Porthca Landing II: Lost & Found

Status
Not open for further replies.
Faust planted a perfect rogueish kiss on the offered hand and grinned a wide toothy grin but noticed Eliza’s sudden shift out of the corner of his eye. He bid his new friend goodbye and ran back to his wizard and patted her hand for reassurance.
 
Silverbane Manor | Dining Hall:

Baldrus and Moriana nodded towards Magnolia as she joined the table.

Elizabeth nodded at Ty before smirking at Valerie. "I'd love to have some new source material -- hopefully your handwriting is better than it used to be." Turning to speak to Valerie she leaned in, "Well, mom and dad used to try and keep me away, but after I managed to keep avoiding the servants, they gave up. Now I'm just 'spose to have a curfew and let 'em know which one I'm at."

Eliza heard in her mind, "It was mentioned a few times, yes." Niradnam took another sip from his mug, "I feel you're expecting a lot of me -- I'll admit with my studies, a door like that is quite unknown. Don't assume all elves know everything about everything elven." Setting his mug down he frowned for a moment, "As it is, for most elves I'm still considered young and ... not 'worthy' of certain knowledge yet." He glanced up as she seemed to suddenly jerk with a confused expression, "... you have a very strange way of asking for help."
 
Eliza withdrew back visibly deflated, “Oh, thanks anyway.”

The half-orc worried her lip nervously, if Niradnam couldn’t help them then the whole process would fall on their shoulder, Tyrius and her. She didn’t trust herself to not botch the job with her inexperience. She hadn’t even finished college, why did she have to meddle in bigger matters than herself.

Gods knew what the next step would be. Would they try to tranplant the knob replacing another door knob? Did they try to plant it in the gardens?

Poor Pyria would reap the rewards of trusting a bunch of buffons with her life. This thought gnawed at her distracting her from Faust’s reassuring pat.
 
Valerie held her other hand up to her mouth to hide her laughter at Faust's chivalry. "Eliza, I believe that Faust should be educating the greater populace of Okesh in manners." She then turned back to Elizabeth with a smile. "I suppose that is one way to break curfew. I could not imagine trying to avoid grandfather's gaze. He had the eyes of a hawk, the ears of the bat, and the cunning of a wolf. I'd be locked in my room for weeks." She laughed. "I suppose some of my new abilities would assist me, though. I would be interested to see how that would have went down." Slowly, her expression dimmed however, and she turned her attention to her meal.
 
Ander smiled at Virra with a tired look in his eyes. He remained quiet, and whispered, "I'm ok, I just got up early to perform funeral rights for Sister Freyda." He pulled the symbol from his pocket, "as sad as it is ta say, I hope she isn't with us. The alternative is too much get me ta bear."

He placed a hand onto Virra's shoulder and nodded. "I'm sure I'll be back ta my old joyful self soon, friend."
 
"Oh." Yet another thing Virra had all but forgotten about. She gave Ander her best sympathetic smile and folded her arms. "Hope so, Ander. Y'know, I'm starting to realise some of us are just flailing around without a plan, but you've got a pretty good talent for staying focused on what you want to do. Kind of amazes me that you managed to stay so cheerful all the time we were chasing Lestone." She reached out with her mind and smirked as an invisible hand tousled Ander's hair. "Maybe that's why you're my favourite."

Now with a completely genuine smile on her face, she climbed into a chair next to Ander and surveyed the table. Ty could wait; realising all the things she'd forgotten had helped her to remember one thing that she could sort out right away. The thing in question was seated a fair distance from her, having an on-and-off staring contest with Eliza. Could it be...?

Virra couldn't wait any longer. She crossed her legs and sent a message straight into Niradnam's mind. "Okay, confession time. How'd you learn to do this?" she demanded.
 
Silverbane Manor | Dining Hall:

At Valerie's comments Elizabeth grinned, then nodded towards Baldrus, "Sounds like him, when he was in better form!" Baldrus seemed to glance up and wink at his daughter.

Further down the table Niradnam had returned to his meal, finding apparently Eliza was done talking. At hearing someone else's voice in his head first, the man soon began to choke on his drink, wheezing as he attempted to recover. Taking a moment, turned away from the table slightly, he raised a hand, "Apologies ... seems my drink flowed faster than I expected ..." Coughing a few more times his eyes were wide as he looked towards Virra, "So you're the other one ... Er ... I had a Master ... I assume you did too?"
 
