Silver Linings

[esteems]

[ An organized cavalry of Zexen knights arrive at the Budehuc gates. The infantry men quickly clear the way for Chris on her white steed to enter the scene, followed by a peculiar carriage. With no time to waste, the Silver Maiden dismounts her horse to assesses the situation as some infantry men help Alma Kinan shamans out of the carriage. ]

Thank goodness -- we're not too late. Everything is still in one piece here.

Comments

[latkje]

We're in one piece. [ He's cleaned himself up from his little expedition, right now, but his tone is still subdued. He tilts his head to the left for a second. ] Except for the parts that are supposed to be separate.

[esteems]

[ While her eyes are still keen from assessing the place at first glance, she takes note of his slightly different appearance. ]

Does that include your scarf as one of the parts?

[latkje]

[ Dammit, is the tear that obvious? ]

I'm getting it hemmed.

[esteems]

It appears you got more than you bargained for in your little expedition.

[latkje]

I got what I wanted. But wasn't a bargain.

[esteems]

You found the rune?! What about the woman who accompanied you?

[latkje]

She thinks I should hire someone to fix my scarf.

[ A pause. ]

Lorelai got it worse than I did, but she's fine now.

[esteems]

That's good to hear, but where is the rune now?

[latkje]

She took it to Caesar. I thought it would be better if she were the one to do it.

[esteems]

Why does it matter who delivers it? Unless it is because you couldn't trust yourself with it?

[latkje]

I don't want the thing, but I know people who do. A Harmonian secret agent isn't exactly who most people want handling their True Runes.

[esteems]

[ dryly: ] It must have been so difficult not following your real orders.

Then again, that's exactly why I could trust you to bring the rune here instead of there.

[latkje]

I don't know what you're talking about. [ He raises his palms, feigning confusion. ]

This place was just closer.

[esteems]

There may not be a place left if this plan fails. Even if we succeed, it won't solve all our problems for good.

[latkje]

Everything ends, Chris. We can't use that as an excuse.

[esteems]

This is different and you know it. Think about it, this happened because something is messing with the timeline and we are still not closer to figuring out why.

What's to stop it from bringing in another True Rune that already exists in the present? Your excursion, the shamans, all of this... it's a bandaid.

[latkje]

You're right. We're just trying to stop the bleeding.

[ladyofstars]

[Appears at the gates]

Good. All parts have been played.

[esteems]

[ Zerase's sudden appearance startles her men, but she quietly signals them to stand down. ]

This is still far from over, you know.

[ladyofstars]

True, but we are closer to a revolution than we were before.

[esteems]

I felt awful leaving Hugo to suppress his rune on his own. It must be getting harder each day...

[ladyofstars]

All the more reason to seal the True Winds together as soon as possible.

How long until the Shamans are ready?

[esteems]

I cannot tell you specifically how long, but a ritual like this requires a strong magic power. [ Namely you Zerase, if you catch her drift. ] Perhaps I should be the one asking you about the timeframe.

[ladyofstars]

As soon as I fetch Luc I'll be ready.

[esteems]

Is he willing to cooperate?

[ladyofstars]

He is.

[grassnorcrystal]

What's going on here?

[esteems]

We are simply escorting some officials from Alma Kinan. You're... from LeBuque, right?

[grassnorcrystal]

Yes. I've only recently arrived.

[esteems]

I see. I'm sorry that Budehuc isn't in its best state at the moment, we are doing everything we can.

[grassnorcrystal]

Is there anything I can help with?

[esteems]

Right now? That's difficult to say, I have yet to be debriefed on what's been going on in my absence. [ Pause. ] As far as military operations go, I trust my own men with the task.

[grassnorcrystal]

Understood.

[percivalthegale]

Uneventful trip, I hope, my lady? All is well here, no further incidents have been reported.

[esteems]

That is good to hear. What about Hugo's rune?

[percivalthegale]

I've not heard anything positive or negative, there. [give it time, Percival.] All seems to be well, at least?

[judgementscythe]

You've returned. I take it we have everything we need now?

[esteems]

The rest is up to fate, as they say. I heard that retrieving the rune was not an easy task.