paradisabeyond | Lastlook: Entering the River

[For the past day or so, it's pretty clear the Amber Steppe has been left behind and the Totem Coast is getting closer. The air is more humid and the undergrowth has gone from a burnt amber color to be thicker, greender, and almost bordering on jungle-like. Several other streams have joined the one that the explorers have been following until it's almost large enough to start sailing on. Raine had encouraged everyone to press on, though, not sure it was time just yet (and also because she doesn't particularly like boats, okay). The cliffs around them start to grow up as well, and it probably won't be too long before the jungle becomes a properly impassable one, leaving the river as the only choice.

But this morning, another large stream had joined up with their and now it was more like a proper river. In the late morning they reach a large pier with five boats. The river also begins to take a higher road from here downstream, while the jungle starts to clog the lower road. Looks like it won't be too much longer before they're in the very painting that led them here. It's time to investigate those boats - and unload the smaller onces Percy Jackson has packed. And if you don't trust either of these, there are some inflatable rafts that Raine has packed as well.

So let's load up, and they'll be on the water by the afternoon!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Jane's not sure how to feel about that, what with the words conflicting with the tone and all. She'll just shrug.]

More's the pity. I'm sure there are plenty of lovely castles without hidden agendas in the world.

[He smiles a little grimly.] Not in my experience.

Well, no. That's not true. Buckingham Palace is okay.

You've been to Buckingham Palace?

[There's a slight tone of disbelief in her voice, but she's willing to listen if you've got a story.]

Sure. I'm kind of a celebrity where I come from. Sort of.

[There's not much to tell, really. Hellboy might be the most bored famous person on Earth.]

Really? What for?

[Jane is a pretty bored famous person too. How many heiresses who're grounded constantly do you know?]

[He points to his chest with his great stone finger.]

World's greatest paranormal investigator, in the flesh.

[Jane's eyes widen.]

A paranormal investigator? Oh, wow...

[He shrugs a little, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.]

Well, I used to be, anyway. I quit a couple years ago, before I came here.

Really? But if you were the greatest, why quit?

That's kind of complicated. I didn't really like the way the management was handling things, and ... well, I had some personal things to sort through, too.

Oh! Oh, I see.

[As curious as she may be, personal stuff is where she draws the line.]

Sounds like a darned shame, though.

[He shrugs a little.]

I figure the people there have it under control. There are a lot of good people still working there.

Oh! That's good, then.

[He nods, and resumes squishin' spiders!]

What did you do, back home? I mean, I guess you went to school. [He's assuming...]

Yes, I went to school for the most part, although I was going to take charge of a very influential company when I turned eighteen.

That's a heck of a foot in the door for an eighteen year old.

[She grins.] Well, I've grown up used to the idea, so I guess I view it more as something wonderful and exciting rather than just a job.

Sure, I guess that makes sense. So are you related to the company's owner, or ...?

I am! She's my late great grandmother, although my friends are all convinced she's actually an alien.

[He gives her a look that suggests he would quirk an eyebrow if he had eyebrows.]

Why would they think that?

I have no idea, and I think their suspicions are somewhat unfounded! What would aliens even do with a baking empire?

[He laughs -- it's pretty goofy when she says it out loud, that's for sure.]

I have no idea. Sponge cake, maybe?

[She shrugs.] Perhaps. Sponge cake is relatively versatile.

Can't say I ever read a comic book about aliens and sponge cake. Could be an untapped genre.

An artist better get on it, then! I would read that kind of comic.

(no subject)

hellshaped - 2012-09-25 00:00 (UTC) - Expand

cyan_maid - 2012-09-25 20:41 (UTC) - Expand

hellshaped - 2012-09-26 02:39 (UTC) - Expand

cyan_maid - 2012-09-26 22:18 (UTC) - Expand