Completed Off the Map (Vanari)

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Summer, Day 5, 513 AV

14th Bell

The city was marvelous. Gentle breezes from the ocean swept across the city like a cool blanket, soothing the heat of summer away. The sounds of people, of water falling, of gurgling brook and laughing stream and roaring river all blended into one, giving the city of Riverfall its own unique song. Jorin was surprised, when he first entered the place, to see such beauty from a city whose people seemed so warlike. He'd noticed immediately their toned bodies, their strong faces, their mighty souls. He'd imagine their city like a fortress. He never thought it would be a garden.

Jorin wandered past streets he didn't know, landmarks he'd never seen. It was all so new! He took out his notebook, and sat down on a nearby bench. He needed to keep up the practice on his sketching. It was a skill of his that had rusted to nearly nothing, which was a shame.

Using his thumb as a crude measure, sqeezing one eye shut and biting on his tongue, Jorin tried to get the proportions right for the scene before him: a busy street in front of the White Crane. Before him was the imposing city council chambers, which Jorin now proceeded to sketch to the best of his ability.

The first rule is the perspective, Jorin recalled as he drew a horizon line and several lines leading out from it. In order for the proportions to be right, it had to have the right fade lines. He then proceeded to sketch the basic outlines of the building, then worked his way inward until he reached the center of the page.

Next, to add detail. Jorin was so engrossed in his sketch that he didn't notice a large Akalak walking by, who accidentally brushed Jorin's book and sent it flying away.

"Oh no!" he cried out involuntarily, as he set off chasing the runaway tome. "Please, someone stop that book!"

[Vanari]

Summer, Day 5, 513AV

Vanari breathed in the fragrant, summer air and remembered a different time, a different scene. The last time she was headed towards The White Crane, a young Kelvic with golden red hair was pulling her purposefully through the streets, saving her from a potentially undesirable situation. She found herself smiling, though. That Akalak guard was handsome, albeit alarmingly persistent.

With her hundredth memory of Ardea, the Vantha felt a stab of sorrow in her heart. It had been so long since she last saw her old friend that she didn't even know if the Kelvic was still alive. She had been wandering about the city for three days now, but saw no sign of the flame touched tigress.

Vanari stopped abruptly in front of the White Crane's ornate doors; her feet had carried her to the tavern while her mind had been millions of seasons away. As soon as she returned to the present, reality and memory waged silent war against one another at the sight of the musician's tavern. This was where they had shared their first meal, as well as their first misadventure...

A horrified cry jolted Vanari out of her reverie. She whirled around, searching for its source, only to gasp in surprise as a large tome flapped its way past her face, narrowly missing her nose.

"Please, someone stop that book!"

The Vantha immediately ran after the unruly book, which was now rolling wildly on the streets as a particularly violent gust of wind went rushing past her. She watched the tome as though it were a fish in a stream, and as soon as it slowed to near stillness, she gave a small warcry and snatched it up. "Gotcha!"

At that same moment, she looked up and saw a young man with brown hair running up to her, sick with worry.

"Hey! This yours?" she grinned, careful not to disturb its contents as she held up the tome.

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Summer, Day 5, 513 AV

Jorin fairly collapsed with relief when the young girl snatched his book up. He'd thought it lost forever, it an all the drawings, calculations, and poems he'd written inside. The book wasn't really worth more than a gold-rimmed miza or two, but it wasn't the monetary value he was worried about. It was the time and effort he'd put into it, all those seasons...

"Oh thank you!" he blurted out, before drawing himself up to catch his breath. That wasn't how he wanted to introduce himself. It was supposed to be grand, and theatrical! After all, he had to maintain a good name for his troupe. Taking a few more deep breaths, he smiled at the young lady and tried again.

"I ... am Jorin Ertihan!" he pronounced, with his arm sticking out dramatically. "I travel with actors most skilled, and we, the Traveling Thespians, are to put on a show come end of season! Please come watch us ... err ... how did that line go?" Jorin scratched his head, as the forgotten line flitted in and out of his memory. Shrugging his shoulders, he just grinned sheepishly.

"Thanks for saving my book. A lot of my drawings and poems are in there. Say, you wouldn't know the way to Ati's place, would you? Or perhaps someplace where I could maybe sketch something interesting? Oh, but where are my manners? What's your name?"

[Vanari]

An actor! Vanari's eyes widened, flashing bright orange with excitement. A real actor, with a real troupe! The Vantha had an intense fascination when it came to traveling theaters; her most secret and wildest dream was to join the Inverted, though she knew she had a long way to go before the renowned troupe would even look twice at her.

She giggled at the young man's theatric flourishes and sudden memory loss, momentarily forgetting her painful nostalgia.

"My name is Vanari of Skyglow hold. I do happen to where Ati's place is, as well as a great number of fantastic views. And I'll take you to all of them...for a price."

The Vantha's eyes shifted to a mischievous green-gold as she leaned closer. "In exchange, you'll have to show me what's inside that book, and tell me everything you know about being in a theater troupe. Deal?"

