String of Unfortunate Events: The Disappearing Act

by **Trickster** on August 6th, 2014, 4:46 am

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String of Unfortunate Events

6th of Summer, 9th Bell

Air whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves, and twirled along the forest floor. Syna's light, beat down on the treetops, through any gap in the canopy, bathing browns and greens warm shades of colour. The forest gave rise to earthy scents, along with the distinctly sweet perfume of Keokina. Leiyona, nokkochi, and saegiro coloured the scape with their unique patterns and hues, while various shades of mountain rose grew in clumps around the forest floor. In the underbrush, silent footfalls tread, cautious and wary... before a tawny rabbit bounded through in a panic, pursued by an earnest bobcat. Near by, the faint trickle of water could be heard, leading down stream until it disappeared into a crevice, leading to an unknown location. Just a few paces ahead, the vegetation gave way to a cliff, which dropped down to the Okomo Villa, perched at the top of the second tier of the peak, located in the southern reaches of the city.

Below, emerging from the building in which birthing and healing took place, Khana wiped her forearm across her brow, avoiding the blood which drenched her hands. It had been bells since she had last slept, the dark half moons under her eyes a testament to that. The birthing had been difficult this time 'round, as the kid had been in the reverse position. Thank Caiyha, they had been able to somehow turn the kid and somehow achieve a safe delivery. Both mother and kid were resting after a long labour. Of course, such a delivery had just had to happen right when they were cleaning up after Okomo Day... All Khana wished to do at that moment was to take a long steaming bath and sleep for several days, but alas, it was not in the stars for her that day. It was only once she had rinsed her hands in a cool pale of water, that she noticed that the regular noises of wildlife were eerily silent. There were no birds to be heard, even the insects were scarce. Looking around the open yard, usually occupied by the Okomo, Khana found that they were restless; something worried them.
It was then that she realized that she could not see another young female, Lina, one who was nearing her expectant date. Asaki, Khana's assistant, had taken to tying a blue ribbon on each expecting mothers' right horn. Although it was not uncommon for an Okomo to leave the protection of the Villa, it was unheard of for an expectant mother to do so, unless she was a wild Okomo, whereas in this case, Lina's line had been domesticated for generations.

Khana's eyes roamed frantically over the herd hoping to catch a glimpse of her, but was ultimately left to come up empty handed, after wading through the restless group of Okomo, counting and recounting the blue ribbons. 'Sana, Rosie... Fern, Kisao... Taine,' she thought, mentally naming the mother she had just helped with birthing, '.. only Lina.' Her reddish brows were furrowed in dismay, as she attempted to recall the last time she had seen the young female. It must have been just before she had entered the healing facility, or 'the Barn' as the handlers had taken to calling it. Asaki had been with her the entire time, so there was no way he could have known, while the others had been subjected to paperwork, and would have been out of eyesight and earshot. As she walked towards one of the trees that dotted the yard, she noticed something dark snaking through the grass. Instinctively, she jumped back, only to find that it was a liquid.
"A-Asa-Asaki!!!!" she called, turning to sprint up the stairs, force of habit causing her to grab her bow from where it hung, near the front doors of the Barn.

It had been a red liquid; one with a copper tinged scent...
Blood.

OOC :

(NPCs)

Khana Rayastai: :

Asaki Kimura: :

by **Savos** on August 8th, 2014, 11:32 am

Savos began the day regularly, taking advantage of his day off from work by deciding to begin some sketches in the morning. He left his apartment with a jolly air, grateful as ever for the dawn's humid but fresh air. The Lhavitian fauna were also preparing themselves for the mighty day ahead, and the many flowers strewn about Savos' path began to face the rising sun.

