2017-09-08: Problems And Problems

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  • Log: Problems And Problems
  • Cast: Avril Vent Fleur, Dean Stark
  • Where: Little Twister - Dusty Lane
  • Date: September 8th 2017
  • Summary: During a lull, Avril and Dean discuss the nature of their Mediums, the Guardian's request, the Metal Demons' desire, and the fate of Filgaia. Also, the terrible thing that Dean saw in an abandoned village.

<Pose Tracker> Avril Vent Fleur has posed.

As free* (*with a minor fee, plus chores and other assisted help) rooms go, the little place the trio has gotten at the orphanage out in Little Twister isn't bad. Cramped for space, sure, and only acceptable to Rebecca due to their restricted income and the addition of a curtain down the middle (curtain is definitely some repurposed sheets), but as they say, it could be worse.

The kids aren't even all that loud, considering how young most of them are. ...Which probably says a thing or two about life out this far west, but so it goes.

Meals aren't included, though.

For right now, the curtain is mostly pushed to one side. Perched on one of the beds -- since there's not really much place otherwise to sit, Avril slowly inspects the Medium she received in the temple, blue eyes tracking across its rough-hewn surface.

As if to instruct in counterpoint, the Original Artificial Sea Medium rests at her side.

Ice. One ungloved finger traces the carving on its surface.

As a child of Filgaia, the day may come when she must make a decision.

<Pose Tracker> Dean Stark has posed.

Dean sure didn't mind the room, either. It's nice and lively in the orphanage, and he's never minded doing hard work if it meant helping people who need help. Plus he's pretty popular with the kids, being basically still a kid himself. He's met Gwen too, their benefactor in getting this super-cheap room, and Rebecca's also been a great help with dealing with the kids and the chores and such.

Right now, Dean's trading out with Rebecca, being pretty worn out from being used as a pony for the past... three? Four hours? It was fun, but... wow, these kids sure have a lot of energy!! Dean stretches out his back as he walks back into the room, shutting the door behind him. He blinks when he sees Avril, her and Rebecca's side of the room visible thanks to the 'curtain' pushed back, and then smiles.

"Hey, Avril!" he says, walking over to join her. He pauses a little when he sees her considering her Mediums, but then he sits down next to her. "What's on your mind?"

<Pose Tracker> Avril Vent Fleur has posed.

It's also, crucially, something better to do when searching for work than staring at a broken Gear and pondering, again, how non-functional it is.

And the kids are nice. There were a lot of (human) children at Wayside, too, as Avril recalls.

Avril looks up at him somewhat sharply, as if mildly startled, when he sits down beside her. "Oh, Dean. I was thinking about these Mediums," she says, turning one glance more down at the stone tablet in her lap before trading it for the Sea Medium. "I suppose the name 'artificial' truly is apt, when you compare the two..."

One crisp clean metal lines. One hewed from rock. And yet, both drawing upon just about the same power.

Her gaze shifts away from him. "...I was wondering, however. Dean, what do you think about the Metal Demons?"

<Pose Tracker> Dean Stark has posed.

Very true. They're working on getting the money together to fix them, but...! There's only so much they can do, especially since they have chores to take care of. At least Gwen offered to give them a ride to any local digs, and even help on said dig if they need it. Though, given that it's Dean, he's likely to get distracted by helping a total stranger out with something than with dealing with his own concerns.

Case in point: the fact that he's here with Avril at all, journeying together, when his dream is something totally different. But then, Dean doesn't want to be a person who wouldn't help someone who needs it.

"Sorry, did I startle you?" he asks when she gives him that sharp look. He looks down at the Mediums when Avril indicates them. "Artificial, huh... Yeah, I guess I know what you mean." He takes out his own Mediums--and though one is a copy and not an original, it's still clean metal lines, compared to the hewn stone of the other. "I oughtta give the stone one a try sometime. I haven't had a chance to, yet. How about you?"

But--what's he think about the Metal Demons? Dean's expression screws up with thought. "Hmm... Riesenlied seems really nice, so I thought at first maybe those bad rumors about them were just rumors... But Noeline said that they're true, and then a bunch of Metal Demons attacked that temple for no reason," he replies. "I guess it's better than attacking the town? They're also really *strong*." He rubs the back of his head. "I didn't really get how strong they are until I fought one myself. It's easy to see why some people are scared of them. I don't hate them, though. Riesenlied's been really nice to both of us. I'm sure the Metal Demons have more good people like her in them." He nods decisively. "We just haven't met them yet!" Or, possibly, just he.

