Topic: Stranger Days: Life on the streets of RhyDin.

Jesse Stranger

Date: 2006-05-13 13:02 EST
Jesse stood outside the doors of the inn. Light rain fell upon his small frame, however, he did not seem to mind it at all. His dark blond mohawk cut hair hung limp atop his head, and mud caked on the old combat boots he wore. He stared at the doors, transfixed, unmoving. The Red Dragon Inn, a place of ledgend, mystery, an enigma. For four years he had lived in RhyDin, and he had never been in the doors. He had stood on the front porch a few times and begged in the past. That was long ago, not long after he had arrived here.

Jesse felt the rain run down his cheek, it was raining the night he arrived, the night he killed Damien, the night he got his sword. His hand reached down and felt of the hilt of the elven dagger. He had lost alot of things since that first night here, but he had never lost the dagger. It was his most cherished possession, and sometimes the only thing that kept him alive, or sane. The rain started to fall harder. Jesses eyes never left those doors.

Jesse Stranger

Date: 2006-05-13 13:16 EST
If he remembered right today was his birthday, his twelveth, if he remembered right. He wondered if anyone from home remembered him, he was only eight when he would have dissappeared, when his mom was killed. The memory tried to come back into his mind, but he fought, as tears tried to form in his eyes. He had not cried in two years, and he was not to begin to cry now. His eyes burned on the doors still. people passed him in the street. Most mistook him for somekind of feral halfling, hell in truth he was feral. A feral human boy. A wild child of the city of Rhydin.

Still there was a memory of a boy that did not have to steal, Jesse hated stealing. It lessened him in his heart, but he did it often to survive. Pride, he remembered what all the other kids that lived in the streets told him about pride, "Pride don't feed anyone".

"I want to go home" He mumbled, then he remembered, this was his home now. Damien had killed his mother back in Los Angeles, and there was no one back there for him to go back to. Jesse took a deep breath of air, he closed his eyes, and drifted back in his mind, to a memory. The memory, of when he came here. Damn the tears he thought.

Jesse Stranger

Date: 2006-05-16 18:55 EST
He fought back the tears again, wiped his eyes with his damp sleeve, and walked off. The sun was going down, and the cold wet clothing he was wearing was not going to do well in keeping the cooler night air off of him. Walking along the cobblestone street he took note of things going on, and even what was not going on. Normally street vendors hawked their wares, but with the rain everyone was either home, or in one of the local markets that offered covered areas for day rent. Those places were ripe for the picking on days like today. The crowds would be thick, and it was easy to pick up something to eat, or a new item to sell at a flea market or pawn shop. However, it was also a place to become the victim, on a day like today. Pick-pockets could walk away with what meager money you had in your pocket or purse. Bad, was getting caught by one of the local thief guilds, for hunting on their turf. The worst thing was to get caught by thugs, they would beat the hell out of you and take your money, shoes, shirt, pants, whatever they could get off you.

I'll just head back to The Hole, Jesse thought. The Hole was a local hide-a-way where some of the street kids stayed. It was safe, well it was safer than staying on the streets alone. Some twenty odd kids called The Hole home right now. Sometimes it was as few as five or six, and once it was as high as forty-six. Jesse was a long timer at The Hole. He had lived there for three years now. When the numbers where high, there was always a good chance someone had scored well that day. In that case they would share the bounty. Today Jesse had acquired some forty-nine coin in copper, and twelve in silver. He'd pass out the copper to everyone else. That would let them at least buy something for breakfast, if the money did not get stolen that night. Woe to the kid that stole from the others. If caught they would beat the crap out of them, take all their belongings, and toss them into the streets. There may not be honor among thieves, but there was surely an unwritten code for the homeless and hungry 'Share and share alike, but keep your filthy paws off my stuff'.

Jesse Stranger

Date: 2006-05-18 21:56 EST
It was dark when Jesse got back to he Hole, an old abandon warehouse on RhyDins westside. The warehouse was made of rough cut stone, with a tile roof. It was still an impressive building, one floor, five hundred feet by one hundred feet, with a large set of oak doors at both ends. Tiver was waiting for Jesse at the front doors. Tiver was an elven boy, thriteen years old, shoulder long fair hair and skin which would never blemish. Jesse thought he looked more like a tough girl than a street harden youth. He was dressed in an old green tunic and and black pants. A narrow belt held a long thin dagger at his right side. He had the appearence of one that perfered to do business at night. Tiver was a wood elf, his tribe had been killed when he was nine, he arrive in RhyDin city a few days after Jesse, from that time on they were fast friends. Tiver was born in RhyDin, though he had been raised far from RhyDin city in his early youth. Now, like many other orphans and run aways, he lived in the streets of the great city. Tiver watched with sapphire eyes as the soaked Jesse approached.

