ABF:BtOS - Archangel Is Where It's At

[bunnygirl]

<< Malik, Pascal, and Jakri (and Sylar) in the company of Janus (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?343261-ABF-BtOS-Malik-Pascal-and-Jakri-in-the-company-of-Janus)


The Empire is the heart of the Old Continent, and the Archangel is the heart of the Empire. Grand, heavily populated, and almost overwhelmingly large, the city reflects its importance to the nation as capital and home to the Empress herself. Bustling marketplaces share space with opulent palaces. And people of every description can be found walking the teeming streets. But the most prominent sight in the capital is the city's guardian, an immense angel perched atop a similarly massive marble column.

Depending on how you all decided to make the trip, you all will turn up in Archangel by early morning, having spent most of the night prior having your little quest on the outskirts of Archangel. :D I expect some tired faces for those who apply!

[Inane Gestures]

Malik arrives at Archangel cursing under his breath, his stead foaming at the mouth. He'd pushed the old horse hard trying to get to Archangel before sunrise but it looks like it wasn't meant to be. Slowing the horse down to a safer speed he rides it through the streets making his way to the Allgood residence. Was today a school day for Merril? Damned if he could remember, hopefully it was. If he was lucky he might be able to catch some shut eye.

As he begins to make his way through the streets his mind begins to wander back to the event that transpired at the lake house. What had his grandfather been doing there? Who was the woman that had appeared? Why did Janus tell him not to follow him? Those papers that his grandfather had been collecting, why had he burned them? What secrets did they contain? He paused for a second...how had that old woman known that he might need help?

As he pulled his horse up in front of the Allgood residence, he thought back to Merril. She'd been helpful with the Lake House, perhaps her fancy schooling would have taught her how to read whatever language was on the papers he'd managed to salvage. He chuckled at the thought as he tethered the horse to a post outside the Allgood residence and made his way to he door.

[Techno Magician]

Pascal decided to head towards good rest, after all she was already a good while north of the Capital, it would be close to her. But first a nap! Finding a nice big tree she flew up to near the top and laid down for a nice rest, her homunculus staying up on watch duty as they never needed to rest.

[PhoenixRise]

Jakri, agreeing with Pascal's decision, goes off to rest himself. However, he was quite hungry after the long events, and tries his hand at hunting again. He sets out his two traps, and waits for an unsuspecting creature to come.

With his traps ready, he moves away from them, as to reduce the creatures wariness. He then finds a small dirt patch, and sets up his tent. He sits idly, simply listening to the creatures around him, and feeling the wind pass by.

Way too much happened today, houses burning, falling people... Hopefully things normalize, I can find her tomorrow. I should confront Pascal about her eyes. Mabye if she's still here in the morning. I wonder where those two other guys went. But no matter...I just not lose track of my goal.

He naps until it gets dark, before checking up on his snares.

[bunnygirl]

Malik

The door to the Allgood home is unlocked for Malik. It's quiet, not in any peculiar way, but in a peaceful way. It looks like Calen has stepped out to hole himself at his workshop and Merril has already gone on her merry way to school. She's left a note for Malik in the kitchen that she's made him waffles for breakfast. (Of course, the first two burnt waffles she tried to make for the bodyguard this morning sits with the burnt cookies at the bottom of the trash container.) Malik's clothes will smell like smoke and other things. If Merril was still around, she'd tell him to go take a shower and assume he'd gone secretly camping last night without her and wonder why he didn't take her with him.

Pascal

It's a little before noon and Pascal will feel rested from her nap in her personal tree. Her seeing pets hop back and forth on their little bird-legs on the tree branches, having never left the girl while she slumbered. The sky is blue and cloudy today.


Strolling Through the Forest >> (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?344662-ABF-BtOS-Strolling-Through-the-Forest)

Jakri

It's a little before noon and a rested Jakri is just waking up from inside his tent he's pitched up all by himself. His little campfire has died out hours ago and his animal traps all lie in wait in the forest for him to check upon. Birds are chirping in the trees this morning.


Strolling Through the Forest >> (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?344662-ABF-BtOS-Strolling-Through-the-Forest)

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar looked at the people around him, and saw that they were full of life. One of them even kind enough to share some coin and cloth with the lost and confused foreigner. Sylar didnt wish to impose on the man any further, so he follows many paces behind the kind soul who shared the money with him back to Archangel. He figures that no useful information would come until the morning, so he looks for an affordable place to say in the city, one that may have a bath to wash off the sweat of horseback riding, and the smells of the city of Hamura that reminded him of his time with the princess. If he was to find a way back to her, then he needed a clear head, and a plan. He always seemed to think best while sleeping.

[Inane Gestures]

Cursing himself for being late, Malik goes to find the house lady. He'd given her clear instructions that if for some reason he wasn't there to escort her to school she was to have one of the senior servants go in his place. That and he sorely needed a bath and some sleep, he would see her about setting up a bath and having one of the servants wake him up in time to pick up Merril from school. All the while absent mindedly eats the waffle left for him...it could use some milk...and some syrup.

[bunnygirl]

Malik

After freshening up and giving his smelly clothes to the housekeeper to tend to washing, the giant of a man goes ka-thump into bed. The rest of that morning goes by as he sleeps in very peacefully, until he is urged awake by the housekeeper around 2PM. The housekeeper will then shuffle away to tend to other duties in the house and leave Malik to plan his agenda for the day. So, feeling rested despite the little bruises and scrapes, Malik shall step out of the Allgood home to fetch Merril from school. It's back to roaming the cobblestone streets of Archangel for the bodyguard.

At a wealthy-looking district in the capital, there is the sound of a school bell tower ringing and children come pouring out of a building. Malik towers over all the kids and stands out like titan standing among little people. Dressed in the school uniform of white and blue and a ribbon in her hair, the girl with silver-colored hair appears and smiles rays of sunshine at Malik.

