Fall from Grace

[Shaizen Latross]

Shaizen thinks about these words. A giant key that could save the world? Kind of odd, to say the least. It didn't make much sense to him, not yet anyways. Unless it was used indeed used as a weapon then it couldn't be used for much, could it? He has never seen a lock as large as this man described. Then again, he was in another world, something he never even thought of. Perhaps this had something to do with the experiments of the Scribes? He couldn't be sure

"A giant key to save the world? And other worlds? I am not sure if I understand, but... if what you say is true then it is an important item, yes?"

He starts heading off down another road, keeping his eyes peeled as he continues searching for his bag. An idea would cross his mind, a few actually. Both needed to be answered by Marmadue, as he had been here for a while, obviously, and might know the answer. The first was about his bag, and where it might have gone. The second was about his world, and another ray of hope that might come from the answer

"How many more are there in this town, if I might ask? Could anyone have picked up my bag?The items inside could be dangerous if one does not know how to handle it properly. And, another question, what all can survive when a world is... destroyed..."

He still didn't want to think about his world being destroyed, but he remember that Gil had taught him to keep everything a possibility unless proven otherwise. Despite this, he couldn't help but feel as though his world was destroyed. Until he was taken, the balance of Light and Darkness were always perfect on his world, and the sudden increase of the Darkness did not bode well for anything or anyone there. 

[Marmadue]

"I cannot say I understand it all myself. But ah, there is someone who does seem to know more about these keys and… And I suppose it is better to follow some sort of a plan than to ah, not," Marmadue used his temporarily freed hand to scratch the back of his neck before he returned it to support the small box once again. Neither of them really seemed to know much about the key they were looking for, but when they both had at least heard about it, there was no way they would miss it if they saw it. They didn't really have to understand the fine details yet, right? It would all come with time, especially if they did find the key and saw what it was capable of. Maxwell knew what he was doing. The Yuke was certain of that. He didn't seem like a liar…

The further they got from the smaller allies, the more people started to dot the streets. Not many liked being out and about with the danger of Heartless lurking around, especially not on their own. But the Market Street was where people gathered, where the metaphorical heart of the town was.
"Ah, well, as you can see… We are hardly the only ones who share this fate. Many people, many worlds. And ah, like I said earlier, it seems that half of the town is inaccessible. There was road that once took people there, but that road has been destroyed. Who knows how many are stuck on that side of the town," Marmadue spoke, replying to Shaizen's question about the amount of people. Honestly? Too many to really count. He hadn't tried. They also were missing information.

And unfortunately for Shaizen, there of course was the chance that the bag he was looking for happened to be on that side they couldn't access…

"…I do not know what happens to a world that is destroyed. If our worlds no longer exist, that would suggest that at least the inhabitants of the worlds can survive, yes? I have not seen any proof of something else ending in here. Though ah, we do seem to be keeping what we had on ourselves the moment it happened, yes? It is quite strange for some of your belongings to go missing…"

Unless there indeed was a limit of some sort. Clothes, small items, weapons, Marmadue had seen all of those coming in with others. A bag couldn't have been much different, could it?
"Unless someone took it…"

[Shaizen Latross]

Shaizen would look around at the crowd, realizing the amount of searching it would take to find his bag in this crowd. If it was in this town, he felt it would either be here, among this crowd, or on the other side that was inaccessible. It was just his luck that he would be unable to reclaim it. This was a problem. From the look of the town, there was a good chance that attacks were frequent. Without his swords, he had no way to protect himself from the bigger threats.

"Only that which is on your person, huh? Damn it... there goes that idea"

He unsheathes his swords, looking at their condition and sighing as he would turn to Marmadue. While he only just met the man, he seemed trustworthy. And even if he wasn't, he was still the best chance for Shaizen to find his bag and fix his weapons at the current moment. He decided to tell him of the problem, and of the metals from his world he needed. This was hard, as these blades and their abilities were unknown to all except for Gil and Shaizen. 

