Interlude 5: The Appointment Sun Jun 04 2000 >> Mariel's house is a strange place...it's very small, with only a few rooms. Everything resembles a simple log cabin, save for the peculiar lack of windows anywhere. The only hints of the outdoors are the winds that can be heard at night, and the cold drafts that sneak in through the cracks. A fire always burns -- it and small lamps provide the only light. Sometimes Marivel leaves and comes back with food, but there are two doors to the exit, and she always closes the inner one before opening the outer. >> On one such occasion, Marivel returns with a bowl of berries, shutting the inner door behind her as she enters. Cold air wafts through the house briefly, and she walks over to the fire to warm her hands. * Ellena looks up from where she's sitting, a small, weary smile on her face. "Mariel...you're back..." Mariel: Yes. This is the best I could do today. >> She plops down the bownful of ripe blue berries on the room's one table. Mariel: How are you recovering? Ellena: I feel much better. I get a little tired sometimes...but I think my muscles are almost back to normal... Things...don't seem as blurry as they once were... Mariel: That's good. *nabs a berry and eats it* Ellena, have you given thought to the future? * Ellena blinks. "The...future...?" >> Mariel nods. * Ellena twiddles her thumbs a bit, looking a bit perplexed. "Well...I...to be honest...no...not really." Mariel: You should. This is a safe place, Ellena, but it isn't the best lifestyle. * Ellena sighs. "Well...I'm not sure where to go, exactly. The last time I tried to make a living for myself...on my own, everyone rejected me..." Mariel: Tell me about that. Ellena: When I arrived here, I found a town called Rosetta.... >> She nods. "I know it." Ellena: They saw my ears, and they were afraid of me. They kicked me out, to put it lightly... Mariel: You will have to hide what you are to live among humans...but you may have no other choice. * Ellena nods slowly. "I'm just afraid 'those people' might come back..." Mariel: That is a danger... Ellena: I wish I knew more about them...I don't ever want to go back to that place... Mariel: They are a society of humans with great power, known as the Gaia Corporation. GaiaCo. The rest of humanity allows them to exist because they do not understand how horrible and dangerous they are, and because those that do are afraid. Ellena: ...I see...And they're everywhere, aren't they? >> Standing, Mariel walks over to a pitcher and pours two glasses of water, sipping one and setting the other in front of the younger Elw as she returns. "No one is everywhere." Mariel: However, you cannot escape their reach by hiding, if that is what you mean. Ellena: So what do I do...? How can I make a life for myself when I constantly have to look over my shoulder...? >> There's no immediate answer. She looks like she's considering something. Mariel: Do you remember how you got here? Ellena: ...You mean to your house? >> She nods. Ellena: I don't...only I remember that I was laying on the hard table...as I always do. *Thinks* And...the lights went all funny... Ellena: Usually they're white...but they suddenly became...red. I don't even know if they were lights, but I think they were. They were too bright and fake looking to be the sun. Mariel: I am bound here, Ellena. Perhaps it is best that way. Nonetheless, I have allies in this lost and lonely sanctuary beyond the prying eyes of men. Ellena: Allies? I don't understand... Mariel: Allies of mine rescued you. If you choose to return to the human lands, I can have allies of mine protect you. Ellena: ...To go back... * Ellena sighs and leans back into the chair, seriously weighing her options. "To go back...I'd like to...but I'm not sure how I'll evade GaiaCo...and all the kindness you bestowed on me will be for nothing..." Mariel: Kindness is never for nothing. I can't lie to you, though; you must eventually confront GaiaCo to be free of its spectre. That's true with everything...problems never just go away. >> She drifts off a bit, momentarily distant. Ellena: ...You're right. I know...I just don't know if I'm strong enough... Mariel: It's your choice. You can stay here with me...I wouldn't mind the company, but this is not a good life, Ellena, and it reduces me to the level of a manipulator in the larger scope. Ellena: . o O ( I'm afraid...I'm so afraid...but I can't hide forever...There's so much