Moving Forward, the Second Step (Alric and Ssafirsotibones)

[Alric Wilmot]

16th day of Fall, 511 AV

Alric woke with the sunrise. His house was well constructed, but the window above his bed allowed the sun to interrupt his slumber. With a heavy yawn, Alric sat up and headed over to the sink and stove.

He didn't really have a kitchen, but to be honest, he didn't really need one. He took a rag and undressed, using the washcloth to rid him of yesterday's grime. That done, he redressed and took the meager contents of his cabinet and began to fix himself breakfast.

After seeing what he had to work with, Alric thought Oatmeal would be easy enough to make. He took out a bowl and a cup, as well as the necessary ingredients. He filled the bowl with half a cup of oats, a handful of nuts, a pinch of salt and a dash of cinnamon. He took the cup and filled it with water, then dumped the water in with the rest of the ingredients. He stirred the various components into a nice sludge. After tasting it, he decided it needed to be a tad sweeter. Luckily, he had some honey that his father had given him just last week.

Alric ate his meal in peace, and did so slowly. Today he'd be fulfilling his father's request, and head to the Temple of Ionu. His father had asked him to pray for him, since he'd be leaving Alvadas on a business trip.

Alric certainly agreed that he needed prayer, the poor man was likely to end up dead without it. After Alric finished his meal, he washed the dishes quickly and headed out. By this time, it was already 2 chimes past sunrise. Alric was in no hurry, the sun was a very vigilant thing, and wasn't likely to fall asleep for a while.

As he strode on the streets of Alvadas, he noticed a certain stillness in the streets. It seemed Alvadas was just beginning to wake up, still stretching and yawning. Alric didn't notice anyone particularly interesting to... observe. So he decided to just go ahead and see if Alvadas would be in so good a mood as to help him, rather than hinder him.

So with a quick little step, and a smile on his lips, Alric began to hum as he sought out the Temple of Ionu.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones woke that day with a start. It was about sunrise when a huge commotion could be heard outside his door. Getting up, and grabbing his stuff, Bones walked outside to be greeted by a interesting sight... Apparently during the changes a house had been stacked on top of another precariously. However the house it was on had also turned invisible, and been left in the middle of a street.... So along came a man driving a horse and a cart, who not being able to see it, crashed into the illusion-ed structure... On the side were the house was precariously stacked. Why the person decided to ride underneath what appeared to be a floating house in the middle of the street, Bones could not understand, but the man was human and not as wise as a dhani... So needless to say the crash had put the house of balance, and the entire three story structure had proceeded to slowly tilt, and eventually fall on the man with his mouth agape, doing nothing, making a huge ruckus.... Bones came outside to see all of this, and to try and get people to go away from were he lived! But no, the bunch of idiots would not go away and let him sleep, and were trying to dig into the remnants of the building to "rescue" the man.... Who was obviously dead.... So Bones decided to leave, and get away from the commotion, were there were not so many idiotic humans... He went down one path, and then another... And then a third one which he was pretty sure the same as the first, except the road was now green for some odd reason... After wandering around wherever the city took him for a bit, he saw another person who was out early. He seemed to be in "fancy clothes", as some humans considered them... Though Bones did not understand what made one scrap of clothe different from another. It all looked the same to him... Now furs and leathers he saw the difference, but clothe? Bones just sighed, as he pondered another oddity of humans... And looked the one he could see over... Though they mostly looked the same to him.... This one was a male right? Or at least he thought it was....

[Alric Wilmot]

As Alric hummed along, he began to notice that the scenery was oddly familiar. In fact, he was fairly certain he had passed the same purple building three times. It seemed that Alvadas was not going to be quite as helpful as he'd hoped.

Alric gave a large sigh, and cracked his neck. Alvadas had been playing this same game with him for over a week now, and it was getting rather tiresome. Oh, Alric knew it meant no harm, that's why it always let him find his way home. But it was just frustrating when he wanted to go somewhere. He just wished that it would give him a break just this once, so he could get to the Temple in a timely manner. Alric bowed his head and offered to do anything Ionu wished if he would just tell the mischievous city to stop interfering. Ionu had never listened to him before of course, but Alric really wasn't one to give up just because of a little failure. If that was the case Alric would never accomplish anything!

After the quick prayer, he turned up his head and resumed humming, his mood still not quite dampened. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a tall broad-shouldered man. He had dark hair and silver eyes. Alric had never seen a man with silver eyes before, and it piqued his curiosity. What kind of human had Silver eyes? Alric decided to find out. He waved to the man, beckoning him to come over, before he changed his mind and went to meet the man himself instead.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones had been walking along, when he saw the odd human. He wondered for a bit what he was doing out so early... Surely a house had no fallen outside his door also? No, even in Alvadas that was not likely... Seeing the man, he was going to walk along, when the man motioned for him to come over. Hesitantly, he went near to him, though keeping his body tensed in case he attacked. You never knew with people, he might want to kill him, or to rob him... Or both... Best to be prepared to defend himself, or to smash the man to bits if need be. But for now he would try to be nice, since he did not yet know what he wanted. But most of the time it was hard to keep back his instincts used to keep him alive in such a dangerous world... So he would speak to him, in his usual slow sibilant speech. "Did you need sssomething?"

