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Ignis	Even without official matches going on and the betting booths in full swing, combat of some sort is never a stranger to the arena in Great Forks. -Somebody- is going to be down there fighting, be it training or some sort of exhibition match or..well..the sky is the limit where reasons are concerned. This is the Arena in Great Forks and people come here to fight or gawk and spectate at fights. The open nature of Great Forks contributes as well, attracting its share of spirits and the supernatural and..perhaps a little something 'more' every now and then.. A ringing sounding of clashing blades can be heard rising over the sound of other fights as one of the matches not to far from the arena entrance begins heating up in intensity. A blond haired fellow, expertly wields a daiklaive of blue and gold against several opponents at once. Bringing the blade up, down, and arcing around again in a series of whip fast parries, counter attacks and flourishes that make the spectacle of the fight sometims hard to follow but never uninteresting. A series of blocks and behind the back parries ends up disarming one of his opponents and sending their sword spinning off to stick into the sand by the arena entrance at which point the other combatants back off from the lone swordsman who lowers his blade in acknkowledgement of their brief retreat. "Not bad, gentlemen!" remarks Ignis, briefly giving a swift salute with his weapon before sheathing it with a sudden movement of his arm. "..But I think that's enough for now....don't you?"
Flaxen Warrior of the Mountain	Instead of being down in the fight, a blond haired man in clothes that are probably more suited for the North or more colder months is leaning against the railing. The man is well muscled, but obviously not meant to be seen as a fighter in most ways. Watching the fight near the entrance, the rather young one whistles a bit as he seems to be appreciating the swordwork of the lone swordsman. Looking around himself, the blonde haired man picks up a jug of something from his hip and takes a sip of it before replacing it back. It's obvious that he's looking over the fighters, but also more so that the man's appearance is more than it seems. "Oooh... that one might go down first." He muses to himself more than anything as he eyes a particularly nasty looking fight over that way somewhere.
Bright Journey	One thing's for sure. This guy, whoever he is, is not terribly worries about the Wyld Hunt. Of course, whether that's wisdom or bravado is a question for a later Age's historians! For now, though, way in the back of the seating, close to the stairs at the exit, is a hooded figure. She's leaning against one of the walls, taking in the fights, but in all honesty seems to be more about killing time than being an enthusiastic gladiator fan. Most of her face is hidden by her cloak's deep hood, but a vague smile is creeping onto her features as she watches the display. Maybe she's the Wyld Hunt, come to crash this rather cheeky fellow's party. Or maybe not. The figure delicately steps down the stairs, avoiding sloshing mugs of ale and shouting patrons, to get to the rail and get a closer look at the action...and anyone out of place watching the action. Not that she isn't out of place herself.
Neza	A show, to say the least, but at least a show is worth watching. Standing, back as she can from the crowds, she's tall enough and with her hat it's only a courtesy; watching the flash of a daiklaive through the hanging veil of beads in front of her eyes. Great Forks, with it's temples, and people, it's made being alone in a crowd possible. And that's a comfortable thing. The slight jangle of her veil alerts to every subtle shift and suspicious glance the woman keeps making, and with it the subtle shift underneath the long cloak that renders most of her body indistinct. But a whistling is something that catches her ear. She looks at the blonde man, and she looks at his clothing. It's familiar to her. Another Northerner. Not uncommon here, but something to note. But he's speaking, and there is a degree of loneliness to speaking to no one. So she inputs, quietly, in a soft if steady voice. "It takes only a moment for the winds to shift."
Ignis	They..aren't happy. Looking briefly as if the feeling of being made fun of or otherwise humiliated is coming over them. Grips tighten on the weapons and Ignis, inclines his head and raises an eyebrow..noting the subtle shift and slight change in attitude. The winds are shifting indeed. But he makes effort to defuse the situation, "Come now.. You all did well! My apologies for having some secrets up my sleeves but..let's take it as a learning experience and leave on good terms.. It's best to not raise the ire of this cities considerable local guards and constables...no?" And true enough, with the nature of its denizens and passer byers and rulers..Great Forks is not without means to quell unrest should matters get out of hand. Such a fact is enough to cause the others to pause and before they can be agitated further..Ignis has turned and begun making his way back towards the Arena walls with the barest of frowns on his face. It's short lived as he espies Bright Journey's descent and then not far from her sees the two Northerners..both standing out to his sharp gaze in their own unique ways..definently moreso then the more common rabble here. He shrugs and then begins to draw nearer, looking to enter the stands and intercept Journey as she descends.
