Quest for an iLac

Job Link

It was a large city in a valley with multiple places to enter or to leave. A woman with long willow hair stood at the bow of the short and stout ferry, her pale lithe hands wrapped tightly around the silver metal railing. The white boat was large, bustling with people: families, businessmen and women, and some travelers who thought it would be a great idea to bring their pets. Between the arguing, the gossiping, the barking, and the general buzz of chatter everywhere one went, Yona had been tempted to jump off the ferry and just swim the rest of the way. Once the green haired woman had found herself at the bow however, the fresh wind blowing against her face, she was relieved to find that the wind drowned out the voices and the smell of everyone on board. Out of sight, out of mind, she thought to herself.

Yona straightened her bulky brown coat and then rested on her folded arms, leaning slightly onto the railing, letting that same chilly wind pull her long hair behind her. Her coat billowed gently in the wind trailing her legs, revealing that she wore short brown shorts, knee high leather boots with enough wear in them that her toes could feel the crisp air, and a cropped black halter top. It might not technically have been appropriate attire for a blustery ferry ride in to the Neutral Grounds, but Yona hardly cared about being appropriate. She cared about getting what she needed.

And she had lasted a good long time without any particular set of technology. Yona was relcutant to admit it, but she needed the new iLac. With jobs getting scarcer in availability for random vagabonds like herself, she noted that those with the iLac were able to maintain contact with old customers, setting up new jobs and new connections on a regular basis. Instead of being so called "food-insecure", Yona might be able to take enough jobs on to survive and to thrive. She cleared her throat, watching as the city came closer, feeling the barely noticeable up-down rock of the ferry on the waves.

357 wc

The soft weight of the bag calmed his thoughts, the youth had been wandering, meandering from place to place gathering knowledge of a lifestyle which he had taken up. Adventuring the continents and solving quests, helping people and making a living out it, a dream-like idea of living off money he had made by learning and experiencing the world. A slight chuckle passed through him, it lightened his mood as if it were spring wind, a technology that he had not come across. Upon encountering the iLac during his acceptance into the guild his mind had stabbed at the thought of getting one. At last his faith had paid off, a soft blanket wrapped across his shoulders shrugged to the floor when he had stood to get a look at their destination.

The ferry had taken him and another fisherman aboard when the little boat had gotten snagged in some rocks, a daffodil in the midst of a field of rises the duo had been stranded with the river cutting them off from the rest of the world. Blanket folded it had been carefully placed back with a fee ontop, failed attempts to save coin had littered his journey, getting to the city in a tiny fishing boat had been one of those foolish mistakes. yet now his feet had rooted themselves into the sturdy wood of the ferry.

A word of thanks passed through the lad's lips as the warmth of a hot cup of cocoa seeped into his hands. herded to a quieter part of the ferry his spare hand released the mug to grip the side of the bow. A other people littered the area but they mattered not, sinking a little deeper into the port side the grapefruit hued eyes closed and the colourful scents washed across him.
The ferry lurched a little as it neared the city, liquid sloshed and the mug left the security of his hand, a sound of surprise left him as the scalding drink slinged itself towards a scantily clad female, the male had hopes, with their lack of magic abilities he had only been able to pray that the cocoa would splash off the coat or boots.

Word Count: 367

The railing was cool against the palm of her hands. The rosy cheek mage had clung on to the bars of metal a little too tightly; her knuckles were now as white as the locks of her hair falling out of her white fur hat. The very same locks which were being thrown around her in a curtain of curls as she gazed out at the small waves, which crashed upon the base of the ferry. It felt good to be outside like this, to feel the gusts of wind whipping at her face, to smell the traces of salt in the water below. Unable to resist the urge, Chaelin lifted a hand from the railing and stretched it out into the open air beyond the railing from which it was once placed, caressing the breeze between her fingertips, the sleeve of her blouse fluttering in the breeze. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she took a step back, hugging her arms to her chest.

She had found a quiet corner of the ferry to sit in as her eyes lazily roamed the pages of a cooking book which she had brought along with her. Today was to be a relaxing day, she was on her way to pick up her very own iLac and then had plans to head to the guilds local bakery to pick up some treats for her comrades. An iLac would enable Chaelin to keep a tab on her victims at all times, ensuring a stronger bond was made also, thanks to 24/7 communication. Pondering of the ways the young girl could lure her guild mates closer to her, she became oblivious to the rapidly decreasing distance from her destination to the ferry.

