[color=bc8dbf][h3][b]Alrune Ihadugram Al-Zardun Dimekshia nu Karzanoon[/b][/h3][/color] The young boy nodded to the beat of the music that was emanating from him, making snapping noises with one hand, while visualizing he was playing on a keyboard with the other. The stroll down the main street leading to the library was far more trafficated than the one he just left. His specially enchanted magical guitar was flung over his back just in case he had to make an improvised performance with stunning visuals. They were stunning right? At least he hoped so. Ofcourse his guitar and powers did bring a specific kind of feel to his performances, but they could be dangerous if used recklessly and he didn't want to hurt anyone. Especially not someone who was a fan of his songs or was there to have a great time. Speaking of great time, there was few things better than walking around in the fresh air, enjoying life and having a beat in your soul and heart both. It was then the harmony was disrupted by a signal. Something rang. [color=bc8dbf][b]"Hmm? Oh no.."[/b][/color] Al reached for his phone and the display was showing him what he feared. It was his manager. Then again what did he expect, that was the only person who had his number, aside from the other members of the band. The young boy took a deep breath as the music died down completely and he pressed the green button on the phone. [color=bc8dbf][b]"This is Al."[/b][/color] He said in a tired manner, it wasn't like he hated his manager or was ungrateful for the help he had gotten in getting some fame underground. It was just that he needed some time alone to enjoy his life. The rough voice, followed by a deep blowing sound into the phone was what greeted the boy when he listened. His manager was prone to drinking and making use of his cigars, typically blowing the smoke carelessly in front of him no matter who happened to be there. In this case it was the phone. [b]"Great news kid. I've kicked out Dogge... Duggo whatever his name was and replaced him with a new guy. Best of all the guy is cheap and down on his luck. Good thing I am around to save the day eh? People really need to appreciate the hardships I go through to get things working smoothly."[/b] The old man said with a grunt as he blew some more smoke into the phone he held. [color=bc8dbf][b]"But.. he was a good person. He just needed more time to learn how to use the-"[/b][/color] Al replied in a disheartened manner. [b]"He was trash! Complete and utter waste of space. In this buisness only the strong ones make it. You want to go living on the streets eh? Are you disatisfied with the effort and sacrifices I have made to help you? Eh?"[/b] The balding man asked in an annoyed manner. Al could almost feel the snarl and visualize the expression of the man. [color=bc8dbf][b]"I am grateful for your help, I am- I just think-"[/b][/color] Once again his manager broke him off in the middle of a sentence. [b]"That's the problem, kiddo. You think too much. Leave the thinking to the guy who saves everyones day. Me."[/b] The grown man said in a satisfied tone, the small chuckle that followed clearly indicated that he was fully convinced what he just spoke was facts. [color=bc8dbf][b]"Okay.."[/b][/color] Al said in a bored manner. His manager had completely killed off his good mood, and what he wanted now was nothing more than to end the call. [b]"One last thing kid. I know you've been strolling about the marketplace today. Keep yourself out of that part of town. You don't want to be around there at day, especially not at night. Bad things happen there. Wouldn't want to encounter the wrong kind of people. Good thing you have me to watch over you eh? Later kid."[/b] The manager gave a last blowing of his cigar into the phone before he hung up before Al could even reply. [color=bc8dbf][i]'Just because I'm young, doesn't mean I'm stupid.'[/i][/color] Al began walking again as soon as he had put his phone back into his pocket. It was true that he owed alot to that man, but he sometimes felt as if the man was seeing him as nothing more than a way to make money. Perhaps they were all viewed as that to him? The boy knew that he was also in need of money himself, so he could gather enough to help out his family and get a place of his own in the city and perhaps afford to join one of the schools. Many of his fans had recommended he should join the school of Mephisto, but how would one even apply? Perhaps only by finding one of their recruiters. St Laurels and Clausewitz were two other options, although he felt that Clausewitz was far too militaristic for his liking and St Laurels were likely having too high a bar needed in order to join. Lastly there were Kiburi's, which was even more restricted. It also didn't seem like the place which Al would like at all. A place where the strong gather and seem to believe in the rule of the strongest. Picking on those weaker than themselves, how was that a sign of being strong? Just a place of bullies and people who viewed themselves greater than everyone else. Perhaps he was being judgemental himself. But at least he was honest, this was what he knew of the schools and he would keep believing it until someone would change his mind. It was Saint Laurel who first made it so that arguments could be settled in legal arena fights, to avoid the nation to fall into disorder or lose it's appeal. After all, as far as most people were concerned, Rhea was the symbol of achievement and a good life. The other nations were trying to catch up, or were too occupied in going in the other direction. As the boy pondered on the history of Rhea, he passed by many shops and windows, when a display in one window caught his attention. He wasn't alone in stopping to look, a gathering of ten or so people were watching a large monitor behind a glass window to a tech store. There were speakers outside of the building however, to allow the people passing by to hear the quality offered by the brand new speakers but also view the local news and music programs. Not to mention the commercials. But what was being displayed at the time was something that made the boy frown and his face turned grim to what he was seeing. The screen showed a military parade in Vauquelin. [hider=Theme] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnaXbEdVUro [/hider] A large force of military clad men and women marsching down a large open square with various weaponry being displayed aswell. And atop on a balcony of the administative building stood several figures, the one in the middle he could recognize. [color=bc8dbf][i]'The emperor of Vauquelin... just another tyrant who may someday put the world on fire. Just like those warlords of my home. Why can't people just be happy with what they have? Why can't they just enjoy life? Why must they always want more? Izumo has an emperor too. What makes people want that kind of power and responsibility to begin with? Do they really hate the world that much? There's so much beauty here but none of them can ever see it, or is it because they have chosen not to? What would I know. I am still a kid. Well until my birthday which is soon. Transition to an adult just like that. I wonder how that will feel like...'[/i][/color] Alrune allowed his head to fall as he turned around to continue along his way, leaving the other people still standing there watching the scenes playing out before them. The boy decided this was a good time to start whistling, that usually was a good start to get into a better mood. Also it could even evolve into a new song later along the way. [color=bc8dbf][i]'I wonder if that Shal-Akkun used to do things like this back when he was alive?'[/i][/color] He pondered for a moment then smiled. [color=bc8dbf][b]"Probably not!"[/b][/color] He said aloud and began to balance walk along the different elevated walkway leading to the Rhean library.