The Searchers

*Sorry if I'm late*

Artemis

I fluttered my eyes, hoping to find my way through these unfamiliar streets. My eyes were veiled with darkness but I knew that there were others around me. I could feel them as they walked among the cobblestone road. I could see them as their thoughts became one with mine. Something caught my hand as I continued my journey. It was cool and rough, almost like a welcoming hand. My nose explored, discovering that it was only a tree branch.
Up ahead, I could hear something striving through the wind. It was heavy, almost like a wood. I advanced towards it, hoping to find refuge. Rain blew in my face, giving me seconds of purity. Outlines of violet became more prominent, and thoughts became more vivid. Voices they were. Sometimes I couldn't tell the difference. They ranged in tune and texture. Some were deep and coarse, others were soft and velvety. I put my hand in front of me, reaching for the wood that swung in the wind. Nothing.
Suddenly, a door opened and out flew a gusty wind, warm, and full of light. Noises beyond description mixed together, becoming painful cacophonies. I walked towards the new breath, and looked around. It appeared that there were people were sitting. This must be a bar of some sort. I slowly moved my feet, making sure there weren't any steps so that I wouldn't fall. There were only two, so I quickly climbed them and stepped in. The door close loudly behind me, making me jump. I could feel someone beside me, there aura was strong but their thoughts were muffled. Odd.
Not knowing what to do, I stood there, feeling hidden from the world. I've searched all my life for a place to belong, but still, in a room filled with so many like me, I felt like an oddity because of my blindness. If only I could I see.

(Can someone please step in)

Chloe:

I finally gave up trying to figure out where I was or where to go and stood to leave. I threw the map back in my sac and headed towards the door. I was just in front of the door when it burst open and a girl came through. She looked around but her with unseeing eyes. She was blind. He eyes set on me and I felt discomforted, like maybe she was seeing something, something no one else could.
"Excuse me." I said in my usual tone trying to show my squirminess at her stare.

Artemis

"Oh, I'm sorry," I said, moving to the side.
It was a girl. By the sound of her voice she seemed lost, frustrated about something. I listened closely to her thoughts, but there was nothing. The intensity of my gaze probably seemed weird to her, so I averted my eyes hoping that I didn't frighten her.
She lingered at the door, and then her figure disappeared from my sight. Only I couldn't help but feel there was something different about that girl. Tired, I felt along the wall, trying to find a seat. It was crowded. Thoughts of pure mischief and feelings of tired sorrow filled my mind. This was a weird bunch of people. I'd fit right in.

Pieman is going to change a couple things in his post so it goes with my characters personality. She will pull her knife and only have flame in her hand a couple seconds to warn him of her power.

Autumn

"So what!" Autumn raised her dagger again, but Zack had sheathed his sword, "Then we have something in common. My father was taken, yours killed. I'm sorry, but to meet someone like me is rare. Excuse me, at least let me buy you a drink."

She was taken back by his words and dropped her dagger limply at her side. He shined a charming smile and turned towards the tavern. Autumn raised her eyebrow, sheathed her knife and walked towards the black haired man.

"That was strange shift of conversation," eying him suspiciously she added, "My name is Autumn."

"Zack," he stated.

They both stepped through the door of the tavern and walked to the bar. Autumn's eyes darted from table to table noticing the inhabitants for a fleeting second, then took a copper coin from her pocket and slid it on the bar, "Pint."

Zack ordered the same. He grabbed both ales and took 10 paces to a table near a cheery bunch. Zack sat with his back towards them. Autumn glanced a look at the 4 and the man with chestnut hair seemed to smirk at her, but she paid no attention and turned her head towards her company.


___________________________________

That's all I got in my brain....God that's horrible.....I'm so rusty. **squeaks**

But that shall change!! It's my mission...**MI theme song in background**

[Fayne]

Fayne smiled and walked towards the bar. Something about this girl made him act completely different, he normally didn't even talk to females. He flagged down the bartender, putting his hood back on securely, and ordered two ales. He brought them back to the table where the girl sat and handed her one, taking his seat across from her. "My name is Fayne. Nice to meet you."

Jeremy decided to leave the tavern, people were mostly chatting over drinks, but nothing was really happening. Normally this would be the part in a book where the heroes would meet and form some sort of coalition to hunt down dragons.

He opened the door and stepped out into the rain.

"Hey!" someone shouted. Jeremy turned around. A tall man was walking towards him. He had a ruck-sack, a quarterstaff, and... a rock?

