worry and tried to say something. Edward motioned to his ears and shook his head; he could barely hear the muffled sound of Ling talking but couldn’t understand a word of what was said. Ling mouthed slowly as he pointed toward the now collapsed entrance of the cave, “Tell me what happened.” After being able to make out what Ling was mouthing Edward started to recount the past hours spent underground, leaving out as little detail as possible. Although he couldn’t hear himself clearly, he could hear the muffled version of what he was saying. Ling went from mild concern to worry. Once Edward was finished retelling all that happened Ling started to ask questions but realized Edward wouldn’t be able to hear anything. He resigned to just sit and think about all that Edward said, who was recalling everything again wondering where it all went wrong. He brushed his hand over his pants and hissed in pain at the cut he still bared from the knife in the cave. Then began to realize, ‘blood of the sage’. Did his cut cause the circle to destabilize? He looked at the cut on his hand, now freely bleeding but only in a small stream. But he couldn’t even perform alchemy, not after giving up his ‘door’ to truth in order to get his brother back. Edward after twenty years of having no alchemical ability clapped his hands together and slapped them on the ground in front of him. Nothing happened. He slumped back to rest on the side of the carriage and mulled over again what had happened. Was it just his blood that opened the circle? Although he wasn’t Hohenheim, he was his son, but was that enough? He eyed his cut again and went over the event in his head again and again. The only thing that broke his concentration was when a nurse appeared next to him and tried to heal his cuts on his leg. He waved her off and told her to treat someone else who is in more need. The gash on his leg was still bleeding but he knew it wasn’t life threatening. He’d sustained worse, this does nothing but clear his head so he could think more clearly if anything. Alphonse came to sit by him after giving up on helping anyone, he was sent away to rest by all who he had attempted to assist. Edward poked him in the middle of his chest to get his attention, after gaining it he pointed to the cut on his hand. At first Alphonse shrugged it off as another wound from the dragon, then he remembered what had happened underground and his eyes went wide with realization. After Edward could recognize that Alphonse knew what he was talking about they both sat for a bit and pondered over everything.

Doctors and nurses were called from neighboring towns to help with the aftermath. Ling sent scouts to follow the path of the dragon and to relay any and all information to himself and to Edward and Alphonse, who returned to the palace with Zampano and Jerso in tow. They only left the village once Ling was comfortable with the support it would be receiving within the next few hours. But he knew getting Edward and company back to fighting fit was a top priority, he needed to ask his questions. So as soon as it seemed clear they all packed into the remaining carriages and started the trek back to the palace. Not much was said the whole ride there as no one could even hear what the other was saying, leaving everyone with questions. After traveling for two hours they finally reached the palace. There they were treated by the best doctors and Alkahetrists in the country. Within a few hours Alphonse’s arm was completely healed, and Edwards gored leg was left with not even a scar. Ling, needless to say, was healed without delay and given a stern scolding once more from Lan Fan. They also had their hearing repaired which was a great relief as they no longer had to keep shouting at one another. After all were healed, they were brought to the dining hall for dinner. Apparently, Ling himself asked for there to be a lack of royal attire, making this a personal event, much to the relief of Edward who hated even wearing a suit and tie. They walked in to find Ling already chowing down on a table served with anything and everything your heart could desire.

“Welcome, dig in! We’ll talk after everyone eats. I know I’ve got questions, but I’ll hold them off until everyone has had their fill.” Ling shouted from his seat.

“Don’t mind if I do!” cheered Edward.

“How’s the hearing by the way? Better now?” Ling asked.

“As if it never even happened.” Alphonse stated.

“Good to hear, enjoy! My chef makes the best pork roast you’ll ever have in your life.” Ling winked.

After everyone finally had their fill the mood turned somber as Ling was the first to ask the first question.

“What the hell happened down there? I know you told be as much as you could when we were still there but, how did it go south so quickly?” Ling asked with confusion.

Edward wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and took a long sip from his glass. “So, I’ve had plenty of time to think about it and go over the scene in my head. In the circle it described the ‘blood of the sage’ as a sort of key. We were trying to figure out if that was literal.” Edward raised his still cut hand. He asked the doctor not to heal it, much to the doctors protests. Ling only looked at him with confusion as he tried to figure out what he meant by that.

“Remember Ed that I’m not as versed in Alchemy as you. Hence why I called you in the first place.”

“I know. The ‘blood of the sage’ meaning the blood of my father, Hohenheim.” Edward stated.

