@illusorydungeons / from here.
  the summoner lady -- ingrid, you think her name was -- had explained to you the unique circumstances around canasâ presence in askr. he had been plucked from an odd space between life and death, just as that fateful storm was taking him from you. as a result, though his soul had been saved and tethered to life... his body could, unfortunately, not say the same. at first you hadnât understood it, far too occupied by both ensuring you would receive a steady pay for your aid and the realization that your father -- perhaps not quite breathing or living -- is somehow walking amongst these halls. just him, though; mother, unfortunately, had not been called upon.Â
  but now, as you take in the man, youâre starting to see what she meant. the druidâs robes cover much of him, but you can see how sunken and gaunt his eyes are when he looks up at you; the skin clinging to far-too-bony hands ashen and mottled. itâs a chilling sight to be sure, and suddenly youâre not so certain you can do this-- but you have to. youâve got to talk to him at least once, or youâre going to kick yourself for the rest of your life. grandma had always talked about how powerful a dark mage your father had been, usually out of bewilderment of how the familyâs arts had been lost upon you.Â
  ... would he react the same when he learned you hadnât a lick of talent for elder magic? would he berate you as the mountain hermit had your whole life? from what little you had heard from your travels your father had been known as a kind man, and studious to the point of it being a little ridiculous. that said, he was also a son of niime. perhaps pride ran in his blood as it did hers?Â
  it would, at least, explain why heâs been avoiding you. heâs disappointed in your lack of skill. just like grandma.
âyeah... yeah, thanks.â your throat feels dry, and you find yourself staring at the book in your hands. none of the words register -- itâs not as though you can read them; theyâre all in a different language; no doubt father is hard at work translating it. ... are you being an annoyance? âiâm... really glad to see you.â
  your voice catches, and violet hues focus even harder at the runes in an attempt to fight off the lump forming in your throat. what the hell do you say next? god, youâre glad no one else aside from the librarianâs in here; the last thing youâd want is a gaggle of cute girls witnessing you trying and failing to keep it together...













