Location The Magistrates Office, Apply for Freeborn Status

[Kel Tempest]

Day 45th of Summer in the Year 415 AV


Irritation plastered itself across the Svefra’s face as he stomped down the hallway towards the Magistrate’s Office, trident pole strapped diagonally across his back with a bit of rope he worked into a harness, the pronged portion of his weapon unscrewed and hanging from his sash.


Kel stopped outside the door seething, eyes boring holes into the wood. The thought of becoming the cities property via brand caused his stomach to churn. He was owed by no man. But yet, he remained powerless in the city without it.


The only way he was going to obtain more power and wealth in Kenash was by giving up a small portion of his pride. In exchange, it would allow him to start building his reputation and hopefully force the citizens of the vile city to take him seriously.


He snarled and flexed his hand in anticipation as he stood rooted just outside the closed door, bouncing on the balls of his toes. Tydus’ face floated in front of him as he remembered his podmate's advice after they talked over his plans for finding work as a mercenary.


Kel tried his best to erase the irritation from his face, the snarl settling into a grim line. He tried to loosen the tightened muscles in his back and cracked his neck.


It was now or never.


The Svefra reached for the doorknob and turned it, the door swinging open. A woman sat behind a desk in the middle of the lavishly decorated room. She looked up as he entered, asking him how she could help.


Teeth clenched, Kel did his best to relax his jaw and smile.


“Aye, I’ll be needin’ ta’ get me a Freeborn brand n’ work.”


The woman nodded once and handed him a form to fill out.


Kel looked down at it and narrowed his eyes. Almost immediately he realized his irritation was showing and he blinked a few times to clear it.


“Yeh’…I don’t write yehr’ petc- uhh, language…Yehr’ gonna needa’ ta' do it…”


Kel had the grace too look slightly embarrassed, the back of his neck turning red. The woman looked at him coolly, not saying a word but taking the slip of paper from him. She dipped a quill in the ink and held it poised, ready for him to speak.


He met her gaze and spoke, trying to keep his voice as level as he could.


Name: Kel Tempest
Age: 23
Place of Birth: Stormbrewer, Suvan Seas
Job Title Seeking: Advanced Mercenary
Freeborn Status: Yes
Relevant Skills: Trident, Kukri, Acrobatics, Unarmed, Intimidation


After a few moments, the woman nodded and set the quill down. She reached over towards the hot coals and pulled one from the fire.


Kel grit his teeth and held out his hand.


This was going to hurt.

[Vice]

Nickolai Marin: Arrangements have already been made for your job, and your Freeborn status is approved. Enjoy Kenash!

Kel Tempest:

A frown pursed Rachel's lips as she looked at the young man before her. Sitting at her desk, she had been sorting out paperwork and otherwise occupied, but his words caught her attention. He lacked the ability to write, which was a tremendous problem in the city, but his skills, rather numerous and applicable to the profession he sought out, were sought after. The tattoo upon his forearm also alerted her to his status as a Svefra, which made the transition all the easier,

"Yes, yes. That is all well and good, Mr. Tempest. However, until you learn to read, at the very least, your pay with the city of Kenash will be reduced due to the inconvenience of being unable to offer you written contracts.

Your tasks, due to your illiterate nature, will be primarily focused in the Sea of Grass. To my knowledge, Mr. Alfred Lancaster and other mercenaries are always looking for assistance dealing with the Zith threat.

Thank you. Please step into the other room for your brand."

Sizzling flesh and iron cast upon the flesh of both men on their respective days.

Both of you: You will have a burn on the wrist of your left arm, which can be covered and tended to, but not tampered with or removed. The healing process will take four weeks, and upon the completion of the healing process, this mark can no longer be covered or hidden from view. To do so is a crime punishable by exile.

[Tydus Tempest]

.

45th of Summer, 514

The Tempest scion found that he was betraying his beliefs for the sake of wealth. It was the most obvious thing to do. Tydus' world no longer needed to hinge upon the values of the old world. The marks upon one's skin being of deep, personal value and strong relational ties was an absurdity. Much like the ambitions within the Tempest's heart, the Svefra's skin would be a tapestry of his finest desires. His faith. His thoughts immediately sprung to the Oceanus upon his shoulder. Laviku's passage upon his body was unhindered and utterly appreciated. The Tempest would not relinquish his faith in his Gods.

But, his faith in his family. The Tempest bore his Pod's mark of shame upon his forearm. No longer was it a beacon of remembrance, but a life that he would much rather leave behind. His brother, Kel, perhaps felt differently or did not care at all. Rather, the young man sought to move forward. This brand, this mark upon his flesh, it would be key to moving forward. Though the brand was, in a way, condemning Tydus to a lesser status, in his opinion, it was false. The Tempest saw how the locals looked at him, he knew how difficult it was for him to survive in the city without it.

