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Thread: Black Wings

  1. #21
    Senior Member

    EXP: 61,139, Level: 10
    Level completed: 65%, EXP required for next Level: 3,861
    Level completed: 65%,
    EXP required for next Level: 3,861


    Nevin's Avatar

    GP
    3,657

    Name
    Nevin Aimaparapoiitis
    Age
    22 / 37
    Race
    Human (Godling)
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    Corone
    Nevin followed her with his eyes, quietly watching as she hurried away. That….. Wasn't quite right was it now? He had not mentioned anyone in particular, but she had brought Vitruvion up. Not only that but then she had tried to cover up with that information about half angels - but despite working with some, she hadn't mentioned any names. And then she almost fled from him, hands curled into fists.

    Had she lied to him? But about what? And why? Having seen divine magic would not be something unusual - priests must use it right unless what she was referring to wasn't holy magic, but was actually straight up part of being a divine being. His lips twisted downwards as he slowly followed after her, turning her words over in his head. His friend was trying to hide something - that was the only reason she would have moved away like that, no longer meeting his eyes after staring at him.

    He nearly stumbled. The only person she had mentioned by name was Vitruvion. Nevin already knew the man was a powerful individual, so it wouldn't have been that that she was trying to make him not think about. But why would she lie about either his being part celestial, or about having worked with different half angels? She had already told him the two worked with a demon from time to time so seeing the other side was not unbelievable. He sighed - one more piece of the puzzle about Stare and Vitruvion.

    Nevin closed the gates behind him without a word, and followed Stare to the door. She clearly didn't want to talk about this anymore -and he was not about to try forcing her to talk to him. Not about this, not now. He slipped his hands into his pocket and quietly waited behind her to be let in.

    Before she could properly get to the door herself it was opened by a small, bespectacled elf with brown scraggly hair and a little smile on his lips.

    “Lady Stare,” he said gently, “Welcome home. You have a guest?” He looked over with large eyes to Nevin.

    Stare curtly nodded, trying to shake off her anxiety of needing to lie to Nevin. The same lie that the staff had been told, that the city ran with the rumour of. “Yes, this is Nevin, a friend from Corone. Nevin,” she gestured at the elf. “This is Druss.”

    “The proud butler sir,” Druss dropped into a bow. “Honoured to have you visit our humble part of Raiaera. How long are you staying with us?”

    Stare answered for him. “For a night at least. If you could get Agathe or Kira to make up the first guest room?”

    Druss nodded and smiled and gestured for them to come in. They moved past the entrance doors into a vast, marble hall. Four pillars held up a plastered ceiling, and a set of stairs to the back led to an elegant balcony of an upper floor. Various doors leading to clear, huge rooms went off from almost every wall, and it was clear this was the realm of some rich noble. Especially as a single portrait of a short-haired Vitruvion was above a long fireplace. A man in a military suit, with a real owl on his shoulder, staring into the room with dominance and pride.
    - "We are born of the blood, made men by the blood, undone by the blood; Fear the old blood."

    Nevin: Formal, thoughtful, nurturing, bearer of tropey tentacles.

    "More threads! More! Threads for the Crimson Thread King!"
    A member of the NevCrew:
    Nevin: Thread count: please, don't try.
    Erik: Thread count: five or six. Maybe seven...
    Huntsman: seven. Maybe eight. Shhhhhhh.
    Telli' thread count: zero. I just can't get into writing the little hellion.
    Ronnel: Not even approved yet.

  2. #22
    Legend

    EXP: 59,606, Level: 10
    Level completed: 51%, EXP required for next Level: 5,394
    Level completed: 51%,
    EXP required for next Level: 5,394


    Stare's Avatar

    GP
    150

    Name
    Avis Tsakaka
    Age
    16
    Race
    Kenku / Tengu
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Corone
    Nevin slowly looked around the place as he walked inside. The place had a grandeur to it, he certainly couldn't deny that. A sweeping staircase up to a second floor, large pillars holding up a decorated ceiling. This place was clearly somewhere he never would have come on his own - not without becoming a renowned alchemist, and even then it would have just been as a retainer to some noble or another.

