It's a good thing we're on our way to an apothecary. That man clearly needs some help.
"Clearly. Yet not the kind you might think." Cernan replies absentmindedly as he convinces Hiro to sit.
"Fruit juice? Yes. For later. He's had a shock of some sort I think. Right now what he needs is to calm down and let his mind and body reconnect properly." He glances at Willow with a small smirk.
"Actually he needs a drink. To relax and as a restorative."
Cernan pulls out his lovingly worn silver cup and murmurs a prayer over it. When he withdraws his hand it is filled with a dark red wine. From the heady aroma Willow catches a whiff of, it is a strong wine. It seems that the strength of Cayden's Blessings are based on the need of the recipient. Or perhaps filtered through the perceptions of his cleric. Either way, perhaps Cernan is not the drunkard he first appears to be.
"Here you go Hero. Just a sip now. Not too fast."
Her brow furrows at first, whilst she blinks away the heady fumes of the drink. For a moment she doubts the healers efficacy and guesses he'll down the brew himself, however when he gives it to the Tian gentleman she relaxes.
"That's quite a potent concoction, though a restorative? It would certainly not restore sobriety!" she says a touch primly.
"But what would have caused whatever it is that's upset him? I don't see anything out of the ordinary, and I didn't notice any disturbance before we came upon him." Ionnia glances around their surroundings, brow furrowing as she tries to make sense of things.
"This close to the' she looks about and to the Tian man, hoping it won't disturb him; "Worldwound, there are many strange sites and beings."
A thought slips into her mind, casually she stands from her couched position. Smoothing down her dress as if that is the reason, she leans over to whisper into Ionnia's ear. Straightening up, she strangely doesn't have to go to tip-toes that much.
"That's certainly true," Ionnia replies, looking a bit worried for a moment before taking on a more concentrated look. "I hadn't thought about that." After a few moments she shakes her head at Willow. "But I don't sense anything demonic about him."
"That IS sort of the point." Cernan says to Willow with a small, but noticeable, smirk.
"He needs to slow down and relax for a few moments. Let his mind and body catch up to each other. We've seen no disturbances, but that doesn't mean there wasn't one that we missed. As for what it was, why don't we ask him?" He smiles, noting that the small odd man's eyes have returned to an apparently calm(er) state.
"So, Hero,... How are you now? Feeling better? This armored beauty is Ionnia, the lovely artist is Willow, the cute gnome doing a turtle imitation is Kipka, and I,... am Cernen." He finishes with a slight dramatic pause. (And apparently oblivious to the fact that he is pointing out the ladies' attractiveness.)
"So, your no more a local than I am. Where are you from? How far have you journeyed to get here? And, what happened that upset you so? Anything I can help with?" He inquires politely, plucking a long stem of grass and putting it between his teeth.
Hiro allows himself to be led over to shade by Cernan and Willow, still trying to wrap his very foggy head around his situation. The Heaven's Touched offers him something to drink and he welcomes it greedily, for his stomach is still doing backflips, but fails to heed Cernan's warning about sipping it and gulps it down. Hiro's eye widen and nearly pop out of his skull and the magical brew hits his throat. "By the Emperor I've never tasted such a drink! Liquid fire!" he exclaims in Tian, choking on the words. Gasping and wheezing for breath he manages a muffled "S'good" in common, trying to save face. Giving the drink a few seconds to work he suddenly feels warm all over and actually much better. Carefully, he begins to sip the remainder of the cup.
it's armasse in kenabres. Just before noon.
The enormity of the gnomes comment finally hits him as he sips on this Heavenly Brew. "Yatta! Kenabres! I'm here! I made it! The Council did it!" he exclaims in Tian, spilling some of the magical brew. He almost reaches out to give the little gnome a hug but thinks better of it, such displays are out of place for a samurai. Plus she has all those little pokey things sticking out of her backpack and does not wish to risk injury.
This close to the' she looks about and to the Tian man, hoping it won't disturb him; "Worldwound, there are many strange sites and beings.
Upon hearing Willow's comment a cold paralyzing fear grips Hiro, the Worldwound, a thing of nightmare and legend told to Tian children to frighten them into obedience. The fear quickly subsides, and Hiro hopes that no one saw it, and is quickly replaced by elation! "Perhaps I am not too late!" He thinks to himself.
