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 Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:28 pm
 "That I am."
Was her only response up to that point. Now that she was closer she took the opportunity to study the two more closely, unabashedly giving them both more than one "one-over".
"As for Porre and their ideas on traffic control.. I go where I want. If they don't recognize my father's authority then I have other ways of getting through to them."
She smiled, a smile that might have almost been sweet except for that enduring quality about her that made all of her actions and motive questionable.
"Since we're all being observant.. what are you guys? A couple? It's not often that travelers are so strangely dressed, and even more rare is it that they travel together."
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:59 pm
Zeo: "Well, we just met... Seems like tonight it rains girls from heavens"
He smiles, as he looks at Karis, her guise as human was almost perfect, no one else seemed to notice her
Zeo: "I'd be careful if I were you... I have heard that Porre has developed powerful weaponry, besides, the authority of Mystics ends in Medina, I should know, I live with my grampa in his hut, near Medina... And I'm not that strangely dressed, I'm out to test the new sword grampa forged for me, so I'll be requesting the spot of a bodyguard for the tourists when I get there"
He remains in silence, the mysterious mystic seemed to be very perceptive
Zeo: "We should all go to the Falling Stars Festival, I think you'd like it, I heard the Millenial Fair was impressive and that this festival is by far, even more impressive"
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:59 pm
"I suppose traveling together could be.. profitable." She didn't want to mention her plans on entertaining herself once she arrived in Porre, especially at his mention of a desire to team up and volunteer himself for the service of authorities.
After thinking for a moment she nodded almost imperceptive at the suggestion, then smiled again.
"Impressive by whose standards?" She asked coyly. She smiled more at herself and her natural reaction to challenge others standards being compared to her own. It was something she had grown accustomed to in Medina.. but then he claimed to have grown up in Medina as well. How Medina tied into this Zeal, or Lavos, or whomever the Draconians were she hadn't yet found out but this was not the place for her questions.
"Call me Kallisto then, while we travel together at least. Should be entertaining for at least a little while."
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:20 am
Zeo: "Well... The Millenial Fair gathered merchants from all over the world, Lucca, the Great Inventor, presented Gato, her fighting robot and also her breakthrough invention: The Telepod, a device that can transport you from one point to another, even the mysterious magician Nolstein Bekkler opened his tent of horrors, there were dances, races and all kinds of games... The Millenial Fair ended with the Moonlight Parade in a spectacle of light and magic, I didn't have a chance to see it myself, but I'm not missing The Falling Stars Festival, it seems it has gathered more people than the Millenial Fair, so that sounds impressive to me already"
She smiles when she tells him her name
Zeo: "Pleased to meet you Kallisto, my name is Zeo Aeterna"
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:54 pm
"You can call me Sara," Sara walks up beside Zeo.
She wants to ask him what a Mythic is, but bites her lips for a moment. She thinks hard for a bit about what to say next. She has no idea what Porre is or what this festival is all about.
"How long until we get there do you think?" she finally says.
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:26 pm
"We'll be getting there pretty soon"
The Captain appears in front of the passengers.
"I just wanted to see if everyone was doing alright, we'll be making port in Porre in about 30 minutes, so keep an eye on your belongings please"
The Captain returns to the wheel, as clouds block the moonlight and everything is engulfed in darkness, the lights from the ship were enough to see the dark water while sailing on.
Finally, and after a stressful last 30 minutes, the clouds made their way, and the moonlight was able to shed some light into the ocean, the intimidating outline of the Porre Port is seen, several towers with shooters and cannons were seen, as the ferry approaches, several soldiers also approach with their guns, the Captain descends first and speaks to their commander, giving them a list, the commander nods as the Captain returns to the ferry.
"Welcome to Porre, get ready to descend, the soldiers will check up on you and the passenger's list"
He then approaches Sara.
"I didn't know your name, but I wrote you down on the list as 'Maria', if anyone asks, that's you"
One of the soldiers approaches to the passengers.
"Welcome to Porre, ladies and gentlemen, when you descend, please, make a line, we'll be cross referencing your names and the list, tonight, the Inn will be free for all of you, you can check in after the inspection is over, the shops are closed but open tomorrow at 8 am, for those of you interested into becoming bodyguards for coming trips to Truce, the meetings start at 7 am on the main yard of the Barracks with Captain Eric Lecarde, thank you for your attention"
The soldier descends, as the rest of them wait for the passengers.
