A Time to Speak (Solo)

[Alric Wilmot]

7th Day of Spring 512 Alric Wilmot had experienced much pain this week. Exactly 7 days ago, he lost his home. This would be devestating enough to most people. But for Alric, it was even worse. He had a severe case of anthropomorphism. That is, he would take inanimate objects, and assign them human attributes. It was a common thing in literature, much rarer in insanity. Still, he endured. He had lost both his childhood friend and recently discovered half-brother in the Winter Crisis. Compared to that, even his beloved house which had nurtured him since childhood, was bearable. If only just. He had made new comrades. Bob Barton, for one, had saved him by leading him to the Alvadas Underground the day of the Storm. Four days later, when he was still mourning the loss of his possessions, he ran into Seven Xu. A man who had it much worse than he did. In fact, as the week carried on he found reasons to be more and more thankful. He had been silenced the day of the Djed Storm. And had chosen to remain silent and forlorn in the following days. No more. Today was the day that he took back control of his life. Today was the day he ceased his mourning. Today was the time to break the silence, and speak. Today he was joining the Womiyu, and becoming a Speaker. Or, at least he hoped today was that day. He had learned during the Winter Crisis that the Womiyu was headquartered under the Temple of Ionu. That was where he was headed currently. Or, at least that was where he was wanting to go. In Alvadas, you couldn't really 'head' anywhere due to the everchanging nature of the city. Though, despite the odds, he arrived at the Temple in a rather timely manner. It seemed as though Ionu itself wished Alric to serve. And who was Alric to deny a god? As he approached, he noticed that the city had chosen a rather odd assortment of buildings to surround the building with. It seemed like a very macabre pattern, with whole houses intersected by absolutely destroyed ones. It was a checkerboard of destruction. An yet, as Alric looked on, he couldn't find himself to weep as he once might. Death, was just too common to cry about. "Excuse me, coming through, pardon me. Official Womiyu business! Get out of the way! I need through!" Alric stepped to the side as a rather plump woman came out through the crowded Temple doorway,shoving and pushing those who were disrespectful enough not to make way for her on their own. Even from this distance, Alric could make out the Speaker uniform the woman wore. She seemed to be in her early forties, and had slightly greyed hair. Alric had never seen such a beautiful sight. He had finally found a Speaker! And so quickly! He had expected the city to torment him first. He was quite glad to be wrong. When the crowds finally realized what the woman was, they gave her a wide berth. Their were many stares, as there should be. After all, a Speaker commands respect at all times. Alric was actually surprised that there weren't more stares. After all, seeing a speaker usually meant a great spectacle was about to occur. Although, Alric did notice a rather obvious lack of prisoners. So perhaps the woman had yet to find her prey? All the better then! If Alric offered his services, then she'd be more willing to take on an apprentice. "Excuse me! Lady Speaker! May I have a word?" The plump older woman turned around for a split second before continuing on her way. "If you want to talk, young man, then get the move on. I have important business to do and I'm not going to stop for some frilly man." Alric took that as an invitation. "Lady Speaker! Please allow me to train under you, and become a member of the Womiyu as a fellow speaker." The woman did not slow, but her face scrunched up in confusion, just before she began to laugh hysterically. "Get lost, Frilly man. I have work to do, and I have no interest in letting some stranger come and work for the Womiyu." Alric was not deterred, and hurried his pace to match the woman's. Despite being rather plump, the woman was unearthly fast. And, to be quite honest, she did not even seem to be trying. Alric was actually having a bit of trouble keeping up, but he was not about to show it. After all, he was at least half her age! It would just be embarrassing to be out ran by her. After he and she rounded another demolished building, Alric caught his breath and continued the conversation. "Please, Lady Speaker, hear me out. My name is Alric Wilmot, and I am a devout follower of Ionu. I only wish to serve him more fully. I was lost in the aftermath of the Djed Storm. But I understand now. I was silenced, by some force. Now it is my