Catflail

   The sun shone through the clouds as the wind had shifted the tide of the battle in the sky. The storm clouds being moved southward, while the rain clouds that sat slightly lower remained. Eyes shimmering at a pool full of small fish as small hands ripped chunks of bread off of bit of the loaf that was given to her. Casting the tufts of baked grain into the waters, the fish did not hesitate to feed off of the generosity. A smile crept on her lips as she heard a faint voice call off in the distance, “Hey Eri, are the fish bitin’ today?’ came the voice, as a tall figure approached. The sun obscuring this feminine voiced enigma. All that could really be seen through the sun’s harsh spotlight, was her maroon red hair and her vibrant orange eyes.

Erin’dua awoke from her stupor, wishing she had more time to rest. Keeping in mind she had a task to do. Nothing  too serious obviously, though she felt it below her station to be killing rats, lady bugs, and sheep. Shifting her weight she lifted the axe onto her shoulder and spied her first target. A rat sat there nibbling the base of sunflower, it wobbled too and fro before plummeting and crashing against the unforgiving ground. The rat made its way over to the head of the sunflower and started to collect seeds in it’s cheeks. ‘Heh, this’ll be as easy as selling salt to a butcher.’ Erin’dua thought to herself as she swung her body forward. The axe soon followed the flow of Erin’dua’s shoulder. The rat’s ears twitched before it shifted to the side and the axe head missed.

Erin’dua grumbled as she tried to pull the axe head out of the ground. Though the rat would have no further attacks against it as it leaped up into the air and slammed its feet against Erin’dua’s face. She staggered a bit, and in turn free’d the axe from it’s grounded position. She growled angrily at the rat as she shifted her weight to try and swing the axe horizontally. With a quick side swing the  axe flew around with Erin’dua spinning from it’s sheer weight. The rat leaped backward waiting for the twirling death top to slow. As Erin’dua felt dizzy, the rat leaped again and performed the same attack. Erin’dua fell back as she slammed her rump against the grass. Her eyes darting back to the rat as she tried to get up. The rat went for another attack, as Erin’dua used the handle of the axe as a makeshift shield to protect her face from more rat kicks. The rat rebounded off of the axe and as it landed, Erin’dua ran after it. Her fingers clenched around the axe handle as she threw all of her weight into it as the rat was getting ready for another strike, only to now see the axe coming overhead. It was not long til the axe finally hit it's mark, killing the wharf rat instantly upon impact.

Letting out a triumphant laugh of mockery, Erin’dua soon found that the other rats weren’t keen on her killing their brethren. She didn’t have enough time to take a defensive stance as the rats all leaped at once. The sheer shock and desperation caused her nerves to buckle as she hunkered down covering her head, hoping to at least dampen the blows. Her eyes closed shut as she let out a small squeak of fright, only to hear it be followed by several squeaks of newly felled rats. She moved her arms and hands out of the way to see the rats flying back as their blood decorated the grass and plant life. She looked up to see a towering female Roegadyn standing firm with her axe in hand. Confidence and a cocksure attitude was laced in her smile as she looked down at Erin’dua with her axe resting on her shoulder, the blade behind her.
“Well well, look what we have here. Now Eri, you’re not gonna get much done cowering like that. I mean geeze they’re just a bunch of rats.” the Roegadyn teased as she then extended her hand downward as she knelt.

Rolling her eyes, Erin’dua took the woman’s hand and stood upward. “Well Ghalianna, nobody asked you for your opinion.”
“I believe my opinion is always valid, when you can barely kill just one rat.”
“Well this stupid axe is heavier than a hume with a safe tied to their ankle.”
Ghalianna inspected her friend’s weapon and raised a brow. “Geeze, no wonder. This thing is weighted in the head. Let me guess… you did something to piss someone off did ye?” Ghalianna asked as she twirled the small axe around, as if it was practically a small marching band baton.
“Well that guild master was a prick, making fun of me and..”
“Oh…. Well no wonder, he probably gave you the heavier one so you can burn off some steam. That or teach you a lesson. Here you can use my wood cutting axe, it’s more of… your size.” Ghalianna chortled a bit as she handed Erin’dua her wood cutting axe.
Erin’dua’s eyes squinted as her teeth clenched firmly, “That… arse face! He gave me that thing on purpose. Oh, I bet he’s laughing it up right now, I’ll slap that smug grin off of his face. Hard enough the receptionist will have a new paper weight!” she shouted with her fists clenched as Ghalianna slid the handle of the axe gingerly into Erin’dua’s hands.
“Well… good luck with that. He’s far more seasoned than you, and he has waaaaay better equipment than you do right now. You should really calm yer tiny tits Eri.”
“WHAAAT!?” Erin’dua exclaimed as she held the axe firmly in hand glaring at her friend.
“You wanna go, then go ahead and give it a go? I’ll trounce your ass down this hill easily.” Ghalianna confidently declared as she readied her axe. Erin’dua sighed as she tossed the wood axe upon the ground and sat on a small flat rock. Putting her hands upon her cheeks as her elbows rested on her knees. “Giving up already? Geeze, I expected you to put up at least a little bit of a fight. The Eri I know would have taken the trouncin’ and kept coming.”
“It’s not that, I’m just tired already, been lugging that big heavy spit in the face all the way out here. It was just given to me to humiliate me.” Erin’dua remarked, holding back her own emotions as she grabbed a nearby rock and threw it outward.

