[Episode] Chapter One: An Author, A woman, and A Quest to Find More!

Spoiler:

Admitting that he’d be leaving had been rougher than he expected, not on his mother, but him. He'd packed what clothes he had, what tools he felt were needed (the heroes and pirates in his fathers books somehow always seemed to be without, surviving with just the clothes on their back and maybe something to pass the time), and the two books that carried him through his  life…but every time he’d try to go towards the door, something would stop him in his tracks. A nagging feeling, as if he forgot something. It had taken about the tenth time to realize what he had forgotten, it not being a material or some sort of mental roadmap, but rather it was a verbal announcement. And soon enough he knew exactly what it was that he was missing.

His mother had been there for him from the time he could remember, though his father had been gone on a journey that he fully couldn’t imagine, it was his own mother that had kept his presence there, not only through reading those adventures, but by being the one person in this vast world that he could lean on. And here he was, too worried to step out and tell her that he too would try that very same adventure her own husband had embarked on. That was what was holding him back.

It wouldn’t have taken long to find her, her hands caked from the garden work that she’d done as she smiled the same smile she had all his years, her eyes taking a moment to notice that Julius had his bags in his hand, a cloth sack that she had made for him personally, each beautifully depicting a scene that he had rambled on since he was but able to speak. Julius scratched his neck, his tongue fumbling for the words that he’d been sure he would have been able to recite in the harrowing tales he would tell the children in the wharfs of Orange Town. ‘And with but a solemn but apologetic goodbye, our hero set off to go and find his treasure–’ No, this was quite different from a tale. He’d been saying goodbye to his mother…He wasn’t a hero, yet either…But, he tried to speak, the words coming out with a dry after taste.

[plyr=pirt]“Thank you, Ma, for tellin’ me the stories Pa wrote. I’m sorry I gotta leave ya alone for a bit, but…I…I gotta go experience what he was tellin’ us!”[/plyr]


His ears turned red, a slight reaction when he felt flustered, as he spoke. He couldn’t find any better words, his years of storytelling and lies seemingly disappearing in that instance…

[plyr=pirt]“I’ll be writing though! I promise, just you wait, once ya see me on the books I’ll have gotten just as nice as Pa did!”[/plyr]

He felt saying such could have softened his own blow, hoping that she’d not had reacted like the mothers had acted in stories of warfare he’d read about; arms flailing, tears ruining what would have been a welcoming face, shouts and emotion. But, to his surprise, she continued to simply stare, her smile as big as when he approached her.

[plyr=pirt]“So–So, I’m gonna just go–”[/plyr]


Julius turned to face the open areas of Orange Town, his brown eyes already trying to map out where he’d have to go about starting his newfound journey.

. . .

That was three days ago. Three. Days. Ago.

Now? Well, he roamed the streets of Orange Town, his face haggard with the sun beating down on him and little to do about it. He clutched his hand on his book, the pages slightly worn not from writing, but rather from simply flipping back and forth on what to write on and who to write about.

[plyr=pirt]“AHHHHHHH! DAMMIT, WAS WRITING GONNA BE THIS HARD?!”[/plyr]

A hand went to his head in a sort of cartoonish anguish as he ruffled his hair like mad, both anger and embarrassment bubbling in him like a pot ready to blow. He'd been wandering about this place for days. Days! And yet not one thing could have inspired him to write once. What sort of journey would his characters have if he couldn’t get off the damn island in the first place? He refused to step back home especially after what he thought was his tearful goodbye to his mother, and so his pride was on the line! In his anguish, the lad took a step back into the markets of the town, head cast low but eyes forever looking about. He had spent days wandering the markets, trying to find something or anything that would get him started on this godforsaken journey, and yet it was the same boring people here! The same fishermen who seemed to hike up the prices once they found out that their next customer was loaded, the same fruit woman who always gave him an extra apple, and a woman who seemed to have been carrying a sheathed sword to her side in the middle of the market…Nothing really to catch his attention…

Julius was about to take his pathway back to the beaten road he could have almost made with the amount of trudging he did, when he did a double take. Wait. Cheap Fisherman, Sweet Fruitswoman, and a swordswoman—. Something definitely willing to catch his attention. His focus zoned in on the blacksmith woman, from her stature to her sheathed blade. Julius changed course, curious what in the world she could have had such a thing for, especially for the market.

