Shunsen nods at Shalelu's suggeestion to scout in pairs, "That makes sense, Shay...especially since we're getting out into more dangerous parts."
When Midi and Fidi set out on patrol, she sidles up to Shalelu and offers , "Don't be so down on yourself, Shay. Like my mother always says, "Mistakes leads us to Mastery!"" she intones in a passable imitation of her Mother.
"Not a good way, a notable way, to die, no," Foldo replies with a laugh, taking back the flask from Cailyn and taking a healthy swallow. "Besides, if I died here, I'd never find out if the legend, the story, of the sylph of Roderick's Cove is true." He laughs again. "Now that would be a tragedy, a sorrowful tale."
"It may lead to mastery, Shun, but in our line of work it also leads to people dying. Not on my watch," Shalelu replies in a determined voice, glancing at the half-orc. She turns back to gaze out into the dark.
"Not on my watch."
Shunsen reaches out and takes up one of Shalelu's hands, looking out at the dark with her, "Not on mine, as well!" she says softly in support of her friend.
Cailyn perks up but tries not to seem TOO eager when she says "Sylph of Roderick Cave, hmm, I don't think I know that one..."
Shalelu gives the rogue's hand a squeeze before returning her hand to rest on her sword hilt. She adjusts her cloak and moves forward through the brush.
"I haven't told you that one?" the halfling questions with apparent surprise. "Oi, then, let me correct that ..."
He then proceeds to expound upon a tale that he's heard about a spirit of air that resides within the coastal town that will grant requests if they're phrased just so. He also relays some of the reputed requests of a carnal nature that are rumored to have been fulfilled.
...The woman smiles at Flori. "And girl would not go amiss by listening to those outside her inside pack."...
Flori quirks her eyebrow at the advice from Witashta. Its unusual someone gives her advice such as this but...perhaps she could consider it. Expand her zone of trust. That's what the woman meant, wasn't it?
Before she could think of it any further, her sister had buried her face into her neck and a tight embrace and Flori squeezes back, letting out a deep breath she didn't realise that she was holding.
"You're looking a lot better Orchid." She says, pulling away gently after quite some time.
"Perhaps I should go and check on everybody else as well."
Flori leaves the caravan and heads out into the night, seeing the remnants of conversation and people helping each other. She doesn't leave the lit area of safety, as she is not silly, but she really doesn't want to be talking to anyone right now. She stands quietly at the edge of their encampment staring out into the dark with her thoughts to keep her company.
"I don't see how that is Physically possible???" the young woman imagines this latest request Foldo described, and then finds herself flushing from nose to toes as her imagination becomes too vivid... and animated... with sound effects.
"Oh, um, now I can." she admits and decides she has to stop thinking about this and all the others, else she'll not be able to sleep a wink without... well something one cannot do without a proper door between self and others
To excuse herself, she says "I think I need to use the water closet" as she rises, a little wobbly, given she has taken a couple more sips of the not-as-bad-with-every-sip brandy. She does know there is not a closet, but doesn't want to say 'use a bush'.
Cailyn brushes off the ground from her rump then heads to the designated bushes, passing Flori as she did so. Normally she might pick up on cues like 'I'd like to be alone', but now she's too warm from the liquid so she stops.
"Flori" she gives a small polite dip of greeting, having to make due with splaying her tunic instead of a dress "Are you okay?" she is used to the other woman constantly moving, doing things, helping, and fretting, so just still like this seems wrong in a small way.
Vigny grins at Reingurd's and Tazio's praise, but she doesn't quite know what to say in return. She's never been complimented on her fighting before, at least her adrenaline-soaked brain can't recall any times. She deflects a little.
"The Accidental God guided my hand and sharpened my focus. Anyway, things might have gone very differently without some magic in the mix."
Vigny gestures with her thumb toward Flori and Cailyn over at the wagon.
She lets the 'fighting versus sex as the meaning of life' debate drift on by without adding her thoughts. She can see too many sticky conversational roads she doesn't want to travel down with the two guys opening up if she does chime in. Although Vigny does find clinching an unexpected win has been quite a rush, and it's left her feeling kinda horny, and hungry.
"Well, I'm more about keeping the peace I suppose. If y'all have been to Riddleport before maybe you know the Little Thunder tavern? It's not just a tavern, it's also an ale church and orphanage. I grew up there and starting working at the Little Thunder as soon as I was old enough to be helpful."
"It's a place of fellowship and good times, but it could get rough in there sometimes. I learned that while mostly you can talk sense to people and bring the temperature back down, especially if you cut them off or threaten to cut them off. But sometimes you have to bust some heads for the sake of everyone else in the room."
"Anyway, we're still standing and the ogres aren't. That merits a toast."
Vigny takes the tankard from her belt and fills it with ale. She passes it to Reingurd.
"I have never been to Riddleport," Reingurd replies with a shrug. "Sandru avoids it and we won't be making a stop there. But cracking heads sounds like fun."
He accepts Vigny's toast, takes a drink. "Until the next fight or the next f#$$, er það ekki rétt?" he says with a wink. Isn't that right? He then passes it to Tazio.
Tazio sighs and shakes his head, but takes a respectful drink before passing the mug back to Vigny.
"Barbarian." he mutters.
Reingurd laughs.
