[The shadows of Port Rio run deep in the night life. Small lights glow in the streets. But it doesn't seem like any of the Vithril troops saw you or heard you...yet. You sneak away from the tavern, Shan taking Filis to a hopefully safe haven. But where? We'll soon find out.] [Session start!] * Naiya keeps watch! The wall's her friend. Running along to try and cover someone is not. * Enzo continues dragging/leading Virgil while following Shan. * Shan leads the stereotypical damsel in distress along. "Enzo, read the signs on the buildings to me." * Filis gets dragged along. She's been silent after leaving the alley way, keeping a hand to her hair to keep it from flying everywhere. * Virgil is dragged. Whehe! * Enzo reads them to Shan! Quietly, of course, but so quietly that she couldn't hear them, 'cause then that'd be kinda pointless, yeah? * Naiya keeps an eye out for anyone who might be trying to, ya'know, follow the others. * Shan keeps her eyes open for soldiers. * Virgil keeps an eye out for, um, stuff. * Enzo keeps his eyes. He likes them. [Enzo reads out the signs as they go along. There's mostly shops along the way, scattered along with houses and such. Some fortuneteller shops and such too. Some people will believe anything. A bank...] * Shan shakes her head when Enzo presumably points them out. "Those won't do..." What are you looking for? And inn, or... Some place they won't look for us. ...they'd be sure to look in an inn, though... Wouldn't they? * Enzo continues looking around, reading signs. Probably. But we'd have some warning. Hmm.... What sorts of people are these Vithril? Superstitious? [Church! Well, chapel. Dead ahead!] Umm...not as much as the Zaxons can be.... Heeeey, I resemble that remark. * Enzo pats Virgil on the head. "Yes, yes you do." * Shan points it out. "And this? A rich man's home, perhaps?" * Enzo blinks. "It's a chapel." * Filis shakes her head. "Not to my knowledge.." She sighs. 'The Vithril are barbarians, all of them..' * Shan glances back. "An important person's home, then?" A religious place. Oh. A temple of sorts. * Enzo nodnods. "Yeah." * Shan heads to it. "Let's hope the priests are receptive." Er...okay. * Enzo shrugs and leadleads Virgil. * Filis blinkblinks. "Are you sure?" * Shan stops. "Why not?" * Virgil followfollows Enzo. And doesn't tongueflick. * Enzo doesn't tongueflick either, though reports are still out on whether or not he's a speedy snake. We surely need a place to hide. That's for sure. Hide, perhaps. But for how long? We do not know how vigilant these ruffians will be. And... * Filis stops herself short. Hey, do you want us to help you or what? Well...yes. I do appreciate your help. * Filis nods softly in response to Enzo We'll do no good out in the open. And if they attack a holy place... Well, I don't know how it is in this country, but it would be an outrage in mine. I do not think this country would have quite the same outrage. Besides... What? I am not certain how much Vithril would care...however... * Filis seems to be mulling it over. * Shan rubs her forehead. * Filis sighs and looks ashamed for a moment. "I am sorry. I will argue with my rescuers no longer." * Virgil is just, um, following along. Let's go, then! * Shan nods. "We will try it." She heads there. "Blast it all." * Enzo follows. "Hopefully not." * Filis follows quietly now. Getting mostly dragged along. @_@ * Virgil is dragged! Wheee! [The inside of the church is not glamorous. The interior is quiet because there is no mass in service at the moment. Pews lie strewn across the length of the church and an ivory statue of a female goddess stands at the head holding a guiding light. Her robes are long and flowing and she seems as if she's blind.] [Candles adorn the interior along the edges in dual holders. A wooden relief shelf with some presumably old religious artifacts, mostly plates and statue replicas, adorn the shelves. The shelves spans the walls about midway through.] * Shan walks forward. "Hmm." * Enzo walks forward as well, looking around. "...hello?" There doesn't appear to be anyone here. How odd. * Shan searches the back rooms for anybody. * Enzo drops Virgil off in one of the front pews and searches the back rooms, starting on the opposite side from Shan. [Virgil recognizes the statue. It seems to be the patron saint of the Maltan Goddess of Mercy, Iris.] [All of you manage to recognize a confessional, or what seems like a Maltan equivalent of a confessional, near the back. A priest seems to slowly be walking out of it. Whether he's noticed you or not yet is hard to tell.] * Shan sees him, and points him out to Enzo, whispering, "Who is that man? Is he a priest?" * Virgil points up at the statue. "Hey, 's Isis." * Enzo nods. * Enzo whispers back, "Looks like it." * Filis looks towards the priest. "I believe that man is a reverend, yes." * Filis then looks at Isis and immediately shies away, holding her head. She seems to be shivering. "What's a reverend?" Like a, um...priest? Important priest person. General cleric dude. Like a monk-type guy. * Shan nods. She takes a step towards him. "Hello there." [The reverend turns to look at them oddly. "Hello...the church is not open at these hours..."] * Enzo looks at Shan. It was her idea. <.