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"Soul Iron? Never heard of it."

"What the heck is Soul Iron?"

"Is this some sort of prank? Go bother someone else with your nonsense!"

Everywhere Anne La Tene went, the answers were generally the same. She dragged herself up and down the East Blue, visiting dozens upon dozens of blacksmiths and even curio shops. She used up any favors she had with her comrades in the New Revolutionary Army, who were done transporting her from island to island for her noble yet very personal mission. She had to spend the last few months traveling in rented vehicles, chartering ships, and taking long treks by foot.

However, time after time, she could only find disappointment. It seemed as if she was on a wild goose chase, looking for any information on this elusive mineral, and Orange Town appeared to be no different. She was weighed down by more than just her heavy toolbelt and sheathed sword. Physical weight this light was nothing to her. The emotional weight was a burden that never seemed to lighten.

It was no matter, though. Anne would simply shrug it off, pretending she did not feel it, as she has done many times before. On the one hand, she had been on her quest for a long time, which was disheartening. On the other hand, she had been on her quest for a long time - what's a few more tries in comparison? She must be on the tail end of her journey by now!

With that reassuring thought, she cracked her neck and left a shop, wandering through Orange Town to find her next destination, be it smithy or store. While she did, she took in the sights and sounds. Every town, city, or village she has been to has had its own unique 'flavor,' and she wanted to experience them all. Perhaps there was even a gambling parlor or a gym here!

However, that seemed unlikely, or at least Anne was having no luck finding such places. It was no sprawling metropolis, with many of its buildings being "quaint" and "old-fashioned" compared to the bigger and more "powerful" cities, and many farms acted as a transition between the outskirts. However, it was not the small, quiet town she was expecting, either. There was a moderate amount of hustle and bustle, clacking of cobblestone traffic and audible conversations. When she heard it was Orange Town, she was imagining it to be a couple villages large, not the large port city that it was. She would need a guide to find any hotspots she would like to visit.

Perhaps that guy staring at her might be of assistance. Anne gave a small, friendly wave and nod, smiling at him. As he approached her, she tried to match his speed to meet him in the middle.

"Hello friend," Anne said calmly and with just a tinge of cheerfulness. Her body language was relaxed, and she had a soft smile, but her hazel eyes had a hint of sharpness to them. "At least, I hope we're friends, the way you seem to have taken an interest in me. I'd hate to think I made an enemy just by walking around."

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It wouldn't be long before she had noticed his intrusive stare, deciding to confront him directly! She'd met the man halfway towards the destination, allowing him to actually take in her strange appearance fully: messy overalls that had seemed worn thanks to whatever profession she had, goggles that covered her face in a sort of cyclops manner, and even having an inch or three in height over him! She definitely did not fit the monotonous tone of the place he'd grown up in...No, she had to have been new! When they finally had met in the middle of the market center, she made it quick to give a welcoming smile, easy to have the lad lower his guard.

[plyr=pirt]"No need to worry, you've made no enemy here, I would hope.”[/plyr]

His voice had been polite, something his mother had instilled in him regardless of who he had spoken to. He mimicked her smile with his own toothy one, a welcoming one to also allude that he too wasn’t trying to be a threat, less she presented herself to be one. It wasn’t long for him to grasp onto his chance to speak about her appearance though, the oddity of it only fueling the curiosity the author had.

