Solo Results May Vary. (job Thread)

[Alexander Faircroft]

Timestamp: 12th Winter 516AV


Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"


Second day in the city and Alex had learnt two things. Firstly, nothing stood still. People, animals, places, houses. Nothing. Barring the one building he walked past on his way into the tangled mess that was the city. No instead Alex made a keynote walk or rather a hurried dash towards the moss covered building, blades strapped and hidden upon him he wanted a little security in this…Chaos.

Pressing his hand into the large oaken door and stepping into the sanity centre, as it was called. Within it looked to be anything but sane with mounds of books piled height almost scraping the ceiling. Stepping past the mountain ranged of literature he slid up to the counter, behind which sat a woman looking to be in her early forties, if a little frazzled. Hair messed and mussed. However the gingery mop made it seem a little less stark. Alex placed his hand lightly on the edge of the counter, perhaps too lightly as he noticed no movement from the figure. As he placed his other hand a little louder it became abundantly clear as to why she hadn’t answered him. She’d fallen asleep facing the other way.

Alex lifted his hand and sharply slammed the desk causing a jolt from the sleeping woman who damned near leapt out of her chair. And Alex tried to play it off like he’d just walked in. Leaning over the desk and breathing a little heavily.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to be so loud outside is kind of billowing hard and walking through the wind is a nightmare.” He glanced up from his lightly bent over position now giving the woman a small soft smile. Again completely empty but practiced enough to seemingly hold feeling.

“It’s… Quite alright.” She spoke wiping a line of moisture from the corner of her mouth and placing the book down flat upon the counter. “Welcome to the sanity centre. My name is serenity, and how can I be of help.” He eyes snapped back and forth across the room as if she was trying to discern if he was alone.

“Well to be honest I’m kinda new in the city I was wondering if you could tell me…” As he spoke he could already see her gearing up to brace herself from losing her cool. “Where I might be able to find work.” He finished his soft words and before she even began her count she stopped and gave him an odd look.

“Well that’s odd, having someone new in the city looking for work help as opposed to directions…” She spoke a little perplexed.

“I’ve already been here for a day and I know just from that long it’s… Somewhat fruitless to ask for directions as you’ll end up where the streets take you, not where you want to go. I learnt that trying to find the inn on my first day… Spent most of it simply running around the city with no luck… Still…” He spoke with a softness that belied the urgency he felt.
“Ah yes sorry, well at present there isn’t many “stable” jobs within the city however if you fancy working as a bit of a merc doing some guard duty and such I could perhaps furnish you with a few jobs like such?” Alex simply nodded and pulled the coat from his sides displaying the twin blades he carried on him at nearly all times. But hiding a lot of his other tools. “Lovely. Your first job then will be for an older woman she didn’t say much about what it entails and good luck finding her, but I have faith in you. Once your done one way or another…Head back here and I’ll see what I can do.” She smiled with a knowing almost mocking grin lining her face as Alex took the scarp of parchment with the details on it. Marching out again into the city.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"


The march through the ever-changing streets was something of a chore. That alone set him back by a good bell maybe even two, telling the time in this mess of a city was a pain as well. Eventually just on the verge of giving up the ghost for the day and heading back to the sanity centre to say he couldn’t even get to the residence. The city seemed to part leading him directly too it.

Perhaps that was something to do with the city itself testing his resolve? Most people probably would have given up after the first twenty chimes or so. Scratching his face lightly he walked towards the residence. Two thick black doors loomed out in front of him, each one highlighted by the singular thick steel knockers on the front. Alex glanced around. Despite the fact that the building was looming it seemed to feel squashed into the city.

Picking up one of the monolithic steel hoops he slammed it against the steel plate three times first to make sure it wasn’t going unheard, and secondly to let them know it wasn’t a fluke. He stood there looking down at the stonework, almost feeling like the slow rolling mist that seemed to shroud the corners of his vision was shifting. He stuffed his hands into his pockets making sure he didn’t move. He didn’t want this place going anywhere. At least not before he’d had a chance to speak to the contractor about what was wanted. Eventually the door began to rumble and part. And before him stood a man. Not what he’d expected but enough to make him wonder.

“And you are?” The younger man spoke glancing up and down over Alex almost assessing him.
“Well for starters I’m the guy trying to enter the building-“ As he spoke with his soft voice the door began to close and Alex slid his foot in as a wedge and continued. “Secondly, I’m here because of a contract request that was made at the sanity centre. And thirdly, you try to close that door on me again before I’m done explaining, and I’m going to make sure that you know what manners are.” Alex just stared coldly into the young man’s eyes as he pushed open the door with a modicum of force almost throwing the lithe little man off of his feet.

