[Guest Moderating] Speechless (Vala)

by **Nex Paciscor** on June 27th, 2011, 5:26 pm

[Guest Moderating]
Time: 44th of Summer
Location: The Enclave
Npc involved: Rooke

Credit goes to *camisicado of deviant art.

Night was coming to Wind Reach once more as the day's activities wound to close and new things to do recycled themselves. The inside of the library was quiet except for the whisper of pages being turned and an odd cough from one of the random people that littered the area around. One such person that found themselves within the enclave this very night tried to remain as quiet as he could manage, even turning the pages of the book carefully to avoid a disturbance. He wasn't the type that enjoyed attention, and it wasn't because he was unsure of his self, he was confident as one could be in themselves, it was just that he didn't like the attentions of a nosey stranger. Even with the mood he was in tonight, he didn't much like company in the first place, preferring to keep to himself more often than not, but yet he found himself here, in the public, where it would be a possibility to be accosted by someone, instead of back in his private room where he could read in peace. The oddity didn't much occur to him though, so lost was he in the bards tell playing out to him through the pages, and he thumbed over each page reverently, as his eyes devoured the words written in neat script on the page. If he admitted he had a weakness, it would be a weakness for adventuring tales, something that always captured his mind and body.

Soon though, much to his dismay, the tale ended, but briefly glancing at the thickness of the book it looked like it had at least two or three more tales in it, and they would be tales he would enjoy in the quiet of his home. He rose up from the comfy chair easily; the action causing the glass beads that decorated his bryda to tinkle together and he winced at the disturbance but started to walk anyway, more keen on leaving with the announcement of the soft noise. Book tucked under his arm, he walked calmly as he could to the reception area, and the place where he would exit and return to his home. Only Kirna could be seen at the large desk that served many uses and walking up towards her, he pulled the book out from under his arm, and held it out for her to see. " I'm going to retire back to my quarters for the night and finish of this book, I’ll have it back early morning " he said, his words coming out measured, and his voice cool and expressionless as if it was work for him to speak to her. He didn't rather know Kirna that well, besides his often visits to the library, but he thought he was slowly getting used to her, at least in spirit. " Go on then, and don't you dare lose it " she remarked after him, a response to his joke earlier about pretending to misplace the book so he would have it to read anytime he wanted. " Would I dare? " he would call back as he turned around to walk out of the library, and onwards to Eagle Aeries.

by **Vala** on June 30th, 2011, 9:43 pm

Vala peeked her head out from behind the reception desk, a black ink smudge on her right cheek. Kirna had the girl cleaning out the book repair cabinet so everything could be reorganized. It was about an arm and a half deep. Vala had only pulled out about an arm of stuff in, laying them on the floor around her. She was at the point where she would have to crawl half way in the reach the rest… she was stalling.

She recognized the Endal’s face. There weren’t that many of the highest caste in Wind Reach, let alone those that came often to the Enclave. She didn’t know his name, but he was cute enough to provide an adequate distraction.

He held out the book to Kirna. She didn’t even have to ask him to wait as she filled out the record book to check it out him, she was just that fast. Vala’s head cocked to the side as she listened to their banter. It was interesting to listen to Kirna be so casual with those of her caste.

Vala watched the man walk away until the bright red of his hair disappeared through the closing door. She turned back to her work, avoiding eye contact with Kirna. She wasn’t in the mood to talk – she wanted to get her assignment done.

Her head disappeared into the shadow, followed by her neck and shoulders. She came out, squatting on her tired haunches with several nearly empty glue vials clutched in the crook of her right arm. She set them down next to the other near empty glass jars. The smell of glue within the cabinet was nauseating. Vala felt severely light headed. Before trying to get the rest of the stuff out, she began to pack an empty rolling cart with the near empty jars. They tinkled, chattering to each other, as Vala rolled them over to Kirna. The cart was only half full; there were probably more jars within that hadn’t been collected yet, but Vala was definitely stalling. “Kirna? I’m going to get these cleaned up.” Kirna looked at the minefield of a floor behind the reception desk. She gave Vala questioning smile, and nodded her off.

Vala returned in thirty chimes. The glass jars glistened like new as they chimed happily amongst each other. Vala took them off the cart one by one, and lined them up on the counter. They needed to be put back into the storage room so they could be repurposed but Vala had yet to earn a key, so it would have to be left to a senior librarian.

Once Vala finished organizing the jars, she was back to cleaning out the rest of the cabinet. She made quick work of it. She even found a dusty pinion. To make sure Kirna didn’t see her pocket it, she crawled all the way into the hole and shoved in into her byrda while her entire body was all crumpled. When she crawled back out, Vala was grey with dust.

