Chapter 3: Luca
TWO DAYS LATER
Jack: *looking down at a map* We shouldn't be far. I think it's just over that hilltop.
Jillian: *begins walking a little faster* And you said you know the man to get the herb from?
Jack: Well, yes, but.. *sighs slightly, not bothering to try to reason with Jillian right now*
Callie: *runs to the top of the hill* Oooh, I can see it! The faire is here! I love faires...
Aiden: *notices many other travellers as well as them are heading into Luca* That's right, the Luca faire starts today. Want me to win you something, Garnet?
Garnet: LILICA. You mean Lilica, darling... heh heh heh... *whispers softly to Aiden* You have to remember we're still incognito...
Jack: *glances at the two, noting the other name and the whispering that followed*
Aiden: Sorry, honey. *holds my hand*
Garnet: *willing allows him to hold her hand and walks into Luca with him* *thinks to self - First thing I need to do is find Baku...*
Aiden: Want to get a drink?
Garnet: Oh hell yeah! *grins*
Jack: Jillian, Callie, I'm going to find my friend. Please, *looks directly at Jillian* try to enjoy yourself at the faire until I return. *walks off*
Jillian: *rests leaning against the bladed staff from the night before* *sighs*
Callie: *grabs Jillians hand* C'mon, Jilly, let's go look at the jewelry stands! I bet they have amazing necklaces for sale!
Jillian: *smiles and walks off with her*
Aiden: *leads Garnet to an outside bar where tons of people are crowded around trying to order drinks*
Garnet: Geez, I didn't know Luca's faire was THIS popular...
Aiden: *after much time and effort manages to secure two frothy beers* *hands Garnet one* Here...
Garnet: Thanks. *takes it and buries nose into it, taking a long gulp* Mmmm... *wipes froth off her nose and stares into glass* *sees a reflection of red* Aiden, what the hell is in this drink?
Roxas: *barks at something above Garnet's head*
Aiden: *looks above Garnet's head* Hey, Mosco, what's going on? *sips his beer*
Mosco: *floats in front of Garnet's face* Hi, Aiden, kupo... how was your trip to Greenleaf, kupo?
Aiden: It was okay. Didn't go quite as planned.
Mosco: I'm sorry to hear that, kupo. *turns attention to Garnet* The boss needs to see you immediately, kupo.
Garnet: Yeah, Aiden and I were just about to head to see Baku after we finished these drinks.
Mosco: Just you, Garnet... kupo...
Garnet: Just me? Why?
Mosco: I'm not exactly sure, kupo.
Garnet: *looks at Aiden* Well, alright then... *finishes her drink and hands the empty glass to Aiden* Thanks. I'll catch you later, alright?
Aiden: *takes glass* Wait, why? What am I supposed to do until then?
Garnet: I saw Jillian and Callie head over towards the jewelry, why don't you go do some investigating or something?
Aiden: Er... okay, I guess. *finishes drink, throws empties away, then walks away*
Mosco: Follow me, kupo.
Garnet: *follows Mosco with Roxas following close behind*
Callie: *looking at various necklaces on a stand* I think I want another necklace, Jilly. *holds one up to her neck* How does this one look?
Jillian: Hmm.. It looks a little small. *looks down at the stand, picking up a pendant on a chain, the pendant consisting of a intricate brown knot with several glass stones embedded in it* What about this one?
Callie: Ohh, that one is so pretty! *holds it up to herself and looks in a nearby mirror* *frowns a little* I think it might look better on you, though, Jilly.
Jillian: *moves hand up to her neck where a chain already resides, its charm hidden beneath her clothes - a grey, sleeveless dress covered by a faded, pale blue vest and a pair of knee-high, grey boots*
Callie: *sets the pendant back on the stand* Maybe we can look at bracelets or arm bands instead..
Jillian: Oh, no, look for what you want, Callie. I'm going to go to that stand and see what's there.. *points to a stand a little ways down the walkway*
Callie: Okay! *smiles*
Jillian: *walks off towards the stand, noticing an old woman in a hooded cloak watching her as she goes by*
Aiden: *slinks up behind Callie and looks over her shoulder* What are you looking at?
