Distant Artifacts - RPLOG
From Rusted Promises
Participants
Date
28/10/475
Log
The being that has drawn the attention of the crowd is a well rounded female, no clan seal shown. She appears to be of chipmunk ancestry. In her gloved hands she holds a strange looking box with a crystal set in the side, "I swears it!" she says animatedly, shaking it around, "It took me to this place, you wouldn't believe!" The crowd seems not quite so believing.
Valentine says, "hmph, the only way of traveling I accept is that one that ivolves a lot of walking, sweating and confronting all the things along the way!"
Not Rainer, though, the wolf is hanging off her every word. Seated on a barstool he leans with one elbow on the counter and an ale in the other hand, 3/4's drained, which may or may not explain his willingness to believe the farfetched tale. "Tell us more about it, then, c'mon!"
The chipmunk flashes dirty teeth at Rainer, "Oh, see, that fella knows. Bet it's Creator made or something." She shakes the box again, "I just move my hand over it like this." She covers the crystal with a hand and rubs it, and a far off look goes into her eyes, staring off into the distance.
Valentine is leaning against the wall, sceptic look in his eyes.
Valentine says, "soo? How is that travelling of yours going?"
Rainer leans forward in anticipation, brows raising... then slowly knitting when the chipmuck doesn't vanish into thin air like he might have expected. Some of the other patrons are laughing, and he's looking a little embarassed himself for having believed the tale, snapping fingers in the critter's direction. "Hey. Hey! ...Wakey-wakey?"
No response. Curious. But the chipmunk just isn't moving, staring off as if frozen in place.
Valentine smirks.
Rainer looks to Valentine, puzzled, and back at the squirrel. "Hell with it." he finally utters, reaching into give that rock a few pokes and nudges himself.
Valentine heads out to the door. "What a waste of time" he mumbles, opening them to the feeling of a cold air
The moment the chipmunk's hand is moved off the crystal, she snaps back to life, "Ah!" she startled, "Oh, I'm back. See, isn't it amazing as all get out?" she cries.
Valentine says, "Heh, the furthest way you were gone during all this time, was inside your head."
Rainer issues a mildly irritated grunt, nodding in agreement with Val as he reaches out to give the Chipmunk a gentle pat on the back. "Why don't you sit down, I think you've had a few too many."
The chipmunk femme looks confused, "What do you mean? I was right there! A place in the clouds, with all kinds of great food and this fancy pants art, and the statues! Like dozens of Creators all over," she explains, "I could feel it, taste it. Weren't no dream, swear it on my heart and hope the Creators just snatch me up this second if I'm lying."
Valentine smiles. "Well, you are all alone in your statement, we were here all the time, looking at you. It's you versus all of us there."
"I know it's a little pricier, but maybe you should stick to getting your drinks at the Freeswords." Rainer chuckles, and with a finger beckons Valentine closer. "Tell you what, let our friend here give it a try."
Valentine stands still for a moment well, I don't think it would hurt to try
Valentine says, "he says"
The chipmunk looks wary a moment, "Well... alright. You're the only one with any faith in me so far, guess I'll return the favor." She holds out her box with some trepidation, "Just be careful with it alright?"
Walking with confident smile, Valentine grabs the box and mimicking the chipmunk's gestures, places his hand over the crystal
Rainer folds his arms over his chest and watches, his general demeanour suggesting he expects absolutely nothing to come of this.
And just like that, Valentine freezes in place. Transported, mentally at least, to that floating palace that the Chipmunk was rambling about. He stands in a grand dining hall, every table set with a different manner of delicacy. The walls covered in strange art, much of it featuring the Creators. The air smells odd, sweet, but chemical as well.
"What is wrong with that thing?" He is asking himself. "I bet illusion of some kind. Will I be able to get out of here on my own?"
Rainer, back in the real world, is at a bit of a loss as he sees that same vacant expression overtake Valentine. "...Oh, I get it, very funny." he says with a smirk, and when there's still no response, his brows start to furrow. "...Um."
Soft music can be heard, from the distance, at least for Valentine. It is a peaceful place of plenty. One would wonder why the chipmunk would even leave the first time.
