The Future in the Park

[Shadow Cast]

Fortune Telling Timestamp: Fall, Day 34 Location: Cliffside Grotto Open to: Rosela, Elki Nawat, Dex, Kavala, and Elem Bree It was Fall and the trees and flowers all showed it. Leaves had changed to a dark hue of red or a golden brown, threatening to fall to the ground, but hanging on with a passion. Some had already collected in carefully raked piles on the ground, waiting to be picked up and thrown away. A slight breeze blew in the Cliffside Grotto, adding a chill that took away from the otherwise still heat that remained from Summer. Akalaks and other species of all shapes and sizes were milling about, talking to friends and enjoying the new colors that inhabited the park. Down the sidewalk on a small patch of grass were two men setting up a stall of some kind. Soon people began crowding around, wondering what they had to sell. One man was old and feeble. He had trouble walking and moving the heaving objects that made up the stall. The younger one was doing most of the work, while the older one tried to help. After a bell or two the man were ready for business and many citizens had already lined up. The two men stood behind their makeshift shop. The old man had long white hair to match his long white beard. His eyes were light and kind. His eyes also reflected his age as well as his joints that moved slowly and painfully. He smiled at each person who came up to him and took their hand.The younger man was dressed in lavish clothing, they almost seemed too expensive for his profession. His eyes were dark and lifeless. They scanned the crowd, searching for something specific. After handing over the required fee the man would then take the hand of the customer, looking at his palm. Reading what is written there. OOCTo make everything fair I've divided you into two groups. One group for the younger man and the other for the older man. The younger boys fee is 5gm, while the older mans fee is 3gm. Group One: Younger Fortune Teller Rosela Elki Nawat Group Two: Older Fortune Teller Dex Kavala Elem Bree

[Elem Bree]

Elem had been practicing boxing with Morkal, mostly on footwork and not being where the opponent was punching. He was still a little sore, choosing as he had more often not to heal himself. His body wanted him to know what was going on and Elem wanted to listen. The day was hardly over as he had to go by the Antiquities Society to check on upcoming lectures, choosing to take the long winding stairs of the Grotto to reach the hallowed halls.

He found a group of people gathering around what appeared to be a pair of fortune tellers. Elem's eyebrows perked as his curiosity was piqued. he believed in his Goddess and he knew other Gods and Goddesses lived in the City, but the idea of another signpost guiding him was just too good to pass up. The choice of which to use was pretty clear. There was a young man and an old man. Something about the young man didn't sit right with the Zeltivan, his dark eyes scanning beyond his own patrons. The other, older man looked very kind hearted. Besides, he was older, so he had probably done more of it before. His choice made, Elem waited until there was a free moment and stood across from the old man.

Elem's own kind eyes reflected in the older man's. He had seen others place three golden mizas down, so he did so as well. He took the seer's hand in his own, pleased with its warmth. "Hello, Sir. I am Elem Bree of Zeltiva. Would you like me to go get you a chair from the Kulkuran? I am sure they can spare one temporarily."

[Rosela]

Autumn in Riverall was proving a fascinating lesson in foliage. Only weeks ago had Rosela arrived in the city, marveling at the greenery packing every nook and corner. Now, the greenery was going through a slow, agonizing death, as the leaves turned brown and blood red, only to give up and fall to the ground. No one else seemed as interested in it as she was. Her shop was closed for the day, her only free day of the week. Work was slow, in a word. The shop was still new, and while she was making enough, it wasn’t nearly the miza avalanche she had hoped for. A crimson leaf drifted to the bench beside her, and she picked it up delicately, spinning it between her fingers. Her shop would be just fine. It just needed time. Standing up suddenly, she tossed the leaf away and began to wander. The Cliffside Grotto wasn’t far from her shop, so she meandered towards it. There was quite a bit of traffic there today, so it seemed a worthy pastime. It was supposed to be one of the most romantic spots in the city, blossoming wonderfully in spring and summer. Autumn just filled the place with more dead leaves, though the maples did have a particularly stunning shade of red before they died. Kicking through drifts of leaves as she descended the stairs, Rosela wondered if it would be possible to incorporate leaves into an autumn-inspired dress. Maybe a ball gown of some kind, with some embroidered leaves around the bottom… In an open area, a crowd was gathered around a stall, the commotion breaking her line of thought. Moving on curiosity, she slipped through the crowd, the many Akalaks making way for her with smiles of varying lechery. It was a fortune telling place. Folding two of her arms, she put the other four on her hips and looked at the pair of men skeptically. She saw a familiar face, Elem of all people, move forward and offer a few mizas to the older man. Rosela frowned and looked between the two fortune tellers. The older man looked feeble and frail, and she wondered if he could even see Elem’s palm properly at his age. The other fortune teller was dressed lavishly, and Rosela was instantly drawn to his style. He obviously gave better fortunes, if he could afford to dress so well. His price was higher, but now that she had a job, she didn’t have to worry about money, right? Moving forward, she sat down in front of the young man, giving him a sweet look. Granted, he looked a bit grim, but who wouldn’t be if they spent all day looking into other people’s futures. Smiling coyly up at him, she laid her five mizas on the table, and offered all six of her hands with a humorous smirk. ”Well, fortune master? Take your pick.”

