Azumi giggled at Ren's attempt at making things interesting, much to his dismay. She told him to rest and leave it to a professional like her.
"Come, one and all to our delightful club of power! Only the wealthy and strong may enter, and no one else! We have the best food that we have gathered from the best chefs, and if you'd like, I shall make you delights of eastern make that shall make you clamor for more! We have amenities from the best taverns around the world! All you want and desire is welcome in this second humble abode!", despite disliking what she has said, she forced it on herself with a forced smile, that wasn't noticed by any of the crowd.
"Come, one and all to our delightful club of power! Only the wealthy and strong may enter, and no one else! We have the best food that we have gathered from the best chefs, and if you'd like, I shall make you delights of eastern make that shall make you clamor for more! We have amenities from the best taverns around the world! All you want and desire is welcome in this second humble abode!", despite disliking what she has said, she forced it on herself with a forced smile, that wasn't noticed by any of the crowd.
“WHERE ARE THEY?!”
Radigan was rampaging in the small and overly crowded area he called a living room. It might have been a living room at some point, but now it closer resembled a dragon’s hoard. The more meaningless treasures were scattered about, stacked one atop the other until it was a sea of brass and bronze. The treasures spilled over into the additional bedroom, where all of the kids would race to sleep in lest they get kicked in the face with a kid-polished boot in the morning. Anything of the magical sort, or vastly more expensive and rare, was locked up tight in Radigan’s bedroom, where he would sometimes disappear for hours. Oftentimes, he would come out calmer or uncharacteristically giddy, as if entranced and with a singsong lilt. This wasn’t one of those times. Now, he was making kids scatter with kicks and yells, sometimes hurling a piece of dinnerware at them and sneering when they hit.
The man was large, to say the least. In size, in personality, in anger. If the attention was off him for but a moment, he would be sure to snag it back tenfold, causing a ruckus for having the attention lost in the first place. He feasted like a king daily and it showed even in his joints and the puffiness on his face. Fury came in blooming red patches on his cheeks, neck, and bulbous nose, which wrinkled in an everlasting snarl. His thin, pink lips were only just looser than his sagging cheeks, making him look more hound than man. It was only by coincidence that his personality happened to correspond to this likeness.
He checked his gold, jewel-decorated pocket watch for the umpteenth time and growled. “Seems they didn’t learn enough from the last punishment. I’ll make sure they understand the importance of complying this time, oh yes! They better have something good for me to make up for their insolence.”
Spittle left his lips at the exaggerated articulation, though he didn’t care to notice how it showered down on some of the slower children.
Those two castaway teens had always been the troublemakers in his clan of adolescents. They were strong willed and stubborn as bulls, but that in turn made them smart. And he needed some smarts, other than himself, yet how smart was too smart he wondered. They usually did well to bring him stolen goods, but lately, as they grew, they were getting further out of his control. They made him use more influence, thus using up more of the limited magic in his amulet. Their lack of following orders, like the one he had just given them this morning about not leaving the house was beginning to worry the man. How far out of line could they get while still being no threat to him? No, no- It was always better to be safe than sorry. He would have to deal with them tonight.
Radigan was rampaging in the small and overly crowded area he called a living room. It might have been a living room at some point, but now it closer resembled a dragon’s hoard. The more meaningless treasures were scattered about, stacked one atop the other until it was a sea of brass and bronze. The treasures spilled over into the additional bedroom, where all of the kids would race to sleep in lest they get kicked in the face with a kid-polished boot in the morning. Anything of the magical sort, or vastly more expensive and rare, was locked up tight in Radigan’s bedroom, where he would sometimes disappear for hours. Oftentimes, he would come out calmer or uncharacteristically giddy, as if entranced and with a singsong lilt. This wasn’t one of those times. Now, he was making kids scatter with kicks and yells, sometimes hurling a piece of dinnerware at them and sneering when they hit.
The man was large, to say the least. In size, in personality, in anger. If the attention was off him for but a moment, he would be sure to snag it back tenfold, causing a ruckus for having the attention lost in the first place. He feasted like a king daily and it showed even in his joints and the puffiness on his face. Fury came in blooming red patches on his cheeks, neck, and bulbous nose, which wrinkled in an everlasting snarl. His thin, pink lips were only just looser than his sagging cheeks, making him look more hound than man. It was only by coincidence that his personality happened to correspond to this likeness.
He checked his gold, jewel-decorated pocket watch for the umpteenth time and growled. “Seems they didn’t learn enough from the last punishment. I’ll make sure they understand the importance of complying this time, oh yes! They better have something good for me to make up for their insolence.”
Spittle left his lips at the exaggerated articulation, though he didn’t care to notice how it showered down on some of the slower children.