Callie: *jumps a little* Oh! Just some necklaces. I have a bunch of pendants, but I think I want something more delicate. *picks up a very fancy gold necklace* How does this look? *holds it up to her neck and faces Aiden*
Aiden: *looks at her* It looks alright... what other kinds of pendants do you have? Maybe you can find something here more your style... *casually browses the necklaces*
Callie: *frowns a little and sets the necklace down* Oh, just a bunch of things. Most of them I bought myself within the last few years, but I have one from my grandmother, and another that I found in a secret room where I think a castle used to stand. *browses the necklaces, significantly less interested in them* Maybe I need something other than a necklace..
Aiden: A secret room? Where a castle used to stand? *thinks to self - Maybe if I flatter her, she'll tell me more...* Now that's interesting, beautiful... tell me more...
Callie: *smiles* Yeah! Jilly and I were walking through the woods one day and we found some old ruins. She said they were just from a building that burnt down a few years before we were born.. Medda told her about them. But I think they were part of a castle! I found the pendant underneath one of the stones. I have it with me... *moves out to a more open space and begins to go through her bag*
Aiden: *gets excited as Callie shifts through her bag* Oh, really now? *moves close to her* ...
Callie: *after some more searching, pulls out an extremely plain metal pendant with a "C" in its center, residing on a leather cord* Here it is! Jilly said I could have it, since it has a C, for Callie! *smiles brightly at Aiden*
Aiden: *thinks to self - Oh, that is SO lame...* Eh heh ehh, that's great... *suddenly looks bored, sighs* You have any other pendants on you?
Callie: *frowns* Not anything fancy. Just plain, boring stuff like this. *throws it back in her bag* See ya. *walks off towards the archery stand*
Aiden: *shrugs and walks off in another direction*
Garnet: *looks around, noticing they are walking out of the faire* Where are we going, Mosco?
Mosco: Just up ahead is where Baku is, kupo.
Garnet: *looks at what appears to be an abandoned barn* *laughs* There? What? Is Baku getting in touch with his animalistic roots?
Mosco: *giggles* I don't think so, kupo...
Roxas: *stops suddenly*
Garnet: *looks back at Roxas* Roxas, come.
Roxas: *doesn't budge*
Garnet: Roxas, COME.
Roxas: *begins barking loudly towards the barn, growls*
Garnet: What's wrong with you? Stay here then... *follows Mosco into the barn*
Garnet: *looks around the barn, it's relatively dark except for light rays shining in from the cracks in the wood* Baku?
Baku: *stands in the center of the barn, arms crossed, facing me* Mosco, leave us.
Mosco: *nods and floats out of the barn*
Garnet: Baku, what's going on? Why the shady barn? Listen, Aiden and I went to Luca, but these Scissormen attacked and--
Baku: Enough. There is more important matters to discuss. *walks slowly towards Garnet*
Garnet: What is it? *gets a little nervous* Baku, I don't like this...
Baku: Don't be alarmed, Garnet. *turns around and paces a little* I've been thinking about some things, and I believe the Talmascan pirates should take on bigger projects...
Garnet: Bigger projects? Baku, we already take on so many things...
Baku: What I'm saying is, Garnet, that I believe you need to obtain some skills that you do not yet have...
Garnet: What? Well, what about Aiden and the others? Them too?
Baku: Just you for now, Garnet, you are my prized gem.
Garnet: *smugly smiles* Aw, Baku, thank you! I always knew I was--
Baku: So that's why I'm giving you a partner.
Garnet: *smile immediately fades* A WHAT?!
Garnet: Baku, I DO hope you mean that Aiden is my permanent partner because I REFUSE to take some outsider. What is the meaning of this, anyway? Don't give me your shit, Baku, what are you REALLY up to?
Baku: *loudly* How dare you speak to me that way, Garnet! I am the one who took you in as your caretaker! Don't question my judgement or you'll find yourself out of my organization permanently!
Garnet: *becomes silent* *softly* I'm sorry, Baku, you just have to understand my confusion...
Baku: You have to trust me on this one. Here, let me introduce you.
Baku: *looks behind me* Garnet, this is Azrael.
Azrael: *seemingly appears out of the shadows of the barn, slowly taking down his hood, revealing dark eyes and an angelic face* *stands directly in front of Garnet, holds out a hand* It's my pleasure to finally meet you.
Garnet: *slightly awestruck, looks at him, akwardly takes his hand to shake it* *softly* Nice to meet you, too...
