[IC] Moonscratch Chronicle; Cycle One

[Crumbs]

"Of course, Councilor, I would be honored," Crosos Granz's voice was a grating echo, but somehow a smoky utterance. While he spoke to Councilor Serpera, the Golem's lone eye was directed out a window. "The Enlistment is thriving this year," he said, casting a lingering gaze in the Ewori's direction, "and I'm sure the Lunar Festival will be just as vibrant." Serpera shifted and turned her head only slightly, uncertain as to exactly where the Golem was staring.

"We thought it would be appropriate for you to handle the ceremony, given that..." flat, and without the seemingly regular "we of the Vaunted Council", cogs began turning somewhere in the Golem's surprisingly sturdy head. He lifted a hand to silence her, his heart had already sank with the news. She did not oblige him, but gave him a look of understanding that the Golem could only interpret as genuinely sympathetic before beginning. "We...thought that she might resist less if it were to be you." She, a different she.

"What of the others," there was a slight amusement in him, despite the avoidance of the real question behind his twisted lips, "who I am to execute? Should not a kinder face send them to Stieg's embrace?" His laugh was always hollow-sounding, but today the feeling of it lingered with the low chuckle. Serpera tapped her fingers on the table, once each, trying her best to remain composed. Granz knew her better than most, and was prepared for what would follow.

"By all the Gods and their damned faces, Crosos! 'This is an honor' you say in one moment, then try to spit on in the next," where her voice had been flat, now a rising anger tinted her words...though they were not so fiery as what Granz had hoped for; nor had the Councilor begun to redden about the face. He sighed, audibly, and nodded. The room seemed to still a bit more, the Golem's resignation setting in.

"You know I can't spit, Serpera," he said with feigned consternation, and offered a lopsided grin, "She's finally chosen to give it up, eh?" They still had not come to speak her name. Not out loud, anyway. She was Elise, The Silver Glint; and, as Crosos had come to know...one of the heroes who sundered Kanys.

"...Yes. We are still debating what to do with it-" The Ewori Councilor considered something behind almost-closed eyes.

"That wasn't what I meant. I meant her, I meant Elise. She's finally giving up..." It took him a moment to rise, the chair groaning as he stood, perhaps thankful to be free of his weight, but for Crosos Granz it was one of the most mercurial motions made in his existence. "By the damned faces, indeed..." He looked down on her, with pity. Somehow, it had fallen to the Vaunted Council. That could not be a safe thing. The Golem battled biting his metaphorical tongue for a moment and turned, again, towards the window of the Councilor's chambers...or, more accurately, toward the streets of Vaald; toward the sun. "This can not come to pass."

Despite what he expected, Serpera gave him a smile that was both begrudging and approving. "Exactly, Crosos," she livened with talk of conspiracy, and Granz approved to see more of the girl he knew in the Councilor she wore, "I want you to make sure that it gets out of Vaald, one way or another, whether you walk it out or put it in someone else's hands...I don't care."

"Must it be me?" Another hollow sigh and more resignation creeping in, along with acceptance. He knew well that it would be best delivered in his hands.

"Is there anyone else who could?" As did she, apparently.

"Hundreds who-" Serpera shook her head, lightly, somehow silencing the Golem.

"Perhaps, but I have not come to trust them as I have Crosos Granz. You're less easily swayed than others when it comes to matters of great importance."

He let silence and his cyclopean gaze linger over her for a long time. It was not that he had to contemplate whether or not he would comply with her request; that had been decided before Serpera had asked him here, it was that he had no idea how to get a piece of Kanys' mask out of the city. He already had an idea on how he was going to acquire it...but...the part that would come thereafter was quite hazy.

"I am also a fair deal harder to kill."

- - - -

Far from the bustle of things that she wouldn't-quite-understand, Isyph Al-Delad lingered...soaking in her low-spirits. She had produced her lute, a moment before; a song boiling in her heart. Yet, when she hoisted it and began to strum, all of the enthusiasm had been drained from her. Despondency wrapped its self around her throat and drove her to silence. Instead of a song, she produced a harrumph and slid away from the crowds; still cradling her lute.

It was in this surprisingly deep melancholy, and a relatively underpopulated Vaaldian side-alley off the main nexus of the Enlistment Square, that she now marinated, as she often had before albeit not in such an unfamiliar place. Faces, etched into her mind, and the names of several Guilds begin to flutter by; various grunts of disapproval and some barking laughter. Apparently, not everyone could get into a Guild.

"Not everyone is 'worth the trouble', and some people look 'like they'd be slain by an errant breeze'," she grumbled into herself, lifting her knees to her chin and wrapping her arms around them...lightly picking at the strings of the lute, despite herself, giving an unwitting canter to her bitter mumbling, "Some people 'couldn't swing a sword without losing their arms', and others, well, others 'couldn't cause a bit o' harm'." Isyph was starting to grin, allowing her fingers to flow without restriction and her words to gain the volume she suddenly felt they deserved. "There are people who 'look a little sick', or, perhaps, 'built like a stick'. There are people who 'can't sing in tune', and ones who are 'probably cursed by the Moon...'"

She trailed off and looked down the alley, which was a narrow stretch of gray; punctuated by the forms of a few others, some of which had turned to glance at her...after she had momentarily stopped. Being unable to resist she stood, gave a wave and tipped her cowl; bending slightly at the waist to offer the slightest bow, still strumming the simple melody she'd come naturally to.

"'Scratch'," she let the notes trail off and silence settle in for just a moment, before beginning again, "and there are those who have to 'force a rhyme' or 'couldn't rob a blind old woman blind'! There are some people who 'might be able to serve mead to get their fill' and some people that 'won't be able to find a Guild in Aedrasil'!~" The lute felt alive in her hands and her hands seemed to have a mind of their own, wrestling the animate instrument with surprising elegance. Isyph Al-Delad felt that she had just produced one of the better performances in her life, and had found a refrain. The faces, the thought of being dismissed at every turn...while still fresh, were now less painful. Now, they were inspiration. "Those who 'would be dead in a week', those who 'ought to leave, before this turns bleak'," the Uquii stumbled for a line, momentary embarrassment settling in. Then it came to her.

"There are some of us who," she resumed with a particular bravado, "are just wasting time, that'll probably never find a Guild in Aedrasil!"

She exhaled and let her fingers slow, the song trailing into nothingness; a light smile on her face. It was nice, despite all the hardship...and all of her failure, to have a way to release some of the negativity. Even if she were still without a place within Vaald, the night had not yet fallen...and there was always the Lunar Festival to look forward to.

[rush99999]

An invisible Thief reclined against a wall in a relatively underpopulated Vaaldian side-alley off the main nexus of the Enlistment Square to examine the ostentatious diamond that had previously been adorning 1 of the many rings of a fat and arrogant Recruiter for the Merchant's Guild that was now the latest addition to the day's work of the Thief. Were he in fact visible, the side-alley's few other occupants would be treated to the sight of an attractive young man who had just finished the 6th month of this 20th year. Were he in fact visible, the green clothing he wore would make him stick out like a sore thumb. Were he in fact visible, anyone who looked at him long enough to take in every last detail of his appearance would quickly forget it all when they looked away, save for the fact that he wore green and was quite handsome. By now I'm sure you've guessed who this invisible Thief is. If you guessed that he's The Green Amnesia, you'd be right. You'd also be right if you said that his name is Dodger.

Dodger smiled as he tossed away the diamond he had been holding. The shiny stone sailed through the air and vanished behind a nearby barrel. Had it not entered Loot Space, the diamond would have made a sound as it landed. But as is so happened, the diamond found the vast infinity of Loot Space waiting behind the barrel rather than the ground, so there was no sound to speak of. Coming to the Lunar Festival had been a very good idea. There were many rich targets walking around or recruiting for their respective Guilds and many of them now had less while Dodger had more. And after a few hours of bountiful harvest, Dodger had decided to take a break in the side-alley to plan what he'd do next.

Dodger's train of thought was interrupted by a cute Uquii girl sitting down next to where Dodger was standing. The invisible Thief watched and listened with interest as the girl began a rant about not being able to join a guild which quickly turned into a song of agreeable quality about not being able to join a guild. Dodger recalled seeing the girl earlier. Dodger had been picking the pockets of the Black Adders' large Recruiter while the man was yelling at the girl. Dodger smirked slyly as the song ended. A plan had just entered his head, 1 that would get him a fair amount of gold and way into the cute Uquii girl's bedroom if he played his cards right.

