Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Mystia's Stored Games => Topic started by: DracoOmega on July 16, 2012, 08:55:24 PM
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>You are Nazrin, a newly inducted member of the Seeker's Guild, and you are dying. But at least you've stopped bleeding, so perhaps you can call this progress?
>Your career got off to an interesting and busy start last week, between stolen cats, missing cattle, and sword-wielding fairies, but things took a much darker turn when an encounter with a wild spider youkai left you infected with a mysterious and deadly illness. Thanks to Minoriko's creative thinking and the power of an ancient sword found buried in the spider's lair, the Blight has been kept at bay. For now. But you've been told you have no more than a couple weeks to live, unless a cure can be found. A cure that very likely may not even exist. Still, you are determined to try - finding hard-to-find things is what you do, after all.
>Your efforts on that front have met little success so far. No doctor in Braston could identify your condition or offer aid, nor were you able to obtain more than the barest clue of your sword's origins from the visiting archaeologists. Now you have placed your hopes in Val Razua and its Grand Academy, the single greatest repository of scholarship in Gensokyo; if the information you seek can be found anywhere, then there's a good chance it can be found there. To that end, you obtained passage on the Blue Maiden, a speedy transport ship run by a Captain Murasa. After helping to resolve the issue of a stolen export license that was keeping them tied up in port, you departed for Val Razua last night, and looked forward to a few days of peace before resuming your search.
>Unfortunately, your passage met another obstacle this afternoon in the form of pirates seeking a relic that Murasa was secretly transporting. A fierce battle ensued, but despite all the struggling and bleeding you did on behalf of your hosts, your side was ultimately unsuccessful in preventing Aya and her crew from commandeering the Blue Maiden and obtaining what they were seeking. You only got a glance at the object, but couldn't make heads or tails of what it was supposed to be, and Murasa has claimed to be similarly in the dark. But at least they're gone now, and business has been getting back to usual even quicker than you would have expected. Hopefully there won't be any more unpleasant surprises waiting between here and Val Razua....
>Currently, you are in the Maiden's galley with Miyuki, the pair of you having just finished getting tonight's shepherd's pie into the oven.
>Give her a nod. We can understand.
>"I think everyone has something like that. A little thing that just feels... right."
>"I've never really thought of it like that," she says. "It was just something I enjoyed doing. But I suppose you could be right." For a moment, her eyes grow slightly distant and a weary look seems to come over her face. Then she bends down and peers in the oven. "I think it'll be pretty good once it's cooked."
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>Nod. "Yeah, it should be nice."
>Can we smell it yet?
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>Thwarted by PHYSICS!
>Does that gesture seemed to have been caused by fatigue?
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>Nod. "Yeah, it should be nice."
>Can we smell it yet?
>She nods. "Mmm-hmm."
>Of course, though it hasn't been cooking nearly long enough yet to have that warm and sumptuous flavor to it; you only just put it in the oven, really.
>Thwarted by PHYSICS!
>Does that gesture seemed to have been caused by fatigue?
>Yeah, it really sucks that things don't just fall through floors. That would be- aahhhhhhh!!!!
>It's possible, but it might as well be emotional as physical.
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>"Anything else that needs be done, or can you go take a load off?"
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>Can we make anything in the realm of dessert?
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>"Anything else that needs be done, or can you go take a load off?"
>"Well, I'll probably straighten out the rest of the kitchen a bit." She lets out a sigh. "This is twice in two days I've had to go through the place. First Chisato's mouse, and then the pirates."
>Can we make anything in the realm of dessert?
>If it comes out of a tin, sure. Well, you suppose you could do better than that if you had a recipe to follow.
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>"Well, on the bright side, we're still alive."
>Let's see what we can do about dessert then.
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>"I'm actually a bit surprised they didn't take anything from here, myself. But they're gone, that's the important thing, back to whatever hole they crawled out of."
>"Now, back to the matter at hand. I don't suppose you've got jotted down a dessert recipe around here where, have you?"
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>"Well, on the bright side, we're still alive."
>Let's see what we can do about dessert then.
>"Yes," she replies simply.
>While dessert would certainly not go astray, culinary creativity is not your long suit. It would help if you knew where to start.
>"I'm actually a bit surprised they didn't take anything from here, myself. But they're gone, that's the important thing, back to whatever hole they crawled out of."
>"Now, back to the matter at hand. I don't suppose you've got jotted down a dessert recipe around here where, have you?"
>"They might have, for all I know," she says. "People come here at all hours and take what they like. But at least they didn't strip it bare, I guess."
>She looks and you and grins. "Did you want to start in on round 2 already, then?"
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>Grin. "Why not? Best way to keep morale high y;know."
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>"Peeling potatoes is one thing, desserts are kinda outta my league. Be honest, I'm not sure I'd know where to start. Hence, a recipe."
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>Grin. "Why not? Best way to keep morale high y;know."
>"I imagine a few of them will pretty drunk before the night is out," she adds wryly.
>"Peeling potatoes is one thing, desserts are kinda outta my league. Be honest, I'm not sure I'd know where to start. Hence, a recipe."
>"Well, you certainly seem motivated," she says, the pauses thoughtfully for a moment. "We do have a lot of fruit at the moment. Maybe we could make a tart?"
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>Nod thoughtfully. "Yeah, that should work. Shame we don't have any cheeses that would work, you'd be surprised how some cheeses and fruits go together."
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>Nod thoughtfully. "Yeah, that should work. Shame we don't have any cheeses that would work, you'd be surprised how some cheeses and fruits go together."
>Miyuki laughs warmly. "That's a bit of a thing with you, isn't it?"
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>Chuckle a bit. "Can't help it, it's a mouse's prerogative to know and love cheeses."
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>"Precious little at the supper table can't be improved by liberal application of cheese."
>Presumably we've eaten a tart at least once before, or have seen them. Do we have a favourite?
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>Chuckle a bit. "Can't help it, it's a mouse's prerogative to know and love cheeses."
>"Precious little at the supper table can't be improved by liberal application of cheese."
>Presumably we've eaten a tart at least once before, or have seen them. Do we have a favourite?
>She just chuckles and shakes her head. "I'll take your word for it."
>Not particularly; you're not really a fussy eater in general.
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>Well, be she fatigued or not, if we tried to tell her to take it easy, she'd just yell at us for 'coddling her' again, safe bet. Best just to stay focused on the task at hand.
>"Speaking of fruits and drinks, is there anything we'll need brought up from the hold for later?"
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>Well, be she fatigued or not, if we tried to tell her to take it easy, she'd just yell at us for 'coddling her' again, safe bet. Best just to stay focused on the task at hand.
>"Speaking of fruits and drinks, is there anything we'll need brought up from the hold for later?"
>"Not right now, I don't think," she says, shaking her head. "Maybe once I've gone over and put everything back where it's supposed to be."
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>Nod. "Alright, so let's get the tart started then, shall we?"
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>And while we're doing that, keep an eye open for anything obviously out of place, and put it back where it belongs, if we know where it goes. And if we don't, ask.
>Especially if it's heavy, we're in much better nick than the human.
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>Nod. "Alright, so let's get the tart started then, shall we?"
>She returns your nod. "Okay, let's."
>And while we're doing that, keep an eye open for anything obviously out of place, and put it back where it belongs, if we know where it goes. And if we don't, ask.
>Especially if it's heavy, we're in much better nick than the human.
>The two of you get down to work again, washing and cutting fruit and preparing the pastry. Miyuki takes charge of most of the tasks requiring any culinary finesse while delegating you to the manual labor. You make some effort to tidy up the last traces of the pirate's ransacking while you're at it, moving pots and plates and foodstuffs back to their respective homes. A couple sailors come and go while you're at it, grabbing themselves some leftovers and a quick sandwich before returning to their duties. Miyuki exchanges some idle banter with them - she's evidently not at all territorial about her kitchen - though you note that any griping about the pirates is relegated largely to a single side of the conversation. They inquire after what she's preparing for supper, of course, the warm and wholesome aroma of the pies in the oven now starting to permeate the galley. And, of course, she feels the need to point out your role in it, giving you far more credit than you deserve for mindless knifework. You grumble inwardly and brush it off; you suppose it's nice to be appreciated, at least. Before too long, the others are on their way and the tart is looking scrumptious in its dish, crowned with concentric rings of kiwi and strawberry slices encircling a cluster of raspberries.
>"I suppose all that's left now is to eat it," Miyuki says, regarding the finished product with a satisfied smile. She does look tired, though.
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>Nod. "Yeah, just about time to get dinner started, eh? Let's get stuff ready then."
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>"Is there a... dinner bell aboard, or does every come down when the smell drafts out?"
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>Nod. "Yeah, just about time to get dinner started, eh? Let's get stuff ready then."
>"Not much more to getting ready than cutting the pies up," she says, "but sure. Take the first pie out of the oven, if you would? It's easier for you to bend down right now than me." She chuckles sheepishly.
>"Is there a... dinner bell aboard, or does every come down when the smell drafts out?"
>"Well, it's about the right time of the evening for it," she says. "You just get into a routine after a while. We'll probably have a crowd before too long, now."
>And, sure enough, you've barely finished cutting up slices when the first hungry mouth walks in the door. Miyuki serves the sailor a very generous helping of cheese-drizzled shepherd's, along with a mug of ale on request, but almost before she's seated, another pair walk in the door together.
>"Go serve yourself up some, Nazrin," Miyuki says, glancing at the new arrivals. "You've done plenty, and I can manage this just fine. Really."
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>"All right, you're the chef. I'll save you a seat for when you want to sit down yourself."
>Considering what happened the last time we went near ale, best just acquire whatever kind of fruit drink is handiest to accompany our pie. And then acquire a plateful of our well-earned pie.
>And then acquire a chair.
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>"All right, you're the chef. I'll save you a seat for when you want to sit down yourself."
>Considering what happened the last time we went near ale, best just acquire whatever kind of fruit drink is handiest to accompany our pie. And then acquire a plateful of our well-earned pie.
>And then acquire a chair.
>"No shortage of chairs," she says with a smile.
>You decide to give the alchohol a wide berth and opt instead for a glass of orange juice from the Chill-O-Matic (after Miyuki warns you off the pineapple juice on threat of territorial kappa). Then you take a plate and help yourself to an ample slice of your handiwork. The aroma wafting warmly from it is positively mouth-watering - you're honestly verging on starvation by this point.
>You take your meal over to a empty table and seat yourself. Time to dig in!
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>It HAS been a long time since we ate, hasn't it.
>Itadakimasu!
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>It HAS been a long time since we ate, hasn't it.
>Itadakimasu!
>Not since a late-ish breakfast.
>You raise your fork and apply it with gusto, wasting very little time in getting your meal down the hatch. It tastes about as good as it smells and the cheese blend really does turn out to work alright in the end. It's not especially fancy fare, but you're not at all in the mood to be picky. More sailors arrive while you're at it, and before you know it, the place is buzzing with conversation. Without particularly meaning to, you find your ears turning here and there, idly eavesdropping on the chatter. For the most part, it's not particularly interesting - a mix of commiseration, implausible threats against the pirates should they return, and complaints about the work left in their wake. That being said, spirits seem better than you might have expected after the day's events.
>You find yourself nearing the end of your pie before Miyuki has even taken the chance to sit down.
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>Have we any idea how long we have left until we get to Val
's Halal (http://www.rathergood.com/val_halal) Ruaza?
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>Have we any idea how long we have left until we get to Val's Halal (http://www.rathergood.com/val_halal) Ruaza?
>From the estimate you were given before departure, probably another couple days - assuming the aftereffects of the pirate raid don't slow you down too much, of course.
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Anything else to do, peoples? I don't have much. Aside from maybe snooping around for other hidden goodies when it seems like we could get away with it.
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Well, we could go find the Cap'n after dinner and ask how she liked it.
...If ghosts even do eat. There is precedence though(Yuyuko), but we don't know her in this quest yet.
(And might never.)
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There's at least one thing I'd like to do, and that's ask Neu about that drowning trick Murasa pulled. We still offered to find Ishi's tool, but that can probably be taken care of in a 'summary' post.
I can't help but think I'm forgetting something, though. I'll think about more after I recharge from work.
EDIT: There is one other thing, actually. Murasa and Ishi were hiding that dingus in some kind of hidey-hole down in the engine room. If we can, I wouldn't mind having a look at it. There's a reason our treasure sense didn't detect that thing when we were dousing earlier. Maybe it was shielded, maybe by that hiding space.
>Could we go for seconds, or dessert, or both?
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>Could we go for seconds, or dessert, or both?
>The serving you just had was pretty sizable, so you might be more inclined towards desert than a second helping, tasty though it was.
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Schizophrenic avatars are schizophrenic.
>Then let us acquire desert. Peyote juice, ho!
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>Then let us acquire desert. Peyote juice, ho!
>You finish off the last of your pie, then go and acquire a slice of tart. Miyuki, it seems, has taken to working at her supper from behind the counter - at least if that half-eaten plateful is any indication. For all the quantity you two cooked, there's a pretty sizable dent in it already and far from everyone on board has been fed yet.
>Tart in hand, you return to your seat and set to work at the sweeter half of supper.
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>Ponder if we'll be called upon to provide baking services again. And if we should try to tell Miyuki to rest in the meantime.
>Have Neu or the captain been in yet?
>Consume fruity tart.
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>Ponder if we'll be called upon to provide baking services again. And if we should try to tell Miyuki to rest in the meantime.
>Have Neu or the captain been in yet?
>Consume fruity tart.
>You're not certain on the former, though presumably Miyuki has an instinct for how much food is required by this point, and she was the one who specified the portion size. As for the latter, she seems to be managing okay; it doesn't look like demanding work, compared to earlier, even if it does keep her on her feet.
>They have not.
>You cut off a section of tart with your fork and pop it into your mouth. Though the flavors are relatively unembellished and it's only mildly sweet, the overall effect is actually quite pleasant; you'll certainly have no trouble getting this down.
>Partway through your tart, you notice Neu step quietly into the galley. She has the look of someone whose mind has started to fall asleep before their body, but you think the hole in her wing is a little smaller than when you last saw her.
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>Wave her over. Well, try to, given the crowd.
>Check that.
>Wave her over if we have a seat free next to us, after she gets her grub.
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>Wave her over. Well, try to, given the crowd.
>Check that.
>Wave her over if we have a seat free next to us, after she gets her grub.
>You do have a free seat next to you, but elect to wait on waving Neu over until she finishes being served.
>"You look like you could use a rest," Miyuki says with a frown as Neu approaches the counter.
>The moth's voice all but confirms this without even needing to hear her words. "I expect that's true."
>"Well, we have shepherd's pie and a fruit tart tonight. I'll even give you a double-helping of desert, if you'd like."
>Neu shakes her head. "I'm afraid I'll have to pass - just a small portion for me, please. To go. It does smell very nice, though."
>"It's not bad, is it?" Miyuki replies cheerfully, leaning down to scoop up a modest slice of pie. "The cheese was Nazrin's idea."
>"Oh, was it now?" Neu glances back in your direction. You give her a small nod, for want of a better response.
>"Yup!" Miyuki smiles brightly, then hands the moth a pair of plates, one bearing the main course, and the other desert. "Anyway, enjoy!"
>Neu inclines her head graciously. "I'm sure I will. Thank you."
>With that, she turns and heads towards the galley exit, but you wave her over towards you before she can get too far. She glances towards you as she catches the gesture, the tips of her antenna fluttering slightly. She approaches your table, plates in hand.
>"Is there something I can do for you?"
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>"Actually, I was gonna offer you a chair. You look like getting off your feet for a minute would do you some good."
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>"Actually, I was gonna offer you a chair. You look like getting off your feet for a minute would do you some good."
>"I was actually headed back to my room," she says, "but if there's something you wish to discuss, I could delay a few minutes."
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>"Oh. Well, no, nothing special. Nothing that can't wait."
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>"Oh. Well, no, nothing special. Nothing that can't wait."
>Neu pauses and looks at you a moment, then nods. "Very well. Enjoy the rest of your tart."
>She turns and walks slowly out of the galley.
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Time enough to ask her about the captain's trick later.
>Polish off our desert, then police our dishes.
>If there's any pieces of fruit available, grab one for the road.
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>Polish off our desert, then police our dishes.
>If there's any pieces of fruit available, grab one for the road.
>You finish off the rest of your tart, then gather your dishes up and return to the kitchen, where Miyuki accepts them with a grateful nod.
>Then you round up a fresh apple to take with you.
>"Thanks again for all the help, Nazrin," Miyuki says as you exit the pantry, a tired but contented look on her face.
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>Pause for a bit. "Not a problem, s'the least I can do right now. Well, see you around."
>Let's head for the deck to look at how things are up there.
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>Pause for a bit. "Not a problem, s'the least I can do right now. Well, see you around."
>Let's head for the deck to look at how things are up there.
>Miyuki nods and smiles. "Have a good evening, now."
>You leave the galley and head back up onto the deck. It's less populated now than earlier - you suppose those sailors dining downstairs had to come from somewhere - though there's still a modest crew presence here. Murasa looks to be in the wheelhouse still, but Ishi is nowhere to be seen. The gash in the rotor housing also appears to be gone; in its place is a large patch of some sort of lumpy material whose color does not match the surrounding metal.
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>The rotor housing was the most obvious source of damage, was it not?
>With that taken care of, at least seemingly to Ishi's satisfaction, does there seem to be anything else up here obviously out of place we could put away, any ongoing repairs within our capacity to assist with?
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>The rotor housing was the most obvious source of damage, was it not?
>With that taken care of, at least seemingly to Ishi's satisfaction, does there seem to be anything else up here obviously out of place we could put away, any ongoing repairs within our capacity to assist with?
>It was. The repair looks like a bit of a hatchet job, to your eye, you also certainly have no idea how to do better.
>Unless you're planning to perform spontaneous carpentry on the deck surface, they seem to have things pretty well in hand.
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>Well, if Ishi's not here, then she's probably down in her engine room now.
>Unless her foul mood abated enough to make her hungry. Did we see her down in the galley?
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>Well, if Ishi's not here, then she's probably down in her engine room now.
>Unless her foul mood abated enough to make her hungry. Did we see her down in the galley?
>It seems reasonable, given what you know of her.
>You did not.
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>Still, assuming she's not, we might get a look at that hidey hole.
>Head down towards the engine room, but keep our ear open for sounds of one messy-headed Kappa. If it sounds like she's at 'home', we'll leave her be. Chances are, she won't want us nosing around her engine room while she's working.
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>Still, assuming she's not, we might get a look at that hidey hole.
>Head down towards the engine room, but keep our ear open for sounds of one messy-headed Kappa. If it sounds like she's at 'home', we'll leave her be. Chances are, she won't want us nosing around her engine room while she's working.
>You head back downstairs and carry all the way into the hold. Some cleanup also seems to have been done here - the mess of squashed kiwis is gone, at least - but it's relatively deserted at the moment. However, as you make your way towards the rear of the cargo space, towards the door Murasa previously indicated as leading to the engine room, you start to catch what appears to be the sound of hammering coming from that direction. A closer inspection confirms that it's definitely coming from inside, along with the intermittent noise of... something mechanical, at any rate - you can't identify what it is, but it doesn't seem to be part of the general engine background noise.
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>We'll leave her alone for now, then.
>Have a quick look around, just to see how much Aya charged the Maiden for daring to defend itself.
>After that, since the crew seems to have things well in hand, and we've made our contribution, go kick back for the rest of the evening.
>Time enough to talk to Neu, as well as maybe having a little look at Ishi's hole, tomorrow.
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>We'll leave her alone for now, then.
>Have a quick look around, just to see how much Aya charged the Maiden for daring to defend itself.
>After that, since the crew seems to have things well in hand, and we've made our contribution, go kick back for the rest of the evening.
>Time enough to talk to Neu, as well as maybe having a little look at Ishi's hole, tomorrow.
>You decide to leave Ishi to her work.
>Instead, you take another look around the hold. It's not hard to spot the empty spaces where crates and pallets of goods used to sit, though it's done relatively little to diminish the overall effect of the space being laden with cargo. It would be hard for you to gauge exactly how much has been taken, given that several areas seem to have been rearranged since you were last here, either by the pirates or the crew doing cleanup; it's certainly a sizable amount, though there's an even more sizable amount left.
>Then you decide to kick back for the rest of the evening. The ship seems to be in mostly working order, the crew are in reasonably good health and surprisingly good spirits, you're satiated and in less pain than earlier, and there generally doesn't seem to be a whole lot for you to be doing right now. So you wander around the ship a bit, for want of anything else to do, and eventually find yourself back on deck again. The bright light of day has given way to a smoldery dusk and the wind is cool and steady. Time passes as you watch the sun grow dimmer and then burn out beneath the clouds; the subtle shimmer of the aether flows around you cannot match the spectacle of last night, but still set a strange excitement stirring in you. These are the truly open skies, further from civilization than you've ever been before. It almost seems a little silly when you stop to think on it - being here, right now, adrift in this tiny wooden tub upon an endless sea of sky. And yet, there it is. Pirates or no pirates, you're still glad to have been able to make this trip at least once. Even if it turns out to only be the once.
>You're not sure how much time you spend up there, but when the duty shift rotates again, you decide to call it a night. The nap you grabbed earlier helped a lot, but the day has still been tiring in the extreme and you probably ought to get some more rest. You return to your room, spending a few minutes idly going through your belongings before taking your nightly dose of Minoriko's medicine; the taste has not improved any since the last time you did this. Then you curl up beneath the sheets as comfortably as you can, doing your best to favor your multiple injuries; this somehow does seem easier than the last time. You'll take that as a positive thing. All in all, it's a surprisingly okay end to a very unpleasant day. You do seem to be having an awful lot of those lately, though; perhaps you ought to file a complaint with the universe, or something....
>Morning comes almost before you are aware you'd fallen asleep. Judging by the light glaring in through the small window beside your bed, the day has decided to be cheerful once again. Not that the weather seems to be in the habit of conforming itself to your mood lately. You rise lethargically from the bed and stretch, discovering that this is a much less uncomfortable maneuver than it was yesterday. You're reasonably well-rested as well, if not exactly energetic; given the circumstances, you'll take it. You take a glance over your injuries. Most of the smaller ones have all but vanished now and even your leg is largely healed; you'll probably want to favor it slightly today, but you wouldn't go as far as to say it honestly hurts. In fact, you decide it's good enough to strip the bandage off it altogether and let some fresh air onto your clammy and constricted skin.
>Unfortunately, the other half of your battle scars has not fared so well. If anything, they have grown by a more pronounced degree than on any previous day. The one on the side of your torso in particular seems to have enlarged by more than a whole inch compared to yesterday, and you can notice small changes in nearly every other Blighted marking upon your body, with faint traces that suggest several more yet forming. The sunlight grows sour and mocking for a moment. You push it aside; it's pointless to waste time and energy on feeling sorry for yourself, and there's probably breakfast to be had. And frankly, you could probably use something to wash down that dose of medicine staring chasteningly at you from the nightstand.
>Fortunately, breakfast is both warm and pleasant. Today's is free of kappa-related injuries, but ample in portion size; a cheese omelet and fried ham may be suspiciously similar to yesterday's fare, though you're hardly about to complain, and there's a pleasant sense of activity around you that serves as a buffer from darker thoughts. Miyuki is also looking fairly lively once more, though her injury clearly hasn't recovered as well as your own - one of the problems that comes with being human. You inquire after Neu, once you've made it to the end of your omelet, and are told that her quarters are one of the best places to try at this time of day; apparently she often uses this part of the morning to attend to paperwork.
>And indeed, you find her there. Neu's quarters are somewhat larger than yours or Chisato's, though to a lesser degree than you might have expected. They are, however, quite a bit better-appointed than either. This is less because of fineries reserved for senior officers, and more because genuine care seems to have been taken in their arrangement. The bed is appreciably larger, you note, and its sheets do not match the utilitarian designs you've seen stocking their linen closet, but most of the remaining furnishings are otherwise similar to those around the rest of the ship. The most prominent feature of the room is a large writing desk, stylish in a sort of conservative way. Its surface is laden with papers and files, scrupulously arranged in tidy stacks, and accented by a flamboyant white quill pen resting neatly in a stolid black inkwell. One document in the center of the desk looks as though it were in the process of being written as you entered.
>Neu greets you at the door with a calm and collected expression; a subtle glance confirms that the hole in her wing is mostly gone now, though the surface there seems less opaque than the rest of the wing, almost as if it were thinner. She inclines her head respectfully towards yours and her antennae gently fan out.
>"I'm glad to see you look better this morning. Is there something I can do for you?"
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>"Got a minute or two to spare? There's a question I was hoping you could answer for me."
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>"Got a minute or two to spare? There's a question I was hoping you could answer for me."
"Yes, of course," she says, stepping aside and gesturing towards the interior. "Come in and have a seat, if you'd like."
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>"Thanks."
>Take the moth up on her offer and have ourselves a seat.
>"It's about that... Well, I don't know what else to call it, so 'll just say it. The trick Murasa pulled that made us all start drowning on deck. Or at least, that's what it felt like."
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>"Thanks."
>Take the moth up on her offer and have ourselves a seat.
>"It's about that... Well, I don't know what else to call it, so 'll just say it. The trick Murasa pulled that made us all start drowning on deck. Or at least, that's what it felt like."
>Neu nods as you step inside and seat yourself, then takes a seat across from you.
>Neu's face stiffens and her antennae stop in place. "Ah, yes. That." She frowns. "I apologize for you having to go through that. I'm sure the captain would as well; it's not something she does lightly."
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>"Don't apologize, I get it. That kind of trick seemed like the kind of thing someone does as a last resort. And it was, of course, we'd all tried everything else. The only shame is it didn't work on the ones it was supposed to work on."
>"I was just curious if that was her ability. I don't meet many ghosts, I didn't know if they shared that quirk with youkai like us."
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>"Don't apologize, I get it. That kind of trick seemed like the kind of thing someone does as a last resort. And it was, of course, we'd all tried everything else. The only shame is it didn't work on the ones it was supposed to work on."
>"I was just curious if that was her ability. I don't meet many ghosts, I didn't know if they shared that quirk with youkai like us."
>"I'm still not fully sure how," she says. "The onmyouji may have played a role, or it may have been something more mundane."
>Neu shakes her head. "Not all of them. But that was how she... died, for want of a better term."
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>Blink.
>"I'm not sure I follow."
-
>Blink.
>"I'm not sure I follow."
>Neu lets out a small breath. "Murasa is the ghost of someone who drowned. Someone perhaps quite a bit like her, or perhaps not - even she doesn't remember. It was a long time ago now. But in any case, that is the origin of this power: to make those around her drown as she did. It is... rather grim, when put in those terms."
-
>"So... what we were experiencing was..."
>Pause.
>"No wonder she doesn't do it 'lightly'."
-
>"So... what we were experiencing was..."
>Pause.
>"No wonder she doesn't do it 'lightly'."
>"There are multiple reasons, of course," Neu says. "Obviously it isn't something she wishes to inflict on her crew, but she cannot discriminate; anyone near her will be similarly affected. Well, except for Ishi. That was what she was counting on, I'm sure. A pity it turned out not to matter."
-
>"Does it have any kind of range? When I was talking to the rest of the crew before in the hold, no one mentioned it."
-
>"Does it have any kind of range? When I was talking to the rest of the crew before in the hold, no one mentioned it."
>"They probably felt it as well," Neu says with a frown. "Perhaps less strongly, but... The crew are all aware of what to expect in an emergency; none would have been at a loss as to the cause."
-
>Nod, then lean back in our chair a touch.
>"Look, Neu, I realize this may be none of my affair; I don't need to know what you and your shipmates do on the side. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about what, exactly, was so valuable, that it would make Murasa do that to try and keep it out of Aya's hands."
-
>Nod, then lean back in our chair a touch.
>"Look, Neu, I realize this may be none of my affair; I don't need to know what you and your shipmates do on the side. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about what, exactly, was so valuable, that it would make Murasa do that to try and keep it out of Aya's hands."
>Neu shakes her head. "If you're asking after the relic, I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that question. But her actions were not solely for its sake, I assure you. Aya may have kept to her word in the end, but if you were in Murasa's position, would you have been content to entrust her with your ship and crew like that?"
-
>Grin a small grin and shake our head. "Not a chance in hell. I wouldn't trust her any farther than I could throw this ship."
-
>Grin a small grin and shake our head. "Not a chance in hell. I wouldn't trust her any farther than I could throw this ship."
>"I imagine the captain shares your sentiments," Neu says.
-
>"Well, can I at least ask about wherever that thing was being hidden? Whatever it was, I didn't detect it, and that usually happens for a reason. I'd wondered if there was some kind of... shielding, or something, around it."
-
>"Well, can I at least ask about wherever that thing was being hidden? Whatever it was, I didn't detect it, and that usually happens for a reason. I'd wondered if there was some kind of... shielding, or something, around it."
>Neu regards you in silence a moment, the faintest crease in her brow. "I'm afraid I'm not familiar enough with the details of how your dowsing works to speculate. As for its location, I'd rather not disclose that information. I hope you can understand."
-
>"Oh, I wasn't looking for details on where it WAS, that's none of my business. I was just wondering if there was any kind of magic involved to protect what's inside, something to keep folks from sensing what's inside, through magic or something else."
-
>"Oh, I wasn't looking for details on where it WAS, that's none of my business. I was just wondering if there was any kind of magic involved to protect what's inside, something to keep folks from sensing what's inside, through magic or something else."
>Neu shakes her head. "I'd prefer not to go into details. My apologies."
-
>Curiosity isn't worth forcing the issue. And she's no more likely to tell us anything else about the damn thing than Murasa was, which probably goes for Ishi, as well.
>"I can respect that."
-
>Curiosity isn't worth forcing the issue. And she's no more likely to tell us anything else about the damn thing than Murasa was, which probably goes for Ishi, as well.
>"I can respect that."
>Neu nods, an apologetic look on her face. "It's nothing personal."
-
>"No, I get it."
>Besides, nothing stopping us from having a little douse later.
>"Have you seen Chisato since the attack? Miyuki seemed to think she'd be fine on her own, but she took more than her share of hits. Think we'll need to send for a healer when we get to Val Razua?"
-
>"No, I get it."
>Besides, nothing stopping us from having a little douse later.
>"Have you seen Chisato since the attack? Miyuki seemed to think she'd be fine on her own, but she took more than her share of hits. Think we'll need to send for a healer when we get to Val Razua?"
>You don't anticipate a problem being sneaky about it, anyway.
>"I went to take a look at her condition briefly last night," she says, "though I haven't seen her yet today. I agree with Miyuki's assessment for the time-being, though it may be best if she were to see someone when we dock in Val Razua nonetheless." Neu sighs. "I expect she will protest."
-
>"Knowing her, wouldn't surprise me even a little."
>"I plan to see her myself at some point today. Think it'd do any idea to suggest it to her?"
-
>"Knowing her, wouldn't surprise me even a little."
>"I plan to see her myself at some point today. Think it'd do any idea to suggest it to her?"
>She shakes her head. "I suspect not, and I don't think I should wish to try, were I in your position."
-
>Chuckle a little. How bad could she possibly be compared to a band of brigands?
>"Well, you know her better than me. I'll leave that one in your hands."
>"Although, while we're on the subject, you wouldn't happen to know of any healers of note in Val Razua?"
-
>Chuckle a little. How bad could she possibly be compared to a band of brigands?
>"Well, you know her better than me. I'll leave that one in your hands."
>"Although, while we're on the subject, you wouldn't happen to know of any healers of note in Val Razua?"
>Neu nods.
>"Of note?" She frowns and inclines her head thoughtfully. "I'm not certain I know of any specific individuals I would apply that term to, though the standard of medical care found in Val Razua is generally quite excellent - provided you're willing to pay suitably for expertise, of course. May I assume you're inquiring for your own sake and not Miss Yatsuragi's?"
-
>"Actually, both. Simply because she's not as durable as us Youkai."
-
>"Actually, both. Simply because she's not as durable as us Youkai."
>"Well, in her case, I doubt any particular expertise will be required - the wound on her back was fairly deep, but not life-threatening; the rest seem superficial, even by human standards, and she is a hardy individual. Your situation is... somewhat different, of course." She falls silent for a few moments, then sighs. "I'm afraid I may be unable to help you. I haven't had personal dealings with a healer there for many years, and the only one I could personally recommend passed away some time ago now. I doubt it will be difficult to find someone well-versed in the standard healing arts, but I understand your condition to be... beyond normal expertise. I could give you directions to a hospital, if you'd like, but I can make no claims that they'll be able to help."
-
>"Anything for a start."
>Grin slightly. "This IS my first time in the big city after all. I don't know much more about the place that any other tourist does."
-
>"Anything for a start."
>Grin slightly. "This IS my first time in the big city after all. I don't know much more about the place that any other tourist does."
>"Very well." She turns and produces a fresh sheet of paper from her desk, then deftly withdraws the pen from its inkwell.
>"Most of what is said about the city is indeed true," she says, busily scribing at the paper with sharp and precise strokes. "Arguably exaggerated, but not without basis. Certainly there are more great works of art and architecture within its borders than in the rest of the central nations combined, and the Academy's reputation for magical scholarship is earned honestly. From a business perspective, it is easily the largest market for luxury goods in the world. But it is still a real city, and despite what some would have you believe, far from all its streets are lined with marble and manicured gardens." She dips her pen in the inkwell, then frowns. "I apologize if I'm being too dour."
-
>Speaking of places of note, is there a Seeker's branch in Val Razua that we're aware of?
>Is she drawing a map or just making notes?
>"No worries, Neu. A Seeker can never have too much info on places like this, mundane info or no."
-
>Speaking of places of note, is there a Seeker's branch in Val Razua that we're aware of?
>Is she drawing a map or just making notes?
>"No worries, Neu. A Seeker can never have too much info on places like this, mundane info or no."
>There is, though you don't believe they offer the full training program there. There certainly is a job board and related facilities, though.
>It doesn't look to be a map, so much as a series of directions.
>"Well," she says, "if you would like me to be completely frank, I shall say simply that the city runs on wealth and influence. Those with them can live a life of unmatched privilege. Those without, often labor in the other's shadow. I would not say they have a bad life, as such, but the city is far from egalitarian and its governance is held in the hands of very few. Those of your profession could do quite well for yourself with the right patron, I imagine."
>She pauses and regards her note with a frown, rolling the quill pensively between her fingers. "Under the proviso that you do not consider this a proper endorsement, I may add another name here. A certain apothecary of... mixed reputation, but unarguable expertise. I have had some... minor dealings with her in past. I can't say I expect she would know a remedy to your affliction, but her knowledge of unorthodox concoctions is certainly greater than most."
-
>"Believe me, girl, I'm not about to rule out any leads at this point. A 'dubious' reputation ain't a 'bad' one, after all. Just one that falls a little farther down the list than others, if you catch me."
>"But, I wouldn't be a Seeker if I didn't ask about these upper crust types. The only big name I've even heard of myself is one Remilia Scarlet, and beyond the fact that she seems to have an interest in old things, I know nothing at all about even her."
-
>"Believe me, girl, I'm not about to rule out any leads at this point. A 'dubious' reputation ain't a 'bad' one, after all. Just one that falls a little farther down the list than others, if you catch me."
>"But, I wouldn't be a Seeker if I didn't ask about these upper crust types. The only big name I've even heard of myself is one Remilia Scarlet, and beyond the fact that she seems to have an interest in old things, I know nothing at all about even her."
>"Very well." She nods and starts writing again. "As long as you keep this in mind, should you speak with her."
>Neu lets out a small breath, sounding just the slightest bit like a chuckle. "A sure sign you've never lived there. She is the most powerful person in that city, have no doubt of this. Which makes her one of the most powerful in all of Gensokyo as well, of course. She is a vampire of pure blood and distinguished lineage, an aristocrat in the truest sense - vain and osetentatious, but a generous patron of the arts and beloved by the people. With some exceptions, of course. She is also a shrewd and sometimes ruthless politician. In truth, she is less despotic than her position would allow - I've never been sure whether this was genuine magnanimity or simply because she enjoys basking in the adoration it earns - but there is no question she considers Val Razua 'her' city. Of course, not everyone shares this view." She pauses here and stares uncertainly at her note for a few moments before resuming writing.
>"The political power of Val Razua is vested in the Senate, with each noble house of sufficient standing having a vote. Theoretically these houses share roughly equal power, though no one even bothers to make a pretense of this being true. In actual fact, the majority of control rests with just three of them - House Scarlet, House Houraisan, and House Mizuhashi - with a scattering of minor players completing the dynamic." She pauses again, and turns her head back towards you. "Perhaps I should actually ask what you care to know before continuing to expound like this."
-
>Do either of those House names mean anything to us?
>What do we know about vampires?
-
>Do either of those House names mean anything to us?
>What do we know about vampires?
>They sound passingly familiar at best; certainly you know no details about them.
>That they are a powerful and rare breed of youkai, possessing great physical and magical strength, who feed on blood (chiefly human, you think) but are vulnerable to sunlight and several other things. You don't think they're precisely bat youkai in the same way that you're a mouse youaki, though there does still seem to be some sort of connection between them. You've never encountered one, though you'd thought this true of most people until now. Actually... upon reflection, you think the fact that one of the bigwigs in Val Razua is a vampire does ring a faint bell - you just hadn't had a name to put with it before. In any case, it would appear she's somehow managed to escape the generally bad reputation associated with her kind. You've heard them mostly described as dangerous predators - a reputation you think youkai in general bore in older days. Whether they're honestly as dangerous as reputed, you can't say for sure - humans seem to find the night, and creatures of it, oddly spooky, after all.
-
>Wait a minute. She called this vampire one of the strongest in Gensokyo. And the pirates implicated her as the one who contracted Murasa to haul that relic. Which means that our friends could be in trouble for losing it...
>"Well, Neu, the first thing I'd like to know is something I don't know if you'll be willing to tell me, but I'm going to say it anyway. Considering what's happened here, are you sure it's... safe, to land there?"
-
>Wait a minute. She called this vampire one of the strongest in Gensokyo. And the pirates implicated her as the one who contracted Murasa to haul that relic. Which means that our friends could be in trouble for losing it...
>"Well, Neu, the first thing I'd like to know is something I don't know if you'll be willing to tell me, but I'm going to say it anyway. Considering what's happened here, are you sure it's... safe, to land there?"
>An unpleasant thought occurs to you...
>"Safe?" Neu gives you a puzzled look; the tip of her right antenna twitches a little. "Why would it be unsafe?"
-
>"Well, near as I can understand from what I've heard, the Scarlet lady was the one that hired you guys to move that thing, right? The thing those pirates jacked."
>"Now, I dunno about you, but I'd be pretty peeved if i were in her shoes."
-
>"Well, near as I can understand from what I've heard, the Scarlet lady was the one that hired you guys to move that thing, right? The thing those pirates jacked."
>"Now, I dunno about you, but I'd be pretty peeved if i were in her shoes."
>"Ah, yes." She frowns slightly. "I expect she will be, certainly. But if you're concerned her ire will fall upon us, you needn't be; she may be petty and vain, but she's not a tyrant. Though at worst, I suppose it may affect our business dealings in the city." She lets out a weary sigh. "I would like to think not, though. In any case, Aya is the one who's made a dangerous enemy of her with this, though it would somehow not surprise me if this wasn't her first transgression. Of course, I believe she was probably also correct when she claimed to be outside Lady Scarlet's reach."
-
>"....When do you think they'll get tired of the noble act and start attacking folks who can't defend themselves?"
-
>"Which begs the question of, if she can't get at Aya, is she the type to take her frustrations out on more convenient targets?"
-
>"....When do you think they'll get tired of the noble act and start attacking folks who can't defend themselves?"
>"The pirates, you mean?" She frowns. "In the end, I suppose we couldn't defend ourselves either, could we? Ironically, people with even less capacity for self-defense would likely suffer fewer injuries, I suspect. As for their future activities, I'm not sure I want to speculate. I no longer think their reputation entirely follows from their actions - I wouldn't be surprised if some of the attacks attributed to them were not actually perpetrated by them. They certainly have the capacity to commandeer nearly any merchant ship with barely a struggle, yet shipping in this area remains largely safe; draw what conclusions from that you wish."
>"Which begs the question of, if she can't get at Aya, is she the type to take her frustrations out on more convenient targets?"
>"I said you needn't worry about it." Her tone is just guarded enough to make you wonder if she's considered this. "If she does, I very much doubt her target will be us."
-
>"I want to believe that, too."
>Sigh a bit. "The last time I had to part ways with friends of mine, they were still in danger. I did what I could to help them, but I still don't know how things turned out for sure. I did not want to see that happen again."
-
>"I want to believe that, too."
>Sigh a bit. "The last time I had to part ways with friends of mine, they were still in danger. I did what I could to help them, but I still don't know how things turned out for sure. I did not want to see that happen again."
>Neu gives you a gentle smile, her antennae fanning out broadly. "I appreciate the sentiment. I'm sure we'll be fine."
-
>"Let's hope so."
-
>Smile a little ourselves. Moth's got a nice smile, rare though it is.
>Matter of fact, might a solid wager she doesn't get told that often enough.
>"Anyone ever tell you you got a nice smile?"
>No, no, stick to the business at hand. We need information.
>"Well, I suppose that brings us to the first issue. What I cared to know about Val R and its houses. See, what I'm thinking is, given the trouble I had in Braston, finding someone that knows what this thing I've got is, and how to treat it, could be a task and a half. And rare things, or people with rare knowledge, tend to be acquired by people with the most money, the most power. I'm thinking that, in one way or another, I may end up dealing with one of these Houses in order to find a cure. In case that priestess' 'Shintoist' lead doesn't pan out."
>"And if I do, knowing which noble is the easiest one to work with, or the best one, would help. If it comes to that, of course."
-
>"Let's hope so."
>She nods.
>Smile a little ourselves. Moth's got a nice smile, rare though it is.
>Matter of fact, might a solid wager she doesn't get told that often enough.
>"Anyone ever tell you you got a nice smile?"
>No, no, stick to the business at hand. We need information.
>"Well, I suppose that brings us to the first issue. What I cared to know about Val R and its houses. See, what I'm thinking is, given the trouble I had in Braston, finding someone that knows what this thing I've got is, and how to treat it, could be a task and a half. And rare things, or people with rare knowledge, tend to be acquired by people with the most money, the most power. I'm thinking that, in one way or another, I may end up dealing with one of these Houses in order to find a cure. In case that priestess' 'Shintoist' lead doesn't pan out."
>"And if I do, knowing which noble is the easiest one to work with, or the best one, would help. If it comes to that, of course."
>You return Neu's smile; it isn't something you've seen often from her, but there's a quiet gentleness to it that you find oddly becoming. Unfortunately, it doesn't last very long before giving way to a frown once more.
>"That's a difficult question," she says, "and I'm not sure I'm in a position to answer; I've had limited dealings with any of them and can speak mostly of their reputations. Of the three, Lady Scarlet is the most munificent, though often when it can be made to benefit her in some way. She makes a show of being accessible to the public, though so many people compete for her favor that it may be hard to gain her notice."
>"Kaguya is... oh, Lady Houraisan, excuse me. She is an odd person, seemingly human, yet hasn't appeared to age in centuries. She hails from Takemura and the rural areas to the west of the city proper - my own birthplace, incidentally. She has a sort of sleepy and unasuming demeanor, almost simple somehow, and often secludes herself from the city and its politics entirely. Yet somehow she continues to maintain one of the greatest positions of influence there." Neu shakes her head and sighs lightly. "I don't pretend to understand the web of backroom dealings these nobles play."
>"In any case, I would say she's the most approachable of the three - I've spoken with her myself when I was younger - but I'm also unsure if you could expect any help from her. At the risk of being unkind, she always struck me as slightly aloof from the reality around her. That being said, she also seemed a kindly sort, and is held in fond regard by the people of her region."
>She pauses a moment. "Lady Mizuhashi is... well, actually I'm not sure I know that much about her at all. She's a youkai of some sort, and her House is a relatively new player in the city - I believe she may actually be of Rhashavalan heritage - but has managed to quickly rise to prominence in recent years. Her reputation is somewhat worse than Lady Scarlet's, though it wouldn't surprise me if this was Remilia's own doing - certainly, House Mizuhashi seems the greatest threat to maintaining her stable balance of power. Lady Mizuhashi is a rather less visible figure in the city than her; from your position, I suppose that could be either good or bad. I've heard some claim she's a hedonist, but I'm not sure how seriously such remarks can be taken. And frankly, I think the same could probably be said for most of them, in one way or another. Whether or not she would care to assist, I can't honestly speculate."
-
>"Well, guess I may have to try all three if it really comes to it."
-
>"Even if that's reputation, it's still more information than I had before. Plus, I had a hunch that you'd be somewhat less biased than most folks I'd ask in the city, if these three have as much influence as you think they do."
-
>"Well, guess I may have to try all three if it really comes to it."
>"I would personally favor resources outside their direct involvement first," she says, "but your business is your own, of course."
>"Even if that's reputation, it's still more information than I had before. Plus, I had a hunch that you'd be somewhat less biased than most folks I'd ask in the city, if these three have as much influence as you think they do."
>"They have great influence in the politics of the city, true, but that doesn't mean the average person there is much invested in the games they play with each other. Despite how it must sound, I was never much of one for politics, either. Nobles squabble, life goes on."
-
>"So much the better, then. I'm not anxious about getting caught up in some power play between women with too much money."
>"Mind you, that doesn't say anything about after I'm fixed. I'm still a Seeker, after all, and Val Razua is still Val Razua. Figuring out who's the best choice for Seeker opportunities while I'm here this time'll help me when I'm there the second time."
-
>"So much the better, then. I'm not anxious about getting caught up in some power play between women with too much money."
>"Mind you, that doesn't say anything about after I'm fixed. I'm still a Seeker, after all, and Val Razua is still Val Razua. Figuring out who's the best choice for Seeker opportunities while I'm here this time'll help me when I'm there the second time."
>"Nor should you be, I think."
>A faint hint of a smile touches her face again. "Perhaps it may, at that."
-
>Have we heard a description of the Grand Academy in the city, what it looks like?
-
>Have we heard a description of the Grand Academy in the city, what it looks like?
>You have not heard a physical description of the place, aside from it being quite large.
