The Mana-Verse

[Blue Valkyrie]

"Of course, your items will be returned to you. Now as for the mark, you'll be hunting an aquatic beastie. Several of our citizens have claimed this monster has been slipping into the city at night attacking maidens or stealing other items, truth is we don't have much of a description beyond that-however I'd wager this monster is smarter than the typical breeds around here and thankfully no one has been hurt; one of my men managed to track it to a cave near the edge of the lake here."

[Fxeni]

"Aquatic in nature, huh... we'll be sure to keep that in mind. Well, shall we get to it then?"

[Blue Valkyrie]

"Of course-my men will escort you back to the cell, once you inform them of our deal they'll lead you to the cave." As Fxeni is escorted out the captain speaks up "Oh one more thing-the goblin thats traveling with you? He's an alchemist right?"

[Fxeni]

"Indeed he is. Any reason in particular you ask?" Fxeni inquires, stopping in his tracks momentarily.

[Blue Valkyrie]

"Our community is in need of good alchemists to brew potions and other remedies, if he agreed to assist our other alchemists and you all return alive I'd be willing to lend a moderate sized home to your group if you intend on staying any length of time."

[Fxeni]

"I don't think he would object," Fxeni answered, deciding to gloss over the 'returning alive' part. "Thank you for your offer."

[Blue Valkyrie]

He nods and Fxeni is led back to the party and their gear returned.

"So-how did it go?" Aya inquires rubbing her wrists as the manacles are removed.

[Fxeni]

"Well enough. I don't think they believed me when I told them what we're doing, but they gave us an offer nonetheless. We are to kill a monster for them in exchange for our freedom - except the Prof, who they asked to help brew potions," Fxeni said, looking at the Prof as he spoke the last part. "The monster is apparently aquatic in nature and quite intelligent, so we'll have to be smart about dealing with it."

[Blue Valkyrie]

The Professor seemed a little nervous about being left behind with strangers. "I don't think they mean any harm Professor-if they had they would have done so already." Aya comments to reassure her friend.

(I'll let the other catch up)

[Fxeni]

"I think it should be fine Prof. It'll be safer than what the rest of us are going to be dealing with, if the captain's face was any indication when he came up with the monster hunting idea in the first place," Fxeni added, rubbing the back of his head. "We might even get some free lodging, if we survive."

[Phi]

Pema nodded upon hearing Fxeni describe their next objective. "Head out, destroy aqua monster, get back in time for dinner. Sounds good!"

"If only these missions were ever as simple as they sounded." Salem stated.

[Blue Valkyrie]

((I'll have an update up tomorrow after work-little busy today))

[Blue Valkyrie]

The party are led through the city by the member of the town militia assigned to them who introduced herself as Jessie. While the party couldn't explore Haven Rock she did point out that the city had pretty much everything a community would need-even if it was all still in various degrees of construction.

After leaving the town gate they travel along the main road for about an hour before Jessie stops turning to Haven Bay "Okay-from here travel down to the shore then go left-follow it until you reach that cliff, keep walking along the base till you run out of shore and you'll see the cave. We tracked the beast into there. I can't offer you much else but I hope you all return safe, for what it's worth I believed your story." Jessie hands Sakura a small pouch of potions. "A gift of good will from the captain." Jessie smiles and bids them farewell-the party won't be permitted to return to haven rock until they complete the mission.

[Fxeni]

"I hope we won't be needing those, but they're good to have at any rate," Fxeni says, peering at the pouch.

[Sakura Leic]

"Hey Daddy you think these things will be as good as yours?" Sakura asked.

"I'm sure they're comparable." Calien shrugged.

[Phi]

"That's certainly good timing. You've exhausted your potion supply, right, Pema?" Salem inquired.

"Potions have been exhausted." She crossed her arms and nodded.

[Sakura Leic]

"Yeah I hadn't had the energy to make more while I was sick and Sakura refuses to make them again anytime soon." Calien sighed.

"I can never get used to that smell." Sakura shook her head.

[Blue Valkyrie]

"Back when I was still a guardian they had these peppermint tasting potions-do they still make those?" Aya asked smiling with a slight nostalgic look on her face.

[Sakura Leic]

".....Why Peppermint of all things?" Calien asked quite bluntly.

".....What's Peppermint?" Sakura asked.

[Blue Valkyrie]

"It's a type of mint-also a flavor in these DELICIOUS little sweets I used to buy when ever my brother I could get back to Pandora, I used to eat them by the airship load---what?" Aya notices everyone staring as she squees about ancient lost candy.

[Fxeni]

"Heh, can't say I've ever had any... sounds good though," Fxeni remarks.

[Sakura Leic]

"You've never had Peppermint before?" Calien asked him "It's actually quite refreshing and has quite the punch at the same time though it's an acquired taste to some."

(I actually despise peppermint myself.)

[Blue Valkyrie]

"I used to add some peppermint to my potions--my brother always avoided them for some reason."

(I don't like peppermint candies myself but I love the smell of peppermint.))

[Sakura Leic]

"Like I said it's an acquired taste." Calien shrugged. "Though it's still highly unusual."

"What, making potions taste good? I think it's a great idea!" Sakura exclaimed.

"Not as good as one would think, the reason most people make medicine and potions taste bad is because drinking too much medicine when you don't need it is bad for you." Calien shook his head. "This way you can ensure that medicine is drunk only when you need it.  Though I suppose it's okay for someone like Aya who probably doesn't have an immune system like ours, if any at all."

"Oh.....I didn't think there was an actual reason....." Sakura pondered.

[Blue Valkyrie]

"Anyway shall we head inside and deal with this monster?" Aya shrugged.