As Willow bit into the cabbage salad, she found that it had changed since her thoughts against the vegetable surface. The taste of the hardy vegetable was replaced by a softer, sweeter kind. Looking down, the cabbage salad had changed into a vibrant fruit salad. She was now munching on strawberries, blueberries and sliced peaches.
“I have heard, Noble rode out the day he brought you here,” revealed Smart, “going to Jotungard and the Cairn Hills to corroborate your story. We were not aware that Vengeance’s influence had spread so far. Currently, the region she is in is on the other side of Yormandyaw, which is adjacent to us. Which means her wraiths have got as far as four regions to reach Jotungard at its current location. Vengeance has always been a spectre in the night, but it was only in these last two weeks that she began turning into a nightmare.”
Smart, with her doll-like face and glassy eyes, tilted her head mechanically. The effect would have been eerie had it been a bit darker, “Right around the time you, and your supposed friend entered our land.”
As if to assuage her, she smiled again, which didn’t help.
“We… you will visit the Sage today,” said Smart, leaning back now, having caught sight of herself in the mirror, “The artisans in attendance will determine a course of action, and you will find out a solution to your problem. My collection of lore is vast, but the Sage’s mind is as if tapped into the land itself. If anyone knows, he will.”
[The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Last edited by Kokuten on Sat Aug 26, 2023 10:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
A disquieted scowl grew on Willow’s face. She wasn’t sure what was worse; a cabbage salad, or fully expecting a cabbage salad and then suddenly having fruit in her mouth. After visibly working through the whiplash of emotions she chewed, swallowed, and seemed much happier about the situation. Although she did take her next bite of fruit with caution as she was afraid it would turn back into cabbage. With her fears fading with every bite Willow pressed on with consuming the meal with no hesitation. It was mid sausage bite that the conversation turned vaguely unsettling, and she chewed slowly as she considered the implications.
“Council of Elrond, got it,” Willow finally said with a methodical nod. “So how many artisans are there? And are you gonna be there too? I’ve got nothing against Noble, but he has pointed a gun at me three times now.”
“Council of Elrond, got it,” Willow finally said with a methodical nod. “So how many artisans are there? And are you gonna be there too? I’ve got nothing against Noble, but he has pointed a gun at me three times now.”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
“I would hope you forgive Noble,” asked Smart, “he is only doing what he is told is right. He is the only one of the artisans that will take action for the Elementalia.”
There was a noticeable sense of discomfort in Smart’s movements, “My predictions have always been a source of contention, but he has always stood by them. Anything he does, he is doing because he is burdened with choice, something my fellow artisans eschew… including… myself.”
A couple of the constructs flew by into the room, before going over the edge of the balcony into the field below. Both Smart and Willow could hear the laughter of the workers, before they broke into more songs, continuing their noisy work. The doll-girl looked on at the open sky before continuing, “I will not be joining you. I have not attended any meetings my sister is present for, which is to say, all of them. Though, Noble and Creative will be present, so that makes for three. The other three, myself, Diligence and the Unwoken, do not attend for individual reasons. Our work, or, our situation, restricts our attendance.”
Smart seemed keen to change the subject and spoke quickly.
“Can you walk? We must meet with Noble first before we ascend the tower to meet the Sage.”
There was a noticeable sense of discomfort in Smart’s movements, “My predictions have always been a source of contention, but he has always stood by them. Anything he does, he is doing because he is burdened with choice, something my fellow artisans eschew… including… myself.”
A couple of the constructs flew by into the room, before going over the edge of the balcony into the field below. Both Smart and Willow could hear the laughter of the workers, before they broke into more songs, continuing their noisy work. The doll-girl looked on at the open sky before continuing, “I will not be joining you. I have not attended any meetings my sister is present for, which is to say, all of them. Though, Noble and Creative will be present, so that makes for three. The other three, myself, Diligence and the Unwoken, do not attend for individual reasons. Our work, or, our situation, restricts our attendance.”
Smart seemed keen to change the subject and spoke quickly.
