[open] Mareuer catchall

[prophexy]

Who: Urianger and various
When: the month of Mareuer
Where: Various
What: General catchall prompts
Warnings: TBD, none so far



Library (repeatedly on different days throughout the month, open to anyone)

[Over the course of the last several hours, a table in the corner of the library has become increasingly piled high with books. A very tall man with shaggy silver hair, pointed ears, and a neck a little too long for most people to be confident in calling him human is just visible over the tops of them, and in the gaps between the piles; he appears to be taking swift notes from the book currently open in front of him, and occasionally pulls a different tome from one of the stacks to consult something else in it.

It's pretty easy to catch his attention when he gets up to retrieve yet another book, if you want to talk to him. If the book you're looking for on folklore, astronomy, or abjuration magic has gone missing, there's a pretty decent chance it's in one of those piles. Sorry.]

Tea shop (early Mareuer, open to anyone)

[Urianger doesn't indulge in a lot of luxuries, but it's important to find good quality in the few he enjoys. He's examining the wares of a local tea shop, carefully sniffing at the samples. The selection is diverse, though, and most of the labels aren't quite familiar. Seeing the clerk busy helping someone else, he'll smile at a nearby fellow customer and strike up a conversation.]

Art thou familiar with the local brews? I should not be opposed to a recommendation, if thou hast any to offer.

Haven (all month, open to residents and visitors)

[The Exarch invited Urianger to take up a spare room in Haven when he arrived, which he accepted in lieu of trying to hunt down a roommate himself or - Twelve forbid - actually figure out how to earn money to pay rent somewhere. He's finding it nice, really, to live among other people again.

The time spent in Il Mheg seems to have affected his preferences for scenery somewhat; he still does most of his actual studying in his room, but when he's reading for relaxation he can be found lounging under a tree outside, or in common areas of the house if the weather is bad. He's also taken up actively tending to the garden when he's not reading somewhere, and can be found working among the plants at least a few afternoons a week.]

Wildcard

[If you want something else, hit me up on Plurk (Renegade_one) or Discord (sylviaviridian#0158) and we'll discuss! It's safe to assume he's still learning his way around town and making friends with bookshop owners, if you want ideas to start with.]

Comments

Tea shop (Why not have him go swimming? -isbricked-)

[getting_better]

[Consider him intrigued and slightly perplexed. Shakespeare much?]

Uhhh, well, I can't say I know any of the local brews but I do know how to tell if the tea is of good quality if that would help you narrow your choices.

[Elves were part of mythology that sadly weren't real when the Calamity hit his home, but now if he ever manages to get home he can claim he's seen and talked to one.]

is that an offer of lessons? but at least ask his name before you try to get his clothes off~

[prophexy]

[Turning aside to regard the display again, he tilts his head and taps the side of it with one forefinger, just above a long pointed ear, thinking it out.]

I believe I shall know by the scent of leaves which teas will be to my personal preference. 'Tis more a confusion of nomenclature: many blends are named for the region of their invention. I cannot well seek out Hingashi spice or Eulmoran breakfast blends when neither of those places has any meaning to the local merchants.

[getting_better]

Ah. I see. That makes sense.

[Although now that he thinks about it, the coffee he's had for the time he's been here resembled tastes from his own world. Maybe it's the same for tea?]

Well, perhaps we could ask the tea sommelier. Maybe if we describe the nature of the tea you prefer they can provide recommendations that can match it, or if you're lucky, give you something that fits the description perfectly.

[prophexy]

And such was my intent. [He glances over to where the clerk is still actively conversing with another shopper.] As their attention seems occupied for the moment, however, I thought to solicit recommendations from another who may prove more familiar with the selection than myself.

Hast thou been long in the city? I am myself arrived only a month past, and in some senses it seems I am still finding my bearings.

Library...Menace Time

[seemstressed]

<sub>[It's not hard to hunt Urianger down when one needs to. There's really only a handful of places one needs to look to find him and if all else fails if one waits long enough in the library the Elezen will be spotted eventually. It's what Tataru's banking on as she makes her way inside, scanning the room for the optimal alcove that she knows would appeal to Urianger's tastes.

It doesn't take long to find what she's looking for and with a satisfied smirk to herself she spots him, books stacked in towers of ever increasing height. She's dressed in a thick hooded tunic and her trademark hat, a satchel with a chocobo on the front that she's clearly stitched together herself strung over her shoulder. It seems weighed down by...something.

Drawing closer to the table she gives him a two handed wave, making sure to keep her voice low when she speaks. This is a library, after all, and with those long ears of his he shouldn't have a problem in hearing her.]</sub>

Well, well, if it isn't my favourite bookworm!

