Who: Tifa & Travis; Tifa & Aloy When: July Where: Primary Settlement; Tertiary Settlement What: July quests in two flavors! Warnings: Talk of death and funerals, anything else that comes up will be added.
[ The entire settlement remains in mourning, and it's draped over everyone and everything like a shroud. Two funerals in as many months — Tifa can hardly wrap her head around it.
It's not that she's any stranger to death, unfortunately. It's more that she still feels so new, and so much has happened in the time that she's been here. It's the support of other Summoned, who patiently answer her questions or work with her on the various tasks that are asked of them, that have made this entire situation bearable.
Even if she still misses her home and her friends. The more days that pass, the more she wonders when she'll ever get to see them again.
Still, there isn't much point in moping. While the images of Winnifred being swallowed by the sea and that massive shadow of a god, a real god, flying above them haven't left her mind in the past weeks, life has to go on.
She's been told that wood needs to be cut down for the funeral pyre, but there's a specific way it has to be done. When the elder instructing her makes note of her uncertainty (this is clearly important and she doesn't want to get it wrong), she's practically shoved onto one of the other Summoned, a man called Travis.
He's got a gruff look about him, but that doesn't really bother her. She isn't one to judge by appearances, and so instead she nods to him in greeting before looking toward the tree line not far from them. ]
Are you familiar with the woods? I guess we need to cut down some trees.
[ She's been careful not to venture too far into them, but it looks like now is the time. ]
At least in the way that violently dying could be defined as Interesting. And there's some confusion that he hasn't had the need to clarify (it's not cowardly, it's just logical) that he may've died before that.
And all his friends had died, likely the same way. He hopes someone managed to avenge their deaths after he failed. He remembers it all clearly, and then he was in Solvunn, and he was naturally drawn to Vagn, the one who oversees one's journey in death. It didn't matter that Travis had mixed feelings on the whole God Thing; he couldn't deny needing to find some kind of peace with his own death to ignore the shrines and offerings.
It's why he made an effort to learn basic shrine upkeep, and a little more on the process, and sure he took his own spin on it all, but he showed up and did the work and was a good little community member.
It's less that he cares about Winifred's funeral and more that he wanted to know what everything here could look like for someone's death.
He's clearly not in mourning but he carries around a flash of strong alcohol and tries to encourage the people that are mourning to share a drink with him and clap and arm across their shoulders, but he doesn't mind taking a break to go out into the woods--with permission, even.] A bit! I haven't gotten to go explore much as I wanted to, after all the work from the storms.
[He hefts an axe up to his shoulder, more second-nature while maybe trying to look slightly cool.] I don't, uh, really remember what the arcana looks like. [He kind of remembers something about having to carve Winifred's arcana... little less about having to do some kind of ritual but he'll make something up on the fly if he has to, though hopefully Tifa has a better idea. They'll figure it out one way or another.] I know Vagn's sigil though! [In case she sees him as just muscle and no brains here. He remembers something important for this, okay!]
[ It sounds like this is going to be a new adventure for both of them then, even if it that adventure is just going into the woods to cut down trees and carve things on the logs. It's good to see that this guy has the axe part handled already, and maybe he even knows a thing or two about cutting down a tree? Tifa certainly doesn't, but she's also willing to figure it out as she goes.
They're also supposed to find specific trees and do some kind of ritual, from what she was told. Solvunn really does have a lot of exact rules about how they do things, all which has to do with the gods, but she's slowly learning. ]
Oh right, the arcana. Someone gave me this.
[ She dips her hand into her pocket and takes out a folded piece of parchment. The symbol of The World is sketched out on it.
Tifa takes a glance at it as she shows it to her partner in wood-cutting, and a frown slowly forms on her face. ]
It's pretty complicated, now that I'm looking at it.
[ Are they really going to be able to carve all that? ]
[He blanches at the symbol.] Maybe if... if we carve a star with a bunch of circles around it, that'll be enough? [He's not an artist by any means and the only wood he really knows is--
Well.
Don't worry about it.] It'll be fine. [He dips away into the woods, with the air of confidence for someone that knows his shit but it's all a ruse. He barely knows this forest. But the trees are supposedly marked and Solvunn's practically held their hand for this so there's not a lot they can screw up.] All forests are the same this one just might have monsters in it. You hunt a lot? Or at all?
