Shiny, Please [Talon]

[Fawn]

Oh, You Sweet Summer Child.

20th of Frost, 120

Fire. Magic. Dance. It had only come to her realization recently but even without becoming a mage she could still get her hands on magic. Fawn had done her research, albeit not much of it, but through the past three days had spoken to countless city folk who had purchased magic items from a very particular man from a very particular shop; The Skyforge. So as she pulled her new white cloak over her petite shoulders and set out once more the girl was bouncing with a newfound curiosity. Magic. And soon! Fawn nearly slammed the door, hiding the messy state of her storage-shed-turned-home, and set off towards the Skyforge.

Getting around the city was proving much easier, now, too. The Jeweled Arches were an easy pattern of shops, restaurants, and music, and though much larger than even her own small town there was a flow to the city. It breathed rhythmically, expectantly. Her landlord and dumpling shop owner would greet her, she would accept her daily pork bun and pass by two taverns where the morning workers were sweeping broken glass and papers out of the walkway. They would jest about the previous nights patrons and blush as they talked about the handsome fellow with the shiny hair. Across the block from that was a simple pawn shop, then a jewelry shop, and eventually further down the way was Lyra's shop. Fawn flushed as she thought of the woman, how kind, how hurt she had seemed. How she wanted to help her and make her laugh. But if it was one thing she knew about creatures in pain it was that nothing was changed over night. Plus, the woman knew magic. So as she passed by the mage's shop she gave it a soft smile and continued onwards, making a mental promise to return in a few days.

After a few more blocks Fawn finally stood at the steps of the Skyforge, brown satchel slung over her shoulder, wild hair blowing wildly in the wind, and an expectant grin pulling at her lips. With a deep breath the girl nearly sprinted up the steps before skidding to a stop in the impressive room. Larger than the barn, or even the chapel, she had assumed the massive building was simply illusion or perhaps a trick of the eye, but in actuality the palace sized establishment was simply that; palace sized. Her eyes were wide as she took in the impressive sight and began walking slowly throughout the large room. She could hear the distant sound of hammering and shouting from the floors below, though her attention was more so focused on the architecture that surrounded her like a veil. Countless statues, artifacts, and weapons hung and displayed all across the room like art. Mesmerized, she moved herself through the room in a spiral, her fingers grazing across nearly every surface they could as she studied the craftsmanship. It was exquisite, perfect. Her uncles woodshop paled in comparison to the art and mastery on display in front of her now.

The girls stunned silence was interrupted as a white haired dwarven women approached, eyebrow raised. "Welcome to the Skyforge, I'm Pyrra, can I help you?" She asked. It hadn't translated to Fawn's ears, but the woman was very confused. How had a frail girl who smelled of grass and horses make her way into the skyforge? Was she lost? It didn't matter to her, her job was simply to help every person who came to shop and make the forge as much money as they could. And if this lost girl needed help well then, she would be glad to do so.

Fawn in turn smiled. "Oh- hello! I'm Fawn!" She chimed, surprised by the sudden appearance, and continued her gaze around the room as she spoke to the woman. "Yes- I was told I could purchase enchanted jewelry here. Where do you keep those?" Fawn asked as her eyes traced themselves over the designs of an enchanted sword. If she'd ever entered a forge or any magic shop like this before, she may have known that it wasn't something you found, but as it stood the girl had only just encountered a grimoire for the first time only days ago. But regardless of her naivety Fawn turned her attention back to Pyrra and waited expectantly for her answer.

[Theme Song]

[Talon]

Talon took a hold of the thin metal strands in front of him with his jeweler’s forceps. Grasping the ice gem in his other hand he began the work of carefully twisting and inlaying the strands of metal into the designs etched across its surface. He had been toiling away at this particular gemstone for several days in order to fashion what he saw in his head. It had been a meticulous bit of work that he had spent weeks preparing for. As it was, he was finally getting closer to the end stages of the project he had undertaken a full season ago at that point. The aura of the gemstone as well as the aetherforged metal swirled in his vision. He kept an eye on the flow of the power in his hands as he touched and tweaked where the metal rested around the frost stone. He finished putting the metal into the designs, the surface now threaded with silver in the form of an elaborate snowflake. Gently, Talon set the frost gem into a stand at the center of a pictograph circle. The circle hummed softly as it attuned to the power flowing in the gemstone. The summary of the glyphs across his workbench would enable him to return to working on the gem at a later time.

