Lost Body and Time, Restored
Please note that this story contains spoilers for Chapter 19 of the main campaign and for Laxi's adventurer story.
Luca: Woof, the forest of the faeries is huge. We've been walking for ages and we STILL haven't made it to the Sacred Tree.
Gatov: The tree stands at the heart of the forest, after all. It's easily a few days' trip.
Chelle: I see. Then we'd best pace ourselves accordingly.
Chelle: Come, Euden. We'll establish camp here for the night.
Euden: All right. Let's try to finish setting things up before it grows too dark.
Luca: Hey, Laxi. Let's you and me go gather some firewood.
Laxi: Firewood gathering... Order received. Commencing operations.
Luca: Wha—hey, wait up, Laxi! Aaand...she's gone.
???: Heh heh. I'd be happy to join you in her place, Luca.
Mascula: Chelle was kind enough to furnish me with this body. The least I can do is put it to good use.
Luca: 'Preciate it, Mascula. But, uh... Are you okay? Being apart from Laxi, I mean.
Luca: You're piloting that body remotely from inside her, if I recall.
Mascula: That's correct, yes. The thought-circuits that form my heart are still inside Laxi's frame.
Mascula: I can operate anywhere within broadcast range of the control signal she emanates.
Luca: Meaning...you won't be able to move if you get too far from her?
Mascula: Correct. It varies depending on the terrain, but the dense vegetation here interferes with the signal, limiting my range.
Mascula: That's why I'm busy trying to talk her into coming back right now. But, well...
Laxi: Denied. Doing it alone is more efficient and means no one gets lost. Luca is unnecessary.
Laxi: ▷You're always so resistant to the idea of teamwork, Laxi...◁
Laxi: Untrue. I am simply being efficient.
Mascula: *sigh* It's no use. She's not having it.
Luca: Aha ha ha... Still, that's pretty wild. You're here talking to me and having a chat with Laxi out there at the same time.
Luca: Ooh, I know! If she's gonna be stubborn about it, why don't we play a little trick on her with this?
Mascula: You're suggesting we deliberately do something Laxi will dislike in order to enjoy her negative reaction? Is that right?
Mascula: That strikes me as an ill-conceived plan at best.
Luca: Aw, don't be like that. If it works, she might come back!
Mascula: Still...
Luca: C'mooon, it'll be great! So, here's the plan. *whisper* *whisper*
Mascula: Huh... All right... I see... We WHAT?! Hm... Hmmm... Are you certain?
Laxi: Firewood gathering complete. I knew it would be more efficient without Luca's antics.
Laxi: ▷......◁ Mascula. Explain why you have gone silent.
Laxi: ▷Big...◁ "Big"?
Laxi: ▷Big trouble, Laxi. It's Luca! He's... He's—!◁
Laxi: What? Luca is what? ▷Well, he's... Uhhh...◁
Laxi: ▷He's doing a headstand while battling a fiend. He's trapped its head between his legs while juggling his bow and arrows!◁
Laxi: ......
Laxi: ▷You're, uh...not feeling curious? I feel like this is a fairly unusual scene. Don't you want to see it for yourself?◁
Laxi: ......
Mascula: ......
Luca: Pfft, ha ha ha! Classic. So, what's the sitch? She dying of curiosity? I bet she's sprinting back at full tilt.
Mascula: ...Oh. Oh, this is not good. Laxi is sprinting in the opposi...irection...signal...king up...
Luca: Whoa! You all right, Mascula? Is this what going outside of signal range looks like?
Laxi: Don't tell ridiculous lies. ▷I said I was sorry, Laxi, so please! Come back!◁
Ranzal: Gwah ha ha ha! So THAT's why you guys took so long getting wood?
Euden: Ha ha... Those two do love to squabble, Laxi and Mascula.
Elisanne: That they do. Though this time, I think it safe to say the blame lies with Luca's stupid prank.
Luca: Oh, come ON! It's Laxi's fault for charging off in the first place!
Laxi: Luca chatters needlessly and insists on mission-irrelevant detours.
Luca: Grk... That's NOT—
Cleo: All right, settle down. Luca, Laxi, time for dinner.
Luca: Ugh, fine. I was getting hungry anyway.
Mascula: Hee hee...
Cleo: And what's gotten into you, Mascula? You go on and eat as well.
Mascula: Oh, yes. Apologies. It just felt so nostalgic, I couldn't help but laugh.
Cleo: What did?
Mascula: Dining with you in my own body. It's been so long, you know?
Cleo: Ah, I suppose it has. Sharing a body with Laxi rendered you unable to enjoy the pleasure of eating firsthand, didn't it?
Mascula: Yes. Which is why I'm so delighted now.
Mascula: Being able to walk alongside you all on my own two legs again is nothing short of a dream.
Luca: Heh. Feeling's mutual, buddy! I'm happy to have you back at the table with us, too.
Laxi: Agreed. I'm pleased as well. Now I don't have to share vocal circuits with Mascula.
Mascula: Tch. If you're going to be like that...
Laxi: ▷I'm happy to keep talking out of this body instead.◁
Laxi: No. You have your own body now. From now on, only talk from there.
Laxi: ▷Nope. If the need arises, I'm still using your vocal circuits!◁
Elisanne: I never quite get used to the sight of it— the way Mascula bounces back and forth, speaking out of two different bodies.
Gatov: Agreed. It's an entertaining spectacle. They're limited in range, but that link may be of use relaying intel on the battlefield.
Euden: That's true. Their link could allow us to coordinate two squads working in tandem. That could be extremely useful.
Mascula: You don't say! I'd be thrilled to be of use to our maestro. If the need ever arises, please don't hesitate to ask!
Euden: You're very kind to offer. I'm sure we'll be relying on the both of you, Mascula.
Notte: For sure! It feels weird to say it this late, but it's great to have you aboard!
Mascula: Heh heh... Thank you! And likewise, I'm eager to fight alongside you all!
Laxi: ......
Luca: What's got you all quiet, Laxi? You pouting again?
Laxi: Negative. It's just...
Luca: ...?
Laxi: (So Mascula will fight with them. Autonomously, in that body...)
Laxi: (But then...)
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