The Lost Children (Ricky)

[Sebastian Stalinsa]

Season Fall, Day 59, Year 512 It was a true nightfall of Autum. Where the sun, earlier so hot and welcoming, now sunk heavy and red like the death of a flaming god beyond the horizon; casting all to huddle and shiver in the dark of its absence. Only the stars, little mocking reminders of what once had dominated the sky, were left to gaze down at the world with their false light. It was a night where the wind howled like celestial hounds chasing dark clouds across the sky. They fled in thin layered wisps stretched and scattered by the gale. Tomorrow, the sailor’s said, would be a fine day, but tonight, tonight only the bravest men teetering on stupidity would walk alone. The docks of Zeltiva lay as a once great beast whose muscle and tendon had been ripped away leaving only a splintered mass of bones behind. Slowly these bones, reflecting the city as a whole, where coming together. Every day more planking was laid down like new meat to revive beautiful Zeltiva. Even as the tide rose waves whipped into a windblown frenzy, the new wood held strong, bending with an uneasy amount of creaking but, did not break. At lasts the tempest having indulged itself in as much mischief the docks had to offer continued its hunt into the sky. The last remnants of cloud’s speeding past a moon no thicker than a knife blade and giving off just as much light. As in all cities there are always the hardy few who find reason to go out even in the darkest and most sinister of nights. As such there is always at least one sanctuary to be found, one candle beckoning with promises of company that draws these wayfarers in. The docks of Zeltiva had such a place known simply as the Kelp Bar after its most popular and ghastly of beverages. Even at late hours lights still showed warm and bright from tightly shuttered windows. Once the weather had settled into a damp chill that crept under even the sturdiest of barricades the heavy wooden door of this cozy establishment opened tumbling a number of men into the streets as the fierce landlady loudly and crudely enforced closing time. The great wooden door closed swiftly behind her with an ominous boom not unlike the doors of a tomb. At this the patrons fled out into the night like scattered birds but, for one whom for whatever reason had paused to contemplate his next order of business. This last man short cropped ginger hair wore common clothing of workmen colors which were clean if tattered at the corners. His leisurely posture showed little effect from the deathly chill of winter’s first kiss. A heavy green coat was thrown over his shoulder a red linen scarf dripping from one pocket. His azure eyes still flushed with warmth from the tavern’s fires gazed without inhibition towards the shadowed cobblestone streets. His head was cocked slightly askew as if he trusted his ears more than his eyes to lead him through the darkness. A thin gash nestled within a day old bruise was clearly visible under his left eye.

[Ricky Maze]

As he examined the docks more close he too felt the kiss of the coming winter, but resisted its chilling caress with a quick shiver as he buttoned his cotton vest. His arms could feel the bittersweet comfort of the wind's damp chill, but his mind felt the bitterness the most. Edged within the deepest parts of his mind was the memory of this place, no doubt the docks, and its missing pieces. Like the pages torn from an old favored book, this place was missing a few. The storm no doubt was hell when it hit, as the road to recovery was harsh for this city.

Odis whined as he watched the ocean with his master, for no doubt the dog was wary of the night. Ricky was too as the solemn feel to the city wasn't here before, a curse brought upon the city by the foul storm. Ricky despised being absent, but then again his absence was his safety.

Turning to see the bar closing as the patrons left, he decided it was time to head to the inn. Before any unwanted customers came his way, seeing as the city wasn't as safe as before. "Come on boy, we best be back." The pup agreed with a bark, leading the way back as his master followed with tempered caution of the scattered patrons.

[Sebastian Stalinsa]