Talon rose from his workbench. He stretched his wings and arms, letting out a yawn. He had been working since the early hours of the morning, determined to complete this project now that he was nearing the end of it so soon. Running a hand through his hair, Talon looked over to where his apprentice was working on a simple schematic. The Novalys heir made his way over to the young Avialae and peered over his shoulder. He observed as Velkan worked on tugging the aether pathways into proper alignment over the surface and through the structure of a pair of gauntlets. Talon rest a hand on the young man’s shoulder prompting him to look up.

“This convergence here,” Talon pointed a finger at the pathway that was currently in Velkan’s grasp. “If you cross it with this one, it will cause a fluctuation in the framework of the aether. Trying moving it here.”

Talon touched along the surface of the gauntlet and guided Velkan’s hand. The young man squinted at the pathways, observing them through the lens of the aura glass.

“Oh! I see. Apologies, Master. I got a little absorbed in what I was doing.” Talon smiled, shaking his head.

“It is alright, Velkan. You are doing well. But do not press yourself too hard. You have been working as long as I have today. You should remember to stretch and to eat.” Velkan blinked at him before looking up at the clock on the wall. As if on cue, his stomach grumbled. He pressed a hand to his stomach making Talon laugh.

“Go. Get some food.” With a nod, the two of them stepped away from the workshop and made their way upstairs. Upon reaching the main floor, Talon gazed out across the space taking in the sight of people walking, chatting and observing some of the works of his trade. He was just about to join his apprentice in getting a meal when a commotion drew his attention. He heard the clatter of metal and an exclamation of...excitement or pain? He could not accurately tell. With a nod he sent his apprentice on his way and walked onto the main floor searching for the source of the commotion. The voice of his head clerk, Pyrra, drifted over to him.

“Quite alright. I did try to warn you.” The dwarven woman was attending a young woman with fiery red hair. Talon folded his arms over his chest. He stood wearing humble clothing, a pair of worn leather pants tucked into his work boots. His shirt was a simple linen one. His pale skin hinted at his Siltori lineage. Coupled with the slightly silver cast to the feathers of his wings, he stood looking very much like the warrior-smith that he was.

“Is everything alright, Pyrra?” His head clerk turned. As soon as her eyes settled upon Talon, she offered him a curtsey.

“Oh! Just a bit of a shock, Your Highness.” Talon nodded. He stepped forward and extended a hand to the young woman on the floor.

“Apologies, ma’am. I hope that you were not too startled. I am Talon. Welcome to my shop.”

[Fawn]

Oh, You Sweet Summer Child.

20th of Frost, 120

Fawn had stood next to a case of projectiles that looked more like enchanted home decor than weapons or ammo, and grabbed a small metal sphere, no larger than a clementine, with inlaid amber runes and a glowing core. It’s surface twisted in the opposite direction of the inner stone, and set off a soft humming noise as Fawn picked it up. Much to the dismay of Pyrra who furrowed her brow at the clearly naive farm girl. “I wouldn’t touch that if I were you-” Before she could even finish her sentence the intricately designed ball began to glow brightly until it’s light was blinding, and it’s surface began to nearly burn the surface of the girls hand before she dropped it from grasp with a yelp and staggered back from the ball, tripping over her own feet and falling flat on her rear. Slightly in pain, her hand still wrapped by the bandage Lyra had administered which had thankfully stopped most of the heat from touching her skin, Fawn winced and shook the heat from her hand with a hiss between her teeth.

“Sorry! I didn’t mean to drop it!” She exclaimed, leaning forward to observe the orb that had dulled in it’s glow and now merely pulsed softly.