[prophexy]

[Hearing her voice, Urianger looks up...and has to lean over one of the stacks of books a bit to peer down far enough to make eye contact. Hm. When did that stack get that big?]

Tataru. Good... [what time is it? he checks the nearest window for the angle of the sun.] ...afternoon. Art thou in need of assistance with some research?

[seemstressed]

_{[Afternoon. Yes. How long have you been in here, Urianger? Probably since morning...There's a small shake of her head at his question.]}

No, no, no need for help with that today. I came to find you to see how you're doing.

_{[It was something she did back at the Waking Sands when Urianger was around and the rest of the Scions had scurried off to do various tasks. Sometimes she'd bring him treats or nag him to go sleep somewhere more comfortable than a table piled with books if she ever caught him napping. Now is no different.]}

Have you eaten? I brought you something!

[prophexy]

[He is a little hungry, now that she mentions it. He smiles back at her, then sits up to his full height and rolls his shoulders, stretching out muscles stiff from poring over his research.]

Thou art too kind, truly. I have been faring well enough, but perhaps a short break is in order. [He eyes the stacks of books, and sets about clearing away a space on the table.]

[seemstressed]

_{[Humming to herself she lets Urianger begin to make a bit of space on the table, rounding the piece of furniture to hop up onto one of the empty chairs. Off her satchel goes as she starts to rummage through it, pulling out what seems to be a few savory tarts she made wrapped up. She sets out the goods on the table, nudging them toward Urianger.]}

Here! They're savory tomato tarts. They're quite yummy, I promise.

_{[Enjoy. The tarts aren't the only thing she pulls out however. What comes next is a small glass jar filled with luminous, violet mushrooms. Hm...]}

I thought you might be interested in these too - but don't eat them!

[prophexy]

[He accepts the tarts graciously, checking under the wrapping of one and raising his eyebrows in approval.] The scent alone is appetizing. My thanks, indeed.

[Eating in the library is against the rules, of course. Old memories swell up and tug at his attention, late nights of shared snacks, developing a taste for spicy meatballs purely because Moenbryda just would not stop bringing food into the library with her, such that his only option was to make the food go away before sauce could get on something valuable.

He turns to regard the glowing mushrooms, tucking reminiscence away for another time.] A local species, I assume? Must they be prepared first, or is their purpose more medicinal than culinary?

[seemstressed]

_{[She's happy to see him take her tribute of tarts and approve of her work, smiling back at him as she pushes the jar closer to him.]}

Local yes, but from out beyond the wall. The man I bonded with recently brought them back for me, along with another type that is edible.

_{[Now that the jar is closer to the Elezen she settles herself down on the chair she'd been standing on.]}

They're hallucinogenic.

_[Yeah.]

Not that I've consumed them and I've been told they're mild in potency, but I thought you might find them interesting.

[getting_better]

We're on the same boat then, friend. Still haven't quite found my groove here, not to mention a stable source of income.

[Or a solid opinion on this place and it's inhabitants.]

Although to be honest, the whole experience hasn't been too bad. The executions being the most eye raising of them.

Haven!

[poisontippedcure]

[Urianger is not the only one that has taken to tending the garden. Although Rose was far from the only resident to work with it since Urianger arrived, she had gotten used to working alone. It worked for her fine; she doesn’t necessarily enjoy being around other people, but her house mates were often the exception.]

[When she sees Urianger, she smiles, and approaches with her gardening tools in hand.]

I didn’t expect to see you out here, Urianger.

[prophexy]

Indeed... [He picks up the jar and inspects the contents for a moment.] 'Tis certainly worth the effort of collecting specimens which may prove to have useful properties.

[He's suddenly much more interested in something else she's said, though.]

...Thou hast formed a bond already? [There's a crawling sense of dread that he tries to ignore, a loneliness left over from days long past - he was always slower to connect with people, a strange shy child who spent so long alone that he became convinced he would remain so forever, and the fear of being left behind, though no longer relevant, is hard to shake.

He smiles instead, trying to be happy for Tataru and her better social skills. Of course she formed a bond before he did - how could it be otherwise, with how easily she makes friends?] Full glad am I to know that thy needs shall be looked after.

[prophexy]

[Urianger smiles back at her, brushing a little dirt from his hands where he's been pulling weeds before they can root too deeply.]

Though the flowers of Il Mheg required no special tending, it would seem I have come to find the presence of growing life soothing to the mind. To offer assistance with the care of these can only be an appropriate gesture.

[seemstressed]

Well...it was unexpected.

