eswareinmal | [Orb] GHB 2, Afternoon.

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[Orb] GHB 2, Afternoon.

[Liara appears in the orb, looking somewhat distant. Her face doesn't convey a lot of feeling as she speaks, nor does her voice.]

The people here are rather welcoming to, well, heroes, as well. Somewhat less enthusiastically, perhaps, than in Schwanheim. Most of the boats here are owned by fishermen, or so everyone assures me, but I can't say that it is surprising.

[She shrugs.]

It may take time to learn anything about any lands this Kingdom trades with, or has traded with in the past, but if I find anything important, I'll let you know.

Loki, I'll ask about the date around here, perhaps the locals will prove less reluctant to recall their past. Giles, I'm going to try and sketch a basic map of the town, and I'll record anything I think might be helpful for visitors. When I return to the capital, I'll drop off a copy.

Bakura, I forgot to ask you before I left, but there is a small list of items on the desk in my room. Some might not be available, but if we could get most of them, at least, I might be able to learn a little bit about the thorns.

That's all I can think of, for now. I intend to remain here for several days, at least, but I will try to keep this near to hand, in case anyone has need of me.

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I'll see what I can do!

I'm sorry to impose on you. Hopefully, I will be able to repay your help from the last couple of weeks.

Don't worry about it, it's not any trouble!

I don't know if it's possible to get any samples from the thorns themselves. I know some people have said they aren't easy to damage.

But I took some soil samples in the forest, close to the places where Ginia indicated the thorns come out of the ground every night, and then several places removed from it. Maybe there will be something in the ground I can find without a serious analysis, since I don't have any proper equipment.

Mmm... I don't know if I've heard anything of people being at all able to damage them..

Do you really think it's the same sort of thorns, the ones around the Two Faced forest and the ones that are growing out there? The ones in the forest don't behave the same at all, do they?

Until I can study them both, I have no idea. They do act different, but what if there is a reason for it?

Aa-- I guess that's a good point!

And if they are different, perhaps we can use on against the other.

But we don't know enough about either of them to do anything.

[[a nod]] Anything's worth a try, ne? I'll see what I can find to help!

Sample from the thorns themselves are going to have to become a priority. We have to know what we're dealing with if we're going to fight it. Chemically, magically, whatever.

Interesting. I suppose I thought, far from the castle, we might be less known.

So, um, they actually know you as "heroes", then? [It's not just this place, that's completely insane, in that regard?]

Oh and, um, thank you for the map, by the way. Sorry, I probably should have reminded you before you left.

It's not really that far. And I haven't been handed everything without question, by any means. I think they live under the same crown, so it's not hard to imagine similarities.

It's not a problem. Details are a large part of my job, after all. And we're all stuck here, anyway. Might as well help each other out.

Do they? I wonder why they aren't mentioned more often, then.

[He heaves a sigh - the last few days have been tiring, and quite simply insane.] And, um, here I thought we'd found a place where people might act halfway sanely.

...well, um, in turn, I think I've learned a few new things about the area near here. I'll pass it along, when I've, um, collected my thoughts together.

Probably why most people on Thessia rarely speak of Illium to strangers; the capital is more important than anything else, and one's home is more notable than somewhere else. And given the oddities of the local population, even for humans, it's not strange at all.

[She smiles at the little joke, though mostly to herself.]

I'm afraid we're likely to have plenty of time. Whenever you feel composed, we may speak at length.

You were near to the sea recently, weren't you? Did you notice anything I should ask about?

Actually, um, I suppose it's more what I didn't see. I've heard all about how there are supposed to be, um, mermaids and s-sea monsters. Never saw one, though. Probably didn't go out quite far enough.

While I'm certainly not suggesting that either of you put yourself in danger, mermaids and sea monsters are supposed to be local phenomena. I've heard enough people mention it that I'm fairly certain it's actually true, and, um, not just another rumor.

Hmm. I'm hoping to talk a boat to take us down the coast. Take me, at least. I'll ask about sightings, locations. For the mermaids, at least. Not sure I want to meet a sea-monster in a tiny, wooden boat.

I'm also going to ask after any traders in the area. I've heard people talk of a kingdom across the sea, or on an island in it, or something. Perhaps we might find some kind of aid, there, if this land continues to be...well, you've been here longer than I have.

Goddess, trying to learn anything about this world seems nearly impossible some days.

[Out of view of the orb, Ginia leans against a wall, watching Liara make her announcement. It's been nice out at the port town, picking up what new information there was, getting a change of scenery. She feels a bit of a sad pang when she makes a call out to Giles, but it's not like she hasn't talked to her boyfriend herself.]

Some fishing boats came in not too long ago with the catch of the day.

[Despite being somewhat distracted by the orb, Liara takes time to look over and smile from where she's sitting.]