So, your no more a local than I am. Where are you from? How far have you journeyed to get here?
"I come from very far. Long journey."
"Sorry," he begins in common, "I in Kenabres, yes?". Hiro takes in the nods of affirmative from the 4 companions and continues. "Please tell me, when am I? Umm...how you say? What is year?"
Tapping away Cernan's hand from where he's pointing at her, Willow bows to the Tian.
From her position she takes in Hiro's attempt to drink the strong beverage and the resultant effect. She looks to Cernan; her eyes say the 3 words every man dreads to hear - 'told you so'.
"Must have been stronger than you thought, Cernan." she says softly; "I'm sure our Hero here would have preferred a nice tea." Then she realises that Hiro actually enjoyed the drink, to which she lets out a sniff.
"The year?" Cernan looks at the others with a raised eyebrow. (And apparently still oblivious to any disapproving glare from Willow)
"Why it's the year <????> of course. Same as it was last moon." Cernan replies with a chuckle.
"I think whatever happened must have hit you a lot harder than I thought. How many fingers am I holding up?" He asks, his hand held up so that the fingers are split evenly in a 'V'.
Willow looks to Cernan, slightly surprised that he knows the year himself - even if the joke falls on deaf ears. She glances to Ionnia, reassured by her friends abilities.
Ionnia gives Willow a reassuring nod before turning to the confused newcomer. Enunciating each word carefully, she asks, Yes, this is Kenabres. Where have you come from? Are you here to join a crusader group?
Why it's the year <????> of course. Same as it was last moon.
"<????>?" Hiro repeats outloud with a serious look on his face while obviously counting numbers in his head and using his hands to aid his calculations. His face suddenly brightens and a large smile graces his face as he comes to a conclusion.
"Yatta!" he exclaims! "The Council did it! I arrived in time to save world!"
Yes, this is Kenabres. Where have you come from? Are you here to join a crusader group?
"Not sure how much I able tell you. Council told of bad things happen to Space-Time Continuum if too much changed." Hiro pauses for several seconds trying to decide just what he can tell these people. Hiro gathers his thoughts together and begins. "Fifth Crusade fails. Demonic hordes released into world. Eventually conquer Western World. People flee across Crown of World to Dragon Empires of Tian Xia. Demons follow. My people fight losing battle. Council of Mages send Hiro back in time to stop from happening. Save the world. That is my mission."
Hiro slumps down on the ground with the enormity of the taks before him hits home. After a several seconds of silence an idea comes to him and his demeanor brightens. "Legend tells of group of heroes who almost stop demons. They go lost in Worldwound. You must help Hiro find them! With my help may be able to turn tide of war and stop demons!"
"Space-Time-Continuwhoozitz?"
Cernan stares at Hiro as he haltingly explains his mission.
He looks thoughtful.
He smiles.
He reaches over and gently removes his silver cup from Hiro's hands.
"Cernan thinks that's about enough for you right now, don't you?"
Cernan looks to Willow, to Ionnia, to Kipka.
"It SOUNDS like common, but I still think he's speaking another language."
Cernan looks at the mug, and drains what little Hiro had not yet finished before re-hanging it from his belt.
As Hiro talks Willow's jaw drops, she'd certainly heard of some strange magic but this took the biscuit. Split between whether to accept what the strange outlander was saying or just believe it utterly infeasible. "That's incredible! Surely we should take you to the leaders of the crusade, they could find these hero's for you? Or would that be meddling too much." Willow looks away knowing how many have suffered and been lost in the Wound, remembering the hours she'd spent researching the fate of those lost there.... until it was burnt into her memory.
"I still think he's addled. Isn't the 5th crusade the one that's about to start? How can it fail if it hasn't even started yet?"
He looks at Willow.
"Oh come on, Cernan enjoys a good magical fairy tale as much as the next guy, but THIS?!? Time travel, the crusade fails? The world is OVERRUN with demons?!? I might have bought some of this, but all of it together? It's just too much to be true. He's either gotten a concussion, or he's pulling our leg."
