The world outside had its own rules [open]

[halfheartedmagician]

Who: Asra Alnazar and who ever feels like joining him
When: Throughout July
Where: Various locations
What: Wandering Magician gonna wander in the Wilde and do quests (Cartography and Lucky Ingredients)
Warnings: None currently


A journey begins with a single step
It's almost midnight when Asra set out from the Western Residential District, where he'd made a bed for the night to avoid the snow and cold that blanketed much of the rest of the city. The heat was never a bother for him and Faust needed it, so he spent quite a bit of time there lately.

Right now though, he had the white and lavender python tucked securely under his scarf, a hat with a long, elegant feather topping the outfit off. He'd packed what little he expected he needed for his journey in a brown satchel that swung by his side as he walked through the near-empty streets, the sound of his footsteps sometimes the loudest noise around. He purposefully chose the emptier streets, habitually wanting to avoid attention as he left the city, but sometimes it seemed that fate had other plans. Another set of footsteps drew his attention and his gaze shifted until he noticed the other figure in the street.

"A good night for a journey," he said quietly by way of greeting. "Are you leaving too?"

---

Riddle me this
It was barely morning, the light only just beginning to filter through the trees and dapple the ground in golds and greens. It seemed to almost gild the few feathers in Asra's hand as he stood still as a statue in front of a huge creature that seems part bird and part lynx, his face tipped up to meet its eyes fearlessly.

The moment stretched out, then he spoke.

"If you break me, i do not stop working. If you touch me, I may be snared. If you lose me, nothing will matter. What am I?"

The adar llwch gwin shifted and fluffed its wings before settling again. "Your heart."

Asra nodded and waited as the next riddle came. This was starting to worry him a little, he wasn't quite certain what would happen if he couldn't answer.

"Marking mortal privation, when firmly in place. An enduring summation, inscribed in my face. What am I?" the creature asked, and Asra blinked paling a little. He glanced back at his companion and lowered his voice.

"Are you any good at riddles?"

---
Here in the forest, dark and deep...
He was deeper in the forest now, curiosity pushing him on further, and although Asra was aware of the danger, he was certain that he could manage it. Any protests raised by travelling companions were met with remarks that he'd encountered worse than a dark forest before, but that they were welcome to turn back if they liked.

He was perhaps pushing himself further than strictly necessary, considering he'd come out here to gather herbs and materials, but Asra was stubborn and continued pushing on until he became aware that there was a strange, sickly sweet scent to the air. The plants around them seemed larger, a deeper green than before, and Asra opened his mouth to suggest that maybe it would be time to turn back after all, when he found himself staring at pair of shining, white eyes that seemed to stare at him from a pitch black form.

"What... is that..."

Comments

Here in the forest...

[gallowsbait]

Greyjay was still working for the apothecary's shop and they'd had in an order for some potions that would've normally been easy to fill. Certain plants were hard to come by in the forest - inaccessible, dangerous to gather, or just scarce as hen's teeth. Cleverly, there had been a rich garden behind the shop.

Note the use of 'had'. The unseasonable weather took care of that, and now he's here, deep in the forest and watching a strange interaction. He's not interfering, not yet. If Asra can untangle himself easily, then there's no need for him to break cover and ruin both their days.

[halfheartedmagician]

It occurred, rather belatedly, to Asra that he probably should have paid more attention to the various warnings in the city about what was out here in the forest. But he'd always been one to learn more by doing for himself, experience always the best teacher for him, and sometimes that meant...

Situations like this.

Uncertain, he took a step back, making a faint, soothing sound at the back of his throat and hoping that he'd simply startled whatever it was and it just wanted him to go away. Nevertheless, one hand crept towards the dagger at his belt, just in case.

The creature made its answer to that attempt clear as it erupted from the brush with a snarl, claws swiping faster than he'd expected and catching his arm as he sprung back.

Asra yelped and stumbled, the dagger he'd been reaching for tumbling to the ground out of reach.

[gallowsbait]

Well, shit. It looks like one of those Killi-whatsits that he's heard about and, frankly, that he'd come armed to deal with. The parasitic orchids that he'd he'd been gently disentangling from a tree branch can wait.

