[Warning, incoming game. Warning, incoming game.] [Date: Ramuh 19th, 1360. Time: Uh... We'll say noon-ish.] [That's a Thursday, by the way.] [After the storm yesterday, Sai-Link had a very short discussion, which ended with Sai agreeing to take Dorn around and see the other caravan members before they set off. Almost by co-incidence, Dorn got a note telling him a spot opened on the caravan that last day - apparently that storm did have more of an effect than it seemed. The day is overcast and lightly raining, but nothing an umbrella or some other similar device won't prevent.] [Now, Dorn hasn't told anyone of this last bit of information (him getting on), but YOU KNOW because you're the audience. Yaaaay! We're wherever Sai Link and Dorn decided to meet, bless their little black evil hearts. One of them? Whatever.] [Session Start!] * Sai_Link is waiting at the market, looking at some fish. He doesn't have an umbrella, but he does have a rather large, wide-brimmed hat on. * Dorn walks over to Sai Link, protecting himself from the elements via a hooded waterproof cloak. "Hey." * Sai_Link waves at Dorn, breaking away from his observation of dead, prepared fish to flag Dorn down. Hello! Are you ready? * Dorn nods, adjusting the spear that's slung over his back. * Sai_Link nods back. "Alright then. Follow me." * Sai_Link sets off for Ne Rina's place (he made sure to find out where that was after they met), at a followable pace. * Sai_Link knocks on the Arata's door, and waits. He fills in Dorn while waiting. "This is Ne Rina Arata- if she's home." She's an Expert, and is kind of quiet. Or shy, I'm not sure which yet. * Dorn nods, looking slightly nervous. "I see.." * Ne_Rina calls from the other side of the door. "Who is it?" * Sai_Link grins a little at the nervousness, then calls back. "Sai Link! With a visitor." Ah! Hold on one second! * Ne_Rina opens the door. She has a pincushion attached to one wrist with an elastic band, while the other is sporting her quartz bracelet. "Hello!" * Sai_Link glances down at her wrist, and chuckles. "Ne Rina, this is Dorn. I'm giving him the tour of all the Caravan members I can hunt down. Dorn, Ne Rina." * Dorn inclines his head. "Nice to meet you." * Ne_Rina looks at her wrist and blushes for a second. "Oh, um, it's nice to meet you too, Dorn. Sorry I'm a bit distracted. I was in the middle of some work." You sew? ( No, she likes to poke herself but hates actual bloodshed, so she keeps a pincushion there to prevent it. XD ) * Ne_Rina nods. "My family runs a tailoring shop." * Sai_Link stays silent, as the two converse. Oh, right, the Aratas. I've heard of you. Yes, that would be us. So... what brings you two here? Dorn isn't on the Caravan, and expressed interest in meeting who was on it. Oh? * Dorn grins sheepishly, mouthing 'his idea' before smiling again. "So, we'd better be going.." Well, all right. It was nice to meet you. Oh, Sai Link, are you going to see Mona? * Sai_Link nods. "Later today." Tell her I'm almost done and I just need to add the trim. She'll know what you're referring to. * Sai_Link nods. "Sure thing." Thank you. * Sai_Link bows, glancing at the bracelet again. "Hopefully I'll have time to see you again before the Caravan takes off." * Ne_Rina smiles a little. "That would be nice..." * Sai_Link nods to Ne Rina, then looks at Dorn. "Keep an eye out for apples." Apples? ..Apples? They're usually a sign of the next Caravan member. Harmony. I see. * Sai_Link bows to Ne Rina again. "Until we meet again, then." Yes. Take care! You too, Dorn. * Dorn bows as well. "Good to meet you, Ne Rina." * Sai_Link hmms. "Let's try the docks." * Ne_Rina waves goodbye and closes the door. You know, you don't have to do this.. * Sai_Link waves again, then turns to make for the docks. "I don't have to not do it, either." * Sai_Link stops, and looks back at Dorn. "Unless you'd rather I not." * Dorn follows. "No, it's fine. I need to get out more anyway." * Sai_Link laughs. "I need to do something besides wear myself out. I've gotta save my energy for when I meet Mona later." Mona? Another half-lilty. Known her for a long time. Huh. We've