Within about 10-15 minutes, the van containing our party arrives in the cozy little village of Mordentshire, in the Echigoya Mountains in Morgura Prefecture. The van pulls into the parking lot outside the train station, and our party disembarks.
TRITHAL: "Thanks for the ride, Jeff!"
Jeff: "Sure. No problem. I just hope I still have an ass after my mom chews on it for being so late with her van."
After everyone and their belongings are outside of the vehicle, Jeff promptly pulls away and heads back down the highway toward Laurenstown.
At the ticket window, TRITHAL learns that they missed the afternoon train to Kurgemenheim by 45 minutes, and the next train won't be for another hour and a half. SOOOOO... now the party has some time to kill.
The party decides to split up and explore the small town's various shops, etc. The first place TRITHAL goes is the local bank (which happens to be associated with a larger bank with which he has an account) and cashes the check the party earned at the dungeon. THRAX, CHRIS and the Saibot chicks visit other places that interest them. CHRIS stops by the apothecary shop and gets some more headache medicine.
While everyone was exploring the town square, a motley crew of about 20 hippie-looking people started walking through, led by some slender older woman who was dressed as some flower child or something. The party noticed them, but didn't give them a second thought until the lead person spotted TRITHAL and called out to him.
Lead person: "Here he is, everyone! This is the man who opened my eyes to the reality of the world!"
The crowd approached TRITHAL. TRITHAL became confused and embarrassed at the spectacle.
TRITHAL: "Uh, who the hell are you?"
Lead person: "Don't you remember me? I'm Galaria!"
TRITHAL thought for a second, then responded "Oh yeah! You're that lady we defeated in Tanchi City. So, what can I do you for?"
Galaria: "Well, after our last meeting I took your advice and pursued my painting." (holds up portfolio of paintings) "I've done quite a bit during this short time, and I've enjoyed every bit of it! You were right! This IS true happiness!"
TRITHAL (still confused): "Well, I'm glad you think so.... So, who are all these people?"
Galaria: "These are some of the people I've met along the way. I shared with them the same message you gave me back in Tanchi, and they've decided to also pursue their true callings."
Guy 1: "I've taken up my lifelong passion of sculpting!"
Girl 1: "And I'm a really good fiction writer!"
Guy 2: "I like working on models and stuff!"
Guy 3: "And I'm an expert computer programmer!"
TRITHAL: "Eau kay... That's all well and good, but what does all this have to do with me?"
Galaria: "We all owe it to you for helping us realize how shallow the world is, and what it means to be truly happy." (gets on one knee) "So, now that our paths have crossed again, is there any more wisdom you'd like to share with us?"
The rest of the group gets on one knee and looks at TRITHAL as if he were some prophet or something. TRITHAL, still embarrassed at the whole scene, thinks for a minute then starts saying shit off the top of his head.
TRITHAL: "Ok then. Now that you've found what you truly love doing, you should find a way to apply it to the world. What can your painting, sculpting, writing, programming, etc. do for the common man? How can you make the world better by using your crafts?"
The crowd starts to murmur amongst themselves as if they're hearing divine wisdom.
TRITHAL: "Now, it's important to always keep in mind that you're doing what you're doing for the love of the craft, and not for profit or personal gain. If you are compensated for your talents by someone, then more power to you... but you should never perform your craft expecting reward or recognition. It's also important to remember that not everyone is going to appreciate what you do. There may even be those who would take offense by you performing your craft. If you do encounter such person, you should simply turn the other cheek and be on your way. You should never get into a confrontation over your talents... because then it will make it seem less-worth doing."
The crowd murmurs amongst themselves again about what they've heard.
TRITHAL: "Well, I'm sure there's more you want me to tell you, but we gotta catch the next train to Kurgemenheim."
Galaria: "Of course." (to crowd): "C'mon everyone! Let's go make the world a better place!"
The entire group stands up and, in very creepy unison, bows and says "Thank you for your wisdom!" then takes off down the road to the south. TRITHAL is still creeped out and confused.
Danika: "What was that all about, Trithal-san?"
TRITHAL: "da'Hell if I know!"
CHRIS (to THRAX): "Hey Thrax! Trithal has more worshipers than you do! Ha-ha!"
THRAX: "Pssh! Whatever! I don't care!"
After that whole scene came to a close, the party stops at a cafe for a quick meal. Luckily enough this cafe has a wi-fi hotspot, so TRITHAL whips out his laptop and runs a search on the Sormeo family in Kurgemenheim, who rescued Ella from Red Phile's house of ill-repute in Fafara. TRITHAL cross-referenced the information Mr Hatch gave him with the online white pages, and found the address and phone number matched. TRITHAL attempts to call the Sormeo home, but gets an answering machine. He leaves a message with his cellphone number.
Onacounta all that bullshit with Galaria, the party doesn't have too much time left for idle chatter. As soon as they were done eating, they headed back to the train station to catch the 5:30 train to Kurgemenheim.
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