Patron Saints/Session 6

From Greenthings

<Greenling> It is morning. Rudy has woken up early and is escorting Mary Fang to the inn. Zhu is talking to people about the statue he found. Sunny is nudging Namhwa's face with her nose.
* Namhwa rustles away and gives Sunny a light kiss on her nose before swinging his feet out of bed.
<Greenling> Tailwag.
* Rudeth escorts Mary Fang to the inn and, as promised, buys her a nice breakfast as payment for waking her up so early.
<Greenling> She sits herself down and orders a cup of strong tea, bacon and biscuits.
<Zhubin> Zhubin asks someone whose responses are comprehensbile, about the statue.
<Greenling> Zhubin finds someone whose dialect is not impenetrable.
<Greenling> "What statue?"
* Namhwa brings Sunny down for a morning walk.
<Zhubin> "The worn one, with 4 arms. Over in that courtyard." Zhubin points, and describes the statue a bit better.
<Namhwa> But then he realizes that she's probably already relieved herself, and won't want to go until after breakfast...
<Greenling> "...Huh."
<Greenling> "That thing's been there as long as I remember. It's just a statue, isn't it?"
<Greenling> Mary Fang looks at Rudy. "So what brought you awake so early?"
* Rudeth shrugs. "Well, I didn't want to worry anyone, so I wanted to go see you before the others woke up." He shrugs. "It...was probably kind of silly, and I guess it wasn't necessary to wake up so early."
<Greenling> "I was awake already."
<Rudeth> "...oh."
<Rudeth> ^^;
* Namhwa leads Sunny to the established breakfast table.
<Zhubin> "Well, that 4-armed design was once used to represent a powerful being of worship, and I study such things, so I was wondering if you knew anyone who could tell me about it."
<Greenling> She grins. " Do you worry easily?"
<Greenling> The random passerby considers a moment.
<Rudeth> "Just about other people, mostly."
<Greenling> Sunny goes up to Mary and sniffs her. Mary, for her part, raises an eyebrow at the dog.
<Namhwa> "Sunny's just saying hello. Good morning, everyone."
<Greenling> Passerby: "Who would... let's see. Maybe the temple. ...Is there anyone in the temple anymore? I don't remember."
<Zhubin> Zhubin raises an eyebrow. "Temple of the Immaculates?"
* Namhwa orders breakfast while Sunny investigates Mary, then turns his attention back to the sorceress and his dog.
<Greenling> "Er. ...Sure. One of those."
<Greenling> "Do you carry her around with you?" Mary asks Namhwa, chomping on her bacon.
<Zhubin> "Okaaaay. Mind telling me where the temple is?"
* Kitsunemimi-Maiden has left #fridaymortals
* Namhwa arches an eyebrow and squints at Mary.
<Greenling> "Over by the graveyard."
<Namhwa> "No, she's perfectly capable of locomotion by herself."
<Zhubin> "Thanks." Zhubin is going to go look for the Temple. And hopefully not run into any Wyld Hunts.
* Rei wakes, shaking her head to clear it and glancing around. Hm. She sits up, shifting to her feet and stepping over to the others, glancing down at them
* Rudeth waves at Rei.
<Greenling> No Wyld Hunts harass you on your way back to the graveyard.
* Rei waves back, sitting down by Rudeth and leaning into him some.
<Greenling> Mary snorts. "She follows you around, I mean. Are you attached to her?"
* Namhwa calls Sunny back.
<Namhwa> "Yes, you could say that."
<Namhwa> "She's all I've got left, really."
* Namhwa sighs.
* Rudeth turns to Rei. "Do you want something to eat?" He smiles.
<Greenling> Sunny heads over to Manhwa and leans against her.
<Greenling> (her, Namhwa.)
* Rei perks her ears, glancing at the meal and blushing softly, giving a slight nod. She was feeling a little bit empty.
<Greenling> (him.)
<Greenling> (goddamnit.)
* Rudeth calls the server over and orders Rei some breakfast.
<Namhwa> (Manhwa, like the cartoon? :D)
<Zhubin> Zhubin now looks for the temple! Normally they aren't that good at camoflauge.
<Greenling> Mary seems to be examining you for a moment, then goes back to the tea. "I had a dog once. Big, black dog."
<Greenling> The temple successfully makes its stealth... no, it's right there.
<Greenling> It looks kinda like a reused mausoleum.
<Zhubin> "Ah-ha! Found it." Zhubin looks at the temple trying to figure out if its an Immaculate temple or now.
<Zhubin> *not
<Greenling> Ahaha no.
* Namhwa strokes Sunny's fur, then gives Mary a considerate look.
<Namhwa> "Really? How interesting."
* Rei glances at Sunny, smiling and offering a hand, wondering if the dog might get less unfriendly with familiarity.
<Zhubin> To the temple!
<Namhwa> "Didn't figure you for a dog person."
<Greenling> There does seem to be an altar to the Dragons in the corner.
<Greenling> "I'm not. It just kept following me around."
<Rudeth> "Alright, I wanna see how well I'm picking up on this reading thing." He looks over at Rei. "Try writing something simple, just a sentence. I'll see if I can pick it up."
<Greenling> "Then there was this rogue god, and then... well."
<Greenling> "Stuff happens to dogs." Teasip.
* Namhwa frowns darkly at Mary, then excuses himself to lead Sunny outside.
* Namhwa has left #fridaymortals
<Greenling> "...Hmmph." She looks to Rudy. "What's with him?"
* Rei pulls her hand back as Sunny follows Namhwa out, pouting softly, before taking out the tablet and stylus she'd been given and etching "Are you well?" in Flametongue, setting it down with a smile.
