Q'Barra: Facing Truth

[Shayuri]

Trebuchet eyes the girl, then looks at Sepoto. He nudges the shifter.

"Are you thinking of a song?" he asks.

 

[Pebele]

"You saw no signs of the lizard folk, then?" Darrick asks, curiously, "But did you, perhaps, notice whether there was...less wildlife than usual? Or of a different sort?"

Sentinel raised a hand to his jaw, which was a habit he picked up from the humans he was around, it expressed that he was thinking. "I was focused on the little ones, but we did not run in to any wildlife on the way to Havenwood. Perhaps it was because we did not smell like food? There did seem to be more wildlife than usual on the way back, after we stayed in Havenwood for three days gathering the things for the little ones. Perhaps it was because the little ones smelled like food? Or perhaps not. Curious."

"Nothing at all? What is going on? One last question, if I may. What was the mood of the townsfolk?"

Sentinel turned his head to Catherine. "I do not know what is going on. Is that not what you will be finding out?

"The townsfolk were not smiling or laughing. They were like the little ones who first come here; quiet, no smiles. Sad, I believe it is called. I see big ones like this, when they leave their little ones here.

When I asked how they knew it was the Deep Mist stealing their food, their voices changed. They did not want to talk any longer. That is when we were told to gather the things for the little ones. Angry, perhaps. But I do not know for certain."

 

[Yeoman]

Catherine shakes her head. "The first is understandable, but the second...I've got no clue. We'll have to investigate more when we get to Havenwood. Anyways, I think I'm going to do a quick walkthrough of the kid's sleeping area before heading off to take care of all my preparations and studying. Despite the massive difference in height, Catherine still manages to kiss Sentinel on his "cheek". "Good night Sentinel, and I promise I'll be back after the mission, so take good care of the children ok? Good night to you as well Darrick, and I look forward to working together. On the same team for once." Catherine winks at Darrick before heading out.

 

[Rolzup]

Darrick rises, bowing to Catherine, and turns to Sentinel.

"My thanks, friend. With luck, we'll have this sorted out quickly and simply. A last question, though...have you had any dealing with the Deep Mist before? Is there anything you can tell me about them, anything at all? You never know what might prove useful, in a situation like this."

 

[Rookseye]

Sepoto looks down at the precocious child, breaking into a wide grin. He then hunkers down to her level, his eyes coming level with hers.

"Hmm, barter then, a song for a gift, that seems fair, little-one."

He considers something for a long while, his eyes rolling about comically as if the perfect tune was hiding just out of sight, and finally just as the warforged prompts him, inspiration arrives in the form of a lemur leaping across the branches of the banyan just overhead.

Where the breeze blows into le-mur land
Up in a ban-yan tree.
There lived a pret-ty le-mur girl
Loved by a crazed chakit

Each night he came to woo,
long-ing to kiss and coo,
Pres-ents to her he'd bring;
From un-der-neath the jun-gle tree,

This song to her he'd sing.

"Oh, you love-ly le-mur,
My heart longs for you,
Tho' I'm act-ing like a dream-er,
It's be-cause I love you true,

Please come down and kiss me,
I think you're sim-ply grand,
I've a home I built for you,
Right here in le-mur land."

She winked her lit-tle rogu-ish eyes
Down at the chakit boy.
Then in a man-ner ve-ry sweet she said
"of course I will, you crazed chakit,
you fill my heart with joy!"

Sepoto finishes the silly song with a flourish, leaping to his palms and walking on them in circles around the little half-elf girl with nary an effort.

How was that one, youngling?

 

[Pebele]

Sentinel raised a hand to Catherine and rested it gently on her shoulder. "Be quiet, the very small ones are resting. It will take a long time to get them to rest again if they are disturbed. Come to see me again when you return. Perhaps I will look amusing then, as well."

Sentinel turned to Darrick then. His hand went to his jaw again. "When I first came here, the builders of this building said that the Deep Mist were 'cowards' who retreated instead of fought. They said they did not exterminate them because they were not worth the effort.

I have not heard much about them recently. I hear of the Sharp Claw. I hear of the Black Tree. I hear of the Setting Sun. But I do not hear about the Deep Mist.

I wish you good fortune in this task."

Sentinel got to his feet and offered a wave to Catherine and Darrick, but he stood in place to be certain they no longer needed him.

 

[Pebele]

Jasmine grinned broadly and giggled. "That was funny! I like that one the best so far, 'Oto!"

When Sepoto got back to his feet she handed over the package. "Mistress Garson says to be careful with it. And I better run back to see her, cause I wasn't supposed to take long to get it here! But I'll find you again soon and we can eat mango's and stuff!"

With that Jasmine turned and took off at a full run towards the infirmary, her braids flying behind her.

 

[Rolzup]

"I wish you good fortune in this task."

"And again, my thanks." Darrick takes a step back, bows to Sentinel, and turns on one heel with military precision. He strides confidently out the door and into the courtyard, before realizing that he's not at all certain where he's going next.

His quarters, he decides after a moment, to pack his supplies and make the neccessary preparations for leaving in the morning. I wonder how Steadfast will take to the jungle? he asks himself.

Probably better than I, he concludes, morbidly.

 

[Pebele]

Before Darrick reaches the dormitories, he is approached by a young boy with bright copper hair.

"Master Darrick, sir, I am glad I finally found you!" The boy pauses to catch his breath before standing at attention. "Master Rodrick sent me to ask if you needed Steadfast prepared, or if you wish him to be stabled while you're away. Master Rodrick says he needs to know."

The young stablehand looked up at Darrick expectantly.

 

[Yeoman]

Diary of Catherine Valeska - Entry One

Mol, 15th of Eyre, 998 YK

It's hard to believe, but I've been assigned to my very first mission today. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. Some of the others assigned to this mission have already been in the field. I hope my inexperience doesn't put us at risk.

The group seems to have been selected to provide an optimum combination of warriors, stealth, magic and skills. My role is apparently that of the mission’s diplomat, translator and healer. I’m combat trained, but I’m certainly not a tremendously skilled warrior like Kaelan or Darrick.

Good think Kaelan has that ward. I never though to have Instructor Erin make one for me. Maybe I’ll do that when I return. I should also try to find a souvenir or something for the kids.

I’ve said my goodbyes to everyone except Instructor Jarnell. I hope she understands that I just ran out of time. Oh, well. Time to finish my studies and get to sleep, tomorrow’s the big day.

-Catherine