A Rendezvous [Social/Yakuroro]

It had been several days ever since she exited the dungeon. She found no one else at the entrance of the dungeon; it was just her, her liger and a black colored cat which she kept as her new friend at the moment since he looked like Thyme a lot. She spent her day only to lay on bed, regaining her strength and also looked for her mentor whom she haven’t found no matter how hard she look for him. Perhaps he left her alone here for good… she wondered why he did that since she thought he was some kind of a good friend, someone she can get a lot of knowledge from. Her eyelids closed the golden orbs, thinking about what she should do next. There was a lot of plan that she could make, kept looking for her mentor at least to show her gratitude, head to Reim and visit the researcher to see if they had some kind of progress related to the Shrouded Isle, or... she tried to think again, wanting to know all the plan that she might be having.

Now that she had a Djinn resided in this snake shaped armband of her, she might need to know how to at least communicate with Dantalion. Unfortunately, every time she tried to communicate, only silence answered her. Then she remembered this male Imuchakk who was Ani’s companion in the dungeon and she recalled that he offered to teach her how to use the Djinn’s power. Perhaps she should go to pay him a visit… he might be able to help her to communicate and probably got some kind of new knowledge from him. She was not sure at first, she assumed that the man had something within him that made her curious about it and maybe she shouldn’t take his offer because she barely even knew him. But her curiosity had devoured her, her thirst of knowledge pushed her to make her decision. Perhaps she should take the risk or she wouldn’t be able to know how to communicate with Dantalion, she assumed that he was someone who had conquered a dungeon as well, so he must have a lot of knowledge within him.

Motioning Haku and her cat to follow, the black haired girl headed to the place the Imuchakk mentioned. “White sails inn…”

The White Sails Inn was an establishment like many others one could find in the portside city of Balbadd. A place of rest for travellers that offered a roof over your head, meals, and drink to order so long as you had the coin to meet its prices. Inside, Noir would find a bustling open room full of tables and patrons sitting at them. There was a cheerful mood hanging about the place as most of the men present were from a ship that had just returned from a very profitable trade venture. If she looked around hard enough she'd be able to spot Yakuroro sitting at a table in the corner, his eyes already looking at her with a neutral smile.

The Imuchakk had been watching the door way for the past few days now, waiting to see if she would show up. The effort put into guarding Ani through the dungeon had been a bust, Yaku did not have the djinn wielding pawn he had seen in the girl. But there were two things of merit the magician had come to possess as a result of his labor. The first was an understanding that it would not do to simply find a mere pawn if he sought to bring the power of a djinn into another's hands. The djinn sought potential kings based on the wording they used. Someone with some degree of personal character and strength was likely a minimal requirement. The second thing Yaku obtained was a chance. A chance to indebt this girl to him. It wasn't likely that Yakuroro could make her into an easily manipulated tool. But perhaps she could still be of use to him as some sort of ally or accomplice.

Yakuroro would wave his hand gesturing for Noir to come join him at the table. The magician did not stand to greet her, nor did he perform any other pleasantries. He would simply stare at her, waiting for the girl to speak first. A soft smile resting on his thin lips and inquisitive eyes burning holes into her own seeing orbs. Yakuroro was waiting and watching. He needed to observe this stranger and learn more about her if he was to gain her trust and in turn...her help.

When she opened the door to open the inn, she could only look with amazement, feeling the excitement and cheerful vibe from the customers who was sitting and celebrated something that Noir didn’t really know. Haku’s growl snapped her back from staring with empty gaze towards the merriness and with that, after making sure that, Chrono, her new little feline friend, was sitting on her liger. She began to look around, wondering if the Imuchakk would be here to enjoy the party or if he was in his own room. It was truly hard to look for someone in this crowded place especially when people were celebrating something with loud voice and laughter, and also by moving around.’…I don’t even know his name so probably cannot ask around or call his name…’ She thought to herself, pointy finger was touching her chin while she tilted her head and looked somewhat confused.