"You're right, he does look kind of funny," he said into the rock. Jeremy wasn't sure what to do. The man looked sane, there was no wild look in his eyes. On the other hand, he was talking to a rock.

"What do you want?"

"I want to join your group."

"Group?"

"Yes, the one where everyone is searching for what they seek and look together."

"I don't have a group," Jeremy said flatly.

"He says he doesn't have a group," the stranger told the rock. He held it up to his ear.

"She says that you need to make one then."

"I don't know how to make a group."

"He says he doesn't know how to make a group," he told the rock. He held it back up to his ear. "Oh, you can hear him? Okay, I'll do it then. Talk to you later." He put the rock into his pocket.

"Don't worry mister, I'll get that group started for you."

"Before you do that- who are you?"

"Oh, silly of me. My name is Rembrandt Desthers and you are Jeremy Stork." Jeremy was stunned.

"I'll go see about that group now."

"Wait-" Jeremy said, but by that time Rembrandt had already entered the tavern. Jeremy opened the door, but it was too late.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention for one moment." Jeremy felt the eyes of the bar patrons upon him and Rembrandt.

"All of us are seeking something, but some of us are too afraid to seek it. Jeremy Stork is not afraid, even if he doesn't know where to look. He invites anyone who doesn't know where to look to look with him. That is all!" Rembrandt turned back to Jeremy.

"See? That wasn't so hard."

[Sage Hyperion]

Her gaze was unblinking, they felt like they were burning now with dryness. She glanced around the room and frowned. "It's not here..." Sage mumbled sourly.

A man's voice suddenly broke her concentration. "Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention for one moment. All of us are seeking something, but some of us are too afraid to seek it. Jeremy Stork is not afraid, even if he doesn't know where to look. He invites anyone who doesn't know where to look to look with him. That is all!"

Sage stood up and beamed her bright teeth. "I'll join!" she walked over to the two men and stood behind them.

They'll probably know how to get around this place, it'll be best if I stay with them. thought Sage, glancing quickly at the two people beside her and checking there spiritual power. Nothing. It wasn't any of these people... Who was that, that knocked the scythe out of my hands? Ugh! Where is it? she looked around the room again to do a quick check, but still found nothing.

"Okay, anyone else?" called out the man.

Artemis

A man's voice surged through my mind. It was lined with beer just like countless others in the room. Luckily, something touched my knee and it appeared to be a chair. There were no purple outlines near so I figured I made it away from the crowd.
As I sat still, hoping no one noticed me, I wondered where I was to go. I made it this far from the orphanage, but what was I to do now. Something inside me told me that my calling was near. If I was in the right place, then why didn't I feel different.
A chair scratched against the floor, making me jump. That happened a lot. Sounds were always louder for me. I'm surprised nobody else stirred from the horrible noise. Voices swarmed around in my head. A lot of them were those of lost souls just like me. Everyone was looking for something, but some didn't know what it was.
Laughter broke through the voices, making my eyes flutter. Sweat trickled down my face, passing in front of my blind eyes. If only I knew what to do next. If only destiny would smack me in the face.

[Fayne]

Fayne stood up and walked to the front of the room. "I'll join." He said calmly and moved his robe to the side to give view of his weapons. He walked back to his table with the mystery girl, not wanting to explain what he was searching for. They'd find out, all in due time.

Sky
Sky studied the man. Her eyes were questioning, she was intrigued by his changing nature. Before she could stop herself she blurted out, "My names Schuyler Van Alan, but you can call me Sky. I'm sorry if I try to eat you."
Sky recoiled for a moment and scolded herself for her outburst. Can you try to just sound normal for once? She thought to herself. She closed her eyes and waited for his reply, hoping that he wouldn't be taken aback.

Artemis

Two figures appeared in my view. One was a man and the other was a woman. The girl seemed to be unsure of herself. What she innocently blurted out made me laugh, but I soon regretted making fun of the girl. I used to be like that. Unsure of myself. But now I didn't know. As I watched the two intently, I found out that they were both searching for something.
When I was little, I used to make up names for people when I didn't know them. Since I couldn't see, I couldn't play the guessing game. But since I have the power to see and hear what others can't, I know exactly what their true names should be. They are the Searchers. A good name I think. Everyone in this room is looking for something that they can't seem to find. Even so, they continue to search, hoping that one day they do find what they were looking for.
Maybe this was the right place for me. I was searching for something. I mean, it didn't matter how different our quests were. We all were looking for something, didn't that count?
Thirsty, I stood, feeling my way along the wall. Thirty paces later, I found myself in front of a counter. I took a seat and stared at a purple figure in front of me.
"Would you like something miss?" a voice asked.
"Umm...water," I replied, looking down.
I knew this was a tavern but I wasn't fond of drinking.
A cup slammed against the wood in front of me. I reached in my pocket to pull out some money but I came up short. Embarrassed, I averted my eyes and sighed. It was hard being blind.

