The room beyond the door is illuminated by a large rotating ball that throws an ever-changing spectrum over the room. In the center is a large wolf statue holding and engraved plaque that reads: Gallery of Choices.

Walls all round are lined with pictures, five of which are illuminated by spotlights. One is an elaborate singari wagon, two are of the surrounding forest--one by day; one by night. The last two consist of the balcony where you presume the Prine Minister met his end, and the last is one a wall panel with a lion's head. You notice several panels like that on the side walls in this very room. As you ponder what to do next, Tamara dances in.

"Oh, so many of you!" she exclaims happily, then drops a curtsy. "I'm Tamara, or the Madcap Princess. You can call me Tami, Mara, or Madi, whichever you like. But I'll answer a bonus question or two if you pick the one I like best.

"I see you have choices to make. I'll help you get started, but I'll warn you ahead of time. Beside your starting point, you can only pick two to visit. If you pick the wrong ones, you'll miss out on points. I like this room because everyone argues each time there are chices. Adults arguing are fun to watch, and I'm learning for when I grow up."

You can think of several things to say to her right about now, but you do need her help...

"However, in order to get my help on where to start, you have to solve my puzzle. It's pretty hard."

She shows you a picture:

"I need at least ten characters shown, named and numbered, and the wizard of words who created them all. You can do that, right. Djoni says you're all the best!"

She hops onto the wolf's left foot and perches happily, waiting for you to solve the picture.

(OOC: This is the first part of Chapter Four. You need to solve Tamara's "Where's Waldo" variation, and smail the solution to me by Friday, July 7 at 11:59 pm Subeta time. After that, the chapter will continue here on this thread. Questions and comments on the OOC thread for this Chapter, please.)

Frieda is creeped out by the picture, but Dace takes her paw and whispers in her ear "It's OK Honey, back away slowly. Those blue things are not stone angels."

Djoni and Tanaka arrive back with disgusted looks on their faces. "I hate politics," Djoni observes. "Factions killing factions and for what?"

"Bludgeoning with a wooden leg over a border dispute," Tanaka agrees. "Does seem such a waste."

"Let's change the subject," Djoni offers. "What are you up to now, Madcap Madi?"

"Puzzles and clues," she replies happily. "I'm going to help them figure out what to do next."

"Oh, that should be a great help," Djoni says sarcastically.

Madi bristles. "It will be! You're just mean because you're almost old enough to be my father. I was born too late! And you!" she turns on Tanaka and stares at his left hand, which is holding Larianne's right. "I was going to marry you, and now, there's nobody for me. All because of her!" She points at Larianne and stomps her foot.

"Tamara! That's enough!" Djoni fires back. "I apologize for bullying you. You're right, I'm old and stodgy!"

"And I know at least one who'd adore you," Larianne offers. "Of course, he's a chipmunk..."

Despite herself. Madi giggles. "So I have at least one fan? I'd like to meet him. But, in the meantime, I'm taking everyone here to the Singari wagons."

She heads off with everyone in tow. Djoni shrugs and follows her. "She does make life an adventure."

"She's cute," says Larianne, "and Chester really would love her."

"Let's go see what she's up to," Tanaka adds. "Should be interesting."

"I never break a promise," Madi, as Tamara prefers to be called, says cheerfully as she guides all of you to a colorful wagon decorated with symbols.

It seems to be larger inside than out, but how could that EVER be possible? Anyway, the woman inside gives you at look which is both judgemental and somewhat amused. Her fondness for Tamara is obvious, though, and she gestures to you to sit down.

"This is Irella. She's my friend, and she's the best Teller of all the Singari. These are the Protectors of the Squirrel. They want to solve this whole mess and end all our fears," Madi explains.

"All these for one squirrel?" Irella laughs. "And who can ever end all fears? Still, you cannot afford to waste your time by running to places which will not help, so let us consult the cards."

She quickly deals out fifty cards face up onto the table in front of you. They seem to make no sense by themselves.

"These speak in five distinct voices, with exactly ten fitting together through a common thread. There are Suns for those who would lead a rich life surronded by light and wealth; Moons, for those who live to love and value happiness most; Staffs are for those who seek adventure, friendship, and action; Blades for those who live below the surface, with much intrigue and possible danger; and Gears, for those whose lives are bound by the workings of time, both harsh and joyous, and the eternal gears of the universe.

"You have five places to choose from. You are here by Princess Tamara's grace, since she knew well where to start, and this place is bound right now by one of the symbols, althogh locations are mutable and may change with events.

"Two of the other places will tell you much if you visit them, and the other two will yield nothing useful. Each place is bound by another of the voices, but it is up to you to decide how the cards fit together. Make them into sets correctly, and then match the voice symbols to your destinations.

"Be wary, though, for if you choose to visit the wrong locations, you will lose valuable time. I sense little will be gained by from Sun or Staff this time, and that is all I have to tell you. Still, I wish you well on your journey, for all that live in Falcor or Crystania need your help!"

(OOC: This is the last half of Chapter 4. It is a mystery solving and RP challenge. Further explanation and due date is in the first post on the OOC thread.)

