== Interlude Begin! == * Scene: The halls of the conference center buzz with motion and activity, as beings of all sorts convene and argue points and facts back and forth. Prestige and influence are thrown about like knives, perhaps seeking out the hearts of polical enemies? Who can say? * * Amidst the chaos amidst the building of a new order, two individuals seek solace from the machinations about them, perhaps in a friendly face. * * Nathan leans against a support beam, having just squeezed his way through four different conversations that didn't involve him in any way * Rion leans back against a fluted column.. * So.. you got any paint to watch dry? Anythings gotta me more thrilling than this. * Nathan erks as more delegates seem to move in his direction and runs quite litterally into Rion Ak! Sorry about that Rion ^^; * Rion shrugs it off. * Pfft. Don't worry about it. I've been getting swamped by people all day. Do you know where everyone else is? Not really, nope. Hopefully they got out of Dodge here, before they fell asleep. Gah, I really don't like this place. I don't think I've been in a place this hostile in years Why're you still around then? We're not finished here yet, that's why. Can't leave until the job's done We're not? I dunno.. this isn't what I was hired on to do. What do you think the job is? ^^; I think there's more going on here than the simple dissapearance of two adventurers Yeah, maybe. But is that your problem? Someone poisoned me. I don't take kindly to that * Rion grins. * I hadn't thought of that.. * Nathan cracks his knuckles rahter loudly So you're out for revenge then? Or at least an explanation and a pound of flesh Its how things are done back home. No slight is allowed to pass without proper retribution Anyways, what are your thoughts on all this? You've been kinda close-lipped * Rion shrugs, and watches a gaggle of politicians wander past.. * Well.. I'm here for one thing.. er.. two things.. fortune, and fame. * Nathan raises an eyebrow, "That's all huh?" I gotta find those two, which I'm sure I'll easily do, and get the reward for it. Then after that, it's back to explorin' n' findin' relics. Is that so hard to believe? More real than getting involved in some sort of strange conspiracy here. Well, that may be true, but I can't just let it go Too many coincidences for my liking Doesn't this whole business bother you one iota? Nah.. that's what all these guys are here for, I think. They'll kill each other before any one of them arises to be the next world-dominating crackpot. Aaaand you're okay with that? The world is safely mired in all this politically stuff. Which means I can just concern myself with exploring and discovery. You really buy into all this conspiracy stuff? Its happened once. You think it won't happen again? * Rion shakes his head. * You think it will? Prove to me that it won't History is full of those who refuse to learn from the past, as well as ambitious ones who will happily exploit that * Rion grins. * Sorry, man.. I'm not gonna ruin my perfectly fine carefree life by remaining vigilant for an event similar to something that's only ever happened twice in recorded history. Seems foolish. * Nathan narrows his eyes at Rion Gaia happened twice. You think that was nothing? We're standing here, aren't we? It doesn't matter what it is, these sortsa things fix themselves in the end. Because someone happened to give a damn at the time. It was an adventurer last time Hey, if a bunch of vine thingies overran us now, you bet I'd give a damn. But they're not. So until they are, I'm not gonna waste my life looking for an enemy that isn't there. You take this sorta thing way to seriously, you know. * Rion grins. * And with that kind of attitude, if the world does need saving again, it probably won't be saved by you * Rion gives Nathan a curious look. * So you think you're the big bad hero here? Never said I was So why're you sayin' it'll be me? Or why do you think it's an option for me to throw away, rather? I'm saying it won't be if you keep your head in the dirt like that. The devil's always been in the details, and luck only goes so far Who says I want it to be me? I mean, hey, if some big bad Gaia thing wants to tangle with me, I'll do the right thing. You bet I'll smack it down. But if it steers clear, then maybe someone else'll get it. As long as someone does, it's all good. * Nathan shakes his head sadly That's not the point here Rion What is the point, then? What are you all a jangly bunch of nerves about? Being an adventurer is all about taking opportunities. But you have to stay open to them, even ones that may seem unimportant Not all discoveries are found in ruins and caves Discoveries also aren't made by goofing around looking for some all-consuming world killing beast to come along. I'm surprised you don't fit in better with these council guys. I think you'd make a good one. * Nathan 's expression goes icy at the mention of world killing You need to relax man.. I'm sensin' hostility here. * Nathan turns on his heel and walks off * Rion calls after him. * Careful, I've seen alot of broken down wrecks made out of people like you. You gotta let it go, or you're gonna wind up killin' yourself. . o O (Or killed by people like you) * Nathan vanishes into the crowd * Rion shrugs at the retreating Nathan, and with the click of his tongue and his trademark grin, he wanders off to find something to drink. * * The two men seek their own diversions after a rather spirited debate. Perhaps more will come in time. In council or otherwise. * == Lude Fini! ==