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Post by Honorea on Aug 7, 2008 19:11:22 GMT -5
"Oh, I'm starving, actually. Perhaps we could venture back into town to the nearest eatery?"
Honorea started towards town, taking the assumption that everyone was going to follow her, since Unaliari had already made the suggestion to eat.
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Post by Dota on Aug 9, 2008 22:00:23 GMT -5
The day passed steadily for the foreigners. They were able to get a bite to eat with no real hassle, though the locals often stared openly. They were still a source of money, so they weren't turned out. The rest of the day was their own, and it wasn't long before night had crept upon them. The four returned to their rented-out beds in one piece. When they awoke in the morning, they were greeted by another sunny day. The ship would be leaving around midday, so any person who wished to return to the mainland after this brief shopping trip could do so (Unaliari was one of those people). There was something off about the morning, but could not be pinpointed immediately within the rooms. The inn would be unattended, just as it had been upon arrival, but the real jolt would come once the group stepped outside -- there was no one to be seen. Not a single person walked the streets. No merchants tended to their stalls or stores, which were all barren of merchandise and void of furnishings. The fountain was not running, no ships were docked in the harbor. On top of the absence of human elements, not a single bird could be found in the sky. It was truly silent, save for the rhythmic sloshing of waves back in the harbor (though the water seemed rather still despite this). As the four travelers walked the empty city, the figure of a lone woman, the first and only other sign of life save themselves, became visible near the harbor. She was looking out to the sea, but upon their arrival, she turned to face them with a sad, almost pitiful, expression. She had golden hair that swam around her as though she were immersed in the sea, flowing entrancingly around her despite the lack of sea breeze. She wore a simple cloth dress that was the color of the sky. Her eyes matched this fabric. Without saying a word, she stood and gazed at the only other beings to walk the streets.
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Post by Trunks on Aug 11, 2008 22:27:29 GMT -5
As they were walking through town Rio, without thinking, took the lead. His natural instinct was to protect others. When they arrived at the harbor Rio stepped forward to talk to the lonely woman.
"Ma'am what happened to everyone?"
Rio looked at his companions to see if they had any other questions for the woman.
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Post by Sakabatou on Aug 14, 2008 9:01:30 GMT -5
Despite not getting to go swimming, Mio enjoyed the rest of the day with her new friends, and the night passed comfortably. Mio found it rather cute that Unaliari seemed to be an unconscious cuddler while she slept.
The following day, however, was more worrisome. As the four walked through the empty town, Mio studied everything around her, watching the threads of the surrounding atmosphere, hoping to get some clue of what exactly was going on. She didn't see the threads, exactly--not like one sees everyday objects (because the threads, being elemental, didn't reflect any light). It was more of a sixth sense--a second kind of vision.
She was particularly careful to study the natural tapestry around the one other person they finally encountered. The threads of air were not billowing at all--certainly not enough to support the way this woman's hair flowed. Mio focused carefully, grasping for some kind of clue as to the nature of this person.
She stayed silent and let Rio do the talking--if they wanted answers, they needed to be tactful and not overwhelm her. She kept her axe at the ready (though really, this meant nothing--it was always at the ready). Despite the huge weapon, though, she tried her best not to appear threatening (this, however, also meant nothing--she could tie pink bows and flowers all over the thing and it would still scare the life out of just about anyone).
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Post by Dota on Aug 14, 2008 15:27:32 GMT -5
"Ma'am what happened to everyone?"
The female turned at the voice.
"Ah. The newcomers to this hell. What has happened to everyone? They have begun to step on others in order to make their own survival effortless."
"And that's why they've now vanished?"
"No. I have pulled you here so that I may speak with you. Perhaps we can work together to leave this cursed place."
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Post by Honorea on Aug 15, 2008 22:15:52 GMT -5
Honorea slept quite well next to someone like Rio. She woke up in the morning feeling quite refreshed. Much better than on that old ship she would be boarding later to go back home. She met up with everyone and wandered back into town.
She noticed, as well as everyone else, the eerie quiet of the town. When they approached the old woman, and Rio and Unaliari questioned her, she listened while still observing everything around her. She didn't trust anyone in this town suddenly.
"No. I have pulled you here so that I may speak with you. Perhaps we can work together to leave this cursed place."
"Cursed? How is it cursed? Perhaps you would share with us the truth about where everyone went, and what you mean by cursed. As you have mentioned, we are but newcomers, and we are quite confused with the situation. We do not want any trouble, but Miss, we would really like to feel comfortable with where we are."
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Post by Dota on Aug 16, 2008 22:07:44 GMT -5
"We do not want any trouble, but Miss, we would really like to feel comfortable with where we are."
"Only devils would find comfort here. The people have placed a curse upon themselves, though they would never see it as one. They have stolen my harp. With it, I represented Nature's will through weather. And just as Nature has no care for the desires of men, so do men have no care for the will of Nature. They wanted only fair weather in which to keep their sea-faring lives carefree. And once they had decided Nature should bow to them, they snatched up my harp and sealed it away, using it as they see fit. But it is a part of me, so they have effectively sealed me away as well. At this moment, I do not actually stand before you..."
The woman lowered her head sadly, the locks of hair drifting in front of her face as though to hide it. After a pause, she looked up again, the sad expression conquered for the moment.
"But I ask too much of those with no connection to this incident."
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Post by Trunks on Aug 17, 2008 8:22:39 GMT -5
Rio bowed to the woman.
"People can do some horrible things in their time. That's the whole reason I've set out into the world. I'd be glad to help you retrive your harp. I don't think you could have picked a better group of adventurers."
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Post by Sakabatou on Aug 18, 2008 14:27:03 GMT -5
Mio hesitated a few seconds before speaking. "You're too quick to trust, Rio. Be careful, or you'll get taken advantage of."
Mio addressed her next words to the mysterious woman--whim of Nature or whatever she was. "You've still yet to explain where the island's population went. Is this the punishment you've doled out to them? I find it hard to believe that every one the hundreds of people living here were aware and implicitly involved in this claimed theft."
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Post by Dota on Aug 19, 2008 8:30:29 GMT -5
The woman blinked as Mio jumped in, then smiled gently as the girl revealed her suspicions.
"I suppose my actions were a little abrupt. I assure you, the people are fine. It is you who have been removed from their sight. I can send you back to them, but I'm afraid that we will not be able to work together if I do this. I warn you, if you do go back, do not speak a word to those who live in Athemuesa. As you've said, not necessarily everyone is aware...but it would not be in your best interests to discuss these matters with those who are."
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