"Malik! Did you bring me any souvenirs?!"

Sylar

An lodging in the capital called the Honey of Roses Inn accepts Sylar's patronage. Preparing to turn in for a couple of hours, sleep does not come easy to Sylar at first. Perhaps it's the jet-lag of passing into one timezone to another, or it could be something else that would not be cured by sleep alone. Just as soon as his mind slips off into dreamland, so soon did morning turn into afternoon.

There is a knocking at his door. A female's voice speaks from the other side of the door, "Housekeeping! Anyone there?"

[Inane Gestures]

"'fraid not darlin'. The only thing I managed to bring back with me were old papers and some bruises." Malik rubs the sore spot on his side, remembering the fight with the two creature. "Now never you mind about that, where are we going today? One of those bakeries your friends go on about, the market place, or are we just heading home?"

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar wearily responds, Yes, one moment. He then gets out of bed, gets dressed in the somewhat too large clothes, and opens the door.

[bunnygirl]

Malik

"Oh." Merril looks like a disappointed little girl. She glances down at her feet and kicks away the small pebble there with the toe of her shiny red shoes. Them are her favorite shoes, ya know. When her bodyguard asks her how the rest of their day together will turn out, Merril gives herself an instant pick-me-up. "I have homework... An art project!" She produces from her school bag at her side colored chalk, black charcoal, and white art paper. She strikes a pose and thrusts her pointer finger in the direction of the the friend who towers her minuscule four feet figure. Then, she demands from him, "And you are going to pay for your inconsiderate ways!" And explains, "By paying for our travel fees! All my friends are going by carriage. Buy me a carriage ride, Malik!" Sparkle, sparkle.

Sylar

The door opens for a energetic female housekeeper with a friendly smile on her face and new bed sheets and other things in her arms. "Good morning, sir! Sorry to disturb you, but it's already afternoon and my work can't wait for me any longer!" She notices the bleary-eyed look in the man's face. "Long night, sir? Or, travel long?" Then, she steps right inside Sylar's room.

[Inane Gestures]

Malik sighed, he'd never understand this girls obsession with him bringing back souvenirs. Last time he'd traveled a city over to give a "warning" to some would be kidnappers, and she'd been so disappointed that he hadn't brought back one of the place's famous pastries. She'd made him by her cakes for a week after that. He needed to make a mental note to pick her up some sort of souvenir next time he went on an adventure.

"Alright hon, where are we taking this carriage?" Malik knew a place that'd give them a bit of a deal. They'd done a good amount of work for Calen in the past, deliveries and transportation to the odd event that some of his customers wanted him to come to. They'd introduced Calen around and have him demonstrate his unique arms to their friends. Calen hated the events but always came away with a smile from all the orders he got. Merril though, she seemed to really like meeting with the kids her age that would end up being there as well.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar replies, "Ah, a bit of both." he pauses for a moment, "Say, you wouldn't happen to know where I could find a big mountain of a man with short dark hair would you? His names Castor," Pausing trying to find the man's first name, "Malik Castor?"

[bunnygirl]

Malik

"We're riding that carriage to Eytan! It's just south of the capital! Everyone's going there to study and draw the wildlife and plants there. My friends say it's a popular place for the locals to find inspiration and nature." She shoves her art stuffs back inside her school bag. With that said and done, Merril marches forward with her bodyguard in tow!

She stops to ask, "Where are we going to get that carriage, now?"

Sylar

The lady housekeeper begins the task of changing the bed sheets on the bed while humming to herself a little tune. "Oh? What? Are you trying to ask me that you're looking for a mountain man?" She strips the white sheets and bundles it up in her arms and shoves it into her laundry basket. "Oh, wait! You mean like a big and tall fella? Does he walk around with some little girl? I walk my nephew to school every morning and I often see this big man walking a little girl to the same school. I'm afraid I don't know his name, but it's the only person I can recall that fits the description." She stops the consider, "Kind of hard to not miss a man of that size, actually." Then, shrugging her shoulders, "School is out for a lot of the children in the capital. Maybe you'll find that man there, too?"

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar decides to find his way to the school and look for Malik. Debts were debts, and the man had saved him a night out in the cold after all. Besides, Sylar couldn't very well have this man calling in his favor when he was halfway on the way back to reuniting with the princess.

[Inane Gestures]

"Don't worry hon I know jus' the place that'll get us ta Eytan." Malik motions for the young girl to follow him as he sets off through the streets, walking at a slow enough pace for the little girl to keep up. Eventually they come to a stable yard not far from Calen's workshop, filled with coaches of all varieties. Leading the way Malik will head into the front office of the main building.

[bunnygirl]

Malik

As Malik and Merril enter the establishment, there is no one behind the counter. At least, until they walked right up to the edge. A blond-haired boy no more than 11 years old climbs up on the stool and makes himself shown. He folds his arms atop of the counter, and although no one can see from this side of the counter, the boy idly swings his feet back and forth beneath it.


Sylar

Following the direction of children dressed in school uniforms running past, Sylar only has to take a stroll in the other way, working up stream like a salmon against the currents of a river. Eventually, he will notice a figure that is taller than the average man leading a small girl into a building. The sign that hangs over the front door indicates coach and carriage rentals.

[Inane Gestures]

Looking down at the young kid Malik sighs, "Go get your father boy. Tell him that Malik wants to rent one a his coaches ta take him and the little lady here to Eytan, round trip deal..." he thinks for a bit "...and there's a few coppers in it for ya if ya can run over and tell Mr. Allgood where we're headed and ta expect us back by supper. Tell him its something about an art project." With that he produces a few copper coins from one of the inner pockets of his duster and puts them on the counter.

