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ST The underworld closes around Carmine and Corve as they walk through the Shadowland. The glass goes silent as the Air becomes still. The light dims as Fire fades away. The Earth under their feet turns dark and dusty becoming broken and cracked where it isnt covered in trash. No living Wood, no animals, nothing alive here. And their sweat freezes in their bodies, their tears and the rest of their Water is chilled as Death claims them.
ST Now a step beyond the Shadowland will take the couple not back into Creation but further into this dark place, the Underworld.
Corve sighs a little, trying not to choke on his own breath. "I guess it's forward or else now," he says in a soft whisper- though he's unsure why.
Carmine "...Yeah." Carmine whispers back. Someohow whispering seem appropriate
Corve nods slightly, puts down one of their bags, taking out the attire that he had been wearing in Great Forks and his coat, and rifle. He quickly puts the golden coat on, and straps the rifle on, sliding the concealing garment over it. Better safe than sorry. "Let's go," he says, grabbing his bag again and taking her hand before he begins walking.
ST Now, at night, from this side of the salt, Corve and Carmine can see something that was plainly invisible during the day or from Creation. Standing at the line of salt across the broken road is a man wrapped in tattered brown robes who does not move, simply standing as close to the line as he can be without going over.
Carmine hesistates just briefly, then calls out in greeting "...Hello?"
Corve inspects the man from afar, tilting his head slightly to the side as he takes a good look.
ST The man does not answer or respond in any way. He remains standing perfectly straight and still, covered completely in his brown robes.
Corve walks towards the man slowly, still holding Carmine's hand. Gently, he lifts a hand and pokes the man's shoulder softly. "Excuse me?"
Robed Man turns his head to face Corve while otherwise remaining still. The shadows of his hood hide most of his face, only faint hints of shadowed features are visible. This close up, he smells faintly of salt water.
Corve looks at the man with a raised brow. "Hello."
Robed Man inclines his head slightly
Corve pauses for a moment. "We need... directions. We need to go to the Mesa of Midnight. Can you indicate the way?"
Robed Man raises one arm and points South
Corve "Anything a bit more specific?"
Robed Man considers Corve for a few moments. "I must remain here. Go South."
Corve sighs softly. "Alright," he says, and tightens his grip on Carmine's hand. "Let's go, love," he murmurs, turning and beginning to walk.
Carmine nods, and walks with Corve ... South.
Robed Man "There is danger to the south." The man says as Corve and Carmine step past him.
Corve raises a brow and looks over his shoulder. "Isn't there everywhere?"
Robed Man "They remember her. If you go South, you will end up like the one for who I wait."
Corve stops. "Who are you waiting for?"
Robed Man points again, this time to a window in a tall apartment building, many many stories high. On the third story, the highest still in use it appears, there is a lit window. For a moment the dullness of the Underworld washes away and Corve can see the window as it appears in Creation: a brightly lit and gaily decorated window with a woman standing in it, looking out.
Carmine "...I have to go still ..."
Robed Man The woman holds a knife in her hand, raised.
Robed Man Her hand trembles and she stares at the knife, transfixed. Then the window goes dark and the view of Creation disappears.
Robed Man The window is only a window into an empty building in the Underworld.
Corve sighs slightly. "Everyone's so damn cryptic," he says, shaking his head. "Let's go," he adds, and begins walking again. He's not letting her go alone.
Robed Man There is a sharp scream from above as Corve and Carmine walk into the Underworld. In mid-fall from the window the form of the woman appears and settles lightly to the ground. She looks about, confused and uncertain until the robed man beckons to her. She walks toward him, entranced.
Corve "Guess that was his subtle way of telling me I'm going to get killed," he says.
Robed Man holds his arm out to the woman, who takes a robe-covered hand, and puts his arm around her shoulders, guiding her away, deeper into the twisted tangle of glass where the Shadowland is.
Carmine nods, and walks resolutely with Corve out into the desert ... and tries not to think of the parallels to before. "You won't. I won't let all the dead in the Underworld do that to you."
ST As the two Solars head deeper into the under-city of Chiaroscruo they find the streets more often populated by ghosts, most of whom ignore the mortals walking amongst them, a few of whom glance and look away, frightened or angry that mortals enter their world. A troop of Jade Golems tramps past on business of the ruler of the under-city.
Corve smiles at her. "Likewise."
ST Here, in the underworld, the city of Chiaroscuro is not in ruins. The towers of glass pierce the dark sky, rising into the smoky clouds. They shine like obsidian with only faint hues of color. The roads are clean and clear.
Ghostly Man steps towards the couple, smiling in a friendly fashion. He is a handsome man, or he was before he died. The mark of death is upon him, faintly, a bit of bloodstain in the clothes across his stomach and chest. A bit shorter then Corve, as many southerners are, and broader across the shoulders, he has the look of a soldier, though an amiable one. "You are new here." It isn't a question.