---------
Toilday, 23th of Desnus, 4711 AR (day 7)
With some of you still suffering the aftereffects of the battle with the ogres (or the celebration afterwards), the caravan arrives at the village of Galduria. It's a small village with about fifteen hundred souls. Mostly supported by the presence of the arcane college, the Twilight Academy.
Sandru explains that the caravan will take on more supplies here and leave tomorrow morning. In exchange for your bravery against the ogres, the caravan leader rewards you with credit of up to 100gp each at any of the shops or suppliers here in the village.
Sandru avoids Riddleport? Yet, he has visited occasionally and stopped by because we've seen each other. Maybe he only came to Riddleport to see me! He must really have wanted to see me!
The notion gives Vigny a nice boost. When the mug is passed back to her, she joins team Reingurd enough to echo him.
"To fighting and f+%!ing, with time enough for a drink in between."
Vigny quickly volunteers to help Sandru with getting any supplies he intends to purchase in Galduria.
If she has time for anything else aside from that, Vigny will see if she can find a place where she can purchase a scroll or two of Cure Light Wounds, and otherwise wander about and window shop. If she happened across an awesome shirt, or some high quality tall boots in brown leather, she might be tempted. If that doesn't eat up all her time, Vigny might take a stroll around the Twilight Academy, she might get lucky and see something interesting or freaky at a magic school.
"Vigny!' the excited yell disturbs the warprest from an otherwise interested look at an potentially awesome shirt, drawing a look instead toward a figure in skirts and bundles rushing toward her. Cailyn had pulled out a dress for the visit in town, an extravagant allotment of her given space, but she seemed happy as she smoothed out the silks then disappeared into the small village in glee.
"I found a book on the history of deviled eggs! Well, not just deviled eggs, but all appetizers that might have been born from the infernal pits." the woman practically bounces. She would have shown the book but it was on the bottom of wrapped packages of candied prunes, honeyed breads, peppered meats, and several small bottles of amber liquids. "Try this!" she somehow offers a vanilla infused cookie with dark sprinkles.
Vigny tilts her head to the side a little, trying to understand the book at all, forget about Cailyn's excitement about it. Asking something like 'why was it written?' seems rude, so Vigny goes with "are you going to make any of the appetizers?"
Considering what came just before, Vigny has to ask "what are the black thingies?" as she takes the cookie.
"Nice dress. Really nice. You look great."
"Oh, I don't cook." the notion seemed alien to the young woman. "And I have no idea." she admits about the black thingies before popping one in her mouth and saying something that might have been 'But they taste amazing!'
She swishes a little at the last statement "Mummer maz mooks---" she swallows "Mother says looks the part when you enter new places." she points at the shirt in the window "Do you like it? I think the colors would suit you."
Flori breaks out of her preoccupation as she hears Cailyn's question.
"I....yes - I suppose so." She pauses for a moment, not elaborating any further and looks back out into the night. Flori is usually one for talking lots, with smiles and laughter, but tonight is very different to most nights.
Eventually, Flori poses a question, still not looking in Cailyn's direction.
"Cailyn, before we left home, did you ever stop to think what would happen on a journey like this, away from Sandpoint?
*****
Flori knows that the caravan has all the essentials so is pretty happy to have some money to spend around the town. She looks around for some company before heading into Galduria but is a little disappointed to realise most of the others will not seek out the same type of stores that she does. Before heading into to town, she calls out; "How abouts we all meet up and treat ourselves to some nice lunch at the Ember and Ash? I've heard good things about their pot roast and would love to have some comfort food." She quickly glances over to Wilda, hoping the cook didn't hear what she said, realising it may be taken the wrong way by anyone sensitive about their cooking. "Food cooked in a fully equipped kitchen I mean." Flori adds quickly, correcting herself.
On her wonders amongst Galduria, Flori finds herself strolling in and out of a few stores of interest and enjoying the experience very much. It was so nice to see what else is offered outside of Sandpoint.
She manages to pick up a new leather bound journal embossed with wildflowers as her current journal is almost out of pages.
Just down the street from the Twilight academy, Flori stumbles on a cluttered arcane emporium and spends just a little too long searching amongst its shelves. Sandpoint never had such a range of items, many of which she had never seen or thought possible. She picks up a new blank spellbook just in case as well as a couple of new scroll cases, never having need for them before. She stumbles upong as well as a Spring Loaded Scrollcase. A frivolous purchase but seemed pretty nifty! Yes she has never needed something so frivolous but this might come in handy one day . She also picks up a couple of more intriguing scrolls, as she seems to have picked up the bug for learning new spells after her shopping spree in Sandpoint the otherday. .
After her shopping spree she heads off the the Ember and Ash hoping that someone will take her up on the offer of Pot Roast.
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Orchid is slow to head into the town as she's working through untacking and rubbing down all the horses, as she does every time the caravan stops for more than an hour or so. It's a process she refuses to rush but even so its a little odd when the rest of the group returns and finds Orchid... brushing down a horse. They've been gone for hours!
The more keen eyed however realise that this is a new horse, a mare with a light gray coat and a gentle look in her eyes. Orchid pauses in her long, practised brush strokes and waves Flori over before returning to her animal care.
"This is Moonflash." She says softly, guiding Flori's hand to the horse's neck. "Is yours now."
