It is both a blessing and a curse, to feel everything so very deeply.
- David Jones
Getting directions to the library proved a little difficult to do. Considering that every adventurer available was either too busy or way too arrogant to approach. I huffed, the strange urge to stomp my feet and flail my arms away. Why must everything be so difficult? I glanced back at the guide before giving in. It wasn't like I had anything better to do at that moment. I didn't want to stand in the streets all day long and being inside seemed much more appealing than having to be out where the sun reached. Now I had nothing personal against the sun, but dang it, it was hot! But that would probably be because of the layers of bandages and clothing I'm wearing.
"Er, excuse me, "I began, fighting the urge to fidget when the Shi glared at me, "Sorry for bothering you again. But do you have a map? Oh, and can you direct me to the library please." I asked. The Neko man/boy sighed exasperated before burrowing into the many drawers behind him. Bringing out an old-looking yellow crystal.
"This is a map crystal, to activate it put your mana or magical energy into it. A map of the area you are currently in would appear along with additional information about it. This should lead you to the library. When you have completed your first quest I expect you to return here with one silver for it."Shi said placing the crystal none too gently onto the desk and going back to the stack of documents that had piled on it. I took it carefully and gingerly. Smiling gratefully at the guide.
"Thank you, I'll get out of your hair for now."I say turning around and leaving quickly, missing the odd look I received from Shi for the "odd" idiom, after all, they had different sayings here. When I was out of sight from everyone, I pushed a little of my mana into the crystal, watching in stunned silence as it melted and dripped down my palm and onto the ground below...
You have got to be kidding me. Did I push too much mana into it? I let my arm drop glaring in mute frustration at the pile of goo that had been the crystal on the floor. I gasped, stumbling back in surprise as the gooey pile turned into crystal blades that struck the arm I had just dropped. Searing pain shot through my wrist and arm, adding to the rest. I fell to my knees, biting my lip to keep myself quiet. After a while, the pain faded to a sting in the back of my mind and I glanced down blinking stupidly at the tattoo that had suddenly appeared on my wrist. Are you f@cing me? That was what hurt like that? A bloody tattoo!? Why the bloody hell wasn't I told of this?! I glared at the intricate lace of runes and swirls in fuming anger. That guide should get another job, he clearly sucks at this. A map flickered to life above the rune tattoo. It was beautifully detailed. A dot that represented me right beside the guild appeared. Maybe it was worth it.....just a bit. The library wasn't that far from where I stood. I hummed softly as I walked through the bustling streets, the voices of thousands faded to background noise, yet ever-present. The overlying feeling of joy and excitement was not lost on me, my ears picked up the laughter of children and my lips quirked upwards unconsciously. Children were precious treasures after all. They are the beginning and the end. I remember when I myself was a child, running around as if I was on a constant sugar high. Enjoying life as I played around with the neighbor's children. Why should life always be so complicated? Why do we make it so? Is there any reason why we struggle? When all we should do is enjoy the now of every day. Not that I could say anything, sure I have my second chance, but can I really enjoy myself until I had found out who was after me and my family...but why can't I enjoy it in-between? I thought as I stilled on the doorstep of the library, not having noticed when I had arrived. I shook my head, ha, I'm getting philosophical now. I entered and blinked when I was almost run over by a burly man that looked like he was on steroids in pure obsidian armor that had silver linings at the edges of carved patterns. Instead, the wind was knocked straight out of my lungs as he collided against me, if not for the lucky fact that he had great reflexes I was sure, I would probably be on my butt. His hand, gloved in crimson leather, was wrapped tightly around my left wrist, he looked honestly like he had just swollen a particularly sour lemon.
"You must be a mage, for your reflexes and observation skills suck. "The man said and I scowled indignantly.
"And you are a sword-man with a massive stick up his ass. If you hadn't watched where you had been going then this would not have happened. What did you expect going at the speed you were walking, or more like running, you would have run into someone eventually whether it was myself or worse a person that wasn't strong enough to handle your collision strength. "I say, stepping away from him after forcefully removing my wrist. "But thank you for catching me before I had fallen. Good day." I moved away while he stared thoughtfully out at the street. Honestly, I know I'm short but couldn't he have seen me? I huffed and showed my guild tattoo to the librarian who had motioned to a sign that had shown that if you did not have a librarian card from one of the guilds or a tattoo you would be kicked out.