Patron Saints/Session 3

From Greenthings

<Greenling> So you're all on a road headed further into the mountains. There's a town about an hour ahead. Alternately, if you take this path far enough the other way you'll be headed back South. Or you could do something else.
<Greenling> Choice-makan times.
<Cho_Namhwa> "Well, it's been a pleasure meeting all of you. Thank you for the horse, Inkah, (if I may, of course), and good luck to you in escaping the Wyld Hunt." With that, Cho wheels his horse toward the southern branch and works his way past the herd of horses still with them.
<Greenling> "...I'm going with you." :<
<Greenling> "You're going to go find dad, right?"
<Greenling> Sunny is still glaring at Rei.
<Greenling> "I mean, in his direction."
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "That's it? We escape from a bandit army, the Wyld Hunt, an exploding manse, and Tax Collectors together, and you would so casually discard this friendship?"
Rei blinks, glancing to Rudeth, whose horse she was on.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Surely, such a disregard of fate could only bring down upon us all a disaster!"
<Greenling> Rudeth is silent for no particular reason.
Cho_Namhwa gives Zhubin a wry look.
<Cho_Namhwa> "Two directions, one hunt. Of course you can come with my, Inkah. Do you mean your father?" Cho pets Sunny soothingly and pointedly ignores Rei.
<Greenling> ...Though this may change shortly.
<Greenling> "Yeah."
<Cho_Namhwa> "...And my taxes are paid," he adds.
<Greenling> Namhwa feels strangely disconnected for no reason at all he can place.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Of course they are, I'm sure. Because no one running from a Wyld Hunt would disgrace themselves by not paying taxes." Zhubin pushes back his hood, and unclasps his cloak, allowing the sun overhead to wash over him.
<Greenling> Zhubin: the paaaain
<Greenling> The pain loves you.
Cho_Namhwa just watches the surreal scene for a moment.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> Sucking in air through his teeth as the sun's light burns at his skin Zhubin continues "There is a town not distant, according to that way marker. We should perhaps stop there for news, and find out if there is even anything left of the town we so hurriedly left."
<Greenling> I need you all to make Per+Surv.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "And you, silent miss. Can you ride?"
Rei shakes her head.
<Greenling> Zhu and Nam: huh, it's kinda cold. Whatever.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Strange, even with the glory of the Sun directly upon us, it seems rather chill."
Cho_Namhwa shrugs at the scarred old man, then looks at the group a little more closely.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "And at least Peyt is silent. I knew giving him the larger share of the alcohol we found in that place would be of some benefit."
<Greenling> A leaf falls onto Zhubin's head for no particular reason.
Cho_Namhwa looks up.
<Greenling> You see sky. Also a couple of nice trees.
Zhubin_Ochieng pulls the leaf from his head and holds it out for Cute to nom.
<Greenling> Cute noms happily.
<Cho_Namhwa> "Well, let's get going, at least," Cho remarks to Inkah.
<Greenling> Inkah nods.
<Greenling> And starts her horse in that direction.
Rudeth looks at Rei and smiles. "You can ride with me, if you like."
<Greenling> ..."*cough* ...*sigh*"
Rei blinks some, nodding to the others and giving Rudeth a glance - being on his horse already, as she was before.
Cho_Namhwa tries to wrench his heart away from the scarred, but humbly beautiful priest, the thaumaturge that got them out of the deathtrap, and the young hero that fed the monster holding them captive, along with those other guys.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Ahem. Town, that way." Zhubin points. "Information is good. Riding back blindly into a town that had an angry Wyld Hunt, tax men, and a bandit army may not be the wisest thing, little Inkah."
<Greenling> "But I need to know what happened to dad..."
<Greenling> "And the farm." ._.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Inkah, let us ask in the town, its not that distant. Then, if we can find no information there, I shall accompany you back."
Rudeth looks at Inkah sympathetically. "Maybe once we get somewhere we could ask and see if anyone has heard anything?"
Cho_Namhwa stops his horse.
<Rudeth> "It was my home, too," Rudeth reminds them. "I'd really like to make sure they're ok."
<Greenling> "..."
<Greenling> Inkah looks between Namhwa and Zhubin.
<Cho_Namhwa> "Rudeth is right, and we might as well ask around about rumors before we rush back," Namhwa remarks guiltily.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Am I the ONLY one who doesn't want to ride into an angry Wyld Hunt? By the light of the Sun, I think you're all slightly insane."
Rei blinks. Wyld Hunt?...
Rudeth looks at Rei, then back at Cho. "Look, those people are my friends, and they've taken care of me. We have an obligation to try to help them."
Cho_Namhwa turns his horse toward the town, and encourages Inkah to do the same.
<Greenling> "...Oh, fine."
Rudeth looks over to Zhubin. "You don't have any ties to them, so I wouldn't hold it against you if you didn't want to join us." Rudeth turns his horse and goes after Cho.
<Greenling> "..." She looks at Rudy and Crow. "Thanks for not getting me killed, I guess I should say."
