[Solo | Job] A Wrath Like No Other!

The grueling trip from the Infinity Hydra guild hall to Era was comparable to torture. Ivana's legs ached and beads of sweat rolled from her grey hairline and down her blush-coated cheeks, like droplets of rain on a stormy evening without an umbrella. Walking from the deep seclusion of the appropriately named Mountain Village and to the quaint yet somehow overwhelming town of Era was no rare occurrence for Ivana, as most jobs required such. While the stretch from point A to point B wasn't extremely lengthy, the river in between was what caused her so much mental strife. When the aging mage had set out, she made a point of stuffing her black, corduroy backpack with chocolate-chip granola bars, plastic bottles of water, and a roll-out sleeping bag. None of these items would help her cross the intersecting river. She had grown accustomed to hitching a ride from a passerby or begging a typically overlooked mage of her guild to help her get to her job location but all had failed this time around, that had been the root of the cause of her unfortunate circumstances. 

     Deliberation and wishful thinking within her head hours before she had reached the bothersome waterway lead her to believe a fellow mage, wizard, witch, what have you, might have encountered a similar predicament as she had. Her faith in the possibility of this began to dwindle as she grew closer and closer but upon making the final step to reach the river, hope had been restored within an instant. Maybe they're some sort of Bridge-Make mage? A bridge summoner? Her thoughts jumped in glee, excited to see someone else had stuck themselves into a similar situation and that maybe they could help her cross. Her feet snapped discarded twigs and flattened blades of grass that edged the primarily dirt path, small steps of caution made toward the creepily hooded figure that stood few feet away from the rushing currents of murky water before them. When within reach, Ivana tapped their shoulder with the light prod of her index finger. 

     The hooded being swiveled around with a brisk turn, facing Ivana with nothing but the tip of their nose revealed from the shady guise of their hood. All Ivana could understand of the person's identity is that their skin was of a similar tone to her own, the extreme lack of visible details unnerved Ivana but she didn't allow for it to phase her. After all, the dark aura she could pick up on surrounding demons and the like wasn't present on the stranger. Without a word, the figure lifted a drapey sleeved arm, clearly gesturing toward the lack of a bridge to Ivana. I don't think it's bad as I'm not detecting any malicious aspects to them but how do I communicate with it... or them? Can they understand speech or must we exchange hand motions? Ivana spoke to herself mentally before allowing for her gaze to follow the simplistic gestures of the figure. She held out her arm, utilizing her other hand to act as a pair of little finger-legs. She walked the finger-legs across her forearm, then pointing toward the wide stream next to them. The hooded... thing outstretched its other arm, rolling its shoulders before taking in a deep breath. It was clear to Ivana that it or they possessed a similar magical skill level as she did and that they were preparing to launch a spell across to the river. The aging mage braced herself, unsure for what was to come from the hooded figure's magical ability.

     As particles of arcane energy gathered near the long, hanging form of the mysterious person's robe, Ivana shut her eyes, her eyelids snapping shut like a slammed door. Ivana's eyelids began to lift but before she could get a glimpse of what the mage had done, she felt a blunt knock on the back of her head, forcing her into a state of unconsciousness. After the state of her slight insentience, she awoke with a dastardly gasp that flew from the back of her throat. Ivana pressed her palm to her back, rubbing it before sitting up to find that she had been moved to the other side of the river. In a panicked hurry, she sat up to rummage through her backpack to make sure everything she had hadn't been swiped by that strange person. A few moments of digging through snacks and other items passed before she had been relieved, nothing had been touched. Anyway, onto Era! Ivana's mind squabbled to get back on track, unknowing on how long she had been out for. Ivana lifted herself to her feet with the assistance of a discarded branch that had fallen from the trees that loomed over the path. After that, Ivana was on her way to Era, a bounce of anticipation in her step.

     Era wasn't too far from where she had awoken, past the watery obstacle and not long after, she arrived in Era. Ivana walked through the town of mostly brick-roofed houses and shops, eager to navigate her way through the twisty streets and alley ways and to the Aliasion Parlor. Ivana periodically whipped the job request out from her backpack as she maneuvered through the passages to refer to where to find the shop where she sought to purchase the "best looking jewel there". When she had found the parlor, she pushed open the door, entering with her eyes large in amazement. "So much jewelry to choose from..." she commented as she approached the glass boxes stuffed to the brim with gems and jewels, a bright white light shone over them to allow the customer to get a clear look at them all. The shopkeeper slid over to Ivana, watching her wide-eyed stare glaze over each piece that was available before speaking to her in a gentle voice.