-------------------------------------------------
She also slips into Ameiko's wagon while the bard is elsewhere and deposits her other major purchase - a small vase of polished wood filled with delicate pink and white flowers. She places it on the narrow shelf where it should be easily seen and then slips out again.
The vase, and the flowers to go in it, had been an impulse purchase - unlike her carefully thought out horse buying. She hadn't even meant to stop at the flower sellers stall but the fragrances had been pleasant to smell and those flowers in particular had stirred something inside Orchid, something that reminded her of the bard with the beautiful voice. Trying to be a girl rather than a wolf was hard but Orchid listened to the feeling inside her, bought the flowers and even managed to ask the flower girl about a vase.
It was a good present, she decided as she slipped back out of the wagon again. The next thought came with a strange frission of emotion one that made Orchid shiver in a not-entirely-bad way.
Hope she likes it.
Cailyn might come across as frivolous and flighty, and she is, but no one can be defined fully by two adjectives, not really. So despite the muddle of her brain at the moment due to brandy, she concentrates.
"Yes." the start of her answer is simple, her tone holding plenty of resigned worry. "I grew up listening to tales of what could happen, both on land and sea, so even if I'd rather not think about them, I did and I do." the Vanderale's control of the Merchants' Guild gave the young eager girl plenty of opportunity to hear both the odd and the bad. Her impulse is to describe some of the worst but she manages to reign that in.
"Are you regretting coming?" she asks with more hesitation, hoping the answer is no, but she sees the crumbled body of this woman's sister and wonders if there could be any other answer.
Vigny hasn't been able to figure out Cailyn very well. She seems a benign soul, and quite pleasant. It's also a relief to hear that Cailyn doesn't intend to try any recipes that involve infernal parts(?), like combining eggs in some manner with devil blood, or powdered bone, or whatever deviled eggs calls for. On the other hand, what kind of person would want to have the book anyway?
One thing she's fairly convinced of is that Cailyn is rich. Maybe that's that answer. Vigny has heard plenty of stories about how weird rich people are. They even get their own special word, 'eccentric', for it instead of crazy. Heaven knows they can't be called crazy like regular people. Maybe this is Cailyn's craziness from being rich.
Now that she's taken the cookie, Vigny can't see an easy way around eating it, even though her confidence isn't high after learning Cailyn doesn't know what the black specks on it are. After all, if Cailyn bought the cookies at the same place she bought the book, the specks could be 'exotic' to say the least.
Vigny crams the entire cookie in her mouth in one go and chews furiously. The sooner it's over the better, maybe. While she chews, she stares at the shirt so she can look away from Cailyn in case her eyes tear up or something similarly embarrassing happens. When she's forced the cookie down, Vigny says about the shirt "It's really nice. But, do you think it's a little overly bright and fancy for me? I don't know what I'd wear with it. It doesn't seem like something I could wear on any old day?"
As Vigny and Cailyn discuss snacks and clothes, they hear familiar arguing voices. Turning they see Sandru and Wilda walking in their direction. The two seem involved in an animated discussion over how much space can be allocated to flour, of all things.
Seeing the two ladies outside the shop, the argument quiets and fades as they approach.
"Missy. Princess," the dwarf says by way of greeting, giving each of the woman a nod in turn.
Sandru smiles at the two. "So how are you ladies finding Galduria?" he asks. His eyes look past them to the window where the top is displayed in the frosted window. "Now that's pretty."
"Yes, it goes with your eyes," Wilda snarks at the caravan master. "A green skirt and sandals and you'd be all set for a spring dance." She laughs at her own joke. Sandru shakes his head, but his smile only lessens a little. "I'd stay and have lunch with you two, but Wilda insists that certain ... accommodations ... be made in our stores and she's quite insistent."
"You pay me to make sure that everyone eats and eats well, Pretty Boy. I'm just doing my job."
Sandru gives the duo an apologetic nod and continues on with the dwarf, their discussion raising again in volume as they walk away.
Vigny watches Sandru and Wilda move on down the street. When they're out of earshot, she asks Cailyn "are you 'princess', or am I?" Then Vigny adds "I don't think I like Wilda much at all".
Vigny turns to give the shirt another look with new eyes.
"I'll at least go in and ask how much it costs."
"She does have a way about her, doesn't she?" Cailyn says in response to Wilda. "And I have no idea which one of us is which, other than she was mocking us both. Still, she wasn't wrong about the skirt." she balances her purchases and offers "I am passable at judging worth, if you don't mind the company." and will appraise away to help with negotiations on a fair price.
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Flori doesn’t answer immediately. Her hands tremble as she clenches the hem of her cloak, her eyes lost in the dark of the night. After what seems like an eternity, she finally speaks, her voice barely above a whisper, “Regret is not the right word.” She turns to Cailyn, her expression hard to read in the shadows cast by the firelight.
“I've always wanted to get out of little old Sandpoint and see what Golarion has to offer. I even wrote a list of everything I wanted to see and… well, I've been dreaming about them for so long.” Flori hesitates, searching Cailyn’s face for a reaction. A blush creeps up her cheeks as she continues, “I've been saving my money when I can but never honestly thought it would happen.”
As she begins to share her thoughts, her shoulders relax slightly. “I was swept up in the excitement, thinking this was a great opportunity—the fact I got to visit somewhere else with my family, and on a mysterious adventure at that. Something where I'd be able to make my own stories.” Her voice quivers with a mix of sorrow and determination.
