I meander my way to the market district, diverging a bit because of the alleys and backstreets’ twists and turns that take some time to get used to. Even with the brain-based buzzing directing me to the delivery, it’s definitely not infallible. Not knowing the dead ends and intricate intersections, I may have gotten a little bit lost along the way.
“Human… are you positive that you know where we’re going?”
Delilah is now once again walking beside me, instead of being perched on my shoulder like a pirate’s pet parrot. Her tone is more amusement than anything near the annoyance that her words might suggest. My tone, however, is bleeding irritation with a hint of exasperation.
“For the fourth time, yes! I have a vague sense of the proper direction, and we should be reaching some recognizable streets soon.”
Delilah’s decidedly doubtful look lingers a bit longer before a silent scoff escapes her ajar jaw.
Cats can’t even scoff! Why open your mouth when we both know you sent the sound through our bond?
My head shakes in confusion as I try to wrap my head around why this creature does some of the things she does. Her reply doesn’t exactly help.
“If you say so, human. It certainly smells like we’re lost. The scent of urine is most prevalent in these thickly entwined tunnels that you call alleys.”
As she says this, we take a turn onto the street that goes all the way through the town. I quickly make my way onto the bustling road, crossing to the far lane of the thoroughfare.
“See? I told you I knew where we were. Now we follow this from here, and we’ll make it to the shop district well within the allotted time!”
I take a gander at the sky so I can gauge the position of the sun, gaining the knowledge that I am, in fact, correct.
“It’s only been about an hour, so you had me worried for no reason.”
We travel with the pack of pedestrians, meandering through cramped residential streets and loud market stalls until we find the aforementioned district. From there, I focus on my feeling, turning onto a road that is nearly as wide as the main street. Shops line both sides, most of them selling expensive items that I will most likely never get to purchase.
It’s in front of one of those stores that we stop. I examine the exterior, finding it finely fitted with floral patterns. Potions line the windows, each labeled with prices that make me want to cry.
Yep! I’ll never be able to afford this stuff…
“Wait out here, Delilah. I’ll return in a moment or two.”
“Mhm. You do that, Human.”
I step inside, stopping at the counter and approaching the go’ari man with swirling rainbow eyes and multicolored hair that’s standing behind it.
“Delivery for Aeldwen.”
The man scans me, noting my clothes and slightly smudged facial features. They click their tongue in dissatisfaction, though their fluid sounding tone is professional.
“I apologize, sir, but I am not aware of any expected packages, though I can give it to Master Phogul if you leave it with me.”
The clerk’s statement seems reasonable. However, I hesitate, thinking about the wording of the quest, which very explicitly states that I’m to give the parcels to the alchemist known as Aeldwen Phogul.
Is it safe to leave the delivery here or will I fail if I don’t hand it directly to the recipient? I’m really not sure… Fuck! What should I do?
My internal turmoil is thankfully short-lived, as the delivery target exits the back room.
He’s a relatively small weaslax. His long, sleek body, covered in short silver fur, is supported upright by two stubby little legs, his tiny arms clasped in front of him. His hands are equipped with three fingers and two thumbs apiece, one thumb on each side of both of his little palms. At the tips of those digits are wicked claws.
He speaks in a loud, squeaking whisper, like a strong wind blowing a long abandoned window shutter. His big, brown eyes without sclera focus on the attendant behind the counter.
“It’s okay, Sam. I believe I know what this is, I know indeed.” He turns his attention to me, looking me over from top to toes. “Hello, young aldkin, how may I address you?”
“Um… I’m Luck. It’s… it’s uh… nice to meet you… Aeldwen?”
Unused to polite conversation, my surprise must be evident, causing the weaslax to let out a chitter that I assume to be a mirthful laugh.
“Yes, I am Aeldwen. I am indeed. Well, Luck, it does not appear that you possess the package you claim to have for me. I am most curious about this, most curious indeed. Could you please explain? Simply to soothe an old soul.”
“Oh… yeah, sure. It’s due to my skill. Please, allow me to demonstrate.”
I begin to summon my box, but the weaslaxi cuts me off by holding up a hand and shaking his head.
“All in due time. All in due time. Come with me into my lab, we can discuss further there.”
As he speaks, I can’t help but notice his small, pointed teeth. They disappear into his mouth, hidden by the warm smile he displays.
“Uh… sure. Will this… um… will this take long? I have a limited amount of time before I have to complete my next task.”
As I finish my question, his head moves side to side in response. So, I follow him. As I enter the back room, I’m immediately met by a blast of odors that smell so strong that I’m glad Delilah stayed outside.
She’d hate this. It’s bad enough having to endure it as an aldkin. I can’t even imagine how awful it would be to experience this with a nose as sensitive as hers.
We continue through the lab to a small storage closet located at the back. He glances at me with a look that tells me it’s time for me to prove that I have his packages. So I do. We wait, with him watching me focus for 59 seconds, summoning Inventory C. As soon as the brown box appears, his eyes widen with wonder.
“Such a fascinating skill, very fascinating indeed! I’m very interested in what this small crate is made of. Yes, I’m very interested, indeed!”
