Linota had learned a few moves from Ren, like how to disarm someone holding a gun and how to quickly incapacitate someone with grapple holds or a well placed chop. She also learned how to properly hold a gun, or rather the stun gun that Ren had given to her, and how to correctly aim it. Linota had mostly watched Ren perform the moves on Cairo, but she put it into practice with the man a few times herself, not caring so much about touch when it involved fighting. She rather enjoyed it and might have hit the boys a little too hard as she let her frustrations out. Accidentally, of course.
Shortly after the three of them had devolved to wrestling each other on the ground, and the kids had all jumped in, the ‘real adults’ were ready to put action behind their words. They went down the alley and to the party pop up, where all the townspeople were still in attendance. There was no sense in wasting all of the good food that Liothryth and Azumi had prepared and they did promise the children they could actually eat those delicious smells. When the group of misfit heroes barged in, followed by 14 kids, it looked as though the party goers would faint or vomit. It was a spectacular crashing, with kids running on tables, snatching food right out of the town folks' hands and dumping drinks on them. Linota laughed with the kids, talked with the kids, and ate with them one last time.
She was distant after, as if trying to break any bonds she had with them before they were gone. And then they were gone, leaving her just a little emptier inside. She angrily questioned her own emotions, asking why she cared so much and informed herself that she didn’t care about the kids at all. They annoyed her to her wit’s end more often than not. Good riddance! But that line of thinking only made her feel even more guilty.
She accepted any compassion Cairo might have shown her, but even from him, she wanted to be alone. It was a little difficult in a wagon, but she made do with posturing and sticking to one corner in standoffish silence. Her staff was always with her, inside the wagon and out of it, but she never once tried to use it.
She had piled her stolen goods in some compartment in the vardo wagon, somewhere Assallya had shown to her. She decided to take the silver platter after all, as well as the doll, the fork, and the goblet. She had played around with all of them, though she still didn’t know what the platter could do. She supposed it could be thrown at a werewolf, but other than that, it seemed of no real use.
She didn’t know what the doll could do either, but she didn’t try to figure it out for very long. It scared her every time she opened the lid to the compartment to grab something else, as nothing could make her get used to the sight of it. Its eyes were wide and hollow, its hair was stringy, and Linota just knew that it wanted her dead. She decided she would ask Assallya what she knew about the platter and the doll both.
The fork and goblet weren’t so much useful as they were interesting. With the fork, one could bite down on it and the food of their desire, or perhaps just what they were thinking about at that second, would suddenly appear inside their mouth. Linota had a lot of fun with that one, though it made her think about how much the children would have enjoyed it. She shared this discovery with the others, but regretted it after everyone wanted to put their disgusting mouths on it. She wouldn’t be using that thing again until she could thoroughly clean it, sufficing to get her meals by other means, even if that meant asking Robin for help.
The goblet was less fun, but no less interesting. It would fill with drinkable liquid when tilted against someone’s lips, but the drink was random. And ‘drinkable’ was often time up for debate. Sometimes Linota would get a delightful honey tea or a nice ale, though other times she would get some black licorice-like concoction or one that tasted like ginger root–a foreign taste to her–that seemed to burn her insides. She tried to dump it out, but it would only refill with the same drink until someone drank every drop of it. She had dared Cairo to drink the last batch of nasty drink, calling him cowardly names to get him to agree. She would laugh at him if he did and excitedly think about what the next drink would be. Eventually she would toss the goblet in the compartment when it next filled with something unsatisfactory to her. She would let whoever tried to use it next deal with the unpalatable brew.
Linota had later heard about Liothryth’s offer to pay the group’s newly acquired Robin to aid in her journey, to which Linota had scoffed. That girl would have done it for free! She was proud, however, to discover that Cairo had jumped on this financial opportunity, asking for payment as well. Linota had been the next one to ask, and would say with a smile, “It’s your own fault for offering,” if Liothryth had been at all irritated by it.
Truthfully, she was grateful to Liothryth for not mentioning Linota’s earlier lie about the mage needing ‘her artifacts back’ in order to help Ren and Azumi. She was also grateful for Ren and Azumi’s memory capabilities.
As the days rolled on, with small bits of conversation and even a few laughs sprinkled into her troubled silence, Linota couldn’t help but feel better with each morning. She was thankful for the company, though she didn’t act like it much. She was slowly getting more accustomed to the people, and creatures, around her, enough to be curious about them.
She asked Assallya questions about some of the stuff she had in her wagon, like the long and intricate glass pipe and the strange smelling herbs she had. She learned that they could be smoked and what it felt like when doing so. She readily told Assallya that she wanted to try it, saying she would trade her some of the mushrooms she had picked and explaining the effects of those as well.
She also asked Ren about science and got a better understanding of the word, though she still had a lot to learn. Azumi, she mostly spoke to about food and the type of magic the kitsune could use. It seemed different than the kind of magic Linota was used to seeing.
