Daily #33 - Vitolo Totuus, Viento Camina and Verlis Inglin (cowritten by Nima)
The floating ship named the Free Joker that was owned by his moirail had dropped him off close enough to the location that the trip wouldn't be difficult even with his lack of strength, reaching the ruins after a short walk. Something had immediately caught his eye, the light of a bonfire contrasting against the night leaving a pillar of smoke that reached for the sky. Scanning the area with his psychic ability, he read the magnetic current and flow and discerned that there was only one person camped within the ruins.
Viento wasn't the bravest person, though he would be damned if a single person was gonna stop him from his studying this location. Trudging through the sands and towards the bonfire, his steps were light enough that the person only barely noticed him. The person appeared to be an anonymous blooded troll, a stark difference to Viento's own rich brown garments. Viento gave them a wave of his hand, announcing his presence to the other man.
The moment he picked up on the presence of another, Vitolo was on guard. The brown colour of this one's cloak was the greatest reassurance, Vitolo feared nothing from those of low-blood and knew highbloods would never sully themselves with such colour. This one wore his blood on his sleeve. He stood properly and nodded to the interloper. Of the rare times other trolls ran into him out in the desert, most of the time it was just Viaaja. It was almost nice to have someone different this time.
He indicated the fire, over which freshly hunted desert rats grilled. It was welcoming enough to have a wanderer of trustworthy blood by his side.
Viento accepted the offer to approach, taking a seat on the sands next across the other person. While he politely declined the offer of grilled desert rat, he took initiative and started a conversation. "Greetings, fellow explorer." It took him a few seconds to think of what to say next, social interaction not exactly being his strong point. "My name is Viento Camina, what brings you to these ruins?"
After ripping a chunk of meat off of his portion of the meal, Vitolo raised his head, stretching his neck to expose the long and jagged scar across it. With one hand raised, he jerked his thumb directly over the wound. In the expanse of time he had travelled since taking that injury, he'd determined that action was a universal expression for 'I'm not the most talkative guy'.
It took Viento a moment to understand this gesture, before answering back with a short nod. Messing with his modus for a few seconds, he brought out a brush and a tall stack of parchment. "Would... you want to speak through writing? Or are your hands occupied with dinner?" He held two brushes in his hands, the only weapon that he could skillfully wield.
The other thing he had learned is that after pointing out he could not talk, every troll immediately assumed they needed to help him. He held back on rolling his eyes and produced a tiny computer with his free hand, tapping away at the keys. Moments later a deep mechanical voice emerged. Do not concern yourself. I am able to cover my own weaknesses.
Viento was surprised at the voice for a moment, before suddenly shaking his head from side to side. "I can only understand people properly through their handwriting, I didn't... mean to imply you weren't capable." The brownblood covered his eyes with his hood for a moment, before re-establishing eye contact with the other troll.
Strange trait. Vitolo shrugged and returned the computer to whence it came, reaching over for the paper. This one seemed to have some issues with confrontation, but that was fine. Safer that way really. Now how to make proper use of a brush. Vitolo had to admit he'd never really tried to do anything with one before, let alone write. In the end he scribbled out something that vaguely represented a message. Brushwork would be your talent then?
Examining the paper closely, Viento examined every stroke that composed the message. He wrote back instead of responding verbally, his own movements while writing refined to the point that they were impressive. My skills are cartography and calligraphy, you're a dangerous person aren't you? You don't have to write anymore, I learned what I wanted.
Hmmmm. The noise emerged from within Vitolo's own cloak, where he tapped away at his computer. Is it wise to be so perceptive before someone so dangerous? If you have the sense to read others through their writing shouldn't you have the sense to know what not to say? As if enforcing the point, Vitolo pointed the stick the remains of his meal was on at the brownblood. Perceptive trolls were the bane of his life when he needed to stay on the low.
"I'm... not afraid, and I'm not going to do anything either of us would regret." Viento gave out a weak smile, one which faded quickly enough that it didn't seem like it was there to begin with. "I'm associated with two people at least as dangerous as you are, I know that I wouldn't have a chance if you felt like ending my existence."
Vitolo rolled his eyes and took another bite from the cooked rat. Whatever, he had nothing against this one. Good serenity, he remarked eventually. Very 'eye of the storm'.
The brownblooded explorer laughed at this, he had been looking too deeply into things again and missed the fact that he wasn't in any danger. "I'll repeat my question from earlier then, what brings you to these ruins? I'm here to study them properly."
I'm just a traveller. Vitolo shrugged in response. He pulled his hand holding the computer out of his cloak and leaned back against the stone pillar behind him, balancing the device on his knee. Cutting through the desert is the quickest way between a number of locations, and I'm more than capable of protecting myself. I question, however, how you managed to make it this far out to the middle of nowhere safely.
"I'm friends with a group of criminals who don't know how to do anything properly." This was said without any humor, a completely flat tone of voice. "Would you want a map of the area?" He focused on using his psychic power as he said this, twirling his brush between his fingers.
Vitolo raised an eyebrow. Wandering the other side of the law? Perhaps I misjudged you, brownblood. Were he the type to smile he would have done so then. I have travelled this path many times. I wonder if your map contains any secrets I have not discovered myself? Interesting. I will take you up on your offer then. The corners of his mouth twitched. As one criminal to another.
