--- Hikaru/Ellena Lude 2: No Matter Where You Go --- Session Start: Sat Aug 31 19:45:07 2002 2--SESSION START-- >> The wagon clatters up to the stables, and [Guy] reins the horses in to a full stop. >> [Guy] hops down from the driver's seat, rapping on the side of the covered wagon. "Home again." * Ellena has been quiet most of the trip, fingering the tarnished cross she found in her hands, and jumps a bit as the wagon comes to a stop. 'Karu? We're here. * Hikaru makes an exit from the wagon and offers to help Ell out, eyes flecked with a bit of worry at the oddly-even-quieter-than-usual elw girl.. «ooc: Er. » «ooc: Nuke mine. ^^ » >> The portly stablemaster emerges, offering his man a cursory wave and stroking the mane of one of the horses. Having his money, he hardly seems to notice the pair of customers. * Ellena smiles wanly at Hikaru, taking up his hand and clambering her way out of the cart. * Hikaru nods onceto the stablemaster who could honestly care less, and looks at Ellena. "Shall we take our leave, 'Lena?" Yes...we might as well. >> The streets on the city edge are busy, but few carriages travel the roads, perhaps due to the many loose cobblestones between which gnarled weeds press for a breath of air. * Ellena frowns, "Seems just as busy as when we left it..." * Hikaru nods and sighs.. "You wanna just leave and head somewhere else..?" «ooc: You guys can shop retroactively, but if there's anything else you want to do in rosetta ICly, this is the time. » «ooc: Can't think of anything » Well...is there anything you need to do before we leave? I um...could use something else besides this hat. ^^; «ooc: Gah! Bad me! no ^^;! Bad! Bad! aaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh. Okay better now. » * Hikaru grins a little. "Well, we could always find a clothes store.." «ooc: Ah didn't mean tuh use thuh smiley, boss, really ah didn't. Ah jus' wanted tuh pet thuh lady's soft hair. » We could I guess...although let's hope they have very private changing rooms... «ooc: Harharharhar. :D » «ooc: http://warpg.rpgcafe.net/files/travel.mid » >> The pair passed a few clothing stores on the way back, though the quality of the stores in this part of town leaves much to be desired. * Hikaru nods once. "Or I could try to keep people from looking.. That'd save us some time... This area isn't very good for privacy, I don't think. It never has been nor ever will be... * Hikaru frowns a little and places his hand on Ellena's shoulder. "Sorry about that." It's all right...it was a long time ago...Doesn't seem so long ago to me...but I guess it really was. >> A ragged man lurches robotically past Ellena, close enough for her to smell the alcohol on him. * Ellena flinches away reflexively. «ooc: Heh, that actually happened to me a week ago. Only the guy was high on something and he touched my shoulder. ^^; » «ooc: Fun. » * Hikaru urks and wobbles offbalance as Ellena bumps into him. «ooc: Thank god my mom was there, is all I gotta say. ^^ » Oh! I'm sorry, 'Karu! «ooc: If this were an anime they'd both fall over so Ellena had her boobs in hikaru's face » «ooc: Ellena has boobies? Big boobies? I'm shocked! » «ooc: Or my hands on them, depending on which way we fell » >> A scrawny chicken, like a skeleton with feathers, struts through the street, weaving in between the legs of passers-by. «ooc: Ellena keeps hitting it with her knife, and a bunch of little skeleton chickens appear and proceed to peck Ellena down! » * Hikaru stumbles to catch his balance and almost steps in chicken. Ick. * Ellena sighs, "...We should probably get our errands done as soon as possible." >> A dirty woman in a veil suddenly pushes her way through the crowd, scooping up the chicken and glaring at the pair accusatorily. * Hikaru takes a second to glare back before wrapping his arm around Ellena and protectively ushering her through the crowds, looking for a suitable clothing shop. * Ellena follows along. >> In the Rosettan outskirts, "suitable" appears to be a matter of how low one is willing to scrape. The shops are dingy and crumbling, and the employees behind the counter bear arms prominently and glare at anyone who enters their shops or even appears to be considering the prospect. * Hikaru wanders along and enters the one that appears to be the least "New York ghetto" of the lot. * Ellena glups and keeps her unease from rising to the