Slice of Life

[Drayel]

"I'll get my sword then to the neighbours." Drayel said with a dull chuckle. "Though, I suppose I should find your surprise in me coming a welcome response. Why don't you use the bathroom to freshen up a bit while I do a quick jaunt? I won't be but a moment."

With that Drayel gave her a gentle nudge towards the house, guiding her to the doorstep before quickly turning on his heel and jogging for the road. He doubted she would mind if he borrowed Misneach but out of good manners he'd ask her first. After all, it wasn't polite to walk away with a woman's horse without a little go ahead. Though, he couldn't say he was surprised when he asked to find Jackal peering up sheepishly between the backs of cows.

After scolding Jackal for the umpteenth time about bother animals and possibly stealing another sheep, Drayel thanked Ysole and quickly saddled the gelding. Apparently sensing his eagerness to leave, Misneath set off in a smooth trot back to the farm. He was a good strong horse, loyal too. Though to be honest, Drayel wasn't so sure about that glimmer in his eye.

It reminded him too much of Jackal.

[Talia Idris]

She was curious where this 'jaunt' to the neighbors of his was about but Talia allowed Drayel to steer her towards the house. Part of her was scared that he was going to tell someone about what she had confessed to him but she did her best to erase such ideas from her mind. After all she could trust him right? Not that trusting people had done anything for her in the past but he was different.

She watched as he trotted off and then dashed inside making a beeline towards where she remembered the bathroom to be. Closing the door, just in case Shade or Jackal were still around, she turned towards the mirror to inspect herself.

Cocking her head Talia took in her appearance. It wasn't as bad as she had feared but it certainly looked like she had been in a rush to go somewhere. She blushed slightly at how it probably had looked, her showing up on Drayel's doorstep seeming so desperate. Oh well, that was over now and she might as well make sure she looked somewhat presentable for their journey back, no need to draw suspicion of whatever was sleeping back in her rooms. Or anyone they may meet on their way to the bakery either.

Pulling the ribbon out of her hair Talia ran her finger through it, doing her best to straighten and flatten the wild mess. She often thought about cutting the hip length hair but couldn't bring herself to chop it off. She contemplated for a moment before deciding to put her hair into it's normal braid. The ribbon was braided in as well and the tail used to tie the end off. She splashed some water on her face and neck, giving it a quick scrub to get the sweat off. Patting everything dry she gave herself a final look before opening the door as she straightened her dress.

Walking outside she sat down on the steps, making sure that her cloak was poitioned under her so that she didn't end up getting anything on her light coloured dress. She didn't have to wait too long before Drayel came riding up. She eyed the horse suspiciously.

"Are you expecting me to ride that thing?" She asked trying to keep her voice even. "I've never ridden....and I am wearing a dress. And...and..." She stammered as she tried to think of excuses that would sound reasonable enough for her to not have to ride that beast. "I'll just walk, or if I have to jog, along side you." She finally stated as she got up and started walking without looking over at Drayel.

[Drayel]

"You trust me to fight an unearthly heathen, yet not to ride with?" Drayel sounded amused as he gently nudged Misneach in her path. The horse obeyed immediately though not without trying to snuffle her hair. "Anyway, this is Misneach. He's a bit of a large fellow but he's gentle. I wouldn't have came with him if he wasn't. If you don't like him I'll take him back, but I was thinking you can ride side saddle in front of me."

He grinned despite the whole situation.

"Come now, a man can't have his date walk home can he? That would be ungentlemanly."

[Talia Idris]

She continued to glare at the horse, refraining from slapping it away as it attempted to sniff or do who knows what to her hair. She shot Drayel another glare as he grinned.

"Fine. I will get on this...horse, and let you be agentleman." She grumbled as she walked over to his side. "Although I think you are really blowing this out of proportion. It's a young boy with a weird sword. And by the way he was holding onto it I don't think he really know how to handle it. Either that or the sword doesn't know how to handle the boy which basically gives you the same outcome and dammit Drayel tell this thing to stay still so I can get on!" She suddenly complained, a frustrated pout crossing her face as Misneach seemed to be enjoying dancing away from her.

[Drayel]

"Alright now you silly geld, no more of that." Drayel growled giving the horse a stern huff. The gelding just blew wind through it's nostrils. Drayel huffed in return causing the horse to shake his head and rumble out a low whinny. Seeing the argument ending Drayel let out a sigh before glancing over at Talia. "I apologize on his behalf. He's a naughty thing when he sees pretty women. Worse than Shade I'd say."

Misneach snorted as if insulted by the mere accusation. Drayel rolled his eyes.