Those two castaway teens had always been the troublemakers in his clan of adolescents. They were strong willed and stubborn as bulls, but that in turn made them smart. And he needed some smarts, other than himself, yet how smart was too smart he wondered. They usually did well to bring him stolen goods, but lately, as they grew, they were getting further out of his control. They made him use more influence, thus using up more of the limited magic in his amulet. Their lack of following orders, like the one he had just given them this morning about not leaving the house was beginning to worry the man. How far out of line could they get while still being no threat to him? No, no- It was always better to be safe than sorry. He would have to deal with them tonight.
Linota and Cairo would arrive to Radigan’s house, led by Arlanni, just in time to hear him shout about ‘those two dirty, rotten, ungrateful sewer rats!’ Linota gave Cairo a sideways glance, took a breath, then opened the door.
“Sir Radigan,” Linota started tentatively, but he was having none of it.
“Stupid girl!” He spat at her.
She could actually feel the drops wet her face, but she refrained from wiping them away. Her hands shook with the effort, for she hated the thought of germs. This was especially true of Radigan’s germs. His saliva felt like thick grease on her skin and her brain screamed at her that her entire body had become slick with it now. She stood, expressionless, and waited for him to rant and rave. Which he did, for about two minutes.
Linota eventually held out the gold pouch, the heft of it making the cloth stretch and sag. Radigan’s eyes widened in surprise for just a moment, before he greedily swiped it from her. He opened it, checked inside, and ran his hands through the coins, making them jingle. After he seemed satisfied with their successful thievery, he looked them over with a more thoughtful eye.
“You’ve done well,” he told them, though his mind was already made up. Let them think they were off scot-free, get them to let down their guards. He was about to see how smart they really were. “Go get some food and reward yourselves. You’ve earned it.”
Linota tried to hide her suspicion, but Radigan being so weirdly cordial made it a difficult feat. “Thank you, Sir,” she told him, then another brief glance at Cairo.
The older man turned away from them, releasing the hold his eyes had on them. Linota grabbed Cairo’s arm and just about dragged him to the cluttered kitchen, where meals were half cooked and half eaten.
“That was strange,” Linota told Cairo while she made noise with pots and crumpled bags. She was only pretending to prepare a meal, since the butterflies in her stomach left no room to be hungry. “Something’s going on with him.”
If she remembered the plan correctly–or if she remembered the correct plan correctly–Assallya would join them soon, posing as Radigan’s newest crew member. Linota only hoped that whatever Radigan had planned didn’t ruin that one. She still held onto the confidence that they outnumbered the b*st*rd, but his amulet proved to be a great counter argument. She wished everything could just hurry up so she didn’t have to feel her nerves anymore. She splashed some water in her red face from the basin and let it drip freely from her chin and nose as she leaned over it in thought.
“Sir Radigan,” Linota started tentatively, but he was having none of it.
“Stupid girl!” He spat at her.
She could actually feel the drops wet her face, but she refrained from wiping them away. Her hands shook with the effort, for she hated the thought of germs. This was especially true of Radigan’s germs. His saliva felt like thick grease on her skin and her brain screamed at her that her entire body had become slick with it now. She stood, expressionless, and waited for him to rant and rave. Which he did, for about two minutes.
Linota eventually held out the gold pouch, the heft of it making the cloth stretch and sag. Radigan’s eyes widened in surprise for just a moment, before he greedily swiped it from her. He opened it, checked inside, and ran his hands through the coins, making them jingle. After he seemed satisfied with their successful thievery, he looked them over with a more thoughtful eye.
“You’ve done well,” he told them, though his mind was already made up. Let them think they were off scot-free, get them to let down their guards. He was about to see how smart they really were. “Go get some food and reward yourselves. You’ve earned it.”
Linota tried to hide her suspicion, but Radigan being so weirdly cordial made it a difficult feat. “Thank you, Sir,” she told him, then another brief glance at Cairo.
The older man turned away from them, releasing the hold his eyes had on them. Linota grabbed Cairo’s arm and just about dragged him to the cluttered kitchen, where meals were half cooked and half eaten.
“That was strange,” Linota told Cairo while she made noise with pots and crumpled bags. She was only pretending to prepare a meal, since the butterflies in her stomach left no room to be hungry. “Something’s going on with him.”
If she remembered the plan correctly–or if she remembered the correct plan correctly–Assallya would join them soon, posing as Radigan’s newest crew member. Linota only hoped that whatever Radigan had planned didn’t ruin that one. She still held onto the confidence that they outnumbered the b*st*rd, but his amulet proved to be a great counter argument. She wished everything could just hurry up so she didn’t have to feel her nerves anymore. She splashed some water in her red face from the basin and let it drip freely from her chin and nose as she leaned over it in thought.
