[Job] The Past Revealed

by **Prakash** on March 2nd, 2014, 1:28 pm

Timestamp: 1st of Spring, 514 AV

It was the 1st day of Spring, the 1st day of the new year and what was the most exciting '1st' for Prakash and Drath was the 1st day of his newfound job provided to him by the Labor Office, the job had the Akalak's hobbies aligned, and encompassed many of the young employee's interests, so he was more than eager to start his new work experience. As he didn't have much outfits to choose from, at the time, he put on his freshly cleaned, but standard, attire and hollered out Atri's Place in the direction of the Antiquities Society, in the center of the southern Riverfall district, which was his new employer and meeting point for his 'Induction Day'.

He remembers, especially as a child, coming quite often to the Antiquities Society's building to aah and woaah at the frequently changing and exciting exposition of discoveries found by Society members, some of which are known to be immensely skilled in the arts of unravelling the mysteries of Riverfall’s past, be it the environment or atmosphere of times gone by; These skilled hands and eyes delving into the depths of earth itself to retrieve items to better understand times that have been, in order to advance through the times to come.

As Prakash stood before the building, out on the courtyard preceding it, he gazed at the magnificently maintained yet untouched as far as modifications go, his eyes had difficulty leaving the beautiful statue of two winged predators feeding on a gazelle. The hue of the different stones used to craft this work of art, all complimented eachother so that the complete scene was surreal and beautiful to behold.

“Like what you see?”
A voice asked from out of the Akalak’s sight.

by **Prakash** on March 6th, 2014, 8:55 am

Before the Akalak even had the time and chance to turn to look at the man who asked that question, the deep voice with a clear tone of gentle amusement, proceeded to follow up with another enquiry.

"What do you see when you look at this statue?"

It was a seasoned Akalak who spoke to Prakash, a bearded man who Akalak was not acquainted with but spoke as if they were friends who were simply holding a conversation. His skintone was a blue'ish purple tint and he was wearing simple clothes that focused more on utility and ease of use rather than fancy fringy stuff or rigid but classy styling and fabric that impairs movement. Prakash guessed that the man was the type that enjoyed being out doors as the clothes were not just flexible but also quite light. And considering the location they were at and the questions he asked, Prakash was fairly assured the man worked at the Antiquities Society, as someone who needed to move comfortably and outdoors, so possibly an explorer or discoverer for the Society.

As good as he was at deduction and investigation, no bone or hair on the Akalak would have ever guessed the enquiring bearded Akalak was the President of the Antiquities Society.

by **Prakash** on March 6th, 2014, 12:46 pm

Not one to be rude to his elders, or most anyone for that matter, Prakash shot the bearded Akalak a smirk as if indicating he was accepting his riddler challenge to answer that mysterious question. Prakash turned his face back to the statue and tried to see it clearly, not simply the sculpture or the obvious scenario depicted. But more, the meaning and history behind it; The secrets hidden from plain sight! Regardless of realizing there was more to what meets the eye, delving in the depths of unknown historical territory, was alot more difficult than Prakash had thought at first.

"I see.." Prakash mumbled to himself, audible enough for the explorer to hear but more directed at himself than at the unknown Akalak.

"I see history, secrets, meaning and messages. Waiting to be unravelled and decyphered. I see blood, sweat and tears of the sculptor who created this. I see pride...Emotion! I see the reflection of myself, my ignorance and desire. How much is still unknown and how much I want to learn. I see...Many things, yet at the same time, so few and little."

The older Akalak ruffled his trimmed beard and narrowed his eyes, as if trying to see something through a fog. After a moment, he moved over to Prakash and roughly slammed his rugged hand on the young Akalak's shoulder before grinning wide.

"You see more than you think, young seeker...A fine addition to our ranks, I'm sure! That, is what I see!"

by **Prakash** on March 6th, 2014, 7:01 pm

The man smiled and tapped him friendly on the shoulder before Prakash had the chance to ask what the man's position or job was in the Society, as he mentioned 'our ranks' it was safe to assume he was at the very least a Member of the Society, the man walked away without turning or another word spent. The man walked in a carelessly dignified manner, not haughtily rigid and looking around as if he owned the place and was inspecting everything and everyone. The man walked almost in a manner that urged the person looking at him to respect him before even talking or witnessing his actions. It was strange for Prakash, and especially Drath who seemed to felt the same way as he mentioned to Prakash that the man had a good aura to him, to 'judge' someone so recklessly and fast.