surface. >> The shop he enters does not smell particularly bad and has been freshly painted, but the woman behind the coutner still gives him a cold look as he enters, as though she would prefer to have no customers at all. * Hikaru ignores the icy stare and fumbles around, glancing at Ellena. "See anything that'll work?" «ooc: There's a good selection. » * Ellena looks around the store, trying to find anything she can use to cover her ears with. Less cumbersome hats or possibly another handkerchief. >> A man peers at Hikaru and Ellena from behind a rack of cloaks, near enough to make his presence known. * Ellena doesn't notice the man, too focused at deciding what will work best and what will fit. * Hikaru peers back, feeling like he needs to be very very protective, here. «ooc: Cloaks. Would be funny if it was Joseph. » «ooc: "Hmm. Should I go with the jet black, or the midnight black?" » «ooc: "Jet. Definitely Jet. » * Ellena picks out a white handkerchief that could easily be tied around one's head, and a scrap of leather that could also be made into a handkerchief with a bit of work, "...These should be okay, I think. You think I should get a hat too?" * Hikaru blinks out of his staring match and glances back at Ellena. "Only if you feel a need to. I don't think it's necessary." «ooc: Heh. I should cut to a montage of Ellena coming out of the dressing room in different outfits and spinning around, and hikaru with his hand on his chin and shaking his head, to an instrumental showtune. » «ooc: And they'd get more and more silly, like a walrus costume and a tuxedo with top hat and so on » «ooc: "The bow's kinda cute!" "But she looks like a birthday cake!" "Next!" » «ooc: agh » * Ellena smiles, "This should be fine." * Hikaru nods quickly, very eager to get out. "C'mon, let's pay for it. We can mess around with it when we get out of town." All right... >> The man behind the cloak rack turns to watch them as they approach the cashier, arms folded across his barrel chest. The cashier exchanges a glance with him before addressing the pair. Her voice is cheerful, but her expression dour. «ooc: Watch the burly man really be a a police man and Hikaru will kill him and we'll be run out of town :D » Excuse me? How much for these? «ooc: And the Pastels will jump into the boat with you at the last second » «ooc: Will they be burned to death by kittens? » «ooc: Kittens...ON FIRE! » «ooc: Ooh! » «ooc: ....suddenly very scared. » Woman: 75 gella for the bandanna, 30 gella for the leather. «ooc: I assume I have enough? My sheet isn't up ^^ » «ooc: Oh yeah. » * Ellena fishes through her purse, and then places the money on the counter, "Here you go..." * Hikaru tries his best to fake cheerfulness through all this, even though he gets the feeling that this is not a good place to be. >> The woman neatly stacks the coins into a pile, then places them on the scale beside her, placing an equal number on the other side. Seeing the scale wobbles into an equilibrium, she nods. "Have a good day," she says in a slightly kinder tone. You too. :) Woman: :D Man: >:| «ooc: ...Fuck you :D » * Hikaru nods and very casually walks out, Ellena in tow. «ooc: Granted, I'm laughing uproariously now, but fuck you :D » >> After spending time in the shop, the streets smell noticably of dung. «ooc: ...after you spent time, not the streets. » «ooc: Huh? » «ooc: The st...er nevermind » * Hikaru wrinkles his nose up and looks at Ellena. "I think it's time to leave." I agree. * Hikaru ..uh...leaves? «ooc: So questioning! » >> Hikaru and Ellena head out of town. The buildings thin, get smaller and shabbier, and finally stop altogether. They stand on the road leading into the Alexandrian prairies. The road stretches off into the distance and disappears on the horizon amidst fields of grass. 