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Summer, Day 5, 513 AV

Jorin's grin turned a bit nervous. Show her what was in his book? But those drawings were all quick sketches, and incomplete! Those poems were snatches of things he thought up at the moment, hardly worthy of display! Nonetheless, looking into the excited, honest face of the young lady, who was apparently named Vanari, he felt that she, maybe, would not laugh at his half-hearted attempts at art.

"Very well," Jorin intoned in what he hoped was a suitably dramatic fashion. "But 'all I know' about the Traveling Thespians is a lot! Perhaps I could tell you while we are on the way to our first destination, Vanari of Skyglow Hold?"

[Vanari]

Vanari bowed with a flourish, twirling her arm about wildly then smoothly sweeping it towards the direction of the main gates. "This way, good Jorin."

Then she leaped up, walking side by side with her new companion as she played wild fantasies in her head of all the things you would do in a theater troupe. What did they wear? What did they eat? Where did they sleep? How did they prefer to travel?

Why am I asking myself all these things? Vanari realized and nearly slapped her own forehead in public. She caught herself just in time, twisting her wrist at the last second as though she was merely brushing back her hair.

"Soo, O All-knowing Expert of theater," the Vantha drawled, barely able to contain her excitement. "Where should we even start? Tell me everything!".

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Summer, Day 5, 513 AV

Jorin's eyes twinkled with joy at the girl's excitement. The truth was, most people were only excited about actors when they were on stage, and really didn't care about what happens offstage, in the back, behind the curtains and the props.

Perhaps the girl had an inkling to becoming an actress herself? She certainly had the energy and the drive! Jorin grinned and spun dramatically.

"The Traveling Thespians have been throughout the region!" he cried, as he gave a low theatrical bow. "Though I only recently joined their number, approximately five years ago, the troupe has journeyed from the wind-swept peaks of Avanthal to the rolling hills of Syliras! And now they are here, in the home of the Akalak, to put on another marvelous performance, to be sure!"

Jorin stopped for a breath, grateful that he managed that introduction without forgetting something, or stumbling halfway through. He suspected, though, that Vanari wanted more than just the actor's prologue.

"Truthfully, there's a lot of setting up for a troupe," he confided as he trotted up to Vanari. "You have no idea how much effort goes on in the background! There are stages to set up, and props to distribute, and of course, practice, every single day! Especially for us actors, but I used to be a stagehand and an understudy. The days were long and the beds were hard." He grinned as he said it however, grinning as though such things were still fun. And they were!

"Oh man, we'd get into trouble sometimes! I mean, before the show, but after everything was set up, there wasn't much to do. Oh sure, as an actor, you always have practice, but back when I was a stagehand, we'd slip out the back and get into as much mayhem as possible. Why, one time, in Syliras, me and a bunch of the other stagehands, we replaced a bar stool with one of our stage props. You know, those collapsing stools they sometimes use to quickly drop an actor to the ground? Well, we painted it and propped it up!"

Jorin's eyes glinted with merriment as he remembered the prank. Ah, that had been a good day, with good ale, happy laughter, and a night worth remembering.

"So this guy comes in and he's eyeing this pretty lady at the other side of the tavern. Tries to impress her by ordering strong ale, and he sits down on the collapsing stool! Guy falls straight on his butt and the ale lands all over his head!" Jorin laughed as he recalled the event, as he spun about, imitating the flailing limbs of the falling man. "And then he stood up, and he roars, 'All right, who the petch did that?!' and everyone in the tavern stands up! Oh man, you should have seen the look on his face!"

Jorin grinned as he concluded his tale. "Ah well. We ended up buying him a round and at the end of the day he was laughing with us. You know, sometimes it's those kinds of moments that makes life in a troupe worthwhile. Sure we put on plays, and they're lots of fun! But we're not just a troupe. We're family. I think that's what's the best thing about it!"

[Vanari]

Vanari burst out laughing at Jorin's colorful recollection, completely forgetting they were walking about the main street in the middle of the day. It was a good story--she stored it away, saving it for a future carving, or perhaps a nostalgic retelling around a campfire under the stars.

Her merriment evaporated, however, upon hearing the young actor's next words.

Family.

For a breath or two, Vanari felt a twinge of sadness at the memory of those she had left behind so many seasons ago, her eyes darkening to pools of midnight indigo. Though she had been roaming more or less alone for the past five years--and stumbled upon one thrilling adventure after another in spite of it--something about Jorin's last words tugged at her heartstrings.

The more she listened to the young man's passionate description of theater life, the more she could imagine herself as part of one. She may never openly admit it, but her heart had grown weary of meeting people one day and saying goodbye to them the next. To be able to perform, travel, cry, laugh, and just live day to day with a troupe--a family who shared all of her greatest passions--oh, Morwen, how could she ever want anything more?

"That sounds like the best thing in the world," Vanari responded dreamily. "You must feel so lucky to be a part of it all."