"I gotta few loaves today.", even in the common tongue Tiver almost sounded as if he was singing. His voice was soft, there was not a rough tone to ever pass his lips. "And we have a new arrival....An out of towner" Tiver lifted his hand as if to look at his nails, but he watched Jesse out of the corner of his eyes.

Jesse stopped right infront of Tiver, and looked right at him "Where from?" Jesses heart started to beat quickly.

"Your world, I think. He said something hiking in a Great Canyon' A storm, some bright lights. The usual Nexus activity. He's been in RhyDin for three days now, we found him today. Looks like a wreck, I, told him about you and Los Angeles, he got really excited." Tiver lowered his hand and looked at Jesse "So where have you been all day?"

"I was just walking around and thinking, today was my birthday" Jesse said glumly.

"Well, let us go look at your present then, shall we?" with that Tiver took Jesse slowly by his right arm and walked with him into the Hole.

Jesse Stranger

Date: 2006-07-29 19:49 EST
Save for the bright red jacket Kyle was still dressed in his boy scout uniform. A bear scout, he had been on his first outting in the Grand Canyon, it was also to be his last. The storm came up quickly Brian, the scoutmaster, hurried and set up a tent for all the scouts. There where eight in all. Eight, nine year old boys huddled in a tent, while outside it seemed as if creation itself was coming undone. Kyle had entered the tent as well, and fell asleep during the storm. When he woke up he was in an alley not knowing how he got there, or where he was. That was three days ago. Earlier he had met a kid named Tiver. Tiver was odd, there was something wronge with his ears, and he carried a knife, a big knife. But he offered Kyle food and a safe place to sleep.

Jesse saw Kyle huddled in the corner of their section of the Hole. Jesse knew the uniform, and knew something of what this kid was feeling. "I'm Jesse, your from Earth right' The United States?"

"Yeah, I'm from Dallas, Texas. My name is Kyle, Kyle Jenkins, your the guy from Los Angeles" Where am I , and how did I get here?"

"I can answer some of that" Jesse said as he sat next to Kyle "But i have some bad news to tell you?

Jesse Stranger

Date: 2006-11-10 16:55 EST
Kyle did not take the news well at all. He wept, vomited, and wept some more. Finally the days events, and the horrible news consumed the last of his strength, and he fell asleep. Jesse had told him how the nexus had whisked him away into a new world, and that it was doubtful that he would ever see home, or his parents, again. It was nearly too much for a boy who had grown up in a tight knit, protective family, hell it was nearly too much for the unwanted who were often dumped here against their will. Telling Kyle had also dredged up old feelings of home sickness in Jesse. Tiver seemed to sense this, and put his arm around his friend.

"You think he can survive out here?" Tiver asked Jesse. "He seems....emotionally more frail than most who we meet."

"I dunno Tiv, This world is so different from my own. It's hard enough to end up trapped away from home, and never able to go back, but to end up in a world where our myths are real. Works on a guys head, ya know" Jesse slipped out from Tivers grasp, and walked over to were his stuff was. A few blankets, an old mess kit, and a wooden mug, that had been given to him by that sprite who often came and played with the smaller kids. Jesses entire world could easily fit into a small backpack. "It just don't seem fair Tiv, why us?" Jesse sat down and wrapped himself in a blanket, soon sleep had overtaken him as well.

Tiver took up guard as he did on many nights, and watched over the sleeping boys. Tomorrow would be a new day and there would be new challenges, but for now there was some peace, even if it was just in dreams of home.

Jesse Stranger

Date: 2006-11-10 23:28 EST
Morning came all to early for the residents of The Hole, Tiver woke each one in their little clan one by one, he woke Jesse last, and left Kyle to sleep. Kyle had awoke several times during the night and his dreams were haunted by a bad dream. "Maybe we should let him be for another hour or so" Tiver suggested. Jesse nodded, and handed Tiver a hand full of copper coins. Tiver began to pass out the coins to many of the kids that had not managed to secure any food or money the day before. Mostly it was the smaller boys, those that had not learned the art of grab and run, or those that just did not have the opportunity. Still, there was more than enough for Tiver to go and buy Jesse, Kyle, and himself something for breakfast. Soon the coins where doled out and Tiver nodded to Jesse, letting him know he would soon return.

