Castle Redmont, one of the most important fiefs in the kingdom, it is run by Baron Redmont, named after his land. The castle sits on a large hill, behind it lies the town it protects, a large, but still pleasant place by the sea. The Baron does his work well and Law and Order are well maintained in the town. It is one of the most exciting times of year the time of Choosing. In two days masters from the area will be accepting apprentices from all over, some with a lower expectation than usual which appeals to the less well trained populaces still looking for a job. Youth from all over flock to Castle Redmont in seek of a worthy trade to apprentice themselves to. The sun had just started to rise welcoming a new day and all the excitement that came with it as the bustling town of Redmont began to come to life.

"Hey dad, mom... I'll be going now. It's the Day of the Choosing. Yeah, the last apprentice quit as well. No one has reached the 5th Level yet -- everyone is stuck in the 4th level. It's not my fault... if they can't handle the pressure, then they don't deserve to become alchemists." a soft voice echoed from the room inside an inn. "You don't have to worry, Dad and Mom, I've already paid for the rent until next month. I've just got to have some apprentices, and once they've paid the enrollment fee, they can leave whenever they want."

The girl stood up, grabbing the black cloak before covering her figure with it. The cloak acted as some sort of a veil which hid her youthful features and her red eyes which pierced into everything she saw. "It's fine... I'll manage. Make sure you can wake up, okay?" the girl smiled gleefully before turning to the door, and with a last glance at her parents, she softly closed the wooden door. A barkeep was looking at her with a confused glance, almost as if questioning her sanity.

"What are ya lookin' at, wise guy?! Out of my way!" the girl lunged forward before smacking the guy right in his groin. The alchemist, named as Vestia, strode through the different rooms before exiting the inn itself. She turned back, almost as if wishing that the inn wasn't there. Her eyes roamed the wooden frame and appearance of the place where her parents were laying in a coma. Vestia sighed before wrapping the black cloak around his neck, almost as if it was a scarf. Her steps were heavy and pained, and with each strode she made, it seemed that her burden was getting heavier. She knew where she was going: to her house.

Vestia reached the dilapidated shack that was just located in the corner of the marketplace. She hastily went inside, and got a few parchments. These were contracts apparently with the following conditions and provisions:



Vestia went out of her house as she now headed for the town square where most of the people were. She arrived there without much difficulty, and with a great effort, she managed to hang one of her advertisements:

"Do you desire to surpass boundaries? Ever wondered how it feels to be able to create something entirely new? Well, study under the Alchemy Master, and you can reach for whatever dream you might desire-- here, you can brew glory and craft fame.

Interested? Good! Now, go to the Alchemy Quarter near the river south of the town. Wait there for the Alchemy Master before you can sign the contract!"

The girl nodded to herself, and for her brilliance. "Don't worry, Mom, Dad... I know I can do this!"

Dust walked though a uncrowed ally to get where he is going. He knew about the choosing day to settle who was going to be an apprentice and who wasn't and that was his destination. On his shoulder a small golden feathered blunt beaked bird unable to fly with it's left wing cliped. "Now what? Now what?" The bird said not really know what it was saying. Dust laughed at the bird's words. "Who knows Golden? Even I don't" he told the bird stroking the top of it's head with two fingers. "Good!" The bird said back which made Dust smile at the ridicules answer. He sticks a hand in his pocket and pulls out some small seeds which he then feeds to the bird. Hunger naws at Dust but he doesn't mind since he's used to the feeling. He would rather die then go back to his sister.His tail brushed the ground as he heard many voices mixing into one great sound and he knew he was where he needed to be. He held out his hand which the bird hopped on to before he slipped her into a pocket that he had cut a hole in so Golden could stick her head out to not only see what was going on around them, and keep her out of harms way, but to also allow her to breathe. He went into the crowd keeping his head down. Dust wishes to be a healer for it pains him to see others in pain. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do or where to be but he gave no hint to that as he remained stone-faced. He knows he has to talk to a brown haired women but besides that he doesn't know. As he's walking he bumped into a short women who had just hung up an advertisement for alchemy. "S-sorry." He apologized to her.

Vestia was feeling pretty proud of herself for hanging up that advertisement. It only took a chair, some flat rocks, a book, and her tip-toeing to the max so she could reach the top of that bulletin board. She barely got off the chair when a rather timid figure knocked into her, causing the chair to topple, sending Vestia crashing to the ground with a barely audible thud. The alchemist sat up angrily as she spun around, and pointed her rather small finger at the nearest person she could point out as her offender.

"Who do ya think ya are, maggot?!" Vestia shouted in a voice which was so timid that it would be hard to take her seriously. "Ya think ya can just waltz your tootie-patootie in here and bump me, huh? I'll lop that stinkin' head off of your---" Vestia stopped mid-sentence as she realized that the person was... well, not a person. The person... err, humanoid? He had ears-- fox ears! His skin was pale as snow, and he looked so innocent and pure. She couldn't muster any rage to get angry at him. His eyes looked pained, as if he had endured something traumatic. Who was this child? The alchemist dropped her frown and smiled instead.