"He's also too smart for his own good. Come on then, he'll stop moving now. He may be a drama queen but he hates to anger the ladies." Drayel grumbled with a rather sharp look. Misneach ignored him, holding perfectly still as Drayel huffed and offered his arm. "Come on, I'll help you up. The damn thing won't run off if I got you by the arm."

[Talia Idris]

"Now Mr. Morig, this.....fine animal, certainly can't be any worse that Shade, you'll insult the poor thing and then he really won't like me." Talia said teasingly before walking closer. She paused still a little uncertain but reached her hand out to grab his arm and let him pull her up.

She shifted around a bit before giving up on finding a comfortable position. As they started to move back towards the bakery she clenched her teeth and settled in for the ride. It probably wouldn't have been as bad if she could have straddled the horse. Whoever thought that riding sidesaddle was a good idea? She balled her hands up in her skirt and tried to subtle lean into Drayel, knowing that if she did start to slide off he would be able to help right her more then she probably could.

As they rode Talia tried to come up with some sort of plan of action for once they reached the bakery but she honestly couldn't think of what she could do or say. But then again, that was why she had gone to Mr. Morig. He was a soldier and probably already had several ideas of what he could do, she was only a baker after all.

[Drayel]

The pair had arrived at the city walls in what felt like a short period of time, the large horse snorting pleasantly as he continued his shuffling closer to the city. Drayel didn't bother to talk as he simply allowed the horse to walk without bothering to steer it. Neach knew the way. So he instead began to focus on the boy.

How was he suppose to get up to her bedroom whilst still looking like a couple? What powers did this spirit creature possess and why was the boy chosen to be tormented? Drayel wanted nothing more than to contact a holy man and demand what he was dealing with but whatever threat it told Talia clearly spooked her. Drayel's lip lifted as a growl rumbled free of his chest.

"We need to discuss an approach." Drayel told her gruffly, rearing his head slightly to look at her better. "I don't want to tip off I'm a guard for obvious reasons, but I doubt I can just walk up the stairs to say hello.

[Talia Idris]

Talia chewed on her lip as she contemplated the issue at hand. There was one fairly easy way for her to get Drayel up to her room but she didn't feel very ladylike suggesting it. Afterall she had already forced this whole 'date' on him, not that he had seemed to mind it that much. Perhaps if he had suggested that they head upstairs as if they were merely a couple planning on doing...well the things that couples sometimes do, she would have been willing to go along with it but of course Drayel seemed to be too much of a gentleman to suggest something like that so she wouldn't dare to either. No, she simply would have to come up with another idea.

Talia sighed softly and looked up at the sky. "Well I suppose..." she began thoughtfully, "That you could simply drop me off and pretend to head home and I could go ahead up. I will leave my keys with you, we could say that you have a copy because you don't like me living alone and like to be able to check up on me without having to wake the neighborhood by pounding on the door. Now all you need is a reason to come in..."

Her voice trailed off as she started rummaging through her purse to try to find something that would be believable enough for her to leave behind and for Drayel to then 'rush' back and return because of its value to her. She sighed again, pouting slightly. Of course she had been in such a rush that she hadn't really thought of how she was going to get Drayel in and hadn't really brought anything useful with her at all.

A hand went up to clutch the ruby pendant that hung around her neck before reaching up and under her hair. She struggled a moment with the clasp before managing to unfasten it. Holding it up Talia showed it to Drayel. "This should be a good enough reason for you to come back I suppose. A link in the chain is loose as it is so it shouldn't be too hard to pretend that it came off long the ride or something like that." She started toying with the chain as she talked.

It was cheap so it wouldn't to hard to bend the metal were it was already weakened. It was probably time she get a new one anyways. Too bad she had spent most of her extra spending money for the Gala otherwise she might have been able to get something nicer that would match the quality of her pendant. Perhaps that jeweler fellow she met at the Gala would have something discounted that she get...

A small snap interrupted her wandering thoughts and Talia looked down with a small frown. The link had broken which wasn't the desired effect but would have to do. She offered the whole thing to Drayel, a little cautiously. "Just be careful with it." Talia said, trying not to sound too worried, her neck feeling practically naked without it. "It's very important to me. But it gives you a good reason to want to get it back to me right?"

[Drayel]

"I...understand. It will be returned safely." Drayel bowed his head immediately before gently taking from her, eyes scanning it for a moment before giving her an reassuring nod. "Don't be worried, it won't be lost. It will be returned as soon as possible.

Drayel didn't say much else as he turned Misneach down the streets, guiding him towards the bakers place in heavy thought. The gelding snorted at him, occasionally flicking his ears back to listen for commands. Drayel didn't humor the horse, lips drawn into a frown as his eyes began to narrow. He needed to concentrate. To tune out the whispers of worry and fear and try to focus on rescuing not only the boy but Talia from this monster.

