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Post by liqueur on Apr 27, 2023 12:33:46 GMT -7
So it seemed like they were simply being cut loose for the time being. Although Lukas fully expected the strange man to collect them when he needed something from them. Looking around, he tried to figure out what to progress from there, before coming to a snap decision. Abruptly, he took Izumi briefly by the wrist, letting go after a thoughtful second. "Civilians. Stay by my side." They needed three things, two of which he thought he could procure.
Striding purposefully through the streets without a care for the crowds around them, he stopped at a likely-looking general store, heading in after a moment's inspection right up to the counter, before nodding to the two females, and putting a silver coin down. Now would be the time to see the worth of these strange currency units he'd been gifted. "Clothing for both of them. Easy to move in. Durable. Warm. And information for me. Where to sleep, where to eat, where to find weapons and where to fight."
He spoke as precisely and coolly as if he was requisitioning supplies from a local commissary.
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bird
Chronicler
Posts: 60
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Post by bird on Apr 27, 2023 12:52:52 GMT -7
She's shocked by the sudden move but doesn't say anything until Lukas spoke "Ah. Sure thing" She responded following obediently I wish he'd stop calling me civilian though. He knows our names already she shrugs assuming she'll get used to it eventually
As they walk into the shop Izumi glances around "Clothes? Well anything's better than this I guess" She finally undoes her tie stuffing it in her cardigan's pocket "I don't know my size though" She realises before comparing her height to Nym and Lukas Lukas is the tallest no surprise there, he's around 180 cm maybe?. Nym is also taller than me by a bit but not that much. She's maybe 10cm taller... Am I short or just not fully grown? She questions reaching no real conclusion
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 27, 2023 14:46:00 GMT -7
"Where to...wow, you're looking for a lot! Uhm...clothing I can definitely...you're Volunteer Soldiers, right? New arrivals?" The girl leaned against the counter, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes as she looked over the two individuals before her. She seemed friendly, a curious look in her eye as she glanced over the uniforms of both, before shaking her head. "Just this once...I'll give you a set of clothes. Something more...well, more. Take your pick out of the discount pieces."
She waved a hand towards what was clearly a pile of well-used, second hand clothing. An assortment of slacks, dresses, shirts and variable other garments that had clearly passed well beyond their age, held together by loose threads and basic stitching. A sign sitting above them read 12 Copper Pieces in a simple font, clearly legible.
"As to your information...well, that I can't help out too much with...but maybe speak with Gregoire at the Volunteer Soldier's...oh, wait, you probably already came from there! Hmm...maybe the guilds, then? I mean you'd have to choose one of those, but...maybe they can answer your questions?"
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 27, 2023 14:50:33 GMT -7
The two had taken off, leaving Nym trailing behind them as Lukas had taken charge. He led Izumi into a small shop - a sign above reading Up and Coming Wares. The inside looked like a general shop - an assortment of clothing, foods and basic goods that one would find useful in day to day life. Nym remained outside while the other two tried to gather information, slipping in only as the woman explained that they could grab clothing as they desired. She picked out a simple long shirt, sleeveless and one size too big - covering down to her knees.
"The guilds? What guilds?" She cocked her head to the side, questioningly. It was a piece of information, albeit not a ton to go on, but Nym was willing to grasp at anything at this point. This was a foreign world, whether she'd been here before or not. She had no memory of this place, and that meant she would need all the help she could get - even if it was just a simple shirt.
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Post by liqueur on Apr 27, 2023 15:12:16 GMT -7
A muscle ticked in Lukas' jaw, although he was careful to hide any further emotion. It appeared like they would have to continue to look for answers to even basic questions. He turned his gaze to the stack of second-hand clothing, wondering, before at length disdaining them. He wasn't about to cast aside his body-suit to appease the locals, after all.
At least he now had a lead....Guilds. Lukas did pause to gaze at Nym with the most emotion he'd shown thus far, even if it was simple disbelief. Even if she was a foreign female, surely there were some standards of fashion...
"A bedsheet with holes in it does not qualify as clothing." Even as he spoke, he looked Nym up and down, eyeballing her size, before plucking out a worn lavender dress with simple blue floral embroidery, and a pair of grey leggings that seemed to hold together reasonably well, passing them to her before nipping the shirt out of her hands. A small part of him wondered why it felt so familiar. He remembered vaguely...Something about someone who had to get to someplace.....He blinked, pushing back the intrusion of jumbled memories. He needed a clear mind for the present.