Moments later, Chaelin was patting her hair back down into place and making her way off of the ferry, clutching her book to her chest, a silhouette of pure white and elegance. A small smile tugged on the corners of her lips as she placed her book back inside her bag when she caught sight of a familiar face just in front of her. Dancing a few steps forward, the girl sang, "Yona?" How could she not recognise a girl with such a striking hair colour.  

WORD COUNT: 375

The ferry had gotten closer, moving a little too fast for coming up on the city's harbor, and slowed with abruptness. Few could sense the difference unless they were looking for it, but Yona could feel the sensations in her too-thin boots. As she rested a while there, watching the afternoon sun blink in and out of the clouds, glittering on the water, the green haired woman heard a voice call out her name. For a moment, she didn't respond, stunned to hear it spoken. Some people heard their names every day, said aloud by parents, friends, siblings, coworkers. Yona did not have the luxury of any of those anymore.

She turned around after a pause, and faced the person who called her name: it was a lovely woman in a white hat, with blanched locks, and a pale face. Had she been in the mood for games, Yona might have referred to her as a living ghost or a walking glass of milk. But without knowing to whom she was speaking, Yona protected her own self by not speaking so rashly to the stranger who knew her name. She squinted her green eyes, tilting her head, trying to place the face or the voice. A friend from her childhood maybe? An old client? Someone from her home town? Since the fire and the death of her family, Yona had long since left that region and all those people. She scarcely remembered anything but the shadow of the man responsible and the heat of the flames that had scorched her legs into blistering red sticks. The dark scarring wasn't something she spoke much about, but she didn't hide them either. In shorts and high boots, the evidence was upon her thighs and knees.

Yona opened her mouth, trying to form a greeting when something hot splashed against her boots. She felt the heat soak through her right boot, lightly burning her toes through the thin material. She jumped, startled and turned her head to narrow her lime green eyes at the one responsible: a male so pale with hair so blanched, she assumed the male and the female had to be related. "Are you kidding me?" She snapped, with the lofty tone of a rich woman, despite not much looking like one. "Are you going to pay for that? Do you not watch where you're going?"

Yona turned her intense stare at the female who had addressed her, "Here I am, minding my own business at the front of the ferry, nobody else around. And the two of you think to come up and disturb me? You should take your kid brother to the back of the boat before I toss him off."

453 +357 = 810 total WC

It could have been worse right, face closed in the shape of despair. Fashion had not been a key point of his education, did boots spoil if they were drenched? How expensive could it be right, just, shoes. Hair whipped around, a whirl of spring grass faced by the baking anger of a harsh summer. A deep bite, the first words seemed a little harsh, it had just been cocoa. A half step backwards he draw the mug to his chest, the warmth of the exterior seemed mocking, like the cocoa dregs at the bottom were about the lunge out in hatred. Her face reflected what he deserved, his mind ran down to the roots of what happened.

"I just accidently did it! I'm sorry but, it really wasn't intentional!" The pale blush spread across his face, it had been with widened eyes that he pleaded. The day had already been an emotionally straining one, and yet now he had spilt a drink and was flustered. He had watched where he was going! The ferry had just been a little ruff. Kid brother?
A sweet scent of home rose up out of his scarf, the elder sibling that he had, his brother would be working on his farm now though. A glance backwards, another woman. A book nestled in her hand, with a sweet face and a crisp blouse Lester had a moment of confusion, he had no elder sister. No, a calm thought pattern was important if he wanted to figure it out. They looked similar for sure, cherry eyes and daisy white hair, he had no elder sister, an unfamiliar face indeed.

