(no subject)

[wise_maiden]

[Action]

[The solemn city of Sanctuary, home to Mages. There's something different in the atmosphere lately, the feeling of relief of years of Gigan rule, a time for schedules to be slightly more relaxed. That's about the only real difference.

Visitors to the city, however, that was also something else. It didn't take long for rumors of the arrivals from Union to begin circulating - a small number at that, but still enough to catch attention - though the context of it varied, from gratitude to disdain, and that was about all.

Aware of their presence, but not certain how to approach them just yet, the young woman did her best to be discreet in her observations of the varied strangers over the past few days.

... still, that doesn't mean she can't be bumped into, such as when she's bringing files to an office. Or on her way to the library to wind down after a busy day... conveniently during the more quiet times of day. Some of those meetings might not be accidental.]

My apologies, I'm not usually this clumsy...


[OOC: Backdated by about a week or so for timeline purposes!]

Comments

Action

[untalented]

[If she was clumsy, then Waver was clumsier; between trying to slip unnoticed into the libraries to get more literature to add to his meager collection, trying to keep an eye out for what the rest of the party from Union was doing within the city, and dealing with the antics of his exhuberant Foongus, Orpheus, he had more than enough complications on his plate to deal with.

That was why he hurriedly dropped to his knees to collect the books that had fallen when he collided with the stranger, taking great care not to look directly at her face lest one of them recognize the other.]

--My bad. I wasn't paying attention...

[The books were tomes detailing the early theories behind Magecraft, and thick folios about combining spells into a greater whole. Even if execution was difficult, Waver wanted to absorb as much of this information as possible.]

Action

[wise_maiden]

[She takes a small step back, a few of the titles catching her eye.]

It's fine, I should have been more careful. [And then, almost hesitantly:] Do you need a hand?

Action

[untalented]

No-- I've got this.

[He spoke quickly, casting a brief glance up at the woman as if to assure her that everything was under control before getting back to work-- and praying to whatever gods were listening that she didn't ask him about having a library card.]

Action

[wise_maiden]

If you're certain. [She regards him thoughtfully -- ordinarily she would have taken that at face value and went back to her own business, but there's something familiar there, in that dodgy behavior. Then again, some Sanctuary natives were just like that.]

Those books are valuable property, after all. I hope nothing has happened to their condition from the fall.

Action

[untalented]

[Some Sanctuary natives were like that-- especially if they grew up at the street level, with the talent for magic but without the proper coin to have full access to the libraries at the Academy. But Waver was there dressed as someone from Union, now. The loose fitting, simplistic clothes that were indicative of their city had been exchanged for the slimly cut clothes and harder shoes of Union...and that would be more than enough to raise someone's suspicion.]

I'm completely certain. These books are probably more valuable than either of us know.

ACTION.

[ladyofluminosity]

[ On most days, Lux practically lived at the library. It was hard not to bury herself in the texts found there, the writings so different from what she was used to in Union. The blond simply couldn't resist, there was so much to learn here! She even had her assistant, Regina the Blissey, to help carry any overflow back to her flat, for the few times that she happened to head back for dinner and to, inevitably, collapse for a few hours.

Functioning on less than normal levels of sleep for long periods of time was a bench mark for any good researcher (or so she told herself). With books and papers clutched to her chest, doing her best to stifle a yawn before it took hold, the young enlightened turned a corner, not quite looking ahead to where she was going. Papers scattered, and the blond jumped back, nearly bowling over the young, pink and white assistant trailing not too far behind. ]

O-oh! Oh goodness, I'm so sorry!

[ Good job, Lux. Great way to make a good first impression with the locals, ramming into them. ]

Are you okay?

ACTION.

[wise_maiden]

[By the sound of the stranger's voice, she was no Sanctuary native. That was good, and yet - odd. The Pokemon helper doesn't go unnoticed either.]

Ah -- I'm fine, don't worry. [From her observation, the stranger seemed almost as frazzled as Raine felt, and that helped her get a handle on her own nerves.] Do you need a hand? It seems we've made a little mess...

ACTION.

[ladyofluminosity]

[ Regina scrambles to a stop, watching the scene take place and unsure of what to do. She only had so many hands, and right now, they were full.

Oh, but who was this? The Blissey looked up to Raine, still holding onto her notes, and clutching them a bit apprehensively. She wasn't the best with strangers...

Crouching down, Lux rested her books down--a number of texts, many about the history of Sanctuary and stories about the Seer, along with a few tomes outlining very basic magics. Nibbling on her lip a bit, she tries to sort through the assorted pages of notes that have fallen out. She had spent so much time keeping things together too. Oh well.

Looking up at the other woman, she gives her a bit of a reassuring smile. ]

It's all right, I should have been watching where I was going. No harm done.

ACTION.

[wise_maiden]

If you say...

[Raine glances back toward the woman when she speaks, giving a nod. Under most circumstances that would have been the extent of the interaction for her, and she would have ducked out politely, but these weren't exactly normal circumstances.]

Although... your companion still seems a little distressed.

ACTION.

[ladyofluminosity]

[ Oh! P-please don't mind her, miss! Regina would wave her little arms a bit, if she were not still holding on to her materials as tightly as she could. ]

Huh? Oh!