     "Are you looking for anything specific, ma'am?" the shopkeeper spoke to Ivana, standing directly across from her. 

     Ivana's head slowly tilted upward to face the woman, "Oh, uh... what do you think would go well for a anniversary gift for a woman? Not me though, of course." Ivana spoke with hesitancy, hoping her tone would portray that it wasn't for herself. 

     "Hm... if we're talkin' an important anniversary for a dedicated relationship," she sidestepped toward a specifically heart-shaped gem section in the series of glass cases. "I'd consider anything from over here, maybe this one?" The jewelry artificer reached into the case, withdrawing a ring with a golden base, the pink, heart-shaped opal held in with whimsically swirly claws. The woman held it close to the light above, "It's a pink opal," she informed Ivana, the two admiring how the light showed off how well polished and cut it was. "I'd describe it as a more creamy pink but I think it's lovely regardless. Truly, one of the bettah pieces in 'ere."

     Ivana's eyes were focused on the ring the woman displayed to her, it was clear to her that it would be the one to purchase. "I'll take that one then, it's really nice," Ivana bobbed her head in agreement with the shopkeeper's statements about the treasure. She withdrew the attached card from a sealed envelope that came with the job request, moving over to the transaction spot eagerly.

     "Sure thing," she nodded, encasing the ring in a small-sized black box, sleek with a felt-like material. Then, she bagged it up in a typical plastic bag, the company's logo imprinted onto the center of the bag. Lastly, she referred to the pricing tag attached to the ring, snipping it off, then informing Ivana of the transaction total. 

     The number that followed was unfathomable to Ivana, so incredibly high she couldn't comprehend the amount of zero's that would be included without causing herself a slight headache. Despite this, she happily handed over the card, assuming the man who requested for the job to be done to be insanely wealthy. Within moments, Ivana was absentmindedly shuffling out of the shop door, a goodbye chiming into the chaotic harmony of noise from the shopkeeper. Ivana understood that the ring had to be delivered to the couple's house balcony by the next day and she had to get it inscribed, so she was on her hurried way. She scuttled through the back lanes of Era and to the exit, planning to make her way to the nearby Fiore capital of Crocus. 

     Ivana traveled through the unnerving darkness of night, on foot. After a bit of walking, it felt as if she had been walking on a path of needles and nails, just as torturous as the walk prior. Nothing but the flick of a silver flame kept her company as she walked, the hoots of owls and clicking of bugs filled the space around her, the noises of nature were somewhat calming. Ivana utilized her flames as a light source as she traversed, feeling herself grow closer and closer to Crocus. An unknown amount of time had crept by and Ivana had still been hobbling down the path, however, her eyes gleamed with joy as the large collection of torch light had appeared in her vision. Ivana knew she was almost done with her journey from Era to Crocus by then. Few minutes passed before the beloved torch light shone on her face, lanterns and candles were all present within the windows of the open shops but the closed ones were occupied with a vacant darkness.

     "Finally... now to find an engraver or something and then that house..." she groaned, using a Crocus pamphlet to guide her way to a craft material store that also harbored various expert-level craftsmen that could assist her. She entered the craft store, wordlessly, she began to zip around the room in search of an engraver. An arrow pointed toward particular station of the shop, the words "Jewel Artificer and Engraver" were painted beneath the arrow. Ivana followed the guidance of the sign and approached the engraver's station. She knocked on the wooden counter and an average, dark-haired man lumbered out.

     "Whatcha need? Appraisal? Jewel polishing? What?" The man spoke irregularly fast as he sat down in a chair at the counter, staring at Ivana. 

     Ivana hesitated to speak, feeling she'd be cut off by his rapid speech before she mustered the courage to mutter, "Can you inscribe "To my beautiful wife, for our amazing twenty five years" onto the band of this ring?" Ivana whipped out the black box, snapping it open to reveal the recently-purchased ring to him. 

     "Sure thing, I can do it righ' now," he scooted his rickety chair over toward his workstation, snatching the ring up and taking it with. With the usage of many sharp, metallic tools and a few minutes, the engraving process was finished. He returned to Ivana with the ring in the palm of his hand, holding it up to her to display the elegant font that had been etched into the golden band.

     Ivana squinted, holding the ring steady with her hand over his, she read the inscription many times over to ensure it was correct. To her satisfaction, he had done well within such a short time. Looking back up at him, she nodded, "How much will that cost?"

