Looking at what isn't there (Fawn, Talon)

[Lyra]

31st of Frost, 120 AS

Continued from here

I should kill her. Lyra thought as she looked at Fawn, still fingering the necklace in her hand, Her skin would be useful, her blood more so. Another soul gem is always welcome as well, and I will need many more in the seasons to come.

She knew when she asked that it would not be so easy. This necklace, it was not some piece of jewelry to this girl. It was something more, something valuable in a way that Lyra could never compensate. What then was there to do? She could not let this piece go, not without learning its secrets. The simplest solution? Remove the troublesome girl entirely.

Blinking Lyra looked toward the stairs, where Artur was now returning, a small vial in his mouth. He slowly wound his way up the edge of the counter and onto Lyra's shoulder once more, depositing the vial in Lyra's outstretched palm. She stared at the vial for a short while, not speaking though her expression relaxed ever so slightly.

"Finish your tea." Lyra ordered, gently petting Artur's head before he slithered away into one of the cabinets. Looking down at her hands her eyes drifted between the vial, and the necklace, her frown ever present before she seemed to come to a decision.

"You will stay here tonight." It wasn't a suggestion. Wordlessly Lyra walked back toward the table, laying the necklace down either on the table or in Fawn's hand if she extended it.

"I know of someone who can appraise this item properly. We will visit him in the morning." Lyra continued even if she wasn't asked. She would also raise her hand out to Fawn, indicating she wanted her injured hand once more. Uncorking the vial Lyra would spread more of the ointment on Fawn's wound, using fresh bandages from one of her other cupboards to carefully wrap the wound as she spoke, "The necklace is... Unique. I recognize it in part, yet I cannot say from where. For now though we will ensure your wound is cared for. If you were to die I would be held accountable, and that would be an annoyance."

[Fawn]

31st of Frostxx

Fawn’s heart nearly beat straight out of her chest as she watched the poisonous expressions flash across Lyra’s face. Quick as lightning, but unmistakable. It was the gaze of someone contemplating their next move. She eyed the necklace, unnerved as the woman toyed with it as if she owned it. It was possibly the only thing Fawn felt possessive over, though she’d never had reason to up until this very moment.

When the snake returned the girl visibly shuddered. Really, she didn’t like snakes. She watched as Lyra toyed with the vial and the necklace, both objects of her own in that very moment. Her chest tightened with the order, but she complied. Something about the woman holding her necklace felt like a threat, one Fawn didn’t want to risk testing. She sat down. Her fingers cupped the bottom of the cup, both hands trembling ever so slightly with the knowledge that this woman held her life in her hands.

Some dark part of her twitched in excitement at the feeling.

She swallowed that down, though, eyeing the necklace, only to nearly choke on the tea as Lyra’s next command was delivered. A small fit of coughing later and she lifted her head to see the necklace now sitting in front of her, which she promptly snatched up and let a sigh of relief take hold of her lungs. She caressed it, quickly linking it back around her petite neck and hiding the piece under her dress once more.

“I beg yer pardon- Stay here?! But why? Not that I’d complain about sleeping someplace warm, but couldn’t I just come back early tomorrow? Didn'tch'a want me out?” She asked, a brow raised as she let a finger trace the contours of the necklace beneath the fabric of her dress. But the woman’s expression, her words and gestures, pointed back once more to the kind woman with a mouth of ice. She extended her hand, a slight bit nervous this time, and let her place the new bandage on.

“I’ll not die from a wee hand wound.” She muttered under her breath, a soft embarrassed flush coating her cheeks.

With a thought, Fawn sighed as she gave in to the woman's desires. “I suppose, if I’m around, I could let ye study it. But don’t ye dare break it or steal it. Aye?”

[Lyra]

Lyra actually smiled. A small smile yes, but for a moment she was genuinely amused.

"If I desired the necklace." Lyra said as she stood and turned away from Fawn, "I would not need to steal it."

Motioning with one finger Lyra walked to the door of the small bedroom, pausing in the frame to glance back at the girl, "You are an annoyance and a disruption to my quiet life. I would rather you left and never returned, for should a hundred years pass it would still be too soon. Do not look for kindness when there is none. That item," Once more Lyra directed an intense stare at the necklace, hidden as it was beneath Fawn's clothing, "Cannot be allowed to fall into the wrong hands. Not until I know more about it."

