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Patron Saint Of Farewells Crew
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 Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:37 am
 The sun was high in the sky and its warmth beat down against the top of the cold looking mans head. His eyes were squinted just so, so that he may fight the glare of the glowing sun above and so that he could still see where it was he was going. It was a little past noon now and he still had much to do but he was in no rush nor was he worried about accomplishing his tasks for the day. He had just left another guardians home and even when arriving there he was already ahead of scheduel.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
The steady pace and rhythm of his footfalls had eventually become unnoticeable to him. Which is a sense was rather comical if one thought about it. Had he done this so much that he'd come to be used to it? Usually he was one to hate repetition but this honestly couldn't be helped. This was something he'd come to terms with as this was something that needed to be done just about every day. New candidates made their presence known just about every minute and Amerald meticulously made his decision of who was the best of the best just as fast if not faster. Which resulted in Verchiel doing his own research on the individual for the sake of insurance if you will. A brief sigh left his lips as he debated shedding his vest and carrying it over his arm the rest of the trip. The heat of the day was steadily rising and it was undoubtedly starting to get to him.
Eventually he decided against removing his vest. While he did still have on a white button down shirt beneath the vest, he still felt as if he would be half dressed if he were to remove his vest and that was something he refused to tolerate. After all he was paying someone a visit and he very well couldn't have himself half dressed or looking less professional. In time he came to stand outside the doors of the persons home and in silence he reminded himself of the tasks he was to preform. First, the inspection of the home to ensure it was suitable for the slumbering gift to reside in and secondly to further analyze the guardians worth.
Once all was in order he raised his right hand and gave the door three firm knocks before lowering his hand once again. In his left hand was a black brief case with unknown cargo but by the way he carried it and with how the handle and his wrist were cuffed together, it was easy to tell that whatever was in this case was very precious to him or rather very important and could not be put at risk of being stolen.
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Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:44 pm
It was all so very tiresome, in a sense. As a matter of fact it was tiresome in that very specific sense that only warm days can manage. That had been the first thought Alexandr had made for the day that morning upon waking up and the same thought that had haunted him ever since while he made his way through his usual routine.
"I wish it didn't have to be so warm..." he whined to himself as he brought one hand up to push his glasses further up his nose. His frowning face mocked him from across the reflective surface of his cup of coffee and he stuck his tongue out at it in an attempt to ease the all the frustration that was building up. He really was hopeless, bickering with his cup, wasn't he? Shoving the cup aside he pulled the book he was reading closer and stared at it for a couple minutes, unable to motivate himself enough to do anything.
He let his head fall against the pages and he took a couple of moments to savour the feel of the paper and the rich smell of the ink across the pages and almost instantly found himself smiling. He had spent his whole life in between countless stacks of books so it was only natural. But the stimuli still wasn't enough to push him into actually doing any work all the same. "That's a shame..." he mumbled to himself, stretching his hands above his head to sit straight up again. Just about the moment he was going to wallow in despair and wish for someone to save him from his misery he heard the knock on the door.
"E-eh...?" he couldn't contain his surprise. While visitors surely were not an unwelcome surprise he couldn't think of anyone that would willingly walk all the way to his house in this heat at such an hour; his parents were still at work as well as most of his friends. Plus, the knocks sounded firm and somewhat strict... almost as if they wished to scold him for something.
"Coming!" he called out to make his presence known as he attempted to get up and make his way to the door. Attempted, of course, because as soon as he made it on his feet he managed to trip over one of many piles of books that were 'neatly' scattered everywhere across the room and fall face-first on the wooden flooring with a yelp he couldn't quite contain. Quickly pulling himself back together he reached for his glasses that had made their way off his face due to the impact and wobbled over and answered the door.
"G-Good... day?" he chuckled awkwardly as he opened the door, fully aware of the image he was most likely presenting that very moment; glasses tilted to one side, auburn hair in a mess, in nothing but the plainest of everyday clothing. "May I... help you?" he couldn't recall ever seeing this young man before much less talking with him, but maybe he attended his lessons or something, Alexandr might be booksmart but often managed to miss the most important of details.