((oops))

Garrin walked into the wagon and was amazed by its vast size. He actually walked back outside and looked at the exterior of the wagon, measuring its size in his mind, before returning back inside. “Yes.” His eyes were wide as he scanned the interior of the wagon as it spread upward and out. “It is much larger on the inside than it appears from the outside, how fantastic.” He smiled and folded his arms across his chest while he took in the room, slowly nodding his silent approval of the magic that created this place.

Listening to Madi and Irella, he gathered that fear was a common commodity in this land. He took a deep breath and deliberately exhaled in a slow steady stream, trying to calm the emotions emanating from his mind. Irella picked up a stack of cards and shuffled them slowly until she was ready to place them down. He watched carefully as the flamboyant cards were dealt with reckless speed.

Garrin looked at the cards and tried to sort them out in his mind but began to feel overwhelmed by the chaos. He took a step back and looked up at the faces of his comrades. He watched Jean and could see the movement of her eyes as they darted from one card to another. A slow smile began to spread on his lips as he watched her think. The wave of her cocoa tresses reminded him of rolling hills that were slightly illuminated by a rising sun, with a tinge of blue recalling the chilled night and amber brown warmth bringing everything to life. His distracting thoughts made him hungry to be back home, roaming the wooded hills with a book in hand.

When he managed to bring himself to the present, he noticed that Jean had begun to place cards into groupings.

Sorn was uninterested in the size of the wagon. Drows had magic that allowed for larger insides verses outsides. “What an astute observation, oh wise-one,” Sorn commented with a sneer, “Honestly, Gillian, I remain astounded that with such powers of deduction you are still alive. Why next thing you shall tell me is the sky above us appears to be blue.” He smirked as Coda came up to him and he scratched behind her ear. “Seems your companion likes me more, Gustav. Perhaps she knows you are marked for death. We have not seen any action as of yet after all.”

Garrin looked over at Coda and his jaw dropped in shock. “Why are…” Stopping himself mid whisper, he straightened his back and closed his mouth tightly. He didn’t really want Sorn to know how upset he was by Coda choosing to get scratches from him.

Then the random people started talking again and Sorn was bored. He pulled out his dagger and started twirling it in the air and yawned rudely to Madi. “What is it with all these babblings? Can we not have some action? Whilst Jean starts working on this, Gilbert, strip and I shall allow you the joys of my flesh to cure boredom.”

Garrin shook his head at the way Sorn was treating the situation. He wanted to whisper about his lack of conscientiousness but didn’t want to add to the noise that Sorn was creating. He watched as Sorn continued to entertain himself with his dagger. The invitation to strip both alarmed and angered Garrin.

‘He can’t even get my name right,’ he thought while clenching his jaw with unflinching strength as he stepped closer to Sorn. Leaning towards him, Garrin whispered, “Alright! You’ve proven you are smarter than all of us!” Each word came out sharp and pointed with irritation. Feeling like a pair of school boys in the back of a classroom, he looked up to make sure their conversation had not bothered anyone.

"Aww," Sorn replied with fake concern, "what is the matter sunshine? Have I hurt your little feelings?"

Though Garrin was not really offended by anything Sorn had said, he was quite resentful about Coda, which was evident with the asperity he used to speak. The corner of his upper lip drew up, forming a slight grimace as he thought about his desire to lash out with blunt irrationality. His body tensed and he knew he should back down and walk away, yet he didn’t.

“Listen, you pointy eared bunny rabbit,” he glared into Sorn’s eyes. “I’m done with your antics. You can’t waltz around here acting like nothing matters and we are all nothing compared to the ‘Great and Powerful Sorcerer Sorn.’ I’m not sure what universe you are from but it isn’t this one.” Garrin used a mocking high pitched tone when saying Sorn’s title, while he waved his hands through the air in frustration. He took a step back from Sorn and looked down at Coda.

Up to this point, Coda had been resting against Sorn’s leg, snuggled up as if it was where she belonged. Now she stood up, the hair on her back and neck had begun to stand on end, sensing that trouble was imminent.

Sorn’s eyes went from red to almost black with his power as he grabbed Garrin by the throat with a metaphysical hand. The man’s feet were dangling in the air. “You want to see my power, little human?” he replied deep anger in his voice. “How dare you mock me, you insignificant fly. Mock my power now as I choke your life away with not a hand on you.”

Garrin sputtered and gasped as he dangled helplessly in the air. He looked at Coda with bulging, desperate eyes but before she could act Jean jumped in. She had been glad to meet Irella, and the unusual geometry of the wagon hardly troubled her. After all, she knew a number of people with things where inside was larger than out. Her own satchel of holding, for example. Garrin didn't seem to have much to contribute to sorting the cards, and she knew better than to even think of asking Sorn (though he would doubtless claim the answer was obvious later, when she'd finished). She wasn't pleased that the two started bickering, but resolutely left them to it.

Until Sorn decided to kill their teammate, that is. Without sparing him more than a glance -- best not to encourage him, after all -- she used her calmest "I'm the one in charge" tone. "Sorn, release him at once. There will be no killing allies." He didn't acknowledge her, and out of the corner of her eye she could see Garrin struggling to breathe. It took only a moment to pull her enchanted grappling hook out of her bag and whip it around so it wrapped expertly around Sorn's ankles. A swift heave took his feet out from under him, and she hoped that would break his focus on the spell. "I said, release him. /Now/."