While the girl had her back to him, Dodger made himself visible again and began applauding her song. "That was sum bloody great singin', luv" Dodger said with complimentary tone of voice and a smile that could charm birds from the trees a hundred miles away "An' if ya don't me sayin' so, you 'ave a voice that's as pretty as the rest o' you, ya do".

[Crumbs]

Sometimes, fate was a force far more potent than binary logic; albeit one that could be bluntly summarized as such. Variables existed within the reaches of its machinations, rocks of choice interrupting the flow of an aimless river that might be called Time. What was occurring to Isyph Al-Delad, though she could not possibly have the perception of it, was a churning of the tides...forcing her onto one of those rocks. So, there she sat, having just finished her first rendition of Never Find A Guild In Aedrasil; now faced with a choice.

Applause, accompanied by a man that she could not deny was handsome...though something about his features seemed irreconcilable with her mind, as though they were something to be inevitably eaten by a haze of obscurity, startled her; something she almost avoided expressing audibly with a small gasp. She felt a blush creeping onto her cheeks, thankful for the positive attention after such a grueling day. Startling, also, was the reaction in which this stranger elicited in her. He felt familiar, like someone she should know about. Like an old friend with a different face, maybe.

"Thank you, sir," she squeaked out, trying hard to maintain composure in what was quickly attempting to become an awkward situation, "not everyone has been so kind, today." Her blush deepened, by a little, though more with the indignation of remembrance and a sudden sort of nameless shame than the compliment. It had not happened in great droves, today, but the Uquii girl was used to receiving compliments about her appearance...often times phrased with a less-than-couth intention. Seeming to realize that he was looking down on her, Isyph stood and pulled her cowl back a little bit; adjusting it so that it tangled less in her horns and pressed less readily against her ears. "That was an interesting trick you pulled, if you listened to the whole song, stranger!" Confidence had returned to her, but something about the man before her made the Uquii feel slightly less adequate than she usually did. He certainly looked to be a proper Thief, if she had half the sense she thought she did, or maybe a Rogue; sometimes the two would have similar garb; though the lack of an obvious pack made her question that judgement.

The conditioning her 'father' had relentlessly driven into her kicked in, drawing her attention from his face and lithe form to the fact that she had not yet introduced herself. Daln's voice practically echoed in her ears...which, strangely, was the same voice she sometimes heard when debating whether or not to pursue a potential opportunity. That realization set her ears to itching, which she indulged, fully removing her hood for a moment and digging at them.

"My name is Isyph Al-Delad," as per the usual greeting, she offered her hand out for a quick shake...though she expected this man might be the type to kiss it, instead, a fact that did not entirely perturb her, "and I'm here...well, now," she glanced upward, past the uneven jut of the alley's skyward teeth, and observed the position of the sun, midday being hours behind and twilight but a short while ahead, "I suppose...to watch the Lunar Festival." The last part was said with a sigh, as she placed the cowl back around her face. "Though I don't know where I'll be going after that...I had expected to have a place to sleep tonight..."

The blush on her face, having been in recession for a moment, came back with full force; coloring her features with the realization of the possible implications.

[potatochipgolem]

Vaald

The City Capital of Delad
He had heard of it's grandeur, how the opulence of some of it's Guild Halls have inspired poems and romance novels set in them. How it's sleepless nights are filled with the shuffling of busy feet still roaming in some streets. How it's people are as varied as they come, where races that were once bitter enemies could turn their swords into plowshares.

Case in point, as he secretly watched as a grey skinned man with porcine features put his plump arms around a fair young thing underneath the balcony where he stood. The lithe fey, pupiless eyes aglow with an inner radiance, stood on her toes to match his height. Embraced, pressing tusk against tender lips. "Can you be my wife?" Shortly after they parted their face, the woman's face turned flush with red - deeper than that of a summer rose. She replied a whisper into his ear, and soon found herself spun around in joy. Even singing could be heard, somewhere in the distance moments before...

"I didn't know you were into that kind of thing~" A loud voice suddenly crept up from beside their silent observer, startling him for a second.

The larger human man loosened his grip on the railing, then slid off his robe's cowl and looked at her with a flat expression, letting out the extra gasp of air as he shook his head irritably. No, he was NOT into that kind of thing. They stared at each other for a moment, awkward silence between them as he idly scratched his stubbled chin. Though in time, unable to bear the silence anymore, he pointed a gloved finger at the parchment she held, then shrugged his shoulders almost as if to ask how things were.

"Oh!" It was her turn to fluster now, quickly tucking a stray golden lock of hair behind her pointed ear after she pushed up her glasses. "We have had two cases today, both going through counseling with Iluia right now. These are their details" She briskly pushed a parchment into his hands, to which he immediately engrossed in. "It's not looking good, is it?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the townsquare where the underalleys would eventually lead to, where folks were busy setting up the many tiny little stalls that would fill the streets with scent and sounds come festivites. A group of people wearing white, pristine robes gathered around a few tables borrowed from the nearby tavern.

Two, the more figurely attractive ones of the lot of them, were holding boards with large symbols and letters painted on them, standing where the traffic was most bustling. The sentences: -Life is precious.-, -We help the Mooncursed.- and -Speak with us, we can help you.-. While the rest fussed and poured over documents on the table, planning something.

It would have been too hard to bring themselves to do too, bearing just the social awkwardness in such public space, had they not worn featureless masks to hide their identity or constantly reminded themselves that they were here for a noble cause. At least the guards left them alone. Many, however, averted their gaze, some purposely avoided them while hushed whispers were thrown about amongst the crowd. And some, stood at the far edge, ...looking on at these strange people with a sort of nervousness that lies between want and fear.

[rush99999]

Dodger smiled at Isyph's reaction to his words. He always knew he was heading in the right direction with his female marks when they were blushing. When Isyph introduced herself, Dodger took the hand that he had been offered and shook it in a friendly manner. Dodger didn't want to come on to strongly with the flirting and risk being seen as somebody who was simply trying to spend a night in her company before leaving her to wake up alone and possibly poorer for the experience. And on top of that, Dodger always prioritised making the most money off of his marks before anything else. Needless to say, it was slightly harder for Dodger to keep his priorities straight around female marks.

"I count meself honoured to be makin' yer acquaintance, Isyph Al-Delad" Dodger said once Isyph had finished speaking "I've been called many a name by many a person in these lands, but you may refer to me as Dodger, that you may. Much like yerself, I 'ad come 'ere fer tha festivities that only tha Lunar Festival can bring. An' much more like yerself, I 'ad expected a comfortable bed in 1 o' tha city's Guild 'Alls come nightfall. But alas, it seems that the Guilds don't seem ta wont anything ta do wiv irregulars like us. But ya never know. Maybe come tha next Guild Enlistment Drive someone will 'ave created a Guild that 'as no problem wiv takin' in tha likes o' us". With those words said, Dodger had baited the hook and cast the line. So long as Isyph got a bright idea from Dodger's words and wasn't smart enough to know bait when she saw it, the game was afoot and Dodger could take the 1st steps to getting an Irregulars Guild Scheme up and running.

An Irregulars Guild Scheme was a confidence trick pulled on gullible marks that couldn't get into guilds during Guild Enlistment Drives. The Confidence Trickster would start by manipulating The Mark into setting up a Guild that took in anyone who was ready and willing, with The Confidence Trickster then manipulating his way into a spot in the guild high enough for The Confidence Trickster to reach the vault easily. Once the Guild was established, The Confidence Trickster would then skim coin off the Guild's income while it still lived. Then, when the Guild began to decline, The Confidence Trickster would take as much gold as they could and run, optionally leaving behind a box of chocolates and an insulting note. Such a scheme was what Dodger was now planning to use with Isyph as the unsuspecting mark.

[Crumbs]

The Crystalline Chamber was a little known construct beneath the Vaaldian Palace, wrought of countless Runes and Words that Crosos Granz could never see but always feel. There was something within the mirrored surface that carried an air of whispering lips lingering just beyond a tattered veil. There were few uses for a room such as this; rarely did those who possessed power to necessitate its unsealing live to see the hauntingly reflective Crystalline Chamber shiver to life with the lingering essence of Mages centuries-dead. It was what he had expected, but not what he had wanted for Elise. She deserved better than this place and its golden chains. Better than the cold reflection it presented to the interred; the cold meditation or madness it would demand of them.

