Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
2
Renown
Male
Dragon's Cradle
♪ Hide your face so the world can never find you. ♪
418 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Cantio von Lumen on Aug 18, 2022 17:05:52 GMT -5
The marketplace is bustling today; full of the familiar murmur of business, the rattle of wagon wheels, and the shuffle of people as they bumble through the market with its many bounties and offerings for claim. It's early morning. Dawn, when the sun is just peaking above the horizon line of the sea— but that doesn't stop the crowd from forming; many are already out to beat the heat of the sun before it reaches its highest point in the sky. Some are looking for a bargain, others are looking for the freshest produce, others still hope to find some rare or unique trinket amongst the many new shops and stalls setting up for the day. Some, like the young Tiefling weaving his way amongst the crowd, just want to get away from the hustle of home life before it even begins. No older than eighteen, the red-skinned tiefling works his way to the side of the road, closest to where the stalls and shops are gradually turning their signs to 'Open'. He breathes a soft sigh, short crimson hair bouncing while he adjusts the sleeves of a draping white shirt, and smooths some of the wrinkles from its front. Today is meant to be a busy day back home; which is why he's gone before the crack of dawn. He knows which instructors will be coming by to talk with his mother, and he simply doesn't want to see them. Doesn't want to entertain the polite small talk, or the sympathetic looks; the questions and the probing remarks.
He just... can't handle all of that. Not right now.
So, he closes his eyes and takes a breath while trying to find some kind of center in the chaos that is his own personal whirlwind of worries; but he doesn't really have the time to find that ground he's trying to look for. The moment is broken; it's the sound of a scuffle, the sharp and startled call of a person— the kind you only hear when someone has been caught doing something they shouldn't— that takes him out of it.
He blinks, perking up as he hears a merchant's call: "YOU! Stop!"
It's not directed at him, but he still winces; Cantio turns towards the commotion, trying to pinpoint the cause of the raucous amongst the earliest commuters of Sol City.
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
25
Renown
Moonglade
1,506 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Aug 18, 2022 20:59:49 GMT -5
It was a time before Kamille's wardrobe became so dark. The potential was there for sure, but she was still in the position of apprentice, and she didn't feel like upstaging her own Master, opting for simpler robes of purple hues, more often than not.
She loved the opportunity to go out on the market to buy reagents, and holier-than-thou Baram surely felt like the task was beneath him. Kamille didn't mind - in fact, it was a good opportunity to go out and meet new people, flirt a bit and spend some money in different stuff. There was not a single cloud in the sky, the sun was still close to the horizon and her hair was amazing. All in all, a good start for a day.
What she was not aware, that time, was that she was being watched. She often went down to the market in a fairly simple attire, but even her simpler robe looked luxurious, for sure. After all, she was the apprentice of a Court Mage, she needed to look the part. She was known by a lot of merchants too, and in general felt pretty at ease on the streets.
She kept her small pouch of coins on her sleeve, and everytime she traded something, she would take it out - yes, that was very much noted from the people watching her. The half-elf had been haggling for some good ten minutes in front of a small cart with a variety of herbs - a good friend of hers, always came by with a good, fresh set of plants. When they finally seemed to set on a price and the merchant started to gather the herbs she choose, Kamille took out her small pouch.
Then, it all happened in a quick succession. Someone bumped into her so hard she fell down, and despite the overall confusion, the merchant she was dealing with immediately noticed the man grabbed Kamille's coins.
"YOU! STOP! THIEEVE!"
The man already took the run. Not only that, but he bumped into another, smaller person, that was his partner. The second man got passed the purse and started to run in a different direction to confuse them. It certainly confused Kamille, that still managed to focus on a spell to make the stones of the pavement move in a way that would make the first man trip and fall quite spectacularly into a cabbage cart.
Screams and shouts from every direction, guards already being called. The second, smaller man seemed to get distracted for half a second and looked back, when his partner got the short end of the stick and dove into the cabbages.
His luck wasn't that much better, though. When he turned to look where he was going again, there was a tiefling in his way, and neither of them seemed to be in the position to avoid a violent, greatly unexpected embrace.
