Destination, because journey is to frustrating

[Deleted]

(I just remembered you're two hour ahead of me so sorry. Also pardon the time-skip please. If not I'll change it.)

Kano looked around quickly, yesterday they had lost Tuono and had split up to search for him. The shifter had succeeded, but the new problem was finding Bill. Being in the middle of an old gully clutching a cat and soaking wet made this task something not looked forward to. The water was hard to fight against but the coat added weight to her step that prevented her from slipping by a small amount. "What were you thinking Tuono? 'I think I'm going to jump into that small river and get sent down the rapids.' Because that is always a good idea." Her voice wasn't to loud considering the river and that the cat was in her arms. Stepping onto the sandy bank she sighed, now all that was left was to climb up the side get back to the trail and find Bill. 'Yaaaaay..'

Walking over to the walls of the gully Kano slung Tuono around her neck like a scarf and began to climb. A gully being smaller than a ravine was nice, but the water had cut through these walls sharply making the wall unreliable. Having reached the top with a sigh the next task was to get through the large dead prickly grass-like plant that was taller than her and Tuono combined. The tom was exhausted, hours spent clinging to a rock in the middle of a small river could do that especially to a creature as small as him. This treck through the prickly-plants earned her some small scratches that stung but didn't do anything else. Stepping onto the path, a bit frustrated, Kano spun around several times to figure out where Bill was. 'I can only hope that I don't have to go to far to find him, the town is only a couple hours away by now though...'

[Red_Tower]

Bill was searching around everywhere he could think of for Tuono. The rain didn't help though, impeding sight and smell. "Really, in the middle of a storm is when you decide to act up? Dumb cat..." He thought as he continued looking. After a while, Bill decided to check up a large tree, climbing it in search of the cat, but with no luck. Instead then, he scanned the area to try and spot Kano. After a few moments he spotted movement, and then her coat. He hopped down and started making his way towards her, fighting thorns and other prickly plant life on the way.

Finally Bill could see her not too far ahead. "Kano, did you find him?" He shouted, rushing towards the shifter, fighting through one extra thick brier, before stumbling out, rolling through the mud, and hopping up. He was about to ask his question again, before he noticed the drenched and worn cat hanging around Kano's neck. "Oh, there you are. Having fun?" Bill said to the tom, glaring.

(It's fine, I was just remembering that and figured it would take you a little longer to post actually. And it's fine, I love the image of Tuono being slung around her neck like a scarf )

[Deleted]

The cat snorted and Kano held back her instinctive huff of irritation. The drizzling rain was not enough to warrant how soaked the two were, but considering the fact they had jumped into a river it wasn't that strange. "Finding the yowling feline wasn't that hard. Getting to him was the tricky bit." Her words held tired bite, not really angry just a little irritable.

The dripping wet cat around her neck did nothing to help her dripping wet coat that didn't help her dripping wet hair, okay that's enough. While the weather didn't bother her and the storm would be gone before they reached town, the fact that not only did she have two spare coats inside her bag and they were also soaked did though. Turning and walking at a normal pace Kano avoided particularly muddy patches. Though Tuono wasn't aware of it and to his owner it was a habit very old and learned as an orphan it was there. Everything about her posture and movement had changed, it was defensive and didn't attract attention as well as completely useless without reason.

[Red_Tower]

Bill grinned a little as he thought about what she had to do to get the cat. The rain didn't really bother the mage that much, but he still didn't like it. If nothing else it always put a damper on his favorite form of magic. He was also soaked to the bone, coat drenched, and everything under. He just hoped what protection he had put on his satchel would be enough, because he didn't want to think about all the things that could be ruined if they got wet. Still, there was nothing he could do about it now except get to town and dry off in the inn. So on he marched along side Kano and Tuono, noticing the slow pace (for Kano) and her new stance. "Hey, we'll be there in no time flat, alright? Just think of a hot bowl of soup and a warm bed." Bill said with a warm, comforting smile. "Is the storm affecting her this much, or is this just something she does?"

[Deleted]

Shaking her head before nodding in response to Bill's words. Forcing herself to recall that although she was on the streets it was in a different way and her companion was not the same age as her but not aiming for her demise or shame. The sorry that almost escaped her mouth due to mindset was thankfully held back. Tuono had noticed upon being awoken by the shaking of her head and promptly clawed at her arm making a 'mfff' sound as he did so. Kano straitened immediately, creating a walk closer to her usual gait that was clearly forced for a few steps before shaking her head again and resuming the previous stance.

The weather only served as irritation, what had realty gotten to her was the familiarity of struggling to stay above surface in a river and then walking through the drizzling rain afterwards. The original circumstance was when she was much smaller and had been thrown into the canal by a man who saw fit to be cruel to the 'street rubbish' known as an orphan that escaped the orphanage. Having escaped that by climbing the younger Kano had walked through alley after alley eventually sitting down in one without an overhang. Once more shaking her head the shifter glanced at Bill, trying very hard to shove herself into the mindset that he was used to. The gratitude and energetic movement was something reserved for the illusion and time spent free of lieing.

[Red_Tower]

Bill noticed the short burst of speed from Kano, nodding as he realized that she didn't have energy or mindset to go faster right now. Which was fine with Bill, because truth be told, though he could keep her faster pace easily enough, he never traveled that quickly. It was fine that she liked to, but he normally took his time. "Maybe you could learn a thing or two, eh Bill? What, don't always walk? Something like that..." The alchemist thought as they got slowly nearer their destination. He couldn't remember much about where they were going, but he knew it was supposed to be a nice place.

