bravenewworld | (001/action) The Forest Shrine

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(001/action) The Forest Shrine

[Forward dated to Monday the 20th.]

[Elly is back on the patrol. She has her Fletchling, Severain, with her today. She stuck to the forest after getting back from the expedition, giving herself and her Pokémon some rest after the intensity of the last patrol. She decided to investigate the shrines that a few reports from other Rangers and wanderers mentioned, though. That led her to the Forest Shrine. She stares up at it, at the moment.]

[Her rod, which she had used to beat back some underbrush, is in hand. Elly flicks it it out to the side -- and then it telescopes back in. She spins the smaller handle, and tucks it into her belt, before she starts walking closer to the small building and the altar.]

[A place where the dead come back to life... she finds that hard to believe, still.]

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[His expression lights up with awe the moment he hears what she is]

You're a Ranger? Whoa! I've never met one before- that's so cool!

[But wait; what about the shrine]

Mysterious? How?

Oh, you haven't? Ah, yes. I'm Ranger Elhaym van Houten, at your service.

[She smiles -- maybe a hint of pride in that smile -- and then she looks back at the shrine. She nods, thoughtfully.]

As far as I know, no one is quite sure who built it or what it does. There are rumors of the dead appearing here, but... they must only be whispers. The dead can't return.

Nope. It's an honor to meet you, Ranger Elhaym! I'm Sora!

[And he sincerely means it. One day joining the Rangers was his dream after all.]

[But he grows less cheerful when she mentions the dead, if anything, downright uneasy.]

The dead...? Appearing here?

[That...can't be, right? He shakes his head]

Y-Yeah. That's gotta be just some ghost story or something.

A lot of... crazy rumors get started, I guess. Don't take any of it too seriously. I think those stories are inevitable, and it looks like the sort of place to inspire some stories.

[She smiles, then she slides her hands behind her back.]

It's nice to meet you, too, Sora.

Heh...yeah, I guess so. [He smiles] It does look like something out of a graveyard.

I'm...not sure I'd wanna talk to the dead anyway.

I don't think I would like to, either.

[She smiles, then she shakes her head. She looks him over; younger, but young people do work in the city.]

You're still in school, I presume?

[he rubs the back of his neck]

Heh, yeah...

But I'm hoping to become a Ranger when I can!

You want to become a Ranger? It's good work, to be certain.

[He nods]

Yeah, it seems so. I've always wanted to see more of the world. I bet you've seen a lot of cool places, huh?

Oh, well... I'm actually a pretty new Ranger. I've seen the forest, but only a little past there.

...Oh. [Awkward.]

Well- you'll see a lot of cool stuff soon! Like mountains and oceans...! All that stuff!

I certainly intend to. I want to see them. It is part of why I joined, after all.

[She smiles at that. It's not so awkward -- no, there's things that are. But, everyone has to start somewhere.]

[he smiles back a little, but then tilts his head]

Part? [Curiously] What's the other part?

My father was a Ranger, for a time. I wanted to follow in his footsteps. And... to do the work that the Savior set out to do, too. Find humanity's place, beyond Union's walls.

Humanity's place...beyond the Walls...

Do you really think that's possible? Most people don't seem to think so.

I...

[It's more than thinking it's possible; it's feeling it must be that way. A sense that it should be; that humanity can change, as the Savior was tasked with, and they can do more than reclaim what was lost. But it's hard to put a certainty like that into words, especially when she doesn't know where it comes from. Like a memory, that she can't place.]

I think so. I think we have to.

Hmmm...

[He seems thoughtful about that for a moment, before he smiles lightly]

I hope you're right! I don't think I could live the rest of my life in those walls. I much prefer an open sky without towers.

[She nods at that, smiling back at him.]

I know. It's hard to imagine... I don't think anyone has lived outside of those walls. But it will be nice, when we finally can.

[There something that flickers across his eyes as he looks over at the shrine, but he keeps the smile up]

Yeah.

[He'll turn to look at her fully]

Hey, when I get into the Rangers- let's work together, okay? To make sure that dream happens.

[She notices the flicker, but she doesn't comment on it. They all have things they don't want to share with others, or sometimes, things they can't. Elly smiles and extends her hand out towards him.]

It's agreed.

Great! [Definitely happy. FRIENDSHIP] I'll see you then!

[Glancing at the sun's position in the sky]

Though...I should probably head back now, before it gets too late. [And he actually gets into trouble]

[Elly glances up, then back at him. She smiles, then she nods. She can guess why he has to.]

I should note a few tracks ahead, but I will do the same too.

[he nods] Right, ranger stuff.

[He smiles and gives a salute to her] Well, it was great meeting you, Elhaym! I'll seeya later!

[And with a wave, he's heading off with Simba following in tow]

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(001/action) The Forest Shrine

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