Call This A 'Resort'?

[Simon]

The isle known as Costa del Sol was supposedly a fabulous tropical land, if the Empire's advertisements of it would have you believe. And many people did believe, or at least held a blissful ignorance to the Empire's shadow-lurking presence in the city.

One of the main city squares was a simple one, a round outdoor court lined with fine stone tiles and deliberate enclaves of greenery. A pair of message boards detailed the identity of the island and its inhabiting industries and attractions. In the court's center stood a large archway, depicting a pair of palm trees curving up to meet at the apex of the arch. The entirely of the gate was a portal to the Nexus, the interstice of realms in the Omniverse.

Normally, Imperial patrols were not an oft-seen occurrence in the island's districts, if mainly due to how they typically preferred a behind-the-scenes monitoring of events on the island. But the gates were a very reasonable exception, for the ability to observe and intercept newcomers on a far more direct level. It offered the ability to catch potential problems before they happened, and keep up their disguised monitoring elsewhere, keeping the facade of a resort island.

"...Do you hear something-?"

"Yes. Sounds like an engine."

"Alright folks, you know the drill. Get read-"

"WHOOHOOOO~!"

----------

"Look, is this about a speed limit or something? I came to a safe stop- well, besides the drift-"

The Imperial officer was not amused, as per usual- not that anyone could discern such an expression under that full helmet and body armor. When a young man came barging through the gate on a noisy motorcycle at breakneck speed, only barely managing to stop at the last second before he broke anything, the officer tended to have that attitude.

"Actions disruptive to general populace, initial disobeying of Imperial-issued orders, and yes, a speed limit." The officer read off plainly yet curtly at the troublemaker. "Fresh out of the Fountain, aren't you?" Probably was, from the look on his face and the way he seemed to regard the Imperial guise. Just another Prime punk, drunk on the potential of the Omniverse. Lucky for him, the Empire's regard of such individuals allowed for a single free 'pass' for such an incident as this, provided the offender in question had yet performed no major crime.

Snow, in the meantime, was a bit more somber regarding his actions. Even for him, that was kinda dumb, rushing through one of the gates like that with no consideration as to what was on the other side. And now, here he was under interrogation of this government individual. It didn't help that the l'Cie was a bit disoriented from the sudden passing into the next 'Verse.

"If you mean that Fountain back in the white area... yeah, I'm new," Snow hesitated to answer, knowing that neither a truth nor a lie would serve to get him very many points in this case. The officer let out a breathy noise, maybe an exasperated sigh.

"In accordance with Imperial regulation, leeway given to misplaced individuals is to be supplemented with a proper punishment to dissuade repeat incidents," he droned out, following the script with authority but no enthusiasm. "As such, your vehicle's components are to be confiscated. Should you be observed to commit a similar offense to this one, you shall face the consequences as you would a major crime of the Empire."

"Uh, wait, the components-?" Snow adopted a confused look on his face, before suddenly rescinding it. Right, the Omnilium. They knew. Of course they knew, everyone had to know. It's not like Snow was special or anything, Omni had outright said there were others like him. "Er- right, right, okay, got it," the l'Cie stammered out before he dug himself any deeper.

Snow disembarked the motorcycle, the troopers took it away, and Snow was quickly waved off into the city. "Great start, Snow, great start..."

[Simon]

Stepping aside that first little incident at the gate, the island did seem to prove a fairly nice place. The weather was warm and clear, with a slight air of humidity, giving the impression of a summer-filled land. That being said, it wasn't ultimately heated, nor was it particularly packed with arrays of fauna to display - not quite the bill of a tropical area. Of course, Snow had no concern with this; the environment generally reminded him more of Cocoon, which was comfortable enough in it's own right.

The architecture wasn't so dissimilar, either. Most of the buildings around were of a mildly intricate stone or wood design, many such buildings fitting with the resort theme. No buildings he saw with more than two or three floors, and often accompanying them were balconies or other outdoor areas for people to lounge. Several beach areas and at least one resort hotel was advertised, which reminded Snow he'd have to look for housing; creating a house on his own wasn't nearly in the realm of possibility yet.