'Karu, where are we headed? * Hikaru pauses a tic and coughs awkwardly. "Uh.." «ooc: ...Where was I headed? It's been so damn long... --; » «ooc: I'm not sure you were, precisely. The immediate plan was to look for Benton. » «ooc: There's the whole Messiah Papers thing but you have no clue where to begin with that. » «ooc: Oh. Thought I did. » «ooc: Wow, this is like Saga Frontier! Where I have no idea where to go next and I fight monsters for 5 hours. » It's hard...It's not safe to bring up Benton in Rosetta...but I'm not sure where he could have gone. It's been so long... «ooc: I AM curious, Gayo. How long ago was it? Like, really? » «ooc: You have no idea. » «ooc: But probably? Hmm. A few years. » 'Karu...is there a place where a lot of travelers gather? Besides Rosetta?...I guess we could try Rosetta too...but it may not be that safe. We could ask around. ...There's Adlehyde.. Port Timney.. New Seim.. but it's on the other side of the world from here.. There's... the Ship Graveyard.. it's probably the closest.. but not as many people go there.. ...But do you think somoene would go there if they wanted to hide? Isn't it a popular spot for Dream Chasers? ....There are plenty of places to hide, 'Lena. * Ellena sighs, "...We could ask here...but it's been a long time. Would anyone remember?" They might not remember fondly, if they do. >> An expensive coach rolls past in a blur, stirring up a cloud of dust. It's gone in seconds, leaving only the smell of the dirtied air behind it. I honestly think our best bet for.. * Hikaru breaks into a fit of dust-induced coughing. >> The sound stirs Rayle from his sleep inside Hikaru's cloak. He fumbles about, then falls onto the road. «ooc: brb. keep going » I guess we have no choice. * Hikaru feels Rayle fall out, but doesn't see where the windrat tumbles to. "Bloody... No, 'Lena. We're not staying in Rosetta." Port Timney has about the same chance of getting us information, and unless it's changed, it's a much better town than Rosetta. >> Rayle stands up on his hind legs and brushes himself off. "Bloody 'ell..." I don't know...what if the answer is here and we're just leaving it behind because this town frightens us? ... >> Rayle floats up to eye level. "Sorry bout that. Wot we talkin' bout, eh?" Where to go to look for someone. Rayle: Can't 'elp yer much with that, sadly. I'm a trick at findin' folks I met, but folks I never did stymie me rightly. ...So, 'Karu...Should we try Rosetta? * Hikaru sighs. «ooc: Ellena's still wearing the hat, BTW. » Rayle: You got anyplace ter start lookin', or we jus' canvassin' doors 'ere? I wish I knew where Benton went when he came to Rosetta, but he never told me. Although bars generally attract people... .........canvasing. Because I have no idea, and Ellena seems to have been out of it too long.. Sorry... I wish I was more of a help. ...I still would rather go to Timney first if we're looking for him... Maybe...but we may be travelling a long way for nothing. >> Rayle settles on Hikaru's shoulder and closes his eyes. .... * Hikaru sighs exasperatedly. "Look, I don't care -where- we look, then. I just want to get this worked out so that I can figure out where I need to look, too." Oh...I'm sorry... * Ellena looks down at the ground, "You're searching for something too." >> Suddenly the Wind Rat's ears perk, and his nose begins twitching wildly. His eyes remain closed, however. Rayle: *eyes open* Cor blimey. Rayle? * Hikaru blinks and looks at the rat. "..What?" >> Rayle rubs his eyes with one tiny forepaw. "Thought the dumb bloke was good as brown bread. Still kickin', but I can't tell where." * Ellena blinks, her eyes widening, "You mean...?" >> Rayle looks sheepish as a rodent can. "Er, sorry. Not talkin' 'bout yer man, Ell." * Ellena looks crestfallen, "...Oh." H...Please tell me you're not talking about who -I- think you're talking about, then. * Hikaru balks a little. Rayle: I couldn't know, 'Ik, now could I? *chitter* Nah, I never could find that fella. Some folks it just don't work for. But this is the tramp fella. 'E's still alive, somewhere. 'Ard ter get a lock on, but 'e's back. ...Tramp fella..? Rayle: You know, Campy McMagepants. * Hikaru furrows his brow, thinking for a minute.. "Campy Mc...you mean Watcher?" >> Rayle waves a paw in a circle. "Whatever. Can't ever remember the name. 