<Greenling> Meanwhile, Inkah comes down and sits by the two.
<Zhubin> Zhubin looks around the temple a bit.
<Greenling> Zhu: one biiiig room.
* Rudeth looks back at Mary. "I dunno. He's not usually like that. Something must be bothering him." :/
<Greenling> Shrine to a coupla local gods. The Dragons' one. Doot n do.
<Zhubin> "No priests?"
<Greenling> "Hmm." She shrugs.
* Rudeth looks at the tablet. Hm. That looks...it's vaguely familiar... He stares at it for a moment. The first character looked like... Shoe? Tree? Damn it, what was that... He should know this...
<Greenling> She yawns and... ... "I don't think I have enough for breakfast. Hey, what're you reading?" Inkah looks over Rudy's shoulder.
<Rudeth> "I'm practicing." Rudy continues to stare intently at the tablet as though this will make the character magically tell him what they say. "Doctor Cho is teaching me to read."
* Rudeth continues to stare at it. The one character...was that an interrogative? Ok, it looks like a question... Rudy keeps staring at the other character. "I should know this one..." he mumbles.
<Greenling> Zhu: part of the wall is a slightly different color :V
<Greenling> "...Comparison helps sometimes."
<Zhubin> Wandering over. Poking at the wall. "Hmmm..."
<Greenling> "If you have more to look at, and you can figure out what a symbol is in one place... Uh. I mean. Whatever."
* Rei smiles to Rudeth, letting him figure it out
<Rudeth> "...I know what I'm doing. >_>;;;" Regardless, Rudeth peeks at the scroll Namwha left with him.
<Rudeth> "...Oh, ok, I see now." Rudeth smiles. "I'm doing fine. How are you feeling?"
* Rei smiles softly, shrugging and taking the tablet, smoothing the etch and writing 'Okay.'
<Greenling> "Heh." :3
<Greenling> It's vaguely door-shaped, Zhu.
<Rudeth> Hey, this one is easy! "That's good." ^^ "Maybe soon I'll be able to have normal conversations this way."
<Greenling> Though there doesn't seem to be a handle or anything.
<Zhubin> Zhubin looks for anyone around, listens for anyone around, and if no one is there, pushes against the door.
<Greenling> Nope, nope... it bends ever-so-slightly.
<Greenling> You think that if you could wedge something into the crack right there it might slide.
<Zhubin> Why, look at that, a convenient walking stick!
<Greenling> How convenient! That might work.
<Greenling> Wedgeth ye.
<Zhubin> Wedged! Or is that wedgied?
<Greenling> Shunk.
<Greenling> Small closet, small wooden hatch..
<Greenling> Kaff. Slightly dusty in here.
<Zhubin> Wooden hatch? Zhubin will tap said hatch with his walking stick.
<Greenling> Mary Fang stretches. "Well, I'm bored, so I suppose this is as good a time as any to tell you my third condition."
<Greenling> "Are you all travelling with that Crow woman?"
<Rudeth> "Yes."
* Rei smiles, taking her breakfast as it arrives and enjoying it, glancing up.
* Rudeth looks back at her.
<Greenling> "Hm."
<Greenling> It goes tappy-tap-tap, Zhu.
<Greenling> Sounds like it's over a hole, as one might expect.
<Zhubin> Zhubin is full of curious, and tries to open the hatch!
<Greenling> "Ah, well." She grins, though there's still a forlorn quality to it somewhere in there. "I'm coming with you for a while."
<Greenling> It opens.
<Greenling> It seems like at one point it was probably meant to lock, but the padlock is gone.
<Zhubin> Zhubin peers into the newly revealed hole.
* Rudeth looks a bit taken aback. "Your third condition...is that you want to travel with us?"
<Greenling> It is dark. Also there is a ladder.
<Greenling> "No, my third condition is that I want to get out of here, and you're going to take me with you."
<Rudeth> "Oh. Ok."
<Greenling> "This town is... old. Musty and old."
<Zhubin> Zhubin goes back into the main part of the temple, and grabs a lamp or torch.
<Zhubin> And THEN he climbs down.
<Greenling> There are no lamps or torches there. Perhaps something else?
<Zhubin> Hmmm....
<Zhubin> Zhubin stops, taking a moment to clear his head.
<Rudeth> "Is there somewhere in specific you're wanting to go?"
<Zhubin> "Why am I acting so impulsively? This isn't like me. I should go and get one of the others to help." Zhubin closes the hatch and door, and heads back for the inn, dusting his robes off on his way.
<Greenling> "Mmmmmaybe."
<Greenling> "Probably not." She stretches.
<Greenling> "Boy, can you fight?"
<Rudeth> "Me?" He looks up at her. "A little. I mean, I know how to use a sword and I've spent enough time wrestling with farm animals, but I don't have anything to fight with."
<Greenling> "..."
<Rudeth> "I can hit things hard enough to damage them." :V
<Greenling> "If I bought you a sword, would you spar with me? You interrupted me in the middle of practice, and I'm going to go nuts on a bunch of stupid horses for a month or however long it at least takes to get to the next real city."
<Rudeth> Rudeth's eyes go wide. "Of course." Rudeth grins. I'm gettin' a sword~
<Greenling> "What sort are you used to?"
<Greenling> "...Oh, nevermind, we'll just find a caravan or something and you point to one."
<Rudeth> "The, uh... Oh!" Rudeth grins. "Ok!"
