+1 Amber (and action later)

[princeandscholar]

[The stone flickers to life and in its’ amber haze is young man in fine clothing.]

Residents of the Tree, may I have your attention for a moment? [A pause and a smile in greeting.] My name is Orcelito. I introduced myself at the assembly a few days ago.

As some of you already know, I've been crafting writing materials from the natural resources of the forest. I believe we'll need a reliable writing system if we are to organize our efforts to solve the mystery of this place. I’ve made excellent progress so far in creating brushes, quills, and dyes. Now I’m requesting your help to complete the project.

First, I need something that will darken and thicken ink. I’d like to use charcoal if possible. We’ll also need inkwells. If you can provide these or have any ideas, let me know.

Second, I have collected the materials necessary to make paper, but physical strength will be needed to grind them into a workable pulp. If you would like to volunteer, please contact or meet me in person.

If we combine our efforts and knowledge, I know we can create a steady supply of paper and ink for all those here. [A courteous nod towards the screen.] Thank you.

[The message flickers out. But he will have the amber close at hand as he lurks around the roots of the Tree. (Those previously helping in the project as well as those who want to join in are welcome!)]

Comments

[monster_san]

Sir--[pause.] That is, my friend Eren has built a sheltered fire. I'm sure he won't object to using charcoal from it.

Do you have a mortar and pestle? We can probably make a crude one from rocks and shells--I think I would be capable of pulping it, and I know someone else whose arms are definitely up to the task.

[princeandscholar]

[Someone successfully built a fire?] That’s great news! Thank you for letting me know. I’ll be sure to contact him in the future.

I don’t have a pestle and mortar yet. However… [He turns the amber screen to face something behind him. There are a couple of stones nestled near the roots of the Tree with shallow hollows and impressions.] I found these. They collect rainwater and serve well for soaking wood. We'll be able to use them as mortars, and I'm currently looking for rocks to uses as pestles. [Why do all the rocks around here have to be so big and heavy?] Your assistance, and anyone you could recommend, would be most appreciated, thank you.

[monster_san]

I'll look around outside. Stone would be my first choice, but if I can find wooden material that can hold up to the strain, I'll bring that too. [But it'll probably be sand and grit--stuff that gets caught under her fingernails at normal size, fits nicely into her palm as a fairy.]

Ah... one of the people I was going to ask has found you already, I see. Sir Owain does like to throw himself into things!

[princeandscholar]

I’ve found one stone that suitable so far. Any more would be welcomed. We'll need about five.

Your friend is certainly… enthusiastic. I hope he enjoys himself.

[scionoflegend]

[Owain does not know you, sir, but YOU ARE HIS NEW HERO]

OOH! Me! Me! I'll hel-- [...And the image flickers out as he fumbles the amber in his excitement. It's back two seconds later.]

Whoops. Er, as I was saying, I'll help! I am, as I'm sure you can see, a veritable paragon of physical strength! Hnngh... my pulp-grinding hand, it--it writhes in anticipation! I cannot hope to restrain it! I must pledge my sweat and blood--nay, my very being--to your glorious cause, on be consumed from within by the curse of my uncontrollable paperlust!

[What that's totally a word.]

[princeandscholar]

[Oh… w-well then… um…]

Y-your enthusiasm is most inspiring, sir. I am honored by your generous offer. I have the mortar set up with the wood at the base of the Tree. You may come find me and get started as soon as you are ready.

[scionoflegend]

A hero is always ready to answer the call of fate, and a worthy calling it is! Prepare the Mortar of Destiny... I'M ON MY WAY!

[He really is on his way even before he finishes that sentence, flying as fast as he can and soon arriving at the base of the Tree, grinning eagerly. PAPER. He will finally be able to keep track of all his new special attacks! And continue the saga of the Enigma King!]

[instrumented]

[He, Yuuki, and Saber were only just recently talking about this very thing.]

I can help with the pulp.

[princeandscholar]

Excellent. Thank you for volunteering. I will keep the wood soaking in water in the mortars at the base of the Tree. You should be able to see them from the air – I just put a few colorful feathers in the area to mark the spot. Please stop by when you are able.

[instrumented]

Yeah, sure thing. I can get a rock on my way for a pestle, if you've yet to, yourself.

[a beat] —I had only recently been wondering about how we would come up with a writing method. Your work is already very much appreciated. I'm sure everyone else will think so as well.

[sleepwardsnored]

[He'd seen the message through the amber, but responding to it remotely never really sat well with Link, so he'd sought the well-dressed boy out in person. Thankfully, he's not so difficult to locate, and Link's soon jogging on up.]

...Orcelito, right?

Are you still looking for help?

[princeandscholar]

[Orcelito pauses in the midst of putting a blue feather on the ground beside the mortars. He’s sure he’s seen this fellow before, but this is the first time they’ve spoken.]

Yes, that’s right. And I am.

[He gestures to the pile of splintered and wet wood in the mortars, and a dry stack of twigs sitting beside.] You’re free to work on the current batch or prepare the next one. Any help you can offer is appreciated.

