Lee Jheon (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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sixwordstories2013-12-15 04:38 pm
mind_overmatter) wrote in sixwordstories2013-12-15 04:38 pm
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Make that one ale, one water.
"Are you serious?"
The remark is not nearly as aggressive as the wording would suggest, and that much should be clear to Lee to hear a laugh tinting his words a warm hue. He leans heavier on his arm pressed against the bar top when he turns his body to face Lee, making it much more obvious while continuing to acknowledge her. Grinning, he leans in as if he's about to share some very delicious secret, but the smile is merely a warning: don't take him seriously. At all. "C'mon, how old are you, again? Dunno how much longer I can stand t' sit in a tavern with you sober all night."
The remark is not nearly as aggressive as the wording would suggest, and that much should be clear to Lee to hear a laugh tinting his words a warm hue. He leans heavier on his arm pressed against the bar top when he turns his body to face Lee, making it much more obvious while continuing to acknowledge her. Grinning, he leans in as if he's about to share some very delicious secret, but the smile is merely a warning: don't take him seriously. At all. "C'mon, how old are you, again? Dunno how much longer I can stand t' sit in a tavern with you sober all night."
"I was drinking kumis barely after learning to crawl, it's hardly my age that's affecting this." Lee's so amused by your antics, Alastair. You can tell by the way she's rolling her eyes and sighing. "You know I don't drink." Which she directs equally at both Alastair and barkeep, a bit awkward in demanding from a woman she doesn't know but she's not about to drink that swill.
No ifs, ands, or buts. "If it's such a trial, we could take our drinks outside." As if. They're in here especially because of the snow that had interrupted the reunion.
No ifs, ands, or buts. "If it's such a trial, we could take our drinks outside." As if. They're in here especially because of the snow that had interrupted the reunion.
There's a snort, but it is far from derisive; he takes his mead with an acknowledging nod to the bartender before taking a short sip. "Coming from anyone else, words like that would resolve themselves into a fight." Still smiling, however, as Alastair lightly plants a single (almost lazy) pat on Lee's arm. "But lucky for us, that's how we usually find a good time, innit?" Alastair knows exactly what affects Lee's decisions, which is just what drives him to needle and prod at them once he knows what fuels them.
Snow is spiraling on a few rare wings of air across the windows as it falls, contrasted against blue dying twilight. It sparks a thought as he watches the white settle and stick on the ground yards off. Another sip, and he hums. "Funny, last time I saw you, the snow had just finally melted." Has it really been so long?
Snow is spiraling on a few rare wings of air across the windows as it falls, contrasted against blue dying twilight. It sparks a thought as he watches the white settle and stick on the ground yards off. Another sip, and he hums. "Funny, last time I saw you, the snow had just finally melted." Has it really been so long?
Now there's the truth, and her stormy expression cracks just enough to let a chuckle pour through. "Yeah, it's been a while since I threw you around a bit. Consider it a promise for tomorrow." Or tonight, depends on how it goes.
That thought and its accompanying suggestive tone make her choke a bit over her water. She tries her best to turn it into a cough, but she's anything except smooth. She manages to stop dying fast enough to meet his last comment with a sigh. "Yeah, it had. We'll...have to try to meet up for summer next year, I could do with running around outside with you without you complaining about the chill." She missed him. She's remembering that now that it's being discussed, not like she hadn't felt the weight of that realization weekly since the last time they'd been in within the same square mile.
It's good to see him. It's nerve-wracking to consider any ideas she might have concocted while Alastair was just a far-off, exotic memory.
"...Is mead any good?"
That thought and its accompanying suggestive tone make her choke a bit over her water. She tries her best to turn it into a cough, but she's anything except smooth. She manages to stop dying fast enough to meet his last comment with a sigh. "Yeah, it had. We'll...have to try to meet up for summer next year, I could do with running around outside with you without you complaining about the chill." She missed him. She's remembering that now that it's being discussed, not like she hadn't felt the weight of that realization weekly since the last time they'd been in within the same square mile.
It's good to see him. It's nerve-wracking to consider any ideas she might have concocted while Alastair was just a far-off, exotic memory.
"...Is mead any good?"
"And I'll thank you to be quick about it," Thorin grumbles from somewhere down the length of bar where he has been waiting none too patiently. "Some of us haven't got all night."
