The desert. It's hot. It's sandy. It's filled with creepy monsters and things. But mostly it's hot and sandy and there's a whole lot of nothing. You appear and wonder "why am I here? What is there to do here? Is that a cow skull? Do cows live out here in this desert? How can cows live in the desert? Maybe it's a horse?" These are all very complicated questions with equally complicated answers but there's no one to provide them no matter where you look. Instead, you're given the option of walking. Forwards, backwards, to your right, to your left, any direction is yours to take. Try not to die from dehydration or something, that would be a sad ViViD death and the cow-horse skull might start laughing at you. I mean, you'll just start over from the beginning anyway but still.
Welcome to ViViD's new line of Vacation Spotlights: Desert Edition.
Moo-Neigh.
 One wish, that's all you get.
Make it snappy, I don't have all day.
Actually, I have eternity but I just don't want to spend it with you.
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PHASE I [ 6 00 ] So.
There's sand.
In fact, there's so much sand that there's probably already sand in your shoes and your shorts and all sorts of other places that aren't fun to have sand in. It stretches for miles and miles, in large dunes and deep dips, and above it all there are three suns that beat down upon everyone's backs. Why three? Because why not, that's why. Enjoy the sunshine and try not to get sunburnt.
You've got a long ways to travel before you find anything but sand, but thankfully you're not alone -- there are a bunch of unfortunate stragglers who are out with you, so it's time to make some friends as you travel. You've got pleeeeenty of time. No water though. Or food. Or... anything but human interaction.
Thankfully, it's only a matter of time before you stumble across your hot new ride. Thankfully, it seats two, so you and your new friend can enjoy a cramped road trip. You, this relative stranger, and the great... sandy... unknown! Good luck!
PHASE II [ 645 ] If you prefer to not take your ride, you're going to wish that you did soon enough. Every desert level has to have desert monsters, after all. You're walking through the sand, trying to make it to somewhere that isn't sand, and then suddenly, the sand worms appear.
Or.
Well.
They try.
Unfortunately, they're little more than 5 or 6 inches tall apiece, and they'll mostly try to eat your shoes and socks. How scary.
Alternatively, if you have actually taken that sweet ride of yours on an adventure through the desert, you're going to hit something at one point. It makes a rather pitiful scream and there's a small bump underneath your tire before your car comes to a stop. You just ran over a sand worm.
Anyone who is intrepid enough to kill a sand worm though will find one interesting thing about them. They're filled with water, and you are very, very thirsty. Ew.
PHASE III [ 1000 ] It sure is hot.
And unless you've devoured one of those poor, sad, screaming sand worms, there's no water to be found. It feels as though you've been wandering in circles for ages, so perhaps it's really no surprise that the heat starts to get to you. First come the headaches, and the thirst. Then the dizziness and vertigo.
And finally, the mirages.
What you see is a waterfall cascading into a crystal pool, beautiful and pristine and painfully cool. It's just begging for you to come enjoy it, and -- wait, there's one more thing. Standing in front of that pool is either someone you care about immensely or someone you hate immensely.
And either way, the things they say or do will be the same. First they reach for you, beckoning, and they they start to detail all of the things they'd like to do to you. NSFW, SFW, loving or cruel or so many things in between, all that's honestly consistent is that it's pretty shocking.
Oh, and awkwardly, it seems as though anyone with you can see and hear that hallucination too. That's embarrassing.
PHASE IV [ 1215 ] Eventually, though, you'll find your destination. Or... at least, it seems like it should be the destination. The tiny temple is at least a change from the endless sand, and in the middle of it, there's a lamp. That sure looks familiar.
If you rub the lamp, of course, you'll release the genie, and he'll glance at you, and inspect his fingernails as though you're hardly worth his time, and offer you one, single wish.
As soon as you make it, well... You'll get the opposite of what you wish for with a sudden apology note in your hand. The card will read "Sorry, this level isn't entirely finished yet - Mosley" before immediately disappearing. Your wish will only apply in ViViD, of course, but hopefully you didn't wish for anything too crazy, or you might have made the level Much Harder for everyone around you.
BONUS [ why o'clock ] One second you're walking along the desert sand, enjoying the eternally same view, and the next there's a sudden pinch on your ankle, and a scorpion monster scuttles away quickly. Whoops, looks like you've been stung.
But it's not poison, it would seem. Aside from feeling a little odd and having a mild fever, you're fine.
More importantly, you've now found yourself in possession of some... new powers (a la Spider-man), and they're...
Well, they're useless.
Maybe you can summon water now, but... only sulfur water. Perhaps you can now make pretty light shows and that's about all. You can see the future but only the next three seconds. The possibilities are endless, but what's for certain is that they're all completely and utterly useless to you.
What the fuck, ViViD.
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:D hi!
[The relief that courses through Lavellan's entire body is enough to make her forget the worms from mere moments before. Thankfully, they've retreated far back enough that they don't seem to mind her attentions ripping away from them and to the very tall, very human man trudging in her direction, boots and all.]
[In her excitement, Lavellan trots over to meet him half way, freckled cheeks red and sweaty from the dry, unforgiving heat. Despite the rough times behind and ahead, she still regards Cullen with a happy grin as she reaches up to take the shoes from his hands.]
Thank you. I'll be sure not to tell her if you won't.
Are you all right?
o/
With the boots gone, he shifts his arms to cross them over his chest, foot tapping the floor briefly. ]
It can be a secret. I doubt either of us want to listen to her fussing about some noble who might be offended because their sponsorship is being abused.
