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The Mother of Dreams - Episode 5 (updated February 1st, 2005)
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<blockquote data-quote="RangerWickett" data-source="post: 1985495" data-attributes="member: 63"><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Episode Five: The Bigger Man, Part I, Section III</strong></span></p><p></p><p>The Wayfarer guiding them was the thinnest and yet most muscular man Tri’ni had ever seen. He looked like a stretched rope, covered with clothing with so many ribbons and buckles it must have taken him an hour to get dressed. As he walked, he proudly displayed a vividly painted staff like it was a badge of office. He was talking with David and Babb in Lyceian, and though Tri’ni was having trouble following the conversation, she could tell the man seemed amused by David.</p><p></p><p>They headed downstairs from the main deck, into the hold, from which hundreds of people were streaming out, leaving behind rows of empty chairs. Some were still applauding, and fifty feet away, magical light on the stage illuminated a half dozen people in costumes even more elaborate than their guide’s. Two women standing beside each other looked like, if one stood on the other’s shoulders, their costumes would make a walking tree.</p><p></p><p>The stage was twenty feet square, with deep crimson curtains framing its sides, and a a painted wooden wall for its back.</p><p></p><p>“Kirtsa is backstage,” their guide said.</p><p></p><p>“She’s the manager?” David asked.</p><p></p><p>“Yes, yes. She used to be the leading actress. Oh God, how I used to fantasize about her. All that smooth flesh pressed tight in whatever costume the show called for. She’s the reason I had to join the Wayfarers.”</p><p></p><p>David shifted uncomfortably and Babb laughed. They were nearly to the stage now, and an actor walked past Tri’ni wearing only brown body paint and leaves in his hair. She stopped for a moment, until she saw him wipe the paint off his face, revealing pale skin. Tri’ni sighed, then hurried to catch up with Babb and David.</p><p></p><p>“They’re all very pretty,” she whispered to Babb.</p><p></p><p>Babb gave a frustrated snort. “Not exactly my type of women.”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni nodded. “Not Geidon.”</p><p></p><p>“What?” Babb said. “No. Hey, I grew up with humans. No, they’re just too thin for me. I like my women more . . . damn, what was that word? It was all long and started with V.”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni shrugged, her attention momentarily caught by a set of metal wires dangling from the ceiling, holding up a ball of flaming pitch. The whole theater was distracting in its complexity. But Babb’s voice pulled her out of her daze.</p><p></p><p>“But yeah,” he said, “Lacy used to have this thing for one of the actors. She went to at least a dozen of his shows. She tried talking to him once, but he couldn’t stand Xaopin. It broke her heart. She hasn’t been back to one of these shows for two years.”</p><p></p><p>“That is . . . very bad?” Tri’ni fished for the right word from her limited vocabulary. “She must have been sad.”</p><p></p><p>“Eh, Lace gets over things pretty easy now. You know, she’d have to, seeing how often. . . . Well, <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />, anyway, it kind of pissed me off when she stopped coming. I kinda liked the shows too. Don’t tell her that, though.”</p><p></p><p>“Don’t worry, not a chance.”</p><p></p><p>Their guide led them behind the curtains on the side of the stage, then around the back wall to a hallway. The ship had much more space than it looked like it should have from the outside, and they had passed several doors before they finally stopped.</p><p></p><p>Their guide said, “Kirtsa likes to be flattered. True, she deserves it, that luscious bitch, but it doesn’t hurt to lay it on a little heavy. Even if you never did, tell her you used to love her singing back when she performed. Good luck.”</p><p></p><p>The man knocked on the door.</p><p></p><p>“Who’s there?” a woman called back, her voice fast but smooth.</p><p></p><p>“Bruno,” their guide said. “There are some visitors who wanted to talk with you before things got too hectic.”</p><p></p><p>The door opened, and a somewhat old human woman leaned out. Her hair was long, dark, and curly, and she was dressed in a loose black shirt. She was pretty for a human, even if she looked angry. Her gaze took in each of them, first Tri’ni, then low to see David, then back high to see Babb bedecked in his armor.