2018-05-30: The Youth in Vane
- Log: The Youth in Vane
- Cast: Jacqueline Barber, Riesenlied, Rudy Roughnight, Gwen Whitlock
- Where: Vane - Residential District
- Date: May 30th, 2018
- Summary: After making their way through various difficulties, friends reunite in Vane. Rudy learns of the fate of one of his companions, and Gwen requests help for a youth, newly orphaned by the war...
======================<* Vane - Residential District *>======================= According to the histories, the Magic City of Vane once floated above the surface of Lunar, providing magicians with a vantage point like none other to study the mysteries of their art and world. Those days are gone. The Vane of today is a battered, ramshackle ruin, with all but a few houses crumbled into rubble and disrepair. The outskirts of the city would be a looter's paradise if there was anything left to loot; most residents are either scraping out a bare existence with the Magic Guild or simply taking advantage of free real estate to squat in the less-toppled buildings.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
One would not consider Vane a good place to do business. It was in disrepair and the people were poor, even if it was looking better than it had been in quite some time due to the efforts of kind souls from the Blue Star.
And really, it wasn't. Jacqueline knew that, and knew that delivering supplies to and fro and setting up shop here kind of cut into profits.
Even so, she did it anyway.
It's easy to tell when Jacqueline's set up shop - the brightly-colored cloth tent that served as her storefront was hard to ignore, and hard to look away. It definitely attracted attention.
Also attracting attention were the prices of her goods - to those who had seen her in other places, they were noticeably lower here than anywhere else, for reasons that would be clear to those who frequented the place.
Jacqueline herself is here, reclining in a chair and leafing through a book. Even with her cheap prices, she didn't get a lot of business...it made it that much easier to relax, and occasionally chat with anyone who might stop by.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied is back from Taben's Peak, following yet another close brush with death. Discovering the Fereshte has done a lot to elevate her mood and her sense of hope; when she returns to the Magic City, it's with a renewed sense of purpose and drive that she attends Jacqueline's store, finally assembled with that list she promised her.
Mikaia's along with her today, though Janey has settled back to attend the Wolfsbane Tavern -- she perks up as she says, "Miss Jay, the folks up north said they really liked the cough syrup and it really helped their kids sleep!"
Riesenlied nods as she hands the file over -- she's been working with Jay to make sure Vane's residents' needs are met, and today's no exception. "Good afternoon... is everything going well?"
The Hyadean is as she was before... faint and gaunt, but with a resolve still evident in her face. The scales have encroached a little further into her face, arm and leg. She's dressed in traditional Fereshte garb, with a blue and white gown with detached sleeves billowing out into the feathers of a great, big bird.
<Pose Tracker> Rudy Roughnight has posed.
Its been months since the fated battle against Quarter Knight. Been months since the Tragic Princess and her merry band were taken up to the moon. While Rudy had been found wandering around like a broken toy after the struggle and reunited, it seems that wandering side of the young man remains.
"Goodbye, Berserk," the young man says softly to himself as if repeating an ancient dogma. He walks down the streets, having just enough situation awareness to weave through the people, only brushing against the people here and there lightly while proceeding to whatever location is important to him; or perhaps it is no where in particular, after all, the slight vacant expression really doesnt carry much intention within Rudys eyes. After walking a bit further, the young man repeats himself, the inflection slightly different as if trying to convey curiosity. "Goodbye, Berserk?"
A random person overhears the farewell in question form, and after giving a concerned look to Rudy, gives him a bit more berth before continuing their way.
As the way is now clear, the unique killerheroyouth looks toward Jacqueline and Riesenlied, just taking them in from his place in the crowd, as if believing that standing perfectly still makes him invisible or the like.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
It's been a long couple of days. It's easy enough to see that in the way Gwen is slumped over, lack of sleep marking dark circles in her eyes and the smell of burning rubble still clinging to her clothes from an invasion an ocean away.
No worries, she didn't try to ford the ocean. Everyone knows it's better to ferry your wagon over!
