Character Meet and Greet: Winter Wonderful!

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i.Main Street

Main Street has settled in for January, but there are still Christmas Decorations here and there to liven things up a little bit. Feel free to shop, mingle with the locals or explore the castle grounds.

Though after hours there are still some shadows that venture into the streets. Not everything here is as peaceful as it seems, and it’s best to defeat the corroded trespassers before they cause trouble.

ii. Cookie Overload

Do you like free cookies? Of course! Everyone does. After the Christmas Rush, there are plenty to go around, available only after the sun goes down to any hungry passerby. There are cookies of all styles and flavors. But watch out for the dreader sriracha cookie. It will make you breathe fire in three flavors and gives a bit of heartburn after, but the aftertaste will leave you craving more.


iii. The Eighth Wonder of the World
Now that the jungle has been purified, Apprentices can wander through to explore all the things the jungle has to offer. Take a (still somewhat shambly) riverboat and explore the river, or come to chat and trade with the villagers. (Shrunken heads, two for one special!) But beware. Even though the jungle is purified, it’s not a safe place. In this kingdom of animals, someone is always hungry.


iv. Pin It On Them
Some smugglers are hanging around the outskirts of New Orleans, selling dubious looking items from even more dubious looking bags. Do you buy from them? Haggle? Steal? (not recommended) Or quietly try to alert any sort of authority (good luck) The choice is yours.


v. Battle Mesa Gate
While the jungle may be purified, many other Kingdoms are still seething with corrosion. Erstwhile Apprentices will find such corrosion on the banks of the Rivers of America, right where the jungle river joins in. Fight corroded creatures on the shore and in the water and be careful, they are stronger than they look and cleverer than they seem.

Comments

[serpentinthegarden]

"Wings might help."

Crowley suggested as he paced around the base of the tree trying to work out the situation. It seemed a simple vine wrapped around the legs deal to him much like the man had stepped into a hunting snare.

He leaned back against the tree trunk and gave those vines a good warning glare.

"Can you reach the branch over your head?"

[serpentinthegarden]

"You didn't take to the school marm..."

The demon's explaination, whatever it might have been, fell silent as the corroded creatures spotted their opportunity. With neither wind or fire to keep them at bay the horde charged forward with a mighty war cry

"Are you crazy!?"

He snarled but reached out to yank the lady away just as one of the number leap high into the air for an attack that might well have ruined her hat and left her with the worst hair day ever. Crowley's flames lept back to life as he once more took over control of them but now their position was somewhat less desirable. The two stood in the center of a wall of flame like a pair of dancers wrapped together while the corrupted thronged around them at a distance that kept them safe from the heat.

[trashylittlesecret]

"You'd think so, but it's actually pretty sharp, go figure." He shrugged. "It's about three blocks that way, and the bartender usually has at least one thing on tap for cheap for Apprentices."

[petite_ancient_one]

"I still have no idea what you are referring to. There are Midsummer festivals in the world I came from, but it is not widely celebrated in the Night Court." And she is assuming that 'Midsummer's Night Dream' had nothing to do with a festival. It sounded like a title to a play.

"The world that I came from before here was called Prythian. Before that, the world was still very young and didn't have a common name yet."

[petite_ancient_one]

Amren knew absolutely nothing about mechanics, but she caught on quick on what the Human male was trying to do. And it was clear that the smuggler was trying to rip him off.

She crossed her arms and gave the smuggler a doubtful look. "That piece of junk? I wouldn't pay half a munny for that."

She turned back to the Obi-Wan and pointed back over her shoulder. "I saw a vendor about twenty stalls down selling actual brand new ones for less then ten munny." That was a lie, but the smuggler didn't know that. Hopefully the Human male will realize though.

[serpentinthegarden]

"Not really up on your Earth pop culture. Makes sense if you are from... What did you call it, Prythian?"

The demon's wings flexed slightly as a chill breeze blew through them ruffling his feathers.

"I was saying you look like an elf."

He wiggles his fingers near the side of his head indicating her ears.

"All Fey have those?"

Why is it so much fun to play Anakin being a little brat?

[nosmallfry]

"Perhaps someone on this mirror network would have some ideas, Master?" he asked with a bit of a grin, but then he drew a saber. Of the metal variety. "I was given this, perhaps it could be of some use?"

[rathersophistical]

Well why not? Mary had no reason to think she might be anything other than a pleasant person to share a meal with.

She smiled cheerfully, chuckling. "It's a turn of phrase. You don't literally take it anywhere. I'm inviting you to join me for a cup of tea and to share these lovely biscuits with me."

[mal_contented]

She took the munny. "Helping you get back is free, the munny I'll take as payment for cramping my style. You're almost as bad as they guy in the candy shop. Look, I wasn't going to actually kill the little punk," she said, walking as she spoke. "But he didn't need to know that and you didn't need to step in. I was handling it. A good bluff is worth more than a hundred boats. Look you're new here, right? Trust those of us who have been risking our lives here for months to know how to handle this place, okay?"