<Rudeth> :3
<Rudeth> "Hey, Rei, guess what! I'm getting a sword!" :3
<Greenling> ...And suddenly hey, Zhubin!
<Zhubin> Zhubin wanders back in, leaning on his stick, and brushing dust off his robes.
<Zhubin> He sits down at the table before he notices Mary. "Why, good morning!"
<Greenling> The Sun's all up in the sky now and people are rising from their homes.
<Greenling> Mary nods to Zhubin.
<Greenling> "And you would be?"
<Zhubin> "I am Zhubin Ochieng, and apparently cursed to try to control the impulsiveness of the others I am travelling with." He gestures widely towards the others, somehow including the ones that aren't there as well.
<Zhubin> "I was accompanying those who came to beg of you a favor yesterday. Though in my silence, I can understand being overlooked."
<Greenling> "I noticed you."
<Greenling> "...Spear of the Sun?"
<Zhubin> Zhubin raises an eyebrow. "Not many would understand the meaning behind the name, I am rather impressed with your knowledge of languages, madam Fang."
<Zhubin> "But yes, a rather...inaccurate name, all considered." Zhubin pushes back his hood, to reveal his scarred face and pale skin.
<Greenling> "Heh. Looks like he reached down from the sky and slapped you around a little."
* Zhubin grimaces.
<Zhubin> "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you live near the temple of this town, yes?"
<Greenling> "I did. Why?"
<Zhubin> "It is just a single room of worship? That seems odd, all things considered."
<Greenling> "I haven't really looked at it. Neither do most people in this town, as far as I can tell," she snorts.
<Zhubin> "I see, so there are no tales of anything strange around it?"
<Greenling> "Children's songs."
<Greenling> "The best kind, but none anyone bothers with, usually."
<Zhubin> Zhubin smiles. "I love to collect tales of...really? Some childrens' songs?"
<Greenling> "About lights hidden away in the graveyard."
* Rei blinks, smiling to Rudeth at his enthusiasm
<Zhubin> "Interesting!"
<Greenling> "What is it exactly you're interested in?"
<Zhubin> "Ah, just tales and legends surrounding temples. An inordinate number seem to crop up."
<Zhubin> "Also, I don't suppose you would know about that statue with four arms in this town, would you?"
<Greenling> She licks her lips.
<Greenling> "Why don't we save that for the road?"
<Greenling> "There are a lot of stories in the world."
<Zhubin> Zhubin laughs and nods. "That is quite true. So then, you will be traveling with us?"
<Greenling> "For the time being."
<Greenling> "You have a motley enough group here as it is, I thought I might tag along."
<Zhubin> "I see. Would you mind if I stole the company of one of these two for a short time, then?
<Zhubin> "
<Greenling> "They don't belong to me."
<Zhubin> "True enough. Rei, Rudeth, would one of you care to accompany me?"
<Rudeth> "Depends. What are we doing?"
* Rudeth looks over at Rei. "Do you want to stay here or go with him?"
<Zhubin> "Well, I'm rather incapable of carrying anything, what with needing my stick to walk, so I thought one of you would care to walk, and just carry a lamp for me."
<Zhubin> Speaking of lamps, Zhubin rummages through his packs to find one.
<Greenling> Lamp lamp lamp...
* Rudeth nods. "Do you want to go, Rei? I'd kind of like to keep Madam Fang company, and it would give you a chance to get to know Zhubin a bit better." ^^
<Greenling> Your pack seems to be full of small yellow biscuits.
<Zhubin> Zhubin stops and stares. Double-checks the label. "Why is one of my bags full of biscuits?"
<Greenling> Biiiscuits~ It's your pack of clothes and other minor necessities.
<Greenling> The robe's still fine, though.
<Greenling> Also they smell vaguely of saffron.
<Zhubin> Zhubin takes a deep breath. "Delicious biscuits, but biscuits nonetheless." Thinking. "Who was supposed to buy and pack the stores?"
<Rudeth> "...Don't look at me, I just take care of of the horses." >_>;
<Rudeth> "Maybe it was Peyt?" :V
<Greenling> Someone trusted Peyt with the money?
<Zhubin> "No, it couldn't be. None of us would be so dumb as to let him handle the money, would we?"
<Zhubin> "Besides, he'd never buy biscuits when meat and alcohol are available."
<Rudeth> "...that's true."
<Zhubin> "Sadly, however, stranger things have happened, frequently." Zhubin then stands back up, leaning on his staff. "Until later, I'll take my leave."
* Rei stands, nodding to Rudeth
<Zhubin> "Ah, thank you for helping me!" Zhubin will lead Rei to the store, where he can buy a nice useful lamp...that doesn't smell of biscuits.
* Rei nods to Zhubin, smiling. She pokes around the inside of the store while they're there.
<Greenling> It is a general store.
<Greenling> It has candy out front, pretty dresses in the window, oil and string and sealing wax.
<Rudeth> "So, you said we can get a sword?" :3
<Greenling> "Sure," she says idly, standing up.
<Rudeth> "Hey, Inkah, do you wanna tag along or do you want to wait for Namwha and the others here?"
<Greenling> "There'll be a caravan around here in a couple of hours. Sooner if we leave, if you're going south from here."
<Greenling> Inkah shrugs. "I'll wait."
<Greenling> Zhubin finds a lamp rather easily.
<Greenling> "I have... things to do. I'll be back before you leave," Mary says.
<Zhubin> Zhubin buys the lamp, fuel, and a means to light the thing!
<Rudeth> "Well, I don't really want to go out of town without the others, but I think they're wanting to head out soon, so I can go ready the horses. Do you have a horse? If not, I think we have an extra or something."