< * Shan blinks. "Open?" She whispers to Enzo. "Do the people here only believe in their god at certain times?" * Enzo shrugs. "I never went to church really as a kid. We were always too busy." They gotta clean it up, ya know. * Shan turns to the priest. "Sir, this is rather important." [The priest looks at Shan curiously and stops his steps. "Oh?" He then gets a good look at Filis. A good, long hard look. He frowns. "Is the lady alright?"] Probably not. There seems to be some trouble. We're seeking refuge. Well, she is, anyway. Well... yes. She is. * Filis holds her head. "I need to get to Zaxon. As quickly as possible." She rubs her temples. She seems to be in a lot of discomfort. Why? Please...please...I need to get to Zaxon. I need to journey to Calidor... And again, I ask why. Why not? Wecan take'er right? ...sure, if you wanna fly her over there yourself. Me, I haven't grown wings yet. * Filis shakes her head. "I am not asking you to take me if you do not wish. I only ask that you help find me passage." Why can't you get it yourself? You're avoiding the question. * Shan frowns. [The priest pipes in. "You said that you are seeking refuge, are you not? Perhaps she believes the docks may be watched..."] Undoubtedly. [The priest stops to think, rubbing his chin.] * Enzo blinks. "And yeah, hey, why are all these people after you anyway? Those guys have been roughing up that inn for ages looking for you." I...I do not know. ...you're lying. * Filis shudders and rubs her temples. "No...please. You must believe me." Well, then, why do you need to get to Zaxon? Why d'you have to get to Zaxon, then? There's no time to explain... * Filis 's glancing back at the door now. ...geez. Rescuing people is so frustrating. Yeah, 'specially when they're young weemen. * Shan frowns. She turns to glare at Filis. "I think there is. You've put us in danger, especially my servant who stayed behind. You owe us an explanation, at the least." * Enzo glances at Shan, half-joking. "Why'dja have to go and help her out anyway? She could be a murderer or something." * Filis backs away, sheepishly from Shan. She seems...scared of her? That looks about right. "No...please..." Ah, let's helper out. Please...believe me. I do not know why those men are after me...please...you have to believe me.. * Filis sounds desperate. * Shan frowns at that. "Seems you're right, Enzo. Perhaps they were there to arrest her for some crime. They were soldiers, after all." She looks seriously at Filis. "If you want us to help you, you had better start offering more information. Why do you want to go to Zaxon?" She's Zaxon, can'tcha tell? And Vithril people don't like'us. Well, you and Naiya are Zaxon, aren't you? No, I can't. And even if I could, that explanation alone would not satisfy me. And the Vithrils haven't been chasing after *you*. * Filis takes a deep breath. It seems hard for her to breathe. "I need to go to Zaxon...I must speak with someone there..." 'courseit isn't. * Enzo cocks his head to the side like a little kid. "Whyyy?" For what purpose? * Filis backs up against a wall and starts crying. "Please...I only wish to get back to my homeland...I don't..." She falls to her knees in sobs. "I do not know why I got into this mess..." Every tale has an origin. Why are you not in your homeland, then? And who is this person you need to speak to? An...an old friend... Why now? Why not!? And what is it you need to speak to him about? To get away...they will not find me there... Vithril soldiers are not allowed on Zaxon soil. I will be safe there... So why do you even need to see your friend? I think you're just making this up. * Filis starts crying again. Enzo is mean! ;_; Your story does leave much to be desired. Aww, com'on. She's just tryin'ta get home. I am not asking you to go with me though! What could you possibly want from me? The truth. And even if we got you passage on a ship, there aren't any ships leaving this late at night. Or at least there shouldn't be. You are being very unforthcoming to the people who just saved your life. If you will not tell us anything, the only assumption we can make is that you have done some wrong. Naaaaaah, she coulda done somethin' right an'magic's keepin' her from sayin'. Or somethin'. * Filis shakes her head at Virgil's comment. "That is not true." She sighs slightly and wipes her eyes. "You are somewhat correct. Mostly, I wish to get away from these pursuers for good. I will be safe if my friend hides me in Zaxon territory." But...? * Enzo crosses his arms and waits. Shan's turn! Baaah. * Filis looks up through tearfilled eyes. "But what?" Is that really your only reason? Why haven't you gotten away already, anyway? They were searching for you since before we left here, and I *know* the docks haven't been that heavily guarded between then and now. * Filis nods slowly at Shan. Alright, then. Why are you in this country? No...no ships have been leaving for Zaxon as of late. There seems to trouble down in the southern seas... [Filis starts to answer Shan's question when the building shakes a little. Filis's eyes turn towards the doorway suddenly, wide-eyed, and the rest of you may too after hearing a loud noise from a distance outside. It sounds like cannon fire!] ...the attack. * Enzo glares at Filis. * Shan grits her teeth. "Curses." * Enzo looks at Shan. "By