FFD6 The Dicening, Group 1, Chapter 1, Mission 1

[Teal Mage]

After taking quick stock of their group's resources, a scant 450 gil, it quickly became apparent that getting a room at one of the nicer Inns in Altair was impractical - unless they wanted to burn all their money on it, that is. For her part, Arden was less than thrilled at that prospect. So, after a relatively short time spent searching, the group found themselves at an Inn that - Arden's highly refined business sense judged - was middling in quality.

If nothing else, the tables were clean.

After settling the group's account for the number of rooms they'd need for seven people - and shelling out a little extra to try and arrange a single room for herself - Arden had busied herself mingling with the patrons. Her goal: Get more information.

It wasn't like she had anything better to do.

* * * * * *

((Posting the results of the Speech Check))

Sighing, Arden slid heavily into one of the seats at the table the group had agreed to meet at. This is harder than my Uncle made it out to be. She reflected, resting chin in the palm of her hand and leaning her elbow on the table in front of her.

"Nothing new." Arden offered to the table - perhaps to herself if all of her companions had decided to make use of their time - "No one I talked to seems to know anything other than people don't come back from there lately." The silver haired mage grimaced, as if she'd swallowed something unpleasant. Then, sighing again, turned her attention to trying to flag a server down.

It wasn't like she had anything better to do.

[Riin Whitewind]

Nimbly, the Tarut climbed up onto the counter, careful not to disturb the stacks of papers. She gently patted the man's arm, trying to be comforting. "We are sorry," Jhen began, somber for once. "We did not mean to bring up painful memories for you." The words were still spoken too fast, still rushed out by the next - some things wouldn't change.

Taking off her peaked hat, the Black Mage sat on a particularly large stack. "While we are there - " Jhennek twisted the hat in her hands, the bangles on her arms chiming gently with every wring. "While we are there is there anything or anyone you'd like us to keep an eye out for?" She hurried on, hoping she hadn't offended him in some way. "We can't promise we'll find anything, but it couldn't hurt to look."

[Krylo]

As he looked over to the small Tarut's face, Jhennek could see the pain etched in his face as he brought a hand up to his neck and pulled a small cord from beneath his shirt, on which hung a simple silver twist ring, that looped oddly, almost as though there was supposed to be another, interlocking twist.

He slid it about in his hands, his fingers obviously too large for it, other than perhaps his smallest. "Aye... if ye would... there is something you can do for me," his eyes were averted from the tarut now, locked upon the ring, and his voice seemed to catch in his throat. "Thar's... was... a boy," he caught himself, forcing himself to speak in past tense, "Well... man I s'pose. 'E was blonde, and fair skinned, almost as pretty as that one."

A large well-muscled arm waved toward Raltz, "Though 'e dinnae 'ide 'is face... and 'ad just a bit o' facial 'air. A goatee..." With a sigh he took off the necklace and offered it to Jhennek. "'E wore a necklace like mine... though 'is was gold. The two bands fit together. If ye could find 'im... bring back what's left o' 'im... or at least 'is necklace. I... well I dun 'ave much ta give, but e'd 'ave me gratitude."

His eyes met the tarut's once more. He was too proud to beg, or even to hope. At least not outloud. His eyes, however, gave away his feelings, as he waited for her to accept the necklace and promise to do what they could.

[Riin Whitewind]

Reaching out, Jhennek accepted the ring and cord, looping it around her wrist. "We'll do whatever we can, Mr. Man." Hopping off the counter, she spun on her heel twice, then stopped when she faced the man once more.

The Tarut smiled cheerfully, waving farewell with her opposite arm. "We'll be back tomorrow, bright and early in the morning so we can set out!"

After a scramble, she found herself on Kole's shoulders. Ignoring his flinching, Jhen patted his hair like her stealing rides on others shoulders was the most natural thing in the world. "Let's go find the pretty White Mage lady, and see if she found us an inn!"

[IHateMakingNames]

As important as the negotiations between the gay chocobo peddler and the group of adventurers, Kole had a much more important task to attend with. He was giving a chocobo the ol' evil eye.

This chocobo was clearly a chocobo among chocobos. Strutting around with his powerfully think legs, sticking his large chest out showing his distinctive plume. This was clearly the head honcho of the chocobo stables.

Kole was thinking that maybe, if he gave this chocobo the eye it would throw a Choco Ball his way to keep it's dominance in the stables.

Or maybe Kole was just staring at some chocobo.

And then something landed on Kole's shoulders. The Blue Mage's immediate response was to grab it and bash it against the ground, then probably stab it a few times. Luckily he was able to figure out that the sudden attacker was actually his child-like companion. The paranoia was quickly settled, since Kole figured she would just act as neck armor for an actual surprise attack.