time to speak! To bring order back to my beloved city. I was hoping I might prove myself to you. Perhaps help you out? You're looking for someone correct? Perhaps I could help you find them?" While at first the woman seemed to scorn the idea, she did not shoo him away again. Instead she remained silent, and continued her trek through the morbid remains of Alvadas. Alric was never far behind. He had not been told no, so he figured she had yet to make her mind up. They continued their jog for about 3 hours. Alric was extremely surprised he could keep up for that long. Though, he was panting very heavily. Finally she spoke. "Well, I must say, you are more patient than the usual dreg that come up to me. But listen, being a Speaker isn't what it's all cracked up to be. It's tough. And while the majority of Alvadas might like you, you get death threats regularly. Most of them are attempted too. No offense, but you just don't look like the type that suits this job. You want to worship Ionu? Go to the temple. You're frills will be safe there, pretty boy." Alric was not deterred. "Lady Speaker-" "Jahoma." "Lady Jahoma, I know how I must seem. A well dressed man with a proper speech pattern. Obviously I must come from a well-to-do family. What could I know of hardship? But you should not judge on appearance alone. You, as a citizen of Alvadas should know that. I was at the heart of the Winter Crisis, battling Drysalla herself. I was in the thicket of the Djed Storm, and lost all my worldly possessions. I have lost my half-brother, and best friend this same year. I know suffering. I wear frills and lace not because I am frail, but because they suit me. I am a Wilmot after all, and it would be a disgrace to the family name to dress any less than I am now." Lady Jahoma slowed as she listened to Alric's speech. She remained silent for a while afterword as well. As she and Alric walked on, Alric realized that they had entered the Bizzare. At last Jahoma spoke. "Wilmot eh? I think I remember that name. An old family I think, that's been with Alvadas since the beginning. As I remember it, the whole family is supposedly insane. Still, Wilmot or not, insane or not, I'm willing to give you a chance. If only because you're persistent. Tell you what, I'm looking for a woman named Koru. She's human as far as we know, and she's been selling her services as an Assassin. From what the Listeners have gathered she's somewhere around here. I don't want you to confront her. But, if you can help me find her, I... will consider taking you on as an apprentice." "Consider her found." said Alric "Don't get hasty. She's extremely dangerous and is a master of the knife. Don't confront her. We aren't sure what she looks like so be careful." "Understood." said Alric with a nod. As soon as Jahoma left Alric's side, Alric went out among the merchants, seeing if any knew of a woman named Koru. Unfortunately, his clothing, his demeanor, and his blunt way of asking kept even those who might know something quiet. Alric, however, soon found that everyone was much more helpful with a dose of hypnotism. No one knew where Koru was. But several knew who she was. Over and over again he heard them say that he should speak to Brawg. Alric learned that Brawg was a fellow merchant who not only sold legitimate wares, but was used as a front for the few objects and services Alvadas deemed illegal. Alric found him without much trouble. According to those he had hypnotized, Brawg was a coward. However, Alric would definitely not have guessed it. Brawg sat behind a booth with several ceramic masks, flowing capes, and finely decorated pieces of clothing Alric would have loved to own. But, despite his wares, Brawg appeared to be extremely tough and durable. He was pale, with several light scars along his shirtless torso. He had a broad chin and arms as big as Alric's head.Alric had never seen a bigger man. Alric looked about to see Jahoma talking to another merchant a few booths over. Hopefully, If this went wrong, she would able to intervene in time. "Hello, how may I help you?" said Brawg gruffly "Oh I'm just looking. I've been in the market for a new mask after my last one was destroyed. This one that you have on display looks rather nice. I imagine the creator is very proud of it." Brawg smiled, and lost the gruffness of his voice. "I am." "Oh! So you're the artist behind this masterpiece? Quite impressive I must say. I had heard you were talented, but I had assumed you were known for a different talent." Brawg rose his eyebrows and looked over at Jahoma, before he had his eyes set narrow onto Alric. "What have you heard?" Alric smiled, and let loose a stream