     "Follow me, I can register the transaction over 'ere." He rose from his seat, leaving the ring for Ivana to tend to, the man shuffled over to the register. He stood by, waiting for Ivana to follow.

     Ivana did as he directed, scooping the ring back into the box before she scurried after him. She withdrew the Spiff man's card, handing it over to the worker to scan and within moments, she was well on her way to the Spiff home. Stepping through the darkened walkways of Crocus made her uneasy but soon enough, she arrived at the front door.

     Ivana's assumption of the Spiff's wealth was precise. Their house was a prime example of luxurious living, the outside of their house was donned in many decorations, from the blooming flowers to the perfectly sculpted bush animals, not to forget the many discarded children's toys that lay in the perfectly trimmed grass. It all evoke a slight sense of envy in Ivana but she shrugged it off and returned her focus to the task at hand. She looked the house up and down, the warm glow emitting from the master bedroom was a sign to where she should deliver the black box that peeked out of her backpack. The white balcony was a peculiar but masterfully designed outcropping but it boggled her on how she would get up to it. Her eyes glazed over the house and around it, eventually falling onto a white-painted work shed with a wavy metal roof on top. A ladder lay idle against the right side wall of the shed, Ivana took notice and began her ascension. The noise of her boots clicking against the metal steps made her wary that she would be heard by Mrs. Spiff but she kept going, having a feeling that she would be fine. 

     Ivana stood atop the grooves of the thin, metal roof of the shed, she reached over her back pulling out the dark black box the precious ring sat inside, the balcony floor wasn't too far from her reach. Instead of scaling the wall to reach the balcony, Ivana simply tossed the box onto the balcony, it sliding gracefully toward the center of the white outcropping's plank flooring. As soon as the anniversary gift had made contact with the surface, she scurried down, approaching the tall doors. Ivana reached a spindly finger out to press the doorbell, releasing after a moment. 

     As soon as the usual ding rung out inside the home, almost immediately, a stereotypical white-haired butler appeared before her. He swung open the doors to greet her with a posh sounding, "How may I help you?"

     A devilish smirk crossed Ivana's face before her the up-turned corners of her lips opened to let out in a hushed voice, "The present has landed." Ivana leaned back momentarily to let out an almost stifled snicker.

     "Aah, I see, right this way," The butler stepped back, opening the door a bit more to allow Ivana entry. He then turned in a militaristic manner, starting to lead Ivana up the stairs and to Mr. Spiff's office. 

     Ivana tagged along without another word, keeping close behind the butler to make sure she doesn't accidentally bump into any fancy glass or masterfully created paintings. When the two had arrived before the wooden, stained glass embedded doors of the study, Ivana took in a deep breath to compose herself for the esteemed Mr. Spiff.

     The butler knocked sharply on the dark wood of the towering door, a blurry behemoth figure approaching the door before it swung open to reveal Anthony Spiff himself, a bear of a man standing before the two. Anthony was colossal, his entire body was bound by layers of muscle, enough to match his towering height. Scars from battle could be seen scattered over his arms and face, just to add to the intimidation factor, as if his size wasn't enough. "Why, hello there, I suppose you're the brilliant one who chose such a lovely ring?" he asked, holding up the dark black box before reaching a heavy arm around Ivana's shoulders. He practically pulled Ivana into the study with him, not that she could resist. 

     Ivana was astonished, intimidated, confused, and many more when she laids eyes on Mr. Spiff. His booming voice made her tremble and quiver though his hearty demeanor made up for it shortly after she entered his office. "O-oh, yes, I did choose it and all that, uh... sir." 

     "Perfect! Well, for your hard work, here's your payment," he turned, stepping over to his desk to retrieve a gift box with a word-covered tag and a sack of jewel. He let out another ground-shaking boom of laughter, patting Ivana on the head with his massively sized hand. "Thank you so much," he thanked her again before he turned, going to sit back down in front of his desk.

     "Y-you're welcome," she muttered as she stuffed the job reward away into her backpack, not bothering to read the ring's written description just yet. Ivana withdrew the card she had used to purchase the ring and went to place it before him on his desk. Then, she left without a further word. Ivana was pleased to have finally completed the job and to have been rewarded so generously, however, the thought of getting back to the guild hall in Mountain Village sent a bewildering chill down her back. "Ugh..." she groaned as she walked back toward the center of Crocus, hoping to find a park bench to sleep on before returning to the guild hall.