Past the threshold of its shuttered windows the Kelp Bar gave off very little light. So it was that Sebastian heard the bark of a dog before separating its master from the surrounding gloom. Maybe it was the abrupt displacement from the bar, or a smell in the air but, the streets of Zeltiva, full as they were with the clusters of shadows, triggered a tightening in his gut he knew well enough to heed. Following that instinctive nudge Sebastian strolled towards man and dog with the slow leisure of a man not looking for trouble and expecting none. The last bit of candle light twinkled off the pirate gold loops in his ears as the Bar went dark behind him. “Hail there!” He called in a rich baritone. His voice carried easily through the dead air like wind disrupting the dust of a long ago abandoned dwelling. An easy smile sat upon his open face as he neared Ricky, a small part of him relieved to discover the man was in all appearance of human kind like himself. “Names Sebastian.” He said by way of easy introduction though he did not offer his hand but, rather stood at ease, coat still thrown over one broad shoulder the other hand thumb looped into a ring holding his belt. “Just came from the Kelp Bar.” He continued amiably his eyes resting in momentary approval upon Odis. “Can’t say I’ll ever get tired of hearing sailor’s yarn. What brings you and your pup out at this hour friend?” His words while still adjusting to the quiet of night were clear and distinctive with a Syliras accent. His clothes smelled of the tavern. His eyes dark like the ocean’s reflective surface strayed not from the two in front of him while his ears strained for what might be coming up from behind that raised his hackles so.

[Ricky Maze]

OOC : Finally my framepic returns, im testing my limits with this phone. Hopefully this is working correctly.... And so a stranger comes along to greet, Odis was more curious about him than aware; a easy sign suggesting this man was friendly. Sebastian was his name, and from the looks of it his posture was friendly. Quite good really, for none would dare approach a dog on guard. Ricky could relax a bit but with this blasted chill he couldn't, something about the night was just.... well wrong. "I'm Ricky, Ricky Maze. That there is my dog Odis." He patted the dog as he introduced him, Odis panted with a grin after licking his lips. He examined Sebastion with curious eyes, aware that the night was in fact pretty late. "I use to live nearby, but me house is gone. So i was just contemplating the good days before I left here. So the bar keeper decided to bail everyone out ey?" He pried lightly, for he didn't want to suddenly sound suspicion. He already felt he were questioning him and they just met, but maybe that was the paranoia; washing over him as the evening tide does with the shore.

[Sebastian Stalinsa]

Sebastian liked the man immediately. Here was a guy who knew what he was about. An honest sort of fellow who didn’t lie to anyone especially not to himself. He cherished his friends and left his enemy’s to rot. Someone you’d like to have by your side or watching you’re back when life got dangerous. Sebastian could appreciate that mentality and felt a kinship towards Ricky, not to mention any man with a dog was alright in his book. “Nah,” He replied, his voice finally dropping to a more conversational level. “She’s a good woman, Madame Gretchen. Didn’t kick us out tell the worst of the storm passed over.” His skin goosed as an ambitious whitecap shot over the dock peppering the bystanders with ocean spray. Sebastian gave a quick almost exasperated look over his shoulder while pulling on his coat. What was that feeling? That taste of fear lurking in the shadows? Well he wasn’t one to wait around for trouble so if it wanted to play it was guna have to catch up. Without breaking his train of dialogue Sebastian continued. “Dam it’s cold tonight. You have somewhere you gotta be Ricky? Cuz if not I was thinking of heading over to Loveless for some red. It’s the only thing I can drink in this city that doesn’t-“ His offer was abruptly cut off by the high pitched scream of a little girl. The terrified noise careened from darkened ally rising in volume tell it was unbearably high-pitched, a great screeching wail summoned from the deepest pits of human agony. Sebastian stiffened all signs of ease wiped away in the blink of a second. His eyes hardening and jaw set. His head snapped towards the unassuming ally that, were it not the source of such awful cries would have remained overlooked. As the shriek swept past with another close on its heels Sebastian tensed preparing to bolt towards the opening not caring that he was unarmed or that the scent of death filled his nose.

[Ricky Maze]

Loveless was a place Ricky would usually avoid, seeing as how the 'employees' would often proposition half their customers with overwhelming temptation. Yet he wasn't going to turn down this heartwarming stranger, so if drinks were the main objective there really was no harm. When Ricky gave a grin at Sebastian's invite a cry broke their conversation, one that chilled Ricky's bones so brittle as its pitch rose. He reacted by looking in the direction over to the dark alleyway, his heart gripped with an overwhelming feeling of fear. Never before had his ears had heard such blood curdling cries, ones that made the sailor tales of old feel alive. Odis whined as he looked in the same direction they did, his tail between his legs as whines could be heard. He gave few growls as a warning to his master, but both men already knew something sinister was taking place; it didn't take Odis figure it out after all. His heart skipped a beat as the scream died down, the cold sweat of the paranoi burning inside the dark recesses of his mind. He felt a twist of emotions; a spark within his heart to help, a yearning to know what happened, a irreplacable void in his gut, and a churning in his deepest part of the soul. The ocean within was now a hurricane of emotions, a whirlwind of thoughts thrown into disarray. Confusion had settled in at it's best, and his soon to be worst, moment in time. It was then Sebastion bolted like a hound after its prey, only it wasn't a hunt and the would be prey just screamed. Confusion or not Ricky wasn't letting the man go alone, he charged after Sebastian with Odis right behind. They both picked up speed to keep up with Sebastion, Odis being faster than Ricky, as the chill of the night seem to grow colder. By Laviku what's happened to this place? His thoughts echoed in his head, as Zeltiva was a far better place in his memories.

