Characters involved are: Ryukumu (RED), Brin (ORANGE), Emeralda (GREEN), Sigurd (BLUE), Sulamith (INDIGO),
Logged by Brin

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Bledavik, Market Road North
Here the stream of merchants comes to its northern end, breaking off before a huge, simple stone <arch> which leads to the festive square beyond. The noise of buissness and sound of exchange fill the air, making it both a very tense and very friendly place at the same moment. A <stairway> to the east walks up to the northern part of the eastern side of Bledavik; a small, covert <opening> to the west appears to lead to a well shadowed, spiraling stairway to the west. The road also leads to the <south>.
Contents:
Ryukumu
Sigurd
Sulamith
It's been a while. ...and that day Doctor Kalval had requested him to come here seems almost a distant memory now, as his journey here had been...hampered somewhat. A new crewmate, a commotion at the base, and less time-consumingly, the worrying rumours floating about the base. Still, best to keep them at the bottom of the list for now, as Fatima Castle is Brin's destination now, as requested. And yet, his step is not that of the diplomat, or the peacemaker. It is that of a rahter confused Etone, in a new city, wondering how to get to that castle he can see over the archway ahead. Best to head for that archway, anyhow. His steady lope progresses in bursts through the crowd, as he makes his awkward, apologetic way through the market road.
Ryukumu has connected.
It's been a while. ...and that day Doctor Kalval had requested him to come here seems almost a distant memory now, as his journey here had been...hampered somewhat. A new crewmate, a commotion at the base, and less time-consumingly, the worrying rumours floating about the base. Still, best to keep them at the bottom of the list for now, as Fatima Castle is Brin's destination now, as requested. And yet, his step is not that of the diplomat, or the peacemaker. It is that of a rahter confused Etone, in a new city, wondering how to get to that castle he can see over the archway ahead. Best to head for that archway, anyhow. His steady lope progresses in bursts through the crowd, as he makes his awkward, apologetic way through the market road.
How convenient! There Sigurd sits on one of the steps near the bottom of the stairs through said archway. He toys with something in his hands that sparkles in the desert sun, but is tucked away soon after in his pocket as he leans on the sand-colored stone wall. So much for keeping an eye on that energetic girl... And so much for occupying himself enough to keep from brooding about a certain night's events in the Castle. No rumors now, I mean it!!
Ryukumu is trying to strike a deal with one of the local vendors when suddenly he feels someone bump into him. He's already had his pocket-picked twice [both times he chewed out the stupid rascal and got his wallet back], but a third time in one day? That's it-- if this kid's any older then 13, he's getting a broken nose. Ryukumu turns around and says in a hostile tone, "Okay you jerk, what's the---" Ryukumu blinks. He sees an Etone trying to politely make his way through the crowd, and also finds that his wallet is in place. "...deal?"
Brin blinks, large grey eyes turning warily toward his aggressor, but he takes no other action than this, held back by something...about the voice. A quick inspection reveals the identity of his assailant, and he tries to stifle a grin. Recognising Ryukumu only by face, he comes to the stop he seemed to be at for most of his passage through the crowd anyway. "Pardon?". One thing about maintaining the aura of calm, is that playing dumb is less then a challenge.
Ryukumu scratches the back of his head, sweatdropping slightly. What's the deal, him suspecting an Etone of all people? An Etone's much more likely to RETURN a wallet then steal it. What was the name of that Etone at the base a while back? Billy? Wait, that's not important. "Sorry, didn't mean to get onto you like that. I've had a rough day; already been pick-pocketed twice. I was able to get my stuff back, but I was getting mad thinking that it'd be a third time. ^_^;;;"
Ryukumu has disconnected.
Brin finally unstifles the grin. "Quite all right. Understandable." he smiles. Carrying around a bloody great gun is at times useful, if only to deter pickpockets. "You're in Bart's crew, aren't you? I never caught your name.". he looks up, and changes the subject again. "Still, it's nice to finally arrive here. At last." He casts a look over the town, the sheer life of the place making him almost ecstatic after months in the besieged pirate base, and the jasper. He could get used to this.
Ryukumu quickly tells the vendor that the deal's off and says, "I'm Ryukumu Isora. I've been gone for a while though... This place sure beats being stuck out in the desert. Still too freakin' hot though. By the way... why're we here? I heard Sig mentoin they were going into town so i came along, but I never heard why."
Brin motions toward the castle, just about visible over the archway to the north. "Well, since the peace talks with Solaris, It would appear Bart is going to replace Shakhan. Well, that is, Bart, backed by an advisory committee. Which allegedly includes myself. I'm just going up there to report to whoever there is to report to. " He grins again, and shrugs, stepping in out of the thoroughfare, under the stall canopy. "Oh, and I do apologise. Brin Gaisce, Etone. At your service.". The mantra rolls off his tongue once again, as he extends his hand in greeting.
Ryukumu listens, but his eyes widen after a moment. "Wait a sec, peace treaty? Us? With SOLARIS? What the hell?!" This is nuts! Solaris (or at least the Gazel) want to merge all of humanity into one being, 'Deus', thus, well, destroying the human race. What good would 'Deus' do anyway? Sounds like just one fancy weapon... So what do we do? We make a peace treaty! What a handy, dandy, STUPID idea!
