"For your healths sake we should first check into the hotel. Then depending on how you feel we could go visit one of the museums. How does that sound my lady?" Elizabeth suggests as she is reading through a guide to the city
The Maid
The Heart of Desire.
A legend coming true and so close to her home. That first night when the pillar of light revealed itself, Margarita had been involved in some research or the other in the university. The bright light coming from a window had called to her attention and soon enough she realized what the light meant.
The young woman had then ran all the way to the University's old tower, and upon its heights and with the cold night air on her face she had glanced upon one of this world's true mysteries...
Since then there was not a waking moment in which she didn't think of the Heart of Desire... of the hidden ruins which now revealed themselves. And of being the first person to reach them.
She knew the terrain, she knew the local history, the local geography... She was one of the people really prepared to make such a trek.
Lots of people had gone chasing after the light when it first appeared, people with little experience who would most likely not make it. The true experts meanwhile would take their time to prepare the expedition and wait to make contact with various funders and television channels the world around.
However, that would not stop them forever... The moment was ripe to make the discovery. Today, tomorrow with some luck she would have three or four days before someone who knew what they were doing set out... She had to move fast. Margarita needed money... someone willing to invest in a private expedition. She knew someone who would be willing to rent her the kind of vehicle she would need to get near the site, then she needed provisions, some equipment and such. If worst came to worst and by the day after tomorrow she didn't have a backer she would make the expedition alone and on foot... though she really wished it didn't come to that.
If I'm sure of something it's that I'm not sure of anything.
Dancing All Night
Seemingly at the crack of dawn, when the local bird had only just begun singing their songs of the day in greeting to the Sun, a Chinese woman roused herself from her rest at a small, cheap, local inn. She awoke without any lingering bleariness from the night's slumber; she always made sure to get a full and restful night's sleep as tiredness would only hinder her mind, and rose to tend to herself. It had been a good while since she'd last washed her hair, and it admittedly felt invigorating to let it completely loose and cleanse it along with the rest of her body.
It wasn't long until she'd clothed herself and began the process of placing her hair into its usual elaborate state. Experience and repetition helped quicken the process, thankfully. She did a quick checkover, ensuring she had not forgotten any possessions, and once she was satisfied headed down to check out and continue on her way.
As she exited the in, her attention shifted to the pillar of light in the mountains. She'd heard the legends from the locals, of The Heart of Desire and the power it possessed, how many would view it and pursue it as a beacon of hope and opportunity, of greater things to come.
She shook her head at the thought. Misguided fools, the lot that seeks it to obtain power. True strength came not from legends or artifacts, but from the determination of one's soul and the culmination of experience and the hardships in which one must persevere to obtain it. But still, she felt that is was a rather ominous sign, and that it was no coincidence that she found herself on a bounty job in Peru on the eve of its awakening.
Keeping this in the back of her mind, she adjusted her satchel and headed off into town, weaving through the pedestrians and ignoring any curious stares she got from the populace. Truly, she looked very out-of-place here, but she didn't entirely care. She surveyed the cafes she passed, seeking someplace to stop and have some tea. The activity of the town was abnormally high compared to when she first arrived, no doubt because of that light emanating from the mountains. Eventually, her attention drifted to Jack's Cafe- still relatively unbusy compared to many of the other places nearby, and she had briefly aided the owner with carrying some rather cumbersome loads when they were shorthanded on the day of her arrival. Not wanting to waste any more time than needed, she made up her mind to enter the establishment and mentally prepare for what events may lie in her future.
As she entered, she knew she would attract the attention of locals and tourists alike, once again thanks to the whole "being out-of-place" deal. She took a seat alone at a table in the corner, and ordered only a herbal tea and a small fruit salad when the waitress came to take an order, being abnormally specific about the quantity she desired. She wasn't going to risk not being able to eat the entirety of he breakfast, lest it go to waste. As she sat waiting for her food and drink, she instinctively did a quick survey of the small amount of patrons there at the moment. A few locals, with the rest of the people there seeming to be made up of tourists, including a small family with a young man that seemed particularly annoyed with something.
