Ch.2: "Trouble in Paradise" / Volcanic Paradise Island Arcadia

[tbgg]

Kelleia

Kell asks Sapphire, "So if you don't sell baldrics, but a baldric isn't a problem, does that mean you're going to make one but not charge me for it? If so, do you need to measure my boomerang?"

 

[Ireth]

Leto

Leto apologizes for her mistake and pays the correct amount. At least now she won't have to be quite so frugal for a while.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Sapphire says, "No apology necessary" to Leto. To Kell, she says, "Yes, no charge, me and some other fairies will whip something up. Let me see the boomerang. I should have some spare material in turquoise blue—your favorite color and mine!"

 

[tbgg]

Kelleia

Kell gets her boomerang from her backpack and hands it to Sapphire. "Are you going need that while we go rescue the fiancees?"

At the thought of a turquoise baldric, Kell grins. Aphrodite would approve, even if the goddess knows nothing of weapons.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Sapphire says, "We'll whip something up—nothing fancy, but it'll sort of match the outfits you bought. My friends and I should have this ready within the hour, or ready by the time all of you get your things and yourself sorted out. I mean, maybe…" She blushes. "…some of you need to 'go' before you go? I know I do."

She takes the boomerang and, with Ruby's help, carries it to the tiny upper floor.

 

[Ireth]

Leto

Leto looks over at Sapphire. A chance to 'go' before they go sounds like a good idea. "I do too. Where's the place?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Copper looks up toward the fairy's floor where Sapphire left to in kind of a hurry. "Well, you won't be able to go where she's going. Follow me."

Copper leads Leto to the room where Kell had her bath earlier. Some fairies in blue bathrobes are filling the tub using water magic, while others in red bathrobes are using fire magic to heat the water.

"You can even have a bath with attendants if you want. Oh, I know we still charge you at the store—we'd give away our things, but then we'd have no funds to restock. But you and Kell have done a lot for the Orange Phœnix, so you're always welcome to free room and board here."

 

[tbgg]

Kelleia

Kell tells Sapphire, "OK, I'll go get out of your hair for a bit. Come find me when you're done."

Then, before she gets out the door, she turns back around as a thought hits her and says, "Say, I don't suppose you have anything that can extend the effect of one magical item to multiple people, do you? Vin was given this necktie that protects against having your throat slashed or ripped out at the restaurant, and the bad guy we're going up against carries a magic knife that goes for the throat when it detects a virgin. It would be really nice if we could extend the protection of the necktie to multiple people."

 

[Ireth]

Leto

Leto follows Copper into the bathing room, and curiously watches the fairies working various kinds of magic. "Thank you very much. I don't mind paying for supplies; we all have to make a living somehow."

She decides against having a bath, and simply takes a moment to relieve herself before rejoining the others.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

By the Fire
Sapphire says, "I'm afraid we don't have anything like that—the necktie or a way to make clothing protect more than just the person wearing the clothes. I suppose it's possible. Those health rolls you bought heal at least one other person when you break the bread, sometimes healing a dozen people at once! If we ever stock clothing that can do that, I'll let you know."



In the Private Room
As Leto is leaving the bathroom, Sonja enters. As soon as she finds out no one claimed the bath, she removes her skirt and leaves her mermaid top on. As she sits back, a mermaid tail emerges from the water. "Ahhhhhhh… I could live like this," she says.



((@Ireth, tbgg, feel free to RP in here or in Arcadia. Hess will light the hearth to get you to the underground area, on the beach you'll see Helix, some seagulls, and fishermen who aren't particularly talkative. Vin and the men will lead you up a mountain road. I'll time-skip to ascending the volcano tomorrow.

Also, I should know what your characters are wearing and what their weapons are, so if I'm wrong, correct me. For Leto, I'm guessing Hand Cannon as main weapon, Bow as spare. I think Kell's wearing the Enlightenment outfit.))

 

[Ireth]

((I think for now, Leto will stick with her bow as the main weapon, as it's what she's most familiar with, and the hand cannon as backup. Also she's wearing her breel-hide armor.))

 

[tbgg]

Kelleia

Kell tells Sapphire, "Yeah, I was planning on waiting to use the Health Roll until a bunch of us got injured, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask about the necktie. I really will get out of your hair now."

Having relieved herself earlier following her bath, Kell goes to find Vin. When she finds him, she says, "Hey, I was thinking about that necktie of yours. If you agree, I was thinking that's something we might want to share amongst ourselves if possible, particularly if any of us go head-to-head against your former chief."