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric beamed at the large man. He, despite having the body of a gladiator (with his musculature it would not surprise him if that was the case) had a lisp. Alric found it quite funny, but thought it might be offensive if the man found out that it amused him so. However, even if that wasn't the case, Alric would most likely be just as joyous as he was now. That was simply the kind of person he was.

Alric nodded at the man's question. "Why yes, I was wondering if you might be able to give me a bit of information. Now, I realize that you might not know the answer, or may not wish to divulge the information, but I would be most grateful if you gave me the answer."

Alric waited a few seconds to see if the man had any questions, however, Alric was rather impatient and did not give enough time for the man to actually ask anything. " You see, I was on my way to the Temple when I noticed you over here. I don't want to be rude, of course, but I did stare for a while. I'd never seen eyes like yours before. You see, I enjoy learning new things, and well... I was wondering if you would be so kind as to inform me on your unique eyes. I have never seen a human with silver eyes before and it just fascinates me!"

Alric was practically bouncing, he had actually nearly forgotten where he was headed. Indeed, he had nearly forgotten the rather intimidating man attached to those silver eyes. He loved experiencing new things. After all, to understand new things, you first have to experience them, correct?

Secret :

OOC: I know its not a lisp! But Alric doesn't

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones looked at the man. He seemed rather buzzy... Flitting around from one topic to another. In a hurry, as most humans were... He pushed past the initial feeling of annoyance, and wanting to bat the man across the road, but decided against it. Bones tended to be overcautious, and tried to never reveal to much. As humans often were not very understanding of anything different from themselves, and tended to go straight to violence. He took his time with his response, and when he did it was in his slow sibilant speech, each word measured and chosen carefully. Though he answered the mans question more with one of his own. "Ssey are my eyesss.... I wasss born wiss ssem.... Can you explain every bit and facet of yourssself? Why are your eyebrowsss the ssicknessss and consssissstency ssey are? Why do you have ten fingersss and not twelve?" "I might asss well asssk you ssose questionsss, asss for you to expect a resssponssse your own." Bones expression would be difficult to decipher. He did not really seem angry, yet he also was not happy as if his statement was a joke... If anything he was apathetic to the whole thing, and said it with little emotion to be seen. He was difficult to understand, as his emotions and thoughts were very alien from a human. They just did not work in the same ways... And his eyes.... They seemed different from the rest of his face altogether. They had an almost eery quality about them, as if they were trying to bore right into the mans very soul, leaving you feeling naked and exposed. Not a pleasant glare to have fixed upon you. And rather intimidating for someone trying to think up and ask questions. Many a man had shuddered under his gaze... Usually after seeing him commit some inhuman act, or some violence in retribution which seemed like it should not be possible.... But for now the odd man in his fancy clothes had seen no such thing, and did not know of the power and horrors possible hiding just below his surface.

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric blinked at the man, actually considering the man's words. They were slurred, but not undecipherable. He was a little annoyed at the questions. Not because he asked them of course, they were brilliant questions! No, he was upset because he didn't know the answers!

It wasn't like he had never attempted to find out either. Just a few days ago, he had preformed self-hypnosis. From that, he was attempting to find out who his parents were, and what they looked like. From that, he could probably figure out why his eyebrows were the way they were. Of course, he'd be in trouble if it turned out that both his parents had no eyebrows. My, that was a strange thought. Were there humans with no eyebrows?

Alric shook his head, he could think about eyebrow-less humans later. For now, he'd answer the man's questions. It never occurred to Alric that the man's questions might be rhetorical.

"Well, I can't explain every asset just yet. But trust me I'm working on it! Same thing with the eyebrows. Although, I think I might know the answer to the ten fingers and toes question. I'm pretty sure I only have ten because humans were given only ten because any more would have made counting rather difficult. Have you ever noticed that the currency comes in multiples of five? Imagine how difficult it would be if we had twelve. Everything would be a multiple of six! The gods were probably just giving us a break was all."

Alric just realized that he might have come off as rude to the man. After all, he had forgotten to give his name!

