Spirits of the Earth

Essyrn => Essyrn => Topic started by: SilverLongjohns on April 10, 2018, 11:32:17 AM

Title: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: SilverLongjohns on April 10, 2018, 11:32:17 AM
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/254753706900324352/433313831339425802/signature.png)

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The evening breeze gently cools a small square in Essyrn as merchants prepare for a long night of hawking wares, sheltered from the unrelenting gaze of the sun. A wooden wagon, covered with furs from at least a dozen different animals and interwoven with trinkets that each catch the lamplight in their own unique and beautiful way, gently rolls into a position on the side of the square. A handwritten sign above the door reads "The Wandering Lyre", softly lit by two suspended lanterns.

The door bursts open in a cloud of arcane smoke and sweet-smelling scent as two figures almost fall out, both coughing- "Maybe we try making the new perfumes outside of the caravan next time?" The woman, dressed in elegant silks, asks- Her voice laced with scorn. "Mmm," says the other, a tall, dark skinned man who seems as if his face is eternally lost in thought, "Too much flashpowder, that's the problem..." As they get their bearings, the smaller lady claps her hands, and a storefront drops from the side of the wagon. The Wandering Lyre is open for business.
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business
Post by: Pandora on April 10, 2018, 07:48:23 PM
Looking over their shopfront, Khalia, the smaller female, scrutinizes every nook and cranny and making sure everything is in order. Outside of the caravan, she sets up additional lamps illuminated by soft candlelight, each of them charmed to float gently around the space. From the underside of the caravan, she pulls out a free-standing shop sign, showing off in detail of what the place had to offer.

"Hedvig, I'm thinking to distribute the flyers around in the markets. What do you think?" Khalia turns to the taller dark-skinned man behind her.
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business
Post by: SilverLongjohns on April 10, 2018, 08:05:11 PM
A small silver and glass bottle had caught Hedvig's attention. Something he'd found in the depths of their caravan and carried out with him- A small blue spirit seemed to be flittering and whirling around inside. He tapped the neck of the container against the side of the storefront a few times and the diminutive inhabitant let out a soft ghostly moan. Khalia's voice made him jump, and he set the bottle down on the Lyre's steps.

"Sounds wise. Khalia- Did you keep an eye on the stars? Any idea where we are?" The oddly-dressed man sniffed the air, holding a tongue out as if tasting some peculiar flavouron the breeze, "This definitely doesn't *feel* like home-- Then again... It's..." Hedvig trailed off, squinting with a great deal of suspicion up at the night sky- Almost as if it had said something distasteful. "No, no. That's not supposed to be there. You're not where you're supposed to be." He turned to Khalia, a defeated look in his eyes. "Well, I'm stumped," he declared, finally.
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: Pandora on April 10, 2018, 08:23:41 PM
"I did! The stars were incredibly bright across the desert the other night, thank the Navigator." Khalia nodded, the veils on her head gracefully floating in the air, continuing the flow of movement. She was busy in front of a table, organizing a small pile of flyers they keep to give away during their stops.

"We're in the northern marketplace! The Lady of the Trade, she deems it auspicious to begin our business here first. I know you wished to head home right away, but we must not miss any kind of fortuitous opportunity." She couldn't help but giggle, however, seeing him trying to taste the sky. "Let's just see what awaits us here today, alright?"

Seeing the bottle, she walks over closer to the steps, and peers at the creature inside. "And what might this be? I don't remember this one... Is this a faerie?"

Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: SilverLongjohns on April 12, 2018, 08:02:32 AM
"Back here?" Hedvig tapped a pensive finger against his temple. "Well. Could be worse. At least we're on dry land..." He leaned in so that his face was next to Khalia's, both staring at the small creature in the bottle. Hedvig flicked the glass, prompting another- Slightly miffed- wail from the vial-dweller. "Can't be sure what it is. Probably another magical furball coughed up by the Lyre."

He looked at the bottle, then up at Khalia, then around at the now bustling square. "We could open it and see what's in there," He muttered, quietly- Conspiratorially.
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: Pandora on April 12, 2018, 08:44:13 AM
"The stars above knows how many of these things we have in there..." Khalia chuckles, and looks at Hedvig, nodding her head. "I'm sure it's not that bad. Besides, it looks like it wants to be freed!"

