[OPEN] May Catch-All

[haveaflare]

Who: Dion and you!
Status: Open
Where: Various locations
What: Open and Closed General and MANTA prompts
Warnings: None as of yet, will update as needed

Shellton | Eltrut | "Movable Type" Bookshop - OTA
[While there are many things to see and do throughout the wide world of Escordvi, Dion has started small and has started by taking time for leisure, something he rarely had time for in Valisthea, and so he was browsing shelves, surprisingly vast ones, in a bookshop off the main market. Mostly, the tall blond is keeping himself to the non-fiction section, amazed at the sheer number of titles spanning the shelves. It would seem printing was a thing here, as the typewriter which initiated him suggested, and he's rarely seen so many books collected in one place.

So much knowledge is collected here he hardly knows where to begin, and so he might turn to a fellow browser, leaning slightly so as to keep his voice low.]

Begging your pardon, of course, could you perchance suggest a title? I've no idea where to begin.

Eltrut | A Clearing Outside Shellton | OTA
[He's received a word of warning from Jill regarding the potential potency of Bahamut, which only serves to further reinforce the caution Benedikta instilled in him, and so in an effort to assure he's prepared to aid those here in whatever capacity he is able, Dion has found a suitable clearing outside the port in order to acclimate to the way his Aether pools in this place.

The prince is clad in his mithril armor for no other reason than it serves the purpose of protection and doesn't force him to spend doubloons he'd rather keep for food, and sets about moving through warm-up drills first: simple polearm forms designed to get his muscles loose and to work out the stiffness from his joints he always experiences in association with the Crystal's curse that's slowly turning all Bearers and Dominants to stone.

He'll welcome the company, and is more than game to spar with anyone looking to hone their skills or keep themselves sharp. He'll offer an amicable smile when he pauses in his rhythm, inclining his head.]

Well met. Are you looking to sharpen or observe?

[wildcard]
(OOC: feel free to throw whatever scene you'd like at me! If you'd like a specific prompt, feel free to drop me a line on plurk at vikael or on discord at vikael, but I'm pretty flexible and can fall in with whatever you're feeling!

MANTA prompts are in their own thread below)

Comments

[haveaflare]

If it's within my power to do so, I would help the people of this place.

[He nods. He isn't an investigator, but he's trained as a warrior most of his life, and while not a mage, he does carry the power of a powerful entity that allows him to cast things quite like magic, and he firmly believes he was gifted that power in order to aid others.]

And while I may not be an investigator, I can offer protection. [He inclines his head.] I am Dion of House Lesage. [And if the broad shoulders and fluid gait are any indication, a skilled combatant as well.]

[coldjustice]

Yeah. I feel the same way. Did it at home. Why not here?

[ neve's life has been all about helping people, using her status abd privilege for the good of the lower class. she doesn't hold the same social status here but she doesn't see any reason not to continue to help those she can. so finding this request for urgent aid? definitely something she wants to look into. ]

Neve Gallus. [ she doesn't offer a hand to shake or any sort of formality. what she does is give him a look over, to see what she can of his mannerisms and whether or not anything worries her immediately. ]

Got my magic to help, but a strong combatant to take the heat off me if we get into trouble would be appreciated. We'll have to tread carefully. It doesn't sound like the sort of venture one gets into without expecting trouble. When are you available to look into this?

[ her instinct is to go now, while the trail is still fresh, but she'd be a fool to go alone. ]

[haveaflare]

[In slight contrast, Dion was a war commander who followed his father, the Emperor's, orders to aggressively expand their territory, thinking naively believing Sanbrequois rule was the answer to the peoples' problems. He was a knight sworn to their protection and aided in their oppression. He would make amends and use his powers for good instead of misguided ill.

If he's offended by her lack of a handshake, he doesn't show it. His stance is tall, confident but not arrogant, his expression earnest and certain as he nods.]

A mage, then. I have my magic as well. If you require protection, you shall have it. Allow me to retrieve my lance from my quarters. We shall reconvene here in a quarter hour. Is that sufficient time for preparation?

[coldjustice]

[ she'll get there, one day, when she's more sure of the people and how things work here. for now, she's keeping to herself until she knows the extended hands won't get bitten. ]

A mage, yes. [ she refrains from showing him her magic, even though she could. it wouldn't take much to coat her hands in frost. but that can come later. instead, she just nods to confirm his words. ] That would be appreciated. I have all I need with me, so I'll meet you here when you're prepared.

[ the bonus part of being a mage: carrying her small staff at her hip and not requiring anything too large for every day movement. but she has traveled with plenty of warriors in her time, so she'll spend the extra time looking over the board to see if she can find any clues hidden among the words. ]

[haveaflare]

[They'll likely have plenty of time to show both their hands on the journey to come. As it stands, Dion doesn't feel the need to demonstrate anymore than Neve does.