Flaxen Warrior of the Mountain	Shrugging, the blonde man turns to look around the crowds a bit and frowns as something catches his eye. A cloak, no two cloaks out of place. The first is the hooded woman, but the beaded hat wearing woman definitely has his attention. His head turns to look at first the hooded one, then the hat wearing one. Since the hooded one is on approach, however, that one gets his attention first. And he says towards the figure, "The hooded cloak is a nice touch, but a bit out of place for this place. Were you looking for someone in particular?" The man's hand moves to behind his back, just in case. Out of sight, probably reaching for a hidden weapon perhaps.
Bright Journey	In all honesty, pretty much all of Bright Journey's clothing is out of place. It's not -rich-, precisely, but under the black cloak is a good bit of long pink hair, hanging well past her shoulders after spilling out of the hood, and underneath one can catch flashes of gleaming metal above the waist. Armor, then. Even more importantly, though, it is impossible to miss that the woman is -clean-. Spotless, in a way that's very difficult to arrange in a dustbowl like this arena. Yeah, she's definitely out of place. At least she's not carrying a visible weapon. But with that cloak, that's doesn't mean that much. Her reply is pitched just loud enough to carry over the din of the crowd, but no louder. "I find myself a bit out of place no matter where I go, honestly," she replies, a touch of a smile on her lips. Whether it reaches her eyes, though, is hard to tell. The hood's pretty deep. "Hopefully not so out of place as to earn a stab in the gut, mind you." She gives the man's hidden hand an askance look, and stops just out of range of an easy thrust with a smallsword. "As to your question...yes and no. You're not who I'm looking for, really, but then, frustratingly few people are." Her mouth turns wry for a moment. "Also my lot in life, sadly." Not really an answer, but at least not an unfriendly non-answer.
Neza	The high collar of the cloak keeps most of her face hidden, but the jingling shift of the beads tells much of how quickly the woman's face turns toward the blonde Northerner. And then a second jangle as the hat-wearer turns to look forward again, speaking while keeping a too clear focus on the stair. But from moment to moment, between the veil of beads, an aqua colored eye looks back with sharp consideration. "It rains," she answers, explaining away the cloak in an off-hand way. As she gestures dismissively, the cloak flutters with her hand motion underneath. But her focus is on the hooded one all the same. And as she speaks, Neza listens, The brim of her hat dips with her head as she does. Remaining quiet and observational. Out of the way of things as she can.
Ignis	It seems that defusing situations is his current calling..or at the very least calling more attention to himself. "Perhaps I can fill the role of someone being looked for? I think I can prove interesting enough to at least be worth looking for every now and then." Ignis draws near, smile on his face and both of his arms out to his sides and free of any weaponry though given how swiftly he was moving down on the arena floor itself..that's probably not exactly very comforting in and of itself. To Bright Journey, however, he seems to show some degree of familiarity as he turns towards her and nods his head in respectful greeting, "We meet again.. after having swiftly seperated upon reaching Great Forks. I trust all is well?" He glances between her and Flaxen and then looks to the nearby Neza, having overheard her explanation for her garments as well. "Ah yes..indeed it rains, though the weather in Great Forks seems under control. Some agreement with its rulers and local weather gods, perhaps?"
Flaxen Warrior of the Mountain	The blonde haired man shakes his head, removing his hand to show that he has absolutely nothing. "My apologies. It is not usually safe to gain the attention of some hiding from the rain." He shrugs. Looking at Ignis, the blonde studies the man for a moment or two. "That was some interesting sword play down there." He compliments. Then he looks to Neza, then to Ignis. "I think the ladies are afraid that we may recognize them or some such, I suppose." The blonde gives a small shrug of his shoulders. "Their loss, I guess. The arena was for all, I could have sworn, and to show skills. Not to hide from people looking for them or some such."