    He paused as he saw the portrait of Vitruvion, watching over the room with an owl perched on his shoulder. One red eyebrow raised up slowly. Had the man truly been in the military? It wouldn't surprise him - it was a good place to make a name for yourself, and if you were effective they tended to overlook some minor character flaws. And Nevin had no doubt that whatever failings Vitruvion had, no matter how he felt about his friend’s ‘Master’ - the man was certainly effective when he put his mind to it.

    The owl did make him think about where Aphrael was. Making sure that he didn't fall too far behind Stare as she led him through the ornate hallway, he tried to reach out to where his partner was. Unsurprisingly, she had fallen asleep, lulled to dreams by the rocking of the boat she was perching on. A quick mental prod had her wake up enough to show that the boat wasn't leaving port, and in fact was currently completely empty, before he retreated to his own mind and left her alone. He cleared his throat.

    “So. Is there a small kitchen I can use to prepare? And do we want to do that today, or tomorrow?” He hoped whatever had set Avis off wasn't going to make her ignore him now, if he didn't try to bring the previous conversation back up.

    “If we get it done today, might better?” Stare suggested, turning back around to him. When she met his eyes her heart began to thump tirelessly again. Uncertainty came into her heart, and a reminder that she needed to get better at lying.

    With a sigh she consciously ground herself, and looked to Druss, who was closing the door behind them. “Druss, can you please show Mr Nevin the kitchens? If she causes a fuss tell her that this is on the master’s advice not just mine.”

    The butler paused a moment, then nodded, smiling awkwardly as he gestured towards the back of the room, past the grand pillars. Stare took in a breath, and spoke to Nevin, “I will be with you in a moment, I just want to change.”

    Without wasting another moment she turned to ascend the staircase, taking the grandeur with ease and passing by the gorgeous wooden carving of wrapped ivy in it as if they were nothing more than dust.
    Crows: Old nursery rhyme "One for sorrow, Two for mirth, Three for a funeral, Four for birth, Five for heaven, Six for hell, Seven for the devil, his own self."

  3. #23
    Senior Member

    EXP: 61,139, Level: 10
    Level completed: 65%, EXP required for next Level: 3,861
    Level completed: 65%,
    EXP required for next Level: 3,861


    Nevin's Avatar

    GP
    3,657

    Name
    Nevin Aimaparapoiitis
    Age
    22 / 37
    Race
    Human (Godling)
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    Corone
    “This way, if you please sir.” Druss seemed a bit hesitant as he started walking in the direction that he had indicated. As the two passed by the grand columns and entered the back of the house - the mansion really despite what Stare called it - Nevin noticed that the style changed. While the servant’s areas were still obviously of fine, high quality design and make, they were done in simpler styles, quiet refinement showcased here instead of the vaulted ceilings and ostentatious portraits.

    While Nevin still felt fairly out of place in this extravagant mansion, he was clearly more at ease here in the quiet, simple halls. He saw the butler raise an eyebrow at him, obviously wondering who this “friend from Corone” was, but he was too well trained to bluntly ask. He fit the elegant, refined side of Stare that Nevin had come to know here Beinost.

    It didn't take long for the two men to reach the kitchens, and Druss opened it and cleared his throat loudly, the sound cutting through the quiet clamor of the kitchen with ease. Many people in the kitchen turned to stare at the door, before a rather plump, pleasant looking woman - who Nevin noted was about Stare’s height - came bustling up to them, looking them both up and down before speaking over her shoulder.

    “Back to work you lot. Well Mr. Druss, who’s this you've brought us today? New cook’s apprentice? He looks like he’d be handy in the kitchen, if for nothing else than getting things off high shelves.” Nevin blanched a bit before shaking his head rapidly.