“But your father is dead. How could…” His facial expression turned to utter shock as he realized just what Edward was eluding to.

“The ‘blood of the sage shall release his friend’. We finally deciphered it on the way here.” Alphonse finished, setting his notebook down beside his plate.

The room died with that last sentence.

[migrately]

Best Istanbul Sightseeing Tips When You’re Short on Time

Arriving into Istanbul

While on a cruise in the Mediterranean, I visited Istanbul on a hot August day. Here are some of my best Istanbul sightseeing tips when you’re short on time. After all, I was only going to be here for the day so I had to squeeze everything in. Here’s what I got to see while in Istanbul.

Public Transportation for Istanbul Sightseeing

Tramway token dispenser

Skip grabbing a cab or hiring a private driver while in Istanbul. Getting around for a little Istanbul sightseeing is super easy. We took the tramway, which was definitely not difficult to navigate or understand. Tourists can save money by purchasing an Istanbul Kart. But if you’re visiting for the day without access to the card, simply insert coins in the Jetonmatik for tokens. Instructions are in Turkish, English, and German. When I visited, tokens were 4 Turkish Lira (TL) each or about $1 USD.

Tramway tokens

The tramway tokens are bright-colored plastic coins and are definitely one of a kind.

Tramway map

Follow the signage to first get on the tram going in the right direction and then make a note on where you need to get off.

Tophane Istasyonu

I boarded at Tophane, which was relatively close to where the cruise ship was docked.

Sultanahmet Istasyonu

It was only a few stops to Sultanahmet, the closest station to all the Istanbul sightseeing I wanted for the day. So you know, “Istasyonu” means “station” in Turkish. If you only have a few hours for sightseeing, then this is where you can step off and see a few all in one area.

TSG Tip: I often take a pic of the starting and end points with my phone so if I don’t remember, I at least have a picture to remind me.

Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque or Sultan Ahmet Mosque, more commonly referred to as the Blue Mosque, is a stunning historic mosque in Istanbul. Built between 1609 and 1616, the hand painted blue tiles along the interior walls is how it earned its name as the Blue Mosque.

Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque has six minarets that are 210 feet tall each, can hold up to 10,000 people, and the dome is 141 feet tall on the outside and 77 feet tall on the inside.

TSG Tip: What is the importance of the minaret? The minaret provides a visual cue to the Muslim community for when adhan, or the call to prayer is made. Only the Great Mosque of Mecca had six minarets until the Blue Mosque was constructed.

Entering the gates at the Blue Mosque

When we arrived there were lines wrapping around the entire facility. I never thought I’d get inside. Keep in mind that almost anywhere you visit, there will always be someone trying to make a quick buck. Someone approached Mr. TSG and I inviting us to take a tour. Mr. TSG was absolutely against it knowing this was most likely some sort of scam. I was honest and said right up front that I wasn’t going to buy anything from him afterwards, that he needed to know that, and that I wasn’t going to change my mind. He nodded his head in agreement and took us past the long line and inside the Blue Mosque.

Inside the Blue Mosque

Inside the Blue Mosque

Before you enter inside the Blue Mosque, you need to know the following:

You have to remove your shoes before entering the Blue Mosque.

There isn’t an admission fee to enter, despite what someone might tell you when you arrive.

Women are required to wear a head covering, which is provided free of charge at the entrance.

Women should cover their heads, shoulders, bare arms, and legs. Men should cover their legs.

No flash photography is allowed inside.

Inside the Blue Mosque

While many people stand to one side, observe, and look around, I say look up. Give your eyes a treat and take in the beauty of the hand painted tiles.

Inside the Blue Mosque

After all, the stunning blue tiles that adorn the inside of the Blue Mosque is what makes this place like no other.

Blue Mosque “Guides”

Blue Mosque

Our “guide” was helpful, offering information and explaining information about the Blue Mosque, but again I had zero desire to buy anything. After exiting and collecting our shoes, he was all about taking us to the shop to purchase a rug. Apparently, this must be what every tourist to Istanbul wants to do, but since I didn’t, I reminded him again that I had no intention of buying anything. We followed him to the shop, looked around, thanked him, and left.

Sometimes the scammer needs a reminder that not every tourist is a dummy. Click To Tweet

Mr. TSG felt embarrassed, that somehow we insulted or hurt this man and wasted his time. But had I not been completely honest with him? If said to him that I was going to buy something and didn’t, then I’d feel guilty. Sometimes the scammer needs a reminder that not every tourist is a dummy. This isn’t unique to Istanbul and certainly not a reflection of the wonderful Turkish people. I have encountered some version of this nearly every place I’ve visited, which is why I generally don’t speak to anyone.