“Can you walk? We must meet with Noble first before we ascend the tower to meet the Sage.”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Knitting eyebrows showed the active process of thinking. Something had registered in Willow’s brain.
“Your sister misses you!” Willow exclaimed, more out of having remembered the message than actually trying to aggressively deliver it. Realization dawned on her and she looked to grow sheepish. “Ahem. Clever misses you. I, uh, told her I’d speak on her behalf if I saw you. I don’t know what all might be going on, but uh… yeah… message delivered.”
Now that the situation was properly awkward, Willow tossed the tail end of the last of some sausage into her mouth before throwing off the covers.
“I’m Willow Metal-Eater, of course I can…” Willow toppled as she stood up. The briefest moment passed before she righted herself and straightened her clothes. “I’m good! I’m right behind ya!”
“Your sister misses you!” Willow exclaimed, more out of having remembered the message than actually trying to aggressively deliver it. Realization dawned on her and she looked to grow sheepish. “Ahem. Clever misses you. I, uh, told her I’d speak on her behalf if I saw you. I don’t know what all might be going on, but uh… yeah… message delivered.”
Now that the situation was properly awkward, Willow tossed the tail end of the last of some sausage into her mouth before throwing off the covers.
“I’m Willow Metal-Eater, of course I can…” Willow toppled as she stood up. The briefest moment passed before she righted herself and straightened her clothes. “I’m good! I’m right behind ya!”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
It was evident that Smart was not a bombastic individual, unlike her sister, and the first exclamation unsettled her greatly. She nearly jumped out of her seat, but then when Willow proved to be even more wily, the artisan tumbled out of her chair. Her glasses went clattering to the floor, and she took a moment to pick them up off the marble.
“My sister… misses me?” The words finally registered after Smart managed to get her glasses on. “She… admitted that? Did she–... no…”
Smart mastered herself, as something seemed to overtake her. The fire behind her face began to lick at the seams that held her mask, then it died down as she calmed. “I… Thank you. I don’t think…”
Willow’s declaration, the one of Clever, rather than her ability to walk, stole the artisan’s mind. She stood there for a moment, considering the meaning pensively. Looking closely, Smart seemed to be having a panic attack, but again, she mustered a sense of self-control. She went to the door, and beckoned the Allomancer to follow, before pausing once more.
“Before we go, I must ask,” mentioned Smart, finally appearing even, if not strangely concerned, “Where did you get that orihalcum saber? I found one among your belongings when I changed your clothes.”
“My sister… misses me?” The words finally registered after Smart managed to get her glasses on. “She… admitted that? Did she–... no…”
Smart mastered herself, as something seemed to overtake her. The fire behind her face began to lick at the seams that held her mask, then it died down as she calmed. “I… Thank you. I don’t think…”
Willow’s declaration, the one of Clever, rather than her ability to walk, stole the artisan’s mind. She stood there for a moment, considering the meaning pensively. Looking closely, Smart seemed to be having a panic attack, but again, she mustered a sense of self-control. She went to the door, and beckoned the Allomancer to follow, before pausing once more.
“Before we go, I must ask,” mentioned Smart, finally appearing even, if not strangely concerned, “Where did you get that orihalcum saber? I found one among your belongings when I changed your clothes.”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
“The saber? Noble said I could use it back when I was worried I might have to fight something without my metals. Though, to be fair, I am actually still worried about that, but less so since I’m hoping I can find some scrap metal around here to chow down on,” Willow walked carefully as she fell into step behind Smart. Her legs hadn’t had to move much these last two weeks and had apparently already gone soft. Willow knew it was just a matter of getting circulation back, but she still made a mental note to find time to get some jogging in.
“Pewter’s my main interest, but also some Steel, Iron, Tin, and Brass would be a big help. Oh! And the scrap Clever gave me, that copper-aluminum stuff. And maybe some more of Noble’s mithril rifle casings.”
