[09] New Continents, Same Old Beliefs

[Merc]

Session Start: Sun Feb 07, 2010

<Merc> Five days after the storm raiders have been dispatched, the crew finally reach shore, none the worse for wear (except perhaps Aleph who is still very uncomfortable with ships). The captain stands in front of them, shakign Anassia's hand with a smile, having spent the last few days speaking with the young magician and forming a rough sort of friendship.
<Merc> "I wish your group luck with your future endeavours, it was a pleasure to have you aboard my ship."
<Aleph> "ugh...I'm just glad to be on dry land again..."
* Aleph still looks rather pale and sickly. He hadn't been eating for the last week just so the vomiting wouldn't be as bad...
* Anassia smiles to him. "I'm just glad we weren't needed to fight anything else off," she comments. "We appreciate allowing us to get in your hair,"
* Elise nods. "Of course, captain. I'm glad we were able to assist in defending the ship. It was a thrilling encounter!"
<Merc> The captain furrows his brow. "I still wish I knew what those creatures -were-, I admit. Never seen those before, and I almost dread the return trip."
<Elise> "You can fight them off," Elise says reassuringly. "I'm sure you men have it in them. Just trust in god and strike with all your might! It works for me."
<Maya> "Hire extra muscle," Maya suggested with a smirk, probably someone the captain was glad to be gone with how distracting she could be to the crew members...unintentionally of course.
<Anassia> "I hope you manage to not run afoul of... whatever they were yet again." Anassia says, frowning slightly.  "But perhaps some extra muscle would not run afoul."
* Aleph doesn't say anything, weakly hobbling off in a mixture of sickness and hunger
<Merc> He nods. "Yes, I probably will have to. I hope it was just some sea creature stirred by the storms, and a one time thing, however. If you plan on staying in town for a while, stop by the Blue Pearl Inn, a friend of mine runs that. Mention my name for a discount. Otherwise, as I said, I wish you well."
<Merc> The captain looks around as he barks some orders to some of his sailors who are lazying around, watching your group instead of working.
<Anassia> "Again, I thank you for your aid, captain," Anassia says, inclining her head before turning to the others.  "Shall we?"
* Elise nods.
* Maya nods, leading off the ship with a sway, heading into town and looking for that inn.
* Aleph follows. As well as he can, anyway.
<Maya> "I suppose we're stuck here the night anyway," Maya glanced over her shoulder. "At least until Aleph gets it out of his system."
<Merc> The town is warmer than the port in Urseus, both in climate and ambience. A fresh breeze blows, shaking the leaves of the tropical flora, and the place feels alive with activity despite its much smaller size than Urseus. A lot of the people seem to dress rather lightly and have darker skin, especially the further you step from the docks, so rather than Maya standing out in her wear, those of you more conservatively dressed are probably the ones standing out.
<Merc> ooc: cut off - those of you more conservatively dressed are probably the ones standing out.
<Aleph> "...I can finally eat again..."
<Elise> Elise again plays the obvious tourist, her gawking making her stand out just as much as her attire does. She keeps an eye out for the inn mentioned by the captain, at least.
* Anassia can't help but be a little surprised even as the heat starts to set in. She, much like Elise, is obviously a tourist; how often does one get thrust into a foreign culture?
* Aleph is, in fact, feeling too sickly to look at the others. Even the women.
<Merc> There's no need for the captain to have told you where to find the inn, it seems either, as the small size of the town actually results in you just finding your way to it by walking around. The building is fairly large, and probably does have plenty of empty rooms.
<Maya> "Mmm, you know, I've heard that if you dress warmly this far south," She eyed over Elise's outfit, "That eventually you sweat so much that you collapse in exhaustion from the heat during the midday."
* Maya heads in, waving down the innkeeper. "Hello, we'd like a few rooms."
<Aleph> "...and food..."
* Elise just turns her nose up at Maya. "I shall simply persevere!"
<Maya> "Well, I suppose you're thick enough to consider it good combat training, but it's not good for your skin," She frowned and eyed the less hearty Anassia. "And it'd probably be fun to get a few local style clothes."
* Ataru is now known as Jack
* Anassia regards Maya for a moment, before following them into the inn and looking around. At least the shade is nice. "I suppose..." she says.
<Elise> "There's nothing wrong with my skin!" Elise insists.
<Merc> The innkeeper nods, a middle aged man around the same age as the captain. "Of course. How many?" he asks, as if by routine, only partially glancing at the group, as he leafs through some booklets.
<Jack> "Six."
<Maya> "Six in...three rooms," She nodded.  "And as my hungry companion wonders, are you serving food later?"
<Maya> OOC: Jack, join us in the ooc room.
<Merc> The innkeeper nods as he checks off some marks in his booklets and ducks under the counter, looking for some keys. "We don't offer meals with the rooms, but the dining area is open until midnight," he states as he rummages out of your sight. "Ah, here we go," he mutters before standing up, spreading three keys on the desk.
* Elise frowns. "Three rooms? Who's staying with who?"
* Aleph slowly wanders toward the smell of food.
* Anassia shrugs to Elise. "We can figure it out later," she says, nonchalant. "I'm just glad the floor isn't moving anymore."
<Merc> As he states a price for the rooms, he adds, "Please sign the ledger, and jot down how long you plan to stay."
<Jack> "The ship wasn't THAT bad."
<Maya> "Well, Ana or you can join me in one.  The boys can share the second, and mix and match for the third," She lead into the dining room, waving some food over for Aleph and them. "I think if we don't feed aleph soon, he'll fall over in starvation."
<Jack> "I am glad to be back on dry land though."
<Aleph> In particular, the dining area
* Maya turns back quick and gets the paperwork dealt with, returning to join the table.
<Elise> "I don't think I approve of this," Elise grumbles as they head towards the dining area. "A man and a woman in the same room? They could give in to acts of depravity!"
<Anassia> "Captain Wilkens bade me to give his regards," Anassia says as she scoops up the keys and joins the others.  "Not everything is about depravity, Elise."
<Maya> "Well, if you were the woman, we'd have no worries of that, would we.  Thanks for volunteering." Maya giggled.
* Elise considers this. "This is a very good point. I would *certainly* not engage in such acts. That may be safest."
