Streets and Alleys of Port Argentium

“You could start by stepping off my cloak.”

A deep, raspy voice, like a sword that had struck the cobblestones below to the point of brittleness.

A figure – a cloaked, hooded figure – lying half-curled on the ground, the cloak spread like wings. A man. Folded within the cloak, there was the barely-guessed sheath of a sword across his back. He had not been unseen – not even well hidden. His clothing, from the tips of his leather gloves to his boots, stood too darkly against the warm midday sun, too fine against the rough bark covering the logs of the nearby house. Yet somehow, the mind had penned him in as a shadow, or a piece of garbage, until he had actually spoken. His hair has seemed like a blinding splash of sunlight on the stone, until he lifted his head to stare at the newcomer. The man's face was full of what looked like old burns and yet, he looked surprisingly young.

“Well?” He interrogated her. “What do you want?” He smelled of stale sweat.

And there was a whiff of something else in there, something...poisonous.

He grimaced, and it almost looked like a chuckle.

“You're not even going to say? I used to solve the problems of an entire nation, you know.” With a shaking hand, he pulled himself up against the side of the building. He reached, without looking, into the fold of his soot-grey shirt – a different style than the Israns – and pulled out a tiny bottle. Imperceptibly, he lifted it, thumb on the stopper, before setting it down on the ground below.

His hand raised to press against the sky shining down on him from between the buildings.

“I could solve anything.”

Rolling up a recently signed piece of parchment and securely placing it in one of the several tubes he had attached to his belt, Ito waved farewell to the craftsman who had signed it and bounded back out onto the street. Since arriving in Port Argentium, Naoki had assigned him to assist her in some of her administrative work. The kind that still needed to get done but ate up an inordinate amount of her own time. Generally, this involved running about the settlement to find out who needed what, and while it wasn’t the most exciting work… Well, Ito could appreciate its simplicity. Given the events leading up to the mists depositing him here, he was ready to lead a more mundane life.

Jogging down the street at a brisk pace, Ito’s ears tilted this way and that as he observed the people around him. He knew exactly where his next destination was, but given he jogged everywhere anyway, he had a bit of extra time to pry into the affairs of those around him. The gossip he heard usually wasn’t particularly exciting, but it gave him something extra to do at the very least. Grabbing onto the corner of a building to help propel himself around it, Ito’s gaze settled on a rather unusual-looking figure. Purple skin, horns, and rather striking eyes. They were also carrying what Ito assumed was a magic focus of some variety. While Ito most certainly didn’t recognize everyone in Port Argentium, he felt he would have remembered running into someone who looked like this. Given how frequently he traveled around Port Argentium, he felt quite certain this was a new arrival. Deciding it would be the friendly thing to do, Ito approached the figure hand raised in greeting.

“A newcomer to our settlement I take?” Ito asked as he attempted to put on his friendliest smile. Smiling on command had never been a strong suit of his though. “Hopefully I haven’t read the situation wrong, but you have that uhh… New arrival look to you?” Ito was mentally kicking himself for such a description, but he wasn’t about to tell them they looked “dazed and confused”. Surely that would be even more rude. Adjusting his scarf, he decided to try and push past that rather awkward inquiry.

“Anyways, my name's Ito. If you need help with anything or have any questions, I might be able to help.” He really hoped he hadn’t misread the situation. If this person wasn’t a new arrival… Well, that would be quite an awkward situation indeed.

Relieved that his words hadn’t caused offense, Ito took a closer look at the figure. The various signs pointing to Nels belonging to a higher station than most didn’t go unnoticed, they were no mere peasant with such clothes and remnants of makeup. Station didn’t mean all that much in current circumstances, but it did hint at what skills they might possess. Perhaps Nels had been a court wizard or a magician who ran some manner of business? They didn’t strike Ito as a traveling wizard, but it was always hard to guess with magic users.

“I wouldn’t worry too much about that, most everyone shows up here in various states of disarray so we’re all used to it. I washed up several miles down the beach myself, and was lucky someone stumbled across me and guided me back here.” Shuddering at the unpleasantness of the event, Ito continued. “For what it’s worth, you're in a far better condition than most. Anyway, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Nels.” Extending a hand to offer a handshake, Nels would likely notice the scars on Ito’s wrists. Their shape implied manacles or some other manner of bindings to be the cause.

Upon mention of feeling lost, Ito nodded sympathetically. “I think I understand what you mean. I even know a few people here, but the duty I used to fulfill… Well, it’s simply not needed right now. For the first few weeks after I arrived here I felt like a bit of a ghost, just aimlessly drifting about town.” Tail swishing in consternation, Ito couldn’t say he’d fully overcome such feelings as of yet. But things were better. “Maybe you just need something to keep your mind off things. I don’t know if you're planning to stick around here in Port Argentium or not, but if you are I’m sure my mother could find some job to keep you busy.” Remembering that he wasn’t just talking to your average farmer or tradesman, Ito quickly added, “Oh, and it’d be something you’d be suited to doing of course!”

