|
|
Post by SummerCrow on Jul 28, 2015 19:45:51 GMT -6
The rest of the voyage passed uneventfully. The worst that happened was a seagull snatching a sandwich from a hungry sailor. Captain Rallos easily guided the damaged ship into the port just as noon strikes.
"I'll see to it that enough antitoxin is sent to the sickbay immediately," Marian promises Rallos.
"Thanks for that, Mrs. V- Marian," Rallos says.
"Think nothing of it. It simply wouldn't do for an employee to die of something so easily preventable. The company will cover the expenses, of course," Marian tells him. "Ah, yes. Would you call for my escorts to assemble in the bridge, please?"
"Of course," Rallos says, picking up the speaker. "Alicorn Wing, you're needed on the bridge."
Marian addresses the four mages. "Your contract is complete. As per the agreement, a small bonus of 200 sovereign will be added to Alicorn Wing's payment. Additionally, once unloading is complete, Captain Rallos will return you to Harborshore Town, unless you wish to make alternate arrangements. Naturally, beds and dinner will be provided. However, be aware the ship will leave at 7PM promptly - which, based on Ian's track record, means it will leave around 6PM... At any rate."
She walks along in front of them. She stops in front of Aldous. "You performed admirably." She steps in front of Atticus, pauses, then walks on to Hecate without saying anything. "Your manners could use some polish, but you've definitely got promise as a mage. Perhaps you'd consider a position at the Vallast Trading Company? I'm certain we could find a decent bodyguard position for you babysitting some member of middle-management, with room for promotion."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2015 19:57:08 GMT -6
Hecate manages a light smile and repeat of actions she had seen Leone do: a quick curtsy. "Your offer is good Mrs. Vallast, but I have people here in this guild that... I like, so I'll have to decline.your offer,"She said politely.
As she said this, her eyes travelled to Leone, Aldous, and then Atticus. She smiled at them before turning her attention back to her target. "But thank you for your hospitality."
|
|
|
|
Post by SummerCrow on Jul 28, 2015 21:15:25 GMT -6
Marian crosses her arm. "Hm. So that's how it is? Well, if you change your mind just walk into any Vallast office and use my name."
Marian steps in front of Leone. She taps her finger against her elbow a few times, then sighs. "...I suppose I must accept your apology, if you will accept mine. I may have been too harsh earlier. Please understand that my family is a point of... contention."
"I understand the feeling, ma'am. Thank you," Leone says.
"Pardon my asking, but that was memory-make magic before, yes?" Marian asks.
"...Yes," Leone answers, silently cursing to herself.
"I see. If you'll excuse me, I must attend to business in town. As I said, our contract is completed. Feel free to wander the town at your own discretion. And remember, 6PM." With that, Marian turns on her heel and clicks out of the room, down the gangplank, and straight the mayor's office to begin a day of meaningless pleasantries and platitudes.
"...Well, what shall we do to pass the time until we depart?" Leone asks after Marian leaves.
"6PM may a bit early," Rallos interrupts. "What with the damages. We'll need to make sure everything's ship-shape before we ship out. Probably closer to 7PM after all."
"...Right. Well, then, what shall we do until then?"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2015 21:37:10 GMT -6
"Have fun of course!" Atticus exclaims, his smile returning now that Marian is gone. "We could do a few fun activities... Maybe see what's the situation here. Explore, you onow, do other things?" He suggests.
Hecate purses her lips. "I'm going to agree with Atticus for once. We should see what there is to do around here, and then do it. We might have some guild quests stocked up when we return... And some of us need to get our minds off... Bad memories, no?"
Aldous silently agreed by nodding, and then checked his watch. There was plenty of time to do things before they had to return.
"What do you think?" Hecate asked Leone again.
|
|
|
|
Post by SummerCrow on Jul 28, 2015 21:46:49 GMT -6
"Well of course we should have some fun!" Leone cheers, ignoring the bit about memories. "It may only be 6 hours, but a vacation is still a vacation! I vote we start by finding somewhere for a nice lunch. After that... hmm. I should stop by the market to get some thread and ribbon... We could visit the local guild, the lighthouse, or see if any of the famous roses are still OK. Anything's fine, really."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2015 22:03:00 GMT -6
"Sounds like a plan," Aldous, Atticus, and Hecate answered simultaneously. It was meant to be humorous. "So, where to first?" Hecate asked. Come to think of it, she also needed better clothes than the cargo brown tunic and shorts she was currently wearing.