Quick as can be, he hangs his herbalism kit nearby and swings out a boltbow. He'd borrowed it from the shop owner and only had a little practice, but the draw was close enough to what he was used to and at the very least, the sting should scare off the beast. Leaning against the truck, he pulls, cocks and fires.

The thing is stung in the shoulder and the bolt lodges in whatever half-magic, half-rotten flesh its made of.

[halfheartedmagician]

Another swipe and claws catch his arm, the thin fabric of his shirt barely even a barrier and the force of it spinning Asra off-balance and to the ground. His fingers dig into the earth he calls on his magic, the spilt blood enough of a source that he feels the power come easily enough as casts. He barely noticed the bolt lodge in the creature's flesh, such as it is, before he's shoving his magic in spike of earth that throws it back from him.

The magic and the pain of the injury seems to give it pause and the creature turns and bolts into the shadows, leaving Asra panting from the exertion and wondering who he had to thank for that.

"Who's there?"

[gallowsbait]

Greyjay keeps the crossbow up and armed as he steps forward into the clearing. Scanning the bushes, he's all business and his tone is clipped when he speaks: "It's me. C'mon, your blood'll draw more and I don't want to fight a pack."

"I'll keep this up, but I'd appreciate it if you could get my gear from the tree." He jerks his head back towards the way he came, but doesn't make eye-contact with Asra. They can have whatever awkward discussion they like once they're out of this bit of the forest.

[halfheartedmagician]

He tensed immediately at the sight of who his rescuer was, and that was enough for the stinging, throbbing pain to start registering. Asra had to admit that despite his thoughts on Greyjay after their last encounter, the other man had a point, and he climbed to his feet and picked his way over to the other's supplies.

"What are you doing out here anyway?" Asra asked, keeping his voice low and trying not to get blood on Greyjay's kit.

[gallowsbait]

"The shop I work in, they needed some things. Couldn't get them in town anymore and I'm better suited to this than most cl--" He freezes, going stock still and listening to something. One breath, two, and then a rustle in the leaves.

Whatever it was, it's gone on its way.

Still keeping his eyes on the woods around him, he nods once and begins to back away from the clearing. The boltbow is still raised aimed towards the spot the creature went. "How bad is the cut? Do you need to bind it before we really get moving?"

A journey begins with a single step (maybe lead into Here in the forest, dark and deep)

[newtralize]

The chillier weather was something Newt preferred. He had definitely traveled to hotter and humid environments during his travel, but he still much preferred a cooler temperature.

It isn't footsteps that Asra hears and he'll find that he's staring at a large feline that towers over him. It was the size of an elephant and it had a ribbon tail that seemed almost endless with how long it was. The large beast tilts its head curiously at the other. It was saddled with saddle bags equipped to it as though- "O-Oh!"

Sitting on top of the zouwu was a familiar man. He was dressed in his usual get up with his peacock blue coat and Hufflepuff scarf wrapped around his neck. Perhaps the colors are hard to make out in the night, but Newt's mess of curls and familiar voice are easy to make out. "I-I. Yes. Actually. H-Hullo there."

He hadn't expected to run into the other on his way out.

[halfheartedmagician]

The huge, feline creature immediately caught his attention and Asra reached out to offer his hand for it to sniff, taking in the strange and beautiful way it moved and the bags strapped to it.

"Hm?" He had to lean over and look up before he spotted the figure, then a smile curled his lips. "Well you seem very well equipped, that's for sure."

He turned his attention back to the beautiful creature, gently petting fur if it allowed it. "You're wonderful... What's your name?"

[newtralize]

The zouwu tilts its head curiously at the other, tail swishing to and fro. The tail moves almost as though it was light as a feather and gliding in the air as though it was weightless. It seems to regard the other with suspicion at first but a gentle pat from the man sitting atop of it and it sits down and stares at the other intently.

Newt is all nerves and seems a little stiff. A little unsure how to go about this. The events from the festivities are suddenly fresh in his mind and it leaves his face burning. Ah, he's really such a fool. "I, uhm, I did a lot of traveling before," Newt replies quietly. Nervous. He doesn't look at the other as he speaks, although this was somewhat common of him anyways.

