To Cure a Cabbit (Closed PS RP)

[Kelne]

Having found the building easily enough, Kelne went in in search of AD-7. If the man wasn't immediately obvious, he'd ask whoever happened to be around about his whereabouts.

[Uncle Pervy]

"I do not recognize forest," the boy says to Jak. "Please explain?"

****

Paige feels that the collar is made of some sort of linked metal, like a poorman's chain. It bears no adornment other than the lock on it. As Paige shouts, she feels a numbing sensation around her neck. It is not particularly powerful, but it leaves her neck tingly.

The door is closed behind her, leaving Paige trapped in a tiny room just barely large enough to turn around in. For a big guy like Giles, it must be really uncomfortable...

No one seems to answer her shouts; Giles has fallen silent.

****

Kelne walks into the now-familiar house, and find AD-7 sitting at the desk, reviewing something. He looks up, and asks, "Have you come to authorize a transaction? That is AD-7A's task today."

[Shinigori V2]

Paige cringes, and tries to massage her neck as best as possible to try to get the tingly feeling to go away. She figured it was magic, and thus hoped that someone who lacked the skill could do something about it.

[Kelne]

"Unfortunately not," Kelne said, "I'm afraid there's been a minor disturbance, and a couple of my people have wound up in jail as a result. I'd like to arrange for them to be released into my custody."

[Jak Snide]

"Imagine a good number of trees, hundreds or so, maybe thousands. Now, clump them all together into one area of land so they're all next to each other to the extent their shade overlaps during the midday sun. That's a forest."

[pd Rydia]

Dia scooped up Fluffy, who had been waving his stomach in the air in a manner of 'See, I'm cute! I would never do anything wrong!' A disgruntled snort followed the failure of this tactic, but Dia didn't seem to pay much mind.

"Did these folk mention what country--or countries--they were from?" Dia asked. "Or what they were doing, sailing about this far from Igala? It's not exactly a quick jaunt, and the open seas can be...dangerous...that's why I hear people don't just pack up and sail to Prandia whenever the mood hits them."

[Uncle Pervy]

"That must be very hard on the soil," the young man says to Jak, as they draw near the town. "I don't think I can even imagine it." Jak swears that TO-7A almost gives him a sheepish grin.

****

"Please tell me of this disturbance," AD-7 says, as he puts aside his work. "I am not certain if what you ask is possible."

****

Paige finds the sensation is going away, but she feels a bit drained.

****

"From what I have been told," says PR-7, "I do not believe these people called any one land home. I imagine they were wanderers, like the Belu. Certainly, they turned out to be about as friendly as the Belu."

[Kelne]

"Essentially, one of your people and one of mine decided to pick a fight with one another. Another of my people tried to physically intervene, and all three wound up being arrested. Aside from some bruises, there were no injuries, and aside from the Guard, nobody has been greatly inconvenienced as a result."

Having outlined the facts, Kelne went on to explain his reasoning, "As far as why you should turn them over to me, I consider myself responsible for their behaviour, and it is my responsibility to allocate consequences if they step out of line."

Given Giles' blase attitude to being arrested, he doubted their arrest would lead to any tensions between crew and locals. Still, he had no particular interest in giving such tensions any chance to develop.

[Jak Snide]

Jak simply shrugged.

"I don't pretend to understand it perfectly. Perhaps all the falling leaves in Autumn nourish the land. Something must be rejuvenating the land, since forests are hardly an uncommon sight back home."

[Uncle Pervy]

"Hmmm, this is unpleasant," says AD-7. "I am not certain how your lands hand such things, but you realize that such actions are a serious breach of harmony. It is not something that we can tolerate. In truth, your people already push the limits. I am not even certain other ADs would allow your people to stay. You understand how this makes the situation, I expect. I am not adverse to allowing you this, as a gesture of goodwill, but you understand the predicament. If you an resolve it, I am interested in how."