Seeing her friend this way, Ghalianna sighed as she kicked an encroaching ladybug, about the size of small boar, aside. It tumbled down the hill as a rock acted as a ramp, flinging it into the air against its’ own will and off into the coastal rocks as it slammed against their sharp edges. Sitting down, Ghalianna booped her friend’s nose, causing her to wiggle it in protest, and look up at her. A stiffled half tear and a glare as the only response. “I knew you were coming out here to prove ol’ daddy dearest wrong, but you’re not gonna get much accomplished being stubborn. The Eri I know, always has a plan. Though.. I would seriously advise against being a Marauder, the arcanist’s guild might be more your style.” Ghalianna remarks as she shifts her weight a bit.
“I want to avoid that, that’s the kind of life I wanted to get away from, I heard it deals with shapes and numbers mostly. I want something different.. Something not like what I left behind.” Erin’dua remarked with a dejected heart.
“Well… you didn’t hear it from me, but if you go somewhere in particular… you could always join the Rogues Guild. I hear they’re always looking for fresh talent.” Ghalianna stated as she stood upward, adjusting her armor. “Geeze, this stuff always seems to ride up in all the most unwanted areas.”
Erin’dua quirked her brow looking at Ghalianna oddly, “Why would I join a bunch of cut throat pirate rejects?” she asked as she sat upward.
“Well… They’re not so much rejects as they are enforcers in the dark really.” Ghalianna states rubbing her nose and giving a sharp intake of air through it.
“Oh?”
“Yeah, and they don’t use big axes or take hits to the face. They use knives mostly, good for stabbing someone in the back, leg, arm, left ass cheek. Y’know basically whatever gets the job done.”

Ghalianna stands up and stretches a bit, “Well don’t be sitting around here all day, it’ll be dark soon. That’s when all the Bogey men come out to play.” she remarks making her way back into town with her axe draped over her shoulders, a casual saunter gracing her hips as she hummed a soft tune to herself. Erin’dua pondered on this prospect, perhaps she would pay the rogue’s guild a visit. Perhaps she’d get a tad more respect than what she had received from the Marauder’s guild.

Taking the wood axe back into her hand she made her way towards town again, a small band of lambs emerging from the woodlands. She scoffed a bit as she looked upon them, “Feh, what’s so dangerous about some little lost lambs. I don’t really see the point in this.” she remarked as a small group of Yellow Jackets ran forth with their axes in hand.
“Dem feral sheep er back, take ‘em down mates.” the leader announced as the lambs came charging in. Erin’dua quirked her brow at this odd spectacle. It wasn’t long before she saw that these lambs weren't a laughing matter as they were holding their own against armed city guards. One of the guards was knocked prone as a lamb leaped from the bushes and knocked him clean over. The guard tumbled as a few of the lambs began to trample him.
“Jasper!” exclaimed a female hume as she went to dash forward and found her opponent wouldn’t let her pass until their business had been finished.

Erin’dua looked around not seeing any other Yellow Jackets, and Ghalianna was gone. Biting her bottom lip she ran forward with the wood axe as Jasper cried out for help. Shifting her footing she slammed the axe head against the lamb’s horns. The small amount of curve to the axe hooking in as she used all of her strength to pull the lamb off of him. She began to realize that these were practically full grown sheep, and not just little lambs. As the lamb tried to pull her back into the direction it wanted to go, she wouldn’t give an inch a she dug her expensive shoes into the ground. The flat heels digging into what grass and dirt it could get. Another lamb soon took note as it abandoned its’ mission of trampling Jasper to help its’ friend. Erin’dua took note with her lavender eye as she shifted her weight and unhooked her axe to move forward and use the handle’s length  to shove the lamb back from her. As the new foe came closer Erin’dua spun around and gave a swift swing of her axe as the blunt end came around. The heavy head of the wood axe slammed into the sheep’s horn and busted it off, leaving a jagged reminder of an unclean break. The blunt part of the head soon meeting the lamb’s. The lamb tumbled from the blow and staggered a bit as the original opponent reared back and went for a charge. Its head hunkered down as it went forward, Erin’dua took a sharp intake of air as a thought hit her mind. She shoved the axe head into the ground and flipped the handle towards the lamb as it barreled into the handle’s pommel. The lamb let out a pained bleat that soon turned into a startled one. The head of the axe turning in the ground as the lamb’s own force caused the axe to fling it overhead and tumble down the steep hill.

Erin’dua took her axe up and out of the ground as she charged toward the staggering lamb and slammed it into the lamb’s head. It let out a small noise as it fell limp on the ground. The Yellow Jackets soon had taken care of the bulk of the herd, the remainder fleeing back into the wilds from whence they had came. Erin’dua panted as a dark haired male Hume came over to her, “Thanks fer the assist missy, I might have been stuck in the infirmary fer awhile er worse if ye didn’t come along when ye did.”
“It was nothing, don’t sweat it.” Erin’dua reassured, trying to pull the axe out of the lamb’s head.
“Oh, let me help ye with that.” Jasper insisted as he put his foot on the lamb’s body and they both pulled, bringing the axe out of the lamb’s skull. “Ye buried that pretty deep, ye got some arms on ya miss… er.. What be yer name?”
“Erin’dua, Erin’dua Uberwald.” she remarked as she held the wood cutting axe with pride.
“Aye, names Jasper Jennin’s. Pleased to meet ye miss Uberwald.” a small bow followed after Jasper’s introduction as the other two discussed further details.
“Jennin’s, we need to file a report. Finish up yer prattlin’ and let’s go.” came the words from the female Hume.
“I best get to goin’ til again miss Uberwald. Perhaps I can return the favor.” Jasper stated as he ran to his group as they began to depart.
“Uh sure, though don’t count yer coin too soon.” she shouted in a light hearted manner. Her gaze turning back to the city as the Yellow Jackets returned to its’ walls. She let out a long breath as she held the axe. She wondered if she should continue this course, or take her old friend’s advice. Her small footsteps left the grass and met the stonework once again, the sun descending and ushering in the light of the stars and moon.

   Doors opening and closing are literal and figurative, yet it is hardly mentioned they can fall off hinges. Doors are gateways, but can also be prisons. They can hide or reveal secrets, be they words or treasures. For all the things doors can do, they can’t choose when, who, or where. Stripped from their home and carved into something they had no choice in. Being a door is not a decision, it is something that is forced upon by another…

Pushing as hard as she could, the right side of the door to the Marauder’s guild shifted open, she didn’t expect it to be this daunting of a task. With the consideration of all the open doorways about the city, it was a wonder that some of the establishments actually had doors. Looking about she saw a Elezen and a Hyur working at a set of reception desks. The Elezen seemed quite bored as she was investigating papers, the Hyur is conversing with a female Miqo’te. The young man was chatting up a storm to the cute cat as she responded in a manner that found him perplexed and confused. Erin’dua’s eyes shifted at the short skirt of the Miqo’te as she made her way by, and looked to the Elezen woman who was currently flipping through old logs and correcting mistakes and getting disgruntled by tax rate inflation.

