Exploring and Adventuring

[Hawk]

Jayris was, above all, an explorer. He liked to see new buildings, meet and talk to new people, walk new streets until he had no idea where he was anymore, only to continue wandering until he found his way back. He liked back alleys and unique characters and insane stores selling mystery items.

And the minute he'd stepped into the new apartment building, ran into at least two people just on the walk upstairs that had ears like his own, he knew the place would be perfect. They didn't even hide them! Excited by this new prospect, he immediately winked over at Kaiden and let his glimmer slip as well, wiggling his ears cheerily.

Once all the boxes had been carried upstairs - mostly by Jayris, since he could never help spoiling Kaiden - the first thing he pushed for was an adventure in the town. "Kaideeeeen," he'd half-whined, flinging his arms around the shorter boy's shoulders, "Expand your mind, take a walk on the wild side." Fwapping him with his tail on the word 'wild' in jest, his green eyes flashed with deviousness. But, he was nonetheless unsuccessful.

"Someone has to unpack for us, Jay. And you carried up all the boxes, so it's only fair that I do this part, you know?" Then he'd slipped out of his grasp and started pulling off tape on the nearest box. And when Jayris reached for a box to help, the boy just shook his head, and smiled as he added, "Go have fun, will you? Or I'll just feel more guilty."

Which was how he'd found himself where he was now, who knew how many blocks away from the apartment, sitting on the steps of what he could only assume was a museum. And maybe possibly pouting a bit. He used to love being on his own as he made discoveries, but somewhere along the way having Kaiden around had become a necessity for fun. Now he had nobody to make comments to or formulate jokes with. Except himself, and that made him look slightly insane, he'd quickly realized. He wished that, if not Kaiden, at least someone would be around and willing to take up an expidition with a stranger.

[Ryugexu]

Shigure was dormant, tired from searching out a place to live for the two minds, and so he was giving Yugure a chance to look for work. Yugure had been searching, and so far no good results had been made. She heard a lot of "sorry, you're not what we are looking for" and "we'll call you. Don't call us." sort of things and was, for once, a bit sad. Nothing usually made her sad, however after being rejected time and time again, and with Shigure asleep in her mind, she felt rather alone in the city.

Yugure was dressed in a cute but casual way. After all, she had no special skills that were worth 'dressing up' to going to a job interview for. With a heavy heart she walked, knowing that her brother would be disappointed that she hadn't been able to do anything.

Of coarse, the orange-eyed girl was too absorbed in her own thoughts to notice the person standing in front of her until it was too late! She bumped into the fox-eared boy and only after such she had noticed.

"Oh! I'm sorry." she quickly apologized and looked down a bit.

Great. Getting myself into trouble again?

[Hawk]

It seemed the cosmos were playing in his favor, as just as he wished for temporary companionship, it was delivered to him in the form of an apparently distracted girl. Quickly rising to his feet, he naturally lifted his arm and placed a hand on her back to steady her. "Careful there, Miss." Smile already growing because of the chance encounter, he winked and continued, "It would be a tragedy for such a pretty girl to fall and hurt herself." And it truly would, especially on steps like the ones he was on, made of unforgiving concrete.

Giving the woman a minute to make sure she was steady on her feet, he shifted his hand back to rest on his hip. "And no apologies are needed, as no damage was done." He took in her appearance with a quick glance: Long white hair that was nice and well-kept, bright eyes of a shade he couldn't quite place, trim figure, pretty face. Her outfit was plain, but fit her well, implying a fair sense of fashion but nothing too stuffy. A perfect new companion for a wander around town, if he did say so himself.

Content with his conclusion, he ducked into an exaggerated bow, artfully balancing on the steps. "Forgive my manners and lack of introductions, if you will. The name's Jayris." Looking up at her amusedly, he added, "Headed anywhere in particular? Because I'm just dying for an adventurous companion." Hopefully she was at least slightly amusing, or enough to keep his interest for the few hours until he decided it was time to return to the apartment.