(could someone step in please)

[Fayne]

Fayne laughed and shook his head. "I'm used to being eaten, or at least people trying to eat me, rather." He said, mentally punching himself in the gut. This girl made him act completely different than he normally did, but he couldn't figure out what it was. He turned is attention to the bar. "One moment, Schuyler." He said as he got up and pulled a small pouch of coins from his pocket. It was obvious the figure who had his attention was short on funds, and he was acting different enough today. He tapped her shoulder, realizing she was blind by the sudden feeling of outside life in his mind. "Here, this will cover your drink, and any more you choose to take." He said to her, setting the bag down in her hand.

Daniel

"What do you ladies say? I'm sure searching for something," Daniel announced with a grin, speaking to his table but loud enough that his voice carried through the room.

"Thanks but no thanks. I think I already found what I was searching for," Viper replied as she strode towards the door, full glass still in hand.

"Hey you can't take that out of here!" The bar keeper shouted. She paused and turned with a strange smile on her face.

"Thank you for the drink," she said to Daniel as she emptied the glass across the floor, smashed the glass against the wall and left. Daniel frowned after her and then laughed easily, the person forgotten just as quickly as she stepped out of reach. That was the way with the man. As soon as the opportunity was gone, he'd move on and find someone else. There were plenty of people out there. Too many in fact.

"How about you then miss Isabella? Katie? Up for an adventure?" Daniel stood and both his companions stood too.

"Sure," Katie said light heartedly. "Who winds up at the Tavern of adventure without actually taking an adventure?" She laughed and smiled. Daniel picked her cloak up and passed it to her. Isabella hesitated and then nodded.

"Okay, let the search begin," she said softly. Daniel moved the chairs away from the empty, central table and then began to drag their own table forward. The bar keeper grumbled at first but shut up when Daniel ordered drinks for everyone in he room. That always seemed to work. The man who had made the announcement and the one who Daniel assumed to be Jeremy Stork the 'not afraid' both came to sit at the table, as did the woman who had leaned so intently over her map and other people too, all crowding around the table.

"Who else will join us?" The announcer asked again.

Artemis

The tap on the shoulder made me jump but when I heard the voice inside his head, I smiled. He was helping me, which usually I wouldn't like but I needed it.
"Thank You," I said.
In my hand a sack of coins rest. It was enough to help me through the day. I turned towards the guy, not knowing what to say. He seemed embarrassed by something but his soul was lighter. As if he was someone different. I noticed his aura when I sat down before. He was the man who sitting with that strange girl. The Searchers, I called them.
It was quiet between us. I felt like an idiot not saying anything so I began to speak.
"If there's anyway I could repay you I would gladly do so. My name's Artemis by the way,"
After I replayed those words in my mind, they did sound kind of stupid but I was never used to being talked to. Before he could speak, someone's loud voice carried through the air.
Who else will join us?"
Join what? I could only hear thoughts and so far I knew people were searching for something. Maybe if I...no I couldn't. Journeys weren't my thing, especially since I can't see anything. But they would need someone who can see right through the liars and...This is ridiculous why would anyone want to go after them. I mean what harm is it if someone is searching for something.
Suddenly, a light bulb went off in my head. It was the same all the time. Obstacles. People will try to get in your way...my thoughts were broken by the man's booming voice again. Would I join?
"Excuse me, but do you think that this search is worthwhile?" I asked the guy who gave me money. He was still standing there, suddenly unsure of himself about something.

Sky

Sky's eyes widened. She looked at the small bag in his hand. It wouldn't be much to some people, but it meant alot to her. Her parents had abandoned her when she was little, and she was used to living with little cash. She looked up and the stranger and thanked him with her eyes.
"There's something about you," she said. " I think we could be good friends, and not just because you give me free cash."
She laughed. "So what brings you here?"