Travel through the woods always felt peaceful and relaxing with sounds of bird chirping with the flapping of the wings keeping them aloft. And the pleasant smell of sweet flowers blooming with the still faint hint of dew from the early morning though fields of flowers or where plants were thick were best avoided for the sake of his sensitive nose.
For unlike humans, this lone traveler trekking to the forest approaching upon the outskirts surrounding the town of Crocus. Sounds and smells were much more apparent to his senses; able to hear the soft footsteps of a doe trancing towards the small babbling stream and prowling steps of a stalking wolf nearly half a mile away and the sweet scented flowers while nice a bit too intense for his nose, nearly making him sneeze at times. Now, however, only the loud bustling noises coming from the town before the figure were all that he could hear. Gone were the soothing and relaxing melodies of nature; replaced with the thundering crunch of hundreds of footsteps and roaring of those strange metal vehicles once thought to be horrid misshapen beast. Even now, after nearly a month since his first encounter could he still recall his first encounter with such a viciously loud metallic creature that stank of oil and gave off the sense of heavily diluted ethernano, both that left his unprepared ears ringing and nose curling in disgust.
How strange to see the outside world having developed so much. So vastly different from the stories told and read in the books chronicling those of past scholars. He was told to expect such change with a four hundred gap; yet never would he think such things possible.
His first experience of a large human town left him feeling lost and out of place with an unsettling chill that filled and turned his veins to ice. But this is what he chose; what he spent all those years working and researching tirelessly spending several nights with little no sleep nor eating. All that he strived for gained him the title of scholar, the first in these hundreds of years in order to once again prepare his tribe to properly venture out and it all started with him.
Uncertain, doubt and fear wrapped about his body but determination, intrigue and an intense need to see and to learn drove this lone beastkin forward. Out here, amongst human he was one; a male from a race since forgotten and part of a different time had no choice but to fight his uncertainty and took the encouraging prayers from his family and tribe to give him the strength to put his foot forward.
His feet first taking him to where the magical council were stationed as advised by his own tribe's council of elders. A most important mission that needed to be done, to restore the truce once set all those years prior ensuring they would leave his home in peace and scholars like he would offer their aid and knowledge normally through joining of a guild. A meeting that took nearly weeks simply to meet, showing how tremendously busy they were that it eventually ate away at his patience and strolled into the hall and revealed himself to those that lead the council.
A decision one may consider reckless and foolish to do so in front of humans who thought him simply to be myth. Yet, he stood there before them, himself unveiled that nearly caused a commotion had the experienced council members not reacted and acted as expertly as they did and lessening the damage this single action could of caused. Warned to be careful and having the hall cleared but for them and himself; those that had been were silenced with bribe ensuring to keep their mouths quiet of the incident.
After apologies; much discussions took place. Days of discussion in fact but those of the council understood and while they only heard stories of this truce confirmed after dredging up hidden records that he succeeded in brokering new terms. Though there would need to be more discussions and paperwork to be done, but the promise of more scholars like he possibly showing soon had them assure his clan and home would be left alone.
And that had been more than three weeks ago since he had set off after refusing their generous offerings of guilds to join. He was certain most if not just about any guild would more than happily accept him as defensive mages in particular weren't all that common and due to what he was even more so. Upon hearing of their renown and fame, individual could only refuse for he felt it best to seek out a guild smaller and lesser known, to keep his existence quiet for the time being.
Some inquiring regarding such guilds of those within town bore little fruit, when eventually being advised to inspect the newspaper. The papers he pulled from his right long sleeve and held up; sharp dark blue eyes peered at the wrinkled paper covered in inked writing and ads, his studious and observing gaze lowering to find the smallest and tiniest ad on it that spoke of the guild..Fenixtear.
Fenixtear. The destination that brought Menzai to travel here, to Crocus even after being told it was a fair distance better traveled by vehicle or if one had the money to teleport. And seeing that he nary a coin to his name and refused to step into those hateful metal automatons and thus opted to go by foot and one he was far better off and content with.
Traveling with naught but the clothes on his back, his feet which bore no shoes carried him along. Needing nothing else as taught that less is better as he simply lived off the lands around that offered plentiful to scavenge and hunt with an offered prayer of resting to the caught prey he feasted upon.