<Merc> The dining area is a bustling burst of activity, lots of waitresses dancing between tables, rushing between the kitchen and tables, most of which are full. Your arrival seems to have coincided with a busy time for meals. "Oh, more guests?" a girl asks as she sees members of your group approaching, and she starts looking for some empty spot to put you in. "How many?"
<Aleph> "...six..." Aleph said, weakly, as his stomach audibly growled...
<Anassia> "For you, maybe," Anassia teases Elise, before giving Aleph a glance.
<Aleph> "...make that seven."
<Merc> "Oh dear, uhm...you might have to wait a few minutes. I'm sorry, we've been swamped for a while," the girl apologizes as she hears the number. There's no table for that many right now.
<Aleph> "..."
<Jack> "Got a table for one? You could always eat now Aleph."
<Anassia> "Go ahead, Aleph." Anassia says, grinning slightly.  "I'm not that hungry right now, anyway."
<Jack> "I can stand waiting a bit."
<Elise> "I'm not at all sure what you mean, Anassia," Elise says, apparently sincerely.
* Aleph falls over as he hears the news that they didn't have any tables for that many...
<Merc> "...sorry!" she offers again as she sees the look on Aleph's face, as she bows, before perking up at Jack's idea. "Oh, if you don't mind separating, there's a table there for two..."
<Merc> She points over at one table off in the side.
* Aleph picks himself up. "...where is it?"
* Maya nods.  "Well, that will work.  I'm not in a rush myself," She smiled stepping back.
* Anassia glances to Elise. "I know," she says, simply. "Who's up for looking around town?"
<Jack> "Sure, why not?"
<Merc> She directs Aleph and anybody interested over to the table, and handing off a pair of menus. It looks like they have a wide variety of meals available.
* Aleph looks over. "I've decided already..."
<Merc> Kheldar, meanwhile, has excused himself from the group, having been silent for a while since they left the boat, claiming he hasn't been feeling well, and preferring to rest the day away. Looks like Aleph wasn't the only one to have a rough time at sea,and it's just catching up with the guardsman.
<Maya> "Well, if we've got a while to wait... Anassia, want to go pick up a new outfit?" Maya offered as an idea.
<Maya> She did notice the lure being hooked earlier.
<Anassia> "I suppose it's something to do," Anassia says with a shrug.  "And I can't imagine my clothes will be comfortable..."
<Aleph> Looking to the waitress, he pointed out varied options on the menu "Two of this, this, and this...and one of this..."
<Elise> "My clothes are perfectly fine," Elise says, playing dress-up not sounding very appealing to her. "I will stay here and partake of a hearty meal!"
<Maya> "Have fun then," She gave a quick thumbs up to ALeph, that he probably entirely missed, before leading toward the exit.
* Aleph did indeed miss this
<Merc> The waitress nods to Aleph as he makes his order, jotting it down, and looking over to Elise as she approaches the table. "I'll be back in a few minutes to get your order as well, miss."
* Elise sits down at the table across from Aleph and starts flipping through the menu. Hopefully there's something in this selection that's not TOO spicy. You know how foreign food is.
<Aleph> Not all foreign food is spicy
<Aleph> "urgh...hope it comes soon..."
<Merc> There's a lot of seafood dishes primarily, as well as some items you don't recognize, probably local cuisine, listed all around. You'd probably have to ask if anything is spicy, however, as there's no sign if something is spicy or not on the menu.
<Elise> Elise was hoping for something no more complicated than a big slab of meat, possibly with gravy involved somehow. Oh well. She orders whatever has the shortest name on the menu in hopes that this is also the plainest dish.
<Merc> It's a bit of a wait, but some of Aleph's order starts being brought over. "I figured you'd like to get started. The rest of your order will be ready shortly, as will your, miss."
<Elise> "Of course. Don't eat everything too quickly, Aleph. You'll get indigestion."
* Aleph seems to be ignoring that as he seems to dive into his food. He hadn't eaten for the better part of a week. Moderation isn't in his vocabulary at this point.
* Elise frowns. "At least remember to breathe on occasion!"
* Aleph bothers to swallow before speaking, at least. "Can't help it...I've gone about a week without food just due to being sick on that ship..."
<Aleph> ...right before he resumes his consumption of the foodstuffs
<Elise> "Think of it as training. When we take a ship back you will know exactly what to expect!"
<Aleph> "...I don't think I could go without food for that long, Elise..."
<Elise> "Nonsense! You will be fortified by our past journey. I'm sure you'll find it a lot easier going home."
<Aleph> "...being sick like that isn't something you prepare for..."
<Elise> "Maybe you're just weak. It's probably a flaw in your training regimen. You need to exercise more, then you'll be prepared for anything!"
<Aleph> "...says the one who swings a massive hammer around like nothing..."
<Elise> "Yes, exactly! You don't think I could do that without working at it every day, do you?"
<Aleph> "...why are you so serious about everything, anyway?"
<Merc> The waitress soon arrives with the rest of the dishes as the pair argue over food. "Here you are, I apologize for the wait," she states. The place is still busy as ever, as she sets down Aleph's last few dishes on his side of the table, and then sets a large platter in front of Elise, with what looks to be a small hammer and a large green-brown shell with hexagonal patterns on the top, and some five holes on the sides from which juices ooze onto the plate and vegetables. "Will you be needing anything else?" she asks.
<Merc> ooc: ooze onto the plate and vegetables. "Will you be needing anything else?" she asks.
<Aleph> "That looks...interesting.  Does it come with the thing or do they put it in there?"
<Elise> "Why shouldn't I be? Father always taught me that life was a constant struggle against the forces of vice and darkness, and what is on my plate." Elise veers off-topic midsentence as she boggles at whatever it is that she's being served. "Oh, um, this will be fine, thank you," she says, not wanting to sound ingracious while she tries to figure out how to eat whatever this is.
<Aleph> "...uh, hate to tell you, but your father might've been wrong?  And...I think you're supposed to hit it with the hammer they give you."
<Elise> "Oh. I know all about hitting things." Elise picks up the little hammer. "And I won't hear you speaking ill of my father, Aleph!" she says, striking the shell with perhaps a bit much force.
<Aleph> "...I wasn't meaning ill about him.  Just that some of the things he might've said to you..." Aleph is fully ready to duck the flying pieces of shell and possibly meat.
<Aleph> "Well, could've been well-intentioned, but exaggerated."