What's new is the inclusion of a tow-haired child resting on her back, no more than six years old or so. His cheeks and hair show marks of fire, but thankfully, nothing too serious that could lead to infection, thanks to the secret efforts of Loren's healing either. "Can't believe I'll be makin' another trip to Taben Peak so soon..." she grumbles, before she notices Jay's tent, with Mikaia and Riesenlied getting supplies.
"Speakin' of that..." She adjusts her hold on the sleeping piggy-back riding child, and moseys on over. "Hey! Riese! Mikaia, Jay! I, uh, need a few pointers?"
See, she's found out that saving a child from a burning building doesn't end as easily as handing the child over to the townsfolk when there's a war going on, and-
'Goodbye, Berserk?'
"Rudy?" Oh no, silly Rudy, standing still won't protect you. No, Gwen's hands being full will protect you instead! That, and she's gotten it through her head that Rudy's not the sort for happy hugs of assurance, even if it's over the fact that they've all been scattered on an alien planet. "Rudy! Hey! C'mon over!"
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline looks up from her book to see Mikaia and Riesenlied approaching her, and she can't help but smile. There's something...brighter about her today. Jacqueline has an idea what it is.
"Oh, really! I'm glad to hear that!" Jacqueline replies with a smile as Mikaia informs her of the effectiveness of her medicine. That was just what she was hoping for!
And for Riesenlied, there's a smile and a nod as Jacqueline accepts the list from Riesenlied and looks it over.
"Good afternoon! Yes, everything's been fine, thankfully. You know, I had a few people asking about you while you were away..." She says. It's about this time that a familiar face she hasn't seen in a while appears. Jacqueline offers her a wave, too.
"Ah, Gwen, hello!" She says...though quiets herself a bit as she notices her charge. She looks to Riesenlied, who is probably better at this than she is, before glancing in the other direction Gwen indicates.
It'd been a while since she'd seen Rudy, too, and he gets a smile and a wave, as well.
"Rudy, hello! It's good to see you again!" She greets...and hesitates a moment. "...Are you alright?"
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Mikaia is the first to cotton onto Gwen and perk up to go, "Miss Gwen!" she pauses for a moment when she gazes up at the child she's piggy-backing, though; she looks up and down, before remarking, "Is everything okay...?"
Riesenlied follows Jacqueline's line of sight as well, both to Rudy, and to Gwen. She hasn't seen the young man since their battle with Berserk at the tower, and when he remarks of the former Quarter Knight.... it's plain to see it still weighs heavy upon him.
The Hyadean's eyes cast up towards the child, immediately concerned but... she nods as she follows Jacqueline's question. "It's been a while... can we-- bring you inside, offer you water?" she gestures to the nearby Wolfsbane Tavern.
<Pose Tracker> Rudy Roughnight has posed.
There is a half second pause as the young man is noticed by Gwen. A blink is given in response to her request which pairs well with the simple word of "okay". While Rudy gives the child a quizzical look, he doesnt say anything on it, perhaps figuring the answer will come with time.
Soon, Barbers question is mirrored by Riesenlieds and Rudy rubs the back of his head, the ends of his bandana swaying slightly from the movement. "Sorry, I was just thinking about stuff; I didnt mean to speak loud. I really hope I didnt worry anyone," he replies with an awkward chuckle as he tries then to change the topic. "Seems like everyone is doing okay despite... well, whatever is going on with this war."
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
"How've you been doin' here, Jay? Guard's not been givin' you any trouble or anything, has it?" She grins. "Though I think they're mostly focused on the Fiends n' all that."
Looking towards MIkaia, Gwen's face brightens. "Mikaia!! How've y'been? You n' Janey been behavin', right?"
Looking back towards Rudy, Gwen nods. "Yeah, a lot's happened for you, too. N' I ain't just talkin' 'bout the fact that we're on a different planet." Adjusting the child on her back again, she chuckles. "Well, it's a continent away, thank Guardians. Y'all heard the news, right? Lastonbell fell. And the invaders had-" The child mumbles, still half-asleep, and begins to cry, his sobs muffled in Gwen's back. "Shh, shh," the courier coos, rocking him gently on her back. "I'll, uh, tell y'all later. Kid's been through enough trauma. They just... ain't used to this."
