Senna, in contrast, finds her enthusiasm for the trip and the destination hard to tamp. After the majority of the crowd disperses, she confides, ”900 years on our first go? The Shining Crusade? This is incredible.”
Arrows (46):
Blunts (33):
Perfect Strike (3):
Ki Pool (4):
1st Spells (6):
Blood Intensity (1):
Dancing Lights (3):
Inspired (1):
When you make your way back to the Near-Sighted Slattern you're met with a very different structure. It has retained it's stories, but the building is more compact, squat, and looks like it should be hosting an illegal boxing circuit. Heavy wood beams are visible through plaster siding and each level is just a little larger than the next. The door sports two dim lanterns flanking a heavy iron-bound oak door.
The inside feels like stepping into a cellar. The ceiling is low and every table supports a lamp while two wrought iron chandeliers hung down the center line with a dozen small oil lamps each do their best (and generally fail) to dispel the gloom.
Bart has changed... not at all actually, but he feels like he has. The new atmosphere suits him well and he looks more comfortable behind the thick, scarred wooden bar. He is currently cleaning the spigots of four giant ale or beer barrels with a caring intensity.
In the corner, Violetta and Donal were both affected by the change, but both wear their new outfits like they were born to them. Donal is dressed mainly in tight leathers, save for a ruffled blouse that peeks out at the neck and wrists. He looks like he should creak when he moves, though he doesn't. Violetta is in a full length dress with thick skirts and and corset that makes her bulge dangerously. She seems to enjoy the shocked looks of some of those just making their way in.
Seeing Violetta bursting at the seams, Senna glances down at her more modest assets. Her utilitarian travel clothes were largely the same – same pants, same shirt, same mud-speckled boots. But over it all she is now sporting a black, nubbly, wool wrap cloak. She nods approvingly. "I had one of these the last time I was here."
Senna throws a sly glance at Sable to see how she likes her playmates' new looks.
Yash followed behind the others as they were ushered outdoors. He caught bits and pieces of their conversations, but was still rather confused about all the talk about the city moving. He didn't understand how the people here could pack up the stone and wooden buildings and carry them to where ever they were going to go. It was the main reason that the orc tribes used bone and leather. It was easier to carry.
Still, he trusted his companions, knew that they were smarter than him when it came to human cities like Threshold, so he waited. It seemed odd that everyone was just standing around. They must have been waiting for the chief to give the order to pack up. That's what his last chief had a done a few times.
Yash stood near the others, waiting for the order to be given when the first bong sounded. He was used to his bones rattling from time to time, but that was usually the bones tied to his armor, not those in his body. It was an odd sensation, but one that he embraced.
As the buildings, and the city itself began to reshape, his eyes widened and his jaw hung open slightly.
Eventually he was snapped out of his daze. He turned to look at Senna. "Dis normal?"
Senna couldn't help but smile at their half-orc companion. "Dis not normal. Dis VERY NOT normal."
The sorcerer adds an explanation to clarify what ‘not normal’ means. ”Miasta w ogóle się nie poruszają. „Przelecieliśmy” 1000 mil do Ustalav… i 900 lat w odległe czasy”.”
Lady Sable feels a little put out by the whole mandated going outside thing at first. It's not that she doesn't want to see the jump happen, but after the first time or two, after the novelty fades, why not from a window, or what if she's napping one of the times?
As soon as the city's transformation begins she understands though.
Ooh, it could get awfully messy in there while it's happening. Surely anyone who has a pet brings it outside as well?"
She looks around for pets out in the street with owners.
Lady Sable does just fine physically and mentally during the jump. To her it's another example of something she first came across as she was learning to be an equestrian. At a certain point it was time for her to learn to jump a fence on horseback. It feels wrong and scary to have a horse run straight at a barrier and expect that it will leap over safely.
But, counterintuitively it is more hazardous to try to stop the horse short. One must learn to both maintain control and cede control at the same time. The horse will do the right things, and the rider must let events wash over them while moving their own body in concert with the horse.
