Out and About [Open][Finished]

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

Walking around the bustling town, Zeshin took the time to embrace the alien setting he was in. His first time away from home by himself, with Issac allowing him time to escape from putting the finishing touches on the bar repair, Zeshin strolled around wondering where he should go from here. Noticing a plethora a new people all around him, Zeshin simply smiled, "This is going to be one interesting day."

[Rosey]

Rosey woke up that day groggy but without a hangover. The mortal drinks here didn't have the same effects as the Hellion drink she had that one time so she didn't really had a problem. She got out of the inn's bed that she was sleeping in and got ready to move on with her travels. Afterwards she came down the stairs sheepishly and didn't realize that the place was in a process of repair as she strolled over to the bar to get some breakfast. Rubbing her eyes and then rubbing them she saw that the place wasn't like it was last night.

Did I miss some kind of after hours party? Thats not fair at all.

She decided that getting breakfast here was probably not going to happen and left the tavern. She noticed that there was a lot of people that were out and about doing their mundane activites. It didn't interest her at all. She started to walking to leave the town but notice the bartender of the tavern she was at.

"Hey barkeep! What the hell happened to the bar last night, did I miss some kind of party?"

[Issac Verro]

Hitting his own finger with the hammer he held in his hand, Issac let out a small howl, growling as he sucked his now throbbing finger, turning his attention to the loud guest. "The bar is under repairs miss, sorry no breakfast, the chef is out for today." Issac said, turning his attention back to his work, repairing the bar from the previous nights malestrom.

[Rosey]

Rosey let out a sigh, she really wanted some food too. "What happened to this place? Did a whole bunch of drunkards tears this place up?" She watched as the furry man hammered in a nail and it just occurred to her that he was covered in fur. Shrugging, she continued to watch the man as she waited for an answer.

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

"Something like that ma'am, I sorry we can't accommodate you for a meal this morning, because of the repairs." Maia said appearing from the kitchen. "We are closed until further notice I'm afraid."

[Rosey]

Saddened by not having the very first meal of many meals of the day, Rosey walked away and made her way through the bustling mortals with their short lives. She reached the outskirts of town and wondered where to go from here. Lately she been just following her feet and pondered if it was such a good idea to let them lead her. She met interesting people so far, perhaps she should just continued what she was doing. Who knows who she'll meet during her travels.

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

Walking past a store front, Zeshin noticed the wares in the large plate glass window. Smiling to himslef he walked inside the store to get a better look at the many items he saw adveristed. Not used to being in such a large store, Zeshin was caught off guard by the high shelves and crowded isles, bumping into to a women who was shopping as he couldn't take his eyes of of the various mechandise of the establishment.

"Opps, I so sorry ma'am, let me elp with those." Zeshin said reaching down to retrieve the items his stumbling had cuased the woman drop. As he began picking up the items he caught a glimpse of the woman, and blushed at her beauty.

"My so polite, and handsome, your not from around here are you young man." The woman said, he voice refined, her smile gentle, her gaze warm as she watched Zeshin clumsily retrive her lost items.

"No ma'am, I'm from a small town east of here, here's all your stuff, so sorry for the inconvience." Zeshin said as he placed her items in her basket, scurrying of shyly to avoid more conversation.

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

Walking outside of the store feeling slightly awkward, Zeshin saw a young women. She was his height, with blond hair and blue eyes that carried a sadness to them. She looked as if she had been traveling for days without a meal, all her belongings seemingly tucked into the bag she had on her back. Looking back into the window at the prices of the various items, Zeshin reached into his pocket to feel the currency in his pocket. Sighing to himself silently, Zeshin ran over to where the young women was asking an older gentlemen some information.

"...I don't believe I do miss." The older man said before walking away as Zeshin barley caught the end of their exchange.

"Thank you sir." the girl said weakly, looking as if she wanted to cry. She fell to her feet in exhaustion as Zeshin made his attempt to catch her.

"Miss are you ok?" Zeshin said, holding the tired young woman. Upon further inspection he noticed a medallion around the girls neck, turning his attention back to her face.

"I'm fine, just so tired, and so hungry." The girl said, attempting to stand on her own strength. Her stomach began to gurgle loudly and she hid her embarrassed face before starting to walk away from Zeshin.

"Wait, do you need any help, I can get you something to eat." Zeshin said running behind her, trying to stay near here to help as best he could.

"No, I couldn't ask you to..." she said before her belly began to bellow once again.

"Your stomach doesn't think so come on." Zeshin said grabbing her hand, not noticing the slight blush on her face as he guided her to a nearby restaurant.

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

After much hesitation on the part of the young women, Zeshin finally found himself seated across from her inside a small mortal diner. Not caring to spare any expanse, he allowed her to order whatever she wanted, as long as he could afford it. She was reluctant to eat in front of the gracious young man until Zeshin sensed her shyness grabbing one of the bigger sandwiches from the table. "Come on eat something already." Zeshin said playfully taking a large and inappropriate bite from the sandwich, causing her to smile and join him in the smorgasbord of burgers, fries, chicken tenders, and Ice cream.