Lukas glanced over at Izumi broodingly, checking what clothinf she was taking. "How many coppers does a silver constitute?" He asked the shopkeeper.
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bird
Chronicler
Posts: 60
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Post by bird on Apr 27, 2023 15:28:20 GMT -7
Izumi had picked out a basic black shirt with long sleeves and a thin short sleeved gray shirt to go over it. She was debating between grabbing a pair of pants or a longer skirt before Lukas picked out Nym's outfit for her That was fast. Wasn't expecting him to have an eye for fashion she looks down at what she's picked out as well as the long black skirt and black pants she was deciding between Well I can't necessarily say I do so Maybe I'd be better off letting him pick mine too She sighs ultimately choosing the long skirt but awaiting Lukas' input
"100 coppers right?" She immediately responds to his question in the form of another question to the shopkeeper "And 100 silvers makes a gold... something like that" She loses confidence quickly forgetting how she knew that information Did I hear that somewhere before? No if I did Lukas would have known... She pulls on her bangs trying to figure out how she knew that Nope, can't remember She sighs
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 28, 2023 7:10:20 GMT -7
The shop keeper's eyes darted between the three individuals, clearly trying to figure out if all of their questions were serious or not. A slight smile kept appearing, only to slip away ever other second, as the girl turned to each, opening and closing her mouth as if she desired to say something. Seconds passed, eventually the quiet erupted by Izumi's commentary, causing the shop keeper's smile to broaden again. "Yes! Exactly! One hundred to one, copper to silver, silver to gold!"
The girl seemed to shift a little in place, before shaking her head. "I had heard that new Volunteer Soldiers had some sort of...oddity to them. Something about not knowing basic things, but...do you really not know all of this?" She'd cocked her head to the right as she spoke, an oddly curious look on her face. A single breath seemed to pass before the shop keeper continued, shaking her head ever so slightly again. "Well...to answer your questions, I guess...there's seven main guilds, which Volunteer Soldier's join up with - erm, one, I mean. You can only join one at a time, or so I've heard...I've never actually...seven! There's the Hunter's Guild, the Mage's Guild, the Paladin's Guild, the Priests, the Warriors and...the Dread Knights...oh, and the Thieves!"
She had raised a finger each time she'd listed off the guilds, as if counting them off. Once she had all seven raised, she lowered her hands again, leaning back against the counter before eyeing them all again. "Did they not...tell you all this when you joined?"
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 28, 2023 9:50:31 GMT -7
"No, no they did not...Gregoire was...well, a bit less than forthcoming with information." She was eyeing Izumi, trying to figure out how the schoolgirl had known the conversion rate of the local currency - something that Nym hadn't even thought of previously. Not that it really mattered, if she was being honest - but it was surprising to find out that someone in their little group knew something about this place. Maybe we're originally from here, and just...can't remember it at all? That somehow felt wrong to Nym, although she couldn't exactly say why.
"Erm...so, if we were looking for these guilds...do you know where we could find them...? I'd bet they have more information on...what we're supposed to do...maybe?" She glanced over at the other two, wondering which guild they would choose if given the opportunity. You haven't even considered which one you would choose for yourself, but maybe we can all head to the same guild? I mean, that would be a starting point, right? It seemed simple enough, but what if they each had different opinions. Wait...you don't even know what these guilds do!
"Uh...you wouldn't happen to know any more about these guilds, would you? Like...what their purpose is? Or...I mean, ours? We're kinda in the dark here, so to speak." She smiled at the shop keeper, realising how much they'd already asked of her - and without any compensation, to speak of either. Well, Lukas had given her the single silver coin...so maybe that's enough? I mean, is that even worth anything here? How expensive is this world? There's so much we don't know...
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Post by liqueur on Apr 28, 2023 10:45:24 GMT -7
Meanwhile, mental math was running through Lukas' head. They had spent sixty copper of the silver already. Now there was forty copper left, along with the silvers he still had in his pocket. He moved over to Izumi, inspecting her clothes before tapping the pants silently. "Movement. Protection. Warmth." He explained simply, before leaning over her to nod at her left pocket.
