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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Jun 16, 2024 20:16:21 GMT -5
Cyran’s particular brand of fatherly humor was not particularly amusing to most people; thankfully, the young man seemed to find joy in it, which made Cyran start laughing in turn. It took… a considerably long time for them to calm down, after which the elf offered to split the pay between both of them.
Cyran shook his head, waving a dismissive hand. “Oh, really… there is no need. I’ve no need for the pay.” He was living hand to mouth at the moment, considering his choice to leave behind his profession, but… he was making it work. Between himself and Del they had the survival skills to hunt small game for food, and they were making it work. It was enough that he did not need to take someone else’s hard-earned solars for something he’d done as a favor. “You can keep it, seriously. It is your job, and the last thing I’d want is to step in and take away your earnings.”
He shook the young man – Marion’s – hand as it was offered. Marion certainly seemed to spread a certain level of infectious joy wherever he went, and Cyran felt himself relaxing somewhat. Mostly, he was grateful that Marion had taken him up on his offer, for the time being. Even after a short amount of knowing one another, he already worried about the kind of danger that Marion might find.
It was probably the smile – the expression of pure joy. It reminded him of Marlow.
His precious daughter.
Marion spoke then, and Cyran realized that he was being addressed. He came back to the present, tearing himself out of his thoughts. “Yes, of course! If this was all you had to hang up, we could go get something to eat, and…”
The ex-assassin trailed off as he spotted movement out of the corner of his eye. A smattering of elven and human guards in Moonglade finery, the same kind of uniform worn by guards that protected the upper echelons of the city. The same manner of guards who’d thrown him from his father’s estate and cast him away from Moonglade by threat of death if he ever returned.
It cannot be that they’ve recognized me… can it? It had been over ten years since he’d been exiled. A pittance in an elven lifespan, but nothing to sneeze at in a human’s. His father had covered up all news of the scandal surrounding his banishment to the point where his name was nothing more than an amusing secret among the Eclipse City nobility, and he doubted any guards would be able to recognize him given how his appearance had changed. Cyran assumed that disinterest would make him safe.
He knew how dangerous it was to assume.
Cyran paled, pursing his lips together as he put a hand on Marion’s shoulder. The guards had yet to draw their weapons, though they were approaching with intention and purpose. They had somehow recognized Cyran, and they’d seen him speaking with Marion. His own carelessness had gotten someone else in trouble. Foolish, stupid –
Now was not the time to reprimand himself. He had to help Marion get out of this mess.
Voice a gentle whisper, he spoke, as not to alarm the young elf. “Do not be afraid. We need to start walking, down that street.” He inclined his head in the opposite direction that the guards were from. “Act natural… once we’ve rounded the corner, run.”
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 16, 2024 20:47:46 GMT -5
Marion’s eyes widened.
He did not know where this came from initially, but he thought fast and now he was on high alert. The elf could hear footsteps- approaching ones. He held his ears still to prevent them from flattening backwards with emotion, and nodded-
Picking up Idun and the glue bucket and the brush- these do need to be returned and the other did say to act natural- he none the less quickly tidied up the papers and folded them and tucked them all somewhat haphazardly into his satchel, before trotting back to the older elf’s side, trying hard not let his racing heart show through as they walked.
He was unsure if speaking is considered as acting natural. He was probably too nervous to talk properly, his voice would definitely hitch and waver- and Marion held Idun close to himself and tried to breath in an even pace. It’s going to be ok. Cyran knows what to do
It did not seem to occur to him that the other could be… a criminal, really, you would expect people to assume that as he instructed them to run from city guards- but Marion didn’t seem to think anything about that- the moon elf had been such a great guy, and the conclusion he jumped to is that there must be some misunderstanding between him and the city, or that there’s some unreasonable law or something- all in all it can’t be Cyran’s fault.
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Jun 20, 2024 15:41:37 GMT -5
It had not yet occurred to Cyran that it might not be the safest thing to trust Marion when they’d not known each other long.