To what she saw. And perhaps, if any part of him was awake, to what he saw her and her companions do to protect them.
"Hey, Jay. You got any light painkillers? Somethin' that'd be safe for a kid to take. He got some burns, but thankfully, they ain't serious. They're just the hurtin' kind."
Her eyes look back towards Rudy's way for a moment, thoughtful. "What cha been up to, Rudy? You been farin' okay?"
Maybe it'd be good for him to know about Taben Peak as well. Not because he'd do well with so many kids there, but Nall took Gwen's ARM so well. Just maybe...
She looks towards Riesenlied, but pauses. Better to let the boy speak first, as he may have his own goals since coming here. "I think Riese's got the right idea. I'm parched, and I bet the little tyke could use somethin' tasty now that he's wakin' up."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"It's okay, really..." Jacqueline says, trying to reassure Rudy, before glancing to Gwen and nodding.
"Oh, no trouble...I have been following their rules, so I imagine they don't think it worth the effort..." She replies with a nod and a smile.
And then, Gwen gives them the news - Lastonbell fell. Jacqueline's expression falls, and she nods.
"Ah, I had a feeling that might happen soon...I received messages from some of my merchant contacts in the area, warning me not to go out that far..." She replies, then glances toward the boy and nods. That was fair - he probably didn't need to hear this.
...It...unsettlingly, reminds her of Adlehyde.
But, she shakes that thought from her head and smiles.
"I do, actually...I have some salves for burns, as well, that I think would be helpful." She replies, and then stands up.
"Yes, I agree. You all go on ahead, I'll clean up and be right with you." She says, shutting her book. She would probably be safe leaving her stall unattended...but she wanted to be careful, just in case.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
"Miss Miria has been assisting us with any trouble that come up," Riesenlied expresses to Gwen. "Largely, they seem to tolerate Vane as it serves a purpose for so many of the displaced here..." She lets out a soft sigh to Gwen and say, "Gwen-- I didn't even catch where you'd gone off to when I came to at Taben Peak... and here I hear about Lastonbell--"
It's not... exactly the time to chide her, though. She focuses her attention to the child, as she smiles and asks, "Hello, what's your name? I'm Riese..." in that usual manner of hers that appeals to children.
There's a soft sparkle -- one that aims to soothe the child as they move towards the tavern, where Janey's quick to wave and pour people water and get them to have a seat. "Oh, table for four, eh?!" as Mikaia rolls her eyes at her lightly. They've really gotten used to manning the place in Argus' behalf.
It does remind Riesenlied of Adlehyde too -- and the pang in her heart definitely is sharp. She glances back to Rudy, biting her lip... but she needs to ask him, because it is important:
"Rudy... have you-- seen Jack lately? Do you know of what has transpired? I have... news, if not."
<Pose Tracker> Rudy Roughnight has posed.
The answer to Gwen is simple and matter of fact. Yeah, Rudy states with a slight shrug. The tone seems normal, though for some reason, Rudy looks toward the young child as he cries. The gunslinger stops in his tracks. The gloved fist tightens, the stretched leather groaning from the effort. The news of the fallen city doesnt seem to register as his eyes and expression doesnt change as he looks toward the victim of war. It seems the ladies gathered are not the only one that sees a parallel to previous events on another world.
The talk of his ally and friend, however, spur Rudy onward. He doesnt say anything at first, merely quirking a brow. After a second or two, he finally concludes with a simple, "Go on."
For those that know Rudy, it definitely seems like a step back. He was so vocal, so opinionated, as if growing to be some sort of young leader. Now, it is how he was before. Passive, subdued, remote... Even if some emotions like anger are much more easily seen in the too (in)experienced warrior.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
"Oh man, that'd be great, Jay! He seems to be healin' real well, but if I can make sure they heal without any scarring, I'll gladly take whatever ya got."