Zhubin_Ochieng turns Fluffy towards the nearby town, with Cute following along.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Ah, one small point? There may have been a small notice out for an albino man, around my age. Let's all just agree that no one has seen such a man."
<Greenling> Fluffy pauses occasionally to nom grass.
<Greenling> Zhubin: the pain
<Cho_Namhwa> "Maybe it wouldn't be wise to bring the whole herd in, though..." Cho trails off. "Perhaps White Crow could take a rest with the Claw Striding terror nearby while we walk in?"
<Cho_Namhwa> "Of course, good sir."
Zhubin_Ochieng lifts his hood back onto his face, clasping his cloak once more.
<Greenling> What a conveniently good idea! They will do this.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Yes, that seems like a wonderful idea."
<Cho_Namhwa> "I know you're more comfortable in a saddle, lad," Cho remarks to Rudeth, "But sometimes it's best to change up your story a bit."
Rudeth nods. "I think I can handle that, if it's what's best."
Cho_Namhwa , while witty, has no capacity for lying and can not come up with a plausible story for the traveling carnival that they appear to be.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Hmmm, a farmer, a young girl, a hooded man, a medicine man, and a silent girl? We are an odd group, at that."
<Cho_Namhwa> "Perhaps we could masquerade as a... traveling carnival?"
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Perhaps if we brought in that Strider, the camels...no, that wouldn't work. That beast would surely get drunk again." Zhubin glares towards both Peyt and the actual Lizard.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Bah. It was nothing but coincedence that brings us in together. Strange things happen!"
Cho_Namhwa laughs.
<Cho_Namhwa> "Coincidence, and a fair bit of mind-your-own-business?"
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Yes, well, all things according to the Sun."
Cho_Namhwa then rolls his eyes with the holy-business.
<Cho_Namhwa> "Sure, of course."
Rudeth glances from Rei to the commotion to Rei again. "No offense, but we might want to cover the, uh, tail and ears? It's a little suspicious..."
<Cho_Namhwa> "Hmm. You know, there are tales of silent oracles and prophets. Zhubin's sanctimony might come in handy. Do you have an extra robe?"
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Of course, but I can not, in conscience approve of mocking a true faith."
Zhubin_Ochieng hands over a hooded robe.
<Cho_Namhwa> "How are you to know that she's not an oracle?" Cho retorts politely.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "But, I can assist in providing clothing more suited to this desert air. The lack of speech for one."
<Cho_Namhwa> "Her wisdom hasn't been disproven," Cho remarks.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Oracles are oracular. They provide guidance."
Cho_Namhwa bows reverently toward Rei, then pets Sunny.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "One can not oraculate sans communication!"
<Cho_Namhwa> "And look! She's facing the town!"
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "We're all facing the town, Cho. We're all oracles?"
Rudeth stares at these two grown men arguing like children.
<Cho_Namhwa> "Of course not. I wanted to go the other way. Perhaps your oraculature convinced me to turn around, though..." Cho appears to ponder.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "It's no oracle of mine. I am merely the mouthpiece of the Sun!" Zhubin bows his head slightly, and lifts it with a smile. "Fine, fine, she's a silent oracle, now can we go to town? I haven't eaten in a while, and since...a certain time, I'd prefer regular meals."
<Cho_Namhwa> "So long as you pay for your whole meal, good sir," Cho says with a wink.
<Greenling> Inkah just holds her head in her hands and tries not to comment.
Rudeth nudges his horse into motion, clearing his throat. "So, um, are we agreed? She's an oracle and we are her escort?"
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Yes, it will be fine. A town like this, most should simply mind their own business anyway. We're not bringing trade goods, they'll want our money, and that is it."
Cho_Namhwa nods and nudges his horse with his heels.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> A hint of tiredness is heard at the mention of trade in Zhubin's voice.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Cute, stay here, and keep the drunks out of trouble."
Zhubin_Ochieng turns Fluffy towards the town.
<Greenling> Cute lays by Peyt.
<Greenling> You begin the ride.
<Greenling> This is actually a fair-sized town. A couple of shacks and some kids playing, then the city walls...
Rudeth whistles a little tune as they ride along.
Rei listens to the whistling quietly, glancing among the others.
<Greenling> There's one guard before the wooden walls. He's not armed particularly professionally. He waves at whoever's in front.
Zhubin_Ochieng waves back.
<Greenling> "Sir? Hey, sir?"
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Point us to a food house, would you?"
<Greenling> "Uh, d'you know anything about an explosion and a bunch of crystal stuff?"
<Greenling> "I gotta ask anyone coming from thataway, sorry."
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "I saw it earlier today, yes. What was it, have you heard?"
<Greenling> "No idea. D'you?"
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Not a clue. Maybe one of the Blessed of the Fire Dragon lost their temper?"
<Greenling> "Man, my brother was out runnin' home from I dunno what, I guess his girl had something t'do with it youknowwhatImean, heh, and he just saw this huge pillar of smoke, man..." He mimes it.
<Greenling> "...Man I guess, never seen one of them do somethin' like that but then ones come through here never do bother to talk to us, y'know?"
