That autumn beauty

[sil]

The top of the rise was a relief to the travel weary Sil and Company. The three travelers were wandering the wilderness of the backbone Mountains, looking for adventure. Sil leaned himself up against a tree, looking down into Treetown's autumnal valley.

"Isn't it beautiful?" He asked Konna, his sea-green eyes sparkling at the untamed beauty. Konna looked out over the valley, their view un-obstructed because of the road, onto the great Oak Groves that were Treetown. There leaves glowed with warm colors against the clear blue sky.

"Hmm, yes." Konna replied, slipping her arms around Sil's waist, smiling down at the scene. At their feet little Miramel pushed her way between them, looking from one adopted parent to the other, her big brown eyes asking, "where's my hug?" Laughing Konna picked up the little Dracorex, who wasn't so little anymore and held her out to look.

"See Mira, thats where we're going." She pointed with one hand to the grove of Oak far down the valley. Even from there the long necks of Sauropods rising above the treetops. Though Konna had never seen Treetown, Sil had told her much of the cities of Dinotopia, the grandure of Waterfall City, the awe of Canyon City, the colorful beauty of Prosperine, and even of the treetop dwellings of Treetown.

The small group began to head down to the town, taking their time, Miramel sniffing at every bush and wildflower, sometimes biting off a leaf or two. The couple smiled at their young charge, such an odd family they were, adolphinback, a Native and a Saurian hatchling barely able to handle herself, all wandering the wilderness in search of adventure. It was pure bliss. But sometimes it was nice to spend a night under a roof, and converse with others than themselves. So they continued into the autumn world that was Treetown.

[sil]

OOC: I finally had an idea of what to do with this. Splee!

~*~
The trio of travelers walked into a town that bustled with activity. Things seemed relatively normal, venders called out their wears to passersby. Lumbering brachs wandered the streets, children leaning out of treetop windows to offer the great sauropods passing snacks.

Konna looked this way and that, awed by what she saw, all the dinosaurs and people. Sil grabbed a squirming Miramel, holding her so she wouldn't get lost in the crowd. It wasn't hard to find a place to sleep for the night. They got housing in a loft above a families home.

"Oh course dearie. We wouldn't let you sleep out in the cold." The mother of the household, Winnamine, told the couple as she shooed them upstairs.

"I assure you ma'am, we've done it before." Sil told her shoulder as she pushed them up the ladder into the small loft.

"Are you sure this is enough dearies? I could get in contact with my neighbor, she has a free room open." Winna asked her new tenants, passing up a squirming Mira.

"No this is more than enough Winnamine, thank you." Konna replied, slipping her bag off her shoulder. The plump older woman just snorted and went about her business of caring for her household.

After unpacking their things the human couple took Mira and went to explore the town. It'd been at least two summers since Sil had been in the arboreal city. They bought food from a street vendor, sharing the spicy roll with Mira.

Konna wanted to supplement her growing herb collection with the more difficult to find herbs, and Sil needed to replenish their small supply of dried foods. They found their way to a small shop inside and around the hollowed out husk of a once mighty pine. There was only one other customer in the small, dimly lit shop. By the patch on her shoulder, he was pinpointed as a healer in the main Treetown infirmary. Konna walked up to him for adivce.

"Sir would you know the best remedies or herbals for frostbite and good supplements for young pachysephalosaurs?" She asked the medic. He jumped as if returning from a stupor.

"Wha? Um no I'm busy ma'am. No time for small talk. Big things going on." He continued to mumble as he went to the stores owner, who thanked him for the use of his store and asked that he only say where he got his wears from. Without a look back the healer left, leaving the two humans alone in the store.

[seekeroftales]

OCC: Please give me direction, Sil. I have an imagination, but this is your RP.

Is Miramel with Sil and Konna in the shop?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sil and Konna both had been mistaken that they were the only customers in the shop. Just as soon as the strange/odd healer had left it, two children appeared from behind a pile of grain sacks. One was a boy who looked about eight, the other a little girl considerably younger. Their features were nothing alike, so one would quickly conclude that they were not related, at least not closely.

Frowning, the boy glanced after the departed healer and pulled on his companion's hand gently. She was obviously agitated, if not upset. "He's not coming back, Saffi," said the boy slowly. "He got what he wanted and he left for the day. Come on."

"Saffi" yielded to her guardian's reasoning quite willingly, despite the expression of doubtful worry on her face. She tore her eyes from the shop's entrance and regarded Sil and Konna curiously. With wide eyes and a smile that let out the possibility of shyness, the little girl raised her hand, its surprisingly pudgy fingers parted. "Breath deep," she said in an enthusiastic rush, her breath whistling through her teeth. "What are you named? I am Saffi of Treetown."