The townsfolk was something apart, however, but not by much. In difference from the weather, people were content to wear any clothes they felt suited them, though the styles Snow noticed were fitting enough to an island resort, as far as he could guess. There were crowds of people and bunches of public transport, but the l'Cie couldn't help but notice a certain slow, casual state to all of it. Nobody really seemed to be in a hurry, but on the other hand there wasn't an overall sense of excitement, either; Snow presumed that living on the same tropical island for awhile would do that. Or maybe that was the government.

Speaking of that government force, too, there seemed to be what one could consider a lacking of Imperial troopers beyond that one checkpoint. The l'Cie had to figure that if this 'Empire' was so concerned about keeping individuals in check then they might bother to monitor people a lot more. Or maybe they were, and Snow wasn't aware of it. If the people themselves were aware of it, then they didn't seem to care, outwardly. Either that, or they were keeping quiet so as not to arouse the 'big brother'.

But this was all also in consideration that Snow would even end up staying here. That wasn't to say that this place wasn't unlike Bodhum in several respects, and such was something Snow hinged his decision upon. He figured that his best plan of action in the Omniverse would be to simply start over; find a good home, re-establish NORA, try and retrace his steps, so to speak. As long as Snow held desires, that stuff would eventually find its way to him. From his greatest love to greatest adventures.

That was all long-term stuff, though. Omnilium was the fuel for that, and so he'd have to go looking for it. After some debate, Snow decided he was going to hit up one of the beaches first, then look for a good room a little into the evening. That might give him some Omnilium to ponder over as the day ended, and time to also figure out some other useful things he could bring out with the stuff. Confident in his plan, the l'Cie set off down the street towards the forward-most coast.

[Simon]

The sun still held a reasonable height in the sky for a beach-worthy day by the time Snow found a beach in question. The tip had taken a bit longer than he had anticipated, for a number of reasons. This was a new, unfamiliar city, and he had taken an inadvertently slower pace to absorb the sights better, coupled with the fact that he didn't know his way around. His bike might've helped too, if he had cared enough to form another one at the time.

But Snow was here now, and 'here' was a nice, wide sandy coast, confirmed as a publicly ideal beach. The shoals were far from steep, there seemed to be an absence of rocks in the water, according to the advertising signs, and the flatter land around it formed a particular area where the sun could always be caught beating down on the deposits of beige sand. A thorough number of people were at this place to confirm its popularity, from older folks laying down to relax and catch the rays, to younger ones playing beach sports and splashing around in the water.

As the l'Cie paced on the fringe of the shore, not having bothered to get a change in clothes, he witnessed that, in fact, many of the people who were here did seem to be enjoying themselves. Snow caught wind of a couple of lads looking to try out their kites on the summer breeze, and saw a teenage couple tossing a disc around. Farther behind where he was walking, Snow thought he had heard a couple of people trying their hand at blitzball, a semi-popular swimming-based sport back on Cocoon.

The l'Cie had to stop for a moment and look back at it all to realize - this was an absolutely foreign world. Not just to him, but to everyone here, too. It was a guess, but an educated one, for Snow had to figure this Omniverse was something of an artificial yet natural sense; again, not unlike the flying globus continent of Cocoon. For Snow to have needed to be brought here explicitly by Omni, in that vein nobody who was here was really native if they all had to be here the same way.

That being said, Snow had no way of currently knowing how long the Omniverse had existed. Months? Years? Lifetimes? Snow couldn't prove any of that. Still, at that moment the l'Cie held a certain pleasant surprise in knowing that in spite of all these worlds being beyond their own, that society was not only able to exist, but thrive in happiness. It was a feeling Snow couldn't quite explain nor understand, but it brought a bit of comfort to him.

It was the first scream that snapped him out of it, and the assorted yelling and commotion afterwards that drew his attention. Without a second though as to the issue at hand, Snow set off running to the source, on the farther edge of the beach.

[Essent Rose Allison]

Previously at This isn't the Emerald Brine

What else to do, now? Swim my way to the beach? Or should I swim my way to another shoreline? Well, the best I can do is swim back to the beach. I'm gonna have to camp there for today. I can lay in the sand and sleep. Then in the morning I can cook up some fish on a campfire (but I'm not sure if they allow that here). Or I can wait another 3 minutes to summon up some pancakes again. Anyway, I began to swim back to shore, my visor window-wiping itself and my clothes obviously soaking wet.