“Excuse me, if you’re not too terribly busy. Could you direct me to who I need to speak with to register with the Marauder’s guild?” Erin’dua spoke as the Elezen’s pointed ears flicked once as she reared her wheat colored hair back and looked about with her pale blue eyes. “I’m down here.” Erin’dua directed as the Elezen changed her gaze’s trajectory.
“Oh! Well you’re talkin' to the right Lass, we can get you registered immediately. So long as you're sure that you want to be a member.” The Elezen spoke in a matter of fact state, that was sinking into un-surety as she looked upon this Lala that was applying for a job intended for stouter and tougher folk.
“I’m quite sure I want to join, otherwise I wouldn't be here asking you to confirm my credentials and registration. As well as any other formalities that are required of me.”
“Would you care to hear about our rich history first, before I confirm your registration?”
“No.”
“Are you sure, I can tell you about the origins of buccaneers using axes to board other ships and-”
“No.”
“But there’s-”
“I said no, Baderon already told me enough, I don’t need a recap or to go into further details.” Erin’dua insisted as she folded her arms, her right brow raising as if to test this woman’s dedication to history.

The Elezen sighed as she held out one of her ledgers, “Just sign here, here, and… here.” she states as Erin’dua takes a quill in hand and starts to fill out the parts of the ledger that had been indicated by the well manicured finger. Erin’dua uses the leather straps attached to a ring upon the back of her hand to adjust it, as it became slightly uncomfortable. The Elezen looked it over and then gave a nod, “You’re good to go, report to Axemaster Wyrnzoen.” as the Elezen woman pointed towards the hulking Rogaedyn. This towering man stood firmly, as his armor probably took an immense amount of time to be produced. Wyrnzoen was a prime example of most Rogaedyn men as he was practically a brick wall with muscles. The head upon his axe alone was almost the size of Erin’dua herself. Her eyes gazing upon him, filled with intimidation. She had no idea how she was going to measure up to this, in fact everyone else was bigger than her and had muscles to match. Even the other Lalafels in the guild were well built, she let out a nervous sigh as the towering man turned to her.

“Ho there young miss!” he states before looking to the Elezen and understanding what was going on. “Ah, I see. So we have fresh blood, a wee spec of fresh blood; but fresh none the less.” he stated as Erin’dua grumbled and took note that kicking his shins would do no good. Though there was option ‘B’, as he was close enough to her height as he knelt down to go-to her level.
“You might be the guild master, but you should have more manners.” As she goes to slap him for his ridicule, he simply stops her blow with one finger, and proceeds to wrap his hand around her wrist and maneuver her arm downward causing her to flop upon her side. Laying on the ground she let out a loud “Ahhh! Ooffghfff..” as she lay on the floor bamboozled.
“Oh ho! Ye’ve got spirit lass I’ll give ye that. Against a Novice I would have been stricken across me mug.” He remarked with a joyful chuckle as he let go of her arm and stood up. “Ye need some trainin' that’s fer sure. We’ll get ye started on some small prey, some wee lady bugs, lambs, and some wharf rats. They be some burdensome creatures, and it may not be glamorous, but we all start somewhere.” he states as he turns around and looks through the line up of axes, his finger stops as he picks a rather small one. Erin’dua getting up and rubbing her wrists as she then proceeded to dust off her leggings and tidy doublet, adjusting the beige vest. He then turns to her and extends the axe towards her length wise across, “Here ye go, take dat axe, and get ta choppin’.” He states as he lets it go, her tiny hands cradling the axe; only to have it plummet towards the floor with half of her body. Erin’dua braces herself while holding it, she clenched all of her body as she went to lift it into her arms and rest it on her shoulder. The guild master laughing as the rest simply watched with intrigue. She lifted with all her might as her legs shifted down to a bent state as she let out a loud primal shout of determination before getting it onto her shoulder.

Erin’dua’s feet slammed against the wood as she trudged towards the Aetherite she saw just outside the guild hall upon entry. Her feet pulling her forward bit by bit as a few of the guild members cheered her on. She then leaned back as the head of the axe slammed against the wooden floor boards of the guild hall. She then proceeded to drag it with her, heading to the door; surprised by the weight difference. Giving a firm kick she pops the door open. The Miqo’te watching with admiration of her determination, and as the door came swinging back she extended her arm outward and held the door. Erin’dua smiled gratefully for the help from the Miqo’te, “Thank… You…” she panted as the Miqo’te responded with a nod and a simple wave as Erin’dua made her way outward.

Making her way to the smaller Aetherite, she held her hand outward, and frowned. She realized she would have to attune to every single one of these to make adequate use of them. She softly sobbed to herself with this realization. Yet no tears came from her eyes, only cries of frustration from her mouth. She slowly made her way across the bridges, going through the Drowning Wench. Her foot steps ceased as she stopped just outside of one of it’s entry ways. The Miqo’te that served there frequently, came by and set a glass of water down next to her and gave a small bow. Erin’dua huffing and puffing gave a small nod and quickly took up the glass and drank it down with all due haste. Slamming the glass down on the wooden way, the Miqo’te chuckled and took the glass back. “Be safe, and good luck.” she said as she left, her tail swaying as she brought the tray and glass back to Baderon. The man gave a wave and a thumbs up, trying to encourage Erin’dua through her time of discouragement.

Taking a deep breath, Erin’dua got up and seized the handle of the axe and with one heave, brought it upon her shoulders as she shifted her weight forward and began to walk. Taking her time, and learning to balance the weight of the axe with her own. Each step drawing her closer as she went through a round plaza and exited out of the nearest gate into the city. The guards watching with intrigue as they folded their hands, a few murmurs that were well acquainted with a betting man. As she reached the old beaten road and the soft earth that surrounded it, she let out a sigh of relief, she could see her quarry nibbling on tall grass and seeds, despite them being called small, they were all almost her size, even one of the ladybugs that was hissing in a territorial manner at a small family of Wharf Rats that were passing by.

The air was silent here, Erin’dua’s hair blowing in the wind as droplets of rain trickled from the sky. This was a lot harder than she thought, but taking up the axe in hand. The lavender and blue that were her eyes gazed upon her first quarry. This would be the moment that would define her act as an adventurer.