The boy was slightly more interested in accepting a course cloth sack from the hand of the shop owner. He nodded appreciatively to the man and said solemnly, "Thank you, Aculeth."

"You are quite welcome, Halcret," Aculeth assured him kindly. "I hope he enjoys them."

Halcret then turned his attention to the newcomers whom his younger charge had addressed. "No, no. You introduce yourself first," he corrected Saffi fondly, winking at the strangers. "She knows how to do it properly, but she insists on doing and saying many things backward, because she knows it amuses."

Saffi giggled and nodded with childish vigor. "Mommy will tell me when I need to do things right," she announced confidently.

Halcret gently squeezed the little girl's hand. "And you will grow right up, then," he agreed. His expression clouded. "You might not bother asking Gatel about anything relating to medicine, " he informed Konna seriously. "His knowledge remains his own, by his own choice."

"That is true, I regret to say," Aculeth affirmed sadly. He stepped out from behind his barter table and extended his hand to Sill and Konna, after the fashion which Saffi still held hers expectantly. "Breath deep, my brother, my sister. I am Aculeth of Treetown. Welcome to my home and trade shop."

After putting his purchase in his waist pouch, the boy raised his hand as well and said with a friendly smile, "And I wish you the same. My name is Halcret, also of Treetown."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

{OOC: I'll rewrite anything you want me to, Sil.}

[sil]

OOC: Yes Miramel is in the shop... somewhere (the little bugger gets her nose into the most uncomfortable places XP) and my plan was to have an epidemic break out. Widespread disease is always fun! And just a heads up to you Seeker and anyone else who wants to post on here, this might become my next fanfic idea, so I might take the starting post and it's reply and make a story from it. Just a heads up.
~*~

Konna looked at the upraised palms questioningly. "What an odd way to shake hands." She grabbed the shop owners hand and began to shake it furiously. Sil put his hand on her elbow.

"Sorry. She's a dolphinback. I'm Sil and this is Konna." He placed his palm up to each other persons' in turn, Konna following his example. Miramel had found her way behind the counter and proceeded to sniff up and down Aculeth's legs. "And that fine lady is Miramel. but we call her Mira."

Konna picked up the infant pachy and gave her a sprig of peppermint to chew on. Sil got down onto Saffi's level, "Wonderful to meet you Saffi." He gave her a peppermint stick the travelers had picked up at a vendor's stall. He looked out the door at the receding back of the healer. "Any idea what's going on around here? Every place we've been has been slightly on edge, against unnecessary contact and jumping at a simple cough. What with it?"

[seekeroftales]

OOC: Glad to write a fan fic with you, Sil!

Question(s): "Every place we've been . . ." I'm a little thick. I assume Sil means in Treetown, but am worried he means another town or two, as well. Please specify. In your post would be great.

What sort of disease did you have in mind? I don't know about symptoms, but I can suggest a name and a few specifics . . .

And what is the full name of a "pachy"?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Little Saffi had laughed gleefully at the wild handshaking, oblivious to the look of fright which graced her guardian's features at the words of the nice man with the pachy who was larger than herself. "Thank you," she told Sil with shining appreciation as she accepted his gift. One end of it quickly disappeared into her mouth and she was silent out of necessity. One got the impression from her watchful eyes that she would make a good try of speaking around her treat, if she felt she had something important to add.

Understanding Konna's mistake, Aculeth chuckled, half wishing that he had not heard Sil's questions. "Well, Sil, you might have asked someone before," he responded tiredly. "It is surprising and alarming that you have not heard quite by chance. The Sword is rising again. You should have been told long before now."

Halcret's expression became a sad one and he looked to Aculeth. The man smiled wanely in return and quoted, " "Care and caution." " He referred to the simple instructions issued by the Healers concerning prevention of the disease's spread. "Your dread is worse than mine, Halcret. I remember feeling it when I was about your age. There was the danger of a spreading of The Sword then too. I feared for all the older ones. I stayed close to my parents until it was sheathed."

Halcret nodded, a calmness settling into his face. "I hope Gatel works with the other Healers. It would not be good if he tries to do something foolish by himself." He patted his pouch. "Gratefulness again, Aculeth. He loves these as no other fruit. Though why he prefers them dried, I have not learned."

"I might venture a guess," admitted Aculeth cheerfully. "I choose to wonder, however, why you have not asked him, if it interests you so." The older man tickled the visiting pachy's chin without looking at her, trusting that she or her guardians would not object.

Halcret nodded agreeably, smiling to see Aculeth's fond gesture toward the pachy. "I'll do that, finally. I just dislike to bother him a single moment." He caressed Saffi's neck. "Come along. We shall go now."

