[Orb] 1st Great Heat's Beginning. Midmorning.

[golden_moon]

[A new face in the orb. Hair falls into her face, and she pushes it back, lowering the orb, and showing the top of a light, blue dress. Behind her, some might recognize a side room in the castle. She presses her lips together, and then looks into the Orb.]

Well. What a fine place to find myself, isn't it? I ain't been inside a castle for a long time, and now I get to live in one. Can't really complain about that, now, can I?

[The hint of a smile touches her lips, and she glances off to the side.]

The older gentleman who greeted me had quite a story about the state of things, and the others brought in to do something about it.

[Without hurry, her gaze settles back onto the orb.]

I'll have to admit, whatever I might have seen, I still ain't sure I'm really scared at the thought of a few weeds. How bad is it, really?

Comments

[tatra]

It's rather severe, I'm afraid. From my understanding the thorns are quite capable of harming even armed soldiers.

[golden_moon]

Really. They didn't, I don't know, trip or something?

Sorry. If armed soldiers can't handle them, what do they expect us to do about it?

[tatra]

Perhaps in this case seeing is believing. The thorns are quite capable of defending themselves.

I'm not entirely sure what we're meant to do, but the people of this world certainly expect us to do something! [ They don't know either. It's kind of obnoxious. ]

[golden_moon]

Well. Can't ask for apples from a peach tree, and can't change the fact that we're sitting here. Well, I am. Not sure if you are seated or not, Miss.

Do we at least have some kind of idea what these capable soldiers and their people have attempted? Seems somewhat unnecessary for us to reinvent the wheel before we look at the problem, doesn't it?

[tatra]

You would have to ask the soldiers. I understand some of our own have tried to study them. I believe they have tried martial force, combat magic, botanical magic, probing magic, and, ah... I believe one of them managed to speak to some manner of being associating itself with the thorns.

[golden_moon]

Magic's probably out. We were brought here with magic, right? So anything the people who brought us here can do isn't likely to solve the problem. Really should have brought my brother instead of me. I'm sure a Hunter would be much more helpful.

[She rests her chin on her hand, a little frown on her lips.]

Don't suppose you know anything more about that conversation?

[tatra]

I don't. And I'm afraid the Lady Knight who had it is no longer here with us.

[shadedsunlight]

They might just be weeds, but they're the kind that engulfs everything in its path regardless of what it might be. No one's found a way to halt their progress either.

[golden_moon]

They have magic. Which means it didn't work.

They can't get through to wherever they're coming from, either, I iimagine.

That old man didn't say anything about who did this, though. They expect us to figure it out?

[shadedsunlight]

Just because their magic didn't work doesn't mean all magic won't work. I imagine that's why they're trying to pull people from so different worlds. Different methods and abilities and all.

[A tiny sigh.] But yes, unfortunately, they have a tendency to leave things for us to find out. You'll find the majority of the townspeople are... daft.

[golden_moon]

True enough, darling, but I lack any further refinements of the art, as it were, so I am merely eliminating by deduction one option I might suggest to our kindly hosts.

Please forgive me for playing catch up, here, I am afraid I never actually read the book.

[A moment of silence as she considers Ginia, which begins to stretch.]

That is not exactly a kind thing to say, though having just been kidnapped, I can't say I will ague with a certain...resentment.

[shadedsunlight]

[The silence doesn't bother Ginia. Unlike most people, Ginia is used to silence and awkwardness. She stares on and waits.]

No need to apologize, it's a lot to take in on your first day. First few hours even. And believe me, once you begin talking to some of the townspeople and learn how gossip happy they are, you'll agree. Daft.

[golden_moon]

After spending three weeks on an Argentinian sorcerer's couch, I can't say I find this particularly overwhelming. Such is life.

Anyway, honey. Don't you know the world turns on gossip?

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Not bad here! Thorns far away. Faolan not allowed to go. Are squirrels and butterflies here!

[golden_moon]

Well, if they're as dangerous as folk seem to think, I doubt anyone should go out there, Sugar.

[Not that she'd actually listen to anyone who told her not to, mind.]

Squirrels, are there? Lord, I have missed squirrels. They ain't so common in the part of the city I live in, back home. Too much concrete, not nearly enough trees.

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Like squirrels? [obviously a person of discriminating tastes.]

Can get you squirrel.

[golden_moon]

They ain't terrible. There were a few of them in the yard, back at the house where I grew up.

Do you catch them often?

Sorry, couldn't resist the journal name drop

[greatsquirrelhunter]

[He puffs up a little]

Yes! Am great squirrel hunter!

~<3

[golden_moon]

How do you catch them?

[fairweather]

Such a posh little castle, isn't it? The staff is quite friendly and helpful too.

Goodness, I love your dress. The lines are quite elegant.

[golden_moon]

I ain't sure about posh, but it beats anything in Queens.

Isn't it lovely? I've already asked the dressmaker for another.

[fairweather]

Queens, goodness. [A tiny, dismissive scoff.]

Do you mind sharing the name of this dressmaker? I think I would like to commission something myself. It's been terribly difficult finding a dressmaker with an ounce of style and sense around here.

[golden_moon]

Well, everyone has to live somewhere. Ain't home, but it was something.

[Also, not entirly her choice, either.]

Well, hardly right to judge such things on a tiny little rock. We should allow you a proper viewing before you commit to such an important purchase, wouldn't you think?

[fairweather]

yes, very true. The back might not be so very agreeable and I do want to take a closer look at the lines. Pray tell, what room can I find you in?

[golden_moon]

I have requisitioned small study on the second floor of the back wing, for the moment. I had to meet with several people, and it simply wouldn't do to call them into my own chambers. The servants were quite helpful, I'll have to do something for them later.