He looks to Hiro, and back to Willow.
"Isn't he?"
A pensive expression upon her face, she tries to work through the possibilities. "Certainly I've heard that it's possible for mages to slow time, but reversing it....well..." she shrugs unknowing if it's feasible.
'If he is a madman, do I want to make the crusade leaders aware? It'd put my reputation on the line, before I even have one.' she wonders a trifle selfishly, but also not wanting to annoy those with the burdens of responsibility on their shoulders.
"We must think what to do next, if Hero is right then the world could be in trouble." Willow sighs; "No matter how far-fetched the concept of the crusade failing." she adds with confidence.
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Oh come on, Cernan enjoys a good magical fairy tale as much as the next guy, but THIS?!? Time travel, the crusade fails? The world is OVERRUN with demons?!? I might have bought some of this, but all of it together? It's just too much to be true. He's either gotten a concussion, or he's pulling our leg.
"Hiro not understand 'pulling our leg', but rest all true! Hiro swear on Samurai Lord and Master's name, Hattori Hanzo!" he states with finality, as if the mere mention of his Master's name clears the matter, as he stands up.
We must think what to do next, if Hero is right then the world could be in trouble." Willow sighs; "No matter how far-fetched the concept of the crusade failing.
"World definitely in trouble! War ravages world next 267 years!" Hiro exclaims. "Words cannot describe the horrors endured," he ends solemnly.
Walter Peck: My name is "Peck."
Venkman: Or you can accept the fact that this city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions.
Mayor: What do you mean, "biblical"?
Ray Stantz: What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Mayor, real wrath-of-God type stuff!
Venkman: Exactly.
Stanz: Fire and brimstone coming down from the sky! Rivers and seas boiling!
Spengler: Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes!
Winston Zeddmore: The dead rising from the grave!
Venkman: Human sacrifice! Dogs and cats, living together! Mass hysteria!
Mayor: Enough! I get the point! And what if you're wrong?
Venkman: If we're wrong, then nothing happens! We go to jail; peacefully, quietly. We'll enjoy it. But if we're right, and we can stop this thing... Lenny, you will have saved the lives of millions of registered voters.
Walter Peck: I don't believe you're seriously considering listening to these men!
Mayor: Get him outta here.
"Yes. Well. We can't have that now, can we?" Cernan replies solemnly to the newcomer.
The 'locals' can tell that Cernan is,... less than convinced.
"Well. You had best get started. Oh say! You should still come with us for a bite to eat! Can't save the world on an empty stomach now, can we? So, where was that place you were talking about Kipka? Lean on, lead on! Man has a world to save. Can't be ALL day now!" He says cheerfully.
The cleric then walks between Willow and Ionnia.
"I still think he's hit his head. Or something. In good conscience, I simply cannot allow him to wander off alone. I'd like to keep him company. For just a little bit. Just to make sure he's ok. OK?"
Ionnia quietly, intending just Willow and Cernan to hear, replies: "Oh yes. He certainly seems to think he's telling the truth, which means that either he's a madman, confused from some sort of injury - probably to the head, as you say - or correct, which would be terrible, and not something I can accept believing the good gods and goddesses would permit. Either way, we'd better keep an eye on him."
After a bit of thought she adds, in a louder voice, meant for all to hear: "Kipka, do you know of anyone in town who speak Tien?"
Well. You had best get started. Oh say! You should still come with us for a bite to eat! Can't save the world on an empty stomach now, can we? So, where was that place you were talking about Kipka? Lean on, lead on! Man has a world to save. Can't be ALL day now!
"Well...my stomach is a bit on the empty side and after that Heavenly Brew you gave me it would be a good idea to put something less...strong in it." Hiro says as he falls in with Kipka. "Very sad," Hiro states to the little gnome, "his race is extinct where I am from. Demons hunted his people down with reckless abandon. There are stories of thousands of demons throwing their lives away attacking fortified positions only to kill a handful of the Heaven's Touched and then leave. I never thought I would ever see one alive."
Kipka, do you know of anyone in town who speak Tien
Absorbed in though Hiro only partially registers Ionnia's question, "Oh, I speak Tian very good," Hiro offers, then realizes his error and blushes with embarrassment. "Oh, sorry."
