Once Upon a Rheim (Erekose13 Judging)

[El Jefe]

"I think he was hitting on Scarlet a while back, but again, that's girly talk. She mentioned him once or twice, and I don't think she liked him."

Oirhandir thanked Blue for being so helpful, and once again pledged his support to his family.

The elf could see that he would have to speak to Violet or Scarlet to get any deeper into the mystery. He sought out Violet, as Scarlet would have to wait until the next day.

OoC: I wonder what color Violet will post in?

IC: His questions for the girl were almost identical to the ones he'd posed to Blue. Knowing from Blue that Scarlet had missed him, he was content to let Violet describe her older sister's reactions to the Festival as she wished, without prompting. He mentioned that he had spoken to Blue, and repeated what he had told Blue about the situation and his feelings about it. But when it came to discussing potential enemies, he trusted that she would know the gossip better than Blue, and asked her specifically who she thought could have done this, and if Garza Vahan might be responsible. He drew the younger sister out at length, knowing that the key to it all might be revealed in some minor bit of prattle about some long-ago slight.

 

[Bront]

"She mentioned some creapy guy, that may have been his name. He I guess wanted something from her but she wouldn't give it to him. If he's the guy you're talking about, he's kinda heavy set, and pretty creepy. He's pretty greasy and smells a bit too, eww."

OOC: Now, to answer your first two question

"That's a sister secret and I'm not saying nothing." She insists stubornly.

"I'm learning to be a proper lady. Bah, once I marry my prince, I'll own the slaves who will do the work for me. Except they wont' be slaves, and I'll pay them kinda like... Valdor does." Her voice fluctuates a bit and she gets a distant look in her eyes when she mentions Valdor.

 

[El Jefe]

"That's a sister secret and I'm not saying nothing."

"Heaven forbid that bond be broken!", chuckled Oirhandir. He continued with an air of mock offense, his eyes sparkling: "Well, I'll just have to let her tell me herself what a scoundrel I am." They enjoyed a laugh, the ice broken between them.

Oirhandir turned serious, though, when discussing Garza Vahan and Lord Valdor's problems.

"She mentioned some creapy guy, that may have been his name. He I guess wanted something from her but she wouldn't give it to him. If he's the guy you're talking about, he's kinda heavy set, and pretty creepy. He's pretty greasy and smells a bit too, eww."

Oirhandir nodded. "Perhaps it might bear fruit to look into his affairs. To hear of Scarlet speaking of someone that way says little for his character", reasoned the bard.

"I'm learning to be a proper lady. Bah, once I marry my prince, I'll own the slaves who will do the work for me. Except they wont' be slaves, and I'll pay them kinda like... Valdor does." Her voice fluctuates a bit and she gets a distant look in her eyes when she mentions Valdor.

The elf delicately avoided the subject of the likelihood of Valdor's availability when Violet came of age, as well as the prospect of a man like Valdor falling in love with one of his own slaves. Better to let her keep her dreams and then discard them later than to snuff them out today, he thought. And if the pair somehow found happiness together? Well, stranger things had happened, and thinking back to the Festival, he'd been witness to some pretty strange things himself.

It was not lost on the adventurer that Violet had all but exonerated herself and her family with her words about her dreams.

Before retiring, the elf sought out his companions, so that he could pass along some of what he had learned. Gathering them together, he spoke: "My friends, I've been talking with Scarlet's brother and sister. They look forward to working for Valdor as free elves, and I can't imagine either of them doing anything to jeopardize that or to harm Lord Valdor. Most of what they know of Garza Vahan they learned secondhand from Scarlet, and that little is quite unflattering. The lass knows of one who wanted something from Scarlet that she wasn't willing to give him, one who is fat, greasy, and foul-smelling. If that turns out to be the description of Vahan, we may have found a culprit."

"Tomorrow I ride to the Harewind's plantation to see my love, and to learn more of these things. I leave to each of you the decision as to whether your time is better spent with me, or in trying to learn of this Vahan, or in some other pursuit."

 

[Someone]

"You know, Oirhandir" says Nodis, who was already asleep. "Some of us have to sleep more than 4 hours each night. I think that could have waited until tomorrow. I'll decide then."

 

[Bront]

The morning comes quickly, and you find that there are some fresh breads and pastreys set out on the table, and you can hear workings down the halls in one of the other rooms. Violet walks in to spot you and says "Oh, hi. Help yourself. Valdor and Blue are working. I can bring out some juice if you want."

 

[El Jefe]

"Help yourself...I can bring out some juice if you want."

"Ah", thought Oirhandir, "such wonderful hospitality." "Yes, thank you, juice would be most refreshing", replied the elf. "And", he added, "could you tell me how to find Scarlet and your family's lands? Valdor said that it was but a half day south of here, and easy to find, but how is the way marked?"

 

[Bront]

Violet gives you simple directions, and it is indeed pretty much south for about half a day till you see a plantation once you get out of town.

 

[El Jefe]

Violet gives you simple directions, and it is indeed pretty much south for about half a day till you see a plantation once you get out of town.

"This looks like the place", declared Oirhandir as he rode Hiriloce onto the property.

His heart beat fast in his chest, and he felt giddy as a boy. How he longed to see Scarlet's face!

OoC: Do we need to cue the violins here?

 

[Bront]

OOC: Wow, you got there after just getting directions? I didn't say you actualy left yet. Wait and see if anyone else wanted to do something here in the morning first...

 

[Someone]

"Ok, while Oirhandir goes south I'll stay here. Il'l visit the city and try to find something about that guy... Garza Vahan." announces Nodis. "Where should I start?"