[Viden City] of Huntsmen and Surgeons II

[Sybil Malach]

Sibyl considers the statement.

A glance is given down to the orders in-hand. A slow shake of the head is given, as eyes slowly slide over the cursive, "... The dates of the death are too staggered." Comes the admission. Sibyl had always had issues with cursive, but the smaller words made sense. It helped that this was likely scribed by an assistant, rather than the author herself. But at the same time, with how fiercely competitive appearances can be in academia, there's a sliver of a chance that it might even be from the author itself. A thought crosses the Student's mind. Something about forgery. Just how much power do Scribes have, beneath their masters? Comes the thought, before a few blinks clear the mind, eyes turning back down to the paper itself.

A man and a woman. Both human. The woman was found starved in the poorer Prisms. A precariat. The body was removed to preserve public health. It's been in legal limbo since. Sibyl can't quite make out the details out all other than these very, very basic facts. The man was apparently a criminal pending investigation. The case was finished, but no-one came to claim the corpse. Nothing of the legal matters covered is easily comprehended in the slightest. The times of death are trials apart, but... Perhaps there's a connection between the two?

"When we reach the Academy, we'll be forced to unwrap the bodies regardless. The faces and hands here, and everything else, when we actually reach our destination." The student instead offers, as a glance is given in the direction of Wald. A blank blink is given, as the man admits his fear, "Ah-- Well. Such things happen. It is why the remaining outlanders stay the way they are, no?" A tactful avoidance of the fact that the student was more asking about fears aimed at the bodies, rather than in general. ... Perhaps out of respect for the man's pride, not correcting him, and prying further into the issue.

A knit of the lips to the side, however, as the student considers something, "... They shouldn't have those rings." Comes the admission. Eyes slowly trailing back to the Mortuary long since left behind, "The Mortician should've processed that through. ... Strange. I've never... Seen something like that be missed."

The two enter the alleyway.

[Wald Lowca]

Thinking on what the student said. "Most outlanders are in it for adventure... they do not truly live for the wilds they wander in. I have yet to see one that hesitates walking into a city." Being a hunter and living off the fruits of nature as given Wald many benefits in his mind. Although he knows it also made his life a lot harder and the sweet comfort of the city scares him. I don't want to grow soft and refuse my calling thought Wald.

Wald smiled even if it was a bit off after hearing the students admissions."Maybe the Mortician was stressed out or going to quickly." With a slight chuckle, "Even so, you saw the state of the inner works. In your more professional opinion on the human dead was that a preferable area to work in, or a place that someone was stressed in."

The two continued down as Wald stopped the everyone. With a stern look he pointed at the snow in front of them. There were footprints moving just around what looked to be some large crates. Wald readied his bow and whispered, "It is up to you If we head back or move forward now." handing the guide rope to the student. Notching an arrow showing the young one he would keep them as safe as he could Wald waited for the next move. Their was only one set of prints determinable from the snow in the alley. Even so they were covered up well and a normal person could not see them, but Wald was a hunter if he could not see the tracks of predators his life would of been forfeit a long time ago.

[Sybil Malach]

Sibyl offers a shake of the head to that, just in general, as the two enter the alley between houses, "Professional opinion? ... I don't even have a Letter in the Sciences yet." Sibyl admits, with a soft sigh.

The alley of this place is very little than a branch of the road meant for the shops on either side to receive goods for their storehouses. Though since this is in perhaps one of the more exposed parts of Viden, as well as the festivities continuing on in more preferable places, the presence of Eidisi and Humans are quite minimal. A few can be seen, hurriedly making their way between buildings, or on their way to join the bonfires, there is no-one but the two here. Perhaps, there were boons to this landscape. The cold kept things secure. Men and women were easy to spot, yet paradoxically, it was easy to remain hidden. One could see them come from miles away, but it was easy to understand where very few lingered. The temptation brought on by Wald's questioning begins to rear its head. Leaving Sibyl utterly oblivious to the tracks Wald had picked up on.

"... Haphazard." Sibyl admits, eyes glancing to the side, as the two reach a stop. Hands shifting to move up the hood of the cloak, it's clear that as it gets closer to night, the temperature is beginning to dip. Good for actual corpses, bad for the two humans., "I've yet to see the stitchwork, but none of the cadavers in the Academy leak like that."