of concentrated djed from his eyes into Brawg's. He sent slight feelings of trust into Brawg, but left it at that. If Alric could, he would talk his way to Koru. Hypnotism was useful, but Alric knew all too well that using it in abundance was generally best left to rare occasions. "I heard that you help those who are seeking less-than-legal services." Brawg stared at Alric with a scrutinizing gaze, and then to Jahoma, who had worked her way toward the same merchants that had sent Alric to Brawg. Alric was quite aware that he was only one step ahead of her, and if he wanted to be taken on as an apprentice, he needed to find Koru first. Finally Brawg replied. "Listen, today's a bad day. I don't know why, but you don't seem like a Listener. So I'll tell you this. You heard right. But come back tomorrow, when Speakers aren't around." That would be too late. It was now or never. Alric let loose a torrent of Djed, giving Brawg an emotional surge. He would trust Alric, and he would tell him the truth. "Listen, you can trust me. Tell me where I can find Koru. I promise the Speaker won't bother you. Just tell me where she is. Your life depends on it." Brawg stiffened for the moment. Then scowled. "You, you're a petching hypnotist! I OUGHT TO WRING YOUR NECK YOU LITTLE-" Alric did not have time for this. He sent in another dose of djed, stronger than even the last batch. Alric had not used much interrogating anyone else, so he had plenty in reserve. He decided to use a newer technique. One he had discovered by accident. Hallucination. Alric made a quick gesture so as to make use of it. Speaking would have taken too long. Suddenly, Brawg quieted and grew pale. Alric knew what he was seeing. After all, Alric was the one who had planted it in his head. The man was surrounded by blades of ice. A trick that Alric had learned was capable of learned Reimancers. Miro, in fact, was the reimancer in question he had learned it from. Though Alric himself had been initiated some time ago, he had never developed his skills. Hence the need to make the man hallucinate. However, just in case the man was aware of the power of hallucination, Alric showed his palms, which were still scarred from his initiation as a Reimancer. The effect it had on Brawg was exactly as he desired. Brawg's eyes widened, as he realized Alric wasn't bluffing. At least, he thought he wasn't. "I told you that your life depended on it." Alric said, tired of playing with the man. "Now tell me where she is or I'll slice you to ribbons." Brawg was sweating like the dumb animal he was, but he grinned at Alric's threat, as though he knew something Alric didn't. "Murder is punishable by the Womiyu. And a Speaker is barely ten feet away. You wouldn't risk it." "I would. She can't see anything. No one can. I am a rather talented hypnotist Brawg, and before I came here I spoke to each of these people. The Speaker included." Brawg gulped, he had seen Alric do just that. "I hypnotized them into ignoring whatever I did with you. Go ahead, look around, no one is even the slightest bit suspicious." Brawg did just that. He looked around, seeing if anyone would gasp, point, or even acknowledge his predicament. He even caught the eyes of a few fellow merchants. Nothing. Nobody thought it suspicious. Of course, the real reason was that he was in no real danger. the Ice blades were all in his head. But Alric was putting on one of his best performances today, and Brawg legitimately believed he was inches away from being skewered. He finally relented, and told Alric what he wanted to know. "She's the lady in the green hat two stalls away from mine. She's selling candy." Alric nodded his head in a show of appreciation, and with that severed the connection between himself and Brawg. Almost immediately, the ice blades vanished. Brawg took a few seconds before he realized he'd been duped. But it was too late. Alric had gotten the information he wanted, and the Speaker was closer than ever. Revenge would have to come later, if at all. Alric, however, had yet to leave. He kept eying the mask that he had complemented Brawg about earlier. Finally, he decided he had to have it. He felt naked without something covering his face. "How much for the mask, Brawg?" "You've got to be kidding me. After that you really think I'd sell anything to you? Get out of my sight you pesky little fly, or I'll squash you like the annoying pest you are." "I'll make sure the Speaker doesn't learn of your business. I don't mean any ill will. But you forced my hand. Surely you understand? After all, I'm positive you've had to persuade a few people in your time." Brawg scowled, but didn't comment. He seemed