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Patron Saint Of Farewells Crew
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Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 3:05 pm
A finely shaped brow arched as Verchiel gave the man before him a one over. There was nothing crude about the glance either. He was simply collecting more information and storing them away for later use if the time came for it. Crooked glasses, tossed hair...it was a bit difficult to decipher what he just happened across. Had the man been asleep or in the middle of "entertaining" company. It seemed as if now wasn't really the right time to come in regards to the package that needed delivering but it was either now or never.
"Good day indeed. I am Verchiel Corbet and I have come to speak with Alexandr which I believe is you, concerning some important matters."
He fell silent as he usually did, his cold features giving him a very authoritative look that could easily strike fear in the hearts of children if he so wished it. Jade orbs looked to the left and then to the right to ensure that there was no one hanging about that could possibly eavesdrop on the conversation or learn of who sent him here. When he found no such individual he grew satisfied and continued on with his task.
"It would seem that some time ago you found a man named Amerald and expressed to him an interest that you had. I have been sent here to further discuss that interest but such a discussion should not be held outside. If you don't mind, I think it best if we continue this inside."
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Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 12:55 pm
Alexandr's one honest wish at that point in time was that he didn't happen to scare the poor man with his appearance -and, if not scared, he hoped he didn't establish a very wrong first impression either way. Of course the man didn't seem like the type to take an early shine to anyone in particular if it came down to that. Scratching the back of his neck with the hand that didn't still rest on the doorknob he tried to shake off the uneasy feeling that had began to build up in his bowels.
"Y-Yes that's me." he chuckled awkwardly once his name came up and yet he couldn't help but frown as the next phrase was spoken. "I-Important?" the word escaped his lips without him being able to hold it back. Usually, when people came to visit in such a formal fashion and claimed to want to speak about something important, then that 'important' was almost always no good at all. So, what could have happened? Did he do something? Did any of his students cause trouble? Or, quite possibly... had something happened to his family or close friends? He had to fight his urge to assume the worst possible scenario and panic. After all the man didn't really look the part of someone bearing such ill news; those people usually had those annoying fake smiles plastered all over their faces -as if that would make you feel any better at all.
Thankfully, the man, Cornet- 'Corbet' -he made haste to correct himself in his mind- cleared his doubt when he moved to explain that he came from Amerald. Sasha smiled; his memory of the man was a kind and gentle one.
"Eh? Of course! Please forgive me, silly me..." he made haste to open the door properly and step aside as soon as Verchiel proposed that it would be to their better interest should they have their chat inside. He quickly glanced backwards at his hallway and kitchen visible in the back as well as his living room to the left. Just about every surface was full of various trinkets and countless stacks of books, notebooks crammed with notes, maps... all required to him in order to work but that didn't help with the image his home presented in the least. The books that he had previously tripped over were still littering the floor behind him.
"Ah~ please forgive the mess, tools of the trade, you know... It's not always like this, just... I live alone and-" no matter what he'd say he really didn't have a good excuse for not tidying up, did he? He could always claim it was because of the heat but who would listen to such an excuse? "Please, have a seat." he made a small motion towards the living room where both of his couches resided in silence, for the most part untouched since he preferred the kitchen and his bedroom to it, regardless. "Would you like to have something to drink? The heat is insufferable, after all." he trailed off with a small shrug.
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Patron Saint Of Farewells Crew
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 1:25 pm
Verchiels cold and calculating expression never changed as he entered the mans abode. If anything he simply looked around with an ever watchful eye, inspecting everything before him. Sure he wasn't too thrilled about how untidy the place was but at least the cause was strewn about books. It could have always been something worse like trash or illegal paraphernalia. So he would let the 'mess' slide just this once and keep his comments about it to himself. As directed, he moved to the living area where two couches rested and gratefully took a seat. The mention of a drink brought him to consider it before shaking his head no.