Baku: I believe Azrael can teach you a lot, Garnet. I hope you will enjoy his company for the time being.
Garnet: *smiles girlishly at Azrael, looks down at the ground...*
Baku: *snaps fingers* Garnet, are you still with us? Why don't you and Azrael go back to the faire and get to know each other?
Garnet: Huh? *looks at Baku* Oh, alright, okay... I suppose.. I mean, if he wants to... *shyly avoids Azrael's gaze*
Azrael: *smirks*
Azrael: Shall we go, then? *walks towards the barn entrance*
Garnet: *nods then turns to Baku, a great deal happier than she was a few minutes ago* I'll see you a little later, Baku! I'm sorry I yelled! *giggles and follows Azrael outside*
Baku: *notices Garnet's sudden change in emotion* *thinks to self - This doesn't look good at all... Garnet, please don't get yourself in trouble again...*
Jillian: *looks at several bracelets and arm bands, trying some on as she goes*
Jack: *walks up behind Jillian* Miss Jillian? I've talked to my friend.
Jillian: *drops the jewelry and spins quickly* Do you have the herb? Please tell me you do..
Jack: *shakes head* Not yet. The gentleman has to prepare it first. He said we can pick it up first thing tomorrow morning.
Jillian: *frowns* But..
Jack: Miss Larkson will be fine, do not worry. Enjoy the faire while you are here, it's a once in a lifetime chance.
Jillian: *nods* *picks up a braided leather headband* Hmm.. *tries it on* *catches the stand owner's attention* Miss? How much is this headband?
Stand Owner: *looks up at the girl* That would be 5 pieces of gold, lass.
Jillian: *gives the stand owner the gold* Thank you very much!
Stand Owner: No, thank you, m'dear! *smiles*
Jillian: *turns to see the old woman watching her still* *frowns and wanders off towards the leather works stand* *spies a large, brightly colored sign reading "Your Fortune Told!"* Hmm.. *walks towards the stand and slips inside*
Azrael: *walks outside, takes off his long black hooded coat and tosses it carelessly to the side revealing a more form-fitting black outfit and strange bladed weapons that hang from his back*
Garnet: *watches as his coat flops on the ground and hurries to catch up with him* *walks next to him* I want to apologize for making a fool out of myself in there. I don't usually flip out on Baku like that.
Azrael: It's understandable. I wouldn't be too happy if I was stuck with a partner either. *looks straight ahead*
Roxas: *spies Azrael and Garnet heading in his direction, immediately turns and runs back into the faire*
Garnet: *twists hands together uncomfortably* *thinks to self - He probably thinks I'm an idiot...*
Garnet: *akwardly tries to make conversation* So, where are you from?
Azrael: A place very far away. I travel a lot.
Garnet: Oh! Me too! I mean, my home town is far away too, and I like travelling... *thinks to self - Good one, Garnet.*
Azrael: *remains silent*
Garnet: How did you come to Luca? Is it Baku that summoned you here?
Azrael: Yes.
Garnet: *nods* Yeah... *looks at his back* Those are interesting weapons. What are they?
Azrael: *suddenly stops and turns to directly face her* You ask a lot of questions, you know that?
Garnet: *looks down and glances back up at him* I'm sorry.
Azrael: *looks at her for second, then turns to walk into the faire* Come on, I'll buy you a drink.
Garnet: *smiles a little and follows him*
Jack: *shoots several arrows at a target, getting all of them within one ring of the bullseye*
Archer: Very good, sir! You certainly have a talent for shooting arrows!
Callie: *walks up to the stand* Hello, Jack! May I try?
Jack: Sure. *hands a crossbow to her, preloaded*
Callie: *lifts it and shoots, hitting the target effortlessly* *lowers it and blinks*
Archer: Wowie, miss! That was amazing! You've used a crossbow before, have you not?
Callie: Oh.. no, actually, I've never even seen one before now.
Archer: You must be joking! Anyone with that amount of skill must have practiced before!
Callie: I really haven't.. *blushes a little*
Jack: Perhaps we should invest in a crossbow for you, Miss Callie...
Callie: I don't know..
Jack: C'mon, Miss Callie, we'll find you a nice weapon.
Callie: *smiles and clings to his arm* Okay! Thank you!