the sounds of it, it's something serious. Probably a small fleet. Let's not waste our time on her anymore." * Filis looks from one of them to the other. "Wait. What--what's going on?" The city's under attack. Possibly more than just the city, too... * Shan frowns. "This clearly isn't... Enzo, stay here with them until I get back." But Shan-- * Shan heads towards the door. "I need to go find Nasira and that drunkard and make sure they didn't get themselves killed." She pauses at the door, and turns to Filis. "I'll expect some answers when I return. Real ones." If they stay here, they'll most likely be safe. But what about you? Don't worry about me. ...okay. * Shan throws open the doors and walks out. "I'm a government official." Uh-huh. Uh-huh. And a hat. [Shan's cloak billows out behind her with the POWER OF DRAMA as she bursts open the doors! It's a shame she doesn't have a cloak though.] * Shan has robes. Those will do [Robes don't billow quite as well. Boo.] ( They billow >.< ) ( BILLOW, DAMMIT. ) [They billow. But it's not a cloak billow.] ( You and your technicalities. ) * Filis looks at Enzo and Virgil. "Are...are you going to follow her?" * Enzo sits down. "No." [Meanwhile, the priest doesn't hesitate. He goes to open the doors and checks out the streets. Outside, there's...well, there's a lot of yelling and screaming and running around. People are in panic.] * Enzo sounds slightly petulant. * Virgil slumps on his butt. "Noppers." * Filis tries to straighten her legs out as she looks at Enzo. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to cause so much trouble..." Yeah, yeah. * Filis sighs and draws her legs up in her dress, pulling them to her chest. "I don't blame you for not believing me. It's more a feeling than anything else. I want to go back. I know I'll be safe there..." Why'd you come here anyway? Like I said, you do not need to travel with me...I only seek to be sent on my way...the rest is up to you. Also, if there aren't any ships going to Zaxon, how do you expect us to get you passage there? Pfah, what's a little trouble? * Filis looks at Enzo, deep eyes scanning his. "Would you believe me if I said I was drawn here?" * Filis pulls her legs up again. "I simply wished to see the world...there was something about this place that drew me...but now..." Drawn? Like with a pencil? * Filis shakes her head and turns her finger in the air pointed towards the ground. "No...more like it felt right. Have you ever felt like that?" Uh, a little uh-huh. * Enzo shrugs. * Enzo turns around and stares out the door at the chaos, frowning. [The priest walks back in and sighs. He winces as there's another shaking volley. "I don't think it'll be safe here for long."] How bad is it out there? * Virgil blinks getting a better bearing on his senses. "Cannonshot?" Yeah. * Enzo looks back at the priest. "Do you have any idea who it is? Have they landed yet?" [The priest shakes his head. "No landings yet...I'm not sure if they're going to land ashore...but it doesn't look good...the people are panicking."] ...damn it. Damage? * Virgil sighs. Well, I mean, I know there is some. But how bad is it? [The priest sighs. "Minimal so far...but I don't think the barrages will stop any time soon."] ... * Enzo curses more fluently than he looks able to. * Enzo pauses and realizes he's in a church. "Uh, sorry, Reverend." Sure, now I sober up. Right when the attack is happening. * Virgil frowns. "It'd be nice for it to go a bit longer." * Filis turns awfully quiet and stares at the floor. * Virgil thinks... "If we could get a boat, I can put together a smooth wind to move us and some fog to cover our retreat..." [The reverend eyes Virgil. It's uncertain whether he thinks spirits are a carnal sin or not.] (...carnal sin?) (Spiritphilia?) (>.>) * Enzo gives Filis a suspicious glance, then turns back to the door, rubbing his forehead. "We can't do anything until the others get back." That doesn't mean we can't plan something in the meantime. * Enzo shrugs. Thing is, they've likely got the port side of the city surrounded. * Enzo scratches his head. Actually... * Enzo looks at Virgil. "You think maybe you could start the fog up now? Around their gunner-levels?" That's what I was getting at. But... It'd get foggy in here, too. You don't mind, do you Reverend? ...in that case, best to wait until the others get here. * Enzo gets up and walks over to the doorway. "You should probably get ready anyway, just in case." [The priest looks at Virgil and nods a little. "For a fellow priest, of course. Just be careful."] * Virgil adjusts his glasses and nods at the priest. He gets up and walks closer to the doors and begins to concentrate. * Enzo peers out the door, trying not to look anxious, and also to spot Shan and Nasira. [The rest of you hear the cannon shot. Filis winces. Probably because it sounds like it took out a good chunk of a wall somewhere.] * Enzo winces, too, but keeps looking. * Virgil winces, but keeps his concentration. ( Virgil has reached Nirvana ) * Enzo taps his foot unconsciously. "Come on, come on..." [Shan shows up! Her robe doesn't billow quite as well this time. But she shows with a Nasira and Naiya! Nasira looks insanely burned and slashed and such. But she'll have to tell that tale next time.] [Session end!]