Raindrops (Zelda Gaiden and Alchemist)

OoC: Links for Raven and Arina in my sig. Well, this the first time I ever set a Crossroads quest so fast, this was really just of the top of my head.

BiC:

The storm was ruthless. It ripped the earth with its winds and hammered it with its rain. It was merciless, the world was dark. The lightning was the only thing merciful enough to share small flashes of light to two weary travellers hurriedly making their way through the mud and darkness, searching out shelter. Raven had his cape draped over his glowing friend, exposing him to the piercing rain. The rain was saturating the air, making it heavy, making those breathing it swallow cold, thick air.

The field was open and lonely, they were the only two scampering away from the rain. The world increased in darkness around them, holding the earth to ransom from the sun. Was it daylight? Or was it night? It was impossible to tell.

It came from nowhere, a roll and crash of thunder. The lightning scarred the black sky, it was an array of warm yellow lights in the distance.

"A town!" Raven whispered, his hair falling in front of his eyes, soaked and dripping, "Come on!"

He took the girl by her hand and led her towards the lights. The town was a welcome sight, the buildings were small, but the inn offered shelter for the weary wanderers. The life in it was merry. The world seemed to change within the room. It was no longer dark and heartless, but warm, light and full of life. The world outside was still dark, yes, but the world within the inn was an absolute opposite. The lightning crashed through the sounds of the inn, but none were perturbed. Arina and Raven sat at the counter, soaking, but no one payed them heed. Raven looked through the wet hair in front of his eyes and saw another girl walk throught the door. She was soaking like they were, and she had a sword which was sheathed. The girl walked up to the counter and sat down, still no one payed attention to the three. Raven was soaked, but his wit and personality were never drowned.

"It seems you were caught too..." He said, directing his voice to the girl.

"Yes, I was..." She responded.

"I am Raven, and this young lady here," He started, gesturing to Arina, "is Arina."

Arina whispered a soft hello, she was cold and shaking. Raven's cape she held around her, soaking it further.

"My name," the girl started, "is Sakari."

The three started up a conversation, they paid the innkeeper and went towards their rooms for the night, the storm was still out there, it was as if it was seeking out those who sheltered. The conversation that was stroked up would be forgotten by the time all three closed their eyes for the night.

OoC: You're up. From the title, you thought the starting was going to be peaceful, didn't ya?

BiC- "ACK!" Sakari said as she slipped going up the stairs. She looked around and blushed. She took one last glance at the kind strangers then unlocked her door. "Wow...kinda cozy." Sakari said aloud. The room had a fireplace, two beds, even its own bathroom.

Sakari unpacked her pajamas, and went into the washroom. She took a long warm bath. She dried off and put on her PJ's. She stepped into the bedroom only to find a stranger examining her things.

"Hey! What are you doing in here? Give me that!" Sakari screeched snatching away her sword. "Well excuse me! I was just looking around, okay?" Kaid protested. "Whats your name? Why are you looking through my pack? And why are you in my room?" Sakari questioned the stranger.

"My name is Kaid Rei, I told you I was looking around, and this is actually our room now." Kaid told her. "Our room? I paid for this room! I don't even know you!" Sakari yelled. They heard a knock on the door again. Sakari flung the door open.

It was Raven, the man whom she had spoken with before. "Hi, I heard yelling and I just came to see if everything was alright..." Raven started. Sakari opend the door more so that he could see Kaid. "Oh, I didn't see him with you before...I'm Raven." He said stepping into the doorway. "Why didn't you tell me you had a boyfriend?" Raven asked.

"Because I don't. I don't even know who this creep is!" Sakari said. "I told you my name is Kaid..." Kaid started. Raven's eyes went from Kaid to Sakari in bewilderement. "Look, I was taking a bath. I came out to find him prowling through my stuff." Sakari said. "Wait...you don't know this man? Kaid isn't it? Why are you here?" Raven asked Kaid.

"I have been wandering for days, I found this little Inn. I asked for a room but the innkeeper said there was none left and that I would have to bunk with this young lady in room 12. So I said that was fine." Kaid told them. "Fine? Fine? This isn't fine for me!" Sakari yelped starting down the stairs. "Where are you going?" Kaid asked.

