PM to join [The Sanctuary] A Meeting Of The Minds

[Kavala]

Timestamp: Midfall, 513 AV

It wasn't often that the Labor Office sent over healers for Kavala to interview. She had a notice up at the office just in case though. Many of the Konti and Akalak healers went to the clinic in the city and were welcomed there with open arms. However, when it came to human males in Riverfall, they often got directed elsewhere or sometimes sent to places they wouldn't have taken as a first choice. Kavala's facility circled around animal healing, but there was a mixtures of medicine to practice and learn there. In the spring, she was hoping to open up the facility to students and she was in dire need of faculty to help run the college - and indeed build it if any of them had magic - so her advertisements ran the gauntlet of skill sets to lure multiple types of people in.

At high noon he was coming. His name was Will Aimsworth and that's all the note from the Labor Office said about him. She could surmise the rest. Human, probably young or middle aged - they didn't live very long usually - and not anything the Akalak were interested in either to breed or learn from. That meant male. Oh they would have offered him an opening at the clinic before sending him to the Sanctuary if there was one. But often times the clinic jobs were waiting list only and then given to Akalak and Konti as a preference.

Kavala made sure the horse gate was unlocked, left Aweston her head groom loitering in the courtyard to spot and escort anyone who came through the gate bearing that name, and took up residence in the Common area of the Within. She did this for two reasons. First, she wanted to see his impression of a healing facility with a fortress beneath it, and she wanted to see what he'd be like in a more casual environment that wasn't a medical facility or office.

The Common area of The Sanctuary's Within was accessed by a trip across or around an arena, through a set of double doors that lead down into a brilliantly decorated tunnel that spiraled off various directions. Taking a right off the main downward spiraling tunnel and traversing another long hallway tunnel, one would find themselves in a high vaulted ceiling room that resembled more of a tavern than anything else. Instead of tables and chairs though, couches and throw rugs surrounded by seating were included. A huge hearth all worked with mosaic stone dominated a far wall, and obviously a kitchen with a bar in front lead off to the right. There was a huge common table big enough to seat at least twenty, and more hallways leading off in various directions.

Kavala laid out tea, set up a plate of almond scones Cadra her niece had baked fresh that morning, and set about doing some paperwork at the massive table where they almost all shared a meal. She was starting a file on Orabelle and Lyn'nice, documenting their medical progress and observations she'd made about the Nakivak women. Lyn'nice was already pregnant, but Orabelle was involved in a contract with Kavala's trainer, and it t was just a matter of time before the half-breed was carrying child, of that Kavala was certain.

A second tray holding ink wells, quills, and more paperwork littered the table. Kavala could have used her office, but here was better... especially for the interview.

Kavala also had several studbooks to update, one for the dogs and one for the horses. And she did this all in the time she waited, nibbling on a scone and occasionally dipping her quill in fresh ink. The scratching of her writing went on and on. And though the table was massive she sat at, Kavala only took up a neat spot near the end, leaving the end open for her interview if he showed up.


]

[Will Ainsworth]

Will wiped a speck of dirt off the otherwise flawless glass lens with his simple white shirt, taking a moment to inspect the clarity before sliding the glasses back up his nose. A bead of sweat on his brow glistened as he slipped in and out of shadows, hurrying along with haste. Will was late and he was all the more uncomfortable for it, but he was nonetheless relived overall, for too long he had lazed around that vile tavern, the very air was clogged with the smell of smoke and cheap ale, he had to endure a whole day of it before he heard back from employment office, offering him some position in this "Sanctuary".

It was impressive, that couldn't be denied, it seemed no less impressive than the rest of Riverfall but growing up in a place where stonework was considered extravagance really made this place seem like a land of luxury. "My name is William Ainsworth" He declared as he reached the horse gate, taking a moment to admire the scenery and ignore the foreboding stone wall behind him, the stonework really was sublime and the way the light shimmered of the sapphire sea was idyllic and he made sure to mention it to the man who introduced himself as Aweston.

He fell silent as the man escorted him through a set of ornate doors that lead down a spiralling tunnel, raising a quizzical eyebrow in protest but choosing not to question the man as he went about his job. He was unsure what to think as he meandered through the cooler passageways, the office had been lack at best with the details of his employment, dismissing him as quick as possible from their residence as they dealt with an onslaught of the much more exotic, or plain, Will supposed, locals. There is clearly something different about this place he thought to himself Should I be worried? He wondered. In truth he was simply tired and hungry in a foreign land and would have really appreciated some answers right about now, but as always he kept silent.