::NOTE::

Please excuse all the bad layout, though if you're enjoying the story be sure to share it with friends and let me know.
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Any and all encouragement is also appreciated, and if there's any NPC's you'd like to see her encounter, let me know.

   Two principles as old as time, one being the conflict stemmed from desire that lay resting in the heart. The other being the principles of the world, the building blocks of all life and matter; that which permeates through the cosmos…

The hardest question being, which path do you walk…?
Magic can harness the very essence of the world. Skill and technique can over come obstacles once thought insurmountable, hence are the principles of War.

“Look mummy, the knights are coming back. Why do they look hurt?” questioned the little girl.
“They got in a fight with other people, bad people. People who were hurting farmers.” The woman with the red hair spoke as she gingerly patted her daughter upon her head.
“Where are the robey people?” the girl with lavender and cerulean eyes asked, seeing naught any who had left before. Those clad in white, black, and a dazzling green had taken a path that led to their journeys end. Those who bore the weapons limped back as their banners were either gone, or had been torn asunder. The little one’s eyes gazed in despair as she bore witness to a man in a dapper hat, casting aside his instrument. The old lyre flew into the mud as it’s brass and adornments had long faded. It’s master down on his knees, cursing the very gods themselves.

A sharp snap sounded infront of Erin’dua’s face as she shook her head, being abruptly awoken from her day dream. Baderon’s hand lay near her nose as he chuckled, “Ye got all scowly on me fer a second dere Missy, then ye just kind of zonked out. Like a sea serpent took yer soul down to de black abyss.”
Erin’dua shook her head and pondered a bit, wondering why everything was trickling back into her mind. Other concerns were more pressing as she looked to Baderon, “I’m not sure, but what should I do. I haven’t had any formal training in thosekindsof-” she started running her words together. As Baderon held up a finger towards her face, causing her to rear back slightly and stop before her words became senseless babbling.

Baderon gestured towards the open entrance near the stairwell, the blue sky in it’s view and a few spires connected by complex bridgework. He spoke of the two guilds that lay in the seaside city, one that she was already somewhat acquainted with. Those garbed in the yellow coats that held the peace of Lominsa, the yellow jackets. They are a subdivision of the axe wielding marauders, dedicated to the city’s well being rather than odd jobs in the outside world. Though a giant axe seemed more inclined for one to be attacking the innocent and taking resources. The Maruaders had perfected an art intended to protect their allies and keep their enemy’s focus upon them.

Then there was the Arcanists, a group who dictated their magic through numbers and complex geometric shapes. Though Baderon dismisses them as ‘fancy circles and shapins’ in his explanation. They were known for calling forth a creature known as a Carbunkle to defend them and harm their enemies. Their spells causing ailments and coming from the forgotten gods source itself. Though their spells were nowhere close to the immense power a Primal could muster, they drew from it. Some would consider it as crazy, others as a grab for power, but the Arcanists see it as only numbers and shapes. A power obtained through a deeper understanding of mathematical fundamentals.

Erin’dua pulled out the crystal from beneath her coat and looked it over, pondering on which path she would go for now. Turning it side to side in between her fingers she thought about it. The Arcanists sounded like the very thing she was trying to escape, she sighed and decided which way she would be going. Tucking away her crystal, she set off; hopping down from the stool and going towards the opening.

The gulls passed overhead in a formation that resembled a long forgotten kingdom, lost to the rise of machinery and war. Which quickly crumbled as the gulls swooped downward and began attacking a lalafel with a rather large sandwich. It was not long til the gulls had her airborne, attempting to take the sandwich as Erin’dua took note. A breath of air escaped her lips as she ran forward, not sure what to do as she pulled out an old ledger.

“Damn gulls, get away this is the captain’s! I’ll rip out yer feathers and sell ‘em to a carpenter!” the small lala threatened. Her little hat cast into the wind as it sailed down towards the Aetherite down below. Her silver hair glistening in the sun as she struggled, hooking her feet onto the chain at the edge of the walkways. “I’m not gonna lose my tip, you flying rats!”
Throwing the ledger into the densest part of the birds’ sandwich conquering horde, Erin’dua successfully scatters most of them. Grabbing the Lala’s ankle she pulls her back and downward as the woman gets the ordeal under control. The silver haired maiden pulling off one of her shoes and smacking the gulls across the beak with the edge of her flat leather shoe. Erin’dua in turn slapping a gull firmly across it’s body with the back of her hand, trying to maintain a stance between the gulls and the sandwich of their eyes.

The gulls soon dispersed as she looked back, “Are you alright?” Erin’dua asked. She was almost out of breath as she was coming off of the adrenaline high.
“Aye, I’m doing alright. Thanks for the assist, I figured there’d be a thirty five percent less chance someone would help me. The name’s Hallworthy.” she remarks as she extends her small hand towards Erin’dua. Her hand taking Erin’dua’s, she scoffs a little. “I see ye got soft hands. By the looks of you, I figured you to be of the upper crust.” Hallworthy states, pulling from the handshake and wiping her nose with her sleeve.
“So what of it?” Erin’dua asked as she rested her hands upon her hips. “I’ll have you know, I’m already enrolled in the Adventurer’s guild and about ready to enroll into the Marauders.” she states as a small bit of her lost nerves began to show.
“Hey now, I’m sure you’ll do fine. Don’t worry about it, you managed to fend off those gulls. You just need to bulk up those muscles by one hundred and ten percent, and you’d be good as gold.” Hallworthy states, trying to soften the conversation to friendlier terms. “So what be yer name Adventurer?”
“Erin’dua Uberwald, tis a pleasure to meet you Miss Hallworthy.” she states proudly puffing up her chest.

