As Liliath opens her mouth, Thalia mutters a few words and a shell of silence forms around the small group, preventing people outside of the space the occupy from hearing them and vise-versa. Once the spell is in place, she says quietly, "Liliath, these are blood-magic relics that, as far as I know, almost nobody has even heard of for years, if not longer. From what I can tell, you ran into a group of the very few people in possession of these objects. Such things should not be discussed openly."
"I am sorry, did not know that." She got a bit upset, because she felt like she just had done the most dumbest thing in the world. "I will never tell anyone about it anymore." Liliath decided to talk about something else "How much does a cheap castle cost?"
Isabella Cross wrote:
With the immediate lunge missing, the dog landed on the ground and backed up to Isabella's back side, staring at Nadia and continuing to bark defensively, but otherwise not instigating an attack unless the fairy seemed to come at them again.
The child froze on Rens reaction, and stared a moment as she placed her hands in the air. The reaction was as startling as their arrival, and slowly the girls breathing came under a better control, and panic devolved into a simpler apprehensive fear.
Hearing they had a shard too sparked her curiosity, and in her innocence it didn't dawn on her immediately that they might be there to rob her of the shard.
As the woman finished, Isabella decided she probably wasn't under attack, and worked to recall whatever that fairy was shouting in her face earlier. Everything had happened so fast she couldn't remember it, and yet she decided it wouldnt hurt to give them a chance. If things went awry she still had Lucas as a distraction.
The book closed and Isabella took hold of it, bringing it closer to her and holding it against herself with one hand, while the other dropped to her side and palmed the back of the dog which was now pressed against her rear. Like flipping a switch, Lucas stopped barking and growling. His face fell flat again and he sat behind her, still pressing himself intensively against her backside.
She looked down at the shard now, and dashed over quickly to grab it and wandered off to the side in an effort to change the layout of where everyone was located. She didnt want to be flanked by them and worked to put them both on one side of her. Lucas, of course, followed along with her and mashed his body against hers with the mantis once on his back now missing.
"I dunno," she finally responded to Ren with a bit of a shy look and tone, "I just found it..." a stark silence befell her a moment as she stared at Ren, curiously wondering her own knowledge of the shard, but apprehensive of the stranger still. After a few moments of awkward staring, she finally managed the courage, "Do you know something about them?"
The child froze on Rens reaction, and stared a moment as she placed her hands in the air. The reaction was as startling as their arrival, and slowly the girls breathing came under a better control, and panic devolved into a simpler apprehensive fear.
Hearing they had a shard too sparked her curiosity, and in her innocence it didn't dawn on her immediately that they might be there to rob her of the shard.
As the woman finished, Isabella decided she probably wasn't under attack, and worked to recall whatever that fairy was shouting in her face earlier. Everything had happened so fast she couldn't remember it, and yet she decided it wouldnt hurt to give them a chance. If things went awry she still had Lucas as a distraction.
The book closed and Isabella took hold of it, bringing it closer to her and holding it against herself with one hand, while the other dropped to her side and palmed the back of the dog which was now pressed against her rear. Like flipping a switch, Lucas stopped barking and growling. His face fell flat again and he sat behind her, still pressing himself intensively against her backside.
She looked down at the shard now, and dashed over quickly to grab it and wandered off to the side in an effort to change the layout of where everyone was located. She didnt want to be flanked by them and worked to put them both on one side of her. Lucas, of course, followed along with her and mashed his body against hers with the mantis once on his back now missing.
"I dunno," she finally responded to Ren with a bit of a shy look and tone, "I just found it..." a stark silence befell her a moment as she stared at Ren, curiously wondering her own knowledge of the shard, but apprehensive of the stranger still. After a few moments of awkward staring, she finally managed the courage, "Do you know something about them?"
Ren walked up to the girl, with Naida flying over to hover next to her. “Not really,” Ren answered, “but we were heading to the Telmarune Library to read up on it and get some supplies. Maybe you could join us?” Still apprehensive of the stranger, and very freaked out by the living-dead dog, she gave the invitation tentatively. As weird as the other pair seemed, it would still be nice to have an ally in this shard mission.