There are too many people here for his liking, too many who ignore his presence as much as resent it. He is stared at for his trouble by all around him but the barkeep, who fastidiously keeps his eyes lowered to the task at hand as he pours ale from their barrels. Thorin glowers at his back, jaw set into a stubborn line, and turns towards one of the few tables that stand empty, moving to sit at the one nearest a darkened corner.
Let them stare, he thinks, settling into the chair that is only a little too tall for him with as much dignity as he can muster. If they look closely enough perhaps they'll remember who I am.
And what he's done. Perhaps they'll realize that there is royalty amongst them.
But Dwarves, it seems, aren't as welcome in these lands as Thorin would have guessed.
There are too many people here for his liking, too many who ignore his presence as much as resent it. He is stared at for his trouble by all around him but the barkeep, who fastidiously keeps his eyes lowered to the task at hand as he pours ale from their barrels. Thorin glowers at his back, jaw set into a stubborn line, and turns towards one of the few tables that stand empty, moving to sit at the one nearest a darkened corner.
Let them stare, he thinks, settling into the chair that is only a little too tall for him with as much dignity as he can muster. If they look closely enough perhaps they'll remember who I am.
And what he's done. Perhaps they'll realize that there is royalty amongst them.
But Dwarves, it seems, aren't as welcome in these lands as Thorin would have guessed.
Hmph, at least there's one person who sees fit to voice the frustration probably shared by many in the tavern. Too many patrons results in too few drinks being handed out at a rate that's simply deplorable, and Lee would be a liar if she said she knew why it was so stiflingly busy. Her casual traveling partner of the moment is already losing herself in the crowd, mouse-brown hair disappearing as the 'ale' part of the order is delivered. Fine, then. Lee can take care of herself in a crowd.
Or not. Tankard of plain water finally in hand, she's circling out to the satellite tables, ones without hordes already gathered 'round. There's not many for the pickings by the time she's searching, and her best bet seems to be just a table with less people sitting there.
It's this turn of fate that brings her over, deciding a lone Dwarf (that looks sober) is a better bet than than clearly-inebriated fellow human, the two of them dotting the only tables occupied by just one. "Sir, do you mind if I join you?"
Absolutely no recognition for his royal blood - or any other markings as to his status or family. Lee's blind as far as official markers go.
Or not. Tankard of plain water finally in hand, she's circling out to the satellite tables, ones without hordes already gathered 'round. There's not many for the pickings by the time she's searching, and her best bet seems to be just a table with less people sitting there.
It's this turn of fate that brings her over, deciding a lone Dwarf (that looks sober) is a better bet than than clearly-inebriated fellow human, the two of them dotting the only tables occupied by just one. "Sir, do you mind if I join you?"
Absolutely no recognition for his royal blood - or any other markings as to his status or family. Lee's blind as far as official markers go.
His laugh is just enough to tear his gaze off the window and back to Lee's face. "We've seen each other for at most an hour, and you're already planning our next reunion? You been missin' me or something?"
Well there's a thought. It should be obvious, but Alastair hasn't bothered himself with such a notion, that a certain fondness may keep a person like Lee invisibly tethered to him. This marks the end of the longest pocket of time since they last parted ways, and he can see the time that has passed even on Lee's face. It's never before felt difficult to keep a distance of time between himself and another.
His blip of a thought on the matter fizzles clumsily away, and he blinks down at his mead a moment, giving his face some time to melt into a new relaxed smile. "Gods no, it's quite terrible actually. I just drink it out of social pressure."
But he doesn't even offer Lee a telling grin, but instead drains half of his tankard in a silent couple of gulps. Sound returns to him only once he gasps for air when he returns to the conversation. "So terrible, I might need another soon," he pants, his smile glistening under the mead still on his lips.
Well there's a thought. It should be obvious, but Alastair hasn't bothered himself with such a notion, that a certain fondness may keep a person like Lee invisibly tethered to him. This marks the end of the longest pocket of time since they last parted ways, and he can see the time that has passed even on Lee's face. It's never before felt difficult to keep a distance of time between himself and another.
His blip of a thought on the matter fizzles clumsily away, and he blinks down at his mead a moment, giving his face some time to melt into a new relaxed smile. "Gods no, it's quite terrible actually. I just drink it out of social pressure."
