[center][b]Veyati - Chapter 1: Keen Interest[/b][/center]

Choosing Garude as their first destination had been incredibly lucrative. The masks and robes still put off some of the wealthy nobles, but the finery and wares their caravan had to offer were certainly nothing to be afraid of. Caslin and his crew originally had little need for coin, but it was useful enough anywhere outside of home that it was worth taking over other goods if possible. 

What a place this must be for all the citizens of Garude, Veyati thought. Their constant gossiping of what lurks in the shadows Garude can't be healthy, can it? Regardless, it is of no consequence to her. Nothing had jumped out of the shadows to attack her yet, so maybe everyone was just needlessly paranoid. But... there is so much talk of strange happenings, how can one not believe at least some of them to be true?

Veyati shoved the door open to her quarters, threw it closed, then haplessly flopped over the bed and onto her back. A long, satisfied sigh left her lips as she sunk into the mattress. The Captain certainly spared no expense for his crew. Lost in her daze, she could barely tell someone was trying to get her attention. She was far too concerned with relaxing, so the knocking on her door was tuned out almost completely. Up until someone called her name.

"Veyati."

She perked up, lifting her head to face the door. It was the captain.

"Veyati," he said again, "You said you had something to tell me. I can't hear it if you're [i]asleep[/i] already."

Veyati groaned in protest loudly enough that Caslin could hear her as she planted her hands down in the mattress and propped herself up. He was right, though, and for that she forced herself back up and to the door. It barely took two seconds before her usual energy flowed back into her. Caslin's gaudy mask was there to greet her when she swung the door open. He stood with his arms folded, silently waiting for Veyati's answer. With a flourish of her hand, the invitation was presented right in front of his face.

"I've been invited to a party!" She announced with glee.

Caslin uttered a flat "What" in disbelief. That was, strangely, the last thing he expected to hear.

"A party, Caslin," Veyati said, grabbing him and briefly shaking him by the shoulders, "A joyous event where people gather to partake in merriment and-" She was simply ecstatic.

"Yes I [i]know[/i] that," He replied, lightly brushing her hands off, "But, we've only been here a single day."

Veyati tilted her head. "So?"

"Getting some of the townspeople to speak with us was a harrowing chore today. Not... to say we barely scraped by on profits. We've done well, but... it's barely been a day since we arrived and you've already been invited to a party?"

She nodded.

Caslin put his hands on his hips and sighed. That gesture meant only one thing.

"I know it seems off to me too, but maybe this is the excitement I've been looking for?"

Caslin stared at her for a few seconds, then shrugged and waved it off. "Very well," he said. It was best not to press the issue. Veyati could take care of herself. All Caslin had seen that was sketchy about Garude was how paranoid and antsy everyone was, and it made it only made it a frustrating experience rather than an intimidating one. He gave her a short bow and a goodbye and let the door swing shut behind him, leaving Veyati to plop herself back on her bed and rest. It was a rather uneventful night, but she had a feeling the next would have more in store.

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For the duration of her previous night, Veyati failed to come across another set of citizens as bold or interactive as the siblings that offered her an invitation. They were an even odder group it seemed then, for their boisterousness and lack of fear appeared a commodity in Garude that few -if any- merited.

She did not know if a continued stay in the city would allow her safe and restful sleep in an inn or somesuch given everyone's meekness and propensity to simply turn away, but it did not matter; her ship offered a bed without pay anyways.

Even as the sun had ignited and rays shone through the clouds, Garude remained a grey disposition pierced by the occasional gleam of gold, if only fleetingly. Throughout the middle of the day, it was difficult to discern the exact time, as the periods between pure darkness melded together a single, dreary color. The clouds offered no hint of the hours that had passed.

Once more it had become dark on Garude, the swinging lanterns alight, and the gentle sounds of waves sloshing on the docks taking over cries of seagulls and commotion during the day. While most of the city stayed a blackness driven by meager lights, the upper city built along a rising mountainside seemed awash with brightness and fire. The sheer number of individuals present in that area was great enough that even at the lowest walkways of the city, Veyati could see their mass of bodies moving along stairs.

At its very peak rested a spired building laced with rope bearing lanterns along its length. The yells and squeals flying from the top and down to Veyati's position indicated that the party was well underway.

With a quick flourish of her hand, Veyati flipped out and opened the invitation to review it once more before stepping forward and, of course, have it ready to present so she could attend. The people of Garude seemed far less concerned with Veyati's garb now that a joyous event was taking all their attention. If anything, maybe it even seemed [i]proper[/i] for her to arrive dressed as she was. Of course, this may have been because nobody had time enough to pay attention to her as she rushed through the streets. The only clear image was a fluttering wake of deep blue silk, weaving a path through the crowds. She didn't plan on being any later than she already apparently was.

"I hope I haven't missed too much," she murmured to herself, closing her fingers over the now folded invitation. Up a winding flight of outdoor stairs built of wood and stone shaped rather neatly, Veyati was confronted by two men, presumably but a few guards of the party, dressed in loose and hanging clothing fitting for such a rich gathering. Their right hands rested on the pommels of their sabers, and as Veyati approached one of them extended his free hand.

