Ch.1: "By the Fire" / Village of Ogygia

[Legendary Sidekick]

Buck replies, "He was a con artist. Like Akantha, the crime he committed actually happened. But the punishment did not fit the crime."

He heads out of the kitchen with juice and says, "We have beds. They are for the burned ones, but you may spend the night. We have four beds, which will make it a little crowded. The fairies normally take a bed."

Hess says, "Oh! I can curl up and take half a bed. The fairies can have the other half!"

The fairies are fine with this sleeping arrangement. Of course, if Leto wants her breel hide armor, she'll work through some of the night…


((Can post pre-sleep or working on armor. Buck can provide tools for Leto. PM to Ireth…))

 

[tbgg]

Kelleia

Kell notices Buck's reluctance to give the con man a name and wonders about it. Perhaps he means no disrespect to the dead. Of course, she also wonders why it is she thinks the man's name is important. That she can't answer.

As she is getting ready for bed, she asks Hess, "Hey Hess, what do you remember about your family from before you came here? Buck mentioned that you said the gardener at the temple is your sister..." Kell doesn't know if this line of questioning will lead anywhere, but she feels like she should at least try to ask.

To Wu Chen, she says, "I am sorry about Wallace. I would have broken the news differently had I known he meant something to to you."

 

[Ireth]

Leto

As others prepare for bed, Leto requests tools from Buck to finish making her breelhide armor. She settles down by the hearth to work, gazing into the flames. All this talk of the gods and goddesses in this place is well over her head; she doesn't even know all there is to know about the gods of Barbieria, for goodness' sake.

She wishes she did, though. Maybe she was told more once than her rescuer ever said. But trying to remember further back is like beating a stone wall with her fists; she can't find a door, much less a key to open it. Maybe there isn't one.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

By the Fire
Buck is happy to provide Leto with the tools. "I see the blade was not wasted on you. I will see about storing your old outfit if you intend to travel light."

Leto will lose a lot of sleep, but what will she gain once her hard work is complete…?

((Will update armor, probably in real-life morning.))


In the Bedroom
Hess and the fairies seem to enjoy the sleeping arrangement. Leto's bed is empty for now. Wu Chen and Kell have beds beside each other.

Hess tells Kell, "I don't remember anything about my family. But I'll take you to meet Didi tomorrow. You'll see! We're like twins, only she's a grown-up."

When Kell speaks of Wallace, Wu Chen's lips tighten. The fairies all look at each other with grim expressions, and a blonde fairy starts to cry. She is comforted by a silver-haired fairy. Wu Chen remains calm.

"Thank you, Kell. He and I were close. His body was badly burned and… he told me what he could tell none of his male friends: that his body could no longer function as it matters… well, if he waned children. We became close, and because of his condition, I could fall in love and thought it was safe to as I could not break my vow. I broke his heart instead. He knew I was sincere, and he never blamed me, but it was too painful to hold hands and kiss and know we could never be like husband and wife.

"I was selfish, Kell. I truly loved him, but with my vow, our relationship was convenient for me. Flames did not force choices on me."

She takes a deep breath. Her eyes are moist with tears, but they remain welled in the nuns eyes as if she's willing them to stay put.

"I am having hard time accepting some facts. Wally died, but you and Leto were able to use his tools to defeat breel. And how is it that Wally and I even lived to have love and help kill breel? Because Buck started Orange Phœnix, which he never would have done if Xarris had not burned his wife.

"I wish it were possible to destroy such monsters before they can spill innocent blood."

 

[tbgg]

Kelleia

Kell tells Hess, "I would very much like to meet this Didi of yours, so let's do that tomorrow. But for now, imp, you'd better get some rest." And she ruffles the girl's hair playfully.

She doesn't know what to tell Wu Chen, but her instincts tell her to just wrap her up in a hug and hope the nun will feel free to express some of her sorrow. "I'm sorry," she says again, as she hugs the nun, not breaking the hug until Wu Chen does. "That really stinks."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Wu Chen is grateful for Kelleia's kindness. She says, "I will need some time to mourn him. I am nun, so I will conduct ritual see him at rest, but no more talk of such sadness. Judge Xarris and breel will kill no more, thanks to you and Leto. You are true heroes."