Naida, immediately bored with the conversation, seeing as how Ren wouldn’t appreciate her comments on the shard-thing, started to look around. On the ground a few feet away, Naida noticed a small mantis friend trying desperately to escape. She quickly picked it up and set it on her shoulder, not questioning why the mantis was so freaked out or why it seemed to be injured.
The dog eyed the approaching pair cautiously as they approached, though made its presence known in no way. Simply it sat there, ready to defend if Isabella so desired...or perhaps commanded.
The girl stared as they approached, and upon hearing the word 'library' her apprehension seemed to easy noticeably. A library! The girl loved books, in particular books that lead somewhere. Factual things based in history or learning, and most importantly magic. Something she could use to further her own abilities, perhaps even to a point she could see her father again some day.
"Okay," came the simple and slightly shy response from the girl, and with her response came a more relaxed looking huskie too. He stood once again, and stared off into the distance, hanging his tongue out and simulating breathing in an odd recreation of being alive. "How far is Telmarune Library?"
The girl stared as they approached, and upon hearing the word 'library' her apprehension seemed to easy noticeably. A library! The girl loved books, in particular books that lead somewhere. Factual things based in history or learning, and most importantly magic. Something she could use to further her own abilities, perhaps even to a point she could see her father again some day.
"Okay," came the simple and slightly shy response from the girl, and with her response came a more relaxed looking huskie too. He stood once again, and stared off into the distance, hanging his tongue out and simulating breathing in an odd recreation of being alive. "How far is Telmarune Library?"
Seeing the girl’s excitement, Naida started listening to the conversation again.
Ren replied, “We’re actually not too far. If memory serves, it should only be another 20 minute walk.
Then Ren remembered her last trip to the city. Had she seen a fountain large enough? Maybe teleportation was possible, so long as the fountain was still running.
“Actually, would you care for teleporting?” Ren said as opening her canteen of water. “It might be a bit difficult to get all of us, but I think I can manage it.”
Ren replied, “We’re actually not too far. If memory serves, it should only be another 20 minute walk.
Then Ren remembered her last trip to the city. Had she seen a fountain large enough? Maybe teleportation was possible, so long as the fountain was still running.
“Actually, would you care for teleporting?” Ren said as opening her canteen of water. “It might be a bit difficult to get all of us, but I think I can manage it.”
The first thing on Adriannu's list was the some supplies for making a two person tent. After all, having shelter from the rain would be vitally important during their travels as it could even be the difference between life and death. Yet she didn't approach the merchant selling these supplies immediately and instead chose to listen to his interactions with other customers were so she could get a good idea of their prices. That way, if he tried to cheat her, she could call them out on it and threaten to leave without buying anything.
Luckily things went just fine with this merchant as he made no attempt to cheat her which meant she got the tent without any trouble. She carefully moved off the road to pack away the tent while making sure to keep her foot on the coin pouch to make it difficult for someone to try swiping it while she did so. Having resorted to thievery in the past, she was well aware of what they looked for in a potential mark. As such, the child knew how to make herself look unappealing despite her age by making clear that she was keeping a close eye on her money and occasionally flashing her claws to make it clear that she wasn't without a weapon. Yes, she had her new daggers, but she'd prefer to keep those under wraps if possible.
Once the tent was safely packed away, Adriannu made her way towards a stall that was selling dried foodstuffs while taking care to keep a hand on her coin pouch at all times. Dried foods would be perfect for their trip as they would keep for quite some time and you could carry more of it since it was lighter and more condensed. Just like before, the Cathera didn't actually interact with the merchant at first, instead keeping a bit of a distance so she could observe what he charged his other customers. Only after she was watched a few interactions, did she finally approach herself and attempt to make her own purchase.
Luckily things went just fine with this merchant as he made no attempt to cheat her which meant she got the tent without any trouble. She carefully moved off the road to pack away the tent while making sure to keep her foot on the coin pouch to make it difficult for someone to try swiping it while she did so. Having resorted to thievery in the past, she was well aware of what they looked for in a potential mark. As such, the child knew how to make herself look unappealing despite her age by making clear that she was keeping a close eye on her money and occasionally flashing her claws to make it clear that she wasn't without a weapon. Yes, she had her new daggers, but she'd prefer to keep those under wraps if possible.
