Welcome to Gaia! ::

The Scavenger Hunt (8 ) : Destiny City is hosting an annual scavenger hunt during the Star Festival to encourage people to get out and explore their city. The prize for turning in a completed scavenger hunt is a coupon booklet and a few free tickets to upcoming city events. Even if you aren’t interested in the prize, the scavenger hunt is specifically designed to take you through the city to showcase a few historic buildings, some art installations, and some of the city’s greatest accomplishments. While many of the places are familiar, during your explorations you come across a building you’ve never seen before--something that feels out of time. You’ve been in the area countless times before, so how did you miss this place? When you lay eyes on the building, you feel a strange timelessness and have the distinct sensation of being a part of something bigger. Briefly, you may see flashes of some distant past--a flickering memory that you can’t quite place or fully form. It’s hard to make out, but at some point in time you have the distinct impression of a faded figure taking your hand and telling you to do something. They sound hopeful and encouraging, like they really believe in you. By the time you blink, the visions are gone, the building is gone. The only thing that remains is a beautiful little garden and a plaque so faded that you can’t make out the inscription.


Dari (Cat form) ran ahead of Drew (who called to him to come back) with the clue book, in his mouth. Dari was evidently excited to be learning about Destiny City from a Civilian's point of view.

"Daddy, we'll get it down first! We're the best and greatest!" "Dari!" Drew hissed, obviously worried once more about Dari speaking in public in Cat Form.

"What is it this time, Daddy?" Dari put the book down and looked up at him with that cute innocent kitten face. "I haven't farted yet today. So, what's your problem now?"

After a few minutes of convincing, Dari took up his place on Drew's shoulder, and was silent, but was not happy about it. They found many of the clues together, but some were difficult, though one rendered a Star Charm, which Drew handed to Dari, and when no one was looking, Dari placed it in his subspace pocket.

They were working on a tough one when Drew bumped into Sebi.

"Oh, excuse me, Miss." Drew, commented. He had been trained well as a Police Officer. If there was no obvious sign of marriage or great age, a woman was referred to as "Miss' - that was respectful and didn't insult her by inferring that she was older than she was - since often one didn't know their age.

Even though Drew wasn't dressed as an Officer now, he still fell back on his training, at times.

Dari almost nodded, then caught himself. Instead, he mewed, forgot where he was and licked a paw, almost falling off Drew's shoulder. Catching himself, he mewed at his own indignity.

Drew put a hand up to steady him and then stroke him. He turned to the lady, that he thought that he had seen at least once before somewhere.

He smiled. "Sure. That would be awesome. I'm Drew, and this is Dari."

Drew grew red. "Sorry, I must have been hearing things, but yeah that would be nice. Our next clue reads

"Once a home to many,
History records a sorry tale,
Of many a Sin-ny,
After one night of ale,
It was after Ten-ny
Fire caused may a Wail.

"Now this home's no more,
Though it's sad tale,
Saddens to the core,
The lesson we may once again fail,
If we don't Unite all the more.
History leaves it's Ruined tale."

Drew frowned and so did Dari. "Any ideas," asked Drew?

Drew thought for a moment, and looked to Dari, who gave the tiniest shake of his small head.

Then Drew's eyes widened in enlightenment. "I remember an old legend in history class (wow that class history -like 6 years ago), there were a Dutch Colony and a Portuguese Colony around here like in the early 1600s. There was one tavern for the both of them, but neither could get along. They fought constantly, and one night in the bar it was later, a foreigner came in a sparked a fight between two men - one of each colony and the fight grew and grew, until the entire tavern was consumed - and someone knocked over a kerosene lantern - burned both colonies to the ground, few survivors, one of which saw the foreign ride into the night. But like I said, it's just a legend. One that has all but been proven false, by historians." He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know if that helps..."

Dari seemed to roll his eyes at using a legend that was just about proven false.

Drew knew Dari didn't believe the legend because he had rolled his eyes. Sebby had practically done likewise - with the skepticism in her voice. Heck, Drew never believed it either, but it seemed to be about the only thing that he knew about that seemed to work.

Finding the memorial was more difficult than he remembered, however. There were numerous twists and turns until Drew and Dari both felt... well in a trance... and strangely the tavern stood before them, not in ruins or anything but full and grand as in its peak, and a Dutch man and a Portuguese were arguing out front - of course.

Dari about fell off Drew's shoulder once more in shock, and Drew's jaw dropped. "Now this can't be right."

A strangely dressed man with a drunken Dutch accent grabbed Drew's arm and pulled him one, offering him a drink. Drew struggled and Dari hissed a scratched.

Meanwhile a tavern wench (or at least that was what she looked like) came up to Sebby and tried to hand her a tray and cleaning rag, saying with a Portuguese accent, "Well gel, what are you waiting for, get to work! And what are you wearing? Put on some proper clothing!"

At that point, Drew shoved the drunk away, but not until after Dari had razed him with his claws. Then he spoke angrily to the tavern wench, "Just because someone's a certain gender, doesn't mean that they're second-class citizens and have to serve others!"

At that point, the drunk grabbed the tray from the tavern wench, and faster than Drew could react, (which was saying something) he brought it crashing sidelong into Drew's head, who crumbled to the ground.

Dari the Kitten jumped just in time to avoid the crash. He might be little, but now he was hissing mad!

Dari stopped hissing for a moment and knew there was really no choice now. "Um ma'am, sorry to startle you like this, but that bad man just completely knocked Daddy out, and I know I can't carry him out of here, can you?"

One of the Portuguese drunks yelled, "Oh não! É um gato falante! Deve ser um demônio! Pegue o padre!"

Dari took a step back, terrified. "I don't know what he just said, but I don't think I like it!" He nudged Drew. "Daddy, wake up!"

One of the Dutch children threw a small rock with his slingshot. It hit Dari square on the head, just large enough and strong enough to knock him for a loop. "Ugh," He said, as he wobbled.

The Dutch and Portuguese cheered.