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[Lusa]

47th of Winter, 512 AV The Cerulean Pier, Evening It was an exceptionally clear evening. The crisp air had prompted Lusa to take to the streets of this unfamiliar new city, as she'd been holed up in her room resting since her arrival. Though she was still recovering from malnutrition, Lusa was well on the mend thanks to regular if small meals from the inn. The spaces between her ribs had mostly filled in again, and her sharp little hipbones were less prominent than even one week before. Her energy had also returned, a welcome change from the constant exhaustion she'd felt. It had been a harrowing experience, losing sentience and regaining it again in a completely unfamiliar territory, completely alone. All of the people she had come to know were suddenly (in her mind) ripped from her, leaving something inside of her empty and restless, eager to find company once again. Her aimless skittering through streets and alleys had brought her to the Cerulean Pier. She'd been drawn by the scent of salt, which held an allure for her she did not quite understand. It made her mouth water slightly, and as she'd approached the pier she'd been lulled by a rhythmic whooshing sound that relaxed her slightly. She was almost always a bit on edge by nature, always tensed to spring away and sprint to safety. When she hit sand, she could not help but stop and marvel at the texture beneath her bare feet. It was chilled, damp, and solid when she stepped on it, but to a light touch it yeilded easily and slid between her toes to stick to her skin. She was tempted to taste it, but something told her she would not enjoy the hard little grains in her mouth. It was so different from the soil she'd grown up on, which was rich black earth filled with worms and grass and leaves. The waves as well were fascinating, as she could not see the other side of the water. The concept of something so large that she could not see the end of it frightened her a bit, so she simply stopped thinking of it. Instead she amused herself with the rolling waves, flicking the foam with her feet and hands, playing tag to and fro with the moonlit tide, dipping her hands in and tasting the water every now and then.

[Reaver Riatal]

Standing on the sand and a little ways away from the water he stared out with a face strongly frowning. As his slim and rather tall form stared out at the rolling water before him. Dark hair mattered around his head as his sharp blue eyes where sunk deep in thought. With the bit of dark stubble now gracing his chin as it had been a day or so since he had shaved. As his red coat was bitten at by the gentle cold around him he shuddered. His leather clad black hands where stuffed into his pockets. Like the setting of the sun and rising of the moon Reaver had found himself lost once more in the city of Zeltiva.

He had been here this long and still had yet to begin recognizing any damn thing. Giving a twitch of his eye he sighed and tried to focus on happy thoughts. He found his comforts in the thought of eventually dragging his way to the Kelp Bar for a beer. However that would require him finding his way there first. Frustration gripped him as he brought his hands up to his head and ruffled his dark locks of hair. Frowning again he simply sighed and closed his eyes. Focusing on the one thought that could relax him. The thought of the djed in his body ready at his command, the power he could call to his fingertips.

Another gust of wind cut through his thin form and his eyes went wide, well shyke he can hardly think like this. Silently cursing his body for being so weak to the weather. He had grown dependent on his shielding to keep the cold from his flesh and bones. His coat had indeed kept him warm most days, but the shielding had done a far better job. Closing his eyes he tried to focus, he wanted to be warm right now. Not later in an inn he wanted warm now! As he pooled his concentration he felt his djed flow off him and surround him in thin layer. The weave was simple, the shield was still not quite perfect yet but it had improved. Some area's where still weak but at least it was a little more even. Though before he could complete the back end of his shield his focus was taken from him.

Opening his eyes he noticed a young woman playing in the surf. Perhaps she was just touched in the head? When he saw her dipping her hand into the sea and, was she tasting it? He couldn't help but cringe his face with half a smile. This was definitely something you didn't witness everyday, or night, evening. His mind was screwing with him again perhaps? He had more than enough reason to believe this. Besides he was a mage, having his mind create illusions for itself wasn't exactly unusual. However even if this was just him being delusional he might as well see what the girl is doing. Cause if she wasn't real he'd just look like he's talking to the sea. If she was real at least he wouldn't look to be the strangest person on Zeltiva. Walking with his brown boots leaving a trail in the sand. Still a few ways away from the water he watched the girl a little while longer before announcing his presence. "You know your going to get cold doing that." He paused for a moment longer and figured he may as well introduce and ask his question. "I'm Reaver by the way, Reaver Riatal. Also don't think me rude, I'm just checking for my own sake. But are you by any chance a fabrication of my own mind?"

