Autumn 5, 515 AV
“This should be exciting,” Lynca pronounced as she and Charles stepped into the Housing and Labor Aid Office.
“I've never had a job before.”“Yes you did,” Charles replied with a small smile.
“You would help your family sell their wares to others.”“Well, yes, but that was because I was commanded. If I wasn't going to contribute to our family's profit with a trade, then I was going to sit there and sell what we had. Now? Now, I can do whatever I want. It's all up to my skills now.” A smile spread itself wide on Lynca's face at the prospect of singing and telling stories for those who would listen, receiving praise and payment for something she wished to do, rather than what was expected of her. She could be her own person without any expectation besides her own. Would she have received such a blessing from marrying to another Benshira. Ha, she doubted it. She would have been forced to cover her head, hide her face, and birth as many children as was expected by her husband. She would have been forced to keep to their tents and make the food, clean the clothes, all that nasty business that she only had the patience to do just for herself. That was not her life, though, not any longer.
Charles was her life, now, and he expected only that she do what pleased her. How lucky was she to find such a diplomatic bondmate?
One man sat behind the desk, his skin green rather than the blue and purple that seemed to dominate the city's race. He gave her and Charles expectant looks, which she supposed was the sort of look anyone would receive when they enter a building that served a limited function.
“Welcome,” the Akalak said quietly. “Are you here for citizenship, a job, or both?”
She gave a charming smile and replied,
“Just looking for a job, thank you.”He nodded, one pushing forward a form, ink well and pen. “Please fill out the following,” he said, and turned to Charles. “Citizenship? Job?”
Lynca noted the slight movement out of the corner of her eye that told her Charles had shook his head.
“Just came to support her.” Lynca wondered why Charles didn't wish to also apply for a job when she noted what the form was asking for.
“Name, Race, Age...”Lynca knew Charles was wary, but she didn't realize it would carry into things as simple as finding a job. She suddenly wished things were easier for the Kelvic. He hadn't even felt comfortable to change since they entered the city. Occasionally, while they were traveling, he shifted to his other form, but ever since Riverfall was in sight, Charles stayed firmly on two feet.
Charles came to her side as other walked in, settling his hand on the small of her back.
“Do not worry, darling,” he murmured, his breath ghosting across her ear.
“Just fill out the form, and then we can go shopping, okay? Get you some clothes more suited to the autumn.”“My dress is just fine,” she replied absently, focusing her attention back to the form. She filled it out dutifully, until she came to the last section. She hesitated and asked,
“How long will we be staying? Just a couple weeks, yes?”“Lynca,” Charles sounded even more hesitant,
“I think we need to stay for the season, if not two.”“What?” She turned back to him, frowning.
“Why?”“We don't have everything we need to travel with caravans. We barely had enough to get here from Ekytol, remember? People were gracious enough to share what they had with us.” He shook his head, a sad look on his face.
“I'm sorry, darling. I know you love to move about, and that you want to find as many secrets about the world as possible, but you have to understand how limited we are in resources. And how unprepared we are for such travel.”“We will always be unprepared,” Lynca's frown deepened, frustrated at the turn of events.
“My family always said you can never prepare enough to face the storms. If we sit here trying to prepare ourselves for everything, then we may never leave.” And though she thought herself one who could stand to stay in a place for a time, the prospect of settling was just... terrifying. This was the first time she ever felt terrified, she thought idly.
“I understand that,” Charles' other hand reached up to cup her cheek, stilling Lynca's protests and easing her heart.
“Truly, I do. But that doesn't mean we rush out into the wild with little more than what we have now. Winter will be here eventually, and I know you will not be used to it. If we stick here during the winter, then we can keep ourselves warm easier. Spring will be here after that, and then we can decide where we wish to go. Okay?”His reasoning made sense. Winters in Ekytol were cool but, if the Autumn weather was any indication, not nearly as cool as what would come here. It burdened her soul, knowing that she should probably stay put and set aside the life she'd grown into. She sighed and said.
“Okay, Chelsa.”Charles smiled and pressed a light kiss to her cheek before drawing away so she could finish the form.
“Thank you. I promise we'll find secrets here in the city. Perhaps even some codes we can break.”Lynca smiled despite herself finishing the form and handing it over to the man behind the desk.
“That would be very nice.”Name: Lynca
Race: Benshira
Age: 24
Relevant Skills: Singing, Storytelling, Cryptography
Preferred Employment: Performer, Code breaker
Expected Stay In Riverfall: Two seasons
