Strange Footsteps [Nanuk]

[Nira'lia]

Spring 22nd 512 AV Nira'lia liked the Cubacious Inn –she really did. It was the first establishment she was sent to when she came to the city and had no place to live. Its structure was odd, yes, but so was the rest of the city. However, it did bother her when on the previous night her room shook, and nobody could provide her with a good explanation for it. One silver miza a night was not too bad, and it had been her first negative experience in the inn. In the end though, she would prefer to have her own place, and the shaking from the night before wasn't her sole reason. Hopefully, soon, she'd save up enough money to buy her own place. For now, she'd go see if anybody who owned a house was interested in a roommate. However, she didn't know who to ask. Nira'lia walked through the streets of Alvadas without a set destination in mind. Recently, she had found that it was no use trying to figure out the city, or trying to remember what went where. Walking to nowhere in particular could fortunately get you to where you wanted to be, or more commonly, it could get you somewhere else. However, being new in town, 'somewhere else' wasn't a bad thing, considering these places always seemed to catch her interest. The streets of the city were shadowed under the snow. 'Is that snowman... moving?' Raising an eyebrow, the Konti continued to walk, her stare on the strange-looking snowman. She no longer knew what part of the city she was in. Perhaps The Sanity Center would be able to help her? There was a chance that they had a listing of those people who were interested in renting out a part of their house. Any type of house would be fine for her – as long as it didn't shake and cause her panic, and also because she could never feel at home living in an inn. Now, all she had to do was figure out how to get there... Nira'lia stopped in her tracks. She looked around quickly. Where was she now!? She had not noticed it but there were no longer any people around her, and there was an eerie feeling that she couldn't brush off. Something in Nira'lia made her wish that she was surrounded by others again. Then, she looked at the ground and saw a pair of footsteps in the snow. Smiling to herself, she started to follow the footsteps. Surely they would lead her to someone, and that thought comforted her.

[Nanuk]

Nanuk came laughing from the Stallion's Rear. Really, he was happy that the song his father sent him went off so well. A few patrons followed him out, tipping him a few silvers. His hair sheened purple in the lamp light, top strings of the deep red shirt. He smirked at a few ladies leaving and gave a wink, drumming up the song one more time. He really was glad they were so drunk. They couldn't tell he had gotten a bit pitchy.

Night over Alvadas, crystals in the sky
and I’m telling you, my good dear lads,
Not a night to be dry.
I’m feeling oh so lucky, lads,
Looking down the bar.
I spied a red head with wild eyes,
One seat down too far.

He leaned in toward one of the men, who had taken to dancing with a woman.

And she spinned me round,
laughing all the while,
with a face like hers,
I would have spinned a mile.
Though she drew me in,
and I thought that we might kiss,
On her cheek I felt a beard,
And found she was no Miss!

The woman pushed off the man that danced with her drunkenly in the streets with a slight pout, the three of them wrapped their arms around one another's waists before walking off. Nanuk took the opportunity to leave while the men finished off the song.

Round again, Round again,
Why have I the Trickster’s ire?
Bartender please, another drink,
‘Fore she becomes a sire.


He rounded the corner, and breathed a light huff. He'd gotten enough money in tips to get him food the next couple days, which was good. He would have to remember to come in the later hours. Patrons seemed more generous with their money in these hours.

This new place he ended up in was lightly snowing. He leaned his head back to catch a flake on his tongue. Once he did he closed his mouth and swallowed it, looking at the modest layer of snow sitting on the ground. IN it, there was two sets of footprints; one that looks like it had been there a while, and another set far fresher. Curious, he followed.

Soon enough, he came upon a woman, pale skinned and pale haired. Her skin had that shiny, almost scaly texture that must have been typical of Konti women. She was pretty; as most in their race are, but she was also looking a little lost, perhaps a little scared. She must have been hoping the footsteps were leading her to someone!