“Why should I?” the drow asked. His eyes were narrowed in anger. “Why should I spare his pathetic--"

Then Jean used her grappling hook pulling him to the ground. With her order, Sorn cut his magic off and Garrin was suddenly free. Sorn’s anger was not quenched but now he was also hurt. Why would she do that to him? Was she lying to him the entire time he knew her and was now showing her superiority? Still laying on his back he remained staring at her, waiting for her order. Would she whip him?

Jean didn't unwrap the rope yet. The hook hadn't done Sorn any harm, but the rope still tangled his legs as she looked down at him. "Garrin. Are you going to be alright? No need to speak if you can't, just nod."

Searching for life giving air, Garrin’s lungs twitched and found it through a deep muscular flex of his diaphragm that suddenly sprang to life. The rapid influx of air burned his throat as it quenched the thirst his blood required.

Jean briefly looked down on his sprawled out body. He had hardly heard her question, due to the loud throbbing sound of blood being rushed behind his eardrum. He nodded in response as an involuntary tear filled his right eye. He was angry at the human body for having such a reaction, especially in front of Sorn, who would probably think he was crying.

Coda leapt over Sorn and landed on Garrin’s legs. Garrin glared at her and would have said something hurtful but couldn’t think straight due to the spinning sensation his head was experiencing. ‘Garrin, I did not want to make the situation worse. He would have killed us both, I could sense it.’ Coda sent a few mental emotions and images that tried to convey what she meant.

Garrin grunted and nodded again, feeling better with each gasping breath.

Jean hadn't looked at Garrin beyond making sure he was alright. Her attention was focused on Sorn. "Take what time you need to recover," she said gently. "When you're up to it, I've got the groups for the items sorted out. It took a bit of thinking outside the box -- or beyond the box, depending on your perspective -- but I'm reasonably certain they're right. If you'd check them over I'd be grateful, and then perhaps you might get a start on the rest of the puzzle. Meanwhile, Sorn and I are going to have a talk." She kept her breathing even and remained outwardly composed, despite the sweat trickling down the small of her back and the way her heart was galloping inside her chest. Most drow were dangerous, and she knew from experience that Sorn was a skilled fighter and a powerful sorcerer. She did not want to provoke him. "Sorn, I would like you to come with me for a bit."

“Are you releasing me then?” Sorn asked hissing the question at her.

Jean looked confused for a moment, but just nodded. "Yes. Untangle yourself, and let's go."

Sorn untangled himself with an angry look on his face. He stood and looked at the felled man. He had tears in his eyes from the choking.

“Go ahead and mock my pain,” Sorn said with spite. “It is highly amusing is it not, Garrin? A high priest exiled, marked for death by his own Goddess. The very Goddess I served unquestioningly for four hundred years. Now I have nothing—not even my title. So droll is it not?” With that, the drow stormed out of the place, sliding his sunglasses on so the rays of the infernal sun didn’t burn his eyes. He waited to see what Jean wanted.

Jean quickly wound up her prized grappling hook. "I'll defuse this, Garrin. I'm sorry I wasn't faster," she told him, before heading after Sorn. At least he'd mentioned why he was so upset, though if she'd given it some thought she would have figured it out.

Garrin looked up from the ground at Sorn and wanted to remain angry but was completely disarmed by what he’d said. As Sorn stalked out of the room followed by Jean, Garrin realized that he actually felt sorry for the guy. He belatedly nodded at what Jean had said, still in shock from the whole expereince. He coughed and took in a ragged breath while staring at the backside of the door that Sorn had just walked out of. ‘How could I have let my jealousy get the better of me at the expense of Sorn?’ he asked himself while looking over at Coda.

He glanced up and found that Madi and Irella had walked out of the room before all hell broke loose and was relieved. He was not sure where they were but was less wounded knowing that they hadn’t seen his humiliation or that of Sorn’s. ‘Why do I even care about his feelings when he is threatening to kill me all the time?’ Garrin shook his head, perplexed by his own lack of self preservation when it came to Sorn.

After another minute or two of resting, Garrin stood and walked over to the table where the cards were laid out. He moved some of them around and tried to figure out the system that Jean had been using to organize them thus far.

Coda leapt up on a nearby chair and peered at the array of images. Garrin ignored her while he thought about the assortment and how to best organize them.

She slipped out of the wagon and let the curtain fall behind her, going to stand near Sorn but not in striking distance. She didn't speak right away, but when she did her tone was solemn. "I understand you're upset, Sorn, but that is no excuse for attacking Garrin like that." The vagabond folded her arms across her chest, her thoughts whirling. She knew he was troubled, but as she'd said, he couldn't go around killing people. Not in general, and not because he was upset either.

Sorn flinched expecting pain with her words. "I do not understand," the man said. "Why should I not? Such insolence is not to be tolerated. If I am not to cut him down at least I should prove my power."

"First off, this isn't the Underdark, Sorn. Killing people over minor infractions is...frowned upon. Severely. And just because you could easily take on the authorities doesn't mean you should." Jean sighed. "Secondly, I seem to recall you needling him this entire time. You can't be upset when someone strikes back verbally if you're provoking them. And you can't smite them just because they hit a nerve with their reply." She gestured at the wagon. "From what I can see, Coda and Garrin are very close, and perhaps he spoke rashly but that does not excuse your actions. I suspect, if I asked, he will say that you struck first in that exchange, metaphorically speaking. And don't tell me you didn't notice, Sorn, because you commented on it."