Virra hadn't been prepared for the question to be turned back on her. "Maybe," she said, with much less of a combative tone than she'd spoken with a second ago. After all the time she'd spent trying to get the scholar to reveal himself in subtler ways, she'd begun to suspect that Eliza had given her bad information. Now, suddenly faced with someone else like her, she couldn't find the words she wanted to say.

"So..." she began eventually. "You can't have been lying about going to Azarad. But, why did you? How did you keep your psionic stuff secret from all the wizards? And..." She sat up with a start. "And you have Egnaro. He's not a normal cat, is he? He's like Faust is for Eliza. Can you do psionics and regular magic?" The idea didn't seem fair, somehow.
 
Silverbane Manor | Dining Hall:

At Virra's tone, Niradnam raised an eyebrow, returning to breakfast until she spoke again. "I sought magic, and I have my ways. Unfortunately true magic like at Azarad is beyond me, I rely on rituals if I wish to manage anything."
 
Virra made a face and shrugged. "That's still impressive! I know some people who'd kill for a little bit of magic like that. Heck, I'd kill just to get my own Egnaro. Everything else would just be a bonus." Some people just had all the luck, she swore.

Following Niradnam's example, Virra got to work devouring everything that was on her plate. Whatever the plan for today was, she suspected she'd need a full stomach to face it. "So, what can you do with your mind, then?" she bugged Niradnam again while pouring herself a glass of grapefruit juice. "I hven't met many people like us, but my mo -- my mentor did things differently. She could actually read people's minds, but she could never 'step' like me. Oh, that's good stuff," she inadvertantly transmitted as she gulped down her drink. Suddenly she smacked the glass down onto the table, an excited look in her eyes. "The noosphere! Can you use the noosphere?"
 
Silverbane Manor | Dining Hall:

Faintly Niradnam shrugged, "I'm sure if you worked at it, you could manage it." He raised an eyebrow, "... what is the 'noosphere'? My training was more on manipulating the body and the world ... I can mimic animal-like traits, or heal wounds, I can also control create barriers with my mind, or bolster those around me -- the few times I have anyone with me that is." He was "silent" for a few seconds before glancing at Virra once more, "On a lesser scale I can recreate elements and ... knock the wind out of someone in a sense."
 
Eating her food with gusto, the halfling was quite happy with her breakfast. By her second helping she stopped to actually listen to the subject of conversation, some sort of trip?

"Excuse me, I know we've just met but two questions, Where are you going; can I come? I can be quite handy to have around!" Whatever this was sounded like an adventure and Magnolia wanted in... Even if she didn't know what was going on...
 
Well, she wouldn't have got anywhere without asking. "The noosphere is like... the network made by everyone's minds. It's all the knowledge in the world in a web that I can touch, and sometimes borrow bits from," Virra began to explain, then quickly shut up as Niradnam began to share his own talents. "That is AMAZING, oh my gosh." She rocked back in her chair in ecstasy. "You're gonna show me all of that, I hope you realise." Disappointed as she was that he had no concept of the noosphere, her mental image of the scholar morphing into some kind of Niradnam/Egnaro hybrid was more than enough to make up for it.

Then her attention was grabbed by Magnolia's questions. "A forest about four days from here, and yes you can," she answered immediately, looking to Tyrius a second later. "She can, right? An extra pair of hands never hurt." As far as Virra was concerned, there was nothing that couldn't be made more exciting by adding more people. Well, until she got bored of them, of course. She was surprised by how long it was taking her to grow tired of this current group, but maybe that was the effect of swapping in new ones like Magnolia and Valerie (who she was counting as a different person from the Salted Knight).
 
Silverbane Manor | Dining Hall:

After the meal and the others seem to wander off for their last tasks in town, Tyrius found himself left with just him and his parents at the table. Baldrus looked at Tyrius, shaking his head, signing while Moriana seems to have a faint smile of amusement. She speaks first: "Which should we start with, the Elven woman or the young halfling that appeared over night?"

Tyrius thought carefully, "Suppose we should start with the young halfling."

Baldrus nodded, "What do you know of her? Her accent and clothes don't match much of anything I've heard around Okesh in my traveling and from those even passing through.'"

