Session Start: Sat Dec 08 00:13:21 2001 *** GMAmy changes topic to 'Grandia: New Horizons | Chapter 9.1: Mitsuo | Location: Summit of Nations, morning, June 17 | Lude Start' ==Lude Start== As the crowd filters out of the hall, various members of the party scatter and head for different representatives and important personages. Mitsuo soon finds himself left to his own devices... * Mitsuo searches for Shirgan, knowing he's with the main concil...yet he keeps missing him. ;_;...It could be nearsightedness, though. As Mitsuo searches, he sees someone catch sight of him and start to push through the crowd toward him. It is Mayor Kelyer, looking frazzled and a bit exasperated. He heads for Mitsuo, catching his attention with a waves. [Kelyer] Here now...you're one of Miss Erellisae's friends, aren't you? * Mitsuo nods, "Yes, I am." Kelyer sighs. [Kelyer] Would you mind doing me a favor? Of course...what can I do for you, sir? [Kelyer] You see, Miss Erellisae....what I really SHOULD do is tie and gag her and drag her off home to her parents. If you've traveled with her, I'm sure you know what a handful she can be. She has no sense of danger to herself. =/ * Mitsuo chuckles, "I've seen it, yes." [Kelyer] But I am far too old to be playing nursemaid, guardian, bodyguard, AND jailer to a headstrong, idealistic, naive teenager. -_-;; I can't force her to go home. So... So...? [Kelyer] If you would try to convince her to go home, I'd be very grateful...or, failing that...just keep an eye on her for me, would you? ^^; Her parents would be inconsolable if anything happened to her. So would much of the village, I admit. She's a strange one, but we all like her, in our way... [Kelyer] I'll tell her parents I did my best to get her to come home, but it'd be nice if I could also say she has trustworthy friends looking after her. And you strike me as that. * Mitsuo nods, "I thought you might ask me that...as far as convincing her to go home...I see that as ...well...a zero possiblity. She's dead set on this...but I'll keep my eye on her. You have my word on that. ^_^" Thank you for the compliment, sir. ^^; Mayor Kelyer nods. [Kelyer] Thank you...that's all I can really ask. ^^; *He claps Mitsuo lightly on the shoulder* Well, thank you, young man. Good luck in your pursuits. *And he heads off, making a beeline to another delegate he wishes to speak to.* * Mitsuo sighs and shakes his head, and resumes his search. Shirgan appears ahead of Mitsuo, a few feet away, talking to the delegate from New Parm. Master Shirgan! Shirgan looks up and smiles broadly as Mitsuo approaches. He finishes his conversation quickly and hurries to meet his apprentice, giving him a hearty handshake. [Shirgan] Mitsuo! I received your message...it sounds as if you have been up to a great deal in recent days. =/ You could say that, Master. ^^; There is something I need to dicuss with you. Can we possibly go somewhere a bit less...crowded? ^^; Shirgan nods. [Shirgan] Certainly. Hmmm....the gardens are quite nice and private. Come. *he gestures, leading Mitsuo out the back way into a cool garden of drooping branches and rustling brush and bright flowers. There is a lunch counter nearby, where someone is selling refreshment to delegates. [Shirgan] Would you like anything? *Pulling out a handful of coins* I need a sherbet ice, myself. * Mitsuo follows as best as he can, "...Sorry...I'll have to pass. My stomach's been a bit jumpy all day. I have disturbing news to tell you of, and you're the only one I trust here." Shirgan nods solemnly, buying himself a sherbet and then leading Mitsuo to a particularly private part of the gardens, positioned so they can see if anyone approaches. They sit on a bench. [Shirgan] Go ahead with your news then... =/ As you know, I've been escorting Miss Sue to the summit. Last night one of the servants at the hotel gave Sue some spice wine, saying it was sent as a gift to the representative for the Sult University and the Icarians. Shirgan nods slowly, thinking he sees where this is going... Sue, along with myself and a few of my companions shared some of the wine. I woke up feeling horribly sick this morning, but the others who had more of the wine, Sue included, were near death. If it wasn't for some of my friends who didn't drink the wine, I ...don't really want to think about what might have happened. That wine was poisoned, Master Shirgan...someone didn't want Miss Sue to be at the summit today, and I have my suspicions who. Shirgan pales slightly, but recovers himself. [Shirgan] Who do you suspect? We've...had a few run ins with the New Faith of the Icarian temple. They kiddnapped Mrs. Erellisae at one point...and they've KNOW Miss Sue is travelling with us to the summit...Seeing that she represents Feena and Leen now...they must