Other than this heat, though I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this up. [ He takes a look around. ] There appears to be no end in sight.
\o
Perhaps I could be of help.
[Not with finding an end-- that'll be nothing short of a miracle-slash-blessing from the Creators themselves, but at the very least they could try and make matters slightly more pleasant.]
[Once satisfied with her shoe situation, Lavellan slowly stands to her full height (just coming up to Cullen's shoulders. Impressive.), closes her eyes, and pulls together a small pool of mana. Despite the distinct lack of moisture in the air, and the apparent lack of the Veil to pull her power from, she manages to form a small ball of ice, just big enough to fit in the combined palms of her hands.]
I've been trying to avoid using too much magic as a precaution, but I feel this is an appropriate time for an exception.
Take it.
no subject
He stays quiet while she fixes herself though, monitoring the area to make sure nothing strikes out while they're occupied. Thankfully, nothing turns up, and she's able to put on the boots peacefully.
He even stays quiet as she uses her magic, though he knows and trusts there is no danger to be found here. In fact, it's the opposite. The ice in her hands is small, but he does seem a little surprised that she's offering it all. ]
I think worrying about how much mana you have might be the last of our worries. There may be no lyrium here [ thank fuck ] but if we don't make it to shelter and water soon, it won't matter if we stumble into a fight.
Did you want to share it?
[ Because she's probably just as hot with three suns blaring down on them as well... like yeouch. ]
no subject
[It's true that taking off her shoes in a childish fit of stubbornness was completely her fault, but come on, if Solas can do it, so can Lavellan! She just... has to try harder next time! (Please don't let her try harder next time. In fact, don't let her try to take her shoes off at all whenever possible.)]
We can share if you'd like.
[As long as it helps Cullen out. She has to take care of her friends, after all! Three suns and all! So with that in mind, she'll wait patiently for Cullen to take his share, chatting in the meantime.]
And I suppose that means we've a new goal: find shelter, water, and hopefully a way out.
That shouldn't be too hard, right?
no subject
[ But would Solas try and do that on a burning hot desert?? Either way that part is over now, and hopefully there won't be more deserts to contend with in the future. He's quiet for a moment though as he tugs his gloves off, tucking them under his elbow to use the ice against his hands, wrists, eventually using his cooled hand on his forehead as he holds out the ball of ice to her in return.
He doesn't want to take too much either. ]
With no map or direction we'll be lucky if we find the way out. Finding shelter or water should be less difficult.
[ Should be. ]
no subject
[She mimics Cullen's actions, pulling off her own gloves before taking the offered ice, running it around her neck and forehead before it melts away entirely. Its effect is pleasantly cooling, what little wind sweeping across the sand wicking away the heat from the only exposed parts of her body. It's enough to bring a bit of vigor back into her movements as she motions forward with a tilt of her head and a couple of confident steps, the smile returning to her face.]
We've made it through with less and worse.
Let's go find ourselves some shelter!
no subject
He averts his gaze as he pulls his gloves back on afterwards, only enjoying the lack of leather on his hands for that brief moment. Despite the heat, if they had to engage in battle he'd definitely have a better grip on his sword with them on rather than off, after all.
The ice has, at least, offered a temporary relief. ]
You have, not we, Inquisitor. [ He says it softly, though perhaps in his case it would be a lie to dismiss that too. Who knows. Either way, he's considering her actions in Haven more than anything else here. ] Can you recall where you traveled from? [ For him it was definitely behind them both, but that still leaves 3 other directions. ]
no subject
[What few steps Lavellan manages come to a sudden halt as she examines their surroundings. This landscape didn't offer the same hints as a forest or city, and any footprints she'd made in the sand disappeared long ago. A hearty huzzah for both physics and misfortune.]
First of all, I sincerely believe that the we is well deserved. You've weathered just as much as I, Cullen. If not more.
[Even if not in the most literal sense, the steadfast nod of her head shows that no, she will not accept any other opinion on the matter.]
Second, I initially came from the same direction as you, but I had to double back. [Because of silly reasons that need not be explored further than they already have.] I didn't see anything resembling shelter, however, I didn't go very far.
So we can continue in the same direction if you'd like, unless you've another idea?
no subject
Still, he uses those thoughts to avoid answering that kind of response, he kneels to test the ground then closes his eyes as he decides which way the wind is blowing. Ideally, they might want to face that. ]
It might be best to continue in that direction-- [ An arm stretches out, pointing to the side of them both. Not quite the same direction as before, but not far off track either. ] --can you keep walking?
[ After ... what happened to her feet and all. ]
no subject
[Liar.]
[But she's gotten a little better at lying thanks to the various diplomatic dealings that often plagued the Inquisition, so the confident smile never leaves her face.]
[Lavellan nods in agreement with Cullen's assessment, trusting him implicity with his decision. Regardless of whether or not he's right, what's important is that he at least has an idea outside of 'eh, that way is fine'. That alone is enough.]
Go ahead and take the lead. I'll follow wherever you think is best.
[By follow she means walk beside based on her positioning directly to his left, but that's mostly the same thing.]
no subject
Still, he hesitates over her words because while he might have been in charge of strategies and the like, she is the one who is their leader now. ]
That's... [ He exhales. She seems to be still smiling though, and even if he isn't certain this will get them anywhere, it might be the only plausible option they have. ] ...Thank you.
[ It's softer, a little more disconnected as he turns and starts walking. The ice definitely helped a little, but it's a short term relief. ]