"So what's this place we're headed again?" Bill asked, both to remember himself, and to change whatever Kano was thinking about.

[Deleted]

"A little fishing town, the place will be mostly stone due to the sea. Clocks are very important in towns like that to help keep track of the tide, and usually they love cats." The rain was beginning to lighten up and the air tasted of salt. The white-washed stone of the buildings and streets couldn't be seen yet, but Kano knew exactly what it would look like. If they had parted ways on the mountain, she would have told him that she was far more likely to be spotted in a seaside town than one like the place of their meeting.

Seeing as most clockmakers avoided those places like the plague the shifter was almost guaranteed work. The salt in the air could be damaging to tools and any machinery that a clockmaker was capable of dealing with would always wear down far faster than normal. Kano tended to hang around in those places because she was almost always welcome, not to mention the beds were huge. Sleeping arrangements this time around would be different due to the structure of the buildings. Still, it would be nice when they got there.

[Red_Tower]

"Ah, fishing villages are nice; a bit small at times, but not always. I haven't been to one in a while, but I'm sure this time will go much smoother." Bill said with half a grin, twitching at the corner of his lips. Last time he could remember being in one ended with him in a small flaming raft running from an angry group of wizards. "It wouldn't have been an issue if they had accepted my claim to the scroll... But wizards, they never want to part with their secrets." He thought to himself as they worked their way closer to the town. The alchemist didn't know exactly what Kano planned on doing when they arrived, except finding work. So he figured this would be his chance to get back to work as well. If there's a person, there's an illness or issue that he could solve. Most of the time.

As they walked, he started thinking about where they would sleep and work. He supposed that Kano could walk about to find jobs repairing things, but Bill usually needed somewhere to hunker down for business, even if it was just a tent or street stall. He always had enough material or money on him to set something like that up, but he wasn't sure how they were going to be here. "How familiar are you with this place? Or I suppose, how long do you think we'll be able to stay?"

[Deleted]

"We would be able to stay for an indefinite period of time, I usually leave after a week though. Clockmakers usually avoid places by the sea because of how damaging it is to tools and machienery. They are always needed though, given how important the time is for keeping track of the tide. There are plenty of other things to repair and make besides clocks though. Also there was reason for me stopping those merchants the other day, I know exactly how the town we're headed to is laid out except for unique landmarks and shops." The sun was back and although she still walked the same, Kano had straightened some. Tuono was completely asleep and his owner might as well been wearing a soaked scarf for all the difference it made.

The lack of rain was nice too, and the trail held hints of old cobbling. 'Yep, I know what I'm doing. Still it's a bit odd that you wanted to stay with me...I can't complain but just made you decide that. I wore on even the Old man's nerves after a while.'

[Red_Tower]

"Sounds fine to me. I'll probably get some business in while we're here too, so that'll be nice. Though you might have to give me a quick run down of the general area, not being from around here or anything..." Bill said, noticing her new stance as the sun came out. They would probably still be pretty damp once they had reached town though. But they would be able to dry out and rest shortly after. The mage rolled his arms around, stretching them out for a minute. He was use to the road, but that didn't mean he always enjoyed it.

[Deleted]

"Quick like the last time I gave you directions or just where you'll find me and basic essentials? The buildings will all be connected to a circle in the center of town and all the streets nice and wide too." Stepping onto the freshly repaired cobblestone her boots that looked like they should have clacked were silent until she moved to step forward, barely audible squeaks ad the smooth bottom lost the essential traction right before the other foot landed. Kano did fine with this, though many found it odd that the bottom of her shoes were smooth as they were with all the walking and hiking she was constantly doing.

[Red_Tower]

"Just you and the basics, I can find my way well enough after that." He smiled as they hit the cobbled road. They were almost there now, and he could do with a good little rest. He was thinking about the mountain top again. She didn't seem to have a problem when he said he wanted to stay with her, but somehow he got the feeling that she wasn't expecting it. He wasn't really expecting it either, or at least, that she'd be fine with it. Still, he was glad that he had said it, because it was true; for whatever reason, he still wanted to travel and be around her. Was it because he was lonely, or that he wouldn't know where to go without her? He wasn't sure, and he might never know, but for now, he was happy.

[Deleted]

"Well the large circle at the center will hold the inn and restaurants, the outermost ring on the side towards the sea will be where I'll be working on the tower, port machinery, and house-hold clocks. If I'm not there it's most likely that you'll find me within the circle and first two inner rings. Those two hold all the shops, the rest is either warehouses or homes." The white stone of this side of the outer ring could be seen now and the rail did cut straight to the circle, provided you didn't turn beforehand. 'I wonder if he'll be able to tolerate my antics at the end of the week. I just hope he can, if not then I'll have to leave anyways. It is what it is.'

[Red_Tower]

"Alright, I'll keep that all in mind." Bill said as they began to reach the town, the white stone buildings easily seen now from the road. He knew that it would be best to avoid bothering her too much during her work, but he was glad she told him where to look if he needed her. Somehow Bill knew that this new town would take some getting adjusted to. Still, he was looking forward to their time here, as boring or crazy as it might become.

[Deleted]

Nodding Kano continued in silence, eying the cat and avoiding doing anything stupid. Entering town it was everything she expected, a blast of wind pushing back her water-laden hood witch woke the cat up as he was introduced to more water. The salty air made her grin, no one knew her yet and so she wasn't being yanked around but people did occasionally glance their way. The people were always busy, but friendly enough to check to see if they needed help.

Walking through the invisible boundary that was marked only by a slight change in cobbling the shifter turned to Bill. "What do you want first?"