"A tour guide would also be fabulous, if you happen to know your way around~"

[Ryugexu]

A blush spread Yugure's cheeks at his very gentlemanly ways. It was something she wasn't used to finding in a person.

"I'm Yugure," she smiled, trying her best to be equally nice to him, "Um, its a pleasure to meet you."

After hearing his desire, she smiled. "Adventure? I must have walked the entire city at least twice today!" Sadly, her statement was probably true, thank goodness for her energetic ways so she wouldn't be tired out by such a walk. "I've finished all I can do for today, so I'm not really going anywhere I guess."

[Hawk]

"What great fortune for me, then," he replied, rising out of his bow. His eyes sparkled in cheer, their emerald green flickering excitedly. How nice it was to be in an area that didn't condemn him on sight for such a trivial feature. It was refreshing to be free of brimmed hats and avoiding eye contact for safety.

And that wasn't even taking into consideration the freedom of his odder features. His tail bobbed in good cheer, both from being freed of its glimmer, and due to its owner's good mood now that he had a travelling companion. His gaze skimmed across the area in front of them in anticipation. There were store fronts, strangers, streets that branched off into who-knows-where... And he was sitting in front of a building that potentially held mysteries itself. So much to see and take in and learn, and then know. So many stories he could tell later, if this went well.

Returning his eyes to the woman's momentarily, he smiled down at her. "I give myself over to your superior inclinations, oh knowledgable one~" Another playful wink, and he was once again looking out at the city, unable to resist. It would be a great place to live, he thought. So many streets to walk, he could never get to them all today. Fortunate that Yugure was familiar with the area, as he knew that an informed wandering was much more efficient at times than a blind one. And, it would be nice to see what stood out in the town from another person's view.

Speaking distractedly, but still cheerily, he added, "So, what's our first destination, Miss Yugure?" He was itching to start moving, and wanted to make the best of the burst of energy his excitement afforded him.

[Ryugexu]

How fortunate for her new companion that Yugure believed there were stranger features on a body to be seen than a tail or animal ears, or even wings in some cases. Perhaps it was because of her own circumstance that would not rise again until nightfall, when Shigure would finish sleeping.

"W-well!" she blushed a bit, obviously she wasn't used to people being so attentive or kind to her, "there are many things to see! There are outside cafés, there are museums, there is a stage of the Brotherhood of Magicians -I hear they use real magic!-, and places where local bands play... all sorts of things! Where do you want to start? What seems the most interesting?" She spoke without hesitation and with much excitement, making everything sound even more interesting than the last. Somehow, she seemed to make the comment about the Brotherhood of Magicians more clearly, as though she were perhaps interested in that. There was more on the list, however so many interesting things at once are hard for a mind to comprehend!

Magic was a part of the strange girl's blood, so certainly she was curious of the Brotherhood. It could be seen in the way her sunset eyes glimmers and the way she seemed to float while talking as though a certain radiance of myth came off of her skin.

[Hawk]

The fox immediately caught the ripple of excitement that ran through the girl when she spoke of the magicians of the town. "Ah, so you share an interest in the blood as well, milady?" Squinting at her in an obviously exaggerated way, he speculated, "Could it be because yours runs similarly, or is it a family member or friend whose mystery has intrigued you?"

Waving a hand dismissively at his own comments, he quickly addended, "Not that it matters, of course. Call it idle curiosity from an...involved party?" Smiling in a secretive way, he took a couple steps forward, winding an arm through Yugure's and hoping she would begin to lead them on their way to this 'Brotherhood' of sorts.

Seemed an odd concept to him, honestly. From his experiences in the true magically affected world, people liked to keep their skills private, and their ability to themselves. Could these be the tricksters who went by the same name? He was boistered by the very thought, as he did so enjoy sleights of hand.

