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Post by Shitakibo on Sept 14, 2023 14:03:12 GMT -5
Taki listened to Syl's reasoning for wanting her to go, and noted her expressions as she replied. Normally she wasn't one for all the fanfair and recognition, the deed itself was enough for her to feel satisfied. Still, in this instance, her own presence could lend a measure of calm and validity to the young vampire's reputation and perhaps even lead to a new haven for her to call upon.
"Alright Sylvi, I'll go with you this time. Since you're so insistent I take some kind of credit for this event, I'll join you in town. Would you like to take a ride back?" Taki replied, smirking as she let out a sharp whistle to call Hanehiko to her side. It didn't take long for the iridescent manta to respond, appearing over the horizon and growing larger by the moment. A few minutes later, Hanehiko hovered over the rocks and sand, gently kicking up swirls of air with her fins. Taki tucked Shuna into her carrier, securing the jungle cat with a simple harness in case they had to make any hard maneuvers. She turned to Sylvari and offered a hand to help her up onto the saddle.
"Don't worry, I'll show you how to strap in so you can't fall off and Hanehiko here only gets acrobatic if I coax her into it with lots of treats."
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 14, 2023 15:14:38 GMT -5
Sylvari's gratified grin at Taki's acceptance morphed into a look of confusion and then amazement, as Taki's companions altered their sizes before her eyes. The small celestial manta, called Hanehiko, grew to a size larger than a horse, comfortably fitting Taki as she leapt atop the creature. As Taki reached down her arm to assist her aboard, Sylvari hesitated, contemplating.
It wasn't as if Sylvari was afraid of heights, any more than a reasonable person that knew gravity could be deadly. Still, doubts plagued her mind. I don't have a great record with new things. Sylvari absentmindedly poked the tip of one of her fangs with her thumb, a habit she had developed since the change. The canine broke skin, and, as twin trails of blood trickled down the sides of her finger, Sylvari looked back up to Taki, whose gentle smile never left her face. On the other hand, I never would have made friends with Taki if I had been too afraid to try some things for the first time. If she trusts Hanehiko, I trust her.
Sylvari smiled and took hold of the hand that had been reached down to her, using the lent leverage to mount the creature. "Alright, Taki. I can genuinely say this is the most unusual method of travel I have ever engaged in, but I'm willing to try."
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Post by Shitakibo on Sept 14, 2023 15:53:10 GMT -5
After showing Sylvari how the harness worked and helping her strap in, she pivoted about and slipped her feet into the straps she used to pilot. In a similar fashion to a surfer on their board, Taki held the reigns with a casual comfort and gave Hanehiko a gentle tug to signal they were ready. The manta's wings swept high, then with a whipping motion pumped great gulps of air beneath as they ascended over the craggy area and banked in a gentle curve towards the town.
Yukina followed, the Snow Owl lazily flapping her wings and gliding on the currents of Hanehiko's wake. From above, the Wastes had their own surreal beauty. Cracks and crevasses pocked the land, while other parts of the rocky landscape seemed to strain against their bounds. All over, sparse blotches of green and brown clung to whatever water and nutrition could be found. While Taki understood that the place was teeming with things like the Remorhaz, it's ecosystem was just as valuable to Charon as any other. She did her best to enjoy the short hop to town, marveling at the scenery from above with her companions, and a new friend.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 14, 2023 17:41:59 GMT -5
Sylvari laughed in a mixture of nervousness and child-like glee as the manta thrust them high into the air with a mighty flap of its wings. She let out a whoop feeling the created breeze flowing through her long, platinum blonde hair, enjoying the feeling on the wind as it caressed them all. But the view of the lands below, once Sylvari had overcome her initial giddiness at the flight, was what truly took her breath away.
The land below was almost painfully jagged, with overwhelming crags dominating much of the landscape. Greenery was sparse, a far cry from the lush forests brimming with flora and fauna that Sylvari felt a pang of homesickness for, but the scarcity had an odd effect of making the available beauty seem that much more precious.
More than anything though, everything looked tiny from way up here, soaring among the clouds. Sylvari couldn't even begin to think about her worries; her demons were a million miles away. Flying freely, with a new friend, Sylvari only felt contentment and a transcendent serenity, deeper than she'd ever known. Suddenly, she was able to understand how it was possible for Taki to be so tranquil.
"How do you ever want to step foot on the ground?!" Sylvari squealed in excitement, holding tightly to her friend with one hand, while trailing her other through the wisps of clouds above.
