[5:35 AM] Kwak: Resting for a moment in their flight, Sula and Shimi stand on a wide bridge over one of Yuki Jyorou's central boulevards. Along the bridge's rail, a long row of scrappy-looking birds is loitering around. A few more fly down as the Dwabi lets out some high-pitched whooping sounds, calling them to him.
[1:25 PM] ColdToiletSeat: After the conversation with Marrok, Kalenzo roamed the streets of the city once more in search of something to occupy himself with. A breeze hit the man's face, a smile crossing it and his eyes closing as he welcomed the refreshing contrast to the rays of sun coming down from the skies. However, this was no ordinary breeze, it's source being the Dwabi and his mount coming down to rest.
"Greetings, Sir Sula." He speaks, approaching the Dwabi with a lighthearted demeanor.
[1:43 PM] Kwak: "Kwemo, Kalen-za." The Dwabi looks to Kalenzo with some surprise, having failed to notice him upon landing. "How are you enjoying this, pretty city?"
[1:54 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "It's quite nice, I will admit." Kalenzo answered, giving glances around him and making sure to stay clear of Shimi as he walked closer, keeping towards the railings of the bridge before stopping and continuing. "But, it certainly brings back some... memories I am not quite fond of."(edited)
[3:55 PM] Kwak: Shimi maintained the distance, more interested in the birds, who in turn hopped away from the apothecary. Sula, on the other hand, takes an inviting step forward.
"I see it too, in the houses and the food. It is, almost like we have already crossed the border."
[4:20 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Indeed." Kalenzo nodded, leaning an elbow against the iron railings before his stare drifted to the streets and the people below. "If there's anything I can confirm..."
"...We're not in Freyzenwald anymore."(edited)
[10:50 PM] Kwak: "No no, ha ha ha. Even the people..."
A few of the birds flew away from the man's elbow. Sula looked down into the road, producing a handful of seeds from his robe, and tossed them down into an empty clearing, sending the flock out of the way.
"..So many of them are Khlin-i, now, coming through the fort."
[3:50 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Hohoh, yes they are..." Kalenzo agreed, crossing his arms as he followed the flock with his eyes until something else had captivated his attention. A crowd was gathering around a street performer who...
Seemed to lack any style- any soul in his display. The uninteresting show made the man grimace before he shook his head .
"Ah, my fellow countrymen... Your hooting and hollering once again prove to me how little our culture has advanced..."(edited)
[4:02 AM] Kwak: "Do you enjoy the music?" It was a bit too airy for Sula's taste - no drums - but pleasant enough.(edited)
[4:14 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Pfeh I wish I could." The artist spat, looking back at the Dwabi with a look of distaste for the performance.
[4:27 AM] Kwak: "Truly..." The Dwabi sighs. "My ears have been, spoiled, ha."
[4:46 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "No no no, you aren't spoiled my friend, you just have decent standards." The apothecary sighed, adding a slight chuckle to the end of the jab as the corner of his mouth curled into a smirk.
[4:52 AM] Kwak: "Ah, but our time in Khlin will be short, I pray." Sula's toes tightened. "And, Concor-dia may be more kwemo, I wonder....Have you ever been there?"
[5:01 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Concordia? Heh, I certainly wish." Kalenzo answered, uncrossing his arms before resting them on his sides. "I had actually intended to go there before I had heard of the party Freyzenwald was holding, if you'll believe that."
[5:02 AM] Kwak: "They must have, wonderful tastes, then."
[5:02 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Oh, I've heard the stories..."
[5:05 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Might I ask... Have you been there?"
[5:09 AM] Kwak: "Nno, never so far east."
Shimi sturred restlessly, and the Dwabi walked calmly past Kalenzo. He kept his head turned towards the mysterious artist, however.
"And the only stories Sula-o hears, are of a great city where no one's dreams came true! May there be no truth in them, ha."
[5:15 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Hmm, I fail to see any truth in that as well." Kalenzo nodded, raising a hand to scratch at the stubble on his face.
"A land where Art™ flourishes? Certainly sounds like a dream come true to me."
[5:28 AM] Kwak: As the conversation continued, Sula stroked Shimi's mane to calm her. With his other hand, he fished through his robe. looking over the railing once more.
"You would have to ask the ambassadors. But can art grow in a place with such fierce defenses, with such steely laws?"(edited)
[3:28 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Well, you never know..." Kalenzo shrugged, lowering his arm before folding the two of them once more. Taking a pause to look up and enjoy the full view from where the two stood. The artist let out a breath before continuing.