<Rudeth> "Ok. Should I ready a horse for you?"
<Greenling> "...Right, horses. That sounds useful."
<Greenling> "You do that." She looks at Rudy.
<Greenling> ... ... She musses his hair, then leaves.
* Rudeth skips off to go ready the horses and camels. Peyt can take care of his own...lizard...thing.
<Zhubin> Zhubin, after buying the lamp, looks for Rei. "Was there anything you were wanting?"
* Rei pauses, lightly tugging at one of the dresses, looking over it
<Greenling> It is dark sparkly blue.
* Rei glances to Zhubin, ears perked.
<Zhubin> Zhubin laughs and nods. "Go on."
* Rei smiles brightly, taking the dress down and looking over it, carrying it to the store owner.
<Greenling> "My. A pretty dress for a pretty lady?"
<Zhubin> "Did you want it packed away for safety on the road, little one?"
* Rei smiles and nods happily, blushing and glancing down at her gem pouch, looking to Zhubin hopefully. While valuable, they weren't quite precise. She pauses, nodding - shouldn't ruin it on horseback, after all.
<Zhubin> Zhubin nods, and pays for the dress for Rei.
* Rei smiles to Zhubin happily, clutching the safely packed bundle to her chest, pleased; she happily follows him out of the store once more,
<Greenling> The shopkeeper waves goodbye to Rei.
<Greenling> The Sun shines brightly, the air is crisp and clean, and the world is happy.
<Greenling> Also, Zhubin has his lamp.
* Rei waves farewell as well, pleased.
<Zhubin> Leading the way back to the temple!
<Greenling> The temple has not turned into biscuits yet.
<Greenling> You enter.
<Zhubin> Zhubin glances around.
<Greenling> Nobody there since you left.
<Zhubin> Zhubin heads over to the one patch of wall, using his stick to open it again.
<Greenling> Open. Hatch.
<Greenling> Hole. Ladder.
* Rei looks around the temple curiously, following after Zhubin with a happy bounce in her step, following him down
<Zhubin> Light the lamp, and hand it to Rei, before heading down the ladder.
<Greenling> Crickety ladder is crickety.
<Greenling> But stable enough.
<Greenling> You head down the hole.
<Zhubin> "Please follow me, but be careful as well." Zhubin smiles, and carefully, ever so carefully climbs down the ladder.
<Greenling> Once you're down to the bottom, you see a light.
* Rei holds the lamp to light the hole for him, waiting for him to finish with the ladder before following down - it didn't look sturdy enough for two.
<Greenling> A glittery light in the room ahead.
<Zhubin> Zhubin waits for Rei before heading slowly ahead.
<Greenling> You follow through a short, cramped hallway and step into a room.
<Greenling> The sunlight beams down from a hole above through a series of reflective glasses and fills every nook and cranny with a warm light.
* Rei blinks in awe at the light of the room, glancing around. This was interesting...
<Greenling> It's very dusty in here. There is a small, bare altar.
<Greenling> The decorations seem to have been mutilated quickly.
<Zhubin> Zhubin peers at the remains of the decorations.
<Greenling> Circular.
<Greenling> Bits of gold flake.
<Greenling> Yeah.
* Rei starts to explore the room curiously as Zhubin studies the circles.
<Zhubin> Zhubin nods his head as he looks around. "I believe this was a shrine to the Sun at one time."
<Zhubin> "I wonder if the light is allowed in from where that one statue was?"
* Rei blinks, glancing back some briefly.
<Greenling> The statue is quite a ways away.
<Zhubin> "Very interesting though....Oh my. That one person I talked to seemed to not care much about the Immaculate faith...I wonder how many know this is still here?"
<Zhubin> Zhubin starts moving, decently quickly back to the ladder. "Rei, come back to the inn with me. I have so many questions now!"
<Greenling> Sunny dashes along.
<Greenling> She sniffs at flowers and trees and nice people and other such things.
* Namhwa strolls along behind.
* Namhwa asks a passerby if there is an herbman or healer about.
* Namhwa at least looks for one!
<Greenling> There's an herb shop.
* Namhwa will check out the herb shop!!
<Greenling> Nice smells, lady inside, making pastes and other prepared stuff.
<Greenling> You see medical and edible herbs.
<Namhwa> "Hi there, miss. I have some coventry flowers from up near the coast, and I was wondering if you might have use for them. They're already dried and prepared."
<Greenling> "Hmm?" She looks up. "Oh, all right."
<Greenling> "Are you wanting a trade?"
<Namhwa> "Yes, actually. I'm pretty unfamiliar with the flora down around here, or at least what there is of it. For instance, what's a good poultice for tooth aches and other pains?"
* Namhwa will talk shop. :)
<Greenling> The lady will talk shop with you!
<Greenling> Rudy!
<Greenling> So what're you up to?
* Rudeth is currently readying the horses, making sure necessary things are packed, etc.
<Greenling> Crow.
<Greenling> You slowly wake up, to realize it's laaaate.
<Greenling> You had a really worrying dream you only remember about half of, that involved something green and monsters.
<Greenling> But the Sun seems to be an hour or two up and you probably want coffee now.
* Namhwa tries to charm the shopkeeper out of some tea samples, then finishes up, wondering how much he learned about plant life (or lack thereof) this far South.
* WhiteCrow groggily groans as she gets up. She looks therself in the mriror a bit and washes off, before putting on her pants and coat and heading downstairs, tying her hair into its usual lazy style as she does so.