He was not far from the Okomo villa now, and it was common to see the ethereal creatures stray from their shelter here. Just as one began to make its way down the cobbled street, Savos leaned on a wall and pulled out his sketchbook. He flipped through the pages frantically to find a blank one, worried that the beast would wander off before he had a chance to draw it. It saw him, stopped, and stared directly at him as he began to put charcoal to the page. He barely looked at his page as he drew and stared the Okomo in the eye. It had a white coat, dirtied somewhat at the hooves, and its blue horns glowed marvelously against the grey sky. As he attempted to capture the subtle curve of those horns, all he heard was the slow breathing of the Okomo and the scratches of charcoal against his paper.

---

Later that day, he decided to make a few purchases at the Azure market. It was mostly food for his apartment, but since he was not as rushed as he usually was, he began to wander through other shops as well. A shop selling weapons showed bow and arrows at the very entrance. He stopped for a moment to look at the object and vaguely reminisced of his childhood, of how he had had a spark of love for the tool that was quickly crushed by the likes of bullies and his paranoid mother.

Though he had only stopped for a moment, and began walking away as usual, a hungry merchant burst out of the shop and blocked Savos' path.

“Hello hello! I see that these beautifully crafted bows has caught your observant eye,” he said loudly.

Savos tried not to roll his eyes. He knew that he was caught in the trap, and could not escape without being extremely rude to the man. The man continued on to explain the painstaking detail that had gone into the creation of the item, and Savos tried not to look bored. He wondered how much of it was half-truths and how much was completely fabricated.

Then the merchant said something that truly did interest Savos, for it was not the usual babble of one desperately trying to sell his wares.

“I'm sure that a young, robust man such as yourself is surely going to offer his aid in finding the lost Okomo, after all.”
“Lost Okomo?”
“Is that not why you wish to buy this exquisite shortbow here?” He held up one of the bows, which did indeed have an admirable shape, but was otherwise rather plain.
“There have been notices all around the city, calling out to all the healthy and eager folk for help in an expedition to the Misty Peaks. Just a moment, I have one in the back somewhere.”

The man disappeared into his shop. Savos wondered if he should take the opportunity to leave, but he remembered looking into the eye of the beautiful Okomo that morning. His heart ached at the thought that one could go missing, and he knew how much the Lhavitians worshiped them. He had only just begun to understand why they devoted so much love to them. He remembered their wise comportment on Okomo day, he remembered how that creature this morning stopped as though it knew he was trying to draw it.

The merchant burst out again and showed Savos the notice, as though proving that he was not making these things up. It did not say anything about a missing Okomo, but the man proudly bragged about how he had heard rumors about it down the grapevine, how the caretakers at the villa were worried sick, and would certainly need Savos' help.

---

That night, Savos ate absentmindedly, his thoughts clouded by the events that had transpired that day. He looked over to the corner of the room, where the shortbow and quiver sat restlessly. He cursed at himself for buying the merchant's crap and letting himself be cheated out of his money. How in the world could he help with such an expedition? His militia training in Denval was but a bitter memory, his previous skill at manipulating a bow rendered into dust. He was an artist now, not a fighter.

He dreamt that night of blood and madness, felt the suffering of a doe eyed creature that melted into the floor as he tried to reach out and help it. Shadowed silhouettes marched on in his peripheral vision, and when he attempted to turn and see them, they screeched and howled of tales of his negligence and failures in a language he had never heard, but could somehow understand.

---

It was morning now, and sunlight streamed in through his small apartment window. He prepared his things, packing his artists kit as was his habit, as well as a few provisions. He paused for a moment before he went for the door, and slung the newly acquired shortbow and quiver over his shoulder. Notice in hand, he made his way to the meeting place, his heart pounding in his chest over a decision he was sure to regret.

LedgerShortbow and Quiver -50 kina
20 Arrows -1 kina

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by **Asha** on August 11th, 2014, 3:34 pm

The fifth bell of the morning saw Asha rising out of her bed in the Solar Wind Apartments. Those native to the city kept to a strange schedule of segmented rest but Asha was not used to that kind of sleeping pattern yet, so she slept all through the night. As she yawned and stretched her arms above her head she noted that the sky outside her window was just beginning to show the delicate pinks and oranges of sunrise but the night sky had not yet given way to Syna’s majestic rising.

