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Post by Gelquie on Sept 30, 2019 4:04:42 GMT -5
So uh... I never posted Amani's downtime recap. Oops? I'm omitting the last part with Amani and Meallan because it is looong. And would probably be recapped differently from this because again, long. I figured this mostly has to do with Amani, so I went ahead and posted it despite it involving a few others in places. Amani's Downtime - Speaking Sylvan SufficientlyAwkward AmendsThis part seems odd. You can tell that the paper was very worn, and dirty from its presence in the forest. But the most odd thing was that it looked as if sections were omitted, either with ink or violently torn out. The document begins in the middle, with a beginning only evidenced by the sudden start and the tear at the top of the parchment. The document begins here.
After a long quiet moment, Amani suddenly looked up, their attention caught by something knocking against the trees in the distance. Something that does not look like another branch... Amani realized that maybe they should've checked their surroundings first before going on as they did.
They whisper in Sylvan: "Surati! Someone's here."
Surati didn't see anyone, but he followed Amani and helped them search for the intruder. It wasn't long before Amani reached the treeline, peering through the branches, and...
"Basil!" Amani cried out, shocked at the sight of their adventuring companion in the deep woods alone. Their face was unreadable.
"Hey!" Basil cheered in turn. "I brought you a snack!"
Amani hesitated, unsure what to make of this predicament. "...What are you doing here?"
"Uh... You looked kind of down! I thought you might be hungry," Basil explained.
"Oh, I... am I...?" Amani trailed off, considering the prospect of whether or not they may be hungry, and if they were hungry enough for the bits of spider demon leg that the halfling was offering. They are soon distracted by a more prominent issue, that being the halfling's presence. With a shrug of their shoulders, they look back. "How... long have you been here?"
"Ohh, I just got here!"
"...You did? ...When?"
"Just now! Just this instant!" Basil insisted.
Amani perhaps should've spent more time doubting this fact, but the matter was that they were just too distracted by the present situation--and the words they were struggling and failing to articulate in anything more than stutters--to take Basil's words at anything but face value.
Then Basil cut in. "That's a pretty cool cat!"
Amani paused, realizing that he's talking about Surati. "Oh, I, uh, yeah! He-he is! My... cat friend."
"Hi cat!"
Surati, in turn, responded in the most cat-like manner. "Me-ow!"
"...Yup. Just. A cat. A cat-friend!" Amani put their hand on said cat-friend, who's giving off wisps of shadow, before realizing that this is not a normal thing. "...A magic cat friend!"
"Cool, cool," Basil replied. "You know how I like random monster friends."
"Yeah! He's... exactly that!" Amani assured.
There's a brief silence.
"...Aaaanyways! Sorry to bother you!" Basil waved. "I'm going to head back to the others. Maybe do some shopping in town."
Amani is startled back to the present. "Oh. Uhh, I'm gonna stay out here. And, uh..."
"Yeah! Have some spider leg!" Basil offered them a leg.
"Oh, uh. I guess I am kind of hungry. But I don't know about spider leg..." they admitted.
"Really? Huh."
As Amani stands there, waffling over whether they actually want to sink their teeth into the leg of a demonic spindly spider, Basil realizes for the first time that his taste in food might be kind of odd.
Amani then starts stuttering again, and it's some time before they can come up with something coherent. "I... I didn't expect you to come after me, or offer like this. Or to... care, like this." They mutter quietly.
"Well, I did kind of feel bad for mugging you," Basil admitted. "Eventually."
"Oh, um. You are? I... I... ..." Amani stands there, stuttering for a bit, uncertain of how to take this. It was very clear that they did not expect this. Eventually, they manage a partially coherent: "Thank you. ....Um. You won't do it again?"
"No. Not to you!" Basil promised. "...Well, some rando. But."
"Oh. Um... Well, that's... something," Amani settled. "I... appreciate that. Thank you."
"No problem!"
"...And, uh." Amani rubbed the back of their neck. "And I'm sorry, for uh, I'm sorry for that ray of frost, and that..."
"Oh, oh no! Like, that was totally expected."
"Oh! Well. Yeah." Amani chuckled for a brief time before trailing off. "And um. I'm sorry for not helping much in that fight, and not casting mage armor on you…"
"Well, thanks," Basil said. "But, I mean, we were against a big freakin' spider demon."
Amani sighed. "Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry."
"No! I mean, like, I'm surprised we didn't all die to be honest," Basil clarified. "It's not like we did that shabby, considering."
