Scene #7042: Desert Blues

Owner	Pose
Ganondorf Dragmire	The thing about Gerudo Town is that it's unassailable. Not for any especially practical reason. It's just that nobody would ever want to go through the effort of marching through the extremely tight canyon, the miserable ghost-infested desert storms that are signposted with magical flags to tell you which way to go and stop the storm from fucking you up horribly, the bandits who seem to know how to hide from said ghosts and pass through the sandstorm unaided, the lack of edibles, the lack of drinkables... It's not that the Gerudo themselves are particularly well-fortified. It's just that they live in Literal, Actual Hell. By the time Amelris finally gets to town he's taken down a couple groups of bandits and had to avoid a number of those things called Poes, with their creepy lanterns and yellow eyes and hoods and Black Mage-style facelessness. He's had to get through the scouring wind of the day and the freezing wind of the night. He's had a journey and a half, alright, but the actual white walls of Gerudo Town are doubtless a welcome sight, as is the little shantytown set up outside it. There are more of those magical signposts out along the edges of the town, odd flags flying from atop the walls, and some kind of odd moss growing on top. Lezard Valeth has a shack somewhere around here, too. There's a group of Gerudo guards at the gate. They are, indeed, extremely tall, extremely amazonian dark-skinned red-haired women, wielding pikes, bows, and scimitars. The shantytown is almost entirely made up of traders. One of them, a portly gentleman, waves at the cat. "Come on down," he says, "Sit down and take a load off. We're just in from Hyrule and we're waiting for deliveries." "Name's Malrose." The man offers Amelris a canteen. "You?"
Amelris Belthrone	Amelris is no stranger to dangerous, unusual journeys. This is goes pretty high up there on the harrowing metering. having a first look on the plight of the area is rather different than just hearing about it. The desert have very little to offer in ways that are not going to try to kill you horrifically. The bandits are the least of his worries, he did take care to avoid the ghosts as it was suggested to him. There's no point in trying his hand against them if there is no reason to start fighting them. At least, not at this point in time. It also helps that he have a glorious steed with him, both to help carry things and just is useful as a resting aid. Chocobos are wonderful companions. Still, the tall walls of Gerudo Town is already a sign of success of a journey that was at least worth doing once to get here. The shanty town around is a little less encouraging but that must be the traders in question. Even with his long cloak he brought along and some other gears to prepare to cross a desert, it still was pretty bad. Amelris, leading the dark chocolate-brown giant steed fowl by the reins, pulls down his scarf to let out a breather, accepting the invitation of one of the gentlemen. He remembers qutie well how some trader he met on the way behaved and talked about the Gerudo. Might this be different. "Appreciated, good sir." The Miqo'te replies, sitting down, keeping his steed next to him. The Chocobo chirps, sitting down and nestle herself comfortably. He takes the canteen, taking a drink then offering it back. "Amelris Belthrone. I've took my sweet time to get here." He looks up at the walls. "It's in a better state than I imagined."
Ganondorf Dragmire	"Oh yeah, the city's in great shape. Almost as good as the women." The trader leers at him. "Just like them it's tall and strong and just like them it's a jewel in the desert." He laughs. "Too bad about the whole criminals thing." Malrose takes the canteen back and stows it back in his pack. "So what'd you come for? Hoping to get abducted? Every so often some moron comes out and camps out front of the city hoping for one of them to take him in. They never do. The Gerudo don't seem that interested in people who actually want to make the trek." He offers Amelris a ration, then chews on one of his own. It's not bad. "I think they just don't like desperate men who can't hack it in their own country. Heh." "Anyway, the city's in good shape because of the witches. The Gerudo are witches. They use witch magic to repel the ghosts. All these poles around here?" He jerks his thumb at the flags and poles. "They hold off the sandstorms so the city can actually function, which holds off the ghosts. It's why we're sitting out here, safe as you please. Aside from them watching us like we're the thieves here. Heh. Can you imagine? Like they have anything worth stealing." "Selling, sure, but we buy. We give them rupees and food. They give us materials. Buyer's market. Can't blame a man for making a living." "Although I'll admit some of the traders here go a lot more overboard than I do." Malrose eyes one of the men across the way. "That guy over there, Elmar. He's more of a criminal than any Gerudo I've ever known. Comes down here and buys their silk for dirt and scraps. I'll at least give an honest deal, but that guy..." Malrose shakes his head. "Gives all of us a bad name." "I may not like the Gerudo as anything but eye-candy but, hell. Merchant's pride is a thing, too."
