Atharen, A Fantasy Roleplay Forum

Posted: **Sat Nov 26, 2022 6:44 pm**

48 ASH 4622

From night came the early morning: the sun slowly rose to an exalted position within the sky, gleaming down at all of the many souls who drank from its light. Taelian awoke to the sound of a rooster's caw, something one would never find in a Loric city, though here it was something he was accustomed to. One rooster's voice became three, became ten; before he knew it, they had formed a rhythm that pervaded his ears until he shot up into waking. "I should probably sound-proof my room," he muttered, rubbing at his sleep-sullen eyes and rolling to the other side of his bed. He extended an arm to reach for one of his necklaces, drawing a silver pendant around his neck and fidgeting with the chain on the back until it locked the accessory into place. Then, standing, the probably-nude man stepped over to his wardrobe, rummaging through attire until he settled on a simple satin shirt and some pants that ran just above his ankles. He stepped into a pair of sandals that sat at the foot of his shoe rack, yawning once and eyeing his room to ensure he wasn't missing anything.

Despite how formal he looked the day prior, Taelian did not always need to be so well or excessively dressed. He had no important guests to tend to throughout the day, and there was no meeting until the eve. He could switch into a proper satin ensemble before tuning his Shard Resonator, and until then, would bask in the comfort of minimalism.

Like with most mornings, Taelian immediately headed towards the second floor's common area after leaving his room. He moved towards the counters that signified some sort of kitchen area, limited by Norunn technology: there was a furnace with something approximating a stove-top and a pot for boiling water. In the pantry, he found coffee beans he would need to crush with a mortar and pestle, and some small bags of sugar. Nodding his head quietly, the man got to work, filling the pot with water and pressing his palm against the surface of the liquid; it began to steam and sizzle, coming to a boil within mere moments as red came to glow around the edges of the metal it was held within.

The Thespian finished up the rest, preparing he and seemingly one other person each a mug of coffee, which held a rich brown color and a pleasant aroma. Leaving the two glasses on a small, two-person table, Taelian walked further down the hall and approached Ford's room with three sharp knocks on the door.

"Hello, Ser Ede--" he stopped himself, remembering that the other appeared to shrink at those words... their association to his father, and all. "Ford. I've prepared us some coffee, and Melina is coming up with biscuits. Take your time; I'll be at the corner table in the common area."

Nowhere in there was the option not to come, of course, and after those words any sounds from the doorway would have silenced following a few stepping thuds away towards the lounge.

Posted: **Sat Nov 26, 2022 7:26 pm**

The night before, the blonde had probably looked a little pathetic. He'd been sheepishly excited about the position, abundantly overjoyed at the prospect of possibly making a new friend, and completely overwhelmed that, for the first time in quite some time, he would not be sleeping in a tent. He had carried his belongings to his new quarters, room 216. He had to remember that one and 220. First, he brought his tent and the sack that held all his traveling utensils. The next trip back and forth would have him bringing in clothes and some research items. A third and final drip brought him anything else he had kept a hold of, things he couldn't quite let go of. Once he had laid onto the bedding, he was out. Snoring sounds could be heard straight through the night if one listened close enough through the door. They weren't too loud, but the soft snores from the sleeping Sociologist had been the only sounds other than occasional throat clearings or grumblings in his sleep... That was until three emphatic knocks were given on his door, followed by a voice. The voice had seemed familiar like he had heard it, and in the bleary-eyed attempt at opening his eyes, nothing but hazed shadows of objects were coming across his eyes before he realized. Damnit! He must have overslept.