The Hole was nearly empty now. Most of the kids had run off to find food, or a way to get money, some were finding a place to relieve themselves. Three small boys stayed at the other end of the Hole, they were members of a smaller clan, and watched over everyones things while they where out. Jesse sat with Kyle, he watched as the new kid stirred slowly and woke up. "It's not a dream, is it. It's all real" Kyle asked silently.

"Yeah, it's all real." Jesse added.

Kyle sat up, "What do you suppose they are doing....for me....back home" the words stuck in his throat, and nearly choked him.

"They are probably looking for you. Wondering what happened. It's odd, but I have never heard of one person out of a tight group being taken, and there not be others." Jesse pondered.

"Do you suppose they are here too?" Kyle seemed to liven up some at the thought that someone familiar might be here with him, in the strange place.

"It's possible, but lemme tell ya. This is just one of many different worlds the nexus leaves people. And even if all of y'all made it here. It could have scattered y'all all over the planet. And..." Jesse hesitated "and there are worst places on RyhDin to find yourself."

Kyles heart dropped, he looked at the ground, not saying anything for a few minutes as he pulled himself together again. It was bad enough to be abandon all by yourself on a distant world, it was just embarrassing to cry in front of other guys. "What about that other kid, Tiver?" Kyle asked, Jesse could hear a bit of confusion in his voice.

"What about him' He is my best friend. I met him here not long after I arrived. we were both new here, to the city anyway, Tiv is from RyhDin, well one of it's forest anyway."

"Yeah but his eyes, and ears, his eyebrows. And he sounds like a girl. He's not really a girl in disguise, is he?" Kyle had so many questions, but he was afraid of the answers, so he asked about something, safe.

Jesse laughed, "If you call him a girl, he'll kick your ass. He is really a he, I know, I've seen him, ya know nekkid" Jesse blushed at this a bit. Here in the Hole there was no room for modesty, but admitting this to an outsider was like admitting guilt to an unspoken crime. "He is an elf, a wood elf to be exact"

"An elf, like one of Santas little helpers" You've got to be kidding me" Kyle rolled his eyes, for a moment he felt better, he felt almost normal, sitting with another kid, talking about foolishness.

"No not like those elves" Jesse still grinned as he thought of Tiver making toys, "A real elf, like out of Dungeons and Dragons, or some book. His tribe was killed, he came here looking for refuge, all he found was me." Silence once again over took the two boys as they once again considered the lot they had been given. Their pondering did not have much of a chance though, as Tiver returned with three loaves of freshly baked bread, a small block of butter, some apples, and a large flagon of red wine. "The wine was free, think of it as a gift from the local vineyard, and a lesson for the delivery boy." Tiver quipped as he sat the small feast out. "Never leave the delivery wagon unattended" he laughed.

Kyles eyes were wide with unbelief, "Y'all drink Wine?"

"You can drink the water, but I warn against it, unless it has been boiled strained, and bottled. Otherwise, you could end up with a fever" Tiver said, sounding as sage like as he could. "Besides, why drink water, when there is wine?"

All three boys laughed, and once again for a few minutes Kyle forgot that he was lost, and never going home. For a few minutes he could laugh, and joke, and drink his first drink of wine, with a boy from Los Angeles, and an elf from the forest of RyhDin.

Jesse Stranger

Date: 2006-11-11 01:48 EST
The boys spent most of the day sipping the wine until they would get a little buzz from the intoxicating beverage. They warned Kyle about not over indulging simply for the fact that letting your guard down could have you ending up on the auction block in the slavers market. They also went over the rules for life inside the Hole, and what would be expected of him. They also ate, and rested. Kyle was still exhausted from the past three days, too at times he would begin crying. Jesse and Tiver would comfort him as best as possible, with Jesse of then having to put on a brave face. Jesse knew the pain Kyle was feeling, Tiver did also. All three where in RhyDin, and all three had lost their family, one way or the other.

The day pasted, and the shadows began to grow long, one by one, or in small groups all the boys of the Hole returned. Small fires were built, candles were lit, and food was passed around. Everyone spoke in low tones as darkness crept into the building, and soon they shut and barred the doors for the night. Outside rain and sleet began to fall, winter was still a month away, but it was getting colder.

"We'll get you some new clothing tomorrow" Tiver informed Kyle, "you'll have to sell the ones you have right now. We can get ya some used clothing at one of the missions in the area."

"But my clothing is fine, this jacket is very warm" Kyle was confused.