Eventually the labyrinth of tunnels ended, leaving him in a expansive room that resembled a tavern, rather than the medical office he was expecting. Silently Aweston left him in room that was flooded with the warm, comforting smell of cooked food. Will cleared his throat politely as he walked across to the only figure he saw in the room, the silence only broken by his footsteps and the scribbling of the blonde headed woman. "Excuse me, I presume you are Kavala, my name is William Ainsworth, I am to believe that the you have been notified about my arrival" He said, taking a seat just a couple of places down from the woman. His eyes scanned the pages of the books that littered the table before beginning to sate his incessant curiosity "Forgive me, but I have a couple of questions. Firstly, what is this place? It's not what I was expecting. And..." He said before attempting to read the woman's scribbles upside down "A-And the locals here can have children with humans? I am surprised that the size of the offspring isn't an... issue." He finished uncomfortably, silently chastising himself for indulging his curiosity.

He cleared his throat awkwardly as he slipped his glasses back off and wiped his brow "I'm sorry, I'm sure your questions are more important. Please ask away" He declared, his eyes darting back and forth between the woman and the piles of baked scones that he had refrained from eating out of respect for his host, though his stomach was putting up a fight. He hadn't long been in Riverfall, barely stepping off the ship twenty-four bells ago and he daren't try tavern food, no meat should be a sickly shade of grey.

[Kavala]

Aweston was pleasant. The man was blond, fit, but not prone to talking much. He nodded at the man’s words and gestured for him to follow the groom. “Kavala’s working in the Commons below in the Within. Last I saw her she had a mountain of paperwork surrounding her and a distracted disgruntled look on her face. An interview would be a welcome diversion about now.” The groom said in heavily accented common as he lead the man through the maze of buildings above and finally to the double doored entrance to the Within. “Down the ramp, first tunnel on the right, through the double doors.,. you’ll see her. Konti at the table or pacing around it looking irritated.” He said with a grin, then left the man to make his own way. Aweston had work to do, but in escorting the man he’d had plenty of time to size him up. Studious. Perhaps Scientific. The man looked to be no threat to his cousin below unless he really missed his mark.

Worried though, the groom did end up trailing him until he walked into the Commons, not because he didn’t’ think the man could handle himself, but more because he didn’t want him to become lost underground and have Kavala frown at him for not doing the one favor she’d asked of him today properly.

The Konti looked up at the sound of the doors opening and rose from her seat. She walked around and shook the man’s hand firmly. “Yes indeed. I’m Kavala Denusk. Nice to meet you Will. Have a seat. You are a pleasant distraction from this mornings paperwork. I’ve been putting off the records for too long.” She added, resuming her seat. It was odd too because she wasn't dressed like a typical healer would be. Instead she wore a pale set of leathers like were common in Riverfall, the type warriors wore and she was armed, in more ways than one. Daggers hung at her side and a brace of them across her chest that she wore with the ease of one used to not taking off weapons. And when he spoke, in a manner that some would think of as out of turn, Kavala looked relieved.

She shook her head, laughed, and then glanced upwards in a customary habit. “Thank the Gods.” She said outright, reaching up to swipe back a loose lock of hair that had come free of the ponytail she had her mass of straight white hair captured in. She tucked it behind her ponytail before she spoke. “I get so tired of people that don’t speak their mind. As far as healers go, The Labor Office always sends me these smiling empty minded individuals I can’t really use. If your head is full of questions, your already halfway passed the inverview part.” The Konti said, pushing back her chair and twisting so she was more facing William. She hooked a leg up and sat on it folding it beneath her rump on the chair and looked terribly young doing so.