Whereas most humans seemed to prefer speed for travel, he and most like him were completely content in traveling at their own pace. As there was no need for rushing unless urgency was an issue as the guild would not be going anywhere and even if he found the place closed that he could simply try another. Patience, outside of important need seemed to be slowly lost by humans as time passed; a thought that brought a small frown to Menzai's hidden face but far be it from him to judge their ways.
His clawed hand that gripped the old newspaper slipped it back in within the sleeve, where his arm remained nestled with both arms folded and hidden against his chest. Head lifting to have curious irises that glinted red and seemed to nearly glow within the shadows of the hood peering into the bustling town of Crocus.
Catching glimpses of civilians going about their day, whether to or from work or some other unknown business or children out and about. Watching them pass from the slight cover of trees still, a figure that stood out almost completely from their casual clothes and carefree mannerism. Unlike he, who wore a haori of snow white with fabric that seemed soft as fluff and smooth as silk that one might swear glittered when struck in the right light beneath the sun. A long flowing robe wrapped around his slim frame with long sleeves extending past his hands by a few inches and where his arms were currently housed, making easier to hide his less than human features. His pants, like the sleeves long and billowy; made to offer plenty of room allowing him to move and jump without worry of restraint. Only the hood adorning his head stood out in light grey, clearly not part of the haori but slipped in the nape of his neck to hide on his head what his haori could not.
Each shift of his head brought him slight discomfort from this horrendous hood, the uncomfortable fabric scraping against the hidden ears with an unbearable itch that brought a brief growling scowl to his shadowed face, flashing two rows of sharp canine teeth. Fighting back the urge to tear it off again as he needed to resist and when he only slipped it on a few minutes prior but needed to be done as it was best to draw as little attention as possible.
Closing his eyes and letting out a small sigh to calm himself, having his face return to its usual calm and near blank expression. This was just another thing he must endure for the sake of his mission and pursuit for knowledge towards magic.
Of course, it wasn't all bad. While he did not like the vehicles, there were strange and interesting objects and devices though only had brief glimpses due to the urgent needs with the council and found it best to leave quickly after nearly causing the commotion at the hall.
But, now as he prepared to enter the town saw this as a chance to properly explore seeing that he did not know where the guild hall was located. And so, a quick scan of the area of his surrounding until found a building of decent height and nodded to himself before continuing on, his steps making nary a sound as if weightless.
Humming gently to himself as he strolled over to the back of one of the buildings at the fringes of the town, making no sign nor intention of turning to go around. With a slight lifting tilt of the head as the marks etched onto the souls of feet dimly hum did he lightly jump up. Within a second of his right foot beginning to lower did a small red 3 foot wide barrier of 2 inches form beneath it, acting like a platform to which he used to jump off. Hopping up towards the building's roof with each step of foot placing a barrier that left a small trail though not for long as the platform three steps prior vanished as if never there.
Light grunts slipping from his lips with each hop upward that caused his haori to billow and flap to which if any saw might mistaken him a ghost walking on thin air. After forming around twelve platforms did he find himself on the roof and quietly walked to its edge overlooking the town. Wide curious eyes scanned along the building and its people; seeking and searching for the guild hall of Fenixtear but as expected saw no trace of it.
Momentarily finding himself distracted, however again by the strange devices and bits of magic being used. He tilted his head at seeing several walking with these tiny thin boxes pressed to their ears and talking into them, some tapping what seemed to be even tinier buttons. It perplexed and confused him; wondering why they were speaking into such a device (had he focused could he could listen on their conversation) but now was not the time to dwell on such curiosities like them or a strange cart that produced colorful and eatable clouds?!
How vexing and wondrous these things humans created, his nose crinkling at those loud vehicles roaring by and paid them little attention.
With no luck in his search, he prepared to move on, when his covered ears flicked to the word Fenixtear being mentioned by a small passing group of teens. Quickly, he sprung; hopping down and along towards the group, using platforms to drop down to the ground before them, his body bending down while his arms never unfolding from their hiding.