Tyrius thought for a moment, "Not much, we met her in a field last night after a few of - " the young sorcerer struggled to think of the right way to phrase it for a second, " - our group thought it a good idea to stake out a field for bandits. We only met her and she seems to be a holy woman of some sort."

"Did you not consider she might be one of the bandits you lot were seeking? Why would anyone else be out that late inna field?" He replied back.

Tyrius thought for a moment, "I don't know. But the rest of the group seem to have taken a liking to her. Ander for one is very smart and he seems to be okay with her." Tyrius said, "He follows the Morninglord so I'd imagine he's at least thought of that too."

Baldrus sighed, "Bein' that trusting is likely to getcha killed one of these days lad, an that's not a day I look forward to," He frowned before continuing. "I highly suggest ya keep an eye on her just in case ... She showed up a bit outta nowhere an it makes me anxious." Moriana patted his hand, looking over at Ty, "You understand he's worried, right? You seem to have a good group with you, yet we can't help but worry about you. There's the people around you and your own magic -- both are hard to control but at least one is easier to guard against."

Tyrius nodded, "I'll keep it in mind. I know you're worried. I'll let the others know your concerns as well," Tyrius said, looking earnestly at both his father and mother. For a moment, he thought about telling his mother how careful he had been with his magic but thought against it - each time he'd used his magic had been for a purpose that would only worry them more. "I'll keep in touch as well, so you won't have to worry about me as much. I'll write regular letters, so you know I'm okay."

The pair seemed to share a look before Baldrus nodded to Moriana, "In that case, it seems we should now discuss the ... elf in the room, so to speak. The Pyria woman, in her own demiplane?"

Tyrius nodded, "We should. Do you want to know how we met her?" he offered, unsure how exactly to begin that particular topic and aware that he was probably going to have to explain Pyria's situation in a way that wouldn't worry his parents about their own safety but wouldn't blind them to the risks Pyria's charming nature could pose.

Moriana nodded, "That might be good to know, some greater context into how this managed to get to this state."

Tyrius nodded, figuring it best to tell the truth. "We found a doorway just in the middle of a field one night. Just stood there. Eliza - she's an Evocation specialist from Azarad - she tried to detect magic on the door and I tried to use what I know from studying there. Then Virra walked in and found it was a demiplane with a large area filled with food. A few of us went in and there Pyria was." Tyrius paused for a second to compose his thoughts, "She put out a large meal and we talked for a while. She was a very charming lady." Tyrius looked to both of his parents, wondering if they had questions already or if they'd prefer he kept talking.

Moriana tilted her head, while Baldrus narrowed his eyes, "Feel like there's some you're not tellin' us lad. If that's all there is to it, why'd ya bring her here? Seemed to be doin' just fine as she was."

Tyrius noticed the look his father was giving him, "Well, that's the thing. We learned later she can't actually leave the demiplane." Tyrius decided it would probably be better to just come out with it. "She's - got a type of magic she can't control either. She has an aura around her that charms people." Tyrius looked to Moriana, "She can't control it and she wouldn't do it on purpose. She said that most of the time people would wander into her demiplane, she'd be as friendly as she could be but because of the aura once they shook it off - and it can be shaken off - they'd just leave her." Tyrius looked to Moriana, "She's stuck there and we promised we'd try and get her some stable company. Given what we have to deal with," Tyrius said, choosing his words very carefully, "We know the risks, from living with the source of our magic. She's trapped for something she cannot help, that she was born with." Tyrius looked to them both, unsure how they would respond to the truth.

Both parents were silent as they listened, concern becoming more evident on their faces. Baldrus moved to speak, but Moriana beat him to it: "Ty ... we know about fluctuating magic, but we're not experts in it. This woman sounds like a risk even still and from what it sounds like as an elf and trapped in her demiplane, can't even be taught how to try and control it like we both were. It'd be hard to justify just setting her up somewhere in the manor -- and if we did it'd probably be somewhere hidden away, thus meaning she'd not even have accidental visitors! Which would be worse ...?" She shook her head, "We both understand you mean well, that you want to help this Pyria ... but I'm unsure if we're the proper place for her, assuming the door-thing can be opened again."