Amelris Belthrone	Well, if that ain't just a little microcosm of everything he heard about in this one, large rant about a city. WHat is it with him meeting portly old merchants, or drivers or what have you that seems to know very well the local area and are oddly supportive? Eh. He'll take it. Amelris lets out a small laugh at the comment of being abducted. "No. I'm here to trade and get a pulse on how things are like with my very own eyes, instead of relying on what everyone says. Make my own impression. That's one of my principles." He takes some of the rations, nodding, taking a bite and showing off his own sharp fangs. "No, of course they wouldn't. Nobodys likes somebody that desperate on that front." He thinks back on his own upbringings. Yeah. Things are pretty different on that front from the Gerudo but he can definetively see the thing. At least, Keeper women do not kidnap men, altough it IS matriarchal. "Witches, hm? Is that a bad thing, then?" Amelris asks, causally as he looks back around the shanty town. "If they have enougb magical know-how to do something like this, it IS impressive in it's own right. Being here, I can appreciate that much." His eyes follows to this fellow, Elmar, frowning briefly. Now THIS bit reminds him more of Little Ala Mhigo. The Gerudo aren't quite AS destitute as the Ala Mhigans are in that poor place, they actually have roofs and amenities instead of caves with just tents. Still, the principle remains largely the same. "I did deal with some bandits on the way there. Good warriors, I'll admit. Pretty swift and stealthy." Amelris comments, nodding, a hand leaving to scritch the head of his chocobo. She chirrups, feathers ruffled. "Has the Gerudo always been this isolated in history? Is this situation new?"
Ganondorf Dragmire	"Didn't say it was a bad thing," Malrose said, "Fact of the matter is that there isn't a lot of magic in Hyrule. The Gerudo witches are some of the only people I've ever heard of who can do it, and I'm pretty well-travelled. Just one more reason to be wary of them. And their King is the Warlock King, and he's..." Malrose says nothing, but there's the distinct impression that he's seen Ganondorf, and that it left a major impression upon him. He diverts the topic immediately. "They tried to take over Hyrule a thousand years ago. Ask me, they deserve everything they get." The merchant takes another bite of his rations. "Anyway, you're a weird cat guy, but if you're here, you're either a merchant or a desperate, and you don't seem like a desperate, so you're welcome out here." Malrose waves a bit. "This whole tent city is a thing merchants came up with a long time ago. There's a steady stream looking to buy and sell, and we bring bodyguards to deal with - yep, with those bandits, and caravans, and so on. And none of us can come inside the town, obviously. 'cept the Gorons. They let Gorons in." He shrugs "Go figure." "So we came up with this bright idea. We go in shifts. Those of us who stay here sometimes just setup little places here, get paid to keep watch and keep the tents standing for next time. I'm one of those. I'm old, I'm heavy, I'm not a young man and I don't bother. I just get some money to maintain the town, and send my wares off." He sips from his canteen. "I have people to do that for me, and honestly, it's not so bad out here if you're in this little bubble of witch space. A little harrowing, but they do take care of us, and their magic is strong." "Plus, since those new guys showed up, the monsters have been even more unwilling to come out of the sandstorms. Great for us."
Amelris Belthrone	In a world without TOO much magic WOULD make the actual known magic users to be distrusted, Amelris reasons. It's a little difficult for him to comprehend but the logic of 'having a strong, rare ability' and being wary of it is something he can understand very well. He furrow his brows, albit worriedly when he skips the topic of the King. Hm. Leaves an impression on people. That seems about right from him speaking on the Link pearl. "I see. So they are paying for the sins of their grandmothers." Amelris comments, looking back at Gerudo town. Is this fair? Probably not but it likely feels to them. It's a justification. Hm. The war a Thousand Years ago. That's another thing he'll have to look into, then. Amelris flashes the man a grin, a toothy, sharp grin, adjusting his hat. "I am a Miqo'te. That sounds better than 'weird cat guy', please. Thanks you, however." A circular glance is given which makes the welcoming spiel of the man make more sense. He's a permanent around the shanty, trading town around the city itself. "Hm. Ingenious." Amelris adds, nodding stoically. "I imagine the resident comes out when they need things from here, then." He returns his attention to Malrose. "The new guys, hm? Good for you all, then." One ear flaps, pausing for a beat. "But monster /do/ still come, even if not as commonly." He concludes.