Trust was the furthest thing from his mind. All that remained certain was that those guards meant trouble, and Marion had been involved, all because of his own carelessness. He’d hoped that because it had been long enough since his removal from these lands that they’d have forgotten him. He thought wrong.
But Marion listened, against all rational thought. He truly was very trusting.
Cyran hoped he would not betray that, however inadvertently.
They did not quite pick up their pace, though they moved with purpose. Behind him, Cyran could hear the sound of footsteps picking up. His breath hitched. They were so close to the end of the street, to rounding the corner.
The guards picked up their pace.
The second they dipped into the comfort of the shadows, Cyran called forth the darkness to his aid, and his own shadow took form and life and leapt in the opposite direction.[1] At the same time, Cyran himself hid within the darkness until he was practically invisible to the naked eye.[2] He hoped it would be enough to throw them off Marion’s trail. It had to be.
Still invisible, he leaned over and whispered, “Now run. Don’t look back.”
“HEY!”
He remained at Marion’s heels as the guards rounded the corner - some split off after Cyran, but a few had noticed Marion, and they were beginning to pursue. 1. Shadow Clone (Shadow Dancer) 2. Dark Form (Shadow Dancer)
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 20, 2024 18:50:20 GMT -5
Marion ran.
He quite literally never ran like this in his whole life- never chased, you see, and it was evident how he had yet to learn how to doge pursuit, but still instinctively chose to go where sound is brighter in his ears and go there- he does feel safter in a crowd.
While Marion was not trained as an athlete and was rather... short. He was still a fleet footed as any other elf, and did not seem to get winded after a few seconds. Good news all around, and the elf seemed to get less panicked the more he ran and had his thoughts focused on this instead.
They are not fighters, the Aurea of golden grain, but they are farmers with little more than the magic they can sing and their own strength to rely on, and despite the softness of his smile and the softness of his form, there was callouses on those fingers when you shook his hand before.
And thus Marion ran, and took the path where people are, and eventually came to a large enough crowd- and it is at this time where his height was more of an advantage now, the young elf going in and promptly becoming nigh invisible as other people are able to block his little figure almost perfectly.
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Jun 21, 2024 9:22:53 GMT -5
Cyran could not help but be proud that Marion possessed the survival instincts to know when to remain silent and listen rather than ask questions. He had taught his own share of thieves and would-be assassins, and more than experience, one needed that instinct to drive them; that, above all else, could be honed like a knife.
Marion was kind. But he was far from weak.
Cyran kept an eye on the young lad until the elf disappeared into a crowd, using his height - or lack thereof - to his advantage. For someone whose bright appearance might be viewed as a setback Cyran found himself pleasantly surprised by Marion’s quick thinking.
Good. That was one potential problem taken care of.
Now for the other.
Fortunately, Cyran was old hat at erasing himself from the world.
Still under the safety of the darkness, Cyran crept through the crowd, brushing against the guards with feather-light touches, a ghost in the flesh.[1] And with each brush and touch, the guard lost all memory they’d seen the exile at all. Cyran’s memory, once more, cast into the darkness.
Eventually, the commotion died down, until the guards forgot what they’d been up in arms about in the first place.
It took some time but Cyran located Marion in the crowd once more, dropping his protective cloak with an apologetic frown.
“I think it is safe now.” He still kept his eyes on the crowd for any stray guards he might have missed. “I am… so sorry that happened.” Here, he faltered, unsure what else to say. How did one apologize for accidentally getting someone in trouble with the law? 1. Fade from Memory
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 21, 2024 11:37:38 GMT -5
Marion, after he had went into one of those major streets, quickly hurried to the office to hand in his work- and the tools he had used, of course, to collect his pay- and Cyran found the little guy on one of the streets of the city that sold almost exclusively food, with Marion seated in the outdoor seats of a cafe, Idun leant against the table, and himself happily biting into a brightly coloured strawberry crepe- and he seemed absolutely overjoyed at the sight of Cyran once more.
"You're alright! I was rather worried- I don't know you aren't supposed to be spotted and held you up with all that talk... oh, would it be ok for you to have a sit-down, or should we talk elsewhere? I paid for the food already, so I am free to go wherever."
