A Whole New World

[tidesnpc]

Characters: Anyone and everyone from all three ships.
Content: The clouds are gone, revealing the long-sought world below.
Setting: The edge of the continent, near the blast site.
Time: After all the monsters have been fought and the ships head southeast.
Warnings: What you bring with you.

Comments

[la_rouge_madame]

...Well.

That had...certainly been something, though what exactly it was, Ann didn't know. All she knew was that those old stories about a land beneath the clouds were, apparently, true. She wondered what would happen next.

After she got a hold of Bu-ling, that was. The silly girl was...well, being Bu-ling and trying to get money from the gathered crowd. It wasn't easy keeping up with her when Ann had to use a cane, but she was trying.

"Bu-ling, darling, come back here!"

[barrelobuling]

Bu-ling rolled circles around Ann and the crowd, running on a barrel on its side and holding out a hat for money to be tossed into. "What is it, Red-oneechan? Bu-ling is performing right now."

[la_rouge_madame]

"Yes, I noticed, which is precisely why I want to to come back here," Ann said, laughing a little. "Now is not the time for the hijinks of a monkey girl."

[barrelobuling]

"But this is the biggest crowd Bu-ling has ever seen, and all the bad stuff is over and everybody is happy and they're all in one spot and they have money." Bu-ling hopped off the barrel, letting it roll into a fence post. "Now is the best time."

[la_rouge_madame]

Ann smiled, taking the hat from Bu-ling. "Sometimes, money isn't the most important thing," she said. "Though that does remind me, I have something I want to discuss with you."

It had taken a lot of work (and yelling) to get a hold of Lau, but she had everything she needed for this idea of hers, except for Bu-ling's permission.

[barrelobuling]

Bu-ling scratched her head, and An-nin climbed up onto her shoulder. "What did you want to talk about, Red-oneechan?"

[la_rouge_madame]

"Let's go somewhere a little less...crowded. I need to sit down, anyway."

She took Bu-ling's hand and led the girl to a drink stand, ordering two drinks before sitting down at a table. "Now, Bu-ling, you know that I'm rather wealthy, yes?"

[barrelobuling]

"Yup." Bu-ling nodded and sat down with her. An-nin jumped from her shoulder to sit on top of the table. "Bu-ling knows 'cause people with lots of money always have the best stuff and look pretty. How come?"

[la_rouge_madame]

What had the girl's father been thinking, leaving this sweet girl alone with her siblings?

"And you know that I'm...very fond of children, but can't have any of my own, right?"

[barrelobuling]

Bu-ling leaned forward in her chair, listening intently. "Really? That's kinda sad, Bu-ling thinks."

[la_rouge_madame]

Ann nodded. "Yes, I had an accident several years ago, and I can't have children anymore. But, I have far too much money, and no one to really it on. So I was wondering if it would be alright with you if I helped you and your siblings out."

[barrelobuling]

Bu-ling's eyes widened and she stood up, leaning forward across the table. "Really, Red-oneechan?"

[la_rouge_madame]

"Yes, really. I had a very good friend of mine check into a few things for me, before all this...mess started happening." The drinks she ordered arrived, and Ann paused to pay the man. "I have plenty of money, with more coming in, thanks to my husband's estate, and to pay for anything your family needs would be no problem at all."

[barrelobuling]

Bu-ling jumped to the other side of the table and hugged Ann, while An-nin chittered and clapped. "Thanks so much nano da! This is the best thing ever no da!"

[la_rouge_madame]

Ann returned the hug, laughing at An-nin's hijinks. "I can also afford to send you to a performing arts school--provided it's still standing--if you'd like. And any of your siblings who want to go can as well. Even An-nin." There would just have to be a pet deposit. A large one.

[barrelobuling]

"Really?" Her eyes lit up at that. "Thank you so much, Red-oneechan! Bu-ling will do her best and be the greatest ever nano da!"