Twice in the forty nine years of his life had this room been unsealed by those few Mages who knew of its existence; those practiced in the same whispers that composed the place. Once, it had been used to contain his creator. Now it contained one of his components. Guilt always came with seeing Elise, even in the best conditions, knowing that she had sacrificed part of herself to aid in his creation. Of course, he would always remind himself, his creation was necessary. What he had originally been created to do was necessary, despite its momentary nature. What he was, however, did not feel as though it had been in his creators' plans. Perhaps that was the point. Having a soul was not something that Golems were often gifted with. Crosos Granz may have been a momentary plan that lingered well beyond his usefulness...far beyond his crowning moment.

"You're terrifying as always, Granz," the emaciated form of the Silver Glint said with a voice surprisingly lucid, drawing him from sad recollection, "but even your visage is welcome when it obscures my own." She was one of the few who would indulge Crosos Granz's grim humor, even if it reached the self-depreciating realms that were so close to truth. This was one of many things that had made kin of the Silver Glint and the Golem Knight. He offered a lopsided grin, though Granz wished he had the capacity to force a frown; there was little warmth in this place...and Elise's condition made the Golem mildly uncomfortable. "You're always staring..." she sounded somewhat sad, tilting her head to obscure her face behind a veil of white hair, "even though most in Aedrasil have you outnumbered..."

That was enough to draw a laugh from him, even though there was a mounting discomfort in it...a tension. Elise laughed along, far less hollow, though she did not reveal her eyes to him, again. In truth, he was staring; struggling still with his guilt...the overwhelming sea that came with seeing. Serpera had been right. Coming here would do nothing but cause harm to the Golem. He had none of it, though, arguing vehemently until the Councilor had relented. The mention of the Crystalline Chamber had stalled him, but there was little on Aedrasil that could deter a determined Golem.

"And you're always hiding your face. It's unsightly, Elise." It was the best he could do to return her good nature, the sincerity in his voice a mockery of truth, "I..." he lowered his head, as if in prayer, "am sorry that only I am able to come." Many of the Unsung Heroes were dead, their time of glory only lasting a short while after Kanys' death. Two of eight remained, if his count remained current, and three if you were to count Elise among them; which Crosos did currently not. Awaiting death and dead were interchangeable in his book. "Seralle of the Shadowed Countenance," this elicited a snicker from Elise, who swayed slightly within her bonds, "and the Firebrand have had no contact with the Vaunted Council in some time."

"Of course...I would not travel so far, and open old wounds, just to see a friend executed." Eyes peered out to him from between slightly-parted locks, silver halos amidst a field of snow. They were feverish, simultaneously complacent, but aware and focused on the Golem.

"Nor would I; though it seems by some ill fortune I am to have a better view than any but yourself."

Her lips trembled for a moment, her breathing growing deep without an increase in rapidity; though he could not tell from what. Tears formed on the edges of half-hidden eyes and Elise seemed to bite back something, twitching slightly somewhere that set her whole frame into a barely perceived motion. "Tell them that I love them, when you see them, Granz. Please, do me that mercy. If I can not tell them, I must pass that burden onto you...who I love as much as any of the Unsung."

His heart rent in two, but he did not speak. Crosos Granz had not the strength for utterances, only the strength to accept a last wish.

- - - - - -

"Don't consider yourself honored, just yet, Dodger," Isyph Al-Delad said with a derision pointed at her own heart, "I've done nothing to honor anyone, you or myself. If anything, I'm a fool girl for singing my songs in an alleyway instead of on the streets and an irregular fool at that..." She thought back to the day's events and quietly despaired that the Lunar Festival had yet to begin. That would put the thought of failure from her mind. "I don't plan to be here, next year," it was a thoughtless admission, but one that was strangely poignant to her, one that demanded further release, "I'll probably be a merchant, around this time next year. That is, if there isn't a Guild that...takes..."

Somewhere along the line, Isyph had shouted that Dodger was a genius and had darted off with a new goal in mind; weaving through crowds with a practiced ease. The busy streets, deep in their preparations, became more clogged as she moved along. "If that's what it takes, I'll take them all. I won't become a merchant, like my father. I'll become my own kind of professional. I won't go back to Silverbrook and I won't apologize." She spoke to herself, but figured that Dodger would hear if he happened to be following along. Honestly, Isyph hadn't glanced back since leaving the alley. "Why didn't anyone tell me that I could do this?!" Frustration spurred the Uquii girl into even hastier steps, toward the Guild Center.

Earlier, she had been pointed to the building; but had decided instead on trying her luck with the Enlistment kiosks. It was a foolish move, but twilight had yet to fall upon them, and Isyph intended, fully, to correct the injustices afflicted on her by countless others. Snide comments, outright dismissal...all of it would be met with a smile, once she was atop Aedrasil; swimming in good fortune. All it would take was some paperwork, she hoped. Now, its shadow lingered over her; the simplicity of its boxy shape nearly laughable compared to the bizarre Guildhomes she had seen, earlier.

The Guild Center was a place that saw many come and go with each day, their business brought here for review or approval...though Isyph didn't quite understand how most of it was sorted or handled. In fact, she doubted that even with a detailed explanation that she could fully grasp the expanse of the bureaucracy involved a Guild's daily activities. It was daunting, but not so much so that the Uquii girl would balk. Certainly she would have to accept a few extra responsibilities, but they were easily dismissed shadows in the light of a ripening opportunity. Irregulars, Dodger had said, earlier. The word had rolled through her mind a hundred times since, almost haunting her as the derision of her early foray into Guilds and their mysterious ways. Despite its negative connotations, there was something alluring to it that demanded she acknowledge it.

"Irregulars," she mumbled, placing her foot down on the first in a long series of steps to follow, "there are probably hundreds of irregulars in Vaald, alone."

- - - - - -

Wraith was not used to interacting with people so often and becoming 'Lucia' had placed a large strain on her patience. The act was not simple to keep up, in front of the Aedrasilians; who would, still, on occasion pick up the slight strangeness in her accent. Three years had not been long enough to unravel the mysteries that had presented themselves; the largest of which Wraith considered to be the affliction which had been eating away at her people...the more tertiary being the nuances of Aedrasilian verbal communication. That had inspired her to include the stutter in her words, making Lucia seem as though she were naturally inclined to oddities of speech; perhaps even endearing her facade to some of the natives she dealt with. Their strange names and customs, however, were fascinating...but, unfortunately, were largely outside of what she allowed to be Lucia's purview.

As such, as Lucia, she could not ask the question on her mind...nor simply turn the man aside. Instead she allowed herself to project a wan smile, as though she had not been listening carefully; as though Lucia's mind was somewhere filled with flowers and flowing streams, far from the city that surrounded her. The tattooed man smiled, the bizarre lines on his face twisting and contorting beyond their seemingly possible boundaries. "So-sorr-sorry, sir, I didn't hear you!" Lucia called out in a voice that Wraith found to be somewhat nasal, a world removed from her own surprisingly husky tones. "If you wouldn't mind repeating it, I'll make sure that it gets into the right hands!"

He grinned more widely, showing filed teeth that may have elicited a more repulsed response than what Lucia gave and nodded. "I seen you with the masked Eclipse, moving smooth with they numbers. You one of them? Look to be, though looking not to be." She wondered if his simplified, off-kilter speech was the product of some unlucky bludgeoning or whether the man thought Lucia a dullard; or, if he saw something more than he would say. He looked down on her, expectantly, cocking a non-existent eyebrow...then, seeming to understand that she would not immediately reply, proffered further information; albeit crookedly. "I know a Scratch, down by the Pools. He on his way to slow sleep, but his feet got wind of where his heart be afraid." That Lucia understood with perfect clarity. There was a Moonscratched, as the Deladish sometimes called the afflicted, by the Serene Pools; near the Palace. Given the tattooed man's words, she could only surmise that he meant that the afflicted was walking somewhere. Why she could not understand, though she had seen the look that the tattooed man's words described.

Lucia nodded and tried her best to look slightly off-put, then feigned regaining her composure. "Yes, I work with them from t-time to time. I can pass that information along, i-i-if you can give me more details. Who is the Scratch," she rather liked that term, for some reason, "that you're talking about? What do they look like?"