The jump is not so different. It feels strange, but it is better to give oneself over to the moment than resist. Besides everyone living in the city has done it before at least once, and compared to many of them Lady Sable knows she is a magnificent physical and mental specimen. She won't be hurt if they aren't.
The personal adjustments are something of a surprise. She makes a mental note to ask about their nature since they seem to her extraneous. In her own case, they seem to be a variation of details on a theme. Her trousers are gone, replaced by black woolen hose instead, along with higher boots coming up above her knees. Her jacket no longer stops right below her waist, but goes down to mid-thigh now. The jacket's color is a very deep blue, but it is so covered in intricate black embroidery that from a short distance away she seems to be clothed entirely in black. Her hat has lost its wide brim and sits atop her head like a pillbox of short black fur.
It's not a bad look, but rather dated she thinks.
Dated like paintings of ancestors gathering dust along rarely visited hallways.
If Senna is expecting some sort of display from Sabelina when they reenter the inn, she would be disappointed unless she can read minds. Lady Sable does give both Donal and Violetta a lingering gaze, but aside from the small, mildly sardonic smile she usually wears she remains poker-faced.
Hm, more work later if I play by the rules. But why do that? My little knife is perfect for slicing through all those tight laces. I think they'll be grateful for a release of the compression. If not, I'll buy them some new laces.
The history part of it all IS an interesting twist. Lady Sable doesn't bring it up until she has a post-jump celebratory drink in hand. But then she asks Senna "So what do you think the etiquette concerning being around with the Whispering Tyrant as a neighbor might be? Do we hunker down and get on with our own business? Is it crass to lend a hand where we may?"
Senna gets a drink for herself and a stronger one for Yash. Two swigs later, she offers her opinion. ”I really don’t know. By all accounts, the Whispering Tyrant fielded – or is fielding – an unbeatable force and he only lost because he made a single mistake. I’m hoping we aren’t sitting in the middle of the field where the battle happens. If he’s already beat – great. But if the battle hasn’t happened yet… well… is the flow of history immutable or could it be changed? If it can be changed, are we here to lend a hand to make sure history happens as it was recorded?”
She takes another drink, ”I’m guessing these are the types of questions that the Council is hashing out right now.”
Sabelina sips her drink slowly, pacing herself very carefully.
"Do you think this might be an mishap of some kind? My impression was the Navigators and whatever, I must admit I wasn't really listening all that closely, know the destination beforehand, even if they don't reveal it to the population at large."
"If they do control the jump, or at least know the point of arrival, why are they only discussion the situation now, after we're here? I'd think it would be already worked out."
Senna swirls her drink, ”What I took from Anne’s and Hemakhek’s words was a bit different.” She organizes her thoughts for a moment. ”Threshold is moved by some unknown force. Let’s call it the Over-Gods. They aren’t communicating with anyone in Threshold because the why is a guessing game even for Anne. It seems like Hemakhek’s job is to determine when Threshold is going to move and – after it lands – where it is. And then Anne and the Council try to determine what we should do based on where the city lands.”
She concludes, "Anne told us that some people see Threshold as a life-raft. I'm starting to think there's merit in that metaphor."
Lady Sable shrugs.
"Well, as I said, I didn't really listen very well."
The sorcerer toasts her silently, "We've had a lot of distractions."
Senna translates the key points of the conversation for Yash.
Mama enters slightly after the others with mud all over her shoes and a frustrated look on her face. She sits with the Bitty Committee and they have some tea. A different kind from before. It smells like warmth and hearth and home.
Even though it's clearly night nobody seems ready to go to sleep. The inn slowly fills as people confirm that their homes are intact... if that's the right word. Their homes are there, though rearranged and sometimes missing a room or with an additional room. The atmosphere just gets more excited. Rumors abound as the Council deliberates. Before one can really take prominence, the Council's representatives start appearing and a message appears for all residents.
