[Residence] Home is so quiet when it's empty. [Open]

[Kel'tha Raveti]

Beginning in he Month of Kalendryas, in the Season of Winter, Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum. Continuing throughout Winter.


Such a deliciously cold morning, Winter held the best of the years mornings. So crisp with the early morning due frosting each blade of grass, each leaf edge. Walking would create a crunch that sent chills wrapping about the spindly pins of the early morning dwellers. A small breeze stirred the frozen vegetation, the last dead flower heads falling casually from their stems before being crushed into the walkway. Winter had certainly taken its hold, grasping hard at everything in the city.

After an early morning run, brisk and fresh from the routine tour of the residential area of Jaedaxia, the empty home called to its owner, waiting to be filled with the smell of cheap coffee and day old toasted bread.

It was stylish enough on the outside, a few families living around about in the same building. Two up, two down, tucked away in the corner, facing in the general direction of the sea. The rusted latch on the internal door acted as the greatest of locks, unless experienced, one would never get in without brining the entire door off its hinges. The corridor echoed horribly with the scrapping sound of metal against metal.

Early morning bathed the one roomed hovel in white light, illuminating the meagre 'luxuries' that dotted on various surfaces. With the kettle filled and placed upon the ancient stove, it was finally time to sit down and think over the tasks at hand. Employment was finally needed, after all these months of living with another and not having to pay for anything, it had all so suddenly changed for the worse. Still, breakfast was required first, the battered kettle whistling hotly as it waited to be relieved of its contents. Bread crackled on the coals and a nearly empty jar of preserve waited patiently.

Coffee in one hand, toast in the other, it was time to create a plan of action. Employment was most important, but so was gathering up some supplies for the difficult times in the next few weeks. Decisions, decisions. Already the mind began to wander to unlikely possibilities, actor, bard, a political position perhaps, Thane, Governor? The possibilities were so far fetched it was laughable. Shaking away such thoughts, it was time to continue with the task at hand. Breakfast.

Trying to decide what to wear, Kel'tha eyed herself in the mirror. Alabaster locks that seemed to sit haphazardly out from the skull whenever dampened, waved down into a slender, well muscled form. She was considered pretty, for the most part. Her skin was slightly grey, like a shadow, mixed with the healthy olive tan, giving the most odd pallor, it looked like a permanent shadow of death hung over her.

Eyes are often said to be the gateway into the person's soul. Yet, Kel'tha was always told she had her mother's eyes. People tried to read the young woman via the almond shaped orbs, the deep, dark gold showing nothing but pain and suffering, none of which was her own.

With a sigh, her slightly pointed ears were covered by the red headband once again, the chains and rings in their various places settling under the soft fabrics. Plain brown trousers and open jerkin over a off white shirt cover the majority of the skin, tall boots covering long legs. A small smile flashed white teeth as she headed to the door and into the wide world.

[Thracyn Caldor]

The wind blew in from the sea with just a hint of the salt tang which would be so noticeable if he were on her shores and Thracyn Caldor drew his cloak tighter around him to ward off the biting chill. He had heard, of course, about the severity of Jaedaxian winters when he first arrived in summer but he had put down the tales he had heard as horror stories, told in jest and meant to scare the new arrvial from father south who had somehow made his way to the far north. Well, seeing, and more than that feeling, was believing and the young Medonian watched as his breath crystallized in front of him in little white puffs as he walked through the early brightening chill and reflected that he might start putting more stock in such tales if they kept turning out to be true.

He was not out and about by choice but rather by necessity on this cold morning, his shift patrolling the Jaedaxian streets as one of the members of the Protectorat du Paix having just come to an end. He had not had the opportunity to change yet and so he still wore the blue-and-gold uniform of his profession as he made his way through the quickly-filling streets towards his destination. Thracyn was tired, but not unduly so, he had become used to the darkening patrols and even come to like them after a while, the darkness adding an element of mystery and danger which the suns seemed to burn away with every new brightening. He paused for a moment to let a pastry laden cart manhandled along by two young men pass in front of him. One of the young unfortunates managed a weak nod and Thracyn waved casually, he had no particular place to be and no real goal in mind, except perhaps something hot to drink and a bite of rosyun.