[Dex]

Dex purred at Howlwing, sending her a questioning look and glancing at the crowd. She gave a short mrrr to her simple indifference to it and swished her tail, turning around. Dex shook his head and took off slowly toward the crowd, his tail brushing against the grass as he lopped through the clearing. Howling followed, but with a longer sound, followed lightly by a growl. Dex flashed into his human form, his white human head coming even with the average akalak, making almost a sore spot in the crowd. Howlwing followed behind him as he made his way through the crowd, hissing a few times as some of the akalaks stepped too close to her, she preferring to enjoy a bubble of personal space. Dex continued, till he was close enough to the center of the crowd to see the cause of the commotion. It was a tent, with two pink and white people in it like he was right then. Dex, ever so curious, continues into the tent. Dex saw two people, a taller man, and a shorter one, who was sitting and slightly hunched over. What really made Dex curious though, was that the old made had funny lines running across his face. Glancing at the piles of three coins, he guessed that for the man to do whatever, it wanted 3. Dex dug them out and placed them in a stack and matched it up even with the rest of them. Looking blankly, the man gestured lightly and Dex handed his hand to him, turning it over.

[Elki Nawat]

Elki glanced around at the city that lay before him, examining the winding stairs and houses built into the side of the giant mountain. Riverfall seemed a fairly lively town, plenty of activity.
It was the first time the young man had ventured out of Sylira and he was feeling rather lost. Having lived in the forest and fields for most of his life, Elki had only ever seen one Akalak before his journey here. Now he found himself surrounded by them. He caught himself staring a little too long at the strange blue men and turned his attention back to the architecture.

Kibbe snorted as two young children ran under his legs, Elki tugged at the reins and urged the gelding forward. He was surprised at how well the horse was managing the steep alleys, for once the gelding was actually being agreeable. But when they reached a stair case Kibbe had gone back to his usually cranky self. Elki saw a gathering of people at the end of the stairs and was intrigued.

“Don't destroy anything...” Elki muttered tying his mount to a post and following the steps to what he later found out was the Cliffside Grotto. The leaves on the exotic trees had changed to match the season. The park was now filled with rich reds and brilliant golds.

The boy walked through the crowd of people and found himself at what looked like a fortune telling stall. He watched for a moment, seeing what the other customers were doing, then set five gold coins on the table in front of the younger fortune teller and held out a hand.

[Shadow Cast]

Elem Bree: “There is no need for that child; your kindness eases my pain already.” The fortune teller held Elem’s hand within his own, already seeking this boy’s past and future. “I see emotion in your eyes, boy. Most men your age that come to me are cold, hard, and unseeing. You are one of the few who differ.” The old man gently squeezed Elem’s hand and closed his eyes. “Your parents are why you are here now, yes?” His question was spoken softly to Elem, rhetorical. “I can feel the Gods within you. They favor you, you have been marked. It is a blessing. You seek knowledge; being born in a city of education this is expected. Although you chose a field that many men like you do not prefer.” Opening his eyes, the old man looked towards his customer. “Men like you kill, not heal, especially in a city like this. But instead you choose to fix the problems other men make. Unfortunately, you are in a city like this. Riverfall is not a place where sitting tight and watchful is enough. Riverfall demands front line fighting, not only rear end healing. Living here will challenge your faith, but you must not look down. You will learn to fight like the man you are. You will learn to kill, and you will. Rak’keli will be watching you and she will doubt you. You, my son, will prevail against all odds. You will learn to live in the middle of peace and war, life and death. You will both cause it and prevent it.” This was said as the old man gripped Elem’s hand and stared him down with deep blue eyes. Together they were human and the old man knew of his pain. He knew what he would have to face in the coming seasons and he knew he would win the fight inside himself. He was being mentored by one who had done this already and the old fortune teller knew his mentor would teach him well.

