[OPEN] An Ally Arrives!

[asgardmods]

Who: Everyone!
What: Some weird "elf" guys and their stuff
When: Day 136
Where: Outside the Gate of Fire
Rating: worksafe! If a thread is going to a higher rating, take it elsewhere.

[This is a general open log for the Thunderous Voices event!

You are welcome to assume friendliness from the elves, though they are mostly very polite people. They won't be overly rowdy or rude but they aren't uptight, either. They will trade for medical supplies and any sort of cool clockwork trinkets you can think of, so feel free to get creative! If you think it might be challenging the tech level rules, please ask the mods before assuming an item is OK. Also, their herbs and whatnot as the same as could be gotten in Utgard, but they do have more of the healing flowers from the Spring Party!

Beyond that, you're welcome to explore any of the things we've listed in the linked post above. The elves will not give information about the alliance and the war. It isn't their business to do so, so any info they give is not likely to be something previously unobtainable ICly. They'll also talk about their home, which is described briefly in the world info faq here. They'll speak of it being harmonious with nature and will not take kindly to any less than environmentally friendly things done in front of them. They also won't take anything not 100% environmentally safe in trade. They'll take Runes, though!

If you'd like us to NPC a thread, please contact a mod and let us know! Otherwise, go ahead and assume smaller contact and play with each other enjoying the sights and speculating on what everything means!]

Comments

Wide Open!

[samantha_grey]

Samantha walked through the camp, grateful for the end of the worst of the rains, heading towards the elves near the train. She'd been looking up at the strange, floating construct with more than a little bit of interest. However as soon as she sees a little bit of Wolfnettle, her eyes perked right up and she started chatting animatedly with the first of those individuals who seemed to be handling the herbs.

She'd set up a business account with the loan she'd used to start her shop, which made this entire situation almost painfully perfect in terms of timing. The likelihood that she would have had to wait for shipments from Utgard to start business had been weighing on her mind a little, but the elves made that so much simpler under the circumstances. As she caught sight of some of the strange fire blossoms, she made a point to add them to the shipment of herbs brought in and was inquiring about getting more with regularity if possible.

Anyone who wanted a moment with her could easily find some time with her either while she was shopping or before and after. For some strange reason, she was actually smiling. These people, she didn't seem to mind so much...

[whatagoodgirl]

"That's a good look on you."

Nakama has waited for Samantha to finish her most recent transaction before approaching her. She's looking a bit healthier now, but not completely recovered; there is a playful smile on her face, though.

[samantha_grey]

She blinked and turned around, catching sight of Nakama. The smile didn't fade, and she gestured broadly towards the train. "They have herbs! I thought I'd be waiting forever for something from Utgard. It's perfect, and I'll be able to get started with experiments early on," she said, looking like she was very pleased.

"You're looking a little better. Have you been getting more sleep then?" she asked, cocking her head.

[whatagoodgirl]

The first question that comes to her lips is Can you trust them? But she doesn't voice it, not when Samantha is so cheerful.

"That's great news. Your shop will be open in no time."

At the question, she averts her eyes. "Not exactly. Dr. Watson has been putting me under with anaesthetic to let my body rest. He says it won't help my mind at all, but at least I won't collapse in the street. It's just a temporary measure while the... I guess the trauma passes."

It feels strange, labeling something that happened to her as trauma. That's such a dramatic word, and after what she went through at home, it's even stranger to imagine that something here could completely unhinge her. It's all true, though.

[samantha_grey]

Samantha was usually, as she might have guessed by now, just as distrustful of strangers. However, herbal or alchemical talk had a way of opening her up some. The ability to talk 'shop' with someone who wasn't judging her obviously had put her in a better mood.

"It's something," she said, sighing and nodding. "There's a girl named Rose who's been offering counseling. I don't know her well, so you might look he up if you want. With a little time you should get through it, but I'm sorry that he has to go this far for you. Still, you are looking better rested."

[whatagoodgirl]

"Oh, it's not too big of a deal. I needed the IV anyway because I couldn't really eat either, so he just gives me both at once." The forced casual air in her voice is almost painful to hear, but she won't be worrying anyone on her watch.

She frowns a little. "Counselling? Is she licensed?"

[samantha_grey]

She shrugged and laughed, making a motion back towards the town before shaking her head. "Doubtful, but is anyone around here really licensed for anything?" she asked, sounding almost a little sad. "Euri and I are weird just for having any sort of licenses at all, and that's just to get more of these herbs. Much as I'm not exactly a lover of all things government, we could really use at least a little regulation. But, we make do with what we can."