With that Wu Chen bids everyone "Jo Tau," and goes to sleep. At some point in the night, quiet sobs are heard from the nun's bed. A rustle is heard well after midnight as Leto is finally able to sleep. A couple of fairies giggle and leave the room before dawn. Only Hess, Saphire and Midori remain in her bed by morning. Wu Chen says "Jo san."

The blonde fairy known as Belle announces that breakfast will soon be ready.


((Day 2 - players are free to move RP anywhere as far as the temple. Hess will join our heroines.))

 

[tbgg]

Kelleia

Stretching, Kell says, "Breakfast sounds great. What's on the menu this morning?"

When she sees Buck, she asks, "You mentioned something yesterday about Judge Xarris burning as many people as possible for his demon. Is that a literal demon, or were you speaking figuratively?"

 

[Ireth]

Leto

After tiring herself out working on armor for half the night, Leto awakes more or less refreshed. She blinks when she hears Kell talking about a demon, then remembers the conversation Kell and Buck had last night. She speaks up, "If it is a literal demon, where would it be now that the judge is dead?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Buck serves eggs, toast, orange juice from last night, and bowls filled with some kinds of grains that stay crispy in milk. "And sausages if you want!"

The fairies who shared some meat during supper are the first to refuse the sausages. A single banana is split eleven ways, half to Hess, the rest to the fairies. The fairies all share a single strawberry.

Buck replies to Kell, "I believe the judge is from Arcadia. We have reports of a Lava Demon there. It is a monster, big and merciless like the breel. But this creature feeds off its followers. It has grown so powerful that no magic can defeat it. The price on its head is twice the bounty of the breel. Frankly, I don't know why. The breel was probably stronger, but then, I am an illusionist. I know things are never exactly as they seem."

He tells Leto, "The demon has many followers. The judge's death may have weakened it, but how significantly I cannot say."

Wu Chen asks our heroines, "Do you plan on hunting this demon right away? Or will you seek out Vivian in Nyse first?"

Though Sapphire hopes to learn of Phoebe, she says, "You deserve a break, so even if there's no bounty in the lagoon, feel free to go there."

Hess adds, "Of course, you'll see my big sister before you go anywhere, won't you?"

 

[Ireth]

Leto

Leto nods. "We should definitely go to Demeter's temple first. I wouldn't mind a break, but now that I know something else is killing people it doesn't seem right not to try and stop it." She looks at Kell. "What do you think?"

 

[tbgg]

Kelleia

Kell nods to Leto. "Yes, I definitely want to talk to Hess' sister before we go anywhere. I can't say why, but I think it's important. Besides, I'd like ask her the best way to thank Demeter for the help she has given." She isn't sure she wants the others knowing she thinks Didi IS Demeter.

She tells Sapphire, "The only reason I would have to want to visit Nyse at this point is to meet Vivian. I left there for a reason - Aphrodite was always trying to control me and get me to do what she wants without considering what *I* might want. And I don't especially want to go back unless there is a compelling reason to. So unless there's something we need from Nyse for killing this Lava Demon, I'd rather go to Arcadia." Then she gives the blue-haired fairy a smile. "Besides, I know how important it is to you to find out what happened to Phoebe."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

By the Fire
Once breakfast is finished, Wu Chen gives Leto and Kell each a hug. "You two are very strong, and I trust our paths will cross again. I must make arrangements for Wallace, and truth be told, my will cannot hold forever. I will need some time…"

Buck tells our heroines, "Wu Chen lost a lot of sleep. She says she had a conversation with you, Kell, so I believe you know who Wally was to her. I will say no more on the matter. Let me assist Wu Chen with the business here."



Outside
Hess insists on exiting through the giant tree. All seems normal in town for about three seconds. Then our heroines notice three large, scantly-clad, platinum blondes. From their brief encounter with Akantha, Kell and Leto might assume that this state of dress is the norm for a body-proud amazon. What Leto notices is that the women have a familiar accent.

As Kell, Leto and Hess continue toward the temple, they notice an extremely short woman in bronze armor and a horned half-helm. She seems to be the most vocal of the bunch, though our heroines can't hear what any of the women are saying from their current position.

