You Are Where (Sanity Center)

by **Lu Gavima** on July 11th, 2015, 3:41 pm

20th of Summer, AV 515

Lu had not noticed too much difference from the gates of the city. Everything seemed earthen and Alvadas seemed to descend below. A dizzying sight, but no more than the view from the ground up to the five peaks of Lhavit. Frankly, he expected everything to be moving around, from the descriptions he had heard from others. It was surprisingly..plain. There was a building with a sign stating that it was the Sanity Center. Looking at it, he did notice that as much as the surrounding area seemed earthen and stable, the Center appeared even more solid. Walking up to the building, he tapped the threshold with his staff, then tapping the ground outside of it. They seemed completely identical, in regards of reality. Lu found this amazing. Of course, this was where the God of Illusion dwelt. He knew that once he had established himself in Alvadas, the study of reality and its subjective nature would be his new business.

Entering the center, it was fairly quiet, though there were many piles of papers and books and the like inside. This made sense as well, because if anything of value or use was put down outside of the walls, it could very well be gone for some time. There was a woman at a desk that seemed very stressed. Placing his staff against a nearby corner, he approached and stood next to the chair provided. He would remain quiet until spoken to, his once proud Shinya robes were faded and frayed. His feet were sore. His resolve, however, was as strong as ever.

by **Fable** on August 1st, 2015, 8:55 pm

Once Upon a Time…

Serenity glanced up from her work as the man entered the Center. There was so much she had yet to do, and as the man took a stoic stance beside one of the few chairs meant for those who had time to spare to wait, the one who did not have time to spare gave the man a friendly, though haggard smile, before shoving her nose back into the ink filled pages of various forms and files. It took her about half a chime before she finally set the quill to the side with a small puff of air that pushed back the bouncing bangs of her coiled curls. "Well! Welcome to Alvadas! I think. I think you're new, aren't you?" She wiped her hands on her pants, the ink leave a few smears here and there to join the countless others before them. Extending both hand and smile, she shook the man's hand, her grip benign but firm none the less. "I am Serenity Berel. If you have any questions about the city or the culture or..." She was loathe to suggest locations. "Or anything like that, I am happy to help."

Withdrawing her hand she tilted her head, a small frown of concentration playing at her lips. "I... I know I've seen those robes before somewhere. Do you mind if I ask where you're from?" There was never a time she was not busy, and there were even fewer times when she asked a question she didn't want to know the answer to. Her job was to acclimate foreigners and natives alike to the city's impossibilities, and while it was job she felt hardly suited for, there were things she had picked up upon over the years that had indeed made it a far more manageable task. One of those things was as proper an understanding of a newcomer's background as she could manage to better suit how she might explain things.

by **Lu Gavima** on August 3rd, 2015, 6:37 am

He was pleased to meet someone. When taking her hand into his own, he was immediately aware of the warmth and texture of her skin. It had been a long, long time since he had touched another person at all. His work with Projection and his use of a staff in battle generally kept others at arm's length. He had only really ever made one friend and he literally had no clue if he would ever see Pain again. He withdrew his hand as easily, taking her name into his mind. Serenity Berel. A scribe and an administrator. Something that Lu was very familiar with. He only felt sympathy for her as she seemed to be the only one working.

His initial smile faded only slightly when she made mention of his robes. Looking down, he tried to pat and straighten them, though his long journey had taken the spring from his step and the luster from his fabrics. Looking at her intently, he explained. "I am...or was Shinya, the sworn protectors of Lhavit and Lady Zintila. I left my post in order to learn more about the world of Mizahar so that I may one day return to my former glory wiser and more knowledgeable. There is only so much we can learn from books and maps. Yes?" He took the opportunity to take a seat in the chair before him, feeling that this was a suitable response in order to begin the bureaucratic process. Also, his feet were very gracious for the relief.

He crossed one leg over the other, his ankle on his knee. He began to slowly roll it, glad to have the tension relieved there. "I need to know where I am supposed to stay, if there is such a resource for travelers. I have a hammock and can make my own way, but a city with no real boundaries might have laws or rules that I do not understand. I also need to work, to serve a purpose here and help the city so I may support myself. Lhavitians do not believe in charity. Everyone works. In that same vein, I may need to exchange my kina for traveler coin or mizas, whichever is suitable." He placed the one foot on the ground, its throbbing beginning to subside. Crossing the other leg over, he began the process with the other foot and ankle.