<Greenling> You feel both really tired and really refreshed at the same time. o_O
* WhiteCrow rubs her hand ove her head as she goes down into the larger part of the place, looking to see who else of the gorup is sitll around
<Greenling> Inkah, mostly.
<Greenling> She waves.
* WhiteCrow finds a seat next to Inkah, orders the storngest possible coffee and sighs lazily.
* Namhwa finds a stick to toss for Sunny on the way back to the Inn.
<Greenling> Sunny chases the stick.
* Rudeth returns from readying the horses, looking around. He waves when he sees Crow and takes a seat next to her.
<Greenling> Mary Fang walks in from upstairs.
* WhiteCrow drinks her coffee slowly and sighs, waving to folks as the show up.
<Greenling> She sits back down.
<Greenling> "So. You're up," she says to Crow.
<Greenling> "Did the boy tell you my third condition?"
* WhiteCrow shakes her head some, "I haven't talked to him yet today."
<Greenling> "Ah, well."
<Greenling> "Hmm. Are you any good with a sword?"
* WhiteCrow huhs a bit, shrugging, "I'm okay. I have had some practice. I'm actually a better shot I think..."
<Greenling> "Interesting idea."
* WhiteCrow takes a bit more coffee, and looks at Fang a bit oddly, "Huh?"
<Greenling> She cracks her knuckles. "Just a question."
<Greenling> "So, when are we leaving and where are we going?"
* Namhwa lets Sunny carry the stick inside, then hails the others.
* WhiteCrow shrugs, "I think when we'r eready to go. I nee dto pack up a bit and then we can get goign before noon."
<Zhubin> Zhubin reenters the inn, talking to Rei. "Why don't you go pack that dress you bought, before we leave town?"
* Namhwa nods agreeably and gives Mary a curious glance.
* Namhwa then stops.
<Namhwa> "Mary, may I ask your aspect?"
<Greenling> "Hmm?"
* Namhwa looks Mary for the traditional Dragon-blooded signs of breeding. From his experience with the Realm, he knows that all Dragon-blooded have at least some miniscule expression of the dragons, even if it's a mere scent or discoloration to her skin.
<Greenling> "Now what would make you think I was a Chosen of the Dragons?"
<Greenling> Let's see. She looks local. Dark skin, dark hair...
<Namhwa> "Well, you're a sorceress. Surely none other than a Dragon-Chosen could wield such power."
<Greenling> Dark eyes, dark, dark... smells vaguely of salt...
<Greenling> "I'm no such thing, and there are strange things in this world." She steals a bit of bacon off Inkah's plate.
* Namhwa chews on his lip, considering the evidence coupled with her possession of the Western sword.
<Greenling> "Hey." :<
* WhiteCrow huhs, raising her eyebrows to Cho, "YOu don't need to be Exalted to elarn sorcery. The Perfect practices it and so do a few people in Creation."
* WhiteCrow drinks some more coffee, "Something I want to pick up in a few years."
<Namhwa> "Well, the Perfect is Special." Cho's capitalization of the word is audible, complete with an eyeroll.
<Namhwa> "As is our Mary Feng, I suppose. Well, we'd better get ready to go, right Sunny?"
* Rei nods to Zhubin, smiling some as she follows, still holding it close
<Greenling> "Wuf!"
* Namhwa gets packed and ready to go.
* WhiteCrow gives Cho a bit of a glare, "I'm just noting th emsot obvious example. Maybe I can speak of the head professors of the House of Wisdom? Or a few god-blooded throught the Threshold? Its really the Realm where mortals aren't allowed to access it."
* Namhwa shrugs and says over his shoulder, "As you say, Madam!"
* Zhubin waves at the others at the table, and goes to pack. While still debating with himself over whether to throw out the biscuits or not.
<Greenling> What biscuits? :V
<Namhwa> (lol)
<Greenling> Mary peers at Cho.
* Rei smiles to Rudeth, bowing her head as she heads up to her room for her bag.
* Rudeth smiles back at Rei.
<Rudeth> Catgirl is cute~
<Greenling> There are no biscuits. Quite frankly, you find it strange that you would ever have believed there were buscuits.
<Zhubin> Zhubin blinks at his pack. Does it still smell like saffron?
<Greenling> Nope!
<Greenling> (*biscuits)
<Zhubin> "You'd think I'd be used to strange things at this point." Zhubin shakes his head.
* WhiteCrow sighs and continues drinking and munching on what food is brought to her, "Mary...where did you learn sorcery, if I might ask?
<Greenling> "From a teacher who would probably not appreciate me telling you his name."
* Namhwa drags his saddle bags downstairs.
<Namhwa> So, shall we?
<Namhwa> "If not..."
* Namhwa sits at the table with his saddlebags.
<Rudeth> "I'm ready to go whenever you guys are."
* WhiteCrow nods, and stands up as she finsihes her last coffee, "Okay. Let me grab my bag and we can go."
<Zhubin> Zhubin seals his packs. "Yes, let's go."
* Rei blushes, having decided she could wait to try it on and show it off. At least for a little while
<Greenling> (whenever y'all like. or if you have something else to do. up to you.)
<Greenling> So! Where ya goin' to.
<Namhwa> "To Gem?"
<Zhubin> "Shouldn't we still be trying to check on Inkah's home town?"
<Namhwa> "I thought we were going to Gem first, then doubling back if he wasn't there. We somehow missed the town..."
<Zhubin> "Ah, yes. Forgive an old man his lapses of mind." Zhubin gently smiles.
<Namhwa> "Of course, but give yourself some credit. You put that soul to rest."
<Zhubin> Zhubin's smile freezes on his face. Politely he continues, "Yes, towards Gem."