"We're nearing the bakery." Drayel stated with a huff. "Are you ready? Prepare to run if this plan doesn't work."

[Talia Idris]

"Well I trust you. Otherwise you wouldn't be here." She forced a smile. The rest of the ride was rather quiet but she didn't really mind. Pretty soon she recognized the buildings nearing Bepa's Buns and Drayel confirmed it. She nodded at his last comment, mentally trying to figure out how hard it would be able to run out if she had to. The dress would make it harder...but perhaps it would be better to worry about that when it actually happened. After all it was just a young boy.

They approached the service door that lead to the kitchen and Talia looked up to the window. She didn't see anyone up there, but perhaps it would be better if they acted like they were just getting back from the date. She waited for Drayel to get off the horse and help her down.

"I had a great time tonight Drayel." She said in what she hoped was a flirtatious voice as he assisted her. Once her feet had landed on the ground she walked over the door and unlocked the door before subtly passing the key to him. "Thank you." She said softly her hand resting gently against his chest. She debated a moment about giving him a kiss but decided that would probably would be taking the whole date thing too far. She would like to be able to look Drayel in the face without having to be embarrassed after all this.

After a quick goodnight she went inside, closed the door and locked it behind her. Talia leaned against the door and took a few moments to catch her breath while trying to maintain a level head for when she would have to go upstairs and talk to whatever was sleeping up there. After a couple minutes she stood up tall and shook herself out. It hadn't been that bad before, so it shouldn't be to crazy now.

Walking over to the stair she started to ascend hoping that nothing had changed while she was gone.

[The Raven Basilards]

The basilard immediately reacted, though no response was visible but for a sudden, alarmed flare of light. It sensed three minds, one of which it recognized as Talia’s. Another belonged to a horse. The third was very clearly human, though the basilard’s senses were not so honed as to distinguish anything further about the mortal. It might be that it was her partner granting her a lift home, but she had not warned it of any such thing occurring. The basilard was not about to take any chances, especially not when it had prepared for such an occurrence.

The pair seemed to dawdle outside. Wishing each other well, or planning strategies to separate it from its host? It could not decide, but every moment it wasted decided was one it might better spend reaching for its escape.

The basilard’s glow magnified as much as it could before abruptly darkening. The curtains were drawn such that the basilard could be reasonably certain the mortals would not realize what it might be doing. Even if they did notice the flickers from the back of the building, they were puradynes. Uneducated about magic, they would not understand what it was doing. Fear of the unknown would halt their progress. They could not understand the extent of its powers.

The boy awoke, and the basilard was frustrated not for the first time with the sluggish speed of organic thoughts. Compensating slightly with the parts of its mind not affected by the residual traces of sleep, the boy rocked from the bed. As he rolled, the basilard ripped through a small strip of the sheets, leaving a tiny cut. Upon landing, the boy immediately staggered over to the sheets. His eyes were barely half open, but it did not seem to matter.

The baker had entered the building. Perhaps it could stall her and acquire answers at the same time.

She was an unmodified human over a considerable distance; its voice would not be more than a whisper in her mind. It sent the claws of its thoughts grasping for her mind, making its voice as sharp and clear as it possibly could within its limitations.

It made the split second decision to accuse her and see if she couldn’t be goaded into revealing more information. Appearing ignorant would be a modest concern if she had remained loyal. Sensing her approach at the stairs and hesitance at the touch of its thoughts, the basilard hissed, You did not live up to your part of our arrangement. I am disappointed.

Its hands worked the sheets it had prepared free and tossed them over the edge. It then attempted to sling itself over the edge and slide down its improvised rope; using just one hand to do so perilous and the basilard’s weak arms came alarmingly close to collapse.

As it landed roughly on the ground, its legs buckled. This weak form was insufficient in many ways, but it was all the basilard had. It began walking to hide in the alleyway. The mortals probably did not understand the limited range of its telepathy. It could continue its conversation with relative impunity if they assumed it had ran to the other side of Marn.

[Talia Idris]

Talia had been half-way up the stairs when the voice returned to haunt her mind.

You did not live up to your part of our arrangement. I am disappointed.

She paused. She had hoped it had been asleep. Sure the little act downstairs had been in case it had been listening but she really hoped that it had been asleep or unconscious or whatever state of unawareness she wished it had. Talia took another step up the stairs, thinking that she would go up and defend herself, but she hesitated. She didn't know how long Drayel would be gone but wouldn't it be best to kill as much time as she could away from the basilard until he showed up? Plus she really had no desire to be in the same room with it again. Perhaps if she tried hard enough she might be able to communicate with it using her own mind as well?

Leaning against the wall she closed her mind and tried to focus her thoughts towards the basilard and tried to sound as condescending as possible, just in case it was possible for her tone to be interpreted through whatever link they might have.

