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[caregives]

A couple of things:

I've been thinking since the monster attack... and since there was apparently danger in the desert as well. I think we should make a shelter for people who can't defend themselves, instead of just running. That way, they already know of a place that could be safe for them. It seems like danger is becoming more of a problem... and I'd rather prevent injuries or worse.

If there's anyone who needs care after being out in the desert, let me know. I should be able to help.

Comments

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[baldrshand]

That's an excellent idea. It would make things a lot more easy to organize if something dreadful threatens the town again--or even if there's a normal sort of disaster, like a storm.

[caregives]

Yes... though I'm not sure where. Do you happen to know much about the caves out past Aldrip?

[baldrshand]

I've heard there's a dragon living in there, but I'm not inclined to believe that without seeing it myself. They can be dangerous, but I'm sure we could make a more secure space as an emergency shelter.

[caregives]

I could move some of the ground over there and make us a space. Bolster it, if needed. The only thing that I can see people being worried about is a cave-in, but if I'm around it won't happen.

If the dragon decides to investigate... we'll figure it out then.

[baldrshand]

Your abilities are that powerful? [She remembers Leanne saying that her healing magic is drawn from the earth. Ethlyn didn't expect it to mean she could do other things with the earth too.] If you're capable of that much, maybe we don't even need to worry about the dragon.

[caregives]

It's how my people have stayed alive so long. For their underground hiding places they return to it and reinforce it with magic every week or so... depending on how much energy they've put into it, it can withstand most things. I've never tried to fend off a dragon with it, though.

But if I disappear like some have here, I'm not sure how long it'll work.

[baldrshand]

Maybe we could start with magic and then shore it up with more ordinary methods once it's built. It is best to be prepared... although I hope you don't go anywhere.

[caregives]

[she smiles on her end of the line, a little sadly. because she knows that she needs to go home, that her son is waiting on her -- but she's getting attached to some of the people here, too.]

i'm not planning on it, at least.

[though do any of the people who leave here actually plan on it...? that's something to ponder later, maybe.]

we can do that. anything to keep it together will only help. if everything stays relatively quiet, i might go explore the caves in a few days.

[baldrshand]

That sounds like a good idea. Would you like company? I think it would be a good idea to have someone there to watch your back, just in case there's anything living there we haven't accounted for.

[THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BUDDY SYSTEM CANNOT BE OVERSTATED]

[caregives]

i'd like that.

[even though she thinks she can handle herself, she likes Ethlyn... and she knows she can be cocky during things like this, so. better to be safe than sorry, as she had said.]

just let me know when you're available to go in there.

[fatalism]

a commendable suggestion but who will defend those left behind?

[caregives]

We could always ask for volunteers. And of course... I could help defend them as well.

[fatalism]

are you a trained fighter?

[caregives]

yes. don't let my nature fool you.

[fatalism]

i wouldn't dare underestimate someone whose convictions about protecting others are so strong.

[caregives]

[the irony in her life. afraid to protect her family at home... picking it up here.

but this place doesn't have that woman here.]

we have to stick together. and the locals... they've done nothing but help us. it's the least i can do.

text.

[kiseijuu]

I think that's a really good idea! I'm still new to this place, but... it's pretty worrisome to hear that things seem to be getting more dangerous. A safe place would be great, and maybe there could even be some food stockpiled in it or something like that.

If it's all right to ask, are you a doctor? I wasn't there in the desert, but it's good to know if there are people around here who can help with injuries and things like that.

[ And he could really use a check-up by some kind of medical professional sometime... as nerve-racking as that would be. ]

[caregives]

It was pretty quiet when I first got here, and although it's not extremely dangerous, I'd rather have an idea of where to go before we have to make sloppy preparations. Food and other supplies would be a good idea to have in wherever we end up choosing, though.

Technically I'm a nurse practitioner and a healer, but yes. There are a few others here who have the ability to heal too, so if you need help at any point, there's no shortage of people who can help.

[kiseijuu]

I wonder if there's any correlation between us being here and things getting a bit more dangerous.... or if that's just how this world would've worked anyway.

Oh — a healer like... magic?
We don't have anything like that where I'm from. Magic doesn't exist, but I have heard a few other people talk about coming from worlds with it. I'm still trying to wrap my head around things like that.

[caregives]

I don't know. Besides the locals, there hasn't been any "Chosen" here that've been here for more than a year. There's not really a good trend to follow.

Yes, like magic.
It's kind of interesting how everything can be so different between worlds, isn't it? Interesting... until you think about it all too hard.

[kiseijuu]

So we're still a pretty new "feature" to this place....? It's all so strange. I wonder if it's even possible to find the answers.... Whoever brought us here must have a lot of power.

It's definitely "existential crisis" territory, haha.... I guess it makes some kind of sense that there'd be other worlds out there, but... you'd never expect to actually be brought to one.