Breathing a sigh of relief Arlanni stepped away from the wall she was leaning against and made to follow Radigan.
The girl's nose crinkled, pronouncing her freckles. The man was acting oddly, his demeanor swinging too rapidly. It worried her so she slipped across the floor in pursuit.
"Radigan," she called after him, not daring to raise her voice lest it be deemed disrespectful, "Shall I go back to the brothel?"
Her job at the brothel pleased him. In a sense it was like he was getting free samples, stealing from the brothel, when he used Arlanni. In addition, her job proved useful.
Men enjoyed talking and whores liked to gossip amongst one another. She regularly brought back juicy pieces of information she overheard.
The girl's nose crinkled, pronouncing her freckles. The man was acting oddly, his demeanor swinging too rapidly. It worried her so she slipped across the floor in pursuit.
"Radigan," she called after him, not daring to raise her voice lest it be deemed disrespectful, "Shall I go back to the brothel?"
Her job at the brothel pleased him. In a sense it was like he was getting free samples, stealing from the brothel, when he used Arlanni. In addition, her job proved useful.
Men enjoyed talking and whores liked to gossip amongst one another. She regularly brought back juicy pieces of information she overheard.
"Hey lin radigan was different just then something has to going wrong he's acting different. Do ya think he's on to us?" Cairo quietly asks Linota in a calm tone not letting his nervousness show "what are we gonna do if he figures us out, i mean he seemed more paranoid than usual something doesn't feel right with him" feeling off about the whole situation Cairo starts to think of a plan in case things go south.
Radigan would be checking his amulet with much scrutiny when Arlanni said his name and he didn’t stop while he spoke to her.
“Sir Radigan, girl,” he corrected her. “Even harlots can learn some manners.”
At her question, Radigan waved her away with an impatient hand, disgusted by her forgetting his title. But then he paused, thinking about the hefty sack of coins that had just been delivered to him. He already had gold, now he should get his rewards. Especially now that they could afford to miss a session or two at the brothel.
“On second thought, girl,” he called after Arlanni, who couldn’t have gotten too far. “Go to my chambers. You can start your work there.”
She would know what he meant. He would try his best not to use the amulet, saving every last drop for tonight. If persuasion was needed, however, the heated greed that came with the act would force his hand.
“Sir Radigan, girl,” he corrected her. “Even harlots can learn some manners.”
At her question, Radigan waved her away with an impatient hand, disgusted by her forgetting his title. But then he paused, thinking about the hefty sack of coins that had just been delivered to him. He already had gold, now he should get his rewards. Especially now that they could afford to miss a session or two at the brothel.
“On second thought, girl,” he called after Arlanni, who couldn’t have gotten too far. “Go to my chambers. You can start your work there.”
She would know what he meant. He would try his best not to use the amulet, saving every last drop for tonight. If persuasion was needed, however, the heated greed that came with the act would force his hand.
Linota blinked at Cairo when he echoed her own observations then gave him a cautious look. Was something going on with him now?
“That’s what I just said,” she hissed at him, still feeling the pain of her racing heart. She dropped her volume a bit more. “Even if he suspects something, it won’t ruin the whole plan. He can’t know everything.”
Even as she said it, her stomach lurched in panic. Did he know everything? That could very well be one of the powers he gained from his mass of treasures, Linota had no way of truly knowing.
“We have to just keep going with the plan until something happens,” Linota told him, trying to comfort him and herself. “We roll with the punches. Like always.”
“Winota?” A little voice came from the kitchen’s shabby doorway.
It was little Henry, the youngest of the kids. Linota didn’t know how old he was since Henry didn’t know either and Radigan didn’t care to know. He was old enough to work and small enough to fit into tight spaces, that’s all Radigan knew. If Linota had to guess, she would say six, but she didn’t know dung about children's ages. From ages three to nine, it was a real toss up.
“Hey, Henry,” Linota said to him, trying to sound gentle and motherly. What came out was rushed and uncaring, but she added a smile to seal the deal, proving she could try to be nice when she wanted to.
“I’m hungwy,” he told her.
Linota looked around at the giant mess of food in the kitchen before she sighed. “What happened here?” She asked Henry.
“Suh Wadigan,” Henry told her. It was all the explanation that was needed.
Linota nodded her head at him with an ‘ahh’, impressed that he answered the question so shortly, like he wasn’t six. As she gathered whatever food was left un-ruined and prepared it to cook, an icy dread seeped into her veins. It felt like her stomach and heart had made a pact to destroy her insides.
“What’s going to happen to them?” She whispered to Cairo and to herself. “To all of them, when he’s gone?”
She knew this was no place for children, even for teens, but without Radigan, Linota had no way of knowing what would happen to the closest thing she could call a family. Not all of the teens got along- Hell, most of them didn’t, but they still looked out for each other when push came to shove. Cairo and herself had an adventure to go on, with the aid of others, but what did the other kids have?
