1st of Summer, 514 A.V.
It had taken most of the day to find The Shining Diamond and after that a considerable number of bells to talk to the owner. Kelski had known right away that he hadn't expected a kelvic. And she knew too with a certain dread that Guancho Li had spotted that in her immediately. When he'd asked her how old she was, Kelski had hesitated for a moment, and that's when the old man had blurted out that he wasn't going to waste his time teaching what he knew to a mouse that was going to expire in six months. And he made it plain he could see she was a kelvic and that unless she assured him it was a kelvic with a lengthy lifespan, the interview was over right then and there.
His demands weren't made because he was cruel. Kelski understood that. He was aged and not used to having his time wasted. And she hadn't balked much when he'd asked her to strip so he could see her shift and examine what sort of creature she exactly was. Kelski had been naked before men before, so to her the request wasn't unusual. She did as he asked and the jeweler bold as could be approached her large sea eagle form and reached out a thumb to touch her beak, wiping at the cream she'd placed on her lips to conceal their color. The transformation had carried the cosmetic over and her eagle's deep black beak tattled on the concealer she'd been using as a human. Bold as could be he grabbed her beak in his hand and wiped at the stuff lining her deadly maw and shook his head.
"It's shameful to hide who you are. If you are to be my apprentice, you will come and go openly as the kelvic you are. No secrets. I don't want anyone thinking I'm trying to deceive them. And a Sea Eagle... my my... I bet your eyes are better than mine by a long shot. And I bet you'll outlive most of the folk here as well. Alright. I've seen enough feathers. I prefer skin. Change back please." He said and Kelski had, trading one form for another.
Guancho Li didn't let her get dressed. Instead, he gave her a thorough looking at, turning her around and even boldly reaching out to touch some of the marks on her back. "You ever bonded?" The sea eagle shook her head.
"But you were owned." The girl nodded. "I was born to Svefra, sir. My eyes changed to this silver color early on. My pod was pressuring my mother to throw me into the sea since I wasn't born with Laviku's mark either. She traded me on shore for supplies instead. The man that took me kept me in a cage mostly, though he let me out to work and train. He died recently. And I just walked away." Guancho Li nodded.
"Slave then. But this is no brand." He said, tracing his hand down her back to cross over to her right hip. A gnosis mark glittered there like a mystical raised tattoo. "No sir." Kelski answered but did not elaborate. Guancho Li ran his hand over it again, looking thoughtful and waiting for her to admit what it was. When she did not, he smiled. "I know what it means, child. I just wanted to see if you would be forthcoming. Obviously you have your limits as do I. You'll take off your clothing for a complete stranger, but you won't utter a word about your love for Akajia. I understand." He said, turning her around once more. She wore a necklace made of silver holding a crescent moon wrapped around a swirling gem.
"Your work?" She nodded to his question and he smiled. "Good stuff. I've been meaning to branch out and make more holy symbols. Maybe I'll put you on that first and foremost. Get dressed, girl. And don't take your clothing off for anyone anymore unless it was your idea. I'm going to be your master now... your paying master.. not your slaver. So you'll be at work with me most of the days. You'll get every fourth day off, and have your afternoons free. I'm tired by early afternoon, so you'll stay no later than the fifth bell before you have time to yourself. I provide lunch here. We usually have it sent over from somewhere or send the security guard to get it." He said, starting his tour and taking her from room to room and then into the workroom to show her the jewelry forges and other equipment.
Kelski was charmed. Guancho Li was gruff but he was fair and she could tell he was a good person at heart. He was clear on his expectations and what she'd earn as pay. And he'd made sure she'd have free time in the city as well. Overall, the interview couldn't have gone better and she was excited by it. Her work would start on the morning, and after a few ten cycles Guan would make sure she got keys.
Kelski was excited. It was a new life. And she was happy to get going with it.
So with the tour concluded, expectations laid out, and Kelski's hours set, Guan turned her loose into the world to have a free day and arrange for somewhere to stay. The Kelvic didn't tell the old master that she'd already found herself a place and the cave was very nice. She had close food, shelter and warmth. Plus, there was a stream to bathe in when the weather allowed. As it grew colder she'd have to switch to some sort of bathhouse. But that suited her just fine. She didn't want to actually stay in the city. She just wanted to be able to be here.
And with that she took her leave of Master Guan and set out in the city. First things first, her grumbling stomach had her longing for some human cooked food. Then, she needed some sort of map of the city, so she could learn to follow it and see what all the towers were about and what the wwarren of shops was.
Kelski came out of the alleys where The Shining Diamond was and walked into the light of The Surya Plaza and simply started looking around. Her eyes were keen and she could see more than most non-kelvics. The crowd parted around her that was all intently moving somewhere else. But the Kelvic stood still, turning slowly, trying to decide which way to go.