<Elise> roll 1d20+11 do I hit my meal
<Penuche> Elise invokes Penuche's magic: < 31 > [d20=20]
<Merc> "Uhm, if you won't be needing anything else, I'll come by later," the waitress mutters quietly as she steps away as her eyes widen at the sight of Elise's force. Too late, however, as the hammer smashes into the shell, the shell caving inward, some pieces flying outward and juice gushes out from the holes on the side of the shell, splashing onto Elise and Aleph. "...oh dear. This really is your first time eating this, isn't it miss?"
<Aleph> "..."
<Elise> "My lunch has been defeated, but so has my shirt," Elise says sadly.
<Aleph> "...and my shirt.  ...and my hair..."
* Aleph grabs what passes for a napkin or whatnot, and wipes off his face and hair. "Looks like we'll need new clothes after this, huh?"
<Merc> "I'll bring some napkins," the waitress offers as various patrons stop to look at what just happened, a few even snickering under their breath as they try not to linger with their looks, though they keep failing and turning to look a bit more. "Lover's spat?" someone mutters from a table nearby. "Probably..."
<Elise> "Well, I could just wash this," Elise says weakly.
<Aleph> "..."
<Elise> "I didn't ruin your lunch, did I?" Elise says.
<Aleph> "Eh.  I can probably get the pieces of...whatever it is...off..."
* Aleph tries a piece of the turtle meat that had landed on one of his dishes from the impact anyway. "...well, plus side is that this is still good."
* Aleph continues eating his food, clearing off shell when needed
* Elise at least tries to salvage the meal but picking up a fork and spoon and eating what's left on her plate.
<Elise> *by
<Merc> It really is tasty, almost like a stew, with the meat melting in your mouth and soaked in juices. The taste is probably a little soured by any embarrasment from the whispering that's slowly flittering away as the waitress returns with some napkins and everyone else returns to their own meals.
<Aleph> "...okay, yeah.  not mentioning this part to anyone."
* Aleph nods to the waitress as he takes a couple of napkins, wiping his face and hair out, even undoing the hair...accessory...thingy...to make sure it's cleanly out.
* Elise does her best to clean off the goo, wiping off her face and chest with the napkin (and apparently heedless of whatever distraction this might cause). "At least it tastes satisfactory. I will be better prepared to avoid such a mess in future encounters."
* Aleph was slightly distracted by the chest-wiping, of course
* Elise fails to notice, of course!
* Aleph , distraction abated, continues eating his food.
<Elise> "I wonder how the others are doing," Elise says in between bites. "I fear they may all come back dressed as scandalously as Maya!"
<Merc> As they continue eating, some of the place starts emptying, as people finish their meals. A few others do replace them, but for the most part, the dining area is slowly emptying up, apparently to the relief of most of the waitresses present.
<Aleph> "...to be fair, the weather IS really hot here.  It might just be a matter of comfort"
<Elise> "Decency shouldn't give way to such base concerns!" Elise says with some force.
<Aleph> "You seem a bit too fixated on the idea of 'decency', you know." Aleph states.  "It's back to this whole taking-everything-too-seriously matter.  You need to learn to let go."
* Elise shakes her head. "I can't do that. I have to watch out for everyone else and make sure they don't stray! Especially with Maya around."
<Aleph> "...Yes, you can.  I'm pretty certain that everyone's fine on their own.  Besides, have you seen anyone--Maya included--actually get mysteriously punished for these perceived faults?" Aleph comments
<Elise> "No," Elise admits. "But it *might* happen to them in the afterlife instead and it would be much worse there!"
<Aleph> "Something tells me that what we're doing in the long term would more than pay off any crimes of indecency."
<Elise> "Well...maybe," Elise says, remembering she's said as much regarding Anassia's use of magic. "I just don't see the point in doing anything that's not necessary."
<Aleph> "It's simple, actually.  For the enjoyment of it."
* Elise frowns. "I enjoy...working. And training. And performing righteous deeds."
<Aleph> "You enjoy those, yes.  But how do you know you like other things if you haven't tried them?"
<Elise> "I can tell! If it's proscribed then I surely wouldn't enjoy it at all."
<Aleph> "No, that isn't knowing.  That's someone telling you you don't when you honestly don't know."
<Elise> "Well...if that someone knows better than I do then there's no reason to try it myself."
<Aleph> "Do they really know better about what you enjoy than you?"
<Elise> "Life isn't all about enjoyment!" Elise says, dodging the question. "And someone here needs to be responsible for when everyone else isn't."
<Aleph> "If it isn't about enjoyment, then why does happiness exist to begin with?"
<Elise> "...I don't know if I like all these questions, Aleph," Elise says, eyes narrowed.
<Aleph> "...please don't re-enact on me what you did with that shell..."
<Elise> "I wouldn't do that without good reason."
* Aleph breathes a sigh of relief. "So anyway, what about these questions don't you like?"
<Elise> "I'm happy with who I am, and you're making it sound like I shouldn't be!"
<Aleph> "Not saying you shouldn't be happy with who you are at all.  Just that you need to learn to get out more."
<Aleph> "So to speak."
<Elise> "Well, we are in another land now. I think that counts."
<Aleph> "Not quite what I meant."
<Aleph> "Just saying, you seem to be afraid of trying new things in general."
* Elise shakes her head. "That's not true at all. I'm not afraid of anything. I just know what I do and do not need."
<Aleph> "Need, but what about want?"
<Elise> "It's the same thing."
<Aleph> "Not really.  ...I think you need to be sent out of your comfort zone a bit."
<Elise> "I'm not at all sure what you mean, Aleph. Are we done eating here?"
<Aleph> "Well, I'm done, anyway."
* Elise nods and stands up. "I wonder if the others are done yet..."
* Aleph gets up. "They'll be back when they get back, really."
<Merc> The waitress, who has been standing off a little bit in the distance, trying not to look like she's eavesdropping, moves towards the table upon hearing Aleph say he's done and seeing Elise stand. "Uhm...here's your bill. I split it up for each of your meals, since I wasn't sure if you would be paying together or what..." she mutters.
<Aleph> "Ah, thanks."  He looks on his bill.
* Elise nods politely and promptly pays whatever is on the bill. "Of course."
* Aleph , if he has the money to do so on him, pays up the bill...
