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Post by Xentus on Aug 17, 2020 4:01:02 GMT -6
Current Quest;
> Xentus, accompanied by...
Between frantic babbling of the brothers and his musings of the papers the offered, he was already rather sold on helping these two out. The man examined the flier, turning it over to peruse the information it displayed. A lost shipment of books.. Who cared much for commercially sold script that they would go so far as to steal an entire shipment of them? Already something didn't seem quite right here.. There were a couple possibilities at play here. One was that the Bukkukipa twins were being sabotaged. Another was that the shipment contained something more valuable than the twins were saying.. Or it could be both. Unfortunately, Xentus knew nobody that matched the description they gave. Though whoever it was seemed like an awfully eccentric person.
And so he set off to the port. Now was as good a time as any to bring Mizura along. That pond she had must have been getting stale for her.. The open waters of Loch Glanda-Lynn, were waiting.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 17, 2020 4:15:51 GMT -6
Admittedly, the leopard knew little in terms of making his way around the port. He didn't frequent this area. Much too busy, much too far removed from the natural beauty of the land. The ships and piers and warehouses and the ilk were not much of his tastes. The beach was nice, if one could ignore the shore-line warning horn, dings of the buoys, and ruckus from those handling their water-dwelling beasts. It wasn't the place to take a leisurely stroll. No, if you were here, you had a purpose here. And most of the time, he had no purpose in such a place. Today was a different story.
Xentus arrived to the less busy beach side of the lake later in the day. The sun was partially covered by large fluffy clouds, providing some shade from the summer heat. Mizura crept slowly after her master, lead by a heavy metal chain.
"What do you think, Miz? Where shall we begin?"
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Post by Xentus on Aug 17, 2020 4:54:10 GMT -6
The wiurn offered no answer to his question. Her head looked toward the lapping waves, longingly. While the winged lizard was perfectly capable of staying on land without issue, her preference was to fly through the water. He couldn't blame her, she was literally made for it. The man hummed to himself, then decided to let her freely explore the lake waters. She wasn't the most tamed wiurn, but she was friendly enough with him that he could have her off the lead (or chain). At least while they were on the beach. Once they reached the dry dock, she'd either need to come out of the water or stay tethered to a post.
A look of appreciation seemed to sparkle in her eyes as the metal chain was released.
"Follow along, alright?", he warily asked of her, but the large beast was already sauntering off to the water's edge.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 17, 2020 5:05:05 GMT -6
Well, he could ask some of the beach goers if they'd seen a suspicious man with a shipment of books around here recently. This would be much easier without the winged beast looming just behind him. Wiurns were intimidating, Mizura exceptionally so. Her head plate markings mimicked the glare of a pliathor, and those elongated spines made her seem even bigger than she really was. She would be a better help in the water, for now.
The leopard stalked along the edge of the breaking waves, keeping an eye on the raised spines of the wiurn in the water. Now, who to interrogate? Someone who looked like they were here often.. Perusing the various people as he walked along, he noticed one in particular who seemed to stand out. A man fishing. Most others were training creatures in the water or hauling around goods, but this man.. Choose to fish here instead of the river? Perhaps he was on to something nobody else knew.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 17, 2020 5:14:21 GMT -6
"Pardon, sir", Xentus spoke up as he approached the man, eyes drifting between his rod and their face. Their expression was grizzled, obviously one that did not like being bothered.
"I got a boat, I got a permit for 'et, I ain't not where I belong", the man retorted, barely offering a return glance at the leopard. Xentus blinked at first, taken aback for a moment, but quickly enough assessed that he wasn't the first one to harass this man in recent times.
"Oh, no, this one does not wish to interrupt your business here. He only seeks to find a man, perhaps he has passed by?", he assured as quickly as he could, "Ah, and take care, there is a wiurn passing in the waters."
