The sad sulking expression smeared across Isabella's face hearing the guard speak of harm that could be done to her by simply bringing Lucas into the town. Her lip sunk in, not quite quivering as she turned to look at the husky but any observer could see this was having a bit of an emotional impact on her.
Ren pulled her off to the side and the child reluctantly followed, hanging her head while she walked knowing already what the woman was going to say.
To most, it was a reanimated corpse, an emotionless tool even, utilized for a purpose...a means to reach a particular goal or fill a gap. The girl saw this creature vastly differently, though. The purpose was companionship, the goal was a friend, and the gap Lucas filled was an empty place in her heart she'd worked to close for a long time now. She didnt figure Lucas was going to be okay outside alone either, and as she came to this realization and heard what Ren was saying, she worked herself towards a decision she was finding difficult to accept.
Turning away from Ren, Isabella fell in front of Lucas upon her knees, and letting the boom fall foward onto his legs, she reached up and wrapped her arms around the undead dogs neck and squeezed him in a tight hug.
The dog merely moved his head inward towards her, a mechanical mockery of a return in her affection, which didnt take a conjurer to decipher was likely an instruction from Isabella.
She pulled back and sniffled to herself, reaching up and unbuckling the belt around his upper body slowly and preparing to summon him, blatantly ignoring Ren and the guard at this point.
Ren pulled her off to the side and the child reluctantly followed, hanging her head while she walked knowing already what the woman was going to say.
To most, it was a reanimated corpse, an emotionless tool even, utilized for a purpose...a means to reach a particular goal or fill a gap. The girl saw this creature vastly differently, though. The purpose was companionship, the goal was a friend, and the gap Lucas filled was an empty place in her heart she'd worked to close for a long time now. She didnt figure Lucas was going to be okay outside alone either, and as she came to this realization and heard what Ren was saying, she worked herself towards a decision she was finding difficult to accept.
Turning away from Ren, Isabella fell in front of Lucas upon her knees, and letting the boom fall foward onto his legs, she reached up and wrapped her arms around the undead dogs neck and squeezed him in a tight hug.
The dog merely moved his head inward towards her, a mechanical mockery of a return in her affection, which didnt take a conjurer to decipher was likely an instruction from Isabella.
She pulled back and sniffled to herself, reaching up and unbuckling the belt around his upper body slowly and preparing to summon him, blatantly ignoring Ren and the guard at this point.
Evelyn dips her head to the Inquisitor and practically gallops down the corridor, only slowing to the leisurely pace she'd been granted permission to take once safely out of the group's sight.
Lisa takes the second book in the sack, simply titled Crafts, Cults and Curses: the Clear Connection Between the Three, and opens it to the first chapter. It's then she comes across another hinderance to her field research. The letters on the page fade in and out of focus as the chimera struggles to adjust her eyes- literally; it's only through minor shapeshifting she isn't too farsighted to read.
She squints for a moment. Then she squeezes her eyes shut, pinching the bridge of her nose and bowing her head, struggling to concentrate between Thalia's hardened gaze and Liliath's complaints. There! Her eyes fly open, slitted pupils widening to dark, pained circles. Even such a minor spell threatens to split her head open right now. It's a problem she knows the solution to- her weary body's been begging for it since after the exploding cabin -but she can't exactly ask the Inquisitor for a nap.
She can, however, ask for a little bit of silence.
"Child," her voice is clipped, carefully measured, as she speaks to Liliath. "The High Inquisitor and I are undertaking a very important task, something which may be a matter of life or death for...for all of us. Please, let us work." She returns to the book, flipping through what turns out to be a bombastic introduction to the actual first chapter.
Lisa takes the second book in the sack, simply titled Crafts, Cults and Curses: the Clear Connection Between the Three, and opens it to the first chapter. It's then she comes across another hinderance to her field research. The letters on the page fade in and out of focus as the chimera struggles to adjust her eyes- literally; it's only through minor shapeshifting she isn't too farsighted to read.
She squints for a moment. Then she squeezes her eyes shut, pinching the bridge of her nose and bowing her head, struggling to concentrate between Thalia's hardened gaze and Liliath's complaints. There! Her eyes fly open, slitted pupils widening to dark, pained circles. Even such a minor spell threatens to split her head open right now. It's a problem she knows the solution to- her weary body's been begging for it since after the exploding cabin -but she can't exactly ask the Inquisitor for a nap.
She can, however, ask for a little bit of silence.
"Child," her voice is clipped, carefully measured, as she speaks to Liliath. "The High Inquisitor and I are undertaking a very important task, something which may be a matter of life or death for...for all of us. Please, let us work." She returns to the book, flipping through what turns out to be a bombastic introduction to the actual first chapter.
