2nd Orb - 15th of Rebirth's Decline

[shadedsunlight]

[Ginia can be seen in the orb, sitting up in bed with several pillows propped behind her. She's still dressed in modest sleeping clothes and there's some sort of wine skin propped up against her chest. She smiles and gives a small wave before holding up a pre-written message in front of the orb. The message is held up for awhile, giving someone enough time to read it.]

A friend and I have come under some unfortunate injuries. Is there a healer or some kind of doctor around, preferably someone who can mend broken bones? I can pay for your time and service or some other arrangement can be made. I heard there was a White Mage around, but it doesn't seem like he's here anymore.

Also is there someone that can repair leather armor? I also need some knives made.

[The message is moved away. Ginia flips to the next page in her journal and holds up another written message. This one being far longer, spans over several pages.]

After talking to some of the locals, I've found some interesting rumors, far better than the usual noisy gossip. I think these are things worth looking into.

1) There's an old temple in the Mountains from before the Wall Fell that someone raided last year. The item is unknown but speculated to be some kind of old artifact. No one's heard anything since, so it might have just been melted down for the gold. Rumor has that the Dragon Sisters started fighting around the time it was stolen as well.

2) Trade with the Unknown Lands had already dried up long before the Thorns were discovered. No one's quite sure why.

3) The princess from across the sea, rumored to be the most beautiful and fair in the world, had some sort of accident with a sea serpent, and was turned into a mermaid in order to get her beauty back.

4) Prince Charming spent a long amount of time at the old capital last year. Everyone was sure he'd found The One, but then near the end of the Decline of the Great Cold, he headed for the shore line and hasn't spent more than a month per town since.

Perhaps these are things we could look into. I'm interested in the old temple and the princess myself. If there is a princess from across the sea, perhaps there's a kingdom as well.

Comments

[shiromadoushi]

I can heal. Are you at the castle or...?

[shadedsunlight]

[Bakura, you are a savior. A mage in white robes. An angel bearing gifts of pain relief. Forgive her, she'll be a bit slower on writing.]

No, I have a house now. [Yes, there was a shred of truth in that dreadful rumor.] West side of town, second house from the right on the river.

Do you want anything in return?

[shiromadoushi]

[[He shakes his head]]

Only to know what you meant about the White Mage being gone. [[assures, already heading out the door past to the grand staircase of the Hero Headquarters. Which is looking far better than he did when they first arrived! Why, the first floor looks almost clean! ... almost]]

[shadedsunlight]

You got it. I'll get some notes ready. Turns out our hunch was right; there's interesting news, but it's all last year so no one talks about it now.

[shiromadoushi]

Backstory, huh? [[a small smile]] I'll be there in ten minutes, so you'll have plenty time to write it out! See you soon!

[[Wavy lines fast forward to Bakura knocking on the door and calling up]]

Ginia? It's me! Bakura!

[shadedsunlight]

[Ginia offers a wave goodbye before disengaging from the orb. She eases herself out of bed and leaves the room. She checks up on Helios before heading downstairs, making herself comfortable in their living room, writing out all she knows as she waits for Bakura's arrival.

When she hears him at the door, she gets up and begins writing out a greeting on the short walk over. Ginia smiles at him when she opens the door and holds up her message.]

Glad you could make it. Come in. Do you want anything to eat or drink?

[shiromadoushi]

[[he waves cheerfully as he reads the note]] Maybe some tea after, but it can wait until everything's healed. What's broken?

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Hawk can make knives! Hawk makes good knives!

[shadedsunlight]

[Awww, hi, Faolan. Ginia smiles lightly.]

I'll have to put in an order.

[greatsquirrelhunter]

[He snicks one of his own knives out to show her.]

Good for throwing!

[shadedsunlight]

[She would be surprised at such a young boy with such knives, but she knows from Alanna Faolan is taking lessons.]

Those look like very nice knives. Do you know how much a set of them would cost?

[greatsquirrelhunter]

[money? Faolan doesn't know about money.]

Have to ask Hawk.

[shadedsunlight]

Then I'll have to talk to him. Do you think he'd be busy if I went to visit?

[ladysarmour]

Are you badly hurt?

[shadedsunlight]

[She shakes her head slightly before offering a respectful bow.]

No, milady, nothing worse than I've had before.

[ladysarmour]

Do you have a proper room and bed to sleep in? If needs be, I can see that a room is set aside for you in the castle.

[shadedsunlight]

Your generosity is kind, but I already have a home with my boyfriend and our friend. [She doubts anyone beyond the villages truly believe she's in a scandalous love triangle with Giles and Helios, but best to make things clear.] I am in good hands.

[ladysarmour]

[ "boyfriend"? ]

Very well. But if you've need of anything...

[shadedsunlight]

I'll be sure to ask, thank you.

How about yourself? Are you well?

[bondsoflove]

[Moodily.]

The old temple sounds like a lead, but I want to form a party to investigate the thorns, first.

[shadedsunlight]

Investigating the thorns would be the most important. It'll be a few days of travel to get there, even on horseback.

[bondsoflove]

Even if you ride hard?

[shadedsunlight]

Even if you ride hard, though you wouldn't want to risk breaking the horse's leg. You can use the old capital as a resting place. I think you might be able to follow the river too.

[bondsoflove]

Right. [Horses are not Sasuke's forte.]

Where are the thorns relative to Schwanheim?

[shadedsunlight]

To the east, maybe a bit southeast, though you should be able to see them in the distance.