"I thank you for the kind gesture but no. I'll not be here long and I wouldn't want to trouble you with something as trivial as my comfort. Now, shall we begin?"
It was clear that Verchiel didn't want to waste any more time that he had to. Obviously he was a very busy man with possibly more people to see or other business that needed to be attended to. Shifting, he set the briefcase in his lap to alleviate some of the strain that was forming on his wrist.
"When Amerald told me of his meeting with you and that he chose you to serve as a guardian, I as I have done with all guardians did a bit of background research. While there is something that doesn't really shine in your favor, over all I am pleased to say that you are fully capable of being a guardian. Now all there is left is to answer any questions you may have and to collect that DNA that will be used to bind you to your new ward."
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 8:48 am
Alexandr watched Verchiel out of the corner of his eye, as he was used to do with his students that seemed to always be able to find a way to misbehave when he needed it less. He took a seat across Verchiel, not wanting to sit too far -in case he would look disrespectful- nor too close -Verchiel found a way to unnerve him like that and he wasn't entirely sure it would be a good idea.
"Ah, I see how it is... although it really is no trouble-" he stopped himself not to drag on for irrelevant matters, as it would seem. "Sure thing, let's start." he forced a small smile on his lips and underlined it with a nod of the head -and another mechanical motion of pushing his glasses up his nose. Verchiel seemed to have done the research already so there was nothing Alexandr really had to fill him in with. Of course, his background wasn't that large or exciting at all to begin with. He had to admit he did only know too little about how the whole process worked, there were questions he would need to ask even though he would rather stay silent and simply listen to the man speak instead. He took a moment to think about what he wanted to ask not to force any stupid or obvious questions on the other; he didn't seem to have time for that.
"What Amerald does... I do find it fascinating, quite fascinating indeed. But the life he creates, is it in any way imperfect- no, that's not what I mean." he shook his head and paused to find the correct words to use to phrase his very first question. Had he already tripped himself over? He wasn't worried about the Hraapea being in any way less able than humans, it was simply that he didn't really know much about them at all. "Do they, like, have special needs? I know only so little and I'd hate not to be able to provide for the little one properly." after being chosen, no, approved as a guardian he shouldn't be still having doubts, yet there he was, going in circles in his mind. "Also, I'm rather curious about how the DNA sample is going to be used... of course you really don't have to answer the last question. It's simple academic interest." he frowned a little at his own idiocy wondering if he was making a fool of himself already.
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Patron Saint Of Farewells Crew
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 1:18 pm
"Thus far, none of the Hraapea have shown that they have special needs. They are in fact like your average child. They can speak, hear, see, and do almost everything a human being can do. But of course, you must teach this new child the ways of life, otherwise they could possibly be stunted socially and mentally, never learning the truth. That would never be good. Time will only tell if special needs will come into play as they grow just as with most living beings as far as health goes."
He fell silent once more wondering if he should tell Alexandr about how the DNA would be used but why tell him when it would be so much easier to show him? Making up his mind, he came to the conclusion that he would just show him and he stood bending over slightly to place the briefcase cuffed to his wrist on the coffee table. From the pocket of his vest, he removed a small silver key and unlocked the cuff that was attached to both the briefcases handle and his wrist. There were a few series of clicks before finally the briefcase was open revealing a black feather so long it looked as if it threatened to curl into itself resting on a green satin pillow. Beside it was a vial of orange liquid and a needle.
“Before you is a feather that comes from the Pin-Tailed Whydah and the gender will remain unknown until it is able to awaken.”
As he spoke, he removed the vial and the needle from the brief case and then removed the cork that prevented the orange liquid from spilling out of the vial. In a single and fluid motion he turned to Alexandr, moved over to him, grabbed his wrist and pulled it closer only to soon after p***k his index finger with the needle and allow two droplets of blood to fall within the vial. Within a matter of seconds that liquid turned neon green and began to glow. Without a single word he removed a syringe from his vest pocket, collected the liquid with it and then injected it into the feather.
