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Post by opius on Apr 5, 2022 9:16:54 GMT -5
CautionCat:
Three days ago, Konane and her new companions started out on a new adventure to the Black Tower. No wait... White Tower, located south... east? The... City of Illia? Something something important information needs to get there, and Alain, the strange disheveled man who seemed to be in with the King of Astor, for some strange reason, needed some help getting there. So, why not the brand new party that had little to no experience in anything? It made Alain's relation seem less weird, when she looked at herself now in with royalty. Somehow. Kind of? Alastair seemed to have much different thoughts...
But Sae was important, and already a little seasoned in... travel and battle. She guessed. That and the badge of the group she was in was very important as well. Like a traveling guard. Or... something.
Konane needed to get better at learning details and remembering things. It was all overwhelming, and having no place else to go, her and Klinkle decided it was best to travel with these folks. Hopefully she would learn quickly.
The further from Otori, the better. She guessed. At least they didn't die in their travels prior to bumping into this group. Maybe she wasn't that unlucky?
During their day travel, much was quiet. A few conversations here and there, but nothing as awkward as the first day's travel. Although amusing, she didn't like how everyone seemed to pick on Alastair. But he seemed well to hold his own, even if he was a little stuttery doing so.
The first two nights, Konane watched Alastair and Sae do their tinkering. She wandered to the wagon the first night to sleep on horse feed. The second night she fell asleep on the ground while the other two worked.
The third night, however, Alain caught her attention with his book. What was he reading? The night prior she had asked about him talking to himself, but maybe it was an Aegien thing. Jennar was also from there... both of them saying more or less the same thing.
Weird. But acceptable.
But books? Well, books were fun to learn about. Alastair's book, although just notes from his late professor, was still interesting. Once everyone started to settle, Sae and Tali doing their vote on who had first watch, Konane would make her way to Alain, taking a seat by the fire near him.
"Alain." She smiled a moment, nodding. "You are... very invested in that book, hai?"
Ancelas:
Alain had settled his pack behind him like a backrest, his bedroll set up beside it so that he could sleep under the stars. He was indeed reading his book, facing the fire, and if the darkness obfuscated the text, he did not seem to care.
"Mm," he said without looking up from it. "It is an old journal of mine. A notebook. In which I keep notes to peruse later..." He looked up, blinking owlishly before reaching up to adjust his glasses before looking at Konane. "Oh, hello Konane." He flashed her a cheerful smile in greeting.
CautionCat:
"Konbanwa." She watched him back, legs crossed on the ground, her hands resting on her knees. Journals, red hair... did they all do that? That was a silly thought, and she shook her head to herself.
"I should keep a journal. I forget too easily." Her voice was soft, as her eyes glanced to the fire, the warmth pleasant. "How long have you been using it?"
Ancelas:
"Years. I forget when I started, exactly." He closed the book and tucked it into one of the inner pockets of his cloak. "It is a good habit to have. There are some things that are better kept on paper than in one's head, for more reasons than simply recollection." Some Aegiens tended to have a sharp accent, but Alain's was softer, almost a slurring of sounds as he spoke in Common.
"I've found that recording one's thoughts frees one's mind for other thoughts, and places the things one wishes to remember in one easy to read place." He shrugged. "Not everyone has the temperament for it, alas. I've noticed that several members of our esteemed Company favor the discipline, however."
CautionCat:
Konane watched him put his book away, and then glanced around a moment, before looking back to him, brows raised. "Writing is very common for Otonins. I never picked up the habit..." She shrugged, frowning slightly. "I never expected to go traveling... This is all very new to me."
She smiled some, and scooted a little closer to him, observing his face and mannerisms. His accent was different, but she didn't think much of it. Everyone, to her, spoke very differently.
Her body language showed much curiosity in the man, even without the book. "But yes, I agree... you can't remember everything at once. My memory of names... places... not so well. It took some time to remember my..." She glanced around at the bodies settling or already settled. "Companions' names. It is hard to imagine it has already been a little more than a month." She chuckled softly. "I am thankful that I can at least become not lost."