[ There's a pause as he thinks of something. Having met Ange and learned about witches being real, his thoughts can't help but go that way when it comes to someone with magic. Although he's shy to ask so directly, but... ]

Pardon me for asking this, but... are you a witch?

[caregives]

They must. Technology or magic on this scale is beyond anything we can do at home. While I find the fact that there's people from other worlds extremely interesting, it's so unfamiliar that... yes, there's definitely something existential about it.

[LMAO.... it takes her a little while longer to respond to this part, if only because she had been laughing rather than being actually offended.]

I could see how people would assume that, but I'm not. I'm one of the fae, albeit somewhat different than what we have here.

[kiseijuu]

[ It's certainly a lot to think about.... and admittedly, Shinichi hasn't allowed himself to fall too deeply into all of the nuances. But the longer he's here, the more inevitable that seems....

He's thinking about all of this when the person's next reply comes, and it steals his focus — a relief that the person doesn't seem upset by the question (just asking people if they're a witch feels wrong, somehow...) and also an intrigue by the reveal. Fae? ]

I apologise for asking that! I spoke with someone here who talked about witches, and.... she thinks there's more of them here.

I've never met someone who's a fae before. That's kind of like a fairy, isn't it? That sounds really cool....

[ The human teenager from Earth is really awed by this okay!!! ]

[caregives]

[... he's cute.]

it's okay. i wouldn't have told many here when i first got here, but... it's not so weird here, seeing as how there's many people with magic or some sort of abilities.

yes. like the ones here, we're the caretakers of the earth and environment.

[well. used to be. but that's something she's not going to just dump on someone randomly.]

[kiseijuu]

[ Oh. That's.... extremely familiar. So familiar, in fact, that it stuns Shinichi for a few moments. ]

I know what that's like. Back in my world.... I couldn't tell anyone about what I can do. But here, it seems like most people have some kind of ability.

And it does seem like we could use those to help around here. I keep reminding myself that's the important thing, whenever I get really worried about it.

[ It's what's prompted Shinichi to start telling people about himself, too. In ways... and however Migi allows him to... ]

That's incredible! It must be a huge responsibility, taking care of the earth. Especially when humans don't exactly take much care with it....

[caregives]

it's strange, and maybe not a coincidence. i wouldn't take anything off the table right now. anything you can do is always a help, whether you think it's small.

[oh... at least he's an Aware human.]

it is. it seems like they typically take much better care of their surroundings here, giant monsters and all.

[kiseijuu]

[ It's impossible to convey over text just how much it... matters. Hearing that. 'Anything you can do is always a help, whether you think it's small.'

For so long, Shinichi's felt so... helpless. It's a horrible feeling, and something that he can't exactly remedy back in his own world, but maybe here.... ]

Thank you. Ah, for saying that. It's easy to get kind of... discouraged, but if I can do some good here.... I'd really want to.


If only all worlds could be taken care of like that... But I'm sure they appreciate having you around for extra help, too. It's really good to know someone can heal people if needed.

[ Oh— and he has an ever-curious alien whispering in his ear, wanting him to ask questions about magic.... ]

But does it... come at a cost to you? Using your magic to heal someone else?

[caregives]

[she smiles. even if they're only over text, he still seems sincere...]

i'm sure you'll find something. i'll put you to work if nothing else.

well, most of the human race don't know we exist. we like to keep it that way. i'm sure you've read enough history on why that would be the case... they speculate of course, but most don't know.

[invading... greed... etc. there's enough of the fae that's like that as it is.]

it comes at a temporary loss of plant life around me. i draw my energy through that -- though for most healings, it's minor. and it doesn't harm the earth in the long term at all, because it's not a permanent death.

[kiseijuu]

If there's any kind of work you do need help with sometime, please let me know!

[ Ah— yeah, he... isn't surprised to hear that, although it's very saddening. And weirdly kind of familiar to his own situation; it's why Migi forbade him to tell any other humans about his existence, back home. He knew they'd be inevitably taken into custody, studied, experimented on.... maybe even killed. ]

Unfortunately, I can understand why. Humans don't have a good track record for respecting other beings... At least you can tell some of the people here. And I'm sure they appreciate your help.

So it's almost like borrowing energy from them, it doesn't even permanently kill them... that's really incredible. I'd love to see it sometime, if you'd be okay with that, of course.

[ Migi practically begged him to ask that last part, though Shinichi would genuinely like to see himself, too. As much as magic still frightens him, this kind sounds.... really nice?? And peaceful. ]

[caregives]

i will.

they do. i was pleasantly surprised. but then again, it's like i said... everyone's a little different here. and i'll let you see it, but hopefully you won't need it used on you. i'd hate for anyone to get hurt.