Smiling widely, she takes the lead and relieves Hedvig of the bottle. Carefully, she attempts to uncork the vial, digging her nails in it to get a good grip as she felt it quite lodged inside. "Mrmmm... Hmmmnnhhh..." Her face all scrunched up, tugging at the cork as best she could, the creature shaking slightly inside in her struggle. Then, with one last attempt, she pulls the cork free from the bottle, stumbling backwards into Hedvig.

With the bottle now open, the creature inside immediately flies out of it in a flash, leaving behind bursts of pink and purple smoke, making Khalia cough a bit.

"Ah, no, wait! Where are you going?!" Khalia calls out to the creature and runs after it, making a leap towards it to try and catch it in her hands, but the creature slips past it, making a trail of pink and purple smoke behind it. From what she had seen, it seemed to be an insect-like creature, magical from what she could sense from it, and was now skittering fast across the grass and towards the marketplace, easily maneuvering around the ankles of the Essyrni shoppers.

"Oh no, I think we shouldn't have done that..." She stood up and dusted her thighs and veils, looking at Hedvig worriedly.

Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: SilverLongjohns on April 12, 2018, 09:41:11 AM
Wiping his eyes, Hedvig pursed his lips, placing an arm around Khalia's shoulder. "Well, no matter. I'm sure it can't stir up that much trouble. Whatever it is." He squinted in the direction the creature ran off to, trying to maybe ascertain where it had fled. "I'm going to set about fixing the movement enchantments on the wheels." He told her, a smile on his face. "I'm sure one of the merchants here will be able to help. Maybe we'll get our hands on some silver, for scribing the runes." The tall, cloaked man untied his cravat and knotted it around his nose and mouth, disappearing into the smokey interior of the caravan- Only to eventually reemerge with armfuls of tools and inkwells, parchement and baubles.

"We won't be getting anywhere fast unless the Lyre is in better shape. Give me a hand with this, would you?" He held out a small chisel to Khalia.
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: Pandora on April 12, 2018, 09:53:15 AM
Khalia followed the fading trail of pink and purple smoke until it vanished completely, and looked up at the dark-skinned man. "I sure hope so... But more importantly, I sure hope that the people here don't link that creature to us. The last thing we want is trouble." She chuckles. "But, on the bright side, that creature is free now!" She jumped a little, reaching her arms up towards the sky.

"Oh right... The caravan was a little wobbly earlier, huh? I think it might have been the sand dunes making it difficult for it to roll properly. That, and all the cacti we had to avoid..." Khalia scratched her cheek, watching Hedvig carry out all sorts of stuff in his arms, and takes the small chisel without a second thought. Holding it up, she looks around for a basket, and grabs one made of interwoven bamboo. Muttering a few words, she waves her other free hand like a magic wand, and cast it towards the basket. Instantly, the bamboo basket slowly and gently floated to her eye level, twirling in the air gracefully, just like the small lanterns dancing around their caravan.

"Here you go, Hedvig!" She guides the basket to move closer towards him, as a convenient way to carry all the tools. "What do I do with this?" She grins excitedly, holding up the chisel, awaiting  instruction.
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: SilverLongjohns on April 12, 2018, 04:15:39 PM
Hedvig spat three small nails he had been carrying in his mouth into the basket, quickly following them with the rest of the gear in his arms. "Right you are. Free and TOTALLY HARMLESS," he said, raising his voice so that anyone paying attention might hear before turning back to Khalia. "The desert's not a place for the Lyre, by any account. She doesn't do rocky- Or sandy. In fact," he raised a thumb and forefinger to his chin, thinking, "She doesn't do cold, either. And grass tends to rub her the wrong way and--" He harrumphed, interrupting his own train of thought and lowering himself onto the still-warm cobblestones of the market square. He reached into the basket and took out a delicate-looking pair of spectacles, adjusting them on the bridge of his nose. He stared intently at the wooden spokes, running palms over each and every one.