'E's a bit 'ard ter find too, but I done it before so I got the knack now." ...'Karu...Watcher has some control over time, right? * Ellena paces absentmindedly, thinking, "I mean...in battle, it seemed like he did..." * Hikaru blinks and gives Ellena an odd look. "I wouldn't know for sure, but he's got some sort of wierd magic shit under his badly-coordinated belt." >> Rayle skitters down Hikaru's chest and burrows in his cloak, emerging with a broken cracker half. Holding the cracker in both hands, he takes a big bite and chews. Well...if he did...what if he...could somehow look back somewhat, in time? I know it sounds crazy...but maybe he has the power, or someone else does. He must have connections regardless...he's definetely a traveller! ...Does this sound absolutely far-fetched to you? Maybe it is... It's something vaguely resembling a lead. It's better than wandering blindly, I'd say. Besides...we can ask along the way...the problem is finding him. :/ >> Rayle peers up at Ellena, cheek pouches bulging. He downs the cracker in one gigantic swallow, and wipes his mouth. "Don't get too excited, mate, all I can tell is that he's sorta that-a-way." He points westward. «ooc: Not towards town. » ...So. In that case.. ...What do you think, 'Karu? We're grasping at straws, but... * Hikaru points west. "We wander blindly that-a-way, looking for Watcher.." He then spins around and points back towards Rosetta. "Or we wander blindly that-a-way, looking for Benton." ...Well, at least in the Watcher direction...we'll meet someone we know...besides...I want to make sure he's okay. He helped us before. ...You know, he might have been more help if it weren't for Shane being so bull-headed. Rayle: Wish we 'ad that flyin' sardine tin right about now. * Hikaru shrugs. "We don't, so we improvise, eh?" Improvise? Rayle: Works fer me. There's a crossroads a wee bit up this road, if yer wanna be followin' a path. * Hikaru wipes some sweat off his brow and glances at Ellena. "Before that, though.. can I get my hat back?" Oh! Um... «ooc: Nobody around » * Ellena looks around to make sure no one is coming, and fishes through her pack for her white handkerchief. Once she sees no one is around, she hands the hat to Hikaru, and goes about tying the handkerchief securely around her head, covering her ears. * Hikaru plops the hat onto his head, but not before noting that it smells like an odd mix of perspiration and oranges. «ooc: ...Ellena smells like oranges? Hm. ;) » >> Rayle chitters. "On the road again." He floats up to Hikaru's head and crawls under the hat. «ooc: Do you want to stop or continue? We can more a bit farther ahead or just end. » «ooc: I can stay a bit longer :) » «ooc: Ash? » «ooc: Either works. It's do this, start playing Persona, or watch Dek cuss at Mario Sunshine. » «ooc: All right, we'll go a bit longer. » * Hikaru chuckles and nods, starting off. "You know, 'Lena. You look better with a bandana. My hat makes you look like you want to hold up a flower shop. >> A short way down the road, they come to the promised intersection. A stripped tree trunk has been stood up to one side, with rust-stained arrow signs nailed to it pointing in each of three directions. The path along which they came says "Rosetta", the path north says "Chance", and the path west says "Yard". Scribbled beneath the Yard sign, in small letters, is "224 mi." Maybe that's why they were staring at me like that... ...Yard is quite a ways away. * Hikaru frowns a little and nods. "Should have kept that carriage. " >> The town called "Chance" appears to be 99 miles away. Rosetta has no number beneath it, since it is just down the road. We may need to rent another carriage. Or just horses. * Hikaru sighs and nods. "We should." «ooc: You can probably make it in less than a week on foot. Alternatively, you can hitch. » «ooc: Or you can rent a carriage, or course. » «ooc: Gotcha » * Ellena hms, "We could also just walk. Depends how fast you want to get there..." I don't mind walking...I'm just afraid we'll lose track of Watcher. ...I don't think Rayle loses track that easily. On foot is fine, if you don't mind.. I don't... >> The western path curves towards distant blue shapes that must be the mountains separating the fertile prairie from the eastern desert. At leas the scenery should be intresting. «ooc: least, even » «ooc: Mind if I time advance a bit? » «ooc: This will take some time. » «ooc: Sure :) » * Hikaru nods once, thinking the exact opposite, but starting off. "Yeah. C'mon, time's a'wastin'." --pause for description-- >> The sun rises... >> And the sun sets. >> The sun rises... >> Thirty, forty miles? The mountains seem close; tall, majestic pillars of rock overlooking the Alexandrian prairieland. The road dry and dusty, flanked on both sides by tall grass in full seed. The sun sets. >> The sun rises... >> The coast draws nearer and nearer. In the distance it seems to meet the mountains, the merchant road bisecting the earth into land and water. Few carriages pass by. It