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OUTSIDE ERIKA'S GARDEN - AFTERNOON
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Xochi rests outside the garden, her hands folded in front of her, head bowed. She has only departed for sleep, and scarce food, only allowing herself some bread and water. She cannot say what the spirits wish from her, but she will make whatever sacrfice is required to give aid.
Erika walks towards her garden - or rather, what used to be it. This wilderness in front of her does not look terribly familiar, except in a twisted sort of way that makes her wince. The growth has gotten completely out of hand, as though whatever is causing is trying to make the garden hard to enter...
Erika spots Xochi and finds her smile: "Hey! Xochi!"
Xochi lifts her head towards the garden, searching for the being within. It takes her a moment to turn her head, eyes going wide with surprise, "Erika?! You are safe!"
Erika blinks, then grins: "O-oh! Yeah, I am, back, uh..." She looks at the jungle near them: "...home?" She steps near Xochi, grinning wide.
Xochi lifts up from her coil and unclasps her hands to give Erika a hug. "Ahh... home. Yes... well, this is complicated, but there is someone else in there at the moment."
Erika hugs Xochi tight, before letting go and glancing towards the growth: "So I heard. Any idea who they are?"
Xochi releases Erika and pulls back to lower herself down. She glances towards the garden and frowns, "Only as much as they know themselves. She is... complicated. Curious and afraid and uncertain where she belongs. She wishes to remain here, but has come to terms that she may not be able to do so... my friend Tarbin is seeking a solution to help her move without hurting her. It would seem some part of her is bound here."
Erika frowns, considering this: "Bound? Like... not physically I guess? And she looks like me?" She lifts a hand on her forehead: "This is a mess. How did we even get back out there and being replaced?"
Xochi shakes her head. "I cannot say, I know little of magic and what transpired here. I have been trying to guide this confused soul to peace... but I am glad that you have found yourself returned safely as well, and Cavro too I assume."
Erika nods with a small smile: "Yeah, Cavro's safe too. We're fine." She turns again to the jungle: "...I don't know what to do. Should I try to go there to talk, or would that be like the worst thing to do?"
Xochi glances towards the plants once more, wondering if the being inside is listening in. She sighs. "I cannot say for certain. I do not think she would hurt you. Perhaps between the two of you, an answer may present itself? Or perhaps you can give a soul which shares much of your life some comfort? I do not believe any of this is her fault, nor does she wish you ill will."
Erika nods, musing on this: "I was thinking I should come here, despite Louma warning me not to... doesn't feel right to at least know who's replaced me." Her words are just the slightest bit hesitant, a degree of fear underneath that resolve.
Xochi grins, "I do not think she 'replaced', but simply 'misplaced' you." She hisses out a laugh.
Erika gives a soft chuckle, but her heart isn't really in it: "Heh. I guess..." She trails off for a second: "...I wonder how many noticed that whoever's in there is not me...?"
Xochi lets her laugh die off as well. "Many, I think. Kira says the garden feels wrong since you've left, and I believe it was Nesseth who first began investigating something wrong with you and Cavro. You were both missed greatly."
Erika glances towards where her parents live some blocks away, then turns back to Xochi with only a slightly forced smile: "T-that's relieving to hear." She lets out a bit of a sigh.
Xochi gently places a hand upon Erika's shoulder. "I have kept you in my prayers, Erika. You and Cavro and the beings who arrived here in your stead. I simply wish for everyone to find peace, but that is a difficult thing to ask for."
Erika nods, smiling brighter at her friend: "Y-yeah, thank you. I know. I'm not sure what I can do in this situation, I have no magic..."
Xochi chuckles quietly, "Nor have I, not enough to make a difference. Hold compassion and keep an open heart, Erika, that is all we can do at times."
Erika smiles and nods, leaning back on a nearby wall on the alley: "Y-yeah. You said a solution was in the works, though?"
Xochi nods. "Tarbin and his friend are searching for a way to help her, yes."
Erika nods, glancing at the jungle: "Then perhaps it's best... I wait. At least for a few days." She pauses, looking at the ground: "...do you think whatever did this, was intending to be malicious?"
Xochi lifts her hands to her chin in thought, as if resting her head upon them. "No... I do not. There is much fear here. In her and in you. But I think you are all victims in this, and whatever greater purpose it is meant to serve... we shall see. But I do not think any agency acted solely to cause pain."
Erika frowns. She takes a deep breath before speaking again: "...I guess tossing me and Cavro a week's travel south is pretty... random." She sighs, shaking her head at the nonsense of it all.
Xochi smiles softly, "There is a reason for everything under the sky, and whatever trials that was placed before you, we are not always wise enough to see the purpose behind. ...I am glad you are safe, though. It brings my heart some solace."
Erika turns to her friend and hugs her again: "Y-yeah, me too. Maybe we will understand later, all this."
Xochi hugs back. "We will all understand some day, but while we yet live, some mysteries remain just that..."
Erika hugs for a moment before letting go, relief and confusion obvious in her features. "Speaking of mysteries... while I was out there, I had some dreams about this sort of... impending darkness blasting this town. I'm glad that didn't turn out to be true, at least."