From here it’s a less than 10-minute walk onto the next popular stop while in Istanbul sightseeing: The Hagia Sophia.

The Blue Mosque is a working mosque and is closed to tourists during hours of prayer. Hours are from 8:30 am until 1 hour before dusk daily.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque Sultan Ahmet Mahallesi, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Hagia Sophia Museum (Ayasofya)

Hagia Sophia

Walking over to the Hagia Sophia

The next stop while in Istanbul sightseeing was the Hagia Sophia. It was once a Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal basilica and then an imperial mosque. Today it now serves as a museum as the Ayasofya Müzesi.

Tickets to the Hagia Sophia

Muzekart Istanbul

While walking around Istanbul, you might spot the Muzekart Istanbul. Definitely consider getting a museum pass to enter. Let’s compare prices:

Purchase an E-Bilet for 40 TL ($10 USD)

vs.

Purchase a Museum Pass Istanbul for 85 TL ($21.45 USD), which includes admission for five (5) days to the following: Hagia Sophia Museum, Topkapı Palace Museum and *Harem Apartments, İstanbul Archaeological Museums, İstanbul Mosaic Museum, **Museum of Turkish and İslamic Arts, Museum for the History of Science and Technology in Islam, Chora Museum, Galata Mevlevi House Museum, Yıldız Palace, Rumeli Hisar Museum, Fethiye Museum.

Lines to get into the Hagia Sophia

So you want to save $10? While you might save money, you’ll end up in long lines waiting. Don’t believe me?

Visitors to the Hagia Sophia taking pics of me taking pics of them

More importantly, you get to skip the queue, which in my book is extremely important as time is money. Just buy the Museum Pass Istanbul so you can skip the lines and see the sights already. Try to purchase your pass online in advance of your trip. Otherwise, look for the van parked nearby the Hagia Sophia or elsewhere in this area.

Inside the Hagia Sophia

Inside up into the Hagia Sophia

Once inside you can walk around on your own and take in this magnificent piece of architecture.

Another view up inside the Hagia Sophia

It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t spend most of my time looking up in awe at the dome and artwork that adorns the walls.

Looking up inside the Hagia Sophia

Inside and looking up into the Hagia Sophia

From the upper level looking down inside the Hagia Sophia

I highly recommend walking up to the Upper Gallery and peering down at the floor below. Nothing makes you feel so small and insignificant like standing inside a building of this size.

Mosaic panel

In the Upper Gallery are several mosaic panels dating back as far as the 10th century. I’ve said this many times before, but let me reiterate it again here. While I may not be a church going individual, I do love houses of worship and always seem to end up inside at least one on my travels.

Mosaic panel

There’s so much history to discover and art that documents and details a place of worship and that’s true of the Hagia Sophia.

The Hagia Sophia Museum is open every day but Mondays.

Hagia Sophia Sultan Ahmet Mahallesi, Ayasofya Meydanı, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Basilica Cistern

The Basilica Cistern

While you might expect me to go on and on about why you should visit our next stop, I’m going to be completely honest with you on this one. The number reason why I wanted to visit the Basilica Cistern was because it was close to the Hagia Sophia,

The Basilica Cistern

It also didn’t hurt that it was August, I was sweating profusely, and the Basilica Cistern was underground. Wanting to cool off, making a visit underground while in Istanbul sounded perfect.

History of the Basilica Cistern

Inside the Basilica Cistern

Built in the 6th century, the cistern was a water filtration system for the Great Palace of Constantinople. Today it’s a tourist destination that attracts numerous visitors each year. While it’s currently under renovation, visitors may still go in, but expect plenty of noise from construction and no water inside.

Inside the Basilica Cistern

The large chamber measures about 105,000 sq ft in area and can hold about 2,800,000 cu ft of water.

Flash on inside the Basilica Cistern

The ceiling of the cistern is supported by 336 marble columns, each 30 ft high, arranged in 12 rows of 28 columns each spaced 16 ft apart.

Medusa head

Two Heads of Medusa, which are used as the bases of two columns, are examples of Roman period sculpting. Some speculate that the blocks were placed sideways and inverted in order to negate the power of the Gorgons’ gaze, but there’s no evidence or proof of this whatsoever.

