[Mika Willow]

Fresh salt air and sea spray flew up towards the deck. Seagulls above called out their cries as land neared. The squeal of metal stressed beyond compare was the only thing out of place upon the deck of the Surly. 

"Oi, you dumb brute the captain said to not be doin' that!" A nearby sailor called out far from within arm's reach and it would be quite prudent as the hunched over figure stood to his full two hundred centimeters height, nearby the guard railing had indentions upon the metal. "The captain wanted to talk with you anyway, now get outta the way afore you break something."

The giant merely nodded before he stumbled his way toward the captain's cabin of the ship, careful to keep one hand on the smooth metal of the Surly as guide and support. Ducking under the threshold the giant stood before the portly man who was looking over a scroll with a scowl, upon the entrance of the large man the captain set down his scroll as he stood to cross the desk before him, "Ah my friend, my friend I see the seas still do not agree with you eh?" 

A shallow grunt from the colossus is the captain's answer, to which he replied with a boisterous laugh and a slap on the back. The sharp look sent his way does nothing to deter the good cheer upon the captain as he continued to talk, "Now, now the sea is a fickle mistress as she ever has been, that aside I called upon you so we might settle the debt between us."

At the tension that ran through the behemoth the captain quickly waved his hands, "No, no, no need to worry I shan't be turning you in for a little thing like breaking and entering my ship, why if you hadn't I'd very much doubt we'd have managed to arrive as we had." The captain walked towards the armoire in the room before opening the closet and keeping his back to his companion. A click here, a clank there and soon the sound of scraping metal had the giant curious enough to try and use his height to look over the captain's shoulder, however, before he could see little more than a cube of black metal the captain had turned around the wooden doors of the closet shutting with a sudden clack of wood. 

In the captain's hands was a hefty stack of lien which he soon tossed to the colossus, upon the surprised look on the giant's face, the captain merely chuckled, "Did you really think I'd not have paid you a fraction of what you saved me not only in lost cargo but the proper cost of a huntsman? Come now my good man, I'd sooner kill myself than the albatross that granted me its good fortune." 

The giant finally spoke then with a rumble like thunder, "I can't accept this."

"Can't has nothing to do with it, you will. If there is one thing you should learn my overly large friend is that people will sooner take advantage of you than to aid you. Take it."

"I did you wrong."

"That you did, but you paid it back in full did you not?" The captain said tilting his head with a raised eyebrow, at seeing the stubborn cast to the giant's face the captain sighed, "Think of it as an evening out the debt of saving not only my ship but my crew and myself. There that ought to settle your pride, no?"

A few moments pass as the behemoth looked down at the stack of lien before taking the topmost card from the stack, the rest he set upon the captain's desk. Watching this the captain sighed through his nose even as his hands spread wide with a small bow, "Fine, fine do as you will."

The giant nodded to the captain then walked to the door pausing at the threshold when the captain called out, "Though, I must ask, what do you intend to do here in Argus my good friend?"

"...To learn."

Later that day...

Mika Willow stood upon the docks of Argus breathing deeply the salt-scented air and relishing the feel of good solid ground under his feet. Hoisting his pack over his shoulder Mika soon took off through the docks passing by burly dock hands and ship repair crews as they all scurried about like ants over an overturned hill. The sun beat down harshly upon Mika much different to the cold light of home as he walked the docks slowly taking in the sights. Even in Atlas the sheer amount of technology about had him in awe at times, especially with how many people there were, rather nice of most of them to make room for him to travel through though. Still, this heat was unbearable, Mika knew he needed a place to rest or at least something to drink. 

Using his height over the crowds Mika scanned the various signs and doors before spotting what he thought was a tavern, the rather large tankard of booze upon the sign was a hopeful hint perhaps they had some food as well?

[Flower Fiorella]

[attr="class","flowerfio"]

"I try to be understanding because I think that most people are actually quite surprising."

[attr="class","flowerfiotext"]

She was at the docks.

It was in the afternoon. The winter chill seemed to pick up in the sea breeze and spray. Flower was in her usual attire, not particularly affected by the lower temperatures. She had dark leggings, dark books with light laces, and her usual layered dress with corset and short vest. Her arm had her usual grey armsleeves and around her neck was a tied black ribbon. Bloom was in its default sword state in its sheath on her back. The only real exposed part of her pale skin was her upper arms and chest and neck area. Her light gray hair was tied in its usual high ponytail with layered underneath dark patches of dark violet colored hair.

