#thearchmage0103

“You’re headed someplace a little different this time. Don’t worry, I have an acquaintance there who you can rely on, just let them know I sent you. Good luck!”

Those where the last things Viridis heard before being roughly shoved through a star shaped tear. He supposed that the stumbling steps he took to steady himself were marginally more graceful than the last entry he had been forced to make in another world. His belongs were not quite so lucky, getting shunted across a plane of baked clay and dust several yards apart from one another.

“Ahh crap... I wish she’d warn me before doing that every time. I could at least get a good grip on my things before that happens.”

“Well at least you stuck the landing  instead of tumbling on your ass like last time.” A voice teased him from the back of his mind.

Grumbling, the human scuffed up the fine soil as he gathered his belongings: A worn leather bag that had seen as much wear as the spare clothes inside it, a nondescript looking walking cane with a brass handle, a large ornate metal crest pin, and a thick tome emblazoned with a simplified version of the crest’s insignia.

“Hey, kid, hurry it up.”

“Why? You itching to get going already Ignis?”

“No, just an uncomfortable feeling that something’s approaching.”

“Wait, like what?” Viridis asked, straightening up to scan the flattened surroundings with sudden anxiety. Ignis was right, something about the situation felt off, like the prickling sensation that was creeping up his back.

“I don’t know, but I think it’d be smart to be ready for a scrap.”

"Hah, you're getting quite the workout with all this sitting and standing." Ignis picked on the human as they trailed behind the archmage.

"Hardly, unless someone asks me to put on an improvised stage play, I can do this all day." Viridis shot back, tucking his book back into its satchel and twirling his cane a few times in a showy fashion. "Besides, I just may have to get back into the habit of doing that if we'll be staying here long. Then again, I should probably be blending in instead of standing out..."

While the two of them mulled it over, Viridis took careful note of each room and description they were fed information on as they were toured through the castle. Much as the library excited him, Viridis hung a moment on the aquarium and greenhouse, tempted to turn back and have a long look at the creatures and plant life of this world. Pragmatism, and a bit of impatience on Ignis' part kept his footsteps in line behind the Archmage till they reached the corridor dividing the kitchens from someone's room across the way. Yet more locations for him to remember, and though he planned to try his best and map out the floorplan he had seen already, it was the names he fixated on most. People were not his strong suit, but he was making a full effort to get better at making sure to make a good impression and actually remember things about specific individuals.

He then glanced up at the doorway that Tanner had gestured to. In spite of himself, he was feeling more anxious than before, it was as if a weight was starting to settle on his back as he contemplated his options. Viridis felt very out of his depth, one foot sliding backwards ever so slightly. "Well... I suppose, I could manage on my own. Just let me put away this tattered shawl here so I don't look like such a vagrant."

Grabbing and drawing the stiff fabric away from his mouth and shoulders, he exhaled slowly, hoping to push back some of the unease. "That's much better. It wouldn't be presentable to introduce myself with half of my face hidden, now would it?" Putting on a pleasant grin, he hoped that the messy reddish marks of scar tissue that had been exposed wouldn't be too jarring, despite the people here being rather stare-worthy themselves. Stuffing the shawl into his bag out of sight, he put a hand on the door and slowly pushed it open.

"Alright, thank you for escorting me here, Tanner, wish me luck."

@thearchmage0103