----------------------------------------------
ELIZABETH'S 'MANOR' - AFTERNOON
----------------------------------------------
Elizabeth is sitting at her dining table, deep in thought as she leans onto her hands and stares into nothingness. The skunk has been stumped for a while, unsure how to approach the whole... 'elemental' situation, as those beings are obviously gotten rather dangerous with HER magic. She frowns, thoughts going in circles and seemingly nowhere right now.
Narrator: All dressed up in her fancy robes ready for her lesson with Elizabeth (And too lazy to change out of them), Teis flumps her way through town. While she's slightly annoyed that Elizabeth has missed a lesson, she can't truly remain upset at the skunk for long. Elizabeth has done more than enough for her, after all. Still, the anomaly warrants an investigation! She strides up to Elizabeth's manor, knocking at the door rhythmically.
Elizabeth blinks and looks up from her reverie, not really waiting for anyone... she walks to the door, and just as she opens it enough to see who it is, she utters a sharp curse: "Oh unholy desecrated gods... my apologies, Teis." She gives a feeble smile of kind-of-sorry.
Teis: "It's quite alright, Lady Catherine." Teis smiles back at Elizabeth, any trace of minor irritation remaining inside Teis now easy enough, even for her, to suppress. "May I come in?" She questions.
Elizabeth smiles as she opens the door fully and steps aside: "Please. I... I could genuinely use something else to think about."
Teis gives a thankful nod and steps inside. She would follow Elizabeth to a place to sit. Teis hadn't considered that Elizabeth might be feeling down, or swamped, having genuinely thought that Elizabeth simply forgot about their lesson, so ironically, all Elizabeth's question does is perk Teis' curiosity to ask, "Mmhm? What's got you down?"
Elizabeth pauses as she steps back in, then sighs: "Well... I did mention, when we last spoke, about my magic..." She makes her way to her dilapilated couch and motions Teis to sit as well. She idly touches a scar on her forehead: "I did find some of it, as it were."
Teis indeeds sits on the couch. "Oh! That's wonderful!" Teis' face lights up, though she quickly tilts her head and skews her lip as she processes, "Wait, why is that bad news?"
Elizabeth frowns: "It fought back. Turns out that a sizable bit of my magic has somehow turned into two elementals that have since taken residence in this town."
Teis: "Wait. It can do that?" Teis idly questions, mostly to herself. "Huh. . .Don't ever let magic run astray. . ." She mutters to herself. "Wait. Elementals?" She knows of one.
Elizabeth nods, more to herself than any confusion of Teis': "If elementals are summoned for long enough... they start gaining independence." She seethes a low growl: "Had I known, I would have attempted to unsummon them back then..."
Teis: "But it's too strong for you, right? So. . .When you say it fought back. . ." Teis follows up on. "You don't mean physically, right? Wait, did it? Are you hurt? Because you look fine. . ." Teis immediately becomes concerned.
Elizabeth shakes her head slightly: "It mostly wanted me to go away. Although I got the feeling it could have hurt me a lot worse if it wanted to."
Teis lets out a relieved sigh, focusing herself back into her line of investigating. "When was this? Like. . .This morning?" Teis questions. She hasn't quite grasped the fact that, perhaps, Elizabeth didn't want her involved.
Elizabeth shakes her head: "Some days ago. I did not succeed, but perhaps there is a way... I just need to figure out what that way is."
Teis skews her lip once more, internally processing. Her ears lower, and her expression shifts to one of hurt. After a few more seconds of silence, she quietly replies, "And. . .You didn't. . .Come to me?"
Elizabeth blinks and looks up: "Hmm? No. I did not think of you, really. Perhaps I should have, although if I can not do against that elemental, what could you?"
Teis: "I don't know." Teis sighs. "But. . .I said I wanted to help. I mean, I. . .Do sort of have a bit of experience? Kind of. Maybe. There was this elemental I helped Tarbin free. Well. . .Sat on the side and watched." Teis mumbles, glancing around the room unsure of herself.
Elizabeth hums, nodding: "Perhaps... if you have experience with an elemental, maybe there is a way, a weak spot that I have not thought about. One that we could figure out." She frowns slightly: "There has to be some way."
Teis: "Well. . .The elemental was strong while anchored. But after being severed. . .They. . ." Teis' breathing becomes a bit faster, more tense, "We. . .Thought she had died. But then she anchored herself to Tarbin. . ." Teis takes in a deep breath, somewhat resetting herself as she looks back up at Elizabeth. "So maybe we can do something similar?" Teis pauses. "I don't mean this. . .Disrespectfully, Lady Catherine. But, even if my mind is not useful here. . .I'm certain. . ." Teis pauses, growing quieter again, her hands and fingers fidgeting amongst one another. ". . .That my magic would be."