[whatagoodgirl]

"I guess so..." She just doesn't know how she feels about trusting her mind to someone who doesn't know what they're doing. At least Euri has years of experience, even if this potion will be a new one.

A little awkwardly, she changes the subject. "Hey, I moved out today. Did I tell you I was planning to do that?"

[samantha_grey]

"Yeah, I think you might have mentioned that. Where'd you end up moving to?" she asked, more than willing to change the subject. There wasn't much point in dwelling on it anyway. "There's a few decent spots around here, though I definitely like the anonymity of Loki. It's... quiet over there."

[whatagoodgirl]

"I couldn't live in Loki." She shakes her head violently. "I'm in Sigyn."

[samantha_grey]

"It's definitely a little more low brow than the rest of town," she said, getting in a bit of a chuckle. "I think it's better that you live in Sigyn too. It's a safer district, and it's close to the hospital to boot."

[whatagoodgirl]

"No, it's not that - ! It's just... too many telepaths." The memory of what Access did to her makes her blood boil. "They can do some pretty messed up stuff to people's minds."

[samantha_grey]

"Ah. Big district, and they don't come over to the apartments that often, but I get where you're coming from. I'm not a huge fan of telepathy myself," she said, nodding. "Besides, nobody's getting into my apartment without a battering ram or my permission. Personally... I feel sorry if any of them are dumb enough to try on me. My mind's a hell hole."

[whatagoodgirl]

"Well, that's good to hear," she sighs. "Because they don't just get into your head - they put things in there, too. Thoughts and suggestions. I thought I was going crazy when I had one of the Loki people after me, but I think he's stopped now."

[samantha_grey]

"I had heard about that. That's actually more what would be the problem with me, same with Charm and Bardic Influence," she said, shaking her head. "You have to be pretty dense to give the wrong ideas to a half succubus, especially with my warnings. That... or you have to be a psychotic bitch."

That last comment got her to shudder. She hadn't seen her around, and she'd been afraid to check for a while. Apparently she was gone, but the memories weren't.

"If they're still giving you trouble, let me know. That shit doesn't need to keep on happening."

[whatagoodgirl]

She sees that shudder, and she knows that Samantha isn't just giving examples. "Who was it? What happened?"

But then she shakes her head. "I don't want him hurt. He's Roxas's friend, and he thinks he's helping him. But Roxas said he'd talk to him, and I haven't had problems since, so I think he's backed off."

[samantha_grey]

She blinked and turned red, shaking her head. "They're not here anymore. It doesn't matter," she said, sounding distinctly uncomfortable. "And if they ever come back, I know to stay away from them. I'm glad yours... is behaving."

[whatagoodgirl]

"Well... that's good. I know there have been some dangerous people here... dangerous and reckless. It's good to hear that one of them is gone."

[samantha_grey]

"It's for the best," she agreed, coughing. "We've got enough trouble around here without them here as well. But, that's really not a pleasant topic. So... what do you think of the elves?" New topic, new topic!

[whatagoodgirl]

"I... don't know," she murmurs, looking a bit haunted. "I don't trust anything around here. They seem peaceful and helpful, but I still have a bad feeling."

[samantha_grey]

She looked them over and sighed softly before whispering in a low tone of voice, "That might be because, polite and friendly as they are, they came here with engines of war."

It was, at least in her mind, obvious. The elves were polite. They were friendly. They seemed very helpful and were welcomed to this place, but at the same time none of this changed the fact that they arrived armed to bear, with the promise that the war was really coming.

[whatagoodgirl]

"Yeah..." She glances over at the mecha, and her eyes seem to glaze over with fear, a visible shiver running through her body.

[samantha_grey]

Her eyes follow the look and Samantha stepped a little closer. Her hand hesitated for a second before reaching over and tentatively patting on her shoulder. It had the feel of a distant, awkward motion, something of someone unaccustomed to doing many of these things. Still, it was easier with kids.

"I think that seeing them after the last week... is a bit of a strong reminder."

[whatagoodgirl]

Nakama is surprised by the touch, and she wishes she had the abiility to acknowledge it somehow, but that mech is haunting her too deeply.

"It's not that... I just - I don't like mecha." She actually glares at it, as though it's personally offended her, then turns away with her arms wrapped around her middle.

"What kinds of herbs did you get?" This is the conversation of whiplash topic changes. They will, they will keep it happy.

[samantha_grey]

"Fire Blossoms and a lot of other herbs I would normally get from Utgard. It's helpful to have them now instead of later this week," she said, nodding towards one of the sprigs she had in a small satchel over her arm. "The wolfnettle is probably going to be what gets the most use early on. It's supposed to help with protecting against curses. Not sure how potent it really is, though."

What was a mecha?