"A Quest Of Friends"

[o8jedi]

IC: Hazen Baker, Culebra, A Most Unexpected Reunion
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Hazen toweled himself off after the bath. The leftover bathwater remained a cloudy white due to the ash that had been washed off. After shaving, he dressed himself in a spare set of clothes that one of his hosts generously donated. He took a look in the mirror and smiled. He was alive. He was safe. His friends were safe, as well. And the journey was on its last legs for the danger was now gone.

He was taken to a healer to treat his otherwise mild injuries. As Hazen received treatment, he thought about his apartment back in Waterfall City. He never thought that he'd miss the roar of the falls as much as he did now. He couldn't wait until he would be back at the Hall of Hadrosaurs, playing his guitar for the enjoyment of all in earshot. Then it hit him. His guitar was still back at the stronghold when it went up! Hazen sat up, swearing at the shock that his prized instrument, his most fond relic of his previous life, was no more. This annoyed the healer for not only was he surprised by this sudden outburst, he wasn't finished tending to a mild burn on Hazen's torso.

Once his wounds were treated, Hazen was free to do as he pleased. He spent a great deal of time leaning against a fence, staring at the distant sea. The view alone justified his doing so, but he was still pining over the loss of his beloved instrument. Beside him, he heard two sets of footsteps. He glanced over and saw a clean, refreshed Redcrest leading April, who was wearing a pressed uniform as her mission was now complete. He smiled at the both of them. "You look much better," he said to the both of them.

"You do, too," said Redcrest as she hugged Hazen's leg. April hummed her agreement.

Hazen looked back out at the sea. "Just taking in the view," he said. He sighed after a moment.

April adopted the same pose as Hazen and looked out at the sea as well. "We'll be leaving for the mainland tomorrow," she said. Hazen barely acknowledged that statement. "What's wrong?" she asked.

Hazen looked back at the uniformed officer. "It recently occurred to me that my guitar was destroyed in the eruption."

"And this upsets you so?" April asked.

"It carried a lot of sentimental value to me," Hazen said. "It was the first guitar I ever really got on my own. It survived the crash that brought me here. And when I played it, I felt at peace; like it was an extension of me." With another sigh, he continued, "And now it's gone. I feel . . . naked without it."

April nodded. "I don't think it's truly gone," she said in an attempt to offer him comfort. "I'm sure that you can hear its voice if you listen very hard."

Hazen chuckled slightly. "Well, it's distinct compared to other Dinotopian instruments. I know that much." Redcrest began tugging on Hazen's pant leg, but he shrugged it off. "I get your meaning, though," he said. "I'm sure if you had a beloved childhood toy that was destroyed, you know what I mean."

April nodded. "All too well," she said. Hazen smiled upon finding another common link between the outsider and the native. It didn't matter to him what the toy was or the circumstances surrounding its demise was, they both knew the feeling.

Redcrest kept pulling on Hazen's pant leg. Finally, Hazen glanced down and asked, "What is it, sweetie?"

"I can hear it!" Hazen gave her a puzzled look. "Your guh-tar!" she elaborated.

Hazen patted Redcrest's crested head, thanking her for her reassurance, but he then began to hear something odd as well. "No way," he observed. He left the fence and started to follow the source of the sound, taking Redcrest by the hand as he did so.

"Where are you going?" April asked, but she didn't receive a reply. Slightly frustrated, she followed the two of them.

A short while later, they entered a square in Culebra. A small crowd had formed around a minstrel, who was playing a song. Hazen fought his way to the front. There in the minstrel's hands was his beloved guitar. Hazen nearly wept at the sight. How on Earth did it survive?! When April caught up, she could sense the emotions coming from the Dolphinback right now. Neither dared to speak. Not until the piece was over.

Finally, once the piece had finished, the crowd applauded. As they dispersed, the minstrel began to move to another spot to provide some form of relief to the rest of the devastated city. Hazen approached the minstrel and asked, "How did you come by that instrument?"

The minstrel turned to the stranger and smiled. "You like it?" he asked. Hazen nodded. "It was recovered by a scouting party on reconnaissance before the battle. They captured two Dromeosaurs who were fighting over it, but I don't know how it came into their hands. In any case, my brother was part of that scouting party and he gave it to me."

Hazen smiled. The predators must have divided up the more unique items among themselves and an outside-world instrument would have been very valuable indeed. "What would you say if I were to tell you that I originally owned that particular instrument?" Hazen asked the minstrel.