With myself all dried up and clean, I might as well get a run on-

Someone just screamed. Who the heck just screamed? I have no idea but I have to go check it out. Here I go, running to where the source of the sound is. I know this is bad. Why else would someone be screaming? I'm probably putting myself at risk by going to the source of the scream. I've already died once. Either way, I keep running. I gotta help whoever is in trouble! What could it be, anyway? Thugs? Monsters? Abusers? Wound? It can be anything. I just have to make sure I make it before it's too late. Why does that sound so cliche? Can't I just say "before an unfortunate event happens"? Well, that did sound nice but too detailed- WHAT AM I ON ABOUT? Oh great. A wall. Wait, didn't I jump really really high earlier. I did, didn't I? Maybe that can help. So I jumped. I made it high enough to jump over the wall and onto the roof. Great! I have a better view up here! Maybe I can see something going on that I can get to! Now I just gotta continue running... This seems familiar. Running across rooftops, trying to reach a goal- OH! Nevermind! I got it! To the area where I heard that scream and the source of this event!

[Simon]

From the higher waves it arose; first a tremendous hump in the ocean, but quick to expand until the dome of water was so large it fell away for the creature beneath it to rise. It did not move particularly fast, yet the movements were deliberate and looming, already having emerged very close to the shoals. As one of the many tidal waves pushed onto the beach, so too was the thing edged yet farther onto shore, finding its footing on the smoothed shallows.

The creature in question looked for all the world like a titanic lobster, but it was hardly anything to scoff at. Two huge claws that looked like they could snap a person in two were brandished in front, ahead of a huge crustacean face complete with horrific jaws and spilling feelers. A flurry of large spiny legs trundled to carry the monster out of the ocean, stomping into the soft sand unhindered.

Nobody could say for sure what it was doing. The general consensus of the immediately present people were convinced it was here to hunt, either for feeding or just to destroy civilization. Whatever the case was, it was spreading havoc rapidly, as whomever was nearby the beast's emergence raced to flee. A few people initially in the water were especially panicky, as they had been hindered from having to wade away from the rising surf. At least one person had been barreled over by the crashing flows of water, laying yelling and vulnerable to the monster.

As the creature looked ready to bear down upon the terrified individual, a burst of sound reached its senses: "Hey ugly, over here!" The tremendous lobster hesitated, long enough for the quarry writhing on the ground to manage to pick himself up and start running. Before he was home-free, the monster lunged out with a claw, looking to catch the human while it was still within range. With a sudden burst of movement, Snow went from running into the action to punching it outright in the lower hinge of the claw, stalling the movement enough for the beach-goer to escape.

"C'mon, I'm right here!" Snow taunted at the beast retracted its claw and surveyed the new opponent, "And I'm the one who's here to rip you a new face!" With that, Snow dashed forward again, aiming to plant several hard blows right in the over-sized crustacean's head.

[Essent Rose Allison]

WHAT THE FLUX IS THAT THING?!?!

...
Okay, that's a HUGE lobster. How the heck am I able to get a dent in that exoskeleton? Wait- Someone's attacking it! I'm not going to let this guy do it alone! I began to run faster across the rooftops, jumping a bit before jumping a few meters high towards the huge thing. Foot in position to kick the creature's head. Hands in position to block. The other foot away from the other.This thing might be a tough one to fight but, if anything, defeating it may mean a massive feast! I could live on seafood for months! And this place would be much more calmer.

"INCOMING!"

[Simon]

Needless to say, the creature arisen from the ocean had not quite anticipated quite this type of opposition. Snow's initial, flying blows were rapid and unexpected - and as thus connected with his full might - but after that fist sent a crunching blow through the beast's senses, it quickly wised up. The monster back aside as Snow continued his barrage of punches, only managing to get as much as grazing blows with his large swings; that was still plenty of provocation for the crustacean to fight back.

One of the massive claws raised up and slammed down into the wet sand with a harsh splat, sending a wave of force through the ground that nearly toppled the far smaller l'Cie. The other claw followed, this time closer and between its owner and the enemy, with a heavy impact that successfully barreled Snow over. He was quick to do a reverse somersault to right himself, only to find an open claw primed to strike in a split-second.