[rathersophistical]

Well that didn't go quite as she thought it might. The creatures attacked far more quickly than she'd hoped. Feisty things, that.

She gasped sharply as the stranger so rudely grabbed her. There was no time to react, though. Between the flames and creatures there were more than enough things to worry about. She pursed her lips, looking around. With a sigh, she lifted her umbrella.

"Honestly. When faced with overwhelming might, I find it best to take flight."

Snapping it open, a whirlwind swirled around them. The fire warmed the air which quickly filled the umbrella. She wrapped an arm around the stranger's waist and they were lifted up above the scene.

[rathersophistical]

Well that was quite curious. She tilted her head slightly. Apparently she had a lot to learn about the individuals she was sharing that world with, and their customs.

"Really? Interesting. Ms. Poppins is fine. What shall I call you?"

[im_a_hugger]

A more sensible person might be concerned that an apparently very young child was wandering around the streets by himself at night. But that was far from the first thing that occurred to Scorpia as she spotted the green toddler attempting to catch the frog. "Aren't you just the cutest little thing?", she said as she leaned down close to the child. "Look at you with your tiny little legs and your wiggly ears... Ooh, I just wanna pinch your little cheeks!"

Cuteness proximity has been activated. Resistance is futile.

[im_a_hugger]

"Well, I don't know about that," Scorpia said. "Though if you ask, she might let you find out. She'd probably think it was fun." Entrapta liked to science everything, after all. She probably wouldn't want to pass up the chance to have data on what she tasted like.

She couldn't really speak for how the merpeople in her world felt about humans. True, Mermista was part of the Princess Alliance, so chances are she at least liked them well enough, but Scorpia had never really really spoken to many merpeople directly. Who knew how the general population felt?

The hug, though she could reassure him about. "Don't worry; that's what exoskeletons are for," she said, tapping a bit on her shoulder to demonstrate. "I've taken way worse than a few little stings with no problem. And I'll be sure to keep my pincers closed. Like I said, I'm great at hugs."

Before attempting the hug again though, she realized something. "Ooh! Hey, now that we're friends, we can be Super Stinging Buddies!" She turned a bit to one side so that he could get a better look at her tail and the stinger on the end of it. "See? I've got a stinger too! And you know, I've never met anyone else who could sting before?"

Amelia Peabody Emerson | The Amelia Peabody Series (Books)

[sitt_hakim]

i. Main Street

With the streets and shoppes still decorated in all their seasonal finery it was almost incomprehensible to think about what further dangers could await a hapless traveler in the ever-lengthening shadows. Still, Amelia always felt that it was prudent to be prepared for anything so she scoured the marketplace seeking supplies to add to her accouterments. It was a pity that she hadn't arrived with her belt of tools, but she had acquired a new one that should be serviceable. Some of the other materials were proving more difficult.

"You don't have it?" Amelia asked the shopkeeper she was currently standing before. "Then where else might I procure a bottle of laudanum?" The answer she received was less than satisfactory, and she made no secret of her disappointment. "Very well- I suppose it can't be helped. Really." The elixir had multiple uses that covered a wide range of ailments. Replacing it would not be easy.

She then proceeded to seek the other items on her list which included smelling salts, a pistol, matches, a water tight container, candles, a length of rope, and a small bottle of brandy.

II. Cookie Overload

"Good gad, I should feel relieved that Ramses isn't here." Amelia commented offhandedly as the cookies were being passed out all around her. In fact she had to wave away a few offerings made to herself as well. "No matter what I tell that boy about putting strange pastries in his mouth he always finds a way to defy me." Though she spoke with a note of exasperation in her voice, there was an underlying level of affection. Unlike some women, Amelia was not as demonstrative with her feelings but that didn't mean that she didn't hold her family in high regard.

"No thank you, I'll not say it again."

IV. Pin It On Them

With her parasol hooked over one arm and the corner of her lips quirking upwards into a sedate smirk Amelia gave a scrutinizing look to the wares being presented to her. The unsavory fellow before her was not all that different than some of the merchants she had dealt with in the Khan el-Khalili in Cairo when she was seeking to purchase the dubiously acquired papyri. In other words, she thought she knew his type and Amelia always considered herself an excellent judge of character.

Unfortunately he didn't seem to have anything that she required... though.. yes some of these powdery looking substances might be useful for pain relief or as sedatives their contents and concentrations couldn't be determined with certainty. "Is this all that you have?" Projecting ambivalence with the current selection. "Perhaps you keep something more interesting in the back...?" After a shifty glance or two, the peddler secured the current offerings and then retreated inside briefly. In the interim Amelia took her leave.