She hadn’t spoken to Liothryth much after she had finally agreed to let the mage heal her wounds. It had been nice to be cared for, to be made better by someone, but it only reminded Linota of how useless she was. Or how useless she thought she was. What this old and powerful mage must think of her. A frail child who only ever needs saving.
Linota wasn’t so wary of the mage anymore, of any of them really. Now that she had spent a few, peaceful days with them, they weren’t so bad- for a bunch of weirdos. This morning, Liothryth meditated outside, as she seemed to do most mornings, Linota was beginning to see. She looked from Lio to the staff gripped firmly in her own hand, at the hourglass that hadn’t run even half an ounce since Radigan had turned it. With a heavy heart and a sigh, Linota made her way over to Lio with quiet footsteps. Assallya had loaned her some clothes, seeing as Linota had none to change into. Her old, blood stained rags were burned, easily let go of and forgotten. Now she wore the most loose fitting, most unrevealing outfit the gypsy had to spare, which was still not up to Linota’s standards of ambiguity, but she was grateful nonetheless. It mostly consisted of blacks and greys, matching the old boots she still wore. They were covered in holes and the leather was tearing in most places, but they still had their soles.
“Hey,” Linota said lightly, not wanting to startle the woman. She was unknowingly chewing her lip and looked at the spear like a war was waging in her mind.
“I want you to have this,” she blurted and held out her staff to Liothryth, determination brightening her eyes. She had gone over this in her head a hundred times now, but still she tried to argue against it. “It’s useless with me. I don’t know magic and as much as I try, it doesn’t work. It doesn’t do the things it did when.. he was using it.”
Radigan’s name was a sore in her mouth and she couldn’t bring herself to say it in that moment. She didn't speak of the backlash the staff did to him, but what it did for him, before. The elemental attacks, the shields. If Liothryth didn’t take the staff away from her, Linota’s inner flame would flicker irritably.
“It’s just a stick in my hands!” She would shout at her, frustration at admitting her own inadequacy acting as kerosene. “Take it!”
Shortly after the three of them had devolved to wrestling each other on the ground, and the kids had all jumped in, the ‘real adults’ were ready to put action behind their words. They went down the alley and to the party pop up, where all the townspeople were still in attendance. There was no sense in wasting all of the good food that Liothryth and Azumi had prepared and they did promise the children they could actually eat those delicious smells. When the group of misfit heroes barged in, followed by 14 kids, it looked as though the party goers would faint or vomit. It was a spectacular crashing, with kids running on tables, snatching food right out of the town folks' hands and dumping drinks on them. Linota laughed with the kids, talked with the kids, and ate with them one last time.
She was distant after, as if trying to break any bonds she had with them before they were gone. And then they were gone, leaving her just a little emptier inside. She angrily questioned her own emotions, asking why she cared so much and informed herself that she didn’t care about the kids at all. They annoyed her to her wit’s end more often than not. Good riddance! But that line of thinking only made her feel even more guilty.
She accepted any compassion Cairo might have shown her, but even from him, she wanted to be alone. It was a little difficult in a wagon, but she made do with posturing and sticking to one corner in standoffish silence. Her staff was always with her, inside the wagon and out of it, but she never once tried to use it.
She had piled her stolen goods in some compartment in the vardo wagon, somewhere Assallya had shown to her. She decided to take the silver platter after all, as well as the doll, the fork, and the goblet. She had played around with all of them, though she still didn’t know what the platter could do. She supposed it could be thrown at a werewolf, but other than that, it seemed of no real use.
She didn’t know what the doll could do either, but she didn’t try to figure it out for very long. It scared her every time she opened the lid to the compartment to grab something else, as nothing could make her get used to the sight of it. Its eyes were wide and hollow, its hair was stringy, and Linota just knew that it wanted her dead. She decided she would ask Assallya what she knew about the platter and the doll both.
The fork and goblet weren’t so much useful as they were interesting. With the fork, one could bite down on it and the food of their desire, or perhaps just what they were thinking about at that second, would suddenly appear inside their mouth. Linota had a lot of fun with that one, though it made her think about how much the children would have enjoyed it. She shared this discovery with the others, but regretted it after everyone wanted to put their disgusting mouths on it. She wouldn’t be using that thing again until she could thoroughly clean it, sufficing to get her meals by other means, even if that meant asking Robin for help.
The goblet was less fun, but no less interesting. It would fill with drinkable liquid when tilted against someone’s lips, but the drink was random. And ‘drinkable’ was often time up for debate. Sometimes Linota would get a delightful honey tea or a nice ale, though other times she would get some black licorice-like concoction or one that tasted like ginger root–a foreign taste to her–that seemed to burn her insides. She tried to dump it out, but it would only refill with the same drink until someone drank every drop of it. She had dared Cairo to drink the last batch of nasty drink, calling him cowardly names to get him to agree. She would laugh at him if he did and excitedly think about what the next drink would be. Eventually she would toss the goblet in the compartment when it next filled with something unsatisfactory to her. She would let whoever tried to use it next deal with the unpalatable brew.