It was difficult taking photos inside because it was quite dark. However, although I didn’t get a clear pic, I did do one very touristy thing while there. Simply stick your thumb inside the hole of the weeping column, make a wish, and then rotate your hand 180 degrees. You’ll see people lining up to do this so just squeeze in and participate before leaving. Some say it’s only for making a wish while others say prayers and miracles are answered here.

Admission is 20 TL ($5 USD) and is open every day from 9 am – 5:30 pm.

Basilica Cistern Alemdar Mh., Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34410 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Istanbul Sightseeing in One Small Area

Where we visited in Istanbul

To give you a better idea of the destinations we visited while in Istanbul sightseeing, take a look at the map above. As you can see, they are all relatively close to one another. Therefore, if you stop in Istanbul on a layover to another destination or on a cruise ship, make your way into the city and explore. There’s absolutely no reason not to check out the amazing sights of the city.

We did continue on throughout Istanbul and even spent time at Topkapi Palace, but starting here in this central area made for an easy start to the day.

Have you spent the day in Istanbul sightseeing? Discover some other great destinations  here on the Travel Shop Girl website .

On my new SPONTANEOUS TRAVEL SCALE of 1-5, with 1 being super easy and spontaneous and 5 being you better plan far in advance, spending the day in Istanbul sightseeing for a few hours definitely fits the bill of spontaneous travel. Although you definitely should check in advance that all locations are open on the day of your visit. I’m giving it a 1 and a big spontaneous travel thumbs up.

The post Best Istanbul Sightseeing Tips When You’re Short on Time appeared first on Travel Shop Girl.

Best Istanbul Sightseeing Tips When You’re Short on Time published first on http://ift.tt/2uCE2ez

[jifsy]

Best Istanbul Sightseeing Tips When You’re Short on Time

Arriving into Istanbul

While on a cruise in the Mediterranean, I visited Istanbul on a hot August day. Here are some of my best Istanbul sightseeing tips when you’re short on time. After all, I was only going to be here for the day so I had to squeeze everything in. Here’s what I got to see while in Istanbul.

Public Transportation for Istanbul Sightseeing

Tramway token dispenser

Skip grabbing a cab or hiring a private driver while in Istanbul. Getting around for a little Istanbul sightseeing is super easy. We took the tramway, which was definitely not difficult to navigate or understand. Tourists can save money by purchasing an Istanbul Kart. But if you’re visiting for the day without access to the card, simply insert coins in the Jetonmatik for tokens. Instructions are in Turkish, English, and German. When I visited, tokens were 4 Turkish Lira (TL) each or about $1 USD.

Tramway tokens

The tramway tokens are bright-colored plastic coins and are definitely one of a kind.

Tramway map

Follow the signage to first get on the tram going in the right direction and then make a note on where you need to get off.

Tophane Istasyonu

I boarded at Tophane, which was relatively close to where the cruise ship was docked.

Sultanahmet Istasyonu

It was only a few stops to Sultanahmet, the closest station to all the Istanbul sightseeing I wanted for the day. So you know, “Istasyonu” means “station” in Turkish. If you only have a few hours for sightseeing, then this is where you can step off and see a few all in one area.

TSG Tip: I often take a pic of the starting and end points with my phone so if I don’t remember, I at least have a picture to remind me.

Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque or Sultan Ahmet Mosque, more commonly referred to as the Blue Mosque, is a stunning historic mosque in Istanbul. Built between 1609 and 1616, the hand painted blue tiles along the interior walls is how it earned its name as the Blue Mosque.

Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque has six minarets that are 210 feet tall each, can hold up to 10,000 people, and the dome is 141 feet tall on the outside and 77 feet tall on the inside.

TSG Tip: What is the importance of the minaret? The minaret provides a visual cue to the Muslim community for when adhan, or the call to prayer is made. Only the Great Mosque of Mecca had six minarets until the Blue Mosque was constructed.

Entering the gates at the Blue Mosque

When we arrived there were lines wrapping around the entire facility. I never thought I’d get inside. Keep in mind that almost anywhere you visit, there will always be someone trying to make a quick buck. Someone approached Mr. TSG and I inviting us to take a tour. Mr. TSG was absolutely against it knowing this was most likely some sort of scam. I was honest and said right up front that I wasn’t going to buy anything from him afterwards, that he needed to know that, and that I wasn’t going to change my mind. He nodded his head in agreement and took us past the long line and inside the Blue Mosque.