-
>"One last thing. This Grand Academy of theirs. Chances are, I'll end up there at some point, if for nothing else to learn some more about my friend here." Give Kumokirimaru a pat. "I've heard it's a big place, but that doesn't always mean something stands out. Is it tucked away in some nook in the city, or does it stand out among all the other buildings?"
-
>"One last thing. This Grand Academy of theirs. Chances are, I'll end up there at some point, if for nothing else to learn some more about my friend here." Give Kumokirimaru a pat. "I've heard it's a big place, but that doesn't always mean something stands out. Is it tucked away in some nook in the city, or does it stand out among all the other buildings?"
>"It's just north of the inner precincts," she says, "near the Scarlet Promenade. The grounds are quite spacious; it would be hard to miss. In fact, you can see some parts of it from a fair distance." She extracts the pen from its inkwell again. "I'll write this down for you as well."
-
>Nod.
>"I presume that said Promenade was named after Remilia herself, or has her family been in power a while?" Pause. "Come to think of it, do vampires HAVE families?"
-
>Nod.
>"I presume that said Promenade was named after Remilia herself, or has her family been in power a while?" Pause. "Come to think of it, do vampires HAVE families?"
>"What they term as such, at least," Neu says. "I can't speak to the biology involved. In any case, the current Lady Scarlet is certainly not the first to bear that name. She is the scion of one of the most prominent figures in the city's liberation several centuries ago; this plays no small role in her popularity, I'm sure. I admit I'm uncertain whether the Promenade was named by her, or existed before she assumed leadership of the house; it's not the only landmark you will find bearing that name, I assure you."
-
>Liberation? Who liberated it from what, and are either party still around to give us trouble, assuming we know anything of it.
>Ask Neu if we don't know.
-
>Liberation? Who liberated it from what, and are either party still around to give us trouble, assuming we know anything of it.
>Ask Neu if we don't know.
>It does sound vaguely familiar, but you can't recall the details of when or why. You're pretty sure it's not some ongoing threat, at least, or you figure you'd have heard more about it. You decide to ask.
>"Why, the oni, of course," Neu says, one of her antennae bobbing slightly. "Are you not familiar with history?"
-
>"It's sorta familiar, but I didn't really know the when and why."
>What do we know about Oni? Beyond them being a rowdy bunch generally suited to being dockworkers that is.
-
>What do we know about Oni? Beyond them being a rowdy bunch generally suited to being dockworkers that is.
>Oni are youkai of exceptional physical strength and legendary fondness for alchohol, often verging on boorish, yet scrupulously honest. They're often seen as prone to violence, but rarely malicious, and rarely flaunt their muscle against people who couldn't hold their own in a fight. In Braston, at least, they are partially segregated from the general population and largely self-governing, though this seems more due to strong racial ties among them than any sort of institutionalized racism - certainly humans and oni can be found working side by side in several industries, and both are equal citizens under the law. Braston has a larger oni population than anywhere else, so you've heard - you always assumed this was a consequence of the mining there - but you've frankly been around them for enough years now that their presence feels pretty normal. Whatever role they played in Val Razua's history isn't something you've heard them talk about.
>"It's sorta familiar, but I didn't really know the when and why."
>"Well, I can't claim to be much of a historian myself," she says, "but the oni wars were a defining historic event for the central nations. That and you hear someone repeat the story every Sovereignty Day." She screws up her face a little. "Rather ironiclly, the last time I was there for it, there were oni running concession stands. I even saw one trying to hawk crude commemerative carvings." She shrugs. "Well, it's not like there's any real resentment there these days; it was a very long time ago, and a lot less bloody than what happened in the south. Plus I'm sure you have some idea how reliant Val Razua actually is on the oni for its economic prosperity."
-
>Nod. "Yeah, Braston's got a good-sized Oni population anyhow, so I'm pretty used to 'em."
>Chuckle a bit. "Man, before everything went in the crapper, I ended up stopping a fight from breaking out between an Oni and an old friend of mine. The Oni was the instigator by the way, real rowdy one too. Well, by typical standards at least."
>Sigh in a somewhat wistful manner. "Man...When you look back, I probably would've preferred taking a hit from that Oni to being stuck with this 'little problem'."
-
>"One of the unwritten rules of being a Seeker. When you go looking for something, you always find something else along the way."
-
>Nod. "Yeah, Braston's got a good-sized Oni population anyhow, so I'm pretty used to 'em."
>Chuckle a bit. "Man, before everything went in the crapper, I ended up stopping a fight from breaking out between an Oni and an old friend of mine. The Oni was the instigator by the way, real rowdy one too. Well, by typical standards at least."
>Sigh in a somewhat wistful manner. "Man...When you look back, I probably would've preferred taking a hit from that Oni to being stuck with this 'little problem'."
>"Broken bones will heal," she says, nodding sagely. "Though I wouldn't envy anyone on the receiving end of that."
>"One of the unwritten rules of being a Seeker. When you go looking for something, you always find something else along the way."
>"Yes, your profession does have a certain reputation about it. I understand that's some of the draw."
-
>"Hey, what do you know about the university? Like, important people, quirks about the place, and that sort of thing?"
-
>"Hey, what do you know about the university? Like, important people, quirks about the place, and that sort of thing?"
>She frowns. "I'm afraid I don't actually know very much about it, aside from reputation. I mean, I've passed by it many times, but rarely had ocassion to go there. But let's see..." Her antennae curl slowly, reminding you almost of someone stretching.
>"Well, the campus is open to the general public and the library as well, though I believe sections of their collection are restricted, and some of their research facilities certainly are. Every now and again you hear stories of magical mishaps, and some of the professors can apparently be a bit... eccentric, but I don't think there's anything you need to worry about as long as you stay to the public-facing areas; the standards of rigor they employ are quite well-respected."
>"The current headmistress is..." She frowns in consternation for several seconds, then shakes her head. "Her name escapes me at the moment, sorry. But I've heard she is a magician of rare skill if somewhat... dour. I'm not particularly familiar with any of the faculty, though. I do know that House Scarlet is a major financial backer and probably has some degree of influence with the administration, though their research isn't considered partisan, as far as I've ever heard. And I imagine certain parties would waste no time in making an accusation like that if there was any truth to it."
>She gives you an apologetic look. "I'm not sure I can be any more helpful than this, I'm afraid; I've never been much of an academic.
-
>"Neither am I. But if I have to pour over old books to find a cure, or even some directions, then it's good to know they're not gonna turn me away at the door."
-
>"Neither am I. But if I have to pour over old books to find a cure, or even some directions, then it's good to know they're not gonna turn me away at the door."
>"That much I can vouch for," she says.
-
I think that covers all the important issues. She gave us directions, too, and an outsider's opinion on a lot of the points of interest.
>Has Neu finished jotting her notes?
-
>Has Neu finished jotting her notes?
>She stopped writing a little while back.
-
>Stand, then.
>"Well, I'd say that covers a lot of my bases."
-
>Stand, then.
>"Well, I'd say that covers a lot of my bases."
>You stand up.
>"I hope I was able to be of at least some help," Neu says, handing you the note.
-
>Chuckle quietly, and smile as we accept the note. "Neu, you passed 'some help' back in Braston. This is gravy on top."
-
>Chuckle quietly, and smile as we accept the note. "Neu, you passed 'some help' back in Braston. This is gravy on top."
>She returns your smile gently. "I wish there was something more I could do for you, but I'm glad you feel it was of some use."
-
>"Definitely of some use. Thank you."
>Oh, what the hell. We might never see this one again, after we disembark. Even if we find a cure, Maiden might not put into port at Braston for a long long time, if ever. Why not go for it.
>"Anyone ever tell you you got a nice smile?"
I know, I know. Couldn't help myself. :P
-
>"Definitely of some use. Thank you."
>Oh, what the hell. We might never see this one again, after we disembark. Even if we find a cure, Maiden might not put into port at Braston for a long long time, if ever. Why not go for it.
>"Anyone ever tell you you got a nice smile?"
>Nearly as soon as you compliment Neu on her smile, it gives way to an uncomfortable frown - there is just enough delay for her to register the words. Her antenna stiffen slightly and fold back. "Not... as such," she says pensively.
-
Note to self and others: The next time Sour wants to try a light flirt, somebody stop me. It doesn't work.
Anybody have any suggestions for how I can not cock up even worse? Sour's made a mistake here.
-
We go hard negative and say "Good, they'd be lying through their teeth!"
Just wave it off and retreat. We've hardly broken anything at this point. It'll be an awkward moment quickly forgotten, unless Neu is obsessive about these things upon which we'll have to pitch her overboard. As long as we don't press on it or blatantly panic, things will be fine.
-
I really hope you're right.
>Didn't think that would provoke THAT response. Better bail before things get worse. Calmly, of course.
>"Well, then. .. I guess I'd best leave you to your work. Thanks again for all the info."
>Flee! Calmly, of course.
-
>Didn't think that would provoke THAT response. Better bail before things get worse. Calmly, of course.
>"Well, then. .. I guess I'd best leave you to your work. Thanks again for all the info."
>Flee! Calmly, of course.
>You decide to hastily backpedel.
>Neu's mouth opens slightly, then closes again; her eyes drift awkwardly aside for a moment. "Ah- v-very well, then." She nods stiffly.
>You make a brisk but calm-seeming exit from her room. Nothing else unpleasant seems to happen.
-
>Let's walk a ways down the hall, and the pause and rest our back against the wall to collect our thoughts. That didn't go as planned...
>Head back up on deck, get some of that open air in our tail again.
-
>Let's walk a ways down the hall, and the pause and rest our back against the wall to collect our thoughts. That didn't go as planned...
>Head back up on deck, get some of that open air in our tail again.
>You walk back down the hall a bit then prop yourself up against a wall and sigh inwardly. Wasn't exactly the reaction you were looking for back there...
>Then you decide to head for the deck and get some fresh air.
>The breeze that catches you as you emerge topside is bracing; it seems to be colder today than yesterday, though the sun is bright and sky clear. Aside from the bits requiring deliberate carpentry work, the deck is clear of yesterday's mess, and the situation here looks normal and even.
-
>Are there any blobs of land within view, small or otherwise?
>Are we aware of any metals that thwart our 'standard' scans?
-
>Are there any blobs of land within view, small or otherwise?
>Are we aware of any metals that thwart our 'standard' scans?
>You can spot a couple small islets in the far distance, but the sky is otherwise nearly empty at the moment.
>You've never encountered something that outright prevents you sensing things on the other side of it, at least as far as you're aware. Some give off much stronger and more distinct resonances than others, however, which you suppose could drown out weaker ones in their immediate vacinity in a similar manner that a loud noise could mask a quiet one. It certainly would not be an absolute thing, though.
-
>Did we get a good enough look at what those pirates came here to steal, before they decided to steal everything else they felt like, to be able to guess what it was made of?
-
>Did we get a good enough look at what those pirates came here to steal, before they decided to steal everything else they felt like, to be able to guess what it was made of?
>The material it was made of looked a little odd, and wasn't readily identifiable. Of course, you never tried to dowse it either. It might have been some kind of stone, possibly?
-
>Let's assume it was some kind of stone, then. If that lump of stone were concealed within, say, a wooden box, or a metal one, or a mixture of both, would we be able to detect the rock though that shielding?
-
>Let's assume it was some kind of stone, then. If that lump of stone were concealed within, say, a wooden box, or a metal one, or a mixture of both, would we be able to detect the rock though that shielding?
>Assuming the base material was something you could detect, that should be no problem whatsoever. Moreover, there would almost certainly be far more wood and metal between you and the box, simply in the form of walls and flooring, than the box itself could provide.
-
>Assuming, then, that the stone was something we could normally detect, despite the...
>Actually. If the stone was something we could normally detect, it would have triggered our senses when we were right next to it before, would it not?
-
>Assuming, then, that the stone was something we could normally detect, despite the...
>Actually. If the stone was something we could normally detect, it would have triggered our senses when we were right next to it before, would it not?
>No, certainly not. There are plenty of things you can easily dowse for that are far too mundane to feel with your treasure sense, or else it would be going off for every doorknob and piece of cuttlery you come across. That being said, you did get an odd sensation as the rabbit ran past you with the object; you weren't sure what to make of it, and it was only brief, but it may well have been from the relic itself.
-
>Assuming we know what's in a specific area, say, the area the rabbit described where she found the object, can we turn our dousing senses on that area to detect whatever might be there?
-
>Assuming we know what's in a specific area, say, the area the rabbit described where she found the object, can we turn our dousing senses on that area to detect whatever might be there?
>You could try looking for whatever is there now, anyway, but you have no reason to think there would be any residual trace of the relic's own resonances there.
-
>That's fine. Whatever that thing is is long gone, but whatever thwarted our senses might still be in evidence.
>Produce our dowsing rods and focus our attention on the area of the ship described by the rabbit as the former resting place of the relic.
-
>That's fine. Whatever that thing is is long gone, but whatever thwarted our senses might still be in evidence.
>Produce our dowsing rods and focus our attention on the area of the ship described by the rabbit as the former resting place of the relic.
>You decide to do a scan in the general direction of where the relic was hidden, on the chance that you can pick up on something that could be thwarting your senses. In truth, you don't actually know where these 'engine maintenance ducts' run, but you figure that aiming for the engine itself is probably not a bad start. You take out your dowsing rods and point them towards the lower rear of the ship. This gets an idle glance from one of the sailors, though no one seems to be paying you too much mind.
>The first thing you notice is the engine itself. It's actually pretty loud, both in a physical and metaphysical sense; several key components are made of highly refined precious metals, like orichalcum, which have a very sharp and distinct resonance, and this is compounded by the engine simply being large and dense. It might even be possible to miss something subtle near it, you suppose, if you didn't specifically know what you were looking for, but nothing you can sense there is unusual or unexpectedly opaque to your senses. After a little time focusing on that spot, you extend your search to the surrounding areas. You can sense metal running out to various parts of the ship from the engine room, possible piping of some sort, as well as a multitude of other, seemingly-mundane things. Nothing seems unusual, or especially different than the last time you did this. If something on the ship is outright masking your senses, it's subtle enough that you can't detect it either.
-
>That's probably the best we can do without actually seeing the hiding place itself, and by all accounts, that isn't very likely to happen.
>While we're at it, sweep that area in and around the captain's cabin any ambient magical impressions. Whatever that ghost of a sense was we picked up before we left port may still be aboard, and this mouse hates an unsatisfied curiousity.
-
>That's probably the best we can do without actually seeing the hiding place itself, and by all accounts, that isn't very likely to happen.
>While we're at it, sweep that area in and around the captain's cabin any ambient magical impressions. Whatever that ghost of a sense was we picked up before we left port may still be aboard, and this mouse hates an unsatisfied curiousity.
>You decide that this is probably the most you're going to accomplish regarding the relic's hiding-spot, and decide to poke around the captain's cabin instead, on the off-chance you can pick up some residuals from whatever it was you sensed there earlier. You angle your dowsing rods upwards and concentrate.
>On the whole, the contents of the cabin don't seem particularly interesting. There's some money - a pretty reasonable amount, you think - and perhaps a few other baubles, with at least a couple things bearing some minor enchantment or another, but nothing that gives you the same vibe you sensed earlier. Of course, it was so vague and subtle even at the time that it's not impossible you could still be overlooking it - you don't have any idea what it even was, after all. Although, now that you think about it... the sensation was vaguely similar to what you felt when that rabbit ran past you....
-
>Obviously the sensation was stronger when it was closer to us. Piecing together what we felt then and what we felt the first time, did we get enough of an impression to be able to make a guess as to what it could have been?
-
>Obviously the sensation was stronger when it was closer to us. Piecing together what we felt then and what we felt the first time, did we get enough of an impression to be able to make a guess as to what it could have been?
>You're drawing a blank, unfortunately. Whatever it was, it was either too vague and muddled to tell, or something outside your experience altogether.
-
>Considering that that widgit will probably spend the next decade or so decorating that pirates' wall, we're not likely to get a better look at time soon. And without a better look, this is one curiousity that may have to go unsatisfied.
>Put away our rods.
>Have we drawn any undue attention while dowsing up here?
-
>Considering that that widgit will probably spend the next decade or so decorating that pirates' wall, we're not likely to get a better look at time soon. And without a better look, this is one curiousity that may have to go unsatisfied.
>Put away our rods.
>Have we drawn any undue attention while dowsing up here?
>At the very least, you aren't sure what to do about it now.
>You put away your dowsing rods.
>You've drawn some attention, as you might expect for doing that in the middle of an open deck, though it seems more curious than irritated. At least, no one looks like they're about to say something to you over it.
-
Well, with that done, I myself can't think of anything else specific that we need to take care of ourselves. Apart from maybe clearing the air with Neu, but I think it might be best to leave that ball in her court. If she wants to, that's up to her.
So, if no one objects...
>Guess there's nothing left but to enjoy the ride to the big city.
>Along the way, let's make sure we find the time to say hello to Chisato, and make sure the irascible human is staying in bed as she should.
>And keep a discreet eye on Miyuki as well, and make sure she knows our hands are available for kitchen duty again. It may not be the kind of thing we'd do on a daily basis, under normal circumstances, but it was kinda fun. Due to the company we keep, no doubt.
-
>Guess there's nothing left but to enjoy the ride to the big city.
>Along the way, let's make sure we find the time to say hello to Chisato, and make sure the irascible human is staying in bed as she should.
>And keep a discreet eye on Miyuki as well, and make sure she knows our hands are available for kitchen duty again. It may not be the kind of thing we'd do on a daily basis, under normal circumstances, but it was kinda fun. Due to the company we keep, no doubt.
>Given that there seems to be nothing else pressing to take care of, you try to settle back and enjoy the ride. Were it not for the circumstances, you think it would actually be fairly pleasant, if a touch idle. You pitch in with minor tasks here and there, helping to scrub your own blood off the floors and giving Miyuki another hand in the kitchen, and otherwise enjoy the skies and the fact that no further disasters seem to be occurring.
>On the plus side, your injuries heal quickly, and before too long are only dull reminders of the other day's battle. The same cannot be said for all members of the crew, however.
>Predictably, Chisato is back on her feet later that day, pain and good sense be damned. And she really does damn them, among a list of other things. You and Miyuki - especially Miyuki - manage to ring a few concessions from her, but she absolutely insists on having a proper lunch in the galley instead of her room, and spending some time above deck. While she can't fully disguise the fact that it still hurts for her to move, she is pointedly silent on the topic. You keep your word to Miyuki and make no mention of her spellcasting ? Chisato is pointedly silent on this topic, as well.
>As one might expect, she's a bit testy, but you genuinely wonder if this has more to do with how people keep making her swear off work than her injuries themselves. Still, she's not entirely unpleasant, and keeping a friendly watch on her at least gives you something to do.
>While the two of you are on deck, you catch sight of a few small forms swirling among the clouds in the distance. At first you think they're a small flock of birds migrating from one isolated islet to another, but something about them doesn't look quite right. They're too... long - almost sinuous.
>"Dragonfish," Chisato says. "Rare as hell. S'posed to bring good luck if you spot 'em." She shakes her head. "Where the fuck were you guys yesterday?" she mutters.
>Though they never approach close to the ship, the Maiden's course draws just near enough to afford you a better view of their display; you note you're not the only person watching, either. Their movements are fluid and graceful, almost dance-like, with each weaving in and around the other in a complex and ever-changing pattern; the sunlight scintillates brilliantly off their iridescent scales with each movement, creating an illusion of rainbows trailing in their wake. And then, barely after coming into view, they disappear back into the clouds. You can still hear them being talked about at supper that night.
>Later that evening, Natsumi comes to your room to thank you for likely saving her life. She is still a bit unsteady on her feet, and her speech is slow and deliberately at times, but she otherwise seems coherent and lucid. You brush off her gratitude as best you can without being disrespectful and the two of you end up talking for a while. Apparently she's also from Hanashibara, though a much more populated region than Miyuki. She talks a little about her family - sailors for several generations, it seems - and asks after yours. You answer as best you can without being too specific about what brought you to the Maiden; she seems to have missed the whole fuss about your affliction, and you're in no hurry to needlessly inform her. She seems nice enough, though, and reasonably sharp for someone who had their forehead split open by a piece of blunt metal just yesterday. She'll be alright, you think, and it brings you some comfort to know you had a hand in that, at least.
>Ishi finally reappears the following afternoon, looking even more bedraggled than the first time you saw her wander into the galley. Her overalls are splattered with oil and grime and what appear to be several burn marks. She insists on having rabbit stew for supper and is surprisingly undeterred by Miyuki's insistence that they don't have any rabbit. In fact, Miyuki nearly shoos her out of the galley entirely with stern orders to clean up before coming back. Eventually they reach a compromise in the form of roast turkey; Ishi insists on carving her own portion. You can't quite decide which is more unsettling: the oversized and wildly reciprocating blade which she applies to the bird, or the glint in her eye as she does so. You prefer not to think about what was going through mind at that particular moment.
>There's one thing you can say about this trip, at least: you don't need to worry about being underfed. It's not exactly 5-star restaurant fare, but it's tasty and filling, and probably better than you have any right to expect on a cargo ship. Another day passes.
>One of the downsides of the inactivity is that it leaves you with a lot of time for introspection. Well, perhaps that wouldn't be such a bad thing in ordinary times, but much of what you find yourself ruminating on at the moment is unpleasant. The Blighted marks upon you grow visibly each day; the large one on your leg will soon extend beyond the edge of your skirt, you think. Perhaps you'll need to invest in some new clothes....
>You continue to take Minoriko's medicine each morning and night; on the plus side, you've only made a small dent in the total volume, so it looks like you should have more than you'll ever need. One way or the other. Though you find yourself wondering if you're feeling just a little bit wearier as the days pass - quicker to tire, and weaker on your feet. It's not enough to be sure that it's anything at all, or at least anything beyond the fatigue you'd expect after all you've been through, but it's just enough to compound to the worries on your mind, whenever they come up for reexamination.
>It is now the afternoon of the fourth day since the Maiden set sail from Braston. You've been assured that you're still making good time despite the damage the ship sustained in the battle with the pirates, but the journey has really begun to drag. You've done your best to keep occupied, but there's only so much that busywork can do to distract you from the fact that four more days have passed ? four more days of the precious few remaining to you. As a youkai, it's a strange thing to realize that time, of all things, has now become one of the very scarcest and most valuable commodities in the world to you.
>After running out of minor tasks within your expertise to do, you spent an hour or so pacing the Maiden's deck and then returned to your room. You're not precisely trying to nap, but simply lying down for want of anything else to do. An indeterminate amount of time passes while you watch the clouds drift by your window. Every now and again you hear Chisato's mouse chitter something from across the hall. She's not exactly the greatest conversationalist, but it's still a distraction from ruminating. And you suppose her innocent cheerfulness isn't such a bad thing right now, either. Your leg itches a little.
>There is a knock at the door.
-
>Scratch leg.
>Neat, a distraction. Stand and open door.
-
>Scratch leg.
>Neat, a distraction. Stand and open door.
>Thankful for the distraction, you give your leg an idle scratch and stand up to answer the door. The visitor turns out to be Neu, who gives you a polite nod of her head as you open the door.
>"We've sighted one of the beacon stones that mark the approach to Val Razua," she says. "I didn't know if you wanted to be on deck for this."
-
>Any sign of lingering awkwardness on our insect youkai buddy?
>Do we know if these beacon stones are similar to lighthouses?
-
>Any sign of lingering awkwardness on our insect youkai buddy?
>Do we know if these beacon stones are similar to lighthouses?
>She did seem perhaps slightly uncomfortable on your next encounter or two, but several days have passed since then and no further mention has been made of it. You assume things are okay between you.
>They would be considerably smaller - more like signposts than lighthouses. There are a few marking the approach to Braston's harbor, as well.
-
>"Ah, sure."
>Let's head up with her then.
-
>"Ah, sure."
>Let's head up with her then.
>Neu nods and the two of you head back up to the deck.
>The sky is clear and bright again today - probably still early afternoon, judging by the sun - and the scene on deck hasn't changed much since the last time you were here. In fact, there doesn't seem to be much to see at all, at first, despite Neu's words. But after peering into the distance past the Maiden's bow for a few moments, your eye finally catches on a tiny fleck along the horizon that cannot be attributed to either cloud or bird.
>Neu nods. "That's one," she says, then points to the right of the bow. "There's another over there."
>Your eyes follow her finger onto another patch of apparently empty sky. Oh wait, there it is. ...you think - the sailors are clearly a lot more practiced at spotting landmarks than you are.
-
>"What am I looking for?"
-
>"What am I looking for?"
>"Well, now that we've reached the outer markers, the island itself should be coming into view quite shortly." She points roughly in the middle of the space between the two beacon stones. Or at least what you assume are beacon stones. "In that direction."
-
>"How can you tell which ones are the beacons?"
-
>"How can you tell which ones are the beacons?"
>"Oh." She pauses a moment, then the faintest hint of a sheepish smile brushes across her face. "I suppose after so many years sailing, it simply becomes second nature; I've traveled this route many times before." She glances out at the horizon. "I suppose they're still quite small at this distance, if one wasn't used to spotting them. It would be quite a bit easier to see them at night, actually; they light up once the sun sets."
-
>"Will it be night when we hit land, then?"
-
>"Will it be night when we hit land, then?"
>"Oh no," she says, shaking her head. "It shouldn't be more than a few minutes. At least to reach the island; it'll take a little longer to arrive at the port."
-
>Rub hands together a little.
>"Music to my ears."
-
>Rub hands together a little.
>"Music to my ears."
>She nods. "I thought you'd be happy to hear that."
>At the speed the Maiden is traveling, it doesn't take long for the closer of the beacon stones to resolve into something more distinguishable than a dot. It's a little different in design than the ones near Braston, appearing to incorporate some minor decorative touches instead of being strictly utilitarian, though you imagine it does its job well enough - the crew spotted it, at any rate. It's essentially a small column of angular stone standing atop an islet that looks barely large enough to quality for the term, though it's hard to gauge absolute size and distance without some known marker around to anchor them. The column tappers slightly at both the top and bottom and reaches its widest point near the middle, where a hollow cavity encloses what you suspect is a light, though its interior is dim at the moment.
>As the Maiden passes another beacon, the endless blue of the horizon is broken by a thin band of brown and green, which swiftly is not so thin at all. Your eye catches motion against one segment of it - several tiny forms passing slowly alongside and away from the island's edge, their contours capped by something wispy that seems almost to shimmer with its movement. Airship rotors!
>The Maiden starts to slowly bank to the right.
>Before too long, the island ahead has swelled to fill most of the horizon. It extends to your left as far as you can see and a considerable distance to the right, its surface capped by grasses and broad-leafed trees. Your approach is actually fairly low, which limits how much of the terrain you can see - this elevation seems to be shared by the other visible airships, so you assume it's simply the lay of the skyways here.
>You can see two of them at the moment - wait, three. The first is a mid-sized cargo ship in strictly functional brown, tracking in your general direction at a tawdry fraction of the Maiden's own speed. The second is a smaller, but decidedly more colorful-looking ship - possibly a ferry - following close along the island's edge. The third is only just emerging from what had, until that moment, seemed an unbroken expanse of rock. As the Maiden continues to turn, you see a gap start open up in that side of the island, previously concealed by your angle of approach. There is a narrow passage there, either between two closely adjacent islands or two peninsulas of the same one. Well, narrow in relative terms - the airship that emerged from it was itself far narrower.
>Something else catches your eye as the Maiden moves in that direction. Standing atop a sharp promontory extending above the passage is the striking statue of a woman, carved out of silver-colored stone. Even from this distance, the fineness of her features is evident, the play of light and shadow upon her chiseled face revealing subtle contours of cheek and jaw that frame it. Her hair is long and she wears a serene, yet somber expression, gazing solemnly into the distance beyond the open sky. Cupped reverently in outstretched palms is a large pale globe, made of a different material than the rest of the statue - there is a muted sheen to it and swirls of subtle color drift beneath its surface. The craftsmanship is unquestionably superb, but the scale... it's easily taller than anything in all of Braston or anything you've ever seen before in your life, for that matter. Even the globe she bears is almost certainly bigger than you are.
>"Selene's Vigil," Neu says. "One of the city's great works of art and the most expensive harbor beacon in the whole world, I'm sure." There is a touch of dryness in her voice as she says this. "If we were approaching at night, that globe would shine like a second moon. You can see it clearly from several miles away. As I understand it, the globe also functions as a scrying orb - not that there's ever been much need of her vigilance."
-
>Can we tell what the statue is made of from this distance, or the globe, for that matter?
-
>Can we tell what the statue is made of from this distance, or the globe, for that matter?
>The statue may well be made of marble, but you imagine the composition of the globe is far more esoteric if it's used for magic on that scale. You could always break out the dowsing rods if you wanted a more detailed look, though you're not sure how much this would help (and being closer would certainly be useful).
-
>"Must make one heck of a lighthouse. Although, if that huge globe is a scrying tool, I assume it was build for city defense? Sort of an early warning tool?"
-
>"Must make one heck of a lighthouse. Although, if that huge globe is a scrying tool, I assume it was build for city defense? Sort of an early warning tool?"
>Neu takes a look at the globe and frowns slightly. "Whether the idea for a monument or a scrying system came first, I don't know, but that's certainly one of its purposes. I don't quite know the range on it - the details are classified, you understand - but I get the impression it's quite impressive. The only conventional air approach to the city is past it, as well. It's just that the city has never had to fend off a single real air raid in all its history, as best I know, and I don't expect that to change anytime soon. It does make it a bit trickier for smugglers, though."
-
>We'll not comment on that fact that, technically, this bunch were smugglers when they launched.
>"Not a single raid, huh? You'd think a city like Val Razua would invite pirates and theives. Their defenses must be impresive, too."
-
>We'll not comment on that fact that, technically, this bunch were smugglers when they launched.
>"Not a single raid, huh? You'd think a city like Val Razua would invite pirates and theives. Their defenses must be impresive, too."
>You elect not to comment.
>"It's not quite Higan," she says, "but their navy is still considerable and the terrain gives them a good defensive position. The city's certainly out of the league of any pirate raid, probably even Shameimaru, although I was thinking more of military action when I said that. It has its share of thieves, of course, but they generally don't fly in the front gates with renegade flags above them."
-
>"Not the most subtle approach, no."
>Are we close enough, currently, that our dowsing rods would have sufficient range to scan the Vigil?
-
>"Not the most subtle approach, no."
>Are we close enough, currently, that our dowsing rods would have sufficient range to scan the Vigil?
>You're sure you could pick up on something from this distance. Closer is always better, but it's large, fancy, and unobstructed, so you expect you could get a decent read on it if you tried.
-
>Well, why not give it a bash.
>"Bear with me a minute."
>Produce rods and scan the Vigil statue. Specifically pertaining to the material used to craft both statue and sphere.
-
>Well, why not give it a bash.
>"Bear with me a minute."
>Produce rods and scan the Vigil statue. Specifically pertaining to the material used to craft both statue and sphere.
>You ask for Neu's patience as you produce your dowsing rods and prepare to take a look at the statue.
>"Of course," she says.
>You level your rods at the statue and concentrate. It's nice to actually know where to point them, for a change. The body of it is indeed made chiefly of marble. You can sense the various veins and striations of minerals that form it - nothing terrible exciting. There are spells sheathing the whole works, however. They don't radiate particularly strongly, though their cohesion over such a large area is notable. If you had to guess, you might peg some of them as structural reinforcement or weather-proofing, though it's very possible there's other stuff in the mix.
>The sphere itself actually reminds you of glass, or at least something quite similar to it, but there's quite a bit more going on here. For one thing, its internal structure is far too orderly to be wholely natural; you'd bet good money that it was very specifically constructed through magical means. You get the sense of a sort of structural latticework that seems almost to focus and refract surrounding resonances in a similar way as a lens bends light. The depths of it are suprisingly hard to get a read on, either through deliberate concealment or some incidental property of its structure. You could keep trying, but you're not sure you'd get anything useful for the effort. There's magic in it, of course - even if Neu hadn't said as much, its presence would be unmistakeable - but this doesn't give you any better idea of how it works. Well, aside from the part that feels suspiciously similar to your average magical lantern, differing more in flavor than substance. It may take a few tricks to make it look like moonlight, but you suppose your standard illumination spell can do the job just as well for a monument as a bedroom.
-
>Put away our sticks.
>"Complicated piece of magical workmanship, that sphere there. Kind of like a lens, but on a whole different scale than your average telescope."
-
>Put away our sticks.
>"Complicated piece of magical workmanship, that sphere there. Kind of like a lens, but on a whole different scale than your average telescope."
>You put your dowsing rods away.
>"Well, there's certainly no doubting that the magicians of Val Razua are talented and industrious," Neu says somewhat dryly.
-
>Indicate the statue.
>"They've got at least a few good stonecutters, as well. Near as I can tell, the statue was all hand-cut."
-
>Indicate the statue.
>"They've got at least a few good stonecutters, as well. Near as I can tell, the statue was all hand-cut."
>You gesture at the statue.
>Neu subtly raises an eyebrow. "Do you have an interest in that sort of thing, then? I'm sure it would be easy enough to find a few accounts of its construction. I don't actually know that much about that, myself; It's been there as long as I've been alive."
-
>Shrug marginally.
>"I'm a bit curious, yeah. First time I've ever seen a statue that size, after all, let alone one that was part of a city's defense plan."
-
>"You ever been to it?"
-
>Shrug marginally.
>"I'm a bit curious, yeah. First time I've ever seen a statue that size, after all, let alone one that was part of a city's defense plan."
>You give a little shrug.
>"Val Razua has always prized form and grandeur," she says, "though they often manage impressive function, just the same. Certainly, few other cities would care as much about the aesthetics of their military."
>"You ever been to it?"
>She looks surprised. "The statue itself? No, it's not actually open to the public - matters of defense, and such. Though I suspect the best view is from an airship in any case."
-
>"I don't suppose you know where the name came from?"
-
>"I don't suppose you know where the name came from?"
>"Well, the statue is intended to be Selene's likeness, I assume," she says. "A goddess of the moon and patron of several magical disciplines - including divination, I think. The Vigil part should be fairly obvious."
-
>Had we heard of this Selene before?
>"Smart choice for goddesses, for a scrying statue, then."
>Glance around.
>"I don't suppose she has a sister statue with a giant cannon-orb in her hands, does she?"
-
>Had we heard of this Selene before?
>"Smart choice for goddesses, for a scrying statue, then."
>Glance around.
>"I don't suppose she has a sister statue with a giant cannon-orb in her hands, does she?"
>The name rings a vague bell, but Braston is neither especially religious nor especially magical. You think you may have heard Marisa mention her before, though.
>"It does seem appropriate, yes."
>You glance around.
>Nue chuckles lightly. "I'm sure Ishi would volunteer to design one, if they asked. Though I shudder to think of what it would look like compared to its neighbour." She looks back up at the statue and frowns. "In any case, no - the only direct defenses would have to be mustered by airship."
-
>A kappa-designed goddess statue holding a magical- well, probably magitech weapon within its hands. Gods help the sucker who was on the wrong end of that. Or, for that matter, the suckers on the construction crew.
>Since the pirate attack, have we noticed any extra instability in the ship? Anything to indicate that the damage caused by the pirates has affected the ship's handling? Last thing we need to worry about it careening into one of those rock faces if Ishi's patch job isn't up to snuff.
-
>A kappa-designed goddess statue holding a magical- well, probably magitech weapon within its hands. Gods help the sucker who was on the wrong end of that. Or, for that matter, the suckers on the construction crew.
>Since the pirate attack, have we noticed any extra instability in the ship? Anything to indicate that the damage caused by the pirates has affected the ship's handling? Last thing we need to worry about it careening into one of those rock faces if Ishi's patch job isn't up to snuff.
>The entire plan seems like courting major disaster, whether through its failure or even its success.
>Nothing that your inexperienced self has been able to notice - maybe if you'd spent as much time on the sky as the rest of them, you might have. You've been told that the ship is a bit impaired, but nothing that should cause any real problems unless you end up needing evasive maneuvers.
-
>Still and all, best keep a discreet eye out in case we drift too close to one of those cliff sides.
>And keep an eye out for other notable landmarks as well, of course. No harm in a little tourist-ing until we land. Then it's all business.
-
>Still and all, best keep a discreet eye out in case we drift too close to one of those cliff sides.
>And keep an eye out for other notable landmarks as well, of course. No harm in a little tourist-ing until we land. Then it's all business.
>Not feeling entirely comfortable, you keep a wary eye on the two cliff faces as the Maiden passes beneath Selene's gaze and into the gap between them.
>It turns out your concern is overblown. While there's a distinctly cloistered feel to the space inside the passage, it's clear once you enter that there's also ample room for multiple airships to safely pass abreast of each other; a collision with the sides would take some kind of monumental failure. The passage extends for a considerable distance - down this low, you can see little but rock and what plants have found purchase on the overhang above it. It is also far from straight. You've seen the city on maps before, of course, but the meandering of the path towards it is far more dramatic in person than on paper. Small hollows are carved into the rock faces at regular intervals and set in with columns similar to the beacon stones, but crowned with 12-pointed stars. Between them are flung large cloth banners in bright colors, most of them bearing some sort of symbol in their center. You see a cross flanked by flared bat wings on red and white, a bridge above water on brilliant green, what appears to be a goat idly munching grass on burgundy and yellow...
-
>"I take it that the one with the cross and bat wings belongs to House Scarlet, but what's with the goat flag?"
-
>"I take it that the one with the cross and bat wings belongs to House Scarlet, but what's with the goat flag?"
>"House Pardicas," she says. "They um..." She pauses and frowns. "They have a thing for goats."
-
>".....Say no more. I get the feeling they're a very strange lot."
-
>".....Say no more. I get the feeling they're a very strange lot."
>"You'd hear few disagreements on that front, I expect," she says. "Except perhaps from the goats. In any case, that other banner is House Scarlet's, yes. The one with the bridge is House Mizuhashi, and that-" She points to a banner bearing the silhouette of a bamboo stalk upon a full moon on dusky blue and silver. "Is House Houraisan."
-
>Nod attentively, taking in the info. "So what all can you tell me about notable sights in Val Razua? I'd like to do some sightseeing and such once this problem of mine is all wrapped up. I should also ask about the nearest clothing shop, so I can get new clothing that's still mobile."
>We can't really do any of our usual maneuvers in a dress after all, can we?
-
>Nod attentively, taking in the info. "So what all can you tell me about notable sights in Val Razua? I'd like to do some sightseeing and such once this problem of mine is all wrapped up. I should also ask about the nearest clothing shop, so I can get new clothing that's still mobile."
>We can't really do any of our usual maneuvers in a dress after all, can we?
>Neu raises an eyebrow. "Mobile?"
>The outfit you're wearing at the moment is actually quite similar to the one that got cut up in your fight with the pirates. Mobility isn't a problem so much as the likelihood that it won't fully conceal the Blight for much longer.
-
>"My job does need me to be pretty mobile after all. I'm looking to getting back to work once I've got my little problem fixed, and I've had a breather."
>Grin. "That, and I just like it that way."
-
>"My job does need me to be pretty mobile after all. I'm looking to getting back to work once I've got my little problem fixed, and I've had a breather."
>Grin. "That, and I just like it that way."
>Neu gives you a curious look for another moment or two, then her antennae flutter in a gesture that reminds you oddly of a shrug. "Well, I suppose I can point you towards a reasonably-priced shop or two. They can actually be a little hard to find in Val Razua. The city has some of the best tailors in the world, but their prices aren't exactly set with ordinary people in mind. As for sightseeing..." She frowns slightly. "I'm not sure I'm the best tour guide, I'm afraid. Well, there's certainly no shortage of things to see in the city; I suppose it depends on what you're interested in."
-
Reccomendation: Qipao. Longer skirts, optional sleeves, without sacrificing mobility. Though I admit to some bias.
>Ponder if those antennae motions are unconscious or not.
>"Truth to tell, not sure what I'm interested in yet, either, outside what we've discussed before. No, wait, that's a lie, there is at least one thing I want to look up while I'm here, if I have the time, and that's records of shipwrecks over the past couple decades." Pause. "There's a friend of mine that needs some information. If I can get it while I'm here the first time, more's the better."
-
>Ponder if those antennae motions are unconscious or not.
>"Truth to tell, not sure what I'm interested in yet, either, outside what we've discussed before. No, wait, that's a lie, there is at least one thing I want to look up while I'm here, if I have the time, and that's records of shipwrecks over the past couple decades." Pause. "There's a friend of mine that needs some information. If I can get it while I'm here the first time, more's the better."
>She doesn't seem to be paying obvious attention to them, at any rate.
>Neu frowns. "Shipwrecks? May I ask what for?"
-
>"It's a bit of a long story. The short version is, one of my friends... Well, my best friend, really, survived a shipwreck of the coast of Estval when she was just a kid. She was brought to the orphanage where I was living at after I ascended. We grew up together."
>"But because she was so young when it happened, she doesn't remember her family. Between her and Ichirin- the woman who raised us, in case I hadn't mentioned her before- they've tried everything that was available on that continent to find some information on that ship, its passengers, anything. And even after all this time, Orange's no closer than when she started. That's my friends' name, by the way."
>"I thought that, maybe the ship might have set out from Val Razua, or stopped over there. Or maybe they might have some kind of record that Braston didn't. If not answers, maybe a clue, at least."
-
>"It's a bit of a long story. The short version is, one of my friends... Well, my best friend, really, survived a shipwreck of the coast of Estval when she was just a kid. She was brought to the orphanage where I was living at after I ascended. We grew up together."
>"But because she was so young when it happened, she doesn't remember her family. Between her and Ichirin- the woman who raised us, in case I hadn't mentioned her before- they've tried everything that was available on that continent to find some information on that ship, its passengers, anything. And even after all this time, Orange's no closer than when she started. That's my friends' name, by the way."
>"I thought that, maybe the ship might have set out from Val Razua, or stopped over there. Or maybe they might have some kind of record that Braston didn't. If not answers, maybe a clue, at least."
>Neu's frown remains virtually fixed as you describe Orange's situation and the shipwreck that left her in it.
>"If that ship had a stopover here," she says, "they should have logged a flight plan with the port authority. But if it was many years ago, I can't guarantee the records still exist. Do you have any information about this ship at all? A name, or at least the make of it? Where did it crash?"
-
>"Well, we know were Orange was found, and roughly when, so that's something. But, the name of the ship, the make, the model? Nothing. There wasn't even much wreckage left in the area she was found, not enough to identify the specific type of ship, and no mention of a name at all."
-
>"Well, we know were Orange was found, and roughly when, so that's something. But, the name of the ship, the make, the model? Nothing. There wasn't even much wreckage left in the area she was found, not enough to identify the specific type of ship, and no mention of a name at all."
>Neu's face is grim. "And no other survivors, I assume? Or even victims with identification, I suppose."
-
>"If there were any other survivors, they were never found, at least not to my knowledge. No bodies, either. As far as we know, Orange is the only soul from that ship that was ever accounted for, one way or the other."
>"I gotta be honest with you here, Neu, I think that the bulk of the ship may have fallen into the abyss." Lean forward against the rail, this is heavy stuff. "That it was only a bit of luck that saved Orange at all. Otherwise, there'd have been more debris, and more... Well, maybe not survivors, but at least more remains."
-
>"If there were any other survivors, they were never found, at least not to my knowledge. No bodies, either. As far as we know, Orange is the only soul from that ship that was ever accounted for, one way or the other."
>"I gotta be honest with you here, Neu, I think that the bulk of the ship may have fallen into the abyss." Lean forward against the rail, this is heavy stuff. "That it was only a bit of luck that saved Orange at all. Otherwise, there'd have been more debris, and more... Well, maybe not survivors, but at least more remains."
>Neu's antenna fold back and she gives you a slightly awkward, but sympathetic look. "Unfortunate. In several senses." Her eyes take on a distant look, then she shakes her head. "In absence of more information, all I can think to suggest at the moment is check with the port authority for the place and time you think the crash took place. Perhaps they can trace it back to a specific ship."
>She pauses, and seems to consider something, then speaks in a cautious tone. "Complete disappearances like that are rare. Normally I'd think this would work in your favor, but if previous efforts have-" She shakes her head. "Never mind; it's no matter. The port authority still seems the most sensible course of action."
-
>Raise an eyebrow. Previous efforts?
>"Have you... tried this before, yourself?"
-
>Raise an eyebrow. Previous efforts?
>"Have you... tried this before, yourself?"
>"No, I meant Orange and Ichirin's efforts," she says, shaking her head. "In any case, it's not important."
-
>Nod slowly.
>"As you wish."
-
>Nod slowly.
>"As you wish."
>With nothing further said on the matter, Neu gives you directions to some clothing shops southwest of the city's canal district; no pen and paper is handy to write them down this time, but you think you can trust your memory to keep them straight.
>The Maiden continues its course down the cloistered passage, turning right and then left again as it navigates the space between the two sheer cliffs. The passage forks at several points, with great walls of angular rock giving way to open space as you pass beyond their edge. Signs etched into the rock and the colorful banners flanking them suggest many of these passages lead to private docks aligned with specific noble houses; these effectively amount to naval bases, so Neu says, given the lack of centralization in Val Razua's military, though some also use them for pleasure craft or the ocassional surreptitious cargo delivery. Quite a few of the branches in the passage are practically invisible until you're nearly upon them, so it is almost without warning that the Maiden turns another bend and the whole of Val Razua is laid out before you.
>It... Well, you knew it was big, but it's... big! The land ahead of you sweeps down into a large shallow valley that extends nearly as far as you can see, and so very much of it is filled with city - building upon building in all shapes and sizes, clustered tightly together in places and spread expansively in others, punctuated by bands of dark blue and manicured green. It's still too far away to make out many individual details, but the sheer scale takes a few moments to absorb. Even at a glance you can pick out buildings both taller and wider than anything in Braston - stone monuments and expansive mansions and spires that pierce the sky like ornamented spears. Broad roads in fine stone fan out from a central rise and spread in all directions, tightly uniform at first, then increasingly meandering. This seems to be a general pattern, you note, with the largest and most ostentatious buildings dominating the heart of the city and then growing steadily more modest as you approach the outskirts - give or take a few exceptions. A broad canal cuts an orderly arc across the western third of the city before giving way to an ambling river that flows beyond the city's edge and out of sight to the south.
