Coral Sea - Submarine Volcano
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We've been searching around, but I don't see a single lifeform around here, much less a merman. |
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It doesn't help that our visual range is limited due to sand and marine snow kicked up by the local volcanic activity. |
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And unlike on land, people don't leave footprints here. Tracking someone is more of a challenge. |
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Are we sure Jade is actually here? |
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With all the sulfur and stuff around, I can't pick out anything by smell.
And it's really hot...
How about we just ditch Jade and move on to someone else's dream? |
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You can't give up that easily— |
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Ah!
Aether signal detected 20 meters ahead.
It could belong to Jade Leech! |
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Nice work, Ortho! Let's go check it out. |
??? |
Look at this hydrothermal vent!
Though it's spewing hot water nonstop, you can see it's actually home to a colony of shellfish if you look closely! |
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How do they survive in a place like this? I'd be boiled alive in an instant. |
??? |
If I might remind you, Jade, we're not searching for shellfish worth less than a sorcent. |
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We're looking for precious metals that settle in hydrothermal deposits. |
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I'm aware, Azul. But it's still nice to take a moment to enjoy the mountain scenery. |
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Yup, that's Jade and Azul, all right. |
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Recent research has established that underwater hydrothermal deposits are richer in gold than land-based gold mines. |
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Yes. Geysers erupting from deep within the earth tend to have precious metals mixed in, right? |
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Exactly. And this is a heretofore undeveloped area of the ocean. If I happen across a gold vein... Heheheh...
I could easily become a leading figure in the mining industry!
Come along now, Jade! This is the eve of a new gold rush! |
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Of course, Azul. Let us conquer this submarine volcano together. |
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Even in a dream, Azul acts like this, huh. |
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It's not Azul, just Jade's visualization of him... But it is a pretty high-res portrayal. |
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I dunno, man. I doubt the real Azul would ever voluntarily go near a volcano. |
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Ah! Jade, look! There, by that vent...
Something's glittering. Could it be gold?! |
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It is! You've already spotted a nugget of gold. You've got quite the eye, Azul...
But it's hardly safe to put your hand in there. |
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Oh, I can just plug up the vent for a moment with ice magic. Then I can scoop up the gold while the flow's stopped.
Heh heh heh... Just watch!
Freeze, vent! |
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Brilliant. Nicely done, Azul. |
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It's hardly a challenge for me. AAAH HAH HAH HAH HAH! Now for that gold—
AAAUGH, HOT! |
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Ah! You plugged one vent with ice, only for the water to redirect and erupt from another, right at you! |
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Hot! HOT! |
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Are you all right, Azul?! |
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Ah... Arm got a bit boiled there, but look! The gold is mine! |
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PFFT—! Once you have something valuable in your clutches, you never let it go. That's the Azul I know! You never disappoint! |
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I can hardly let a minor thing like this come between me and my dream of striking gold!
I won't give up, even if it costs me all eight of my arms! |
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Yes, yes! That's the spirit! |
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So, uh...
Am I the only guy thinking Azul's acting like a sketch comedy actor here? |
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I don't see the difference from normal. |
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He's lifting boulders in search of gold dust... It reminds me of when I saw Ruggie searching under a vending machine for loose change. |
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Azul loves his valuables and all, but the real one wouldn't go that far.
'Least... I'm PRETTY sure he wouldn't... |
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