Strolling in the Sunset (Open)

Rhyck Thralôm · May 26, 2005, 12:23 AM

Timestamp: Hour 22 of Dianara, Brightening 2 of the First Cycle of Cryxatum
Summer of Era II of the Celestine Mandate
Era XI Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening, the Mageocracy of Julos the Mad.
Paradigm: Schism in the Church of the Faith

Rhyck stepped out of his humble abode and into the street of Vers. Taking a look around him, he decided that he really had nowhere to go. But, it was a nice evening, so he decided a nice stroll through the town wouldn't hurt. He hadn't much just walked around to simply appreciate the beauty that was Vers. A city enchanted by archmages of old, Vers always hid away a fair amount of mystery about itself. There was no possible way to learn everything there was to know about Vers, simply because there was no limit to how much one could learn. Rhyck decided to embark upon a quest to learn more about it tonight, if he could. Such a goal was not easily obtained, but it kept this walk interesting. What was the point of just idlely walking about. There had to be some objective, else the walking was pointless.

Meandering about the streets, Rhyck glide-stepped his way towards... somewhere. He had no aim on where to go, rather he decided to focus on the people. Rhyck had a facination about people. He was always ecstatic to learn about someone else, no matter how fantastic or dull their life was. Just the act of meeting someone excited him, as he felt proud to know people from all parts of Telath. Whether it be a local carpenter or an exotic peddler, Rhyck was always searching for someone who might make interesting conversation. As he walked down the street, he might say "Serale" to the first person he met, or perhaps an odd-looking fellow. Social addict was one way to describe the man, and he played the part very well.

Ryftka · May 30, 2005, 11:34 AM

Ryftka felt as though she were shrinking as she began to walk through the town. She tugged a strand of her long hair out of her face. It was always in the way she wore mostly in long coils on the top of her head allowing the rest of it to fall down to just above her ankles. She sighs and sits pondering where to go from here. That is always the question on Ryftka’s mind. After she leaves this town where to next?
Maybe she could stay a while? Most likely not. She never stays anywhere to long. It feels awkward. Tongue-tied she returns a “Serale” to the passers by. People are kind here maybe she could stay a while. Every one gets lonely now and then its not something a person can help. The next person who comes in contact with her she starts conversation.
“Serale.” She says cheerfully. Half a smile twitches at the corner of her mouth. “I’m new here and I’m sort of, well, lost.”

Rhyck Thralôm · May 30, 2005, 08:24 PM

OoC: Just so you know, it's customary (just a bit of common curtosy to keep things in the same tense) to write in the Perfect Past tense. If you don't know what this means, just look at my writing above. You'll notice that I'm not describing it with my character as the narrator, which you did well, and that everything is described as it happened in the past. Not a terribly big deal, it just helps when reading over multiple posts at a time.

IC: Rhyck glanced at an elven woman and waved. In return, she gave a Serale, and even a plea for help it seemed. Well, that was perfect! Rhyck had lived here his entire life, and therefore knew where just about everything was. "Serale, m'lady. It just so happens that I can help you with your predicament. I was born and raised in Vers, so I could show you every nook and cranny this town can hide." Rhyck took another look at the elven woman. Her body was distinctly elven, no doubt about that. Her body as lithe as a tree branch, pointed ears, the works. The only thing that caught Rhyck off-guard was her startlingly blood red hair. Never had the Kemite seen an elf with such colour in her hair, nor had he gazed upon such length. It was a wonder the lady did not trip on it.

"My name is Rhyck." The man boldly took hold of the elf's hand and brought it up to kiss. Chivalrous to the end, he was. "And what might your name be, and what brings you to the fair town of Vers? Come, converse with me as we walk." Rhyck slyly took her arm and led her onwards through the streets. Though it was evening, two of the suns still hung in the sky, one just starting to go down, the other on the horizon. It was marvelous to have an orangish glow in the twilight hours. The beauty of Vers was only accentuated by the looming mountains to the west that brought a pale purplish tint to the cobblestones of the village. It was just past spring and into summer, so the colours of flowers painted the hillside and downed the gardens that flourished in the rural town. And if that wasn't enough, Versian architecture would stun any who looked upon it. The plethora of spires, arches, and other gothic spectacles adorned the city, making the scene even more awe-inspiring.

