Mr. Caxton came to his feet slowly and walked away from Willow as he was dismissed. As she spoke, he seemed to be pressing his fingers tightly into his nose, as if plugging his eyes. His shoulders seized every time she said the word stabbed. Every second that passed built up a radiation of intensity, that his hand nearly shot off his wrist when he wordlessly demanded his saber.
Bjorn fluttered off to where Helen sat, knowing that, this time, he would not be leaping to his own death. The golem rose her hands, a spark of energy coiling off her fingers. A swift talon silenced her spell.
When the Alchemist finally turned, his cool composure had returned. His eyes dissected her form as she readied herself, and only spent a blink rendering his review of her technique when she committed to her wide swing.
“Wasteful.”
It happened in the course of the word, his legs bent and his toes directed him forward. At the same time his blade went from up in the ready position to curling down to the ground in a twist of his wrist. Carrying through with the wrist motion, his arm directed the orange sword in a delicate rising slice that severed Willow’s forearm from the rest of her body before she could complete her strike.
Gingerly, he bounced backward, coming back to a ready stance. He took only a scant moment to whip her blood off the edge.
“Ms. Fairburn,” spoke Mr. Caxton, with careful gentility and the utmost seriousness, “before you lose consciousness, can you explain the differences with our form in that last exchange? I’ve already given you a hint.”
[The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Last edited by Kokuten on Sun Oct 19, 2025 6:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Blinding pain lanced up Willow’s arm, and for a moment she shut down. Stumbling along what she had planned to be her roll route the teen collapsed to her knees again. A high-pitched whine escaped her lips as she clamped her remaining hand around the bloody stump of the other. From the back of her mind, she found enough sensibility to force herself to take steady breaths to try and prevent going into shock; all the while forcing her mind to remember the gimmick of these fights. They were real for all intents and purposes, but in the end she’d recover; even from this… hopefully.
“See…” Willow growled through grit teeth. “Works like a charm! I completely forgot about feeling dehydrated.”
Through raw determination, the teen sat up before pushing herself to her feet. She could still do this, she just needed to grab the saber again.
“Oh god my hand is still grabbing it!” she buckled a bit as she saw her severed hand and ended up back on one knee. Her arm felt like it was on fire, and the rest of her body felt cold; meanwhile Mister Caxton wanted to quiz her. Wrenching her eyes shut to block out the spinning view beyond, Willow tried to recall what the man had asked her.
“Was it the wasteful remark?” she asked while doing an imitation of Percy. “Only other things I can think of are Star Wars references. Guess… guessing y’aren’t tryna make me a Skywalker, so gonna go with Answer A; wasteful movement.”
“See…” Willow growled through grit teeth. “Works like a charm! I completely forgot about feeling dehydrated.”
Through raw determination, the teen sat up before pushing herself to her feet. She could still do this, she just needed to grab the saber again.
“Oh god my hand is still grabbing it!” she buckled a bit as she saw her severed hand and ended up back on one knee. Her arm felt like it was on fire, and the rest of her body felt cold; meanwhile Mister Caxton wanted to quiz her. Wrenching her eyes shut to block out the spinning view beyond, Willow tried to recall what the man had asked her.
“Was it the wasteful remark?” she asked while doing an imitation of Percy. “Only other things I can think of are Star Wars references. Guess… guessing y’aren’t tryna make me a Skywalker, so gonna go with Answer A; wasteful movement.”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
“Yes, wasteful movement,” confirmed Mr. Caxton, approvingly, as if he knew that was all he was going to get out of her, “Movement in deadly situations is all about economy. Consider, your attack…”
By now, he had walked his blade back over to the pensive, faceless golem, who seemed eager to receive the weapon. Mr. Caxton turned it sideways, returning it with a degree of ceremony. The golem took it with as much restraint as it could have, before it immediately began to charge the item with magic.
A loud bell tolled, and suddenly Willow’s pain ended. Blue vines of glowing energy erupted from her severed arm and her stump. They grew towards each other, scooping up blood along the way. Then, as if a ripcord were pulled, the loose arm, discarding the saber, snapped back into place and mended back onto the stump.