Gwen just pauses, looking at Riesenlied. "I, uh... wanted to check in on a few old friends of mine." If she had a hand free, she'd definitely be rubbing the back of her neck right about now. Instead, she scuffs her foot against the dirt. "Didn't find them, but I think they'll be okay. They're survivors." And their leader would be likely to stab Gwen at the first chance that it'd allow him to have a better chance at surviving, so once the fighting started, Gwen's window of concern was forcibly closed.
#justjanusthings
The child opens his eyes, big and brown, looking shyly at Riesenlied, his fear slowly melting like snow in spring. "H-heath..." Eyes parse towards the group, settling on Rudy. He stares, for a long while, in that slow, dazed way a kid might when waking from a bad dream. "I like your bandanna."
Gwen breathes a grateful sigh. "Couldn't find any relatives I could hand him over to, so I'm takin' him to Taben Peak. He'd be safer there than anywhere near that war." She looks towards Rudy, studying his expressions. Specifically, just how... subdued they are.
She makes note of this for later, as they go in, letting the boy down on unsteady legs. "Hey, let's get ya somethin' to eat, Heath."
"..." The boy draws close to the fabric of her pants.
"Y'need somethin' in you too, Rudy, by the looks of it. The news ain't gonna be nice, but Jack is still alive and well. Just... different. So you need to know this before you meet him again, so that you're prepared."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"I have just the thing, then." Jacqueline says with a smile and a nod, then turns her attention toward Heath as he awakens.
"Heath? That's a nice name...I'm Jay. It's nice to meet you." She says with a smile.
Jacqueline doesn't join them right away, as they head into the Wolfsbane - instead she takes some time to put away her things and gather the requested mixtures before moving to join them.
Once she's done with that she moves over to their table, sending Janey a wave of greeting on the way in, though she misses the first part of their conversation.
She sets two bottles on the table, both cool and pleasant to the touch - one of them the painkiller, and the other the salve.
"Just a little is all it takes. I also have some potions to help with sleeping, if either of you need it..." She offers, before glancing to Rudy. A part of her wondered if he might need it, too...
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied gives Mikaia and Janey a glance. Mikaia nods as she expresses, "We can make you something really tasty, Heath! I'm Mikaia, and that's Janey!" hoping that they can distract him a little from the difficulty he's having... they empathise, having gone through it before.
Riesenlied waits until they're a little further away, as she nods at Gwen's suggestion and looks to the young man again. "Jack has... succumbed under the effects of Malevolence, and become a Hellion."
It's unblunted, but it's best to deliver this kind of news straight.
"He goes by 'Garrett' now... 'Garrett Stampede'." A pause. "... he's with several other Hellions who you might know as well... Ida, and Rosaline. They're... supporting each other, at the least, but-- it isn't a substance that will help them. They need help." She bites her lip, with a soft sigh. The Hyadean bows her head, as she clutches her hand to the Dragon's Tear.
"... I've contributed to his suffering... but I promise I won't let him down again. ... or you, or Cecilia... that's the least I can do to make up for what I've done."
<Pose Tracker> Rudy Roughnight has posed.
A blink is given at the compliment that Roughnight receives. There is a short pause and then a thumbs up given, the young warrior clearly approving of the child and his tastes currently. As the talk of war looms, Rudy glancing towards Gwen for a moment as she teases about Jacks current state. It doesnt take long for the full truth to be disclosed and the small frown builds. "I feared as much," Rudy replies darkly before giving a long exhale. "Well just have to take it as it comes," he replies simply as he raises a hand to refuse the salve from the merchant woman. "And Ill be fine. Ive dealt with worse," he offers softly. "But I thank you for our hospitality. Means a lot." While Rieses words are taken in about disappointment and making up for things, there is no verbal response, merely a slow nod as if perfectly fine with the self-imposed road to redemption.
