Book the Second, Chapter the Tenth: An Introduction to Soci

[Mr. Handy]

Henry watches warily to see what will happen, ready to respond.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

There is no apparent reaction from the statue. The presence of fresh blood draws the attention of tiny vermin; such as subsist on this form of nourishment.

[Mr. Handy]

"It may need to be physically moved out of the way,' says Henry. "It would be awkward on this stairway, but I believe Eliza and Ivan can do it. Or we could go back down and try a different stairway."

[jp1885]

“Aye, yon fellow is not hungry,” mutters Lepus as he wraps a rag around his hand. “‘tis agreed: let us try moving it and if we fail, try another route.”

[Mr. Handy]

"With the right parts, I could rig up a rope and pulley system," says Henry. "We could swing the statue out over open space and place it on the stairway behind us."

[SunlessNick]

"Where would we find such parts here?" Eliza asks. "Perhaps we need only tilt it a little, enough to squeeze past."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

There is no immediately obvious supply of equipment to construct a device such as Doctor North has in mind, no doubt inspired by the famous remark ascribed to the ancient sage Archimedes, that he could move the Earth with a sufficiently lengthy lever, if he had a place to stand.

Be that as it may, the combined strength of Ivan and Eliza is more than sufficient to move the statue. As to the grace with which the deed is performed, that may be another matter.

Spoiler:

DEX 9 and 180

Fortunately, the great weight is carried with sufficient care -- handsomely, as sailors say -- so that no mishap follows. Carried out of the way, the staircase beyond winds its way up, a narrow beam of light illuminating the steps from some distance above.

[jp1885]

"Ah, bravo strong ones!" cackles Lepus. "Let us ascend, yesno?"

[SunlessNick]

"I think we are all eager to be elsewhere," agrees Eliza.

[Mr. Handy]

"Well done, both of you!" says Henry. "Indeed, onwards and upwards."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

After some time spent climbing upward, the adventurers are surprised to meet with a human figure standing on the stairs facing them. He appears to be of the physical type encountered in the Pacific isles, although much more slender than most, with ribs clearly visible, given his minimal clothing, best suited to warm climes. He puts out a hand and speaks, although the words are in a language completely unknown to all present. Among the sounds heard is the oft repeated word aku.

[Mr. Handy]

"Aku?" repeats Henry. "I believe he wants some form of payment to pass. But what is an aku?"

[SunlessNick]

"He appears very thin and hungry," says Eliza. "Perhaps aku means food."

[jp1885]

“Art thou hungry?” Lepus asks the man as he fishes out a morsel of food from his bag.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The fellow grabs at the food and devours it with the fury of a predatory beast. Having thus found sustenance, he opens his mouth wide, revealing large, sharp teeth, and sticks out both hands. In a voice louder than before, he repeats his unintelligible speech, often gesturing at himself while speaking the word aku, whilst simultaneously making fearsome expressions appear upon his countenance. His manner, in general, alternates between pleading, threatening, and demanding.

[jp1885]

Backing away slightly, Lepus tilts his head. "Yon fellow's appetite will not be sated methinks. Do we fight him, trick him or turn back?" He grins, somewhat evilly. "Mayhap I could feed him a grenadoe - I still have one or two..."

[SunlessNick]

"Perhaps he wants a pice of food from each of us," suggests Eliza.

[Mr. Handy]

"This man is not our enemy," says Henry. "If we could figure out what an aku is, we could give him one and pass. In the meantime, it wouldn't hurt to give him more food." He reaches into his pack, which Ivan carries for him, and offers the man a piece of fruit.

OOC,Does my Gift for Languages give me any hint as to what aku means?

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Whilst observing the fellow feeding, with no evident knowledge of the niceties of civilized dining, Doctor North dredges up a bit of lore that may be relevant to the man's repetition of the curious word aku. If memory serves, the term is related, in some vague, loose way, with the more familiar tabu, introduced from the Pacific isles by the famed Captain Cook. The exact definition remains obscure, but it seems to have something to do the islanders' religious beliefs.

More quickly than voice can say, the man has consumed all sources of nourishment that the adventurers possess; seemingly enough to satisfy even the appetites of Gargantua and Pantagruel, if one may indulge in hyperbole, as related in the droll fable of the worldly monk Rabelais. Yet he still holds out his hand for more, and his stomach exhibits no evidence of becoming any less sunken.

[SunlessNick]

Eliza wonders if the sight of the statue might satisfy the strange man, and gestures for him to follow her down the stairs.