Sakari ignored him and walked down to the innkeepers desk. "Hi, remember me? Yeah I'm the young lady you told a total stranger he could bunk with!" Sakari tried to sound calm. "Well, miss, I'm sorry but there aren't anymore rooms left...yours also has two beds." The innkeeper explained. "...But...he's a stranger who I don't know. Your telling me to sleep in the same room with him?" Sakari retorted. "Miss, please lower your vioce. I'll give you half your money back..." the innkeeper said, but was interupted by Kaid "Look, I don't like this just as much as you. But, there aren't anymore rooms, theres a terrible storm that looks like it isn't going away for some time. Just wait until another room opens up okay?" Kaid reassured her.

Sakari let out a loud sigh. "Okay, fine. No touching things that don't belong to you though." Sakari said to Kaid. "I wouldn't anyway, I'm not a theif." He retorted, but Sakari had already went upstairs to the room.

"Well...good luck friend." Raven said to Kaid. Kaid nodded and climbed back up the stairs.

Kaid swore under his breathe “If ever there was a time for Lokian to go off on Order business and leave me stranded with this psychotic little girl.” Something about what he had said made Kaid laugh harder than he had in quite a while. He jiggled the door knob of the room and found that it was locked, sighing he retired back downstairs and sat at the small pub that was just inside the front room of the inn. The bartender slowly crawled his way over to Kaid and politely asked a question that any barkeeper would ask.

“What’ll be your poison?” He muttered through a scowl. The bartender seemed to be perpetually cleaning something at this rustic little lodging.

“Give me enough wine to fill these,” Kaid stated as he threw five small flasks onto the counter, “and two ale for me. Oh and make sure that only dregs make it into at least one of those flasks.” The bartender smiled at the amount of gold he would receive from his service. He quickly rushed away to tend to the wine and the ale, as well as his strange customer.

“What a bunch I’ve found myself for the night.” Kaid chuckled at the odd characters he had met, they all held their weapons close, and no doubt had experienced their fair share of trouble. He looked at his bow and ran his fingers over his family name, inscribed in it. “They don’t even know what they have run across.”

As the bartender brought Kaid his drinks Kaid felt a mustering in his mind, then his consciousness elevated to senses beyond perception and left him. When he returned to his drink he no longer recalled why he had said what he just had. Kaid quickly slammed back his drinks, packed the flasks and walked to the innkeeper, throwing some amount of gold at the barkeep. All he heard from the Barkeep was a gasp.

As he reached the counter where the innkeeper looked at various keys behind him he cleared his throat catching the man’s attention. “Those people, the annoying girl and the guy and the other girl with him. Here.” Kaid slid a large pouch full of gold towards him and his jaw dropped slightly. “Give them their money back.” Kaid turned quickly, his cloak flowing as he walked into the rain.

I think I’m better sleeping in this rain than with that bunch. Kaid thought to himself as he left the inn and headed for the nearest tree. Grabbing the branch he swung himself into it and found two braches that would support him and laid his head back for a night's rest.

The room was dark. Torches were out. The raindrops pattered against the window pane, making the glass frost on the inside. Raven put his hands behind his head, he couldn't sleep, there was too much noise outside. The rain coupled with the breeze whipping the trees outside created an immense amount of noise. The knight stared up at the ceiling, he closed his eyes, remembering the strange person he had met in Sakari's room.

Kaid... he thought, he seems like a nice guy.... but there's something about him.

SLAM!

Raven jumped up, startled, he looked out of the window. A large figure was making its way away from the inn. The figure looked threatening, Raven got up and looked over to Arina on the other bed. She was sleeping soundly. Raven walked out of the room softly, he made his way over to Sakari's room. There were no sounds inside.

Who would go outside in this kind of rain?

The young knight made his way downstairs, he saw the door swinging in the breeze. He walked out into the rain. The streets were coated with water and mud. He walked under a tree, at the same time, a bolt of lightning flashed, bringing a small but welcome light to the dark world.

Raven caught a familiar figure in the corner of his eye. It was up in the tree. He turned to face it. Another bolt flashed. He saw the person clearly this time.

"....Kaid?"

BiC Sakari heard a loud crash. "Ugh..." she groaned, she was still asleep. She looked over at Kaids bed. He wasn't there.