After she began eating Zeshin smiled, happy he was able to help someone, although it came at the cost of something shiny and new, Zeshin felt the choice he was was good. Noticing that his fries had gotten cold Zeshin looked at the plate in annoyance, "Eww, I hate cold fries." Zeshin said looking around before holding his hand over the cool plate, warming it with his Fire magic.

Unaware that the young woman he provided lunch for was watching, Zeshin continued until her surprised caused her to comment. "Amazing, you can do magic!" She squealed, catching herself as a surprised Zeshin became aware of his wanton display of power.

"I... um... you weren't supposed to see that." Zeshin said, blushing bashfully. Looking to break the silence Zeshin cleared his throat, "I never got your name, I'm Zeshin Lak-el Ury." Zeshin said scratching his head.

"I am Nani Daikaze." Nani said, smiling at Zeshin, "Thank you for the meal Zeshin." She continued.

"No problem, what were you doing traveling out here, you looked like you hadn't eating for days." Zeshin said, inquiring about her sorry state.

"I have been traveling, looking for people who can help me find someone." Nani said, her face now saddened, looking into an empty Ice cream bowl.

"Who are you looking for, someone close to you?" Zeshin wondered.

"I am looking for the man who travels with two dogs, the man who conjures ice and controls lizard men. I am looking for the man who killed my grandfather." Nani said, her eyes swelling with tears.

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

Zeshin was startled by Nani's comments, and his heart sank into his chest as he heard the grim news. "Nani... I... I'm so sorry, when did this happen, who was the guy that did this?" Zeshin asked, confused as to why anyone would target an old man for murder.

"I don't know who he was. Two lizard men were trying to rob my grandfather and one tried to take me hostage to get him to agree to their demands. Then this man with long with hair and two huge, monstorous dogs entered our shop, causing the serpent men to become frightened. I hid in the confusion at my grandfather's instuction and watched as he brutally murdered what looked to be his own men. As my grandfather tried to thank him, he killed him too, for no reason at all..." Nani said as warms tears began to steam down her face, as she burst into sobs in front of Zeshin.

Anger began to set in on Zeshin's face as flash backs of the night he and his mother were robbed by a group of thugs entered his mind. "Bastard, why are people such scumbags, man..." Zeshin said noticing his glass of water began to boil as he starred down at the table. Fearful of causing damage, Zeshin took a breath, and tried to calm himself. Making sure his hands were cool enough to not cause harm, Zeshin grabbed several napkins and handed them to Nani. As he watched he dry her eyes, Zeshin reached across the table to place his hand on Nani's shoulder. "Don't worry Nani, I'll help you find that dirtbag and make him pay." Zeshin said fiercely, as he starred into Nani's eyes, his crystal blues eyes shinning intently as the spoke to comfort the girl.

"That is awfully nice of you but, I barely know you. I cannot ask this of you... I... I've already said to much... I'm sorry..." Nani said, rising to her feet, grabbing her belongings and making her way the exit, still in tears.

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

"Nani wait!" Zeshin yelled, digging into his pocket to find the money for the bill, throwing several dollars on the table before he grabbed his own belongings and ran after Nani. This broken girl was not to far away as Zeshin ran to catch up to he, slowing down as he reached her side, "Wait, don't rush off like that, I want to help you." Zeshin said, panting from the sprint.

"I don't know you Zeshin, I cannot place this burden upon you." Nani said, her voice breaking with the pronunciation of every syllable. As she dried her eyes on her sleeve, Zeshin moved in front of her, and placed his hands on her shoulders, bringing her to a halt.

"Forget about all that stuff. Look, its ok to accept help when you need it, and obviously do so why not?" Zeshin asked looking into Nani's eyes. "Where are you gonna go from here, you look so tired, you were gonna faint from exhaustion when I saw you." Zeshin asked.

"I...I... have nowhere to go. I have traveled so far from home that... I... I..." Nani whimpered, looking at the ground while Zeshin's hands were still firmly on her shoulder.

"My mom and I run a tavern not to far from here, you can stay with us until you get the help you need finding that guy." Zeshin said in empathic voice, trying to calm Nani.

"No... I cannot... you are to kind..." Nani stammered., unable to look Zeshin in the face.

"Yes you can, it beats wandering the streets homeless, come on." Zeshin said, grabbing Nani by the hand, leading her out of town. Nani felt the slight urge to pull away from Zeshin, run away and not burden the nice boy who was so intent on helping her, but she was too tired and followed Zeshin without struggle. Soon they would be away from this town, and for once in a long while, Nani will have found a place to peacefully rest her head.

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

Arriving back in Laytor near dusk, Zeshin and Nani approached the front doors of Karrasi. "Home sweet home." Zeshin said as he lead the exhausted girl into the bar, waving to his mother as walked up to the counter.