Regardless, she continued her patient waiting, mentally mulling over the options she had in terms of any potential course of action. As soon as her food arrived, she made sure to eat quickly and neatly so she wouldn't have to spend so much time around so many other people. She thanked and tipped the waitress when she had finished and paid, and headed out the door and on her way.
edited 11th Jan '12 8:26:43 PM by Motree
“DAMMIT WHEN I HEAR 'SPACE CQC' ALL I CAN THINK OF IS BIG BOSS WITH A FISHBOWL ON HIS HEAD, STRANGLING AN ASTRONAUT OUTSIDE THE ISS."
Figure of Hourai
"That does seem like the best plan of action..." Yuki admitted, returning to her initial position of gazing serenely forwards. Not only was it unwise to head out immediately after the long plane journey, she was ill prepared to be spending long outside in this weather. She was rather tired, too. Guiltily, she wondered how her bodyguard-cum-caretaker must be feeling, doing most of the physical activity between the two of them.
Avatar Source
Mike had awoken early, flipped through the channels on TV, read a few more chapters of Moreau (It was a shame that nobody seemed to ahve the wherewithal to produce similar masterpieces today), before burning down the house and driving off. The temple seemed interesting enough to investigate. Maybe he could find something nice there to further the cause of archeology; after all, science was a largely neglected field these days.
Upon arriving in Cusco (it really was kind of that nice old lady to provide him with a lift), Mike decided to head into the nearest bar to find a drink and relax, before heading out into the wild again tomorrow.
Some time later when the plane had landed Elizabeth waited annoyed for a moment by the conveyor belt at the airport for the baggage.
When she well had gotten her hands on it she hurried over to Yuki. "Are you hungry young mistress?" the Maid asked while she began to mount a parasol to the wheelchair.
The Warrior Monk of Coeurl
As it turns out, walking to a pillar of light without a guide in a land you weren't familiar with made shit progress. By all accounts, the only way Alan could get to the pillar that didn't involve walking out into the unknown with hardly any way back was to cross a river moving way too damn fast for that to be a good idea.
Which meant that Alan was hopelessly stuck, in a foreign land on a continent he didn't really know like the back of his hand, without any way to actually survive.
"Damn it...", he cursed, turning around and slowly making his way back, narrowing his eyes as he entered the city again. "So much for getting down to business."
What the hell can i do to make some money..., he thought, walking around. I've got clothes, money from another continent, a gun, and a gui-
Alan abrubtly stopped, looking around like he was a shady person avoiding authorities. "Am i really gonna be that damn... fuck it, i'm gonna have to."
He positioned himself off from a portion of the public eye; While Alan couldn't afford to be too proud to not blatatly display his need for work or cash, he was still going to have to avoid being a nuisance.
He knelt down, setting the case that was resting on his back on the ground, opening it and withdrawing a guitar. His eyes briefly glimpsed a folder in the case, which recieved a sigh from him. "Maybe i'll have another story to tell...", he mumbled, closing the case and propping himself against a wall beside it, somewhat shamefully taking off his hat and setting it upside down on the case near him.
Grumbling once more before finally shutting up about it, he began to play. It wasn't anything truly artistic, but the way he played and the sounds he made spoke experience, and a small talent for invoking emotion. Alan hoped that, in this moment, his efforts not to instill pity in anyone listening were working.
Considering his choice of clothing and lack of a sign labelling him as begging, it was probably easier to do so than he gave himself credit for. Or harder, depending on how you look at it.
edited 9th Jan '12 8:49:11 AM by InfiniteParagon
"You lost, Dio. You lost for one simple reason - you were using charcoal." - Hank Hill
Figure of Hourai
"I'm not hungry," Yuki assured her, wishing she could do more to help. Elizabeth did so much for her... but why? She'd never done that much. "Besides, airport food isn't going to be of very high quality..."
Avatar Source
"Understood mylady. Shall we get going then?" Elizabeth asked as she moved up behind the wheel chair, dragging the wagon with the baggage in one hand while pushing the mistress out from the airport with the other
Toa of Anarchy
Should Mike consult a tourist brochure or something of the sort, he'd find a few suggestions for bars. There were a couple of irish pubs, Rosie O'Grady's or Patty Flaherty's, the more english styled Cross Keys, or if he was looking for a place with a balcony view there was the american-owned Norton's Tavern. There was even a collection of noteworthy clubs for the discerning hedonist. Though Kamikaze, Ukukus, and Mama Africa probably didn't cater to his idea of fun.