****

"I expect this land is simply suffering from our past mistakes, then," says the young TO.

Edited by: Uncle Pervy  at: 6/21/05 20:25

[Besyanteo]

Jeridan thought for a moment, trying to organize what he had heard overtime.

"From what I understand, we think it was asministered as some kind of foriegn substance. Maybe an injection, or something she was forced to eat. It's been described to me like a poison, but it's not quite that simple. I suppose what I've heard points to some kind of magical liquid applied to her in some way."

[Jak Snide]

Jak shrugged once again, not wishing to drive his guide away by telling him just what he thought of this "perfect" culture.

[Kelne]

Kelne shrugged, resisting the temptation to explain what he considered to be a serious breach of the peace. The sword at his hip would provide something of a clue there. He certainly wasn't going to air his thoughts on the quality of the peace.

"I will be taking steps to avoid any further such incidents, but I doubt there is a long-term solution. Such different cultures are bound to clash sooner or later. The best I can offer is that we will gather what information and supplies we can, and endeavour to be on our way as soon as possible."

"You may also rest assured that I won't be pointing any future visitors in your direction. I expect that once we're gone, it will be a very long time indeed before you receive another boatload of visitors." That ought to please him.

[Uncle Pervy]

"Your purpose was trade," says AD-7. "We are not rich, but we have resoures worthy of exchange. It is odd you have changed your mind so quickly."

****

TO-7 nods once. "This is distressing. If what you describe is fact, then the relic really has been lost." For a moment, Jeridan is certain she is about to show some emotion. Then she reomposes herself and asks, "May I see the child?"

****

"So what brought you from your lands?" the young man asks Jak.

[Shinigori V2]

In her cell, Paige shifted her weight from one foot, to the other, then back again. She was allowing everything to sink in.

That is, until, it sank to the bottom.

This room was very, very small. And dark. Small, and dark. She was used to one or the other- Airships don't nessessarily have space, and she was never afraid of the dark to begin with. But this was no airship. There was no comforting sound of the engines nearby. There was just her, in this tiny room, with no way out, no way to relax. She flattened herself against the side of the cell as best as she could, and tried to take deep breaths, trying not to panic. "E...Excuse me? Excuse me, please?! Can someone please open the door? Please?! I've learned my lesson, I won't try to break up anymore fights! Please?!"

[Kelne]

Kelne raised an eyebrow, "By your own words, our presence here is disruptive. Not necessarily unwelcome, but not far from it, either. And it takes two people to trade. You may well have resources to trade, but that does us little good if you aren't interested in anything we might offer in return."

"I haven't given up on the idea of finding Savatra and trying my luck there, but here?" He shook his head, "Short of giving you the secret of airship construction, I'm not even going to break even."

"I might consider a return trip if you can tell me what would interest you, and what you could offer in return."

[Jak Snide]

"An old friend, who ended up here some time ago as the result of a freak bit of magic, believes there's something to be found here that will removed a cursed item from his girl. He offered to pay me more than my current work was and, well, it was a chance to see new lands. So I hopped on board."

[Uncle Pervy]

Paige hears one of the guards off to the side. "Do not worry. Take this time to reflect upon your actions, and plan what you will do. Listen to yourself, you are about to fall apart. Over what? You are in no danger. There is nothing that will harm you. Simply be calm, and use this time to think instead of work. It will pass before you know it."

****

"Some tolerance is necessary," AD-7 explains, "No one is perfect. Time has shown us that our path is unique, others take time to adapt. We also understand you are unlikely to follow it, this is acceptable, if unfortunate. You are not Thalsian, you have no obligation to Shamaya.

"As for resources that we want, perhaps you should be more open regarding what you offer. It is clear there is more than visual records and knowledge we already possess to offer."

****

"See new lands?" The young man gives Jak something of an incredulous look. "This is a curious desire. Travelling beyond our settlements is suicidal. Food and water become too scare, the desert and waters too harsh to allow us to go very far. The Belu hardly assist with the former."