Flower often enjoyed the docks. Normally, she preferred the civilian dock that most tourists and travelers visited, however it wasn’t uncommon that she would also like to explore the busy industry to shipping section of Argus’ city. She liked the busyness and the bustle, everything and everyone working together like a well-oiled machine.

Perhaps she was an odd sight among the workers, but a few did happen to recognize the girl as she walked by. Violet eyes gave a few sparks of recognition as well, and she gave a few waves.

She breathed out, almost able to see her breathe in the winter cold. She walked with a certain step, each one being deliberately taken. She was here to sightsee, really that was it.

Because not so long ago, someone made her think about things that she would never see again.

She looked up, across to the ships that came and went. And then her head turned to the sea, the dark and blue void that seemed to go on endlessly. The girl had never been anywhere beyond the sea, sometimes it was hard to imagine there were entire kingdoms and countries and worlds she had never seen before. For as long the girl had remembered, the city of Argus had been her only home.

She was wondering if Haven would be different. That if being a huntress really was something she desired to be.

She knew her mother's ashes had been scattered at the sea, in another kind of sense, maybe her mother knew more of the world than she ever had.

She sighed again, stopping a moment again. She realized she was somewhat thirsty. Just so conveniently she turned to see that there was a drinking establishment very nearby. It was likely a gathering place for workers on break. She walked in, likely a very odd sight for so many dock workers. Young people may not have been an oddity but a very small and obviously not a dock worker.

She simply walked in and sat at the counter. She waved the tavern owner down and made an order for some tea.

She noticed that beside her there was a particularly large man. Blonde. Full bearded. Seemingly a few years older than herself. She was polite enough, gave a nod of acknowledgment. She simply sat with her tea and drank it silently.

wc: 517 || twc: 517
Mika Willow

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[Mika Willow]

Staring at the menu Mika squinted at the small print, the words looked normal, but gods help him he couldn't tell what an 'Argussian Splatter Platter', 'Grim Died Soup' or whatever the 'Mistrilian Hot Curry' was. A huff of displeased air from Mika's nose had the barkeeper spare a glance towards the giant, "You look out of sorts son, want some advice?"

"If you would."

The man put down his mug and looked over his menu humming for a bit, then glanced towards Mika, "Judging by your size I'd say you're a big eater, I'd recommend the 'Sea Shell Special' lots of meats for you and has the added benefit of keeping you healthy too. You have fish often where ever you come from?"

As if chewing upon his words Mika replied, "Salmone, once or twice."

The man beamed in reply, "Oh from up north are ya, don't often have that too inland as it were, still sometimes get folks from Atlas that bring in specialty goods for sale. In that case, I'd recommend the mead we've got, it's imported and a touch pricier compared to our usual stuff. Then again I'd think you'd not like the normal fare we have."

"Why?"

"Why? Ah, son, you see down here we've time plenty to craft many a wonder wines, teas, even coffee though I despise the stuff myself far too bitter. Leaves your teeth yellowed as can be you know." At seeing the measured stare from Mika the barkeep hastily adds, "Anyway, it's quite different from mead, figured you'd like a sip of a home if nothing else."

"Fine." Mika replied reaching down in his belt to withdraw the small amount of lien he carried upon him laying the card upon the bar, "This will be enough?"

"That it is, that it is." The barkeep said scooping the card up to swipe on the till before returning the card, "Be with you in a moment." he said as a small wisp of a girl walked up the counter taking a seat next to Mika. Nodding her assent the girl watched the man work before he returned the card to Mika who swiftly pockets the money back into his belt. 

Listening in with half an ear Mika heard the girl order a letter before she caught onto him watching, instead of calling him out on it the girl merely nodded her greetings. Alarmed Mika looked away, instead focusing on what scant details he could make out in the kitchen as people worked on preparing food. This damnable heat is still here even with the shade of the tavern making Mika feel sticky with sweat, grunting the man shrugged off the large overcoat made of furs to rest upon the chair he sat upon revealing the rather obvious lack of shirt. It was still so damn hot, where was the mead at?! 

There was a small clink of a cups then that drew Mika's attention as he saw his salvation, a frothy tankard of glass with the amber glow of cold mead sweating in the heat of the tavern never had a simple drink looked so delectable. It was almost enough to take his attention from the dainty mug beside it that held a steaming hot drink of brown water, almost as Mika took the tankard offered to him with delight only for the delight to change to confusion as the small wisp of a girl murmured her thanks to the barkeep. Surely the girl didn't mean to drink the- no, she did with such a contented sigh as well! 