Xochi tilts her head curiously, expression darkening. "What... kind of dreams are these?"
Erika shrugs: "The kind of nightmares you have when you sleep badly under the stars, probably."
Xochi shakes her head, clearly a bit shaken, "N-no... the stars bring only kind dreams. Nightmares are brought by..." She shudders, pausing for a moment. "S-stress? Anxiety, perhaps? That is all. I... am sure..." She certainly sounds not that sure.
Erika tilts her head: "I mean... it was just a dream? I didn't come back to a darkened crater instead of Respite..."
Xochi takes a deep breath, centering herself. "Y-yes. Just a dream. Forgive me. I have been... thinking much about the gods, the stars, and sighs. I hear only silence when once as a child I heard so much..."
Erika shrugs, giving a lopsided, sorry smile: "Y-yeah, I don't know about any of that."
Xochi laughs quietly. "Sorry. It is just... your dream..." She shakes her head, "But no matter. You have shelter, yes? Meals? Can I help you, while we pray for Tarbin to find a way forward?"
Erika shakes her head slightly: "I'm fine... can't do much, but I'm fine. We're staying at the barracks for now..."
Xochi: "This is good.... this is good, yes."
Erika smiles, sighing: "Well, could be worse I guess. I just want to get this resolved..."
Xochi smiles back, "It could. But your return is heartening. I believe a solution shall be reached soon, yes."
Erika nods, glancing at the jungle once more: "I'm going to believe that, because any alternative is worse."
Xochi chuckles, "Such is faith, Erika... such is faith."
Erika: "I guess so."
Xochi gives Erika one more hug, "I will stay here to keep the other within the garden company, as best as I am allowed. Stay safe, Erika, and may the Moon guide you."
Erika hugs back, smiling: "Y-yeah, I'll be around too. Take care, Xochi." She then leaves towards the barracks with only somewhat shaky steps, uncertainty nagging at her all the way back.
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GLAUSHIRE - THE SILVER ALBATROSS - EVENING
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Gareth makes his way downstairs from his room, having deposited his things as well as the souvenirs he'd purchased with Sammi earlier. Now craving a bit of a meal, he wanders over to the counter of this somewhat active tavern and takes a seat near the end, then places an order for a hearty stew and a good, cold drink.
Sammi is upstairs. She got a lazer pointer, and currently thinks its the best thing ever.
Lianne Sparr enters the tavern, subtly encased by rather downtrodden robes that manage to conveniently hide much of her figure and equipment. While she'd spent most of her time in Glaushire up to her neck in easy upper class marks, today she'd spent it with. . .Far shadier figures. The visit to Sarn was a chance to offload her valuable piece of equipment she'd otherwise been safeguarding for the last month. And in return? Well. . .Lianne was paid with more than just mere money. With a smile under her cowl, she spots and approaches Gareth, sitting next to him. It'd take him a moment at first to deduce that it was, in fact, Lianne under all of her layers. "Hello Gareth." Lianne's tone, pleasant as usual, greets.
Gareth glances to the side, sizing up the figure bundled beneath all the clothing, ensuring that it wasn't actually Teya somehow trying very badly to get the jump on him. He smiles and nods cheerfully after a moment, certain that Lianne is, in fact, not Teya. "Evenin', Lianne. Everythin' on yer end go well?"
Lianne Sparr: "Most everything has gone rather favourably indeed. Plenty of new toys in exchange for what I had for them." Lianne replies. "And you?"
Gareth nods at that. "It went pretty well on my end, too. Though, there was a slight hitch in things not that long ago, today."
Lianne Sparr: "Oh?" Lianne prompts. "Care to elaborate, or did you want me to take a shot in the dark?"
Gareth shrugs a little as his food arrives. He pointedly waits for the bartender to move and help someone else further down the bar before he answers. "Eh... nothin' all that concernin', I think. Just one o' those researchers from the university gettin' a bit uppity, thinkin' me delivery was anythin' but completely legitimate."
Lianne Sparr: "I figured that might've happened." Lianne idly scoffs, reaching into robes and pulling out something, which she clasps tightly in her hand to conceal it from everyone but Gareth, flashing him the top of the object. It's a small, crude cylindrical crystal with a button wired to the top of it. "So I asked for something special from my employer."
Gareth eyes the object held in Lianne's hand for but a moment, the nods to let her know he's identified what it is. He shifts a bit, leaning a bit closer over his food as he lowers his voice. "So... thinkin' o' leavin' a gift o' sorts fer those researchers, hm? I don't know if it'll be enough to throw that damned fox off the scent, though."
Lianne Sparr slowly packs the crystal back away under her robes, hushing herself. "Just say the word and I'll have it ready by morning. You've been inside, so you just let me know where it is I should put it."
Gareth hums thoughtfully, then shakes his head. "Nah... can't risk it. That fox would probably figure I'm the cause o' it, considerin' how she seemed to key in on everythin' else." He pauses, the shoots Lianne a curious look, "The name 'Inquisitor Teya' ring any bells for ye, by the by?"