[plyr=pirt]“And apologies for the question from the get-go, but you don’t seem to be from here, huh? I mean, not many locals walk ‘round  'ere with swords strapped to their side.”[/plyr]

He cocked his head to the side, those mischievous brown eyes observing and taking subtle glances. She couldn’t have not expected the question though! The town folk of Orange Town had had a plain appearance, and while she may have thought her garb was normal for a blacksmith, there were few who were bold enough to carry their weaponry around in broad daylight. The boy gave her a moment to gather her thoughts, he knew too many questions in such a rapid time would have only scared the sane people off.

[plyr=pirt]“Ah, and if I didn’t tell ya’, Julius is the name. Julius Verne.”[/plyr]

That should have been the first thing he should have said, but he wouldn’t admit that currently he was hoping that the change of pace with just one person called for questions first, and introductions later. In that moment of his introduction, he extended a hand, hoping she’d shake it.

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While the curious man was sizing her up, Anne was doing the same to him. He did not seem like a threat - not just because she had a couple inches of height and some muscle over him, nor because she had a sword and he appeared unarmed. After all, appearances could be deceiving. He could be a master of martial arts, or have a weapon hidden on his person. She would definitely keep her guard up.

The reason Anne did not feel he was a threat was more of a 'vibe' she got from him. He did not have a threatening 'aura', nor did he have that vaguely 'seedy' look that many of the criminals she met did. This in itself was not proof, and she knew it. However, his words of not being enemies rang true, and his smile seemed genuine, without malice behind it. Her eyes - once holding a subtle glare - slightly softened their gaze, and her smile - although if it visibly changed, it was near unnoticeable - now gave off a friendly warmth that may not have been there before.

"I am so glad to hear that. Having potential friends is quite important. Is that why you were looking at me like that, or may I be of some assistance?"

After the man pointed out that Anne did not look like she was around here, she glanced slightly to the left of him as the tiniest of blushes tried to light up her tanned face. She must have walked around, sticking out like a sore thumb, for quite some time now. Maybe that was why she got such a reception in some of the stores! She needed to be less conspicuous! She quickly regained what composure she lost, letting out a tiny chuckle.

"Hm, you are right. I am most definitely not from around here. I'm actually pretty lost, to be honest. But the sword... do not worry. I have no plans using it. I have just been in some dangerous cities, and it is best to be prepared. Besides..." Was that the hint of a grin? Her eyes gave away what her almost-stoic expression did not: pride. "I made this sword myself."

When Jules introduced himself, Anne quickly accepted his extended hand in a very firm handshake. "Anne La Tene, wandering blacksmith, at your service. It is a pleasure to meet you, sir. It seems like you might have some questions for me. I will try to answer them, if you answer some in return."

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[plyr=pirt]"I can only agree with your statement about friends, but as for why I was looking, I actually was trying to see what had ya' sticking out like such a sore thumb...No need to get all embarrassed, trust, many have gotten lost and I’ve let a lot rely on me for information of the place."[/plyr]

That was a slight lie. He was much more interested in two things from her already, the fact that she had already been a nomad and clearly had been across the sea before, and the fact that she had that sword on her. But that wouldn't get him in trouble, those were harmless lies, however, it was also technically the truth...He did happen to see that she was quite the unlucky tourist, the only thing was that she was the first tourist he had interacted with. Luckily however, she had elaborated quickly on her sword, the fact that she had made it herself was pretty impressive, and he noticed the pride that had been laced in her admittance. His eyes wandered to the sheathed blade for a moment, hoping he could at least get a glance at the work she had. So, she was a wandering blacksmith...That would have made a lot more sense now that he could piece her together. Anne's offer to answer questions was met with a sort of eager acceptance.

[plyr=pirt]"Nice to meet ya' Anne La Tene, the Wandering Blacksmith. It's definitely a name you'd find in a storybook huh... Think I'll call ya just La Tene instead, something pretty to say wouldn't ya think?"[/plyr]

He put his hand to his chin, playfully contemplating what could have been a story to such a name. Why was she wandering? Was she someone who maybe gave swords to mercenaries? Maybe she had honed her craft along with a sort of master of some sorts. Maybe she had been a nomad simply, drifting where the wind took her... But none of the answers could have satisfied him enough to have warranted such a reaction from him that would be close to adequate. His writer's block seemed to grow larger in size...he could even start to write when even the most interesting of people seemed to fall right into his lap, and he fumbled to get a start on his own way of getting their backstory together.

