227.6 Alicia

[Corwin]

[18:22] <Kotono> "Trouble, not exactly. Rumblings, certainly." Folding his hands together, "There's been noise of pirates on the seas lately. A ship from Kelara was harrassed, as was a Balmurian ship. I've been forming a small brigade charged with dealing with it. There's been talk of plague around Parsifal as well, though it's not the malaise it would have been even a year ago. Eudard volunteered to lead a mission to cure it before it spreads too far."
[18:22] <Kotono>  Eudard volunteered to lead a mission to cure it before it spreads too far."
[18:24] <Alicia> "I could point Latha in that direction as well," Alicia offers. "She's capable of dealing with diseases far better than any healer."
[18:26] <Kotono> "They left about a week ago on horseback," Oberuth nods, "If the next report isn't very positive, I'll take you up on that offer. Our hope is that attacking it fast enough will cut it's legs before it spreads. More pragmatically, it's slowed and stopped caravans from Parsifal, so there's less traffic going towards Valandia. It hasn't worked it's way all down through the line yet, but there will be some economic impacts as well."
[18:28] <Alicia> "Alright," Alicia relents, easing back. "That aside, is there anything you'll need me for? I haven't seen Seira or Demedais yet, but I only got back half an hour ago - are they around?"
[18:30] <Kotono> "Seira's been back. She was off on duty with one of the droppings of Shar. It went well, from reports. But no, nothing immediately. No devil attacks, only one goblin incident, Valandia's quiet..." Rubbing his chin, "Well, you may want to check the archery ranges. We seem to have acquired a few goblin trainees, courtesy of Seira. I can hardly say it's expected, but Seira seems to have cowed them fairly well."
02[18:30] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-208-166.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) Quit (scifi-classics.dejatoons.net batcave.dejatoons.net)
03[18:31] * Taishyr (~ferixstad@adsl-76-235-208-166.dsl.klmzmi.sbcglobal.net) has joined #dunes
[18:32] <Alicia> Considering all the effort she went to to stop the giants from genociding the goblins, Alicia can hardly object. "If they're willing to work hard they could be useful in some contexts, but I can hardly see a goblin breaking up a tavern brawl, and getting them to check merchants for contraband can't end well," she admits, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.
[18:33] <Kotono> "Our best line of thought is to use them as scouts. They're not half bad archers, if very raw and unpolished. If they can adapt to horse riding on the plains, and they already know the forests well, they could be useful in that role. The small size will let them hide and slip away easier than a human can, too."
06[18:38] * Alicia resolves to ask Marie what she thinks of them, assuming she's bothered to visit the garrison and do any archery training while Alicia's been away. "It would be nice if they could form a bridge between our society and the goblins. Better if they could integrate peacefully with us than be enslaved or killed by the giants as well," she reasons.
[18:38] <Alicia> "Still, if there's nothing of immediate concern I'll want to catch up with other people here and visit Seira." And deal with her animal problem back home.
[18:39] <Kotono> "Nothing immediate. Lots of growing pains. Between rising use and the idea of more calvary, we're facing a horse shortage. A horse shortage." Barking a short laugh, "The prices are liekly going to skyrocket, we're trying to bring in as many as possible these days. Oh, and more expansions and Elle's talking about Mihail's legacy beneath us, as well as the harbor and fancy words, like...ah, terraforming, I believe."
[18:42] <Alicia> "Really? I'll ask her about it when I stop by - hopefully she knows what she's doing," Alicia glances idly towards the East as she considers what could go wrong with a river of lava below the streets.
[18:46] <Kotono> Oberuth's smile is thin and plain, "Yes. She's been on various ideas and projects lately. That Inevitable, the caves, magic this, magic that. If I didn't know better, and I'm still tempted anyway, I'd say all her work and all her money's knocked her a bit off balance." Then, with a light scoff and rub of his temples, "But the entire world's balance is shifting. I spent yesterday talking with sea elves over bay issues, dealing with the land elve
[18:46] <Kotono>  I spent yesterday talking with sea elves over bay issues, dealing with the land elves, and then I got to lead a practice on how normal troops can deal with flying opposition, be it with or without archery support."