Elizabeth considers this in silence for a moment, then finally gives Teis a small smile: "Perhaps. I could use another mage on my side of this issue, should things go south again. If we could find a way to subdue the elementals long enough for me to do the drain, then maybe... maybe indeed."
Teis lets out yet another sigh, one of relief. She didn't really want to poke the Skunk's lack of magic, but the angle has seemed to go much smoother than expected. She begins nodding repeatedly to herself, "Okay. Okayokay." She voices to herself, resetting yet again. "So. . .Where should we start? I guess with what the elementals are and where, right?" She hasn't considered yet, that Melia might be one of the two targets.
Elizabeth nods: "That is a starting point. I have only met one of the two. It has manifested as some kind of nature elemental I think, considering it was heavily utilizing the greenery around it to oust me. The other has been residing in the Smithy, seemingly taking the place of the actual smith..."
Teis' face sort of blanks in horror. "A. . .Nature elemental is something I helped Tarbin free." She mentions. Surely it's a different one, right?
Elizabeth hums, glancing at Teis: "Hmm? Curious."
Teis nods. "Yeah. I haven't seen either of them in a while though. . .Last time I saw them, I was able to use the magic Tarbin taught me to sustain Melia briefly. . ."
Elizabeth hmms. "The elemental with my magic in it, definitely did not need any help sustaining."
Teis lets out yet another sigh of relief. So many heart attacks, so little time. "Well. . .It's possible I could link to it, if this is some form of nature elemental like you suggest. As for the other. . .I guess we need to find what it's anchored to?"
Elizabeth nods, leaning back with a sigh of her own: "That we do. I have tried to subtly ask around, but have not really gotten any solid answers without stepping into the Smithy myself and risk giving myself away."
Teis: "So. . .Why don't I go?" Teis suggests. "I could even go under the guise of the business. . .Actually order something."
Elizabeth glances at Teis with a smile: "If you could poke around... yes, that could very well work."
Teis: "I'll do that. And please, let me know if anything else comes up. I want to help you. Sincerely." Teis smiles.
Elizabeth pauses, then gives Teis a warm smile in mirror: "Yes. I will."
Teis: Excellent. "So. . .Something else, yes?" Teis suggests. "Uuh. . .Enver and I have been going well. . .Oh, and 'Sis got a suitor. . ." Teis begins gossiping.
Elizabeth happily entertains Teis' stories for a while, glad for the momentary distraction from her planning.
----------------------------------------------
OUTSIDE RESPITE - LATE AFTERNOON
----------------------------------------------
Valia had been given some excellent directions to Respite. Unfortunately, somewhere between then and there she had wandered off the path to a farmhouse in order to return a lost spade that she had found there. Sure, she had been given some directions by the farmer's wife, buuut there was this really cool looking tree, so Valia had to go and find what was going on with that....The end result was Valia wandering happily enough a little away from Respite. She'd find her way to the city eventually, but right now, she was wandering with a bit of amused puzzlement. It was getting a bit warm though.....
Usid has been out speaking to some of the Saur who had been working on the farms, doing his duty first, then going out to find some peace in the wilderness, to hunt as he did for years, though now with less bloodthirst, and more of a mind to be alone with his thoughts, as he continues to struggle with his own form of penance, and in finding his own path forward after all the pain and suffering he has both caused and experienced in the past few months. Now, he is walking back towards Respite with the small game he caught, not too much, just enough to make dinner for the night.
Valia spotted Usid, and was curious. A real dinosaur! Neat! She'd never seen one before. She approaches, getting out in front, before she appears out in front, about twenty paces. The proper distance for "Clearly visible" but not "Close enough to spook". She waves out "Oh! Hey there!" She waves out brightly "How are you?" She had remembered all the greetings, before she got distracted, and drifted into questions "...Sooo...are you realllllly a dinosaur?"
Usid blinks, hand dropping instinctively to the knife upon his belt before he relaxes slightly, trying not to so visibly anxious at the sudden surprise fox, who is only approaching with greetings and questions. "Hello? Usid is... well." He glances down at himself, trying to understand the last question, "Usid is one of the Saur, yes. You are... new to Respite?"
Valia: Valia considers this question "Well, I've never been to Respite, I've been sort of looking for it, because it's a big city...which is cool, and I want to check it out, buuuut, I keep getting lost. Not lost. No, going to places that aren't Respite, like that cool Tree, the one with the leaves?" There's a pause "Oh! You gave your name! I should give mine! I'm Valia! It's nice to meet you Mr. Usid! Don't worry. I'm not dangerous. There will be no need to stab me. Unless you stab people because you're mean....but you don't see mean...."