But he doesn't even offer Lee a telling grin, but instead drains half of his tankard in a silent couple of gulps. Sound returns to him only once he gasps for air when he returns to the conversation. "So terrible, I might need another soon," he pants, his smile glistening under the mead still on his lips.
"A wise choice; ordering the one drink this innkeep can't water down." Yes, he was perfectly aware of the rotund man standing not ten paces from him. He really didn't care.
She doesn't blush when he asks. That'd be ridiculous. But she might hesitate, her face might grow a shade more open in surprise. She's been back-and-forth around Alastair enough since their beginning journey together that a lot of her instinctive guards are down with him. It's not unlike the feeling of being around her parents, or at the monastery.
Her legs, suspended in thin air as they are on the overly-tall barstools, swing for want of activity. But she's saved from answering because look who's decided to get sarcastic with her. "Yes, well I can see from your wardrobe that you've crumbled under a lot of societal pressures. You look like you're wearing half the towns you've visited."
He's quite a bespangled mess after so long away. She's not even re-familiarized himself with his current winter coat of baubles and potions and alchemical components. "Just watch that you don't fall off your stool with too many - although I suppose I'd do you the favor of carrying you upstairs. For old time's sake." Old times, as if. He'd accompanied her on her first-ever 'mission' of sorts. They go back far for her years, less for his, and practically nothing compared to what'll lie ahead if dragon-mouths can be avoided.
Her legs, suspended in thin air as they are on the overly-tall barstools, swing for want of activity. But she's saved from answering because look who's decided to get sarcastic with her. "Yes, well I can see from your wardrobe that you've crumbled under a lot of societal pressures. You look like you're wearing half the towns you've visited."
He's quite a bespangled mess after so long away. She's not even re-familiarized himself with his current winter coat of baubles and potions and alchemical components. "Just watch that you don't fall off your stool with too many - although I suppose I'd do you the favor of carrying you upstairs. For old time's sake." Old times, as if. He'd accompanied her on her first-ever 'mission' of sorts. They go back far for her years, less for his, and practically nothing compared to what'll lie ahead if dragon-mouths can be avoided.
Hey now, don't be knocking the garb! "An' you look like you're wearing 'alf the terrain you've trudged through, but I wasn't gonna say anything 'bout it." It's shot over the rim of his tankard before he continues to nurse his drink. In reality, Lee isn't covered in too much dust.
Be as cynical as you'd like, Lee, but Alastair laughs and nods just the same. Old times indeed. "C'mon that was just once, an' I got a lotta information out've that double-crossing ally of the counsel, the spineless wanker. It was the least you could do to help." Alastair finally relinquishes his hold on his mead, setting it on the counter. "B'sides, I thought you liked showing off?"
She doesn't, usually, unless Alastair can tease her into it. (He used to spar with her, but he stopped asking when it stopped being fun. Which was pretty immediately.)
Be as cynical as you'd like, Lee, but Alastair laughs and nods just the same. Old times indeed. "C'mon that was just once, an' I got a lotta information out've that double-crossing ally of the counsel, the spineless wanker. It was the least you could do to help." Alastair finally relinquishes his hold on his mead, setting it on the counter. "B'sides, I thought you liked showing off?"
She doesn't, usually, unless Alastair can tease her into it. (He used to spar with her, but he stopped asking when it stopped being fun. Which was pretty immediately.)
She gives herself a quick once-over. He's fairly assessed that she's got a few rips and tears in her robes, especially at the well-worn edges, and they've definitely been dragged through the wet winter muck a bit, but it's not so bad. She just bathed, like, two weeks ago, and she even washed the robes while she was at it. No need for drama.
"Yes, you're a master of wheedling out information." And it's said with a degree of fondness, for all that Lee bemoans his dishonest ways. Alastair has a flair for it, a clear and solid skillset that he's dedicated to honing, and Lee can appreciate his talent.
"Oh, not nearly as much as you do." Here they are, back to normal. She's smiling into her water despite herself.
"Yes, you're a master of wheedling out information." And it's said with a degree of fondness, for all that Lee bemoans his dishonest ways. Alastair has a flair for it, a clear and solid skillset that he's dedicated to honing, and Lee can appreciate his talent.
"Oh, not nearly as much as you do." Here they are, back to normal. She's smiling into her water despite herself.