Linota had later heard about Liothryth’s offer to pay the group’s newly acquired Robin to aid in her journey, to which Linota had scoffed. That girl would have done it for free! She was proud, however, to discover that Cairo had jumped on this financial opportunity, asking for payment as well. Linota had been the next one to ask, and would say with a smile, “It’s your own fault for offering,” if Liothryth had been at all irritated by it.
Truthfully, she was grateful to Liothryth for not mentioning Linota’s earlier lie about the mage needing ‘her artifacts back’ in order to help Ren and Azumi. She was also grateful for Ren and Azumi’s memory capabilities.
As the days rolled on, with small bits of conversation and even a few laughs sprinkled into her troubled silence, Linota couldn’t help but feel better with each morning. She was thankful for the company, though she didn’t act like it much. She was slowly getting more accustomed to the people, and creatures, around her, enough to be curious about them.
She asked Assallya questions about some of the stuff she had in her wagon, like the long and intricate glass pipe and the strange smelling herbs she had. She learned that they could be smoked and what it felt like when doing so. She readily told Assallya that she wanted to try it, saying she would trade her some of the mushrooms she had picked and explaining the effects of those as well.
She also asked Ren about science and got a better understanding of the word, though she still had a lot to learn. Azumi, she mostly spoke to about food and the type of magic the kitsune could use. It seemed different than the kind of magic Linota was used to seeing.
She hadn’t spoken to Liothryth much after she had finally agreed to let the mage heal her wounds. It had been nice to be cared for, to be made better by someone, but it only reminded Linota of how useless she was. Or how useless she thought she was. What this old and powerful mage must think of her. A frail child who only ever needs saving.
Linota wasn’t so wary of the mage anymore, of any of them really. Now that she had spent a few, peaceful days with them, they weren’t so bad- for a bunch of weirdos. This morning, Liothryth meditated outside, as she seemed to do most mornings, Linota was beginning to see. She looked from Lio to the staff gripped firmly in her own hand, at the hourglass that hadn’t run even half an ounce since Radigan had turned it. With a heavy heart and a sigh, Linota made her way over to Lio with quiet footsteps. Assallya had loaned her some clothes, seeing as Linota had none to change into. Her old, blood stained rags were burned, easily let go of and forgotten. Now she wore the most loose fitting, most unrevealing outfit the gypsy had to spare, which was still not up to Linota’s standards of ambiguity, but she was grateful nonetheless. It mostly consisted of blacks and greys, matching the old boots she still wore. They were covered in holes and the leather was tearing in most places, but they still had their soles.
“Hey,” Linota said lightly, not wanting to startle the woman. She was unknowingly chewing her lip and looked at the spear like a war was waging in her mind.
“I want you to have this,” she blurted and held out her staff to Liothryth, determination brightening her eyes. She had gone over this in her head a hundred times now, but still she tried to argue against it. “It’s useless with me. I don’t know magic and as much as I try, it doesn’t work. It doesn’t do the things it did when.. he was using it.”
Radigan’s name was a sore in her mouth and she couldn’t bring herself to say it in that moment. She didn't speak of the backlash the staff did to him, but what it did for him, before. The elemental attacks, the shields. If Liothryth didn’t take the staff away from her, Linota’s inner flame would flicker irritably.
“It’s just a stick in my hands!” She would shout at her, frustration at admitting her own inadequacy acting as kerosene. “Take it!”
Lio opened her eyes and looked at Linota holding the staff out to her. It was the first time she'd been around the young woman since healing her and, Lio suddenly realized, the first time the two had been alone together. That was very interesting because she was sensing something she hadn't when around Linota before.
"I already have a staff," she said. "I'd look rather foolish with two, don't you think?" Whatever was bothering the young woman seemed to have been festering for a while. And there was that new thing she was sensing. Lio opened herself up to the eddies and currents of magic around her and started to feel the potential for an incredible amount of magical energy in Linota but it was as if something was blocking it. "You said you've tried using it and nothing happens. Sometime magical objects will work with very little effort by it's user, and some require more specific actions to function. Perhaps you can use it, you just don't know how yet. What did you do when you tired?"
"I already have a staff," she said. "I'd look rather foolish with two, don't you think?" Whatever was bothering the young woman seemed to have been festering for a while. And there was that new thing she was sensing. Lio opened herself up to the eddies and currents of magic around her and started to feel the potential for an incredible amount of magical energy in Linota but it was as if something was blocking it. "You said you've tried using it and nothing happens. Sometime magical objects will work with very little effort by it's user, and some require more specific actions to function. Perhaps you can use it, you just don't know how yet. What did you do when you tired?"