Sorn wasn't understanding what so wrong, and she could tell. "I'm sorry if it hurts you to hear this," Jean added with a frown. "I know it's not an easy adjustment, and I can tell it hurts you, having lost...well, everything. But if you want any chance of building a life here, you are going to need to understand how the people here work. We don't think like your old matriarchs, nor even like most drow men. I'm willing to make allowances for your lack of experience. I even put up with all but the worst of your overweening pride and impossible flirtations. I would like to be your friend, if you'll let me. But I will not tolerate someone with no compassion for others, no concern for their wellbeing be it physical or emotional. Remember back at the Masquerade, where I said people often act out of enlightened self interest? The opposite is also true. If someone does not show an inclination for kindness, people will avoid them, or worse. If you wanted to be alone, you would have stayed home. If you do not, you need to meet us halfway."

Sorn fell to the ground. Tears splashed down his face, rolling into sight as they passed the glasses. He took them off and let them fall onto the grass. “You keep telling me what I cannot do, but I do not have much left that I can do. I do not understand these ways. Nothing makes sense. You ask the impossible. You ask a fish to become a horse.”

Of all the things Jean had prepared herself to deal with, a crying drow was not one of them. She closed her mouth, which had fallen open, and settled on the grass next to Sorn, draping an arm across his shoulders. "I thought I understood," she said after a long moment of silence. "But it looks like I underestimated just how different things are here. I still don't think it's impossible. I think, if you want to, you can do this. I don't say it'll be easy, and I don't expect it to be quick. But if you are willing to try, that goes a long way. I'll do what I can to answer questions, and to help you steer clear of the worst errors. I'm sure your sister would be willing to help as well, and she is likely better at understanding where you're coming from. So what do you say?"

“I have killed several of my brothers. I have slain entire families,” Sorn stated with no remorse. “I enjoy it. I enjoy torturing and watching their sufferings. Surely I shall continue to do so. You ask me to become a surface elf. This I cannot do.” He hissed the word ‘elf’ like it was a swear word. Sorn shook his head. “Raven has not dealt with this much. She was imprisoned for her fifty years of life before I was exiled. I visited her, taught her of the elves above. I knew she would never be accepted. She should have been heralded but she was not. Yes, she is an assassin at times, but she never lived as a full drow. She is happy to be on the surface.”

Jean paused for considerably longer, this time. "I can't say I approve of torture in any setting, nor of murder. Killing in self defense...well, it is necessary at times. Enjoying it...." She sighed heavily. "I imagine there's lines of work where you could indulge your...preferences. I'm certain you will never be less than narcissistic, nor ever think twice if you are asked to fight. Nor...make any real concessions to decency in clothing." A smile tugged at her lips. "I expect you to use the intelligence you boast of so often, the insight I've seen that you have, and a little restraint. Though I expect the last one will be a new experience." The vagabond dropped her arm and leaned back a bit, looking up at the sky. "I don't expect you care for a /lot/ of friends. You don't strike me as the type. But a little effort goes a long way. ...Y'know, so long as you're not murdering people on weekends. That tends to put a damper on things."

Sorn sniffed and gave Jean a crooked smile. "Well, then how about every other weekend?" he said with a joking manner. "I shall endeavour to restrain my er, drow-ness if possible and attempt to understand better. And," he made a large sigh, "I suppose I can give you some effort in these asinine tasks. Is this agreeable?"

"I don't think you need to help with the brainbenders unless you want to," Jean replied, answering his smile with one of her own. She stood up and offered him a hand. "But you have a deal." She turned to the wagon, and paused, not sure how to bring up the last thing that needed addressing. "You hurt Garrin, Sorn. Every bit as much as he hurt you. Perhaps not deliberately. Do you think you can apologize, and mean it?"

He accepted her hand up and grabbed her by the head, planting a full kiss on her lips. Jean shrank away, but she wasn't fast enough to avoid it, and as he turned away she wiped her mouth. "Yick."

Sorn looked back at her and frowned. Did he do something wrong again? The drow sighed, shook his head, and went inside. "I am sorry, Garth, I was not attempting to provoke ire." Then he grabbed Garrin, who appeared to be about to speak. Before the man could utter a word, Sorn planted his kiss on the other man's open mouth. For good measure, Sorn slipped his tongue in. "There, we have all done the kiss and make up part. Is everyone happy now?" he asked with innoccence. "Do you wish me to look this over and see if it makes any sense to me?"

Jean made a strangled noise that quickly turned into laughter. "That's an idiom, Sorn, but we'll work on that another time."

Matching Jean’s laughter, Garrin turned his surprise into boisterous laughter of his own. He slapped Sorn on the back, the way good friends do. “That’s alright, I like your style.” He laughed some more and shook his head at Sorn. ‘For all his angry rhetoric he is rather innocent of our ways, eh?’ he mind spoke to Coda.

Garrin could see that the cards were supposed to be organized by family groupings, similar to phylogenic charts. He picked up on card from the table which pictured a white cat and held it up for Coda to see. ‘Look,’ he mindspoke with a laugh, ‘it looks like you!’ Coda was not amused and growled at him softly.

