[Burn, baby, burn! That's what happened last time in the glorious world of Seekers! And in a library too, making it a veritable tindertrap.] [Fortunately the firebug was snuffed out due to the valient efforts of our wandering crew and the help of a bloody parrot. His owner seems to want to speak to you and lead you all into the tavern. What better place to converse than the local tavern? If there's a better place, I don't know it.] [The old, well actually he's rather young, sailor sits down in a table at the corner that Naiya had picked out earlier. She's been at the tavern for a bit but no all that long. He orders a round and gestures to the chairs for all of you to sit down.] [Session Start.] * Shan takes a seat, staring at the man. * Virgil takes a seat, book in hand and staff to the side. He makes sure he sits down without getting himself too dirty, and adjusts his glasses as he glances at the HandsomeSailor. * Naiya was already there, so was already settled in with a pitcher of ale. She's got a bandage on, both under and over the armor on one of her elbows. * Enzo takes a seat to Shan's left, leaving Nasira at Shan's right hand. So, what's this about, then? * Naiya also has her everpresent journal out, set to the side as people arrive. ( Nasira's not here :P ) ( I know. I'm pretending she is. ) Yes, please explain. [Unfortunately Nasira doesn't take Shan's right hand. Due to not having showed up and all.] ( D'oh. ) ( Now Shan will have to remain two-handed. ) (But! I am not left-handed.) * HandsomeSailor crosses his hands and looks over the group, one at a time before focusing on Shan. "I told you before. I'm here to deliver a message." * Naiya looks vaguely worried when Nasira doesn't show. Maybe dissapointed? Hard to tell, with those angsty, sad eyes of hers. But first... * Shan nods. "So you did." * HandsomeSailor holds his hands up and waves the nearest bar wench over. "Bring a tankard of ale. And a few flagons." He looks at the rest of them and grins. "No point in entering a tavern without at least *attempting* to look like you're relaxing." * Naiya sips from her pitcher, smiling to herself. * Virgil snickers. * Shan nods. "If you insist." * Enzo looks slightly worried at the idea of Shan drinking. * HandsomeSailor grins. "I don't. But at least it'll draw away suspicion. People who aren't drinking in a tavern always bring unwanted attention." I guess one drink wouldn't hurt. * HandsomeSailor then loses it and folds his hands back together, looking over the tops of his knuckles at Shan. "Anyways...you are here as an ambassador from Chu-lin? Am I mistaken in that fact?" * Naiya shakes her head. "One pitcher won't hurt." She's got a strained tone to her voice, underlying the false cheer. * Shan nods, "That is correct, although I must say it's a surprise that you would know that." You practically shout it from the way you act, Shan. * Naiya slumps a little, shifting her gaze to Shan. "The hat gives you away, dear." * HandsomeSailor ignores the interruption and looks at her seriously from under his red hat. "I feared as much. Then you must leave Port Rio at first opportunity." * Shan glares at Virgil. "It's not a matter of who would know so much as who would care." * Shan raises an eyebrow. * Virgil takes a drink. "You mean like the people who tried to kill you?" * Naiya blinks at the sailor, then looks back at Shan. "It seems she came out ahead this time." [As Shan raises an eyebrow, the serving wench starts setting down the flagons and pitcher. She might be a spy!] Yes, Virgil. Like the people who tried to kill me. * HandsomeSailor eyes the serving girl silently until she goes away. * Naiya grabs one of the new pitchers, and refills her own to the brim with it, then returns it. * Shan refrains from saying anything more until she's gone. [The serving girl leaves, leaving you all alone in your corner again.] * Virgil is actually being *very* cautious by the amount of alkyhol he drinks. Sure enough, he'll be drunk by the end of tonight, though. * Naiya takes another big gulp from her own refilled pitcher, using both hands to hold it. * HandsomeSailor leans back in his chair after she leaves and sighs faintly, tipping his hat back and waving his hand idly in the air as he crosses his legs. "Actually, I have no idea what that attack was about." That makes two of us. But now I'm curious: What are you talking about? Do you have any enemies--um...well, you see... * Naiya sets the pitcher down with a clink. "What's happened?" * HandsomeSailor thinks for a bit before he responds. It seems like he's calculating just exactly *how* to say it. ( clunk. ) * HandsomeSailor then shrugs and leans back slightly in his chair, creaking it. "I'll be blunt then. Port Rio's going to be attacked. I don't know how soon." By the Vithril? Possibly...we're not sure on that front. At the very least, we're sure it's not directly. * Shan narrows her eyes, but says nothing. * Enzo blinks