01

[ex_diplomacy861]

Who: Shelly and anyone
Location: Plaza
Time: Afternoon
Style: Either
Status: Open

[Standing before the coral with a hand perched on her hip and a megaphone in the other, Shelly, still damp but drier from her sodden arrival, begins her announcement in a firm, less-than-pleased tone as the fairy beside her flutters about quietly.]

Attention [ -- the rest is drowned out by a high-pitched screech as the megaphone adjusts -- ] !

What you have committed is a severely punishable offense that will not go unheard by the Republic's Senate. However, before you respond to the matter of your crime, I demand an explanation.

[She lowers the megaphone, waiting.]

Comments

[messianic]

[.../shrug.]

I'm not entirely sure, to be honest. It seems to be some sort of symbiotic relationship--the coral heals us and revitalizes us when we're tired. In return, we keep the barrier up...which might be why we're tired without touching the coral, now that I think about it.

[ex_diplomacy861]

I see . . . so it's a cyclical event.

Is the barrier what allows the city to prosper beneath the sea's surface?

[messianic]

Yes, that's right. Without the barrier, the city would likely be unable to exist.

We could take refuge now on the island above, but Vatheon is the safer of the two.

[ex_diplomacy861]

Why's that?

[messianic]

When the island was first reached, there was a curse of sorts that caused a few people to...for lack of better term, to go insane.

It hasn't done anything similar since, but I'm a little wary of it.

[ex_diplomacy861]

[Insane. That sounds backwards.]

. . . have they recovered?

[messianic]

[He nods.]

With some help...everyone made full recoveries.

[ex_diplomacy861]

Good . . . I suppose that rules out the surface for the time being.

[messianic]

..It makes it a little more dangerous, yes. I'm sorry--the chances are you'll be here for at least a few weeks, so you should get settled first.

[ex_diplomacy861]

. . . All right. If I must endure this for a little longer in order to get somewhere, then I'll play the waiting game.