Strange people indeed, Mika mused to himself before taking a deep drink of his mead. With a clink and the subtle rush of the lightly alcoholic drink, Mika finally asked, "How can you drink that in this heat?"

[Flower Fiorella]

[attr="class","flowerfio"]

"I try to be understanding because I think that most people are actually quite surprising."

[attr="class","flowerfiotext"]

Flower liked tea.

She would thank the server once she received her hot drink. The barkeep seemed to be especially talkative but the girl simply nodded at a few things at the appropriate time. She wasn’t really that hungry and simply a good cup of hot tea would satisfy her. The winter was cold, though it was a bright and sunny day. Inside the tavern wasn’t especially cold, but she still felt somewhat chilly from outside. The girl didn’t shiver however. 

Noticeably she would add a bit of sugar to her tea before taking a sip. She liked sweet things.

She sat in relative silence, mostly taking in the sights and sounds around her. She wasn’t particularly inclined to start a conversation, but she liked listening to the dialogue of others. The bearded man beside her and the barkeep seemed to be in a somewhat talkative mood, such a demeanor seemed to be intensified by the fact that the man was ordering an alcoholic drink. Flower supposed that she was old enough to drink, but never really bothered to try. Her father sometimes offered her red wine, but mostly it was before he passed out himself.

It was hard not to notice the size of the bearded man. Flower seemed little more than a stick in comparison. She supposed it was almost funny how very different forms of people seem to exist in the world. She kept her thoughts to herself, her rather blank stare seemed to stay on her face.

She suddenly heard him speak to her.

"How can you drink that in this heat?"

It was… unexpected. Flower turned her head, but with a slow and deliberate movement. Violet eyes looked over to him, yet they didn’t seem to look at him, but rather through him. It was not difficult to see that despite the current winter climate, the man… seemed to be complaining about how ‘hot’ it was? Flower was simply confused, her blank stare emphasized her hesitation in an answer.

“It is cold.”

Flower blinked only once, tilting her head just slightly. Light grey hair laid freely in bangs that framed her face.

“How are you warm? It is winter.”

Her questions came out more like statements, but she seemed to be simply repeating what he already apparently affirmed. She was curious as to why the man would think it to be hot during the cold season that it was. She had to give the man a different kind of respect, not being affected by the weather. Flower was accustomed to being the only person she knew who was not bothered by the lower temperatures. While most people seemed to bundle up in the winter, Flower simply maintained her normal outfit. Her father often scolded her for not dressing warmly, but at the same time Flower hardly seemed to get sick because of it. It was a first however, to see a person who certainly showed more skin than her and seemed to find the chill welcoming.

wc: 501 || twc: 1018
Mika Willow

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[Mika Willow]

Dark vivid green eyes stared back with obvious confusion as the girl moved as if she were a doe keen for danger. Not with the frantic leap of prey, but the calm, slow, and measured movement of careful calm before the storm. Yet the gaze the girl had on Mika was intense disregarding his large frame or even his question. When Mika started to ask again in case the small girl was slow in the head she spoke softly easily interrupting his own voice. 

“It is cold.”


The girl blinked only once, tilting her head just slightly. Light grey hair laid freely in bangs that framed her face.



“How are you warm? It is winter.”



A laugh escapes from Mika then at the rather warm and balmy weather that the girl was talking about. "Winter? You call this winter? No
this is more in line with autumn or even late summer at best." Pausing for a moment to indulge in another rush of heady mead Mika continued, "You have little room to talk, you wear as much as I in this heat." 

Taking in the sight of the other tavern-goers as they talked, ate and made merry Mika could see quite a bevy of coats, far more finely made than the pelt and fur coat he had dropped over his own chair yet they seem so thin in appearance. Shrugging Mika returned his attention to the girl to see she had already drunk more of her strange beverage, the offer for more tea came to mind if nothing else than for company as he awaited his food. In combination with the slight buzz and the rumbling of his stomach, Mika forged ahead on his choice, "Would you care to join me for a meal? Drink even?"

Before she could respond the mouth-watering smell of meat filled the air as the barkeep soon returned with a platter of steaming hot shelled fish mixed together into some type of soup, a hearty dark grain bread beside it with a small square of butter slowly melting atop the still warm loaf. "Here ya go, son, enjoy. Miss? Do you need anything else?" The barkeep asked of the girl, Mika already taking the moment to dip his bread into the chowder to enjoy the food. 

