Healing a Broken Heart

[Sam Barkley]

"Uh. Hmm." Barkley looks back and forth between Joe and Marcus, looking uncomfortable, since he had no idea what to do about a bunch of grieving nymphos. He had some vague recollection that they liked chocolate, so he begins a search of his pockets. "So. Eh...right. Let's go find out what this...their...whole mess is all about." Sam walks towards the basin where the women sludge-bathe and clears his throat. "Uh, good afternoon. Please stop crying," he tries. He finally finds a slim box, pulls it out, and finds something better than chocolate. "Cigar? They'll put hair on...yer...uh...chests. Right." He lights one up himself, blowing the plume of smoke upwards. "You lot messing with this river or what?"

[Marcus Evan]

Marcus walks up with Sam. However, the Metalflesh seems a bit more enchanted by the beautiful women than either of his companions.

"Why are you so sad?"

[CyledyrWyllt]

Joe remains silent for the moment, simply observing the situation. The Cadets realize that the Ogre either has complete confidence in their abilities... or this is possibly another test. The women look strangely at Sam and Marcus as they answer them both in unison, their words blending seamlessly into their sorrowful song.

"I do not. We are blameless. We weep for the garden that once was."

"No, thank you. Perhaps we could have done more. Because the tree is withered and the waters are fouled."

"Yuck. Not us, it was Laddie. Why do you think? Look around."

[Fractured]

The musical number, though impressive, is starting to get under Sam's bark. Their voices, their song, wasn't natural. It was Wyrd, and there was plenty of lore on sirens. The Wizened grins, smokes his cigar, and bears it. They needed information. Something about their demeanor, they way each spoke, sang, whatever, made him think of sisters. "Suit yerselves," he says politely, exhaling the vile, stale smoke, then looks at who he thought of as the 'youngest' one. "We want to fix this back the way it was. Yeh all want that, right? So tell ol' Sam. Who's this Laddie that's messed up the river? Where ken we find him?"

[CyledyrWyllt]

Marcus makes an obvious effort to remain focused as he listens to the ladies speak. However, nodding to Sam's questions, he also addresses the weird sisters with one of his own.

"What exactly happened to the Singing Waters?"

[CyledyrWyllt]

Sighing, the ladies look from Sam to Marcus as they answer the two men in unison.

Yes, the Waters must be cleansed. Ladon is the Guardian of the Tree. He still guards it jealously. The Waters have been poisoned with madness and decay.

That would be nice. He has bravely kept the foolish from eating the Fruit of the Tree for many years. I do not know what happened, but now he lies bloated and angry in the pool at the base of the Tree, eating the Fruit he once guarded and filling the waters with poison. We sent the Bennu bird to reason with him, but have seen no sign of it and now fear the worst.

Duh. Laddie's our friend... at least, he was. But, I don't think he likes us anymore. I don't think he likes anyone. I think he went a little... nuts, y'know? You'll find him up there, in the Garden. Yeah, what she said. Poor Benny. Poor Laddie...

The youngest sister points up to the top of the eroded wall behind them.

[CyledyrWyllt]

After what seems an eternity, Joe breaks the silence left in the wake of the sisters' lamentations.

"Marcus, why don't you go on up and check out the lay of the land. Try to talk to this Ladon guy... see what his story is. Me an' Sam'll stay right here. You just holler if you need a hand."

The Farwalker's tone clearly indicates that this is apparently something that he expects the Cadet to take care of all on his own. Another test.

[CyledyrWyllt]

"Alright, then."

Marcus nods grimly to his Hedge mentor and turns to the seemingly sheer wall of rock. The Metalflesh carefully picks out hand and foot holds in the water-eroded stone and finds his Mantle simmering as makes his way to the top in fairly short order. As the voices of his companions fade away, he can still hear the underlying tones, or perhaps just vibrations, of lilting sadness caused by the musical voices of the twilit sisters. Marcus makes his way to the large, ornate gate which he finds looming at the top of the falls. Taking a breath to steady himself, he steps through the portal and into the Garden.

Doing the things a spider can

2010-12-12 18:09:42
Marcus Evan rolls 6 to DEX+Athletics+Mantle (10 Again)
8, 10, 10, 3, 1, 5, 8, 8
5 successes

End Scene