She continued to stir the ‘mush’, which was what they called the heated mixture of water and bran, until it resembled its namesake. Her hands were shaky and she told Cairo to take over serving the food to Henry, so that she could splash more water in her face. She wanted one of her candies, needed one, but she needed a clear head for the plan more. She knew Radigan would be in his bedroom for a while now, seeing Arlanni go in with him. Poor girl. Linota was gifted in that she wasn’t so gifted in the looks department. She could be pretty if she tried perhaps, but that scowl wasn’t going anywhere. It didn’t stop Radigan, but it definitely deterred him. She was never his first, or even fifth, option.
’Any second now, Assallya,’ Linota thought, repeatedly looking towards the front door.
“That’s what I just said,” she hissed at him, still feeling the pain of her racing heart. She dropped her volume a bit more. “Even if he suspects something, it won’t ruin the whole plan. He can’t know everything.”
Even as she said it, her stomach lurched in panic. Did he know everything? That could very well be one of the powers he gained from his mass of treasures, Linota had no way of truly knowing.
“We have to just keep going with the plan until something happens,” Linota told him, trying to comfort him and herself. “We roll with the punches. Like always.”
“Winota?” A little voice came from the kitchen’s shabby doorway.
It was little Henry, the youngest of the kids. Linota didn’t know how old he was since Henry didn’t know either and Radigan didn’t care to know. He was old enough to work and small enough to fit into tight spaces, that’s all Radigan knew. If Linota had to guess, she would say six, but she didn’t know dung about children's ages. From ages three to nine, it was a real toss up.
“Hey, Henry,” Linota said to him, trying to sound gentle and motherly. What came out was rushed and uncaring, but she added a smile to seal the deal, proving she could try to be nice when she wanted to.
“I’m hungwy,” he told her.
Linota looked around at the giant mess of food in the kitchen before she sighed. “What happened here?” She asked Henry.
“Suh Wadigan,” Henry told her. It was all the explanation that was needed.
Linota nodded her head at him with an ‘ahh’, impressed that he answered the question so shortly, like he wasn’t six. As she gathered whatever food was left un-ruined and prepared it to cook, an icy dread seeped into her veins. It felt like her stomach and heart had made a pact to destroy her insides.
“What’s going to happen to them?” She whispered to Cairo and to herself. “To all of them, when he’s gone?”
She knew this was no place for children, even for teens, but without Radigan, Linota had no way of knowing what would happen to the closest thing she could call a family. Not all of the teens got along- Hell, most of them didn’t, but they still looked out for each other when push came to shove. Cairo and herself had an adventure to go on, with the aid of others, but what did the other kids have?
She continued to stir the ‘mush’, which was what they called the heated mixture of water and bran, until it resembled its namesake. Her hands were shaky and she told Cairo to take over serving the food to Henry, so that she could splash more water in her face. She wanted one of her candies, needed one, but she needed a clear head for the plan more. She knew Radigan would be in his bedroom for a while now, seeing Arlanni go in with him. Poor girl. Linota was gifted in that she wasn’t so gifted in the looks department. She could be pretty if she tried perhaps, but that scowl wasn’t going anywhere. It didn’t stop Radigan, but it definitely deterred him. She was never his first, or even fifth, option.
’Any second now, Assallya,’ Linota thought, repeatedly looking towards the front door.
Assa'alliyeh Kressanthair, formerly Assa'alliyeh eabd man Alkiel was now simply Knyssa. It was a simple name for a simple girl from Westgate.
Her hair was now black as night which made her fair skin seem all the paler and all her make up was done in such a way that it was nigh invisible. She had no lipstick, no nail polish but the colour of the blush on her cheeks only heightened natural light to make her look slightly more gaunt. She also looked dirty,
Knocking hesitantly she turned to one of the urchins, expressly ignoring Linota so as to avoid suspicion of collusion.
"Excuse me," Assallya said meekly, pretending to be timid, "I heard you could find a job here?"
Her hair was now black as night which made her fair skin seem all the paler and all her make up was done in such a way that it was nigh invisible. She had no lipstick, no nail polish but the colour of the blush on her cheeks only heightened natural light to make her look slightly more gaunt. She also looked dirty,
Knocking hesitantly she turned to one of the urchins, expressly ignoring Linota so as to avoid suspicion of collusion.
"Excuse me," Assallya said meekly, pretending to be timid, "I heard you could find a job here?"