At Khalia's question, he looked up- "Well... You know how the runes go, right? Just take some of the ink and re-scribe any that look damaged." He squeezed her hand and quickly sidled himself under the vehicle. The man kept talking to himself- Or rather to the Lyre, as if he was trying to soothe an old friend's aching limbs.
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: Pandora on April 13, 2018, 12:38:44 AM
"Wow Hedvig, that's pretty much every kind of terrain imaginable!" Khalia laughed behind her hand. "We might as well just make the Lyre float in the air at this rate!"

"Alright, I'll do my best!" Khalia flashes him a cheerful smile, and plucks a bottle of enchanted ink from the basket. Using the tiny chisel in hand, she dips the flat, square metal tip in the ink, and kneels in front of one of the wheels.

Realizing she had to narrow her eyes into a squint in her inability to see the runes clearly and easily, she waved her hand to summon a small lantern to light over the symbols. With that, she started to carefully redraw the lines forming the runes where they had been faded and sanded over by the dunes.

As she was drawing, she had to hold the ink-tipped chisel away from the wood once she felt the caravan weighed down and creak. Turning to the stairs, she sees a couple descending from the stairs of the caravan, well-dressed and clutching their belongings.

"Thank you, Miss Khalia-- Oh, where's Mister Hedvig?" One of the two, a middle-aged gentleman says, leaning down to see a pair of boots under the caravan, which he presumed was Hedvig. "Thank you, both of you, it was quite a pleasant stay."

"Thank you as well! I hope you stay with us again. Safe travels here in Essyrn!" Khalia beamed at the couple, and watched as they went on their way, disappearing into the marketplace crowd, before resuming her work over the runes.
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: Whim on April 14, 2018, 12:19:47 AM
Ewan didn't like Essryn very much. It was just a matter of passing through to get home in Serendipity. The boy had spent the last year in the Kishahn jungle, communing with ancient spirits and seeing all sorts of natural wonders. How could some dusty old slaver-city compare to a tyrant lizard that could swallow a horse, or the Redreed forest which was actually underwater? As the little wizard rounded a corner, on the prowl for a northbound caravan, he found himself in a breathtakingly beautiful courtyard. Colored lanterns illuminated a forest of silk and fur, and the smell of perfume and spice wafted through the air. It was a little strong, maybe, but better than camel shit.

He entered the square with some hesitation, this wasn't really a city for an unattached foreigner to draw attention. It was good his skin had tanned some. The boy blended in, well enough, with the multitude of naked urchins who scurried about playing, gawking, and running odd jobs. There were ironbound grimoires, bottles of shimmering poultice, and gilded idols from every-which-where. A quick look wouldn't hurt, right? Suddenly, pink smoke was streaking across the square and into the night, leaving behind a trail of dust. It seemed familiar, on the tip of his tongue almost, an old memory. Whatever it was came from a wagons on the far-side of the square. A pale and bejeweled woman, and large man coated in odd talismans, appeared hard at work painting it. He crept closer. The man even looked part faerie - maybe even part Serenian?

"Aw! Is that a moonspear bogfly? I didn't know they were this far south. You ever seen the larva? They're big as horses! And then they explode into thousands of flies!" the ragged boy made himself known from behind a cart of lemons, arms spread wide to emphasize the enormity of the bogfly larvae.
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: SilverLongjohns on April 14, 2018, 03:36:14 PM
Hedvig stopped moving underneath the caravan. His boots twitched as he listened to the boy's voice- It seemed a knowledgeable one, though a bit young to be projecting so much confidence in its analysis. But Hedvig's ears didn't prick up out of suspicion, rather abject fascination. With a shove, the dark skinned man was out from under the caravan and by the boy's side in an instant.

"A bogfly? Moonspear? I'm certain we haven't crossed any swamps recently- And if we'd been to the moon Khalia would have noticed." Hedvig pinched his chin between his thumb and forefinger, his face centimeters from the boy's. "What's up north?" He asked, his eyes brimming with curiosity, "What kind of country has larvae for horses? You didn't get any of its dust on you, did you?" He walked around the boy, dusting him off left and right. He didn't wait for an answer before asking his next flurry of questions. "Thousands? How come the Lyre only caught one? Old girl must be getting slow. Can you cook them? Eat them? Throw them in a mortar and use their shells for pigment?"