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Post by Shitakibo on Sept 14, 2023 21:18:41 GMT -5
"One does not appreciate the view from the ground the same after being in the sky, just as one does not appreciate the view from above without spending time on the ground. There's no secret to it, just a determination to try and see the world from as many different perspectives as you can handle. Let go of fear, prejudice and what you know... then you can begin to observe and understand." Replied the shaman as they sailed gently to the edge of town. Taki guided Hanehiko to an open area before offloading the group and tucking the manta's gear away so she could move freely.
Yukina and Shuna stood at her side as one of the town guards approached the adventurers. Taki waved to the man but that only seemed to make him more wary as he approached, spear in both hands but kept in a defensive posture across the chest. He stopped about 20 paces from the group.
"State your business! What brings you and these monsters here?"
"There are no monsters here good ser, these are my companions... I am Shitakibo, also called the Spirit of Life. Perhaps we could have an amicable discussion?"
"Uhh... oh... well, um... Sorry miss, we's seen the critters about the last days and been missin' quite a few caravans... we thought they might be gettin' attacked."
"We can discuss the truth of that matter together, I'm sure the townsfolk will be happy to hear the menace of their travels is no longer a problem." The shaman retorted, a sly smirk on her features as the man ushered them into town. Taki gave her companions leave to rest up for the evening, but instructed them to stay together and keep each other safe. She then turned to follow the guard into town...
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 15, 2023 12:08:39 GMT -5
Sylvari was too busy petting and cooing over the manta to pay much attention to Taki's interaction with the guard. Such a lovely creature. What a great companion you are! Sylvari ran her hand over the smooth skin of the creature as she expressed her thanks for bearing her down the mountain safely. Thus, with gratitude properly expressed, she turned to see the tense interaction between Taki and a familiar guard.
"Dammon!" Sylvari called out, to the militiaman who perked up at his name. "How's the wrist? Is the reverse grip I told you about helping to ease the burden on your patrols?"
The guard's cautious attitude broke way to an easier smile as he looked at the approaching blonde. "It's as you said, Miss Sylvari, holding the spear like that don't agitate it nearly as much."
Sylvari smiled, despite herself, at the guard's relaxation into his natural drawl, even as she tried to work her expression into one of annoyance. "I told you already, drop the formalities, I'm just a person looking to keep others safe, same as you." Her lips curled into a devilish smile. "Unless you want me to call you Mr. Dammon."
The guard emphatically shook his head. "No, Mi-Sylvari. Uh, who's this person you're traveling with?" Dammon made motion with his head towards Taki.
Sylvari smiled and came to rest a friendly hand on her companion shoulder while giving her a gentle smile. "This, Dammon, is a warden of the wilds, and the best mage I've had the pleasure of traveling with. It was she that knew how to spot the roaming threat to the village, with the aid of her companions, and she struck the killing blow."
"Well, then I suppose thanks are in order, ma'am. We appreciate you looking out for the town and will make note of your critters if you need to pass by again. Mayor's waiting for you, Mi-Sylvari. You and the warden better head on through for your report."
Sylvari grimaced, but thanked the good man, leading Taki by the hand toward the destination. "He's a good lad. A bit too stuck on protocol maybe." Sylvari gave her friend a shining smile when she could be sure no one else would see her fangs.
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Post by Shitakibo on Sept 15, 2023 21:13:06 GMT -5
Taki chuckled softly as she followed the guardman and Sylvi. "Don't worry, I fault no one for doing a diligent job. I'd rather be confronted by an alert guard in every town or city than not." She replied, observing the town as they walked through the gate and down the main road. Shops and stalls took up much of the thoroughfare, though City Hall commanded the square. While it was built much like the other buildings in the town, there was a combination of scale and craftsmanship to it that exemplified the builders' skill.
The group walked up the wide, partial flight of stairs up to the door. Dammon opened the ornate door, standing aside to let them pass. "The Mayor's inside and knows you're coming. Please be respectful." The guardsman instructed. Taki bowed politely as she passed through the door, stepping inside to a tastefully decorated reception area. A well worn and cared for desk spanned the middle of the room, with seats for up to three people to handle the flow of people. While the building was mostly empty, there was a single receptionist speaking to an older human gentleman dressed in fine clothing.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 15, 2023 22:12:09 GMT -5
Sylvari bit back a sigh as the pair entered into the mayor's reception area. She never liked bureaucrats, even when growing up. Sylvari always felt that men and women such as these would rather reframe situations and weasel their way out of responsibility than serve the people as they were sworn to. She tried to keep an open mind, but she had seen too many examples of abuses of power and do-nothing politics to have much faith in governmental systems.