“This place is a fortress, of course. On the outside and above it is a boarding stables, a breeding facility for a new kind of horse, and kennels. We treat Kelvics and animals of all kinds providing them with healing services that are much needed but aren’t available in town. We do treat people as well, but usually just ourselves and our friends and lots and lots of pregnant women. You’ll see some about and its for the very question you ask that we do indeed treat them. Yes, the Akalaks can breed with humans, konti, and Kelvics.. some odd mixed blood and the multi armed race who’s name escapes me now can produce Akalak offspring as well. And yes, most of the babies kill the human mothers not because they are incompatible but because they have very large birth weights that aren’t easily accommodating for the reproduction of Akalaks. We can augment that by surgericaly birthing the babies, but it’s hard on the mothers.” Kavala said, shaking her head.

“I just need to know your background in medicine. Information like why you are interested in working for me, and I’d indeed like to hear your thoughts on religion as well because it matters. We are on the verge of taking some students, opening a healing college for animals, and working towards producing classes for people. I need to know your thoughts on teaching, and why you are in Riverfall to begin with.” She added, looking amused. She’d give him a tour and a job offer after she heard all those things, plus showed him a few patients and drilled him on a few healing theories.

[Will Ainsworth]

Will was glad to have made a good impression already, he was sure that her opinion would no doubt be the most important regarding his position within this unusual place and his future in it. He was less sure about the woman who sat in front of him though. She was attractive enough, but that mattered little to him right now and quickly dismissed that train of thought from him mind but rather instead focused on her attire. Armed, with a strong grip as well he recalled from the handshake and it all made him slightly uneasy, why would someone need to be armed in what was essentially a fortress when his main intention for being here was in the capacity of a physician? He had hoped for a less eventful time in this part of the world but perhaps he had been a mistake after all. Do not doubt yourself now Will ordered himself Too far have you come to become craven at the sight of a woman who has taken precautions, grow a pair and stop over thinking everything.

Will did just that, he leaned backwards in his chair and listened to the woman speak about her facility and its purpose. He wished he had brought his equipment to take notes regarding the locals and their reproduction, he was always eager to learn more about the world but he would just have to take mental notes right now and chase anything up if he forgot. It appeared to him that these Akalaks as they were known appeared to be cursed by the gods as well as the women who try to have children with them he thought, even going so far as to say "Very unfortunate, but as Dira wills it. A race composed entirely of men, they are exotic where I came from and I was eager to see what the women looked like, it is most curious." Before falling back into silence, trying to make it clear that he was focused solely on what she had to say to him.

If there was one thing that did annoy him it was the questions, to him some of them seemed rather personal but he reasoned that as she was to be his employer that it was her right to know. He scratched the somewhat ginger stubble that had accrued on his chin, something he always did as he thought about things "Well... I spent several years acting as a assistant to a Doctor Petricious, I am unaware if reputations travel this far" He said, taking a moment to look for a sign of confirmation but secretly hoping for none before continuing "It wasn't a teacher-student set up, often he had several assistant but I learnt by observation" He lied "And in my spare time I branched out into herb lore and philtering, areas he wasn't particularly versed in but attracted my interest. I should add that he dealt with humans, not animals I'm afraid so I fear my usefulness could be limited severely."

The next question gave him concerns as well but he decided honesty would be best for this one "I, uh, I pay little attention to most gods. Few affect me, or at least take an interest in me, and some don't even deserve worship if I am being brutally honest. In truth, I only actively respect, ummm, Dira..." He said, trailing off towards the end. He hoped that this would provide no issues or conflict, he had no time for philosophical debates regarding this topic and hoped to settle this matter quickly "It's a personal thing, and something I would rather not discuss if you have problems with it, if you don't mind."

He decided to move on quickly to her final questions, he was rather disinterested in teaching and would much rather focus on advancing his own knowledge as opposed to someone else's but he decided that in this case honesty would not be best "I am more than happy to teach, knowledge should be freely given after all. Though I do have a lot more to learn before I attempt to pass it on, but when that time comes I would be happy to."

The penultimate question annoyed him the most, but with his chin almost sore from all his scratching and rubbing he was almost certain he had a pretty good story lined up "Well, I come from Sunberth and I am sure you have heard of its reputation at least. Even simply knowing things is often feared in a place like that..." He reasoned, his coded words really meaning "It's full of stupid morons who wouldn't know the sharp end of a spear if it hit them in the face." He finished quickly, eager to discuss something else other than himself "And Riverfall seemed like such a place to settle truth be told. I hope I haven't bored you and managed to answer all you questions."