"Nameless and faceless is he, to me; know him by his raving, is all. Good night-sun's-wait to you." The bulky, absent eyebrowed, tattooed man before her began walking away; after offering a greasy smile. There was something so self-satisfied in the motion, in the smile, that made Lucia grin with her own smug amusement. Wraith had no intention of following the lead, by herself. There were others who would doubtlessly assist. Instead, she would find another to lend their hand to the acquisition of this Nameless Scratch.

"Quite a fancy name," she mumbled, though it sounded far more sincere when accompanied by Lucia's cheery tones, "and quite a bizarre informer. Was that man human? Surely not." While it appeared that Lucia fumbled with a small book, Wraith moved through the streets with purpose; avoiding coming so close to others that she would have to brush against them. Thankfully, there were some of the Order not too far from where she had been standing. Her original mission was to do just this, though it was but an excuse to idle about; after all, the Lunar Festival was at hand...and if last year was any indication, this year's spectacle would prove equally bloody. Truly, it was not the blood that excited her; but the idea that these people were willing to sacrifice themselves to avoid their reality. The Aedrasilian mind was certainly foreign to her, but so too were their problems.

"Please find K, Wordan," she said to a taller-than-most member of the Order of the Eclipse, smiling all the while, "I have something that he may be i-interested in!" Wordan shifted uncomfortably, having been recognized, and nodded. "I'll be waiting for him, here." The tall one moved with reluctance, but purpose; setting aside his sign, which Lucia took up instead...moving to be the only maskless member of the Order standing on that particular street. As people walked by, she would hold it higher; as though hope filled her with each passing person.

There is not only one answer, it read.

[rush99999]

For a moment, it seemed to Dodger that Isyph hadn't even noticed the bait. But that assumption was quickly debunked after Isyph had shouted that Dodger was a genius and had darted off with a new goal in mind. "Oi oi! Where're ya goin'?!" Dodger called after the now incredibly determined Uquii girl. The marks that Dodger usually hit with an Irregulars Guild Scheme tended to be enthusiastic, but Isyph's reaction was definitely a 1st. Not wanting to lose Isyph, Dodger teleported into a space in the crowd that was a short distance behind his mark and began weaving through the crowd after her.

"If that's what it takes, I'll take them all. I won't become a merchant, like my father. I'll become my own kind of professional. I won't go back to Silverbrook and I won't apologize" Dodger heard Isyph say to herself as they headed for the Guild Center "Why didn't anyone tell me that I could do this?!".
"I reckon it's because ya didn't ask" Dodger remarked as he sped up to keep pace with Isyph's increase in speed.
When Isyph stopped at the steps leading up to the Guild Center, Dodger stopped a short distance behind her to catch his breath. "Irregulars" Dodger heard Isyph mumble as she placed her foot down on the first step "there are probably hundreds of irregulars in Vaald, alone".
"An' there'll be 'undreds more queuin' up ta be a part of wot yer about ta make" Dodger said before placing his foot on the 1st step next to Isyph's "I can feel it in me bones, I can".

[Vec]

Annevar Tel'ethir

Summary

We travel at the forest of Rhiadan and learn of its elven inhabitants. We learn about their behaviour towards other nations and also learn about the existence of the Druidic Order of Rhiadan. Afterwards, we travel deeper inside the forest and find ourselves upon the elven village/capital of Ulme. Although the elves generally lead peaceful and laid-back lives, the Lunar Festival is one of their most sacred holidays and as such, everyone turns more and more restless as the days go by and they near the time of the Festival. We learn about how they celebrate the festival, as well as learn about the existence of the Druidic Ambassador. A person who is chosen each year to travel all the way to the Deladian Capital of Vaald in order to bear witness to the other race's customs of celebrating the Festival and making sure the rites towards the Goddess Gnara are paid properly.

This year's Ambassador is Annevar Tel'ethir, a young half-elven druid girl. We follow her as she visits her master one last time before she departs on a two-month journey to Delad. She and her master, Êldor, talk about her being chosen as an ambassador, Êldor's time when he was too chosen as well, and the responsibilities of an Ambassador. Anne reassures her master that she will carry out her mission dutifully and although he senses that she's hiding something from him, he does nor pry any further than that. They share a master-student moment and then Êldor gives her a present, a talisman of sorts imbued with a one-time wind spell that would help her escape should she come across something/someone that wanted to hurt her. Following that Anne thanks her master and leaves.

Living alongside the trees and breathing in the pure air of the forest, the elves of Rhiadan always lived isolated lives. Their village of Ulme, hidden in the innermost parts of the ancient Rhiadan forest, would seldom be visited by anyone other than fellow elves, and for a good reason. They patrolled the borders of the forest, much like humans, or any other race for that matter, patrolled the borders of their nations. Any and all intruders were swiftly apprehended and brought back to the village for questioning. Not many managed to escape unscathed.

However, perhaps it was this isolationist behaviour that allowed the elves to live peaceful lives, withdrawn from the power struggles of warmongering nations that only sought to destroy and conquer. Instead, the elves lead a life of self-sustenance, living with the forest and not off of it. This eventually led to the creation of the druidic order of Rhiadan. Students of nature and its intricacies, the elven druids harnessed the power of the elements and the power of natural change in order to protect the forest from anyone harbouring ill intent towards it.

---

One defining feature of Ulme was the huge houses carved out or built on trees. Oh yes, the elves in their zealous effort to be one with nature had managed to create what seemed to be the perfect place for one to stand back, close their eyes, and relax as the sounds of the forest caressed their ears. Not many things could disrupt the laid-back lives of the elves living in this forest, but the coming of the Lunar Festival was one of them.

Ah, the Lunar Festival. The Deladian Kingdom was not the only one celebrating this time of the year, no. The elves of Rhiadan also celebrated it, but in a more ritualistic manner than everyone else. Aside from the Moonscratched - or Kanys' Dreamers as they called them in their native tongue - being given a chance to break the shackles imposed upon them by the Cruel God and finally gain their freedom in death, the elves also celebrated Gnara, the mother-goddess of nature and fertility. During the celebrations, which lasted a whole day and night, they engaged in all kinds of sexual acts under the influence of herbal-induced hallucinations, as a way to come closer to nature, the goddess, and to each other.

However, there would always be one person that did not participate in these celebrations. Instead, that person became the Druidic Ambassador and was sent travelling beyond the borders of the Rhiadan, and towards the heart and capital city of the Deladian Kingdom. The ambassador bore the responsibility of witnessing the Lunar festivities of Delad and making sure that the fertility rites to Gnara were done properly. Each year the ambassador's position would be given to a different person, so as to give everyone a chance to hold the position. This year, it was young Annevar that was chosen.

Anne's slender hands knocked on the century-long aged door of her master's house. After a moment of silence, a male voice was heard from beyond the door. The voice was steady, and at first gave the impression of someone distant. However, when the voice beckoned for Anne to open the door and enter, she could only feel a surge of warmth washing over her, and could not help but smile.

The interior of the treehouse was simple, unadorned, and gave the feeling that its owner was not in the least interested in material possessions and wealth. At the centre of the room, there sprung a wooden table from the floor. As if someone had deliberately manipulated the tree, coaxing it into allowing a part of it to take the shape of a table. Behind the table, there sat a young man reading a book. His long, blond hair blocked the view of his face but as he closed the book and stood up to face the newcomer, he exuded an aura that was cdertain to instill respect in everyone that laid their eyes upon him.

"You came, child" the man stated with a smile on his face.
"As I was chosen, how would I not come to see you one last time before my departure?" Anne said and walked towards the table.
"Indeed, you were chosen, and so you must go" the man nodded and walked towards the window behind him. As his dwelling was located on the peak of the highest tree in Ulme, the view from that window was not to be underestimated. The man's eyes stared at the horizon as if being able to see something other than the vast Rhiadan forest expanding endlessly. "I had once been chosen as well, you know. A long, long, long time ago. I hated it that I had to be away from my homeland during one of the most important sacred days of the year. Of course, I was young at the time and also thought a lot about what I was missing... but that comes with being young I guess. However," he said and turned to face Anne.