innocently. "How d'you know that?" * HandsomeSailor picks up his flagon and takes a sip. ... why don't you tell everyone? Tell everyone and the attack would get postponed or committed to earlier. * Shan lets the others ask for her! It would also put him at risk. * Virgil glances at HandsomeSailor. "Am I right?" ... but more people wouldn't be here when it happened, or be more prepared. * HandsomeSailor takes another sip before responding. "And how exactly are all the people going to escape? You know how people act when they're put on edge for days? Weeks?" They'd panic. * Shan finally speaks: "Who's 'we'?" Even if they're all held in the fort before the attack...besides, my orders were to talk to the diplomats, not the people at large. Orders from whom? * Naiya frowns. She's not liking this. * HandsomeSailor shrugs faintly. "I can't say that. I'm sure you suspected that. But Dunlor has an interest in keeping good relations with Chu-lin." Where should we go, then? * Shan nods slowly. * HandsomeSailor sighs. "I don't know...you have no passage on a ship?" * Naiya takes another big gulp from her pitcher. "Soes you only asked me to sht... stay here becuase I'm with Shan?" *she blinks* * HandsomeSailor rights his chair and smirks slightly. "I'm not sure it'd be best to travel on mine." * HandsomeSailor then turns to Naiya and rubs his hands through his hair, sighing faintly. "Geez...ya think I'm really that heartless? Far be it for me to leave a beautiful woman stranded on this rock too." I was just asking for some recomendations. I prefer Malta for the large port, myself. I must wonder: you see no benefit in gaining Malta's favor? * HandsomeSailor rubs his brow, somewhat frustrated. "Well it ain't up to me what you do and what you don't do. I was just supposed to deliver the message. What you do with it is your own business." * Naiya blushes, looking away quickly. "So you'll save all the beautifal women and warn all the diplomats? .. thats some, I guess." Oh, and what am I, huh? You're cute! * Virgil feels insulted. * Virgil blushes. * HandsomeSailor then looks at Shan calmly. "Now I didn't say that...I just can't go up to the Maltan council and proclaim it though now can I?" * HandsomeSailor then grins at Naiya and Virgil's exchange. Um... you really think so? There are many a ways to deliver a message. You could easily leave an anonymous letter. Even if the Maltan government believes it a farce, they are likely to send someone to investigate, just in case. * Naiya nods exuberantly. She's probably drunk, since she's dizzy after that. * HandsomeSailor chuckles. "The Maltan government's hopeless. If I left an anonymous letter, what's to say they wouldn't take it as a threat and try to hunt down the person who delivered the letter in the first place, hmm?" There'd also be...questions and inquiries into how exactly I know. I don't want that. Only if you were discovered. Some people don't want the riskyness of that. * Virgil takes another small sip. [Someone stands up at the front of the tavern and starts playing the violin. The tavern goers laugh and clap their hands rowdily, sloshing drink. Everyone away from your corner seems to be having a good time.] * Virgil claps along. Good music is good! (Or I guess it'd be a fiddle. Either way, it's played fiddle-esque. ^_^;) * Naiya shifts her gaze back to the anonymous sailor. "I shink ... Fiona would want me to shtay. And try to help." *she blinks again, slowly, then takes another big gulp from her pitcher.* * Enzo taps his foot to the music, almost imperceptibly. * HandsomeSailor snerks at that and sighs, picking up his drink with an amused expression. "What is it with you Zaxons and Fiona anyway? You act as if she's going to come back to this earth and rain destruction on all your infidels." It's a religion thing. I don't buy into it myself. * Shan pours herself a drink, but doesn't drink it just yet. * Naiya nods to herself. "Fiona wouldn't.. would not do that." * HandsomeSailor sips, still amused. "Wouldn't what? Come back to earth or rain destruction?" * Naiya nods again. She's not sure which part she's nodding to, so that probably means noone else knows, either. Who else have you told of this attack? Who else has ambassadors here? Naiya's drunk. I think I'll be joining her soonness. Am not! * HandsomeSailor just grins at Naiya, before looking back at Shan. "But it seems people outside the pirates are trying to get after you first. Well, I assume they're seperate from the pirates. What were you looking for anyway--" He stops himself short and looks more serious again. "You're the second. There's one more I have to find. Not sure how they'll take it." He leans back. "It's hard, this messenger business." Thhish... *she gestures to the pticher* ish for the pain. My arm hurt. Speaking of which, where'd the other girl go? The one with the eyepatch? She's trying to track the one who attacked me. I'd wonder, who's the first? * HandsomeSailor