“Quite alright. I did try to warn you.” Pyrra said, shrugging and picking it back up with a cloth, and placing it back into the small recess in the display case. Below it’s station sat a small tag labeled ‘Touch of Magma - Do not touch. Will burn skin upon contact’.

Fawn stared up at the woman and watched as she put it away, and stroked her hand comfortingly with a smile nonetheless.
“Cool!~” She nearly sung, staring at the ball. And then, the winged man approached. Startling her out of her magic-induced daze. He was huge. She’d met another winged man just the day earlier, but this man was built much differently and instead of darkend, blue wings held impressively full, pearl white wings that caught her eye like a moth to a flame. She stared at them, nearly in shock.

“Are you okay?” A shorter man, frazzled in his own right, asked, pulling her attention away from Talon as she nodded at him. “Yeah, yeah, I’m okay. Just a little startled.” She said, turning her gaze back to the angelic like man who was now offering his hand. Her cheeks flushed, embarrassed, as she realized that this winged man who offered his aid was likely the owner. Or at least another employee. And she’d definitely almost broken something.

“No no- it was my fault. I just get excited- I didn’t break it, did I?” She asked, taking his hand and bouncing up onto her feet to peer, concerned, at the faintly glowing orb one more time. After confirming that it nearly seemed to be in better condition than before she’d touched it, she brought her bandaged hand up and examined it more closely, noting a few small red blisters that had begun to form but mentally shrugged it off. Not like she hadn’t felt worse on the farm, it was nothing in comparison to kick from a horse. But it still stung, and wasn’t pleasant over her already sliced-but-healing hand.

“Oh! I’m Fawn, nice to meet you, Talon.” The girl said, smiling wide. “I don’t suppose you’d allow me to ask if I can purchase a magic item after that? I was told I could get something like that here- bangles that allow me to use fire, or maybe a necklace?” She adjusted the satchel over her shoulder briefly and blew a strand of ginger curl out of her face with a chuckle. “Sorry, I’m not quite sure how this works. I’ve just been wanting to use fire magic, use it like a prop when I dance, or make pictures in the air with it when I sing.” She said, remembering how just three nights ago she’d watched as a street performer created an elaborate depiction of unicorns running across a field out of pure fire while singing about his lost love, war, and freedom. It had been magnificent, taken her breath clean out of her lungs, and in the end she hadn’t even slept that night. The past three days had been spent nearly entirely trying to find out how he’d done it, since he hadn’t seemed to speak common and couldn’t be asked directly.

And now here she was, finally only seconds away from being able to do just what that artist had done. And so while she waited for Talon’s answer, her heart raced, and the blue of her eyes nearly seemed to dance in excitement.

[Theme Song]

[Talon]

Talon chuckled as the young woman accepted his hand. He helped her gently to her feet, his grey eyes examining her form for further injury. Upon seeing none he shook his head and reassured her.

“It is not broken. Dormant, but in working order.” Gesturing to the sphere he explained its purpose. “It is a magmatyte stone. One that has been modified so that it can be safely used during the work of a blacksmith. In the right circumstances it can even be used to warm a home.”

Talon gave the young woman a nod.

“Welcome to the Skyforge, Fawn. As I said, I am Talon. Owner and enchanter.” He looked to the dwarven woman with a nod of his head. He would take it from here. Pyrra eyed Fawn for a moment, a look of concern lingering as she gazed at Fawn’s hand before dipping in another curtsey and taking her leave. Talon listened to what Fawn had to say with the same level of attention he gave all of his customers. He listened to what she was describing but also the tone of her voice. She spoke with a wonder and fascination that colored every word. There was a breathy excitement to her whole being. He fixed her with a keen stare as he listened, his mind running through the inventory of artifacts that were found within his shop.