Amani paused, indeed considering this. "...Yeah, I... I'm surprised too. W-we could've. But I mean, I could've hit more, and I could've at least given you mage armor, just in case. I just figured that you would've been fine. I mean, you are good at fighting, I've noticed that. But against something like that, a-anything would've... I'm sorry for not casting it on you."
"It's all good. Something's gonna kill us all eventually. But if it was that, no one would be shocked."
Amani gave an uncertain chuckle. "Yeah, heh, y-yeah, I wouldn't be either. Still, I'm sorry for not doing more to help you."
"Yeah, no big deal! You wanna go shoppin'?"
"Um, I-I want to stay out here for a while. But maybe I'll come back to Zaihar later."
"Alright! If you want some spider nuggets, you know where to find me."
"A-alright," Amani said.
And with that, they said their goodbyes. Amani stood where they were while Basil began to make their way through the forest, back to Ur Zaihar. Though the way was dark and forested, and he had trouble with his lantern, Basil would eventually make it back to the elven city unscathed. A Brief ReunionAmani had gone to the library, searching for specific books. They had spent much time searching when they turn a corner... To find themselves face to face with Meallan.
"Oh! Meallan! Uh... hi." Amani tapered off awkwardly. They had impromptu left without a word and didn't show up until about a day or so later. They weren't entirely sure what to expect when they showed up, but for reasons that didn't make sense to them in hindsight, they didn't expect this.
Meallan only looked happy and relieved. "I am glad to see you safe. I...was worried. You are not hurt, are you?"
"N-no, not anymore, I-I'm fine. I'm absolutely fine. Don't worry about me." Amani looked a little nervous when they said this, but Meallan determined it was for unrelated reasons.
He smiled. "I am happy to hear. You disappeared very suddenly, and with Basil in tow. Then we could not find you. But you are here now. I am happy."
"Oh, I-I didn't know you were looking for me. Um. Don't worry, I just wanted to take a walk. And Basil, um. He followed me, but it worked out."
"Good. I am glad. I feared he might try to steal from you again. But what brings you to Dyventain?"
Amani shook their head. "Oh, no, uh, actually we're fine now. He promised not to steal from me anymore. Anyway, I wanted to study a bit. My Sylvan isn't... good enough, so I was looking for books to help me out. Have you seen any?"
"As a matter of fact, I have. I have been doing some research in the library and found some books. Here." Meallan walked to a shelf and picked out two books; one on learning the language from scratch, the other on a combination of language-learning and more general discussion of fey, particularly how they use their language to influence others. He handed them to Amani "This might be useful for you."
"Oh, great; thank you!" Amani took the books and starts flipping through one of them. They spent some time scanning the material, looking satisfied with what Meallan found. After a while, they finally remembered Meallan's presence, and looked up at him. "What have you been researching?"
"Magic and how to make myself stronger," Meallan explained. "I have also met another sorcerer, though her power leans towards storms. She lives here and has been helping me in my research."
"Oh, is she?" Amani questioned, briefly looking away. "And she's been helping you with magic?"
"Not magic, merely research." he corrected. "She is not a confident enough mage yet. But it has been interesting meeting her."
"Ahh, I see," Amani said, looking relieved. "Well, I hope you're able to find what you're looking for. Some books... aren't the greatest at teaching that."
"It has been slow but I think I am making some progress. I do have a few leads. And I hope you might better your sylvan." Meallan scratched where his beard is. "Perhaps I could help? I learned some sylvan from Varentari fey, and my lady has polished that skill. I would be glad to tutor you."
Amani blinked. "Oh, would you? ...Yeah, I could use the help and extra practice. Thank you! Do you want to do it now, or another time?"
"Now is not a good time. Perhaps when I finish my research? You can get some practice beforehand and I can help you where you are lagging behind."
"Uh, alright, sure! And maybe I can ask about some of your magic studies," Amani said. "Um... I'm kinda in and out. Do you want to set up a time?"
"Yes, please," Meallan said. "I am staying in the dormitory here should you need to find me, or you may send me a message via Aytal. I would prefer this out in the woods, if possible. I am growing sick of being in hiding in the library."
"No, I don't blame you. I've been out in the woods too; just need some air sometimes. But I also have a room in a dormitory here too; you can try there or the library if you want to find me?"