In a panic, the covers were thrown from his body, the crisp morning air met fresh, slept skin, and a resounding thud met the rest of him. Not quite used to the furniture or the arrangement, Ford had missed his step and wound up face-first on the ground. There was a muffled, "Mmnfnff mvvf wvff.." Absolutely nobody but Ford would know what was said, and after a moment of staring at the legs of the bed before finally prying himself up. Stutter-stepping as he rubbed his face, he stared at his wardrobe in disdain. Nothing seemed nice enough now that he was going to attempt to impress people... But something Taelian had said the night before had stayed with him. "Hmn.." Grabbing a near sky blue collared shirt and a pair of darker grey pants, he pulled both on and black shoes which he tied at the ankle, and paused in front of a mirror where he spied his blonde hair in five different ways. "That is a sight, Ford.." Sighing in exasperation at his ability to have his hair unkempt, his fingers combed through it, at least getting it all going in mostly one direction before he paused at the door. Pulling here, tugging there, flattening his hands across the fabric, the door opened. Stepping out, he closed the door and headed in a closed-off direction. Moments later, he cleared his throat, realizing he had gone the wrong way, and headed back in the other direction of the common room.

Coming to the entryway, he paused with a bit of a stretch, leading to a yawn quickly covered by a hand. Ford remembered something about a corner table... Corner table... "Ah-hah.." Spying Taelian off in that corner, he brought himself in that direction. Pausing at the table, he nodded his head. "Good morning Taelian.." Taking upon it to seat himself, he looked to the coffee and closed his eyes, giving a single breath out. "You are my savior.." Ford didn't do well waking up quickly in the morning. Grumbling, he lowered his head and just inhaled the scent of the coffee, wrapping his fingers around the cup before taking a sip straight up. A sound that was only likened to a moan could be heard deep in the man's chest before he lifted his head, that reddened tint coming to his cheeks when he realized how improper he had just been. "Ah, heh. Sorry about that. New bed and all... Thank you for the coffee.." A gesture of lifting the coffee to signify his gratitude. "Sleep well?"

Posted: **Sat Nov 26, 2022 7:50 pm**

The mage's lips smoothed as Ford lumbered in, fatigued, almost partly sedated. It was an amusing sight, though in truth Ford was simply just an amusing man. He betrayed the expected behaviors of a Griscian erudite, and was instead a soft-edged ball of light. Taelian seated himself, taking a sip from his coffee mug as he peered blankly back into the pages of a book, humming. "Good morning," he finally returned, trying to allow the other man an opportunity to gather his bearings before he started staring him down, or speaking over-much. "Don't worry about this; these amenities are a basic expectation for Covenant associates. I'm just doing my duty, ensuring you're comfortable," Taelian said with a slow nod of his head. He eyed towards Ford and chuckled lightly as he saw his face going red; he was, for lack of a better word, cute. Perhaps endearing.

"I did sleep well. Had some weird dreams... some awful ones, too. I often do, though. I, ah... went to Bel about a year back, witnessed horrors there. They haven't really fully left me." Taelian sighed. "I hope you've found all of your accommodations suitable. I understand things may not be as modern here as in the Commonwealth, but in central Radenor there really isn't anything better. I hope this nation can stride towards some degree of industrialization, but for now they suffice on their medieval customs."

He gestured back with a lift of his mug, too, and smiled warmly towards the other. "You stress too much, by the way. I'm not a difficult man. I was born in the Pyred Bedlam, in Sil-Elaine; a sodden, decrepit gutter grate. I don't demand Griscian manners, or Loric reservedness, or anything other than whatever it is your true self might be. I'm beginning to get a picture of who that is, and to be honest, he's a gentleman I quite enjoy. Don't fret."

Taelian looked up towards Ford, then, meeting his eyes for a moment. Their eye-contact, though, made him nearly frown, looking back down towards the pages of his book. He tried not to make that lapse clear, but ultimately he decided to give his thoughts form.

"You remind me of someone, you know. His name was Riven, and he looked quite a lot like you. Was, ah... a gentler soul, like you. Humorously enough, we met in this very city, but he's long gone now. Dead. I apologize if I ever linger over-long with you; I do not wish to be improper or strange. It's just the timing, really. I've been thinking a lot about him."

Taelian cleared his throat.

"Anyway, what sorts of foods do you like?" he asked, desperately hoping to change the subject.

