Main Site |
* Loria mutters to herself as she tries to settle her shield on her arm. <Loria> This cannot possibly be worth as much trouble as it is... <Lisl> ::chuckles:: Try saying that when people are shooting at you... * Kevil holds his silence, keeping his arm around Loria's shoulders. <Lisl> It *will* get easier with practice, Loria. Really. <Loria> ::gives Lisl a long, somewhat worried look:: I'm afraid I believe you. <Kevil> ::chuckles:: <Lisl> ::sympathetic look:: Still not sure about this whole going-forth-and-slaying thing? <Loria> ::nodding:: <Lisl> Well, maybe she just wants you to get your feet wet... or be able to handle yourself. <Loria> ::shrugs:: I suppose... I still feel... I don't know... silly, I guess. <Lisl> ::lopsided smile:: Playing dress-up? <Loria> Something like that... I keep expecting people to laugh at me... <Kevil> ::appeals to Lisl:: Please tell her she is not ridiculous. She will not believe me. <Loria> ::to Kevil:: You are biased. <Lisl> ::shakes her head:: Everyone starts somewhere, Loria. You should have seen-- ::shakes her head quickly:: No, never mind, you shouldn't have. NO one should have. Better that way. ::grins a little:: You start swaggering in that and waving your mace in the air, *then* I'll laugh. <Kevil> ::smiles at Loria:: Of course I am. It does not mean I have gone blind. <Loria> ::sighs:: In any case... ::blushes a little:: I... ::frowns:: I have a spell in my head that wants out. And... well, I'm trying to think how to go about it. <Lisl> ::frowns:: A spell in your head?? <Loria> ::nodding:: It was just there... when I woke up a few mornings ago. I didn't *ask* for it... <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow:: Is that how it works? You just-- ask for them, and poof, they're in your head? <Kevil> Must be nice... <Loria> ::nodding, biting her lip:: Pretty much... I... didn't know what they were, until I used them, that first time... but they'd been there for a while. <Lisl> Been there? ::raises the other eyebrow:: So, in Alanis...? <Loria> After then... I sort of had to... you know... ask for them... ::mimes folding her hands together, as if praying:: <Kevil> ::listens with obvious interest:: <Lisl> ::grinning a little:: Does asking in person work? <Loria> ::shaking her head:: I think... I think part of the magic is in the supplication... anyway, I sit somewhere and I talk to Her, and then... when I get up after sleeping, I have the spells... they're almost alive, sort of... <Lisl> And now you have one squirming around, wanting to be used? <Loria> ::nodding:: It's getting rather insistent about it. I think that means something, that it's important... <Lisl> ::looking slightly uncomfortable:: Do you know... *what* it is? <Loria> ::nodding:: Sort of... it's hard to explain... ::looks around the streets, frowning:: <Loria> Basically... I'd cast it on an animal of some sort, and he'd be my friend... protect me and look after me... that sounds a bit silly, doesn't it? * Lisl glances around, seeing nothing of interest, and looks back at Loria puzzledly. <Lisl> ::blinks:: Like... a familiar? <Loria> ::nodding a little:: Sort of, I think... * Lisl looks a little alarmed. "I'm... not exactly an animal, Loria, if that's what you want to ask. Those don't work on me." <Kevil> ::snorts with sudden laughter:: Pepper, the attack-cat... ::chuckles at the mental image:: * Lisl snorts, shaking her head at Kevil. <Loria> ::laughs:: No, not you... ::smiles fondly at Lisl:: <Kevil> ::mock-serious:: It would not be fair to use the spell on your brother, n'shava... and anyhow, he tries already in his misguided way to protect you. ::he glances up at Lisl and winks:: <Loria> ::sniffs, tilting her head up:: Kevil-lin.... <Kevil> ::laughs:: I am sorry. I will be quiet now. * Lisl coughs laughter. "Careful, Kevil... she may decide to try it on a peacock..." She pokes him in the side. <Kevil> ::dodges Lisl's poke with a brief chuckle:: <Loria> ::glancing at Lisl, sort of worriedly:: You can tell me you think it's a bad idea, if you want... I won't be upset... but, I thought maybe... ::bites her lip:: One of your relations might be able to help? <Lisl> Rela-- ::blinks:: Oh! You mean the pack? Hm. ::frowns thoughtfully, running her hand through her short hair:: <Kevil> ::looks at Loria with surprise:: Ah... n'shava? <Loria> ::turning back to Kevil:: Hm? <Lisl> Can you... that is, do you know any more about how this might work? I'm... definitely not comfortable with the idea of enspelling them to go unwillingly... <Kevil> ::hesitantly:: I am not saying it is a bad idea, n'shava, but what, if you bring a, ah... ::glances quickly around the mostly-deserted streets:: ...large canine into the house, what is to become of Lord Pepper? <Lisl> ::grins a little wickedly:: <Loria> ::thoughtfully:: Well, it's not unwillingly... when I cast it, they'll be able to see my intentions and my wishes. And they'll