(Viden) Don't Bring Your Troubles to Town

[Wald Lowca]

33rd of Ymiden 719

Wald woke up early as he did most Trials. The sun had yet to come out, the stars were still clear in the sky. Their twinkling light helped move Wald to the center of camp. Slowly he relight the fire in its hole. It did not take much, just the moving of ash to expose the hot embers. The one down side to the way the fire was set up, was that ash piled up, instead of flying out with the smoke. As the air did not bellow from the top, but came in from the bottom. Making the flame hotter, but keeping the ash inside. It helped with being hidden, and making the camp smell of smoke. All good upsides all things considered.

Once the flames were high, Wald began to cook half the meat that was left. Cooking the full leg of the Elk, this would be breakfast for the three people in camp. The last pieces of meat will be for Ari, that way he does not feel left out of the meal. He could be very annoying that way. Since he did not like being the only one yet to eat. As it was cooking, Wald put out the hay for his two equine, since the world around him still was not fully green yet. Once the next season came, the north would provide enough for the two animals to graze on, for now the hay was a good substitute. Rotating the flesh on the fire, Wald sat down for a moment, looking over his bow. The old tool was getting strained... Soon it may not be able to provide for him, once that happened it would be as if Wald was missing a leg. Life would not be forgiving if he could not provide. Perhaps his time today in the city will help with this. Though the trip was not something to look forward to, as it meant stepping foot not only in the city, but the Academy as well. Neither seemed like good places for Wald to go.

[Sybil Malach]

33rd of Ymiden 719
The night was uneventful. It was strange, though. Despite the clamoring confusion of mages within Viden, they didn't really see anything different in their day to day life. It was becoming more and more of an ongoing project, just trying to understand what some of them ranted and raved about. But for Sybil, this event, was simply manifest through the warm embrace of a black as night slumber. Though it was short lived, in all honesty. No matter how long they slept, it was never enough. The dreams simply never came back. Though the student could barely remember them at all, it was a case of something missing from their sleeping experience. It was one of the times where they counted their blessings in their efforts to abstain from the supernatural. Strange events like these and their ensuing panic tends to be mitigated for them.

But now, they were awake. And judging by the lack of weight at their side, Wald was as well. Their eyes slowly blinked, as they considered what he would be doing so early. Perhaps the reality of going to Viden was raising his nerves. Perhaps he was preparing for the trip in a way that was more manic, than utilitarian. The worries in the back of Sybil's skull began to encroach upon the forefront of their thoughts. Memories of Wald looked like when he was struggling in his darkest hours seemed to play behind those eyes. Something that they did not want to see again. But a cold reality that was simply a matter of time before it would set in. They would have to face it. Rising up from their near-slumber, they roll their shoulders, glancing around the tent. Letting out a breath, once they didn't see him, they approached the entrance flap of the tent, and peeked their head out, peering towards the campfire, trying to find the outline of Wald.

[Wald Lowca]

Slowly Wald kept the meat from burning, it was the least he could do. At least when it was not burned it was edible, once it started to char the taste of coal would out way the meat. There was nothing to grab a hold on, since the meat had already had the bones removed. It was odd to cook like this, since usually he could use the bone to move things. This seemed harder, though the meat cooked more evenly, as it was spread out.

The sound of movement came from the tent, It was one of two things, Ari or Sybil. Likely it was Sybil considering the lack of running around. Slowly the flaps made their opening sound. He could hear Sybil's breath almost freeze in the northern air. He looked over, and the student's eyes were not fully adjusted to the light of the fire. Wald simply spoke to help their search. "Good morning. Did Ari make a good head rest?" Before Wald fell asleep last night, he had placed Sybil's head onto Ari. Who was originally asleep on Wald's lap. Wald continued on breakfast for a little longer, since it had been some time since Wald had awaken.

Wald took a couple of plates out, and cut the meat into three pieces. "I got breakfast done." Wald said with a warm smile, preparing the plates for the three people in camp. Though he did not know Zemos well, he could not let them go hungry could he? Sybil would likely dislike that. Soon Ylfa made her way out of the tent, with a stretch and a yawn. Trotting her way over to Wald's side.

[Sybil Malach]

33rd of Ymiden 719

Sybil needed a moment of blinking, to try and adjust their eyes. Still covered in the residue left from a deep night's sleep, the student was still unsure of what was even happening. They didn't particularly seem like a morning person, but then again, could this hour truly be called morning? Darkness still reigned upon the Tundra of Viden. But such things were somewhat normal, considering just how long nights usually last in these lands. But regardless, as Sybil begins to take a step out from the tent, they pull their cloak close and squint towards Wald, as he speaks. Shifting over to the fire, and towards him, they simply take a seat and relax, as he says his fill. They were completely out of it, it seems.