"Ticket," he requested, to which Veyati complied. Scanning over the small paper under the light of a nearby lantern, the guard nodded and gestured respectfully to the door behind him. His partner opened the door for her, revealing behind it a wealth of figures and lights. Veyati gave them both a polite bow, thanked them, and then entered.

An extravagant party stood like a wall before Veyati, riddled with tables layered in white and red cloth. Waiters and waitresses weaved through the crowds gracefully, perfectly, carrying tiny morsels often speared by little wooden toothpicks. With glasses in hand, the participants chattered with one another endlessly. Not a single frowning face could be seen. To Veyati's surprise, the party-goers seemed on the same page as herself, many of them donning masks (though most were not of the same coverage as hers) or similarly flamboyant articles of clothing.

Few took notice of her arrival, and as the guards shut the gate behind her, she found herself standing in a rather empty area of the party, but a few paces from the impenetrable gathering.

It was no longer any wonder why she hadn't attracted attention-- she fit right in. While she drifted along the ground floor, her gaze swayed this way and that at every little thing that caught her attention. The dazzling outfits, the music playing, the way everything seemed to just [i]flow[/i]. It was a stark contrast to last night where everything felt so tense.Her hand fidgeted at her side, as she thought to retrieve an item or two from the waiters and waitresses but... that would mean removing her mask, in the long run. For now, it was better to wander and watch. Relax, immerse herself and enjoy the atmosphere before doing anything more.

In her solitude about the crowd, Veyati caught the occasional snippet of a conversation; nobles speaking of their family, their economic ventures, or what silly game they had recently played on the lawn of their mansion. From what she could tell, it seemed as though most of the people here did not actually take residence in the city, but rather made their domain in the hills Veyati's ship had landed upon. It made sense, in the end. The seaside city was anything but picturesque. Still, the occasional captain or wealthy businessman appeared to make it his home.

Eventually Veyati's quiet listening was interrupted by the sound of a vaguely familiar voice.

"Glad you could make it!" came a male voice over the noise around her. Veyati perked up at the sound and peered over her shoulder before making a full turn. That was the same man, wasn't it? A quick referral to her sketchbook and... yes, that was definitely him. Almost the same expression, she noticed as she held it up to compare, though perhaps a slightly different angle and some minor discrepancies. She flipped it close and returned it to a leather pouch by her side before she could be asked about it. From within the depths of the gathering, the man from last night approached her, this time dressed in clothing more suitable for an expensive party than the vagrant nightlife. He held a glass of wine in hand and gestured to Veyati with a smile and a bow, and she bowed back to him. "I don't suppose wherever you came from... hosts such a grand thing as this?" With reaching arms he gestured to the courtyard they stood within. "When did you arrive?" he asked, taking a sip of his drink.

"I arrived just recently, as a matter of fact," she told him, "I should probably have expected to meet you here, hmm?"

"I always attend these sorts of things. I may not be the most wealthy of the bunch here, but I have my connections and my debts. Say, I don't believe we got each other's names," he switched his drink to his left hand and extended the right, "I am Makul, and you?"

Veyati looked down at Makul's hand, then back up to his eyes. She seemed tentative about the gesture, to say the least. Wait. She'd seen this gesture before, right? Others had done it. All she needed to do was take his hand with hers and-- no. Definitely not. It just did not have the same connotations to her. Cultural awareness be damned, even with gloves on she refused, and it showed with how her hands just stayed fidgeting by her sides. Instead, she promptly introduced herself and... left him hanging.

"Veyati. It's a pleasure, Makul." She said, with a short nod. She contemplated explaining herself but... maybe he'd just overlook it. Hopefully he'd just overlook it.

Makul retracted his hand slowly, still leaned forward. His eyes narrowed, but he didn't overtly call her out on it. "That it is," he said with suspicion. Swiftly, though, he returned to his bright nature, choosing to ignore what was either obliviousness or ignorance. Crisis averted. Veyati was relieved.

"I'm quite interested in the mask you've got," he stated, pointing to her face with the hand that held his glass, "You were wearing it even before the party last night. Part of a religion? Or maybe..." Makul paused, looking at Veyati curiously for well over five seconds, "maybe you're a mage?" Raised a finger and attempted to explain herself, but before she could answer, another figure approached from their side, this one much shorter than the two and dressed in what clearly a robe neither of them could afford in their lifetimes. It was a young girl of pale complexion and piercing red eyes. Her very pupils seemed like they were meant to fit the fine points of a needle, appearing all the more focused.

Her long white hair fell upon a black and crimson robe that trailed along the stone floor, a single red jewel reflecting the flickers of fire in nearby lanterns upon its surface. She stepped to Veyati and Makul's side, introducing herself quite abruptly. Makul turned to greet her ecstatically, practically ruffling her entire body in the process.

"Ah, Veyati, this is Lady Auriga, daughter of Lord Cain. Lady Auriga, Veyati." Makul introduced. Auriga stared up into Veyati's mask with what looked like neutrality, but the motionlessness in her eyes indicated a deep concentration. Veyati could almost feel the girl staring right past her mask. Why was everyone so intent on seeing her face? Veyati almost thought to turn away from her, but that would just confirm suspicions. It was obvious Makul already suspected something. She didn't feel like giving him the satisfaction of uncovering anything more... but that meant calling the Lady Auriga on her bluff. She couldn't [i]really[/i] see through the mask, so Veyati stayed vigilant and simply smiled for her own benefit.

