Open Bottom of the Barrel

[Lo'campo]

"Normal Text"
Mental text
Lo'campo
Oumoc
Losasa
Oumren

Ravok, 8th of Spring 517 A.V
"So what now?" Ren asked finally breaking the silience that resided withing them for 3 days now. They were in Ravok, with no job, no home and barely any money to their name. Sas said nothing, Lo' gave a grunt acknowledging that he heard her, but not caring for any of her words. Ren scoffed, a readjustment of her back pack carrying the one change of clothes she had along with other things.

"It's just like mom died all over again." She started

"Ren." Sas spoke not wanting her twin to start up again. "What? We lose mother and go out on a wild goose hunt to find him, only to lose everything AGAIN! And have to travel to who knows where with not even a pot to piss in." Sas went to say something that would justify their reason for all of this but she couldn't find anything. She only stood there, her blonde hair falling slightly over her face as the warmness of tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"Losassa" Ren went to comfort her sister but stopped short in front of her father. She gave a glance to him, her fist balled tight causing her veins to pop in her wrists. He knew it was coming, he could have stopped her and thrown her onto the ground, but he decided to let it happen. Not because he didn't care or knew that it wouldn't have hurt, but because he knew she needed it. She needed to let it out and let go.

"This is all your fault!" She let out, her fist connecting with his upper abdomen. "She loved you! Adored you! Waited day and night for you to return! Why? Why weren't you there? Why didn't you come back?
If you're so great and powerful then w-why did you leave us? Why! Answer me dammit!" She went to give him a kick to the side. Enough was enough.

Wrapping his arm around her leg he hoisted her up and held her with his other arm. "Put me down!" The emotional Ren sobbed as tears she'd been fighting fell like the rain. He let her hang as she kicked and tried to fight, but it soon calmed to a deep and sorrowful cry. Setting her down next to her sister, he pulled them in both letting their heads rest into his chest as they let out their tears. It was then that he realized what he'd been blind to this entire time. Sunberth, Jilene, the orphanage. His sister Minerva, the murders, even Oumoc. All that was left behind. He wasn't in Sunberth anymore. He was a fish out of water, out of his element. A single father with two daughters and a dark brother whom was bent on killing in a city that he knew nothing about.

If he could cry, he would have, and in that moment the universe had shifted a bit and showed a side of the Akalak that he didn't even know he had. "It'll be alright. He spoke reassuringly, kneeling a bit to kiss them both on their foreheads. "We just need to find a place to live and I can find a job...Lets find food first though. How does that sound?" He gave a smile while taking their hands. His head up and strides strong he began looking for the nearest tavern or inn.

[Lo'campo]

"Normal Text"
Mental text
Lo'campo
Oumoc
Losasa
Oumren

"The Malt House". The words lured the trio in with it's delicious smells of meats and other things being cooked. "Damn, do you guys think that we can afford this kind of food?" Ren whispered under her breath as she noticed the polished wood and other decor that set the mood of the establishment. The young woman had grown accustomed to the slums of Sunberth, and if the city of Sunberth taught her anything it was if it looked fancy then it was worth a lot of miza. Their minds were telling them to turn around and walk out, but their bellies would not let them, soon finding themselves at the bar counting out the miza to see how many they could spare.

The building had plenty of windows, but the lighting was horrible. Especially if one were trying to read or count something. "274 miza left. Seems like more than enough." He tried to sound reassuring to lighten the mood a little. The truth of the matter was that they were broke, dead broke to be exact. In fact, they were so broke that they only had enough to fully cover two of them this season if he'd done the math right.

"Oh the pain of parenthood right?"

Oumoc mentally chimed. Lo'campo didn't know if the comment was actually genuine or a method of teasing from his darker brother, either way though he was right. He needed to find work, fast. He could not fathom the thought of losing one of his daughters, but at the same time knew that he needed to keep his strength up so he could provide. The term being stuck between a rock and a hard place never made more sense to the Akalak than now.