“Come with me.” Talon led her through the main hall of his shop. As they walked, they passed by a stand of floating crystals that took the shape of what appeared to be planets rotating around a single yellow sun. This was followed by a silver disk above which floated various globules of water. Inside the globes were fish as well as aquatic plants. Some of the fish leapt from one globe of water to the next, swimming freely between the different arcane aquariums. The objects continued. From a stand of staves that each looked to harness a different primal element, to a mirror that swirled with smoke and colors. Talon guided Fawn to a set of double doors. They looked to be made of heavy white marble that was polished. Veins of black formed an intricate web around a seal that was carved over the center of the doors. A blazing star around which circled a silver dragon. Talon pushed open the doors with little effort. He ushered Fawn inside, leaving the doors open as they entered.

The interior of the room was a large office space and common room. A hearth stood on the left wall with a sofa, pillows and table arranged for comfort. Bookshelves, shelfs, workbenches with various partially completed projects as well as wall space covered in diagrams lined the right side of the room. At the far end of the office was a large desk upon which were various open books, inkwells and what appeared to be half-finished drawings of various artifacts. Talon went up to a cabinet behind the desk and opened it. He withdrew a soft leather pouch from the cabinet then turned to Fawn.

“Please, have a seat.” He gestured to one of the chairs in front of the desk. Once Fawn was comfortable, Talon reached out with his kinetics. He wove his influence across the aether flux and spread it across the surface of the desk. One by one he lifted the objects on the desk up and out of the way. The papers rolled themselves into scrolls. Books closed and arranged themselves neatly. Quill pens lifted and plunked into pen holders while inkwells were stopped and moved out of the way. Going to stand behind his desk, Talon opened the pouch and began lightly pouring the contents onto the surface of the desk.

A golden powder that glowed with the soft light of a summer dawn was carefully poured from the pouch. Talon began guiding it into circles, lines, and shapes as he spoke to Fawn.

“Tell me, when you see yourself using this item you speak of, what is the furthest thing possible with it? Is it just artistic expression you desire or do you wish for it to be something of greater utility?” He continued to form shapes with the golden dust, grey eyes carefully tracing over the work as he listed off his questions.

“Is it just fire you want or do you desire other elements as well? Do you possess magic of your own or are you unfamiliar with the arcane?” He finished drawing his circle, closed the pouch and looked up at Fawn. From her earlier statement of not knowing how this all worked, he could surmise that she did not have much knowledge about magic. He wanted to be sure and it was always best to ask.

“Your hand, please.” He set the pouch aside and extended both of his hands toward Fawn with a kind smile.

[Fawn]

Oh, You Sweet Summer Child.

20th of Frost, 120

Fawn eyed the magmatyte, eyes nearly burning with as much curiosity for the orb as it had in it's entirety. Reluctantly, she pulled her gaze away from the orb and followed the tall winged man whom she now understood as the owner, through the halls. Each new artifact seemed to have it's own gravitational pull on her eyes. The floating crystals reflected constellations of colors upon her cheeks as she leaned in closer to inspect them, slowing her pace. She gawked at it for a moment before hurrying herself forward with soft tapping echoing from the bottoms of her boots upon the hallway floor. And although she caught up to him rather quickly with each stride forward her attention was grabbed by some new floating or burning or sparking artifact that almost seemed to be a sirens call on it's own. Her heart raced, her eyes were wide and she held an easy skip to her step and wide grin on her face as they entered his office.

This space as well was just as lavish, even if in different ways. The couches, chairs, and even the hearth were all of such a quality that she'd not seen outside of storybooks. Even her richest aunt Margie only had one velvet arm chair, and that had been a gift from her own relative in Zaichaer. With a soft gasp of excitement Fawn made her way around the room, inspecting nearly every wood grain and running her fingers delicately across the back of the couch just to take in it's luxurious texture. Like moss, or the fur on a baby goat, so delicate and yet strong. It all smelled of the forest, of the sky, of fire, and of the ocean. Some how a perfect mix of the worldly elements mingling in the air around her and setting her senses ablaze with wonder. How had such a space even been achieved? As she pondered the exceptional room she finally took a seat at the desk and turned her attention to the magic Talon begun performing.

