PM to join The Job (Edgar, Kuvarahk)

[Darkalin Pinewood]

Do not grade based on this. This is simply quoted. Day 17, Season of Summer, 514. From his place on the wall, Darkalin could easily see the crowd by the sanity center. What is going on there? A party? A murder? A Religious Meeting? He had to find out. So, he climbed down the wall, jumping the last few feet. Running through alleyways was Tedious, so Darkalin started scaling walls, jumping from roof to roof. He now had to find out what was happening. So many people, and not very many are even entering the center. Maybe something big, like a war, a hunt for monsters, or a nobles coming? He was greatly disappointed to find out, that these were simply people looking for jobs. He jingled his Miza bag. Could use a bit more money. Maybe getting a job will be fun. That had sealed it. He looked at a board, one full of papers, and chalk, all as unorganized as the city itself. Odd jobs..... Kuvarahk.... Wanda's Alchemmia Alchae.... Hazy air.... Steeply sloped roofs.... Got it. And with that, he went up onto the roof of the nearest building, and set out to find the Alchemmia Alchae.

[Edgar]

GODS DAMN IT, NOT AGAIN!!! The day had actually started to look like it was going to be a nice one. Edgar had managed to make some new friends and even got a nice meal at a really fancy(A least, by Edgar's standards) restaurant. The late-day's sun had even gifted Edgar with plenty of shadows to hide in as he return to the streets. The streets, however, were not as generous. It seemed to Edgar that every time he turned a corner he was anywhere but where he should be. The few times that he actually seem to make progress he would find himself back where he was an hour or so before. He passed The Rose at least three times when he thought he was heading due West, and this was his fourth time finding himself back at the city's entrance. To make things worse, the place was even more crowded with people than before. Okay Edgar, calm down. It's getting dark. Maybe I can find someplace less crowded and get airborne. I'll feel better with some wind under my wings and maybe from up there I can make heads and tails of this pla... Is that Darkalin? Sure enough, there was Edgar's new friend leaping from rooftop to rooftop, dropping down right into the courtyard of the Sanity Center. Or the Insanity Center, as Edgar thought of it. That one small area seemed to be the most crowded part of the city, and almost everyone there seemed to be in an ill mood. Not exactly the kind of place a Zith should introduce himself to the locals. Even if the center was the only place in the city that actually stayed where it belonged, Edgar would rather take his chances with the crazy streets, get to know everyone on an individual bases instead of as a mob. Still, it seemed strange to Edgar that Darkalin leap his way into there. Was someone chasing him? Was he chasing someone? Poor guy had already been robbed in this city once. There was really only one sure way to find out. Edgar took a deep breath and adjusted his cloak before heading into the crowd. Edgar slowly made his way though the crowd, gently pushing people out of his way when he couldn't find a way around. As much as all of these people made Edgar nervous, they were probably a more effective way to go unnoticed than standing by himself in the shadows. It is much easier to breath in the shadows though. Oh, gods! Has anyone here ever had a bath! (In truth, Edgar probable had the strongest odor, being covered in fur and bathing mostly in rivers.) After what seemed like an eternity Edgar made his way through the crowd and out into the courtyard. Edgar readjusted his cloak as he scanned the courtyard, quickly finding Darkalin in front of some kind of bulletin board. Guess we can rule out a chase then... Edgar walked up behind Darkalin and cleared his throat, "Um... Uh... Hey. I, uh, I saw you jumping around and, uh, yeah..." Edgar noticed the post that Darkalin was reading: Alchemist seeks enterprising individuals to aid with a variety of odd job needs. Ask for "Kuvarakh" at Wanda's Alchemmia Alchae. It tends to be located in a corner of town where you will find brick buildings and narrow alleys, usually beyond some body of water. Look for steeply sloped roofs and air that is somewhat hazy. Well, those are some specific directions... still, I guess I did come here for a job. Truffles can't live in a cave forever so I will need money for a stable... Edgar reread the post, taking mental note of it so that hopefully he would not get lost again.

[Kuvarakh]

Kuvarakh was returning from the mansion, his mind heavy with a number of difficulties, not the least of which his hands, becoming more paralyzed with each passing day. The Greenhouse had conveyed to him how much it missed the "Pine Barrens Gentian" that had one graced its floral diversity. It had given an illusion of the plant, in the form of a painting in great detail, for him to take with him.

Secret :

It had taken him a moment to close his hand around the rolled up illusory canvas. It was getting harder all the time to generate a muscular action sufficient to overcome the resistance of his hardening hands without overdoing it and damaging what he held. But he'd taken special care with it and now had to reverse the effort. At least there was no danger of "over-opening" his hand to hand it to the elderly woman in the herbalist booth at the Bizarre.

