Editing Navero Ep1 (section)

===A MEMORABLE CONVERSATION===

While on a long boat trip to the eastern continent to look into the
small matter of surgery, the characters finally got a chance to sit down and
relax for the first time in about 4 levels.  We were sitting up in Dania's
cabin, except Navero, who was curled up in his own bunk.  Navero was seasick
for the entire trip.  (Why do people come up with spells like Gorgar's Spell
of Tactical Nuclear Devastation, but no Cure Seasickness?)  At this point,
the party had shrunk to Navero, Dania, Kortul, Topash, and Serga.

'''Topash''': "... we're past pirate waters, and the Sea Dragon is dead, and the
captain says we'll be there in 2 or 3 months, smooth sailing."

'''Dania''': "Two or three months with nothing to do.  Shit."

''(Pause.  Everybody sits and stares at each other.)''

'''Dania''': "Haven't had that for a long time."

'''Topash''': "Yep."

''(Longer pause.)''

'''Serga''': "Why did you become an adventurer, Topash?"

'''Topash''': "I'm not.  I travel with you because it is convenient, an excellent
way to discover sources of imbalance."

'''Serga''': "You mean adventures?"

'''Topash''': "Well... yes, I suppose."

'''Kortul''': "Which makes you adventurer."

'''Topash''': "Well, yes.  Hm.  Why are you an adventurer, Serga?"

'''Serga''': "Not much else I can do for a living.   I tried opening a food place,
but it didn't work."

'''Dania''': "Ha!  Don't doubt it; they'd probably think there were eating people, or, er..."

'''Topash''': "Tactful this evening, aren't we?"

'''Dania''': "I'm sorry..."

'''Serga''': "Never mind, it's OK.  I'm used to it.  What I really want is to get
a nice house somewhere with a garden, maybe a gardener, with flowers
and butterflies, and lots of nice songbirds."

'''Dania''': "Somehow, I can see that.  You'd probably have the house sized to you, of course."

'''Serga''': "Well, I'd keep some normal furniture for guests.  I wouldn't make you
sit in a chair sized for me, little magic-user."

'''Dania''': "Thanks.  I'd feel like a kid again."

'''Topash''': "Why are you out here, doing this?"

'''Dania''': "Hmm...  Well, when I started, I'd gotten kicked out of home by my
father.  He caught me in bed with a drow.  So, I just want enough
money to buy a castle bigger than his.  The best revenge is living well."

'''Topash''': "Did you like your father?"

'''Dania''': "No.  He was a paladin for the Paths of Light, and he was always
somewhere else, killing dragons or something.  I got a Holy Avenger
for my 16th birthday.  I think I disappointed him, he wanted a son.
Mom ignored me; she was always either diddling in magic or dancing
in the woods with her flaky relatives.  Mom and dad didn't get along
too good."

'''Serga''': "That's sad!  Didn't they spend time with you?"

'''Dania''': "Not much."

'''Topash''': "So that's all you wish to do?  Just do well enough to spite your
parents?  Surely you must have some long-range goals, a household,
children..."

'''Dania''': "Children?  Me?!  I don't think so.  I'd probably be a lousy mother.
Sometimes I think I'm too much like my own mother, and I can't see
myself devoting myself to some kid.  Besides, what would you guys do
without me, huh?"

'''Kortul''': "Go out, have fun without you?"

'''Dania''': "Ha!  I can just see myself, 8 months gone, running after you guys,
'Hey!  Wait for me!'  Damn, I'd miscarry on a horse."

'''Kortul''': "Hmph."

'''Dania''': "What about you?"

'''Kortul''': "Simple.  Get money, get fame, make my name.  Go back, set up a house
and start family.  Raid, or farm, or herd, as needed to live.  No
intention of adventuring permanently.  Only masochists go out, get
beat up for a living."

'''Topash''': "This is just a means to an end."

'''Dania''': "That's kind of sad.  What about us?"

'''Kortul''': "Want to get married?"

'''Dania''': "WHAT!?"

'''Kortul''': "Me neither."

'''Topash''': "Why don't we declare this a group marriage and go live at Serga's?"

'''Kortul''': "Only one woman."

'''Dania''': "Hey, I don't mind."

'''Serga''': "You sure?"

'''Dania''': "Uh, well, er, uh..."

'''Kortul''': "Ha!"

'''Dania''': "It's not funny."

'''Topash''': "Would Navero perform the ceremony?"

'''Dania''': "I kinda doubt it.  He is a little less... uh, he's a little less than
he was when we first met, but he's still kind of innocent."

'''Topash''': "Yes...  So much has happened."

'''Dania''': "Yea.  Remember when you tried to get Kory out of that trapper?"

'''Topash''': "Yes.  Remember when Meth Crystal drugged the Night Hag?"

'''Serga''': "When did that happen?"

'''Dania''': "Long time ago.  I don't think you ever met him."

'''Serga''': "Well, he died, but that's all I ever saw of him.  Are you still mad at Kory?"

'''Dania''': "Huh?  No, not much."

'''Serga''': "I just want to find out what he put in my drink.  Maybe bounce him
off a wall or two."

''(pause.)''

'''Dania''': "What are we gonna do?"

'''Kortul''': "Get out of latest mess.  Go back.  See what next mess is."

'''Dania''': "What do you think these surgeon people will do?"

'''Topash''': "No idea."

''(pause.)''

'''Dania''': "What about when there aren't any more messes?"

'''Topash''': "We'll make some more, just like always."

'''Kortul''': "Take care of that when needs be.  Getting late."

'''Dania''': "Yea.  Good night, all."

'''Topash''': "Good night."