As they walked, Rhyck pointed out the various shoppes and such. They were in the Merchantile District, so there wasn't much else to see. But special shoppes full of marionettes and fine linens were fun to look at. As they came upon the Imaden School of Higher Learning, Rhyck pointed and looked at the woman. "That amazing building over there is the Imaden, home to some of the most learned scholars in the Empire. They teach all sorts of Arcana, Science, and even Mechanics there, though it is most widely known for their Aracane Masters. Old Julos himself was tought within those halls. It makes us proud to see a Versian go so far." Julos the Mad, or so he was dubbed by the rest of Telath. Self-proclaimed emperor of the Allerian Empire. Rhyck had not kept up with the current politics, so he wasn't so sure how things fared with him, but it was comforting to know that a Versian could make a difference. They were such a small town, and yet they shaped the future of the Empire.

"I just enrolled for Initiate Mysticism classes the other brightening. Have you ever studied Arcana?" Rhyck hoped he wasn't scaring the girl to death. In truth, he was simply curious. It was one thing he was proud to admit to anyone who would listen. He didn't find himself terribly strange, though he would admit to being a bit abnormal. Rhyck didn't understand how other people couldn't be curious, though. How could you not yearn to learn about the lives of the other millions of people on this planet? It was all so facinating. And yet, people thought it strange. They thought one should just mind his own business, not get taggled up in everyone else's problems. It was something Rhyck just couldn't understand.

Ryftka · May 31, 2005, 11:48 PM

“I’m Ryftka.” She said and took the arm Rhyck offered and just hoped he would forget that she failed to answer his second question. It was a beautiful little town much like the others but something seemed different it seemed more welcoming. Her feelings of uneasiness began to ebb as Rhyck showed her every shop every house giving a description as if he had studied nothing else all his life.

He stopped at a building he called Imaden. He went and described its background and Its importance. It was than he turned to her “No I haven’t really studied Arcana or much of any thing for that matter. I don’t really have time to I seldom stay in one place” She bit her lip, a bad habit of hers; she hoped he didn’t think she was dim-witted or brainless. She knew all she needed to survive although she really had whished that she knew more than the basic reading and writing she had bean taught as a child. She had always loved to read when she had that rare chance.

She looked down at her feet not meeting his gaze which she was sure was resting on her. How anomalous she must seem, out of place. But than she always had bean. She looked up at the suns one was nearly gone as it slowly slinked down beyond the horizon. Splashing the sky with a multihued of colors dappling clouds and the cobbled street with its last gleam of light. That was always her destination or at least what she had told herself. To meet the horizon of course when she got there, there was yet another one for her chase.

It was gorgeous there. And Ryfka couldn’t help admire the marvelous sun as it threw its shadows down on the road and in the allies of the quaint town. She couldn’t help a sigh as one of the suns disappeared entirely; leaving the a blue purple shadow across the town.

Rhyck Thralôm · June 2, 2005, 12:14 AM

Rhyck wasn't bothered by Ryftka's not answering his second question. In fact, he hardly noticed it at all. He was so caught up with showing her around and telling her things about his hometown that the last thing he thought of was her lack of answering. He could tell that she was beginning to ease up a bit as he showed her around some more. That was good. If she was relaxed, then they could have more pleasant conversation. Often when people were nervous, they tended to dodge questions and slip exaggerations here and there. It wasn't out of intent to decieve, rather just a natural fact of life that haunted all living beings.

