Crescendo and Confusion

[innkeeper_erin]

*A young woman walks out of the woods around the stable. Her voice turns louder and more worried as she mentions each name*

Nemne?

Marica?

...Sieeeeg?

*She spins around to look back into the woods, yet she fails to find anything to reassure her growingly agitated mind.*

I didn't enter the wrong gate, did I?

Comments

[fierce_marauder]

Hey. You lost, missy? I'm pretty sure there's only one gate 'round here, though y'know, I ain't certain considering I've only been around a few days.

[innkeeper_erin]

Oh! Could you show me the gate? I came with my friends but we were separated somehow...

[fierce_marauder]

Huh? But... You just went through the gate! ... didn't you?

[innkeeper_erin]

I did, but then it disappeared before---

*pauses, just now realizing they are not at the same frequency*

Are you a native around here, Sir?

[fierce_marauder]

Yeaaaaah, not really. I kinda' wound up here when I stepped off my ship, except then my ship disappeared along with everyone I knew.

What's... what's your point?

[innkeeper_erin]

I... suppose you don't know anything about another world either?

[fierce_marauder]

What, like... the afterlife? Are you saying you're dead? Are you a ghost?

[innkeeper_erin]

Dead...? No! I'm pretty much alive. I mean a livable world just like this.

[fierce_marauder]

... Another livable world? Maybe she's been warped as well and she doesn't even know it.

So... What's your world called?

[innkeeper_erin]

*He doesn't seem to believe her, does he? His reaction is similar to her reaction to The Order teaching, albeit less hostile. And she is not wrong.*

We don't call it with specific name.

I came from a town named Grayridge, if that can clear any confusion.

[fierce_marauder]

... Oh boy. Never heard of it, though that isn't really saying much...

[ He crosses his arms and sighs, wondering just what's up with this place. ]

I'm from about a hundred and something years in the past. I ain't up to scratch on whether this kinda' thing is normal or not.

[innkeeper_erin]

A hundred... years... So you are also stranded here?

[fierce_marauder]

I guess. Guess we both better start makin' new friends, huh?

[ He grins wryly. ]

So what do you do, anyway? In your, uh, world?

[innkeeper_erin]

*Her brow furrows slightly at his grin, but she pays no extra attention to it.*

I run the inn in the Company headquarter, sometimes serving as extra medic.

[fierce_marauder]

Huh. Sure could've used you on the Grishend.

Welp, I hope you get lucky and your pals pop up here, too, eh?

[innkeeper_erin]

Grishend? *blinks in bewilderment* Oh, is it the ship you mentioned earlier?

[aloof_savant]

[ He comes running towards Erin, a little out of breath. ]

He-hey! Is everything alright? You're shouting strange things!

[innkeeper_erin]

Strange things...?

I-I'm alright! Sorry, I'm looking for my friends. One of them is a girl with long twin tail -- have you seen them?

[aloof_savant]

[ Huge sigh of relief. ]

Good grief, I thought you were in danger! I was having such a nice nap, too...

A girl with a long twin tail? I'm.. sorry to say, I have not seen anyone like that. How exactly did you get separated?

[innkeeper_erin]

I'm not really sure. We just went through the Gateway together from our homeworld.

[aloof_savant]

Gateway? Homeworld? Are you saying you're not from this world? That would be... new. After what I've seen this week, at least.

[innkeeper_erin]

No, I am not. My friends and I came from our world on an assignment, but apparently I came to the wrong world.

[aloof_savant]

[ Somehow believes her, but really doesn't want to. It's too crazy! ]

He-hey, you're kidding me, right? Just how many worlds are there?! Hahah... this.. this is way above my paygrade.

[innkeeper_erin]

We call it Infinity, so nobody really knows.

*If these people don't even know about the concept of Infinity, then they wouldn't know anything about Gateways either...

She bites her lips softly in disappointment -- this will take longer than she expected.*</i

[aloof_savant]

Oh. Oh yeah. Of course, nobody knows, not with a name like that. Infinity... man, this is too much...