"I am proficient in both invesitgation and combat, as those were the primary tools of the Shinya. I am also well versed in the use of Projection. All Shinya are trained in the discipline and I have made it part of my life's work. I have sought out the city of Alvadas in order to understand the nature of my self and the reality of things. It is more clear here to me to be able to find these things here. All things are inherently illusion, so why not dwell in its heart?" His other foot reached the ground and he sat straight, awaiting a response from Serenity.

by **Fable** on August 3rd, 2015, 8:25 am

Once Upon a Time…

There was a slight pause, as if the woman's mind had taken a tick to either shut down or restart, before she nodded. "Ah... Right. Yes. I suppose so!" As the ex-Shinya took his seat, Serenity followed suit, settling into the chair behind her large wooden desk and setting her elbows on its surface to support the weight of both her head and the tinges of pink coloring her embarrassment. Fortunately for the two of them, the man continued on with what he required of her. There were too many questions in a day for all the proper answers, and she offered him a grateful smile before settling in to listen to what he had to say.

At the mention of projection, her smile faded some, though she remained silent until Lu had finished. The very last sentence, however, did bring a bit of an amused curl to the woman's lips before she spoke once more. This time, her words weren't quite as hurried, nor did she seem quiet so harried. "I've heard of the Shinya before, maybe even met some." She tilted her head, voice drifting thoughtful a tick. "Or maybe not?" Shaking her head, Serenity continued. "Alvadas doesn't have much of a place for magic." Having touched on the subject as much as she was comfortable with, Serenity brushed it aside.

"Now then!" Back into her element, the speed of her words increased, though there were a few points of wavering confidence here and there which she compensated for with a bout of nervous laughter. "You're free to stay anywhere within the city, in whatever capacity, though I'd personally suggest the Cubacious Inn. It's... Well, it's exactly what it sounds like. Very blocky. Lovely owners." The door opened, allowing a young man with wild hair and an even more wild gait darted in, dropping off a stack of disheveled papers onto Serenity's desk. He gave the two of them a curt, terse nod before dashing back out. "Thank you, Lewis!" She offered the closing door a slight wave before turning back towards Lu with a weary smile. "Job requests, I'd imagine."

Snapping her fingers, another little trickle of laughter slipped through her lips. "Oh well, that's a bit prodigious, don't you think?" Picking up the papers, she leafed through them, absentmindedly muttering as she did so. "Information gathering... hired help... mm..." As she did so, a drawer was pulled open with her free hand, and a sack of coins was set on the table. "From today's requests, I don't see a whole lot for your skill set specifically, though merchants are always hiring muscle to protect outgoing goods. There are groups dedicated to surveying... A few scribes here and there. There's almost always someone looking for an extra hand to copy ledgers and the like, if that's the sort of thing that interests you." She picked up another pile of papers, casually flicking through them, eyes dancing across the various scripts with speedy precision. "Dockhands, messengers, couriers, general labor..." She glanced up from the papers, brow raised. "Any of these interesting you?"

by **Lu Gavima** on August 3rd, 2015, 10:09 am

While Lu was pleased to hear that Serenity had met Shinya before, he found that her disinterest in magic troubling. It was a part of life in Lhavit, but as it seemed it was not so welcomed in the city of Illusion, he felt he would just keep this information to himself in the future. Fortunately, before things became too stagnant or somber, her mood just sprang back to that of levity and purpose, a change that Gavima appreciated. He was also glad to hear that he could sleep anywhere, though the Cubacious Inn sounded like a good plan if the city decided to be so chaotically amorphous that it became a liability to sleep outside. He noted the mention of its shape and would make a point to seek it out.

A young man then burst into the room, a whirlwind of activity carrying a stack of papers for Serenity. Lu straightened up and smiled, though the young man was clearly focused on his tasks, a thing the former Shinya could appreciate. She had job requests, giving him a feeling that he could find work and a place to sleep. All that he would need for the next few seasons. When the sack of coins came out, he produced his own sack and placed it on the desk next to hers. " I have eighty one kina. I am not sure if the exchange rate is equal or not, having never been anywhere but my own city." He trusted her, generally being a good judge of character.

He listened to the choices and found himself unsure of how to proceed. He didn't think he wanted to settle for being 'muscle'. It seemed too much like the thugs he had protected his own people from. He wasn't sure what surveying was, his eyebrows raising in interest. There were scribes, which he could probably benefit from, but he could feel his body weakening at the thought of long days inside cramped by a desk. Her short list of laborers and messengers came and he thought long and hard about it. He didn't want to seem ungrateful but this might dictate what he did for the rest of his time there so he wanted to make sure he chose wisely. "What is surveying? That sounds interesting. If I am not qualified for it, I would do whatever you thought I was suited for. I'd rather not be muscle but I would like to be outside. If I must be a laborer, I am alright with that, but I feel like I could offer more. You have seen many people come and go. What did the other Shinya do? What is your opinion?" He hoped his questions weren't annoying. He was just ready to get out of her hair and get to work on his new life.

by **Fable** on August 3rd, 2015, 6:34 pm

Once Upon a Time…

"One to one!" Her nimble hands were quick to begin the exchange of coins, a motion that required little of her attention so that she could focus on the questions that followed. Her lips dipped into a slight frown of thought before she shook her head. "Other Shinya have come before you, I think, but I can't remember any of them taking up residence or work." With the money exchanged and politely pushed back towards the Lhavitian, Serenity squinted in thought. "I think you might find surveying to be interesting, especially here in Alvadas."