About how far away is Eytan anyways? Hopefully close enough to make a round trip before supper, if not I'd tell him about when I thought we'd be back, also I'm giving the boy 5 copper coins.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar follows the man into the building and calls out, "Why hello there Mr. Castor. I never quite got a chance to thank you for your help yesterday."

[Inane Gestures]

On instinct, Malik shoves Merril behind his massive frame, hiding her completely from view behind one of his legs and the curtain that his duster forms. Reaching for his sword, he's already popped the catch holding the sword in its sheath before he's fully turned around to see who's addressing him. Before he has his sword fully drawn he recognizes the man standing behind him. Easing up his grip just a bit "I hope you're not here on a job, be a terrible way to repay that favor." You suddenly notice his other hand is reaching into a pocket into his duster, you can't quite tell what exactly he might be reaching for there though it is definitely too small to be another weapon, though you have no doubt that wielding a second weapon for a man of his size is possible, to do so in tandem with a sword as large as he is wielding would be absolutely ridiculous.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar holds his hands in front of him, "No need for alarm, I'm not here to harm you or the little lady. I actually am here to talk about settling that debt. You see, I'll be leaving the city soon, and I don't know when I'll be returning, if at all, so I'd like to pay you back before I go."

[Inane Gestures]

Malik looks the man looks the man up and down, reaches a bit further down his sword and refastens the catch. His other hand dropping down from the inside of his duster, you catch a glimpse of a brown papery stick before it falls back into the pocket he was pulling it out of and the duster falls closed behind it. He turns back to the boy and nods for him to get on with what he told him to do, then looks back at Sylar.

"Alright ya want to repay your debt then? What're ya offerin, I don't want your money or the clothes off your back mind ya." He leans back on the desk behind him and motions to rather set of clothes you're wearing. "Ya got a name son?"

[bunnygirl]

The little girl gets shoved into position behind her bodyguard. "Eep!" She pops her head out from the side of Malik's body to take a peek at who has addressed Malik by name. "What are you getting all defensive about, Malik? And why is he wearing your clothes? Those are your clothes that man is wearing, isn't it?" A stranger who appears knowing Malik's name and wearing his clothes must be a friend, right?

[Platinum Piece]

"Aye, my name is Sy'Lar," It was weird how he started thinking of himself that way. "All I have to offer are my services as a fighter, but looking at you, I doubt you need those. Still, Two pairs of hands are always better than one."

[Inane Gestures]

"I guess you're welcome to tag along if ya want, s' long as the little lady 's alright with it. Can't promise ya any pay though."

[Platinum Piece]

"Well I guess that's settled then. I guess we'll be on our way."

[bunnygirl]

Merril had no problem with tag-alongs. The more the merrier... right? If this Sy'Lar is a friend of Malik's, then Sy'Lar is a friend of hers, too! A girl, just only a little over four feet tall, with silver hair tied up with a ribbon steps forward, picks up the bottom of her long skirt with her fingers and her head and body bends briefly into a curtsy at him. (It's because it's what refined ladies are supposed to do, according to what her teachers say in her school.) "My name is Merril Allgood! It's nice to meet you, Sy'Lar!" Then, she turns around and promptly gives her bodyguard's shin a vindictive kick with the toe of her shoe. Turning her head, she tells Sy'Lar, "Don't worry! He's being punished today."

The boy, who was sitting behind the counter, appears amongst the three of them. He opens his child-sized hands at Malik fearlessly. He says, "Three people. Three Gold Crowns."

[Inane Gestures]

Malik hands the boy 2 gold crowns and 5 copper extra. "Now remember boy, run that message over ta Mister Allgood." Malik looks over at Sy'lar and motions for him to pay the boy then heads out into the yard to wait for their carriage.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar hands the boy a gold crown and steps outside to await the carriage with Malik and Merril.

[bunnygirl]

The boy pockets their patronage and shows them all to the door. Outside, to Merril's delight, is a horse-drawn carriage. Complete with curtain-covered windows, doors, cushion and seat interior, and a driver—an elderly man with a wrinkly smile on his face. Merril is so excited, with the blink of an eye, she's somehow teleported herself from Malik's side into the carriage. Let's all watch the seven-foot-something of a bodyguard squeeze inside the carriage, too!

"Eytan should only be a little under half a day away. We should be there by evening~!"

Everyone inside the carriage will be treated to a scenic route of the Eternal Plains. In the distance, there will be the curious sight of gray skies and quick flashes of white lines that appear to lightning bolts. Not exactly a storm, however, as it doesn't seem to be approaching.... Moreso, being stationary, oddly enough.

Stopping for a break halfway through the trip, Merril and friends will make a pit stop in Tharsis, a quaint town on the outskirts of the Holy Empire. Here, Merril encounters her school friends who have made it this far out on their own means, hoping Eytan would fulfill their art project needs, too. Everyone is allowed to get off the carriage and take a break before going back on the road for another three hours.

Malik

In the meanwhile, when Malik find himself alone, (or at least, far enough to keep Merril in his sights) when a tree nearby makes a strange rustling of the leaves.

"Make like a tree and leave. You get it? Tree? Leave?"

There's a disembodied snickering in the air. It's Shazod.

Sylar

The sight of a young couple hand-in-hand and taking a stroll before the sun sets on the lands of the Holy Empire will call Sylar's mind back to the moments he shared with Princess Aini.

[Inane Gestures]

"Shazod." Malik gives the man a one word greeting. Leaning back against a tree Malik will look off at Merril and her friends enjoying themselves with whatever they're doing. "I trust ya've got something urgent to be meeting me all the way out here, something I most definitely want to hear." It had payed well to keep Shazod on as an informant, it'd saved him multiple times before he'd gone into service with the Allgoods and would no doubt do him well for long after. The situation with Shazod was not unlike the one with Sy'lar, sure Malik payed the man well but his loyalty was bought with a favor.