<Pose Tracker> Avril Vent Fleur has posed.

Though truth be told, given that her quest has morphed slightly from 'find Johnny Appleseed' to 'search after the Golems/save Filgaia because the Guardians asked', Avril would be fine with Dean following up on his dream if that's what he wanted -- and she'd probably tag along, too. Maybe it's possible to do what they both want to achieve, somehow...

And perhaps this is the direction her quest always meant her to go in, after all.

She glances over as Dean similarly pulls out both disparate Mediums. "They are both created by people, of course. But, this one," and she indicates the Sea Medium, "is quite different. It's more akin to a Gear, or a gunsmoke firearm, but..." At the same time, there's no real comparing a Gear to whatever technology beats in the hearts of the Artificial Mediums. In any case, Avril shakes her head.

"No, I have not. However, I can feel the Guardian's power. It is only a small amount, but it should be possible to summon one of the Guardians with these."

The same -- at least, for now -- appears to not be the case with the Artificial Mediums.

"Mm..." Avril murmurs, her gaze dropping to the Medium in her lap. Her brow furrows in spite of his words. "Somehow, I knew you might feel that way. ...I was thinking about what that Baskar woman, Halle, had said, back in the Colony. What the Metal Demons want is to revive their 'Mother'. ...For the sake of Filgaia, that cannot happen." She bows her head, some of her silvery locks spilling over her shoulders.

"...But to prevent that, we may have to fight them." All of them, good and bad alike. Unless another path can be found.

<Pose Tracker> Dean Stark has posed.

There's that, too. The Guardians might have been rude to Avril, but they're in trouble, and it's just not in Dean's nature to ignore people who need help. Even if the people are actually nature spirits, or whatever the Guardians are. It's not like Dean knows. Saving the world may be a big job, but he's sure he can do it if he just keeps moving forward. Plus, searching for the Golems is totally in line with what he wants to do anyway, and everyone needs to live on Filgaia, so saving the world is to everyone's benefit, including his own!

"Huh. Really?" Dean says, scooting one leg up to get a closer look at the Sea Medium. His scrunched-up face may perhaps indicate to Avril that he's not seeing the comparison. "If you say so, Avril..."

He leans back to look at her, expression turning thoughtful. "Summon a Guardian, huh... They aren't going to give you trouble like that last one did, right? Dinoginos?" He looks down at his own stone Medium. Summon a Guardian... So if he summoned the Fire Guardian, what would that look like? A super-cool attack?! That would be awesome!

"Oh, yeah," Dean says, looking back at Avril. "That's true... She said that if their 'Mother' wakes up, Filgaia will be destroyed, right? We definitely can't let that happen!" His expression clouds. "But I get why they'd want to revive her... I mean, it's their mom." He may be misunderstanding what the nature of Mother is... "I don't really like fights, but if that's what we have to do to save the world... It's not like we have to kill them, after all! We just have to make sure their mom doesn't wake up!"

He pauses then, though, raising his gaze to the ceiling. "...Why do you think their mom would destroy the world, though? I don't get it. I'm sure they weren't lying to us, but... it doesn't make sense." Though, truth be told, Dean doesn't understand why *anyone* would want to destroy the world.

<Pose Tracker> Avril Vent Fleur has posed.

Avril shakes her head. "I don't think so... they said that for good or for ill, we are now their hands in this world. Whatever they think of me... Perhaps it is because they represent the will of Filgaia. I am not an existential threat, in the end."

Though her lips curve downwards, it's but a slight frown -- Avril doesn't think of this so much as a personal problem as she thinks of it as an observation. There are other things that trouble her more, things that Dean may soon hit upon.

She nods. "The Mountain Guardian. The one you received is Fire, and this one," she glances towards the tablet on the bed, "is Ice. Of course, I think they will only be able to manifest briefly. ...This is a feeling I have. Their power is present, but they are weakened, even through these Mediums."

And this power was entrusted to them so that they could...

Fight the Metal Demons.

"...Yes." Riesenlied spoke of 'Mother' as if she were some sainted figure. Someone who traveled the stars all for the sake of finding a new home for her children, her people. ...She can understand that, somehow. And yet...

This is their home. They can't give it up.

"...Yes. If the statues hold, then 'Mother' will not awaken, not yet. However, we will need to find a permanent solution, as the statues are merely temporarily holding back the inevitable..." This is a gloomier Avril, her lips pressed thin as she regards the surface of the Sea Medium.