It was clear Fawn's enthusiasm knew no end as she stared at his magic with a wide, awestruck smile and glistening, naïve eyes. "That's amazing!" The gold that poured out onto the table set it's own glow upon her alabaster skin. She pulled her chair in closer to the desk, hair bouncing around her shoulders before she brushed it back out of her face, afraid it may get in the way of his craft. His question pulled her from her gawking though and she quickly peered up at him, straightened her back, and cleared her throat. Right, she was talking to the owner. The damn head enchanter!

"Well, to be honest today is only the third time I've ever seen magic!" Her grin turned sheepish and she scratched the back of her head. "So, I don't ken what all can be done. But, I saw this man the other day. He wore these bangles that fire would sprout from- and he wove flames in the air like a spindle, painted like an artist, and yet it didn't burn 'im even when he let the flames run across 'is skin as horses!" She had softened her expression, looking now at her own hands as if she could feel a slight warmth to them, imagining the flames on her own flesh fondly. "I want that. I hav'nt found anyone to teach me yet, but fer now I thought I'd start with fire!"

She raised a brow then, a small playful smirk pulling at her lips as she folded her arms in front of her chest and raised her shoulders. "Just artistic expression? I dinna' think a shop owner would insult 'is customers so readily." She giggled, teasing the man as she softened her shoulders. "But I ken what yer meaning. I just want it for artistic expression for now. To do something like that man had done, though perhaps I'd also use it as a means of protection. I've come to ken the city can be dangerous, so, might be a good idea, aye?"

With the golden circle then completed she placed her bag down on the ground beside her, then tilted her head as she raised back up to see him holding both hands out towards her. With a confused but curious expression she outstretched her own. It was tiny, like a baby sparrow, and nearly fit entirely in his palm. She gasped, as if it had just hit her exactly how large the man in front of her was in comparison to her own small frame which was petite even for a human. "Wooahh... yer big."

[Theme Song]

[Talon]

Talon was hesitant to provide a magical artifact of any real substance to someone who was unfamiliar with magic. In the wrong hands, his more powerful creations could cause devastation. That was not something he was in the business of allowing. The vast majority of the things that he made went to the Sky Guard, the Slayer’s Keep, and to the Circle of Spells. Those organizations he knew at the very least would ensure that the things he made at least made it to hands that knew how to use them. At her mock affront to his words, Talon smiled and raised his hands in apology.

“I meant no offense, but I must be specific in knowing what I am forging. There is wonder in the arts. What I do is an art form, one that many lack the patience to practice.” He listened to her explanation of what she had seen. What she desired was well within his ability to create. He would not even have to hunt for very many components in its creation. The majority of what he would need to fashion such an object was already largely within his grasp minus a visit to one of the guilds at the Guilded Expanse. At her mention of needed something to protect herself, Talon inclined his head. Kalzasi was as safe as it could be made to be, with the protection of magic and the vigilance of the Sky Guard but not every day was a day where their vigil prevailed.

As Fawn extended her hand, Talon gently took it within his grasp. His hands were rough with the calluses of a man accustomed to hard labor. His fingers were long and in another life, he might have been a musician who played the keys of a piano. But no, his hands had been used to master the arts of war as he gripped swords in battle or wielded a hammer at the forge. For as much of a scholar as Talon was, he was first and foremost a warrior committed to defending his people. He brought her injured hand to hover over the circle that he had drawn. Reaching out with his aether he let the flow of his inner power weave itself into the simple pictograph circle he had drawn. He held Fawn’s hand steady with one hand, using the other to unwind the bandage that covered her injury. He was careful not to disturb the blisters forming on her fingers. When the wound was exposed he saw that it was a long cut over her palm. Setting the bandage aside, Talon raised his free hand and snapped his fingers.