A stranger, roped into an incident over an accident. Brows pinched together, apologetically he glanced at the female who had been mistaken for his sister. Tossed off the boat, he had only just made it on, the water would freeze him, the boy didn’t want to have to arrive in the city like a drowned rat. Did he look that young really? Not younger brother but kid brother, or perhaps had the woman had younger brothers? That would have caused her to look at him like he was a child. He was young looking but kid, nevermind, that had not importance. "Miss I'm really sorry but she isn't involved, I don't know her." Spoken to the female with the look of a viper a soft hand motioned towards she which looked similar to himself.
wc: 408
twc: 775

All the petite woman could do was blink as the impractical scene unfolded before her, unable to stop herself from shooting a glare in the direction of the boy whom she seemingly shared features with, her crimson eyes piercing into his flesh. How dare he interrupt her introduction to a fellow guild member. How was Chaelin supposed to make the pixie like mage adore her now? Quickly brushing those thoughts to the back of her mind, she plastered a gleeful smile across her dainty face, "Now now everyone let's not get upset over a problem that can easily be fixed!" Her voice was as soft as the wind which gently tugged at their garments. Placing a fragile hand on either of their shoulders, she led the two over to a low wall just across from where the ferry had docked, having previously noticed the three were becoming an obstruction to those trying to exit the ferry. Pushing lightly on the shoulders of the girl she knew to go by Yona, she sat the smaller girl down on the wall before crouching down in front of her, abruptly taking off the girls sodden shoes and swapping them for her own, pristine, white boots.

With her own toes now starting to feel disgustingly moist, Chaelin stood back up and cast a smile down at the green eyed girl, warmth in her expression. Her expensive shoes looked extremely out of place among the other females clothing choices, which vaguely resembled that of a homeless person. Unable to remember the last time she had worn something which wasn't a shocking shade of white, Chaelin avoided looking down at her feet for she was aware she looked quite terrible in the sudden apparel switch up. Hopefully this small act would put her back on Yonas good side, not wanting to be so quick to make enemies in the guild she had just joined: yet to have established herself as a proper member.

Casting her thoughts to what the other mages spoke of just previously, Chaelin spoke once more, turning to the boy who had attempted to save her back, this time her demeanour a little more pleasant, "Thank you dear for taking all the blame, that was a big boy thing to do~" Cooing as if she was speaking to a child half the boys apparent age, "It is rather interesting how similar we look, is it not?" Her chuckle rang like a soft bell chime as she raised a hand to lightly pinch the boys’ cheeks, his skin strikingly warm against her ice like state.  

WORD COUNT: 431
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 806

Yona plastered a half amused grin on her face, noting that even as she was just entering the city, the people were already staring at her. Between her hair and the commotion, she had enough attention on her already. The woman had no interest in causing problems, getting into a fist fight, or actually throwing the male off the boat. Though these ideas certainly pleased her. It would get her in too much trouble and ruin her chances of getting to the factory before it closed. With a smile on her face, and intense anger in her eyes, she allowed herself to be led off the ferry and then off to the side wall.

The woman couldn't have been much older than her own nineteen years, but she was far more grand and elegant than Yona. And Yona felt herself jealous at the natural ease with which the woman could conduct herself in public. Yona was fairly good at acting, building up a persona, but naturally and with no energy slipping into a role like this was a challenge. She inhaled slowly and when the woman pressed on her shoulders to sit, the green haired woman had fought the urge to knee jab the female in the stomach. Instead, she simply sat down. The woman had no idea what to expect, glancing at the male in distaste, then quickly changing her expression to one of neutrality. Less people were staring or paying attention now, so whatever the three were doing, it had worked.

When the nineteen year old's attention split and turned away for a pause, she felt someone pulling at her old boots. Yona jerked her legs back in order to try to keep her boots, exclaiming, "Hey, what are you--?" But she was interrupted. By jerking her legs backwards, Yona discovered that she had helped the woman to remove her sodden brown boots. Yona placed her feet back down and frowned, "Hey, what are you doing, I need those!" Yona insisted. But to her surprise, the female before her, who had not even given her name, has removed her own elegant white boots and slipped them onto Yona's feet.

So stunned was she that Yona made no sound. Her mouth dropped open, hanging agape like a child's. Yona blinked, her heart skipping a beat, and then she lifted her eyes up to the white haired woman. "You- You didn't have to.." She slowly said, sounding out the words as if she were learning to read again. Was the woman being nice? Could the boots be poisoned? That was stupid, of course not. Yona stared at her dirty wet boots on the lovely woman's form and could not get over how ridiculous they looked. Not only that, but would a person... Yona blinked her lime green eyes. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess. In truth, Yona had never seen a random act of kindness before. Not a kindness without being paid for by something. She squinted at the white woman, trying to figure out just what she wanted.

