Menzai Isanami
Time: Morning
Location: River Port beach
Interactions: Isolde
@Blizz Dante, Darius
@Alivefalling @FunnyGuy Aiden
@PotterMentions:
Equipment: White Haori, Gauravian luck charm bracelet
Gaurav
Four Months Later
The village of Gaurav located directly atop a huge river that spanned for miles had the homes and buildings built around and into the huge trees that had grown for hundreds of years within the river. With heavy thick trees surrounding the village along with mountains to the left and right in an almost bowl like formation offering a natural barrier against outsiders. With trees so tightly packed together and countless paths making traveling through the forest and without a Gauravian as a guide or one with sharply tuned nose made finding the hidden safe paths difficult. An intricately confusing maze-like forest and dense fog that almost seemed alive all worked to deter those curious save for the more recklessly brave or lucky ones to find their way through. As the wolven demi-humans kept to themselves in seclusion; outside forces seldom saw need to bother them though envoys of surrounding kingdoms have sought them out with attempts of alliance only to be kindly refused as Gaurav held knowledge and documents they could not risk those of dangerous or evil intent getting their hands on.
As a village that lives in seclusion most have rumored them to be a hateful and animalistic sort that has gradually turn more beastlike over the years. Such rumors and suspicions have come about purely due to so little information going in or out and their seemingly cold and distrustful disposition as told by the rare fews to have reached Gaurav though said travelers have simply stated them to be more the highly respectful and cautious sort, but through misunderstandings and enjoyments of fantastical myths led to such misconceptions of the Gauravians. And the fact hardly any ever ventured out from the village to quell such misunderstanding and rumors did not help.
And as Menzai was the only Gauravian the group of humans who were still wholly new to the realm of Avalia, it was understandable for them to expect them to be like the distant wolf. Yet, after hours of trekking through thickly packed woods and confusing fog they had arrived to be met with a village of delighted and excited wolves who all welcomed them happily with open arms. A day these wolves had been looking forward to since humans vanished to great dismay and sorrow to those that had built such a close bond likened to that of a man and their pet dog.
They were given a large welcoming feast and tour of their mythical village that would be quickly apparent how they and nature lived in harmony. The wolves tending to the lands and only took what was needed; never hunting in greed or for sport. A community soon to be seen as one big family with everyone having each other's back and had no such thing as currency as they traded in favors and product. They wanted for nothing, a content and happy community and most of all proved to be surprisingly friendly. Menzai had explained that his family are one of the few remaining lines that were once companion and protector of humans that traveled and as such tended to be somewhat disconnected to emotions or wearing the seal to better aid in their duties fearing allowing themselves to bond too closely might lead to dangers that could otherwise be avoided. Though Menzai's case proved a bit more extreme than usual which explained his seemingly cold indifference, albeit while within the village and the emotional seal inactive he did express himself a bit more, giving his thoughts and opinions he would normally refrain from yet still refrained from talking about anything personal of himself in order to retain a respectable distance.
During the four months, the four humans were settled within a cabin placed a short distance outside the village nestled within a wide field where an assortment of colorful flowers and rare plants gently swayed from a blowing breeze. Done so that they would have privacy and a place where they would not be bothered by overly curious and overzealous pups and scholars with the elders decreeing all visitors, but Menzai and higher-ups forbidden to enter without permission. Here, they were free to train to hone their magic and fighting capabilities and leisure activity save for things that might do harm to the lands and wildlife so as not to disturb the balance of nature. While visitors were forbidden, however, the village was open to them at all times where they would often be surrounded and hounded with questions or offered food and clothes or items they might want or need, all of it hand-made. Whether to explore the shops or tour the village's interesting bridge like pathways along the forest or venture into the woods (with a gauravian guide to ensure they did not wind up lost) or chose to visit the library. And among all the buildings, none came close to the size and magnitude of the Gaurvian library; even the grand hall housing the elders and important meetings was dwarfed by their most guarded and protected monument that has been built into the largest tree of the forest which some say to be at the center and oldest. Within awaited countless rooms filled with shelves after shelves of books on magic, the realm and of humans documented all the way back to the day Gaurav first came into being. Alongside books, the library housed human artifiacts gifted to them by companions of days past; items that each of the humans may come to recognize here and there as humans from across time had at one point interacted with the Gauravians.