"Where have you been Zeshin, the bar opened a little over an hour ago?" Maia asked, filling a mug with Dragon Ale for the patron in front of her.

"I was just out and about mom, this is Nani, she'll be staying with us for a while." Zeshin said with large grin on his face, trying his best to not show any timidness. Nani smiled at Maia, her exhausted expression still manging a bit of warmth.

"Really Zeshin, and where did you meet her?" Maia said leaning in forward to inspect the girl and her son.

"I met her out of town mom, she was really tired and needed somewhere to crash." Zeshin said, fighting off the urge to back away form his clearly annoyed mother.

"Well then, so her to her quarters Zeshin and when your done, I'd like to talk to you." Maia said turning her attention back to the bar. With a sigh of relief and fear of the conversation to come, Zeshin escorted Nani off to one of the 7 rooms in the tavern. After going upstairs, Zeshin opened the door for Nani, seeing her inside of the the room. "You should be fine here, I'll be back to check if you need anything, an come back down if you get hungry." Zeshin said smiling as he held the door.

"Thank you Zeshin, you are too kind." Nani said sitting on the bed.

Blushing, Zeshin scratched his head, "Thanks, well... I gotta get to work, see ya later." Zeshin closing the door behind himself as he exited the room. When he left, Nani simply fell back onto the bed, curling up with a pillow, and after several moments, she was asleep.

Watching as Zeshin slid down the banister of the stairs, Maia signaled that he follow her to the back of the tavern, into the kitchen away from the eyes and ears of the patrons. When the arrived inthe kitchen Maia looked at Zeshin and sighed in a stern, motherly way. "Zeshin where did you find that girl, she looked so worn when she got here. Was she alright." Maia asked.

"No mom, she was pretty messed up when I found her, she was about to pass out from hungry before I bought her lunch." Zeshin said.

"Zeshin, that money was for you to get things for the tavern, and instead you spend it on a stranger, as well as bringing her back to our home." Maia said, annoyed but no surprised at her son's charity.

"Mom I had to, her grandfather was killed by some guy who came into their store a while ago, and she been looking for help to find that guy ever since. I had to help her." Zeshin said, pleading with his mother to understand her situation. "Mom, she had nowhere to go, I couldn't leave her alone out there." Zeshin continued.

"I understand that Zeshin, but what will she do now?" Maia asked, as she leaned against the wall, moved a lock of her brown hair from in front of her face.

"She can help around her, we've always need other people, and she needs something to do. It'll work out, and I'll cover her expenses with my wages." Zeshin said, looking at his mother with earnest eyes.

"Fine Zeshin, she can stay, but you have to show her around the tavern, and make sure she has everything she needs for however long she stays." Maia said standing from the wall.

"Thanks Mom, your the best!" Zeshin said excitedly, hugging his mother unexpectantly and turning around to grab his apron as he ran out the kitchen. As he left, Maia smiled at her son, smiling to herself as she walked out to the front.

As Zeshin came to the front tying his apron, he saw a familiar face at the front of the bar, "Aki!" He yelled out, jumping over the counter to greet the older man.

"Zeshin my boy, how have you been. Been a long time since you stopped by my shop boy." Aki said taking a seat at one of the vacant tables.

"Sorry 'bout that, we've been... busy here." Zeshin said, now standing at the table near Aki.

"So I heard, I wish I was here to give you hand with those young punks, I'd showed them a thing or two." Aki said going into his traveling bag.

"Yeah I bet you would've." Zeshin said forcing a smile as watched the old man produce a long object from his bags biggest compartment.

"Yeah, I would've and if they so up again you can show them this." Aki said as he unraveled the cloth from the object, revealing it to be a sheathed new sword, handing it to Zeshin.

"Are you serious!" Zeshin exclaimed, "This thing is all mine!" he said excitedly, removing the sword from its sheath to inspect the blades quality. "Sweet!" Zeshin said.

"I knew you'd like it." Aki said, smiling at the young man. "Now all you gotta do is learn to use it so it's not for show. Aki said.

"Thanks Aki, but I can't pay for this, and what is mom gonna say, she doesn't like weapons." Zeshin said, realizing the change in the situation.

"Don't worry about that, I've already discussed it with your mother, the blade is your, but you have to promise me one thing Zeshin, only use this to help others. If you do, it'll never fail you." The old man said as Maia brought him a mug of dragon's ale, now standing their looking at Zeshin.

As Zeshin held the blade, several people flashed in his mind upon hearing Aki's words. Images of his mother, Aki, Issac, Nani, and all other important to Zeshin flooded his thoughts. Holding the sword, Zeshin looked at both his mother and Aki, and a look of determination set upon his face. "I promise Aki." Zeshin said solemnly.

Walking away to put up his blade, Zeshin noticed Issac in his usual corner. "Hey, you gonna show me how to use one of these things properly." Zeshin said to the Inu-jin, before walking upstairs to his room. Watching as a smile spread across his shaggy dog features, Issac nodded in agreement. Taking that as a yes, Zeshin smiled as he walked to his own room.