She pulled several sheets of paper from a stack nearby and set them down between them. "I'm not really an expert when it comes to all the job descriptions we have available, but as a surveyor, you would essentially scope out areas for... Well, just about anything, I think." She picked one of the papers out of those laid out and handed to him. "If you're wanting my personal recommendation for a job you might be more inclined towards, I'd seek out Maxwell Gaiser. He's been looking for an assistant in his work, and... Well, I think the two of you might get along better than anyone else I've sent to him these past few seasons."

Setting the sack of coins back into it's proper place and ferreting away the traded kina, Serenity began to sort the papers the errand boy had left earlier. Her voice had gathered some distance, and her hands once more returned to the task at hand and beyond, but there was still the indication that should he still require help she would offer it. "Is there anything else I can-" She paused, snapping her fingers and shaking her head. "I almost forgot. If you're interested in Alvadas or its culture or... Really, just about anything a step above a common thought, I would suggest seeking out the Scholarly Abode of Intellectual Pursuits. They're a bit... codgey, but I think you might benefit from their rants once in a while." She offered a friendly, though weary smile, before give a curt nod. "Now, was there anything else you needed?"

Job Request :

by **Lu Gavima** on August 4th, 2015, 1:17 am

It was a blessing indeed that the kina and the miza were equal in value. Lu silently sent a prayer to Zintila and Lhavit, thanking both for the kina's creation. A polite smile followed as he also followed with his eyes until he had his own sack returned full of the foreign coin. It wasn't that he didn't trust Serenity. He just had no other funds for the time being and he needed every one to secure a future in the city of Illusion.

He heard the name Maxwell Gaiser and the mention of a job as an apprentice surveyor. It sounded like an excellent job, fitting into his desires to seek out the boundaries of Illusion itself and find the Truth within. This job could literally leave him attempting to measure and examine Illusion directly and be paid for it. He also took note of this Abode. It sounded like the kind of place that he could seek out and find similarly tuned minds, primed to seek out the essence of Truth within the Grand Mystery.

He was forgetting himself. Appropriate considering, but still. A few blinks and he stood from the chair. " I accept this position and thank you for your assistance, Serenity. If I may ever be of assistance, please let me know. I believe I will be staying at the Cubacious Inn,so you or your couriers can find me there." He stood straight and bowed fully to Serenity in full Shinya fashion before rising and taking his staff in hand. "Please let Master Gaiser know I will be seeing him tomorrow at sunrise." He turned and stepped out of the solidity and sanity and into the Illusion.

by **Fable** on August 16th, 2015, 3:12 am

Once Upon a Time…

She watched the young man depart, chewing on the tip of a quill she'd absent-mindedly picked up from her desk. There was a brief moment where she almost spoke, almost warned him that "sunrise" was going to be a difficult time to pinpoint in Alvadas, but she let him leave. Some things were better to be experienced than explained. Instead, she pulled a fresh sheet of parchment from one of the many stacks about her, dipping the tip of her quill into the ink before setting to pen a letter that, she was certain, would reach Maxwell well before Lu ever would.

Maxwell,
I've just had a conversation with a young man from Lhavit. He seems capable enough, but he's got it into his head that he can find you. I would suggest stopping by the Inn sometime within in the season and asking for him. About five feet and a handful of inches, shaven head, disciplined demeanor. He's contemplative, Maxwell, a bit like you. Do give him a chance.
All the best,
Serenity

Taking a chime to let the ink dry, Serenity folded the paper, setting it into an envelope before sealing and marking it with a faded iron ring. Once that was done, she set it on the edge of her desk, one of the first of many letters to be sent out before the day was over. Before she could settle into her well over-due work once more, the door open and her frazzled smile returned, ready to deal with yet another visitor.

Grade Awarded!

Skills

Lores

Consequences

+A letter from Maxwell Gaiser
Comments

I'll be sending a PM to update your SS thread shortly, as well as get the NPC posted for you. Welcome to Alvadas!

Closed You Are Where (Sanity Center)