    “Ah, Mrs. Deerling, yes?” Druss and Deerling’s eyes opened wide. “I am a friend of Stare’s, she told me your name. Unfortunately madam I am no chef, or cook - if I attempt to make cuisine, it ends quite horribly for anyone involved. I am an Alchemist madam, and I have been tasked with making a tonic to help Sir Elssmith out with one of his projects. I need to borrow the usage of a pan and a wooden spoon, and a stove top from this fine kitchen.” Mrs. Deerling looked him up and down suspiciously, clearly not wanting to give up precious space in her kitchen. She broke when Druss spoke up.

    “Lady Stare did say it was on the orders of Sir Elssmith as well as her own.” With a frustrated sigh the cook threw her hands up.

    “Very well very well. I can't be getting in the way of the Lord’s commands. Timin, go fetch a pan and a spoon, and show this gentleman the way to stove seven. Hop to it lad.” A young boy of maybe twelve summers squeaked and put down the potato he was peeling, and hurried to gather up the items before waving energetically to Nevin. The redhead bowed to Druss and Deerling, then followed after the child to set up.
    - "We are born of the blood, made men by the blood, undone by the blood; Fear the old blood."

    Nevin: Formal, thoughtful, nurturing, bearer of tropey tentacles.

    "More threads! More! Threads for the Crimson Thread King!"
    A member of the NevCrew:
    Nevin: Thread count: please, don't try.
    Erik: Thread count: five or six. Maybe seven...
    Huntsman: seven. Maybe eight. Shhhhhhh.
    Telli' thread count: zero. I just can't get into writing the little hellion.
    Ronnel: Not even approved yet.

  4. #24
    Legend

    EXP: 59,606, Level: 10
    Level completed: 51%, EXP required for next Level: 5,394
    Level completed: 51%,
    EXP required for next Level: 5,394


    Stare's Avatar

    GP
    150

    Name
    Avis Tsakaka
    Age
    16
    Race
    Kenku / Tengu
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Corone
    Up in her room Stare sighed and looked around at the heavy grey and blue hangings. She took in a long breath before starting over to her small cabinet. Dragging off her fine tunic as she went she ended up just in her under-trousers. For a while she stood there, staring at herself in the long looking glass she had recently installed. Half naked, but socially acceptable for her feathers. Small breasts somewhere beneath that plumage. And there, in her aura sight the white hot pounding of divine magical energy flowing through her constantly. Strong, undying, strange.

    “Fuck my life,” she whispered before coming out of the aura and stalking over to her cabinet. Pulling out an ordinary black wool tunic she pulled that on and then wove a dark blue scarf around her neck. Going over to a nearby chair she took up her various weapons, but left the armour, automatically slipping the glove over her left hand that made her claws longer and stronger.

    She had lied to Nevin and perhaps he had noticed. But she had needed to. It wasn't her law, not even Vitruvion's - it had been made by the collective pantheon of Althanas. Guilt burning at her soul she started down the stairs, going from her grand room to the servant's level. Breathing slowly she opened the door that led to the kitchens and the dining room off it and came to find Nevin, standing with a pot and spoon. After a moment's pause she smiled.

    “You found everything then?”

    Nevin looked up as the door opened and Stare walked in - dressed far more simply than she had been before. At this point he honestly couldn't say which looked better on her - when she hadn't been stiffly formal, the fineries had suited her well, but in simple clothes she looked far more relaxed than she ever had been. The consideration was tucked into the back of his mind for later pondering - for now, he was working, and that took precedence for him. He coughed and shot a look to Mrs. Deerling, who was standing with her arms folded beneath her rather generous bosom, watching him.

    “Yes, everything I need for this has been enough provided. It's actually a rather simple concoction, if one can obtain the necessary ingredients, and has a way of supplying magic to it.” With that, he straightened his back, rising up to his full height as he got to work. His lips creased into a flat line as his brow furrowed, his dark gaze focusing intently on the pan as he dropped the alatin berries into it, and began mashing them with the spoon as he turned on a low heat under the pot.

