Solo Preparing for the next day

[Evalin]

42nd of Winter, 514 AV
Location: The Alements

The sun had set some time ago, several bells at the least, and it was at this time that Evalin left the comfort of her room at the inn to venture into the moon light night draped in cloak and robes. Things were as they usually were at this time, growing still as the residents settled in for the nights rest in the winter cold, but for this immortal being the coming of knight brought no need of rest. Instead it was now the time for preparation, for movement and action to make ready for the day for those who dwelled in the sun and warmth. Perhaps some would find it depressing, but for Evalin there was a certain level of peace that came with this time of private work where she could do some good for another.

That thought made Evalin smile. Who would have thought that such feelings would be possible for this creature, steeped in blood and darkness. That she could do something good? Surely the gods were laughing at the jest aimed at all of the world. Still, the Nuit enjoyed that pleasant feeling that came when she thought of where she was going, and for whom she was working for. That man named Caelum, he who saw the filth that covered her and yet still stretched out his golden hand to ask for her aid. It was so much like that time more than 200 years before...

The smile lost some of its warmth at this thought, and she shook her head, No, he is nothing like the man cloaked in shadows. Caelum is kind. Caelum truly cares, and wants what is best for me... didn't he?

Pushing past the thoughts that began to bubble in her mind Evalin quickened her pace toward the Alements, nearly running as she sought refuge inside its walls from the darkness outside and the darkness in her heart. without pause she made her way past the bar, not looking around as she went to the very back of the establishment, to the place of healing where her worked called to her this day.

Once over the threshold the immortal slowed to a stop, hands already beginning to undo the knot of her cloak as her mind struggled not to wander down less pleasant paths. While her fingers worked she could not help but notice the lack of a presence hanging around her neck. Tonight, as was normal most knights, Tsenrika had chosen to stay in the room with Gresshal. Evailn could still feel him of course, and speak to him if she wished, but lately the Tsenrika had grown more and more distant. He offered his thoughts less and less, seeming to sink deep within himself. Not unlike how he was when they first met. If such were suspicious to the Immortal she quickly squashed the thought, content to enjoy the dream if only for a little longer.Something was odd about this city, but this once terrible witch could not care less the what or why.

With a sigh Evalin hooked the hood of her cloak on the hanger near the door and leaned her back against the door's frame. Her black hair fell over her shoulders, forming a curtain over her eyes that concealed the room around her as she looked down at her toes, "As strange as it is... Why can I not find myself able to care...?" She whispered softly. Shifting her booted feet Evalin brushed a hand through the straight locks, watching as they swayed back and forth from the motion, "My mind feels slower... like there is a cloud, of fog within it, yet more than that I feel this weight upon my chest. It burns, and aches and feels..." Good?

Looking up Evalin closed her eyes as she pressed the back of her head against the wood of the door, one hand reaching up to press two fingers softly against her temple, "If I think, concentrate, I believe I can feel it... That spark, a whisper of what I was..." Through her mind an image of things from the past flashed by. Fire and blood spattering the ground, cries of a child and adults alike. Joy at the pay, sadness and envy and hatred... All of this came rushing to the forefront of her memory such that it forced that slight frown to deepen to a full grimace and her hand to clutch at her hair as her eyes snapped open to glare across the room, "No... surely such was never me. How could I... how could anyone be so...." But then what was it? These thoughts and memories that were so real, yet as she was now Evalin could not connect at all to what she knew was her old self. Why? Why did she not recognize who she used to be? What was she so different now?

Gritting her teeth as the frustration began to build the confused Immortal clapped both hands on her cheeks, shaking her head furiously as if to banish all of the memories from her skull, "No. No there is no time for such as this. I have work to do, I must prepare." slowly lowering her hand Evalin pushed herself up from the wall, pulling back her hair and quickly tying it in place as a pony tail to keep it out of the way. All of these thoughts, and contemplations, they could wait. Yes, there was too much to do. She did not have the time to dwell on the past and question her very perception of herself. She didn't... and she did not want to.

[Evalin]

The people out front, the normal customers, surely did not realize the work that went in to keeping this establishment running from day to day. After all it did not do its own upkeep! Instead there were people designated to do different tasks. Some were made to clean, others to cook, and still others to serve and advertise and guard. This, then, was where Evalin found herself fitting in. The immortal was not what one would call conducive to a good business environment. Her looks, how she held herself, and that ever present aura of unease made it difficult for her to converse and connect with other people, except Caelum of course. Due to this the Nuit did not often visit or work in the Alements during it's daylight hours. Such would surely be bad for business. Instead Evalin made herself useful to her employee in other ways, both good and bad. She was his hidden dagger, his blade in the darkness. His enforcer among the seeder dealings in the city... but that was not the role she played this night. When she was not swimming in blood and to her elbows in entrails she instead did what she could to prepare his work space for him in the morning. A task that required cleaning, sorting, organizing and, yes, picking up after a man who surprisingly seemed very absent minded when it came to putting away the tools he used during the day.

As she did nearly every night Evalin began her work by moving through the medical bay with a basket to collect the soiled clothes and sheets to be washed later. Some were bloody, others were filthy in other ways, but the Nuit did not pay it much mind. She could not get sick, and so there seemed little reason for her to give it much attention. Well, that was what she had thought, before Caelum had informed her that even if she were not able to become sick others could just from coming in contact with something she touched without washing her hands. So once all of the dirty articles were taken away she moved to wash her hands and forearms in the wash basin, taking special care to ensure her hands were as clean as possible before finding the new sheets to redo the bedding where needed.

Pushing the basket of dirty cloth near the back door Evalin then began to pick up bits of trash and debris left on the floor, especially in the area where Caelum usually worked. She took special care to check beneath his desk and behind and under the cots, searching for anything that was tossed aside in a rush as Caelum hurried to help one life or another. This she collected in a waste bin, and once it was filled she put this as well near the back door near the soiled cloth. Next came dishes. Yes, indeed, dishes were very common in this area. Used blades, scissors and other medical instruments needed to be washed and properly sanitized, ordered and stored away in their proper place for the morning to come. Even if an item did not look as if it had been used, if it was not in its proper place Evalin would take it and wash it until it shone before returning it to the drawer or cabinet it belonged.

Once all equipment was back in its proper place Evalin set about the lengthy task of restocking the the necessary supplies. From cabinets she removed new sheets and stored them near the beds should the be needed at a moments notice. Cloth and bandages were brought from the storage areas to fill the cabinets and drawers for use in the morning, being sure extra was placed in other easily accessible areas for Caelum in the morning. Then came the time to take inventory, and this was when Evalin made note of the items that were beginning to run low. She also took the time to check some of the equipment, noting if any seemed in need of repair or replacement entirely. This was often the longest portion of the Immortal's night, but in a way she relished this time most of all. The Nuit had found a very simplistic enjoyment that came from organizing not only her thoughts but the world around her. It kept her mind occupied, free of useless thoughts or depressive notions.

The washing always came last. It was rare that there was much to be done, but even so Evalin tried to do it as often as she could. Cleaning was a very simple act of gratitude she could show to the man who gave her current life purpose again. Perhaps she had come to this city just to wash his clothing and organize his belongings. If that was the case Evalin was content.

When she finished dawn was but a few bells away. Taking on her cloak once more Evalin undid the tie in her hair, letting the locks fall free as she looked back once more at her work. What she saw made her smile, which was quickly hidden by the hood she pulled over her head. Thus ended another night, and once more the Immortal was pleased with her existence.