Jailbird

As I finally got through the hell of the jungles, a.k.a. Smithy Central, I've set out for the next logical step in progression when it came to training camps : Garlaige Citadel.

All I knew at that time was the name of the place, that it was somewhere in Sauromugue Champain, and that it had a dreaded basement. I've ran through that place quite a few times on a chocobo's back. It's not true that I'd be walking through there when I can easily be taken down by pretty much everything in that place. So I've seen the ruins spreaded through that place. I came to the conclusion that the Garlaige Citadel would be like a fort, and that since I'm not going into the basement, that I'd be on the ground level, or maybe even fight high atop the ramparts of the place.

...Most readers (if I dare use the plural form) know very well that ain't how the place is like. In actuality, the 'Citadel' is in fact a prison of sorts, built within the confines of an underground cave. So yah, it's more like a dungeon than a fort.

And dare I say it again? It's underground...

So imagine my surprise when I was indicated by my linkmates to travel to the southwestern area of Sauromugue in order to find the citadel.

Coeurl >> Erm... it's not there.
Sinner >> You're in the southwestern corner of the map?
Coeurl >> Um, yah. And I don't see any citadel.
Sinner >> It should be there, don't you see any entrance?
Coeurl >> Maybe you're thinking of something else,
Coeurl >> All I see is an entrance to some sort of mine.
Sinner >> That's the place. Garlaige Citadel.
Coeurl >> ...wait. You're telling me it's not a citadel?
Sinner >> Well, sort of. It's a fortification.
Coeurl >> ...underground?!?
Sinner >> Yah... didn't I tell you you'd start having
Sinner >> to deal with your claustrophobia in Garlaige?
Coeurl >> Um... not really.
Sinner >> C'mon, that's when we hunted for your Kazham keys.
Coeurl >> Honestly...
Coeurl >> That episode is still kinda fuzzy in my memories.
Sinner >> Oh well... If it's any comfort,
Sinner >> you'll be camping near the zoneline.
Coeurl >> ...not helping...
Sinner >> Just be careful not to fall down in the basement.
Coeurl >> ...

It must have been 15 minutes before I felt able to say a word again. It felt like 15 minutes, anyways. The idea of the floor collapsing and me falling into the basement wasn't a pretty thought. All I needed, more chances of being entrapped beneath the surface.

So there I stood, barely inside the gaping entrance, the wind refusing to enter the accursed place. I took careful steps inside the facility... I quickly realized the place was old and worn out. There were debris scattered all over the place. That's a bad sign... I moved a bit further, and finally saw people there. They had to be more than a dozen and a half, some sitting idly against the walls. I couldn't stand their confidence, so I standed a bit behind the groups, in the middle of the corridor, hugging my own arms in hopes I could comfort myself.

I probably didn't look the part of a confident puller. I mean, with the discomfort I was feeling for this place, who'd pick someone who looks like they can be spooked by the slightest of signs of a potential collapse? ...I guess the group I was standing next to was interested.

Coeurl >> Um, hello...
Omegamon >> Hey! How's it been?

Took me a few seconds to figure out who that was. Heck, it took me a while to register who half of the people of that party were. I was surprised to see that most members were linkmates.

The group was :

Omegamon - Galka Summoner and leader
Cinera - Elvann Dragoon
Tidusoftantalas - Hume Paladin
Coeurldelionne - Claustrophobic Mithra Ranger
a Black Mage and a Monk to close.

Coeurl >> ...oh! Hey Omega! You doing alright?
Omega >> Sure! How 'bout you?
Omega >> You look like the sky's about to fall!
Coeurl >> ...uh...
Tidus >> You mean you don't know Omega?
Omega >> Know what?
Tidus >> About Coeurl's condition?
Omega >> Not really?
Tidus >> Just so you know, Coeurl's not too comfortable here.
Omega >> Umm... Not sure I'm following you.
Tidus >> Well, she's...
Cinera >> She's claustrophobic.
Cinera >> How hard is it to call it as it is?
Tidus >> I'm trying to be sensible here.
Omega >> Oh? ...Oh! I'm terribly sorry Coeurl!
Omega >> I didn't mean to make such an awful joke!
Coeurl >> ...it's okay... you didn't knew...

Omegamon gives a comforting pat in Coeurl's back

That pat felt like the ceiling collapsing on my shoulders. Considering how Omegamon's a highly enthusiast Galka, I can understand how he didn't measure his strength.

Omega >> So... Mind pulling for us Coeurl?
Coeurl >> Um...
Tidus >> Could someone else pull?
Cinera >> Hey, don't look at me...
Coeurl >> It's okay... I can pull...
Tidus >> You sure about this?
Coeurl >> Um... I think I am...
Omega >> You'll do alright.
Omega >> You line 'em up, we'll do the rest!
Coeurl >> O-okay...
Cinera >> Just be careful around the bettles,
Cinera >> they aggro, and we're not ready for them yet.
Coeurl >> O-okay...
Tidus >> Mind not putting too much pressure on her?
Cinera >> What? You're in love with her or something?
Tidus >> Uh?! No! No, not at all!
Tidus >> I just heard about her episode with Sinner.
Tidus >> Wouldn't want her to pass...

Coeurl blushes so bright she can lit up a room.

Tidus >> See what you made me do?
Cinera >> Come on, relax Tid!
Cinera >> I care about her as much as you do.
Cinera >> But keeping silent about it won't do her any good.
Omega >> You know? I think Cin's right.
Omega >> It's better to call things as they are
Omega >> than trying to sugar-coat it endlessly.
Coeurl >> ...
Omega >> Anyways, think you can do it Coeurl?
Coeurl >> ...I'll try...
Omega >> All I needed to hear! We're all ready!