A confused blink, as Wald makes his statement. The student obviously not seeing the same thing as he, and it seems to take Sibyl aback, by quite a bit. Visible breath leaves the now obfuscated face of the student , "... We will find a different way." Comes the comment, as Sibyl at least takes the hint, with guide rope in hand, the student begins to move back, and out from whence the two came. Eyes slowly scanning across the wrapped corpses. The fluids were starting to freeze on the linens themselves.

Sibyl wasn't planning on being a statistic.

[Wald Lowca]

As Sibyl walked back a man with a butter knife comes out from around the crates shaking and facing them. "S..S...Stop right there..." The man paused as he saw a bow being drawn on him. Noticeable scared he dropped his improvised weapon and went right to his knees. "Don't Shoot Don't Shoot I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry..."

While the man was groveling Wald unreadying his bow asked, "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

The sound of the voice surprised the man on the ground with how soft it sounded, and this scared him even more somehow. "I...I...I... I was told my parents would be heading for the.. A..Academy." The scared man blubbered out in fear.

Thinking on this for a moment Wald made another question. "Who are your parents and why would you... ummm.... arm yourself?"

"Both of my parents are dead... my father wasn't a criminal... and... and... my mother wouldn't eat.... I don't have the coin to bury them properly.... I had to do something for them... Do you not understand?" A scared child probable two years younger then the student looked up for recognition.

Looking over to the student Wald then asked a question, "Hmmph... Looks like most everything checked out. What do you want to do about this since he did lose his right to the bodies if i'm not mistaking?" Looking back at the begging person. He probable thought the person transporting the bodies would be alone and over encumbered by the bodies, thought Wald.

[Sybil Malach]

Sibyl simply watches on, as Wald finds himself face to face with perhaps one of the least threatening armed assailants the student has ever seen. Counting what few blessings Sibyl possessed, because knowing personal strength very intimately, the student was certain that this would have been a struggle, rather than something immediately dissuaded against. The two speak to one another. One pleading, and the other questioning. The ordeal had Sibyl's attention, no doubt, but at this point... It would be quite apt to just leave the two here, and return the donkey later.

It's the words that force Sibyl to stay.

A visible breath leaving the mouth, "If that is the case," Sibyl starts, as the paper is rolled back up, and slowly slipped back beneath the cloak, "Petition the Academy for the release of the cadavers. We will forget your... Attempt." This statement is firm, though utterly beneath anything close to yelling, or scolding. The Student simply keeps eyes trained between the two, "The alternative is that I am put under arrest for abetting theft."

The words were simple enough. Something that could be expected from the average Videnese citizen. After all, there are many forces in place to track this event. Not only investigative, but bureaucratic. Mulling it over some, the student simply offers a slow shake of the head, "... Go about your business. Please. The Masters of Viden will assure fair judgement."

Criminals. The average Videnese are disgusted by the act itself, let alone the perpetrators. Sibyl had indulged this before, having attempted to save a woman from a labor camp, in a last ditch effort to trade for more medical supplies. ... Sibyl was more sympathetic. At least giving the child the option and chance to back out now, before judgement for his action reigns. Sibyl's eyes slowly slide to Wald, for a moment, as though... Confused, on the honed accuracy of the assessment.

Could also be a mage looking for fresh bodies. The more cynical voice thought.

[Wald Lowca]

The boy ran off quickly leaving the knife behind Wald put his bow away and picked up the knife pocketing it. He motioned for the the student to continue. The two of them continued to the Academy without any delay. As they drew closer to the building Wald's steps noticeable started to shake. Feeling like his hairs were on end as the approached. If someone looked over it could seem like a cat was approaching with an arced back scared but pressing on. "We..." Wald swallowed as his voice cracked when he spoke, "We have arrived now you should be able to take the two from here right." Wald's eyes never left the Academy as if scared the very walls would come out and claim him.

The donkey continued and pressed her head against Wald this made him visible jump and turn around. He held her head for a moment and sighed. looking into her eyes the stress Wald had seemed to melt down through his body into the ground. I have to remember that this place can not take me if I choose not to let it. Wald thought petting the neck of the donkey.

When Wald turned back around his legs were shaking still as if he was still chilled down. "I'll be back on the 14th in the same spot, you can bring what payment you feel you owe me there. Although if you want to go on my trip you are welcomed to. Ill be leaving in the morning tomorrow. Oh... and i don't think i told you my name is Wald."