Realizing what he just did Cairo says "my bad i got a little worried and started thinking of a second plan if things went wrong, i must've gotten too into it and stopped listening" brushing his nerves too the side and started thinking about the younger children radigan held captive. "Maybe theres an orphanage in another town? If we're going with those two then we have to leave them with someone who can be trusted to keep 'em all safe but what's the best option i know there a few orphanages in the next town we're going through so maybe they can take care of them" Cairo says due to becoming a bit protective of the younger kids over the years taking punishments for them because he thinks actions speak louder than words so he wouldn't say it but they knew he cared.
Despite the fact that not being heard was one of Linota’s biggest pet peeves, she placed a hand on Cairo’s shoulder in silent reassurance. She may have squeezed a little too hard. She knew how he felt and she was also unable to outright say it. Unlike Cairo, Linota’s fear was rapidly turning to anger, like most of her emotions did. She took Henry’s poor excuse for a meal off the fire and served it to him in the pot it was cooked in with a loud clang. It made Henry jump, which made Linota feel bad, which only fed her anger more.
"Maybe so," Linota said to Cairo, shaking her head doubtfully. The orphanages were always full, but perhaps they couldn't turn them away.
There was a knock at the door, snapping Linota out of her thoughts. She hurried over to open it, but one of the younger teens jumped in front of her and excitedly ran to swing it open. Linota could only watch as he addressed the stranger with a brash ‘what?’. She had been expecting to see Assallya in rags, but instead saw an unfamiliar girl with black hair wearing rags. She had to blink a few times before it registered that this girl was Assallya. Out of everything that could have surprised her about the woman’s new look, the fact that she looked twenty times younger without makeup was the most outstanding.
“I’ve got a job for you,” the boy said as he made inappropriate gestures at Assallya and looked her over with obvious intent.
Lintoa rushed over, grabbed the top of the young teen’s head in a hand, and flung him backwards with more force than was usual. He yelled obscenities, told her just how forceful it was, but didn’t bother coming back.
“That depends on what you’re willing to do,” Linota told this version of Assallya coldly. “Because if it’s not ‘anything’, you can forget about it.”
She stared at her as if to convince her to play along.
Once Assallya was inside, saying whatever she had to to get in as was the plan, Linota pulled her into the kitchen. "Radigan is in his bedroom with.. a girl," she said. "There's no telling how long."
"Maybe so," Linota said to Cairo, shaking her head doubtfully. The orphanages were always full, but perhaps they couldn't turn them away.
There was a knock at the door, snapping Linota out of her thoughts. She hurried over to open it, but one of the younger teens jumped in front of her and excitedly ran to swing it open. Linota could only watch as he addressed the stranger with a brash ‘what?’. She had been expecting to see Assallya in rags, but instead saw an unfamiliar girl with black hair wearing rags. She had to blink a few times before it registered that this girl was Assallya. Out of everything that could have surprised her about the woman’s new look, the fact that she looked twenty times younger without makeup was the most outstanding.
“I’ve got a job for you,” the boy said as he made inappropriate gestures at Assallya and looked her over with obvious intent.
Lintoa rushed over, grabbed the top of the young teen’s head in a hand, and flung him backwards with more force than was usual. He yelled obscenities, told her just how forceful it was, but didn’t bother coming back.
“That depends on what you’re willing to do,” Linota told this version of Assallya coldly. “Because if it’s not ‘anything’, you can forget about it.”
She stared at her as if to convince her to play along.
Once Assallya was inside, saying whatever she had to to get in as was the plan, Linota pulled her into the kitchen. "Radigan is in his bedroom with.. a girl," she said. "There's no telling how long."
When Ren asked for ‘rich guys’ to go inside the abandoned building, a few of the townsfolk gave him questioning stares and quickened their steps. When Azumi took the reins on giving the speech, it turned a few heads and even stopped a few footsteps. The crowd did start clamoring, mostly over the exotic food the beautiful woman promised.
”Eastern! How bizarre!”
“Around the world? Oh my!”
And like a club that no one was supposed to know about, word spread and the building filled in hardly any time at all.
“And just who are you?” One of the social elites asked Ren and Azumi, and perhaps Liothryth if she was near them. He wanted to see if he had heard of them. At the very least, he wanted to remember them for when he retold this story of how he attended a ball with the high esteemed.
”Eastern! How bizarre!”
“Around the world? Oh my!”
And like a club that no one was supposed to know about, word spread and the building filled in hardly any time at all.
“And just who are you?” One of the social elites asked Ren and Azumi, and perhaps Liothryth if she was near them. He wanted to see if he had heard of them. At the very least, he wanted to remember them for when he retold this story of how he attended a ball with the high esteemed.
Ren was nervous. he had not thought of making up where they came from, but Azumi ensured him to leave it to her.
"We are diplomats from an eastern continent called Kamigawa! We seek the most influential people in this town in order to know your peoples more! As you can see, we have taken the liberty of returning an abandoned building to it's former glory and have made it our headquarters for said diplomacy, if you don't mind, of course!", She said proudly.
