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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 11, 2023 19:23:58 GMT -5
Taki had been enjoying her days of rest, tending the gardens and animals at home, when a courier arrived from Sol City. Someone with the city's building committee had remember Taki's help with the recent crab infestation and invited her back to consult with another adventurer. New fortifications were being built around the city, and she was to meet with her partner at a place called the 'Lion's Sun Inn'.
Packing her things for a new journey, her companions gathered round and watched with eager stares. She paused to give each a treat and small bits of affection, then went back to check that she had everything. As she was closing her bag and getting ready to head for the scheduled boat to take her, all of the various creatures she'd befriended tried following her out.
"This isn't that kind of journey everyone, there shouldn't be anything in the way of fighting... Yukina, you and Rina stay home and tend things here, watch over this place while I'm away. Shuna, Shion, you'll be joining to help be my eyes and ears in places I cannot reach or be. Don't worry my fine flying friends, we'll return safely once things are done." The shaman instructed her companions. Yukina, a Snow Owl, and Rina, a Flitten, both went back home, circling overhead to watch the others leave. Shuna, a jungle Cat, and Shion, a Prismatic Spider, followed Taki to the docks.
Several days of travel later, and the Gold Port loomed on the horizon. The shaman and her companions gave thanks to the ship's crew and headed into town. She found the Lion's Sun Inn with relative ease and checked in with the clerk, who took her letter and directed her to a room. She was told the party who'd sent the letter had taken care of lodging expenses for the duration, and that she was to meet with her partner some time later in the day when they arrived. She thanked the young lady and dropped off her things, along with the pair of companions at her side. Making her way down to the dining hall, she ordered a beverage and an appetizer to snack on, waiting for the other person to arrive.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Apr 11, 2023 20:02:34 GMT -5
Leandros had hardly had any days of rest in recent weeks if he was being honest with himself. The events shaking Charon kept him busy, even if he wasn't spending his days fighting monsters out there he was fighting monsters at home in a sense. Keeping Sol City together with so many angry eyes on it proved to be a tougher job than he had imagined.
Worked to the bone or not, he wasn't going to be complaining about helping out the common folk when they are in need. That morning he stands outside the inn with his hands on his hips looking at the many bits of scaffolding throughout the city. Some of it was focused on healing the scars of recent tremors, others on the fortifications this other person has been asked to consult on. This would be quite the undertaking for the both of them.
The knight eventually dips inside, ducking under the doorway as he spots Taki. Having traveled much longer now, it was a lot easier to spot fellow adventurers when he was out. There was a different way they carried and held themselves. He holds up a hand to signal them.
"Hope I am not interrupting breakfast, I imagine you are Shitakibo. Leandros Aurthurian of Capitol Landing."
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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 11, 2023 22:38:21 GMT -5
"Quite alright, Leandros. I am indeed Shitakibo." The shaman replied, chuckling softly as Rina's fuzzy head pops up from the table to see who she was talking to. She felt a tug on the hood of her cloak, indicating Shion had done the same, her pearlescent eyes studying Leandros for a few moments while Taki finished the small snack. Leaving a few extra coins on the table as thanks for the fine meal and pleasant service, she gathered her companions and gear.
"Have you been on this job long? I just arrived from out of town earlier, so I've not had a chance to go out to the sites and get acclimated as of yet." Taki inquired, eager to get this job going and see improvements to the city since her last visit. She felt familiar with this man, somehow the name reminded her of something... though she was unsure where she'd heard it or when. Consulting on fortifications was an entirely new task to Taki, and she had more than a little nervousness at the prospect that her decisions could undermine the well being of so many living things. Running her fingers through Rina's brown and grey fur, Taki did all she could to calm herself to the gravitas of the situation. Why had someone sent for her? Would her insights be valuable in this situation? Taki wasn't so sure... her knowledge of battle was limited, but that did nothing to blunt her determination to see it through.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Apr 13, 2023 19:56:00 GMT -5
"This specific job? No." He laughs gently. "But I am born and raised here....and they like to have a noble of some reputation overseeing this. I say that not to brag, but to explain why you are saddled with a man who knows little about construction." Another gentle laugh as he led the way out.
Sol City still bore the scars of whatever was happening in the world. People were getting better though, what little morale there was to be had was scraped together for people to hang on to. The walk to the walls thankfully avoided some of the worst of the destruction.
