Time and Tides Archives

It wasn't so much that she'd run into trouble as it was the simple fact that this world did not agree with her. Jote had finally set out from the Lindblum area, having first been forced to mingle for a short time with the Humes in order to find the correct gate. Armed with a bow and arrows, along with food and a few other essentials, Jote had attempted to cross below the Mist for the second time.

This time went mildly better, especially now that she knew what to look for. However, it didn't go nearly as well as she'd hoped.

The Viera leader first felt something strange as soon as she stepped outside below the Mist. Brushing it off, she hoped she could make the journey to Alexandria without running into any serious problems. The last time she'd tried she hadn't made it far at all, but then she'd been brand new to the place and unaccustomed to its demands. Now, however, she managed to get a little bit further before her head began to hurt again. She was somewhere near the vicinity of a forest known as Evil Forest when the Mist truly took hold of her. Her head started pounding again and her vision swam, symptoms she'd been avoiding, or trying to avoid, for a while. Not long after, she stumbled, tripping over her own feet as it became increasingly difficult to force herself to go on.

She'd never had this problem before and even as she knew inside that this Mist was quite different from the Ivalice kind, she still felt a bit shamed that it was affecting her. To be found in such a state would be a nightmare plain and simple.

Yet, she had no choice. No sooner had those thoughts flitted through her mind than her legs gave out and she slid into the world of unconsciousness, not even awake enough to feel herself hit the warm, forgiving ground underneath her.

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Fran had been sat on the outskirts of Alexandria, gazing into the distance, lost within her own thoughts. Contrary to popular belief, she and Balthier were not joined at the hip. He was off somewhere in the city doing his own thing, and she had taken a walk to explore, before simply taking time to think and reflect.

So far she had only concentrated on the negatives of this place. The lack of the Strahl, Nono's missing prescense, worry for Balthier's sanity. Yet there was so much more to consider. Here they were truly free, no bounty weighed over them - yet, at least. On top of that, both her sisters were here. Reks had been given another chance at life, and even Ashe had been granted another chance with Rasler. It was a world of new beginnings.

Yet, such thoughts didn't replace her sadness at losing Nono. His bright pom-pom, his tiny jumpsuit, the big smile he would greet her with. Aside from Balthier, Nono was her closest friend. He wasn't just simply the Strahl's mechanic moogle, he was their trusted friend and companion

She let out a sigh as these thoughts ate away at her mind. Just then she saw Mjrn seemingly distressed and in a rush. She pushed herself up onto her feet, frowning a little. "Mjrn?"

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"Fran!" Surprise and relief were etched on Mjrn's features. She immediately headed toward her sister, her words spoken in a rush. "Jote has not arrived. I am certain she would have, by now. A traveler spoke of seeing her near the Evil Forest, unwell. She must be found...."

She trailed off and paused, with a pleading look. It was doubtless that Mjrn would rush away on her own if need be, but if Jote was in as much need as the traveler implied, then she would need more than her own strength. Somehow, it seemed right that it be the two of them...but she could not do more than ask. It had to be Fran's choice.

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Even if Mjrn hadn't looked at her in such a way, Fran would no doubt of helped, but that pleading look was too much. She gave a single nod, reaching for her bow. "She is unwell?" Fran asked, stepping closer to Mjrn. "This Mist?"

The Mist was strange. Different to the Mist of Ivalice, yet similar. "Lead the way." She murmured, not prepared to let her younger sister venture off alone.

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Mjrn's shoulders slumped a little in relief, glad the issue of finding Jote did not have to be an extended conversation in and of itself. She nodded at mention of the Mist, leading the way past the city limits. "She spoke of the Mist's toll on her before, that it gave her headaches. When she mentioned reaching Alexandria, I had thought she might travel by airship in order to avoid it, but...I suppose not." She sighed a little.

When they reached the edge of the plateau, Mjrn paused and looked at the thick mist that prevented a clear view of the land below. "I have had to travel this area, before. The Mist was a little distracting, but it was not insurmountable for me. I think we shall both manage." She seemed about to say more, then thought better of it and began the descent.

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Fran hadn't had much to do with the Mist so far, but she feared prolonged exposure may make her feel unwell. She followed Mjrn, toying with one of her arrows. "I hope we find Jote quickly... Our relationship may be... strained, yet I would not wish harm upon her."

Fran scanned the land below them. The Mist was thick. It left her feeling uneasy; and suddenly wishing Balthier was at her side. He was good at calming her if a Mist-induced rage started.

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As Fran was uneasy, so was Mjrn. Thanks to her earlier trips, she at least knew it was possible to manage...but that didn't mean she thought prolonged exposure a good idea, either. The world of Gaia was unpredictable, after all.

Upon descending, she angled for the Evil Forest. Hopefully, the traveler was right and Jote was somewhere nearby, not actually within. The Mist wasn't so thick that Mjrn couldn't find her way around, but it did make her wary, paying attention as much to elude an ambush as to find Jote.

