The Brink (Open)

[Kane]

Clear skies and a cool wind, the sound of laughing children and the smell of fresh baked bread, it betrayed the sense of turmoil simmering within Kane. He had promised one more day of service before he would set off east towards his parents' home. He figured he could handle the job today, and perhaps on the outside, it actually appeared as if he could. He got a reassuring pat on the shoulder from the passing guards in the southern gate of town, some of them giving their condolences. He made his best effort to stay strong during this time, which is all anyone could have ever asked of him, really. Doubtedly that even, nobody was expected to remain iron-willed during a family death. Kane didn't pity himself - more his father, who had gotten sick. Kane wanted nothing more than to leave, pay his respects, and then go back home where he can work and honor his father while doing so. There is no shame in death, he was told. Maybe not. By illness, though? That was a thought worth contemplating on.

To think the man died at the age of 59. He could've pushed further, Kane knew his father could. He chased off an assassin after being stabbed in the back, the strike that crippled the bottom half of his body. Wonder what the holy books would've said about this - about how full of misfortune his life seemingly was. Dare say it was deserved, pfft, he doubted it.

Kane was presently stationed by the south gate, back against the side of the arch facing inward. Across from him was a guard talking to a woman - probably a friend of his. He'd hate to be the man to tell her to leave Private Dallas alone while he was on duty. He only had an hour left anyways, and it was almost midday. Fortunately, he didn't have to. The captain made his round around the town and caught Dallas with his own two eyes and barked at him to stop fraternizing and get back to work. Kane simply averted his eyes to prevent any further discomfort during the chastization. A couple minutes later, Captain Barley finally made his departure, leaving behind the sighing private.

"He's right, you know." Kane called out to him, his face blank though trying to convey an expression of sympathy. "We have to retain formality while we're working. Stand dignified, don't let him get to you."

"Easy for you to say," shot back Dallas, "you're the machine here."

Those words stung Kane, almost to the core. It didn't show on his face, but it made him feel a little bad about dealing with everything in stride as he was; or at least appearing that way. He simply nodded in a "very well" sort of fashion and apologized before he resumed his duties... which was, more or less, simply standing here watching the gate while also providing directions for citizens or filing a lost item or pet here and there. Though often enough, they'll generally just be standing there bored most of the time with the hands at their sides, usually passing the time by talking to one another - unfortunately, this situation made it more than a little awkward to be talking to him. A bit of time has passed and he felt his legs begin to grow weary. He tried to ease the load by at least a little bit by adjusting his footing as he rested his hand on top of the pummel of his sword. "Hey."

Kane lifted his head up at the sound of someone talking to him; it was Dallas, who was across the road at the other end of the arch. It was about that time where he went of shift, wasn't it?

"I didn't want to leave without saying sorry about earlier. It was uncalled for."

Kane just nodded and looked down. Dallas was still stood where he was, "I'm sorry for your loss."

His apology prompted Kane to raise his head and look at him as he waved goodbye and left. It was strange - Dallas was always one of the brashest of the new guys that came in, didn't listen very well, full of bravado. They weren't the kind that got along too well, but it was strange how death had a habit of bringing people together. It brought some light, and may have well shown that he was actually respected by him, even if only to a minor extent. It was touching. He had barely noticed the tugging at his pant legs. Looking down, he saw a young little girl, barley even seven probably, dressed up in a little gown and hat with tiny boots.

"Excuse me mista'," piped up her little voice, "ah' you a guard?" The little girl could hardly pronounce her R's.

"Yes." Kane replied curiously.

"Mama said if I need help I should ask a guard. Is that true?"

"That's right."

The girl simply stuck her left foot forward and looked back up at him. "Could you tie my shoe?"

A small smile stretched across his face unexpectedly, unable to be helped. Kane kneeled down to tighten the girls shoe and tying it twice into a bow before the girl ran off with a smile yelling a big "thanks" behind her. Kane found himself smiling again as he stood back up and stood against the wall. When one of his actual friends among the barracks came across the corner to take Dallas' place, he looked at Kane inquisitively and laughed. "You're smiling Kane, is something wrong?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."

[Garrett]

It was a cool day with a nice wind, skies clear and the sun pouring down upon them. It filled the world with a sort of light you just didn't get on days where it was cloudy, the downside was that there was no clouds in the sky. It was always nice to see a nice fluffy white cloud lazily drifting in the heavens above. The world was bustling, and this town was just as busy as anywhere else in the world. Yes, this town with its children running happily in the streets and the bakers baking bread the cobblers cobbling shoes and the merchant hawking their wares. It seemed like everything led him to believe this was just another town, generic and quaint, but there was something about it that excited him. Quaint was a breath of fresh air, and even if it was just like every other town it still wasn't. It was unique in it's own way, the people here and the things they did were different from the last town over. Even if it looked the same on the surface, Garrett knew that no two things were truly the same. Yes, it was this unique and pleasant little burg that Garrett's travels have found him.

The only issue was he was stuck here.

It was... embarrassing to admit. Garrett had a lot of... problems. He had a hard time traveling, and an even harder time traveling alone. He came with the rest of his guild, but they left the town without him and he found his self stranded here. He passed out and was asleep when they all left, unaware of what he was missing while he snored soundly. This particular mission was without any of the people he had come to know either, so there wasn't anyone objecting to turn back and come and get him. It was his fault really, in his weakness he caused problems for other people again. What a surprise. That was a week ago now, and he had been staying at the inn and helping out around town with his staff to foot the bill. There was only so many bruises and cuts and stubbed toes that he could heal before he ran out of people that he could help, and he was quickly running low. Yes, this was a quaint and pleasant town, and like all quaint towns there wasn't a lot of trouble.

Still, he enjoyed it for the most part. An easy smile on his pale face. The people here were kind enough, and he didn't cause any problems. He might as well enjoy the day at least, right? That was his reasoning when he left his room, his hands clutched his chest as a chilled wind blew past. Shivering slightly as a cold tingling went down his spine.

[Garrett]

A stroke of luck would have it that he wasn't stranded in this town forevermore as he initially feared. The same group that he traveled with to get here eventually made it's way back through town on the way back to Arcadia to deliver the new of their expedition. They were surprised to see that Garrett was still in town, waiting. Actually many of them found it kind of funny, while a few others felt pity on the cleric. They had a few injured folk accompanying them as well, so they were more then willing to slow down a little to let the cleric tag along in trade for his healing abilities and taking care of their wounded.

While the boy wasn't great at traveling, he had a natural talent for healing, beyond the simple staff work as well. He took care of the men and women who were hurt like a doting parent would, or at least an attentive priest. Perhaps he was over compensating for his other shortcomings by being the absolute best in the one field he could be in, or perhaps he was just the kind of person that worried a bit too much. Whatever the reason, they were happy to have him along this time. Even feeling a bit guilty over leaving him in the first place.

There was a story in this town to be told, to be sure, but it wouldn't be Garrett's story.