In a Town

[Carthrat]

"Definately," replies Tom, nodding. "And beyond the immediate trouble, things can only get better. I don't know what sorta powers would be about, but if everyone has some trick that only they can do...

But we know we're going to support the Order. The real question is, of course, "Do we wanna join up, or just help out?" And whatever else you can say about the methods and meanings... it's just some 'coincidence' where every member is from, eh?"

Tom chuckles bleakly at that.

[Halbarad]

"'Coincidence is just a contrivance'", Tim mutters. "Yeah, it does seem completely off the wall, but we're here and so are they.

"For myself, I'm not sure. Bjorn seems pretty big on me actually joining the Order, and from what he's described of the Contest I can understand why - it's got a lot to do with the Dream, and I imagine a Dreamer's pretty useful in that case. I probably will end up joining up with them myself. What about you?"

[Carthrat]

"I don't know what help I can be," confesses Tom. "I still think, overall, that we should be doing this plan because the other two suck- and yeah. I'm looking for reasons why in and of itself, but judging by what Bjorn said, I might just get in the way if I join to knock out the other two options.

I'll think on it. You know. I just need to properly reconcile myself with the idea. It's not something you can just jump into... but I'm getting there. Maybe."

[Halbarad]

"Well, after talking a bit more with Bjorn I've got something of an idea why he's so focused on that. Apparently one of the Order just died after he let a personal vendetta get in the way - and that was just yesterday. So I can understand him being a bit overemphatic with it."

"To me, in the end it's not so much that you need to BELIEVE in what the Order's doing as it is you need to understand what it is they're doing. If you know what you're aiming for, you understand the implications of it, and you still see it as the right course of action, that's your best course. I suppose that's believing in it - depends on how you see belief, I guess. I think I understand enough now to make a choice, although given how big this is I know I'm nowhere near understanding the whole thing."

[Carthrat]

"If that's what it is, then my choice would be made," replies Tom, shrugging. "Died to personal vendetta, huh... you know, that's another point. Anyone of us could die doing this. Now, given that if we *don't* succeed we'll probably all die anyway, I'm slightly less concerned about that than I really should be. But if something happened to a friend of mine, well.. I don't think I'd be able to shrug, tip my hat, and move on.

But I know what we're aiming for. I think I understand what it means. I kinda agree that it's for the best. If that's the criteria..."

Tom nods. "If you join up, I'll be right behind you, most likely."

He exhales at that. "Man. Good to get that decision off my chest."

[Halbarad]

Tim chuckles. "Have to wonder just what we've gotten into, though. Ought to do some catching up with Drac before long, too, figure out what happened to get him roped in with this. Last I heard he was settling into his programming job without too many problems."

[Carthrat]

"Heh. I wouldn't mind catching up with Rez, myself..."

Tom shrugs. "I suppose we'll see them when we see them. Wanna head back to their house?"

[Halbarad]

"Might as well, I guess. Not too much to see here at this point." Tim nods in agreement.

[Carthrat]

With that, Tom starts heading back to the first house he entered in the village.

[Brian]

Tom and Tim now return to My Village is Number One.

[Brian]

Bjorn sets out, without really having a precise destination in mind -- just a list of people to keep an eye out for.

As it turns out, one of these people gets Bjorn's attention first.

Now that you're not busy -- or at least, don't appear to be -- I've got some hot tea ready, and expect you've got a lot to share with us, Lazarus sends.  Care to come by building number six, and chat for a while?

[Bjorn]

On my way, Bjorn replies.  Sorry for all the hold-ups.

Barring any interruptions, he soon finds himself knocking on the door to house number 6.

[Brian]

Building number six looks identical to eight or nine, except that it's got a little stained glass panel hanging adjacent to the door that spells out "Building #6" hanging next to it.  All sorts of heavy red and purple colors.  Curiously, it appears that the glass was blown and painted, as there's no metal to provide seams between the sections of glass.

[Bjorn]

Smiling at what is almost certainly Bridgett's handiwork, Bjorn knocks politely and then enters the building.

[Brian]

The interior layout looks very similar to building number nine, as well.  Lazarus is sitting at the dining table, pouring two cups of tea.  The extra-large door on one of the bedrooms suggests that Mikey stays here, too (on the ground floor, apparently).

Welcome, Lazarus sends.