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
2
Renown
Male
Dragon's Cradle
♪ Hide your face so the world can never find you. ♪
418 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Cantio von Lumen on Aug 18, 2022 23:17:22 GMT -5
It all happens very quickly; in fact, he doesn't actually see what has happened because he unexpectedly becomes a part of the event. No sooner has Cantio turned his head does someone slam straight into him; and he yelps upon the impact. It knocks him flat to his back; and the only thing that keeps him from cracking his head against the pavement are, fortunately, his horns. The collision leaves him somewhat dazed, wincing up at the pastel sky while an immediate ache sets into his bones. As he pushes himself up onto his elbows, he feels the scuffling; and then a boot jams into his thigh while the perpetrator is trying to scramble back to his feet after unceremoniously falling flat on his stomach in the aftermath. He flashes the stranger a confused, mildly panicked look as the atmosphere of sound and sensation floods his senses again— reminding him of where he is, of what is happening after having the wind knocked out of him. "Thief!"
"Stop him!"
"Grab him!"Naturally, he does what's being screamed in his direction. The smaller man manages to get to his feet before he does, but he doesn't stay on them for long; Cantio reaches out quickly, snagging the man with one hand by the ankle. He successfully trips him by doing so, catching him at the moment he rushes forwards in his desperate panic to continue his escape. The momentum of the fall tugs Cantio forwards with him, and the thief lands with a thud! back into the pavement. A small coin pouch skitters across the cobblestone from one hand as he meets the ground for a second time. Cantio is a tall man, but he wouldn't call himself strong per say; still, he does his best to keep the thief down— even when he starts to struggle to do so. After being kicked at multiple times, the man is apprehended when a guard finally pushes through the crowd and pulls the smaller man up by his arm, a sword at the ready. The man looks spitefully at him— flushed red and frustrated— but does stop struggling in consideration of the blade at his back. He lets it happen without objection, looking away from the man's irked gaze, to where the coin pouch had fallen on the ground. He grunts as he pries himself off the pavement— every ache and pain from the fall suddenly very clear in hindsight— and stoops to pick up the coin pouch. He holds it carefully, throwing one last look at the thief as he argues with the guard, trying in vain to claim that he's done nothing wrong, and turns around to look from where the man came from, pouch in hand.
Of course, the first thing he notices is the devastated cabbage cart, surrounded by a couple of stray guards as they pull an entirely different man from the depths of damaged vegetables and splintered wood.
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
25
Renown
Moonglade
1,506 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Aug 20, 2022 5:32:16 GMT -5
It didn't take long for Kamille to realize her coins weren't with the first thief. Her merchant friend pointed out the other man that had ran away to a different direction, and at that time, he was already a fumbling mess, having hit another man on the street. "Hey!"
Kamille ran towards them both - but in the end, she didn't need to hurry that much. A guard had already approached to seize the thief. Perhaps she thought that this random man would get out with her money, perhaps she just ended up slipping in her robes - the point being, for a second time in the last two minutes, someone bumped into the tiefling. This time, perhaps not nearly as hard as the thief, but she did pull on his clothes as to try and not fall to the ground.
In the end, they both fell to the ground. Cantio for a second time.
The guard, still holding to the thief, started to laugh.
"Of course it is you. Do you need a nanny, Kamille?"
The guard seemed to recognize the woman. A second guard approached to put the thief in shackles and take him away.
Kamille rose her eyes to the stranger she bumped into, already blushing out of shame and embarrassement. Her deep, blue eyes went very well against her purple robe.
"I'm... I'm so sorry, sir... Are you hurt? I'm sorry, I'm sorry...."
The guard was still chuckling when he extended both of his hands to help them both up.
"You better not leave your Master waiting."
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
2
Renown
Male
Dragon's Cradle
♪ Hide your face so the world can never find you. ♪
418 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Cantio von Lumen on Aug 20, 2022 16:15:14 GMT -5
Before he can fully gather himself, he is struck for a second time by a young lady in purple; between his imbalance and her own, they both end up tumbling to the pavement in a heap together. Cantio winces as he thuds back into the ground for a second time, coin purse still clutched tightly in one hand as he chokes on a soft, "Ow," once the initial shock-wave from the impact starts to fade. He just can't catch a break today, can he? "Of course it is you. Do you need a nanny, Kamille?"He hears the guard who had rushed over first start to laugh; Cantio looks from that man, to the young woman that had run into him— presumably, Kamille. She looks up— her deep blue eyes, framed by obsidian locks and rosy cheeks gives him an initial pause— then, she starts to stumble over an apology. Cantio clears his throat— grateful to be a red-hued Tiefling, after his second embarrassing bumble of the morning. There's a few people in the crowd who stop to look at the chaos, before moving on. He must look a mess, and the sun's barely over the horizon of the sea.