    The Alchemist mashed the berries until there was a pulpy mass simmering at the bottom of the pan, then he pulled out the pouches of leaves and began tearing the plants apart above the pan, letting the shredded pieces and the juices drop into the pan. Once one pouch was emptied he stopped tearing and instead worked on stewing the solution, bringing it back up to a rolling simmer. A critical eye stared at the mixture.
    Crows: Old nursery rhyme "One for sorrow, Two for mirth, Three for a funeral, Four for birth, Five for heaven, Six for hell, Seven for the devil, his own self."

  5. #25
    Senior Member

    EXP: 61,139, Level: 10
    Level completed: 65%, EXP required for next Level: 3,861
    Level completed: 65%,
    EXP required for next Level: 3,861


    Nevin's Avatar

    GP
    3,657

    Name
    Nevin Aimaparapoiitis
    Age
    22 / 37
    Race
    Human (Godling)
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    Corone
    “Hm. No. Needs more chacrona.” He separated out the plant he needed from the second pouch and added it to the concoction, judging it as he stirred.

    “Looks like you're just making a vegetable stew.” Nevin paused and raised an eyebrow at Timin. He hadn't realized that the boy was still hanging around.

    “At its base, Alchemy is similar to cooking yes. However many of the ingredients used in Alchemy are not safe to eat - this mixture would kill a little sprog like you so don't go trying to sneak some.” Teaching and warning the boy, Nevin waved the clean end of the spoon in his face for a moment before returning to the solution. It was just about ready, yes.

    Nevin set the spoon down across the top of the pan, and pulled his dagger from his belt. “You'd also never do this in cooking.” He cut a thin line in his hand, and dribbled blood into the mixture. Quickly, he clenched his fist to hide the threads that wriggled from his skin to bind the wound. To draw attention from that, to keep them from seeing, he grabbed the spoon with his other hand and began stirring - bring in a portion up to show that it was strangely smoothing and, and turning into a faintly glowing green-purple liquid.

    “Alchemy and Magic tend to go hand in hand.”

    “Timmin,” Mrs Deerling came around the corner that led to the rest of the kitchen, and saw that her potboy was watching. She spoke disapprovingly and began to walk over.

    Meanwhile Stare was doing nothing more than watching Nevin herself. Druss seemed to have vanished, likely heading back upstairs. She looked up at the cook, and shook her head. Slowly the buxom-bosomed woman came to a stop and then stayed to make a third member of the audience, Nevin's constant stirring apparently enchanting. Silence fell for a minute or two until Stare stretched. Steam was suddenly steaming from the primary stoves, around the corner.

    “Timmin, you should listen to Mrs Deerling,” she said softly. The youngling took a moment before smiling sheepishly and taking a scuttle back. He and Mrs Deerling disappeared back.

    Stare looked at Nevin. “Almost done?”

    Nevin frowned into the pan, giving it one last stir, and straightened up before nodding. “Yes. The herbs have completely dissolved. When placed into water, this will become undetectable. Can you reach into my pack there and grab a glass jar?” It took her a moment of rummaging before she found one, pulling it out and handing it to him. The alchemist took it with a grateful nod, then slowly began scooping the faintly glowing mixture into the jar.

    It took only a few moments to get it all in, his hands working smoothly and surely. The jar was half full by the time the vial emptied, and Nevin made sure to take the pan to the sink and wipe it clean with a steel scrubber. Satisfied that no remnants of his tonic remained, he returned to where Stare was and picked up the jar, hefting it in his hands.

    “All done here, and ready to go. Shall we be off?”
    - "We are born of the blood, made men by the blood, undone by the blood; Fear the old blood."

    Nevin: Formal, thoughtful, nurturing, bearer of tropey tentacles.