Brin nods. "Yes, it did come as a surprise. However, Dr. Kalval is more behind this then most anyone. And it's preferable to a constant, resource, and life-wasting war, is it not?". The shock on Ryukumu's face disturbs Brin slightly, as he tentatively withdraws the unshaken hand.
Ryukumu crosses his arms and gazes to the side, thinking. "(Oh yeah, it'd avoid a war... it takes TWO living things to start a fight, there'd only be ONE once Deus was made...)" At hearing of a Doctor, Ryukumu raises an eyebrow. "Dr. Kalval? That sounds familiar... what's her first name?" At least he remembers Kalval was a 'her'.
Emeralda walks in from the south.
Emeralda has arrived.
Brin is a little perturbed, but retains his composure after a second. "Um, It's Luka". He looks again for a while at Ryukumu's manner, as if some sort of bombshell had been dropped. That was true, of course, but shouldn't he greet it with a little less... "It seems to disturb you, does it?".
Ryukumu raises an eyebrow. "Luka? Hmm...! Oh, her! I remember her! What, is she in charge now up there?" Knowing Luka is trying to head up this treaty almost puts his mind a little more at ease. Almost. It doesn't change his expression though. Ryukumu blinks and realizes that he might be making a scene for anyone who's watching. "Well, uh... I mean, I'm surprised! I was in Solaris so long that all of a sudden I'm released and come home to find that peace might actually happen." Yeah right.
Emeralda pads in quietly, as is her wont, smiling as she sees Sigurd and moving to join him.
Sigurd sits, quietly watching Brin and Ryukumu talk, on the stairs under the archway, one leg drawn up, the other moving to stretch out as he blinks lazily. What the heck had gotten Ryukumu so worked up? Hmph. Oh well, he'd find out later if it got him upset enough. So he just sits and watches, enjoying being out in the sun and the desert heat again instead of being cramped in that ship. At the sight of that familiar shock of green hair, though, he offers a vague smile through the thoughts that haunt him. "Desided to join us, Emmy?"
Emeralda nods, sitting down next to Sigurd with a smile, "It was getting boring in the ship... So I came out to visit."
Brin nods. "I understand. From what I heard, the rivalry between the pirates and Solaris was quite, erm, intense. It's probably a major surprise if you hadn't heard.". His ears prick up at another familiar voice, and he suddenly spots Sigurd, who looks like he should be out of earshot. Still, a lull in the babble of the crowd must have sent his voice this far, and it doesn't matter, anyway. "There's Sigurd", he breathes nonchalantly.
Ryukumu looks over and spots Sigurd as well as Sulamith (^_^) and Emeralda, though he doesn't know Emeralda. He'd go over and ask about this peace treaty now, but that'll have to wait. Asking about that in the middle of a crowd will only cause confusion, and lots of it. That would probably be bad. Instead, he just walks over towards the three with a wave.
"I'm glad you did. Do you like it here?" Idle chatter, Sigurd didn't mind, he even gave her more of a real smile as he slowly but surely drags himself out of the pensive pondering he'd been doing that focused a lot on that pendant he wore. He leaned back a bit, elbows bracing on the step behind him, but only after giving her hair an affectionate toussle. Then he notes Ryu and Brin again as his gaze flicks back over the marketplace, blinking... Well, seems he was a social magnet today.
Emeralda smiles, looking around and gently brushing a bit of hair out of her eyes as she surveys the crowd. "It's... packed... but nice." She turns back to Sigurd, nodding slightly, "Yes, I think I like it here."
Careful, oh so very carefully does Sulamith sneak up on Sigurd, from just above him, along the steps. She knows he's quite empathic and always seems to know when she's near, but that doesn't stop her from -attempting- to surprise him. Steeling her emotions, and making sure those jingly anklets are put away and silenced, she creeps along until...
She pounces! With a giggle, she leaps toward the taller first mate of the Yggridsil and ... ends up pausing as she sees Emeralda there. "Oh! Um, hi." Goodness, suddenly she wonders if she's interrupting anything.
Brin quietly emerges from beneath the canvas canopy, into the sunlight of the market road once again, blinking slightly as he begins to make his way after Ryukumu. He had intended to talk to Ryukumu for a while longer, but it couldn't be helped now. Still, perhaps Sigurd could tell him where this castle is, and where to go when one gets there. He resumes his awkward plod through the crowd, and draws up to the steps up to the archway.
Ryukumu walks up to Sigurd and says, "How's it going?" With a quick nod to Sulamith as a greeting, he looks at Emeralda and says, "Is she a friend of yours, Sig?" The two haven't met, but he can already tell there's unusual about this girl... eh, it's the hair color.
Sigurd nods solemnly to Emeralda with a chuckle. "Yeah, it's kind of packed right now. Everyone's getting fresh fruits and vegetables for dinner I think." Considering most of the people were arround the food cards.... And he erks as Sulamith's voice so close startles him, damn being too distracted to bother listening to his empathy wasn't something he did often, and this only reinforced that. x.x Tilting his head back to look at Sulamith upside down, he offers a little chuckle at her expression. "So there you are, I thought I'd lost you." A gentle smile then and he sits up to turn and rest his back against the wall.
