A new girl/tiger in town(OPEN)

by **Sheva** on October 14th, 2011, 9:38 am

34th Day Of Fall 511 AV - Early Afternoon

It was around midday, the sun was up and shining brightly, the sounds of the waves beating gently against the shore creating a peaceful atmosphere. If you looked off into the distance, not far from the shore, you would see a large trail of black smoke, following the trail to its origin was what looked like a giant bonfire floating on the ocean. The flames roared as they engulfed the ship, slowly spreading their wicked rath. About an hour ago the ship was nothing more than an anchored vessel floating off shore, it seemed like any other except for the secrets it held. The ship was the place that Sheva had been held captive for the past few weeks. Time had blurred in the dark cage that she was imprisoned in and Sheva lost count, now not knowing if she had been there for weeks or months. Luckily, the girl had recently escaped the ship and its treacherous crew.

Now the young girl, filthy, tired and scared made her way along the shore to the unfamiliar city ahead. She looked at it as she approached, analysing the buildings which looked completely different to any she had seen. The city, or town, was completely surrounded by what looked like massive piles of rubble with the exception of the coast.

Slowly Sheva arrived at the city, she began to walk up the nearest street looking for an Inn. She needed to know the date, where she was aswell as a meal, a good wash and sleep, yes the young kelvic craved sleep.
She hoped that someone would help her as she walked through the street, clearly out of place. But who would help or even talk to her, a strange filthy young girl in a land that was not her own, a foreigner

by **Syllke Skyglow** on October 15th, 2011, 1:29 am

Syllke walked along the street leading down to the passenger quay. The Stranger lay along his route, and he thought of Lena, but his destination lay elsewhere this day. He had heard that a ship had arrived from Avanthal and he was anxious to see if any letters had been sent with the captain of the vessel. It had been several weeks since the last letter he had had from his mother, and it had contained some unsettling news. Soon enough, he knew, the harbor in Denval would be ice bound. The one in Avanthal probably was already – this ship that had just arrived from there might be the last until spring. That had the young Vantha worried. How would he get news? How would he know what was going on with his father?

Distracted, he walked along, not paying too much attention to those passing him. The street was often a busy one, as it was the main route down to the water and the harbor. A few people gave him a friendly hello, which he returned absent mindedly. But one young woman who was fast approaching him caught his eye, if for no other reason than for her extreme pallor, in addition to her extreme state of filthiness. Her face looked both drawn and strained, as if she was fatigued beyond bearing and also perhaps . . . fearful? Syllke thought that events of late were enough to make any resident of the city lose sleep – so her condition wasn’t so shocking. It was just so marked. And beyond that, though he couldn’t claim to know every one of the seven hundred or so citizens of Denval, she did not look familiar. Even clean and looking more . . . sunny – he was sure he would have remembered her if he had seen her around.

As fate would have it, as she seemed to be on a trajectory that would have them colliding in the middle of the street in the next moment or so, he stepped to the side. She must have seen the same probability and stepped at the exact same time, in the same direction unfortunately. Syllke stepped back the other way, just as the girl did too. As Syllke’s body shifted once more, prefatory to trying one more time to make way for her, he saw her shift as well, and he stopped moving.

With a slight frown of frustration, he still grinned at the silliness of their little impromptu dance. “I’ll stand still – you go around. Either side you like.” He said, then waited for her to make her choice and move on.

by **Sheva** on October 15th, 2011, 1:56 am

Sheva continued to walk up the street through the unfamiliar town. The residents payed her no mind, quite occupied with their own lives. She continued to walk head down avoiding eye contact with any residents until she nearly walked head on into a man who seemed to be paying as little attention to where he was walking as she was.
After they had done their little silly dance Sheva replied to his words with a agreeing nod. She stepped left and took two steps past the man before turning suddenly around, head still down. "E-Excuse m-me, you wouldn't happen to know where the nearest Inn is w-would you?" Her voice was soft and apologetic, her words having a very polite feel to them. Finally she looked up at the man, her face filthy, there was a slight sorrow aswel. The man was actually more a boy than a man, he looked to be about her age. Well, about the age her human form appeared as. He was slender but not frail looking and his eyes. Sheva's eyes met his for a second before quickly looking down again, she didn't know anyone here, let alone where she was. It seemed the best idea was to be as quiet as possible. Sheva's put her hand on her neck nervously, flinching slightly as she felt a small stab of pain. Her neck must have had a small bruise from being strangled by one of those men on the ship. Her arms wrapped themselves instinctively around her chest as she thought of the ship again.
Slowly she looked up awaiting an answer from the young guy.