"No, no— I'm fine. It's okay! Really, no need to apologize." he answers, flustered in return; he looks up as the chuckling guard offers a hand to each of them. He takes it, pulling himself up to his feet with a small sway. He straightens out, ignoring the ache that spreads throughout his back from the combination of both falls. Cantio looks to the young woman— Kamille, by the sound of the guard's familiarity— apologetically. "Are you okay?" he asks, trying to fix his ruffled hair and dust off his clothes— before he realizes what he's holding. He stops.
"Ah—" He offers her the coin pouch with the other hand after she's gotten back to her feet. "I'm so sorry about that; this must be yours, then? I'd hate to keep you if you're in a rush."
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
25
Renown
Moonglade
1,506 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Aug 20, 2022 17:52:56 GMT -5
The woman wasn't nearly as lucky as the tiefling - but surely looked almost as red as he was. She also accepted the hand the guard offered them. The man pulled them both in one, swift move, easily putting them both back to their feet.
After having his laugh at them and seeming pleased that the tiefling returned her coins, he turned his back.
"Try not to cause any more trouble, will ya?"
With a chuckle, the guards waved goodbye and headed out with the thief. The few people that gathered to watch it all unfold started to slowly get back to their tasks. Kamille made a face behind the guards back, and then turned her attention to the tiefling in front of her. She had already met a few tieflings before, but it was in no way, shape of form a common encounter. She took a step closer to help him straighten up his clothes and brush off the dust.
"I'm... I'm fine... I'm so sorry... I'm so... clumsy. Thanks for retrieving my coins, though."
She didn't quite see what happened - she assumed the man tried to stop the thief and got himself knocked to the ground on the process.
"I'm in no hurry, no. I'm so sorry for all of this... "
Her curiosity over the stranger suddenly itensified. He wore nice clothes, he was quite handsome and didn't hesitate to give her coins back - which meant the money didn't tempt him at all. She raised her eyes towards him, her hair still a mess.
"My name is Kamille. What is yours? How about I repay your kindness with a drink?
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
2
Renown
Male
Dragon's Cradle
♪ Hide your face so the world can never find you. ♪
418 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Cantio von Lumen on Aug 21, 2022 12:07:27 GMT -5
"Try not to cause any more trouble, will ya?"Cantio offers a sheepish smile at the words, throwing one last look at the guard as he bids them his final farewell and begins nudging the thief back to his previous station. He nods, giving Kamille his attention just as she's making a face behind him— and he chokes on a chuckle, promptly covering his smile with one hand as she looks back to him. He clears his throat when she steps forward to help him. "Thank you— but no, really, it's okay! I... was in the right place at the right time, I guess?" Which, is technically true; it's more that her coins ran into him, than him actively pursuing them. Her next words, regarding her not being in a rush, are a bit of a contradiction to the guard's— but he figures, then, they must have been a jab in good fun.
It is a relief he— or the events— haven't held her up; he knows what it's like to be late for a Master.
"Good— that's good, I really would hate to keep you if you have somewhere to be." he shakes his head again as she apologizes yet again, "Really, it's okay! It's not your fault at all; I'm just glad you got your things back safely." Once the young woman takes her coin purse, he makes a more active attempt to straighten his sleeves out— dusting off his hands from having landed on the pavement twice. They sting a bit, scraped from the cobblestone as they are. He offers her his full attention when she introduces herself; even with her hair displaced from the fall, she still holds a picture-perfect elegance that is nigh unforgettable. Thinking on it— he can't say he's ever seen her in Sol City— the guard shows his familiarity, which makes him assume she may live or stay locally... But, he can't recall a time he's ever even glanced her from a crowd. "Kamille," he repeats, as though adjusting to the name, "It's nice to meet you. My name is Melos—" He hesitates a moment after, cocking his head when he smiles again, answering as though correcting himself. "But you can call me Cantio."That feels a little inelegant as an introduction, and Cantio shifts his gaze as though embarrassed; it's the first time he's really spoken that name in words. It's unfamiliar, but, he wants to get used to it; so, he looks back to Kamille, trying to recover himself from the stumble when she asks about repaying him with a drink. "Well... Really, I don't need any repayment— but, if you do insist— I'd be happy to join you for a drink sometime."
