The Archive

"So...What are your thoughts on Gira Mersa's work so far?" Yoru asks, glancing at Cage as they walk through the narrow streets of Yellen, the morning dew light in the air. As usual, other than the vendors and shop owners setting up for the day, the teacher and student have the white stone to themselves.

"It's definitely interesting," Cage responds, a white robe loose on his body, "Gira, Tiren, and the others really were saviors. I hope that I can visit some of the places they did."

"Oh, so you're the adventurous type then?" Yoru smiles as she speaks. She wears a bright yellow dress today, embroidered with thorn branches curling across almost every inch of the shiny fabric. It drapes down to her ankles, a slit down the side showing off the toned blue muscles in her long legs, "I've always wanted to travel across the Praesi. When we were children, me, Kyro, and Ingen all dreamt of visiting other planets. I wanted to learn about other cultures, but just like the men they are, all they cared about were the armies."

Cage chuckles, "I can't imagine them being any other way," he says, "But I wouldn't say I've been adventurous in the past. As far as I can remember, I never had the chance to travel. Not enough money."

Yoru hums, glancing up at the mountain to the side. The duo heads toward the Archive, on the east side of Yellen, "Well, if you plan to travel in the future, then you won't have to worry about currency. Most planets allow foreigners to barter and trade so as to not mix up different currencies. Even the most useless things can be someone else's treasure," she says.

Cage nods in response. That will be convenient, he already has a boundless space to store things. Though now that he thinks about it, Cage is not completely sure there is no limit to how much he can fit inside the Vault.

The duo passes working Collectors, some standing on scaffolding and lifting stones for construction, and some carrying large buckets to carriages. The same as always, the workers are surrounded by guards. Cage walks past one of these carriages, pinching his nostrils closed and gagging, "What's in those buckets?" he asks.

"Sewage," Yoru responds, raising a handkerchief to her nose, "This is Kyro's job, while Ingen works with the construction team. Though Perlo may have assigned them to something else."

Cage hums, holding his breath. A minute passes as the student and teacher turn on a different street, and the stench finally leaves them. Cage breathes out in relief, "Why is Kyro not here today then? He said that he would be working tomorrow," he says, rubbing his nose.

"There are three hundred thousand people in the city, and that does not include the foreigners currently visiting or seeking refuge. Kyro is probably in another part of the city," Yoru says, folding the handkerchief and tucking it into the waist pocket of her dress, "Even with teams working from sunrise to sundown, it takes a full week for them to hit every place with sewage."

Cage nods as they walk through one of the plazas, Rajin men and women appearing in the streets. City Guards dwell here and there, some patrolling while riding those scaled beasts, and others standing watch over working Collectors. Yoru leads her student away from the plaza, and they arrive before a wide building that takes up an entire block by itself.

The structure is massive, with white limestone walls, columns holding up an awning over the entrance, and several windows, these ones with glass instead of the usual wooden shudders. Now that Cage looks closer, it must be two buildings, connected in the middle with one rising to four stories while the other is only three. Cage furrows his brows, glancing at Yoru, "Which one is the Archive?" he asks.

Yoru's silver bangs bob as she returns Cage's gaze, smiling, "This entire building is the Archive," she gestures to the four-story side, "That is the Yellen city library," she then points at the three-story side before them, "And this is the Scribe office. Technically, it is two buildings, but they are connected on the inside. Scribes study history to assist with their recording, so we need immediate access to information."

"That's convenient," Cage says, "Whoever came up with that idea must be pretty smart."

Yoru nods, giggling, "I do consider myself to hold above-average intellect," she says, stepping towards the square steps leading to the front door, "When I was much younger, and still a novice Scribe, the library was across the city from the office. I quickly grew tired of hustling back and forth every day, so I made a promise to myself at that time. When I took over the position as Head Scribe, the first thing I would do is connect the library and office. And so..." She turns to look at Cage, spreading her arms in a grand gesture, "...here we are, ten years later."

Cage raises his brows, humming, "How did you know you would become Head Scribe? I mean, how does one even take that position? Do you just have to write better than all the other Scribes?" he asks.

"That is one requirement," Yoru responds, tucking a loose tuft of hair behind her ear. Her yellow eyes sparkle like topaz in the sunlight, "Come. I will explain more inside."

"Oh, Yoru! Hello!" A youthful voice sounds from the side. Cage turns and sees a familiar face. It's Alyra. She wears a black dress similar to the one Cage saw her in before, this one with sleeves that cover her arms and hands, and a short hem that stretches tight over the red skin of her legs. Her silky black hair falls down to her lower back and frames the near-perfect bone structure of her face.

"Good to see you, Alyra," Yoru addresses the young Rajin girl with a slight smile as she walks closer, "Are you enjoying your new job as a Scribe?"

Alyra nods, returning her own smile. She holds a notebook to her side, "Of course! I can't thank you enough for giving me a chance. I enjoyed my time in Foreign Affairs, but I needed something new," she responds, big silver eyes glancing at Cage. She does a double-take, the smile on her lips widening, "Oh, Cage! I didn't expect to see you here! Are you here for the library?"

"I'm not really sure yet," Cage says, meeting Alyra's gaze.

"You two know each other?" Yoru asks with a raised brow, looking between her student and newly employed Scribe.

"I handled his registry," Alyra glances at Yoru. She gasps, covering her mouth with her fingers, "Wait, you two know each other?!"

"Cage is my student. I brought him here to show him around the office and library. If everything goes well, then he will be visiting quite a bit in the coming days," Yoru responds.

Alyra nods, her shocked expression turning to that of confusion, "You, training a new Scribe? A foreigner and man at that?" she asks.

Yoru scoffs, waving a hand through the air, "He will not be a scribe. I will spare you the details, but basically I am his caretaker that also provides further education," she says.

"Ah, that makes sense," Alyra responds. She pauses, plump lips thinning to a line as she gazes at Yoru.

"What is it?" The Head Scribe asks, brows furrowed.

"I, um... I heard about Mavyl. And, um... I just want you to know that me and the rest of the Scribes are here for you. We have all lost someone to the constant battles that men fight..." Alyra responds, "...I suppose nothing can compare to losing your own child though."

"I..." Yoru chokes on her words. She takes a deep breath, gazing at Alyra with a brittle smile "...Thank you, Alyra. I have a lot of people that care for me, and for that, I am forever grateful. Even Cage here has shown concern for little old me," she glances at Cage, and returns to the novice Scribe after a moment, "But excuse me, Alyra. I would rather not be the reason you are tardy on your second day."

Alyra nods, hesitating, "Actually, could we walk in together? There's something else I want to speak with you about," she says, pursing her lips in embarrassment as she glances at Cage.

"Oh?" Yoru's silver brows raise with the words, and she nods, "Very well then," She turns towards the stairs once again, glancing back at her student, "Let us go then. After I speak to Alyra, I'll show you around the Archive."

"Alright," Cage responds, following behind the two women as they ascend the white marble stairs. What made Alyra want to become a Scribe? And what was that look for?

The woman is beautiful, there is no doubt about that in Cage's mind, but she is also a bit on the strange side. Oh well, he thinks, it is not as if I'll be speaking to her much in the future.