"INCOMING!"

That other blast of sound, much like before, delayed the crustacean's attack enough. A flying kick managed to connect right below the monster's extended neck, about where a shoulder might be, sending the beast reeling back a few trots. The shouter in question had spoken in a strange voice of a different quality, white he himself gave off a similar air... It gave a sort of spacial feeling that Snow didn't know how to perceive. He'd come to bother himself about it later, when they weren't fighting a giant lobster.

"Hey!" Snow called out to the other man, who had managed to pull off a landing in the lower surf nearby. "This is gonna be tough! You sure you wanna- whoa!" The l'Cie was cut short by a retaliatory claw snapping out at the pair, slowed enough by range for Snow to notice and evade it. "Hold that thought-!" He yelled again, as his l'Cie brand glowed with blue-white energy.

Coating his fist in the magic, Snow managed to pull an unsteady sprint through the wild tide. Before the beast could retract the outstretched claw fully, the fighter planted a strong-armed, solid punch into it. The moment the blow struck, the magic power charged in his clenched hand seemed to explode out, sending a layer of harsh frost crackling along the exoskeleton. With some unnatural noise one could only presume to be a cry of pain, the oceanic monster's damaged claw flew back. In those next moments the ice was gone, but what did remain was what appeared to be a sharp crack, from the combined force of Snow's hyper-chilled punch.

"Come on! I got more where that came from!" Snow taunted again, pulling his fists into a vague ready-stance. The monster reared back, brandishing its claws to the backdrop of the crashing waves around it, before scuttling forward to assault the pair of beings blocking its way.

[Essent Rose Allison]

After landing the other fighter caught my attention, only for this thing to interrupt. Then glowy thing. Then ice. What is this place? I always ask myself that. I never really got an answer. Not sure if I will actually get one. Maybe I will as time goes on... Maybe not. maybe it's subtle and I'll never realize it. Well there's a monster to take care of and I can't pause to over-think recent events. I ran up again, jumped pretty high again, and landed on the monster's head. Perhaps I can hold on to these antennae of this thing so the rapid shaking doesn't make me fall. Once I grab on to the antennae, I began to use both of my feet to kick the top of the head. Over and over and over. After those few kicks, I ended up mistakenly tearing off the antennae that kept me on, making me fall. I attempted to grab onto one of the exo-skeletal plates a few times as I fell, failing the first few times. I eventually caught on and began to climb across it as if the plates were a ladder. How to deal with a large lobster... just gotta destroy the exoskeleton first before getting to the meat just like when you have one for dinner. But how to break an exoskeleton of this scale? That's gonna take some time.

[Simon]

As the monster charged again, the other person, now silent, got a running head-start to perform a huge jump over and behind its reach. Snow quickly hopped back in response to each of the lobster's lunging snaps of its claws, succeeding in leading off its attention. Now panting from the fatigue of avoiding a giant monster's brutal attacks, Snow finally dived forward to outwit the next blow. With a mighty jump of his own, the l'Cie intercepted the creature's elevated head, delivering a couple of hard punches and kicks right in the face.

Between the combined brutality of Video and Snow, the beast's head twitched and flailed in pain, attempting to shrug itself away from the attackers. While Snow managed to kick off the monster for a softer landing on the beach, the spaceman was not quite so lucky, and had torn off the pair of antennae he previously used to stable himself. Now the tremendous crustacean was in real pain, making it absolutely furious as it reared up yet further, freeing a set of legs to flail violently at Snow whilst forcing the Commander to scale the thing like a mountain.

Now Snow was in real trouble, with the lobster throwing all its offenses at him. His brand glowed again to project a yellow aura around him, granting a greater medium of protection in his defensive stance. The creature hammered and clawed several times at the defensive Snow, who was pushed back and wincing with every hit absorbed, visibly struggling under the pressure. Just as the thing was readying another strike with a claw, Snow broke his guard, leaped up, and punted the claw with all his strength and momentum.

It was a crude idea, but it worked nonetheless. Snow had managed to take note of how there was a notable delay before each claw attack, where the things were close to the monster's head. The powerful kick Snow used managed to bounce the reared claw away, generating a sort of backlash on the lobster's part. The rebellious young man even swore he heard a crack or snap in the monster's arm, earning himself a curt smile- until he landed hard and deep in the water.