Yona looked down at the boots, twisting her feet in them, admiring the warmth and comfort of the boots. They were a perfect fit. She lifted her chin to see the female squishing the male's cheeks and she had to laugh. It was another oddity, as Yona never had let out a real laugh, not in years. The sight of seeing the woman poke and prod the white haired male sent eruptions of giggles through her body. He was clearly not a child but still, the humiliation of the action made Yona feel somewhat redeemed. "I don't have the money to buy these off you, and I am just as likely to run off with them and not return them. Are you sure you want to put these boots on me?" Yona asked, trying to back the woman into a corner. She looked for signs of incredulity, signs for annoyance, signs for reluctance in the other woman's demeanor. Anything that would give away that the act of kindness was in fact something Yona had better expect to pay for in some manner.

691 + 810 = 1501 total WC

Having never worn such a worn down piece of clothing before in her life, Chaelin felt very odd and was unable to process what she should do with herself for a few moments, her hand resting against the younger boys’ cheek. A small laugh slipped past her ruby lips once more, looking down upon the boys’ confused expression, staring into eyes eerily similar to her own. Her eyes crinkled in the corners, her dainty face printed with glee as she suddenly wrapped her arms around the boy, pulling him to her chest, one hand ruffling his perfectly white locks fondly. "Gosh you're so cute let me take you home, you could easily pass as my brother."

Behind her playful words, if not odd words to say to one you have just met, Chaelin was indeed longing to encounter someone who shared her bloodline. Due to the young mage stumbling upon the boy who looked so much like her, a flame had been relit inside of her, she was in fact a lonely person with little knowledge of her real family. A situation most mages around her were familiar with, the girl had never thought to confide in anyone about these thoughts. With an abrupt shake of her head, Chaelin pushed these thoughts aside and focussed on the two mages sat in front of her.

Before answering the green haired girl before her, she pondered over her question, staring down longingly at her beautiful boots clinging to the thighs of a filthy stranger. The mere mention of the possibility that Yona would take off with her boots made her blood boil. The sight angered her but she had to keep her calm for the sake of her image. Now would not be the best time to lash out, seeing as this was their first meeting after all. Exhaling loudly, she focused on clearing her mind in order to confront the woman in what society would deem as proper behaviour for a lady as seemingly pure as herself. What a beautiful facade.

"No of course not don't worry about it dear," A motherly smile upon her face, mustering up as much warmth as she could in her gaze, "Besides," Her hand left the boys shoulder as she waved it through the air gracefully, "I have other things on my mind today, I'm currently on my way to go pick up an iLac, have you two got one?" An iLac is a device that grants iLac holders communication between the two, despite their distance, it also provides a calendar, calculator, HP and MP tracker, stopwatch, alarm, and a variety of other fun applications: in other words, the ideal device for a modern day mage. Gesturing to the wave of mages filing out of the ferry behind her, the last few now stepping on to solid land, leaving the ferries wooden floor behind, "I am sure the majority of these people are also doing the same. Isn't it exciting? Being able to speak to people without being face to face or having to write it down on a piece of parchment."  

WORD COUNT: 517
TOTAL WORD COUNT: 1323

This woman sure was exciteable. Still, Yona appreciated her gesture somewhat, thankful for a moment that she could have warm and dry feet. "I don't have one yet, that's where I am heading now. Just a block or two away from what I heard," The green haired woman vocalized. Yona got to her feet and pointed, her sense of direction pure and uncanny. For as long as she could remember, she had never been able to get lost. There was something about one's place in the world which in a physical sense, always stood to reason for Yona. Like a fish knew naturally how to return to it's home waters, or how the birds could migrate long distances, Yona had always felt a natural ability to find her place, her physical position in the world. It was ironic, considering in every other way she felt as if she were a sloppy crimson poppy in a field of delicate white-petaled roses. Standing here besides the white-everything'd female, Yona felt her differences the same way one might feel if a homeless woman walked into a luxurious and royal affair.

She had considered stealing the boots, being fast enough and clever enough to get away with it, but in truth she didn't want them. They were much better than her's, but they made her stand out in a bad way and Yona's life was about finding ways to remain invisible. She didn't say so, but Yona could tell by the look in this female's eyes, that she felt the same way about wearing Yona's boots. Yona didn't do anything to assuage her fears, but she decided then and there that she would give the footwear back on her way to the return ferry later in the afternoon. She pursed her lips together and then her shoulders dropped, relaxing and committing herself reluctantly to the act.