It just wasn't her style.
|
|
|
|
Post by SummerCrow on Jul 29, 2015 13:08:26 GMT -6
The detachment of Alicorn Wing manages to find a small restaurant open for business. It's a simple meal, but filled with pleasant conversation. Afterward, Leone drags Hecate to look for some clothing stores, promising to meet up with the twins later.
Leone helps Hecate pick out some clothes, some functional, some frilly. She sends Hecate on her way to try them on while she buys the thread and ribbon she needs.
"After this, shall we head to the local mage guild? It's always nice to meet some other mages. Maybe you can even find a... sparring partner, hm? Always good to practice with multiple people." Leone asks Hecate from outside the dressing room.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2015 13:24:20 GMT -6
Hecate steps out, uncomfortable in the black leggings, blue-and-white dress with frills... And a little sun hat. "A sparring partner? I could opt for that. I've fought you once, so it might be best for me to branch out like you said... Get to know other fighting styles... And, is there a particular reason you dress this way?" She inquired, pointing at the dress she currently wore.
|
|
|
|
Post by SummerCrow on Jul 29, 2015 13:37:16 GMT -6
"Sometimes, one just wants to feel beautiful, no?" Leone asks. "You look really cute, by the way! You'd definitely turn some heads wearing that." Noticing Hecate's unenthused face, she quickly suggests something else. "Though, perhaps that's not quite your style. You might be better suited for a more... mature look? Something dark, with an open back, perhaps? You do tend to destroy quite a few outfits with those wings of yours."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2015 13:47:47 GMT -6
"Yeah..." Hecate mumbled, her eyes lowering. She did tear a lot of her clothes unexpectedly. "Like a backless dress then? I don't really like dresses... I prefer casual clothing. But, I probably should find something that I can wear without tearing."
She returned to the dressing room to recharge.
|
|
|
|
Post by SummerCrow on Jul 29, 2015 16:00:36 GMT -6
"O-oh... Right... Flying around in a dress would be a bit... A-anyway! Try the 3rd outfit I picked out. It similar to what you normally wear, the closest I could find, anyway." Leone waited a few moments until Hecate could be heard changing. "Um... Hecate? I'm... sorry. Don't think I'm trying to make you change or anything, and I'm definitely not trying to make you a carbon copy of myself. You already look perfect in your normal outfit, after all. I just thought trying something new could be... well, fun. Oh, listen to me rambling. I'm... going on ahead to the guild, I'll meet you there. Can't keep the boys waiting forever, right?"
Leone left the store at a brisk walk, heading straight for Silver Chimera's guild hall.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2015 16:24:59 GMT -6
Hecate finished dressing in a simple pair of shorts and shirt. Both black in color. It wasn't what she usuall wore, but the shirt did have zippers on the back, which was a nice bonus to when she decided to use her wings.
Stepping out, and then remembering Leone's words, she paused. "She's always running off around me. ...Do I actually frighten people so much?" She wondered aloud. She paid for the clothes, and then stepped outside the store. There was a bit of a dejectedness in the way she walked. She headed towards the Guild Hall, where two familiar people stood.
---------
Atticus and Aldous had spent most of the time wandering and exploring Rosebud. Of course, Aldous being Aldous, they were right at the guild hall... Exactly as schedule demanded.
Atticus tapped his feet patiently. "Wonder where... Speak of the wind, there's Hecate right there... And Leone!"
|
|
|
|
Post by SummerCrow on Jul 29, 2015 18:27:27 GMT -6
Leone used the lonely walk to the guild hall to sort out her thoughts. There aren't many good ones. "Letting Marian see me using memory-make magic, bringing up family... of all the foolish things to do. But what to do about it...? Maybe... maybe Marian will be distracted enough to just forget- no. That's not Marian. In the best case, Marian will just let this go. Maybe send a letter or two, just to make sure I know she knows. In the worst case... The thought of leaving Alicorn Wing makes me sick. After all these years... Going back on the run? Maybe I can find a way to make peace...?"