Her night had been full of dreams that left her mind feeling chaotic that morning and meditation was the only way to quiet her thoughts and induce clarity. Asha sat down in an open space in the room with her back against the wall. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, her legs crossed on the floor before her. She exhaled out, blowing out as much air as she could until she felt her stomach muscles activate. Inhaling in, she drew in breath quietly and gently through her nose until her stomach and ribs felt full. Another exhale and the air left her nostrils in a quiet and steady stream, Asha’s powerful lungs kept control of her breath so it was neither too quick nor too loud. Her breathing had been difficult to control when she was young and first began meditating but now her breathing cycles felt natural and she slipped comfortably into their rhythms. Her father had taught her that before you could control your mind, you had to learn to control your breath. She still did not have the mental control of her father but at least she felt confident in her control of her breath.

As the air moved slowly in and out of her body she felt her mind begin to relax. She imagined herself dropping her thoughts into a large pitcher until it was full, and then carefully pouring it out and away. The pitcher poured and her thoughts flowed away from her mind’s eye. She imagined only cool emptiness in its wake and concentrated on that feeling of emptiness. Each wriggling thought that tried to distract her she poured away. Emptiness, emptiness, emptiness. The muscles in her face relaxed, then her neck and shoulders, and then her arms and torso. Each part of her body slowly relaxed as her mind emptied. As her body began to feel more open so too did her mind.

A bell passed before Asha flutteringly opened her eyes. She had spent the entirety pushing away her thoughts until her mind felt more peaceful and open. Thoughts still crashed through from time to time, she couldn’t help it. She had learned long into her meditation practice that there was no end point to meditation, no point at which the practitioner “won”. It was a constant battle with the self. The mind wanted to be full and analyzing stimuli and she would never not have to fight herself for clarity. The acceptance of that had improved her practice immeasurably. It had helped carve away her frustration that she could not force her mind to be clear.

Asha stood with a groan, her back felt stiff from the bell of not moving. The gash on her calf that was tightly bandaged also protested at the sudden movement. The gash was shallow and the healing services she had received at the Catholicon had helped immeasurably but the wound still had some natural healing to undergo that only time would tend to. She performed a few quick stretches and then walked out the door, intent on finding some breakfast.

Not long into her search, Asha came across a paper flyer tied to a tree. She recalled seeing the flyer hanging there before but her curiosity had not nudged her to read it until this morning. She read over the words and scrunched her brow thoughtfully. Volunteers to go into the Misty Peaks? That piqued her interest immensely. She was not exactly the most knowledgeable about the peaks, the gash on her calf attested to that, and she only participated in combat as an absolute last resort which had come thankfully few times in her life so she was not the most knowledgeable in that either. But she was willing and a part of her mind recognized it as a personal opportunity to venture into the Peaks with some other, hopefully more experienced, persons. The paper marked today as the meeting day and indicated where to meet. The paper was vague as to why the assistance was needed, but Asha was a trusting woman so she shrugged it off.

All thoughts of breakfast forgotten, Asha hurried back to her rooms at the Solar Wind Apartments to pack. She rolled her cloak into a small ball and shoved it deep into her backpack, laid her new healer's kit on top of the cloak, then placed flint and steel inside as well. She was unsure how long this jaunt would last and she felt it was best to be prepared. Perhaps she was over prepared, but she had already learned her lesson about entering the Peaks completely unprepared. As a last thought she tucked in her scroll case containing parchment, ink, and quills as well. A few bells passed as Asha worriedly packed and unpacked, debating over each item and how it sat inside her pack.