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 4:00 pm
--Fiona's Shrine
Rassandre smiled, as much of a smile as she could while her cheeks felt so heavy, and then allowed Bael to lead her from her room. She flinched slightly from the sudden receiving from the Sisters of the shrine, but appreciated their kind words and the sincerity of their care.
When Bael departed from the shrine Rassandre felt her breath catch in her throat, fearing that as he passed over the threshold that her new found strength would leave her. But her faith, or perhaps it was the faith of the Sisters, was rewarded as she remained herself even after his leaving.
She became aware of the fact that she had been looking towards the door for long moments after Bael had left only when she felt the touch of strong, well attended wood under her hand. Her eyes found those of Sister Luz and then the quarterstaff, her quarterstaff, as the Nun paced it in her grasp.
"This has been collecting wood since you have been shut away. I'm afraid that Sister Ellis has used it a few times to chase the birds out of the attic.." Luz said, gesturing with her hand to the notches and dents in otherwise smooth surface.
Gripping the staff tighter, Rassandre's pale grey eyes fall to the notches with a quiet smile.
"I can fix that." She was unsure of how to thank the woman, all of the women, for everything that they had done. Before she can even open her mouth to speak she is stopped by a subtle hand gesture by the Nun.
"There's no need Rassandre, all the reward we need is the happiness in our hearts to see our prayers answered."
Then, with a smile and a twinkle in her elderly eyes, Luz walked away to attend to other much needed tasks and left Rassandre standing there with her quarterstaff in hand. The quiet smile remained and she directed her gaze downwards to the staff, then made her way out the back corridors to the courtyard behind the Temple.
On her way she acquired a small set of tools from the Nuns, basic woodworking tools used more commonly for maintenance on the pews in the cathedral area, and set up in the small round clearing outside. The grass felt nice beneath her as she sat cross-legged and began shaping the wood carefully and particularly, with a keen eye that her father had trained.
It didn't take long, the damage was minor, and soon she was standing in the middle of the clearing, staff in hand as she closed her eyes and concentrated on focusing her energy. She spent the rest of the night practicing, the staff moving as an extension of her arm as she performed what may look to onlookers as a dance, swift and precise. When she grew too tired for that she returned to the Shrine, ate with the Sisters, slept, and returned to her practice the next day.
She didn't know how long it would be before the others arrived, those that she was told to wait for, and so she would make herself useful until then. She could recover her strength while she helped the Nuns protect their Shrine from any who would try to take advantage of their hospitality. Though the Sisters at first seemed uneasy, not condoning the violence, Sister Luz convinced them that it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:38 pm
"Pleasssed to make your aquaintence." Karis forced out with an equally forced smile, the effort betraying a hint of her Mystic accent. When she noticed the slip she merely winked, then turned slightly away as the two continued to converse. She had considered for a moment informing the two of them the power of names, and suggesting that they be a little less open about sharing them, but she thought better on it.
When the Captain made the announcement and the ferry slid its way into the port of Porre Karis was surprised to find her breath catching in her throat. It wasn't exactly uncalled for, the presence of so much weaponry and armed soldiers would do it to just about anyone let alone one who had never been to Porre, but it lasted only a moment.
As the voice sounded out the order and procedures for passengers to disembark she turned back to Zeo and Sara in a twist that send her waves of pink hair in a spin about her face to bid a temporary farewell.
"Well, if we're being granted a night of rest and relaxation on the house I'll have to catch up with the two of you. I'm sure there's any number of patrons in that Inn that are just aching to spend that gold they just saved thanks to the hospitality of Porre."
With another flashed grin Karis skipped ahead, weaving to and fro between people to situate herself near the head of the line. Aching indeed. The sooner she could get to that Inn the sooner she could coerce the patrons into a game of not-so-legal card betting and, of course, win.
Oh how she loved traveling to new places.
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Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:05 pm
"Thank you," Sara addressed the Captian, "You've been most kind."
As the soldier addresses them, Sara takes a deep breath. She gathers her wits and steps in the line to get off the boat. The sooner she is settled, the sooner she can figure out exactly what is going on here.
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Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:13 pm
Zeo disembarks, as he is set in line with the rest of the passengers, he keeps an eye on Sara and Karis, in case there is an incident, little by little, and one by one, the passengers are checked on the list, until the Soldiers finally reach him
Soldier 1: "List name Aeterna, Zeo. Says here you live near Medina, where exactly is that?"