He had no idea why he'd be hallucinating or why his mind would be making illusions for himself right now. But anything was possible was it not? And if his mind was playing him as a fool he may as well accept it and go mad. He wondered if he'd start setting things on fire at random. It would be fun, kinda depressing to kill innocent people. But he was sure if he was slipping up and starting to see imaginary people, he'd find a way to cope with it. Distracted from thoughts even he believed to be odd, his attention turned to the girl. Wondering slightly if he had missed anything.

[Valo]

No sooner had the dark haired, lanky man finished his question, another voice spoke out of the evening air. this voice however had some strange, whimsical quality to it, soothing like honey yet retaining an exotic accent. "Then perhaps I am too, Reaver my dear friend?" It was no one other than Valo, the red haired artist, standing gracefully in the sand with hands in his pockets and a charming smile upon his face of alabaster. The wind brushed though his hair, weaving it around his face and tangling it in the process. Perhaps he should have tied it back, but having no other alternative, he merely tucked the long luscious locks behind his ears. It's been more than a good few days since the two had ran into one another and a friendly face was precisely what the artist was in dire need of. A mind burdened by the most hideous of memories can never know peace, no matter how hard it may try to push that memory away. Perhaps the rekindling of their friendship and that intoxication with the idea of magic would provide at least a temporary bandage over the would in his mind. Valo approached in his usual elegant manner, though the sand beneath his feat wasn't as pleasant to walk on as cobble stones. A smile still lingered within his features, though there was some unspoken quality beneath the surface of that smile. His green eyes also seemed duller than at their previous encounter. In fact the only thing that remained as vibrant as always was the exquisite, red hair that matched the shades of Reaver's magical flames. He held out his hand to his comrade, joints sore from the cold, despite loitering within the dark depths of his coat pockets. Then those deep set eyes of his turned to the girl at the shore. An average build, though comparing to both of the men she was very little and her hips seemed just a little out of balance with the rest of her body. Her skin was tanned, obvious even against the darkening sky, but her hair was darker still and cropped short. It seemed utmost amusing how she'd dip her hands into the water and then bring them to her face, experiencing the salty taste for her self. Perhaps kelp beer would be a better alternative, he thought. "Hello my lady." Valo greeted her with his usual pleasant manner.

[Lusa]

Lusa was just picking a floppy green-brown piece of what appeared to be vegetation out of the surf for examination when two voices caused her to startle mightily. She whipped around to face the source of the sound, nearly losing her balance as the water tugged at her legs and her feet sunk into the shifting sand. Her arms windmilled dramatically, trying to keep herself from falling in and getting wet and flinging the seaweed in the direction of the two men. She was surprised at herself; normally her hearing was very good and she noticed anyone in her general vicinity. Perhaps the sound of the waves and the muffling power of the sand had cloaked their footsteps from her. Had she been in animal form, her ears would be pricked and her bright white tail flagged; in human form she settled for a slightly alert posture that echoed her other self. Her heart thudded in her ears, quick as a hummingbird's and she fought the urge to flee immediately. She had learned in Sunberth that running away before even saying anything was not what people that lived in cities did, and if she wanted to fit in and remain 'in-con-spic-uous' (she was proud of herself for remembering the word Zandelia'd taught her) she would have to curb her instinct to turn tail. She was not supposed to let people know about her shifting! Though she was trembling slightly with adrenaline, she stood straighter and affected what she probably believed was a casual human posture, though whether she was successful or not remained to be seen. Sniffing a bit, she responded, her voice rough from many months of disuse. This would be the first time she'd spoken to another soul since Spring. "I'm alright with cold, this water tastes good so I don't mind." She raised her fingers to her mouth once again for a taste while he continued talking, taking the scant few seconds to observe the two strangers. They were both very tall and quite thin, reminding the deer of reeds swaying in the wind. The first smelled much like a campfire to Lusa, swarthed in a long coat that seemed to have been peppered with many embers over its lifetime. The thought of fire made her nervous, as it awoke in her a primal sense of panic. The other man had a firey appearance, though he did not smell of it. His hair was impossibly red and even as he stood still he appeared more graceful than the the smoky one. He greeted in her in a much less odd manner than the other, and in response she lifted the hem of her simple blue dress slightly, dipping her knees as she'd seen other females do. "I'm not a fab-ri-ca-tion." she sounded out the word, testing it on her tongue. She hadn't the slightest idea what it meant but she doubted she was one. "The last one called me Lusa."