[bunnygirl]

"Oh, yes, yes." Shazod says, "I bring you new information! I thought it would please you to know that there was a man fitting the description you've given me came through these parts about four or five hours ago. Janus, was his name, yes?" Rustle, rustle. "I managed to follow him as far as to a forest three hours out on the road. After that, I lost him." Then, there is a brief pause, "Also, in case you could be concerned, I have gathered that there are no signs of anyone wanting to take your little lady friend today. It's been very quiet."

[Inane Gestures]

"I 'ppreciate this Shazod, one other thing," Malik reaches into his pack and grabs a crumpled slightly charred piece of paper out of it. "I need to find somebody who can read this." He smooths out the piece of paper and rolls it up along with a bag of silver and places it in one of the knotholls in the tree. "I'd be rather thankful of ya if ya'd contact me when ya find a translator for it." With that Malik heads over to the carriage driver to ask about how long they're going to be stopped here.

Almost forgot to mention I leave Shazod 25 silver as well as one of the papers that I recovered from the house.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar stares at the couple and then drifts off to another place, another time, yesterday really, but it felt like much, much longer than that. He remembers exploring the city of Hamura with Aini. Happiness. The smells, the sounds, the people. He glow of he light on her face, and the unique jingle of her laugh. Laughter. Sylar remembered the other boys laughing at him in both hushed and not so hushed tones. Anger. Then, he remembers seeing the grand sultan. The look of fury on the mans face, as he pointed Sylar's direction. Confusion.He remembers turning his head at the last moment and seeing the look of shock on the princess's face for a split second before the sensation of falling, then. Safety. Sylar thinks of Malik, who helped him out in his time of need.

Now. Suddenly, Sylar snaps out of it. The couple no longer in front of him. A small amount of time had passed since he zoned out. He decided that after this business with Malik was done, that he would have to find some way to contact Aini, to let her know that he was okay, and that he did not leave her of his own free will.

Sylar then heads back to the carriage to see when they would depart again. Eager to return to the task at hand, and consequently, his quest to reunite with the princess.

[bunnygirl]

When Malik pays the carriage driver a visit as to inquire about setting off from Tharsis to Eytan, he will find the driver patting down the horse. The elderly man will think about it what Malik has asked him, turn around, lick his index finger, and raise that index finger into the air. What was he doing? Monitoring the sky for rain? Wind in the air? What? Maybe it was all nonsense.

"Humm..." He says, grinning, "I believe we can be heading out now, if you like."

Then, there is the sound of footsteps fast approaching and gathering around Malik. It's Merril and her friends all looking up at the bodyguard with big puppy-dog eyes. At least five pairs of them.

"Maaaaalik! I invited my friends to ride in our carriage for the rest of the way!" All the girls jumps around excitedly. "There's plenty of room for all of us!" Then, all their voices in unison, "Pleeeaaaaasssseee?!"

After waking from his deeply contemplative state with a strengthened will to reunite with the love of his life, Sylar rejoins the others by the carriage and he will find their numbers have increased since they stopped here in Tharsis.

Lol, okay, got'cha! 25 silver and burnt paper for Shazod. :D And, awww, ain't Sylar being all loveydovey now? XD

[Inane Gestures]

Malik sighs, he can't say no to those eyes. "Sure they c'n come along I guess." He nods to Sy'lar as he approaches "Me 'n Sy'lar will ride outside with the driver to give ya girls some room." With that he turns to the driver "I believe we're ready ta head out then." He then pulls himself up onto the carriage and sits in the seat next to the drivers.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar also jumps up onto the carriage beside the driver, and awaits their destination. All the while listening the giggles of the children in the back.

[bunnygirl]

So, the group sets off from Tharsis and begin their three hour trip to Eytan. Although Sylar and Malik have filled some seats beside the carriage driver, Merril will stick her head out of one side of the carriage through a window, and ask Sylar, "Sooo... Where are you from, Sy'Lar? Malik never talks about his friends." She points out, "But I can see why you two are friends. You both don't like to say very much. There's a saying about birds of a feather, you know." Merril is determined when she wants to be nosy enough! It's because the last time she thought a stranger wasn't hiding any ulterior motives, she was kidnapped and Malik had to come rescue her.

[Platinum Piece]

"I'm from far away," Sylar responds, "very, far away. I've only just come to the capital. You see I was in need of some help yesterday when Malik gave me a hand. He's a good man, you know."

[bunnygirl]

"Ooh, you're from very far away~?" There are sounds of Merril's friends making amused giggling sounds from inside the carriage. "Very far away only exists in fairy tales! You know, it often goes something like 'Once upon a time, in a very far away place...' or something like that." Merril had lots of practice with demanding for things. "Next, you're gonna tell me you rescue princesses or something like that, aren't you?" Merril is either a powerful mind-reader or just a little girl who knew how to talk big. It's most likely the latter.

