Post by wulfie13 on Jul 8, 2014 15:14:22 GMT
Nabarl signed his name on the final page, and slipped the letter into its envelope.
The pen clattered to the desk, and the Laguz’s hands came to rest behind his head as he leant back in his chair. A few seconds later, and he was lost in thought.
1...2...3...
He rattled off a count, as an image slowly began to take shape. At first, it was a blank profile. Then the skin took on a tan hue, before green hair began to slowly grow out from the top of the portraits head.
15...16...17...
A pair of blue eyes, dull and lifeless came next, followed shortly by a slim nose, and slimmer lips. A pair of black shapes slowly stretched into the air behind the woman’s head.
67...68...69...
The irises of the woman’s eyes began to fade out, as did her skin’s tone. But as suddenly as they’d vanished, they returned. Now, however, her eyes glimmered, the dull blue replaced in equal measure by a sea of cyan and an azure flame. The colour returned to her face, before the lines slowly formed. Slowly, her wings bent into a more familiar form, a plum tone mingling with the black as her primaries started to take shape.
98...99...100...
Her lips stretched into a smile, before offering a hearty chuckle.
“Any ideas, kid?”
“I’m not a nestling anymore. And I’m thinking.” Nabarl heard himself say, his pitch higher and his tone uncertain.
The smile never left her face as she waited. After what seemed like hours, but was probably under a minute, Nabarl felt a tap on his shoulder. He wheeled to face her and her insufferable grin again.
“So are we gonna help them, or should we just stand around here all day and twiddle our thumbs?”
Nabarl felt his eye twitch “I’m still thinking. And who are you, anyway?”
As he waited for an answer, he heard the urgency in his voice rise as the count returned: 117...118...119
“Nice to meet ya kid. My name’s Vika.”
Nabarl opened his eyes, and looked at the letters on his desk. He’d known this day was coming. It’s why he wrote them. He just hadn’t known it was going to come so soon. His eyes wandered from the envelopes, to the small boxes on his small bookshelf. One lay open, a lone feather in the box.
It’s partner was closed, and had remained empty. Engraved on it was one word in Tellian script: Vika.
Nabarl stretched out his right wing, and his arm reached out to his primaries. He counted along the wing, until he found his central feather. He winced as he pulled it loose, and laid it in its new home.
He collected the envelopes and boxes, and took one last look at the barren room.
No traces, just like old times. He smiled at the thought, before hitting the light switch. I can’t say I’ll miss it. And it’ll all be over soon. Nabarl closed the door, and kept on walking. There’s just two more stops to make...
***
Nabarl groaned with frustration, as he left Administration. Not always seeing eye to eye with the higher ups made things awkward. Being a former probationary quester made things difficult. Retiring with no prior warning made things confrontational.
However, the priceless look the package he had left made the final arguement all worth it.
Besides, that was dealt with now, and there was just one last thing to do before he left. Nabarl headed to the portal room, as a small smile finally spread across his face.
***
Nabarl worked his way through the Underworld, and knocked on his old friends door.
The pen clattered to the desk, and the Laguz’s hands came to rest behind his head as he leant back in his chair. A few seconds later, and he was lost in thought.
1...2...3...
He rattled off a count, as an image slowly began to take shape. At first, it was a blank profile. Then the skin took on a tan hue, before green hair began to slowly grow out from the top of the portraits head.
15...16...17...
A pair of blue eyes, dull and lifeless came next, followed shortly by a slim nose, and slimmer lips. A pair of black shapes slowly stretched into the air behind the woman’s head.
67...68...69...
The irises of the woman’s eyes began to fade out, as did her skin’s tone. But as suddenly as they’d vanished, they returned. Now, however, her eyes glimmered, the dull blue replaced in equal measure by a sea of cyan and an azure flame. The colour returned to her face, before the lines slowly formed. Slowly, her wings bent into a more familiar form, a plum tone mingling with the black as her primaries started to take shape.
98...99...100...
Her lips stretched into a smile, before offering a hearty chuckle.
“Any ideas, kid?”
“I’m not a nestling anymore. And I’m thinking.” Nabarl heard himself say, his pitch higher and his tone uncertain.
The smile never left her face as she waited. After what seemed like hours, but was probably under a minute, Nabarl felt a tap on his shoulder. He wheeled to face her and her insufferable grin again.
“So are we gonna help them, or should we just stand around here all day and twiddle our thumbs?”
Nabarl felt his eye twitch “I’m still thinking. And who are you, anyway?”
As he waited for an answer, he heard the urgency in his voice rise as the count returned: 117...118...119
“Nice to meet ya kid. My name’s Vika.”
Nabarl opened his eyes, and looked at the letters on his desk. He’d known this day was coming. It’s why he wrote them. He just hadn’t known it was going to come so soon. His eyes wandered from the envelopes, to the small boxes on his small bookshelf. One lay open, a lone feather in the box.
It’s partner was closed, and had remained empty. Engraved on it was one word in Tellian script: Vika.
Nabarl stretched out his right wing, and his arm reached out to his primaries. He counted along the wing, until he found his central feather. He winced as he pulled it loose, and laid it in its new home.
He collected the envelopes and boxes, and took one last look at the barren room.
No traces, just like old times. He smiled at the thought, before hitting the light switch. I can’t say I’ll miss it. And it’ll all be over soon. Nabarl closed the door, and kept on walking. There’s just two more stops to make...
***
Nabarl groaned with frustration, as he left Administration. Not always seeing eye to eye with the higher ups made things awkward. Being a former probationary quester made things difficult. Retiring with no prior warning made things confrontational.
However, the priceless look the package he had left made the final arguement all worth it.
Besides, that was dealt with now, and there was just one last thing to do before he left. Nabarl headed to the portal room, as a small smile finally spread across his face.
***
Nabarl worked his way through the Underworld, and knocked on his old friends door.