Magic Isn't Always Looked Down On (Seven Xu)

[Veltha Draculin]

Spring 23, 512 AV
Morning

Veltha walked onto the docks, and went to the edge of the boards. She had been at trying to contact he mother for hours, with no luck. She decided to take a break and try to get better at Reimancy. With a wave of her hand, a little green ball appeared. With her other hand, she flicked next to the ball and it was instantly on fire. She threw it into the sea. It fizzled, but then disappeared. Hmm... it wasn't the best place to practice.

Veltha called her horse with a simple whistle, and soon Drac was flying down the shore. She mounted him carefully, and then in a slight gallop made her way through town. It was beautiful, the traders and guards. They made the world bright with their elaborate colors of clothes, all blue and red and yellow. She passed the occasional Konti, and Akalak. Most of the people here were human though.

She made her way through the winding roads and into the wild, where she stopped at a tree and dismounted Drac, who gave a little nicker. She tied his reins to a nearby tree branch, and then took off her pack. She put it on Drac, then went out into the clearing. Since she obviously couldn't throw fire here, she instead summoned a little ball of water. She watched it for a bit, it hovering gently above her hand. She waved it around, but then threw it onto a tree across from her.

[Seven Xu]

“Oy, be careful.”

Not two bells ago had the outskirts of Alvadas been dark. Morning had come, but night dew still clung to every leaf and blade within reach. Seven had been spit out of the vexing tangle of streets on a return trip from the Bizarre, only to have his curiosity get the best of him when he spied the bold girl throwing water at a defenseless tree trunk.

A weighted burlap bag settled at his side, knotted around white fingers. “You do realize there are creatures about.” Exasperation found his tone; his fair face was twisted in a scowl. “Things eager to kill people like you—though I suppose you’d be fine, if you could outrun your horse or fling water in their eyes.”

Seven’s narrow reds flickered from the girl to the mountain range that dwarfed their city of illusion, and back again. “The walls may not keep us safe anymore, but there’s certainly no reason to tempt your fate beyond them. Come,” he turned, his free hand diving into his trouser pocket to rifle its contents. “I won’t be held responsible when they scrape you from the jaws of a malformed squirrel.”

[Veltha Draculin]

Veltha stopped as the man appeared. He was pale, and his eyes were bright red. What race? Who knew. But what she did know was he didn't want her out here. Who did he think she was, a slave coming off the streets? Her eyes flashed with anger, but she obeyed. Maybe he could be of use to her.

She mounted Drac and beckoned him to ride with her. Maybe he would be a gentlemen and obey.

[Seven Xu]

oocThanks for the quick response! Try to avoid very short posts. They're a bit difficult to reply to!

The girl said nothing, but she complied; then she waved him in. Seven’s nostrils flared. He had no desire to be on a horse—awful things, horses—but his burned leg and healing ankle were nagging at him, urging him onto the back of a skittish beast as the mute girl’s cloying fingertips wiggled above his nose.

He approached her mount, ran a small hand along its hindquarters, and hooked his good foot inside a leather stirrup. The saddle creaked as he eased himself over, managing to seat himself on the back end of a thick blanket. Seven flinched as the horse jolted into motion, hands grasping for the rise in the saddle that sat between his legs. He leaned away from the girl’s back as he spoke.

“Thank you for the ride,” he murmured, searching for some interest in the gaping maw to hold his attention. The construct asked them a question, no doubt both had heard several times. Seven made no answer. They passed beneath the gate. He thought to apologize for his brevity, but instead, chewed his bottom lip and spat questions at her back. “Do you not know of the attacks? People have been reporting deformed creatures for weeks. They must have some connection to the storm—you—you do know what I’m talking about, right? Why in the name of the gods were you outside of the city, magicking water at plants?”

[Veltha Draculin]

She slowed the horse to a trot as they entered the huge city. She couldn''t help but look behind her and see what this strange man was up to. He seemed upset about the horse, but she didn't care. Instead, he asked about the reports of monsters. She had seen them, vile creatures with no souls. She had seen them bombard a small camp, ripping apart the innocent people. She had made it to Alvadas alive luckily, thanks to her horse.

All she said, all she could think of saying was "I was practicing"

And she was. Training in the art of Reimancy. It was the most common magic probably, so useful in battle.

She stopped the horse at a hitch, then tied it's reins to one of the poles. She hopped off her horse, then waited for him to make their next destination.

oocSorry for the short post. I'm still getting the hang of it!

[Seven Xu]

A lot of good practicing would do if some djed-riddled beast decided to break its fast on her flesh.