Goldeyes flicked up to Fawn's before she continued without pause, "This is the bedroom. Use it, and the bathroom next door at your leisure." Lyra also opened the door to the bathroom, both rooms simple yet functional. She then walked over to the door that was still partially cracked. When she opened it Lyra revealed a room larger than all the other rooms combined, filled with shelves along every wall and lined with books.

"You are free to use the library if you desire. The books are mostly relating to the history of the city itself, and some books on the Scripts written by local mages." As she said this Lyra almost sneered, a derisive expression as she thought very little of the mages of this city, especially those who claimed to specialize in the scripts.

"It is still early, but do not leave the shop. I will send for food if you desire it. Otherwise, remain here, and I will fetch you in the morning." The door was closed with a click. Lyra then stooped down and let Artur crawl up her arm and settle around her shoulders once more, "Do you require anything right now?"

"Lady of Whispers"

[Fawn]

31st of Frostxx

A more knowledgeable mage might have understood Lyra's meaning. Hell, anyone besides Fawn might have. But to the farmgirl, Lyra's threat was no more than empty words. And, it told her one thing; she had no desire to harm her. Which only meant that she was safe, and had no reason to fear the woman. Not a very wise decision, but than again Fawn had never been one for wisdom.

She kept her gaze fixated on Lyra as she spoke. Each word stirring her further down the rabbit hole of defiance as she scoffed at the woman. "Wrong hands? It's just a necklace. It may be important to me but at the end of sundown it's just a piece of metal on a chain! What could anyone possibly want with it? Plus, I've gone my whole life without a single person givin' it so much as a passing glance before you!" Fawn chided, refusing to comment on her personality. She was right, she wouldn't look for for kindness where there was none. But yet, she hadn't been looking. Lyra had shown it to her in the tiniest of ways in their first meeting, and part of Fawn wanted to see where else the light in her dwelled. No matter how deep, something pulled her towards the frigid woman.

Even her mother hadn't confined her to her rooms, it had been an agreement between them that no amount of alone time ever did anyone any good. At best, it only gave time for the other person to resent you, at worse, it meant broken trust and feelings of abandonment. Not that the pair had any trust to break. But still... Fawn chewed her lip and sighed.

"Fine." A thought occurred to her. She looked to the window, then to Lyra as she began explaining the different rooms. If the floor wasn't too high from the street, she may be able to climb down without a sound, with all the practice she'd had as a child. How many times had it been that she'd snuck out in the middle of the night, just to sleep in the barn with her horse or even to steal away into the orchards for a midnight apple? It seemed old habits never died for her. But her ears perked at the sound of that simple, beautiful word. 'Library'.

And a magic one at that. Gone suddenly were the thoughts of the window and of escape as she treaded carefully, wide eyed, heart beating out of her chest as she entered the expanse of a room lined with every book imaginable to the girl. She looked at it like a first sunrise, or in the same way she'd watched a foal being born for the first time. Her feet carried her over the threshold as all anger left her body. Escaping could wait. but where to even start?!

"No.. that's alright.." She said, her voice a whisper as she gently pulled a book from the shelf with a green linen cover and gold lettering that read 'Mages Throughout History'. Its cover was soft, but the corners were gently dented in from a life of being well used and well loved. Perhaps... being confined wouldn't be so bad.

[Lyra]

Lyra raised an eyebrow, having expected more disagreement. She was prepared to lace enough magic in the woman's mind to leave her comatose until the morning, though perhaps this was for the best. There was much to do that evening, and Lyra could not afford to be distracted.

"There are night clothes in the dresser you may use." Lyra said as she turned toward the stairs, "The water in the jub on the counter is clean, and there are more herbs for tea if you know how to prepare it."

When she reached top step Lyra paused and looked over her shoulder at Fawn, "Whatever you do, once night falls do not leave this floor. Lock the door, and do not open it no matter what you hear."

With a wave Lyra turned and left, Artur flicking his tongue toward Fawn before they both disappeared. The Shop would be locked up shortly after this, and Lyra would be no where to be found the rest of the evening.