"And it's bright red, you standout, you'll need to blend in. It's impossible not to see you coming or going in that jacket, and your easily identified. Besides, you can get a nice bit of coin for that jacket. Any halfling, or gnome merchant that travels will pay good silver for 'foreign' winter wear." Jesse added. Kyle did not protest, but nodded.

"And that uniform your wearing makes you look like a junior member of the city guard. It'll get you beat you regularly, or worse. Good street clothing is what we'll get ya, and a good knife or dagger" said Tiver as he took one last sip of the nearly gone flagon of wine. He finished and passed the bottle to Kyle, who took a pretty good sip of his own. He offered the bottle to Jesse, but he declined.

"Tiver sleeps tonight, I'll be up most of the night, on guard" Jesse said, "you can have my share, it'll help you sleep." And with that Kyle drank the last mouthful.

"I don't know how to fight very well." Kyle nervously told the other two, as he wrapped a borrowed blanket around his frame.

"We'll teach you? Jesse assured him.

"We'll teach you everything you'll need to know. You may have lost one family, but your getting another." Tiver told the worried boy, "That is if you don't mind that this new family is just two new brothers."

Kyle smiled, back home he had been an only child, the thought of having two brothers, two older brothers at that, to watch his back was comforting. "I guess" was his only response.

Tiver blew out the lights and laid down next to Kyle, "To keep warm" he told Kyle. Kyle knew this, this was a boyscout survival move. Kyle threw some of his blanket over Tiver and they closed the gap between their bodies, sharing the warmth they generated. Jesse took up a position in a corner where he could see pretty much the entire floor of the Hole. Tiver would only sleep half the night. Something about his elven heritage, Tiver only slept four hours every other night, five hours if he slept in, or was exhausted.

Jesse Stranger

Date: 2006-11-13 10:45 EST
The next say was was the wildest experience of Kyles life, coming just short of being whisked away by the nexus. Jesse and Tiver took him into town, their first stop was for new clothing. Kyles old boy scout uniform was traded for a new set of clothes and a few copper, but his coat went for a whooping two gold. Next stop was a local second hand arms shop, where Tiver selected a dagger and small stiletto for Kyle. Both items were way beyond the boys budget, so they were stolen, in street urchin tradition.

Now dressed in a dark blue wool and leather tunic, and cloak, with black leather pants, Kyle looked like a RhyDinite right proper. The fact that he kept his hiking boots, made him blend a bit more into the crowds, that often wore clothing from different places and times across the known and unknown universe. The day was rather cool, and a heavy mist filled the air making it difficult to see more than a hundred yards or so. "Today is a great day for market shopping," Tiver noted "Even if your slow, the most and fog can help ya hide, and get away really fast. Not to mention, most merchants will not leave their booths in weather like this, as they can't see well enough to chase us, and watch their goods."

"Or you can hire yourself to hawk goods, or watch a booth" Jesse added, "Most folk around here can't read or write, and math skills along with reading and writing make you kinda valuable."

"Really?" this interested Kyle" The why not just get jobs" Instead of having to steal."

"Because half the time they won't pay you," informed Tiver as he scanned the market area for an easy mark, his elven eyes could see better in the mist and fog. "So you end up working and having to steal. Better to wait until they need you real bad, then they pay half up front, and if you don't get the other half later, you take it back when you can."

"And never give them your real name, make up some name." Jesses added.

Kyle pulled his cloak around himself, the dampness was beginning to get to him, and the cold air chilled his body. "So we gonna, get something?"

"Not today" Tiver informed, "There is something going on, there is alot of city guard around."

The three turned and headed away from the market area. "Soup kitchen?" asked Jesse.

"Why not?" Tiver said, not sound to thrilled about soup.

"What's wrong with soup?" Kyle asked, not knowing what the problem with a free meal could be.

"You'll see" said the young elf, glumly, "You'll see."

Jesse Stranger

Date: 2006-11-13 11:33 EST
Jesse and Tiver lead Kyle through the streets of west RhyDin to one of the local missions. This mission was "The Mission of the Righteous Sisters of Divine Mercy Through the Benevolence of the Uber Great Prophet Zarquon" Kyle thought it was a joke when Jesse told him the name, however when they arrived, there it was. "We just call it the soup kitchen" noted Tiver.

As they walked up the steps two of the sisters were posted outside like guards. Dressed in dark brown robes made of some rough wool like fabric, one of the sisters stopped the boys at the door. Kyle was almost horrified to see that the sister remained quiet looked an awful lot like Arnold Schwarzenegger, while the sister which stopped them was tall lean and very mean looking. He face was frozen in a permanent scowl, "Have you young men given your hearts to the Uber Great Prophet Zarquon' Have you experienced the warmth of his untiring interest in the lesser beings of this dimension?" she spoke in slow long, syllables.

