Brief Adventure [Open]

[servant]

It was a night of brilliant bright stars. It was the time when mother sat on the edges of their children's beds, telling them of pirates, and fairies, and of a boy who soared laughing through the skies.

It was on a night of nights that a great deal of other children were arguing on the phone about whether or not Peter really did like Jane, and if John wasn't a bit of a jerk for ditching them at the cinema. Some agreed, some disagreed.

It was also a night of nights on which one young boy was doing nothing closely resembling an act of normality on other boys' behalves.

This story starts on the morning after.

With his white hair, the young lad had been quite a sight for most others; girls had queried if he'd bleached his hair, with some squealing in delight that he was rather handsome. A few boys had called him things like 'grandpa' and 'nice wig, baldie', and Thomas felt forced to wear a hat to hide his apparently odd colour of hair.

He had decided to play a trick on those boys the other night, and was sure they'd all be enjoying the results of his nightly endeavours. From the centre of the millenium bridge, though, he could not at all gather what was becoming of his prank. He wasn't thinking of it anymore either; just a few more minutes and he'd be at the famous 'Globe Theatre', where his great hero 'Shakespeare' was said to have staged his plays.

Shakespeare was largely unknown outside of this world, but Thomas had learned of him a-plenty in his brief stay in London, and felt a great deal of affection for such a famed playwright. No doubt people'd be performing, and mayhap he could learn a thing or two.

"That's right, ladies and gentlemen!" he declared excitedly, though his audience was none but random passerbies, none which paid the young boy any heed. "No cloud nor squall shall hinder me in my journey; let the sun bear witness to this burning passion I have!" Thomas was swift to realise more than a few eyes had turned to him, and thought then he'd continue now that he had momentum.

"There is a lady whose voice is lovely as a melody, her eyes like bright stars to lighten my night." He dramatically posed. "As a thief has she stolen my heart, and a most wonderful theft it was!" Curiously, Thomas lowered his arms. People had started moving on again.

"Well, there's something new," he remarked, mostly to himself. He was used to catching attention.

[nascent]

"Oi! You thar, lad!"

The voice came from behind Thomas, from a young woman clad in what looked like overly fancy red and black (but predominantly red) pirate wear. Long curls of brown hair frame her face, which is youthful and almost impish in its description... a fair match for the self-assured expression that seemed to paint her tanned visage. This strange woman came walking up to Thomas, ignoring the many people around her who gawked and stared.

"I'm lookin' fer th' Globe Theatre. Ain't used t' th' city as yet, 'avin a bit o' trouble findin' me way around." She pulled a small gold coin from her coat pocket and showed it to Thomas. It had the markings of British money, but it looked old... ancient almost. If the boy was up on his monetary history, there's a chance he would have recognized it as a guinea "I be willin' t' pay fer a guide, if'n ye can spare th' time."

[Akito]

Among the crowd that gawked and stared, there was one who did so especially as he clapped most earnestly at the performance. A broad smile adorned his face, threatening to split his cheeks, as he happily applauded the young man's performance. He paused for a moment, rummaged in his coat's pockets and dispensed a few secular coins at the young performers feet. Perhaps unimportant, the coins were actually triangular in shape and clearly not originating from the current period, or even world for that matter, and would be worth nothing more than cheap metal. It seemed the blue haired man didn't seem to realize that.

He was a strangely casual person, this man. Shoulder length blue hair and eyes that seemed to almost shine crimson like fluorescent lights. His white shirt was unbuttoned to his sternum and a red tie was slung loosely around his neck. He wore black dress pants and a oak trench coat that seemed more disheveled than his hair. It was like he just woke up. Perhaps he did.

"Encore!" He said, not minding at all that a woman had approached the performer. All successful performers had women flock to them, it was normal. However, the blue haired man honestly did hope for another little performance; after all, it felt like something terrible might happen in this city one day soon. These people who walked by without giving the white haired young performer a second glance did not know that they should grasp at any string of happiness they had left.

[Homac]

Ratix had managed to get to this world rather unnoticed, having changed into a plain dark blue, nearly black shirt and pants. his tail, however, had been more of a problem. He'd finally ended up wrapping around his waist as an impromptu belt, and prayed no one would call him on it.