"Although I felt indignant about my Ambassador position, I nevertheless took it seriously and made sure that the Deladians would honour the Goddess properly. I also made sure to be there and witness as the Dreamers entered eternal slumber. I prayed for them and implored the Goddess to treat their scarred bodies with care as they slipped into the embrace of Stieg.

And I expect that you do the same as well..." The man concluded as he looked Anne with a serious expression. "Master Êldor, be at ease. Anne understands the importance of her position and what she must do. It was you who taught me all those years, you must surely know that I won't make any mistakes." Anne said with a melodious voice.

Êldor though knew her better than anyone else, for it was him that had practically raised her. He knew that whenever she acted like so, she would almost always be hiding something from him. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, eliciting a curious tilt of the head and an 'is there something wrong with my face?' kind of look from Anne. Êldor sighed but then his expression changed to a warm one. "Then it is good that you know," he said with a smile. "When do you plan on leaving?" he asked as he walked from behind the table and towards his student.

"Ah, I believe tomorrow at dawn would be as good a time as any," she answered back after thinking for a second. "The journey to Vaald will be a long one and so, leaving now would have me reach the Deladian capital right before the Lunar festivities commence," she noted as she also approached Êldor. He simply smiled and when the two were close enough, they opened their arms and hugged each other tightly. After a long while of them simply standing there hugging one another, they separated. "I've prepared a present for you, though I do hope you never find a use for it," he said as he reached inside his sleeve, pulling out a small wooden talisman and placing it on Anne's palm.

Anne looked at her master quizzically before bringing the talisman closer, scrutinising it. The talisman took the shape of a small cylinder, with golden engravings on its surface. When she realised what the engravings meant, Anne opened her eyes wide in shock and looked back at her master. "I've imbued it with a wind spell. Although it's only good for one use, as the vessel is too ordinary, the spell should be enough for you to escape anyone that might want to harm you. We can't be too careful, now, can we?" He asked her.

Anne wore the talisman over her neck, walked two steps backwards and bowed. "I won't disappoint you, Master!" She said. Êldor let out a laugh before turning back to his table. "Now, go! Let's meet again in two month's time, after the Lunar Festival," he told her and sat back in his chair.

As Anne closed the door behind her, feeling reinvigorated and determined, Êldor opened his book once more. "Where was I again? Ah yes, the madman and his fish stick!" he thought and laughed.

[Crumbs]

Despite herself, Isyph laughed, taking a few more steps toward the entrance of the Guild Center. Dodger had the right of it, from where she stood, but that momentary oversight. "I suppose that's so," she admitted, grinning warmly back at the man she felt was fast becoming a new friend, "I had never even thought to try to make a Guild of my own. It seems like a huge undertaking..." Though there were myriad doubts the Uquii girl held, she chose to run through that initial hurdle; instead of trying to make a succession of leaps, she would drive through the heart of whatever monstrous minutae presented its self. "I hope your feeling is right."

Turning, she moved up the steps without ceremony; surprised at the lack of people in front of the Guild Center. Perhaps Vaald was not so busy as Isyph had assumed. They were easy steps, evenly spaced and otherwise unremarkable...save for errant cracks that caught the eye. More impressive, however, was the door they lead to. It did not stand so high as to inspire awe, nor was it decorated with lavish designs of monsters or heroes. It was, however, or at least appeared to be, made of gold. Isyph almost caught herself salivating at the thought of organizing its removal; disregarding a nagging suspicion that the gold was merely a plating, or altogether fake. Instead, she pushed the door aside and let her gait gain an air of pride as she entered.

"Hundreds," she said on the other side of that particular threshold, "of people that will be looking at us to help them. That's not going to be easy, even if they end up helping us, or me, or you, or even each other in the end. So long as...so long as it works." Isyph wondered if she were being presumptuous, but that didn't show or give her any pause. What did show, in the stead of wandering thoughts, was disappointment; an eyebrow raised and her lips set about becoming an almost-pout. The Guild Center was mostly empty, a few people lingering about on benches littered around their atrium. Ahead of her were various counters, situated in carved niches, some shuttered and others with semblances of lines in front of them. Signs hung above each, indicating their purpose.

She took it in for a moment, trying to let her misplaced disappointment morph into optimism. Of course, it was a simple task once Isyph realized that she was being irrational. Slowly, she touched her cheek; wondering if the warmth there was some new frustration...or hope. Vaald, it seemed, was a place that was wont to contend with her opinion of it at every turn. Or she was nervous. Regardless, the line for registration was non-existent and the shutters were still open; revealing a blue-haired woman thumbing idly through a stack of papers.

"We're in luck, Dodger. All we need is a name and the fee," Isyph didn't think she could afford a Guildhome, but cared little...despite her earlier lamentations about that night's lodgings, "though, I'm a bit...light of coin..." Even with the ill-gotten gains of her earlier adventures, the amount of gold in her satchel was relatively sparse; lingering somewhere close to seventy.

"The fee for registration of a new Guild is currently one-hundred and ninety-nine gold discs," came a few disinterested words from the blue-haired woman, who glanced at the Thieves for a moment, "That's one third the usual cost, in case your curiosity is piqued. The Enlistment Drive is a low-point in the year for new Guild registration. As such, the Vaunted Council has deemed that this 'one-hundred and ninety-nine' disc price is sufficient for irregulars." She continued thumbing through her papers before holding them up to her nose, despite the glasses that rested there, covering her face for a moment. "Before you get excited, however, I'm on break for the next five minutes."

[rush99999]

"Yer on ya break, are ya?" Dodger asked the bored looking woman standing behind the counter.
"That is indeed what I just said" the woman replied flatly "I'm sure you 2 can wait 5 minutes for my break to finish. Now if you'll excuse me...".
The woman went to pull down the shutter to her window, but was stopped by Dodger. Dodger had the feeling that if the shutter closed, it wouldn't open again. "Supposin' I couldn't wait?" Dodger asked.
"My superiors are very finicky about breaks and it would take 3 minutes to get all the necessary paperwork for you" the woman said with a hint of impatience "Unless you know how I could enjoy 2 minutes of break time more than 5 minutes, I suggest you let go of my wrist before I call the guards".
Dodger's response was to lean forward and begin whispering in the woman's ear. As he whispered to her, the woman began to blush uncontrollably and occasionally shudder with arousal.
"I..I w-will...be right b-b-back" the woman said when Dodger pulled away "W-Wait here". With that said, the woman left without closing the shutter. She returned 1 minute later with all the necessary paper work.
"This is wot we need to fill out for our Guild ta become official" Dodger told Isyph as he handed the paperwork to her "Fill out wot you can, an' I'll come 'elp ya once I've 'elped our most 'elpful friend 'ere enjoy the last 4 minutes o' 'er break time". With that said, Dodger climbed through the window and pulled down the shutter.

4 minutes later, the shutter opened up again and Dodger climbed back out. "I'll leave the Guild fee on the counter, luv" Dodger called through the window "Keep tha change". With that said, Dodger produced a sizeable bag of gold and placed it on the counter for when the blue-haired woman to find once she had recovered. Dodger then walked over to were Isyph was filling out the paperwork. "I've taken care of tha front desk" Dodger said "Things been goin' well on yer end?".

[potatochipgolem]

Wodran hurried off in a calmly manner east of the townsquare, the long robes could barely impede his tall stature, he was afterall more used than most to such attire from the days of wearing them back in the elven enclave. Speaking of which, he was reminded how the city felt so artificial, blocky even - too much stone and dead wood, compared to the lushness of home, even if there were spots of greenery here and there for folks like him. He soon came to rest eyes upon his objective, another man in robes of a different kind without the mask, non-chalantly leaning back against the wall with thick folded arms - observing what few people were loitering right outside the Guild Hall.

Quickly walking up to him, Wodran placed a set of long slender fingers on those shoulders. Feeling the odd texture of wood ...or maybe leather, underneath the fabric. Though it seemed fitting that he would wear some armor, this 'K' seemed the type afterall. "Madame Lucia has requested your pressence." He said to the man, not that he was expecting a reply exactly.

"...found anything?" The man he spoke to shook his head, Wodran felt a pang of disappointment. "She said that you would be interested to hear her." K gave him an understanding nod before he pushed himself off the wall and started to take slow steps away from the scene. Then he looked at the doors of the establishment, pointing two fingers at his eyes then at the entrance before glancing towards Wodran.