Vala’s ears perked when she heard papers shuffling. “There aren’t many patrons left. And I need to reference some papers from my office. I hope you don’t mind if I leave you in charge of the reception desk for a bit. Your shift is over in a bell or two right?” Vala just nodded. “Great. I hope you know you’ve been doing a good job here. Have a good night, Vala.” Kirna gave Vala another encouraging smile before walking off with an armful of scrolls.

Sighing, Vala went to finish organizing all the supplies. Opening the Supplies Record Book to the last used page, Vala began to record everything she had laid out on the floor. The lines were big enough to fit anyone’s natural script comfortably, but they were barely enough to fit even the smaller type of calligraphic fonts. It was pretentious and unnecessary, but Vala wanted the practice anyway. One of the older ink vials finally popped open after a chime of struggling, releasing a stale whiff of air. It was more of a challenge to write with the clumping mess, but after a bit of stirring it was made bearable. The used quill Vala was using had also been sharpened to be barely a finger and a half long, the plume constantly hitting her hand. All this Vala endured so she wouldn’t have to just throw away the forgotten supplies and waste the expensive gifts that the library worked hard to earn. The nib of quill scratched slowly and surely across the page as she began to write in fluid yet sweeping strokes.

Supply	Number	Condition	Course of Action
Glass Jars	23	Clean	To be put away in Storage Room for Repurposing
Ink Vials, Black	2	Half Full, clumpy	To be mixed with special ink oil and used until completion
Ink Vials, Blue	1	Half Full, clumpy	To be mixed with special ink oil and used until completion
Ink Vials	9	Clean	To be put away in Storage Room for Repurposing
Quills	6	7 inches long	Kept for use by Yasi
Quills	4	6 inches long	Kept for use by Yasi
Straight Stick, Wood	1	Worn	To be polished and kept in cabinet
Straight Stick, Stone	3	Good	To be polished and kept in cabinet
Parchment	9 sheets	Crumpled	Kept to be used for scrap
Parchment	7 sheets	Good	To be put away in Storage Room
Vellum	6 sheets	Crumpled	Kept to be used for scrap
Vellum	14 sheets	Good	To be put away in Storage Room
Wadj	12 sheets	Crumpled	Kept to be used for scrap
Wadj	3 sheets	Good	To be put away in Storage Room

With her thin yet expansive strokes, Vala quickly filled up the lines, nearly running out of space several times. Some legibility was lost when she tried to cram in a couple unnecessary frills. She smiled. At least it was pretty.

Shaking out her hand, she was surprised it didn't ache more. The font required quick strokes, but with quick strokes one actually needed more force to keep them from getting out of hand and running into the next line. Erring on the side of caution several of her strokes were actually so thin they were near invisible as Vala had tried to put as little pressure as possible to avoid ink blots. The ink wasn't being very cooperative, but at least it was still legible. Vala sighed again, her fingers quickly adding the last serif on the page.

With the records taken care off all Vala had to do now was actually follow through with her own directions. The easiest thing was the cleaning. It was dreary, almost dek work, but at least the only risk was accidentally dropping a glass, though even that came with dire consequences at her meager pay… Vala sighed, wishing her life would liven up a bit.

In relative silence, Vala filled up her cart once again. The tell tale squeaks could be heard into the night as Vala finished organizing the Reception Desk's cabinet.

OCC :

by **Nex Paciscor** on July 1st, 2011, 5:05 pm

A quiet hush had settled as the Enclave was almost completely empty, save for the lone red haired girl that did her work in the quiet. Everyone else had shuffled off to do what they needed to that night, whether it be for sleep or companionship, and the library was filled with a silence only few could appreciate. For some, a situation like this would only increase the boredom, and make every single moment seem to last forever. That was the tediousness of work alone, everything seeming to go so sluggishly, and the cold tendrils of loneliness hanging heavily in the air around Vala. In the silence though a whisper of noise could be heard, the scrapping of a soft shoe against the ground, grooved exquisitely on the bottom to aid when outdoors. The figure that stood before the reception desk was no other then the same man who had been their only moments ago, announcing himself as Rooke. Just standing a little bit to the left side of the desk, he would look over to see Vala, a woman he had noticed before but never quite had spoken to her. Since he didn't see Kirna around though it seemed like he would have to, or simply be rude and get what he came here for. The latter did not seem the most pleasing of an action. " I've just came back to get a bracelet that belongs to me " he replied his voice showing indifference and as soon as the words left his mouth, he started walking again heading over to where he had been reading the book.

