#nero 01

The first time Talisa had heard of a flea market the idea disgusted her. It sounded grotesque, bizarre, and unsanitary; these were the same words she might use to describe the inhabitants of Taravell. At least, if there were any one to discuss the matter with plainly aside from Fyren she would. Once, the young steel dragon had spoken as candidly as she pleased about the inhabitants of this subpar under-world (under in the most literal sense, as in below, though Talisa did consider the continent her own personal hell) with the pink dragon and he had not taken kindly to her harsh words. She supposed to a certain extent that his opinion was tainted by nostalgia for a world gone by, but nonetheless she struggled to imagine a version of Taravell or the fabled Avalon that could possibly be worthy of Fyren’s high esteem.

However, there were occasional little pleasures. Talisa had learned of the traveling flea market of the esteemed Jennifer Cool Lich by way of fellow Nightingales. Of course, it had not been shared by means of their normal coded secret language–it was shared as idle gossip. Talisa could barely remember the topic they had truly spoken of, this or that with some stones that fell down and some magical sphere or other such shape that had–well, she’d stopped listening entirely by then. The memory of the unpleasant task of pretending to listen was far behind her now as she traversed through aisle after aisle in the makeshift market of the travelling arcane merchant. Perpetually favoring form over function, Talisa strolled stall and display alike looking to spend Fyren’s hard earned coin on something pretty rather than something practical. 

This late into her excursion, she had nearly lost hope. In Aetheron, everything was somehow better, elevated. Food was more flavorful, colors more vibrant, melodies more sweet. It was rare she found an object in this wasteland of mediocrity that could capture her attention for any longer than it took to turn it over once or twice in her hands and realize it was just a flimsy attempt at true beauty. The wares of Jennifer Cool Lich had been different though–but Talisa had been beat out by some cherub-faced blonde man for each object that had attracted her attention. Somehow, he always managed to be one step ahead of her and it seemed he might pluck the object of her desire once more. Well, not on her watch! Talisa drew a deep breath and centered her focus on the glimmering, beautifully blown glass decanter they were both reaching for and caused the man next to her to envision it half a foot to the left of where it really was. As he made to select his purchase, he clutched only at air where her magic had led him to believe the item was while Talisa casually collected the glassware for herself. “You have lovely taste,” she complimented in a flouting lilt.

Ismael’s been browsing. It’s early in the morning. Not crack of dawn early, but it’s fairly early. At least enough to where stores are finally opening up. “Man, there’s just so many cool stuff here. What should I get?” Here’s the thing, she’s been staring at TWO specific items for quite some time now and she HAS to have  been asking the same questions about six time total. 

This is serious business. With her birthday just around the corner, she wants to treat herself something nice. Her FIRST birthday in Spirale. Away from home. 

The word comes out less of a command, though stern all the same, as Himmel intently watched something just beyond his sight; staying crouched next to the crest of a small hill. As the blues of his eyes narrowed, so did the newfound ears on his head twitch; able to hear each footstep of the rabbit crunch down on the snow beneath it.

"It hasn't noticed us yet, but if we move too quickly, it will be gone in an instant. You must be patient until it turns its back."

And within moments, the smaller animal seemed to do just that; busying itself by digging through the snow in an attempt to find anything green.

"Perhaps we'll be lucky this time around," with a smile, the man lowered his arm away from the woman next to him; giving her the freedom to act. "On my mark, miss Nero. Stay steady.. and.."

"-- there. Strike it, now!"

“Hey, do you know what a lich is?”

It’s kind of a time sensitive question, given how close they are to one right now. Kay’s pulled the other behind a large rock outcropping where the ghostly figure can’t see them, and her heart’s going a mile a minute as she holds her staff to her chest.

“They’re not all bad, but this one is. And she kinda has it out for me.” A quick glace around the corner tells her she’s still out there, and she turns to the stranger.

THEY were only supposed to come out on clear days. At least, that's what they were always told. Yet there it was, a sunspot branded into the mist, despite the bloody eclipse hanging over their head. How convenient, then, that this strange fog has restored their strength - and a less useless blade, at that.

The skies part, bringing rows of bow-wielding Lunarians standing atop towering clouds. They don't have time to question why or how they've come. A nearby presence pulls their crimson gaze over their shoulder. Ah, another one of those human things. How nice!

The rider squints in disapproval as cordial request only gave way to further lack of consideration. Weather words held true or not was irrelevant, the library was meant to be a quiet place to relax and enjoy reading. “What nonsense do you speak? That would negate the very purpose of this space….”

Although the red saber held a certain charm about her, none would be pardoned when it came to disturbing her sacred hobby. “I must protest, that you would so proudly continue this folly means you are wholly inadequate for the position you hold.”

@rubeus

these fairies were trouble, absolute trouble, able to make anyone fall in love on a whim, simply by shooting them with an arrow, and there were so many of them, truly a terrifying foe, one that she’d already lost to once, but not one she couldn’t handle.  As long as she focused on dodging she could cut down as many of them as she wanted

well cut wasn’t accurate, but she could send them flying with a wooden sword.  and that was exactly what she was doing

“batter up!” she swung her sword, impacting with one of the fairies and sending it to a location that wasn’t here.  maybe it would think twice about coming back

this continued for a little while, before she noticed a random passerby.  and imagine the luck!

“RED SABER!” she shouted, charging at the girl in front of her, “LET’S FINISH THIS”

unfortunately for her, those fairies didn’t exactly take kindly to what she’d been doing before.  timed to near perfection, she felt an arrow enter her back, and like the last one, swiftly disappear as she tripped over her own feet.

slamming into the ground, face first, right in front of the red saber, she had no choice but to look up as she ascended.  and then like a ton of bricks, she felt that familiar feeling of love click into place...

Except she knew it to be anything but.

There’d been a string of disappearances in a rather shady neighbourhood that seemed to fit the same MO of what she’d seen. It hadn’t taken much for her to decide on how her free time was to be spent and without hesitation she’d woken bright and early to start asking questions in the various cafes and bars in the area. The day has drawn on and it was dusk when she arrived at the bar that someone had pointed her in the direction of. It had surprised her really, that someone had actually told her something when most of the time she was shut down rudely. But she was determined and it took more than a couple of strangers snapping at her to make her retreat.

Straightening out her jacket, the leather of it still feeling foreign despite her having worn it all day, she entered the bar. Without any hesitation she went up to the bar and fired her usual questions at the man behind it with a sweet smile. With a little bit of persuasion, in the form of some crisp notes,  he gave her the answers she wanted and gestured to someone sat by themselves.

Her stride was confident as she made her way over, stopping just short of the table. With a little clearing of her throat she spoke clearly, announcing her presence as she held out her hand. “Annaleigh Carmichael.” There was a little smile on her face that was intended to be reassuring but she knew that her air of self certainty conflicted with the facade of innocence.  “I have a few questions I’m hoping you won’t mind answering.”