She put her overcoat on and walked downstairs. "Kaid!" she whispered. She thought he would be down here sleeping in a chair or something. Then she saw the door swinging. Oh my gosh! He left? I didn't mean for him to leave... she thought. Sakari took a step outside. "Kaid?" she yelled into the darkness of the night.

A figure turned around quickly. Lighting flashed and she saw a glimpse of Ravens face. "...Raven?" Sakari asked. "Uh...what are you doing out of bed?" Raven questioned. Another flash of lighting went by and she saw Kaid in the tree. "The qeustion is: Why are you in Kaid out here in the middle of the night? Not to mention with a storm out here!" She snapped.

"And Kaid, why are you in a tree?" she asked him. "Well, you obviously don't want me in your room!" He yelled over the rain and thunder.

"Look, I-I'm...I'm sorry okay? I was just in shock about finding a stranger in my room." She added. "It's fine." He said. "Well I'm going to let you two settle this. G'night!" Raven said walking past Sakari and up the stairs.

Sakari pulled her jacket over her head and ran over to the tree. She jumped to a branch right below Kaid. "Are...you coming back to the room?" she asked then waited for his answer.

Kaid fell backwards into the tree branches, laughing at the sincerity of the young girl next to him. Sakari glared at him as he continued to laugh, wiping tears from his eyes, and stated “What’s so damn funny?” He stopped to catch his breath from laughing too much, and then looked into the girl’s eyes.

“You take the room for yourself. You got so ticked off about it I decided to humor you. I’m more comfortable here in Nature, the trees have been my companions and nurturers for over three centuries.” Kaid broke his gaze from Sakari and lay back in the trees and turned his back on the young girl. He smiled to himself as he heard her slowly descend from the tree and run back into the inn. He was happier by himself, and since he had paid for their rooms, he didn’t feel too bad about letting them deal with each other for the night. They would all head their separate ways tomorrow morning and he would forget them and this rainy night.

Morning sprang and Kaid gracefully dropped from his treetop bed. He contemplated leaving so that he wouldn’t run into those strange people he had met, but his taste for liquor told him that he would head in for a few glasses of whiskey. He swung the door open and walked over to the bar. Pulling a coin purse from his bag he stared at the bartender, who was now a sleek bodied female, and muttered, “Two whiskeys and make it quick.” He threw the gold onto the counter and leaned his back against it, sighing deeply he closed his eyes in favor of a moment of solace.

“So here you are? You’re too good to sleep inside but not too good to get drunk?” A familiar voice sounded in front him. Kaid hesitated in responding, wondering if he ignored the young girl if she would leave. Abandoning that plan he opened his eyes and saw an unwavering glare from Sakari. “Stupid drunken idiot.” She stormed away in a fit, shaking the earth with each step. Kaid couldn’t help but laugh and call after her.

“Hey, it’s Sakari, right?” Kaid yelled after the girl. She turned and nodded, obviously still angry. Go tell the innkeeper to give you your gold back. Sakari glared at him, confused and dismayed. “Just do it, okay? And tell that Raven to ask for his too.” Kaid turned and saw his whiskey, and began to drink deeply from his draught, smiling at his little acquaintance.

Raven stretched, he yawned. The morning wasn't morning without the sun. The storm was still overhead, sending slashes of raindrops towards the ground. He looked over to Arina, she was curled up under the blanket, her wings had the blanket bulky, she had caused them to come out during the night to offer an extra layer of warmth in the dark, cold room.

He got off the bed and stretched again, and walked quietly over to the door. He opened the door and looked back on the glowing girl and sighed. At the same time, he heard footsteps coming up the stairs, heavy footsteps, stepping quickly. He opened the door a little and looked throught the crack that he had created. Sakari was outside, she approached the door, inhaled, and put up her hand to knock. Raven opened the door suddenly.

"Wha- What?!" Sakari exclaimed.

Raven looked at her, he chuckled "You wanted something?"

"Yeah..." She said, still surprised from the sudden opening of the door. "Kaid... Kaid said that you can ask for your money back from the innkeeper..."

"Is he still here?" Raven asked.

"Yes..."

Before Sakari could finish, Raven walked past her and headed downstairs.
He saw Kaid taking a swig of whiskey at the bar.