</p><p></p><p>“I’m already hectic,” the woman said. “What do you want?”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni shifted nervously and looked down to David for help.</p><p></p><p>“Lady Kirtsa?” David bowed to her. “As you might guess, we’re interested in becoming involved with your performances.”</p><p></p><p>Kirtsa smiled incredulously at David, then glanced to Bruno, their guide.</p><p></p><p>“Who are these guys? No offense to you, sorry for not asking you yourselves, but I’m trying to decide whether Bruno will get to perform any time in the next three months.”</p><p></p><p>Bruno shook his head. “The gnome wanted to know about joining. He says he’s an adventurer looking to settle down. This young woman here is also interested in joining, but she doesn’t speak Cavalesh, barely understands Lyceian, and was hoping we’d teach her magic. The minotaur, well, I don’t know why he’s here.”</p><p></p><p>Kirtsa stared at Bruno for a long moment, silent, and then she shook her head and smiled. With bared teeth she said, “I’m going to hurt you.”</p><p></p><p>Bruno shrugged. “I thought you’d get a laugh out of them.”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni frowned, then smiled to Kirtsa.</p><p></p><p>“Whatever,” Kirtsa said. “Come on in. Bruno, go tell Miguel to meet me before he runs off to get dinner. That damned magic act needs some work.”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, ma’am.”</p><p></p><p>“And tell him not to bring the rabbits this time.”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, ma’am.”</p><p></p><p>“And stop calling me ma’am. I’m only thirty-seven.”</p><p></p><p>“Of course, your bountifully youthful generousness.”</p><p></p><p>Kirtsa sighed as Bruno trotted off, and then she waved them inside. She offered them seats on a softly-cushioned couch, and she sat across from them in an even more comfortable looking chair. The entire room was soft, and the air smelled like something Tri’ni had smelled on the surface, but did not know the name for.</p><p></p><p>“So,” Kirtsa said. She tightened her lips for a moment, and Tri’ni noticed a flash of magic cross her eyes as she tried to see if there was any enchantments on them.</p><p></p><p>“No magic,” Kirtsa said. “That’s something, at least. So, I’m sorry to be brisk about this, but we do have to prepare for tonight’s performance. What do you want with me?”</p><p></p><p>David said, “Lady Kirtsa, two things, actually. First-”</p><p></p><p>Babb interrupted. “First, hey, let me say, I came here a few times when I was younger, and I used to love when you performed. The show’s aren’t nearly as good anymore.”</p><p></p><p>“Oh,” Kirtsa said, bitterness in her voice. “Thank you, so so much.”</p><p></p><p>David cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. I know you’re busy, so I’ll be brief. We’re adventurers, or at least we were. I’m planning to end as soon as I get back to my employer in Elstrice, and I when I saw your theater today I thought I should see if there’d be a place for me with your group. Something a little less dangerous, but where I can still use my magical skills.”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni noticed Kirtsa kept glancing at her while David talked.</p><p></p><p>“Can you perform?” Kirtsa asked.</p><p></p><p>“Well,” David chuckled, “I’ve never really tried. I was thinking more that I could help more with things like design. My family has a long tradition of using, controlling, and seeing through illusions, and I know how much the Wayfarers like to meddle with people’s expectations of what is magic and what isn’t.”</p><p></p><p>Kirtsa nodded. “And let me guess. You were also hoping to learn how to teleport. Maybe steal some secrets before you change your mind and go back to ‘adventuring,’ only now with a few extra magic toys to play with? Really, I’ve heard this all before.”</p><p></p><p>“Oh, no.” David shook his head. “That’s not it at all. I really, honestly, seriously am getting fed up with ‘adventuring.’ My best friend has a soul-stealing sword, I was almost eaten by an undead snake monster, and the last man who hired us for a job ended up attacking us, then ran off without paying. I’ve always respected-”</p><p></p><p>“Sure, uh huh, whatever.” Kirtsa shrugged. She eyed Tri’ni. “What’s her story? You speak Lyceian?”