Re-supplying

[Azzy]

Sometime midday, amidst the constant bustle of everyday activity, a small band of soldiers arrived at the entrance to Avaren city. Led by Azrael, this was a group from the front, here on a mission to fetch more supplies for the various garrisons.

“Right.” Azrael said, addressing the assembled group. “You all know what we came here for and what your individual tasks are. You have until this time the day after tomorrow to get your assigned tasks done. The quicker you get your work done, the more time you'll have to relax and make merry. You are dismissed.”

For many of them, this would be the first time returning to the city in months, so it was unsurprising that they hurried off with little more than a nod in his direction. For the moment, Azrael stood there somewhat awkwardly, uncertain of exactly where it was he wanted to go.

[Kojo]

A bright yellow red with an orange beak and green plumage on its head landed on a sign post just outsideof avaren amd looked at the sight that had the Name of the kindom on it as if to read. It the cocked its hed to the side as it her anoise it looked over to see a procession of soldier. Curious the Bird landed on the lance of one of the soldiers and perched there. Not really being noticed by the soldiers which where half blinded by their own helms.

The bird Perched their as they entered the city. As the apparent leader spoke the bird turned its head to listen. It seemed this was the man to speak to. As the men ran off to do their tasks the bird flew from the lance and landed on Azzy's Shoulder before crying out "HELLO!" In that classic squawking parrot voice.

[Azzy]

"Ghah!" Azzy exclaimed as a random wildly colorful bird landed on his shoulder and yelled at him. He had never even seen a bird like this anywhere remotely close to the kingdom. It was very likely some kid's pet that had gotten loose. Seeing as how it was apparently perfectly comfortable in a bustling area of town and landing on his shoulder, it was probably very accustomed to people.

"I don't want to have to try and find your owner, I have more important things to do than take care of people's pets." He said to it, trying to brush it off his shoulder with one hand. "Go on, now, back to where you belong."

[Kojo]

Maybe Kojo had gone about things wrong. He flapped his wing and jump to avoid the mans hand. All he wanted was some info. "I'm my own...owner sir QUAWK!" It was difficult to speak so fluently as a bird, but if he became human have no clothes. and from the looks of people walking around clothes where the norm and not nudity.

"Ima shifter." He admitted quickly, "Need clothes... too small to carry. SQUAWK!" He was hoping the man would help him some how if not he's have to resort so someone less official, less understanding, and more likely try and kill or capture the brightly-colored, exotic, talking bird.

[Azzy]

The bird was it's own owner? Well, wasn't that nice. So it was a bird trained to repeat a few annoying phrases. Az could deal with that. Given, his way of 'dealing with it' would be to walk away without a backward glance and ignore the bird, leaving it to annoy someone else. Yet, this bird wasn't finished talking.

A shifter, eh? Az was a bit skeptical at first, but then again, he did have a good friend who was also able to change shape. Perhaps he could give this bird a little bit of credit? Though, there were still some unanswered questions. For instance, if this person lived here, why did he not already have a set place to keep clothes, such as a home? If not, then why would he choose to travel around from city to city as a bird, without any provisions or supplies? A bit suspicious, either way.

"Fine. Follow me." He said. He might as well keep this shady bird around where he could keep an eye on him. He headed now for the horses that he and his group had ridden in on. There, they kept some sets of spare clothing. Rifling through some of their belongings, he found a suitable basic set of clothes. "Here, you can use these. Then we can talk."

[Kojo]

The bird Flew to the ground of the stables. He Changed form becoming a rather tall human with no hair and a very dark complexion. In moments he was dress. "Tank you mon. I aint into thievery mon, so i got to borrow what I can. I am called Kojo." He said extending a hand, hoping this places custom was to shake hands in greeting. If not, an awkward glance wouldn't harm him.

There had been reason why he didn't have clothes of his own. He had nothing with which to buy clothes for one. Another reason was for convenience, not having to worry about finding a place to stash things, it was one less thing to worry about. Also it was a good test to see what type of people he was dealing with. It tested whether or not they where opposed to magic, and it tested character.

