Hunting for Scraps [Open, Feel free to hate me]

[Wing]

His silence was maddening. Wing waited in anticipation for his answer, though her hopes were low and she doubted he would allow her to live. What was I thinking, coming here? They are no different than Zith.. closed minded and unwilling to accept the truth. When Nevar spoke it only confirmed what she had been thinking. While he might accept her story, no other Akalak would. Her coming to Riverfall had been pointless, and may have cost her her life. But then Nevar offered her a way out. She didn't know who or what Woredev was, but he didn't sound at all pleasant. Wing didn't doubt that Nevar was right in his assessment of her, she was no fighter and it Woredev had any skill it was unlikely she could best him. The option he offered her was not one she wanted, but it was a way out. A way to survive, and perhaps even one day Wing could try to return. Wing could fight Woredev and probably die, or she could leave Riverfall and most likely live. It wasn't really a hard decision, but it was still difficult for Wing to make. But in the end she was a survivor, and she knew she had to leave. But where would I go, she wondered. The drykas who roamed the Sea of Grass would likely receive her with little more love than the Akalak had, so she could not go there. She had no desire to return to Din. Perhaps one of the other cities she had heard of in her travels would take her. Finally Wing slumped, her wings folding lightly around her shoulders. "Very well.... I accept your offer. I will leave Riverfall." At that moment Wing felt something form within her, a tiny seed of something. She had hoped the Akalak, a civilized people as they were supposed to be, would realize she was different and let her stay among them. She had been a fool, the Akalak were just like everybody else she had met. She had been so close to the life she wanted only to be turned away. Though she didn't know it then, the seed that was planted in her mind would eventually grow into something darker. One day Wing would return to Riverfall, but would it be for a second chance or for revenge? It was a question Wing could neither answer or knew she should ask. "I am ready when you are.."

[Baku]

Nevar gave a slow nod, reaching out to the cell door with his free hand as a key slipped out from between his fingers. The cold iron slipped into the lock and with a turn of his wrist, the sound of metal sliding and scratching along itself echoed into Wing’s ears. Nevar then reached to the bars of the cell door, grasping it tightly as he gave a slight tug, the hinges crying out as it was swung open. “Follow me then.” Nevar said as he began to move towards the dungeon’s exit. As they stepped out, Nevar began leading Wing up a spiral staircase, the hall of it light by torches every fifteen feet or so they traveled upward. “I have lived many years, and seen much in my life Wing,” Nevar then said, casually as if he were having a normal conversation with her now, “so I hope you will take an old Akalak’s advice. Your ambitions are bold, your dream big. Your timing, however, was the only thing at fault. Premature. If you truly wish to live among us, or any culture outside of unsavory places such as Ravok or Sunberth, then you must establish yourself outside before. Syliras may be one place who will give you a start. From there, I would work escorting Caravans, or help as a guide in the wilderness.” As they rounded one last bend to the spiral staircase, Nevar then stopped at a door, his hand resting along a latch at its side. He looked down to Wing, an encouraging smile on his face. “Let your name grow, be heard among those who travel the lands. Let it be spread to each city that others may know that Wing is a Zith with honor, pride and integrity.” Nevar then said. “Do such, and the next time you come to Riverfall, you will likely not need even the Council to vouch for you to stay. Your path may be one of the more difficult one’s I’ve seen an individual take, Wing. It is my hope that you will not give up on it, and I will see you welcomed in this city, welcomed among my kin.” Nevar then gave a soft lift to the latch, pushing the door opened as a breeze of fresh air brushed along Wing’s skin. Nevar slowly stepped outside of the door to reveal they had come to the summit of a tower, its top open to the sky. Nevar slowly motioned towards a small table bearing a small sack along it’s surface. “I took the liberty of having what effects they confiscated from you brought here.” Nevar explained, his hands cupping together in front of him. “There is also two weeks worth of rations and a filled waterskin. That, along with a pair of leather gloves, the fingers fitted with small blades, are a gift to you. My personal apology for what has happened to you on this day.”

[Wing]

Wing followed Nevar up the staircase, her sharp nails clicking on the floor with each step. She could have walked more quietly but didn't feel like it, still wondering if perhaps she was simply being played and was following the Akalak to her death. It was unlikely though, Nevar seemed an honest type and the way he casually offered her advice did not seem the type of thing someone would do to a person they intended to kill. Wing had heard of Syliras before, but knew nothing of Ravok or Sunberth. Nevar did not seem to think highly of those two places, however, so Syliras was likely her best option. If she could find it. When they reached the roof Wing opened her wings, finally havin room to stretch. The fresh air felt amazing after being in the cell. Wing checked the bag, noting that what little she owned was indeed there, along with the gifts Nevar had provided her. Wing examined the gloves for a moment, noting the blades. She had nails which served as weapons, but the blades were longer and sharper and probably harder to break. Returning the gloves to the bag Wing picked it up and turned back to Nevar. "Thankyou," she stammered in Tukant, hoping she had gotten the words correct. It was strange, Wing felt a sudden fondness for the old Akalak. If she knew what a hug was she might have hugged him goodbye, but instead she simply cotinued in common, "..for the advice, and the gloves.. and for not killing me. I will make sure you don't regret it." Wing paused for a moment, feeling a bit awkward, and then set the bag down and dipped into a low bow. She had seen people do it in the presence of the master, and as Wing understood it it was either a sign of respect or submission. "We will go for a swim," she promised in the Akalak's language. She meant to say, "Until we meet again," but her Tukant was poor and she screwed up the words without realizing it. Wing straightened and spread her wings to their full span, nodded one last time to the Akalak, then leaped off the tower. She quickly caught a current of air and flew up and away leaving Nevar, and Riverfall, behind.

[Baku]

Thou has written, and thou has completed, so I award thee the following.... Wing: +5 Observation, +5 Rhetoric, +2 Negotiation, +2 Persuasion, +2 Hypnotism, +1 Intelligence Lore: Trying to Break Barriers, Talking One’s Way In, The Perception of Others, Hostility in Finding a Home, Nevar Chivan, What You Really Seek, Possible and Probable, Options, The Wise Decision, Departing Intact Additional Items: Bladed Gloves: A pair of leather gloves with the back plated and the fingers lined with short blades at every digit save the thumb. Additional Notes: While likely not the ideal ending that Wing would hope for, it is still one she can walk away from relatively unscathed. It was enjoyable for what part I played in it.