"Ya dun have to stammer, ya know?" Vestia rubbed her forehead in exasperation. "Apology accepted, kid. Say, while we're on this topic-- ya lookin' for a master or somethin'?"

Dust nods glad that he didn't get a punch in the face from her. "Yes I am. I'm looking for the healing master. Do you know where she is by any chance?" He speaks carefully not want to anger her again. "Oh sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Dust." He sips his hand in his pocket pulling Golden out. "And this is Golden. She kind of my only friend." when he says this his ears drop and gains a sad look on his face. The bird flaps her wing saying "Pretty! Pretty!" Which makes Dust laugh and cheer up a little as he puts her back in his pocket. "Yes, yes we know your pretty. We don't need you to rub it in our faces." He looks back at Vestia bearing a small smile. "What's your name?"

Thea left the inn running, a frying pan thrown at her receding back. She had just quite her job at the inn, and could see it was not taken very well. It may have been the fact that she threw in a few unpleasant comments at the owner (she had nothing to lose). Thea laughed and tore down the cobblestone street, her boots pounding against it. She soon slowed to a walk and navigated through some back alleys to get to the Castle. She strolled leisurely, chewing on an apple she had taken before she left the inn. When she arrived at the noisy courtyard she tossed the core and entered the crowd of people clamoring in the courtyard. She slipped through the people, trying to find someone interesting to talk to. It was Choosing Day and she could not afford to be missed. She needed this apprenticeship, and not only needed it, but wanted it badly. Thea pulled her green cloak tighter to her body as she squeezed past a larger man. She was trying to get to the front, where there may be some air to breathe. The noise of a crowd all talking at once was quite loud, and as more and more people joined it the crowd became larger.

I was walking through the town buying certain medicines from certain people at certain stores. *boring day I guess* and then noticed a big crowd *oh yes its choosing day and i'm late* clutching on to the medicine that I Had just bought and I wasn't really Paying attention to where I was going obviously because I accidentally Ran into a tiny kid by accident [vestia] and then I fell down dropping all of the medicine I just bought *What a waste* and grabbed What medicine that wasn't broken *a bandage and a tube of ointment wonderful*. I then looked up too see the same girl looking a lot like she was going to explode into a fit of anime cliche-induced rage "oh sorry about that" I said coldly. and noticed that she had a sign *alchemist master isn't she a little....young for that?*

Vestia tried to smile as Dust, the kid, said that he wanted to meet the Master of the Healing Arts. Yeah, Vestia knew her; Vestia knew all those lazy-bums at the healing apprenticeship. It irked her to see that most kids nowadays would just go for the easy way out, and go for the sparkly-sparkly magic hut. Yep, this Dusty Fox didn't appear to be of any use to the alchemy training. Vestia nodded slowly before focusing back on the Golden Bird who had just flipped its gums and started talking. Honestly, Vestia was astonished at the talking bird, in fact, she even smiled in amusement. "Your only friend, huh? Ya know, kid... In this world, when everything fails, ya can only rely on yerself. That is why, while Goldy Flappy here is still with you, I suggest you take care of her, okay? My name's Vestia. You're not from around here, are ya?" Vestia chuckled, not even introducing herself as the alchemy master, after all, this kid wasn't looking for the hardwork arts, Dusty was looking for the lazy arts. "Oh yeah... the Healing Master is---" Vestia affirmed when suddenly, another idiot smashed into her tiny frame.

Vestia toppled forward as her cloak fell off. What was this? Smash into a Midget Day? That's it... Dusty was still okay since he was quite light, but this new faggot wasn't getting away with it! Vestia raised her head, and lo and behold-- it was the lazy bum, Ash, the healing master.

"Ya blind, ya sparkle bum?! Ya might be healin' and all, but ya still blind! Ya want me to shove a hydrochloric acid in your eye, huh?!" Vestia curled her fist as she turned to Dusty. "Hey, Fairy Powder, that's the lazy bum that ya are lookin' fer. Ash, the Healing Retard. Now, scram!" Vestia shook with fury... Ash had always looked down on her capabilities. She was just unbearably annoying.

"AND I'M NOT A KID IN CASE YOU WERE THINKIN' THAT, YA LUNATIC! YA LOST A FEW BOLTS AND NUTS?! Why I oughta smash that ointment in yer face so that ya can see!" the alchemist gritted under her teeth as she exhaled and turned to Dusty. "Hey, Dust Boy... go. I know ya want to be a healer, so take yer chance."

Dust stutters out a few a few words that seaming like he's about to die from confusion. "Nope!" Golden signs in his pocket. "Shut up. Please shut up. Your not any help right now." He shot back at the bird which gave him an innocent look. He took in a deep breath in an attempt to calm him self down. "You," he points at Vestia. "No I'm not from here, I came here to get away from My sister, and right now I'm afraid that your either going to kill me or her. Also I don't think thats how ointment works." He then points at Ash "I have no idea how I feel about you because I have not met you. I suggest you either run or say or sorry because in her point of view you are a bad guy. And also as she said I want to apply to be a healer for I hate to see others in pain."