[Platinum Piece]

"Ha ha ha," Sylar laughs nervously. "Say, I'll tell you a story from my travels. Just yesterday I was in a city with sand surrounding it for as far as the eye could see. You see the country of Kushistan is very far away from here. There are spices and clothes and food, that you would never see in Abel." Sylar pauses for a moment. "Located in Karjah, the capital city, was the Grand Sultans palace. It was one of the most extravagant palaces in the world. But, for all its jewels and riches, the palace was a sad place. This is because, unlike here in the Holy Empire, there are still slaves in Kushistan. I have experienced with my own eyes a great coliseum where slaves are forced to fight a horrible monster for their lives, only to be killed. One day, though there was one slave who finally slew the monster. After seeing this, the Grand Sultan insisted on meeting the man, and to his surprise, when the slave arived he saw a beautiful woman." Sylar clears his throat, "No, he saw THE most beautiful woman in the world. Her name was Aini, and she was the Grand Sultans daughter, princess of the kingdom. The slave was given to the princess as a gift by her father, but the girl was unhappy. She was unhappy because Aini didn't believe in slavery. Later that night, the princess sought out the slave that had slew the beast, and asked him for his help in freeing some of the other slaves. The man agreed and he and the princess went riding off into the night together. The slave saw the princess's strength and fell in love with her as they rescued the other slaves." Sylar pauses again, smiles, and continues. "Together they rode to another city, by the name of Hamura, where slavery was outlawed and everyone was equal. Well as it turns out, the slave man didn't know how to ride horses very well, so the next day, the princess taught him. Afterwords, the princess and the former slave, explored the city of Hamura, and had a great time. But, when the princess and the man returned where they were staying, to their surprise, the Grand Sultan was there. He caught sight of the slave holding his daughter's hand and was furious. He shouts at the man that he brought with him, the mage who had summoned the monster in the collesieum. The next moment, the former slave is not longer with princess, but falling out of the sky, and into a lake not far from Archangel." Sylar looks over at Malik, and then back at Merril, "So do you want to know where the man who fell in love with the princess is now?"

[bunnygirl]

Well, after hearing all that, there is no reason for Merril to hold back the widening eyes and her mouth dropping open in awe. "Where is he?! If you know, you must say!" It sounds like all her friends inside the carriage concur.

All the while, the green plains change into green trees. The group on the horse-drawn carriage approaches Eytan. It's a town built in an woodland opening with buildings made of stacked lumber, wood, and the occasional chimney. The horse trots over the ground covered with green and yellowy leaves.

[Platinum Piece]

"Well, if I'm to be completely honest," Sylar pauses and smiles, "I would have to say that he's sitting in the front of a carriage sharing his story with some very attentive young people."

[bunnygirl]

Welcome to Eytan, everyone! Merril and all of her friends hop out from the carriage. "You don't intend to make this search alone, do you?!" Then, she runs to Malik's beside, "Malik! Can you believe that what's he's saying?!" She clasps her hands together over her chest and dramatizes the sparkles in her eyes at her bodyguard. Merril is a firm believer in the power of love, among other things... "Isn't it romantic?!" Sparkle, sparkle.

[Inane Gestures]

Malik dismounts the carriage, looking down at Merril and smiling. "It sure is darlin', it's just that I already have my own princess to guard and keep safe. I wouldn't feel right leavin' her unguarded f'r bandits and never'do'wells." He looks back at Sy'lar for a second, what had that boy gotten him into this time. But to have Sy'lar owe him two favors and then to have a princess owe him one on top of that, it was mighty tempting.

Turning back to Merril, Malik kneels down to her "To be honest his story reminds me of one of my own, only its a bit more tragic...perhaps someday you'll hear it." With that he stands up "now go on, don't we have an art assignment to do here?"

[bunnygirl]

As Malik reminds the girl, "Oh, yes, art!" Armed with their schoolbags and art tools, Merril and her friends band together and take off to some part of Eytan. Everyone will exit past a wood fence and archway that reads the town's name to follow a dirt path which will eventually draw the group deeper into the woods. There is the sound of water in the distance. A pond filled with ducks and other feathered folks floating on the pond's surface. Merril holds her hands up with her fingers and thumbs poised together to form a rectangular frame with her hands to view the serene scenery. After that, all seems like a perfectly fine day to be outside with the fresh air and the sounds of Merril and her school friends chatting away.

Malik's Notice: 22
Sylar's Notice: Open 121

I find it hilarious that Sylar, who has -30 in Notice, receives the Open Roll for Notice. XD
Malik only sees trees and... more trees. Sylar, however, catches the glimpse of clothed figure quickly popping its head over the top of a low cliff formation above the pond before disappearing.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar approaches Malik and whispers, "Cliffs. Someone is watching."

[Inane Gestures]

Malik approaches Merril and kneels down beside her and whispers "Look hon, me and Sy'lar have to go take care of something, if somethin' happens down here you just scream as loudly as ya can an' I'll come runnin' back as fast as I can." looks down at Sy'lar and nods. He looks up at the cliff that Sy'lar mentioned. Looking back at Sy'lar he nods at him then motions to take one side, then nods at himself and motions he'll take the other. He then heads right and as soon as he's out of view of the girls, draws his sword.

In case you didn't catch that, did that whole head nod thing you see in western movies and cop shows and motioned for you to go left and he'll go right as we head up towards the cliff.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar takes Malik's cue and heads off to the left. As he travels, the air temperature drops a couple of degrees as he brings the power from within to bare, preparing for the worst.

[bunnygirl]

"... What... this?"

"... gift from..."

"I'm no... not convinced by... Can you... power?"

"Ah thought... never asked."

There are some voices in the distance but the words that are being said are distorted by the ambient sounds of nature.

Malik Stealth: 0
Sylar Stealth: 48

The voices fall silent.

[Inane Gestures]

He'd never been too terribly good at being quiet or hiding, the being over seven feet tall and weighing over 300 only made it worse. Malik makes his way towards the voices, one of whom sounded very familiar, and as soon as they stop talking he knows that he's been made. He grits his teeth, there was no point in keeping up the act now that they knew he was here, best thing he could do was close the distance and hope they didn't shoot him. With that Malik rushed the clearing.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar didn't know how good he was a keeping quiet, but hey he didn't really have training in that either. Sure did seem that there were a lot of life skills he was missing out on, maybe he should spend some time training...

Pushing his thoughts aside, he sees Malik rush into the edge of the clearing. Not wanting to leave the man alone to face two unknown foes, Sylar rushes into the clearing as well.