He noticed that Jean had stayed focused on the task so he cleared his throat and stopped messing around. He remembered that Irella had said that there were five voices and each one represented a place to choose from. With that in mind he thought of the five pictures that were in spotlight in the Gallery of Choices.

“The spotlighted images in the Gallery of Choices must be the images that we are to match the voices to. I think two of them are fairly obvious.” Garrin took out his notepad and wrote down the names of the 5 highlighted pictures: balcony, forest during the day, forest during the night, lion head, and wagon.

“I think that the forest during the night is the voice of the moon and the forest during the day is the voice of the sun.” Garrin notated his opinion down in his notebook to keep track of the progress.

"Good job matching the Voices to the items," Jean commented, a slow and slightly crafty smile spreading across her face as she took in what he'd done while she and Sorn were outside. "And I agree. It's really quite simple, if you think about the people involved. But that's easy to say after we know the answer."

Sorn didn’t know what an idiom was, nor did he know why Garrin hit him on the back. So instead of commenting, he plopped himself in front of the cards. He had a feeling that no one really believed he was smart. In fact he was very calculating. “Indeed, Gwendoline, the sun and moon are the forests.” See? He didn’t add a caustic remark about the fact that those were simple deductions that took little effort to ascertain.

“Well, given that the woman said that little will be gained from the sun and the staff, we can rule those out. If the forest by day and night is sun and moon respectively, we can deduce that one of the forests would not lead us to our desired location. The blades I believe are represented by the balcony. The assassination happened there. Blades mean death, danger and intrigue. I believe this should be one of our destinations. Surely we do not wish to take the word of others. The scene of the murder is always a place of interest.”

Garrin looked up in astonishment; Sorn was getting along in the sandbox and helping at the same time. He stared at Sorn for a moment longer and then forced his eyes back to the table, but his mind was consumed with the change in Sorn. He looked up at Jean with new admiration and respect in his eyes. ‘Who’d have thought that she would have so much sway with the Drow?’ he thought.

Bringing his thoughts back to the present moment, he cleared his throat. “Thanks, Sorn. I agree that the scene of the crime needs to be inspected.” As he spoke his tone sounded more distant as he started thinking about the remaining voices.

“The last two present a rather unique conundrum.” Garrin pointed to his notepad while showing it to Sorn and Jean. "You see we have the lion head and the wagon images, and we must determine which one is either the gear or staff voice.” He looked over the cards and scratched as his stubble covered chin.

“If the staff voice is one we do not want to visit, then perhaps it is related to time and the universe.” Garrin looked up at Sorn, hoping that he would share his thoughts on the matter. He wanted to glean some knowledge from the dark elf and his process of deduction and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

“Actually,” Sorn said, “considering the fact that the gears are related to time and space, the reverse would be correct. When you think about it, the gears work for the wheels of the wagon as well as its unusual interior size. The wagon is bigger because part of it is held within another relam.”

"I am not certain if the wagon or the Gallery of Choices would be Gears, given that both seem to indicate the workings of the universe -- a place where many things come together, and one where a fortuneteller lives." Jean spoke slowly, thinking aloud. "However, we met Madi in the Gallery, and she was friendly and helpful, and she seems the sort who likes an adventure. I'm going to agree that points to Staffs being the Gallery, leaving Gears as the wagon, where we are now. However I do not think we can rule out the forest at night simply because the daytime one -- Suns -- is not useful right now. They're two different places. Perhaps even different parts of the forest. We've already visited Gears, anyhow, so that only leaves Moons and Blades.

Coda jumped down from the table. 'Clearly I am not needed in this discussion,' she mind thought to Garrin. She walked between Sorn’s legs and rubbed up against them with affection before moving to sit on Garrin’s foot.

Garrin paid Coda no mind. "I actually agree with you both. As you know, earlier I took notice that there is a size disparity between the inside and outside of this wagon. Perhaps they are entwined with the voices and pictures.” Nodding, he thought more about the similarities and a slow smile spread on his lips. “I think that about sums up the voices then.” Garrin would have stepped back from the table in triumph but Coda was holding his foot down with her weight, so he stayed.

"Well then," Sorn said, "Let us go to the balcony and see what we can surmise from the crime scene. Then we can traverse the forest of night. I admit, I believe the forest is useful. After all the victim was slashed with what appeared to be a claw. If it is natural, then we may discover many answers there. If not, then maybe we will be ambushed by hundreds of orcs and I shall be able to kill things.” He gave a sweet smile at the idea of blood flying in the air and landing all over the trees. “Yes, let us frolic in the wilderness.”

Jean flipped her notebook closed. "Sounds like we're agreed. Well done, everyone." She tilted her head at the door. "Shall we?" But as the four headed out she caught Sorn's wrist so Garrin and Coda moved ahead. "See? Not impossible at all." She gave him a brief smile. "But please, no kissing like that, apology or otherwise. I really don't like it."

“Yes, come along Garfield,we have work to do. We cannot lounge around all day.” Sorn smirked at Jean. Then she held him back. “Yes, I suppose it was not horrible. Though it was rather boring. You do not like kissing? Ah, I see, you want to get straight to the good parts eh? That is why you wanted the wagon empty. Well, if you desire sex, I am willing. You are not completely unappealing and I suppose doing this favour for you would help me later. Very well.” He started to take off his shirt.