Once the tent was safely packed away, Adriannu made her way towards a stall that was selling dried foodstuffs while taking care to keep a hand on her coin pouch at all times. Dried foods would be perfect for their trip as they would keep for quite some time and you could carry more of it since it was lighter and more condensed. Just like before, the Cathera didn't actually interact with the merchant at first, instead keeping a bit of a distance so she could observe what he charged his other customers. Only after she was watched a few interactions, did she finally approach herself and attempt to make her own purchase.
The merchant had just finished chatting warmly with a couple of mercenary bodyguard looking types, one human and one satyr or faun type individual.
"Hey, take care on the road! You still owe me a drink!" he calls after them with a laugh as Adriannu approaches him.
"Ah, a little missy! I'd guess you're with the caravans, eh? Maybe hunters, ya got that experienced look to ye," he says in greeting with a very pleasant and charming smile, "If yer with hunters I'll buy meats from ye, too, and I'll dry 'em on the cheap if ye want 'em back. Cut out the cost of the meat and all. Anyway, what were ye lookin' for? Meats? Cheese? Fruit? I've got it all. Oh, and honey too."
He plays genuine very well, but she would have noticed that his prices were... less than consistent. He liked to chat with his customers and figure out how much they'd be willing to pay for what he was selling. Usually he went a bit high, but seemed just as happy to chat and be bartered down to something more reasonable by those willing to give it a shot.
His apparent regulars, like those sell-swords, would initiallly be given an outrageous price which they would counter with something much more sane, usually with a laugh. In that case he had offered a "mere 20 gold" for a few pounds of meat and a few jars of dried fruit before happily cutting it down to an expected few silver. That said, his tone was just as serious and truthful with both numbers. While he didn't seem intent on actually harming anyone with his prices, he was still willing to pull a bit of extra profit where he thought he could. Not atypical for a vendor of his type, but also not overtly malicious.
"Hey, take care on the road! You still owe me a drink!" he calls after them with a laugh as Adriannu approaches him.
"Ah, a little missy! I'd guess you're with the caravans, eh? Maybe hunters, ya got that experienced look to ye," he says in greeting with a very pleasant and charming smile, "If yer with hunters I'll buy meats from ye, too, and I'll dry 'em on the cheap if ye want 'em back. Cut out the cost of the meat and all. Anyway, what were ye lookin' for? Meats? Cheese? Fruit? I've got it all. Oh, and honey too."
He plays genuine very well, but she would have noticed that his prices were... less than consistent. He liked to chat with his customers and figure out how much they'd be willing to pay for what he was selling. Usually he went a bit high, but seemed just as happy to chat and be bartered down to something more reasonable by those willing to give it a shot.
His apparent regulars, like those sell-swords, would initiallly be given an outrageous price which they would counter with something much more sane, usually with a laugh. In that case he had offered a "mere 20 gold" for a few pounds of meat and a few jars of dried fruit before happily cutting it down to an expected few silver. That said, his tone was just as serious and truthful with both numbers. While he didn't seem intent on actually harming anyone with his prices, he was still willing to pull a bit of extra profit where he thought he could. Not atypical for a vendor of his type, but also not overtly malicious.
The mention of teleportation gave Isabella a strange, inexplicable apprehension. There was no reason for her to fear it, but as she thought about it she clutched her book to her chest just a little bit tighter. Something inside her told her not to, almost an instinct that forbade such a thing for some primal reason of survival she did not fully understand.
The truth was, if not for this dreadful feeling, teleporting would have been nice. She had walked for what seemed like a bazillion years now and her feet were tired of walking, and her butt was tired of Lucas's boney spine.
"Well," the girl said, working on a way to justify this to herself, "If we teleport I won't know where we are....maybe we should just walk instead?"
The rationalization surprised even Isabella that it made such sense, at least to her. She could probably be convinced to try teleporting, but by and large it would not be her first choice due vastly to this dreadful feeling that came with the idea.