Tyrius nodded, "I understand, though if it helps, Ander was able to resist the magic somehow and we all were able to naturally overpower it ourselves. Maybe Sabine or someone could find some way to resist charms, then Pyria would be safer to be around." 'Safer than I am if I'm firing off magic,' thought Tyrius although with his mother in the room he didn't voice that. "Or I could ask Ander how he was able to resist it, though we're probably heading off today." he suggested, though he feared the matter was probably closed.

Moriana sighs, "Any knowledge will be appreciated. I'm sorry Tyrius, but ... I don't know that we can reasonably house the Pyria woman here, permanently. I can attempt to write some letters from old classmates at Azarad and see if anyone has suggestions, but we're hesitant to just casually install this demiplane in our manor."

Tyrius nodded and actually smiled. An offer of help was better than a flat out no. "I understand, and I do appreciate trying to help via asking around." Tyrius said with a smile to his mother. "In order to ground the demiplane, we worked out the magic was coming through a doorknob which we have in a trunk. Would it be best to leave it here or would you prefer we take it with us?"

"If I'm going to be messaging people about it, it'll be better if the ... doorknob stays here incase they need information about it." Moriana and Baldrus both nodded towards Tyrius, the conversation coming to a close.
 
Wyford |Later Evening | Restless Devil Inn:

Purchases of the day finished and mostly everything sorted for the next day when the group sets out, a group moves from the Silverbane manor into town with a purpose: heading into the Restless Devil Inn. Led by Elizabeth Silverbane, dressed more closely to a bard with flamboyant clothing, she grins to the group as they cross the plaza, "The tavern owner is a bit of an ass, Tatdiv, but when the Leaping Hag is boring, the Restless Devil sure lives up to its name. A lotta her customers tend to be on the more 'grr' side of things, which of course makes mom and dad worry, but it's fine! It's all good, that's why I've taken lessons, and," she slapped Tyrius' arm with a laugh, "my big bad brother is here to protect me!"

Walking across the dim streets and cobblestones a few glance at the strange party: two recognized members of the Silverbane house, along with two humans that had been seen around town lately, a gnome and a halfling, all headed towards one of the larger structures in town: the Restless Devil Inn. The windows show movement inside, music can be heard leaking out through the open door, when it's not covered by the sound of chatter and drinking and general merrymaking.

Entering inside, Niradnam immediately frowns at the smell, covering his nose as he mutters, "Impressive ... but not in a good way." A dwarf stands on a stool behind the bar, a woman with curly white hair and crude clothing, stained from many spilled drinks and food, seeing the group she yells out, "Ah 'Liza -- what pests 'ave ya brought this night eh?" The dwarf scowls, "Long as ya pay yer tab an' don't just bail when th' next fight starts, yeah? Else'll take it up with th' Masters!"

Elizabeth ignored the dwarven woman, grinning at the party, "She's the best, right? Anyways, let's grab a table before we lose our chance -- they've got ale, wine, rum and brandy here -- I like the brandy myself, it's got this weird aftertaste that I'm not entirely sure it should have?" She shrugged with a smile, "But alas, I must try everything in order to sing my ballads!" A few other patrons cry out at seeing her and wave, she waves back, "Oooh yes, my favorite trouble makers ..."

Her attention finally returned to the group, resting her hands on her hips, "Since it seems dear brother is heading out again, let's make this count, eh?!"
 
After returning with her new avian friend, Valerie spent most of the remainder of the day getting ready for the evening out. She considered changing dresses, but figured that given the establishment they would be heading to, she was already more than overdressed. After making sure her hair was done up just right, she walked over to one of her chests and removed a finely crafted leather flute bag. She opened it up and removed the instrument from within, a deep mahogany instrument with golden accents and looked it over. It has been quite a while... Elizabeth always plays for the taverns, though. Perhaps I should try it as well! She turned back to replace the bag and caught sight of a familiar tail darting past into her bag. Valerie sighed. "Faust, please come out from there." The tail twitched before a tiny hand grabs it and pulls it inside the bag, hiding it from sight.

