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 Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 7:46 am
Journal Entry 1
DeArca has spent several weeks on his own in the forest. Since he left the Lumber farm and Illyana to learn more about his discovered past about his gypsy parents, he had to take action so that he could find out what to do next. First order of business....transportation. DeArca spent a few weeks doing what he could to build himself a wagon and purchase a mule to pull it. With everything he had earned working on the farm, he spent his earnings on tools and supplies to build wagons and just a fraction of his money to buy a mule. With what little he had, he wasn't going to get a docile mule that did what he was told...he got a mule that was just as hard-headed as him. The breeder called him Marko and said that DeArca needed God with him to make the mule so what he said. DeArca decided to play it simple and bring Marko along only to know Marko didn't feel like going anywhere. This mule may have been stubborn, but he was smart...so DeArca made a small business proposition. With a satchel of oats each night, Marko would gladly give DeArca some help so now the two were ready. Using his large axe, he began to chop down a couple dozen trees and with his tools he spent days on end building his wagon. Once he was finally finished that day, he gave a cheer to himself and slid his hand across the beautiful wagon. He named it the Forest Spirit since it was forest trees that were used in its construction. DeArca had his wagon....now to find a caravan like Illyana had shown him.
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Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 10:22 am
Journal Entry 2
DeArca was now celebrating the completion of his wagon and with his task done, he had to resupply himself so he went off into the woods to gather nuts and berries for food. What he discovered in that forest was something incredible...a small carving of a willow tree that looked a bit eaten at its base. He kept it of course, so he stashed it in his satchel as he searched for food. He still had a little money left even though he wanted to spend everything on tools and supplies but he knew better than to have no money at all. To his surprise he attracted a couple who surprised him. A woman and a child that looked...like a squirrel. Another surprise was that they both were gypsies and he greeted them accordingly, curious to learn more. The woman's name was Caroline and her beauty was almost beyond words to describe. Her daughter, Rojiza, was just as beautiful and she was so shy to speak it was funny. Speaking with the further gave DeArca hope to learn more about his mysterious heritage and it was a miracle that they asked if he would like to join them into town. Of course he agreed, he was one step closer to finding a caravan to give him answers. He asked if they could tell him anything about the carving he found and it seemed that they knew its purpose. DeArca offered it to them but they refused, asking him to keep it because it perhaps would bring me a wonderful future event. As such, DeArca kept the carving as they asked, keeping quiet about it. Perhaps he would have answers in the future about the mysterious figurine.
Once in town, they entered a restaurant which DeArca was more than willing to pay for but Caroline had a way to pay. She secretly left the table and went backstage and to his confusion, DeArca asked Rojiza what happened. Rojiza of course stayed quiet but gave a friendly smile, wanting him to watch. DeArca's eyes were widening to see Caroline actually dancing on stage. He was a gypsy so did he have to learn how to dance? Hopefully not as well as she did because her movements were so hypnotic that DeArca couldn't look away from her graceful steps. Once she had finished, Caroline seemed to attract another. A woman had spoken with Caroline and DeArca wondered what would happen next. When Caroline returned, introducing the woman, Irirna, she explained that Irina was too a gyspy. Caroline wanted us both to follow her wagon to her caravan but she said she had to visit her family first. I agreed along with Irina and now our journey to the caravan had begun.
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Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 9:23 pm
Journal Entry 3
DeArca has waited for the time when he would be brought to the caravan and now, it is done. After Caroline made her visit to see her family, she led both DeArca and Irina towards the mountains and meet with the caravan. What a sight it was for DeArca to see so many wagons and gypsies. When he believed himself to be the only male, he was proven wrong at the sight. This made him much more comfortable since now he wasn't truly alone in his gender. Watching them speak for a while, he noticed the beautiful leader approach, Valleldia. She spoke loud and clearly to all who surrounded DeArca of the joyous meeting they had come to and began the ceremony. It started when she used a bag of contents to be exposed to everyone, within it a handful of dust was to be thrown into the flame. Inside the flame exposed a vision for the wielder to see only for himself or herself. When DeArca saw this amazing wonder, the flame did nothing but turn purple. What could this mean? Only time would tell.