"I need my bag, badly. Without it, I won't be able to fix my weapons. The bag has what could be... well, the last of the metal they are made of; Lunar Steel and Darkened Iron. They were found on my world, but... I guess not anymore. If the bag is not here, and is instead over there... I NEED to find a way over there... if that is possible"

He looked around, hoping he might catch a glimpse of the bag within the street. Walking slowly, he keeps his eyes peeled, hoping he wouldn't have to search much longer. He felt... weak without his weapons, like he was a recruit again. Without them his only defenses were his powers, which were costly. And with the knowledge that only what was on him and those who MIGHT have survived, his need for the bag grew greater

[Marmadue]

Marmadue glanced at the man lamenting about some idea of his no longer being possible with the new knowledge. It was difficult to say what he had been planning… But perhaps it was better to not ask. At least, not yet. Dwelling on what they had lost didn't seem like the best possible way to start a new life in Twilight Town. The Yuke tilted his head as Shaizen unsheathed his swords, giving the man's face a gaze before returning it at the weapons. He was no warrior himself, he had no experience of fighting or weapons. Yet despite all that, he could say that the swords had seen better days. In fact, it seemed like the metallic blades would have just snapped in half had he touched them even with the lightest of touches…

He looked back up at the man, listening to the explanation of the contents of said bag. It… Definitely made sense why it was so important to him, if they contained such rare, precious metals. They definitely weren't something he had ever heard of. Marmadue frowned and glanced aside.
"I… Well, getting to the other side… People have definitely tried, but this far it seems like there is no way," he had no good news to say. Would they suddenly figure out the answer? It didn't seem likely. Many had a reason to try to connect the two halves of the town, it wasn't the lack of trying that was to blame.

And there of course was the chance that the bag was just plain gone. Where might have it ended up at, if not beside Shaizen?

"I ah, do not know much about weapons. Your metals sound foreign to me, as well. Twilight Town is large, so combing it on your own might be, ah, slow going," the Yuke looked back at the man, sounding little less apologetic this time, though his expression was still obviously a mystery,
"…But there are people. Not many prefer to wander too far from the populated area, but scavenging is important and thus it is done. If we spread word about your missing bag and its contents, they might be found, yes? If your bag is here, someone must come across it eventually."

[Shaizen Latross]

He sighs as he hears the answer, putting the idea out of his mind before walking more. While there were indeed many people around this city, and spreading word of his missing item would increase his chances of finding his bag, he was unsure of how desperate those in the town were. This is what stopped him for now. New places come with new people, some of which could be very desperate for any edge on survival. 

"Tell me, would telling people about my bag be the smartest thing to do? Can we trust them? Especially with something like the contents of the bag"

He stopped in the middle of another crossroad, looking at the ground and closing his eyes before turning back around towards the crowds and looking at them. He would have to learn to live in this world it seemed, at least until he found a way to go elsewhere. If he had to live here, it would be with what he had brought from home. He was going to find his bag, one way or another. 

"How do we get word out? How do I tell the people without them trying to take it for themselves? If I can"

[Marmadue]

"If it is the smartest thing to do or if you should trust everyone… I cannot say," the tip of Marmadue's helmet dipped downwards,
"But the chance of someone else finding your bag before you is stacked against your favor, sir. So, if someone were to find it before you and they did not know it already belonged to someone… Even those who would not want to outright steal might do so accidentally, assuming it to be free for taking," he continued, of course not wanting to outright assume that no one in the town was to be trusted… But in this case, even the good people might be an issue, if they did not know. Everything in Twilight Town had belonged to someone in the past. If no one claimed something, it was better to take it and make some use of it rather than leave it lying around…

"And in case someone found you before I did… Ah, it is not a pleasant suggestion, but there is always the possibility of someone having taken advantage of your unconscious state and taking the bag when you weren't able to protect it. I did hear a sound coming from the alley that caught my interest in the first place. I assumed that it was caused by you, but perhaps… It wasn't. The chance exists," the Yuke wrapped an arm around his box and pressed it against his chest as he raised his other hand to rub where his chin might have been underneath the helmet. Accusing others wasn't nice, but… The possibility was there.
"If the contents of the bag find their way to the market, it'll be even more difficult to retrieve them, I would reckon… Warning the vendors of potential stolen goods does not seem like a bad idea. I feel that I would want my customers to be able to trust what they buy from me, were I a shopkeeper."

"The people here know me and some might see themselves as owing me a favor. I could ah, use their help to spread the word."

[Shaizen Latross]

He listens to Marmadue, listening to every word as he tries to decide what to do. What was in the bag was all he had, and he needed to do everything he could to get it back. For both his weapons, and himself. He didn't just want the bag for survival, but also to remember his world. After hearing what he had to say, Shaizen would turn to him, a look of determination on his face. 