[A pause as he stares at his new volunteer.] Haven’t I seen you in Chime’s shop taking care of the animals? [Orcelito goes there regularly to collect fallen feathers, and he’s sure he saw a young man in a green tunic there last time.]

[sleepwardsnored]

[He nods, already moving towards the pile intending to begin when Orcelito poses the next question. He looks surprised at first, but that face quickly fades, and he shakes his head.]

...Not exactly. I suppose you could say we're related...? [He's really going to have to figure out how to word that properly one of these days.] I'm Link, by the way.

[knight_king]

Good afternoon, Orcelito. I am Saber. It is a pleasure to meet you. [She bows her head in greeting and listens to his project.]

I do not know if I could be of help in this. At most, I can lend you my strength to grind the materials if nobody else has.

[princeandscholar]

[Orcelito returns the bow, though no deeper than she herself preformed it.] Miss Saber, it is a pleasure. I regret we have not spoken until now.

I’ve had a few volunteers, so I believe we’re sufficiently staffed. And I would not want to distract you from your duties. The work you are doing for our community is greatly appreciated.

[knight_king]

"Saber" will suffice. [She objects softly. She would not strongly protest against being addressed as Miss, but it is somewhat unnatural.] My sincerest apologies, I should have greeted you personally earlier. [She did see his face in the gathering, but it had already started, so she could not approach him and introduce herself.]

I see, I hope everything goes well in your project. [And wishes she could have been more of use. Perhaps if Kay had accompanied her, her foster brother would had been more of assistance.] It is gratifying to hear your approval, although I have done nothing without the aid and good will of everyone in this community, yours included. Thank you.

amber;

[braavado]

Looks like you have enough people helping out with the pulp.

[She looks thoughtful.] What kind of inkwells did you need?

[princeandscholar]

Ah, Korra. It’s good to see you again.

I'd like to have small jars to store and transport ink. They must have tight lids, otherwise the ink will evaporate. Where I’m from, we use vials made of glass, crystal, ceramics, or metal.

[A thoughtful pause.] Korra, I wanted to ask you… that thing you did with the sewing needles – I believe you called it ‘bending’. Does that… technique work on other substances besides metal?

amber;

[braavado]

[There's a second of silence on her end as she thinks about it, head tilted slightly.]

Metal's going to be the easiest, but I could try shaping something out of the stones around here. There's plenty of those for me to practice on.

[Then she shakes her head with a frown.]

The other stuff, though--glass and crystal. I definitely can't do anything with those. Sorry.

action

[dragonblood]

[ evening is closing in and with her burlap sack full of newly carved wooden pens, riona seeks out orcelito to hand them off to him. when his house appears empty, she ventures outside the tree to see if she can find him, and shortly does. what the heck is he doing anyway? ]

I've brought pens.

[ also, hi. riona stands patiently, hand resting on the open sack tied to her belt. ]

[princeandscholar]

[Orcelito is standing among the mortars and he looks tired. It’s been an exhausting day to say the least. While he’s only been transporting wood and straining the pulp, that alone has been enough to leave his shoulders and arms trembling. At some point he took off his coat and now he’s wearing a white shirt with long sleeves. When Riona approaches, he’s rubbing a hand over his face and through his damp hair. When he catches sight of her, he smiles and perks up.]

Riona! Good evening to you. [It’s evening already? Where did the time go? He has to stare at her for moment before both her words and the sack make sense.] Oh, thank you, that’s great! You can put them by my pack there. [There’s a backpack made of strawberry leaves sitting nearby – it must be his.]

[dragonblood]

[ goodness, even she can tell he looks exhausted. seriously, what was he doing? for now, she goes to put down the sack to where he gestured it's easy to pick his own out from the other greenery. after that, she approaches him. ] Have you been out there all day? You look— [ she looks him over again before her brow raises. ] Tired.

Action, earlier than Riona

[alley_kit]

[Kit freely admits that she's not strong enough to help pulp the wood for the hopefully soon to be paper. Maybe if she were a grown up, it would be different, but as it stands, there are others much better suited to that task. She can help carry the wood and water, though, so she makes sure that Orcelito and anyone helping him are kept supplied with both. It's hard work, but it feels good to be helping all the same.

Kit sets down a fresh bucket full of water with a sigh.]

How's it coming Orcelito?

[princeandscholar]

Ah, Kit. [Orcelito is in the process of shedding his coat – it’s too warm for it by now. He frees his hands and folds the coat over his arm.] Thank you for getting more water. Another batch was just completed. I think we can get ten sheets of paper from this one; we’ll have to find more places to dry them.

[He’s grateful Kit’s here to fetch water, as she doesn’t spill half as much as he does. And he’s going to help himself to a drink before that water reaches the mortars.]

[alley_kit]

That's great! Are the sheets that we already made drying OK too?

[Kit will be getting a drink herself too, probably. It's important to stay hydrated while working! And taking a short break for some food is starting to sound like a good idea too. Can't work on an empty stomach, after all.]