<Merc> As the pair pay and depart, the waitress starts cleaning up the table, shaking her head. "You get all kind of people in this job..." she mutters with an amused smile, once she's certain the two are out of hearing range.

*** Meanwhile ****

<Merc> As the group who could not get a table step out of the busy inn, the sun shines brightly in the sky, and lots of people are walking through the streets, people selling just about anything. There's quite a few shops further to your right, merchants selling their wares. You can probably find some maps and information further down that road.
* Maya leads over to a clothing shop first, eying around.  "I think you could find a nice jungle outfit here.  Mmm, maybe I'll get a new one too," Maya smiled, scooting around the store and checking out the clothing.
* Anassia quirks an eyebrow to Maya. "You're loving this, aren't you?" she asks, looking around at the clothing curiously.
<Merc> A lot of the clothing in the shop you stepped into seems to be made out of furs, probably from local beasts, with a variety of patterns unlike the mottled grey or brown from bears and wolves back home.
<Maya> "Why not...did you never shop for your own clothes back home?"  She eyed over, picking out an orange with black stripes furs, "What is this made of?" She wondered to the shopkeeper.
* Jack pokes around the mens selection a bit, but doesn't seem too interested
<Anassia> "Not as much," Anassia admits with a shrug as she thumbs through the clothes, looking for something... at least halfway decent.
<Maya> "Well, it's your first time not having to worry about your parents seeing what you wear, isn't it?  Try a few different fashions.  Maybe you'll find that you like it," She smiled.
<Merc> "Ah, not from around here, miss? Fine eye for clothing, I must say. This is from a creature in the jungle areas, a fierce predator called a tiger. Occassionally they wander out to try and feed on livestock, or a few expeditions are made for their furs," a heavyset man states as he waddles over to Maya. "Trust me, it's not a creature you want to face while it's alive."
<Maya> "Sounds feriocious..." She lifted up one, flipping through a few to find something that fit nicely. "Can I try it on?"  She glanced around noticing a small area in the back.
* Anassia glances over at Maya's statement, before shrugging and continuing to look through the clothes. Made sense to her.
<Merc> "Of course, of course, my dear. I'm sure it'll look rather fetching on you," he says with a smile.
<Maya> She grinned.  "Could you help my friend find something?  They're both not used to the weather and don't know what to get!"  She snuck off, slipping out of her outfit in private and pulling on her new tigerskin bikini.
<Merc> The shopkeeper nods, as he looks to the two others. "Any particular colors you two have a preference for?"
* Anassia shakes her head slightly. "Not particularly, although it's hard to find colors that match my hair," she comments, running a hand through said hair.
<Jack> "Eh, I'm uh, more of the kind that looks for useful clothing rather than what looks good."
<Jack> "Practical, yeah, that's it. I'm practical."
<Merc> "Hrm, well, we have some items made from some items made from panther fur, I suppose that would be to your taste," the shopkeeper mutters as he strokes his chin. "Although what would go with green hair..."
<Anassia> "Panther fur?" Anassia asks, blinking to the man; no doubt he is an agent for the Maya.
* Maya steps out with a smile and gives a playful pose, half winking to the two friends she dragged along. "So what do you think?"
* Jack whistles appreciativly
* Anassia looks over towards Maya as she comes out. "You managed to wear less. An accomplishment," grinning, naturally.
<Merc> "Ah, another beast from the jungles. Honestly, just about anything from the jungles is a predator actually, it's why not a lot of people go there, and why furs from those creatures fetch a good price," the shopkeeper replies, as he continues to think of what would fit Anassia well. He turns to look at Maya and nods. "As I said, it looks absolutely fetching on you. Although..."
<Merc> He hums as he looks at Anassia. "Miss, why don't you try the same colors? I actually think they might suit you better than your friend.."
<Anassia> "Really?" Anassia asks, a note of skeptisism in her voice as she blinks.  "I... suppose there's no harm in trying, at least..."
<Maya> "Oh, if you're going to say that, you'll give us a discount, yes?" Her eyes gleamed sharply at the shopkeeper's unintentional insult, boring into the poor man as she slipped past.  "Give it a try Anassia, you will look great."
* Anassia works to find what Maya's wearing in a size that will fit. "This fur is really soft," she comments to noone in particular before going to the back room with it in hand.
<Merc> "Try one out as I hunt for some leather piece for your male friend. Black is a good color for you, I hope?" he asks as he turns to Jack for confirmation. "And if you buy a piece each, I assure you, I have no issue with a discount for a group purchase," he states in a friendly tone to Maya.
<Jack> "Sure, black works."
<Merc> The shopkeeper nods as he digs in a corner where some darker colored outfits are.
<Merc> "I think most of the items I have in this would be too warm in this weather, but this cloak might suit you if it turns colder and won't make it too hot otherwise," the shopkeeper comments as he finally settles on an item and brings it to Jack.
* Maya waits for anassia to come back.  "You should get something more colorful.  Women will ignore you if you dress in all black all the time," She scolded Jack.
* Anassia eventually emerges from the back room, remarkable amounts of skin on display and... gosh, does she have actual curves? Although it's a little hard to see, what with the dress she was wearing over her arm in front of herself. "I... I don't think this suits me," she says softly, free hand rubbing her shoulder, faint color in her cheeks.
<Jack> "I can't tell, you're hiding behind the dress."
* Jack looks at the cloak... "I thought the idea was to get lighter clothing, not add another piece..."
<Maya> "You've never tried it before.  My though, you're far cuter than I guessed," She smiled teasingly.  "Try it a bit.  A beautiful girl like yourself can wear it well," She teasingly tapped Anassia's cheek.  "We'll take them.  Though I think Jack might have too much trouble deciding."
<Anassia> "Of course I am!" Anassia says, glancing down at the dress, although she eyes murder to Maya.  "There's like nothing there!" she protests.
<Merc> The shopkeeper frowns a bit. "Hrm, I suppose you might be right. None of the other items seemed like they would, err, suit you, sir. Fur is admittedly best suited for colder weather or in short amounts, and I don't think a two-piece would work very well in this case."
<Merc> The shopkeeper looks a little green as if imagining Jack in a two-piece fur bikini
* Jack strikes a pose "Aww, you really think so?"
<Merc> He apparently tries to shake the mental image off as he turns to look at Anassia and smiles. "Yes, I was right, the yellow does work well with your green hair, my dear."