Flori looks up at the stars, tears glistening in her eyes. “But now, after nearly losing my sister to that ogre, I’m not sure if this is worth the risk. I don’t know if I can bear the thought staning by and losing her and not being able to do anything to help. It’s like my dreams were just that, and the reality is much more dangerous.” She takes a deep breath, wiping away a tear. “Sandpoint was safe, and ...home. I just don’t know what to do anymore.”
Flori sat in the bustling inn, awaiting any of her peers to join her. As she does so, she orders herself one of the famous pot roasts she had heard of as she couldn't bare to wait. As the steaming dish lay before her, her thoughts drifted to the conversation with Cailyn the previous evening. As she takes a bite, she closes her eyes for a moment and smiles softly to herself at the lively scene she can hear around her which feels oddly and comfortingly familiar - yet different. The thoughts haunting her last night felt further away right now.
Flori pauses for a moment, watching her sister carefully untack and rub down the horses. Orchid's wildness and connection with animals had always fascinated her. She noticed the new mare, her coat a light gray, standing patiently as Orchid worked with gentle, practised brush strokes.
When Orchid paused and waved her over, Flori's heart skipped a beat. She approaches cautiously. As Orchid guides her hand to the horse's neck Flori felt the warmth of the mare's coat under her fingers.
“This is Moonflash,” Orchid said softly. “Is yours now.”
Flori's eyes widened, and she felt a lump rise in her throat. The mare's gentle eyes met hers, and a rush of emotions washed over her. She could hardly believe that her sister had thought of her in such a meaningful way. For Orchid, this mare was an incredibly special gift.
“Orchid, she's beautiful,” Flori whispered, her voice trembling with gratitude. “Thank you... thank you so much.” She wraps her arms around her sister, holding her tightly. “I love you,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes. “Y-She means everything to me.”
Flori spent some time stroking Moonflash's neck, trying to form a connection with the mare. Thats what Orchid had always done. She had a feeling that even with the dangers they are facing, she had her sister by her side. Not just her sister, but the others too. The gift was more than just a horse; it was a symbol of the bond she and Orchid held and the strength they drew from each other. his response captures the emotional weight of the moment and highlights the deep bond between Flori and Orchid.
Shunsen watched Shelalu's back as she walked away, sharing her friend's chagrin that the ogres were able to sneak up on the caravan. She mulled her mother's advice, realizing it concealed a simpler truth, mistakes that can kill or harm were unfortunately the most puissant of lessons!
She then followed her friend out into the dark, keeping her in sight, hoping her silent presence helped ease her friend's distress.
Shunsen smiled at Sandru's 'gift' and wandered into town alone, walking along the market stalls, trying to ignore those that purposefully crossed to the other side of the street to avoid her green skin.
She emerged from between two stalls to find Cailyn and Vigny discussing Wilda , stopping to comment, "Stay clear of that one. She's a great cook...but has quite the mean streak.". She pauses to look at the finery her friends were sizing up, then smiled at them and continued on, not particularly interested.
She's been this way before with Sandru, so the streets and Twilight academy held no mystery for her. She does stop by an outdoor outfitters and purchases a good set of cold winter clothes and boots, emerging from the store with them tucked under her arm in their own oiled leather carrying case. . Down the street she enters a weapons vendor that Sandru highly recommends. There she hefts a few weapons, remembering the ineffectiveness of her sword against the skeletons. Finally she settles on a simple mace and pays the appreciative shopkeeper. .
Leaving that shop, she spies a nearby apothecary and buys two flasks of alchemists fire
Satisfied with her purchases, she spends some time at the small docks, looking out at the waters of Ember Lake. She feels the weight of her Mothers' folio, pressed against her side on the inside of her tunic. But, she shakes her head....she wasn't ready to start reading that yet.
Then she wanders over to the Inn , and finds Flori digging in. She settles in next to her friend, places her purchases on the floor and signals for some food and drink, "Nice to get off of the road from time to time when you're travelling caravan-style!" she says, perching her legs up on a nearby chair.
Cailyn didn't have the words to help her friend, she was clever, but spent most of her persuasive talents getting people to spill those tales she loved so much about anything really. But actually helping someone she cared about deal with Fear, and not fear for herself but her family member who was prone to throw herself at every danger literally face first, she had no idea.
Cailyn instead grasped Flori's hands and said the only thing she could think of "We'll make it back, we will, and until we do... you won't have to face this or anything alone. I promise."
Cailyn had meant to wonder the stores and shops with Flori. Hadn't she just made a point about never not having to be alone. But there were BOOK shops that she practically got lost in, and so much else, that before she knew it she was... alone. But then with Vigny, Oh and here is Sandru and the wicked mouthed dwarf, Oh and Shunsen...
Possibly the only one alone from the entire caravan was Flori herself.
Sigh 'I is a horrible friend' she thought to herself.
Eventually Cailyn makes it back to the inn, looking properly self chastened. She whisper as she slipped into the seat next to Flori "My deepest and most heartfelt apologies Ms. Coster for my utterly irresponsible abandonment of your person by me, the lowly Ms. Vanderale." she gestured to the waitress for two of what Flori was having, then back to the groveling.