This serves as a general call for all persons willing to serve in a scout or force recon role to please report to the Dockyards in two hours. This is a volunteer only assignment and only basic provisions and mapping equipment will be provided. Volunteers are required to provide their own gear. Volunteers will be assigned teams once the muster is complete. Volunteers should expect to encounter hostile entities, especially but not exclusively Undead.
All residents not assigned to a scout or force recon role will be required to stay within Threshold until further notice.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
-A
Several of the rougher looking patrons immediately let out a cheer and spring from their tables. Others are more contemplative, clearly considering the implied warnings in the message.
Lady Sable turns about to face Senna and Yash fully.
"I suppose you two are about to ruin my plans for this evening aren't you?"
Her voice contains traces of both ironic amusement and resignation.
Senna translates the announcement for Yash even as she returns a shocked 'who me?' look at Sable. "I suppose that depends on your plans. if your plans were to get hip-deep in mud whilst fighting the dead then I won't be upsetting your agenda at all."
She glances over at Donal and Violetta, "If your plans involved getting hip-deep in something else..." She shrugs.
Lady Sable sighs ruefully.
"No, I wasn't thinking about mud. But, I guess I'll need to start. It's for the best I suppose. A quick look through my notes made me realize that I don't have a good first book quite yet. Plenty of things have happened, but the dramatic arc isn't quite there yet."
"The jump will give me more structure so the various accounts of our deeds read less like a list. There's also the problem of selling a story but not delivering. A moving city that never actually moves throughout the entire length of the book would make readers feel cheated, or like I was lying. Yes, the jump itself is a fine climax, and that means what is soon to come must serve as the denouement."
She glances again in the direction of Donel and Violetta.
"I should go make nice and deliver my apologies for delaying our time together. Hopefully they will be understanding."
Senna smiles, "It's your first transit, jump, whatever... I'm sure they will make allowances."
While Yash debates matters, Senna stops by the OBC table. She offers the ancient powerbrokers a polite head-bow. "Ladies, lovely to see you all. I hate to interrupt but I have a question for Cookie." She regards the halfling, "Are you interested in joining the scouting mission? At least a few of us are planning on stretching our legs."
Cookie seems in a better mood now that her shoes are clean and dry. Her tea steams up from the cup and smells like a summer meadow. She glances out the window at the fog and the gloom. I think I better not, dear. I'm sorry to be a party pooper, but my old bones just ace at the sight of the weather out there. As much as I crave adventure, too much of it might kill me before any monsters even get sight or smell of me.
Odelai grunts at that. You're not sure if she's amused, agreeing, or just commiserating. She stands from the table and excuses herself. I have duties to attend, I'm sure. Ladies. The rest say their goodbyes and Odelai glides out the door.
Dru and Gammy wave after her and continue sipping their sunny, delightful tea.
Senna winks, "We'll be sure to save a couple monsters for you, in case the weather improves." She lays a hand on the old woman's small shoulder. "Stay safe, rest up... and do you mind if I borrow that healing wand?"
She glances again in the direction of Donel and Violetta.
"I should go make nice and deliver my apologies for delaying our time together. Hopefully they will be understanding."
The pair are managing to preserve their space with just body language and easy grace. You they permit however, along with a very select few others. All are uniformly beautiful and all have a habit of undressing each other with their looks. Welcome, darling! Donel purrs. Transition is such an exciting time, don't you think! His leathers fit him like a second skin. He shifts in his seat and sighs. I'm not sure I'll be able to get back into these once I'm out!
Violetta giggles and motions to her corset. I'm not sure I'll ever get might this tight again! Truly Threshold is a mystery.
Senna winks, "We'll be sure to save a couple monsters for you, in case the weather improves." She lays a hand on the old woman's small shoulder. "Stay safe, rest up... and do you mind if I borrow that healing wand?"
She digs into her sizeable carpet purse and pulls both the half-used Cure Light and the brand new Cure Moderate wands out. Of course! They won't be doing much back here!
Senna stashes the wands with thanks to Cookie.
She glances at the table surrounded by libidinous, pretty, clients and professionals... and considers that Cookie may be entirely wrong.
That group might need a healing wand after this evening. Yikes!