The streets were bustling as he rounded a corner and Thracyn turned quickly to slip through a gaggle of scholachildren being sheparded along by a harried looking older woman. He slipped by, skirting the fronts of the residences he was passing, all inexpensive but rather respectable looking blocks of four. He turned to give a last rueful shake of his head to the chattering horde of children then brought his gaze back to the direction he was going. His mind wandered a bit as he tramped along until a loud "Excuse us!" broke in on his thoughts. Thracyn blinked and nodded once in minor irritation with himself as he stepped out of the way of four men hauling a crate suspended on poles between them. His back was pressed to the outside wall of one of the houses he had noticed earlier, right next to one of the apartment doors, and as he waited for the commotion to pass him by the door suddenly opened.

A young vysstichi woman stepped out, her pallor a stange mix of tan and grey which combined to give her color a unique look. She was dressed simply but capably, and the red headband against her white locks was a vibrant contrast to the rest of her garb, mostly muted browns and tans it appeared. Thracyn turned to meet the woman's gaze, seeing as how he was right next to her door, and found himself smiling unexpectedly when he met the young woman's eyes. A deep golden yellow which seemed rather expressive, even on first impression.

"Serale," he spoke first as he pushed off the outside wall and gave the young woman her space. "Sorry to be prowling like that. It was either that or get trampled." Thracyn's head inclined back towards the still-visible crate bouncing its' uneven way through the crowd by way of explanation, then turned back to regard the young vysstichi before him. His tone was friendly as he extended his right hand to the young woman. "My name's Caldor. Thracyn Caldor."

[Kel'tha Raveti]

Arching a thin eyebrow at the officer grinning at her from outside her doorway, Kel'tha had no idea what to make of the situation. After a few moments of utter confusion, she did no more than return the smile, his words filtering up to her ears as she realised what had happened.
"Ah, here I was thinking I was about to be carted off! It is nice to meet you Officer Caldor." She shook his hand, a strong grip for such a slight looking woman. "Kel'tha Raveti."

He was an interesting face. Almost severe if one would consider his role in the city. The thin scar stood out on his right cheek, clean and white against the human tan. He was taller than her, yet she maintained the advantage of height whilst standing on the top step. His hair looked a little careless, she wondered if it were meant to be so, or had worked its way to its current position.

Stepping lightly down from the top step, flicking a careless lock of her hair back over her shoulder, Kel'tha stepped uncomfortably close to Thracyn. While she had only really live amongst humans, she always held a disregard for public squeamishness.
"I would offer you coffee, but I am fresh out." She wasn't likely to be picking much up soon, her finances were starting to dwindle. "I don't often see you about this part of town sir, finishing your shift?" Kel'tha knew her street was patrolled more heavily at night than during the day. Still, she wondered if he was always in this area.

It was starting to get busy in the street, people making their way to work and so forth. Kel'tha considered going back inside and waiting for it to quiet down again. Still, she was outside in the chill now, might as well make the most of it.

[Thracyn Caldor]

Thracyn watched as the young elvish woman arched a thin eyebrow at his rather unorthodox introduction and seemed to pause for a few moments to decide what to do next. He waited patiently for a few moments until the young woman smiled and took his hand, her grip surprisingly strong given her frame, while introducing herself in turn. At the girl's quip about being carted off he chuckled dryly and shook his head slightly before he spoke.

"Nothing so dramatic I'm afraid. Pleased to meet you Kel'tha," Thracyn let go of the young woman's hand as she flicked an errant lock of her white hair back over her shoulder and descended from her perch on the top step. He studied her in the few seconds it took her to descend the steps in between them. The most obvious fact was her vysstichi heritage and the shade of her skin which hinted she might not be a pure-blooded member of the race. Her hair was pure white and golden eyes regarded him from attractive features as she came to a stop right in front of him, seemingly comfortable with being this close to someone she had just met. Thracyn's eyebrow rose fractionally as he took a discreet half-step back and smiled again at the young woman while she spoke.

"That's right," he answered, surprised at the perceptiveness of the comment. "just finishing up for the darkening. Well, brightening," Thracyn amended as he cast a quick glance around to indicate the bustling streets and emerging sunslight. He turned his gaze back to Kel'tha after a few seconds before he continued on, coming back to her first comment as he said, "Appreciate the offer just the same. I was about to stop at a place I know for rosyun. Care to join me? It's a walk but not a long one."

It was a spur of the moment offer and perhaps a little forward, but Thracyn wasn't going to stand outside in the cold and the girl was very friendly, as evidenced by her earlier offer of coffee. Besides, she seemed like good company, and seeing as his only previous experience with vysstichi involved them luring him out into the countryside in a belated attempt to turn him into orc food, he thought it might be nice to talk to one who seemed so much the opposite. He stood back and regarded Kel'tha from clear blue-grey eyes while he waited for her response.