Mizura's dorsal half poked above the waterline, looking more like a very small, strange pliathor than a wiurn. The fisherman's grizzled look turned to one of confusion, looking between the mammalian and the shape in the water as he reeled in his line.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 17, 2020 5:48:09 GMT -6
"Eh sorry lad. Only 'uns I seen here were fellers like you and ther 'pets'", the man started, taking this time to adjust his hook and line, "Them by th' cork board up on the planks usually keep an eye on commers and goers. Usually the orrer'seer's too busy, but 'es underlin's roam 'round harassin' folk. Thought yer're 'un of 'em."
He passed a discerning look at Xentus, as if to question why he was still there. The mammalian offered him an appreciative nod then spoke, "Not quite But, this is much appreciated, sir. Best of luck with the fish."
So, now he had a bit of a heading. And from the sound of it, he was bound to find someone who knew something, or someone would be finding him. Either happening suited him fine. With that, he was on his way. Mizura kept pace as the leopard continued along the beach, heading toward the wooden stairs of the dry dock.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 17, 2020 6:01:11 GMT -6
Now he would need to make a decision: leave Mizura chained to a post, have her somehow follow along in the water, or bring her up the dock. From what it sounded like, plenty of people came through here with some creature or another. But a wiurn was likely not a common sight. Creatures of the air and cliffs, the shore and its waters weren't usually for them. Mizura was one of a few special cases, he was sure. A pause in steps, then a grumble. Strange glances be damned, she was coming with him.
"Mizura! Come, come!", he called out to the striped brown form in the water. It took her a moment, but the beast came lumbering out, dragging her wings heavily in the sand. She had a sullen look on her face, unhappy to have been summoned from her leisurely swim.
"Don't be like that Mi-"
And a burst of water splashed onto the leopard's face, interrupting his words.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 17, 2020 18:57:19 GMT -6
A clawed hand came up to wipe away the water, a displeased look shot at the wiurn. She stared back hard, with all 8 apparent eyes. Wordlessly, the man simply strode forward and re-chained the mischievous lizard, much to her grumbling protest. She might not have been as stubborn as Nazura, but she certainly knew how to express herself when she was feeling defiant.
Lumbering beast in tow, the pair headed up the dock, searching for anyone that might look attentive to the on-goings. Most of this area seemed to still be for people and their 'pets'. The piers led off into the deeper waters of the lake, prime habitat for massive pliathors. Somehow, he had a sneaking feeling he wasn't going to find the mysterious man near here.. Right, look for the cork board. The leopard walked slowly, taking his time to look around at the different visitors. He got a couple of odd stares in return, more for the wiurn trailing after him than anything, but it bothered him none.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 17, 2020 19:15:13 GMT -6
It wasn't too long until the leopard found the notice board. Nobody was hovering around it, and it seemed like it had been better days. Still curiosity drove him. He walked up, peering through the dirty glass to read the notes within. Something about water aligned creatures being allowed.. Salt water tablets? A quick glance at the ground confirmed the bucket of tablets available for those who needed them. What else.. Care for creatures drowning.. And a list of various acceptable species to take up lessons at the shoreline. There were some other smaller notices about specific creatures, dock etiquette..
Xentus was rather absorbed in his perusing, when a voice called out and snapped his attention away.
"Hey there! Lookin' to register that one?", they called out. The leopard's eyes turned to look at a young man who seemed to be a life guard of sorts. Their skin was darkened from countless hours in the sun, a whistle strapped around their neck. Perhaps someone who kept an eye out.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 17, 2020 19:31:57 GMT -6
Xentus took a moment to consider the man's question. Even though he wasn't, it would've been nice to have squared away for the future.
"Ah, no.. Though, this one wouldn't mind registering her at some point", he started, shaking his head slightly, "Actually, he is looking for someone - a thief."
A surprised look and raised brow crossed the lifeguard's face. Certainly not the answer he was expecting. "A thief? Er, well I haven't seen anyone pass by through here recently except the regulars.."
The leopard took to explaining the situation. A theft not of his own belongings, but for the twins. Their books, and a brief description of the shady suspect. But the attendant's response was to frown.
"Unfortunately, I don't see much of what happens with trade goods - that's on the trade district.. I think I heard some fuss about a shipment mix up a couple days ago."