[ Tifa lets out a nervous laugh and shrugs. They're just going to figure this out as they go, and from what she understands, it's the intent and purpose behind the actions that should matter most when it comes to offerings, right?
Then the guy's striding off and she's quick on his heels, falling into step at his side as soon as she catches up. From her perspective, it's hard to tell if he knows what he's doing or if he's just faking it until he makes it, but there's not necessarily anything wrong with that either. Gotta get by somehow, and she knows the feeling. ]
Hunt? [ She frowns at that particular word usage, but then adds: ] I'm used to fighting monsters, if that's what you mean. That part shouldn't be a problem.
[ And since they're on their way, she may as well also introduce herself. ] I'm Tifa, by the way. Have you been here long?
Power of thought, that's gotta be enough, yeah! [He pumps a fist in the air.
He looks back over his shoulder towards her at mention of monsters, careful of his footing.] Oh, you're one of those types, huh? Them monster hunters. I've only ever hunted deer. Can't imagine the excitement at squaring off with something [he stops just shy of saying that could kill you because he did do that and he did die, but he didn't know it was a wolf in sheep's clothing, he wasn't prepared] like that.
[He squints back to the trees all looking the same around them, searching for the markings, listening to every shift of tree branch through the breeze and birds and insects. For all his chatter and blunder, he is extremely careful with their surroundings.]
Name's Travis. It's been... uh... I don't really know. Few months, maybe? There was a weird drug trip that happened that makes it feel like a few hundred years, but I don't remember a lot of that either so it was some real good stuff -- oh! [He doubles back, dances a little awkwardly across the ground, and stops face to face with a tree like it's a prize buck.] Got one!
[ Hunting deer was probably a lot more normal, to be honest, but for someone who had gone traveling all around Gaia and broken into Shinra facilities, fighting monsters (and machines) had become a part of daily life.
Since it doesn't seem like Travis here has that kind of experience, Tifa puts herself even more on-guard, realizing that if they run afoul of something it'll be up to her to protect him. That's a job she's ready and willing to undertake, though. ]
One of those types, yeah. It seems like I'm far from the only one.
[ Which is a good thing, honestly. ]
Oh, right, I heard about that... [ The strange dream where everyone thought they'd become gods and lived hundreds of years. She can barely fathom what that was like, but it sounds like Travis has forgotten most of it anyway. Maybe that's for the best.
But then Travis finds a promising tree, and Tifa circles back with him, nodding firmly in agreement. ]
Great! Have you ever cut a tree down before?
[ It seems fairly straight-forward, just hack at it until it falls, but she wonders if it's harder than it sounds. ]
[At least she doesn't take offense to his wording or tone; he did mean it as a compliment. He knows when he's lacking on expertise in certain areas (and great in others).
It's why he didn't go off for that other risky-sounding business that was being asked for. As interested as he was, he'd just get in the way, and this was something he could do with his own two hands.
He's maybe got to develop some hobbies around here that aren't fishing for barter and repair work.] Boys and I back home would do our own logging to build our hunting perches. Keep your eyes up, gravity kills! Could be any sort of dead tree limb that comes down unexpectedly. [He makes a show of waving a finger in front of him like he's checking the angle of the tree and what direction it should be all rights fall in once he starts, but it's all nonsense and he nearly takes a full swing before dropping the axe back to safety, though just shy of his foot.] Oh, fuck! The ritual, right.
[Ah, fuck. And he'd tried to remember and think about it too.] Uhhhh. [He stumbles through his babbled sentence primarily because he's trying to omit swearing every third word.] Please, gods of this land, allow us to take this tree so that it can aid in ushering a fallen citizen into her next life. [He stares panicked at Tifa, trying to convey how do we know if they hate what we have to say because he's never been much of a divine believer but he lives here so he's Trying and HELP.]
[ Logging? Hunting perches? Tifa's mouth falls open in a moment of awe as she realizes that Travis is truly working in his wheelhouse right now. She's familiar with the kind of hard labor that goes alongside living in the country, but the Nibel area didn't have that many trees and logging hadn't been the main source of income there.
No, it had been far more likely that the men of the town would go into the mountains to mine and gather resources.