[plyr=pirt]"Name is Julius, standard lad you'd find round these parts though a lot more thrill seeking. While I'm definitely not as cool as a wandering blacksmith, I am an author. Ya' know, the people who write books, and plays, and the newspaper an' all that, but I guess I can't call myself much one till I actually write one. But enough about me for now...Since you offered to answer some questions, I'll ask ya first. So, what made ya come here, wanderin ‘round, La Tene. I’ll admit, there isn’t much interestin’ in this place, 'less you want to either try to make it work with just what you’ve got."[/plyr]

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Of all the people Anne could have run into, she was lucky to have met someone known for helping others who were lost. At least by his words, he was. There were even odds that he was as helpful a guide as he claimed to be, or that he was looking for an easy mark from out of town for various reasons - none of which that came to mind happened to end in her favor. However, she had a strangely good feeling about him - and an honest man who genuinely wants to help out a stranger would be a rare find not worth missing out on. While she was usually guarded, it would not do to be too guarded.

Anne felt pride swell up inside of her as she noticed Julius’ admiration for her sword. While the blade itself was hidden in its scabbard, the ornate hilt was visible. The handle had a clean leather wrap, capped with an elliptical black pommel with copper-gold stripes, and its guard was made of the same type of material in a swept honeycomb-like basket hilt. Every bit of visible metal gleamed, well taken care of.

Anne giggled at Julius’ compliment of her name. ”Quite the charmer, aren’t you? If you find beauty in my name, by all means, call me La Tene.” Was that his game? Was he just trying to flirt with her? La Tene did not have time for that, but she’d humor him for the sake of his help. She would put up with it, if it meant having a local’s help.

A storywriter, huh? Perhaps that was the reason Julius was interested in the mysterious stranger. ”Nice to meet you Julius,” La Tene said. ”Even if you have not completed a work, as long as you have put pen to paper even once, with the goal of eventually completing a masterwork, then I consider you a writer.”

It was La Tene’s turn to answer questions as she had promised. How much should she tell him? The basic truth shouldn’t hurt. The “what” should suffice; no reason to give the “why” to a stranger. ”I have been searching far and wide for something called ‘soul iron.’ Both the material and how to work with it. The truth is, it is beautiful and has all sorts of rumors about it, but it is basically useless - despite the demands for blades made out of it. How am I supposed to satisfy customers and clients who want ‘soul iron’ swords when I neither have ‘soul iron’ or the ability to forge with it? So I wander, picking up skills here and there, setting up temporary forges to keep up funds, while I hunt for my destination.”

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[plyr=pirt]“That’s what I be tellin’ my ma, La Tene! Anyone can be an author as long as they started somethin’, I ain't got any manuscripts or journals detailin’ my adventures, but I got a few pages on me that I tend to write down my thoughts for, and I think that makes me a better author than someone scared to put pen to the page!”[/plyr]

The compliment she gave him made the lad smile, yeah, the charmer, that was what made people want to listen to him. People couldn’t be bored or else a story would never finish…If that were the case, he should just have packed up his entire life. So, yeah, very charming was what he wanted to go for.

The man leaned in a bit to listen to what her reason for being such an odd lady out here was, something about soul iron, and forging it. Well, she was a blacksmith, so of course she’d try to forge something named soul iron…But, as to what it was, the young man had no idea. He scratched his head, closing his eyes as he tried to picture just what in the world it could have been, but all that came to mind was an amorphous blob of silver, something akin to mercury.