"Mom, was that a refere-", but Ren was quickly silenced by Azumi, who nodded.
"We are diplomats from an eastern continent called Kamigawa! We seek the most influential people in this town in order to know your peoples more! As you can see, we have taken the liberty of returning an abandoned building to it's former glory and have made it our headquarters for said diplomacy, if you don't mind, of course!", She said proudly.
"Mom, was that a refere-", but Ren was quickly silenced by Azumi, who nodded.
Assallya swished the ragged, colourful skirts around her bare ankles. The colour was muted and faded and a bit short in her as if she'd been wearing this outfit for far too long and had almost outgrown it.
"Excellent," the young pickpocket and whore replied in a whisper, "We can head straight to his storeroom and take a peek. We need to know what he can use against us."
-and what the spoils for this little diversion would be.
"Cairo," she continues to whisper, "Keep watch. We don't want to be caught browsing."
Once there she'd grasp Linota and cast a quick, tiny little spell. They and only they would see anything magical begin to glow.
How strongly they glowed would likely indicate its power and the colour and pattern of the shifting glow would make it possible to infer what the that magical item might do.
"Excellent," the young pickpocket and whore replied in a whisper, "We can head straight to his storeroom and take a peek. We need to know what he can use against us."
-and what the spoils for this little diversion would be.
"Cairo," she continues to whisper, "Keep watch. We don't want to be caught browsing."
Once there she'd grasp Linota and cast a quick, tiny little spell. They and only they would see anything magical begin to glow.
How strongly they glowed would likely indicate its power and the colour and pattern of the shifting glow would make it possible to infer what the that magical item might do.
The building had been repaired and decorated to within an inch of its life. Explosives had been hidden throughout. Tables groaned with food. As a final touch, Lio had cast a spell so that music played just loud enough for all to hear. Old elf songs could be heard so clearly that some even tried to find the musicians. The trap had been set and the bait laid out, now all they had to do was catch their prey.
If anyone was curious enough to ask who Lio was, she told them the truth. "I am Liothryth Terandes, of the house Farnesai. Master Mage in the line of Glorandal Thewarin. I have recently recovered from wounds I received while defeating an army 500 years ago at the battle of Elsen's Tor. I met these travelers when I rejoined the world and have decided to help them."
This introduction may not have meant much to most people besides sounding impressive. But there would be a few who had heard some of the names. And anyone who had studied anything about magic would have come across Glorandal Thewarin, an ancient elf mage who had become know as one of the nine great powers of his time.
Her manners were a blend of friendly and formal. There could be no doubt that she was who she said she was - and was superior to everyone there.
If anyone was curious enough to ask who Lio was, she told them the truth. "I am Liothryth Terandes, of the house Farnesai. Master Mage in the line of Glorandal Thewarin. I have recently recovered from wounds I received while defeating an army 500 years ago at the battle of Elsen's Tor. I met these travelers when I rejoined the world and have decided to help them."
This introduction may not have meant much to most people besides sounding impressive. But there would be a few who had heard some of the names. And anyone who had studied anything about magic would have come across Glorandal Thewarin, an ancient elf mage who had become know as one of the nine great powers of his time.
Her manners were a blend of friendly and formal. There could be no doubt that she was who she said she was - and was superior to everyone there.
Azumi garnered some oo’s and ah’s with her explanation, from the man who asked the question to the people who had gathered around their hosts to hear the answer. When Liothryth answered, the townsfolk couldn’t help but listen eagerly. Her presence commanded it of them, whether they were aware or not. They erupted into chatter when she said she was a ‘Master Mage’ and even more so when she spoke of defeating an army.
“I think I’ve heard of Farnesai!” A woman exclaimed, though it was clear she said it for all the girlish gasps she received immediately after.
“What is it like over there in.. Kamagawi?” One of the men asked, looking back and forth between Ren and Azumi. The word was obviously strange to him, but he held on to his need to seem interested in case these two turned out to be influential. Several people around him followed suit, leaning intently towards them to listen with feeling.
“Five-hundred years?” One of the more perceptive women asked Liothryth. “You’ve been recovering from wounds for 500 years and the first thing you do is come to our shoddy little town with these traveling diplomats to restore a building?”
There was a pause before a beer-wielding man shouted, “Rather gracious of you, Miss!” He raised his pint high in the air and nearly everyone in the room did the same. Most of them didn’t need any more convincing than the fine spread on the tables and the decorations on the walls. The building had gone from ‘lost cause’ to the grand banquet hall they saw before them and they would sooner swallow their curiosity rather than make it all go away. It didn’t hurt that they would be telling this story for years to come.
“I think I’ve heard of Farnesai!” A woman exclaimed, though it was clear she said it for all the girlish gasps she received immediately after.