" Mind giving me another set of eyes " he asked looking over his shoulder at the woman when the first few moments of his search turned up fruitless. The fact that it wasn't laying out on the open ground confused him, for he could think of no way it could have fallen under something, and he continued his search, pacing the paths between the bookshelves, but overall turning up nothing. It left Vala with two choices, continue about her work, and ignore the panicky endal, or she could help him look but how she looked would be the true deciding factor. Rooke had forgotten that when he sat down to read his book, he had taken off the bracelet to read without the jingling it cause, and the jewelry had fallen to the ground to be nudged under the very chair he had been sitting in. If Vala's eyes looked there, she would find a finely crafted silver chain adorned with glass beads of every color underneath that very chair.

oocIts ok, I was just leaving it open ended for whatever you may like to do in it, and it was interesting reading your post. Sorry this is so short, but once things get more up and running I'll be able to do more longer posts

It’s going to be a pleasure moderating your thread, thank you for the opportunity.

by **Vala** on July 4th, 2011, 3:37 am

Vala picked up a clean rag and wiped off a drop of ink that had landed on the back of her hand. Her eyes were drawn to the man that walked in as soon as the doors had fully opened. He had just left, only to come back. Vala kept her mouth shut, trying to rub off the persistent stain, until he came up to her. He was an Endal. Her eyes did not change as a smile lit up her face, a dimpling her rosy cheeks. “Hello sir, welcome to the Enclave; how may I help you tonight?” Her voice came out sweet, albeit mechanical.

When he gave his purpose, Vala resisted the urge to shrug in indifference. She went back to her work as soon as he turned around. She frowned when he decided to ask for help as soon as she had a quill in hand. Why do people always wait until you’re ready to do something else… Vala put down her quill. Her busy work was naturally superseded by an Endal’s indirect order.

She had seen him reading earlier; she remembered where he had sat. Normally she would have joined him in his panicked waltz through the stacks, but it was late; she was tired. And only he knew where he had walked; she would do no good triple checking and getting in his way. She wanted to take a seat; she eyed the comfy mess of cushions that the Endal had used earlier. She resisted yet another urge that would only make her appear rude and slothful. Slothful, Vala was not. He said something about a bracelet. Vala grasped her right wrist. Her fingers easily circled her fragile joint. Mita, her co-worker, and closest thing to a friend, liked to wear glass bracelets. Vala continued to tighten and loosen her grip unconsciously as she stared off into the distance. Mita likes to take of her bracelet when she words. At least once a day, Vala would furrow her brows when she got distracted from work by the lamp light dancing off the reflective glass beads. Mita likes to take off her bracelet when she reads.

Moving on a hunch, and somewhat of a deduction, Vala got on all fours. She lifted up the cloth flaps that were meant to ‘tastefully’ cover the bottom of the chair, but only managed to hide things like the bracelet Vala’s lithe fingers encircled. She pulled out her arm triumphantly. It was beautiful, much prettier and better crafted than the trinket Mita owned. Or any chiet like her could ever afford.

Rooke was still retracing his steps. Vala met him half way down a row. She held out her hand, the bracelet nestled in her palm. “I found it sir,” She said brightly but without feeling. “Is there anything else I can do for you?” Vala wished he would say no, but mostly she wished he would offer her a gift for her effort. Maybe he would give her a pinion. Vala smiled brighter. He was cute so she didn’t have to act too much.

by **Nex Paciscor** on July 6th, 2011, 7:03 pm

The dusty old books held little interest to him, and had long decided he wouldn't find his charm among the shelves. He had stopped between two rows in the back, and he leaned easy against one of the tall shelves, his eyes more interested on watching her for the moment then they were looking for his bracelet. Concentrating on focusing the djed to his eyes and slowly he closed them before opening them wide again. Wisps of beige smoke drifted from her body at first, with streams of grey streaming out from within it. A dull pain sparked in the back of his mind, but he worked on focusing more, and he could see tints of green, and red within the smoke as well. Your a complex one aren’t you he thought as his mind worked similarly to discern what the aura meant. She seemed more eager to get her work done, and indifferent to the whole thing as a would have been, but the other aura's had confused him, but before he could interpret it further he closed his eyes again, and allowed the djed to dissipate, the throbbing in his head continuing to remain in his head, and when he opened his eyes they where dilated and streaked with red, but not too much that it would be alarming.