[Essent Rose Allison]

With the other now soaked, I was the only one hanging on at the moment. After climbing a few feet more, I managed to reach the shoulders... I think they're shoulder. I'm not sure. Once I got in a stable position, I began to try to pull off one of the may plates on the shoulder. Maybe if I pull off this one, I can get to the juicy meat and cut off the arm! Just gotta pull... Pull...! Agh, man. This is harder than I thought. Easier said than done, really.

[Simon]

Several long seconds passed before Snow finally came up, sputtering and coughing and gasping for air. Maybe the l'Cie had bitten off a bit more than he could chew, trying to take on a giant monster like this before he had taken time to improve himself here. Glancing around, Snow figured everyone on the beach was at a safe distance away, and even considered fleeing for his own life.

But that would mean allowing the monster to run free, and there was no guarantee that the military here would be able to subdue it before it dealt some serious damage. Above all, Snow knew that no matter what happened to him, others had to be able to live because of it. Even in this strange world with different rules, Snow was determined to upheld what he believed was absolutely right.

"Do not fear death. For as long as you interest me, you will be reborn."

Omni's words echoed in his mind, and Snow's resolve steeled itself. As long as he was alive, he was going to keep fighting, and not even death was going to stop him. Snow looked up, seeing how the lobster was starting to proceed onto shore again in his absence. Clinging desperately onto the monster's... shoulder, was it?... was the Commander, trying quite hard to pull off the thing's natural armor plating. To no avail, he just didn't appear to be strong enough, on his own.

That's not to say he didn't have the right idea.

As one of the creature's large yet spindly legs stomped down next of him, Snow reflexively charged another frost strike. Plunging the attack in before the monster could lift the leg, the massive form stumbled for a moment as a sharp pain crackled through the damaged leg. With Video nearly loosing his grip from the sudden jerking, Snow leaped up onto the stalled body and started to run up the carapace.

It wasn't easy to stay on the crustacean's back, at this point. It scuttled sideways and in circles, twisting and bobbing its huge head to try and find what had snapped at its leg, or better yet to try and shakes off the pesky gnat trying to tear at its hide. Snow himself had some difficulty, but a good part of his stalling was paying attention to Commander Video and hoping he wouldn't fall and get himself hurt.

[Essent Rose Allison]

WOAH BOY THAT WAS QUITE A JERK! Luckily my hands were still on the plate so I was still able to hang on. But this thing is. Still. MOVING! I don't think standing up would be a good idea so it's best to stay on my knees. I get onto said knees and continue trying to pry off this plate. I even attempted to use my legs, my hands holding onto a plate behind me. The legs somehow make progress so there's that. WHY ARE THERE SUCH THINGS AS LARGE CRUSTACEANS?! IS THIS PLACE TRYING TO GET ME KILLED?! AGAIN?! Tone the hostility a notch, me! Just focus on prying off this plate. Push... Push...! Ah! A dent! There we are! Well, a small one but it's still progress. Push...! Push!!!

[Simon]

"Just hang on-!" Snow shouted out, mostly to the Commander but partly to himself, as he hurriedly continued to scale the huge creature's looming back. The process was made a bit easier by the lobster lowering back down again, but too also imposed a pressure of time upon the duo as it moved forward on its original course: the inhabitants of Costa del Sol. If Snow and Video wanted any chance to take this thing down before it did any lasting harm, it would have to be very soon.

Finally able to take a firm grip upon the topmost plate of the exoskeletal armor, Snow looked back down. The beast's right side was the one most afflicted, it seemed. Snow's tactful punt had struck at the right claw, and Video's efforts were being made upon the right shoulder. Maybe, just maybe... Carefully but hurriedly, he inched his way rightwards on the monster's head, and in a lull in the monster's movements he jumped down. The dangerous maneuver almost threw him off, but Snow managed to get a hold on the carapace of the upper arm, leaving him a dangling speck on the crustacean's gargantuan limb.

With all the scraps of his strength, Snow pulled and pulled with his upper body, managing to get himself on a sort of straddling position. Facing the shoulder from the arm, the l'Cie looked backward, confirmed what he thought he noticed earlier: the plating in the joint of the right arm was disjointed, as if Snow's blows upon the claw had dislodged it at the elbow somewhat. Looking back at his surroundings, the man was rather shocked to see that the sea monster was already about to clear the borders of the beach.

