[Orb Post, Day 4--A CALL TO ARMS]

[a_wider_world]

[Obi-Wan peers into the Orb, and taps it lightly as if to test it.]

Ah. Well, I suppose it must be transmitting, then.

My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi. I serve as a Knight here, as I did in my own world, and as a Knight I believe the situation in West Haven deserves a very close investigation. I would like to organize an expedition to explore as soon as possible--say, tomorrow morning, at dawn.

Let me know if you're interested in joining us. We can, I believe, requisition horses and supplies for the journey.

Comments

[schrien_die_raben]

You're the man Fakir knows, correct? Will he be with you?

[a_wider_world]

[a gentle smile] I am. And I believe he will be, unless he tells me otherwise.

[schrien_die_raben]

He's our knight, you know. Mine and my husband's. And it just so happens that I have reason to go to West Haven. I don't suppose you'd be willing to join him as part of our retinue?

[a_wider_world]

[you are getting an arched eyebrow. This is Ben's way of communicating GURL YOU LOOK TWELVE HOW ARE YOU MARRIED]

If your knight approves of having his father's presence on such a mission, of course I'd be willing.

[schrien_die_raben]

His father? I thought... [Rue shakes her head. Fakir did mention time being strange here.] Nevermind. You wouldn't mind a few crows joining us? Most of them will travel without me, but the leader want to keep up with my progress.

[a_wider_world]

As long as they're not aggressive, I see no problem with it.

[schrien_die_raben]

[she snorts derisively]

Oh no, that's not a problem at all. In fact, one could say the problem is that they are too docile.

[a_wider_world]

Good. And--forgive me for being blunt, but how old are you, exactly?

[schrien_die_raben]

Fifteen. Why?

[a_wider_world]

And are you at all versed in combat of any sort? [HERE COMES THE OTHER SHOE]

[schrien_die_raben]

Not really. I'm a princess, I don't need to know these things. That's what you and Fakir will be for.

[loyalbeyonddeath]

[Fakir has no knowledge of Rue's volunteering him as her bodyguard.]

I don't mean to speak out of turn, but do you even know how to ride a horse?

[a_wider_world]

I've ridden similar animals before. They're actually far easier for me to get used to than--ah, the sorts of ships we had in my world. After all, a living mount does tend to care if you crash.

[loyalbeyonddeath]

[Fakir, having heard just enough about speeders to know that they are incredibly fast and suspiciously under-armored, grimaces a bit.] That's true. But I have to wonder how similar they are, considering... well, everything you ever told me.

[a_wider_world]

Physically, no. But there's one very marked similarity: treat them with kindness, respect, and firm authority, and they become excellent partners.

[He offers Fakir a significant smile.]

[loyalbeyonddeath]

Mm. [He looks off to the side, giving a small smile of his own.] The principles are the same for a lot of things.

[a_wider_world]

Indeed.

By the way, what is this about you being the knight-escort for a young lady and her husband? [He's half teasing.]

[loyalbeyonddeath]

What.

[a_wider_world]

Oh, you weren't aware of your new employment? [There's a distinct twinkle in his eye now]

[loyalbeyonddeath]

I suspected she would do something like this, considering she let me stay in the wing after she closed it off. At least it's only a title that describes what I already do without being asked, not some additional responsibility. Still...

[a_wider_world]

[Oh wait a second. And here's the eyebrow arch again.] ...her husband wouldn't happen to be someone we know, would he? [He's not gonna mindpoke you for the answer, Fakir, but he is pretty suspicious.]

[loyalbeyonddeath]

Yes.

[a_wider_world]

[...you get a pat on the shoulder, Fakir. He thinks he may have figured out where this was going.]

You and I are on the King's business. Not on anyone's orders.

[loyalbeyonddeath]

Right. [His frown straightens out, but his shoulders remain tense. He sighs, and is quiet for a long moment.]

I wish things would stop changing all the time.

[a_wider_world]

[You know, he was going to launch into a remark about how change is part of life and the will of the Force, and how learning to accept it makes us better people. But he's learned a great deal since meeting this boy, and now he knows that sort of lecture is only half true. There's another component that's just as important.]

Some things are constant. [He squeezes Fakir's shoulder gently.] Valiant followed you. And I remembered.

[loyalbeyonddeath]

That's true. [His shoulders relax and slump, though his expression lightens a bit. And he realizes, for the first time since arriving in the Kingdom, just how lost he would be if Ben had forgotten him.]

[for_that_i_run]

[Well, he is curious about that town and the magic that cause it to disapear however... ]

What is a horse?

1/2

[a_wider_world]

Wait a moment...

[the Orb "footage" shakes for a moment, then vanishes--]

2/2

[a_wider_world]

[...and when it flickers back on, he's out in the yard, with the Orb pointed squarely at his horse Boga.]

They're a cross between a pack animal, a combat mount, and a companion. Very even-tempered, most of the time, with extraordinary endurance. [He pats Boga's neck affectionately.]

[for_that_i_run]

Oh, an animal like that? Lantis rode something similar.

[Eagle pauses for something that can only be described as an embarrassed chuckle. ]

Is... that the only way to travel?

[a_wider_world]

I believe so. Excluding carts. Then again, I haven't been here long enough to know if there are alternatives.

[for_that_i_run]

That could be a problem then. Mecha I understand entirely but giant animals are something we just don't have on Autozam.

[a_wider_world]

Your home world, I take it?

[for_that_i_run]

That's right. I come from a planet called Autozam.

You were pulled here from another world but you have decided to do as the King requests and try to save that village?

[a_wider_world]

I've been a Knight all my life. King or no, if people are in peril I feel it's my duty to act on their behalf however I can.

[for_that_i_run]

That is a a very noble idea.

[sorcerous]

A situation? In West Haven?

[a_wider_world]

Yes. Call it a disappearance, albeit on a rather large scale.

[sorcerous]

Something to investigate, it seems.

[a_wider_world]

Indeed. Will you be joining us for the expedition?

[sorcerous]

You are a Knight, you say?

[a_wider_world]

Yes. For much of my life.

[sorcerous]

Honor, nobility, battle and blood?

[goldeneyeball]

Have fun!

[James gives the man a vague sort of salute.]

[a_wider_world]

[WELP. DAT EYEBALL I mean hi.]

You aren't coming?

[goldeneyeball]

No. I mean. Somebody's gotta keep watch back here, right?

[Pffff JW is just being worthless.]

[shiromadoushi]

The horses might be a little trouble... I'm really not at all experienced with riding... [[a little sadly sheepish there. The only time he'd ever gone riding had been that one time with Quatre....]]

[a_wider_world]

Your brother and I can help you. [lol Fakir's getting volunteered for a ton of stuff today] And we can see about finding a very... steady horse for you to ride.

[shiromadoushi]

[[a faint smile there. It was still a bit hard for Bakura to think of Fakir as a brother instead of just his father's other son. His brothers were still back in the City, and while he tried not to be emo about it..

He nods.]] Should look into learning how to properly anyway, being here, ne?