Rosela Reshimala The fortune teller’s eyes quickly swooped up and down the body of his customer. Besides the six arms she offered him, she was pretty. Her clothes told her off to be a poor girl, but the obvious make-up and shy, but dashing necklace she wore revealed her sense of fashion. He did not need his limited skills to read her; all her values were displayed on her face and posture, for all to read. One just had to be cunning and clever to define this one. Taking the first hand that his searching palm touched he swiftly closed his scanning eyes. His hands were cold and tightened on the soft flesh of the girl, so very concentrated on his task. After a quiet minute he opened them again; the pools of black resting on the bronze palm of his buyer. “This city is different from where you came from. It leaves you poor and ragged. Yet you still try to succeed in looks. You wear powder and paint to cover up flaws and adorn jewels to your neck to fool simple minds of your economic state. Yet your simple linens give you away.” Looking closely at the girl fingertips, small puncture wounds are noticeable, needle and thread pricks are easy to identify. “You try to sell fashions you think suit the population here, maybe you are right, maybe you are wrong. Only time will tell if your famed vision of riches will come true. But believe you me, messing up,” he informed, gesturing to the tiny scars on her tips, “will lead you into poverty. Practice makes perfect.” The young man dropped Rosela’s hand and gathered up her five precious mizas, stuffing them into his pocket. “Next.” He called, shooing Rosela away.

[Shadow Cast]

Dex: As soon as the old man touched the tall ones hand he saw adventures, secrets and stupidity. This young one had much to learn. “You travel in two forms, yet you live a simple life. Although those like you always have it harder than other races. In Riverfall you are worthless to the Akalak men, but your women are prized. You seek companionship, but I will tell you now. This you will not find in one of the blue.” In his mind he saw the one who held the key to happiness. “A young girl that you follow around, who in turn would rather you not be in sight of her. She is the one you need to realize is your bond mate. She cringes at that word; do not let her win.” Then the fortune teller had to move onto what would keep the poor fellow safe. “You travel through the city, taking what you want. You do not understand simple relationships between object and man.” The man gripped Dex’s hand tighter. “This will continue to lead you into trouble. Soon you may end up dead. My advice to you is to learn man’s rules. This is a city where some may let you go unharmed; most others will keep you until you pay. Learn that this world revolves around money, the shiny things you give in return for some object or service. Like you did me. Learn that and you will be well on your way to safety and happiness.” The old man let go of Dex’s hand. The question was whether or not the animal would comprehend. The old fortune teller sighed in hopelessness. Maybe that girl of his can teach him something. He just hoped he would learn now.

Elki Nawat: So ready, so eager. The boy produced the gold quick and held his hand out expectantly. This teller knew of his past already. He had been watching this one, come on in with a horse. He stood out among the crowd, there were no other horses here. The animal was loaded up with supplies and the young man could even notice a tent within the bundle. This man was only a child, but seemingly already out on his own. Poor clothes, stained with mud and grass and a cheap sword hinged at his hip. The fortune teller knew he did not know how to weld a weapon like that very well. The very way it was placed on his body revealed that fact. This one would be easy. The man scooped up the gold and into his pocket they went then he took hold of the boys impatient hand. “You rode away from home so young, you did not finish learning. You do not know what it is like to travel these lands alone. Now you have come to a city where fighting is a necessity. The question is, even though you hunt for food, would you be able to kill another being?” This boy had so much to learn that the teller didn’t even need his small skill to look into his past. “You ride through, so confident, on a horse, but you do not know how to actually handle it. You hold a weapon in your hands but you do not know how to actually weld it. You travel alone, working on the side, but you do not actually know how to be alone. You should not have left your home. They had more to teach you. Now you will learn it all the hard way. You will be bruised and battered. Let’s hope you don’t end your journey short with some stupidity.” The man was done with his ‘lesson’ He shooed the incompetent boy away, beckoning for the change of another.