He'd approached the crowd right at the end of the show, in time to applaud the white haired boy, and throw some of the little money he had on him to the stage.

However, he couldn't help but notice the odd man with hair like his, and wondered why that man worried him so much.

[servant]

There was the faint sound of awkward applause, though Thomas could not guess at why they applauded. His stint had lasted no longer than two minutes, and besides recitation there had been nary any drama involved.

Perhaps London was simply not used to it at all? Or perhaps Shakespeare the Great had inspired in these people a love of-- this was getting too ridiculous. A woman, thankfully, diverted his attention from the matter of the applause with what Thomas perceived to be a rather odd request.

"Much as I'd be pleased to accept your offer," he returned, beaming brightly, "I'd feel terrible, for the Globe is just over there, past the end of the bridge!" He gestured to the distinctly Victorian building in the distance, quite next to the Tate Modern. It was hard to miss a building that stood out so much, but Thomas supposed she might not've known it stood out like that. "I'm headed there m'self, so what say you we go together? A journey of two is so much less lonely than a journey of one."

There were shouts for an encore, Thomas was pleased to report. He was less pleased to realise it was from a single source, but pleased all the same. Of interesting note was that the two applauding looked out of place, as did the woman. This could be nothing else but the start of something wonderful.

"Well!" he began, rubbing his hands together, beaming brightly. "It occurs to me that our gathering here today must be none but the work of the Lady Fate!" He eyed the two others, and gestured heavily to the Globe at the other side. "The lady and I are headed there. Would you two gentlemen care to join us? It's said grand performances are held there! I warrant it'll be more exciting than my little stint, if you enjoyed it that much!" He had no idea if that promise could be kept.

[nascent]

"Eh, yer a right n' proper gentleman ya are." Cordell said, replying to Thomas' free directions. It was all she could do to hold back a wry grin; if this boy had any idea the value of what he'd just done for her... "All right then, I'll accompany ye lad. T'would be a shame to dismiss such a kindness."

As Thomas turned to address his audience (whom Cordell hadn't looked toward yet and assumed to be mere hecklers), the color and mirth promptly drained from her face. Was that... HIM?! The selfsame suitcase-toting wizard that she and several others had teamed up with during the Temples of the Seal debacle?! 'By Calypso, what ill turn is this?!' The lady-captain thought to herself frantically. 'GAAH! If he figures out I'm on a treasure hunt he'll surely set his eyes 'pon th' same loot I'm after!' She hadn't forgotten how he'd jumped at the chance to have the temples' mask for his own. A rival was not what she needed right now, and it was too much to hope that someone as brainy as he would've forgotten her face already. She'd need a plan...

[Homac]

Ratix walked towards the kid and the lady, smiling disarmingly. "The Globe Theater, eh? Sounds exciting indeed. I'd be more than happy to accompany you both."

he looked back at the other man who'd been applauding, "Well," he said, "what about you? Care to join us?"

[Akito]

The blue haired man tilted his head and pawed at his chin in consideration. It wasn't like he had much to do this day, but running off with strangers was never the smartest move. Why, what if they intoxicated and then took advantage of his unconscious body! He read of such events all the time in articles. He could be the next victim!

My, my, what charming little predators these three were.

Settling down, the blue haired man took a fearful step back, his posture that of a frightened rabbit. He was so defenseless! Then he caught sight of her. That woman with the performer. She looked familiar. Were they lovers in a previous life? He had heard such coincidental reunions were not uncommon. Why, she looked right reliable, she did. If such a trustworthy person was in his company, surely he would not be forced into anything distasteful.

Then things turned grim. As if the air around them stifled and the blue haired stranger dropped his suit case, smiling with dark jovial. Well, if they wanted his company, they would have to show him they were interesting enough people to sate his boredom. He tucked his two hands behind his back. "I would you answer my question first, children,"

He held out his left hand and on his palm danced various images; of libraries, of the first moon landing, of the beginnings of the internet, of the Renaissance Age, of enlightenment and so forth.

