Of Hats and Hunts

[vicioussweetie]

A long and restless night alone had done nothing to improve Ali's temper. Jareth's remorseless ripping away of her will and self-control left her feeling vulnerable, more hurt than angry--and plenty of both. So morning found her pacing the halls near Gawain's room, waiting for him to wake so they could be off. She wouldn't even give him time to

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[allaroundarthur]

"With my life and soul, Ali," he answers, without a moment's hesitation. "Can you tell me what to expect?"

[vicioussweetie]

That gets her first faint smile of the day, which seems to soften everything about her. "There'll be a bump in your stomach, like you're jumping off a cliff. But if you keep your eyes closed, you'll be fine. We should cover the horse's eyes too, if you want to bring them."

[allaroundarthur]

He gives a thoughtful nod, throwing a cloth over his horse's head. "If I keep my eyes open?" He can't help but be a little curious.

[vicioussweetie]

"You'll get dizzy," she explains, giving her horse the same consideration. "And you might make yourself sick." Once their horses are dealt with, Ali reaches for his reins. "I should warn you, where we're going, there are a great many people who aren't human and don't try and hide it. Please try not to gawk too much."

And that's all the warning he gets before pouf.

[allaroundarthur]

He opts to close his eyes during the trip, though as soon as the feel of transition ends he opens his eyes to look around. He's anxious to see what wonders she's brought him to.

[vicioussweetie]

Trees. Lots of trees--and many look quite familiar.

But when she's sure the horses have survived the trip and their eyes are uncovered, she gives back his reins and turns around. There is a very great city there, larger than any he's likely to have seen, and full of wonders: flying beasts, flying buildings, lights of every color natural and not... but still, it is a city. There is noise and bustle and a great many people on the road below.

"Greyhawk. The largest city in this place, home of the greatest wizard alive--the far less evil version of our own enemy. Are you ready?"

[allaroundarthur]

He takes a moment to, indeed, gawk--he can't help it. But he's quick to recover, offering a hand to help her mount her steed. The choice of a city does raise a question in his mind, though. "Is there a dragon here?"

[vicioussweetie]

"We come here to rejoin my companions. They're... well, they're not exactly the most reliable adventurers, but they're well-intentioned." They are, frankly, a bit of an embarrassment to her. "I'd rather have Osalie and her friends, but she's busy being the head of a religious order and saving the world from a would-be god, so Team Hats will have to do.

"We'll need to get you a hat."

[allaroundarthur]

That's... quite a bit of strangeness dropped in his lap all at once. "A 'would-be' god? 'Team Hats?' What... kind of hat?" These are all questions he raises as they ride down toward the city.

[vicioussweetie]

"It is possible, albeit rarely done and dangerous, to attain enough power to make oneself a god. At least, it is here. She seeks to stop this ascension, as the being in question is irredeemably evil. And Team Hats is just a pet name for them. Most parties of adventurers have a name to identify the group. We all have fabulous hats, you see, and since nobody should take us too seriously, I don't think we should have an overly serious name. What sort of hat would you like?"

Ali is happy to explain, in between her conversations with the farmers headed into town. It's amazing what sorts of strange baubles she uses for currency--or perhaps the food she buys is more amazing. The grapes are covered in a perpetual frost, the bottle of wine glows, and the breadfruit is exactly that. "This should tide us over until we find our companions, and a decent inn."

[allaroundarthur]

"I didn't know the half of it," he murmurs, seeing the foodstuffs she buys. He is curious, though, rather than fearful, intrigued by all the wonders around him. "If so evil a man stands on the cusp of divinity, should we not offer our aid in thwarting him?"

[vicioussweetie]

"I doubt very much that there's anything either of us can do to stop him," she points out, "and if she needs help, I'm sure she'll ask. Anyway, we have our own evil with which to deal." But all this makes her as unhappy as it is likely to make him. She too feels the urge to right every wrong, personally.

[allaroundarthur]

"Your point is well taken," he admits. He'll be glad, though, when they have an evil beast of their own on which to vent frustrations. "I've not given much thought to hats. What sort does one of our station typically wear, hereabouts?"

[vicioussweetie]

"My dear, we are adventurers. We can wear pretty much whatever we want. We can do whatever we want, as well, although I do think we should remain within the bounds of the law. There are still consequences, generally from other adventurers. It's an... interesting system."

[allaroundarthur]

"One I should hope to know better, if we are to be working within it. Have you any inkling of where these allies might be found?"

[vicioussweetie]

"If they haven't been thrown out, yes, I know where they're staying."

Once they're inside the city walls, Ali consults a map, and soon takes them down a less-busy side street and away from the markets. They pass through residential neighborhoods (some boasting houses far grander then any in Camelot), parks and greens, and an impromptu fiddling contest between a minotaur and someone who seems to be made of fire.

After--very shortly after--Ali announces they're nearly there and points to a fine looking inn at the end of the street, there is a great crashing sound from a shop nearby and she reins in to avoid anyone who might be soon coming through the windows.