She takes his words to heart when it comes to the possibility that something might unexpectedly fall on them, taking a few steps back as she keeps an eye on the branches above. Except right, there's also the ritual to worry about, and while Travis falters, Tifa thinks that what he says sounds good enough. But she gets that this entire thing is kind of awkward, and the look he sends her is nothing short of desperate.
So she steps forward as well and clears her throat. ]
We appreciate all that you can offer us to ensure that the proper funerary rites are followed. Thank you for your contribution.
[ It sounds overly formal and awkward to her, but they've got the spirit, right? She nods to Travis; he can probably, hopefully, go ahead now. ]
As soon as Tifa had heard people speak that word in hushed tones around the settlements, her curiosity had been piqued. Leviathans, plural, rather than the singular summoned creature that she knows of — a god of the seas revered by the people of Wutai. She knows it can't be the same thing, and wonders if instead these creatures will be like the monster that attacked them in lower Junon.
Either way, it sounds like something needs to be done about it.
The problem being, she doesn't have a ton of experience out on the open water. She's pretty sure cruising around on the Tiny Bronco-turned-seaplane doesn't really count, and besides, most of the technical work there had been left to Cid with Barret assisting.
Fighting monsters, though, that she can do — and when she gathered that Aloy was planning on heading out and that she did have some level of confidence with using a boat, that settled things. Thankfully there is a portal available every few days to the Tertiary Settlement, allowing them to not spend an entire week making the trip.
So here they are, on the beach. The fishermen are grateful for their help, it seems, frustrated that their usual work has been interrupted by the dangerous sea monsters. For that reason, they're happy to lend one of their boats to the cause.
Tifa steps up to the small boat, head tilting to one side as she readies herself to step out of her comfort zone a little. It's not like it would be the first time.
She glances to Aloy and nods, her smile anxious but genuine. ] I'm happy to follow your lead. Just tell me how I can best help. Hopefully I can get the hang of rowing without too much trouble.
[ She has the upper arm strength for it, if nothing else! ]
[Where Aloy is from, organic creatures are limited in size--ARTEMIS, without APOLLO and humans to utilize it, never made it beyond small animals like wild boar and mountain goats. Machines always occupied the space for larger fauna, so arriving here and encountering organic monsters around the size of their mechanical counterparts has been an adjustment.
Nothing she can't handle, of course, though from the name leviathan, she can venture a guess that these will be the biggest yet.
She doesn't know Tifa very well, but she was competent enough in the bunker. Hopefully she can row a boat--Aloy doesn't really like the idea that they're hunting for this thing and in charge of their vessel, but they have little choice in the matter. She finds herself missing the skiff.]
I can help. [Row, that is.] Until it's time to start throwing harpoons.
[ It's true that both managing to keep the boat from capsizing and actually fighting the leviathans (when they find one) is going to be a tall order. It's definitely not a one-person job. It might not even be a two-person job, but that's only one way to find out, and if the worst comes to pass Tifa can swim.
This isn't going to be like when she was knocked into the Lifestream. The ocean shouldn't be underestimated either, but that fight in Junon has at least instilled some confidence in her. ]
Harpoons. Right.
[ Tifa glances over to the collection of weapons that have been loaded up into the boat for them ahead of time. She picks one up with both hands, testing its weight. The kind of precision required to throw one of these things doesn't really fall in her wheelhouse. She's more used to getting up close and personal, but maybe she'll be able to manage something. She sets the spear back down, glancing over to Aloy as she asks: ] Have you done this kind of thing before?
[ Maybe a wild question, but the Summoned all come from a wide variety of strange and interesting places, so who knows? Either way, Tifa climbs into the boat, settling down to grab a pair of oars. ]
[Aloy watches Tifa’s reaction with a raised eyebrow, noting her slight trepidation when it comes to the harpoons. That’s fine—-she can’t expect everyone to be accustomed to that kind of weapon.]
Not in a boat, no.
[So this will be a fun experience for both of them. Aloy holds the boat steady as Tifa climbs in, then follows her after. At the very least, she can be a stabilizing presence, both figuratively and literally.]
But I hunt, and I’ve used throwing spears. We’ll be fine.