A sudden dark frown crossed Hedvig's face, and he placed both hands on the boy's shoulders. He lowered his voice to the faintest of whispers, heavy with concern. "They're harmless. Right? Right?"
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: Pandora on April 15, 2018, 06:05:25 AM
Intensely focused on reapplying the ink to the faded runes, she did not notice the boy approaching their storefront, up until the moment he spoke. Turning to look over her shoulder, she smiled to see him, putting down the ink-tipped chisel to rise up and approach him. Seeing as how Hedvig had the same idea, she remained by his side, giggling at their interaction.

"Maybe that one in the bottle strayed a little too far from home!" Leaning down, she pats the boy on the head, getting on her knees to be at his eye level. "Hello, little one. What brings you to our shop tonight?" She had a friendly smile, until a thought occured in her mind. "Oh... Did you get lost and separated from your parents?"
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: Whim on April 15, 2018, 08:55:15 PM
Ewan's freckled face stared, dumbfounded, into Hedvig's. Usually it was him confounding grownups - adults! - not the other way. "Moonspear is up in Serendipty. It's way north and, um, full of magic and farms and swamps. And I don't know! I guess? They're used in gigantism potions. And I don't think they're dangerous besides the eggs, on account of their larvae being horse-eaters?" He did his very beat to rattle off answers. And sure enough the boy's hair and shoulders were coated in pink dust. "But gosh! How did you catch it with a lyre?"

The woman, despite her ethereal dress, seemed the more down to earth of the two. At least she wasn't combing him for dust. "I'm way older than I look. And I just followed the sparkles! What do you sell anyway?" Ewan craned his neck to get a look at their stalls behind the charm-clad merchant.
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: Pandora on April 18, 2018, 08:49:06 AM
"Are they, now?! I'll be sure to remember that-- Speaking of which, I seem to have forgotten something! Khalia, you take over for now."

As fast as he spoke, Khalia watched as Hedvig hurried back inside the caravan without looking back. Blinking, she scratched her cheek. "I suppose he must have left the cauldron unattended again." She giggles. "Right, where were we? Oh! Yes, we sell all sorts of things! Curiosities, specifically. Unique, novelty items from all over the world, yes! Aside from that, we also sell fortunes, amulets, and lucky charms! I collect them, and I make them myself too!" Khalia nodded, and spread her arms wide in a presentational manner. "Welcome to the Wandering Lyre! If you're looking to travel, or need a place to stay -- or both, we are also a travelling caravan!" She grins and gestures dramatically to the entrance, the door that Hedvig disappeared to. "Would you like to see what we have in store?"
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: Whim on April 21, 2018, 07:33:59 PM
The Wandering Lyre. It was a pretty name, and appeared to fit - the pair seemed to revel in making a show of their wares - which were wondrous. "Well I am looking to go back north to Serendipity if you're going that way." Ewan trotted after Khalia through the drapes and into the lyre, drinking in the smells of exotic perfume and spice. There was no sign of Hedvig, or even living quarters, amidst a maze of shelves and stacked boxes.

"And a fortune reading might be fun. But things have been looking up, really, so I'd only expect bad-"

"-Oh! Oh gosh is that Haram's Oil of Heroism?" wide-eyed, Ewan scampered to a nearby shelf. Securely packed behind wire mesh were dozens of bottles, jars, and vials. The boy's eyes were locked on a round-bottomed flask which seemed to glow brightly as the sun. "I saw someone brew it when I was in school. They bent an adamant rod in two like a twig! Did you make it yourself? I'd give anything to learn how!" grubby little hands lifted the potion from the hutch without a second thought. Then came a startled cry from Khalia and he dropped it. Haram's oil of Heroism fell to the floor and cracked in two. He stood there stunned and red-faced. Why do you always have to touchy everything dumby? "Gosh I'm sorry! I just got surprised. I can pay you back-" he moved to reach for a coin purse. But without pockets or even pants that seemed unlikely. "-or I can repay you somehow. I'm a wizard myself..."

The scent of honey soon filled the air. It was very pleasant, really. His heart pounding and flushed with embarrassment Ewan failed to notice the golden vapors swirling about him from the leaky flask.
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: Pandora on April 25, 2018, 08:20:00 PM
"Serendipity, you say? We will always circle back to that city, but the question is when? If the stars dictate that we head that way from here in Essyrn, I will let you know." She smiles, watching the boy enter the shop, following him inside.