Jeane gawked at him just long enough for the shirt to be lifted, and quickly tried to stop him. "Sorn! No, that is /not/ what I meant. I don't like kissing, I don't like ogling people, and I don't have any interest in sex. At all."

"Ever?" Sorn asked incredulously, "how do you cope?" He shook his head. "Well, your loss I suppose." He shook his head again. Jean certainly was a mystery to him. But he did like the woman. "Very well, I will respect your strange lack of desire. Though, if you decide you wish for a taste of exotic flesh--"

"--I'll let you know, yes." Jean chuckled. "Let's go."

(( , we are only 8 minutes late! throws confetti , great job! ))

LoveCraft gathers the team together... "Okay so there are 5 voices", she says.

1 - Suns for those who would lead a rich life surrounded by light and wealth 2. Moons, for those who live to love and value happiness most 3. Staffs are for those who seek adventure, friendship, and action 4.. Blades for those who live below the surface, with much intrigue and possible danger; 5. Gears, for those whose lives are bound by the workings of time, both harsh and joyous, and the eternal gears of the universe.

Then we have a total of 5 lines of items with 10 random things. We have to decide which thing goes to which voice...each voice will have 10 things to them.

"I think I understand...sort of". Giving a frown, as she remembers the cards.

Reaper reminds her, "Also I think we have to connect those to the 5 images we saw in the first half of the chapter as well, but I could be misreading it. We need to choose which 2 we want to explore. choosing wrong will waste our time."

Nodding Lovecraft says, "My guesses would be... I'm not sure, tho. Some don't seem to really have anything that seems like it would match."

Reaper looks at her, and says, "I feel like moons are gonna be important. Wolves and all, you know." "True." says Lovecraft, "Which should make it forest by night. I think." Nodding her head, and taking a swig from her bottle, Reaper agrees, saying "And I think Sun might be Forest by Day. I agree on the Wagon being the Blades though."

Taking large puffs off her rainbow, Witchy looks back and forth between the 2 girls, and says "WOW, Your brains are really fast, aren't they!" "Well, if the Blades are the Singari, then we can leave them out. I vote we go to the Moons (as Reaper says, 'wolves' ya know) and the Gears. If the Gears represent, 'Those whose lives are bound by the workings of time, both harsh and joyous, and the eternal gears of the universe.' Then shouldn't we be able to get some information about that 'time and space'?" Witchy takes another pull of her pipe.

During all of this Tea_Roll is sitting on the ground having found her old Firebrand Reborn Sheeta and several other toys from adventures past in her bag. She has no clue what is going on and is enjoying her play time.

Kaiidth and Springjoy are discussing their bundles of joy and hoping the adventure doesn't become to dangerous.

"I am glad I left the little on at home." Kaiidth says. "I am pretty sure something bad would happen if he had come along."

Interrupting them, Lovecraft says, "I hope a cliff is involved somewhere."

"TAH DAH!" TerrenaAnimula announces abruptly. Everyone turns and looks at her. "I got the items separated out. Any questions why I put anything somewhere? I have to admit towards the end I did just start tossing things places."

"Looks good to me!" Witchy puffs out some smoke. "I still really didn't know what was being asked."

"Submit it then," Reaper says. "I doubt any of the rest of us are going to look into it."

"Especially Tea," Springjoy looks down at where Tea_Roll is playing with her dolls. "I am not even sure she is aware she is on an adventure at this point."

"Lets do it then!" Lovecraft says. "And thinking we are going to moons and blades. And hope we aren't going to waste our time."

Tea_Roll looks up suddenly, "Nothing we do is ever a waste of time. We may waste OTHERS times, but never our own." She goes back to playing.

"Anyone else feel this isn't up to our normal standards?" Kaiidth asks looking over everything.

Everyone nods with her, but at this point there isn't much they can do. Just to wait and see what fate awaits them.

"Jett, have you seen the others?"

"Yooo Ilaera, hmm...not fer a bit. Even Potch aint here. I heard Esme say somethin' bout a picnic..." The man scratched his head and looked over his shoulder at her, not long ago he had been napping (which was made obvious by the messy hair and lazy tone of voice)

"I would send phaeri out to go find them but she is eating her own dinner right now. Last time I tried to take her away from that she seemed so mad...hopefully they wont be much longer. I dont think we can wait on this task."

Even being as half awake as he was, Jett knew that Ilaera would take this on herself if he didnt move his sorry ass. So he stood up and walked across the room to where she was sitting at a table with the cards laid out.

"I bet we can do this. Long as ya think they wont be mad."

"I think it will be fine. I know Sashi wouldnt be much in to another puzzle, and our newest friends had a hard time last year. So taking pressure off them would be a nice little welcome." She placed her elbows on the table and moved a few cards, inspecting each detail.

"We have to sort these in to groups. Im mostly stuck on if we sort based on the names 'Moon, Staffs, Blades, Gears, and Suns' or if we focus more on how said groups are described."

Taking a seat beside her he read over the notes she had written down about the different groups. It wasnt clear, not like any of these things seemed to be, but he was less worried than the girl.

Of course he liked doing things correctly but she was far more a perfectionist in these things.