___________________
As Alan sat and he played, tourist and locals alike walked by, paying the traveller no never mind. There were some who paused every five to fifteen minutes, perhaps sobered by this fellow playing such a sombre tune. They left a couple of coins each. The others merely rushed on by, immersed themselves in conversation, tugged at their children's arm to keep moving, or merely walked past blank faced. These people would occasionally drop a button. Maybe saw him as just some native bum. Maybe they were trying to blot out the depressing image. Or maybe they just spot him. Time wore on, and the sun started to get in his eyes if he tilted his head the wrong way.
As if from nowhere, there was suddenly the slap of paper in his change receptacle. It was a collection of notes, amounting to sixty nuevo sol. It should've been more than sufficient for his expedition, taken with the loose change. Because the money seemed to drop from thin air like that, Alan didn't get to see who was so generous, nor thank them. Though if he was lucky, he might have noticed something far down the road that stood out a little. The back of a sandy haired woman, in a pure white dress.
Cessant Sinner in Red
Dylan sighs, stomping over to the letter, snatching it up in his greasy hands, and ripping it open. Searching over the sheets, he begins to read. "Blah blah inspirational bullshit... The Myth of the Heart of Desire.. probably some stupid religious idiot trying to get me to worship or donate for his OWN trip... A bunch of dates... They start centuries apart, but begin to get closer... Dates the temple opened, maybe? Curious... At least the asshole did his fucking research. And... a ROUND TRIP TICKET TO PERU?" Dylan looks extremely shocked, as he picks up the ticket, his hands shaking. "What... the. Hell. And it leaves... In FOUR HOURS? Shiiit. I'm off this week, thank god..." Dylan hurriedly starts packing, grabbing his laptop, Archaeology textbooks, clothing, money, and of course, the letter. He rushes out the door as soon as he's done.
LATER THAT DAY
A scruffy looking guy walks into Dylan's dorm, looking around. "Where the fuck is Dylan's stuff? I guess that just means more space for me..."
PERU, IN THAT ONE CITY WHICH IS NAMED AFTER A GUY WHO RULED BADLY AND THEN WAS TURNED INTO A MANGY BEAST.
"I'm here... but what the fuck do I do? I guess I hadn't thought about how the hell to get there...." Dylan looks around... people... more people... guy cutting someone off... Guy slamming a door shut, yelling something about gilipollas.... And a guy playing guitar. Bah. Going for some fake 'authenticity' angle, looks like. Bah. Dylan throws a few quarters at the weird guy, most likely hitting him in the forehead, and moves on. That pillar... still so fucking bright. Dylan squints up at it, at his goal. Yes. He WILL reach it. No matter what it takes.
I ship it.
Figure of Hourai
"Yes..." Yuki replied, falling silent and drifting off into thought. Were they here to sight-see or the investigate the legend? Common sense would say the former; the ill girl certainly wasn't a person you would want to send into a rainforest, no matter how prepared you were. She wanted to see what was causing the light, though... and this would probably be the only chance she would ever get. Yuki didn't have any illusions about her life expectancy.
Avatar Source
When outside Elizabeth hailed a cab and told him to drive them to the hotel after helping Yuki into the car and storageing their baggage in the back trunk of the taxi. She took place next to her lady in the backseat. "What do you say? Shall we hire a guide?" She then asked
Figure of Hourai
"How could we not hire a guide?" the smaller of the two asked, brow creasing in thought, "You aren't suggesting that we should head into the rainforest on our own, are you? That would be bad..."
Avatar Source
"Oh no, of course not!" Elizabeth exclaimed before asking for forgiveness "Sorry mistress for my stupidity."
The Warrior Monk of Coeurl
Alan had actually started to immerse himself in his music just well enough to not car about why he was playing it when he heard a hard slap of paper in his hat. Abruptly, his playing stopped, and his eyes opened with alarm.