been training together on and off in preparation for the Caravan. * Sai_Link starts making for the docks, in search of the other shy Selkie. (I might remind you that it is raining. Unlikely someone'll be at the docks while it's raining.) (Considering the storm in the forest yesterday... it's a better bet than the forest.) You train together? The caravaners, I mean. I don't know about the others. It's just me and Mona, as far as I know. I plan to do so once we get underway, though. We're going to have to work as a team, and that means knowing what the others can do. * Sai_Link grins a little, and rubs the back of his neck. "Plus, Mona's kind of painful to train with." She sounds.. interesting. That's one way to describe her. * Sai_Link is still heading for the docks, BTW. [Whoo! You get to the docks! Nobody's there! Big Surprise!] * Dorn looks around. "This feels.. empty." * Sai_Link looks around, too. "Looks like it, too. Although I wouldn't be surprised to find her here in the rain." * Sai_Link looks up, then starts backtracking. "Well, if we can't find her, at least you'll get to meet Mona later." * Sai_Link chuckles softly. "That is, if she doesn't already know you." Alright. * Dorn looks over at Sai. "I've never met her. Why would she know me?" * Sai_Link tilts his head, and monotones with a hint of mirth, "Because she knows everybody." Huh. * Harmony comes around the corner, bumping headlong into Sai. * Harmony steps back, rubbing her head. "Owww." * Sai_Link 'erks' and jumps back. No, he's not surprised. Really. So maybe he was. "Hey!" * Dorn glances between the two, hands clasped behind his back. "Who's this?" * Harmony blinks and looks up. She's wearing her usual rather revealing getup, but has a thick cloak on as well. "Uh... S-Sai?" She blinks. "Um...?" * Sai_Link looks at the bumpee, then blinks, and claps a hand to his forehead. "Harmony." * Sai_Link grins widely. "Just the Selkie I was looking for!" * Dorn nods to Harmony with slightly widened eyes. "I'm Dorn." * Harmony peeks around Sai to Dorn. "Um... H-Hello..." * Sai_Link steps out from between them. "Harmony, Dorn. Dorn, Harmony." Nice to meet you. * Harmony clasps her hands together and looks down. "Um.. N-N-Nice to meet you." * Sai_Link smiles a little. "She doesn't talk much, but it's worth hearing it if you can get it out of her." * Harmony blushes a bit. "Um, um, so... um, what brings you to these, um, parts?" You, actually. Oh? I was giving Dorn here a tour of the Caravan members I could find. Oh. Oh, I see. * Sai_Link nods. That's good... Just trying to meet interesting people. * Harmony nods. Trying to distract myself so I don't end up training solo to pass the time. I need to save my energy for later. * Harmony nods again. "Energy is, um, good. For things." She winces slightly as she hears herself say that. * Sai_Link adjusts his oversized hat. * Dorn smiles slightly. "What are you doing down here in the rain, Harmony?" * Harmony says rather quickly: "Nothing!" she takes a breath. "N-nothing, just, um, walking." * Sai_Link blinks passively at Harmony. * Sai_Link steps past Harmony, and glances the way she came. "Are you sure?" * Harmony looks down and fidgits. "So, what about...? Oh, right, you told me." * Dorn cants his head to the side, watching Harmony. "What's the secret?" S-secret? Um... What secret? You sound worried. If there's something wrong, feel free to ask me for help. * Sai_Link looks worriedly at Harmony for a moment. * Harmony shakes her head. "I'm f-fine." Oh. * Sai_Link gets back in front of Harmony. "In that case..." * Sai_Link pokes Harmony in the exposed stomach with a finger. "Quit looking so worried!" * Harmony yelps and blushes and steps back, wrapping her cloak around herself. * Dorn laughs, hiding his mouth with one gloved hand. * Sai_Link doesn't laugh. He just watches Harmony with an amiable smile. "Serouisly, what's up?" * Harmony shakes her head. "Nothing." * Sai_Link nods. "Okay. Want to hunt down Nikki, Xanithern, or Mona?" * Sai_Link hmms. "I haven't met Leran or Imza myself, either." Hm. Don't you have a message for someone? * Sai_Link nods. "Mona, but