Cernan grins at Hiro's embarrassment. He claps the shorter man companionably on the shoulder.
"No worries sir, no worries! A small cultural gap, that's what we have here. Nothing that can't be solved with a little chat over some good food! So, tell me about this place your from, this,... Tea And Zean? I take it from your odd sword that you are a warrior?" He looks quizzically to Ionnia to see if he even came close to saying that correctly, as she seemed to recognize the name of the country.
Cernan's concerns keep his focus closer to home, shall we say. While he has certainly heard of the tall tales told of the Far East, If he has ever hear of the actual name 'Tian Xia' he didn't remember it.
No worries sir, no worries! A small cultural gap, that's what we have here. Nothing that can't be solved with a little chat over some good food! So, tell me about this place your from, this,... Tea And Zean? I take it from your odd sword that you are a warrior?
"Tian Xia." Hiro replies. "It is land of Dragon Empires on other side of world across Crown of World." Hiro then pulls out his Rhoka sword and hands it hilt first to the Heaven's Touched. "I took it from demon in battle. My own sword lay broken on ground. He tried to run me through with it. Did not work out so well for him," Hiro adds with a smile. "I am Samurai Warrior. Apprentice to Greatest Samurai Lord in history, Hattori Hanzo. I also know magic, something that demon learned hard way when he thought me defenseless. My people call us Kensai. It is considered great gift to blend sword and sorcery in battle."
Cernan accepts the hilt of the strange-bladed sword and appreciates it as only a true warrior/fanboy can.
Once he discovers that the strange blade design is strong and well-balanced, he grins like a kid in a candy store as he gives it a few experimental swings. The dual blade of the strange sword makes a distinctive sound as it cuts the air. Reluctantly the cleric reverses the sword and hands it back to Hiro hilt-first.
"THAT, is a nice blade. Samoorai Kensai huh? Combining Sword and Sorcery? That sounds like a lethal combination. Very impressive. Cernan approves." He says cheerfully as they walk down the street.
Willow is still shocked by this strange turn of events, that seems to have put paid to her immediate fiscal adventures. However it has not put paid to her appetite, as he stomach delicately informs her. "Well, I didn't have any breakfast - so if we could find a small tea-house."
The thought of crumpets and a cup of tea dance across her mind, along with the hope that it could soothe Hiro's delusions. 'Or at least I hope they are delusions.'
Ionnia quietly, intending just Willow and Cernan to hear, replies: "Oh yes. He certainly seems to think he's telling the truth, which means that either he's a madman, confused from some sort of injury - probably to the head, as you say - or correct, which would be terrible, and not something I can accept believing the good gods and goddesses would permit. Either way, we'd better keep an eye on him."
After a bit of thought she adds, in a louder voice, meant for all to hear: "Kipka, do you know of anyone in town who speak Tien?"
can't say that I do.. l know people who are into strange substances, not languages...
"Yes. Well. We can't have that now, can we?" Cernan replies solemnly to the newcomer.
The 'locals' can tell that Cernan is,... less than convinced.
"Well. You had best get started. Oh say! You should still come with us for a bite to eat! Can't save the world on an empty stomach now, can we? So, where was that place you were talking about Kipka? Lean on, lead on! Man has a world to save. Can't be ALL day now!" He says cheerfully.
The cleric then walks between Willow and Ionnia.
"I still think he's hit his head. Or something. In good conscience, I simply cannot allow him to wander off alone. I'd like to keep him company. For just a little bit. Just to make sure he's ok. OK?"
Hey, there's the cafe I was talking about earlier, the Dawndrop. It serves all sorts of drinks...strong and not so strong.
"Dawndrop, that's a beautiful name. Very evocative." Willow stands back up again and looks to the men, playing with their swords. Knowing very little about weaponry she shrugs, it seems like Hiro will be very competent.
Ionnia chooses not to comment on Kipka's line about strange substance, for now at least, although she lets her eyes wander over to the halfling's backpack for a closer study.
"I guess we're heading for this Dawndrop then. Oh, that's a very interesting-looking sword. I bet you could snap an opponent's blade like a twig with it once you'd had the proper training."