With little of a second thought, Snow snapped back to Commander Video, still struggling with the thicker shoulder plating. "Hey!" He called to him again, trying to convey a new approach, "If you wanna stop this thing now, I got a plan!" Snow pointed over to the beast's right claw, held stiffly at the ready. "You know those jump kicks you were doing? I need one of those, right at that claw! Open up that crack-" Snow pointed to the partially dislodged joint, "And I can take it out with one shot! Alright?"

With Video's recognition, the l'Cie spun around to crawl his way down to the joint. Using one hand and his legs to secure himself, Snow raised the other with his l'Cie brand glowing again. As the chilled magic aura coated his fist again, Snow began the brief countdown: "Ready?"

"NOW!"

[Essent Rose Allison]

"Got it!"

I then prepared myself to jump kick once more. I just have to land back onto the beach. I do so safely. Now to position myself and JUMP! Feet in position and. WHOO YEAH I got the crack!

"You're all good! Just save some meat for dinner! Can't let it all go to waste!"

....

I can't believe I just said that.
But hey, it's useful!

[Simon]

Video nodded his acknowledgement, and in a moment of preparation stood up to ready his part of the plan. A firm kick to knock the plating loose, that's all they needed, and this thing was as good as crippled. The Commander leaped, threw himself forward, outstretched his leg for the impact, and...

*CRICK*

Not very much, but it was enough at that moment. The attack on the claw forced it sideways, jostling the whole arm over and exposing the crack in the joint's plating. A fleshy, almost rippling meat lay below, tendons struggling in their work to keep the whole arm aloft. In that instant he saw it, Snow plunged his frost-laden fist right into the gap. The blow connected, and the usual burst of chilled magic exploded out, striking in tandem with his punching arm to severely harm the monster below its armor.

"Dead-on!" Snow cried in victory as the frost crackled away, leaving the gap in the plating open and a severe wounding to the fleshy working within. The gigantic crustacean let out an unholy screech of agony at this surge of pain, flailing itself about to shake off the things assaulting it. Unable to keep his grip (and not really needing to, at this point), Snow kicked off of the beast's limping arm, hollering with confident cheers-

And then, in a last attack, the wounded right claw smacked Snow with full impact. His last moments in the air were spent careening towards the beach at a harsh angle. The l'Cie's mind was enveloped in a time-slowing haze, perceiving the rushing earth and giving him enough to think, This is gonna hurt. And for a fraction of a split second, it did- right before he blacked out.

That left Commander Video standing precariously at the beach. Having just witnessed his temporary ally get spiked into the ground, and now witnessing the massive lobster in the process of turning tail and retreating back into the waters, what now?


A couple of cautious bystanders stepped forward to try and get a better look at what they thought they were seeing. That huge sea creature that had emerged to wreak havoc was running away? One of them pointed out at the two Primes on the beach, softly calling out something along the lines of, "That's him!" Chatter within the crowd was quick to erupt, as things from doubt to amazement to wonder crossed their minds. Ultimately, the majority of the beach-goers had managed to discover that a pair of Primes together had managed to fend off a tremendous monster all on their own. Not even the Imperials here could pull off something like that!

[Essent Rose Allison]

Frost... That's quite a power. I have energy. Energy and frost... What do they form? A blizzard! I was that shard that broke the window where the frost finished the job! I don't even know this guy but... He's amazing! Then there was me. What if I didn't aid and fled instead? My ally would've gotten severely wounded and many civilians would end up dead. At least that's what I think would've happened. I'm glad I was able to help this guy. In the end, I'm left with him unconscious in the sand while the huge lobster thing retreated. I knelt down and proceeded to bring him to the nearest bench, smiling when a few bystanders recognized us. Smiling not because I was noticed, but because I was honored. I saved these people from what would've been their ends if the two of us didn't come along. A bloody beach would've been left back there instead of a small, sandy crater.