A short bout of silence is released from the young man before he glances toward all those that pour bits of needed humanity toward him. "I should go. I have things I need to prepare for. Like dealing with Garrett, it would seem. I hope you all have a nice night." With that, he waits for their farewells before he merely turns and makes his way out the way he game in, as if he was finishing some sort of shift of as the Official Mute Hero.
<Pose Tracker> Gwen Whitlock has posed.
Curiosity wins out over Heath's fear as Jay introduces herself, earning Jay a shy 'hi' before he ducks his head against Gwen's shoulder.
Inside the Wolfsbane, Mikaia and Janey interest him as well, them being young enough to register still as 'kids', even if they may be older. "You calmed down pretty quickly, Heath. Your tummy doin' okay enough to eat?" Gwen tries to encourage the boy to follow them to a chair of his own. "I ain't goin' nowhere. Remember what I told you: everything's gonna be okay."
Slowly, he parts from her, moving carefully to go with the two kids, his eyes straying back nervously as if Gwen could disappear at any moment.
Waiting until the three have departed and Jay has arrived, Gwen picks up one of the bottles, examining it in the light. "The medicine my friend gave me's helped tons, but I'm 'bout out. I don't wanna bring him up there without supplies in case he has a setback." She hesitates for a moment, listening for the voices of the three children. "His house was on fire. At least, I was assumin' it was. Managed to get him, but... his mom wasn't so lucky. It was a personal deal. Probably a lot of families a lot worse off than he is, right now." She sets the potion down. "Let me know what I owe ya. I got some silver, or we can just do it the old-fashioned way and see if there's anything on the wagon you wanna trade for."
Matters turn to Jack. and Gwen looks at Riesenlied as she reveals Jack's current condition. Sitting down on a bar stool, she crosses her legs, slinging one arm against the counter. "You n' I were there when Rosaline turned. Jack was fallin' underneath a lotta stress as well. So did Ida." Her gaze drifts from Rudy's face, frowning. Ida's transformation happened about the time she was attacked, and...
Could she tell Rudy about her heart? Would he understand?
No, there's too much for him to deal with as it is. That's clear enough. She can't even deal with it much herself, with her first few steps only made with the help of others.
"But they're still alive n' well. Can be reasoned with, too. Sometimes, it's easy t'think of them as their old selves, just with a makeover and some snazzy new abilities. They're not evil. Just... kinda like seein' a reflection of them in a funhouse mirror. There's parts that'll be distorted. At least, to us. Maybe, they're all seein' us as the distorted ones." Sherubs her neck. "Though, you might find your own understandin', Rudy. Hanpan's with me, so, if you wanna talk with him or me sometime, you're always welcome. Even if it's just to hang out and be quiet, too."
He's turning to go away. Gwen stands. "Hey, uh, Rudy-" She gives a look to Riesenlied, then looks back. "There's a place y'might wanna stop by, sometime. It's where a lot of orphans have holed up, with this guy named Nall. I think... you..." Might find a safe place there. "... Might find some odd jobs there. The guy in charge, Nall, saw my ARM and didn't really even care." It's a small observation, but one she hopes Rudy would find some meaning in. "They need some help with things up there, so if you're lookin' for some jobs, Nall might be able to set you up with some. Just, uh, come with me or Riese so he knows you're cool too."
She hesitates. "... Just, y'know, be safe out there. You still have friends here."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"That's reasonable, yes...don't worry, there's more where this came from. I can supply more, if necessary..." Jacqueline replies, once Heath has departed with Mikaia and Janey. She listens as Gwen explains...everything that happened.
"That's horrible...I heard it was bad, but..." She shakes her head. It truly was like Adlehyde all over again. But...maybe that was just what war was like. She hated it.
She smiles weakly and waves a hand dismissively.
"No, no. If it's for Heath, I wouldn't feel right charging you anything." She replies, shaking her head.
...She listens, then, as Gwen speaks. About Jack, Rosaline, and Ida...
...The last one was new to Jacqueline. She hadn't heard about that before. Her expression falls somewhat.
Lunar seemed so beautiful on the surface...but in the end, was it really that much different from Filgaia...?