His sudden landing expectedly made them jump and freak out at his sudden appearance. Some were looking up at the air where they swore saw the mysterious person coming from and briefly caught sight of something red before they blinked out. The one closest, a teen male of 15 or 17, who nearly stumbled back into his friends pushed forward a bit peeved."
What the hell man?! You don't just go around dropping out of the sky?!" Stating his clear annoyance, face trying to hide the slight embarrassment from letting himself get jumpscared like that while his friends voiced their agreements.
The figure, Menzai stood back up to his feed, standing upright only to bow his head and upper half in a respectful bow."
Do forgive me. Was not the intention to disturb and frighten those of this group." He spoke in a clear soft masculine voice that seemed to have a somewhat soothing effect that helped settle down their frustration albeit a tad, his words came out in a respectful and sincere voice. The mannerism of how he carried himself showed a person that was curious yet slightly tense, alert as if cautious at all times."
Do forgive the sudden brash actions of my appearance but as I briefly overheard the conversation to which again I apologize for and has ascertain that perchance you might know the location of Fenixtear?"
The group could only help but stare in shock at this strange weirdo who came dropping out of the sky dressed like some kind of monk and face hidden by a hood. Then hearing him speak in such a formal and respectful manner asking about the guild? The group started muttering to each other with uncertain looks, one who was eating a frozen stick treat unknown to him dripped from their hand having forgotten about it, too busy being stunned.
The teens saw his head slightly turn, shifting to look at them expectantly for an answer until the teen boy from before coughed and tugged at his jacket."
Look, I don't know if you're trying to mess with us or pulling a prank with that robe but if its the guild you want..." He forced himself to try and talk and act cool probably to make up for embarrassing himself as he gave directions to the guild."
Then just pass down through the alleys and you there. Man, I swear everyone asking about the guild now." He scoffed with a roll of the eye, while a buddy of his chimed up.'
Come on, who can blame them? Taking out that dragon was insane yo.' Some cheered and high-fived showing how hyped up they were over the statement."
Tch, I know that Gary but places are always so busy cause of people like this." The teen scoffed turning back to the stranger." B
ut, yeah you won't have a hard time finding it. If your aim is joining then good luck. Others like you trying to get in with those weirdos."
Listening intently on their conversation as the mention of dragon caught his ears especially but remained silent. Having received the directions and intel he sought and once again politely bowed to the group."
I offer my thanks for being most helpful for the information and shall take into account the advice. Some time, when able, I shall return this favor.""
Uh..yeah, whatever. Just get on with it already. Popping out of nowhere like that....uncool" The teen waved away at him then turned to start walking off with his friends."
That guild attracts nothing but freaks, I swear." He muttered to them eliciting a round of laughter.
After observing the group walk off for a moment, Menzai recounted the directions in his head and glanced around to take in his surroundings. Feeling uncomfortable going through the walls and passing those dangerous hunks of metal and opted to go by roof; hopping along the close knit buildings, using his platforms for gaps too wide to jump over. Stopping every so often to get his bearings making sure he was going by the directions given to him.
Several minutes of hopping along roof after roof with brief breaks before finally catching sight of the guild hall building. Strange to find it nestled in such a secluded and deep part of the town, but thought it better ideal for him and a few more hopping, bringing himself to a landing grunt to touch down a short distance from the guild doors.
Standing back up; gazing over the multi-storied building which certainly was not like the more extravagant and larger well established guilds from the pictures shown to him. This one felt more like a...home? Even if it looked somewhat rundown and poor yet gave off a warm and inviting presence. This had his hidden lips curl into a small smile for a few moments before returning back to its usual position.
Able to hear voices coming from within, normally muffled but for him the voices and words were clear to which there were multiples. A mix of male and female voices at that. Unsure of what was being discussed though the things he caught lead him to believe it concerned quests.
With a raise of a curious brow, the shoeless individual walked up to the door and with a closed clawed fist rapped on the door five times. Making sure to do so hard enough for them to be heard by the inhabitants within.
PapaOso
SausagePat
Nightwing95
Xaltwind
princess
Zarkun
Danyel
Sanguine Rose
Noctis
Remram
