Wild ARMs: Group 3, Chapter 1, Bringing up the Past
 

A few of the people stopped to stare as the Zoa priestess entered the bustling metropolis of Adelhyde--the capital of the kingdom by the same name--but whether it was her they stared at or the child who stood near by, with his scars, could be anyone's guess. Both were enough of a rarity.

In her hands she held a small piece of paper which read, "Excavation Team Requires Drifters--5000 Gella reward," along with instructions on where to find the team's workshop in the city.

The message was rather vague, but with that kind of pay it seemed likely that they had hit on something dangerous in the ruins they were excavating. However, that kind of money couldn't be turned down so easily.

(OOC: Sith and Mes, I'd like it very much if you were either together with a similiar message, or both had one.)

Dwane wandered aimlessly into town with Melane in tow. While Dwane glittered in the sun, his armor catching and reflecting even the smallest amount of light, his campanion Melane truely shined. There are beautiful people in the world and then there are people that are so absolutely beautiful they can steal breath with a look. Then there was Melane some might say beauty incarnate, even through the grime of travel.

In his hand Dwane carried a tattered piece of paper that he had obviously folded and handled many times. Its print was still barely legiable, "Excavation Team Requires Drifters--5000 Gella reward," along with directions to a place to meet potential employers. Turning a corner Dwane made to follow the directions Melane still following closely.

"Not too far, Dwane." Melane said with a nice pat, showing some sort of friendliness to the fellow traveler.

After a bit of walking, odd looks coming to the duo from all places, they made it to their destination.

(Krylo, you explain what it's like. You crazy GM you.)

Keira Ildri strode through the streets of Adelhyde, occasionally glancing to her side where the young child Gad walked. She had crossed paths with the child a few weeks ago and once she saw his many scars and found out that he was mute, she knew she had to take him with her. Since then, she had grown fond of him and was rather protective of the child. Her eyes glanced across Gad's widebrimmed hat which drooped down and hid his face from the frequent stares the two would get.

"5000 Gella reward huh?" She muttered to herself, looking at the slip of paper in her hand. Most of the money would just go into their reserve money fund, since Keira didn't often buy anything of value for herself since she was always travelling, but she did want to try and buy Gad some goggles, or at least better-fitting glasses. The ones he had now always seemed to be slipping down his nose, and in such a dangerous world, he couldn't afford to have them fall off and get broken.

"This must be the place." She said outloud as they finally reached where the flier told them was their destination.

The building they came to appeared to be a large brick warehouse with a few great chimneys pumping black soot and smoke into the sky above. A pair of great steel inlaid doors sat in the center of the building with a small bronze plaque to the side which read "Offices of Meister Istvan," obviously an ARMs meister.

Beyond the thick steel doors was a place of chaos and sound. Hammers could be heard smashing into metal, as could the roars of fire and various shouts. All the sounds one might expect to here from the combination of an old fashioned gunsmithy and a blacksmith tied all up into one.

On the papers it specifically said to seek Geoffrey Istvan, apparently the owner of this building, and--most likely--the man in charge of this excavation.

(OOC: I didn't want to go too far, because I want to let you guys decide if one of you got there first/got up to the office, or if you arrived at the same time and met each other there, or what.

Anyway, the offices are up a staircase to the right of the entrance, Geoffrey will be there looking over some paperwork. You can either deduct that is where he is, or ask one of the various apprentice ARMs Meisters or laborers, and they'll tell you)

"Well, this is the place." Melane said in a slight huff, tapping Dwane on the chest before walking in.

Gad no longer bothered to look around the gritty streets of Adelhyde. He was mostly left alone and generally to weary to be bothered being paranoid. Besides that, most of that job had been taken over by Keira, a drifter who had become quite protective of Gad for reasons he couldn't quite fathom. But he knew better than to ask questions of such things... if that had been possible.

Instead, Gad merely stared forward beneath the shady brim of his sanguine hat, letting the blur of the world above his glasses-frames relax his eyes. He let his mind wander, as he often liked, stopping only a few moments to make sure of the steady footsteps of Keira continued insistently beside him.

The same thoughts as always rolled around in his mind, like pebbles in the ocean tide, but this pointless introspection was cut short by the outside world, as it inevitably had to be.

"This must be the place." It was the quick, soft lilt of his companion; Gad looked up and around a bit confusedly before his eyes came to the building, a great, broad one that belched smoke in reserved effort. It seemed to Gad oddly familiar, but much did and he payed it no heed; he simply looked back, up at Keira, gave a quick nod, and proceeded into the workshop.

The essentia was a bit more active than the untroubled, brick facade but there was little energy here, either. At least, less than Gad had expected. There was, however, the inkling of a pulled-in energy, like the feel of a deadly cat about to pounce encapsulated in a calm statue, but in this case, it was within two people just inside the building. Drifters, obviously strong ones. One huge, encased in steel; the other virtually shining with resplendant elegance. This was, at least, what Gad could see of them without looking to their faces. Drifters, at least, strong drifters, ,were never a thing to be trifled with.

Gad made a point to avoid drawing real attention to himself and merely stepped to the side of the door, hoping Keira was right behind him.

Dwane noticed quick furtive movement by the door and turned his head quickly to find its source. Finding only a small, and well cloaked, child he started to turn back when he caught a glimps of the preistess in the doorway. Not wanting to be totally disrespectful he gave her a nod. However, he was slightly aprehensive that she could sense the taint of the abomination on him.

He still couldn't remember why he was tainted or really anything about it. That wasn't important at the moment though. What was important is the competition, or perhaps the help, that just walked through the door. He nudged Melane slightly to get her attention and motioned at the door with his head.

"Hm?" Melane caught the gesture and noticed Keira and Gad.

"What about 'em, Dwane?" she said with a soft whisper, making sure it wouldn't attract anyone.

Dwan whispered back, "Well considering why we are here I think its safe to assume they share our reason. The reward is sizeable." Dwane snuck another glance at the door checking to see if he had attracted the attention of the new arrivals.