The shop owner smiled widely at Saffi, who showed herself unwilling to leave the newcomers behind by taking very small steps. The pachy was her main interest. "Come and find me, Mira," she called wistfully, thoughtfully taking her treat out of her mouth so that the hatchling would be sure to understand her words.

"Please be well, stay in health, and enjoy your time here with us," Halcret wished Sil and Konna. He patiently led Saffi to the shop's entrance, then paused and turned back before passing outside. "There is an artist beautifying the beams of a sauropod barn, the one closest into town. If you like to watch an artist, if you are not busy with too many other things, you may wish to see." The young boy glanced at Miramel. "He likes to talk with children and hatchlings. I know he will be working tomorrow, as well. He plans to stay for many weeks. I hope to happen upon you." The boy set his brown eyes on the pachy hatchling. "Mira? You try to be good and stay with your guardians. Be well too." He smiled and Saffi waved goodbye as they continued on their way.

Aculeth shook his head sympathetically after the young ones had left. "Some of them wish they were older," he said distantly. Then, rubbing his forehead as if to clear unpleasant thoughts away, the older man recalled himself to his business. "Are you looking for anything partucular?" he inquired of Sil and Konna with a bow of his head.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

{OOC: This is a work in progress, Sil. I'm not really satisfied with what I have so far, so please give me some time. However, you can start your responses and next bit in your next post below. Can't you? Or won't you? Give it a try.

Am I missing anything so far? I almost forgot the mention about the peppermint stick. I've probably missed something else.

+OOC: I guess that's it. Something nags at me, but I know not what. You go ahead now, Sil.}

[sil]

While Konna went off to discuss what she needed with Aculeth Sil walked to the door and picked up the scammpering Mira before she could wander off into the street.

"Maybe its time we showed Konna the Infermery." It was a statement. Mira looked at him sadly, expecting to get to see the artist who liked hatchlings. Sil chuckled. "And then go see the barns." Mira's eyes lit with glee as he put her down and she ran to Konna and pulled on her pant leg.

"I guess we're done then." She told Aculeth. "I had all I needed anyways." She bowed in a Chinese style she'd picked up in Beijing, before her stranding on the Island. "It was wonderful to meet you. I hope we see more of each other." She took Sil's proffered hand and was led from the shop.

"I think that our expertise could be useful in the Infermery." Sil whispered as they walked down the street.

"Why would you say that?" Konna asked her companion in the same low voice he'd used.

"Because, if what I'm hearing is true, this disease may be as ancient and mysterious as the underwater ruins of Posiedos." Konna looked at him questioningly. "I'll explain later. My Travel knowledge and your off island expertise may be very helpful to this town." They continued down the road following the signs to the infermery.

OOC: Thar et be! As best as I can do. Some of your post confused me but I worked with it. I can't wait to see what you do with this.

[seekeroftales]

OOC: You got confused, Sil, because I always try to make whatever I become a part of my own. As long as you don't tell me what to do(direct me), I have to use my own ideas. I don't really mind, but I prefer to have some direction from an RP's originator.

You've bought us to the Infirmary. I don't have a clue what I'm going to do, but I'll probably come up with something. How good it will be, I make no promises . . .

Questions: So Aculeth couldn't help Konna out? That kinda steams me. She already 'had all she needed'? I assume she refers to her medical kit or satchel. Or did she ask Aculeth the same questions she asked Gatel, and the shop owner could answer, but she already 'had all she needed'?

And what exactly had Sil been hearing? Was he referring to what Aculeth had told Halcret? Konna heard them speaking too. I assume though that she just didn't understand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sil and Konna were getting very near the infirmary when a voice rumbled loudly beside them.

It was a very old ankylosaurus, who continued to speak directly to Sil and Mira when the trio stopped. [It is just my eyes I use. Dolphinbacks have a way about them which never really departs from them. It is their children who will fit in and not be noticed.]

He tossed his head and greeted them traditionally, then introduced himself. Just then, a teenage girl came out of the trade shop the ankylosuarus was standing in front of. She caught sight of Sil, Konna and Mira and paused before she stepped over to join the foursome. The shy air about her suggested that her hesitation had been for herself to work up her courage.

[And this young seedling,] added Craggy with an affectionate sound coming from his throat, [is my mistress, Eroni.] He chuckled, a sad, almost ghostly sound.

He set his gentle eyes on Konna. [Will you please tell her I wish to talk with her, sometime very soon,] he asked of Sil. His nostrils flared slightly. [She carries much a healer uses, and I judge you are on your way to the infirmary. Just ask around for us. We are usually about town and all know where we live.]

~~~~~~~~~~~~

{OOC: You may note that I have taken advantage of your wording and have chosen that Sil and Konna were merely making their way to the infirmary.