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Post by Ray Castien on Aug 17, 2022 9:52:48 GMT -5
Ray and Kamille walked through the night from the cultist's camp to the secret passageway into Sky Peak Village. The environment within the dome created by the Dragon's Spine around the village was otherworldly and stood in stark contrast to the cold of the wastes. It was noticeably warmer and strange flora and fauna flourished about the Sky Peak's base. Luminous plants and butterflies, deer and other animals with strange coats and alien features. It was an ecosystem all of its own, having developed in isolation.
As they approached the town's entrance, a tunnel with an elevator dug into it, the lights and sounds of the festive village filled the air. Green, red, gold, blue, yellow, all colors imaginable of light emanated from windows and balconies carved into the massive mountain. The elevator was operated by a young fellow, Ray tipped a coin his way at the top and they headed along a balcony that surrounded the spire where people milled about happily.
Walking along that way they would soon find the alchemist's shop 'Carlotta's Cacophonous Concoctions'. The store was carved into a cave along the main balcony, large glass globes of boiling colorful liquids decorated the outside entrance and a curtain covered doorway led into the shop.
"Here we are, met the owner in the gardens last time I was here. She seemed an expert on the less common and more occult side of alchemy. I imagine she's the best option we have here..." He looked to the shop's door and back to Kamille.
"Anything to discuss before we head in? I think I'll let you do the talkin, my knowledge is limited to medicines and cures... Also, Carlotta scares me a little." He gave a slight shudder at the thought of the odd woman.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Aug 17, 2022 16:01:35 GMT -5
Kamille looked fascinated by all the different plants and animals she saw at Dragon's Craddle. She had been so hyper focused on her hunting she never got the time to truly appreciate all of that before. The witch had to restrain herself from walking over different plants to examine, remembering she had a mission now.
And someone to escort her.
She wasn't sure where they stood at the time being. It was an odd bond, those forged in combat. They knew nothing of each other, and yet there was a hint of trust and respect between them. At least there was from her end - she wouldn't just flee with the bottle and leave this man who healed and helped her.
She spent most of the time in silence, clearly taking in everything in that village she'd neve been to. It was all so different...
Ray led them over to the alchemist's shop, a place she assumed she'd be at ease, even though Ray didn't seem to be at ease.
"I can do the talking, for sure. I guess we can discuss the issues when we get to it, right?
She sounded confidant. Almost as confidant as she was when she walked into the cultists camp to be defeated. After all, what could be so odd of this woman?
She walked into the shop.
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Post by Ray Castien on Aug 18, 2022 20:33:33 GMT -5
"Wonderful, I'll just stay behind you..." Ray's relief was obvious as he released a huge sigh.
"Back to her den, the dangerously curiosity one..." Qil sounded fed up with the place.
As they entered Carlotta's shop they were met with the smell of foreign incense, fruity and boozy, that wafted as colorful smoke through the air. Hundreds of jars of various ingredients, some living and some not, lined shelves and hung from the roof. A strange lizard like animal was crawling across the walls and floors while looking at them curiously. The shop counter was dominated by a strange map that seemed to change the more you looked at it.
Behind it sat a large woman, not overweight just simply enormous. She stood almost 8 feet tall with broad muscular shoulders that led to large and powerful hands. She wore a leather dress that looked almost like an apron. Her angular face was home to a set of large yellowed fangs that peaked out of her lips. Her hair was short, black and curly, hanging only about halfway to her shoulders. Her skin of a dark greyish green complexion was smooth and soft looking though, and her smile was similarly welcoming. She looked straight past Kamille to Ray.
"Rayyy, I hoped I hadn't scared you away. I sincerely hope you're here to take me up on that offer of a dr-- Oh!, don't tell me this is your...?" Her attitude was flirtatious as she spoke with a deep velvety voice. Her eyebrows raised and she put a hand to her mouth as she noticed Kamille was with him.