...I will hit Cynric tags after this meeting but I was in this account.
lowetohigh
2013-12-19 01:50 am (UTC)(link)
She's still working on what constitutes as what Johnny calls 'normal person etiquette.' There are still wrinkles and catches where she's too formal, too expectant of other people--or simply too removed from touch.
She's not sure where 'overhearing someone ordering and making assumptions then throwing yourself into conversation with them' fits on that scale. There's no one here to monitor her. What can go wrong?
"--are those-- both for you, then? Or-- are you bringing one to a friend?"
She's not sure where 'overhearing someone ordering and making assumptions then throwing yourself into conversation with them' fits on that scale. There's no one here to monitor her. What can go wrong?
"--are those-- both for you, then? Or-- are you bringing one to a friend?"
I-is this another one of yours! (Haha I've been waiting for Cynric to post an entry so I could--
mind_overmatter
2013-12-19 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
{{ooc; --bother him with another of mine, so this is lovely. o7 Bring on all the OCs.}}
Normal person etiquette? As in behaving appropriately in public at the appropriate times? Yeah, Lee's a bit sketchy with the details of it herself most days.
It's probably part of why she doesn't realize that she's being spoken to, right away. "Hmm? Oh, uh--" Lee turns and looks as if expecting to see her ordered tankards already. Of course, it'll be a minute or two before they arrive, and soon she's looking back at the young (...very young?) woman (girl?) next to her. "No, they're -- one's for a friend. Or well, a travelling partner. She's right h--" Lee is gesturing and turning to show her but halts because that spot behind her left shoulder is now empty.
Huh. "Well. She must've wandered off." To steal something.
Normal person etiquette? As in behaving appropriately in public at the appropriate times? Yeah, Lee's a bit sketchy with the details of it herself most days.
It's probably part of why she doesn't realize that she's being spoken to, right away. "Hmm? Oh, uh--" Lee turns and looks as if expecting to see her ordered tankards already. Of course, it'll be a minute or two before they arrive, and soon she's looking back at the young (...very young?) woman (girl?) next to her. "No, they're -- one's for a friend. Or well, a travelling partner. She's right h--" Lee is gesturing and turning to show her but halts because that spot behind her left shoulder is now empty.
Huh. "Well. She must've wandered off." To steal something.
pfff looks like dreamwidth ate my comment from two days ago! o9 sorry about that
mind_overmatter
2013-12-19 02:31 am (UTC)(link)
Lee recognizes a joke from behind her when she hears it. She even scoffs a bit, alarmed but amused, before she fully processes that yes, that's a stranger talking to her. Or at least commenting on her drinking choices, which really all comes down to amounting to the same thing.
"Speaking from experience?" It sounds horribly dishonorable to cheat customers out of money, so she's not terribly concerned about how rude it is to mention when the barman's so close.
"Speaking from experience?" It sounds horribly dishonorable to cheat customers out of money, so she's not terribly concerned about how rude it is to mention when the barman's so close.
"Well I can't just trust an important job like showin' off t' someone else, can I? 'Specially when they can't do it as well as I can." The chill in Alastair's bones has finally melted off enough that he's wriggling out of his coat. There's still a few more layers on beneath, but at least Alastair can breathe now.
The coat flops onto the bartop with a whump, and it's thankfully greeted with not a single sour glance from the barkeep. It's empty enough in the tavern that it isn't intruding on any highly coveted real estate.
"Ah, speaking of showing off! I almost forgot, I 'ave something for you," says the bard as he whips around in his seat to grab his satchel -- or, instead, hang off of his seat up side down as he rifles through it while it lays on the floor.
The coat flops onto the bartop with a whump, and it's thankfully greeted with not a single sour glance from the barkeep. It's empty enough in the tavern that it isn't intruding on any highly coveted real estate.
"Ah, speaking of showing off! I almost forgot, I 'ave something for you," says the bard as he whips around in his seat to grab his satchel -- or, instead, hang off of his seat up side down as he rifles through it while it lays on the floor.
{ooc; Also ask and you shall receive Cynric. Always. Also also careful with your 'bring on all the OCs.' Here thar be monsters. B| }
Of course the brief flicker in the other woman's eyes is recognized. And of course it's got Ayleth straightening up a bit, standing more properly at her full (still not overly impressive) height. Youth had never been prohibitive in her circles. Here, it got such looks when Julien wasn't right there as an obvious guardian.
Funny old world.