The gray haired sweetheart took it with a smile, something Kuvarakh did not get many of from strangers. He could not blame them though. He imagined that he would not be too receptive to a walking corpse, were he not one himself. She furrowed her wizened brow and pursed her lips. "A Blue Pine Lilly! Now that's quite a task for an old girl like me to find, sonny." Kuvarakh suppressed a grin at the pet name, figuring he was probably a good eighty years older than she was.

He gave her a questioning look instead and she continued, "There's only one place you're still likely to find one of those lovelies, but I'm a-fearin' you'd be even luckier to find your way back safe and sound, sonny." Kuvarakh maintained his perplexed expression and she went on, "We stopped gettin' a stock of theses delightful jewels at near the same time we started a-gettin' rumors of attacks by flying critters in that area. I'm talkin' 'bout the pass, three or four days west o' here, Elkar...Elkatar...somethin' o' that sort. Zith they were, real feral ones. Not the type that try to fit in with decent folks, like what live here."

Kuvarakh gave in to a mild depression. He greatly enjoyed the glad aura of the Greenhouse, and hated to think of disappointing it. The little woman cocked her eyebrows and looked to reconsider her words. "Now, now. Don't be takin' what I say too much t' heart, sonny. There's no tellin' what may've changed out in those parts. But if you DO go lookin', be sure'n bring someone wich'a ta keep a look behind. And folks DO like to tell their tales a mite taller than they really came down. You may just find a bounty of Blue Pine Lilies and not a Zith anywhere nearby. Of course. there's other hazards in the wild to be watchful of."

They spoke for awhile about past adventures, and made vague promises of what profits they could make if she could find a source of the rare plant. She admitted with some regret that this would not be a season where seeds could be had, but that if a source could be located that was not threatened by Zith, it could be fairly lucrative to return in the Spring to fetch a few seeding specimens.

Kuvarakh thanked her and made a note of the prospect for future consideration. For now though, he knew HE could not hope to pick any flowers, his hands being in the state they were. He was obviously going to have to find someone to do it for him. He could only hope someone needing some money might come upon his bulletin at The Sanity Center. The few that had come by already had enough tasks on their hands.

[Darkalin Pinewood]

Darkalin was surprised to see Edgar. So surprised, that he almost forgot why he was here. "Oh, Hello. I just came here to find out what was happening. How have you been? He noticed that there were other Jobs Available. Assistant needed at Temple. Please ask for Daran Rosefang at the Lobby. Guards needed to protect small trading Party. Meet at the Rose. Pay is good, and the road should be safe. Leaving on the 17th. Carpenter seeking Apprentice. Look for the house with Blue Tile Roofing, and Wooden walls. Will display the Number 371 on the front, near the door. If you can find the House, then the job is yours. They all sounded good. But the one at the Alchemia seemed to be the east restraining. At least there, he might be able to see more than two feet in front of him. " I think I'll see this Kuvarahk. Alchemists are probably very interesting, might even know some stories." He mumbled, just noticing that almost everyone had left.

[Edgar]

