Out In The Cold

[Alonzo K. Ruxton]

"Oh, I come from a small town just outside the city. Its where I grew up with my adopted mother and father. Its about a two day walk from here, off that way."  Keefe said with a smile as he pointed back the way they had just came from. "So you have been everywhere? What it like out there? I've never been out of my town... Except for now."  Keefe smiled as he rubbed his head with is free hand.

[Lasair Landevier Lupen]

Looking to where the boy pointed, Lasair thought for a moment before replying. “I think I may have passed through your town,” he paused before answering the question. “Being out in the world is wonderful. You do what you please and take care of yourself. You meet wonderful people and not so wonderful people, but as long as you don’t sit still for too long, every day is an adventure.” His grin was as wide as could be.

[Alonzo K. Ruxton]

Keefe stared at the man with wide, child like eyes, showing his true age, and filled bright with excitement to know more. Keefe was fascinated with this man and wanted to know everything he was willing to tell and or teach. "I must know more! Your life, it sounds soo... Exciting! What are some of the places like?"  Keefe said as he some how inched his way closer to the man, much like a young child would do at the climax of a fairy tale.

[Lasair Landevier Lupen]

Lasair laughed as the boy looked at him with big eyes. “Perhaps another time. One challenge at a time after all, and right now you need to focus on finding whom you’re looking for. We’re almost at the Square.” Wanting to keep the kid focused, Lasair knew his stories would have to wait, despite how much he loved telling them. With a few more strides they arrived at the square, which was busy with people as usual.

[Alonzo K. Ruxton]

"Your right. Your Right!"  Keefe said as he looked straight ahead, focusing on finding the person in the picture. Upon arriving at the square Keefe's eyes went wide at the hustle and bustle of all the people in this one small... or large place. Compared to his town this was a smaller town square, but the city that surrounded it was incredibly large. "How can this many people fit in this one place?"  He looked around at all the small business and stands that surrounded the sides of the square. A thought crossed his mind. Out of all the people, out of all the places in this city, how is he going to find that one person he is looking for... and how is he going to do that with such an old picture! She could look completely different now.

[Lasair Landevier Lupen]

“It’s a wonder, isn’t it?” Lasair replied smiling. He looked towards the man and could see a look of shock. But Lasair refused to give up now, they had just gotten here after all. “I suggest starting with shop owners. They see a lot of people every day.”

[Alonzo K. Ruxton]

"Oh. Alright!"  Keefe said as he smiled and started off towards one of the shop keepers. Just before asking this man, and owner of what seemed to be some kind of wood carving shop, he over heard the conversation he was having with his customer. "Well ya want it or not?! I Ain't ganna' sit her' all day just waitin' for ya to make a decision! So PICK already!" "I'm sorry sir, I just want this gift to be per-" "LIKE I CARE!?!? Just PICK!!!! I'm a busy gu' and I ain't got all day!"  Backing up Keefe ended up right next to Lasair again, but this time not wanting to move in any direction as fast as he did last time. "Ummm... So.... Who do you think would be a good person to ask?"  Keefe said as he looked up at the man, whatever smile Keefe had on his face before was now gone, and replaced with what seemed to be fear.

[Lasair Landevier Lupen]

“Let’s start at the north end of the square. The owner of the bakery is a pleasant fellow,” Lasair took Keefe’s arm and led him towards the shop in question. It was easy to tell that the young man was already getting overwhelmed at just the thought of combing the city. But Lasair wouldn’t let him have that kind of attitude. At least not without trying first.

[Alonzo K. Ruxton]

"Ok... Lets do that..."  Keefe said as he walked with Lasair, still staring at the owner of the wood stuff. Keefe hoped this bakery person would be nice and not try to kill people by giving them death stares like the previous man. "So... this is a nice person right?"  Keefe asked as he followed Lasair.

[Lasair Landevier Lupen]

“Yes, he’s the nicest guy around,” Lasair reassured the young man. As they entered the shop, the man behind the counter greeted them with a smile before going back to work. “Just go ask him,” Lasair insisted, nudging Keefe in that direction. He was going to help this kid one way or another.

[Alonzo K. Ruxton]

Keefe looked at Lasair and then to the baker, then back at Lasair. Keefe gathered what confidence he had left, that wasn't taken from him at the previous stand and walked towards the baker, grabbing the picture from his pocket, "Muuu.... Excuse me, sorry to bother you but ummm... I was just wondering if you have ever seen this person, or someone who looks like them."  Keefe asked as he held the picture up and pointed to the small girl in the middle.

(Up to you but I figured you could be the baker since you had them wave their hand already, if not I'll add something to this post or the next one)

[Lasair Landevier Lupen]

“Hmm,” the baker began, rubbing his chin in thought. “There was a kid in here the other day that resembled her, but without the wings. Don’t see many ander children walking around with their wings out like that.” He took another look at the picture, trying to be sure, but he was certain that he hadn’t seen any children like the one being pointed at. “You could try the orphanage, all the lost children get tossed in there.” He turned back to his work then, hoping he had answered the man’s question.

[Alonzo K. Ruxton]

"Oh..."  Keefe said as he realized he didn't ask the question correctly. "I'm sorry I should have been more specific. I'm looking for a person, maybe in their 20's or around that age. This is the only picture I have of them so I'm just going off their what their eyes look like and some of the facial features she has. I wish I had a better picture... But I've never seen her before other than in this picture..."  Keefe said understanding that an old picture of a 3 year old girl wouldn't really help him find a 20 or so year old person.

[Lasair Landevier Lupen]

The baker looked back to the blond for a moment before shaking his head. “Sorry, can’t help you then. All the adults tend to look the same when you see so many in a day.”

Lasair walked up to Keefe and grabbed his shoulder. “We can try elsewhere,” he said hoping to reassure the young man.

[Alonzo K. Ruxton]

"Ok..."  Keefe said with a bit of discouragement to his voice as he looked at the picture. As he looked back up at the man hope came back to him, "Thank you, now I know how to ask for the person I'm looking for, otherwise I would be finding some little girl instead of my older sister! Thank you for your help! Thank you very much!!"  Keefe said as he reached over the counter and shook the mans hand. Turning Keefe began to walk off, "Ya! Lets go find someone else to ask!"  Keefe smiled as he walked off with a bit of pep in his step.

(If you would like you can time skip to where they visited a few people... If you would like, up to you)