[ Voice, Action ] "You lost today, kid. But that doesn't mean you have to like it."

[talentsgirl]

[Molly debated, but in the end, didn't lock this post from Harry. It was as good as a note slipped under his door, really.]

Hey, Luceti, here's a crazy question. Does anyone know the best path up to the mountains? I hear there's a lake up there I'd like to see. And does the Welcome Center keep those really good maps in stock, the ones that are a bit more in detail than the one in the journal?

And here's a slightly less crazy question - if there's anyone feel like filling in an inquiring mind and have a chat over a cold one, I'd love to know some more about these missions everyone keeps going on. Even if it was about the more recent one, or about one of the ones we can sign up for, there's nothing like first hand experience. I'll be in the Good Spirits from 1-3 if there's any takers.

[And that is exactly where she will be, sitting at the bar or on one of the tables, looking friendly over a cold one... which will originally be an iced tea. She may upgrade, depending on the conversation and the conversate-ee.

After her time in the Good Spirits, hopefully chatting with friendly, informative folk and if not spent poured over a very old-looking book and a village map (hopefully someone will help her get her hands on one of the Nami editions), she'll head to the Item Shop and finish picking out her camping gear. After being exposed to some serious bad news magic, she hasn't been quite herself. And this dusty old book and a remembered conversation with Shiro once upon a time has given her an idea.]

Comments

voice:

[shenevermisses]

There's a teleporter at the "rec center" that takes you to the lake in the mountains.

If you want to walk, it's several days' hike, but the best way is to follow the northern river up.

voice:

[talentsgirl]

[Molly is not quite sure she wants to risk magic and teleportation technology together, as cool as it sounds.]

Yeah, I think I'll be hiking. It's a hot August, I know, but I just don't think it'd be as satisfying if I cheated.

voice:

[shenevermisses]

Take plenty of supplies. Unless you can hunt and fish, then you're fine.

voice:

[talentsgirl]

I'm not the best at it, to be honest with you. I'm a city girl. Any kind of supplies you'd recommend?

[She's done this before, but she's always opened to learning more.]

voice:

[shenevermisses]

Food. Dried meat and fruit especially, but bread stays good for awhile, too. Water bottle, too. Though that's why you'll want to follow the river -- water supply.

[greenjacketed]

[ richard sharpe doesn't answer her on the journals; instead, he saunters into the bar some time towards the end of the final hour.

he stops at her elbow and clears his throat. ]

Hate to see a lady all alone at her table, Molly.

surprose!

[talentsgirl]

Molly glanced up from her map and smiled, "Major! What a pleasant surprise."

She gestured to the chair across from her, "You can join me, if you like."

If you're not about to start shouting: she's a witch, burn her! and all.

lovely!

[greenjacketed]

With permission gained, he used the toe of his boot to gently nudge the indicated chair away from the table and took a grateful seat.

"Figured I could lend a hand -- what with you looking for those who've been sent out. Never on one of the fancy missions, but..."

He trailed off, looking at her map instead of at her.

Re: lovely!

[talentsgirl]

Not knowing exactly what she was dealing with here, Molly decided to go for gentle encouragement. It was a rare thing when he wasn't the one who sought her eyes.

...then again, the ribbed tank top, short jeans shorts, and sandals might have had something to do with his hesitance.

"I remember when you got back from the first one with Jack Sparrow. It was a lot of help, learning what you'd done."

[Voice]

[quicktoanger]

Huh. That didn't sound good.

"Planning a trip, grasshopper?"

[Voice]

[talentsgirl]

[Welp. Here it goes.]

Got it in one, boss.

[Somewhat flippant and impersonal.]

[Voice]

[quicktoanger]

"Anything on your mind?"

[Voice]

[talentsgirl]

I'm thinking about going and meeting the lightning spirit.

[The best part about this? It's not a lie. It's just an excuse. It's an honest one, and a bit prepared, and frankly it's all he's getting out of her.]

[Voice]

[mistlegacy]

There are some detailed maps at the Welcome Center, yes. Feel free to take what you need. They're from everyone, after all.

[Voice]

[talentsgirl]

That would be great, Rydia. Thank you.

[She will most certainly do that. She's kind of embarrassed with herself that she hadn't already.]

[Voice]

[mistlegacy]

You're welcome!

As for those missions, I've been on several by now. I suppose I could take a break to talk about them.

[Voice]

[talentsgirl]

That would be great! I'd love it if you joined me, we haven't had much of a chance to talk since I arrived.

[Voice]

[windandrain]

[Saori recognized the voice, and tired though she was from her ritual, she felt that she should at least speak to the mage who'd helped her with the events a few weeks ago. An apology, if nothing else.]

The easiest path into the mountain lake that I've found is to follow the roads until you reach a boulder shaped like a hound, and then to climb. Its not far, if you enjoy that sort of thing.

[Voice]

[talentsgirl]

[Molly inclined her head slightly to the side as she listened to this message. And in the end her response was simple.]

Thank you.

[Voice]

[windandrain]

I...am sorry.

[She falters]

About...how we met. That was a difficult time.

[Voice]

[talentsgirl]

[Molly was uncertain if Saori knew exactly how much her actions had cost her. She tended to doubt it. It wasn't exactly something she'd flaunt. Either way, she didn't see that she was owed an apology.]

Well, it wasn't exactly a picnic. But it all worked out.

[The job got done.

That was the important part.]

[voice]

[hisdarkmark]

What's so special about a lake? [Hi Molly.]

[voice]

[talentsgirl]

What's not so special about a lake? [Hi Draco]

[voice]

[hisdarkmark]

Depends on if you like fish. The lakes here are pretty lackluster, for the most part. [Never mind the fact he spends a looot of his time at the southern lake.]

[voice]

[talentsgirl]

Hasn't anyone ever told you, "It's not the destination, it's the journey?"