He stood up from his seat a tapped his legs to encourage blood flow back into his legs "Forgive me but I do have some questions of my own. Is this your business? It's very impressive to regardless but if you have built it up yourself it is most incredible. And what sort of facilities are there here? And how many people do you employ?" He asked, most intrigued by the walls around him as he leant against the table, eager to see more of the place.

[Kavala]

Kavala nodded to his comment on Dira, but otherwise gave no other indication it was really something she wanted to discuss at the moment. For her, it was more important to listen to what he had to say – whatever that was going to be – and judge accordingly. She noted his mannerisms, and watched his face. To her, he came off as reserved and cautious, which was not a bad thing in the least. She noted his eyes wandering her form, but she was used to it and gave it no thought. In a city of all men the cursory inspection was not an atypical happening. And it was not offensive in the least. She did note a slight annoyance on his face, but she’d feel the same if a stranger asked her things she most likely seemed fairly… mundane or obvious to her.

“I am not familiar with Doctor Petricious… nor where he is even located.” Kavala interrupted; just to make sure he understood that meant nothing to her. They were half a world away from anywhere here in Riverfall so the physician William maws talking about could have been Myrian or Ravokian for all she knew.

The Healer nodded at his candor, but let him continue uninterrupted. Learning through observation had its merits, but she could round out his education easily enough if it was lacking in terms of animal anatomy or how to treat Kelvics to consider their needs which were in truth not that different than humans. “Healers are healers. The knowledges you might know transcend species barriers in many instances. Not all, of course, but in a lot of cases. I just need to know what you know.” She reiterated calmly. He continued speaking though, and she tried her best not to interrupt.

Again, she gave him credit and points for stating what he wanted to talk about and what he didn’t. William Ainsworth wasn’t mousey and wasn’t a pushover. Both traits were deal breakers to her, and she was relieved he was neither. That he looked to Dira was interesting. She’d have to watch him closely and see just how that played into his life. Some people, Kavala understood, were not touched by the Gods much and that was why they never really heeded them. But once it started happening, the divine interference, their reaction was often surprising. Sometimes it never happened.. sometimes they just wandered through their lives untouched. And if that was what he wanted, she hoped it was what he found in life.

The Konti was also impressed that he was willing to teach and learn, but he was candid about what he thought his abilities were and that he had more to learn before he taught. Some braggarts were fools and took on too much at once. He was willing, but he was willing with stipulations, and that she could live with.

Kavala had no reason to disbelieve what Will was telling her, nor did she have any reason to suspect subterfuge. She was not one experienced with folks that openly lied, so detecting one was not in her realm of expertise. If she was truly curious and he gave her cause, she’d Dreamwalk his Chavi and learn his history, but so far nothing he said gave her even remote pause. Even Sunberth, to the Grassland Native, seemed distant and something disinteresting. She knew nothing about the cities in the north and didn’t pretend even too. “I will admit no knowledge of Sunberth or its reputation. I traveled north of here as a teen and studied in Mura, but my trip only took me to Syliras, Zeltiva, and Mura. I’ve never visited Sunberth or the other Sylira cities. You’ll have to excuse my ignorance.” She replied without apology.

More and more the Konti was impressed. Most humans, truthfully, she disliked on principle. Males, especially, given her history. But this one gave her the impression he was smart without being a warrior… or was he?

She would find out.

“Take off your shirt please. I’d like to see your body from the waist up if possible. And I’ll answer your questions as you do so.” It was not something she’d ask of a female interviewing, but he was male and she was certain it wouldn’t bother him. Maybe it would. But the reveal, if he conceded, would be telling. Was he fit? Was he trained? Did he have scars or marks of a slave? All this she wanted to know before they went further.

“Yes, this is my business. We are a healing clinic first and foremost. We board and breed horses – mainly warhorses for the Akalak – as a secondary business. And we also draw a significant income from our bees in the form of wax and honey, which we use a great deal of for our medicinal purposes. We also sell herbals, medicines, and all kinds of advice. We are working towards opening a Healing College here in the Spring or Summer, depending on how fast we get facilities open and completed. We are using reimancy to do so. I did indeed initially build the business myself, but I have my half-brother Vanator and my family here helping me now and some very incredibly skilled employees. At any given time we have about twenty employees. If we have more horses or its busy, we bring in extra grooms. The chief healers are myself and Caelum, a Syna Eth who’s quite skilled himself.” She added, not explaining the walls having no way of knowing that’s what he wanted to know.