At the gate
"I'm hoping reeeaaal soon. I'd rather not keep you waiting," The sergeant sighs, "Just depends on how long it takes my boys to find 'em....."
He looks up as a young man comes hurtling over the wall, curving back toward it mid flight and sliding down it. He lands in a mild heap on the ground near Ren and Isabella before popping back up as if nothing had happened.
"Oh hey! Zombie dog! That must be why you wanted us, eh sarge?" the round-faced fellow calls, "The pin poker here yet?"
The sergeant smirks and calls back, "Remember to ask before petting this one, Geoffrey!" He looks back toward Naida before quipping, "Wizard got here first. Fortunately for all of you. His head is a bit in the clouds, but he's good. Hopefully that mean Mal is the inquisitor out today... he's less of a pain than the rest."
Meanwhile, Geoff is doing his best to make friends with the two less social people. "Heya! Name's Geoffrey, but everyone calls me Geoff. I'm just gonna take some looks at things before the inquisitor shows up, yunno? Be able to let them know that you're all chill, and that there's no reason to worry. That sound good all of you guys?" He asks, blowing some limp hair out his face while he adjusts his uncomfortably green robe. The material seems nice enough, but the colour is awful. In a way, though, it manages to add to his friendly demeanour, despite not being enjoyable to look at in it's hyper-intense verdantness.
"I'm hoping reeeaaal soon. I'd rather not keep you waiting," The sergeant sighs, "Just depends on how long it takes my boys to find 'em....."
He looks up as a young man comes hurtling over the wall, curving back toward it mid flight and sliding down it. He lands in a mild heap on the ground near Ren and Isabella before popping back up as if nothing had happened.
"Oh hey! Zombie dog! That must be why you wanted us, eh sarge?" the round-faced fellow calls, "The pin poker here yet?"
The sergeant smirks and calls back, "Remember to ask before petting this one, Geoffrey!" He looks back toward Naida before quipping, "Wizard got here first. Fortunately for all of you. His head is a bit in the clouds, but he's good. Hopefully that mean Mal is the inquisitor out today... he's less of a pain than the rest."
Meanwhile, Geoff is doing his best to make friends with the two less social people. "Heya! Name's Geoffrey, but everyone calls me Geoff. I'm just gonna take some looks at things before the inquisitor shows up, yunno? Be able to let them know that you're all chill, and that there's no reason to worry. That sound good all of you guys?" He asks, blowing some limp hair out his face while he adjusts his uncomfortably green robe. The material seems nice enough, but the colour is awful. In a way, though, it manages to add to his friendly demeanour, despite not being enjoyable to look at in it's hyper-intense verdantness.
At the Library
"Liliath, if you are not yet experienced with reading, I would encourage practise," Thalia advises, shockingly taking on a much softer tone, "It is the only way to improve in a skill, and literacy is the most pure form of power. Spreading of knowledge and ideals is the way for all to learn from one, and one to learn from all, no matter where or when the one and all are. With that in mind, I encourage you to take one of the books.... say, this history, of artifacts, and look through it. Find something you think would be interesting to display in your future castle, and tell me about it in a little while. Tell me what it does, who created it, if that is known, and what would make you wish to either hold it yourself or keep it safe from the hands of others. If you have a story to accompany that, you may tell it as long as you remember to give the facts about it first."
She presents the book to Liliath and, if it is accepted, she goes back to reading with a smug smile on her face. She might not know much about caring for children, but she knew plenty about training initiates...
"Liliath, if you are not yet experienced with reading, I would encourage practise," Thalia advises, shockingly taking on a much softer tone, "It is the only way to improve in a skill, and literacy is the most pure form of power. Spreading of knowledge and ideals is the way for all to learn from one, and one to learn from all, no matter where or when the one and all are. With that in mind, I encourage you to take one of the books.... say, this history, of artifacts, and look through it. Find something you think would be interesting to display in your future castle, and tell me about it in a little while. Tell me what it does, who created it, if that is known, and what would make you wish to either hold it yourself or keep it safe from the hands of others. If you have a story to accompany that, you may tell it as long as you remember to give the facts about it first."
She presents the book to Liliath and, if it is accepted, she goes back to reading with a smug smile on her face. She might not know much about caring for children, but she knew plenty about training initiates...
Alastor Kain wrote:
Alastor nodded towards Jules. "S'alright. Brandis is a tough one to work around. Bastard's friendly enough to gain people's favour, and focused enough to almost never slip up." Alastor let out a snicker. "Almost."
"Next destination is in the slums. Yer travelling with me, so you oughta be right. Plenty of cats around for you to interact with too, Raven. I mean, if that's a thing yeh do. Never really looked into the life of familiars. No need to change either. If anyone causes trouble, they deserve whatever gets beat into 'em, if yeh feel the need." Alastor smiled, imagining the situation should anyone even try.