[Sebastian Stalinsa]

He ran towards the ally pleased to feel that Ricky and Odis where right behind him the dog quickly taking lead. It was a dark slit of night this ally. A strange dead end corner of the docks jammed between three shambled buildings; unlit by any human hand and as cold as a nuit’s touch. Garbage was strewn here in small decaying piles with bits of discarded wood and the sour sting of human waste. The screams stop abruptly once they reached the ally’s mouth. Not the slightest of movements or sounds could be perceived beyond the beatings of their own hearts and swirls of thought. Sebastian stopped squinting into the dark trying to make heads or tails of what might be hidden within. The sudden silence brought a shiver up his spine the past storm would’ve envied. There weren’t a lot of reasons he could think of that would cause someone to shift so suddenly from screaming bloody murder to absolute silence. It’d been a child’s scream. He was sure of it, and some sick peck had just put her out like a light after doing gods know what. It made him sick. Made his teeth clench and hair stand on end. He shot a look at Ricky, his eyes glittering like blue ice and face twisted into a steely grin stretching the discolored bruise across his cheek. Oh yes, he was going to find this son of a bitch; couldn’t wait to get his hands on him in fact. “I’ll watch your back Rick if you’ve got mine.” It wasn’t a question he whispered but, a token of trust few would have for a stranger they’d just met. A more suspicious man may have wondered of the coincidence of Ricky’s presence so fortuitously located near the scene of the crime. A more intellectual man may have deduced that such a crime would require a look out. But Sebastian didn’t care; his confidence was unshakable, fortified by a building rage. One man or a dozen, he’d take them all. In the middle of the ally nearly indiscernible to the human eye was a puddle glittering dully with reflective starlight. It had no scent but a single touch and taste would reveal the mysterious liquid to be nothing else but blood. Warm blood, with a patch of white cloth slowly sinking into its depths.

[Ricky Maze]

He wasn't going to let this stranger go at it alone, for when two men come together to find a situation unlike any other its fate. Whatever injustice had been struck upon this night, a higher willpower guided them to meet so they would bear witness this monstronsity. Ricky felt it was so even amidst all the sensible fear and boiling rage, something large was at work here. Bigger then he or Sebastian, or any proud man in this world. With a firm expression and a grind in his teeth, he heard the statement Sebastian expressed. Already they had just met and now it was the time to trust in each other, stranger or not he and Sebastian were in this together now. "That you have Sebastian, no doubt some sick bastard lurks about. Possibly more than one...." Odis growled in his firm agreement, already the pup was with Sebastion as well. His canine senses interpretated him a valuable companion, and these two shouldn't dare doubt Odis will join in. Anyone who dares threaten a masters dog or anyone else in his pack. Death filled the stench in the air as the night of darkness felt darker, the intent to kill still lingered like the abandoned shell it was. As Ricky searched out the area Sebastian pointed out a puddle that was rather massive for water, but within this dark backway of darker intentions they knew it wasn't water. No doubt the color of rubies when it first ran free, the blood had spilled out long enough to change its hue. The clothe that bathed it made the scenery clear, on this pretentious dark night, sin of pure evil has revealed itself. Ricky wasn't the sort to strongly regard religion, but tonight the Gods would surely weep at the innocence slaughtered before them. Odis whined as he hesitantly took several steps to the crime scene before them, he barked and howled into the night. A prayer for the slain child, as Ricky starred in shock at the sight. He turned to Sebastion after Odis came close, tail between his legs. "The killer may still be around..."

