In an alley, green flames suddenly sprung to life frightening a stray cat and causing it to abandon it's meal, as it scurried out of the alley.
The flames rose up to form what seemed to be a gate allowing for Cleo to walk out without a single hair out of place. Cleo looked around herself taking in her surroundings before putting on her feathered cap and walking into the busy streets.
Her journey soon brought her to her pub which had little to no people given it was still early in the day.
Paying no heed to the gazes the men cast upon her she made her way past the counter and giving a nod to the bartender before heading to a backroom.
The backroom served as a sort of store room, as crates of wine could be seen everywhere, wooden shelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling, groaning under the weight of stacked barrels, crates, and jumbled supplies. Each shelf, a haphazard arrangement of items, showcasing the practical yet disorganized nature of the storeroom's management.. At the far end of the room a symbol was etched unto the wall.
Cleo came before the symbol in but a few steps and brought out her lighter, a small silver thing with the alchemic symbol for divinity supported by a tower. As the embers produced from the lighter made contact with the Kultrop used to draw the symbol, there was a green flash before the wall it was drawn on seemed to collapse on itself and form a door which Cleo confidently pushed open with her gloved hand.
Beyond the door was a whole other bar. Although the bar before was a generic bar, bearing many similarities to the dozen other bars in the town this one was designed with it's patrons in mind.
The bar had various alchemic potions and tools, as well as some mystic tools hanging on its wall. The air was filled with a strong scent of all sorts of alchemical herbs and of course ale. On the space above the counter where the bar owner was cleaning a glass, was a skull of creature he claimed once roamed the corrupted lands.
"Ah it is you. I was wondering who was still here."
"From your words I take it you know why the town's guard barged into my room." Cleo spoke up as she took a seat upon a barstool.
"Aye" the bar owner spoke up before filling up a glass and passing it to her, Percy stood clad in practical yet well-maintained attire befitting his role, he wore a sturdy linen shirt beneath a leather jerkin, the latter adorned with subtle embellishments, his clothes did nothing to hide his robust physique, his broad shoulders and exposed forearms spoke of a man who was no stranger to physical exertion . Cleo looked down at the glass before looking back up, at the bartender.
"Don't worry, it's on the house" he returned a look of his own, sporting a grin on his face. "Now that just makes me more worried, because the Percy I know is not one to let go of even a penny."
Percy burst out in laughter at those words, "Just treat this as a farewell". Cleo responded with a small smile before downing her drink in one gulp, "it's that bad huh?"
"It involves the crown regions"
Cleo went silent at that and the small smile on her face vanished at that point. At that moment it felt as though the very air surrounding them had gained a weight on its own and was now pressing upon them.
"Do you have any clue as to what exactly is happening?" Cleo probed for more information. "All I heard is something was stolen from there by the Scarlett church"
"Those lunatics?" Cleo quirked her brows as her frown grew even deeper. "I thought they were only interested in Nicholas and his delusions".
"So did everyone. Whatever they stole must be pretty damn important though, it's got everyone after it. From the crown regions fucks, to mages, everyone is here" Percy let out a sigh.
"Mancers"
"Huh?"
"Mancers, there haven't been any human mages since the Hermes be damned descent. There are only those arrogant drug addled fools who call themselves mages." Cleo went on a mini rant letting out a breath to calm herself.
"heh, your reaction to human mages reminds me of those stuck up Alchemists of the Tower. If not for the fact that I am certain there is no wanted poster for you I would have thought you a rouge Alchemist that left the Tower."
"A rouge huh" Cleo let out a little laugh, "so what about you, are you leaving as well? with the people of our community leaving this place your business is basically done."
"I haven't really decided, I could leave sure but I could also just wait for all the newcomers to return once all this is over. From your question, I take it you're leaving as well then."
"I was going to leave here eventually, this is just sooner than later."
The two remained silent just smiling at one another, "I hope to see you again Percy" Cleo made it to her feet and turned to leave.
"You too Cleo"
Hearing that Cleo made her way out of the bar and made her way into the streets blending with the people in the streets.
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Kultrop -
The most important element to all Alchemists. It serves as a conductor that allows for Alchemists to perform all sorts of transmutations and many other alchemic functions.