middaeg | [open] if you could only see

[ While Zack's previous intentions of going to see the Underground had been derailed by a blizzard, that won't be the case this time around. It's only when he arrived that he heard that the Matriarch and her people had need of the Mirrobound's help. Which involves wrangling some... wormipedes?

A few different monster possibilities from Gaia come to mind, and some manner of joke about Zack being a country boy isn't missed on him. Once he's told that the wormipedes would be impossible to miss, along with some clues about how to lure them back into their pen, Zack heads off into the tunnels to find the escaped livestock.

Can bugs be livestock? Food for thought as he makes his way.

It doesn't take him long to find one, and wow, that's a lot more teeth than he was prepared for. Zack takes a careful step toward the wormipede, but it doesn't seem at all pleased with his presence. It wriggles away from him, its horror movie mouth opening up with a hiss. ]

Boy, oh boy...

[ Zack lifts his arms and shakes his head to himself, making the dark brown feathers in his hair and around his neck a little more noticeable. ]

Think we're gonna have to lure it over with some of that algae.

[Kor was feeling than a little dubious about the idea of giant bugs being used as mounts. Like, is that possible? How do they haul cargo? Are they fast? What if someone squishes them with a giant rock?

Once he saw them, though, he understood. With that many legs, they were totally fast.]

Sounds good to me! How much do you think it'll take to make 'em happy?

No idea. Seems like we might just have to trial and error this.

[ As far as partners for this little quest goes, Zack is happy to have Kor at his side. He's not sure if the kid is really used to this kind of work, but he doesn't seem at all deterred by any of it so far.

He glances back to Kor, then nods to a collection of the algae attached to a nearby wall of the tunnel. ]

I'll keep an eye on our little friend. Grab a fistful, okay?

Got it!

[Kor gives Zack a cheerful, impish salute, and then he turns his attention to the algae, walking over to the nearby wall. It sounded kind of messy to just grab a fistful, and he's not sure he'd be able to carry all that much with just his hands. But he didn't bring a dagger with him, so...

He shouldn't need a catalyst for something small like this. Focusing on his palm, he generates a small blade-like object in his hand, made out of lightning magic. Thankfully, he did come at least a little prepared, pulling out a small satchel and opening it up. He starts to scrape the algae all the wall and into the satchel. Due to the heat and energy of the lightning dagger, though, it begins to produce a searing smell. Hopefully the wormipedes like their algae slightly cooked?!]

[ Even though Zack is doing as he said he would and watching the wormipede closely, he can't help but glance back to see what Kor is doing. Where did that dagger come from? Either way, that seems to answer Zack's question about whether or not the kid has been in a fight before. In fact, most people here seem to be used to danger to some degree, for whatever reason. Maybe the magic that brings them here can recognize that in them?

There's not time for questions at the moment, though. The wormipede does somehow pick up on the scent of the seared algae and reacts to it, making an odd noise that's almost like a trill as it starts to scoot closer.

Zack quickly places himself in its path and holds his hands up. ]

Whoa, buddy! Just hold up for a second, all right? He's almost done.

[ Either way, they've accomplished the important thing, which is capturing the massive bug's attention. ]

Haha! [He couldn't help but chuckle at the wormipede's behavior. Despite being some giant freaky bug thing, it didn't really behave any differently from any other animal, huh?

Finishing up in filling his satchel, he dispels his magic dagger and heads over to join Zack.]

You wanna have the honors?

[He opens the satchel, the scent of that singed algae wafting out.]

[ It is kind of interesting to see how even a large bug monster thing can show some typical traits. The noise it made wasn't cute, exactly, but...

With a nod, Zack turns to Kor and starts to reach into his satchel to take some of the algae. Before he can even gather some up in his hands, though, the wormipede is right behind him and attempting to nudge its massive head toward the bag. ]

Hey! I told you to hold up.

[ Zack is bold enough to reach out and give the wormipede's fleshy forehead a shove to push it back. It clicks in frustration but does retreat enough that Zack can turn toward it with some of the algae in his palm. ]

No biting my hand off, okay?

[ Its head lowers and it begins to eat from his hand. The fact that there's no immediate disaster is proof enough that it's been fed like this before, which makes sense. ]

... Kor, you ever ridden a giant bug before?

[ Because if one of them is going to hop on this thing's back, now would be the time -- while it's distracted. ]

Hmm? No, of course not.

[He leaves it at that for a hot second. Until it clicks in his head what exactly Zack was actually implying there.

And then his eyes grow wide with a huge grin across his face.]