The golden dust illuminated in a soft light that was reminiscent of the gentle light of summer dawn. The distant peal of chimes sounded in the air before the dust that comprised the circle lifted and began winding around the wound on Fawn’s hand. The wounded flesh began to knit itself back together. The blisters were soothed and mended. After but a few moments, the cut upon Fawn’s hand had closed completely leaving only a light scar in its place. The blisters were gone entirely as though they had never been. The dust dissipated, falling back onto the surface of the desk turning a burnt, charred black.

Talon inspected Fawn’s hand before giving a satisfied nod.

“Sorcerer’s Sand. Made from the dust of an illumite dragonshard, called Dawnstone.” He released Fawn’s hand. “It is used for healing, among other things. You might feel a bit of itching for the rest of the day but it will pass.”

With a flick of his wrist, the burnt dust that remained from the used sorcerer’s sand floated into the air. It drifted over to the hearth where Talon let it fall into the flames. The fire turned a bright gold for a moment before returning to normal.

“Now then, I can make what you seek but are you certain you would not prefer a teacher of magic instead? You might seek out the Circle of Spells and gain entry into their ranks as an apprentice mage.”

[Fawn]

Oh, You Sweet Summer Child.

20th of Frost, 120

Fawn was truly in over head. She could barely understand the beginnings of what magic could do, but the questions Talon was asking had begun to fill her head with a plethora of ideas. The fact that she could have multiple elements in one item, that they could do multiple things, that even the crafting itself was an art. Which raised the question; how does one even make magic jewelry? Was it something they instilled into a piece of already crafted jewelry? Did they have to smelt the metals down and infuse the magic that way? Or was there some special method she couldn't even fathom? More than likely a mix of all of them and more, she shifted in her chair with an excited smile and scrunched her nose at him playfully.

"Well, that must be why yer shop is the talk of the town then. Everybody I came across ken just where to point me, ye have quite the reputation it seems." Truthfully, she'd spoken to a number of people about where to get the item she was currently sitting for. The vast majority had brushed her off as a crazy woman, 'How do you not know of the Skyforge?' while others patted her head and told her to hurry on home. But the few that had been kind enough to point her in the right direction nearly fainted when she said she'd never heard of Talon's Skyforge. Almost teasing in their instruction, they boasted of the owners talents and reputation. 'Our citie's Prince of the Skyforge' they'd say. Many women, and men, blushed as they spoke of him. Fawn, nearly oblivious, simply rushed off when she had the chance.

And now here she was. Her hand extended, sitting in his calloused palm and looking expectantly at the golden designs on the table. His movements were gentle, directed, and careful as he removed the bandage from her hand. Exposed then was the gash. Slowly healing after Lyra's ministrations, the reddened scab still held quite the nasty depth to it, and was framed by the blisters accompanying her palm and delicate fingers. A surprised gasp escaped her mouth as his fingers snapped and the dust began to glow, catching on her skin and dappling the girls freckled skin with it's light. It felt like butterflies kissing her skin, or dandelion blowballs being carried by the wind. And when it was done she pulled her hand back slowly, flexing it to open and close with wide eyes.

"That was... amazin'..." She said, running her thumb over the small scar tenderly. It was sensitive, as any scar may be, but it truly was healed. She wondered how the dust might have changed her families life if they'd had it growing up. How, if they'd been able to heal her mother when she'd fallen if she would have been left without a lame hip. How strong was the dust? Could it be used to mend animals, too? She pondered the thoughts in her head before looking back up at the man and placing her now healed hand in her lap.

With an embarrassed grin, she replied. "I uh.. well I don't rightly ken what sort of magic there is out there. I went to the Circle o' Spells already but they said I'm too 'wet behind the ears'. Said to come back when I only fear the death I don't choose." She shrugged. "Du'nno what that meant, but I suppose they were right in also sayin' I need'ta figure out what type of mage I want to be, what I want to be taught." Fawns smile faded a bit, beginning to pick and comb through a few strands of messy, curled hair that spilled over her shoulders. "Other mages just said they didn't think I'd survive initiation." It wasn't the first time she'd been turned down, but it was the first time she felt she couldn't convince a person otherwise. In a way she felt stuck, trapped, by her own upbringing. If she'd had a harder life, would it have been easier to convince them that she was serious? If she'd had to fight for survival, would she have that something they were looking for? It wasn't fair. She'd had an easy life growing up, as easy as it could get as a farm girl, but that didn't mean she was any less deserving of knowledge... She pushed back the feeling of unfairness that threatened to taint her happiness with it's shadow of poisonous anger and shook her head. Physically throwing the emotion to the side and sighing with a new smile covering her lips like a locked door of determination and conviction.