[bunnygirl]

Through bush and branches, a small clearing approaches fast for Malik and Sylar. Both of the men appear in positions opposite of the other, drawing a complete circle and arriving in a pincer-formation around the source of the strange voices. 'Lo and behold, Malik and Sylar seem to have flanked a pair of men. One of them is conveniently concealed in a hood and cloak. The other, a man whose size and height has been making him infamous lately.

"Bleedin' blue blazes, boy." Malik's grandfather heaves in a heavy sigh. His hands look to be a little occupied, one gripping some kind of steel case with a black handle, and in the other some kind of mysterious object. Somehow, the corner of his mouth smirks into a hard left, and he grins, laughing heartily. "Ya know, Ah'm not the least s'prised ta see ya! Ah wasn' plannin' ta see ya so soon, though. Small world, ain't it?" Turning his head toward the cloaked one, "Ah be mighty guessin' you'd be gettin' that demonstra'n after all."

The cloaked individual simply offers a wordless, slight nod of the head.

Janus returns his attention to the others, and warns them, "Any of ya'll take anotha' step closer, Ah'll tell ya'll right now Ah'll make it so there be somethin' else ta be concernin' about." The man idly runs his thumb over the smooth, smaller of the two objects in his possession, in one of his hands.

[Inane Gestures]

Malik, isn't surprised by the figure of Janus in the clearing, it had sounded like the large man. He holds a hand up motioning Sy'lar to not approach the old man "Sy'lar, this man here is my old man, I'm sure ya can see the family resemblance." He motions to the large man who you notice looks like a larger, older version of Malik.

"I'd listen to what the man says, if the stories are to be believed, even if our guardian angels were standing behind us up he'd kill them and us without sweatin'." He looks over at his grand father "I apologize sir, we saw somebody up here in the trees and didn't kow what they were up to, and I rather take it seriously when people sneak around while I'm escortin' somebody. Though I do have ta say I was hopin' to run into ya, heard ya might be sneakin' around out here." Then looking over at the cloaked figure "You'll have to excuse me fer not puttin' away my weapon, last time I ran inta my grandfather here I had to fight two demons in a burnin' building." Malik brings the blade of his sword down, resting it on his shoulders.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar stops approaching, but doesn't relax, his whole body tense, as if ready to pounce at the first sign of trouble. He takes this moment to concentrate on his second sight, seeing if it may offer any clues to strength of the life forces in front of him.

[bunnygirl]

An air of caution settles among all four men here. A small animal hopping by and a breeze passing through some leaves. It's quiet. A little too quiet. Janus observes his situation, the gears in his head turning ever so calculatingly.

In the meanwhile, Sylar registers that the individual in front of him holds a large amount of life force, but whether it indicated a power equal in level is still to be considered.

"Malik," Malik's grandfather breaks the silence, "Ah took to some thinkin' about those nightmares you've been havin'. Are ya still interestin' to hear about the rest Ah've got to say to it?" The man idly cricks his neck against his rounded shoulder, just for the dramatic pausing in his dialogue. "Are ya still being a yellow-belly about all that death an o' destruction? Ya ever consider it that there's be might a different plan in all that there you be seein'?" He isn't expecting his grandson to understand everything right away. There was still a lot of time, Janus hopes.

Then, he asks, "Ah'm goin' to wager that you all saw nothin' here today and we all can go on our merry ways." Janus wears his frown grimly. "What do you fellas think of that?"

[Inane Gestures]

Malik eases up a bit "I ain't no lawman. Jus' so long as ya weren't plannin' nothin' against the little girl I'm watchin'...yeah I didn't see anything in the woods today." He nods over at Sy'lar "my friend over here he just thought he saw somethin' and when we went over to investigate all we found were a couple a teenagers lookin' for some alone time, ain't that right." Malik cocked an eyebrow at Sy'lar, "come on Sy lets leave these here teenagers alone and stop botherin' them."

Malik begins to back out of the clearing, not taking his eyes off his grandfather or the other man as he does. "I ain't yella 'bout them dreams, sir." He shoots back as he backs away. "They just remind me too much of what I used to be, a bandit and murderer...I ain't like that no more." He pauses, stopping his backwards motion. "What happened to Trish straightened me up, cleared me of those ways and all." He looks his grandfather in the eyes, "I ain't like that no more, I'm just a fella now. You come look me up in Eytan when your done with whatever your doing here, I'm sure the girl would love to meet ya." With that he turns and leaves. Sheathing his sword as he does and waving to Sy'lar to head back to the clearing.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar walks towards Malik slowly, waiting until the last second to look away from the strangers before him, one of them apparently Malik's kin. He remained tense for the rest of walk back to camp, withdrawing further into himself. He didn't know quite why, but he figured that they were up to no good, and that nothing well would come from messing with them.

Putting his mind to different things, Sylar began to think how he was going to get back to Aini. He knew Kushistan had at least one port, Port Tahar, so going by sea was an option. Then again maybe he could get back in the same way he left, magic. He put the notion of using magic in the back of his mind, after all, where could he expect to find a magus? No, most defiantly going by sea was the easiest choice.

[bunnygirl]

The encounter is turned to the blind eye of many. Likely the most peaceful parting of ways made today. The day continues on, regardless.

Malik and Sylar return to the pond area where Merril and her friends are working productively on their school projects.

[Inane Gestures]

As Malik watches the girls complete their art projects, he thinks back to the encounter. Sure it had seemed shady, there was no doubt about that. What had his grandfather gotten into, why was he willing to fight his own kin? He'd heard that the man had given up that part of his life. He knew he'd have to give the man the benefit of the doubt, he didn't have much ground to stand on when it came to criticizing those kind of actions, not to mention he'd had to deal with people he'd rather not in the past as well. Still it nagged at him nonetheless. Perhaps whatever was in those papers he'd gotten from the lake house could spread some light on the matter.

