A plate of food
It was an ordinary day at Phil's bar. Most of the customers had gone home after a night of boozing. As the first rays of sunlight lit up the hulls of the airships in Westbridge airship park, Ror was still about. He wasn't sure why he hadn't gone home yet, but he just didn't feel like going right now. Instead he watched the light creep through the window. A new day had come and Phil was cleaning up the glasses, drying them off and putting them back on the shelf for tonight. The clickety-clack noises of the crab's scissors in one corner and the ringing of glasses behind the bar were soothing. After a while Ror's gaze fell on the plate with left-over food. It was on the bar and carelessly left behind by one of the customers that apparently had not been able to stomach more than half of the food offered. Perhaps it was a lack of salt? Perhaps the man had just not been hungry after all the drink? From the other side of the room came the smell of the food, and it didn't smell too good actually. Ror muttered under his breath about the quality. Perhaps the food had been on the bar for the entire night? Who knew. But bacteria and flies were by now investing their time and energy in it. And with Phil too busy, Ror decided to help the old bartender out a bit. He walked over to the bar and fetched a cloth from it, using it as a protective to grab the plate with it. He placed it on the ground in front of the crab and watched how the crustacean gobbled it all up. Ror tossed the cloth back behind the bar, gave a small salute to Phil, then pushed the door open and left the bar. In the morning light Ror walked through Westbridge back home. He smiled as the light made him squint. Life was good.
Bits and Pieces II
On the long lab table the retrieved bits and pieces from Kefka's armour were displayed. Ror's lab employees were swarming around the table for their analyses and experiments. The number of researchers on this topic had doubled since he had first revealed the fragments to Alsin. Half of his team now consisted out of dwarves whose metallurgy and smithing knowledge was essential. The rest were experts in magic, analysing the residu for Ror.
Ror entered the lab and passed his two employees working on the crystals he had been given by Sanria. Then he walked to the table where his other team was working on the Vectorian technology. As he approached, one of the employees looked up and saluted him, "Sir," and then proceeded with what he was doing. This caught the attention of the others. They greeted him as well and one started to talk to him about their current progress.
Ror raised his hand, asking for a moment of silence, and his employee stopped talking. "You can debrief later, after you've updated your data." He then took a heavy bag from his pack that was filled with more fragments of Kefka's armour. "Courtsey of Alsin, obtained from the black markets and merchants," he handed the bag to the nearest employee who cursed as he made it drop. "Careful, it is heavy," chuckled Ror. "Put the pieces on the other table and start sorting the real ones out from the fake ones. Then start analyzing the real fragments." A grinning dwarven researcher nodded and said, "Aye lad, leave that up to us!"
"I also talked to Psycho of Radiant Heart. We might obtain fragments found by their troops, but don't hold your breath for it." They nodded. Clapping his hands, Ror said, "Alright people, back to work." Seeing the enthusiasm of his research team, Ror smiled, then walked over to the table where the other team was working on the crystals.
"Right," said Ror, "tell me our current results."
Ror entered the lab and passed his two employees working on the crystals he had been given by Sanria. Then he walked to the table where his other team was working on the Vectorian technology. As he approached, one of the employees looked up and saluted him, "Sir," and then proceeded with what he was doing. This caught the attention of the others. They greeted him as well and one started to talk to him about their current progress.
Ror raised his hand, asking for a moment of silence, and his employee stopped talking. "You can debrief later, after you've updated your data." He then took a heavy bag from his pack that was filled with more fragments of Kefka's armour. "Courtsey of Alsin, obtained from the black markets and merchants," he handed the bag to the nearest employee who cursed as he made it drop. "Careful, it is heavy," chuckled Ror. "Put the pieces on the other table and start sorting the real ones out from the fake ones. Then start analyzing the real fragments." A grinning dwarven researcher nodded and said, "Aye lad, leave that up to us!"
"I also talked to Psycho of Radiant Heart. We might obtain fragments found by their troops, but don't hold your breath for it." They nodded. Clapping his hands, Ror said, "Alright people, back to work." Seeing the enthusiasm of his research team, Ror smiled, then walked over to the table where the other team was working on the crystals.
"Right," said Ror, "tell me our current results."