His vision was blurred only for a moment as they focused again to see her crouching down, apparently looking at something, and he blinked for a few times before heading down the row to his right. It wouldn't be good if she found out he was spying on her, if only because it would spark a conversation that he did not want to have. He was half way down the shelf when the young girl intercepted him, and he looked casually down at what was in her hand. It was his bracelet, she had found it after all, and extending his hand, he gingerly picked up the charm with his thumb and forefinger, forgoing any accidental touch of her hand. His expression remained distant even as he slipped on the bracelet on, taking his left hand and slipping it through the opening so that it rested comfortably on his wrist again. It looked undamaged, still very much in good condition, and his eyes flickered up to Vala's offering a light nod of his gratitude for it's return. " Thanks " he said briskly before brushing past her, his thoughts now centered on getting home and getting back to reading that amusing book he had borrowed.

However circumstances would not allow him to be merely content with forgetting about the girl for she had indeed done him a favor, and before he could walk two steps out of the door, he found himself stopping in place, and blankly staring before himself. What could I possibly offer her as compensation to alive myself of this guilt he puzzled, and he was loathe to go back inside and talk to the girl again, the woman who referred to herself as Vala. Despite his misgivings though he found himself turning back around, a thought that could both aid him and her as well coming to mind. Stepping with purpose he found himself once more in front of the desk, and staring at the woman behind it. " You have more work to do yes? " he asked and paused for a moment as if searching for his next words. " When do you finish? "

by **Vala** on July 7th, 2011, 12:31 am

Vala smiled blankly. Something was off about the guy. Not off putting, just off. The hair on the back of her neck tingled. He had done something, but Vala was too tired to think too deeply about it. She shook off the vibe as he brushed passed her. She had made it back to the reception desk, and was just about to sit down when she was interrupted by a question. She leaned against the counter, fighting the urge to cross her arms and appear closed off. What did he want her to do now?

She sputtered, silently, and only in her mind, when he asked her when she finished. There was only one reason male endals asked Chiet like her a question like that. Tears welled up at the corner of her eyes as she answered his direct question. He was an Endal, after all. “I-i-i…I’m working all night sir. Well you see a friend got sick, no, she had something with her sister… or something… and uh, well I’m covering her shift so yeah… all night.” Vala stretched, pantomiming a yawn. She smiled; a single tear ran from the corner of her eye, running half way down her cheek. She tried to wipe it with her shoulder as discretely as she could.

Lying. It came naturally… but to an Endal? Punishments were severe for one of her caste. No… it wasn’t a lie! Vala would just be clocking a lot of volunteer hours tonight. She tightened her right fist, trying to control the nervous shaking that was beginning to rack her body.

Vala smiled harder, her eyes glinting with desperation.

OOC Note :

by **Nex Paciscor** on July 10th, 2011, 1:37 am

Rooke wasn't used to associating with people, but even he could tell when someone was nervous even though he was clueless to the cause. His eyes and face revealed nothing, but he suspected that it was a misinterpretation on her part, but he didn't much care, he should have been back in his room already. Waving the air dismissively with his hand, he turned around and started to walk from the enclave. Nagging thoughts concerning his reputation plagued him but he managed to reach the door's that lead out, and pressed his hand against one to push it open, but turned his head slightly to look at her out of the corner of his eye. " Your wrong, what you thought I intended, you where wrong " he said softly before disappearing from the fast opening door, and it closed silently behind him.

It would not be the last she saw of him, but as for this night it would be the last she'd see of him, the rest of the night being quiet except for the occasional customer, and odd dek that came in to clean the place. Silence had been restored but his words hung in the balance.

oocYou can feel free to take the thread where you want it; Rooke will find a way to pop after your post as long as it doesn’t end with it still night. I like surprises, and staying true to the character so this is good experience for me.

by **Vala** on July 10th, 2011, 8:34 pm

He was too far away to be heard, but with Vala’s paranoia pumping excessive amounts of adrenaline into her system, she could have heard a pin drop at the other end of the Enclave. What in Priskil’s name did he mean. Vala clutched her chest; it was starting to hurt pretty badly. Now she was stuck. Being stuck in the Encalve wasn’t that bad… was it?

It was late, really late. It was like darkest time of the night late. Actually more like party time for monsters under the bed late. Vala yawned, stretching her arms high, rubbing her bleary eyes. The last sheet of parchment lay pressed between her cold numbed fingers. The last sheet. It hadn’t even been part of her original assignment, but to keep herself occupied Vala had sorted through the adjoining cabinet. While it had not been as disorganized, it was still in general disarray. She was sure he wouldn’t be returning. Vala didn’t jump at every minute sound anymore; her heart thanked her. With the last sheet in hand, Vala trudged over to the parchment drawer, gently laid the paper in its proper place, and closed the drawer with a reverberating thok!