"Well, what if we kinda do both? Sort what we can ta fit the descriptions, then if we get stuck use th' names?"

"Hmm, that isnt a bad idea. I guess as we get more sorted we will see how it goes."

She reached for a napkin and tore it in 5 pieces, drawing a little design on each. "We can stack cards by each of these to make it easier."

"I got a feelin' that th' experiment, th' singer, an th' cupcakes goes in moon. I cant find any other groups they really fit in. Jus that whole 'happiness an love'. Though a few could be friendship..."

"Nono, dont second guess it. We can always move them later. Its a good starting point."

She moved those over next to the moon symbol and then picked up three cards she had decided on as well. "Friendship bracelet has to go in staffs, as well as the airship and muumuu. They all fit the description of that froup better than any others."

"Im good wif' that, was thinkin maybe the dog tags would be staffs as well. Jus' kuz war times lead ta action and adventuring."

"Friendship as well, at least as we have found. Not like this is 'war' per say. But I like it." Ilaera added those to said group, then pointed to the blades symbol.

"What do you think about this one? The seamare doesnt much work in the happier groups, nor the gears. So with that I would say it really is best in this. Maybe with the darkside bookmark? It has little to do with any other either."

"Yeah stick em over there fer now. I dunno on th' darkside but it really fits the least in any category. Its jus' too vague. On th' other hand that thing bout spirits seems like blades as well." Jett pushed it over to that group, knowing if she thought he was wrong Ilaera would move it herself.

"Yeah spirits and necromancy do fit the below the surface and intrigue. The eye of the tigrean seems curious as well as dangerous." Now that Jett began moving cards where he thought best before making a decision, she did as well. It would work best to place them and then contemplate then spend hours of indecisiveness.

"Ok then gears, I got a few I jus' put by it. Tell me what ya think." He watched her expression to find it he had done ok.

"Hmm...the gear cloak and gear crossbow may be a bit too obvious. But we are going for both name and description of the groups. So leave it for now." She pushed them a few inches from the rest to remind them they werent sure on them yet.

"But, I agree for sure on the pocket watches because of the time portion. As well as the passing of time book. What do you think about erista being in that set?"

"Fine by me, this is a group effort after all. Cant always be right." He chuckled reaching for the Erista card and taking a closer look. It did seem the chaos was harsh it grew up in, and rift always made him think of time travel.

"Yeah why th' heck not. I dont think itd work anywhere but Gears or staffs kuz' the adventure in its travels."

"Ok we can set that as a maybe as well. Im going to also put rad radish in moon, I thought about it a bit and happiness seems both to be in the image and the story. Should moon rabbit go as well?"

"No idea on those two really, Id prolly set em there too. So lets go with it. If we got th' whole items in groups based on th' name we could also put book of golden suns in sun. Jus' seems like the easiest option. Maybe beaubell in it too...though It might also be moon."

"Yeah Im fine with sun having the book. Beaubell on the other hand might also work in staffs. Lets leave her aside for the moment."

"Well what else ya thinkin then? We still got a pile o' cards an all the easy to sort are out o' th way by now. Most of these could fit in two or three of em."

"Lets just try and pick which suits it better, otherwise we will be here all night."

"Ok then for th' fishing guide even though 'below the surface' in blades sounds related ta' underwater, I think its best in staffs. Its more adventure based than jus' puttin it somewhere because puns."

"Antique lingere only works for sun really. Both with its colour and it looking expensive."

"Th amy sticker is a toughie. Could be moon kuz her loving attitude, but because th' tragic death it is harsh and she is bound by time in her passing. So Im stickin' it in Gears."

"I like the thought behind that one. She still gets the joy as well." She moved all of the cards just decided on to their spots. "The tousled strands are throwing me off. Again like the bookmark, the description it has is so vague. All I can imagine is it looks sunny in colour as well as being light."

"I say go for it. Yer idea of it sounds way better than any I had." Jett grabbed the summoning horn next and dropped it beside the other gear items. "Seems dangerous enough. As well as this flufferkins. Though a bit deceptive with its love. I think s' more a danger than a friend."

"Let me write this down to help.." She said as she put numbers by each symbol on the napkin bits. "It looks like we almost have gears and blades finished, moon is half done, and then sun only has two. Staffs is almost half as well."

"Well either we try at suns, or do th' rest kuz they are easier and see if whats left in th' end fits there.." Jett said as he looked at how empty the sun row was. Who knew wealth and light would be harder to fill up than being bound by time?

"I dont know...if we leave it to whats leftover we may have a hard time if one doesnt work. Itd mean re thinking all the other sets. So lets try and get a few more in there."

Jett sighed, really feeling unsure about this last half of the cards. "Im gonna need a smoke after this..." He mumbled, trying to be courteous and not smoke up such a small room.

After staring at the tea time kitty he noticed that its little blurb sounded pretty lavish. Wealth would be a good way to afford drinking tea out of a hat. So he pushed it in to the sun pile, along with the tousled hair they had forgotten to put there earlier.

"oops, didnt notice that. We were talking about too much." She laughed "About the gamer control, I think that is staffs. The zeppelin also. Both are most related to adventure."

"I was just thinkin' that myself." Jett set those with staffs and re counted. Now staffs was at 7, making it the closest to complete.