Ganondorf Dragmire	"Gonna have to forgive me; never heard of your tribe before, and I've been all over the place. Far as Labrynna and Holodrum, even." Malrose takes another swig of water. "As for the sins of their grandmothers, they're paying for being thieves and kidnappers as much as anything else. They act like they're holier-than-thou, Goddess's gift to the world, can do whatever they want, but they're thieves and witches, and nobody wants 'em around except deviants and desperates. Like I said. Nice eye candy. Wouldn't want to be married to one." He eyes one of the guards. "Well, maybe I would. Be an adventure, that's for sure." He takes another sip. "Basically. They come out to deliver goods and we exchange money and food and then the relationship carries on." Malrose waves his hand. "Monsters have always been part of the Gerudo Desert. Even their...King..." Again, the hushed tone, where he sort of rushes past it, going into an entirely different topic. "It's no more or less dangerous than it ever was. They just seem to keep to themselves more now. Rumor is the new folks who just showed up in Gerudo Town have been keeping them away. Sometimes you'll see a fat man in a weird white outfit up on the wall, or that creepy ghost, or that purple-skinned kid from Labrynna. Sometimes you'll even see..." He leaves the thought unfinished. He clearly means Ganondorf. "...and they all sort of keep the monsters away from the outer ring. I think their presence is enough to deter anything but the most stubborn and mean ones. Which is great for us. Means we don't have to do much work or pay guards." "Plus you have to be bold and daring to come out into the Gerudo Desert." He shrugs. "We might need to charge them low but it's so we can make the profits worthwhile. You probably noticed what a shithole this place is. Coming out here is dangerous and if we don't make a real good profit then we're risking our lives for nothing, y'know? It's not as simple as it is for some people." Again, a glance at Elmar.
Amelris Belthrone	Amelris waves a hand, dismissively. "There is no offense. I do come from quite far." So, an isolationalist country, thinking they are holier than thou, think everything is permitted and can do whatever they want. That part sounds like Ishgard. The thieves and witches part, however, is very high, hard 'no' on that front. "Marriage is an adventure to begin with, so I'm told. My tribe's," Good word, that, he'll keep using it. "women are of a similar nature. My mother comes from a long line of hunters and warriors. I'll let you imagine." Well, Pirates, but he'd rather say 'hunters'. That's probably better. What's interesting is the news of a fatman with a weird white outfit. NOW that's one thing he haven't heard of in the past. The other two, sure. Not the first. "I understand the need of a merchant to balance risk, reward and danger. This IS a remote place AND a dangerous place. This do make price go up. It's simple economics." Amelris ponders this over, eyeing at Elmar similarly before adding. "What sort of problem you often run into in this wonderful little relationship?"
Ganondorf Dragmire	"A lot of them," Malrose says, "But mostly the anger. All of us are alike in Gerudo eyes - which I guess is fair, they're all alike to ours. I'm sure we're penny-pinching thieves and swindlers because of the ones who are, and I'm sure the ones who are justify it. It makes them angry, it makes us angry; a nasty cycle, and probably not a breakable one. At this point...well, we don't have any good name left to spend." "Ugh, I need a drink." He pops a bottle and takes a swig. "Melon wine is famous throughout Hyrule. Try some. You owe me a few for the sips but we'll call it even if you tell me what you're doing here." He holds the bottle out to Amelris.