[plyr=pirt]“Soul Iron? I ain’t heard of that before, and for something with sucha cool name, for it to be useless seems like a waste of it…With that name, you could come up with plenty of things, maybe saying it lets ya’ house the souls of the departed, maybe even that it could let ya talk my late grandma, though I’m sure she’d have not much to say other then ‘Oh you look too scrawny, you’ll look like your pops’ and blah blah blah…” [/plyr]

It was entirely incorrect if what she said was true, and something that only a kid could have thought of, but it made sense for him, a man who created the wildest things from the mundane. It even made sense to him! Why else would they call it such a cool name? It was exactly the opposite of what you’d call it if it were useless! Soulless Iron!

[plyr=pirt]“But, maybe you could just tell them that, then again, be sure to credit me when ya say it. Hell, especially if you’re rolling in the dough for those blades, heck maybe I’ll even lower the royalties I would receive from ya for such a good pitch ya know? ‘La Tene and the Soul’ Swords’, or whatever else ya’ make, spears and armors too. Then again, who’d want their departed relative yapping in their armor every time? It sounds cool, yeah, but maybe refine the story a bit and still credit me. Anyways, ‘fore I forget, if ya want help, I don’t mind helping ya. Course, I’d like to get somethin’ in return for my future super helpful efforts, and who knows, maybe when I make it big, I’ll say you were my main lady for the job of gettin’ things done!”[/plyr]

The offer had been so quick, packed with his rambles and fantasies, but an offer nonetheless. Julius shifted his weight onto his right leg, stuffing his hand in his pockets with a proud smile, while it had been quite a boring town, this could have proved to be something new to the day-to-day grind, and so, he didn’t mind changing it up a little.

Spoiler:

La Tene smiled and nodded at Julius’ philosophy of writers. ”I agree! If one has the capability of applying their craft, and the desire to do so, then you shouldn’t let fear of failure stop you!” Her eyes burned with the fire of her inner forge, her passion ablaze. ”You must do what you believe is your calling. If you fail, you can try again, or decide it wasn’t your destiny after all. But if you never try, you will never know!”

The blaze of La Tene’s passion soon died down to the embers of embarrassment as the heat rushed to her face. She took a slow, deep breath, hand raising with her inhale and falling with her exhale. ”So… in conclusion, that is a wise stance to have on the matter.”

Next came the subject of Soul Iron. La Tene would have been really passionate about that, but she had already ‘made a fool of herself’ earlier, so she tempered her words. ”Honestly? There have been so many rumors about Soul Iron, that what you said about communicating with the dead would fit right in there. The problem is the metal can’t be forged - at least, by conventional means. That’s why I’m looking into unconventional means. Perhaps the rumors could be true, or at least one of the many. If not, there are people who would buy works forged from Soul Iron just for the mystique and intrigue.”

Julius’ offer did not go unnoticed. Anne frowned for a second. She was starting to worry that he was trying to use her simply for financial gain. However, La Tene quickly shook that from her mind. He couldn’t be that kind of guy. She extended her hand and a smile. ”I accept your offer of aid. Name a reasonable price, and I’ll pay it.”


It took a moment, but La Tene finally processed what Julius had said earlier. “Also… sorry about your grandmother. I feel really bad for not mentioning that until now.”

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The enthusiasm had been returned with equal excitement, that was something he could appreciate, he was just preaching to the choir then! Everyone must have felt the same way about such a thing if it was something that La Tene agreed with, or well, it must have been something that sensible people who wanted to perfect their craft. The young man, however, didn’t feel the embarrassment that the woman felt, no, he had simply felt that fire in him grow. This would be something he knew burned in him, and it only felt right to keep that flame burning.

La Tene’s explanation of what it was truly surprised the man, Julius stepped back in surprise about his supposedly accurate guess. All it took was a bit of imagination and viola, even the wildest things could be true. Or well, a better example was the infinite monkey theorem…Or well, that was what he thought could apply to it. Put a monkey on a typewriter for an infinite time…yeah yeah–he got the answer! But for it to not be able to be forged, well, that all seemed like a legend that could write itself! Unless it was all a bunch of lies and rumors, but then again, that could have been a funny result of something interesting too. Hell, she knew exactly why they’d buy it then, it was mysterious! And every listener loved a mystery.