[ Tifa does appreciate Aloy's reassurances. If she has experience hunting things and also throwing spears not unlike these harpoons, then that probably puts them in a better situation than any other boats heading out to cull the leviathans. ]
In that case, I'll try to distract it or keep the boat upright so that you can do your thing.
[ That strikes her as the way she can be most helpful. She's no stranger to fighting strange monsters, so she's going to push down any further anxieties she has about this so they can get going.
The fisherman who lent them the boat wishes them well and then helps out by shoving the small boat away from the dock, allowing them to row from there. ]
Guess we should find a rhythm, huh? [ She hasn't done rowing like this before, but she understands that they should be in sync, and she definitely has the upper body strength to pull it off. It reminds her of when she, Cloud, and Barret had to press a button in sync to bypass a security system. ] One, two, three, row, and keep going like that?
i know rowboats dont usually have 2 sets of oars but
[The shove is appreciated, and Aloy settles in across from Tifa, grabbing her own oars and dipping them into the water.]
Seems like a good way to start.
[Aloy will try to match Tifa's rhythm the best she can, clearly also accustomed to heavy lifting. As they glide out onto the water, she's looking over her shoulder, as if expecting a surprise attack. The monster certainly has the advantage, one she wants to reduce as much as possible by refusing to be caught off-guard.]
[ It doesn't take too much work for the two of them to find a good rhythm between them, and Tifa's relieved that Aloy seems more than capable of keeping up with her. With how often she trains and how obsessive she is about keeping her body at peak levels, it's rare for her to find someone who she doesn't outstrip in terms of strength or endurance.
She'll point that out later, maybe, but for now they should remain focused on the task at hand. ]
I'm not sure. They sort of made it sound like they were all over, and we would run into one whether we wanted it or not. But...
[ With a nod to Aloy, Tifa stops rowing for a moment, letting the boat come to a stop now that they're further out in the water. It's hardly still out here, with the water bobbing beneath them, but it is fairly quiet. ]
Maybe we should find a way to attract one? If you speared a fish or something, a leviathan might be drawn toward the blood in the water.
[ Which may be cruel, but they might be out here all day otherwise. ]
[She says, in a tone of voice that indicates she does not actually love surprises, especially not when she's in the vulnerable position of being on a boat. They drift to a stop, and Aloy uses the opportunity to gaze out to the horizon--they haven't gone far, really. She can still see the shore, but she also knows how dangerous things can be, even in a few feet of water.
Tifa's suggestion is not a bad one, and luckily Aloy had a similar idea--enough that she asked the fisherman about it before taking the boat off their hands.]
They gave me some bait. [A little half-smile, and a nudge of her head back in the direction of shore as she unties a satchel from her belt and prepares to sprinkle the chum off the side of the boat.] Let's see if it's any good.
[ Tifa chuckles at Aloy's deadpan response, but she can't blame her. At least they have some idea of what they're getting into, so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise, she hopes.
It's a relief that Aloy thought ahead and asked about some bait. ] Oh! That's perfect. Good thinking.
[ As Aloy unwraps the bait, which is enough to fill their small boat with a distinctly fishy smell, Tifa keeps her gaze on the water. It's just as possible that the leviathans will breach the surface of the water with little warning at all, but if she can spot them before that, even better. ]
All right. [ She leans toward the left side of the boat, gripping the edge with both hands. Her whole body is coiled up, noticeable only in how her shoulders tense, but she's ready to spring into action. ] I'm ready — let it loose.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
suplexer) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
abraxaslogs2024-07-15 04:23 pm
a higher purpose; closed to travis
It's not that she's any stranger to death, unfortunately. It's more that she still feels so new, and so much has happened in the time that she's been here. It's the support of other Summoned, who patiently answer her questions or work with her on the various tasks that are asked of them, that have made this entire situation bearable.
Even if she still misses her home and her friends. The more days that pass, the more she wonders when she'll ever get to see them again.
Still, there isn't much point in moping. While the images of Winnifred being swallowed by the sea and that massive shadow of a god, a real god, flying above them haven't left her mind in the past weeks, life has to go on.
She's been told that wood needs to be cut down for the funeral pyre, but there's a specific way it has to be done. When the elder instructing her makes note of her uncertainty (this is clearly important and she doesn't want to get it wrong), she's practically shoved onto one of the other Summoned, a man called Travis.