The truth was, if not for this dreadful feeling, teleporting would have been nice. She had walked for what seemed like a bazillion years now and her feet were tired of walking, and her butt was tired of Lucas's boney spine.
"Well," the girl said, working on a way to justify this to herself, "If we teleport I won't know where we are....maybe we should just walk instead?"
The rationalization surprised even Isabella that it made such sense, at least to her. She could probably be convinced to try teleporting, but by and large it would not be her first choice due vastly to this dreadful feeling that came with the idea.
“Okay, your call,” Ren sighed, slightly disappointed. Another minute walking with Naida sounded dreadful.
The group of three, okay, four if you count the dog. Maybe five if the mantis stays. Anyway, the group made their way to the city, Ren taking the lead. Naida remained surprisingly quiet, only whispering to and cooing at her new bug pal. Before they knew it, they were standing outside the bustling city of Telmarune. Here, Rne paused, her social anxiety kicking in. How long had it been since she had seen, let alone interacted with, so many people? She stopped in her tracks, just staring at the entrance to the town, fear taking control.
The group of three, okay, four if you count the dog. Maybe five if the mantis stays. Anyway, the group made their way to the city, Ren taking the lead. Naida remained surprisingly quiet, only whispering to and cooing at her new bug pal. Before they knew it, they were standing outside the bustling city of Telmarune. Here, Rne paused, her social anxiety kicking in. How long had it been since she had seen, let alone interacted with, so many people? She stopped in her tracks, just staring at the entrance to the town, fear taking control.
As they walked, Isabella couldn't help but to notice Nadia with her mantis. It had been looking at her and so she had adopted the little thing, and somewhere in the scuffle Lucas had lost it....now here was Nadia playing with what had to be the same mantis. A spike of jealousy shot through her as she watched, and her innocent glare may reveal as much even. Still, she was too shy to come out and say anything about it, and so she figured she had simply lost her pet to this fairy. At least she still had Lucas, and inwardly she recalled how no one could steal him from her even if they wanted to desperately.
Leaving the forest was an odd experience for the child, as she had never been out of what her town had named Mori forest. As such she had spent her entire 9 year life within the walls of trees.
Furthermore, however, was Telmarune.....it was huge and Isabella had never seen anything like it. Her own village hosted maybe 100 people, but this....this was a grand and glorious city standing tall and proud.
Her grasp fell almost by mistake, and her eyes widened when she saw it. "Whoaa....that's Telmarune?" she asked without leaving sight of it. A smile took her face as she thought of all that could be held within those walls, and in her excitement she failed to see the anxiety issues ren seemed to be dealing with.
"Come on!" she said with a glance up at the pair, and immediately she set off running towards the city, equipped with a broad smile and light giggles as she went. Lucas made quick pace after her, easily keeping up with Isabella's short legs as they ran down towards the gate.
Leaving the forest was an odd experience for the child, as she had never been out of what her town had named Mori forest. As such she had spent her entire 9 year life within the walls of trees.
Furthermore, however, was Telmarune.....it was huge and Isabella had never seen anything like it. Her own village hosted maybe 100 people, but this....this was a grand and glorious city standing tall and proud.
Her grasp fell almost by mistake, and her eyes widened when she saw it. "Whoaa....that's Telmarune?" she asked without leaving sight of it. A smile took her face as she thought of all that could be held within those walls, and in her excitement she failed to see the anxiety issues ren seemed to be dealing with.
"Come on!" she said with a glance up at the pair, and immediately she set off running towards the city, equipped with a broad smile and light giggles as she went. Lucas made quick pace after her, easily keeping up with Isabella's short legs as they ran down towards the gate.
A young woman, an eager girl, a bounding dog, and a fairy.
The sergeant at the gate was disappointed there wasn't a bar involved.
By the fairy thing he guessed a wizard, her apprentice, and their familiars.
Wait.... something was up with that dog...
As they got closer, he realised what the issue was: the dog was dead. Or, well, undead. Undead made from bodies of animals were... legal, technically, just questionable. Specifically questionable by the inquisition, poor girl. She looked like the poster child of an eager apprentice from here. Well, any necromancy could be bad necromancy pretty easily.