"Very well, but don't dally. It zis ungentlemen to keep le madame waiting." Wodran chided, slightly uptight.

K rolled his eyes ever so slightly then gave a couple of quick, tiny nods to pacify him, it was no secret that the half-elf had a thing or two for the woman. Much as he tried to hide it under his constant prim and proper behaviour, but the way he always seemed so urgent whenever it came to anything pertaining to Lucia gave it away to everyone.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Soon Lucia came to see a farmiliar face on a man pushing past the crowd, he stopped a few feet short of her and looked at the sign board she held. The quizzical expression upon him was soon replaced with a rare condescending smile for only the briefest of moments, ah how the mighty have fallen.

[Crumbs]

Isyph Al-Delad stifled a hearty chuckle as Dodger and the formerly-bored blue-haired woman disappeared; a surprisingly small amount of paperwork in front of her. The shutter closed and the Uquii allowed herself to smile softly, it was all falling into place almost too easily. Dodger was strange, but he had certainly made his tendencies somewhat clear to Isyph during their brief time as companions; the gods themselves seem to have had a hand in the arrangement of this meeting...of the formation of what she was determined to label the Starless Partners. Automatically, she set about her part of the work; filling in information with alacrity, her penmanship flowing and legible but bearing small missteps born from her excitement. Largely, she felt they would be nothing...but something in her kept nagging about the small imperfections. Daln's voice, again.

Damnit all, old man, she said to her father's not-specter, I can handle this without you distracting me. Now get back to--

What in all the hells was she thinking? This was no time to argue with someone who wasn't there. Brushing away the odd humor that had settled over her, Isyph let her thoughts still and focused, again, on the paperwork. It wasn't long before the shutter slid open and Dodger appeared, leaving behind what she could only assume was a bag of golden discs and a few words for his momentary lover; then a few words for Isyph, herself.

"Things been goin' well on yer end?"

She nodded enthusiastically and flipped the paper to show him. Everything was near completion, save for a spot next to her signature at the bottom. The Starless Partners was a concept nearing its fruition.

"I can see that you have a grand way of dealing with things, Dodger. I'm sure that many-a lady of Delad will, or have, come to know you well. Thank you for covering the fee...I would hug you, but I'm not sure that I want to right now," she offered a smile that easily matched the enthused nature of her earlier nod, instead, and offered the papers forward...starting to blush, a little, though she couldn't, or wouldn't, say why.

"It's only right...that..." Isyph Al-Delad sought for the words she wanted, "you and I run the Starless Partners together. You covered the fee, it was you who gave me the idea; in a roundabout kind of way. I wouldn't be here, right now, if it weren't for you."

She took a deep breath, but her smile didn't waver.

"So, Dodger, I guess what I'm asking is...will you be my partner?"

- - - - - -

K stood there, smirking at her. Wraith's skin itched at the sight of it; his silent mockery of her position. She wished there were a basket of serpents nearby, with which to adorn his face. Their bite would not penetrate his E.P.E.S, but it would bring her some small peace to surprise him in such a manner. Distantly, she made a mental note to acquire herself a bucket of snakes for her companion. Lucia offered none of that, though, practiced as Wraith was at controlling both herself and the reflection of it found in her persona. Lucia smiled warmly and closed the distance between them, though not coming so close as to touch him.

"Hello, K," she offered in her nasal way, letting some legitimate warmth creep into her words, "I'm g-glad you've come! We have a lead, thou-though it came from a strange source; I think we had best do our best to follow it up! Sorry if this distracted you from the other cases," She lightly took his hand and gave it a small tug, "but I get the feeling that this may be urgent!" With that said, she began walking, putting distance between herself and the crowd; down the street, towards a junction that would eventually lead them to the Serene Pools.

Sometimes an errant Scratch was nothing of great import, but the hulk-without-eyebrows had given her a very strong feeling about the nature of this particular instance. Wraith had long ago come to trust her immediate instincts, though she tempered gut feelings with a filter of uncanny logic, whether it be in a combative scenario or simple interactions. Once they had cleared the group, she decided to take a risk, slipping into an unfiltered whisper; albeit remaining within the Aedrasilian common tongue.

"And wipe that smug look off your face, before I do it for you." She wasn't serious, but it gave her a reason to hear her own voice again. It was a grand feeling, to let Lucia's trappings fall away and allow herself to be the woman she was at heart. Lucia's smile accompanied Wraith's words, though this was not feigned. She enjoyed teasing K, from time to time, truly, but most of her mild venom was born from her feeling of connection to the other deserter. They had, after all, been through quite a lot together. If she could not be herself around the others, she would certainly take that opportunity to do so when she and K were alone. With others she felt it to be far too large a risk. "There's no telling where the bastard got off to, while I was waiting on you. We've got nothing solid on information; aside from the gender of the Scratch and that he has a propensity for ranting. Quickness is key, I think, this Scratch could be a danger...so I want you ready."

She smiled, slightly, dropping both her whisper and herself into Lucia once more.

"It's good to see you, again, by the way, K. I f-feel like we don't talk enough."

[rush99999]

Dodger raised an eyebrow at Isyph's request. He looked at the papers that were now in his hand with much consideration. Such consideration wasn't authentic, however. Dodger had predicted that Isyph would make that request. Moreover, he already knew how he was going to respond to Isyph's request. How could he embezzle the gold from a guild he wasn't a part of? On top of that, Dodger would lose many an opportunity to get a hug (and more) from Isyph if he declined the offer. The only reason why he was pretending to think was so that his haste in agreement didn't cause suspicion. "Alright then. I'll be yer partner" Dodger said before adding as a joke "But only because I want that hug, luv".

With that said, Dodger signed his alias on the signature space. Everything was falling into place. Before returning the papers, Dodger's eyes held a moment on the name Isyph had written down for the Guild. "Tha Starless Partners" Dodger said before handing back the papers to Isyph "A good name for a soon ta be great Guild if ya ask me, luv". The Starless Partners was indeed a very interesting name in Dodger's eyes, but he didn't have any high expectations. Guilds born from an Irregulars Guild Scheme generally lasted anywhere between 4 weeks to 2 months, depending on how well received the guild was and how much the Confidence Trickster skimmed from the guild's income.

It was at that moment that the blue-haired woman returned to the window she had been standing behind. The blush Dodger's words and subsequent actions had caused had yet to leave her cheeks. "It seems that our 'elpful friend 'as recovered enough to resume 'er work" Dodger said "Unless ya know wot we 'ave ta do now, askin' 'er sounds like a good idea ta me".

[Vec]

Annevar Tel'ethir

Summary

We learn about Anne's travels and some events that took place while on her way to Vaald. After that, we learn of her amazement when she first entered the city and how she wandered all over in order to find the Church of Gnara, but could not find it. Instead, she entered the Guild Center in hopes of getting the information she needs there.

Two whole months did the journey from Rhiadan to Vaald take, yet Anne never once felt bored or tired of it. Being a relatively young druid, her age could still be counted in decades, Anne did not have much of an experience of the world outside of the forest. As such, even the smallest things would amaze her. For example, one afternoon, while walking towards a small village that would be her stop for the night, Anne came across two strange beings.

The beings were not very tall, barely reaching her waist. Their bodies were covered with layer upon layer of fat, and their faces were that of pigs. They wore simple linen clothes and generally did not give out a sense of wealth. They were busy trying to get the attention of any passerby they could. When one of the two noticed her looking towards them, he immediately called out to her.

As it turned out, the two pigmen were con-artists disguised as merchants selling their wares to travellers that were on their way to the capital. When they saw Anne's seemingly clueless face they thought they had caught a big fish. Unfortunately for them, although Anne was indeed clueless about such schemes, she was at the same time extremely poor. Not that it bothered her; she rarely slept in an inn or bought anything from merchants as she preferred to live in nature, inside tree hollows or high up in branches.

Once they realised how poor she was, they thought she was actually a beggar, an idea that was reinforced when they saw that she walked bare-footed. They looked at her with a look full of disdain and shooed her off. "Is this how other races greet each other? Frown and wave their hands away from their bodies?" Anne tried to imitate the look the pigmen gave her, but after a while, she gave up. "Ugh, I'll just have to introduce myself like an elf. Who would think that there were creatures that frown when they first meet someone else?" Anne thought. "Each day I learn something new..." she mumbled with a serious look, noting the new information for future use.

