Chapter: IV: Problems Yet To Come
<Katharina in her room later that evening, writing in her diary>
Katharina: <writing> "Diary of Katharina Arkadia Grauch, Fae's Fall 12"
<crossed out> "Tomorrow we start"
<crossed out> "Tomorrow is the day we"
"Tomorrow we will"
---
<Her hands starts shaking and she drops the feather>
Katharina: <muttering to herself> ... why am I DOING this? We nearly DIED in that jungle.
---
<She takes of her medallion and looks at it>
Katharina: <muttering to herself> All that BLOOD and VIOLENCE ... why ... why am I going BACK there?
---
<Sha kneels down in the middle of the room, the medallion in her hands and placed over her heart>
---
Katharina: <prays> LHÛN, you who sees and knows everything,
You who is the void and everything that fills it,
You who guides my path,
from dawn to dusk,
from spring to winter,
from womb to grave,
watch over me.
---
Katharina: <praying> HÎR, who guides the traveller and roams with the wind,
along trees and deserts,
rivers and seas,
waters and mountains,
to the horizon and bexond,
please make sure that I am going to return home safe,
as well as everyone who walks with me.
---
Katharina: Gods, PLEASE ... PLEASE ... please protect me ... p-please ...
---
<She starts sobbing>
<Lady Violet's estate, the same evening>
<Lady Violet sits at her desk while talking to Straw>
Lady Violet: She DIDN'T take your offer, did she?
Straw: ... no, she DIDN'T.
Lady Violet: Didn't I tell you? I am reasonably sure I DID.
Straw: <sighs> ... yes, boss, you did. But I still think it was worth ASKING - she could've been a GREAT HELP when dealing with the Fist.
---
Lady Violet: "COULD" doesn't help us now. And should it turn out that you TIPPED HER OFF with your attempts to recruit her ... I will be VERY ANGRY. UNDESTOOD?
Straw: I understand, boss. But I'm SURE she doesn't suspect a thing.
Lady Violet: You should hope so. Or I will have someone PULL OUT YOUR TONGUE AND FEED IT TO YOU.
Straw: ... duly noted.
---
Lady Violet: Luckily we might still get SOME use out of her as a prisoner. Try to catch her ALIVE, will you? Along with that mage, KATHARINA GRAUCH, if possible. KILL the rest.
Straw: Got it.
Lady Violet: Good. But just to avoid MISUNDERSTANDING:
---
Lady Violet: TRY to get those two alive. if NOT possible, kill them like the rest. Make SURE no one else gets out of that jungle alive. And DON'T come back WITHOUT THEIR FINDINGS!
Straw: Don't worry, boss. I got this.
<Katharina takes a big chug from the bottle>
Shara: ... what's up, Kat? You seem even MORE on edge than usual. Can't be JUST because of me, can it?
---
Katharina: I ... no. Do ... do you ever have DREAMS of the jungle, Shara? Like ... NIGHTMARES?
Shara: Are you FUCKING KIDDING me? I LOST MY LEG in there! <whispering> You wouldn't believe the nightmares I have.
---
Katharina: Y-yes ... sorry. I just ... I remember the fight ... the VIOLENCE. The BLOOD. So much PAIN and DEATH. And then me with you on my back, BARELY BREATHING, with no signs of help for MILES and MILES ... I was so SURE that we'd die there, Shara. And now I feel that way AGAIN. I ... I'm AFRAID. I can't tell anyone from the expedition because I'm the LEADER and I have to be CONFIDENT, but ... I-I'm TERRIFIED.
---
Shara: ... yeah. I know what you mean. But ... we'll have eachother's backs, Kat.
---
Shara: We'll SURVIVE this. FUCK ANYONE who says otherwise.
---
<pan away as they continue to talk and drink for the rest of the evening>
Katharina: Ugh - SHAR! How can you ... you can't just ... ARGH I can't even get MAD at you anymore!
Shara: Great.
Katharina: ... that was a LIE. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!
Shara: Heh. CALM DOWN, Kat! I was trying to be rude on PURPOSE! I was TESTIN' him!
---
Katharina: You ... WHAT? W-wll it WORKED! Why the heck would you DO that?!
Shara: To throw hom out of BALANCE, of course! Make him show his TRUE SELF! 'S called TACTICS, y'know?
---
Katharina: That sounds ... really STUPID, Shara.
Shara: Well I'm DRUNK, gimme a break.
Katharina: ALREADY? <sighs>
Shara: Why the hell NOT? It's a PARTY! And the next week we'll sleep in TENTS. At best.
---
Shara: C'MON princess. It's our last night in CIVILIZATION. LIVE a little. Just TONIGHT.
<Shara wants to give Katharina the bottle>
---
<Katharina takes the bottle>
Katharina: ... ah SCREW IT. Give me that BOTTLE.
Book: Ehrm ... so, MISS SHARA ... are you -
Shara: NOT "Miss Shara". Just SHARA.
Book: ... as you wish. I'm not going to "Miss" you then.
---
Shara: ... was that supposed to be a JOKE, "Jester"?
Book: HAHAH ... Yes, I'm sorry. Just trying to live up to my NAME, I guess.
Shara: ... stick to the "Book" for that one.
---
Book: HAH! Very good one, yes ... now since Miss Grauch told me that you're not part of the guild ... do you mind if I ask what it IS that you do for a living?
Shara: That is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.
---
Katharina: Shara don't be RUDE, please! He is just trying to -
Book: NONO, it's alright ... I feel I might have OVERSTAYED my welcome for now.
---
Katharina: That is NOT true ...
Shara: YES it is.
Book: I'll leave you two alone now ... I have to finish packing anyways. I look forward to travelling with both of you!
---
Book: FAREWELL, ladies!