[Sebastian Stalinsa]

“Was thinking the same thing.” Sebastian replied raising his first in a way that marked a basic knowledge of brawling. If there was still a killer in the vicinity, as no doubt there was, the three of them were sorely at a disadvantage. Not only outlined by dim misty light seeping into the ally’s mouth but, unarmed to boot. The best they could hope for was in numbers and Odis’ keen senses. Moving towards Ricky Sebastian stood shoulder blade to shoulder blade in a quarter lunge, eyes passing over garbage, brick and then empty rooftops. Once, twice, even a third time he scanned the area but, still nothing. Not even the scurry of a wharf rat broke the straining silence. “Dam, I don’t see anything.” He quietly growled, poorly hiding his frustration when no outlet appeared to vent his adrenalin on. “Come out you pit sucking coward.” But the only answer to Sebastian’s call was the eerie echo of his own distorted voice reverberating through empty air and even emptier streets. For no one else had answered the agonistic cries which had drawn these three so conveniently together. Why this was could only be speculated. The docks, while hit hardest from the Great storm where still notably inhabited and regularly patrolled by Zetiva’s dutiful Wave Guard. Sebastian knew from the tightening of his gut that nothing about this situation added up. Something strange had lured him, Ricky, and even Odis into its midst. And that something wanted… well something from them. He felt frustration starting to replace furry as the silence continued feeling much like a hound caught in circles by a clever fox. His foot lashed out exploding a small pile of tattered sails and wood into the air. Beyond the perception of the two men a faint odor wafted from the scrap of white cloth still sitting untouched in its pool of blood. It smelled of dreams and happy memories; of laughter and warm sand. The sent trailed silently off torn linen, making a tumbling shadow stretching from ally to farther down the docks, coming to rest at the chipped stone steeps of an old two story building. Once used as a merchant’s warehouse but, spoiled by the storm the structure squatting among skeletal half built remains of its neighbors like a beast over its nest of bones. Hastily boarded up windows glared spitefully out at all who passed and the crooked door creaked upon rusted hinges. The majority of its wooden roof tiles were dislodged and the remaining fluttered despairingly in the wind. A fog crept up from the ocean’s depths as the autumn air continued dropping in temperature; bringing puffs of steam from the mouths of all living creatures.

[Ricky Maze]

The sudden change in the atmosphere wasn't natural, in fact it was ever more paranormal. For even Odis' breath's could be seen, fresh out the nose of the shivering pup. Ricky's breathing was heavy, but that was his body working overtime now that his mind was switching to high gear. Like the second wind a person has to tap within, he felt his body become light as his mind felt clearer. Or perhaps it was clouded? A mistake commonly overlooked by the mindless, that never ended well. Not one soul has the capability to pull through a blind rage unscathed, but a cloud judgement is even more risky in such events like this. As he witnessed the furious kicck Sebastion gave, he no doubt was enraged by this ordeal. How could he not be? It would be like Ricky keeping his head cool through all of this, which wasn't happening at all to say the least. The night gave way to the moon as the clouds finally dispersed, barely illuminating the streets with its faint luminous glow. Ricky held his breathe as he clenched his fists and stood ready for anything, Odis still shivered with a few whines escaping from him; but that quickly changed to a growl at the darker recesses of the alleyway. Somewhere near hear the bastards were doing their scheme, and Ricky wasn't going to be letting them do as they wish. Like Sebastion he too had some basic grasp of the brawling ways. However it had been a while since he did such a thing, still nonetheless he would use what he remembered wisely. "Sebastian, whatever lies ahead I garentee ye' that I have yer back. Odis here has a nasty bite, so we all will go down swingin if it comes to it." He reassured his fellow pugilist, though not really knowing why. Perhaps an encouragement was in order, or reassuance. What ever the case his desire was now the same as Sebastions, justice was to be brought upon the bastards. Odis seemed to sniff the air a couple of times, sonething the human nose could pick up was detected. His canine sense of smell had traced the scent in which will take them to their base of operations, and Odis didn't hesistate when it can to picking it up. He sniffed around the pool at first, then the cloth, then finally the air. At last Odis picked up the trail that would lead them to...sonewhere! There wasn't a moment to lose as time was now precious, Odis began to bark with deep growls to show he was trailing them. "Come on," Ricky said as he started to follow his hound, "He's tailin' the miserable sods!"