    "More threads! More! Threads for the Crimson Thread King!"
    A member of the NevCrew:
    Nevin: Thread count: please, don't try.
    Erik: Thread count: five or six. Maybe seven...
    Huntsman: seven. Maybe eight. Shhhhhhh.
    Telli' thread count: zero. I just can't get into writing the little hellion.
    Ronnel: Not even approved yet.

  6. #26
    Legend

    EXP: 59,606, Level: 10
    Level completed: 51%, EXP required for next Level: 5,394
    Level completed: 51%,
    EXP required for next Level: 5,394


    Stare's Avatar

    GP
    150

    Name
    Avis Tsakaka
    Age
    16
    Race
    Kenku / Tengu
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Corone
    She nodded, looking a lot more comfortable now. Gesturing to the back of the kitchen she led Nevin to a small door, that led into a small store room, and from that outside. Bright daylight came to their eyes as well as the smell of hay to their noses.

    “We've got mounts,” she gestured as she walked at a building just to the side, where a horse's head could be seen poking over the edge of a half door. “You can ride, right?”

    As she came to the stables a loud ‘cawk’ came. A smile brightened in Stare's eyes as she began to run, heading over to a half-door that was mostly closed. Throwing it open she revealed the presence of a bright and merry chocobo head.

    “Hi,” she said quietly and rubbed the bird's beak. Her eyes turned and looked at Nevin as he approached. “This is Sen.”

    Nevin felt a spike of curiosity that rapidly grew into delight. For a moment he was confused, until he realized that the emotions weren't his own, but Aphrael’s. He shifted on his feet as he tried to suppress the grin that tried to break out in response to his familiar’s emotions, and instead raised an eyebrow as the bird-mount turned to look at him with a curious eye.

    Creeeaar! Sen squawked at him joyfully, craning her neck towards him. Nevin tentatively reached up and stroked the bird’s neck, his eyes wide.

    “I…. Knew how to ride, once. Horses don't like me these days, so I haven't had a chance in a long few years. And I haven't seen a chocobo in that time. I…” He swallowed, roughly forcing down the lump in his throat as the bird preened itself on his scratching fingers. “She's beautiful.” At that point, Aphrael reached them, her crimson-stained wings flaring out wide as she landed heavily on Nevin’s shoulder, trilling a happy greeting to Stare and Sen. At the sound of the flute pipes, horses started to poke their heads out over their stall doors to see what was going on.

    Stare let out a soft laugh, her eyes glancing to Aphrael briefly. She gave the crow a formal bow of her head. “I got used to riding one out in the flock lands, where my people came from. When I found a breeder over the mountains it was little difficulty getting some over. Sen is mine, but that's Rai is in the back,” she stepped to the side to nod at a dark red chocobo at the back, feeding.

    Rai glanced up and fixed them with a single proud eye. Stare found herself smiling and took up the reins attached around Sen's head and opened the door. The fine black beast revealed his dark glory, all six foot tall of it. Leading him over to a stand she nodded to Nevin.

    “You can use Rai if you want.”

    Meanwhile she grabbed a saddle and began lashing it to Sen's back, who stood perfectly still and patient.
    Crows: Old nursery rhyme "One for sorrow, Two for mirth, Three for a funeral, Four for birth, Five for heaven, Six for hell, Seven for the devil, his own self."

  7. #27
    Senior Member

    EXP: 61,139, Level: 10
    Level completed: 65%, EXP required for next Level: 3,861
    Level completed: 65%,
    EXP required for next Level: 3,861


    Nevin's Avatar

    GP
    3,657

    Name
    Nevin Aimaparapoiitis
    Age
    22 / 37
    Race
    Human (Godling)
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    Corone
    The dark red chocobo stared at Nevin, and Nevin stared back, neither of the two flinching away from their staring contest. The redhead slowly stalked over towards the red bird, his pace measured and slow. The chocobo tilted its head with a curious prek, and kept its eyes on his as he approached it. When he was standing close by, the animal slowly stretched its head out and sniffed at Nevin’s hair, slowly circling Nevin’s head as it did so.