Posted: **Sat Nov 26, 2022 8:18 pm**

It was tough to fight back the snort that came from him. It wasn't an attempt at being rude, it was more of an attempt to not guffaw at the words that Taelian had just offered him. "...basic expectation? I was living in a tent, even if it was by choice. That bed in there was the softest thing I have slept on in a long time. I really can not complain about anything I've seen so far." There was an offer of a shrug as he leaned forward a bit, both of his elbows on the edge of the table as he held the coffee in both of his hands. Lifting his gaze up, from the coffee, he looked to the other as he was admitting a night filled with weird dreams, even awful ones. Gently, his cup was placed down to show better listening manners as the other explained the restless sleep. "They are more than suitable Taelian, promise. I have a room to sleep in, a place to come and have food or speak with friends and associates... A city to do what I love doing." Smiling up to him, there was pure happiness that came from him. "For the first time in a few years, I feel like things finally make a little bit of sense... And I can be comfortable." But that was enough about him.

"It's not my business so I won't try to pry... But have you tried some herbs in a tea before going to sleep? I know of one or two that might be able to help you have better sleep. Won't necessarily get rid of bad dreams, but helps make them a little less and you feel better rested." There was a wave of his hand at the idea of industrialization. "I think it makes some people forget where they come from. They get too far removed from how things used to be, so once the hardships are made better with the aid of industrialization, they lose that part of themselves. I think in some cases, working more with the flora and fauna, we keep that attachment that helps us... Humanize? Not to speak for all the peoples like that... I guess a better way would be to say, remembering those processes, we keep the spirit of compassion alive." He did get quiet again as he listened about where Taelian was born and his gaze fell to the coffee cup that the other was drinking from. "I'll try to remember that..." Be the person you want to be. That was enlightening in and of itself.

Taelian's next words though had Ford in a unique state. As he listened, he felt the urge to do something, but he was trying not to, because he had only known the mage for about half of a day's worth of time. For the time being, he was able to restrain himself as he smiled politely, not wanting to be insensitive with anything he said or did regarding the mention of this person, Riven. He could tell that he had meant something to Taelian and allowed the man space to get the words out. The throat clearing and change of subject was noted. Another time, Ford would bring it up and talk to Taelian about it. "Ah, I like.." He laughed quietly. "I do like coffee, I can drink it any time of the day, especially when you experiment with adding some things to it to enhance the flavor. I don't really care for mushrooms.. Or a lot of different types of fish. Some are okay, but... Sometimes the smell gets to me, too." He sounded like a toddler, talking about how picky he was. "I like pie... Not really picky about savory or sweet... I do enjoy desserts. Um..." Both brows lifted and he glanced upward, as if the ceiling had the answers written on it. "Oh!" He exclaimed and leaned forward and whispered a secret. "I love eggs.. Usually any style.. Mixed with other things, poached, boiled, scrambled." A satisfied look on his face as he nodded slowly. "I also like to try new things... Twice if I'm not sure... And three times if I have to triple check it." Grinning, he nodded towards the other. "What about you, what kinds of foods do you like?" This was fun, most people talked about depressing things, like the wars or what they had lost. Taelian was focusing the majority of it on the present, which was refreshing.

Posted: **Sat Nov 26, 2022 8:45 pm**

He blinked as Ford suggested herbs and tea before sleep. It wasn't something he'd attempted in the past, but the Griscian man was well-traveled, and for that reason Taelian inherently respected his word. He pondered for a moment, drawing his fingertip in-between his lip and chin, eventually shaking his head. "I haven't tried that, no, but... if you would be kind enough to bring me some of the ones you think work, I'd love to try them out." His features almost flushed; it wasn't often that he was having others find ways to take care of him, in a way, or make his life easier. It hadn't been like that since the barracks, back at the Citadel Gallows. Eloise did her best sometimes, but she was ultimately a feline by nature, and would quickly grow agitated and swipe at him when he didn't take up her advice or receive her care in a way she found suitable. He loved her, but also feared her. Since they had met, she had gone from being a wealthy woman leading a fairly localized Tyrclaidian guild to a woman who seemed to bear her claws at the throat of the world.

Interestingly enough, Taelian did not disagree with Ford's take on Radenor's potential for industrialization. He was right: modern amenities did not necessarily do much other than making things easier, or more convenient, all while depersonalizing everything, and making people war and compete over commodities as a sign of social class. Modernity often created a commodified version of people in general, he had noticed, and forced people to rally and strive based on envy and the idolization of instruments they did not need. He had noticed that Grisic and Lorien were cold societies, and the richer they became, they colder still. Maybe, he thought, places like Radenor were necessary pockets of ancient wisdom; the old ways.