Now the most amazing event in DeArca's time with the group was about to come to pass. A girl named Oqaia came to the center, asking some chosen members to approach. Naturally, DeArca stepped forward, taking this time to ask questions about the mysterious carving he had found in the forest. When Oqaia welcomed him, DeArca gave her the figurine and with the great power of the Meij, it transformed straight in front of him...into a brown field mouse. Astonished, he took the mouse, wondering what to do now that he had this amazing creature. Oqaia said this mouse would one day become a child and become even more amazing. Standing back to let the others have their chance, he was offered one last gift...a special book called a TellBook. He was to ask the book questions so he could be given answers mysteriously. Something told him this would be the start of a new beginning...for him...and his mouse, Ash.
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Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 10:16 am
TellBook Entry 1 DeArca sat at his desk as his eyes gazed on the mysterious book he was given as a gift. As instructed, he was supposed to ask the book questions and close it overnight and once he read it again, something would appear??? Was this true? DeArca decided that seeing Ash born from a wooden carving meant anything was possible with the power of the Meij. Reaching for his pen, he used his free hand to bring over a bottle of ink. A few dabs was all it took to ready himself for his very first entry. Opening the book, his pen slid across the paper in a writing fashion. What kind of a Question to ask? He thought to himself, wondering what else to write other than the date. His pen began to move once again. "My first question is....now that I've learned both my parents are gypsies, what has become of them? Will I ever see them in the future or not?" He wrote quickly in wonder. "My second question....will I ever see Illyana again and will she ever become a gypsy? Is there a way to bring her with me on this journey?" DeArca gave a sigh as he closed the book, putting down his pen. "If this book does have magic, I hope it can give me an answer."
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Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 6:44 am
Journal Entry 4
The Ceremony is now finally over. DeArca's wagon was set in the far back, which was virtually where he was supposed to be since he was new. But now there was a new task for him, help decide where the caravan was going. Looking to his map, he had to make a really strategic plan where to go. Crossing the river was going to be a priority because it would be smart to pick up fresh water for their group. Also, they needed to get to a village for supplies or trading so others suggested this port called Port Tampranillo. Others were somewhat afraid to go to this port because of how the citizens would react towards gypsies. DeArca lived on the lumberfarm where the farmers thought gypsies were evil so he knew what to expect from their point of it. They had the experience of the prejudice...so he hoped their journey wouldn't become so hard. Now to make.
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Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:13 am
Quote: "My first question is....now that I've learned both my parents are gypsies, what has become of them? Will I ever see them in the future or not?" He wrote quickly in wonder. "My second question....will I ever see Illyana again and will she ever become a gypsy? Is there a way to bring her with me on this journey?"
Upon the tellbook... a red script appears beneath DeArca's questions...
Port Tempranillo will answer... if not all, at least a kernel of your first question...
And Illyana... is no longer Illyana....
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Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 3:23 pm
Journal Entry 5
Now that the caravan has finally decided a new destination, DeArca's wagon was now on the move with the others. Port Tempranillo...a place DeArca has heard about but never visited. Hopefully this experience will be a good one for him and the caravan. Another concern for him was Ash's behavior. The little mouse was always sneaking off, crawling all over the place which gave DeArca a bit of fear, since he hoped ASh wouldn't get into a bad situation. Now he keeps Ash in his pocket...calling him a pack rat for real. But now that the exictement of the journey has come, DeArca has been left in wonder about what will happen. With relief, he was able to perform a favor for Valelldia and read stories to the children. Rojiza, his favorite Fortunette of the group, listened to his story about Persephone and the clever fox. On his travels, he met a trader with interesting items but unfortunately none of them brought him interest and now he is saving his money for a new item, perhaps a better one. His newest surprise, and final one,...was the writing in his TellBook. It had finally responded to him about his parents and Illyana. Will he really learn more about his parents that left him to Illyana's family as a baby. And what did the book really mean that Illyana was not herself anymore? Did something happen to her? The questions could only wait to be answered.
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Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 6:38 pm
TellBook Entry 2 In a sudden shock, DeArca read his TellBook entry in such a surprise, he couldn't breathe. Was it true? Could he really learn more about his parents inside of this Port? And what did the TellBook mean that Illyana was not really Illyana? He had to know what the TellBook was telling him and thought carefully about what to ask. Picking up his pen, he pondered slowly about how to write this. With an idea popping into his mind, he then ran his pen across the paper of the TellBook. I must know what you meant about Illyana. What has happened to her? What did you mean, TellBook?He asked it, hoping an answer would come to him. Was his best friend alright? Was there something wrong? Only patience could take him in its grip. "Illyana...." He muttered.