Pin it on Them

[serpentinthegarden]

As it turned out the unsavory peddler did have something more interesting in the back of his shop. As Amelia was turning to leave a rather lanky fellow wearing sunglasses and wings darker than pitch stepped out of the back room. He and the peddler exchanged a handshake before he turned to leave only the sight of another old timey dress stopped Crowley in his tracks.

"Another lady with a parasol? Don't tell me you can fly with that thing too?"

[serpentinthegarden]

"Do you always rhyme in the middle of a battle?" Crowley sneered but it would be the last 'cool' thing he did. The weightless feeling of suddenly experiencing yourself drawn skywards held up only by the surprisingly strong arm of a Victorian lady was enough to cause a small moment of panic. He stopped himself from squirming if only because he didn't want to fall but those eyes hidden by his shades did grow as wide as saucers. "You... How did you? With an umbrella!?" He finished incredulously. It had been ages since he had last flown. Even with his wings out and on constant display he hadn't really thought to use them. And yet this lady managed to fly so easily with an object that should never have been able to hold their weight. That umbrella ought to have flipped inside out by now and sent them crashing to the ground.

i

[creepyoldguy]

"Laudanum? Seriously?"

The demon was barely controlling his laughter. "You're not gonna get that O-T-C, lady. I haven't seen that stuff in decades."

Re: Pin it on Them

[sitt_hakim]

Not to further inflate Crowley's ego... but yes she would agree that he was more interesting than the illicit materials on sale. One did wonder if the authorities were aware of what was apparently going on in this representation of the American south. Perhaps she would inform them given the chance though if the constables here were as lackadaisical as some of the ones she had met in her own dimension it wouldn't do much good. Getting back to the winged gentleman.. assuming the term was not completely in error- his words prompted her to stop and look towards him. So much for her hasty departure. Oh well- it was not as if she was unarmed should the need arise.

"Fly? Don't be preposterous." Apparently at some point he had partaken of the questionable wares himself.... it was the only logical assumption. "It does have it's uses however." Her parasol, the core of it it was made of steel and it had been fashioned to terminate in a pointed end. Sure- it looked ornamental but it was meant to be used as either a blunt weapon when swung at an opponent, or made to pierce with the sharpened bit. The prospect that there could be another from her era was intriguing... though just possessing a parasol didn't really mean anything. "Isn't that what your wings are for?"

i

[sitt_hakim]

Crinkling her nose at the incredulous notes in his voice, she turned to face him. "I am beginning to tire of that reaction, perhaps you could enlighten me on why it is such an unreasonable request." Did people in later eras cease to use it as a sleep aide, pain reliever, or a cure for digestive issues? Either way she was determined to finish kitting out her first aide supplies.

"For starters what year were you from?"

Re: i

[creepyoldguy]

Beetlejuice grinned, unbothered. “Most recently? 2019.”

[serpentinthegarden]

"Yeah umbrellas, useful for keeping the rain from landing on your head."

He spoke idly with his hands shoved deep into his pockets, unaware of her umbrellas other features. He might have a long demonic squee if he had realized just how 'spy' that all was. Huge Bond fan.

Her question was an equally on target one as most wings could easily carry their owner high into the air but his... Was it strange to say he hadn't even thought to try flying with them? Too many years spent living amount humans.

"They are more decorative these days... Were you looking for something in particular?"

Re: ii

[im_a_hugger]

"Heh, well can't argue with you there," Scorpia said, doing a quick flex to demonstrate. "That's scorpions for you. Strong, brave, loyal, great at giving hugs... Yep, I've got a lot going for me."

"How about you?", she asked. "What're some things you're good at?"

[sitt_hakim]

"2019?!" Unable to fully suppress her surprise. "Well in that case... I would have been disappointed if there hadn't been any advancements in medical sciences." That at least caused her to drop the soured expression.

"I'm from 1898." It was still unfathomable for all of this to be real but.. perhaps she should look for a compendium of modern medicines.

[creepyoldguy]

"That explains things. Breathers decided that stuff was dangerous and you'd have to go through a ton of hoops to get it."

The demon ran a hand through his hair. "I think this place uses a fair amount of healing sparkle magic." Waggle fingers to emphasize.

[sitt_hakim]

Amelia didn't bother to correct him on the other positive attributes of her parasol. If need be he would get a demonstration soon enough. She was finding it difficult to read this individual with his attraction to wearing dark clothing and covering his eyes with those dark-tinted spectacles. Was he trying to mask the effects of drugs on his system? It would be logical, though he did not appear otherwise afflicted. It was a pity too- judging from his accent he was of British extraction. She'd seen far too many of her local countryman succumb to the lure of opiates. Careful Crowley or you could become one of her special rehabilitation projects. The only thing saving him was the fact that he was not actually under the influence of anything.

Though she had posed the question, she had doubts that the wings would in reality be used for practical purpose.

"Oh, are they?" Said with a knowing smile. "Yes, I was actually. Some of the materials I require to complete my medical supply kit I have been unable to find in the town proper."