[Open]

[chronosynthesis]

Who: Syrlya and You.
When: The first week of November.
Where: Caissa and job-related parts of Blanc.
What: Syrlya copes with the lingering forest illness and does his part to find a cure for the people still afflicted.
Rating: PG.


[Caissa]

[As it turns out, the corruption isn't actually fatal... which leaves Syrlya at two weeks of illness. He hasn't slept well, felt well, and most food don't even taste good anymore. Except meat.

It isn't as hard for him to ignore the constant craving of flesh, but it is uncomfortable and anything to stave off the desire helps. Which is why at almost all times he can be found chewing on jerky. With a whole bag in hand.

And if he catches another infected hero he offers them a piece of the dried meat as well.] Here. I find it helps.



[Alternatively, he's leaning over the edge of the railing, groaning and holding his neck. Trying not to be sick.]

[Job 1 - The Carbuncle]

[It's a relief to be in a forest that isn't rotting, and feeling the vibrant life of the trees almost makes Syrlya feel better--though he's wary about touching anything even with the enchanted ring. And gloves. Look, he'll just feel guilty if he spreads this disease to anyone.

He's wringing his hands as he walks around the forest for any sign of the Carbuncle...] Of course it won't be easy... I hope this works.

[He cups his hands around his mouth to amplify his voice as he laughs.] Ha... hahahaha!

[It doesn't sound even remotely genuine.]


[Job 2 - The Baby Tree]

A fairy tale... that is something that is not true, correct? A fanciful story?

[He looks aside to the other hero patiently awaiting access to the baby tree, furrowing his brow.] Just from my world and not my people, correct? Ah--would you happen to have a story like that to share?

Comments

baby tree!

[hoasen]

[That Lei has always been a suspicious fellow, but at least this time it's just a story. She has a feeling that her own story might overlap a lot of "Ma Jiang's". Maybe. It does remind her of China.

Either way, here she is, because after discovering how he was ill during the war, she has promised to help all of them find a cure.]

Perhaps yours first, Syrlya? You have such wonderful stories about your mother and I am sure you have had plenty of adventures!

Myself...I might have a few stories.

[chronosynthesis]

Oh, I--I suppose I do. [He clasps his hands together, looking a little sheepish.] But I would not call them tales. They are things that truly happened, and I am not very familiar with the legends of the other races. I would not know all of the details!

[He turns to look to Lei, who is patiently waiting down the hallway.] Do you think they would mind if it is a true story?

[hoasen]

[Things that happened for real? That only interests Vietnam more, as a woman who walks alongside history! She's pretty eager for the true stories, and looks at Lei almost pleadingly.

Well, if it's an adventure story, surely that would be okay, right?]

I am sure it will be a wonderful tale! Syrlya has spoken of his origins with a beautiful mother tree. He must know a great many things.

[chronosynthesis]

Ah, I don't know about many... but I am sure they are things that would sound fantastical to anyone of a different world.

[He shifts and looks up, trying to think of a story that's positive and uplifting. A story that deserves to be told...

Ah.] I. I could tell you the success of Trahearne. It would be fitting, after what Noir has done, to tell you how to helped heal a broken land.

[He looks back down to them, a little hesitant.] Would you care to hear it?

[hoasen]

[Already Vietnam sits herself down amongst the other listeners, ready for a tale. He's right though, any tale is fantastical to those of a different world. And this world is not quite the same as theirs.

So to help encourage him and those around them--]

I think that would be wonderful, a victory!

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya clears his throat before clasping his hands behind his back.] In my home of Tyria, there is a piece of land in a similar state as the forest now is. It is an island the humans called Orr, and hundreds of years ago it sunk beneath the waters.

But then the Elder Dragon awoke and brought it back to the surface. It was called Zhaitan, and its domain was death magic. It blighted the very soil of the land and rose every corpse to life and under its control. Thousands of minions available that washed upon our shores and attacked our people. Attacked everyone.

[He brings his hands forward to gesture, worrying over his lip a moment.] When I Awoke, I was tasked with defeating Zhaitain... but Trahearne had the task of cleansing the land of Orr so that it could recover. It was, I believe, the harder task.

[hoasen]

[Maybe she should look as eager as the little ones around them? BUT SHE IS. This world sounds nothing like back home. No island that would sink under water (unless Atlantis is true...?) and certainly no dragons.

But war, she knew of war, way before even coming here. It's never something pleasant.]

Good heavens, is that what you were doing before you were called here?

[chronosynthesis]

Ah, Zhaitan has been dead for some time, but... I was fighting another dragon, yes.

[He turns his face down a moment, but quickly shakes off a somber expression before he looks back up.] He spent twenty-five years looking for a cure for the land but... I think he knew it would be impossible so long as Zhaitan was there. So when I awoke he mentored me for a time, we helped each other and--

[He waves a hand quickly, sheepishly.] Sorry, that is... anyway, Orr is what would happen if that forest were left to rot. It's quite decrepit. But our mother gave him a magical blade made of one of her thorns, and with it a plan to counter the magical corruption with our own magical cleansing.