He quickly shifted to a smile. "You're right," the man muttered, softly. "I've always missed this... 'spirit of compassion'. I was so fond of it growing up, but as I've moved to Lorien, I don't much see it anymore. I see elegance, and sanitation, and class, but not compassion. In place of compassion, I see... a great deal of loneliness."

Taelian sighed, and gradually moved on; he mentioned Riven only to be met with silence, though a silence that appeared to be backed by a compassionate stare. That word described Ford fairly well, he thought: Taelian perceived him as a compassionate man, and nothing he did had gone against that perception. He was a good soul. The mage was glad to move on to the things he liked; his features had a way of lighting up as he described them, and Taelian couldn't help but light up with him.

"Wow -- we're kindred spirits when it comes to food," he remarked, lifting one brow. "I love coffee, loathe mushrooms and fish... though Wylen has been performing a study wherein he's apparently discovered that mushrooms are quite good for you. Whatever; I've scorned plenty of things that were good for me in the past," Taelian said, laughing out. He nodded along zealously as the other went through the remainder of his list; he agreed with everything he said, and made a note to ask Hilden if she might assemble them dessert later on -- and not just dessert, but dessert with eggs in it.

The man stood up, his face gleaming brightly. "I'll show you what I like!" he exclaimed, raising a finger to ask Ford for patience before running and disappearing into his room. The man emerged through a few moments later, leather-bound journal in hand, only to set the book down and open it, turning a few pages. Eventually he landed upon page-after-page of meals, which he had sketched in his journal during his travels through the continent. One after another were tart cakes, sausage links, pudding with strawberries and some sort of cream, fancy loaves of bread and meat seasoned and cooked to a perfect texture. Beside each item was the nation each meal came from: most were Daravinic or Loric, though some were from Sil-Elaine, Radenor and Tyrclaid. The further the pages went, the more came into the mix: chamomile tea, pear drinks, more and more. It was so rare that he ever got to discuss something this simple, these days, that it made his heart rush.

"...there are some that I forgot," he muttered, scratching his stubble as if embarrassed. "I wish I could remember, because I want to eat them again when I return to Daravin and Tyrclaid. I tried all types of wine when I was in Ciseperant, staying with a Valran there, but that was at some old vineyard and I... I just can't find the vintage in any books, or if I have, I can't remember them." He frowned. "Say, Ford..." Taelian continued, eyeing the other with a look of what was unmistakably embarrassment.

"Would you like to go wine tasting with me, on Venadas?" he asked. It was two days from now. "I was actually going to go by myself, towards Malevin, but I'd love company."

Posted: **Sat Nov 26, 2022 9:22 pm**

It was automatically noted somewhere in the back of his mind. He was sure he had a sprig or two of the flowers and herbs in his sack. He always made sure to carry them for when he needed them. "I can grab them and get those herbs to you sooner than later." Ford was happy to be of some help. It was one thing to have some knowledge, but to be able to put some practicality into it would help the Griscian feel better about the situation. Their conversation continued regarding the modernization of technologies and people's beliefs when it happened. "It was something I thought was a weakness growing up. My mother and father were passionate about their jobs and having successful children... But I think their compassion was stunted a bit. They showed love in terms of hearing for my brother and me, but there was not much compassion. It was either we do something, or we don't do something. " Saying it out loud, it did sound a bit harsh, but he still loved his parents, even if he had shamed them with his attempt at marriage a couple of years prior. That was neither here nor there, though. "I found compassion again when I was studying at the University, and I haven't let it go since. Too many people have it too hard to add another drop of darkness to the bucket. If I can make one person smile daily, I've done enough just by adding more brightness." It was stupid and not a life goal back home, so it could never be said out loud. "And I think you have plenty of compassion. Looking at you, you seem to be a big guy, have an important job, and are doing important things. You don't seem like a cold person to me. Maybe a little lukewarm sometimes, but I think it's because you've got other things going on that you can't fire it up full blast." It was a random assessment, and maybe he was off the mark regarding Taelian, but the conversation moved on as they talked about food.