That made Nanuk laugh some. Only in a city like Alvadas do you find someone by following footsteps leading you away from them.

He stopped drumming as he approached, and lightly touched her on the shoulder as not to alarm her. "Excuse me; you seem a little lost," He said as smoothly as he could muster, flattening his well trimmed beard with his hand. His eyes were a mixture of a calming blue and a curious green. "Is there...anything I could help you with?"

[Nira'lia]

Nira'lia continued to follow the footsteps, even though she saw that they seemed to be leading her nowhere. They twirled through the streets, and yet she couldn't find the source. The Konti continued to walk, her reason for following them becoming more and more of curiosity. She was so engrossed in the task that she failed to take in her surroundings. Nira'lia didn't even realize that someone else was now following her. The Konti was now walking at a slow pace, her legs taking careful strides, and as such it wasn't difficult to catch up to her. "Ah!" she squeaked in surprise when she felt a hand touch her shoulder. Shock overcame her, and she expected visions to come, but none did. He had touched the cloth of his blouse rather than her skin, and that fortunately kept the visions from coming. Flushed, the Konti turned around in a hurry. The first thing she noticed was his odd eyes. They were not of one simple color, which implied what race he was from. A Vantha. Nira'lia was familiar with them, seeing as she had met a good amount of them. "W-what are you doing...?" she squeaked, her tone accusing. Nira'lia was always suspicious of people who crept up behind her, though at this situation, he didn't actually sneak up on her—she had just failed to notice his presence. "I... I am a little lost, but this is Alvadas." She forced a smile. Thinking about it, she was actually happy that he found her. In the end, she was, after all, comforted by the presence of another person. "I'm looking for the Sanity center, or any place that would have a list of people looking for roommates... would you be able to help me?" After she said that, she stepped aside and pointed at the pair of footsteps she had been following. They turned at a nearby corner and led to a place she still couldn't figure out. "I'm also following these footsteps... strange of me, I know... but this person is so odd, he—or she—has been going round and round! Who does that? They may be lost as well!"

[Nanuk]

Before he could get any words out, she had jumped and squeaked, immediately making Nanuk back off a a bit on his own. He was a little surprised when she didn't turn when his drum was play softly a hundred feet or so back, but he hadn't meant to alarm her. After all, this city scared newcomers enough as it is; he didn't need to add to that.

"W-what are you doing...?"

Her tone was accusing, which caused Nanuk to take another step back and put his hand not holding his drum up; trying to physically show he meant no harm. It hurt a little that she was so mistrusting, but he could understand it. Not everyone in Alvadas were this kind to the visitors. His eyes probably fluttered a deeper blue, but he didn't let it get to him. It wasn't something worth being sad about.

As he then spoke, he took another step closer, but kept his shoulders and guard down. His voice sounded like someone took the traditional musical, exotic Vantha accent and then watered it down. Aye, she was definitely a Konti woman. All he knew about them was their appearance, however; it would be interesting to be able to get to know her.

As she smiled, he too relaxed a bit. She had a pretty smile, and it meant that he had only startled her.

"I'm looking for the Sanity center, or any place that would have a list of people looking for roommates... would you be able to help me? I'm also following these footsteps... strange of me, I know... but this person is so odd, he—or she—has been going round and round! Who does that? They may be lost as well!"

Looking for a place to live? He had always talked about inviting someone to live in his little house with him, only ask that they help cover meals while he works on his great and arduous quest. It was never exactly classy to have a female roommate, and he'd certainly have to be more careful which girls he flirted with and whose home he would go back to at night, but this was an opportunity. No, perhaps a calling. Ionu did present things to you for good reasons. At least he hoped they were for good reasons.

"It's funny you should say that," He said in a gentle tone and smile. "I was actually looking for a roommate." He held up his hand, and used a work-in-progress falsetto to imitate her tone of voice. "Now, you might say to me, 'Oh, how kind of you, strange man with gorgeous eyes, but we've only just met! How could I possibly trust you after just bumping into you?!'." He grinned and gave her a joking little wink. "And I would tell you that you are a very smart young woman who knows how to be safe."