All of this would be a bit of hassal for him, but better than letting Lady Thalia accusing him of sympathy unto evil. Two of the other men were playing cards in the tower next to the gate, off duty for now. The seargent took a couple steps away and peeked through the door.
"I need one of you good-for-nothings to get a wizard, and the other to get an inquisitor. Mage and apprentice coming in, and they've got a dead dog walking with them," he ordered. The two looked at each other, and one shrugged before saying, "yes sir." They got up, and jogged out to go find the people they needed. Only one of each was assigned to the wall at a time, so the boys needed to go find them and bring them here. If they weren't busy.
He sighed and walked back out to the gate, standing to one side, just ahead of the other guard at that side of the gate.
As the two got close, he called, "Oi, you two and your familiars, we'll need you to wait to the side just outside the gate. Just need to ask some questions and make sure there won't be any problems. Don't worry, you aren't in trouble."
The sergeant at the gate was disappointed there wasn't a bar involved.
By the fairy thing he guessed a wizard, her apprentice, and their familiars.
Wait.... something was up with that dog...
As they got closer, he realised what the issue was: the dog was dead. Or, well, undead. Undead made from bodies of animals were... legal, technically, just questionable. Specifically questionable by the inquisition, poor girl. She looked like the poster child of an eager apprentice from here. Well, any necromancy could be bad necromancy pretty easily.
All of this would be a bit of hassal for him, but better than letting Lady Thalia accusing him of sympathy unto evil. Two of the other men were playing cards in the tower next to the gate, off duty for now. The seargent took a couple steps away and peeked through the door.
"I need one of you good-for-nothings to get a wizard, and the other to get an inquisitor. Mage and apprentice coming in, and they've got a dead dog walking with them," he ordered. The two looked at each other, and one shrugged before saying, "yes sir." They got up, and jogged out to go find the people they needed. Only one of each was assigned to the wall at a time, so the boys needed to go find them and bring them here. If they weren't busy.
He sighed and walked back out to the gate, standing to one side, just ahead of the other guard at that side of the gate.
As the two got close, he called, "Oi, you two and your familiars, we'll need you to wait to the side just outside the gate. Just need to ask some questions and make sure there won't be any problems. Don't worry, you aren't in trouble."
Ren shook off her fear as the child went sprinting past her, toward the busy city and the unpleasant looking guards at the gate. She went running to keep up, mostly for fear the child would get herself in trouble.
At the gate, Ren’s fear turned into impatience. Why were they being held up? They were just a woman, who really still looked like a teen, and basically two children. Okay, and a dog. An undead dog. Fine, maybe there was a reason they were held up...
At the gate, Ren’s fear turned into impatience. Why were they being held up? They were just a woman, who really still looked like a teen, and basically two children. Okay, and a dog. An undead dog. Fine, maybe there was a reason they were held up...
Naida filled with excitement when Isabella took off. She eagerly took off after her, fluttering her wings as fast as she could to overcome the undead dog.
Suddenly, Naida remembered the tiny mantis clinging desperately to her shoulder. She tried to slow down, but, alas, it was too late! Naida’s bug pal went flying off, and Naida went diving after it. She may have... overestimated her current speed, and she went flying into the ground. “Bug pal!” she cried out as searching the grass. She sighed in relief when the little friend crawled back onto her hand. She cupped it in both hands this time and took off again.
When stopped at the gate, Naida hovered in the air beside Ren. She opened up her hands, happy to see the bug still safe. “There, my little bug pal, safe as can be,” she cooed as attempting to stroke the poor insect.
Suddenly, Naida remembered the tiny mantis clinging desperately to her shoulder. She tried to slow down, but, alas, it was too late! Naida’s bug pal went flying off, and Naida went diving after it. She may have... overestimated her current speed, and she went flying into the ground. “Bug pal!” she cried out as searching the grass. She sighed in relief when the little friend crawled back onto her hand. She cupped it in both hands this time and took off again.