Corve looks at the ghost... and smiles. "You are perceptive," he retorts amiably.
Carmine "We are looking for the Mesa of Midnight." she adds
Ghostly Man "You want something? Ah yes...Well, that isn't hard to find really."
Ghostly Man "It's far to the South, in the middle of no where. Only feature for miles around. Can't possibly miss it if you go far enough to where the ghost-fire dances."
Ghostly Man "But there's dangers along the way and they say anyone going to close never comes back."
Corve "They say that about other places, too. Can you take us there?"
Carmine "Or is there some way that we might travel there quickly?"
Ghostly Man "I could indeed." His smile broadens, showing very white teeth. "And there is that too."
Ghostly Man "But I have a favor I'd like in return for being your guide."
Corve "What might that be?"
Ghostly Man "I'd like your wife to bear my child." He says, very seriously.
Corve blinks at him, and then slowly turns to Carmine, and then back to the ghost. If it wasn't such a shock, he'd probably be shooting the man in the head at the moment...
Carmine is likewise stunned to silence.
Ghostly Man waits patiently, an understanding expression on his face.
Corve "Did you just... proposition... to... " he doesn't seem to believe it.
Ghostly Man "I understand it's a bit of an odd request but it doesn't involve anything physical between me and your wife. Just a kiss or a touch."
Corve "Uhm... she's not my wife. Yet. But... umm... I still don't..." Just a touch? Somehow that sounds less than credible.
Ghostly Man "My mistake, I'd assumed you two were married. Congratulations on the engagement, however." He smiles at both Solars.
Carmine is still looking at him in disbelief.
Corve "She hasn't said yes yet..."
Ghostly Man "Ohh", nods understandingly.
Corve just continues to look at the ghost silently and, well, rather incredulously.
Carmine "No ... no I won't. Sorry."
Corve tightens his hand around Carmine's.
Ghostly Man nods agreeably. "I understand. Well, I can say that finding the place isn't hard, but getting there might be. I wish you the best of luck doing so."
Corve nods a little. "Right... sorry we couldn't be of... uh... help..." he says, shaking his head and beginning to walk away again. Weird.
ST The dead soldier wanders off, headed toward the Shadowlands
Carmine "...let's just get away from these ghosts..."
Corve "Right."
ST An airship casts its shadow down on Corve and Carmine as it departs from the massive sky-docks at the top of some of the towers
Corve "Maybe we should get a ship to take us..."
Corve "I wonder if our money's any good..." He winces a little.
Carmine "I am sure there will be somethign they will accept. Something that isn't ... that."
Corve "... or anything related to that..."
Carmine nods.
Corve nods a little and then heads for the air dock.
Carmine follows him up to the top of the tower.
ST At the top of the tower, Corve finds a variety of ghostly men and women preparing their ships for departure, getting clearance from a ghostly official escorted by two Jade Golems. Others scurry about loading cargo or hauling on lines and some are bickering with eachother over trade goods.
ST There are five ships on this dock, two are large commercial liners, but the other three are smaller contract ships.
Corve tries to figure out which ones are the cheapest, and what kind of currency they use.
ST Corve is able, by the simple expedient of asking questions, to find out that the ghostly exchange rate is in Contagion-era currency, a common commodity considering the amounts of the stuff in circulation. But since the majority of their money is in Great Forks-issue silver, the ghosts are willing to accept it at a considerably reduced exchange rate. If it were Realm-issue jade, the exchange would be far more favorable.
Corve "... and how much would it take to get us to the Mesa of Midnight?"
Ghost Sailor looks at Corve. "More then you likely got. Those what go there don't return."
Corve "So everyone tells me. Mind telling me why they say that?"
Ghost Sailor "Cause it's true" she grunts.
Corve looks at Carmine and sighs. "Seems like we're never going to get a real answer to that question."
Ghost Sailor "I never been there, how would I know what's there? No one comes back so who's to ask?"
Corve "Guess people will have a lot of questions for us when we get back, then."
Carmine "So, how close would you take us?"
Ghost Sailor considers. "Now I'm not the captain yet...but I'd say taking you as far as to within sight of the mesa might not be a problem. For three week's wages."
Ghost Sailor "The passage will take a week."
Carmine looks to Corve.
Corve looks at Carmine, and then shrugs. "It's important."
Carmine nods.
Corve "Fine, we'll take it," he says, nodding slowly.
Ghost Sailor calls over her captain, a husky woman of imposing height and short-cropped green hair. The woman listens to the agreed destination with a scowl, but nods at the payment. She spits on her palm and offers it to Carmine.
Carmine spits on her palm and shakes.
Corve raises a brow and sort of just... no. He just raises a brow.
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