"Oh, excuse me, I think I might have forgotten in my curiosity! My name is Alric Evelyn Wilmot, I hope I haven't put you off with my forgetfulness." He extended his hand, in a gesture of friendliness. In reality, he was thinking rudeness not forgetfulness, but he didn't want the man to notice if he hadn't already, so he wasn't going to bring it to his attention.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones looked at the other man, and let out a sigh.... he was another of those annoying humans... Impatient... Wanting answers and to know things that instant.. Not wanting to work for things, or to take their time to do things right, just wanting it done now. Well that was why humans were not well known as craftsmen. If you wanted something done right, you went to one of the less impatient races, who would see it through, no matter how long it took... His response was not unexpected, whenever he asked such a question, instead of answering it in a intelligent way, they always answered it literally... With no time taken to think on the question itself. Often if you took a few moments to look over the question, and not just spewing the answer out right away, you would find the question was not what you once thought, or that it had deeper implications than what was seen at first glance. Speaking in his slow paced, sibilant speech, he once more answered the human with a question in turn. After all, he had really only grasped the surface. There was quite a deeper bit to what was said. "But what if you had twelve toesss, then multiplesss of sssix might ssseem normal. And the two of usss would be ssstanding talking of how odd it would be to count by fivesss... Perhapsss it isss not ssat the numbersss are because of the toesss, but the toesss are the caussse of the numbersss as they are." "Caussse and effect.... You mussst be careful to tell which ssing causssed which, and which isss jussst an effect of the osser..." Bones might not look it, but he actually was quite good at thinking things out. He tended to take his time with the process, but really he was good at theorizing and speaking in such a philosophical manner. It just was not often that he had use of such things. More often a sharp blade was more helpful in his life, than a sharp tongue... Bones saw as the human extended out his hand, in that odd human greeting. Remembering that the correct response was not to break off the limb, but to grasp the others hand, he did so, extending his own arm and taking his hand in the others. Perhaps with his hand a little tighter than was really necessary... But the man in the fancy clothes was being rather annoying..... Nodding in recognition of the name, Bones thought for a moment. He did not really like this human to much, so as was common, he would not say his full name. If the human listened to his wording in saying it, he might even notice that he said it was not his full name, but something else. If he was not to preoccupied to think on what was said for more than a second before responding. "Hello Alric... Humans call me Bonesss.... It isss what I usually go by. What isss ssisss about a temple?"

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric winced at the man's powerful grip. It wasn't crippling, but Alric thought he could deduce that the man was either agitated (which was quite possible) or did not know his own strength. He thought it would more likely be the former.

"But what if you had twelve toesss, then multiplesss of sssix might ssseem normal. And the two of usss would be ssstanding talking of how odd it would be to count by fivesss... Perhapsss it isss not ssat the numbersss are because of the toesss, but the toesss are the caussse of the numbersss as they are."

"Caussse and effect.... You mussst be careful to tell which ssing causssed which, and which isss jussst an effect of the osser..."

Alric thought the man's words over, and he thought that the man might not have understood what he was saying. He was not saying that such a thing as six toes would make things seem abnormal, but only that the gods chose five because it was enough for humanity's meager intelligence. If it were more, then human's might suffer in other areas. If it were less, it might inhibit intellectual growth, unintentionally hindering human progress. Alric was about to speak his mind, but then thought over Bones' (what an intimidating name!) second set of words. Cause and effect... was he saying that if people counted by sixes that they would have 6 toes instead of 5? That seemed quite unlikely. Toes weren't likely to leave because they felt neglected. They were already pretty much ignored.

Still, he felt like bringing up these questions and counter thoughts might come off as... petty. The man, Bones, obviously did not want to discuss abstract thoughts and questions, despite the fact that he seemed quite good at it.

"...What isss ssisss about a temple?"

Alric broke from his thoughts, and paid full attention to Bones. "Temple? Oh yes! I'm heading to the Temple of Ionu to pray for my father. He set out on a trip outside the city and asked me to pray for him at the Temple. He said he'd feel a lot safer with Ionu on his side. And to be honest, he'd be right. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if another god was watching over him right now. He's never left the city, you know. However, he feels like it's important so I'm not going to criticize him. Although, In my opinion, a prayer to Aquiras would be wiser, but I'm not going to deny him his wishes.

Hmm, with the way Alvadas has been acting lately, it would be in my best interest to keep moving. It hasn't been too helpful as of late. So thank you for the insightful words Mr.Bones. But I need to get moving, I promised myself I'd get to the Temple before sunset and I've only got 12 or so hours left."

Alric was only a few steps from the man before he stopped and turned on his heel.

"Actually, if you aren't too busy, would you like to accompany me? I would quite enjoy having someone to talk to."

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones thought for a bit. To be honest, he had never been to this temple he mentioned, but perhaps it would not hurt to do so? If it was for a God of this city, it might be good to commune with them... "Going out of the city? Who isss he wiss? Sssurely not alone? And were isss it he isss going? I sssuppossse I could go along to the temple, I have never been ssere yet..." Bones thought for a bit, and then continued on along with him in the direction he had been headed. In general there were safety in numbers, even if he did have to travel with an weakly human... Besides, he had his trusty gladius strapped to his back, its odd bone hilt sticking out of its sheath... He would look around, giving the street a quick once over... Best to make sure there were not any nefarious people following them... That could often mean something bad.... "Ssso what isss it you ssseek in Alvadasss? Mossst everyone I sssee hasss a different reassson for being here... What isss it you hope to find here? Or are you here for osser reasssonsss?" He said this, going along were the human had been going, though he wondered if he even knew were he was headed...