“... wide, powerful; let’s call it… ¥2000. Mine, narrow and precise. Cost? Merely ¥1000. A deal. For every one of your movements, I could execute two of mine. For matched weapons, like sabers, you are already dead by the time you spend your attack. I strike your arm, which is open to committing to a powerful attack and then use the momentum of the swing to draw back before you have finished.”
Percival dared to show a smile, “If you think about it, I saved you ¥1000, since you didn’t even finish the swing. Not counting the cost of a lost arm. Anywho. That is another loss. You may return to your room.”
By now, he had walked his blade back over to the pensive, faceless golem, who seemed eager to receive the weapon. Mr. Caxton turned it sideways, returning it with a degree of ceremony. The golem took it with as much restraint as it could have, before it immediately began to charge the item with magic.
A loud bell tolled, and suddenly Willow’s pain ended. Blue vines of glowing energy erupted from her severed arm and her stump. They grew towards each other, scooping up blood along the way. Then, as if a ripcord were pulled, the loose arm, discarding the saber, snapped back into place and mended back onto the stump.
“... wide, powerful; let’s call it… ¥2000. Mine, narrow and precise. Cost? Merely ¥1000. A deal. For every one of your movements, I could execute two of mine. For matched weapons, like sabers, you are already dead by the time you spend your attack. I strike your arm, which is open to committing to a powerful attack and then use the momentum of the swing to draw back before you have finished.”
Percival dared to show a smile, “If you think about it, I saved you ¥1000, since you didn’t even finish the swing. Not counting the cost of a lost arm. Anywho. That is another loss. You may return to your room.”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
“Ooooh, somehow that’s even more unsettling that looking at my own dismembered hand,” Willow grumbled as she rubbed the place where her arm had been severed. Sure, she felt fine, but that was mostly in a physical sense. Mentally, she could remember the feeling of the clean cut Mister Caxton had made, and her now reattached hand was trembling. This was going to be agony. Hell, it was going to be damn near torture. What’s more, she was expected to march to it willingly, but in fact it was a degree worse as she needed to fight her way to get to it. Scrunching her eyes shut, a slight smile crossed her face. She was living a Dark Souls game. Now, in no way was she going to vocalize that, seeing as she’d just made her case about knowing she wasn’t playing a game.
“Here ta git gud,” she said to herself as she rose once more. For a few moments she didn’t move any further and looked between Mister Caxton and her saber. Briefly, very briefly, she considered picking the sword up and rushing the older man’s back. She shook her head at that. Following the surprise teacup she had felt bad enough, and she knew that if she won by stabbing the man in the back she would resent the victory; probably even toss it out and demand another go, if Percy allowed it after getting backstabbed at least.
Moving at last to retrieve her saber, Willow stood for another moment more looking at the blade. Her hand was still trembling, causing the saber to rattle slightly. She was right and properly scared. This was going to hurt, and it was going to keep hurting until she won. There was no Plan B in this instance, for even now she was glad she’d ordered the destruction of her exit. Like any intense training, Willow knew she’d likely reach a point where she genuinely did want to give up, and by destroying the exit she was removing the temptation.
Deep breathe in. Hold. Release.
A sharp whistle split the silence.
“If I’m still conscious, then I’m still trainin’. So if y’ur looking for some time to relax, Sir, then I’d suggest makin’ sure I’m actually out,” Willow declared as she leveled the saber at Percy. Her hand was still shaking.
“Here ta git gud,” she said to herself as she rose once more. For a few moments she didn’t move any further and looked between Mister Caxton and her saber. Briefly, very briefly, she considered picking the sword up and rushing the older man’s back. She shook her head at that. Following the surprise teacup she had felt bad enough, and she knew that if she won by stabbing the man in the back she would resent the victory; probably even toss it out and demand another go, if Percy allowed it after getting backstabbed at least.
Moving at last to retrieve her saber, Willow stood for another moment more looking at the blade. Her hand was still trembling, causing the saber to rattle slightly. She was right and properly scared. This was going to hurt, and it was going to keep hurting until she won. There was no Plan B in this instance, for even now she was glad she’d ordered the destruction of her exit. Like any intense training, Willow knew she’d likely reach a point where she genuinely did want to give up, and by destroying the exit she was removing the temptation.