Amani gave the details, and they made arrangements to have a tutoring session on the last day of their week. Informational InterrogativesWhile they were at the library, they started searching for information on archfey from places outside of Eaine, looking for one archfey in particular. But they sighed in frustration as the fruitless search turned up nothing. They went to find Meallan to ask him about this, but unfortunately, he had already gone elsewhere, and they didn't know where. No matter; if Amani didn't see them sooner, they would ask later, perhaps at the tutoring session. It was important to ask him, after all.
Just as they were finishing their search, Amani spotted two apprentices at the library who were speaking quietly to each other on a pile of cushions. Amani recognized one of them as an apprentice during the Spider Demon incident. They're reticent to approach, remembering their own perceived failure. But they eventually did so and asked if they or anyone they know needed a Sylvan language practice partner.
The apprentice responded in Elvish. "Um, hi! I'm sorry, I don't know Sylvan, but I can help ask around if you like? Probably owe you that much."
"O-owe me?" Amani stuttered. "Oh, no, uh... If you can help ask though, I'll appreciate it, thank you."
So she got up to ask around, leaving Amani awkwardly with her friend. They're quiet for a little while, their conversation broken with small talk. First was a very brief talk about the weather, and then Amani asked about schoolwork.
"Oh, yeah! I'm swamped. I don't even know where to begin," the friend groaned. "I'm supposed to argue the cons of magically enhanced food, and my master's other apprentice is much better at arguing than me and they're doing the pros, and...." she rambled on about this for some time.
Amani looked on with sympathy, letting them ramble until the end. "I'm so sorry... Don't worry if you don't manage it. As long as you show skill in other magical aspects, or maybe find a different way entirely, it won't matter if this goes poorly, in the grand scheme of things."
The apprentice appreciated their empathy, which Amani was glad for.
After about ten minutes, the apprentice returned alone. "I'm sorry, I can't find anyone right now," she said. "I think it's admirable you're trying so hard to learn a new language! One of the masters might know better? They don't hang around the library so much."
"...R-right, one of the masters," Amani seemed pensive. "Um... Thank you anyway, for trying! Sorry to disturb you."
Amani went to check on Crezonis, and on the way there, they realize that Rauliso's office was nearby. They stopped and pondered if they should talk to him. They were hesitant, unsure about talking directly a Master. But they concluded there was no other way. They wound up lingering in the halls around his office to see if he would show up.
After a short time, they saw him wandering back towards his office with what looked like a wooden mug clasped in his hands. He was occasionally greeting people around him, not really in any hurry, just drifting in that general direction. So Amani approached and greeted Rauliso, and they were given the opening to ask him a few questions.
"Do you know anyone who's trying to learn Sylvan who needs someone to practice with?" Amani asked.
"I can find you an apprentice or two," Rauliso offered. "How well do you speak Sylvan?" He switches to Sylvan. "I assume you can understand simple sentences? It's always excellent to see young people interested in the language of the fey."
Amani understood most of this, and nodded before responding in Sylvan. "Thank you. That help. Yes, I know simple sentences. Not enough. I want to be better at... Sylvan. ...If need show more... words, I can."
Rauliso assured Amani that he can find someone easily enough, and agreed to send word to the master of two apprentices (who had been teaching them Sylvan and would welcome the opportunity for them to speak with someone new).
"Thank you! Um, my next question." Amani paused. "Do you happen to know about any archfey who've died?"
Rauliso thought for a moment. "Illastra Noctuo hasn't been heard of since I was very young and Luhine, for example, hasn't made an appearance in several hundred years. I wouldn't assume they're dead, however, as fey can live a long time and don't often remain in a single place. Why do you ask?"
"I, I see..." Amani said. "Um. I was just wondering if there was precedence for it. And um, I heard rumors about one not from Eaine; an archfey named Vystris. Do you know anything about him?"
Rauliso tapped his mug with one finger. "Vystris? Mm. I don't know that name, I'm sorry to say. Have you tried the library?"
Amani looked disappointed, but not surprised. "Mm, I see. Yes, I did... It's alright. Thank you anyway." They sighed. "Anyway, one last question. How are things going with Crezonis?"
"Your little owl friend has kept a very diligent eye on him, and my colleagues report nothing out of the ordinary," Rauliso reported. "As with...everything else, we're on schedule. If you want to discuss this in more depth, it would be better done inside my office."
"Good. Thank you." Amani shook their head. "That's fine for now. Let me know if there's any issue or if you need help."
"You're most welcome. I'd be sure to let you know- you and your associates are responsible for this centaur, after all."