*Garnet and Azrael sit down at a table in the Talking Parrot, an indoor restaurant*
Azrael: Order anything you like.
Garnet: *happily* Really? Oh, thank you. *orders a good amount of food and booze* *thinks to self after she ordered - Oh God, you're going to seem so fat, Garnet...*
Aiden: *browsing various stands at the faire, glances over at the Talking Parrot, looks in the other direction, then double takes back to the restaurant* Whaaa...? *creeps over by the window and peers in, seeing Garnet with a man* *loudly* Who is that? *turns to a man next to him* WHO IS THAT?
Man: Dude, I don't know... *quickly walks away* Fucking creeper...
Aiden: *storming back and forth, pondering what to do*
Garnet: *happily eats lots of food and drinks lots of booze, starts getting a little tipsy* Ehhh... I'm sorry if I seem like a savage, I just haven't had a good meal in a few days... *nervous scratches back of neck and turns a little pink in the face*
Azrael: *eats and drinks very little, just leans back in his chair and smokes a cigarette* *taps the ash* You apologize too much, too. Just enjoy yourself. *puts cigarette back in mouth and looks out the window*
Jillian: *peers around a dimly lit tent* Hello? Is anyone here? *looks around* I was hoping to have my fortune read...
Soothsayer: *appears from behind a curtain* Goodday, kind girl. You wish to have your fortune read?
Jillian: *nods* Yes, if you please. *hands her a small amount of gold*
Soothsayer: Very well then. *sits down at a small table and pulls a cover off a crystal ball* Let us see what the crystal knows...
Jillian: *sits down opposite the soothsayer at the table*
Soothsayer: Ahh.. you are a very kind girl. Even when you were young. You have saved lives, letting them fly freely of their own wishes, yet you lock yourself in a cage.
Jillian: *thinks to self - I did save that young bird once.. perhaps these things are not as false as everyone says..* *nods*
Soothsayer: You do not lock yourself in for your own, though. There is another bird, a cardinal. But she has hurt her wing and cannot fly.. so you fly for her.
Jillian: *gasps a little* How..
Soothsayer: Do not ask questions, child! The crystal knows even more. You've travelled through three suns in search of a silly flower... *peers up at Jillian* Yet you spend you time receiving fortunes instead of searching for it.. *looks down at the crystal* But that is fine, for you find only roses until the morning. In fact, you will never view the nectar of its bud. Another bird will make the delivery.
Jillian: *frowns* But..
Soothsayer: Quiet, child. The crystal ball has more to tell you, but *smirks a little* it demands another token of your kindness to continue.
Jillian: *almost rolls eyes, but just gives the soothsayer a few more pieces of gold*
Soothsayer: You are not yet finished flying yet, young eagle. You will fly across the lands and seas with gold fish leading the way. While you cannot join them in the sea, though you may want, they will be your companions for some time. They will be gliding with you through the blue until the blue turns to red and the water steams. *seems shocked* A.. a baronness... she will... she'll scorch the land with her fury.. until all that covers it is her black cloak... *breathes heavilly* But the puzzle.. you... *gasps for air* the final piece.. it will fall into place... *gasps for more air before collapsing onto the table*
Jillian: *jumps up* Omigosh, are you okay? *shakes her shoulder* Miss? Oh gosh.. *searches around the tent*
Soothsayer: *sits up slowly, looking confused* Hmm..?
Jillian: Oh! *sits next to her* Are you alright? *rests hand on her shoulder*
Soothsayer: *jumps back* I am fine. You must leave. Be careful. *stands and scurries into a back room*
Jillian: *looks very confused.. stands and exits the tent, looking around for any familiar face*
Aiden: *sees Jillian and runs up to her* Hey, can you do me a favor?
Jillian: *is slightly startled* Ah! Oh, hello Jonathan. Sure, what do you need?
Aiden: Lilica's in the Talking Parrot with some other guy! On our anniversary vacation! Can you please go in there and break it up somehow? Please please please?
Jillian: *frowns a little* But I barely know her...
Aiden: That's the point! It won't be akward for you after then because we'll probably never see each other after this little trip... *pushes her towards the door*
Jillian: *sighs and walks towards the door* *mumbles* Yeah, apparently I'm going to be with goldfish for the next who knows how long.
This chat was completed on Thursday, March 15, 2007.