"I slept on Ari?" Sybil asks, as they lean in towards the fire, with both hands held out, trying to sap as much warmth as they could from the pit. It was cold as usual, and they didn't feel like wrapping up in endless amounts of blankets and cloaks, being forced to waddle around like some sort of penguin. The fire would have to do, for now. The freedom of dressing somewhat lightly was something that the student enjoyed, even though by most standards, a heavy cloak and heavy outfit could hardly be called light. "... Well, I'm not dead... And I didn't get woken up, so I think it makes a good pillow, yes." They offer a broken smile, along with a light chuckle. They were a bit dazed from the night of rest.

Looking over to what Wald was cooking, a sensation of curiosity crossed their mind. They couldn't focus, so they simply asked, "... What's for breakfast?"

[Wald Lowca]

Wald slowly rolled his shoulders, giving them a slight pop, before passing over one of the plates. "The leg of the Elk from yesterday." Wald also handed over a small knife. The meat did not have any char on it, and was cooked evenly enough that it had a small pink center. Wald had plated three portions of meat. "Should you get Zemos before you eat?" Wald said placing two plates on his workbench, which was made of a large boulder he rolled in. Ylfa sat at Wald's side, looking to him with large eyes.

Wald slowly put his hand on the wolf's neck, scratching gently as he smiled to her. "You want to do something don't you?" Wald said to Ylfa, as she stretched out from the scratching.

Ylfa slowly started to pant, as she looked back at Wald. "Yes, Master." Ylfa replied, she enjoyed helping out around the camp.

Wald pointed to the pile of sticks he had stored in the corner, it was around the height of Ylfa. "Gather more sticks, that will keep you busy for a while." Wald smiled to Ylfa, as she quickly left the camp to find more fuel. Any stick would do at this point, since he could allow them to dry out before use. This was a benefit of staying in one place for a long time. Slowly Wald looked over to Sybil, as he grabbed one of the plates from the stone. "We will leave soon after we eat, is that alright?" The sun was just starting to touch past the horizon, giving light slowly as it started with a blue haze.

[Sybil Malach]

33rd of Ymiden 719

"Zemos! Time for breakfast." Sybil called out to the tent. Their voice honestly not bothering to raise any decibel above anything that would really cement it as a yell. They knew Zemos was a light sleeper, and that he'd be here soon.

Sybil's thoughts started to catch, the moment that they glanced over towards the tent. Something about Zemos was strange. Well, no. It was far more than just one thing that was strange about him. It was something that was all enveloping about him. While Wald and Ylfa were able to see the obvious thing that Sybil couldn't, the student saw something that lay just beneath that. A man simply doesn't just forget his entire life and go simple. While malnourished, a man like him wouldn't have gotten far at all. And no slaver this side of the Northern side of Idalos would have just brought him along. Was it a trend, perhaps, for slaves to be sold as disposable goods? It was a strange thing.

As Zemos lurched an arm out of the tent like some sort of tragic monster, Sybil's eyes glance down, and over towards the breakfast on offer. Barely really thinking outside of the basic instincts of someone who's hungry, the student simply takes a portion of the meat in their hands, and just begins eating at the fire. Swallowing, they simply seem to just enjoy what's on offer, not really questioning anything, and just doing whatever comes to their senses. And right now, their stomach was as empty as a pit. "Sorry." They say, glancing up at Wald, "My stomach... Voided, yesterday. I feel like if I don't eat something, I'm going to double over." They admit, sinking their teeth into the meat once again.

A nod crosses their features, as they swallow, "Mhm. Just put on a hood. Think it's been long enough that they've started finding over suspects for that case... Should be fine, if you want to visit." Their lips knit to the side. Indeed. Bounties were around the city for information regarding the attack on the caravan.

[Wald Lowca]

Wald took bites out of his meat, after passing a plate to Zemos. "It is fine, eat how you see fit, as it is not like others will judge you here." Wald gave a smile, there was not a sense of judgment. Though as he did, the next member of the awaken stumbled out of the tent. Ari plopped out of the tent, he must of been on his back legs pushing at the opening. Since he came out almost in his entirety before taking a step. Once he walked out slowly they stretched out slowly, giving a long yawn. slowly moving to the fire to warm up, as Wald pulled out another slab of raw meat.

The animal began to eat from the raw meat, his little gnawing audible. As the group ate around the fire, Sybil began speaking about the city and the incident. "Yea... I do not think it is needed." Wald gave a moment. "If they are likely to come after me for any reason they want." Wald took a breath. "It was all situational, and I doubt me being incident would be an issue." Wald felt that no matter what he could be taken, though it was likely just paranoia. Though he continued to eat his breakfast, in a bit of silence thinking over.