When stopped at the gate, Naida hovered in the air beside Ren. She opened up her hands, happy to see the bug still safe. “There, my little bug pal, safe as can be,” she cooed as attempting to stroke the poor insect.
As Isabella ran giddily at the gate, she wasn't exactly sure what to expect. Probably it would just open, right? As she approached, though, she slowed and her expression changed hearing the man above shouting at her.
Don't worry, you're not in trouble though
The words were the saving grace if his statement. Hearing that was a comfort for her that she really hadn't done anything wrong....but still these armed individuals made her nervous. In her home town she hadn't had great experiences with most of them on the rare occasions they passed through.
Still, she knew enough to obey rules, and with a slightly concerned expression, she listened to the instructions. Slowing to a stop she walked over to the spot she was told to wait, staring up at the guard and watching the gate in exchanging looks.
Lucas followed her over, acting oddly alive with his tongue hanging out and the deep breaths a dog normally portrayed. He moved directly in front of Isabella and pushed the length of his body across her, shoving her back a little. There is where he stood, awaiting with Isabella for the impending inquisition. The girl was nervous at the prospect of being questioned, but what we she supposed to do?
Don't worry, you're not in trouble though
The words were the saving grace if his statement. Hearing that was a comfort for her that she really hadn't done anything wrong....but still these armed individuals made her nervous. In her home town she hadn't had great experiences with most of them on the rare occasions they passed through.
Still, she knew enough to obey rules, and with a slightly concerned expression, she listened to the instructions. Slowing to a stop she walked over to the spot she was told to wait, staring up at the guard and watching the gate in exchanging looks.
Lucas followed her over, acting oddly alive with his tongue hanging out and the deep breaths a dog normally portrayed. He moved directly in front of Isabella and pushed the length of his body across her, shoving her back a little. There is where he stood, awaiting with Isabella for the impending inquisition. The girl was nervous at the prospect of being questioned, but what we she supposed to do?
The sergeant walked up near the small group and leaned against the wall. He looked pretty relaxed as these things went.
"If it's alright, I'd like to ask a few questions and give some information before our specialists get here," he says with the kind of tone that, while polite, makes it clear that 'no' would not be an acceptable answer, "Normally we wouldn't even bother, but, well, the Inquisitors get jumpy around undead. Well, and everyone else, but the Inquisitions won't take it as a sign to back off."
He spits something he had been chewing onto the groud beside him, away from the wall before continuing. Admittedly, he didn't have all that much to ask, and needed to stall until the people he needed got here.
"You seem like nice enough people: A lady wizard with a fairy companion, and an eager apprentice with a gift for necromancy, so I'm not too worried about you. Now, this dog having half of its guts visible creeps me out as much as anyone else, but I also know a wizard who got got drunk one time, killed a bear, and put a keg in it so he could have a 'bear-le' and take his booze on the road, so it isn't the weirdest thing to happen in this city, either. He's great, by the way, the wizard I mentioned. Professor Marcus if you need an expert in weirder magics, usually in that big pyramid in the fist ring. Anyway, being a necromancer, and even having non-human undead, isn't illegal here in Telmarune, but it isn't exactly appreciated. Might be best to leave this good boy outside the wall."
"Right, questions," he says after a momentary pause, shaking his head as if to clear it. The smell off that dog was getting to him. He pulled out a longish list, and began looking over it, talking to himself. "Seems like two and two.... I see a spellbook there, so that answers that just fine.... so I guess we go straight to... yep. What business do you two have in Telmarune?"
"If it's alright, I'd like to ask a few questions and give some information before our specialists get here," he says with the kind of tone that, while polite, makes it clear that 'no' would not be an acceptable answer, "Normally we wouldn't even bother, but, well, the Inquisitors get jumpy around undead. Well, and everyone else, but the Inquisitions won't take it as a sign to back off."
He spits something he had been chewing onto the groud beside him, away from the wall before continuing. Admittedly, he didn't have all that much to ask, and needed to stall until the people he needed got here.