</p><p></p><p>“A little,” Tri’ni said. “My name is Tri’ni Gren’eys. I’m Taranesti. I came to the surface with them after we killed a dragon monster. I know you don’t trust my friend, but this is the first time I had heard of your Wayfarers. Your ship is beautiful, and everyone says good things about the . . . the performances you do.”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni had intended to inject a gratuitous tone of wonder in her voice to try to make Kirtsa trust her, but she found that the wonder came naturally. The place truly was a marvel to her. Kirtsa smiled at her pridefully.</p><p></p><p>“Your skin is too dark to be Kohalesti,” Kirtsa said. “And I can’t place your accent. You’re really from underground? You know any good stories from down there? And I’m not trying to say that your people, whatever they are, don’t have good stories. It’s just that I’ve never heard any of them. Wait, nevermind.”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni frowned. “What’s wrong?”</p><p></p><p>The Wayfarer shook her head, then stood and stretched. “Look, if you want to join, you have to be able to perform. Even stage hands can cartwheel, or dance, or sing. We don’t just take anyone, you know. If you were really interested, you’d be out performing now in bars and villages, and maybe we’d hear about you and want to see if you’re any good. Now, you’re not nearly as funny as I’m sure Bruno thought you’d be, so I must be going. Or actually, you must be going, because I need to stay here.”</p><p></p><p>Babb started to stand, grumbling under his breath. David and Tri’ni exchanged glances, and Tri’ni bit her lip.</p><p></p><p>“I want to learn magic,” she said. “The magic you do is beautiful. It looks like you’re so free, like you can fly. I’m going to learn even if I have to teach myself, but I want to see what you can do, so I can see what I really want to do.”</p><p></p><p>Kirtsa crossed her arms and smiled. “I like you. You can’t join us – we’re far too busy with performances during the summer – but you’re motivated, which is good, because most people aren’t. When you leave, find Bruno and tell him to give you a ticket to a show later this week. Come back when you’re learned to speak Cavalesh and Elstrician, and if you can do the things we have on stage, I’ll consider having someone train you.”</p><p></p><p>“Thank you,” Tri’ni said, hiding her disappointment.</p><p></p><p>“Yes, thank you,” David said.</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, well,” Kirtsa sighed, “we don’t normally have many gnomes. Except the funny ones. I hope you enjoy the performance, but I really do need to do things. Business and such.”</p><p></p><p>The three of them thanked her a few more times as they left, and Babb closed the door behind them with a heavy slam.</p><p></p><p>“So?” Babb said. “Where to next?”</p><p></p><p>Tri’ni turned away. In Taranesti she muttered, “This is a waste of time.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="RangerWickett, post: 1985495, member: 63"] [size=3][b]Episode Five: The Bigger Man, Part I, Section III[/b][/size] The Wayfarer guiding them was the thinnest and yet most muscular man Tri’ni had ever seen. He looked like a stretched rope, covered with clothing with so many ribbons and buckles it must have taken him an hour to get dressed. As he walked, he proudly displayed a vividly painted staff like it was a badge of office. He was talking with David and Babb in Lyceian, and though Tri’ni was having trouble following the conversation, she could tell the man seemed amused by David. They headed downstairs from the main deck, into the hold, from which hundreds of people were streaming out, leaving behind rows of empty chairs. Some were still applauding, and fifty feet away, magical light on the stage illuminated a half dozen people in costumes even more elaborate than their guide’s. Two women standing beside each other looked like, if one stood on the other’s shoulders, their costumes would make a walking tree. The stage was twenty feet square, with deep crimson curtains framing its sides, and a a painted wooden wall for its back. “Kirtsa is backstage,” their guide said. “She’s the manager?” David asked. “Yes, yes. She used to be the leading actress. Oh God, how I used to fantasize about her. All that smooth flesh pressed tight in whatever costume the show called for. She’s the reason I had to join the Wayfarers.” David shifted uncomfortably and Babb laughed. They were