There was one other issue, how was he to deal with Ari. The cub could not be alone, and would gather to much attention. There is also no telling what the rangers would do if they saw him.

[Sybil Malach]

33rd of Ymiden 719

And just like that... Sybil had began to delve down a distinct lack of table manners. They weren't even using the utensils likely on offer. And it was unlikely that they would accept it, if offered. Their teeth dug down into the meat, as they pulled it apart within their lips. The student's body had finally began to falter under the weight of hunger. It was as though their stomach had been pressed clean of anything that would serve as cushion for it. It was just an utter, raw void that demanded to be filled. And that they did, with fresh meat. Something that they had likely not experienced anytime outside of their visits to Wald, their day to day life simply not allowing for such frivolous spending to take place.

Zemos himself seemed to move with a staggered approach. He was clearly roused from sleep, when Sybil had called him over. But he wasn't entirely awake. Plopping down near where the plate where Wald offered was, he simply began to eat, much like Sybil. But this was more of his anomalous behavior. While Sybil had just spent the better part of the day retching out their guts, this seemed... To simply be the natural way in which Zemos ate: Like an animal.

Halfway through their breakfast already, Sybil couldn't help but try and slow down. They had been swallowing mouthful after mouthful of meat. While it was good to finally have something fill their guts, it wasn't good to keep going at this speed. And that, was something their body was attempting to remind them, as their expression turned to a grimace, their stomach turning. Wiping their lips with the sleeves of the student's shirt, Sybil simply says, "Are you nervous about going there again?"

[Wald Lowca]

Though he did not eat quite as animalistic as the other two, Wald did eat fast, using the knife only to make things smaller for his mouth. His food seemed to leave faster from his plate, since he only needed to chew the meat. Not tear it as the other two seemed to want to do. His plate was nearly cleared when the student started with their question. "Not nervous." A slow sigh and bellow of mist came from his mouth. "Well, no more then normal. Watch the people when we are in the city. Aside from that." Wald looked off into the forest. "The city itself seems to be... strange..." Wald swallowed. "It is as if I walk into the jaws of a beast, the maw slowly crushing me, when I walk into the city." Wald looked to the wilderness that surrounded him for comfort. It was his home, and in a sense, his safety blanket. The wilderness was dangerous, but at least it did not lie. The city walls felt crushing, they are something that lies about its intent. They are not for safety from outside threats, more to keep one in. These thoughts are what caused the core of Wald's phobia. "I will be fine, I know I wont stay long... With us looking for the book together, we can find it quickly, I am sure." Wald's eyes seemed to glaze over as he looked to the forest. Almost loosing himself in a different moment.

With a shake of a head, Wald smiled again. He reached over to pet Ari, who accepted the affection. Despite a slight jump from the touch, he seemed to be more behaved about his food then yesterday. "The big issue is this little guy. What are we to do with him?" Wald was worried about his little cub, who was rare in the area. It was never common for these animals to be kept as pets, due to the parents aggressive tendencies to reclaim their young. This meant without a permit Ari could not enter a populated area, as it would bring to much danger.

[Sybil Malach]

33rd of Ymiden 719

Finally, the meat began to settle in the pit of Sybil's stomach. As the student draws their cloak near, their eyes glance upon Wald, once more. They had seen him in the full range of reactions when it came to the city. Nearly catatonic, stoic, excited, chilled by ordeal, and anything in between. Sybil had, in a sense, shared quite the experience with the man when it came to urban settings. They were one of the few to manage to convince the man to come within Viden's walls. And one of the scarce amount that even managed to see him at least sweat. It was strange, now seeing him willingly bringing himself within its walls once more. Perhaps, it was a matter of what was at stake?

"Well... Think of it like the Tundra, I guess. The people are trees that just so happen to be able to see, you know? You can still hide behind them, but you can't do it like a normal tree, but it's somewhat the same. Just keep moving, don't make too much of a fuss, and no one will truly try to notice you. There are predators to be worried of, sure, but given some time... You'll be able to see them. But that's what you have me for, no? I wouldn't let you stay in a place that I knew would try to eat you alive. And if you keep walking, and keep to yourself... You've successfully blended in. Kinda like hiding in a bush or something, but... Well. With a crowd." Sybil blinks, as they try to word it properly. Fingertips sliding across the meat's juices and bringing it up to their lips to taste, "Been getting better at seeing through some of the worst parts of the city. Been stopping by towns, even, and speaking with the sailors." They shrug.

Zemos, much like an animal, starts to shove food into his mouth. It was place in front of him, so he eats. "It might take a bit longer than what you're expecting." Sybil finally says, eyes glancing towards the man, once more. "We have the largest library known to Man, after all. Quite a bit of sifting to do."