>The sky above the city is alive with tiny figures darting to and fro, their wings merely suggestions at this distance. Ordinarily, the sheer number of them would be worthy of note, but at the moment their diminuative size serves only to reinforce the scale of the city around them. Even at this distance, the detailing of its architecture shines with artistic flourish. Quite literally in some cases, with sunlight gleaming brightly off polished metal in regal golds and warms bronzes. There is money here. So very much money. The contrast with the city you left behind is stark and unmistakable - nothing about these buildings was designed with utility foremost in mind. They were designed to impress. And wrly, you suppose they did a pretty good job at that - no one could take a look at this vista and retain a single doubt about the wealth and prosperity of Val Razua. Not a one.
>Far closer at hand, and actually somewhat removed from the bulk of the city itself, is the harbor. Built up all along the sides of the skyway are moorages and the infrastructure to service them, both more orderly and more picturesque than Braston's, though not nearly to the same degree as the city beyond. The layout makes it tricky to compare its capacity to Braston's at a glance, and you suspect the confines of the passage it's built in make maneuvering bulk transports trickier, too, but it clearly wasn't designed for them alone. There are airships of all kinds here, from the heavy cargo transports you're used to seeing to highly ornamented passenger liners and small pleasure craft - some of them quite expensive looking. Activity dockside looks comfortingly familiar, but is arguable even busier; far fewer oni, though. Actually, it's a bit strange to see so few of them around such a busy harbor.
>Signals are exchanged and orders shouted, and the Maiden starts to pull into one of the cargo moorages along the right edge of the passage. This is it. This is really it. You're here.
-
>All right, girl, don't get ahead of yourself. We ain't docked yet.
>Still, that's a biiiiiiiiig change from home up there....
>Not that we need to be in a big hurry to announce that, of course. Dying or no, still have our pride. So, we shall say simply, "Big place."
-
>All right, girl, don't get ahead of yourself. We ain't docked yet.
>Still, that's a biiiiiiiiig change from home up there....
>Not that we need to be in a big hurry to announce that, of course. Dying or no, still have our pride. So, we shall say simply, "Big place."
>You try to rein in your awe and give merely a brief, factual comment. You can manage that with a straight face, yes?
>"Indeed," Neu says.
>More orders are relayed and the deck springs into activity as the crew readies the ship to land. Mooring clamps are extended, and the edge of solid land draws tantalizingly close. Despite yourself, you can feel your heart beating just a little fast. Then there's a light thud as the Maiden slides firmly into place. The deck access ramp is lowered.
>Neu turns to you and bows her head politely. "Passage to Val Razua, as promised."
-
>Pat the ship's railings. This may have started off as just simple passage, but, we fought for this ship, bled for it. Bled for her crew, a crew we cared about. A crew we made enemies for. Pragmatic as we may be, leavings after all we've been though are... not as easy as we thought they'd be when we left Braston.
>But, it is time for us to depart. Our business and theirs are now going their separate ways.
>We DO have our pack with all our belongings on us, yes?
>But, perhaps, we should not before at least trying to satisfy at least one of the questions we never really got answered before we left
>First things first, though. Politeness. Return Neu's bow. "Despite everything that's happened, I've enjoyed my time with you and your crew. I hope this isn't the last we ever see of each other."
>"But... If it is, for one reason or the other, there's still one thing I'd like to know, if you don't mind me asking, Neu."
-
>Pat the ship's railings. This may have started off as just simple passage, but, we fought for this ship, bled for it. Bled for her crew, a crew we cared about. A crew we made enemies for. Pragmatic as we may be, leavings after all we've been though are... not as easy as we thought they'd be when we left Braston.
>But, it is time for us to depart. Our business and theirs are now going their separate ways.
>We DO have our pack with all our belongings on us, yes?
>But, perhaps, we should not before at least trying to satisfy at least one of the questions we never really got answered before we left
>First things first, though. Politeness. Return Neu's bow. "Despite everything that's happened, I've enjoyed my time with you and your crew. I hope this isn't the last we ever see of each other."
>"But... If it is, for one reason or the other, there's still one thing I'd like to know, if you don't mind me asking, Neu."
>You pat the ship's rail, and reflect on the journey that brought you here. It wasn't at all what you expected when you left Braston, for good and ill, but now...
>You have some of your belongings, but your spare clothing, at least, is still back in the chest in your room. There's probably other stuff you need to gather up, too.
>You decide you have one last question to ask.
>Neu looks at you with an uncertain expression; you think you can see a trace of doubt and sadness in it as well. "Yes?"
-
>Look her in the eye, but ask in a gentle tone, "Why did you fight so hard for me?"
-
>Look her in the eye, but ask in a gentle tone, "Why did you fight so hard for me?"
>Neu's antennae wilt slightly and she glances uncomfortably at the activity around her. "I've, um..." She frowns. "I've been in a... similar position."
-
>Makes perfect sense. But it also makes perfect sense that she wouldn't want to talk about it, certainly not with as many ears as there are passing by. Just bad timing, that's all. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEYJbyH1Cns)
>Give the moth a smile. "I understand. That's good enough for me."
-
>Makes perfect sense. But it also makes perfect sense that she wouldn't want to talk about it, certainly not with as many ears as there are passing by. Just bad timing, that's all. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEYJbyH1Cns)
>Give the moth a smile. "I understand. That's good enough for me."
>Neu slowly nods, her expression easing just a little.
-
>Quietly, so as not to draw undue attention to her and us. "Maybe, though, if we see each other again, we could talk about it then? Who knows, I may well have found a cure by then."
-
>Quietly, so as not to draw undue attention to her and us. "Maybe, though, if we see each other again, we could talk about it then? Who knows, I may well have found a cure by then."
>She gives you a searching look for a moment, then nods. "I think I'd like that. It would be good to know you've found your answer."
-
>"Any idea how long you'll be in town here?"
-
>"Any idea how long you'll be in town here?"
>"At least a few days," she says. "Maybe even a week. Between the pirate attack and the delay in Braston, our itinerary is a bit disrupted, but we'll want repairs before getting underway again. If there's something I can do to help in the meantime, please don't hesitate to ask."
-
>"I know where to find you. And give my thanks, and my best, to the others, as well."
-
>"I know where to find you. And give my thanks, and my best, to the others, as well."
>She nods. "Of course."
-
>Let us go retreive what belongings we have left to accumulate from this boat.
-
>Let us go retreive what belongings we have left to accumulate from this boat.
>You excuse yourself and return to your room to gather up the rest of your things while the crew buzzes about, setting up the winch and opening the cargo hatch. You see Neu joining in with them as you leave her side.
>Packing is quick and painless; you hadn't really taken much out of your pack in the first place, and there's only a couple places you could have put them. This is good, since you're already anxious to get back to business here. You take the rest of your clothing out of the chest and work it into your pack, along with a few other loose items, then give the whole thing a once-over to make sure you haven't missed anything. Seems good; that should be everything you came with, minus a few capfuls of herbal remedy.
-
>Inventory
-
>Inventory
>Kumokirimaru (worn at side)
>Prism Pendant (around neck)
>Seeker's Badge (pinned to chest)
>360 Val Razuan guilders
>Compass
>Traveling pack
>Traveling rations
>Canteen (full)
>Lockpicks
>4 kunai
>Picture of Sokrates
>Fuwafuwa Heart Droplet
>XR-30 intake flow regulator (heavily rusted)
>Antique Val Razuan 1 guilder coin
>Dowsing rods
>Tie-dyed umbrella
>Spool of baling twine
>Bottle of Kumokirimaru-imbued medicine
>Sachet of blessed soil
>List of physicians' contact addresses
>Neu's note
>Pencil
>100 feet of rope
>2 glowsticks
>2 torches
>Small heatstone
>Basic grappling hook
>Blue ribbon
>Two spare outfits (one somewhat damaged)
-
>Good enough.
>Guess it's time. Let us get back on the ground. Pavement. Whatever.
-
>Good enough.
>Guess it's time. Let us get back on the ground. Pavement. Whatever.
>With all your possessions in hand, you return to the deck. As you start to descend the ramp to solid ground, you hear a brusk voice call out from behind you.
>"You take care, got it?" Murasa flashes you the sort of expression which brooks no disagreement.
-
>Toss her a quick salute. "Count on it, captain!"
>Examine the dockside for points of interest.
-
>Toss her a quick salute. "Count on it, captain!"
>Examine the dockside for points of interest.
>You toss Murasa a quick salute. She sizes you up for a moment, then gives you a curt nod and a little grin before turning back to her work.
>You take a look around the harbor, noting warehouses and watch posts and all the various staples of harbor infrastructure; whether in Val Razua or Braston, much of the work of managing shipping is the same. Nothing strikes you as particularly interesting, at least compared to the city itself, though you do eventually notice the conspicuous absence of something. You can't spot even a single pub from here - a sure sign of absent oni if ever there was one. The place does bustle with activity, though; people move purposefully back and forth the docks, loading and unloading cargo, and ushering passengers towards their destinations.
>To the west runs a long road that descends towards the heart of Val Razua, while smaller roads lead to other parts of the harbor and the service buildings to the north of it.
-
>What kind of city doesn't have a dockside watering hole?!
>Let's consult Neu's note, see which location she noted for us is closest to here.
-
>What kind of city doesn't have a dockside watering hole?!
>Let's consult Neu's note, see which location she noted for us is closest to here.
>To be perfectly fair, the harbor is lengthy enough that there could easily be one or even several here - you just can't see them from the Maiden's berth. A sufficient number of oni would almost certainly correct this problem.
>You pull out Neu's note and check the directions written on it. They really are copiously detailed, but given that you don't actually know the lengths of any of the streets in question, you'd be hard-pressed to tell which destination is closer.
-
>Ah, yes. The joys of modern urban pathway nomenclature to new arrivals.
>Place the note back in our pack and head down towards the heart of the city.
-
>Ah, yes. The joys of modern urban pathway nomenclature to new arrivals.
>Place the note back in our pack and head down towards the heart of the city.
>You put Neu's note back in your pack and set out on the road west, passing ship after ship lined up neatly along the island's edge. Along the way are numerous colorfully painted signs advertising various businesses from restaurants and hotels to art galleries and enchanters and silversmiths. You also spot directions to the port authority, pointing off into the distance to the northeast; you make a note of it for when you return. After a little while, you do actually spot a tavern of some sort, down a side street somewhat further down the hill.
>You cast an appraising eye on the crowds as you walk. There aren't exactly no oni here, despite their vastly smaller numbers, and you even spot a kappa or two - a rare sight in Braston. Beyond that, there's the usual abundance of humans and scattered youkai of other sorts; it's a pretty diverse mix, all things considered. Fewer of them show signs of obvious wealth than you might have expected, though your treasure sense definitely twitches from time to time. You suppose the richest people may favor their private ports over the public one - what's the point of having prevelige if you don't make use of it, hey?
>As you walk, your eye catches on a rather bedraggled-looking man beset by a pair of enthusiastically gesticulating fairies. The group of them are standing near a modest-sized passenger ship with a cheerfully ornamented stern.
>"We want to lodge a formal complaint!" one of them cries.
>Her companion, a green-haired fairy in a loose sun dress, nods vigorously.
-
>Smirk. Since when do fairys do things 'formally'?
>Keep an ear open.
-
>Smirk. Since when do fairys do things 'formally'?
>Keep an ear open.
>Not often. And not even now by the looks of it, though she is trying.
>The first fairy produces a brochure of some sort and points to it with an almost comically severe expression on her face. "It says here that you offer 'the best dinner cruise 50 guilders can buy'. Is that right?"
>He nods uncertainly. "Yes, that's wh-"
>"Wrong!" The forcefulness of her response shuts the man's mouth up with a snap. The fairy glares at him like someone sizing up their prey.
>"If I-" he clears his throat. "If I may ask, did you have a specific problem with-"
>"There were no lolipops!" the green-haired fairy says.
>"None at all!"
>"The Northern Star had lolipops..."
>The first fairy nods, then thrusts a finger accussingly at the brochure. "This is false advertising!"
-
>This threatens to be too amusing to overlook. Continue to observe.
-
>This threatens to be too amusing to overlook. Continue to observe.
>The poor man glances nervously between the two incensed fairies, looking a bit at a loss for words. "I- I'm sorry if you feel it's misleading, but lolipops-"
>"Are very important!" the green-haired fairy finishes. The other one nods her approval. The man opens his mouth, then closes it again.
>"So how are you going to make this up to us?" the first one asks sternly.
>The main frowns. "I'm not sure if-"
>"Give us lolipops!" The green-haired fairy thrusts her arm skyward as she says this.
>The other fairy shakes her head vigorously - so much so that you have a moment of concern for her neck. "No! No lolipops! Lolipops would have been fine yesterday, but not today. This is about truth and justice!"
>"Yeah!" Evidently her companion's conviction is easily swayed.
>You notice you're not the only one watching the scene unfold. The man seems to have noticed as well; it's not helping his discomfort any.
-
>Continue to observe.
We're totes gonna back these faeries. Consumer rights >=|
-
>Nice to see fairy shenanigans are the same in the hoity-toity part of the world as in our humble little home.
>But let's maintain a slow pace away, so we can continue observing for as long as humanly possible. In case these shenanigans are different than at home, we could use a tip or two.
Yes, P, I'm totally cool with backin up the lolly-loving fairies, if the lawyers get involved. I just didn't think we should be another face in a rubber neckin' crowd to see fairies bein' fairies. :P
-
>Continue to observe.
>Nice to see fairy shenanigans are the same in the hoity-toity part of the world as in our humble little home.
>But let's maintain a slow pace away, so we can continue observing for as long as humanly possible. In case these shenanigans are different than at home, we could use a tip or two.
>It seems fairies are still fairies on the other side of the Expanse; it's sort of comforting, in a strange way.
>You continue to discreetly observe while moving away at a leisurely pace. You can't let them distract you too much....
>"Well, then, um..." The man glances nervously at the crowd. "What do you want?"
>"We want loli- ack!" The green-haired fairy's absentminded repition is cut short by a sharp thwack on the head from her companion.
>"We want an apology!" the other corrects.
>"Well, I'm certainly very sorry you-"
>"And a refund!"
>"I- If you can show me a receipt, I'll-"
>"And you have to add lolipops to your menu!"
>"Yeah!"
>The man stares blankly at two fairies for a few moments. The redhead glares at him triumphantly and folds her arms; it's a rather strange sight to see someone two heads taller than either of them nearly cowed by her.
>"I'm... not actually in charge of the menu," he begins slowly, "but I can-"
>"Then you have to change your slogan!" the first cries.
>"Yeah!" the green-haired fairy nods. "Because the Northern Star had lolipops, so that makes them the bestest dinner cruise!"
>"That's right!"
-
>"They're right, you know!"
-
...Are we really agreeing with Fairies?
-
Maybe it's because I've been drinking, but, that hadn't occured to me before.
Hanzo raises a valid point. What I think we have here is fairies being fairies. We really should know better than to egg them on, or take their side when they're.... Well, being fairies.
-
My way of thinking: Having faeries on your side is always valuable. Besides, we can step in as a peacemaker in a moment, and work it out for both sides. Right now, it's just about gaining trust.
-
I think we should try to avoid getting involved in any kind of incident, be it fairy related or otherwise, only being off the boat for five minutes. Let's just kick back for now, and enjoy fairies being fairies.
That said, however, if someone in the crowd chimes in, then we can be part of the mob advocating lollies for all.
>Let's just sit back and enjoy the show, for now.
>Durn it. We're distracted now.
>Well, we'll chaulk it up as entertainment after the journey.
-
>"They're right, you know!"
>Let's just sit back and enjoy the show, for now.
>Durn it. We're distracted now.
>Well, we'll chaulk it up as entertainment after the journey.
>You consider egging the fairies on, but then decide to just keep quiet. So much for not getting distracted, though you suppose a few minutes isn't going to hurt you and a laugh might even do you good.
>"Was any-" the man hesistates a moment, as if he's just waiting to be bowled over again. "Was anything else not to your liking?"
>The two fairies stop and look at each other.
>"Well, the cushions were nice," says the green-haired one.
>Her friend nods sagely. "They had good bounce to them. That's important."
>"I liked the mariachi band..."
>"The trumpeter was pretty cute, too."
>"And the filet mignon was really tender."
>"Mmhmm." The redhead nods in affirmation, then throws her arms angrily into the air. "But who cares about that if there's no lolipops?" From her tone, you'd think a dinner cruise without lolipops was the same as a ferry service without ferries. Someone in the crowd snickers.
-
I think we could easily play diplomat at this point.
-
All right, sure. Give it a bash, man.
-
>Approach and ask, "How were the drinks?"
-
>Approach and ask, "How were the drinks?"
>You step out of the crowd and approach the group of them, inquiring lightly about the drinks.
>"They were alright, I suppose," says the first fairy.
>"I liked the purple stuff," her green-haired companion adds. "It was fizzy."
>The man gives you a once-over with a wary eye, as if trying to access what your game is.
-
>Warm smile!
>"How were the drinks on that other cruise? And the rest of the food, lollipops aside?"
-
>Warm smile!
>"How were the drinks on that other cruise? And the rest of the food, lollipops aside?"
>You flash a warm smile. If anything, this only makes the man more wary; he regards you like he's expecting you to pull some sort of con at any moment.
>"They had purple stuff, too!" the green-haired fairy says, then frowns. "It wasn't fizzy, though...."
>"The turkey was a little dry."
>"But the cheese sauce was great!"
>The redhead nods. "Yeah, the sauce was pretty good. And they had these great little crunchy pastry thingies."
>Her friend sticks out her tongue. "So salty..."
>"But they were good salty!" the first says insists.
>The green-haired fairy's eyes widen with sudden revelation. "Oh, and they had lollipops, too!"
-
>"So, if they didn't have lollipops, would it have still be better?"
-
>"So, if they didn't have lollipops, would it have still be better?"
>The redhead throws up her arms. "Who'd want to go on a dinner cruise without any lollipops?!"
>"Maybe if they had taffy?" her companion suggests thoughtfully.
-
>"Just so, but, let's say that they didn't have them, would they have still be better?"
-
>"Just so, but, let's say that they didn't have them, would they have still be better?"
>"Well..." The redhead frowns discontentedly and taps her foot, then mutters a reluctant "...maybe not."
>"Or maybe if they were allergic to lollipops..." the green-haired fairy continues absently, then slaps her hands to her face with a look of profound horror. "The poor things..."
>"But that's beside the point!" her companion adds firmly, ignoring this nightmare scenario entirely.
-
>Glance to the man. "I think it shouldn't be a problem to drop a word with the chefs, would it?"
-
>Glance to the man. "I think it shouldn't be a problem to drop a word with the chefs, would it?"
>The man snaps upright, looking almost startled to be suddenly included in the conversation. "Well I- I can certainly make some inquiries...."
>"You better!" the redhead says, waving her brochure in the air.
>"That must be awful..."
-
>"After all, a good chef is interested in the happiness of the diners. I'm sure they'll consider something like this."
>Glance to the faeries. "Wouldn't that be best?"
-
>"After all, a good chef is interested in the happiness of the diners. I'm sure they'll consider something like this."
>Glance to the faeries. "Wouldn't that be best?"
>The man glances uncomfortably between you, the fairies, and the various onlookers. "Maybe..."
>"Of course!" the redhead says, nodding firmly.
>"But what about the ones who are allergic?!" The green-haired fairy looks like she could burst into tears at any second. Her friend cocks her head back towards her and raises a bewildered eyebrow.
-
>"Then they can choose not to have them, sad as a fate as that may be. Perhaps they could trade them for another side dish?"
>Glance to the man, "Are the chefs in? It shouldn't be a problem to mention this to them, I'll make sure no one slips in while you're gone, eh?"
-
>"Then they can choose not to have them, sad as a fate as that may be. Perhaps they could trade them for another side dish?"
>Glance to the man, "Are the chefs in? It shouldn't be a problem to mention this to them, I'll make sure no one slips in while you're gone, eh?"
>The fairy's lip quivers and she continues to stare wide-eyed into the distance. "Those poor, poor people..."
>"Well, it's, uh... it's still a bit early in the day, but..." He does another defensive survey of his surroundings. "I could... probably find someone. But I'm really not supposed to leave my post."
>"This is a far more important duty!" the redhead cries, thrusting an arm defiantly in the air. "This is about upholding your promises and standing by your vows and delivering the best damn dinner cruise 50 guilders can buy! Got it?"
>You hear an enthusiastic whistle, and someone in the audience starts to clap. The poor man appears to be wishing the ground would swallow him up.
-
>"Go on, pal, I'll watch things here. Shouldn't take more than a couple minutes anyways, right? And maybe you could find someone with a bit more authority to do some other things?"
>Can we tell who the whistler and clapper are?
-
>"Go on, pal, I'll watch things here. Shouldn't take more than a couple minutes anyways, right? And maybe you could find someone with a bit more authority to do some other things?"
>Can we tell who the whistler and clapper are?
>The man takes a last uncomfortable glance around, then hesitantly nods. "I'll... try." He dashes off towards the ship at an awkward compromise between haste and propriety.
>You glance back at the crowd. There are a few people in the direction the whistle came from, though none jump out obviously as the source. The clapping is coming from another fairy, however - a small peach-haired one with a bright smile on her face. A few other people are chuckling quietly or shaking their heads; some of them start to disperse.
-
>"So, you two go on cruises often?"
>Keep an idle eye out for unsavory sorts doing unsavory things.
-
>"So, you two go on cruises often?"
>Keep an idle eye out for unsavory sorts doing unsavory things.
>"When we can afford to," the first fairy says.
>"We saved up!"
>"Which is why this was such a rip-off!" She shakes the brochure in accusation. "We still deserve a refund, I say!"
>You keep an idle eye on the crowd in case anyone decides to take advantage of the attendant's absense. Though frankly, you think if anyone had wanted to, that feckless man wouldn't have been much deterrant.
-
>"What other kinds have you been on?"
-
>"What other kinds have you been on?"
>"The Northern Star," the redhead begins, "the Amber Rose-"
>"The Pelican!"
>"I liked their cheeseburgers."
>"The Morning Glory, the Sashimi... Sashimishimu... Sashi-"
>"Sashirimaru," her friend corrects.
>"Yeah, that's it!" The green-haired fairy frowns. "They left us stranded halfway to Hanashibara..."
>"But the mochi was excellent."
>"It was pretty good..."
>Here, the redhead throws an arm around her companion and sweeps the other across the air with dramatic flourish. "It's our goal to one day have eaten from every single kitchen on the skies!"
>The green-headed fairy nods. "Yup! I even write a little newsletter."
>"And some people even buy it! Isn't that cool?" She practically beams with confident pride.
-
>"I'm impressed! You two must do rather well for yourselves, to afford all that."
-
>"I'm impressed! You two must do rather well for yourselves, to afford all that."
>The redhead giggles bashfully. "We just work hard."
>"I deliver newspapers!"
>"We'd been saving up for this for ages." The scowl returns to her face. "Which is why this was such a rip-off!"
>"Yeah!" The green-haired fairy frowns.
-
>"Well, don't you worry, I'm sure we'll be able to work something out."
-
>"Well, don't you worry, I'm sure we'll be able to work something out."
>"We better!"
>"Or I'll write them a really nasty review!" the green-haired fairy says. "And then they'll never get another customer again!"
>"Yeah!"
>After a few more moments, the attendant reemerges from his ship, looking only marginally less bedraggled than before.
>The redhead turns to him, hands on her hips, and speaks with brash accusation. "Well?"
>He takes another look at her and frowns slightly, then awkwardly bows. "On behalf of the crew of the Tonada Viva, let me extend a formal apologize for any dissatisfaction you had with your meal."
>"Good!"
>"Also, our chefs have agreed to offer freshly made lollipops on request, should you ever wish to eat with us again."
>The green-haired fairy starts to clap. "Yay!"
>The redhead cranes her neck towards him. "And what about our refund?"
>"Well, er... Do you have your receipts?"
>"Of course we have our receipts!" She holds a hand out towards her companion. "Peppermint, the receipts."
>Peppermint's clapping stops. "...receipts?"
>The redhead beckons impatiently with her hand. "For the tickets we bought. C'mon."
>"Oh, I, um..." she frowns uncomfortably. "I left them at home."
>Her companion rounds on her. "You what!?"
>"Well, this dress didn't have any pockets...."
>The other fairy raises her hands in impotent fury. You briefly wonder if she's about to start slapping her friend with the brochure. The man cringes a little.
-
>Facepalm.
-
>Facepalm.
>You plant a hand firmly upon your face. Fairies....
>The man takes a step back and raises his hand - whether in a conciliatory gesture or to ward off impending violence, you can't be quite sure. "I... I'm afraid I will need to see your receipts, but if you can come back with them, I'd be more than happy to-"
>"You... dummy!" The redhead lunges at her companion who lets out a little shriek and flees into to the air. The redhead follows after her, diaphanous wings beating furiously while she flails her arms with equal furor. The two of them quickly shrink into the west.
-
>Sigh. "And I think that pretty soon they'll forget all about this."
-
>Sigh. "And I think that pretty soon they'll forget all about this."
>He looks up at the sky and the rapidly retreating profile of the two disgruntled customers. "Maybe...."
>"Oh, um... I should probably thank you." He nods in your direction. "So, thank you. I'm not... good with fairies." You still get the distinct impression he'd rather be somewhere else entirely.
-
>"No problem. I looked like you could use a distraction. Might wanna leave a note for the rest, sooner or later they'll find the receipts and remember."
We should have tried to get to to accept a free ride instead, which would have been cheaper than a straight refund probably. Oh well.
-
>"No problem. I looked like you could use a distraction. Might wanna leave a note for the rest, sooner or later they'll find the receipts and remember."
>"Yeah." He nods. "Yeah, that would be a good idea. Thank you."
-
>"Happy to help. You stay shiny!"
>Depart unless he tries to stop us. Thanks for the smile, faeries.
-
>"Happy to help. You stay shiny!"
>Depart unless he tries to stop us. Thanks for the smile, faeries.
>"Um, ah... sure," he says, an uncertain look on his face.
>You leave the Tonada Viva and continue westward along the road into the heart of the city. The fairies are already little more than dots on the horizons; as distractions go, you suppose they weren't too bad. You pass alongside more ships and harbor infrastructure, the cityscape ahead of you growing increasingly obscured by buildings as you descend beneath their rise. Soon enough, you are lost among them and the streets of Val Razua surround you on all sides. Where will you head?
-
>Have a look around, what sorts of things do we see in the immediate area and the distance.
-
>Have a look around, what sorts of things do we see in the immediate area and the distance.
>You take a look around the immediate area. A short distance ahead, the road you're on comes to an end as it meets up with an even wider street that curves away to both the left and right. A restaurant of some sort appears to stand at the end of the intersection and there are shops of various other descriptions nearby - a cobler, a wicker emporium, a florist, some sort of touristy boutique with scandalously-priced postcards in the window... Multiple smaller side streets snake away from the main road in several directions, and traffic is pretty busy. Given the way the buildings lie, it's hard to see too far in the distance from your current location.
-
>Head toward the wider street, and reassess things.
>Check Neu's directions, see what is nearby.
-
>Head toward the wider street, and reassess things.
>Check Neu's directions, see what is nearby.
>You continue onward until you reach the wider street, then take another look around. This road is clearly a major thoroughfare and quite long; it curves gently away into the distance in both direction without any sign of stopping. Its surface is paved with precisely laid stone in a herringbone pattern flanked by two bands of darker stone in a contrasting arrangement. Buildings cluster tightly along either side, detailed with stylish trim and wrought metal features. They're not exactly the lavish mansions you spied earlier, but still trump anything found in Braston's market district without the slightest contest. And that appears to be what this is - at least, most of the signs you can read indicate shops, peddling all manner of goods from the mundane to the exotic. If the traffic is at all indicative of business, most of them are doing quite well for themselves.
>You take out Neu's note again and compare her directions to your current location. It's a little hard to tell how objectively close either destination is without further knowledge of the city, but neither seems to be in your immediate vicinity. Heading to the Grand Academy involves a right turn here, while the apothecary and tailors are both somewhere down the left.
-
>Let's angle toward the university first, and get the big disappointments out of the way.
-
>Keep an eye out for sign posts or indications of hospitals or clinics, as well.
-
>Let's angle toward the university first, and get the big disappointments out of the way.
>Keep an eye out for sign posts or indications of hospitals or clinics, as well.
>You decide to make the Academy your first stop and turn right, keeping an eye out for any signs of hospital or clinics along the way.
>While Neu's instructions are quite adaquately detailed, they fail to instill a proper sense of distance. The road seems to simply go on and on, curving very gently inward without a visible change in its arc for block after block. The shops continue similarly unbroken, with everything from ice cream parlors to locksmiths to toy makers to perveyors of needlessly frilly hats for the overly rich. Institutions of the healing arts don't seem to be especially forthcoming in this area, though the smorgasbord of mercantalism is punctuated by the ocasional civil building, here and there.
>You also do a little inconspicuous people-watching as you walk. More than a few of them are garbed in finery that would draw conspicious attention back home, but which seems to barely earn a glance in this environment. You also spot several people wearing brightly colored tabards that mirror the designs of the House banners you saw on your way into the city. Most of these are given a polite degree of space along the road, though the attitude of the crowd seems closer to indifference than deference; you suppose the routines of daily life grow automatic, no matter what they are.
>Honestly, as much as it would irk you to admit, the scene is just a little overwhelming. There's simply so much. So many people, so many buildings, so much money. And that little buzz in the back of your head might just give you a headache before you can grow accustomed to it. And you know full well that you haven't come close to seeing the best the city has to offer. For a few moments, you almost forget that you're here on a mission. Almost.
>Eventually you spot a fabric boutique that marks the next turn Neu's instructions indicate. You follow them left, stepping onto a substancially narrower and less busy road. The bustle of the commercial district dies off somewhat as you pass into a residential area.
>The architecture takes on a different character here, though with many unifying features that give continuity to the buildings before them. You suspect these are relatively modest dwellings, though few in Braston would compete. Property size is only slightly more ample, but their diminuative gardens are manicured with care and ornamented with elegant floral arrangements or the ocassional small statue. You follow the road for a time before taking another left and then a right, up a gentle hill. The houses grow larger and further apart, with increasing expanses of tended green seperating building from road. Some even have small walls surrounding their property, made of brick in pale whites and dusty reds, capped by ornamented finials - not all of them in great taste, if you're frank. You suppose money doesn't exactly buy design sense, even if it can sure help it along.
>In the distance ahead, you spot a stone tower rising stolidly above the surrounding buildings, its surface ringed with subdued scrollwork and engravings of magical symbols. At its top is a ring of geometric crystals set as finials, each one a different color. A short while later, a second smaller tower comes into view and then a third of a very different design, square and made of columned brick capped with a metal roof in dark verdigris. It bears a large clock whose face you can't quite read at this angle.
>Before long, the road you've been following merges with a wider boulevard flanked by rows of mature elms and maples. Their foliage casts large pools of shade upon the road, broken here and there by thin shafts of light. Up ahead, you see a long wall built of large stone blocks, finely-hewn but with a natural texture to their face. It is taller than you are, and capped with a thinner layer of lighter stone. Though both its height and the considerable tree cover prevent you from seeing much of what's on the other side, the trio of towers is most definitely in that direction. The wall itself runs for a very sizeable distance - longer than you can currently see from this angle. As you follow Neu's directions, you find yourself walking alongside it, and then approaching a pair of large wrought iron gates set in the wall and currently standing open. An intricate design is worked into the metal, resembling an elaborate spell circle inscribed with multiple smaller geometric designs. Inlaid in one of the stonework pillars that flank the gate is a plaque of dark stone in which are etched the words 'Grand Academy of Val Razua'.
-
>Do the gates have a guard?
>If not, walk on through like we own the place.
-
>Do the gates have a guard?
>If not, walk on through like we own the place.
>There does not appear to be a guard, so you stride onward without further ado.
>You are standing on a walkway of finely-laid stone. Ample fields of green border it on both sides, punctuated by thick and stately trees; their arrangement looks a little more naturalistic than those flanking the road earlier, and you spot a bench hidden behind one of them. Between the walls and the greenery, you think the campus would feel rather cloistered once you were out of view of the gate and the busier street beyond. The walkway continues onward for a short distance before reaching a modest-sized circular junction. A simple stone monolith stands atop a low plinth at its center and the edge of the circle is ringed with benches of wood and iron scrollwork, most of them occupied. The campus in general is fairly lively, in fact, though in a much quieter fashion than elsewhere in Val Razua.
>The path divides in three here, with one route for each cardinal direction.
>At the end of the path ahead stands the tall tower you spotted earlier, apparently rising from the center of a stately building with a facade of dark brick and fluted columns in lighter stone. Rows of tall windows line its face and two smaller wings protrude outward at either end, giving the whole structure a sort of c-shape. It is flanked by a pair of similarly designed buildings, minus the tower, set at a slight angle to the central one; the path branches into three as it approaches the group of them.
>The path to the left ends in a appreciably longer, though shorter, cousin to the first three buildings. There are considerably fewer windows, and those that exist are smaller, but it was clearly patterened after the same general design. Hints of several more structures can be seen in the distance, through the trees, and smaller walkways diverge from the main path in their general direction, as well as back down towards the entrance, where foliage masks their destination entirely.
>The path to the right passes alongside a numer of smaller brick buildings, though the area in that direction is generally more open than the others, then disappears back towards the gate - that appears to be where the clock tower is located, but you still can't see below the top of it.
-
>Do any of the buildings present have signage on or outside them to indicate their function?
-
>Do any of the buildings present have signage on or outside them to indicate their function?
>They may, but you're nowhere near close enough to any of them to read it.
-
>Head left. It's always trusty.
>Keep an eye out for identifying markers. Or people who look like they're taking offense to our seeker swagger.
-
>Head left. It's always trusty.
>Keep an eye out for identifying markers. Or people who look like they're taking offense to our seeker swagger.
>You take the left path, keeping an eye out for any indication of where you're actually heading. You do catch a few people throwing mildly curious looks in your direction, though nothing untoward; mostly they're going about their business while you go about yours.
>As you draw nearer to the building at the end of the main path, you note a small stone pedestal to the side of the walkway, bearing a plaque in darker stone. In it is etched 'Voile Magisterial Library' in weighty lettering, followed by a brief history of the building and a list of important donors - you note Remilia Scarlet's name among them.
-
>If we end up having to come here, we're in trouble anyways.
>Look around, does anyone seem particularly idle and interested in us?
-
>If we end up having to come here, we're in trouble anyways.
>Look around, does anyone seem particularly idle and interested in us?
>Well, supposedly their collection is the best in the world, and certainly a damn sight better than anything you've been past so far. By most definitions, you probably already qualify as being in trouble, even.
>No one jumps out at you in that regard. Mostly people are walking in one direction or another - some don't look particularly in a hurry, though. You also spot someone sitting on a bench some distance off the path to your left, though they appear to be reading a book. There were quite a few others back at the benches around the crossroads, and you don't think all of them looked terribly busy.
-
>Let's pop in. If nothing else, we can see what, if anything, they have pertinent to our situation, and someone at the desk in here could answer some of the more general questions we have about this place.
>And try to turn down our treasure sense a bit, before we get a bigger headache.
-
>Let's pop in. If nothing else, we can see what, if anything, they have pertinent to our situation, and someone at the desk in here could answer some of the more general questions we have about this place.
>You continue onward to the library, figuring that it's the nearest place to find someone official to grill. You cover the rest of the path and pass beneath an arched portico. The large pannelled wooden doors open with a muted creak.
>Beyond lies a short foyer decorated in a very minimalist style. The air in here feels conspicuously dry and the lighting is surprisingly dim; though there are windows, their size and elevation leaves the interior feeling quite removed from the bright day on the other side of its walls. An elevated walkway crosses the space above the opposite end of the foyer, bordered by wrought iron railings and supported by paneled wooden columns. The ostentatious flourish found in much of Val Razua is muted here, with the tastefully subdued supplanting the extravagant.
>As you pass beneath the walkway, the space opens in all directions and you get your first glimpse of the collection that gave this library its impressive reputation. It seems there was very little exaggeration involved. Lengthy halls extend to both your right and left, lined on either side with row upon row of stolid bookcases in dark-stained wood. This arrangement is repeated on wide mezzanine levels that run the length of both sides of each wing. Several narrow staircases connect lower and upper floors and the central space is furnished with long wooden reading tables and straight-backed chairs at orderly intervals. Stately sconces affixed to walls and wooden columns cast subdued lighting across the space, giving it a rather cloistered feel, despite its size. You couldn't even begin to guess at the number of volumes on display, beyond the prosaic and entirely useless designation of 'a lot'. It's also quite well-populated at the moment, though hushed, with each student doing their best impression of earnest scholarship. Well, most of them.
>Directly ahead of you and just past the intersection with the main wings is a large u-shaped desk. A rather focused-looking woman in dark brown hair and severe glasses is busily scribing a document with swift, precise strokes. Behind her is a large enclosed office space, framed by the desk on one end and walls on the other. Two narrower hallways continue past it on either side; you can spot more offices and several closed doors in the space beyond.
>And try to turn down our treasure sense a bit, before we get a bigger headache.
>You can't turn down your treasure sense any more than you can turn down your hearing, though you can do your best to tune it out. To be honest, you sort of expected this - parts of Braston were similar, the first time you visited there. There's not really much to be done about it but grin and bear the noise until you acclimatize. You'll probably be less sharp than usual for a little while, though, and a headache is probably inevitable; this place seems even worse than the rest of the city, so far. Still, as problems go, it's not such a bad one to have.
-
>From what we've seen so far, has the student population here been exclusively human?
-
>From what we've seen so far, has the student population here been exclusively human?
>Dominantly human, certainly, and likely to a greater degree than the city in general, but not exclusively so. You passed a couple youkai on the way in, and there's at least one or two in sight at the moment - what you suspect is a squirrel, and another of less certain ancestry.
-
>Approach the desk jockey.
-
>Approach the desk jockey.
>You continue forward to the desk. The woman tending it sets down her pen and looks up as you approach.
>"Can I help you?" she asks in a tone of practiced formality, adjusting her glasses.
-
>"Is there a section in this library pertaining to medical history? Specifically, old diseases that haven't surfaced in a long time."
-
>"Is there a section in this library pertaining to medical history? Specifically, old diseases that haven't surfaced in a long time."
>"Well, we have an extensive collection of treatises on herbalism and apothecary lore," she replies readily, "as well as comparative anatomy from both arcane and mundane perspectives. Are you looking for old diseases in general, or something more specific?"
-
>"A bit more specific, yeah. Some kind of blight, affected people and crops alike. But it hasn't been around for hundreds of years, at least."
-
>"A bit more specific, yeah. Some kind of blight, affected people and crops alike. But it hasn't been around for hundreds of years, at least."
>She frowns a little. "I'm afraid that doesn't ring a bell, but perhaps you could try the history section? Whereabouts would this have been?"
-
>"Estval continent. I don't know if it ever spread outside there."
-
Wait, why are we looking for needles in haystacks rather than asking professional needle-hunters in magnet suits? Or rather, asking experts on medicine and/or history who, if they don't know, have a much better idea where to look than anyone else would just due to familiarity with the subject and the sources that the subject draws from, and can better understand the findings?
-
I do intend to ask for directions to the appropriate departments, but while we're here, there's no harm in asking for the contents of the library, in the event we have to come back ourselves later.
-
Okie dokie.
-
>"Estval continent. I don't know if it ever spread outside there."
>"Well, the books on early settlement of the Outer Freelands are in the east wing, second level on the left." She points in that general direction. "Section HJ. I'm not certain if they'd have what you're looking for, but it might be a place to start. Or you could try some of the larger apothecarial references, which are in the Ds. Over there." She points in a different direction. "I don't know if you can expect to find something quite so obscure in most of them, though."
-
>Glance in those general directions.
>"Well, I suppose that brings me to my next question. Where would the history department, or the medical department, be around here?"
-
>Glance in those general directions.
>"Well, I suppose that brings me to my next question. Where would the history department, or the medical department, be around here?"
>You glance in the indicated directions. Nothing is particular distinctive about either, but you're sure you can keep them straight in your head.
>"The history department is on the second floor of Flenceburne Hall," she says. "The building to the right of Magister's Tower. We don't have a school of medicine here as such, but Alchemy and Herbalism is in the Flamel Building - just turn left as you exit the library. It's the short square one."
-
Library contents, directions to the medical (such as it is) and history buildings.... Is that all our bases, or am I forgetting something again?
EDIT: Oh yeah, Aya's caster comrade.
>"What about, uh... religious information? History of faiths, locations of shrines, onmyouji magic, that sort of thing."
-
>"What about, uh... religious information? History of faiths, locations of shrines, onmyouji magic, that sort of thing."
>"Theology and religious history are mostly IC," she says. "Onmyoudou would be shelved under esoteric magics, CF."
-
>"Ah, so onmyoudou is studied here? I'd heard this place was the place to go for magical info, but I wasn't sure if more... 'spiritual' arts fit in with other kinds of magic."
-
>"Ah, so onmyoudou is studied here? I'd heard this place was the place to go for magical info, but I wasn't sure if more... 'spiritual' arts fit in with other kinds of magic."
>"That's a bit of a contentious subject, actually," she says in neutral tone. "I don't believe it's currently taught outside of comparative magical theory and survey courses, but we do have some writings on the topic here."
-
>Right. Divine and arcane magic don't mix.
>"So, if I were looking for an expert on, say, Shinto, a temple would be a better place to go, then?"
-
>Right. Divine and arcane magic don't mix.
>"So, if I were looking for an expert on, say, Shinto, a temple would be a better place to go, then?"
>The woman adjusts her glasses. "Well, we've certainly had scholars that have studied it from a historical and cultural perspective, but if you're speaking of the rituals or invocations themselves, then yes."
-
>"Which, if there's one or two on campus, would also be in the history building?"
-
>"Which, if there's one or two on campus, would also be in the history building?"
>"Flenceburne Hall houses more than just the history department," she corrects, "but that could be a good place to inquire, yes."
-
This Flenceburne seems as good a place as any to start, then. History of the spiders, history of the old peoples, and maybe info on our sword here. Even if the same information is available here, it'll be faster to consult an expert than comb though books ourselves.
>"All right, then. Thanks for the help."
>Depart and travel towards the history building.
-
Yeah. Either is a good place to start, but best to learn whether it's been cured historically before beating up 1d6 alchemists to get it.
-
>"All right, then. Thanks for the help."
>Depart and travel towards the history building.
>"If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask," she says as she picks her pen back up and returns to whatever it was she was writing.
>You exit the library and head back the way you came. You never did ask where Magister's Tower was, but the tall one toward the center of campus seems a likely candidate and there was a large building to the right of it. You follow the path forward from the monolith circle and then head towards said building. As you approach, a sign near the door confirms that this is indeed Flenceburne Hall. Through one of the nearby windows, you can see a robed woman pacing slowly back and forth and reading from a thick tome while her students try not to yawn too obviously. A few of them even succeed.
-
>School. School never changes.
>Head on inside.
>No, wait, first check the outside of the door for any signage showing what departments are on what floor. THEN head on inside.
-
>School. School never changes.
>Head on inside.
>No, wait, first check the outside of the door for any signage showing what departments are on what floor. THEN head on inside.
>You glance around for any further signage indicating the contents of this building, but find none. With a half-shrug, you open the large wooden doors at the front and step inside.
>You are inside a short foyer attached to a wide corridor running left and right. Doors, both single and double, line each wall in an orderly fashion, framed by dark wooden moldings. A band of waist-high wainscoting contrasts with lighter walls above, giving the whole space has a rather dignified, yet functional air. One or two people can be seen in the long hall, although it's mostly empty at the moment. Behind walls and doors, you can hear the faint sound of lectures being given.
>Just inside the entrance you find the information you had been searching for outside. Affixed to the wall at your left is a list of departments and offices, accompanied by a map. Flenceburn Hall is apparently home to the departments of Ancient Languages, History and Archaeology, Literature, Magical Theory, and Enchantments. The map indicates a largely linear arrangement of offices and classrooms, interspersed with the occasional storeroom or unlabelled space. The route to the history department is fairly straightforward - you make a mental note of it.
-
>Magical theory and enchantment, eh.
>Is our extrasensory perception reacting more strongly in here?
-
>Magical theory and enchantment, eh.
>Is our extrasensory perception reacting more strongly in here?
>That is what it says.
>Not especially so, but there's enough ambiance across the campus as a whole that it might take something concentrated and notable to stand out to your passive senses. That and they're feeling just a little bit numb and bleary by this point anyway.
-
>Out of curiousity, if there's a sudden spike in ambient magical energy- say, something caused by a spell backfiring spectacularly, or even a big spell firing off properly- would that register on our senses? It'd be nice to know if we have to duck a sudden indoor ice storm.
-
>Out of curiousity, if there's a sudden spike in ambient magical energy- say, something caused by a spell backfiring spectacularly, or even a big spell firing off properly- would that register on our senses? It'd be nice to know if we have to duck a sudden indoor ice storm.
>It's theoretically possible, but you're not sure you'd actually be better equipped to passively sense this than the average person. Your own magical affinity is quite low, and your treasure sense doesn't really pick up on magic in the general sense; there's nothing particularly treasure-like about a large fireball, after all. But even completely mundane senses can pick up on some sorts of magic simply by their physical effect upon the world, be it light or heat or noise or other sensations harder to describe; for example, you have discovered that standing within a few inches of the beam of a Master Spark produces a distinct numb buzzing sensation across one's skin. It is not an experiment you are in any hurry to repeat. In any event, you might be able to detect a rush of magic depending on its physical manifestation, but you doubt your treasure sense would help much with that. Of course, if you were dowsing at the time, such a spike would probably show up very loud and clear.
-
>Well, no need to traipse down the corridors here with our dowsing rods out. Might lead to a question or two we probably don't have time to answer.
>Actually, we'd probably fit in here with our rods hanging out.
>Well, either way, we won't be doing that. We're here for info, not to dowse for stray enchantment spells.
>Make for the history department.
-
>Well, no need to traipse down the corridors here with our dowsing rods out. Might lead to a question or two we probably don't have time to answer.
>Actually, we'd probably fit in here with our rods hanging out.
>Well, either way, we won't be doing that. We're here for info, not to dowse for stray enchantment spells.
>Make for the history department.
>While speculating on just what kind of attention your rods would invite in this place, you head down the hallway and up a wide staircase tucked neatly into its side.
