A Meeting of Minds (Cadicus)

by **Leas** on January 31st, 2013, 1:08 am

39th Day of Winter, 512 AV
The Docks
Late Afternoon

There wasn't much traffic today of sailors or their ships. Men and women were still coming and going, and ships still sailed in the waters, but it could almost be called eerily quiet in a way. Compared to how lively it usually was. She was sitting on the ledge of one of the docks, her tail dangling over the side and above the smooth waters. Tiny waves slapped quietly against the large beams holding the dock up, and she watched a fisherman's boat glide by. A man rushed past, back toward the city, nearly knocking her into the water. When Leas turned to watch his retreating back, he was already almost to the other end. People seemed very antsy today. She had an uneasy feeling in her stomach, like there were waves in her insides, tossing around her gut. There was something going on.

It's none of your business! She grabbed her backpack and pulled it closer, into her lap where she could hug it close. Something of her own to anchor her thoughts. Another boat glided by, this time to port. The tiny crew shouted and worked with the multitude of ropes rigged to the sails. Sailing was a terrible way to get around. She'd grown up with the Svefra and had always hated any time she was stuck on deck as a youngster. If only all humans could swim as well as she could. That was one of the few things she was proud of. Humans had the land, but she had the sea. A seagull squawked and swooped down to land on a post nearby. It peered at the dead crab lying next to her. Dinner. "Shoo! Sea crow! Find your own food. You'll get nothing begging from me."

The gull cried out again and flapped away, startled by the volume of her voice. Sky rats. Leas had many a meal stolen by birds throughout the years. She hated them. Paranoia of the gulls goaded her into starting on her meal, though she wasn't quite hungry yet. She picked the rock crab up to examine the shell. It hung limp in her hand; its eyes seeing nothing. With an expert twist, she snapped one of its legs off. Crab meat was like slimy goo when uncooked, so Leas had to hurry and stick the leg in her mouth before any dribbled out.

It was almost like water, but it would fill her up well and be good energy. Not that she'd need any energy today. It was almost like Zeltiva had gone into a coma. Just on time, another sailor rushed by, this time to a small ship. She ducked out of the way when a package he was carrying nearly busted her in the head. "It seems that people aren't too keen on apologies," she said loud enough for the retreating figure to hear. There was no answer. Leas scowled and tossed the empty crab leg into the water and opened her backpack, fishing around for her brush. The wind was tangling her hair.

While she gingerly worked on the small snarls of curls, her eyes glazed over. It was always relaxing to brush her hair out, just like her mother used to do for her when she was a little girl. Leas couldn't help but hum the song her mother had always sang when they sat in the cabin of their casinor together. Toward the end of the song the sound of footsteps pulled her from her private little world. It was the man with the package, but he wasn't carrying anything anymore. He was heading back to town, still in a rush. But this time he didn't nearly trample her. Leas sniffed daintily, turning her nose up at him. That's right, she thought. Show some respect.

Then things got quiet again. People came and went, but not in a hurry. A lone woman in a little rowboat waved to her as she passed, heading to some unknown place. Leas sighed and looked down the dock toward the city. Her heart lept up in her throat from what she saw first. The man looked tall and thin as a rail. His robe made his body look like a shapeless black mass. It was a matte black fabric, soaking in sunlight but reflecting nothing back. A long, birdlike mask covered his face, like an ibis or perhaps a crane. It was as white as if it had been bleached, and stood out from the rest of his wardrobe like a beacon. It was one of the most intimidating things she'd ever seen.

But the man didn't stop for a beat; he swept out of one street, crossed her line of sight, and disappeared behind another building. There and gone in a flash, but a chill ran up her spine that Leas knew wasn't from the winter breeze coming off Mathews Bay. Something was going on, and she wanted no part of it. Then again, a raging curiosity had suddenly bloomed inside her. So she stuck her rock crab in her pack for later and slung it over her back, wiggling back up onto the dock so she could reassemble the rolling chair folded on the boards beside her. Time for some recon. Not like I have anything better to do with my time.

by **Cadicus** on February 7th, 2013, 9:07 am

"Shhh, little Moll," Cadicus crooned to the little kitten wrapped up in a dirty old blanket that he carried in his arms. "Just some sea breezes to freshen you up, little thing." The kitten's mews were plaintive, protesting being moved from her warm fire and Sodalis' belly. But the dog ran faithfully beside them, following his master and his little Moll, scampering over hills.