Aislinn strode proudly at the head of their small procession as they travelled. Unlike before she was now properly cladded in plate mail and sported an assemblage of weapons on the rump of her steed. A shield was close at hand, sporting her personal device of a winged sword. At her side was her trusted bastard sword, the classic "hand-and-a-half" blade that could be wielded with one or two hands and in her stirrup was a long lance with a pinion that matched her shield.
She had agreed to lend aid in the quest for she was headed towards Elsen's Tor to investigate rumours of fell sorcery, missing livestock, and- occasionally, missing people. She'd elected to do so while her partner, the abjurer Darren, was visiting family. Personally, she'd suspected bandits and wasn't worried but after talking with Liothryth she was not so sure.
The party she'd assembled was quite diverse and boggling. The inclusion of a pair of children and, in particular, Assallya, an untrustworthy wench, was a surprise to her but Aislinn had been at this sort of thing a while. She knew the value of one who knew their way around locks and traps, people would could move with footsteps like falling leaves. No, that definitely wasn't her strength. Then there was a familiar, and her "partner" and that small dog-like woods girl. Yes, it was a very strange assemble.
She had agreed to lend aid in the quest for she was headed towards Elsen's Tor to investigate rumours of fell sorcery, missing livestock, and- occasionally, missing people. She'd elected to do so while her partner, the abjurer Darren, was visiting family. Personally, she'd suspected bandits and wasn't worried but after talking with Liothryth she was not so sure.
The party she'd assembled was quite diverse and boggling. The inclusion of a pair of children and, in particular, Assallya, an untrustworthy wench, was a surprise to her but Aislinn had been at this sort of thing a while. She knew the value of one who knew their way around locks and traps, people would could move with footsteps like falling leaves. No, that definitely wasn't her strength. Then there was a familiar, and her "partner" and that small dog-like woods girl. Yes, it was a very strange assemble.
Cairo is seen sneaking off by himself leaning against a tree with a bag next to him which was filled to the brim with a multitude of scrolls that he bought like a totally normal person and did not get hit upside the head by Lin he was studying this scroll knowing all of his scrolls were for learning kenjutsu he eventually backs away from the tree and readies his sword to practice the combination as instructed only to fail in a goofy manner but being himself was too stubborn to stop until he got it right even though he was by himself he still felt a little embarrassed about getting the stance and moves wrong and tripping himself up more times than he would admit, like that nagging thought that anyone can pop out at any moment
Sitting atop her perch atop the vardo wagon Assallya's blue eyes scanned the area as she pretended to languish. Her long copper blonde hair shone where the sun's rays caught it and she occasionally took a breath from the shisha pipe at her side.
So far all seemed quiet but inevitably their small group began to break up and isolate themselves. Rolling her eyes she noted even the tactically sound paladin woman who so annoyed her was brushing her horse. Linota was off pestering Liothryth instead of studying her runes and sigils. Oh, and there went Cairo, the little brat was running off on his own and looking to get picked off by goblin marauders.
Yes, she thought to herself, typical adventurers...
So far all seemed quiet but inevitably their small group began to break up and isolate themselves. Rolling her eyes she noted even the tactically sound paladin woman who so annoyed her was brushing her horse. Linota was off pestering Liothryth instead of studying her runes and sigils. Oh, and there went Cairo, the little brat was running off on his own and looking to get picked off by goblin marauders.
Yes, she thought to herself, typical adventurers...
Aislinn didn't make any effort to conceal her approach from Cairo. She wasn't built like Liothryth, Robin or Linota -and definitely not like Assallya. She had the little body of a hunting cat and moved like she was ever ready to drop into a somersault.
He also found that her armor didn't make the racket that the stories claimed as she moved. She calmly walked to the edge of the small clearing Cairo was practicing in and adjusted the shield slung over her pauldron and leaned against a tree and watched, trying to assess the lad's overall skill.
She would say nothing, just observe silently.
He also found that her armor didn't make the racket that the stories claimed as she moved. She calmly walked to the edge of the small clearing Cairo was practicing in and adjusted the shield slung over her pauldron and leaned against a tree and watched, trying to assess the lad's overall skill.
She would say nothing, just observe silently.
Ren and Azumi simply stayed inside the wagon, occasionally looking out for any bandits and animals they could hunt. The two seemed to be preoccupied with the crystal left behind by their squadron's leader. Ren was especially obsessed with it, checking it every so often just in case something happened.
"It's out of magic, Ren", the kitsune told her son. He acted as if he didn't hear her even though he knew as well she did that it was hopeless to expect anything more from the rock. He finally accepted that worrying too much won't do him any good and decided to talk a short walk near the wagon with Azumi. They observed everyone doing their own thing. It all seemed rather peaceful, even for someone like Ren, who was almost always nervous. It was then he saw Aislin looking at Cairo, which made him start feeling that something was off. Ren and Azumi slowly approached towards the woman as quietly as possible that is until Ren tripped over a rock the size of his foot, causing him to grunt. Azumi quickly helped him up and looked at Aislin before saying a soft, "Hi".