Asha swung her pack over her back and settled the strap comfortably on her broad shoulder before making the journey towards the meeting place. She felt a little nervous but mostly excited and eager to see what the day would bring. She was curious as to what purpose they would be entering Misty Peaks but surely that would be revealed shortly. Asha’s feet came to a hesitant stop as she entered the meeting space. Nearby a human man had also arrived, Asha noted his dark skin and dreaded hair with interest. She gave the man a small smile and voiced a friendly, “Hello.”

by **Tiorak Tioravi** on August 20th, 2014, 10:13 pm

Tiorak had seen the notice, pretty much as it was being pinned to the board. At that moment however, he wasn't terribly interested in following its instructions, so he simply observed it with some degree of curiosity instead. What got his attention was the supposedly organized trip into the wilds around Lhavit. Now he had been somewhat out of the city on quite a few occasions, but never on anything that could even remotely resemble a true expedition. Even so, he'd take in its details in case he changed his mind, and stroll off.

He even visited the Touch of Fire that same day and rummaged through some weapons. He still wasn't really set on going, but something always pulled on his strings with every possible notion of adventure. After looking around for a while, and upsetting the seller some, he'd finally opt for a simple waraxe. It didn't look too heavy from the side, but when he picked it up, he found it weighed the world. He still wanted it though. Being scared came naturally to him in physical conflicts, so he wanted to effectively intimidate if not actually harm any who would cross him. Back when he was a child, nothing bothered his bedtime more than the stories of raging barbarians from a made-up place called the Farlands. They all carried axes, and would cut down anyone in their way. So if anyone ever listened to even remotely the same stories his mother told him, the blade should prove more than enough.

Even with the blade in hand he wasn't provoked enough to venture out into the wilderness just like that. He'd go to sleep marveling the weapon – his new toy. It felt almost like he was fixating on it too much at certain points, but it still brought him ease. The next day came and passed rather uneventfully. Had it remained like that, his imagination would prove docile enough to refrain from stepping out into the wild.

Here is where things got strange. As he walked around the city in the odd hours, he could swear he'd catch a distant glimpse of a human figure. All darkened and cloaked and distant, it pulled at his self control. Regardless, he was willing to write it off as a nuisance akin to his mind feeling playful the first time. Second time he just shuddered. Third time it wasn't even the figure he saw, but something shifting in the distance, and that was enough to have him run back to the apartment and get his axe. If gods were so keen on playing with him, then he was just as keen to do his part. The next few hours were taken for relaxation. When he deemed it was the right time to leave, he did so, picking up the weapon on his way to the door. Making his way to the meeting place, he did his best to look as tough as possible with the least amount of crazy mixed in. He didn't want the Shinya to stop him just like that, certainly.
Even before he fully arrived, he could pick out Asha's unmistakable form from a great distance. The road made his hands weary from switching the chore of carrying the tool between them. Compared to the soreness in his hands, the slight tightening in his bony shoulders was a welcome feeling. If only he could've put the damn thing in the backpack along with everything else. Finally coming into vocal range, he'd make out another figure standing to the Jamoura's side. He'd accept that one for now. The stranger looked human after all.

„Hello there“ he'd wave towards the two, doing his best to come out of Asha's blind-spot as quickly as possible. He still found her a bit too animalistic to be trifled with. It was probably all because of appearance, but even so, better safe than sorry. „I imagined there'd be more of us...“ he'd voice the concern that popped with him the moment he saw their current numbers.

OOC: -20 kina, +1 steel waraxe

by **Savos** on August 21st, 2014, 9:46 am

Like any idiot who had never seen a Jamoura before, Savos stared wide eyed at Asha. Feeling a mixture of fascination and confusion at the creature, he eyed her up and down. She carried a pack, and her movements were just as delicate and thought out as her humanoid counterparts. He assumed that it was a "she" due to the somewhat effeminate voice.

"Uh, hi," he finally replied with a smile, and he took care to make his face look a little less stupefied.

Living in Lhavit, he had grown accustomed to all manner of weirdness. Compared to the mystical city's diversity and djed-infused culture, Denval had been as dull as the pebbles on its beaches. He remembered how the people at the cosmos center had attempted to help understand basic things, like the nature of the ethaefel or the glowing of the fauna. He had stared at them dumbfounded.