He smiled widely and tilted his head. While there was some quick thinking that had been involved previously, now that imminent danger had passed it became apparent that the young elf is still quite lacking in alertness or paranoia with him to be able to just decide to grab some food and a sit-down.
"Do you want to grab something to eat too? At least a drink, it's on me!"
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Jun 27, 2024 10:11:13 GMT -5
In all honesty Marion’s reaction was unexpected.
The retired assassin had been awaiting the third degree, the distrust, the interrogation. Yet there was nothing but relief on his expression, and apologies for - for holding Cyran up, of all things. Oh, how the smallest kindest from a random stranger ached.
“Fine, I’m… fine.” He muttered. “No, you’ve nothing to apologize for. It is I who should say sorry for being careless and putting you at risk.” And Marion still wanted to grab something to eat? “I can sit.” He gestured towards the guards down the street, who’d forgotten why they were up in arms and were sullenly returning to their posts. “They won’t come after me again; not anytime soon. You’re safe.”
He sat, body language stiff and awkward and shoulders practically up to his ears. Not worried that the guards would return, but because he was worried Marion might suddenly decide to change his mind and call for the guards after all.
Instead, Marion did none of that, and bid him to eat.
Cyran nodded and waved down a waiter, ordering a small water and a plain sandwich. He was not particularly hungry, but it felt impolite to decline the offer of a meal.
“Don’t worry, I know you’re trying to make a bit of money for your travels; I can pay for my own food.” He offered a polite smile only slightly strained at the edges. “No need to worry about an old man when I can take care of myself. Though from what I’ve just seen, you’ve no problems handling yourself just fine. You still have my apologies for putting you in that spot.”
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 27, 2024 16:12:24 GMT -5
"It's ok! They didn't give my any more trouble, and I've gotten my pay already! I still need some more but I'm sure to be able to buy a Dragoonfly before I leave the city-"
Marion seemed quite excited at that prospect and sort of did an odd little wiggle around in his seat.
"I mean, they are really quite fabulous! While in actuality being the same reptilian wyrm that we all know of, this branch have quite accidentally developed a body type similar enough to insects to have many people mistake their origins otherwise- but if you would examine them closely you will see that the fluff and the seemingly chitinous shell are all derived from the same beta-keratin that is one of the signatures of the dragon family- which, you know, includes crocodilians, snakes, lizards and birds."
Taking a bite out of his own food, Marion swallowed, before continuing, quite eager to share.
"They do not quite metamorphosize the same way insects do, but their larvae are similar in the way that they are soft and generally helpless and quite small, and they take up a different niche as to not compete with the adults- a rather common tactic. These little fellas feed on the decaying matter and corpses and plants and each other, basically anything and everything, with most of the morphs starting their life out in the water, and as they get larger they molt out of their old skins and come on land- "
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Jun 28, 2024 10:58:07 GMT -5
And just like that, the conversation was dropped. Marion seemed far more interested in speaking about his next plans.
“Oh? You’re trying to buy a dragoonfly?” He knew they were local to the area - had seen a few on occasion - but Cyran rarely interacted with them. Marion seemed quite excited about the prospect of having one as a pet. “Really? Tell me about them.”
Once again in dad-mode, he had no problems following along with Marion’s excited train of thought. Marlow used to go on the same rants about whatever potion she was trying to replicate. At the time, she’d been a beginner, but he was still barely able to follow along with the complex science.
Marion’s interests veered in a decidedly different direction.
“Have you ever thought about joining the Winged Expeditionary Force? Part of their goal is to learn more about creatures and improve the understanding of Charon’s wildlife-“ There was the hunting monsters aspect as well, but Cyran could see Marion doing quite well for himself as a scout.
As Marion continued on, the atmosphere grew more relaxed - and Cyran, too, allowed himself to calm. The threat had been taken care of, the job had been completed, and Cyran managed to make a new companion… a rarity these days the more he was isolated due to his own circumstances. All in all, he’d consider this an accomplishment, despite the day’s hiccups.
