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Post by Ayen on Dec 13, 2012 21:10:51 GMT -6
The Kari ship finally arrived to its designation a port city called Ekaris. A place set up by a human colony founded by travelers from Jherra who wanted to provide safe passage to the unexplored continent without worry about the elves. As the ship's anchors were being tied up to the docks Zora returned to the lower deck entering their cabin to notify Gabrielle of their arrival.
“We're here.”
Zora was afraid to say much else. Ever since yesterday the witch had the feeling that Gabrielle was angry with her. Though the Traveling Bard has been openly frustrated with Zora, she never really showed any serious sign of being angry. It was a different feeling to be on the receiving end of, and not one Zora liked very much. |
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Post by Gabrielle on Dec 15, 2012 0:57:58 GMT -6
Gabrielle was sitting on the end of her bed in the cabin cleaning the chakram with a wash cloth. Thinking about what she was going to say when she saw Xena again. What they'd do. Seeing the chakram back in the hands of its rightful owner. Though she had learned to master it the Traveling Bard never felt right using it and had often wondered if she should have buried it with Xena. It didn't matter now. Soon it'd be the Warrior Princess throwing the chakram again and perhaps things will finally return to normal. At least normal in their own way.
Gabrielle heard footsteps approaching and then the sound of the cabin door coming open to see Zora walk through it. There was a sense of fear on her facial expression, like she was afraid of saying the wrong thing in her presence. Strange how the witch who always acted like she was above everyone else was so afraid of her. Gabrielle must have made more of an impression on the child than she first thought. Hearing the witch announce their arrival Gabrielle put away the cloth and chakram and stood up.
"Let's go." |
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Post by Ayen on Dec 15, 2012 12:22:53 GMT -6
"Let's go."
Zora turned around and started heading back up to the upper deck with Gabrielle. The ramp coming down on the dock allowing the ship's passengers to exit. The witch's eyes finding a “Welcome to Ekaris” sign above their heads on the docks as she looked around. The muggles here appeared to be in clothes similar to medieval times back in her own world. Outside of the docks were several shops that they could go to for weapons, equipment, items and even magic. Zora was curious to see what the magic shop looked like but was still too afraid of Gabrielle to bother her with asking. Zora's eyes also saw a tavern up ahead as well.
“Looks like there are plenty of shops for us to stock up on items... The tavern might be a good place to stop to find out more about Elim and what's the fastest route to Essancee.” |
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Post by Gabrielle on Dec 20, 2012 19:48:32 GMT -6
Gabrielle followed closely behind also surveying the city as they left the ship. Listening to Zora speak as she looked around towards the shops and the tavern she was kind enough to point out. The Traveling Bard's going beyond that to the bank a little further down the road and nodding towards it.
"First we need to make sure caps are any good here. If not then the bank should be able to exchange our currency with what is. In the meantime talk with the villagers. See what you can find out about here." |
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Post by Ayen on Dec 21, 2012 16:56:54 GMT -6
"First we need to make sure caps are any good here. If not then the bank should be able to exchange our currency with what is. In the meantime talk with the villagers. See what you can find out about here."
“All right...”
This was the first time they had ever split up while in a town. Usually Gabrielle would keep her close by at all times. Had it been at another time Zora would have been happy about this. That Gabrielle finally trusted her on her own. But given the way she has been acting since yesterday, the witch couldn't help but feel that now the Traveling Bard just didn't want her hanging around. Saddened by this thought the young witch lowered her head and walked off to find out more about the port city. |
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Post by Ares on Dec 31, 2012 3:28:15 GMT -6
"There she goes without ya."
Ares appeared in the port city, invisible to all around them and little more than a voice in Zora's head. Like her subconscious trying to tell her something. A whisper unveiling truths she didn't want to fully admit to herself.
"Kind of makes you feel second best, doesn't it?"
Ares stood to Zora's right, hunch down and by her ear while looking off in the direction Gabrielle went into. Since Gabrielle were able to sense him in this state he couldn't take too long and would have to vanish before she returned. All he needed was a brief moment to start getting to the witch.
"When she does reunite with Xena... Do you really think they're going to want you tagging along with them?"
Ares moved around to her left.
"Do you think they'll make a place for you?"
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Post by Ayen on Dec 31, 2012 4:01:31 GMT -6
"There she goes without ya. Kind of makes you feel second best, doesn't it?"
Zora halted in her step and looked back over in the direction Gabrielle had gone off in. It did make her feel second best, like she was less important. In fact, Gabrielle had tried to get rid of her several times during their travels. It was only through her own stubborn persistence that she lasted this long by her side. Gabrielle didn't even want her going on in this journey to find Xena. The Warrior Princess she never shut up about. It was like she couldn't wait to get rid of her.