Valerie sat down on the bed next to the bag, speaking in a tone of joking disappointment. "You do know it is not very gentlemanly to be skulking around a woman's room like this, right? And to think, after all the cookies I had provided for you..." Faust peeked his head out and waved sheepishly at the cookie lady, he hadn’t meant any harm but he couldn’t stand another second spent among dingy, old books. He tried to articulate that to her by mimicking Eliza (with tusks and her dress), books (splaying his hands open and grabbing his nose), and crying. Valerie frowned as she didn't quite understand the message the mouse was communicating. "I'm sorry that Mr. Niradnam's cat frightens you, but I can't simply take you with me..." She frowned as she saw him begging and then crying, biting her lip for a moment before relenting. "All right! All right. I'll take you along... but only if you promise to be on your best behavior." Faust twitched his whiskers, confused. No, he wasn’t afraid of that hairball. He shrugged when she said he could come anyway and holds out a tiny pinkie like Eliza had taught him. His mischievous smile said otherwise though. Valerie studied the mousy face before her before nodding. Would anything so cute ever lie? She hooked his little pinkie with her finger and shook it. "Very well then, Faust. Climb in to one of the side pouches if you please, I do not want you getting squished." Faust leapt expertly into the bag and got himself comfortable for the trip.

Finishing her preparations, Valerie met up with the rest of the group and continued on to the inn. As she entered, she immediately felt as though the tavern had a different sort of feel to it than when she had come as the Knight with Ander. I don't like some of the looks of these people... Keeping a little closer to her friends, she kept a warm smile on her face and waved to the dwarf who 'greeted' them before following Elizabeth to the table. Listening to her every word, Valerie nodded eagerly. "Agreed! I suppose the brandy is the drink to have then." She paused, blushing slightly as she looked down to the bag at her side before looking back up to Elizabeth. "I will be honest... I did have one question I wished to ask you, Lady Elizabeth. By any chance do you think I could perform with you?"
 
Gods, it had been so long since Virra had visited a truly rowdy tavern. She grinned at the dwarf on the door as she swept past, theatrically sniffing the air inside like she could inhale the atmosphere. Dim lights, spilled beer, so much noise she couldn't make out all the swearing -- Elizabeth had picked a good one. Virra had never been the overly cautious type, especially after she developed powers that specifically catered to getting her out of trouble, but normally she'd have felt a tiny bit of apprehension about heading into a true dive on her own. Now, though, she was emboldened by the feeling of having a group behind her, and that nervousness just became a giddy excitement.

"Gotta be a brandy for me too, then," she declared. Seeing the look on Niradnam's face, she laughs and flicks his elbow. "The smell's just another feature. C'mon, you're here to experience a little local culture." Valerie's half-overheard proposition to Elizabeth drew a shout of approval. "Yes! Oh, we've got to see that before we go." She beamed at Elizabeth. "How about it? Drinks and then a duet?"
 
oh this was a good place, a good place indeed. By Yondalla and Val's guidance she had found a place for her. It had been far too long since she has ended up in a good bar fight.
Finding a seat at the table she projected her voice over the crowd. "A round of brandy for my friends and make mine a double!"

"You!" Her finger pointed the nearest musician, "play me a dancing song!"
Tonight was going to be a good night to be alive.
 
Making sure his tie was just right, Tyrius hadn't altered much about his clothing after his discussion with Moriana and Baldrus and a brief shopping trip that had put a large hole in his coin purse but got him seven blank tomes, seven writing sets and a tent. 'Going to have to figure out a few ways of earning some coin on the road.' Tyrius thought to himself as he left the books behind. 'I'm glad Mom's going to write to her friends and try and find some help for Pyria.' thought Tyrius as he headed down the stairs and saw Elizabeth waiting for them dressed to the nines. "Evening," said Tyrius, "Been waiting long?"

As the group walked to the tavern, Tyrius laughed along with Elizabeth as in his mind he tried to work out what he could do if the place got rowdy. 'The Expeditious Enchantment, followed by just running into people to knock them down. Don't particularly want to kill anyone and most of my magic would do that.' When they walked into the tavern, Tyrius was aware of exactly how light his coin purse was. "Heh, hope I've enough for one drink," Tyrius muttered in Elizabeth's ear, "Spent sixty seven gold today on books and writing implements."

With Virra and Magnolia encouraging singing, Tyrius grinned, "Looks like you've got an enraptured audience already." he said as he said down next to Virra at one of the tables.
 