Taki was lead up the stairs and through a guard tower, the knight stepping in ot explain their business and get them past. Thankfully, the walls were holding for the most part, but there was certainly a lot of work that needed to be done.
"I can take you directly to the foreman, or we can take the long way and get a full survey of the wall before we settle in for the work. What do you think?"
He paused, turning to face the young woman. Leandros put his hands on his hips and a smile on his face.
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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 13, 2023 23:01:30 GMT -5
"I think it wise to not keep the Foreman waiting, as they have other jobs to be doing. We can survey things in the evening when it's quieter and less crowded. I would like to know what is already in the works and happening so that I am not contradicting plans already in motion. My goal is to enhance and reinforce those plans, making it easier to fix and less likely to break when the next disaster comes." She decided, reflecting on the way the city differed from a few of the other places she'd visited recently. Unlike Zeinav's winding, maze like streets, Sol City was orderly and symmetrical. One could always take a quick look at their surroundings and understand where they were within the walls.
Hoping to capitalize further upon this lovely architecture, Taki had already been pondering what ways she could see the walls strengthened, the defenses better covered and easier to man. Her recent experience building her own home had given the shaman just enough insight to unravel the puzzle with her own ideas. Each place and it's peoples built differently, including Taki and her own people. A smile crept across her serpentine face, she was enjoying the mental puzzle of making something that already was in place better than it was.
Humming a soft tune, she followed Leandros to the Foreman. She almost walked into a few workers along the way, lost in a pattern of mental puzzles and possibilities. She apologized on reflex, and carried on, oblivious to her own strangeness. Shion kept out of sight, following along atop the nearby houses. Shuna walked beside Taki, prancing about with her tail swaying playfully.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Apr 15, 2023 10:12:34 GMT -5
There are definitely a few strange looks towards Taki and near explosive yelling episodes from nearby workers, but seeing who she was trailing they mind their tongues thankfully. Depending on who was asked, Leandros had a reputation as a gentle giant and/or a man who embodies the lions emblazoned on his cloak. Many in Sol City would come to him for help, but few would willingly draw the Lion's roar.
It wasn't too long before they reached the foreman, deep in the middle of a conversation with a few of his workers. The foreman was a squat dwarven man, arms as thick as tree trunks, he looked nearly pale but at a closer inspection it was just a layer of rock and clay dust covering him. In his thick leather overalls were various tools for masonry, given the amount of stonework it made sense he was put in charge of this.
"One second.." He holds out a hand to the pair before finishing his conversation in dwarvish. The Foreman then turns around, first staring at Leandros' knees before his eyes trailed up. "Ginma's fuzzy horse ass yer a tall bastard."
Leandros just chuckles softly, "I've heard that a time or two. I am just bringing Taki here to meet with you. She has been brought in as outside help with the fortifications."
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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 15, 2023 13:23:08 GMT -5
"Pleasant day to you Ser, I've been commissioned to consult on this project. Shall we go over the particulars of your current upgrade project?" Taki said, remembering she'd forgotten to mention her own name. "I am Shitakibo, or Taki if that's easier for you."
"Straight to the point, ehh? I can respect that in a person. Eoin Dellahan, of clan Timbermount. Most just call me boss, or Owen." Replied the Foreman. Ruggedly built from their life of heavy labor, the dwarf's attire was practical and efficient. Long pants and shirt of woven fabrics, covered by a leather apron with several loops and pockets for holding all manner of carpenter's tools. "We'll be okay, this blue lady snake and I... She looks like her fangs are as sharp as her wit." The man laughed heartily.
Taki had already started immersing herself in the plans spread out around the Foreman's workstation. The elaborate layout of the city was quite a fascinating pattern viewed from such a perspective. She began asking questions, bombarding the loud dwarf with technical questions, her own concerns, and what was already in the works. After making a rough sketch of her own ideas on a simplified map, the shaman began exploring the ongoing construction works. She greeted working teams in each place, taking their feedback and inspecting their progress.