by **Syllke Skyglow** on October 15th, 2011, 2:46 am

He noticed her hesitancy, but she did step around and begin to walk away. Syllke had turned his head to follow her with his eyes, for some god unknown reason. She was just so odd looking – like a lost ghost – so pale and so . . . out of place. When she turned, he saw the slightly desperate cast to her eyes – almost the only feature about the girl that held any color – a bright blue like the sky in summer. When she spoke, her voice was quiet and tentative. Her gestures had a nervous quality to them – and a slightly defensive one as well – as if she needed to be wary, to protect herself. From what, he wondered.

Syllke, his own thoughts forgotten for the moment, gave her a friendly smile. He gestured by jerking his chin towards the building right next to them. “You’re standing right in front of it.” He said, easily. “The Stranger. Well, the Stranger’s Welcome, actually. See?” He pointed to the worn sign hanging above the modest looking door. “You’re new to Denval?” It was only half a question, as the answer seemed quite obvious. “Did you arrive on the ship from Avanthal?”

He didn’t really think the girl could have much information to share about his home. Even the condition of the harbor now would be unknown to her, if she had traveled from there several weeks ago. But, for some reason, Syllke felt reluctant to just turn and walk away from her. Denval was a small place – the type of town where everyone knew everyone else’s business - and Syllke was a very curious boy to begin with. But beyond pure nosiness, the girl’s appearance - her demeanor, her expression – all spoke to him. She looked like she could use a friendly smile, and maybe a friendly ear, or a helping hand. She just looked – like she was so very lost.

“Want me to go in with you? I know the innkeeper. He’s pretty nice – so is the staff. Do you – are you looking for a room, or . . . ?” He let that question hang in the air between them, content to let her let him know if she wanted him to hang about.

by **Sheva** on October 15th, 2011, 9:34 am

Sheva watched the boy nervously waiting for the directions to the in. When he gestured to it, she felt a slight blush cover her face, how could she have been so stupid, she was standing right in front of the place and on top of that, the name was 'The Stranger's Welcome' didn't take a scholar to figure out it was an Inn. He smiled at her and she tried her best to smile back, a small subtle smile, but it would have to do. Then the questions began, she listened to them waiting for a chance to answer. "Uhm, no I'm not from here, and I did come on the a ship but I have no idea if it was at this Avanthal place or not." Then he asked if she wanted him to accompany her, he was offering her help, she didn't want to turn him away after he was so friendly to her, a foreigner. "Uhm, okay, I hope I'm not interrupting your plans. " her voice polite and slightly more cheerful. Slowly she turned and made her way to the entrance of the inn.

by **Syllke Skyglow** on October 15th, 2011, 8:55 pm

Her explanation of how she had arrived in Denval was curious – how could she not know if she had set out from Avanthal? Syllke gave the girl a look, one eyebrow raised quixotically. But he let it go for the moment. Perhaps that was part of the source of her overall air of being out of place here – maybe she had amnesia. Or perhaps she was just demented – though she didn’t seem like a lunatic. In any case, it seemed cleared with each passing moment that she did need a little help, so he shook his head when she made her last comment.

“Oh, it’s no problem. I wasn’t really busy. Come on – let’s see if they have a room, or – whatever it is you’re needing.”

So saying, he led her inside the Stranger. It wasn’t too terribly crowded, and he had no problem catching the attention of one of the staff. “Hey, this young lady needs to, um . . . “ He turned to the girl. “I don’t even know your name, yet.” He gave her a supportive smile. “Anyway – why don’t you tell him what you need. And if you’re thirsty, or hungry, tell me what you want and I’ll order it for you.”