Missives in the Dark
*Snow-white, Ferin wings his way to you. He perches, his head cocked, and looks at Kineada with a question in his eyes. He seems to understand something, and once the missive has been read, takes the scroll in his beak and arrives at Orn's side. He drops the beak-creased scroll into his lap and gives a screech. He vanishes just as fast to deliver his remaining missive to Vorcet.*
Kineada and Vorcet,
I write this because I have been quite involved in my newest family and growing settled in here has been... new and a slight bit difficult. Change ever is.
At any rate - I met with Ror some time ago and he showed interest in bringing culture and education to Westbridge. As I have a past with him, I was hoping that one of you might arrange to speak with him and consider what he has to say. I'm not opposed to seeing a library and school in Westbridge for the newly liberated.
We can offer at least something - be it teachers or scribes perhaps to aid in getting the endeavor on its feet - if we choose to involve ourselves.
Should you have need of me, I can be found in the cottage in the eastern section of the Druid's Grove. I will likely be here for a bit longer, attempting to settle Matinus into some semblance of a family life that he's been missing for so long. He reminds me so much of Orn - a strong boy with a good heart and capable mind.
Wishing you well,
Sanria
Kineada and Vorcet,
I write this because I have been quite involved in my newest family and growing settled in here has been... new and a slight bit difficult. Change ever is.
At any rate - I met with Ror some time ago and he showed interest in bringing culture and education to Westbridge. As I have a past with him, I was hoping that one of you might arrange to speak with him and consider what he has to say. I'm not opposed to seeing a library and school in Westbridge for the newly liberated.
We can offer at least something - be it teachers or scribes perhaps to aid in getting the endeavor on its feet - if we choose to involve ourselves.
Should you have need of me, I can be found in the cottage in the eastern section of the Druid's Grove. I will likely be here for a bit longer, attempting to settle Matinus into some semblance of a family life that he's been missing for so long. He reminds me so much of Orn - a strong boy with a good heart and capable mind.
Wishing you well,
Sanria
Family Life
Sanria had a moment to herself. Gilean was still at the temple, as he had been for many late nights. He would come back to the cottage worn out, the people of Westbridge still needing healing and help long after the battle with Kefka had passed. She had put Nioma to bed, tucked Matinus in after reading to him (a pasttime the boy seemed unable to get enough of), and settled herself in the library with her pack.
She found her unfinished note to the Keepers and cursed herself. In all her time with Gilean and settling in to a new life she had completely forgotten Ror's request. It was simple enough to finish the missive to her fellow leaders and send it off. After the last time in the cafe with Ror, she felt it best she remain as much out of his life as possible. Being strictly business with a past flame was never one of Sanria's strong suits.
Finished with the missive, Sanria opened her window and called to Ferin. Though it was dark, the falcon appeared on wings nearly as silent as an owl. "Take this to Vorcet and Kineada my friend." She sent a mental image to the bird and watched as he vanished into the trees.
As Sanria stared out into the star-studded night sky, a movement caught her gaze. She looked down into the trees and caught the small motion of a tiny red light move in a small arc. In the darkness it brightened, then dimmed as it went back down again. The motion repeated once again before it vanished. It was unsettling, not knowing what it was before her, and Sanria closed the window and drew the drapes. Something wasn't right.
She found her unfinished note to the Keepers and cursed herself. In all her time with Gilean and settling in to a new life she had completely forgotten Ror's request. It was simple enough to finish the missive to her fellow leaders and send it off. After the last time in the cafe with Ror, she felt it best she remain as much out of his life as possible. Being strictly business with a past flame was never one of Sanria's strong suits.
Finished with the missive, Sanria opened her window and called to Ferin. Though it was dark, the falcon appeared on wings nearly as silent as an owl. "Take this to Vorcet and Kineada my friend." She sent a mental image to the bird and watched as he vanished into the trees.
As Sanria stared out into the star-studded night sky, a movement caught her gaze. She looked down into the trees and caught the small motion of a tiny red light move in a small arc. In the darkness it brightened, then dimmed as it went back down again. The motion repeated once again before it vanished. It was unsettling, not knowing what it was before her, and Sanria closed the window and drew the drapes. Something wasn't right.
