snowblindrpg | [network] @haurchefant; video; One eye sees, the other feels. [open]

[an additional video goes up shortly after haurchefant's — quietly, without any particular fanfare.

despite the cameraman's best efforts, the visuals aren't terribly steady; the tablet dips repeatedly, like its operator is limping, but the video walks the viewer down a dark hall of the museum, periodically stopping to focus on various exhibits. francel, very kindly, pauses on several plaques as well, long enough that any observant viewer can take note of the dates and descriptions of some of the pieces.

at length the cameraman reaches the end of that particular wall of the museum, and focuses on the last of the displays — and then he turns his tablet up and around, to the back of haurchefant's head. the silver-haired elezen turns at the sound of his name softly called; the cameraman's voice is husky and gentle —]

Smile for me, won't you, Haurchefant?

[the video ends.]

[ Zell wound up preoccupied during the day the video went up. He does recognize the voice when he does find it. ]

Oh hey! [ He sounds enthusiastic but tired. ] I see you found a friend. That's great. [ He also wonders if he found pudding, but he'll get to that in a moment. ]

Are those pieces depicting the protests? [ That's an amazing find. ]

[francel responds in text, as is his wont. it's not really his habit to reveal any more of himself than is necessary, even if he does like @zd well enough.]

Yes, Haurchefant is a dear friend of mine.
It is nice to hear from you again, Zell.
I have not forgotten the assistance you rendered me when I first woke here.

I know little and less of the unrest in Norfinbury's history,
but it would certainly seem that many of these pieces on display are...
critical, shall we say, of authority.

[ Swaps to text because it's easier. ]

Nice to hear from you, too. :)
Did you find pudding?

[ He's glad Haurchefant isn't alone. He probably needs someone to make sure he's taking care of himself, right? ]

Guess the protests were going on for a while.
There are protest signs some where saying they don't need a babysitter.
It's probably close to what we have to deal with now.

[ Just without murdering cops. ]

Ah...
So the protesters objected to...
What, exactly? The administrator?

Unfortunately, I've not known the taste of pudding for some time now.
Haurchefant bade me travel east, that first day,
so I never did get the chance to visit the storehouse of which you spoke.
In all honesty, I oft find myself wishing that I did...
I don't eat very much, and I thought the rations I had more than enough for any man,
but the size of this building is far bigger than either I or Haurchefant anticipated,
and I don't think we've enough food between the two of us...

Pretty sure they objected to being watched.
We kept finding creepy eye paintings on the walls.

That's not good :(
Maybe you can see if anyone is close to the school that wouldn't mind doing a food run. :(
Did you find the exit for the museum?

Fury take me, that explains ever so much!
Haurchefant and I had to stay in the same wretched room two days in a row —
A horrid little place, with eyes scrawled all across the walls —
I take some comfort in thinking it a symbol of protest against some watchful regime...

No, we've not found any such exit;
I cannot quite tell how large this building must be,
but I think it will take several days to explore.

well
the gods willing, he and I shall weather this and many more trials to come.
:)
:(
:S ?

[apparently he is having some difficulty expressing his feelings on the matter of their food stores in... two-character emojis...]

That sounds pretty creepy, man.

[ the eyes could also be that of people going crazy, but he likes believing they are a warning. A protest to those watching. ]

Yikes.
Keep looking or maybe check if the windows open.
Is there any way around the building in the tunnels?

I'm sure you guys will manage.
(•̀o•́)ง

someone made mention of a northern route in the tunnels.
It is possible, I suppose, that it may take its traveler around the museum rather than through.

But enough of this talk; I know nothing more.
What about you, Zell?
You sounded — tired.
Are you and your companions having any difficulties?

It's nothing serious.
Didn't sleep very well.
Feeling better though.
We have been finding some pretty cool stuff down here.
Like a firehouse with fire poles! And the police station.
Nothing as awesome as a museum though.
I hope I can take Jim up there.

friend of yours?

[more importantly, what the hell is a —]

Forgive me my ignorance, pray, but what is a firehouse with fire poles?

That and more. He's my boyfriend. :)
That's another word for lover.

Firehouse is a station for firefighters.
When houses catch on fire, you call for firefighters.
I have video footage of the building if you want to see.