"Really?" That was funny to see someone who had similar tastes. He laughed, but quickly Ford was confused. "Wait, who's Wylen?" And just as soon as the name had been dropped, Taelian held a finger up, requesting patience before disappearing. "Oooookay?" Said to himself, and he raised that mug of coffee up for another sip, to which there was a delighted, "Mmmn." His eyes lifted as he returned with a book. Lowering his gaze to the journal as it was opened, Ford found it fascinating. "May I?" He asked, pulled the journal more to face him, and flipped back and forth through the pages—one of which he made sure to pause on and point to. "Chamomile tea helps with helping ease bad dreams. Most say to drink a single cup. I say to start the end of your evening with a cup and go for a second helping shortly before bed. Lavender also helps, I think." Flipping through a couple more pages, he looked over to Taelian, who had admitted to forgetting some of them, and shrugged. "Don't apologize. What you have here is great. People forget things; it's in our nature. We aren't meant to remember everything; it's why we live such relatively short lives." Tapping fingers on the journal, he looked up to see embarrassment, and Ford smiled apprehensively. "Wine tasting? With you? In Venadas?"

Repeating someone's question or words was a sure way to tell them you were trying to find a way to decline. Ford fell silent for a moment, looking back to the journal. Flipping a page in silence, he didn't respond at first. "So, here's the thing..." Ford took a deep breath and let it out, allowing his gaze to settle on Taelian's features. "You are very nice and..." There were no words for it, but both his hands lifted in a slight gesture to Taelian's body and head and made a noise that wasn't discernible, except for Ford. Like a noise, one would make vowels and no consonants. "But when I drink, I get a little crazy... Not murderous crazy, but, uh..." His entire face turned a shade of red, probably usually inhumanly possible. "...The complete opposite of what a gentleman of the Grisic Empire should behave like..." He wasn't quite sure how to word it without sounding... Well, bad. "And I wouldn't want to ruin it for you..." Ford was thinking of drinking a lot at this wine tasting.

Posted: **Sat Nov 26, 2022 9:36 pm**

Taelian appeared somewhat touched by Ford's assessment of him. He said effectively what Taelian had wanted to believe of himself for a long time: despite his sudden position of power and prominence, and his size and might, he was still a caring, altruistic man at heart. He didn't always or often feel that way, but knowing that Ford thought it of him meant that he was still doing something right. He almost wanted to jump out of his chair and hug the other man, but he didn't. Instead, he lowered his eyes, lingering on it all in a swirl that ran through his thoughts.

And then their conversation moved on, and before he knew it, he was inviting the other man to go wine-tasting with him near Malevin. Worst of all, Ford appeared driven towards saying no, which almost broke Taelian's heart until he heard his explanation. It wasn't that he did not want to taste wine, it was that he was afraid of how he would act if he became inebriated. That was, to the mage, much easier to work with.

"I don't care," he returned, in his typical... lukewarm manner. "You don't need to impress me, and I think your own conscious should be able to bear the thought of you having fun every now and then." He wasn't sure how to even interpret what idea of 'fun' a drunken Ford might have, considering the man's crimson blush, but he didn't think he would be disturbed by really any interpretation. "I'm a wreck too, when I get drunk, which is why I want to taste wine, roll about in a field and... you guessed it: get sloshed. You and I having a jolly old time won't ruin anything for me; it'll make the experience a hundred leagues better."

He reached out, extending a hand for Ford to shake, just like last night: as if this wine-tasting request was an obligation he wanted him to sign up for, a deal or pact to be made. Taelian wanted more rambunctious bullshit in his life, and Ford's declination only made him all the more eager to ensure that he tagged along.

"We'll be away from the compound -- no one but me will know of whatever it is that you do," he reassured him. "I promise I won't look down on you. You could fling your clothes off and streak across a lavender field; I don't care. If anything, I'd join you," he laughed.