"Sometimes the most beautiful of flowers bloom in the harshest environments"
[4:18 AM] Kwak: Sula turned out to look over the edge alongside his once-attempted-partner-in-crime. "All it takes...is someone to plant the seed."
And without another word, the Dwabi held his fist over the railing, and let loose another handful of birdseed. This time, it landed directly on the lackluster lutist, who had to stop his pitiful performance as he was swarmed by a flock of hungry birds.
With a stupid smirk, the Dwabi takes a discretionary step back from the rail, not quite out of sight of the bystanders.(edited)
[4:37 AM] ColdToiletSeat: Watching the sight unfold before him, the Bowman couldn't help but laugh as the mediocre musician panicked, desperately trying to swat away at the sudden influx of birds.
Pushing himself off of the railing and away from the sudden scene, Kalenzo turned to face the Dwabi with a grin crossing his typically collected guise before making a comment.
"Ah, the flowers... they are quite lovely, don't you think?"
[4:47 AM] Kwak: Turning to face him directly, Sula gave a brisk nod, holding a dark finger to his lips. He closed his eyes and took in the sounds of the agitated avians. As they competed for the treasure scattered all across their victim's flustered frame, their chirps and caws formed something of a cacophonous chorus, draped over the low murmurs of the dispersing audience.
To lose one's face, one's very composure so suddenly was, of course, a profound disgrace for one who claimed to be distinguished among men as a performer. Even as the birds' calls died down, he stayed put in a dejected daze, sniffling a bit.
And up above, Sula's eyes slid open as the birds' calls died down, meeting Kalenzo with a surprisingly gentle expression.
[3:27 PM] ColdToiletSeat: The artist's laughter was quick to taper off as he understood the message the Dwabi mage was saying by wordlessly bringing a finger to his lips. Bringing up his own hand to help hush his chuckles, Kalenzo leaned back over towards the railings in order to sneak another quick peek at the tarnished performance once more before closing his eyes for another giggle.
As the cacophony of squacks and calls came to an end and Sula opened his eyes, Kalenzo lowered his hand and perched it on his hip before regarding the spellcaster with a dopey grin plastered across his face.
"Well then, my friend, you certainly know how to make a production interesting."(edited)
[3:43 PM] Kwak: Sula's eyes followed the little hitmen up into the air, then back at Kalenzo.
"Of course! It sounds like, these ears can still receive some beauties, ha."
[4:09 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Ohohoho, my true compliments only come to those who deserve them, my friend." The man added, leaning a bit forward before pointing a finger at the Dwabi. "You, good sir, are certainly one of the worthy."
[6:41 PM] Kwak: "Hu! You are as good with compliments as you are with that bow..."
Sula leaned back a bit, rolling his shoulders out.(edited)
[7:06 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Oh stop it, you flatter me so~" Kalenzo responded, looking away bashfully before raising his other hand and playfully waving off the man.
[7:56 PM] Kwak: "Then I should ask you to stop?" Sula let out a hearty, rhythmic laugh. "I could speak of your own path as a performaner..but I have never seen it. Did you do something for the festival?"
[8:10 PM] ColdToiletSeat: Kalenzo laughed alongside the man he was willing to call a friend, letting his hand fall back down to his side before clearing his throat and listening to what Sula had to ask.
"What did I do for the festival? Sadly, nothing too special, just a little bit of a performance and some artwork to put on display before those things came from out of the air." The artist answered, waving his hand through the air before stopping and letting his head hang while he continued. "I don't think I'll be seeing that piece again any time soon..."
[7:58 AM] Kwak: "I see, ha ha ha. Not very, convenient." Sula found it hard to relate - after all, the only task he had lost from the attack was a horrific murder - but he gave a deep, empathetic nod as if to imply some kind of vague performance. "And yet, you have your health! No more, bad times on the carpet, yes?"(edited)
[8:12 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "You make a fair point." Kalenzo answered, raising his head and standing upright as he listened to the Dwabi state facts.
"I suppose a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush for someone like me."
[8:22 AM] Kwak: "Multiplying birds...I would like to see that one, ha ha." Sula leaned over the edge of the railing...then recoiled back. "But, here, may not be the best time."(edited)
[12:33 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "I... It's an expres- nevermind." Kalenzo tried to interject, a perplexed look on his face as he attempted to correct the man only to realize that his efforts would be less than fruitless with the foreign magician.
Letting out a sigh, another thought popped into the artist's head.
"Say... Sula, I know a place that makes some superb tea. Would you care to catch up some more over there?"
[7:42 PM] Kwak: "Kwemo." A foreign word to the artist, but the assent behind it was clear from his voice. Without another word, Sula gently mounts his majestic falcon, looking down at Kalenzo with some curiosity.
