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Stranger in a Strange Land [Aeyt!]

Started by Rhindeer, September 19, 2017, 06:36:15 PM

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Rhindeer

It had been a long, long journey sailing through the frozen sea of the North, all the way to the port of Cerenis. Niamh had lost track of the days and nights, but could tell they were getting closer to their destination when the freezing cold gave way to a more bearable cool. There were no icecaps where they were going, no seasons of darkness followed by seasons of daylight. Where they were going, she'd been told, day and night both came daily.

Niamh could hardly believe it--but then the daylight hours shortened along their journey until, before long, they shared equal time. It was jarring at first--where were her days of light?--but after a few days, she came to like it. The daytime hours might be shorter, but didn't that also mean this land didn't experience the months of darkness like her home did?

Maybe...maybe she could get used to this.

A number of their people already had.

When they docked at Cerenis, they were welcomed by more of their people, missionaries who had come in the years before. They had even built a small temple there years ago--which they had to rebuild and repair now and again due to vandalism. Not everyone was receptive to their message, it seemed.

That was fine. They were secure in their righteousness. And with time, their numbers would only continue to grow, and their message would continue to spread. If anywhere was a good place to grow roots and spread the word, it was Cerenis. They weren't too out of place among all the other foreign travelers, and people were always coming and going, which meant they could reach more people.

Which was exactly why she was here. To educate. To spread the Living Sun's message.

After a few days of rest, to recover from the long journey (Niamh had quickly discovered that she and ships and long trips did not agree!), it was time to get to work and brave the new wilds of heathen lands. It was...definitely a new experience here. So many strange creatures--so many not even human! Women who bore so much skin. People honoring false gods and showing more interest in material things rather than the gifts all around them, gambling away their money and their souls. It was...startling.

But if she could save at least a few souls, it would be something.

Niamh stepped out of the temple that morning in fresh clothes that didn't smell of fish or salt, white-blond hair gleaming in the dawn. She had ditched her furs in favor of cool robes and sturdy boots; it was nice and cool here, but not cool enough that the furs didn't make her sweat. But even in thinner layers, her palms felt clammy with nerves. She was a stranger in this land, and it was strange to her, but...no, she couldn't hesitate. She had been brought here to do the Living Sun's work--had chosen and fought to come here for this purpose!--and so it was time for her to put her faith in action, and pay for her passage with holy service.

And so, nervous though she was, she walked tall and proud and straight-backed. The Light was with her and she had nothing to be ashamed of, and now was the time to prove herself a true believer, faithful through and through. She found a corner on a street that seemed well-worn and well-traveled, right in front of a shop selling curios (plenty of false, foreign idols, from what she could see of the inside), so it seemed like a good place to start.

Clearing her throat, Niamh began to speak.

"Blessed is the Sun, our guide in the darkness, He who shines Light upon the world. Cast yourselves away from the false gods of this world and bask in His glory, for it is He who makes the lands fertile and rich and heed my warning--He will burn the unbelievers to ash and smoke and abandon them to darkness..."
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

Aeytrious

        A decent amount of time had passed since Niamh had begun preaching to the people walking the streets of Cerenis. Occasionally folks would stop and listen, but most paid her no head. Aside from an occasional dirty look, or a laugh, or a look of pity, the day was mostly uneventful. At least until a man, dressed quite well and with a well armed bodyguard approached her. He pulled out a scroll and read it over while he listened to the religious rant that Niamh was giving. He looked at the shop front, taking note of the name and the type of merchandise sold their. Rolling the scroll back up and slipping it into his satchel, he pulled out a small piece of parchment, jotted some notes down on it, then put up a finger to interupt Niamh.
        "Miss, I'm going to need you to stop your non-permitted orating, and to sign this ticket. Failing to cease and or sign the ticket will result in Sue here," the well dressed man gestured to the large man behind him, "arresting you for refusal to comply with provincial mandates." He held out the parchment, and his stick of coal, for Niamh to make her mark. "I'll also need your name for documentation. In the case that you can't write or spell, a cross mark will due for your signature."
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Rhindeer

"Excuse me? Non-permitted orating?" Niamh snapped a look between the two men, her spine going rigid and shoulders drawing up with indignation. Of course she'd heard this might happen. Not this situation, exactly; she'd just been warned that many of the heathens were resistant to the truth and might try to silence her or mock her. But throwing a ticket in her face was quite another thing!