"Alright then. Can you help me? I know I have already been a burden, with the questions and everything. But... I would really appreciate your help, and will consider it as owing you a favor"

Shaizen was usually not one to ask a favor from someone, and felt odd asking this person he had just met. It was something he had to do, however. Without Marmadue's help, he might never find his bag or the contents within. Plus, this man did indeed seem like he was trustworthy, having helped him thus far, even if it was only through information.

The market DID have quite a few merchants around, all wanting to sell their wares to some unfortunate traveler like Shaizen was now. Some were selling weapons, others armors. Just like a marketplace in a world that wasn't in ruins, this one had a full variety of items in every booth and store. Searching each of them would take forever, maybe even be impossible. He could use as many eyes as he could get right now

"There are far too many shop keeps here. Too many for just the two of us to search... wait... how big IS this half of the town? You said this is a place people go to when their worlds are... destroyed, right?"

[Marmadue]

Marmadue didn't hesitate to nod when he was being asked to help. He had all but agreed to it already, had he not? Really, how could he have not? What was being asked wasn't such a big deal to him, but it was very important to Shaizen. He certainly didn't have the heart to turn away someone in need, if he was able to do something…

The Yuke stopped when they had come close enough to the relative hustle and bustle of the Market Street proper. Surely there were cities larger than Twilight Town… But to someone like Marmadue who had been raised in a much smaller village, it definitely was much busier than what he had grown accustomed to. Shaizen was correct. There was just too much for them to search with the two of us. Many stores – and even more of the town itself, had the man chosen to search everything by himself.
"Ah, well," Marmadue turned to look at Shaizen,
"There certainly is a lot to this town. I wouldn't call it small, myself. I do not think an entire world's worth of people would fit here, but… More than what we have right now would fit. The issue would be having enough supplies and shelter," he tilted his head, probably just thinking out loud to himself the closer he got to the end. Their supplies were finite, after all…

"A tour might be in order later. But ah, even though your injuries might be gone, magic does not remove the need for rest. For you, it might be better to take it easy for now, sir." the Yuke couldn't in good conscience make Shaizen run around in his current condition! At the very least, the state of his clothes – though understandable – was quite indecent. Marmadue turned his gaze towards the masses of people.
"Alone, it is difficult to have enough time to search. But all one has to do is to alert a handful of people, who will in turn do the same to others, and those will do the same, et cetera. The word will spread quick. That would mean we just have to wait. Did you have ah, a description of the appearance of the items in the bag? It is possible others would not recognize what you are looking for based on the name alone."

[Shaizen Latross]

Shaizen would eye the contents of the stalls around them, looking at the different trinkets and items within the wares. He knew what Marmadue said was the truth. While physically he was almost perfect, mentally he was very tired. Enough to almost pass out right where he was. The trip through the darkness, though unremembered, defiantly took its toll on him. He felt weaker than he had ever felt, even weaker than his first fight with the Heartless, when he got the scar that now runs across his ribs. 

"Alright then. Who should we ask first? Or does it matter?" 

He would look back to Marmadue as he stops, listening to his words. While the town was considered big to him, it was rather small to Shaizen. The cities of Luniel were gigantic, big enough to take multiple days to cross on foot. Even with the small size though, he knew this was still too big to hope for quick results. With its small size, even cut in half, there were still plenty of people to get the information to. 

"After we get word out... where can I... sleep? Now you say it, I am wore out. I am not use to such deep Darkness. My world is... balanced... or it was"

He was unsure how he would sleep, if he would have the nightmares again or if he would get actual sleep. He knew his mind couldn't tear away from the fact that his world, along with most of those he knew, were probably gone. His city, the Guard and his comrades were probably all... lost in the darkness. Did they even exist anymore? His thoughts would wander again as he would stand there and wait

[Marmadue]

It was settled, then. Their plan of action. Honestly, Marmadue could have already sent Shaizen on his way so he could get a head start on resting, but as this wouldn't take long and they were going to head in the same direction anyway, he was certain the man could wait a bit longer. He started to move once again, heading towards the stalls and keeping an eye out for people he actually knew.
"Ah well, you see… As I am a healer, there are some beds on which to rest where I stay. They might not be particularly comfortable, but ah… Perhaps they would do, until you decide to head out and find a place of your own. Many of these buildings are empty. Many are also in poor repair, but I am certain everyone can find a suitable shelter," he glanced at Shaizen, trying to ease his worries at least a little. Tonight, he wouldn't really have to worry about the little things.