[ Turning toward the young Blissey, Lux looked back toward Raine. ]

She's just worried is all. We're still new here, and she has always been a bit shy.

[ True to her word, Regina attempts to hide behind Lux. ]

Action

[indy_wannabe]

Whoa there, you OK?

Action

[wise_maiden]

Oh -

[She hastily takes a step back, kneeling to quickly gather her dropped items, which include a couple of textbooks and a small round ball that slipped off of it's clip in the collision.]

-- Y-yes, I'm fine. Are you? These corners hardly give any warning when people are walking around the other side, after all.

Re: Action

[indy_wannabe]

Don't worry about it, it's just a bump. Here.

[He helps her gather up her items and notices the title of one of the texts]

Archaeology eh? I didn't expect to encounter a peer out here.

[wise_maiden]

[She's slightly alarmed at having her things handled by a stranger, though she keeps a mild expression as everything is gathered.

Raine does tilt her head at his observation.] Is that so? It is a fascinating branch of study...

[indy_wannabe]

Have you had a chance to visit Union yet? We're sitting on top of an Old City, it's pretty cool. Lots of history down there.

action;

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

[ Rincewind had gone home. It wasn't home any more of course. What used to be the family house was now just a boarded up, rickety old tower. It had always been rickety, but now it housed the emptiness of a disused storage shed left to rot under the sun. He wondered if it had been looted. Maybe someone was inside? Empty places always attracted the kind of person looking for a good squat. ]

[ He pulled his hat off and fished around the folds and flaps of the conical part. It had to be- ah! There it is. He gripped a small silver key and held it out. Then, something bumped him. Rincewind flailed to keep his balance ... ]

[ The key slipped from his fingers. It performed two magnificent cartwheels through the air before landing on a nearby sewer grate. Much like Rincewind's dreams of living in perpetual boredom, it fell in. ]

Oh sod.

action;

[wise_maiden]

[That was... incredibly unfortunate, as the reason for the said bump gathers her bearings and observes the sad display.]

Oh -- are you all right? This isn't exactly the best area to be wandering in ...

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

[ The target of misfortune turned to her and slowly placed the sad, red hat back on top of his head. He was feeling uncharacteristically rattled. He fixed her with a deliberate stare, well practiced from many a staring session with the Luggage. He'd never won. ]

It can't be much worse than it was three months ago. Anyway, I live here. Er ... lived. You know. I'd prove it by going in, but it just so happens the only house key's just gone and inconveniently mired itself at the bottom of a sewer.

You don't happen to have a talent for picking locks, do you?

[wise_maiden]

[Her gaze flicks over to the forlorn tower. A sad sight, much like the others in the area, though something seemed even shabbier about it. It might have been the company, as she takes a better look at the person in front of her.

Was he telling the truth, or was he a potential looter? Times had changed, and things were strange. Though there's something familiar about his look.]

That key likely had protection over it to defend you from the wards, if it really is your family home. So even if I could... are you honestly prepared to handle that backlash?

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

[ He squinted at the subject of their conversation. He couldn't remember if there had been wards placed, but knowing his luck... He sighed. ]

You're probably right. Story of my life.

[ He looked at her and seemed to contemplate something. ]

Erm ... if it's the shades here, why are you here? Literally, I mean. Not metaphorical. All existential questions aside.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei honestly looked a little out of sorts here in Sanctuary, and perhaps even looked a little out of place. She wore her shrine maiden's outfit, a starkly contrasting red and white set of clothing that was regarded even in Union as a peculiarity. She was most definitely not what someone would consider normal, at any rate.

And that was even discounting the unnatural heat that radiated all around her. Even a clumsy young woman could hardly fail to miss it, but in the late summer sun it was perhaps more excusable.

She turned to regard the other, a perplexed look on her face.]

Goodness, are you alright miss?

[wise_maiden]

Oh -- yes, I'm fine. [Apparent clumsiness aside, it wasn't too difficult for her to pick up on when a person was more than what they seemed. The strange outfit alone is a clear sign of an outsider, and that heat...

She studies the stranger carefully while regaining her bearings, clutching her satchel tightly before adjusting it. For her part, her clothes are rather plain in comparison, shapeless grey robes and hood with a blouse and skirt underneath.

There's a slight hesitance before she voices her own concern, mostly trying to gauge the stranger's expression.]

... Are you all right?

[faithfulflame]

[Said stranger was staring rather intently. Not because of the outfit, or because of the apparent curiosity, but because of the rather awkward hesitance. There was something going on here, and this woman either wanted something or was very interested in Rei for whatever reason. She didn't look like a thief, and even then the priestess kept her money pouch against her skin in a special pocket.

Which meant something else, naturally.]

Perfectly fine. No harm done. [She cocks her head to one side.] Can I help you with something?

[wise_maiden]

[She shakes her head.] No... I had thought that your outfit seemed a little unusual, though I don't mean to be impolite. You must be from outside Sanctuary.

[Well, that was obvious, and almost a little too conversational for her tastes, when most her instincts were telling her to flee.]

[faithfulflame]

You're correct in that. [Rei's expression flickers from confusion to a soft smile.]

I'm from Union. And you don't have to be so nervous, I'm not going to hurt you, or...do anything to you at all.