Unfortunately, she's barely asserted herself as a completely grown-upteenager young woman before the actual response has her slumping again. 'She' hardly described any of the people she was currently looking for. Back to the more traditional style of getting at information--actual blunt interrogation. "Have you been here long? Or-- have you come from the north recently?"
Of course the brief flicker in the other woman's eyes is recognized. And of course it's got Ayleth straightening up a bit, standing more properly at her full (still not overly impressive) height. Youth had never been prohibitive in her circles. Here, it got such looks when Julien wasn't right there as an obvious guardian.
Funny old world.
Unfortunately, she's barely asserted herself as a completely grown-up
"Experience enough. My former companions and myself have stayed here before: good prices and comfortable beds coupled with good food and terrible drink." He gave a small smile before taking a drink from his own steaming mug. There was, after all, nothing he could do to stop the man from diluting his drinks, nor would he: there were no laws against it. There also weren't laws forcing him to purchase said drinks.
"A pleasure to meet a fellow traveler in this weather. I'll admit surprise to see as many people as I have braving the frost. If you wish, you may make yourself comfortable at my table." He turned for a moment to glance back at the innkeep, who himself was failing to hide an amused expression beneath a veneer of indifference.
"And I suggest the rabbit stew. The man is an excellent cook, as may be obvious."
"Oy! Ah'm in great shape, lad!"
"You are! Round." At that the older man guffawed and made his way into the kitchen.
"A pleasure to meet a fellow traveler in this weather. I'll admit surprise to see as many people as I have braving the frost. If you wish, you may make yourself comfortable at my table." He turned for a moment to glance back at the innkeep, who himself was failing to hide an amused expression beneath a veneer of indifference.
"And I suggest the rabbit stew. The man is an excellent cook, as may be obvious."
"Oy! Ah'm in great shape, lad!"
"You are! Round." At that the older man guffawed and made his way into the kitchen.
Lee doesn't blame Alastair for a bit of undressing. It's hot here, now that some of the snow's been dusted off her hair and beat off her robes and the entire wet mess has dried somewhat. It's lovely, actually, but sitting so near the fire (as exhausted persons from outside are wont to do) was perhaps not the best idea for them to keep their judge of temperature correct.
"You've-- you've what, now?" She sounds as surprised as she is, and arches her own body after his on her own stool. Mirroring him, she dangles upside-down to watch. "You uhh-- you didn't have to get me anything." There's a part of her that doesn't believe him, because how could he have even expected their fates to intertwine again.
But that protest matches up perfectly with the idea that they always meant to circle back to each other, to accidentally meet up in another town down the road. It's not as if Lee travels very far most months - she's easy enough to find, a semi-permanent fixture in the handful of places she patrols.
"You've-- you've what, now?" She sounds as surprised as she is, and arches her own body after his on her own stool. Mirroring him, she dangles upside-down to watch. "You uhh-- you didn't have to get me anything." There's a part of her that doesn't believe him, because how could he have even expected their fates to intertwine again.
But that protest matches up perfectly with the idea that they always meant to circle back to each other, to accidentally meet up in another town down the road. It's not as if Lee travels very far most months - she's easy enough to find, a semi-permanent fixture in the handful of places she patrols.
{ooc; I might've been worried about seeming over-exuberant. Consider me now shamelessly exuberant. (Big-toothed monsters?}
Blunt questions are fine. It's the easiest way to get answers, after all. Even with eternity ahead, life isn't long enough to dance around what you want. "No, I've just gotten here from--" This is the second person to ask her if she's from the north. Lee's entire expression crumples down into a vaguely annoyed stare. "No. No I'm not from 'the north', unless it's also very far to the east. Say another continent...?"
But-- if they're asking such direct questions, Lee has one. "Why, are you-- are you looking for someone?" She might help, if help is needed. She's no good for knowing locals here, or recognizing faces she's seen before if she didn't need to memorize them, but she can at least make an act of helping.
Blunt questions are fine. It's the easiest way to get answers, after all. Even with eternity ahead, life isn't long enough to dance around what you want. "No, I've just gotten here from--" This is the second person to ask her if she's from the north. Lee's entire expression crumples down into a vaguely annoyed stare. "No. No I'm not from 'the north', unless it's also very far to the east. Say another continent...?"
But-- if they're asking such direct questions, Lee has one. "Why, are you-- are you looking for someone?" She might help, if help is needed. She's no good for knowing locals here, or recognizing faces she's seen before if she didn't need to memorize them, but she can at least make an act of helping.