>The second floor mirrors most of the aesthetic and layout of the first, with only a few structural changes here and there. Traffic is similarly light; a pair of young women bemoan the unfairness of a surprise essay question on the significance of Hoshikawa, of all people - apparently kappa poetry is not a popular subject - while another walks purposefully in your general direction, and a young man with tousled brown hair knocks on the door of someone's office. ...or rather attempts to do so. As his knuckles near contact with the wood, the entire door simply slides away from his hand and he finds himself knocking on bare wall instead. The door is now several feet to the right of its previous location, looking for all the world as though it had always been there.
-
>Frown. That's not the door we want, is it?
>Do we know which door we want? Are they marked?
-
>Are we a fan of poetry ourselves? Kappa or otherwise.
>Can we identify that trick with the door as a type of illusion spell, or is it an enchantment upon the door?
-
>Frown. That's not the door we want, is it?
>Do we know which door we want? Are they marked?
>You don't believe so. The History department is still further down the hall. Of course, it's possible that the office belongs to the most suitable historian on staff for your particular problem, but it's not the departmental office itself.
>You have a fairly good idea from the map, but there are also nameplates by the doors. You're a little too far away to read this one currently, though.
>Are we a fan of poetry ourselves? Kappa or otherwise.
>Can we identify that trick with the door as a type of illusion spell, or is it an enchantment upon the door?
>Not really, though you've never read anything by a kappa. You're not sure you want to, either; apparently it's literature best accompanied by a bottle of headache medication.
>It might be hard for you to tell the difference, but you could always break out the rods and try.
-
>No need, it'll just look weird.
>Trek on down to historytown.
-
>No need, it'll just look weird.
>Trek on down to historytown.
>You continue down the hallway while the young man persists in his attempt to make physical contact with the door. He shifts to its new location and attempts to knock again, but the door simply slides back to where it started. This time, however, he seems to anticipate the response and grasps at the door knob with his other hand as it flees away from him. And catches hold of it! The doorknob immediately detaches from the door without even a hint of struggle and the now-knobless door settles demurely back into its original location. The flustered man regards the brass knob clutched tightly in his hand with a look of annoyance. A bouquet of flowers spontaneously blooms from the end of it.
-
>Raise an eyebrow. Wonder if it's fairy pranks? Or perhaps the machinations of a particularly impish mage.
-
>Well, it's his knob now.
-
>Raise an eyebrow. Wonder if it's fairy pranks? Or perhaps the machinations of a particularly impish mage.
>You raise an eyebrow. While a fairy would almost certainly find this hilarious, it would take a heck of a fairy to be able to pull it off. Actually, it's pretty impressive no matter how you slice it.
>Well, it's his knob now.
>It does seem to be. And in fact, he seems to be pondering what he's supposed to do with it when his train of thought (and yours) is interrupted by a sudden buzzing sound. Almost before it's had a chance to properly register in your head, a swarm of bees surges forth from the bouquet!
-
>"Throw it at the door, guy!"
-
>"Throw it at the door, guy!"
>Sparing only a glance in your direction, the man throws the knob forcefully at the door where it, against all likelihood, fits nearly back into place and attaches itself with a small click. The flowers seems to have vanished at some point, though the bees have not... Oddly, the man seem more frustrated by the presence of the cloud of angry insects swarming around him than actually frightened by them.
>"Was that supposed to do anything?" he asks.
-
>We're in the enchantment section of the building, ain't we.
>"Well, I thought..."
>Narrow our focus. Can we determine if those bees real?
>Keep an eye on them, though, in case they get bored with bozo and come our way.
-
>"Hit the door, didn't it? That's more than you've done so far."
-
>We're in the enchantment section of the building, ain't we.
>"Well, I thought..."
>Narrow our focus. Can we determine if those bees real?
>Keep an eye on them, though, in case they get bored with bozo and come our way.
>You believe the department of Enchantment was on the third floor of the building, actually, but it was in the building.
>He sighs. "You don't know either, do you?"
>They look, sound, and smell real enough to you, though they don't seem to be acting quite right. Either that or the guy's impervious to bee stings, but he seems human enough. It would be a pretty neat trick to cram these many bees into such a small cluster of flowers in the first place, really.
>You keep a wary eye on the bees, though you're starting to have your doubts about how threatening they are. Though you suppose there's nothing stopping them from turning that way quickly enough....
>"Hit the door, didn't it? That's more than you've done so far."
>"Don't rub it in," he mutters, then makes a series of small hand gestures - actually somewhat hard to see through all the bees - and mutters a few short syllables. Nothing appears to happen. With a grimace, he repeats this process.
>Oh, wait, maybe something is happening. Though almost imperceptible at first, the cloud of buzzing insects encircling the man grows less chaotic as the bees start to fan out in a curiously well-ordered fashion. Are those... letters? Yes, those are definitely letters. Somehow the bees have taken it upon themselves to spell out the words 'Nice try' in the air above the door. Then, after hovering in place just long enough to read them, they all vanish at once with a faint popping noise. The man sighs again.
-
>"Creative."
-
>"Creative."
>"Pain in the ass," he replies, sizing up the offending door with keen eye and an irritated frown.
-
>"That, too."
>Let's have a quick douse of the door. Unlike dude here, we can cheat.
-
>"That, too."
>Let's have a quick douse of the door. Unlike dude here, we can cheat.
>You pull out your canteen and give the door a quick douse. This draws a strange look from the man, and you see him open his mouth to say something, but then he shuts it up again and takes a harder look at the door. Not only didn't it budge an inch as the water splashed against it, but something else isn't quite right. The water is dripping off it and onto the floor, sure, but it appears to be running though the doorknob, and when you look closer, sometimes running over small contours that don't appear to correspond to anything physically present in the door at all.
>"Try that a little to the left," he says without taking his eyes off the door.
-
Oh, good idea!
>Toss a bit more water on the left of the door.
-
>Toss a bit more water on the left of the door.
>You toss another splash of water to the left of the last one. This has an even more obviously wrong effect. Droplets of water splatter against open air a short distance out from the wall the splash was aimed at, beading and dripping onto the floor. You shift your head to look at them from a different angle. It seems almost like they're resting on a small rounded surface of some sort, though quite invisible from either position. The man's eyes narrow as he stares at it, then he holds a palm out towards it and traces a small design with his other hand.
>As he speaks a somewhat halting series of unintelligible words, a slight hint of something golden glimmers beneath the water droplets, then grows. It... looks like a reasonable approximation of the doorknob he held in his hand a few moments ago. Looking like he expects it to vanish at any second, the man dives for the floating knob and grabs onto it tightly. You can actually see the look of relief on his face when it behaves exactly as any normal fixture would - that is, by exhibiting no behavior at all. He glances back in your direction and gives you a sheepish smile.
>"Thanks."
-
>Glance between him and the bespelled door/wall/whatever.
>"Happy to help." Then mutter, under our breath, "I think....?"
-
>"So what's in there, guy?"
-
>Glance between him and the bespelled door/wall/whatever.
>"Happy to help." Then mutter, under our breath, "I think....?"
>You glance between the man, the door to his right, and the floating doorknob in his hand which still does not appear particularly attached to anything. You find yourself feeling more than a little confused.
>The man gives you a little nod, then turns back to the... wall?
>"So what's in there, guy?"
>Your question has him craning his neck back towards you, a rather flummoxed expression of his face. "You mean you didn't- Uh, never mind. This is just professor Valenstern's office. Um, hopefully."
>Keeping a firm grasp on the knob, he knocks on the wall beside it - where a door ought to be, if only you could see one.
>"That's rather like cheating," comes a haughty female voice from the other side of the wall, "but I suppose you can come in anyway."
-
I knew I was going to forget, glad I remembered. We should check our pendant while we're in the enchantment school. I recall it was mentioned that it may have been enchanted at one point, but isn't any more.
-
That is not a bad idea, once we get the important things out of the way.
>"Good luck!"
>Historyward!
-
Agreed. Cure first. But while we're here now, it wouldn't hurt to ask about who would be the person to see, once we have time to spare.
-
>"Good luck!"
>Historyward!
>You wish the man good luck, which he acknowledges with another sheepish nod, then you continue on your way. You catch just a glimpse of the clearly-not-a-wall swing open as you pass by it and continue on your way.
>The remainder of the trip proves uneventful - not that you would ordinarily expect a sparsely populated hallway to be especially eventful - and you arrive in front of the main office of the history department without further delay. Fortunately, this particular doorway makes not attempt to retreat from you as you enter it.
>You step into a relatively modest office, lighter in tone than the outer hall, though strictly functional in design. A wide wooden counter runs most of the width of the room, separating a small space by the entryway from the rest of the room. Beyond it, you see wooden filing cabinets and shelving units stuffed neatly with loose papers, bottles of ink and quills, and assorted other supplies of the clerical trade. An open door near the rear wall offers a glimpse of more office space, though you cannot see much of it from this angle. Closer to you, a small women labors at a lone cluttered desk. She looks up at you as you enter and gives you a professional, yet rather warm smile.
>"Can I help you?"
-
>"I was hoping to be able to speak with someone knowledgeable- well, an expert, really, in the field of the early history of the Outer Freelands. Specifically, the Estval continent."
-
>"I was hoping to be able to speak with someone knowledgeable- well, an expert, really, in the field of the early history of the Outer Freelands. Specifically, the Estval continent."
>Her lips purse thoughtfully. "Hmmm... how early?"
-
>Did Minoriko give us any indication of how long ago the blight was an issue? Or how old the sword was?
>Or that pirate, for that matter, did she say anything about how old the blade might be?
-
>Did Minoriko give us any indication of how long ago the blight was an issue? Or how old the sword was?
>Or that pirate, for that matter, did she say anything about how old the blade might be?
>She described the sword as likely being many hundreds of years old, and the blight itself being even older.
>Karu merely said that the power in the blade was 'ancient'.
-
>"Hundreds of years back, preferably. An exact date is hard to give."
-
>"Hundreds of years back, preferably. An exact date is hard to give."
>"Pre or post-settlement?" she asks, then frowns slightly. "I suppose it doesn't matter; our best experts in pre-settlement history are all on expedition at the moment. Hmmm... perhaps Professor Noritomo? Actually, may I ask what sort of information you're inquiring about?"
-
>"An old disease, actually. Something called a blight."
>"And possibly information on a species of youkai that may have lived on Estval before it was colonizes."
-
>"An old disease, actually. Something called a blight."
>"And possibly information on a species of youkai that may have lived on Estval before it was colonizes."
>The secretary's frown deepens further. "That's... not quite what I was expecting. I'm not sure we're even the right people to ask about that, to be honest. But... I suppose she'd have a better idea than I would. I'll go ask if she's available."
>With that, the secretary stands up and withdraws into the back room.
>"Excuse me," you hear her say in a polite hush that's nevertheless no challenge for your ears to pick up. "There's a woman here inquiring about old diseases and pre-colonial youkai in Estval."
>"Old diseases?" comes a new voice, slightly stuffy and perhaps just a touch rankled. "That's not exactly our department, now is it?"
>"I know, but I wasn't sure who I should send her to speak with. She's a Seeker, by the way."
>"Is she now?" You can't quite decide if the woman is intrigued or staunchly unimpressed. There is a pause.
>"Should I tell her you're busy?" the secretary asks. "Or maybe suggest she speak with Professor Hiromi instead?"
>"Now, now," the voice says chasteningly. "That's even less her specialty than mine. You know that."
>"Then what do I tell her?"
>"Short of suggesting she fly out there in person to pester Keine?"
>The secretary chuckles. "Preferably."
>You hear a slight sigh. "Well, I suppose I wasn't particularly busy, anyway."
>"So... should I tell her to come in, then?"
>"Yes, yes, send her in." You swear you can hear the dismissive hand-wave that doubtlessly accompanied that tone.
>The secretary reemerges from the inner room and gives you a polite smile and nod. "The professor can spare a few minutes to speak with you." She gestures towards the open door. "This way, if you'd please?"
-
>"Certainly. Thank you."
>Entrez!
-
Damn you for jumping me, Sour!
>Oh he's gonna be real interested in a minute, if he knows what's good for him...
-
>"Certainly. Thank you."
>Entrez!
>The secretary nods, and you step around the counter and proceed to the inner office.
>It turns out to be rather more spacious than you expected from the outside, though much of the space is taken up with shelves of books and bamboo scrolls and bundled folders of paper. There are a few decorative items, however, and some of them rather exotic looking; your eye catches upon an old astrolabe, considerably tarnished, a sphere of colored glass set in a weathered stone base, and a bronze figurine of a strange horned beast - crudely cast, but very old-looking. A few other curios are displayed here and there amid the academic clutter.
>Nearly towering over the desk at the far side of the room is a tall woman with speckled brown hair. It looks a touch unkempt, an impression not at all helped by two large tufts of it flaring upward on either side of her scalp. She wears a loose, but rather voluminous tabard in deep blue atop a plain black dress; the whole affair looks slightly frumpled. In stark contrast to the rest of her appearance is the gaze she fixes you with as you enter; her eyes are piercingly gold and unmistakable sharp. After a protracted moment's examination, she arches an eyebrow - quite an expressive gesture on so angular a face - and speaks in a clear and measured tone.
>"So, I hear you have an unusual sort of question for me."
-
>"Yes. Let's cut to the chase."
>Roll up a sleeve so he can see the veins
>"Do you recognize what this is?"
-
>Let's not do that.
>"I don't know if it's unusual or not, kinda new around here. But I'm hoping you're the woman to talk to about it."
>"I'm looking for information on an old disease that once existed on Estval. One that infected both humanoids and crops."
-
Is there any reason we're beating around the bush with someone we know is looking for an excuse to dismiss us with a "Go read a book" or somesuch, rather than immediately impressing him with the severity of the situation?
-
Simple, doing something stupid like that is a one-way ticket to getting locked up like a lab rat.
-
He wouldn't lock us up because he knows we'd take him down with us if he tried. I can see where you're coming from, but we have nothing to gain and everything to lose by being coy and evasive, given he's already pretty much wants nothing to do with us. It's much better to be direct and capture his interest than tiptoe around and piss him off or just get dismissed.
-
You DO realize it's a she, right?
-
No, I misread. Does that really address the situation at hand, though?
-
You mean the situation where you want to throw our plague in the woman's face and shut out any and all chance of her talking to us? I love how you immediatly assume this is a dead end, too, by the way.
How about you just calm down and we can try to do things in a way that won't get us labeled as a plague rat and run out of town, or burned?
-
I am pointing out that she is much more likely to respond to us if we don't beat around the bush, given she's very blatantly stated she feels she has better things to do with her time than talk with us. There is no assumption of dead ends or whatever, why do you think I've been pushing for meeting this person thus far? I'm pointing out that she's more likely to shut us out if we're evasive and coy about it, because it's just further wasting her time. We need to get her interested, and impress the immediacy of the situation. If we're run out as a plague rat, that means there's no historically known cure anyways and we've wasted our time to start with, so it's not really a worthwhile consideration in light of what I've said. I'm not sure where you read what you said about my position at all, actually,
-
There's a damn good chance the whole 'plague rat' thing will get us also run out of town itself. Or worse.
-
I admit, that did confuse me. Coming to see this woman was your idea, so, I had no idea why you were trying to sabotage the meeting right from the get go.
There's a damn good chance the whole 'plague rat' thing will get us also run out of town itself. Or worse.
Also this.
-
As I said, if it gets us run out of town by this person, there was never a cure known to scholars anyways. Otherwise, the reaction isn't going to be burn the plague rat, it's going to be "Oh hell, that needs to be fixed."
But, that is enough of a point to consider in terms of irrationality that I suppose I can agree with Sour's idea for now.
-
>"I don't know if it's unusual or not, kinda new around here. But I'm hoping you're the woman to talk to about it."
>"I'm looking for information on an old disease that once existed on Estval. One that infected both humanoids and crops."
>"Well, it's certainly one of the most unusual to come across my desk in quite a long time," she says, then tilts her head sharply to the side; it's a rather strange-looking gesture on someone quite so starchy in manner. "Both humanoids and crops, you say? I'm far from a specialist in diseases, but that does strike me as rather peculiar as well. Shall I gather by 'once existed', that it does not exist presently?"
-
By the by, I should say that I'm not 100% against showing this girl the blight. But starting off on that foot was the wrong move. It's a bridge we'll cross if and when the need arises.
>"It didn't, for a long time. But it's since had what you'd call a resurgance recently. But no one in the affected area knew of a cure for it, or even knew much about it beyond the fact that it was very old. So I, on their behalf, hopped the fastest ship I could find and came out here looking for some answers, before a bad situation got worse."
-
Possibly: Show her the sword, see if she recognizes it?
Stab her if she tries to run off with it
-
>"It didn't, for a long time. But it's since had what you'd call a resurgance recently. But no one in the affected area knew of a cure for it, or even knew much about it beyond the fact that it was very old. So I, on their behalf, hopped the fastest ship I could find and came out here looking for some answers, before a bad situation got worse."
>The professor's eyes narrow and the crease in her brow grows more defined. "I've heard of no such thing, and we have an expedition in that area presently. That sounds like a rather grave situation to entrust to a single person, or to seek a consultation with a history professor about, no less. Why not a doctor? And frankly, that seems a rather curious fact to know about a disease, if you know nothing else. 'Old'? Why would one think it was old? I'd say that knowing a disease is old would require recognizing it, no?"
-
>"Ah, you mean professor Kamishirasawa's group. There's no cause for concern there, they're well clear of the area in question. The only area at risk is Easthaven village. One way or the other, it'll stay that way, too."
>"As for the rest- Can I sit down?"
-
>"Ah, you mean professor Kamishirasawa's group. There's no cause for concern there, they're well clear of the area in question. The only area at risk is Easthaven village. One way or the other, it'll stay that way, too."
>"As for the rest- Can I sit down?"
>Her eyebrow arches further. "A partial answer to one question while raising several others. Perhaps you'd care to try addressing the rest?"
>"You may, if you'd like."
-
>"Thanks."
>Have a seat.
>We've got her attention now, eh, b'yes.
>"I'll try to keep things simple, the story's a bit complicated. I'll start with the 'old' part, if that's okay."
>"Precisesly one person in Easthaven recognized the blight for what it was; the local goddess, who also serves as the local healer. Apparantly it existed hundreds of years ago, during a particularly difficult time for the continent. She told me all she could about it, but if I'm honest, it wasn't as much as I would have liked. Bits and pieces that didn't violate the 'sacred trust of prayer'. She did tell me, however, that she knew of no cure for the blight, at least none for humanoids. She came up with a way to slow its progress, but not cure it outright. And none of the doctors I consulted in Braston even knew as much as she did."
>"But, as your secretary pointed out, I'm a Seeker. Finding things that other people don't think exist is what I do. And since I'd exausted every lead I had on Estval, I came here."
-
>"Thanks."
>Have a seat.
>We've got her attention now, eh, b'yes.
>"I'll try to keep things simple, the story's a bit complicated. I'll start with the 'old' part, if that's okay."
>"Precisesly one person in Easthaven recognized the blight for what it was; the local goddess, who also serves as the local healer. Apparantly it existed hundreds of years ago, during a particularly difficult time for the continent. She told me all she could about it, but if I'm honest, it wasn't as much as I would have liked. Bits and pieces that didn't violate the 'sacred trust of prayer'. She did tell me, however, that she knew of no cure for the blight, at least none for humanoids. She came up with a way to slow its progress, but not cure it outright. And none of the doctors I consulted in Braston even knew as much as she did."
>"But, as your secretary pointed out, I'm a Seeker. Finding things that other people don't think exist is what I do. And since I'd exausted every lead I had on Estval, I came here."
>The woman nods slightly, her eyes remaining fixed on you all the while.
>You take the offered seat; the professor's head cranes smoothly around to follow.
>"And so you came to a history department," she says simply, once you've finished your explanation. There is a touch of dubiousness to her voice.
-
>"Well, one of the clues we have is this here sword I've got. By siphoning off the faith energy inside it, she was able to make some medicine that holds the disease's effect at bay for the time. But we don't know how long it'll be effective, so she told me to bring it with me to get more information about the writing on the blade. Mind if I unsheathe it so you can take a look?"
-
>"It seemed a sensible place to check for any other incidents of this matter in recorded history. There might be records here of that event, or the species involved, which could tell me what Minoriko couldn't."
-
>"Well, one of the clues we have is this here sword I've got. By siphoning off the faith energy inside it, she was able to make some medicine that holds the disease's effect at bay for the time. But we don't know how long it'll be effective, so she told me to bring it with me to get more information about the writing on the blade. Mind if I unsheathe it so you can take a look?"
>"Mind the furniture," she says dryly.
>"It seemed a sensible place to check for any other incidents of this matter in recorded history. There might be records here of that event, or the species involved, which could tell me what Minoriko couldn't."
>The eyebrow retreats slightly. "Well, I suppose that isn't an entirely contrived line of reasoning, but I can say immediately that I've never heard of such a period as you describe. I suppose 'particularly difficult' is a non-specific designation, though when 'diseases of crops' is used in the same context, one thinks immediately of famine and I am reasonable certain there have been none of any magnitude since Easthaven's founding. Would it be an imposition to ask for a more specific timeframe than 'hundreds of years'?"
-
>Unsheathe Kumokirimaru carefully, and lay it on the desk for her to inspect.
>"Well, we know it was from sometime before Easthaven was founded. Precisely when is a bit of a snag."
-
>Unsheathe Kumokirimaru carefully, and lay it on the desk for her to inspect.
>"Well, we know it was from sometime before Easthaven was founded. Precisely when is a bit of a snag."
>You carefully unsheathe your sword and lay it on the professor's desk. Her eyes studiously follow both blade and bearer until the angle between the two becomes too large. With a last glance in your direction, she cranes her head smoothly around to scrutinize the weapon.
>"This is Freelands Archaic," she says in a surprised tone, nearly interrupting you mid-sentence. "Where did you get this?"
-
>"I found it in some caverns that run under the isle."
-
>"I found it in some caverns that run under the isle."
>"Truly?" She leans in close to the weapon. "Assuming it's authentic, this is quite extraordinary; there's virtually no sign of age or damage whatsoever. Which, I suppose, does call said authenticity into question, but I'm hardly qualified to make an evaluation. I do, however, know several people who are and would undoubtedly be very excited to have this in their hands. Where were these caverns located?" She frowns slightly. "Ah, but I suppose I digress."
>"Regarding the question of time," she says, turning back to you, "I'm afraid you've left yourself rather little to work with. Easthaven was founded scant decades after the first permanent settlement in Estval, so if this outbreak occurred before Easthaven existed, that would of necessity place it virtually contemporaneous with the first recorded migrations. I actually happen to be rather familiar with those records, yet know of absolutely none that imply the presence of a notable disease on any sort of appreciable scale. Certainly, I've seen no records of aid shipments, either of medicine or food, beyond what one would expect for a fledgling colony; parts of the Outer Freelands were rather less self-sufficient in their early days, you understand. Is it possible you could be off by a few centuries, perhaps?"
-
>Nod. "That's what I was thinkin'. Minoriko said it's probably a relic of the indigenous folk who were there long before. Near as I can tell though, they just up and vanished. I'm thinkin' they might've gotten brought down by that disease, and it's only just now reappeared. That cave I found had what looked like a Shrine Gate near where I found it. I was gonna investigate that further, but then I took a header off the bridge into the river below, which is where I found this little treasure."
-
Are we going to mention a tsuchigumo is involved? We seem to be dancing around it.
-
I'd been wondering about that myself. I think we should. If not every detail, then at least we met her. It could put us in the right timeframe, and we could learn something about Yamame and her people.
-
>Nod. "That's what I was thinkin'. Minoriko said it's probably a relic of the indigenous folk who were there long before. Near as I can tell though, they just up and vanished. I'm thinkin' they might've gotten brought down by that disease, and it's only just now reappeared. That cave I found had what looked like a Shrine Gate near where I found it. I was gonna investigate that further, but then I took a header off the bridge into the river below, which is where I found this little treasure."
>"Well, there's an interesting theory on what became of the Freelands Archaic culture," she says, arching that eyebrow again. "There's certainly nothing approaching a consensus on their ultimate fate, and little enough evidence on which to even stake a conjecture. Though if this supposed disease were isolated to Estval, it does little to explain the depopulation of sites elsewhere."
>She shakes her head. "This is all certainly quite beyond what we have any detailed records of. Freelands Archaic is rather outside my specialization, but I'm aware enough of developments in the field to be confident when I say that."
-
>Nod.
>"What do you know about tsuchigumo?"
-
>Nod.
>"What do you know about tsuchigumo?"
>The professor leans her neck in towards you and seems almost to squint. "About what?"
-
>"Tsuchigumo. A sort of spidery youkai, likes to tame spiders as pets and such. I'm assuming you don't know of them, then?"
-
>"Tsuchigumo. A sort of spidery youkai, likes to tame spiders as pets and such. I'm assuming you don't know of them, then?"
>She shakes her head. "I'm afraid the name doesn't mean anything to me, no. Is this connected to your original query in some manner?"
-
>"I met a spider youkai near where I found this sword underground, and she had some interesting things to say. She seemed to imply that her people once lived above ground on Estval, but that the surfacers, that being the early inhabitants or perhaps the colonists from the central continents, had gone to war with them. Far as I can tell, the spiders got the worse of it."
>"As near as I can determine, they were responsible for the blight. So, if I can learn more about them, if there's anything to learn at all, that might bring me closer to understanding how this disease works, and how to stop it."
-
>Pull a wry grin. "In fact, you could say she's why I took a header off that bridge in the first place. Stubborn one she was, a right piece of work. as nasty as any rowdy Oni when she got riled up by seeing I had this little treasure, let me tell you."
-
>"I met a spider youkai near where I found this sword underground, and she had some interesting things to say. She seemed to imply that her people once lived above ground on Estval, but that the surfacers, that being the early inhabitants or perhaps the colonists from the central continents, had gone to war with them. Far as I can tell, the spiders got the worse of it."
>"As near as I can determine, they were responsible for the blight. So, if I can learn more about them, if there's anything to learn at all, that might bring me closer to understanding how this disease works, and how to stop it."
>"Well," she says, taking a rather poised tone, "I can say that if the colonists of Estval fought a war on their own soil, it was the briefest and most invisible of wars imaginable; there is simply no record of it happening at all. Nor, for that matter, do I know of any evidence that Estval itself was previously inhabited. There, I admit, I may not be exhaustively informed of all pre-colonial findings, but there are certainly no sites either physically expansive or widely known. If this subterranean shrine you speak of indeed dates to this period, its import to the field would be quite considerable."
>Pull a wry grin. "In fact, you could say she's why I took a header off that bridge in the first place. Stubborn one she was, a right piece of work. as nasty as any rowdy Oni when she got riled up by seeing I had this little treasure, let me tell you."
>She regards you with a slight note of distaste. "I see."
>She shakes her head. "In any event, you may well have encountered a spider youkai beneath the island's surface - they are rare, but not unheard of - and she may well have told you exactly what you've since repeated to me, but this does not necessitate that either of you have your facts entirely in order. And here, I think I may return to an earlier irregularity."
>She fixes you with a keen stare, her round golden eyes almost uncomfortably intent. "An outbreak of a rare and apparently incurable disease is not the sort of thing one expects to slip beneath the threshold of newsworthiness, particularly when it is urgent enough to beget the dispatch of messengers to other lands in search of some slim chance of a solution. You said all options on Estval had been exhausted; this takes time. Time enough for word of a brewing crisis to outpace the agents of its resistance, I should think. It also strikes me as rather disingenuous to dismiss the risks for their 'merely' being isolated to Easthaven. The significance of that town's agricultural exports is not to be disregarded, and anything which devastated harvests there would have a consequent and considerable impact on the food supply of numerous settlements beyond its borders. This, of course, is not even considering the other inimical implications of such an event befalling a settlement under the personal vigil of a harvest goddess." She cranes her neck in towards you. "Are there perhaps other details you could share which might clarify these matters?"
-
>Steel ourselves. We've faced much harsher stares than this ones.
>"Outbreak is too strong a word at the moment. There's only been one case of infection, and steps have been taken to ensure there won't be anymore. The spider youkai I mentioned is the source of the blight. At first, I thought it was an ability unique to her, but from what Minoriko said, it may have been a racial trait. That was something else I was hoping to learn here, to see if there was any documentation of a race that had that particular ability."
>"Regardless, the blight she created isn't contagious, Minoriko was quite clear on that. It has to come from the spider, and that spider is no longer an issue. The most powerful mage on Estval personally saw to that. Marisa Kirisame, if you've ever heard of her."
-
>Steel ourselves. We've faced much harsher stares than this ones.
>"Outbreak is too strong a word at the moment. There's only been one case of infection, and steps have been taken to ensure there won't be anymore. The spider youkai I mentioned is the source of the blight. At first, I thought it was an ability unique to her, but from what Minoriko said, it may have been a racial trait. That was something else I was hoping to learn here, to see if there was any documentation of a race that had that particular ability."
>"Regardless, the blight she created isn't contagious, Minoriko was quite clear on that. It has to come from the spider, and that spider is no longer an issue. The most powerful mage on Estval personally saw to that. Marisa Kirisame, if you've ever heard of her."
>You keep up an implacable exterior. Her countenance isn't particularly hostile, but you get the impression those eyes don't miss much.
>"I have not," she says, "but no matter. I'm also not readily familiar with any race of youkai that spreads disease as a racial trait; doubtless one could exist, but that is distinctly outside my field of specialty. If one of them had been a scion of some prominent Houses of this city, perhaps, but there I can say with great confidence that they have not been. Regarding this matter, I would venture you'd be far better served by a naturalist of some stripe or another; I can merely tell you that this historical outbreak for which they were supposedly culpable is not a documented fact, at least so far as the current state of our discipline is aware."
-
>"That doesn't surprise me. I had a word with a couple of professor Kamishirasawa's people back in Braston. Enough to get an impression of just how fragmented information of that part of time is."
>Where was that herbology and alchemy building again?
>"And a naturalist was actually next on my list of people to talk to, depending on how things went here. Would I find one in the Flamel building?"
-
>"That doesn't surprise me. I had a word with a couple of professor Kamishirasawa's people back in Braston. Enough to get an impression of just how fragmented information of that part of time is."
>Where was that herbology and alchemy building again?
>"And a naturalist was actually next on my list of people to talk to, depending on how things went here. Would I find one in the Flamel building?"
>"Oh, so you've already spoken with them?" She arches an eyebrow. "Well, no matter; you're quite correct, of course. We don't even know the absolute age of the Freelands Archaic sites we've found with any certainty. It's a matter of some contention whether they may even predate the Sundering. I myself lack the expertise to venture an opinion on that question."
>You were told it was along the path to the left of the exit from the library.
>"After a fashion," she says in a dry tone, "though not precisely what I had in mind. Certainly, if you had need of identifying a rare plant or esoteric concoction, I can think of few places better to direct you, but I suspect their studies of ethnology extend no further than that which concerns their primary aims; whether knowledge of youkai arachnids intersects with one of these, I cannot say. I do know that the library has several detailed compendiums on the multifarious varieties of youkai and other magical creatures that populate our world. I have had, on rare occasion, reason to consult them. I certainly don't recall either the presence or absence of tsuchigumo within them, but they may nonetheless be the single most authoritative resource available for this particular question of yours."
-
>"I'm less interested in fine details on tsuchigumo, to be honest, and more interested in curing that isolated case of the disease. That's why I was asking about them."
-
>What's a Sundering?
-
>"I'm less interested in fine details on tsuchigumo, to be honest, and more interested in curing that isolated case of the disease. That's why I was asking about them."
>She shakes her head. "Then I'm afraid I likely have no useful information to give you. Matters of disease and their remedies are well outside the bounds of my own knowledge, and the historical event you speak of is unknown to me."
>What's a Sundering?
>That's a good question.
-
>"I see. Still, it was an avenue I had to pursue."
>"But, what of religious history?"
-
>"I see. Still, it was an avenue I had to pursue."
>"But, what of religious history?"
>The professor nods very slightly.
>She raises an eyebrow at this. "What of it, indeed."
-
>"I mean, is that outside your area of expertise as well?"
>Point to our katana. "As I mentioned before, this sword is powered by some kind of faith, a faith that holds the effects of the blight at bay. If I can learn more of that faith, perhaps a cure could be derived from it. Or would be known to the ones that forged it, or those who followed that faith."
-
>"I mean, is that outside your area of expertise as well?"
>Point to our katana. "As I mentioned before, this sword is powered by some kind of faith, a faith that holds the effects of the blight at bay. If I can learn more of that faith, perhaps a cure could be derived from it. Or would be known to the ones that forged it, or those who followed that faith."
>"I'm not certain anything of substance is known about Freelands Archaic religious practices by anyone still living," she says, "and my area of specialization concerns genealogy and political history, in particular of the Houses of Val Razua, as well as settlement and migration patterns and some small knowledge of urban development as it concerns these. I assume you can see the rather tenuous connection this holds with much of what we've discussed thus far."
-
>Nod. "Of course. I'm simply trying to be thorough."
>Offer a small grin. "Finding things like this may be what I do, but no one said it was going to be easy. I'm trying to come at it from every possible angle."
-
A random and unrelated thought I've had. Assuming we can get this monkey off our back, what do we do about the sword? I am rather liking the idea of donating it to this institution as a final middle finger toward Yamame's attempts to bury it forever.
-
Like hell. This is a trophy of our first real mission, our first brush with death. And our first victory.
Plus, we owe our life to this sword. This stays with us, and when we get our own castle/airship/brothel/whatever we get at the end of this quest, Kumokirimaru goes on our wall, as the first of the great treasures we found on our adventures.
-
Here's the thing, though. If it's just on our wall, it's just some hunk of metal that's special to us. We donate, or barter, it, it becomes special to many people, and probably becomes a major focus of study that has books written about it's significance. And we the credit for finding it, and literally go down in history for it. Not to mention the enormous debt we're gonna be owed in exchange for such.
(Also I'm hesitant to call getting our ass beat, running, and nearly dying of the plague until saved by literal divine intervention then having Marisa clean up the mess as a victory. More of a not loss.)
But I can totally see where you're coming from with it being a trophy, but what is more important about a trophy, owning it physically or displaying it where it can be seen and appreciated by the many?
-
>Nod. "Of course. I'm simply trying to be thorough."
>Offer a small grin. "Finding things like this may be what I do, but no one said it was going to be easy. I'm trying to come at it from every possible angle."
>The professor nods, and comes the closest you've yet seen to a smile. "Of course. The pursuit of the obscure and minute is something any true historian understands very well."
-
>"Is there someone here I could speak to on the matter, or, do you think I'd be better served inquiring at a temple, or shrine?"
-
>"I'd expect someone here would be better, but...well...time is a factor, you know?"
-
>"Is there someone here I could speak to on the matter, or, do you think I'd be better served inquiring at a temple, or shrine?"
>"I would be genuinely surprised if there is a single person at the Academy who can tell you any fact of consequence about the spiritual practices of those who created this weapon. Assuming it is an authentic heirloom of the Freelands Archaic culture, of course. I suppose it's not impossible that some shared traditions may have been passed down into modern religions and preserved therein, though I doubt their stewards would know of them as such. In any case, of this I know even less than I do of spiders, I'm afraid."
>"I'd expect someone here would be better, but...well...time is a factor, you know?"
>She frowns. "Yes, one thing rather unlike history, that."
-
>"Then I guess I'll have to ask at the temples. Or at the best healer in town. Well, probably both, by the time I'm done."
>"Now, this may be a bit of a longshot, but, considering the reputation of the library here, I should ask. Assuming that there's answers to be found in there somewhere, is there someone on staff there that could point me to the right book in question? I'm afraid I don't have the time to comb through the place book by book right now."
-
>"Then I guess I'll have to ask at the temples. Or at the best healer in town. Well, probably both, by the time I'm done."
>"Now, this may be a bit of a longshot, but, considering the reputation of the library here, I should ask. Assuming that there's answers to be found in there somewhere, is there someone on staff there that could point me to the right book in question? I'm afraid I don't have the time to comb through the place book by book right now."
>"As logical a course for pursing that angle as any I can think of immediately," she says.
>"I imagine most of the library staff would be both willing and able to direct your queries to specific bookshelves, though if tsuchigumo are as old and obscure as the other matters of which you've spoken, the most promising sources may themselves be quite old...." She pauses a moment. "In that case, and in the interest of expedience, I might recommend seeking out the head librarian directly. She can be a somewhat... reticent person, but her knowledge of the library's contents seems near categorical at times and she has sole access to some of the more restricted parts of its collection. At least one of the natural taxonomies I mentioned earlier is housed therein. Whether it offers a superior source or merely a more antiquated one, I cannot venture."
-
Now at this point, I admit, I'm half tempted to look up this librarian. Like you, Purvis, I didn't think going from book to book to book was ever a good idea. However, if this librarian is as clever as the professor says, and knows her stuff as well as missy here says, she might be able to take us right to what we want. Or at least, tell us if it's there or not. And if it's not, then we should start looking up hospitals or temples, whatever's closer, because I'm not sure what else here on campus would be of use to us.
-
I'm reasonably willing to chance it, but we will have to be careful about tossing good time after the bad. If faith has kept it at bay, and we're really finding nothing medical about it, it may be time to go punch Kanako until a cure falls out.
>"I don't suppose I can get a note or somesuch from you to help illustrate the nature of the problem, and to show I'm not just some random idiot off the street seeking to waste her time, could I?"
-
>"I don't suppose I can get a note or somesuch from you to help illustrate the nature of the problem, and to show I'm not just some random idiot off the street seeking to waste her time, could I?"
>"Certainly," she says, then stands up to go fetch a quill and paper. As she moves, you catch hints of what look like large folded wings beneath her tabard; the voluminousness of the garment does a fair job of concealing them while she sits, though you think she could also spread them out easily enough, if she chose. After retrieving the writing implements, she returns to her desk and begins penning a note with swift strokes and surprising flourish.
>"If she appears to give you the cold shoulder, I suggest you not take it personally. In fact, I would be considerably surprised if she reacted in any other fashion - it seems simply to be her manner. Though I suppose her predecessor was not particularly noted for her personability, either." She lets out a breath that almost approaches a self-effacing chuckle. "Perhaps it's bad form to speak of one's headmistress in such a fashion. Pay me no mind."
>With a final flourish of her pen and a last keen gaze at the paper, she picks it up and hands it to you with a polite nod.
-
>Accept the note.
>"Thank you, for your time and for your help."
>Let us return to the library, to find said boss of the place.
-
>Accept the note.
>"Thank you, for your time and for your help."
>Let us return to the library, to find said boss of the place.
>You accept the professor's note.
>"Of course," she says, "though would you permit me a few short questions before you depart? I would quite be remiss in my duties to let such an artifact as this pass through my office without further inquiry on behalf of my colleagues. Particularly so, given to whom this office normally belongs."
-
EDIT: Better idea.
RE EDIT: No, I didn't have a better idea.
>"How short?"
-
>"How short?"
>She frowns. "I suppose now may not be the most ideal of times for this, no. I simply wished to inquire in more detail about the location where you said you obtained this sword, and the structure you mentioned encountering. Any artifacts even approaching this level of preservation are quite priceless to the advancement of our field, you understand."
-
>Fair's fair.
>"Well, I'm afraid I can't tell you much about the structure part. I barely got a clear look at it myself before that spider girl attacked me. I can tell you it was a torrii gate, but beyond that, nothing. I never even saw the main body of the temple. If it was even down there. But I can tell you that it was down there a long time, or at least, that's the impression I got."
>"As for the sword, it was downriver from that temple. But I don't think it was where I found it for as long as the temple was down there. The tsuchigumo claimed to have thrown it in the river, seemed to think she'd got rid of it forever. It must have washed ashore, though, I found it on dry land. Where she found it, I don't know."
-
>Fair's fair.
>"Well, I'm afraid I can't tell you much about the structure part. I barely got a clear look at it myself before that spider girl attacked me. I can tell you it was a torrii gate, but beyond that, nothing. I never even saw the main body of the temple. If it was even down there. But I can tell you that it was down there a long time, or at least, that's the impression I got."
>"As for the sword, it was downriver from that temple. But I don't think it was where I found it for as long as the temple was down there. The tsuchigumo claimed to have thrown it in the river, seemed to think she'd got rid of it forever. It must have washed ashore, though, I found it on dry land. Where she found it, I don't know."
>You decide to give her a proper answer her question. Through it all, the professor fixes you with that intent gaze of hers, occasionally tilting her head sideways - first to one side, and then the other; it almost seems reflexive.
>"An underground river. Interesting. Can you provide a more specific geographic location where these events occurred?"
-
>"I can, but, I'd like your word that there won't be an expedition there for a while. Historical import or no, that place is still hazardous. Marisa may have dealt with the youkai, but I bet there's still lots of her giant spider friends down there."
>"Plus, the cave entrances were to have been sealed once Marisa's job was done, to keep the surviving spiders locked up. I'd hate for them to be unsealed so soon after the fact, before the villagers plan for dealing with the spiders has a chance to work."
-
>"I can, but, I'd like your word that there won't be an expedition there for a while. Historical import or no, that place is still hazardous. Marisa may have dealt with the youkai, but I bet there's still lots of her giant spider friends down there."
>"Plus, the cave entrances were to have been sealed once Marisa's job was done, to keep the surviving spiders locked up. I'd hate for them to be unsealed so soon after the fact, before the villagers plan for dealing with the spiders has a chance to work."
>"Sealed?" She frowns; you're a little uncertain whether this is from concern or merely disappointment. "I take it matters there are somewhat more complicated than we have already covered. In any case, our field resources are quite tied up with the current expedition, so I imagine this provision would be granted circumstantially, even without specific strictures in place. Nevertheless, I assure you that full caution and discretion will be exercised in any future investigation this might precipitate."
-
>"My news is a bit out of date, though, so maybe things will be a bit more amenable to exploring once current events settle down."
-
>Assure her, "Just the entrances, not the caves themselves. It's a long story, yeah, which I'd be happy to tell you, once the more immediate problem is solved."
>And with that said, fill her in on where we found the spider hole.
-
>"My news is a bit out of date, though, so maybe things will be a bit more amenable to exploring once current events settle down."
>She nods. "Yes, of course."
>Assure her, "Just the entrances, not the caves themselves. It's a long story, yeah, which I'd be happy to tell you, once the more immediate problem is solved."
>And with that said, fill her in on where we found the spider hole.
>She nods again. "We are all beholden to our circumstances, and I appreciate sparing me even this much under your own."
>You provide as accurate directions to the spider caverns as you can manage, given that your own circuitous course to their entrance. You still can't remember much about the trek back, and only narrowly suppress a shudder as you recall that particular journey. It is not a pleasant memory. Not even close. Professor Noritomo listens intently to your directions, occasionally asking for some minor clarification, and nodding as you provide it. She takes no notes, but you're left with the distinct impression she doesn't require them.
>"Thank you very much, um..." She frowns. "I never did catch your name, did I?"
-
>"Nazrin."
-
>"Nazrin."
>She inclines her head politely towards you. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Seeker Nazrin. May good fortune smile on your efforts, and I hope perhaps to hear the whole story on some better day. Or, at the least, to know that it has been shared with one of my colleagues; I suspect Professor Kamishirawa could appreciate it rather more than I."
-
>"Well that's what she gets for being hard to find, isn't it? I tried to tell one of her students, and he wouldn't even give me the time of day. He sure was happy with pawing at my sword, heh. Thanks for your help, Professor."
>Libraryward!
-
>"Well that's what she gets for being hard to find, isn't it? I tried to tell one of her students, and he wouldn't even give me the time of day. He sure was happy with pawing at my sword, heh. Thanks for your help, Professor."
>Libraryward!
>The professor frowns slightly as you say this, but makes no further remark, merely nodding once as you gather up your weapon and then take your leave.
>You depart her office and retrace your steps through the hall. Someone seems to have cleaned up the little puddle of water left in the wake of your illusion-thwarting. You give the door a dubious look; it remains smugly impassive. Somehow you're left with the feeling that it's moved again in your absence. Oh well, you have more important things to attend to than recalcitrant architecture. You continue onward.
>The return trip is brief enough and without event; the Academy's population seems content to go about their business and leave you to yours. The interior of the library is also much the same as you last left it - dim, quiet, and well-populated. In fact, you could almost swear that some of the more studious readers haven't moved a muscle in all this time. The woman you spoke with earlier is still at her post; she spares an idle glance in your direction as you enter.
-
>Glance around. Does this head librarian appear to have an office in evidence?
-
>Glance around. Does this head librarian appear to have an office in evidence?
>There appear to be offices of some sort down the hall past the circulation deck; it's plausible one of them may belong to her, though you're much too far away to examine any for signage.
-
>When in doubt, ask.
>Approach the desk jockey once more.
>"Yeah, I'm back. I was hoping to have a word with the head librarian, if that's possible."
-
>When in doubt, ask.
>Approach the desk jockey once more.
>"Yeah, I'm back. I was hoping to have a word with the head librarian, if that's possible."
>You approach the circulation desk and inquire after the head librarian.
>The woman nods. "You have some specific business with her, then?"
-
>"Turns out the information I was looking for here is... obscure, to say the least. I was told she was the woman to talk to about obscure books."
-
>"Turns out the information I was looking for here is... obscure, to say the least. I was told she was the woman to talk to about obscure books."
>She nods again. "That she is. I believe she should be in her office at the moment." She gestures towards the hall behind her. "Second door on the left."
-
>"Thanks."
>Thataway!
-
>"Thanks."
>Thataway!
>You thank the woman and proceed to the indicated door.
>While your directions were unambiguous, the door itself lacks a nameplate or any other form of signage indicating who it belongs to. The strikes you as just a touch unusual given the labeling found on surrounding doors; this area seems to contain not only staff rooms, but also several archive and document repositories. One in particular, on the rear of the circulation office, is marked with a sign reading 'Restricted Access'.
-
>Maybe she's nameshy. Or just doesn't like to be bothered, Professor Wings back there said as much.
>Knock.
-
>Maybe she's nameshy. Or just doesn't like to be bothered, Professor Wings back there said as much.
>Knock.
>You knock on the door. There is no response.
>Or rather, the response is delayed just long enough to make you ponder knocking again.
>"Yes." The word that issues from the office is clear and firm and more than a little cold; it doesn't even sound much like a question.
-
>Well, Nazrin, you were warned.
>"My name is Nazrin, of the Seeker's guild. May I have a minute of your time?"
-
>Well, Nazrin, you were warned.