"But, I'll convince them of it some day. For now, just the necklace. How much will it cost me?"

[Theme Song]

[Talon]

Talon merely nodded his head as she marveled at the sorcerer's sand. He took his seat behind his desk, folding his hands in his lap. His wings rest behind him, the silver cast to the feathers glinting softly in the fire light. He listened to her as she confessed to not knowing what kind of magic was out there. That much was evident to him given her relative unfamiliarity with magical objects in general. Every mage Talon could think of knew what a dragonshard was and how to utilize them on a fundamental level. There were variances, for certain, but the basic principles remained the same no matter what kind of crystal one encountered.

“To choose a Rune of Magic is to invite Wraedan’s judgement upon you.” Talon steepled his hands together as he studied Fawn across from where she sat. The rune etched upon the left side of Talon’s face shimmered slightly as he touched upon the power of Semblance. He stirred his aether into motion, opening his awareness to perceiving things that ordinary eyes were not given to see. Her aura came into focus. It was a bright thing, filled with a swath of colors that danced in his vision. He saw the golden light of joy mixed with sour notes of apprehension, uncertainty but lacing all of it was a determination tinged with excitement. In Fawn’s aura, Talon beheld a young woman with a bright spirit who was filled with an unyielding determination. Those were the feelings that whispered across his senses as he observed the raw essence of the young woman’s soul.

“Every time you are initiated into a rune of magic, you court death in some of the most gruesome and terrible ways. You either master the powers you seek or you are destroyed by them. It is as simple as that. I can think of few mages willing to initiate the unprepared.” Talon remembered his initiations very well. To date he carried three cardinal runes of magic and each one of them had been hard won. But he was a near master in his primary discipline and was skilled in others. In days of late he had begun to consider approaching his most beloved companion and friend in search of another. When Fawn questioned how much the necklace would cost her, Talon was silent for a moment.

“More than you know and more than you can afford.” His statement was made plainly. It was neither an insult nor a mockery of her, just an observation of truth. “But, there is a way to fix that.”

Talon sat forward. His grey eyes stared not just at Fawn but into her. He focused on the fine layers of her aura, seeking the very depths of her emotions to weed out the finest points of her feelings and intentions.

“You do not know the forces you seek to command, Fawn. I say this not to demean you. It is the truth. I cannot in good conscience forge for you something you have no knowledge of its capabilities, let alone how to wield them.” Resting his hands upon his desk, Talon continued to watch Fawn, both her and her aura. “I will not forge this item for you.”

Before she could hasten to speak any defiance or leave, Talon spoke further.

“But I could be convinced to teach you how to forge it for yourself. In so doing, two things can be accomplished. The first, you will come to understand not just the wonders of magic but also its dangers. The second, you will be able to decide for yourself if the power is worth it.”

Talon gestured to his workspace. There were diagrams, schematics and workbenches littered with arcane paraphernalia. He allowed her to think for a few moments before asking softly.

“What say you?”

[Fawn]

Oh, You Sweet Summer Child.

20th of Frost, 120

Fawn listened intently. Her breath nearly stopping in her throat as she anticipated his answer and sat on the edge of her seat. But the words that came from his mouth nearly shattered her. His simple confidence that she wasn't rich enough made her brow twitch. He hadn't meant it as a diss, but it still hurt nonetheless. Were only rich people able to become mages? If that was the case, had Marina actually been nobility? She shook the thoughts from her head and opened her mouth in protest, but held it back. It would do no good, she knew she was short on coin anyways, but had hoped a simple item would be less expensive. If even the simple ones were far greater priced than her life's savings, then how was she to do what she came to do?