[oh. okay. that's a lot less weird than francel was thinking. he's pretty sure that they call on mages to deal with fires in ishgard — but he wouldn't really know, given that people don't usually go setting nobles' houses on fire.]

Oh... that does explain a lot.
I confess I envisioned something — warmer.

[like a house set on fire... with... poles... set on fire...]

I would certainly like to see your footage!
I've not seen much of Norfinbury at all, to tell the truth.
The tunnels were dusty and dark, to say the least.
Not much sightseeing to be done there.

It warms my heart to know that you travel with a lover even in these inhospitable lands.
We are still exploring the museum, but given that we've not found anything dangerous so far, I think it would be a wonderful place to take your boyfriend for a night of learning and intellectual speculation!
Alas, I don't think Haurchefant agrees...

Something warmer would be nice.

[ He sends the footage of the firehouse, which includes a video of his group going down one of the firepoles. ]

Whoa. How dark are we talking about?

We even met here. He's pretty great!
He says he might like to see it.
There's still stuff to check out down here, but we'll head that way eventually!
Haurchefant doesn't like the museum?

[francel takes just enough time to watch the video through to its end, smiling to himself all the while.

(he's not smiling when he actually has to consider zell's questions, though...)]

No,
rather,
I mean,
I would not know from first-hand eyewitness experience, but
from what I've gleaned over the years
Haurchefant's nights with his lovers
do not involve learning and intellectual speculation

Nevertheless, you looked like you were having fun! (•ヮ•)
You met your boyfriend... here? In... Norfinbury?
I can't imagine that these conditions are conducive to falling in love, but
I must say I am suitably impressed.
The tunnels were dark — bright enough to see in, after some time, but still dark enough that I lost my footing and stepped on some decaying floorboards and... hurt myself.
So I would advise caution, but as I said: the tunnels were awful but the museum is quite nice.

[ It takes him a moment to get what Haurchefant's nights might involved.
Then he's going to make noise at Jim and probably for a moment try to figure out someone that HUGE could even do anything. Soon after that, he'll sputter and spaz about not wanting that image thanks. Haurchefant is SUPER COOL but not his type.

As soon as he calms down, he'll finally respond to his friend! ]

If that works for them then that's great.

Yeah! Met him here.
We were friends first on the network.
Bumped into his group and he asked me to stay.
Eventually my feelings for him changed and here we are. (^∇^)

Oh! Is that why the footage wasn't steady?
Man, that sucks.
Did you guys talk to Watson about it?
He's pretty cool.

[ Well, cool without the Joker burying him in snow. ]

[wow screw you zell they are perfectly normal sized thanks!!

in reality, somewhere in the museum, francel is probably giving thanks to halone that zell didn't ask any further about haurchefant's thoughts on intellectual speculation. not really the sort of thing he usually says his prayers for, though...]

How long have you... been in Norfinbury?

[how long does it take other people to meet and fall in love, really? he wouldn't know, given that his thoughts on love tend toward the hopeless and impossible side of things.]

I don't believe I know who Watson is.
Ah, wait
he was one of the doctors listed in Alphonse Elric's "survival guide," was he not?
No, I've not spoken to anyone about my injury.
I assume it will heal on its own in a few days.
I've suffered worse.

[ STILL DNW TO THINK ABOUT. SORRY BUT NO ]

One hundred and one days!

Yeah, that's the one!
You should talk to someone.
It could heal wrong or still bother you later on.

[WELL — OKAY IS IT THAT THEY'RE TOO BIG OR JUST THAT HAURCHEFANT IN PARTICULAR IS DNW because, look, the sonnets francel could write about the elder of his half-brothers...]

Well...
Would I just... contact Doctor Watson at my earliest convenience?
That seems impolite —
I'm sure he has his own concerns to attend to...

[ MAYBE BOTH. DEFINITELY BOTH. He's good with just thinking about Jim like that. ]
I think he likes caring for people.
So, it wouldn't be any trouble.
You won't know unless you try, right?

I suppose...

[you can almost hear the doubt in his words.]

Then I shall do so as soon as Haurchefant and I finish here.
In the meantime, I hope you and Jim enjoy yourselves with the fire poles and so on —
Time spent with loved ones is ever something to be cherished.