The city was eerily quiet. There'd been some kind of announcement in the city earlier, so he'd heard, but Cadicus, not being a resident, had not attended. He wasn't stupid, though. He listened to whispers and hints in the Inn, saw the signs on the streets, even on some of the women on the East Street: a plague of some kind had hit the city. And from what he heard, it wasn't the first time, either. The pain little Moll the kitten was feeling, the little grey tabby, wasn't something the kitten had been unfortunate enough to be struck by, but being so young, barely two thirds of a season, the kitten had been hit hard. Cadicus swallowed his anger. It would not do for his grip to tighten and for the kitten to be pained anymore.

But he was damned if it weren't injustices like these that had made him turn his faith from Syna.

The Ethaefal's long strides took him swiftly to the docks, Sodalis yapping happily when he saw the rolling waves lapping against the wooden beams. Cadicus whistled sharply when Sodalis tried to break away, scampering for the docks. "Hup! Dalis!" he called in a strict voice, a commanding voice, the voice of a master. "Heel." And lo, Sodalis heeled. The dog knew the sound of Cadicus' voice, and knew when he meant business.

The kitten's mews increased in frequency as they walked onto the wooden docks. Her wide eyes took in the water surrounding them, fear gripping her: she was in a new place, somewhere she'd never seen before, and she had not the strength to protect herself from the unknown. Smoothly, elegantly, Cadicus sat by the edge of the dock, his attention fully focused on the kitten. He didn't notice the woman with the seal's tail not a couple of yards away. All his energies were given to the sick little thing.

There wasn't much he could do anymore, medically speaking. He'd heard that some held the favour of the goddess, Rak'Keli, but he was not one to give such faith so easily, not after renouncing one. But if he could find someone with the ability, perhaps Moll stood a chance... and yet, all Cadicus could do, was wrap her in a blanket and hope the sea breezes would help.

"Look, little Moll. There's the rest of the world." The kitten's wide eyes took in the sea, the endless sea, as it stretched out of the Zeltivan harbour. Cadicus wondered if he'd ever take the kitten far from this city, like he'd brought Maritus and Sodalis. Absentmindedly brushing his hair behind his bone-white horns, his golden skin gleaming in the sparse light of the overcast afternoon, he stroked the mewing kitten's head, listening to her weak purrs. Sodalis sat beside him, ever faithful watch-dog. With Maritus back in his stable, this was his family: this motley crew.

Sodalis suddenly yelped as a shadow crossed the trio. Cadicus looked up quickly, his shoulders stiffening, his eyes narrowing. The Ethaefal watched the plague doctor wander down the docks, with a menacing gaze. He held no respect for someone who would capitalise on the illnesses and fear of the dying for a quick miza. Holding Moll close, whispering to Sodalis in soothing tones, he kept his family still and safe in the wake of the menacing plague doctor.

by **Leas** on February 23rd, 2013, 1:36 pm

Very carefully, Leas pulled herself up into the seat of her now assembled chair. Her tongue always stuck out when she did this, like she was concentrating hard. And really, she was. One wrong slip and she could spill right back out on the ground, or in this case, off the edge of the dock. Or she could tip the chair and break a wheel. Then she'd be in a predicament. But all went well. She landed easily, butt in the seat, and smiled with deep satisfaction. "I really am getting the hang of this." The chair that Mak'Viri had commissioned to be constructed for her had been a true lifesaver, both for her well-being and sanity. She'd been able to explore a good chunk of the city ever since, and even have a bit of a social life. Leas almost felt normal, almost human.

A dog's barking caught her attention and pulled her eyes toward the man approaching, bundle in his arms. He folded himself easily into a sit that she envied. No crawling, dragging a cumbersome tail behind him. Leas couldn't contain the sigh that escaped her lips. I wonder what it would be like, being able to walk and run. The man had called sharply to the dog, bringing the animal in check. Which she was glad for. She didn't want to have to fend off an ill mannered pet while stuck in this chair.