Inside the Blue Mosque

Inside the Blue Mosque

Before you enter inside the Blue Mosque, you need to know the following:

You have to remove your shoes before entering the Blue Mosque.

There isn’t an admission fee to enter, despite what someone might tell you when you arrive.

Women are required to wear a head covering, which is provided free of charge at the entrance.

Women should cover their heads, shoulders, bare arms, and legs. Men should cover their legs.

No flash photography is allowed inside.

Inside the Blue Mosque

While many people stand to one side, observe, and look around, I say look up. Give your eyes a treat and take in the beauty of the hand painted tiles.

Inside the Blue Mosque

After all, the stunning blue tiles that adorn the inside of the Blue Mosque is what makes this place like no other.

Blue Mosque “Guides”

Blue Mosque

Our “guide” was helpful, offering information and explaining information about the Blue Mosque, but again I had zero desire to buy anything. After exiting and collecting our shoes, he was all about taking us to the shop to purchase a rug. Apparently, this must be what every tourist to Istanbul wants to do, but since I didn’t, I reminded him again that I had no intention of buying anything. We followed him to the shop, looked around, thanked him, and left.

Sometimes the scammer needs a reminder that not every tourist is a dummy. Click To Tweet

Mr. TSG felt embarrassed, that somehow we insulted or hurt this man and wasted his time. But had I not been completely honest with him? If said to him that I was going to buy something and didn’t, then I’d feel guilty. Sometimes the scammer needs a reminder that not every tourist is a dummy. This isn’t unique to Istanbul and certainly not a reflection of the wonderful Turkish people. I have encountered some version of this nearly every place I’ve visited, which is why I generally don’t speak to anyone.

From here it’s a less than 10-minute walk onto the next popular stop while in Istanbul sightseeing: The Hagia Sophia.

The Blue Mosque is a working mosque and is closed to tourists during hours of prayer. Hours are from 8:30 am until 1 hour before dusk daily.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque Sultan Ahmet Mahallesi, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Hagia Sophia Museum (Ayasofya)

Hagia Sophia

Walking over to the Hagia Sophia

The next stop while in Istanbul sightseeing was the Hagia Sophia. It was once a Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal basilica and then an imperial mosque. Today it now serves as a museum as the Ayasofya Müzesi.

Tickets to the Hagia Sophia

Muzekart Istanbul

While walking around Istanbul, you might spot the Muzekart Istanbul. Definitely consider getting a museum pass to enter. Let’s compare prices:

Purchase an E-Bilet for 40 TL ($10 USD)

vs.

Purchase a Museum Pass Istanbul for 85 TL ($21.45 USD), which includes admission for five (5) days to the following: Hagia Sophia Museum, Topkapı Palace Museum and *Harem Apartments, İstanbul Archaeological Museums, İstanbul Mosaic Museum, **Museum of Turkish and İslamic Arts, Museum for the History of Science and Technology in Islam, Chora Museum, Galata Mevlevi House Museum, Yıldız Palace, Rumeli Hisar Museum, Fethiye Museum.

Lines to get into the Hagia Sophia

So you want to save $10? While you might save money, you’ll end up in long lines waiting. Don’t believe me?

Visitors to the Hagia Sophia taking pics of me taking pics of them

More importantly, you get to skip the queue, which in my book is extremely important as time is money. Just buy the Museum Pass Istanbul so you can skip the lines and see the sights already. Try to purchase your pass online in advance of your trip. Otherwise, look for the van parked nearby the Hagia Sophia or elsewhere in this area.

Inside the Hagia Sophia

Inside up into the Hagia Sophia

Once inside you can walk around on your own and take in this magnificent piece of architecture.

Another view up inside the Hagia Sophia

It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t spend most of my time looking up in awe at the dome and artwork that adorns the walls.

Looking up inside the Hagia Sophia

Inside and looking up into the Hagia Sophia

From the upper level looking down inside the Hagia Sophia

I highly recommend walking up to the Upper Gallery and peering down at the floor below. Nothing makes you feel so small and insignificant like standing inside a building of this size.

Mosaic panel

In the Upper Gallery are several mosaic panels dating back as far as the 10th century. I’ve said this many times before, but let me reiterate it again here. While I may not be a church going individual, I do love houses of worship and always seem to end up inside at least one on my travels.

Mosaic panel

There’s so much history to discover and art that documents and details a place of worship and that’s true of the Hagia Sophia.

The Hagia Sophia Museum is open every day but Mondays.