[Jak Snide]

"Well, food and water aren't so scare back home. A good deal of Doma is farmland, and I'm sure at least one of my companions could find something edible in the wilds. And that's not even considering the wild animals about. In terms of the natural ecology, it's far more hospitable than this land. Of course we have people like the Belu as well, although only in their desire to prey on others. And they do make it dangerous to travel. But most bolt when you demonstrate you can actually swing a sword. Or ignite their very clothing with a flick of a wrist."

Jak chuckled to himself, remembering the good times.

[Kelne]

"What we have with us, you have seen," Kelne said. Again, he resisted the sarcastic comment, "I intend to discuss the matter with the crew and see if they have any specialist knowledge that might interest you. Feel free to make concrete suggestions. It could well speed the process."

[Uncle Pervy]

"The Belu are very persistant," the young man says to Jak. "If driven off, they simply wait. The desert is there land, as the coast is our land."

****

AD-7 nods. "Practical knowledge is best," he says. "I don't think you have much to suggest in design; I can see the inefficieny of your vessel, and I am not a TO. The manner of its propulsion is of great interest, I expect there will be connections to the Old World. Such things are of interest. Methods of food production may be considered, but I do not think your land is nearly as a efficient, if the records you have shown me are accurate."

Edited by: Uncle Pervy  at: 6/22/05 4:28

[Shinigori V2]

Paige takes a couple more frantic breaths, before replying. "Pl-please, please open the door. It's too cramped in here. It's way too cramped in here! I can't breathe!"

[Jak Snide]

"Are the Belu the same race as you?"

[Kelne]

Kelne actually chuckled at this last, "I'll be sure to pass that along to the fae. I'm sure they'll be delighted to hear that their forests could be more efficient." He shook his head, "Anyway, efficient, practical designs. I'll pass that along. I expect I'll need a note of some form to take custody of my crew members?"

[Uncle Pervy]

"You've not convinced me that letting them go would be for the best," AD-7 says. "I believe it would be best served to let them understand that they are not above the law. Letting them off may give the illusion of precident."

****

"The cell is vented," the Guard says. "You will be fine."

Paige can feel the numbness about her neck returning, as well.

****

"Yes, they are the same as us," the young man answers. "It is believed that we were one people in the Old World."

[Shinigori V2]

"N-no, please, let me have a bigger cell! Please, now my neck's going numb! You can keep me locked up if you want, just let me have a bigger cell!" Paige cries.

[Kelne]

"I have already informed you that I will be dealing with them myself. They will not be 'let off' by any means. Particularly since they were instructed to be on their best behaviour."

Kelne decided to try a new tack, "Tell me something. If you were in a strange land and one of your people were arrested, would you prefer him to be punished under the local laws, or according to your own customs?"

[Jak Snide]

"Theological difference drove you apart, I'm guessing. Anyway, how much further do we have to go?"

[Uncle Pervy]

"There are no larger cells," the Guard says.

That numbness is starting to spead, Paige may note.

****

"I would seek to satisfy both customs, in such an event," says AD-7.

****

"Not much further," says TO-7A. He points ahead. "That building with two floors houses the Reliquary."

[Jak Snide]

"I think I can take it from here, then. Unless I need you to get me inside, or some such."

[Kelne]

Of course he would. It was like arguing with a brick wall. Where was Enlil when he met someone he could set her on in good conscience, anyway?

"Even if their customs are harsher, more lenient, or simply incomprehensible compared to your own?" Kelne asked, "Understand, I am quite willing to apply the equivalent punishment of a night in the brig in this instance, but you are not the only person who has to worry about precedent."

[Besyanteo]

Jeridan nodded, and looked to the cabbit girl. Whatever else, the woman didn't seem hostile. And her reactions... the way she tried so hard to control herself, and almost managed it... It was like playing a game with a young, very intelligent child.

