Moving Forward, the Second Step (Alric and Ssafirsotibones)

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric studied the face of the intimidating man known as bones. It denoted intrigue, and thought. This man was not one to grab an opportunity, it seemed. Rather, he was one to evaluate a situation. It was undoubtedly wiser, but Alric was always too eager to participate in a learning experience. He could learn something from this Bones.

Alric listened to Bones questions, and nodded his head as he did so. He was interested in the fact that Bones was curious about the welfare of a man he had never met. It spoke to Alric of character traits that Bones did not immediately remind one of. Of course, he could just be curious. However, Alric was hardly going to ignore what might be a revealing character trait. Alric Answered Bones's questions in order, and in a measured pace.

"Well, from what the letter said he's hired a few guards, and that he's with a large group. That could mean he hired a lot of guards, or it could mean that he is with a caravan of like-minded people who left Alvadas. I would put my money on the second one since he needed to meet a schedule. As for where he is going... I don't know. He forgot to write that down. I imagine he's headed to Sultros, it's the closet city in the Kalea region(other than Kalinor, but I really doubt that's it.) and I think he would have remembered to write down any sea travel. He always seemed fascinated by that, so he probably-"

Alric cut himself off, realizing he was rambling again. It was a nasty habit of his, and he was doing his best to stop. However, sometimes he simply built up steam and kept going. He heard Bones agree to accompany him, and with a smile, he bowed out of respect, and led the way. Of course, it did not really matter which way you went in Alvadas, It was up to the city itself to decide where you ended up, but Alric always liked to pretend like he knew where he was going.

As they were walking along, Alric listened to Bones's second set of questions. They were also quite good questions. And Alric briefly wondered if there was any particular reason he was in Alvadas. Was it because a god had decided that it was a good fate? Was it mere coincidence? Alric honestly had no idea. He had planned to travel throughout Mizahar ever since he was a child, but he had yet to do so. There was just so much to learn here. Alric just did not feel comfortable leaving a place that still had so much to teach him. Still, as he thought over Bones's words (much like the man had suggested, albeit indirectly) he thought up an appropriate response.

"Well, I was raised here, so I am here for the most part because I lack the ability to leave just yet. Of course, I really lack the motivation too at the moment. I have a rather humble goal I believe, but it has driven my every action ever since I could talk. I wish to learn, I wish to learn everything humanly possible, and until such a time as Alvadas begins to hide its greater secrets, or it lies beyond my ability to understand the city further, I cannot leave. I simply don't have it in me. I'll leave eventually I suppose, but not for a while."

Alric, still curious about his new traveling companion, thought he might give the man a small push to share things about himself. He was a hypnotist after all, why not use his abilities?

"Excuse me Bones, but might I ask you the same? Why are you in Alvadas? What do you seek? Is there, perhaps, a singular goal in your own life? Or, is there a simpler more immediate goal?"

Alric laced his words with invasive Djed. His words carried both a hypnotic suggestion and emotional response. The emotion was a simple one, a feeling of security and trust. It was vague, and was meant only to establish a mood. It was hardly overwhelming, but most creatures liked to hold onto it anyway. In everyone's core, they wanted to find someone they could trust, and it was hard to deny that to themselves. However, it did happen, so Alric did not rely on that alone. In addition to the emotion he sent a suggestion. Suggestions were more powerful, but could not be out of character or the recipient might wonder why they felt so-inclined to do what they deem out of character. Which, if they did so, might reveal the hypnotist. The suggestion however, was nice and short, and unlikely to elicit suspicion. The suggestion was to answer the questions with honesty. Alric felt that Bone's wasn't really one to lie anyway, but it does help to have insurance.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones listened to the man prattle. He did not stop him, who knew he might say something interesting if he let him go on for long enough. Humans had a tendency to do so when they spoke for a while. And Bones had gotten a pretty good tolerance to listening to them. It had been quite a long time since he had last lost it and killed one for speaking to much. And from looking at the man, he could use the company, for protection if nothing else. For though Bones did not look it, he was quite capable in a fight, and was working on raising his intimidating demeanor to a level were would be troublemakers did not even bother with him. Bones was waling along with the man, when he quickly asked him a question. Bones paused for a bit, as he suddenly felt like answering him. Which in truth was rare for him. He generally kept things rather close to the vest, and kept his things to himself until he knew enough about the person so it was safe to tell what he thought. Of course this first bit of a push was not enough to arouse suspicion in Bones, but the way he answered would probably tell Alric more about BOnes than the contents of the answer. Most people having been pushed after all would answer quite differently than he did. If Alric paid attention to him, he would see that the emotional response was very odd, and though he was being truthful, he did not outright tell much. Though only if he was paying close attention to Bones when he answered. Unlike most, when the feeling was placed upon Bones, he gave off a grimace, almost seeming to snarl. He did not trust such a human emotion flowing through him, and disliked it completely, fighting it. How weak after all most one be to have to be solaced by such feelings as that? Bones was definitely not one to do so. He was always at the ready, and aware of threats, though to his own advantage he sometimes brought about the feeling in others he was protecting for reasons unknown to them. But he always kept such human feelings at bay from himself. This reaction if nothing else would further make Alric wonder what exactly Bones was... Since normal humans did not react such... His mentality obviously worked very different from the normal human ones Alric understood and could relate to. "Why am I here? It ssseemed like a good place for me. Mossst placesss I don't really get along with the localsss... And ssseek? Just to make myssself better and ssstronger, to grow... And I have boss many immediate and long term goalsss in my life, which I am working on achieving. But I will get to ssem each when the time is right. For now I just want to work on my talentsss, and be better at the thingsss I do."

