by Mella on February 3rd, 2010, 3:39 am
Season of Winter, Day 63, 509 AV
Mella had just entered the city earlier that day, and had spent most of it becoming used to her surroundings. Living inside a bustling city filled with humanity was disorienting compared to the peaceful forest Mella grew up in. So, she had familiarized herself with the smells, sounds, and sights of the city learning what was usual for the town. She did this so as to better know when something was amiss, and to prepare herself in case of an unexpected attack. Though unlikely in crowded areas, Mella tended to stick towards the shadows and you would never know when a bold thief or thug would make their move. Her cautiousness was useful that day for as she traveled the main causeways of the city, she committed them to memory also noting the smaller alleys that branched off the main roads. She would have to explore those another day for it was pertinent for her to know her current surroundings expertly. Perhaps one of the most important rules in surviving was to know your territory or more importantly the escape routes. You could never be sure when trouble would abound and so Mella spent the day exploring till the sky slowly turned dark prompting her to find an accommodation of some sort.
Though her cash reserve was not the finest and she could barely afford the cheapest lodgings for more than a couple seasons, Mella opted to stay in the Traveler’s Row. She would have camped outside of the city to save mizas, however it would have been an ordeal coming and going from the city everyday that she figured living inside the city would be for the best. So despite her qualms with sleeping in a ‘stone cage’, Mella entered the office automatically pulling her cloak hood lower over her face as she took in her surroundings.
It was a small, bare, but neat office. It appeared to once have been an apartment and the atmosphere was one of a professional calm. Mella walked cautiously to the desk, inhaling the air that was filled with the fragrance of cookies and tea. She had refrained from partaking in any refreshments weary of what might be lurking in the deceivingly harmless sugar clusters. Mella believed you could never be too careful living in the wilderness had taught her that. So with some apprehension, Mella tugged the bell pull that hung patiently its purpose in life to serve customers an ironic similarity to that of a Kelivic’s fate.
Matilda entered minutes later leaning on her cane that aided her travel. A Konti, Mella deduced the appearance a sign that even one such as her could recognize. She strolled to the desk and opened a rather large book flipping through several pages as if looking for something. Looking up at the cloaked woman before her, Matilda smiled invitingly and gestured for Mella to come closer. “Hello, my dear. What sort of accommodations may I procure for you?”
Mella who was regarding Matilda with a cautious curiosity only took a small step to the desk careful to keep her face in shadow. “I’m only in need of a small, simple room for the…rest of the season. Thereafter will depend on my…situation at the time.” She said clearing her throat often. The last time she had spoken was early that morning, and her voice was a bit rough, not to mention her social skills lacked any warmth or feeling.
Matilda however was unfazed as she was used to dealing with the odd recluse traveler every now and then, and answered readily with a smile, “I have just what you need. A small, single room that goes for 1 silver Miza a day. For tonight and the rest of the season, your total comes to 30 silver Miza’s.
Nodding, Mella extracted 3 precious Gold Mizas and handed them to Matilda. Matilda pocketed them and lead Mella to her room. The room was as promised, small and simple, yet it suited Mella’s needs perfectly. There was a window directly across from the door looking out onto the road, a single bed, a table and chair, a hearth, and a chest. It was all Mella needed, or wanted. She did not feel that unnecessary material things helped her survival if anything they only inhibited it, so unpacking her scant supplies, Mella settled into her residence that would serve for the winter.
Feeling a bit claustrophobic, Mella stripped and shifted into her animal form. Feeling more at peace in something familiar, she alighted onto the small bed and curled in a comfortable position. As sleep overcame her, she could not help but make plans on how to regain the small dip in her financial resources. With those thoughts, Mella drifted off into an uneasy dream-filled sleep that featured disappearing Mizas, stone cages, and crowded back-alley passage ways.
School work is at an enormous level. Will be taking off for the spring season, and will return for summer