Valia is rambling
Usid bows his head, "Usid is my name, yes. Usid has no wish to stab anyone anymore, Valia. But beyond the city walls, the wilderness can be dangerous if not prepared. Especially at night."
Valia: "Oooh" She gets thoughtful "I suppose it is!" She nodnods "It's fine! I'm good at not getting hurt! I've come from uh..Vamas? I think they called it Vamas, and I'm still safe! The warning though, I think it's nice for you to say it. I'm not insulted. I know some people get insulted if they think that someone is suggesting that they don't look dangerous, but I don't want to look dangerous. Wait" She puts up one paw, and turns it in the air "Back up..back up..." She extends one fluffy finger "There! You said that you don't want to stab people anymore! So...you wanted to stab people before? Why did you stop? Is that a cool story?" She leans in, intrigued now!
Usid tilts his head at Valia, then backs up a step at her request. He sighs sadly, but manages a short laugh, somewhat charmed by this newcomer's speaking, "Usid has only heard of Vamas from Respite folks. Never been. Many people look at Usid and thing Usid is not dangerous too. Many mocked and hurt Usid. So Usid became mean to stop being hurt. Hurt others instead. Listened to a mean ruler who wished Usid to hurt many, many more. ...including those Usid loved. Usid turned his knife against this ruler. Usid stabbed many more. Tired of stabbing. Tired of hurting those he loves. Tired of hurting anyone now."
Valia: "Oh! Well, I suppose it's a bit late to suggest that being nice could have worked too? Got there in the end though! So that's something. I thought about it, but I was like...being mean kinda sounds like no fun, and if you start being mean, you'll always have to keep being mean. Sounds like a lot of effort, so...I tried being nice, and the elders..well...they didn't seem to think I was good at it, and thought maybe I should practice it. I've gotten pretty good at it, I think..uh.." She blinks "What were we talking about? Uhhh..." She mentally rewinds "Oh! The futility of violence!" She claps her paws together "Anyway! You worked that out, so it's all good..." There's another pause, while her brain ping pongs to another subject "....Respite? You know where it is? I should probably find it"
Usid points towards the west, "Respite is this way. Usid is far from the path, but many trails out this way. Usid can show you the trails that lead to the city? The guards upon the walls may wish to talk to you, but Usid doubts they will stop you from entering the city."
Valia: "Oh! That sounds like a good idea! I know I'm getting closer, but getting a good point to towards is super good!" She nods brightly "What sort of questions would the guards ask?"
Usid coughs to clear his throat, trying to imitate no particular Respite guard's voice, and definitely not Nesseth's, "Why do you come to Respite? Have any weapons? Here to cause trouble? Place to stay?" He chuckles, reverting back to his normal voice. "Things like this, questions for outsiders. Nice folks, mostly. Wish to avoid mean people coming to town."
Valia: "Okay! Uh...Because it sounds like a cool place, um...no weapons...Well" She puts up a paw, and the blue markings on her arm glow "..Maybe that counts, but I really don't think so. I wouldn't ever use them as a damage thing"
Usid shrugs, "Not no weapons... only to know why weapons." He squints at her paw, watching the markings glow along her arm. "That is... magic?"
Valia gets thoughtful "Uh...Maybe, Sorta? I dunno. I never really studied it. There's just sorta..a thing that happened" She rubs the back of her neck awkwardly "The Elders were suuuuper mad, but..hey! Then they suggested I should go out, learn about other places, and" It brain was bouncing around a bunch of ideas, and anytime she came on something unhappy thoughts wise... bounced away. "It's fine though! It's kept me safe! It's good luck, I think"
Usid nods, stroking his chin. "Magic is a sign of blessing by-" He stops short, then sighs. "A blessing, yes. If it has kept you safe, it must be powerful. You are wise, then, to use magic for niceness and not meanness."
Valia: "Well..I dunno if its a blessing...Magic is ..well" She shrugs "It's nothing to worry about it! They're very pretty, and I'm kinda liking how they look these days!" She nods "So! Usid, yes? Want to go to the city together?"
Usid: "Yes. Shall be a long walk, will arrive by sunset. If guards will not let you in city wall, Valia shall be welcome to camp with Usid's people for the night."
Valia: "That sounds like fun! Maybe I could meet your people anyway first? I'm a storyteller, and I'd love to tell your people some stories"
Usid smiles, "Many of the hatchlings are curious of the world beyond. They will like that. Many of the clan will like that too, and pretend they do not." He chuckles, and begins to walk, "This way, Valia. You can tell Usid some of your stories along the way?"
Valia: "Of course! Everyone should hear the stories. The more they're heard, the longer they'll live"
Usid leads the way back to the Saur Encampment, listening to the fox tell him tales of the world beyond Aephix...