[Sybil Malach]

Sibyl allows eyes to shift to Wald, once the two finally reach the Academy. As though, for a moment, simply observing the man, and his crackling voice.

Thoughts began to swarm in an oddly uniform patter within Sibyl's mind. Wald was so willing to come to the city, in despite of his fears. The ulterior motive was hard for Sibyl to track, but almost impossible to ignore. Most men with fears such as these tend to leave rather quickly, or demand further recompense. The quick thinking seemingly arriving at more of an impression, than anything. A sensation of vague trust. Oddly trusting, but in the end, that's what Sibyl's mind settles on, for better or worst. Though such a thing is not worn upon the Student's face in the slightest, looking more as though placated, and grateful, than anything.

"A trip would be welcome." Comes the easy response from Sibyl. A blink of the eyes, and a slow tilt of the head, "And... Yes. The porters will see to it that the bodies are moved." Comes the response, as the Student begins to slide the body off of the donkey, and onto the stone next to the alley in which the two have come upon, seemingly a bit more comfortable with the surroundings, at least.

This place was positioned next to the grand Academy itself. Practically an entire facet of Viden's city structure with its grand, yet brutalist architecture. Students occupy this area very commonly flitting between the Carnelian Prism, and the Academy. A place Sibyl was comfortable, among the familiar stone. One after the other, the donkey's burden is lifted.

"Did you have something planned?" Comes the question, eyes shifting over, as the student hefts the last corpse, "I would prefer the city to be where I die, not quite the wastes."

[Wald Lowca]

Thinking with an inner smile at what seemed to be a trusting voice Wald thought. He patted the donkey's neck and pet down the mane saying, "This old girl seems to like you so I can't let you die until after her or she will get heart broken." Looking over with closed eyes and a smile, "I was planning a beaver hunt, but if you are around we can catch a few rabbits before i move out to the river. I can even show you how to use a bow if you want." The donkey shaking her head and looks over to Sibyl walking up and nudging their hand with her nose.

After making sure everything was complete Wald took hold of the guide rope. Before leaving Wald clarified, "I will be leaving in the morning, I have the miller waiting for me so I should get a move on." Walking off slowly leaving everything at peace Wald made his way out of the city.

One the way to his camp he went to the mill outside the city. Getting up too the door he knocked on it slightly hard to be heard over the moving gears inside. A scratchy voice spoke out, "Come in!"

Wald open the door and stated bluntly, "The butcher said you had some oats and barely for me."

The miller looked up and down the person who just entered. Nodding he replied, "Yep, and you look like the description as well. The sacks are over there."

Wald thanked the miller and grabbed the couple sacks in the place the miller pointed. Bringing them out he placed them on the donkey. These sacks were the payment for the rabbits he caught last hunt. Wald's next hunt will be much better even before the pelts are sold he could feel it. Making it back to camp he checked on his horse who was asleep in the tent.

[Sybil Malach]

"I should be able to talk one of my professors into it by daybreak." Comes the slow response from Sibyl. A moment of thought crosses the mind, but a slow shake of the head is given, "No promises, but there is a good chance, at least. They've been sending me closer to the wastes, regardless, to pick herbs." Sibyl admits, as hands fold beneath the cloak.

"Do have a good day, in the meantime." A pair of men step out from one of the side doors of the Academy. Each one holding an order similar to Sibyl's. The student simply steps aside, as they make their approach, wordlessly examining the bodies, as Sibyl and Wald speaks. Seeing as how the student only gives a passing glance to the new arrivals, they must be the ones the two were supposed to deliver for. An upnod is given, in the direction of the corpses. The men seem to pay Sibyl very little mind, only interested in confirming the identities of the body, and move them inside.

Once Wald steps away, however, the student simply... Seems to walk out. Steps are taken towards one of the Academy's book repositories, Sibyl opting to walk among the students.

Today was a special day. One that Sibyl was very quiet about. One of the professors agreed to allow Sibyl to be present during an autopsy for the college classes as an assistant, if the student would carry out these tasks. As Sibyl slowly begins to walk the halls of the Academy, it slowly dawns on Sibyl that perhaps... This was the correct course. For all the hell it offered the student, it was at the very least, more appreciated elsewhere.