Then, as Brin and Ryukumu finally arrive, he sweatdrops a little. "I'm... preoccupied. And it seems introductions are in order, Ryu, you know Suchan, Brin, do you? Emeralda, I know you don't. In any case, I'm just going to go around and tell all of who who everyone is. This is Sulamith. She difused the bomb in the base." Thus said with a gesture to her. "Ryukumu's recently returned to us from an informative time playing the Gazel's games and getting out of Solarian prison." A gesture to indicate Ryukumu, then he nods to Brin. "Brin's been sent to us by the Ethos for... moral support?" Half teasing there, then he gives Emeralda a fond look. Hey, he did think of her almost as a sister or daughter! "And Emeralda's come back too, she saved my life a bit over a year ago after Ramsus and Miang felt like using me for their chewtoy."
Emeralda blinks as Sigurd turns, her hand seeming to blur some as she hears a voice... Then becoming less fuzzy as she hears Sigurds hello and chuckle and she relaxes. She bows politely to everyone, "Hiya."
Yes, it's Sulamith, the girl who diffused the bomb in the Yggridsil. Unfortunately, she seems to be better known as the girl who slept in Sigurd's room. u.u *sigh* She smiles somewhat sheepishly at the taller man and then glances at Emeralda, waving at her with a warm smile crossing her lips. To everyone else there is a welcome smile and a nod while introductions are made. Of course, there is a slightly strutinizing glance toward Ryu. Rumors abounded on the Yggridsil... and she could have sworn his name was mentioned when she asked around a little bit. For now, well, she doesn't say anything, but if she thinks about it...
Brin smiles warmly. Hello, Sigurd. Hello, Ryukumu. Hello, Emeralda. Hello, that woman. His smile does not fade as he acknowledges all of them in turn. Sometimes Sigurd's empathy can be a pain, but Brin tries to think happy thoughts nonetheless, as he is distracted slightly by Emeralda's somewhat unique appearance. "Hello, everyone..." he intones, before breaking into a half-laugh at Sigurd's comment. "...Well, if you could call it that, Sigurd.". He seems, on the outside, the picture of goodwill and politeness. And, of course, he is. Kinda.
Yes, let's all just... ignore those nasty rumors floating around >.> *ahem* Curiously, and putting up that front of being perfectly alright despite how troubled he is, Sigurd addresses Brin and Ryu for now, but he still faces Emeralda and he reaches absently to indicate Suchan sit and get comfy! "What're you two up to? Just exploring or shopping?"
Emeralda smiles warmly to Sulamith. Any friend of Sigurds is a friend of hers, after all. She scoots slightly to make room for the new arrival.
Sulamith doesn't mind sitting at all and even gets a bit spiteful as she leans in against the taller man, using him partly as a leaning post. So they're gonna talk and call her -that woman- are they? Fine, give them something to talk about, then. Part of her sort of resents the rumors, she did manage to save most of their hides by disarming that bomb and then they all turn around and villianize her (some anyway) by twisting a totally innocent and sweet gesture on the part of Sigurd. But, that is mostly forgotten as Sulamith looks toward Emeralda, "Oh, I love your hair. I wish mine could be so flowing." Girl talk. Look out.
Brin shakes his head gently. "Actually, I was on my way up to the castle. I've never been here before, and should probably familiarise myself with it, if I'm going to be working there. I presume it's just rhough this arch and keep going, yes?". All business these days, aren't we? Still, it's not for lack of other things to do that he's in a hurry now. This...is a situation he'd much rather not be in right now.
Sigurd vaguely notes the rather obvious, to him anyway, not wanting to be here feeling Brin has. Tho hell if he knew why. But anyway he nods and lifts his arm up over Sulamith, thus letting her lean more or less against his side and chest, pointing up the stairs. "Up past the square. It's a long walk though, with a lot of stairs. I hope you're in good shape." And those Etone robes are NOT gonna be comfy with such a long climb.
Emeralda giggles at Sulamith's comment, "Thank you. Though I don't think anyone will ever have hair quite like mine..." She grins impishly, leaving it at that.
Emeralda has disconnected.
Sulamith has disconnected.
Brin wipes the already-accumulated sweat from his brow, and sighs. This is -not- going to be fun. Still, it is probably a fitting penance for his automatic resentment of Sulamith. After all, rumours are only that. "Thank you. I may be back later, if you are here, but goodbye for now, I am going to report to..well, whoever there is to report to, I think..." Such indecisiveness suits him to a tee, and Brin turns, affording a cursory wave to the group, and begins the first of many flights of stairs on his way to the fatima Castle.
Ryukumu waves lightly to Brin. "Later. Sorry about snapping again back there. ^_^;;;" He turns his attention to Sigurd and says, "Well, now that the other'sre gone, there's something you and I need to discuss... Might want to find a place less crowded, if people overhear things could get bad."