Willow walks leading to group to a small coffee-house to one edge of the market square. With tables and a frontage overlooking the bustling market square, a pale white rope condones off an area. Between the tables servers work at a riotous pace.
The artist moves rapidly with a swish, to keep ahead of the others in case she ends up tagging along again. "I find the arcane arts are more fruitful, especially when combined with faith." In her hand the wicker basket gently sways with motion.
"I say that as long as they're used for a righteous purpose, spell and sword are equally useful tools. I think there's a table large enough for all of us to get a seat over in that corner." Ionnia starts making a way through the throng of people together with Willow. "I wonder if they have any of those buns where they cut off the top and put clotted cream in the middle to go with the tea..." She then quickly adds, "After we've had some proper food, of course. I just really like clotted cream."
"Don't we all, darling." Willow replies, "First some sandwiches and tea? A light repast, I do believe." With a quick glance around the group, she thinks she may be able to cover the cost.
they do have cream buns here...a personal favorite for me when it comes to human foods.
So, uh, Heero, where are you staying? Are you equipped for your uh, epic journey? If not, my father is an apothecary...
"Cernan agrees. Spells and Swords both have their place." the cleric agrees jovially, patting his own rapier.
"Of course it all comes down to faith. Not only in your own Power, although I DO include that of course." He says with a unrepentant grin.
"But I'm referring to a faith that sometimes be even greater than that a Power may provide. Faith in oneself and ones own skills, perhaps ones companions, and ones cause. I have seen many an unskilled youngster win over impossible odds, simply because he would not, COULD not give up. Their faith in their cause was so strong they could do naught but win!"
",... Of course, I've also seen impudent youngsters get slapped down like bad puppies, no matter how righteous their cause." He adds as an afterthought. He shrugs.
"A light repast? Splendid! Just the thing to break a fast on such a glorious day! I shouldn't think we'd need more than a brace of quails each. Or mayhaps just a small haunch of venison for us to share. We don't want to be too heavy too early right? But after all, a warrior does travel on his stomach! Am I Right?!?" He laughs jovially as he winks at Ionnia and elbows Hiro.
Willows eyes goggle at the expense of a feast and she almost trips over her own skirt in distraction. Catching herself, she replies; "Good point about the fallibilities of faith. Of course, if you have that much main Cernan - then you won't leave room for desert." Her tone jokingly chiding.
"I rather prefer travelling on my horse, but dig in if you feel you need to. I'll probably stick for some ham and cucumber sandwiches this early, and maybe we can share a pot of tea between the five of us."
Still grinning Cernan, Unobtrusively, feels one of the traveling pouches hanging from his belt. One of the ones that does NOT bulge with whatever is in it.
"Hm. Perhaps your right. Don't want to be overfull. Day is still young. No telling what it might bring. Save the celebratory feast for the end of the day, after you have met and overcome the challenges it has brought you!" He says, still grinning.
"Like sobriety?" Willow responds with an arched eyebrow and a friendly acerbic teasing.
She moves to sit down at an outdoor table, the wooden benches whitewashed with a clean look especially for the festival. Placing the basket on the table, Willow pulls the bench out to allow Ionnia to be seated.
She makes her way onto the bench, resting her shield against one of the table-legs and placing her backpack between her feet.
"I'm not sure overcoming sobriety is much of a challenge for our good Cernan," she adds to the teasing. "Now, where's that server I saw walk past a moment ago?" Ionnia starts craning her neck, looking for someone to take their order.
She makes her way onto the bench, resting her shield against one of the table-legs and placing her backpack between her feet.
"I'm not sure overcoming sobriety is much of a challenge for our good Cernan," she adds to the teasing.
"Indeed! It is but a minor challenge for one of my temperament!" Cernan agrees, sitting at the bench across from the ladies. He stops, his eyes narrow thoughtfully as he glances sideways at the paladin and artist, not entirely certain if he has just been made the b#tt of a jest or not,...
He shrugs and makes room for Hiro and Kipka.
Internally smiling that she and Ionnia have put the cleric off-guard, especially after his earlier comments. "They certainly seem busy, I think a pot of tea to start." Willow leans over to say something to Ionnia, a spill of soft locks sliding across her shoulders.