I'll be seeing her later." * Harmony looks thoughtful. "Ummm..." * Harmony finally makes up her mind. "O-okay. Um... I'll go. With, um, with you." * Sai_Link flashes a smile at Harmony. * Sai_Link hmms. "Mona... actually, Mona might be free. I'm not so sure you'd want to wait until we started practice to meet her." * Harmony blinks. "P-Practice?" * Sai_Link nods. "Spear versus swords versus magic. Tends to hurt." * Sai_Link cricks his neck, then rolls his shoulders. "But the more it hurts, the better one learns, I've always thought." A good way to look at it. I'm not really used to practicing with others.. it should be an interesting experience. Oh. You're going to fight... again. * Sai_Link nods. "Although.... it is more tame than some of the stuff me and my brother pulled." * Harmony hesitantly starts, "What's it like?" ... me and Mona? * Harmony shakes her head. "N-nevermind. We should, um, go." * Sai_Link takes the cue, and goes! * Harmony follows. * Dorn trails behind the two, looking like he's in a better mood. * Sai_Link keeps an eye out for any of others he hasn't came across yet, really. Um... Are we going to meet, um, Nikki? * Sai_Link nods. "Her or Mona, whichever I manage to find first." N-Nikki's probably at, um... at home. * Sai_Link nods again. "I don't know where she lives. Do you?" * Harmony nods. * Sai_Link stops, and steps to the side, holding out an arm. "Then lead on, dear lady." * Harmony leads on! But she doesn't take Sai's arm. Nikki.. I've met here before. * Sai_Link looks up at the sky. "Hmm. Harmony, do you mind leading Dorn there? I'm going to go see if I can't find Mona." * Harmony stops dead. "Wh-what? Y- you mean..." she gulps. "Alone?" ... is that a problem? ..Well, if it's trouble, I can probably find my way there alone. * Sai_Link turns his gaze back down to earth. "You're not alone, Dorn's here, too." * Sai_Link locks eyes with Harmony, smiling. "Besides, you said you're not up to anything yourself, so why not?" Um... um... * Harmony fidgets. "I g-guess so, but... um..." * Sai_Link glances up. "Oh, and say hi to Selik for me." * Sai_Link waves, and jets. * Harmony gulps and turns to Dorn, "Um... th-this way." She walks hurriedly towards Nikki's place. * Dorn nods affably, walking alongside Harmony. * Harmony grips her cloak as she walks. "S-So... um... What do you, um... like? To do." Usually, I spend my time reading. Oh. I, um, I like to too. I mean, also. * Dorn smiles. "What kinds of books?" Um, all kinds. I see. * Harmony nods. * Harmony walks along! [And you come across Nikki's abode, and stuff!] * Harmony totally does, yo. [Hold on, getting descrip.] [The destination's in sight, probably... a reasonably sized, well-kept ranch style home with stables, a fenced area, and a porch. No chocobos are out right now because of the rain, and while it looks inviting, the rain does make it look a bit more dreary than normal.] * Harmony creaks up to the door, slooowly extends a hand, and knocks lightly * Harmony knocks again, realizing that probably wasn't loud enough. * Dorn stands a few feet behind Harmony, watching the door. * Harmony turns around. "Ummm... I guess she's not home." [An extremely handsome and very effeminate half-Selkie answers the door for you two. He has long flowing white hair, deep blue eyes, and is very attractive. He smiles in a homely type of way when he opens the door. "Hello? And who are you?"] * Harmony yelps and stumble-runs forwards, hiding behind Dorn and peeking out over his shoulder. ..Ah. I'm Dorn Ahlatt, and this is Harmony Lenora. We're here to see Nikki. My daughter? Last I heard she left around lunchtime and told us not to worry about her for lunch. So I think that's what she's doing now. Do you know where she is, sir? * Mr. Diodorus shakes his head. "No, sorry. She didn't say. I hope you can find her though. She's probably eating at some small lunch place, if I had to guess." * Harmony nods slowly. Alright, thank you. My pleasure. * Harmony nods. "Th-Thank you." She backs away and waves timidly, then starts back towards town. * Dorn half-bows, following Harmony. * Mr. Diodorus closes the