RD14; Morning

[shadow_sage]

Miss Rushman, if you've a few minutes, I would like to meet this evening. At the Inn, perhaps, if you've no better ideas.

[She doesn't know that Natasha Romanov went home, nor does she even know her real name.]

Shin. If you feel up for it, I thought perhaps we might speak of arrivals in the next few days. I have a few questions. Of course. I might also have a few on dreams.

[She frowns, looking around for a moment.]

Has anyone traveled to the coast? I've heard about a Port City, but there doesn't seem a lot of information available. A surprise, I'm sure. Does anyone know anything about it? Trade, piracy, fishing, anything at all?

[Her focus drifts back to the orb.]

I'll be working the grounds of the Mansion again to today, I think, if anyone is looking for me, but I'll have my orb. Of course.

Comments

[consultmybooks]

There's also apparently a city across the ocean. We have some sporadic trading with it. How, I'm afraid, is still entirely beyond me.

[...Giles appears distracted, gazing out of the orb's view and into the distance as well.]

There are other cities out there, beyond the thorns. Just, um, in general. I've heard from one of the others, and I've confirmed by poking around in the library a bit.

[shadow_sage]

Well. I imagine we can discount anything beyond the thorns for the moment, as I cannot fly, nor carry back an army. Trade by sea is hardly uncommon far back into antiquity on any world with expansive seas and intelligent life. Are there no cities along the coast, that you hve heard of? And do we know if any emmissary has travelled across the sea to seek aid?

[She allows a sigh.]

Do you know anything of the layout of the local port, by chance?

[consultmybooks]

We know that trade has gone on with this city by the sea. I can only assume that they're aware of the thorns, because I can't imagine that, at the very least, people being turned out of their homes to avoid the encroachment didn't come up as a topic of conversation.

[Giles mulls over the question, before finally allowing a slow nod.] I saw something. I've never been myself, mind, and the maps seemed a bit out of date. It's not a very large port, only situated on one side of the, um, so called "Big River" flowing to the west.

[shadow_sage]

"Big River." You can't possibly be serious.

...have none of the...heroes...been there?

[consultmybooks]

I wish to God I weren't, but that does happen to be what it's called on the map. You can stop by the library and see it yourself, if you want. It's called the Big River, it flows into the ocean, and the only thing the map had to say about the ocean was "beware of sea serpents".

Until about a week ago, I don't think any of us had been far outside Schwanheim. Unfortunately, um, I'm working from a bit of amnesia spanning about a week, s-so I might not be the one to ask.

[shadow_sage]

Goddess. It's no wonder they need help.

[Puts a hand to head.]

After all those people telling me to just dig in and help, most of these heroes haven't even left the city?

[There's a laugh, and it's hard to tell exactly what she means by it.]

Well. You get what you pay for.

[consultmybooks]

I think they've been to something in the mountains...something about, um, an "Old Capital"...but I'm not sure what they found. Due to the, um, aforesaid amnesia. [Giles gestures at his head and sighs tiredly.]

I would think that the first priority would be searching for whatever gaps in the thorns people are using to keep the inter-kingdom commerce going but, um, I think it's also safe to say we'll find no help there.

[shadow_sage]

You still know more than I do. [This is said in a surprisingly gentle voice. Her best friend lost two years, though it wasn't exactly the same thing.]

If there are gaps in the thorns, it might the ideal place to seek aid. If whatever lies beyond is not the source, then they are likely to be victims, as well.

And if they are the source, well. Seems like it would be good to know where it's coming from.

[And that's as close to helping as she intends to get right now.]

A small port, but if it's all this kingdom has, it's place to start.

[consultmybooks]

...I, um, I don't think the source of the thorns is a place, actually.

I'm not unfamiliar with, um, with this sort of magic, at its basic level. It's entirely possible that these thorns m-might have begun life as, um, as ordinary plants, before being twisted to some darker purpose by a spell.

Other mages have mentioned that there appears to be...well, um, a sort of sentience behind them.

[He speaks quickly, remembering Liara's previous insistence that magic was an impossibility. He can only hope her opinions have softened after a few days here.]

It's probable that they were, um, were summoned from elsewhere, or else mutated from what's already here.

You might also investigate the Two Faced Forest, if you aren't up for traveling just yet. A similar phenomenon manifests itself there, every night except the new moon.

[yumemi_no_ou]

[[Have a bit of an odd view point as Shin's laying in bed as he replies]]

Arrivals? Like what?

[shadow_sage]

[She turns her head for a second, and then laughs softly.]

As in your own, given its unusual nature.

[yumemi_no_ou]

[[he makes a bit of a face, looking to the side in a bit of embarrassment.]]

Yeah, that's fine. I'm not exactly mobile today, but... if you don't mind being asleep that shouldn't be a problem.

[shadow_sage]

In truth, it might be.

[Nope; that's all you get.]

[yumemi_no_ou]

[[blinks]]

Oh. Uh. Well.

...

I guess tonight then? [[since she should be asleep then anyway]]

[shadow_sage]

[Because she can't stay up?]

What I have in mind might not work...dreaming. But afterwards, we could speak however you want.

[Yeah, she still doesn't buy his controlling dreams; sorry Shin.]

[yumemi_no_ou]

[[Unless she's pulling an all nighter, she's sleeping at sometime, right? Or at least that's his logic.]]

[[Well he's confused as anything now]]

What did you have in mind...?

[shadow_sage]

Asari have certain abilities that can aid in recall, and the sharing of memories. If you're willing, perhaps I'll be able to find details you're not consciously aware of anymore.

fyi Ginia will reveal herself as the stalker in the thread

[shadedsunlight]

From what I've picked up from the locals, there's a princess across the sea who was pretty hot. But then there was something with a sea serpent and now she's a mermaid.

n7

[shadow_sage]

Mermaid?

[shadedsunlight]

Half human, half fish. Generally a creature of mythology.

[shadow_sage]

I'm not going to dismiss this outright. You'd be surprised what can be done with genetic manipulation these days.

Are they...traditionally...dangerous?

And I wonder if her beauty returned with the new half, and if anyone would still consider her beautiful.

[Was that a hint, Gin? No, no, of course not.]

[shadedsunlight]

It depends on the lore. Some merpeople are friendly and will help sailors, others are far more likely to drown anyone who trespass into their domain. Then you have all sorts of sea spirits and sea folk.

[Ginia considers, wincing slightly as she jostles her chest. Bruised ribs, ow.

...Of course, when she thinks of mermaids, she thinks of topless women with athletic bodies and a tail. So yes, very beautiful.]

I suppose it depends.

[shadow_sage]

[A moment while she considers this.]

Well, it sounds interesting, don't you think? I wonder if those thorns will even grow under water.

[shadedsunlight]

If they do, it poses an interesting problem. Or if they grow over the surface of the water, that could be just as problematic.

[shadow_sage]

I think if we do find an aquatic people, we might...highlight...the dangers posed by the thorns.