"Ushyu, come here please. The nice lady here wants to get a better look at you."

[Uncle Pervy]

"It would probably help if I came with you," TO-7A says to Jak. "Outsiders aren't trusted around the Relics, and it is difficult enough for people who are not of the proper designation to gain access."

As they open the doors, Jak will note that Dia and Valentia are there, and seem to be talking to some old man.

"Welcome," says PR-7 to the newcomers.

****

"That will be acceptable," AD-7 says after a moment. He begins to write something upon the parchment. "For future instances, I do not believe it is reasonable to make an exception."

A bit of clay is affixed to the parchment, and a seal put on it via AD-7's ring. The Thalsian then offers it to Kelne.

****

Ushyu walks over to TO-7, looking at the bald woman with some curiosity. The womans picks up Ushyu and places the cabbit child on her lap. She starts to run her fingers over Ushyu's fuzzy arms, then over her face and scalp, then the back of her neck.

"There is no trace of magic," says TO-7. "The means must be mundane. Given what you have told me, I believe she was the victim of Relic 9234, which was stolen from us five years ago."

[Besyanteo]

Jeridan blinked. Of all the things he'd expected to hear today, that was not one of them. A nonmagical substance used to seal the magical capabilities of a being that, atleast appeared to be, unique to the continent?

He recomposed himself a bit, and then asked:

"Can you tell me more about Relic 9234, and what is known about it's theft?"

[Kelne]

"My thanks. I do not believe the situation will arise again."

Taking the parchment, he made his way out the door. "Marcus," he said, after they'd gone a short distance down the road, "I intend to reiterate things to everybody later on, but in the meantime, is there anyone else whose temper we need to worry about?"

[Uncle Pervy]

"I don't think so," Marcus says, "Aside from Mr. Snide maybe. Even then, I didn't think that guy'd start swinging at Giles like that. Crazy."

****

"Relic 9234, more commonly known as the Limiter," says TO-7, as she sets Ushyu down. The Cabbit child skitters back over to Jeridan. "It was a serum, with an evaporation point that was significantly higher than the heat that the desert can give. It was located one hundred and seventy three years ago, when a new field was being tilled in a known former ruin site. Its purpose, as far as we can tell, was to dampen the natural abilities of the one it was administered to. We are not certain how it worked, it is theorized to be the product of a great deal of lost chemical knowledge. We never tested the relic, having only one sample."

TO-7 folds her hands, seeming to steeple her fingers by instinct. "It was stolen by outsiders five years ago. I believe your story begins from there."

[Kelne]

Kelne shook his head, "I have to wonder how frequent this sort of thing is. For all AD-7's talk of it being a major disturbance, the Guard seemed familiar enough with the procedure."

He continued on his way towards the jail, pondering Thelahasa. On the surface, everything seemed quiet enough, and in accord with their vision of Shamaya's will. But what currents ran beneath that surface? And were they likely to further complicate their time here?

[Besyanteo]

Jeridan took a moment to consider the full meaning of what he had just been told. Whatever this "limiter" substance was, should any readily made remedy exist, it would be a physical thing, rather than magical. While Jeridan was no scientist or archmage, he had a feeling that Chemistry was probably a more delicate science that magic...

"I see. You sound as though you learned a good deal about it in the 168 years you did have it. Did anyone every look into the prospect of an antidote?"

[Jak Snide]

He raised a hand in greeting, turning his attention to his shipmates for a moment.

"Seems I wasn't the only one to get pointed this way."

Not waiting for a response, he looked back to the old man. "Can you direct us to TO7, if these two haven't already asked?"

[pd Rydia]

Fluffy chirruped in greeting at Jak's entrance as Dia returned the greeting with a wave.

"Ah, yes...I did wish to speak with...TO7, if that would be alright." She managed to stumbled only slightly over the strange names the people gave each other here. "Would it be alright for us to speak with her?"