"Come on then, home's this way." Alastor started moving through the backalleys of the city, taking every opportunity to pass unnoticed when he can.
"Next destination is in the slums. Yer travelling with me, so you oughta be right. Plenty of cats around for you to interact with too, Raven. I mean, if that's a thing yeh do. Never really looked into the life of familiars. No need to change either. If anyone causes trouble, they deserve whatever gets beat into 'em, if yeh feel the need." Alastor smiled, imagining the situation should anyone even try.
"Come on then, home's this way." Alastor started moving through the backalleys of the city, taking every opportunity to pass unnoticed when he can.
"Pssh!" Raven trots back to them with a dismissive wave of her paw. "Those speechless alley cats got no business with the likes of me." She giggles and bounces around the two-leggeds' heels as they journey to the slums. Realizing that, Raven starts humming and pouncing and sniffing around, brimming with excitement. She's not seen any slums since befriending Lisa; they've never needed to visit one, and Lisa's shamefully not the slightest bit curious about what the slums are like. The closest the cat has ever gotten since her kittenhood was scavenging the alleys behind markets and butcher's shops while Liz and her mother bought or bartered for groceries.
Misc other wrote:
At the Library
"Liliath, if you are not yet experienced with reading, I would encourage practise," Thalia advises, shockingly taking on a much softer tone, "It is the only way to improve in a skill, and literacy is the most pure form of power. Spreading of knowledge and ideals is the way for all to learn from one, and one to learn from all, no matter where or when the one and all are. With that in mind, I encourage you to take one of the books.... say, this history, of artifacts, and look through it. Find something you think would be interesting to display in your future castle, and tell me about it in a little while. Tell me what it does, who created it, if that is known, and what would make you wish to either hold it yourself or keep it safe from the hands of others. If you have a story to accompany that, you may tell it as long as you remember to give the facts about it first."
She presents the book to Liliath and, if it is accepted, she goes back to reading with a smug smile on her face. She might not know much about caring for children, but she knew plenty about training initiates...
"Liliath, if you are not yet experienced with reading, I would encourage practise," Thalia advises, shockingly taking on a much softer tone, "It is the only way to improve in a skill, and literacy is the most pure form of power. Spreading of knowledge and ideals is the way for all to learn from one, and one to learn from all, no matter where or when the one and all are. With that in mind, I encourage you to take one of the books.... say, this history, of artifacts, and look through it. Find something you think would be interesting to display in your future castle, and tell me about it in a little while. Tell me what it does, who created it, if that is known, and what would make you wish to either hold it yourself or keep it safe from the hands of others. If you have a story to accompany that, you may tell it as long as you remember to give the facts about it first."
She presents the book to Liliath and, if it is accepted, she goes back to reading with a smug smile on her face. She might not know much about caring for children, but she knew plenty about training initiates...
"Okay sounds like fun!" Liliath took the book out her hand and then sat down and started slowly reading it. "The N-a, N-a, Naen-u ar-ti, arti- fact." Liliath read out loudly, well she read the next sentence queitly to herself.
Misc other wrote:
At the gate
"I'm hoping reeeaaal soon. I'd rather not keep you waiting," The sergeant sighs, "Just depends on how long it takes my boys to find 'em....."
He looks up as a young man comes hurtling over the wall, curving back toward it mid flight and sliding down it. He lands in a mild heap on the ground near Ren and Isabella before popping back up as if nothing had happened.
"Oh hey! Zombie dog! That must be why you wanted us, eh sarge?" the round-faced fellow calls, "The pin poker here yet?"
The sergeant smirks and calls back, "Remember to ask before petting this one, Geoffrey!" He looks back toward Naida before quipping, "Wizard got here first. Fortunately for all of you. His head is a bit in the clouds, but he's good. Hopefully that mean Mal is the inquisitor out today... he's less of a pain than the rest."
Meanwhile, Geoff is doing his best to make friends with the two less social people. "Heya! Name's Geoffrey, but everyone calls me Geoff. I'm just gonna take some looks at things before the inquisitor shows up, yunno? Be able to let them know that you're all chill, and that there's no reason to worry. That sound good all of you guys?" He asks, blowing some limp hair out his face while he adjusts his uncomfortably green robe. The material seems nice enough, but the colour is awful. In a way, though, it manages to add to his friendly demeanour, despite not being enjoyable to look at in it's hyper-intense verdantness.
"I'm hoping reeeaaal soon. I'd rather not keep you waiting," The sergeant sighs, "Just depends on how long it takes my boys to find 'em....."
He looks up as a young man comes hurtling over the wall, curving back toward it mid flight and sliding down it. He lands in a mild heap on the ground near Ren and Isabella before popping back up as if nothing had happened.