nearly to the stage now, and an actor walked past Tri’ni wearing only brown body paint and leaves in his hair. She stopped for a moment, until she saw him wipe the paint off his face, revealing pale skin. Tri’ni sighed, then hurried to catch up with Babb and David. “They’re all very pretty,” she whispered to Babb. Babb gave a frustrated snort. “Not exactly my type of women.” Tri’ni nodded. “Not Geidon.” “What?” Babb said. “No. Hey, I grew up with humans. No, they’re just too thin for me. I like my women more . . . damn, what was that word? It was all long and started with V.” Tri’ni shrugged, her attention momentarily caught by a set of metal wires dangling from the ceiling, holding up a ball of flaming pitch. The whole theater was distracting in its complexity. But Babb’s voice pulled her out of her daze. “But yeah,” he said, “Lacy used to have this thing for one of the actors. She went to at least a dozen of his shows. She tried talking to him once, but he couldn’t stand Xaopin. It broke her heart. She hasn’t been back to one of these shows for two years.” “That is . . . very bad?” Tri’ni fished for the right word from her limited vocabulary. “She must have been sad.” “Eh, Lace gets over things pretty easy now. You know, she’d have to, seeing how often. . . . Well, :):):):), anyway, it kind of pissed me off when she stopped coming. I kinda liked the shows too. Don’t tell her that, though.” “Don’t worry, not a chance.” Their guide led them behind the curtains on the side of the stage, then around the back wall to a hallway. The ship had much more space than it looked like it should have from the outside, and they had passed several doors before they finally stopped. Their guide said, “Kirtsa likes to be flattered. True, she deserves it, that luscious bitch, but it doesn’t hurt to lay it on a little heavy. Even if you never did, tell her you used to love her singing back when she performed. Good luck.” The man knocked on the door. “Who’s there?” a woman called back, her voice fast but smooth. “Bruno,” their guide said. “There are some visitors who wanted to talk with you before things got too hectic.” The door opened, and a somewhat old human woman leaned out. Her hair was long, dark, and curly, and she was dressed in a loose black shirt. She was pretty for a human, even if she looked angry. Her gaze took in each of them, first Tri’ni, then low to see David, then back high to see Babb bedecked in his armor. “I’m already hectic,” the woman said. “What do you want?” Tri’ni shifted nervously and looked down to David for help. “Lady Kirtsa?” David bowed to her. “As you might guess, we’re interested in becoming involved with your performances.” Kirtsa smiled incredulously at David, then glanced to Bruno, their guide. “Who are these guys? No offense to you, sorry for not asking you yourselves, but I’m trying to decide whether Bruno will get to perform any time in the next three months.” Bruno shook his head. “The gnome wanted to know about joining. He says he’s an adventurer looking to settle down. This young woman here is also interested in joining, but she doesn’t speak Cavalesh, barely understands Lyceian, and was hoping we’d teach her magic. The minotaur, well, I don’t know why he’s here.” Kirtsa stared at Bruno for a long moment, silent, and then she shook her head and smiled. With bared teeth she said, “I’m going to hurt you.” Bruno shrugged. “I thought you’d get a laugh out of them.” Tri’ni frowned, then smiled to Kirtsa. “Whatever,” Kirtsa said. “Come on in. Bruno, go tell Miguel to meet me before he runs off to get dinner. That damned magic act needs some work.” “Yes, ma’am.” “And tell him not to bring the rabbits this time.” “Yes, ma’am.” “And stop calling me ma’am. I’m only thirty-seven.” “Of course, your bountifully youthful generousness.” Kirtsa sighed as Bruno trotted off, and then she waved them inside. She offered them seats on a softly-cushioned couch, and she sat across from them in an even more comfortable looking chair. The entire room was soft, and the air smelled like something Tri’ni had smelled on the surface, but did not know the name for. “So,” Kirtsa said. She tightened her lips for a moment, and Tri’ni noticed a flash of magic cross her eyes as she tried to see if there was any enchantments on them. “No magic,” Kirtsa said. “That’s something, at least. So, I’m sorry to be brisk about this, but we do have to prepare for tonight’s performance. What do you want with me?” David said, “Lady