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric was paying special attention to his traveling companion as they walked down the road, as he usually did after using hypnosis. It was important to observe the reactions of others to see how to best continue. At first, Alric did not see anything going awry, and assumed that he might be lucky enough to have come across a person who was easy enough to manipulate. However, Alric became most suspicious when Bones gave off a grimace. At first, Alric had thought he had been found out, and Bones was about to attack. Alric flinched instinctively, expecting a blow. However, it seemed he was mistaken. Bones was not attacking him. Instead, it seemed as though there was an internal struggle going on within the man. Alric filed the information away, adding it to a couple of observations that he had made already. Alric had no idea what it all meant. Yet, he was sure he would understand the meaning of it eventually. Alric listened intently to Bones's goals. They were noble enough, it seemed he too wished for betterment. Alric was of the opinion that those whose goals consisted of betterment recognized their flaws, and were much more in tune with reality. Of course, that was merely his opinion, and hardly conformed to the ever changing illusion known as the world. "An admirable goal, to be sure. To better oneself is most likely the noblest endeavor a mortal can make. I think you you are wise for it. Of course, what I think is hardly of any consequence, but really, it's all I really have to give." As Alric gave his opinion of the man's reason's and aspirations, he saw a very welcome sight. The Temple was off and to the left, beside two residential houses, both of which it seemed had turned to glass. Alric headed immediately for it. As Alric briskly walked toward his destination,he decided to use his hypnosis once more, only not as invasive as he had used it prior. He did not thrust into Bones's mind, but instead caressed it, and lightly brushed it. He sent in a suggestion that Bones should follow him. He left it at that, as it seemed like Bones might be more sensitive to rougher manipulation.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Having given his response, Bones listened to his travel companions response to it. It sounded more like more human drivel, with little meaning or purpose beyond inflating another ego... Humans really loved pandering to each other, hoping to get something from it, or to persuade others to do as they wished. He was pretty sure dhani were not ones to do that. The way he said it seemed obviously human, depreciating himself, while saying nice things about Bones... Bones preferred to just be blunt, and speak the truth, though he had learned from the way humans reacted to the truth it was better to hide things about yourself. He had gotten pretty good at speaking, and not technically lying, but still not revealing to much. Finally the two of them arrived at the temple, a place he had never actually been to during his time here... He had just never ended up here. Perhaps until now the God of illusions just did not want him to. Luckily for him this time, Alric's suggestion was not opposed to Bones. In fact, it went along with it, working quite nicely. It did not take much for the suggestion to work in his head, and for him to reason out that if he went along with him, he might learn something else, or benefit in some way. He had not specified that in his suggestion, but as was common in hypnotism, he had planted the idea, and his own mind had grown upon it. So Bones went along with him, following into the temple, wondering what he might see, or what it would look like on the inside.

[Alric Wilmot]

As Alric stepped into the temple, he took notice of Bones doing the same. He was quite glad of that, as it seemed to him as though his hypnotism was becoming more refined. It never occurred to him that it might be that Bones's desires coincided with his planted suggestions. He quickly strutted toward a familiar room meant for prayer, and weaved his way through fellow worshipers. The interior of the temple was spacious and rather empty of decoration. Alric headed to the main hall which was at the center of the temple. At the very center of the main hall stood a small raised platform, where the head priest often spoke from. Though he was absent today. Wooden benches were arranged in a semi-circle around the platform. Each bench held at least one head bowed in prayer, and Alric was intending to become one of them. However, He know felt rather ashamed. He had (in his own mind) brought Bones along only to ignore him for what would be an uncomfortable amount of time while he prayed. But, maybe Bones would find something interesting to do in the mean time? Well, it would be rude to not at least ask, so Alric decided to do just that. "Well, Mr.Bones, I'm terribly sorry but I'll be busy for the next few chimes. I apologize for not considering this earlier, but if it might please you, the Temple is a very vast place filled with interesting architecture. Or, if you prefer, you could join me in prayer, although, you don't quite strike me as the type to pray. Though, if you wish, I could pray to Ionu for you." Alric stood among the bustling people, facing Bones, awaiting a reply.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones followed along, looking around at the place. He had never really considered going in, but he found it to be quite interesting... He wondered how in all his time in Alvadas, he had never ended up here... Once he got to were Alric was leading him though, it seemed there was not much to do. And he was right, he was not really one to sit and pray to a god. And certainly not in a public place. The few times he had made prayers to gods, it had been in private, were it was only for him and the God, not for the prying eyes of other humans who might be impressed by this showing of visible devotion. That was another thing he did not understand about humans, how most of what they did was just for show, to impress the others of there kind, while in fact it was just meaningless. If he did something for others to see, it would be of consequence, such as a show of might or bravery. "I sssuppossse you can do asss you wisssh... I guessss I can look around for a while... Ssough if you take to long, I will jussst go... " Turning from the man, Bones walked off a bit, taking a closer look at the temple. He moved around a bit, looking at the different structures and arches making it up.