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
25
Renown
Moonglade
1,506 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Aug 21, 2022 14:36:00 GMT -5
Kamille smiled at Cantio, quickly fixing her hair with a hair flip. She was one of those people that could smile with her eyes. She also seemed to be trying and deciding if she had seen Cantio before - surely she would know him if he lived in Sol City. She knew a lot of people there. But it didn't occur to her, at that time, that perhaps even paths that are very close to each other are not meant to cross each other. Even if both of them lived there for a long time, only now came the time for them to meet.
"How about now? Don't worry, Cantio... It would be nice for my Master to miss me a bit for a few hours... Maybe then he'll remember me."
As soon as he seemed to accept her invitation for a few drinks, she positioned herself at his side, entangling her arm with his like a proper little lady. And, like a not-so-proper little lady, there was no proper time for some drinks, in her opinion.
"Where are you from, Cantio? Surely I would remember such a handsome one like yourself... Are you staying long here at Sol City? What are your business here?"
She was clearly assuming Cantio didn't live there. And, as Cantio would soon learn, she was terribly curious, spouting one question after the other, highly intrigued about that tiefling she never saw around that area. Her Master could go f.....
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
2
Renown
Male
Dragon's Cradle
♪ Hide your face so the world can never find you. ♪
418 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Cantio von Lumen on Aug 21, 2022 18:30:35 GMT -5
"Hm? Now?" No sooner had he agreed to a drink does Kamille step to his side, slipping an arm through his own; he laughs sheepishly, a bit flustered by her straightforwardness— but, he does have the time to spare. He came out here to waste his own time to begin with— and while he hadn't planned on doing so by drinking at the mere crack of dawn, the opportunity has arisen to do so... and who is he to say no?
There's something quite telling about her comment to her Master, though— something that feels as though it strikes some odd, sympathetic chord in his chest.
"Well, if that's the case— now would be quite fine." he agrees, adjusting his arm to mimic the posture of a proper young gentleman. Although, the last time he escorted anyone like this was during his childhood— at the few galas he remembered attending with his parents. It's been a while, but the etiquette his parents ingrained into him does have its way of resurfacing, he supposes. She starts to ask questions as Cantio leads her forwards, throwing one last look over his shoulder to ensure neither of them are happening to leave anything behind.
Particularly himself, after falling twice— but it seems he's (thankfully) kept his own effects on his person.
He offers her his attention then; ensuring he's meeting the pace of her stride while they banter. Her questions do suggest that she thinks he's traveled to Sol City; and also implies that she may actually be the local he assumed she could be. He laughs, sheepish, when she verbally compliments him; and although he is a red hued Tiefling, he does appear to flush a deeper crimson. "Well," he remarks, "I was born and raised in the Capitol, actually."
He internally debates on how to word this introduction without delving into topics he'd rather not cover; then he offers her a polite smile, glancing at her from the side. "I'm an apprenticing musician— a violinist. I've the day for myself today, so, as chance would have it— I thought I'd see what new businesses might show up from the traveling merchants on the last ferry in. I didn't expect it to be quite so eventful, though."
He laughs a bit and turns the questions on her, then— although, her deep blue eyes seem particularly inquisitive— which is not a bad thing, but there are some questions he may not be sure how to answer.
"I'd be hard pressed to say no to pleasant company. Are you from Sol City as well, then? I'm certain I'd remember you had we met before, so I can only assume we've managed to miss each other all this time?" He tilts his head, "Would it be right for me to assume you're also an apprentice? What is it that you're studying, if you don't mind my asking? And," He nods his head towards the lines of buildings and stalls. "Do you have a drinking place of preference? The Brass Dragon? The Silver Sword? The Crow's Nest?"
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
25
Renown
Moonglade
1,506 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Aug 22, 2022 4:27:50 GMT -5
It was always a good time for some drinking, specially in a day like that. She hoped to get so busy and caught up in this day to actually forget what was going on. And, as fate would have it, she was thrown into a completely, handsome stranger to make the pains of the day fly by.
When he said he was born and raised at Sol City, she looked surprised.
"What? You mean to tell me we lived here our whole lives and never met each other? Well... Then again, I don't go out as much as I would want..."