>"My name is Nazrin, of the Seeker's guild. May I have a minute of your time?"
>There is another pause, though briefer this time.
>"Come in."
-
>Enter!
-
>Enter!
>You open the door and step inside.
>The librarian's office is surprisingly spartan; there is little furniture, even less clutter, and no decorative or personal objects whatsoever. What few documents and books are in evidence are scrupulously well-ordered; the effect is enough for you to ponder whether the room is in the process of being vacated, though it somehow seems too orderly for this. Sitting at a largely bare desk in its center is a pale woman with pure white hair. She is wearing a blue coat with a brocade collar and holding a large book in her hands, opened to the halfway point. The stare she fixes you with as you enter suggests she would very much rather you be someplace else.
-
>Don't waver under that stare. She's just going to have if she knows what's good for her.
>"Hello. Professor Noritomo referred me to you to help seek out some obscure information."
>Wave the paper she gave us a bit for emphasis.
-
>Don't waver under that stare. She's just going to have if she knows what's good for her.
>"Hello. Professor Noritomo referred me to you to help seek out some obscure information."
>Wave the paper she gave us a bit for emphasis.
>You refuse to waver under her stare, but she doesn't seem about to waver either. You get the distinct impression she's not human.
>You explain why you've come and wave Professor Noritomo's note for emphasis. The librarian briefly shifts her gaze from you to the paper in your hands, though without breaking its intensity. There is a slight pause.
>"Show me."
-
>Walk over and hand it to her.
-
>Walk over and hand it to her.
>You approach the librarian and hand the note to her. As you do so, she produces a bookmark and inserts in into the leather-bound tome in her hand, then closes it up and places it neatly on her desk. Her eyes don't seem to have left you the whole time; her gaze almost seems suspicious, as if she fully expects you might grab something and run off with it at any minute.
>At least reading the note gives her cause to look elsewhere for a time. In fact, it begins to feel as though she's taking the opposite extreme and pretending you're no longer in the room at all; maybe she's just a slow reader? Would be a little odd for a librarian, though. As you wait, your own gaze falls idly upon the book she just put aside; it looks to be fairly old and the lettering on its cover is faded in multiple places, but you think you can make out the title with a little effort.
>"You wished to see these books?" she interjects in a wintery tone. There's that stare again.
-
>Does it look like she's indicating the present books, or the ones mentioned in the note?
-
>Does it look like she's indicating the present books, or the ones mentioned in the note?
>She isn't gesturing in a way that clearly indicates anything in particular, just holding the note in her hands and staring at you.
-
>"Yes. Or if it's faster and you're familiar with them, walk me through them. Frankly, I need as much help as I can get."
-
>"That's actually why I came to you. Time is a factor in my search, and I was told nobody knows this library, and what's in it, better than you."
-
>"Yes. Or if it's faster and you're familiar with them, walk me through them. Frankly, I need as much help as I can get."
>"That's actually why I came to you. Time is a factor in my search, and I was told nobody knows this library, and what's in it, better than you."
>She seems to absorb all this without more than the mildest changes in expression. There is another moment of silence.
>"What you're looking for isn't in most of these books," she says. "You'd be wasting your time."
-
>"'Most'?"
-
>"'Most'?"
>"What do you need to know?" she asks. "Specifically."
-
>"Specifically?" Consider. "The most pressing and immediate thing I need to know, specifically, is how to cure a form of blight."
-
>"Specifically?" Consider. "The most pressing and immediate thing I need to know, specifically, is how to cure a form of blight."
>"More specifically."
-
>"A form of blight that, I think, was created by a tsuchigumo, a spider youkai."
-
>"A form of blight that, I think, was created by a tsuchigumo, a spider youkai."
>"That's in the note," she says. "But not in those books - not by that name. What else?"
-
Okay, this might be risky, but, if the blight's in her books, maybe showing her our marks would help. I really hesitate towards doing that, but, it might be the specifity she's looking for.
>"Well, it's an old disease, hasn't been seen in many years- centuries, even. It affects humanoids and crops. And it has no cure known in the history of Easthaven or Braston."
-
If we're going to hide it, let's try a little longer. But yeah, if it's going nowhere, Nazrin would probably pull up a sleeve and say "This!" out of sheer frustration.
-
>"Well, it's an old disease, hasn't been seen in many years- centuries, even. It affects humanoids and crops. And it has no cure known in the history of Easthaven or Braston."
>The woman regards you in silence for a few moments, then faint hints of a scowl creep into her implacable gaze. "Is that everything?"
-
>"Do you want a list of symptoms?"
-
>"Do you want a list of symptoms?"
>"Didn't I ask for specifics?" She sounds vaguely annoyed.
-
>Oh we'll give her some specifics all right...
>"If you're not ready for it, it kills you fast. Fevers, weakness, dizziness, and then you're gone, probably in a couple hours at most. If you can slow it down, it still eats at you, slowly turns your blood vessels black. Not sure what happens after that but it's probably messy."
-
>Oh we'll give her some specifics all right...
>"If you're not ready for it, it kills you fast. Fevers, weakness, dizziness, and then you're gone, probably in a couple hours at most. If you can slow it down, it still eats at you, slowly turns your blood vessels black. Not sure what happens after that but it's probably messy."
>There is another pause, the irritation in her face slowly giving way to a tensed frown of a different stripe. A distant look flashes across her eyes for just a moment, though they never lose their grip on you.
>"Black? Black how?" She makes the question sound almost like a demand.
-
>"Black like they turn black, and you can see 'em through the skin. It spreads a bit each day, I don't know if there's any real pattern to it."
>Are there any other details about that?
-
>"Black like they turn black, and you can see 'em through the skin. It spreads a bit each day, I don't know if there's any real pattern to it."
>Are there any other details about that?
>The furrow in her brow deepens - you still can't quite shake the sense of accusation coming from her - but she remains silent.
>The patterning of the marks looks a bit ragged to you, perhaps moreso than you'd usually expect from visible blood vessels, but you think that's the main thrust of it.
-
>"And, as far as I know, it spreads via a black cloud of miasma."
-
>"And, as far as I know, it spreads via a black cloud of miasma."
>The librarian continues to glare in silent accusation, though you're gradually getting the impression this isn't aimed entirely at you anymore; you merely happen to be standing in its path. Then suddenly she stands and moves towards the door.
>"This way."
-
>Intense girl.
>Move out of her way, and then follow her.
-
>Intense girl.
>Move out of her way, and then follow her.
>That's a good word for it. Even her stride has a certain forceful purpose to it.
>You step aside and let the librarian pass, then follow after her. As you exit her office, she produces a small key and locks the door behind you, then heads towards the door you previous noted with the 'Restricted Access' sign. Here she stops, producing a second, more elaborate key from her pocket and inserting it partway into the lock. Then she freezes. Her head darts to the right, looking back down the hall past the circulation desk. There is a moment's pause, then she removes the key without a word and moves briskly towards the library entrance.
-
>Twitch.
>"Problem?"
-
>Twitch.
>"Problem?"
>You twitch.
>The librarian neither answers nor slows her pace.
-
>Let's follow her.
-
>Let's follow her.
>You follow after the white-haired woman, although you're not really sure what's suddenly possessed her. In fact, you can barely see any of the main parts of the library from this hall, aside from the entryway; at best, you can make out a few shadows of people among the very edge of the stacks. Wait, is that a fairy creeping around the upper level? She's the first one of them you've seen in here, now that you think of it - modest-sized with shoulder-length brown hair. She'd even be doing a fair job of moving subtly if she wasn't making it so obvious that she was trying to be subtle; her wings are beating with conspicuously tiny movements and she sticks too close to the wall, eyes darting back and forth defensively. The large book she is hugging protectively to her chest completes the look. She seems to be inching towards the exit. And if you're not entirely mistaken, you think the librarian is heading directly for her. Or at least in the exact same direction; unless your taciturn guide plans to sprout wings or magic herself off the ground, there will still be 10 feet of air between her and the fairy.
>Suddenly, the fairy lets out a hushed yelp as her furtive gaze falls upon the two of you. She turns and bolts for the door, abandoning any pretense of stealth. The librarian bolts after her.
-
>From how fast she's moving, can we reach the exit before she does, and intercept her?
-
>From how fast she's moving, can we reach the exit before she does, and intercept her?
>You can definitely move faster than the fairy is moving, but she has a significant head start on you; at best, you think you'd both arrive at the door around the same time. There's a reasonable chance she might even beat you there.
-
>What about the librarian, is she moving faster than us?
-
>What about the librarian, is she moving faster than us?
>She's moving surprisingly quickly, and also has a head start on you. You're probably still a bit faster, but it might be close.
-
>One fairy's no match for our bulle... Oh, right.
>Move to intercept, but, as we go, call out, "Free cookies!"
-
>One fairy's no match for our bulle... Oh, right.
>Move to intercept, but, as we go, call out, "Free cookies!"
>Might also be handy if you could fly, eh?
>You dash after the fleeing fairy, and decide to toss in a diversionary offer of cookies for good measure.
>"Culinarical acoutriments are insubstantive!" the fairy yells back without slowing for more than a split second. Still, it might have bought you a free step.
>At the same time you hear another voice issue from your rear left, towards the circulation desk. There is a sort of child-like awe to it. "Really?"
>To your right, you can see other library patrons turning to see what the commotion is. You find yourself almost wondering the same thing.
>The fairy continues her hurried flight towards the entrance with the librarian in hot pursuit. Or perhaps 'cold' would be a more appropriate descriptor in this case; there's a certain frigid implacability to her bearing as she narrows the gap between them, footsteps echoing sharply off the polished hardwood. You're still not sure it'll be enough, though, and if the fairy reaches open sky, she's probably in the clear; at least you have no way to catch something a hundred feet in the air. It's about all you can do to keep up, anyway; you're... not feeling in top form at the moment, it seems.
>With only a short distance left to her freedom, the fairy dives down towards the door and.... freezes. There's not really any other way to put it - one moment she's in full flight, and the next she's almost perfectly still. You hear her grunt and one of her wings flexes slightly.
>"Return the book," the librarian says starkly. She also seems to have stopped moving, although in a rather less awkward pose. "It isn't yours."
>The fairy grunts again and you see her head twist a degree or two.
-
>What's the matter with us?
-
>What's the matter with us?
>Other than feeling a little slower on your feet and a little wearier at the exertion than normal, nothing in particular seems to be the matter with you. Well, aside from the main thing wrong with you that brought you here in the first place. They may not be unrelated.
-
>Swell.
>Oh, well, hopefully little miss personality here will be able to settle that one, or at least point us in the right direction. For now, though, back to the issue at hand.
>Let's.. let her handle the fairy. For now. Seems a safe assumption she's got some mojo goin' on here.
-
>Swell.
>Oh, well, hopefully little miss personality here will be able to settle that one, or at least point us in the right direction. For now, though, back to the issue at hand.
>Let's.. let her handle the fairy. For now. Seems a safe assumption she's got some mojo goin' on here.
>You decide to let the librarian handle the fairy on her own for a bit. Whatever's going on, it's clear that something stopped the fairy in her tracks, and neither party seems terribly surprised by it.
>"Return the book," the librarian repeats. The fairy's wing twitches again and she twists a tiny bit in midair.
>"Ceasesate your circumscription!" she cries. The more you watch, the more she appears to be outright struggling against some force holding her in place. She isn't getting very far with it.
>The librarian shifts her weight forward slightly and the fairy lets out a little yelp.
>"If I let you go, will you return the book?" Every word of hers is clear and cold.
>The fairy does little to cease her ineffectual squirming, just the same. "This... ahn... this is... libertarianism!"
>You hear footsteps approaching from behind.
>"Hey?" It's that other voice from earlier. "Do you really have free cookies?"
-
>"Ah, no. Sorry." Point our tail towards the librarian's captive. "Was trying to get her attention."
>Address the fairy, "Why do you want that book, anyway?"
-
>"Ah, no. Sorry." Point our tail towards the librarian's captive. "Was trying to get her attention."
>Address the fairy, "Why do you want that book, anyway?"
>"Auuuu..." She sounds crestfallen. "But oatmeal raisin is Rumia's favorite..."
>"It... has a... splendiferous ampletude of... smartness waves. I can sensate i- ahn!" The fairy yelps again as the librarian shifts slightly closer.
>"You know you're not allowed to take books," the librarian says. "You have been warned."
>"Libertinarianism! Antidisestablish- ahn!"
>"Do you really not have any cookies?"
>The scene appears to have drawn a handful of onlookers, watching at a relatively safe distance.
-
>Smartness waves. FAIRYS.
>Do we actually have anything that could at least pass for a cookie?
-
>"Hey, just read the book in here. Then you're not taking it at all."
-
>Smartness waves. FAIRYS.
>Do we actually have anything that could at least pass for a cookie?
>It definitely sounds like a fairy thing to you, even if some of those other words are oddly large for one.
>You have some dry crackers. They are tasteless and also dry. They might pass for a cookie if one were simultaneously blind and missing taste buds.
>"Hey, just read the book in here. Then you're not taking it at all."
>"But I can't somnolate here!" the fairy protests. "I'd get less than half the smartness- ahn!"
>"Return the book," the librarian repeats firmly. "You have 30 seconds before I take it from you."
>The fairy seems to tense a little and makes a concerted effort to crane her neck back towards the white-haired woman.
-
>To the fairy, with a headshake, "You should know that stealing books never gets you as much smartness as you get otherwise."
>Never let it be said that we're not a generous mouse, giving food to strangers in libraries.
>Glance over our shoulder, "Would you settle for a cracker? They're no cookie, but it's what I travel with."
-
>"And there's probably reading rooms and stuff. Go read there."
-
>To the fairy, with a headshake, "You should know that stealing books never gets you as much smartness as you get otherwise."
>Never let it be said that we're not a generous mouse, giving food to strangers in libraries.
>Glance over our shoulder, "Would you settle for a cracker? They're no cookie, but it's what I travel with."
>"They- they don't?" She sounds a little dismayed.
>You glance over your shoulder and see a short blond-haired girl standing behind you. She is wearing a black vest over a simple white blouse and black skirt, and regarding you with a sort of naievely curious expression; you are reminded very much of a child, though she's almost certainly not human. One lock of her hair is tied with a small red ribbon and a short stack of books is balanced neatly on the top of her head. You offer her a cracker.
>"Rumia isn't picky!" she says with an eager smile.
>"And there's probably reading rooms and stuff. Go read there."
>"That isn't how it works at all!" the fairy insists. She actually sounds slightly smug about it, and quite relieved of her earlier concern. Or maybe she just forgot in that length of time.
>"Twenty," the librarian says coldly.
-
>Shrug. "Well, it's that or nothing. I'm just trying to help you out."
>Pass Rumia a cracker. "Here you go."
-
>No fairy's gonna sound smarter than us. Time to dig into our vocab.
>"Stealing reduces a book's smartness wave component by 66.72%"
>Okay, it ain't as syllable intensive as her, but we ain't no scholar.
-
>No fairy's gonna sound smarter than us. Time to dig into our vocab.
>"Stealing reduces a book's smartness wave component by 66.72%"
>Okay, it ain't as syllable intensive as her, but we ain't no scholar.
>"That's an... unh... lambastically sesquipedalian... contraveyance."
>You... fear you may have lost that round.
>Shrug. "Well, it's that or nothing. I'm just trying to help you out."
>Pass Rumia a cracker. "Here you go."
>The fairy merely continues to struggle, producing a rather comical series of grunting and wheezing noises and very little actual movement.
>You pull a cracker out of your pack and pass it towards Rumia. She... appears to be attempting to receive it with her mouth rather than her hands.
-
>Well, we tried to help little miss wordfairy there. Not her fault she wouldn't let the thing go.
>What book's she carrying, anyway?
>Never fed a youkai like that before. Add that to the list of firsts in Val Razua here.
-
>Well, we tried to help little miss wordfairy there. Not her fault she wouldn't let the thing go.
>What book's she carrying, anyway?
>Never fed a youkai like that before. Add that to the list of firsts in Val Razua here.
>You shrug inwardly - not about to jump through any more hoops on her behalf.
>The book on top seems to be titled 'A Multicultural Tribute to Ground Beef'. The spines of the other books aren't readable from this direction.
>Yeah, who would have thought you'd be feeding one out of hand inside a library, no less? And with these terrible cra- oww!
>Either this Rumia has bad aim or a poor sense of humor, but she seems to have overshot the cracker and gotten some fingers in the bargain.
>"Ten." The librarian's voice is implacable.
-
>Idly clean our fingers off on the edge of our skirt.
>"Time's running out. It's going to be some or nothing at all."
-
>Add before, "Wrong cracker."
-
>Idly clean our fingers off on the edge of our skirt.
>You quickly yank your fingers out of Rumia's mouth before she starts to chew, and wipe them off on the edge of your skirt. Ehhh....
>Add before, "Wrong cracker."
>Rumia looks up at you with wide innocent eyes and a slight frown. "You taste kinda funny, Mouse Lady."
>"Time's running out. It's going to be some or nothing at all."
>The fairy's ineffectual struggles have elevated to an almost satiric level. "Unleash me! Unleash me, you pugnacious callipygian ty- ack!"
>"Five."
-
>No one's ever said that to us before.
>"Yeah, I'm kinda gamey, I bet."
>Look back at the fairy. "I don't think you want to know what's gonna happen when she hits zero."
>Whatever it is.
-
Awesome, the challenge was met!
>Could we get over there before the five count runs out?
>If so, just go over there and snap the books since the faerie can't do anything.
-
>No one's ever said that to us before.
>"Yeah, I'm kinda gamey, I bet."
>Quite.
>"Kinda bitter," she says, then starts to chew. Her frown fades. "Thanks for the cracker, Mouse Lady!"
>Then with that, she turns around and skips merrily off towards the door, spreading her arms wide beside her. Somehow the books manage to remain balanced on her head - that's actually kind of impressive.
>Could we get over there before the five count runs out?
>If so, just go over there and snap the books since the faerie can't do anything.
>Getting beneath her in five would be trivial, but reaching the book presents a different problem - she's still quite high off the ground. You could possibly reach her feet if you jumped, though the book is cradled tightly enough in her arms that simply plucking it out is unrealistic. You also don't know if whatever force is keeping her 'stuck' there would prevent an external force from moving her, or whether it's even a good idea to touch her in that state.
>Look back at the fairy. "I don't think you want to know what's gonna happen when she hits zero."
>Whatever it is.
>"I- I'm not enfeared!" she cries. "I've memoriafied over a centennial of-"
>At this point, something curious starts to happen. As Rumia blithely skips towards the door and the confrontation before it, the air around her starts to rapidly darken and grow opaque. The effect forms a nearly-perfect sphere a couple feet wider than she is; at the rate she's going, she's liable to vanish within the pocket of black in another few moments.
>The librarian rounds on her with a wide-eyed glare, looking almost startled. "Stop!"
>Rumia does not stop. In fact, she barely seems to have noticed the others' presence. As she continues obliviously forward, the librarian suddenly shifts her footing and reaches out with a hand.
>You hear a gasp and the fairy's wings burst into flight again. The librarian leaps after her, her pale white form looking for a moment like some sort of vengeful spectre.
-
>Which way is the faerie going? Does it seem we could interpose ourselves between her and wherever she is going?
-
>Which way is the faerie going? Does it seem we could interpose ourselves between her and wherever she is going?
>You believe she's heading for the door again. You've covered enough ground while she was stuck in place that you think you can probably reach it before she can.
-
>Let's do that. We can swat her out of the air if needs be.
-
>Let's do that. We can swat her out of the air if needs be.
>You make a dash for the door, giving the bouncing sphere of darkness a comfortable distance and lagging just a little behind the librarian in the process. Still, the fairy doesn't seem to have much chance of escape at this rate. She glances back over her shoulder; you wonder if that expression on her face suggests she realizes this.
>Then she suddenly spins around and flips open the book in her hands, then starts gesturing elaborately with one hand; it is a fair impersonation of spellcaster in the midst of violent muscle spasms.
>"Supercalifragilisticexpialidoci- gah!"
>And with that, she freezes in place mid-gesture, her elbow bent at a very awkward angle that leaves her pointing an outstretched finger directly at you. She cringes, and then grimaces still further; she actually looks to be in some pain. Then you notice the book in her hands start to glow faintly.
>"What did you do?" the librarian demands.
>"Rumia made the lights go away!" comes a cheerful voice from within the darkness. "The sun is all bwaaaaa today and-"
>"Not you." The words cut coldly through the youkai's banter. She throws an icy glare at the fairy. "You."
>"Oh." You can almost hear the frown in Rumia's voice. "Sorry, Miss Poltergeist!"
>"I uh-" The fairy glances around uncertainly. "Um... I convocated an effervescent discombobulation. Yes, that's exactly it!" She nods firmly.
>Is it just your imagination, or are your ears tingling?
-
>Move to the side of the fairy's finger.
>Reach up to touch our ears.
-
>Move to the side of the fairy's finger.
>Reach up to touch our ears.
>You step aside and reach up to touch your ears. They don't feel any different to your fingers, though that odd sensation isn't going away and- wait, are things getting quieter?
>You feel a wet sensation inside your ears, and then a moment later your fingers are engulfed in something warm and frothy that seems to be swelling forth from them!
-
>...Let's take a look. :ohdear:
-
>...Let's take a look. :ohdear:
>You yank your hand back and take a look at it. Your fingers seem to be covered in some sort of neon pink foam - it reminds you a little of an especially frothy bubble bath, except a little less wet and a lot more colorful. You can feel more of it bubbling continuously from your ears onto your head.
>The librarian looks back at you for a moment, then rounds on the fairy again. "Undo the spell." Her tone verges on outright dangerous.
>"Well I, uh... I don't- ack! ...I don't know how..." Her tone finally sounds crestfallen.
>"Oooo... Rumia smells cupcakes!"
-
>...What.
>Sniff the foam.
-
>...What.
>Sniff the foam.
>That does seem the most appropriate way to sum up the situation.
>You take a sniff. ...it actually does smell a little like cupcakes - not quite the same, perhaps, but close enough for someone with a less acute sense of smell to make the mistake.
>The sphere of darkness starts bobbing in your direction.
-
>"I don't think this is cupcake stuff kiddo. And for what it's worth, even I can barely hear with this stuff gumming my ears up. And I've got damn good hearing."
>Sigh. "Speaking of which, there couldn't be a way to remove this little spell, is there? Like, a general-use dispelling magic or something, if that even exists. I wouldn't know, because magic's not my thing."
-
>"I don't think this is cupcake stuff kiddo. And for what it's worth, even I can barely hear with this stuff gumming my ears up. And I've got damn good hearing."
>Sigh. "Speaking of which, there couldn't be a way to remove this little spell, is there? Like, a general-use dispelling magic or something, if that even exists. I wouldn't know, because magic's not my thing."
>"There's no cupcakes? Auuuuuu... Well, that's okay," she says, some of her cheer returning. "Rumia can have the blueberry pie instead!" The sphere resumes its course towards you.
>More foam piles onto your head as you speak, and a large glob of it rolls off your hair and onto the floor. It's... neon blue now? Somehow, you feel as though you shouldn't have been surprised by that.
>"You have no idea how to dispel this?" the librarian asks the frozen fairy.
>"Indefatigably!" the fairy insists in a nervous tone. "Absalaterally!"
>The pale poltergeist lets out an aggravated sigh, then rounds on the assembled onlookers. "You." A brown-haired woman nearly jumps in place at being suddenly addressed. "Fix her."
>The unfortunate bystander frowns uncomfortably at her new visibility. "But I'm... not even sure what she did... and I have an exam in 10 minutes..."
>"One of you," the librarian repeats. "Fix her."
-
This is the best cure ever.
>Gather up some more suds and consider them for a moment. Try to estimate how much we're leaking out and whether we're going to need to get out of here within the next few minutes before damaging some books.
-
>Gather up some more suds and consider them for a moment. Try to estimate how much we're leaking out and whether we're going to need to get out of here within the next few minutes before damaging some books.
>You scoop up another handful of foam from your head. There's a streak of orange swirled in with the blue, now; at this rate, you're going to be spewing rainbows out your ears before the end of this. You can feel some of it rolling down the side of your cheek and it doesn't show any signs of stopping. Fortunately, you're standing in the library foyer, which puts you far away from the bookshelves or anything else that risks getting damaged by it - well, unless it has detrimental effects that aren't immediately obvious. But even if the flow continues unabated, you imagine you could stand here quite a while before flooding the area with magical suds.
-
>Look to the looky-loos. "Please?"
-
>Look to the looky-loos. "Please?"
>You turn to the crowd and add your own appeal to the librarian's directive. There honestly isn't all that many of them, considering, but you'd think someone in the foremost bastion of magical education would know something about how to deal with this. Then again, most of them look young, and a fair number of them probably aren't even magicians. Bah, students.... A few exchange uncertain glances, as if they all hope someone else will handle this. You hear more foam splatter wetly against the floor.
>"Um..." comes a shy voice from the other side of the crowd. "Maybe... I can help?"
>You catch a hint of green and blue as you glance in that direction, and then your vision goes dark entirely.
-
>Sigh. "The only food I had was those crackers kiddo. That stuff you're smelling is foam from a magical mishap. If I were you, I wouldn't try to eat it, who knows what it'll do to ya."
>Let's move to where we last caught that flash of green and blue then.
-
>Carefully. We look silly enough as it is without crashing into anything/one along the way.
-
>Sigh. "The only food I had was those crackers kiddo. That stuff you're smelling is foam from a magical mishap. If I were you, I wouldn't try to eat it, who knows what it'll do to ya."
>"But Rumia is hungry...." She makes it sound as though you'd just denied a starving person their last meal.
>Let's move to where we last caught that flash of green and blue then.
>Carefully. We look silly enough as it is without crashing into anything/one along the way.
>You move off towards the timid volunteer, trying not to trip up in the environment while you're effectively blind. Though you suppose the darkness may come with a small blessing attached, since you imagine you're looking quite ridiculous by this point; so much foam has accumulated on top of your head that you could mistake it for a fluffy hat, and globs trickle down the side of your face and plop against the floor with increasing regularity.
>Unfortunately, Rumia seems to be following you, so returning to the light might require either quickening your pace or somehow dissuading her pursuit.
>"Is the book inert?" The foam in your ears does little to muffle the cold clarity of the librarian's voice.
>"I... think so," comes the other voice. "Yes, I'm pretty sure."
>You immediately hear the would-be thief let out a sharp squawk. There is a popping sound, followed by swift footsteps.
-
>"Tell you what kiddo, if I have the cash, we'll go find something for lunch once I'm all fixed up and I've found what I'm after. So just sit tight, okay?"
-
>"Tell you what kiddo, if I have the cash, we'll go find something for lunch once I'm all fixed up and I've found what I'm after. So just sit tight, okay?"
>Rumia lets out a dejected auuuuu... but you hear her footsteps stop nonetheless. A moment later you abruptly reemerge into the light. Almost as abruptly, you hear someone start to snicker. Foam continues to slide down the sides of your head and a big dollop falls straight past your eyes; you can see other bits of it stuck in your bang, electric blue and violet. You're starting to smell a little like a walking desert cart.
>Standing a few feet away from you is a small green-haired girl in a simple blue dress. Check that - she's actually pretty large for a fairy, which is almost certainly what the gossamer wings on her back mark her as. The rest of her bearing could give you second thoughts, though. She is holding a thin tome in one hand and nervously rolling a small golden wand between the fingers of the other, her expression serious and faintly uncomfortable; wide green eyes dart back and forth between you and the festive redecorating you're currently applying to the library floor, somehow looking neither awed nor bemused nor about to herald a fit of giggles. You can't help but feel this is slightly odd. After some visible hesitation, she opens her mouth to speak.
>"Um... you're not feeling ill or otherwise strange, are you? Um, aside from all that, of course." She gestures vaguely towards your ears.
-
>"Aside from smelling like a walking dessert cart thanks to all this, and having somewhat deadened hearing as well thanks to the foam, relatively okay."
-
>"Aside from smelling like a walking dessert cart thanks to all this, and having somewhat deadened hearing as well thanks to the foam, relatively okay."
>She nods. "That's... that's good."
>You hear footsteps approach calmly from the rear. "Are you sure you can take care of this?" the librarian asks.
>"I think so," the fairy says. "It doesn't seem that tricky, just... odd." She looks back up at you. "Could you, um... could you not move for a little bit? It won't hurt or anything, I promise."
-
>Glance behind, or, was that popping sound the fairy going away?
>"As soon as possible, please."
-
>Then stay still, but in a comfortable standing position. "Arrite, go for it."
-
Are we sure we want to take another dose of faeries magicking things up, after what happened the last time?
-
I'm inclined to think that little miss ice-pants over there wouldn't let someone throw magics around in her library under her watch if she didn't think they knew what they were doing. Or at least, knew enough to keep things from backfiring horribly.
-
>Glance behind, or, was that popping sound the fairy going away?
>"As soon as possible, please."
>That's what it sounded like, but you glance over your foam-capped shoulder just the same. There is no sign of the would-be thief, in the air or otherwise, and the book she was cradling so tightly now rests in the librarian's hands. The latter is regarding you and the growing mess around you with a firm and unamused look.
>"O- of course," the fairy says.
>Then stay still, but in a comfortable standing position. "Arrite, go for it."
>You work a crick out of your neck and get comfortable. Or at least as comfortable as you can get with foam streaming from your ears, and a modest crowd of people watching the show. You hear slurping noises coming from the globe of darkness at your side.
>The fairy takes a step towards you, looking up at your ears with that same vaguely worried expression, then releases her grip on the book in her hands. Rather than pay any particular attention to gravity, it remains floating gently in place and even opens obligingly as she moves a finger towards its pages. She leafs carefully through several of them before settling upon one. Her eyes scan the page carefully and deliberately, then she turns them back to you, raises her wand, and takes a deep breath. Then another. A large glob of lime green foam streaks down your forehead and over your eye. You fight the urge to brush it away.
>With a look of determined concentration in the fairy's eyes, she holds the wand aloft and gestures with both it and her free hand in a complex and precise pattern, her lips forming careful syllable after syllable. An arcane circle in pale blue scribes itself across the air around the tip of her wand and there is a brief flash of light. You feel a slight numb jolt pass over you and your ears start to ring.
>The fairy lets out a held breath and regard you warily.
>"Are you... do you feel better?" she asks.
-
>Check to see if anything is amiss, or if the foam's still pouring out.
>If everything's fine: "Looks like it worked out."
-
>Does the ringing seem to be going away?
-
>Check to see if anything is amiss, or if the foam's still pouring out.
>If everything's fine: "Looks like it worked out."
>The inside of your ears do feel a little different, though they're certainly still full of foam. You reach a hand up towards them; it feel uncomfortably like dipping it into a vat of whipped cream. There's certainly a hefty quantity resting on top of your head, in your hair, and over your face and shoulders and clothing, but it doesn't seem like any more is coming out.
>The fairy lets a tentative but gentle smile brush aside some of her frown. "Good."
>"I'm sure you have your own business to deal with," the librarian declares to the assembled onlookers. Most of them take the hint immediately and start to disperse. The darkness continues to slurp.
>Does the ringing seem to be going away?
>Not that quickly, it isn't. But it isn't terribly loud, either.
-
>Sigh in a somewhat irritated-yet-amused-way. "Well, this'll be a story for the grandchildren somewhere down the line. The story about the time Granny Nazrin got magicked by a fairy to pour whipped cream from her ears."
>Let out a short bark of laughter. "Someday I'll look back on this and laugh. I just wonder how that trick worked. Magic was never my thing, but this one could be good for a few laughs."
>How well does Marisa generally take to getting pranked? For that matter, how do the fairies back home take to getting pranked?
>Then chuckle a bit. "First things first though, I'll have to get this cleaned up."
-
>Since when can fairies do magic?
>Check that. Since when can fairies do magic effectively? Have we ever known them to do so.
>"Has anybody got a towel?" Pause. "And/or a Q-tip."
-
>How well does Marisa generally take to getting pranked? For that matter, how do the fairies back home take to getting pranked?
>Pranking Marisa is a very dangerous idea. She's quite good-humored about it, of course, but it's also an open invitation for her to return the favor. And if you've learned one thing from the stories exchanged by battle-scarred apprentices, it's that Marisa always wins.
>Since when can fairies do magic?
>Check that. Since when can fairies do magic effectively? Have we ever known them to do so.
>It's not uncommon for fairies to possess some sort of minor magical ability; Cirno's power over ice would be one example, though far greater in magnitude than most. Still, as you understand it, these are rather instinctual and personal things - not something that can be taught or learned by others. A fairy casting honest to goodness spells is something you haven't even heard of. Formal magic is a highly complex art, requiring years of study and training even for those who possess the necessary aptitude and intellect. In contrast, fairies frequently have trouble remembering why they shouldn't eat the muffins they were just paid to bake. Asking a fairy to cast a spell properly would be the intellectual equivalent of asking you to lift a house with your bare hands.
>Sigh in a somewhat irritated-yet-amused-way. "Well, this'll be a story for the grandchildren somewhere down the line. The story about the time Granny Nazrin got magicked by a fairy to pour whipped cream from her ears."
>Let out a short bark of laughter. "Someday I'll look back on this and laugh. I just wonder how that trick worked. Magic was never my thing, but this one could be good for a few laughs."
>The fairy frowns slightly. "I... think it was the book, actually. Shady isn't, well..." She stares at the floor. "I mean, I don't think she would be able to do that."
>"Apparently, the book was misfiled," the librarian says.
>"Yeah..."
>Then chuckle a bit. "First things first though, I'll have to get this cleaned up."
>"Has anybody got a towel?" Pause. "And/or a Q-tip."
>The librarian surveys the mess, then regards you flatly. "There should be one in the-"
>"I can handle that!" comes a new voice from towards the stacks, where some of the onlookers had been hanging out. You turn to see a young woman with pale pink hair approaching you with a lightsome grin on her face. The librarian regards her with similar flatness. "What? I can!" she protests with a frown. "Just thought I'd save her tracking across the library with a gallon of whipped cream all over."
-
>Scoop an additional handful of cream off our head.
>Size up pink-head. How competent does she come off?
-
>Scoop an additional handful of cream off our head.
>Size up pink-head. How competent does she come off?
>You scoop some more foam off your head. This handful is a blend of neon green and pink. Hmmm... lime-flavored cotton candy.
>You give the new girl a once-over. She seems confident and relaxed enough, though you know that's no sure measure of competency. Her dress isn't particularly evocative of magery, being a simple two-tone shift and vest, and she can't be any older than 20. Of course, you don't know what she had in mind, either.
-
>"Since I don't see a towel in your hand, I'm guessing you're planning to magic me, too?"
-
>"Since I don't see a towel in your hand, I'm guessing you're planning to magic me, too?"
>"Well, yes and no," she says, then grins. "It's an old family trick."
>With that, she presses the palms of her hands together. A ray of soft blue light briefly filters through the gap between her fingers, then she spreads them suddenly apart. There is a muted flash and without further ado, a fluffy white towel is occupying the space between her palms. She catches it deftly before it flutters to the ground.
>"Ta-da!" The girl's smile is triumphant. The fairy gives her a sheepish grin and rubs the back of her neck. The librarian doesn't appear to have moved a single facial muscle.
-
>Smirk a little. "Well that's a nifty little trick. I might have to see about taking something like that home myself after all this is done."
>Marisa'd like to know a useful little trick like that, wouldn't she?
>Imagine Marisa in the same situation as we were moments ago....Damn that's amusing.
>Let's get the towel already and start getting the foam off.
-
>Smirk a little. "Well that's a nifty little trick. I might have to see about taking something like that home myself after all this is done."
>Marisa'd like to know a useful little trick like that, wouldn't she?
>Imagine Marisa in the same situation as we were moments ago....Damn that's amusing.
>Let's get the towel already and start getting the foam off.
>"I'll go poof after you let it go," she says, "so I don't know about that. But it's a pretty good towel just the same!"
>You imagine Marisa would get a chuckle out of it, if nothing else.
>You also have a strange feeling she might have given it a taste test by now, too....
>"Here you go," the girl says as she hands you the towel. "Pops may have been a bit nutty, but this still comes in handy more often than you might think."
>You start to clean yourself off with the towel and quickly run into the issue of the sheer quantity there is to remove. Unless this stuff starts to evaporate or otherwise vanish on its own, you're not quite sure what you're supposed to do with all of it; the towel may be pretty absorbent, but this is a bit beyond its reach. Maybe if you had a bucket or something....
-
>"I was talking about the trick itself, the towel-making thing. I know a few people who'd love something like this. One of them would get a lot of use out of it, given what she does."
>Beat.
>"Oh yeah, just how absorbent is this thing anyhow? Because I think all this foam's gonna be a bit too much for just the one. Maybe if we had a bucket or something."
>Chuckle a bit. "I don't suppose someone here has a family trick that involves making a bucket, do they?"
-
>Gesture to the towel. "Or maybe another one of these?"
>"By the by, anybody got any idea what that fairy was trying to cast? Can't imagine making cream-fountain ears is a standard magic."
-
>"I was talking about the trick itself, the towel-making thing. I know a few people who'd love something like this. One of them would get a lot of use out of it, given what she does."
>Beat.
>"Oh yeah, just how absorbent is this thing anyhow? Because I think all this foam's gonna be a bit too much for just the one. Maybe if we had a bucket or something."
>Chuckle a bit. "I don't suppose someone here has a family trick that involves making a bucket, do they?"
>The girl snickers. "Is she a walking raincloud or something?"
>"Well, it's a good towel," she says, "but it's not magic or anything. Should be able to wipe yourself off well enough, though. After that...." She shrugs.
>"Afraid not."
>"The janitorial staff can take care of it," the librarian says, then lets out a small grumble. "Or her."
>"Rumia doesn't want to eat a bucket," whines the darkness. "They're all bleeeeh and full of splinters...."
>Gesture to the towel. "Or maybe another one of these?"
>"By the by, anybody got any idea what that fairy was trying to cast? Can't imagine making cream-fountain ears is a standard magic."
>The pink-haired girl shakes her head. "One at a time, I'm afraid. I didn't write the thing."
>"Well, a lot of spells are personal inventions," the fairy says. "The principles behind it aren't really all that exotic. But I... think Shady just accidentally triggered a command word stored in the book. I don't think she really did anything except point at you." She shakes her head, the ponytail at her side swaying. "She... Well, I don't think she really understands how magic works."
>"Magically active books aren't shelved in public areas," the librarian says, "but this must have been misidentified. We'll have one of the archmages examine it before it's reshelved."
>You continue toweling off as best you can, working the cloth in and around your ears. Fortunately, the foam doesn't seem to be as slimy or adherent as genuine whipped cream, so you've probably been spared too much of it getting matted in your hair, but there's definitely some of it that's not likely to come off without a bath. You better not come out of this looking like you got into a fight with a bottle of rainbow hair dye....
-
>"Actually, she runs an orphanage back home, nicest lady I've ever known. Makes the best cheese sandwich I've ever had y'know. And I'm a mouse, so I know cheese."
>Try our best to towel off the rest, then look back to Icy there. "Lemme know when you guys figure out that spell then, okay? I know a few folks who'd find a spell like that to be pretty amusing. Even I find it sorta funny, despite being the victim here. Magic ain't really my thing, but I might pick that trick up at least. If only for how handy it might come in. When you're a Seeker like me, you learn to improvise."
-
>We've looked worse. If perhaps, not more ridiculous.... Keep at the stuff, nonetheless.
>Make a note to ensure our lodgings for the night has a bath. Or shower. Or both.
>Then ponder our lodgings for the night, if this place has no Seeker Guildhall.
>"So how come you did? I mean, no offense intended, but a fairy mage is a pretty.. unique sight."
-
You lost me, Hanzo. Why are you talking about Ichirin out of nowhere?
-
Note my earlier remark about how we know someone who could use a trick like the towel spell. We gotta bring her back something nice after all, and a useful spell like that's bound to help her save time on the laundry.
-
Cheaper than a souvenir, too. Sourfang approves of this.
-
>"Actually, she runs an orphanage back home, nicest lady I've ever known. Makes the best cheese sandwich I've ever had y'know. And I'm a mouse, so I know cheese."
>Try our best to towel off the rest, then look back to Icy there. "Lemme know when you guys figure out that spell then, okay? I know a few folks who'd find a spell like that to be pretty amusing. Even I find it sorta funny, despite being the victim here. Magic ain't really my thing, but I might pick that trick up at least. If only for how handy it might come in. When you're a Seeker like me, you learn to improvise."
>The librarian gives you a cold look. "As I already said, these sorts of books aren't open to the public."
>We've looked worse. If perhaps, not more ridiculous.... Keep at the stuff, nonetheless.
>Make a note to ensure our lodgings for the night has a bath. Or shower. Or both.
>Then ponder our lodgings for the night, if this place has no Seeker Guildhall.
>"So how come you did? I mean, no offense intended, but a fairy mage is a pretty.. unique sight."
>You grumble inwardly at your appearance, but keep up the toweling.
>A bath would definitely be nice. The accommodations on the Blue Maiden were functional, but not very cushy, and you do have some cash to play with.
>There is a Guild chapter of some description in town, though less full-featured than the one in Braston. It doesn't have the full training program and accompanying infrastructure, but it's possible they may still have some rooms on discount. Otherwise, you passed a couple inns of varying price range on your way into town, and could undoubtedly find more if you went looking. It's a safe bet that the nicest stuff is still out of your price range, though.
>"Dai here's a local celebrity," the pink-haired girl interjects, a broad grin on her face. The eponymous fairy frowns and seems to shrink a little.
>"Taeya..."
>"Well, it's true! First fairy to ever pass the entrance exams. She even had her own fan club."
>Dai blushes and looks at the floor. "They weren't really a fan club..."
>The librarian throws a disapproving look in Taeya's direction, which the latter either fails to see or takes no mind of, then turns and starts to step away.
>"I'll be in my office when you're done here," she says.
-
>Hmm... Wonder if the Maiden folk would object to letting us keep our bunk? Would save on our pocketbook.
>Give the big fairy a nod. "Thanks."
-
>Hmm... Wonder if the Maiden folk would object to letting us keep our bunk? Would save on our pocketbook.
>Give the big fairy a nod. "Thanks."
>It might be worth asking.
>You give Dai a nod. She fidgets. "I just tried to help, that's all. I'm sorry it didn't make the foam disappear along with it, but it must be an anchorless conjuration...."
>"Always too modest," Taeya says. "But I actually have that same exam to get to, so I probably should dash off. Fundamental Principles of Abjuration with Professor Yatsuragi." She rolls her eyes. "Fun times."
>"Good luck!" Dai offers.
>"Goob ruck!" the darkness echoes. It appears the darkness is talking with its mouth full.
-
>"And thanks for the towel, too."
>Are we... presentable yet?
>Start keeping an ear out behind us. In the event Rumia runs out of foam back there and tries to tap the 'source'.
-
>Chuckle a little. "Are you eating that foam? Hope you don't get sick from it."
>Now then, we've been sidetracked enough, so we should figure out where to look for the info we actually came here for.
-
>"And thanks for the towel, too."
>Are we... presentable yet?
>Start keeping an ear out behind us. In the event Rumia runs out of foam back there and tries to tap the 'source'.
>"Sure thing!" she says, turning and heading for the door. "Just make sure not to drop it until you're done with it!"
>You're probably as close as you're going to get without a mirror and more privacy. The towel has a large pile of rainbow foam heaped up on it now.
>There's already been several. As near as you can figure, she's been working her way along the trail you left as you attempted to approach Dai. More is splattered near your feet now, so hopefully she'll be able to content herself with that and not insist on munching on your scalp. Though you might well lose your sight again at any moment if you don't move off.
>Chuckle a little. "Are you eating that foam? Hope you don't get sick from it."
>Now then, we've been sidetracked enough, so we should figure out where to look for the info we actually came here for.
>"Rumia won't get sick from lemon foamy pie!" she responds cheerfully. "Unless it was a really, really, really big lemon foamy pie, maybe..."
>Presumably it lies wherever the librarian was leading you before she rushed off to stop the would-be book snatcher. Well, something lies there; you're not ready to assume it's anything that's going to help you just yet.
-
>Good enough, then. But we'll hang on to the towel for the moment, in the event any more progress can be made between here and the apparant poltergeist librarian.
>"Suppose I'd best not keep her waiting too long." Nod to the fairy. "Thanks again."
>If we're in good enough shape not to drip goo along the way, let's go after our guide.
-
>Good enough, then. But we'll hang on to the towel for the moment, in the event any more progress can be made between here and the apparant poltergeist librarian.
>"Suppose I'd best not keep her waiting too long." Nod to the fairy. "Thanks again."
>If we're in good enough shape not to drip goo along the way, let's go after our guide.
>You decide to hang onto the towel for a moment.
>Dai nods back at you, looking just a little less flushed. "You're welcome."
>You are probably in good enough shape not to drip all over the floor, but the towel itself is another question. Or rather, not much of a question at all - it's nearly certain to leave bits of foam here and there in its wake unless you divest of it in some orderly manner.
-
>Well, pink-head said it would dissapear after we let go of it. So, if it's run its course of usefulness, then we can drop it on the way back to the librarian's office.
>Magic can be convenient sometimes. Misfiled books notwithstanding.
-
Wait, won't the foam on top just drop on the floor then?
-
EDIT: Okay, so, I misread that. And forgot the point where Draco said this thing would drip, which our guide most likely would not like. At all.
However, I've had a thought.
>How much foam is around our feet?
-
>Well, pink-head said it would dissapear after we let go of it. So, if it's run its course of usefulness, then we can drop it on the way back to the librarian's office.
>Magic can be convenient sometimes. Misfiled books notwithstanding.
>That is possible, of course.
>It is extremely convenient. It is also, like everything else in life, prone to occasionally going amok. It would just be far too convenient if anything ever went according to plan, now wouldn't it....
>How much foam is around our feet?
>There are a couple roughly fist-sized globs here and there, and a splattering of smaller bits.
-
>Well, if that towel is going to leave a bit of a mess when it vanishes, no reason Rumia can't handle that, too.
>Place the towel on the ground, and direct to the hungry darkness, "There's a bit more foam over here, Rumia, all for you."
-
>Well, if that towel is going to leave a bit of a mess when it vanishes, no reason Rumia can't handle that, too.
>Place the towel on the ground, and direct to the hungry darkness, "There's a bit more foam over here, Rumia, all for you."
