timeandtides_backup | The Meeting

Characters: Mikoto, Warrior of Light, Firion, Refia, Edward, Locke, Genesis, Blank, Vivi, Rikku, Mjrn, Serah
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: Lost in the wilderness without a guide, the battle-worn heroes find something unexpected.
Location: Terra, wilderness
Date: August 25, 1804
Warnings: None
Notes: Additional information on this week's segment can be found here.

As far as the eye could see, there was nothing. Bleak nothingness. Remnants of a world destroyed years ago. Rotting plants, stagnant water, ruins of a dead people crumbling to dust. Yet amidst the barrenness, there was a break of color. Unremarkable in any other world or scenario. Little more than a weed. A seed carried by a stray monster as it slithered by, until it dropped, took root and began to grow. Yet it was no native plant, not to this world, nor to even Gaia: a sprouting Banora Apple Tree.

A figure approached from the east. A Genome, blank and unresponsive. It bent to examine the plant, then turned to go once more. His destination, a minor garden meant to sustain the minimal population left on Terra.

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"Yes, I do," Genesis answered the Warrior of Light. "This is but a sapling of a Banora Apple Tree. Eventually, purple apples will grow though only at random times of the year."

He looked to where the Genome went and sighed softly. "It could be a trap or it could be our salvation. We either die now with our low running supplies or we take this chance and replenish our supplies. The worst case scenario is that we die later."

Locke had been through his own fair share of traps. Still, the thought that someone could actually be in need settled matters for Locke.

"It could be a trap, but I can't take the chance that it isn't."

Mjrn listened thoughtfully to everyone, then nodded to Genesis and Locke. "At this point, we have little to lose. We are in need of sustenance and that need will only grow more dire with time. And...I agree with Vivi, also. If there is a chance that we might aid Miktoto in the process, we must take it."

She glanced to the Genome with concern and guilt; Mikoto did not deserve her fate.

"I say we tail 'em and see where it leads us. We've got nothin' to lose and everything to gain. If there's even the slightest chance we can help Mikoto, we should take the risk."

Blank was used to taking risks, it came with the territory of being a thief. But this was different to anything he had ever undertaken before.

Edward merely sighed. It seemed as if the entire group were content with the idea of following the rogue Genome. Hoping that nothing happens to them, the bard begrudgingly agreed. "Let us hope for the best, my friends." He said with a sigh.

"Come, let us follow before the trail gets cold."

Vivi nodded, taking Mikoto's hand again and leading her after the genome as quickly as he could.

Mjrn tried to look reassuring as she glanced over to Edward. "Aye. And fear not, we shall remain alert." Especially the Viera with excellent senses that would be a boon in sensing if something was off. She smiled at Blank and nodded her agreement, lingering at his side as the group began to move onward.

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"She reacted when she saw this one. Perhaps seeing the others will draw more from her," Warrior of Light pointed out as they followed the genome, in agreement with Blank.

Rikku had perked up noticably when Mikoto had talked. Watching the genome move through the actions of the day like a robot had really unsettled the Al'Bhed girl. People weren't supposed to be like machina.

"Even if it's a long shot, if it can help her we have to at least try, ya know? And hey, we're still alive. Don't lose hope yet!" She offered Serah a smile, glancing around at the others.

The thought that something in the village could help...and to be fair, they needed help, was something to hope for at least. She hurried after the others, pausing to crouch down next to the little tree for a moment, studying it, reaching out to touch a leaf, before she again followed after them.

After that one outburst, Mikoto fell silent again. She allowed Vivi to lead her along with the others.

Following the other Genome led the group to a patch of farmland, where crops were growing. There were even a few sheep grazing in a small field, along with a few fat cockatrices. Dotted around the area were more Genomes, tending this fledgling farm.

Most continued working, ignoring the party, but a few of them looked up. Four young Genomes congregated around the party, their eyes wide with child-like curiosity.

"Are you new?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Mikoto? Mikoto, have you come to visit us?"

"Who are you?"

They plucked at Mikoto's sleeves, becoming anxious when she didn't respond. Mikoto turned her head, looking at each of them. Slowly, recognition dawned in her eyes. She felt as though she was coming back from a dream. Memories and feelings came rushing back.

"Garland... He..." Her shoulders were shaking with rage. "He escaped! And he's using you - all of you. We're taking you home. I promise you that."

The Genomes only looked bewildered and scared. They didn't understand this. They needed guidance. Mikoto put her arm around each one in turn, controlling her anger, offering them words of comfort. For now, she left it to the rest of the party to decide on an actual plan.

Locke was happy to see Mikoto come back from the abyss. He had always believed it possible as Rachel had gained her facilities back, so could the genome. He followed along behind, silently preparing himself should things go sour. Saying nothing he simply gave a glance towards his comrades looking for confirmation that they were ready as well.

The swarm was a little intimidating, and Mjrn didn't know how to answer so many questions, but fortunately that was interrupted. Mjrn perked up as Mikoto seemed to return to her senses. So, their hope had proved fruitful after all! Relief faded as she watched Mikoto's rage; she was right. They had a responsibility.

The Viera hung back, not wanting to interfere with Mikoto's reunion, as well as listening for any signs of approaching trouble. She nodded to Locke, ready as she would ever be.

Being on Terra had been blow after emotional blow but, for the first time in a month, Vivi was happy. And he did as good a job hiding it as he did any other emotion, laughing and half-sobbing until he started to hiccup and jumping up and down in joy.

He wa going to be useless for planning for a while, too distracted by overwhelming joy at seeing Mikoto restored and the lost genomes found to be muh use for anything at all.

It was a great relief to see Mikoto come back to herself. He had begun to worry that what Garland had done was an irreversible effect, and that Mikoto would remain an empty shell. It seemed that getting lost had led them to a good thing. They had found the lost genomes and a place to get supplies, and Mikoto was "awake" again and hopefully able to guide them back to the Invincible.

"It seems that we may find more supplies here," the warrior noted as he glanced around the little settlement. "Perhaps we should begin to search, or ask one of them to show us."

After talking to the young Genomes, Mikoto turned back to the party.

"We must take them all back with us," she said. "Including the new ones."

Mikoto raised an eyebrow. "Would you rather leave them here as Garland's slaves?"

Locke could only smile as he looked onward. "The more the merrier. It might be tight, but they'll fit!"

The Meeting

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