“I am more than happy to field any questions you have. In fact I encourage them. It tells me a lot about a person just by the questions they ask.” She said, being helpful and yet not revealing too much.

“To our resident healers here, we offer a decent working salary.. 7 gm a day in fact starting out unless you are more skilled and then the wage goes up. Included in that wage is a very generous suite that is furnished and all the meals you want to attend. But I have to warn you, that there are strict requirements in terms of our Healers. We are outside the city and thus vulnerable to attack. We get Zith here, Yukman, Nightlions, and all sorts of creatures. I do not believe in having people that are not cross trained, so I require all the Healers here, even the women, to be competent in a weapon or be working towards it. I also encourage magical studies. It comes in handy in this business, believe it or not. We have a library to assist that sort of study and on site labs and training rooms to build up physical strength. Healers are no good dead. So I want them all here to be able to defend themselves and ride if necessary. I want to be frank with the requirements because we pay generously and need our healers ready to defend the facility and the patients, horses, and other livestock at a moment’s notice.” She added, looking thoughtful and awaiting his reaction.

If he did take off his shirt, Kavala would rise and do a quick inspection… not from his seat but walking around him like a physician would.

[Will Ainsworth]

Will was truly surprised that she knew nothing of Sunberth, he had assumed that most people would be aware of its reputation but then again he was far from that place right now and the idea of someone being unaware of something that did not affect them was hardly groundbreaking stuff to Will and after all, perhaps it would be better that he didn't inform her. The truth was only good when it served his purpose and he doubted she would want to know that he had basically crawled out of some craphole that was miles away.

But while he had felt relieved that he had appeared to have slipped through interrogation, even for the fact that her eyes had appeared to have bared down upon him the entire time, like they were waiting for him to slip up or reveal too much, that fact that he seemed to have managed to escaped her barrage of question unscathed allowed him to drop his guard and that just took him further aback when she requested that he undress for her inspection.

"M-My top?" He repeated, his face flushing deeply as his eyes became very keen to avoid her own as they begun to circle around the walls instead. "If you wish" He replied uncomfortably. It may have seemed strange to so many people that in this world one could become flustered at the sight of the human form, especially a doctor but there was reason behind this. The sights that he had to endure as a child as men visited his home for his mother would have twisted even the sanest of children, and a short sharp slap would teach anyone not to look after a while.

He was no warrior that was clear as he slipped of his top. Will assumed that he must have looked rather pathetic next to the Akalaks she must have seen parade around town, though at least he could grow some chest hair he thought dryly to himself as he folded the shirt over his chair and stood back, making Kavala's imminent inspection easier. He wasn't muscular, there was no pose, contortion or even squint that would convince anyone of that. At best he had a slight tone to him, though that was very circumstantial, depending on the lighting. In truth he was slim, or skinny depending on how generous the onlooker was, food was scarce when he was growing up and especially meat so the odds of him turning out huge were always stacked against him. Apart from that there wasn't much else to tell, his upper body was fairly plain bar one small, jagged scar that curved horizontally along his left chest; but even that was shoddy, looking like it had been made with a broken bottle as opposed to a real weapon.

To avoid his increasing embarrassment with each tick that passes he tried to focus on the words she spoke. The Sanctuary began to sound more impressive with each topic she mentioned, the sheer array of opportunities the involved themselves with was mind boggling but something made him tense up suddenly with the slightest mention of it. "Reimancy?" He repeated, more worried that curious this time as she continued onwards with her own speech. It all sounded very interesting indeed, the pay was very generous, the facilities sounded exceptional and he had no clue what a Syna Eth was but it did sound very fascinating but as with all deals, there was a catch.

Firstly unlike Kavala, Will did not support the use of magic. He could fight against his heritage with every fibre of his being, but he brought up to hate magic and that was something he simply couldn't deny. All of a sudden he became very wary of the woman interviewing him, recoiling slightly at her touch and finding his eyes jumping between her and the door or as he now saw it, his escape. Also he was far from combat experienced, true he had pick up a weapon or two throughout his life but that hardly made him the ideal candidate for fighting, in fact he had always felt that was the role of the uneducated, to take up arms when true men should use words but right now he was being told otherwise. "Look..." He said "I would be more than happy to work for you, but I am no fighter and that is something that won't change for a long time" He said honestly, white lies were fine to him but something that risked his life was asking too much.