"Err, no... we're just here to...have ya look at a scary flask..." Ray's voice was unsteady as he motioned with his arm from himself, to Kamille, to Carlotta as his face reddened.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Aug 18, 2022 21:52:34 GMT -5
Kamille's eyes shinned with a thousand stars as she tried to take it all in. She wished to examine everything at display, even though it was not why they came here. As soon as her eyes landed on the woman she assumed to be Carlotta, she wondered if Ray was scared of her because of her size. She certainly would. But then, the woman dismissed her entirely in favor to Ray, and the mischievous smile Kamille shot to her companion was enough to make him realize she quickly pieced everything together.
She cleared her throat, still highly amused.
"Good day! I'm Kamille, an associate of Ray here...", once again, she shot that cheeky smile towards Ray.
Oh, she was gonna have some fun there....
"Ray has told me there is no better person around here to speak to about alchemy. And as I am but a poor novice myself, he graciously agreed to introduce us!"
Enough of the small talk, she pulled her curious flask out of her purse, putting it in front of her on the balcony. If she was anything like her, the curiosity would make the hard work for her and bring Carlotta's attention to the flask.
"I need to know what this is. Can you help us?"
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Post by Ray Castien on Aug 19, 2022 17:58:33 GMT -5
As the flask was produced the woman's eyes shot down to it and lit up. She leaned over the table, putting her face level with it and staring into the depths of the liquid with an intense gaze and an evil smile. She tenderly took in it hand, giving it a light swirl between her thumb and index finger. The contents seemed to swirl furiously as she touched the flask.
"Mmm... Mhmm... What have you brought me today?" She talked to the glass itself, completely focused on it as she tilted her head back and forth slowly.
She brought the glass up in her hands towards her nose, inhaling a long sniff, then reached for the lid as if she was going to open it as her eyes opened wider and her smile grew into one too ecstatic for the occasion.
"Wait! What...what is it?" Ray stepped closer with his hand raised towards her. If she was to open the flask it could release something, if Qil was right...
Her face turned to a pout as she put the flask own again.
"Rayyy, you won't drink with me, you won't let me open the flask, I'm beginning to think you like to disappoint me." her voice had not a hint of sadness or disappointment, instead sounding teasing.
She put the flask up between her and Kamille's eyes, looking at them both simultaneously.
"This, is entirely new to me. It seems reminiscent of the way wizards contain copies of themselves in simulacrums, or keep certain creatures sealed inside objects. This flask is definitely holding something, though it's either a creature of no concrete form or it's been turned into a condensed liquid energy of sorts. If we... open it... we'll know for sure."
She gave Kamille a sly smile before moving her hands as if to open it again. Panic covered Ray's face as he reach for his blade. Carlotta giggled with one hand over her mouth, tossing the flask to Kamille with the other. Ray huffed in frustration at the woman's intolerable teasing as he relaxed again.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Aug 20, 2022 15:57:42 GMT -5
They could only be sure by opening it, of course. Kamille agreed with that. The problem was: What if this thing inside the flask was something very dangerous? It looked very dangerous and evil. They couldn't risk releasing something so potentially dangerous.
She saw as the woman tried to tease Ray about opening the flask, and after looking at either of them, she gave the flask in her hand a very thoughtful glance.
"We can't open it and risk it being something dangerous, Carlotta. But I'm sure you can help us more than that. And, tell you what," Kamille said, bending over as to whisper directly to the woman, trying to have Ray not listen to it. Of course he could still listen to what was being said, but the act was good. "If you can help us, in any way, may it be giving us a book that will prove useful, or... or if you know someone that might have more knowledge in this.... I promise you... I will have a talk to Ray. And maybe - who knows? - I can convince him to go out on a date... With you."
Kamille was obviously having fun at Ray's expense - at the same time she was trying to find a safe way to identify what was inside the flask.
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Post by Ray Castien on Aug 20, 2022 20:47:57 GMT -5
Ray gave Kamille a disdainful, fearful, look of shock as she made the offer.
Carlotta's smile returned at the girl's offer and she flashed Kamille a wink. She leaned in and spoke directly to Kamille's ear.
"Mmm, I like the way you think dearie...maybe you should come too, the more the merrier..." She giggled with fiendish delight as she raised back up and walked out from behind the counter.