He noted that she did say she never had time to stay in one place. That was interesting. What could possibly keep someone from staying anywhere even long enough to get some training? "And why is that? Is it business? I had an uncle that traveled all throughout the Empire because he needed to be at so many of his shoppes. He was always on the lookout for a new location, so he could never stay in one place long enough to get a good breath of the air. I sure hope that isn't what's happened to you. The stress of that can sometimes be overwhelming, I'm sure. My mother told me my uncle often went through fits of insanity due to his hectic life. Orod, that would be a horrible fate." Rhyck said this with much concern in his voice. This nice elven lady looked too frail to have to deal with the stress of business. It would be a pity if she had gotten caught in the trap of greed.

They passed the Merchantile District totally now and entered into the Hygh District. Rhyck could not help himself from babbling on and on about the houses in this center of Vers. "Orod, what I wouldn't give to live up here! Look at the architecture of these houses! Some say they were inspired by the gods themselves. It certainly seems that way... Look at that colour over there! Never thought I'd see that on a house! Notice how it's so much cleaner here than back there. It's because the richies over here can afford to dust the street."

Rhyck had always dreamed of what it would be like to have such an excess of crowns that he could buy a house up here. He aspired to being a big business man himself one day, despite what his mother had told him about his uncle. Most likely his uncle was a cook before he ever got into business, he reasoned. Rhyck wasn't sure what he wan't to get into, but the enthralling appeal of a continuous influx of crowns seemed enticing enough to draw him over to entrepeneurship. That and politics. Once Rhyck had set himself up as a prominent member of Telath, he would engage in politics to hopefully become someone important; someone who could shape the future however he wanted. Of course, to be any part of politics in Vers, one had to learn the ways of Arcana. How could respect be gained without it? The two things went together perfectly it seemed.

Ryftka · June 2, 2005, 09:30 AM

“No.” Ryftka smiled and looked up again “I’m not really on any business and I don’t think I have ever experienced fits of insanity due to his hectic life.”He kept chatting on so, his torrent of knowledge never ending. It warmed Ryftka and brought a smile to her face. She could tell Rhyck admired the houses of the well of citizens of this fair town. And how could he not? Ryftka herself was drawn to the beautiful buildings that seemed to glow in their immensity even in the late evening light. As if trying to out shine the smaller houses.

Half the time she couldn’t even hear his words she was trapped in the breathtaking vista of the city. Had any of the other cities she had bean to looked anything like this? Perhaps not. But possibly she just had never taken the time to look.

She felt herself wanting to stay. For what seemed like the first time in her life she was drawn to one place. But after moving so long how does one stop? Can you merely kill the itinerant side of you? Ryftka wasn’t sure maybe after this vast tour of Rhycks ended she would ask.

Rhyck Thralôm · June 3, 2005, 07:40 PM

Ryftka certainly wasn't that talkative, but that was fine with Rhyck. It gave him more opportunity to talk himself. They passed through the Hygh District with reasonable speed, considering they skipped a couple sections. But the last sun was starting to go down and Rhyck thought that it might be best to go to a more appropriate spot. He led Ryftka towards one of his favorite fountains. It was centered inside a beautiful botanical garden. The fumes of the sweet flowers and the gentle brush of the wind made it a very relaxing place. He led Ryftka to a bench near the fountain and motioned for her to sit down.

"It's starting to get dark. Would you like to go back to wherever you are spending the night? Or, if you like, we could stay here a little longer. I believe a druid brings in a couple firefly globes here. The stars are amazing to look at, but I understand if you want to get some sleep." Rhyck found himself wanting to spend more time with Ryftka. She was one of the few people who had actually stayed and listened to what he had to say. Most times people would come up with some lousy excuse for having to be somewhere soon or even sometimes leave very rudely. But Ryftka was different; she actually seemed to enjoy the time he spent taking her around the city.

"If you wouldn't mind, I would be honoured if we could meet again sometime." So far, Rhyck wasn't feeling anything terribly romantic with Ryftka, but rather a more friendly vibration. He wished to spent more time with her, but it wasn't exactly because he felt attracted to her. In fact, it was hard to be attracted when she had hardly said a word at all. Rhyck finally noticed that she had been fairly silent through the whole thing, and wondered if she had anything to say and he was just constantly babbling, or if she was just speechless.