Ahh!

[He's practically glittering with excitement here. No, really, it might actually seem a little brighter in the cave thanks to him right now.]

You think now's a good time?

[He asks that question, but he sure isn't hesitating on inching his way closer to the wormipede and making an attempt to mount it.]

[ It's good to see that Kor is excited rather than scared, but what kid his age wouldn't be thrilled at the idea of riding a giant bug like it was a chocobo or something? Zack's almost a little jealous.

At the question, he shrugs and the nods. ] Seems like as good a time as any. While it's distracted. [ The wormipede is still chowing down on the algae in Zack's hands, though there's quickly going to be none left.

Hopefully that doesn't make it angry, but Zack's pretty sure it'll be just fine. The people of the Underground picked out these wormipedes for domestication for a reason, right? They likely had even temperaments.

If anything, it's actually less fussy than a chocobo. Lucky for them!

Once the wormipede's eaten all the algae, Zack takes a few steps back and then wipes his hands off. By this point Kor's managed to climb up at least part of the way. Zack laughs and cheers him on. ]

Hey, nice! You're doing it!

[By this time, Kor is nearly up there, trying his best to get onto the ~~hydra's~~ wormipede's back. that last stride is the most important though, and also the hardest.

But with Zack cheering him on, he feels determined now. He's going to ride this wormipede!]

That's right! Because I don't just try...!

[With one final push, he manages to hike his leg up and over, landing himself firmly on the wormipede's back!]

I do!

[Having landing on top, he takes the moment to take in his surroundings and enjoy the view from top the wormipede. Which, admittedly, was only a few feet higher than his usual viewpoint. But hey, you take what you can get.]

Hey, check me out, I did it!

[ Zack can't help but laugh. This kid is just full of catchphrases, huh? It's not a bad thing, and if anything it reminds him of himself when he was younger. All that talk of being a hero... ]

Perfect.

[ After shooting Kor a thumbs up, Zack turns to look back the way they came. It's a winding path through the tunnels back to the city, but they didn't have to travel too far.

He grabs another handful of algae from the nearest wall, then holds his hand up so that the wormipede can see. ]

All right, big guy. You just follow me.

[ With that, Zack works on luring it in the right direction, toward the Matriarch's city. ]

[Kor's momentarily startled when the wormipede starts to move. It's a very odd feeling for him, having some creature underneath him move him along instead of his legs doing the work. Sure, he'd likely ridden the powerhogs back home a couple times when he was little, but this thing's a lot bigger than any powerhog!

Still, he can't say he's not enjoying himself, because he sure is. Life's all about experiencing things, after all.]

Easy there, you're doing great, big guy! [He lets out a small laugh, patting the wormipede on the back of its... neck? What he's assuming is its neck, at least.]

[ Riding one of these things has to be pretty different from hopping up on the back of a chocobo, for instance, but Kor takes to it pretty well. So long as he isn't scared or apprehensive at all, he won't run the risk of spooking the wormipede.

Assuming they're anything like chocobos, that is. ]

So are you! Let's just keep it up.

[ As they get moving, the wormipede slides its way down the tunnel path with little hesitation -- likely because it's done this before. Having a rider probably also puts it in the right state of mind, so they may as well be home free. ]

(no subject)

spirialink - 2020-09-21 03:38 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

exsoldier - 2020-09-26 00:58 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

spirialink - 2020-09-28 02:46 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

exsoldier - 2020-10-02 02:00 (UTC) - Expand

[once again, this word proves to be cool as fuck with how metal some of the things living in it were. Styx had been down to the Underground before now, but it had been at the height of the red algae crisis - hardly time to really be looking around. the opportunity to help those people out again but in a much more lowkey capacity seemed perfect at the time, but now -

don't get him wrong, this thing really did look rad. he's just feeling vastly unequipped to be dealing with it, is all.]

Yeah? Uh...think we've got enough for it?

[that was a lot of teeth, after all.]

[ While Zack has gone toe-to-toe with all sorts of monsters back on Gaia and isn't one to balk at some of the uglier creatures that exist out there, he has to admit that this wormipede isn't the prettiest thing he's ever seen. And that's a lot of teeth, yep. ]

Guess there's only one way to find out. It's domesticated, so... it'll probably be fine, right?

[ He flashes his partner in worm-wrangling a grin, then bends down to collect some of the algae from the tunnel's floor into his palms. He can tell the other guy is a little apprehensive, so he doesn't mind taking point here. ]

If it eats me, tell my story, all right?

Oh, yeah - it is, isn't it?