Posted: **Sat Nov 26, 2022 9:58 pm**

What was even happening? Most people did care what people did and cared about how it affected the perceptions many people had of them being affiliated with that person. So when Taelian spoke up and claimed not to care about whatever crazy Ford could possess, it stupefied the blonde, and he just sat there, dumbfounded in expression. Ford liked to have fun, but people were often embarrassed when he acted like himself. He tended not to be reserved enough, which was part of why he had practically run from the empire. Not quite banished but not wanted, he had only one tie to the empire, and that was his brother. "Ah. Mmn.." Ford was trying to find a rebuttal against Taelian's words, but it was complicated to have any retort to them.
Sinking in his seat for a moment, he listened to how Taelian's attempt to care if Ford made a fool out of one if not both of them went about as far as Ford could throw Taelian; he didn't see a reason why he couldn't go and enjoy some wine. His gaze did leave the other for a moment as he looked at the journal. "On one condition..." Looking at the journal a moment longer, his gaze landed on the hand extended out, and Ford stood, not wanting to be seated for that kind of gesture. Taking Taelian's hand, he grinned at him. "...You must draw your favorite things you try while wine tasting. That way, you won't forget anything."

With his hand clasped in the others, he held it for a moment and continued thinking about what it would be like to be away and have fun. Even Ford, a light-hearted person, had dedicated the past few years to work, going from locale to locale to people-watch and getting involved in their society to see how things were run from an outsider's perspective. He hadn't done anything purely for fun since... Well, it had been a while. Sure, there were fun times when he worked, but he rarely just dropped everything to have fun. And though the time to hold the other in that offer of a shake had passed, Ford had held onto him tightly enough to exemplify his urge not to let go, not yet anyway. "Why magic? Why mages? I know I come from a place where it's practically illegal to breathe the word, let alone practice it... But from what limited knowledge I have... Why risk potentially everything for it?" It was probably too deep of a question and perhaps quite personal, probably one of the most intimate questions a mage could be asked... But he was curious, not just because he was standing and having a personable conversation with a mage, but because he wanted to know more about Taelian himself.

The grip on the other lasted a little longer, turning the other hand this way or that as his gaze lingered on the connection for a moment until fingers finally released the other and returned to his seat.

Posted: **Sat Nov 26, 2022 10:23 pm**

Watching Ford fumble around, looking for some reason to refuse him that seemingly continued to fleet and recede, was amusing; it was amusing enough that he laughed, gently, as the other returned to him with a counter-offer that obliged him to draw whatever it was that they enjoyed on their foray to Malevin. Ford's request made his face warm, and then his chest, and before long he just felt woozy and embarrassed. Something about it made his head spin -- it had been a long time since he'd met someone he felt he could have pure, relentlessly joyful experiences with, and the other man was one of them. The name Riven intruded his thoughts again, only for the mage to sigh out, as if exhaling the very image from his head.

"...You have a deal," he replied, staring down at their shared hand. Ford seemed trapped in thought, and throughout it he continued to hold Taelian's grip. The man's features softened, and he eyed the other sympathetically; it didn't seem as if Ford would even notice, with his mind wandering as it was, and that made it all the easier to examine him and to feel that strange haze of emotion. Suddenly, a question came.

Why magic?

He felt his throat tighten. He knew the answer he wanted to tell, immediately, and then a less honest answer... and then a more complicated, elaborate picture of it all. Taelian frowned, and when Ford was done, he answered with the truth.

"Because I had no choice," he replied, nearly choking on those last words. "Because I was inducted into the Ebon Knighthood as a boy, pulled off the streets, and initiated without the ability to decide. At first, I never wanted to be a mage. The Black Sigil scarred me, and I wept, and loathed myself. Over time, though, I came to love what being a mage... made me become. Strong, self-reliant, dependable. I became a bulwark for all of the lost little boys like me in the Bedlam, and then I became even stronger. Now? Magic lets me bridge worlds, go the places I love; it lets me see with new forms of sight, lets me hear sounds I never would have heard if it hadn't opened my eardrums to the voices of... angels. Too many die in the pursuit of the arcane, and too many die from it. Me, though? It's done nothing but good for me."