The stroll was much too short for Leone's satisfaction. Nothing was resolved, she still needed more time to sort things out. "Aldous, punctual as always. Atticus, what a pleasant surprise that you made it on time. Oh... Hecate! That was... fast. If you were that close behind me, you could have just called out! Um... Shall... Shall we go in?"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2015 19:16:00 GMT -6
"Yeah, let's go in. Nothing we should really be worried about." Hecate nodded. Or, at least that's what she thought as she opened the door. Aldous was the second to step in, as Atticus was presumably the last.
What they saw was...
|
|
|
|
Post by Neo on Jul 29, 2015 20:13:33 GMT -6
"Drink! Drink!"
"Drink! Drink!"
The loud, steady cheer echoed off the walls of the Guild Hall, as the front doors swung open. The vast majority of the members were downstairs, crowded around the two long wooden tables for lunch, watching the historic contest. Orion and Zalia were sitting beside each other at the bar, each sitting on their stool angled towards each other. Their right elbows were braced on the counter, their arms locked in a fierce arm wrestling contest, while a mug of ale splashed in their left hands. Magic Power crackled around the two like lightning, sparking all over the Guild Hall- harmlessly, mind- and their blazing auras were intense. The entire Guild Hall seemed to be trembling from the force of their contest, though none of the Wizards present seemed to be concerned in the slightest.
The contest had been raging for nearly an hour, without either side showing any sign of giving in. Though the "special effects" were a more recent thing. Orion's face was tight with concentration, and his arm shook slightly, his surprising muscles bulging- All of his Guildmates, aside from Eden, had no idea the "frail" priest was actually that strong. At least physically. In fact, nearly everyone had bet on Zalia at first.
Zalia, meanwhile, merely grinned. She didn't seem to be affected at all. "Ready to surrender yet, my boy?" She asked, and took a swig of her drink.
"Me? Surrender?" Orion asked in feigned innocence, chuckling. His voice was slightly strained, though only the most observant members would have noticed, since he quickly hid it by taking a swig of his own drink.
"We got visitors," Velia announced, her voice slightly curious, as she leaned back in her chair and propped her feet up on Lucian's lap. He was wise enough not to complain. She was the first one to notice the visitors- two women and two men- who just stood in the doorway, stunned.
"Welcome to Silver Chimera," Velia called out, grinning.
|
|
|
|
Post by Golurkcanfly on Jul 29, 2015 20:16:34 GMT -6
Grigori stood in from the corner where he half-watched the contest with a mixture of disinterest and disapproval.
|
|
|
|
Post by SummerCrow on Jul 29, 2015 20:31:17 GMT -6
Leone smiled uncomfortably. "Hello, neighbors. ...Sorry, are we interrupting something?"
|
|
|
|
Post by empireoffire on Jul 29, 2015 20:37:02 GMT -6
In front of him, a giant angry polar bear. A quick glance to the left. Another angry polar bear. The same to the right. A snarl behind him alerted him to the presence of another giant angry bear behind him, though whether or not it was polar was currently unconfirmed. In the frigid landscape blanketed in a thick snowstorm, with any evidence of civilization nearby being a distant memory, Gareth drew his blade. In response, the polar bears in sight donned their battle helmets, stood up, and brought out their weapons; front had a mace, left a battle axe, right a spiked flail, and the unmistakable noises of a chainsaw from the one behind made it obvious what weapon it held.
"You have crossed me for the last time," said Gareth. "Now.. It's time you were payed your dues!"
Gareth and all four giant angry polar bears bellowed long and angry yells as Gareth charged at the polar bear in front and said bear prepared a vertical swing.
Lying on his bed, Gareth shifted slightly in his sleep.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2015 20:39:00 GMT -6
Hecate offered no smile at Velia's words. She looked around, her eyes landing on the contest before roaming around the hall. It was bigger than theirs.
Atticus arched his eyebrows at the contest before glancing at Aldous. Aldous had nothing of note to say except make a light frown, but that was all.
|
|
|
|
Post by GX1997 on Jul 29, 2015 20:47:07 GMT -6
Seeing that they had visitors, Eden stood up from her seat near the end of the table and walked to the front door to greet the strangers personally. "Welcome to the home of Silver Chimera. I can already tell you're all wizards, so come on in."
This is normally Zalia's job, but she's busy and no one else is doing anything, so...
"Now that I can see your guild emblems, you're from Alicorn Wing, right? I hear you guys are getting a lot of work lately. Is that what brought you to this town?" she asked in the most friendly manner she could.
|
|