"Ten silvers in there. Yours." He'd taken the liberty of collecting her pay for her when she'd left the Red Moon Volunteer building, and had slipped it into her pocket when he'd taken her arm. He glanced back over at Nym. She seemed...Oddly familiar yet not with this land. He was sure she'd taken her pay without him noticing, or if she hadn't, he could always go back to the building."Izumi. Nym." He said, somewhat awkwardly, the names clipped and oddly precise. Codes and numbers were more effective, and he'd rarely even spoken his own name. The last time....He couldn't remember it, beyond today. Lukas pointed to another section of the discount clothing. "Underwear and socks. One set each minimum. Three maximum. It would be....Improper if I were to pick them." The faintest hint of color seemed to enter his cheeks, before he was business-like again."Lodgings. Where can we..." He stopped abruptly, pricking up as a shadow flitted across his vision. Wait, no. A thin grey thread, winding around the crowd, heading to the north. Duty. Remembered. Must report back. Rendevous at Thief Guild. All of his senses seemed to rush back to the forefront, and barely conscious of his actions, he set down another silver at the counter. "I will be back."
It was...Almost a rush, to even another piece of his duty become apparent. He slipped through the crowd, following the grey light that seemed only his alone, until he reached a tree that he knew had a secret entrance. Slipping in, however, wariness returned. Why had he needed to come back here? He had to wait, that was why. Yes, others were supposed to arrive here in time, if they survived. They would have rendevoused here. He stepped across to the only figure he could see in the hallowed halls of the Guild, holding out his pouch of silver.
"I wish to join the Thieves Guild."
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bird
Chronicler
Posts: 60
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Post by bird on Apr 28, 2023 11:49:53 GMT -7
Izumi nods and swaps out the skirt for the pants before glancing over at the underwear and socks section "Ah... Right" She quietly picks out two pairs of each Why was that the time he decided to use our names? She wondered before he left in a hurry He'll be back? Are we supposed to wait here for him?
She shakes her head and moves back onto the guild question Guilds... I recognise the word but I don't know what it really is. I don't know what a dread knight is but hunters, mages, warriors, paladins and thieves seem like combat oriented jobs. And I guess priest is support? She thinks in silence for a moment
"Oh! I think I get it! These guilds teach us how to fight in certain ways so we can be proper soldiers. And each guild specialises in their namesake I suppose" She deduces before looking to Nym "Should we wait until Lukas returns and then discuss which one to join?" She asks Though if we're meant to specialise maybe we should join different guilds but we can discuss that with Lukas later
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 28, 2023 12:34:25 GMT -7
"Oh! Uhm...no you hold-oh, he's gone...erm, this is awkward, but will you two be running into him again?" The shop keeper holds up the two silver coins that Lukas had left in her possession, holding them out for either of the two to take. "Consider this set of clothes my treat, all things considered...your lives are going to be hard enough going forwards...no need to pay me, this time. Although I would love it if you returned at a later time to continue shopping here! Oh, and send all your friends, too! Assuming you all survive."
She then tilted her head as Izumi asked about the guilds, smiling slightly with an apprehensive look on her face. "Well, I'm no expert...but my understanding is that Volunteer Soldiers - trianees and the actual, full-fledged members - head there to learn the ways of their trades...I know a lot of them are combat oriented, I guess? Like the Warriors and Paladins. They look so cool in their armour! Oh, and then the mages, with their ability to cast spells and stuff! But...you have to pay to enter, I think. If I remember right...it costs eight silver? I think, to join..."
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 28, 2023 12:39:39 GMT -7
"Here, I can take it..." Nym wandered over from the collection of undergarments, two pairs of plain looking pieces in her hands, before accepting the coins. She nodded towards the shop keeper, before adding to her original commentary. "Thank you, by the way...I'll find some way to repay your kindness this day, even if it's just informing everyone I see to come shop here."
The words seemed to cheer the shop keeper up a bit, which made Nym even more happy. She turned to look at Izumi as the shop keeper explained a bit about the different guilds, her eyebrows furrowing ever so slightly. The way that the schoolgirl had mentioned her thoughts, it sounded like she was considering joining different guilds. Well, that would be beneficial, in a way...I guess. I mean, then you could have a range of capabilities...and I'm sure there's benefits to having that range! Shifting in place, she decided to answer the only question she could at the time.