Zeo: "South of Heckran Cave, sir, in a humble hut"
Soldier 2: "Any relatives, son?"
Zeo: "Yes sir, my grampa, he runs a store in the hut and he travels a lot"
Soldier 1: "What's your grampa's name?"
Zeo: "Melchior, sir, he's a blacksmith"
Soldier 2: "Ah, I have heard of him, he crafts the finest weapons I have ever seen, he's a kind man... Alright, everything seems to be in order sir, welcome to Porre, follow the path until you reach the Inn"
Zeo nods as he makes his way out of the docks, he walks slowly though, still looking at Sara and Kallisto
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Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:36 pm
The rest of the Soldiers await with their watchful eye on everyone else and their hands with a firm grip on their weapons. The flag of Porre waves on the heights, because of the night and the moonlight, it almost looked like a sinister omen. The soldiers are heard talking to each other
Soldier 1: "So what group is this again?"
Soldier 2: "This will be... Group 4, if I'm not mistaken"
The soldiers check on their list, confirming that the recently arriving tourists are indeed group 4.
Soldier 1: "Captain Eric Lecarde is assigned to this group, by his own request"
Soldier 2: "I thought he would be testing those who wanted to be bodyguards for the trip?"
Soldier 1: "Come on, do you really see anyone worth of becoming a bodyguard? Maybe that kid with the huge sword... But they just raised the reward from 500 to 1,000 gold pieces"
Solider 2: "Really!? Wow, I should apply for bodyguard then"
Soldier 1: "Yeah, Captain Lecarde himself suggested it, he's reporting an increased activity from the thieves since earlier this afternoon, we don't know why, they seem to be very active near Fiona's Shrine"
Soldier 2: "Where is the Captain, anyway? I haven't seen him in all day"
Soldier 1: "He just came back, spent the day in Guardia Castle as part of the Ambassadors there, if you ask me, it's a waste of time..."
When they realize they are being watched, the soldiers remain in silence, guiding the tourists.
Soldier 1: "This way to the Inn, folks, the owner is awake, he'll receive you and write your names down on his signbook"
Soldier 2: "Remember, your stay is free, as your meal tonight and tomorrow morning, and for those wanting to become bodyguards, you'll apply tomorrow morning at the Barracks Yard, report to Captain Eric Lecarde"
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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:53 pm
As the group was escorted and then directed towards the Inn Karis payed little attention to the efforts of Porre to display its military strength, even in the dead of night. What she did focus her attention on was the sizes and potential weight of each and every member of their charming group's purses. Some of them carried their purses secure inside their jackets, others in their pockets, some jingled in the base of their traveling sacks and some, delightfully naive some, tied them to their belts.
Either way, it didn't matter. What funds she didn't get tonight would surely be hers in the morning as they trekked through the forest. Thieves they said? Surely it would be thieves held accountable for any missing merchandise. Maybe she could hope for a brief encounter, something to directly involve the thieves and distract the travelers, perfect opportunity for her to beat the brigands to the punch.
Once the group had been settled and the more conservative travelers made their way to their rooms, Karis applied heavy persuasive talents to the tavern keep and managed to get a large table set up for her and the more adventurous of passengers. The crowd she'd attracted consisted of a repeated pattern of arrogant, large, and fool-hardy. In other words, they were perfect.
As the game went on and players were eliminated, the gold pile in the center of the table drew as well. With the free meal and room, and the introduction of well-brewed mead, the gold pile a top the center of the table grew as well. The only constant throughout the game was a mysterious smirk upon the features of their hostess, Karis, and her lucky streak.
It had come down between the pink-haired belle from Medina and a large, burly looking traveler named Bruck, originally from Truce. His dark eyes glowered at her as she kept her gaze on her cards, only the corners pulled back enough for her to see the value and suit, otherwise they lay flat on the table. After a long pause he moved to throw his cards into the center in forfeit, wanting to save face and walk away with what he still had.
Karis was too greedy to allow it of course.
"Come now," she called out merrily, "the game's not fun if you don't play."
"It's not fun when you keep gloating either!" He spat back, standing up in his chair to point a wide, fat finger at her. "I call you a cheat and a liar girl, you've been hiding cards in order to stay at the top this game!"