"When she does reunite with Xena... Do you really think they're going to want you tagging along with them? Do you think they'll make a place for you?"
“I'll make them leave a place for me,” said Zora to herself. Still oblivious of Ares presence. |
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Post by Gabrielle on Dec 31, 2012 4:34:34 GMT -6
Gabrielle came back with a smile on her face and a pouch of gold in her hands as she stopped in front of Zora.
"Good news, I was able to exchange our caps for gold. This should be enough for now and we're bound to find more on the road."
Gabrielle's smile faded when she felt something wrong with Zora, placing the pouch away in her pocket for now while approaching the girl.
"Are you all right?" |
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Post by Ares on Dec 31, 2012 4:53:55 GMT -6
Ares smiled at those words, being reminded of the Warrior Princess herself with the witch's attitude. Still, he had a plan to execute and a seed of doubt to plant. And already Gabrielle was coming back. Time to leave Zora with some parting words.
"You sure about that?"
His body lighting up a hue of blue and then vanishing before Gabrielle could get close enough to sense his presence.
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Post by Ayen on Dec 31, 2012 5:54:20 GMT -6
"You sure about that?"
Zora was silent. A rare feat to any that knew her. For once the young witch wasn't sure about something. What if there was no fitting into their tightly sealed little duo? What if she finally did end up being left behind? Zora was taken from her thoughts momentarily when Gabrielle came back and she realized she hasn't talked to a single villager in town.
"Good news, I was able to exchange our caps for gold. This should be enough for now and we're bound to find more on the road."
“I got distracted.”
Which was the truth. She did get distracted. Zora just didn't want to say it was from a voice in her head. Hearing voices weren't good no matter where you were at.
"Are you all right?"
“I'm fine. Gabrielle, when we do find Xena... What then?” |
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Post by Gabrielle on Dec 31, 2012 6:40:25 GMT -6
"You got distracted," repeated Gabrielle. "By what?"
One could tell just by looking at the Traveling Bard that she was having a hard time believing it. Though she couldn't place why or what would have distracted her until she spotted the magic ship nearby that most likely had peaked her interests.
"I see."
Gabrielle wasn't believing the fine part either, something was clearly bothering her. The question was: what?
"I haven't thought that far ahead yet. Why?" |
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Post by Ayen on Dec 31, 2012 18:58:04 GMT -6
"You got distracted."
“It happens.”
"By what?"
“By...”
Zora trailed off to give herself time to think of a good lie. But it appeared that she wouldn't have to as Gabrielle eyed the magic shop and put two and two together on her own. Some times having a person who knows you well had it advantages. It meant you knew which lie they'd believe the most.
"I see."
“Sorry.”
"I haven't thought that far ahead yet. Why?"
“I was just wondering.” |
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Post by Gabrielle on Dec 31, 2012 21:54:39 GMT -6
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."
Gabrielle walked over to Zora's rear and guided her by the hand on her back as she took a step forward for the nearby magic shop.
"In the meantime why don't we see if they have anything you can use, hm?" |
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Post by Ayen on Jan 1, 2013 2:00:51 GMT -6
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."
Zora didn't like that answer at all. It only served to fuel the doubts that was already planted inside the depths of her mind. That as soon as they found Xena Gabrielle would kick her to the curb. Looking out ahead of her while the Traveling Bard came up, trying to be as alone with her thoughts as she could be around her until she spoke up again.
"In the meantime why don't we see if they have anything you can use, hm?"
“All right.”
Zora led Gabrielle towards the magic shop, pushing open the wooden door and stepping inside to the familiar smell of potions drifting into her nostrils. The young witch couldn't remember the last time she looked upon the sight of cauldrons bubbling nearby, but it was a wonderful feeling to see it again. There were various potion ingredients in jars on the shelves above. Some she recognized, and others she didn't. There were also many old books on the other side of the shop, a couple book of spells that would benefit her in the future. Pulling one out and blowing off the dust before cracking it open. Scanning the words on the pages before looking back at Gabrielle.
“The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection. This was the required reading for Defense Against the Dark Arts at my school. They're almost completely identical.” |
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Post by Gabrielle on Jan 1, 2013 4:27:54 GMT -6
Gabrielle followed Zora into the magic shop. Looking around it didn't seem all that different from some of the old shops in her world for people who believed in magic. And Zora definitely felt at home amongst the scents of the cauldrons that were actively burning on stoves in the store. Looking over to the old textbooks they had in stock, Gabrielle's eyes returned to the young witch as she recited the title of the book in her hands.
"Do you think there may be a magic school near here?"
It was strange to think there may be more little witches and wizards running around, Gabrielle had grown used to it just being Zora. But if there were, and if these books and potions could help her further the education that she missed out on since coming here, Gabrielle wouldn't let the opportunity go to waste. |
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