[they'd been told that at the start of this journey, but seeing the creature in the (too fleshy) flesh had chased that fact straight out of Styx's head. if it was tamed then why was it looking at them so meanly?

...better question, why was Zack talking to him like there was a real chance he was going to be eviscerated!?]

D-dude, you don't gotta die! I can't write songs for shit!

[when did this memorial tale became a musical, anyhow? but songs are the only expression that Styx really knows, and of course it would be way cooler if your final exploits were written into a ballad; the only problem was that with both Vincent and Ymir absent from this world, his ability to do so was...not looking great.

spurred on by this and also his own desire to not have anyone die for him, Styx begins to collect some of that same algae himself a bit more frantically.]

Be better with two at once anyway, right?

[ Zack's pretty sure he didn't say anything about songs, although the idea of having someone sing about his heroic exploits does sound pretty enticing. Kind of like that Jaskier guy he'd met on his first (actually second first) night here, right?

Either way, there's no need for the guy to be freaking out so much. Zack hadn't expected for his little tease to be taken at face value, and he can't help but laugh. ]

I was just kidding! Don't worry, I'm sure this'll be fine.

[ For one thing, he's got a lot of monster-killing experience. If things really do go south, he'll be able to handle it. For another, he doesn't think they would have been sent on a job that was inherently dangerous.

He won't say no to the extra help, though, so after that other man has collected some algae, he nods and takes a first step forward. ]

You ready for this?

[ It's difficult to judge the expressions of a wormipede, but Zack's pretty sure they've caught its interest. ]

Oh. Uh...yeah, 'course.

[he'd gone and said something stupid again, without even realizing it. although Zack had obviously not been bothered by his blundered (amused, even!) Styx still feels that familiar curl of mild shame in his stomach. would it ever be safe to open his big dumb mouth on his own?

it's a situation that he's been in countless times before, however, and so the emotion passes as easily as water off a duck's back. given that they're about to wrestle the insect equivalent of an angry bull, this is extremely fortunate.]

'Bout as ready as I'm gonna be, I think. Let's do it!

[at least it's pretty easy to pump himself up once he's gotten into the right mindset for it. Styx takes a moment to consider which way he wants to move - maybe kind of diagonally next to Zack? in case it tries to run - before taking a step of his own, shaking the algae in his hands in what he hopes is an enticing manner.]

[ The blunder is quickly forgotten by Zack, who's now entirely focused on the task at hand. Two people with algae in their hands seems to be irresistible to the wormipede, which makes a clicking sound and then starts to slowly inch its way toward them.

If these things are used for transport (or are they livestock that are raised as a food source? oh, he doesn't want to think about that!), Zack has to assume it can move faster than it is right now. Could be that this giant worm is just as wary of them as they are of it. ]

Hey, it's all right. [ Zack's voice softens into something non-threatening as he extends his cupped hands forward. ] We're not gonna hurt you. I bet you're hungry, right?

[ Finally the wormipede gets close enough to bend its head down and eat some of the algae straight from Zack's palm. While it's for the best that he's wearing gloves, it also doesn't actually tear through any of the fabric with its many teeth. ]

One of us should probably hop on its back to steer it back. I can give it a shot, unless you want to.

[it was kind of odd - or it probably should be, Styx thinks - but the more that he watched the wormipede chitter its way happily through the algae being offered to it the more adorable it became. he could sort of see how it was this world's equivalent to a cow now. it had the same sort of bulky friendliness, didn't it? just with...a lot more teeth.

he wonders if maybe they'll be able to pet it once it's properly subdued. or was that just asking to lose a hand?]

Uh- [riding this thing sounds amazing? he can practically hear the guitar shrieking in the background just envisioning it. but Styx also knows his many limitations, and in this case it would be-] Think you're lighter than me, yeah? Probably be better if you do it.

[the thing was probably going to be startled enough over being mounted unexpectedly; the last thing they needed to do was completely terrify it but making it think its exoskeleton was about to be crushed into a powder. sad as it makes the drummer to lose out on such a cool opportunity, the animal's welfare comes first.

...besides, it looks like it's almost finished polishing all that gunk off Zack's hands. the big guy chooses now to squat down into a crouch, holding his own hands out near enough that the big bug could see it's got a second meal ready and waiting, should it want it.]

[ Is Zack the lighter of the two? It's hard to say, especially when he's got a lot of muscle, but he also isn't going to question it too much. This may be Styx's way of gracefully bowing out of the job of riding the wormipede, if he's actually kind of scared of the thing.