He's got a gruff look about him, but that doesn't really bother her. She isn't one to judge by appearances, and so instead she nods to him in greeting before looking toward the tree line not far from them. ]
Are you familiar with the woods? I guess we need to cut down some trees.
[ She's been careful not to venture too far into them, but it looks like now is the time. ]
no subject
At least in the way that violently dying could be defined as Interesting. And there's some confusion that he hasn't had the need to clarify (it's not cowardly, it's just logical) that he may've died before that.
And all his friends had died, likely the same way. He hopes someone managed to avenge their deaths after he failed. He remembers it all clearly, and then he was in Solvunn, and he was naturally drawn to Vagn, the one who oversees one's journey in death. It didn't matter that Travis had mixed feelings on the whole God Thing; he couldn't deny needing to find some kind of peace with his own death to ignore the shrines and offerings.
It's why he made an effort to learn basic shrine upkeep, and a little more on the process, and sure he took his own spin on it all, but he showed up and did the work and was a good little community member.
It's less that he cares about Winifred's funeral and more that he wanted to know what everything here could look like for someone's death.
He's clearly not in mourning but he carries around a flash of strong alcohol and tries to encourage the people that are mourning to share a drink with him and clap and arm across their shoulders, but he doesn't mind taking a break to go out into the woods--with permission, even.] A bit! I haven't gotten to go explore much as I wanted to, after all the work from the storms.
[He hefts an axe up to his shoulder, more second-nature while maybe trying to look slightly cool.] I don't, uh, really remember what the arcana looks like. [He kind of remembers something about having to carve Winifred's arcana... little less about having to do some kind of ritual but he'll make something up on the fly if he has to, though hopefully Tifa has a better idea. They'll figure it out one way or another.] I know Vagn's sigil though! [In case she sees him as just muscle and no brains here. He remembers something important for this, okay!]
no subject
They're also supposed to find specific trees and do some kind of ritual, from what she was told. Solvunn really does have a lot of exact rules about how they do things, all which has to do with the gods, but she's slowly learning. ]
Oh right, the arcana. Someone gave me this.
[ She dips her hand into her pocket and takes out a folded piece of parchment. The symbol of The World is sketched out on it.
Tifa takes a glance at it as she shows it to her partner in wood-cutting, and a frown slowly forms on her face. ]
It's pretty complicated, now that I'm looking at it.
[ Are they really going to be able to carve all that? ]
no subject
Well.
Don't worry about it.] It'll be fine. [He dips away into the woods, with the air of confidence for someone that knows his shit but it's all a ruse. He barely knows this forest. But the trees are supposedly marked and Solvunn's practically held their hand for this so there's not a lot they can screw up.] All forests are the same this one just might have monsters in it. You hunt a lot? Or at all?
no subject
[ Tifa lets out a nervous laugh and shrugs. They're just going to figure this out as they go, and from what she understands, it's the intent and purpose behind the actions that should matter most when it comes to offerings, right?
Then the guy's striding off and she's quick on his heels, falling into step at his side as soon as she catches up. From her perspective, it's hard to tell if he knows what he's doing or if he's just faking it until he makes it, but there's not necessarily anything wrong with that either. Gotta get by somehow, and she knows the feeling. ]
Hunt? [ She frowns at that particular word usage, but then adds: ] I'm used to fighting monsters, if that's what you mean. That part shouldn't be a problem.
[ And since they're on their way, she may as well also introduce herself. ] I'm Tifa, by the way. Have you been here long?
no subject
He looks back over his shoulder towards her at mention of monsters, careful of his footing.] Oh, you're one of those types, huh? Them monster hunters. I've only ever hunted deer. Can't imagine the excitement at squaring off with something [he stops just shy of saying that could kill you because he did do that and he did die, but he didn't know it was a wolf in sheep's clothing, he wasn't prepared] like that.
[He squints back to the trees all looking the same around them, searching for the markings, listening to every shift of tree branch through the breeze and birds and insects. For all his chatter and blunder, he is extremely careful with their surroundings.]