Hallworthy chuckles softly before quirking her brow a bit as another Lalafel comes by, wearing expensive garments that coined the phrase ‘dress to impress’. The dazzling gold with the rare dyes mixed into various points of her poofy dress screamed money.
“Well well, look what the couerl dragged in. You Uberwalds are always trying to pry money out of cracks in the street, or in this case a barnacles arse.” the lala stated with a smug expression.
“Just who in the nine hells do you think you are?!” exclaimed Hallworthy as she pointed towards the opposition that had blatantly insulted her home.
“I, am Tibblenau Lehuefaunt. Be sure to remember it peasant.” The haughty lala stated with scorn.
“Oh.. It’s you Tibz.” stated Erin’dua as she stared at her with uninterested disdain.
“That’s Tibblenau, you dirt magnet.”
“Yeah, whatever Tibz, I have more important things to deal with than you.”
The other lala scoffed as she leaned back trying to hold herself higher than Erin’dua who was slightly shorter than her. “Hmph, becoming a sellsword and even worse a mindless axe swinging clod.”
“Oh, and what has the high and mighty Tibz Fountainwhale been doing hmm? Eavesdropping? Dancing with rich morons that couldn’t think their way out of a wet paper bag.” Erin’dua spat out.
“Hey now, Duke Devanports son has a rare condition.” Tibz remarks as Hallworthy stifles a chuckle.
“Yeah, his family is a cash cow, and your father just wants to latch onto any money tit he can get, just like a suckling pig.”
Hallworthy folds her arms rather amused by the heated battle of the upper and mid class.

The argument broken by the sudden appearance of four handsome shirtless men. Erin’dua quirks a brow as Hallworthy eyes as much of this delectable candy she could get for free. “Allow me to introduce you to the Stardust Crusaders.” she remarks as she gestures to them. The two buffest men lift her into the air as their glistening muscles are struck by the sun’s rays. The tall Elezen with his pointed ears stood firm as he held the position of holding a dinner plate. As the Roegadyn joined with a mirroring pose. His massive size and rippling muscles rivaled that of all male Roegadyns, his dark eyes and chiseled face made him the manliest of the bunch. The dish to be served, being their wealthy mistress. A Hyur, took a downward stance beneath their commander as if he was on a towel at the beach, his six pack almost becoming an eight pack. His tight pants showing himself off as the most well endowed of the bunch. While the Au Ra male, being the rarest of her little crew knelt to the side, holding a brooding and pouty pose. All with varying hairstyles that would rival the spines on the most fiercest of beasts, with highlights that would make you think they primed their hair with poison. Suddenly a wave crashes against the lower decks as people could be heard screaming, only to have the ocean spray splash upwards upon the handsome quartet.

Hallworthy licks her lips with thirst, as Erin’dua keeps her stance. Her arms folded as she lets out an annoyed sigh. “Whoopty doo Tibz, you hired a squad of pretty dandies to carry you around so you don’t trip and drown in the sea.”
“You shut your mouth you flat tortilla. If you were as extravagant, beautiful, and blessed by the gods as me. You’d have a gorgeous entourage like me. But it’s obvious that your jealousy blinds you of your own ineptitude.” Tibz states as her group of handsome dandies let her down. She approaches, defiantly pointing her finger towards Erin’dua’s chest. With a glare Erin’dua swats away Tibz’s finger and then with the proficiency of a trained soldier, her hand quickly changes it’s stance before slapping Tibz firmly across the face.
“How dare you! I’ll show yo-” as Tibz goes to counter slap, and declare her actions. Erin’dua back hands her forearm and then slaps her again.
“Yeah whatever Tibz, too busy hiring people you can’t even defend yourself.”
“You flat, ah!” as another slap hits her. One of the handsome dandies dashes in between them.
“Now see here miss, no need for Ah!” as he got slapped too. The Au Ra resembling a sad dragon, “Oh! Such cruelty, mistress this is beneath you.” The Au Ra spoke.
“Indeed Miss Lehuefaunt, we should seek better company. Perhaps at the Bismark.” Stated the Elezen.
“Yes you’re both right, she's not worth it..” The Lala comments as she turns her back and goes to her group of shirtless manservants. Ascending upon her man throne as they carry her off to the Bismark, a well renown restaurant that trained future chefs.

Erin’dua sighed, she thought there were already enough problems, but now another had arised. Bidding farewell to her knew friend Hallworthy, she made her way. Taking in the sight of where the Yellow Jackets and Freelancing Marauders had trained. She would do her best to give a good impression, but part of her wondered if her best would be good enough…

   Light shown in from the large openings of the bar known as the Drowning Wench, a few have speculated where the name came from. One speaks of a maiden who was lost at sea, others say it was a woman who lost her husband in the calamity; washing her sorrows away with drink, and others say the original proprietor had drowned his love once he had her dowry to build the establishment.

The chain rattled as it came to a stop, the large wooden doors of the elevator opening as the small would-be adventurer took her first few steps into an adventuring hub point. Not as a merchant or delivery personnel, but a green horne with dreams etched in ink. Going up to the desk, she climbed atop the stool and set her papers down on the counter, never had she felt her heart race this fast. She waited for the man; whose back was to her, to turn about. Occupied by drink orders and such, he took note of the young woman. “Hold on dere Miss, I’ll get ye sometin’ to drink in a shake of a viper’s tail.” He spoke with a wholehearted smile and a firm nod. The Miqo’te barmaid scampered about, gathering drinks and distributed them as fast as her feet would take her.

Turning to her, the man adjusted his Ivory colored Bandana with blue tribal markings, “What can I get ye miss, a juice or a strawberry milk perhaps?” the man asked.
Erin’dua let out a halfhearted chuckle, “Ah hah hah haaaaa… Thank you but no thank you, I presume you’re Mr. Baderon?” she requested, trying to hold herself in a manner of a lady of a higher court.
“Oh, do beg me perdon’ Missy. Ye seem so young, but dat natural beauty of yer’s will do ye well. What can Ol’ Baderon do fer ye, also no need fer de mister.” He quickly corrected as he then took note of the papers and looked them over.
“You’ll find that they’re all in order Baderon. I made sure that all was in order before I troubled your door.” she remarks as the Miqo’te barmaid chuckled as she came to the bar and picked up the next round of drinks.
“Ye’d find we don’t have much use fer doors round here Ms. Uberwald.” as he looks up from the papers and gives subtle gestures with his head and gaze. Erin’dua looked about and saw that they had no doors, just large openings about. She let out a nervous laugh as Baderon, set the papers down and huffed his chest out. “Now, dis be serious werk here Ms. Uberwald. We don’t be lettin’ in evereh sailor or merchant dat hearken dese doors. Dis be dangerous werk, some never come back when dey leave. Do ye think yer next of kin would understand? Do ye understand what I be tellin’ ya?” he says plainly, his posture only meant to prove his point. His eyes told of a tiresome story, perhaps of some he had cared for that had yet to return.