[hoasen]

Oh, another! [How many dragons are there?

Actually, this sounds a little sad. 25 years to find a cure for the land. She wonders if he will ever succeed...]

How would you be cleansing the land? It sounds like an arduous task, even with such blessings!

Carbuncle!

[nh2h]

[The sound of forced laughter attracted...!!

...Wander and Wynona, both of whom just gave Syrlya the most unsure look.]

What, um, what're you doing there, buddy? Is everything okay, you need any help?

[Because that sounded like something, but whatever it was, it was not laughter. Perhaps a seagull cry?]

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya jumps slightly and turns around, having expected to be alone.] Ah--Wander? Oh, hello.

[He slowly lowers his hands.] I am trying to attract a carbuncle for its gem... I was told that they are drawn by laughter.

[nh2h]

[And here he was worried. Wander raised his shoulders and waved his hand.]

Oh, well that's easy! We just got to do something that makes you laugh! So what'll it be? Jokes? A funny story? Tickling?

[He leaned in closer and smirked.]

Puns?

[chronosynthesis]

I was trying to... [So he's not great at faking his feelings. He shrugs his shoulder.] I don't know, what do you think is your funniest?

I'm sorry

[nh2h]

[He lounged atop a big boulder so he could be closer to Syrlya's height.]

Well, they're all good if you ask me. It depends more on what you'd like, you're the one that's trying to laugh, after all. I've got loads of good stories and jokes, and I've identified several secret tickle points on lots of my buddies, and I can come up with puns—especially fruit ones, all day.

...Kum,—quat will it be? I'm up on all the currant affairs. Honeydew you think a joke will raisin your spirits? Or, I'd bet you'd get a giggle out of a tickle by your nec—tarine!

[Then, he paused, tensed, and then sniffed. Yet instead of sneezing as a regular person would, he exclaimed:] Ca—shew!!

[chronosynthesis]

[Syrlya follows Wander as he climbs up higher, folding his arms with a crooked smile as he waits for Wanders best attempt.

He blinks slowly, still as he's faced with the Pun Barrage. There doesn't appear to be a reaction from him at first.]

... Which ones were the fruits? [Were they fruits? None of them sound familiar to him.]

[nh2h]

[His jaw dropped. Wynona fell over and rasped, apparently finding this hilarious. However, did a lizard's hiss count as laughter? Perhaps not.]

The kumquats and the—... okay, not a problem! We'll just find something more appeeling to you!

[He stood up on the boulder and leaned on Syrlya's shoulder.]

A tickle is great, as long as it's not part of some heinous scheme to force an entire galaxy to be happy, so how about it? Are you ticklish?

[Wander wiggled his fingers, already eyeing out a few places he thought Syrlya might be ticklish.]

[chronosynthesis]

But what is a kumquat? [He leans back a little as Wander leans forward, but that's just to see what Wander is doing.]

... Has that ever happened? [That doesn't sound like that's ever really happened.] I don't know. I've never tried it?

[nh2h]

It's a little citrus fruit, kind of like an orange, but it's about this small. [He pinched his fingers to demonstrate.] I'll get you some later, in fact, I'll get you a whole fruit basket!

[Completely ignoring that part about galactic takeover...]

Then there's only one way to find out! Let's see... how about... this!

[He reached out to tickle Syrlya, one hand going for the crook between his neck and shoulder, his other hand going for his ear.]

Caissa

[whipoflust]

[ Chloe is not infected so there is no offer of jerky there. But he is actually unfamiliar with jerky and while he has seen other people eat it he is not so impolite as to ask complete strangers what it might be. He does have manners, after all.

But he knows Syrlya, if only briefly, which is why he approaches with a polite smile and a slight bow. ]

Good day, Sir Syrlya. Although it is a little rude of me to suddenly ask, may I perhaps ask you a question?

[chronosynthesis]

Hm? Oh, hello. [He offers him a smile at the least, ceasing in his jerky chewing.] It isn't rude of you at all. What would you like to ask?

[whipoflust]

Thank you. [ He is most grateful. ] It is simply that, that I have never seen that which you are eating before these last few months. I merely wanted to ask what it may be.

[chronosynthesis]

Oh--this? [He waves the stick in the air.] It is simply dried and preserved meat called jerky. It makes for a good snack. [Especially when you're having passive flesh cravings.]

I would offer you some, but I am still uncertain how much this ring prevents the spread of disease.

[whipoflust]

I suppose that it would. Dried meat is good for travel, too. Why would it be called jerky though?

[ He smiles to tell him that that's alright. ]

That is alright, if it taste anything like normal dried meat then I don't need to wonder about its flavor.

[chronosynthesis]

I... do not know. [He looks down at the meat.] I never thought to ask. We called it such a thing in Tyria as well.

[whipoflust]

Ah, I see. Well, the reason does not really matter, I suppose.