Once the task was complete, he removed the pillow from the briefcase and set it on the couch directly next to where he had been sitting before placing the syringe, needle and now empty vial inside the briefcase and closing it.
"As you observed, that is how the collection of DNA occurs and how it is used. Nothing else is done unless there is some project going on between Amerald and the guardian. How long it will take for the feather to awaken is unknown as the time varies from feather to feather. You may allow the feather to stay where it is until it awakens if you so wish it, but I suggest placing it on a larger and softer surface like a bed."
He fell silent once more but it was only brief for after he placed a contact card on the coffee table, he gathered his briefcase and stood straight to his full height.
"If you find yourself with anymore questions or concerns you are free to contact me. Until then, Adieu."
Verchiel wasted no time. He quickly left the living area and was out of the door.
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Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 5:41 am
Alexandr nodded to show he was understanding what Verchiel was telling him even though he still had a lot of questions to make about every other word spoken. At least, the confirmation that Hraapea were just like normal children was somewhat of a relief. He was used to dealing with children of mostly any age and he did love every second of it; of course he had never had to deal with the actual process of bringing up a child himself all the same. Maybe he should consult a relevant book or ask some friendly couple to enlighten him further. "I think that is quite alright, then." he smiled, unable to hide just how grateful he was that the answer didn't lead to any complex situations. "I will try my best to be a good parent... then again that's a very subjective statement to make, is it not?"
He fell silent, watching Verchiel unlock the suitcase. Whatever its contains might be they sure looked very important, very... valuable, to be guarded in such a manner. And sure enough there was a single feather that was long and elegant in appearance, simple yet majestic in its pure black luster coloration. No matter how hard he thought, however, he was unable to remember what species sported such feathers out of the top of his head. He inspected the liquid and needle and figured they had to have something to do with the DNA sampling and mentally shrugged. It was a fairly simple procedure so far, it would seem. His wondering about the feather would also be quickly answered by Verchiel who explained that the feather came from a Pin-tailed Whydah. While its gender remained unknown for the time being, Alexandr was able to recall that only the mature males of the species would sport the long, impressive tail, therefor, the feather must have came from one such. "It sure is beautiful, though..." he mumbled, although he was mostly talking to himself rather than Verchiel.
Lost in his thoughts as he was, Alexandr almost jumped when he was approached, his hand 'arrested' in order for the blood sample to be obtained. The whole deal was over before Alexandr even had a chance to realize it, the droplets of blood drastically changing the color of the liquid in the small vial which was in turn injected into the feather.
"I see..." he trailed off while studying the feather now sitting on its pillow on his couch. It seemed so out of place there that Alexandr decided that it would have to go to the spare bedroom upstairs once he cleaned it, even before Verchiel suggested that it was best if he moved it elsewhere, somewhere more... comfortable. "So, because of the DNA, it's almost like the guardian is its biological parent." and again it was more of a realization rather than a question. "I shall prepare a room for it." he confirmed for Verchiel not to worry -even though he didn't seem like the type to worry-.
Alexandr stood up, as in mimicking Verchiel in order to see him off. "I will do so." he said making a small bow of the head, not knowing what else would be appropriate. "Thank you for your assistance." he finished as he saw him to the door.
He remained almost frozen in the doorway as he watched Verchiel exit his line of sight and found himself sighing softly as he returned to the quite stillness of his home. He wondered what he should do now, maybe some cleaning was in order, after all he did manage to trip himself over his books earlier and the spare bedroom wouldn't empty itself either. "It seems like your work ends here, dear mister Corn-" he paused himself and sighed at the silly mistake he kept repeating "-bet. But it would seem mine is just beginning." he mused as he closed the door behind him and made his way upstairs to start from somewhere.
He still had a long way to go.
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