"...The Metal Demons wish to make this their home. However, they are not of Filgaia. It... may be necessary if they are to exist in this world. To carve their place into Filgaia... the world cannot withstand it again, they said."

Is that what 'rejection' meant? Riesenlied was also afflicted at the temple.

Then what does that mean for Avril herself?

<Pose Tracker> Dean Stark has posed.

"Well yeah! Of course not!" Dean says when Avril says she's not an existential threat. He doesn't know what 'existential' means, but that part probably isn't important anyway. He knows she's not a threat! "You've always been really nice to everyone! And how could you be a threat to anyone when you don't even have your memories back yet?" It only makes sense! In his eyes, anyway.

Avril explains the way the Mediums work, and Dean leans forward again in curiosity to get a better look at each of theirs. "Huh... That makes sense," he says, frowning. "They sounded like they needed help... If they're weakened, then that just makes sense. No wonder they have to ask us humans to help them out! Sure, they could stand to be a little nicer, but I know there're times when people are in so much pain they can't help but be mean about how they ask for help, like how Mr. Brownson back in Capo Bronco once dropped a hammer on his bare foot and when I asked him if he needed help, he cussed up a storm!" That was an... illuminating day for Dean, in more ways than one. "So, sometimes it's just like that."

Sealing the statues only belays the inevitable. Dean's eyebrows furrow as his frown deepens, at first in concern, then in confusion. "The world can't withstand... what again?" he asks. "What's necessary? Why can't they just... live here, like anyone else? It's a big world, so I'm sure if they just lived peacefully, there'd be plenty of room for them!"

Oh Dean. So naive. So ignorant.

<Pose Tracker> Avril Vent Fleur has posed.

"Hmm, I suppose so, when you put it that way."

Even without her memories, though, Avril is a rather pragmatic person. And sharp enough to assemble a few of the pieces of the puzzle that is, well, her that have found their way to her.

And what Dean says... has a particular innocent truth in its words, as it happens.

"Yes. They seemed frightened." Dinoginos might have spoken to them like that, but there was real, existential fear in that chamber.

Though she does regard Dean a touch blankly when he reminisces of the day he learned all the swears and how pain can make someone be at less-than-their-best. "Oh, I see," Avril says, in precisely the tone of someone who... doesn't really parse what's going on but tries gamely anyway.

When he asks what she means, she silently rubs her thumb against one of the ridges on the Medium for a moment. "...The Metal Demon Wars. ...Some of the Baskar explained a little of what is known. Filgaia was badly injured as a result of the fight with the Metal Demons, thus the world declined... If it happened again..." Avril shakes her head. "We must prevent a battle of that magnitude from happening again."

She sighs out a shallow breath. "I'm not certain, to be honest. There are still things we don't know," she says, as Dean asks why they can't all just live together.

Those are exactly the qualities Avril likes best about him in the end.

"...However, we don't need to make a decision about this quite yet. Our hands are our own. We can assist or not assist as we see fit." But unless the third way appears, she might have no real options.

"...How have you been doing, Dean? Has something been troubling you?"

It hasn't escaped her notice.

<Pose Tracker> Dean Stark has posed.

"Frightened?" Dean considers this, then nods. "Yeah, that makes sense. He didn't sound scared, but I bet he was trying to act tough."

Though speaking of that, it seems like Avril doesn't really follow what he's saying. "Huh? Did I explain that wrong? Sorry, I bet Rebecca would make it make more sense," he says, rubbing the back of his head. "It's like... uhhhh... like a cat with a hurt paw, but it doesn't know you so it doesn't trust you, so when you try to coax it out from under the bush it just hisses at you because it doesn't get you're just trying to help... Like that, maybe?" Dean pauses a moment; then he makes another face. "On second thought, I think I just confused myself. Sorry, Avril."

Right, the Baskars. Dean had done his best to listen, but a lot of it had just plain gone over his head. Somehow, it's easier to understand when Avril explains it, though. He nods, listening to her speak. "Like what's going on with those two countries? Or even worse than that?" he says, referencing Aveh and Gebler. "They even made a Golem do their dirty work for them." He pauses then; thinking back, the Metal Demons have a Golem too--but they're at least sealing Lolithia away rather than trying to make her do bad things.