"I will not run needlessly into Dira's embrace, but more importantly I will have nothing to do with magic" He declared, with venom hanging thick on his words, it didn't suit his normally quiet, soft spoken voice but that just gave it all the more weight "If you and your employees wish to take part in it that is none of my business but I will have nought of it to do with me" He assured her, the once promising interview had turned very sour to Will in a matter of moments and he wondered how Kavala would respond.

[Kavala]

Kavala was amused that he seemed to be uncomfortable with being unclothed. Half the time children streaked by tearing off diapers and the facility were full of Kelvics that tended to think clothing was optional. It was something one got used too. “Your body is nothing to be ashamed of, Will… may I call you Will?” She asked circling him, reaching out to run her fingers over a scar here or a blemish there. The Konti didn’t look disgusted or interested; instead there was an honest curiosity in her gaze that gave her an almost child-like appearance. It didn’t help that she was smaller than he was both in height and weight. There was nothing really threatening about her outward demeanor except the weapons she wore.

Regardless, her inspection was unhurried, as if she slightly enjoyed having the opportunity to do this with him. And she said what she thought as she saw his bare flesh, passing judgment through her lips and not leaving it alone to linger in her mind. “Pale. Your skin doesn’t see much sun, which is somewhat a bad thing. You know when the sun strikes your skin it makes you feel better? It gives you strength and energy just like plants do? You don’t have enough scars, not for a man your age. Which tells me that you are either scarred on the inside where they can be hidden or grew up sheltered, in which case you aren’t soft enough or well fed enough to have that be the truth.” Kavala said, sliding a set of webbed fingers down his bare arm. “Your frame is solid. It will tone up nicely. And I suspect with your build you can really move. That will help. There is nothing wrong with being big, but there is everything wrong with being big and unable to move. To work here, Will, you will need to train. I can’t tell you enough. I can’t risk my life protecting my home and family and unarmed healers because they have principles about not picking up weapons. I can understand….”

She said meeting his gaze suddenly and pausing while she seemed to look deeply into his eyes.

“….your aversion to Magic. Many people share it. It is born of ignorance and misunderstanding and sometimes of abuse. But you are standing in a fortress built entirely from magic, Will. The floors here were crafted by magic. The walls… The ceiling…. Everything here was carved out of stone transmuting it to air to give us shelter within this cliff’s faces. The wall around the facility was crafted by magic, and even the fires in the hearth are often lit by magic… fires we use to keep us warm and cook our food. Even some of the children here wield it. Even standing here with me, you are standing among it and beside it and being touched by it.” She said candidly, watching his eyes for a reaction.

She wanted a reaction. The Konti wanted to know where his fear and aversion came from. There was a power here she’d never felt before, knowing she held the upper hand because she was all about magic and he was afraid of it. She’d never faced a human uncomfortable with something nor so venomous about it. Usually they were callous, careless, and unfeeling creatures in her experience. It caused something ugly to rear in her mind, something that she’d never quite felt before and didn’t fully understand. She continued to stare at him; her deep blue eyes growing so pale it made her look blind.

“Everything that you touch, Will, can and most often will change you. Be it the people you meet, the tools you use, the links you forge. I will change you. Knowing me, that is, will change you. Just as you will change me and probably already has in this moment. Stating you won’t become a fighter is not something that I want in a healer. Healers ARE fighters. We fight for the lives of our patients. We have a mindset that doesn’t give up. It is no different in terms of training our bodies. It helps hone our minds. I can respect your dislike of magic, but you cannot say you will have naught to do with it. You will have to deal with it being here. You don’t have to participate in it, but you will most certainly have to learn to live with it. And if you say you are not a fighter… then you are no healer as well. You can’t be. Because it isn’t in our nature to turn back from a fight.” She said, reaching out and picking up his shirt. She placed it up against her nose for moment, inhaling the scent on it. Was he clean? Did he smell of sweat and unwashed body? She wanted to know. Then she handed it back to him.

