CHOCOLATE DESTINY, ARC 2

Richard pipes in to add onto one of the strangest conversations he's ever heard. "If you do start singing, would you mind making it something that doesn't quite tear the 1st Law to shreds like that?"

Amos replies to Gray, mockingly stroking his own non-existent beard. "I say we ask around for the location of such a specialist. In the likely event none are present here I think we should take a job that doesn't force us to stray too far from our journey to the capital. Inevitably there will be some text or expert that can clue us in on the shapeshifter mystery. And, as I can imagine goes for you and Touka, I have some goals of my own to accomplish in the capital."

Ukulele-man turns to face Richard with a serious looking expression.
"No one said I was going to sing about the 1st law, sir. You seem familiar with the 1st law... Why are you here, cultist? And what is with your weird ass get-up"
He assumes a defensive stance.

Richard sighs. "Everyone keeps mistaking me for a cultist. I am not a CULTist I am a PHYSICist. And yes, we both often spend time in dark rooms writing down arcane symbols, but they are very different. The life of a physicist is much less exciting. I just happened to find these fellows after I came to this world. They seemed like an honest lot, and so we have begun journeying together!"

"There are many that would openly renounce what they are to achieve an ulterior motive... Seriously, that is a horrible disguise. Please don't tell me you thought you could pass as a normal person in such an attire."
The man doesn't seem to be convinced by Richard's statements.

"Would you like me to calculate the magnetic flux involved in electromagnetic acceleration of particles through alternate dimensions? I'm also fairly sure that there aren't any cults with this insignia," he points to the badge on his chest. "I'm not really all too sure how to prove to you that I'm not a cultist. Maybe if we spend some time together," and he secretly shudders at the thought of spending time with this drugged-out fleabag, "I could convince you of my true nature."

Amos steps in to quell the rising tension. He puts his hands against both parties chests and tries to speak calmly. "Richard is some sort of wizard, not a cultist. He is too far gone in his studies to speak normally. Instead he utters the scripture of his physics, which again, is not a cult. Minstrel, I implore you to let this Richard be. We can retire to our places of rest for the night and start off fresh and happy tomorrow morning."

"Fine, he doesn't seem to give off the same vibe as......"
Ukulele-man seems to have realized something
"In any case, couldju guys spot me a room preezu? It's cold outside."

Amos looks down to the ground to avoid the minstrel's gaze. "You'll.... need to ask Touka about that."

The man looks surprised.
"What happened to the 'conservation of money in your wallet' eh? Well anyways, which one is Touka?...
Oh, right I b Jorah"

She returns with a small purse tied to her waist. "So you decide what to do yet?" She sees Amos and the bard looking at her. "What?"

The bard's eyes reach the woman's pouch and smiles.
"Hey-"
Jorah's smile quickly fades as he hides behind Amos.
"H-hey, um, could you ask her for me? She smacked me in the head earlier; I'm afraid it's gunna b da club dis tiem."

"He's begging for enough money to rent a room for the night. I directed him to you."

"Oh that it? Dont worry I planned on getting all of us rooms tonight."

Jorah breathes a sigh of relief.
"Thanks gurrrrl"

"How many to a room?"

She simply smiles. "You'll find out later."

A group of 5 Feiren men and women barge into the common room. Their outfits are all black, with curved shoulder pads and veils hanging from their necks.  "Wow, fuckin' ninjas..." a bar patron mutters to himself unnoticed.

One of them speaks up. "Attention citizens. We are searching for a young boy with this appearance."
They hold up parchments, each with a near identical sketch of a Fei youth with straight black hair tied in a ponytail. He has striking blue eyes, plump cheeks, and an innocent expression. "He has been known to answer to the name Henry."
"If you have the boy or information as to his whereabouts, bring it forth to us now."

She looks at the ninjas with a gleam of interest in her visible eye. "What has this boy done?"

"He has been separated from his family."

"Must be a pretty important family if they can hire a team of shinobi."

One of the men chuckles at her comment. "Shinobi would not need to ask, island girl."
The other four spread out into the common room to show everyone the pictures.

"Let's leave em be Touka." Amos brings his voice down to a hush "But keep our eyes peeled nonetheless, eh?"

Richard moves over to the ninjas, concerned about this young boys disappearance.

"Do you have any more information? Where was this child last seen? It is terrible for a parent to lose their child."

While the group is distracted by the sugoi shinobi, Jorah tries to jack some leftover food from the group's table (if any).

"The boy was last seen disembarking a large passenger ship at Port Sibanya to the east. He was accompanied by several masked men, likely the original kidnappers."
Jorah hits the jackpot finding the unfinished meals of Lee Gray, Richard, and Daliu as well as several loaves of stale bread.

She shrugs. "Well good luck on your mission."

Daliu wonders what poor fate has befallen this young man, so far away from his homeland. He mutters a quick prayer for Henry, that he may quickly find his family again.