She went first to the storeroom where a few animals and insects could be heard vocalizing upon her arrival, she returned with what looked like a tiny glowing mink that changed color over time. She plopped it down on the counter next to Ray and Kamille, where it began sniffing them and the flask nervously.
Then she moved to the back of the shop area where a small bookshelf sat with well used books lining it's shelves. She ran a finger along a section, plucking a small and dusty book from it. As she headed back to the counter she grabbed a few bottles that contained various liquids with labels such as 'blight/slow death', 'night wraith essence', and 'daemon blood'.
She placed the bottles in a line and took the flask, setting it across from them. The book she kept in a pocket of her dress.
"Here we are, ever seen a Renimink? Curious little cuties have potent noses for the arcane. I trained this one to identify similar substances...."
She sat back and waited for the critter to act with a giddy smile on her face and her hands on her hips. She kept looking over to make sure Kamille and Ray were watching.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Aug 21, 2022 7:28:35 GMT -5
Kamille smiled at Carlotta, at the same time thinking this would become one of those villages she'd sadly had to avoid. Truth be told, she was starting to understand Ray's fear.
"I'll give it a thought. I promise."
Sure, she would give it a thought. Sure she would talk to Ray. And, of course, she knew it would only result in neither of them probably going back to the shop in a few months, hoping Carlotta would forget them both.
Kamille watched curiously as Carlotta set a creature she never saw before. The creature started to sniff them, and so Kamille promptly took the vial to let it sniff it.
The bottles Carlotta put on display on the counter she recognized, slowly started to understand what was going on. Once again, Kamille had that sparkle in her eyes that showed just how much interested and invested she was in their investigation.
"This is amazing..."
Kamille watched without blinking.
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Post by Ray Castien on Aug 21, 2022 12:38:16 GMT -5
Ray was looking at the creature with amusement, it was sort of cute the way it sniffed around the different deadly potions and ingredients. It was always a trip to visit Carlotta. Despite her incessant advances she was extremely knowledgeable and always kept things exciting. Ray was uncertain, but he felt that Kamille was starting to feel just as uncomfortable around Carlotta as he did.
The cute little mink waddled about the table, circling the potions lined up and returning to the flask they's brought multiple times. It tilted its head and went a dim green color for a moment, then blue, then red, then flashed a brilliant white and perked its head up. The small creature went over to the vials of night wraith essence and daemon blood. It touched both with its nose and went back to their own flask, touching it as well. It's challenge complete it ran giddily to Carlotta who hoisted it into her arms amid praise and pets.
"Mmm, as I imagined..." Carlotta plopped the mink down and pulled the book out and paged through it. She stopped abruptly, tossed the book on the counter in front of them, and popped her finger down onto the page.
"Ha! As Cytrel Lokren, an infamous necromancer, writes... Through substantial sacrifice a dragon can be forced into a state of congealed essence, it may then be stored in specially enchanted flasks. It will suffice as a reagent in summonings or sacrifices requiring extremely potent and powerful components. Particularly useful are shadow dragons; when one seeks to curry the favor of dark deities or to bargain with devils..." She wore a smile of someone who'd proudly conquered a great challenge.
"Its probably quite grumpy in there..." She chuckled and poked the flask a few times, like one would a fish bowl.
The action made Ray nervous. Less so than knowing how easily the flask could've broken during their travel here and released a grumpy dragon on the region... They'd at least prevented the cultists from using it in some nefarious deal with a devil though.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Aug 21, 2022 14:57:29 GMT -5
Well.... That certainly was a bit more than she bargained for. Kamille watched the whole process closely. When Carlotta put the book in front of them on the counter, she leaned closer to read, her eyes running through the lines in silence, while her words echoed in her mind.
Reagents in summonings or sacrifices....... Bargains with devils......
What was exactly that this quest for the Sol Stone entailed, truly? Was the quest per se the whole reason that drove her father over the edge? Was she bound to the same fate should she continue?
She remained in silence for a whole minute, thoughtful. She took a look at the name of the book Carlotta was showing them, and then looked up to the flask.