Senna reclaims her seat next to Yash.
Lady Sable really did cross the room with the best of intentions. But, once she is proximate to her favorite pair of people in the world, she weakens then crumbles.
She looks as hangdog as she could possibly be, which isn't very much honestly, as she breaks her news to Donal and Violetta mournfully.
"I greeted this move with excitement and anticipation, but now it strikes directly at my heart. As you have heard there has been a call for volunteers to protect the city. My companions are answering the call, and honor demands I do no less. We owe each other our lives, and must always be ready to protect each other."
"I have but 2 hours before we depart. I was so anticipating peeling you both so you can breathe properly, but now I must cede that delight to some other. My envy eats at me already."
The two eye each other and whole sentences pass in a wink. Donal locks eyes with you first.
I feel a pattern developing. I seen to remember you regretting your circumstances last time you slid so elegantly into our lives.
Violetta hummus and adds But this time it's not money, but time.
Donal coos, What would you give for the privilege? I wonder?
You suddenly realize that you don't know their normal price, much less what could be expected from you in this instance
"Alas, I admit to being a libertine, and this picaresque life I live may someday be my downfall. But, until that time may come, it is a part of what makes me so interesting. So, I ask in response, what mitigating worth to you do I bring to the equation?"
Rarity. Donal purrs. As you said, you may need to do something permanent to these clothes. As it stands we have several offers.
Violetta slides from between two bulky merchant types with impressive physiques and leans in (a dangerous maneuver indeed) to whisper, We haven't forgotten you, darling, but one must put on a show until the times comes, no? Just whisper me a couple sweet promises and I'll do the rest.
Lady Sable's eyes meet Donal's.
"You always know the perfect thing to say Donal, it is your particular genius."
As she says so, Lady Sable moves in close to Violetta, so close they are touching and could hug. Instead, Lady Sable draws the dagger from her boot, a very easy thing now with her newly high boots. She brings her face in, alongside Violetta's, her lips at her ear.
"Be very very still now" she says as she slides the blade under the bottom lace of the woman's corset. Lady Sable keeps her lips by Violetta's ear and her eyes locked on Donal's eyes so they will know her use of 'you' is plural.
"Your corset and jacket would be the last articles to go, but it would take so long for you to be free. I would hold you down, and you would have to fight so hard not to writhe under my hand. But you would look into my eyes and feel my firm hand, and find the discipline you need wait motionless. Slowly... slowly... I would cut each stitch..."
As she says so, Lady Sable moves the dagger slightly, slicing the single bottom-most stitch of the corset, which gives way with a small pop, an aural punctuation mark.
Then Lady Sable withdraws the dagger, putting it away as she steps back. Her smile is wider now, almost insolent.
"But, sometimes it is better to go hungry than to rush through eating a fine meal. I will come find you when I return. If you would like, I will bring you some new laces."
Tease. Violetta teases. She turns on the others. I'm sorry, but the winning bid has been entered. And a rather clever one at that. Fortunately for all of you, our services are still available. It was just the opportunity to experience these outfits first that was claimed. Sessions will start in 30 minutes.
None of the other patrons argue, but some give Sable barely disguised dirty looks. A couple leave for other tables.
Don't worry about them. Donal yawns. They only offered us gold.
Shortly after you arrive, Odelai floats into the sky from near the edge of the boardwalk. Her voice carries clearly to all without shouting through some kind of magic and is also magically interpreted to all in their native tongue.
Scouts. Thank you for answering the call.
Your mission today is two fold. One. she lists on her fingers. Determine the lay of the land local to this transition. This is to include resources, settlements, hazards, and active dangers.
Two. To determine what organized forces may be present in the area. As was noted, the forces of the Whispering Tyrant and the Shining Crusade may both be in the area. There is no mention in the historical record to suggest Threshold was here. Let's not change that. Therefore;
Three. Secrecy. Stealth. Do not make yourselves obvious. Do not wantonly advertise our presence. Trade for what you can. Make excuses about your sources. But we are not here to make waves or save the world. That will happen without us. If a significant threat to Threshold is found, escape to report it if you can. Fight if you must. Please see me with any questions. Dawn in is one hour. You may depart at your leisure. See your Council representative for specific assignments. I'll see you all soon.
