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Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Dec 13, 2023 22:39:27 GMT -5
Unlike the aftermath of the Sol Stone incident, Vulcadreus hadn't offered many opportunities for new schemes and criminal enterprises. It slowed things down actually. Morrigan said there was no fun in running scams against people already down on their luck. And the pockets left barely anything to be picked. Sheer boredom was the main reason Fish was even following along with Cyran on this job. Well that and there was some work Fish could do here at the very least. Getting things moving again would reopen some connections that Fish was more accustomed to. A few pouches of Zenavian spices would also sell highly given the current market, for those worried Fish is selling literal spices. Chilis and other such things that would warm up a meal, something desperately needed in this place. Without thinking, Fish would skitter towards the alleyway to start hopping up barrels and on to a roof. They weren't entirely sure what they were doing at the docks, but Fish wanted to at least get a look at it first. What was the big hold up at the port anyways? Cyran had been scant with details which had Fish thinking this was some sort of nefarious work. Fish didn't think this would happen given his nature, but perhaps the bat was finally taking Fish's skills seriously. If they could prove it to Cyran, it was only a matter of time before Del admits Fish is the best.
Quest Name: Break the Ice Participants: Two or more Location: Frost Gale (Pale City) Post Requirements: 5 posts per person, 200 words per post Reward: +1 Renown Description: Despite the absence of Vulcadreaus, the world is still feeling his effects. The weather patterns around Charon have become unbalanced, with most weather across the continent becoming more extreme than normal. With winter quickly approaching, the ice, snow and frost in the north have become more dangerous. The ports around the Pale City have frozen over, months earlier than normal. In order to keep trade and commerce flowing, the city is asking for help in breaking the ice and freeing the harbors. This includes warming the ice, breaking it into smaller pieces, and removing in from the city.
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Dec 14, 2023 8:22:30 GMT -5
To be honest, Cyran was surprised Fish had agreed to accompany him on this particular venture. The last time they’d worked together resulted in a dead body and perhaps more unsavory thoughts about it on Cyran’s end than could be expected of a contract killer of his caliber. Yet, Fish was one of the strongest people Cyran had met, in their own unique way - thievery, alchemy, weapons-building, even murder. They still continued to scrape and struggle for a life of their own… even if it was a life of crime, and seemed to be doing quite well for themselves, if not a bit bored.
It eased his worries to know they were still surviving, and learning, and growing, in their own unique way.
The same could not be said for the retired assassin, who was currently rubbing his hands together in an attempt to bring warmth to them, to no avail. The Pale City was cold, far too cold for even early December. Cyran had endured blizzards, winter storms, but the air was still now; for lack of a better word, dead. The ambient temperature should not have been this dismal at this point in the year - yet, here they were, in a city whose very way of being had been frozen still by the ice, and Cyran not far off from becoming a popsicle himself despite the layers he’d donned.
Speaking of layers…
Cyran turned, only to stifle a jolt of dread when he realized Fish was no longer at his side. Worry pounded in his ribcage and caught in his throat until he spotted the shifting of shadows in a nearby alley, a tiny dark blur hopping up to the roof. He sighed, far too old and tired to be chasing after Charon’s most precocious children, and made his way up to the same perch Fish had found without much trouble.[1] From the higher vantage point they had a much better view of the sheets of thick ice that had halted the ships in their tracks. Cyran paid them little mind, plucking a small cloth bundle out of the shadows.[2]
“Fish, do you have enough to wear? We’re working over there today,” He angled his head towards the frozen ocean, “And it could cause hypothermia if we’re not careful. Some sailors have already gotten sick.”
He held out the little scarf for Fish to take; a small, knit item that had not been made by Cyran’s own hands, but commissioned. Complete with a little feather, Fish’s usual symbol, stitched on the inside, a decal that would not be so visible to others but identified it as theirs.
“It’s practical.” He tried, a hopeful expression on his face. 1. Boots of Spider Climb 2. Summon: Possession
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Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Dec 14, 2023 9:54:44 GMT -5
To say the bird wasn't prepared for an extended trip in the cold was an understatement. They had a new cloak that seemed a bit thicker than previous and they had their blink scarf, but that was light and made more for the Zenavian climate than Frost Gale. Their feathers were extra fluffed up to trap as much air as possible, but the sooner this was over the better.