<Greenling> The road to Gem is long.
<Greenling> ...Or it should be, anyway.
<Greenling> It takes you about half the time it usually would.
<WhiteCrow> (That's actually a pretty long time still if I remember right, depending onw here we were.)
<Greenling> Nevertheless, it's long, boring, and punctuated mostly by travelling songs, Mary going through every member of the party including Sunny and sparring with them, her disappearing every so often only to reappear, usually sobbing, and the occasional exchange of random pieces of your inventory with random mundane items, and in one notable case, Crow's PTR turning into a large angry chicken.
<Greenling> Rudy: +1 sword, +1 lore dot.
<Namhwa> "Oh no!"
<Greenling> (oh no to which?)
* WhiteCrow was not very amused that her graduation gift had shifted so along the trip. And she also finds the various unintersting, boring towns along the way not much to her interest. She also becomes grateful for her gear though. T He Air-imbued buff jacke tand goggles she cosntantly wears probably start to feel much better as they come closer and closer ot Gem
<Namhwa> (The chicken)
<Greenling> She seems especially interested in trying to teach Namhwa something.
<Greenling> (yay.)
<Zhubin> Zhubin continues his normal travelling routine, probably annoying everyone with his prayers to the Sun on a daily basis.
* Namhwa tries to pay attention. He's mostly run away from bandits on the road, and the way the priest shrugged him off was slightly embarrassing and rather upsetting.
* Rudeth spars with Mary, quite happy about his new sword, and routinely trying to show off with it -- and probably getting his ass handed to him when he does.
* Rudeth also converses as much as he can with Rei through the tablet, quite happy that he now understands most of what she says.
<Greenling> Usually. She's pretty good.
<Greenling> Though it surprises everyone, including Mary, how well Sunny does against her. :V
<Zhubin> Zhubin sighs. "The dog is more capable of defending itself than I."
<Namhwa> "Good... girl..."
<Greenling> Sunny does another backflip over Mary's head. "Woof!"
* WhiteCrow watches the fights with the dog and is left a bit....agast at how well she does
<Namhwa> "Well, Sunny's been a loyal companion for, gosh, a long time now. I'm not sure where she would learn that. I guess she's gotten into a few fights with neighborhood dogs. What the f...?"
<Greenling> "...Fuck. This."
* Namhwa just shakes his head and stares.
<Namhwa> "Are we all hallucinating on mushrooms? Perhaps that's it, the herblady gave me bad mushrooms..."
<Rudeth> "...Sunny's on my team. o.o"
<Zhubin> "Well, I don't know. After all, Cute and Fluffy have each taken out bandits armed with swords and mail in 3 to 1 before."
<Greenling> Nevertheless, you do eventually make it to Gem.
* Namhwa goes over to pet Sunny. "I think you deserve treats. What would you like?"
<Greenling> Pant, pant, pant. Looks like she wants water, right now.
<Greenling> Mary just sheaths her sword and walks back to her horse, grumbling.
* Namhwa lets Sunny drink from his water skin, then continues to Gem?
* Rei is impressed at Sunny's prowess, even if she watches from a short distance away.
<Greenling> Gem! Giant city inside a mountain!
* WhiteCrow has over the journey tried to keep herself occupied as best she can. But is glad to see the city she had wanted to get to for so long.
<Namhwa> "Wow."
<Greenling> There might as well be half a city outside here, caravans heading in and out, customs, tolls, people talking to each other, water-sellers...
<Namhwa> "Shall we pick up a few skins of water outside the city?" Namhwa asks the others, particularly Zhu the merchant.
* Rei blinks, glancing to the others
<Rudeth> "Water would be really nice."
<Zhubin> "Yes, probably for the best."
<Greenling> As you might imagine, it's ridiculously overpriced and available in pretty ornamental collector's waterskins.
<Namhwa> "That's ridiculously over-priced! We're not even in the city yet, you mule-skinner."
<Greenling> "And you'll be waiting out here for another two hours, by my estimation. Wouldn't you like something to drink?"
* WhiteCrow hmmms, looking things over some, "Why doesn't this surpris eme to be hoenst?"
<Namhwa> "Not by half if we're going to be robbed for it. Come on, your profit margins can handle a decent sale to an honest caravan."
<Zhubin> Zhubin turns in his saddle. "Why, that isn't Arib, is it?" With a wide grin. "You vile son of a goat buggerer, you!"
<Greenling> "...Zhubin?"
<Greenling> "Where have you been, you sorry sack of shit?" He grins back.
<Zhubin> "Wouldn't you know, but my last trip out of here went further to hell than your brother's soul! Ambushed by enough bandits to wipe out my entire caravan."
<Zhubin> "What are you doing as a water merchant, of all things?"
<Greenling> "Bandits..." He tuts and shakes his head. "These days, more numerous than fleas on a camel. They have put a vise on operations these days tighter than your sister was last night."
* Namhwa looks a bit disturbed.
<Zhubin> "Ah, I see that bilking travelers hasn't caused your tongue to lose its sharpness!" Zhubin slides off his camel to embrace the man. "It's been far too long. Your family is still in good health?"
* WhiteCrow raises an eyebrow as she watches the Camel Guy talk to the Scalper like such friends curiouslya dn quietly.
<Greenling> He chuckles and returns the gesture. "Ahh, very good! I have another son! And your wife, your children?"
<Zhubin> "And what is this about another two hours to get into the city? Have regulations and bribes become that much more serious?" Zhubin shakes his head. "Ah. My poor children and wife, stolen from me in front of my eyes. My business I can recover, but never those wonders."