"You're right, he gives off a good vibe. Let's hope we'll work with him at the Society ey?!"
"Mhm"

The conversation and meeting with the unknown Akalak left a sweet taste and pleasent atmosphere behind, which encouraged Prakash and felt less stressed about his first day on the job, as he entered the large building that the Antiquities Society called home. Prakash and Drath walked through the open gates, as imposant as welcoming they were with pamflets near the gate, ready for grabs on a stand, and a large colourful carpet as far as you could see in the main corridor. Once inside you could see paintings and sculptures, even beautiful handwoven wallcarpets, all around, even before entering the exposition area. But Prakash knew this was no sightseeing occassion, he had a meeting to attend which was on the 2nd floor through one of the two stairs on opposite sides of the corridor, near the gate.

Gulping away the tension and fighting the urge to walk onwards and witness all the discovered beauty, he climbed the left staircase, lit with torches as there were no windows in the bent passage, and hoped his first impression wouldn't leave a sour taste for the Society.

by **Prakash** on March 7th, 2014, 11:45 am

As he climbed the last steps of the winding passageway, onto the 2nd floor, he saw appear before him a large corridor with tapestry and paintings covering the walls, with several doors on each side of the hallway with nametags nailed onto them. At the end of the corridor was a meeting hall where a blue tinted Akalak with hair down to his shoulders awaited him next to a large wooden table with woodwork decorating it on the sides and on the table's legs. As Prakash approached the man who was standing next to the table's left end, he noticed a small dirty and worn out cloth laid spread on the table, with a strange looking wooden mallet resting on it.

"Good morning, I'm Prakash, nice to meet you."
"Morning, I'm Deven, pleasure is all mine. But we're not here for pleasantries are we? Let's get down to business, tell me what you see here on this table, please."

It was the a similar question as the one the Akalak outside the Society's main building had asked, and Prakash started to understand what this was all about. These weren't simple questions that were randomly asked by strangers, they were tests, enquiries to determine what kind of fresh meat was brought in and most likely to make a final verdict on the Akalak, deciding whether or not he'll be allowed to stay and work for the Society or not. This realization made Prakash more stressed than usual and, on Drath's suggestion, he let his darker brother take over to take this one.

Drath, while being equally skilled at Investigation, was less easily shaken up and more steadfast; Without bothering with responding to Deven, he bent over the mallet and started to investigate it as if it were a puzzle, first from above then circling the mallet without touching it, until he finally looked at Deven as he motioned towards the mallet with his open hand, waiting for his confirmation that he was allowed to pick it up. Which he received by a simple nod. Taking the mallet in his hand he weighed it on the palm of his hand and inspected the small protrusions on the hitting surface of the mallet, which was ridged and pointy with small wooden triangles. After staring at it word and breathlessly for a few moments, Drath looked at Deven and slowly started to describe what he saw.

"The mallet most likely served as an ancient, light, utensil or working tool. It could be used as some sort of primitive grinder for herbs, but maybe it could have also been used as a rudimentary and unique tattoo'ing tool, although it's a bit too large for that in my opinion. But the main interesting aspect of it is...That it's most likely a replica, possibly a souvenir from the gift shop or something, as its untouched and unused. Judged from its spotless and scratchless appearance...."

Deven listened carefully at Drath's description and summary of his analysis. After the young Akalak investigator had finished, Deven congratulated Drath on his eye and analyzation. But noted he missed something, something important.

by **Prakash** on March 9th, 2014, 9:54 am

"You've got a good eye and clear mind, young seeker, but you're still too set in the ways that were predetermined and paved out before you. As you saw what was before you, you only saw and paid attention to the things that seemed important on first sight. You have to dig deeper! Because not everything important is laid out clear as day before you, think outside the box and dig until your fingers are broken and bloody!"

The young Akalak was confused and tried to continue his search, picking up the mallet only to have it snatched away from his hands immediately by Deven. The seasoned veteran Akalak continued his stern explanation as to why the young Akalak didn't have his mindeye open completely yet.