His expression was laced with cynical speechlessness, eyes narrowed. Finally, he looked up. "...Thanks?", he said, not sure to whom he was adressing. If only he had any idea just how far this got him to the pillar. At any rate, at this point he didn't need to ask for cash anymore, although it might be nice. Alan started to play again, this time a happier tu-
B-B-BING
Several small objects hit his heat in rapid succession, shocking him again. He heard them chink against the ground, and looked down at what-
Quarters.
Through the stinging, Alan was now frustrated. Bastard.
Well, back to playing. Hopefully this wasn't some sign from God that went something along the lines of "I pity you, so i'm going to drop a wad of cash in your feet, and if you gon't get the fuck out of here i'm going to rain quarters on you." Just in case, though, he stored the cash away and put back on his hat. Let's see God try to rain coins on his head now, huh?
"You lost, Dio. You lost for one simple reason - you were using charcoal." - Hank Hill
The tickets gave both John and Linda a window seat with one of their parents sitting next to them. It was a good thing for John too, as he thought would always be average, he believed would never rival his sister's cuteness. While Linda couldn't stop looking at the Pillar of Light, John was able to look at other things like the land and ocean below...as the boy believed he would never get a view like it again.
The plane soon landed and Mr and Mrs. Jacksons first priority was getting to the hotel. They were able to book one before the trip. Everything seemed to be going like how a vacation was expected...
Some people say I'm lazy. It's hard to disagree.
<OOC: As much as I hate to double post, since you guys are doing nothing...I might as well.>
The Jacksons had got their room in the hotel and unpacked their luggage, it was time to have a look at the town. But first, John's parents had to give into their coffee cravings and went to Jack's Cafe. Entering the building, John accidently bumped into a chinese woman who seemed to be about the same height as him.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!"
edited 12th Jan '12 9:14:33 AM by JustaUsername
Some people say I'm lazy. It's hard to disagree.
Figure of Hourai
Yuki silently gazed out of the window as they travelled, responding minimally to attempts to initiate conversation in favour of looking at their scenery. Everything seemed very... brown, almost as if some force had dictated people make no attempt to introduce variety to their architectural style. Of course, it might just be that they were in the older parts of Cusco, but still... it wasn't a place that she wanted to spend much time in. It seemed so... dusty.
After a few minutes, the outside lost its appeal and the albino reached inside her jacket (a suit was doubtless overdressed for the occasion but she liked the crispness and the white was a good colour for this weather) for a few seconds. The piece of paper she unfolded was neatly written but, unfortunately for Elizabeth, entirely in Japanese. Maybe it was her father's way of ensuring the servant's loyalty outside of his supervision?
So... the call she received earlier, then, meant that Leon was asking whether to instruct the guide to meet them at the hotel, elsewhere, or give up entirely. After getting a good look at Cusco, Yuki was even more determined to see the rainforest they were headed towards. A nearby café had seemed as good a place as any, so the guide ought to meet her and Elizabeth after unpacking. Hopefully...
Avatar Source
Toa of Anarchy
Business was on the rise at Cusco tours. Ever since the light had been up for thirty minutes, the calls were coming in thick and fast for tours in the city and the surrounding area. Most of the bookings were hesitant ones: management wasn't sure about sending people out in extremely foggy weather conditions, Adventure Tours or otherwise. But then half the time, people wanted tours in the complete opposite direction of the valley; probably looking for some secret tunnel leading to the real hiding place of the crystal. Whatever the case, the Heart of Desire was the one thing that was on everybody's mind, both for the tourist callers and for the tour guide staff. and it was certainly on the mind of Esteban Toledo as he merrily jogged across the workplace. Raul Martinez, for his part, attempted to ignore it and focus upon his coffee, right up to the door of the break room opening with a ban. He then focused on silently cursing and massaging his head.
<"Hey, Raul! Guess who got a job going after the Crys-tal!"> cried Esteban in a singsong voice.
<"Guess who has a hangover!"> said Raul in a voice one half as singsong.
