Chapter 13: Castanea Village
Jillian: *leans against the railing, looking out over the waves* *wears a ivory-colored sleevless dress with the front cut out from just below the waist down, the lower swoop neck just barely covering the broken piece of pendant she wears on a chain, a deep, rich brown, mid-thigh-length leather skirt underneath, matching brown bracers around her wrists, and her brown, strappy sandals, her hair loose, but held back her from her face by a brown leather headband, revealing a pair of extremely tiny pearls in her ears* *moves hand towards her neck, playing with the chain slightly*
Jack: *walks over to her* Good afternoon, Miss Jillian. *leans agains the railing next to her*
Jillian: *glances over at him, then back out to the sea* It's afternoon already?
Jack: It is. *looks back onto the ship* It looks like everyone is gathering for another one of Baku's big announcements.
Jillian: *perks up a little* Maybe he'll want to go back to Greenleaf! *spins and begins walking towards the others*
Jack: *smiles a little and then follows her*
Garnet: *napping on her bed, fully dressed in a red and white striped three-quarter collared shirt and white capris, her favorite pair of strappy sandals lay on the ground next to the bed, her hair pulled loosely back in a low ponytail with a few pieces of left out to layer her face*
Baku: *bursts into Garnet's room with a giant megaphone, yelling* GARNET GIT YER LAZY ASS OUTTA BED!
Garnet: *jumps out of the bed in a panic then wobbles back down into a sitting position* For fuck's sake, Baku, what the hell are you doing? *bats the megaphone out of her face*
Baku: I have yet another great announcement to make on deck, and you're the only one that's not up there. *into the megaphone* SO MOVE IT!
Garnet: *winces, grabs a red headscarf and ties it on as she's walking up on deck*
Baku: *yelling into the megaphone* LINE UP LINE UP LINE UP!
*grumbles are heard as everyone lines up in front of Baku*
Garnet: *adjusting her usual jewelry choices and large red circle earrings as she joins everyone in line, tightens her ponytail and yawns*
Baku: NO YAWNING!
Garnet: *winces* Geez, okay... *looks at Azrael standing next to her and smiles*
Azrael: *stands there with his arms crossed, looking annoyed*
Garnet: *akwardly looks away*
Baku: OKAY! WE HAVE YET ANOTHER MISSION THE TALMASCAN PIRATES... AND.... FRIENDS... MUST COMPLETE! *walks back and forth down the line*
Jillian: *watches him as he walks past her* *thinks to self - And friends..?*
Baku: WE ARE LOOKING FOR A GEMSTONE. A MOST UNUSUAL GEMSTONE. *walks by Azrael and stops, looking at him*
Azrael: *pulls out a worn piece of paper out of his back pocket and hands it to Baku*
Baku: *sets the megaphone down and unfolds the paper, revealing a large sketch of the bust of an old woman adorned in lavish jewelry and furs, upon her head rests a giant feathered hat with various bows and flowers decorating it, an opulant jewel rests in the middle of a rose* *points to the jewel* This one. The woman in this picture is Rose Labelle. She recently passed away, and this hat--
Garnet: *flatly* It's a fake.
Jillian: *looks at her* A fake? How do you know?
Garnet: *watches as a succession of heads turn to look at her* Eh... heh... *walks towards Baku and grabs the picture to look at it* Because this hat was made in my grandmother's hat shop in my hometown, but the jewel we sewed in wasn't the one she wanted. It's a fake.
Azrael: And where is home?
Garnet: *glances at Azrael* Balisier.
Baku: So where is the real stone?
Garnet: *laughs nervously* Well, um... that's a funny story actually! *hands the paper back to Baku and goes back to her position in line* ...
Baku: *looks at her blankly* ... ... ... Well, are you gonna tell us?
Garnet: Tell you what?
Baku: *yells into the megaphone* GARNET.
Garnet: Okay, okay! I fucking took it, alright? When I was 7, I took it! You happy?
Jillian: Well do you still have it then? That would definitely make this whole mission easier..
Garnet: Well, that's the thing... ... ... I buried it. *looks away innocently*
Aiden: You've been a thief and a pirate since birth! *laughs*
Garnet: I guess I have been... in practice a long time I suppose. *laughs as well*
Baku: *into the megaphone* WHERE IS IT?
Garnet: It's um... *trying to remember* Um...
Bartimaeus: *firmly* I do hope you won't send us on a wild goose chase around Balisier, digging up everything in town, looking for one single jewel, Baku.
Baku: Well... if she doesn't remember...
Callie: *looks at Baku* She'll have to remember, won't she? It's not like we can travel back in time or anything.
Fiona: *looks at Callie for a moment, then goes into thought*
Garnet: I mean, if we go back to Balisier, maybe that will trigger my memory...
Aiden: But Balisier is a HUGE city, it takes days to just get from one street to the next!
Azrael: *looks at Garnet, speaks softly* That jewel is our number three.