“What is it like over there in.. Kamagawi?” One of the men asked, looking back and forth between Ren and Azumi. The word was obviously strange to him, but he held on to his need to seem interested in case these two turned out to be influential. Several people around him followed suit, leaning intently towards them to listen with feeling.
“Five-hundred years?” One of the more perceptive women asked Liothryth. “You’ve been recovering from wounds for 500 years and the first thing you do is come to our shoddy little town with these traveling diplomats to restore a building?”
There was a pause before a beer-wielding man shouted, “Rather gracious of you, Miss!” He raised his pint high in the air and nearly everyone in the room did the same. Most of them didn’t need any more convincing than the fine spread on the tables and the decorations on the walls. The building had gone from ‘lost cause’ to the grand banquet hall they saw before them and they would sooner swallow their curiosity rather than make it all go away. It didn’t hurt that they would be telling this story for years to come.
“His bedroom is his storeroom,” Linota told Assallya just before she was grabbed by her.
She was fully aware that she had just dragged Assallya into the kitchen, but she still couldn’t help tightening her muscles at the spot she was touched. Though her awareness of that came and went like it had never happened at all when she started to blink glowing spots into her vision. She pulled Assallya’s arm back to her, gripping it like a vice.
“What did you do?” Linota asked in an angry whisper while she tried to blink the spots away.
She thought she was going blind, but her vision was starting to normalize to the glowing colors as she looked around. A few things in the kitchen clutter of ‘cheap treasures’ were faintly glowing, which was what made her think she was losing her sight. Now she could see them: A goblet here, a fork there. Wait, a fork?
Linota looked at Assallya, even more confused than before she had looked around to study the glowing objects. Even if Assallya had been in the middle of explaining, Linota’s periphery caught an array of colors from below. She would let go of Assallya, if the woman hadn’t pried out of her grip already, and step back to look down at her feet.
“You have…” Linota squinted down at them.
“Ooo, wings,” Henry noted, having become fond of anything shiny just as he was taught.
“Rings??” Linota hissed. “You have rings on? Take them off. Take them off.” She held out a cupped hand to take them from her and waved her other hand impatiently.
Then, as if on cue, the floorboards creaked under Radigan’s weight. Linota looked toward his door and clenched everything that could possibly be clenched.
Radigan dressed himself, all while reprimanding Arlanni for being a distraction and, again, a harlot. If she didn’t scurry out when he opened the door, he would kick her out. He would be in the middle of crudely telling her to go to the brothel when his sights landed on Cairo in the living room.
“Make use of yourself, boy,” Radian snarled at him. “Clean this mess in the kitchen.”
He would be heading straight for the kitchen, while Linota waited for Assallya to give her the rings.
She was fully aware that she had just dragged Assallya into the kitchen, but she still couldn’t help tightening her muscles at the spot she was touched. Though her awareness of that came and went like it had never happened at all when she started to blink glowing spots into her vision. She pulled Assallya’s arm back to her, gripping it like a vice.
“What did you do?” Linota asked in an angry whisper while she tried to blink the spots away.
She thought she was going blind, but her vision was starting to normalize to the glowing colors as she looked around. A few things in the kitchen clutter of ‘cheap treasures’ were faintly glowing, which was what made her think she was losing her sight. Now she could see them: A goblet here, a fork there. Wait, a fork?
Linota looked at Assallya, even more confused than before she had looked around to study the glowing objects. Even if Assallya had been in the middle of explaining, Linota’s periphery caught an array of colors from below. She would let go of Assallya, if the woman hadn’t pried out of her grip already, and step back to look down at her feet.
“You have…” Linota squinted down at them.
“Ooo, wings,” Henry noted, having become fond of anything shiny just as he was taught.
“Rings??” Linota hissed. “You have rings on? Take them off. Take them off.” She held out a cupped hand to take them from her and waved her other hand impatiently.
Then, as if on cue, the floorboards creaked under Radigan’s weight. Linota looked toward his door and clenched everything that could possibly be clenched.
Radigan dressed himself, all while reprimanding Arlanni for being a distraction and, again, a harlot. If she didn’t scurry out when he opened the door, he would kick her out. He would be in the middle of crudely telling her to go to the brothel when his sights landed on Cairo in the living room.
“Make use of yourself, boy,” Radian snarled at him. “Clean this mess in the kitchen.”
He would be heading straight for the kitchen, while Linota waited for Assallya to give her the rings.
There was a moment's hesitation, a blank look crossing Assallya's features. Then she realized the wisdom in Linota's demanding open palm.
It was difficult for the elf girl. She had grown accustomed to the safety, the reassurance, that the Ring of Regeneration supplied. Without it she felt like a knight without armour.