"Huh", he said to Aislinn and removed any dirt from his cloak, "If he wanted to practice fighting or something he could've just asked me or Azumi"
"I think it would be for the best if I were Linota's and Cairo's instructor", Azumi said to Ren, "You were a little too aggressive with your fighting style"
She suddenly materialized some leftover dried meat in her hand and asked Aislin and Ren if they wanted some. Ren took it eagerly and proceeded to sit down and observe Cairo while doing so.
"It's out of magic, Ren", the kitsune told her son. He acted as if he didn't hear her even though he knew as well she did that it was hopeless to expect anything more from the rock. He finally accepted that worrying too much won't do him any good and decided to talk a short walk near the wagon with Azumi. They observed everyone doing their own thing. It all seemed rather peaceful, even for someone like Ren, who was almost always nervous. It was then he saw Aislin looking at Cairo, which made him start feeling that something was off. Ren and Azumi slowly approached towards the woman as quietly as possible that is until Ren tripped over a rock the size of his foot, causing him to grunt. Azumi quickly helped him up and looked at Aislin before saying a soft, "Hi".
"Huh", he said to Aislinn and removed any dirt from his cloak, "If he wanted to practice fighting or something he could've just asked me or Azumi"
"I think it would be for the best if I were Linota's and Cairo's instructor", Azumi said to Ren, "You were a little too aggressive with your fighting style"
She suddenly materialized some leftover dried meat in her hand and asked Aislin and Ren if they wanted some. Ren took it eagerly and proceeded to sit down and observe Cairo while doing so.
"My thanks."
Aislinn accepted the jerky with some small curiosity. Conjured food had no sustenance unless it was divine in nature. Then again, the meat was probably just stored- "elsewhere".
Chewing she listened to the Kitsune and her ward bicker about who would train the youths. The young man hadn't even indicated he was interesting in anyone's training.
"Perhaps it behooves one to simply watch, to take the measure of the man.," Aislinn said after a long moment, "He willst prevail who prepares for nothing but is ready for everything."
Aislinn accepted the jerky with some small curiosity. Conjured food had no sustenance unless it was divine in nature. Then again, the meat was probably just stored- "elsewhere".
Chewing she listened to the Kitsune and her ward bicker about who would train the youths. The young man hadn't even indicated he was interesting in anyone's training.
"Perhaps it behooves one to simply watch, to take the measure of the man.," Aislinn said after a long moment, "He willst prevail who prepares for nothing but is ready for everything."
Cairo not knowing aislin was watching him he readies his katana again but this time he takes a deep breath while keeping his eyes closed and focusing his mind, body, and breathing as the scroll guides he imagines himself standing face to face with a samurai as he slowly re-enact the combination from the scroll once more a downward slash, a horizontal slice and a piercing strike. He completes the combination and says to himself "okay one last time" as he sees himself facing the same samurai as his foe he quickly draws his sword and uses the combo trying not to miss a step but his attacks are guarded even though his opponent is imaginary his mind treats it like a real sword fight but as his incorporeal enemy charges in for the killing blow Cairo parries the attack and uses him newly learned combo it was slightly sloppy but worked in his favor. Cairo exhausted tries to catch his breath as opens his eyes he sees aislin and ren watching him his face immediately becomes red with embarrassment as he asks them "how long have y'all been there?" With a hint of worry in his voice
The scarlet haired knight considered her reply for a moment. She didn't want to be insulting of the young man. Youths often had fragile egos and did not take well to criticism.
Still, didn't Liothryth say Cairo was a street urchin? That would imply he had no formal training. If so, the young men was quite gifted indeed. Also, why was he using a style from the far east, seemingly from Nihon?
"Nay, nary you fret. We have not been here long," Aislinn answered him, "I wouldst know, if ye be so kind, if you've had a master and what dost thou aspire to?"
Still, didn't Liothryth say Cairo was a street urchin? That would imply he had no formal training. If so, the young men was quite gifted indeed. Also, why was he using a style from the far east, seemingly from Nihon?
"Nay, nary you fret. We have not been here long," Aislinn answered him, "I wouldst know, if ye be so kind, if you've had a master and what dost thou aspire to?"
Liothryth’s response made Linota look around to think and, as her anger faltered into confusion, she asked, “Mages don’t have more than one? What if yours breaks or gets stolen?”
At whatever the answer, Linota would stare at her staff until she grew angry again.
“I’m not just throwing it away,” she stated firmly, as if Liothryth had just told her to. The old mage might have given her a look that questioned as much, to which Linota would bristle.
At Lio’s explanation of magic, Linota just kept shaking her head. At her question, Linota shrugged. “I haven’t tried anything with the staff since it was last used in the fight. Not after.. what happened. I’ve been working with Assallya’s sigils and artifacts, but they do less than nothing! I breathe like I’m supposed to, control my emotions like I’m supposed to, think magical thoughts like I’m supposed to, and nothing works.”