"What are you talking about? I've done nothing wrong here. I've got a right to be here! One doesn't need permission to spread the truth! Would you rather people live lies?"
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

Aeytrious

        The bureaucrats eyebrows climbed his forehead as Niamh responded with indignation. Then an amused smirk and an eye roll followed. Too often he had to deal with newcomers that didn't know the law. Too often cults and missionaries alike failed to communicate with new arrivals the importance of permits. With the Lord of Whitesands missing, bureaucrats had for the most part taken control of the running of the province. Bureaucrats lived for bureaucracy, lived for permits and legal paperwork. It gave them power, and control. Of course Meknis knew that at the heart of Whitesands was the hand of the Soot Wolves in command, but the Red Wolf had let the paper pushers make the day to day decisions. Meknis was low on the totem pole, but he was still a paper pusher.
        "Miss, I don't care what you think, or feel, or believe. Serendipity is a country of religious freedom. But in Whitesands, especially here in Cerenis, you must have a permit to address the crowds in this manner. Now if you will sign your ticket acknowledging your fine, you can go back to your temple unmolested. Others in your cult pay for their permits before they make displays. I suggest you do the same, or Sue will be happy to put you in the stocks." Meknis shook the ticket with some insistence. He preferred things not get violent. Sue on the other hand was hoping he could make that pretty face, a little less pretty, maybe rub it in the dirt.
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Rhindeer

"Fine?!" Niamh's face first went pale with horror--how much of a fine?--then pink with anger. No. No way. He had to be messing with her! Trying to take advantage of her because she was a foreigner and a girl. These people would try something like this!

"No one told me anything about any of that!" she said, but shot a wary look at Sue as soon as she did. He was...a big man, and had a far too hungry look in his eyes. Between that and the threat of the stocks, it was enough to sober her a little, but not enough to back down completely.

"I mean, how do I even know any of that's true? How do I know you're really with the city and not just trying to swindle a foreign girl? I never heard anything about a Fire-damned permit! But I did hear there were plenty of snakes and sinners here!"
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

Aeytrious

        The amusement was quickly wearing off and Meknis was losing his patience. Why were the religious ones so damn stubborn? He'd met devils that weren't such a pain. His hands fell to his sides and a clear expression of frustration appeared on his face before quickly making way to annoyance.
        "You'll find that the ticket is legitimate when you arrive at town hall to pay your fine," Meknis explained. "I will not be taking any money from you now. Now give me your signature and tell me your name," he thrust the ticket back at Niamh one last time, "or I will have Sue do what is necessary."
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Rhindeer

With a huff of anger, Niamh snatched the ticket and the stick up. "Fine! But this is ridiculous! You're just doing this to take advantage of the faithful. Really, how dare you! Whoever heard of having to pay to spread the truth? But whatever. You heathens would try to squeeze money from rocks if you could! Do you treat your own priests and priestesses this poorly? It's disgusting!"

She slashed an X on the ticket to sign, nearly punching through the parchment. "It's Niamh to you," she snapped as she shoved it back at the man. "And you are the worst. You, too!" she added with a glare at the larger man. "What kind of a name is Sue, anyway?"
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