And so I ventured a bit further, with a lot of care, past the other parties in the corridor, and into the crossroad. I analyzed the place a bit, having a collapsed wall immediately to the right, a broken down floor starting the corridor to the left, and the path straight ahead of me having rooms on both sides of it.

Coeurl >> Is... Is this place safe?
Cinera >> as long as you're careful around beetles, yes.
Coeurl >> N-no... I-I mean, is th-the floor safe?
Cinera >> The floor won't degrade more than it already is.
Cinera >> You can go down the eastern fork,
Cinera >> Just be careful not to fall down.
Coeurl >> S-so... I can walk on th-that thin st-trip?
Cinera >> Countless people did for countless times.
Omega >> That's right! Plenty of Galkas too!
Omega >> So I doubt it'll collapse under your weight!
Coeurl >> O-o-okay... Here g-goes...
Monk >> ...is she for real?
Cinera >> Don't worry, it'll go well once she finds her groove.

I made careful steps past the gaping pit, ever fearful of making a wrong step. I saw a bat down that path, so I really wanted to go and get it. Didn't want to deceive my linkmates you see. But at the same time, my self-preservation instincts were yelling at me in my head to just get the hell out of this gigantic trap. I took more careful steps, realizing those were not across the dangerous terrain anymore. I took a few breaths before drawing out my bow, and letting an arrow fly. Obviously, the bat came right at me. Now came the fun part of walking back across the same treacherous terrain I just so carefully threaded. Only this time, with a pissed off, wounded bat. It didn't take it long to eat through my shadows and start trying to throw me off balance.

Tidus >> I got it!

Tidusoftantalas provokes the Siege Bat

I was so glad Tidus followed me. Took a weight off my shoulders, both physically and psychologically. Without realizing it, I was going a bit faster to cross the remainer of the pit, only to run at full speed towards the fight back at the camp. My heart was beating too fast for me to let my arrows hit the target with my usual grace and accuracy, but I did help with the fight. Once down, I returned to the crossroad, to find a bat not too far off ahead of me. Pulling that one was a cinch. I returned to camp, and the fight was done in a matter of an instant.

For my third pull, I ventured a bit further in the corridor across our camp, and saw yet anothre Siege Bat. I let an arrow fly, and ran back to camp.

Tidus >> Um... Where's the bat?
Coeurl >> It should be right behind me.
Tidus >> Oh wait, I see-OH SHIT!!!
Tidus >> Zone Coeurl!!!
Coeurl >> Uh? Why's th-WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?!?

The Wingrats hit Coeurl for 38 damage
The (other) Wingrats hit Coeurl for 43 damage

I didn't question for a moment what they told me, as I ran for the zone. The question still pondered hard in my head though. Where the heck did those bats come from? Once outside, I took a breath of fresh air, only to hurry back inside. Thankfully, that variety of fauna wasn't agressive either, so I made it quickly back to the camp, in time to shoot two more arrows at the current prey.

Omega >> Okay, let's take of the other bats now.
Coeurl >> Uh... they're clumped up together.
Coeurl >> Want me to pull one and zone the other?
Omega >> Oh no-no-no-no-no! Let me take care of that!
Coeurl >> Uh... if you say so...

Omega summons Carbuncle
Omega sics Carbuncle on the Wingrats

Coeurl >> Uh... you're not zoning?
Omega >> Oh that? No need to! Stand back and watch...

The Wingrats defeat Carbuncle
Tidus provokes the Wingrats

Coeurl >> But... how did...
Omega >> That, my furry friend, is a 'Carbuncle Pull'.
Coeurl >> ...well, if it works...

We went vicious on those Wingrats, and I was allowed to shoot at the other Wingrats to complete the 'clean-up' operation. Once that was done, I just had to ask it.

Coeurl >> But where did those Wingrats come from?
Cinera >> They usually hang out in the rooms on the sides of that corridor.
Cinera >> You probably pulled a Siege Bat while its friends were nearby.
Coeurl >> Okay... I'll be careful then.

That meant I had to go multiple times off into the left path, which meant having to cross that damned hole. I had to deal with two other link problems due to respawns, and once I had to contend with a beetle who took a liking to the taste of my tail while I had my back turned. Eventually, we had to disband.

Cinera >> Told you she'd get her groove.
Monk >> Yah, she did a swell job.
Coeurl >> Oh? Was I that good?
Tidus >> For a first timer, you did well Coeurl.
Cinera >> Yup, especially knowing you're claustrophobic.
Coeurl >> Well thank y- =O.O=!!!

Suddenly, I felt extremely weak in my stomach, like someone sucker-punched me. At the same time, my brain was processing the positive feedback I just got.

Omega >> Coeurl! Are you going to be alright?
Coeurl >> Y-yah... Just need some f-fresh air...
Tidus >> See what you did Cin?
Cinera >> I'm... I'm sorry, but she did awfully well at the end.
Cinera >> I thought she finally got over her claustrophobia.

In a way, Cinera was right. I did get over my claustrophobia, even if it was momentarily. I got to forget about it for more than an hour. Towards the end, I was crossing the pit like it wasn't there anymore, keeping my eye on the next pull and keeping the kill chain alive than the concern of slipping down to the basement or having a wall fall down on me. For that while, I was comfortable with where I was training.

So yah, I learned two things that day. First is that I can deal with my claustrophobia to a certain extent. And the second is that a Summoner can main heal. Heck, he's a Galka, and he pulled the job with flying colors, and still gave us some buffs to make the whole training process that much more effective.

Still, I was excessively glad to get out of that place.