Erin’dua huffed up her own chest in response, despite how flat it might be in comparison to most. Lala’s themselves have little in those ways, but even amongst Lala’s she was considered small in that department too. Gazing into the Hume’s eyes she was sure of her plight and before she could open her mouth to speak, Baderon eased his tension and smiled. “I see, then ye be set and sure of ye’self. Let me just get these finalized, why don’t ye talk to some of the patrons. Dey can give ye some advice on de adventurin’ lifestyle.”
Erin’dua smiled with ease, this man understood her plight. She wouldn’t have to go through the whole speech of how her kin would not approve of anything that was not their own.  Her family wanting what’s best, was good for most; but not her. Climbing off the stool she looked about at the other patrons and another Lala partaking in merriment. The Lala waves her over and then leans in a little towards her. “Hey Green horne, if you want to prove yourself in this town you gotta do a few things to get recognition and noticed around here. I’ll tell ya what, I’ve heard lately that the black market has lost some goods down in the Bulwark’s hall. Mostly herbs, they could be dangerous, perhaps used for poison’s and the like.”
“Nooo.. You mean they’re just letting them go about with that stuff and it’s laying around on the ground as we speak.” Erin’dua asks with a hint of disbelief.
“I’m serious, go down there and grab some of it and bring it back. I’ll be able to tell you how severe of a threat we might be dealing with. As a veteran adventurer, I know a few things, and hey. I’ll throw some credit your way if we can track ‘em down and bring them to justice.” Spoke the Lala as he then sat upright and took a long drink.
“Don’t worry, I got this.” Erin’dua stated with confidence as she looked around eagerly; not knowing where to go, the Lala simply pointed towards the downward staircase.

Dashing across the Drowning Wench’s main floor she made her way to the dark stairwell and with each step she felt a need to be cautious. If what the Lala said was true, she’d already be proving how capable she was. She’d be slaying gigantic monsters in no time, she might even wind up in charge of a city if she were to bring them to justice. She reached the dark corridor at the base of where the Drowning Wench was. Just like it, the area had hardly any doors, just the elevator and the pathways left open for people to travel through. She pondered if all of Lominsa was just a city of Ivory Tower’s along a cliff side. She then took note of some herbs strewn about the ground. She made her way, gathering each one in hand. She pondered about the light purple, as it reminded her of her own right eye. She examined them as a pair of Miqo’te twins were speaking to all who would hear them. She shook her head, and knew she had to get these herbs for the other Lalafel. She also wondered if she’d get poisoned just by touching them. Taking out some parchment she used it to collect the herbs. She then saw the trail and made her way along it, gathering each stray herb. Upon collecting the last one, she admired the small bouquet of death she had collected.

Quickly she was startled by another man in a yellow coat approaching. “G’day there miss. Have you attuned yerself to the Aetherite yet?” he asked. She blinked as she looked towards the tall towering crystal in the middle of the lavish stonework. It shone with it’s light blue hue upon all around it, the brass trimming  and small bits floating around it. The weeds being the only thing stout and determined enough to grow around the crystal, through the very stonework itself. She had seen others like it, but never really used an Aetherite.
“Well I uh.. No I haven’t.” she remarked rather dumb founded on the issue.
“No worries miss, just hold out yer hand and concentrate.” he instructed. Erin’dua looked to her hand, then the crystal. Her parents had strange superstitions about them when she was young, as for where they had moved to. The Crystals were not used in such a decorative fashion, it was all carriages and chocobos. Lost in thought she wondered how the family’s giant yellow bird was doing with her gone, did he miss her.
“Hey miss, just put your hand out.”
“Oh! Right.” she remarked, snapping out of her thoughts and looking to the crystal as she focused upon it. Feeling a warmth and light that was somewhat familiar to her, a sharp tingling sensation surged over her body as she let out a gasp and shivered and shook her arm a bit. “Woah! That’s weird!”
“Gwahaha, it’s fine miss ye’ll be used to it soon enough.” spoke the Rogaedyn as he chuckled, he then looked to the herbs she had collected. “Ah, visitin’ your mother or a family member?” asked the yellow garbed man, his black gloved hands gesturing towards the deadly bouquet.
She gasped and then wondered a bit, staring at the bouquet more intently.
“What do you mean sir?” she asked as she raised a brow.
“Well that is a nice bouquet of Althyk Lavender, I would hope it wouldn’t be for a funeral. They tend to be used for all occasions though.” his tone carried a ‘matter of fact’ tinge to it.
“Oh why, yes. They’re for my dear sweet mother. My sweet, sweet, sweeeeet mother….” she remarked as her left eye twitched and her grip was tightening on the bouquet.
“Now miss, careful there. You’ll ruin your gift, if the Aetherite is havin’ ill effects you should have a seat and rest.” the man stated.
“Oh, you’re right. Wouldn't want mumsy dearest’s GIFT to be ruined.” she remarks, trying to hold as much composure she could muster. That little fink lied to her, and she was livid about the matter. She knew that now was not the time to take out her anger upon this helpful guardsman. “I bid you good day sir, and may the twelve watch over you.” She gives a small curtsy as the man gives a strong salute in turn. His boots clacking firmly against one another as his hand dutifully went to his forehead.
“As to you Miss.”

Making her way back up the steps, her feet slamming against the stonework with the wrath of the Fury herself. Making her way up to the Lalafel, he could already tell by her body language she found out the truth as he started to laugh. “You lied to me, you little piss ant!” she yelled about to beat him with the flowers.
“Hey hey hey, hold on there. I’m sorry, it was just to be in a bit of good fun okay. Don’t take it so seriously.” the Lala remarks, “The names Niniya, no need to get violent. Consider this a lesson, don’t trust everyone that has a job for ya. It’ll help you in the long run.” he then reaches into his bag and pulls out a couple of bottles with long necks and sets them down. The fluids shifting about within as the corks hold their contents in place. “Here’s a couple of potions for the trouble.”
She let out a long breath and regained her composure, eyeing Niniya and taking the potions and putting them in her bag. “Fine, but don’t do it again.” she remarks harshly.
“Besides I think Baderon has got your papers ready. A cute gal like yourself should be more cautious.” Niniya states as he gets up, finishing his drink and making his way opposite of where the stairs were, towards a long bridge heading to a small gather spot.