Aeytrious

        Sue did not like being insulted, especially over a name that he despised. He used a different name in the Soot Wolves, Knuckles, but the bureaucrats insisted that his real name be used for his official position. His hands came together, the sound of his cracking fingers loud as he pressed on them. He only took one step though before Meknis brought up his hand to stop the mountain of a bodyguard.
        "Everyone must have their permits in order," said Meknis, "otherwise, it would be pure chaos. There are hundreds of organizations that want to cry to the people for various reasons. If we let you all just run about as you desired, there would be clogged streets and brawls everywhere." He took the ticket back from Niamh, and wrote her name on it. N-E-A-V-E "Please be sure to pay your fine promptly. If it takes you more than three days, you will begin to accrue late fees, and after two weeks, a decree will be issued authorizing your arrest." He tore off one of a matching pair of glyphs from the parchment and handed it to Niamh. "That will make it easier to find your ticket. Without it, you could be in town hall all day waiting your turn." With that, the bureaucrat turned and walked away, his bodyguard following with a look of slight disappointment.
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Rhindeer

It was the sound of Sue's popping knuckles that sobered Niamh again, and she had time only to snap a startled look at him--would he really hit a girl?--before the bureaucrat stopped him. She sucked in a steadying breath but didn't take her eyes off him after that, even as the well-dressed man prattled on about infuriating and unfair things.

And then, just like that, the two were off, and she was left standing there with a piece of parchment in hand, not even knowing how much money she would have to rustle up.

She hated this city already.

When she returned to the temple shortly after, and thrust the paper into the face of her friend, Sven, he winced. Apparently, her companions had thought she'd already been told, and of course they had their permits, and none of them were sure how much the fee was, so the most helpful (yeah, right) response they could give her was to go to town hall and settle the matter. It couldn't be that much. Anyway, they were busy, so she would have to handle it alone. And she should hurry. Didn't want to accrue those fees, did she?

Welcome to Cerenis. Yeah, right.

And so Niamh scraped together her meager coin and marched out into the wilds of the city, cursing loudly (but in her head!), and asked around until someone could point her in the right direction. It was past noon by the time she found the place, and she strode inside stiffly, trying hard to hold in her anger--until she stepped inside into a room filled with seats and people, all anxiously waiting their turn.

"You have got to be kidding!" she groaned, pressing her hand to her face.

Her two weeks would be up by the time she got through this.
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

Aeytrious

        The front office was packed with people, from those waiting to apply for permits or pay fines, to people filing complaints or petitioning for review of their claims. Bureaucracy was in full swing in White Sands, and Cerenis was the home of that driving force. The smell of parchment, ink, and hot wax mixed with the odor of unwashed peasants. A few months ago, the heat of the day would have been stifling, the smell unbearable. New magical devices, aquamarine air coolers, were being installed in all the government buildings. Some of the more wealthy residents of the city, and businesses had also invested in the silver boxes. They were just one of many new magical creations that were sweeping the city, the Province, bringing in a new age of magical creation. A new satellite location for the great Magic University of Arca had opened, the large unused building next to the Niamh now waited in, being re-purposed for magical experimentation.
        It just took three hours for Niamh to have her number called. The withered green elf with wispy earthen brown hair calling her to the counter. As Niamh approached the woman reached out for her ticket, and simply asked, "Your name and purpose for your visit?" That was when an explosion from next door shook the very foundation of the building. A few people toppled over, but nobody paid it much attention and moved on as if nothing had happened at all.
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Rhindeer

Somewhere into the third hour, Niamh thought that maybe she should have picked a fight with those bureaucratic assholes. The stocks couldn't have been more boring than this!

She kept to herself as she waited, counting cracks in the ceiling, and blatantly ignoring attempts at conversation. She didn't want to be here around all these unwashed heretics, she just wanted to be back at the temple where things made sense again. She was tired, she was irate, and God did no one in Serendipity bathe?

Finally, though, her turn came. With an exasperated huff, Niamh marched to the counter and thrust the ticket into the woman's hand with a scowl. "Niamh Mera. I'm here to pay this stupid tick--"

Boom! The building shuddered and Niamh let out a cry and grabbed onto the counter for support. She whipped a look around, eyes wide, but...no one else was reacting? Aside from a few people stumbling or even the couple that fell, no one was bothered? And even the ones that toppled just got right back up like nothing happened. What the...?