((You can head to the temple, or come closer to the women.

* Also, please ((note)) which outfit/armor your character is wearing today, and I'll update the Thread of Holding accordingly.))

 

[Ireth]

Leto

Leto dresses in her new breelhide armor before leaving the underground. She looks curiously at the tall blondes, and her eyes light up when she recognizes their accent, though it's hard to make out much of what they're saying for a distance. They're Bärbierians! Excited at the prospect of meeting others from her homeland, Leto heads in their direction with an encouraging look at Kell and Hess.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Our heroines notice the wanted poster, enabling them to learn the names of these strangers without having to bother with introductions. That's hard to right now. There's a crowd and the Bärbierians are busy talking to some guy.

The big one is Bridgette. She is holding a wad of Hades' Angels posters in her hand. She apparently tore down every poster in Ogygia. "Five thousand silver is nothing split four ways, so we want no competition."

"Ya!" says Sonja, the one with the impressive white-blonde mane who's wearing some kind of steel bra and chainmail loincloth.

"Ya!" says Hanna, who's missing an eye but more than making up for it with a monster-eye necklace.

Nissa pipes in from below. She is an adult who appears to have stopped growing the moment she left the womb. "You heard my sisters," she says with a sweet smile. "As long as you have a Bärbierian criminal on the run, let us handle it the Bärbierian way."

Some guy says, "Oh yeah? Well what're you gonna do about the huntress and the nymph?"

Blonde Sonja says, "I can think of something to do with a nymph."

The guy laughs, but Hanna taps Sonja on the shoulder and points to Kell. "There's a nymph right there."

Sonja says, "Ohhhhh… shit."

Bridgette taps Sonja's other shoulder and points to Hess. "And a kid too."

"Shhhhh… shoot!" says Sonja.

The crowd disperses, and Nissa turns around and looks way, way up at Leto. "Please accept my apology on behalf of the van Donk family. Sonja only meant to get a rise out of the man, let his imagination run with what she might do with a nymph. If I were to guess, she would have bier!"

Sonja says, "Yes, Miss Nymph, it is all I would do. You like bier?"

"I like bier!" says Bridgette.

Hanna says to both of them. "The poor girl has no idea what you're talking about. When out west, talk like westerners talk!" She turns to Kell and speaks verrrrrry slowwwwwly. "My - sis-ters - would - like - to - know - if - you - would - like - a - beeeeeerrr."

Hanna then turns to Leto, "You're her friend so you obviously speak Nymphese. Please trans…" Her voice trails off. Hanna's one eye grows wide, and her jaw drops as she examines every inch of Leto's armor. "You—! You have the best taste in clothing of anyone I have ever met!"

 

[Ireth]

Leto

Leto smiles down at the tiny blonde. "Apology accepted!" To Hannah she says, "Takk skal du ha! I made this myself, from a breel my friends and I killed yesterday."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Hanna seems puzzled by the word breel. She looks at the bulletin with the wanted posters, then at Leto, then at the poster, then at the armor, then at the poster's description, then at Leto's helmet. "That's an EYE!"

Bridgette says, "She's a WYVERN-SLAYER!" She lifts Leto high in the air.

Sonja jumps up and down like a cheerleader and starts singing words to a Bärbierian opera.

Nissa says, "What are you three doing? No wonder westerners keep running us out of town!"

Hanna says, "Hey, it's all them two. I was acting normal."

"But you're wearing eyeballs. That's never normal."

Bridgette says, "Sorry, sis. I just wish to honor a huntress. A Huntress—OF THE NORTH!" She lifts Leto even higher in the air than she already is.

"If you want to honor her, do it quietly." Nissa removes a badge from her purse. "Like this." She gives Leto the badge. After Bridgette puts her down.

"Sorry," Bridgette says to Leto.

Sonja says, "I need a beer."

The van Donk sisters walk away at a pace that makes them surprisingly difficult to follow.

"Criminy!" says a crotchety old geezer. "I thought they'd never leave!" For some reason he credits Kell for getting the blondes to leave. He gives her a boomerang.