"Of course." Amani gave a respectful nod, and Rauliso returned the gesture. With their farewells given, Rauliso sipped his tea and started towards his office, but then thought differently, thinking of the sunny weather, and headed outside instead. Checking InAmani went to Crezonis' room. Or rather, the direction of it, as they realize they'd never been there before. However, they were easily able to get directions.
When they arrived, there were two elves stationed outside- one in the deep grey robes of the masters, one in apprentice's brown. They were quickly granted permission to enter, as the elves already had descriptions of the party and there was no mistaking Amani's distinct appearance.
Amani began to head inside, but paused, and then turned to the elves. "Have you had any trouble guarding Crezonis?"
The apprentice shook their head. "No, no trouble. Sometimes the readings are a bit tricky, but nothing we can't work around."
"Hm? Tricky how?" Amani asked.
"Oh, nothing to be worried about!" the apprentice assured. "Just tricky in that we need to take multiple readings, because arcane signatures can change so much over time, especially with...fey, and stuff."
The Master chimed in. "It'll still be ready on time, there's no cause for concern."
"Ah, I see... Yes, that does make sense. Thank you." And with that, Amani went inside.
It was a large room the students use for training in the winter- so at the moment it was largely unused. Only Crezonis and Athenos were there.
"Hello, Athenos," Amani greeted. "Have you had any trouble guarding Crezonis?"
Athenos chimed in. "Sometimes he disappears from one side of the room and reappears on the other...otherwise Athenos has had no trouble with Crezonis! He talks to Athenos!"
"H-he does? Magically? That's..." Amani looked to Crezonis. "Now why is that happening?"
"Magically! Yes, it is most mysterious."
Crezonis only looked dour. "I'm not explaining this to him again."
"Mysterious indeed..." Amani muttered. "...Then explain to me."
"Well, I'm pretty certain I can't teleport," Crezonis said. "He falls asleep standing up and then startles, and looks around with this crazy expression. I'm pretty sure he just...doesn't realise he fell asleep."
"Athenos does not sleep! He was tasked with finding you!" Athenos insisted.
"Yeah...that..."
"Wait, Athenos, you're... not sleeping?" Amai asked, looking worried. "...You know you can take turns with others, right? So long as he's well-guarded. You're not going to do well in your task if you don't ever rest."
"No, Athenos does not trust others to do this properly!" Athenos asserted. "The fey spirit tasked him alone with finding the possessed mortal."
"I promise you, he's been sleeping," Crezonis said simply.
"You should not trust Crezonis."
"He's been sleeping plenty."
Amani took a moment to think. "...What if we helped you on this? You don't want to be exhausted when he's doing something, do you? I don't think the fey spirit would want that." They turned to Crezonis. "That doesn't mean I entirely believe you either. If not you, then why the teleporting?"
"Athenos always appreciates help! He will remain here as well."
Crezonis reiterated: "I can't teleport. I've already told you this, and I don't know what else you want me to say."
Amani pressed. "I'm asking if there could be your archfey involved."
"If 'my' archfey was involved, why would we be teleporting around inside this room?" Crezonis questioned. "Wouldn't it make much more sense to, I don't know, actually escape?"
"...Hm. I suppose it would," Amani admitted reluctantly. "Unless there's a limit, which... I don't know. But it says more of your archfey if he hadn't bothered to do so already."
"Sure."
"...I didn't expect you to agree with me."
Crezonis didn't respond. So instead, Amani bent to examine Crezonis. Crezonis freaked out a little when Amani approached, so Amani explained that they were investigating Crezonis for any magical signs or evidence of magical influence. Crezonis calms down a little after that, enough for Amani to do their work, but he was still tense from Amani's presence.
Crezonis' eyes were still hazel, meaning that Arcaito was not in control at the moment. His left pinky finger was still missing (though they couldn't see the other scar Meallan gave them as it was covered by clothing), so either Arcaito couldn't heal that or he just didn't. Amani couldn't see any physical evidence of Arcaito and, looking around the room, everything appeared and felt normal.
Content that nothing suspicious seemed to be happening, Amani stepped back. "Well, looks fine. I guess I'll let you think on that, and how much your archfey has actually done for you."
Amani kept up with their frequent visits through the week. Their schedule did fill up, as the master Rauliso talked to offered their two students to tutor their Sylvan with Amani, and so they set up times convenient for them all. Between that, Amani was busy studying Sylvan on their own, looking for any information about Vystris, or often at night, they just... weren't around. Most nights, Amani didn't actually sleep in the dorm room provided, and mostly used it as a convenient retreat. However, there were two nights during the week where Amani felt themselves too fatigued for the journey to their sleeping place, or they needed to be ready at Dyventain early the next day, and so slept in their provided dorm anyway. However, clearly, this was not preferred.