I want to know about GaiaCo, even though I fear them more than anything...and in order to know... ) Ellena: ...All right... * Ellena looks up, and gulps. "I'd like to go back..." Mariel: *nods* I thought so. I've arranged for an escort. You will need one...this place is as difficult to get out of as it is to get into. Ellena: How DID I get here, anyway? Can I ask? Mariel: I'm not entirely cut off here...there are people who remember the old ways and are sympathetic towards me and curse. They were finally able to free you. * Ellena nods. "Where...do I meet this escort?" Mariel: He should arrive tomorrow. Which is to say...sometime. There aren't really any tomorrows here...just the endless today. But after your coming sleep and before the next. Ellena: Does he have a name? Mariel: His name is Tyrell. Ellena: Tyrell...all right. Thank you. I figured it would be rude if I didn't know his name. ^^; >> Mariel picks one of the last berries out of the bowl. "You should sleep soon. For once, time has a meaning here...you don't want to be tired before you go...outside." Ellena: I know...thank you again for everything, Mariel. If you ever need help with anything... >> She laughs a little. "Yeah...thanks. I'll keep it in mind. it's been a great favor just to be able to talk to you." Ellena: Yes...I'm sorry I have to leave though...in one respect. You'll be lonely. Mariel: That's not a great concern right now. When this is all over, I won't be lonely anymore... * Ellena blinks, but decides not to pry any further. "I hope things turn out all right, Mariel...Good night..." >> Sleep comes and goes in a haze...the house never changes. Is it an hour later or a day? Nonetheless...Ellena sleeps and awakens, seemingly independent of the passage of time. >> The next "day", Mariel knocks. * Ellena murfles and clambers out of the bed. "Mariel...?" Mariel: It's me. Are you rested? Ellena: Yes...How much time passed since I went to bed? Has it been a while? Mariel: Compared to what? *a pause* I'll be waiting in the front room. I found some roots to make soup with. Ellena: Ah...erhm...Okay. I'll be out in a moment... * Ellena quickly brushes out her long, blonde hair, pulling it back with the hankerchief Mariel gave her, and opens the door. >> Mariel is sitting in front of the fire, ladling soup into two bowls. She has cleared the clutter away from a dusty trunk, which now sits prominently by the door. Ellena: Hey Mariel... Mariel: Hi. I hope you're feeling okay? * Ellena quietly sits down in front of her, curling her legs into a crosslegged position. "I'm feeling all right. Still a bit tired...but nothing major." Mariel: That's good. *she sighs* It's been nice having you here, Ellena, but I think you're making the right choice. Just remember, if it ever gets too difficult, I'm here. You can always come back. Ellena: Thanks Mariel. I'll keep it in mind... >> There is a sharp rap on the outer door. Mariel puts down her half-eaten soup and goes to answer. Ellena: . o O ( Is that Tyrell? ) >> As usual, she opens the inner door, steps into the threshold, then closes it before opening the outer door. For a moment nothing happens, and then Ellena hears her voice. >> "Cathay? Why are you here? Where's Tyrell?" * Ellena tries to listen in, looking slightly nervous despite herself. Ellena: Cathay...? >> A low female voice answers in response. "Tyrell is unavailable. May I come in?" >> The inner door opens again and Mariel reenters with a rather peculiar looking woman. Not tall, but startlingly toned, her muscles ripple under her dark skin with each motion. She is dressed in loose monk robes embroidered with impossibly delicate silver designs, and wears geta. Her hair is pitch dark and pulled into a severe bun, leaving the white teardrop tattoo on her left cheek clearly visible. Her eyes are stony, but not harsh. Strong eyes. Mariel: Can I offer you some soup? It's a bit bitter, but I do the best I can in a place like this. * Ellena shrinks back a bit, almost on instinct. Ellena: Ah..H...Hi? >> Cathay sits, a quick but very deliberate motion. "Please." Accepting the offered soup bowl, she drinks in silence for almost a minute before Mariel breaks the quiet. Mariel: I don't understand why Tyrell didn't come himself. Cathay: He is not voluntarily unavailable. He requested I come in his stead. * Ellena looks quietly between the two women, examining Cathay in great detail...she might need it later. Mariel: I...see. I'm sorry to hear that. Well...Ellena, this is Cathay Siracci. She is Tyrell's student. Cathay, this is your ward. >> The woman stares back unflinchingly, assessing the Elw girl. * Ellena assesses the unflinching monk woman. ^^; Ellena: I...er...It's nice to meet you... Cathay: I will do my best. I am to take her to the compound? Mariel: *shakes her head* I.....I've got concerns about the compound, Cathay. >> Cathay scowls. "Concerns?" Ellena: Compound...? Mariel: Nothing more than I've already told them about...but they don't listen to me, you see. *smiles weakly at Ellena* This must all be a little confusing for you. The compound is where many people who are friends to Elw live. * Ellena relaxes. "Oh..." Cathay: Where, then? Mariel: The princess can best protect her at this point. Ellena: Princess? Cathay: Princess Adlehyde? Are you sure she will survive long enough to be of any use? Ellena: The Princess of Adlehyde? She's here...? The only princess I really know of was the one who came to the Elw Dimension years ago... Mariel: Adlehyde is a human country. Its princess is currently the ruler due to a shift in the power structure that occurred while you were...captured. In a way, she's similar to that old princess. She does not serve the Guardians directly, but cares about the planet and despises GaiaCo. * Ellena nods. "She'll be able to help me?" Cathay: ... Mariel: I think so. She has a lot of guards working for her. Ellena: If you think it's best, Mariel, then I trust you... Cathay: You're SURE she can handle this? She is already being targeted by at least one unknown assassin. Ellena: She is? Maybe she shouldn't... Mariel: I don't fully understand that situation, but the reaper was fended off by the Tear Drop. I can't think of anyone better. Cathay: If you say so. She can be found at the capital, I assume? Mariel: *shakes her head* That's the strange thing...she's in the spirit world. You'll need to rendezvous. >> Cathay blinks, a trace of actual surprise flickering across her face, along with a touch of indignation. Cathay: How did she get to the spirit world? She doesn't have that knowledge. Ellena: Spirit World? Why would she be there, of all places? Mariel: *shrug* She is, that's all I know. She may need your help as well in getting out. As Tyrell's student, I have perfect faith in your competence in the spirit lands. Cathay: ...very well. *slaps down her empty bowl and stands abruptly* We should leave, Ellena. You must trust me and stay near me on this trip - the only way to and from this desolate place is through the spirit world, and you lack the skill to wander it on your own. Ellena: ...I see. All right. Then...let's go then. * Ellena stands up. >> Mariel stands too, smiling. "It's been great to meet you, Ellena. Really. I hope we meet again. Your things are in that trunk, along with a few others I added. There's a book there that should help you, and a weapon. Ellena: Thank you, Mariel... * Ellena hugs the older Elw girl, then nods and walks towards the trunk, opening it slowly. >> Ellena gets Bauble, Willow Bow, Padded Cloth, and Translation Tome! >> Ellena finds 200 gella in the Translation Tome as a bookmark! Ellena: Wow...Thank you again, Mariel... ^_^ Mariel: *shrugs* I just wish I could join you. Ellena: Why can't you? Mariel: It's...a long story. You should go. >> Cathay nods, and steps into the threshold. Ellena: Okay...good bye, Mariel... * Ellena smiles sadly, then walks into the threshold. >> Cathay closes the inner door, then slowly opens the outer one, revealing the mysterious outside. >> Heavy winds whip about the cabin...the sky is overcast and harshly abrasive sand swirls through the air. The cabin is located on the beach of a VERY small desert island....it's possible to see the other side in the distance. What few trees there are are bend practically sideways in the gale, and it's a testament to Mariel's cabin that it remains as solid as ever. * Ellena gasps slightly. "This place...how are we supposed to leave? We're in the middle of nowhere..." >> Cathay makes no particular show of emotion, but points to a squat statue behind the cabin. Wind-whipped and worn away, it's very hard to tell what it once represented, but it's about three feet tall and vaguely humanlike in shape. "Take my hand." * Ellena nods nerviously and takes it. >> She touches the statue and concentrates, and they both dissolve into nothingness like a puff of vapor.