Ryftka · June 5, 2005, 05:59 PM

Ryftka looked up at the sky where just a few stars began to show. The fountain and garden was beautiful. Ryftka was getting tired she held her head slightly lopsided as she normally did when she was tired. Her head ached from the weight of her hair, which sometimes this late seemed insufferable. But she didn’t really care she wanted to stay. As the stares came out they illuminated the gardens with an eerie silver light. That seemed to wash over Ryftka with a serene sense of calming; like a cool breeze on a hot summers day, like morning mist.

“The honor would be all mine I assure you.” Ryftka answered. She really wouldn’t mind seeing Rhyck again he had after all bean very friendly. “This is a lovely town you have here.” She gestured to the garden and fountains around her. “I’m thinking that I might stay.”

She waited for Rhyck’s rejoinder to her statement. She after all didn’t know where to go or what she would do. Maybe she could study. After all Rhyck had praised the scholars from Vers and said that he himself had enrolled in somthing ohis own.

Rhyck Thralôm · June 5, 2005, 08:12 PM

"Do you have anywhere to stay?" Rhyck turned and looked into Ryftka's eyes. He smiled. He was glad that she had decided to stay. She was very nice company. Even though she wasn't much for talking, Ryftka was a good listener. "I have a humble abode you are free to stay in if you have nowhere else to go. Otherwise I could escort you to your room?" Rhyck thought he must have been the nicest guy on Telath. This would mean he would have to sleep on the floor. He had only a beaten down bed of hay, which wouldn't be too comfortable anyway, but the hard wooden floor offered no comfort.

Whether or not she took up on the offer, Rhyck turned his head over to the fountain, got up, and walked over. He looked down into the riveting pool, watched the ripples spread their arms and hit the cold rock of the fountain. "I always loved these fountains. I love to watch the water rise up and then fall. Just look at the endless patterns. Not one of these ripples is the same. Not one just like the other. And yet, they move in unison. As if they were of one mind and one body, but separate, with their own will and direction." Rhyck didn't know why he suddenly drew attention to the fountain. He was just overcome to do so. And it was interesting to listen to his own interpretation. Must I always compare things to that? Am I ever to take a break from my ambition? It is beginning to take over. Consume my life. And yet... is that so bad?

Rhyck's mind was diverted to his Mysticism lessons the next morning. "Orod! I forgot. I must get some sleep tonight so I can be ready for my Mysticism training tomorrow." He didn't want to be dead tired when he went to the Master at the Imaden. It wouldn't paint the appropriate picture. Rhyck was always anxious about first impressions; he never wanted to make bad ones, as he knew they lasted forever. He scratched the top of his head idley and looked to Ryftka.

Ryftka · June 6, 2005, 06:48 PM

“Well if its not any trouble. I mean I don’t have anywhere to stay but I don’t want to be a bother. If you have room….” There she went again. Just babbling. “I wouldn’t want to trespass on your kindness to long.” She was at a loss of words.

Rhyck moved over to the fountain. His analogy was beautiful. Drawing what seemed to be a prefect parallel. Ryftka never seemed to have that magical way with words that every one else apparently possessed. Or at least Rhyck had. He described things so clear and vividly a blind man could see them. His words seemed to slide along, to sashay with one another. They where like butter on bread; Where Ryftka’s words where crumbly and plain, his where smooth and sweet. Maybe if she where as open to speech as he, she to could attain this talent.

It was clear that Rhyck needed to get some rest and Ryftka herself couldn’t focus through weariness. She stood from her spot by the fountain and awaited Rhyck’s lead.

