[Riverfall Location] The Sanctuary

[Raiha]

Raiha had been returning from her herb hunting with Diallo, scaling the fence with the enormous Deerstalker. She knew what she was looking for, after all - she knew the medicinal plants of the Cyphrus region, so now it was just a matter of finding those that were in the area. Still, though, she'd found a fairly good supply, and some of those she could hang up to dry, and others she could use immediately. She noted the unfamiliar Akalak looking around even as Diallo began to bark. "Hush," she told the large grey and white dog, her voice quiet, "I see him." Why was he looking so furtive? It wasn't like you could wander into Sanctuary by mistake, after all.

What's he lurking around for? Kanikra wanted to know. There was always aggression edging in on her senses when Kanikra was riled, and it was there now, even if Raiha didn't really want to confront this fellow, and she certainly wasn't going to assault him. We haven't seen that one before. Go find out. Forget avoiding a confrontation. Just find out what he's doing here.

I'm going, I'm going, Raiha assured her twin, putting two fingers in her mouth and making a loud, piercing whistle, designed to grab attention. Somewhere beyond the walls of Sanctuary, a hawk shrieked in response to the whistle. Uzima wanted to find her. "Can I help you?" the Akontak called out as she ate up ground with her long stride, jogging a little bit to keep up with Diallo as the dog made his way towards the stranger. He had stopped baying, at least, though his ears had gone flat against his scalp.

[Charon]

Stopping when he heard the voice behind him, the Akalak cursed under his breath as he realized he had been spied upon while doing his own spying of sorts. Slowly turning on his heel and trying to put on a friendly smile, the effort was made much easier when he realized the woman who stopped him was not the Konti, Kavala. Instead it was an Akontak, a rare sight and such a beautiful one, and the smile came with ease.

She asked if she could help him, and though there were some ideas of how she could indeed do so, he instead casually replied, "Oh, I'm sure you can't. I was just sent on a routine seasonal check of some local businesses and the Sanctuary happened to be on my list is all." It was the truth. Perhaps not the entire truth, but he was not fibbing. With luck, the unique woman who caught up with him would take the statement at face value and want to carry on about her day. With luck.

[Raiha]

Raiha studied the Akalak as much as he studied her. Diallo stopped a few feet away from him, and the Akontak rested a hand on a slightly jutting hip, holding onto her stuffed pouch of plants with her other hand. A second, similar pouch was attached to her belt, equally full. She tilted her head slightly as he gave his explanation. The smile worked, though – she smiled back. “I see.” Well, maybe that was just how it went in Riverfall – they did come around to check things out, after all, and Kavala had mentioned it when they were putting together the mews.

So, Kanikra commented, why does he seem so eager to get away, to be looking unnoticed, and slink off with his tail between his legs? Let’s find out, hm?

“I can go find Kavala for you if you want?” she offered, but she seemed well ready to let him go, accepting his explanation for what it was.

[Puck]

1st of Fall, 510 AV He was small, for an Akalak. The man came in the morning, when none but the animals and Kavala would be awake. He would announce himself as a delegate from Riverfall, and then he would deposit a large sack of Mizas into the hands of the Sanctuary's proprietor. Yet he rummaged around his heavy looking bag, and dug out yet another sack for Kavala. Looking visibly relieved now that he had handed over most of his burden, the Akalak pulled out a piece of paper and relinquished it as well. Mechanically muttering something about needing to finish the seasonal rounds, the man bid Kavala good day and left. The document was a deed signed by each council member and printed on pristine paper imported from Ahnatep. It read as follows, "We the Council of Elders of the city of Riverfall hereby grant unto the proprietor of Kavala the deed to the lot located West and adjacent of its premise. This tract of land is constituted of four acres of pasture to be used as the proprietor of Sanctuary sees fit for the duration of her contract. This land shall be, for all intents and purposes, considered a part of the Sanctuary and is to be reacquired by the Council of Elders once the contract of Kavala has been terminated. Thank you for your time." Player_______ Skills Animal Husbandry 5 Lore Running an Animal Shelter Running a Stables Other Deed for the adajcent four acres acquired 920 gold mizas to Kavala 455 gold mizas to various employees