"I think for now we should step outside, at least. We can wait for him to return here...and hopefully he won't be gone for that long, right?" Taking to her own idea, she stepped out of the store after receiving a small bag to put her clothing in. For the time being, she kept only her current clothing on, content in what she had arrived in. She knew there would be more information to gather, but with Lukas gone she didn't want to venture too far just yet. "Hopefully he comes back soon..."
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 28, 2023 12:42:35 GMT -7
"You wish to join the Thieves guild? What makes you think yourself worthy of joining our numbers?" The voice whispered from beside Lukas, a play in the shadows which gave no sign of movement. While the voice had come from his right, a form appeared on his left, stepping softly into the light and shifting on its feet, hip stuck out slightly as the arms crossed their chest. Long brown hair flowed around a smaller form, the individual clearly nimble in their movements. "Ah, a new Volunteer Soldier, are you? Do you have your eight silver, then? Are you ready to learn the pain that comes with becoming a thief? I assure you, you will not enjoy the next seven days..."
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Post by liqueur on Apr 28, 2023 12:59:47 GMT -7
Although Lukas showed no outward surprise, he did shift to examine the girl before him, blinking. For the briefest of moments his expression had been wistful, apologetic, even warm....And then shuttered away in the next instance. No. She had brown hair, not black, and besides, she would never be so skilled. She was not.....Who had he been expecting again? A brief hint of puzzlement in his features, before he inclined his head towards her, getting down to business.
"I located the Guild. I have trained in the dark as well. I have the silver required, the will to see your training through, and the need to develop skills...suited, to this country." Picking up the espionage and assassination skills of this country would help him rediscover and carry out his duty, after all.
Lukas set the pouch of silver down. Precisely eight, as he'd expected...somehow. How had he known? That was still shrouded. "Unfortunately I cannot begin training right now. I have....Charges. I will pay in advance, and return to accept the training." He inclined his head a bit more deeply, into almost a bow, before leaving the tree and its secrets. His actions felt...right, almost pre-destined somehow. In some intangible way, he was carrying out his unknown duty, and that thought made a tiny smile creep across his lips, even as he returned to the store, just as abruptly.
"I will be joining the Thieves Guild." He said simply, without any real explanation as to why, before lppling over to Izumi and Nym. "Have you two decided what to do in this country?"
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bird
Chronicler
Posts: 60
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Post by bird on Apr 28, 2023 13:26:36 GMT -7
Izumi who had decided to change into her newly bought outfit before following Nym outside waves to Lukas as he returns "That... Was fast" She sighs Why am I not surprised though? I guess it kind of suits him She pulls on her bangs in thought for a moment "I do think we should join a guild each. We were waiting for you to return before discussing which ones though"
Hunter, warrior, mage, paladin, priest, dread knight. Those are the remaining options. Hunter seems like the most plausible for me at the moment but i'm really curious about what a dread knight is She continues to think in silence "Hmm. I think... I want to check the dread knights guild" She decides before looking to Nym "How about you Nym? Any ideas for what you want to do?"
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 28, 2023 13:33:53 GMT -7
Nym glanced up at Lukas as he arrived. Nothing seemed different about him. He still wore the same outfit, his posture was the same, and that guarded appearance overwhelmed his stance. Calmly, she tossed the two silver coins towards him, smiling as she did so. "Courtesy of the shop keeper. She said this time was on her, but to recommend her store to everyone until our dying breath. I told her you'd holler from the tower tops just to make sure we repaid her."
She fell silent in response to Izumi's question, however, mulling over the idea. She agreed, albeit hesitantly, that they should possibly look into different guilds. There was a logic to that - as if it was a way to broaden their ability and capabilities. It's not a bad thing to have a variety of options available for...whatever it is we're expected to do...What about...Mages? Casting spells would be interesting, but... She glanced at the other two, noting their choices. A Thief reminded her of someone skulking in the dark, for some reason - not exactly what you'd expect for someone facing down danger and strife. Meanwhile Izumi had chosen to look into the Dread Knights, whatever those were.