"Sylvari." The mayor threw her name out like a dirty word that was beneath him. At their previous meeting, he had made no secret as to his feelings about 'vagrant' adventurers who extorted people. Sylvari bit her tongue to avoid speaking up, as she had back then. "You return to us empty-handed. I take it this means there was nothing left of the beasts to retrieve? And who is this person with you?"
In response, Sylvari fished the severed mandible of the remorhaz out of her pack and tossed it onto the wooden desk, the gooey insides of the thing still leaking at one of the ends. "Your intel was wrong. This was the real threat. And 'this person' whose companions you painted a target on, was the one who solved your problem."
"Well, then, I suppose thanks are in order, for your contribution to this village." He glanced to Taki before leveling a withering glare back at Sylvari. "This is the part where you look for a handout, yes?"
Sylvari struggled to keep a feral snarl from her mouth in the face of his goading. "I want nothing more than for you to do your job and relieve the worries of the people by telling them the beast is felled. And for you to give proper respect to my friend."
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Post by Shitakibo on Sept 16, 2023 0:15:44 GMT -5
Taki listened to the interaction catiously, her brow furrowing at the man's callous attitude. Before he could retort again the shaman stepped forward and held a hand up between them.
"While I have no quarrel here, treating adventurers with such a callous and ungrateful demeanor is unbecoming your station... your job exists to better this town in every way you can. I do appreciate the candor towards unsavory types and those looking to exploit others... but you should not assume that about any person stepping into this building until they have proven otherwise. No one is here looking for a handout... we simply wished to inform you the problem is dealt with." The shaman stared hard at the man as she spoke, her large eyes watching the man as if he were no more than a mouse in a field, and she were a hungry owl.
"A final warning... should anyone attack my companions for the ignorance of another... I will not take that lightly and will bring the full might of a shaman to bear. Do better next time..." Taki concluded, watching him carefully as his mind stammered to respond. The shaman was all too familiar with the kind of person he was, and knew well from experience that the only way to curb such folly is to cut it off at the source.
"Now... would you like to try again properly?"
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 16, 2023 0:33:20 GMT -5
Sweat greased the edges of the mayor's rapidly reddening face as the two ladies stared him down. It seemed he was smart enough at least not to challenge them. "O-of course, Miss. Your wisdom knows no bounds. I was simply trying to safeguard my people against the predations of unsavory types, but you are certainly nothing of the sort." The man gave a nervous smile to punctuate his statement.
A weasel through and through. He only knows the language of bullying. Glad to see Taki isn't going to bow and scrape to this moron. A predatory smile graced Sylvari's face at the grim thought. "See that you allocate resources for the town to have a feast. It's good to celebrate kind-hearted adventurers and the escape from the tyranny of beasts." Sylvari closed the distance between herself and the man, her smile having disappeared. "Us adventuring types are always willing to deal with tyranny over the common folk."
A look of indignation crossed the man's face, but, feeling the weight of Taki's hawkish gaze on him, he folded and simply muttered for his receptionist to organize the funding. At that, Sylvari patronizingly patted the mayor on the shoulder before giving a genuine smile and look of sympathy to the poor attendant who had to deal with this all day. She then walked over to Taki. "Well, the townsfolk will likely need help setting up. Care to give them a hand with me?"
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Post by Shitakibo on Sept 16, 2023 0:51:25 GMT -5
"I suppose I could take the time for the festivities... just don't get too upset if I'm not standing in the center of the square being gawked at... Likely I'll end up in a quieter spot before too long." Taki replied as they walked out the door. She was glad the man had backed down and conceded, but she could only imagine the kind of harassment others might face. She'd be sure to try and talk to someone about the situation when she found time. Someone turning away help or stirring up trouble without cause or evidence was likely another thorn in the side of every authority.