Then she says, "And I was wondering if I might have a hug?" Her voice raises slightly from nervousness as she asks this. I'm falling for him WAY faster than I wanted to. I wonder what he would say if I told him what makes me the most nervous is how strong my feelings for him already are? I'm not cut out for love at first sight!

((Kell's wearing her chiton of Enlightenment, and will be casting spells from her staff, including Vine Armor, with her boomerang as a backup weapon. She wants to see what it can do.))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Vincent puts the necktie on Kell and says, "I hope it keeps you safe."

Kell can sense the magic in the silk accessory (and it's rather effeminate, so Vin's friends might think it looks better on her). However, the magic is not as powerful as that of her chiton. It seems that when two enchanted articles of clothing are worn together, only one can grant its magic to the wearer.

Likely, the same is true if Leto wears her breel armor with her swan feather cloak.

((In other words, you can layer outfits if you want to, but only one outfit has an effect.))

 

[tbgg]

Kelleia

Kell smiles at Vin, losing herself in his eyes for a moment, and says, "Well, at least for Leto and I, it seems the necktie won't work with our other enchanted items. But it was sweet of you to offer. Still, it can't hurt to share it with everyone else." And she hands the necktie back to him.

Then, glancing around to make sure Hess isn't nearby, she tells him, "in my nightmare, it was your form that Zeus took. We were fumbling newlyweds, but when I thought it was you, it was one of the most amazing things I've ever experienced. It wasn't until later that Zeus revealed himself." Then, remembering his earlier comment, she asks, "Do you really think it's possible it was more than just a dream?" She shudders at the thought.


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[Legendary Sidekick]

Vin says, "I believe it was just a dream, but I didn't experience it. But in the dream, we were married. Ben and Jerry said they would have waited a year to plan the marriage, at least if the chief didn't try to plan it for them. If we were to see each other, commit, and allow a year for planning… maybe by then you've had a chance to carry out your plan. I guess you're trying to protect everyone from the immortal's wrath, which is why you and Leto were whispering. But from what you did mention, it doesn't sound like Zeus would target you if you're trying to reach our to Hera.

"You have a good heart. I'll bet if you listen to your heart, you can tell the real me from Zeus or any other trickster. I wonder if Callisto thought something was off about Artemis. I mean before…" Vin winces. "Poor woman."

 

[tbgg]

Kelleia

Kell tells Vin, "That's sort of what the note I wrote is about. I decided to reach out to Callisto and tell her about my nightmare and ask if she experienced a nightmare, too, before Zeus came to her. I also asked if there was anything else she could tell me about the tactics he used with her."

She wants to tell him about the war between the Immortals and her and Leto's part in it, and that that's why she thinks she's being targeted, but since she promised Demeter not to say anything about that, she doesn't. She thinks, 'Maybe I can ask Aphrodite for permission to tell Vin about it.'

She tells him, "You know, I have never believed in love at first sight. I always thought it was just people letting their desire to be loved make them act a little stupidly. It scares me a little, how quickly I've come to feel what I'm feeling for you. My mind keeps telling me I need to slow down and get to know more about you, both the mundane stuff and some of your deeper thoughts about things, too. But maybe we can share some of that on that date you promised me? After we rescue the fiancées?"


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[Legendary Sidekick]

Vin feels the same way and says, "I will definitely not forget a promise like that!"


* * *


((Time-skipping, but if anyone changed their minds about weapons/outfits, just let me know. The characters didn't have a GM speed up the clock on them, so if Kell wants the Aqua Scrunchy, she's wearing it.))

Once in Arcadia, Kell has time to send the three messages. After that, Wilbur leads the way up the mountain road. The men and the van Donks take turns being on point, and occasionally, someone takes a swig from their canteens which the fairies filled for out ten heroes. Vin wonders why Kell hasn't been drinking from her canteen, though having a unicorn to carry her up the road may be the reason she isn't thirsty.

Still, Vin is used to the climb. He says, "It's not a bad idea for you to save your water. But have a sip of mine."

It may take another hour to reach the peak. If anyone wants to discuss plans, there is time. From what the men said, the area at the peak will be wide open. There may be rock formations to use for cover, but it's likely the approach won't be a stealthy one.

"So how do we approach?" Benson asks.

 

[tbgg]

Kelleia

Nude Beach, Two Hours Ago

Kell announces to everyone, "Before we head out, I have an idea for something we might be able to use to even the numbers up a bit, but I need a little more information about it than I currently have. I want to test this once, or maybe twice, depending."