"Kaid, you paid the innkeeper for us?"

Kaid, taking another swig, responded; "Yes I did."

"Are you heading out now?"

Kaid looked outside, the storm was still very much awake after last night.

"Yes."

"Well, where are you going? Maybe if we're headed in the same direction we could travel together, how does that sound?"

BiC- "You what?!" Sakari exclaimed bounding down the stairs. Kaid and Raven turned around in surprise.

"All I did was pay the innkeeper." Kaid snapped. Sakari held in a scream. "I am not a little girl. I appreciate it, but I can pay for myself." Sakari said, digging some coins out of her pocket.

She slapped them down on the desk. “Give, Kaid here his money for me back.” Sakari said to the innkeeper, but was glaring straight at Kaid.

The innkeeper bent down and pulled 13 coins from a little drawer and handed them to Kaid.

Kaid glared back at Sakari. “I was just trying to help…” He said in a sympathetic voice, taking the coins. Sakari looked down at the floor. She heard Kaid shuffle off. He had gone over to the bar. “Gimme 3 glasses.” He said to the barkeeper.

Sakari shook her head in shame. Then she looked at Raven and smiled. “You don’t drink do you?” she asked. “Heh, no..I don’t” He said. “Good...” she said walking to the window and then staring outside blankly. She put her head against the cold smoothe glass.

A flash of lighting and a boom of thunder made her jump. She heard Kaid chuckle. She turned around lazily. "Whats so funny? Or are you just drunk and not in your right mind?" Sakari asked Kaid.

OoC- Deathly short...I know...please don't kill me.

OOC Waaay too short but I can't think of anymore for a transition so here it is but I ain't happy with it

IC
“You assume I think of you as a little girl that’s what’s so damn funny. I don’t think that, in fact I couldn’t think of you as more of a grown up.” Kaid said as he sat at the bar with his eyes closed waiting for his drinks. Sakari stared blankly at him as he reached for the glass that was set down beside him. “You’ll understand in time.” Kaid turned his head to face Raven, “You are a quite one, glad you don’t drink, it’s a nasty habit. Neither of you understand me well enough, so I suppose I have no choice.” Kaid grabbed his liquor and downed it quickly. He adjusted his equipment and flicked his hair out of his face. “The full name is Kaid Rei, you may call me Kaid, and I’ll be journeying with you two for a while”

Raven smiled slightly and Sakari’s jaw dropped, “What did you say?” Sakari was essentially yelling at the top of her lungs. “And what exactly makes you think that we’re willing to let you tag along? Or even that we’ll be going the same place?” Kaid merely smiled and blankly stated, “The Fates weave our lives in mysterious ways, and I feel that my fate is to journey with you two. Get your things, I’ll be waiting outside.”

Kaid walked out the door without another word, smiling as he went. He leaned up against the wall next to the door, standing in the rain.

"Looks like he's going with us, I'll go get Arina."

Raven jogged up the staircase leaving the fuming Sakari behind. He got into her room, and saw her picking her things up.

"How did you know we were leaving?" Raven said suddenly. Arina leaped up, startled, she turn around and stared at him.

"I... I heard you all talking downstairs."

"Okay..." Raven nodded, "come one, you can use my cape to keep off the rain."

Raven turned to walk away, but she called after him.

"Raven?" She began, "are you sure we can trust this 'Kaid' ?"

Raven nodded, he walked out of the room and down the stairs. He didn't see Sakari down there.

She must have gone to get her things... Raven thought to himself, or, she must have run away... Raven chuckled, he opened the door and saw Kaid leaning against the wall, he was looking up into the sky, seemingly enjoying the splatter of rain on his face.

Raven, not wanting to disturb him, went back inside to fetch Sakari and Arina. He got to Arina, only to see that she was still packing up some things. He walked leisurely over to Sakari's room, the door was open, he looked through, his eyes widened, her clothes, her sword, everything that she had owned... was gone.

Raven ran downstairs and burst through the front door, startling Kaid in the process.

"What the hell?!?"

Raven, his hair beginning to soak from the rain, looked up at him and panted.

"Sakari's gone."