The day passes with conversation and shopping. Flori's new horse is introduced to the rest of the animals with no clashing personalities and flowers are surreptitiously left. Night falls followed by an early morning breakfast and the caravan is on its way again.
The next evening finds you arriving at Wolf's Ear on the edge of the Churlwood. The thick trees seem to keep Shalelu on edge which spreads to the other scouts as well. A number of the townsfolk give Orchid strange looks, but give no trouble. Crossing the river the next morning seems to set the elf ranger a little more at ease and the caravan follows the eastern side of the water for two days to the tiny village of Ravenmoor.
From Ravenmoor, you cross back over the river to the west and two more days of travel bring you to Roderick's Cove late in the afternoon.
Sunday, 28th of Desnus, 4711 AR (day 12)
"It'll be about another week's worth of travel to reach Brinewall," Sandru points out to you all as the caravan settles in for the evening. "Enjoy the last bit of civilization you'll see for at least two weeks."
Some of you are aware that you'll reach Riddleport in about two days, but Sandru has made it clear that the caravan will be bypassing the rough-and-tumble port town with no explanation as to why.
Orchid keeps a surreptitious eye on the flowers in Ameiko's wagon and when the bard is distracted during their evening in Roderick's Cove she slips into the wagon once more and replaces the flowers once more with a selection of wildflowers she found growing along the edge of the village. She's heard plenty of stories about human 'courting', about how young men woo young women with flowers and although that hadn't been her original intention she's was struck, some miles outside Ravenmoor, that maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing.
So she keeps an eye out for pretty flowers and even hurries through her usual grooming routine with the horses to pick them without being noticed.
Once she's done and has finished with Patches (murmuring soft apologies to him for the rush job she did earlier), she finds herself wandering somewhat aimlessly towards the shore. Drinking in the scent of salt and the fresh breeze off the waves her sharp ears hear singing from down the beach and, when she turns, she sees a blue-skinned woman clad in little more than her long hair who seems to be dancing in the surf.
Drawn, as she so easily is, by the pretty tune Orchid closes the distance and listens until the woman slows her dance and turns to face her.
"Good song!" She says, trying to smile without being odd. "Another? Please?"
At some point during the journey from Ravenmoor to Roderick's Cove, Shunsen walks next to Sandru and softly says, "I'm not sure why you're not going into Riddleport. You know the trouble I had there, so if it's due to that or something else....thanks."
"Nooo" Cailyn says slowly, while her mind picks at the question "Wait... " she leans over the wagon seat almost tipping before she catches herself "since it wasn't me, that means someone likes you... well I like you but not that way, I mean you are beautiful, brilliant, magical, and has a good singing voice, goodness who wouldn't want to..." she shakes her head "... that is beside the point. Who do you think it is!!!" Ameiko might at that moment wonder WHY she calls Cailyn her friend, but the dimpled excitement at least is adorable even if it is in an annoying way.
At town, Cailyn hooks her arm through her friend. "According to my wagon mate, this town has a passible tavern and an amazing bakery. We are seeing both, in reverse order of declaration, so if ANYONE wants to join us, they can feel free." Cailyn's toes practically curl at the prospect of knowing where the story will go, but then she sees the apprehension in her friend's eyes "sorry. they were lovely flowers though, the vase especially, it would be a shame not to know, but if you'd rather, we can skip the tavern after the bakery and come back here with scores of scones."
Sandru rests his arm on Shunsen's shoulder.
"You're a valuable member of my team," he replies with a smile. "However, I'd be a liar if I said that was the only reason we're going around the city." He pauses a moment to meet the rogue's eyes. "But even there weren't other factors, that would still be enough."
Ameiko's lip curls up into a grin. "I think you might be more invested than I am," she says with a laugh. The grin fades somewhat. "I can't say that I'm not curious, though. Who would ...? It couldn't be Sandru. I know it's not Tazio. I don't think Reingurd has it in him for any kind of romantic gesture - his preferences are more ... carnal. Foldo would just be weird. Shalelu? One of the sisters? Flore? Vigny? Shunsen?" She shakes her head. "It doesn't feel like any of them."
As the duo ponders the question, Cailyn hears the patter of feet on the road behind them. Turning she spies the diminutive wainwright rushing up to them.
"She's here!" Foldo exclaims with wide eyes. "I saw her! The sylph! She's on the beach!"
"Oh! Hello," the woman replies, her elegant face breaking out into a smile. "My name is Nime. What's yours?" As at home as the woman seemed in the shallow surf, when she steps out of the water onto the wet sand, Orchid notices her movements to be anything but graceful. Gawky would be a better descriptor.
Paying no mind to her lack of garments, the woman reaches down and retrieves a worn staff from where it rests against some driftwood. Without waiting for Orchid to offer her own name, the woman tips her head as if listening to something on the breeze coming off the waves.
"A song you say? I think I know just the one that you need."
Needing no further prompting, she closes her eyes and after a little humming to set the key, she begins to sing.
Some say, 'Love. It is a river that drowns the tender reed'. ...
She continues on with her song, the lyrics extoling the tenderness and strength of love. When she finally concludes, she gives Orchid another smile. "Does that answer your question?" Her smile shifts to a frown of confusion. "Oh, wait. You didn't ask a question, did you?" She shrugs. "Oh well. That must be the answer to whatever question you hold in your heart. The Lady is never wrong and love is always a good answer."