Name's Travis. It's been... uh... I don't really know. Few months, maybe? There was a weird drug trip that happened that makes it feel like a few hundred years, but I don't remember a lot of that either so it was some real good stuff -- oh! [He doubles back, dances a little awkwardly across the ground, and stops face to face with a tree like it's a prize buck.] Got one!
no subject
Since it doesn't seem like Travis here has that kind of experience, Tifa puts herself even more on-guard, realizing that if they run afoul of something it'll be up to her to protect him. That's a job she's ready and willing to undertake, though. ]
One of those types, yeah. It seems like I'm far from the only one.
[ Which is a good thing, honestly. ]
Oh, right, I heard about that... [ The strange dream where everyone thought they'd become gods and lived hundreds of years. She can barely fathom what that was like, but it sounds like Travis has forgotten most of it anyway. Maybe that's for the best.
But then Travis finds a promising tree, and Tifa circles back with him, nodding firmly in agreement. ]
Great! Have you ever cut a tree down before?
[ It seems fairly straight-forward, just hack at it until it falls, but she wonders if it's harder than it sounds. ]
no subject
It's why he didn't go off for that other risky-sounding business that was being asked for. As interested as he was, he'd just get in the way, and this was something he could do with his own two hands.
He's maybe got to develop some hobbies around here that aren't fishing for barter and repair work.] Boys and I back home would do our own logging to build our hunting perches. Keep your eyes up, gravity kills! Could be any sort of dead tree limb that comes down unexpectedly. [He makes a show of waving a finger in front of him like he's checking the angle of the tree and what direction it should be all rights fall in once he starts, but it's all nonsense and he nearly takes a full swing before dropping the axe back to safety, though just shy of his foot.] Oh, fuck! The ritual, right.
[Ah, fuck. And he'd tried to remember and think about it too.] Uhhhh. [He stumbles through his babbled sentence primarily because he's trying to omit swearing every third word.] Please, gods of this land, allow us to take this tree so that it can aid in ushering a fallen citizen into her next life. [He stares panicked at Tifa, trying to convey how do we know if they hate what we have to say because he's never been much of a divine believer but he lives here so he's Trying and HELP.]
no subject
No, it had been far more likely that the men of the town would go into the mountains to mine and gather resources.
She takes his words to heart when it comes to the possibility that something might unexpectedly fall on them, taking a few steps back as she keeps an eye on the branches above. Except right, there's also the ritual to worry about, and while Travis falters, Tifa thinks that what he says sounds good enough. But she gets that this entire thing is kind of awkward, and the look he sends her is nothing short of desperate.
So she steps forward as well and clears her throat. ]
We appreciate all that you can offer us to ensure that the proper funerary rites are followed. Thank you for your contribution.
[ It sounds overly formal and awkward to her, but they've got the spirit, right? She nods to Travis; he can probably, hopefully, go ahead now. ]
a higher purpose; closed to aloy
As soon as Tifa had heard people speak that word in hushed tones around the settlements, her curiosity had been piqued. Leviathans, plural, rather than the singular summoned creature that she knows of — a god of the seas revered by the people of Wutai. She knows it can't be the same thing, and wonders if instead these creatures will be like the monster that attacked them in lower Junon.
Either way, it sounds like something needs to be done about it.
The problem being, she doesn't have a ton of experience out on the open water. She's pretty sure cruising around on the Tiny Bronco-turned-seaplane doesn't really count, and besides, most of the technical work there had been left to Cid with Barret assisting.
Fighting monsters, though, that she can do — and when she gathered that Aloy was planning on heading out and that she did have some level of confidence with using a boat, that settled things. Thankfully there is a portal available every few days to the Tertiary Settlement, allowing them to not spend an entire week making the trip.
So here they are, on the beach. The fishermen are grateful for their help, it seems, frustrated that their usual work has been interrupted by the dangerous sea monsters. For that reason, they're happy to lend one of their boats to the cause.
Tifa steps up to the small boat, head tilting to one side as she readies herself to step out of her comfort zone a little. It's not like it would be the first time.
She glances to Aloy and nods, her smile anxious but genuine. ] I'm happy to follow your lead. Just tell me how I can best help. Hopefully I can get the hang of rowing without too much trouble.
[ She has the upper arm strength for it, if nothing else! ]
no subject
Nothing she can't handle, of course, though from the name leviathan, she can venture a guess that these will be the biggest yet.