BiC- "I will not walk around with that...that..." Sakari hissed to herself, not able to find a hard, mean word. She looked up into the dark, gray, rainy sky. Rain splatterd her face. She let out a tired sigh. All that fussing with Kaid had given her a headache.

She looked back at the inn, but couldn't seem to see it due to the rain. She thought about Raven and Arina...They seemed nice. she thought. "But..that Kaid!" she said aloud.

She saw a small, light yellow house lined with colorful, but soaking wet flowers. Her stomach growled and she remembered she hadn't eaten dinner or breakfest. Maybe I should just...go take a look. she thought, her stomach still growling. She walked over to the small house and peeked through the window.

She saw a lamp about her size standing beside a cushy looking chair. The chair held a haggard looking elf about ready to doze off. She knocked on the window. The elf showed no reaction. She knocked a little louder. This the elf jumped up and went to the window with a worried expression on her face. She saw Sakari's dripping wet clothes and hair and imidiatly ran and unlocked the door. "Come in dear! Its wet and cold out." the little elf said peeping her head outside. A big raindrop plopped right on her head and she quickly puuled herself back inside.

Finally inside all dry and warm the little elf, her name: Serinity Holling, gave her some sweet tasting soup and bread which filled her up after only the first bowl. "My dear, whats your name?" Serinity asked. "I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself. My name is Sakari." Sakari said to the elf. "A very nice name indeed!" Serinity exclaimed. "Well, thank you." Sakari beamed.

"May I ask where you come from...how you got here?" Serinity asked nicely. So Sakari told her about the storm that had been going on. About the inn and the immature boy whom she had met. "Men...they can be pigs at some times." Serinity said. Sakari nodded.

"Serinity..I'm terribly sorry, but I must be going now. I thank you greatly for your hospitality and kindness." Sakari said greatfully.

Serinity looked up at her with weary eyes. "But, dear..The storm has only gotten worse, I fear for your safety Sakari." The elf pleaded. "I thank you for that also, your a kind woman! But, I have to go." Sakari said getting up.

"Here take these at least." Serinity said handing her a basket of sweet rolls. "Take care of yourself Sakari, and may we meet again..."

Sakari turned and walked out the door. "Bye, Serinity..." She yelled back. The little elf waved in return. Sakari could see there was a forest up ahead. Good. she thought. Maybe the clustered trees could shield the rain for a while.

OOC Another short post, but I like it.

IC
Kaid glanced over at Raven and the girl behind her. He walked to the door and threw it open. “Sakari!” he bellowed. No answer, then Kaid felt Raven tap him on the shoulder and heard him mutter, “She’s not here. She must have left.” Kaid slumped against the door and hung his head down in shame. He said quietly, “This girl must really hate me. Well I suppose I know what I have to do.” Kaid reached in his bag pulled out one of the flasks of wine and swallowed it fiercely. He then pulled the other four out and threw them inside the building, watching them knock against the floor loudly. He turned to the two adventurers beside him and smiled. “We’re going hunting.” They grinned back at him and began to follow the strange elf.

He saw a few tracks in the muddy ground; they led along the road and turned sharply at a small yellow home, and led into a forest with a second pair following her. Kaid muttered curses to himself and beckoned for Arina and Raven to hurry their pursuit. Kaid began to sprint along the drenched path and turned with the prints sharply into the woods. He muttered more curses, hoping that Sakari was alright. He glanced back and saw Raven and Arina following at a distance, though it didn’t matter anymore. He had to get to Sakari before the person following her did. He muttered curses at the rain and nimbly jumped off of two tree trunks into the treetops. He could move faster this way.

Kaid saw a figure ahead of him. At last he had found the girl. He was about to swing down when he noticed the figures details. Dressed head to toe in black flowing robes and held a glinting knife in its left hand. He looked further ahead and saw another figure. “Sakari.”, he muttered. Kaid drew his sword quietly and snuck above the black figure. He dropped down and brought his sword down on its left arm. The figure dropped its knife and a blade shot out from its right arm, and found itself in Kaid’s gut. Kaid smiled and drove his sword into the man’s side and out the other. They slumped down in the grass together in a pool of blood and water. He turned to the other figure behind him and smiled as he said quietly, “No worries Sakari.” Kaid drifted into unconsciousness quietly and serenely, water still splashing against his face.