Wyford | Late Evening| Restless Devil Inn:

Elizabeth motioned to one of the servers who soon brought over a bottle and a set of glasses. At placing it down, Elizabeth added, "Put it on this one's tab for tonight!" pointing towards Magnolia who was busy negotiating with an entertainer. She smiled back at Valerie, "Sure -- sure! We'll have to remember, but before we start working, let's have some enjoyment, yeah?"

Hearing Ty's expenses she laughed, "And here mom and dad worry what their little boy might waste his money on. Guess they don't realize how boring you can be sometimes."

The musician rolled their eyes at Magnolia before gesturing to the rest of the playing group, shifting their current song to be something more up-tempo and rhythmic. Niradnam's eyes focused on the bottle of brandy and shook his head, "Er ... water for me if you have it instead?" The server seemed a bit disappointed before returning with a mug and pitcher of water, Niradnam peering into it, muttering under his breath while with a hand he followed the edges of a small focus tucked under his tunic. The water steamed for a moment before suddenly cooling instead, he glanced to Virra to explain, "I've learned rarely is water actually pure ... but if you can heat it quickly, you can kill whatever's in it. Still not pure ... but I'd rather not be up all night in the lavatory." He raised his drink studying the room over the edge of it, "I much prefer the local culture hidden within the Silverbane library..."
 
Virra hid her grimace. "Is that so?" Niradnam was starting to remind her strongly of another Mystic she knew. "Well, you know what they say about variety," she shrugged. "Anyway, I think it's good to get a little impurity in your system. Maybe you could use it for practice? Try getting the dirty stuff out with some body manipulation? You still haven't shown me any of that, by the way," she reminded him testily.

As the musicians kicked in with a faster tune, Virra began to suspect she'd quickly lose Magnolia if she waited too long. She leaned up and grabbed the bottle of brandy, pouring out a glass for everyone at the table, Niradnam included. Then she took her own and raised it. "So, while we're all conscious... what're we toasting to?" she asked, crossing her legs under her in her typical manner. "To finding thieves' hoards? To foiling watery murderers? To a great night on the town?" She gradually raised her voice as she spoke, grinning.
 
Tyrius laughed along with his sister, "Heh, and I'll make sure you get at least mine back nice and full." He said as he watched Virra pour their first drink, "Which reminds me, got you each a book and a writing set. Figured we could keep diaries. Might help with our investigations, might just make interesting keepsakes." Tyrius shrugged as he picked up his glass, "To a great night on the town before we raid a thieves' hoard," he said, keeping his voice down lest he attract unwanted attention.
 
Wyford | Late Evening | Restless Devil Inn:

Out of the corner of his eye, Niradnam looked at Virra, "No ...? What do they say? I'm interested in finding out." At her further comment he frowned slightly, speaking to her mentally, "I'd really rather not do that unless I have to, nor someplace so public ... is that the only reason you asked me here?"
 
Valerie beamed back to Elizabeth. “Really? Oh, fantastic! I am looking forward to it.” She poured herself a bottle of brandy and gave it a cautionary sniff, fighting the urge to recoil. Well... I suppose it is part of the fun, right? She took a drink from the glass and wretched internally at the foul assortment of flavors, but utilizing all of her extensive practice managed to keep it from her face. She smiled to her bardic friend. “This brandy is hardly half as bad as you had led me to believe, Elizabeth.”

Valerie glanced over to Niradnam and watched for a moment, but her gaze quickly wandered away from him and around the tavern. She noticed a few people looking over at their table and shifted her chair in slightly, twisting the ring on her finger as a nervous habit. Valerie then noticed, a bit concernedly, that her drink had been refilled, and that Virra was proposing a toast. Not one to miss out on a good toast, she raised her glass, about to offer a suggestion of her own before getting cut off. Shrugging, she cheered and took another drink, deeply regretting it the moment the taste set in. Not willing to admit it, she smiled broadly. “This drink truly is delicious!” As she set the cup down, however, Valerie noticed a familiar devious mouse creeping up along the edge of the table and deftly swept him back into the pocket of her flute case. She shot him a look of betrayal before closing the pouch.
 
Faust squeaked in alarm as he was tossed unceremoniously into the bag again. His grumbling stomach reminded him of Eliza’s snack filled pockets as he rolled up into a hungry ball in the musty darkness of the case and tried to go to sleep.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Users who are viewing this thread

Similar threads

Back
Top