"Wonderful to meet you," she spoke, her voice eliciting the sounds of a whisper, but being loud enough to hear even in the crowd.

"A pleasure, Lady Auriga," Veyati replied amiably. No point in doing away with the happy tone. Maybe Lady Auriga was just weird.

"Veyati is..." Makul hesitated, thinking for a moment that he was right, but realizing he had yet to confirm his suspicions. He continued anyways, "...new to Garude. I met her only last night."

"Is that so? Where are you from then, Veyati?" Auriga asked.

Veyati's mouth drew a hard line. Damn it, of course she was going to pry. But then... maybe it was time to play on the whole 'Mystery and suspense' that Makul mentioned in their first meeting. She chuckled from under her mask, doing the same dramatic stance as she had before. "Why, a different sphere, of course."

Auriga's eyes narrowed, but sensing the smile behind her mask, regarded it as little more than teasing. Makul rose an eyebrow and crossed his arms, leaning back as if to gain a higher vantage with which to survey Veyati.

Auriga scoffed, her shoulders jolting upwards as she did so. "Is there something to hide, Miss Veyati?" she prodded. Makul's look of suspicion turned to one of worry as he turned his gaze down to Auriga, as if she said something rude or dangerous. Auriga continued,

"As I'm sure you have discovered in your short time here, mysterious things choke the words of the citizenry. The Sphere from which you come... is not a thing that crawls in the darkness, and thus is not something that people gossip about. I would take little interest in it if it were, but given that's not the case..." Auriga trailed off.

Veyati gave her a nod and replied, "It shouldn't matter. Whether I'm from a rainy town where everyone knows everyone, a grand city in Bulwark, or a strange sphere in the outer reaches of Aurora... what does it matter? That's not why we're here." She held her smile under the mask.

"We?" Auriga questioned. Makul stepped in.

"Veyati is accompanied by some colleagues it seems," he clarified.

"Colleagues sounds prestiguous. Are you all researchers? Cartographers? Scientists? [i]Explorers?[/i]" Auriga postulated.

"Interesting that you would mention that!" Veyati replied, rather enthusiastically, "I actually am a cartographer. Admittedly, quite new to the trade as I have little to show for my start, but... I don't just draw maps of a sphere's geography." She sounded like she wanted to gush on and on about her profession, but held off to keep from talking anyone to death.

"A brand new cartographer," Auriga smiled devilishly, "On Garude? While I do love my Sphere, I do not believe it needs anything in the way of mapping. We have covered such things quite well already. Are you from outside the Bulwark Empire?" Veyati blinked at her. Auriga was looking at her like she was fresh meat. What a [i]charming[/i] young girl.

"Yes, actually," she confirmed, "But as I said... I don't just map a sphere's geography. Even a fully explored sphere could still have secrets to be uncovered and discoveries to be made, hmm?"

"Secrets..." Auriga mumbled, practically glaring at Veyati, "I suppose so. As far as I recall, the supposition of hidden things within our Sphere have been proved right or wrong already. Treasures, old writings, [i]tombs[/i]... What is it that you specifically seek, then? I'm afraid I have little in the way of mysteries I can point you in the direction of that wouldn't fill me with guilt should you follow them," Auriga stated, placing a hand upon her collarbone as if to convey sympathy. There was a tell. Something about mentioning 'secrets' got the right attention from Auriga. Veyati didn't press forward, but she knew there was something up with this place. There was something up with Auriga. Veyati met Auriga's eyes with her own narrowed stare, but kept the smile. If Auriga could see it, Veyati almost [i]wanted[/i] her to know she was onto her. Shouldn't stare her down and make a terrible first impression, though. Veyati turned her attention and tilted her head, showing she was listening.

"Perhaps the local library may reveal something? Once again, though, like Lady Auriga I cannot say I know of any [i]locations[/i] that, as a cartographer, you may find yourself to," Makul expanded.

"I'm sure I will find something worth chronicling about my stay here," Veyati assured them.

"I'm quite sure you will," Auriga stated, "It is a strange place to some." With a heavy sigh, the girl indicated that she was to take her leave. With a curtsy to both Veyati and Makul, she said her farewells. Veyati watched her dubiously, but was satisfied enough for now with what she gleaned from just a single conversation. 'Not a thing that crawls in the darkness'. She said it with such surity. Curious...

"I must see to it that other important individuals here are caught up with, I'm afraid. I hope to see you again, Veyati. Makul." Auriga turned and disappeared into the crowd. Makul remained before Veyati with a smile.

"Might I interest you in some of the foods we have available over here?" Makul gestured to a table, "Regardless of where you come from, I can assure you they are quite delicious." Veyati sighed and shook her head. 

"I would but..." she drifted off mid sentence as her head turned downward, a tinge of disappointment in her voice. She gestured toward her face with a wave of one hand. "My mask."