[7:56 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "I'll take that as a yes." The virtuoso replied, giving a nod in understanding. Looking up to regard the man with a smile, Kalenzo made a quick beckoning motion before he let out a brief instruction consisting of the words "Follow me." Quietly, the artist turned around and began walking down the path, looking up to follow the familiar streets and paths the man had easily become accustomed to.
"...and if we take a left here, this should be the place." Kalenzo mumbled before grinning as he came to the realization that he was correct.
[7:57 PM] Kwak: Sula promptly dismounted. "This is...Safe, for Shimi-e?" Having failed to yet identify their destination, the Dwabi looked around for somewhere to hitch her.(edited)
[8:18 PM] ColdToiletSeat: The tea house standing before the two was a fairly quaint establishment, being one of good condition in that regard. A veranda extended from the base of the building, several chairs and tables seating some customers as they talked and shared stories amongst each other. A single door sat at the back end of the building's extension, marked with an illustration of a fish and a few words reading "The Khlinese Koi"
On the other side of the street was a stable, to which Kalenzo pointed to and spoke.
"Well, nothing in Khlin is guaranteed, but it's the safest from what I can see."(edited)
[3:02 AM] Kwak: "Yes, yes, very good."
Having finished tying his mount to a post, Sula joins Kalenzo, looking for a seat from which he could still see her.
[3:11 AM] ColdToiletSeat: With a nod, the two found themselves at one of the tables on the veranda. Wordlessly, Kalenzo took off his cloak, folding it with care and placing it below his seat after finding himself in it.
A waitress was quick to approach the table, bringing menus that showed the various that were available to the two gentlemen.
"Please, feel free to take your time in deciding what you would like." She instructed, giving the both of them a smile before turning around and walking off.
[3:20 AM] Kwak: Sula looks over the paper in front of him with a blank stare, darting across the symbols rapidly. He seemed focused, yet somehow...disinterested?
"Ha ha...and what is it that tickles your taste, Kalen-za?"
[3:34 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Ah, there's a certain flavor that never seems to disappoint me... Where is it..." Kalenzo answered, grasping the menu and peering at it in search of a certain flavor. What it was had yet to be discerned until the bowman had an Aha! moment, shown by his widening eyes and quickly smiling face. He turned the menu over and pointed out a particular tea with his index finger, one that had read "Khlinese Lemon Tea."
"This one, right here, is one of the best you can get here in Yuki Jyorou."(edited)
[3:40 AM] Kwak: Only a moment after Kalenzo's recommendation, Sula lowers his menu as if it held much more weight to it than the artist's.
"Then I must receive your wisdom, sir. That is my choice."
[4:05 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Lovely." The artist responded, resting his menu near the edge of the table and turning his body away from the table to raise a hand to motion over the same waitress.
Just as quickly as she first approached the table, she returned and picked up the gentlemen's menus, tucking them under her arm and replacing them with a small piece of parchment and a thin piece of charcoal. The waitress quickly scribbled down the order for some lemon tea before giving a nod and walking towards the back room.
[4:23 PM] Kwak: Sula leaned back in his chair and starts sizing up the other patrons, but stops partway through. His glassy grey eyes looked back to Kalenzo with idle curiosity.
"And, here we are, on the road to Khlin...fighting for a foreign Queen. Is it just, gold, that brings you here?"
[5:02 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Gold? Heh... That's hardly why I'm here- I mean the gold is nice, don't get me wrong..." He answered with a grin, resting his elbows on the table and waving his hands from side to side dismissively. The artist took a second for a brief pause to compose himself and steeple his fingers before continuing.
"...But I have my reasons for sticking with this group."
[5:06 PM] Kwak: "I wonder, if they are anything like the others' reasons for choosing this path. "
[5:39 PM] ColdToiletSeat: "Mmm... There are some, but they are far and few in between." Kalenzo responded, leaning more of his weight on his elbows.
[5:55 PM] Kwak: "Ha...ha ha ha." A silent sigh deflated Sula. It seemed that neither one of these men was at all keen on exposing their pasts, or their plans. "Then...what is it that brings us to this place, Kalen-za? Just a meeting of artist, and Aishatu?"(edited)
[9:05 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Well, I've never been too passionate about the idea of fate..." The bowman answered, knitting his brows before continuing. "But, the more I think about it, our meeting can't possibly be any simple happenstance."
[4:25 PM] Kwak: "Truly, my friend...It was you who first greeted me in Amaterasu... And you did not even shoot us down!" Sula beamed with gratitude. "I cannot say I am, eager for it, but our journey carries much more than three dozen people and royal-ti." He spoke with a chilling confidence, the sort that only came from wise men and fools. "I only pray that it will be...fun, ha ha ha."