The entrance of the Lyre showed off tall shelves lining either side of the wall, filled with all sorts of items and knick-knacks, haphazardly placed beside each other. Some items floated, some items were almost falling to the ground if someone made the mistake of bumping into its shelf. There were glowing things, and things that made tinkling noises, things flowing and rolling, but disorganized as it was, it certainly looked magical. The scent of flowery incense, pleasant to the nose, wafted around the shop, hinted with notes of spice.

"Yes, it certainly is! My husband made it a long, long time ago." Looking over at the object of Ewan's fascination, Khalia took the tag hooked around the bottle's neck. She smiles. "Though it's been in that shelf for so long, I forgot that it was there myself! But it feels like you unearthed a secret treasure, doesn't it-- Oh!" She pumped her fists in excitement, but froze to see the bottle falling down and crashing onto the floor. "Oh dear..." She taps her cheek, watching the floorboards absorb the shiny, golden liquid until all traces of it disappeared, but her face soon brightened up again. "This just means the floor has some dose of heroism too, doesn't it?"

Leaning down to meet Ewan at eye level, she grins widely. "Well, I mean! This shop also runs on a 'You break it, you buy it', policy, but since you don't have any money, we'll accept payment in other ways!" She nods. "You say you're a wizard, right? Maybe you can help us out here in the shop for a tiny bit!" She nods all the more, watching the golden vapors twirling. "Oh, look! Isn't this pretty?" She giggles, and manipulates the smoke with her fingers, making them dance around Ewan all the more.

"What's your name, by the way, little one?" Khalia was clearly having fun with drawing swirls with the smoke.
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: Whim on May 03, 2018, 05:35:15 PM
"I'm Ewan. And that sounds fair. I'll help you out till we reach Serendipity?" the boy heaved a sigh of relief. There were way worse things to spill on the floor. And it wasn't like he'd be stuffed in some orphanage. Working in a shop wouldn't be so bad, and might even get him back north. "Everyone else I've met has doubted I'm a wizard, you know. And I didn't  even break any of their stuff!" An impish, gap-toothed smile crossed his face. There was something about the woman, or maybe the honeyed fumes, that lifted his spirits. "I promise I'm really good. I'm quite a bit older than-

"-I look?" His voice was suddenly deeper, almost booming. The golden mist was swirling about Ewan now. From his point of view the room was shrinking, but in reality, the little wizard was growing. Scrawny arms bulged with muscle, and his delicate features turned angular and chiseled.

A thickly muscled young man, nearly a head taller than Khalia, stood in Ewan's place. "Gods. I haven't been tall in ages! Shamento waste it on me and a floor, tbough." He flexed an arm with a wide grin. It felt good to be big for a change. And the floor of the caravan sparkled heroically. Only then did the young man seem to remember Khalia was in the room. He shifted awkardly, immediately grateful the potion had reworked his loincloth to better fit. "I guess you have me at a disadvantage. So you deal on potions and fortunes?"
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: Pandora on May 13, 2018, 07:40:14 PM
"Certainly. Until we reach Serendipity. Is that where your home is?" Khalia controlled the swirls, spinning them round and round with her finger.

"I can imagine. Bad things that have happened to people, or circumstances that make them look like fools, those are some things that make people unable to believe in things so easily. Either they're hurt, or bitter, or embarrassed, but for me... I'm not really afraid of those things! I'll believe what you say, but if you are lying after all, well, there are ways for lies to reveal themselves in time." Khalia smiles.

She watched the smoke envelop Evan, but she raised a brow as his form seemed to absorb the smoke.

"Oh dear~" She steps back, hearing the deepened voice. "Oh my! Look at how you've grown, Evan! You're so tall and strong now!" She exclaims, though Khalia didn't seem the least bit surprised. By the looks of it, she has seen many wondrous things, and this is only one of them. A faint blush was on her cheeks now, though, and she was giggling.