"You see the mallet, you think it's the thing whose history you seek, and you see no further than the mallet anymore. Do not be satisfied with your search that easily, sometimes things on the surface are only there to hide the truth beneath them...The cloth displaying the mallet, was the true artifact, literally! The cloth was clearly displayed but because you were too focused on the mallet, your mind's eye closed itself for the rest and focused solely on the mallet!"

Deven didn't spare the Akalak, he continued his, albeit constructive and experienced, critique on Drath's lack of insight into what was truly important, but he finally finished with encouraging and approving words.

"I say this, not to critique you without reason or to make myself seem more skilled than you, I say this for you! So you can learn from it and become even better than you already are; Because truth be told, you have a knack for this, you have latent power in you, but you need experience and guidance to unlock your mind's eye completely! I will be glad to teach someone like you!"

He said before knocking hard and loud on the table, twice, which caused a pair to enter the room from the shadowy side-room, with its entrance cloaked and hidden behind one of the room's pillars. One of the duo that entered was the bearded Akalak, who Prakash and Drath met outside the Society's building, out on the courtyard near the grand statue. The other one was a woman with long curvy hair and bronze tinted skin. They both had a smile on their face as they approached the two Akalaks near the table.

by **Prakash** on March 10th, 2014, 5:51 pm

From the approached duo, the bronzetinted woman spoke first, introducing herself to Prakash and Drath as Kara Bloomsheart, one of the Antiquities' Society's most prominent members alongside 'these boys' as she motioned towards both the Akalak who seemed anything but boy'ish. She explained her position and what she did at the Society, including catalogueing the artifacts and items found, keeping tabs on what is where and to a certain degree even interpreting what has been found. Probably because otherwise there'd be tons of stuff labeled 'Unknown' and confusion and misplacement would run rampant. Drath was impressed with the way the woman carried herself: Proud, confident yet keeping a friendly atmosphere with her way of talking.

After she explained her status and persona to the young Akalak, the bearded one took the lead and with the same dignified and experienced aura as before, outside of the building, he spoke without hesitation or stumbling over words. He spoke with a gentle yet deep voice and his dark gums showed as he smiled wide, explaining what exactly Prakash and Drath had gone through this morning.

"You've been tested, without your permission or awareness even perhaps, but it was needed to make us be able to trust you if we decide to take you in as an Assistant. This is no game and definitely not the job you want if you're a slacker or anything but dedicated and genuinely interested in what we offer as employment!"

By the end of his revelation his smile had already faded and it was clear as day that he wasn't messing around and even more, he didn't seem the type to let things slide or give many '2nd chances' when it comes down to serious business.

"I hope you didn't get scared from Maltar's speech, or decided to back off, as now comes the good part. Judgement time! I'll go first, as far as I'm concerned; You past my practical knowledge test but as you remember from my critique, not flawlessly, at all! You have a good pair of eyes and an even better mind, but you need to enhance and develop both those aspects still, don't go easy on yourself and push your mind's eye to the limit!"

After Deven's momentarily took the lead and initiated the verdict to come, Maltar took the reigns of the conversation once more.

"As Deven, I find your innate ability very potent, but with that realization, comes another one, that you have so much more room to grow and evolve, that it almost makes me get angry that you're not even better than you are now, even without any real expertise in these fields...I'm unfair, I know, but I don't bury my words beneath grassy knolls! As much as I want, no, demand more from you...You passed this test of mine, as well!"

Now the woman took the lead, as if all 3 of them are in complete triangular balance and harmony, every one of them has as much right to speak for the others, as the other 2. The young Akalak was impressed and slightly intimidated by all of this, but he held his ground and nodded respectfully to the statements made by the 2 seasoned and tactless, but correct, Akalak.

"Alright, we all heard and experienced enough for this morning, Prakash...Consider yourself hired, with good reason; Now go home and rest, don't go out or party to celebrate, as soon you will be called upon to work like never before, both mentally and physically! ... And congratulations, welcome to the Society!"

The 2 Akalak smiled and Maltar applauded briefly while Deven went over to clap Prakash on the shoulder before sending him off, back to Atri's place to let it all sink in and ready himself for the real challenges ahead!

by **Kel Tempest** on May 21st, 2014, 7:01 am

Prakash :

Notes :

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Completed [Job] The Past Revealed