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Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 9:54 am
(One month has passed. *makes something up*)
With no luck in learning anything from the TellBook just yet, DeArca could only sit in waiting while waiting for the caravan to reach its destination. Pathways and longways and brdigeways were all that he could see along this great journey to the port. With some hope, they would get there soon so DeArca could learn as much about the TellBook's first response about Illyana. Could she really be there? Or was this just some big wild goose chase? Only time could tell.
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Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 10:12 am
(Another month has passed. XD)
DeArca stopped his wagon after his mule, Marko, was beginning to ware down. So long a journey, so little time it felt to him but he couldn't push anyone else so hard because of his ambitions. Jumping down from his planked seat, he turned to Marko, scratching the bac of his neck. "Thanks, Marko. You did a great job" He smiled and then felt a squiggle inside of his pocket. Reaching in, he pulled Ash out and sat him on the ground. "Alright, go play but be back for some supper. I don't know how long the caravan will stay put so we best make sure we don't get left behind" He asked, bringing out pots from inside of his wagon and sitting against the dirt, trying to put a fire together. Ash squeaked and scurried off into the tall grass only to find mysterious wonders of the world...or the road.
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Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 10:18 am
What Ash found were little purple hands, attached to a little purple girl. Vanna had been crawling ahead of Lorelei, and had found a tiny mouse!
Cooing, she reached out to pick it up. She wasn't altogether gentle, as children usually are, but her intentions were pure. She just wanted a look at his little face!
Lorelei stopped walking, looking down at Vanna and the mouse, blinking a few times. She'd seen that mouse before. Hm... A glance up solved her little mystery - the new guy! Though, with all the time they'd travelled together, she guessed she couldn't quite call him 'new' anymore.
And there was no excuse not to know his name.
Still, with her current state of mind, she desired company. She raised a hand and called out to her caravan brother, "'Evening! Mind if we join you?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 10:22 am
"Huh! Oh! Ms. Lorelei...uh...sorry! I didn't expect any company" He panicked, never really having guests since he started. "Let me bring you some blankets...uh" He ran off into his wagon as the sounds of clunking and dunking and whirring bashed around inside. It was enough to make the wagon jump around on its wheels. DeArca fell from the wagon wrapped by the blankets as he fought them off. "Dang'it...git off" He said, freeing himself and felt worse for embarrassing himself in front of guests. Rushing to his feet, he quickly placed down the blanket. Marko snorted just to tease his clumsiness. Ash squeaked again, licking Vanna's finger for food.
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Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 10:27 am
Lorelei flushed with embarrassment, taking those few hurried steps over and beckoning for Vanna to follow. "Oh no, no, it's fine! I... ah... oh, I'm sorry to make you run around like this - really, it's fine - I mean..."
She stared after him as he darted around, flustered. She didn't need a blanket to sit on! And why was he rushing so? Oh, dear.
"Do... do you need any help with anything? Cooking? Vanna, come over here, bring your little friend."
Vanna obliged, picking up Ash and cradling the tiny mouse in her hands as she wobbled over, unsteady on her feet. Lorelei cringed, watching Vanna put her weight on that one foot, but the gash was nearly healed now. There was little chance of Vanna reopening it, especially with just such a short walk.
Her daughter came over to DeArca and held up the mouse to him, beaming. "Cuuuuute!" she explained, cooing.
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Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 10:31 am
DeArca smiled some and tipped his hat to Vanna and nodded. "He's a scrapper. You can hold onto him a little longer. He'd only sneak away to find you." He said and turned to Lorelei. "I'm doing just fine, I wouldn't want to trouble you, Ms. Lorelei! You're my guest" He said, reaching inside of his pack and pulled out a minigrinder as he hastily turned the crank, the loud groans of crushed beans sounding. It was like trying to crush rocks. "Care for some coffee? I was gonna have some with a bit of soup?" He asked, offering his guests the best he could manage. Manners, Manners, Manners....He could hear Illyana's constant lectures inside his head, as loud and polite as ever. It was as if she stood right behind him, advising him how to act in front of a lady.
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Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2006 10:34 am
"Oh, I'll just take soup, thank you." She smiled, spreading out one of the blankets he'd brought - might as well make use of them - and sitting down. She waved Vanna over.
Vanna smiled up at DeArca some more, twitching her back feathers in delight, before toddling over to her mother and plopping down on the blanket. She set Ash on top of her head, giggling.
Lorelei took her daughter's injured foot in hand, checking to make sure the bandages were still in place and not blood-stained. Everything looked good. With her maternal instincts assured, she looked up at DeArca. "Are you sure I can't help at all?"
Now. ... What was his name?
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