Alex stepped into the building now which looked significantly larger inside than out.
“You can’t be in here even if you are here to help with the pro-”The younger man was cut off by a much louder much more commanding tone.
“And who is it stepping into my home uninvited?” Alex glanced around for the source before eventually swinging his eyes up onto a landing. His eyes catching sight of a blonde haired woman. Visible crow’s feet at the corner of her eyes but most other wrinkles kept to a minimum.
“I guess that you’re the owner of this house? And that this…Chap, is your son?” Alex asked with a small cut off, the militaristic nature in him still feeling a little beholden to a tone that demanding.
“That he is and I take it you’re the man who finally had the perseverance to find this place?” As she spoke she descended the stairs and Alex pulled the scrap of parchment free from his pocket.

“Miss Voidflame. I presume. I’m here to discuss the details of the contract after all there’s not much on this scrap to go on.” Alex let a soft smirk sit on his features. As usual a simple show of formality.

“That I am, and the contract is simple. I want you to find my husband. He stole something from me and I want it back.” Alex gave her a deadpan look that could only be described as “Really?” To which she responded with a soft smile and further explanation. “I would go to the city guards but they’d arrest him and I wouldn’t get back my property. So I’m sending you out to collect it from him. Just don’t kill him, after all dead men don’t tell tales.” Alex wanted to tell her to sod off but he needed the money and this was a contract that hadn’t been pulled off yet. With a decent sized price tag.

“Fine. However I need three things before I can really start. Firstly, a description of your husband. Secondly a description of the property that you’ve lost. Thirdly, where he would normally be found.” Alex spoke with a dry but still even and light tone.


“He’s around six feet tall, close to your height actually. Black hair that’s starting to grey, chestnut brown eyes, and he has a very distinct scar across the back of his right hand. As for my property that is for me to ask him. Your job is simply to bring him here. And for where he can be found. Take a look at the vesion of Zeltiva that has popped up. He should be found around there.”

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"


And that was it. The hunt was on. Alex was already moving keeping his time in check and dreading the machinations of the city. The long distance from where miss “voidflame”’s dwelling and her apparently son were held up was long enough distance that Alex was dreading how the city would mess with him. And mess with him it did sending him through twists and turns he didn’t expect leading him to dead end alleys and other lurking and shadowed distractions.

“Alright enough of this.” Alex spoke aloud. His hands fidgeting together as he calmed himself he glanced down at his hand. Calm. He spoke to himself as finally he heard the soft sound of waves lapping at the edge of the shore. He’d after almost a bell and a half of searching stumbled upon the open expanse that was Zeltiva, or Zel-vadas as some had come to call it. At least according to Alex’s recollection of the port city this was a faithful reconstruction even down to the shape of the docks.

And now the actual challenge was finding this person. Lost amongst the mish-mashed construction of buildings. He sighed stepping through the sprawling streets his hands firmly shoved in his pockets, he wanted to remain unassuming and quietly lost in his own little world. Or at least look that way, on the outside. Internally every time his eyes scanned the horizon his was scanning for that mental image he’d put together of what the miss had described.

Nothing. Not a single shred of a lead. He huffed heavily before leaning out over the railing of the fake docks. Watching the water Lap against the shore. He missed Zeltiva. It was a city that he possibly had the best time in. At least for time travelled.
“You look a little melancholic friend. Something on your mind?” The voice spoke from behind him. Alex glanced over his shoulder to see the face of the man he was hunting. Annoyingly enough his mark had come to him. Perhaps he should try his hand at fishing if sitting still was working for him getting a hold of what he was after?

“A little. I just remember being in the actual Zeltiva.” Alex nodded his head to the side inclining that the man took up the space next to him. “The names Alex by the by, yours?”
“Darius. So what’s on ya mind?” He asked with a slow word and an undercurrent of someone rolling some problems of his own over.
“More than someone can help me with. How about yourself you seem a little lost in your own problems.” Alex asked seeing if he could change the situation to benefit them both.
“Dealing with me leaving my home for a while. I’m debating on leaving my wife. I took the ring I bought her when I decided I’d marry her with me.” Darius sighed heavily and Alex now understood the weight of the situation. But was this really a job for a mercenary? Wouldn’t a councillor or someone better suited to the profession be more inclined with this?
“Oh?” He just asked simply with a very light voice.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"