[Ferrin]

Day 36, Winter, 510 AV It was unusual to see Ferrin anywhere near such a place. He had little interest in animals and even less in horses, but given that he was now in possession of one, the Akalak may as well learn a thing or two. He had next to no riding experience, and did not know how to groom them or how much they should ride in a single day. Soon enough he'd be setting out on a journey that would require much riding, and preparations would be needed. The horse, a young and healthy leopardbred, was nonchalantly left in the pasture to graze. He'd been lucky the thing had followed him so willingly, because Ferrin had no concept whatsoever of how he would entice the animal to come should it decide it didn't want to. Features grim, Ferrin stepped through the gate that surrounded the structure and continued on in slow stride. The pale light of winter mid-day shone down on his violet-toned body, muscle taut under scarred skin that was mostly hidden beneath the thickness of a black cloak. Pale, silver eyes focused intently on the door across the porch, and as his feet moved over the wood, a deep breath was taken. How humiliating. But he had no other place to go. Light filtered in behind him as the door swung shut, and Ferrin found himself standing in some sort of reception area. Fingers wove together, clasped loosely in front of him. Messy black hair scattered over features that were currently set like unyielding stone. His throat was dry, yet after a slow swallow, he managed a raspy call. The flatness of his tone contradiction the words it carried. "I require... assistance."

[Nuavi]

36th Day of Winter, 510 AV

Following a tip from one of the few human patrons of the bazaar in Riverfall, Nuavi lead her horse down the tiers to enter the gate of Sanctuary just outside the great walled city. This was the place, the kind old man had said, she could board her horse and even receive training for future journeys.

The desertbred whinnied and stamped the ground as they entered the courtyard walled by stables, many of which were occupied. His bay coat shone redly in the winter light, mane whipping in jets of stark black as the wind rose. Nuavi knew he was simply reluctant to be confined to a stable, much preferring to run until his heart burst over the land. She spoke his name as she soothed him, patting the taut muscle of his neck, "Not long, Ravnoth; I promise. Just a night or two." Yet to herself she promised to relinquish him should The Call keep her in Riverfall longer than that. Such a wild thing as Ravnoth she could not bear to keep caged.

She tied him where he could reach a water trough and made her way to the front porch, where, upon swinging open the door to the reception room, she discovered an Akalak waiting his turn for assistance. He felt tense, so much so that Nuavi feared startling him if she didn't ease the door closed.

"Hello," she tried, smiling a bit at the back of his head. Her voice was smooth and steady, similar to the tone she used to soothe her horse. Even if he was in a less than friendly mood, perhaps a little common courtesy would lighten his spirits.

[Ferrin]

Day 36, Winter, 510 AV Movement behind him was followed with the sound of wind as a door opened and closed. Ferrin tilted his head, hands moving to rest on his hips as he appeared for all the world an impatient man. Eyes closed, then opened, staring pointedly ahead and with some form of desperation, he attempted to ignore the voice. As uncommon as women were, he had quickly found them to be alien creatures that made him awkward and uncomfortable. Men fought and fawned over women in this city, and for no other reason that they were female. It was hard to swallow the blatant special treatment, and he only accepted it because it was necessary to keep the Akalak race alive. Thoughts traveled back to the order his grandfather had so recently made. Ferrin's stomach turned in knots and he flexed his fingers, pushing the irritation back. A sigh traversed across his mind, guttural whispers echoing of crimes he dare not commit. A Konti in our presence. Let's drop this disgusting act and alleviate ourselves of the old man's demands. Take her. Claim her, use her for what she's good for. Vile little weak thing, she'll be lucky to bare a son. Revolting. His gut lurched and skin paled slightly. Crush it down, shove it back, chain the Beast into the very recesses of his mind. Let it howl, for all he cared. The Akalak turned and inspected the nearly colorless female for but a moment, one brow risen skeptically. Perhaps the beast was right. She did look quite weak. Yet even now he was attempting to exercise what few social skills he had. It would be useful to get things done with quickly, and why not find a woman here, in his own city? Perhaps he wouldn't even need to learn how to handle the horse. Lips spread back in a forced smile, flashing white teeth that contrasted heavily against such dark flesh. Was it too big? Was it too little? How the hell does one smile anymore? Was he that stupid to not know? The grimace of a grin now set and surely attention grabbing, a calloused hand rose to poorly pat the mass that was his hair down, smearing bangs from eyes. "Yes. Hello."