"Fish would like details on the job, who is the target, what is Fish needed to do?" Fish signed in between tying the scarf around themselves and tucking it into their outfit as best as possible.
They had been slowly starting to learn through Del, Cyran, and Kvasir that not everything needs to be challenged. Sometimes people are just being nice and regardless of whether or not you want or need it, you should accept a gift when people are trying to be nice. Del said it was about being "polite" whatever good that does. Catching more flies with honey than vinegar....which is a dumb example, why would Fish need to collect flies?
As Cyran went to explain what the plan was for today, Fish would go through an equipment check to make sure they have everything. On the one hand, the organizational skills are impressive given all the different options the bird has. On the other hand, Cyran would probably be most concerned about the gun. Fish waits until the explanation is over before looking up to him, slowly processing what they are actually here to do.
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Dec 16, 2023 21:44:48 GMT -5
Cyran could not hide the ridiculously happy smile that Fish had accepted the scarf. Whether it was merely out of practicality or not, the end result was the same in that Fish would be a little bit warmer while they worked. The frigidity was beginning to bite, and his fingers were beginning to go numb. He pulled a pair of enchanted gloves from his trouser pockets, slipping them over his hands while he read Fish’s signs carefully.
Oh, dear.
Here came the hard part.
He steepled his fingers at his chin, releasing a long exhale that came out in a puff of curling smoke. How to frame this? He’d already decided that the difficulty of explaining to Fish that he’d quit the assassin life was too much for this outing, so he’d delicately skirted around that topic. But now came the greatest challenge of them all. Cyran Fenestra, soon to be Fenestra-Asiliari - once the Specter, the shadow that had darkened the doorstep of two gods, the former assassin who had slaughtered countless for little more than money - was about to face possibly the greatest challenge he’d ever decided to undertake.
Convincing Fish to do the opposite of a crime.
“Our employer is one of the merchants of the coalition of the Pale City’s free trade association.” Cyran explained, slowly. Keeping an eye on that strange metal contraption, because what in the world was that? Oh, at least it wasn’t their crossbow. That was promising, right? “I’m not sure how much you know about the incident in the Ash Lands…” Had Del told them? “But ever since then, the world has been out of sorts. A deadly force has been preventing the merchants here from completing their winter runs. Trade has been brought to a halt. People are going to starve if we don’t take care of the threat. Our target is…”
He fell silent then, electing to point at the thick sheets of ice around the port to allow Fish to draw their own conclusions about why Cyran had brought them along.
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Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Dec 17, 2023 12:35:16 GMT -5
Fish looks over the docks as Cyran starts to sort of explain what is going on. It is unfortunate that Cyran left it so open-ended because that left Fish to fill in the gaps of what was meant. And of course, Fish's mind went to where you expect it to go.
They pause a moment, eyes shifting about to take in the details of the people moving about the docks. It was busy, but not overly so. Wouldn't be too hard to pull off a few different things here.
"More gods spouting nonsense, Fish does not care." And truly those were their feelings on both the Sol Stone and Vulcadreus. "So the goal is to eliminate the competition, Fish can manage that. Does the client have a specific rival or would they prefer Fish create a disaster they can take advantage of?"
As Cyran contemplates how to explain the concept of not crime, Fish will listen while pulling out a few of their items. Small explosive flasks, explosive bolts, a vial or two of acid, gunpowder...lots of things that could do a lot of damage. Fish is already calculating plans based on what the client needs or at least what Fish believes the client needs. It will be a moment before they properly understand what Cyran is explaining.
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Dec 18, 2023 8:22:44 GMT -5
Cyran nodded in understanding when Fish expressed their disdain for the gods. He didn’t blame the child. There was no point in elevating uncaring denizens who’d let their world burn for the sake of their own arrogance. Dead, alive - it didn’t matter, because the end result was the same. Mortals suffered either way. And right now, they were certainly suffering the effects of divine bullshit.
Fish’s next assertion was…
Concerning.
