Day 1 Night

[12npcs]

[ Over the murmur of conversations, explorations and violent attempts at escape, there comes a sound tick tick tick tick tick.............. CLICK.... The sky above snaps across the dome from blue to black... and everything goes dark.

A glow comes from the front door of each of the inns and one by one, you can see street lanterns begin to light up steadily past each of the gates.

The only flickering, organic light comes from above in the tower, spluttering high, high above everyone, through the slats of the closed shutters. After a moment, it's gone. ]

Comments

[thevineintervention]

Ah! You're right! That's pretty shoddy workmanship!

[direstnews]

Not even a hint of pink or orange.

[thevineintervention]

Mm, certainly! There's a lot more to the sky than just day and night.


Someone really should tell that shouting fellow.

[direstnews]

I can think of several things he ought to hear, come to think of it.

[thevineintervention]

But certainly this is the most important, don't you think?

[direstnews]

That depends on who you ask.

[thevineintervention]

Hmm, I suppose that too is so.

[direstnews]

Shall we get his attention?

[thevineintervention]

Be my guest. I'll encourage you with the utmost enthusiasm!

[direstnews]

Perhaps in a moment or two.

[thevineintervention]

As you will!

[direstnews]

I don't believe I've had the pleasure of your tale.

[thevineintervention]

Well, that's quite a lot of pleasure for someone so small. How about a name, for now?

[direstnews]

A name will suffice. Though I would like to know how you came to be in this place. I'm comparing notes, you see.

[thevineintervention]

Aaaah, I see!

Well, my name is Aerta. I wandered in the darkness, and then watched a rather one-sided game of cards. Mm, perhaps I even won!

[direstnews]

And before the darkness?

[thevineintervention]

I was watching a girl about your age die.

[direstnews]

Ah.

[Takes a little bit of a step away.]

[thevineintervention]

Aah. Forgive me, that was a bit forward. . .

[direstnews]

I did ask.

[thevineintervention]

You did.


Is the answer helpful?

[direstnews]

I suppose that depends upon why she was dying.

[thevineintervention]

She was thrown from her mount. The broken limb of a tree caught her about here. [ she indicates on her own chest ]

It missed her heart, but not her lungs. Mm . . . it did not take so very long, though she fought with great fervor.

[direstnews]

You escaped injury yourself?

[thevineintervention]

Aah, you misunderstand.


Perhaps I am not direct enough. I am the healer, who did not save her.