Malik looked back up at the cliff where he'd run into the man, he really hoped his grandfather hadn't been shining him on about wanting to meet back up with him. He walked over to the girls who still seemed to be working on their projects and took a look at what they were drawing.

[bunnygirl]

Malik takes a peek at Merril's canvas and sees...


http://i62.tinypic.com/iwkyah.jpg

The girl smiles sheepishly at her bodygaurd. "What do you think, Malik?" When she sees Sylar approach, she wonders what that deep thinking expression on the man face could mean. Is that what a man in love looks like? Merril observes Sylar, then to Malik, then Malik, then back to Sylar. Merril sighs and realizes she probably has a long way to go... Regardless, Merril instantly picks herself up and tells Sylar, "Love will guide you back to her, Sy'Lar! Are you thinking of a rescue plan?" Just like in Merril's fairy tale books, right?

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar snaps out of his inward trance as Merril speaks to him, and smiles a large grin at her. "Well that depends," Then he turns to Malik, "You don't happen to know any sorcerers do you? Seems like the easiest way to get back is the same way I left. Otherwise I know of a port close by the capital that may be my best shot, though I do have to say, the last time I was there I didn't make the best impressions."

[Inane Gestures]

Malik chuckles, "sorry Sy I don't happen to know any sorcerers. I should tell ya I don't like magic much, don't trust the stuff. Heard my share of horror stories of wizards and warlocks losing control of the stuff. This-" a warmth envelopes him and spreads through the air as he surrounds himself with a layer of ki. "This I've learned to trust, its tiring but not to different than if I exerted myself." He looked back up at the cliff edge, trailing off for a second then shaking his head then looks back at Sy'lar "No, if ya wanted my advice I'd tell ya to take the boat, a couple days won't hurt ya."

[bunnygirl]

Merril chirps in, "Archangel has a port! Zafir River is a famous commercial route that goes into it." She glances at Sylar, "Do you know how to get there?"

[Platinum Piece]

"Hmmm, the Zafir River eh, never heard of it. What do you say to showing me the way when we get back to the city?" Almost forgetting to ask, he turns to Malik, "Say what is the usual fair out of Archangel?"

[bunnygirl]

"Yes!" Then Merril turns her gaze instantly onto her bodyguard, she beams at him, "Won't we, Malik?!"

[Inane Gestures]

Malik patted the young girl on the shoulder. "Course we will darlin' 'f the man's got a princess to rescue, what favor would I be doin' him if I was to keep him fr'm rescuin' her." He looked back up at Sy'lar "Fare 'll probably run ya 'bout a gold 'r two. Perhaps less if ya can find somebody headin' that way that needs ya ta protect there goods from any would be pirates. If you know the right people ya can get payed ta travel round the world." It was a good bit of advice, only a fool payed to travel. There were plenty of people who would pay a skilled man like Sy'lar to protect their cargo or their passengers, especially if he was willing to undercut the standard fee usually payed to guard a ship.

[bunnygirl]

Malik seems to have reminded Merril of something useful. "My dad is a craftmans who sells stuff to plenty of people across seas." The Allgood daughter learned to call her father an 'craftsman' than a 'gunsmith'. It didn't attract a lot of attention that way. "I'm sure my dad's goods could use another eye to keep watch over them! Then, you can probably get a free ride!" She collects her art tools and canvas paper. Cheerfully, "I'll ask my dad for you, okay?"

When everyone was done here in the woods of Eytan, the group will hop on their rented carriage and make the trip back to Archangel. Merril will instruct the carriage driver to drop them all off at a street corner, where she'll tell all her friends who have come along that she will see them tomorrow at school before leading her bodyguard and new friend to the Allgood home in the especially decent areas of Archangel.

"Daaaaaad!" The girl dashes through the front door and attaches herself to her father into a hug. "Dad! I found you someone who wants to help send your stuff overseas! Malik knows him, so he's okay!"

Calen Allgood chuckles wholeheartedly, "Ooh, is that so?" The man sets his daughter down on her feet, greets Malik with a nod of his head, and turns to introduce himself to the blonde man Merril has invited into their home. "I'm Calen Allgood. It's nice to meet you. My daughter gets to come home every day thanks to people like you. So, thanks a lot." Calen is a middle-aged man who does not dress especially to reflect his status or class as he leaves those kinds of things—like a big home and lots of fancy clothes—to his beloved and only daughter. He is not exactly built like a warrior, but he has the appearance strong enough to endure the hearth of the forge and handle his craft with special care. His hands are stained with soot and other things when he extends his hand for a handshake and carries the scent of brimstone and something else on his clothes.

"So, you need to go overseas, is it? It's because that's where the boat might be going."

[Platinum Piece]

"Well met, Calen Allgood." Sylar says extending his hand to meet the mans. "I am Sy'lar, though my friends just call me Sy," he comments, giving Malik a brief smile. "And, yes, I do need to get overseas, to a country called Kushistan."

[bunnygirl]

"Kushistan? Sounds like there won't be a conflict of interest, then!" Then, Calen will explain, "I have a customer in Kushistan that is expecting a product. It's going to set sail first thing tomorrow morning. All you would have to do is protect it, transport it, and your trip will completely cost none of coin. How's about that?"

The man glances over at his friend, "Malik, I know what I'm about to ask you wasn't mentioned in the job description when I hired you to protect my Merril, but if there's anyone I know who can guard anything, it's you." There is a sheepish chuckle from Calen following that. "Will you go and see that the job gets done right? It's a long ways to Kushistan and plenty o' things could happen."

"I'll be okay, Malik! Archangel is really a safe place to live!" Merril reassures the man, "Besides, I think there's a princess out there that needs your help! And I know only one person who is great is protecting princesses!" The girl grins ear to ear.