[Simon]

Needless to say, there was a notable degree of amazement and gratitude within the bunch of people present. What was an otherwise typically fun day at the beach had become a day of reckoning by a gargantuan sea creature out for their blood. But in that same moment, so too did that turn into a sight of heroism as two Primes stepped forth to drive it back - and won! With as fair a medium of caution as ever, some of the civilians approached where Video had taken the unconscious Snow, looking to praise their efforts.

Of course, some of the folks figured not to disturb the wounded Snow, and so allowed the pair of Primes a good berth. Many of the bystanders before now paid their thanks and respects to their heroes, and in due time most of the people trickled back to the beach, satisfied that the creature wasn't coming back; at least not immediately. Of course, a fair number were understandably wary of this incident and chose instead to retire for the day.

The afternoon sun was now starting to dip down, and within a couple of hours the light would begin to disappear over the horizon of the island and ocean. Some time passed, and surely enough, Snow groaned out, acknowledging his partial return to consciousness. Everything still seemed to be a in haze that addled the l'Cie's mind, and he tried to exercise some control over his senses. Trying to move shot sparks of stiff pain through his body, and after a mote of effort trying to move into a better position on the bench, simply sat still, allowing himself to recover a bit more before going anywhere.

"Well," Snow heaved in a washed-out tone, after a few moments, "That was really something..."

"Heh, I'll say!" blurted another voice, a tad gruff, yet enthusiastic.

The speaker in question was a fairly large, muscular man a few steps away from their bench and closing. He bore a bald head and a humble brown beard rounding his chin, holding a confidant look in his brown eyes and fair-skinned face that gave an almost militant expression. The clothes he wore seemed to be straight out of army surplus, too, with bleached cargo pants and a deep green fatigue jacket over a white shirt. The man approached the side of the bench with a proud smile, but as he looked to Snow his expression changed to one of curious confusion, also in regard to Commander Video.

[Essent Rose Allison]

All this honor... I'm proud of myself. Saving all these people and fighting off a huge serving of seafood. When I brought my ally to the bench, I sat next to him. I smiled as various people went back to having fun at the beach. A sight I partnered to bring back. What was that lobster, anyway? I know it came from the sea and it was huge and a monster... But doesn't it have a soul? Either way, I kept an eye on my unconscious ally, making sure he's okay. As the sun went down and a groan came out... I gave my friend a smile and said...

"Welcome back."

This man who approached, how curious he was... I'd wanted to wait until my friend has gotten himself in a good position to see whats going on. Maybe I don't have to... Maybe I do...

[Simon]

Snow blinked a couple of times, looking back aside to the newcomer at their bench. At the man's contemplative confusion, the l'Cie returned a similar expression. "What, this not hero enough for ya?" Snow gestured to his whole self in saying, following with, "Or is there something on my face?"

The militant figure straightened up, regaining a more friendly and casual guise. "Oh, no, nothing like that - I just mistook you for someone else," He was quick to explain, dismissing any idea of displeasure at Snow and Video. "I just heard some guy in a white coat went and punched out a giant crab, so I thought I'd go check if that guy was still around."

Snow managed to weakly, but still confidently hold up smile. Raising and then pumping a limp arm in mock triumph, he said, "Yep, that's me." His arm fell back in place, and Snow tried to sit up a little straighter in spite of his aching self. "...I think. It ran off, right? I kinda got spiked there..." The l'Cie tried to confirm, his grin fading as he tried to piece together what happened in his absence. Pulse be damned, he hurt all over; had he broken something? Hope not.

"Hah!" The man laughed out again heartily, gone from a tad doubtful to pleased in a pinch. "You're clearly more than ya look like. You must be one of those Primes I hear about so much; am I right?" He folded his arms, figuring his question to be a rhetorical one. Of course he was a Prime, if he was still alive after getting knocked down by a giant crustacean and still managing to get it to run off. He was starting to like this kid already.

Snow seemed to ponder for a split-moment, but then nodded, not looking up from his thoughts. "Yeah, guess that's what they call me..." Primes, huh? Clearly that meant something important, from the sound of it. Was it anything like a l'Cie, with Primes being agents of Omni? That was something to be doubtful of... "...Name's Snow, by the way."

"Snow, huh?" The man huffed once, registering the name, then said, "Call me Hammer. I run a shop in the southeast side. Just ask around, you'll find it. Ain't hard to miss."