[Reaver Riatal]

Reaver's head suddenly turned towards his friend. Giving him a serious look for a moment before smiling lightly. Although he had appeared out of nowhere and hadn't really solved his question on his current level of sanity. He was more than happy to see Valo once more. As the man reached out his hand, the smile on his face grew just a little more. Taking his hand out of his red pocket and extending his own hand to take Valo's. The black leather clad hand encased his flame haired friend, this man was damn near his best friend he had actually. Considered he had few others to which he had frequently associated. As his messy dark hair was sprawled about his face his sharp blue eyes gazed into Valo's vibrant green.

Though something seemed off with him, it was subtle and he doubted he'd find out unless directly asking. He figured it was best to leave it alone for now, and just to greet his friend. "Valo, didn't even hear you approach my good man. You seemed to have taken quite the opportune moment to wander this way. I'm beginning you may have some sort of magic of your own. Also I'm kinda lost, again, I think this makes for the eighty fourth time." He leaned in a little closer and whispered into Valo's ear. "Also I think the girl in the surf might be crazy."

He peeled away slowly nodding at Valo as though he had already agreed to his opinion. Again his attention was snapped away and turned to the woman as she talked, a ripple of wind came off the water. The shield he had half made still protected his front half. And as it did it shimmered, appearing for a moment as it repelled the cold. Not bothered by the appearance of his own shield, he kept his focus as he listened to the woman. She was a curious thing, and apparently far better fairing for cold weather. Enough so to prance freely in the waves in the moonlight.

Now that he was actually focusing on her he realized she was really quite beautiful. Sure her top half looked about as developed as the flatland's Endrykas marched across. But she still had quite a lot of other charms, particularly her eyes are what drew his attention. Even in the poor light of the moon he could see them. And for a while he couldn't remove his eyes from them. His sharp blue eyes only removed themselves from her gaze when he felt a blast of cold on his back. Right the shield!

Taking a breath he closed his eyes for a moment to concentrate, the weave steadily spreading around him. With only a moment it was made, though the thickness still varied it was still better than what he had cast earlier in the season. Letting out a small sigh he shifted his footing, his ear lent to the woman a final time as she claimed not to be of his mind. By the way she spoke he had a feeling she was as bright as most. Though he wasn't about to forget her name, once she spoke it his mind went to work. Lusa, Lusa, Lusa "A rather pretty name indeed." He gave pause as his face quickly turned to one of thought. Did he just say that last part out loud?

Quick to say something else he scratched at his stubble his mind ready with his next set of words. "Well right, although the cold may indeed not bother you. You should leave the water young Lusa. There is after all a plague about in this city. Actually if we could get some driftwood together I would happily start a fire." He gave pause as a small curious hum left his lips. "Say Valo, you wouldn't happen to have some food on you? Or perhaps you have a fishing rod stashed on you somewhere?" He let off another charming smile, he was half expecting Valo to have something. But if he was lost like himself perhaps not, and a change of scenery would be in order. Preferable a scenery that supported thoughts of beer?