She doesn't know Tifa very well, but she was competent enough in the bunker. Hopefully she can row a boat--Aloy doesn't really like the idea that they're hunting for this thing and in charge of their vessel, but they have little choice in the matter. She finds herself missing the skiff.]
I can help. [Row, that is.] Until it's time to start throwing harpoons.
no subject
This isn't going to be like when she was knocked into the Lifestream. The ocean shouldn't be underestimated either, but that fight in Junon has at least instilled some confidence in her. ]
Harpoons. Right.
[ Tifa glances over to the collection of weapons that have been loaded up into the boat for them ahead of time. She picks one up with both hands, testing its weight. The kind of precision required to throw one of these things doesn't really fall in her wheelhouse. She's more used to getting up close and personal, but maybe she'll be able to manage something. She sets the spear back down, glancing over to Aloy as she asks: ] Have you done this kind of thing before?
[ Maybe a wild question, but the Summoned all come from a wide variety of strange and interesting places, so who knows? Either way, Tifa climbs into the boat, settling down to grab a pair of oars. ]
no subject
Not in a boat, no.
[So this will be a fun experience for both of them. Aloy holds the boat steady as Tifa climbs in, then follows her after. At the very least, she can be a stabilizing presence, both figuratively and literally.]
But I hunt, and I’ve used throwing spears. We’ll be fine.
no subject
In that case, I'll try to distract it or keep the boat upright so that you can do your thing.
[ That strikes her as the way she can be most helpful. She's no stranger to fighting strange monsters, so she's going to push down any further anxieties she has about this so they can get going.
The fisherman who lent them the boat wishes them well and then helps out by shoving the small boat away from the dock, allowing them to row from there. ]
Guess we should find a rhythm, huh? [ She hasn't done rowing like this before, but she understands that they should be in sync, and she definitely has the upper body strength to pull it off. It reminds her of when she, Cloud, and Barret had to press a button in sync to bypass a security system. ] One, two, three, row, and keep going like that?
i know rowboats dont usually have 2 sets of oars but
Seems like a good way to start.
[Aloy will try to match Tifa's rhythm the best she can, clearly also accustomed to heavy lifting. As they glide out onto the water, she's looking over her shoulder, as if expecting a surprise attack. The monster certainly has the advantage, one she wants to reduce as much as possible by refusing to be caught off-guard.]
How far out did they say the leviathans are?
we do what we want
She'll point that out later, maybe, but for now they should remain focused on the task at hand. ]
I'm not sure. They sort of made it sound like they were all over, and we would run into one whether we wanted it or not. But...
[ With a nod to Aloy, Tifa stops rowing for a moment, letting the boat come to a stop now that they're further out in the water. It's hardly still out here, with the water bobbing beneath them, but it is fairly quiet. ]
Maybe we should find a way to attract one? If you speared a fish or something, a leviathan might be drawn toward the blood in the water.
[ Which may be cruel, but they might be out here all day otherwise. ]
no subject
[She says, in a tone of voice that indicates she does not actually love surprises, especially not when she's in the vulnerable position of being on a boat. They drift to a stop, and Aloy uses the opportunity to gaze out to the horizon--they haven't gone far, really. She can still see the shore, but she also knows how dangerous things can be, even in a few feet of water.
Tifa's suggestion is not a bad one, and luckily Aloy had a similar idea--enough that she asked the fisherman about it before taking the boat off their hands.]
They gave me some bait. [A little half-smile, and a nudge of her head back in the direction of shore as she unties a satchel from her belt and prepares to sprinkle the chum off the side of the boat.] Let's see if it's any good.
no subject
It's a relief that Aloy thought ahead and asked about some bait. ] Oh! That's perfect. Good thinking.
[ As Aloy unwraps the bait, which is enough to fill their small boat with a distinctly fishy smell, Tifa keeps her gaze on the water. It's just as possible that the leviathans will breach the surface of the water with little warning at all, but if she can spot them before that, even better. ]
All right. [ She leans toward the left side of the boat, gripping the edge with both hands. Her whole body is coiled up, noticeable only in how her shoulders tense, but she's ready to spring into action. ] I'm ready — let it loose.