"You need some better fitting clothes, Evan." Khalia smiles, waving her hands. Colorful fabrics and leathers fly out of a nearby drawer and wrap themselves around Evan, snipping and stitching all on their own to form a tunic, trousers, and boots for the... man. An amulet hangs from his neck to finish off his new clothes, which made him look equally as eccentric as Khalia and Hedvig were with its colorful patterns and trimmings.

"There we go, perfect!" Khalia grins, proud of her creation. "We deal with potions, but... Just a little bit. We sell all sorts of trinkets, and shiny things... And really interesting, magical things! I sell lucky charms and amulets, as well as read people's fortunes!" The silver-haired woman nodded quickly. "But more than all that, the Lyre is also an inn. A travelling, wandering inn, carrying you to our next destination wherever it may be!"

"Now, to give you a job... I will have you help in our various duties!" Khalia nods and smiles "My husband and I do all sorts of things around the shop just by ourselves, but magic makes it a little easier..."


Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: Whim on May 27, 2018, 09:13:05 PM
(OOC: So sorry I didn't notice your reply!)

The young man stood, stunned as the silks and cottons bore down on him. "Whoa-! Wait-!" He yelped in protest, trying his best to shift away. The end result wasn't so bad really. It was actually very comfortable. But what did half these amulets and charms even mean? He squinted the talisman trying to make out the language. No luck.

"Thanks for the outfit! Its.... nice. You weren't lying about the charms that's for certain." And  how could she fit so many in here? Was that a hallway?! "I've never seen special distortion like this before! Did you design this? And how many guests do you have?" The young man stepped forward to have a look around the rest of the caravan, still with child-like excitement, nearly bumping his head on a hanging bundle of herbs. Was he ever this big? Being tall was actually annoying.

Remembering himself Ewan turned back to Khalia. "I'll help with whatever you need. I'm a good alchemist and life mage if my condition's any proof. I can do polymorphic poultices, youthening balms, hair eyes..." He flexed a hand experimentally with a smile. "Or if you need heavy lifting done I'd best not waste this!
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: SkyBlade on June 16, 2018, 03:18:33 AM
OOC: Sorry if I am too late to the party. :/

Under the night sky, with his shoes entirely filled with sand, Xhad finally notices some life.
His weariness is suddenly replaced by the storm of joy and gratefulness, as he sees the caravan nearby, hearing people talking.

All of a sudden, the man feels a tickle in his palm. His tattoo starts to glow, thus letting him know through a subtle signal that there is magic nearby.

He swiftly dashes to the caravan and is shocked with surprise. The space inside was unbelievably large but, above all, what filled his heart with warmth was the multitude of magical objects he could see inside. Xhadaronn knew it was a place he would like.

He remained at the entrance, studying the fair-headed woman and the tall, muscular man which seemed to be over-joyed.

"Are the signs tricking me? Is this a place where cosmic energy is appreciated?" he said with a wide, joyous, and warm smile, taking his hood off, revealing his dark red eyes which gleamed with contentment.
"It's been a long journey. I had certain problems with a Zantarian and, quite sincerely... I am not very skilled against the fierceness of the desert." he continued, a little ashamed as he has always been close to nature. The dryness of the wastelands was not his preferred location, though.

"May I join the warmth of this place for a while? How much would that cost? I should have some emerald or gold in my pockets here somewhere... or maybe--" he paused, shivering. "--Maybe silver if that would suit better..."

Xhadaronn stopped, studying the contrast between the small lady and the giant gentleman.
"Ah, forgotten I have to introduce myself. My name is Xhadaronn. It is a pleasure to meet such arcane-close and interesting individuals. What do people call you?"
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: SilverLongjohns on July 05, 2018, 09:36:07 PM
OOC: Terribly sorry, everyone. Real life seriously hit the fan this past month, but all is well and sorted now, thereabouts. I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things, if everyone's still around- If not, perfectly understandable and I wish you the best!

---------

There was a roar of flame as Hedvig poked a raven-haired head out from a room, squinting and eyeing up the pair, as well as the newcomer who'd entered. His hands were covered in soot, and a firey red glow was emanating from the doorway that he'd emerged from.