    Aphrael let out a short trill of piping notes as she flew off of Nevin’s shoulder, out of the way of the curious chocobo. She perched on Sen’s stall door, huffing and resettling her wings as she watched her human get examined by the large red bird. Suddenly Rai snagged some of Nevin’s hair in his beak and tugged at it, making Nevin yelp and Aphrael let out loud, flute notes of amusement.

    “You ruddy bird - yes my hair is real!” Rai snorted, the exhalation washing across Nevin’s neck and shoulder before he pulled his head back. The bird stared down at the man for a moment longer before snorting again and letting out a slight squawk, which made his familiar trill in response.

    “Thank you for the translation, Aphrael. Yes. And thank you, Rai.” Another set of piping flute notes from the black and red crow, and Nevin moved to get the reins and saddle for Rai.

    Stare’s eyes glowed with joy as she twisted Sen around, the chocobo snorted through his thin nostrils and let out a raw, crraarrkk.

    “You ready?” she asked, “I ride fast, I do warn you.”

    But her question was really to the air, to no one. For she had no sooner talked than she spun her gracious bird around. Digging her hind claws softly into Sen's flanks she sent him squawking - then picking up his feet and darting direct for the gate. Fast they ran, and it so happened that she had left the gate slightly ajar before. Now, happier than she had been when they came into the house she charged, the wind gloriously rushing through her and Sen’s feathers.

    Nevin swung himself up onto Rai’s back, and the bird scree’d loudly before taking off, his feet pelting the earth beneath them as the two sprinted after Stare and Sen. The dark red bird ducked himself down, and began running in a straight line, bolting after the other two. Nevin meanwhile, was clinging on for dear life, his threads wrapping around the reins and the saddle to further anchor himself in place. Apparently Rai did not approve of being left behind.

    Through the streets they ran, faint laughter reaching back to Nevin’s ears as they went. Black on black streaked through the streets, followed shortly by a bolt of crimson upon crimson. They came to a shuddering halt outside of a guard house, and Stare turned to wait for Nevin to catch up. When he did, Rai’s sides heaving only slightly as the red chocobo snorted and clawed the ground, Nevin’s threads retracted into his skin and his hands released their death grip on the reins.
    - "We are born of the blood, made men by the blood, undone by the blood; Fear the old blood."

    Nevin: Formal, thoughtful, nurturing, bearer of tropey tentacles.

    "More threads! More! Threads for the Crimson Thread King!"
    A member of the NevCrew:
    Nevin: Thread count: please, don't try.
    Erik: Thread count: five or six. Maybe seven...
    Huntsman: seven. Maybe eight. Shhhhhhh.
    Telli' thread count: zero. I just can't get into writing the little hellion.
    Ronnel: Not even approved yet.

  8. #28
    Legend

    EXP: 59,606, Level: 10
    Level completed: 51%, EXP required for next Level: 5,394
    Level completed: 51%,
    EXP required for next Level: 5,394


    Stare's Avatar

    GP
    150

    Name
    Avis Tsakaka
    Age
    16
    Race
    Kenku / Tengu
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Corone
    “I, uh, need you to wear this.” She tossed a black bandana over to him, and Nevin caught it with a quizzical look. “Can't have you see the route.” With a frown, and a nod of realization, Nevin bound the cloth around his head, shutting out the light to his eyes. His legs clamped down hard as he retook the reins.

    “Right. Can't see. Please don't guide me off a cliff. I'd hate to hear Rai go like that.” With the dark joke, he waited for her to guide them onwards.

    She sighed uncomfortably but leant back and took Rai’s leadrope. Gently she began to lead the chocobo, and Nevin on it down the street a little, walking now. She went a fist distance, weaving a snaking path to disorientate Nevin and then doubled back. Going down the side of the guard house she led the two bird mounts to the stable.

    She patted Sen and Rai farewell before helping Nevin with as little contact as possible off the chocobo.