She shot the elf woman a look. "The hell just happened?!"
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

Aeytrious

        The elf was clearly bored and cared very little for Niamh's annoyance or her surprise at the tremors caused by some experiment gone wrong. Her eyebrow quirked up, and she looked at Niamh with some poorly feigned interest. "New in town it seems. That would be the Magic school next door. No need to worry, every government building has been magically reinforced. The school most of all. Only the tremors are felt from the occasional explosion. No damage ever occurs."
        "Now as for your ticket," the clerk drew Niamh's attention back down to the parchment in front of them. "It seems your temple failed to inform you of the need for permits. As you are new to town and your purpose is religious, which is a protected right under the new bureaucracy, we'll be lenient and cut your fine down to the cost of the proper permit, and we will also issue you that permit, giving out a one month pass to orate to the masses." The clerk was writing on forms and stamping seals into hot wax as she said all this. "Please initial here, here, and here, and sign here. That'll be five copper pennies." The clerk turned the scroll to Niamh and handed her a proper quill to write with.
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Rhindeer

"Five copper pennies?! That's robbery!" Niamh said, spine stiffening. "I shouldn't have to pay to 'orate'. The Living Sun is real. You can feel Him, see Him! I shouldn't have to pay to speak the truth—unless you Serenians are just afraid of the truth!"
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

Aeytrious

The elf was even less amused with Niamh now that she was ranting about her sun god. Her deadpan glare was easily recognized as annoyance. "The truth?" The elf asked with indignation. "The truth is there are many cults and religions that have worshiped the sun. Even my people worshiped the sun with some great amount of fervor, thousands of years before your cult was even a glimmer of an idea." She proffered the quill with greater insistence.
        "Serendipity is a place of many people with many religions, that are free of persecution from the governing bodies. The Queen cares not for what you worship and allows the preaching of any religion as long as it is tolerant of others doing the same." The elf tapped her finger hard on the parchment before her.
        "Now if you give me any more trouble, the reduction of your fine and the leniency of this office will be revoked, and you will have to pay the full amount of one full Sun. Yes our highest denomination gold coins are suns. Plus you will not receive the permit to orate," the elf said with finality.
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Rhindeer

Niamh opened her mouth, about to retort--but even she knew it was a bad, bad idea. A "Sun" sounded like an awful lot to pay, and she certainly didn't have any denomination so high. She'd never even seen one of those before. Ah, yes, of course they would put the Sun on a coin and appropriate it like that.

She let her breath out in a soft huff. "How blasphemous, to put Father Sun on a money," she muttered from between her teeth as she snatched up the quill and signed with a dark, blotchy X. She shoved the quill back at the elf, then reached into her coin purse and scattered the coin onto the counter.

"There."
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

Aeytrious

        The old wispy elf woman rolled her eyes at Niamh's blatantly rude behavior and swiped up the coins. Then she tore off a section of the parchment and handed it to Niamh. "This is your permit. It's valid for thirty-one days from today, to ensure you get the full thirty days. Now if you'll please step away from the counter there are many people waiting for their turn. Good day."
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Rhindeer

"So ridiculous," Niamh said under her breath as she snatched up the permit and stuffed it away into her coin purse. "Whoever heard of needing a permit to spread the truth? What are you Serenians so afraid of?"

With a huff, she spun on her heel and stormed past the others waiting their turn, stomping her way out of the building and back out into the sunlight.
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

Aeytrious

        Only a few steps out into the sunlight and Niamh was jostled by the thick masses that crowded the streets. The neighboring magic school was releasing students from afternoon classes, and the early dinner rush toward the restaurant district was underway as well. It wasn't long before Niamh experienced unseen hands grope her behind. When she predictably looked for the culprit, another hand reached out to fondle her bosoms. Her anger or fear or any other emotions that the assaults might cause in her were the perfect distraction for when a young man came pushing through the crowd to collide with her. They both tumbled to the ground, but quick hands reached down to help the man up. Away he dashed, with his newly acquired coin purse. One that had just moments ago belonged to Niamh, and currently held her permit to orate.
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
Ritousaey


Rhindeer

The throng of people around her were almost suffocating, and worse, they were preventing her from getting where she wanted to be, when she wanted to be there. Niamh grumbled and shoved her way through the crowds as best as she could, using her elbows where she had to, and using her slim size to squeeze between bodies and under arms. What a waste of time that had been. The day was almost through! And what a rip off! A permit that was only good for a month, and then she'd have to pay again?