* Maya laughs, "You should try it jack.  If you're brave enough to really pull it off!"
<Jack> "hmmm... I suppose I could do without the top."
* Jack grabs the bottom part of the bikini and goes into the changing room
<Merc> The shopkeeper winces as if wavering between the thought of a sale or the sight that could follow. He sighs quietly however, and hopes that the group do buy something after this.
<Anassia> The shopkeeper earns some ire from Anassia as well.  "And I thought you were dressed inappropriately," she mutters to Maya.
* Jack comes out wearing nothing but the bikini bottom
* Jack flexes his non-existant muscles
<Jack> "We'll take them."
<Maya> "Nonsense.  An entertainer afraid of her own body can never risk her life enough to run along the edge."  She waved a finger.  "Though he's going to look silly, isn't he?" She giggled, not always kind.  "Hahaha... You need to work out more, Jack."
<Maya> "Come on, to the map store," She lead Anassia out, leaving the shopkeeper to jack's tender mercies.
* Jack pays for the purchases
<Merc> "Alright, though I must say, they look rather more fetching on the ladies..." the shopkeeper states drily as he gives a price, with a nice discount.
* Anassia blinks at Jack when he comes out, tittering slightly before she's abruptly led out, still holding the dress protectively.
* Jack follows the others out after paying, carrying his things of course
<Jack> "I think Elise's head is going to explode when she sees us."
<Anassia> "Really?" Anassia asks, blinking over to Jack, ignoring that the dress can only hide her front as it is.  "I think that might be worth it..."
<Merc> A few people mutter about Jack's appearance as he comes out of the shop, most simply shrug and take it as a normal occurance or some fashion statement.
<Maya> "It will be quite the sight," Maya smiled, looking about and stopping at a map vendor.  "Do you have any good maps of the route north?"
<Merc> "Planning a trip to Adallia or Vyrdam?" the vendor asks in return as his eyes shift away from Anassia and Maya's chest and look up. "Oh, and do you want a general trade route map, or more general map of the Farvona lands?"
* Anassia is reserving eye-daggers for the vendor when he finally looks up, tinge in her cheeks again.
<Maya> "Vyrdam," She smiled.  "Both if you have them," She didn't tell anything on why they were going.
<Merc> The map vendor doesn't appear to care to ask, as he states, "One moment..." before turning to a bunch of rolled up scrolls on one wall of his shop, and pulls out one from one spot, and another from nearby. Going back to where the three stand, he places the pair of scrolls on the table stating a price. "Anything else?"
<Anassia> "Is it hot today?" Anassia blurts out, blinking a few times.  "I mean, compared to normal?"
<Maya> She smiled, paying for them and slipping them in her little pack.
<Jack> "I think it's just us."
* Jack strikes another pose
* Anassia tries not to giggle at the sight of Jack posing again. It's just so hard to do!
* Maya laughs. "I did not know you had it in you, Jack."
* Jack shrugs
<Jack> "I've done a lot worse... Usually for money though."
<Maya> "You don't strike me as an entertainer...  were you Sold?"
<Jack> "Yeah, me n' the other kids 'd peddle ourselves to make ends meet now and then."
<Maya> "...That's a..."  Maya lost her laugh really at that, turning and heading back.
* Anassia falls quiet as well, following Maya back toward the inn and glancing skyward momentarily. "...the sun feels nice," she admits softly.

*** Later ***

<Merc> The pair that finished dining step out of the inn to find their shopping friends, who coincidentally happen to be returning....dressed in fur bikinis. Even Jack. Although he's missing the top.
<Aleph> "...holy shit."  Aleph grinned as he saw the two women in nothing more than bikinis.
<Maya> "Oh, feeling better now Aleph?" Maya smiled and waved, noticing the slack jawed stare.
<Maya> "You missed out Elise.  We could've been a trio~!"
<Aleph> "...better than ever."
<Elise> Elise's brain locks up for a good ten seconds before she manages to speak. She seems unsure of who to be most aghast at. What are you wearing? Whare you NOT wearing?" she says, the latter mostly directed at Jack. "You've managed to dress even more indecently than usual, I see," she says, pointing at Maya. "I knew you'd drag everyone down to your level if I let you!"
<Jack> "We are a trio."
<Merc> A piece of turtle meat she'd apparently missed while cleaning herself earlier falls from Elise's shirt as she shakes herself into a frenzy at the sight.
<Aleph> "...reminds me, I need to get new clothes.  Elise here was a bit...violent...with her food."
* Anassia is still holding the dress protectively, although less adamantly that before. Sunshine feels good, yo. She waves to the two, though, although she quirks an eyebrow at Elise. "He's not wearing much of anything," she replies.
<Maya> "You're an odd man out, Jack," She teased, turning and giving a teasing shake of her tush at Elise as she disagreed with Jack.
<Elise> "I wasn't given proper instructions on how to eat it!" she says defensively.
<Aleph> "...you didn't have to break it like the weapons of certain people..."
* Elise justs turns up her nose at Maya and looks the other direction.
* Jack poses again, and smiles as the sunlight pings off his teeth
<Jack> "Don't I look great?"
<Maya> "I've gotten some maps," She turned around and tapped Elise's cheek from behind with them as a peace offering. "So we'll know where we're going."
<Elise> "At least you did something useful. And you, Jack, look like a savage."
<Aleph> "...Uh...damn.  Anassia looks hot too." Aleph said, blinking, and probably deliberately ignoring Jack at this point
* Anassia glances to Aleph for a few moments. "You've got something in your hair," she comments off-handedly. "And I don't look any different... technically."
<Aleph> "...ah, crap, I thought I got it out."  He runs his fingers through his hair, trying to get the piece of turtle meat out
<Maya> "At least?  Hmph, so haughty and judgement, Elise."  She pouted at her.  "Anyhow, do we have much more to do, or should we just check out the sights?"
<Aleph> "Well...I guess some new clothes can wait until tomorrow in my case."
<Elise> "And I don't need any at all."
<Anassia> "And how was the food?" Anassia adds, nodding to Aleph.  "You got it," she says, smiling briefly.
<Aleph> "Great.  Aside from being covered in goo from...whatever Elise smashed in."
<Elise> "I think it was a turtle, once. It tasted good, at least."
* Aleph whispers to Maya. "Good luck trying to get her out of her shell."
