Entry Twenty One

Rossa

I finally found my brother! Sheesh, it's just like him to run all the way off to some dangerous place without even telling me. Good thing one of his schoolmates told me about Master Hale's assignment for him!

Anyway, big brother wasn't very happy to see me (is he ever?) and naturally he insisted I turn around and go straight home. Too bad for him I made sure I came by on the last ship to Sovelude for the month! Anyway, since I obviously can't go back that way now, I got big brother to go show me to the lady who runs the Guild. She's agreed with big brother to let me stay until the next ship to Sovelude departs, but before that happens I'll just have to make sure I make myself so useful to the others they won't want me to leave!

I got a chance to talk to some of the other people in the Guild big brother signed up with (the girl with the funny fox mask said I was 'cute'), and most of them look like fun folks to be around. I'm going out for dinner with a fist-fighter and her master soon! I hear they know how to focus energy to use for healing. Maybe I can show them how to manipulate ether to create lightning or fire.

Alexis

Entry Made: 3rd of the Month of the Golden Eagle, in the Seven Hundredth and Fourteenth year of the Holy Empire

When it rains, it pours. We've had three new applicants in the course of a single day, and frankly each of them have proven a headache in their own way.

Rossa Frei Astet is Asmodeus' younger sister and apparently prodigiously skilled in the astrological arts. She's also thirteen years old. In all honestly, I do not believe her suited for the rigours of Labyrinth exploration, and I can tell Asmodeus is uneasy at her presence as well. She appears insistent on contributing somehow, so I suppose I'll leave her as an escort for the less dangerous gathering missions until a ship that is returning to Sovelude can be located. I hope her enthusiasm doesn't lead to problems down the line.

But then I didn't get into an argument with his Majesty over her. Jared Rayleigh and Relena Rayleigh Mallorn have been operating a freelance shipping business in Batavia waters until recently and they decided that they apparently want a shot at the adventuring business. I can read them well enough to know that there're several events in their past they'd like to hide, but I don't feel the need to press issues. In any case, his Majesty felt uneasy enough with Jared that he didn't want to accept him into our Guild. This despite his obvious skill with a gun. It's not often that I challenge his Majesty directly, but I don't think a bad feeling is sufficient grounds for cutting someone out. In any case, he's in a bit of a bad mood right now. Relena's fighting style appears superficially similar to that of Midori's, so we'll see how she fares.

On to more immediate matters. I believe we've prepared adequately for a venture into the 2nd Stratum tomorrow. Thanks to the sudden rush of administrative issues I was unable to gather much information on the denizens of the 2nd Stratum, but the goals I've set for tomorrow's venture is relatively modest; a quick scouting to see the general terrain, and perhaps the strength of the beasts in the area, so we shouldn't face insurmountable obstacles.

Asmodeus

My worst fears have been realized. Rossa arrived in town yesterday, and after making sure the ship departed without her on it, she asked around until she managed to locate the Guild that I've attached myself to.

Naturally she treats the task assigned to me by Master Hale as some sort of glorified camping trip. I almost wish she would get involved in an incident of some kind of other so she would realize the dangers of the situation, and that her status as a 'prodigy' simply won't count for very much at all. But that's my emotions getting the better of me. The wisest course of action would be to limit her involvement with any Guild activities until I can safely send her back on the next ship bound for Sovelude, and I believe the Lady Alexis agrees with this course of action. Of course, there won't be any more of those ships for the rest of the month at least.

As always, my sister proves herself more trouble than she is worth.

Horoscope:

Hm. The stars are noticeably silent tonight. Puzzling, and somewhat worrisome.

Geoffrey

Thought for the Day: Always be careful that what you seek is not already in front of your eyes

Went to the Bistro again today.

Some of the patrons needed help.

Someone wanted honey from Amber bees. Left me with instructions on how to find it.

Passed that task to Adrian. She could use the exercise.

Another wanted help with finding a missing guild.

Discovered they tended to hang around campsites.

Found a girl at a campsite. Named Olympia.

She helped direct me to another campsite on the third floor.

Monster ambush on the way. Minor wounds sustained. Nothing severe.

Guild could not be located.

When I returned to Bistro, it was discovered that they had returned in my absence. Was rewarded regardless.

I thanked them for their generosity and went to eat my dinner.

Adrian

Mood: Grumpy

Master brought me a request from the Bistro today. As usual, he spends all his time there nowadays. Bah.

Anyway, it was a task to help grab some honey from a type of bee that only lives in the Labyrinth. I got Sidney, Rook and Atahualpa to head on down with me, and between the four of us we made short work of most of the beasties we found on our way down. Stupid metal crabs still took a fair bit of killing though.

Anyway, found the bee's nest, chased off the bees, and brought the stupid honey back to the bar. When we returned, I found out that Alexis had hired a new bunch of people. The sailor dude and his wife I get, but the last one looked kinda… dainty. Dunno how much she can really contribute, but I struck up a conversation with her and later Master invited her to come eat dinner with us. I swear, if he brings us to the Bistro I'm going to punch him. (And then I'll promptly be thrown through a wall or something. Master's still way ahead of me, after all.)

Atahualpa

The third floor of the Labyrinth is severely churned and trampled. Great beasts of some kind dwell there. I did not have the time to inquire of this to my companions when I ventured down, so I shall question the others of it later.

The upper floors of the Labyrinth are… soothing. Familiar. However, I am told that the appearances of the Labyrinth changes drastically as one ventures deeper in. I shall have to prepare myself for lands I am not familiar with.

I have found a Mole wandering wounded through the upper reaches of the Labyrinth. I will nurse it back to health and see if it will share its trust with me.

Ahul, know that your father is in fine spirits and good health.