[Kel'tha Raveti]

A flashing smile and nod as Kel'tha stepped down onto the main street, the crowd seeming to part about her.
"That would be lovely." She replied, eying the crowd she was now part of with slight disdain. What was the point of everyone being out, at the same time! Such things baffled her as multiple, over zealous solutions filled her mind, such as a large horse drawn crowd plough. An inward chuckle shook the thoughts away as she turned to wait for Thracyn.

Although she had already eaten, Kel'tha was still always hungry, she was attempting to make her finances last until she found employment, whenever that would be. She wanted a job outdoors, one that would involve movement and challenges, both mental and physical. It was then that it dawned on Kel'tha and she looked at Thracyn in a new light.

"Tell me, what is it live to be part of the Protectorat du Paix? How did you get such a position in this town, and was it what you always wanted to do with your life?" She was inquisitive, it was sometimes considered downright nosy. Having lived here all her life, she had very few friends left, her parents died a long time ago, there were no siblings to interact with either. So, at the first chance of company, she sprang, all teeth and claws.

Hopefully, Thracyn wouldn't run terrified at the barrage of questions she threw at him. Kel'tha wasn't a real danger, she just looked, like she didn't really belong in the life that she lived.

[Thracyn Caldor]

Thracyn nodded at the quick smile and waited for Kel'tha to finish her descent to street level before he stepped back out into the thickening foot traffic and led the way towards the little place he had in mind. He watched the young vysstichi woman as she seemed to give the growing crowds a small look of disdain before the expression disappeared in her golden eyes and the newly-met pair set out. The Medonian led the way though Kel'tha kept up easily enough with his long strides and as she fell in beside him she spoke again once they had travelled perhaps half a block from her home.

"Tell me, what is it live to be part of the Protectorat du Paix? How did you get such a position in this town, and was it what you always wanted to do with your life?" she asked and Thracyn sent a quick look of bemusement her way before he thought for a moment about his reply. The young woman was certainly shattering all his preconceptions about vysstichi this brightening and she sounded genuinely curious about what his answers might be. Giving the girl an appraising look Thracyn replied a few seconds after she fell silent, "It's rather exciting at times, dreadfully boring at others. I enjoy the exercise and the action," he paused momentarily, surprised at the bald admission to a near-complete stranger before he shrugged internally and continued on, "I got on with the Protectorat not long after I arrived in the city, back in summer. The headquarters is situated here in the Southern Quarter, easy enough to find. We're always looking for a few good men. And women," Thracyn amended with a bit of apology in his tone as they walked along together.

The third part of Kel'tha's question brought another short pause while Thracyn considered. "I don't know if it's what I've always wanted to do, but it suits well enough. It's good work for a good cause, though noone gets rich on a guard's salary. There's nothing else I'd choose to do." he finished as the pair came to a large intersection and paused momentarily to let the wheeled traffic go by. The young Medonian regarded Kel'tha again as they stood and waited. "What about you? What have you always wanted to do with your life?"

It was an unusual first question to be sure, but she had asked first after all and Thracyn found himself intrigued by what the girl's answer might be.

[Kel'tha Raveti]

Nodding as he spoke, his question didn't catch her off guard, instead she had been preparing an answer, mulling over all the idiotic ideas which took up the space in her skull.
"Mmm, I have always wanted to be a personal guard of some kind, skill and family didn't allow. Perhaps, it will change now." She shrugged absently, turning to Thracyn and smiling warmly. "I have so many ideas, I never really seem to stick to one." With a small chuckle she shook such silly thoughts out of her head.

After a few moments of silence Kel'tha stopped and cocked her head to one side, stopping Thracyn with a gentle touch on his arm.
"You think it's silly?"

[Thracyn Caldor]

Thracyn watched as Kel'tha seemed to take his unusual question in stride and come right back with an answer, almost as if she had been mulling it over before he asked. He was intrigued by her response, a personal guard for who, he wondered, and for what purpose, while the young vysstichi woman shrugged slightly and smiled up at him. He turned his attention back to the road ahead while she spoke on and chuckled softly, seemingly at herself. They walked a few more paces in silence before Kel'tha's touch brought Thracyn to a stop.

"You think it's silly?" she asked and his eyes met hers while he answered. "Not silly, no. Just not the way I do things. I guess I don't have as many ideas as you do. Before, though, you said something about skill and family holding you back. Is that still true now?"