"You seem like nice enough people: A lady wizard with a fairy companion, and an eager apprentice with a gift for necromancy, so I'm not too worried about you. Now, this dog having half of its guts visible creeps me out as much as anyone else, but I also know a wizard who got got drunk one time, killed a bear, and put a keg in it so he could have a 'bear-le' and take his booze on the road, so it isn't the weirdest thing to happen in this city, either. He's great, by the way, the wizard I mentioned. Professor Marcus if you need an expert in weirder magics, usually in that big pyramid in the fist ring. Anyway, being a necromancer, and even having non-human undead, isn't illegal here in Telmarune, but it isn't exactly appreciated. Might be best to leave this good boy outside the wall."
"Right, questions," he says after a momentary pause, shaking his head as if to clear it. The smell off that dog was getting to him. He pulled out a longish list, and began looking over it, talking to himself. "Seems like two and two.... I see a spellbook there, so that answers that just fine.... so I guess we go straight to... yep. What business do you two have in Telmarune?"
“Well we got this sha-” Naida started, but was immediately interrupted by Ren.
“Well, my... apprentice and I were heading to the library for our studies.” She figured it would be easier to stick with magician and apprentice than explain that they were complete strangers trying to do research on blood magic.
“Well, my... apprentice and I were heading to the library for our studies.” She figured it would be easier to stick with magician and apprentice than explain that they were complete strangers trying to do research on blood magic.
Isabella stood silently while the man spoke, staring up to him nervously like a child being lectured. Lucas had since stopped acting alive again, now just waiting and watching the guard silently.
As the man spoke, Isabella gave Ren a tell tale look of discomfort at the idea of being labeled her apprentice. She just met this woman and wasn't overly fond of the idea of being labeled as being with her necessarily. Again, though, she felt a little shy about saying anything at first.
It was when the guard mentioned how Lucas should remain outside her attention wandered, now looking down sadly at the undead creature. Sure, to many it was just a corpse raised for purpose, without feelings, desires, or anything else an alive dog might have to offer. Still, she identified the creature as something she loved now, and was very reluctant to abandon him. After all....she named this creature. She felt far more comfortable with these dead things around her than living ones, even if they weren't exactly responsive to her affection in most cases.
Looking back to the guard she decided to simply ignore what Ren had claimed about being an apprentice of hers, in the hopes the situation might just go away.
"I just want to go to the library to read about magic artifacts...but I want to bring Lucas still..." she claimed, then looking down to the dog longingly, as though he were an actual pet she had grown up with. She then looked back up to the guard, "He won't hurt anyone I promise, he does everything I ask him to, I just want him to come too! ....please?"
As the man spoke, Isabella gave Ren a tell tale look of discomfort at the idea of being labeled her apprentice. She just met this woman and wasn't overly fond of the idea of being labeled as being with her necessarily. Again, though, she felt a little shy about saying anything at first.
It was when the guard mentioned how Lucas should remain outside her attention wandered, now looking down sadly at the undead creature. Sure, to many it was just a corpse raised for purpose, without feelings, desires, or anything else an alive dog might have to offer. Still, she identified the creature as something she loved now, and was very reluctant to abandon him. After all....she named this creature. She felt far more comfortable with these dead things around her than living ones, even if they weren't exactly responsive to her affection in most cases.
Looking back to the guard she decided to simply ignore what Ren had claimed about being an apprentice of hers, in the hopes the situation might just go away.
"I just want to go to the library to read about magic artifacts...but I want to bring Lucas still..." she claimed, then looking down to the dog longingly, as though he were an actual pet she had grown up with. She then looked back up to the guard, "He won't hurt anyone I promise, he does everything I ask him to, I just want him to come too! ....please?"
"Blood magic," echoes Cornelius, "that's a grim topic for such a 'good day.' And, thank you, miss Liliath- though I think you- Heavens no, I don't possess a-" he pauses as Thalia interrupts him to chide the young thing, who apologizes and hangs her head, abashed for all but a minute before she tries to change the subject.
More than happy to answer her second question, he lowers himself until he's almost eye-level with the group; when he exhales, another icy cloud of mist washes over them. This is apparently something he doesn't seem to realize he's doing, and the dragon looks surprised when Lisa gasps and stumbles backwards with wide-doe eyes, shivering. He fixes his gaze on her for a moment, his expression harrowed with concern.