shrugs faintly and instead of answering, sips his ale. * Naiya looks at her bandaged elbow, and blinks. * HandsomeSailor sets down his drink and lets down a long breath, the alcoholic tint to his breath wafting in the air. "Tell you what. Are you going to go find her and tell her or shall I? Keep in mind I don't do this extra service for just anybody." Perhaps, once you tell us who she is. * Naiya stands up suddenly. "Nasira!" * HandsomeSailor snorts. "I meant the other girl travelling with you. I assume you don't want to be seperated." But if you want to leave her here while you find passage off this rock, it's none of my business. I'll tell her! Oh. Naturally we'll tell her. Unless you're--suit yourself then. ... We'll tell her, but I'ma thinking Naiya shouldn't be doing the telling. * Naiya goes to do just that, making sure to grab her pitcher before she goes. * HandsomeSailor shrugs and downs the rest of his ale, standing up. * Shan rubs her forehead. Let me ask you this: What reason does Dunlor have to be on good terms with Chu-Lin? * HandsomeSailor shrugs. "Trade." It's all about the notes and coin. Trade. That's the only reason? * HandsomeSailor doesn't respond to Shan's question. He's still standing but he's looking at her, waiting for her to finish the interrogation. * Enzo shakes his head a little. * Naiya comes back, setting her pitcher back down. It clunks like an empty pitcher would. She then snatches her journal that she left on the table. * Shan sheaks her head. "Well, if that's what you say, I suppose that will be what I report. I thank you for your earlier assistance and for your warning, as well." I would like to know what the deal was with that other character. Still no word? One thing I would like to ask, before you go: What's your name?" * HandsomeSailor grins at that, putting his hands in his pockets and leaning back. "Is it really that important?" In my country it is of the utmost importance. One must know who one is dealing with in order for there to be any trust. * Virgil sips again. "Nooooooo clue." * HandsomeSailor tips his hat slowly over his front locks and pushes his spectacles up his nose. "Eh, I suppose you have a right to know.." He starts to leave. "Drake. Drake Finning Now if you'll excuse me.." He walks off and out of the tavern before you can react. He did leave the money for the drinks on the table though, including Naiya's. * Naiya sits down again, heavily, looking vaguely around. ...waaaaaitasecondthere.... * HandsomeSailor is gone! ( With the wind! ) * Shan lets him go. She takes a sip of her drink once he's gone. "In fact, that's not completely the case in my country. But it helps us get to know each other a little better, Mr. Finning." * Virgil throws caution to the wind and chugs. I guess alcohol just got to the part of his brain that tells him to ration it. [The music picks up again. There's some dancing by the tavern forefront.] * Naiya waves at Virgil. Wave! * Virgil waves back at Naiya. WAVE! Er.... * Enzo makes a tugging-Shan's-sleeve motion at Shan without actually tugging Shan's sleeve. "Uh, Shan?" * Shan glance to Enzo. "Yes?" Hi Naaaaiiii! Er. Wasn't Drake Finning the name of the pirate that Zaxonian captain was trying to capture? Yes Hi! You're cute! Really? You're cute too! * Naiya thinks for a moment. "But which wazh the chicken? The.. the... which parent?" The egg! ....huh. What a coincidence. * Naiya eyes widen, and she gulps. "Youze were hatched?" * Shan rubs her head. "Enzo, how about we go for a walk? It looks like Virgil and Naiya are rather occupied." * Naiya snakes out a hand and grabs Shan's untouched alkyhol. Okay! * Virgil reaches out and grabs the rest of Enzo's alkyhol and downs it. * Enzo gets up and waits for Shan. * Naiya starts on Shans. * Shan stands and pushes her chair in. She loses her drink ;_; * Shan heads out of the tavern! * Enzo flanks Shan! [The scene shifts to outside the tavern. The music dies down after the doors shut. People are walking along the marketplace and there's the general bustle of activity. Drake is nowhere to be found amongst the crowd.] * Shan heads out of a tavern and into another! Just kidding, she starts down the street. * Enzo follows quietly, hands in his pockets. * Shan waits until they get to a not-so-populated area before taking out her fan and fanning herself. "His name did not escape my notice, Enzo." ...shouldn't have mentioned it then, should I? [There's alleyways inbetween the buildings that line the market square. A fountain sprays up high in the middle amongst the cobblestones and bustling people. They seem more sparce down the road where you are though.] * Shan shakes her head. "No, you were right to. It's always possible I might not pick up on something." ( Not in the least likely, but possible.) So...what do you think we should do? * Shan looks at Enzo while she walks. She doesn't crash into anything, either. "There is nothing to do. Even assuming