John
*`In the midst of the dark snowfield, there lies a tower of solace, dim-lit by the ebbing flicker of candlelight.`*
Randy
*`"Stop there."`*

A voice clearly rang out from beyond the snow, light and feminine in voice, yet sharp and derisive in tone, speaking to none but Abstral, who ventured far closer to the entrance of the tower than he might've expected, being blinded by the snow as he was. The voice spoke in a language initially unknown and entirely foreign to him, yet as the device tucked in his left ear acted in accordance with the sound that it picked up, the statement was swiftly echoed back to him in English — *Words of warning.*

As the voice called out, the wind died down, and the snow settled, clearing sightlines for Abstral and the origin of the voice to see one another. Before him, stood at no shorter than 180cm, was a *Knight,* Clad in a pearly armor, and with a long, yet slim straightsword held dutifully within its armored left palm. In its right, a kiteshield, and one made of the very same metal that construed both its armor and its sword.

From beyond its visor, he could not see the knight's face, yet its posture and its tone of voice would suggest that it was displeased with his very presence. It eyed him carefully for a moment, still on-edge, and seemed to linger on his features, as if analyzing him thoroughly to determine who he was.

*`"Ochre has made it clear."`*
*`"We are not attending."`*
*`"Tell Tvoktei and his Emissary that they will have to visit him themselves."`*

***`"Go, then. Begone, dog."`***
Anna
As he dashed through the blizzard, Abstral could see a dim light ahead.

``"A flame? In this desolate cold place? Fascinating."``, He mused to himself as he ran towards it and its source.

He stopped dead in his tracks upon hearing a voice coming from the direction of... The tower he was actually very close to. 

As the voice spoke and the translator in his ear translated her words, the blizzard around him appeared to come to an abrupt halt. Curious.

As was the appearance of the figure standing before him, what was clearly a knight.

He kept his swords summoned, ready in case of trouble, this knight didn't seem very happy to see him.

Her next words did nothing to ease any of his feelings.

Trying to ignore her last remark as best he could, Abstral thought how best to engage with this figure. She wanted him gone and yet he didn't even know who the people she was referring to were, nor who they were to her, though based on her tone, he could guess "Friends" Wouldn't be anywhere near the right term.

Clearing his throat he began to speak, hoping he chose his words carefully. If the figure got hostile, he would stand his ground.

``"Madam, I'm afraid I do not quite understand what it is you are asking me to do. At the risk of sparking your ire, I wish for you to elaborate. Where might I find this "Ochre" And this "Twoktei" And his Emissary? Do they lie ahead of me? Within the tower you and I stand in front of? Are they foe to you? You are the first living being I have encountered in this "Realm", I have not met those to whom you refer."``
Randy
The knight allowed the stranger to explain himself, raising a brow beneath their pearly helm in questioning of his lack of understanding toward her statement. Lifting her chin slightly, the armored knight rested their straightsword atop their left shoulder, tapping it against the plate armor twice, as she first let him speak, and then let a moment for the words to sink in. A quiet, slightly concerned, perplexed *`"Hm."`* Lifted from the knight's lips, as she slowly lowered the sword's tip to rest against the snowy ground at her side.

*`"Truly."`* 
*`"You've no idea where you are."`*

A subtle, but prolonged exhale was forced from her lungs, as her eyes briefly closed, head tilted slightly up and away from the stranger ahead of herself. Abstral's words would come with a twofold impact — first, with the shocking fact that he was not in the service of Tvoktei's legion, and second, with the even *More* Shocking fact that he *Wasn't from this Floor.* 

Despite what first impressions might suggest, she wasn't quick enough to pick up on the subtlety of his language — his use of the word *Realm* Would be a clear giveaway that he wasn't actually one who hailed from another Floor within the *Ark* — the *Vektet,* But she, for lack of greater caution, glossed over the fact. Perhaps it was of slight convenience to Abstral, for her following words continued in a slightly more favorable disposition.
_ _

*`"Ochre is the keeper of this respite."`*
*`"And Tvoktei is the sovereign of this Floor. He is elsewhere."`*

She elucidated, still half-in-thought over the outsider's previous statement, softly tapping her sword against the snow in a fidget.

*`"You're not from this Floor, and you're not one of Tvoktei's dogs, so,"`*
*`"He would perhaps find interest in you. That Ochre."`*

So she finished. As Abstral clearly demonstrated his lack of knowledge on the subject of the sovereign Tvoktei, it seemed that the knight's dismissive nature toward him departed. As he had already ascertained, it seemed both the knight, as well as the one referred to as Ochre, found quite some disdain for him. Merely the idea of being associated with him was reason for the knight clad in pearly armor to turn him away.

Now, though, some diplomacy could be made. The knight stared again at Abstral, and, with her blade lowered, eased her stance.
*However, she was not yet ready to up and invite him into the tower.*

*`"Put away your weapons."`*
*`"Ochre would like to see you, but not with a sword in hand."`*
*`"Outsiders shouldn't have any objects of violence when entering the respite."`*
*`"It goes against its nature."`*