Aben

A roleplay transcript by Calliope and Gisele

Calliope Imbeau stepped off the boat and immediately began strolling into the city. She was not sure where she was going exactly, but she was certain that her duty laid here. "Greetings, Sir!" she spoke to the first person she saw in the city. "Can you tell me of the whereabouts of one called, Aben?" she asked with a smile.

Mr Anarchy: Yes I have seen her but unfortunately she does move around alot but I have seen her in the city. We can look for her together if you would like.

Calliope Imbeau looked at him curiously, her eyes blinking. "I'm not sure you have seen him. Perhaps you misunderstand me." She pauses and looks him over from head to toe. "Unless you have an ability to speak with the dead that belies your appearance. Aben is no longer with the living. I come to seek those that knew of him. Did you know him?"

Mr Anarchy: Oh my apologies. I may have gotten a bit confused. I may know of him. But never met him. I am still very new to this realm. I'm sorry I can't be much help to you.

Mr Anarchy: May i say though i know this is off topic but you do look very stunning in your armor.

Calliope Imbeau smiles, "I did not expect my first contact here to produce the results I hope to obtain." She looks around, "Do you know of lodgings? I will need to obtain them. I fear my stay here may be longer than I anticipated." She hears his compliments on her armor and blushes. Looking down she mutters, "Thank you."

Mr Anarchy: Even though I am new to this realm . I may be able to guide you to a lodging area for your stay. There are many lodges to choose from. May I lead you the way. 

Offers his hand for guidance along the travels.

Calliope takes his hand as offered, "Yes! Please, if you will, and thank you!"

Mr Anarchy: There are many lodges here to choose from. It is whatever you choose make yourself feel at home during your stay here.

Gisele Valentein gave the two a smile in passing as she walked up to the window. She turned and looked back, "My apologies. Are you here to look at this home too? There do not seem to be many homes available for rent in the city." Her smile broadened. "I don't want to interfere."

Calliope Imbeau roamed her eyes around the strange city as they walked. She found it odd that lodgings should be so far from the docks where people would enter the city. She turned suddenly to stare at the stranger that asked them about the home."Is this an Inn?" she asked of her, and him both. "Why is the Inn so far from the docks?"

Mr Anarchy: Yes it does seem so far away from the docks. And a little bit of a walk. It would be hard to even notice that there are lodges here in the city if you didn't explore enough of the city.

Gisele Valentein rubbed at her hairline, looking back briefly at the window. But she had quickly summed up their garb and noted the fierce spear the armored woman was carrying. She took a moment to listen to their conversation then turned toward them. "These are homes. I wouldn't want to live so close to the riff raff that comes in just to visit the city for a day. There are two inns here. One is the Wayward King Tavern which is right by the covered harbor, and the other one is right by the main bustling docks."

Calliope Imbeau looked over the pretty leather armor clad woman as she spoke about houses and inns. Her mental focus was taken away from seeking lodgings and back to her duty. "I am here seeking knowledge of one called, Aben. Do you have knowledge of this Aben?" she asked as she took several steps towards the woman.

Mr Anarchy: Thank you. That is probably the best option for Calliope. As I said to Calliope I am still new to the city. I did know of some homes around the area that may be what she is looking for. Sorry for the mis guidance Calliope.

Gisele Valentein's brow creased as the elf spoke. "Wow. Pardon my surprise, but are you a relative of his?" She held the Valkyrie's gaze for a beat or two and then slid her gaze over to her dark-haired companion. "I'm new too," she said, giving a half-shrug, her smile no longer present. The man's coat was made of good material. It had undoubtedly cost a fair bit of coin. And the woman's armor was in good shape. Gisele had already spied what she was looking for through the window. She would report back when she returned to the Order. For now, her interest lay with the female. Who was she to Aben? And what an incredible coincidence that she checked on Aben and Johnis just yesterday and discovered he was still missing.

Calliope Imbeau moved several steps closer to her. "You knew him!" She announced. "I can see it in your eyes! You must tell me all you know of his life! Who were his friends? Where did he spend his time? I must know these things." She turned quickly back towards the dark haired man. "No worries, kind Sir. You have placed me on the exact path I need to walk. Thank you!" She smiled and turned back to the woman. "Please! I must know if I am to help him!" She didn't consider that she had referred to Aben in the past tense several times during this exchange.

Gisele Valentein shook her head. "I'm not telling you anything until you tell me who you are to him." Her gaze fell to the spear in the elf's hand. "And what kind of help you would offer him." The rogue felt protective of Aben whether it was outwardly apparent or not. She had had many exchanges with both he and Johnis when she first arrived in the city. He was always kindly spoken.

Calliope Imbeau smiled at her in a kind way as her eyes stared into the pretty brunette's. "You cared for him." She stated emphatically. "I can see this. Do you know what became of him?" She paused and thought for a moment, thanking the Goddess silently that she had put her into the path of this one. "I am named Calliope." She began slowly, still staring at the brown haired woman. "I am here to aid your friend, the one called Aben, on his continued journey."

Gisele Valentein inhaled deeply, locking her gaze on the elf's almost angelical visage. She found the response odd. Otherworldly, perhaps. "Uh, sadly, the only knowledge I can share with you is that he was one of the many unlucky people who live in the Slaves Quarters." She scoffed at that. "Here I go sounding like a local already." Briefly, her mouth quirked. "There's a place where the working class lives. The real working class, and that's where he could always be found until a few days ago." She blinked and folded her arms beneath her bosom. "He had a friend named Johnis. You could speak with him. May have to bring him something to get him to open up though." Her smile finally resurfaced. "I warn you, it stinks in that alley." It did. Smelled of unwashed bodies, urine and feces. "Anyway, I used to give them food. Visited yesterday and... still no sign of Aben." She watched the man who had accompanied Calliope wander away.

