Puzzle 001: Arrive on time

[abstruse]

((Written))
Pardon me, but is there someone out there who would mind directing me to an outfitter?

Comments

Re: written;

[abstruse]

Just a moment, see if I can't find a landmark of sorts.



While I don't see any street names, I'm near the barracks.

WELL THAT SURE WAS THE WRONG JOURNAL

[towered]

Well, new feathers are rather easy to spot, all things considered, so I'm sure I'll be able to find you soon enough!

Just try not to wander around too much, or we might end up missing each other entirely.

LOL omg perfection

[abstruse]

I'll stay near to the front of the building.


((While he's curious exactly why the term "new feathers" is used, he can reckon a guess. He stands near to the wall as he'd said he would, attempting to lean carefully on his back without harming his new appendages. His eyes closed, he waits quietly for whoever to arrive.

A second thought comes to the back of his mind. He ought to try figuring out where a hospital is in case of a concussion...))

1/3

[towered]

[ She heads out as soon as she gets the reply, closing the journal and tucking it under one arm before heading out to find this stranger. She makes a brief stop, picking up a plain shirt (and shorts, in case it was a girl) at the items shop, since it was along the way, before hurrying on to where he said he would be. It would at least make the walk to the clothing store less embarrassing.

She's rather cheerful when she arrives, happy to be helping someone out, but when she catches sight of Clive she slows to a stop. ]

[towered]

[ and stares ]

[towered]

[ Before obnoxiously shouting: ]

YOU!

[abstruse]

((His eyes open, fearful. He knows that voice. He didn't want to, but he did. There's a moment of horror, not wanting to look up, but he does, turning to the source of the voice.

Yeah. She wasn't someone he wanted to find here. Of course, but for the mere utterance of her name, he remains quiet, his gaze unbreaking as she stares holes into him.))

[towered]

[ You would think after being kidnapped she would know better. That some part of her mind would say 'Hey! This might not be a good idea, lets just let him alone.' But no, instead she marches right up to him, flinging the shirt in his direction before leaning in to poke him in the chest.

She is not a happy camper. ]

You owe me an apology, you...you ruffian!

[abstruse]

((There's a mixture of emotions happening there. First: frustration. His brow furrows, he frowns heavily, half ready to snap at her and tell her to step off. And he nearly does, but taking in a breath of air, he stops, and sighs instead. He has no energy for this. He knows he deserves his sort of response. Ignoring her a moment, he pulls the shirt over his head.))

Flora, you know it's not very lady-like to name call.

[towered]

[ She looks as though she's not going to let up, finger ready for another jab as she leans just a bit closer, mouth open and ready to retort--but then with a huff she backs off, taking a step away, crossing her arms firmly across her chest with a frown, nose crinkled in annoyance. ]

It's not very gentlemanly to go round kidnapping people, either.

[abstruse]

No, but it would seem I'm not a real gentleman. ((That turn of the head that says "You should know better."))

[towered]

Well that doesn't mean--I-I mean you should still apologize for locking me up regardless. It was hardly a pleasant experience.

[abstruse]

((A pause, he stoops his head.)) I do suppose you weren't there when the professor rescued me, were you? Well, in any case, my apologies. I wasn't thinking straight, and I.. hadn't been for many years.

[towered]

[ She nods, satisfied. ] Good, thank you. I've been waiting a long while for that. [ She turns from him, then, motioning for him to follow her as she starts back the way she came. ] Now then, lets get you to the item shop, hm? I doubt you want to stay in that attire much longer.

[abstruse]

((Perhaps he shouldn't feel surprised, he knows Flora's kindness well enough. A moments hesitance, and follows in turn.)) Hardly... ((Said with the slightest laugh. He had little to say otherwise.))

[towered]

[ As they move on, Flora is sure to point out everything of importance along the way, and once they near the fountain, Flora gestures to the area with a sweep of her arms. ]

And this is where most of the local shops are.

[abstruse]

((His arms fold when they stop, looking around but avoiding looking much at Flora. (At least not when she could see it, having glanced in confusion occasionally on their walk.) His voice isn't quite as full as it usually is.))

Quite the layout, this place has.

[towered]

Mm, it's very...quaint. Most things are rather easy to find, as the important places are in this area here.

[ There's a smile on her face, and it seems like she doesn't notice his gaze avoiding her. (It seems her earlier anger is gone entirely, actually.) She turns from Clive to admire the area. ]

Things are peaceful like this most of the time, too.

[abstruse]

...One could mark that as astounding. No means of government, no capital, all resources provided as needed, housing, clean water, clean air... Why should it be anything less?

[towered]

Well, everything comes at a price, even if it's not a monetary one. Not that...things ever get horrible around here or anything. [ At least not yet, from her point of view. ] Things just get very strange from time to time.

[abstruse]

((He does space a look to her, curious of her expression.)) How so?

[towered]

Mm...well, I'm not sure how to explain it, but there was one time where everyone acted like the characters from those dramatic television programs. You know, the ones where people always have an evil twin or two.

It was hardly terrible, but it was strange and inconvenient nonetheless.

[abstruse]

((A pause, and he laughs.)) Gracious, it sounds as if torture is their forte! ((He seems amused; she's right, it's hardly terrible, and the vague sarcasm in his voice shows as much.))

That is terribly peculiar, at the very least.

[towered]

Well, luckily those kinds of things are only an occasional occurrence. [ Flora laughs. ] I'm not sure what we would do otherwise.

[abstruse]

Well, that's good... It seems as if this will be a nice place to live.