Closing the distance between the two, she offers a hand. "I'm in the mood for scones. Would you like some scones? Bardu bakes the best ones. Maybe we'll come up with the question while we have some scones?"
Cailyn was in the throes of exploration, currently on Shalelu "Our lovely elven scout slipping your wagon with nary a notice, her striking eyes tracking your every movement savoring your interest in the mystery, anticipating your eventual discovery before revealing her love probably in a rainstorm, insisting your soaked clothing has to be discarded to save your life of course..."
Thankfully, her musing, and ever reddening cheeks at her imagination, is interrupted by the revelation of the Sylph on the beach.
By the time the two friends got there though, the Sylph had departed, sadly. "Oh bother... well, another reason to gather comfort from baked goods." to Blackberry's Bakery they go.
Shunsen meet's Sandru's gaze as she is wont to do...that is, directly.
However, the import of his words struck her, and for a moment she uncomfortably glanced away. Instantly, her brows furrowed as she berated herself internally, and brought her gaze back to Sandru's, "Thank you, Sandru, your kindness means so much. " she says, as she reaches up and places her own hand over Sandru's and squeezes.
For some reason, her face gets hot and flushed, or as flushed as her green skin can allow, and her thoughts get awkward and disjointed, "Um...ah...yes...um...I'm going to swing by Blackberry's...do you want something?" she asks.
Flori pops up right behind Cailyn with her old-normal-Flori-style perky energy.
"Did I hear someone say Scones?" She says, her eyes lit up. "They're some of my favourite, especially when they're warm and gooey with lashings of rich berry jam and a healthy dollop of butter." She adds, because that is very important.
I'm coming too." She declares and loops her arm through Caily'n otherside. "And whilst we're here we should buy some warmer clothes just in case since its the last bit of civilisation" She adds, trying - and failing - to imitate her brother.
It seems that Blackberry's Bakery is the happening place this late afternoon as a number of the caravan's crew arrive in various small groups. With Orchid is a tall, thin woman with blue skin and cascading darker blue hair. And to fuel Foldo's fantasies, she's wearing not a stitch of clothing. She's leaning on a worn staff for support as she and Orchid conclude their conversation coming in to the small shop.
"Oh, my," she exclaims with a friendly smile. "So many new people. So many stories. Bardu, please tell me that you still have some scones left."
"I've got two of 'em right here for ya, Nime," the elderly man behind the counter replies with an affectionate nod.
Foldo stumbles forward and his mouth drops open. He attempts a few words, but he seems so occupied taking in the woman's appearance that all that comes out are a few non-sensical ramblings. The woman kneels down awkwardly to meet the halfling's gaze with her own.
"Yes, words are hard sometimes for me too. My name is Nime. Do you have a name?"
"His name is Foldo," Sandru answers for the tongue-tied wainwright. "And he can't stay. He needs to go back to our caravan." His words are polite, but there's steel underneath. The halfling's head whips around. "But Sandru ... she ... " Foldo protests proving that he hasn't entirely lost the capabilities of speech.
"He needs to go back to the caravan," the caravan master repeats, his eyes locked with the gawking man.
"Fine," Foldo replies, dejection and disappointment mixing in his tone and posture. Without another word, the halfling exits the shop.
The woman levers herself back up and turns to Sandru. "Don't be too hard on him," she offers in an understanding voice. "He's probably never seen an undine before. There aren't too many of us north of Magnimar."
The elderly man behind the counter snorts as he tries to contain his laughter. Sandru nods. "That may be so," he replies with a smile. "But that's no reason to be rude and stare."
Nime looks over the others present, her gaze lingering for only a moment upon Ameiko. She leans down and whispers something in Orchid's ear.
She then steps up to the counter to collect her prize pastries.
Cailyn laughed as her eyes sparkled at the imitation "Baked goods, a bit of shopping, and then the tavern for something spiced, warm, and warming." Cailyn found the prospect delightful, but stopped with a tab bit of slack jawed wonder. Quietly she asks her friends "Orchid is with a naked someone there, correct? My imagination hasn't been corrupted by Foldo's stories?"
Her brain does catch on words being spoken and somehow her eyes stop cataloging various slopes for future story telling purposes only, to the counter. "Oh, excuse me, sir, those are not hopefully the last scones of the evening, please tell me that it is not so."
She does manage to turn a bit pink and turn to the undine "Do forgive me for forgetting my manners. I am Cailyn Vanderale, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Um... do you find it a bit cold without garments? I always wondered." she stammered a touch.
The old man shrugs his shoulders by way of an apology.
Nime turns to Cailyn and smiles.
"It's lovely to meet you too, Cailyn. My name is Nime," she replies. "And no, I never get cold. I don't know if that's due to my heritage or the Lady's grace, but it's always been that way."
She hands Cailyn the scones she holds in her hands.
"Here, you can have these. I live here and I can get more tomorrow." She grins wider and leans in close conspiratorially. "As long as I get here before Calendula, that is."
She turns and looks at the others.
"By the looks of you it might be a while before you get such treats again."
"Fook me!"
Everyone turns to see Wilda standing in the doorway staring at the naked undine. Nime opens her mouth to introduce herself, but with a shake of her head the dwarf turns around and stomps back out into the fading sunlight.