Whatever the group needed to learn or wanted to read about concerning the history of Avalia it was given to them though were told the library's history only reached up to unto the day humans disappeared. For after that the village secluded themselves leaving the library and their knowledge behind and out of date. But now with their appearance hoped to change this with Menzai tasked to observe and bare witness to the outside events but his first and foremost goal was to seek out and ensure safety of humans.
It is due to this that Menzai had originally intended to set out after a few weeks to make sure they were settled in and comfortable had they chosen to remain in Gaurav in safety. As this was not their world or home so the troubles and issues plaguing Avalia were not of their concern and as such would not be forced to partake in the wars certain to break out throughout the realms. Yet after much discussion the group all decided they would help this realm. Some more eager than others who wanted to set off soon, but after much talk persuaded to stay at, at least for the summer as things were especially tremulous along with their lack of control and inexperience with magic would more than likely end with their deaths. And so it was decided that the group, Menzai included would remain at the village for four months to train and hone their skills both in magic and fighting capabilities.
The four months passed by with little incident; training was tough and tiring, sometimes exhausting with Dante setting up the training regime for the group as adjustments were made depending on the type of magic each had or how well they worked together. Menzai who lacked magic had placed himself to the side keeping to observing most of the times though at times would offer advice and suggestions on how to improve or adapt their usage and worked with Dante to create regimes that nearly changed by a weekly basis. On rare occasions Menzai took helm of training sessions involving heading into the forest while careful to never take them in too deep or alone while careful not to damage the woods.
As the weeks went by, the lone wolf gradually found himself becoming more comfortable around the humans. As once previously keeping to the outskirts of their cabin to now keeping watch in the field within eyeline of the cabin were they to look through the window. His days were mostly spent keeping watch for in case any of his wolven brethren tried to sneak in to observing their training. Intervening if Dante accidentally pushed too hard and even partaking in sparring to get in some training experience in fighting against magic users as his fighting capabilities were rather inadequate. Through coaching from Dante and casual chats with Aidan found unexpected common ground bringing him somewhat closer to the two. With Dante's determination and focus on his goal which he felt respect and pride towards; often talking about ways to improve on what they lacked and on magic. While with Aidan he found shared a disinterest in delving into one's personal space and personal details. Though she was proven cold and stiff to most others she seemed to somehow soften up and relax whenever it was just the two of them, often doing nothing more than sitting and enjoying the scenery without a word said or when they did talk would consists of topics of each other's world, what they were like and things they have created and more. Neither never inquired onto personal matters as the two could tell they were not of the open sort though whatever any of them wished to tell him about themselves he would listen quietly. Being the comfort any of them needed when things started to feel overwhelming and difficult knowing they could talk freely without judgement or criticism.
The four would also seem to bond and get along well enough with Dante and Darius being brothers they of course butted heads and bickered as siblings do. While Darius and Isolde were a pair that got along well while Dante seemed to better get along with Aidan; a most fascinating and learning experience it had been for him observing the humans these past four months.
Then the day that they would be soon setting off had fast approached as they would be leaving either later this evening or tomorrow morning depending on how well each of them handle the final test he planned to have them take. With it now 2pm, early into the evening; Menzai sat on his knees in a meditative pose sipping at his freshly brewed tea as he waited for the four to finish whatever activities they had chosen to do. As since they were to leave the village soon the wolf brought forth recommendation to spend these last few days taking things easy and enjoying themselves as reward for all the exhausting hard work and training they put themselves through. Before they did so, Menzai wished to see the results these last couple months had brought each of them to.
Quietly the lone wolf sipped at his tea waiting for them to gather before him when they were ready.
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