may be the time of year, or simply the fact that none wish to travel to or from the desert. The sun sets. >> The sun rises... >> The road is a thin band of dry land between opposites. To the immediate north the land becomes rocky and treacherous; to the immediate south beaches make travel wearying, and beneath the beaches the Outer Sea laps calmly. The sun sets... >> Night falls, and the pair set up camp. They have been walking down the same endless ribbon of road for three days now. Three days since they left Rosetta. Four days since Amelia died. >> The firelogs crackle and pop in the heat of the fire. Rayle sits on a gnarled, hollow log and waits for the meat to cook. «ooc: go. » «ooc: Meat is some random thing you caught, I suppose. » «ooc: You've probably set up camp on the beach. » «ooc: We have a tent, right? Or no? » «ooc: Yeah. » «ooc: And you've been carrying it on your back for days. :D » * Hikaru sits on the same log, with his hat in his lap, rubbing his temples with a groan. "No matter how far we go, it's all the same..." Rayle: Sorry, 'Ik...I know I'm right 'bout this, but all I got is a direction, and it 'asn't changed much. West, west, west. Much farther west an' it's all sand. * Ellena sits on another log, looking out towards the ocean, "...I don't know...not all of it. Even when I travelled with the group...I don't think I've explored Filgaia as much as I have these last few days." «ooc: http://warpg.rpgcafe.net/files/into_the_wilderness.mid » When I was with Benton...I didn't go outside much...after Rosetta...I was afraid to. >> The waves are dark and sullen, washing against the beach with a faint rush and then slowly withdrawing into the cold. * Hikaru sighs a little... "Ellena..?" * Ellena turns around, "Yes?" * Hikaru takes a seat next to her.. "Rayle's right.. a day or two more and we won't even have the ocean to look out at.. Are you sure you don't mind..?" No...I don't mind. Everything has it's own beauty if you look close enough. * Hikaru smiles a little and places a hand on Ellena's shoulder. "You don't have to look too close to be able to see the beauty in some things, though.." * Ellena eyes look sidelong to Hikaru, and she blinks a bit, "...Oh?" * Hikaru nods. «ooc: Ah, Ellena, the art of flirtation is lost on you. Maybe he should have just given her the tounge. That's much more forward! » Maybe...Maybe that's true. Filgaia has it's own beauty, like my own home does. In some ways, it's even more beautiful. Some of it is quite easy to see. * Hikaru chuckles and nods.. he can't quite tell if she's being deliberately obtuse, or she's just a tad naive. He raises his eyes skyward, sighing wistfully. "Say.. 'Lena.." Hmm? D'you guys have the same moon and the same stars back.. where you used to live? We did...and yet somehow, they were different too. They're more real here...more...tangible. They demand to be noticed, you know? * Hikaru lets out another soft chuckle.. Other things on Filgaia demanded more notice to him. "Yeah, I guess so. Particularly the moon on a night like this.." * Ellena nods, "It's one of the beautiful things I've noticed here." >> The Old Moon is spectacularly full tonight, looming large and bright in the sky above. The New Moon is dark and distant, barely visible. * Hikaru nods.. trying to figure out what to say.. * Ellena smiles, "You know...before I came to Filgaia, I never saw an ocean before in my life." We had rain...and lakes...but not oceans. Funny, huh? * Hikaru chuckles nervously. "Funny.. yeah.." If I met someone like Neydisa before I came to Filgaia, I would have never understood her devotion to Lucadia. How should could believe and respect something that I only heard about in rumors...I've seen so much here. «ooc: er, how she COULD believe. Dunno how should got in there. DOH » It's an interesting place... so long as you don't get to know the people too well. If I took that bit of advice, I would have never met you all. I would have hid away forever. >> A soft rodent chuckle comes from the log where Rayle lies. * Ellena looks to Rayle, "Hm?" * Hikaru lets out a bit of a sigh.. "If it weren't for you, 'Lena, I'd probably wish I still -was- hiding away." >> Rayle rolls onto his back, all four paws pointing into the air. "Nothing hides forever, y'know. Everything comes out in the end." * Ellena nods to Rayle, "That's true, I suppose." * Hikaru nods a little with another sigh, knowing that Rayle's words ring true to at least some extent. Sometimes it's hard...I have moments when I want to run...but I don't want to run anymore... So I just have to learn to be strong. Strong.. 