<Greenling> "'Slike BOOM." This man is on something.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Yes, the ones I've met tend to treat us all as if we're not even worth brining them their food. And speaking of food, where can we go to eat?"
<Greenling> "Oh uh, food's thataway, picture of a pig." He points.
* Cho_Namhwa watches how the Southerner expresses his message through physical motion.
<Greenling> Big handwavery stuff.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Thanks!" Zhubin leads the way, looking for some wretched drawing of a pig.
* Rei blinks. The man was rather odd. She follows after Zhubin, glancing to the others briefly.
<Greenling> After a couple of turns, you find a sign bearing a pink blob with adorable little eyes and snout on a blue background.
<Greenling> It looks like a six-year-old with talent painted this.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "About the level of sophistication I expected." Zhubin slides down of Fluffy, not hitching him to any post. "Guard."
* Cho_Namhwa slides off his mount and hitches her to the hitchin' post. He lifts Sunny up off the horse, then carefully lowers her to the ground.
* Rudeth slides of off his horse and helps Rei down.
* Rei smiles, gracefully dismounting with his help, glancing to the puzzlingly unfriendly Sunny.
<Greenling> Sunny likes Namhwa's chin as he does this.
<Greenling> (*licks)
* Cho_Namhwa smiles and hugs his dog.
<Greenling> Tailwag.
<Greenling> She just glares at Rei, keeping between her and Namhwa.
* Zhubin_Ochieng heads into the eatery.
* Rudeth keeps a hand on Rei's shoulder and smiles. "Just still close to me, Miss."
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Food and small beer for 5." Zhubin calls out as he walks in.
* Cho_Namhwa whistles for Sunny, then guides her inside so that she'll quit glaring.
<Greenling> You see a guy duck back into the kitchen when you say this.
* Rei follows as well, nodding to Rudeth.
<Greenling> After a moment, the guy runs back out and sticks five mugs on a table.
<Greenling> "Preferences on the food?"
* Cho_Namhwa settles down at a large table with his back to the wall so he can lean back.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "What do you have?"
<Cho_Namhwa> "Beef?" Namhwa asks hopefully.
* Rudeth follows after Zhubin, sitting near him. He looks over to Rei. "Is this food okay for you?"
<Rudeth> "Would you like... let's see... Vegetables? Fish? Beef?"
* Rei nods softly. It should be fine. The dried meat was, after all...
<Greenling> He names off some grasses, a couple types of fowl... "There's a little beef."
<Greenling> And a sharp savory-type fruit.
<Rudeth> "Fruits, please, and duck or chicken, something of that sort." Rudeth smiles.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Fowl and fruits, with some beef, please."
* Rudeth looks over to Rei. "Is ale all right? If not, we can get you water or something."
* Rei nods some, smiling.
* Cho_Namhwa guides Sunny over to the side away from Rei, then shrugs to the server. "A quarter kilo of beef, quarter chicken, and a fruit, please."
<Cho_Namhwa> "Oh, and please don't cook the beef."
<Cho_Namhwa> "Well, enough so that it's warm, if you've cooled it," Cho rambles.
<Greenling> The guy looks at you strangely, before noticing the dog.
<Greenling> "...Oh, okay. Sure."
<Greenling> He points to each of you in turn as you order, memorizing it, then leaves.
<Greenling> The place is mostly filled with young folks at this time of the day.
* Cho_Namhwa busts out _Known Fair Folk of the South_, deeming it the safest book to have in public without dragging the magical trunk about.
* Zhubin_Ochieng keeps an ear out for discussion of any towns being sacked recently.
* Rei glances at the book, blinking some. She sighs softly, shifting position and moving her zither's case to her lap.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "You can play that, little quiet one?"
* Cho_Namhwa looks questioningly at Rei, wondering if she's alright.
* Rei blinks out of thought, glancing up and nodding some.
* Cho_Namhwa returns to his book, then chuckles in Zhubin's direction.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "What is it now, medicine man?"
<Zhubin_Ochieng> Zhubin smiles, as he leans back in the chair, sipping his drink.
* Rudeth smiles at Rei. "The food here isn't the best, but it's definitely better than of the trail rations we've given you. And the owner is a nice man."
<Greenling> The talk of this place is mostly local. Other than that, there's news of trade routes, rumors about Paragon, and talk of marauding monsters.
* Rei gives a slight nod, smiling to Rudeth in return, opening the leather carrying case and sliding the seven-stringed zither out, looking over it some.
<Greenling> Namhwa:
<Greenling> There is one Fair Folk mentioned who is very friendly to people, but asks obscure favors. There is another one mentioned who is very good at crafting things, and not too friendly, but dealable. There is another one who is said to be able to do anything asked of it yet for the right price- and the list of things asked of it is impressive.
* Zhubin_Ochieng perks his ears at talk of 'marauding monsters'. That sounds interesting.
* Rei smiles to Namhwa, hands resting on the zither, tuning it before beginning to softly play.
* Cho_Namhwa reads intently, considering how to approach these inhuman beings.