The minstrel chuckled. "I'd find it hard to believe, but if you were to prove that you did, I'd be more than happy to give it back."

Hazen smirked as he thought of the perfect detail. "In one of the f-holes, there's an orange label. There should be a series of English letters and numbers. It will read 'R96E3725.'"

The minstrel examined the instrument and was astonished to find such a specific detail so accurately described. "Incredible," he remarked as he handed the instrument back to its rightful owner. "Before you depart, though, you should grace us with a song."

Hazen sat down as he held his instrument again, feeling whole. "Of course," he said. He sat down and plucked out a classical piece, one that sounded resolved and relaxed. When he finished, the two musicians bade farewell. Hazen packed up the instrument in the case after the minstrel reclaimed his other personal effects.

"That was a lovely tune," April remarked.

Hazen smiled. "Thank you."

(OOC: If you want to get an idea of the tune Hazen played, go to: )
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TAG: Ajax, Bentfeather, Falokar, any and all!

[tarion]

(Long post coming up, last one featuring Falokar for This Rp, his story will continue in the next Rp)

I.C - Offering Peace

Falokar stood ready dressed in the full of his white gleaming armor, yet his blades remained behind in the camp,Kestria stood next to him looking just as valiant as he did.

Falokar looked to her with a smile, "Ready to go dear?" He asked in a rather chipper mood, Kestria nodded, he sighed, "Then let us be on our way..."

Together the two of them began to traverse the island towards Culebra, they had gotten near the Volcano, which had subsideded in activity when Falokar noticed something... a group of small procompsignathuses had gathered in a single area... Falokar fearing the worse assumed it was a corpse... and felt obligated to despose of it properly if it was.

To both his own and Kestria's surprise, it was a musical instrument, a stringed one of some variety.... Falokar shooed away the compys and picked it up... the instrument looked only slightly burned but otherwse undamaged.... he wiped the ashes off of it and examined it... it was finely made.. who ever made it knew what they were doing.

Kestria let out a sudden gasp and from the perrefrial vision in Falokar's left eye he spotted a group of armed human and saurian scouts approaching them, the one in the lead spoke first.

"Halt right there vermin!" the man stated sharply, Kestria was about to respond and step forward when Falokar held out an arm and shook his head.

"My name is Falokar and I mean you no harm..." he said slowly putting the instrument down and raising his arms to show he had no ill intent.

the Lead scout nodded and suddenly five scouts were on top of Falokar pinning him to the ground and tieing his hands behnd his back... then they began stripping him of his armor, Kestria screamed and began to advance slowly but Falokar shot her a warning glace, she backed up and stood silently her eyes watching him with concern.

The head scout walked up to Falokar and put his boot to Falokar's snout, "Now what would the two of you be doing all the way out here?" he asked.

Falokar looked up sincerely and answered calmly, "My name is Falokar, I am the new Alpha male of the dromeasaur clans, this is Kestria, she is my Alpha female, we are traveling to Culebra to negotiate a peace treaty."

The scout spat at Falokar then nodded the other scouts dragged Falokar to his feet, then the Leader spoke again, "You two will go to Culebra alright, but not for a peace treaty, but as our prisoners, and for interrogation!"

Falokar nodded, "Very well, lead the way." he kept a calm and soothing demeanor the entire time, which for some reason seemed to unhinge the scout leader, but he lead Kestria and Falokar into the village where upon entering Falokar and Kestria were met with extreme hostility.

Several harsh things were said, and many of the towns people gave suggestions as to what they should do to Falokar and Kestria, one suggested defeathering Falokar, another suggested steralizing Kestria, and then several suggested some form of penalty that resulted in death.... the musical instrument, had in the mean time been taken up by a wondering muscian... who began singing ballads of the great Dinotopian armies.

Falokar kept his head high and his chin up his feathers out and did his best to look as majestic as possible, signing for Kestria to do the same, which she did... then wispered to him, "What are you doing, this isn't going anywhere near as planned?"

Falokar chuckled, "Have some faith in you mate will you, trust me, they will listen, there are two here that have great influence over the people, one is a friend of mine, sort of, the other is an aquaintace that i happen to know will hear us out."

Kestria shook her head, "How can you be so sure?" she sounded worried for her life.

Falokar grinned, "Just trust me." not a moment too soon a young boy came walking through the crowd a micro raptor on is back, Falokar smiled "Right on time" he said to himself, for he recognized both of them, the boy was Tebo Lewis, and his saurian partner was none other than Sir Bentfeather!