Hagia Sophia Sultan Ahmet Mahallesi, Ayasofya Meydanı, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Basilica Cistern

The Basilica Cistern

While you might expect me to go on and on about why you should visit our next stop, I’m going to be completely honest with you on this one. The number reason why I wanted to visit the Basilica Cistern was because it was close to the Hagia Sophia,

The Basilica Cistern

It also didn’t hurt that it was August, I was sweating profusely, and the Basilica Cistern was underground. Wanting to cool off, making a visit underground while in Istanbul sounded perfect.

History of the Basilica Cistern

Inside the Basilica Cistern

Built in the 6th century, the cistern was a water filtration system for the Great Palace of Constantinople. Today it’s a tourist destination that attracts numerous visitors each year. While it’s currently under renovation, visitors may still go in, but expect plenty of noise from construction and no water inside.

Inside the Basilica Cistern

The large chamber measures about 105,000 sq ft in area and can hold about 2,800,000 cu ft of water.

Flash on inside the Basilica Cistern

The ceiling of the cistern is supported by 336 marble columns, each 30 ft high, arranged in 12 rows of 28 columns each spaced 16 ft apart.

Medusa head

Two Heads of Medusa, which are used as the bases of two columns, are examples of Roman period sculpting. Some speculate that the blocks were placed sideways and inverted in order to negate the power of the Gorgons’ gaze, but there’s no evidence or proof of this whatsoever.

It was difficult taking photos inside because it was quite dark. However, although I didn’t get a clear pic, I did do one very touristy thing while there. Simply stick your thumb inside the hole of the weeping column, make a wish, and then rotate your hand 180 degrees. You’ll see people lining up to do this so just squeeze in and participate before leaving. Some say it’s only for making a wish while others say prayers and miracles are answered here.

Admission is 20 TL ($5 USD) and is open every day from 9 am – 5:30 pm.

Basilica Cistern Alemdar Mh., Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34410 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Istanbul Sightseeing in One Small Area

Where we visited in Istanbul

To give you a better idea of the destinations we visited while in Istanbul sightseeing, take a look at the map above. As you can see, they are all relatively close to one another. Therefore, if you stop in Istanbul on a layover to another destination or on a cruise ship, make your way into the city and explore. There’s absolutely no reason not to check out the amazing sights of the city.

We did continue on throughout Istanbul and even spent time at Topkapi Palace, but starting here in this central area made for an easy start to the day.

Have you spent the day in Istanbul sightseeing? Discover some other great destinations  here on the Travel Shop Girl website .

On my new SPONTANEOUS TRAVEL SCALE of 1-5, with 1 being super easy and spontaneous and 5 being you better plan far in advance, spending the day in Istanbul sightseeing for a few hours definitely fits the bill of spontaneous travel. Although you definitely should check in advance that all locations are open on the day of your visit. I’m giving it a 1 and a big spontaneous travel thumbs up.

The post Best Istanbul Sightseeing Tips When You’re Short on Time appeared first on Travel Shop Girl.

Best Istanbul Sightseeing Tips When You’re Short on Time published first on http://ift.tt/2vy5Wr0

[cartzypage]

Best Istanbul Sightseeing Tips When You’re Short on Time

Arriving into Istanbul

While on a cruise in the Mediterranean, I visited Istanbul on a hot August day. Here are some of my best Istanbul sightseeing tips when you’re short on time. After all, I was only going to be here for the day so I had to squeeze everything in. Here’s what I got to see while in Istanbul.

Public Transportation for Istanbul Sightseeing

Tramway token dispenser

Skip grabbing a cab or hiring a private driver while in Istanbul. Getting around for a little Istanbul sightseeing is super easy. We took the tramway, which was definitely not difficult to navigate or understand. Tourists can save money by purchasing an Istanbul Kart. But if you’re visiting for the day without access to the card, simply insert coins in the Jetonmatik for tokens. Instructions are in Turkish, English, and German. When I visited, tokens were 4 Turkish Lira (TL) each or about $1 USD.

Tramway tokens

The tramway tokens are bright-colored plastic coins and are definitely one of a kind.

Tramway map

Follow the signage to first get on the tram going in the right direction and then make a note on where you need to get off.

Tophane Istasyonu

I boarded at Tophane, which was relatively close to where the cruise ship was docked.

Sultanahmet Istasyonu

It was only a few stops to Sultanahmet, the closest station to all the Istanbul sightseeing I wanted for the day. So you know, “Istasyonu” means “station” in Turkish. If you only have a few hours for sightseeing, then this is where you can step off and see a few all in one area.