[Stuffs face aggressively with food]

Amos gets up from the table. "I'll be taking my leave now. The journey thus far has been ... harrowing. I'll see everyone in the morning, or whoever Touka was amused enough to room me with. Speaking of, where is the place you kindly rented rooms from for us?"

Richard sees Jorah stealing his food and rushes back to grab whatever last scraps he can.

When finished, Jorah goes with Amos to find da room

"I haven't placed any room orders yet, I just got the money. And this is an inn so here will do."

She walks over to the front desk and after a few minutes of talking, she pays for the rooms and food then walks away with two keys, handing one to Amos. "A couple of queen sized beds and a cot or two should hold all of you, if not there's a spare bed in my room just knock first, the rooms are on the second floor If you need anything from me I'll be in the adjoining room." She goes to her room, locking the door behind her, and collapses on the bed after changing her clothes to wool pajamas.

"DIBS ON RICHARD! I'm sure the rest of you can enjoy each other's company." Amos suddenly realizes he only holds one key in his hand, meaning he will have to room with all four of them. "Damn." He sighs. He then trudges off to the room.

"Well it's only the afternoon right now, if you guys want to sleep suit yourself. I'll be seeing the sights that need to be seen."

Gray makes his exit and goes to the local blacksmith shop to inquire about the production of firearms and the properties of mithril for manufacture.

"Is there anything exciting in this town? Amos, perhaps you would like to wander around so we can observe the local customs. I believe I need to purchase some sort of less conspicuous clothing."

Jorah walks into the room and collapses on one of the beds.

Amos, Richard and Jorah all lie down on the same bed for some strange reason. Despite the fact that the sun is still quite high in the sky, Touka changes into her pajamas for some well earned rest as well.

The first blacksmith Gray visits kicks him out of the shop at the first sight of the devil machine he calls a pistol.
The second is more tolerant.
"Hmmm, I'm rather queued up on orders right now and this looks mighty complicated," he says as he hammers away on his current piece. "Give it to one of my apprentices to study, and I can probably start producing them in a couple weeks."
To Gray's second inquiry he answers "Yer not training under me, and I don't have time to give you a lecture on precious minerals."

Daliu ventures out into the town of Belle's Cross to survey the travelers and local population. He keeps an eye out for signs of Great Evil or mischief, and also for any churches of Equinince.

He keeps a close grip on his valuables, lest anyone try to rob him.

"I was just wondering how much it would take to make effective arms and armor, as I am seeking to acquire some myself. Of course if I do I will bring it here for you to process."

Gray tries his best to seem earnest.

Amos refuses to let the others lay down on the bed. "No, out with the both of you! I need a man's solitude. You know, the old five fingers."

Jorah has already fallen into deep sleep and heard none of this.

The blacksmith grows exasperated at the vagueness of Gray's questions. "I'll have you know that all the arms and armor I make are effective! Just tell me what pieces you want made!"

Daliu finds the local church of Equinince. It is older and smaller than the one in Torean, but its caretakers are no less dedicated.
An elderly priestess greets him. "You're quite young to be bearing the silver Tricorv. Where did you get it?"
She clucks her tongue at the answer. "Mayhew's let that promotion get to his head, handing his symbol over to one so unversed in the faith. But that can be remedied. Would you like to stay for a lesson?"

"I would, Sister. Thank you."

Daliu also asks her for more details about Lord Gilberm's border skirmishes, the dragon, and the mithril vein. He secretly confides to her Father Mayhew's prophecy of a Great Evil, and asks for her opinion on it.

Richard still wants to learn more about the culture of this town. He wanders the streets, focusing right now on finding a clothing store. He checks his wallet occasionally, hoping that the shops here take VISA.

Woken by the shouting next door she walks over to the wall and bangs on it. "OI! I don't care if you all jerk each other off, just do it quietly!" She shouts loud enough for the people next door to hear before going back to her bed.

Amos shoves the minstrel off the bed and drags him out into the hallway. He subsequently locks the door and gets to work.

[still asleep]

Gray apologizes for being so vague.

"Half plate, and swords. Or any other weapon you advise would be better. I was referring to how much would be needed for a part of iron, if it is used in alloy, or used pure."

Regarding the skirmishes the priestess tells Daliu that Equinince does not forbid aggressive violence, and sometimes even encourages it, but there must be someone to take responsibility for protecting the home front. The dragon situation began only recently, and the holy brothers sent to Dorou to investigate have not returned. She admits being ignorant of mithril, other than that the metal is strong and precious.

Richard immerses himself in the culture of Belle's Cross. He learns several phrases that folk commonly use for greeting each other: "Anon", "Grammar-see", and "Kay'swair-tay". Unfortunately, the clothing shops do not take VISA.

Meanwhile at the smithy, Gray gets yet another sigh in reply.
"Make up ya mind, man. One suit o' Half plate will take twenny-five pounds o' metal, thirty if you wanna be on the safe side. And for a sword...