[1:58 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Heh... I too pray for that alongside you, my friend." The artist chuckled, closing his eyes before leaning back in his seat.
After the fairly moderate wait, the sound of a door opening could be heard followed by the appearance of the tea-tray equipped server. As the woman approached the table, a smile crossed her features before she had set the tray down before the two men. With a small bow, a single word escaped her lips before she hurried to the back room: "Enjoy."
"Ah, at long last..." Kalenzo remarked, shooting Sula a quick grin before leaning forward and grabbing the kettle by the handle and pouring the two of them a cupful.
"I do hope you'll enjoy this..."
[2:15 AM] Kwak: "Ommm..."
Sula closed his eyes, humming reverently as he held the cup hin his hand. The other palm glided over the cup in some sort of ritual, his fingers nearly as loose as the steam wafting around them. Miraculously, the liquid itself began to coil around, lurching out of its container. A veritable tendril of tea floated through the air to the droning Dwabi, who took a sip without even opening his eyes. With uneasy vibrations, the beheaded beverage whirled back down into its cup, then fell still along with the strange man's fingers.
With a light gulp, Sula broke the trance, and his glazed eyes opened once more. "Kwemo-Kwemi, Kalen-za. It is as you hoped."(edited)
[11:51 AM] ColdToiletSeat: Likewise, Kalenzo brought the small clay cup up to his lips. However, he stopped before he could lean the cup towards his mouth in sheer amazement of Sula's display. The effortlessness, the mastery shown of the arcane arts... it was quite the experience seeing an artisan of magic perform their craft.
Listening to the man speak afterwards broke the daze and caused him to blink a few times. A quick smile was filled with a silent sip of tea before the artist placed the refreshing drink back on the table.
"Well, that is certainly one way to enjoy the tea." Kalenzo remarked, tilting his head to the side before continuing his closed-eye smile.
[11:59 AM] Kwak: "Of course. The spirits have found it, worthy to enjoy. No Nanyo."
With a heavy breath, Sula lifted the cup once more, taking a more conventional sip this time.
"You have a true taste, my friend, or great blessings. This is not a bad drink at all, ha ha ha... The only thing it needs, is more sting."
[7:43 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Well, I like to believe that my taste is as true as my aim." Kalenzo boasted, sitting upright and placing a prideful hand on his chest. Listening to the criticism the man had to offer, he nodded.
"You make a fair point, it's not perfect, but it will have to do until I find said perfection."
[9:42 AM] Kwak: "Have you been to the land of the Dwabi, sir?"
[9:44 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "I can't say I have, what's it like?"
[9:44 AM] Kwak: Sula spoke with a straight face: "Perfection."
[9:45 AM] ColdToiletSeat: Kalenzo's mouth curls into a grin as his eyes narrow. Placing the cup of tea back on it's plate, he leans forward and steeples his fingers.
"Oh? Would you care to elaborate?"
[9:49 AM] Kwak: "Of course! The days are long, the waters are warm, and the people need no king to live their lives." Sula takes another sip. "And the food, is the greatest blessing you will find."
[9:52 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Well then, I may have to visit after this mess is over with." Kalenzo commented, leaning back and bringing his tea with him for yet another sip.
"That is... if we make it through this conflict."
[9:55 AM] Kwak: "Ba-bi, Kalen-zi! Believe in yourself!" A warm smile splashed over his face. "You're a young..strong, man. So you have nothing to worry about, ha ha ha."(edited)
[10:03 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Of course, of course..." He waved dismissively, his expression going from neutral back into a smile.
"...Well, this was certainly nice, catching up to you like this. But! I do have other matters to attend to..." Kalenzo piped up, clapping his hands once before standing up. Placing his now empty cup back on the tray, he gave a smile to Sula before reaching into his pocket and forming a neat stack of gold on the tray as well.
[10:04 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "I believe this should cover it." The artist added, retrieving his cloak from the back of his chair and with a flourish, throwing it over his shoulders.
[10:08 AM] Kwak: "Kwemo!" The Dwabi rose from the table, looking back at his restless falcon. "I think we will have, much more to discuss, in Khlin. Kwemo to your task, then."
[10:17 AM] ColdToiletSeat: "Indeed. Fare well, my friend!" Kalenzo waved, adjusting his indigo cloak before turning around and walking off. As he pushed past the door, he thought to himself with a smile on his face.
We may have our differences, but the man's taste is something I am willing to respect... Congratulations Sula, you're friends with a serial killer...
[10:19 AM] Kwak: ===END RP===