door and goes back inside. Are you okay, Harmony? * Harmony nods. "I was just, um, s-startled... is all." I can tell. Now, do you know where Nikki would be besides her house? * Harmony shakes her head. "I, uh, don't really know her well." Well, we can just walk around until we see someone, then. It's a nice day out. * Dorn grins wryly, indicating the sky. O-o-okay * Harmony heads back to town. [After checking four eateries and meeting places with food, among which were Firaga and Ice and Joe's Shack (yes, there's one in this world too), you come across a very out-of-the-way place called the Moondance Diner. It's almost completly empty and, if you didn't know better, you'd think it was closed. Save the open sign on the front and the two patrons inside.] [The diner itself is a small non-descript, although some really good breakfast-foods are coming from the kitchen. Seems like the crew is on their lunch break as well, but not in the main eating area.] * Dorn steps inside, pushing the hood on his cloak back. "Well, at least we can get some food, even if no one's out.." * Nikki is sitting at one of the booths by the window, talking to a Yuke. Her duster is wet and draped over the back of her chair, and whatever she's saying, she's waving her hands for emphasis. Before her is a mug of steaming something (probably hot chocolate) and a half-eaten waffle with fresh fruit. * Harmony peeks in timidly. "She's, um, talking with someone... we better not interrupt..." * Xanithern is half-paying attention to Nikki, but his eyes seem to be focused on the drippy drip drip of the rain. Well, at least his helmet is turned that way. He could probably be watching her out of the corner of his eye though. He has a plate of half-eaten food that screams "I'll have what she's having." Well, then, would you like some breakfast? * Harmony edges away. "Um... Let's come back later." * Dorn glances at Harmony curiously. "Why?" Because they're talking and it's rude to interrupt and... * Harmony shakes her head. "We c-can come back later, can't we? Let's do that." * Nikki says something to Xanithern, holding up one finger. We don't have to interrupt them.. * Nikki moves the finger to point over her shoulder and off the way, at Dorn and Harmony. * Harmony pokes her fingers together, "Well, but..." * Xanithern's eyes move inside his helmet, though he hasn't turned his head away from the rain. Harmony gets the uncomfortable feeling that he's looking right at her. * Harmony goes rigid and takes another step back from the building. She looks at Dorn pleadingly. * Dorn looks back at Harmony. "..Is it people in general or one of them? * Nikki glances back, then looks to Xanithern and says something else. * Harmony doesn't say anything, but her eyes flicker to the diner briefly. * Xanithern's eyes dart back away from Harmony to glance at Nikki. He doesn't seem to be talking. Of course with the helmet, it's not as if anyone could tell from lip movements anyways. ..Okay, I know we've just met and all, but this has to be done. * Dorn walks around behind Harmony and starts pushing her into the diner. * Harmony yelps. * Nikki actually looks out the window and watches them with a big grin on her face. * Harmony is pushed into the diner. She looks down and lets her hood cover her face. * Xanithern's been glancing boredly (well, probably boredly; he's leaning on his hand and all) out the window at the rain. He lets out what, for him, is probably a faint sigh. At least there's a heaving of breath. * Dorn exhales, wiping his brow and adjusting the glaive. "See? That wasn't so hard." * Nikki stops watching them enter, then looks back to Xanithern. Now they can actually hear her talking! "Aww, come on, Xanithern. It's gotta rain sometime." * Xanithern glances at Nikki as if she's an idiot then back out at the rain. Ooo, water from the sky! Well, it does. Are you even gonna eat your food? * Harmony doesn't glance at anyone. The floor is her friend. * Nikki picks up her mug and has a drink, then digs back into lunch. C'mon, let's go say hello. * Xanithern glances at Nikki a little longer this time. His helmet is still mostly turned towards the sky-water and his gloved feathery fingers propping his cheek up. You should. I mean, unless you already ate. I bet you haven't eaten. * Nikki picks up a grape and pops it into her mouth. She chews, then swallows. "Anyway, I figure combining Fire with Carbuncle might make him immune to fire spells. We should try it." * Xanithern looks at Nikki, then pulls aside a napkin and a quill pen. He sketches out a note quickly. ~My gastronomic habits are none of your concern.