>You place the towel on the ground and let it go. A moment after you release contact, there is a whooshing sound and the towel vanishes in small rush of air. The piles of fluff that had rested on it settle towards the ground as nearby bits rustle about.
>"'kaaaaaaay~" she replies.
-
>Salute the towel. It was a brave and true ally, and gave its life for a cause that was beyond it. And that which it nobly bore deserves truly a burial at Rumia.
>Now go catch up to the librarian.
-
>Salute the towel. It was a brave and true ally, and gave its life for a cause that was beyond it. And that which it nobly bore deserves truly a burial at Rumia.
>Now go catch up to the librarian.
>Dai produces a small tin whistle and starts to play The Last Post. Rumia hums along, slightly off-key.
>You leave the rest of the mess for someone else to clean up and return to the librarian's office. The door is closed once again.
-
>Place hand on knob, but pause. Woman like this probably doesn't like people entering her office unbidden, be they expected or not.
>So, knock first and announce ourselves.
-
>Place hand on knob, but pause. Woman like this probably doesn't like people entering her office unbidden, be they expected or not.
>So, knock first and announce ourselves.
>You move to open the door, then think twice on this and knock instead.
>Her voice is quicker in responding than the first time. "Come on."
-
>Double check our head to makes sure we're not still foamy, or at least not dripping, then re-enter.
-
>Double check our head to makes sure we're not still foamy, or at least not dripping, then re-enter.
>You give your head another feel. Still little matted bits, here and there, but there's nothing to do done about them without a bath or something. You think you're about as clean as you're going to get, so you open the door and enter.
>The librarian is already standing as you do so, the book she reclaimed from the fairy nowhere to be seen. She looks you over with a critical eye and the corner of her mouth tugs downward, but then she heads straight for the door without further comment.
-
>Not generous with words, this one.
>Get out of her way, then follow along behind her.
>And keep a casual eye out for any more fairys that aren't as... 'mature' as that Dai girl is.
-
>Not generous with words, this one.
>Get out of her way, then follow along behind her.
>And keep a casual eye out for any more fairys that aren't as... 'mature' as that Dai girl is.
>She does seem rather taciturn, but at the moment you could put up with just about any personality if the person possessing it had some answers to give you.
>You step aside to let her pass, then follow behind. Once again, she leads you to the 'restricted access' door but this time manages to unlock it without interruption. Behind the door lies a narrow stairway descending a considerable distance. The walls are sparingly lit with soft lights in geometric sconces and the ceiling is low; you cannot see the bottom from this angle.
>The librarian proceeds downward without pause.
-
>"How far down are we going?"
-
>"How far down are we going?"
>"The bottom," she says.
-
>"Does that mean a really old book, or a really dangerous one?"
-
>"Does that mean a really old book, or a really dangerous one?"
>"Old."
-
>Small grin. She doesn't use two words when one will do, does she?
>Nod and continue.
-
>Small grin. She doesn't use two words when one will do, does she?
>Nod and continue.
>It seems not.
>You nod and continue down the stairs.
>In the end, they turn out not to be especially long, though the steep decline and confined space exaggerates the sense of isolation from the rest of the library. The stairs end in a somewhat wider hallway with a small handful of doors along its brief length and another at its end. The stately grandeur of the library's upper floors is exchanged here for simple functionality - skillfully built, but with little ornament. It is quiet and cool and the air is strangely dry. No one can be seen.
>The librarian proceeds to the door labelled 'Rare Books' and produces another key, with which she deftly unlocks it.
>"Don't touch anything," she says before stepping inside.
-
>Give the place a quick sweep with our extrasensory perception to make sure there's no traps in there for unsuspecting youkai.
>Then enter.
-
>Give the place a quick sweep with our extrasensory perception to make sure there's no traps in there for unsuspecting youkai.
>Then enter.
>Your treasure sense is definitely buzzing more down here than it was above ground, but you'd need to be a little more slow and deliberate to discern anything that could count as a trap; you don't have any preternatural awareness on that particular front, as handy as it might be to have. You follow the poltergeist inside.
>The room is modestly spacious compared to the landing, though still retains its cloistered feel. It is arrayed neatly with locked glass and oaken cabinets, inside of which rest thick tomes and slim aged volumes, bound in leather and hide and even metal, each bearing the scars of time to one degree or another. Many are in quite good condition, though others are so tattered that their spines are barely readable. Nestled between the cabinets are several small reading desks, each with a brass lamp and straight-backed chair, but there is little other furniture or decoration in the room. It also appears to be empty, save for the two of you.
>As you enter, you note the librarian pass her hands between a pair of etched metal fixtures attached to the wall, looking rather like two halves of a silver moon.
>"Put your hands in there," she says.
-
>"This some kind of lock?"
>Place hands where indicated.
-
>"This some kind of lock?"
>Place hands where indicated.
>"It's a scrubber," she says. "The books here too valuable to handle without using one..." She throws you a dubious glance. "Particularly in your case."
>You place your hands between the two metal fixtures and almost immediately feel a firm buzzing across the surface of your skin. Looking to your fingers, you can actually see the tiny smears of colored gunk left from your earlier toweling start to dissolve cleanly away. Your hands begin to tingle oddly.
>As you endure the curious sensations of the arcane device, the librarian moves off to one of the nearby book cabinets and unlocks it. With so little hesitation that the gesture appears nearly instinctive, she reaches towards the left edge of the second shelf and extracts a thick black tome, its spine cracked and worn in numerous places. Holding it gently in hand, she takes the book to the nearest reading table and spreads it open with practiced care. The brittle and yellowed pages crinkle slightly as the spine groans its protest.
-
>"Hey, think this'd work for my hair too? It'd save me the trouble of cleaning it myself, that's for sure."
-
>Don't suppose that had any effect on our blight marks, did it? Have a discreet glance.
-
>"Hey, think this'd work for my hair too? It'd save me the trouble of cleaning it myself, that's for sure."
>"This is a library, not a salon," she says with a note of thick distaste. "And your head is three times too large."
>Don't suppose that had any effect on our blight marks, did it? Have a discreet glance.
>You haven't yet developed any blight marks on your hands, which is where the tingling seems isolated to.
-
>That'll be awkward, if we can't shake this before that happens. We should invest in gloves.
>"Well, had to ask."
>Approach her location.
>"Just how old is that book?"
-
>That'll be awkward, if we can't shake this before that happens. We should invest in gloves.
>"Well, had to ask."
>Approach her location.
>"Just how old is that book?"
>That might be a good idea. You'll add it to the list along with a longer skirt.
>She makes no reply.
>You walk over to the poltergeist and the book she is carefully leafing through. The wrinkled and sometimes damaged pages are covered with thick blocky lettering and inset on occasion with stylized botanical line drawings. The text is rather hard to read due to the size and density of its writing and style of its characters, though the ink is surprisingly bold for its obvious age.
>"A proper dating is difficult," she says. "At least 600 years. The author is unknown."
-
>Was that before or after the continent was colonized by mainlanders?
-
>Was that before or after the continent was colonized by mainlanders?
>You're fairly sure that predates the colonization of Estval by a considerable length of time. It might even be before it was discovered.
-
>"That would be before Estval was visited by people from this continent, wouldn't it?"
-
>"That would be before Estval was visited by people from this continent, wouldn't it?"
>"Yes," she replies, still paging through the brittle parchment of the tome with gentle care. She pauses on one page long enough to scrutinize it in some detail, the concentrated frown on her face slowly deepening, then she points a finger at the text.
>"Here."
-
>Must be in a language we can comprehend then.
>Have a look.
-
>Must be in a language we can comprehend then.
>Have a look.
>Comprehension is a relative thing, but it does seem to be written in largely the same language the two of you are speaking; some of spellings are archaic and take a couple attempts to properly make out - the lettering isn't helping, either - but you think you can manage if you take it slow.
>You look to the indicated section. It appears to be an encyclopedia-style entry on some kind of plant:
>Queensfoil
>Also sometimes known as Elil's Promise, Purple Starbloom, or Aoboshi, it is a short stocky plant with numerous small star-shaped doubly serrate leaves. Faint blue striations can be sometimes observed on the underside, most prominently alongside the principle veins. It favors flat, shaded terrain with moist soil, thriving especially on the margins of fens and marshland, though it is sparse in distribution and few in number, found chiefly in the climes of Rokuzawa and Kokuryuuji, and - as some claim - in the kappa lands which lie beyond the Aokage. It is most commonly seen without flower, producing small six-petaled blue-violet blossoms only once every seventh growing season. Shamanic tradition of Kiyomura regards this regular flowering as proof of the continued vigil of a nameless god who long ago protected their people from rampaging youkai. Superstition aside, the plant has a number of medicinal properties.
>When taken as a tincture, it soothes headaches and mitigates morning sickness, and the aroma from an infusion of its leaves, dried and ground and steeped in warm white vinegar, can cleanse congestion of the sinuses when kept beside one's bed overnight. Moreover, a preparation of its flowers, steeped slowly in a brew of one part Athran's Vigor to four parts Aqua Veritatis is a potent ward against foul vapors, fortifies the blood, staves off maladies of the spleen and liver, and reverses the ragged blackening of the veins. Alchemically, it is a water-affine somatic with low reactivity and very mild abbrogative and palliative properties, whose usage is generally eclipsed by Riverwort due to its much wider availability and ease of application. Dried Queensfoil, in small quantities, also makes a palatable seasoning for meat and savory stews.
>Next to the entry is a somewhat crude but serviceable illustration of a plant in faded ink; it largely matches the textual description.
-
>Do we currently possess pen and paper, and if so, the artistic skill to make a copy of that sketch?
>Come to think of it, how many languages do we speak?
>Blackening of the veins.... No way. Would we describe our blight as 'ragged', thought?
>The locations mentioned in this article, do any of those names mean anything to us? Or the other ingredients used to make the tonic to reverse vein blackening?
-
>Do we currently possess pen and paper, and if so, the artistic skill to make a copy of that sketch?
>Come to think of it, how many languages do we speak?
>Blackening of the veins.... No way. Would we describe our blight as 'ragged', thought?
>The locations mentioned in this article, do any of those names mean anything to us? Or the other ingredients used to make the tonic to reverse vein blackening?
>You possess none of those things, though you suppose you could try to muddle by without the latter if you had some of the former.
>Just one with any fluency, though the one is normally enough: the central nations and their colonies all share a common tongue. Other languages are generally either old, highly regional, reserved for arcane or liturgical matters, or all of the above. You think Rhashaval may use a different one in daily life, but it's also a fairly exotic and isolated place.
>You don't think there's a clearly defined clinical definition of that word, but you suppose using it to describe your blight markings wouldn't be out of the question.
>None of the locations mentioned are at all familiar, nor are most of the ingredients. In fact, the only name in that whole entry that means a thing to you is riverwort, a rather common herb used as an ingredient in a number of everyday concoctions. It's not particularly valuable.
-
>"This 'blackening of the veins' sounds about right. And I think the time period might be right, too. But, I thought information on this era was fragmentary, all but lost. Where did this book come from?"
-
>"This 'blackening of the veins' sounds about right. And I think the time period might be right, too. But, I thought information on this era was fragmentary, all but lost. Where did this book come from?"
>"The author was most likely from Hanashibara," she says. "Or what's called Hanashibara now - this was written long before it existed. We've had the book since before I came to this place; I'm not sure how we acquired it. There's also many this old or older, and even more written of the period. However you came to believe they were lost, you're wrong."
-
>"Then if this blackvein written of here is the same thing as was discovered in Easthaven, that means it wasn't confined to Estval after all. At least not then."
>"Is this the only book that mentions that condition?"
-
>"Then if this blackvein written of here is the same thing as was discovered in Easthaven, that means it wasn't confined to Estval after all. At least not then."
>"Is this the only book that mentions that condition?"
>"Not if the author knew of it," she says. "Though they don't name their sources."
>"I haven't read them all yet," she replies in such a natural tone that you'd think reading an entire library was just something one did. "But this is the only one I know of. There may be others."
-
>"One's a sight better than none. It may be all I need, assuming this one's talking about the same disease."
>"And assuming this flower even exists, after all this time. Or the regions it's found in."
>Nod towards the ingredients mentioned in curing blackvein. "What about the other liquids listed here, athran's vigor and aqua viritae. Are they... alchemic mixtures?"
-
>"One's a sight better than none. It may be all I need, assuming this one's talking about the same disease."
>"And assuming this flower even exists, after all this time. Or the regions it's found in."
>Nod towards the ingredients mentioned in curing blackvein. "What about the other liquids listed here, athran's vigor and aqua viritae. Are they... alchemic mixtures?"
>She nods. "The book mentions them several times, and so do some others. I don't know the details well."
-
>"I assume that would be the sort of thing to consult the alchemy department on for more details, then."
>"What about the regions mentioned here, the kappa lands and the two others. Are they located here, on this landmass?"
-
>"I assume that would be the sort of thing to consult the alchemy department on for more details, then."
>"What about the regions mentioned here, the kappa lands and the two others. Are they located here, on this landmass?"
>She nods again.
>"There are three others," she corrects. "Kokuryuuji was a province of Old Higan, now the Wild Lands. The Aokage is probably in Hanashibara if kappa lived there. I don't recognize the rest."
-
>"I think I have to assume they're on this continent. If the flower only grows on this landmass, then it's no wonder Estval wouldn't know of a cure, assuming this recipe here is the only cure. And if Minoriko knew of this flower before, she would have told me before I left the village."
>Frown. The way things have gone, it's far from a guarantee that the alchemy department here would have all the ingredients in stock, nor would any alchemist or healer outside the academy.
>"About how far is it from here to Hanashibara? Or that part of the Wild Lands?"
-
>"I think I have to assume they're on this continent. If the flower only grows on this landmass, then it's no wonder Estval wouldn't know of a cure, assuming this recipe here is the only cure. And if Minoriko knew of this flower before, she would have told me before I left the village."
>Frown. The way things have gone, it's far from a guarantee that the alchemy department here would have all the ingredients in stock, nor would any alchemist or healer outside the academy.
>"About how far is it from here to Hanashibara? Or that part of the Wild Lands?"
>"Hanashibara is more than one landmass," she corrects coldly.
>There does seem that possibility, but who knows how common some of this stuff is? There's a lot of alchemy mumbo-jumbo that you're only passingly aware of.
>"You could reach the border in one or two days," she says, "What was once Kokuryuuji would take at least another week, even if you manage not to get lost or ambushed."
-
>"I'm a bit new to this part of the world."
>So we end up having to travel to complete the fetchquest find a cure, kappaland's a better bet.
>"Is that days travel on foot, or via transport of some kind?"
-
>"I'm a bit new to this part of the world."
>So we end up having to travel to complete the fetchquest find a cure, kappaland's a better bet.
>"Is that days travel on foot, or via transport of some kind?"
>She nods.
>Well, it's simultaneously closer and safer, though the text wasn't entirely decisive on whether it actually grew there or not.
>"You can reach Hanashibara by foot, airship, or riverboat," she says. "In the Wild Lands, you're on your own."
-
>"Well, I'll cross that river when I get there. For all I know, the alchemy department on this campus has everything make this cure, if it IS the cure we'd need."
>Still, while we're here, it wouldn't hurt to cover another base, if we can, assuming this cure turns out not to be what we're after.
>"I don't suppose any of these books down here mention the spider people, or giant spiders, that I mentioned before, do they? That you know of, I mean."
-
>"Well, I'll cross that river when I get there. For all I know, the alchemy department on this campus has everything make this cure, if it IS the cure we'd need."
>Still, while we're here, it wouldn't hurt to cover another base, if we can, assuming this cure turns out not to be what we're after.
>"I don't suppose any of these books down here mention the spider people, or giant spiders, that I mentioned before, do they? That you know of, I mean."
>"They may. They're well-provisioned."
>Knowledge is power and all that.
>"Not that I know of," she says. "There are some mentions of spider youkai, but not by that name, and not from that place. I've read many of them, but not all."
-
>"'Not from that place'? What about other places?"
-
>"'Not from that place'? What about other places?"
>"Some have been seen in the Wild Lands," she says. "There are descriptions in both old and more modern books. Mostly solitary. I can show you one, if you want."
-
>"Please."
-
>"Please."
>The librarian stands up and moves off to another book cabinet, somehow leaving you with the impression that she's keeping an eye on you, even with her back turned. Only a moment later she returns with a smaller tome, bound in textured burgundy leather and looking in considerably better condition than the last. Embossed on its cover in gold lettering is the title ''Sojourns on the Edges of the Empire'.
>"This is the most detailed in this room," she says, opening the book to its later third and quickly examining pages. "Though also old. There are newer books in the main library that might be better for you."
>She pauses at one of the pages, then hands the open book to you. "Here."
-
>Take the book, but be careful with it.
>"We'll see what this one has to say first, of course."
>Examine the opened pages.
-
>Take the book, but be careful with it.
>"We'll see what this one has to say first, of course."
>Examine the opened pages.
>You carefully accept the offered book; the librarian's stare is palpable.
>Then you examine the section it is opened to:
>Jorogumo - Perfidious Spider of the Wilds
>Another rarely seen inhabitant of the lesser-tamed regions is the jorogumo. One of the rarest of the beast youkai, they are deceitful and predatory creatures who shun civilization and prey upon those who stray from it. Capable of weaving elaborate illusions, they often take the form of a beautiful and seductive woman so as to better lure the innocent and unwary to an early death. For this reason, one need take care at any unexpected encounter with such a woman in the wild - assume always that a conniving harlot may lurk beneath her comely facade.
>Like the lesser spiders they are born from, jorogumo are patient creatures, but if one manages to see past their illusions, they are capable of turning savagely upon their victim. Fortunately, they are slow-moving and possess no greater physical prowess than a human, though their lairs may be strewn with webs and other traps, and they are not above using poisons and other means to subdue their prey when their illusions have failed.
>In their natural form, the jorogumo possess the bulbous black abdomens of their lesser kin while retaining their womanly appearance from the torso up, though without any pretense of modesty or the other mores of the civilization they reject. Some claim that even these scant semblances of humanity are naught but another layer of illusion. It seems to me that this is very likely.
>Jorogumo are solitary creatures and often build their lairs within hidden crevasses in rocky valleys or near waterfalls. On the rare occasion they meet another of their kind, the encounter will inevitable end in one of their deaths. The loser is then consumed - yet another sign of their vulgar nature.
>Here the text digresses into into a cautionary moral tale about an encounter between a virtuous centurion and a jorogumo. It is rather ham-handed in lauding the virtues of the former which protect him from the beguiling wiles of the latter and eventually allow him to slay her; it doesn't seem particularly credible.
-
>The spider youkai we met, she had a lower torso like a human, didn't she?
-
>The spider youkai we met, she had a lower torso like a human, didn't she?
>Her dress was rather poofy in that area, but the legs extending below it looked perfectly human. You came uncomfortably close to cutting straight through one, even, and the consequent collapse from the injury looked quite real to you. She did have several arachnid limbs extending from the back of that general area, though.
-
>Thoughtful noise.
>"The spider youkai in near Easthaven had normal legs, well, human-like, anyway. But she did produce extra arms, arachnid shaped. It's possible she may be related to these jorogumo, but the species would seem to be different."
-
>Thoughtful noise.
>"The spider youkai in near Easthaven had normal legs, well, human-like, anyway. But she did produce extra arms, arachnid shaped. It's possible she may be related to these jorogumo, but the species would seem to be different."
>"Perhaps."
-
>"It also doesn't mention the black cloud she produced, but that may be unique to that particular youkai, not to her species. Does this book mention any other spider-related youkai, or any youkai that produces disease clouds like that?"
-
>"It also doesn't mention the black cloud she produced, but that may be unique to that particular youkai, not to her species. Does this book mention any other spider-related youkai, or any youkai that produces disease clouds like that?"
>"No."
-
>"Well, at least now I know one race to look out for if I ever end up in the Wild Lands."
>Hand her back the book.
-
>"Well, at least now I know one race to look out for if I ever end up in the Wild Lands."
>Hand her back the book.
>You hand the poltergeist back her book; her eyes linger on your hand with just a little more scrutiny than necessary as she accepts it. Then she takes another careful glance at where the pages are opened and shuts the book up neatly.
>"Is there anything else you need to see down here?" she asks coolly.
-
I can't think of anything else, how 'bout the rest of youse guys?
-
Me either, you wanna try checking the Alchemy Department for the rest of the stuff though?
-
Definately. I just wanted to make sure we had all of our bases covered here. It's still possible this cure might not be what we want, and if that's the case, I want to be prepared.
-
True, but it is a lead. And as we all know, leads are meant to be followed up on.
I just can't think of anything else to do in this department though, except maybe look up legendary weapons like our little partner here.
-
You know, that's actually a very good point. This librarian might have a book down here to help us translate the writing on it, or if there were more like it. Maybe even the people that made it.
>"Maybe."
>Point to our sword.
>"I'm trying to track down the origins of this sword of mine here. It has an inscription on it, which I'm told is Freelands Archaic, and it's been empowered by some kind of faith. Would you know of any books here pertaining to old weapons like that, or any swordcrafters of the era of that language?"
-
>"Maybe."
>Point to our sword.
>"I'm trying to track down the origins of this sword of mine here. It has an inscription on it, which I'm told is Freelands Archaic, and it's been empowered by some kind of faith. Would you know of any books here pertaining to old weapons like that, or any swordcrafters of the era of that language?"
>The poltergeist's sharp gaze falls to your sword briefly.
>"Of that language, no. The History deparment may know something; few books speak of it and not in so specific detail. There are books of smithing techniques and practices in the main library, both historic and modern - I doubt this is mentioned there, either, but it's not impossible. Unusual weapons also show up in many heroic epics and similar tales; I could direct you to any of these if you wish."
-
>Heroic tales, huh. Guess there's a chance, but sifting through old odes probably isn't going to get us a better lead on a cure, at least not better than the one we've got here.
>"Maybe at another time. I should really track down one solution before moving on to another."
-
>Heroic tales, huh. Guess there's a chance, but sifting through old odes probably isn't going to get us a better lead on a cure, at least not better than the one we've got here.
>"Maybe at another time. I should really track down one solution before moving on to another."
>While relevant information can be found tucked in all kinds of unlikely places, this does seem rather like looking for a needle in a haystack.
>"Very well." She regards you with cool expectation.
-
>When has she regarded us withOUT a cool expression. Still, helpful is helpful, and she was very.
>"Which means I should be off to see someone in the Alchemy department."
>Bow. "Thank you very much. If this pans out, you'll have helped me save at least one life, maybe a lot more."
-
>When has she regarded us withOUT a cool expression. Still, helpful is helpful, and she was very.
>"Which means I should be off to see someone in the Alchemy department."
>Bow. "Thank you very much. If this pans out, you'll have helped me save at least one life, maybe a lot more."
>"Wait," she says firmly, fixing you with a stare so intent it's nearly palpable. "What did you just say?"
-
>"Why did you think I was looking for a cure for the blight I mentioned before?"
-
>"Why did you think I was looking for a cure for the blight I mentioned before?"
>"People read old books for many reasons," she says. "Most aren't matters of life or death, and Seekers aren't known for doing healer work. Is anyone here in danger?" Her stare is unrelenting.
-
>Shake our head.
>"The blight can only be transmitted via a black cloud of gas, which can only be created by that youkai I mentioned. So far as I know, anyway, that's the only method I know she employed. And since she herself has been dealt with by now, there's no further risk to anyone or anything she hasn't already infected."
-
>Shake our head.
>"The blight can only be transmitted via a black cloud of gas, which can only be created by that youkai I mentioned. So far as I know, anyway, that's the only method I know she employed. And since she herself has been dealt with by now, there's no further risk to anyone or anything she hasn't already infected."
>"And this is the entire truth?"
-
>"What else do you want to know? How she was dealt with?"
-
>"What else do you want to know? How she was dealt with?"
>"That there's no threat to this place," she says. "The details of it are your business, but that's mine."
-
>Look her in the eye.
>"There is no threat to this place, or this city. I give you my word."
-
>Look her in the eye.
>"There is no threat to this place, or this city. I give you my word."
>You look the poltergeist in the eye and she returns this stare with stark intensity. There is a pointed silence, broken only by the sound of your own breath. While you're not normally one to flinch from someone else's glare, you could swear the temperature in the room just dropped by several degrees. The woman doesn't even seem to blink. Then, with as little warning as she first seized it, the poltergeist releases your gaze.
>"Very well."
-
Have we asked about the sword by name?
-
We have not, no.
-
Might be a good idea, in terms of references.
Shame I can never remember what the damn thing's called.
-
I got this.
>"Hey, read or heard about any myths or legends involving a sword meant to kill spiders by the name of Kumokirimaru?"
-
>"Hey, read or heard about any myths or legends involving a sword meant to kill spiders by the name of Kumokirimaru?"
>She seems to consider this a moment. "I don't know that name. Weapons made to kill specific things are found in many legends; that may also be. If you aren't interested in reading them now, I can't help you more than that."
-
So, do we look at them now, or later?
-
Time is the enemy, so, it depends on how long it'll take to find the right legend.
>"How long do you think it might take to find the right tale?"
-
>"How long do you think it might take to find the right tale?"
>"There are hundreds here," she says. "Maybe thousands. Do you even know where to start?"
-
>"Translating the writing on the sword would seem to have been a start, but thus far, I haven't got too far on that front."
>"I know the sword was empowered to fight spiders, or spider youkai, or both, by a faith I also haven't been able to identify. I mean to check that out, too, while I'm in Val R, if I can find the time. And that the sword's old, obviously. It was found downriver from an old temple, or at least the ruins of an old temple, to the north of Easthaven. I'm afraid that's all I know about it, though."
-
>"Translating the writing on the sword would seem to have been a start, but thus far, I haven't got too far on that front."
>"I know the sword was empowered to fight spiders, or spider youkai, or both, by a faith I also haven't been able to identify. I mean to check that out, too, while I'm in Val R, if I can find the time. And that the sword's old, obviously. It was found downriver from an old temple, or at least the ruins of an old temple, to the north of Easthaven. I'm afraid that's all I know about it, though."
>"Estval doesn't have many legends of its own," she says. "It's young. That might give you somewhere to start. But what you're looking for could be buried in the tiniest corner of the most unlikely place, just like that herb. I can show you where to start, but I can't tell you where to find it. Not something like that."
-
>"I suppose a start is better than nothing. I should check in with the alchemy department before I sit down to do any serious reading that could take me days, or more, but if it comes to that, knowing where to start's always good."
-
>"I suppose a start is better than nothing. I should check in with the alchemy department before I sit down to do any serious reading that could take me days, or more, but if it comes to that, knowing where to start's always good."
>She nods slightly. "Folklore for the Outer Freelands is shelved under KF. More general folklore under K or KA. Some turns up in books on other subjects, but that is its place."
-
>It'll be nice to have the time to research this sword ourselves, if this cure is on the money.
>"All right, then. And thank you, again."
-
>It'll be nice to have the time to research this sword ourselves, if this cure is on the money.
>"All right, then. And thank you, again."
>It'll be nice to simply have time....
>The librarian nods slightly.
-
>Let us depart, then, under the librarian's watchful eye.
>As we return upstairs, though, "That book-fairy from before, does she do that sort of thing often?"
-
>Let us depart, then, under the librarian's watchful eye.
>As we return upstairs, though, "That book-fairy from before, does she do that sort of thing often?"
>You turn to leave. The librarian carefully closes the large herbalism tome and files it away, then follows behind and locks the rare book behind after you. You head back upstairs.
>"She has done it before," the librarian replies. "Several times. She succeeded once - temporarily. Today's incident was... new. It won't happen again."
-
>"Must be a rare fairy. I didn't think they went into books that big. Or used as many five-syllable words as they could at every turn."
-
>"Must be a rare fairy. I didn't think they went into books that big. Or used as many five-syllable words as they could at every turn."
>She has strange and faulty ideas about how learning works," the poltergeist replies. "I don't think she even understands herself. But she is... persistent."
>You reach the top of the stairs and the librarian opens the door. Your surroundings immediately feel more spacious as the quiet sounds of activity filter back to your ears again. The two of you exit the stairway and she locks it behind you.
-
>Has our hearing cleared completely after that fairy-foam?
>"That big fairy knew what she was doing, though. First time I've ever seen a fairy could handle magic like that."
-
>Has our hearing cleared completely after that fairy-foam?
>"That big fairy knew what she was doing, though. First time I've ever seen a fairy could handle magic like that."
>Not completely, but it's serviceable.
>"She is a competent apprentice and studious - not at all like a fairy. The two of them have almost nothing in common."
-
>"Guess fairies and youkai both come in all forms."
-
>"Guess fairies and youkai both come in all forms."
>"Some more than others." She looks slightly impatient.
-
>Let's not wear out our welcome more than we already have.
>Say our goodbyes then depart, off to the Alchemy departmant.
-
>Let's not wear out our welcome more than we already have.
>Say our goodbyes then depart, off to the Alchemy departmant.
>You bid the librarian farewell and depart for the Flamel Building.
>While this one is more isolated than your previous destinations, finding it proves to be straightforward. You follow the groomed path which leads left from the library exit and meanders through the shaded green that borders it. At first, the building itself can be seen only in thin snatches through the trees until you clear the sparse copse that separates it from the rest of campus and reemerge near the stone wall that encircles the whole of the grounds.
>Compared to the other halls, this building is squat and heavy-set, lacking some of the stately dignity of its peers, though the detailing of its facade is similar. The roof is low and shallow-pitched and the windows seem to be heavily reinforced. Hints of strange and foreign smells brush past your nose as you approach and intensify sharply as you open the heavy wooden doors and enter.
>It is difficult even for you to say what it is you're smelling, but you're smelling a great many things at once - a melange of herbs and brews and vapors, pungent and sweet and acrid all at the same time. The effect is not entirely pleasant. The corridors are narrower here than elsewhere, yet more brightly-lit, flanked with dark wood paneling and patterned hardwood flooring. Helpfully, the entryway is provided with a map in similar fashion to Flenceburne Hall, so finding the Alchemy departmental office proves simple. You steal glances at a few of the open rooms you pass along the way, catching sight of complicated arrays of beakers and tubing attended by drab-smocked academics. A harmony of vigorous bubbling and gentle frothing provides a steady backdrop to their conversations and occasional arguments.
>The departmental office itself is a small and strictly functional room - if one wished to be generous. Cabinets of bundled documents and poorly-organized supplies line the walls and crowd the doorway, threatening to seal off the entrance entirely if even one more were shoved in; you are left with the distinct impression that someone's closet overflowed into the room at some point and no one has bothered to clean it up since, or perhaps even notice. Clinging to a small oasis of space in the middle of the office is an old and heavy-looking wooden desk, well-organized by contrast. The woman seated there adjusts her glasses and appraises you as you squeeze inside.
>"Can I help you?" she asks.
-
>Nod. "I've never been in this part of the world before. Do you folks here make brews or potions on request?"
I'm going to be a bit sporadic tonight, comrades. Sour's a bit under the weather, no need to wait for me if you don't want.
-
>Nod. "I've never been in this part of the world before. Do you folks here make brews or potions on request?"
>The woman takes a look at your badge and regards you dryly. "This is a school, not a marketplace, I'm afraid. For that, you would be better off visiting an apothecary or one of the city's many commercial alchemists; I'm sure they would be happy to accommodate you."
-
>"I know, just thought I'd check here while I was on campus. Proximity, and all."
>"I was also looking for some information, as well. On a plant called Queensfoil, and something called Athran's Vigor."
-
>"I know, just thought I'd check here while I was on campus. Proximity, and all."
>"I was also looking for some information, as well. On a plant called Queensfoil, and something called Athran's Vigor."
>The woman nods dryly.
>"I'm just the secretary, I'm afraid," she says with a slight self-effacing smile, then leafs quickly through some papers on her desk. "But perhaps one of the professors here might be able to help you. I... think Professor Bosqueverde is free at the moment, if you'd like to speak with her?"
-
>"Yes, please."
-
>"Yes, please."
>"Okay, turn right when you exit," she says, pantomiming the directions with her hand, "and then right again. Her office is two or three doors down. On the... left, I think. It should be easy to find, anyway."
-
>"Thanks."
>Mosey thataway.
>And keep our nose peeled for imminent toxins and/or explosions.
>Come to think of it, are we aware of any poisons and/or chemical compounds that affect youkai but not humans, and vice versa?
-
>"Thanks."
>Mosey thataway.
>You thank the secretary, then exit the departmental office and follow the directions you were given.
>And keep our nose peeled for imminent toxins and/or explosions.
>Come to think of it, are we aware of any poisons and/or chemical compounds that affect youkai but not humans, and vice versa?
>You would not be at all surprised if there was something toxic amid the flurry of strange and pungents scents that permeate this place, though hopefully it's not toxic merely to breathe. At the very least, the rest of the buildings inhabitants don't appear to be currently panicing. You may have a better nose than any of them (a dubious advantage in present circumstances), but they know their way around this stuff a lot better than you do. Hopefully you can trust to that.
>Absolutely. While a great number of chemical compounds have a similar effect on youkai as humans - alcohol comes immediately to mind - this is not universally true. In general, youkai show some degree of resistance to poisons and other substances that would have deleterious effects on humans (and sometimes considerable resistance), but certain medicinal or augmentative compounds can also be ineffective on them. Inversely, certain substances can have a much stronger effect on youkai than humans, particularly if they're imbued with certain kinds of spiritual magic. This tends to be considerably rarer, but you've heard of poisons that can be deadly to youkai, yet harmless to humans. Some individual varieties of youkai also have unique intolerances, as with oni and fried soybeans. Unfortunately, given that this varies from substance to substance and youkai to youkai, there's no hard and fast rules to follow; mouse youkai do tend to be among the most human-like in their reactions, however.
>Professor Bosqueverde's office turns out to be the second on the left of this new hallway, at least if the nameplate by the door is to be believe. The door itself is very slightly ajar, and a variety of pungent scents issue from the opening - less acrid than some of the others, at least. From inside, you can hear someone humming quietly to themselves; their sense of pitch is questionable.
-
>Knock on the doorframe.
-
>Knock on the doorframe.
>You knock on the doorframe. The occupant lets out a muddled noise as you interrupt her reverie, then answers in a thin and reedy voice.
>"Yes? Who is it?"
-
>"My name is Nazrin, of the Seeker's Guild. I was hoping to have a moment of your time."
-
>"My name is Nazrin, of the Seeker's Guild. I was hoping to have a moment of your time."
>"Oh! A Seeker? That is... different. Yes, come in. Yes, yes." There is an oddly stilted rhythm to her words.
-
>Well. This could be interesting.
>Entrez-zous!
-
>Well. This could be interesting.
>Entrez-zous!
>Not sure entirely what to expect, you push the door open and step inside.
>The office beyond is considerably larger than you expected and makes the departmental one seem all the more like a closet by contrast. It is still crowded with enough furniture and materials to leave floor space at a premium, but rather than document cabinets and boxes of poorly-labelled supplies, it is lush with plants. Tall greenery in large ceramic pots line the far wall while the rest of the space is partitioned by several long wooden worktables, lined neatly with enclosed seedbeds and small pots, orderly arrayed. There are quite a variety of plants on display - a couple you recognize and many more you do not. Mortar and pestle, bottles and burners, and other tools of the herbalist's trade are laid out beside them, suggesting the greenery is not merely an aesthetic statement. Tucked in the other corner of the room is a small desk on which rests a smattering of disorganized papers and other minutia; it look rather neglected.
>"And a mouse at that," comes a voice from the more plantward side of the room. "This is a... change of pace. Do come in, yes."
>Peering out from between the tall stalks of an evening primrose and something less identifiable is a woman with deep red eyes edged in sky blue. Her hair is swept back into a rather unruly crest, strands of ruffous red giving way to black at their tips. A pair of long black and burgundy wings are folded around her like a cape and a jaunty yellow scarf is wrapped loosely around her neck and tossed over one shoulder. She regards you with vaguely muddled curiosity.
-
>Can we place her species of origin from what we can see of her?
-
>Can we place her species of origin from what we can see of her?
>Well, she's probably a bird of some sort, but no particular type of bird is jumping out at you.
-
>Look at her curiously. "Don't see too many mice youkai in these parts?"
-
>Look at her curiously. "Don't see too many mice youkai in these parts?"
>"Oh, from time to time," she says, gesturing vaguely. "But not today. I mean... not today until now, of course. So what... brings you here?"
>She straightens up and works her way around the table towards you.
-
>"I was hoping to learn a little more about a few materials used to make potions. Specifically, Queensfoil, athran's vigor, and aqua veritatis."
-
>"I was hoping to learn a little more about a few materials used to make potions. Specifically, Queensfoil, athran's vigor, and aqua veritatis."
>The woman chuckles a little as she approaches you. "Different, more and more. Those are some very... old names there. Very old, yes. What did you... want to know about them?"
-
>"I suppose the first thing is their availability. Are they the sort of potion ingredients that one can find at any alchemists', or are they more specialized, rarer materials?"
-
>"I suppose the first thing is their availability. Are they the sort of potion ingredients that one can find at any alchemists', or are they more specialized, rarer materials?"
>"A curious potion shop it was, I'd think, if they were selling by those names. Or... maybe one run by ghosts, yes?" She smiles. "Certainly, they can be... made, if one so chooses - the vigor and the 'water of truth'. But... why?"
-
>Woman talks funny.
>"What do you mean, run by ghosts?"
-
>Woman talks funny.
>"What do you mean, run by ghosts?"
>There is an odd rhythm to her words, yes - slow and slightly uneven.
>She chuckles again. Her breath smells pungently of mint and raspberries. "They are old names," she says. "Long replaced. No one... uses them anymore. Except, perhaps, for one who had... forgotten time had passed, yes? I am curious, even, where you happened upon them?" She looks at you inquisitively.
-
>"Old book in the library. I was looking for some clues to a previously extinct blight that recently popped up again, and the medicine made from those ingredients, plus some Queensfoil, is said to remedy it."
-
>"Assuming this 'blackening of the veins' is indeed the same blight."
-
>"Old book in the library. I was looking for some clues to a previously extinct blight that recently popped up again, and the medicine made from those ingredients, plus some Queensfoil, is said to remedy it."
>"Assuming this 'blackening of the veins' is indeed the same blight."
>"And curious, still the more," she says, frowning. "An extinct blight and an... old cure in an old... book. What's this 'blackening of the veins', you say?"
-
>"It's a symptom of the blight. It was a sign that I was on the right track, when I read it could be cured by the mixture I described before. And that's why I came here. I need to know if those ingredients can be found here in town." Crack a small grin. "Either by old names or new ones."
-
>"It's a symptom of the blight. It was a sign that I was on the right track, when I read it could be cured by the mixture I described before. And that's why I came here. I need to know if those ingredients can be found here in town." Crack a small grin. "Either by old names or new ones."
>"Aqua Veritatis is easy enough," she says. "It is... water... more or less. Purified and treated in particular ways, but water still. 'The base from which truth springs.' A curious... concept. Yes, quite curious. Tritely antiquated, no? Athran's Vigor is a fortificant. Strengthens the... body, gives might and... such. A popular thing for potions, that; ever the boxes in need of lifting, no? Or 'was', perhaps. Old recipe.. quite old. Obsolete. The craft has come far since then. I could make one better - many could, many indeed. Many more than could make you Athran's Vigor, even - a sort of irony, that. Hmm... where was I going with this?"
>She pauses and glances at a broad leafy plant on the table beside her, then idly breaks off a thin branch and starts to chew on the leaves.
>"Oh yes, Queensfoil, was it? Quite curious. The name... I do not know it, I think. Quite curious indeed."
-
>"What about...."
>Damn, what were those other names again? Oh yeah.
>"It was also called elil's promise in the book I read. And purple starbloom."
-
>Fistpalm. "And Aoboshi. I'm betting you would know a more modern name though."
-
>"What about...."
>Damn, what were those other names again? Oh yeah.
>"It was also called elil's promise in the book I read. And purple starbloom."
>Fistpalm. "And Aoboshi. I'm betting you would know a more modern name though."
>"Oh!" Her face lights up. "Bittercress, that would be, yes. A curious number of names it has, hmm? Elil's Promise, to return again each seventh year. Strangely poetic. Also wrong - curious, that. And who exactly was this Elil, I wonder? If the promise was hers, then perhaps she might have looked closer first, yes? Well, no matter. Near Takisaki they called it... Blightsward, I think. Yes, I think they did. An odd resistance to certain crop diseases it had, I believe. One unpleasant year, they planted it all around their crops - a fence, of sorts, you see. Or so I'm told. The crops died anyway, but the Bittercress lived. It seemed, perhaps, a good idea at the time? Now they make tea from it. The taste is... acquired. Or not - perhaps it may be best not to try." She chews on another cluster of leaves.
-
Sounds like our weed, all right.
>"Would you happen to know about what year that was? Or what caused the blight?"
-
>"Would you happen to know about what year that was? Or what caused the blight?"
>"Simple Alternaria, I think it might have been," she says. "That is, if I were forced to guess. An unpleasant thing, that. Not uncommon, but still unpleasant - perhaps all the more unpleasant because it is... as common as it is. It was probably just unfortunate timing. Yes, yes, that is how it goes sometimes. As for year, perhaps a hundred? Or perhaps twice that? Folklore, it was, when I heard it. Perhaps an excuse someone invented for that... tea of theirs. If you want a better answer, you might try someone else - I work with plants, not dates. Except those dates which are also plants, of course. Or were plants. A bit too sweet, I think they are, but no matter."
-
>Wonder if this bird's drank one too many of her own brews? Either that, or she's just naturally given to meandering like that.
>"Don't suppose you have any around here do you?"
-
>Wonder if this bird's drank one too many of her own brews? Either that, or she's just naturally given to meandering like that.
>"Don't suppose you have any around here do you?"
>Her peculiar sense of vocal rhythm isn't making it any easier to follow, either....
>She gives you a surprised look, almost as if she had forgotten you were there for a moment. "Any Bittercress? No, I cannot say that I do. No, no. It is... not especially useful to the kinds of research I do. Nor particularly appetizing. Oh!" She extends the branch in her hand and smiles politely. "Would you like a leaf? It's Western Cliria - very fresh. The soil solution is of my own making and extremely suited to its eating, yes."
-
>Restrain from wincing. "Thank you, but, I'm good."
>"So, is Bittercress particularly common here in Val Razua?"
-
>Restrain from wincing. "Thank you, but, I'm good."
>"So, is Bittercress particularly common here in Val Razua?"
>"As you wish," she says, then takes another bite.
>She gives you a curious look. "Particular common? No, not particularly common. It does not grow well here. It does not grow well in many places, if I were to tell the truth of it. Nor is the growing of it particularly important to most pursuits - a good thing perhaps, given the other fact. I suspect we have some dried here somewhere. We have a great many things here somewhere. Somewhere, even, I believe there is a Scarlet Hespasia that once belonged to me. Very rare, those - I should collect it one day. You may be able to even find a live one, perhaps - a Bittercress, I mean, not a Hespasia, though I suppose that may be true as well. You Seekers are always finding things, aren't you? It is possible, yes. But common? No, that it is not."
-
>Offer her a grin. "Comes with the job description."
>Maybe we should be more specific. Well.... try, to.
>"So it wouldn't be available to purchase here in the city? The bittercress flower, I mean."
-
>Offer her a grin. "Comes with the job description."
>Maybe we should be more specific. Well.... try, to.
>"So it wouldn't be available to purchase here in the city? The bittercress flower, I mean."
>She nods absently. "Yes, yes, I suppose it might indeed. Though I suppose that seeking without finding would be just as much covered by that name, yes? Curious when you think of it, that - not very good advertising, either."
>"A flower?" she asks, eyes widening slightly. "That is rather different. Quite different, yes. Flowers are rare - the plants are uncommon, too, but the flowers are even rarer, yes. The blooming is unlike most plants. Most bloom each year, yes? Well, if conditions are suitable and the plant is healthy and the plant is one that blooms at all, of course. There are exceptions, yes, but that is what one thinks of when one thinks of flowering plants. But not these, no. They bloom in cycles, all at the same time. Or mostly - nothing is ever quite so simple. No, not quite so simple."
>"Common wisdom says once every seven years. Common wisdom is... often wrong. Also not so common, perhaps. And perhaps it is also not so wrong here, either - most of the world does not pass its time charting plant growth, yes? The cycle is not an even seven, but the principle remains - many years, no flowers. Most years, even. Not this year either, I am fairly sure. I could consult the tables." She glances towards her desk. "I have them here somewhere, I believe. Many things are here somewhere."
-
>"The cure I read called for a.... I think it was a 'preparation of the flowers' mixed with the other two components. I assume that means I would need the flowers themselves."
-
>"The cure I read called for a.... I think it was a 'preparation of the flowers' mixed with the other two components. I assume that means I would need the flowers themselves."
>She nods. "Yes, yes, it would sound that way. Quite a rare article, that. And a curious recipe that requires them. Might need to wait a few years. Patience is a part of the craft, yes. I wonder where this came from..." A distant look passes across her face, then she turns and inspects another plant on the table beside her.
-
>Patience. REAL helpful there, jack.
>"And what if I needed to find these flowers in a few DAYS?"
-
>Patience. REAL helpful there, jack.
>"And what if I needed to find these flowers in a few DAYS?"
>You try to keep your frustration in check.
>"Oh, I don't imagine that's possible," she says. "But I can try to dig out those charts and look, yes. If you'll just give me a minute."
>She ambles over towards the desk in the corner.
-
>Well, she is the expert, so, we can give her a minute. Or two.
-
>Well, she is the expert, so, we can give her a minute. Or two.
>You decide to give the woman a couple minutes to dig out whatever it is she's gone to dig out. She starts to hum softly to herself as she putters about her desk, opening and closing drawers and pushing papers to one side and then back again. It strikes you as about the least efficient way to go about this; you've already seen her reexamine the same spot three times. Still, it's her desk and you're not even sure what she's looking for, so hopefully she'll eventually blunder across whatever it is. A couple minutes pass.
>"Oh!" she exclaims at last. "Here you are!"
-
>Have a look. What'd she find?
-
>Have a look. What'd she find?
>You take another glance in the professor's direction. She seems to be holding a thin wooden case in her hands, about eight inches long and no more than a couple wide. There is a gentle smile on her face.
-
>No way she just has the flowers we need lying around. No way...
>"What's in there?"