He sipped on his water and continued to listen while Marion continued talking, content to just sit in the idyllic peace of this moment for the time being.
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 28, 2024 11:36:35 GMT -5
"Winged Expeditionary Force...? I've been hearing about things like... guilds, and similar sorts, but I haven't figured out what they are and what do they do yet. Are they like a sort of... study group? Do you have to have any sort of qualification to apply? Are there tests to attend before being able to get approved?"
It became apparent how he have quite limited knowledge about this sort of stuff, but Marion seemed interested none the less, probably because of the prospect of being able to be with like-minded people in exploration and field work as a whole.
"I have letters for the consortium and the mage's guild, but addressed to the ones at the capitol- dada wrote them, I assume he got to know some people there, maybe, so I'd probably seek them out then, but I've never heard about this winged thing before! Do they cover flora and geographical upmake as well? Historical diggings? Do they have journals for publishing their findings? Oh, I would love to read their papers... studying the ecosystem is something I have always tried to do but it'd a lot of things that one'd need to know, like everything- from the soil to the water physics to the rock type to the weather patterns and seasonal shifts and the shift of the terrain over it's history- and then can one begin truly understanding the ecosystem as the way it exists now, and I'm barely even starting to scratch the surface!"
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Jun 30, 2024 10:30:39 GMT -5
“The expeditionary force is dedicated to hunting monsters, though there’s a good amount of animal animal study involved as well.” He mused. “I’m a member myself. As far as I understand, you just need to be able to hold your own in battle and possess a niche skill.” The ex-assassin mused, remembering his own initiation. “Then you have to hunt a monster and bring it in. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re interested in bestiary studies, it might be worth checking out.”
It did not surprise Cyran that Marion was more interested in the magical and alchemical side of things. Given his love of nature, he probably had a strong connection to the earth. He rambled the way Marlow used to ramble - about science being the key to understanding the world, and how to make it a better place. Cyran could not help the pang of unbidden nostalgia, like a knife slipping between his ribcage.
“I do believe the Consortium publicly disseminates their floral studies.” He’d read a few from Kvasir’s dissertation - it was nice to support an old friend, though it had been some time since they’d seen one another. “I think that if you truly want to learn about those things, both the Mage’s Guild and the Consortium are good places to start. As far as I understand, you are given the resources to study whatever knowledge strikes your fancy.”
He offered a small smile.
“And given your curiosity I definitely think that you’d have no problems obtaining entry. The people of Sol City could probably use someone who cares about the natural world.”
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 30, 2024 17:41:46 GMT -5
"Hunting... " Marion looked abit troubled when he heard that and his ears flattened, but it was more of a knee-jerk reaction more than anything else, as he became thoughtful about it quickly
"... I mean, it makes sense. But you say, we have to hunt a creature and present it as a sort of entry examination?" The little elf frowned. "- I don't really know, I'm not a fighter, and- "
And what? The force should surely not be wasteful or negligent about sustainability, being scholars themselves of biology- and it is necessary, to bring in and dissect and run tests and examinations, before being able to claiming to know anything about these creatures- In all, he understands, but Marion was still abit worried about the mentality of other people in the force.
Which is quite frankly, baseless. So he shook his head and tried to dispel these thoughts. "Oh, I do hope I could get in- They sounded to be really popular and could be quite strict, but it's a good thing that the festival is happening at the capitol too! It can't hurt to try and ask, and if it doesn't work out it'd still be a fun trip."
Kicking his legs, Marion seemed to be cheered by the idea, and his ears lifted back up again.
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Jul 2, 2024 8:41:58 GMT -5
“You don’t have to be a fighter to be a hunter.” Cyran shook his head with a laugh. “Even if you’re not a combatant, there are different kinds of strength. You’ve got a knowledge and love for creatures that helps in the hunt itself. It’s not always about being the strongest person in the room. It’s about being clever.”
He continued to eat, remembering his own initiation test.