[18:50] <Alicia> "It's important for them to be able to cover all eventualities," Alicia agrees grimly, before lightening up, "Still, it's nice that Elle's so busy - her work surely pleases Mystra. Anyway, if there's nothing for me at the moment, I'll go visit Seira's inn and then Elle's shop to catch up with those two."
[18:52] <Kotono> "Yes, dismissed. You seem full of energy, your face is uplifted and lacks the worry from before." With a wave of his hand, "If there's anyone waiting outside to come in, send them on inside."
06[18:53] * Alicia does her best to avoid a guilty flush as she snaps off a quick salute then retreats outside.
[19:01] <Kotono> At Seira's inn, Alicia finds amid the people a few things of note. No sign of Seira, but Donald's there. Pollyanna's also there, drinking deep and looking out a window, lost in her own world. Amaryl's also there, who blushes hotly on seeing Alicia and bows her head. She almost starts to panic and flee away, but instead swallows deep and approaches her. "A...a...Ah, Alicia. Can I offer you something to drink?"
[19:24] <Alicia> "She's got you working here, now?" Alicia raises an eyebrow at the elf, before shrugging. "A mug of cider would be fine. Are you alright? You look distracted," she hedges diplomatically.
[19:25] <Kotono> "Oh no, no!" Amaryl holds her hands up, "I mean, just, I was trying to be polite!" Taking a long breath, and then bowing to Alicia, "I just...ah..." She waits, the cider brought by a waitress without incident, "I just wanted to apologize for offending you so. You're one of Seira's friends, and I apologize if I've caused you any shame or anger with my ill considered words."
07[19:26] * Ginrai is on IRC (Ginrai)
06[19:27] * Alicia casts her mind back to the last time she went anywhere with Amaryl and then nods. "You're still upset about that? Really Amaryl, it's fine - I know you didn't mean any offence," she consoles the young-seeming-even-though-she's-far-older woman.
[19:28] <Kotono> "But I know I did. You looked so bothered and flustered. For that, I'm sorry." With another bow to Alicia, "I glad you aren't still mad about that, though."
[19:30] <Alicia> "Forgiven, forgotten," Alicia waves it off as she accepts her drink and settles herself against the bar. "Let's just put it behind us. Anyway, I've been gone for a while - how are you settling into life here in Balmuria?" she attempts to move the conversation in a less awkward direction.
[19:33] <Kotono> "Oh, I like it. It's so very busy and chaotic. Everyone moves and acts like they have something important going on, even the people here. I'm getting along well with everyone...Seira's friends are so nice. Donald's a dear, even if he's so...so....free with his thoughts. Pollyanna's kind as well. We've been practicing archery together. She even came to practice with me tonight, though it didn't work out."
[19:34] <Alicia> "You should talk to Marie about that some time," Alicia offers. "I get her to help me train the guards at archery sometimes." She then casts her eye over towards Pollyanna and nods, "She looks distracted. Is something wrong?"
[19:34] <Kotono> "Oh, ah, she's not feeling well." With a low murmur, "Cramps."
06[19:36] * Alicia nods understandingly, not pressing further. "Speaking of Seira, is she around? I was hoping to catch up on recent events now that I'm back. I've already heard from the Commander that there weren't any crisises, at least, but I'm sure she has an interesting story or two that we can trade, anyway..." she looks thoughtful, "I haven't even told her about my encounter with Esthan."
[19:38] <Kotono> Amaryl looks distractedb efore sh speaks, "Oh, she's at Elle's shop. They're talking about an idea Seira had. But...Esthan? Oh, you should go catch up with her then."
[19:40] <Alicia> "Ah, I was planning to talk to Elle anyway," Alicia smiles, draining her drink and putting a few coppers on the bar. "I'll talk to you later, Amaryl," she offers with a wave.
[19:41] <Kotono> OOC: I'll send you into #evil shortly.