"Miss Carlotta, you've been of an incredible help. I assure you I'll have a talk with Ray, like I promised, but if you need anything else from me, just ask."
She glanced over to Ray. She looked a bit troubled and worried.
"For now... I guess we should talk."
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Post by Ray Castien on Aug 23, 2022 7:33:22 GMT -5
More than anything Ray was happy to be done with this shop again. He knew Kamille had been playing with him about Carlotta, he'd have to pay her back for that one one day. They still hadn't gained much clarity on the cultists' intentions with the dragon flask. Ray couldn't understand the connection between summonings or deals with devils and the Sol stone, perhaps his more magically versed companion had some idea...
"Yeah... follow me, we'll head to a lookout balcony. They're usually empty so we won't need to worry about eavesdroppers."
He lead her out of the shop as Carlotta waved with a sultry smile to them and a look of longing in her eyes. Everything about that woman was too much for Ray...
As they left the shop and moved to a quieter section of the town's balconies the song and dance of Sky Peak Village filled the air once more. These overlooks were mostly unused, not much really passed into the town and lookouts were a thing of the past here. The view was magnificent though, the Drangons Spine range rose up around them, encasing the magnificent valley. From this height they could see the fields and woods that surrounded the town as well as specks of light where animals moved about below.
Ray moved to the chest high wall of the overlook and leaned over it, he looked to Kamille with his eyes furrowed.
"I'm not sure where to go from here, the flask and its purpose are clearer but only vaguely. You seemed troubled earlier... something stick out to you?"
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Aug 25, 2022 8:35:24 GMT -5
Kamille followed Ray promptly, trying not to look so eager to get away from Carlotta. Despite using the woman to see Ray fluster up - and she wouldn’t regret that - she was relieved to be out of her sight as well.
She took a moment to take in the view in front of her, watching the land and its animals. It was unlike anything she had seen before, her first time at Dragon's Craddle and she found herself amused by it. Then she turned to Ray, and took the vial to have another good look at it. The content still seemed to fascinate her, despite knowing for sure it was much more dangerous than she had anticipated.
"The point is 'what now', right? From what I gather, this kind of.... thing?.... is used in powerful rituals. I'm thinking this was going to be used in exchange of something... But what? We can’t be sure of that. And even if we knew it, what can we do with it now?"
She put the flask away again and crossed her arms, looking up to Ray. It was... hard. If the situation was slightly different, she wouldn’t have wasted a moment longer and sweeped the leg. But Ray was so quick to help her without any further questions... she couldn’t just get rid of him like that. He healed her, protected her and did it all without expecting anything in return.
"I'll be honest with you, Ray. I want to find the Sol Stone this cult is searching. While I can’t disclose my reasons just yet, I can assure it is not for an evil intent. And so, because of that, I am very interested in the final destination of this flask."
Then, she flashed a lighter, more cheeky smile, bumping her shoulder against his in a playful manner.
"On a more pleasant note.... Calotta, huh? What a woman! You wouldn’t have to worry about ever needing to fight again, you know? Her height alone could dishearten your most passionate enemy!"
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Post by Ray Castien on Aug 28, 2022 16:39:47 GMT -5
Carlotta did more than dishearten him, she terrified him, not on the account of her size, though it added to the effect, but on account of her relentless and fierce pursuit of him or anyone else that sparked her fancy. It made her a magnificent researcher though, and Ray admired her heavily in that regard. He was sure some would find her a stroke of luck, or an answer to some hidden imagination, though most around here knew her as a dangerous curiosity...
"Yes, Carlotta is a different sort, though she is kind and has never turned a cold shoulder to me. In all honesty, she has always been overly welcoming... I've never been invited to bed as many times by a woman despite refusing her just as many..."
"Seeker... No, it is not so..." Qil second guessing himself was new, must be perplexed by the flask as he and Kamille were... As Kamille spoke of her interest in the vial and the wonder he shared as to its purpose and destination Ray saw a similarity to Carlotta in her. Though Kamille managed to earn his respect and interest without instilling within him a fear for his personal safety and sanity, she was just as hellbent on discovering whatever her focus was set upon. It was a good quality, though it could be somewhat dangerous.