[ Takes a small moment to absorb all this new information before continuing. ]

So am I right in assuming that you don't have a place to stay at the moment?

[innkeeper_erin]

I'm afraid not.

*looks at the chateau visible from there* Oh... Are you the lord of this land?

[aloof_savant]

Me? Oh, no, I'm just looking after it for a friend. He should be back soon... I hope.

Well then! How about staying at Budehuc Castle? Who knows, your friends might inexplicably show up too! This is quickly becoming a hotspot for the weird and supernatural. ...That's not our tourism slogan, by the way.

[innkeeper_erin]

If it's okay with you, I will not refuse.

I don't bring enough Potch, though. Is it okay if I offer my service instead, Mr...?

[quicksmart]

[ WATCHING FROM AFAR LIKE A CHILD HAWK. ]

[aloof_savant]

Silverberg, but my friends call me Caesar! Actually, everyone calls me that.

We have a variety of positions and space for business if need be. What kind of services are you offering, Miss..?

[innkeeper_erin]

It's Erin, Sir Caesar. I work as inn keeper in my homeworld and a bit of clerical tasks.

[aloof_savant]

You know... your world doesn't sound very different from this one at all.

Very well, Erin! You are now the official innkeeper of Budehuc! I never liked the idea of a butler running it anyway. I have a feeling you'll be quite busy at the rate we're getting unexpected residents. Present company included!

[prince_of_bandits]

Geez girly, you're lookin' like a damsel in distress there. Just the type of victim bandits would prey upon, should they find you here!

[innkeeper_erin]

...Thanks for the warning.

*She looks at him in suspicion, trying to keep a distance from him while slowly walking away*

[prince_of_bandits]

[ Doesn't try to follow her. ]

Oh, relax, I ain't gonna do nothin'! I'm just lookin' for something I threw away. Man, what a pain...

[innkeeper_erin]

I... see. Excuse me, then. Sorry for disturbing you.

[prince_of_bandits]

...You're not from this castle, huh?

[innkeeper_erin]

No, I'm not. I'm from anoth-- a faraway place.

[quicksmart]

Are you also from a different time? You appear disoriented.

[innkeeper_erin]

No, I'm from different world.

Did you say "different time"? People can time-travel in this world?

[quicksmart]

A different world entirely? ... I would believe anything at this point.

It seems so. Not by choice, however. A few of us have been taken here for some peculiar reason.

[ She tilts her head lightly, looking curious. ]

Is traveling through different worlds normal for you?

[innkeeper_erin]

It isn't a common practice or widely known - I only discovered about it under special circumstances myself. But it happens more than often to my knowledge.

Taken here? Does it mean me stranded here isn't a coincidence...?

[quicksmart]

How interesting...

I'm not certain on the circumstances, but it seems that this place has become quite popular for travelers from peculiar places. Maybe something is happening.

I'd be very interested to learn more about your worlds, though. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss...?

[innkeeper_erin]

Erin. My name is Erin. Pleased to meet you, too.

You seem very well-informed. Are you a scholar or something related?

[quicksmart]

That's very kind of you. I am only an apprentice strategist, however. I'm afraid I'd be more useful if I were a magician.

And you?

[innkeeper_erin]

I'm running the inn for the Company.It isn't as big as inns in other cities, but it's always busy.

Oh, I don't think I've known your name yet, Miss?

[quicksmart]

I see. My name is Agnes.

[ Pauses for a moment, then decides to test the waters. ]

While I'm here, I'm also Sir Caesar's housekeeper. Have you encountered him yet?

[innkeeper_erin]

Oh! Yes, I have met Sir Caesar. He helped me finding a place to stay here.

It seems I will also be in your care while I'm here, then.

[quicksmart]

Hmm.

[ She seems satisfied. ]

I believe I would be more likely to be in your care if you are an innkeeper. Regardless, I would like to learn a few things from you. I assume you are a good cook?