“I’m Syllke, by the way.” He added, in an offhand way.

by **Sheva** on October 16th, 2011, 1:40 am

Sheva nervously followed the charming young man inside. Apon entering it was painfully apparent that Sheva was very uncomfortable. She hated being around people when she was like this, frail, weak and filthy. Most of the people were staring at her, obviously due to her unusual and uncomfortable appearance.
The young man charmingly introduced himself as Syllke, an unusual name but a very beautiful one. It had a gentle sound to it. "I guess I just want a bath first, then a meal and a place to sleep." she said quietly as she continued to look down. "Nice to meet you Syilke, my name is Sheva." Her voice was now slightly more comfortable as she smiled another, still small smile at her new aquaintance.

by **Syllke Skyglow** on October 16th, 2011, 2:45 am

The man nodded. “Yes, miss. The bath – well . . . “ He looked a bit apologetic. “There was a rather large party came in this morning – off the ship from Avanthal, they are. And well, you know – not much opportunity to bathe aboard a ship, especially not in these cold waters. So they’re all lined up to have their turn at the bath house – we’ve just the two tubs, side by side they are, so . . . “ He shrugged, as if sharing a bath house was just something to be put up with. “And we have a bed, not exactly a room – you’d have to share. We’re almost full up – the ship and all . . . “ Again, he shrugged, his hands out, palms up, as if he could not be held accountable for the full state of the inn.

Syllke made a little face, and his gaze went to Sheva. “That’s a shame.” The girl with the soft voice and gentle seeming manner had ducked her head and her mane of white-blonde hair hid her face for the most part. He thought for a moment, and then shrugged, his eyes going to Oleg’s worker. “It doesn’t sound like a very comfortable set-up.” His glance switched back to the girl. “If you like, you can come up to the Lyceum – that’s where I live, and work. I can easily get you a bath – a private one – and while you clean up I can heat up some food. Nothing fancy – but it’ll be free.” He grinned. “And I might even be able to find an empty bed – for a night or two. I don’t know what your plans are – but it might be more pleasant for you." He looked about. "More private than a crowded inn, anyway."

He grinned. "And then you can tell me why you don't know whether you sailed from Avanthal or not." The inn worker shot first Syllke and then Sheva a quizzical look at that comment, but Syllke did not elaborate.

by **Sheva** on October 16th, 2011, 4:25 am

Sheva listened as the man explained the situation to them. When he mentioned the ships men were crowding the inn she immediately tensed up, it was highly possible these were the other ship members from the ship she had come from. "Are you sure? That sounds really nice." Her voice slightly more nervous as she exited the building. This young man, Syllke was being so kind, something she was not really used to. She gave him another small smile as she stepped out of the inn.

by **Syllke Skyglow** on October 16th, 2011, 3:44 pm

Soon enough, Syllke and Sheva had arrived at the Lyceum. Denval was a small town and it never took long to get from one place to another. Along the way, he had refrained from peppering her with questions. She looked so exhausted and her manner was so subdued that he guessed it was best to just wait until she was in a better frame of mind to ask her about her circumstances. And that he would do, for it seemed confounding to him that any person would not know where they had traveled from unless they had experienced some sort of trauma.

When they reached the squat, sturdy tower, he took her inside and to the common baths room, where a cistern was kept full of rain water from the roof, and heated with a set of metal pipes that also heated the building in winter. In the room were several private closets, each with a wooden tub, and he showed her how she could use the available buckets to fill a tub. Fetching a cloth for washing, another for drying, and some soap Seodai and he had made together, he left her to her bathing, and went to see what food he had on hand.

Back in his own room at the back of the school, he rummaged about and managed to come up with some apples, cheese – which had been a gift and which he personally detested – half a loaf of bread, a pail of walnuts he and Murphy had collected, and the remains of a cherry tart that he had managed to hide from Vanos. Murphy wasn’t around, but that wasn’t unusual. The wolf kelvic often went off on romps of his own. With a few duck eggs he had traded a sketch for, he heated a frying pan, ready to make an omlette with some wild mushrooms he had found, once Sheva found her way back to his room, which he had shown her prior to her bath. The Lyceum was not a huge place. It was really hard to get lost in its few corridors and two stories.