[Valo]

The artist was indeed very fond of Reaver, for the man has a certain endearing quality to him. A quality clearly exhibited from the very first day they had met and one which remained to this very moment and would no doubt manifest in the most comical forms in the future. A quality which had a lovely habit of lifting Valo's spirits on many occasions. Indeed he would deep the mage a friends and a good one at that, perhaps even one of his greater friends. "Valo, didn't even hear you approach my good man. You seemed to have taken quite the opportune moment to wander this way. I'm beginning you may have some sort of magic of your own." said Reaver, to which Valo's reply was utmost sarcastic and rather void of his overly composed and formal manner. Well , perhaps not void, but lacking. It was this pleasant quality of Reaver's that allowed his artist friend to relax and indulge in humour. "Oh have you not realised, dear Reaver. I am the master of the webbing. In fact I have webs all over Zeltiva, tracking down your very presence." he chuckled, for a moment lighting up a little. He wondered whether that's actually how webbing worked. He had of course encountered many a Drykas on his journeys who had specialised in that specific magic, but never had it been sufficiently demonstrated to him. Besides, with no bonded strider, that secret knowledge would remain a mystery to the curious artist. "Also I'm kinda lost, again, I think this makes for the eighty fourth time." The little chuckle of Valo's turned into a merry laugh. Much knowledge filled Reaver's clever head, but the layout of the city was not one. Then again Zeltiva was vast and Reaver's attention span seemed not so, much to his own dismay. "Well then Reaver you are lucky that I am here and will gladly escort you back home, shall you need it." laughed Valo. "Also I think the girl in the surf might be crazy." added the red clad mage, which was perhaps the silliest thing to have ever left his lips. Feeling a sharp pinch in his sides and suppressing a manic outburst of laughter Valo had taken another step towards his friend. He placed both hands at the sides oh his handsome face and looked deep into those bright, piercing blue eyes. Sheer amusement had been painted across the artist's face. For a moment all his troubles left him. his mind focused on the present and what was before him, not the past and what has long been little more than a residual haunting. And in that moment the two had shared a moment of pure intimacy that only true friendship can bring. A moment of perhaps gentle ridicule, but punctuated by trust and cheer. "I assure you my friend, it is you who's quickly loosing his mind." replied the artist nodding slowly, his ivory forehead gently wrinkled as his eyebrows were raised. Taking several steps back, he the added. "Now let us be gentlemen in the presence of such a lovely lady." It seemed they have startled her, for her posture seemed quite of lot like Wyatti's battle stance. A wide base for support, which indicated a sharp moment of panic. However soon her position shifted into one a little more relaxed. "I'm not a fab-ri-ca-tion." she replied as if she wasn't quite sure what the word entailed. But true to her words, she was not one. For if a fabrication was indeed what she'd been, she'd vanish as quickly as she'd appeared, swept away by Laviku. "The last one called me Lusa." Almost as soon as she spoke, Reaver's voice sounded "A rather pretty name indeed." and the expression in his face was such, that it led the observant artist to believe it had been a sentence that somewhat escaped the concealing veil of Reaver's own mind. Then again perhaps Reaver was not quite so skilled at charades. Another quality of his which Valo cherished beyond comprehension, for a man so bad at keeping his thoughts to him self was also an honest man. And a smile appeared across his face as he observed the subtle awkwardness of his friend. A scratch of his stubble, before he began lecturing the lady about conduct at these times of plague. A noble soul he was. Before, however, the red haired artist had the chance to yet again escape to the familiar containment of his own mind, Reaver had turned to him in question of food or perhaps a fishing rod. A fishing rod? Why, by the love of god Laviku, would a dignified gentleman like Valo carry a fishing rod? Or has Reaver plainly seen thought he disguise of a well composed man, and peered at Valo's disorderly interior. If that was the case, he would not be surprised. They had been friends for long enough. "I assure you my friend, I do not have a fishing rod in my possession and even if such was the case, I would not know how to use it. Though perhaps I have underestimated you, who has concealed your excellent fishing skills from me for all this time. If such is the case than speak now or forever hold your peace." chuckled Valo, once again preventing another outburst of laughter. He had been a man of few words, for the sheer ability to speak concisely and the volume of speech which had left his lips was utmost astonishing. At times of great loneliness, even the strongest men turn to their friends, in hope to share that loneliness. In hope to have someone to be lonely with. "And as far as food is concerned, I'm afraid I have none. Though perhaps a good idea would be another visit to the Grotto?" he then turned and looked at the girl directly, a pleasant crescent of a smile on his face. "Would you like us to treat you to diner lady Lusa?"