They were nearly at the forests' edge when she spotted a figure sprawled out on the ground. It wasn't difficult at all to spot who. "Jote!" Immediately, Mjrn ran towards her eldest sister.

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One of Jote's ears twitched at the sound of Mjrn's voice, almost as though its owner had recognized the sound, but that was the only sign that Jote was anything other than completely unconscious. Her head was swimming and breathing was difficult, but at least she was alive still.

She just couldn't quite move of her own volition just yet.

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Fran rushed over to Jote's side, dropping to her knees beside her. "Jote?" She had never seen her elder sister looking so... helpless.

She frowned, shifting to cradle Jote's head in her lap, stroking her ears and hair softly. "Jote... can you hear us?"

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Mjrn dropped to her knees as well, on Jote's other side. She paused to look her over, but wasn't certain what to do, other than get Jote above the Mist as soon as possible. Her voice was quiet, gentle. "Jote...you are not alone. We will bring you to safety."

She looked to Fran. "Can you manage her?" Of the two, Fran was undoubtedly the stronger.

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The voices seemed to penetrate Jote's clouded mind somehow, but when her eyes slowly fluttered open slightly, they seemed to be shifting. The mist was definitely having an adverse affect on her and the sooner she left its embrace, the better.

As her eyes slid shut again, one hand moved up to hold the side of her head. She could feel Fran's arms around her, holding her, but she couldn't quite gather herself to offer much comfort or anything else.

"Fran... Mjrn?"

Her voice was soft, nothing more than the barest whisper, but at least she'd managed to get something out at all.

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Fran gave a nod to Mjrn's words. "I think so." She murmured, gently tugging Jote's arm around her neck.

She started to shift, lifting Jote with her. "We shall get you out of this Mist. We shall protect you, Sister." She whispered, curling an arm underneath Jote's knees to support her.

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"Jote...." Mjrn perked up as she heard Jote's voice; weak, but far better than not hearing it at all. She reached for Jote's hand and squeezed it gently, then glanced around. Since Fran had her arms full, it was up to Mjrn to be watchful for any approaching monsters in the area. Her glance over to Fran said as much, and as Jote was supported, she took point.

"We will be above the Mist before long...." Assuming nothing got in their way. She began to head back the way they had come, alert to what was around them.

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Jote seemed to curl up against her sister. "The Mist... burns..." was about all she could offer at the moment. It was becoming increasingly difficult to breathe, but at least she was doing so.

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Fran held onto Jote as though she was the most fragile ad rarest treasure in existence, which in many ways she was. "Just rest now. We'll get you to safety, away from the Mist."

She felt rather useless at this very moment. All she could do was carry Jote back the way they came.

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Mjrn frowned a little at Jote's words, wondering if the Mist had affected her so badly that even elevating her above it would do any good. Well, there was only one way to find out. Her heart filled with dread, wondering what else they could possibly do if that wasn't enough. She nodded dully, echoing her other sister. "Fran is right. Please rest."

She shot a helpless look at Fran, but only a brief one. Guilt-ridden as she was, she still had a job to do. Fortune seemed to favor them, at least in one small aspect. Mjrn spotted shapes in the Mist, but nothing seemed to approach them so far.

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Much as Jote hated being in a state of weakness like this, unable to care for herself, she knew in the back of her mind that she had no choice. If she wanted to come out of this alive, she needed to accept the help her... sisters were offering her.

So that was what she did, holding onto Fran and at least trying to make the journey as easy as possible for her.

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Fran's ears twitched as they strained to hear sounds through the Mist. It was beginning to give her a headache, but it was nothing like the rage that stirred on board the Leviathan or the burning pain she had felt at the Pharos at Ridorana. Yet, she imagined the pain Jote was feeling would be similar to that burn.

She glanced at Mjrn for a moment. "Let us get Jote back to the Inn. There she can rest and we can better aid her."

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"Indeed." Mjrn nodded, doing her best to ignore her own budding headache. It wasn't anything she couldn't handle, but served as another reminder as to why they should not linger. She quickened her pace just a touch, scanning for any sign of trouble ahead while remaining close enough to them.

To her relief, they remained unharrassed during their trek up to the plateau. Once above the Mist, she turned immediately to check on Jote. That leaving it would be an instant cure had not crossed her mind, but she hoped it aided Jote in some small measure.

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Jote did seem to be coming around a little bit after they crossed above the Mist, but it would be some time before she would support her own weight. At least her head was a little more upright and she could pry her eyes open at this point.

"Where have you brought me?" Her voice was still a little harsh like normal, but there was a hint of exhaustion she normally wouldn't allow to cross through it.

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Fran continued to hold Jote protectively in her arms. "Alexandria. You shall rest until you are well. I shall hear no arguements, sister." She replied at Jote's harsh tone.

Her arms were beginning to get a little tired, but she wouldn't let go of Jote until they were back ot the safety of the Inn.

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There was a slight nod from Mjrn at that, her gentle tone a counterpoint to Jote's harshness. "You need not worry. We shall reach the Inn soon." She turned her attention from her stricken sister to scan then area then moved onward, intent on reaching the inn as soon as possible.

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