PART I

[dragneel]

Characters: Anyone going on the Excalibur Quest!
Location: Excalibur's Cave
Rating: G/PG
Time: February 22nd
Description: A bunch of guests set out to find the legendary sword, not knowing what's in store.



[ The terrain is rocky and uneven and the trek is no easy task. Even when the goal's in sight, it's still far away because according to the book -- just up this cliff is Excalibur's cave. Looks like some teamwork might be needed to get up there. Not everyone can have a cool, floaty skateboard like Death the Kid. ]



(OOC: This log will be divided into two parts. The exploration, which is this log, and the actual encounter with Excalibur. I'll be making some subthreads for chambers to explore, but feel free to make your own threads and mingle! If you can dream it and it's annoying enough, Excalibur probably has it in his cave.)

Comments

[dissenter]

You're here, aren't you? [it's not sarcastic -- just a gentle tease, with a weary smile. he's here too, after all, goddess help him.]

BREW's mission was to provide a fighting force capable of winning the war. Bringing in someone from another world with the potential to wield a weapon of legend could do just that -- it's been a millenium and a half since someone from this world has succeeded in using it, as I've read.

[he walks around to the other side of the table, looking for a particular book -- a copy of the one that started this wild sword chase in the first place. qilby flips through the first few dozen pages, and finds the page he recalled from earlier.

it's probably the least-irritating thing he's read all day, because it's something he can totally get behind. he motions at the page -- a print of a tapestry of some sort -- with a nod of his head.] Ah, yes! King Arthur. Not a legend I'm intimately familiar with, but I understand he's a famous figure in this world?

[sayatakagi]

I was really bored. This is better than tsunamis, I guess.

[she replies to his smile with one of her own]

In this world and in most versions of Earth. He was quite popular in mine as well.

[dissenter]

[a good-natured laugh. it's not clear whether he means it for the comment about tsunamis (which he might've preferred over this) or for some joke yet to come.]

I can imagine. What isn't there to admire about the story of one man, chosen by fate, taking the power he needs to uplift his people?

[it's clear he's being melodramatic for the fun of it. but his grand, sweeping gesture might've been grander had it not been one-armed. he motions at himself afterwards.] Who knows? Perhaps I'll be the next King Arthur. [and then, more seriously--] Or maybe you, or any of the rest of us. Assuming, hopefully, that your suspicions about Excalibur are unfounded.

[sayatakagi]

[Saya laughs as Qilby speaks of King Arthur. And then shakes her head softly]

I'm a Weapon, so I guess I can't be the chosen one. I will let you guys have it.

[dissenter]

[a pause; he gives the girl a bit of a strange look.]

You can't even use it, yet you still came? You must have been truly bored. [his smile pulls at only one corner of his mouth.] Though I'd prefer to be kinder and say you must be truly generous.

--I'm afraid I've been forgetting my manners quite often, lately; I haven't even introduced myself yet. My name is Qilby. [kings don't bow. he gives a short, gracious nod instead.] It's a pleasure to meet you, young lady.

[sayatakagi]

More like, I want to keep my mind busy. Even if it's busy with silly quests in search for a Weapon I'm very skeptic about. [she shakes her head] It's nothing to do with generosity, really.

[she smiles a little] I'm Saya Takagi.

[dissenter]

[an appreciative nod.] An intellectual, then. [and, a muttered "so many young intellectuals in this city..."

it's always kind of a surprise -- but a pleasant one -- to find another child so concerned with keeping their mind limber. apparently there were reasons not to hate this city.] Well, Saya, out of all of us you probably have the right way of things. You've won whether this turns out to be a big waste of time or not.

[sayatakagi]

Yeah, I suppose that's what I could call myself. [and 'genius' too. ] Not many people find it useful, but personally, I believe mind is the best weapon you can have.

[Saya nods softly] Like you said. I win.

Did you come because you wanted to wield Excalibur?

[dissenter]

I came here to find a way to end the war. [a minute, but important distinction.] I don't enjoy violence, but if I need a weapon to make sure I don't have to commit it, then...

[he shrugs his good shoulder.] I agree with you, most certainly -- and I do believe my mind's my best weapon... [a wry look.] ...But I haven't yet found a way to kill our enemies with it.

[sayatakagi]

It's the best weapon. Not the only weapon.

[Saya tilts her head]I doubt the War will end that soon. But then again, most people just say I'm pessimist.

I'd like if you did find a way to end the war, though.

[dissenter]

The sides have been remarkably even, though the tides of battle do have a way of suddenly shifting. [it could be either a hopeful statement, or a dark one; his even tone and level look give no indication as to which side of the fence he stands on...

qilby smiles crookedly.] I'll try my best to find one, though I doubt it'll be by way of the battlefield -- in the meantime, I'll simply have to trust warriors far more competent than I to handle things there.

[sayatakagi]

I though like that at first. [that she was no good in the battlefield. Saya had always refused to fight, but now, she could actually do so.]

Things change. Even what we think that it'll never change.

[dissenter]

At first... [he hasn't quite moved beyond that stage yet, himself. not out of lack of confidence in his own abilities (for the most part) but because he just couldn't be damned to stick his neck out for this miserable city.] And now?

[sayatakagi]

Now I can fight. [she smirks] And I'm pretty good.