[Flower Fiorella]

[attr="class","flowerfio"]

"I try to be understanding because I think that most people are actually quite surprising."

[attr="class","flowerfiotext"]

The man seemed to look at her with an almost comical gaze.

"Winter? You call this winter? No this is more in line with autumn or even late summer at best."

Flower blinked, almost unsure of how to respond. It didn’t seem to make very much sense. She was still astounded that he thought it was warm in this kind of weather. Soon enough, however, he seemed to point out the fact that Flower herself wasn’t exactly dressed for winter herself. In all honesty, the girl had never really thought about the fact that she was cold, she was never really bothered by it.

She still enjoyed hot tea on cold day. Lifting her mug to her lips, she gave a bit of a reserved shrug in response.

“I suppose you have a point. I find it intriguing when others do not dress for the weather, but I hardly am affected by the cold myself.”

Her voice was as monotonous as her blank stare, making it almost like a deciphering puzzle to see if the girl was truly interested in what she was talking about. She seemed relatively unaffected by the man’s growing state of intoxication. She heard the very noticeable grumblings of a hungry stomach. She ended up blinking several times to find that yes, they had originated from the man beside her.

"Would you care to join me for a meal? Drink even?"

Flower wasn’t sure why the stranger was offering her such a thing. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she was replaying the warnings her father told her of overtly friendly men taking away his sweet little girl. But that was neither here nor there, Flower liked to believe that she was a rather good judge of character by now. She supposed she didn’t have to say no.

“I would not mind.”

Flower said her words softly, but really she ended up not having a choice in the matter. The barkeep was already placing a bowl of stew and a warm loaf of bread in front of her. Flower looked to the sudden mean that appeared in front of her, seeing that indeed it was very appetizing at the moment. She only had thought about drinking some tea before, not realizing that she was that hungry.

“Thank you. I shall be fine with this.”

Maybe it wasn’t the biggest kind of meal, but Flower certainly wasn’t a very big person. She seemed like a doll in comparison to the giant of man she was now apparently eating with. Flower lifted up a spoon, blowing on it just slightly before taking a bite of soup herself. It was very delicious, warm, and seemed to hold the flavor of shellfish and seafood. Flower nodded, finding herself very satisfied with the unexpected meal. She ate rather quietly, she didn’t have many things to say, but she further came to realize she was curious about the stranger beside her.

“Where are you from? You speak like a foreigner. May I ask what business brings you to Argus?”

She turned to him with those same blank violet eyes. She was genuinely interested in his response. It seemed that since her time at Sanctum, she’d been running into more interesting kinds of people than her fellow classmates, most of whom had never really shown a lot of interest in her. Now that she was setting a course for Haven, the world was opening itself up to a lot of different opportunities and a lot of different kinds of people.

wc: 588 || twc: 1606
Mika Willow

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[Mika Willow]

"I suppose you have a point. I find it intriguing when others do not dress for the weather, but I hardly am affected by the cold myself." The slip of a girl replied in the same even tone as before. It was almost as if she were bored with the conversation through the slight widening of the eyes when Mika's stomach drew a small amount of relief. It would do no good to suddenly find his new conversational partner was, in fact, an android dressed like a person.



"Useful trick that. Any reason for it?" Mika asked pausing to listen as memories of the snow drifts and exhausted mining camps sent the behemoth to shake his head to banish them. At seeing the girl's acceptance for a meal, Mika delighted in the meal sharing the hearty sized bowl with his new companion. The atmosphere of the tavern, a boisterous lot, highlighted the peaceful air between the giant and the waif, it was...nice for lack of a better term.



The peace was inevitably broken as those violet eyes locked on Mika once more, "Where are you from? You speak like a foreigner. May I ask what business brings you to Argus?"



Finishing a bite Mika paused in the meal to hum aloud thinking on what to say. First impressions were important, though that could have already been lost since they were sharing a meal an-



The realization shoots through Mika like a bolt of lightning, he's not even asked his new found lunch partner her name!



No doubt his Pa would smack him in the he-



A small hitch in breath passed through Mika as the old hurt flares up again, but it was soothed with a quick drink of the syrupy sweetness of mead.



Setting the tankard down Mika replied, "Atlas is my home, at least it was. I've come here to learn, and to train in this academy here." Mika scratched at his beard before hissing through his teeth, "Ah, I forgot my manners, I'm Mika might I know the name of my new companion?"

[Flower Fiorella]

[attr="class","flowerfio"]

"I try to be understanding because I think that most people are actually quite surprising."