They had reached Oathmaster's Tower and the Vantha gently steered Jorin to the right, casually ignoring the Akalak guards and their wolfish grins.

"So you said you began as an understudy," she mused as they continued down the bustling street. "How exactly does one go about making that happen? "

[Jorin Ertihan]

Season of Summer, Day 5, 513 AV

Jorin smiled, as he remembered the day it happened.

"Well, for me, it was five years ago. I'd had enough of Zeltiva, of books and mathematics and being told what to do, who to be. I was done walking stuffy halls, and being stuck in one place. I wanted to see the world. I wanted to be free."

Jorin grinned, remembering his father's face when he first told him.

"The day the troupe came to town, I just happened to pass by the theater. I saw their brightly colored costumes, their uproarious laughter, the sense of camaraderie and belonging! I knew I had to be a part of it. So I approached the stage master. Of course, he said no. So I came back the next day, and the day after that. Told him I'd do anything. Sweep floors. Lift heavy objects. I didn't care."

Jorin grinned.

"My persistence paid off. I started out a stagehand, I only later rose to be an understudy. There's a lot of hard work that goes into making a stage performance successful! It's not just acting, there's maintenance on props, making sure that the troupe's supplies are within reason, and of course, hours and hours of setting up backdrops, only to be told you got the wrong one."

Jorin stopped, as he stared up at a large, imposing looking tower.

"Hey, what's this place?" he asked curiously.

[Vanari]

Vanari followed Jorin's gaze, squinting against the midday sun as she scanned the smooth walls and spiral staircases of the Stormwardens' tower.

"Ah, that happens to be Zulrav's Tower, where the Stormwardens live and work, " she explained. "It's a popular place of sorts, especially for stargazing. But you have to be extra careful when you're up at the top..." She leaned in close, lowering her voice to a spooky murmur. "People say the wind up there as a mind of its own, and will shove you right off if your death happens to catch its fancy!"

Vanari didn't get to see Jorin's reaction as, right at that moment, a flash of metal winked under the glare of the sun in her peripheral. She blinked, thinking it was a trick of light, but--there, it winked again! Her head swiveled around, trying to catch the source of the irritating flashes, if only so she could glare passive aggressively at the person responsible.

After a moment or two, she managed to lock her sights on the culprit: a young Akalak, tossing his Lakan up into the air like a toy and catching it again in the nick of time. All around him, others were either laughing and slapping him on the shoulders or watching silently, unimpressed.

Vanari narrowed her eyes. The owner of the twisted Lakan had enormous muscles of deep purple and wore his Mohawk neatly plaited on either side, but what caught her attention most was his disturbingly familiar, white-toothed grin. She couldn't help but be reminded of one spring morning, three years ago in front of the butcher shop, where a certain Akalak guard had a certain Vantha cornered like a clever cat would a helpless mouse...

By the time she realized she had been staring far too long, it was too late. The One Man Act had noticed, and he was striding towards them, sheathing his Lakan mid-stride with one swift motion.

"Oh, Gods. Jorin, hide!"

Vanari ducked behind the young actor, peeking from his shoulders as she watched the Akalak rapidly approach. It didn't occur to her until much later that he was a terrible hiding spot, as she was at least half a hand taller than him, nor did her cowering behind him very much allow for the young man to act on her command himself. Unfortunately, the Vantha possessed zero grace when it came to sudden, embarrassing social situations and therefore almost always ended such things with some kind of deranged fiasco.

"I can see you, little mouse," the Akalak grinned. "Why are you hiding? I've never bit you now, have I? Hell, I even made you the finest breakfast in all of Riverfall! Only to have you scurry off before you could keep your promise. Now why must you hurt me so, sweet Vee?"

"Ummm," Vanari struggled, her mind stuck in an endless field of nothing.

"And who is this? Your new public disguise?"

"He is not, and he happens to be a famous actor, so leave him be!" she spewed out of no where. Well, at least he would be in the future. Or, hoped to be...Wait a minute. Great Morwen. That's it! She knew the perfect place to show Jorin! But first, there was this big purple problem to take care of. Gods, he was absolutely the last person she thought she'd bump into.

"Hey, Korin, how about a deal?"

The Akalak scoffed. "Why would I make a deal with you, when all you're going to do is run off again as soon as my end is delivered?"

"Cause, it's a promise..." Vanari lamely answered. "Alright, fine. What's it gonna take for you to let us take a peek at The Door?"

"Ooh, now that's gonna cost ya," he grinned. "Same thing you owed me last time, before you up and poofed, that is."

Vanari ground her teeth, but she had to admit it was worth it, unlike her last deal. "Fine."

"Some special friend you got there, to make such a fine deal for just a little peek at The Door," Korin noted as he lead them confidently through the streets, an exuberant spring in his steps.

"He'll appreciate it, unlike those other clueless tourists," Vanari simply responded, then grinned from ear to ear as she turned to Jorin. "Sorry for changing destinations so suddenly, but you're going to love it. It's created some of the best stories that ever existed in Mizahar!"