She said it in a way that made clear the disdain she held for Assallya’s teachings. She could control her emotions just fine! And she would be damned if someone was going to tell her she didn’t know how to breathe correctly. She met Assallya’s instructions with all the stubbornness in the world, but she still ended up trying them. Nothing she did on her own had worked in conjuring any magical energy and her options were limited. But even with following the teachings, Linota saw equal results.
“I just don’t have it,” Linota told Liothryth after a short pause. The decisiveness in her tone was but a symptom of the confidence she lacked. She had always held hope that she was one of the gifted, the powerful, but now she knew that she wasn’t. She felt foolish for trying so hard, for believing so hard, and now she just wanted to forget magic existed.
She looked out at Cairo and all the others, save for Assallya, watching him practice. He always tried so hard, and he usually did get the desired results in the end. Linota tried to compare their situations, but decided that magic was a different kind of beast. You either had it or you didn’t, and that was that.
At whatever the answer, Linota would stare at her staff until she grew angry again.
“I’m not just throwing it away,” she stated firmly, as if Liothryth had just told her to. The old mage might have given her a look that questioned as much, to which Linota would bristle.
At Lio’s explanation of magic, Linota just kept shaking her head. At her question, Linota shrugged. “I haven’t tried anything with the staff since it was last used in the fight. Not after.. what happened. I’ve been working with Assallya’s sigils and artifacts, but they do less than nothing! I breathe like I’m supposed to, control my emotions like I’m supposed to, think magical thoughts like I’m supposed to, and nothing works.”
She said it in a way that made clear the disdain she held for Assallya’s teachings. She could control her emotions just fine! And she would be damned if someone was going to tell her she didn’t know how to breathe correctly. She met Assallya’s instructions with all the stubbornness in the world, but she still ended up trying them. Nothing she did on her own had worked in conjuring any magical energy and her options were limited. But even with following the teachings, Linota saw equal results.
“I just don’t have it,” Linota told Liothryth after a short pause. The decisiveness in her tone was but a symptom of the confidence she lacked. She had always held hope that she was one of the gifted, the powerful, but now she knew that she wasn’t. She felt foolish for trying so hard, for believing so hard, and now she just wanted to forget magic existed.
She looked out at Cairo and all the others, save for Assallya, watching him practice. He always tried so hard, and he usually did get the desired results in the end. Linota tried to compare their situations, but decided that magic was a different kind of beast. You either had it or you didn’t, and that was that.
She accompanied the party with excitement and mostly sat at the edge of the wagon whenever she got tired of running. Though one time out of curiosity, she drank out of the goblet and chugged the drink despite its foul taste. She thought the taste was worse than cold wolfhook juice and never had touched the goblet ever again after that incident. She simply stayed in the sidelines, watching the members of the party interact while she attempted to fix some of her arrows.
"If it breaks then I make a new one," Lio answers, "but I've had this one for about 600 years now and it's still doing fine." She paused and took a good look at the young woman in front of her.
"Linota, I started studying magic formally when I was 50 years old and it took me 75 years before my people considered me a master. And I had be studying informally since I was a toddler. You're what, 20 years old? These things come easily to me, and to Assallya, because we've been doing them for a very, very long time.
"I know that might sound discouraging, but Elsen, the wizard who's tower we're going to, who had so much power that it's still effecting the area centuries later, was human too. And remember, I'm a mage and Assallya is an enchantress, we know how to do magic our ways but we don't have as much experience with other ways."
Lio smiled at her, it was a tender smile, something like a doting aunt. "There is something inside you bursting to get out, but I think you haven't been given the chance to do it. Let yourself be you, Linota. That's plenty, whether you can do magic or not. We can teach and help you as much as you want. If you want to keep trying to do magic, we would be happy to teach you. But my staff also makes a pretty good non magical weapon, which sometimes is preferable, and I can show you that as well. You're not alone anymore."
"Linota, I started studying magic formally when I was 50 years old and it took me 75 years before my people considered me a master. And I had be studying informally since I was a toddler. You're what, 20 years old? These things come easily to me, and to Assallya, because we've been doing them for a very, very long time.
"I know that might sound discouraging, but Elsen, the wizard who's tower we're going to, who had so much power that it's still effecting the area centuries later, was human too. And remember, I'm a mage and Assallya is an enchantress, we know how to do magic our ways but we don't have as much experience with other ways."
Lio smiled at her, it was a tender smile, something like a doting aunt. "There is something inside you bursting to get out, but I think you haven't been given the chance to do it. Let yourself be you, Linota. That's plenty, whether you can do magic or not. We can teach and help you as much as you want. If you want to keep trying to do magic, we would be happy to teach you. But my staff also makes a pretty good non magical weapon, which sometimes is preferable, and I can show you that as well. You're not alone anymore."