Just like that, Anne travelled through the lands until one day, she finally reached the Deladian capital. "Wow..." Anne was once more shocked by the sheer size of the city. Bustling with people of all race and size, Vaald was the exact opposite of the peaceful little village of Ulme she grew up in. As she passed through the maze-like stone alleys and roads that endlessly intertwined and led to different places all over the capital, Anne found herself more and more amazed by the wonders of civilisation.

But she soon snapped off the trance the city had put on her. She slapped her cheeks to wake herself up. "Right! I have to find the Church of Gnara, to announce my presence. Those people should be able to direct me towards the Dreamer's participating in the festival," she thought. She started running around the city, asking for directions from whoever could help, but not many people knew, and even more simply ignored her. Fortunately, there was one person that, although didn't know where the Church was, directed her to the Guild Center.

"You will likely find what you want there," the elderly woman told Anne. "Yes! Thank you for your help!" Anne bowed a few times in gratitude before storming off towards the direction the woman pointed at. "Heh heh, young'uns these days are full of energy," the woman thought and smiled.

---

Anne could be seen doubled over on the side of the road, clutching her staff with both hands while she desperately tried to catch her breath. As it turned out, the Guild Center was located on the other side of the town. Anne, in her hurry, had actually run all the way there without even stopping once!

It would be many years in the future that the legend of a half-elven woman that had run all the way from one end of the city to the other, all in one day, would be told to young kids as a way to have them exercise and build up their bodies if they wanted to be proper adventurers.

After calming down a little, Anne ascended the stairs of the Guild Center and opened the door. The first thing she noticed was the atmosphere of the place. "It's oddly professional..." She thought as she walked towards the counter and the blue-haired receptionist. "Hello! I would like to enquire about the location of the Church of Gnara," she told the woman. "Huh, doesn't she seem a little flustered about something?" Anne wondered.

[rush99999]

Before Isyph could get a reply in, somebody else had already walked in and began talking to the blue-haired woman. While only a minor inconvenience to most, it was an opportunity to Dodger. "My my" Dodger said to his Uquii acquaintance as he 'admired the view' "A line's been formin' 'ere this 'ole time be'ind our very backs. It'll take us 'ours to reach tha front at the rate it goin' at...Tell ya wot, though. I'll clear a path, an' you can get to tha counter much faster then. Wish me luck, luv!". With that said, Dodger made his way over to the Half-Elf Druid who was occupying the blue-haired receptionist's attention.

The receptionist was about to answer Annevar's questions, but then became even more flustered by Dodger's approach and looked down as her face turned redder than it had been all day. "Did I just 'ere ya say that yer lookin' fer tha Church of Gnara?" Dodger asked with his most charming smile "If that's tha case, then you can stick with me, treetoppa*. I know my way around this city like you know yer way around beauty, if ya don't mind me sayin' so".

*Treetoppa: A colloquial term for Druid commonly used in West Cockney.

[Crumbs]

"Good luck and good idea," she said as Dodger moved toward the querent, though Isyph was starting to wonder whether or not it was really necessary. Still, the momentary distraction would allow her to finish the task at hand without much fuss. The blue-haired woman had started to open her mouth, but seemed placated when the Thief started chatting up the follower of Gnara. A frown settled in rather quickly and Isyph could have sworn that it was some kind of jealousy that ate away at the woman. The Uquii girl couldn't quite wrap her head around it, though she could hazard some good guesses as to why the woman was acting that way.

Without a moment wasted, Dodger now occupying what had been a momentary non-obstacle, Isyph Al-Delad slipped around to the blue-haired woman and handed her the papers. The clerk looked them over, with a slight nod and searched around her desk for something Isyph wasn't fully focused on; assuming it to simply be a stamp, probably saying something like approved or accepted. After all, the fee had been paid and the paperwork was well filled out.

"This will do, miss Al-Delad," came the eventual reply, followed by the quiet thump of her approval, "the Starless Partners is now among the countless Guilds of Delad. When you've gathered the discs for a Guildhome, you can return here and have construction started." Isyph nodded, offering the woman who now seemed far less bored a smile. "If you would like to do business through me, you can ask any of the other registrars on your return. My name is Ottavia Sangrhi," she put the papers away with alacrity and started to close her shutter, "and I hope fortune smiles on you and yours in the coming days. Also, miss-" Isyph's smile widened a little, knowing with the shift in Ottavia's tone that she now addressed the woman that Dodger spoke to.

"Please, miss Sangrhi, allow me to handle the situation," the Uquii interrupted, "I saw the temple of Gnara, earlier and my friend seems to know Vaald well. You've done enough, today." Ottavia seemed to think it over, glancing between all of those gathered before her window...and unceremoniously pulled the shutter down; a motion that was not entirely without chagrin...despite how Isyph felt she may have mollified some of the ill mood that seemed to hang around her. "Thank you," she cried, cupping her hands around her mouth to ensure that the kind woman heard her words, "I'll make sure she gets there!" Of course, she doubted that the blue-haired woman cared much about whether or not the follower of Gnara found her temple.

Her enthusiasm had waned, slightly, but the day was shaping up to be increasingly interesting; even though fatigue was starting to settle heavily in her ankles and the arches of her feet. She turned, to Dodger and the Half-Elf. She didn't intend to leave the woman in Dodger's hands, at least not alone. Three out of three he had advanced on and Isyph could well identify a womanizer. Dodger certainly fit the bill, dispelling most doubts she would have held.

"Hi there, I'm Isyph Al-Delad," she offered, still smiling, removing her hood to introduce herself, "sorry for that...but Dodger and I know the way to the temple you're looking for. As much as I feel sure that he'd love to show you around, by himself, I think it'd be best if I tagged along," Isyph shrugged to herself and thrust her hand toward the woman, though not with any excess of speed, "I'd rather not get lost, before the Lunar Festival begins." Her last words were accompanied with a sidelong look at her Thief friend, the edges of her lips curling upward slightly; somewhat bemused by what she had come to learn of him, which was scant little.

Still, she had her own motives for injecting herself into Dodger's plan. A reason she liked to think well trumped that of the other Thief. As of now, she was co-leader of the Starless Partners; and certain responsibilities she was more eager to get to than others.

[Crumbs]

Three of One. Curator of Eternity, I have come.

The voice that echoed through Eternity was not that of Origin, as she was still attempting to wrap her intellect around the nigh-unfathomable shift in her realm; the shift that had occurred within herself. She feared for the worst, the shiver that ran through her obvious to the strange light that was coalescing before her. Strange, she noted, that her vision seemed much more limited in the roiling, inky shadows of Eternity. Stranger still was that she had shivered...she had never before held the means to express herself in such a way; though it seemed, now, that she was possessed of a representation within her own realm...a body, of sorts. A darker dread began to settle in as she lifted hands to her face and strained against the chromatic intruder's glaring formation.

She had never before been forced to materialize within Eternity, since Kanys had sundered her upon his birth. Whatever it was that now arranged its self before her was incredibly powerful, though she suspected that it was not an entirely malign entity. Yet, now stood, as she had appeared in a form that had almost been lost to her unending memories. Origin directed her eyes downward, observing the body-her body-that had undoubtedly been formed from her understanding of herself. As such, it was an imperfect thing; gaps appearing within her radiance, filled with small flickers of static that waxed and waned in size...stretching over her porcelain lambency in waves, then receeding into small puddles. This was all very, very wrong.

Who are you, stranger? The fact that I do not know this is unsettling...much as my current situation is. I would like an explanation.

The light before her expanded, countless hues of red and blue screaming across its surface as the ball became something humanoid. Much like herself, it did not have discernible facial features; but, Origin could feel that the similarities between them were truly scarce. Finally, it settled into the form of what she guessed to be a man; taller than she and more broad, lit crimson and azure from within. A strobing man-shaped hole in Eternity.

It was not my intent to perturb, though I knew the possibility existed. I have drawn you into your incomplete form to allow us to communicate. I had not expected your degeneration to be so advanced. My apologies.

His voice did not echo through Eternity as Origin's did, but sounded clear and potent nonetheless. Each syllable was accompanied by the pulsing of his outline, stretching into bizarre spikes and flailing tendrils. His strangely flat inflection gave her a sense of familiarity. She stepped forward, a small ripple of white light traveling a short way outward from each gentle touch of her feet against the "floor". Perhaps, she wondered, she had received such a guest in the past. There were few who could insert themselves into her realm, much less force Eternity and Origin into existence for a conversation.