Falokar stood armorless and humilated in the middle of the crowd, but when Bentfeather arrived he gave a very courtious and awe inspiring bow, even Kestria looked at him a little shocked....
"Sir Bentfeather... it is a pleasure to see you again as well" he said with a generous nod and a smile, as the Miroraptor insisted that they listen to him.

Falokar looked around, he had the attention of everyone in the area, -good- he though to himself, he cleared his throat and began speaking.

"Greetings people of Culebra, and officers of the Dinotopian army, My name is Falokar, and this is my mate, Kestria." he said indicating her, "We come before you now, not as carnivores, nor as rivals, but as fellow saurians, in need of aid, of allies. I know we cannot reverse all the dammage that was caused by one mad man and his dillusions of grandure, but we can work to set things right, but that's just it... we must work together, as a single unit, a whole, no longer must we discriminate over what is truely Dinotopian and what is not, the fact is, we are All Dinotopian, we see the same world, live in the same habitats and live in similar comunities, sure we have our differences, but then again so does every individual." he paused for a moment, then continued.

"I stand before you today as a single Dromeasaur, a leader of a pack, a pack that is broken and weary, just as the people of this settlement called Culebra are broken and weary, we need each other now, for our future, our survival rests on our reliance and trust in others. I appologize on behalf of all my Dromeasaurian kin, and followers, and hearby make a solomn vow that no harm shall ever befall any Dinotopian settlement again by the hands of any one of my clan. I come to you know, asking... will you accept a peace treaty between us? Can you put aside your differences as we put aside our own?"

several people in the crowd began to nod in agreement, and Falokar continued, "My clan and my mate Kestria have formulated a solution, to ensure such a tragady as this never occures again." he stepped back and Kestria stepped forward, "My fellow Dinotopians, what has happened in these past few weeks is by far one of the worst events in our history, but as with all things in history, there is something to be learned from this, and that is that artifacts that are put in ruins are often meant to be left in ruins, as well as the ideology that it is better to leave that alone which is not understood. To ensure such events never happen again I am forming a team of elite saurians, to guard the temples of this island, no artifact shall ever leave their hallowed ground ever again, research may be done, as well as excavations, but all finds must only be recorded, there are to be no more artifacts for donating to the museums or libraries, without the concent of the temple guardians, who will consult a archeologist first. The temples will be guarded at all times in shifts, there is no descrimation against who wants to guard the temples, they will be guarded, whether it be by, carnivore or herbavore. That is all I have to say. My mate Falokar will now give his plan for reconstruction."

Kestria stepped back to a light applause and Falokar stepped forward again, "Alright I'll try and keep this as to the point as I can, right now this island is close to being nothing more than a wasteland, if we are to survive here, we need to work together, now as it is, I already have teams sent out to gather supplies to build shelters with, as well as find any and all survivors, any wounded you might find we would be glad to medicate. We will assist you in rebuilding Culebra, and aid you in this time of difficulty, as long as we recieve the same in return, in time I hope that our two different cultures can start to blend, I intend to start a foreign deplomacy group, in which travelers, and volunteers will be selected from both sides and can travel across to the Mainland or here to the Outerisland and share their culture... It is mmy desire that we start living together in harmony, as was intended..." he gave a small grin, "After all, we're only carnivores, and believe me, we're not all as bad as the stories say we are... in fact some of us are rather ... shall I say nice? There was actually a time that I lived on the Dinotopian Mainland, in the outpost of Ebulon, I was practically raised by a human, and know their capacity for good, and kindness, this Nicholai Sanders fellow however was a prime example of corruption over madness and power, something that we must never let happen again. To this end I Ask you for your help..." he then paused and then dropped onto his hands and Knees... "Citizens of Culebra... Will you help me? Will you help me erase that which scars our hearts and this island, and in it's place build a home, a life that all can look forward to and enjoy for generations to come? Will you put aside your petty differences as I put away mine, and join me... and together, carnivore and herbavore alike... Help me rebuild this Land?"

He waited... knowing this was a crucial moment... then an elder spoke, "Falokar speaks with sincerety in his heart and truth in his eyes, We must reach out a fellow hand to aid those in need, as well as our selves, after all if we were to deny anyone in need help, could we really call ourselves Dinotopian? Arise Lord Falokar, Leader of the dromeasaur clans.... and come speak with the elders and myself, let us see if we cannot arrange a peace between our two cultures." The elder rose and began walking to a large hut, several other elders joined her, and some guards led Falokar and Kestria to the hut, they were offered refreshments and soon sat down to a negotiation....