"As for who… Ah," the Yuke seemed to perk up a little when his gaze finally saw a familiar face. A merchant, an older man probably sharing his species with Shaizen, selling scavenged goods. He remembered this man. It had been some time now, but a younger member of their little group had managed to get themselves injured when on the job looking for usable items. Marmadue had been there to help. Gently and with many excuse mes, he squeezed through the crowds.
"Ah, excuse me… We are ah, looking for some items. This man here lost a bag of his with ah, items he would like to get back. There is a chance it might make its way here eventually. The bag had ah, a rather peculiar symbol on it, two keys crossed in front of an orb? And inside–"

The Yuke glanced behind him, at Shaizen. He didn't really know how the metals looked like…

[Shaizen Latross]

Shaizen would look at Marmadue, a little surprised at the offer of temporary shelter at Marmadue's place. He didn't want to be more of a burden than he already has been, but he didn't have a place or knew of any place to call his own. Perhaps a night or two wouldn't hurt, and he could always pay him back in the future. And whether or not the bed was comfortable did not matter, the cots he slept on in the bunker were like rocks

"Thanks you for the offer, Marmadue. I owe you much for helping me when you hardly know me. It is good to know that there is good among this chaos I have only just learned of"

He follows Marmadue over to the merchant, doing his best to keep up through the crowd. Many faces were surrounding him, peering at him, maybe some realizing he was a newcomer. Most of these people were merely trying to survive, some maybe were desperate. He would have to be careful in the future, that much was certain. He would listen to Marmadue speak to the merchant, browsing the wares while he was here and examining some of the items. All were mostly scrap items, as was common for a scavenger merchant. Some though, were actually items in good condition; weapons, armors and a few odd items he had never seen

As he looked at the wares, he felt Marmadue's eyes on him, looking up and realizing he was asking for Shaizen to describe the items. It was difficult for him to trust the crowd around them, but he knew it was their best chance. He closed his eyes as he spoke, trying to remember everything in the bag

"Let me see... the bag holds two types of metals, both looking like my swords"

He unsheathes his blades for the merchant to see

"There was a silver disc with a trigger on the side, a single gravity materia, a set of tools for taking care of weapons. Besides that there were just a few tools to help one explore; compass, map... those kinds of things"

While the last few things were no longer important now, they were then. The compass was special, set to tell the strengths of the Light and Darkness within an area. That was the best way for one to get around on Luniel. The map was of Luniel, so it had no use here, but it could always remind him of home.

[Marmadue]

"Ah, well, it is what we should do, yes? I do not think I would have gotten very far, had I been all alone," Marmadue quickly brushed aside the thanks and the favors. It was the decent thing to do. They couldn't make it alone. Well, perhaps some could, but he figured most of them couldn't. One who was helped was more likely to help others in return. Perhaps it wasn't just pure selflessness…

The shopkeeper listened to the description, leaning in closer to take a good look at the presented swords as well. Some items didn't get a very detailed description from Shaizen, so the Yuke prodded the man a little to get something more. After all, many of those items existed in Twilight Town already. What they were looking for were the exact items, so they had to know their exact looks – though in the case of the materia, finding that exact one might prove to be impossible. Still, there was a chance the bag would make its way to the market with everything still inside it. No such items had managed to turn up at that particular vendor, but the merchant agreed to keep an eye out and spread the word.

But everything couldn't be left to a single man. Marmadue didn't stop there, checking out other shops and warning more shopkeepers as well as shoppers alike. While they weren't exactly having luck in finding any of the items they were looking for, they had at least spread the word. And the word would just continue spreading.
"Ah… I wonder if that is enough for now…"

[Shaizen Latross]

Shaizen would feel the prod, looking back at the man and nodding before returning his gaze to the merchant. He would think a little more about each item as he tried to find a better way to describe it. Having hardly looked at them himself except for to see what they are, he wasn't fully sure what they looked like. He would explain them a little more as he would remember

The map was a rather new one, complete with latitude and longitude along with the height of each area of land within Luniel. The backside of the map was a holographic map, marking the Light and Darkness within Luniel, now completely black. The side of the map had words which read 'Through Darkness is the Light found. Within the Light does Darkness reside'. It was a quote of one of the founders of Tireal.