* Rudeth begins humming along once he hears a pattern in the melody. "That's really nice," he says. "Do you play a lot?"
* Rei blinks, glancing down. M aybe. She gives a little shrug, not wholly sure whether she did or not... she's definitely passable with it, at least.
* Rudeth looks at her oddly, not sure whether she is being modest or just doesn't know how to reply. "I don't recognize that song. Did you make it?"
* Rei shrugs again. Did she? She sighs softly, glancing down and silencing the strings.
* Rudeth tilts his head to the side. "Can you not remember?"
* Cho_Namhwa looks up at Rei with interest.
* Rei nods, glancing up to Rudeth.
<Cho_Namhwa> "Is that what's so wrong? Oh, here I am being so selfish. Ru- err, lad, if you'll excuse me, may I sit next to the lady?"
* Rudeth pauses, studying her quietly for a second. "Do you...remember anything?"
* Cho_Namhwa saves them the trouble and sits on the opposite side of Rei.
* Cho_Namhwa looks at Rei's head to see if there are any obvious bruises, contusions, or lumps.
<Greenling> Namhwa: lots of bruising, not just on her head.
<Greenling> You did find her next to a suspiciously her-shaped impression in a rock.
* Rei shales her head to Rudeth, blinking as Namhwa inspects her.
<Greenling> Zhubin: large, smoke-breathing, nocturnal rabbits.
* Rudeth watches, wide-eyed. "That doesn't look good... What do you think, Doc?"
* Cho_Namhwa whispers to Rei, but so that Rudeth can overhear, "I think you might be suffering from amnesia. It's been known to happen with severe trauma, particularly when the damage involves the head."
<Zhubin_Ochieng> Zhubin stands up, walking to the bar. "What's this about rampaging rabbits? I can't say I've ever heard of such a thing in my time travelling!"
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Actually, it's been a while since I've heard anything so interesting, so how about a small competition for all of you? I'll buy the teller of the most interesting news or tale their meals for the day, and a drink for any who compete!"
<Greenling> They all look at you. A couple seem to think you're weird. Some of the rest think this is the Best Idea Ever.
<Greenling> You have five, then after some discussion, six entrants.
* Rei blinks some, nodding in understanding. She supposes that makes sense...
* Zhubin_Ochieng smiles at the takers, and asks the person brining out meals to get them their requested drinks.
* Rudeth looks up at the Doctor. "Do you know of any way to reverse it?" he asks quietly.
* Cho_Namhwa thinks and looks up at the ceiling.
<Greenling> The drink guy blinks. "H-hey, would you mind if I joined in too, or would that be cheating?" He smiles.
<Cho_Namhwa> "Well, hypnosis, drug therapy, and time are all valid cures, though none are certain."
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Feel free! The more, the merrier, yes?"
* Rudeth thinks and asks, "Do you think that has anything to do with why she can't speak?"
* Cho_Namhwa squints.
<Greenling> He gets a few people jeering at him. One drops out- "He knows all the ones I've ever told." Most of the rest want to stay in, though, if only for the participation prize.
<Cho_Namhwa> "Yes, it's possible, but unlikely. It's pretty rare for a person to forget a whole language, but I read about a case study where it's happened before."
* Rei blinks and leans away from the squint, feeling awkward under the scrutiny
* Cho_Namhwa looks embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Miss, I didn't mean to leave you out of the conversation."
<Greenling> Rudy: Namhwa is from Rich People Places where suitcases study and do medicine.
<Cho_Namhwa> "But can you make any noises at all?" Cho asks Rei. Perhaps her vocal capability is damaged, not her linguistic ability.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "All right!" Zhubin points at the contestants, the bar worker last. "Let's hear your tales or news, and we'll have the place as a whole be the judge, yes?"
<Greenling> There is mild hooting and clapping.
<Greenling> Story One!
<Greenling> This one tries to lean on your sympathies by telling a story about the rabbits, how he saw them hopping around someone's farm one night and the crops were totally ruined the next day.
<Greenling> He's pretty wild, and may be exaggerating.
* Rei shakes her head, pretty certain she couldn't... plucking one string lightly.
<Greenling> Story Two is a story about a marauding bandit king in the area who may be an Anathema. He seems to have actually conquered some towns- and the Realm is leaving him alone? Scandalous.
* Cho_Namhwa looks at Rei's zither curiously.
<Cho_Namhwa> "Perhaps you could express yourself through that? Maybe you could try it out."
<Greenling> Story Three is about a strange, beautiful woman who passed through a week or two back, singing fantastic songs that for some reason, everyone remembers, but no one can quite agree on what they were...
* Rei smiles slightly, nodding to Namhwa.
<Greenling> Story Four is about a local Dragon-Blood's rumored dallying with local villagers. Kinda boring, but it's told well, and if Peyt were here he might recognize the description...
* Rudeth pauses for a second and thinks, then looks at the doctor. "Hey, Doc, can I ask you a favor?" he asks very quietly.
* Cho_Namhwa nods silently to Rudeth.