[Lusa]

Though she didn't wish to leave the comforting pull of the waves, her feet were indeed beginning to tingle with cold and she moved away, burying them in the lightly damp sand. Her lips turned downwards at Reaver's assertion that she was somehow mentally impaired; of course she was sound of mind. Creatures with mental deficiencies did not last even months in the wild, where she had lived most of her life. She dared to say that she was the most sane of anyone she'd met since leaving her mother's side. And who was this man to talk, anyways, he who played with fire and became lost so many times in his own city? She was about to say as much when a flash of something caught her eye; the wind buffeted against the three beachgoers, ruffling her hair in front of her eyes, tangling in Valo's fiery locks. If she hadn't been looking straight at Reaver, if it had been daytime, she would have written it off as seeing things. Her eyesight in the sun was somewhat poor, but at night, her eyes were better than a human's. She knew she'd seen a shimmering layer surrounding Reaver, if only for a fraction of a moment when the chilled wind ruffled his coat. It had been a bright vibrant orange, appearing as a thin weave close to his skin. It was like nothing she'd seen before, and she raised her nose to the air slightly to catch its scent, to familiarize herself with it and to ground its existence in her mind, but to her bewilderment there was no trace of it in the air. He smelled exactly the same as before, and also seemed unconcerned at the bizarre phenomena that had surrounded him. She would have been somewhat distressed, disliking things that she couldn't identify or understand, but she was luckily soothed by the offer of a meal. She nodded to Valo enthusiastically, her eyes eager. She was hungry. She always seemed to be hungry. She had lived a hardscrabble life thus far and very few times in her short years had she ever been able to eat her fill. She ran a hand over her side, feeling her fingers run over the ridges of her ribs that, while they had begun filling in, still showed through her skin more prominently than would be considered healthy. If Valo had not offered to feed her, she likely would have ended up dining on the salty green seaweed she'd picked up in the surf.

[Reaver Riatal]

As Reaver watched Valo put his hands on his face he blinked a few times finding it a little weird. A thought came to him in that instance and he just couldn't help but react to it. It was just the perfect moment! With this he stuck out his tongue, waited. Then with a half lung full of air, blew it out the underside of his tongue. Reveling in the delightful and childish noise that followed. The moment Valo removed his hands, he withdrew his tongue and merely offered his charming smile once more.

As Valo examined his surroundings, now doubt with his keen artists eye. He listened with intent as he stood under the moonlight. His large red coat buttoned up tight to him protecting against the wind while his shield defended against the cold. Feeling a little insulted by what he had said he had the need to respond with something witty. Something that'll entertain himself and perhaps the young woman in the surf. As he was about to speak he was immediately shut when Valo made mention of food. The food at the Grotto was something he just couldn't turn down. This may be reality, or it may not be, but what he did know was that food tasted good and he was feeling hunger. His dark brow lifted as his sharp blue eyes looked at Valo. Quite quickly he felt any thoughts of witty retort disappearing at the thoughts of food. Even without the confirmation of his existence one thing was made certain. He still felt hunger.

Quickly looking to the woman in the surf he noticed she had no shoes or boots. No winter clothing, and what she did wear wasn't much at all, looking at his coat then at her again. His mind gave pause for thought, he liked his coat a lot, a whole lot and he didn't want it to get dirty. However that still left her without anything, she was dancing in the waves just a little while ago and she seemed fine enough. Maybe she'd been marked by Morwen? Regardless Valo suggested they act like gentlemen. Why did he have to feel influence from someone who may very well just be a fabrication of his mind? Although he had no idea if she'd even accept it was only a short distance to the Grotto, surely he could part with it for just that time?

