Karhu Katsu







Posts: 10

Joined: Jul 2013

Character: Karhu Katsu

Server: Balmung

Reputation: 0 Junior Member RE: Karhu Katsu - Beginning | #3 07-16-2013, 02:45 PM (This post was last modified: 07-16-2013, 09:28 PM by Karhu Katsu .) Karhu awoke in a dimly lit room, the light aroma of sandalwood burning in a censer hanging nearby. The clock tower was tolling the tenth bell. Her empty stomach grumbled its discomfort, and her head was pounding like a stampede of chocobo had trotted over it. She tried to lift her arms, but groaned under the sudden weight of them, as if she had iron ingots in each palm. She slowly sat up, squinting to adjust to the candlelight. It was a modest accommodation, with the basic amenities. She lay on a down featherbed, a night table to either side. She spotted a decanter of iced water, and carefully poured a glass. Her hands were shaking slightly, but she was able to quickly drain the glass, the cool liquid feeling wonderful against her parched throat. Sensing she was being watched, she quickly turned to the doorway. Standing in the doorway was a Hyur gentleman, smiling kindly at her. The hood he wore earlier was down, revealing his short graying brown hair and wire-framed reading glasses. His face showed signs of age, but with a spark in his dark blue eyes that hinted there were still many years to come.



“Ah, you’ve finally come to I see.” he said with a grin. “You have nothing to fear here young one. The man who assaulted you has been arrested, and albeit his armor and pride wounded, he remains unharmed. The Brass Blades will hold him in custody until he sobers up, then he will face whatever punishment the Sultana deems fit.” She nodded and breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she had not killed the man when she… A sudden flash came to her that she did not know what she did. “All I remember is trying to escape, and then it got very warm.” The look of confusion on her face bore truth. He smirked, and approached her. “Well young one, my name is Belmont Stone, and what you did was some quite impressive aether bending, for a novice.” His eyes turned to her hands, noticing no burns on her palms. When his gaze fell upon her dragon claw ring however, he nodded to himself knowingly. “So it seems there is more to you than it seems. May I know your name?” Karhu was taken aback, only now realizing she hadn’t given her would-be rescuer a proper greeting. “My name is Karhu, if it please you Sir; Karhu Katsu.” Belmont smiled kindly. “Well Miss Katsu, it would appear you have some talent in the arcane arts. I take it though that you have never had any training?” She puzzled at the query, unsure of what he was referring to. “Me? Training in thaumaturgy? I’m just a weaver’s apprentice.” She leaned back and stretched he arms above her head. “I’ve never been able to do anything like this before. It is all so new to me.” She thought back to the voice she had heard, shaking it off as a delusion brought on by the pain. Sitting up quickly, she turned to Belmont. “What makes you think I have talent in anything other than thread and needle Sir?”



Belmont took a seat next to her on the featherbed, and lightly took her right hand in his. “Karhu, where did you get this ring?” he asked, watching the stone reflect the flickering flames of the candelabra hanging above. She twisted the ring back and forth on her finger, thinking back to the day after the Calamity five years past. “I think… It must have been my mother’s.” She looked down solemnly and shook her head. “I’m not quite sure Sir, my memories are foggy. I remember bits and pieces, but none of the pieces fit together.” The thought of not knowing her parents’ faces saddened her. A tear rolled down her cheek, but she brushed it away like a pestering fly. Seeing that he had upset her, Belmont quickly chided in. “Well, where you got it matters little, but the significance of such a gem is of great importance. It explains the incident in the marketplace, you see.” He held her hand gently, hoping to bring some comfort. “Karhu, this is a 12 pointed fire ruby. Not the rarest crystal, but when used to focus the flow of the aether, a medium to speak, it becomes a tool of great power for a trained thaumatuge.” He pointed to the small bejeweled scepter he wore upon his belt. “Usually such a medium is housed in a staff, or scepter such as this; however, it is not unusual to see one in a ring instead, such as yours.” He pondered his next words carefully, trying not to upset her further. “Whoever had used that ring before you may have been part of a guild of thaumaturgy.”



The thought intrigued her. She sat up to listen closer. “So, you think I have talent?” she replied with a playful air of overconfidence. Belmont chuckled derisively. “Well, let us not get ahead of ourselves here young Karhu. There are many steps before you can become a fully-fledged thaumaturge, but let’s say I am anxious for you to meet with the master of our guild so you can begin training.” His tone turned serious for a moment. “I must urge against denying such training, as power such as you possess can be deadly if left unrestrained and uncontrolled. You wouldn’t want another incident such as this afternoon’s.” He resumed his friendly tone and once again took her hand in his. “I sincerely hope you will consider such an offer. I may not be master of the guild, but I know innate talents when I see it, and it would be a shame to have such ability go to waste.” He stood up and bowed politely. “If you are interested, you can find me at the Arrzaneth Ossuary, just south of the Gate of Sultana. Do you know the place?” She nodded, having visited that part of the city, although rarely, on the occasion a customer wanted a magical imbuement. A sudden thought occurred to Karhu. “Sir Belmont, this is not my room at the weavers’ guild. Where are we? He laughed, as he stood to leave. “My dear, after you fainted, I acquired a room at the Quicksands for you. Have no worry of the cost, the guild keeps me well compensated. Just get a good meal in your belly, and come see me when you feel better. Momodi, downstairs, will take good care of you. She is a personal friend of the guild.” When he got to the door, he turned back for one last word. “Momodi also heads the adventurers’ guild here in Ul’dah. You should see her for work if you want something more exciting than weaving.” He laughed. “I expect we shall be seeing great things of you. Until next we meet Karhu Katsu.” This is who I am , and who I will become is up to Eorzea. May she guide me gracefully.

~Karhu Katsu