~ * Nikki reads that, then snickers. She coughs into her hand. "Yeah, but as your friend, I'm allowed to be worried about you." * Dorn looks over at Harmony. "..Really. It's good for you to interact with people." * Harmony walks over to the booth like a prisoner walking to the gallows. * Xanithern finally looks away from the rain, staring at Nikki dumbfounded. He sketches quickly, ~And since when did *that* happen?~ * Dorn follows, looking faintly amused. Soooo... are you saying I'm not your friend, or are you saying I wasn't worried about you? * Harmony guesses they didn't notice her, so she takes a deep breath and says, "Um... Hi." * Xanithern doesn't dignify that with a response. He instead turns and stares at Harmony. Stare. Solid stare too. * Nikki brightens and looks over at Harmony. "Hi." She smiles. "Here for the food?" And then she looks to the other one. "Hey Dorn." Hey, Nikki. Sai Link was actually introducing me to all of the caravaners, but he had to go, so I figured I'd say hello to you before heading home. * Harmony shivers. Oh, neat. Wait, why's he having you meet us all? I didn't think you were on the list. Uh, no offense. Oh, you already know each other. * Nikki shrugs and looks to Harmony. "You sure you don't want anything? I have toast and jam that I'm not gonna eat." * Xanithern keeps looking at Harmony and then writes down a note on another napkin for her. ~You did not turn away. You're improving.~ Erm, well.. * Harmony blinks a few times. * Dorn flushes slightly. * Nikki looks at the two of them. Are you sure you're not just on a date or something and are too embarrassed to tell us? *No*. * Nikki holds up her hands. "Okay, okay. But Harmony's cute, y'know." * Harmony blushes. "What? N-no! I just met him!" She waves her arms in front of her face. Oh, okay. * Dorn glances over at Harmony, looking horrified. "I.. erm.. well.. augh, just read this." He reaches into a pocket, producing a folded sheet of paper and passing it over to Nikki. * Nikki slides the plate with toast and jam to Dorn and Harmony, then grabs the paper and unfolds it, reading. * Harmony frowns and looks down at the floor. * Nikki frowns. "Man, poor..." She glances up, then counts on her fingers. "Imza." Can't believe he's gonna be out for a whole year or more. That sucks. * Nikki hands the note over to Xanithern, if he wants to read. * Xanithern glances from Dorn to Nikki for a bit, somewhat raising an eyebrow. As much as you can tell behind the dark spots of the helmet. * Harmony looks up again. "Huh?" * Xanithern takes the note. Reading is good. Dorn's a replacement, Xanithern. I think Imza's the unlucky sick one. Yeah, it's.. unfortunate. * Dorn somehow has a hard time looking sympathetic. * Harmony blinks a few times and looks at Dorn, as if seeing him in a whole new light. * Xanithern looks at Nikki, then slips her a note. ~And Imza was...?~ I think our third fighter. Lilty. Blacksmith. Not too bright... uh, at all, but I guess he had to have common sense or something. Oh, and sensitive about his name. Imza was one of the people I, um... * Harmony stops talking as Nikki drowns her out. I haven't met him, though. * Dorn looks over at Harmony. "You what?" * Nikki looks to Harmony. "How 'bout you?" * Harmony blinks confusedly. "M-me?" Have you met him? ( Nah, I'd have to guess he didn't have common sense XD ) (Or something!) * Harmony nods. "In t-training." * Xanithern glances at Harmony and raises an eyebrow before skritch, skritch skritch. ~The training?