He looked down the road at the footsteps she was following, and had a, what he would consider brilliant, idea. "That being said, I think I know a way that might help you decide. The source of these footsteps seem to be a mystery to you? Why don't we go on an adventure this fine...snowy summer evening, and find out? By solving the mystery, we will have gotten to know one another and you can decide whether living with me would be a good idea. Sound fair?"

It was about now he realized he had offered a beautiful woman a place in his house, and a whole night solving a mystery in the same minute as meeting her, and he hadn't even bothered to share his name.

"Gods, I've forgotten my manners!" He exclaimed, sweeping into a low bow. His thick black cloak that he brought along in case the rumors were true crusted it's bottom in snow, the flakes melting fine black-purple hair. "My name is Nanuk, and I will one day be the greatest and most well known bard to ever walk the earth. Will you, my beautiful Konti maiden, accompany me on this adventure and consider my proposal?" He was certainly feeling cheerier at this point and it showed. His eyes had a bright green tone, with a gold fringe around his proposal.

[Nira'lia]

Nira'lia couldn't believe her luck! She had set off to find the Sanity Center, but it seemed like the person she needed came to her instead. A wide and bright smile spread over her face as she stared at him. His words said that it would be smart for a woman like her to be cautious about this, but she found that odd. Living with a man wasn't exactly something she found off putting... even if the man appeared out of nowhere and was conveniently the person she needed. Nira'lia was naive and simple-minded, and over trusting to a fault. This man didn't look suspicious to her, and if he was looking for a roommate, then she was all ears. "You want to go with me to investigate these footsteps?" she asked quizzically. Nira'lia tilted her head to the side, an act of confusion. It was a strange thing to suggest, but his reasons seemed good. They could use it to get to know each other, though the major thought in her head was to solve the mystery. Nira'lia listened to his introduction, finding his dreams particularly interesting. It was a grand dream, and he seemed passionate about it. "Okay, let's go then, mister Bard!" She started to follow the footsteps once more, assuming that the bard would be following her. "My name's Nira'lia," she said in reply. As she spoke, her eyes were intent on the snow as they rounded a corner. They were led to one street to another. "I-I don't really have a dream as grand as yours... maybe... to be the best healer I can be?" The Konti giggled. To Nira'lia, her 'goal' was vastly childish compared to his. She wasn't even aiming to make a name for herself—that was something that didn't interest her. That's why she only wanted to be the best that she could be. As they walked, Nira'lia decided to tell some more things about herself. It seemed smart to let him know about her as well, since the decision of living together wasn't solely hers. "I just recently arrived at the city... have you been living here for long? I came here to help a friend, and I recently just got a job at Ionu's Mercy. I've been staying at the Cubacious Inn ever since I arrived, but I think it would be much easier to live in a house..." Her voice trailed off. The trail of footsteps were gone. Confused, she looked around, trying to see where they had lost it. "Ah!" she exclaimed as she the footsteps reappeared once more. It seemed like someone was stepping into the snow, but there was nobody there. "That's just creepy!" She looked ahead of them and saw that the footsteps seemed to lead into a mass of greenery. It looked like a mini-forest in the middle of the city, which was strange, if one wasn't in Alvadas. Nira'lia looked at Nanuk. "Do you think it would be safe to go in there?"

[Whimsy]

Nira'lia

Experience	Lore
+1 Observation	The Cubacious Inn
+2 Land Navigation	The Disturbances of Illusions
+2 Investigation	Tracking Footsteps
+1 Socialisation

Comments
A shame this was cut short! Investigation for trying to figure out where the footsteps came from. If you would prefer tracking instead of land navigation, feel free to swap them: either or is fine. PM me if you have any questions or concerns.

.