Deep breathe in. Hold. Release.
A sharp whistle split the silence.
“If I’m still conscious, then I’m still trainin’. So if y’ur looking for some time to relax, Sir, then I’d suggest makin’ sure I’m actually out,” Willow declared as she leveled the saber at Percy. Her hand was still shaking.
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Defiance like this could be expected to be handled quickly. Mr. Caxton had proven that he would cut Willow down in challenging him, whether he took her seriously or not. His golem aide protectively clutched the sword in anticipation, hesitating to answer its master’s direction. After all, it played a part in this.
Yet, Mr. Caxton did not summon his sword, and instead made for Willow. One arm tucked behind his back, he stopped the rattling of the Allomancer’s saber by letting the tip rest on his chest.
“No.”
Curt and clinical, Mr. Caxton’s eyes stared deeply into hers over the sword. It was the last thing she remembered before waking up in her bed. Her room was as it was before, except now there was a pile of stone where the closet door used to be. The storage space seemed spacious, if not messy.
Another letter was set on her nightstand.
It was quiet. Bjorn snoozed on the dresser opposite of her bed. Voices emanated from the closed doorway of her room. Phyllis and Curie seemed to be chatting.
“The food here is rather good, for a society that mostly eats stone,” came the construct’s voice, “the hall has a pretty wide selection.”
“I’ll have tae trust ye,” answered Phyllis, “I cannae go too far out the door, or the damn patrols drag me back here. Had nothin’ except bread and water since we got here yesterday. Blessed Captain’s fortune for me that they put us somewhere with a posh bath and toilet, otherwise it’d truly be prison.”
“Why don’t you have Ghyslain escort you? He’s their people.”
“I tried,” sighed Phyllis, “they do the same tae him. Drug him around as far as the hall before they tackled both’us.”
Ghyslain could be heard chuckling.
“Is he okay? He’s been disassembling and reassembling furniture for hours.”
“He’s fine. He used to be an upholsterer for posh things like chairs and couches. It must be comfortin’ for him.”
“An upholsterer?”
“One a’the guards knew him from before he lost his mind. Used to live in Turraing, did deliveries of household goods. They used to see him a lot.”
“They told you all that?”
“I’m a bonnie lass once you get tae know me. I bat these pretty blue eyes at someone and they just come a talkin’.”
Curie laughed, “Ha ha, well, eye... … I… I can see what you mean!”
“Wow,” rattled the spriggan, sounding as though he were in the same spot as ever.
“Er, Phyllis, I didn’t mean that… I…”
“... It’s fine, lass. I have’nae been pretty in a bit. But. I’m going tae go… to my room... do pull-ups in mae closet again, or somethin', or other.”
A door could be heard, opening and then closing.
“Aren’t you supposed to be one of Smart’s kin?” buzzed Helen disapprovingly.
Yet, Mr. Caxton did not summon his sword, and instead made for Willow. One arm tucked behind his back, he stopped the rattling of the Allomancer’s saber by letting the tip rest on his chest.
“No.”
Curt and clinical, Mr. Caxton’s eyes stared deeply into hers over the sword. It was the last thing she remembered before waking up in her bed. Her room was as it was before, except now there was a pile of stone where the closet door used to be. The storage space seemed spacious, if not messy.
Another letter was set on her nightstand.
Read Message
Ms. Fairburn,
To inure you to injury would breed you into something this exercise does not intend.
The orange blade you carry is not the key to challenge me, it is your assurance that you are ready to proceed to Vengeance. Thus, to give your training greater variability, I have mended my previous statement to that the quarrids will return that blade to your room should they see it.
Your allomancy is fair game until you arrive to the garden. Use your gifts, your friends, Adapt.
Most sincerely,
Percival Bredon Caxton
P.S: A hint for your use. If you are seeking private lessons, find a different weapon so I don’t need to cut you down.
P.S.S: Get some rest. Your tenacity and temerity will wear you down if you rely on it too often.
It was quiet. Bjorn snoozed on the dresser opposite of her bed. Voices emanated from the closed doorway of her room. Phyllis and Curie seemed to be chatting.