“Hell, between me and my fiancé, I look like a novice fighter in comparison.” The words were not spoken with any kind of embarrassment, but rather, with humility and no small amount of affection. “She’s an absolute powerhouse of a woman. I worried about holding my own next to her when we hunted down a monster together. But she’s a survivalist at heart - the two of us found a clever solution to the problem at hand, and we only had to fight the yeti after it had been injured.”
He nodded encouragingly, happy to see that Marion was excited by the prospect of something new. “Exactly. It never hurts to try.” He did not doubt that Marion would be able to secure entry into the guild if he so desired.
“And I wouldn’t worry about the members, either. I have more than a few personal acquaintances of my own who would be delighted to help you get acquainted, should you choose to join.” He laughed again. “Funny enough, many of them are also members of the Golden Consortium. If nothing else, they’d be a trusted and friendly face while you venture into the world.”
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jul 2, 2024 8:58:34 GMT -5
"That would be really helpful- maybe I'd get to work alongside some of my cousins from the consortium! I've never met them before, though, so I don't really know what they'd be like- and your friends as well! I mean, they sound like pretty grand people and very important, I don't know if they'd have the time for me... "
He trailed off abit, and then one can again see how he backtracks the conversation in his mind and go back to a previous subject that was brought up, that funny little pause that would occur when he stares into nothing and then perking up again. "You two fought a yeti? How was it like? Could it speak? How was it's temperament and habits, intelligence level, sociability? Frost Gale is so far away and I only know the basics about them- you know, being giant and them being able to throw rocks and being viciously territorial. Does that change in the reproduction phases of their lives? What do their dens and droppings look like? Are they incentivized to attack people due to their territorial nature or being able to gain rare resources in the wild that people would carry on them? Are they able to make and utilize tools?
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Post by Cyran Fenastra-Asiliari on Jul 8, 2024 10:31:58 GMT -5
“Ah, don’t worry about that. They’re good people.” He knew that Astrid and Kvasir would take care of a new initiate, at the very least. Cyran, admittedly, was unsure about Fish - though it would be good for the kiddo to make some new friends, so perhaps Cyran should nudge Marion their way as well. Not to mention he knew Cypress wanted to join eventually, and if Astrid was to be believed, so did Marlow…
“I’ve no mind for science, but a lot of my kids do.” He assured Marion with a smile. “And between them and your cousins, I’m certain you’d be welcomed right in.”
Cyran was then confronted with a rapid-fire onslaught of questions about the creature he and Del faced off in the northern mountains. Once more it was only his parental training that allowed him to follow Marion’s train of thought - though he found himself temporarily wanting for answers.
Herein lie the problem.
Cyran was a member of the expeditionary force, yes, though he’d mostly joined at Del’s request, because she had wanted them both to get out of the house and take a break after the orphanage’s destruction; and partially, for a more private reason, because being a member of the W.E.F added authenticity to the claim that he was a “hunter”, which he so often used back in the days before he hung up his daggers for good. While it was not entirely untrue that he possessed the skills of one, the Specter had decidedly been a hunter of man rather than beast.
And unfortunately, because of that, Cyran’s creature knowledge was a bit… lacking.
Still, he wracked his brain to recall the event in question. He could give his own observations, at the very least.
“If it could, it certainly was in no mood to speak to us. By the time we stepped in, it was already injured and enraged.” He nodded. “They are very territorial, though I cannot speak to their mating habits - from what I understand about Frostgale in general, though, is that the harsh environment has bred a lack of food. Most large beasts are few and far between these days, which is why there’s been an uptick in efforts to stop poaching up there. We ran into one such group, and they… threatened us.” He kept this part carefully vague. That was indeed the truth, at the very least. “So we sent the yeti after them by stealing its latest kill.”
He perked up.
“I did see the inside of its den!” He’d been the one to steal the deer carcass from its territory. “It was messy, and covered in fur. I believe yeti shed a lot, though it was also mid-spring so perhaps it was also shrugging off its winter coat. I did not see any droppings, though. As far as we could tell, yetis attack travelers for both reasons. And no, we could not see any advanced tools made by the creature. It mainly threw large rocks at us.”
There. That was an answer to most all of his questions.
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