riverbeans: (flame. 1)

[personal profile] riverbeans 2024-03-18 02:13 am (UTC)(link)
[She seems to still be deciding how much she trusts him, but after a while, she nods.]

All right. There's safety in numbers, I guess—but don't try anything funny.
expiries: (pic#17024012)

[personal profile] expiries 2024-03-18 02:14 am (UTC)(link)
I wouldn't dare.

[to the village!!]
riverbeans: (flame. 1)

[personal profile] riverbeans 2024-03-18 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
[To the village!!

It's a small, sleepy fishing village. Arthur takes the woman, who introduces herself as Opal, to the local apothecaries, Lovelace and Anise. Leaving her in their care, Arthur steps outside of the humble apothecary abode for some air again. The villagers around him give him a few curious looks, but most of them are more along the lines of "whoa, visiting traveler" than the sense that they're appraising him.

The ones that stand out are a cleric telling stories to a few villagers (but occasionally gives Arthur a piercing gaze), a boy on the cusp of adulthood listening in but glancing at Arthur once in a while in curiosity, and a woman eyeing him.

Arthur will get the sense that he can > Inquire them, which is a fancy way of saying that if you choose to Inquire an NPC, you may get info. It could be useful, it could be random. Who knows. Simply let the Powers That Be know.]
expiries: (pic#17024019)

[personal profile] expiries 2024-03-18 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
[the time to inquire is now

after a while, he'll head over towards the boy who keeps looking at him.]


...Do I seem that out of place?
riverbeans: (flame. 1)

[personal profile] riverbeans 2024-03-18 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
[The boy looks at him for a moment, before shaking his head.]

Well, it's a little surprising when visitors go straight to the apothecary, I guess.

[As Arthur inquires this boy, he will somehow, in the process, learn the following:

Villager, Kazuki

A boy living in the village, with his older sister. He lives a peaceful life playing music, but he sometimes worries for his sister, who constantly seeks information on current political events. As far as Kazuki is concerned, no good comes from involving oneself in the matters of kings and the like, and doing so is only going to get his sister into trouble. Surprised to see travelers so soon after the last ones—a man in a white cape, another man in a blue hood, and a third traveler—left not long ago.


Talking to Arthur for a bit seems to relax Kazuki, though.]


If you want to stay for a bit, we've got plenty of room in the inn. You seem strong, too—we could use people to help clear out nearby monsters.
expiries: (pic#17024050)

[personal profile] expiries 2024-03-18 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
[committing this all to memory as he hears it...]

Oh - I wouldn't mind that. How nearby are they? [...] And good luck with your sister, by the way.
riverbeans: (flame. 1)

[personal profile] riverbeans 2024-03-18 04:27 am (UTC)(link)
Far enough that we don't have to worry about our daily life, but near enough that it can make it a pain for merchants to come, sometimes.

[At the second part, Kazuki is quiet for a moment.]

Thanks. At least all the way out here, politics don't affect us too much, even if that also means we don't always get help from the government when we need it.
expiries: (pic#17024012)

[personal profile] expiries 2024-03-18 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
[pausing for a moment.]

Well... Is that all you need help with? The monsters, I mean. Or is there something else you need that they haven't given you?
riverbeans: (flame. 1)

[personal profile] riverbeans 2024-03-18 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
Nothing specific. Just the usual—not always a ton of jobs or money coming through. At least, that's what the adults say.

[Kazuki is perhaps just young enough that he doesn't have to think about ECONOMICAL MATTERS.

The cleric has finished his stories, keeping Arthur in the corner of his eye as he wraps up. The woman watching him eyes him for another moment, before walking away.]
expiries: (pic#17024019)

[personal profile] expiries 2024-03-18 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
Mm... Good to know. Well - I hope things change soon.

[can he inquiry either of these people or has his moment of opportunity passed him by.......]
riverbeans: (flame. 1)

[personal profile] riverbeans 2024-03-18 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks. At least our bandit problem stopped, thanks to the last travelers...

[And with that, Kazuki has to leave. See you later, Arthur.

From there, Arthur can inquiry the cleric!

Cleric, Temenos

A cleric who serves the Order, currently stationed in the village. He spreads the church's teachings and educates the villagers, while also keeping an ear out for any gossip. His skills have allowed him to obtain hidden nuggets of information, such as the news that the crown prince of Riven hasn't been seen in court for a long time now. Many people who aren't so fond of King Riven's recent policies bemoan this fact, feeling that the prince was one of the last things keeping him in check.

The woman has left so Arthur can no longer inquiry her, but the inquiry to Temenos will throw in a free benefit of learning that the woman's name is Elizabeth, and no one's quite sure what to make of her. Of course, not that a cleric should be gossiping more than that...

At this point, Opal exits the apothecaries' place.]
expiries: (pic#17024019)

[personal profile] expiries 2024-03-18 05:03 am (UTC)(link)
[all noted! but he glances towards opal when he sees her coming out]

Hello. Feeling better?
riverbeans: (flame. 1)

[personal profile] riverbeans 2024-03-18 06:20 am (UTC)(link)
Well, I guess I owe you some thanks, Arthur.

[Opal's tone is dry.]

You willing to pay the apothecaries for me? [A pause, and then, regardless of Arthur's answer:] Just kidding. I'm not that stingy. I already paid.

[But the day is getting late, and, well. No reason not to be stuck together for now, as fellow defectors, who are staying at the same inn in this small village at any rate. Opal and Arthur can share a meal over at the tavern first, where they can chat for a bit—however awkwardly—before heading to the inn for the night. Today was certainly eventful, so who's to say what tomorrow will bring?

With that in mind, Arthur wakes up.]