I then remembered *oh that girl* I don't usually listen to vestia. she always yelled at people like this. *her attitude will get her nowhere in life* ash usually ignored her. it was useless trying to say anything to her so I just ignored her and then she said that dust or...whatever he is named. wanted to become a healers apprentice I then turned to duswhatyoumacallhim and said 'so you want to become a doctor?'

"Yes I do. Your awfully calm about this whole this whole situation. My question to you. How?" He offers his hand keeping an eye on Vestia. "Once again Dust" "Golden!" Said Golden who remained in his pocket.

"I was listening to her" I shook dusts hand and said "shes always like that so I just got used to it. my name is Ash by the way and I am a healer-master"

"Yeah. Vestia kind of already said that...hehe." He shits his weight a little to his left leg his right one being to complain loudly with pain. He takes Golden out of his pocket and tell's her "Your gonna have to be quite silent ok?" "Hello!" The bird said back. "I'm gonna take that as yes." Dust says to himself as he puts her back in his pocket.

Vestia noticed Dust who was observing her too much. She shook her head as she turned away, and wore the cloak, covering her head once more. Vestia just couldn't help it-- she becomes extremely defensive when people begin to hurt her. Vestia knows she was being rude and mean, especially to her colleague, but... well, this was who she was. Vestia sighed deeply as she took out one of the coffee stained parchments, and tapped Dust's shoulder to get his attention.

"Sorry about that, Dusty. Well, I don't think we'll be meetin' again, but you're an interestin' feller. I hope you succeed. Keep the faith." Vestia smiled as she handed him the parchment which contained the advertisement and the contract as well. "Well, in case you're interested. See ya on the flip side, Dusty." the alchemist saluted the lad as she turned to Ash, and gave her the ever famous flipping finger. She then stuck out her tongue, as if trying to insult her. Vestia turned away as she dodged through the crowd, and came upon a lemonade stand. Vestia kneaded through her pockets, pulling nothing but lint. She finally found a silver piece in one of her pockets, and tossed it to the vendor. Vestia took the cool beverage instantly and when she was about to drink it, a raggedy child began pulling her cloak.

"Oh come on, really?" Vestia mumbled as she rolled her eyes, and gave the lemonade to the child who took it quickly and ran away. "Yeah... they're all like that. Pricks." Vestia ran a hand through her locks as she began to search her pockets for silver. She found, perhaps the last one, a piece, and exchanged it for another lemonade which she drank hastily... another beggar might come.

From the corner of her eye, Vestia spotted a pretty lass (Thea), who looked tough and all. "Hey, you there! Lookin' for an apprenticeship?"

Dust takes the parchment from Vestia. To him under all that anger she seemed like a nice person. Dust rubs his arm not sure what to say to Ash but he really want to get on and stay on her good side. He felt rether awkward which was rather common for him being not much of a talker. "So now what do we do?"

"well I have to replace all of this medicine I dropped" I said to dust staring at a pile of glass and medicine that she had dropped "so you might as well come with me while I go shopping" I said to dust

Dust nods folding the parchment Vestia gave him and puting it in one of his pockets. "Sure I'll go with you." He fished a few silver coins out of one of his other pocket and handing them to Ash. "Here." He sits down on his knees for a moment picking up all the glass shards he could and sliping them into his pocket before standing once again.

Eamon-Ail tightens his fingers around the old, rotting boards of the noble's coach, and sneezes.

Stealing rides on the underside of a carriage is cheap and effective, but the dust stirred by the prance of the noble's steeds and the wheels of the damned contraption whirls around an individual's face and into their mouth and nose. Not really that pleasant, especially when said individual owns one pair of sweaty palms that cause them to feel as if they were going to fall from the coach at any moment and crack their head on the rocks below. Especially when they have no idea if they're going where they need to go.

So when the coach stops, Eamon drops, "Bualadh craicinn....cac!"

And because it wasn't wise to curse so loudly, Eamon scurries out from under the coach and looks around. And He has absolutely no idea where he is. And it might be time to ask for some directions and get away from the scene of the crime.

And, ay, there's a few people over yonder that he could ask--a woman and a white-haired boy? Convenient!

"'LO?" He redoubles his efforts to conceal his accent and his high-pitched voice. "Ye know--by any chance--what land I've dropped into? Am I near the City Redmont?"

"Yes. Yes you are." Dust said to him noticing the strange sound of his voice but he didn't really care much about. "Why do you want to know?" Golden looks at him "Happy?" The bird asks Dust. "I don't know." Dust said back to the bird. Dust's tail swings from side to side and he lowers his ears hoping that he hasn't made a mistake.

"Ah...how close?" Eamon shouts from across the trampled village path and raises an eyebrow at the tail--what strange magic is this? "An' what day is it, do ye know, lad?"

He rolls his shoulders from inside his jacket. Close? To Redmont? The coach he'd just ridden on had boarded near the fief near Norgate--hell, he'd been all over Araluen, trying to hitch rides to the god forsaken place. And if he was in a nearby village, he could walk there. No more sleepless nights for Eamon-Ail, no sir! He'd be that much closer to going home.