His face brightens, showing extreme interest.
“What is it called, if I may ask?”
My eyebrow quirks, and he raises his short arms placatingly. “You need not tell me, of course. Just an old weaslax’s curiosity getting the better of him. Yes, his curiosity, that is all. Indeed, that is all.”
This guy is actually reasonable, as the quest noted.
I smile fondly, giving him the benefit of the doubt.
“It’s called ‘Box.’ I have no clue what it’s made of, though. There’s a lot more to it than its initial impression, but I won’t be giving any more details than that today. Maybe someday, if we keep in contact with each other.”
“Of course, of course. Such a simple name for a skill that seems so extraordinary. Simple and extraordinary, yes yes. Let’s get to business now, shall we?” He eyes me as I open the box, producing the packages.
“Excellent, excellent! Since these packages are of a… sensitive nature, and with my knowledge of how your organization’s forced contracts are usually toeing the line of Mother’s balance, I feel a reward is in order! Yes! A reward, indeed!”
He produces a small amount of threaded rings that jingle as he hands them to me. The string the rings are hanging from is a lot finer than the thin, encrusted twine that I have hidden beneath my arm.
Without counting the contents of the fine cord, I affix it with the other that already hides within my shirt.
“Thank you. I really mean it. Thank you.”
The sincerity in my tone brings a genuine smile to the seasoned oldtimer in front of me.
“You are very welcome! Now, I believe you have an assignment that you have to complete?”
“Indeed, I do. Thank you once more, I swear on my scroll that I’ll repay this kindness some day.”
Understanding exactly what I just did, I know what page appears on my Heart Scroll before the whirring awakens within my body.
I’ll have a look at that later.
Also well aware of the implications of my actions, Aeldwin speaks slowly, shocked beyond belief.
“That was… unnecessary. Very unnecessary. But…”
His sigh seems to imply that he’s only reluctantly accepting this.
“What’s done, is done… it’s done, indeed. I will await your return.”
He offers a small bow, hands clasped before him, which is the weaslaxi way to express gratitude and respect.
I return the bow, showing that his feelings match my own. He waves his little arms to and fro in front of him.
“There is no need for you to show such formality, young Luck. Your Heart Vow expresses everything clearly enough. No need, indeed.”
I nod respectfully either way, giving a small wave as I turn to exit through the entrance we used to get here.
I also acknowledge the clerk, though now he is a rainbow eyed woman, with a silently signed goodbye that she returns before I get to the door.
Go’ari sure are strange people. I’m surprised that one is staying in human form. They don’t usually appear as one race for long. Maybe they’ll be different next time I see them.
As I step outside, Delilah stands up from where she had dutifully been awaiting my return. I pull out my scroll as we walk away.
“You smell awful, Human. It’s a good thing you’ll be having a bath soon.”
Name: Luck Vidadura
Age: 18
Race: Aldkin
Skill: Box - Summon a box to store things in.
Affinity: Spacial, ???
Skill Aether: 25%
Skill Credits: 2
Credit Level: Level 3 (38 SC allocated)
[Skill Tree]
[???]
[Permissions]
[Inventory]
[Quests]!
[Bonded Creatures]
[Heart Vows]
Focusing on ‘Heart Vows,’ another new page appears, though this one is known to me already.
Heart Vow accepted.
To: Aeldwin Phogul
From: Luck Vidadura
Pledge: I swear on my scroll that I’ll repay this kindness some day.
Etherian interpretation: For the acts of being kind and giving a gift, Luck Vidadura feels that Aeldwin Phogul has earned a greater reward than the value of the gift.
Mother’s intervention:
Reward must be >100x the value given.
No time limitations.
Penalty for failure:
N/A
Previous vows detected!
Converting vows to Heart Vows.
To: the Society of Scoundrels
From: Luck Vidadura
Pledge: One day, I swear I’ll kill them. All of them.
Etherian interpretation: For the atrocities committed by the Society of Scoundrels, Luck Vidadura believes the entire organization deserves to die.
Mother’s intervention:
Success grants 36500 SC, minus 10 per day until completion and a substantial reward from the Kingdom of Kilaxi.
10 year time limit.
Penalty for failure:
Immediate skill tree reset.
The wider Society of Scoundrels will hunt you for 25 years.
The Maxetheri feel that Luck Vidadura has not yet realized the scope of this vow. We are very interested to see if he is able to succeed, as the grander implications of this task far outweigh the original intent of the pledge.
To: unknown noble
From: Luck Vidadura
Pledge: One day, I swear I’ll kill them. All of them.
Etherian interpretation: For the atrocities committed by the unknown noble, Luck Vidadura believes that this unknown noble deserves to die.
Mother’s intervention:
Success grants a noble title dependent upon how quickly success is reached, bringing with it both allies and enemies.
25 year time limit.
The entire Ildan Empire will hunt you for 100 years.
Penalty for failure:
Immediate skill tree reset.
The entire Ildan Empire will hunt you for 100 years.
The Maxetheri take notice of your one pledge with two vows that are both extremely difficult and vast in scope. We are very eager to see what your future path has in store for you. We feel that this should be quite amusing.
We are watching you.