"I guess your friend was wanting scones as well," Nime says with a shrug. "Sorry."
Cailyn holds out her hands, but makes the mistake of looking down at the scones as they are handed over. An act that made her eyes drift and say "blueberries?"
Her skin turns warm, making her squeak in embarrassment. The young woman barrels on "Thank you, Nime. I... well, we will share these amongst ourselves and savor them to their fullest. Oh, well, we are headed to the tavern, something about a Creek-something-another, a little later, after we look at mittens, or something like that. Would you have care to accompany... our group... to make recommendations?"
Vigny buys the shirt.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In Roderick's Cove Vigny goes along with the flow of people to town. She's not really bothered by the scone shortage, she came for the tavern stop. Nor does the nude undine phase her, she's seen weirder a not insignificant number of times before.
Vigny just raises a hand in greeting and says "Hi Nime. I'm Vigny"
Nime chuckles at Cailyn's slip regarding fruitish comparisons. "Please don't bite them, though," she replies sotto voce.
"I would enjoy your company at the tavern. However, I need to be up early in the morning to meet the breeze at the docks. So I'll have to decline. And since you're probably leaving tomorrow morning it's not very likely that we'll meet again. There are so many interesting people that we only meet once in life and have no chance to experience more of them. It's such a shame."
She turns as Vigny introduces herself. "Hello, Vigny. My, but you really are ..." She trails off, frowns and then glances at Sandru before looking around at the others.
"Experience the people around you as much as you can," she declares before leaning down and giving a quick peck of the lips to Cailyn's cheek. "Have a good life, good love, and good sex."
With that bit of wisdom dropped, Nime turns and ambles out of the bakery.
Shunsen had watched the undine speak with the others, holding back, a bit uncomfortable with Nime's brazen, public, nakedness.
She nonetheless smiles ate Nimes departure and gives her a friendly wave goodbye.
She then sidles up to Cailyn and whispers in her ear, "I think she might like you....".
Then she goes to stand before counter to see what might be left, since the scones were accounted for!
Orchid is at a loss for words. That in itself isn't unusual but it is rare that she feels so completely confused by another person. Not since she was first 'rescued' and had to learn all the strange ways that people behaved. She'd thought that she had a fairly good understanding of people now, but Nime had casually blown off almost all of... well, everything.
That being said she is hungry and while there are no more scones there is a delicious looking (and smelling) meat pie with a couple of slices cut out. Orchid taps Flori gently on the shoulder and points to the pie - her eyes making it clear that she'd like the whole remaining portion.
It is only later, while she sits in the grass outside the tavern, consuming her prize in large bites that the undine's words sneak back into her head. The song plays softly, almost hauntingly in her mind as the girl with the heart of a wolf gazes out over the waves and thinks.
------------------------------
When she returns to the camp Orchid seeks out advice - Sandru will be no use for this and she doesn't know Koya all that well. That leaves Flori, so she pulls the wizard into their shared wagon and looks seriously at her sister.
"Flori? How know when you like someone? Then what do?"
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The caravan leaves Roderick's Cove the next morning along the coast with an extra wagon that Sandru acquired. Two more days of travel and you pass Riddleport with the port city about a half-day's ride to the west of you. From there you travel north along the Velashu river. Shunsen and Fidi are easily able to convince the little monsters that they would face nothing but slaughter attempting to raid the caravan.
Eventually the caravan's path breaks from the river and passes north through a gap in the Red Mountains that leads to The Nolands. Most of the trip has had a smatter of music or song from Ameiko, but whether it's the change in the air here or some other factor there's nothing to accompany your travels other than silence and an air of oppression.
Cloud-cover is low and dampness weighs heavy on you as close the distance between you and your goal.
"You're a handsome lad. This can't be the first time you've had to deal with someone who's fallen for your charm," Soya's voice carries just enough for the mage to pick out the words.
"This is different, Bunică," Sandru replies. "I can't just dismiss it. We're going to be traveling together for a while, yet. In the past we've either just worked it out or I've let them go at the next settlement with a severance. I have a feeling that we're going to need all the swords we can get."
"Is there nothing in your heart?" Koya questions. "Sometimes there are feelings there that we find inconvenient and so we push them down and ignore them."
"Not this time," Sandru replies sadly. "I'm just not attracted. Maybe if ... "
There's a pause.
"Is someone outside?"
-----
Part Three: Ruins of Brinewall
Sunday, 4th of Sarenith, 4711 AR (day 19)
The last day before reaching Brinewall dawns dim and cloudy. Rain is threatening, but the caravan presses forward through the dark day. Ameiko tethers her horse to one of the wagons and joins Cailyn and Foldo on the rough wooden bench of the wagon the halfling is driving. The bard only responds to normal conversation with single words. Perhaps nervousness at what might be found in the ruins has tainted her mood.
Late in the day you see the Steam river up ahead and the coarse bridge that crosses it. Sandru calls a halt to the caravan before reaching the crossing and points to a weathered and leaning sign near the side of the road.
To Brinewall
The sign is near an overgrown trail that heads west into a forest.
"We'll set the caravan up here. The village is about a half-mile that way. Once we have the camp established, we'll ..."
Cailyn feels Ameiko slump against her and before she can catch her, the woman falls from the wagon into a heap on the ground below and doesn't move.