'Lena, let me tell you something. You're stronger than I've ever been. «ooc: Hikaru: With that low level in strength, you will NEVER be strong, baby. Ellena: ;_; » * Ellena looks down, "I'm...not really." I'm a timid, silly girl... You've survived far more than even I've learned about, 'Lena. Whereas what you know about me.. that's about it. A confused, scared kid who got kicked out of town for being framed for his teacher's murder." -" You're strong, 'Karu...You have a big heart... Big heart, little brain. I know how it goes. No...you're a smart man. Don't think so lowly of yourself. I'm not Shane. Hell, I'm not even on par with Allen or Neydisa. Shane is almost too smart for his own good, sometimes. >> Rayle makes a disdainful 'pteh'. He can think, but at times he has trouble feeling...his emotions are clouded...or he lacks them. You however...you're different. Besides... You're not Shane. You're Hikaru...I wouldn't want you to be anything like Shane. I want you be 'Karu. ...Ellena... Yes? * Hikaru looks at Ellena for a moment before turning his gaze to the ground.. 'Karu? What is it? ...nothing.. that you would wanna hear anyway.. No...Please. Tell me. * Hikaru sighs.. "Until I met you, all I did was go about my merry way and be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In the group, I was the guy that hit things hard. But.. you... you're different. You've brought meaning to almost everything I've done since I've met you... * Ellena looks a little taken aback, "...No...I didn't do anything, 'Karu. I think you just found your own way. You were lost...like I am now...you're just finding the path once more." * Hikaru shakes his head. "You're right... you didn't do anything... you just... 'Lena, I'm -still- lost. But I feel better knowing that you're safe and that you're by my side.." I feel the same way about you. Hopefully we'll find the path soon and be able to stand on our own...not that I don't like travelling with you. * Ellena smiles. * Hikaru looks down... "Ellena..." Yes, 'Karu? I... that is... what I'm trying to say.. is that I sincerely...truly...think I love you... * Ellena blushes, "...You've told me this before...but...'Karu..." It...it can't work...you know why. ....That's what I meant... about... you not wanting to hear it. >> Suddenly, Rayle is between the two of them, bobbing up and down in mid-air. "Yer know what I think?" What? * Hikaru glances at the wind rat.. Rayle: I think yer both think too much. Yeah, you too, mate. You like 'er, she likes you, what more do yer need? I'm a fuckin' rat, in case yer hadn't noticed, and I get along jus' fine. Maybe it'll cause trouble in th'future, but yer know what? I don't give a fuck. Future's for tomorrow. Let's deal with today. >> A gust of wind rises beneath the wind rat, and he zips off on the updraft, somersaulting away through the air. «ooc: ...That was so wonderful I don't know where to start, Gayo ;) » * Hikaru chuckles a little, shaking his head. «ooc: I did know where to start, but since Dek's cussing at Mario in eight different dialects, I forgot. » * Ellena chuckles a bit too, "I...maybe. Give me a bit of time to think about it. It won't be long." «ooc: You know, so Shane can froth at the mouth. That sorta thing! » * Hikaru smiles a little.. "Thank you, «ooc: evil » * Hikaru smiles a little.. "Thank you, 'Lena. You really are the most beautiful thing I've seen on Filgaia." «ooc: Ending in a sec. » * Ellena blushes, a bit flustered, "...Thank you." «ooc: Want to see my scars and tattoo if you think i'm so beautiful!? :D » «ooc: DO I :D » * Amy (~arianadre@12-225-141-225.client.attbi.com) has joined #WARPG «ooc: whoo baby! » << Hi! >> << I just got asked to cyber on PSO. >> * Hikaru runs his hand over Ellena's cheek gently.. "You should get some rest. We've got plenty of walking to do tomorrow." << >_< >> «ooc: WOOO! Welcome to the world of online gaming, Amy! » << That was very odd. >> ...Yes, I suppose so...Thank you, 'Karu. For everything. * Ellena gently takes his hand, and squeezes it, before rising and letting go of it gently, heading back towards their small tent. 2--SESSION END-- Session Close: Sat Aug 31 22:39:09 2002