TSG Tip: I often take a pic of the starting and end points with my phone so if I don’t remember, I at least have a picture to remind me.

Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque or Sultan Ahmet Mosque, more commonly referred to as the Blue Mosque, is a stunning historic mosque in Istanbul. Built between 1609 and 1616, the hand painted blue tiles along the interior walls is how it earned its name as the Blue Mosque.

Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque has six minarets that are 210 feet tall each, can hold up to 10,000 people, and the dome is 141 feet tall on the outside and 77 feet tall on the inside.

TSG Tip: What is the importance of the minaret? The minaret provides a visual cue to the Muslim community for when adhan, or the call to prayer is made. Only the Great Mosque of Mecca had six minarets until the Blue Mosque was constructed.

Entering the gates at the Blue Mosque

When we arrived there were lines wrapping around the entire facility. I never thought I’d get inside. Keep in mind that almost anywhere you visit, there will always be someone trying to make a quick buck. Someone approached Mr. TSG and I inviting us to take a tour. Mr. TSG was absolutely against it knowing this was most likely some sort of scam. I was honest and said right up front that I wasn’t going to buy anything from him afterwards, that he needed to know that, and that I wasn’t going to change my mind. He nodded his head in agreement and took us past the long line and inside the Blue Mosque.

Inside the Blue Mosque

Inside the Blue Mosque

Before you enter inside the Blue Mosque, you need to know the following:

You have to remove your shoes before entering the Blue Mosque.

There isn’t an admission fee to enter, despite what someone might tell you when you arrive.

Women are required to wear a head covering, which is provided free of charge at the entrance.

Women should cover their heads, shoulders, bare arms, and legs. Men should cover their legs.

No flash photography is allowed inside.

Inside the Blue Mosque

While many people stand to one side, observe, and look around, I say look up. Give your eyes a treat and take in the beauty of the hand painted tiles.

Inside the Blue Mosque

After all, the stunning blue tiles that adorn the inside of the Blue Mosque is what makes this place like no other.

Blue Mosque “Guides”

Blue Mosque

Our “guide” was helpful, offering information and explaining information about the Blue Mosque, but again I had zero desire to buy anything. After exiting and collecting our shoes, he was all about taking us to the shop to purchase a rug. Apparently, this must be what every tourist to Istanbul wants to do, but since I didn’t, I reminded him again that I had no intention of buying anything. We followed him to the shop, looked around, thanked him, and left.

Sometimes the scammer needs a reminder that not every tourist is a dummy. Click To Tweet

Mr. TSG felt embarrassed, that somehow we insulted or hurt this man and wasted his time. But had I not been completely honest with him? If said to him that I was going to buy something and didn’t, then I’d feel guilty. Sometimes the scammer needs a reminder that not every tourist is a dummy. This isn’t unique to Istanbul and certainly not a reflection of the wonderful Turkish people. I have encountered some version of this nearly every place I’ve visited, which is why I generally don’t speak to anyone.

From here it’s a less than 10-minute walk onto the next popular stop while in Istanbul sightseeing: The Hagia Sophia.

The Blue Mosque is a working mosque and is closed to tourists during hours of prayer. Hours are from 8:30 am until 1 hour before dusk daily.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque Sultan Ahmet Mahallesi, Atmeydanı Cd. No:7, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Hagia Sophia Museum (Ayasofya)

Hagia Sophia

Walking over to the Hagia Sophia

The next stop while in Istanbul sightseeing was the Hagia Sophia. It was once a Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal basilica and then an imperial mosque. Today it now serves as a museum as the Ayasofya Müzesi.

Tickets to the Hagia Sophia

Muzekart Istanbul

While walking around Istanbul, you might spot the Muzekart Istanbul. Definitely consider getting a museum pass to enter. Let’s compare prices:

Purchase an E-Bilet for 40 TL ($10 USD)

vs.

Purchase a Museum Pass Istanbul for 85 TL ($21.45 USD), which includes admission for five (5) days to the following: Hagia Sophia Museum, Topkapı Palace Museum and *Harem Apartments, İstanbul Archaeological Museums, İstanbul Mosaic Museum, **Museum of Turkish and İslamic Arts, Museum for the History of Science and Technology in Islam, Chora Museum, Galata Mevlevi House Museum, Yıldız Palace, Rumeli Hisar Museum, Fethiye Museum.

Lines to get into the Hagia Sophia

So you want to save $10? While you might save money, you’ll end up in long lines waiting. Don’t believe me?