have known she'd vote against trying to set up their temples in every town. So...they didn't want her to come. Shirgan gets a dark look. [Shirgan] Well, you know I never liked that bunch very much...though I must admit, I never would have believed them capable of murder or kidnapping! :/ I know...That's half the problem. Right now, we suspect...but we can't prove anything. The dissaitified looks they gave Sue when she showed up today aren't enough...I need to find concrete evidence they did this or it could turn into ...well, a fiasco. What do you suggest I do, Master? Shirgan ponders quietly for a moment... [Shirgan] Well...you were to escort Miss Sue here as your first task, correct? It seems to me that, important though the rest of your mission is, it is not the reason behind the poisoning, and Sue is the one really being attacked... [Shirgan] But this method will not work again. They have not kept her from the council, and she will be wary of her food and drink in the future. * Mitsuo nods, "So...there's really not much we can do, then?" [Shirgan] So there are three things that must be done. Sue must be protected, you must continue on to find Justin and Feena, and we must discover who attacked Sue and why, and prevent them from attempting to do so again. * Mitsuo nods, "...I was just hoping we could find this out before the vote passes, but I suppose that's wishful thinking." Do you know of anyone on that council that is sympathetic towards their cause? [Shirgan] Sue is very good at taking care of herself...and while some delegations are hostile to her, she is also among many friends. I believe that now we know she is in danger, we can adequately protect her. Trust me, now that she is here, she will not allow the Icarian Temple to pass their proposal. [Shirgan] Sympathetic? Hmm. Perhaps the best way to stop them is to convince the other delegates this motion must not pass. [Shirgan] I think you are right, Mitsuo. Would you feel comfortable trusting me to put the necessary pressure on other delegates? Of course, Master. If it is any consolation, there are not many delegations completely sympathetic to the Icarian Temple cause. I was hoping to hear that... ^^ Shirgan smiles and pats Mitsuo's shoulder. [Shirgan] This is a troubling event, but it is past, you are safe, and I believe we can protect all concerned from future attempts. I know it troubles you...but in the end, I believe you battle lies elsewhere. =/ I worry about Justin and Feena, and the Spirit Sword. I do too... Shirgan starts suddenly, appearing to have a thought. Master Shirgan? What is it? [Shirgan] Mitsuo? Could you possibly bring me a sample of that wine? There are certain tests I would like to run on it. [Shirgan] Perhaps determining the type of poison could give us an important clue or piece of evidence. ...I...I could go look. I'm not sure what became of it...How long until the Summit restarts? Shirgan shrugs. [Shirgan] A matter of minutes...but it will last all day, and it will continue for the next two weeks. I would estimate that the Icarian Temple delegation will try to bring their proposal up again no sooner than two days from now. It will take them that long to come up with a good story to explain today's events. I should go look now, though...Whoever did this will want to cover up all the evidence. It may already be too late... If I find anything, I will bring it to you right away. [Shirgan] You do that. Good luck, Mitsuo, and let me know if you need any further help. *he pauses* By the way... ...Yes? [Shirgan] What was Sue able to tell you about the pendant I sent with you...? * Mitsuo 's face darkens slightly, "Not much...Just that it was from the Angelouian times...and one of the words on it said 'Defender'. That's all she could find out..." [Shirgan] Hmmm....interesting. *Frowns thoughtfully* It does belong to you; your grandfather gave it to me for safekeeping. He seemed to feel uneasy about keeping it himself. =/ I hope your journey will lead you to more answers in the future. ...I hope so too. I really, really hope so. A bell rings in the distance, and Shirgan stands. [Shirgan] Well, I have to go now...they're starting again, and the high council must be on time. =/ * Mitsuo then tries to smile, "I'll go poke around at the inn, now. If my friends ask about me, will you tell them where I am?" * Mitsuo nods, "Okay. Good luck on everything. Be well." :) [Shirgan] Certainly. Let me know if you find anything, or if you need any more help. And do come say good bye before you leave Chandrinos. :) And of course I'll say good-bye ^^ Shirgan heads back to the hall, waving as he leaves. * Mitsuo stands up, and quickly runs back towards the inn. [Shirgan] Good luck! *ducks inside once more* ==Lude End== Session Close: Sat Dec 08 01:05:54 2001