While he waited for his submission to be accepted or refused, the hunter turned about and watched as a number of others steadily introduced themselves to the scribe, so that they might join the expedition into the caves. The first to come was a disturbing specter that introduced itself - himself, really - as Noaru. Blackness seemed to permeate the air about the ghost, sending Roderick's mood into a downward spiral. Dragging his eyes away from the grim sight, he focused instead on the next entrant, seeing a pair of familiar shapes drawing near. At first the hunter was sure he was seeing things, so he blinked one or twice in the hopes of clearing away anything that had covered his eyes. No matter how much he blinked though he knew the ghosts would still be there. What had been the boy's name? Shiyari? Shiyamu? No, Shiyami - that had been the name.
The grim boy - in truth a far older being than the hunter - seemed to be suffering - in as much as a ghost could suffer - because of the young girl he was with, who led him along by the hand towards the scribe. It seemed that no matter what Shiyami did the girl was determined he was going there, so eventually the old ghost decided to go along with things and sign himself up to take part in the expedition., with a little girl leading him along by the hand. Stepping - floating, rather - forward, he said, "Hello there. I am Shiyami Toten...", the girl prodded him, "...and this here is Kimi. Is this where we sign up?" In the silence that followed Roderick considered approaching the ghost and greeting him, but then he considered the fact that he had quite nearly forgotten about the challenge they'd agreed to. Though in truth he hadn't forgotten; he'd simply been pushing it back more and more, never satisfied that he was ready for the challenge. Maybe it was about time he got to it.
The flurry of thoughts faded soon after someone else came along to sign up - this one wonderfully whole and solid. Looking the newcomer over, Roderick noticed the dark red of the man's hair, and the confident way he held himself. Clearly he was no high-ranking man, judging from the state of the roughspun clothes he'd garbed himself in; there were dark stains on the sleeves of his shirt and his boots were well-worn. Feeling more comfortable talking with this man than either of the ghosts that lingered nearby, he waited until the workman - assumed from the markings of hard labouring - had moved away from the desk before he made his way over. In that time the man had started talking to Shiyami and the ghost's young companion - her name eluded him right then, "...daughter isn’t coming along with us is she? I don’t mean to question you, but I understand that the Aylasa Caves are dangerous…” it seemed the man hadn't quite realized the two people he was talking to were dead. As that detail began to dawn on him Roderick quickly stepped in to intercede, feeling a bit of pity for the man's predicament; talking with ghosts wasn't overly relaxing. Nodding in greeting to Shiyami, then finding a little smile coming to his lips as he nodded to the little girl at his side, he finally nodded at the workman "Well met." He smiled and crossed his arms casually, leaning his weight on one leg, "Good to hear your coming along too."he scratched his arm through the wool of his shirt, "So, this the first time you're all going into a cave?" he looked at Shiyami then, "You've probably been in a few in your time, mm?" addressing them all he said, "I had a look in one or two back home, but never properly, with all the gear you'd need."
While he was waiting for a reply he heard another man draw near and turned about to see an interesting fellow; dressed in travel robes, he walked over to the scribe, quarterstaff in hand, asking if there was a place for him in the expedition. Looking around briefly the man laid his eyes across the three ghosts, then Roderick, finally connecting to the man the hunter was talking to. Nodding in greeting at the newly arrived man, Roderick smiled and said, "Good t' meet you." before turning his attention back towards the workman, "Friend o' yours?" he gave a slight gesture with his head at the robed man, "My name is Roderick, by the way. The ghost lad here is Shiyami, and the girl is..." he closed his mouth and frowned briefly as he thought, "...Kimi." He said after a few moments, giving an apologetic look to her, "I'm terrible with names." the hunter told her quietly, leaning down to her height. Straightening he turned his gaze about the entire group, waiting for them to say something. |
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