This was useful information, to some extent. Could be related to his current case, he figured.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 17, 2020 19:43:07 GMT -6
"Appreciated", the leopard replied, flashing a toothy smile, "Well, while he has your attention, Xentus would not mind registering his company here."
Might as well let the man do his job now and not worry about it later. He didn't exactly feel too pressed to chase after the thief as quickly as possible. How fast could a single person move with a whole shipment of books anyway? He had time to spare, he figured. The lifeguard took his information, asking a few questions about Mizura. The wiurn loomed over her master's shoulder, head slowly drifting from person to person.
"Take care 'round the dock. She looks like a skittish one", the man advised, taking notice of the wiurn's movements. He took a moment to jot down a note, then waved the leopard off as good to go.
"Duly noted. And many thanks for your help." Xentus gave a slight head bow and was on his way again. To the trade district.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 17, 2020 19:52:51 GMT -6
The scenery shifted from beaches and wooden planks to the man-made land of concrete along the shore. The boats grew larger in size, as did the buildings, and the presence of people accompanied by beasts declined. Those walking around all seemed like they had something to do, whether it was writing shipment ledgers or hauling crates and barrels from ship to shore or vice-versa. None of which that he saw looked like a particularly shady person doing shady things.
Honestly, he was starting to be at a loss of who he might look for. The mammalian toted the wiurn along, walking slowly as he observed the happenings. It didn't take him long to discern the trade ships from the fishing boats, which was a step in the right direction. An idea sparked in his mind. Perhaps that flier had more information than he thought.. He pulled out the pocketed paper, turning it over to search for potential shipment information..
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Post by Xentus on Aug 18, 2020 1:24:51 GMT -6
'Crowley Maritime - SS Dragonore' - this was supposedly the transit company and their ship. Honestly, he felt stupid to have glossed over that information to begin with. But, with the twins in an uproar about the suspicious man in particular, he felt more inclined to look for the individual first. That made a good enough excuse in his mind. Now, to find the vessel.
The odd looks in his direction only increased as he worked his way down the lakeside walk. Nobody seemed bold enough to raise their voice against a man walking his dangerous looking wiurn, though. Most steered clear of his way, though there were a few who seemed much too tired or busy with their work to care. Occasionally, the leopard would cast his glance away from the myriad of ships and look around the working bodies, hoping to catch the mysterious man by random chance. But for the most part, he had no such luck.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 18, 2020 1:35:26 GMT -6
The peoples who were present at the trade district were vast. There were vendors and merchants making arrangements for supplies to be sent out or received, captains choreographing the destinations of goods, deck hands making it all happen.. Some ships were busier than others. Occasionally, he'd spy someone who seemed like a potential match, but none entirely fit the bill. No, the perpetrator wouldn't likely be out in plain sight among the busy bodies. He had to get to this ship.
Mizura grew increasingly anxious in the midst of the lively pathway, head darting from person to person. She's never been among so many others before. A few cast her wide-eye glances and stares.. Uncomfortable. A rumble gurgled in her throat, letting her master know her increasing unrest.
"Shh, Mizura, it will be ok", he gently told the winged lizard, stopping to offer her a reassuring pat on the neck, "We will not be here long."
... Hopefully.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 18, 2020 1:45:00 GMT -6
It wasn't too much longer before he found the ship, the Dragnore. It was on the smaller size, but still a rather impressive boat for one who had no experience with them. It seemed to still be unloading various shipment crates. There was a ssashirk at the far end of the pier directing the flow of goods to the warehouses. Perhaps the captain? Even if it wasn't, they certainly had to know something. Toting Mizura down the wooden planks wasn't going to be fun for her, but he wasn't going to leave her out by herself. Xentus pushed away his regard for others for once for her sake.
"Pardon..", he murmured quietly as he skirted around the occasional worker passing by. Halfway down the aisle, he had already garnered the attention of the attendant. They had a disapproving look on their face, as well as a hint of nervousness.. But perhaps they were simply put off by the large wiurn.
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