Letting out a chuckle at Nels mention of being a stranger to their ways, Ito waved a hand as if to dismiss the concern. “We have refugees in here washing up from all over, so I think you’ll find there isn’t a particularly dominant culture here in Port Argentium. For the most part everyone tries to mind their business and get along with each other. You strike me as the sort who won’t have any trouble on that front.” Ito considered offering a reassuring pat on Nels shoulder but thought better of it and instead just offered what he hoped was a reassuring smile.

Ito felt a bit daft implying that Nels might go somewhere else. The people who did so either were much more adventure-ready or had arrived on a working boat. Going off appearances, Nels was hardy the type to take off adventuring into the unknown! “Well, let me give you a warm welcome to Port Argentium. I hope you’ll find your time here…” Given the current state of things, saying “enjoyable” seemed a bit too optimistic even for Ito. The pause had already dragged on for longer than Ito meant so he quickly added, “Comfortable!”

Returning the bow with a much rougher one of his own, Ito waved both hands in front of him as if to dismiss any mention of Nels being in his debt. “It’s no trouble at all! In fact, it’d no doubt be a great service to Port Argentium.” Pausing at the question of what his mother did, Ito seemed to be giving what was presumably a simple question a great deal of thought. “Uhhh, well she does quite a lot around here… She’s in charge of the settlement so she has her fingers in all the pies so to speak. But the important thing she’d do for you is help find a suitable job and add you to the housing queue!”

Offering a far more genuine and less strained smile than previously, Ito seemed genuinely pleased with the idea he’d be able to assist Nels with such an introduction. “She’s rather busy but I’m sure a meeting can be arranged. I have a feeling she’d be interested in whatever your talents are.” Ito was a bit curious what those talents might be himself, but for now held his tongue. “You might have already seen it, but until you get a house of your own the First Landing can at least offer you a roof over your head. It might not be the quietest place but at least it’s dry. And the Mess Hall is where we go to get our meals, they’ll give you enough food to keep your belly full.”

Scratching at one ear absentmindedly, Ito noticed the waterskin and fruit Nels was holding. While Nels might not be starving, Ito knew if he’d just been the one to wash up, he’d want something a bit heartier to eat than just fruit. “If you’d like, we can go get a more substantial meal for you to eat. Truth be told I’m a bit hungry myself…” The downside of jogging around everywhere was it gave Ito a rather ravenous appetite.

At the mention of magic being strange, Ito nodded his head in agreement. “It’s that way for everyone. Many mages lost their magic entirely, so the fact you still possess some ability for it at all is useful in itself.” Ito hadn’t tried linking with a mage since arriving in this new land, so he was unsure how the mist had affected his own abilities. He wasn’t particularly eager to find out truth be told. “I’ve heard numerous mages and wizards complaining that they’ve had to relearn how they do things, doing more with less or something like that. I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it sooner or later.” Despite offering reassurance, Ito did get the feeling that at least in this matter, Nels was a bit more confident. Already his demeanor seemed far more assured than when Ito had initially seen him at the street corner.

“That I do! I haven’t been there myself yet, but it’s a place I’ve been meaning to visit. Given how much my mother has frequented it, I’m certain their food is excellent.” Motioning for Nels to follow after him, Ito started walking down the street. Fortunately for Nels, Ito wasn’t doing his usual jog and instead moved at a leisurely pace, his rather fluffy tail swaying this way and that as he walked. “I’ll speak to her tonight when I return home about your circumstances,” Ito said, circling back to the topic of introduction as he led Nels down another side street.

Taking note of the fanged teeth, Ito wondered just what manner of species Nels belonged to. It didn’t particularly matter to him one way or the other, but did make him wonder. Still, he didn’t fancy being the one to broach the subject. He was hardly of a typical species himself. “Ah, here we are!” Picking up the pace slightly as the pair exited the alley and found themselves on one of the busier roads, Ito pointed proudly towards their apparent destination. While not a particularly fancy-looking building, the smell of a variety of enticing food was already noticeable, even from this distance. Idalias Great Eats read the sign posted above the doorway.

Ito couldn’t help but open his mouth slightly as the various aromas washed over him. This was certainly a step up from the Mess Hall. Eyes glinting in anticipation for the feast to come, Ito dropped all sense of decorum and practically bounded over to the door. Opening it up, he glanced back at Nels before making an “after you” gesture.