"Ma'am, are you...? Oh, I understand. Give me a moment." Rearing up, his body begins to writhe and shrink. Lisa watches, surprised, as within seconds a fair-skinned man with shocking white hair and a neat blue vest replaces the hulking scaly behemoth.
He leans against the counter with casual smile and a warm laugh, "Now, about castles...I can't say off the top of my head, but I promise you even a 'cheap' one will cost a pretty penny." He continues rambling as he walks around the desk to join the three women on the other side. "If you're really curious, I'd be happy to run some numbers for you, little lass. Tell me more about this castle you're thinking about. How big do you want it to be? How great a wall? Built of wood like a very old castle or of strong, sturdy stone- I personally recommend the latter. See, a handful of my fire-breathing cousins may very well burn a wooden castle to the ground without a second thought, you know..." At this point, he crouches down to Liliath's level and trails off long enough for her to answer, apparently forgetting the important business brought to him by Lady Thalia.
Lisa smirks and considers joining in on the castle discussion; she's much more comfortable talking to Liliath and (human)Cornelius than standing awkwardly behind to the High Inquisitor who probably doesn't appreciate the distraction. "Is this the same castle you said we could all live in?"
She laughs a little, thinking about how much fun Raven would have messing with these people, especially Thalia.
More than happy to answer her second question, he lowers himself until he's almost eye-level with the group; when he exhales, another icy cloud of mist washes over them. This is apparently something he doesn't seem to realize he's doing, and the dragon looks surprised when Lisa gasps and stumbles backwards with wide-doe eyes, shivering. He fixes his gaze on her for a moment, his expression harrowed with concern.
"Ma'am, are you...? Oh, I understand. Give me a moment." Rearing up, his body begins to writhe and shrink. Lisa watches, surprised, as within seconds a fair-skinned man with shocking white hair and a neat blue vest replaces the hulking scaly behemoth.
He leans against the counter with casual smile and a warm laugh, "Now, about castles...I can't say off the top of my head, but I promise you even a 'cheap' one will cost a pretty penny." He continues rambling as he walks around the desk to join the three women on the other side. "If you're really curious, I'd be happy to run some numbers for you, little lass. Tell me more about this castle you're thinking about. How big do you want it to be? How great a wall? Built of wood like a very old castle or of strong, sturdy stone- I personally recommend the latter. See, a handful of my fire-breathing cousins may very well burn a wooden castle to the ground without a second thought, you know..." At this point, he crouches down to Liliath's level and trails off long enough for her to answer, apparently forgetting the important business brought to him by Lady Thalia.
Lisa smirks and considers joining in on the castle discussion; she's much more comfortable talking to Liliath and (human)Cornelius than standing awkwardly behind to the High Inquisitor who probably doesn't appreciate the distraction. "Is this the same castle you said we could all live in?"
She laughs a little, thinking about how much fun Raven would have messing with these people, especially Thalia.
In the Library
"Chief Librarian Cornelius," the Inquisitor sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose as she works to control her tone. It was never wise to become irritable with a dragon, no matter how grandfatherly and harmlessly he presented himself. "Understand that while the edification of these youths on the economics of fortified infrastucture is beneficial, I would appreciate it if you indulged in it once I have the research materials I require available for my review. I will not question how you do your job so long as it is not actively interfering with mine, and so would ask either that another of your staff assist me or that you take the time required to help in my official business. If simply so my presence does not 'sour the mood' as some have claimed it to do."
"Chief Librarian Cornelius," the Inquisitor sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose as she works to control her tone. It was never wise to become irritable with a dragon, no matter how grandfatherly and harmlessly he presented himself. "Understand that while the edification of these youths on the economics of fortified infrastucture is beneficial, I would appreciate it if you indulged in it once I have the research materials I require available for my review. I will not question how you do your job so long as it is not actively interfering with mine, and so would ask either that another of your staff assist me or that you take the time required to help in my official business. If simply so my presence does not 'sour the mood' as some have claimed it to do."
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