<Maya> "Oh, I won't need luck.  It'll be cute watching her realize that these aren't for show," She teased back.
* Anassia makes a brief face at the mention of goo. "I think I'm going to drop my dress off inside first, though." she says, moving off to do as such, returning before long.
* Jack drops his stuff off as well
<Merc> Meanwhile, the sun keeps shining, what bits of turtle juice still remain on Elise and Aleph slowly start drying, possibly negating need for new clothing (although they'll probably still want to see about washing it at some point).
<Aleph> (Aleph's still wanting new clothes)
<Anassia> "That's a little better," Anassia says, before realizing she has nothing to try and preserve a modicrum of her modesty with.
<Aleph> "Well, far from nighttime yet, so..."
<Maya> "Stand up straight, Anassia.  You'll hurt your back slouching."
* Elise keeps a sharp eye out for anyone who might try to accost the other girls in their indecent state. "Isn't it terrible walking around like that?" she says to Anassia. "Knowing everyone can see almost every inch of your body, nothing to hide?"
<Jack> "What's so terrible about that?"
<Aleph> "...uh, Elise, have you seen the local fashion around here?" Aleph asides, staring at a passing-by woman who is likely also dressed indecently by Elise's standards...
* Anassia eyes Maya slightly. "Says you," she says, before frowning. "And where do you keep your money? There's no pockets..." she says, before looking to Elise. "The sun feels nice," she says, frowning slightly. "And it's not like we're alone..."
<Merc> A lot of the women are dressed much like Anassia and Maya are, although most of the men are moderately more dressed than Jack. They seem to stick with light airy cloth for the most part than fur.
<Elise> "But they're foreigners, Aleph. It's different!" To Jack, sadly: "If I have to explain it to you, you may already be lost."
* Jack shrugs
<Aleph> "...how is it even remotely fair that we would have to be punished, but they don't?"
<Anassia> "How is it different?" Anassia asks, curious.
<Maya> She pointed to the small back over her shoulder. "Here.  You don't have to rely on pockets."
<Maya> "And Elise, we're in their home country...don't be rude.  Who taught you to go to another's home and judge how they dress?"
<Merc> As the group walk and talk, it looks like they're reaching the border of the small town, where there are a bunch of posts and animals tied, caravans lingering, traders who plan on travelling to other towns by land.
<Elise> "I didn't say that it was more acceptable, Aleph! But I can't watch out for everyone, and especially not a whole country." To Maya: "My father did."
<Aleph> "...you know, now I'm just going to buy clothes to spite you, Elise."  Aleph snerks.
* Maya heads over to the traders out of cuiousity, smiling gently at a nearby one.  "Excuse me.  Where is your caravan headed?"
<Merc> Off in one corner, is a group of caravans separate from the others that not many seem to go to, and plenty of armed men. A man in front of those armed is calling out for attention, trying to get someone interested in browsing as he tries to point attention to some poorly dressed children with manacles and the caravans. Most people seem to just be ignoring them, to the man's disappointment.
<Elise> "Aleph, you want to walk around dressed like THAT?" Elise says, pointing to Jack.
<Aleph> "...Not quite that extreme."
* Jack strikes another pose for Elise
<Aleph> "...the hell?"
* Elise AVERTS HER EYES.
<Merc> One of the tradesman turns to look at Maya. "Hrm? Oh, we're heading west, to Westfall and probably Stranglethorn." Neither of those names really mean anythingto you, and you want to head east anyway.
<Elise> Instead, Elise's eyes settle on the bedraggled youths. "Why is no one taking proper care of these children?" she wonders.
<Merc> They're probably slaves. While frowned upon in Adallia, it's not entirely uncommon, especially with the black market. It seems things are a bit more open around Farvona, though.
<Jack> "If I had to guess, I'd say slaves."
<Maya> "What's good for sale out there?" She smiled, making idle chitchat as she glanced over at the others attention on them.
<Elise> "Slaves?" Elise repeats with a narrowing of the eyes that the others are probably learning to dread.
<Aleph> "...yeah, this...I think we should just leave this alone..."
<Merc> "Not much, hence why we're headed there," the trader replies with a grin, as he pats one of the caravans besides him.
* Elise turns her glare on Aleph, not saying a word, before heading over to the slaver.
* Anassia glances towards Elise's back toward the slavers. "...this is not going to end well..."
<Aleph> "...not at all."
<Merc> The slaver grins as Elise approaches. "Ah, a potential customer!" he states with a smile, as he points out the children. "Are you interested in some young servants? Or perhaps something more mature? We have what you need! Guaranteed!"
<Aleph> "...despite knowing full well that he could be working within the law...I can't help but feel disgusted at the sleaze coming off of this guy..."
<Jack> "I just bought this damn it, and now I'm going to have to get blood all over it."
* Jack mutters darkly
<Anassia> "It's not our fight," Anassia says softly.  "We can't help /everyone/."  She looks to Jack.  "Better you than me.  You won't even be able to tell."
<Elise> "How many others do you have?" Elise says in a tone as flat and cold as an anvil. "Altogether?"
* Maya nods. "Good luck then," She smiled, and turned around.  "Just what are you guys letting her do?"
<Anassia> "What are we going to do, force her back?" Anassia asks Maya.  "She has her hammer."
<Aleph> "...and there's more of us than there are of her.  I say we do it."
<Merc> The man laughs, "More than you can afford, I'm sure," the man states, still not sensing any danger. "Still, if you need a lot of labor, we have some strong men ready for work. All our slaves are trained out in Hillsbrad, so you know you're getting your money's quality," he states, as he goes into his sales pitch.
<Aleph> "The second she reaches for that hammer, I'm pulling her out of here.  I don't want to get arrested in this country as an accessory to whatever Elise would be caught for."
<Maya> "Mmm, that's too bad," Maya swayed over, getting a feel for it.  "Could we talk Elise, just a bit?" She wondered. "We might be able to figure out a way."
<Elise> "I see. So--hm?" She turns to Maya as if jolted out of a trance. "What? What do you want?"
<Maya> "Oh, don't be so cold Elise," She tugged her off to the side.  "Getting involved with slavers is dangerous business.  And buying them would evaporate the money to get us there, Elise.  If you wish to free them, wait for night."
<Elise> "I wasn't eve considering *buying* them," Elise says in a huff. "Do you have a plan?"