<Zhubin> He spits to the side of the road. "Damn those bandits. One day, I shall stake them all under the sun."
<Greenling> He smashes something small and worthless-looking.
<Greenling> "Bandits! Bandits in the water, bandits in the sands, bandits chasing down caravans and doing harm to those few good men left!"
* WhiteCrow quielty boserves teh conversation back and forth still, looking over ot see th eline and curious about things for soemr eason, straightening her goggles and looking up at the blazing cloudless sky.
* Namhwa looks between Zhubin and the merchant, then looks down at the sand.
<Zhubin> "And these confused people," Zhubin waves his arm, "are so nice as to provide me with some companionship on this journey. Mind you, they weren't smart enough to pack a few extra casks of water, but they aren't bad people themselves."
<Namhwa> "Speaking of water..."
<Greenling> "Two hours. With the backup before the winter season, and the security measures lately thanks to those damned sneaking Anathema, it normally takes two hours."
* Namhwa suppresses a smirk.
<Rudeth> "So, since you're Zhubin's friend and all, d'you think I could get a drink of water or something? And my horse is thirsty, and if I don't give him water soon he'll start kicking me." >_>
<Zhubin> "Faugh. As if the guards are smart enough to notice even a Chosen of the Dragons, much less one of those Anathema."
<Greenling> "My profits are dried up; I may not be able to give you anything when there are many who will pay my price in the midday heat, but I can probably get you through a lot quicker, and prices on the inside are normal. They know me here, by now."
<Namhwa> "And look at this beautiful specimen of the Canine genus. Isn't she sweet? She'd love some water."
<Greenling> Sunny: ":<:< tailwag, whimper"
<Namhwa> "Brilliant!"
<Rudeth> "That'd be nice." :3
<Greenling> "As a favor for my dear friend, recently bereaved."
<Greenling> You all can make your way in in about ten minutes.
* Namhwa stays off his horse and tries to stay in the middle of the group so that he can see everything happening. He watches to see if the merchant pays bribes, or if the guards look a Zhubin suspiciously. Zhu is, apparently, wanted by tax collectors and the Wyld Hunt. Or something.
<Greenling> Namhwa: there are lots of people talking about large organized groups of bandits and Anathema.
<Namhwa> Hmm!
<Greenling> Rudy: you get that, plus "and the Realm is too preoccupied with Chiaroscuro to do anything about it".
<Greenling> Crow, Rei, Zhubin: you notice some of the people who look most scared have an odd symbol somewhere on their clothing.
<Greenling> It looks like an eye, kinda.
* WhiteCrow blinks a couple times, staring at the eye a bit, thinking on how it looks liek the one she's more familiar with...
<Greenling> You are inside Gem.
<Greenling> It's huge and lit with many pretty lights.
<Greenling> You are likely to have your wallet stolen.
<Greenling> Paths: inn, market, theatre, administration, seedy bar, not-so-seedy bar, exit.
<Namhwa> GO Theatre
<Rudeth> Theatre~
<Rudeth> "Hey, Rei, do you want to come to the theatre?" :3
<Zhubin> "We should get an inn first, to water the animals."
* WhiteCrow nods, "He's right. We need to find a palce to stay before we even bother to try and entertainourselves. ANd I have work to do."
<Namhwa> "I thought Arib would hose us up some agua."
* Namhwa frowns at the onerous requirements that responsible adulthood comes packaged with.
<Namhwa> "I suppose we should reserve a place to sleep."
<Zhubin> "He said the rates are better. And most inns provide it."
<Rudeth> "Which inn is the nicest? I want a good view. :D"
<Zhubin> Zhubin waves at some of the numerous people near the gate. "Looking for an inn for [however many we have] in a quieter area of Gem. First one here may get the sale."
<Zhubin> "With water and stabling."
* Rei perks an ear, nodding to Rudeth
<Rudeth> "Alright, let's find a nice one, and I'll try and cut us a deal on good rooms." ^^
<Greenling> Suddenly, there's a crowd around you shouting at you and each other.
* WhiteCrow glances back and forth at the crowd, wondering what's going wrong
<Greenling> A young woman with one of those symbols on her clothing seems to have gotten there first, however.
* Rudeth turns back to the crowd, listening for any sign as to what the problem is.
<Greenling> The rest are shouting prices.
* Namhwa tries to negotiate with an alternate shouter while Zhubin engages the young woman.
<Zhubin> "Yes, young lady?"
* Rudeth tries to help Namwha with the shouting crowd.
* Namhwa nods to Rudy while he makes subtle points about price, location, cleanliness, and flammability during his negotiation. He also slips in a bit about animal-friendly environments.
<Namhwa> (Just providing an excuse to train Bureaucracy, should he want it)
<Greenling> "I heard your people mentioning the theatre. We have beds available and we're right next to it."
<Greenling> ":3"
<Rudeth> ^~^ "How are your prices and conditions for animals?"
<Greenling> "It's also nice and quiet and we even have stabling for the... more unusual mounts." She glances at Little Tyrant.
* Rei smiles softly, following after Rudeth.
<Greenling> She gushes with some modesty over what seems to be an average-to-good inn.
* Namhwa nods to Rudeth.
<Namhwa> "Try to avoid compound questions, though, it lets them pick whichever one they're more comfortable answering," he whispers to Rei and Rudy.
<Zhubin> "Hmmm." Zhubin keeps talking, to get a better sense of the place.