And if they used real magic... Well, more the better, both for the purpose of learning, and possibly for the chance of joining in. Hitting the bottom of the stairs, he stopped when he realized he sadly couldn't direct them without knowing the directions. "So...this magical 'family' would be.....?" Raising a finger and scanning it along the horizon, he expected her to stop it when it hit the accurate direction, or to start pulling them on their way. Otherwise their adventure would be very short indeed.

[Ryugexu]

Yugure giggled at her new friend. "C'mon! It's just east of here at the theater!"

Without hesitation the outgoing girl grasped his arm. "Follow me." She smiled, her orange eyes beaming.
Though before she was hesitant and a bit put-out, it seems a little friendliness can go a long way.

She stepped forward eagerly, leading the unusual fox-man forward. They were heading towards the Brotherhood's personal theater, where they would perform often for the people of the city. Certainly it must be quite the attraction!

[Hawk]

Jayris let himself be led along, eyes taking in the sights as they went. So many interesting people surrounded them, and there were so many intriguing things to see. this was the kind of place he had dreamed of all the time as a kid, filled with personality and life and magic. And there was apparently even more of the last present than he thought, if there was an entire group of practitioners nearby.

His only major point of contention with the place thus far was the lack of a body of water, like a stream cutting through downtown or a lake shore somewhere nearby. 'His life's breath' he'd called it once in a fit of overdramatics, a moment Kaiden would never let him live down. But, while that may have been a bit much, it wasn't too terribly far from the mark. "There doesn't happen to be, say, a stream or ocean coastline hidden at the end of one of these myriad alleyways, possibly?" he asked, both for his own sake, and to fill the silence.

"And, while on the subject of finding things, how did you happen to stumble across this little city, milady?" May as well tackle multiple mysteries in one go.

[Ryugexu]

"A river? Nope. That's an odd question. You afraid of water?" Yugure playfully responded.

"As for myself? Well, I walked here." she smiled, "I left the last town heading this way, and found it after about a month. I spent a couple nights in an alleyway somewhere, and let's just say this place isn't exactly safe so I have to get money somehow so I can rent an apartment or get a hotel room." She spoke without skipping a beat or a moment of sadness that one would expect from such a thing.

"Well, I mean, getting someone to hire you in this place is tough. I hope that even if it's some really hard job, at least I could find... something. That's why I've been walking the entire city."

She didn't mind the conversation, even if to some it would be sad she smiled while she spoke, as though she were carefree about everything... perhaps it was only because she was trying to remain good company, one can never be too sure.

[Hawk]

Jayris couldn't help but laugh aloud at her questioning his fear of water. The very idea was so impossible, so ridiculous. Realizing she probably wouldn't understand the humor, he waved an apologetic hand in front of his face. "Sorry, but you couldn't be farther off the mark, Miss Yugure." He left the laughter unexplained, quieting it to a silent chuckle as she continued on in her story.

The life of migration was one quite familiar to him, filled with its many ups and downs. He'd spent a fair number of years stealing an hour of sleep in an alleyway or bar when he couldn't find somewhere to earn some money. A fellow adventurer he'd most certainly found.

"Jobs are always hard to find when you don't take up one place as a home. I always try to take the search for one as its own adventure." He, of course, had enough skills that he usually found a job quickly. That, or he became creative. Pausing and making a gesture as if offering a plate, he held it out in front of the girl. "Offer to take less pay, and they'll give one on a silver platter. But," Bending his fingers in on themselves, he pulled his hand back. "Create a career of your own, and none can decide your pay but the crowd you cater to~"

Letting her make of that what she would, he smiled and began walking once again, hoping they would reach their destination of choice sooner than later.

[Ryugexu]

Yugure looked up to the sky in thought of his words.

"Sheesh, wonder what skills I have that are considered abnormal here?" she asked.

"haha sis. That's reaaaally funny. What do you think we are? We're freaks!"