The Ruins of Tru
Westbridge, trading hub and recently liberated city from the Vectorians, was at the forefront of Ror's mind today. The people in this city needed its spirit uplifted. And to do so, he had proposed a theatre and school be build. And so Ror found himself in the library of the TriPower Kingdom with the map of Westbridge in front of him. He needed to find a location for the buildings in the city and it was quite a hassle. Leaning back in his chair, Ror contemplated the situation at hand.
It all boiled down to the same thing, didn't it? There was probably not enough space and something might have to go. But what? And if you were going to take down one thing... well there was a whole list of things that one could wish for to be improved. You could send children to school but with the gangs in the south of the city, that was easier said than done. Besides, with people beaten into poverty who could miss an extra pair of hard-working hands? Finding teachers is relatively easy. Helping people send their kids to school? Very problematic. And for the theatre, to stimulate culture in town, you need people to be able to pay their tickets. In short, this place needed jobs that paid well. In other words, economic growth that allowed the common man to rise above his current standing and send his child to school.
He scratched the side of his face and muttered under his breath about the complexity of the problem. He needed to talk to some Keepers of Balance leaders that would hopefully tell him he not to draw this out bigger than it needed to be. But what if they would agree with him? The sheer time it would then take... and keep him away from his books.... He leaned forward. What a scary prospect.
Shaking his head, he rolled up the map and put it away. It was too soon to think about that, he told himself. Best to put it aside. After all, Sanria had said that the other leaders would take over from her and chat with him about it and that hadn't happened at all. So there was still plenty of time. And Ror was determined to use that time well.
In fact, today he would meet up with a Radiant Heart leader, Psycho, and they would discuss matters on Westbridge on Ror's request. He wanted to visit the Ruins of Tru to check out the Theatre there as Sanria had suggested. But the place could be dangerous and so he needed a little help. Getting up from his chair, and putting his coat back on, he wondered if that theatre would be similar to the one in Daggerford or not. It probably was, otherwise she wouldn't have suggested it, would she?
Ror smirked, before fastening the top button of his uniform and exiting the library.
It all boiled down to the same thing, didn't it? There was probably not enough space and something might have to go. But what? And if you were going to take down one thing... well there was a whole list of things that one could wish for to be improved. You could send children to school but with the gangs in the south of the city, that was easier said than done. Besides, with people beaten into poverty who could miss an extra pair of hard-working hands? Finding teachers is relatively easy. Helping people send their kids to school? Very problematic. And for the theatre, to stimulate culture in town, you need people to be able to pay their tickets. In short, this place needed jobs that paid well. In other words, economic growth that allowed the common man to rise above his current standing and send his child to school.
He scratched the side of his face and muttered under his breath about the complexity of the problem. He needed to talk to some Keepers of Balance leaders that would hopefully tell him he not to draw this out bigger than it needed to be. But what if they would agree with him? The sheer time it would then take... and keep him away from his books.... He leaned forward. What a scary prospect.
Shaking his head, he rolled up the map and put it away. It was too soon to think about that, he told himself. Best to put it aside. After all, Sanria had said that the other leaders would take over from her and chat with him about it and that hadn't happened at all. So there was still plenty of time. And Ror was determined to use that time well.
In fact, today he would meet up with a Radiant Heart leader, Psycho, and they would discuss matters on Westbridge on Ror's request. He wanted to visit the Ruins of Tru to check out the Theatre there as Sanria had suggested. But the place could be dangerous and so he needed a little help. Getting up from his chair, and putting his coat back on, he wondered if that theatre would be similar to the one in Daggerford or not. It probably was, otherwise she wouldn't have suggested it, would she?
Ror smirked, before fastening the top button of his uniform and exiting the library.
A note...
*A note appears in your hands in a flash of light*
Do not approach the beggar with a proposition. I encountered him lurking about Gilean's cottage and have it set in motion. With his mind clouded, he will do my bidding nicely. As for our deal, provided you do not fuck it up - I will still grant you that which you seek. There is nothing worse than a miserable mortal playing at an immortal game.
Pay attention to the pawn. If he renigs on his deal with me, swoop in and coax him along. You will be then doubly rewarded, you have my word.