The black stripped liger began to sniff something that he thought as a familiar scent, so he nudged the black haired girl with his wet nose and growled softly at her. It was as if he was telling Noir to follow him, and when the liger started walking, some of the surprised men would make way for Haku, afraid they might get beaten and some just didn’t want to look for trouble. The female magician could notice a familiar figure who was sitting at a table in the corner and he was already looking at her with a smile attached on his face. Noir bowed at him, showing her respect and greeted, “Good day…” She was hesitated to join him at first because she was not really used in the place like this, but she gave up and joined him by sitting at the opposite chair. She would motion her pets to sit beside her, petting them for a few seconds as their reward for helping her to find this man. Then with a curious eyes and expressionless face, she asked, “What about Miss Ani?” It was an ambiguous question, but her intention was to ask about her whereabouts after the dungeon and how was she doing after she exited the dungeon. Perhaps it was pointless to ask about that, but from what she know, this Imuchakk man was Ani's companion, so why not just teach the female Imuchakk instead of teaching a total stranger like herself? Life was truly a mystery...

The girl's query about Ani led to a slight turn of Yakuroro's head, his face cocking to the side like a bird might do. "Hm?...What made you think that she would be joining us?" Yakuroro asked in return, his smile ever present. Apparently this girl had a mind that revolved around those close to her. Yaku had said nothing about the other Imuchakk joining them. Perhaps she thought his presence with Ani in the dungeon was reason enough to assume they were friends? It was hardly a deep insight into Noir's personality, but a precious one nevertheless. Yaku stored a mental note on the matter away instantly and waited for Noir to start to speak only to swiftly cut her off in the middle of her first word. The intent being to throw her off balance by insisting that his question had been rhetorical.

"I haven't seen her since the dungeon." Yakuroro stated this fact plainly and reached for a small cup of tea that was sitting in front on him. "My contract with Ani was completed. I have no reason to seek her out, although I wouldn't try to hide myself if I knew that she was looking for me." The magician had brought the drink to his lips as he spoke and took a sip once he had paused. There was a genuine look of satisfaction on the Imuchakk's face as he enjoyed the pleasant aroma and flavor for a brief second before continuing to speak as he promptly returned the tea cup to its place on the table. "Don't you remember the reason why I offered to meet you here?" The King Candidate stared into Noir's eyes with a regal gaze, his presence and expression shifting slightly to posses a more commanding aura.

"You've obtained a most formidable power. I can teach you how to use it."

“Becau—“ The man cut her words with his, as if his sword was as sharp as a knife. However, that didn’t really bother her. Treated like that was just some kind of common thing to happen especially when she was still a slave so she just ignored it and listened to what the man had to say tentatively. She wondered about this contract that he mentioned but decided to not question it any further since she knew that it might be something secret. All contracts was a secret, just like those contract to sell slaves that she never knew the content. Judging from the way the man spoke to her, the way he showed his body language, Noir could say that she didn’t find this man as a friendly one. But she could see something in his eyes, something about this unknown desire that he hold… those eyes were similar with her, but probably in the different way depended on how she interpret it.

She could assume that this man had done the same thing in the place called dungeon and had obtained the power as well even though there was no solid prove, yet, it made her wondered if that form that made him looked different was one of the power’s ability. His offer was definitely a tempting one, however, Noir still need to know some more things before she finally agree to take his offer. “…I remember, but I wonder why you are very kind to me." She paused for a second but didn't give the man a chance to speak and just continued while locking her orbs with the Imuchakk's eyes. "Even I can feel that this power is not an easy thing to be learned and seems to be like a secret, so why are you offering to share your knowledge… considering that we are a total stranger.” She remembered that day where she just met her mentor, similar things happened as well but at that time, she was the one who asked a total stranger to train her. But this was a whole different thing, compared to what she asked Adrastos to train her. This kind of power was more complex; it was not easy to be obtained and perhaps couldn’t even being used properly until she trained it for years. She would wait for the man to answer her while she stared at his eyes as if she was trying to read something from those turquoise orbs.

Yakuroro sat back in his seat and listened to Noir speak with an attention to detail. The question she asked might seem like mere curiosity, but Yakuroro took it as suspicion. A healthy dose of it at that. The difference between this girl and Ani felt immensely clear to Yaku through this alone. She was not so readily willing to accept Yakuroro's help without knowing why he, a stranger, had motive to do so.

"That's the right question to ask...tell me, do you know how many dungeons there have been so far?"

The Imuchakk gave pause and waited for a reply before continuing.

"Truth be told, I'm not sure of the exact number myself. I personally know of four, but suspect that even more have arisen across this vast world of ours."