“Get dressed. I’ve seen what I wanted to see.” She said abruptly, offering him a slight smile. It was almost apologetic. “So tell me… are you a fighter? Or can you be? I don’t care what weapons you use… scalpel, herbs, a sword…. I have no interest in someone who isn’t.” She finished, stepping back and giving him personal space and room to breath.

[Caelum]

Caelum had bad timing. It was bad enough, in fact, that he very nearly turned around and walked riight out of the Commons when he saw what his best friend and employer was up to. Yet he discarded his sense of self preservation in favor of the his desperate desire for a cool mug of ale. It had been a trying morning as he attempted to organize the breakdown of inventory required to get Alements up and running. The numbers were mind numbing, and he wasn't terribly good at them at them either. "Kavala, are you hazing the new recruit or genuinely attempting to scare him off?" He asked while ambling deeper into the wide room, loose hipped and exotic as the sun rising at midnight. The ethaefal of Syna stood tall and wiry, leanly muscled and dressed at present in plain riding leathers and a weathered linen tunic. It was the immortal burnish the sun had settled over him and the elegant curve of green and gold horns flowing out of his head that could stop a body in its tracks. He shot Kavala a look, complete with raised eyebrows, and delivered Will an easy, amused smile. It was impossibly charming. The collection of divine magic imprinted upon him had a habit of drawing people, making him instantly trustworthy and desirable in whatever manner a person may be inclined. He couldn't help it, but at least he wasn't, at the moment, actually trying to sway the stranger. "Kavala's favorite topics are how dangerous this world is and how magic and weapons are our only salvation," he explained to Will with an almost apologetic note. "She isn't wrong, of course, but she can be pretty damn intense to the uninitiated. You know, Kavala --" This as he rounded the kitchen island to disappear through an open doorway and pull himself a mug of ale from one of the kegs. He emerged a few moments later, mug in hand, and stood hipshot staring at them with sun struck eyes. "It isn't uncommon for physicians to be pacifists. You remember the guy I told you about in Denval? Cian Noc? He was one, though within reason." Here he shot Will a grin, blinding. "It's all about reason. Hey, by the way. I'm Caelum, one of the healers here."

[Will Ainsworth]

This woman was quickly making herself hated in Will's eyes, each touch felt like an intrusion into his very person, every look she gave him seemed confrontational and belligerent, and every word uttered from her mouth attacked his very core, taking no prisoners in the process. She knew nothing truly of him yet had taken it upon herself to question his mindset, something so personal and private yet to her it seemed it was just another target. He stared back at her defiantly, How dare she comment on something so integral to his identity? Will thought as he stared her down, choosing to ignore her comment about his body or its potential, it didn't matter to him right now.

But how could he retaliate? Just as she knew nothing about him, he knew nothing about her. How could one man act not even having an inkling of what his opponent was capable of? It was lunacy of the highest degree but he had to say something "Magic causes nothing but pain..." He said, true his hatred was based on nothing but the views of his birthplace, but their views were built around something more substantial than just blind obedience to prejudice "It nearly destroyed our world once, and you dabble in it to do something that blood and sweat could do. A flint and steel will light a fire, a craftsman can carve stone, and men can build walls yet you choose to rely on magic instead, look at your dependence and addiction, not my apprehension woman" He declared.

But still the woman continued to war with him but there was one key fact she had forgotten and it was the most important "I'm not a healer, I have not pledged myself to a higher cause. I am doctor, I seek to understand and comprehend, and as fortune would have it, people benefit. But I do not fight for people's lives, I will do what they ask of me but if Dira wills them to die then they die, we are powerless to fight that. You may want a fighter but you will not find one it me, our battles are not the same ones yet you ask me to join you in yours..."

He shook his head as he stepped backwards away from the woman, snatching his clean shirt from her webbed hands. "I fear this may not be the place for me if you ask me to take part in or even associate myself with such things, magic and violence may be the way of the world but I choose to place myself above them and I will not simply change myself met you, you may believe that but I do not." A so there they both stood, like to boxers at either end of the ring waiting for the other to make their move, and in between hung a painful silence.