What if he was waiting for her outside? A silly fear, but a nagging one nonetheless. Vala was too afraid to leave the library… What a coward, but who in her position wouldn't be? Better to be safe and live another day. Grabbing her Katinu off the chair, Vala plodded to a shadowy corner of the library: the math isle. It was deserted, no surprise, even during peak hours, nary a soul would ever find themselves in the cob web infested nook that was the math wing. A lumpy chair – a heavenly cloud Vala fell upon the musty fluff with exhausted glee. It didn’t take her long to be whisked away into yet another night fitful sleep.

OOC Note :

by **Nex Paciscor** on July 13th, 2011, 4:11 am

Light filtered down from the cloudy sky, outlining his body in a golden glow. The bound book carried loosely in his left hand was no other than the same one he had checked out just that night, his eager eyes devouring the words for the duration of the night before finishing at dawn. Sleepiness etched his features, but there was an unmistakable gleam in his eye, one he bore from a sense of accomplishment, and triumph over the tales. A very pleasing feeling always washed over him at the completion of a book, and taking one down in a night’s time gave him a bit more satisfaction he found to his surprise.

Maybe the red hair girl would be here for me to offer my apology once more he thought, but only meant it half heartedly. She had treated him dreadfully the night before, and he wasn't too keen on seeing her face around again, though if it came to it, he supposed he could deal with it. Pushing open the door to the Enclave silently, he let himself in, and seeing no one at the counter at the second long glance he spared it, he place the book on the desk, and then walked easily along the shelves, his curious eyes probing the space looking at the odd book, and anything else that caught his eyes.

It was yet early in the morning, and Vala's sleep had yet to relinquish its hold on her, and as Rooke rounded the bend on an area he seldom came to except for his father, a man with a perverse love of mathematics that Rooke couldn't even begin to comprehend. He looked for one that showed the most thickness and prayed his father hadn't read it yet, sliding out the thick dusty tomb and blowing the dust off. " Elements of Mathematics " the title read, and shrugging he easily held up the book in his hands before allowing his eyes to roam the shelves further. His eyes came to settle upon the same girl who had rebuked his offer earlier, and he sighed, rolling his eyes. Why the gods cursed him with this witch, he didn't know he thought, but something parted his lips, though his heart was surely steeled for any response that might be forth coming. " Sleeping on the job, eh? Why sleep when it's another fine day to work outside " he asked in a loud, firm voice, just enough to carry it to her ears and wake her up, and he crossed his arms over his chest, his expression relating that he was already rather bored with the game. Please just answer shortly, and allow me to be on my way

by **Vala** on July 14th, 2011, 6:16 am

This guy? Again? Vala’s brain struggled register the man before her. Honestly?! Why would anyone need to know math?

In the safety of her room and blanket cocoon Vala took her sweet time to get up and cognizant; around others, she awoke at the slightest ruffle of cloth. Her heart raced, beating hard against its ribbed cage. Nails were extended; hands were cramped into fiendish claws. Her lips shrank back to reveal petite fangs glistening with spittle. She would have hissed if she hadn’t been so deep in sleep and her throat dry as dust. It was her natural instinct to dominate, to prove she could defend herself if need be.

Vala crouched low, pressing her back against the relative safety of the wall. It took five, five endlessly long seconds before her eyes sharpened the blurry shadow of a man. A cornered animal is a dangerous animal.

It was embarrassing. Vala flushed. Who wouldn’t? Startled awake only to act like a beast, in front of the very man she had been avoiding the night before. Vala wanted to dive deep into the cushions of her couch, to disappear into the safety of oblivion. That thought was silly and impossible. Vala did the next best thing.

She puffed up her cheeks, released all the air from her lungs, and bolted.

Her feet barely touched the ground as ran down the dusty aisles. A stray cobweb wrapped itself around her face, breaking off and clutching on to her crimson hair. She didn’t breathe; it was an all out sprint. Where was she going? Vala didn’t know. Her body did. Her arms pumped at her sides, hip long hair streaming behind her. She avoided patrons, skipping the more popular categories. She didn’t have to think. She knew the Enclave’s layout even better than her own dinky room. Each step was taking her further, but not far enough. Too long, it was taking; she was so far away. Vala’s lungs began to burn, a raging fire consuming her from within. She opened her mouth, greedily gulping in the musty air. Seconds before a complete collapse, Vala made it. She had successfully avoided any human contact – she was safe. Vala ripped the paper storage room door open and fell upon her knees in the pitch dark closet. She rolled over onto her back, chest heaving as she tried not to pass out.

OOC Note :