"No", was Jesses answer, quick and straight forward, "We have not"

The sisters looked at one another, tall and lean raised one eyebrow, and the nodded to each other. "You may enter" tall and lean said, and both sisters made a sweeping gesture with their hands as the door opened behind them.

"Never say yes." hissed Tiver into Kyles ear "or they will not feed you. They will say that the prophets warm interest is all you need in life." Kyle, wided eyed, just nodded.

Inside the room was dimly light, there where others already inside eating. A strong smell of garlic, and limburger cheese filled the air. "What is that smell?" Kyle wrinkled his nose as he asked.

"Bread, toasted. with a smelly cheese, and garlic soup." was Jesses response "Just pick the toasted cheese off the bread, and it's ok, the soup is kinda strong too." The boys found a table to sit at, and soon the sisters brought them out three large bowls of soup, and a whole load of toasted bread with smelly cheese.

Jesse Stranger

Date: 2006-11-26 12:17 EST
The three boys where on their way back to the Hole when they heard. Another person had been killed, and city guard where making round ups in the area of the Hole. "Great no place to sleep" Tiver chimed as he looked over at Jesse, "Any ideas?"

"Yeah. lets get our stuff." Jesse replied, and all three took off running.

It was a futile effort though. The Hole was one of the first places hit by the city guards. As they arrived guards were burning the property of the the inhabitants, and boarding up the place. Bright orange notices, now plastered on the sides of the building, marked the place for demolition. The city was going to tear down the old warehouse. Kyle did not fully understand the magnitude of this event, Jesse and Tiver both almost cried, it was hard to hold back the tears. Again they were loosing a home.

Tiver wiped away unspilt tears, and managed to fake a smile "Well, tis the cold hard streets tonight.." but his voice wavered and he did not finish his statement. Even sarcasm was overrun by the grief of their situation.

"Now, now what?" Kyle stuttered, though he did not fully understand, he felt the impact of this also. His own heart had not even began to heal from all the lose he had experienced over the past few days.

Jesse could not hold back all the tears, a few escaped the boarders of his eyes, he wiped them away with a dirty hand. "Let's go to the park, we can plan there" his voice was almost a whisper.

The park was fairly large, there were play areas for the smaller children, and walking trails. Fountains and statues dotted the landscape here and there. Sometimes the park was a refuge for those in desperate need of a place to sleep. Only, the park was a dangerous place after dark, vagrants, and drunks used the place as a night time home. Prostitutes met johns here to sell and perform their trade, and other more, unsavory types, prowled the dark looking for lost young of the city, on which they could forced their perversion.

Jesse and Kyle sat in silence for a few hours, Tiver had wondered off one of the walking trails. Jesse knew that his elven friend missed the woods, and the wild. Jesse knew that Kyle was new, and would need extra protection, and there was only three of them. Times where gonna get rough. As he looked up Tiver was walking back, his head was low, he had been crying. Jesse knew something was up.

"I'm going back" Tiver said in tones so low it was if the wind had whispered the words. "My Da, he had a distant cousin in the woodland kingdom of Althora. I'm going to find him. " tears fell as Tiver spoke, he reached out and took Jesses hand, "come with me. Both of you."

Now Jesse and Kyle both had tears "I can't, Tiv, I don't know where I would even start. I've always lived in a city." Jesse went silent.

The silence held for a stranded minute "Kyle, you need to take Kyle"

"Why me?" Kyle asked, he seemed lost in this moment. Everything around him seemed to control him, he felt lost and out of control. However the words to express his frustration failed to materialize.

"Kyle, your a boyscout, Tiv will bring ya to somewhere safer than here right now. You'll live with the elves. No thieving, no worrying about what or where your next meal will come from."

Kyle was scared, he had not even got to try a start here, "I dunno, who are these elves..."

"They will take care of us Kyle" Tiver reassured.

"Then how come your here, and not with them now?" Kyles voice was getting angry "How come you didn't go to them back when you had a chance"

"I could have Kyle, when I lost my family I came here to earn money to get to Althora. But I met Jesse, and we ....we became friends. I just stayed"

"And we survived together" Jesse added."Tiver, I'll let ya know when it is once again safe, and if y'all want to come back." again there was silence, and then Tiver and Jesse embraced. They held each other for what seemed an eternity.

(These events are leading to the starting of a new SL, in a new folder. For continuity I am filling in the event which separates the three boys)