<sub>[How else is she supposed to put it? She isn't about to put Henry and his weird ways on blast here in front of Urianger. He's the last person she wants to worry, especially about something like this. If anything, now that she thinks about it, did he have a bond yet? He was shy, after all...if anyone would have trouble making one it'd be him.

...Just another thing to worry about.]</sub>

It's an arrangement born out of necessity, I think, in his case. I've been told Bonds between Witches aren't exactly ideal...but he strikes me as someone who's been alone for a long time. You know I'm a bit weak for that type.

_{[It's hard to say no to someone when you know they've no one else to ask...and it's not like anyone else had asked her.]}

But surely it will be fine! He may be a bit odd but he has a good heart and is willing to please.

_{[Even if that 'pleasing' seems to manifest itself in strange, uh, ways.]}

[prophexy]

Aye...though from what I understand, not entirely unwarranted. [The stories he heard from others after arriving were harrowing.]

'Tis not so unpleasant, save that arriving here strips all and sundry of their abilities. As fascinating as it may be to learn spellwork afresh, to be rendered a novice once more is not a little discomfiting.

[prophexy]

Tataru.

[Her lack of enthusiasm has quickly replaced his misgivings on his own account with concern for her. Even if her words themselves seem innocent enough, he's never known Tataru to be so ambivalent about making a new friend...and that combined with her apparently having Bonded suddenly with someone he doesn't know is certainly cause for worry.

He hesitates before continuing, taking obvious care to choose his words.] Thou seemest to mine ears to carry some lingering uncertainty about the choice thou hast made. ...Thy heart is strong and kind, and I would counsel any to heed its warnings...most of all thyself. And if thou art ever in need of support, know that no concern, great or small, would keep thy friends from standing beside thee.

Library

[stopfen]

[She'd visited a few times, in the evenings after working. Trying to catch up on all the information that was so basic to everyone else here. But she was still too new to know and fully understand. But she was somewhat observant, especially when she was looking around already.

Enough to notice the man who'd been there before she'd arrived, staying after she'd left. And had been there multiple times.

So the next time she sees him put a book down, she's rising, walking over before he gets to the shelves.]

Do you know any books that are good at explaining how magic works?

[getting_better]

[He nods in agreement. From what he learned the whole situation would beg for some manner of punishment. Public execution however, maybe a bit too much. Or not, what does he know.]

It is a little inconvenient but, since the Coven is so eager and willing to teach why not give them the chance?

[And maybe learn a few things about them in the process.]

[poisontippedcure]

[She appreciates that. Pulling weeds is her least favorite part of gardening, and it’s nice to have the task taken care of.]

I can understand that. It’s much more relaxing to be surrounded by natural life than it is buildings and people.

[Except fae. She would take the buildings and people over fairy life any day. It’s ironic, considering now she is one.]

I can’t remember, did you ever do any gardening at the Rising Stones or Waking Sands?

[seemstressed]

Thank you Urianger.

<sub>[It's not so much ambivalence as it is that she's tired. Henry had been without a bond for four months and Tataru had vastly underestimated the strain it would initially put on her. There have been headaches, vertigo and nausea, but none of the side effects have kept her down for too long (or she won't let it).

Already she finds herself regretting her choice of words, shaking her head toward Urianger in a bid to lesson his worry, stopping the motion suddenly when she realizes it's making her feel dizzy.]</sub>

I just hope I've done the right thing. It isn't myself I'm worried for...but I believe it will be all right in the end once everything has settled.

[prophexy]

'Twould be foolish indeed not to take advantage of the resource thus offered. The Coven's motivations aside, I can see no detriment to gaining in power while we may.

[He is concerned about their motives, of course, and any secrets they might be hiding. But standing still won't do anyone any good.]

So long as we recall clearly our reasons for grasping that power, we must make use of all within our reach.

[prophexy]

[He nods slowly, still watching her carefully, now noticing little details of her body language that he might otherwise have missed.]

Well enough, I suppose... But pray tell, what more is there to settle? I have spoken to those who carry Bonds of what they experienced as it deepened, but I confess I know little of the immediate wake of the ceremony. If there is any way I may assist thee, I shall not hesitate.

[prophexy]

Nay...I had little interest in such things at the time. Thou speakest of natural life, and rightly so, but mine own comfort had always been found amongst artifice, the fruit of generations of scholarship, the triumph of mind over material.

[He returns to pulling weeds as he speaks, careful fingers and sharp eyes unthreading delicate roots from the soil without breaking them.] Libraries and architecture, the elegance of mathematics unwoven piece by piece from matter and laid out for the practiced eye to study...were I to have sought comfort then, these are the things which I found more soothing.