Garnet: *looks at him for a moment, then eyes widen* Ohhh... shit. *looks away*
Callie: Is there anyone else at all that would know where it is?
Jillian: That's assuming it's still wherever she buried it, too. How do we know someone didn't come along and dig it up? *frowns, crossing arms*
Garnet: And Balisier is constantly changing... where I buried it could be underneath a pastry shop for all we know. It was 13 years ago, I just don't remember... *frowns, glances at Azrael*
Fiona: There may be a way... on one condition.
Baku: What is it?
Fiona: *looks at Baku, firmly* You tell us, all of us, the significance of this jewel and all these scatter-brained missions you've been sending us on. We all know you and Azrael have been plotting behind our backs.
*everyone falls silent*
Baku: ... I am the captain, and you do what I say. Do not question my rea-
Fiona: Then I call mutiny.
Baku: *holds up hands* Okay, okay, don't do that. Your my team, I don't want you all to abandon me... *laughs nervously* *looks at Azrael*
Azrael: *gives him a slight nod*
Baku: We've been gathering pieces to an ancient and priceless item. There's 66 total, and we have two. This stone *points back to the picture* is number three.
Jack: *looks at Fiona, very seriously* You know of a time portal.
Callie: Wait, what?! You mean, we COULD travel back in time?
Jack: *looks at Callie* It's not something that should ever be taken lightly. But, yes, the possibility exists.
Fiona: *looks at Jack* The Viera race hold very ancient, powerful magic... and yes, a time portal.
Bartimaeus: Will your village allow us to access this magic?
Azrael: *smirks* We could convince them.
Fiona: *looks at Azrael* ...
Baku: Well, we need to turn around, and set sail for Castanea Village then!
Garnet: *holds up hands* Whoa whoa, wait a minute... are we saying we're going to go back in time to when I was younger in Balisier and find out where I buried that jewel? *puts hands on face* *softly* Oh my God, I was a funny looking kid...
Jillian: And all of us too? I mean, won't it be a little odd having all 8 of us roaming around with a lookalike of a local in our bunch and the rest of us complete strangers?
Fiona: Garnet will not be allowed to go. Having both Garnets meet could great a very dangerous time balance upset.
Garnet: Good, I don't want to go! *continues to picture herself at 7 in her mind*
Fiona: Only a few should go anyway. We must make our presence known as little as possible.
Jack: If I remember right, the way to maintain the least number of time paradoxes is if the people travelling are either not known at all or known very little in the place they are going. And if that is true.. *looks directly at Baku* The best people to travel would be Jillian, Callie, and I.
Callie: Whoa, whoa, there's no way I'm going back in time! Especially if there can be paradoxes and stuff. I'm from the wealthiest family in Greenleaf, one of the weathiest in the region, and my family name is pretty much known everywhere else. It's rare that there is a place that wouldn't have atleast heard of my family, and probably me.
Garnet: Balisier's people are mostly humes, so I don't believe Fiona, Bartimaeus and Baku should go... but Aiden and Azrael should be alright to go.
Azrael: There should be as few as possible going... I will stay behind.
Aiden: Oh, I'm definitely going! I'm not going to pass up the opportunity to see little Garnet! *laughs* You were probably a big dork!
Garnet: *grumbles*
Jillian: *links arm with Garnet* Don't worry, Garnet, I won't let Aiden torture you before you even knew who he was. *grins*
Garnet: *does a pouty frown* I hope not... *grins and sticks tongue out at Aiden*
Baku: Alright, alright, enough talking... let's change our course towards Castanea Village. *into the megaphone* BREAK!
Aiden: *walking sluggishly* I'm so tired... we've been walking forever...
Garnet: *bops Aiden in the chest with a container of water* Oh, stop whining, we'll be there soon... I think.
Aiden: *sighs and takes a sip of water*
Jillian: *walks up to the town of them* So, Garnet, when you were little.. were you a brat? *grins* Just so I know what to expect and all..
Garnet: Oh girl, you don't know what you're in for. I was a menace. A little thief if you will. I always dreamed of being a pirate and going on adventures and stuff, so I acted all that out when I was younger. *laughs* My grandmother had her hands full. She would just try to keep me as busy as possible by making me sew and work in the shop.
Aiden: I bet you were a fat kid when you were little, too.
Garnet: I was not!
Jillian: *laughs* So we should expect kicking and screaming and general catastrophes then. Got it.
Roxas: *flopped over Bartimaeus' shoulder with his tongue hanging out, obviously beat* *looks up to see giant double doors covered in vines, ivy and other plants* *barks*
Fiona: This is the main entrance to my village. *touches the door, the vines and ivy curl away to reveal handles, pushes the doors open*
Callie: Wow..
Jillian: *follows her into the village, looking around* It's so beautiful..
Fiona: *leads everyone into the village, vieras begin to emerge from the village, all eyes watching the party*
Bartimaeus: *sets Roxas down* Who do we speak to?
Fiona: The village elders. We must get their consent before we use the portal.