get... well, a bit smarter... <Loria> ::to Kevil:: Oh... ::wrings her hands together:: I hadn't thought of that... but... well... Pepper's not really... big. <Kevil> No, he is not. ::as if that was the point:: <Lisl> ::grins:: Well, if it's *big* you're after.... <Lisl> The houses you're looking at-- any of them have a yard to speak of? <Loria> Well, I wouldn't let my friend eat Pepper, you know... and sometimes dogs and cats get on all right. I mean, Father's got sheepdogs, and there are dozens of barn cats and they don't bother each other too much... ::glancing at Lisl:: Particularly since they started out together young. <Lisl> ::snorts, but says nothing:: <Kevil> ::shakes his head:: They are all in the city. Well... There is the open courtyard in the one... ::he shrugs and sighs:: As I said: It is not a bad idea, but I only wished to be certain you were aware of all details. <Lisl> The problem may best be solved by keeping one inside, and the other outside, if you can... ::glancing at Kevil with a bit of amusement:: "large canines" need a den to feel comfortable, but otherwise they're much happier out-of-doors. <Lisl> Would this be a, ah, permanent relationship? <Loria> ::shaking her head:: It doesn't have to be... I think... the spell is sort of reinforced by contact... if I don't see him for a while, it'll... wear off. <Kevil> ::shrugs and nods, obviously content to let Loria make this decision for herself:: <Lisl> So if... ::bites her lip a little before continuing:: ...if something untoward happened to you, it wouldn't... affect him? <Loria> ::blinks:: Such as? <Kevil> ::quietly:: Mage's familiars usually die, if the mage dies or is even badly wounded. <Lisl> ::letting out a quick breath, and giving Kevil an apologetic glance before answering:: If you died, he wouldn't die with you because of your... link? <Loria> ::shaking her head:: No... probably not. Although he might get angry enough to try and revenge me, in which case, I can't say what would happen. <Kevil> ::shudders slightly:: <Loria> ::laying her hand on Kevil's arm:: I'm not intending to die, Kevil-lin. <Kevil> ::smiles tightly and pats her hand, nodding:: Over my dead body, at any rate. <Loria> ::smiling at him:: In which case, I would already be dead, whether my body was aware of it or not. <Lisl> ::nods:: Alright... fair enough. ::walks along another several paces in silence:: Alright. I'll put it to the pack, and we can see if you get a volunteer. They'll want to meet you-- but then, I believe you said you wanted to meet them. ::grins:: If you can wait 'til next week, the pups' eyes should be open. <Lisl> ::glancing at both of them sharply:: No one's dying. I lose *enough* friends from natural causes, I don't need you two hurrying matters. <Loria> ::nodding to Lisl:: I think I can wait... <Kevil> ::shakes quickly and smiles at Lisl:: I have no intention of dying any time in the near future, Lisl. <Lisl> ::nods:: Good. ::smiling a little sheepishly:: In any case, I was planning to sing for news of you, while you were gone. This just gives me *another* reason to keep an eye on you. <Loria> ::laughs:: Worrying already, are you, Lisl? <Lisl> ::grins:: Me? Worry? Perish the thought. <Kevil> ::snorts:: <Lisl> Oh, and tell me *you're* not worrying, "Kevil-lin"! * Lisl grins. <Loria> ::blinks in astonishment:: *Lisl*! <Kevil> ::winces:: Please... Lisl, as you are my friend, never say that again. ::he grins at her weakly:: <Lisl> ::blinks, looking from one to the other:: What'd I say? <Kevil> ::grins a little wider, and looks at Loria:: Do you want to translate it for her? <Loria> ::laughs:: It's sort of like saying... ::blushing:: Sexy Kevil... <Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow, then shrugs and nods:: Close enough. <Loria> Well, it doesn't translate well, really... ::she blushes harder:: * Lisl has a coughing fit. <Lisl> Gods... no fear, Kevil, of my *ever* saying that again! <Kevil> ::grins at Lisl:: ...And to answer your question, I am of course worrying, but somewhat more productively, as I will be accompanying her. <Lisl> Oh? ::raising an eyebrow:: She's letting you go? <Kevil> She can not stop me. <Lisl> ::rubbing her nose delicately:; Invulnerable to lightning, are you? <Kevil> ::looks at Loria for a moment, then back at Lisl:: If I must be. <Lisl> Hm. * Lisl grins suddenly. "I bet you're driving her *crazy.