"Um... Yeah, I... I think I'll do the same... I'm getting bored of, ah, traveling alone anyway. " As the crowd thinned out Edgar and Darkalin left the Sanity Center (By rooftop this time, a great way to avoid people that Edgar would have to try again. No one ever looks up!) and started to head toward the closest corner of the city. As they got farther and farther from the center they saw less and less people out in the streets. The two started talking about the adventures they've had, and the ones that they still plan to have. After a bit Edgar reached into his cloak and pulled out his cane from where he had it in a loop on his belt and started to twirl it lazily about in his right hand as he is in habit of doing. Over all it was a very pleasing rooftop stroll. For about fifteen minutes. "I hate this stinking city..." Edgar muttered under his breath. It was well into the night by this point and most of the windows had gone dark, their candles blown out by those fortunate enough to have found their destination while there was still light to find it by. It had been hours since Edgar and Darkalin had left the Sanity center and they had yet to find anything that matched the description in the post(and yet they managed to pass by The Rose an other three times.) "I hope I never see that damn restaurant for as long as I li..." Edgar stopped dead in his tracks and pointed to his right."I don't know if you can see it in the dark," Edgar said to Darkalin, But there is that bloody restaurant again. I don't think we are making any progress whatsoever." Edgar looked around for a bit, taking in his surroundings. The dark did make it easier for his to see and he could see pretty far from the rooftops, but that only made things more frustrating. There seemed to be no pattern to how the city shifted and with as far as Edgar could see he still could not tell how it was moving. Everything seemed to stay put when he looked at it, but the instant he turned his back or even blinked something totally new would be in it's place. There was no way to figure this place out from where Edgar was standing. Edgar snapped his fingers "That's it!!! Edgar undid his cloak and tossed to Darkalin, "Hold this for me, will ya?" And with that Edgar leaped off of the roof, spreading out his wings so that the wind could fill them. With each flap he brought himself up higher and higher into the night sky. Above the rooftops. Above the congestion. Above the city. Now this is more like it! Wind in my wings and my head in the clouds! Edgar flew up high enough to where he could probable see the whole city and changed the rhythm of his wings, shifting from large, strong flaps to faster, smaller flaps to hold him relatively in place. Maybe now I can make sense of this madness... Edgar looked down at the city, but he never saw it. As soon as his eyes reached the inner part of the walls Edgar lost all sense of direction. He couldn't tell what was up and what was down, his head felt like it was being gridded between two large gears, and his eyes burned like he had looked straight into the midday sun. Edgar came tumbling down, down, down. Thankfully, the instant that Edgar came level with the walls he regained composer and spread out his wings. With a snap he was jerked upward as the wind filled his wings and his speed suddenly dropped. It was too much for his wings to endure and they where forced backed to the point that they were behind his back and could no longer catch the wind. This was still enough to save Edgar's life though and he landed safely with a splash into some sort of water way. He floated down to the bottom and kicked himself back up. He breached the surface with a sputter, coughing out the water he swallowed in his crash, and swam to the edge of the water. He clawed his way back onto land and laid down with a flop onto his back, panting and wheezing as he coughed up more water. "Oh Akajia! Wha... What was that?!?" As air once more filled his lungs Edgar stood back up, cupping his head in his hands "Oh gods, my head! WHAT WAS THAT?!?!" Edgar looked back up and started to try and figure out where he was, but the air was kind of hazy and the alleys around him were too narrow for him to really see through them. Edgar walked up to the closest building and noticed a sign by the door that read: Wanda's Alchemmia Alchae".

[Kuvarakh]

The gray of evening prevented an immediate identification of what it was that was dragging itself free of the water that was frequently found out front of the alchemy shop. Sympathy for the poor wretch that had just taken an impromptu bath aside, he was glad to see the waterway, it would help guide prospective errand-runners to his door.

He was a little intrigued to see that it had taken the shape of a moat this time. He turned to scan its scope and found that, judging by the slow curve of its arc, it must encircle the entire 6-block area where Alchemmia Alchae was most often located. When he saw the wings on the victim, he believed he understood what had probably happened.

"Every day is a learning experience is it not, my friend?" he said cheerfully, extending his hand to the furry, dripping figure. "This day, you have learned that our patron deity, Ionu, does not allow flight to bypass his mischief. I expect you found yourself suddenly beset by an overpowering disorientation. I had a Kelvic Raven friend that used to complain about that. But she eventually gave up trying to defy it and took up walking as an alternative."

It took only a moment to determine that this person was a Zith. Kuvarakh had mixed feelings about that. On the one hand, he was not generally given to racial prejudices, being a member of one of the other races most frequently loathed by humans. But on the other, he had had only one major encounter with a Zith, and the fuzzy bastard had tried to enslave him, or her, rather, as he had been occupying a female body at the time.

The hunter had simply swooped out of the sky over Cyphrus and snatched her up, intending to carry her off. Kuvarakh had freed herself by using hypnosis to trick the creature into dropping her into a large pond. When its mind had cleared, and it returned to recapture her, she pulled it into the water, using the leverage gained by wrapping her whip around a submerged log, and drowning it. Being a Nuit, she wouldn't drown, and though the Zith had clawed her horribly during the ordeal, she simply jumped into its otherwise undamaged body.

Occupying a Zith body had initiated some adventures of its own, when he'd tried to return home, which was Riverfall at that time. So even though he was well acquainted with unprovoked hostility, based only what race he appeared to be, he also knew that the guarded attitude most people had towards Zith was well-founded.

But this situation did not seem to warrant outright belligerence, AND if this fellow was of an amiable demeanor, he could actually be the very answer to his current problem. "Come on in my shop and dry yourself. Were you, by any chance, looking for me? In regards to my ad at the Sanity center, perhaps? I am Kuvarakh. And you are...?"