“Yeah…She’s sent a number of people after me looking to get the ring back. Couldn’t tell you why though.” The glanced towards Alex with a rather resigned look.
“So why’d you leave her?” Alex asked glancing out to the sea again.
“Because she changed. She used to be so caring and loving but the moment our son was born. She sort of changed.” Alex shifted his positioning and shot a look towards Darius.
“People change its part of life. It’s no reason to just walk out. But I do admit your son could stand to learn some manners.” Alex finally let the jig slip through him instead of playing this game any longer. And Darius’ face dropped.
“So you spoke to my wife then?” Darius inquired, and Alex just shot him a look which spoke more than he ever needed too.
“Look you and I both know if you go for a weapon it isn’t going to end well. Not for me and most definitely not for you. So please just drop it and give me the damned ring.” Alex spoke with calm indifference that spoke more about what he was after than much else all in all what he was tasked with was getting her property back. He’d rather it didn’t end in violence but sometimes he couldn’t help it he’d simply would have gathered that this was one of those times.
“Fine…” Darius tossed Alex the ring in a small box which Alex snapped open and checked if it was in whilst never letting Darius out of his sight. It was there. “Alright thank you. Was that so hard?” Alex smirked and began to walk off turning he drew one of his bastard blades and pointed it at Darius’ throat. “I don’t take kindly to being lied too. I’ll tell you that now for nothing.” There was a cold anger in his eyes that sat there for a moment exuding that feeling of intimidation which wasn’t normally him but as of fall had consumed him further and further.

And with that Alex made his way slowly due to Alvadas’ twisting and turning streets back to the manor of miss “Voidflame”. He didn’t take that name as read there was something wrong. It was Far to obviously made up, and he couldn’t quite bring himself to bring it up. Still though along the trek back the day shifted lightly turning from dim morning to bright midday.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"


The time seemed to flow by as he slipped down the streets looking for that house once again. The large manor enough to stand out and catch him off guard when it appeared out of the aether. And again it did the same thing the thick black wood doors appearing before him. The lacquered wood enough to drink in the light. Almost looking like a void from a distance however up close the door clearly had a very discernible wood grain texture.

Alex knocked against the dark wood, three knocks back to back once again. A good five chimes later the door finally creaked open just a sliver and an eye looked through. Alex knew the eye colour, and who they belonged too. “You finally back you damned merc?” The younger lad’s voice carried through the crack. Alex sighed. He wasn’t taking the abuse today. He was tired and now irritated with the simplicity of the job he’s been asked for. So instead of responding he just gently put his hand on the door and with a single hard shunt from his whole body smacked the teen in the face with the door.

“The last time I was here.” He spoke through the cry of agony as he held his face. a large red mark along his forehead. “I told you to learn some manners. Clearly you didn’t, and as such now you see what the world is going to do to you if you don’t learn some. Except, I’m a lot nicer than most of the world.” Alex spoke as he stepped into the building leaving the kid in a heap on the floor. And pushing the door too behind him.

In the main room where he’d first met his contractor he found her. Lounging around atop a strange looking settee. “I have your property." Alex spoke as he reached a hand into his pocket and placed the small box with the ring inside of it open upon the table before her. “Have I fulfilled my end of the contract?” Alex asked with a small look of feeling like he was pretty over qualified for this.

“Well done.” A second extremely familiar voice called out. From the back of the room. Darius appeared from behind one of the walls and spoke in her stead. “You passed the test. Though I must admit. Covered in that much weaponry I fully expected you to simply draw a blade and try to attack me. Nicely done solving things without the use of a weapon. However the bit towards the end was unneeded.” Alex felt his hand motioning towards his blade. “Ah-ah-a don’t go doing something we’ll both regret wasn’t it?” Darius smiled and sat next to his wife.

“Now we know your measure we’d like to offer you a second job. Much more dangerous than the first. But it should be enough to get your attention, interested?” Alex sighed and looked at him rather grimly a dark look in his eyes and Alex’s own perceived that without a single worry.

“Tell me the contract first then I’ll see if I agree.” Alex spoke with an irritated tone, and glancing across the room he caught sight of a mirror on the wall. And behind him the kid was creeping up with a knife. Alex spoke aloud at a third of his max volume gone from him was the light airiness replaced with a hard undertone. ”Kid, stop right there or I’ll make you wish you weren’t born.” Just the fact that Alex had not only noticed him but confronted him made the kid pause a moment. Long enough for Alex to draw his blade and point it at the kid’s neck. “Next time you try that. I’m not going to be mister nice guy.” Alex held his eyes on the kid listening to Darius now.

“The contract is simple I’ve a trade business in the city. It’s where I got that lovely gem for my wife’s ring. And there’s a large shipment of goods coming into the city soon. I’d like you since I know you can be trusted to up hold your end of a deal, and can sense danger before it becomes a true threat. I’d like you to guard that caravan as it draws close to the city. As I imagine there’ll be a few things looking to take advantage of it. And yes it does already have guards but I can’t trust them as far as I can throw em.”

Alex flexed his fingers along his blade as he pondered. “Alright, I Accept.”
“Smashing! It arrives near the city on the thirty third of winter and as such I’d like you to go out and meet it. Just to make sure the cargo is safe and secure. And to stop anything or anyone that would try to steal from it.” Alex got the feeling that there wasn’t a full story being told here, however he could at least tell that Darius was playing the weakling earlier, if he’d wanted too Alex was pretty sure he’d have been in serious trouble.