Now, after two years of living in this mysterious place, Savos was still far from a complete understanding, but had learned to take things in stride. He told his brain that this here animal could talk, and he would simply have to get used to that. She hadn't acted strange about it and he wouldn't either. What he was more interested by, was learning more about who and what she was, for the sake of clarity and curiosity.

"I'm Savos. Are you here for this?" He held out the notice to Asha, just as someone else came down the path. Savos noticed the looming figure due to it walking awkwardly with an object that was much too big for it.

He turned to see the man just as he waved toward the both of them. He made a mental note that this person was not bothered by her unusual form either. He was a lot taller than him, yes, but Savos had enough experience drawing the human figure to know that there was not much meat beneath those clothes. His waraxe, on the other hand, was far more intimidating. He felt a little silly with his little bow and arrow strapped to his back.

He made a small wave at the man as he came over. He was right; there were less people than Savos had expected. At first, the thought struck fear in him. Then, he realized that with less people, he might actually be needed, despite being so unskilled. Three people would have to be better than two. For the first time that morning, he felt some relief at having been dragged to this meeting place by his nightmares.

"There might be more coming," said Savos in a conversational tone, the kind that didn't actually believe that many more would show up.

by **Asha** on August 26th, 2014, 6:02 pm

Asha ignored the incredulous look on Savos’s face, she was quite used to that reaction by now, and glanced at the note he held in hand. It was identical to the one Asha had spotted tied around a tree and confirmed that he was going to be a part of whatever they were all about to throw themselves into. Asha was pleased by that, she had never had a chance to meet a Myrian as so few left their jungle home behind. This man might have some interesting insights on a culture so opposite to her own.

“I am, though I know very little of what is needed to be done for this foray. Have you heard any news on what has happened?” Asha inquired. The notice had been very vague in details. As she asked the question she felt some embarrassment in realizing she had come to assist in a problem about which she knew nothing. She looked up at the sound of footsteps and noticed a man walking towards them. After a few moments of his moving closer his features became clearer to her gaze and she recognized him, having met the man several days prior.

“Hello Tiorak!” she called out in response to his greeting. She smiled as Tiorak joined the group, feeling a little more comfortable having a familiar face around. When Tiorak mentioned their small number, and Savos optimistically replied, Asha glanced around and realized how few their number was. It appeared to be only the three of them. Whether that was good or bad depended on their purpose within the Misty Peaks and what skills each could lend to that effort. Both men held weapons but neither seemed entirely comfortable with them, indicating some lack of experience. With broad fists half as large as the humans’ heads Asha had no need of any other weaponry, though she was certainly not a skilled fighter and avoided conflict when possible. That worried her somewhat but she was determined to keep her spirits up. Less people meant less noise to attract unwanted attention anyways. So perhaps it was better with just three and not a dozen people traipsing through the mountain-side forest.

“Yes, we are a rather small number. But at least we won’t make much noise, which is a blessing. I wonder where this mission’s organizer is?” Asha glanced around and saw no one besides their group of three. They certainly weren't going to accomplish much without some more information or at least a direction to start in.

by **Trickster** on October 5th, 2014, 7:56 am

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String of Unfortunate Events

13th Bell, 20th Chime
Location: The Okomo Villa

Asaki ran out through the front doors of the villa, an anxious expression clouding his face as he silently cursed himself for being late to meet the volunteers. 'If there are any,' he thought pessimistically. He had stayed up late into the night to oversee the newborns, as it seemed a small cold had gotten to one or two of them, which could turn into something much dire if not kept in check. It had been this way for the past few days since Lina had disappeared; the haggard dark half circles under his eyes were there to prove it. Asaki stretched his legs into a sprint, fly down the path towards the meeting place; near the Turov Gardens. From a distance, he could vaguely make out the shapes of several figures.