"How about we go together, since we both need an iLac anyway," She glanced at the white haired boy, no longer feeling any real anger just generalized annoyance for the situation. "Well, if you need one too, you could join us I suppose. I hear the thieves are pretty bad in the area, what with the one free iLac per person rule. Would hate for you to get one and have it stolen ten minutes later, huh?" Upon looking him over again, her lime green eyes noted details she had not picked up on before. The boy was not a boy. He was a young man in much the same way she was a young woman, and the look in his eyes and the way he carried himself suggested shyness perhaps, but not incompetence. Yona herself had a look of compassion in her eyes, unlike before, as she settled naturally into the role of the "slightly unwary business woman". It suited her the best, the role of being both abrupt, taking initiative, but also the role of a traveler who had not seen so much. Hopefully, the male and the female before her would view her the way her new role displayed her, as she was quite practiced in being someone else.

She introduced herself quickly, with a bow from the waist, though it was a slight and not a full gesture as tradition would have it. "I am Yona Hisamori," She glanced at the white haired woman and tilted her head, "Though somehow it seems you have heard of me already?"

The white female had lingered upon his cheek for a moment too long, an odd moment settled and her actions seemed to only confuse him. His back froze for a moment as the slim arms of concrete caught him in a hug like movement, the lady hadn't felt as if she were about to attack. A familiar sense, similar to the sweet nectar like scents of his scarf Lester's brows scrunched in thought, hair flopped to the side as the woman who looked like his sibling ruffled his locks into an unruly mop. The words which he heard had stung a little, little prickles in a soft meadow of grass, home and passing as a brother. For sure he had been feeling homesick, after having left a loving family of warmth Lester had struck out into the world, it had been a phenomenal change of lifestyle. Released from the clasp the youth patted down his hair, it sprung up into a wild mess at once. The experience hadn't been uncomfortable, merely odd, to be embraced like that by one whom wasn't family. A moment of silence, eyes flicked shut for a brief moment, yet he remained standing as the commanding arm of the pale female hadn't left his shoulder.  

Focus. Lester mind had wandered enough over the past few days, the white woman seemed to yearn for the shoes which the coffee girl now wore, it seemed that white had almost started to regret her actions towards Coffee. The relationship which the two woman would forge interested him, from glimpses he had gotten of their actions the two of them had odd personalities. One acted kind yet her thoughts weren't completely on board, and the other seemed straightforward. He drew a breath, not to worry about it, had they settled things? Although the use of dear dropped seeds of confusion within his mind, Lester wouldn't have thought the age gap between the duo would have been that large, and calling some stranger dear didn't settle well within his mind.  Shoulders rolled in a stretch, like soil after being turned his shoulders had stretched out, an energetic feeling rejuvenated the youth. Lester had stayed tuned into the conversation a little, yet he had expected it to take the direction of shoe shopping or conversations unrelated to him. "I'm here for an iLac as well." Gaze slid up to meet hers then view the last of the horde which he had shared the ferry trip with. "Indeed, iLac do seem like a great advance in technology."

The three of them planned to do the same, to improve it coffee lady seemed to know where the factory pick up was. Lester plan had been to just follow the stream of people, yet the flaw would be how many would be going to other places. The direction which the green haired one had gestured to was carved into Lester's mind, however similar to limestone time would wash away those directions and leave him wandering the streets at random. "Thank you. It would be better to travel in a small group rather than alone." A smile graced his face, like a spring tulip it stayed only for a short while, yet the emotion reached his eyes which crinkled in gratitude. he disliked the way she had worded it, yet the thought and meaning had been behind the words.   Yona Hisamori, now he had a name to the face, "Pleasure to meet you, I'm Lester Drynedi." Voice soft he too turned to the last unnamed member of their small group, he hadn't known her yet perhaps his Grandmother might recognize the name if he asked when they next met. He also held a curiosity as to how the white haired lady knew Yona without Yona knowing her. Taking a small step back his legs stretched, he wanted to depart with speed, the walk would be short yet he couldn't say as much about the line.