"If, in my left hand, I hold man's fathomless thirst for knowledge..." His eyes shone brightly, a lone man on London's streets with lamp-like eyes, "What do I hold in my right hand so that I will not be consumed?" Some of bystanders stopped and wondered at the trick of light the stranger concocted, he did not mean to attract attention but in the absence of real adventure and danger, he would have to suffice.

[servant]

"Well, great!" replied Thomas to Ratix, grinning cheerily. "It'll be fun!" Realisation struck him as he never asked the lady if she'd like them accompany both him and her, so he turned to ask her if it was okay, but his tongue was stilled when he saw her face so pale and frightful.

Thomas raised an eyebrow, curiously. Was there something wrong? He glanced back at the duo he'd just invited, just in time to see the blue-haired man start some trick of light and, though faint still there, magic.

Thomas was thrilled.

"A-hah! A riddle, huh? Nicholas always did like those, he did, hm." He considered the question for a while, but was forced to admit he had no knowledge of what the answer could possibly be. Why would anyone be consumed by 'man's thirst for knowledge' anyway?

"Well, I haven't the foggiest what it could be!" admitted Thomas cheerily, unaware of any sort of any danger. He turned to the lady. "Might you have a clue?"

[Homac]

Ratix thought hard about the riddle the odd man was giving him, unfortunately coming up blank. "Well sir, " he said to the man holding magic in his hands, "I'm afraid I've never been good with riddles. Perhaps on of those two can tell you."

Unbeknownst to him though, the end of his "belt" was twitching slowly, as he grew worried about what this man would do if they failed to answer his riddle.

[nascent]

"W-w-what?!" Cordell stepped back a bit, flabbergasted. Were they serious?! She was a pirate, not a philosopher! "I-I can't... I don't... GAAH!" She exclaimed in frustration, putting her hands on the sides of her head as if it would stop the coming headache. Not only was Alexis pretending he didn't know her, but now he was toying with her as well! And these two boys were going right along with it!

She had to think... either of a way out of this, or figure out an answer to his riddle. "Er... um... uh... gimme a sec here, mate...by Davy Jones, I cannot believe he's got me on th' ropes like this!" Cordell said, muttering that last part to herself.

Fathomless thirst for knowledge... what could counterbalance something of that immensity?! Greed? Discretion? Piety? Duty? Practicality? The limits of the human mind?!

"Uhhhmmm . . . knowledge o' one's self?" She offered timidly, not in the least confident of her answer.

[Akito]

Alexis smiled his rogue smile. It was not an arrogant smug smirk, but nor was it a compassionate understanding curve. It was simply a smile for the sake of smiling, it had no meaning behind it. One of those fake laughs you throw out for friends.

"A question can have many answers, but this is the answer I sought," He said testily, then as if waving a wand he opened his right hand, "So that I will not be consumed by lustful curiosity, I must be holding man's fear of the unknown," In his right palm was darkness, darkness and beady yellow eyes that seemed to peer from therein. The unknown that man should fear, that keeps him in line, so that he may not stray to the realm of God.

"So sorry, but I'm afraid I will have to pass the invitation," In a flash, both his hands emptied of their little displays. Alexis quaintly picked up his suit case, still in as good a cheer as when he applauded the performer, "Our encounter is not meant to be any more than this. Perhaps next time," It was a pity, but though Alexis was as whimsical as a die cast, following only where the wind led him; it was only where the wind blew strongest. He would not find the mighty North Wind here.

He turned and made his merry way off, treading at his own casual pace and pushing throw the crowd with but a sidelong glance and a healthy grin. He raised a hand as he took his leave and, if one strained their ears, he could be heard to say, "Farewell, my Good Captain," Had he remembered her at least in part? They had shared a grand adventure, after all.

A single piece of paper slipped out of his coat's pocket unnoticed; a flyer of some sort, pushed by the breeze and landing quite conspicuously at the feet of the trio. With a meagre picture of a decrepit crown, it read simply:

"Ladies and gentleman! Performing tonight, a tale that predates the annals of history itself! A story thought lost since ancient times! The story of a prosperous King turned mad! A MUST see for all you fans of tragedy and strife! MacBeth eat your heart out!"

Naturally, details like the address and time were also present.