Shigure, shut up! We're NOT joining a circus no matter WHAT they'd pay us! SHUT UP you emo..!!! Go back to sleep!

Yugure pouted and shook her head, "A-anyway we're almost there!" She grinned as they approached the theater, the words 'Brotherhood of Magicians' was proudly displayed in large colorful letters. According to a posted notice on the wall, they were having a practice run tonight, so admissions were free.

[Hawk]

A perusal of the sign had Jayris’s grin widening further, a response forming of its own accord, distracted and unhelpful. “Mmm, a lack of skills isn’t something I’m familiar with, I’m afraid.” And then he was back to the sign. With so many colors, it was obviously made to attract attention. The idea that there was no fear of being noticed here by any crowd seemed to ring true, then.

Taking in the open invitation by the sign, he reached to pull the door of the building open. “Ladies first, I do believe~” Letting her slip in, he cushioned the shutting of the door behind them with his hand. Better to make less noise, possibly catch the practice while they weren’t aware of visitors. It would give him a chance to analyze their work, as one tended to be less cautious when not knowing there was an audience to entertain.

He couldn’t see any others in view inside the entrance hallway, covered in various posters and colored to be warm and welcoming, with yellow lights that lit up the room and walls colored somewhere between peach and tan. In his travelling days, Jayris had taken every opportunity for free enjoyment that he could find, and was surprised more people here didn’t do the same. Was this possibly a more closed-off town then? Maybe one where the inhabitants had more loose change ringing in their pockets?

Taking the few steps to cross the entrance, he tugged open the door to what he could only assume was the stage of the performers. Stepping into an arena-like area, he squinted in an attempt to see the front clearly. Only one or two lights were on in the room, and the shadows outweighed the lit spaces. Overall, however, the room seemed for all intensive purposes entirely empty.

Ears tilting forward to catch any sounds, he brushed a hand against Yugure’s elbow to borrow her attention. “Any idea as to where these performers you spoke of may be hiding?”

[Ryugexu]

Yugure looked around, amused by the surroundings and then confused over the empty stage-area.

"It's kind-of dark" she whispered, "maybe... we just can't see them yet?"

She took a few steps forward and carefully looked around.. "um, hello?" she softly called out.

After the echo of her voice ended, a bright center-stage light turned on, as well as some lights over the two.

It was more obvious now that there WERE objects in the main arena. There were a few black wooden chairs, a table (obviously used to tie someone down and then do the 'saw them in-half' routine), a standing coffin, as well as a large quantity of shiny black cloth large enough so it was the size of a small bed. Cards were scattered across the ground.

The sudden dark-to-light had Yugure squinting a bit, but suspiciously there were no performers, or other guests, in sight. "...I have a bad feeling about this..."

[Hawk]

The empty stage was an equally off-putting and alluring sight to the fox. He loved to perform, to have the rapt attention of a crowd, to fool them into expecting one thing only to give them another. But, this stage had an odd vibe to it, one that even Jayris could pick up. And because he could sense it when there was no water present, his divided emotions settled on off-putting.

Hearing Yugure’s mumble, he glanced down at her and shot a smile her way. No use in alarming the lady until anything had been confirmed. “Trust that you’re safe in my company, Miss Yugure.” Regardless of his words however, the strange aura of the room was making him uncomfortable, the fur of his tail bristling to mirror the feeling. It pushed him to add, “…But, I think it would be best if we return for a regular showing. It seems as if this family’s mysteries are better left unraveled.”

Placing a guiding hand on the woman’s elbow, he turned her around back towards the entrance. However, a couple pulls on the handle to the door had his smile slipping ever-so-slightly. The door that had been so easy to open on the way in seemed to be more reluctant to let them pass on their way out. A couple solid pushes with no response, and Jayris accepted the fact that they were, for all intensive purposes, trapped.

Turning around to face Yugure once again, he said, somewhere between joking and serious, “…I don’t suppose you happen to have a hidden skill with picking locks?”