Bright Journey	With a sharp snap of the fingers, Bright Journey nods in understanding. "THAT'S where I saw you before. Of course. I knew something was nagging at my memory. In truth, I hadn't run across you or Tenzen once I came to the city." She grimaces slightly, sounding apologetic. "I...may have underestimated the size of Great Forks. Despite the name, all I heard was 'It's smaller than Nexus' and immediately thought of a one-tavern, one-well village. I should have stuck closer." Bright Journey pauses briefly to give Flaxen and Neza more appraising looks, since both seem to be talking, and offers the pair of Northerners a more welcoming smile. "A lively pair, the two of you." She glances at Flaxen specifically. "It's never quite -that- simple, truth be told. I'm looking for a few people specifically, who are not you, but running into other interesting people generally is certainly not unwelcome. Glancing finally at Neza, she looks amused, but still friendly, once more. "I'm sure you especially understand the need to avoid too much sunlight. I'm one of those people who wouldn't go unnoticed in a plain burlap sack, but I can at least signal for a little social distance by pulling up my hood. You look like you might have had hangers on in the past, you understand I'm sure."
Neza	For a moment, the talk of weather gods has Neza incline her head to look upward toward the skies. She makes a noncommittal hum before looking back at the others again and resuming her slight head dip. She hadn't considered the agreements for agreeable weather. A movement of hands underneath the cloak, finger twiddling. It was easier to explain away when on the rivers. "The combat was impressive," she says, quiet voiced but eager on that topic. "Graceful, for something so big." Behind her veil and the high collar, she grimaces when she realizes how unwieldy she is in her own word choices. Enough of a sigh moves the beads in front of her and she returns to dipping her head toward the shortest of the four. She never thought about angling that much when it came to covering herself. "Hangers on," she says, derisively. "It's not my loss, but your benefit," she says. "I am not one to look at."
Ignis	"Indeed, Great Forks is impressive and..not just a little confusing at times. Still, it's a good place to rest up and perhaps be a little more..free to be oneself.." remarks Ignis who then quiets to take in Flaxen's and Neza's words. He ends up chuckling and running a hand through his messy hair. "You both have my thanks. I suppose you could say my style of swordsmanship is a little ..inventive. Maybe a little -to- showy to some disciplines but it's something I've figured out over time and through studying of different techniques. If nothing else I try and keep it entertaining to look at and effective when it has to be.." He then shrugs lightly and looks at Flaxen more directly, "..And there can be many reasons to want to conceal ones self. I just..don't happen to have one right now. Even in Great Forks..maybe -especially- in Great Forks..there can be times when being careful from prying eyes is necessary, no?" Neza gets one more curious glance but he seems to think better of prying more into her last comment about her potential appearence.
Bright Journey	Bright Journey makes a show of leaning down a bit to try to peek past the bead curtain, but in truth she can't see any more than normal--it's just a part of what she's saying. "Oh, I don't know...some people go for tall, strong women. You never know." She flashes a set of white, even teeth in a big smile. "No need to be so down on yourself, in any event." She turns to the rest of the conversation, about sword styles. "I don't go much for blades myself--I was a hunter and gatherer when I was younger--but Ignis here can vouch for my archery, at least a bit. Then again, what we were fighting were not exactly small or difficult to hit targets. Speaking of which..." She pauses a moment and looks at Ignis. "We should talk later, if you found anything out. Before we split up tell me where you and Tenzen are staying, would you?" Business out of the way, she looks at everyone again. "Sorry for the digression. Anyway, I'm curious. You know about him--" She nods towards Ignis. "--and I told you a slight bit about myself. How do you two fight?"
Flaxen Warrior of the Mountain	Flaxen nods, "Truly. Of course, if you live in fear all the time, are you truly living?" The blonde's grin is turned towards the arena. "I might have to see if there are any spare swords in my style." He looks towards the hooded woman, "An archer? That is certainly a refreshing thing to hear. I thought all would be using swords or axes or spears here. Someone who is good at archery is certainly a bit rarer and more valued as a friend." Giving a shrug, he looks towards the arena. "I practice a little bit of all, but I am not as fine in sword play as him, nor I doubt as good an archer as her." The man hums, "I am, however, able to take quite a bit before someone can make me give up."
Neza	Listening. Nodding. She has the forward attentiveness of someone that isn't used to too much interaction. And the obviousness of someone not terribly familiar with actually being more discrete than covering herself. There's little obfuscation behind her obscuration. "If it is effective," she tells Ignis, "And you fight in arenas. It should be like a dance." Neza is a solid half foot taller than Bright Journey. Close in, a chin narrower, longer, than human, and a splash of cold grey color. But it's hidden again with the decline of Neza's head. And lower still does it dip. A sigh, and a little shake of her head. "Perhaps. . ." she acquiesces to what is said. Compliments, both desperately appreciated, and terribly painful all the same. She would much rather keep to the talk of styles. And thankfully Bright Journey seems to see to that. "I've known archers. Useful along the rivers. And I do not use something so skillful or exciting as either of you. A spear is all I need. Easy to replace if needed. Easy to maintain. It's practical."