As well Reaver had come to this city to make friends, and besides if he could somehow prove his actions had meaning. That he wasn't just a dream maybe he could justify his life by seeing what his actions could bring about. His coat was so nice though! But she had nothing and he still had a shield around him. Oh Ivak curse it all, Valo would have probably done it anyway or have suggested he do it. Unbuttoning his red coat and shaking it off. Revealing his red long sleeved button up shirt and black vest. With his dapper look revealed he looked to Lusa. Doubts quickly entering his mind of handing his coat over. But he was willing to trust her, at least until they got to the Grotto then he'd have to ask for it back.

Approaching Lusa slowly showing he had nothing hidden upon his person. Last thing he wanted is for the woman to suddenly pull out a martial skill on him. His shields where only good for, at least for now, small things that couldn't protect against physical harm. Thinking Valo could at least cover his back or at least warn him, he turned to his friend for a moment."My good Valo, if your sure of the way to the Grotto I suggest we make our way there and with haste. And Lusa, you can." He took pause as he offered his coat out to her, looking back at her eyes. Wow she had really big eyes. Wait why was he doing this again? To see if he could reaffirm his existence through his actions? By Izurdin's creative touch how on Mizahar did he think this would help assert his existence?

Oh well he started off with a run and he's tripped now, he might as well go for the fall. He opened his mouth and finished his sentence, right into the face plant. "You can borrow my coat for the walk to the Grotto. If you catch a cold here chances are you could end up bed ridden for it." He paused for a moment again waiting for her to take the coat. Already thinking of just taking it back and dragging Valo to the Grotto. He had after all offered to split the cost already. And he could probably guilt trip the man if he decided to go back on his word. Reaver's head was starting to hurt, maybe he should just go with the flow for now and stop thinking so much. This was becoming too much of a pain.

[Valo]

As she nodded to him, there was a moment of visual connection that bound them. He stared deep into her large eyes, a reassuring warmth in the muted green of his irises. A fragile smile on his face, yet a smile none the less. But that moment drew to an abrupt completion as Reaver stepped in, approaching Lusa with his coat. Valo's eyes closely observing the man as he offered his garment to the lady. The clothing beneath was a lovely red shirt and a vest that complimented the man's tall, lanky build perfectly. "And Lusa, you can." spoke Reaver before pausing rather abruptly. "You can borrow my coat for the walk to the Grotto. If you catch a cold here chances are you could end up bed ridden for it." Valo chuckled to him self a little at this awkward pause in the man's speech. It was very subtle but noticeable enough for those who cared to notice such little things. However the very last part of that sentence struck a note with Valo, it clawed at his frayed nerved relentlessly.If you catch a cold... Zeltiva was under attach from an invisible killer. The kind that borrowed it self into the person's body and hacked and tore relentlessly at their immune system until that very person succumbed to it. The killer, the pestilence that hung like a dark cloud over the city. Many died already and many more will die. Lusa had perhaps no idea just how dangerous was to walk around this badly clothed for the streets were more dangerous than ever before, for the most frightening of killers was that which could not be seen, smelled or heard, but which lady death and destruction in the wake of it's footsteps. He said nothing, instead gestured for the pair to fallow and their made their way back to the docs and the up the road to the World's End Grotto where the warmth of the interior greeted them. The patrons that filled the place today were few and weary, for the moment the news of the plague spread like wild fire though the homes of Zeltiva, people seemed to bar themselves indoors and leave only to go about the most essential of business. It was apparent that the artist spoke very little that evening, not that he had a habit of speaking in abundance - unless of course he was asked for something on the topic of art or philosophy or anything that a man may have a strong opinion upon. However in normal situations he usually had his two copper mizas to add to everything, yet this time when he did speak, it was somewhat void of the usual energy he possessed, just like his eyes.