Closed A Port in the Storm

[Ricky Maze]

A Port in the Storm
Spring 2nd 516 AV, 10th Bell
Location: Safe Haven Hostel

Cold. Cold and wet was all he could feel, his senses were in a haze mostly, but he could feel his lungs contract as... is that water? It is. Water seemed to spout from his mouth as he gagged and coughed earnestly, his entire head had been submerged into a frigid pool just a moment ago. Where was he again? A cistern or something? It was a large body room that dictated much of the flow of Zeltiva's water, deep beneath the bowels of the city itself which ran into the sewers. He remembered now; he had to hurry because time was of the essence here, and the only obstacle in his path now writhed for air himself, as if he were invaded by something. The fisherman shivered and cringed as he felt burning in his lungs, throat, and even his nostrils, the water he'd choked on finally cleared out of his system as he mustered the strength to push off the cobblestone floor. The air felt chilly and moist all around him which probably didn't help, granted he'd been surrounded by nothing but water for the past couple of bells. He never knew this place even existed until earlier, and now of all times his enemy proved one step ahead.

Not this time however...

As he rose the figure of his friend continued to slowly squirm about on his backside, hands clasped around his neck as he desperately seemed to beg for air. Yet somehow he could breathe otherwise he'd be rasping, so what exactly had Ricky just done. Words poured out the fisherman's mouth that felt cold and rigid, harsh as the water that hit the floor after such a high drop from the roof of this place. His hands felt numb and cold as though there was a bit of frost to them, while deep down he felt hotter than Syna at Summer's midday all around. Was he cold or was he hot though? His hand slowly rose and sure enough he felt elevated because of it, the tantilizing feeling of power and domination persuaded him to do it. Take the very life that took his, stole everything he ever loved away. He wanted to. He had to, because that's all this bastard ever deserved now. His... his friend. His friend that... that...

Anger finished the sentence there as his hand clenched into the fist, his final words said while a gargled scream echoed out into the waterway. He heard flesh be torn as his machination came to life, frigid spikes burst from the chest of his victim with the coloration of crimson. The azure uniform quickly turned red as it pooled around the body, and in turn Ricky gazed further down his arm, from the hand to the forearm, to look upon the thin but bleeding gash inflicted upon it. He fell to his knees then as his exhaustion settled in, and then finally with a sharp pain in his chest he grasped the floor beneath him and vocalized his agony in the loudest cry he could give... Until finally he jumped out of his skin.

He was there no more but now instead in the bed he'd purchased for the night, sweat drenched his entire body as the cover had been thrown off overnight. So... dat's why Oi felt so hot an' cold. He reasoned as he still shivered anxiously, his head plopped back onto the pillow once more. His arrival here yesterday had only been but a small feat, compared to what he'd hope to find after arriving here. To think his friend of all other people had been here, surely the Gods somewhere mocked him with such a coincidence. He raised the right hand up above him to gaze upon the mark he still bore, his memory still locked into the nightmare he had yet to escape. Death still clung to his hand even today, and whats worse was the scar still on his forearm to remind him of the deed. Oi'm a fool. He argued. A foolish man fer t'inkin Oi'll be able t' start over. Then again did he really deserve a second chance after everything that happened? Did he really deserve another shot at life after everything he went through in the last one? Just what did Lhex have in store for him now? C'mon ye old coot, He threatened, if ya got anyt'in new planned better start now. He had time to wait around, might as well see if anything unfolded before his day started.

[Pulren Marsh]

Pulren was on a mission. He had enjoyed the festivities of reunion with Rick and the others, even the one armed man. Waking up, he took the time to brush his teeth and trim his beard, giving himself a little but of a cleanup. His dreams had been of the Martial Society, probably with the return of Rick Maze and Zeltiva to his corner of the world. Unfortunately, he found that all he had to wear were the same old leather pants, the same black shirt, the same boots. In a city that wore such vibrant colors, Pulren probably appeared as a dark spot, reminiscent of the Aperture.

He was ready to greet his old friend. Now that there weren't other people around, they could talk more about their lives and Pulren could get some kind of outfit that would better represent that he was part of Nyka. In fact, thinking of it as he walked toward the hostel, it occurred to him that the black outfit was from Sunberth. He was actually surprised that his clothes held up so well. He had paid for the craftsmanship, so it wasn't too surprising. He did need more to wear, in general. Stepping up to the hostel, he felt immediately better to have his own house. He hate the shykehole he was looking at.

At the desk, he asked where Ricktar was staying and was directed. Stepping up to the door, he could hear a little bit of shuffling. He was glad that Rick was up and at it, so hopefully they could get a move on and find the day worthwhile. A solid knock and he did the man a solid and called the name he had been given the night before. "Barnello!"

[Ricky Maze]

He somehow figured that laying about wouldn't be the proper way to go, not if he wanted to at least get something done before the end of the day. He still had a job to get, wherever that existed, and who was to say he wouldn't be hungry later anyways. Actually he started to feel starved now since he'd rose out of bed, a sense of weariness blanketed over him as he sat at his bedside. The damn thing proved uncomfortable as it was last night, minus the fact Ricky hardly found himself able to sleep, therefore it proved probable to assume today would be a trying day. Time t' work on me new life. He attempted encouragement but it almost felt in vain already, still he couldn't let his dark cloud keep him at bay. Too many days spent in Sunberth proved that doing so yielded unwanted results.