Yaku leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table, his hands coming together to form a bridge which his chin rested upon. The King Candidate's eyes peered into Noir's as he put forth a troubling truth of the matter for her to consider.

"You've seen first hand how powerful a djinn's might can be. But to be honest, I never even used my full strength inside the dungeon. The destruction and chaos someone with this power is capable of is beyond measure...imagine for a moment if that power were to fall into the wrong hands."

Yakuroro would pause once more, allowing Noir a moment to think about this and give her response before finally explaining his own reasons.

"I offered to teach you because I wish to see for myself whether or not you are someone who can be trusted to wield this power..."

He left out the rest of the sentence which he had thought silently in his mind. "...for my benefit."

His question made Noir wondered about the exact number of dungeon so far but she has no idea at all, she only knew it was just a rumor from some travelers. That alone already prove that she didn’t know its true existence since she thought it was just a rumor until she entered and experienced the dungeon, feeling the challenge from it and understood why not many people survived the gruesome challenge from the dungeon itself. She shook her head towards the Imuchakk before replying, “I have no idea, something as powerful as dungeon and Djinn are like those fantasy stories that you can find in a storybook, but it seems like it is not something that can exist in real world. Honestly, I never thought it is real until I experienced it by myself.” Her hands moved to the snake arm band that she wore, the vessel where Dantalion resided, using her finger to caressed the ruby gem in the middle carefully.

The answer from the giant was logical and understandable, she was trying to assume that the dungeon probably always crumbled down to the point it couldn’t be recognized as a dungeon. However this man already witnessed the greatness of the dungeon four times, she wondered how much knowledge that he had by now regarding the dungeon. It made her very curious about the other dungeon or even about the other Djinn, wondering about the difference of each dungeons and Djinns and also a lot of other things that nearly made her didn’t know which want that she should find out first.

True his power was amazing, especially when he used it to deal the sand storm back then. She couldn’t lie but the moment she saw his power, the black haired girl couldn’t stop thinking about it, wondering what kind of magic that he used. But now she knew, it was not an ordinary magic, it was some kind of different magic that she used to know. Another point hit her, making her wanting to question some other things.  “Are you the right person to use the great strength of the Djinn?”

She entwined her hands together and looked down, seemed hesitate to ask this but she looked up  again  before parting her lips, “What if… when I learned everything about this Djinn power, the lust of being the most powerful and desire to conquer everything start to consuming my mind? Or in the other words… I am not the right person to have this power after all, assuming the definition of ‘wrong hand’ is similar to this condition.”

He was kind enough to offer this to Noir, but there was one thing that she didn’t really sure about. Something about this ‘contract’ that he mentioned made her careful about everything regarding this man, true she knew nothing about what kind of contract that he made with Ani, it might be not a kind of contract that she thought about. However, now that she was free, she didn’t want to be bound by any contract that might put her into her own misery anymore. “I apologize…. Things about the contract that you mentioned before has led me into assuming that your kindness, will be based on a contract as well.” The female magician sighed heavily, closing her eyes for a few seconds before showing her golden orbs again.

“This might be not important, however, most of contracts that I saw that was related to me always guided me into several experiences that I don’t want to experience anymore. But please tell me, what is your intention after you know I can be trusted to wield this power?”

She paused, didn’t dare to think what will be the answer of the next words she will utter.

“…or if I fail to make you sure that I can be trusted with this power.”

The King Vessel took in Noir's words with a serene patience matched only by a monk's focused meditation. He took in every ounce of body language and verbal communication she spilled forth. The gentle touch to her metal vessel as if to confirm her reality was not some dream that could be whisked away by awaking at any moment. The distant tone in her voice as she expressed her own disbelief. The caution and hesitation in approaching the subject of Yakuroro's worthiness but more importantly...her own. The self doubt present there did not go unnoticed and could be a point Yakuroro would be able to leverage in the future. More mental notes scrawled against the magician's mind until it was his turn to speak once more.

"On the matter of my own qualifications to hold this power, that is something you must determine for yourself. I will not lie to you or feed you my own views. Observe me and come to your own conclusion."

The answer may have been blunt and unrevealing, but it was spoken with a sincere smile. Yaku's tone suggesting less of having something to hide and more of offering soft encouragement for Noir to use and trust her own judgement.