"Oh hey! Zombie dog! That must be why you wanted us, eh sarge?" the round-faced fellow calls, "The pin poker here yet?"
The sergeant smirks and calls back, "Remember to ask before petting this one, Geoffrey!" He looks back toward Naida before quipping, "Wizard got here first. Fortunately for all of you. His head is a bit in the clouds, but he's good. Hopefully that mean Mal is the inquisitor out today... he's less of a pain than the rest."
Meanwhile, Geoff is doing his best to make friends with the two less social people. "Heya! Name's Geoffrey, but everyone calls me Geoff. I'm just gonna take some looks at things before the inquisitor shows up, yunno? Be able to let them know that you're all chill, and that there's no reason to worry. That sound good all of you guys?" He asks, blowing some limp hair out his face while he adjusts his uncomfortably green robe. The material seems nice enough, but the colour is awful. In a way, though, it manages to add to his friendly demeanour, despite not being enjoyable to look at in it's hyper-intense verdantness.
Ren looked on with confusion as Isabella turned away, ignoring her words. She really didn’t want to ask this child to abandon her dog; she understood completely how attached you can get to someone, even if that someone is more of a something. Instead of trying to continue her conversation with the girl, she turned to talk to the strangely enthusiastic man that had just fallen nearby.
“Yes, hello, er... Geoff. I’m Ren. The small yapping fairy is Naida, and the child is Isabella. We just want to get to the library for some studies as soon as possible.”
As the magician came over the wall, Naida became excited to have someone new to talk to. She grew slightly unhappy when the new arrival went to speak to Ren and Isabella instead, but she flew over anyway. She hovered right next to the magician’s head as he spoke to Ren, listening to their conversation.
Naida got a feeling from Ren telepathically that she should back off, but she ignored it, hoping to be acknowledged by Geoff.
Naida got a feeling from Ren telepathically that she should back off, but she ignored it, hoping to be acknowledged by Geoff.
At the gate
Geoff nods in response to Ren, scratching at his chin a bit while he considers what to say.
"Yeah, yeah that's fair. The dragon's good, he'll help you find whatever you're looking to read up on," he answers, looking off into the distance while he considers the thought, "I'm sure the guard-man asked you a couple questionés already, but I've got a few to ask as well. Since you're magic-types, it's kinda my expertise. So, the first things are preeetty simple. I'd just like to know your magical specializations, if you're associated with any colleges or guilds that might have certifications you could show, the deal with that sweet spellbook, I bet that's what you're researching here, and, uh... if she normally does that or if she needs some help. If it matters at all, I'd be cool with watchin' the dog while you all are in town."
He gestures to the miserable Isabella with that last statement, looking genuinely concerned about her wellbeing.
He ignores Naida, but seems to have stuck his elbow out as if waiting for a hawk to land, possibly (read: probably) offering her a seat if she would like.
Geoff nods in response to Ren, scratching at his chin a bit while he considers what to say.
"Yeah, yeah that's fair. The dragon's good, he'll help you find whatever you're looking to read up on," he answers, looking off into the distance while he considers the thought, "I'm sure the guard-man asked you a couple questionés already, but I've got a few to ask as well. Since you're magic-types, it's kinda my expertise. So, the first things are preeetty simple. I'd just like to know your magical specializations, if you're associated with any colleges or guilds that might have certifications you could show, the deal with that sweet spellbook, I bet that's what you're researching here, and, uh... if she normally does that or if she needs some help. If it matters at all, I'd be cool with watchin' the dog while you all are in town."
He gestures to the miserable Isabella with that last statement, looking genuinely concerned about her wellbeing.
He ignores Naida, but seems to have stuck his elbow out as if waiting for a hawk to land, possibly (read: probably) offering her a seat if she would like.
Naida looked confused at the man as he stuck out his elbow. Why was he standing in such an awkward position, and why was he ignoring her? She grew increasingly frustrated until she realized his intentions and happily took a seat on his arm, setting her preying mantis beside her.
Isabella stalled her arms on Lucas' belt hearing the guard offer to watch him. The thought was tempting, but held it's own concerns. She was aware there was a range she could keep the husky under control, but wasn't completely sure what that range was. What happened if she entered the city and lost that control? Would he attempt to wildly reach her again? Would he simply wander off? Or would he become rabid and territorial and attack those nearby unprovoked and for no reason. The guards knew it was her dog, and she would likely face punishment for whatever he did without her nearby.
Taking a deep breath, her face straightened out, and she pulled the belt off of Lucas. She wrapped it around her waist twice before securing it with the four bags hanging off the sides still. Even for a nine year old, Isabella was quite small. She pulled the book back up to her chest and stared into Lucas' eyes, who stared back blankly. Still, she felt like she saw understanding in them, even if she was unaware she was projecting that understanding herself.