Roxas: *weaves in and out of the group's legs, bounds towards little vieras and soaks up their attention*
Jack: Should all of us go to ask? Maybe only the ones travelling plus a few other people should speak to them..
Callie: *giggles a little and then goes over to Roxas and the young vieras* *begins giving Roxas even more attention and talking to the vieras*
Azrael: *walks past Callie, the little vieras and Roxas, the little vieras immediately scatter, walks by Fiona*
Callie: *frowns at Azrael, then whispers softly to herself..* Meanie..
Fiona: *slows down, then stops, speaks softly to Azrael* I do not think the elders will enjoy your presence here.
Azrael: *smirks* *softly* I'll be over here then. *turns and walks away from Fiona*
Fiona: *turns to Jack and the group* Only those who will time travel will come with me.
Jack: *nods and walks towards Fiona with Jillian close behind*
Aiden: *grins and waves mockingly to Garnet as he follows Fiona*
Garnet: *sticks tongue out at Aiden then walks over to Azrael* I just hope they don't mess up anything in the time spectrum. Like, I hope they don't cut off my arm or something... so I won't have an arm now... *touches her left arm*
Azrael: *looks at Garnet* You're a strange woman.
Fiona: *walks up the steps of a grown-over temple, enters a large center room where various temple vieras move about*
Jillian: *follows behind her silently, taking in what she sees around her*
Jack: *walks next to Fiona* Have you seen the portal used before?
Fiona: Yes, but only a few times. Travellers who come to this village and seek the portal often want to stop death. They desire to save the life of a loved one... but that we cannot do. *pushes open double doors to a smaller room, filled with draping fabric and candles, three vieras in the room immediately come together and towards Fiona*
Jack: *nods, then watches the three move forward* *bows head slightly as they move closer*
*the three viera elders face the group and speak in a monotonous, solemn tone*
Viera Elder #1: Lady Fiona, you have returned.
Viera Elder #2: You wish to use the portal.
Viera Elder #3: You better than anyone know of the dangers of messing with time.
Fiona: *stands up straight after bowing to them* A very important item was lost in time, and we must find where it is located. I trust my companions with this magic. All I ask of you is your consent.
Viera Elder #1: You sound like you are in quite the rush, Lady Fiona. What is this item?
Fiona: Our business is our own. I hope you trust your former leader.
Viera Elder #1: *pulls out a glowing purple orb out of her robe and hands it to Fiona* Move quickly through time and leave this village. I know who you've brought, and I highly suggest removing him from this place at once.
Fiona: *just looks at the elder and takes the orb*
Jack: *bows to them* You have our greatest thanks. *turns and walks out of the room with the others*
Jillian: *does a quick little bow to them before leaving*
Jack: Where are we going to go to use the orb?
Fiona: The portal lies underneath the temple. *walks quickly down a winding ramp into a small room holding yet another set of double doors*
Aiden: Does that orb open the portal?
Fiona: And the doors. *puts the glowing orb in an indentation in the doors then pushes them open, walks inside, grabbing the orb out of the door as she enters*
*the room is covered in vines, flowers and other plants, a large circle pool is in the center*
Jillian: *looks around the room before her eyes rest on the pool in the center* I guess we go there. *begins walking towards it*
Jack: *turns to Fiona* Is there anything else we should know before we go back? We will be younger, or our current ages? And will we be sent to Balisier, or will we need to travel there?
Jillian: *pauses and turns back slightly to hear the answers*
Fiona: *stands next to the pool holding the orb, looks deeply into it* Minds can transcend time, but bodies cannot. You will be all 13 years younger, but you will still remember everything about your life up until this exact moment. Drop everything, take as little as possible... *looks at Aiden* A pre-teen boy will have no use for a sword.
Aiden: Aw... *takes off his hilt and sword and sets them on the ground along with his bag*
Fiona: *closes eyes, speaks words in her native tongue*
Jillian: *sets down her naginata as well as most of her other belongings* *playfully whispers to Jack* So how old are you going to be? 30?
Jack: *also sets most of his stuff down, keeping one of his guns with him* Hey! I'll be your age, Miss Jillian.
Jillian: That's still old. *sticks tongue out at him* Especially to a 7-year-old.
Jack: Just be glad that there will be one of us that can be treated like an adult in this town. *smirks a little*
Fiona: *finishes the words, drops the orb into the pool, it goes in then comes right back out just a regular clear orb* *grabs it again then hands it to Jack* When you are ready to return, *reaches in her bag and begins to write on a piece of paper* hold the orb and speak these words. *hands him the paper* Do not lose either of them.
*the pool is now a glowing purple, it flashes the images of a bustling city and its people*
Jack: *nods and places both the orb and the paper into his bag, making sure it is tightly closed* *looks to Jillian and Aiden* Ready?
Jillian: *nods, looking into the pool* Ready.
*the three step into the pool, purple liquid engulfs them*
This chat was completed on Saturday, September 8, 2007.