I am an Emissary, Origin. My arrival here serves as a catalyst; precipitating a sequence of events that may prove favorable to the improvement of your current state. I will refrain from answering any questions, as my responses and subsequent explanation may quickly become superfluous.

She felt small, when in this form. Much more comfortable was her usual state, that which allowed her to survey all of her empty realm with a cursory glance. It almost made her feel like a child, again, though she had never truly been such a thing. It did not help that this Emissary made her feel incredibly ignorant of what was to transpire. While distant familiarity had eased her earlier dread, Origin was not entirely ready to accept this anomaly as entirely friendly. Rarely did those who sought Origin out have kind designs in mind for her. There were too many unknowns with the situation for her to be anything but cautious. This was certainly an event she had yet to encounter; perhaps the cog she had felt fall from its place, earlier.

Forgive me Emissary, but I do not understand the meaning of this. I was unaware of your existence, until you brought me here. Being ignorant is not something I am familiar with, so forgive my trepidation in accepting your words at their apparent value.

The other pulsed steadily, but did not respond; waiting for her to continue. Despite her words, there was something familiar about the situation...perhaps even familiar about her visitor. She briefly considered the possibilities, slipping more easily from thoughts of the disconcerting Emissary and into her more natural mode of contemplation. As usual, she found the information was already buried within her; though she felt certain that it had been obscured to her a moment before. The machine, it seemed, had a hand in this as well. Silence lingered between the two, though she felt that this Emissary understood well enough what she was thinking; how she had given herself to the stream of information presenting its self.

You serve a dual purpose in being here, I have come to understand. You are to ensure that Eternity exists in perpetuity, defying the disability inflicted upon me by my sundering. As you maintain that function, you are to serve as my window to Aedrasil. While fulfilling these roles, you also will act as a barrier to those who would enter Eternity without my consent. I see that, now. I have been anticipating your arrival for some time, though I was not aware of that desire.

I was not aware that you had desires, Origin. What information I was gifted with was unfortunately scant. I am merely aware of my purpose...and to some extent, the future that awaits you; or, at the least, my own involvement in it. It is my imperative desire that you accomplish this future. You will find my functionality to be quite diverse, once I have acclimated to your empty realm.

Origin smiled inwardly. Emissary expanded outward, losing the humanoid form he had adopted; becoming much similar to the swirl of colors that she had viewed those she knew had importance to the cyclical future of Aedrasil. Indeed, Origin could see into Emissary. Eternity was still dark around them, but her new companion provided a much clearer image than what she was accustomed to. Faces and figures filled her vision, vibrant in their mortality and defined far more than the smoke-effigies she had crafted before. The Lunar Festival had yet to begin, in their frame of time; meaning that their journey was only beginning.

So, too, did she think that her own journey would begin alongside the yet-to-be heroes.

[Vec]

Annevar Tel'ethir

Anne hadn't even been in front of the counter for two minutes before something unexpected happened. Out of nowhere, and before the blue-haired receptionist could answer Anne's question, a man appeared in front of her, blocking her from talking to the woman, and eliciting a yelp from Anne. The man quickly started talking, advising her to stick with him if she wanted to find the Church of Gnara.

Anne looked at the man, sizing him up. Unlike the countless other human faces she had seen on her way to Vaald, this particular human stroke her as quite interesting. He could certainly be counted as being handsome amongst humans, but Anne had lived all her life amongst elves, and elves were always renown for their beauty and elegance. One could say that Anne had been numbed to the beauty of other races as a result. However, what Anne found fascinating was the way the man carried himself, and the way he talked. He exuded a sense of confidence that Anne had seen in very few people.

And when the man ended his sentence by inserting in a smart compliment, Anne was even more intrigued by him. "It seems to me that you know your way around words as well," Anne replied with a smile on her face. She was about to introduce herself when she noticed a hooded figure that was previously conversing with the receptionist behind the man, approach them. She made to stop the blue-haired girl when Anne saw her pulling the counter's shutter down but quickly retracted her hand when the hooded figure talked to her.

"Oh, it's a Satyr! You don't see those often around Rhiadan..." Anne thought as the figure introduced herself as one Isyph Al-Delad. "And what an interesting name too..." Anne mused with a smile and shook Isyph's hand back. "Oh my, indeed getting lost will be quite troublesome, wouldn't it?" Anne replied. "My name's Anne Tel'ethir," she introduced herself with a slight bow towards the two.

Isyph's sidelong glance at the man, Dodger as she called him, did not escape Anne, but she did not think much of it. "So, I take it you've been in Vaald for quite some time, what with saying you know your way around the city well and all, right?" she asked while eyeing the two.

[rush99999]

"It seems to me that you know your way around words as well" Anne replied to Dodger's words with a smile on her face that Dodger knew all too well. Dodger had a feeling that he could convince Anne into a brief detour on their way to the church without much trouble...Until Isyph cut in, that is.
"Hi there, I'm Isyph Al-Delad" Isyph said before Anne had a chance to introduce herself to Dodger "Sorry for that...but Dodger and I know the way to the temple you're looking for. As much as I feel sure that he'd love to show you around, by himself, I think it'd be best if I tagged along. I'd rather not get lost, before the Lunar Festival begins".
The sidelong look Isyph sent Dodger's was hadn't escaped Dodger's notice either. He smiled innocently back at his Uquii companion, pretending that he wasn't about to lure an unsuspecting girl into an unexpected, yet pleasant experience.

"Oh my, indeed getting lost will be quite troublesome, wouldn't it?" Anne replied. "My name's Anne Tel'ethir" she introduced herself with a slight bow towards the two.
"Pleased ta be makin' yer acquaintance, Anne" Dodger said "You can call me Dodger".
"So, I take it you've been in Vaald for quite some time, what with saying you know your way around the city well and all, right?" Anne asked while eyeing the two.
"Indeed we 'ave, luv" Dodger answered "Well I 'ave anyway. I'm not so sure about my Uquii accomplice 'ere. But I've certainly been 'ere long enough ta know me way around tha city".

[potatochipgolem]

Vaald

The City Capital of Delad, Serene Pools

K looked around them, taking a moment to glance back and forth before finally deciding to reply to her after much hesitation. Living in Aedrasil has made him a little more than paranoid, especially when he was without the linguistic finesse Wraith possessed, one wrong word and he would find himself yet with another spear stuck through his side without Wraith there to help him.

He rathered not take the chance, traumatized by the events of the past ...

The man fingered the air a little, tapping at something unseen. Then stared quietly at thin air for a few short moments before tracing down words on a piece of parchment he had swiftly fished out from his pockets, his hand was unsteady and shaky - almost like it was unused to the art of writing.

---Illusion insect. Lack courage showing happiness. Reality!----

He raised both hands innocently afterwards, though that cheeky grin was still hidden somewhere under those pursed lips.

"I f-feel like we don't talk enough." Lucia then stuttered even more innocently.

...K proceeded to give her a very flat look.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He could hear the soft wind flowing through rustling leaves set upon nearby trees and the crystalline sound of water, trickling into a pond of sorts somewhere. He consulted his map, logically trying to piece together clues as to where they were based on what he heard. The Serene Pools, it read. Marked by the hand drawn icon of a golden little hut on the paper.

A Temple?

His eyes grew quizzical and he showed the map to Lucia, tapping at their location. What would a Moonscratched be doing at a temple this close to evening?

As she looked at the map, his eyes were drawn to the ivory monument before them. Pristine white, of what he guessed, marble, delicately carved into the foundation that made up most of it. Architecture depicting aspects of plants, leaves and animals had been sewn into the filligree that lined the seams of the place. And even though Ivy had grown rampant through the place, seeping into every pore and crack it could find with their tendrils, there was something about it that made him think they were purposely tended to this way - there was not a single dying leaf in sight. With Origin's fading light welcoming the evening breeze, he was certain if he could breathe the air here it would be refreshing beyond words, but alas, such was forbidden fruit was it not?

It dawned on him that he had no time to further muse about the tranquility of the place unfortunately, time was short. And soon his attentiveness paid off as he spotted an entrance into the complex not too far from where they were, a hidden alcove by the side of the building - likely not the main door.