[Azzy]

"Azrael." He said, taking the man's hand. So, he wasn't into thievery, but instead relied on begging, which wasn't that horribly different. Both got something for nothing, only one was without the former owner's knowledge.

"Now, tell me about yourself. You show up with literally nothing, not even the clothes on your back. There has to be a story there somehow, and I have some time to listen."

[Kojo]

Kojo decided he might as well tell his story the circumstances where suspicious. "Quite simply I have little choice. I come from a village very far to the south where the air is warmed and the weather far rainier. My people where hunter-gatherers living in the jungles minding out own business when people with light skin and metal weans come in promising peace for the raw diamonds, and gold deposit in our sacred caves. Before they came we considered most of those caves sacred, but we allowed them to do what the wanted so long as they kept to themselves and left the sacred caves alone.

"I'm sure you know of human greed... well their greed lead them to our sacred cave, our holymen asked them to leave and the newcomers kill them, and one else who opposed them. War broke out and my people where slaughtered like animals. I know little of who survived I only know that I remain among the living; something I thank the spirits everyday for." He looked a round a moment then back at the man. "I'm here hope for a place to stay. I have no money only. I depend on my abilities for food and other than that I must resort to begging as soon as I find a means I will pay back all that I owe. In fact if you have away for me to earn these clothes I will happy do as you ask."

[Azzy]

The man's story sounded plausible enough. It sure as hell would explain his current state. Still seemed a little bit shaky, but taking care of security within the city wasn't his job- he handled the borders. If he went off to cause trouble, that was for the town guard to take care of, not Az.

"Well, for the clothes, I don't mind you keeping them. Though, if you want to actually earn your keep around here, you'll need to get some sort of job. Now, within the city, there are two primary organizations that will likely take you in and give you housing, if you can't afford it yourself. These would be the warrior barracks and the mage academy."

Well, he would likely have to enlist in the army if he wanted to be housed at the barracks and would actually need magical talent if he wanted the academy to take him in. Still, it wasn't like he had a whole lot of choices.

"Those are your only solid bets, other than that I can't say for certain. Find a job, perhaps, and work to pay for lodgings with them, if they'll allow it."

[Kojo]

Kojo nodded. Living in the city seemed over complicated. Of course one needed to earn their keep where he came from but here just like it was among those invaders gold ruled this society with a diamond fist. Pity, but he did have an idea of how to make money. He knew how to hunt. And after his own needs for clothing where met he would sell the furs he didn't need. and maybe even the meat if there was enough.

The two places the man had suggested sounded odd. "I think I shall attempt the Mage Academy I have no desire to join the army of a kingdom i know nothing about, especially after barely escaping with my own life from another battle. Again, I thank you Azrael, I will not forget your kindness." He said.

[Azzy]

"One more thing," Azrael said. He would feel guilty sending him on his way like this to the academy without any sort of warning that he might not be accepted. "As far as I know, they are somewhat prestigious, so you need to have talent with magic usually to join. How much can you actually do to impress them?"

He knew one other shapeshifter, and he had joined the army. Azrael had never thought to ask whether it was personal preference, or because the academy didn't want someone of that sort of skill level. Hell, for all he knew, they didn't count shapeshifting as real magic, so much as inherent supernatural power.

[Kojo]

"I have talent, I guess it depends on what exactly they look for. My skills are all inward at the moment. Though isn't the idea of an academy to learn?" He asked curiously. What exactly would they do? Hanging him for learning to read?

[Azzy]

"I guess that's a decent point." Az said, somewhat hesitantly, "Yet, if you're looking to join them and get free lodgings, they might expect you to at least have some skill already. If you're just there to learn, there is no guarantee that they will give you a place to stay. Hell, they might even ask you to pay them in order to be taught. They have to make some sort of income, you know."

Man, this guy sounded like he had lived under a rock for most of his life.

[Kojo]

"If nothing else I am a shape shifter. And I've lived in the wild all my life I may end up in the forests around here anyway. I will be fine." He assured the kind stranger. before heading off towards the academy.