*****

32nd of Frost, 120 AS

As the early morning light began to filter in through the window Lyra would return. As she reached the top step she would lock on the frame, glancing around the room. Though her physical appearance was the same, she appeared more vibrant, or perhaps energetic? Most starkly though was the fact that the tattoos which covered her from head to to previously were now completely gone.

"It is time. Meet me in front of the shop when you are ready. Bring the necklace." Without waiting for a reply Lyra would then walk back down the stairs, and wait for Fawn to appear outside the shop. When she arrived she would wordlessly start them walking toward the Skyforge.

So our first day together, and you are taking me on a date? I guess I'm flattered.

Lyra smiled to herself, As you should be. There is much to do little one.

Call me that again and I'll slap you with our own hand.

[Fawn]

32nd of Frostxx

Fawn spent the entire rest of the day drowning in books. One after another she pulled them out set at least four stacks of texts from "History of Wands" to "Why Books Are A Shit Way to Learn Magic". She learned about aether, the history of it's study, the first professor to work at the university, it's founder, how magic had changed and shaped the land after the wars. By sundown Fawn was asleep, curled up in the corner of the library with a blanket she'd grabbed from the bed nestled around her like a cocoon, and surrounded by a mess of books, scrolls, and pillows.

When dawn finally came, the farmgirl awoke to the sound of a knock. Harsh, but not nearly as jarring as the morning bell of her home town. She blinked awake, crusts in her eyes and squinting as the morning light fluttered in through the window.

"Hm...?" As she rose up out of the bundle of blankets and stretched, she looked to the door. Where in the realms was she? A few moments of recollection later and she sighed loudly. "Dammit...." she groaned, rubbing her temple and standing clumsily from the floor before hobbling out of the library. She'd meant to deliver her letters, sneak out, hell even eat. But the pursuit of knowledge had gotten in the way. Not that she was upset for all the books, but it also meant her parcels would be delayed. With another groan she glared off towards the door.

"Yeah yeah, coming down yer majesty." Fawn mocked, and rushed off to the bathroom to freshen up.

An hour later she opened the door to the streets. Wearing the same clothes as yesterday, but hair finally groomed and necklace still tucked away inside it, she shivered as the breeze caught her. Right... the other reason she wanted to get out yesterday. To get a damn cloak... she scrunched her nose and sniffled as the cold air tickled her in greeting, adjusting the bag on her shoulder.

"Ready, but after this I'm doin' my errands and goin' home." She stated, crossing her arms and waiting for the tall, icicle of a woman to begin their trip. But something was off. She looked... cleaner? Fawn raised a brow and began to circle the woman, a puzzled expression plastered over her face. For a moment she simply stared at the woman. She put a few feet between them and looked her up and down, then stepped in. Closer. Her eyes squinted as she came mere inches from the woman's face. Then suddenly it dawned on her- "Ah! Yer tattoos! Where'd they go?! Wait-! Is that another magic?! Can ye pick yer tattoos?!" Her annoyance all but gone, Fawns excitement took hold of her face with a wide smile as she forgot all about the cold nipping at her reddened, freckled nose.

[Lyra]

Whose the girl?

Lyra glanced to the side where Fawn was closing the door to her shop. When she moved Lyra pressed her hand against the door, a soft clicking sound coming from the door as the glyphs along the handle came alight with power.

Someone who has something of interest to me. She said as they started walking. It was an odd sensation, feeling someone else looking through the same eyes as you. Throughout the entire process, Naila had been quite flexible, though Lyra suspected her line of work required her to be able to adapt quickly to complicated situations. Still, the ex-mercenary had been able to craft this illusion of Lyra's old face in the blink of an eye, and holding it seemed to barely require her attention. The thought had not crossed Lyra's mind before, but now Lyra wondered just what sort of person she had bound herself to.

So, are we going to kill her or something?

Perhaps, depending on what today's trip reveals. Lyra replied honestly. It wasn't that she made a habit of killing people, yet that seemed to be the first thought anyone came to when they met her. For the life of her, Lyra couldn't understand why putting aside that moment the day before when she had in fact considered such an act.