to be in deep thought. He eyed Alric with contempt, yet at the same time seemed to have found a begrudging respect for him. Alric smiled, and tried to convey through body language that he hadn't meant any true harm. At the same time, he kept up his hypnotic influence, albeit much gentler than last time. It wouldn't do to have Brawg become angry at his intrusion again. After a few seconds Brawg hung his head. "3 Gold Mizas." Alric happily paid the man, and took the mask. Without hesitation he fixed it onto his face. It felt like being hugged by a new friend. He decided that while this mask might never be able to replace his lost one, it would happily serve him nonetheless. Not two seconds from when he put it on, did Jahoma come up to him. Apparently, she had been watching the whole thing. "So, do you know where she is? Because if not, I'll be questioning that brute you were just talking to. From what I gather he's the one in the know about these sort of things." Alric smiled and gave a short bow. "Indeed I do, Lady Jahoma. She happens to be the Lady you were just talking to." Jahoma rose an eyebrow, before turning on the spot to examine the Lady in the green hat she had just been speaking to. After a few seconds her face fell into her hands with a heavy sigh. Alric was about to ask what was wrong, until Jahoma abruptly removed her face from her hands and strutted over to the woman. Alric followed her, curious. "Koru, you are under arrest for withholding information for the Womiyu, and for taking on jobs that require you to assassinate other people's pets." Alric made a face at that last part. Pets? they were arresting someone for that? However, regardless of what she normally killed. Koru did not seem to have any hesitation in attacking humans. She threw a flurry of knives at Jahoma as soon as she was called out. Alric lunged to throw Jahoma out of the way, but it was unnecessary. Jahoma, it would seem, was a Reimancer. A good one, too. A wall of solid rock rose up between she and Koru in that split second, stopping the knives. Alric looked rather foolish hunched over, nearly touching Jahoma. However, Jahoma made no sign that she had even noticed Alric. Instead she swirled her hand again, and bits of rock from the recently created rock wall flew out at Koru. She tried to dodge, but failed quite spectacularly. For the rocks had turned into a sort of clamp, and had caught her in mid-air. She struggled in vain, as onlookers laughed and jeered at her. Jahoma returned the rock wall into the earth from whence it came. She gestured with her right hand as though she were pulling a rope, and Koru came along floating slowly. With her left hand she gestured to Alric, signaling him to follow. Alric did just that. "That was quite impressive Lady Jahoma." "You weren't too bad yourself, Laces. I saw you hypnotizing the Brute while I was talking to Koru. I'm not sure what you made him see, but it took a great deal of effort not to laugh when I saw that idiot's ugly mug look around the Bizarre in utter shock. Hah! It was hilarious! Oh, I wouldn't mind seeing it again." "You... knew I was hypnotizing him?" said Alric, stunned. "Of course! I'm a Speaker. I know when a man is using Hypnosis. The way you looked at him, your body language, his body language. It was all pretty clear. Anyone who knew what to look for would have known. Still, don't beat yourself up about it. You were by far the subtlest I've seen in a long time. Now, enough about that. What are we going to do about her?" Jahoma jerked her head to Koru, who was still struggling againist the rock clamp. She was actually rather handsome. Not pretty, really, but pleasing to look at. She had dark skin, dark eyes, and dark hair. Her hair was short, and her robe was made of a fine cotton. Alric would have guessed that she had bathed recently too. Then, Alric came to a realization. "You said 'we'." Jahoma smirked, "Of course I did, my apprentice should learn about the fun parts of the job too. And no job is quite as fun as inventing a humiliating punishment."

[Fallacy]

XP Award! Name:Alric Wilmot XP Award: Persuasion- 3 Rhetoric- 3 Investigation- 2 Negotiation- 2 Intelligence- 2 Hypnotism- 3 Lore: Time to break silence Death: Too common to cry about Jahoma, Lady Speaker Hypnotism: Hallucination Hypnotism: Hallucinating blades of ice Notes: -3 Gold Miza, +1 Mask Thread Goal- Lectured by a Speaker- Complete Thread Goal- Getting a new look- Complete Alric is now employed by the Speakers. SS Thread is updated. Base pay is 6 GM a day magnified by your hypnotism skill making your total GM per day 18. Any questions or concerns about the rewards gained please send a PM