Looking to the Hume that ran the establishment, Erin’dua took each step with haste and hope in her heart. Upon climbing on the stool, she had taken note that her papers had been approved and signed. She was now an honest to goodness adventurer, a tear welled up in her eye as she brushed it aside. A childhood dream had taken one step closer as she took the papers in her small delicate hands and held them with pride. Baderon chuckled softly with a  warm smile as he then cleared his throat. “So tell me Missy, what sort’ve Job skills do ye got?”
“Well I know quite a bit about stonework, metal, trade…” she began but was interrupted.
“No no, not of de land er hand Missy. I mean of War ‘n Magic.” Baderon’s words trailed off as Erin’dua’s eyes widened with realization.

She had no knowledge of how to fight or cast spells….

“Damn it!”

   Darkness…. There was only darkness.. All senses had ceased, all that could be heard was a distant echo of the past. A small figure holding the first bit of coin she had come to earn. Smiling with glee she had sold her first radish, one she had plucked with her own two hands. The dark haired girl gleamed up towards her mother as she exclaimed “Look mummy, my first coin.” her hand extended with the glistening bit of copper almost as big as her own hands. Compared to all, Lala’s were a small folk; contributing to the size difference of the currency that had seen many a hand.

The red haired woman chuckled and patted her daughter upon the head. “I see, I see. You should save it for when you have enough to buy something you want. We’ll make sure it’s a nice little memento.” She remarks as she adjusts a strand of light brown hair from her daughter’s mixed coloration.
The little girl full of pride and glee burst out, “I’m gonna get a ton of candy and eat it alls.”
Her mother looked at her sternly, “No, maybe later. I meant something that you can actually keep with you.”
The little hands flipped the coin around within their grasp as she spoke abruptly. “You can keep candy with you.”
Her mother letting out an exasperated breath rolled her eyes. “Well certainly, but you’ll be tempted to eat it all the time. Why not a ledger? Perhaps a pretty necklace?” she mused in an attempt to dissuade her own daughter from the dark temptations of sweets and their sugary nature.

The little girl’s eyes drifting towards a glisten that the sun had kissed upon a shiny object at one of the other market stalls. Moving away from her tiny over turned apple crate she made her way over towards the glistening dream. Her mother in hot pursuit, trying to protect her daughter from the bustling crowd. Through the forest of legs the small girl could catch glimpses of her quarry. Her exasperated mother in tow brushing aside the legs in a forceful manner. The giggles of her daughter and what line of sight she could muster being her only guide.

Climbing atop an old stool in front of the stall she gazed upon the many splendors the old man had laid out. The old man chuckled and looked at the small girl in the white dress with red trim. “See anything that catches your fancy young miss?” The little girl’s smile was as bright as the very treasures she looked upon. Her mother finally making her way through as the little girl looked on as her mother began to drain of color.
“They’re so pretty!” the girl exclaimed.
The old man nodded, “Indeed, you’ll find no finer treasures in the desert.” The little girl pondered with intent, as the old man took note of the worried mother. As well as the single coin in the girl’s hand. The girl’s eyes quickly fixated on a single crystal by it’s lonesome, clear and devoid of color and harshly damaged from it’s initial unearthing.

“Now Sweetie, we should come back later when you have more money,” spoke forth her mother. The woman’s hand going over her daughter’s as it gingerly gripped the crystal at one end. Disappointment filling her daughter’s eyes, making it harder for her to deny her daughter something so simple.
“Oh… okay..” a simple plea of surrender that cut her mother slightly. The eagerness and pride having left what once was full of boundless determination.

The old man looked onto the young girl, and shifted his jaw to one side as he took the coin from her hand. “Is this all that you have little one?” he asked as the mother and girl took a quick gasp of air. The mother about to speak, when tiny words came upon the wind.
“Yes sir, that’s my first coin. I got it for a radish. I dug it up myself.”
“Oh… well a first coin is indeed a special time for any young merchant.” the old man remarks as he sets the coin down on his side of his stand and pulls out a bit of wire and a small chain. “I’m certain something so important would bring good luck. As all good merchant’s say, luck and fortune go hand in hand.” he remarks as he then takes the crystal and some wire in hand. “I remember… a time when I made my first bit of coin. Those were better times… I was young, had goals, and plenty of ambition.” his words spun an image of a younger self as he spun the wire snugly in place with a loop. “I grew in wealth, was ready to marry the girl of my dreams, and start a family.” The girl’s eyes glistened with hope and wonder as she saw the man making art from something that was once simple. The wire being bent in ways she never knew til it was like an ornate mesh around what was once thought damaged.
“So you got rich and married? How many kids did you have?” the girl chimed in.
“Sadly… none, we never got married. War takes casualties, and you don’t think it’ll happen to you. Which it never does, it takes those closest to you. War is a business on it’s own, but it deals with lives rather than goods and coin.” the man spoke plainly, but his eyes could not hide the pain as well as his words. Realization hit the young girl as sorrow swelled in her throat, but was soon replaced with a treasure she would always hold onto. As the old man placed the crystal necklace in her little hands. “Promise me little one, you’ll never let go of your dreams, never let anyone take them from you. Can you do that for an old man?” the Hume spoke as he looked on this tiny girl, her eyes dampened with her own tears and full of a fire that could not be extinguished. A simple nod was all that she gave, but it was strong and had a force behind it that could move mountains.

Darkness set back in as a gruff man snatches the crystal in hand, the chain holding firm as this male Lala held a grip that a miser would envy. The chain was around the neck of a young woman, with an eye of azure and one of lavender. Her mixed light and dark brown hair moving with the force behind the man’s pull. “What do you mean no?! He’s rich and wealthy, you’ll live a life of comfort and have to do naught for it.”