He rose to his feet and proceeded to shuffle through his bag for some clothing, a pair of short beige trousers found to allow air to his lower legs. He needn't worry about a shirt as his vest would do as well as it did yesterday, so he'd grab that on the way out to slip it on once his leather shoes were tied. He multi-tasked as he went for the door and opened it, the vest halfway on as he turned around to find Pulren already waiting for him. Wow. Day's already just started an' he's 'ere. He admired the fact his friend's eagerness, but wondered if he'd actually came out of concern or just a friendly visit. It actually didn't matter in truth as Ricky appreciated the company, but at the same time he wondered why the man decided to swing by.

"Pul. Good t' see ya mate." He greeted with a bit of a presented smile, his vest finally cooperative as he slid it onto his shoulders. The damn thing seemed pretty snug actually compared to his usual ones, probably proved a good idea to get some new clothing that fitted easier. He finished by fastening the attire from the bottom up, the Lacun mark as well as visible scars he had covered in almost a chime. "Oi was just gettin' ready t' go out, Oi take it ye had t'ings t' do t'day?" He reasoned impartially to determine what purpose his friend had in coming, unless of course he spent the whole night making room for Ricky. That was deemed unlikely and more or less overly unnecessary, as he didn't wish for Pulren to overwork himself so.

[Pulren Marsh]

Pulren wasn't overly surprised by Rick's apparent surprise at his appearance. Since they had run into each other and had an evening with Khem and Ser Imass, he could tell that something was definitely different about the old Sergeant. It wasn't physical, except maybe in his eyes. He just seemed like a shadow of his former self. Pulren felt no urge to judge this change, a he was surely facing his own personal trials. All that could be done was to enjoy the times together and the fellowship. This was why he had found himself at the hostel that morning. Times changed and so did people. He might never see old Rick Maze again. Life wasn't a guarantee.

Clearing his throat, he nodded and smiled. "Yeah, I figured the two of us ought to have a look around at the city so you can get a feel of it. Also guessed that you might want to come bring your shyke to the house, get out of this shykehole. Up to you." he wasn't the bouncy and boisterous fellow he remembered at all. "I need some new clothes, hoped you'd join me for a little shopping, maybe a bite or a beer. I'll be outside." He didn't linger to let the man retort. He wanted to get out of the hostel, as he had hated staying there in Winter more than almost anywhere. Only the closets of Sahova he had found more inhospitable than thie place he found himself and he left it with no pomp.

The sun was shining over the cobble of the streets of the city when he stepped outside. The fresh air and the distant sound of terns and gulls gave him a real twinge of nostalgia and homesickness, especially with Rick's appearance. He would one day return to Zeltiva and make a permanent home for himself. Or not. He had left there to make his journals and maps and notes come alive and so far he had only visited Nyka. He would eventually move on to see the rest of the world. His eyes squinted up at the clouds, the white of them bringing a little mist to his eyes.

Soon Rick would appear and he would turn to greet him once more. "What do you feel like first?"

[Ricky Maze]

For a moment Ricky could actually smile briefly at the kindness found within Pulren's gesture, in regards to being shown around and maybe even bedding out at his place instead. In truth the fisherman didn't want to impose by any means seeing as how he'd likely just be taking extra space at the moment, but then again it had to be a better alternative than staying within this shyke hole indeed. "Oh. Yeah! Yeah sounds like a good plan mate." He agreed to the idea with a short nod for politeness while the smile seemed gone, only a dull vacant expression seemed to loom in its place. Pulren seemed inclined to head out and get a few things out of the way for the day, with full intent to put this place behind him seeing as how Ricky hardly had a chance to counter the offer. It seemed rather a bit sudden to think on it, but deep down the father felt he did need to get out and learn more about the place.

Particularly because Nyka could very well become his home now, although he highly doubted he could adjust to the notion. Still he couldn't let it stop him from getting out these days, especially if he intended to search for what he needed, to specifically provide a clean slate for his new life he intended to make. For a chime he had to hesitate and make sure there hadn't been anything forgotten, hands ran over the various essentials to make sure everything was in place. Vest was there, pants were there, shoes were there, dignity surprisingly so... anything missed then? His undergarments were for the most part but who would actually notice. A look at the room followed as he visually sorted the belongings scattered here and there, he'd taken a small amount of coin for pocket change already, so that was fine as it was at least. Yep! He was all set for wherever they were headed, so without further ado he was out the door and on his way.

Finally when he came outside to meet with Pulren his eyes squinted for a chime, the adjustment to the light a requirement before he could assume their walk anywhere at least. Finally the brightness seemed to overwhelm him quite a bit less than before, sharp inquisitive eyes laid down on Pulren as the question had been posed to Ricky. Where to first? As if he even knew how he should answer the question. Still it had been posed for him so it seemed only fair he make some sort of choice, whether or not it was a good one remained to be seen. "Tell ya what; Oi'll worry 'bout movin' me t'ings later. We can go out and grab a bite first and t'en handle shoppin', see what's good 'round de town while we do d'at." He reasoned since it seemed a fairly easy way to handle the tasks for today's agenda, should something different or unexpected happen though then they'd just have to wing it. Not that it would be an issue of course, given they'd handled mages time and time again back in Zeltiva.

Deep down Ricky found himself wanting to share what had happened to Pulren, he felt that being an old friend and all, he deserved at least some sort of explanation as to what had occurred a while back. It became a thought he had to dwell on for a little bit, until he could at last find the right words to share this incident without sounding like a lunatic.

[Faradae]

Hi, you two! I'm back from a half-year hiatus and hugely ashamed that I could not keep my promise of grading before I left. I'm back now and ready to grade for you, but there's a new catch:

Please both list the skills in your CSs according to this "new" regularion. Inform me when you've made the changes, and I'll grade immediately. (Also, please slap me if I don't.)