At least, according to Viden itself.

A hand rests on the door to the Morgue. The other side of that door. Of course, Sibyl couldn't go through there. But Sibyl had to arrive early. And it was beginning to get dark. Soon, the other students will be here... And Sibyl will be one step closer.

Yet, even as the hand remains still, it does not press in. A cold sweat beginning to form.

A sense of deja vu.

[Varthakh]

Rewards for the two-legs's

Sybil

Points: 15

Knowledge:
Medicine: Corpse identification via paperwork
Medicine: Proper handling of cadavers
Surgery: Stitchwork requires time and patience
Surgery: Quality and orderly surgery suites fare better
Surgery: Poor stitching results in leaks or worse
Politics: Legalism versus moralism
Politics: An introduction to brutalist bureaucracy
Rhetoric: Using the Law as arbitration
Discipline: Legal codes can serve as a crutch for personal codes
Discipline: Keeping calm during illogical tirades
Psychology: Sycophants care deeply about personal image
Psychology: The desperate do not care about personal image
Sociology: Socio-economics of the dead
Sociology: Viden: Cadavers are a means to an educational end
Intelligence: 'Double-checking' orders for discrepancies

Loot: None
Injuries: None
Fame: +10 for completing a task on behalf of the academy and being seen by a passing few carrying bodies through Viden. That kid will also remember your face and your mercy, +10 is appropriate.
Magic: None

Comment: Wow, Syb's life outside of Emea is so much less hectic! That's probably a good thing, though. The thread was well-written and you articulated Sybil's thoughts and feelings through all this shady corpse business quite well. Enjoy the rewards!

Wald

Points: 15

Knowledge:
Animal Husbandry: Packing Animals properly distributing weight
Animal Husbandry: Animals have a calming effect
Detection: Hidden tracks are still tracks
Detection: Noticing the difference in genders under thick clothing
Detection: Rings can show status
Detection: Someone's manner of speaking gives away more than what they say
Detection: A room speaks a thousand words
Strength: Lift with your legs, not your back
Stealth: talking quiet to someone nearby
Combat Ranged: Bow: Using the bow as a threat
Discipline: Even fear can be overcome with a friend
Negotiation: goods for goods
Hunting: make a plan before you hunt
Navigation: Navigating streets

Loot: A sack of Barley, a sack of oats, a butter knife.
Injuries: None
Fame: +10 for being a strange wild man with a donkey, carrying bodies through Viden. That kid will also remember your face and your mercy, +10 is appropriate.
Magic: None

Comment: Hi Wald, I don't think I've had the pleasure of reading your work before. I enjoyed reading your character's inner dialogue and his reactions to things like the boy, but I noticed a few mistakes in your posts. I understand that writing is something you struggle with, so I appreciate that you made the effort to share your writing with the site. Your two most prominent errors, I feel, are your use of commas and the consistency of the tense in which you write. I took two examples of both for you to look at.

"Going through the city Wald looked around with caution unable to see the vast distance he could through his wilderness home," could be better punctuated with a few commas like so "Going through the city, Wald looked around with caution. He was unable to see the vast distance that he could in his wilderness home."

"While the man was groveling Wald unreadying his bow asked," uses both past (asked) and present (groveling) tenses. It could be improved like so; "While the man groveled, Wald lowered his bow and asked,"

Commas are just a pause in the writing, a point where the reader is allowed to breathe. It also breaks up the sentence into smaller pieces that are easier to digest. The past and present tense thing can be frustrating to keep consistent sometimes and I've messed up my own fair share of times. Just remember the difference between Grew, Growing, and will Grow and you'll be fine.

I hope that helps, enjoy your rewards!

Comment: Well this was a cute little read, I quite strongly related to Wald's hatred of the city, my own PC is exactly the same! While the boy jumping out from behind the crates did well to wrap the story up, I did feel as though it was a little too convenient. I also wondered how he 'heard' of the transportation fo his parents, but I'll assume that there was some way of him discovering this in the prior thread. Unless of course, there's something bigger afoot? Sibyl did touch on the possibility that the information the order had been forged, which was apparently proven correct by the boy's testament. What will the pair do with this knowledge? I look forward to finding out.

Code: Select all

[center][img]/gallery/image.php?album_id=39&image_id=7914[/img][/center]

Please paste my thingy here!