It took some time, as a detailed plan was drawn up, and an official scroll was written of the peace treaty proposal... but by the end of it both parties emerged smiling, Falokar hugged Kestria close for a moment then lead her back to the center of the village, "Sir Bentfeather, I present to you the Peace Treaty proposal, I wish for the councils of Waterfall City, Tree Town, and Volcanium to review this.... furthermore alert the councils that Kestria and myself will be traveling to the mainland on a Diplomatic mission, as an act of peace and hope."
Falokar handed the scroll to Sir Bentfeather who took it and smiled, giving an approval, he nodded. Falokar and Kestria nodded back, "We must be heading back to our people now, should you need us, as i feel you will, We are located on the other side of the volcano, I will inform my men to to harm you but simply guide you to our encampment, no one there will harm any of you, you have my word."
With that Falokar and Kestria began walking off as they did they passed a middle aged man, a lambosaur, and a woman guard, Falokar smiled the man was playing the guitar he'd saved earlier, "That is a fine instrument you have there Mr. Baker, I'd expect the man that owns it to show as much compasion with the rest of his life as he does his prized possesions, I wish you both well on your endeavors, and all the best of luck. As for you..." he said looking down at Red Crest, "I hope that you grow to be as great a saurian as your parents are, and that this man here" here indicated hazen, "rubs off some of his better qualities on you, my you have a long and healthy life, and don't cause Mr. Baker too much trouble ok?" Falokar added with a wink.

Then Falokar and Kestria turned and left the village... Kestria had her hands around Falokar who was holding her close as well...

Tag: Everyone involved

[Thundertail]

IC: Original members of the convoy, plus many friends they met along the way. The long trip home.

“Well, I see that things will be going satisfactorily here…”, sir Bentfeather observed after the scroll Falokar gave him went in his new bag. “I think we should make arrangements for the trip home, lad.”

“Another sea voyage?…”, Tebo Lewis made a face.

“Not to worry, lad…”, Seamus came walking up from the docks, Polongo close behind. “I got a dandy vessel all arranged!”, he being well versed in transportation arrangements, had worked on it without being asked. “I suppose you kind of know her,… This way!”, he led them to the docks.

They knew the vessel all right, for it was the very same one they had been taken there on, under guard and tied into submission! The barge had the same design and the same superstructures, but it was crewed with mostly human sailors this time; and instead of one tandem tow rope, it had four smaller ropes separated to accommodate four smaller pullers. A majority of the deck was already full of crates and barrels, the last promised export cargo that might ever be exported from the Outer Island for quite some time; but the center was vacant and waiting for her larger saurian passengers, as was arranged by Seamus and Polongo. Tebo frowned at the bad memories associated with this craft, but his thoughts brightened knowing it would be the vehicle that would finally bring them home.

“Ok lad, while you’re aboard you have a choice of either helping out or staying out of the way… Captain’s orders!”, Seamus told him, but he couldn’t tell if the older man was joking! “Polongo, I think it’s time to gather the others…”, Polongo nodded and walked off into the city.

Ten minutes later Polongo located some of their group, not by sight but by the guitar sounds wafting from a street where citizens were repairing a store front; and Hazen and Redcrest were there, he playing away to cheer the people taking a break and she was dancing clumsily for them to the music. Redcrest stopped dancing as her father approached, and leapt into his arms as he engulfed her in a hug; and only then did he tap Hazen on the shoulder, and beckon with a finger for him to follow. Hazen put away his guitar and stood, but paused as one of the small saurian workers placed a small amount of coins in his hand; bowing before running off to resume work, and the lad looked at the coins curiously as Polongo explained it was in appreciation of his playing before practically pulling him along.

Another five minutes later Polongo heard the unmistakable braying laughter of Randy, and found him in a communal paddock area; relating stories of his adventures so far, and listening to the ones the other dinosaurs were telling. After their banter died down from the Brach‘s tale of how he stomped an Allosaur, Randy went on with another story, and Polongo was too polite to interrupt him; but as it was also known to him, he listened on enjoying it!

“…And so we all made it across the bridge, but it was awfully hot and dusty…”, Randy went on to the conclusion of his tale. “It was so dusty some of it got up my nose!… Just as the last ones made it across, I let off this loud sneeze!… The bridge collapsed, along with half the gully, and even more dust covered all of us!… Instead of excusing myself, I just said: ‘Oh well, it was a lousy bridge anyway!’…”, and all the saurians within earshot erupted in roaring laughter!