Linota listened to Liothryth with cautious skepticism as she explained how powerful beings, herself included, just needed time before their magic showed itself. She wanted desperately to believe that it was just as possible for her as it was for them, but hope was a dangerous thing. It was when Liothryth told Linota that she could be herself that she gave the old mage a look of utmost betrayal.
What was she doing? Linota’s eyes searched, as if for an exit, and she shifted awkwardly.
”You’re not alone anymore.”
Linota stared at her, the understanding clear on her face.
“I was never alone,” she said, despite her face. She knew she only meant it superficially. She hadn’t been physically alone, but she was suffering in silence, which equated to the same feeling. Always the caretaker, never the taken care of.
“Maybe that's all I need,” Linota suddenly said, growing defensive again lest she crumble instead. Her tone heated, the emotion of it drawing out tears that didn't fall. “To be alone. I can never be alone here, with all of you. It’s suffocating.”
How dare she try to make me feel things!
“‘Be myself’,” Linota scoffed as she began to walk away, but the inner fire made her turn around to face Lio again. “What does that even mean? I am myself. There’s no other way to be! I’m me and that's the problem, isn't it?”
She gave Liothryth a challenging look, begging for more kerosene. She didn't know why she wanted to fight the woman, but she did. Her, with her stupid powerful magic and her stupidly strong staff and her years upon years of stupid, ancient wisdom. Linota’s eyes were glistening, the tears on the cusp of spilling, but she held her chin high.
How dare she make me say things!
What was she doing? Linota’s eyes searched, as if for an exit, and she shifted awkwardly.
”You’re not alone anymore.”
Linota stared at her, the understanding clear on her face.
“I was never alone,” she said, despite her face. She knew she only meant it superficially. She hadn’t been physically alone, but she was suffering in silence, which equated to the same feeling. Always the caretaker, never the taken care of.
“Maybe that's all I need,” Linota suddenly said, growing defensive again lest she crumble instead. Her tone heated, the emotion of it drawing out tears that didn't fall. “To be alone. I can never be alone here, with all of you. It’s suffocating.”
How dare she try to make me feel things!
“‘Be myself’,” Linota scoffed as she began to walk away, but the inner fire made her turn around to face Lio again. “What does that even mean? I am myself. There’s no other way to be! I’m me and that's the problem, isn't it?”
She gave Liothryth a challenging look, begging for more kerosene. She didn't know why she wanted to fight the woman, but she did. Her, with her stupid powerful magic and her stupidly strong staff and her years upon years of stupid, ancient wisdom. Linota’s eyes were glistening, the tears on the cusp of spilling, but she held her chin high.
How dare she make me say things!
Aislin Rowanmantle wrote:
The scarlet haired knight considered her reply for a moment. She didn't want to be insulting of the young man. Youths often had fragile egos and did not take well to criticism.
Still, didn't Liothryth say Cairo was a street urchin? That would imply he had no formal training. If so, the young men was quite gifted indeed. Also, why was he using a style from the far east, seemingly from Nihon?
"Nay, nary you fret. We have not been here long," Aislinn answered him, "I wouldst know, if ye be so kind, if you've had a master and what dost thou aspire to?"
Still, didn't Liothryth say Cairo was a street urchin? That would imply he had no formal training. If so, the young men was quite gifted indeed. Also, why was he using a style from the far east, seemingly from Nihon?
"Nay, nary you fret. We have not been here long," Aislinn answered him, "I wouldst know, if ye be so kind, if you've had a master and what dost thou aspire to?"
"Might as well excel at everything else", Ren told Cairo and chuckled a bit, "You can't stick with one weapon, sometimes you gotta use a different one based on your foe". He materialized a swordspear out of thin air, a weapon that could be broken apart into different weapons (A sword, a spear, or even a magical staff that can double as a shield) or reformed into a single spear and offered it to him. It was, unfortunately, the same weapon that Linota was nearly hit with when the group fought Radigan, making him unsure as to whether or not he would accept the gift. He also materialized a pistol, which he explained was meant to stun, not kill. He offered this weapon to him as well.
"Your choice, dude", he said, "Sword and gun or just a trick weapon. I'll only give you one of these since you probably don't have any way to phase too many weapons out of reality... Unless you want me to teach you how?"
"You might as well take these, I can use magic instead", Azumi said offering what seems to be several kunai and smoke bombs. She smiled towards Cairo and wagged her tails.
"Your choice, dude", he said, "Sword and gun or just a trick weapon. I'll only give you one of these since you probably don't have any way to phase too many weapons out of reality... Unless you want me to teach you how?"
"You might as well take these, I can use magic instead", Azumi said offering what seems to be several kunai and smoke bombs. She smiled towards Cairo and wagged her tails.