"Could I get you three anything?" the bartender asked

"Hold off, I'll take them" A voice called out from afar. "Grayson Falks nice to meet you. I haven't seen your faces around here, new? To the city that is." He spoke in a smooth and calming voice, deep yet mesmerizing a bit and it made the Akalak uneasy. "Why by looking at you I would say that the pleasure is all mine." Ren shot back at him. Lo' made a grunt and she kicked him under the table. Anyone that knew Ren could say that she was as flirtatious as she was friendly and she was not friendly at all. They were broke, hungry, lost and other things and if giving this guy the time of day meant helping them gain something in this city then she was all for it. She was just using what she had to get what they needed.

"Ooh, well why don't we get you started with some bread and a good meal for you and?

"Her sister, hi my name is Lauren, and this is our...bodyguard Loumoco." Sas chimed in helping with the lie. She herself was a horrible liar but she doubted the man would think that someone would lie to a complete stranger or even care to what their names were. Lo'campo was furious as he tried to stop his blue face from turning purple. Loumoco? What kind of name was that?

"Alright then some bread and 3 good meals for Lou, Lauren and the lovely miss." Grayson winked to which Ren fake blushed and batted her eyes. "If only he knew the monster he was dealing with" Lo'campo mumbled as the tavern owner walked away. Yes he was upset but it had gained them a meal and maybe even an ally in this city. He would address after they ate, maybe even ask the lad if he knew any leads for work.

[Prophet]

An Akalak was not something that Ravok saw on a regular basis so it goes without saying that th agents of the Black Sun who spend their days patrolling the lakeshore found more interest in the big blue lummox than most of the other visitors and traders. The fact that he had a pair of Konti women with him was even more interesting. There would be no hiccups in transit from the mainland to the floating paradise. No one at the docks would dare challenge such an imposing figure but every single breath and step of the trio was notated by one pair of eyes or another.

Inside the The Malt House, ther strange man and his alluring daughters would certainly garner enough sideways glances and veiled stares but, again, few would ever openly challenge an Akalak. Food and drink would be served, the hospitality would be minimal but not rude. A business was a business and there was no reason to turn down good coin even if it was from the paws of suspect company. A careful approach and a well-organized unit moved without notice through the city. Boots didn’t make a sound when they were still on the bottom of a ravosala that glided effortlessly through the black waters of Rhysol’s city.

Inside The Malt House, a single musician plucked away at his lyre and recounted tails of glory and love but mostly no one paid him any mind – especially since no one wanted to pay him for his time. The barkeep and his crew worked efficiently to see that all customers were fed, given refills and even made small talk with some of the regulars. Strangers were left to their own devices and the chimes passed without incident.

A patrol of the City Guard came through the door. They seemed to be in high spirits as the Commandant waved a meaty hand high in the air at the owner. “Oi! We got a new Cherry today!” A metallic ‘bing’ resounded as the man’s massive paw slapped a bright-eyed recruit’s bright red skull piece. “Round of whiskey for my men and some ale, barkeep!” An echoing belly-laugh filled the ale house and several other groups raised their glasses in greeting to the guardsmen. Not a single man in the patrol overlooked the big blue fellow and his tiny, white women but nothing was said or done to indicate that there would be any issues. The night resumed the same way as it had begun – without incident.

When the product of Riverfall and his female companions would leave to find lodging for the night, they would exit onto the docks to find the square almost completely deserted. Two figures were sharing a fire from a small brazier near the edge of the docks and looked to be ravosalamen by the looks of their long poles and the two slim ships nestled at their feet. These fellows didn’t seem bothered by the quiet vacancy of the plaza. Should the Akalak head towards them, a figure would emerge from the shadows behind him and calmly address the big warrior with polite Common. If the blue man turned towards the City Center, the shadows would reveal the same man but he would be facing the Akalak and use the same greeting.

“Hello, friend. You seem lost. If you provide me with your papers, I will see that you and your lovely friends make it home safely.”