There was a sudden roar as the patrons who had been watching (and formerly losing) turned to her. Her smile faded slightly, and she stood as well. The nearest to her stepped back in the face of her own fury, and then as she relaxed she held her arms out to her sides.
"Alright then, let one of your comrades search me. If I am carrying cards on me then turn me into the Porre authorities as a thief..."
Her gaze never left his as one of his traveling mates stepped forward to perform the search, pale blue eyes holding steadfast onto Bruck's dark ones as the hands explored around her form. When his hands lingered at the conclusion of the search Karis landed a sound blow form her elbow to his chest, winding him as she sat back down in her seat.
"Well Bruck, I believe you owe me a call."
"I'll have to be all in to call your bet!"
"It's not my fault my purse is bigger than yours... play it."
Her eyes narrowed dangerously for a moment and, uncomfortable under not only her gaze but those of the watching patrons. When he finally flipped his cards there was a synchronized in-take of breath from all those around the table as they saw the cards turn up, revealing the second highest hand in the game.
Smiling, Karis saw a gleam of the same trickster spirit in Bruck's eyes as she herself let shine when she was up to her own mischief. He had taken the time to slip in a hidden card of his own while she was being searched, and he wanted her to know it. With all eyes on her now, she couldn't reciprocate, nor could she call cheat on him without the entire pot being divided and lost to her.
She wiped the grin on his face then with one of her own, one that seemed just a little too wide to be altogether human. With a single tap of a finger on each of her cards there was the slightest shimmer on their thick paper surface, noticeable only to those with the eyes to spot such magic, and she flipped them over to reveal her own high hand. The only hand that could beat his.
There was another roar then, one of mixed appreciation and shock as she stood and Bruck was shooed away from the table as with the rest of the losers. Finally she was left alone, the only one awake aside from the tavern keep somewhere in his back room attending to his stock, to collect and stash her newly acquired profit.
Left laying where she had flipped them, her cards shed the illusion spell and reverted to two of the lowest value cards in the deck.
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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 11:50 pm
"That was a very interesting trick"
Zeo approaches Karis and sits in front of her, smiling, looking at the cards.
"Nothing very honest, but I guess that guy saw it coming... So, now that we can talk, mind telling me what exactly is the daughter of the mayor of Medina doing here? Your family is like blue bloods among the Mystics, so I don't believe you need the money"
Zeo orders two mugs of ale, the inn keep leaves them on the table then leaves
"What if, you tell me your story, and I'll tell you mine? And not the superficial 'I come from Medina' kind of story, but the one you want to hear"
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Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 12:48 am
Sara somehow convinced one of the patrons to loan her a change of clothes ("I still dunno what happened, but I guess my luggage is at the bottom of the ocean by now.") Dressed in a simple white shirt and black slacks, she sits beside the fireplace at the inn and listens intently to any stories she can pick up.
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Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 3:25 pm
The one you want to hear.
Karis let herself mull over that promise as she collected the last of her winnings into a large, over the shoulder bag, and flashed Zeo a half-smile, her dark blue eyes darkening even more as she explored the options of that suggestion.
Finally she sat herself down back into her seat and nods.
"Alright."
She leaned forward and propped her chin up on her hands, elbows on the surface of the table, as her eye looked off to the side in a dreamer's gaze. She was well aware that the other was there as well, the strange woman who had suddenly appeared on the ship and was now, in Karis' mind, Zeo's ward.
"There isn't a lot to tell. Like you said, I'm a daughter of Medina's Mayor, the old chap has been sitting on that throne long enough now to have sired a few of us. In fact, enough of us that it never mattered what kind of mischief I got into.
"Believe me," she said with another playful grin," There was more than enough mischief. Without endangering myself I really can't get into those details, but all of it sums up to me being a bit of a black sheep in our family. That's why I travel as a human, or as near human as I could be bothered.. I have to say, to be entirely human would just be boring.
"I guess that's also why I'm here. My father really didn't have any hesitations about me traveling out here for a bit of an adventure. He's hoping that by the time I come home I'll have worn the pride and mischief out of myself and, if I don't come home, I'm the youngest so it won't muck up the family line."
She shrugged then and sat back up straight to look back at him.
"So now that I've shared, what's your story? Tell me all about this land Zeal - how to get there, are the people there rich, do they all dress about heavily armed? And what a Lavos is, is it valuable?"
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