Ignis	"So because she can use a bow she's more valuable as a -friend-?" quips Ignis, sounding incredulous at what he just heard. "Huh, who knew." He simply keeps an eyebrow raised but then falls silent to allow Neza to speak. His gaze falls on her in full and he studies her for a few seconds before simply going, "Hmm.." and then looking back to Bright Journey, "I had to think about it for a moment but I believe they are at The Happy Alpaca. It should be in The East Quarter. I'm not staying there myself. I've some other options for getting rest when I'm passing through Great Forks. It would be good to catch up. I think we have some..mutual interests that bear discussing?" He lets that linger in the air. Could mean anything. Maybe. "Oh..and I'm no arena fighter by trade. Was just entertaining myself." He looks to Flaxen once more, "If you find a spare sword and ever need a sparring partner...I'm always willing."
Flaxen Warrior of the Mountain	The blonde laughs, then looks at Ignis. "I may, but I warn it has been a long time since I have trained with anyone. And you will find that I am not exactly as... simple as most down there." He looks to the hooded one, then to Ignis before raising an eyebrow. "Aye, she is. A swordsman, spearwoman, or even axeman you can face. You know what's coming, how best to take them on. But an archer? If they are good, you won't see them until it is too late. And by then, you have an arrow in who knows where. Eye, belly, throat, leg, arm. Who knows? It's what makes it better to befriend them than anything else. At least the others you can actually fight and be on even ground with. An archer takes another archer to beat, or someone able to run like the wind in hopes of not being hit."
Bright Journey	Bright Journey just laughs quietly, shaking her head slightly at the friend comment. "Perhaps we should stop a moment and say rather 'ally' than 'friend'. I see what you three are all saying, but I must side with Ignis here. Our friends shouldn't be limited by what weapon they wield, I'd think, but what's in here." She taps her chest, eliciting a dull clink of metal, muffled by the cloak. "Allies are for combat tactics." Pausing for a moment, Bright refocuses in Neza, and while she looks slightly surprised by what she sees under the hood, she's by no means bothered. In fact, she grins just a bit. "I'll stop bothering you about this in a second, my dear. But I just want to say to you one thing. Like I was telling this gentleman a moment ago, I'm looking for a few important people. One of them is--or was, I don't know--my mate. From..." She looks downwards a moment. "From a long time ago. I don't know if she's even around any more. Or if she's the same even if she is. But you remind me a lot of her. I mean, a LOT. She was more..." Bright Journey chuckles a bit. "More ferocious. Less quiet. But still, you're a lot alike. My point is, there's someone out there who'll love you as much as I love her. You just have to search." Bright Journey backs off a step or two. "And that's my good deed for the day. End of lecture." She offers a wan sort of smile, then looks at Ignis. "Now that I have thoroughly embarrassed this poor girl, I guess I'd better go find the Happy Alpaca."
Neza	A sudden quiet. Maybe she was too forward in speaking. Again the movement at the front of her cloak as she twiddles her fingers and exhales, unhappy with herself. The beads rustle as she takes a slight step away from the others and falls into listening again. One is a fan of archers. One not so much? They were useful, but it was a matter of skill to her. She had faced archers. She had walked away unscathed. But the silent ones could be dangerous. All these things she mulls over in her head, lost in a thought on tactics and allies. But that kind of distraction can only last so long when there is a great deal of forwardness that comes your way. Neza stiffens at the directness. She shrugs her shoulders to bring the high, stiff collar up just a little bit higher. "I. . ." the soft voice trails off. But the steadiness comes again. "I," Deep breath. A shift under the cloak. "I hope you find her. You might be more rare than you think. To be so kind."
Ignis	Whatever comment Ignis had on the discussion of archers..and it was probably a sarcastic one..dies on his lips as he hears Bright Journey. He grows quiet, solemn..perhaps even introspective judging by his expression and then he inclines his head as he hears Neza's measured but heartfelt response. "Right.." he says after a moment to breath again. He then cuts his gaze back to Bright Journey, "You seem to have a knack for surprising reveals and moving statements. I'll have to keep that in mind."