It's a complicated and twisty web we weave, clearly. (And a small number of D&D players. /o\)
lowetohigh
2013-12-19 02:26 pm (UTC)(link)
{ooc; Pff, if we're over-exuberant together, does a tree falling in the woods make a sound? :|a}
She's gotten better about waiting. Ish. Her lips press together with an only slightly impatient expression as the other woman speaks. But it's improvement. Her companions would be proud of her new-found ability not to talk over other people.
If she could find her companions, that is.
Clearly they're on to something, though, because waiting pays off. Her eyes light up instantly at the question.
"Yes. For-- a few people, actually. We were travelling just uphill from here, and-- well, you know how bards are, and two of them just-- wandered off completely and then my knight, he-- sort of-- well, his wife just pops up and then I don't know what happens--"
This may go on for a while if she isn't stopped and redirected to, say. Names. Descriptions.
She's gotten better about waiting. Ish. Her lips press together with an only slightly impatient expression as the other woman speaks. But it's improvement. Her companions would be proud of her new-found ability not to talk over other people.
If she could find her companions, that is.
Clearly they're on to something, though, because waiting pays off. Her eyes light up instantly at the question.
"Yes. For-- a few people, actually. We were travelling just uphill from here, and-- well, you know how bards are, and two of them just-- wandered off completely and then my knight, he-- sort of-- well, his wife just pops up and then I don't know what happens--"
This may go on for a while if she isn't stopped and redirected to, say. Names. Descriptions.
Shock and scandal! (Ahaha I feel you there. /o\ Gotta make do with the playerbase you've got!)
mind_overmatter
2013-12-19 02:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh god. Lee's listening, to be sure, but something in her eyes slowly starts to shut off as the list - or rambling recounting, really - continues marching on. She's going to just speak right over the continuing (gripping, surely) tale. "Right, so did you need help finding them? They were up uphill from here?
"As in a few paces away or a few miles? And are there names and hair colors I should be on the lookout for?" Let's just guide this girl gently back to what would actually be helpful. Lee hardly needs to know details about love life and their personalities (although yes, bards, does she ever understand their penchant for running off) to find them.
"As in a few paces away or a few miles? And are there names and hair colors I should be on the lookout for?" Let's just guide this girl gently back to what would actually be helpful. Lee hardly needs to know details about love life and their personalities (although yes, bards, does she ever understand their penchant for running off) to find them.
Finally, he can feel the cool stones as they clack together in his grip, just as he flings himself upright to look almost offended at Lee.
"Haven't even given it t'you and you're already trying t' turn it away?" He turns to face her again, but his face melts back into a smile. "Nah, you'll like this though. I think." He still hasn't been entirely confident in the idea of giving it to her, but all things considered...
His hands unfold to present two small crystals, glowing an eerie shade of ultraviolet purple. They're each wrapped expertly in black suede, having been made into necklaces.
"I was tellin' you before how I visited the Dragon Coast, and its mountains? Well, there's a cavern there to the south, overseen by a small population of gnomes who've been so secluded there, they're almost a race've their own. The cavern interior is nothing but these crystals," Alastair holds them up, as if they weren't obvious before, "and the whole thing's lit bright as day. They possess an energy that when they're together, it vibrates and glows -- but only when they're together. They rarely mine the crystals because when they leave the mountains, they stop glowing on their own; they've gotta have a mate of the same crystal."
Alastair takes one necklace to place around his neck. "They're still quite useful, good composition for storing single use spells, infusing, whatever y'want. But on top of that, the gnomes there make necklaces of 'em so that when they wander or travel, they always know when they're close to home. They're oft' given t' children so that when they run off, they can come home."
His grin grows a little crooked, and his gaze falls down to the spare stone in his hand. "So when...when I was there, I had this idea. If I brought one back, it wouldn't glow -- the crystals don't exist up 'ere. Then I'll bring two, right? But I remembered then how we run into each other from time t' time, we never know when or if we're around each other 'til we're face to face. So I decided I'd give one t' you; that way we'll know when we're nearby. Even if we don't meet, I'll still know you're around, you'll know I'm close by."
Does Alastair look a bit...bashful? You'll have to forgive him: he has never kept a friend for this long, and he's still managing that on its own. Needless to say, the mere concept of someone always being around in his life is one he is still toying with.