The bard is quickly moved to a more comfortable location, but efforts to awaken her fail. After a careful examination, Vigny determines that Ameiko is in some sort of magically induced coma. She also notices that the woman is faintly muttering something over and over.
"Dì sān gè jīnkù zhōng chāoguò liǎng gè fēngyìn de yī jiàn bǎozàng..."
The kiss from Nime followed by the whisper by Shunsen has Cailyn blushing more than sense should allow. She's not really used to be part of the center of a story.
The days that follow she doesn't dwell on the feeling of lips on her cheek, mainly because she is more and more worried about her friend. She tells stories, tries to hum a tune that she knows Ameiko couldn't help but take up, anything but to no avail.
Then she collapses and Cailyn is yelling for help, trying to keep her from sliding off the wagon seat to the ground.
"She's talking about a vault" Cailyn liked languages, liked better being about to share one her best friend and her could use to talk about people without them knowing "One treasure... beyond two seals... in the third vault" she thinks "Is the about the vault that is supposed to be in Brinewall?"
Orchid makes it to Cailyn and Ameiko faster than anyone has a right to move and takes Ameiko's weight without even a grunt. She carries the bard hither and thither as instructed but until a bedroll is made and designated the healing place, any attempt to get her to let Ameiko go is met with growls and an absolute refusal to loosen her grip.
She continues to linger by Ameiko's near comatose body while the healers work, utterly silent and listening intently to the bard mumbled words. Cailyn's translation makes her head snap up.
"Then go castle. Fix this!" It seems to be an instruction because she uncurls to her feet and seems ready to storm the fortress alone if need be.
"Like someone.... do you mean....?" Flori pauses, and looks askew at Orchid. This was the last thing she expected from her sister. For some reason she had never thought Orchid would be all that interested in other humans for anything ....romantic.
"Do you mean not just as a friend? Something more?" Flori asks, clarifying before she puts her foot in it and racks her brains about who it might be? Witasha maybe?
Then comes the other issue. Flori had never really done the whole dating thing. Sure, she had fumbled with a few of the lads back in Sandpoint, and had a good time, but she never actually had a relationship with anyone. She had never had the time.
Am I kidding myself?
If she was being honest to herself, it wasn't that she had never had the time. All that she comes across as friendly, approachable and self-confident to those back home she really was not. Flori was the expert of overthinking things - she tried to hide it from everyone else, and rarely shared her thoughts, but it did cause problems if she ever had a crush. She never knew what the right thing to do about it was.
"Slow down," Sandru orders, placing a firm hand on Orchid's shoulder. "It sounds like it might have something to do with the ruined village, yes, but we need to think this through before we run off impulsively. I understand, I do. We all care for Ameiko."
He looks around at the gathered crew and then at the forest to the west.
"This is what we're going to do ..." he says finally. "Most of us are going to stay here and set up a campsite ... and watch over Ameiko." Worry betrays his attitude of being firmly in control as he glances at the Koya's wagon where the bard rests. He turns back to the group of people waiting on his instructions.
"Shunsen? You and Vigny will take Orchid to see what you can find out in the ruins. Flori? Cailyn? They might need brains as well as brawn, so I'd appreciate if you'd both go with them. Don't do anything stupid and stay safe. Head out as soon as you've gathered what you need." He locks eyes with Orchid. "Ameiko wouldn't want you to take any unneeded risks, so listen to Cailyn and Flori - they're in charge. What they say goes. If they say to turn around and run back here, that's what you do, understand?"
Cailyn stopped in mid motion as she has been kneeling back down to Ameiko's side now that Orchid wasn't growling at her. "Okay, makes sense, yes... what?" she was agreeing, nodding, trying to remember if she had properly oiled her crossbow, then he got to Flori and Cailyn being in charge, which got the furrow of 'what'
She looked quickly to Flori, swallowed, and said "Better spending our friend's moments with doing than arguing over your brother's... advice."
Shunsen was just walking back with Shelalu from a patrol when she saw Ameiko fall senseless from the wagon.
She rushed up to help her dear friend, but was beaten there by Orchid's solicitude. She followed Orchid around as she carried Ameiko here and there, ultimately depositing her in Koya's wagon. She shot Sandru a few glances, as if asking silently, "What the...?" over Orchids seemingly sudden attachment to Ameiko.
She nods at Cailyn's translation, "It must have something to do with her legacy...." she says, her face troubled, wondering if the legacy was worth her friend's life.
After Sandru finished delivering his instructions to Orchid, Shunsen smiles and jests, "Maybe make sure she listens to me and Vigny too....just in case."
"She will Shunsen. She is just worried right now, don't worry." Flori replies with all seriousness.
She looks around her and realises that she - and Cailyn - are apparently in charge of this situation.
"Good plan Sandru, we will find out more to help Ameiko, and you can all be here when Ameiko wakes up. Right, before we head down the trail, pick up everything you need to bring with you." She says trying to stay factual and keep out the worry from her voice. That is the last thing everyone needs right now.
"We don't know what we will find there, so please pack for any eventuality."
--------------------------------------------
Sandru is leader of the pack so Orchid nods once and stalks away to chivvy the horses while everyone else collects their gear. By the time the rest of the group are ready she seems a little calmer, but only a little. One of her hands has already transformed into long claws and Orchid doesn't even seem to be aware of it.