“The food here is rather good, for a society that mostly eats stone,” came the construct’s voice, “the hall has a pretty wide selection.”
“I’ll have tae trust ye,” answered Phyllis, “I cannae go too far out the door, or the damn patrols drag me back here. Had nothin’ except bread and water since we got here yesterday. Blessed Captain’s fortune for me that they put us somewhere with a posh bath and toilet, otherwise it’d truly be prison.”
“Why don’t you have Ghyslain escort you? He’s their people.”
“I tried,” sighed Phyllis, “they do the same tae him. Drug him around as far as the hall before they tackled both’us.”
Ghyslain could be heard chuckling.
“Is he okay? He’s been disassembling and reassembling furniture for hours.”
“He’s fine. He used to be an upholsterer for posh things like chairs and couches. It must be comfortin’ for him.”
“An upholsterer?”
“One a’the guards knew him from before he lost his mind. Used to live in Turraing, did deliveries of household goods. They used to see him a lot.”
“They told you all that?”
“I’m a bonnie lass once you get tae know me. I bat these pretty blue eyes at someone and they just come a talkin’.”
Curie laughed, “Ha ha, well, eye... … I… I can see what you mean!”
“Wow,” rattled the spriggan, sounding as though he were in the same spot as ever.
“Er, Phyllis, I didn’t mean that… I…”
“... It’s fine, lass. I have’nae been pretty in a bit. But. I’m going tae go… to my room... do pull-ups in mae closet again, or somethin', or other.”
A door could be heard, opening and then closing.
“Aren’t you supposed to be one of Smart’s kin?” buzzed Helen disapprovingly.
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
“Touché, Mister Caxton,” grumbled Willow as she sat up. The man had fulfilled Willow’s requirement for making her stop, so as much as she’d like to gripe she merely sighed and got out of bed. Much more relaxed than she’d been the last time, which she was going to assume was yesterday until told otherwise, the Brit dressed like a rational person but left herself unarmed. What she really wanted right now was some tea and breakfast, and maybe to check in on the others while she was at it. Then there was the matter of checking in with Diligence about those metal samples.
As she was pulling on her boots she chimed in on the conversation outside, and stopping everything when she caught the gist of what was being said. Well, it was nice being in a calm mood for all of three minutes. Dressed in her button up, jeans, and boots Willow strode towards the door to the commons and snagged her hat on the way. Likely similar to how she had appeared the day before, although now just anger rather than haunted fury, the Briton spared glances at each of her companions on her way to the main door.
Throwing the door open she found and locked eyes on the nearest quarrid guard.
“Did I fucking stutter!?” bellowed the teen. The anger was a pure heat without the emotional intensity she’d had before. “Each and EVERY companion of mine is to get the same respect I do! So unless Phyllis and Ghyslain feel like fighting the Big Man too, DO NOT think you are keeping them detained. If I hear that you little rabbit shits stopped them from going and doing basic things like eating then I will personally beat you into gravel, turn you into cement, and use you to pave a nice little walkway for the canidaer down in Navipolis. Now, relay precisely what I just said to each and every quarrid who might think of harassing my friends, and tell them that if they want I’d be happy to have a sit-down with them. Am. I. CLEAR?”
As she was pulling on her boots she chimed in on the conversation outside, and stopping everything when she caught the gist of what was being said. Well, it was nice being in a calm mood for all of three minutes. Dressed in her button up, jeans, and boots Willow strode towards the door to the commons and snagged her hat on the way. Likely similar to how she had appeared the day before, although now just anger rather than haunted fury, the Briton spared glances at each of her companions on her way to the main door.
Throwing the door open she found and locked eyes on the nearest quarrid guard.
“Did I fucking stutter!?” bellowed the teen. The anger was a pure heat without the emotional intensity she’d had before. “Each and EVERY companion of mine is to get the same respect I do! So unless Phyllis and Ghyslain feel like fighting the Big Man too, DO NOT think you are keeping them detained. If I hear that you little rabbit shits stopped them from going and doing basic things like eating then I will personally beat you into gravel, turn you into cement, and use you to pave a nice little walkway for the canidaer down in Navipolis. Now, relay precisely what I just said to each and every quarrid who might think of harassing my friends, and tell them that if they want I’d be happy to have a sit-down with them. Am. I. CLEAR?”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
The eruption of Willow from the first door caused everyone to raise their heads. Bjorn awoke from his spot on the dresser. Helen and Ghyslain looked up from their individual projects, a pile of papers and furniture respectively. Curie spun about, stolen from her doldrums. Phyllis opened her door as soon as she had closed it and the spriggan began his spastics anew.