And he actually returns not only on time, but two minutes early, with a shining silver Halberd strapped to his back, looking for all intents and purposes like someone ready for action.]

Thank you for waiting. Shall we find ourselves transport?

[coldjustice]

[ ooc: skipped ahead a little bit, but i can adjust if you'd rather play out the journey too! ]


[ if neve knows anything, it's that her jobs usually go sideways eventually. they'll likely have an opportunity soon enough.

she takes note of his arrival, nodding in greeting before she turns towards a vessel she'd heard could take them to the island. tilting her head in the direction of the rumor, she starts walking that way. ]

Looked into that a bit. This way.

[ it doesn't take them long to secure passage, or to make their way to the island. it's probably lucky she's used to minrathous being a harbor city and dock town being, well, literally on the docks. makes balancing with her prosthetic easier. the metal leg itself might not always catch the eye, but the dull thunk of it on wood or metal is certainly different enough from normal boots. ]

There it is, [ she says, pointing out the island from the ship's railing as they approach. ] Be cautious. Situation like this, we should stick together. I'll see if I can find any magical residue or enchantments, or something to trace, and we can go from there.

[haveaflare]

[ooc: time skip works for me!]

[It's a prosthetic that certainly catches Dion's attention. While much of his military's weaponry is enchanted, or utilizes crystals to make spells portable for those not born with the ability to use it, medical science is distinctly lacking. At best, a peg leg would be given to one in her condition, and that includes the nobility.

It seemed an ill time to comment on the prosthetic, but he did note the craftsmanship as well: remarkable. No less fine than the filigree that went into the detailing on his, a prince's, pauldrons.

With his gaze, he followed the direction she indicated, jaw setting into a determined line, brow creasing slightly with concern. These were not his people, but something was taking him, he was sure of it, and he would end it if he could.

He nodded once in agreement. While he was sensitive to the movement of Aether, the magic of his world was proving different and he would defer to someone more attuned, or at least more versatile.]

As you say. I shall remain at your side and vigilant. Alert me of aught is amiss.

[coldjustice]

You do the same, if you see anything that looks out of place.

[ the prosthetic also looks a bit worn, certainly not shiny like newly-worked metal, but it flexes and bends perfectly for her to walk and even run. she doesn't look at all hindered as they make their way down onto the island. she doesn't have a hood over her head, but the enchantments on her gear cause the water to slide off of her without soaking her, a product of the fact that her home rains nearly non-stop.

instantly, a frown crosses her face. something does not feel right out here. ]

Be on your guard. It's far too quiet here. I'd expect to hear the sounds of the waves or the rain at least. Some sort of wildlife in the distance.

[ birds? davrin would say birds. but there's nothing.

she makes her way along the beach for a few moments, to see if she can find any remnants of a shipwreck, and what she does find seems to have fewer clues than she'd like. maybe something further in will yield more, but she isn't sure she wants to go too far without an even larger group. they can look for clues, check as far as they dare without getting lost, and come back later with reinforcements. ]

[haveaflare]

[She would find no argument with the prince. There was something eerie about the air, the way it clung to the senses. Salt. The beach so smell of salt, and yet it seems stagnant, somehow.

And yes, there were no birds. Or crickets. Or even crabs skittering across the rock-strewn and sandy shore.

He is not as impervious to the rain, his blond hair plastered to his forehead soon enough. Thankfully, mithril armor did not rust, but padded under-armor became heavy when soaked through.

And it built up a thirst. He reached to his supply pack, which he was wise enough to bring, and found his waterskin, nodding to her.]

We should seek shelter. Much is amiss, but we've not come so far only to turn back at the shore.

[coldjustice]

Agreed, but we should be careful. If we start to feel threatened by anything, we should note what we can and come back another time. Something in this doesn't sit well.

[ all of her instincts say there's a more sinister cause. And if she knows her luck with cases, something will go sideways. And fast. ]

Let's see if we can find some clues as to where the crews went. Even if we don't find them, if we have ideas as to where they are, that's something we can take back. Rain might not let up, either, so we shouldn't stay long.

[ it's funny... in a way, it feels like the rain back home in minrathous. Rumor had it that the near constant rain was caused by the magic holding the archon's palace aloft above the city. And in some ways... this rain feels similar.

She holds a gauntleted hand out, catching a few droplets, but refraining from doing more than sniffing them. ]

Not sure I like this rain, either, if I'm honest. The quiet feels wrong. Could be a magical cause. Stay on your toes.

[haveaflare]

Everything here is threatening.

[The silence is the most eerie. Save for the rain, there is no sound at all, and she is right to be cautious.

And she was right about the rain as well. There was something almost sinister about it, and it certainly weighed him down more than a downfall should.

And he was developing a beastly thirst as well, one that wouldn't long be sustained by the water they'd brought with them.]

What sort of magical origin would make entire crews disappear and leave their wrecks behind? A beast of some kind?