Rhyck Thralôm · June 8, 2005, 07:04 PM

"Oh, no. It isn't any trouble at all." Rhyck stepped away from the fountain and turned to look up at the sky. "Well, shall we get going then?" The Kemite offered his arm once again and began to walk in the general direction of his house. He had walked these streets countless times before, so it was certainly nothing strange to be wandering in the night. He could walk home with his eyes closed. And, due to the fact that he had woken up early that brightening, it seemed that he just might have to walk home blind. His eyelids just wouldn't follow orders. He struggled to keep them open, even as he walked. At times he would venture on pure instinct, before he snapped back into consciousness. It was odd how the body just shut down like that.

"Ahh, almost there. Good thing too, I was about to fall asleep there." Rhyck pointed down the darkened streets towards an old-looking house. It was only one story tall, and, despite the brilliant Versian architecture, it looked more like a large outhouse than a home compared to the richer area of town. It had two termite-ridden columns barely supporting an overhang in front of the entrance door. There were one or two shingles on the roof that hadn't fallen off yet, so the roof often leaked when rain fell. The porch was humble, with it's unkept sheen. An arched doorway welcomed Rhyck and Ryftka home.

As Rhyck led the elven woman in, Ryftka would notice the faded colours all around on the walls. Two large quilts hung along the wall on either side, adorning the place with a little regality. "Those two quilts were all I could find after my last house burned to pieces. They are so brittle, though, I wonder that they haven't fallen to pieces already." There were several burn marks on both of the quilts. On one, the black spots blotted out a farmer working in the fields. On the other, two of Ioanness' heads were completely shut out of the picture by a large burn mark.

"Well, it's not much, but this is home." Rhyck pointed to the corner where a small feather bed laid. "You can go ahead and sleep over there, I got a nice spot of ground over here." Rhyck took one of the sheets off the bed, the worst looking one, and brought it over to the other side of the room. This was the largest room in the house, the other two being the kitchen and the bathroom. The Kemite motioned for Ryftka to make herself comfortable while he made himself a little cot. Once he was through, Rhyck got down and buried himself underneath the blanket. And... he fell asleep almost instantly.

Ryftka · June 9, 2005, 01:20 AM

Rhyck’s house wasn’t much but it was far more comfortable than Ryftka could remember staying in for a long time. He showed her around a bit but Ryftka couldn’t concentrate. She was fit to collapse.

Rhyck offered her his bed and took a spot on the floor. She felt guilty for robbing him of his bed but was so tiered she didn’t even try to argue. Under normal circumstances she would argue out the point that he deserved his bed and it was already kind enough of him to provide a roof over her head. Most of the time on her own it was just against a tree trunk or in a meadow would suffice.

She sat down and directly, out of pure habit, twisted her long hair into a very long braid. It took only a few minutes, three four maybe, which seemed amazing to most for its length. She glanced over at Rhyck who was sound asleep on the floor. It looked unconformable, more guilt.

A few thoughts ran through her head, like how she was going to repay him for his hospitality and generosity toward her; and what she would do from here. But anything that was going through her mind was instantly lost when she leaned back against the bed, that seemed softer than anything at the time, and was asleep before she even realized it.

Rhyck Thralôm · June 9, 2005, 02:45 PM

The Next Brightening

Rhyck awoke refreshed the next brightening, just in time to see the first sun poke its joyful little ray above the forested horizon. The purple colours from the night before were replaced by shots of red, orange and yellow. Birds could be heard singing their Summer Sonata No. 3, and the crickets were whistling away, causing the squirrels and the cabbits to waltz. Rhyck pressed his hands against his face, trying to rip the sleep out of his eyes. It seemed he wasn't very much of a morning person until he fully woke himself up. Slowly but surely, he pulled himself up off the ground, folded the blanket up, and went outside to the well, which happened to be very close to his house.