Amelris Belthrone	A viscious cycle. That's what this is, is it not? The rest of the world was justified in being wary and hating the Gerudo a thousand years ago. That rage of failing or whatever else might've happened simmers in them. It goes back and forth. The Miqo'te merly tap his tail at the bit of wisdom from the older man. "That's always how it is. It does feel unbreakable." Amelris blinks at the bottle, taking it with a nod. "That seems like a fair trade." He agrees, taking a sip out of it. He winces, letting the taste wash into his mouth. He swallows. "It is as I said. I've come to trade, get a look at how the situation is with my own eyes. Talk with my own words. Make my own conclusions." He give a gentle pat on the head of the chocobo next to him, which only answers with a brief, muffled 'wark'. "To /understand/, you see." His gaze turns back around to him. "And, perhaps, make the area a little better when I leave it than when I arrived in."
Ganondorf Dragmire	"That's nice of you, I guess. They probably won't let you in." Malrose chews on his rations some more. "The rules are very strict. I've only ever seen glimpses of Gerudotown. I was invited into Voetown briefly - it's not bad. Better than you'd expect for what sounds like an awful prison. Mostly it's just awareness that men and women are different and want different things. Hell, their King considers himself a woman, and there's women who think of themselves as men in Voetown." He takes a sip. "It's an odd place to be sure. Nothing like Hyrule at all. Men should be men and women should be women. Confusing." He shrugs. "Anyway, you'll probably be allowed in there." "And you probably don't want to meet with the King." His voice gets very quiet. "One of our traders got mad about how much the Gerudo was asking for. A real skinflint. You know the type. And he demanded to be let in to talk to the King and get his proper worth. Absolute nonsense, he was cutting them bad, and I thought for sure they were going to turn him away as usual. And then they let him in." "It's quiet for about two hours," Malrose murmurs. "Then, in the fading light of dusk, we see the King and Joannes - that was his name - on the ledge." "The King's holding his face in one huge Gerudo hand." Malrose shudders. "The next thing we knew the shadows just hurled Joannes into the desert. And all we heard were his screams." Malrose takes another long swig of the bottle. "And then the King looked at us with those eyes full of hate and walked back away, and everybody knew better than to try that again." He sits there, quietly, for a long minute. Then, finally, he says, "So what else do you want to understand?"
Amelris Belthrone	"Different cultures, I suppose. At least, they allow the men to settle near them." Amelris replies. "The men of my kind wanders while the women makes communities. It is... different." He remains silent during the story, his gaze following where he imagine the event happens. He can imagine an Hylian arguring with them. Arrogant, self-assured, confident in the knowledge that his little drama will be acknowledged and paid with. After all, aren't they deseperate savages, thieves that lives in a shithole? Of course they'd bend. He squints, looking up at the rampart, imagining the look. The screams. Unsettling. The Miqo'te leans over to the Chocobo during the long minute of silence, pondering this and ruffling into the saddle bags. He takes out a bottle himself, filled with an orangy liquid. He pulls the cork away and the tangy smell of orange fills the nearby air. He takes a swig, then offers it to Malrose. It is a tangy, orange-based alcoholic drink, for certain. Strong citrus taste, yet sugary. "Quite a lot. I shall have to look into that Voetown for myself." he looks aside. "What about that? Has people tried to sneak in anyway?"
Ganondorf Dragmire	Malrose catches the bottle. "Thanks. Of course people have tried to sneak in. People have done everything from wear womens' clothing to just trying to climb the wall when no one's looking. They always get caught. The only people who walk in in women's clothing who aren't men say they're women and act like it anyway. And since they've seen you, I doubt they'll buy it now." He shrugs. "Some kid named Vaati did that, and he apparently got away with it, so I think they're looking twice as hard now."
Amelris Belthrone	"Hn, hn." Amelris hums, nodding once. That do make things... a little more complicated, then. They'll be even more alert. First, he'll have to think on his actual /goal/ here. Just make some friends? Some contacts? Do some jobs? He don't need to enter the town until he NEED something in the town, to talk to someone. "I doubt so as well." He looks up. "What about scholars? How would one meet with one of the witches in particular?" If anything, THEY'LL be wisewomen and the scholars. And the historians.
Ganondorf Dragmire	"I have no idea," Malrose says with a shrug, "You don't, I guess." "Nobody I know has."
Amelris Belthrone	"Then that will have to be something to discover." Amelris replies, smiling, waving at the bottle. "Keep it. Thanks you for the welcome and your information, Malrose."