Shara: I'll keep my EYE on you in that jungle, Book.
Katharina: Good night and SORRY FOR SHARA!
Katharina: I do have to CLARIFY one thing, though: While we are grateful for Lady Violet's support, this expedition is led by the MAGES' GUILD. And more specifically by ME. I hope that won't be a PROBLEM for you?
---
Book: Oh most certainly not, Miss Grauch. I'm just here to SUPPORT you. I will follow your orders and help where I can, nothing more. To be honest, I'm very EXCITED about the whole thing. I actually ASKED the Lady to be sent with you, you know?
---
Katharina: DID you, now?
Book: Er, well, YES I -
<Shara appears behind him and puts her hand on his shoulder>
Shara: Is THAT him?
---
Book: <surprised> ARG! E-excuse me?
Katharina: <sighs> YES Shara, that's him. Mister Book, this is SHARA, the friend I told you about.
---
Book: OH, I see! Er ... in that case I look forward to travelling with you! I am JESTER BOOK, pleased to meet you, Shara!
Shara: Mhm ... you're right Kat, he doesn't seem THAT dangerous. A bit JUMPY maybe.
Katharina: That ... tends to happen if you SNEAK UP on someone, Shara ...
Shara: Yeah but the REACTION says a LOT about that person. And it's pretty funny. Heh.
Katharina: I see you got your hair cut since last time.
Book: Ah, yes - but for rather PRAGMATIC reasons, you see. I feared my long hair would have been too much of a nuisance in the HOT JUNGLE ...
---
Katharina: <sits down on a bench in front of a fire> Hmh ... not that it doesn't LOOK GOOD but if that was your concern you probably should have gone ALL THE WAY with it.
Book: <sighs> Yes I guess you are right ... but I chickened out. I was a bit too ATTACHED to it, I'm afraid.
---
Book: Is it ... alright if I sit with you for a moment?
Katharina: ... yes, go ahead.
Book: are you sure?
Katharina: Yes.
Book: Because I don't want to IMPOSE -
Katharina: By Lhûn, just SIT DOWN already!
Book: Yes, Ma'am.
---
<Book sits down beside her and takes his glasses off>
Katharina: You ... don't have to be THAT polite, Mister Book ...
Book: I'm sorry, I just want to leave a good first impression. Or a SECOND one, since I screwed up the first one. Sorry about the language.
---
Book: But I am glad that you think my hair looks good.
Katharina: Did I say that?
Book: I am reasonably sure you DID, Miss Grauch.
Katharina: Well ... I MEANT it. But don't get any ideas.
Book: I wouldn't dare.
Katharina: GAH! Mister Book! I ... didn't see you there. And please don't get me wrong but NO, it really ... WOULDN'T.
---
Book: Well in that case I DON'T promise ... to, er. Um.
---
<Katharina glares at him>
Book: I ... MEAN I promise to not make any more JOKES about that. I'm REALLY sorry Miss Grauch. It wasn't even funny.
Katharina: ... at least you are LEARNING. Try not to forget it again.
---
Book: Anyways, I just saw you and wanted to say hello - but I can leave if I'm making you UNCOMFORTABLE ...
Katharina: YOU don't make me uncomfortable, just jokes about my DEATH do.
---
Book: UNDERSTANDABLE. I apologize again. Are you enjoying the evening thus far ... ?
Katharina: Er, YES, thanks. I was actually HOPING to meet you because I wanted to introduce you to someone from the expedition. But she just ... RAN OFF.
Book: <looks around> Oh ... someone from the Guild? I hope my CRUDE HUMOUR hasn't scared her away ...
Katharina: I ... wouldn't worry about THAT with her.
Shara: So ... tel me what this assistant looks like. Maybe I know him.
Katharina: Well ... he has REDDISH HAIR with LOCKS, FRECKLES, wears GLASSES ... he looks very, uhm, well BOOKWORM-ISH.
---
Shara: <grins> You mean even more than YOU?
Katharina: I am NOT a bookworm! I am WELL TRAVELLED!
Shara: Yeah and always with a stack of BOOKS in tow.
Katharina: That only makes it HARDER!
---
Katharina: So ... JESTER BOOK. You DON'T know him, do you??
Shara: No, but that doesn't mean he's NOT dangerous.
Katharina: OBVIOUSLY.
---
Shara: So it's VERY important we keep a CLOSE EYE on -- ooooooooh STRAWBERRY RUM, be right back!
<Shara leaves>
---
Katharina: ... THANKS. I feel SOOO much safer now.
<Jester Book appears behind her>
Book: Would it help if I REAFFIRMED my promise NOT to poison or otherwise kill you?
Katharina: He IS still part of the TEAM, though, you know ... I don't want him to -
Shara: KAT. He IS trouble. POTENTIALLY. THat's why you wanted ME to come with you, right? Because I have a NOSE for trouble. I'll keep an eye on him.
---
Katharina: THANK YOU, Shara. I -
Shara: BUT - you won't tell me HOW I do that! That's MY part. You wanted me as PROTECTION, that's what I'm gonna DO. HOWEVER I SEE FIT. Got it? And in RETURN I'll keep out of all your GUILD- and MAGIC- and HISTORY-BUSINESS. That's YOUR part.
---
Katharina: I ... alright. GOOD.
Shara: <sighs> ... also I PROMISE I'll leave your "authority" intact and NOT make fun of you. TOO much. In PUBLIC.
Katharina: No "princess"?
Shara: ... I'll TRY. Last offer.
---
Katharina: I guess I'll have to live with that, hm? THANK YOU for coming along, Shara.
Shara: Whatever.
Katharina: AWW - I KNOW you're excited, too!
Shara: ... I revoke the "no princess" thing.