She would keep herself really close as they casually strolled down the street, her eyes gleaming with excitement to hear more about this stranger. A violinist? That was new... She didn't know many musicians, let alone violinists these last few years.
"I'm a mage apprentice. Not as exciting as a musician apprentice, though. At least I believe you actually learn stuff and is not just your Master's secretary... "
That might explain why she wasn't so keen on going back so soon. His last question answered itself, as she gestured to the stabilishment they just stopped by. The Headless Hydra, one of those stabilishments where the ale was mildly okay, cheap, and was frequented by the traveling merchants, sailors and all sorts of bad influence.
She smiled at the stranger. They would surely stand out there.
"A violinist, eh... I won't be one of those people to ask for you to play me something, that is too common. But if I could ask something of you... I would ask for you to make a passing comment that I would understand whenever you go out there to have your go at the world. Maybe one day, I'll hear about this amazing violinist playing at a tavern, and how he told the story of... how he recovered a woman's purse from a thief, for instance. It could be anything. How about that?"
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
2
Renown
Male
Dragon's Cradle
♪ Hide your face so the world can never find you. ♪
418 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Cantio von Lumen on Aug 22, 2022 15:39:01 GMT -5
She looks a bit surprised by his answer and Cantio can't help but laugh softly; it's actually quite pleasant to speak with someone he doesn't know from the city. It's less pressure off his back— significantly so— not to mention that Kamille is, in fact, pleasantly charming company. "That seems to be the case, doesn't it?" he remarks with a chuckle. He just manages to stifle a sympathetic sigh when she mentions she doesn't get out as often as she might like. "Ah... that would make two of us. I suppose we've answered our own questions, then?" It seems between both of their schedules, they've simply managed to avoid one another for all this time. While it seems unlikely in the many years they've both occupied Sol City, it is not entirely impossible.
He offers her a glance as they walk; her blue eyes practically shine while she speaks, illuminating the depth of their colour in the pastels of morning light. "A mage apprentice?" he repeats curiously— then offers her a sympathetic smile when she elaborates on, what sounds like, her Master's usual behaviour. He can't quite relate, as his have a tendency to overwork him. "Oh?" he sighs, "That sounds like an awful waste of your potential." He feels the pace start to slow; and he mimics her steps until they've stopped, pausing to look towards the building she gestures to once they have.
'The Headless Hydra.' He knows this place, but he's rarely been in it much, himself; he wouldn't call it a lesser establishment, but it is better known as a general establishment— not fancy, but affordable. Travelers, merchants, and sailors tended to pop in to spend a little coin on an ale or two, a drink, or a room. It's a little out of what he had assumed her league was; so he cocks a brow, looking to Kamille as she just smiles at him without a single sound of confirmation.
He puffs into a bemused laugh— a bit surprised by her choice, but he follows along without much complaint.
She is a curious one, although, he is afraid they might draw a bit of attention given their dress and general atmosphere. Then again, it is the crack of dawn, so perhaps they'll manage to slip by relatively unnoticed. He banks on it for now; moving towards The Headless Hydra, he carefully excuses themselves as he weaves through the small crowd to reach the entrance of the building.
He offers her a look as she starts to make a request— but not to play for her, which... the thought of playing for another person outside of his own masters makes his heart skip a nervous beat, anyways— but to make a passing comment she might recognize one day. He hesitates as he steps out of the crowd with her, slipping politely from her grasp to push open the door to the Headless Hydra with one shoulder once she finishes. "Well," he remarks, still pondering her words as he keeps the door open with the heel of one boot and leans his shoulders back against it to hold it there— it's... a unique request, a strange question— unlike any he's ever received before upon admitting he's a musician.
It's straightforward, but it's a bit odd, too— how assuring of a request it is as it settles on his mind.
Kamille clearly has never met him before; she wouldn't know that he's on the verge of abandoning his education and masters to leave Sol City. Nor, has he yet expressed any desire to go out into the world; and yet, she's asking something of him as though he had. It feels as though the question itself wants to make him accountable, pushing him further towards the straying thoughts that have been pecking at the edges of his mind. Perhaps there's a reason they've only met today, after all; or, perhaps he's reading too far into the draw of fate and luck.
He looks back at her, offering her a more genuine smile as he gestures for her with a nod of his head to come inside. "That is an uncommon request— but... why not? Keep your ears open in a few years, maybe you'll hear something you'll recognize— and when you do, I'll owe you a drink and a bit of catching up from our respective travels. Deal?"
