audio | un: silent + un: finn

[callada]

(color key: Rosinante and Finn)

Finn and I just spent the day following a couple people around town. Finn, you want to give them a primer on how that ability of yours works?

So, back on our first mission in Gyeongje, I… sort of absorbed part of the orb for a little while. It’s a long story, but because of that, I can apparently sense the other orbs and track them if I can find something that’s come in contact with it.

All I’ve gotten here so far are just feelings that it’s nearby, but Rosinante and I have narrowed it down. The Bransons have definitely been near the orb, maybe in contact with it. The kid, Jebediah Branson, and a woman named Poppy have probably been near it. As for the orb’s actual location, though, that’s really all we’ve got so far… But Jebediah did mention a father, grandfather, and an uncle he called Ches.

And on top of Finn's sense of all that, they’re not repeating themselves like the rest of the town and they know the others are. Even mentioned it a few times.

Two of the Branson men might, the father and grandfather of the kid, might still be inside the mines, probably in a part outside the loop Gwen described which is why she didn’t see them. This “Uncle Ches” fellow must work there too, the kid Jeb implied he was always covered in dirt when he comes home.

Their house is over by the stables, if anyone is feeling interested in some infiltration. Otherwise, asking around town about this Ches Branson could be helpful. Maybe hunt him down directly, if you can. But if he has the orb, maybe let all of us know before you tangle with him too closely.

Comments

[callada]

So the family doesn't repeat themselves, seems like they have their own minds and everything, and their handwriting is readable.

Assuming Poppy and her kid are exempt from everything that's happening, I really want to know what they think is going on in this town, and how long ago they noticed it all starting.

[bossily]

I have a suspicion Jeb is more than aware what's happening around him. But I want to be careful to not involve him, at least not in questioning. Not yet. He's only a child. One that's grown on me since I've become his teacher.

[callada]

Sensible, and I appreciate you looking out for him like that. But his mom, I'd bet someone here can find a way to start a conversation. See what she knows, if anything.

[bossily]

Poppy's very involved with his education. We could always use the schoolhouse if necessary. But I think we need to be looking more into the men in the family. Primarily Chesper and the elder Wilford Branson. Jeb's mentioned his father is Wilford Jr. and that he works in the mines. But I'm not positive that I've ever actually seen him.

[callada]

Completely agreed. Just thinking it might not hurt to have extra info on what the town is like from the perspective of someone we know sees it differently from the rest of them.

It sounds like we've got one person looking in on Wilford elder, Jeb's grandfather. Both he and the father work in the mines according to what Poppy said, which was why she was there to pick Jeb up after school. Guess Jeb was expecting his grandfather.

Chesper's definitely in town somewhere, if Poppy and Jeb's conversation was earnest. Probably in town tonight, meeting them there at home for dinner.

[bossily]

I'm not sure Jeb knows how to be anything but earnest. I'd trust what he tells me as much as I would any other child.

While other people are looking into the Bransons, were there any other areas you wanted to look into? We could take a peek at the stables, or try the mines. It would be better than just sitting idle.

[callada]

The mines seem like the glaring hole in our knowledge, don't they? But I hear people who go in them end up circling back around without meaning to. Not sure what can be done about that, but it sure sounds to me like something that would happen when someone, or some orb, doesn't want something to be discovered.

[bossily]

What, like it's cloaking itself there somehow? Or it's trying to prevent us from seeing a very important clue as to why it's even here in the first place?

[callada]

Or someone's using it to hide that they have it, where they're keeping it, and who they are in the first place. Secret home away from home, tucked inside a maze of tunnels.

Maybe all the above. Someone who's got this entire town on loop has more than just the orb to hide.

[bossily]

I'm sure it'll be absolutely heartbreaking once we find out the answers. Same as always.

[She really can't think of any of the missions that have left her with a happy feeling. It seems like all they do is charge in and create a lot of chaos before leaving everyone in the area completely ruined.]

[callada]

Too bad we can't order up a nice one from Viveca. That long break just gave me a lot of time to think about how messed up all this is.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm helping anyway. It's better than leaving these orbs out where people can use them to wreak havoc. I do think it's worth it. We have to keep the good part of what we're doing in mind, because otherwise people start to burn out and give up hope.

[bossily]

What do you think some of the signs are that someone is running low on hope?

private

[callada]

You doing all right, Clara?

private

[bossily]

Me? I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be fine?

I'm just worried about possibly seeing the signs in others, is all.

[callada]

Mm.

From what I've seen, all kinds of things. It's not always obvious. You have the folks who get listless, who just drink their days away, or the ones who turn to hedonism, but plenty of people just... go on automatic. Do the things they know they should do, but with none of the enthusiasm for the things they used to like.

If you see that sort of thing in any others, tell them they can come talk to me, all right?

[bossily]

I'll be sure to pass along the message if I ever spot it popping up. The people here are lucky to have you, Rosinante.

[callada]

Just doing my best to keep us all chugging along.

Back before I got my got my commission I had to do all kinds of leadership training, and then never made much use of it. I'm just not cut out to lead people from above. But maybe I can help out from within. More my style, anyway.

[bossily]

I think you're a better leader than you realize.

[callada]

[There's a bit of a pause before he replies, then,]

I... Thanks. Maybe so.