Of course heathens would be scammers, too. She bet this permit rule only applied to her people!

She was still grouching in her head, grumpy and tired, when someone grabbed her bottom. Not an accidental brushing, oh no, that was definitely a two handed grab and squeeze. Niamh squeaked in alarm and whirled around, heart in her throat but fists curled and ready to deck whoever had done it, but she could see no one obvious through the press of people. And as she was still looking behind her, someone grabbed her breasts.

Niamh gasped and covered herself, a fresh panic rising within her; she had heard of women being assaulted in plain daylight, even being dragged from a crowd without anyone noticing. She opened her mouth to yell--

But all that came out was a yelp as another body slammed into her, knocking her to the ground. She landed hard on her hip, pain shooting through her, and the crowd around her scattered to avoid the collision--didn't even try to help! Momentarily dazed, panic rising in her chest, she scrambled back away from the man even as his friends helped him up, for a moment fearing they would grab her, too.

But then they were off, and the crowd pressed back in, and she had to snatch her hands to her chest so they didn't get stepped on.

What...had just happened...?

Sucking in a breath, trying hard to control her trembling--from rage and fear both--she climbed back to her feet with a grimace and dusted herself off.

And that was when she noticed her purse was missing.

"Wha...hey!"

Those men! The man that had knocked her down! Had he--?! Was that what that was?!

"H-hey! Wait! That's my money!" she yelled, and darted off in the direction he'd run, wincing as her bruise smarted with every step.
Adamaris // Aderyn // Aki // Alexander // Angel // Axieva // Beatrid // Briar // Cadmus // Corryn // Einin/Owl // Emery // Fang // Faolán // Faris // Frost // Hayate // Ife // Jayari // Jirou // Juniper // Katxiel // Khaiya // Kota // Kyran // Liam // Makani // Max // Maya // Mei // Nakato // Naovi // Nasrin // Niaaki // Niamh // Noor // Pepper // Qiana // Qismat // Quinn // Raxta // Riyarin // Rook // Sachi // Sahar // Siobhan // Simonea // Sita // Song // Summer // Valor // Yasmin // Yiroa

Aeytrious

        Zipper was not ironically named. The young man was fast. He was however also not great at maneuvering. Set him to go in a straight line and nobody could beat him without a little magic or racial advantage. In the zigzags of the streets he had a little more trouble, in a crowd, he was downright pitiful. The mark had been signaled to him, and the other nearby Soot Wolves gave him the go. The woman was distracted, she looked downright panicked. All he had to do was walk past, do a little sleight of hand on her purse and move past on fleet feet.
        His feet had betrayed him, tangling up as he became unbalanced. A simple pass had become a collision, a fall, and if not for a little support, he'd likely still be tangled up with the woman. Instead Zipper was attempting to navigate the crowd at high speed. He bumped and jostled many people as he passed, leaving a wake of disgruntled grumbles. Every time he'd try to pick up his pace, another collision would slow him. He was not making good time, or distance on the pursuing Niamh
         Niamh's cries for assistance went mostly ignored, but a nearby city guardsman heard the call. He saw the signals of Soot Wolves, knew this was their work. They were the rulers of the city in all but name, but they had interesting rules. One of those was that guards were to do their jobs. If a Wolf was too unskilled to get away with their deeds, then it was better the law cull them. So Guardsman Reid began to pursue the man creating chaos in his flight.
Guild
The Soot Wolves

Characters
Ryk/Theodore/Rufus
ArjanDirkElijahGeldGulliusHiram
HerewardKheelanKurohanaLex
MalilaMelyndariaMowellesaQuinnlyn
SehrayanahTiberiusValencia
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