~ * Harmony nods. * Dorn picks up a piece of toast and starts nibbling. * Nikki has more waffle, then looks to Dorn. "Well, guess you're off to see the world with the rest of us, then. This is Xanithern, spellcaster extraordinaire." She indicates the Yuke across from her and grins. "He's better at it than me, but I try not to let it get to his head." Oh, and if he's staring at you? He's seeing into the very depths of your soul. ~I am certainly not "extraordinaire." The soul thing, however, is accurate.~ * Nikki grins at Xanithern. "You have to be, 'cause you're better than me." ~That still does not make me "extraordinaire."~ Okay. What does it make you? See, Harmony? This is fun. * Harmony wraps her cloak around her uncomfortably. * Nikki scoots down the booth, dragging her plate and mug with her. She waves for Harmony to sit down, if she wants. ~It makes me one of possibly several dozen people who are better than you.~ * Harmony slowly sits down, nervously. She sits on the edge of the seat, as though ready to bolt for the door should, say, the building start to collapse or something. * Nikki reads that, then sighs dramatically. "Oh, well. S'pose it was too much to hope that I was actually good at this stuff." * Dorn beams, finishing the toast in one big bite. * Xanithern then shrugs and looks off to the side for a second, before sketching out more. ~Besides, it is all in the process of learning. I do not do it to be "extraordinaire."~ * Nikki holds one finger up, having a sip of cocoa. She finishes and then says, "But it's not the intent that matters, right?" What kinds of magic do you two use, anyway? ~Certainly it is. If someone made a major discovery in a temple, but they were there to be a grave robber, then the--~ * Xanithern stops writing to stare at Dorn. Into his SOUL. * Nikki reads, and then at Dorn's comment, she turns to stare at him, too. * Dorn looks over at Xanithern with one eyebrow raised. ..What? What kind of magic does *anybody* use? * Xanithern doesn't respond just yet. He just keeps staring. He then finally picks up his board and writes out, very slowly and carefully. ~What kind of question is *that*?~ * Dorn reddens slightly, burying his face in a gloved hand. Magic is magic is magic. It's all in how you bring it out, but it's the same stuff. Sorry. * Nikki smiles. "Oh, don't be sorry. I bet you just never bothered to learn." * Xanithern shakes his head and turns away from Dorn, tapping his chalk against his board. Mmn. * Harmony grips the edge of her cloak. * Nikki cuts into her waffle some more and has another bite. She chews, then swallows. "Xanithern and I do it different ways. He sorta... well, he can explain his to you, if he wants. I force it to happen." * Xanithern doesn't look up. He does erase his board and writes down quickly. ~I reweave the reality of the cosmos to suit my needs. At least that's what a lot would tell you. Why go against tradition?~ * Nikki reads that and giggles. I see. Well, it was nice meeting you both.. * Nikki blinks and looks at Dorn. "Taking off? Okay. Nice seeing you again." * Xanithern glances at Nikki and shares a silent, raised-eyebrow moment. * Harmony shifts awkwardly * Nikki looks evenly back at Xanithern for that moment before having another piece of fruit. Hey, Harmony. Are you sure you don't want anything? I'll buy. * Harmony shakes her head. * Nikki tilts her head, looking at the girl. "Positive?" * Harmony nods * Nikki sighs. "Okay. But this place has really good waffles." * Dorn puts his hood back up, waves to the three, and starts walking for the door. * Nikki absently waves back. * Harmony waves timidly. * Harmony stands. "I... I should..." * Dorn glances back. "I'll walk you home, Harmony." Um.... Um... okay... You should l- oh. * Nikki blinks. "Well, have fun, then." Walking in the rain isn't really all that fun.. * Nikki smiles. "It's... okay," she finishes as Harmony hurries off. * Dorn nods to Nikki and exits as well. * Nikki rubs at the back of her head as she returns her attention to Xanithern. Once the pair is out the door, she asks, "What'd I do?" * Xanithern sets down his chalk to eat some food first, then lets out a faint shrug of his shoulders. * Nikki shrugs, too, and goes about finishing her lunch. [End!]