Kirtsa, two things, actually. First-” Babb interrupted. “First, hey, let me say, I came here a few times when I was younger, and I used to love when you performed. The show’s aren’t nearly as good anymore.” “Oh,” Kirtsa said, bitterness in her voice. “Thank you, so so much.” David cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. I know you’re busy, so I’ll be brief. We’re adventurers, or at least we were. I’m planning to end as soon as I get back to my employer in Elstrice, and I when I saw your theater today I thought I should see if there’d be a place for me with your group. Something a little less dangerous, but where I can still use my magical skills.” Tri’ni noticed Kirtsa kept glancing at her while David talked. “Can you perform?” Kirtsa asked. “Well,” David chuckled, “I’ve never really tried. I was thinking more that I could help more with things like design. My family has a long tradition of using, controlling, and seeing through illusions, and I know how much the Wayfarers like to meddle with people’s expectations of what is magic and what isn’t.” Kirtsa nodded. “And let me guess. You were also hoping to learn how to teleport. Maybe steal some secrets before you change your mind and go back to ‘adventuring,’ only now with a few extra magic toys to play with? Really, I’ve heard this all before.” “Oh, no.” David shook his head. “That’s not it at all. I really, honestly, seriously am getting fed up with ‘adventuring.’ My best friend has a soul-stealing sword, I was almost eaten by an undead snake monster, and the last man who hired us for a job ended up attacking us, then ran off without paying. I’ve always respected-” “Sure, uh huh, whatever.” Kirtsa shrugged. She eyed Tri’ni. “What’s her story? You speak Lyceian?” “A little,” Tri’ni said. “My name is Tri’ni Gren’eys. I’m Taranesti. I came to the surface with them after we killed a dragon monster. I know you don’t trust my friend, but this is the first time I had heard of your Wayfarers. Your ship is beautiful, and everyone says good things about the . . . the performances you do.” Tri’ni had intended to inject a gratuitous tone of wonder in her voice to try to make Kirtsa trust her, but she found that the wonder came naturally. The place truly was a marvel to her. Kirtsa smiled at her pridefully. “Your skin is too dark to be Kohalesti,” Kirtsa said. “And I can’t place your accent. You’re really from underground? You know any good stories from down there? And I’m not trying to say that your people, whatever they are, don’t have good stories. It’s just that I’ve never heard any of them. Wait, nevermind.” Tri’ni frowned. “What’s wrong?” The Wayfarer shook her head, then stood and stretched. “Look, if you want to join, you have to be able to perform. Even stage hands can cartwheel, or dance, or sing. We don’t just take anyone, you know. If you were really interested, you’d be out performing now in bars and villages, and maybe we’d hear about you and want to see if you’re any good. Now, you’re not nearly as funny as I’m sure Bruno thought you’d be, so I must be going. Or actually, you must be going, because I need to stay here.” Babb started to stand, grumbling under his breath. David and Tri’ni exchanged glances, and Tri’ni bit her lip. “I want to learn magic,” she said. “The magic you do is beautiful. It looks like you’re so free, like you can fly. I’m going to learn even if I have to teach myself, but I want to see what you can do, so I can see what I really want to do.” Kirtsa crossed her arms and smiled. “I like you. You can’t join us – we’re far too busy with performances during the summer – but you’re motivated, which is good, because most people aren’t. When you leave, find Bruno and tell him to give you a ticket to a show later this week. Come back when you’re learned to speak Cavalesh and Elstrician, and if you can do the things we have on stage, I’ll consider having someone train you.” “Thank you,” Tri’ni said, hiding her disappointment. “Yes, thank you,” David said. “Yeah, well,” Kirtsa sighed, “we don’t normally have many gnomes. Except the funny ones. I hope you enjoy the performance, but I really do need to do things. Business and such.” The three of them thanked her a few more times as they left, and Babb closed the door behind them with a heavy slam. “So?” Babb said. “Where to next?” Tri’ni turned away. In Taranesti she muttered, “This is a waste of time.” [/QUOTE]
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