“Pewter’s my main interest, but also some Steel, Iron, Tin, and Brass would be a big help. Oh! And the scrap Clever gave me, that copper-aluminum stuff. And maybe some more of Noble’s mithril rifle casings.”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Smart stiffened noticeably when Willow explained the saber. Her knuckles clacked audibly into one of her palms, before she shook off whatever fugue had taken her. As Willow spoke further, she tried to pay attention to the words.
"You may have a harder time finding scrap, as you call it," said Smart, "Navipolis tries not to have too much in the way of waste. Buildings, streets, fixtures, all are planned and ordered beforehand from Yormundyaw. Though, I am sure there is some we could spare."
A low pittering noise followed behind them, looking back, Willow could see Bjorn was following along. Except, he was still asleep, and the 'bowl' he was in was not a bowl, but another construct, glowing and floating on behind.
They proceeded through a wide complex, exiting out to a large hall. A glass roof let in rays of light from a bright lighthouse that towered above the building, and the city in general. More constructs and small-folk traveled to and fro, on their own business in this illustrious place. Willow found that as she walked with Smart, eyes would dart her way occasionally. There was curiosity in their looks, but she could tell some knew more than others by how they looked at her in particular.
They passed a series of fountains, rounded by small, interior parks. Odinkine stood in trees by these fountains and told what sounded like stories to gathered groups. Spriggans had stalls opened, exchanging goods for various oddities and trinkets. Mixed crews of builders polished stone, strutted new construction and hauled material back and forth. Even here, inside life was bustling in a microcosm of a larger city.
Smart led the Allomancer through a wide entry-way into the outside, and down more granite and marble pathways. One side was a verdant green, where children of the small-folk played, on their right were a series of doors and windows. They were small, meant for those like the spriggans or golems. In fact, for what Willow considered one floor, was actually two, as she could see the second floor just under the large overhang.
Then, they came to a much larger door; a fine, but simple door that looked like it belonged on a stable. It split the series of apartments, stretching right to the ceiling. The handle was at an awkward height, but Smart tucked her hand into a hidden handle, revealing a smaller door. Looking closely, Willow would see there was an even smaller door for the small-folk.
When they entered they heard the crackling of a fire, and then the familiar voice, starting a low song. Willow felt Smart’s hand go up to her chest, halting her in the entryway, just barely seeing the centaur. Smart’s eyes carried on, staring into space, as she listened to Noble’s voice, and she smiled that same smile from before. This one was a little more natural.
“…returning feet and voices at the door,” sang Noble, before he turned, and finally noticed the two girls. He smiled, and Smart smiled back, until she heard him say, “Willow! Thank the numbers; I was worried my callousness had gotten you killed”
He was genial, happy, and shirtless, having just come back in from working outside. This large, somewhat smelly centaur galloped over to her and clapped both hands on Willow’s shoulders, “Smart does excellent work, doesn’t she? ‘Leave it to me’, she said, and here you are! Good as new.”
Smart, for her part, looked sullen, but nodded her head.
"You may have a harder time finding scrap, as you call it," said Smart, "Navipolis tries not to have too much in the way of waste. Buildings, streets, fixtures, all are planned and ordered beforehand from Yormundyaw. Though, I am sure there is some we could spare."
A low pittering noise followed behind them, looking back, Willow could see Bjorn was following along. Except, he was still asleep, and the 'bowl' he was in was not a bowl, but another construct, glowing and floating on behind.
They proceeded through a wide complex, exiting out to a large hall. A glass roof let in rays of light from a bright lighthouse that towered above the building, and the city in general. More constructs and small-folk traveled to and fro, on their own business in this illustrious place. Willow found that as she walked with Smart, eyes would dart her way occasionally. There was curiosity in their looks, but she could tell some knew more than others by how they looked at her in particular.
They passed a series of fountains, rounded by small, interior parks. Odinkine stood in trees by these fountains and told what sounded like stories to gathered groups. Spriggans had stalls opened, exchanging goods for various oddities and trinkets. Mixed crews of builders polished stone, strutted new construction and hauled material back and forth. Even here, inside life was bustling in a microcosm of a larger city.