"Well, of course we're going to help!" he says. "Though you're right; we've still got time to figure out what we're doing. The first step is sealing those statues, and then we can figure out what to do next, right?" Even if it is just a stopgap. "That includes learning more about everything that's going on! If we work hard at it, there might be a way for everyone to live together peacefully!"

Though would they want to? The survivors of Adlehyde, for example, probably would not be so quick to want to live hand-in-hand with the legendary monsters that destroyed their hometown and killed their friends and neighbors. Dean wasn't there for that, though, so it's easy to be idealistic about it.

"Hm? Me?" Dean's about to deny it, but-- "Yeah," he admits, head sinking. "I meant to tell you and Rebecca about it sooner, but I was so exhausted when I got back, and ever since I've been so busy helping with chores I keep forgetting..." He frowns over at her. "You know that day I went out to get groceries, but I came back empty-handed? I said I wasn't able to find a town to buy stuff from, and that's true, but there was more to it than that. I found a town--but it was empty, except for these terrible monsters called Reapers. And when I say terrible, I mean *terrible*," he adds empathtically. "They looked so creepy, and there's this machine that turns people into them! It's awful!"

<Pose Tracker> Avril Vent Fleur has posed.

Avril shakes her head at least, a slightly, almost wry smile on her lips. "...No, I think I understand what you meant now, Dean. When one is scared or hurt, they can become so caught up in their experience that they can also hurt the ones who attempt to lend their assistance. Is that right?"

It's probably good enough, unless they can tag Rebecca in to explain.

"...Yes, though on a larger scale." Otherwise, the fight between Aveh and Kislev is probably a good way of thinking about it... and much like the Metal Demon Wars, something Avril ALSO only knows about piecemeal. Actually, at this point, she probably knows more about the ancient demon wars from chatting with the Baskar -- and via the word of the Guardians -- than she does about modern politics. So it goes, perhaps.

And in the end, Dean's honest heart-felt declaration is... also the only reasonable decision Avril can make, without something else presenting itself. "My thoughts exactly," she says, nodding. "If we can seal the statues, then perhaps we can at least buy ourselves time." And after that, who can say?

Which side will lay down its arms first? Both have their reasons, both have people kind and cruel. Both just want to live.

But it's a matter for another time.

Avril leaves behind the weighty nature of the fate of the world, and asks after Dean.

She's silent, hands gripping the Medium.

Her hands subtly tighten on the Sea Medium as Dean explains what he saw. "A machine... that turns people into monsters? Can such a thing..." Her expression draws, grows grim. "...I see," she says, looking straight at him. "What would you prefer to do about this machine, Dean?"

She poses it to him, but.

Avril has already made up her mind.

<Pose Tracker> Dean Stark has posed.

Dean brightens when Avril more or less gets what he was trying to say. "Right! I don't think it was okay that Dinoginos was so rude to you, but people aren't at their best when they're hurt and afraid. I'm sure Guardians are the same way. So once we help them, I'm sure they'll apologize and thank you!" Dean, a living example of the phrase "hope springs eternal." Though, he himself probably had to have this lesson explained to him by Rebecca before he got it himself. Too bad she's busy with the kids downstairs. This is fine for now, though.

On a larger scale... It's scary to think about. Dean had gotten caught up in the moment when Sado had attacked, but Rebecca had pointed out why it was so messed up, and Dean had to agree. For one, even if that attack *was* super-awesome, no one should be using a Golem as a weapon of war! When he thinks of it like that, it's just too sad... For now, though, he smiles warmly at Avril and nods. "Yeah!"

But the matter of the Metal Demons is huge, and the matter of the Welses is... also huge, but on a much smaller scale. Maybe on a scale small enough that they can still deal with it. "I was shocked too," he says. "But Ida said so." Who is Ida? Well... actually, he's not sure himself, having only met her the once. But she seemed like an expert on Reapers. Avril asks him what he would want to do, though, and there's no hesitation whatsoever in his voice or eyes: "Bust it up! We can't let that machine make more monsters, and we can't let those monsters hurt any more people!"

He folds his arms, frown deepening. "The problem is, the machine fixes itself. The people I was with, we already tried busting it up once, but as soon as we were done, it was already starting on its own repairs. Ida said so about that, too--said she saw it." He meets Avril's eyes, frowning. "So then I think first we have to take another look at that machine with people who know about that kind of stuff, and see if there's a way to shut it down for good."