<Elise> *even
<Merc> The slaver continues smiling, though he looks a bit confused as Elise is dragged away by Maya.
* Jack walks over with Elise and Maya
<Jack> "Well, I'm pretty handy when it comes to opening locks."
<Maya> "Well, how about we put on a show then...this evening, out here," Maya smiled, suddenly having the idea.
<Aleph> "...oh hell.  They're getting us into deep shit, aren't they..." Aleph asides to Anassia
<Elise> "As a...distraction, I hope?" Elise says, stumbling through this whole sabotage idea.
<Maya> "Well, it would certainly be unfortunate if they pulled out too sharp blades and cut up those poor people."
<Anassia> "...looks like it," Anassia replies, glancing toward the other three.
* Aleph sighs. "Maybe I'll just find a change of clothes now. To spare me for later."
<Elise> "Yes, it would." Something else occurs to her quite suddenly. "And we can make use of your dancing for a good cause for once, too."
<Aleph> "Something tells me we're not going to be here long tomorrow."
<Anassia> "Want me to show you where the store is?" Anassia asks, looking back to Aleph and brushing some hair from her face.
<Aleph> "Sure."
<Maya> "Oh hush, my dancing is always a good cause, dear.  It is only your blindness that makes you not see that.  And only if...well, you guys get caught," She smiled with a wink.  "I wonder, Anassia, do you play an instrument by any chance?"
* Anassia blinks towards Maya. "Huh?" she asks, caught off-guard the question. "No? I don't have any instruments if I did..."
<Maya> "Well, can you act?" She smiled.  "A performing troupe of one girl would have trouble distracting them for an hour and more."
<Anassia> "I...I guess?  A little...  I'm going to show Aleph where the store is," Anassia says, gesturing behind her.  "He wants to get some clothes today instead..."  She shrugs.
<Elise> "Perhaps there are musicians in town who could work with you?" Elise wonders.
<Maya> "Afterwards, come...we will prepare a grand performance to thank these people for their kind greetings."
* Anassia nods and offers a wave to Maya, joining back up with Aleph. "....what did I just agree to?"
<Aleph> "I'm not sure I want to know."
<Maya> She smiled, "Now, Elise, would you help me build a small stage?" She wondered.
* Anassia thinks for a moment. "...wait, did she say I'm going to perform? Like... on a stage?"
* Elise walks away from the slaver, glad to rid of his presence and secure in the knowledge that his "business" will soon be liquidated. "Of course, Maya. I'm good at building things."
<Merc> The slaver tilts his head in confusion and dissapointment as the group starts moving away. "So...not interested?" he asks to empty air, before sighing and resuming his sales pitch to anybody that might care to listen.
<Aleph> "...you can perform?"
<Anassia> "Not like her," Anassia says, shaking her head.  "It's nothing big."
<Aleph> "Hm.  I'm curious now, actually."

[Merc]

<Aleph> The air remained thick with seabreeze as the sky tinged slightly yellow, the sun preparing to set.  This did nothing to the nature of the town, which seemed to remain active as people walked about--some performing for money amidst the thick of it all, others merely going about their duties or interests, and some merely watching the sights about...
<Aleph> Away from the border walked two people, separating from the group on the basis that one had something he wanted to do before the next day--upon whence he suspected that they'd be on the run from local authorities in general.
* Anassia walks beside Aleph, trying her hardest to not remember what she had been conned into wearing this particular evening in spite of the occasional glance in her direction, incidental and otherwise. "So what are you thinking of getting?" she asks the young man beside her, glancing in his direction.
<Aleph> "Well, something that's a bit more 'fitting' for this place...my normal getup's been really uncomfortable for a while after I got on that ship.  ...definitely not what Jack's wearing, though." Aleph responds, a look of mild disgust on his face as he walked alongside Anassia, notably making an effort not to stare.  It wouldn't be right when she was offering to help like she is.
<Anassia> "You're just making him have more fun, y'know," she comments, lifting a hand to brush some hair from her face.  "I can't imagine it would get too much warmer though... d'you think?" she frowns slightly as she glances back to him, curious.
<Aleph> "Eh.  It's not just that it's warm.  The air's...different here, I guess you could say, and making it feel even worse on that part, I guess."
* Aleph pulls open the collar of his armor a bit. That leather's not exactly comfortable in such warm weather to begin with, and adding the humidity...
* Anassia considers for a moment before shrugging. "I suppose. Don't know how they can stand it, though, always living in this heat." She makes a face briefly, shaking her head. It's not long before the two are in front of the building, looking similar to the others built around it. "Here's the place," she comments.
<Aleph> "I see.  ...I hope Maya or Jack didn't terrorize the people in there too much.  I've already done enough damage with the orders I placed on the inn."
<Anassia> "Maya?  Terrorize in a clothing store?"  Anassia asks wryly.  "We must be thinking of someone else."  She pushes through the door casually.  "I'm sure they appreciate the business, though..."
* Aleph snrks, following Anassia into the clothing store--again not trying to stare. At least too much.
<Anassia> If Anassia does notice the looks, she ignores them, letting out a brief sigh once in the shade of the building.  "So, yeah," she says, gesturing around the building dramatically at the clothing.
<Aleph> "Well...I guess I'd better look around for something--ah.  I take it they had changing rooms somewhere?"
* Aleph shrugs. There...probably had to be. ...either that or they were changing in some empty alleyway somewhere.
<Anassia> She nods and gestures back to them, idly thumbing through some of the clothes.  "Find something?" she asks, curiously.
<Aleph> "Ah, not yet.  Just needed to know that I wouldn't have to be changing in an alleyway or the corner of the store or something." he replies, looking through a few more articles himself...
* Aleph dug through the clothes some more before pulling out what seemed like...something. "Ah, nevermind. Just did." ...what it was wasn't identifiable--if only due to Aleph's apparent choice to ball the clothes up for easier carrying.
<Anassia> "Thankfully, no," Anassia says, flatly.  "No way Maya could get me to do that," she says, shaking her head slightly, although she does glance curiously over towards Aleph when he finds something.  "What is it?" she asks, curiously.
<Aleph> "Ah, you'll see." Aleph said slightly teasingly before he carried the ball toward the changing room.  The sweat-and-turtle-goo-covered leather getup needed washing anyway.