Her thoughts consumed Lyra's mind for a moment, so she was taken aback by Fawn's nearness when she looked up once again. At the girl's words, Lyra reached up to touch a cheek, confusion showing on her expression.

"My tattoos?"

Oh yeah, forgot to tell you. Naila sent, almost lazily, I can snatch a person's physical appearance, but skin markings are hard if I don't have time to get them right. So I left your tattoos off the illusion.

Irritation flashed through Lyra's mind, a number of words flooding her thoughts which she forcefully tamped down. Instead, she smiled, letting her hand fall and looking forward.

"I removed them." She said simply to Fawn, "They served their purpose, and I grew tired of applying them when there was no need." Lyra's mind raced for a distraction, but unable to think of something clever she simply asked, "Where do you normally stay? I forgot to ask, but have you no one who would miss your absence?"

Smooth. Naila said mockingly. Lyra could feel her in their Soul Space, smirking.

The Skyforge was just a short walk from Lyra's shop. The two would begin to pass a corner street, their destination appearing in the distance as they walked.

[Fawn]

31st of Frostxx

Fawn's lips pressed forward as she let out an interested whistle. She was on her tip toes, searching Lyra's body for remnants of the tattoos as if they'd have left remnants behind.

"Oooh.. how did ye remove 'em? They looked pretty permanent before." She mused, falling into step with the woman as she rubbed her arms in the cold, crossing them in front of her. "Let's hurry, aye? It's freezing, and ye kept me from getting new clothes yesterday." She said, quickening her step in the hopes Lyra would follow suit. The city was bustling around her in preparation for the festival the following day, something Fawn was particularly excited about. She'd heard there would be fireworks, stalls of food she'd never heard of, toys and games offered like a theme park and all because of the Shokaze's return. Fawn didn't know much about whoever that was, but from the few conversations she did overhear it was apparently a big deal.

She could tell Lyra wasn't fond of her speeding up, though, as they walked and opted instead to fall back at her side and slow her pace. In exchange, though, she moved in such a way that she was closer to the woman. Her arm nearly brushing against hers in the hopes that some of the woman's body heat would transfer to her as the frost winds picked up.
"Hm?" Fawn raised a brow and shot her head to Lyra. For a moment she just stared, then a coy smile took over her lips as her nose and ears began to redden with the cold. "Ohhh, so ye mean to ken about the emotional state of me loved ones? Doesn'na sound like something someone without kindness would ask." She giggled playfully, nudging the woman with her elbow and sighing as she pulled the sleeves of her dress down over the tops of her hands and blew hot air into her palms. "Perhaps ye shoulda' thought o'that before ye locked me away like some prisoner overnight." Her voice was teasing, like spiced rum, and tickled the air with a mischievous nature that seemed so perfectly 'Fawn'.
"But to answer yer question, I moved here almost a fortnight ago. And I'm renting a shed from a friend of a friend, dunno if ya ken it, the Jade's, the dumplin' shop owners down near the west entrance. But I live alone fer now, left me family behind when I moved."

Fawn continued to blow into her palms in some attempt to keep the cold at bay as they walked through the streets. It was apparent, though, that were coming across a particuarly familiar shop.
"Oh? Hey! I know that place! Ye ever been there?"

She asked, pointing to the Skyforge with a sheepish grin. "They got some super interestin stuff! Though I'd be careful not to touch anythin'."

[Talon]

The Skyforge was quiet. It was one of the rare days that Talon had the doors of the shop and laboratory spaces closed to all except those who had made prior arrangements. He was taking careful notes of one of his latest projects. Behind the broad desk that served as his thinking space within his office, he tapped a quill pen idly while staring at a number of schematics and sketches. The staff of his shop were performing inventory or were busy checking on some of the more recent additions to the space following the completion of a few renovations. With his duties at the palace increasing in recent weeks, accompanied by the fact that he was devoting a great deal of personal attention to the projects in front of him, he had hired several extra pairs of hands in order to help in operate the establishment more efficiently.