Thracyn finished speaking then inclined his head in a silent question as to whether or not Kel'tha was ready to start walking again as the morning crowds moved around the pair. "Just a few more blocks." he promised the friendly young woman.

[Kel'tha Raveti]

Falling into step beside him once again, she shook her head to answer his question before continuing.
"Not now, my parents are dead now, mother more recently passed away than my father. They were good people, too good, I felt I had to stay and protect them, me being the oldest and the only elf in the family, I would outlive the majority anyway. Now, I need to find employment before I can pursue anything, and there is my main concern." She sighed lightly, thronging her way through the slowly dissipating crowd.

"I am not the easiest person to please. I need to be somewhere with a challenge, preferably outdoors, yet, I feel I am no apprentice, nor would I wish to be one at this present moment in time." She chuckled, dark golden eyes swirling. "I think I have ruled out the vast majority of jobs in this city, with just one sentence!" She grinned at Thracyn, beginning to feel pangs of hunger as others meals wafted down from open windows and doors.

OOC: Sorry for the delay, hectic week!

[Thracyn Caldor]

Thracyn listened as Kel'tha explained her recent background, and found himself wondering just what the young vysstichi woman menat when she described her parents as 'too good'. He had had a rather happy childhood himself, all things considered, but he would still never describe either of his parents as 'too' good. It just didn't seem to fit. Still, she must have meant it to say it and he put it down as another piece of the puzzle which the young woman was. The Medonian looked at Kel'tha through new eyes as they walked side by side and she expressed her interest in finding employment. He nodded in the affirmative, at least she had a sensible head on her shoulders about the situation.

"I know how you feel, I'd hate to be cooped up inside all day, chained over some desk or the like," Thracyn replied after Kel'tha had explained what she was looking for in her prospective new career. Her golden eyes seemed to swirl as he caught her gaze for just a moment, then turned his attention back ahead as he spoke again. "Challenging and outdoors, but not an apprenticeship. I think you have done a rather good job of cutting your choices down. It sounds like you'd best be served down at the docks, trying to find work as a sailor on one of the ships moored at the moment, or with the Protectorat du Paix." He matched her smile with one of his own as he led them down one last small front of shops and restaurants before pausing in front of a small cafe, its' wooden door just banging shut behind a exiting patron. "Here we are," he announced as he held the door open for Kel'tha then followed her through.

The cafe was small, but almost immaculately clean, and seven small round tables each with three chairs each comprised all the available floor space, all seven tables served by the cook's wife. A long counter stood three-fourths of the way back of the wooden room, and the smells of breakfast cooking emanated from the large open window of the kitchen behind the counter. Four of the seven tables were already occupied and Thracyn stepped past the young vysstichi woman and led the way to the one closest to the door. After waiting for Kel'tha to sit Thracyn pulled his chair out and gratefully sat down for the first time in some nine candlemarks.

"So have you ever done anything relevant to guard work?" he asked after he had ordered a cup of coffee and waited for Kel'tha to order as well. "Not that it would keep you from joining if you haven't, if that's what you wanted to do, I'm just curious." Thracyn nodded his thanks to the waitress when she delivered the drinks and he took a sip of the steaming hot black coffee before setting the thick ceramic mug down and waiting for Kel'tha to speak.

[Kel'tha Raveti]

Chuckling slightly at the fact his thoughts had matched her own, she seemed to become slightly lost in a thought. Life at sea...Piracy always wound such stories of intrigue, treasure and rum. Not that she was a big drinker, but a whole drink with its own ominous name, amazing. She grinned again, and realised her place, smiling quickly. Piracy, in whatever romantic form, was still illegal.

Guard work on the other hand, Thracyn did have a point, it was exactly what she was looking for in life, outdoors and challenging, not to mention, she knew the majority of the city like the back of her hand. Except the area about the mirror, she had no interest in going there, nightmares were odd enough.

Following him in through the door, she smiled to those that stared at her golden gray form before taking her seat, her bag tucking neatly under her chair. Taking a coffee along with Thracyn, Kel'tha listened to his questions intently, shaking her head grimly in a short answer to his question. The coffee here was better than hers, much better in fact.
"I have no experience other than working with my mother, running errands, washing, you know, all things mothers do." Sipping her coffee again she continued. "I do know the city, though, quite well. I would imagine that would help some?" She shrugged absently, gold eyes surveying the room. "Mmm, what sort of treats do they have here?"