They all watched Willow travel the short length to the main doorway. Her room was one of the closest, of the ten bedrooms; there were five doors on each wall.
The two quarrids waiting outside the door were both startled by the second and third eruption of Willow. At first, they looked unsure what was going on, before they began to point at each other or at quarrids who weren’t there. When the onslaught continued they both scrunched down into their plated armor and stared at the ground. When Willow sent them off, they looked at each other again.
“You go.”
“No, you go.”
This argument continued for a moment before the bigger one kicked the smaller one in the pants, and the smaller one jabbed the other in the ribs. Feeling more pain in the strike, the bigger one lumbered away.
“I’m going to pass it along!” he muttered before shouting, “But I’m telling the Foreman first!”
The smaller quarrid smacked down his faceplate, and looked away, as if he weren’t involved.
“Thank ye,” Phyllis said, finally, coming to the doorway, looking up at the Allomancer with a grateful, blue eye, “was afraid they’d never let me go eat, or walk. Was startin’ to lose me mind. Goin to the canteen? Mind if I go with ye?”
They all watched Willow travel the short length to the main doorway. Her room was one of the closest, of the ten bedrooms; there were five doors on each wall.
The two quarrids waiting outside the door were both startled by the second and third eruption of Willow. At first, they looked unsure what was going on, before they began to point at each other or at quarrids who weren’t there. When the onslaught continued they both scrunched down into their plated armor and stared at the ground. When Willow sent them off, they looked at each other again.
“You go.”
“No, you go.”
This argument continued for a moment before the bigger one kicked the smaller one in the pants, and the smaller one jabbed the other in the ribs. Feeling more pain in the strike, the bigger one lumbered away.
“I’m going to pass it along!” he muttered before shouting, “But I’m telling the Foreman first!”
The smaller quarrid smacked down his faceplate, and looked away, as if he weren’t involved.
“Thank ye,” Phyllis said, finally, coming to the doorway, looking up at the Allomancer with a grateful, blue eye, “was afraid they’d never let me go eat, or walk. Was startin’ to lose me mind. Goin to the canteen? Mind if I go with ye?”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Willow didn’t respond right away, instead standing firm in the same stance she’d finished her tirade. After a few moments passed she let out a sigh, turned on her heel, and dropped to a knee in front of Phyllis; her back to the quarrid guard in complete dismissal. Lifting the hand that had been severed up towards her forehead, she brought the hand down across her face; her expression shifting from authoritative drill instructor back to affable ol’ Willow.
“Aaaaaaand scene,” whispered Willow with a slightly pained smile. “Anger is real, drill instructor act isn't quite me though. Figured it'd get the quarrids moving. Sorry you had to put up with this crud. I’d say I wish you would have told me sooner, but considerin’ how I was yesterday… well… I’ll also apologize for my behavior. If this happens again, tell me right away… pending I’m not once again unconscious, at least.”
Standing up again, Willow took her hat off and ran her fingers through her hair a couple times to give herself a puckish degree of unkemptness, rather than full on bedhead. Once satisfied, she replaced her hat.
“Yee, food sounds top right about now. I seem to have a bad habit of not eating; what with storming off yesterday just to get knocked out again,” Willow began into one of her rambles as she took on a chipper tone; waving for Phyllis to follow along to get some chow. “Not quite as bad as my first two weeks though. All I ate was a cabbage and someone’s figurine.”
Her ramble ended a bit early as she recalled the fate of the spriggan who she’d strongarmed into selling her said figurine. Adjusting her hat, she let out another sigh.
