[Flashback] Drawn to Treasure (Oracle)

[Nathan Longstride]

34th day of Summer, 510 AV For the thid day in a row, Nathan felt that tingle of his gnosis mark. He had had it for three years, and never used it. He understood little about it, and didn't know what the tingle meant. And not many people he had spoken to know much of Kelwyn. They seemed to be deities that few people worshipped. And most people figured not to know anything about topics they didn't bother with. A blacksmith wouldn't know where the best fishing holes are, and a follower of Morwen wouldn't know much about Kelwyn. But Nathan needed to know, so he could better serve his saviors. And so when he actually put his gnosis to use, it wouldn't backfire. Two days ago, he had felt the tingle, but couldn't pinpoint it. Yesterday, he came back, and felt it again. Now, he figured to find out where it was coming from. He had visited a tavern, a cobbler's shop, and a forge for a silversmith, and felt nothing from them. Well, he did get shoved by a drunk in the tavern, but that didn't count. His black breeches were dirty, his boots scuffed, and his cloak had a wet stain where an idoit spilt kelp beer on it. He was frustrated, and didn't know if he would find what he was looking for. It really was a failed effort. But he would try one more shop before heading home. An eighteen year old like him are stubborn, and this one was extra bull-headed. Nathan stepped up to the shop's door, reading the sign. The Treasures of the Sea seemed a good name for it, but it was the shop itself that caught his attention. Living in Zeltiva meant visiting Zeltivan shops, and Nathan had never seen a shop here not made out of granite. It surprised Nathan that this shop could be so random nestled between a trade shop and general store, both dull granite. It felt so random. . .which was what Nathan desired. Random happenchance. Lifting up a praise to Kelwyn, and a prayer that this be the right location to find answers, Nathan stepped in. A man with a ponytail stood behind the desk, a smile on his face as he entered. And he felt the sensation he was looking for. This man had been marked by Kelwyn. This man was his answer.

[Oracle]

The scrape of the door was loud against the wooden floors and echoed off the wooden walls. Releaph loved his shop, loved the oddity of the building and the strangeness of the items that inhabited it. A young boy breezed into the shop, he had dirty blonde hair which stuck out every which way. Bright blue eyes shined in the dark light of the shop with a curiosity that could be read across his face.

Releaph's face lit up brightly and he quickly made his way around the counter. Welcome good young sir! He opened his arms in a wide sweeping gesture. Welcome to my little paradise by the sea. Are you loo- Releaph paused as a strange tingle rolled down his spine. He felt the sensation roll down his back in a cascading wave. The tingling turned slowly to a burning, a screaming heat on his skin which faded quickly. He had never experience anything like this in all his many years. His smile turned to a grin which spread across his face. A new found twinkle in his eyes.

He cleared his throat. Are you looking for anything in particular young sir?

[Nathan Longstride]

The man greeted him cheerfully, using his arms to catch all of the items around him in a sweeping gesture. Nathan was glad this man was friendly and not the kind that was rude to customers, but the teenager was still slightly disappointed not to see any evidence of this man feeling the same connection as he had. Had his feeling been wrong? Had he just missed the person who made him feel like this? But the man continued speaking, and then cut off suddenly mid-sentence. Nathan was sure of it now. This man felt the connection of their gnosis. The man cleared his throat, and asked him if he was looking for anything in particular. Nathan scratched his chin, his mind working on how to ask the questions running through his mind. And he did have many for this man. How were you marked by Kelwyn? Have either of them visited you since? How does the gnosis work? How do you best serve them? He had so much to learn. Maybe it was because he didn't know anyone who knew much about the twins. His parents weren't big on the gods, and he was sure they wouldn't react how he desired. Which is why to this day, nearly three years since he was marked, they still hadn't learned he had it. And the boy didn't know anyone else to go to to learn what he wished to know. Until he found this man. Nathan looked at the man, and shrugged. "I'm looking for answers. We're both marked, sir. And while I'm ignorant about my gift, you might know more. And I'd like to know what you know." Nathan figured that was a good enough answer. He was sure to word it so if anyone were to walk in, they wouldn't know what they were talking about immediately. Sure they might figure out, but marked by a god wouldn't be the first thing that comes to mind. And Nathan didn't know much about the twins that saved him in the past. So he didn't know how others marked by them would react. This teenager didn't even know if it was good to be marked by Kelwyn. Truly a horrible situation to be in not knowing what a juggler on your forearm will do to you.