She stood up and turned to the guard, the dog following her closely and pushing his upper body against her hip when she stopped. "Okay.... she said softly, "...you can watch him."
The delicacy of her voice was evidence in itself she knew she was taking a risk, but the other option was to unsummon her best friend, and she wasn't yet prepared to do that if there was a chance she could retrieve him later. She sniffles one last time and stares up to the Geoff, awaiting his response, having not recalled all of what questions he asked.
Seeing Nadia land and place her Mantis on his arm, however, was just a little much in the current circumstance. Her eyes quickly moved to the mantis, then to Nadia, and before she knew she was saying anything, she spoke. "Can I have my mantis back?" she asked lightly.
Taking a deep breath, her face straightened out, and she pulled the belt off of Lucas. She wrapped it around her waist twice before securing it with the four bags hanging off the sides still. Even for a nine year old, Isabella was quite small. She pulled the book back up to her chest and stared into Lucas' eyes, who stared back blankly. Still, she felt like she saw understanding in them, even if she was unaware she was projecting that understanding herself.
She stood up and turned to the guard, the dog following her closely and pushing his upper body against her hip when she stopped. "Okay.... she said softly, "...you can watch him."
The delicacy of her voice was evidence in itself she knew she was taking a risk, but the other option was to unsummon her best friend, and she wasn't yet prepared to do that if there was a chance she could retrieve him later. She sniffles one last time and stares up to the Geoff, awaiting his response, having not recalled all of what questions he asked.
Seeing Nadia land and place her Mantis on his arm, however, was just a little much in the current circumstance. Her eyes quickly moved to the mantis, then to Nadia, and before she knew she was saying anything, she spoke. "Can I have my mantis back?" she asked lightly.
Lisa raises an eyebrow as Thalia waxes poetically about the power of knowledge to an eight-to-ten year old girl, surprised at how soft she manages to be. Her first impressions of the woman being something of a bully, she expected something...harder. Then again, the Inquisition must be well-versed in all manner of persuasion, from brute force to gentle approaches such as this. She shrugs, privately relieved when the High Inquisitor's tactic actually works, and goes back to her research.
She skims most of the chapters; they're mostly organized by specific artisan crafts so far, so clay crafts like the vase should have a chapter of its own. She breaks out a hopeful smile when she finally comes across it.
The chapter, she has to get a few pages in to find any mention of the vase, a grueling task for someone in her condition, but she manages it nonetheless.
The paragraph reads as follows:
"Perhaps one of the oldest and most enigmatic of ancient clay artifacts is known most commonly as the Bloodied Vase, though in present day knowledge of it beyond hushed whispers and myths is far from common. Legend has it the multi-colored ceramic vase, made of several pieces defined by a silver-and-gold alloy, was shattered. Its pieces, each one holding a great power of its own, were then scattered to the wind and lost to history..."
Interesting, though so far this isn't much she doesn't know or couldn't guess. She keeps reading. The section goes on to discuss rumors and some of the aforementioned myths involving the Bloodied Vase. The author admits that several of these ideas remain unsubstantiated by modern archeology, so nothing this book says should be taken at face value. At one point, it suggests that to unlock the true power of the artifact, it must be sacrificed to a Draconian virgin. That's...exactly what it says. Reassemble and then shatter the vase in the presence of a maiden dragon to gain a power "unlike any seen in the world's history," at the cost of cursing the poor maiden's future children and their children and so on and so forth.
Sounds...fake, but so do foxlike aliens and ships that could soar alongside stars, yet she's seen the foxes and been on one of their ships. Nothing's totally impossible; Lisa marks this page of rumors for later reference then sets the book aside. She leans back into her chair, closing her eyes and rubbing her temple, taking a moment to prepare for further reading.
She skims most of the chapters; they're mostly organized by specific artisan crafts so far, so clay crafts like the vase should have a chapter of its own. She breaks out a hopeful smile when she finally comes across it.
The chapter, she has to get a few pages in to find any mention of the vase, a grueling task for someone in her condition, but she manages it nonetheless.
The paragraph reads as follows:
"Perhaps one of the oldest and most enigmatic of ancient clay artifacts is known most commonly as the Bloodied Vase, though in present day knowledge of it beyond hushed whispers and myths is far from common. Legend has it the multi-colored ceramic vase, made of several pieces defined by a silver-and-gold alloy, was shattered. Its pieces, each one holding a great power of its own, were then scattered to the wind and lost to history..."
Interesting, though so far this isn't much she doesn't know or couldn't guess. She keeps reading. The section goes on to discuss rumors and some of the aforementioned myths involving the Bloodied Vase. The author admits that several of these ideas remain unsubstantiated by modern archeology, so nothing this book says should be taken at face value. At one point, it suggests that to unlock the true power of the artifact, it must be sacrificed to a Draconian virgin. That's...exactly what it says. Reassemble and then shatter the vase in the presence of a maiden dragon to gain a power "unlike any seen in the world's history," at the cost of cursing the poor maiden's future children and their children and so on and so forth.
Sounds...fake, but so do foxlike aliens and ships that could soar alongside stars, yet she's seen the foxes and been on one of their ships. Nothing's totally impossible; Lisa marks this page of rumors for later reference then sets the book aside. She leans back into her chair, closing her eyes and rubbing her temple, taking a moment to prepare for further reading.
Naida was completely focused on the man is the strangely green outfit until she heard the word “mantis.” She looked up to see Isabella looking at her quite pitifully. It took her a moment to process that this child wanted her mantis. “But... My mantis...” she started, but then realized how truly depressed this child appeared. Without a word, Naida picked up the mantis and fluttered down, placing it gently in the girl’s hand. “Our mantis?”
At the Gate
The sergeant at the wall watches in amusement as the strange wizard does his thing. It took a lot of power to be that confident, even if it was... an unusual form of confidence.
"You won't have a need to worry," Geoff reassures, giving the dog's undead head a pat, "I'll make sure he behaves. Necromancy isn't my big thing, but I know enough of how these li'l guys behave usually to keep watch for a day or two."
He gives a beaming, friendly smile before getting back to the task at hand.
"Okie-dokie then, let's just handle those questions real quick, shall we? Again, no stress, no pressure, just wanna know what's good so that when the inquisitor gets here I can make sure they don't get too out of control," He explains in his continued relaxed way, "Tell me a bit about the kinds of magic you like to start off, and if you're associated with any groups, that would be good to know, too."
At the mention of the mantis, he looks over and smiles a little. "You two having a little disagreement about whose pal this one is, huh? Got a little story behind this at all?"
The sergeant at the wall watches in amusement as the strange wizard does his thing. It took a lot of power to be that confident, even if it was... an unusual form of confidence.
"You won't have a need to worry," Geoff reassures, giving the dog's undead head a pat, "I'll make sure he behaves. Necromancy isn't my big thing, but I know enough of how these li'l guys behave usually to keep watch for a day or two."
He gives a beaming, friendly smile before getting back to the task at hand.
"Okie-dokie then, let's just handle those questions real quick, shall we? Again, no stress, no pressure, just wanna know what's good so that when the inquisitor gets here I can make sure they don't get too out of control," He explains in his continued relaxed way, "Tell me a bit about the kinds of magic you like to start off, and if you're associated with any groups, that would be good to know, too."
At the mention of the mantis, he looks over and smiles a little. "You two having a little disagreement about whose pal this one is, huh? Got a little story behind this at all?"
Between the beaming smile the guard offered, the mantis' return, and the fact she wasn't going to have to unsummon Lucas (at least for now), Isabella's mood lightened. It was when the mantis reached her hand she outstretched towards Nadia that the soft smile returned to her face.
"Thank you," she said politely as she collected the reluctant creature who still seemed to stare cluelessly as to its fate. She toyed with it in her hand, rotating it and watching as the poor thing scrambled to stand on the most even patch of her hand that was offered.
"I like all kinds of magic, but especially the kind that made Lucas," Isabella explained still watching her insectoid companion, "Mother was teaching me enchanting and potions too, but she..." Isabella paused a moment, not openly reacting to the sorrow inside. She simply needed a moment before proceeding.
"She's gone now....so I have to study magic on my own," she claimed, overlooking the master apprentice relationship she was supposed to be acting within. It was a subtle slip, but then he was a wizard.
"And no," Isabella said finally looking up to Geoffry, "We're not arguing, he's both our bug." She turned with a small smile at Nadia, feeling the hopeful feelings of a friendly connection in its earliest moments, or at least she hoped.
"Thank you," she said politely as she collected the reluctant creature who still seemed to stare cluelessly as to its fate. She toyed with it in her hand, rotating it and watching as the poor thing scrambled to stand on the most even patch of her hand that was offered.
"I like all kinds of magic, but especially the kind that made Lucas," Isabella explained still watching her insectoid companion, "Mother was teaching me enchanting and potions too, but she..." Isabella paused a moment, not openly reacting to the sorrow inside. She simply needed a moment before proceeding.
"She's gone now....so I have to study magic on my own," she claimed, overlooking the master apprentice relationship she was supposed to be acting within. It was a subtle slip, but then he was a wizard.
"And no," Isabella said finally looking up to Geoffry, "We're not arguing, he's both our bug." She turned with a small smile at Nadia, feeling the hopeful feelings of a friendly connection in its earliest moments, or at least she hoped.
Wait, when did Naida get a mantis? Ren was, yes, confused as to what just happened between her fairy and the girl, but at least they seemed to be getting along now. She noticed the girl had been glaring at Naida a lot on the way over here. “My magic is elemental, mainly with water. I draw power from an amulet my father gave me. I haven’t really studied with any schools or anything; I prefer my quiet, secluded cave where I can self-teach.”
Naida returned the child’s smile, happy to have a new friendship blossoming. For once she didn’t feel the need to share a story.
She would, however, talk about magic anytime. “I love Ren’s magic! She can do these really cool portal things, and she can fight really well with ice bullet things, but she doesn’t fight often because people are usually pretty friendly, except for that one time where we.. okay, not gonna talk about that. And Isabella’s magic is really cool too. Like this puppy is so nice, even if it’s really just Isabella’s niceness, I love puppies. Do you have any puppies?” The fairy continued her ramble, probably to the sky because the conversation typically goes on without her. “I don’t do any real magic on my own, but sometimes I’ll help Ren out,” she finally finished and took a breath.
She would, however, talk about magic anytime. “I love Ren’s magic! She can do these really cool portal things, and she can fight really well with ice bullet things, but she doesn’t fight often because people are usually pretty friendly, except for that one time where we.. okay, not gonna talk about that. And Isabella’s magic is really cool too. Like this puppy is so nice, even if it’s really just Isabella’s niceness, I love puppies. Do you have any puppies?” The fairy continued her ramble, probably to the sky because the conversation typically goes on without her. “I don’t do any real magic on my own, but sometimes I’ll help Ren out,” she finally finished and took a breath.
"My parents taught me well." Adriannu answered back which wasn't a lie as much of her survival knowledge had indeed come from her parents. Hopefully such a quick explanation would help satisfy the merchant's curiosity as she would prefer to keep him from pressing further. The less curious he was, the better. "Anyway I'm looking for sixteen people days of food for my family. We are mostly planning to live off of the fruits of the hunt, but it's good to have a backup for when hunting is bad."
As she waited for the merchant to prepare her order, she noticed some man examining some wickerware, but seemed to be suspiciously inattentive to said wares. Now it was possible that she was being paranoid, but, she was a little kid who had apparently been entrusted with the shopping money, an "easy" target. "You know, my pa gave me a new hunting knife for my birthday and I love it so much that I always keep it on me. Though he did make me practice how to fight a man with it again. Says I need to know how since I'm a girl and am a considered an easy target by creeps out there, so I have to be able to defend myself. Told me the belly is the best place to aim for since there are no bones I can damage my knife in there. Hopefully I never have to do that and can just stick to using it on wild game huh?" As the child said all this, she turned her head slightly in the direction of the wicker man to see what he did. If he hadn't had any bad ideas, then he should be perfectly content to keep on browsing, but if he had, well hopefully she just gave him something to think about. Adriannu would truly prefer to avoid drawing her blades if possible since they would doubtlessly attract unwanted attention however, but if need be, she would and carefully moved one hand close to the hilt on her left side just to be safe.
As she waited for the merchant to prepare her order, she noticed some man examining some wickerware, but seemed to be suspiciously inattentive to said wares. Now it was possible that she was being paranoid, but, she was a little kid who had apparently been entrusted with the shopping money, an "easy" target. "You know, my pa gave me a new hunting knife for my birthday and I love it so much that I always keep it on me. Though he did make me practice how to fight a man with it again. Says I need to know how since I'm a girl and am a considered an easy target by creeps out there, so I have to be able to defend myself. Told me the belly is the best place to aim for since there are no bones I can damage my knife in there. Hopefully I never have to do that and can just stick to using it on wild game huh?" As the child said all this, she turned her head slightly in the direction of the wicker man to see what he did. If he hadn't had any bad ideas, then he should be perfectly content to keep on browsing, but if he had, well hopefully she just gave him something to think about. Adriannu would truly prefer to avoid drawing her blades if possible since they would doubtlessly attract unwanted attention however, but if need be, she would and carefully moved one hand close to the hilt on her left side just to be safe.
Alastor Kain wrote:
Alastor continued weaving through the streets he knew so well, eager to reach home. "I'd probably keep the demon thing to yerself. Nobody's going to grab torches and pitchforks where we're going, but plenty of people know how to earn a quick coin off new information. Might get out of hand if the temples found out. And yeh shouldn't have any worries when we get there. Just don't upset the kids and don't piss off the orc and yeh'll be alright."
"... hey Raven? Mind if I ask yeh don't use alley cats in that way? I know yeh didn't mean anything by it, just a bit of a personal gripe."
As they ventured further into the city, the scenery around them became more derelict. Run-down houses and weary eyed townspeople lined the streets. "Welcome to my stompin' grounds. It ain't any kind of noble's district, but at least it hasnt got the stuck up leeches. Our destination's just ahead." Alastor pointed ahead to a building that stood above the ones around it. The two-story building at least had the luck to have a fence surrounding its perimeter even if it was run down, and a few kids chased each other around out the front. "My palace. The city's oldest orphanage."
"... hey Raven? Mind if I ask yeh don't use alley cats in that way? I know yeh didn't mean anything by it, just a bit of a personal gripe."
As they ventured further into the city, the scenery around them became more derelict. Run-down houses and weary eyed townspeople lined the streets. "Welcome to my stompin' grounds. It ain't any kind of noble's district, but at least it hasnt got the stuck up leeches. Our destination's just ahead." Alastor pointed ahead to a building that stood above the ones around it. The two-story building at least had the luck to have a fence surrounding its perimeter even if it was run down, and a few kids chased each other around out the front. "My palace. The city's oldest orphanage."
At the market
"Aye, typical for hunters, then," he says with a nod as she explains her knowledge, "Some say ya don't take care of yer own, but I know ya teach yer own to take care of 'emselves and are there when it counts. Eighteen days then, right? It's a bulky bag, but I know you cathra are a sight stronger than you look."
He busies himself assembling the large order as she start talking about her knife training. It's a little more intense than most youngling rambling, and not as cautious as normal hunters would like to be. She'd caught sight of the man as well, it had to be. Unless she was fancying robbing his store, which he.... suspected she was far too clever for. To be safe, he glanced around for signs that she might have backup but found none. Good.
"Well, I'd hope that nobody would try something to make you need to bloody up good steel here in this market, or at least at this end," he says with a chuckle, "You probably noticed that it gets to be, ah, less day-to-day goods the further down you go. Food and candles and such at this end, then common trade-goods like knives, horseshoes, carpentry and toys, and it keeps going through maps and charms all the way down at the far end to where you see witches and their potions and sleazy men who send their good-for-nothing nephews out to lure little girls down to buy the results of their uncle's corpse lootin'! She don't want no shady jewelry and magic bows, Carlos, get outta here!"
His voice turns to growl as he runs through that last bit, and the sketchy man stiffens before speed walking away, having already looked rather nervous at Adriannu's knifing talk.
"Ohh, always good to make those bastards run," he chuckles before turning his voice to a whisper, "I know I like to upcharge and barter. It's mostly to help make more conversation though, even if I don't mind extra coin either. You've been interesting enough already though, little lady, so don't tell anyone, but I'll just give ya the fair price."
It was the truth, she had been interesting to talk to, and he did give his actual price. The real interest, though, was that Raul had sent someone up this far, not something that happened without some reason to it. Best to let the girl keep her time and coin to keep looking around the market, and see if he could help keep an eye on her. Ever since that firestorm out toward the sea, he'd felt a tension in the air over the streets of Telmarune...
"Aye, typical for hunters, then," he says with a nod as she explains her knowledge, "Some say ya don't take care of yer own, but I know ya teach yer own to take care of 'emselves and are there when it counts. Eighteen days then, right? It's a bulky bag, but I know you cathra are a sight stronger than you look."
He busies himself assembling the large order as she start talking about her knife training. It's a little more intense than most youngling rambling, and not as cautious as normal hunters would like to be. She'd caught sight of the man as well, it had to be. Unless she was fancying robbing his store, which he.... suspected she was far too clever for. To be safe, he glanced around for signs that she might have backup but found none. Good.
"Well, I'd hope that nobody would try something to make you need to bloody up good steel here in this market, or at least at this end," he says with a chuckle, "You probably noticed that it gets to be, ah, less day-to-day goods the further down you go. Food and candles and such at this end, then common trade-goods like knives, horseshoes, carpentry and toys, and it keeps going through maps and charms all the way down at the far end to where you see witches and their potions and sleazy men who send their good-for-nothing nephews out to lure little girls down to buy the results of their uncle's corpse lootin'! She don't want no shady jewelry and magic bows, Carlos, get outta here!"
His voice turns to growl as he runs through that last bit, and the sketchy man stiffens before speed walking away, having already looked rather nervous at Adriannu's knifing talk.
"Ohh, always good to make those bastards run," he chuckles before turning his voice to a whisper, "I know I like to upcharge and barter. It's mostly to help make more conversation though, even if I don't mind extra coin either. You've been interesting enough already though, little lady, so don't tell anyone, but I'll just give ya the fair price."
It was the truth, she had been interesting to talk to, and he did give his actual price. The real interest, though, was that Raul had sent someone up this far, not something that happened without some reason to it. Best to let the girl keep her time and coin to keep looking around the market, and see if he could help keep an eye on her. Ever since that firestorm out toward the sea, he'd felt a tension in the air over the streets of Telmarune...
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