Ancelas:
"Where's the fun if you don't get a little lost on the way?" Alain winked at her and smiled. "In my experience, adventure rarely comes to the willing or the prepared. Not at first. To have lasted as long as you have is something to be proud of. You are doing quite well."
He turned his gaze to survey the motley group. "You and your companions make for a strange party. I have seen stranger, true, but there is such an eclectic mix of experience among you. Such diverse individuals, yet you have all found a way to work with one another... to triumph over adversity..."
Alain pursed his lips. "But it is early yet. Circumstance has brought you together... but it may still drive you apart. Either way, best enjoy the path as you walk it, yes?"
CautionCat:
Konane frowned slightly, but nodded. "I do not know where it will lead me, but as frightened as I am... I am enjoying it." Her eyes stayed on him as he spoke, amber hues catching the flicker of the fire. She tilted her head. "Have you ever a group like this? Travel the world? You seem... well seasoned."
Ancelas:
His expression flickered, and his smiled turned sad. He looked into the fire, still smiling, but it was a far away thing. "Once. A long time ago. They were... good people. We had many memorable adventures together."
He paused a moment before continuing. "It's been some time, though. I'm afraid I've grown a bit... rusty. Not as accomplished as I used to be."
He turned his gaze back on Konane. "What did you do, back in Otori?"
CautionCat:
She tilted her head, her curious expression continued. She smiled, but her brows showed some sadness. She wanted to ask him more about his adventures, but he seemed awfully sad about the memories that came up. She moved a little closer, her shoulder lightly grazed against his for a moment, before she settled and sat upright. The scent of flowers grew stronger.
"I used to help my mother's herbal business. There was an alchemist who I would deliver her goods to. He... noticed I had a peculiarity." She paused, looking to him. "I am able to use magic, without a focus, or a spell book. I used to study in his lab. That is where I met Klinkle, the Kenku."
Konane played with the hem of her sleeve, tugging it down over her forearm, mostly fiddling with the fabric. "However, my magic can... do strange things. Sometimes if I try a spell, I will cast something different." She paused, and then chuckled. "I turned Klinkle into a potted plant once. She did not like that. I was trying to use ah... mage hand to collect a book."
Ancelas:
Alain laughed, easily and openly, at the idea of the suspicious kenku being turned into a potted plant. The sadness that Konane caught sight of seemed to have vanished, his mood mercurial but cheerful.
"Yes, I have heard of this," he said, still chuckling. "Individuals with whom magic comes naturally, without need for study or pledges of allegiance. Sorcerers, they are called. Some hail from draconic bloodlines, others draw power from the storms themselves. You, it seems, are of a wilder breed, where magic can swell into unpredictable surges. Keep practicing - you may yet gain control of your powers and become a formidable force indeed."
He glanced at her, smiling wryly, but there was a peculiar look in his eyes, full of dancing firelight, that could not quite be placed.
CautionCat:
"I hope so." She smiled, glad to see he wasn't dwelling on the past. At least, showing it. She wanted to ask more, but decided to steer to something else she had on her mind.
"Your red hair..." She pursed her lips slightly, raising her hand but keeping it within her own space. "I have never seen such color before. Is it... An Aegien trait?" Although Alastair was also a red head, she chose not to bring him up in the conversation.
"I have only seen dark browns... Maybe some... Blonde with traders."
Ancelas:
"My... oh," Alain laughed, reaching up to touch his unruly red hair. "Yes, it's common in Aegise, but less so here. Among humans, at least. There are many gnomes and halflings in Liore with red hair, and a number of Elves in Ilyria, but it is rare among humans in this part of the world. It is more common across the ocean, in Farondale, Falstad... some of the northern kingdoms in Gavony. There, you're known to be 'kissed by fire' if you have red hair."
He tilted his head slightly toward her, noting her raised hand. "Go on, if you like. There's nothing special about it beyond its color, really." True enough - if she touched it, she would find his hair somewhere between soft and wiry, likely due to the days on the road.