"Khalia, Iggom is unhappy with the wood we've been feeding him. Says it tastes of sand and the hardship of slaves. They have slaves here, don't they?" He muttered to himself, "We shouldn't have bought local, I forget how sensitive his palate is." The dark-skinned man stepped out and closed the door behind him, the heat that had invaded the room fell to an acceptable level. He dusted off his hands on his furred coat, leaving large soot marks on his lapels. With a grin, he addressed the newcomer:

"Xha-dah-ronn- Xha-dah-ronn-" He rolled the name around on his tongue for a bit before tapping his foot, "Yes, yes I suppose that name will do just fine." He crooked an eyebrow, "Gold? Silver? Mmm... Well... I suppose we could take that off your hands..." Hedvig looked hesitant, as if embarassed to ask something, until his curiosity obviously wrangled it out of him with such force that he blurted out: "BUT IF I COULD MAYBE HAVE A LOOK AT YOUR EYES--? I-I mean- They're a rather unique color."
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: Pandora on July 06, 2018, 03:42:22 AM
"You're very welcome. I need to make you look presentable for our customers, after all! It's good to know those clothes are to your liking!" Khalia clasped her hands together, swooning with joy.

"Design what? The caravan? That would be my husband, Hedvig! Hmm... I wonder where he went? He could be anywhere by now!" Khalia scratched the side of her hair in wonder. "I have to introduce you to him, else he might wonder who you are!"

"Alchemist, you say? Ah, yes, yes. I have the perfect task for you! We have some materials in our storerooms that needs segragating! To be quite honest, the Lyre picks up all sorts of things along the way. We don't even know where they come from anymore! Most of them end up being plants and flowers, all sorts of mushrooms, sometimes a trinket here and there, maybe even some jewelry... If you're an alchemist worth your salt, you would be able to identify useful ingredients, yes, yes" Khalia beamed. "Aside from that, you can help us keep the reagents fully stocked and make basic potions to sell! Healing remedies are always in demand from our shelves..."

Khalia reached over to pat Evan's arm. "We certainly will! It's good to finally have some muscle around here!"

Hearing another voice enter the shop, the silvery-haired woman turned to see the new customer. "Welcome, to the Wandering Lyre!" She raised her arms and smiled as warm as the flood of yellow light within the shop interor. She nudged Evan to greet their new customer, now that he was part of their staff.

"It escapes me what a Zantarian would be, but I don't think we have a customer like that here in the Lyre just yet!" Khalia smiles and nods "So you're as safe as... safe as can be... here in the Lyre!"

"Oh, the fierceness of the desert is a force to be reckoned with indeed! This is a place of rest, so stay as long as your heart desires." Khalia smiles. The warmth within the Lyre was comforting in the coldness of the evening desert outside.

The woman turned to the doorway upon hearing the ruckus from behind. She looked rather calm, as if this was a common occurrence in the Lyre. "Oh yes, yes. Lots of slaves here in Essyrn. Well that won't do! If he is going to be grumpy about it, why don't you cheer him up with a treat? The petrified wyrmwood we got from those woodland faeries should suffice!" She crosses her arms.

"We'll take off your hands whatever you're willing to part with!" Khalia smiles and follows Hedvig. She looks into Xhadaronn's eyes as well. Now that Hedvig took an interest in it, she wanted to have a closer look too.

"Ooohhhh, agreed, agreed! I haven't seen many people with such eyes before!" Khalia smiled. "You say you are of the magical persuasion? Well, you've definitely come to the right place!"

Khalia beamed at Hedvig. "Ahhh, the Lyre becomes much more colorful with all these people everyday~!"
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: SkyBlade on July 08, 2018, 04:58:28 AM
"Thank you, Madame!" Xhad said, his wide grin continuous. "It seems a fantastic place, indeed!"
He folded his palms and bowed before the two individuals as a form of respect and also one of a second greeting.

Xhadaronn looked around the room, fascinated by what he saw. All the animal fur screamed "comfort" and "coziness", and the uncountable trinkets, together with all the magical objects around almost squeezed a few tears out of his eyes. "This... is... another... home!" he thought to himself. He did not know where to look first and the vibrations that betrayed magic were bombarding him from every direction.