    “Thank you,” she murmured as she took his hand and led him into the back door. Then from there through quiet rooms and down strange stairs. Around corners and down further. Eventually she stopped, paused and then took off the bandana as they began to hear loud, boisterous voices.

    “Don't … just don't freak out when we get there. You'll feel really strange but trust me. It will come back.”

    And with no explanation she went on. Down to a set of stairs before them where a fire was glowing. Going first she led him into a broad hall, filled with tables, benches and around twenty men all armed and armoured.

    Silence fell when the two of them got there. She paused and nodded to them. “Just passing through,” she said, and grabbed Nevin's hand.

    Leading him straight to the other side of the room, past utter quiet and incredulous eyes - but no questions. The men - just a portion of the guards of the Hollow - raised brows but most looked away after a while. She took Nevin to where iron door stood, bolted. Easily she unlocked it and stepped through, taking them into a long white tunnel that descended downwards.

    The mouth of the Hollow.

    Nevin frowned as they walked through the doorway and down the hall, along the white corridor. The men that they had passed had all given him strange looks - judging him, then Stare, then him again. It was an awkward time, as Nevin wasn’t sure what to make of the looks that they were giving him. But they finally turned their eyes away, paying the odd duo no more heed after her words.This place was….calmer than he had expected as they walked down the tunnel.
    Crows: Old nursery rhyme "One for sorrow, Two for mirth, Three for a funeral, Four for birth, Five for heaven, Six for hell, Seven for the devil, his own self."

  9. #29
    Senior Member

    EXP: 61,139, Level: 10
    Level completed: 65%, EXP required for next Level: 3,861
    Level completed: 65%,
    EXP required for next Level: 3,861


    Nevin's Avatar

    GP
    3,657

    Name
    Nevin Aimaparapoiitis
    Age
    22 / 37
    Race
    Human (Godling)
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    Corone
    They came to another door, and Nevin paused as the guard here opened it for them. He turned and raised an eyebrow to Stare. “I’ll need some water to give him. Maybe some bread as well. Put him at ease. Is that possible?” He followed after her as they continued down the tunnel passing a set of doors along the way. This place was cleaner than he had expected - from what occurred here, he had expected a dank, disgusting, seedy place. But then, he should have expected this was actually what it was like - Vitruvion was not one for filth, he was far too proper. A clean and orderly dungeon was actually far more likely from him - and the Hollow seemed to match that well.

    Stare kept her eyes focused forwards. She had let go of Nevin's hand as soon as they passed the first guard and door, and led him past the first lot of rooms - Vitruvion's rooms. When Nevin asked about water and bread she just nodded, gesturing to a door when they got to the entrance to the guards’ rooms.

    The kenku was just reaching for the door when it suddenly opened, wide. There was a stunned silence as the pair of them came face to face with the tall, messy haired face and body of Raevin, captain of the guard for Vitruvion and the Hollow.

    The elf blinked, then chuckled lightly as he stepped aside.

    “Pleasure to meet you again, alchemist,” he said, gesturing them in.

    Rolling her eyes Stare pushed past her colleague and went into a small hallway. From there she went into an open doorway, where low voices could be heard. A room of good smells and relaxed guards.


    “Sir Raevin.” He bowed his head to the guard captain, and followed Phi inside of the chamber. This room actually smelled appetizing, and if the knowledge of just where they were wasn’t sitting in the back of his head like a large thorn stabbing his thoughts, the redhead might have relaxed a bit and taken the time to look around. As it was though, he pulled the jar with the tonic out and held it tight in one hand. He did notice that the faint glow to the serum had faded a bit - it seemed externalized magic was cut off here. Was that why Stare had warned him he would feel weird in this place? No matter, most of the time he didn’t bother with magic - his was not usually a combatively focused branch.