"I think...I'm going to take a look at a couple of options. The Mage guild just doesn't sound me, but...maybe a Priest, or a Warrior? Although I don't feel very religious, so maybe Priest isn't the best option..." She shrugged, before glancing down one of the pathways. She figured they'd have to split up here, at least for a time. "So, was the training really quick, Lukas? You were back awfully fast."
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Post by liqueur on Apr 28, 2023 13:42:53 GMT -7
Lukas blinked as he caught the two silver neatly in the palm of his hand, shrugging slightly. She'd promised the shopkeep what in exchange for free clothing? Dubiously, Lukas glanced outside to scan for any tall spires, almost as if he intended to do what Nym had jokingly informed him. When Izumi told him she planned on becoming a Dread Knight, however, he raised an eyebrow, scanning her frame skeptically.
She didn't seem like the best candidate for what sounded like quite a brutal front-lining role, but he didn't exactly have a right to stop her, or really a good reason to. When asked about the training time, however, he simply shrugged again. "I have paid but have not begun training yet. Training is said to be over the course of seven days. Enrolling costs eight silver."
He glanced back towards the shopkeeper. "Is there a map of the other Guilds' location, along with a place to procure lodgings for three? Or does this...Volunteer Army roll guarantee such?" He asked dubiously.
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bird
Chronicler
Posts: 60
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Post by bird on Apr 28, 2023 14:02:13 GMT -7
"Only seven days?" Izumi asks That's so little time. How do you learn how to fight in seven days? I guess we have to make do. She looks around the streets "Well I'm also curious about what a paladin is. I think that means holy knight or something like that but how is it different from a warrior or priest?" She thinks aloud Wait what does a priest even do? How does being religious help in a fight? Is it something like a mage? she sighs being unable to reach a conclusion
"We started with 10 silvers, enrolling costs eight so we're left with 2... Is that enough to live off of? Well I suppose the clothes only cost 12 copper so maybe food is really cheap. We should check some food stalls when we go to search for guilds" She suggests
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Post by Wolfie on Apr 28, 2023 14:29:21 GMT -7
Nym listened as Lukas spoke, turning at the end of his report to ask the shop keeper a further collection of questions. Nym was curious if there was anything further the shop keeper could tell them, but she simply shrugged in response, giving an apologetic look and a few words of further apology. Well, in fairness she's already given us a lot...and it's not like she works for the...Red Moon Volunteer Army. What a weird name...
"I think for now, we should look for the guilds. That seems to be our clearest path forwards, at least...maybe we can pass by some food stalls on the way, yeah?" She smirked at the idea, before frowning. She had just realised how hungry she was, the thought of food bringing a pain to her stomach. They would definitely benefit from a food stall, if they passed one by. "For now...maybe we should find this Dread Knight guild? That way we can...see if it's a good fit for you, or not, Izumi."
She was careful with her words - she'd seen the look Lukas had given the girl, a glint of question in his eyes as Izumi had mentioned her desired guild choice. Nym may have shared the ideas, to a degree, but she also knew - somehow - that people could be filled with surprising capability. Which...how do I even know that? Problems for another day, right? Shaking the thought aside, she looked around them. The road split off here, one direction heading to what Nym felt was the North - the direction which Lukas had returned from - as well as a path heading to the West, and one heading further East, leading back the way they had come.
"So...which way do we go? Lukas already went Northward, so maybe one of the two other paths...?" Nym glanced at the other two, before pointing to the westward direction. "Something tells me we should head that way. Just a feeling though, so who knows if I'm right or not?"
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Post by liqueur on Apr 28, 2023 14:44:30 GMT -7
"You are...Hungry? You as well?" Lukas asked, with surprising apprehension. He hadn't thought of feeding them. He himself was trained enough to not feel the effects of hunger, but he realized if he wanted them alive, he would need them to eat, drink, and sleep. Lukas reflected privately that it was rather difficult to make sure civilians stayed alive. He hadn't run into past issues before..Had he?
After collecting the clothing, he looked both ways along the street. North only lay the thief guild and no food stalls. East they had come from, and he had spotted only a couple there. Perhaps they would find something more suitable for human habitation due west. Nodding, Lukas stepped briskly out into the street, following the western path while keeping out a keen eye for any suitable-looking food stalls.
Awareness Test(+3) 0|koMTej
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