-
>No way she just has the flowers we need lying around. No way...
>"What's in there?"
>"It's my commemorative pen from the First Trans-island Symposium on Ragweed Extracts," she says. "And also the last. It seemed a good idea at the time. Pity there were so few fresh faces there, yes." She lets out a little sigh.
-
>Keep it together, Nazrin...
>"Yes. Pity." Clear throat. "The charts?"
-
>Keep it together, Nazrin...
>"Yes. Pity." Clear throat. "The charts?"
>You do your best to keep yourself in check...
>Her eyes widen. "Oh! Yes! Still looking. My apologies, yes." She places the case down on a nearby worktable and continues her haphazard search.
-
>Glance around the office for any kind of 'chart' visible pertaining to flowers.
-
>Glance around the office for any kind of 'chart' visible pertaining to flowers.
>You take another look around the office. The walls are largely bare of anything that could be termed this, and most of the rest of the space is occupied with plants and pots and other equipment; very little paper is to be seen aside from the desk the professor is currently searching and a small bookshelf above it.
>"Oh, right, of course," she says, reaching for a slim green volume on the shelf and then digging an arm beneath the clutter below it. The pulls out a bundle of papers and spreads them, then flips open the book and starts muttering to herself as her eyes glance back and forth between two or three separate documents. Then she gives a nod and closes it back up again.
>"Three Aprils from now," she announces cheerfully. "Give or take a couple months, of course. Well, mostly give - blooming in winter would be quite unlikely, yes."
-
>Okay, now we can scowl.
>"So, you're telling me that, if I want fresh flowers, they won't be blooming for three years. If then."
>Well, actually, that means we won't have to traipse out to the Wild lands looking for the damn things, if they're not blooming anyway.
>"Would you happen to know if anyone in town grows them? Or would keep a supply on hand?"
-
>Okay, now we can scowl.
>"So, you're telling me that, if I want fresh flowers, they won't be blooming for three years. If then."
>Well, actually, that means we won't have to traipse out to the Wild lands looking for the damn things, if they're not blooming anyway.
>"Would you happen to know if anyone in town grows them? Or would keep a supply on hand?"
>You finally allow yourself to scowl. The professor frowns uncertainly.
>She nods. "Near to three years it would be, yes. Very near, most likely. Like clockwork, they are, except with... fewer gears."
>While this is strictly true, it seems a very marginal benefit in exchange for there being no flowers at all to find.
>"They... do not grow well here," she says. "The growing of them is possible, yes - much is possible with care and tending, but there is no call for them. Somewhere, it is possible, yes. But I do not think I know where this somewhere is."
-
>Sigh, then rub the bridge of our nose with our hand. Of COURSE it wouldn't be that easy.
>"Well, fine. Just I'll have to Seek those myself."
>"What about the other two parts, the vigor and the truth water?"
-
>Sigh, then rub the bridge of our nose with our hand. Of COURSE it wouldn't be that easy.
>"Well, fine. Just I'll have to Seek those myself."
>"What about the other two parts, the vigor and the truth water?"
>You let out a sigh. Just when things might have been looking up....
>She smiles awkwardly. "A well-suited occupation you have then, it seems."
>"What about them exactly?" she asks.
-
>"Will either one of them be difficult to find here in town? Or hard to make?"
-
>"Will either one of them be difficult to find here in town? Or hard to make?"
>"Finding them could be difficult, yes," she says. "Very difficult. No one uses those words anymore. Names are old, techniques old. A seller of them would be old or strange or old and strange or strangely old, perhaps." She chuckles. "Making them... is not so difficult. Not difficult in particular, in fact. The process is... simple. Or simple enough. Most of the ingredients of Athran's Vigor are common - an easy purchase at any supplier who rightly has supplies, yes. Some are... marginally less easy, but not in the manner of these bittercress blossoms - you could find them within the city at this very moment, almost certainly. Aqua Veritatis is... mostly water. Not difficult. No, not particularly difficult at all."
-
>Let out a breath.
>"Okay. That's something, then. Some good news is better than none."
>"So, whereabouts in town would be a good place to get a good price on those two mixtures?"
>Pause. "And for that matter, what would be their more 'modern' names?"
-
>Let out a breath.
>"Okay. That's something, then. Some good news is better than none."
>"So, whereabouts in town would be a good place to get a good price on those two mixtures?"
>Pause. "And for that matter, what would be their more 'modern' names?"
>"They do not have modern names," she says. "Athran's Vigor is... as it is, or as it was, I suppose - it's simply not made now. There are other potions whose effects are similar, yes. Better, mainly. If your recipe requires it, or at least claims to - perhaps it was a shorthand, or if its constituents were less understood - and they were, you understand - it might have been a sort of catch-all substitute for the true active ingredient, which might mean it is not that brew at all that you require in particular..." She trails off here and stares absently into space for a few moments, then shakes her head.
>"In any case, if it is Athran's Vigor you require, you will need it brewed specifically. Otherwise, you will not find it, no - not unless you stumble upon a rare place, indeed. This is not difficult, but it will need be done."
-
>"That what the book said. "One part athran's vigor and four parts aqua veritatis", to be specific. Plus the flowers we discussed before, of course."
>"So, where in town would be a good place to go to get athran's vigor made?"
-
>"That what the book said. "One part athran's vigor and four parts aqua veritatis", to be specific. Plus the flowers we discussed before, of course."
>"So, where in town would be a good place to go to get athran's vigor made?"
>She nods. "Yes, yes, so you said. Of course, Athran's Vigor itself uses, as its base, that very Aqua Veritatis. Or so they would have written at the time, yes. Diluted it is, in effect."
>"Any competent herbalist or apothecary should have no trouble with it. No, no trouble at all. The procedure is no different than many other things - different in composition, of course, but in procedure?" She shakes her head. "No, not especially different at all. If they knew the recipe, it would be of no difficulty."
-
>"Very good, then."
>"But, I gotta ask, what did you mean when you said this might not be the brew I was looking for?"
-
>"Very good, then."
>"But, I gotta ask, what did you mean when you said this might not be the brew I was looking for?"
>She leans her head towards you and gives you a curious look. "When... did I say that?"
-
>"Just a minute ago."
-
>"Just a minute ago."
>"I... did?" she asks. "Strange, that. I do not-" Her eyes widen. "Oh! About the Athran's Vigor, yes?"
-
>Nod. "Yep, that's the one."
-
>Nod. "Yep, that's the one."
>"Ah, yes," she says. "I did not mean to imply it would be ineffective, no. No, no, not at all. You say that recipe called for it by name and if you trust to it then you should trust to that, no? I simply though, perhaps, the author may have been mistaken about it being required in sum and total - oddly convenient, that. Especially for a curative, not an augmentative, yes - oddly convenient and unlikely, even. Some item in the Vigor more likely, yes. Or perhaps more than one - several, even, but not all. Perhaps they didn't know. Perhaps drafting it in that fashion was simplest, yes. Perhaps, even, they never thought to ask? But certainly I cannot say it would not suffice. No, no - without examination, I cannot say that at all."
-
>Groan.
>"So what you're saying is that it does not resemble medicine, as far as you know?"
-
>Groan.
>"So what you're saying is that it does not resemble medicine, as far as you know?"
>She gives you a puzzled look. "What would give you that impression? I do not think I said such a thing. Athran's Vigor is not a medicine in the usual sense, no, but in some ways similar, they are. Not the same, but sharing some commonalities, yes. Some of its constituents are used in medicines, also. Some, often so. And when mixed with bitterweed blossoms, who could tell? Without study and experiment, I could not say for absolute certain, no. In fact, it is most certain I could not." She smiles faintly.
>"I expect only that the active ingredients of the Vigor in this particular concoction are not all of the ingredients it might otherwise require. Even in this, I could be wrong, yes. Truth does not pay much mind to opinion, as they say - mine or anyone else's. Perhaps a pity some times, but a saner thing for all, I should think."
-
>"So, if I may put that in my own words, you suspect that it's not the entire Vigor that the recipe calls for to generate the desired effect, merely some of its components?"
-
>"So, if I may put that in my own words, you suspect that it's not the entire Vigor that the recipe calls for to generate the desired effect, merely some of its components?"
>She nods. "That would seem a... succinct way of putting it, yes. Yes, that is what I suspect; there was less science to the art in those days, yes - much less, sometimes. One could be right without knowing why one was wrong."
-
>"However, if parts of it are all that's needed, the whole mix should still work just as well?"
-
>"However, if parts of it are all that's needed, the whole mix should still work just as well?"
>"Just as well?" she asks. "Likely not, no. Many substances have inhibitive effects on other constitutents. A great many indeed, yes. Some larger and some... smaller, but still existent. And above this, there are many interactions a great deal more complicated. It is not a simple science, no. Ask any student in my classes and see how they answer that." She chuckles lightly. "Years of training and experimentation are for a purpose, you understand. But well enough? Quite possibly. Very possibly - if you think the recipe credible, I do not see why it need not be."
-
>"So far, it's the only thing I've found that MIGHT work. It's all I've got to work with."
>"Which means, I suppose, I should be off to find me someone..."
>"Actually.... If that flower, bittercress, is truly unobtainable, then do you think it might be possible to use a substitute material to serve the same purpose?"
-
>"So far, it's the only thing I've found that MIGHT work. It's all I've got to work with."
>"Which means, I suppose, I should be off to find me someone..."
>"Actually.... If that flower, bittercress, is truly unobtainable, then do you think it might be possible to use a substitute material to serve the same purpose?"
>"Might it be possible?" she asks. "Well, certainly it might be possible, yes - a great many things are possible and this is one of those that might be. Whether this potential here is... actual? That, I certainly cannot say, no. In this case, I do not know even what it does. A cure for some kind of blight, you say? There are many kinds of blights, and many kinds of cures, and sometimes many kinds of cures for the same blights. On different principles they operate, often - sometimes similar, but sometimes not. Your question is of the sort that would take... study. Answerable, yes, but not without this. No, no, I'm afraid not. Would be quite convenient if this were not so."
-
>"Very convenient."
>"So, I suppose I should ask, what's the closest place to here where I can get some things brewed?"
-
>"Very convenient."
>"So, I suppose I should ask, what's the closest place to here where I can get some things brewed?"
>She lets out a little sigh. "Alas."
>"Hmm... a difficult question for me to answer, that is," she says. "Embarrassingly so, perhaps. A long time has it been since I had need for such outside the Academy, yes. I... believe I do recall a pleasant and competent establishment on Prestor Row - a short walk east of the Academy's gates, you could find it. But any herbalist or apothecary to whom those names could probably apply would be suitable, yes. Nothing you ask is complex. No, not at all of the sort of complexity requiring special care or skill. Aside, perhaps, from acquiring bittercress blossoms out of season." She smiles. "That would be quite the remarkable errand, yes."
-
>Chuckle a wry chuckle. "Remarkable errands are a Seeker's forte."
>"Just one last thing, and I realize this may be a bit out of your element, but, like I said, I'm a bit new to the city. Would you know of any greenhouses, or arboretums here in town?"
-
>Chuckle a wry chuckle. "Remarkable errands are a Seeker's forte."
>"Just one last thing, and I realize this may be a bit out of your element, but, like I said, I'm a bit new to the city. Would you know of any greenhouses, or arboretums here in town?"
>She gives you a gentle smile. "Seeking what does not exist must be a tiring enterprise, no? Still, the sentiment is familiar - a true soul of this discipline knows it well. Oh yes, very well indeed."
>"That is somewhat more within my purview, yes. The Academy has its own, of course - and a very good one it is, in fact, though perhaps not so... large. I had some role to play in this - its foliation, not its size, I should say. No, the space itself was enclosed long before me. In any case, the city has several of good quality. One of the very best can be found in the southwest quarter, alongside the river. Several are there, in fact - the land is suited for such places - but the one I speak of foremost is known as Ueyoshi Nurseries. Their petunias are particularly delicious, yes. Perhaps I should stop by there for an evening meal again some day...."
>She clears her throat. "There are several others of quality, yes - Prescott, Hatani, Quinn. It depends upon the particulars of what you're looking for."
-
>"I know you said that bittercress doesn't grow well in this region, but it's possible a nursery or greenhouse might know where I might find some, if there's any to be found." Shrug. "Even a Seeker needs a place to start."
-
>"I know you said that bittercress doesn't grow well in this region, but it's possible a nursery or greenhouse might know where I might find some, if there's any to be found." Shrug. "Even a Seeker needs a place to start."
>"It is possible one of them has some bittercress, yes. Perhaps somewhat unlikely, but not at all impossible. That it would be in bloom?" She shakes her head. "Out of the question. It simply could not possibly be the case."
-
>Thoughtful noise.
>"I wonder if the bloom is strictly necessary... The book called for it, yes, but... Do plants sometimes have different properties before and after they flower? In terms of their alchemic or healing properties, I mean."
-
>Thoughtful noise.
>"I wonder if the bloom is strictly necessary... The book called for it, yes, but... Do plants sometimes have different properties before and after they flower? In terms of their alchemic or healing properties, I mean."
>The professor frowns absently. "Didn't you say the recipe called for the flowers themselves? And not simply a plant that had flowered? The later is much easier to come upon, of course - much easier indeed."
-
>Think back to that book.
>"The exact wording was 'A preparation of its flowers, steeped slowly in a brew'. But, I've never dealt with this sort of thing before, so, I wondered if it HAD to be the flowers, and not the plant itself. I'm a Seeker, not a Healer."
-
>Think back to that book.
>"The exact wording was 'A preparation of its flowers, steeped slowly in a brew'. But, I've never dealt with this sort of thing before, so, I wondered if it HAD to be the flowers, and not the plant itself. I'm a Seeker, not a Healer."
>"Of course you are," she says with a nod. "But yes, that would call for the flowers themselves. The properties of a plant and its flowers can be very different, yes. Very different indeed. Under none but the most rare of circumstances could one substitute for the other, I'm afraid. Yet another thing that would be convenient were it not true, yes?" She gives you a vaguely commiserative smile.
-
>Courage, Naz. We were in worse before.
>"Well, it's always good to know exactly what you need. Availability or no."
>"On the upside, before today, I wasn't even sure a cure of any sort existed. So that's one 'impossible' thing found already. Finding another one's just par for my course."
>If we'd been sitting, stand.
>"And the sooner I get started, the better. Thank you, professor, for all your help."
-
>Courage, Naz. We were in worse before.
>"Well, it's always good to know exactly what you need. Availability or no."
>"On the upside, before today, I wasn't even sure a cure of any sort existed. So that's one 'impossible' thing found already. Finding another one's just par for my course."
>If we'd been sitting, stand.
>"And the sooner I get started, the better. Thank you, professor, for all your help."
>You try to keep heart. Even if things aren't looking up, you're still not as close to death as you were back in that cave where this all started; that's got to count for something, right?
>"Quite the optimism, that is," she says. "You do a credit to your profession, I think - seeking even that which should not be found. I wish that I could tell you otherwise."
>Given the unusually low ratio of chairs to tables in this room, the both of you have been standing.
>The professor sketches small bow with surprising flourish, her scarf ruffling as she sweeps her arm across the air before her. "Always I am happy to help those with questions about my humble discipline. And intriguing questions of yours, these were. Yes, quite the change from those that reach these ears on any average day. So many of them have I answered so many times, one could almost forget that there were others. I apologize that I cannot point you at thing you seek, but such is... as it is."
-
Anyone else got anything to ask this one?
-
I think we're good here.
-
... I may have just had a stroke of inspiration.
>Refresh memory: Properties of the soil Minoriko gave us. Specifically, did it grow seeds at an accelerated rate?
-
I had been pondering whether the plants that Minoriko grew were these flowers, actually.
Possibility: Sacrifice a dose of our medicine, to see if she can find anything useful about it?
-
>Refresh memory: Properties of the soil Minoriko gave us. Specifically, did it grow seeds at an accelerated rate?
>That is what she said - that any seeds planted in it would hearty and quickly. While she didn't say exactly how quickly, given the context of the gift, you have to assume it's quickly enough to be of some use to you.
-
>Did she happen to mention the type of plant she used to grow our medicine?
-
>Did she happen to mention the type of plant she used to grow our medicine?
>She did not.
-
Either way, this might be our answer. Prior to this, I didn't really have a plan other than, well, wander around town until something happened, for all intents and purposes.
Now, though, all we need to find is the seeds of this plant.
>Minoriko didn't give us any seeds, either, did she?
-
>Minoriko didn't give us any seeds, either, did she?
>She did not.
-
Well, if our medicine IS made of the right plant, then maybe you're right, Purvis, maybe this expert here can... reverse engineer it, or something, figure out what plant Minoriko used.
>Rocks.
>Well, seeds have to be easier to find than the flowers this time of year.
>... right?
>How much medicine do we currently have on us, and do we have the capacity to make more if the need arises?
-
>Rocks.
>Well, seeds have to be easier to find than the flowers this time of year.
>... right?
>How much medicine do we currently have on us, and do we have the capacity to make more if the need arises?
>Well, given that the seeds of flowering plants technically come from the flowers themselves, this would seem to require someone having a supply on hand from several years ago - and hopefully bittercress seeds are still viable after that long.
>You have the majority of a moderate sized bottle's worth of medicine left. At the rate you've been consuming it, you expect this could last for another two weeks, anyway. You have no idea how it was made in the first place, and have no ability to make more of it.
-
>About how long do we think we have left to... work with, considering what Minoriko and Ichirin said, factoring in the travel time and delays we've encountered?
-
>About how long do we think we have left to... work with, considering what Minoriko and Ichirin said, factoring in the travel time and delays we've encountered?
>Minoriko wasn't entirely specific with how long she expected you had, but you got the impression it was no more than a couple of weeks. Since your battle with the spider youkai, five days have now passed.
-
>Taking that into account, if Minoriko is correct, we have more medicine than we really need, one way or the other?
-
>Taking that into account, if Minoriko is correct, we have more medicine than we really need, one way or the other?
>It seems likely that you won't make it to the end of the bottle, if her prognosis is accurate. One way or the other.
-
>"Well, I think I may have one or two more... intriguing questions, now that I think about it."
>"The nurseries you mentioned, or even the one here on campus. Would you know if any of them have bittercress seeds?"
-
>"Well, I think I may have one or two more... intriguing questions, now that I think about it."
>"The nurseries you mentioned, or even the one here on campus. Would you know if any of them have bittercress seeds?"
>"Do you, then?" she asks, peering at you curiously. "Well, still I stand ready to answer, yes. Or attempt to do so, at any rate. Do go ahead."
>She ponders this thoughtfully. "I... do not think we do. We have many seeds, yes. Many indeed, of plants exotic and others... less so - even the most common of herbs can still have its value, yes? But bittercress? Hmmm... it is not something we normally have use for. The other nurseries may be similar. Or they may not." She smiles. "Of course, the seed is of little use to gathering the flowers more swiftly, no? Several years it would take for its blooming, whether new or old or otherwise - even in the far corners of the isles, the plant flowers upon the same cycles. Or very nearly so, yes. Quite remarkable, that."
-
Even if these plants are made of the same plant, I don't think it would be possible to get the flower out of them. And if that book was right, it's the flower we need, not its composite chemicals.
>Smile a little. "I may be able to find a way to get around that. If I can get my hands on the seeds I need. I may not be able to make something from nothing, but something from something, that's something else."
>"Which brings me to my next question. Assuming there's no seeds to be found here in town, odd though that might be, what would be the closest place to here where Bittercress grows naturally?"
-
>Smile a little. "I may be able to find a way to get around that. If I can get my hands on the seeds I need. I may not be able to make something from nothing, but something from something, that's something else."
>"Which brings me to my next question. Assuming there's no seeds to be found here in town, odd though that might be, what would be the closest place to here where Bittercress grows naturally?"
>She nods sagely. "Indeed it is. Indeed it is, at that."
>"Hmm.... the nearest, you say?" She frowns thoughtfully. "That might be, perhaps, along the edge of the Maruzawa in the north of Hanashibara, yes. Lots of colorful milkweed down there, so I hear - a rather pleasant marsh, if small. There is a village somewhere nearby, I think; I forget its name. Finding it nearer to Val Razua... tricky, that may be. Not impossible, but less certain, yes."
-
>The librarian mentioned a place in Hanashibara. Might be that place there, then.
>"And that would be.... a day or so's travel from the city?"
-
>The librarian mentioned a place in Hanashibara. Might be that place there, then.
>"And that would be.... a day or so's travel from the city?"
>"That would depend upon how you choose to travel there, yes? By river may be fastest - I am not sure. I should expect two days, at least. Many years has it been now since last I crossed the border...." Her eyes take on an absent character. ...well, more absent than normal.
-
>Not a trip to make casually, now. Better check closer sources first.
>How much soil did Minoriko give us? Check that, about how many seeds could we grow?
>Spare a moment to consider the potential profit in growing all kinds of things in areas and times that should be impossible to do so in.
-
>Not a trip to make casually, now. Better check closer sources first.
>How much soil did Minoriko give us? Check that, about how many seeds could we grow?
>Spare a moment to consider the potential profit in growing all kinds of things in areas and times that should be impossible to do so in.
>Two days is more time than you're willing to spend without strict need at the moment. Few enough to spare as it is....
>The pouch of soil she gave you is around the size of your fist. You have no idea how strong its powers are, or how many things it could sustain. In terms of shear size, it doesn't seem large enough to sustain something like a tree, but could probably manage a small plant well enough - perhaps even more than one if they were diminutive enough.
>A business idea vaguely floats across your mind. Surely there's got to be some way you could make a few guilders off bending the harvest cycle a little, right? Of course, you have no idea how much 'juice' this soil even has.
-
>Long as we have enough to do the job, then. We can milk more from Minoriko after the current crisis is over.
>"Well, with a bit of luck, that's a trip I won't have to make just yet."
>"Still, if there's no such seeds in the stores of the Academy here, I'll have to start visiting some nurseries."
>Bow. "Again, thanks for the information."
-
>Long as we have enough to do the job, then. We can milk more from Minoriko after the current crisis is over.
>"Well, with a bit of luck, that's a trip I won't have to make just yet."
>"Still, if there's no such seeds in the stores of the Academy here, I'll have to start visiting some nurseries."
>Bow. "Again, thanks for the information."
>You thank the professor again and bow. She return the gesture with nearly as much flourish as the first time.
>"Seek well, Seeker."
-
>Take our leave of her and head first for that nursery she mentioned, the one east of here.
>No, wait. May as well check while we're here, she may have been wrong about something.
>Return to the secretary's desk.
-
>Take our leave of her and head first for that nursery she mentioned, the one east of here.
>No, wait. May as well check while we're here, she may have been wrong about something.
>Return to the secretary's desk.
>You turn and head out of the professor's office, but have only put a single foot outside her door before you hear the bird youkai's voice call out behind you.
>"Oh!" she cries. "I nearly forgot - how very impolite of me!"
-
>Turn and head back to the door. "Yeah?"
-
>Turn and head back to the door. "Yeah?"
>You turn around to see the professor withdrawing a small wooden case from her outfit. She flips it open, revealing numerous tiny cubes neatly wrapped in brown paper.
>"Would you like to try a piece of chewing gum?" she asks. "It is gum... that you chew. My own concoction," she adds proudly. "Refined now and again over the years. Peppermint with a dash of wild raspberries, this is. Freshens breath and invigorates one's taste buds, yes - it's quite good." She holds the case out towards you expectantly.
-
>Had we ever heard of chewing gum before? Or other kinds of gum?
-
>Had we ever heard of chewing gum before? Or other kinds of gum?
>Well, there's the resin that comes from trees, but that doesn't strike you as something you'd normally want to chew on. It also doesn't tend to made of mint and raspberries, either.
-
>"What's it made of? Most folks wouldn't want to snack on tree resin."
-
>"What's it made of? Most folks wouldn't want to snack on tree resin."
>"The base is derived from sap," she says, looking ever so slightly piqued, "not resin. Treated and process in various ways for consistency and texture, yes. It is, I assure you, entirely edible."
-
>Well.... She WAS helpful. It's only polite, however.... odd, it might be.
>"All right, sure."
>"But, uh... do you eat it, or just chew on it?"
-
>Well.... She WAS helpful. It's only polite, however.... odd, it might be.
>"All right, sure."
>"But, uh... do you eat it, or just chew on it?"
>You hesitantly accept her offer, for politeness's sake.
>"Just chew," she says. "It can also be eaten, of course, but that is... somewhat outside its purpose, yes." She smiles. "Go ahead, take one."
-
>Reach in and grab one, then, since she looks like she expects it, pop it in.
-
>Reach in and grab one, then, since she looks like she expects it, pop it in.
>You reach into the case and pluck out one of the small wrapped pieces. Peeling away the coarse paper, you find a small block of an opaque waxy-looking substance, pale pink in color. In all honesty, putting it in your mouth is not the first thing that would come to mind from looking at it, but the smell is pleasant enough and the professor's smile is so innocently encouraging that you almost feel guilty sizing up her creation with such skepticism. With a last dubious glance at the concoction, you toss it in your mouth and give it a chew, doing your best to keep a sour frown from your face.
>This turns out to be easier than you had feared. While the texture is... unusual - dense and rubbery and slightly slick - the flavor is quite a bit nicer. The moment you bite into it, you are stuck with a sharp zing of mint, tempered by a subtle fruity sweetness that grows only richer with each chew. You take a slow breath, feeling the air brush icily against your mint-tinged tongue. It's... actually not that bad at all. The professor smiles hopefully at you.
-
>Blow out.
>"This is pretty good."
-
>Blow out.
>"This is pretty good."
>You blow out, sending another wave of chill air across your mouth. Your tongue tingles slightly.
>The professor's smile widens. "Good, good. I am pleased that you find it to your liking, yes. You may have another, if you wish - for the road, yes."
-
>"Sure, why not."
>Snag another piece.
>"Something to chase trail rations if I have to hit the road."
>Hmm. "Have you thought about marketing this?"
-
>"Bet you'd make a mint from selling different flavors of this stuff, you might've hit on something pretty good here."
-
>"Sure, why not."
>Snag another piece.
>"Something to chase trail rations if I have to hit the road."
>Hmm. "Have you thought about marketing this?"
>The bird youkai nods as you take another piece of gum from the case, then she shuts it closed again and puts it back in her pocket.
>"Yes, yes, it is an enjoyable diversion, so I find, myself."
>This question seems to catch the professor off-guard, and she gives you a flustered frown. "I, um... well, no. No, I cannot say that I have. It is... just a little personal project of mine, you understand - something experimented with and iterated in my free time, yes, here and there over the years. My primary work concerns something altogether different - isolation of active botanical components and their somatic applications, yes, and also certain matters of soil quality and cultivation - to enhance their use in those very same applications, of course. It is an exacting and slow discipline, to be sure, but a rewarding one. But perhaps I digress. In any event, this?" She gestures at her pocket. "It is really just a trifle, yes - without any of the sort of true rigor to it." She pauses. "Still, I find myself to enjoy somehow the enjoyment of others as this is concerned. Yes, I suppose I do at that."
>"Bet you'd make a mint from selling different flavors of this stuff, you might've hit on something pretty good here."
>She gives you a surprised look. "You... think it might truly have value of that sort to someone?" The professor's brow deepens and thoughtful look comes across her eyes. "I have... never much concerned myself with matters of money, to be frank - a tedious roadblock to be sometimes negotiated, but... I suspect someone of your profession might understand it better, yes? At least, so I hear of your association and the associations it itself has - fortune seekers as much as any other kind, yes?"
-
>Nod. "Might take some doing for a more exotic flavor like chocolate, but you should be able to manage the various fruits. If I'm any measure, you could market the stuff as an after-meal thing. That should work pretty good, and I bet kids will love the sweetness."
-
>Nod. "Might take some doing for a more exotic flavor like chocolate, but you should be able to manage the various fruits. If I'm any measure, you could market the stuff as an after-meal thing. That should work pretty good, and I bet kids will love the sweetness."
>"You... you think they might?" There is an oddly withdrawn and even self-conscious expression on the professor's face, quite unlike her bearing for most of your meeting. "I... I suppose it is possible, yes - one becomes sometimes so engrossed in one's discipline that affairs outside it grow quite foreign. Yes, quite foreign indeed - an unfortunate effect of the single-minded rigor which such studies call for, perhaps, but one that rarely can be avoided. A sacrifice to a worthy cause, one might say. A strange thing it is, then, to think of this in those terms - beyond a minor outlet for mental idleness and a ameliorative for..."
>She frowns and shakes her head. "Well, it is of no matter. Though here I must admit that I have... no true conception of how one goes about such a thing - pursuing viability among the less academic of venues, I mean. No, no true conception at all - beyond that which is obvious, of course. Forgive me here for transposing, a moment, the role of interlocutor with you, but... might one of your profession and the professional wisdom that follows it suggest... how best I might go about this? Should I ever, perhaps on some idle day or another, decide to entertain such a venture, of course."
-
>Have we ever disseminated marketing advice before? And if so, were we any good at it?
-
>Have we ever disseminated marketing advice before? And if so, were we any good at it?
>You've never really had cause to do so before, no. You do have a good sense of market valuation for common objects and some skill in driving a hard bargain and avoiding being ripped off, courtesy of your Seeker training and natural shrewdness, but you've never been personally involved in running a business. For that matter, the guild's own reputation takes care of most of your marketing needs.
-
>"Hmmm..... Sure, I can give you some pointers. Up to a point, at least."
>"A place to start, in your case, might be to offer a few samples to staff members you know here on campus, or people around town, that you know have kids. Then, their kids will see them enjoying this new thing, or the parents will mention it to them, either way will work. The kids'll be curious, they'll want to try a piece themselves. And in my experience, parents'll pay to make their kids happy. Especially if they're paying for something they like themselves."
-
>"Hmmm..... Sure, I can give you some pointers. Up to a point, at least."
>"A place to start, in your case, might be to offer a few samples to staff members you know here on campus, or people around town, that you know have kids. Then, their kids will see them enjoying this new thing, or the parents will mention it to them, either way will work. The kids'll be curious, they'll want to try a piece themselves. And in my experience, parents'll pay to make their kids happy. Especially if they're paying for something they like themselves."
>The professor frowns thoughtfully. "Hmmm... yes... yes, perhaps I will give that an attempt of some sort or another - when circumstances present themselves, of course," she adds hastily. "You understand, yes?"
>She leans towards you and speaks in an oddly guarded tone. "Given such circumstances, this is posed in a... purely theoretical sense, of course, but... what value do you think might be fairly placed on such a thing by a citizen of... more common means? In a... monetary sense - not that I value such things intrinsically, yes, but the realities of reality are such that it cannot, perhaps, be wholly ignored." She looks as though she might start profusely apologizing at any moment.
-
>How much do candies usually sell for?
-
>How much do candies usually sell for?
>That depends very much on the kind of candy, but you could pick up a fairly sizable bag of plain hard candy for a guilder or two and an individual lollipop for half a guilder at most.
-
>Nod. "I'd think that since it's sweet, you'd want to sell it for about one-to-three guilders a tin, like what you've got here. Maybe more if the stuff's hard to make."
-
>"And besides, think of it this way. You might be able to use this as a little side business to fund more research. A little supplementary income never hurt anyone."
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>Nod. "I'd think that since it's sweet, you'd want to sell it for about one-to-three guilders a tin, like what you've got here. Maybe more if the stuff's hard to make."
>"And besides, think of it this way. You might be able to use this as a little side business to fund more research. A little supplementary income never hurt anyone."
>"For that purpose, that is a... a disappointingly paltry sum," she says absently. "Or perhaps for some other purpose, even, given especially the-" Her eyes flare open with sudden self-consciousness, and she nearly stumbles backward.
>"Oh, my apologies, yes - pay no mind at all to any of that. No, none at all or whatsoever. Appreciated, your opinion is, yes." She nods vigorously. "And, I suppose it might, perhaps, bring nonetheless a smile to see the fruits of one's endeavors - or even fruits in one's endeavors, in this case - bring a like smile to some other. Perhaps that might be, itself, enough, yes."
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>"Well, I was using candy as a marker, so maybe 4-8 guilders a tin would work more. But see, you have to make it affordable if you want folks to buy it. That's the basics of commerce after all."
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>"At least, as first. But you've got an edge in that department since you've got a real unique product on your hand here. People pay more for rare objects, even when they're useless. Which this isn't."
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>"Well, I was using candy as a marker, so maybe 4-8 guilders a tin would work more. But see, you have to make it affordable if you want folks to buy it. That's the basics of commerce after all."
>"At least, as first. But you've got an edge in that department since you've got a real unique product on your hand here. People pay more for rare objects, even when they're useless. Which this isn't."
>She gives you a tentative smile. "Your appreciation is... itself appreciated, yes. Always nice it is to have one's work deemed of some value, yes, no matter the source - not, of course, that I mean anything untoward by this! A simple truism, it is, and only such. Yes, certainly. And... perhaps what you say is correct... I shall need considered this - altogether complicated, this business is," she mumbles.
>"In any case, enough of your time have I taken with this - more than enough, even." She bows slightly. "For your words, I thank you, and with your own affairs, fare well."
-
>Make a note to gauge market saturation for sweets and confections around campus on our way out.
>"And thank you again, for all the help you've given me."
>However, just in case she was wrong about something she mentioned before, let's head back to the secretary we met coming in.
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>Make a note to gauge market saturation for sweets and confections around campus on our way out.
>"And thank you again, for all the help you've given me."
>However, just in case she was wrong about something she mentioned before, let's head back to the secretary we met coming in.
>You make a mental note.
>"Of course, of course," she says. "As I said previously, but shall nonetheless reiterate, my door is always open. Well, except when it is not, of course - there is a draft, sometimes, in the hallway, you see. But in any case, farewell and fare well."
>You exit the professor's office laboratory and head back down the hallway towards the departmental secretary. About halfway there, you hear a series of awkwardly hurried footsteps following after you.
>"Wait a moment!" a familiar reedy voice calls out. "If... if you would!"
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>Pause.
>Twitch. NOW what?
>Cast a glance back over our shoulder.
-
>Pause.
>Twitch. NOW what?
>Cast a glance back over our shoulder.
>You pause, twitch, and then look back over your shoulder. Sure enough, Professor Bosqueverde is dashing after you - or at least as close as her ambling gait can approximate a dash. Her bright yellow scarf flutters lazily behind her.
>"I... something just occurred to me," she says, sounding like she's already starting to run out of breath. "Useless and... irrelevant, perhaps, and... most assuredly impractical beyond this - though the enterprise itself could be perhaps considered likewise - not that I mean to cast aspersions! No, no, certainly not."
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>Nod, with a somewhat interested expresseion. "Go on..?"
-
>Nod, with a somewhat interested expresseion. "Go on..?"
>"Oh, right. Yes." She nods twice. "While earlier I said that, throughout all the world as one, bittercress blooms simultaneously. Well, I did not say precisely that, perhaps - there are minor variances, among neighboring plants no less, though chiefly on the order of hours at most, and briefer often than minutes - quite remarkable, as I said. Studies of more... disparate populations are harder to synchronize, obviously, though some have tried and I once read a rather curious theory as to the-" She grimaces and shakes her head. "Oh yes, the point. My apologies. In any case, that is what I said and it remains as true now as when first I said it. At least in the general case, yes. Which is nearly the totality of cases, even. However... there is a chance - slim though it is, and perhaps not altogether useful even should it be the case - that this is not universally true."
-
Okay, I confess, I'm not quite sure what the heck she's getting at here.
-
I think on a different angle as most folks, and even I don't know.
I think she might be implying that we can use a member of the bittercress family as a substitute. But don't quote me on that.
What do you other folks think?
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>"Oh, right. Yes." She nods twice. "While earlier I said that, throughout all the world as one, bittercress blooms simultaneously. Well, I did not say precisely that, perhaps - there are minor variances, among neighboring plants no less, though chiefly on the order of hours at most, and briefer often than minutes - quite remarkable, as I said. Studies of more... disparate populations are harder to synchronize, obviously, though some have tried and I once read a rather curious theory as to the-" She grimaces and shakes her head. "Oh yes, the point. My apologies. In any case, that is what I said and it remains as true now as when first I said it. At least in the general case, yes. Which is nearly the totality of cases, even.
In this part she simply says that bittercress blooms simultaneously throughout the world.
However... there is a chance - slim though it is, and perhaps not altogether useful even should it be the case - that this is not universally true."
Combine it with this, and she's simply stating: "It's possible that some of the bittercress doesn't bloom at the same time as the rest." Ta-dah.
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Makes enough sense for me to ask her about.
>Try not to look baffled. Oy, this one talks funny.
>"Are you saying that there's a chance that bittercress could flower ahead of schedule?"
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>Try not to look baffled. Oy, this one talks funny.
>"Are you saying that there's a chance that bittercress could flower ahead of schedule?"
>You are a master of the poker face, and this seems like a pretty good time to break it out.
>"Oh, goodness no," she says. "Under ordinary circumstances, surely not. Or even most unordinary ones, yes. But, there may be a... place... where this does not hold true - or there may not, keep in mind! I cannot, with reasonable certainty, or from my own experience, claim either way. No, I have never been there - nor should I wish to try! Or perhaps it might be better said that I should wish, were it not wiser that I shouldn't. Though in that case, perhaps I should say that I wish that I might wish?" She gives you a sheepish frown. "Reality is... not always entirely convenient, is it? In any event, given your quest and its near-certain vanity by any other means, I felt you perhaps might wish to hear of this - regardless of its merit or practicality. Yes, that is all."
-
Is it just me, or was that a bit worse than the first one?
Ah, well.
>"I'm certainly open to any information that comes across my ears, rumor or theory or not. Plenty of Seekers have found lots of odd things with only theory or less."
>Though it may be safe money their sources talk a bit more... clearly.
>"Just to put things in my own terms, though, your theory, or, shall we say, speculation, is that maybe, just maybe, somewhere in the world where bittercress blooms, that one spot might be ahead of schedule from the others?"
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>"I'm certainly open to any information that comes across my ears, rumor or theory or not. Plenty of Seekers have found lots of odd things with only theory or less."
>Though it may be safe money their sources talk a bit more... clearly.
>"Just to put things in my own terms, though, your theory, or, shall we say, speculation, is that maybe, just maybe, somewhere in the world where bittercress blooms, that one spot might be ahead of schedule from the others?"
>You ask the professor for clarification while attempting to keep straight what bits you do understand. Or at least think you understand.
>"Ahead of schedule, perhaps not so much as ignoring it altogether," she says. "You see, hidden somewhere in the wilds to the southwest of here is a garden - most peculiar in many ways this is, yes, but I have fair confidence in its existence. A figment of rumor and fancy, some say, yes, but I do not believe them. At any rate, this garden - as the rumors go - remains throughout all the year in bloom. And not merely one variety of long-blossoming plant does it have. Oh, no, no, not at all - as much as that might simplify the... difficulty of life-cycle synchronization, yes. But there are instead species of all manner and type to be found there - or so they say - exotic and lesser and perhaps even lesser than that - beauty even in the mundane, yes? Rather a poor measure of beauty, rarity is, at any rate," she mumbles. "Only an afternoon harvesting skrynroot would it take to fix that notion, yes - dreadfully unpleasant things, those plants, and I do not say that lightly! No, not lightly at all."
>She shakes her head. "In any case, it should go without saying that getting chrysanthemums to bloom in March or keeping a hyacinth in flower for months at a time presents certain... difficulties. Not altogether insurmountable, some of these - I can think of certain approaches that could be perhaps considered, on an isolated and lesser basis - but daunting still, yes. Oh, very daunting indeed. You might wonder, perhaps, how this is so, and that is fair to wonder. Very fair, yes. Skepticism is perhaps the most prudent response here, even, so feel free to maintain such as you wish. But there is a... particular reason that I believe this is not uncredible - though still perhaps incredible, yes." She smiles a little at her own joke.
-
Oh great. Sour, Purvmeister, I think I know what this means. And it ain't gonna be an easy thing.
>"So let me get this straight, there's this 'Miracle Garden' where all kinds of plants bloom? Any idea as to the general area of where it might be located in Southwest Wilds?"
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>"So let me get this straight, there's this 'Miracle Garden' where all kinds of plants bloom? Any idea as to the general area of where it might be located in Southwest Wilds?"
>"Slightly more specific I can be," she says, "though only just; its exact location is only vaguely known and there is no easy road - by design, I should think! And forgive my assumption to amend your own, but a miracle should imply intervention of the divine, yes? And while there is certainly some power at work here - how could there be otherwise? - I suspect quite strongly it is not divine. No, not divine at all. For that matter, divinities whose domain and mine overlap seem sometimes oddly wont to withhold their powers - a pity, that. Or perhaps not - who can say what the result would be if they were otherwise? Perhaps, even, the rigor of my discipline can exist only by the grace that they are not otherwise? A curious question, indeed...."
>"At any rate," she says in a more somber tone, "this garden is watched and tended not by any goddess, but by a... certain youkai. Ancient, she is, yes. And powerful. Oh, most powerful indeed. And also... dangerous. For this reason it is that I hesitate to mention this at all - well, this reason and certain others, yes, but this reason most of all. Of what I know, I cannot understate this."
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Yeah, ancient youkai. That might confirm it.
On the other hand, I'm going to try an reserve judgement. I've been wrong before.
>Grin. Little does she know we've got a living goddess on our side already.
>Can we douse for certain kinds of seeds if we are familiar with their chemistry and/or special properties?
>Or hidden trails, if they're magically concealed?
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>Grin. Little does she know we've got a living goddess on our side already.
>Can we douse for certain kinds of seeds if we are familiar with their chemistry and/or special properties?
>Or hidden trails, if they're magically concealed?
>You grin. The professor frowns slightly. "Please do not take this flippantly - I may otherwise regret the mention of it."
>Dowsing organic material is very hard. Dowsing for something specific as a certain kind of seed is entirely out of the question. Well, unless there were something magical about it, perhaps.
>Depending on the nature with which they were concealed, this is possible. Certainly some types of magic could be detectable, depending on how subtle an enchantment was woven. Beyond these extrasensory powers, you also have some skill in tracking and general wilderness navigation that could aid in finding one through mundane means.
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>"Don't worry, I think that as long as I go in respectfully, things should work out. At the very least, whoever this is, it's bound to be miles better than that spider youkai I had to deal with on the last job."
>Sigh. "Man, she was a real nasty piece of work. Ain't my fault those spiders tried to have a mouse dinner and got kebab'd for their troubles."
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I don't think mentioning the spider is a good idea, Hanzo. Thus far, we've avoided mentioning that we're plagued, and opening up about that encounter might lead to some questions.
>"Sorry, I wasn't. I was just thinking of an old friend of mine from back home. She's the type who'd love to spend some time in a garden like that. Well, apart from the 'ancient, dangerous youkai', that is, that might give her some pause."
>"But I haven't let that stop me before, not about to stop now. Though I do appreciate the warning, and the extra advise. Another option is always welcome."
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There's different sorts Sour, remember? Also, you'll note I didn't say anything about the plague.
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>"Don't worry, I think that as long as I go in respectfully, things should work out. At the very least, whoever this is, it's bound to be miles better than that spider youkai I had to deal with on the last job."
>Sigh. "Man, she was a real nasty piece of work. Ain't my fault those spiders tried to have a mouse dinner and got kebab'd for their troubles."
>"I suppose I cannot rightly say," she answers with a wary look, "but she is, as I hear it, a youkai of the highest rank. Surely one could be of no other kind, to have wrought such a place by their own hand. Presuming, of course, that her hands were involved in the process at all - perhaps they were not! Perhaps she controls this power of hers with a glance or a breath or a wiggle of her eyebrows, yes - I certainly cannot claim any authority over how she wields it. Far more mundane my own meager skill with plants is, no matter the decades of experience I might have - nothing that cannot be taught to any other of any nature." She chuckles slightly. "I suppose there would be otherwise little point in such a profession as mine, no?"
>"Sorry, I wasn't. I was just thinking of an old friend of mine from back home. She's the type who'd love to spend some time in a garden like that. Well, apart from the 'ancient, dangerous youkai', that is, that might give her some pause."
>"But I haven't let that stop me before, not about to stop now. Though I do appreciate the warning, and the extra advise. Another option is always welcome."
>She nods slowly. "About her temperament, I fear I also cannot venture - perhaps she is as bad as some say, or perhaps she is not. Some say she is very bad indeed, I should warn, though people have said many things, yes - many things both true and otherwise, of falsehood willful and also otherwise. An unfortunate thing that is - the willful falsehoods, I mean, of course. Yes, yes, a complicated enough undertaking my discipline is without needing to separate truth from lie, but perhaps I may be drifting away from the point. I have not met this youkai, nor do I expect I ever shall, and I suppose I can be happy enough for that. Yes, no adventure in this blood - enough of what might be called such in early life to serve all the rest of it, I think. Without that, even, I might have done quite as well. Or perhaps even better, yes. You... well, one assumes your profession would not be as it is if you were as I am." She smiles. "No offense intended to either party, yes?"
>"In any case, her privacy is, one reasonably assumes, quite prized or she would not choose such isolation, no? Though perhaps this isolation would foster need of company more than scorn of it?" She frowns. "...somehow, I do not think so. For that matter, I cannot even say that bittercress could be found among that garden, bountiful though it is said - not among the most prized of flowers will you find it, no. Nor indeed among those lesser prized than that, though... not altogether unpleasant it is, no - an understated beauty, one might say. At any rate, if anywhere in the world is to be found a bittercress in bloom at this moment of this year of this cycle among all the cycles one could choose to have need of it - rather unfortunate this is, I suppose, though not surprising in the main, given the wealth of days without this flower to the scarcity of those which are otherwise - it is there."
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Make a note. We need a map.
>Cup our jaw with our hand thoughtfully.
>"All things considered, I think I'd be best served asking around town about the plant, or its seeds, first. And if my search comes up dry, well, now I'll have another place to explore, which I'm grateful for."
>"This garden of perpetual blooms, though. Is it rumored to be hidden amongst a mountain range, a dense forest? The general terrain, I mean. 'The Southwest Wilds' covers a lot of ground, I'd imagine.
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>Cup our jaw with our hand thoughtfully.
>"All things considered, I think I'd be best served asking around town about the plant, or its seeds, first. And if my search comes up dry, well, now I'll have another place to explore, which I'm grateful for."
>"This garden of perpetual blooms, though. Is it rumored to be hidden amongst a mountain range, a dense forest? The general terrain, I mean. 'The Southwest Wilds' covers a lot of ground, I'd imagine.