Viento brought out two large pieces of square parchment, a brush held in each of his hands. "I'm not a criminal myself! I associate with them though, which doesn't make any difference to our draconian lawkeepers." Both his hands moved at equal speeds across the parchments, a thin grid being drawn by hand before details were placed on the map. "Have you heard of the Free Joker?"
Just because I can be most frequently found in the desert wastes does not mean I live under a rock. Vitolo replied quickly. You get more and more interesting by the minute, mapmaker. Anyone under the flag of the Free Joker can rely on me when they need to.
"The damned captain dragged me along so that I could warn her when we're about to run into a stormcloud and get electrocuted." Viento smiled as he said this, loosening up and speaking less formally as the conversation with Vitolo continued. "That woman will be pleased to hear that her crew has gotten so infamous."
Vitolo leaned forward a little to see the map forming under the brownblood's touch. It was accurate to a fantastic degree, the kind of work that would make serious money even for a lowblood like him. It is good to see your skills contributed to a worthy cause. Too often trolls take the easy way out and sell themselves for the sake of survival within the hemospectrum. You are of nobler stock than those weaklings. He nodded and leaned back, pulling his cloak around him to raise the warmth a little. It was beginning to get a little too chill for safety. If you intend to stay here safely I advise you to retire within the cavern beneath these ruins. Follow me. Vitolo stood and indicated, a small dip in the sand which was in actuality a covered tunnel. He'd spent enough time over the sweeps preparing such safe hideaways.
Finishing the maps with a final flourish and adding his own signature, he rolled one of them up and kept the other open so that he could give it to Vitolo. Allowing him to lead them into the tunnel, he passed the map to his companion. "You could call life a journey, interesting always proves superior to long." The map detailed every single passageway and cavern in these ruins, including a few which Vitolo had not yet unearthed. It even expanded to the nearby area in general, along with a few helpful notes from the mapmaker. "Though I don't intend to die any time soon, there is still much of Alternia for me to map properly."
A goal to live by is something each of us should take pride in. Vitolo continued to walk the path, knowing it by heart. He looked forward to investigating that map at a later date. For now though we should rest out the coldest part of the night and the length of the day. When the sands are still warm in the evening is when we must travel.
"I appreciate your proper hospitality, but..." A sharp and loud thud was heard from above them, like a meteor had impacted into the ruins. Viento didn't seem alarmed despite this, and after a few moments a hooded blueblood with his eyes closed and a spear on his back entered from the other end of the cavern. "I'm here to pick you up, Viento."
Vitolo was impressed with the spearskills of this blueblood. He'd reacted finely, crossing the distance between them and bringing his sword from trailing through the sand up, launching a cloud to distract so that the blade might slip through and slay the intruder. But neatly the cloud had been blown away and his blade stopped. Vitolo held both hands to the hilt of his weapon, making sure that there was no way the blueblood could push past him safely. What was a highblood doing here? An unknown intruder.
"Cease immediately!" Viento shouted uncharacteristically, weakly attempting to push the two apart. "This man is Verlis Ginlin, First Mate on the Free Joker." Verlis backed away from Vitolo, a calm smile on his face as he placed his spear on his back again. "That was a good reaction, I'd have a hard time fighting you in this cave."
You'd have a hard time fighting me in any environment, blueblood. Vitolo at least had also stepped back, sheathing his sword. A few moments passed of cold silence. You do good work as part of the Free Joker. I've always enjoyed the stories of the actions your crew undertakes. Keep fighting the good fight.
"Verlis, could we br-" Viento started his sentence, but was interrupted by the blueblood. "Would you want to take a ride on the Free Joker with us? You have other places you want to be than holed up in this cave." Verlis said this without missing a stride, not caring that they had just locked weapons.
I'll pass. Vitolo maintained eye contact with the blueblood, though the desert shades he wore impacted on his vision in the darkness. I think best when walking in silence and there's a lot to think about before I reach my next destination. We've all got jobs to do, after all.
"I know what you mean." It wasn't like eye contact could be properly maintained while Verlis had his eyes closed. "I'll be waiting outside, come when you're done saying goodbye to your new buddy." Viento nodded as the blueblood left, the mapmaker turning back to Vitolo. "It shouldn't be difficult to properly understand what I meant by dangerous."
Not in the least, Vitolo agreed. If in a snap you can call such beings to your side, perhaps you should consider yourself dangerous as well. Either way, it seems you are to leave. Farewell mapmaker, I wish you luck in the skies.
Viento withdrew a brush and a heavy fold of paper, giving them both to Vitolo. "I hope your adventure progress properly, I would appreciate it if you would have your own maps or a journal the next time we meet." Viento started walking out of the cavern, pausing for a moment. "Farewell... I don't think you told me your name."
There are many reasons for that. Vitolo turned to face the darkness leading deeper into the caves. Should we meet again let it be in good spirits. Farewell.
Answering with a short and polite laugh, Viento left the dark of the cavern. He had met an interesting person in his studies today, one that provided more knowledge than the ruins he seeked to examine. Allowing Verlis to grab him as he went outside, the blueblood shot into the sky with Viento in tow. This made a loud sound and shook the ground enough so that Vitolo could feel it, escaping the bonds of gravity and heading back to the Free Joker.
The Free Joker huh. Vitolo considered that as he descended into the darkness. There might just be something there. If there was any place in all of Alternia he had to choose to light the first fire of revolution, it would be from the safety of that ship. Maybe today he'd made an important step. Time would tell.