[Bard The 5th LW]

"It sounds like a deal sir," Raltz said in response to the offer for a shorter ride. "I'm sure it won't kill any of us to walk anyways," he said with a bit of a chuckle.

"Anyways, I'll be sure to tell the others to keep an eye open for your friend," he continued, his tone becoming serious. "No reason to not keep an eye out." He walked forward a bit and extended an arm, "didn't catch your name by the way. I'm Raltz." Usually, the Red Mage wouldn't care much for such introductions, but the incident with the White Mage made him a bit more leery about names.

Unfortunately, the moment was broken by the Blue Mage, Kole. Turning his head back slightly, Ralts made a quick halting motion with his free hand, and hissed a "stop that" at the paranoid Mage.

[phil_]

Bello hadn't played his harmonica all day, and it was starting to get to him. "Say guys, how about a little music?" he asked the table before blowing a few tuning notes. "I'm thinking a nice folk song could liven this place up a little; maybe loosen up some tongues. Do you think they know 'In Heaven There is No Beer?' Seems like that kind of place."

Not waiting for answers or comments, Bello hopped out of his seat and started playing a lively drinking tune, dancing his way around the room. If nothing else, Arden would get her server soon.

[mauve]

Bello was dancing. The cuteness was nigh overwhelming. Elsa had to get out of there before she lost her chaotic-evil edge and hugged him or made a girly "squee" noise or some similar reaction to the sheer adorableness. She could feel such an action coming. It must be avoided at all cost. She had a reputation to uphold, after all.

"Right." she said. standing up from her seat at the table. "I figure the others must've found us a suitable mode of transportation by now. At least I hope so." And hopefully they had managed to do so without wracking up a list of irritating sidequests in the process, "S'probably best if someone lets them know where we're staying. I nominate myself." She gave the rest of the table a quick look.

"You. Uh, Ark, I think. Care to come along?" The android seemed like the most likely person to help out without asking questions if Elsa just happened to get herself into trouble along the way.

[Menarker]

Jugan was dancing awkwardly alongside Bello, following in the Tarut's every step with a giddy expression, much amused by the harmonica music. "Rawr Warr ARRRR!"

"... Affirmative." Ark stood up as he fixed a firm glance with Elsa, standing at ready to escort her to the chocobo stables.

Jugan suddenly became conflicted for a brief moment. Now that he just got here, he was having a good time dancing! Now he's being dragged along again to see the chocobos he wanted to see in the first place! His master was SOOOO irritatingly contrary and flighty! But Jugan hopped on top of the table and then again onto Ark's shoulder. He had better get something good to eat later!

[Krylo]

Bello's dancing and singing and general merry making quickly drew a crowd and soon everyone was singing along, even pulling a few people off the street to engage in the festivities. In way of thanks the manager of the establishment lowered the price of the rooms, and, between that and a few tips the young Tarut made, the cost of rooms at the Inn became basically a wash.

(OOC: That is to say, no charge for your three rooms)

The night passed peacefully with the womanfolk entering their room and the menfolk entering theirs and the Ardenfolk entering hers, each room being comfortably furnished, with adequate climate control, and comfortable beds, for those lucky enough to get them. Jhennek may even have something to say for the comfort of the dresser drawers--when properly outfitted with a pillow and enough blankets, that is.

And, as the sun rose up the next day, the group made their way to the stables, where the large stable keeper waited. Upon sight of the group he called over the hand, who pulled out the wagon. Taking your pay, he thanked Jhennek one last time, and assured her, and the rest of the group, that if they could bring back evidence of what happened to Lucian, this being the first mention of his lover's name, they would receive back their money in full.

The ride took some time and morning shifted into afternoon, the group arriving around 3pm, if any of them were to check via rudimentary sun dial (or more esoteric means).

As soon as the City of Maris came into view, however, the wagon stopped and the group was forced to go on foot. At first the city just seemed unnaturally quiet, but soon enough the group came upon the first body, laying well outside the city borders. The more observant of the group (Ark, Raltz, and Kole) notice that the body seemed to be struck down fleeing the village, but there don't seem to be any marks on it.

As your group continues its approach toward the city, more and more bodies begin appearing, some seemingly struck down in battle, some seemingly dead without a struggle. The city streets are particularly thick with corpses, though the few of you who bother to think of it, note that there is no smell.

You can see the hospital in the distance up a hill, and past a park full of trees that appear to be wilting. To your left lie homes, and, a street sign informs you, the mercantile district, while to your right is simply a few houses and a large highway leading back out of town at a slightly different angle than the road you entered on.

The only sound is the wind whistling through the trees.