[attr="class","flowerfiotext"]

"Useful trick that. Any reason for it?"

The girl stared back, only thinking of how to answer back his words. She wondered what he meant for a moment, only to realize that he was talking about her equally as unusual tolerance for extreme temperature.

“I believe it is a genetic trait I inherited from my father.” It was the only thing she could as reasoning. She and her father were quite different in many ways, but in some ways, they were the same. She could remember when she was young her mother scolding both of them for not being properly dressed for the winter and yet still playing out in the snow wearing only thin jackets and clothing.

Their meal continued. Flower was rather content with the soup she was giving, thinking that it was a remarkable coincidence that she was meeting this man that day. Of course, the conversation began again, noticeably by Flower herself. It seemed he was thinking very deeply himself about an answer.

Flower remained with her rather blank expression, waiting patiently but also wondering if it really was her place to ask. Eventually, he did answer back. He was from Atlas. He had come here to ‘learn’ and as Flower quickly concluded, to be a huntsman. With his physical stature and size, he would certainly prove to be a formidable one. “I see.” It was all she said in response. “I wish you the best of luck in application to Haven.” It was obvious that was the Academy he was referring to. It was the Academy that Mistral was known for, it was a wonder why he decided not to attend Atlas Academy, but perhaps it was just his personal preference.

He asked her for a name.

Flower nodded with a polite bow. “My name is Flower Fiorella.” Her name was a rather delicate sounding one, similar to how the doll of the girl appeared in general.

wc: 322 || twc: 1928
Mika Willow

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[Mika Willow]

"Luck has its place, better to have some measure of skill," Mika replied to the offer of good luck.



"Flower..." Mika mused tasting the word much like the tasty soup they were sharing. The metaphor doesn't fit near as well as he would have liked, but it's his own head, not like anyone would know. "Is a good name, fitting." The silence fills the air once more aside from the small sounds of a boisterous tavern.



Bit by bit the meal is consumed between the two until there is naught but crumbs and two very satisfied customers. Paying for the meal Mika moved to stand only to pause as if a thought had crossed his mind. With a small movement on his belt, the giant pulled a small pouch out and set before Flower. "My thanks for the company."



Debt paid in full Mika stood then to leave, if Flower were to investigate what was inside the pouch she would find there to be a rather fragrant collection of herbs and scented powders that are pleasant to the nose. It's almost like a homemade version of soaps and scented remedies. A glance to try and find the behemoth of a man, however, would lead to little as he almost disappeared amongst the crowd. A rather surprising feat due to the prodigious size of the lad.

[Flower Fiorella]

[attr="class","flowerfio"]

"I try to be understanding because I think that most people are actually quite surprising."

[attr="class","flowerfiotext"]

"Luck has its place, better to have some measure of skill,"

It was how he responded to her words of 'luck’ regarding his application to a hunter academy. Flower said nothing in response, she only nodded once. He spoke truth, Flower was taking the formality of pleasantries. Perhaps she was surprised he decided to respond in such a way, but another part of her was able to respect him.

He called her name 'fitting.’ She blinked, for a moment unsure of what he really meant. She had heard both 'cute’ and 'interesting’ before. She supposed that yes, her name was fitting. She couldn't really think of a better name to ‘fit’ her. 'Flower’ had been her name all her life, she couldn't imagine being referred to as anything else.

“Thank you."

It was all she said. It was a compliment, so she had to give him thanks. They ate the rest of their meal in relative silence, but she enjoyed sharing a meal with another nonetheless. Eating food with others just somehow made it taste better.

Mika made movements to pay for the meal before she really had a chance to say anything. She blinked about to thank him again before he simply set a pouch of something before her. Instead, he thanked her.

Flower turned, he was already leaving.

“Goodbye, Mika.”

She watched him go with violet eyes. She then looked back to the small pouch, already fiddling with the string to see what was inside. It was filled with herbs, dried leaves, and scented things. She breathed in the aroma, finding it very calming. It was nice, very nice. She liked natural things, the smell of nature itself was very relaxing. She knew she needed to thank him properly next time they met.

She was certain they would see each other again.

[End]

wc: 293 || twc: 2221
Mika Willow

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[Wolfe]

XP Distribution

Flower: 22

30 + 22 = 52 XP new total

Mika: 24

12 + 24 = 36 XP new total

Word counts in spoiler tags

SPOILER: Click to show

Mika: 868, 635, 381, 346, 225 = 2455 total

Flower: In posts