Leans over to whisper back.
"So 'Hero', tell Cernan about yourself! I have heard rumors of the Far East of course, but I've never actually meet anyone from there!" Cernan says to Hiro. Quite boisterously.
"Come, share with us tales of this fabled land! Cernan cannot think of a better way to start the day than to share a tale of far off lands over a fine meal with new friends!"
Despite his boisterous manner, when Cernan looks and talks to Hiro, there is genuine concern in his eyes.
You get the feeling that Cernan would probably prefer to talk about himself. But he does seem to be genuinely interested in Hiro's well-being.
A young woman, wearing a tired and slightly forced smile walks up to the table as she see Ionnia looking around the room. "Oh, I didn't see you there, miss." She wipes a few stray hairs from her sweaty brow and sketches a hint of a bow. "A blessed Armasse to you all; may you learn from your past to succeed in the future." The words, obviously already said a million times that morning, roll off her tongue in a quick and difficult to decipher blur. "We have a wide variety of drinks available, the bread was freshly delivered from Gerody's itself before dawn, and we have a fine selection of cheeses. We also offer fresh roasted pork or poultry with stewed greens today."
As the masses of sentient beings move through the busy street in front of them, a small group of well armored and armed crusaders is bunching up around the stall of a young Varisian man selling some sort of potion of elixir, across the street from the Dawndrop. "I won't allow this to continue!" one of the crusaders shouts in a loud and angry voice, and the moving crowd slows at the noise as the young man makes a placating gesture and says something too softly to be heard above the noise of the crowd.
When the waitress appears, Willows' stomach lets out a soft gurgle that brings a crimson flush to her visage. With a furtive glance to figure if the others noticed; "I think a pot of tea, a loaf of bread and a few cheeses?" With a shrug for confirmation for Ionnia.
'I really should be outside working, rather than indulging myself with these pleasures.' her thoughts are reproachful with the same tone of her teacher.
Willow looks to Kipka, with a nod to the kerfuffle outside; "One of your fathers rivals?" she asks with courteous curiosity.
Ionnia nods in affirmation. "And a cream bun for dessert, if you have any." Turning towards the noise, she adds, "I hope that won't turn ugly."
"Certainly, although it's a pity when crusaders and merchants clash." Willow agrees, before coyly adding to the waitress. "Make that 2 cream buns."
"And a good morn to you as well! Better make that two loaves of bread with the cheeses." Cernan adds with a grin at the already weary waitress.
"And a plate of fowl and greens as well. That should go well with our Breaking-fast." He looks around, particularly at the 'warrior' types, Hiro and Ionnia, as if to verify his statement.
He raises an eyebrow at the small commotion across the narrow street.
"I'm sure it's just a younger one or two, a little over-excited on this festive occasion." He says, sounding sure of himself. He casts a second glance towards the group of crusaders.
"Still,... That one does seem, particularly upset, doesn't he? Cernan wonders what could possibly have happened so early in the day to get him so riled up?"
Hiro practically drools at the thought of fresh food. His stomach feels like it hasn't had anything in it in years.
"Will this be enough to pay for all meals?" Hiro asks the woman in red as he sets his coin pouch on the table with a clink as the coins inside jingle. "It is least I can do for help you have given." Hiro directs toward his companions.
To Cernan, "My homeland was once the most beautiful in all the land. My people tell of days when the Cherry Blossoms bloomed and then fell and would blanket the earth in a sea of red and white. The sight of it was said to bring even the most powerful Samurai to their knees weeping in joy. But all of that is gone now. Demons have made most of my homeland a wasteland. The only tears shed now are of grief and sorrow."
A commotion across the street pulls Hiro from his story. "Is everything OK?" Hiro asks, pointing at the disturbance. "Are there authorities to assist here?"
Taken aback by the kind gesture of Hiro, the artist however doesn't like to be in anyone's debt. She pull out a sketching pad and a burnt umber charcoal; 'I've been wanting to use this for a while.' Quickly she starts doodling as Hiro paints a picture of a beauteous vista that is his homeland.
The disturbance pulls her back to the present; "There should be..." her tone hopeful.