Somewhere along the way of this very long day, Taki wondered about where Leandros had gotten off to. Perhaps they would cross paths at the inn for an evening meal. She let out a light yawn and scribbled in the last of her notes and suggestions for the day. Dropping off her own report to the Foreman's workstation, she made her way back to the inn. A hot meal, a bath, and a long night's rest were in order. Sitting down in the dining hall, she looked around for Leandros once again.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Apr 15, 2023 16:00:28 GMT -5
Leandros actually didn't wander too far from where they were working. He made use of his prodigious size by carrying equipment and supplies where it needed to go. Noble or not, the work needed to be done and he had nothing else to do. Plus he was perhaps a tad overprotective in making sure Taki was not treated unfairly or taken advantage of. She was a guest of the city after all and he was asked to make sure the time in Sol City was good. The city could use every once of good PR after all.
At present, the city was focused on finding the best ways to patch up holes and fix walls that didn't require just tearing them down and starting over. Of course, some sections there was little else to do. Eoin was amenable to the amount of questions, it helped shaped their choices and pointed out things they might not have thought about. He was a bit stubborn when it came to the aesthetics of some parts of the design, ensuring Taki that a dwarven artifice to some of it will give the fortifications a strong and intimidating look.
With the day winding down, the pair had gotten a slight bit separated. Lots of heavy things to lift it seemed or at least people looking for a bit of a break and Leandros being too soft-hearted to see the ploys for what they were. He did eventually find his way back to the inn where he first found her dusting off his hands before entering the door.
"Ah, good to see you are already resting and recovering." He smiled brightly. "I hope Eoin didn't trouble you much, I just wanted to make sure you were well before I myself traveled home."
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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 15, 2023 20:07:48 GMT -5
"It was a fine and productive day, I just hope my insights for this project are able to improve it in some way. Eoin was fine, and I apologize for getting lost in the work. Hopefully it wasn't too taxing, what you've had to do today." Taki replied, noting that Leandros was already ready to go. While short, it still took time to travel to and from Sol City, and she looked forward to going home, flopping down in her small, open room with her companions and resting for a few hours with a warm fire and some fresh spring fruits.
"If you're ever in or around the Crescent Isles and need assistance in some way, be sure to let me know. Ask the locals and they'll usually point you in my direction as well." She commented as he made ready to leave. Something about the man seemed sturdy, and she admired the spirits' interactions with the knight. Noble indeed, and someone willing to put their own life on the line for others. Taki hoped she could count on his help if a dire situation ever arose, and they were in the same place. She held an even greater hope that her own heart had the courage, her own spirit the fortitude, to act in such a moment for the good of others. The puzzle of making the best out of what existed was nice, but the reminder of why it was important to consider the lives of all others, not just those in your power to choose over others, was the wisdom that mattered.
The next morning, Taki set sail for home. Whether her designs and insight would influence Sol City's architecture remained to be seen, perhaps on her next visit she would look for those places. Time would tell, but for now, the journey home was all the shaman had on her mind. Supplies filled for the weeks long journey, her companions joined in working for reduced fair, and a private room. While she got along with people in small doses, spending a full day immersed in people took it's toll on the shaman. A closed room with a locked door gave her the space to vent, meditate and unwind in peace before the next morning came along.
Crossing from the Crescent Coast inland, Taki arrived home a few days after the ship had completed it's journey. Her companions spent the day sharing stories, while the shaman checked over her home and settled in. A fine adventure, even one that seemed short, was worth the time and effort. What else might she achieve in her life? She watched the stars that night, surrounded by the comforts of home and wondered.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Apr 15, 2023 22:51:16 GMT -5
"It would be selfish of me be born to such a size and not put it to good use." He laughs warmly, especially seeing that Taki had taken to everything so smoothly. "Plus there are some around here that need to be shown that no one is above a good day of hard work."
He nods at her offer, happily ready to add to the list of allies around Charon. They would be needed in the coming days, that he was sure of. Too much was shifting and changing and it was going to take a faster response than any one country is going to be able to provide.
The knight hopes that little by little with each bridge built he can pull something from the wreckage. Cracks had already been shown by how Scern's words wounded so many and then there was the catastrophes that hit everywhere. Something serious was happening, it was hard to ignore....but he wouldn't burden Taki with those thoughts right now.
"I am sure your words will have influence over Eoin and you'll see that impact next time you visit, of that I am sure." He gives one last smile and a nod before leaving her to the rest of her night.
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