Reaching down even as she raised her feet one after the other she plucked the rings from her toes and quickly passed off the rings to Linota.
She definitely felt the need to say something along the lines of, "I'll want those back," or, "Don't you dare lose these." but there was no time.
It was difficult for the elf girl. She had grown accustomed to the safety, the reassurance, that the Ring of Regeneration supplied. Without it she felt like a knight without armour.
Reaching down even as she raised her feet one after the other she plucked the rings from her toes and quickly passed off the rings to Linota.
She definitely felt the need to say something along the lines of, "I'll want those back," or, "Don't you dare lose these." but there was no time.
When cairo was heading to the kitchen he hears a laugh he wishes he didn't hear at all "haha hey its little cairo how've you been kid?" It was a blonde man with green eyes covered by goggles it was caldwell sporting his usual evil smile he was by far Radigans favorite becoming his right hand he was older than the rest of the kids being in his mid twenties "man you and little lin must've had it rough you look like you got thrown into pig pen hahahaha!" He laughs maniacally at Cairos expense "why do you care?" Cairo ask with venom in his voice "woah what's up with that face your making little man?" Caldwell says cackling but Cairo just pushes past him "your the reason Radigan took my damn sword, why the hell would i even want to talk to you? You're annoying now leave me alone" caldwell smirks lifting up a katana in its blue scabbard "oh you mean this little doo-hickey here? Its pretty useless if you ask me but i guess the big man thought i deserved it more than you" mocking Cairo making him angrier "go away, Caldwell today's already bad enough" Cairo begins walking away again but caldwell grabs his shoulder "come on now we both remember what big man said the hierarchy's like a family we're supposed to be together like bro-" Cairo slap his hand away cutting him off mid-sentence "one: we are not sticking together like friends, two: i don't want to be anywhere near you, and three: we are not brothers" Cairo says in a calm but assertive tone. Feeling disrespected caldwell takes a step forward to Cairo to intimidate him only for cairo to take a step of his own to Caldwell giving his superior a death glare they stare at each other the tension could be felt if anyone were to see them until Caldwell scoffs and turns to walk off towards the same direction as Radigan leaving Cairo alone to do the task given to him.
Lio received the thanks of the townspeople graciously and tried to hide her amusement at those pretending they knew more then they did. To the all to perceptive woman, she smiled a knowing smile and said "there's something in your town I'm interested in."
A crowd had gathered but they hadn't yet attracted their prey. Maybe it was time to increase the bait. "It still needs something, doesn't it?" she asked the crowd. When they cheered in response, she raised her hands. She worked a small illusion spell to make her ring flash while more spells caused bushes and flowers to grow in front of the building.
That's enough for now, she told herself. All of the magic use was starting to wear on her. it was time to rest of a bit and enjoy some of the food that was there - if she could settle her nerves enough to do so.
A crowd had gathered but they hadn't yet attracted their prey. Maybe it was time to increase the bait. "It still needs something, doesn't it?" she asked the crowd. When they cheered in response, she raised her hands. She worked a small illusion spell to make her ring flash while more spells caused bushes and flowers to grow in front of the building.
That's enough for now, she told herself. All of the magic use was starting to wear on her. it was time to rest of a bit and enjoy some of the food that was there - if she could settle her nerves enough to do so.
Azumi and Ren kept watch for Radigan's arrival expectantly, though it seems he did not arrive. Ren asked Azumi to check the bombs for any faulty wiring or chemical related issues and report back to him as soon as possible. While his familiar went on her business, Ren decided to check on a tired Liothryth, who was in the midst of enjoying the party, at least until Radigan begins to thrash it.
He asked Liothryth regarding her wellbeing and told her that he and Azumi are quite adept at magic and can do whatever she could've done right now.
Ren was also the type to never let his guard down to anyone except his closest friends and family, making him a rather easily unnerved individual, constantly worrying about something or someone
"Look", Ren changed the subject, in an attempt to ease himself of the suspense, "Is this Radigan guy related to some sort of deadly interdimensional being? Our world has some mention of a King Radigan, who helped out a being called, 'Dehdmhen', in destroying an entire nation, though I'm not entirely sure if the textbooks I read were just some madman's ravings"
He asked Liothryth regarding her wellbeing and told her that he and Azumi are quite adept at magic and can do whatever she could've done right now.
Ren was also the type to never let his guard down to anyone except his closest friends and family, making him a rather easily unnerved individual, constantly worrying about something or someone
"Look", Ren changed the subject, in an attempt to ease himself of the suspense, "Is this Radigan guy related to some sort of deadly interdimensional being? Our world has some mention of a King Radigan, who helped out a being called, 'Dehdmhen', in destroying an entire nation, though I'm not entirely sure if the textbooks I read were just some madman's ravings"
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