Seven heaved relief as his feet touched the ground again. He stretched his burned leg. The tangle of fire-kissed flesh that wrapped him from knee to toe on his right leg was stiff. Keeping it flexible was a continual battle; keeping it concealed was easy. A leather boot with its share of wear met well-fitted trousers halfway up his calf. If it weren’t for the man’s favor of his left foot when he walked, his leg looked all together ordinary.

She was there when he turned, silent and expectant. You’re safe now, mage, the edges of Seven’s pale lips curled in quiet self-amusement, be gone. But she was there, and she seemed intent on staying.

“We should not stay outside.” To their right was a shop, its dingy window’s many panes peeking out from between thick wooden lathes. Baubles and rags were pushed against the yellowed glass, showcasing the vast collection of long-forgotten treasures the shop had to offer. Seven’s slim white hand pressed the thick door, and he heard the ring-tink welcome of a bell. He did not check his shoulder for the girl of few words; he simply spoke above his comfortable, airy tone. “Here.”

[Veltha Draculin]

The boy got off, and seemed irritated at something on his leg. She looked down, but if there was something there it was covered by his pants. She almost envied him, so experienced and smart. He also looked kind of annoyed she was there, she could see it in his eyes. So, she decided to make him like her presence. She sat down, and closed her eyes. In her mind, she was imagining touching her Djed and using some of it's substantial power to make him like her. She opened her eyes again, and he was walking away now.

She followed close behind, and he ringed the bell to an old house, that was most likely a shop. Many goods and trades were visible in the old, dirty windows. Hopefully the Hypnotism worked, because if it didn't she would be left behind again. But, maybe that wasn't so bad, she was quite alright with sitting in a dark room, talking to spirits. She loved them, and always respected the fallen. They deserve to, they died. They were so loyal to something, they gave their life for it. That takes alot of courage. Alot.

[Seven Xu]

Some thought fluttered between Seven’s ears, but fizzled as soon as it had lit, like a moth to flame. He glanced over his shoulder again at the dark-haired girl, but offered no consolation of a smile. Curious girl, he thought; his lips parted, but the compulsion to strike up tedious conversation died behind his teeth.

The shop was little more than a narrow hallway. It was lined to the ceiling with shelves, shelves that were filled with baubles, boxes, and curiosities in murky jars. The only light that streamed into the single room was from the dust-caked windows, and it came in pale and yellow on countless drifting dust motes. Seven stopped short of an intricately carved chest placed on a shelf nose-high. White hands grabbed both ends, and it slid from its berth, leaving its dark outline where dust had not gathered.

“It’s for cigars,” he lamented, turning the wooden case over between his fingers before lifting it to his nose to sniff its contents. “It does look neat, though, like it could have housed something magical. Don’t you think?”

In the low light, Seven’s deep crimson stare looked almost black.

[Veltha Draculin]

Veltha followed Seven in, expecting a smile to spread across his face. Instead, he walked up to a little box. She stood to his right, watching him open its contents.

She was disappointed the spell didn't work. It worked most of the time. Why though, would it not work? Was it because he knew how it worked? Was it because she wasn't that skilled at Hypnotism? Oh well, it didn't have to work.

The place was old and dusty. It could use a little improvement, she thought. The windows were the only light source, making the rest of the place dark. Dirty. Full of spirits probably. Her whole face lit up. This was the perfect place to practice spiritism! She would probably stay here if he decided to leave. The place was crawling with dead, she could sense it.

The box was old, with a couple of carvings on it. It did indeed look magical. She felt its edge, smooth yet... wood-like.

"Yes, it does." she said, but found herself suddenly switching to another subject, "Hey, do you want to find ghosts in here? I mean.." she dropped in a low whisper, not wanting the old owner standing in front to hear, "It looks old, and abandoned."

[Seven Xu]

The box rattled as it was dropped back against its dust-fenced home. “Ghosts?” The word came incredulous, as if the halfblood had never heard of them—of course, he had; one had slipped inside his skin a small lifetime ago. He could still remember how unbearably cold it was. Seven shivered.

“There are ghosts everywhere,” he managed, fingers roving across the bulbous forms of ceramic busts that lined the next shelf, “and it obviously isn’t abandoned.”

Seven’s retort was loud enough to stir the elderly owner, who craned his neck in their direction, stared for a moment at what looked to be a stunted Widow and a young girl, and turned away again with a grunt. Seven continued, his lips curled and his voice playful, “How does one find a ghost? What if there is a ghost here, and it doesn’t want to be found?”