Perhaps it is unknown to you but these days, at least in these parts, it is customary for a man to accompany his date home. Especially as it starts to gets further along night. He was merely following what is deemed to be acceptable behaviour. She changed her tone and words to be more soothing, and hopefully prove that she had not betrayed its' trust. If I had refused that would have given him a reason to worry or be suspicious. It was safer this way.

Opening her eyes Talia's heart raced as she waited for a response, hoping her thoughts had gone through and partially scared at the possible implications if they did.

[The Raven Basilards]

The basilard hesitated. It was uncertain as to how it should proceed. It might be possible, with a bit of luck and a burst of strength, to crawl back up to the bedroom and act as if nothing had occurred. Explaining the sheets would be problematic. Perhaps if it simply told the truth once more, she would find that acceptable.

It all depended on the basilard’s estimation of her, and it was operating with very little information. It wondered, for a fleeting moment, if its hold on this mage was sufficient that she wouldn’t dare report it. In the end, the only conclusion that the weapon found satisfactory was the cautious path that had kept it from undesirable hands for the past millennium.

The stonework made keeping its footfalls quiet difficult, but the basilard slipped into the back alleys. Straining its modest telepathic range, it could weakly sense an area up to the front of the building. After its long silence, it finally chose to respond. The distance left its voice a mere flicker in the baker’s head.

Perhaps you speak truly, but I am no longer physically present. I stand to lose little by waiting to check the truth of your words. My caution is not unjustified, considering the atmosphere of your city. The puradyne faith did render its purpose much more difficult to achieve. You may understand my perspective soon, should the magic within you manifest.

[Talia Idris]

Talia remained leaning against the wall. Her eyes looking expectantly towards the top of the stairs. The silence was torturous. It must have only been a few moments but with no answer she readied herself to march up the stairs and verbally defend herself against the basilard's accusations...that were a little too close to the true for her liking.


Perhaps you speak truly, but I am no longer physically present. I stand to lose little by waiting to check the truth of your words. My caution is not unjustified, considering the atmosphere of your city.


She had started to ascend the stairs but again the voice spoke to her mind, causing her to freeze. Releasing a sigh Talia was partially happy that whatever it was, was no longer in her little home. She was still slightly worried about the child in its possession but at least her personal sanctuary was hers alone once again.

Yet for the umpteenth time that night, her happiness was fleeting.

You may understand my perspective soon, should the magic within you manifest.

Talia groaned in frustration. Drayel had warned her that it was very possible that this thing was lying to her, although he didn't know what the exact accusations were nor did he know that there was an actual precedent for such allegations. The more the basilard brought it up, the more inclined that she was to believe him.

She slowly lowered herself until she was sitting on the stairs. A soft whimper escaped her lips as she finally stopped fighting against what it was saying. Fear and uncertainty wreaking havoc in her mind. She tried to push the feeling away, sitting up straight and wiping her nose on her sleeve.

You keep bringing that up. She finally responded, hoping that the shakiness that she felt wasn't being conveyed along with her thoughts. What kind of power could you possibly be sensing from me. If you are really telling me the truth, what kind of magic do I possess?

She waited impatiently for a response, praying that it couldn't tell her and she could conclude that it didn't know or sense anything about her and was just trying to ensnare her like it had the boy.

[The Raven Basilards]

You have been sending fragments of your power to your contained foliage.

The basilard was prompt with its response, but its voice yet remained little more than that eerie whisper. It was pushing its maximum distance now. To reach the front of the house required concentration, but to know if her aquaintance returned was worth the effort. Your power is unlikely to be focused on exclusively plant life. I advise against empowering any human mages. Abrupt increases in arcane power can have unfortunate side effects on the mental states of organic creatures.

Now within the alleyways, it began rooting about for cover. It wouldn’t do to get spotted from the balcony. The alley was a scanty, sparse thing. Though much dirt, grime, and cobwebs sprouted from its corners, there were no large, convenient objects for a person to hide behind.

Eventually, the basilard settled for sitting behind a locked cellar door, the trapdoor diagonally slanted such that it rose from the cobblestone street by about a foot. As it sat, the boy’s form broke through a number of old webs. Upon sitting, the basilard remained perfectly motionless. The boy appeared as nothing so much as a mummified corpse, wrapped all in ancient, dusty silk. His face was lit from below by the basilard’s faint purple light, giving him a ghastly skull. Various insects shifted aside, the basilard gently nudging their primitive consciousnesses to encourage their fright. It did not care for the toxins of such creatures when it was bound to a mortal host.

The light remained the weapon’s chief concern, but there was little to be done for that. The basilard was distracted from its fumbling attempts to remove the bindings around its weapon hand when it noted the return of a very specific being.

It seems he has returned. How interesting.