<Greenling> Story Five is what sounds like a very old story about a ghost said to haunt the hills at night, an old man in strange old clothes with symbols of the Sun on them.
* Rudeth looks up at the doctor. "I...could you try to teach me to read? My family was pretty poor, so I never really had a chance." He glances back at Rei. "I know she can write, so if I could communicate with her through that..."
<Greenling> And then the bar-man comes up.
<Greenling> There's been chattering through this whole thing, but it quiets down when he starts to speak.
* Cho_Namhwa gives Rudeth an incredulous look. "I suppose so, young man. I hadn't thought of that. Are you literate?" he asks Rei. Cho seems to split his attention when the bar becomes quiet.
<Cho_Namhwa> (Cho didn't quite get it that she could read/write, I guess)
* Rei nods to Namhwa.
<Cho_Namhwa> "Flamtongue?" he asks quietly.
* Rei nods some as well, glancing up curiously at the story as well.
<Greenling> The story he tells is beautiful, poetic, though remarkably simple. He tells of a young boy seen in the mountains a few days ago, riding sidesaddle on the back of a strange tiger without a head.
<Greenling> Everyone except Rei recognizes the description.
<Greenling> When the man is down, he clears his throat briefly and sits down.
* Rudeth glances over at the barman, staring for a moment.
<Greenling> Inkah is staring at him like he's made completely out of chocolate and sex.
* Zhubin_Ochieng allows the words to fade softly, the room's hush slowly being broken by a cough.
<Greenling> Sunny is wagging her tail.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Judges, am I correct in saying this young man has won?"
<Greenling> "He gets his meals free anyway," a young woman laughs. The man blushes.
<Greenling> Other than that, everyone agrees.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Well, then we'll just have to split his prize and buy a round for the house!"
* Zhubin_Ochieng also hands the young man an appropriately sized bit of money, maybe a half month's wage, as a bonus.
<Greenling> People cheer.
<Greenling> Meanwhile, Crow might be getting sick of waiting outside the town with the goddamn camel and Peyt in a drunken stupor.
* Cho_Namhwa waves briefly to White Crow.
<Cho_Namhwa> (If she shows up at the exact place they are...)
<Greenling> (while you all consider this information, Crow can do as she pleases.)
* Zhubin_Ochieng then returns to his table, and sits down.
*<Zhubin_Ochieng> "It sounds as if we've, and by that I mean Peyt and I, have met one of those stories." Zhubin speaks to those at the table, pitching his voice to not carry too far.
* Cho_Namhwa invites the man who spoke of the Sun-bearing ghost over to their table to engage in small-talk, and remarks to Rudeth, "I'll start your lessons as soon as we can get some quiet time."
* Rudeth nods. "Thank you, Doctor."
* WhiteCrow takes her horse into the local inn and turns it into the stables. She's mroe annoyed at her lack of saddle though and makes apoint to go looking to see if any of those are on sale before the suns ets
* Cho_Namhwa nods seriously to Rudeth, hoping that his dedication matches his compassion.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "That tale about the ghost was pretty interesting. I can't say I've heard such a thing before, tell us some more, would you?"
<Greenling> The girl in question sits. "Sure. Plenty of people've seen 'im, though he doesn't seem to make much trouble, for a ghost."
<Greenling> Crow: there are indeed saddles.
<Greenling> Plenty of stuff for horses.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "What all does he do?"
* WhiteCrow nods and begins purchasing what she can with the jade script and such she has on person, assuming this should be good enough to get what she needs done instead of relying on her obol reserves.
<Greenling> "Uh, mostly floats around looking sad, really. Over by what used to be a quarry, long time ago, not far outside town. Sometimes calling a name. Real romantic, I s'pose, but his love died ages ago if... I think it's a he... ever existed."
<Greenling> "Comes around 'bout every new moon."
<Greenling> Crow: this works well. (Wits+Soc or Inv or Aware.)
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "That does sound like a strange ghost, I'm almost tempted to wait and see it for myself!"
* Cho_Namhwa nods, not sure if he believes it.
* Cho_Namhwa has left #mortals
<Greenling> "Sure. Convenient timing, then."
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Oh yes, it is getting towards the new moon!"
<Greenling> Crow: ...the Realm's extending its talons further in this direction than you thought.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Well, thanks for the tale, and have yourself another drink on me."
<Greenling> "Gee, thanks. You're a generous man."
* WhiteCrow hmms, looking around at the realization and chewing ehr lip a bit. She didn' thtink Empire interests were thsi far South. She buys her supplies and returns to the inn, putting her new gear in her room before going downstairs to mingle and eat
<Greenling> Crow appears at the end of the contest.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Crow! Come on over and join us!" Zhubin waves and points to an empty seat near himself.
<Greenling> (oh, and Crow can make Per+Surv.)
<Greenling> (or something.)
<Greenling> There is a bee in your hair.
<Greenling> Buzzzzzzzz
* WhiteCrow looks confused at Zhubin for a moment, but walks over nonetheless. She looks to be in a bit more casual mode this time. Her buff jacket is upstairs, her goggles are around her neck instead of on her forehead, the only thing really majorly serious on her right now is she keeps her weapon hosltered.