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric did not spend long on bent knee and hands clasped. He spent maybe all of five minutes at the most. He was never one to make exuberant prayers, and long-winded pleas. He was short, and polite. Ionu knew what was best, he believed. And so he did not bother to burden Ionu with needless details. His prayer was thus, that Ionu watch over his father, keep others from fooling him, and allow him to beguile those who would do him harm. Granted, that was excluding the introduction and conclusion, but truly those were only formalities. They were meant to keep a mortal aware that he was speaking to something greater than himself. It did not always work of course, a mortal's vanity knows no bounds, and often the get tossed aside as mundane ritual. He spent maybe a whole of 3 chimes on his knee, giving homage to the Ruler of Illusions, and paying reverent respect. He hoisted himself up as soon as he was done, intent on finding out if is curious companion had stayed. He walked about searching for Bones, and found him.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Most huyman Bones had long ago realized had little going on in there head, and were to quick to judge by the surface, and assume they knew things by face value. Perhaps that was one of the reasons he liked it here so much, few people did that, as everyone who stayed very long learned to never make assumptions, or that what they saw was all there was to something. Bones looked back to see that Alric was done, and was standing but a few feet away. "You finissshed your prayer? Good... Know what wasss it you were wanting to do, sssincsse we have ssat out of the way..."

[Alric Wilmot]

"You finissshed your prayer? Good... Know what wasss it you were wanting to do, sssincsse we have ssat out of the way..." "Yes, I've done all I intended to do for the day. So, Bones, I suppose that I'm free to accompany you wherever you may wish to tread, or we could part ways if you like. I'd rather not, but I suppose that's not up to me. Even as Alric spoke, a surge of Ionu's devotees came past both him and Bones, seeking to do as Alric had done, thought undoubtedly for a much longer period of time. Alric decided, that whether Bones wanted to or not, he'd prefer to spend a bit more time with him. So, he sent another small suggestion into the mind of his companion, coaxing him to spend more time with Alric. And, just because Alric felt slightly intimidated by the man, that they were friends as well.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones nodded, not really sure were he wanted to go, or what to do. "True, maybe we ssshould go out..." Walking to the door, he pushed his way past the influx of worshipers. Just as he got to the door, the last of them pushed inside. He took a few steps, and thought he heard a sound behind him, and looked back. Alric was about a step behind him, and only a pace outside of the door of the temple... Or what was the temple... As he looked back he saw that the entire temple was gone... Gone! As he turned back, he saw that they had also been moved... Or maybe they had stayed in the same spot, and everything else had... Regardless, now they were not near the beautiful temple, but instead down a dark alley. As he looked around, he brought one hand back to hold the hilt of his gladius, preparing to pull it out if needed. He did not feel like this was a good place to be, and he also noticed that they were at the dead end of a dead end alley... "Thisss might not be a good place to be... Watch your back..." No sooner than he said this, than a thug appeared blocking there way out. "Alright, hand over your gold and valuables, and no one gets hurt..." Bones moved forward, putting himself between Alric and the thug, who was holding up a long knife threateningly. He pulled out his own gladius, and stared down at him, as he towered over him by several inches. As he did this, the first man snapped his fingers, and three more thugs came out of the alley. Two of them were holding long daggers, and the third was wearing a pair of gauntlets, though the last one seemed to be showing some hesitation on his face, as he kept nervously darting looks over his shoulder. "What say you be smart, your goon here cant take on all of us. Hand over what you've got, and no one gets hurt." Apparently he had assumed Bones was Alrics hired guard, as Bones was wearing cheap cotton clothes, and Alric nice fine clothes. But Bones was not one to give up, or to give into thugs... He inched a bit closer to the first thug, still holding his gladius, and eying his foes, letting out a hiss of anger as his blood began to boil...