Flaxen Warrior of the Mountain	Flaxen moves his hand to rub his chin, looking considerate. He looks carefully at Bright, then to Neza. He gives a small wave to the trio, "... the sentimental talk isn't for me. Good day to you all." He moves towards the entrance to the arena, perhaps looking for some sword as he said before. Perhaps they stirred up something or another in the blonde, but for no, he's off to work out some and get in a bit of practice perhaps. His gaze does look to them over his shoulder briefly before turning back to continue his walk down towards the hopeful direction of an armory or the like.
Bright Journey	Bright Journey just smiles. For someone her age, she seems to have a pretty decent handle on this kind of thing. Of course, perhaps for her it was a lifetime ago. For those who can read between the lines, she doesn't seem to be going to any great effort to hide that, at least. "Thank you, my dear. I hope just as strongly you find whoever it is you're looking for. What should I call you all, anyway? I'm Bright Journey." She gives Ignis an impudent grin at his comment. "Or I just have a massive habit of wearing my heart on my sleeve, I suppose. But then, you saw me in the woods. I can silence a room just by standing tall...or just talk your ear off." In any event, I must be going as well..."
Neza	It was sometimes painful to be stoic. But then again, many moments called for it. Underneath her cloak, Neza's nails dug at her palm. Bright Journey did as said, drew attention to herself. And Neza doesn't have much more she can do but offer a faint bow. "Neza," she says. "Call me Neza." She knows the man is turning, the one who liked archers. She wonders why he's leaving so quickly, uncertain. But she adds, loud for her, with clear purpose to be heard. "Happy Alpaca, was it? A place one could stay?"
Ignis	"Yes." says Ignis, "I can't say I know much about it. I seperated from the ones that she was mentioning after we entered the town. I had business of my own to attend to." He seems mildly shaken, mentally, as if trying to recover from some sort of daydream that set upon him that quickly. He then nods his head, "Neza is it? I'm Ignis. I believe her name is Bright Journey.. but I can't speak for our departing friend." He looks after Flaxen as the man moves off..not that he entirely blames him..commentary on archers aside. That thought does draw Ignis a little back to his prior more cheerful self and he laughs abit, "I hope I didn't imply to our friend I dislike archers..I'm just in agreement with Bright Journey. Measure your friends by more then the weapons they wield. Not to mention wars and battles are won by more then simply a battalion of archers. Still, there is merit to striking at range over closing in..." He turns fully back to Neza, "I apologize if you were made to be uncomfortable. Great Forks must be..very odd to you."
Neza	"A pleasure to meet you, Ignis" Neza says. She returns to her poised stance, the cloak falling straight and narrow around her. "I think something may have bothered him," she says, turning her head to watch Flaxen take leave of the awkwardness. Something Neza quietly prides herself in navigating now that it's passed. "I'm used to the rivers, and the trading towns toward the North," she admits. "I'm nothing more than a bodyguard. And I'm used to any friends of mine being tested by their arms more than anything else. A company grows closer that way than anything else." A short laugh, a sad one. "You all are probably more worldly."
Ignis	"Probably not as worldly as you may think..though..well..okay I grew up on the streets of Nexus before I got taken in by a Scavenger Lord..so I suppose I'm a bit of an outlier." laughs Ignis. He then nods his head, "You'll get used to it. I don't live here in Great Forks..but..it's a good city to pass through, especially to escape some of the ...scrutiny..elsewhere in Creation." Ignis turns to watch as Flaxen makes his way further into the arena and then nods his head, "Honestly he may have the right idea. I'm sure I'll see you around more, Neza." He nods politely to her and begins to step backwards to take his leave.
Neza	"I came up in a mercenary company. We didn't stray far from the money on the river," Neza says, willfully joining in on the subtle competition of who had the most sheltered youth. She is quiet, but not without playfulness. However deeply she knows what happened when shined too brightly and pushed past the banks of the river for her glory. Enough pain to shut her eyes and only open them when she hears Ignis' parting. "Yes," she says, too quickly. "I mean, I am certain I will see you around." The words come out at a strange cadence, regretting already having said them she was unable to stop once it begin. When she turns, the flare of her cloak being dramatic enough for her leave, she briefly reaches to tug up the collar she wears in her embarrassment. The unhuman fingers, clawed and pale, visible for a moment before disappearing under the cloak once more before soon Neza herself sought to disappear.