A whole gang of Versians were there as well, washing up for the day. Rhyck pulled himself up a bucket of water, heaving at the rope. He wrapped the rope around a short pole to keep the bucket hanging there, and dipped his cupped hands into the cool, refreshing liquid. The Kemite didn't delay in splashing himself all over with water, starting with his face, then rolling up his sleeves and pant legs to allow for appendage washing. He doused his hair with water, and tried to make it suitable. It didn't take long, as his hair cooperated very nicely. After Rhyck was through with his hygene, he strutted back up to the house. It would be awhile before he felt well enough to glide. On the way back, he took a quick look at the Solaria to see that it was about the seventh candlemark. He had plenty of time to get ready and walk over to the Imaden.

When he got back into the house, he almost jumped at the sight of a girl in his bed. Wait a second... We didn't... I didn't... Ahah! Rhyck suddenly remember the events of the darkening previous, and gave a hefty sigh of relief. If Ryftka was not already awake, Rhyck would give her a little shake. Either way, he would say in a soft voice, "Good brightening, Ryftka. I must head over to the Imaden in one candlemark. You can make yourself home here if you like, or I can take you somewhere on my way to the Imaden. Or, if you feel so inspired, you can tag along with me and see if you can get yourself signed up for Arcana classes. It's up to you."

Ryftka · June 13, 2005, 12:50 PM

Ryftka nearly jumped out of her skin when Rhyck walked in. she had woken only a moment before and scarcely remembered where she was. She heaved a sigh of relief when she remembered. “Good brightening, Rhyck.” She replied politely laughing at her own forgetfulness.

“Oh please, if you would, take me with you. I would like to sign up for something. If its no difficulty on your part.” She answered she didn’t think that it would be much of a problem still Rhyck had done so much for her and she had only met him the night before. She wondered how she would repay him for his kindness. She was out of bed in a flash her hair done in seconds. She was ready.

It was a lovely brightening and Ryftka was glad she had decided to stay in Vers. The air smelt clear and fresh with one sun almost entirely risen and the grass and vegetation was sprinkled with dew. No Ryftka didn’t give her resolution to stay a second thought. It had been a quickly made one, prompt, but it didn’t bother her. And that brightening, if anything, increased her decision. For once she had plans of things to do to accomplish that day. She was excited for whatever may come before her.

Rhyck Thralôm · June 13, 2005, 11:43 PM

"Oh no, not at all. It will be my pleasure to enjoy your company on the walk over there." Rhyck wondered at her attitude. She seemed to think she was imposing so much, when really, it was no trouble at all. Women... They never could understand that is isn't all that big a deal. I mean, it's just walking her over to the Imaden, for Orod's sake! Rhyck casually motioned for Ryftka to follow him and together they left the house. He wasn't at all embarrassed having her stay over. They were just friends after all. He was just introducing the new girl to the city, that was all. It was just common courtesy. Rhyck didn't understand why more people couldn't be like him. He knew it was prideful, but Orod's beard! he was a Versian!

They walked along the streets, and Rhyck tried to make some conversation. "Did you sleep well?" And other such nonsense. He didn't much care whether or not she slept well. She seemed alright right now. It was just something to keep away that awkward silence. That foul beast that stalked and consumed everyone who fell victim to it. It was a horrible way to drift away from a friendship like that. Just silence... Rhyck hated it. He always had to keep talking to keep getting to know the other person. "What sphere of Arcana were you thinking of exploring anyway?" The bonds he made rarely lasted long; just long enough for the other person to run away. But Ryftka was different. She had spent the night for Orod's sake! Rhyck didn't know why, but he felt himself growing more and more attached to her.

When they finally reached the Imaden, Rhyck led her to the Facultie Arcana. Luckily, it was early in the brightening and the traffic was fairly decent. Rhyck would point out the vast windows and gardens surrounding the place, and describe the intricate details that went into every square inch of the floor plan. Once they reached a row of desks, Rhyck turned to Ryftka. "Well here's where I'll leave you. I must get to my class, but you can just talk to this man and he'll set you up with whatever training you would like. I'll meet you at my place once class is over, I'm sure you know the way." And with that, Rhyck hurried off to class.