Admittedly, the blame for this one lay on Cyran’s shoulders. He could practically hear the ghost of Del’s voice whispering in his ear, reminding him, ‘you need to speak literally with Fish!’
And oh, it was so worrying how much Fish had to deal with the perceived problem, but it was so cute watching them go through their preparedness checks. They were above all else, a survivalist. The kind of person who’d adopted an aura of professionalism and carried themselves with it in whatever they did. The poisons were not ideal, but Cyran could not help but be proud of their quick response time.
“Oh, no, no, we won’t need all that!” Cyran said, waving his hands frantically in the air. “Well, the explosives, perhaps. Keep those out.”
Okay, how to fix the problem he’d created now? Cyran tapped at his chin, visible eye narrowed in thought while he considered how to phrase this. “There’s no competition for us to take care of, but there is a roadblock. Our target is the ice itself. I asked you to help because…” Well, mostly because he just wanted to spend some time with Fish on a normal venture. As difficult as their relationship had been in the beginning, Cyran’s own morals and parental instinct at odds with everything Fish was. They’d grated. Cyran had almost been stabbed. Many times. But he wanted nothing but the best for the little thief, wanted to help them grow in whatever way he could. Perhaps this would be a unique opportunity to help Fish apply their vast intelligence to something mentally stimulating other than crime.
He took a breath and centered himself. Cyran had expected kickback going into this; planned for it, even. He didn’t want Fish to feel like he was forcing them into anything, which was why he’d planned a trip a little out of the city for a surprise after they finished the mission. It was just a matter of working through this.
“The ice is so thick that picks have had a difficult time piercing it. Ships are frozen in the harbor. I need your help breaking it without damaging the ships or the docks. Is that something you could do with your alchemy?”
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Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Dec 18, 2023 15:14:10 GMT -5
Not murder it seems....that technically was Fish's area of expertise. Despite their desire to be a professional and the world's greatest criminal, murder wasn't actually high up on their list of hobbies. Their youth spent around cutthroats and bandits meant they often thought that was what the adults wanted anyways.
Fish had grown so desensitized to hearing people talk about murder and the methods with which one can carry it out, they didn't think twice about it. In turn, they developed such a black and white view of the world that it only made sense people would eventually be calling on Fish for assassination work. It was a job, a transaction, nothing personal. Fish only knew what was on a given dossier about a person, the bird lacked the capacity for animosity in most respects.
Seeing as this was not an active mission and not one they needed to be on the move for, Fish shifts to a sitting position. Their legs just sploot out in front of them. The bird's hand disappears into the depths of their cloak before a small unclasping noise is heard and they produce the alchemy bag.
"There are several options Fish has...Fish will need to determine the thickness of the ice first...Fish cannot guarantee there will be no damage, there is the possibility of ice shoves impacting the hulls of the ships, but that is a risk that needs to be taken if they want the dock cleared and the ships are unable to move. Fish can account for many things, but the natural movement of ice will be impossible for Fish to accurately map out 100 percent."
In between the signs, they had already begun working on a potion of sorts. A thumb flicks off the cork of a vial labeled MEPHIT CORE: FIRE and dumps it into a larger bottle. A diluting agent is then added along with some various other sulphates and powders. At the end of it all Fish holds an orange over the vial and squeezes the juices in before they start to swirl the mixture together.
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Dec 22, 2023 10:02:25 GMT -5
That had gone better than Cyran had expected. He was not entirely certain what Fish might make of the request… though he’d anticipated kickback. He sat down across from Fish, watching the bird kick their little leggies out while they relaxed, pulling out a bag of complicated alchemical tools Cyran could never even hope to name.
This was good! Cyran brightened, excited to see Fish engaging with something that wasn’t a crime. It might not have seemed like much - perhaps in their own mind it didn’t matter what they were being contracted to do, murder or otherwise. But, as silly as it was, it meant a lot to Cyran to have Fish’s engagement in something worthwhile.
It was an unfortunate burden, to be naturally gifted in skills that made others turn their noses up in disgust. But if Cyran was going to hang up the assassin’s cloak and dagger then he needed to learn how to apply his skills to situations like this. It was something they could try to learn together, even if Fish wasn’t quite aware of it.