((See Thread of Holding for new weapon [Kell] and new item [Leto]. Next stop: temple!))

 

[Ireth]

Leto

Leto yelps a bit as Bridgette lifts her off her feet, but doesn't kick or struggle, just laughs. She smiles as she's put back on her feet, and gladly accepts the badge from Nissa. "Thank you very much!"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Once the strange northerners are done reminding the amnesic Huntress of the rough and tumble customs of her homeland, the stroll through the village center becomes as uneventful as one would expect from a stroll through a village center. Leto earns as many curious stares as Kell, though Leto's appearance is admired for a different reason.


In the Temple
Hess runs up to her sister and leaps into the arms of the delicate gardener. Our heroines finally see the woman's face. She looks only a few years older than Leto, maybe thirty at the most, but if she is indeed Demeter, she could be thirty-million for all the mortals know.

She compels our heroines to follower into a room full of dogwood trees, roses, and strawberry plants. An endless flurry of pink petals swirl down from weeping cherry trees. Didi kisses Hess on the head and has her run and play.

She stands before Leto and Kell. "You can say no." Her eyes shift back to glance at Hess. The child is well out of earshot so her sister goes on. ​"I am not my brother. I will not penalize you if you refuse my request.

"My brother and I were fighting over you. I can protect you from him here. Once you travel, you will be out of my reach. If you choose, my elder sister will remain in your care."

She says to Kell, "You have already figured out she is Hestia, eldest of the Olympians. She is also the first who had the good sense to leave, while the rest of us were entangled in incestuous affairs and mad with power."

To Leto she adds, "Artemis was the exception. Some of us tried to be as pure as her and Hestia. But Athena had her vengeful moments, I bore a daughter from one brother and married her off to another, and Aphrodite… she was once a virgin bride true to Hermes, before she went through a phase."

The word 'phase' is an understatement when the phase involves sexual relations with literally billions—mortals and immortals, men and women. Demeter is too polite to go into this detail, though she's sure Kell at least knows Aphrodite was not always faithful to her current husband, Hephæstus.

What Kell may not have known is that Aphrodite remained pure before her first marriage. Apparently, even the being who likely had more sexual relations than anyone in the universe had a first love.

"Hestia was innocent of all of this, and after drinking from Hebe's cup, she remains an unaging child with no memory of Mount Olympus. And you are innocent of the fight that is to come. So while I am asking you to assist Hestia, you are free to refuse me. The only reason I would advice against that: you have seen the breel. You know of the lava demon. They are only the beginning.

"Six Olympians are making a move against the other six, and I fear for the mortals who will be caught in the middle. You are better off choosing a side than ducking for cover."

Demeter patiently awaits our heroines' decision…

 

[Ireth]

Leto

"I'll be the first to admit I know little of your kindred and their ways. Which gods are siding against which? What might we expect from either side?"

 

[tbgg]

Kelleia

Kell hugs Wu Chen and says, "Of course. You will be in my thoughts these next several days."

Kell debates long and hard between whether to wear the Aqua Scrunchy or the blue-purple chiton. Finally deciding that the day is more likely to bring a chase than it is a need to swim, she dons the blue-purple chiton. But I'm wearing that Aqua Scrunchy first chance I get!

____________________________

Kell's never had beer before, but given the Barbieri women's behavior, she assumes it's probably an alcoholic beverage, and not one she's familiar with, wine and cocktails being the preferred alcoholic beverages in Nyse. She doesn't want to offend these women of the north or call undue any attention to herself or Leto, so she tells Sonja, "Well, I much prefer having my drinks in the evening, since they have a way of making me sleepy, but were this evening time, I would gladly have a plate of food and a beer with you."

When the man gives her the boomerang, she puts in in her belt. Blasted belt wasn't made for holding a boomerang! I'll need to find a better way of securing it later.

______________________

Kell asks Didi, "So you are Demeter, then? And which Immortals are working against which? If we agree to help, it seems like it would be important to know who to watch out for, and who would be our allies. And what are the Immortals fighting about this time, anyway?"

Aphrodite, pure once? Before she started sleeping with virtually every person who caught her eye? Who knew?!?