[IC] Fabula Ultima: JRPG Adventures

[rush99999]

An amused smile played across Grandfather Trafalgar's lips when Miloh thought that the merchant's use of 'Sonny Jim' was an attempt at guessing Miloh's name. The old man opened his mouth to set the record straight, but paused when he saw Miloh turn to look at something behind them. When the sight caused Miloh's hackles to raise, Grandfather Trafalgar looked to see what had sparked such a reaction and saw a white haired woman, bedecked in runic plate and holding a formidable war axe, approaching them. "Steady now, Miloh." The storyteller spoke to the boy in a soft, calming tone. "I don't believe she means to look so threatening." The Ćororo elder straightened himself up then and turned his gaze to Caria. "Lasho dyes tuke, friend!" Grandfather Trafalgar called out to the new arrival in friendly greeting. "What brings you so armed to this place of festivity?"

[Raineh Daze]

"Well," Caria said, scratching her head, "I couldn't see anywhere safe to put my things. There's not really a way to not carry the axe around and be armed, so…"

'Where to store things that you're going to need later' had never really been a thing she'd thought about, growing up. Largely because she didn't really have things, and food could generally be left more or less where it was… or buried to stop animals getting it or the like. Either way, "I'll go back for it when I need it!" wasn't a sentiment that could be applied to weapons.

Probably. She hadn't been in a position to see if she would be allowed to go make it a fair fight.

[rush99999]

"Ah, the lack of proper weapon storage. The bane of every battle ready reveler." Grandfather Trafalgar said with a tone of commiseration. After a moment, the old man addressed not just Caria, but Ellion and Amalia as well. "Either way, the food should be ready soon enough. Come. Sit." Once everyone had settled in to await the food, Grandfather Trafalgar spoke up again. "I believe introductions are in order." The storyteller declared. "I am Trafalgar, Grandfather of the Pandž Perja Caravan. For the most part though, people just call me Grandfather Trafalgar." The old man gestured to Miloh then. "And this is Miloh of the Weasel Tribe, from the Isle of Shipwrecked Children. May we know who you three are?"

[Tachi]

Finally dragging herself away from Caria's fluffy companion and back to the group, Amalia took a seat. Then Trafalgar asked about introductions.

...That could be a problem. The golem's understanding from her time with Ellion was that it would be dangerous if anyone found out what she really was, plus her homeland wasn't exactly around anymore so that would likely give her away. She nodded slightly to herself, resolving to just keep it vague and hope nobody pressed her for more information.

"My name is Amalia, I'm...a traveller," she stated.

[Raineh Daze]

"Caria!" she proudly announced, sprawling out on the ground in a way that at least diminished the threat of the highly muscular, armoured girl walking around with a massive axe a little. Getting to actually use her name was pretty novel, it hadn't been something she'd gotten tired with yet. "I… um, I guess I'm a traveller too? I used to stick to the same sorts of places, but I've had to start exploring more recently."

You couldn't just come out and say you didn't like the empire, not among strangers. She'd learned that before. It had been quite painful for everyone involved.

[rush99999]

When both Caria and Amalia simply gave their names and introduced themselves as travellers, Grandfather Trafalgar appeared to become somewhat crestfallen. From the moment he had first caught sight of them, the old man knew that these people had interesting stories behind them. And that was before he sensed the Fabula that gathered about them like bees about flowers. Despite his curiosity and desire for new stories though, Grandfather Trafalgar made no effort to persist in his prying. He had learned long ago that some people who come to possess the power of Fabula don't do so under pleasant circumstances. So it would make sense that they wouldn't enjoy speaking of it if they were such people.

After a moment, the old storyteller shook his head, as if physically dispelling the weight of his disappointment. He didn’t want to let his feelings bring down the mood of the gathering. That wouldn’t do. Once he had done that, he turned his attention back to the newcomers. A friendly smile lighting up his face's time-worn features as he did so. "So, you are travellers then?" Grandfather Trafalgar asked. "Have you met many other travellers on your journey? More specifically, have you come across any other Ćororo like me? Members of the Pandž Perja?" His voice held a faint note of hope. Almost imperceptible, but there for anyone who was paying close enough attention.