* Anassia eyes Aleph slightly as he moves off to the changing rooms, eventually returning her gaze to the clothing in front of her, thumbing through the fur pieces casually.
<Aleph> A few minutes passed as he changed clothes--and Aleph emerged wearing something that seemed...well, definitely different compared to what he had before.  Thankfully, he had relatively baggy tan shorts that went down to his knees--bound by a belt--on in place of a thong, but around his torso was wrapped what looked like a single blue band of cloth--the seams apparently indicated by a portion around which the cloth wrapped over the top and bottom
<Aleph> ...this notably left pretty much everything above--and below--his chest bare.  "So, what do you think?"
<Anassia> "It's... different..." Anassia says, blinking towards Aleph's attire slightly.  "Is it comfortable?" she asks, tilting her head to one side.
<Aleph> "Well, a bit different from what I'm used to, but I'm liking the more 'open' feel, I guess." He replies, slightly adjusting the top
* Anassia nods slightly. "It looks more open," she comments with a faint grin.
<Aleph> "Hey, beats that...whatever it is for all I care." He replies, smirking-
<Anassia> "Oh please," Anassia says, rolling her eyes slightly.  "You /can't/ be serious."
<Aleph> "Huh?  What do you mean?  I just mean I'd rather wear this than what Jack has."
<Aleph> He looks slightly confused.
<Anassia> "Oh, right," Anassia says, giggling.  "I suppose it does have some more... class... than Jack's does," she concedes.
<Aleph> "What did you think that I was saying, anyway?" He asks curiously.
<Anassia> "I thought you were saying it was better than mind," Anassia says, shrugging.  "I was going to have to put you in your place," she nods sagely.
<Aleph> "Hah." Aleph smirks.  "I'm curious as to how you'd go about doing that, now." he replies, grinning
<Anassia> "I had nothing in mind," Anassia says, giggling softly again.  "I could have figured some way out, though, I bet..."
<Aleph> "Anyway, just glad to be off that ship, really." Aleph cringes.
<Anassia> "Yeah," Anassia says.  "You're feeling better, right?" she asks, curiously.
<Aleph> "Still a bit sick, but a lot better than before." he replies.
<Anassia> "Maybe we shouldn't take a boat back?" she asks, frowning slightly.  "I mean, it might be longer, but worth it for everyone..."
<Aleph> "That's what I'm thinking, really.  Elise said that I just need to train harder, but...I don't think she understands that some things you just can't work through."
<Anassia> "I think there are quite a few things she doesn't quite understand," Anassia observes quietly, frowning slightly.
<Aleph> "...yeah." Aleph agrees.  "Tried to get through to her on that earlier.  Didn't really work." he shrugs.  "It's...not healthy, I'd like to say."
<Anassia> "She'll probably come around eventually..." Anassia says, shrugging.  "people always say that travelling broadens your horizons, right?"
<Aleph> "Something tells me whoever said that hasn't met Elise."
<Anassia> "She's not /as/ bad." Anassia says.  "She doesn't call me evil anymore... I don't think.  Or for the same reasons?
<Aleph> "Not the same reasons, I guess, but...eh.  Her seeming need to watch out for everyone on a 'moral' basis..."
<Anassia> "Yeah, I think we're going to have headaches for a while yet," she says, shaking said head slightly.  "Not that Maya's much better, on the other hand."
<Aleph> "...true.  You seemed to get the worst of it recently, it seems." he quirked an eyebrow, looking at Anassia.  "Something tells me you wouldn't wear this of your own volition."
<Anassia> "There's... nothing to it," Anassia says, looking down and blushing slightly.  "I would have gotten something with a little modesty..."
<Aleph> "Even then, you still look nice in it." Aleph nods.
* Anassia blinks slightly at the blunt compliment. "Thanks," she says softly, faint tinge in her cheeks.
<Aleph> "Anyway...guess I'll need to pay for this." Aleph changes the subject rather quickly.  "...hoping I haven't run up too much of a bill with the food earlier."
<Anassia> "Uh, right..." Anassia says, nodding.  "At least we're not having to pay for it, though; we'd be broke before we even get back home..."
<Aleph> "Indeed." Aleph nods.  "Well...chances are we'll probably be on the run after what Maya and Elise intend to do tonight..." He continues, sighing.
<Anassia> "Nothing new there, then," Anassia says, shaking her head slightly.  "Hopefully noone will actually remember us for that long, though."
<Aleph> "Ah well...beats being back in Ferune, to be honest."
<Aleph> "I mean, I'm not sure of what you or the others have had back there, but..."
* Anassia shrugs faintly. "Pretty much what you'd expect," she says softly. "Not that it matters now, anyway..."
<Aleph> "Yeah."  He heads over to the cashier with his new getup.  "...damn.  When'd I kill the mood, anyway?"
* Anassia shakes her head. "It's not you," she says softly, before brightening. "I wonder what Elise will have to say about your clothes? No doubt they're too short."
<Aleph> "Well, that's a given, given Elise.  Kheldar would likely be similarly stick-in-ass," he comments, snrking.  "Maya'd tease me, Jack would, uh...okay, I don't know what Jack would do."
<Anassia> "So pretty much like normal, then," Anassia says, nodding again.  "No doubt Elise is going to try and get me to see reason later..."
<Aleph> "Pretty much." Aleph nods in response, as he ends up handling payment for the clothes before looking outside as the sun sets further.
<Anassia> "Aaagh Maya is going to want me to do something tommorow, that's right..." Anassia says, following his gaze.  "I am going to just /die/."
<Aleph> "...I don't even want to know at this point.  I guess we might as well head to the inn, unless there's anything else you'd want to do." he looks over to Anassia.
* Anassia blinks a little, before shaking her head. "I can't really think of anything," she says. "And it's not like I can have any money on me while I'm wearing this..."
<Aleph> "True, true."  And with that, he started out of the store.  "Oh, by the way, thanks again for the help."
<Anassia> "Don't worry about it," Anassia says, offering him a smile.  "It wasn't all that hard to do and it would be unfortunate to have to leave town dressed inappropriately..."
* Aleph nods in return. "Anyway, I guess we should get going." And with that, he left the store, starting to head toward where he thought he remembered the inn was
* Anassia follows behind him, offering a wave towards the proprieter as she steps back out into the fading sun.

[Merc]

bump for placement