<"Oh, come on, Raul. You're not doing Mexico any favours if you can't hold your liquor.">
<"For your information, I can hold my liquor for far longer than you, and from last night's karaoke performance far longer than you can hold a tune.">
<"Raul, Raul, Raul. I know good humour isn't your strong point, but you could at least try to not be miserable with everything that's going on. Who knows? Maybe on one of your tours you could be the one to find it!">
<"Senor Toledo, let me make one thing clear. We may by some miracle have become tour guides, but I have been in the country for just under a year, and you couldn't find your own social security number for more than a week. I think the chances of any of us getting lucky are rather slim.">
<"Tell that to the girl from last night.">
<"There was no girl from last night.">
<"How do you know? You were completely twisted, and I had the camera.">
<"But there was no girl from last night.">
<"Almost had you there.">
edited 12th Jan '12 2:07:39 PM by LizardOfAus
"Mistress, we have arrived." Elizabeth told Yuki and handed some money to the despair stricken taxidriver. The maid had quite early confiscated their chaffeurs package of smokes and thrown it out the window while giving him a stern lecture.
Soon enough the japanese girl and her maid had arrived at the hotel and the first thing Elizabeth did was to rush out to the backtrunk of the car, prepeare the wheel-chair, complete with parasol, and push it next to Yuki's door before opening it for the sick girl.
The Warrior Monk of Coeurl
Since i'm not doubleposting and somebody's gotta do something to keep this living, i'll move my character to Jack's Cafe.
As much as Alan loved playing his guitar, when he had what he needed - money, to be specific -, it became a time consumer. So he packed up, and set off, better than he was before. He could now afford to stay alive, for some amount of time that could be as short as a day or maybe as long as a week if he figured out how to make good choices with what he spent the money on quickly enough.
Despite just getting off a flight not too long ago and having hardly anything to eat, Alan wasn't in need of anything major. Maybe just a little bite to eat, but that was it.
He squinted his eyes as he made his way through the crowds, his eyes zooming in on a building down the street, a sign reading 'Jack's Cafe.' "Sounds like as good a place as any", he commented, walking inside. The crowd was nothing really special, save one chinese woman. Alan paid them no mind, taking a seat and getting a water and whatever the special was, setting his case by the seat against a wall.
His mind started thinking of what his plan should be from here. Definitely finding a hotel first, then getting information about upcoming expeditions; most likely the soonest ones he could find. He'd use the cafe as a fallback point for a meal the next morning... Alan nodded slightly, affirming the plan. It seemed as good a plan as any, at any rate.
While Alan isn't interacting with anyone, a man dressed as he is gives anyone else there every single reason they need to interact with him. If nobody starts talking, Alan's gonna invade some privacy and talk to Motree's character, because in his line of logic "Why the fuck not?" I'd do it now, but that'd kinda overstep what Jau's characters doing.
"You lost, Dio. You lost for one simple reason - you were using charcoal." - Hank Hill
So we go back to our small family after a small hiatus, as they finished their meals.
"There's gotta be something to do..." The father said.
"We can go sightseeing..." Terry said.
"Perfect! Maybe we should ask someone if they know any good places." The mother said. She then spotted a man (Alan) and approached him.
"Excuse me, sir, do you know any interesting places to go to?" The mother asked.
The Warrior Monk of Coeurl
Alan looked up to the woman, giving a slightly amused sneer, gesturing to his attire. "Do i look like i'm from around here, ma'am? Hell if i know anywhere you could go."
His food and drink arrived then, and if someone wasn't talking to him, Alan might be more obliged to ask what the fuck he'd just been given. It didn't look all that much like food, to be sure. Or rather, it didn't look like anything he'd seen in a while.
edited 14th Jan '12 7:33:53 PM by InfiniteParagon
"You lost, Dio. You lost for one simple reason - you were using charcoal." - Hank Hill
Well... Except for maybe Terry and his parents, who are just on vacation. Speaking of which, let's look at what they're up to now, shall we? So we have Terry and parents in Jack's Cafe, awaiting for their food to arrive. Terry is sitting on his chair, smiling to make his parents happy.
"So, how are you liking this so far?" Terry's dad said. Does he even have a name at all?
"I've barely been here for a day. I don't know for sure." Terry said, hinting his irritation.
"Well... Hopefully, you will." His dad said. Soon the waitress comes and gives them all a single usages and egg breakfast each. They all began to eat.
So yeah, nothing out of the norm... yet...