"As for yourself, should you prove to me that you are a threat...that you can not be trusted to hold this power. I will be left with two options. If possible, I'd prefer to take the power from you. However I won't hesitate to take your life if need be..." The Imuchakk went quiet and glanced downward. His hands clasped together slowly and gripped into a tight ball that visibly shook. The overall gesture suggested a deep regret as Yakuroro remembered slaying the Black Djinn in heliohapt. A memory that served as a source for this feigned show of emotion.

"...I've been forced to do so before, although it wasn't pleasant. This power can consume someone more literally than I think you realize. Make them a monster of destruction."

Yakuroro looked back up into Noir's eyes with a serious gaze, the weight of his kingly demeanor carried heavily stare. "If you're prepared to risk that danger, then I shall teach you what I know." This was another lie, of course, but not entirely so. Yakuroro didn't know if the djinn equip could lead to the creation of a black djinn. But he didn't know for sure that it couldn't do so either. Regardless, he told Noir of it in order to test her resolve by placing a fearful potential future before her. Would those self doubts make her run away from this ordeal? Or did she have the spirit to see it through?

Yaku would pause giving Noir time to think on this before speaking up to address her final concerns.

"Ah and about that contract. Ani and I had a business agreement is all. There is much money to be made in a dungeon and I had research to pursue there as well. I offered to guide her in exchange for help in that research. What I'm offering you isn't quite so formal. There will be no binding contract between us. If it turns out that you are indeed worthy of holding that djinn's power, then I will entrust it to you without interference."

It is the journey along the way to Noir mastering her djinn that Yakuroro truly sought. Time to get closer to her, gain her devotion and trust. Shape her perception of the world and influence her "fate" just enough so that it serves his own goals. This was Yakuroro's true plan. To take this wretched world's flow of fate and bend it to his will in subtle ways. All in preparation for a yet unseen opportunity. Some day he would take his revenge on fate...and this girl might be key to doing so.

This man was clearly stronger than Noir, wiser and had a lot of knowledge stored in his mind. He had some kind of different vibe from her previous mentor judging from how they act in front of her. Adrastos was much more straightforward, making people see him like what he wanted to be seen even though he surely had something within him; just like a secret that was waiting to be opened up by the right hands. The Imuchakk was not similar like that at all in her opinion, he was mysterious… his smile had some more meaning, something about him made the black haired girl wanted to know more about what he had. Having him to be her mentor would be a new experience for her, she wondered what kind of method that he would use to teach her. While Adrastos used harsh method to train her both body and mind so she could understand faster, this man would give her some kind of new experience by using a different method. Oh well, Noir would never know until she can experience it by herself…

However there was something that she wanted to do first, she couldn’t waste any more time for the research development about that mysterious island. If she could gain access to the result, it would be a significant point to be added in her knowledge store. It could open new path for her to learn about the Torran language as well; that would led her to something even greater. Perhaps the Djinn can wait until she was done visiting those researchers in Reim… “I would love to take the offer, but… I apologize.” She held her breathe, heart beating fast. The chance to be this man’s student wouldn’t come twice… but the whole ancient knowledge things were always in her mind ever since she left the boat of the Pirate’s Queen. “I know the chance that you offered might not come twice… However, I want to travel back to Reim soon, there is a knowledge that I need to learn and it is very important for me at the moment...”

But the knowledge that this man held made her curious even more, what he had might be related to what she wanted to learn. She clenched her fist and looked down before mumbling something that was audible enough for the man to hear, “But…p-perhaps you will be interested to visit the Historical society in Reim…for the knowledge that this mysterious island had once.”

Hearing that the the girl had business in Reim did little to deter Yakuroro or drop his spirits. The Imuchakk had nothing binding him here in Balbadd, he could leave with her at a moments notice if need be. The magician was preparing to state as much once Noir said her peace when he noticed two points of interest at the end of her sentence which gave Yaku pause. The first was mentions of the Reim Historical Society. Yakuroro had personally been involved in the restoration of their group as part of a favor to the Kou noble, Azix Niraj. The second was talk of some mysterious island of which Yakuroro knew very little about. However, if the society was involved, then that old fox Illius had probably sniffed out some ruins of interest there. Or at least, that is what Yakuroro thought. He had no way of knowing the real details about this island or what transpired there.