Crimson eyes danced between the mages during their exchange, eyelashes fluttering from the movement; both of the mages had names just as beautiful as their appearances, Chaelin noted to herself with a satisfied smile. The white mage felt that names were almost as significant as magic in this world, each holds a story with a detailed history and future, it would be quite easy to judge someone simply off of their name around here- especially when it was regarding social class. The girl was pulled from her thoughts when addressed with a question from Yona, to which she simply smiled knowingly at and gestured to the back of the pixie like mages neck. She had been pleasantly surprised by the other females knowledge of the surrounding area, having not thought of the possibility of thieves herself, therefore deciding to place a bit more faith than previously into the girl who had neglected all rules of fashion.

Rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet subtly, her hair cascading around her shoulders, Chaelin decided to throw her name into the mix. "Nice to meet you Lester, nice to meet you Yona," She turned to bow at each of the name keepers, giggling quietly as she spoke to the latter. "My name is Chaelin Gaunt," Her honeyed voice sounded as she bobbed a brief curtsey to her peers. The movement of her feet had caused the girl to be once again reminded of the horrors covering her feet, a permanent reminder of why she should stop being nice to people. Averting her attention back to the task on hand, she looked up at the other two- well, technically she looked down at Yona- "Looks like we're all going together then, what a cute little team we have here." Her words were true, the three of them were undoubtedly pleasing to the eye, if not somewhat odd in regards to their attire and colour palette.

The girl had grown quite quickly bored of standing around doing little to nothing and hence decided to take it upon herself to initiate some action in their quest, her legs were itching to be moved. Skipping over to stand between the two, she wasted no time linking arms with them, a grin plastered to her face, "Lets waste no more time my dear companions~" and began walking, tugging on the other twos arm, pulling them along momentarily till their movements matched hers. Although her words seemed confident, her footsteps were the opposite for she was unsure of the route they needed to embark upon. Secretly wishing Yona would soon take charge, she slowed her pace slightly after just a few steps. She had never been one for directions or navigation, finding remembering such things to be very tedious, it was much easier to let someone else take the lead. As they walked Chaelin took notice of the fact that Lester appeared to be the exact same height as her, she glanced over at him through the corner of her eyes, inspecting his uncannily familiar face once more.


Drynedi. Why wouldn't that name leave her head?

The green haired female stayed silent, touching the back of her neck with her right hand. Long tresses of green hair had surely hidden the guild tattoo from view, but what else might Chaelin be pointing at? She looked over the white haired and white bodied individual, looking for her guild tattoo. Were they rivals? Could she be trusted even? It didn't seem to matter if they were destined to be friends or enemies because Chaelin had looped her feminine arm through Yona's arm, not even tripping up on the baggy coat sleeve. "Huh?" Yona started.

When Yona found her arm pulled into a chain with Lester and Chaelin she had to fight the urge to jerk her arms away. She was wearing Chaelin's boots and had suggested they go in a group to the factory. It was closer than they made it seem, her feet pulled into an unwilling but graceful skip. She blossomed red under the eyes of onlookers upon the streets around them. From the docks to the factory was a short sojourn and Yona had taken charge. She sensed the whimsical woman beside her lacked the actual knowledge of where they were. Yona on the other hand couldn't get lost if she tried.

Yona's internal compass kicked in and she was told it was the first large building on the West side of the docks. And so she skipped awkwardly, with a little too much force for a dainty girl role, and brought the trio straight to the large doors of the iLac factory. She quickly retrieved her arm, and in her mind her dignity as well, and pulled the door on the right open for the other two. With the door open it would be easy to see how empty the place seemed to be. Various men and women with badges carrying around iLac labeled bags filled with small boxes which could only contain the small magical devices. The employees looked as if the shimmied up to groups, talked and explained what was necessary, and then deposited the free device into greedy open palms. It was easy to see the alarm system and security measures, preventing thieves and naughty second-timers from grabbing another free iLac.

"Hello there and welcome to the iLac factory!" Greeted a polite male voice to the left side of the room. A tall middle aged man gave the three of them a small wave, clearly insisting they go to him for their free devices and mini-lesson on how to use one. Yona noted that he wore no jacket, but he did have a collared red shirt and a white tie upon his chest. A small metallic pin noted that his name was 'Ein'.