* Rei glances up to Crow, smiling softly.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "You missed some interesting tales. I'll guess our least cultured companion is still snoring soundly?"
<Greenling> Buzzzzz fly away.
* WhiteCrow hmms, shrugging, "I didn't check on him, I have my own room. I'll give you the number later. Right now I need some coffee though I think."
<Greenling> Zhu: let's see. That boy was described exactly like the demon looked. Hmm. A few days ago. Hmm.
<Greenling> The demon escaped... ... this morning. A few hours ago.
<Greenling> As far as you know.
* Zhubin_Ochieng casually looks around for the drink bearer.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Perhaps another round would suit."
<Greenling> He's bearing drinks at people. His friends seem to be talking him into take his share on the clock.
<Greenling> (*taking)
<Greenling> He brings yours around.
<Greenling> "Hello, ma'am. Anything for you?" he says to Crow.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Thanks! Do you know, my friend just got here, and I couldn't remember, where did you say that little tiger rider was, again?"
* WhiteCrow nods, "Something with a mellow taste, not too spicy, preferably a bit of meat. And a full pot of your best tea or coffee please."
<Greenling> "Up in the mountains, back..." he points Northeast.
<Greenling> "Hunting party saw it over the weekend."
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Must have been a fright for them!"
<Greenling> "Not spicy, meat, tea. Good taste, ma'am." He flashes a small smile.
<Greenling> "Oh, yeah. Nearly killed one guy- of a heart attack, I mean. The tiger just rode on by as that boy, or whatever it was, laughed..."
* WhiteCrow winks to the waitor and ndos, "I like to think so."
<Greenling> "If they weren't drunk, I mean, I'm a little worried myself."
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Oh yes, a thing like that is something to worry about!"
* WhiteCrow drinks some of her tea when it arrives, and nods a bit, "INdeed. We should contact a Realm missionary somewhere and see if they can clean it up."
<Greenling> He smiles. "Now I suppose I should fill the lady's order, but if you want to talk... I like you. What's your name, if you, uh, if I'm not being an idiot..." He looks embarassed.
<WhiteCrow> (Ack, sorry about that)
<WhiteCrow> (Strick from teh record)
<Greenling> (no problem. we'll just move that later.)
<Greenling> Huhm. Cold. Leaves falling. People in warm clothes. Not much in the way of fresh fruits or veggies around, mostly grasses and hardy stuff. Sun rose mighty quickly yesterday, and then a couple of hours later it was morning outside again. Then the demon arrived before he left.
* Rei shrugs some, sitting back in her chair and staring down at her zither, resuming her playing of it softly.
<Greenling> It was spring last week.
<Greenling> Day before you left that town, actually.
<Greenling> What do you do now, brave adventurer?
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "I'd like to see that ghost. From what I know, it's very rare for them to not cause any trouble.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> And the Sun themed clothing on it piques my interest a bit."
<Greenling> You can easily get directions.
<Greenling> (wb)
<Greenling> Conveniently enough, it's close enough to the new moon tonight, if you want to do that. (anything in the meantime?)
<WhiteCrow> THat said, my ride just arrived
<WhiteCrow> -__
<WhiteCrow> So for now, stuff, and I'll see you all in a while again
<Greenling> (<3)
<Greenling> (hope you enjoy whatever you're doing.)
<WhiteCrow> (Wrong windwo,s orries:))
<Greenling> (timeskip to night y/n?)
<Greenling> (we can come back if necessary.)
<Zhubin_Ochieng> (timeskip works for me.)
<Rei> [Sure.]
<Greenling> (hey Namhwa, wanna go ghost-huntin'? alternately, any other ideas?)\\
<Greenling> (and prep work before night you wanna do?)
<Greenling> (*any)
* Rei puts her zither away, shouldering the guqin once more before following the others.
<Greenling> It is a clear, dark night.
<Greenling> (do you at least bring lights?)
<Zhubin_Ochieng> (OF course! I have some torches.)
<Greenling> You walk out towards the old quarry,
<Greenling> It's about a twenty minute walk for our intrepid pre-industrial-societeers.
<Greenling> There's broken rocks and grass, scrub and the calls of nightbirds. In the distance you see more mountains.
* Zhubin_Ochieng looks around, listening for the ghost.
<Greenling> Doot n doot, well, the sun's still technically setting it looks like, maybe he's just not out yet.
<Greenling> There's still a bit of red on the horizon.
* Cho_Namhwa looks out into the wilderness, curious if this "ghost" is even real.
<Greenling> Cho sees trees and hills.
<Greenling> ...The red sliiiides down the horizon.
* Rei has followed, glancing around - carrying a torch if asked to be of use.
<Greenling> Zhubin hears the sound of a man's voice, as if from the other side of a well.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Shade, denied the light of the Sun, can you show yourself?"
<Greenling> There is a short silence.
<Greenling> Then, in the distance, a dull glow begins to show itself.
* Cho_Namhwa peers at the glow!