he is the real Drake Finning, I am not law enforcement, nor does my country have a quarrel with him. Knowing who he is merely changes my opinion about him slightly." [Shan almost steps on a chicken. Well, not really. But she does go down a rather quiet street away from the crowd.] I meant about his...warning. * Shan closes her eyes briefly. "I'm... considering that." It's complicated. Without knowing who will lead the attack, and why... it's complicated. Consider this: Zaxon is hunting Drake Finning, the pirate. But Drake Finning is somehow connected to Dunlor. * Enzo nods. He may be a mercenary, or a privateer. If Zaxon is aware, the two countries are secretly at war. If not... * Shan shakes her head. "If not, at least one of the countries is engaged in actions they would prefer to keep secret from the rest of the world. That aside... ...I suppose it must be Zaxon, then. I'm not so sure. 'Cause it wouldn't make sense for a Dunlorian to tell the diplomats about the attack, unless-- --ohhhh. I get it. Unless Dunlor was going to be causing the attack, no? Well, best not to jump to conclusions. It's not so simple. After all, you surely remember the Vithril troops we saw? * Enzo nods. If there's an attack, it will be from Vithril or Dunlor. I suspect Dunlor will be trying to capitalize on the situation either way, hence the warning of the diplomats.. * Enzo scratches his face. "I don't get it. Wouldn't it get Dunlor more favor if they helped us fight off the attackers?" No. That would surely make them enemies of Vithril. Aw, everyone's enemies with Vithril anyway. This way, they get on good terms with at least three countries. ...that's true. * Shan wags a finger in remonstration. "There are different levels of emnity, Enzo. It's not so clear and dry as that." Openly opposing Vithril would publicly make them enemies. However, if they hide their actions, Vithril will surely deal with more immediate threats first, allowing Dunlor to capitalize on its gains. * Enzo nods as he listens. * Shan folds her arms and sighs, "But none of this speculation makes our next step any easier to decide." In any event, it appears I'll have to postpone my mission for at least a short time. I...well, I think you could understand why I kinda want to tell the council, but then again, well. They are a council. So I dunno if they'll be able to come up with something useful before it's too late. * Shan nods. "In my experience, councils are worthless." Despite how shady Mr. Finning may have seemed, he was right about the government. It's likely that they will debate for a long time about what to do, and may even suspect the party that gives the warning. * Enzo nods. [Shan looks like her wandering has taken her to a much quieter part of town. In fact, no one seems around in either direction anymore.] ( @_@ ) You can see why I would not be able to warn them even if I wanted to, I hope? Yeah, I know. I just wish we could, y'know? As do I. Which is why I'm trying to think of a way. [Both Enzo and Shan notice that about all they can hear right now is the sound of their own talking and their own footsteps. It's EERIE.] * Enzo looks around furtively. * Shan stops short. "Hmm," she says casually, "we'd better get back." Electricity crackles along her hands as she turns around and heads back. ...right. * Enzo follows. * Enzo looks ahead for a few seconds before turning around though. * Shan takes a deep breath. "We've wandered far..." * Enzo doubletakes, at the same time stepping into Effective Cover Shan Range. * Shan blinks. "Enzo?" ....nothing. Thought I saw something. * Shan glances around warily. Some...thing? ( *starts up the Thriller music and gives Enzo short pants and a red leather jacket.) * Enzo quickens his pace a little without getting too far ahead of Shan. "Or someone. I dunno. I think getting back's a good idea right about now..." (Enzo IS Michael Jackson.) ( * Enzo unleashes THE FUNK. ) (XD) (You know he's BAD, he's bad, you know it!) * Shan moves a bit closer to Enzo. "Y-yes, l-let's-" She takes another deep breath and composes herself. "Let's do that." * Enzo nods and continues. [Enzo moves away from the alleyway of doom! Whatever he saw before, he doesn't see any longer.] [There's still more silence...until...] [Suddenly there's a loud crash of a flowerpot on the cobbles a few houses down. There's the Rrrreoow of a cat startled by it that pipes up loudly as it scurries away.] * Shan yelps and clenches Enzo's elbow in an iron-hard grip! * Enzo starts and looks around. * Enzo has his elbow CRUNCHED BY THE MIGHT OF IRON! Or perhaps just gripped. [Silence!] * Enzo gulps. "Er, I think we...should keep on going?" * Shan blinks a few times. She lets go of Enzo and recomposes. "Er... yes, let's." * Shan walks onward! * Enzo follows! Offward! Actually, also onward. [Enzo and Shan walk off into the sunset together! Or at least they would be if it weren't midafternoon. Still, onward!] [Session End!]