<Rudeth> "Let's see...how many rooms... Rei, Inkah, Mary, Crow, me, Zhubin, Namwha, Peyt... If we double up, we could get as few as four rooms, but I don't know who wants a room alone..."
<Namhwa> "Sunny, too."
<Namhwa> ;)
<Greenling> Hmm. She seems a bit more enthusiastic than usual to get you to come, but she might be just new or a natural or something.
* Rei blinks some. Was she to be asking questions?
* WhiteCrow thinks on that, "Dobule up huh?"
<Greenling> Rudy: enthusiasm.
<WhiteCrow> SHe looks around, then to Rei, "I guess we should leave the guys together, right?"
<Greenling> Rei: she... sounds vaguely like... what are they...
* Rei blinks and shrugs some, leaning into Rudeth just a bit.
<Greenling> Like those people who go around waving the Immaculate texts at people. Except not.
<Namhwa> Evangelists?
* Rei blinks. Well, if being preached at for some religion gets her a comfy place to sleep..
<Greenling> If Rei could recall what those were, she might think that.
<Zhubin> "Sounds good. Now let's talk price." Zhubin makes with the serious haggling!
* WhiteCrow leans on a wall as she watches the goings-ons, and yawns some, looking forward to getting a batha fter all of htis.
<Greenling> You manage to get a discount for the large group.
<Greenling> The inn is a nice little place.
<Greenling> You get stabling, rooms, water, meals if you like.
<Greenling> It's mid-afternoon.
* Rudeth dumps his things into his room after checking the horses in at the stable and double checking that the horses would be taken good care of, then goes of looking for Rei.
* WhiteCrow yays a bit and sighs, "Now, to do som work before evening..." She begins to unpack a bit in her room, unloading her equipment and some of her books.
* Namhwa dumps his stuff, waters Sunny, then waits out in front of the inn for a few minutes to see if anyone will join him.
* Rei sets her bags down in the room she shares with Crow, undressing and unpacking the pretty dress she bought, putting it on before heading out the door as well.
<Greenling> Also, they have chairs here.
* Namhwa tries to be inconspicuous about the chest by physically carrying it upstairs.
<Greenling> And after weeks of horses, this is like saying they're making you cakes out of ambrosia.
* Rudeth waits for Rei on the first floor of the inn.
* Namhwa notices the couple, then goes back upstairs to invite Mary along.
<Greenling> Namhwa heads up... by himself?
* Rei arrives downstairs, blushing softly and waving to Rudeth, wearing her new slinky shiny dark sparkly blue dress
* Namhwa looks around and calls for Sunny.
* Rudeth ...stares. "Um, you look... uh, I mean... you... That's a really pretty dress." ^^
<Greenling> Sunny looks from beside Rudy.
<Greenling> "Wuf?"
* Namhwa frowns. "Sunny, heel, please," in Seatongue.
<Greenling> Sunny looks at Rudy. Looks at Rei. Walks stiff-legged around Rei, glaring at her, but follows Namhwa.
* WhiteCrow seems to spend most her time cleaning of fher normal clothing and eventually spends some time making some salves with Lfe's LIttle Wonders procedures and tyring ot get cleaned-up.
* Rei smiles, blushing softly and curtseying to Rudeth, blinking and pouting softly at Sunny's glare.
* Namhwa heads upstairs with Sunny in tow.
* Rudeth offers Rei his arm. "I think I saw the theater on the way here. It's supposed to be really great."
* Namhwa shouts down the stairs, "You guys can go on ahead, we'll catch up if Mary comes along. Meet me in whatever passes for the lobby, please."
* Rei smiles, gently taking his arm in her own, leaning close.
<Rudeth> "Ok, see you there, doc!" ^^
<Greenling> The theatre in Gem is indeed great, supposedly backed heavily by the younger son of one of the... (whatever the hell the rulers' titles are <_<)
* WhiteCrow spends a good few hours getting clean, trying to get all the dust and grime off herself and then working on cleaning her gear while shes' at it.
* Rudeth leads Rei to the theater. "I probably look kind of silly. I don't have anything other than traveling clothes and you're all dressed up. I'll need to buy some nicer clothes sometime while we're in town." ^^;
* WhiteCrow finally comes out sometime in the eveing. She is dressed in he rnromal traveler's cltohing, not really wanting ot advertise she's anything but, and asks folks int eh lobby of the hotel where there might be places for scholars and occultists.
<Greenling> The theatre is grand. They seem to be advertising a tragedy.
<Greenling> Showtimes are, as usual, late evenint.
<Greenling> (*evenings)
<Greenling> ...And a bit expensive.
* Rei blushes softly, smiling to him some. She wasn't minding any of the looks she might draw their way, either.
<Greenling> You find a couple of suggestions. They have a library.
* Rudeth pays for the tickets, though this takes the majority of his spare cash, and begins looking at the summaries and advertisements for the show.
* WhiteCrow hmmms, looking through, and seeing if there's ways she can get access to older maps and digs.
<WhiteCrow> Searching some fo the older areas, making a point ot see what maps and books might have thicker deposits of dust and wear.
<Greenling> Supposedly, the actors are very good, and the director is famous and secretive in kind of a flashy way.
<Greenling> You find some maps that date back a couple of hundred years, but no further.
* WhiteCrow curses a bit, but decides to take some copies of th eolder ones and such, doing some cross-referencing ot see what sites are noted in earlier maps not again in later oens
<Greenling> This helps a bit.
<Greenling> You find that most of the places that differ are further to the South, for reasons you can guess.
* WhiteCrow nods and starts noting this down. She then goes over to the section on thaumaturgy and looks up the procedures for Warding against the Wyld.