Lianne Sparr: "Hmph." Lianne gives a dissatisfied scoff. "You're soft." She pauses. "Teya specifically doesn't mean anything to me, though if it's the inquisitors you're dealing with, simply leaving her alone isn't going to solve anything."
Gareth hums, frowning a bit. "...Then... in that case, can ye enlighten me a bit? I'm afraid I never had to deal with an inquisitor before, so I can't say what is or isn't the right move with her."
Lianne Sparr: "Sarn's government directly funds the Inquisitors with one mission and one mission only: The continued prosperity of Sarn. The Inquisitors won't stop if they believe they have something to gain. Which means, quite frankly, your entire reason for coming here will be for naught if you don't. . .Persuade her and her employers that it isn't worth it."
Gareth sighs and shakes his head. "Ahh, crap... so yer sayin' that somehow, those idiots back in Respite managed to pick a cloak-and-dagger fight with the damned government o' Sarn? Ugh... right, so... what do ye think is a good way to persuade them to stop, and not come after us even harder?"
Lianne Sparr: "Honestly? Your best case is to stay under their radar and simply give them what they want. But. . ." Lianne pauses. "If you had something else you could offer them, you could try that in exchange. In my case, I might. . .Be inclined to hold some of their most precious facilities ransom."
Lianne Sparr's tone grows a devilish glee, "Or you could simply have fun and slaughter each Inquisitor they send. Sarn can hardly start a public war due to the actions of a few common criminals, now can they? Besides, their gear is worth quite the pretty penny. One thing is for certain, though. Do not let her get a political stranglehold over Respite. Much as I'm loathe to suggest the help of the guard, you need to tell Captain Louma to reject every single one of her requests of accommodating her investigation. The moment this Teya believes she has Respite's blessing to bring in the might of Sarn, you can bet she'll pull that trigger."
Gareth sets his fork down and takes a moment to rub the bridge of his snout, thinking deeply. "What about we do a combination of all that, then? Is it possible to set up a timer o' sorts on that thing, so we can be a ways away before it goes off? Somethin' to... ye know, keep them from linkin' the explosion to us." He pauses for a moment before continuing, "If it comes to a fight, I'm always game to try it, but it'll have to be arranged so she faces us on our terms, rather than her's. That armor she wears is... not somethin' I've ever seen before, and that worries me a bit." He sighs again and picks up his fork and continues eating for a moment, "Guess I'll have to warn Louma to be watchful about what shows up on her papers. I hope she's got enough push within the guard to persuade the commandant to reject their requests outright."
Lianne Sparr: "A timer? Not really my style." Lianne chuckles quietly. "But for you, Gareth, I can make an exception. Though, if I'm to be planting something to remain undetected for days, possibly weeks, then it's best I do so after you've left Sarn, not only to further distance yourself from the issue, but also because I'll need more time to set them up to remain hidden. Hiding something for only a few hours is easy. . ."
Gareth sets his fork down and takes a moment to rub the bridge of his snout, thinking deeply. "What about we do a combination of things, then? Not the bomb, though. Convenient as it'd be, I'm not thinkin' that'd be a great idea if we've already got the government involved with that inquisitor." He pauses for a moment before continuing, "If it comes to a fight, I'm always game to try it, but it'll have to be arranged so she faces us on our terms, rather than her's. That armor she wears is... not somethin' I've ever seen before, and that worries me a bit." He sighs again and picks up his fork and continues eating for a moment, "Guess I'll have to warn Louma to be watchful about what shows up on her papers. I hope she's got enough push within the guard to persuade the commandant to reject their requests outright."
Lianne Sparr: "Hmph." Lianne repeats similar to before. "Always someone in the room shooting down the idea of party poppers." Lianne pauses. "You're planning on heading on over to Orela soon though, right? Want me to return to Respite to warn Louma in advance? It's quite possible that Teya doesn't follow you."
Gareth nods thoughtfully. "Not a bad idea, that. If Teya decides to head straight that way, ye'd be able to beat her there, which would head that off pretty quick. If she follows me, she's goin' to be disappointed that I'm just runnin' errands over in Orela."
Lianne Sparr nods. "I'll get prepared, then. Sad as I am to be leaving Glaushire, I've done what I've needed to here."
Gareth hums quietly and nods in turn. "Sorry to cut yer trip short, Lianne, but I wasn't expectin' anythin' bigger than givin' the researchers a surprise."
Lianne Sparr: "It's fine, my dear, so long as you're willing to accept that you owe me a minor favour for this." Lianne stands.
Gareth chuckles and quirks up a lopsided smile. "O' course. We can figure out that favor once we meet back up again in Respite." He watches as Lianne stands, "I'm guessin' yer goin' to get a move on already, then?"
Lianne Sparr: "Mm. We may not have a moment to lose. See you in Respite." Lianne bids Gareth farewell, leaving.
Gareth nods and gives Lianne a wave as she departs. "See ye in Respite. Stay safe out there."