[plyr=pirt]“To think that the imagination would hit the nail on the head, well I say we should go and try to find it! Do ya know what it looks like? Or if you have some sort of clue behind it? A map or somethin’?”[/plyr]

Julius cupped his between his thumb and forefinger, pondering it as if he’d been a detective, his thoughts running rampant at the plan of how exactly they would find a material that seemingly, just did not seem real. To go and ask others, well, that would just lead others to it, and to go seek it and not have any idea, that also would potentially be a waste of time. They’d need to start somewhere, and the only one who had that answer (he’d hoped), was La Tene herself.

While he thought, the woman apologized for his late grandma’s…lateness, in which he waved his hand as if it were her blowing smoke, or if the idea could waft away, before grabbing onto La Tene’s for a firm and determined handshake. That smile seemed even brighter, Julius showed his gapped teeth, but even then, one could tell that this deal would be worthwhile.

[plyr=pirt]“You’re good, she lived to be like one hundred, or well, it felt like it. Anyways, she was old. But as for my repayment, you can tell me…How the hell I can get off this island.”[/plyr]

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It was time for: La Tene’s Soul Iron Lecture! “Soul Iron… is very unique. It is as black as night, yet sparkles like the stars, and is reflective as a mirror while seeming to change colors subtly like a raven’s feather. The ore looks perfect for smelting into bars and ingots. And they come out nicely, once you do! Until you try to do anything with them.” She breaks eye contact with Julius, looking down and to the right. “Then… they go from the most perfect bar of iron or steel… to a crumbling mess. So… some have tried smelting it into the shape of a sword, rather than hand-forging it. Then… you just get a sword that shatters when you strike anything… sometimes even air. But it looks like the most beautiful blade you’ve ever seen… until it just starts… deteriorating.

Anyways… you more wanted to know what it looked like than what could be done with it. Black sparkly ore, found in clumps of white or blood-red rock most of the time. Extremely rare, especially since it is so easily destroyed once you try to use the ore for anything more than a paperweight.”

After exiting ‘lecture mode,’ La Tene shook her head. “I heard some rare collector on a nearby island might have had a sample, but it turns out to have been a false alarm, so I found my way to the next nearest place, which was here. I’ve asked everyone who might have some idea, but found out nothing. Maybe… maybe you could have better luck?”

The reassurances from Julius were… well, reassuring. “Hm. Still, losing someone isn’t easy,” La Tene responded, “but she sounds like she had a lot of life, and got a lot out of it.”

La Tene needed to learn how to negotiate the terms of the deal before shaking the other person’s hand! In this case, however, it paid off. She only needed to give him information in exchange. It was a fair deal. “Honestly? The simplest, dumbest, yet possibly best advice I could give you: find a boat. Buy one, charter one, borrow one… of course, if you wish to be some kind of pirate or something,” she continued in a playful voice, “you could always steal one. Disclaimer: that was a joke, if you decide to do something that… silly… know that was not from my advice.”

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[plyr=pirt]“Well I’ll say, that’s one hell of a story then! Well no more explaining you’ve gotta do, let’s just go and find the dang thing!”[/plyr]

He’d gotten up right before La Tene could continue, this had put wind in his sails, it made him ready to go and find this mystical supposed cool, and also supposedly dud material. But, if it crumbled, then it crumbled! In a way, it was like it was a story too, they were meant to leave lasting impressions, not physically stay forever. Pages yellowed, ink smeared, and leather shriveled. None of it was permanent, but, it was the feeling of having read it and understood it, that made the pieces seem so grand.

The bard nodded at her, trying to take in the key points of what she’d said, found in white or blood-red ore. There weren’t many places to find rocks around here, but maybe there were people who were miners they could have asked.