There's a low rumble from the large cat as he lets Asra pet him. "Greg. It's Greg." He has named a majestic, Chinese beast the size of an elephant Greg. Yes.

[halfheartedmagician]

"Greg," Asra repeats, a laugh in his tone, although it turns just as easily to cooing as he scratches the beast under the chin. "He's lovely."

He turns his gaze up to the rider and remembers now where they'd met most recently, his expression turning a bit smug. "Oh? You're not embarrassed to run into me now, are you? Don't worry, I don't mean to lure you away and distract you from your travels. I was just leaving on some of my own."

[newtralize]

Greg just headbutts Asra gently to try and rub its head against the other. The zouwu has acclimated rather well into society. It did help to be in a setting freely and not chained up like it had used to be.

Newt makes a small, embarrassed little noise in the back of his throat. "I- I-I'm quite sorry about it. M-My behavior. It was unbecoming of me." The Brit was rather mortified. Matters of affection were a complicated thing for him and all.

"I- No. It's- Where are you going? I mean, if I may ask."

[halfheartedmagician]

Asra immediately butts his head back and stretches his arms wide, laughing as he buries his fingers into Greg's soft fur and tries to rub and scratch as much as he can for the creature. It's so delightful and fills him with such a warm, happy feeling that it takes him a moment to realise that Newt is clearly embarrassed even more now and he pulls away, rubbing his hands through Greg's fur lightly.

"Do you mind if I join your friend up there?" he asks Greg, entirely serious and waiting for a reply of some kind, although he does glance up at Newt.

"Hmm, nowhere in particular. Wherever my feet take me. I plan on gathering some ingredients."

Here in the forest

[honoraboveall]

Symon had agreed to accompany Asra out into the wilds. He had wanted a little time outside of the city, another chance to explore the world around. The sudden change from the winter weather in the city back to the heat of summer was a shocking one, but Symon couldn't help but enjoy the warmth, the sweat that trickled down the back of his neck.

They went in deeper and deeper, the sunlight struggling to filter through the thicket of leaves, their footsteps seeming strange and hushed. The back of Symon's neck seemed to prickle, his belly clenching unable to throw the feeling that they were being watched.

His hand was already resting on the hilt of his sword when they stumbled on the creature, fingers tightening on the weapon, but not drawing just yet. "Cwyldtid I would guess." Despite the tension winding through his body, his voice was low and even. "A creature infected."

[halfheartedmagician]

"Oh," Asra murmured, his eyes locked on the strange, white gaze of the creature before him. He truthfully hadn't paid as much attention to the risks out here as he likely should have, always finding it easier to learn by experiencing than secondhand information.

Right now that seemed like it had been something of a poor choice.

"Maybe if we just..." he began, starting to ease back a step. Which was apparently the wrong choice as the twisted, shadowy creature snarled and lunged for them both, black claws wickedly sharp.

[honoraboveall]

There was the harsh hiss of steel on leather as Symon drew his sword, moving in a smooth, and swift to meet the enemy. Already there were high points of colors on his cheeks, and the fins at his wrists stood out stiffly betraying his excitement. His claws were painted carmine red.

As he moved forward, his free hand hand planted on Asra's chest, shoving him behind him. His other wielded his sword, the whistling down in a sharp arc, aiming to shear off the creature's clawed hand.

[halfheartedmagician]

Asra cursed, but before he could even get his hand up to try and fire off a spell, Symon shoved him back and brought the sword around in an arc that was almost too fast to see. The monstrous form howled in pain and rage as the blade caught on its hand, take a couple of fingers off and splattering thick, black blood in a spray.

Recovered now, Asra followed up with a fistful of flames thrown over Symon's shoulder at the beast, aiming to blind it and give the other man an opening to do more damage with his blade.

[honoraboveall]

The fire seared past his ear, close enough that he could smell the sharp acridity of burnt hair. Black blood spattered over his hand, up and over his forearm as the creature howled and flailed in pain. The fire washed over the beast's face, searing, flesh cracking and blackening. The scent of burnt meat added to hair, oddly, horribly pleasant.