Sadly, that position was also one of a lesser authority, but Taki wasn't the sort of person to exert their will on every situation... often that only created more trouble and worse circumstances in the long run. She would play it smart and report the man's actions to the right people in time, and until then do what she could to help Sylvari and the townsfolk with their merrymaking. While it was mostly awkward for the shaman to be around a community, she did her best to put on a smile and greet the folks who had lost loved ones with a modicum of compassion and empathy. Every day was a struggle for survival, where luck or skill or talent couldn't alter the outcome of some situations... One great cycle of change, ebbing and flowing across generations.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 16, 2023 1:04:41 GMT -5
Sylvari dove right in to helping the townsfolk set up for the event, happily chatting with any that she helped. This was a space where she felt in her element: she remembered many such days growing up, assisting with various feasts and festivals after her people had liberated an area from the predations of evil.
It had been a long time since she was able to enjoy such simplicities, being too afraid of losing control to let herself get so close. However, the combination of Taki's watchful gaze and the potency of her blood staving off the omnipresent thirst she felt released all of Sylvari's inhibitions about mingling, and she took to the situation as a fish to water.
Whenever possible, she would take point, introducing the commoners to Taki and lauding her prowess in saving them. Sylvari was happy to have a reliable partner and wanted to make sure that she received due praise, especially when she would not claim it herself. However, she was acutely aware of Taki's discomfort with being the object of many eyes and strove to only introduce her to small groups that would be able to more personally connect with her.
As the food neared a state of readiness, Sylvari threw on an apron and began serving, making sure to give Taki a choice selection.
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Post by Shitakibo on Sept 17, 2023 0:08:32 GMT -5
Taki took her plate, thanked everyone and found a quiet place on the edge of the grander festivities to eat. She enjoyed the celebration, and was glad that people were going to be able to move past this situation. She did her best to interact with folks but the whole thing was uncomfortable and reminded her of so many unpleasant parts of her past. Many times in her life, such celebrations were used as a harsh reminder of her tribal future and isolation... the awaiting exile that set her on the path she had walked since.
As people milled about, dipping deep into the barrels and plates of feasting, Taki found herself retreating away from it more and more. She waved to Sylvari, still helping serve others as she moved towards the outskirts of town and away from the raucous crowd. In some ways, some days Taki felt intimately woven into the fabric of life... others, like this, she felt so disconnected from it all. She found a quiet place to sit, near a small but well tended garden and tried to ease the storm of emotion within. After several deep breaths, she slipped into a meditative state and did her best to take solace in communing with the local spirits.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Sept 17, 2023 1:39:43 GMT -5
After a while, and many served plates, Sylvari finally managed to tear herself away from the festivities, promising she would return to help with the cleanup. She moved towards where she had seen Taki depart, hoping fervently that her friend had not slipped away entirely.
Oh gods, was it too much? I never really asked her if she was ok with being at the festival. I just dragged her along and prodded her into meetings. I'm such an idiot. Father always said I was too focused on the battle before me to see the grander war. I hope she doesn't hate me...
Sylvari wandered around the outskirts of town for an indeterminate amount of time before she finally saw Taki sitting in a garden with her eyes closed. She almost cried out in relief, but quickly clamped her mouth shut upon realizing that Taki was in meditation. If she came all the way over here to get solace from the crowd, I shouldn't disturb her. Sylvari gave a tiny sigh. I hope I can catch her in the morning before she leaves.
With a hung head and a heavy heart, Sylvari turned to leave the peaceful space, afraid her inner turmoil would leak out and infect the tranquility of the area.
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Post by Shitakibo on Sept 17, 2023 1:52:34 GMT -5
"I'm not so unaware that your presence goes unnoticed Sylvari, you're welcome to join me here. I needed to get out of the larger crowd is all, take a break from the crowd of increasingly inebriated folks. Feel free to sit and ease your mind, you've done nothing wrong." Taki said upon hearing the girl sigh, sensing her turmoil. It was no fault of anyone's that the shaman wasn't adept at parties and revelry, instead being a result of her life without a place to call home until she made her own... Her companions were her family now, and her friends were those who stood by her side throughout adventures across the land. While she might not enjoy such crowds, she wouldn't hamper their mood with her own needs.
She slid to the side and unfolded her legs to rest on the ground, making room for Sylvi to sit beside her if she wished. How had such a strong will gotten so entangled with sorrow and doubt? She wasn't sure of many things about the vampiress, but she couldn't help the desire to lift her spirits... Anyone willing to put their life and well being on the line in defense of others was someone she could find common ground with. All those willing to fight for a life beyond just their own means, Taki would go out of her way to help. Hopefully she could help ease Sylvari's nerves and help her understand it was no fault of her own.
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