He was forgetting a lot of episodes of vomiting, pain and generally being unwell... and perhaps the time where Sigilic Pyromancy caused his Beacon to sear the edges of his soul and cause his death, but there was still so much beauty to be found in the arcane. It was the language of the Adac; their remnant, left to be explored.

As the other released his fingers and began to pull away, Taelian stopped him, extending his arm to grab Ford's hand again. He stared with an almost... weathered disquiet for a time, merely looking into the other man's eyes. "You better come with me to Malevin," he whispered in what could only be described as a pouty voice, before letting Ford's fingers go as if nothing had happened at all. The man sat down in his own seat, again, looking away from him for a time.

He sighed.

"I, ah... best return to my work, Ford. Those biscuits will arrive, soon: please eat them."

The man stood from his chair, wiping down his shirt as if he'd gotten crumbs on it before quickly maneuvering his way out of the room. Something about Ford pulled on him, and that pull wasn't something he was entirely comfortable with indulging. Not where they were, and given all of the context. He returned to his room and avoided coming out for a period of moments, and then hours.

Posted: **Sat Nov 26, 2022 10:52 pm**

There it was. A smile. Not something born out of politeness or something that came from a kind gesture. A genuine heartfelt smile came to Taelian's features, and it made his features turn into an authentic smile, so much so that parts of his cheeks even dimpled in tandem with the display of emotion. And just as quickly as that smile had come, the tone of the conversation had turned more serious. The smile slowly ebbed away into nothing as he listened to how Taelian had come into the realm of magic and had its dealings permanently marked on his person and his life for the foreseeable future. One thing Ford could not stand was cruelty to children. And although this had been done to Taelian as a child, he was okay overall. Some children weren't so lucky. It was part of what he hated about the world, not just in terms of magic. How easily the innocence of children could be taken for granted. Either way, the story included more positive notes, turning something negative into a positive one. And just as he felt the answer was finished, his hand had been gripped, and his gaze fell to the hand. Brows furrowed, and he looked between the hand and Taelian's face, but before he could say anything, Ford was bid good day, told to enjoy the biscuits, and was left alone. Things like this tended to happen to Ford; for a moment, he was reminded of his past.

The journal had been left, and he looked between both cups of coffee, remaining quiet as he looked over a couple of the pages, fingers tracing along some of the edges, making sure not to smudge anything. A couple of long silent moments and the biscuits were brought over. Stopping the person, he did have a request before, as commanded, he enjoyed one of the biscuits as he finished his coffee. "Very delicious..." He said to himself, cleaned up any mess left behind, gathered the journal and whatever he had, and disappeared back to his room.

In his room, in silence, Ford was taking care of something. After nearly twenty minutes or so, he reappeared a bundle of white and the journal that had been left behind. Walking to room numbered 220. He paused outside of it and set down the items in front of the door. Like it or not, he had a job, and he wasn't going to do poorly on his first day. A couple of knocks on the door, and Ford hurried down the hallway and out. The journal was left with a white cloth napkin on top of it, and a couple of the biscuits left over. Also within the cloth was a small bundle of dried chamomile flowers, a few sprigs of lavender, and some dried flowers freed from the plant. Upon closer inspection of the journal, a discolored page had been slipped into the journal.

Half of the discolored parchment had instructions:

Steep the chamomile for five minutes in boiling water. Remove the flowers and drink up hot. Add some honey if you want sweetness. Steep it for half an hour if you wish to make it the strongest.
Steep the lavender for 10 minutes in boiling water. Remove the flowers and enjoy with honey.

The other half of the parchment had a... Well... It was a cup similar to what the pair had been enjoying, with a recognizable biscuit next to it. Ford was not a great artist, but he had tried to make it discernible. Hopefully, the meaning wasn't lost.

Either way, Ford was off to do some research with paper and charcoal pencil in hand.

Atharen, A Fantasy Roleplay Forum

Covalent

Covalent

Re: Covalent

Re: Covalent

Re: Covalent

Re: Covalent

Re: Covalent

Re: Covalent

Re: Covalent

Re: Covalent

Re: Covalent