* <Loria> ::looks at Lisl:: Why do you say that? <Lisl> Well, gods are used to getting their way... <Lisl> Kevil's got her over a barrel, so to speak. <Kevil> ::grins, then suddenly looks at Loria:: N'shava, if I had told you Lady Imp denied my petition, what would you have done? <Loria> ::stubbornly:: Stayed here with you. <Lisl> ::raises an eyebrow:: <Loria> ::seriously, to Lisl:: She can't make me go. I *want* to do things for Her, and to give Her my love, but She can't make me do it. <Kevil> ::smiles:: Thank you. ...She asked me that, did I say? What we would do if she said no... I told her that I would not come between a priest and her god, but that I would not hesitate to defy her if you allowed it. <Kevil> ::turns to smile at Lisl:: I am going with her. <Kevil> And there will be no lightning bolt. She knew what I meant when I said it, and she gave her permission anyway. <Lisl> ::nods slowly:: Breaking faith is a... hard thing. ::gives Kevil a Look:: You take care of her, or Nach isn't the only one you'll be answering to. <Kevil> ::snorts and looks at Loria:: Why does everyone seem to believe that I will cease to care properly for you the instant the ink is dry on the marriage contract? <Loria> ::giving Lisl a sudden hug, made that much more awkward by all the pointy bits sticking out here and there:: <Lisl> ::expression softening as she returns Loria's hug a little more firmly than is her wont:: Heh... experience, Kevil. The harder they pursue, the more they lose interest once they've caught. <Loria> ::speaking very firmly:: Kevil's not losing any interest in me.... it would be a Very Bad Idea... ::she grins:: <Lisl> ::grins, and looks down at Loria:: For that matter... *you* take good care of *him*. Try to make sure he doesn't go and do something foolish. <Kevil> ::rolls his eyes:: Maybe on *this* Lady-forsaken place. ::a little irritably:: In Alanis, we value our loves. <Lisl> ::chuckles:: That's because in Alanis, the whole *idea* of an affair is sort of ridiculous. <Kevil> Yes, it is... You would not believe the difficulty I had explaining it to some of my friends. ::he sighs:: <Lisl> So-- what is it they call those... random offers? ::blushing a little:: <Loria> ::straightening herself out, she winks at Lisl:: Like all the ones you got? <Kevil> ::laughs:: It depends... From a stranger, it is sex. From an acquaintance or friend, it is lin. From a spouse, shavalin. <Lisl> ::blushes harder, muttering:: Some people just like shocking foreigners... <Loria> ::grinning at her:: Nah, you're just *interesting*. <Kevil> ::grins:: You think that was the motivator? Even in Alanis, elves are rare - and half-elves? I doubt your lack of comfort was even recognized - they were merely *curious*. <Lisl> ::snorts:: A taste for the exotic, hm? ::shakes her head:: No... if only for the sake of any other half-elf ever to see Alanis, no. <Loria> ::patting Lisl on the arm:: Well, you're more *exotic* than they'd have expected, I daresay... ::she blushes again:: <Kevil> ::nods:: As is your right, Lisl... Consider not only the offers - but the way in which your refusals were taken, if you will. <Lisl> ::coughs:: Way they were taken? What do you mean? <Kevil> ::shrugs:: Unless you were met with an astonishing array of horses' asses, you saw no unseemly pleading, no anger, no untoward displays... perhaps a touch of disappointment - but no insult taken. Tell me how often a would-be lover *here* would be so easily turned aside. <Lisl> ::slow grin, as her eyes glint yellow and momentarily reflect the light of a nearby street lamp:: *I've* never had to tell someone "no" twice... <Lisl> ::chuckles, her eyes fading back to grey-blue:: Well, except for Jean-Pierre. But that was a *very* different case. <Kevil> ::eyes Lisl out of the corner of his eye, shaking his head:: You know what I mean. I am not trying to "convert" you; I only wish to show you that the system is not without value. <Lisl> ::nods:: No, I understand. For people, ah, looking, it certainly has benefits. And overall, the Alani were a very friendly people. <Loria> ::smiling:: Very friendly... ::stops at her lawn, opening the gate:: <Kevil> ::laughs:: Yes, that is one way of putting it... ::takes hold of the gate as Loria swings it open:: <Lisl> ::shakes her head, smiling:: Are you busy at all next week, Loria? Can't rush nature, but if there's some time that would be less difficult for you...? <Loria> ::shaking her head:: Just house shopping, and that can be delayed until we're ready... <Lisl> ::nods:: Alright. I'll stop by. ::glances at Kevil:: Would you like to come as well? After all, you'll be part of her pack... ::grins:: <Kevil> ::nods:: So long as you can live with my wardrobe crowding you out... ::he grins:: <Kevil> ::looks at Lisl with surprise:: I... would like that. Yes. Thank you. <Loria> ::shudders:: You really have *no* idea how many outfits this man has... <Lisl> ::grins:: I've seen Jaret's house, I imagine I've a fair idea. <Lisl> ::nods:: Well enough. Sometime... probably lateish next week, then. Sleep sweet, you two. <Kevil> ::murmurs, smiling faintly:: The atrium-house had lovely, enormous closets... * Lisl chuckles, and tosses off an airy salute as she turns to go. <Loria> ::takes Kevil's arm, leading him into the house, murmuring:: Sleep is not exactly what I had in mind... * Lisl shakes her head, and disappears into the night. <Kevil> ::reaches to take Loria's shield from her, his faint smile widening:: No...? |
|
|