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
25
Renown
Moonglade
1,506 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Aug 22, 2022 21:44:11 GMT -5
"Deal!", she happily agreed.
She doubted, at that point, she would do much traveling around the world, unlike what she wondered life would be for Cantio. She had always been under the impression that musicians and bards and artists in general were always the nomadic type, always in a lifetime long tour filled with excitement and adventures.
As if to explain the choice of a place, she whispered to him.
"Not the best ale, but surely the best gossip in town!"
She strutted in, confidently, waiting for him to follow suit. The barman behind the counter was a handsome elf in simple, green robes - his eyes lit up when he saw Kamille, but it was when he spotted Cantio that a mischievous smile took his lips. The elf looked the tiefling up and down, with an almost hungry look.
"Heeeeey, Kamille, my dear~", the man started in a very singsong tone, "It's been a loooong time since you last came here accompanied by a gorgeous man....... I wonder what poor Charles will say if he knows....."
"I wonder that too. Make sure he hears about it," Kamille answers him, with a wink.
"Oooooh, I like that mood of yours. What will you be having today?"
"That ale you keep hidden for special occasions. On me! And something to chew on, haven't had breakfast yet.
She left a few coins on the counter. It might be a bit too early for some strong ale, but the elf didn't find the request that much odd, prancing back into the kitchen to get her order. Kamille guided Cantio over to an empty table.
"So... Tell me more about yourself, Mr. Cantio. How long do you play the violin?"
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
2
Renown
Male
Dragon's Cradle
♪ Hide your face so the world can never find you. ♪
418 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Cantio von Lumen on Aug 24, 2022 0:43:36 GMT -5
She agrees, and Cantio nods in return, "Deal." Although, he wonders, distantly, if either of them will be able to hold up their side of the bargain in the end. If he will have the gall to leave Sol City, let alone write for her a passing tale she might recognize by chance. If, many years from now, either of them would even remember this day; time might tell, but for now, it's only a fleeting quandary in the moment. Kamille whispers to him before she passes him by with a confident stroll: "Not the best ale, but surely the best gossip in town!" He laughs softly, bemused. "Is that right? Well that explains it." His tail sways leisurely as he departs from the door and follows Kamille into the Headless Hydra. He crosses his hands behind his back, following with a calm stride as they head towards the bar, where a handsome elf in green robes is tending. Rather unsurprisingly, the elf's eyes light up when he sees Kamille, and—- oh, that's a new look. Equal amounts of flattered and embarrassed, Cantio offers the bartender a smile and a sheepish wave, tail swishing idly as he comes to a stop beside Kamille. He listens politely to their banter— it's incredibly clear that Kamille is a fairly regular patron— or, used to be. The two seem to know each other quite well, but—- regardless, he cocks a brow at her at the mention of a 'Charles', unable to keep himself from laughing when she presses the elf into making a big deal of it with a playful wink. "Well," he remarks playfully as he follows Kamille to an empty table. "I hope Charles won't be too miffed with me soliciting your time today." He pulls out a chair, taking a seat with a swift motion when Kamille speaks and directs a question to him. He coils his tail habitually around one leg of the chair, crossing his arms over the wooden tabletop as he leans against the table— dropping his otherwise formal body language in the warmth of the den— as he looks across at her. "Tell me about yourself," she starts to request, which is an innocent enough question— but, still enough to give him a slight pause. He blinks, recovering himself with a polite smile when he answers her question. He tries to remain honest enough without getting into the details.
"For as long as I can remember, I think I've had a violin in my hands." he answers. "I started my lessons very young, it's been..." he trails off, looking to the side while he calculates the years; it's not like he's been alive that long, but the years blur together. "...about fourteen years, now, that I've played— to varying degrees of success, of course." He tilts his head, jokingly adding, "As you can probably imagine, a four year old is hardly a musician." He smiles wistfully; honestly, he's not sure how far he's come since then. "But... likewise... a mage's apprentice?" He folds his hands together, propping his chin against his interlaced fingers, redirecting some of the questions onto her. "I'm only vaguely familiar with the magical arts; talk of your master's habits aside, what drew you to study magic?"
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
25
Renown
Moonglade
1,506 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Aug 25, 2022 5:11:32 GMT -5
"Well... It would do Charles well to miss me a little bit too. People seem to forget about you if you're always there, you know? Some distance is a good thing, from time to time."