Visitors to the Hagia Sophia taking pics of me taking pics of them

More importantly, you get to skip the queue, which in my book is extremely important as time is money. Just buy the Museum Pass Istanbul so you can skip the lines and see the sights already. Try to purchase your pass online in advance of your trip. Otherwise, look for the van parked nearby the Hagia Sophia or elsewhere in this area.

Inside the Hagia Sophia

Inside up into the Hagia Sophia

Once inside you can walk around on your own and take in this magnificent piece of architecture.

Another view up inside the Hagia Sophia

It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t spend most of my time looking up in awe at the dome and artwork that adorns the walls.

Looking up inside the Hagia Sophia

Inside and looking up into the Hagia Sophia

From the upper level looking down inside the Hagia Sophia

I highly recommend walking up to the Upper Gallery and peering down at the floor below. Nothing makes you feel so small and insignificant like standing inside a building of this size.

Mosaic panel

In the Upper Gallery are several mosaic panels dating back as far as the 10th century. I’ve said this many times before, but let me reiterate it again here. While I may not be a church going individual, I do love houses of worship and always seem to end up inside at least one on my travels.

Mosaic panel

There’s so much history to discover and art that documents and details a place of worship and that’s true of the Hagia Sophia.

The Hagia Sophia Museum is open every day but Mondays.

Hagia Sophia Sultan Ahmet Mahallesi, Ayasofya Meydanı, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Basilica Cistern

The Basilica Cistern

While you might expect me to go on and on about why you should visit our next stop, I’m going to be completely honest with you on this one. The number reason why I wanted to visit the Basilica Cistern was because it was close to the Hagia Sophia,

The Basilica Cistern

It also didn’t hurt that it was August, I was sweating profusely, and the Basilica Cistern was underground. Wanting to cool off, making a visit underground while in Istanbul sounded perfect.

History of the Basilica Cistern

Inside the Basilica Cistern

Built in the 6th century, the cistern was a water filtration system for the Great Palace of Constantinople. Today it’s a tourist destination that attracts numerous visitors each year. While it’s currently under renovation, visitors may still go in, but expect plenty of noise from construction and no water inside.

Inside the Basilica Cistern

The large chamber measures about 105,000 sq ft in area and can hold about 2,800,000 cu ft of water.

Flash on inside the Basilica Cistern

The ceiling of the cistern is supported by 336 marble columns, each 30 ft high, arranged in 12 rows of 28 columns each spaced 16 ft apart.

Medusa head

Two Heads of Medusa, which are used as the bases of two columns, are examples of Roman period sculpting. Some speculate that the blocks were placed sideways and inverted in order to negate the power of the Gorgons’ gaze, but there’s no evidence or proof of this whatsoever.

It was difficult taking photos inside because it was quite dark. However, although I didn’t get a clear pic, I did do one very touristy thing while there. Simply stick your thumb inside the hole of the weeping column, make a wish, and then rotate your hand 180 degrees. You’ll see people lining up to do this so just squeeze in and participate before leaving. Some say it’s only for making a wish while others say prayers and miracles are answered here.

Admission is 20 TL ($5 USD) and is open every day from 9 am – 5:30 pm.

Basilica Cistern Alemdar Mh., Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34410 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey

Istanbul Sightseeing in One Small Area

Where we visited in Istanbul

To give you a better idea of the destinations we visited while in Istanbul sightseeing, take a look at the map above. As you can see, they are all relatively close to one another. Therefore, if you stop in Istanbul on a layover to another destination or on a cruise ship, make your way into the city and explore. There’s absolutely no reason not to check out the amazing sights of the city.

We did continue on throughout Istanbul and even spent time at Topkapi Palace, but starting here in this central area made for an easy start to the day.

Have you spent the day in Istanbul sightseeing? Discover some other great destinations  here on the Travel Shop Girl website .

On my new SPONTANEOUS TRAVEL SCALE of 1-5, with 1 being super easy and spontaneous and 5 being you better plan far in advance, spending the day in Istanbul sightseeing for a few hours definitely fits the bill of spontaneous travel. Although you definitely should check in advance that all locations are open on the day of your visit. I’m giving it a 1 and a big spontaneous travel thumbs up.

The post Best Istanbul Sightseeing Tips When You’re Short on Time appeared first on Travel Shop Girl.

Best Istanbul Sightseeing Tips When You’re Short on Time published first on http://ift.tt/2wmAGMc