CautionCat:
Konane smirked, and ran her hand through his hair. Her fingers we're gentle, nails lightly grazing the scalp as she slowly moved, admiring the texture.
Not as soft as Alastair's, but Alain was older after all. How much older? It was rude to ask one's age, especially those older than yourself, so she held back the question.
"There is nothing special, no. But it reminds me of... Autumn." She had paused longer than she normally would, recalling the proper translation of the season. "It is also a very handsome color."
She smiled, and stroked his hair a second time, before returning her hand to her lap, her eyes on his for the moment.
Ancelas:
"I've always thought so myself." He flashed her another smile and turned his gaze back to the fire before settling back against his pack. "Otonins have such an intriguing way of looking at the world around them. It is a country balanced between beauty and barbarity, if you don't mind me saying so. I really ought to make a point of visiting it again sometime..."
He folded his hands in his lap as his expression grew pensive. "One of the bravest men I've ever known was Otonin. Born to a merchant family, but set off on his own to be a captain when he was young. Truly incredible." Again, there was that half smile, followed by a slight shake of the head.
"You have been pleasant company tonight, Konane. Thank you."
CautionCat:
Konane raised her brows at the Otonin talk. She shook her head. "I do agree. A lot of practice can be... Barbaric." She then frowned deeply, and hugged her arms around herself, looking to the fire.
"They are a very superstitious race." She spoke as if the Otonins were separate from herself, as she lost herself in thought for a moment.
"Though, not all of us are. Thankfully." She smiled again, a slight chuckle in her voice, before looking to Alain again.
"If there was a tent, I would offer you to join me. You seem full of stories... And it is a little cool this evening." She softly bit her lip, a coy expression on her face. "However, I do not think that is appropriate without privacy."
She then snickered, glancing away.
Ancelas:
Alain chuckled. "While I believe that offer might mean different things, where we come from. Regardless, I appreciate it, though I would have had to decline. I've... been on my own for a long time, and I'm afraid I've grown accustomed to nothing but the firelight and my shadow for company." He smiled, more to himself than anything else.
"The more time I spend travelling, the more I realize just how superstitious humankind can be. For good reason, I suppose. There is truth in every story, in every belief, in every far-flung tale, no matter how much the scholars of the world might mock such notions. There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in their philosophies. You are living proof of such a notion, don't you think?" he observed, glancing over at her.
A pause.
"After all, everything you've... seen. How many superstitions and religious mythology have you been exposed to, in your short time travelling?"
CautionCat:
Konane smiled. "It means anything you want... I enjoy company, but I respect solitude."
He spoke, and she listened, her gaze growing sleepy.
Then he mentioned something of her being living proof. Her brows furrowed, and for a moment she felt fear creep up in her chest. He paused, and added a question.
"I... Uh..." Did he know what she was? What gave it away? No... She was just being paranoid. Just... Paranoid.
She was quiet for a moment, then chuckled. "The most I have seen so far is...casual racism between elves and humans." She swallowed, mouth dry. "Or throwing blame to another kingdom when trouble arises... And what seemed to be some kind of misunderstanding between the elves?"
Her brows knitted, she felt that fleeing sensation build up inside. She took a deep breath, looking back to him.
"I can't stay up like you can, it seems. I would love to talk more... Perhaps during our ride tomorrow. If... You are willing. I should get to sleep."
She smiled to him, but she couldn't hide her nervousness even if she tried. "Have a good rest, Alain-sama. Thank you for your words of wisdom." She would rise, and deeply bow to him. If he did not say any more, she would make her way to the wagon to rest.
Ancelas:
Casual racism. That made him grin. "Konbanwa, Konane-sama," Alain responded, the Otonin sounding odd in his slightly slurred, Aegien accent. He lifted two fingers to touch the side of his forehead, as though tipping an imaginary hat. "Sleep well."
He turned to regard the fire for a moment and then reached into his coat, retrieving his journal. He flipped it open to a different page than the one he had been on earlier and proceeded to read.
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