You should!
He's pretty great, man!

Just be careful.
Thanks. :)
I do cherish every moment with him.
Enjoy yourself at the museum. I hope you don't run out of food.

show
me

Joacin has provided a video of his own walking the corridors.

[It takes him a few minutes but he manages to link it]

A pity age has not been kind to such a place. The oldest armament would still be a welcome addition to the coffers.

Aught of interest so far?

We've found naught of great relevance though I think a more scholarly mind than my own may find much of value here.

Some of the exhibits depict the protests.

Joacin and I have yet to explore the museum's depths in its entirety, however. 'Tis a far bigger structure than I thought when first I entered it.

If we find aught, I shall be certain to mention it.

Edited 2016-08-17 01:37 (UTC)

A favour, then, if I may.

Should you find trinkets - ships in a bottle, compasses, calipers, suchlike - pray pick them up. I would gladly trade what little I may have for them.

Are you thinking of opening your own nautical gallery, milady?

The bottle is for decorative uses, aye. Surely you wouldn't pass up small tokens to ward off homesickness.

The others are for charting purposes.

I shall keep an eye open though I shan't require aught in return.

Unless, of course, you happen to have spare rations. Joacin and I have traveled rather farther than we thought we might and have scarce little between us.

It may take days. My companions and I are far from your location.

Have you enough to return to town? I may not reach you in time, but doubtless others will, if prompted to run supplies.

[another video is uploaded sometime in the middle of day 145.

the clip is blurry, at first. the lens slowly comes into focus, revealing the mountain of rubble, glass, and snow that the museum's roof has become. a tall, silver-haired man that many will recognize as haurchefant greystone stands precariously on the wreckage, clearing out some larger pieces of rubble and chunks of snow with his hands.

"we shall require assistance in this," haurchefant grunts, as he heaves a piece of what looks to be part of a roof beam in his arms, then tosses it aside.

his companion's voice is more weary than it was two days ago, though it still sounds remarkably affectionate:]

Mind you do not cut yourself on the glass, Haurchefant...

[the video ends.

(off-camera, francel is seated on a conveniently chair-like piece of rubble; he smiles thinly, folds his injured leg over his uninjured one, and continues serenely typing out a message on his tablet. sorry, haurchefant, but this wouldn't play to your blond friend's strengths even if he did have two good legs at the moment.)]

On the exploration of the Norfinbury Museum of Art:
Haurchefant and I have proceeded to the easternmost part of the museum.
We can progress no further on account of the collapsed structure you see here.
We will attempt to clear a path for as long as we are able,
but alas, I think we are nearing our limits.

To anyone currently in or in the vicinity of the eastern tunnels;
we request assistance with the museum's excavation,
be that in the form of manpower, tools, or food.
(and i confess that last item is more direly needed than either of the first)

Travel time through the eastern tunnels is roughly three to four days.

Edited 2016-08-18 04:03 (UTC)

You're in the pass! [Surprise, excitement - maybe a bit of resentment there? Kesara does not approve of people being in her pass without her knowing about it. But she knows Haurchefant is a good man, and since they seem to be doing good, honest exploration, she decides to let it slide.]

How did you get to this museum? Is it only collecting art? Oah, that's such a shame, we could learn so much from a real museum... but there is a whole party of us here. We'd be all the help you need!

[francel pauses before he replies, mostly because the voice on the other end sounds fairly young (and ever so slightly indignant) — but he's weathered worse storms than a child's surprise, and he decides to simply reply in as professional (yet plain) a tone as he can manage.]

I let Haurchefant chart our course,
but I believe he chose, more or less,
the most direct path through to the end of the tunnels.
We simply... walked straight through.

"Here"?
Are you currently in the pass?
How many companions do you have?

Do you mean the eastern end? We've been exploring along the way - there's a northern route too, and it was open as far as we've looked.

[She sounds thoughtful, making small and grand plans in her own head. East or north? Her logic says go around the obstacle, but it's only through stubborn digging that she's even gotten into the tunnels.]

We are here. It's only Zach and me, but there are others coming. Is there room for many people to work together where you are? Along the way I'd be scared being in a large party, the floor isn't even and the passages are tight...