Chuckling, Polongo and Hazen came up to the group at last; and Redcrest hugged Randy’s knobby face , waving for him to follow. “Well guys, I guess I got to go now!”, Randy chuckled. “Nice to have met you!… Bye, bye!…”, the rest of the saurians there rumbled and hooted their farewells.

Back in the streets they came on a squad of saurian guards and their human counterparts, and Randy asked them where officer Ajax, April Manchester and their steeds were; and the commander of that group said they were attending their bivouac camp outside of town, but would join their group shortly. Lady Natasha came into view a few moments later, Frak at her side; and they both smiled in their sneering way at the sight of their group, walking up to join them.

“The elders seem content with the proposal sir Falokar has provided.”, she told them. “They will make all efforts to see it carried out.”

“That’s all well and good,”, Randy said. “But I still don’t trust ‘em!”

“Hush!”, Frak told him. “At least they’re willing to try!”

“Yes…”, said lady Natasha impatiently. “Now, is our transportation arranged?…”, Polongo nodded. “Good. Now I think we should get under way…”, They made their way to the dockside area.

As the group walked through the streets, the townspeople seemed to sense that they were leaving; and many came up to them and wished them well, some giving tiny farewell gifts. All of a sudden a small creature fluttered in and landed on Randy’s head; and all that looked knew that it was Postal Bird 76; and nobody needed to ask, for they knew he was to come along with them too as his roost was also in Waterfall City. As they eventually rounded one corner, the docks beginning to come into view; they saw a sight that reminded them of their own plight a short time ago, for Peter was there in chains being led by two pairs of saurian guards. These ones were officer Ajax and April with Olu and Artemis, and the sad look on Peter’s face showed that he had seen some less than pleasant times being their prisoner - but that was the usual expression they remembered him wearing.

“Is everything in readiness?”, Ajax asked, and everyone confirmed it. “Peter Triceratops is to stand trial at Waterfall City, and is coming with us.”

“He has performed admirably during our escape.”, lady Natasha stated. “We will bear witness to him and vouch for him.”

“Yeah!…”, Randy gave Peter a knowing and threatening stare. “We will!…”

“Hush!…”, Frak told him as they continued to their transportation.

The barge was in the same spot where Polongo remembered it, and Tebo and Bentfeather smiled as they saw all of their friends arriving. The last preparations for launch was just commencing, where four medium sized Cryptoclydus were just being hitched to their tethers by their handlers; but their playful nature got in the way, and they continually struggled away before calming down and finally allowing themselves to be harnessed. As a group and with as little conversation as possible, the group stepped aboard one by one. Randy and Peter were strapped to the deck as before, followed by Polongo, Olu and Artemis; and since they were minus their carts, the rear section of deck was all but barren save for the rushing around of deck hands. Seating had been provided for the humans and smaller passengers, or they could stand if they wished; but after several collisions later, the hands requested they remain seated until after they cast off.

Fairly soon this procedure became nigh, and all on board as well as in the water knew what to do as ropes were drawn in and the large barge began to turn away from the dock. As soon as they made it past the other docked boats and cleared the farthest wharf, the Cryptoclydus team leapt from the water and dove back in; making the barge accelerate with little tugs felt by all aboard, and making Tebo Lewis glad they at least had something comfortable to sit in this time instead of the hard deck. Just before they had cleared the headwaters of the volcanic bay that was Culebra, a dark form shadowed the barge, and a loud scream punctuated the landing of a Skybax on the aft deck of the barge; and all as one they knew it was Cirrus, and he was carrying their friend Elaina Dennison!

“It has been decided that you must have permanent air support until you reach Waterfall City, sir Bentfeather.”, Elaina told them.

“We would be most honored with your help.”, said Bentfeather as he looked ahead of the barge, staring out into the open ocean between the Outer Island and the mainland…
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Tag: Any and all, or you can start in ‘Treetown’, if you wish!
_

OCC: This ends the main body of the RP, and I would like to thank and congratulate all those that stuck through it so far. Of course there are still a few loose ends to take care of, and many decisions the characters have to make; and of course there are accounts of what some of the other characters will be doing, like a ‘and they lived happily ever after’ kind of thing! So to fulfill all of these tiny little details it is best we do it somewhere else; so we will all move to another thread. If you want to continue, see the conclusion of ‘A Quest Of Friends’ in the ‘Treetown’ thread…