"Thanks for the offer, Ren but i cant use magic even if i wanted to so i'll just stick to fighting with my sword the offers nice and all but i need to learn better sword fighting technique to overcome my lack of magic but the only way i can pull it off is becoming an absolute master of this type of sword, it might sound weird but the scrolls call a swordmaster these strange letters that mean kensei i remember that writing but im not sure about what it fully means but if i want to be the strongest im gonna have to become better than any kensei or any weapons master out there magic or not" Cairo explains to ren his situation and brings his attention to both ren and azumi "sorry but i'll have to pass on the stuff you guys are giving me i don't wanna end being the reason you guys have half of your stuff missing plus if i end up relying on other people for help i'll just end up slowing everyone down" Cairo kindly rejects the offer while putting his scroll back in his bag and pulling out a new one.
Aislinn nodded. Now it was clear. Cairo's form was near perfect, his stance excellent, his balance good, but he was lacking in the basics. His eyes were telegraphing his blows and his parries and made him subject to feints. Worse still, those scrolls, usually focused on sword on sword combat. They didn't cover tentacles, claws, fangs, or even spears and axes. Further, the scrolls didn't teach the basics.
That was what a mentor was for, to show him how to use his eyes, how to think, and how to use his surroundings. The problem was that he wasn't interested in learning. He needed help. He needed training but he was far too proud to accept it. How could they convince him without breaking his spirit?
"Upon the isle of Wa," Aislinn said as she stepped away from the tree and drew out her bastard sword, "The Kensai wield their Tachi- T'would be proper name for thy sword. -and strike with their Ki, their inner spirit. T'is the magic of the self but t'is magic none the less."
"It works something like this," Aislinn said and whispered a small prayer and a plea for forgiveness to Azuth for frivolously using his gift. Her long blade shone white, appearing hot as a star but shed no heat. She neatly cut through a thick sapling with nearly no effort and it crashed down behind her.
"Nay. This I cannot teach for my gifts come from Azuth but perhaps Azumi can?"
That was what a mentor was for, to show him how to use his eyes, how to think, and how to use his surroundings. The problem was that he wasn't interested in learning. He needed help. He needed training but he was far too proud to accept it. How could they convince him without breaking his spirit?
"Upon the isle of Wa," Aislinn said as she stepped away from the tree and drew out her bastard sword, "The Kensai wield their Tachi- T'would be proper name for thy sword. -and strike with their Ki, their inner spirit. T'is the magic of the self but t'is magic none the less."
"It works something like this," Aislinn said and whispered a small prayer and a plea for forgiveness to Azuth for frivolously using his gift. Her long blade shone white, appearing hot as a star but shed no heat. She neatly cut through a thick sapling with nearly no effort and it crashed down behind her.
"Nay. This I cannot teach for my gifts come from Azuth but perhaps Azumi can?"
"So how am i supposed to even figure out how this spirit-y stuff works in the first place? The only thing i know about that 'isle of Wa' place is how to read its language but its a bit foggy and what does Wa and weird spirit energy have to do with sword fighting anyway?" Cairo asked due to the name 'isle of wa' catching his ear but not understanding where to begin connecting the idea of the isle and using his spirit to fight "by the way what do you know about wa? What is it like? I only heard about it from an old man that ran a bookstore but that was back when i was a kid working for radigan"
"I knowst little of the Isle of Wa," Aislinn admitted, "beyond their arms and magic. I art a warrior and Kara Tur lies far to the east. But a single day wast spent on the subject. I wast taught to be wary of Kitsune-tsukai, Kitsune-Mochi, Wu-Jen and Oni.
"I wast also taught that the Samurai, like nobles hither are a craven weak sort, their Tachi most used on their own serfs and that a ronin couldst be worth a dozen samurai.
"I didst read about a farmer that didst make me smile. He didst make a deal with a terrible Oni, to be trained in kenjutsu for one hundred days. At the end he would be duel the Oni and be eaten for the Oni would never share his hidden techniques!
"Yon farmer was cunning, however; He cooked for the Oni and fed him rocks in his stew. This caused the Oni to grow weary and sleep. He would consult the Oni's secret scrolls while he slept, learned all his forms. When the hundred days ended, since he knew every move the a Oni had the farmer easily slew the Oni and went on to become a great ronin."
"I wast also taught that the Samurai, like nobles hither are a craven weak sort, their Tachi most used on their own serfs and that a ronin couldst be worth a dozen samurai.
"I didst read about a farmer that didst make me smile. He didst make a deal with a terrible Oni, to be trained in kenjutsu for one hundred days. At the end he would be duel the Oni and be eaten for the Oni would never share his hidden techniques!
"Yon farmer was cunning, however; He cooked for the Oni and fed him rocks in his stew. This caused the Oni to grow weary and sleep. He would consult the Oni's secret scrolls while he slept, learned all his forms. When the hundred days ended, since he knew every move the a Oni had the farmer easily slew the Oni and went on to become a great ronin."
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