"The Historical Society? Tell me, how is that old drunk Illius doing?"

Yakuroro spoke up with a bright smile as he commented on the name and explained his relationship to the society to Noir. "I'm no stranger to their work. I helped the Society get back on its feet and forge connections with the workforce initiative some time ago. If you don't mind the company, I would be more than willing to join you on a trip to Reim. We can discuss training during the journey or whenever it is convenient for you." Yakuroro stood once he finished speaking and placed a small silver coin on the table as payment for the innkeep. "I'll arrange a ship for us. When would you like to set sail?"

The name that this Imuchakk mentioned was not familiar for her; she never heard that name before in the group of researcher for the Shrouded Isle. She wondered about Illius, questioning what kind of relationship that he had with the Historical Society in Reim and how the male magician knew about him. The only person she knew was Tyrus and probably he would be the one that she would have to meet later in Reim. “Umm… I apologize, but I know no one named Illius. I was thinking about Mr. Tyrus…”

His bright smile made the black haired girl surprised, never before she expected this man would blind her with his bright smile which was as bright as the sun. Perhaps those feelings inside her was only something that she imagined, she was too suspicious with other people these days. Probably it was because of the thing with Lance, she did kill his father by her own hands and it affected her a little bit. She really needed to calm down, she dealt with slave masters before and she realized that dealing with another one was not a problem for her as well like what she did to end Lance’s father live. If some more came and threatened her or her friends, she should be able to take them down… probably. She knew she couldn’t be too confident with her strength, they seemed to be much stronger each time she saw them.

As if the liger noticed the uneasiness in his master’s mind, the beast nudge her leg with his nose before giving her a single warm lick to comfort her. Knowing the signal, Noir closed her eyes and shook her head, the man needed an answer. She formed a little smile with her lips, breaking the icy mask on her face. “I am very delighted. I will be looking forward to your company.” Then she looked down again, hesitant to say her request, “…but… give me a week. I need to find Neo first… If it is alright with you, I will meet you at the dock in exactly a week. ” She would wait for his answer first , listening tentatively to what he had to say and then held out her hand towards the giant. “I apologize, but I believe I have not known your name yet. My name is Noir Ecryola and the liger here is Haku, pleased to meet you.”

The name Tyrus hadn't rung a bell for Yakuroro, perhaps it was the name of someone who had joined the society after the work force program rolled them into its tow. Or maybe it was the name of someone who had been there all along, it was honestly hard for Yakuroro to say one way or the other. He'd only ever bothered to learn Illius' name. Thankfully, that enigma was one of little importance to solve. Yakuroro's mind was far more focused on the rush of elation chemical brought about by the girl's acceptance of his offer. A week long delay was unexpected, but far from problematic. It would give the Imuchakk more time to assemble his own affairs and place them into order. "Of course, there is no rush." He said to assure her that a week's wait was fine by him.

When the girl brought up the fact that he had yet to name himself, Yakuroro made a slight bow of the head closing his eyes as he made a solemn introduction. "I am Yakuroro of Imuchakk." The blue haired giant's hand rose across his chest to accentuate the bow as he added on a pleasantry of politeness. "The pleasure is all mine." With that, Yaku turned and spoke as he started picking up the various magic tools he had brought with him.

"I'll meet you here on the day of departure. You can also find me at this inn any day until then in the evening hours should you need my help or a change of dates."

A sigh of relieve escaped her lips as he agreed to wait for a week. It meant that she still had enough time to look for her mentor and at least showing her gratitude for him. She wondered how he would teach her and how he would act as a companion if compared with Adrastos, hoping that she could learn a lot of thing with him as she was taking risk at the moment. His gesture was polite, placing his hand across his chest instead of shaking hand with Noir. It could mean that he was not used to shake hands for introduction, or it could just mean that he didn’t want to have any kind of physical contact with her even if it was just a hand shake; that was something that she should keep in mind starting from now. The world was vast and it was the first time she met someone like him, so with all positive thoughts that she had, she looked forward to be his apprentice.  

“I understand, thank you very much for your understanding.” She stood up, bowing to him and said, “I shall take my leave for now as I need to do something, good day…” Then she left with her liger, didn’t bother to look back at the Imuchakk as she needed to find her mentor… soon.

[exit]


OOC note: ready to start travel thread ^^