At the very least they sounded engaged.
“That does sound like a problem.” One he hadn’t considered. “I think a little damage to the ships should be fine so long as there’s nothing to compromise their integrity.” It was better to have functional, scuffed up ships than pristine vessels that were inoperable because they couldn’t even move. The best they could do was try to crack the ice and mitigate the damage. It seemed Fish’s chemical and physical knowledge might be better suited to the problem at hand, though; Cyran’s idea had been to phase through the ice and hack at it from the waters below.
… It was becoming increasingly obvious that he was not the best at handling environmental hazards beyond simply ignoring them.
“There are probably… preventive measures I can take to ensure the displacement of the ice.” Cyran murmured. It would take a lot of his energy, but if Fish had an idea, he’d do his best to support them. “I’ll follow your lead, okay? You tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”
… Those were some pretty fancy looking chemicals Fish had there, huh? Cyran leaned forward, squinting as he tried to get a better look at the labels. A bunch of fancy powders and technology that were far beyond him. “Um. What are you making?”
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Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Dec 22, 2023 16:19:09 GMT -5
Fish is also not adept at environmental hazards, but they are adept at explosives. A sheet of ice this thick was essentially like a wall, so Fish could take similar steps. They give their jar a little swirl and things start to sizzle and boil.
They pop it in the snow on the roof beside them and it hisses gently as ice melts. Fish seems to have expected that and doesn't give it a second thought.
"Potion of Fire Breath...it will help weaken the ice. Careful when you drink it, it will be hot, it is an exothermic reaction." Fish signs before they start to pack up their chemistry kit. Well, they pack up that chemistry kit.
The pull out another set of equipment. One explosive cask is set to the side opposite the potion. Afterwards, they pull out a few more bottles and start to work at creating a few other incendiary devices. It is slow work, but given the fact that it is explosive material it is for the best.
They look out to the ice then to a length of fuse in their talons before packing that away. "Fish will need to know how thick the ice is first." They hop to their feet and start grabbing their creations, the flame breath potion is left for Cyran.
Fish jumps off the roof without warning, letting the scarf slow their descent to the ground. Little talons click clack against ice as they hop towards the docks. Fish may just sort of be moving and not waiting for Cyran, but they aren't running out of his sight or out of reach.
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Dec 26, 2023 20:07:50 GMT -5
It was rather fascinating getting the opportunity to watch Fish’s process. They were meticulous and methodical, and cared dearly for the science they were creating. In a way, it was a different sort of magic, one born from thought and rationality and primordial materials rather than implicit mana. Not for the first time, Cyran wondered what might have pushed them to apply their talents to a life of crime. Likely, the same as most orphans; no support from parents, and a need to eat and survive, creating a necessity for stealing. And there were those who weren’t so nice that sought to take advantage of those talents and young, developing minds.
It would never stop breaking his heart.
Cyran leaned forward, watching Fish intently - asking little questions intermittently, mostly to spark conversation but also to learn more about their process and the things they were passionate about.
“Flame breath potion…” It didn’t look like enough to melt the entire sea of ice, much less a quarter of it. Perhaps Fish intended to melt a weak point in the ice that they could sneak some… explosives in…
The idea made him a bit queasy, but he was doing his damndest to keep Del’s advice in mind. If they’re going to be off doing dangerous things anyways, it’s best to be there as supervision!
“And what the heck is an exothermic reaction?”
He stood, plucking up the potion and flourishing his hand, the bottle disappearing in a burst of shadow to a more secure location for the time being.[1] Best to keep that one where it couldn’t accidentally react or explode until they needed it.
Readjusting his cloak, Cyran set off after Fish.
Ice and snow crunched under his boots as he followed after the little crowling, keeping a close eye on Fish while they skittered around, deep in thought. “I might be able to assess the thickness of the ice…” It was possible he might be able to render himself incorporeal and poke his head under the water to check for Fish. “Unless you’ve got some little scientific doo-dad for that, too. Gosh, it looks like you’ve picked up some new tools. Has time with the consortium been helping you with your potioncraft, then?”