“Aaaaaaand scene,” whispered Willow with a slightly pained smile. “Anger is real, drill instructor act isn't quite me though. Figured it'd get the quarrids moving. Sorry you had to put up with this crud. I’d say I wish you would have told me sooner, but considerin’ how I was yesterday… well… I’ll also apologize for my behavior. If this happens again, tell me right away… pending I’m not once again unconscious, at least.”
Standing up again, Willow took her hat off and ran her fingers through her hair a couple times to give herself a puckish degree of unkemptness, rather than full on bedhead. Once satisfied, she replaced her hat.
“Yee, food sounds top right about now. I seem to have a bad habit of not eating; what with storming off yesterday just to get knocked out again,” Willow began into one of her rambles as she took on a chipper tone; waving for Phyllis to follow along to get some chow. “Not quite as bad as my first two weeks though. All I ate was a cabbage and someone’s figurine.”
Her ramble ended a bit early as she recalled the fate of the spriggan who she’d strongarmed into selling her said figurine. Adjusting her hat, she let out another sigh.
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
“Mighty kind of ye,” smiled the Sergeant, gratified. Before starting out the door, she looked over her shoulder, “Ghyslain, you havenae ate–...”
“The screws must be freed from their jail to breathe,” answered the quarrid before Phyllis could finish, “but must be returned to their cells before they kill again.”
“Ah… I’ll just bring ye somethin’ back.”
Bjorn fluttered into the room and settled on Willow’s shoulder as they all set themselves to leave.
“Hey! HEY! Two days I’ve been here!” rattled the Spriggan, “Let me down! I’ve been up here for days! Plural!”
“Pipen down ye wee firebrand,” barked Phyllis, “ye’ve eaten better than I have and we’ve let ye walk the commons. Ye’ll be allowed only one escape attempt. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice and ahm a goddamn disgrace.”
“I’m talking to the tallkin! Let me go!” the spriggan began to swing his feet to and fro, “I won’t return empty handed! And you owe me a new offering.”
“The screws must be freed from their jail to breathe,” answered the quarrid before Phyllis could finish, “but must be returned to their cells before they kill again.”
“Ah… I’ll just bring ye somethin’ back.”
Bjorn fluttered into the room and settled on Willow’s shoulder as they all set themselves to leave.
“Hey! HEY! Two days I’ve been here!” rattled the Spriggan, “Let me down! I’ve been up here for days! Plural!”
“Pipen down ye wee firebrand,” barked Phyllis, “ye’ve eaten better than I have and we’ve let ye walk the commons. Ye’ll be allowed only one escape attempt. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice and ahm a goddamn disgrace.”
“I’m talking to the tallkin! Let me go!” the spriggan began to swing his feet to and fro, “I won’t return empty handed! And you owe me a new offering.”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Stopped in her tracks Willow’s face scrunched into a grimace. There was no anger in this look, merely disdain. Turning back around, she hooked her thumbs into her belt loops and meandered back towards the spriggan. Standing a few feet away, she merely looked at the smallfolk for a few moments before kneeling.
“I, and I can’t stress this enough, owe you precisely NOTHING,” Willow emphasized. “Also, to properly put just how monumentally you screwed up into perspective, that folder you stole from me belongs to… uh… what do the spriggans refer to him as? Well, the Patron, Father, Sage, whichever of the eighty-six names you people can’t decide on. Ya stole from a god, runt. You just so happened to also throw a shoe at me in the process and make me mad.”
Standing again, Willow inspected the rope keeping the spriggan suspended.
“So, I’ll tell ya what. When I’m back from grabbing some chow, I’ll let you down. Then you and I can go talk with the man you stole from. How’s that sound, ya weird little cultist?”
“I, and I can’t stress this enough, owe you precisely NOTHING,” Willow emphasized. “Also, to properly put just how monumentally you screwed up into perspective, that folder you stole from me belongs to… uh… what do the spriggans refer to him as? Well, the Patron, Father, Sage, whichever of the eighty-six names you people can’t decide on. Ya stole from a god, runt. You just so happened to also throw a shoe at me in the process and make me mad.”
Standing again, Willow inspected the rope keeping the spriggan suspended.
“So, I’ll tell ya what. When I’m back from grabbing some chow, I’ll let you down. Then you and I can go talk with the man you stole from. How’s that sound, ya weird little cultist?”