Tydus had a welling intention to survive here. To live here, perhaps, in some future. Tydus Tempest was no longer going to be one who lived for a dead Pod, but a man who lived for his faith, and just as importantly, for himself. The Svefra shook his head as he cast the memories of his fallen podmates; brothers, sisters, and lovers all lost to the depths of the sea. He pushed them aside in favour of what could be as he pushed open the doors to the office of the Magistrate. Kel had left earlier in the day to do the same thing, and when Tydus had seen the proof upon his wrist, he decided to come, as well.

The Tempest took a seat at the desk, directly facing the rather pretty young lady that headed the office, a smile cast upon his features as he inflected intonations of friendliness upon his words. A sharp and conscious

"Good afternoon, lass. I wan' to get the mark of a Freeborn, of course."

The woman pursed her lips for a moment, as if attempting to divine a sort of vague familiarity. For a moment, Tydus feared that Kel had come into the place and ruined Tydus' chance, but she seemed to pass it off as nothing,

"Take the form, fill it out, if you can. Then hand it back to me and we'll see to your branding."

The Tempest inscribed upon the paper provided, as requested:

Name: Tydus Tempest
Age: 22
Place of Birth: Waverunner's Fist, East of Zeltiva.
Job Title Seeking: Merchant, Trader by Sea. Sailor by Request.
Freeborn Status: Yes
Relevant Skills: Persuasion, Negotiation, Socialization, Sailing, Swimming.

The Tempest, after he submitted his application, awaited the young woman's appraisal.

Moments passed as the woman read over his application, a slow nod moving her head before she motioned to an adjacent room,

"Enter through there, make sure that your hand and wrist are exposed. Try not to cry."

The request certainly did not make him feel better about what lay ahead, but the Svefra gritted his teeth and stepped forward, into the room.

Fratava | Common | Vani
.

[Arkalin Konrath]

Name: JAcques Redundo
Age: 25
Place of Birrh: Kenash
Job tile seeking: None
Freeborn status: Yes
Skills: Fighting and Combat

Filling out his form, Jacques handed it to the receptionist.

[Vice]

Jacques:

"This tells me very little," were the first words to escape Rachel's lips as she looked down at form in front of her. This man walked into the Office of the Magistrate with what she perceived as ignorance. He did not come prepared, nor with any sort of direction. In essence, he was not welcome in the city as a Freeborn.

The woman frowned and tossed the paper in the waste bin to her right,

"I cannot accept your application. You seek no employment and tell us naught of your utility aside from 'fighting and combat', which are, incidentally, the same thing. You do not strike me as the sort that belongs in the city of Kenash, though you are welcome to prove me wrong." She stared at Jacques with a stern gaze, her gaze meeting that of one of the guards stationed at the door.

[Arkalin Konrath]

"Dang it." Jacques thought to himself, "Should have been more descriptive." He began to furiously think of ways to get out of this mess. Finnaly an idea came to him.

Looking the receptionist, Rachel, in the eye. Jacques told her, "Sorry Madame, what if I redo this quickly! I was in a rush to get out in order to meet with a friend!"Jacques hastily spoke as he watched her eyes drift over to those of the guard, as if an unseen word was spoken between the two of them. After following her gaze, Jacques spoke aloud, "I can assure you that I won't be a problem of any sort."

[Eivl]

Finding her way into the Magistrate's Office, Eivl looked around carefully at the big white room. It truly was fitting of its name, though she suspected the room behind the heavy-looking cyphrus wood door was the actual Magistrate's Office. She could not really imagine a finer room than this, and would happily live here if it wasn't crawling with people of all sorts with their inquiries and forms. Frankly, she felt very out of place here in her chemise and corset. She was worried her application might be turned down for being underdressed. "Good day, how may I help you?" asked Rachel Sorhond, the Magistrate's Assistant. It was a well-seasoned tone, and Eivl got the impression that she'd said that exact phrase at least a thousand times now. Eivl saw the brazier on the table with the pokers, and shuddered a little. She hoped that contact with water did not count as 'touching' the brand as she did enjoy swimming. "Yes, excuse me, I'd like to register as a freeborn in Kenash please." Eivl said, as quickly and clearly as she could. She was handed a form, which she filled out in a similar fashion. Name: Eivl Age: 17 Place of Birth: Abura Job Title seeking: Engraver (Apprentice) Freeborn Status:(yes or no) Yes Relevant skills: Etching (26, Competent) Do you have any slaves that are coming in with you from outside of Kenash: No Eivl handed the pen and paper back swiftly, so as to show the very busy Assistant that she did not want to waste time either. "That's pronounced 'eye-vuhl'. If that is sufficient, I should like to have the mark on my left hand, on the back, so as to not hinder any potential work I might have." Eivl said, smiling good-naturedly.