[Kavala]

To put it bluntly, there was a great deal on Kavala's mind. There always was in Fall when there was so much work putting up vegetables from the garden, making sure they had enough hay to see them through the winter, and generally battening The Sanctuary down for the winter weather. She was also thinking about Ronan a great deal, life, and all the roads that had lead her to this one. Kavala was driving by, her horse cat loaded with supplies, when she saw the crowd in the park. It wasn't unusual to see people there, but what was unusual was to see them lined up. She brought the cart to a halt and tied off the broodmare that was doing the pulling today. Jumping down, she landed light footed and wandered towards the tents. As she got closer, she discovered the commotion was over two fortune tellers. Kavala smiled. She hadn't seen fortune tellers since Mura. Walking over, she eagerly joined the crowd. Still on the back fringes, she looked over each fortune teller and instantly decided she liked the older man better. He just seemed wiser, more in tune, while the other man seemed more in love with his fancy clothing. So as the lines drew shorter, Kavala got in his. And when it was her turn, she held out her hand, offering it to the old man. "Thank you for reading fortunes!" She said, excited by the prospect of having hers done as well.

[Shadow Cast]

Kavala: “Oh don’t thank me dear, I need the money to live too!” The old man laughed as if this was a joke of his that he thought was just delightful. The man held Kavala’s hand and his hands would feel cold, despite all the warm flesh he had been holding before. His life was draining from him and more signs were apparent than he thought. In Kavala’s past he gasped but he was most impressed by her present. This girl was gifted and she should not be put to waste. “You had a hard past. But you were born gifted, unlike others who have to work a lifetime to earn a mark like yours. You faced many troubles along your path to Riverfall, but here you are now. You are the head and shoulders of a thriving business. You use thing magnificent gift to aid both animals and the people who wander into your care.” The man could only imagine how this affected her life, her emotions. He saw how she cared about everything, every animal that came for her help. “You care about your animals more than anyone I have ever seen. You may care say that there is no such thing as too much care, but you, dear, have too much. For all the terrible things you have been put through, you still come out on top. But you have these attachments to your animals and when they leave you, you spiral into despair. You need to learn to care just the right amount, to be careful to not sew great strings that connect you and your animal. Protect your feelings. If you don’t I only see more heartbreak in your future.” The old man let go of Kavala’s hand and shivered. “Child, there is so much love in your heart. You act so armored up. Then you go down and depressed. Take off your armor and put down your needle and thread. You will live happier this way.”

[Elem Bree]

Elem was excited at first by the process. He watched as the kind old man closed his eyes and held his hand. His first question seemed right. While it wasn't the direct reason for coming to Riverfall, avoiding the cobbling business came a close second. The Zeltivan's smile was genuine as his eyebrows raised in anticipation of more news. It was clear to him that the man had gifts when he mentioned being born in a city of education. he supposed it was possible that he could have asked someone who knew Elem, but why pay for a fortune and be a non believer?

However, when the man opened his eyes and continued to speak, Elem's bright smile faded. Not for any reason of harm done, but the seer's vision was piercing to his core. In a twinkling moment, his words were clear and made sense to Elem. He had chosen to come to Riverfall and knowing what it was about, he could not turn away. He would kill. He had done so before when the Zith came, but that was easily called necessity, being no more traumatic than killing a snake in the woodpile. Perhaps he meant another human or similar sentient species. Whatever the case, the idea of Rak'keli doubting him was scary, but not scary enough to turn away from his destiny.

Prevailing against all odds sounded like a good ending, especially while embroiled in the business of war and peace. Reluctantly removing his hand from the seer's, Elem placed his hand on the old man's shoulder, his own eyes closing. "May Rak'keli remove some of the pains of old age from your bones, good seer. May your days be long and fitful." Opening his eyes again, Elem smiled and removed his hand from the man's shoulder, the gnosis mark still glowing. Stepping away, he looked at the city of the Akalak with new eyes.

Ledger :

3 gm for fortune