>The professor bows her head. "Seek as you wish - it is both your profession and prerogative, certainly."
>"Indeed it does," she says thoughtfully. "Indeed it does at that. Though as fortune would have it, the garden's location is not the Southwestern Wild Lands, but merely the wild lands to the southwest - quite a different thing that is, yes. Though I suppose it may technically fall within the Wild Lands on some map or another if you go far enough; the borders are forever changing, you see - I can never keep up with them these days," she mutters. "That was where I was born, you know? Down in Sasa Dioro. Long gone now," she says in a somber tone. "Swallowed by the Wild Lands, it was, from Prado del Sol to the Rio Andanza. Oh, perhaps some building or another still stands, yes, but the nation and its people? They live now only in our hearts." She cups a hand revertently to her own as she says this.
-
>Do any of those new names mean anything to us?
-
>Do any of those new names mean anything to us?
>You believe the Rio Andanza is a fairly lengthy and winding river towards the northern third of the Wild Lands, not too far from its border with Hanashibara. Prado del Sol means nothing to you, and Sasa Dioro rings a fainter bell, though you cannot immediately place it.
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>"Never heard of Prado del Sol, what is it?"
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>"Never heard of Prado del Sol, what is it?"
>"It is a... village," she replies. "Or rather, was - many years now since anyone could call it that, yes. Unless, I suppose, they had consulted a map from the wrong era. Yes, or maybe slept for curiously many years, all at once. Unusual, you may rightly say, but I have heard it happen nonetheless." She smiles weakly. "A beautiful wisteria, the town center had. Royal purple - very old. I... watched it burn."
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>"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to dredge up painful memories."
>Give her a moment if she looks like she needs it.
>If she seems well enough, ask, "That would have been part of Hanashibara, then, yes?"
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>"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to dredge up painful memories."
>Give her a moment if she looks like she needs it.
>If she seems well enough, ask, "That would have been part of Hanashibara, then, yes?"
>"Oh, no, not painful," she says, waving a hand dismissively. "Far too many years for that, yes. It is simply... what it is - a tragedy, of course, but life seems rarely to let one avoid such business altogether. One accepts. Or one does not, perhaps - many choose this also, yes."
>She looks much the same as ever to you.
>She straightens up starchly at this and addresses you in a chastening tone. "Some might take offense at that, I should say." She holds your gaze like this a moment, then relaxes into her previous demeanor again. "But I... am not one of them. No, no, it would be silly to be such. We were that, yes - one of the most remote and proudly independent of the federated states, but a part of that federation nonetheless, in fact and deed both."
-
>We're not familiar with these federated states, remote or local, are we?
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>We're not familiar with these federated states, remote or local, are we?
>You couldn't rhyme the names of all of the member states of Hanashibara off the top of your head, but that's certainly what she's referring to. You understand that their government is slightly less centralized than most other nations, owing at least in part to the circumstances of its founding.
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>"Sorry. Like I said, new to this continent. Haven't had a chance to pick up a map yet."
>Not that this territory would probably still bear its old name, though, if it was overrun decades back, on a modern map, anyway.
>"And this Garden you spoke of, it was purportedly in your.. state?"
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>"Sorry. Like I said, new to this continent. Haven't had a chance to pick up a map yet."
>Not that this territory would probably still bear its old name, though, if it was overrun decades back, on a modern map, anyway.
>"And this Garden you spoke of, it was purportedly in your.. state?"
>"Do not worry yourself. No, not at all. I do not however have... such a map to give you." She frowns slightly. "Somewhere else within the Academy, they may have one, yes. The library does, one can be certain - though you could not have theirs, either. Unexpectedly confounding, this is...."
>You don't think you recall seeing it there, anyway. The border of the Wild Lands is fairly vaguely defined, long, and open. As you understand, it tends to grow increasingly untamed and dangerous the further you venture away from the civilization that borders it, rather than having any firm cutoff where tame ends and wild begins. A lot of it was less wild at some point or another in the past, but in some cases those points were quite distant indeed;
>"Oh, no," she says, shaking her head. "Certainly not. Hiding such a thing as that would be hard there - very open, much of it is, yes. Or much of it was, at any rate, and I have no reason to suspect this has changed! The ones who claimed it are not, I do not think, greatly in the business of planting trees. Would that they were," she muses. "I might greatly like to think another wisteria were growing now in the soil left vacant by the elder's passing. Yes, a pleasant thought to imagine, that is. But at any rate, this garden is not there - I should know its very location to the foot, if it were. Yes, many would. Rather, it is - at least, as I have heard it told - west of Isir's Cross. Perhaps a short distance, perhaps longer, perhaps longer even than that - I cannot say. This could put it within the Wild Lands, yes, or leave it even within the boundary of Val Razua. The state, I mean, of course. Far from the city itself, this is."
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>If we do not know what Isir's Cross is, ask.
-
>If we do not know what Isir's Cross is, ask.
>In this case, you actually do recognize the name. Isir's Cross is an outpost near the border between Val Razua and Hanashibara, along the road to the southwest of the city, and possibly the last before you leave the country entirely; the name presumably stems from the fact that it sits upon the intersection of several different roadways. The outpost itself is actually quite old - you think it predates Hanashibara being a united nation entirely - though you don't believe it's very militarized these days. For that matter, the road itself isn't used nearly as much as the water or sky routes and the southern end of Val Razuan territory is fairly rugged and sparsely populated. The land to the west of it is largely hill and forest, you think, with no real settlement and only an ambiguous boundary between the two neighbouring nations. If you kept going west, you might indeed eventually reach the Wild Lands, though it would probably be the single most arduous route one could take if that was their intended destination.
-
>Is access to this outpost and the area beyond limited to land access, or would water-way travel be more convenient? Or at least faster, if even possible.
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>Is access to this outpost and the area beyond limited to land access, or would water-way travel be more convenient? Or at least faster, if even possible.
>You can certainly arrive near to it by riverboat, if not immediately adjacent, but travel westward would be limited to land. You don't think there's even any road to speak of in that direction, let alone an active waterway. Reaching the outpost itself would probably be somewhat faster by riverboat than road, even if it required making a slight detour through nearby settlements.
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>Approximately how much travel time would we be looking at by boat, assuming no delays?
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>Approximately how much travel time would we be looking at by boat, assuming no delays?
>You're not sure the pace they keep or how many extraneous stops you'd need to put up with along the way, but somewhere between one day and two seems a safe bet.
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>Not an unmanagable time, all things considered, depending on how long things take here in town.
>Take a moment to organize what the professor has told us, and determine if she actually gave us something in the league of precise directions, or at least as precise as she could be for a place with an unknown location.
>Taking into consideration our own tracking and survival skills, do we have enough information to go by, should it become necessary to find this garden with the ancient youkai denizen?
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>Not an unmanagable time, all things considered, depending on how long things take here in town.
>Take a moment to organize what the professor has told us, and determine if she actually gave us something in the league of precise directions, or at least as precise as she could be for a place with an unknown location.
>Taking into consideration our own tracking and survival skills, do we have enough information to go by, should it become necessary to find this garden with the ancient youkai denizen?
>A day or two doesn't seem likely to kill you at the moment, anyway.
>The directions she gave are closer to the opposite of precise, in fact. The area 'west of Isir's Cross and possibly all the way into the Wild Lands' would be several day's journey just to walk from end to end of it, particularly given the terrain. The fact that it's largely forested and hilly will also significantly impede spotting anything from a distance, not to mention that the area is broad enough that you probably couldn't see the whole span of it at once, even if it were clear and flat. It's certainly possible that you could pick up on some geographical cues about to the garden's location once you were out searching for it, but merely wandering aimlessly around that chunk of the continent hoping to bump into it could take weeks.
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>Then we should see if we can get her to narrow it down a bit more, if she can.
>If not, we may need to ask around a bit. Rumors and legends of ancient youkai in eternal gardens, somebody gotta know something.
>"West of Isir's Cross. That's a lot of terrain to cover. It'd really help if I had some idea of even its general vicinity. Like, hidden in the shadow of a particular hill, tucked in a clearing of a remote and rugged forest, that kind of thing."
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>Then we should see if we can get her to narrow it down a bit more, if she can.
>If not, we may need to ask around a bit. Rumors and legends of ancient youkai in eternal gardens, somebody gotta know something.
>"West of Isir's Cross. That's a lot of terrain to cover. It'd really help if I had some idea of even its general vicinity. Like, hidden in the shadow of a particular hill, tucked in a clearing of a remote and rugged forest, that kind of thing."
>That would certainly help.
>This may also be possible.
>"Oh, I certainly couldn't tell you that," the professor replies. "No, certainly not. Not even the country in which it stands, I fear, which is a great deal less specific than a particular individual hill, yes? Though I suppose even knowing which country within which it could be found would help little unless you knew also what country in which you could be found - no convenient boundary lines to cross in the middle of a forest, are there? But no, I'm afraid I may not have much else to say in this regard, of help or otherwise."
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>"That's all right. I wouldn't have thought finding a garden like this would be in any way easy. Finding the elixir recipe used up a lot of my good luck. It just hasn't regenerated yet."
>"But finding information is a Seeker's duty, too. I'd wager someone here in a town this size has heard of this garden as well, might have a clue or two. If push comes to shove, I can ferret them out."
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>"That's all right. I wouldn't have thought finding a garden like this would be in any way easy. Finding the elixir recipe used up a lot of my good luck. It just hasn't regenerated yet."
>"But finding information is a Seeker's duty, too. I'd wager someone here in a town this size has heard of this garden as well, might have a clue or two. If push comes to shove, I can ferret them out."
>The professor nods sagely. "Perhaps you might at that. Yes, perhaps you might at that, indeed. I would offer some suggestion where to look, but... I do not have any such suggestion at all. Apologies."
-
>Damn you, Rinnosuke, where are you when we need you.
>"Don't apologize. I wouldn't even know this garden was even rumored of if you hadn't told me."
>... Where were we going again?
-
>Damn you, Rinnosuke, where are you when we need you.
>"Don't apologize. I wouldn't even know this garden was even rumored of if you hadn't told me."
>... Where were we going again?
>Presumably in the same place as usual, though this does you little good at the moment.
>"I must remind you," she adds hastily, "that I can be sure neither that bittercress is found there, nor that it flowers there - well, that it flowers there now, of course. One assumes that if it is there, it flowers at the least when all those not there also flower, yes."
>You were heading back to the departmental secretary.
-
>In retrospect, if she remembered this garden, she would have mentioned if the school had a catalogue of seeds for sale.
>Assure her, "I realize that. But, every plan of action needs a fall back plan, after all."
-
>In retrospect, if she remembered this garden, she would have mentioned if the school had a catalogue of seeds for sale.
>Assure her, "I realize that. But, every plan of action needs a fall back plan, after all."
>It seems plausible.
>She nods. "Yes, yes, always a sensible thing, that."
-
>Plan A first, then.
>Barring any further delays, let us take our leave of our helpful, if somewhat addled, expert in herbology, and depart to... Oh yeah, the first nursery she mentioned, the one nearest the school.
-
>Plan A first, then.
>Barring any further delays, let us take our leave of our helpful, if somewhat addled, expert in herbology, and depart to... Oh yeah, the first nursery she mentioned, the one nearest the school.
>She did not mention any nursery near the school; they were all to the city's southwest, by the river. The establishment she mentioned to the east of the school was some sort of herbalist or potion-seller.
-
>That'll do.
-
>Pause for ten seconds after the first corner, just in case she forgot something again. Again.
-
>That'll do.
>Pause for ten seconds after the first corner, just in case she forgot something again. Again.
>You take your leave of the professor and head towards the front doors while the bird youkai shuffles back towards her office. A few moments after she's out of sight, you pause and wait, all but expecting to hear ambling footsteps pursuing you once more, as that scattered mind or hers recalls another pertinent (or not so pertinent) detail. Alas, it seems not to be.
>The remainder of your trip back outside is livened up by an alarming quantity of colorful smoke issuing suddenly from a nearby doorway as you pass by it, accompanied by a bizarre aromatic medley of mango juice and pencil shavings. You find yourself unable to decide whether the unconcerned tone with which the attendant alchemists discuss this occurrence is reassuring or vaguely unsettling in and of itself. With just a little more haste in your step, you exit the Flamel Building and then leave the Academy grounds altogether.
>Finding Prestor Row takes you several minutes, but presents no real difficulties. It is a relatively quiet and short street, mixing a few small commercial enterprises among more dour and stately civil institutions with columned facades accented by scattered manicured poplars. Locating your destination is even more straightforward, despite not being given a name or any other identifying feature; the painted sprigs of arlan and peppermint which frame the wooden sign hanging above its door are sufficiently telling, if the cheerful row of potted plants in the front window did not already suffice. You step inside.
>The shop's interior is a humble affair of brown and green, wooden shelves lined with small ceramic urns, vials of thick syrupy liquids, pouches of dried herbs and a modest array of seedlings, along with mortal, pestle, and other supplies of the herbalist's trade. Each shelf is meticulously labeled in a fine hand, but the display units are crowded just a little too close to comfortably accommodate any real traffic. Fortunately, the shop is only lightly populated at the moment - a short woman scrutinizes a collection of pale green sachets in one corner while a middle-aged man with tousled brown hair rearranges objects on the shelves behind a high wooden counter. The air is thick with a muddled and musky smell, pungent brews melding with the vernal aroma of a dozen different plants; it's quite potent.
-
>Do the shelves and displayed wares have proper labels?
>If so, have a quick scan for the items we seek.
-
>Do the shelves and displayed wares have proper labels?
>If so, have a quick scan for the items we seek.
>Yes, both shelves and the wares upon them are arrayed with small white tags upon which names and prices are written in a thin, tidy script.
>You take a look around for the items on your shopping list. Though the shop's inventory is well-organized and reasonably comprehensive, you find no evidence of bittercress among either the fresh or dried herbs, nor for that matter any Athran's Vigor or Aqua Veritatis. The shopkeeper glances in your direction from time to time as he putters about, but otherwise takes no special notice of you.
-
>Come to think of it, the absent-minded professor back there didn't mention what exactly made up the two liquids, did she? Just that they needed to be made.
>Guess it's time to ask some questions.
>Approach the shopkeep.
-
>Come to think of it, the absent-minded professor back there didn't mention what exactly made up the two liquids, did she? Just that they needed to be made.
>Guess it's time to ask some questions.
>Approach the shopkeep.
>She suggested a few times that aqua veritatis was essentially treated water, but made no mention of the constituents of Athran's Vigor. Or the manner in which said water needed to be treated, for that matter, though it's possible this might have gone over your head anyway.
>Decided that some more questions need asking, you approach the shopkeeper.
>With an almost preternatural awareness of this gesture, the man turns around from his work and gives you a professionally warm smile as you approach. "Is there something I can help you with, ma'am?"
-
>Ma'am? That's a rare one. Professional, this one, nice guy.
>"Possibly. There's some flower seeds I was hoping to find somewhere here in town, and I was told it's a rather rare plant. Goes by the name Bittercress, among others."
-
>Ma'am? That's a rare one. Professional, this one, nice guy.
>"Possibly. There's some flower seeds I was hoping to find somewhere here in town, and I was told it's a rather rare plant. Goes by the name Bittercress, among others."
>"Bittercress, is it?" He rubs his chin thoughtfully. "We might have some of it dried in the back, maybe. The seeds, though? Pretty sure that's a no on that, sorry."
-
>Dried.... That wouldn't be sufficient, would it? The recipe called for the flower itself in bloom, not the plant dried out.
>Still...
>"Would dried bittercress still have the same properties as the flower in bloom? For alchemic purposes, I mean."
-
>Dried.... That wouldn't be sufficient, would it? The recipe called for the flower itself in bloom, not the plant dried out.
>Still...
>"Would dried bittercress still have the same properties as the flower in bloom? For alchemic purposes, I mean."
>The man's accommodating smile wavers little. "Well, since it isn't the flower itself that's dried, I'd have to say no on that. It doesn't really have a lot of applications in the first place, though; I'm not even sure we still have any."
-
>Hey, what do we know about herbology, anyway.
>"I suppose that brings me to my next question, then. Well, more of a price check, really, on a pair of mixtures, if they can be made here. Athran's vigor and aqua veritas."
-
>Hey, what do we know about herbology, anyway.
>"I suppose that brings me to my next question, then. Well, more of a price check, really, on a pair of mixtures, if they can be made here. Athran's vigor and aqua veritas."
>A small amount, as concerns first aid and the application of a few common remedies, but nothing substantial.
>"Athran's..." The man pauses here, his head turning to the side with a confused furrow in his brow. "What?"
-
>Did the professor mention any alternate names for the vigor, or its composite ingredients?
-
>Did the professor mention any alternate names for the vigor, or its composite ingredients?
>She gave no alternate names, nor specifics on its composition, though she did say it was quite an antiquated mixture and one which you'd be unlikely to find at any ordinary supplier.
-
>"It's the only name I know it by. It's an older substance, I know that much. I get the feeling it hasn't been commonly available for a long time."
-
>"It's the only name I know it by. It's an older substance, I know that much. I get the feeling it hasn't been commonly available for a long time."
>"Yeah, the name does sound a bit old-fashioned." The man pauses a moment, then shakes his head. "I'm afraid we don't stock either of those things here, either."
-
>Nod. Of course it wouldn't be that easy.
>"Well, what about making them? I mean, do you make items on request? Not the Vigor, obviously, but what about the truth water? Or aqua veritatis, whichever you prefer."
-
>Nod. Of course it wouldn't be that easy.
>"Well, what about making them? I mean, do you make items on request? Not the Vigor, obviously, but what about the truth water? Or aqua veritatis, whichever you prefer."
>"I'm afraid I'm not familiar with it," he says. "Now, if you have a recipe, I'd be more than happy to take a look at it, of course."
-
>Did the prof mention a recipe for that one?
-
>Did the prof mention a recipe for that one?
>She said that it was basically water, prepared and treated in certain ways. She did not specify what those ways were.
-
>"All I know of it is that it's water that's been specially prepared in some way. As for what way, specifically, I honestly don't know."
-
>"All I know of it is that it's water that's been specially prepared in some way. As for what way, specifically, I honestly don't know."
>"Not even a hint?" he asks.
-
>Spread hands helplessly.
-
>Spread hands helplessly.
>"Well, then I'm sorry to say there's not much I can do for you, is there?" He gives you a conciliatory smile. "There's a lot of things I can do with water if you're not picky, though."
-
You know, Doc Hoatzin would probably be delighted to see us again, anyways. It'd be like the grandchildren coming to visit.
-
It seems a bit.... I dunno, wrong, somehow, to turn around after that rather extended goodbye with a somewhat delayed doorknob question.
On the other hand, she DID seem to know her stuff, once you get down to the meat of her sentances. Maybe we SHOULD go back, indeed.
But there is at least one more thing I want to ask this guy, and that's if he knows of any alchemist shop in town that specializes in older-style recipies. A shop like that might have the recipes we need on file, and maybe even the seeds we need.
-
Go for it.
-
>"I believe I do have to be picky, if I want the stuff I'm looking for. I don't know enough about it to know if I can start substituting materials, if you can even do that."
>"Well, do you know of any place in town that specializes in more, as you said, old-fashioned substances?"
-
>"I believe I do have to be picky, if I want the stuff I'm looking for. I don't know enough about it to know if I can start substituting materials, if you can even do that."
>"Well, do you know of any place in town that specializes in more, as you said, old-fashioned substances?"
>"Couldn't tell you," he says. "Not without knowing more about this aqua veritatis of yours."
>The shopkeeper smiles and idly scratches his head. "Old-fashioned? Can't say that's something I've heard people looking for in their potions before. But I'll tell you what: if you can tell me what this stuff of yours is supposed to do, I'm sure I can recommend you something we have that'll still do the trick. Unless you're trying to poison someone, of course." He chuckles lightly.
-
>Oh, if he knew the irony of that one.
>"Remedy, actually. Gimme a sec..."
>Pause and remember the wording of the book. "Fortify the blood, screening foul vapors, and curing the ragged blackening of veins. And if my client's right, it might serve to fortify crops against disease, too."
-
>Oh, if he knew the irony of that one.
>"Remedy, actually. Gimme a sec..."
>Pause and remember the wording of the book. "Fortify the blood, screening foul vapors, and curing the ragged blackening of veins. And if my client's right, it might serve to fortify crops against disease, too."
>An uncertain frown slips through the man's professional demeanor for a moment. "That's a lot of stuff for one potion to do, isn't it? But we've got antivenoms, remedies for fevers, chills, and weakness, and even something that'll let you breathe smoke near as good as if it were clean air. And if that's not what you mean by 'fortifying your blood', I can whip up something that'll keep you sober after half a keg of brandy. Not sure how well any of that stuff works on crops, though; not my usual market, you know?"
-
>Man makes a decent sales pitch.
>"That's pretty fortified, all right. Still, I feel I should try to replicate the elixir the recipe calls for. Which means I should try and find out what, exactly, goes into the two liquid components."
>Not to mention this impossible plant.
>"But about how long does brewing a potion usually take... Actually, I suppose that would depend on the potion, wouldn't it?"
-
>Man makes a decent sales pitch.
>"That's pretty fortified, all right. Still, I feel I should try to replicate the elixir the recipe calls for. Which means I should try and find out what, exactly, goes into the two liquid components."
>Not to mention this impossible plant.
>"But about how long does brewing a potion usually take... Actually, I suppose that would depend on the potion, wouldn't it?"
>There's an unmistakably practiced ease to his friendliness, but it doesn't seem altogether artificial either.
>He nods. "As you like. We'll still be here."
>That would probably help, too.
>"It would indeed," he replies readily. "Some I can whip up inside an hour, others have to steep for days, or longer. But you'll be hard-pressed to find a place that can do it faster than us, let me tell you that."
-
>"And what about pricing? I know you can't be exact, since we don't know exactly what we're dealing with yet, but what's an average price for, say, an anti-toxin, or a healing brew of some kind that's more run of the mill."
-
>"And what about pricing? I know you can't be exact, since we don't know exactly what we're dealing with yet, but what's an average price for, say, an anti-toxin, or a healing brew of some kind that's more run of the mill."
>"That really depends on what you're looking for," the shopkeeper says, his frown just a little more sympathetic than necessary. "Could be as little as 10 guilders, but it really depends."
-
>"Let's say.... an antidote for a snake bite, or a spider bite."
-
>"Let's say.... an antidote for a snake bite, or a spider bite."
>"Depends on the kind of snake or spider you're talking about," he says. "But assuming it's nothing too exotic, probably 15 or 20 guilders a vial. That'll get you at least a few doses, mind. That's also assuming it's not a youkai you're talking about, either - all bets are off, then."
-
>"Learned that myself the hard way, once."
>"I was thinking specifically about the local wildlife southwest of the city, between here and the Wild Lands. I may have some traveling in my future."
-
>"Learned that myself the hard way, once."
>"I was thinking specifically about the local wildlife southwest of the city, between here and the Wild Lands. I may have some traveling in my future."
>He gives a sympathetic wince. "Nasty business, that can be."
>"Between here and the Wild Lands, is it? Well..." The shopkeeper strokes his chin with affected thoughtfulness. "Probably isn't going to be too much that'll bother you if you stay near the roads, though you might run into a banded rock snake if you start wandering around the woods, or maybe a blue-dappled adder or two down in Hanashibara. A general-purpose antivenom will cover both of those just fine and only set you back 18 guilders. But if you'd like to be a bit more thorough, I can sell you a proper traveling kit - stuff for snake bites and fleshier ones too, salve and treated bandages to help close wounds quickly, tonics to stave off fatigue or help you get a good night's sleep, even something to put an extra spring in your step if you've got some serious hiking to do. The works." He flashes you the kind of smile that dares butter to even try melting in his mouth.
-
>"How much?"
-
>We do not currently have a first aid kit of any sort, do we?
-
>"How much?"
>You catch the shopkeeper steal a subtle glance at your badge. "Well, if you were to buy all those things individually, it would set you back at least 100 guilders, but the package deal gets you the works for only 70. And that's a bargain price for some of this stuff, let me tell you."
>We do not currently have a first aid kit of any sort, do we?
>None to speak of, no.
-
I reccomend the cheap basic anti-toxin for now. We do still have a limited budget, after all.
-
I think he's janking us.
>What do we know about the going rates on these kinds of things, and their production? Surely our training covered gear and how not to get janked over it.
-
>What do we know about the going rates on these kinds of things, and their production? Surely our training covered gear and how not to get janked over it.
>It did. The price quoted for the antivenom seems just a touch high, though not entirely unreasonable - you understand that prices in Val Razua tend to be higher across the board than back in Braston. As for the traveling kit, that one does seem quite a bit more pricey, but you also don't know exactly what it contains or in how generous a quantity; 'the works' tends to have wildly differing definitions depending on who's making that claim.
-
Come to think of it, we don't need to spend anything at all right now, I don't think. Especially not if we're going back to see professor grandma. I just wanted to see if we could feel out the prices of this place, see what we had to work with.
-
>Being a youkai, just how well do we take to being poisoned? Do we have horrible personal experience to back it up?
I think we could haggle him down a bit on antivenom.
-
>Being a youkai, just how well do we take to being poisoned? Do we have horrible personal experience to back it up?
>Like most youkai, you have a certain resistance to a variety of physical ailments, including poison. Yours is, you suspect, not nearly as good as some, but you managed to weather envenomations from two separate kinds of giant spider without acute symptoms lasting even as long as an hour. Though the second of those bites is still a profoundly unpleasant experience to recall; you're pretty sure you'd rather just get stabbed again than have to endure that a second time. As for more mundane fauna, you were told you got off a lot easier from that banded arbor snake bite back in your apprenticeship than any human could expect to. That wasn't much fun, either, though.
-
I have no objections to a little haggling. However, I reccomend that it can wait. We know the place is here, and we can come back once we know what the Vigor and Water are made of, and how much they cost. I suggest we attend to that first, before dropping any greenbacks.
-
>Do we know how much a basic first aid kit would cost back in Braston? Or anti-venom, for that matter.
-
>Do we know how much a basic first aid kit would cost back in Braston? Or anti-venom, for that matter.
>A basic first aid kit might set you back around 20 guilders or so, but this would be a fairly mundane one; magical healing aids are not altogether uncommon, but can sometimes be pretty pricy depending on what they specifically are. A vial of broad-spectrum antivenom on its own might be closer to 12 guilders.
-
>Thinking on it, have we passed by any outdoorsman stlye shops, wholesellers, anyplace here in town where we could acquire a first aid kit and other goods for if and when we have to travel beyond town? An Adventurer's Mart, for lack of a better term.
-
>Thinking on it, have we passed by any outdoorsman stlye shops, wholesellers, anyplace here in town where we could acquire a first aid kit and other goods for if and when we have to travel beyond town? An Adventurer's Mart, for lack of a better term.
>You believe you did spot something resembling that along the main commercial thoroughfare on your way towards the Academy. It wouldn't be too hard to backtrack that way and find it again, though it would take some time.
-
>"Hmm, I'll think about it. I need to go get some more information about some things, first."
>Assuming no real complaints, it's back to see la profesora!
-
>Glance around the shop on the way out, though, for any kind of powder or liquid that seems to induce sleep.
In the event we find another spider youkai we need to put down without PUTTING her down.
-
>"Hmm, I'll think about it. I need to go get some more information about some things, first."
>Assuming no real complaints, it's back to see la profesora!
>Glance around the shop on the way out, though, for any kind of powder or liquid that seems to induce sleep.
>The man nods. "Well, you know where we are. You have a good day now, ma'am."
>You turn to leave the shop, taking another glance through their stock as you go for anything soporific. There are treatments for insomnia and to otherwise induce a restful sleep, but you don't believe any of them are intended for unwilling recipients. Maybe if you could slip them into someone's stew and had an hour or two to wait around afterward, maybe, but you're unsure of even that. You have no doubt that such a substance can be purchased from somewhere, but this might not be the place for it. You exit the building.
>The return trip to Professor Bosqueverde's office is uneventful, and quicker now that you know the route. The gum of hers that you've been idly working at for a while has now mostly lost its flavor and started to harden into a sort of vaguely tasteless mass; you find yourself slightly uncertain of whether you're supposed to keep going at it or not. Within the Flamel Building itself, the flood of dubious smoke from earlier has thinned to a faint prismatic haze, though the inane blend aromatic citrus and smoldering graphite still lingers in the air, tickling your nose as you walk past.
>You find the professor's door slightly ajar. She has resumed her vaguely off-key humming.
-
>Nothing blew up in the meantime. Must be a good day.
>Knock.
-
>Nothing blew up in the meantime. Must be a good day.
>Knock.
>At least not so far as you can tell, but who knows?
>You knock at the door and are quickly answered by a familiar reedy voice; at least you seem to have startled her less this time.
>"Yes, yes, who is it?"
-
>"It's me again. I had a couple of follow up questions, if that's all right."
-
>"It's me again. I had a couple of follow up questions, if that's all right."
>"Oh!" You hear something being placed on a table, followed by the slow shuffle of footsteps. "Of course it is alright, yes. Yes, yes, passing knowledge to others is why my door is open - not that expect there is much more I can tell you about this search of yours than I did not already! No, I'm afraid not. But yes, do come in."
-
>"Two things, actually, specifically."
>Enter!
-
>"Two things, actually, specifically."
>Enter!
>"Two things, is it?" she asks as you step inside. "What... two things might these things be then, Seeker..." The professor looks at you and frowns. "That is to say...." She trails off, her frown deepening. Her eyes narrow into a squint, as if she were trying to make out some small detail on your person. And failing. She opens her mouth hesitantly.
>"Did you... did you, by chance, not tell me your name the last time you were here? Or... have I merely forgotten? My profuse apologies if that is so - forever forgetting these things, I am. Dreadfully impolite of me, that is. Yes, yes, dreadfully impolite." She regards you with faintly fretful apprehension; it's actually sort of pitiable looking.
-
>Did we?
-
>Did we?
>You're pretty sure you did, actually.
-
>Smile slightly comfortingly.
>"It's fine. And it's Nazrin."
-
>Smile slightly comfortingly.
>"It's fine. And it's Nazrin."
>You give the woman a comforting smile and then give her your name again, deciding to let slide the fact that you did this once already. The professor's expression eases somewhat and she nods.
>"Nazrin, is it? Yes, a name out of the ordinary, that is - I shall make a point to remember it! Welcome again to my office, Seeker Nazrin. I am Professor Fiora Gracia Rios de la Bosqueverde." She bows slightly. "And, in that particular capacity, what... can I do for you?"
-
>Bit of a mouthful for a name there.
>"Well, you'll recall we were discussin Athran's Vigor and aqua veritatis before. Well, it only occured to me when I was talking to an alchemist in a shop that, I have no idea what materials make up those two liquids. So I was hoping you might."
-
>Bit of a mouthful for a name there.
>"Well, you'll recall we were discussin Athran's Vigor and aqua veritatis before. Well, it only occured to me when I was talking to an alchemist in a shop that, I have no idea what materials make up those two liquids. So I was hoping you might."
>It's certainly long, anyway.
>Her features perk up. "Oh, yes! Yes, I most certainly do know such a thing - variations and evolutions, even, regional and historical both. Not very much use in my daily affairs or ever annual ones, it's true, but from time to time the uses of such knowledge as it has them do present themselves. And I suppose this is just such an occasion as that, yes?" She seems quite pleased about this, somehow.
-
>What's the longest name we've ever heard?
>Smile and nod. "It certainly is."
-
>What's the longest name we've ever heard?
>Smile and nod. "It certainly is."
>You're fairly sure that honor belongs to the chief magistrate of Welmark, and you hope to never meet its match again in your life. Or at least have to sit and listen to it. Apparently it's local tradition for the magistrate to append the names and titles of the previous magistrate to their own upon assuming office. A magistrate who had, themselves, appended the names and titles of their own predecessor, and on and on and on. Supposedly it emphasizes the pedigree of the position and the unbroken line of stable governance since the city's founding. It is also clear evidence that their electoral terms are far, far too brief.
>She nods "Right! Well, for the purposes of expedience - you would no doubt rather it be done as such, I am sure - let us limit our scope to the most attested and typified of formula by which the vigor had been known to be made. And here, I should emphasize that-" She pauses abruptly, regards you quizzically for a moment, then cranes her neck towards you and squints again.
>"How much... knowledge of the art do you possess?" She asks. "I mean that not as a criticism nor rightly do I assume that you do not - simply that I do not know that you do not or even that you do, in fact - if it is in fact that you do, yes."
-
>"Honestly? Not an awful lot."
-
>"Honestly? Not an awful lot."
>She nods. "In that case, I will endevour for clarity, yes. Did you want simply a list of ingredients, or also details beyond this?"
-
>"I appreciate it."
>Consider for a moment.
>"What kind of details are we talking here? I mean, do the ingredients need to be handled or treated in certain ways?"
-
>"I appreciate it."
>Consider for a moment.
>"What kind of details are we talking here? I mean, do the ingredients need to be handled or treated in certain ways?"
>She nods twice more, an encouraging and even slightly matronly expression on her face.
>"Oh yes, certainly," she says "Preparation of any such substance can have many prescribed steps, and yet more less prescribed, if still recommended. Complex preparations can be quite complex in their preparation indeed. Athran's Vigor is not such a one, to be sure, but still would I not suggest it be brewed by one without knowledge and training in the art. Not if you were expecting the end-result to be as one intended, at any rate - and sometimes it can be quite bad if it is not! Yes, very bad indeed, sometimes. Very easy to get these things wrong, without proper care and training - much have I seen such over the years. In difficulty, overall and in comparison to other staples of our art - modern ones, yes, which this of course is not, but to which it can still be held in contrast - I would rate it as moderate."
-
>"Well, I didn't plan on brewing it myself, if I don't have to. My plan was to learn the ingredients, and take those lists to an alchemy shop. Or acquire the ingredients myself, if I had to."
-
>"Well, I didn't plan on brewing it myself, if I don't have to. My plan was to learn the ingredients, and take those lists to an alchemy shop. Or acquire the ingredients myself, if I had to."
>"In that case of requesting it be brewed, a list of ingredients would be quite certainly insufficient - or at least one assumes such if the alchemist recognized the recipe little enough to require such a list to begin with! Yes, perhaps they forgot only one item from its whole while keeping the rest secure in their memories, but I do not think I would trust to that. No, better to be certain, I think."
>She pauses and considers for a moment. "I could pen an... adequate list of instructions, should this be what you indeed require, though by limitations of time, such a treatment as you'd find in a historic herbal text would be quite more comprehensive. Quite a bit so, yes. The library has several - of this I am quite sure. I have been told also that my handwriting is... at least to a certain degree and perhaps in particular to certain people... somewhat... abstruse." She frowns uncomfortably.
-
>"Why not both? You could write up a note, which would be appreciated, and you can fill me in on the important details in the doing."
-
>"Why not both? You could write up a note, which would be appreciated, and you can fill me in on the important details in the doing."
>She regards you with a pensive expression. "In advance I say that this is comment neither on your capability nor your perception, so please bear it in your mind in those terms... but in counter to your suggestion, it is only that I fear the details and significances of said may not be properly understood by one... lacking in certain other foundational knowledge. I hope you are not offended by this." The earnestness with which this hope is writ on her face is disarmingly genuine.
-
>Give her a smile. "I'm a Seeker, not an alchemist. I know it, it's just a fact, and I'm not so proud as to pretend otherwise. But I am a good listener. I'd like to know what I'm getting into. And, I'd like to know what to say to whoever I end up seeing to get these made."
>"Unless...."
>There's a thought.
>"Unless you yourself offer this service."
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>Give her a smile. "I'm a Seeker, not an alchemist. I know it, it's just a fact, and I'm not so proud as to pretend otherwise. But I am a good listener. I'd like to know what I'm getting into. And, I'd like to know what to say to whoever I end up seeing to get these made."
>"Unless...."
>There's a thought.
>"Unless you yourself offer this service."
>"Oh, commercial work isn't really something I do these days," she says with a gentle smile. "Quite full hands I have with all of this and all the many new faces - and some less so, I should say! - passing through these halls each year. Busy and fulfilling both, it is - a happy circumstance that my circumstance is as happy as it is, yes. But the making of the vigor should be without any difficulty of note for any at all practiced in this art, yes. Finding one who knows of it, perhaps moreso. Perhaps moreso than it should, even," she sighs lightly, "but progress is not itself something to be held still for the sake of tradition. No, indeed not! The tradition itself is of necessity built upon such. But you may yet be able to find an alchemist in possession both of the requisite knowledge and skill, I am certain - beyond myself, I mean, of course."
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>Clench teeth. One more delay, more time wasted...!
>"Would you KNOW of any? Besides yourself."
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I think we can guilt her, if we have to.
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>Clench teeth. One more delay, more time wasted...!
>"Would you KNOW of any? Besides yourself."
>You grit your teeth and try not to let the sentiment behind it bleed through.
>"I am... I am not certain that I do," she says. "Or rather I am certain that I do, but not certain of which one of whom I do that this would be. Knowing of their knowing of the recipe for a potion itself not used since several centuries is quite a specific fact for one to be knowing, yes - even in a profession itself composed of many obscure facts, yes." Her eyes narrow slightly and she frowns. "Is... something the matter?"
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>Exhale though nose. Don't forget, Nazrin, you still have to find that damned flower before either of these liquids will be of any use to you. No matter who you get to make it. And getting mad at the professor here isn't going to make your task any easier.
>"Nothing, really. Just had an unpleasant memory cross my mind. This job's been.... A rougher ride than I'd have liked. And it isn't over yet. Whoever I find that can make this stuff, it won't do me any good if I can't find that flower."
>"But, first things first."
>"These mixtures, the vigor and the water. Do they... expire, over time? Lose their effectiveness? Say, I get them made, and then have to leave town to find the plant. Will I have to worry about the liquids becoming inert?"
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>Exhale though nose. Don't forget, Nazrin, you still have to find that damned flower before either of these liquids will be of any use to you. No matter who you get to make it. And getting mad at the professor here isn't going to make your task any easier.
>"Nothing, really. Just had an unpleasant memory cross my mind. This job's been.... A rougher ride than I'd have liked. And it isn't over yet. Whoever I find that can make this stuff, it won't do me any good if I can't find that flower."
>"But, first things first."
>"These mixtures, the vigor and the water. Do they... expire, over time? Lose their effectiveness? Say, I get them made, and then have to leave town to find the plant. Will I have to worry about the liquids becoming inert?"
>You take a calming breath and try to collect yourself. The professor offers you a sympathetic, if slightly muddled smile as you make veiled reference to your situation.
>"If you, perhaps, were gone for several months, this might be true," she replies. "Yes, certainly over some length of time, this would happen. But not a brief one, no. For some mixtures, this would of course be otherwise, but not for these; at least one half a year should I expect the vigor to retain nearly all the potency with which it was brewed - assuming, of course, it was not stored and handled with wanton impropriety. Yes, yes, this goes without saying - not that I would assume anyone of skill to make it would err in such a fashion barring unlikely accident. Aqua veritatis is another matter, of course - and simpler, I should say! While the name itself is long dated and techniques no longer quite identical, it is in essence and function the very historic mirror of purified and activated water - the base for a great many things beyond this recipe of yours, yes. Oh, many indeed. Any alchemist at all should have this in as great or small a quantity as they ever should require.
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>That's something.
>"And they're likewise safe to transport?"
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>That's something.
>"And they're likewise safe to transport?"
>She nods. "Oh yes, quite stable they are. The risk, I think, would wholly be in dropping them."
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>That's a relief, then. Means we can lug this stuff around if and when we have to leave town without having to worry about our ass exploding.
>"How long does it take to make them?"
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>That's a relief, then. Means we can lug this stuff around if and when we have to leave town without having to worry about our ass exploding.
>"How long does it take to make them?"
>Yes, an exploding ass is the last thing you need right now.
>"An afternoon, I expect, should be all that it would take," she says.
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>Wow. Two right to the point. You're getting better, prof.
>"More good news. Assuming the ingredients for them aren't too hard to come by."
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>Wow. Two right to the point. You're getting better, prof.
>"More good news. Assuming the ingredients for them aren't too hard to come by."
>Perhaps she's taking this 'clarity' thing to heart, after all?
>The professor clears her throat and straightens upright. "The principle components of Athran's Vigor are - by the most attested and typical of recipes of that era, as I said earlier - fresh arlan, essence of hawthorn, the feather of a hawk or eagle - preferably a white-crested eagle, though I have read of others substituted - crushed sunthistle, honey, the blood of an ox or a bull - the more vigorous the better, yes, though I gather that any healthy one will do well enough - green vitriol, tannic acid, and a small quantity of silver dust. The last of these will be of some modest expense, perhaps, and one or two others of some modest rarity, but nothing that cannot for certain be found within this city. Some are even quite easy to find, yes."
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>"That's quite a list."
>Are we familiar enough with those items to be able to guesstimate their combined cost?
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>"That's quite a list."
>Are we familiar enough with those items to be able to guesstimate their combined cost?
>"It is of modest length," she says with a nod. "No great complexity involved, as I said - in another league of simplicity altogether from certain other potions I have worked with, from scattered time to time. The Tears of Engetsu... now that was an intriguing challenge - most intriguing indeed. Rare that such a thing comes past one's desk, it is. Fortunate as well, perhaps, or I might have time for little else. And fortunate for you as well, I think it is, that this is not as that."
>You are familiar with the market value of some of these components, though it's difficult to estimate without knowing what sort of quantity you're talking about. Arlan is relatively cheap and honey cheaper still. You suspect essence of hawthorn is also affordable given that hawthorn itself isn't exactly hard to come by. Or at least it wasn't back in Estval; you suspect it could be rarer in this part of the world. Silver has the potential to be fairly pricey depending on how small 'small' is, while the ox blood and eagle feather seem more likely to be difficult to find than actually expensive. You have no idea about the other three ingredients.
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>"Still and all, I'm glad for the written list. Just in case."
>"So, about how much do you think all that would cost in these parts?"
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>"Still and all, I'm glad for the written list. Just in case."
>"So, about how much do you think all that would cost in these parts?"
>"Oh. Well..." She frowns and stares absently at the ceiling, muttering to herself as she counts something off on her fingers. "And that was at least 3... or was it 4? No, certainly 3... and if there are near to 20 in a... No, wait, that can't be right... Yes, and if that is of twice the... unless..."
>She gives you a sheepish expression. "I am not very good at these things. Apologies. Perhaps no more than... 35 guilders? Or perhaps even a little more after all - rarely these days do I shop for such things...."
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>Nod. "That's actually good news. I admit, I was a bit concerned one or both these things would be beyond my budget. But that, I think I can manage, if I have to."
>"Which, I suppose, brings us to the water."
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>Nod. "That's actually good news. I admit, I was a bit concerned one or both these things would be beyond my budget. But that, I think I can manage, if I have to."
>"Which, I suppose, brings us to the water."
>"Oh, that?" She smiles gently. "Any maker of potions will have a superior incarnation already in stock, yes. Would be hard to run such a business without such a thing, yes. The cost of it accounted for already in their standard fee, I would expect - if I had to expect any such thing at all, of course."
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>"What do you mean, 'superior'?"
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>"What do you mean, 'superior'?"
>"'Superior' in that it is equivalent in function, yet better, yes. Several times before you have asked questions of substitutions for which a suitable answer I could not provide, but in this, you need not worry. Modern alchemical water and this aqua veritatis are not so very different at all."
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>"Are you sure? I don't want to sound difficult, and I trust your word, but, I just want to be certain."
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>"Are you sure? I don't want to sound difficult, and I trust your word, but, I just want to be certain."
>"Oh, I am quite certain," she says. "As will suit your purposes, I think, you may consider them one and the same - as in essence and function they indeed are, most nearly. Beyond this is a matter of minutia, yes, either technical or historical or even both, perhaps - without prejudice or aspersion both I feel I must preface this, but I fear you... might not understand."
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>"And it, too, is safe to transport? Doesn't wear out?"
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>"And it, too, is safe to transport? Doesn't wear out?"
>"As safe as water of any other form, I should say." And so she does. "Perhaps a great deal more, even - most dangerous to one's health steam can be! Or perhaps even ice, yes. Yes, it is quite safe - to yourself and the water both. Assuming, of course, a proper vessel, in which case otherwise to the former alone - most unsuited to it a normal canteen would be, yes. Well, perhaps not most, though I should certainly not recommend it in either sense. No, certainly not unless without any other choice you are, and I am uncertain why that should itself be so."
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>Then we may have to look into a 'proper' vessel, but dude at the alchemist store can tell us about that.
>"Well, I think that covers all the issues I had with those two items."
>Crack a wry grin. "I bet I sounded a bit like one of your first year students, but, I pride myself on being thorough."
>Sell Aya to cover the costs.
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>Sell Aya to cover the costs.
>You produce Aya from your backpack and offer to sell her to Professor Bosqueverde to cover your expenses.
>"Oh, a tengu?" she says, raising a brow and shuffling in for a closer look.
>Aya surveys her surroundings with a slack-jawed and vacant expression, looking for all the world like a woman just plucked unceremoniously from halfway across the world. Funny that. "How did you- Where is-" She stares wide-eyed into your open pack. "How?!"
>The professor cranes her neck towards Aya's wings. "One of my colleagues, I do rightly believe, was seeking recently the feathers of a tengu for some project or another. Rare it is that we get the opportunity to come upon such things, even within a city such as this. Yes, yes, very much to their own isolation do they keep."
>"Helloooo?" The tengu's voice is strangely muffled; on inspection, she seems to have stuck her whole head inside your pack again. Oddly, you think you can hear her voice echoing. "Is anyone else down there?"
>"The issue of price is an uncertain one," the professor continues without the slightest acknowledgement of the situation. "Yes, a most uncommon question for a commodity itself most uncommon. While I cannot rightly claim to speak for another, I might yet say that the region of 20 guilders per feather could be perhaps considered reasonable, yes - or reasonable enough, at any rate. Excuse me, miss, but how many might you be willing to part with?"
>"Can you speak up a little?" you hear Aya shout into your pack. "I can't see any-"
>At that point, the pirate's voice is cut off with an abrupt shriek as she is yanked headfirst back into your inventory. You hear the dull thump of leather on leather as it closes up after her, followed by a faint gurgling noise.
>The professor regards the spot Aya occupied a moment before with a crestfallen look. "Ah. A pity, that."