[Catriona]

. 20th day of Fall, 514 AV Having spent a nearly three weeks in Kenash, Catriona decided to stay. She walked into the magistrates office and asked for an application form for freeborn status. "Application for freeborn status, please." she said smiling. The blonde lady behind the counter nodded and handed her a clip board to fill out. "Just hand that in when you're done." Application : Name: Catriona Scott Age: 21 Place of Birth: Zeltiva Job Title seeking: Reimancer Freeborn Status: yes Relevant skills: Reimancy (earth and water) Do you have any slaves that are coming in with you from outside of Kenash: No

[Viszragoneszh]

The Application (4th day of Fall, 514) Several bells after his arrival, Goneszh had finished with the Traveler's Complex and headed across the street to the Magistrate's office. He was not about to invest much of his modest savings until he knew what status he could hope to enjoy here. There was much about this town that held promise. As a freshwater Iyvess, the swampy environment and warm weather were a balm. Of course, he'd have to be very discreet about shifting to enjoy it in chosen form. It was loose and open, most anything being "legal", up until that point that it became a detriment to one of the big families, or 'Dynasties' as he heard them called. Best of all, he could supposedly avoid the risk of slavery by applying for what was apparently called 'Freeborn' status. This was his immediate purpose now. Secure status, find work, find a place to stay. He knew he could stay at the Traveler's Complex during this transitional stage, but he wanted out of there as quickly as possible. It's floor plan reminded him all too much of a detention center, and he'd heard rumors of it becoming that very thing for people that tarried too long in establishing themselves. He traveled the tree-lined corridor to the pillared manse, and paused a moment before entering. 'This is it.' he said to himself. 'Remember, you are a human, same as them. If they ask for your race, you are Benshiran, "Goneszh of the tent of Viszra". If any ask for the follow-up, it can be "of the children of Havid".' He was used to avoiding the tell-tale "S" of Dhani speech. He'd long established a story of a "stuttering" malady to account for it. Giving him not only a reasonably believable excuse for the sound, but an equally understandable reason why he avoided words with "s"es in them. His common suffered somewhat as a result, but often he obtained a bit of "s-ss-sympathy" in exchange. The woman at the large desk was curt, if not brusk, and they quickly arrived at the point where she handed him an application form. It was simple, and he was relieved to find that race was not one of the factors that was inquired about. However, the question of age was, as ever, a point he would have to lie about. He was one hundred, thirty six years old. He would put down sixteen and claim to have not noticed the ink's failure to flow on the number three, if it came to it. He handed back the form. Name: Goneszh, of the tent of Viszra Age: 16 Place of Birth: Eyktol Job Title seeking: Spiritist Freeborn Status: (yes or no) Yes Relevant Skills: Spiritism Do you have any slaves that are coming in with you from outside of Kenash?: No

[Adhara]

Time Stamp: 13th of Fall 514 A.V

It was Adhara's first day in Kenash and all she wanted to do was get this pain over with. Standing outside the door, there was a gentle breeze flowing past her. The night had just begun and she was in her Ethaefal form. Waiting outside of the door, in her long dress, she smoothed down the creases carefully and the satin fabric returned to it's clean state. It was true, she was nervous. Adhara knew how important it was for her especially to get this.

A slave was returning from wherever it was he had been. He stopped for a minute, staring at the horned beauty. There was a large burn on the side of his face and she felt sympathy for the man. Everything on his face read signs of fatigue and restlessness. Wincing as he walked towards the door to get it for her, it was obvious he was injured. " I can open a door, no need for you to do it for me." Adhara's silver eyes locked his and he said nothing but nodded.

Grasping the handle, twisting it and pushing forward she walked in. Taking the exquisite office she focused. Her posture was straight and walked elegantly. Adhara was sophisticated and came to the office for a purpose, there was no time to waste in her opinion. She was asked a simple question, Adhara was quick to answer, it was clear the woman had much to do other than spend her ticks dilly dallying. "I am applying for a Free Born status." Right away she was handed a simple form, to which she read quickly and filled it out quicker than she read if not faster.

Returning the quill to its ink and Ahdara held out the application. There was a simple smile on her lips that meant nothing special, just a thanks for her cooperation.

Name: Adhara
Age: 25
Place of Birth: Zeltiva Waters
Job Title seeking: Fortune Teller
Freeborn Status:Yes
Relevant skills: Fortune Telling (26), Aurstics (11)
Do you have any slaves that are coming in with you from outside of Kenash: No