The question was innocent enough; it would not be so calm if he learned about the gun. 1. Klepto Gloves
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Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Dec 26, 2023 20:43:06 GMT -5
"Exothermic gives off heat, endothermic absorbs. It is basic chemistry." Fish does have a habit of forgetting what they consider basic knoweldge is actually years of dedication and study for others. "It's stable, but it is meant to mimic dragon fire, so it will be warm...not to drink though."
Without fear, Fish hops onto the ice in the dock. If it was strong enough to hold boats in place, it could handle a small bird person. The talons also give them a nice little grip on the ice so they don't skitter around too much.
They crouch down a bit and brush away some of the snow to get a clean look at the ice. Visually speaking there was good news and bad news, Fish couldn't see the ground so the stability of the ice was solid, but that also meant it was much thicker than normal.
"Fish will need someone to carve a hole through the ice so Fish can measure how deep the ice is....Actually."
Fish pauses a moment and holds out a hand, a little ring jingling along their wrist. The bird glows a moment as they open their beak to mimic The Witch of Moonglade causing the sand below to spike up and puncture up a hole from underneath.[1]
"Fish is always learning and crafting new tools, Fish has to be prepared for any situation so Fish can have a plan. Fish prefers to have as many options as possible. That way Fish is always useful, Fish has to be useful." It was brief, but there was a hitch in their signing at those last parts.
1. Mold Earth
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Dec 27, 2023 16:08:03 GMT -5
“Oh!” He snapped his fingers together in recognition. “Exothermic because the heat goes outside… I get it!” It was probably common, basic knowledge to most chemists, but Cyran was just happy to understand what was going on. He followed the small bird onto the ice with a slight amount of trepidation - not for himself, considering he was capable of flight if anything went wrong, but Fish wasn’t. He kept close to them, ready to swoop in and fly away if anything went wrong.
Cyran summoned a sword to his hands, one that burned with a simmering heat on one side, and one that wept with cold water on the other.[1] “This might help!” Perhaps he could use the heated side to cut through and melt the ice to help Fish determine the thickness? He was so pleased with his solution that he almost missed them raising their hand, an unfamiliar ring glinting in the dim light, and cast magic. Real, honest to god magic.
Cyran secured the sword to his hip, clapping his hands like a parent who’d just been shown a particularly impressive card trick while their kid was just learning how to shuffle and flourish. “Wow, when did you learn that? That was…”
Oh. Oh, no.
Fish didn’t have a proper voice to express what they were feeling. They didn’t need one. Cyran could see the tremble in their hands all the same.
Cyran took a step closer to Fish, if the bird would let him - bent down on his knees, grabbing Fish’s hands with his own. It was perhaps something overly close, not something Fish would enjoy, but for a moment, even just a single moment, he wanted Fish to be able to set down the tools, to stop, and listen. A gentle touch, a reassuring one; though he was mindful not to restrict Fish’s communication, and squeezed their hands once before settling his hands in his lap. He remained at eye level, his voice gentle, yet unyielding.“Fish, you don’t have to constantly be trying to prove your worth to others. You don’t have to be constantly working. You’re already so talented…”
Cyran took a deep breath and stared at little hands who’d already learned so much when Fish wasn’t even a decade old. “You could be bad at everything you tried and I’d still treasure you and enjoy every second we spent together.”
He closed his eyes, watery with unshed tears. He wanted to cry, his heart aching for the child who’d been denied the chance to be a child and discover themselves beyond what they meant to people. But they were still young. Perhaps it wasn’t too late for them to know they were valued. “Has - has anyone ever told you that before? That you have to be… useful?” 1. Summon: Possession (Master Ronrik’s Training Shortsword, equipped with Drowned and Scorched enchantment)
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Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Dec 27, 2023 20:10:39 GMT -5
Fish does take a half hop back to protect the freedom if their hands as they snap their attention up to Cyran. It was less a rejection of the elf and more an instinctual response, so much of their sense of self is in those hands. It is both how they work and how they speak. It took weeks for Del to convince Fish the benefits of talon care.