Smart led the Allomancer through a wide entry-way into the outside, and down more granite and marble pathways. One side was a verdant green, where children of the small-folk played, on their right were a series of doors and windows. They were small, meant for those like the spriggans or golems. In fact, for what Willow considered one floor, was actually two, as she could see the second floor just under the large overhang.
Then, they came to a much larger door; a fine, but simple door that looked like it belonged on a stable. It split the series of apartments, stretching right to the ceiling. The handle was at an awkward height, but Smart tucked her hand into a hidden handle, revealing a smaller door. Looking closely, Willow would see there was an even smaller door for the small-folk.
When they entered they heard the crackling of a fire, and then the familiar voice, starting a low song. Willow felt Smart’s hand go up to her chest, halting her in the entryway, just barely seeing the centaur. Smart’s eyes carried on, staring into space, as she listened to Noble’s voice, and she smiled that same smile from before. This one was a little more natural.
“…returning feet and voices at the door,” sang Noble, before he turned, and finally noticed the two girls. He smiled, and Smart smiled back, until she heard him say, “Willow! Thank the numbers; I was worried my callousness had gotten you killed”
He was genial, happy, and shirtless, having just come back in from working outside. This large, somewhat smelly centaur galloped over to her and clapped both hands on Willow’s shoulders, “Smart does excellent work, doesn’t she? ‘Leave it to me’, she said, and here you are! Good as new.”
Smart, for her part, looked sullen, but nodded her head.
Last edited by Kokuten on Sun Aug 27, 2023 11:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Willow shot a knowing look at Smart as Noble patted her shoulders. The Brit had been somewhat perplexed by the odd look the artisan had made when the saber had been brought up, but between forcibly making Willow wait to watch and listen to the shirtless centaur sing and the look the artisan now gave as said shirtless centaur instead focused his attention back on Willow; Willow felt confident she knew what was going on. Smart might be smart, but Willow had binged way too much tv since starting boarding school to miss such dramatic cues.
“Neigh,” Willow off-handedly joked to Noble. For what it was worth she wasn’t all that bothered by the smell considering the work she’d been doing for Miss Smith; sweat and horses were common to her now. “I was taken out by using my powers for too long. You could have shot me or left me in that cave, but seeing as ya didn’t I feel plenty inclined to thank ya. Robes aren’t really my style, but otherwise the hospitality has been top notch.”
“Neigh,” Willow off-handedly joked to Noble. For what it was worth she wasn’t all that bothered by the smell considering the work she’d been doing for Miss Smith; sweat and horses were common to her now. “I was taken out by using my powers for too long. You could have shot me or left me in that cave, but seeing as ya didn’t I feel plenty inclined to thank ya. Robes aren’t really my style, but otherwise the hospitality has been top notch.”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
“Glorious. Glorious,” Noble beamed; that positive response seemed to precipitate a sense of relief in him. He clapped Willow’s shoulder’s again, appearing thankful and cheery before turning back into his own little space. It was not as illustrious as Smart’s quarters, and was, in fact, rather spartan, save for minor adornments of weapons along the wall and necessary amenities.
“I was just working a little breakfast in before the meeting today,” said Noble, gesturing to a pan that hovered above an orb that cracked like a fire, but let loose red motes of energy instead of flames. “I’d be willing to share if you’ve not eaten, but I was expecting you two to come later.”
“You said you wanted to see her before we spoke to the Sage,” mentioned Smart, recovering from her doldrums.
“Yes,” answered Noble, placing a large slab of meat on the pan and frying it, he looked over his shoulder as he cooked, “Metal-eater knows better than the rest of us now the threat that Vengeance poses. I thought the night time harassment was bad before, the slaughter of the merchant's cart two weeks ago was far and above what we have seen in years.”
“So the plan is to have her play witness to these things,” posited Smart.”
“If she wants,” Noble laughed, before he looked over at the Allomancer, “Willow. The Lord does not move for small matters, if he knows what you know, perhaps he will make the turns necessary to finally banish Vengeance once and for all.”
He slammed his hand down, in what was sure to be the first of a series of energetic outbursts. “But first. I intend to open the discussion with your matter. We have been most ungracious to you, and it is only right we address your grievances as a visitor.”