The compass was gold, with a needle made of the two metals he showed to the merchant. The face of the compass was a deep blue color, with markings that the Tirealians know as the directions. Instead of just four simple directions, there were a total of sixteen marks, each a different color, four sets of equal size

The device he had spoken of was made of regular steel, with a single band of shielding magic wrapping around it. A switch that would complete the full circle of energy was set into the side, activating it making a shied around the user. The top of the device had an opening through which the shield would project itself from, the swirling energies within visible should one look through the hole

He would tell this to the first merchant and the others they went up to, making sure they knew what to look out for. Once he heard Marmadue's question he would look around, nodding in satisfaction

"Yes, I believe that may be enough for now. After some rest, perhaps I will come back here and look around, see if anything catches my eye"

[Marmadue]

Marmadue nodded in return. He was going to be satisfied when Shaizen felt their search had been enough, they were his items after all. Keeping his cardboard box pressed against his chest, he motioned towards where they had come from to show the man their next destination.
"Yes ah, of course. This is a market after all," he mused to Shaizen's future plans. He'd most likely be coming here often, and not just to look at whether or not his bag had finally ended up there. If there was something the man wanted, this was his best bet to find it – assuming he had something to give in return, of course.

The Yuke had started to walk through the crowds, retreading familiar ground as he led the man. In fact, if Shaizen had been paying attention their first time around, the streets were more or less the same.
"Ah, you see… I found you right beside where I am staying, so we are going back there. That small two story house. Much too big for a single person to live alone, so it only felt natural to let ah, others take the lower floor if they needed it," Marmadue spoke as he walked, though perhaps he was just doing it to stop awkward silences from forming. It wasn't like he really needed to say anything, but…

The trip back was quite uneventful and not at all long. As the house seemed like it had been a store before it had been abandoned, it was only natural for it to be close to the Market Street. The large window on the front that opened to the street was broken and boarded up. Marmadue walked to the door and grabbed the handle, opening the door. He motioned to Shaizen so he would step through, after which the Yuke bent over and went inside as well, closing the door behind him.

The most obvious thing about the small room that opened up were the many bedrolls lying about on the floor, some made but others looking like they had been used some time ago. A small oil lamp was still burning on the counter.
"Ah," a quiet, breathy sound escaped his mouth. There was no one else. Well, it wasn't like people had to stay. When he had left, there had been some. Perhaps they were gone temporarily. Perhaps they had indeed decided to leave for good. He didn't know, but perhaps it was none of his business. It did make the house rather quiet, what with it being empty. And was it empty. If the building had been a store, the various shelves had been picked clean a long time ago and were now completely void of items.

Though not clean clean. Oh it had been quite dusty alright. There had been a lot of cleaning done after that…

The Yuke put the box he had been carrying throughout the day onto the counter.
"…May I ah, get you something, sir? I have some food – nothing too great, but it keeps the hunger away. I am afraid I only have water to offer to you as a drink. I suppose I could heat it…"

[Shaizen Latross]

As Shaizen followed Marmadue, he would glance around while listening to his words, looking at the town itself rather than the ground like before. While the town was indeed in ruins, most of the buildings had been rigged up so they were livable. In some ways, it impressed Shaizen. Not just how one could put so much work into making ruins be a home, but how determined they were in such a place. Most would give up hope, but these people were still fighting. 

Upon seeing Marmadue's home, he would recognize the same here; a ruin made into a home. Marmadue had gone even farther though, he could see this as he stepped inside. Not only had the house been fixed up so that one could live inside it, but Marmadue had gone as far as giving others a place to stay as well. Something you wouldn't find in most situations like this. Most would be looking out for themselves, and leave others on their own.

While the beds were indeed either makeshift or not in the best condition, they looked very inviting. Much more comfortable than the cots he was use to. He would look around a little, realizing there would be others to join later on. While he was use to sleeping with many others in the same room, he felt as though he would rather not be here when they showed. He would like to get use to this area and those who lived here before getting comfortable with them. 

"Um... can I get something after I sleep? If that is alright? My need for sleep is greater than my hunger at the current moment"