"I need everyone in a group, and I'm going to give you a number."

When everyone has gathered around, she makes the following assignments.

Leto - 1
Bridgette - 2
Sonja - 3
Vin - 4
Nissa - 5
Hanna - 6
Wilbur - 7
Jerry - 8
Ben - 9

"If your number is 1, 5, or 9, your job during the test is to stand and face slightly away from me, as though you were talking to someone next to you, but other than that, don't do anything. If your number 2 or 6, your job is to cover your eyes. If your number is 3 or 7, your job is to cover your eyes, nose, and mouth - use your shirt if you have to. If your number is 4 or 8, turn and face the opposite direction from where I'm going to be standing, where Helix is going to be standing shortly."

She hopes she's thought this through well enough and that her friends will be protected enough. She also hopes she's correctly gauged Leto and Nissa as the two best able to handle without protection what she's going to do, and that Ben will be far enough away to not be affected or see much of anything.

"I know you're all probably curious what you're going to experience during this test, but I don't honestly know - I've never experienced it myself. What I do know is that if you're affected, you'll definitely know and that it may be distractingly uncomfortable. And if we make this a blind test where you don't know what's coming, it will more accurately reflect what will hopefully happen if I decide to use it on the field of battle."

Standing in the surf several feet away from the Wickett Bros, she calls Helix over, telling him, "Stand here until I tell you to move." She calls to her friends, "This is where I will be standing during the test."

Then she has Leto, Bridgette, Sonja, and Vin stand in a semi-circle around Helix with Leto being 3 feet away, Bridgette being 6 feet away, Sonja being 9 feet away, and Vin being 12 feet away. Then she gets the rest of them and puts them in a semi-circle behind the first group with Nissa being 15 feet away from Helix and to Leto's left, so that Leto won't block Nissa from line of sight at Helix's current position, Hanna being 18 feet away from Helix and between Leto and Bridgette, Wilbur being 21 feet away from Helix and directly in front of Helix between Bridgette and Vin, Jerry being 24 feet away from Helix and between Vin and Sonja, and Ben being 27 feet away from Helix and to Sonja's right.

Once she has everyone situated, she repeats the jobs and has everyone implement them, promising that she will tell them when the test has started. When she is satisifed they are doing what they need to be doing, she releases her hair from its customary bun and walks into the ocean behind Helix. Gulping slightly from nervousness, she steps far enough into the water for her Aqua Scrunchy to disappear and imagines it as a turquoise barrette. Her hair, thankfully, extends to her mid-thigh and is more than long enough to drape and give herself some cover.

Walking up behind Helix, she dismisses him and tells him to go out past Nissa.

I can't believe I'm standing in the nude on Nude Beach and seriously contemplating using my nymph effect in battle!

Once Helix gets past Nissa, she calls, "OK, the test has now started. I'm going to call your number in order. When I do, tell me if you feel anything. And numbers 4 and 8, DON'T turn back around until I tell you it's safe to do so."

"Number 1 - Leto..."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((@Ireth, RP the effect as you see fit.))

Vin says, "Uh... Kell? I suddenly have this thought that a year planning a wedding is probably over-planning. Maybe a couple months or..."

Wilbur says, "Holy shit!"

Jerry stays VERY still and doesn't say a thing.

As for the van Donk sisters, they all seem calm, except Sonja who says, "Oh, what fun!" She runs up toward Kell and whips off her little skirt as her legs become a mermaid tail. Oddly, she isn't losing control over herself though she also seems to appreciate Kell's beauty. "I don't know what you're trying to test," she says. "Are you trying to see if Vin isn't tempted to look?"

"Look at wha--?" Vin turns as he speaks. He smiles and then takes a deep breath. "I guess I failed my test," he says. "But we're still on for a second date, right?"

It seems the effect is very powerful at 30 feet. The men eventually admit to having to think about dead puppies and other not-arousing things. Knowing Kell is Vin's girl and having strong feelings about fidelity and abstaining from sex until marriage may have been a factor, but Vin admits to having been aroused even though his back was turned. "Sorry, Nissa," he says.

Nissa says, "Kell won't be."

Vin looks even more embarrassed after her response.

It turns out Ben is still feeling the effects even though he's now 100 feet away with his back turned. "Sorry I peeked, Kell! Is this some sort of secret weapon? How long before this effect wears off?"

 

[Ireth]

Leto

Leto doesn't feel aroused, but she does feel a sudden desire to hold and kiss Kell. She blushes a bit as she tells Kell so.