This had truly not gone the way he had expected or hoped, he had been hoping for a simple interview that would have lead to a simple job and a simple life but no, instead he had been investigate, inspected and now interrogated all in the space of a few chimes. "You want a fighter, then go get one. There are plenty of thugs out there willing to shed blood for a few Mizas, they'll give you all the fight and muscles you want to see from this world and they'll keep their mouths shut about anything you get up to, but when it comes to magic I will not sit back and keep quiet like I have about so much in my life, clearly this is something that cannot be reconciled, so I think I will go" He declared, wiping the sweat off his brow with his top "You can keep your goddamned magic, and shove it up your-"

"Kavala, are you hazing the new recruit or genuinely attempting to scare him off?"

The new voice startled him, enough so to remember he was topless, red and sweaty with just a woman in the room for company. His blush deepening to the darkest shade of scarlet as he tugged his shirt back on quickly. He didn't like the newcomer either, too brash and confident for someone who didn't know Will one bit. But then, he felt a strange inclination to at least try and listen to this newcomer, to understand his side of things but Will was is too foul a mood to even bother to rebuild fairly smouldering bridges. "The name's William, and if you'll excuse me it is time for me to leave. I fear I have rather overstepped my welcome, goodbye." He declared, turning toward the door.

[Kavala]

It was too bad the dislike of her was growing within him because the Konti was truly starting to like William Aimsworth. She leaned a hip back against the table, raised an eyebrow at him, and let him run his course of rage, fascinated at how it had developed and followed through with itself. He had his ideals, stuck to them, and wasn't afraid of them. To bad he was so pigheaded though. But it wasn't a quality she was unused too. Pigheadedness ran in her own family, and decidedly in her own psyche and that of Vanators' as well. The Denusks could be truly offensive, though she'd never ran an interview off quite so fast.

"How do you know what nearly destroyed our world? Even the stories told tell of how a God nearly did by changing the land and destroying the city of Suva. That had nothing to do with magic." Kavala said quietly, soberly, as she looked on at the man gathering his things, his dignity, and preparing to depart.

"Tools." She said simply.

"You speak of tools. A flint and steel can be used to burn a city to the ground just as readily as magic could. How is it different using magic to carve stone than it is using a craftsman? They both take the bits away tiny flakes at a time. I have no addiction to anything, save perhaps comfort and security. Your apprehension seems misguided. Any sword can be used to kill. It can be used to save someone too by cutting off a septic arm. It's not the fault of the magic, Will. It's how the user utilizes the tool." Kavala said, thinking her words and her tone reasonable.

"I will not find a fighter within you?" She said reasonably, gesturing to his preparedness to depart. "Seems to me that's what your doing right now. Fighting." Kavala said, again in what she felt was a reasonable tone. Her eyes danced with mirth, half tempted to block the man's path, but having no real cause to do so. She couldn't for the life of her understand why he wanted to beat feet to the door so fast. Had she wronged him with her questions? They were, after all, just standard procedure.

She liked that he stood toe to toe with her defending his ideals and ready to walk. If he walked, he walked, but she wasn't going to let him go without seeing what he'd miss.

"Seems to me you are doing plenty of fighting, just with words not swords or magic. In my eyes there's no difference. Meek men sit back and keep their mouths shut, agree to anything, and then decide later it was wrong. True warriors defend their ideals and move themselves on to situations they like better than situations they do not like. You seem to me to fit everything I'm looking for, whether you know it or not." She added, amusement tilting her lips upwards.

"And I have no issues about letting you walk out the door... I'm fine with that. But perhaps you should have a tour before you do. Just a little one..." She said, blinking as suddenly Caelum appeared, commented, and grabbed himself an ale.

"It appears I'm antagonizing him relentlessly, but hes not having much more of it or so it seems." She commented dryly, scowling at her friend and wondering how long he'd been there and what exactly he'd seen. Had Caelum witnessed her sniffing the man's shirt? Gods, the mortification. But something about Will just drove Kavala to press him. And she had no idea why. Caelum had impeccable timing... and Kavala tried very hard not to be mortified because of it. But it was there, lurking beneath the surface, just the same.

"Before he storms out of here though, I thought I'd show him the Isolation Lab where we do all our research. I suspect... if the magic drives him away, the lab itself will seduce him right back." Kavala said dryly, looking at the man about to depart. She raised an eyebrow at him, grinned at Caelum, and waited for him to either finish clearing out or take a chance and see what The Sanctuary's Lab had to offer.

It just might... and that was a very slim might... change his mind.