We should see what they brought in. And ask if they let anything go, too. I should have asked for a dress. Maybe then, we could have caught a ride out in the morning with one of them.

[Because once you go blue...]

If you want a dress, I'm sure we can find one in town. Or perhaps some kind and lovely lady will be willing to give up a part of her wardrobe for a hero.

[Ginia pushes off the wall and stretches, breathing in the salty air.]

Whatever it was, it looks good. Big nets full of fish, cages of crabs, about what you would expect.

Goddess, I wasn't serious. I don't need to show skin to speak with someone, I hope.

[She does nod, however.]

I enjoy trying new foods. Usually, Asari are fine with things Humans can eat. Did it seem to be mostly Earth species, or did you not see?

That I know. We are dealing with sailors. Crude, loud, horny after being out at sea with no women. Loveable though. [Hunters, sailors, there's always been a friendly parallel between them. Or Ginia's simply used to loud and crude.]

From my knowledge, it looked Earth-like. There might be a species or two native to this world, but I imagine nothing too wild. [Then again, there was the case with the owlbear...] Personally, I could go for some clam chowder myself, but I doubt there'll be any around here.

I've spent a very large portion of the last year locked on a frigate with marines. I think I'll be fine.

[She smiles]

Perhaps we will simply have to make some ourselves, then.

Point made.

[A nostalgic smile mixes into her expression.] New England Clam Chowder, it's something. Bread bowl, lots of chowder rich with clams, potatoes, green onion, bacon, cheese, crackers on top, it's an experience, Liara, one not easily replicated. [She's very serious about her chowder, okay?]

I...see. Perhaps you will simply have to forgo it, then, in favour of another dish. I don't know much about terran seafood, so you'll have to suggest something, I'm afraid.

[Joker would probably suggest calamari...]

Give me a few minutes, and I can be ready to go.

[Ginia grins and bursts into quiet laughter at Liara's bewilderment.] Don't worry, I'm only being dramatic. I'm sure there are plenty of good chowders in the area or other things. Failing that, there's always the age-old recipe of herbs, lemon, and fish.

[She waves a hand dismissively.] Sure, take as much time as you need.

[After finishing with the orb, Liara makes quick work of gathering up the few things she didn't want to leave laying around (mostly purloined books).]

I thought lemons were sour with some kind of sweetener added to them. I never really used the galley on the Normandy, so I never learned how they made half of what they were cooking. Honestly, I think Javik probably knows more about human cuisine than I do.

[Ginia is a patient one. She people-watches as she waits, making a few notes in one of her little journals. When Liara finishes up, she tucks the journal into a pouch on her belt.]

They are, though not necessarily with sweetener added. Water, lemon juice, and sugar makes a common drink known as lemonade. Lemon juice is also great for seasoning food. Good flavor, goes well with poultry and fish.

I'll keep that in mind. Do they have lemons here? I know some things require specific climates; these people lack the technology to circumvent nature, I believe.

It's possible. Citrus fruits were very popular on ships. The vitamins in the fruit prevent scurvy.

[A pause; this sounds like something she should probably know about, in a port town.]

Scurvy?

It's a disease that comes specifically from a lack of vitamin C. Early symptoms of scurvy include lethargy and malaise, later symptoms include gum disease, loosening of teeth, skin roughness, easy bruising, wounds heal slowly, then eventually jaundice, fever, neuropathy, and possibly death.

Quite common with sailors due to long periods at sea with little fruit or other food rich in vitamin C.

No wonder lemon goes well with fish, then.

[She...might be taking things a bit seriously, Gin. Sorry.]

Definitely. How about we buy some fresh ingredients from the market and do some cooking?

Hopefully, they won't be too expensive. Archaeology isn't a trade in high demand, locally.

We'll have to ask the merchants about any trade goods, as well, and perhaps try to find anything more exotic they might be selling in the markets, so we can learn where it's coming from.

I'm good at bartering and while our rules may not offer the best trades, perhaps our status as heroes will. [Truthfully, Ginia knows she's done nothing to even deserve the title, but she's not above abusing the title for some extra resources.]

Perhaps there are some maps of trade routes we could look into. They have to be going somewhere for their goods.

I simply do not wish to run out of goodwill before we know if there's anything of interest in this...town. We don't really know how much they buy into our status here, not yet.

[A little smile.]

I'm sure we can use a little for dinner tonight, though. After all, we have just arrived.

I think we'll learn a lot even from looking at the pricing. When things are prosperous and well, prices tend to stay slow. A good look at trade too and seeing how the thorns might be affect that as well.

I wonder if they will even remember prices from the last few years. How much are they affected by whatever is affecting the capital?

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[Orb] GHB 2, Afternoon.

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Have the list anywhere?

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