Velentham
Do not approach the beggar with a proposition. I encountered him lurking about Gilean's cottage and have it set in motion. With his mind clouded, he will do my bidding nicely. As for our deal, provided you do not fuck it up - I will still grant you that which you seek. There is nothing worse than a miserable mortal playing at an immortal game.
Pay attention to the pawn. If he renigs on his deal with me, swoop in and coax him along. You will be then doubly rewarded, you have my word.
Velentham
Rememberance
After spending several hours searching the remains of the burnt home, finding nothing, he turns to the wood remnants and begins to build a better shelter. Now hungry he begins searching the surrounding area for edible plants. Finding nothing of substance just a few meager berries eating them, hoping they arent poisonous, and drinks some water from the pump before sitting in his ramshackle made lean to.
Luckily the berries were not poisonous and many days passed, barely eating anything except the berries which were few and far between, they had another side effect however. During the nights he had very vivid dreams, more colorful than he had ever remembered having, of a place very similar to where he finds himself. During the day he mindlessly props rocks and wood within the remains of the home, not knowing why, only that he must.
Rain starts again and he hurries to his shelter, climbing under the makeshift lean to, he sits facing the partially covered opening. Staring out into the rain, he feels he is no longer in control of his body, he collapses into a trance the world fading away into darkness. Images flash through his mind and he finds himself in a waking dream.
Getting up from his bed he looks around, finding himself indoors, he hurries to the exit of the room. A hallway and stairs leading down, he now runs trying to get out of the place that he finds himself, he jumps the last few stairs and rushes out the open door. He takes no more than three steps before freezing in place, the water pump catches his eye, he turns toward it. This is the water pump that has kept him alive for the past few days, he wonders how this can be the same one, he turns to face where he came from. The home that had been burnt is now standing fully built and unharmed. Watching helplessly the home starts to melt away, first the walls, then various furnishings disappear. Pictures start to fade away, he runs trying to catch a glimpse, his mind absorbing all that he can see.
Grasping at the air, he wakes, holding onto a bit of tattered clothing that he hung up as a flap to the lean to. Minutes had passed by the look of the ground, still having the occasional dry patch, he closes his eyes recalling the last image he saw before waking. A painting hung on the wall, a family, he recalls thinking harder. Not being able to remember all of the faces of the family, but one, he remembers seeing himself.
Snapping open his eyes, he lowers his head thinking, "This was my home, I had a family here." he looks up and stares at the rain as it falls.
Luckily the berries were not poisonous and many days passed, barely eating anything except the berries which were few and far between, they had another side effect however. During the nights he had very vivid dreams, more colorful than he had ever remembered having, of a place very similar to where he finds himself. During the day he mindlessly props rocks and wood within the remains of the home, not knowing why, only that he must.
Rain starts again and he hurries to his shelter, climbing under the makeshift lean to, he sits facing the partially covered opening. Staring out into the rain, he feels he is no longer in control of his body, he collapses into a trance the world fading away into darkness. Images flash through his mind and he finds himself in a waking dream.
Getting up from his bed he looks around, finding himself indoors, he hurries to the exit of the room. A hallway and stairs leading down, he now runs trying to get out of the place that he finds himself, he jumps the last few stairs and rushes out the open door. He takes no more than three steps before freezing in place, the water pump catches his eye, he turns toward it. This is the water pump that has kept him alive for the past few days, he wonders how this can be the same one, he turns to face where he came from. The home that had been burnt is now standing fully built and unharmed. Watching helplessly the home starts to melt away, first the walls, then various furnishings disappear. Pictures start to fade away, he runs trying to catch a glimpse, his mind absorbing all that he can see.
Grasping at the air, he wakes, holding onto a bit of tattered clothing that he hung up as a flap to the lean to. Minutes had passed by the look of the ground, still having the occasional dry patch, he closes his eyes recalling the last image he saw before waking. A painting hung on the wall, a family, he recalls thinking harder. Not being able to remember all of the faces of the family, but one, he remembers seeing himself.
Snapping open his eyes, he lowers his head thinking, "This was my home, I had a family here." he looks up and stares at the rain as it falls.
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