It's actually a pretty good line of logic, especially coming from Dean. Except for the part where he hasn't mentioned how overwhelming the Wels's numbers are... Th-that's coming up next, maybe?

<Pose Tracker> Avril Vent Fleur has posed.

"I suppose we'll see," is Avril's assessment, ultimately, and there it might have to rest.

Reapers (or Wels) at least are a more... approachable problem, as bad as they are, compared to 'the scope of a war between two nations' or 'a war between two different peoples' or even 'the potential end of Filgaia'.

Who is Ida?

"Who is Ida?" Avril asks, voicing the obvious question at hand.

Dean answers the question the way she thought he might, and she nods, expression no less firm. "I agree. If that machine can be destroyed..."

How does it work, a little worming part of her asks. If she studied it...

No, the firmer, louder part of her being responds. No. Absolutely not.

But there's one little problem with breaking the machine.

Avril's eyes widen a touch. "A machine that reassembles itself..." she murmurs, lips pressing into a thin line. "...I see. Yes, I think that might be best. And if that should fail too..." She nods, as if to herself. "Perhaps I could try my hand at it."

Or take Absolute Zero to it, either/or.

"If you go back, I would like to come with you."

<Pose Tracker> Dean Stark has posed.

At the very least, it's smaller scale though still very serious, so doing something about it can help give them a sense of accomplishment while still doing something solid for the betterment of the local area. ...Though they probably won't get paid for it. "Ida? She's..." Uh. Hm. Dean scratches his head. "Well, she's got a Gear, and she's nice, and smart, and she knows a lot about Reapers! She helped us all out when we all stumbled into town... Uh, 'we' was me, Animal, and a bunch of other people I'm not sure you know. It was my first time meeting them myself. But anyway, she told us just about everything about the Reapers! Like how they come in these huge groups, and how they never stop, and how they're attracted to fire..." Or was it weak to fire? It was one or the other. He's pretty sure attracted, though, since someone lit a wagon on fire and they all went over to it. "Oh, and that they're attracted to loud noises so you have to be quiet!" he adds, remembering that tidbit. His expression turns grim. "...And how they used to be people."

It's remarkable how much he's learned about the topic after just one session with Ida. If only Dean were this attentive in school.

Ignorant of the other voice inside of Avril, he nods at her reaction to the self-repair function of the machine. "Are you good with machines, Avril?" he wonders, blinking. Regardless, Avril offers to come with him, and Dean nods seriously. "I was thinking of looking up Ida and asking her if she wants to check out that town again, do something about that machine," he says. "If we all go when we're prepared, then we should have a better shot at destroying that thing for good than we did before." At least, if they bring techy people, they might have a better chance of figuring out how to scrap it for good.

Dean yawns then. He covers his mouth with one hand, then stands up and stretches. "Whew! I'm bushed, though. The kids were pretty rough today!" He gives Avril a smile. "I'm gonna take a quick nap. Wake me when Rebecca gets back, okay? We'll fill her in too and figure out what we're doing from there." Someone will probably have to stay behind to keep an eye on the kids, and that somebody will probably be Rebecca... but it's the thought that counts--right?

<Pose Tracker> Avril Vent Fleur has posed.

Here is the point where, if Rebecca had overheard this exchance, Rebecca would have DEFINITELY interrupted. For Dean's sake.

Avril on the other hand:

"Oh, I see," she says, though to her credit there is at least a thoughtful frown. "Perhaps she may be able to assist, in that case. And Animal accompanied you as well..." She nods, just the once.

The rest of the information is filed away for future use. Large groups. Attracted to noise and fire.

Used to be people.

Avril's grip on the Medium eases, just that much. ...Once she remembers to do that.

Is she good with machines?

Well, Avril did hot-wire the Gears for them. It's just too bad she can't remember enough to do more than that (if she ever knew now to do more than that)... but there's not much she could do even if that were the case without parts.

"I think so," is the only way she can answer Dean. "We will want to find people who are knowledgeable. Perhaps Ida might know someone else as well."

Which is a nicer way of saying, 'haven't forgotten what they know'.

But planning can wait -- they'll need to fill Rebecca in on things.

And besides which, Dean is obviously beat for the day. "Are you going to have a rest now? You do look tired." Closing her eyes briefly, she exhales out a small breath. "Then, I shall go and see if Rebecca needs assistance with the children," Avril says, carefully setting aside the Sea Medium and rising to her feet.

"Rest well, Dean," she says, before she moves to exit the room.

That will give him some peace.