Talon set the quill pen down. He closed his book and rose from his chair. Walking up to one of the workbenches in his office, he looked down upon a pale green stone with black veins running along its surface. Pesticyte. It was a controversial gemstone and even in the best circumstances it was not easy to come by. Talon had been forced to pay a fair amount of gold just to acquire this particular piece. He required it however in order to progress his studies into a more recent field of interest. As he had delved into that field however, he realized that he was woefully unprepared to navigate its specific nuances. Alchemy was proving to be something he would need to study with extreme care, especially in such close proximity to a runeforge. Nevertheless, that did not bar him from being able to study what appeared to be the cornerstone of the craft.

Reaching out with his aether, Talon attuned his senses to the gemstone as he observed it. His senses were filled with several sensations. Firstly, there was a gnawing hunger that presented itself across the aura. It was almost as if the crystal were trying to devour that which it came into contact with. The second thing that Talon noticed was the fine trace of a slightly acidic quality laced throughout the aetheric pathways inside the structure of the dragonshard. The black veins that ran along the surface of the stone were of the same material and held most of the same properties but they seemed to be more concentrated. It was as if they were the most focused portion of the crystal’s poisonous nature. He was preparing to delve deeper into its structure when a knock came on his office door. Without turning his attention away, he spoke clearly.

“Come in.” Out of the corner of his eye, he recognized the aura of Sylas, his head guard.

“You have visitors, Your Highness.” Talon blinked. He dismissed the powers of Semblance as he did so. Looking to the guard, he quirked a brow.

“Who are they?” Normally Talon would have seen most anyone who requested to speak with him but on that particular day he was being a tad more selective. Sylas stood at an at-ease stance. He bowed his head as Talon met his gaze.

“Mistress Lyra of Ale’Ephirum and the young gal, Fawn.” Talon’s expression relaxed. He nodded his head.

“Send them in. Thank you, Sylas.” The guardsman bowed and then stepped out of the office. Talon retrieved a journal he used to document and keep track of what he learned about various dragonshards. Opening himself up to the flow of aether once more, he began jotting down notes regarding what he was able to glean about the pesticyte.

[Lyra]

Lyra pointedly ignored the question about her tattoos, keeping her eyes forward. The girl was spirited, full of more energy than one her age should be. When Fawn sped up Lyra kept her pace, eyeing the girl's back until she finally came to walk beside her once more.

"If you were a prisoner of mine," Lyra began, looking sideways at Fawn, "You would not talk as you do to me."

Kinky shit.

Lyra felt her eye twitch, and she looked forward once more. There were some... drawbacks to her current situation. The woman Naila was a nuisance, belligerent at the best of times, and intentionally obtuse at the rest. Was it possible to put a muzzle on her in the soul space?

If you want to insult me, you need to use smaller words. Naila sent, along with an image of her hand making a rather rude gesture.

This time Lyra did sigh, rubbing her temples. Barely past sunrise and she already wished for an end to the day. Still, the girl had answered her question honestly. She was alone in the city, living in a place where none would think to look for her, in near squaller Lyra assumed.

When the Skyforge came into view Lyra could have floated from the sense of relief she felt. Even if she got nothing of note from the necklace, the conversation of her student would be a balm on her already frazzled nerves.

"I have." Lyra said as she approached the door, "This is the place I meant to bring you."

It only took one knock for the door to open, revealing the distinguished face of Sylas. Lyra and the head guard had met on occasion, but rarely did they speak. After a brief exchange, the guard would allow Fawn and Lyra into the shop, bidding them wait while he spoke with his Lord. Lyra absently glanced around at the wares, noting a few new additions before her eyes scanned farther upward. The schema of the shop had been updated, and the oppressive air was somewhat less so than previously. The inefficiencies had been corrected, and Lyra could feel that the excess aether was now being funneled back toward the forge and to other stations for further refinement. She had not been the one to do this, though she had provided notes to Talon per their agreement. Whoever he had to do the work had, at the very least, been good at following instructions.

"He will see you." Sylus said, motioning them back to the Office. When they reached there he would open the door for them, closing it swiftly once they were inside.

Lyra cast an appraising eye around the office, this being one of the first times she had been invited inside. When her eyes fell on Talon Lyra would smile a fond smile.

"Be'melar, I apologize for the suddenness of the visit." Gold eyes drifted down to the dragonshard, and she raised an eyebrow curiously, "Are we intruding?"