[Darkalin Pinewood]

Darkalin Caught the cloak as Edgar took off. All seemed well until..... BAM! Edgar fell out of the sky. What just happened? He Jumped a couple of roof tops so he could see Edgar better. The air grew hazy around the young Symenestra. The buildings became mostly brick, and there was a waterway..... With Edgar right beside it. Darkalin knew he had missed something. He just didn't know what. And then, a man came out of the building right under Darkalin. The man walked toward Edgar, and began talking. The Symenestra could not hear what the man was saying, but Edgar was still on the ground. I'm probably going to regret this..... The boy walked back from the edge, and readied himself. He started to run towards the edge, each step pulling him farther from Retreat. at the edge, Darkalin Pounces, yelling "Begone!" even as he rushes down towards the Man.

[Edgar]

Edgar had not heard the man approaching, an unusual event for Edgar given his species' sensitive hearing, and was startled when the stranger first spoke. Edgar reached for his cane as he turned toward the voice and started to remove the blade hidden within it, though his movements were slow and untrained and he was able to see that he was not being attacked before he could actually draw it. Edgar clicked the blade back into place as he analyzed the speaker. He looked human, mostly. The pink, stone like hands where definitely an unique feature. As the man introduced himself and reached out his hand Edgar noticed that he was discolored and had sunken, dead eyes. In fact, if he was not moving one would have thought that someone stood a dead body in the street. Had Edgar known about the undead it would have been obvious to him that he was in the presence of a Nuit. However, Edgar had no idea that dead people could live on as anything other than ghosts and simply thought the man sickly, perhaps stricken by a disease that turned hands to stone. Edgar should have found the man unsettling, even healthy people that he could hear coming made him feel nervous, but this stranger had a soothing quality to him. He spoke like a thinking man, just how the people that Edgar called family spoke. After a moment's hesitation he carefully took the man's hand and shook it. "Thank you...Kuvarakh. My, ah, name is Edgar. Edgar Cornilian. And y... yes, I am here about your, um, ad. Oh! and I had a, uh, friend who also..." This time Edgar could hear someone coming. More specifically, running. On the rooftops. As this person came flying off the rooftop screaming Edgar grabbed Kuvarakh and pulled him behind himself as he reached once again for his cane. "RUN!"

[Kuvarakh]

Kuvarakh recoiled somewhat as the Zith, Edgar, suddenly grabbed him and pulled him behind to take his place. The echo of some other source shrieking at him to "Begone" was still ringing in his ears as the Zith now shouted for him to run.

The Nuit looked on as a thin, pale man charged towards them. The hilt of a greatsword loomed over the approaching man's shoulder, but he was not wielding it. The Zith in front of him grasped the handle of a cane the way one would grab a sword in preparation to drawing it.

Kuvarakh did not want to hinder the Zith's movement, in case the situation ended up truly requiring violence, but the fact of the other man's unarmed status made him think it was unlikely. Instead he held up his hands, pink and near petrified, to show him he was unarmed. He kept his eyes locked on the man running toward them, but asked the Zith out of the side of his mouth. "Do you KNOW this guy?"

He stepped to the side to be seen more clearly, his hands up before his chest. "I mean no harm to either of you, sir. I thought perhaps this man had come about a job."

[Darkalin Pinewood]

As the boy sailed through the air, it almost seemed as if time slowed to a snails pace. Syna seemed brighter, almost dazzling in brightness. Everything seemed brighter to the young Syms eye. The smells of flowers wafted from nearby, and the scent filled his nose in a way that he had never experienced before. The street slowly approached, and he saw the man move from behind Edgar, whom had been in front. He continued his slow journey toward the earth, noticing the small things in life. He heard the water rushing onwards, the birds singing their songs, and the tap of boots upon the streets. He saw the man put his hands up to show that he was unarmed, and he said "I mean no harm to either of you, sir.", and he saw that the man was still in the path of the young Sym. Yes, I truly regret this now, and I will regret what will happen, but there is nothing I can do now. He thought, sighing in regret. "I mean you no harm either, but I'm afraid what happens will happen." He called before him, even as time seemed to change back. His senses became duller, the scents no longer reached his nose, the sounds no long met his ears, and the sights became darker, Syna dulled, and yet he still went onward. Darkalin closed his eyes, hoping not to see what became of him, when he felt himself crash into a stiff body shaped object. All he felt was numbness running through his body, stifling the pain. He opened his eyes, and looked towards his left leg, and saw a horror of which he had never seen nor felt before. "Oh no...... No, it can't be....." He cried aloud, staring at the shards of bone sticking out of his deformed leg. That was all he saw, thought, or said, before darkness overtook his vision, bringing him into its soothing thrall.