Symon licked his lips, but saw the opening that Asra gave him. He turned on his heel, swift and elegant, moving towards the beast once more. The creature, howling in its maddened agony flung out a clawed hand, a final desperate attack.

Symon was a moment too slow in dodging it, and claws raked a glancing strike along his throat. The scales only half turned the blow, and red blood spattered out in an arc, glinting scales scattering out as well, catching the light. But still he drove forward, plunging his sword deep into the creature's chest.

[halfheartedmagician]

"Symon-!" The warning was a fraction too late and Asra hissed a curse as bright red blood splattered the ground, mixing with the black ichor that seemed to seep and drip in thick, heavy splats from the creature. Symon's sword found its mark and, to Asra's mind, it seemed the two figures stood locked together in that final blow for a long moment before Symon's sword came free and the creature slumped to the ground.

At once, Asra moved up beside the other man and cast flames at the body, ensuring that if it wasn't already dead, it soon would be, and turned his attention back to the other man.

"Your throat..." he began, frowning in concern and reaching for Symon's arm. "Let me see how bad it is."

a journey

[bestdressed]

Winter isn't to Dorian's taste, to put it lightly. Even years spent in frigid southern Thedas hadn't managed to thicken his northern blood. He'd planned on getting out of the city for the majority of the month anyway, but now he's been given good reason to do so sooner rather than later. He has a small traveling pack prepared, and he's wearing his robes from home, staff in hand. The hour is late, but he and his companion--who he'll be meeting soon, with any luck--have a fair distance to travel, and Dorian's learned enough magic by now that traveling at night shouldn't be an issue.

There aren't many others out; of the few who are, one strikes up a conversation. He has no issue with a little smalltalk to pass the time, and least the hat is all right. "Shortly," he says--shortly. "Off to spend several weeks in the Wilde, which still manages to be far preferable to the turn the weather's taken here." His lip curls. Some prank.

[halfheartedmagician]

"Several weeks?" Asra repeated, raising an eyebrow curiously. "That's brave of you, especially on your own."

His gaze flicked over the other man curiously, wondering how he'd fare out in the wild for that long. He seemed a little too... put together and Asra had to wonder if he really knew what he might be in for. Although he supposed he could also be assuming too much based on his appearance and that fancy mustache.

"Are you looking for anything in particular?" he asked. "I don't plan to spend as long out there, but I could do with more ingredients."

[bestdressed]

"I won't be alone, provided that lummox doesn't make me wait much longer," Dorian huffs, though it's clear that his irritation is not directed as Asra. His grip tightens on his staff as he glances up, across the city rooftops, as though he could possibly read the face of the clocktower from this distance.

"We're striking out a bit further," he explains. "My--partner," a moment's pause as he scrambles for a word that seems fitting, "and I are returning at the Coven's behest to a cave that we explored last month. Apparently there's an effort to make it an intermediary base."

[halfheartedmagician]

"Your... oh." The irritation and that hesitation, he has a fair idea what the other man is saying without meaning to and his lips curl into a teasing smile.

"They must mean a lot to you, I take it? For you to be waiting here in the cold and snow for them." Even his voice says he finds the whole situation rather endearing. "I'm sure they won't keep you waiting."

[bestdressed]

Dorian resents that sly smile and that knowing tone of voice. Extremely uncalled for. "Infer what you like," he sniffs. At least here in Aefenglom he could just as easily be talking about a Bond as he could a paramour. In this case, of course, it's both, but he certainly isn't about to make it a subject of conversation.

"And what of yourself? Simply looking to escape a case of frost bite, or does your jaunt into the infected wilderness have a more practical purpose?"

[halfheartedmagician]

"Hmmm~" The fact that his teasing earns a sniff and that remark just makes him want to tease more, and he grins a bit wider. "I will. Especially your refusing to answer."

He'll try not to take it too far, at least, and with a soft laugh lets the topic go for the time being.

"I'm looking for ingredients for my potions and spells," he answers with a shrug. "And I thought I might try to find a few things requested by people in the city while I was at it. And..."

He smiles. "I don't like to stay in one place for too long. Not when there's so much to see and do elsewhere."