[Inane Gestures]

Malik sighed, he'd let his grandfather get away again. Next time he wasn't going to take no for an answer, even if the man threatened him, for that matter why was he threatening him? Things weren't adding up.

Looking to Calen he shook his head "yeah protecting your goods wasn't what I was expectin'." He thought back to all those times he'd been a bit proactive about doing exactly that, he supposed this was one of those lies that wouldn't hurt anyone. "But if ya insist, I'll look after them for ya." He hoped he wouldn't be gone for too long, didn't like leaving the city on this note, some things just felt unfinished.

[Platinum Piece]

Sounded like things were going smoothly for once, but Sylar wasn't about to let his guard down again. Last time he did, he got zapped halfway across the world. Sylar says to Malik, "If you'll show me where the boat is, I'll meet you there in the morning."

[Inane Gestures]

"Yeah, Yeah follow me." Malik sighed again. Off on another adventure, 'cept this time he was going in blind. He didn't know the first thing about Kushistan, its politics, or who the movers and shakers were down there. Only thing he knew was the odd thing that Calen mentioned. Perhaps it wouldn't be too different from Archangel, a little sandier perhaps but where there was a city there were mercs who would gather.

He doubted he'd have the scouting expertise of Shazod so he'd have to go off whatever information Sy'lar had and hope that it didn't get him in trouble. Though the fact that Sy had gotten somebody mad enough to zap to a whole 'nother country probably wasn't a good sign for how things might turn out, 'specially if he'd managed to anger a sultan. Sure Sy might know the princess, but no father really liked the guy courtin' his daughter and it didn't help that Sy was below her station.

"I'll be back in just a bit Calen its best that I show Sy here around so he doesn't get lost and miss his boat." Malike turned to lead Sy'lar down to the port. His thoughts turned to romance, hell what did he know about it. The most he'd seen were one night stands and the occasional hooker. He wasn't proud of it, but nobody'd ever really meant that much to him and he'd never meant that much to any woman as far as he knew. Who knows might be worth while to see what Sy had goin' for him.

[bunnygirl]

Leaving the Allgood residence, Malik and Sylar step out to take a stroll through the capital. As they make their way around, it will occur to both these men that Archangel does not directly house a port, seeing as the capital is surrounded by the green Eternal Plains before reaching any large bodies of water. When the locals are asked, they will inform both men that Zafir River naturally divides Archangel in half. They will direct Malik and Sylar to a river canal made of a steel, cement, and stone. Observing from the top of a bridge, it's a waterway where people, goods, and even buoyant vehicles can navigate down Zafir River and make a speedy transportation across the Eternal Plains and into Yirath and finally flowing into Port of Eburah towards the Coast of Yearnings.

[Inane Gestures]

Malik leads onward towards the port, showing Sy'lar around. "We'll meet up here tomorrow, I suggest we rest up and collect whatever ya need for when ya return home, not sure how welcome y'll be there and it doesn't hurt to be prepared." With that he heads back towards the Allgood residence, he too would need to prepare for his departure. Hopefully Merril would be alright while he was gone. If not he was sure that Shazod would at the very least keep his eyes open for some easy cash for the information on the ones who would do her harm.

[Platinum Piece]

Yes, we'll meet back here tomorrow. And then we'll be off. Sylar says, brimming with excitement as he walks off. Stopping a couple of paces away, Sylar turns back around and says, I'm glad your coming though, things seem to go more smoothly when you're with me. and with that he turns back around to head back to the inn in which he was staying.

When he gets back he looks for the turban that the princess gave him what seemed like forever ago. He holds it in his hands and relaxes into a meditative state. Trying to figure out what he needed to to in order to be with the princess. One thing was for certain, the sultan could not see him, or he could very well end up in the same position as before. To stop that from happening, he would have to come up with a way to stop himself from getting teleported. If only he could get Nouh on his side or at least, not against him, he would stand a chance.

Well, no use dwelling on such things, he thought. Climbing into the bed and relaxing, everything would work itself out one way or another.

[bunnygirl]

It is now the very next morning. It's rise and shine in Archangel! Having spent time appropriately, if Malik wished it, Malik will have time to walk Merril to school before turning around to join Sylar at the meeting place. Merril will have prepared her bodyguard a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to take with him.

When Malik and Sylar were ready, finally, both men will arrive at the designated location. The waterway is pretty busy this morning with goods and people that are being prepared to be shipped down the river to Port Eburah. Rushing of water, boats knocking into each other, feet thumping across platforms. There is the occasional passing shadow of large crates lifted into the air by a crane from street to boat.

At one particular boat, there is an unmarked crate among the cargo on board. A hairy man with a thick beard will welcome Sylar and Malik onto the boat with no questions asked. It is assumed that Calen had arranged everything for them already.

Setting off at last, riding Zafir River is like sitting back and enjoying the scenic route straight out of the Holy Empire. The sun is just about at it's highest point in the sky as everyone passes through Yirath and the Doors of Zafir, an immense construction that controls the marine transits. Then, beyond this, is the big ol' blue-green body of water known as the Inner Sea. Here, a city that sees a lot of commerce, trade, and fishing, is Port Eburah, practically the Holy Empire's front door. The boat Malik and Sylar are upon squeezes between two larger ships and dock. This is only the first step of many to come.

[Platinum Piece]

Sylar takes in the sights and sounds of port. It was a different sort of port from Port Tahar. There seemed to be a lot more legitiment business at least... But what of the business be was here on. To protect an unmarked crate didn't set his mind at ease. He didn't know the people of this land, or their laws and customs. That seemed to be a repeated coincidence in his life since he left the tribe.

Pushing his thoughts away from that time, Sylar looks for Malik and speaks, "Hey Malik, you ever been to this part of the world before?"