The slightly flustered handler came to an abrupt halt before the small gathering, and took a moment to catch his breath. Straightening, he turned to look around at each face in turn, needing to tilt his head back a bit to look at the taller members of the group.
"Hello all," he began after a pause. "Please forgive me for my tardiness- my name is Asaki, and I am one of the handlers at the Okomo Villa. It looks like you are all that will be joining us for this venture- although there will be another meeting up with us later on." He glanced around curiously at each of the people present. "As you have likely already heard -or read- one of the Okomo under our care disappeared two days ago, the day after the Okomo Day celebration. It will be our task to search for her, and make no mistake; it will not be a walk in the park. I would like to thank you in advance for volunteering yourselves." Once more, he turned to look at each face in turn, this time with a smile. "It seems that you have already introduced yourselves. Would you mind telling me your names? I will also try to answer any questions you may have once we head up towards the Villa."

ooc :

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by **Savos** on October 6th, 2014, 3:30 am

Asha's worries about a lack of leadership were quickly put to rest by the coming of a new face, running toward them from a distance, but with a purpose. He introduced himself as Asaki, and finally cleared up some mystery regarding the vague notice that had been put up around town. Savos noted that the venture did indeed regard a missing Okomo - he felt a little bad for taking the merchant's information so skeptically, as he was right after all. Then again, he was also glad that the missing Okomo was the reason that he was here. It was for the kindly eyes of those beautiful animals that Savos had ripped himself from bed that morning.

It was slightly terrifying to know that a professional handler was warning Savos about the difficulty of the mission. Was he taking into account the inexperience of the members, and thus exaggerating the challenge that they were presented by joining? Or did he find that the difficulties they would face would threaten even a mountain expert? Savos hoped desperately that it was the former.

"I am Savos," he said hesitantly, starting up quickly when he realized that he wished for this venture to get started as soon as possible. He hesitated for a moment, then added,

" Savos Medeiros." He had stopped mentioning his family name after the only family he had died in the Djed storm, but he suddenly felt that the formality of the situation required one. Besides, his recent nostalgia for Denval had suggested that he might do better remembering it than trying to deny that it had ever happened. His human parents were still more important to him than anything that had happened to him after their death.

He turned to the Jamoura woman, wondering what kind of name such a foreign creature could go by. Did their names use any of the sounds that the common tongue used? Savos knew that he had to greatly modify his speaking style when he first moved to Lhavit. The Denvali dialect had been so different from the common tongue that he often lost people with his strange accent and stranger words. A Jamoura, or whatever this Asha creature was, must come from even further than Savos did. Though her common tongue was even more refined that Savos' own, names were a different matter entirely.

by **Asha** on October 24th, 2014, 9:51 pm

OOCMy apologies for the delay. Thanks for the kick to get me going Trickster

Asha turned as the flustered man hurried up to their small group and introduced herself. She smiled and nodded in greeting as he gave his name. Her smile shifted and her lips pressed firmly together in a serious expression as she heard the task they were setting out on that day. Searching this mountainous land for a nimble footed creature would certainly be no easy task, and that wasn’t even considering what other creatures they may encounter along the way. She was glad at least that she had spent so much time deliberating what to bring, she was right to have taken the task as seriously as she had.

Asha turned to listen to Savos give his name again, this time including his surname as well, and realized how relieved she was that this was a group outing and that she would not be attempting a search on her own. She was also curious as to who this other person that Asaki had mentioned was and what their role in this would be. Though she desired to question Savos about his heritage, he seemed very polite compared to what she had been told of Myrians, she worried about the lost okomo and knew she had to keep her mind focused on that task. She had not spent much time amongst the creatures but understood that they were well loved by all Lhavitians and essential for life amongst the mountains.

“My name is Asha, it is good to meet you both though I wish it were under happier circumstances. I’m afraid I know very little about the missing okomo situation so I hope you don’t mind running through the details for us as time permits, Asaki.” Asha introduced herself and looked towards Asaki as she directed her last comment towards him.

Asha shifted the weight of her pack to balance on her back more evenly as she waited for Asaki to make the next move. The rough straps dug into her broad shoulders and she grimaced slightly, reflecting on a need to replace the old pack when she had the coins to spare.