Calliope Imbeau paused, looking up for a moment at the sky. As she looked back down at the woman, smiling kindly she spoke. "You gave them food. You are a kind spirit as well. I am sorry to tell you this..." She paused and pursed her lips a moment before continuing. "But, that other kind spirit that you gave food, is no longer in the realm of the living. I am here to help his spirit move to his seat beyond where he will have no hunger. To do this, however; I must find the one responsible for ending his journey in life. Will you help me?" She stared into the woman's eyes with a pleading look. "You who gave him food? Will you assist him once more?"

The golden armored elf’s smile was charming, but it did nothing to soothe the chill Gisele felt in her bones. She really disliked mages. Too much crazy. Was she a mage? If so, she was probably a whole new level of crazy, and dangerous to boot. Or was she just a little off? She pondered a moment if Calliope could be a necromancer. Maybe she wanted to find the body to do something sinister with it. To recall its memories or... something worse. But the elf did not look the type. Gisele's skin goosepimpled. "Yeah, I was afraid of that," she said in reference to Aben no longer living among them. She liked Aben just enough to help the woman. And without pay. She would have to keep this under wraps now that Silence had gotten what he wanted from her. He was probably looking for any reason to kick her out of the brotherhood. "I'll help. Where do you want to start?"

Calliope Imbeau watched her reaction and thought for a moment. "How can you help?" She spoke aloud to no one in particular. "There is this one called, Johnis. Could you introduce me to him sometime? And, show me where Aben stayed? Perhaps I can gain knowledge from these things." She looked around for a moment, then back at the woman. "But, for now...I shall need lodgings, if you can help me find that. And, a nearby, quiet, peaceful, place to perform my ablutions and offer my prayers to the Goddess. Do you know of these places?" She paused and smiled, "I am afraid my companion knew as little about this city as I did."

The more she listened to Calliope, the more she found the creature fascinating. "Eh," Gisele said as the elf finished speaking of religious stuff. Talk of gods and goddesses annoyed her, but the woman's heart seemed to be in a good place - many were, she found. But not all. "Sure - I can help you find lodging." Gisele's gaze roamed over the armor again noting the ornate craftsmanship. “Would you rather stay near the docks or by the entrance in which you came?"

Calliope Imbeau considered her question and answered after some thought. "Is there an inn near a park or quiet place with running water? That would be ideal!" She thought a bit more and then said. "My customs and manners must seem strange to you. I approached you most suddenly because I became excited when I saw in your eyes a recognition of the one I seek knowledge of when I spoke the name. I am sorry if I caused offense to you." She smiled kindly as she spoke. Something else suddenly came to her mind. "Are you familiar with the forest? I have quartered my mount there and the folk that live there promise to care for him. What manner of payment is most precious to them? I should like to repay them well."

"I think you'll find the Crescent Moon Inn comfortable," Gisele said thoughtfully. "You're fine. No offense taken," she said, offering a smile of her own. "And I'm really not sure what the folks of the forest would want. Maybe the nymphs would know.” She thought of Coraline in that moment, wondering how her nymph friend was doing. “Okay, come with me," she said, snapping back to the present, and led Calliope to the stairs. "We'll take my boat over and I'll show you a place that should offer you the peace you... want." Gisele still did not understand all the peace and meditation mumbo jumbo in Ansa`fel, but she had heard other people rave about it. "Gisele, by the way," she offered as they started down the stairs toward the nearby dock. "Watch your footing," she said as she climbed onto the little rowboat and took up the oars. "You'll have to surrender your weapons at the garden, but they will give them back to you." She sneezed into the crook of her arm, then sniffled. "I don't know much about meditation, but it is a beautiful place. You'll see. Do you have an offering to give them? They won't let you in without one. Oh and the inn is nearby." Once the Valkyrie was seated, Gisele began to row them toward the bustling docks.

“See that,” Gisele had said. “That is Moonflower Hollow.” Her gaze lingered over the massive cliffs of paradise for several heartbeats before continuing to row them closer to the docks. “Where you can supposedly find relaxation. And meditation stuff.”

Calliope Imbeau followed her along the path and down the steps towards the boat. As she pointed out the place of reflection she had mentioned, she remarked after gazing at it.. "Oh, yes! That will do quite nicely! Thank you!"

Gisele Valentein gave her a nod. Once she had moored the boat, she and Calliope climbed upon the weathered docks. “Right this way,” she said, leading her off the docks to step onto the marbled walkway. She nodded toward the magical garden up ahead. The sight of it seemed to lift her spirits considerably. "Straight ahead offers one of the entrances to the Hollow.

Calliope Imbeau followed along behind her as she led the way. "What sort of offering do they require?" She asked as she gazed into the hollow.

"Hmm, I really do not know," she said truthfully. "I have only visited once and it was by invitation." She left it at that and led them to the walkway between the inn and Hollow, then nodded to the large rectangular building that served much of the elite in the city offering fine dining and cozy inn rooms. "And this is Crescent Moon."

Calliope Imbeau looked at the inn that she had pointed out. It appeared to be in good order and the nearby gardens would suit her needs well. "I thank you for your kindness to me, Gisele. How may I reach you in the days to come? I very much need to speak with Johnis, and see where this kind spirit resided."

"How about I come by tomorrow. I'm anxious to know what happened to Aben as well. Say early afternoon? Will that work?" Gisele looked to the elf, but her gaze was drawn to the gardens just beyond. She recalled the wonderful time she had when she visited with Coraline the Nymph just days before.

Calliope Imbeau nodded as she smiled. "That will do nicely. If I am not in the inn, I shall be in these gardens at my prayers." She indicated the hollow with a nod of her head towards it. "I look forward to seeing you on the morrow then!"