She then disappears back to the ground and an excited murmur jumps up in her place.
You arrive at the docks and see Odelai's speech, but find yourself without a party. Suddenly, a thin, ordinary woman stands before you. Good Morning. I am Council Representative Lillibet. Could you follow me, please?
Yash tries hard to sit at the table and enjoy his meal. The taste running down his enlarged canines was a treasure only encountered rarely for the half-orc, but he is genuinely distracted by the scene between Sabelina, Donal, and Violetta. With a leg of mutton still in his hand, he is forced to look at Senna again and ask "dis normal?"
Yash, not one to leave a good bone behind, shoves what's left of the mutton leg into his pack and stands, wiping his hands on his armor and clothes. It's then that he notices the change in his appearance. His faded leathers were less muted, more vibrant, as if they were recently made. His bone daggers were no longer pale while. Instead they looked as if they were made of fresh pearl. He shrugged, and followed Senna to the docks.
Yash smirked as he looked around at all those gathered.
"Dużo skautów. Niektóre miały metalową skórę. Będzie za wolno. Niektórzy nie wracają."
"A lot of scouts. Some were the metal skin. Will be too slow. Some not return."
At the Slattern...
Senna grins, "Dis normal... for her."
On the Docks...
Senna chuckles, enjoying Yash's concise logic, "Zwiadowcy, którzy czasami brzęczą, nie żyją długo."
"I'd also like to know how far exactly 'local to this transition' extends. Could be one hell of a lot of ground to cover depending on what it means."
Metal skin didn't always make a good scout jingle, especially if the scout had drawn on several powers both hallowed and unhallowed to clothe themselves in darkness.
The world had always been quiet for Slip, and had usually shown itself in shades of gray. Color was rare and sound nonexistent. Some people looked sad when they learned this from Slip. But it was just true. There was no need to be sad.
Still, learning to be quiet while wearing half your body weight in metal--which the others said was very loud--was a challenge worth learning. He was still learning it. But he was now easily able to sneak up on lots of people.
That made the fact that Council Representative Lillibet had shown up suddenly in front of him all the more surprising. He was better by far at hiding than noticing, but he still prided himself on noticing.
Slip smiles up at Madame Lillibet. It might be easy to mistake him for a human child, except that his proportions (and beard) suggested that he was fully grown. Some thought he might be an albino halfling save that his ears were not pointed he stubbornly wore boots. And though he would not be keen on showing off his feet, they wouldn't be topped with tufts of curly hair like those plentiful smallfolk. Then, perhaps a gnome gone through and survived the bleaching? The coloration was about right, though he was too tall by far and lacked the stereotypical eerie personality. Still, his skin was stark white and his hair (although not currently visible) was a deep violet shade. Slip was a kayal: or more commonly in in Taldane--fetchling. He was just a particularly short one.
Today he was wearing a full suit of plate armor polished to deep black. Fashioned into the armor is an emblem of a crescent jade moon inlaid with burnished gold showing the phases of the moon from new to full, stretching from tip to tip to highlight a core cycle of time. A curved scabbard, its shape suggesting it might house a scimitar within, is secured high on his waist.
"Say that again," he says, looking up at her to reveal heterochromatic eyes: one eye a brilliant blue-green and the other a shimmering gold, "But make sure I can see your lips."
Erebus:
Lillabet smiles politely and nods. Good Morning. I am Council Representative Lillibet. Could you follow me, please? she repeats.
She leads you over to a group of people who instantly recognize her.
Everyone:
She positions herself across from her companion such that he can see her clearly.
Good morning, everyone, and thank you for volunteering for this task. The Council appreciates your contributions. However, I'm afraid I must borrow you, Xing. The is a matter the Council needs attended to by shape shifters. In return, may I introduce Erebus. We believe he will be of use in your assignment.