With an ease that she was just starting to gain, Leas pushed the wheels forward with her hands, making the chair roll back down the dock toward the street. The sound of wood on wood thumped and shuddered, and she bounced awkwardly over a loose board. Discreetly, she blushed to herself. I hate that. Any ruts felt like they were going to send her straight off her butt and onto her face, but she kept on rolling, mouth set in a determined line as her hands guided the wooded wheels. It was going to take a while to master this little chair, but she was bound to do it.

Leas had initially planned to just pass behind the man and be on with her business. She tried to never be nosy, since she expected the same from everyone else. But just as she was rolling by, the soft mewling of his kitten, swaddled in his ears, yanked her attention around. She halted the rolling of the wheels with her hands and peered not-so-discreetly over his shoulder. Then there was a double take toward the horns growing out of his head. Her mouth popped open and without knowing it, her fingers reached out to touch one from behind. Horror flashed across her face and she pulled her hand quickly away. Oh Gods, that would have been awkward. Her face flushed a deep pink, from both shame and embarrassment.

"That's a beautiful kitten you have." Leas' voice was as meek as its mews, an aftereffect from the lapse of manners she'd had. Luckily he'd been too engrossed in his dog. It would have been creepy if she'd just stopped rolling by to stare, then leave. She'd had to say something.

by **Cadicus** on March 8th, 2013, 4:34 am

Cadicus didn't notice the strange woman behind him, hauling herself into a rickety wooden chair on wheels. His eyes stayed fixed on the ominous shape of the plague doctor, blocked from the common eye by the great swarths of fabric. His beak disappeared into the distance, wandering into the plague-infested streets of Zeltiva, looking for the desperate and dying to manipulate. Cadicus' eyes narrowed, and Sodalis' hackles raised, picking up on his master's distress. With Moll tucked close against his chest, Cadicus stayed silent in the wake of the monstrous man.

It was almost as though the very air seemed to warm when the plague doctor left the docks. Sighing, releasing the tension in his shoulders, he brought Moll, wrapped in her blanket, out into the vague sunlight. "There you are, little thing," Cadicus crooned, softly stroking the short fur of the little moggy cat. "You're safe now." To the average person, Cadicus was distant, sarcastic, jabbing with his words like a fighter with a dagger. But when he was with his animals, his little family, the innocent and the pure, he was everything that he was before the day he turned away from Syna. He sighed, looking at Sodalis, feeling the soft fur beneath his fingers. His dog looked across the water, his tail wagging happily, the pup content to be with Moll and his owner. If only every day were as peaceful as this. And if only Moll weren't as sick as she was.

He barely heard the rolling of the chair over the wooden planks; it was simply background noise, as he looked out over the still water of the harbour. The docks were naturally noisy, but everything had dissolved into a low hum, the bustle of activity that Cadicus was not a part of, frozen in time as he was. His little Moll meowed as Cadicus played with her paws, and she weakly batted at his thumb like she would a mouse. He laughed, looking down at the little thing, not seeing the woman behind him. "Ah no, you've caught me!" The kitten meowed again, seemingly in victory.

The rolling had stopped, the woman frozen behind him, her fingers nearly brushing his horns, but he hadn't noticed her presence until she spoke. Surprised, he turned his head quickly, even in his shock careful not to jostle the kitten. Sodalis jumped up, warily regarding the newcomer, but Cadicus reached out a hand and stroked his head, calming him.

"Thank you," Cadicus said, warily, caught in an awkward position - naturally he would have jumped and made some sarcastic comment right off the bat, but with the tranquility surrounding him in this moment, he had nothing cruel to say in retaliation. He was shocked into the position of honesty. "She's very sick. With the plague, you see." He swallowed, looking down at Moll. While honest, he would not offer information unless she probed for it. He was not one to chat with strangers as if he had known them for years.

by **Echelon** on May 13th, 2013, 4:59 pm

Adventurer's Loot

A Gift
Experience is its own reward.

Leas's Loot :

Cadicus's Loot :

(What a shame this was cut so short, you two have wonderful chemistry with one another. I hope to see many more posts from you both. Keep saturating your writing with wonderful descriptions of the environment, and try to write slightly faster paced scenes [as delightfully relaxing as this one one.]) - if you have ANY questions or concerns about this grading, please PM me.

Closed A Meeting of Minds (Cadicus)