"I'm not afraid of judgement- " She had tried to speak but he cut her off. Not seemingly on purpose, but simply continuing his thoughts. His gaze pierced her. Like he wasn't just looking at her but in to her. She almost looked away, suddenly unsure of herself in the chair as she listened to him speak and break her dreams into a million tiny pieces.

He was right, she knew it, in that she didn't even understand the beginning of how little she knew. But that was the whole point. To start small, to find someone to teach her, but all had denied her even the opportunity. Had it been a matter of proving her talents in singing it would have been a done deal as simple as it had been with the Madame. But now, sitting in front of the winged man with a piercing gaze, she felt powerless. No coin nor song would convince him, and he had no use of anything else she could give for that she was certain. But as all hope drained from her limbs, there it was. An offer.

Her mouth fell open and eyes opened wide in shock. She stared at him, her heart suddenly beating out of her chest in surprise Had she.. heard it correctly? For a moment she just sat there. Her body still as a board but soul singing and screaming for her to speak. Finally she did. The girls eyes lit up and she launched herself out of the chair to hover over his desk, leaning towards him with every molecule in her body dancing with excitement.

"Really?! Aye! Yes! I say yes! What do I have to do?" Fawn exclaimed. Upon noticing her sudden outburst though she quickly sat back down with a sheepish grin, still nearly bouncing in the chair from excitement, and flushed. She brushed off the desk where she'd leaned over as if removing dust and let out an awkward laugh. "Sorry- when do we start?"

[Theme Song]

[Talon]

“Fear can teach us, Fawn. Learn from it but do not be immobilized by it. Challenge it but do not ignore it.” Talon knew fear. He knew it well. He feared for his family. He feared for those he loved. He did not let that fear rule his life however. There were moments when he felt it overwhelm him. He was mortal after all but such was the way of it. It was what he chose to do in the face of that fear that determined how it affected him in the aftermath. When the truth of Talon’s offer settled upon her, he had to chuckle. The young Novalys raised his hands and ushered Fawn to calm down.

“You have already done what you must, Fawn. You came to me. You were honest. Keep that honesty. It will serve you well in the study of the arcane. For we must all be honest with ourselves both in what we know, what we do not and what we seek.” Rising from his desk, Talon went over to one of the workbenches that lined the walls of his personal office. He gestured to it as he turned to angle his body slightly toward the young woman.

“I must finish some preparations as well as some renovations within my shop. You are welcome to begin here on the first of Glade.” Talon held up a hand. “But, I expect you to be somewhat learned in at least the theory of what you are getting yourself into until that time.”

He gestured again to the workbenches. It was a solid wood, the top of which was covered with a violet-blue gemstone upon which were etched a multitude of symbols. They had been carved into the surface creating canyons of elaborate designs webbing over the gemstone slab. It swirled with pinpoints of light. Within the depths of the hard gemstone surface misty swirls flows throughout the interior, causing some of the symbols to illuminate and then dim periodically.

“First and foremost, you should become familiar with the foundation of what nearly all mages work with. This crystal is call dragonshard. They are gemstones of crystallized aether. Some take on elemental properties. Some take on more abstract powers. No matter their form, a dragonshard is the raw essence of magic. It is vital not only to the work you are going to be doing here in the Skyforge but it is important for the work of magic in general.” Talon brushed his fingers over the swirl of an arcane design just as it began to illuminate with the violet-blue white light that was most commonly associated with aetherite dragonshards as well as his own magic.

“Secondly, these designs you see here on the surface of this crystal are called pictographs. They are fundamental to world mages. I encourage you to seek out the distinction between the work of a world mage and that of a personal mage. The differences shape the philosophies and pursuits of wizards across the world.” With those things being said, Talon folded his arms over his chest.

“I have given you a starting point. When we begin in the spring, I will see what you have learned for yourself. We will pick up from there.”