[Thracyn Caldor]

Thracyn noticed that Kel'tha seemed to drift away on a current of thought all her own at his mention of careers that might fit her description and he smiled at the expressions which flitted across the young woman's face as she seemingly played the scenarios out in her head. He wondered what she saw when she imagined a life on the sea and the grin which stretched across her features as she seemed to come back, her golden eyes shining, was somewhat infectious.

After the waitress had departed and returned with two cups of coffee and the young woman had taken a grateful sip of her own dark brew, Thracyn watched as she seemed to weigh his questions heavily before answering. He nodded in agreement when she said something about knowing the city being an asset before he spoke up. "It would help, though it wouldn't matter either way. You're young, fit-looking, and you definitely seem to have a desire to do the work. That's all we really look for in the raw material. The rest of it's all crafting." He smiled at Kel'tha before he took another sip from his mug and thought about her question for a moment, his eyes raised to the ceiling in a picture of concentration.

"Not too diverse a menu I'm afraid, but everything's good. Eggs, toast, hashed potatoes, bacon and sausage, coffee, and fresh sweet buns if you've got room left - or just an inclination to sweets. Any of that sound good?" Thracyn hoped he hadn't dragged the young woman along to somewhere she wouldn't enjoy.

[Kel'tha Raveti]

After a few moments of thought, she voiced her choice of egg and toast, with another helping of coffee as she drained the cup. Kel'tha enjoyed coffee just a little too much. Folding her delicate looking hands over one another she absorbed his words. Protectorate did seem to have it all, everything that she wanted to do in life was there.
"So, how does one apply for such a position? Head straight to Headquarters? Or must I go via the Employment Office?" She didn't like being this clueless. Although, it wouldn't hurt going via the Employment Office anyway, who knows what could be there.

With another coffee, hands wrapped about the ceramic mug. The black liquid was calming and soothing. Kel'tha smiled at Thracyn. "It's odd how opportunity comes up at the most unexpected of times." She chuckled lightly as she sipped her coffee.

[Thracyn Caldor]

Thracyn nodded as Kel'tha placed her order and accepted a mug of her own filled with steaming hot black coffee. He set his mug on the table then leaned back slightly in his chair, finally allowing himself to relax a bit as the young woman across from him spoke again. He smiled a bit at her question, not in a condescending way but in understanding, he remembered the clueless search he had embarked upon when he had arrived in the city looking for various places and he knew there was nothing more frustrating than not being able to find someplace you wanted to go.

"Straight to headquarters is the most direct route, yes. Do you know how to get there?" Thracyn asked as he lifted his mug for another sip before returning it to its' place on the table and smiling in response to Kel'tha's own expression after she spoke again. He nodded in agreement before she spoke, "You're right, it is odd. I've heard the expression it only knocks once, but I think that's a bit pessimistic. You just have to be listening, and have some idea of what you're looking for."

Thracyn smiled quickly at the young vysstichi woman then crossed his arms over his chest comfortably while he waited for the meals to arrive.

[Kel'tha Raveti]

When both plates of food arrived, Kel'tha was silent for a moment as she took a bite of her meal, an odd ritual she had, every thought was directed to that first bite and savoring taste. Golden eyes moved back to Thracyn, not as obviously as she would have liked, she appeared to be looking through him at nothing. It was odd when her eyes acted as though they weren't her own. Chewing thoughtfully, pulling herself back into the room she threw a small smiled and sipped at the coffee.
"Yes, I went there once, I had to find my father and his friend with my mother, it was the first place we went, see if they were being held in the cells." Chuckling lightly at the memory of her father and his friend being found nude in the Palace gardens, a small gathering of squirrels chattering mockingly at them as they attempted to hurry home whilst covering their shame. Her mother had not been impressed. Finishing her meal, she sat back in her chair, coffee mug in hand. Kel'tha then thanked Thracyn for being company for roysun, although she had yet to leave his company, she thought it still to be polite.

There was a question that burned lowly at the back of her head, growling at her almost, so loud in fact she didn't understand why it was there and what it was really asking. A frown contorted her flawless brow, she shook her head, white waves bouncing about her shoulders and face. Placing down her cup, she feigned a headache for a moment, before pushing the low growl out of her mind. It was all so odd that she sat there slightly baffled by it all. Kel'tha often thought like this body wasn't really her own.
"Sorry, perhaps I had a little too much coffee this morning."She placed the empty mug down, smiling slowly if not a little grimly.