<Greenling> Walking forward, Zhubin sees a very old man with long white hair in a gown made of shining gold, with symbols of the Sun all over it.
<Greenling> It... actually seems to be a nightgown. A really goddamn impressive nightgown.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Brother in the worship of the Sun, what can be done for you?"
* Cho_Namhwa is impressed.
<Greenling> "You..." His face looks passive, but pained.
<Greenling> "You speak of... please. My son..."
<Greenling> "Where is my son?"
<Greenling> "Korol was guarding him..."
* Cho_Namhwa looks from the shade to Zhubin's back.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "I can look for your son. Describe Korol for me, o pained one."
<Greenling> "Oh! Thank you... Korol is..."
<Greenling> He describes a large Southern man with purple hair in silver plate armor, essentially.
<Greenling> "He's one of Luna's Chosen..."
<Cho_Namhwa> :O
* Rei blinks.
* Zhubin_Ochieng nods.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "How long have you been waiting for your son?"
<Greenling> He hesitates. "...I don't know. The Sun never rises..."
<Greenling> "It must not yet be dawn, and yet..."
<Greenling> "Brother, have you seen the Sun since the towers here rose to the sky?"
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "I understand. Shall I sit here and sing to you?"
<Greenling> "Tell me he's still alive. Please."
* Zhubin_Ochieng pulls out the hymnal he found earlier.
<Greenling> He looks confused. "If you insist, but why?"
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "If your son was being guarded by one of Luna's Chosen, I'm sure he is alright."
* Cho_Namhwa peers quizzically at Zhubin's back.
<Greenling> "..." He nods. "I want to trust Korol. Of course. Just... ... thank you."
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "And besides, I'm sure it has been some time since you've had the chance to praise the Sun. We shall sing, and in that know that the Unconquered Sun hears us, and watches us, even in the darkest of nights."
<Greenling> Zhubin continues to have a back.
<Greenling> "Yes." He smiles.
<Greenling> "That... that will help."
* Cho_Namhwa gets a look of understanding!
* Zhubin_Ochieng opens the book and finds a common prayer.
<Greenling> Plenty of those.
* Zhubin_Ochieng begins to chant the blessings to the Sun, and a prayer to watch over those present.
<Greenling> The man chants with you.
* Rei quietly listens, sitting to one side.
* Zhubin_Ochieng slowly shifts the prayers to those blessing the dead.
* Rudeth sits near Rei, listening in fascination.
<Greenling> The man sits as well, following along with Zhubin seemingly without realizing what he's saying.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> Between prayers, Zhubin talks to the ghost. "The towers around here rose to the sky, you said. What else can you remember?"
<Greenling> "Remember..."
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "The towers rising to the sky, the worship of the Sun, the sounds of the city." Zhubin slowly guides it along.
<Greenling> "My son, my love... the way the Sun shone against the pillars at sunrise and sunset. The smells of the marketplace..."
<Greenling> "I grew up here. That's why they gave it to me."
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Gave you the...?"
<Greenling> "Rule of the city."
<Greenling> His brow ruffles. "Strange. There isn't much else left."
* Cho_Namhwa looks puzzled.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Yes. Time has passed, and many cities have changed hands. What was the name of the city in your day?"
<Greenling> He sits in thought for a moment.
<Greenling> "Arantir Between-the-Seas."
Zhubin_Ochieng shakes his head at the name, and smiles lightly at the ghost again, continuing to pray.
* Cho_Namhwa quietly reflects on the dead man's words. He knows that Creation has been around for a long time, maybe even several millenia. He looks out across the landscape and wonders how it could've appeared in the dead man's time. Then he realizes that this would be a great place for a city. It's near the pole of fire for warmth year-round. Inland enough to
<Cho_Namhwa> avoid floods and monsoons, but not so far that rain won't come. The rock makes the perfect foundation for cities, and the trees... Cho looks at the trees, wondering how long they've been growing here. Hundreds of years? A thousand? Two thousand?
<Greenling> As he considers this, Namhwa feels the lingering feeling of disconnection he's noticed most of the day wax stronger.
<Greenling> Yeah, the city's collapsed over the last several hundred years- they stopped calling it Between-the-Seas after the Outer Sea got eaten during the Balorian Crusade.
<Greenling> Nice place it used to be, too... made the best little sugar-cakes.
* Cho_Namhwa lets this disconnection finally grow and take hold of him. His thoughts waft on the wandering priest's prayers and drift into a higher conscience... with sugar cakes.
<Greenling> The disconnection itches.
<Greenling> Like, your soul itches.
<Greenling> The rest of what you recall is still far away.
* Cho_Namhwa frowns, and drowns his consciousness in the prayer, letting the priest's strong voice fill his mind.
* Zhubin_Ochieng continues the prayers for the dead.
<Greenling> You keep chanting. Namhwa seems to zone out.
* Zhubin_Ochieng glances at the zither Rei is carrying, lifting an eyebrow in hopes of some music to accompany the chanting.
* Rei blinks some, before giving a soft shrug, unslinging the zither and removing it from the case, listening to the chanting for a moment before beginning some accompaniment...