The chipmunk looks a bit disturbed, "He didn't move at all," she complains, putting a hand on a hip, "What kind of... Was I just... doing that? No wonder everyone was laughing at me."
as peaceful as the music and enviroment was, Valentine couldn't get rid of an impression of something not sticking together in the whole thing. Subconsciously, he knew that he is, somewhere, struck in the same pose as he was seeing the chipmunk lady.
Rainer's tail twitches a few times. "Right, I think that's long enough." he decides, even though it's hardly been a minute, reaching in to pry Valentine's hand off the crystal.
For better or worse, it's not hard to move the hand, and suddenly Valentine is back in his own body, where he started.
Valentine says, "Ahh, so, that's what it was. My dear lady, I think you are in possesion of some kind of magical item. It would be unwise to use it even one more time without getting it examined by authorities"
The chipmunk points at herself, "What, me? I'm fine, thanks. I don't need no examunational things," she assures with a dismissive hand wave, "So did you see it at least?"
Valentine says, "Well, I was aware of some unnatural surroundings. The more reason to think it may be some kind of trap for lesser minds. Tell me, how did you get into possesion of that... Crystal?"
Rainer is eyeballing the crystal, undoubtedly desiring a peek for himself, though he makes no such request. "You know..." he speaks up at last, tipping back his head and closing his eyes, "I bet the Church would give you a lot of crowns for it~"
She shakes her head, "Crystal and the box came together. Didn't dare try prying it out of there, what if it stopped working?" she complains. "Oh you think so? I could use more of that," she agrees, bobbing her head, "Since it aint really moving me there, guess I don't need it no more. Somebody might stab me while I was looking like a moron."
Valentine says, "ok then, I'll take it. Then I will give it to the academy for checkout"
"A very real possibility, especially if you like hanging around this part of town." Rainer agrees with a nod and a smirk, then turning an almost suspicious eye on Valentine.
She moves to reclaim her artifact from Valentine, "Oh no. Aint no giving. I found it, it's mine. Someone wants to pay for it, that's something else, but I aint giving it away. You must think I'm dumb."
he gives her the thing with hesitation. "Well, what do you want for it then?
Rainer chuckles. Something to be admired 'bout the chimpmunk's spunk. "The better question might be: how much have you got."
The chipmunk moves to nudge against Rainer's side, "Ah like you. You got a good head on you." She then nods at Valentine, "It's a priceless Artee fact," she declares, "Bet I could get hundreds of thousand for it."
Valentine says, "Well, I am afraid I don't have too much to give. Maybe some kind of service? I am the man of many talents.""
Rainer's eyes roll up and down the skunk's figure, at that, and he quickly raises a fist to his mouth, coughing repeatedly.
Valentine says, "Oh, for gods sake... Would you please be quiet?"
The chipmunk follows much the same with her eyes, "Ifn you were a chipmunk, I may take you up on that, maybe, but nah. I gots everything I need." She sways her hips, "Good looks, skill, just need some cash and Ahll be set for life!"
Rainer bursts out laughing, "I think you just dodged a bullet." As he settles his hands go to his hips, "Man, seems like everyone's finding lost Creator artifacts except me these days."
Glancing at the chipmunk, he realises his words were taken wrong and blushes. After a while, he regains his dignity, and turning to the doors again, says "Well then, we will not come to the compromise... Time to go for me, lost too much time here already."
She tilts her head at the retreating skunk, "Well shoot, don't be a stranger. We can be friends without the artifact." A grin, and she looks back at Rainer, "So, you got an offer?"
"Me?" Rainer looks from the departing skunk to the chipmunk and back, scratches his head and, with a dopey grin, officers the little rodent his arm. "I suppose my offer is to escort you to the Church... or the Academy or a pawn shop or wherever you plan to unload that thing, and make sure no ruffians bring you to harm before you can realize your dream of an easy life. How does that sound?"
"Well now that's a right fine neighborly offer to make," she agrees, "Y'all said the church was offering, so let's go there then?" she suggests, "Sooner it's out of mah hands the better, I guess."