But Amani always found time to check in on Crezonis and take a turn watching, even with their schedule. In part to assure themselves, in part from personal responsibility, and otherwise to give others a break. Athenos still refused breaks, so Amani would often let him sleep while they were in the room with them, not wanting him to sabotage himself with sleep deprivation.
Still, there were many times when Athenos was awake. Often, during their watch, they would go through their Sylvan books and study from it, to better assist their language learning. Since Athenos was awake, Amani got the idea to practice with him, and so when Athenos was not sleeping, they would exchange Sylvan and phrases. Amani insisted that these words should never be anything of importance to Crezonis or Arcaito, but besides that, they enjoyed their time chatting together, and Amani appreciated the extra help.
The week passed on like this. Through the week, Amani's Sylvan gradually improved, with Amani making good progress thanks to Amani's multiple sources of practice and the time they dedicated to the task. Still, during their watches with Crezonis and when they were not practicing or there was a lull, Amani would find themself staring at Crezonis. He never did much, but that never seemed to be important.
Near the end of the week, there was a watch like any other. There was a lull in practice, and Amani had let Athenos doze off, as they continued staring at Crezonis. Crezonis was minding his own business, doing nothing important, taking in the still silence and the relative peace between them all.
"Crezonis, are you actually sorry for what you've done?"
Crezonis turned his head to see Amani, staring at them as always, but with a bite in the words the half-elf had certainly been waiting to say.
"I don't even know how to begin to answer that," Crezonis said.
"Is it really so complicated?" Amani pressed. They stood up and stepped closer, narrowing their eyes to direct an intense glare directly at Crezonis. "Just start somewhere."
It didn't take much. "Fine. Yes, then. A lot of people have been hurt, and no, I didn't want that," he admitted.
"...So you didn't want to destroy that town and its inhabitants?" Amani asked skeptically.
"Of course I didn't. Why are you asking me this?"
Amani paused for some time, and then let out a quick, huffed sigh. "Because I don't get it. I don't get the others and I don't get you. You had that problem with the village and made that pact with Arcaito. I don't blame you for that, or you being scammed. But Arcaito or no, you still led those bandits, killed all those people, and never mentioned any regret about it till right now. And I wouldn't expect you to want to break your bond with the archfey. And I bet you'd still be leading the bandits even without Arcaito. So why do the others go so easy on you? Maybe some of your actions were him acting through you..." They glared once more. "But how much of your actions really were Arcaito, and how much was you?"
"I'm not sure how much was me. It doesn't matter in the end," Crezonis said simply. "A few more days and you won't need to worry about me anymore."
Amani paused, looking unimpressed and a touch bitter. "...I hope we don't. Because I'm not convinced that all of it wasn't you. I was just hoping that maybe I could see what the others see in you."
"Sorry to disappoint."
Amani stared, then brusquely returned to where they were. "You have bigger things to apologize for." End of Practice... Or Is It?Eventually, it was the last day of the week. Amani was taking their final lesson in Sylvan from the apprentices. After a brief test, Amani was congratulated on their progress, having now become confidently conversational in Sylvan. Amani could only feel proud at how far they had come.
Before Amani left the session, one of the other apprentices stopped them on their way out. He offered his book on Sylvan for Amani to keep, in part because this one was from his mother but he was already given another one by his master and thus had two books, but also because he really enjoyed practicing with Amani, and thus thought he should have it. It's a standard language learning book, with grammar and word lists between Elvish and Sylvan.
Amani stood surprised by the gesture. "Y-you don't have to," they said meekly. But it's clear that they are touched by the gesture. "Th-thank you. I appreciate it. And all the help. I... I enjoyed practicing with you too. Thank you, again."
Their time concluded, they said their farewells, feeling good about what had come of the tutoring sessions.
And yet, Amani still had one more ahead of them. Not from anyone else. Through the week, despite being in the same building, Amani had not seen much of Meallan. They couldn't help but wonder what kind of magic research they were doing, and perhaps, what Amani was missing. But then, Amani reminded themself, there wasn't much he could glean from that anyway. But they couldn't fault him for trying.
In any case, there was finally an opening in Meallan's schedule, and Amani made their way to the woods to meet him, to have one final lesson in Sylvan before the ritual preparations could be concluded.
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