[Nuavi]

36th Day of Winter, 510 AV

The onslaught was immediate, like being tied with cords being pulled in too many directions. For a moment she stood dumb as it rolled over her, the Akalak's taut resentment of this social obligation-- of layers of obligation, not just her, but others, someone else especially, a face grizzled and hazed in hate-- her heart skipped like she had fallen, adrenaline sparking, skin sensitized to the breath of air which struck as the large man moved to face her. That grin, so unsettlingly fake. Pale brows knit in united anguish-- then in sympathy. Nuavi met his eyes, smile fading in favor of honesty. "What's wrong?"

Only a handful of men she had met in her short lifetime, but none so unhappy to see her as he. Should she spare him her presence and leave? Would it be wrong to force him to suffer it? Underlying subtleties of anguish flit into her, leaked from the messy seams of his mind. No. It wasn't her fault, personally. She wouldn't take it as such.

But she wanted to know why it was there. Why did this Akalak resent so thoroughly? And who was that grizzled, fury-veiled face? Nuavi folded her arms and moved to stand beside him, respecting what she estimated was good personal space...though in his particular case she suspected he needed much more than what she offered. It was odd, being near a man. They were so much bigger than her sisters, her mother, her family back home. Strange to greet another without throwing her arms around them, laughing, excited.

What a sad life to greet another with nothing but falsity. Truly, it distressed her, as much revealed in her expression as she held his gaze.

She should be more polite.

"I'm sorry; that was rude. We haven't met properly. My name is Nuavi," she spoke softly, inclining her head to the Akalak, "And yours?"

[Kavala]

OOC Note ---> Thread moved here.

[Iredeth]

16th Day of Winter, 510 A.V.

Iredeth’s gaze roamed across the courtyard in which she now found herself, soaking everything in. It was a beautiful place, with a certain serene quality that calmed and slowed Iredeth’s racing thoughts. The Sanctuary summed up everything she loved about Riverfall since the moment she had stepped foot into the city. It was so very different from the cold, dangerous beauty of Kalinor… And best of all, the people of Riverfall didn’t judge her. They didn’t seem to care very much that she was only half Symenestra. They didn’t take notice of pale skin that wasn’t quite pale enough, or of black hair that didn’t have the right texture. Not to say that Iredeth had actually made any friends during her time in Riverfall. No, the young woman much preferred to keep to herself. Still, it felt nice not to have disdainful stares trained on her everywhere she walked.

Iredeth almost wished she could stay in Riverfall forever. I could buy a cottage for myself… Start a sewing business… I could be perfectly happy right here. But deep down, Iredeth knew that she couldn’t settle down just yet. She wanted to see more of the world, and find out what other places could off her. And so, she had come to the Sanctuary with the express purpose of acquiring a horse for her travels.

Iredeth had little experience with animals, much less horses. However, she realized that she couldn’t very well walk through the wilderness of Mizahar on foot. Besides, the sooner she purchased a horse, the more time she would have to acquaint herself with it before actually setting off on her journey.

Her purple, patchwork skirt swished around her legs as she walked up the porch steps. After a brief hesitation, she pushed open the door. Taking a few tentative steps forward, she found herself in what appeared to be a reception area of sorts. Clearing her throat uncertainly, she pitched her voice to carry through the room, and called out, “I was told I could purchase a horse here. Perhaps, there is somebody here with whom I could speak on the subject?”