"Haven't even given it t'you and you're already trying t' turn it away?" He turns to face her again, but his face melts back into a smile. "Nah, you'll like this though. I think." He still hasn't been entirely confident in the idea of giving it to her, but all things considered...
His hands unfold to present two small crystals, glowing an eerie shade of ultraviolet purple. They're each wrapped expertly in black suede, having been made into necklaces.
"I was tellin' you before how I visited the Dragon Coast, and its mountains? Well, there's a cavern there to the south, overseen by a small population of gnomes who've been so secluded there, they're almost a race've their own. The cavern interior is nothing but these crystals," Alastair holds them up, as if they weren't obvious before, "and the whole thing's lit bright as day. They possess an energy that when they're together, it vibrates and glows -- but only when they're together. They rarely mine the crystals because when they leave the mountains, they stop glowing on their own; they've gotta have a mate of the same crystal."
Alastair takes one necklace to place around his neck. "They're still quite useful, good composition for storing single use spells, infusing, whatever y'want. But on top of that, the gnomes there make necklaces of 'em so that when they wander or travel, they always know when they're close to home. They're oft' given t' children so that when they run off, they can come home."
His grin grows a little crooked, and his gaze falls down to the spare stone in his hand. "So when...when I was there, I had this idea. If I brought one back, it wouldn't glow -- the crystals don't exist up 'ere. Then I'll bring two, right? But I remembered then how we run into each other from time t' time, we never know when or if we're around each other 'til we're face to face. So I decided I'd give one t' you; that way we'll know when we're nearby. Even if we don't meet, I'll still know you're around, you'll know I'm close by."
Does Alastair look a bit...bashful? You'll have to forgive him: he has never kept a friend for this long, and he's still managing that on its own. Needless to say, the mere concept of someone always being around in his life is one he is still toying with.
Ah. Right. Focus. This is clearly a large part of why she needs to find her party again.
Lacing her fingers together helps. It's a good place to start, anyway.
"Miles. And-- there's three of them. Two more than all three, really. Johnny, for one." She's got to unlace her fingers to gesture, but it's absolutely worthwhile. "About-- this much taller than I am. Dark hair. Very... very handsome. Small-- case for his instrument. And he's run off with the other one, I think-- Cynric."
Much a less flattering tone for this one.
"A little taller. Light hair. Big lute."
Lacing her fingers together helps. It's a good place to start, anyway.
"Miles. And-- there's three of them. Two more than all three, really. Johnny, for one." She's got to unlace her fingers to gesture, but it's absolutely worthwhile. "About-- this much taller than I am. Dark hair. Very... very handsome. Small-- case for his instrument. And he's run off with the other one, I think-- Cynric."
Much a less flattering tone for this one.
"A little taller. Light hair. Big lute."
Miles away. So this'll take a while.
...On the other hand, it's a more welcoming challenge than trying to find that useless 'guide' Lee had been tagging along after while attempting to explore something more southern than she usually ventured. No, no, she'll definitely hear this girl out--
--did she just
She did just.
"I'm sorry-- Cynric? And...and a Johnny?" But that's not. The world's so big, she managed to find someone who knows him? Surely not. Surely a coincidence. "Is this Cynric particularly annoying?"
She loves her new friend, obviously. It's just a fact of his condition.
...On the other hand, it's a more welcoming challenge than trying to find that useless 'guide' Lee had been tagging along after while attempting to explore something more southern than she usually ventured. No, no, she'll definitely hear this girl out--
--did she just
She did just.
"I'm sorry-- Cynric? And...and a Johnny?" But that's not. The world's so big, she managed to find someone who knows him? Surely not. Surely a coincidence. "Is this Cynric particularly annoying?"
She loves her new friend, obviously. It's just a fact of his condition.
"My Johnny." Hopefully the slight snap will be forgiven as an impulse--it's a conversation she'd had to have with a few women along the way since they started traveling together. "And yes. Particularly annoying. And frequently frustratingly right about things."
Clearly they're taking about the same person, right? How many tall, pale bards named Cynric who travel with another bard named Johnny can there actually be in the world?
"Have you seen them?"
Clearly they're taking about the same person, right? How many tall, pale bards named Cynric who travel with another bard named Johnny can there actually be in the world?
"Have you seen them?"
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