“Noble,” came an admonishing tone from Smart.
“No, I am adamant on this,” asserted Noble.
“The Sage will not appreciate the banter of personal matters before a threat to the realm.”
“It is not personal, Willow is human, the first of her kind that we know of in our world. I have disgraced us in my treatment of her, and it is only right that we help her.”
"Is this about Diligence?" Smart assumed, sharply. Then, she realized how cutting that had been, as Noble stopped cold to stare at her in an apparent look of betrayal. The silence hung between the two of them, with Smart covering her mouth, and Noble trying to recover.
The Centaur turned to Willow, being a polite host with a good smile, speaking to her directly, “I wanted to see you here today to ask; do you want to take an active role in this problem? Vengeance. Your ability; the brass power, as you referred to it. It calms the wraiths. Nothing like that has ever been seen before, or since. Should your business be concluded if the Lord’s resolution be sufficient… Would you be willing to help us?”
Smart furrowed her brow and looked at Willow, shaking her head.
“I was just working a little breakfast in before the meeting today,” said Noble, gesturing to a pan that hovered above an orb that cracked like a fire, but let loose red motes of energy instead of flames. “I’d be willing to share if you’ve not eaten, but I was expecting you two to come later.”
“You said you wanted to see her before we spoke to the Sage,” mentioned Smart, recovering from her doldrums.
“Yes,” answered Noble, placing a large slab of meat on the pan and frying it, he looked over his shoulder as he cooked, “Metal-eater knows better than the rest of us now the threat that Vengeance poses. I thought the night time harassment was bad before, the slaughter of the merchant's cart two weeks ago was far and above what we have seen in years.”
“So the plan is to have her play witness to these things,” posited Smart.”
“If she wants,” Noble laughed, before he looked over at the Allomancer, “Willow. The Lord does not move for small matters, if he knows what you know, perhaps he will make the turns necessary to finally banish Vengeance once and for all.”
He slammed his hand down, in what was sure to be the first of a series of energetic outbursts. “But first. I intend to open the discussion with your matter. We have been most ungracious to you, and it is only right we address your grievances as a visitor.”
“Noble,” came an admonishing tone from Smart.
“No, I am adamant on this,” asserted Noble.
“The Sage will not appreciate the banter of personal matters before a threat to the realm.”
“It is not personal, Willow is human, the first of her kind that we know of in our world. I have disgraced us in my treatment of her, and it is only right that we help her.”
"Is this about Diligence?" Smart assumed, sharply. Then, she realized how cutting that had been, as Noble stopped cold to stare at her in an apparent look of betrayal. The silence hung between the two of them, with Smart covering her mouth, and Noble trying to recover.
The Centaur turned to Willow, being a polite host with a good smile, speaking to her directly, “I wanted to see you here today to ask; do you want to take an active role in this problem? Vengeance. Your ability; the brass power, as you referred to it. It calms the wraiths. Nothing like that has ever been seen before, or since. Should your business be concluded if the Lord’s resolution be sufficient… Would you be willing to help us?”
Smart furrowed her brow and looked at Willow, shaking her head.
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
“Ya’ll already know my stakes in this. Until I know for certain Manon isn’t involved with Vengeance or which of the half dozen names you refer to the sleeping bint as, then I’m just assuming this is a kidnapping. If your Lord gives me a definitive answer to my search… well, we can cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Willow had shifted a bit off to the side and crossed her arms as the two artisans had a somewhat intense discussion. For what it was worth, she did want to help with the whole Vengeance situation, but she’d been getting shown that she needed to have a certain degree of temperance rather than rushing headlong into matters. She considered how Miss Smith would act if she were here instead.
Willow had shifted a bit off to the side and crossed her arms as the two artisans had a somewhat intense discussion. For what it was worth, she did want to help with the whole Vengeance situation, but she’d been getting shown that she needed to have a certain degree of temperance rather than rushing headlong into matters. She considered how Miss Smith would act if she were here instead.