[plyr=pirt]“Well, I’m sure you’ve just gotta ask the right people…Heck, maybe there’s a miner group somewhere on the island, someone’s gotta supply the coal to this place!”[/plyr]

His idea had been surface-level, but quite smart, maybe they’d have to find someone who likely dealt with more their entire time here. It’d make sense, and surely there had been miners who supplied [i]something[\i] to the town. They weren’t super up there in terms of technology, based on the books he’d read…things like Dials, or Log Poses, all of them hadn’t been seen around the place he’d been. It’d just take a bit of questioning, and since he hadn’t had much else to do, he had time, much to his dismay of having been on the island at all. But, that could have easily changed, with how this could have gone, hell, he may have had a chance to bring color to a grey world.

La Tene still seemed to be quite stuck on his joke, maybe he had to better fine-tune his humor about his grandma, especially if his audience would be so quick to console what he thought was just a funny jest. The man nodded at her statement, the old woman did have a lot of life, when she wasn’t helping with his antics, she’d been the one who helped keep a record of his father’s stories before it was passed to his mom’s duty.

[plyr=pirt]“Don’t think nothin’ of it, she had a great life, full of stories and cooking, and occasionally finding herself up in trees with me trying to be the villains my Pa’ would tell me about, she lived a great life altogether.”[/plyr]


The bard tried to find another subject to change to, not wanting the lady to feel so bad for him in this, especially when they had a supposed mystery on their hands. But, what he hadn’t expected was for her to pay him back in information so quickly!

La Tene explained how exactly she’d gotten here, she’d either bought a boat, or chartered one, or, if that obvious disagreement with the final method had any merit to it, then she stole one. Then again, did pirates admit they were pirates outright? He didn’t exactly know, did the pirates he read about do such? That part he couldn’t exactly put a finger on… But what he did know though, was that now he had a way in.

[plyr=pirt]“Well, then I guess that leads me to askin’ if ya got a boat, yourself. See, I’m trying to get off the island one day, and see the world! And if what you're tellin’ me is correct, then how’d ya get here? If ya got a boat, how about you take me to my next island after this?”[/plyr]

Another quick rush of questions, but he’d be quick to not have her answer. The excitement of getting out of this damn town was more than anything, or well unless he’d come up with some mysterious future cash, then he’d have to find his ride to another place. And, if maybe he’d waited and helped her if she did have a boat, then it’d be a favor returned in the future.

[plyr=pirt]“Let’s worry about that later, let’s go ahead and see where the hell we can find some people who dig around for rocks and such, maybe if that’s the case, we could get some sort of lead on where your soul ore could be.”[/plyr]


Julius stuffed his hands back in his pocket, quickly turned around, and looked towards the semi-bustling streets of Orange Town, without even saying a word about it, decided to go and start his walk, not exactly looking behind to see if La Tene had followed him or not. It seemed that the hunt for the miner guild was on…

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La Tene's face flushed with shame and self-disappointment. She was a blacksmith, and she didn't even check where the others have gotten their coal? She assumed she was at a dead end before even checking all possibilities! Other than the redness in her face, however, she refused to show any change in her confidence.

She flashes Julius a small smile. "Not a bad idea," she admitted, not a bad idea at all. No wonder you are a writer, you have a sharp and creative mind. I am glad to have met you, and even more glad to have your assistance."

The conversations switched back and forth so fast that La Tene barely had time to think for her responses. He was now asking how she got to the island. "I... um... it was complicated but basically I kind of... hitched a ride, in the most simple terms. But... I'll... tell you more later.

Luckily for La Tene, Julius seemed to agree and the subject was changed once more as he just... started walking? Heading... where exactly? She quickly followed, though she was hesitant to assume he knew where he was going. "Well... we could just look for miners... or we could ask a blacksmith where they source their coal. Whichever you think is a better idea." Clearly, she believed the latter was, in the slight change in the tone of her voice, but she wasn't going to push her guide. She already asked for his help, and she wasn't about to just throw it away.

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