That morning, Kamille seemed to have woken up and chosen to rebel against everyone, it would appear. And Cantio would be there to watch it all unfold.
Kamille listened to Cantio intently, curiously. Shortly after they sat down, a bottle of ale and two cups were put in front of them by the elf in green, that couldn't help but brush softly against Cantio's clothes... By accident, of course!
The half elf contained a chuckle, and started to pour themselves some ale.
"Hmmm... A four year old hardly have any say in what happens to him.... A four year old hardly makes such choices. Did you? Or were you compelled by your guardians?"
The first serving of ale came and went quickly. It soon became clear that the woman, by no stretch of the imagination, was not a lightweight.
"As for me.... Well! Have you heard people talking about your 'calling'? That one thing you're meant to do, your fate? My father is also a wizard and an alchemist, you know. I think it runs in the family. When I showed signs of magic, early on, my father threw me at my Master and let him handle from there. "
She looked at her cup for a moment, already going to her second round in less than a minute.
"I mean... I do like magic. I'm excited to learn it. I want to learn it. But... Then, if it truly is my calling, and it must be because I am able to perform magic... Why do I have so much trouble?
Her struggles were not, in any way, a secret. Instead, they were the Court's favorite malicious gossip from time to time - that and Charle's choice of companionship. Then, the question suddenly popped up.
"Do you like playing the violin?"
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
2
Renown
Male
Dragon's Cradle
♪ Hide your face so the world can never find you. ♪
418 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Cantio von Lumen on Aug 26, 2022 22:08:31 GMT -5
"Oh?" he remarks, cocking a brow as Kamille speaks— he can't say he can relate; for he finds himself on the other side of the coin— rarely a time to himself, so frequently swamped with the supervision and micromanagement of others, that he truly does wish they'd just forget about him. Perhaps some distance would be a good thing— but to be forgotten, in his case.
Still, he can't help but bubble into a soft laugh; Kamille's insistence to rebel— to be remembered by doing so— is almost inspirational. "I suppose encouraging them a little never hurts," he bemuses, when a brush of his shoulder catches his attention. He looks up, catching a glance of the elf in green as he breezes by and places a bottle of ale and a pair of cups on the table. Cantio breathes a sheepish laugh and offers him a brief thank you before he passes them by to return to his work.
Kamille pours them some ale, and directs a question to him that is— well, quite personal.
Cantio initially avoids answering it by raising his cup to his lips and taking a generous gulp; if he answers it at all, it's best to be done inebriated. He clears his throat, covering his mouth with one fist— the ale certainly is not the best he's tasted. It's a bit on the sharp side, but it still leaves a pleasant burn, the way any ale should. It becomes quite clear, though, that Kamille is no stranger to her way around an ale, when she's already pouring herself another round before he's finished his first.
Cantio takes the last half of his first cup a bit slower, listening quietly while she talks, and interjecting with a soft, "Mm." behind a sip when she questions him on his knowledge of the phrase. He finishes off his first ale— certainly playing catch-up to Kamille's pace— but he's already feeling a bit... no, no— he's fine.
He takes the bottle, pouring himself another drink while Kamille speaks of her magic, and... oh, that's a familiar concern, actually. Kamille strikes yet another question and Cantio takes a breath, laughing softly— a bit nervously. "Yes..." he starts, but trails off, "Or, I used to." He sets his cup down, resting his cheek on his knuckles as he swirls the liquid inside, and looks at her from over the table. "My father is a wonderful musician. My mother is a talented composer; they've been in service to the city, a name amongst the musicians of the capitol for..." He waves his free hand in a carefree gesture. "...ever?"
He laughs softly; a bit bitterly. "Naturally, they thought it was my calling to follow in their footsteps; and so did I, so they started me the moment I could hold a violin. I didn't really think about it then, because I just wanted to be like them. It's a shame that it didn't work out." There's a moment in which his words catch up to his thoughts, and Cantio clears his throat, chuckling to dispel what he'd just said, leaning towards a more humorous redirection. "Well, I suppose fate has brought together a couple of struggling apprentices to bemoan their respective situations?" he jokes. He picks up his drink, holding it with both hands as he looks across the table at Kamille. "Do you think magic is your calling? Or, is it that it's expected of you?"
|
|