Coming to that, your assigned area is due south of Threshold. You will be one of three teams scouting in that direction. We have tried using divinations to get the lay of the land, but they were unsuccessful. Most likely the armies of the Tyrant and the Crusade have both laid powerful magic in the area to foil such intelligence gathering. You will be Team Three South.
Team One South is a group of naturalists lead by Simple Simon. They are primarily charged with mapping and resource marking.
Team Two South is led by Arthur the Radiant and is responsible for security and force recon. If either army is nearby, that's their job.
You, Team Three South, will be responsible for locating and making contact with any nearby settlements, warrens, camps, towns, or other knots of sentience you can. Determine their trade capacity or willingness and gauge whether they may threaten us.
You will be in contact with us and your other local teams with this sending stone. It connects to me or to either of two other stones the other teams will have.
Any questions?
She hands out a smooth, black stone and patiently awaits your questions.
The docks are a buzz of activity and conversation. A fresh breeze coming in to town smells of pine and dread as if the waiting woods know of your task and disapprove.
"Erh" Yash grunted in agreement.
"How long?" he mustered up once Lillibet had concluded her directions.
There is no time limit upon you, but we do all you check in at least twice per day, at sunrise or sunset and say noon or midnight, depending on your operational preferences. We will provide 5 days rations and mapping supplies at the South gate as you depart. As you will be seeking out communities your task could take a few days.
"How far south do we go?"
Typical range is two days for this first mission, though that is flexible depending on what you find out there.
Senna offers a polite nod to the small fellow with the monochromatic clothing aesthetic. "I'm Senna, pleasure to meet you." She turns her attention to Lillibet, "Are there any particular goods we're looking to trade for?"
Nothing specific at this time. What we trade for in your region will largely depend on what you discover.
Erebus' eyes flit from person to person as he takes in the conversation, mostly focusing on their words. He often missed the first word or two of what each person said as he reacted to where people were facing and adjusted himself, so it took a lot of concentration to piece things together. It would be mostly a trade mission with some potential for more, for good or ill. He'd have time to figure out what he thought about his new team later.
When Senna introduces herself, he watches her lips and tongue carefully. ˈsɛˌnə. A nice, easy name to see, unless there was something further back that he had missed. "I'm Slip," he says in response, his voice high-pitched and slightly nasal. "Nice to meet you, too." Then he goes back to watching.
Slip waves his hand to draw attention to himself, letting out a little bit of a gravelly sound in preparation for speaking once he could be confident that eyes were on him. "yyyyyYes, thank you. Is there anything that we should not do? I would prefer to avoid harming locals, for instance." Slip's voice isn't necessarily monotone, but there's something off about the way he speaks, certain words going up or down in pitch in unexpected ways.
Lady Sable has a pretty good guess about what's going on from watching and listening to Slip. In her turn she offers him her hand and, as they shake, she bows her head to him deeply without saying anything.
If there are no other questions, please get to know each other and reddit by the South gate. Sunrise is in 45 minutes. She smiles and moves of to another group of adventurers.
Yash slapped his chest twice as he looked at the little one. "Yash".
He shrugged. "Yash ready."
Slip furrows his brow in confusion. Had he done that thing where he only thought he had spoken? He thought he'd gotten rid of that habit by now. He smiles up at Yash: jaʃ. Another easy-to-see name, aided by that light lip rounding on the end. "Slip," he responds, tapping his chest twice. He also bows at the lady with the pillbox hat and shakes her hand. Then he reiterates his question.
"uuuhhh," he starts, touching his throat to make sure he was vibrating, "Yeah, I still had a question. Is there anything that we should not do? Like, I would prefer to avoid harming locals."
Seeing that Lillibet missed the question, Senna replies for herself with a trace of humor, "Despite my ferocious demeanor, I don't harm locals. My friends also avoid fights where possible. If we run into townsfolk that want us to leave, we're not going to force our company on them. We'll move on. Ustalav is... superstitious. None of us welcome pitchforks and torches."