<Greenling> Preeeeeetty.
* Rudeth begins humming along with the chanting.
<Greenling> (so.)
* Zhubin_Ochieng continues to chant, the sound no longer stopping, prayer after prayer rising and falling with the natural roll of his chest. The air soothes Zhubin's burnt skin, and the holiness of his work fills him with pride that he may serve the Sun.
<Greenling> At some point in the night- you don't even know- you keel over.
<Greenling> You think it was late, though.
<Greenling> You wake up flopped over your hymnal in the morning sun.
* Zhubin_Ochieng sits up, shaking his head.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "I hope that I helped that poor soul, and may they once again feel the light of the Sun."
<Greenling> You sit up, and something falls off your back.
<Greenling> The nightgown was draped over you. ...It was pretty chilly.
* Rei blinks some, yawning as she wakes up, tail uncurling from around her where she fell asleep against a rock. She winces, cracking her neck a bit.
<Greenling> The rock is warm.
<Greenling> The nightgown is also warm.
<Greenling> ...That's not gold.
<Greenling> ...WTF.
* Zhubin_Ochieng catches the gown and looks from the thread woven on it to the hymnal.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "That's...oh."
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "I wonder when there were two Seas to be between. That city must have been truly ancient."
* Rudeth rubs his eyes, pushing himself up from where he was passed out near Rei. He glances around, slowly coming to consciousness. He yawns.
<Greenling> Namhwa seems to be still meditating.
<Greenling> ...Annnd waking up.
* Cho_Namhwa sways, then falls to crack his head on the ground.
<Greenling> So it's morning. You slept the night outside in a quarry.
<Greenling> Wow that looks painful.
* Cho_Namhwa frowns and stares at the ground for a minute.
* Zhubin_Ochieng slowly rises from the ground, leaning on his walking stick, gown and hymnal clutched in the other hand.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Perhaps not preparing a more comfortable area to chant through the night was less than intelligent."
* Cho_Namhwa rises to his knees, then looks around at the other folks in the morning light. "Did you guys, uh, we fall asleep?"
<Cho_Namhwa> "It was wonderful, though," Cho reassures Zhubin. "I had a dream of the city... It was beautiful."
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "You dreamed of the city?"
* Rei wipes her instrument clean, putting it back in its' case.
* Cho_Namhwa nods and checks his head for blood, then continues, "Yes, as amazing as Chiaroscuro was before the Fall. It was amazing. I'll tell you about it on the way back. Did I dream of that ghost, too?" Cho picks himself up.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "Oh no, the ghost was real."
* Zhubin_Ochieng holds up the gown.
<Cho_Namhwa> "Ugh," Cho replies to the stain. "It would be beautiful except for that bit..."
<Greenling> Well there is a bloodstain.
<Cho_Namhwa> "The city was laid out in a splendid, pleasing manner. People were walking through a plaza the likes of which I've never seen before."
<Cho_Namhwa> "There were -flying- conveyances, and people, though they spoke in Old Realm, didn't really look all that different from today."
<Cho_Namhwa> "Though... I'm not entirely sure it was a dream. I was still myself, but everyone was different, and acted oddly toward me."
* Cho_Namhwa frowns a bit.
* Zhubin_Ochieng cocks his head slightly.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "A dream of yourself in the Old Realm?"
<Cho_Namhwa> "Then, when I tried to gain access to this wondrous tower, a woman unlocked the door for me and called me, 'Chosen of the Gods.' Yes, I know, how odd! Maybe because we've been speaking it lately, and I've been reading all these strange books in Old Realm..."
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "You dreamed you were an...Anathema?"
<Cho_Namhwa> "When she let me in, it was amazing. I have no idea how it worked, but bits of blue jade cracked with lightning to motivate these... No, not Anathema. I certainly wasn't a demon."
* Cho_Namhwa rubs his face. "I feel exhausted. That wasn't a restful dream at all. I'm sure I'm not Anathema, so please don't say such things."
* Cho_Namhwa grumbles and suggest that they head back to town.
<Zhubin_Ochieng> "I didn't say that you were an Anathema! But yes, I'm sure it was brought on by our recent...escapades. Let's all head back."
<Greenling> Though you do seem to be glowi- wait no that's the reflection off the rock behind you.
* Cho_Namhwa nods agreeably.
<Greenling> (something has a sense of humor, it seems)
<Zhubin_Ochieng> (UCS, funny guy. Had a career as a stand up comedian till that whole Games thing.)
* Rei nods some, shifting to her feet and wincing some at the dull stiffness from sitting against a rock most of the night.
* Rudeth stirs a bit, wiping his eyes and gathering his stuff. He brushes small rocks from his clothes, shaking the dirt from his hair. "Well, d'you guys want to hear about my dream? 'Cause I had a dream that Crow was getting married to the camel..." Rudeth rambles on about a crazy nonsensical and unimportant dream.
Cho_Namhwa grumbles in uncharacteristic irritation at the perceived faux pas, but reflects on the possible (and uncomfortable) truths... if only briefly.