“I said no.” the words were firm and full of conviction, a conviction interrupted by the sensation of falling into a pit as the man let go. The woman fell as she heard a voice, unfamiliar to her. Yet it’s words were like honey; soft and sweet as they echoed forth.
“Hear… Feel… Think.” as a light shone in the distance, it disappeared in an instant with a loud thud.

The woman now waking up on the floor with her tiny bed sheet, the hammock having shifted with the swaying of the ocean. Her hair a mess as she groaned lightly, as she sat up. Rubbing her head where it had stricken the floor she squinted her eyes to the bit of light peering through the ship’s window. Another voice beckoned, but it was that of a salty sailor, “Land ho!” he beckoned as the small woman got up slowly pushing her body back into position and popping her stiff joints. A sharp intake of breath ran past her lips in pain as one of her adjustments were not in her favor. She did what she could to make herself presentable, while the ship docked for port.
Many other’s were bustling through the ships entryways and passages, getting ready to unload cargo or leave the ship to see their loved ones or make way to business propositions. The gulls flew high in the air, only to dive and strip a poor fisherman of his catch. Her small boots struck the wood works as the robust jolly captain bid all of his passengers farewell.“G’day, Navagator guide ye safely, G’day.” His tone changing as a fair Elezen woman made her way off the ship. “And a… G’day to you M’lady.” he spoke taking off his hat and flexing his brow a few times. The woman let out loud huff as she disembarked and gave him the cold shoulder.
The small woman made her way to the upper deck, gazing upon the city known as Limsa Lominsa. A bustling city of sailors, pirates, fisherman, and dodgy businessmen. As she got ready to disembark the captain looked to her in a rushed manner. “Oh, woah. Hold on thar lil lady. Where be yer mother?” Obviously insulted by the captain’s lack of understanding she spoke quite loudly in response.
“My Mother? What in the nine hells do you mean, where's my mother!? I’m a grown ass woman, and you dare say that to me one more time. I’m gonna bop you on the nose so hard I’ll knock that goofy beard into a gull’s nest.” the woman spitefully stated.
“Well you’ll have to get a decently tall ladder.” the Roegadyn chuckled.

Unfortunately, he would find a sharp pain of the metal tip of a boot striking his shin. The captain’s chuckles turning to a sharp yelp and gasps of pain as the small woman left it at that. Making her way down the platform and onto the docks, hearing the sailors laugh at their captain’s misfortune. She gazed upon the splendor as a man in a yellow jacket approached her. “Hold on dere lassie. Do ye have a passport or any kind of documentation?” he questioned as he folded his arms. Reaching into her small messenger bag with a stitched on felt flower, she pulled out a set of papers. Her words being mere mutters of her own scatterbrained disorganization trying to sort itself out. “Hmm… Ereeeen Duuaye Uhbuur whaled? Is that it?”
The small woman let out a huff. “It’s pronounced Erin Du-uh, oober vald.” she speaks plainly.

The man in the yellow jacket thought about it, and then panic rushed over his face, “Oh.. OH! Do forgive me self miss Uberwald Ma’am. I’m sure you’re on an important business trip.” the man then tried to laugh it off and ease the tension. He then went to the other paper, “Well then we’ll get you to Hawker’s Alley and get the tradin’ firm to confirm yer Adventurin’ Liscense…” The large man looked at the papers again. “Adventurin’!? Some twat must have gotten ye permit mixed with one of dese, don’t you worry yer dainty lil head Ma’am. I’ll get this sorted out.”
“No, no, no, it’s supposed to be an Adventuring Liscense.” she corrected quickly.
“No… yer kidding me? Dis is a joke right?” he states looking around, and then bursting into a fit of laughter. “Oh.. Oh.. But yer just a wee ittle. Tahahaha! Yer tryin’ to run er round and kill dem beasties out dere? Gwah hahaha! ha…. Oh.. Oh… I needed a good laugh today miss. Now lemme jus’ tell ya’s miss. As much as we needz strong adventurer’s. Yer just a wee little lala merchant Ma’am. It would be best if ye just sticked to that and left slaying beasties to us Yellow Jackets.” boasted the now calm and proud Roegadyn.

Erin’dua slowly squinted her eyes and glared up at the gate guard, “Now you look here, I didn’t come all this way back to Eorzea, just to be talked down by a giant banana wearing a goofy hat and holding a large axe. I came here to prove that I can be more than just some gil countin’ money changer.”
“Banana!? Now calm down Ma’am. I’m just trying to save what dignity ye have. Many Lala’s do what they can, and they contribute to the cause quite well, but you’re a rather small dainty ting. Which I must say yer an adorable little ting, but I can’t see ye out there in the mud and dirt fightin’ beast men. Ye should just stay in the city and do yer merchantile-o-mancy. Yeah, dat’s the ticket, just say yer a Merchanto-mancer. Dat should sate yer appetite for fancy titles and glory.” The man spoke, in truth he was trying to help and dissuade her from winding up as another corpse in the sea. A smile on his face that was like a mouse trying to parlay with a hungry owl.

Looking towards the cobble she let out a sigh and then looked up at the man. “Please sir, I came all this way. I just want to try, if I can’t cut it. I’ll cut my losses before things get out of hand. I won’t know if I just do what I already know I can do. Pleeeeeeaaaaase?” she stated, batting her eyelashes at the man in yellow.
The man gazed upon this small damsel with lavender and azure eyes and let out a sigh of defeat. “Fine.. Ye win. Take dat elevator up to the Drowning Wench and talk to Baderon, he’ll get you set up fer ye adventurin’ stuffs.”
She let out a gleeful squeal as she jumped for joy. “Oh thank you sir, I’ll be sure to do lominsa proud.” she remarked as she hugged his leg.
“Yeah yeah, just go before I change me mind.” he stated avoiding eye contact with the wayward to-be adventurer, handing back the paperwork she required. Erin’dua released his leg taking the documents on her way towards the elevator with a vibrant smile. As soon as the doors on the elevator closed a sly smirk crept over Erin’dua’s lips. She had conquered her first doubting foe, and he would not be the last. She was determined to prove what she could do. Not only to herself and the people of Eorzea, but to her family as well.