    “A cup of water and some bread?” Stare gestured to one of the guards, who grunted and retrieved what he asked for. Nevin set the cup down and took the lid off of the jar, then slowly poured the purple-green mixture into the water. Strangely, despite the volume of the tonic and the water, the water level in the cup rose only a little bit - nowhere near as much as it should have considering how much was poured into it. Nevin waited a moment, watching as the last traces of color faded out of sight, before nodding. “This is ready then. He won’t be able to notice a thing.” He turned his gaze to Stare again, picking up the bread and the water.
    - "We are born of the blood, made men by the blood, undone by the blood; Fear the old blood."

    Nevin: Formal, thoughtful, nurturing, bearer of tropey tentacles.

    "More threads! More! Threads for the Crimson Thread King!"
    A member of the NevCrew:
    Nevin: Thread count: please, don't try.
    Erik: Thread count: five or six. Maybe seven...
    Huntsman: seven. Maybe eight. Shhhhhhh.
    Telli' thread count: zero. I just can't get into writing the little hellion.
    Ronnel: Not even approved yet.

  10. #30
    Legend

    EXP: 59,606, Level: 10
    Level completed: 51%, EXP required for next Level: 5,394
    Level completed: 51%,
    EXP required for next Level: 5,394


    Stare's Avatar

    GP
    150

    Name
    Avis Tsakaka
    Age
    16
    Race
    Kenku / Tengu
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Corone
    The guards there looked from Stare to Nevin briefly, but then went back to their meals. It seemed, though they did not recognise Nevin, that Stare’s very presence was enough to assist. She nodded at the alchemist before moving past him.

    “This way,” she said calmly, though there was a defiant line of anxiety through her voice. Keeping herself collected and poised, however, was a practise of hers, through months of careful negotiation and public appearances at Vitruvion’s side. Nevin saw her true self, Vitruvion also, but right now she was playing the part of the steady-hearted aide.

    Back into the hall she led the alchemist, and then from there into another door. They came to a small room, with two chairs in it and a door beyond that was bolted and secured. In the room itself was a truly huge man who had tiny eyes and a mass of hair. He seemed to be reading a romance novel and grunted as they entered.

    “Hey Brer,” Stare softly said to the guard. “This is Nevin. A friend of mine. He is here to try to solve our mage problem.”

    The giant of a man, who was in truth half-giant, looked from the kenku to the red-head and then grumbled and nodded. Tossing her the keys he gave a short, happy smile before returning to his book. Stare let out a satisfied sigh before going forth and opening the door. First the lock, then she rested her hand on the bolt. She glanced back at Nevin … before opening the door.

    And revealing the messed, ragged mage who lay sprawled on the bed, a single fetter and chain running from his ankle to the wall.

    “All yours,” she whispered, and stepped back.

    Nevin slowly entered the chamber noting that the mage barely twitched his head in the alchemist’s direction. The redhead coughed lightly and nodded, moving over to slowly approach the mage. The man gave a low snarl at Nevin’s approach, baring his teeth in a display of defiance.

    “You useless pricks haven't broken me. I won't tell you what you want to know, you might as well kill me now.” Nevin raised an eyebrow at this - the man was more coherent than he had expected. Coherent, but weak - he tried to stand up, but even before the chain attached to his ankle rattled the captive collapsed with a disgusted gasp.

    “Peace, neighbor. I'm not in their employ - I'm an outside contractor who was asked to come in and make sure you were in good health.” Nevin slowly sank into a cross-legged position in front of the mage, who spat onto the floor between them. “Now, now. They’ve decided they won't be getting information from you, but apparently there is someone who is willing to pay for your… Return, or delivery, they didn't bother telling me which, just that a healer was needed to check on you. Can you eat?” He set the plate of bread down on the ground, and watched as the mage’s hand snaked out, snatching the hunk of bread from platter. A few moments passed as the mage tore into the heavy bread, his eyes trained on Nevin.
    Crows: Old nursery rhyme "One for sorrow, Two for mirth, Three for a funeral, Four for birth, Five for heaven, Six for hell, Seven for the devil, his own self."

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