We are in your pass, aye. A straight shot through to the East, if the darkness and confusion has not turned us around aught.

Hullo, sir Haurchefant. Are you planning to stay there then? Zach and I, we've found some very curious things in the apartments, and I don't want to miss anything... but do you have food?

We do not. I think we will head back for the mouth of the tunnels and attempt to find food along the way or mayhap meet a willing trader outside.

'Twould be best for you to not risk these tunnels, miss. I know you consider them your own but they are wrought with peril. Might we investigate on your behalf and tell you about aught that we may find?

[He doubts she'll accept the offer but he has to try.]

[Kesara, indeed, responds to the offer with indignation that she covers up with a laugh.] I'm not afraid of the tunnels, sir, they're still not as bad as the desert! Zach and me will be perfectly fine. And anyway someone small like me can search in places that no one else can.

[It is the main advantage she has, as a child, to lord over others, and so she uses it every chance she gets.]

But if there's work then you mustn't stop it for too long. I'll speak to my people here. We'll figure out some way to help you resupply!

Miss, if your people have supplies we would be most grateful.

[He tries not to chuckle out loud.]

[Oh, patronising her, is he. Kesara decides to let it slide this one time. He's in her tunnel, after all.]

I'll do my best. And you really must keep informing us of anything important you find!

[a different voice can be heard over haurchefant's tablet for a moment — his companion, no doubt, sounding somewhere far away. "does she...?" is all that he says, though, before he trails off, and then another message pops up.]

The museum seems rather spacious in comparison to the tunnels.
I imagine even a group of ten could work quite comfortably on clearing this rubble,
though, yes, they would be hard-pressed to arrive here intact.

Can you speak out loud, please, Mr. Joacin? It's hard to read while walking.

[This is a lie; Kesara is not reading either way. But she wants to hear the other's true voice if she can.]

If there's room for ten people... but you still must watch out for the anomalies. Maybe, maybe if we worked in shifts...

[as loath as francel is to use his (perfectly functional) vocal cords, it's hard to turn down an outright plea, so with a sigh he turns on his tablet's audio function and braces himself for the distinctly unpleasant sensation of being recorded.

@joacin's voice is husky and oddly soft, as if its speaker will somehow break should his voice rise above some given volume.]

...Haurchefant said that the anomalies are rarely seen indoors.

[a pause, and then, rather stiffly:]

You may refer to me as Lord Francel. Joacin is... a name that I would only have Haurchefant use.

Edited 2016-08-23 22:01 (UTC)

[He's a strange sounding fellow, Kesara thinks, hard to read. She needs to hear more, which means treading delicately. She lowers her voice in keeping with his, a gentle and happy tone.]

Of course, my lord, I'm ever so sorry, I didn't realise your rank - oah, that was foolish of me! Thank you for speaking to me.

[The thanks is genuine, and even the apology is not all affected. She's not sure what rank ought to mean in Norfinbury, but she knows that for people who have rank, it tends to be important no matter the circumstances.]

It's true that they don't come inside buildings often, but it does happen, I do think. And even if they don't come inside, they can sit outside and wait... I've heard that that happened before, more than once!

[a sound somewhere between a sigh and a laugh.]

Please, there is no need for thanks. You may drop the address if you wish. My title has little significance here.

Yes, I do believe I encountered an anomaly that did exactly that — but it vanished come morning. Do you suppose we might be safe if we restricted travel outside the museum to the early hours of the day?

[more gently, as he doesn't want to come off too overconfident:] I'm afraid I know precious little about the beasts, but I saw one sometime in the afternoon, and another much later, in the evening...

I couldn't, my lord! [Some of it is education - clear and strict - and some the natural suspicion of the low of the high. Now he says drop the address, later he might say something else, at a bad time.

But he is asking her for information, and it pleases her. She sounds thoughtful as she answers.] I think, they leave in the morning unless there is more than one of them. If they think they can bag more than one of us at once... Kunsel would know for sure, or Frisk. It's possible to draw them away, too, but of course that's terribly dangerous. Sir Haurchefant would know! But we still have to keep digging, even if there's all the danger in the world.

[network] @haurchefant; video; One eye sees, the other feels. [open] - backdated to evening 143

@joacin; video

Day 144 | @zd; voice

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