"Now with th' gears. A few of these could work. I might be lookin' too deep in to meaning though." He picked up the snow globe and the assassination book. "Th' globe is stuck in time as well as bein harsh cold but snow brings joy. Then that book does have a blade but the through th' ages makes it relate to time also."

"Good point on the globe. I say it goes in gears. But the book...hmm..." She looked over the other groups and kept stopping on blades. "Sure it seems obvious because the name, but I also think murder stories have intrigue and of course danger. So lets put it there instead."

She grabbed it from Jetts hand and set it down. For some reason she felt quite sure of that choice.

"Hey works for me. I was jus' graspin at straws."

"Hey dont worry, we are getting so close." Ilaera patted his back, knowing from how fidgety the man was that he was craving a smoke. The faster they could finish this, the more likely she would keep his focus.

"Gingerbread pair seems love related as well as happy from the smiles. The block pet is most about friendship but doesnt work with action or adventure...so moon on both."

"For the sun group I think these only really fit there now that we are down to less cards." Jett held up the strawberry clip, the daisy jumper, and the woodland tea party.

"Now we are getting even closer. What if we add the tea pot purse to that? It goes well with the tea party."

"An th' cat with tea. I mean drinkin tea does lead ta a rich life in my opinion. Plus with tea leaf readin' ya may find wealth. Though again, graspin on that bit."

"Now we have seven or more in each. So just a few more!" She cheered them on, though this part would be for sure the hardest.

"The rreign eye is strange and the beast it comes from is dangerous. So another for blades."

"Cleanup broom seems to be love related more than anything else. Th' almonds were made for that event so it could go as well."

"Oh and the tempest was for the wedding too! Plus she is always so happy and generous."

"Ok, got those in Moon. Meanin we got all for that group...Maybe one of em belongs in sun. But which one..." He thought about it for just a second then had an ah ha moment. "Tempest brings gifts, which have wealth and give a richness to life. Plus her thunder is light. How about that?"

"Either seems to fit, so lets do that. We can always put her back in moon if we want."

Ilaera moved the tempest from moon to sun, and while doing so picked beaubell up.

"She seems very much to live to love and bring happiness. So I bet she is the one to fill moon up. Good idea on tempest. Otherwise she may not have been correct."

"Hey, I got good ideas sometimes. Though potch would tell ya otherwise." He winked at the girl.

"The face mask could be sun, pampering ones self is a rich life. But it also might be gears because of a hard day full of joy."

"Well there are a few others that could fit in sun." She grabbed the cards she thought of and laid them out in front of Jett.

"The daisies, seem like light. But they also could have been in moon. Though Im quite happy with how Moon is set. The seafoam sash is a good light item with wealth and richness. Last is the hoverfly shirt. It is light as well."

"Thas' a tough one...I agree we keep moon as is. I think the daisies are best in sun. Th' sash works well in staffs, an th' hoverfly actually kinda fits gears or blades. We can decide on that one last if we want. Th' face mask really is the toss up though. Sun works great for it, but so does gears."

"Ok for now Lets live dangerously and put daisies in sun and the mask in gears. That solves that struggle. I like saving the hoverfly for last as well. Because sun is now full that gets sash in its spot as well"

"Killed three birds wif' one stone, Im good with that."

He put the last five cards in front of himself and Ilaera, hoping process of elimination would end this.

"So we got three groups left. Staffs, Blades, an one spot in Gears." Jett said, pointing at each one. "Gears has gotta be th' rift or th' hoverfly. But blades could be th' hoverfly as well."

"The scythe could also be blades. As well as the hat sticker and taxidermy. So I say we try and eliminate a few before we put any in blades."

She pointed to the scythe "This works in staffs because it pretty much is one. Though its also a blade. If we pick which it goes in that clears up a good bit of the trouble."

"I think description wise, it works best in blades. Its more dangerous than adventurous."

"See, much easier." She put it in blades and said "Now only one spot there and gears. Staffs has the most open."

"Where would be best for the taxidermy and the hat sticker...I think those we will know once we place the rift and hoverfly."

"That shirt though is a challenge. Sure its intriguing, so Blades. But if we put it in blades then that category is full."

He placed his chin in his hands and stared at the last cards. "That would put rift in gears. Leaving the hat and the taxidermy for staffs. And I dont know if those work there."

"Well maybe its not adventure only in a journey. It could be adventurous decorating."

"Now yer the one graspin at straws." He smiled, but it wasnt a bad idea.

"Then the hat. It just doesnt fit in staffs at all to me. We have to move something."

"Well my only idea is moving the scythe to staffs. Just because it is one and gives us the blade spot for the intrigue and danger of a witch."

"I think that sounds good. Im glad ya decided for me kuz I was gonna stare at that darn hat until I burned a hole in it. Now all we gotta do is decide which two places ta visit."

"Hey its why we are a team. So now this is our finished sorting." Ilaera placed her hands flat on the table and nodded. It looked right.

[spoiler=The sorted cards] Sun (a rich life, light & wealth) 10/10:

Moon (live to love, happiness) 10/10:

Staffs (adventure, friendship, action) 10/10:

Blades (below the surface, intrigue & danger) 10/10:

Gears (bound by time, harsh/joyous) 10/10: [item=Gea