Scared or not, though, Styx does hold his hands out to the massive worm creature, which takes note immediately and shifts away from Zack to accept its second meal with eagerness. That allows Zack to take a step back and wipe his hands on his pants, removing as much algae residue and worm spit (is that a thing?) as he can. ]

All right, here goes.

[ He gives the wormipede a large berth as it feeds, circling around to its back. There are no easy footholds to climb onto it and it isn't wearing a saddle or anything, either. Zack frowns in contemplation. While he could leap up high enough to land on its back, he doesn't think that would garner a good reaction from the beast.

Still, these things are probably used to being ridden, right? So Zack approaches it from its rear, where its body tapers off somewhat, and then sets both his hands down on its mass so that he can start to push himself up and onto its back.

Shockingly -- beyond a little bit of wriggling -- it barely seems to react. ]

[oh...those teeth (were they teeth? did bugs even chew?) kind of tickled, now that the thing's attention was focused on him. Styx can't help but laugh softly over the sensation, slowly but surely becoming more and more endeared to this hideous thing as time passed. he nearly misses Zack's journey into riding bareback if not for his declaration, at which point he finally looks up - because how could he not? the guy was about to hop onto a giant bug.]

Good luck, dude.

[cute as this thing was becoming to him, it was still quite obviously capable of doing some damage...maybe that memorial song was still an unpleasant possibility after all. the drummer can't help but hold his breath as the other man inches closer and closer...just a bit more, and...

...and nothing?

Styx is a hell of a lot more surprised than the bug, that's for sure. looking down at its feasting countenance again, like he's expecting some hidden emotion on its chitinous face, his eyebrows shoot up in total awe.]

...it really don't mind you doing that, does it? 's so weird.

Guess it must be used to it.

[ Zack can't imagine what would have driven the people of the Underground to look at these wormipedes and decide that they would make good farm animals, but it may be that they hadn't had much choice. It's not like they're going to find chocobos (or chocobo-like steeds) wandering around in underground tunnels. Until recently, the people who lived down here didn't even have access to the surface, so looking at it that way? It makes sense.

Now that he's comfortably seated on the wormipede's back, Zack's pretty sure that the hard part of this job is done. He almost wishes there was some way to snap a photo so he could show it to Cloud later, but there's still work to be done. They won't be paid their share unless they get this bug back into its stable, most likely. ]

Maybe if you grab some more algae, you can start luring it back toward the city? I mean, it should know the way, but that'll help it along. I'll do what I can to keep it on the right track from up here.

[ Not that he's got reins or anything to help in the process, but even just nudging his knee against the wormipede's flank should spur it forward, if it's well-trained. ]

Edited 2020-09-09 23:56 (UTC)

Yeah, guess...kinda makes it even wilder when you think about it like that, though.

[like. people just riding around town on gigantic bugs? it was something out of a scifi Western show or something like that. much like Zack he wishes he could record this moment, although it would have been a picture that he'd have to hold onto for much longer; no one from home is here to appreciate it, a thought which stings a little bit even after a month or so of adjustment. he's pretty sure that even Vincent would be impressed by this monstrous livestock.

his companion's suggestion is a sound one - horses know the way back home, but do millipedes? - and elicits a nod from Styx. as he's pushing himself back up to his full height, however, he pauses like he's thinking about something. reaching a conclusion in short order one of his now empty hands reaches out to give the wormipede an affectionate pat on the head. looks like somebody couldn't resist forever.]

Good boy.

[girl? both? he really had no idea how bugs worked. he's just hoping that the other man didn't quite see that, a little shy about it, and moving swiftly to start scraping up some new algae for their big buddy.]

[ It is an odd thought, and Zack doesn't mind going off the rails with it either. Do they race these things? Or do they eventually eat them? He can't say he loves the idea of eating a wormipede steak, but maybe they actually taste super good, who knows?

Even with his thoughts running wild, though, Zack doesn't miss the way that Styx pats the wormipede and praises it. Not that he has any issue with that -- some positive reinforcement is probably a good thing, right? The wormipede makes another set of clicking noises and Zack can't be sure if it's pleased or confused or annoyed or what, but...

It doesn't seem angry, at least. ]

Maybe once we can get back we can find out what this guy's name is. I'm pretty sure it's safe to say we've made a new friend.

[ As Styx gathers the algae, the wormipede instantly starts to move forward and Zack shifts his weight to adjust to the sudden change. All things considered? This is going pretty well. ]

QUEST 🤠 cavern cowboys 🤠 open

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject