A Hunting We Shall Go {Stare, Closed}

Nevin stirred to the sound of voices - Avis', irritated and upset - running away from someone? The other was the man who'd stopped them in the streets - and the redhead shot bolt upright, his eyes frantically scanning the place he was in. Stare was leaning back in a chair, an Elf sitting in front of her. Not, he realized, Elthas, didn't quite look like the same race even. Differing races of Elves? Nevin's head throbbed, and he held one hand against the side of it, groaning. His immediate panic had died down, as he realized that Stare didn't seem concerned, and actually seemed comfortable in the situation.

That was... a great relief. That meant that she knew this man, since the Kenku did not seem like the type who would relax except around friends. The blood mage sat back in the chair and slowly rubbed his forehead, careful not to touch the swelling around his right eye. They were safe, and Stare looked like she was sleeping more normally now, instead of the utterly exhausted state that she had been in before. While watching the unknown Elf, who was smiling softly at her, Nevin reached out through his bond to check on Aphrael - who was currently on the roof of the building they were in. She had been dozing, but now that she knew he was awake feelings of concern flooded their bond. He tried to reassure her as he raised one eyebrow at the unknown man.

"I... take it... you're not.. Vitruvion." Nevin's statement came out as a croak, and he realized that his throat was raw and ragged at the moment. He frowned and massaged his neck - figuring out then that he was still in the scale armor that Stare had given him. He swallowed and tried again. "I don't think... she'd be that calm talking to him." As he spoke his voice regained strength as he gathered his bearings. "My name is Nevin.
Thank you for... well, I assume for not leaving me in the street, at the very least.

Quote:

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Sure! I think we're about ready to wrap it up lol.

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Raevin looked at the man as he spoke, turning on his feet. From the crouched position he was in he ended up sitting back, sideways on to Stare, facing Nevin. He kept a hand carefully on Stare's lap that, though it might have looked it was for comfort was truly showing her that her life with Vitruvion was not over.

"You would know if I was Sir Elssmith, trust me," he began.

"You must be Nevin," the warm voice said. And he offered a smile. "My name is Raevin, Captain of Lord Vitruvion Elssmith's guard. Our employer sent me over to find this one," he gestured at Stare, "When he could not sense her anymore."

He glanced up at her. "He is worried about you."

"Pah," Stare spoke in a thick, still slurred tone. "He's just wanting back his prop-" she paused, realising she still had not told Nevin what Vitruvion had done concerning her and her person. Tying her to the only city capable of making an internationally recognised slave. "He must be at a loose end without either of us there."

"Well you know that was for your own safety. He told you himself," his eyes went back to Nevin. "Stare and I are ... We'll have become the two vital cogs in Sir Elssmith's machine. I have to take her back home. I hope you aren't going to give me any trouble?"

He looked serious. "Though I will warn you also, while we have this silence away from him. Our employer is intrigued by you. Just make sure he doesn't collect you too. He has a tendancy for collecting ... People. Though he does pay well."

Eyes glancing between the two of them he went on:

"So you were what ... Prisoners by the state of what I've been able to clean up. Obviously with power because they took off the cuff. That isn't good."

He paused, "Is there anywhere we can drop you off before I take Stare home?"

Nevin stared at the two for a few moments, his side aching, as he pondered what Raevin had said - and what Stare had tried to cover up. He already knew who, or perhaps at this point more properly what, her Master was, he considered people his possessions, go do with as he pleased. "I... Thank you for the warning, Sir Captain. And for the offer."

And truthfully, the idea of an escort, of traveling in guaranteed safety, and with Stare, to Raeriea, was tempting. But... "Unfortunately our temporary, unpleasant, hosts let slip something that I need to look into here in Corone." Nevin pushed himself to his feet, wincing as his cracked ribs protested the motion.he walked over to the window and opened it, letting Aphrael into the room. She settled onto his shoulder, thrilling softly, faint flute notes that filled the room as she stroked and presented his hair. Some of the tension in Nevin's form drained out as he reached uo and petted the bird's head. He seemed to reach a decision and looked over to the two of them.

"This rather unfortunate event has shown me that I can't keep relying on only my Alchemy and my magic. Do either of you know someone who can train me to fight? Preferably," he added with a twist to his lips, "someone who isn't beholden to your... Shall we say patron?"

Raevin flickered a small smile to Nevin as he finished. He sat back against Stare's seat, his chest rising up and down before he answered. Eyes flickering around the room he drank in their environment before responding.

"Call me Raevin. Many do. Aside from my father, but he is yet another great man I aim to please."

Slowly he removed his hand from Stare's lap, trusting that Nevin was not going to cause him any bother right now. Though he remained tense a vein of respect came to him for the blood mage, born from what Stare had told him, to what he was experiencing now.

"And call him Vitruvion if you want a name. Stare here does," he waved a hand at her. "Though why you continue to bother to annoy me is beyond him."

"He's a dickhead," was her answer.

Raevin paused, and frowned, but went on. "As to a request for someone to fight for you ... There is an associate of ours in Corone I believe."

Glancing up to Stare he asked, "Your faun friend."

Stare looked at him a while and then thought about it. "What? Philomel?" She blinked, and then actually thought about it. "Well yeah, she's pretty good at teaching fighting. Though she is associated with us."

She looked straight at Nevin. "One of Vitruvion's idiot brothers from the Hollow decided to capture her and make her his. A huge mistake, she has a billion powerful friends and has her own, though small army." A brief shine came to her eye. "She has a dragon."

"Yeah you said it couldn't fly."

"But it's still a bloody dragon!" Stare glared at Raevin, then went back to the blood mage. "Anyway ask any decent brothel in Radasanth and say a friend of the half-celestial sent you. They'll get your meaning and get a message to her."

Nevin nodded slowly, looking back and forth between the two of them. He bowed slowly to Raevin, then stepped over to Stare. "I should head out. Thank you both - and Stare, please stay safe. I look forward to meeting you again in better circumstances. I wish I could stay longer, or travel with you two - but I've a hunt to work on myself now. Safe travels to you both." Aphrael trilled, flute notes that trailed off expectantly as Nevin gathered up the few things of his that had fallen from his belt - pausing slightly as he looked at the flask and the book that they had taken from the mage. He turned a curious eye towards Stare and Raevin, and picked up the flask.

"Either of you particularly mind if I take this?" He didn't think Stare would, but didn't know if Raevin would follow her lead on it or not. The two of them shook their heads, and Stare picked up the book, turning it back and forth in her hands.

"We'll take this for now and send it on to you later. Don't worry, we'll figure out where you are so it doesn't just end up sitting in Stonevale unguarded if you aren't there." Nevin sent her a warm smile and slipped out, tucking the flask into a pocket as the door closed behind him.

~Fin~

Thread Title: A Hunting We Shall Go
Participants: Nevin and Stare
Judgment Type: No Judgment

Nevin receives 2097 EXP and 217 GP, as well as his requested spoils: Flask of Tainted Water, Demonic Text
Stare receives 2420 EXP and 217 GP

Congratulations!

All rewards added.