However, It was not only the location that was superb, but also the presence of the souls that were just as covered in the mystic. As he could see before himself a huge man that, he heard, was skilled in alchemy, it was now more than obvious it couldn't be the mundane which inhabited the place.
And if that was not enough, the presence of Kalliandra surely delighted him. The clothing, the eyes, the gestures, the way she talked, just the overall being of her impressed Xhad for they clearly were proof of the closeness to the Arcane side of the stars and the general Mystic.

"I apologise, as I wish not to evoke the sparks of annoyance or ire by constantly repeating myself. But I must express my deep appreciation towards places like this! This is simply beyond wondrous..."

Seeing the door open and the reddish glow that brought with itself a heavy warmth, Xhad curiously glanced in the direction of Hedvig. There was something interesting in the tall man, something the half-blood could only sense... it was obvious he was not entirely human, this feeling being pronounced around Khalia as well.

Xhadaronn squinted a little, staring into the warm, pleasant green eyes of Hedvig, while carefully listening to his words. He just learned the name of the silver-haired woman and curiosity was smiting him brutally as he heard about the creature that was talked about.

"Ooooh... that ought to be something remarkably--" he began thinking, before he heard Hedvig speaking again, on this occasion to him.

"Yes, but you may call me Xhad, if you will." he said, upon seeing the man repeating his name. Afterwards, he proceeded to fold his hands and bow yet again, this time before the gentleman. "What is thy name?"

His clothes were also matters to Xhadaronn's liking. They did not seem strange, nor out of place. They were simply exotic, and the fur on his back looked so fuzzy, soft, and fluffy.

"Lovely!" the man continued, handing over 30 coins of gold and 50 more of silver. "I know not with certainty if that suffices, let me know if the amount ought to be changed..." he said, though he quickly stopped, seeing the dark-skinned man quiet, as if preparing to say something.

"Umm... is everything all ri--" Xhad began, but suddenly stopped, then slightly twitched, his eyes widening a little when he heard the words of Hedvig.

"Uh... I-of course! The colour is indeed a mystery... even for me to an extent!" he continued with a warm smile.

Seeing Khalia joining Hedvig, Xhad proceeded to say:
"My Master says they might have been grey, had I not had spirit ancestry..."

He looked around the place once again.

"May I have a closer look at the interior of this caravan? Everything is too fascinating not to deserve a look!" he continued, widely smiling yet again. "Oh, and also, is any of the rooms free? Drowsiness keeps coming and going, striking my eyes when less expected. I might need a bed to rest for a while, just in case..."

He could not help but immediately add another question to the row, as the memory of Hedvig's words about the mysterious creature returned to his mind. "May I ask thee about the identity of this creature? Behind the door, I mean... perhaps it is a dragon? A wyvern, or..." he tried to keep his calm and preserve the politeness in his tone, but the excitement and curiosity in him were pulsating with an overwhelming force.
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: Whim on July 25, 2018, 11:03:48 PM
(OOC: So sorry. I was on vacation and did not see the new replies!)

"Sorting reagents? I could handle that. And I'd love to make potions," he smiled, practically bouncing on his heals. The young man could feel the ebb and flow of magic more strongly now. It was invigorating. The prospect of sorting wasn't nearly so exciting as working proper magic. "Do you need anything made?"

And then a hooded young man, very excitable, burst into the Lyre with a flurry of questions with Hedvig was not far behind. The burly youth stepped forward and offered a hand at Khalia's insistence, darting in front of the split potion. It was so weird to be big, and taller than some of the men now. "Its nice to meet you, Xhadaronn, and Hedvig for that matter. I'm Ewan and I was just hired onto the Lyre.

"I suppose I'd better get to the storage room. Though now I've just got to know what Iggom is." Ewan canted his head to the side. "A kaadir dragon? Salamander? Flame spirit?"
Title: Re: The Wandering Lyre is Open for Business (Open)
Post by: SkyBlade on July 26, 2018, 12:48:53 PM
"Thank you, Ewan. I am very glad to meet someone adept in alchemy. I am certain it must be an honor to work in a place like this!" he responded with yet another smile. "The strength thou clearly wieldest ought to help thee in thy tasks as well, that is unquestionable!"

"I would be rather curious to find out what a kaadir dragon is, though. I have not exactly heard of such creature before. Hmm... perchance a unique race of dragons originating in Serendipity or, more likely, Adela?"