The silence is probably thick on the air, thicker than the ice below them, as Fish just sort of stares back as Cyran speaks. Spending enough time around him, Del, Kvasir, even Morrigan had made them less suspicious of moments like this. It was still strange. Fish noticed the water in they eyes and the shakiness of the breaths. One of the many oddities of Fish was a honed ability to read people, but lacking any sort of emotional intelligence. It was a weird product of being raised in a thieves guild, only taught to read others and never themselves.
"Fish knows the Fish has to be useful...what else is Fish supposed to be? Fish does not like being helpless, if Fish is useful, then Fish can make more things or have the money to buy more things, if Fish can do that, then Fish isn't helpless. Fish can make potions, Fish is learning magic with Aunt Kamille, Fish has designed a gun. All of these things make Fish useful which make Fish not helpless."
Ah, the rare moment where Fish's age comes starkly into view. There are no tears, the bird doesn't know how to cry, but there is that childish defiance in their stare. That look when a kid has decided on something to be an absolute truth of this world despite knowing very little about anything outside themselves. As much traveling as they have done, as many things they have seen, it's pretty clear to Cyran just how much naivety is left....and how much there is for him untangle to help Fish.
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Jan 6, 2024 20:51:41 GMT -5
Cyran let Fish go - he wasn’t offended. The fact that the child had let him this close was already a sign of trust, one he never intended to break. So young and fragile… someone who’d already been hurt and abandoned and built themselves into someone who wouldn’t care. It was easy for one to lose sight of the hurts that lingered underneath.
Even as he spoke, he expected Fish to shut the conversation down, to reroute them back to the mission at hand.
Yet they didn’t.
He pursed his lips while they listed all the accomplishments they’d achieved, their developments in learning magic with Lady Kamille… their development of the - well, Cyran didn’t know what a gun was, but that was inconsequential in the moment. All of these wonderful things, and all Cyran could see was a child asking, in their own words, please be proud of me. Please don’t leave me. All conflicting with, I’m fine the way I am. Don’t coddle me. Stop.
Cyran felt as if he was treading on thin ice… for entirely different reasons.
“And those are all wonderful things - every day we spend together I’m in awe of all that you’ve accomplished.” Cyran chose his words slowly, carefully, unsure how to help or make it worse. He was untangling a deep knot, and his efforts might serve to loosen it, or force it to clam up further. He wanted Fish to talk to him. “And I am so, so proud of you for surviving on your own so far when no one was around to help you. It’s not like that anymore. You can ask people for help when you need it. You can talk to me, and Del, and we can give you money, and there’s always a bed for you in our home. And you have Aunt Kamille, and your friends in the Consortium… and all of us, I’m certain, will make sure that you can live the way you want, without being self-sufficient. We will never let you feel useless again.”
His shoulders slumped then, though he never stopped looking at Fish.
“You don’t have to be useful all the time. You can just be Fish.”
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Post by Fish the Tinkerer on Jan 7, 2024 0:51:21 GMT -5
There is another silence as Fish has to consider everything said. It is a lot to process and the longer it takes the more it bothers Fish. Normally they are quick to process new things, but there is no hard math to run for feelings. Fish can't just run a calculation in their head to figure out how to respond.
"Fish has to be useful....Fish wants to be useful." The quick and rapid way they usually signed was gone. Fish was usually so confident and sure in what they were going to say, but now there was all kinds of hesitation.
Honestly....Fish probably didn't actually have the vocabulary for some of the things they wanted to say. There had been small moments of kindness in the thieves guild that first found them...someone taught them sign language after all....but everything was so transactional. Fish learned sign language in exchange for forging documents. They learned alchemy in exchange for food, they learned to pickpocket so they had a bed.
Up until now, everything in Fish's life had come as a part of a transaction and they were made aware of that. Davril may have taken them in because they were amused at the would-be child thief, but he also made it clear they had to earn their keep. So, being stared down by Cyran who was offering something that seemed so important to him, but asking for nothing in return was not something Fish knew how to handle.
"I am being Fish....it's all Fish knows how to do." As devastating as that may be for Cyran to see the little bird say, there is a flash of hope in there. For the first time since Cyran has known them, perhaps even in their life, Fish signed in the first person. A brief moment of their world view shifting in a small, but important way.
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