"I'm less interested in the flask's destination. More so in the hands that take it there."
He gave her a look of caution and compassion. Her interest in the flask seemed volatile, it would be difficult to separate the two, yet together they were a danger to others he felt. He knew what he thought best, and doubted she would agree.
"I think the flask should be hidden away, destroyed, or kept in a neutral location. Somewhere it will be hard to find, protected, and hopefully left alone..."
He looked around them, the village was hidden away, it was nearly impossible to find unless you were brought here by a person living here already. As to the person or persons to hold it, he knew no one he could trust well enough...
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Aug 28, 2022 19:35:01 GMT -5
Again, Ray mentioned he would want to destroy the flask. She doubted that was a safe option - and it was well below her list of priorities. For a moment, she remained silent as her eyes wandered off to the view down bellow. Hide it? And wait for someone else to discover it? Keep it in a neutral location? She hoped to take it to the arcane academy, where they could research it and know what to do with it - but she knew Ray would probably not consider it a "neutral location".
Destroy it? No... She couldn't.
She was starting to reconsider her earlier thoughts. She was grateful for Ray having helped her, and she wouldn't deny that. But he surely didn't have the same mind as she did. I'm sorry, Ray, she thought to herself, I truly like you, but sadly we'll not reach an agreement on this.
With a sigh, she slipped the flask back into her pouch, before turning to Ray again. Her eyes shone with a different kind of glinter - one that reminded him far too much of Carlotta. She took a step closer, and started to dust off the front of his vest, while straightening it up. It was, indeed, an old habit of her, but it often worked on her favor.
"Is there a reason for that? I mean... For refusing Carlotta so much. Are you not allowed?"
She seemed to be a bit too close for comfort, her eyes shining like cobalt speckled with stars, intentions bared.
"Professional curiositiy only, of course..."
Kamille winked at him, smiling with her eyes as she always would, as charming as she could be. And then, it all happened in a matter of seconds, right when Ray opened his mouth to answer. With a step back and the wave of a hand, she weaved a quick spell. Ray's hood was taken by an invisible hand, that wrapped it around his head.
It would take him a second or two to unwrap himself, and by then she was already trying to run away, the flask safely tucked away in her purse.
(Telekinesis)
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Post by Ray Castien on Sept 1, 2022 10:36:13 GMT -5
Ray prepared himself for Kamille's response. What he expected was a counterargument, protests, or even combativeness. She managed to surprise him still though, slipping the flask into a pouch and stepping far too close to him for comfort.
"Seeker..." Qil's voice seemed concerned, but Ray was distracted by the young woman now dusting his robes off with an all too Carlotta-like look in her eyes and Ray didn't take in what he said next.
The questions she asked and the way she was looking at him, the intention so clearly expressed was one that took him entirely by surprise. Ray hadn't much experience with women, but this was surely not the one he expected to be interested in him. Her eyes seemed so inviting up close, the look in them was expectant and playful, and Ray found himself staring back at her wide eyed.
The Wanderer had no limitation on relations, even going as far as claiming love a worthy endeavor in all ways, Ray's hesitation merely stemmed from inexperience. Banditry gave few chances for romance and it hadn't helped that his company never took on women. His own morals had prevented him from enjoying the company of ladies of the night, and he avoided women in towns afraid to involve them in such a rough and uncertain life as his own.
A fellow adventurer, more than able to take care of herself, would make a lovely companion...
"Seeker!" Qil was now alarmed and angry.
Ray opened his mouth to warn Kamille of his bad feeling just as she stepped back, waved her hand, and his hood covered his face.
"Wanderer save you from your incompetence, after her!" Qil yelled again in his mind.
Ray raised his hand over his shoulder and summoned his blade which sliced the hood from his robe, releasing the sword he yanked it free from his head and broke into a sprint after a newly escaping Kamille. His own naivety and childishness caused his cheeks to burn red and anger grew in response to being tricked.
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