Serious Plots 9: Srsr and srsr

[Morty]

[Frozen Angel]

"You are right to do so. But it is merely a token of goodwill."

"To show that we will consider the King's offer as it is now, without letting the past cloud our view."

"It is a shard of unmelting ice that will let you see faraway places and people. It is your choice as to whether you will take it or not."

[Reinholdt]

[Frozen Angel]

Ilpholin considers their offer carefully. "Very well. I shall accept your token on his behalf and will inform him that you are reconsidering his offer." Hopefully by mixing in the King with this boon it can't hold any power over her.

"But the important thing at the end of the day is this bridge. You're doing the right thing by allowing it. Please, let me introduce you to an angel who can alleviate your concerns even further. Cerabella? If you would be so kind as to join us."

[Shadowcaller]

[Frozen Angel]

A wisp of light manifests in Ilpholin's vicinity, or perhaps it had always been there. Being seers the trio might already have been aware of it and its identity but this is the first time it actually becomes relevant.

This mote takes on a avian shape as it quickly grows in size, especially in height and wingspann.

What finally materializes is not a bird though as its shape is humanoid, with long arms and feet that are clothed in a robe which colors seem to represent dawn in an almost eerily lifelike way. The beings avian features still linger in the form of its wide white wings that emerge seemlessly from the robe as well as its head which is of a white feathered flacon.

She, the beings gender read intuitively by the seers as it wears it on its very essence, bows her head before them. "If I'm allowed to introduce myself?" A rethorical question as the angel quickly continues. "I am Seeker Cerabella of the Law-Giving Host. Ilpholin here have been aiding me on a dire mission within your world as there are forces here that threaten the order of things."

[Morty]

[Frozen Angel]

"Threatening the order of things? There seems to be some of that going around." The Pragmatic Seer shows some uncharacteristic petulance with this comment.

"No matter. Tell us what needs to be done." The Patient Seer cuts to the heart of the matter.

"Ilpholin said that you will open a bridge for your people to come through. What will become of our sanctuary then?"

[Reinholdt]

[Frozen Angel]

"I've explained that their sanctuary won't last very long when the demons come for it. It's very important to them," Ilpholin advises Cerabella. They've only mentioned it every other question by now. They seem to value it more than their own lives. Which isn't unusual for fey? And those who really get into the idea of a singular home.

Regardless, Ilpholin hopes Cerabella can assuage their anxieties.

[Deathkeeper]

Busy Street

A young man sits on a street bench. He's rather short, somewhat stocky, and with plain black hair but orange eyes. His dress is sturdy and worn, his expression dour about something. Perhaps someone could come and change that?

[Aurora Alchemi]

Busy Street

Standing knee high to a grasshopper, and a hair hare more timid than a field mouse, an eye catching beauty walks down the street, trying to dodge some of the thicker crowds, making them stand out even more. Today, the face known as Pyrhra Novelle is wearing a long white woolen coat, with a matching white fur cap sitting high enough to make the short bunny girl break 140 cm. Her long ears fold back and cascade down amongst the curls of her hair, both a brilliantly eye catching ruby color, matched by the large fluff of a tail poking from a tailored slot in the back of the elegant coat. Pyrhra seems timid, the emerald gems of her eyes darting from place to place, while she seems to be fiddling with trying to get a phone working, stymied by the smooth white gloves making the touch screen not work particularly well.

Internally, Ukry is watchful, combing through the weave of the area, feeling the eddies of magic flowing through the people, and especially the new technology. However, the witch is also somewhat frustrated at the moment; The new technology, this cellular telephony device, wasn't working well any more. It did just fine earlier, and they had set the screen unlock to all the different masks they wear, so wearing Pyrhra shouldn't be a problem... So why was the screen not responding to their touch? Infernal device...

The fidgiting bunny broke composure slightly, giving a stuttering swear while slamming her fingers against the screen of the phone again. "W-why won't you work?!" Slowly, the bunny's eyes rose once more, settling on the man sitting on the bench. The witch hiding inside the bunny softly began to stroke through the man's weave, feeling and testing. Something seemed... interesting? Perhaps, just a moment of curiosity, at least to get their mind away from the fickle phone.

[Deathkeeper]

Busy Street

The young man looks up from his moping at the young girl. "Phone dead?" he asks with a small smile.
The man's essence might be interesting. Long ago, a powerful being created his bloodline. He did not inherit any of her magic like his sister Anri, but she did still leave his mark on him with his orange eyes.

[Aurora Alchemi]

Busy Street

Ukry pulls softly at the man's magic and weave, playing and experimenting. There was history here, a bloodline, something in their eyes. It wasn't much, but it was intriguing... perhaps a little more- Wait, this man could help with the phone! And a smile. Smiles were usually good. Ukry let the weave of magic go, the soft snap of the magic leaving a strange feeling in the air as the cool shadow of the witch's influence returned fully within Pyrhra.

"No, n-not dead. The battery is full, and it's unlocking, but it's not.. responding to when I touch the screen, s-see?" Pyrhra tilts the phone, sliding her gloved finger over the screen to no avail. "I might be doing something w-wrong though... I only just got i-into this land and using... uh... t-technology. M-mistress Ukry said i-it looked important though. Are... are you f-from around here?" The emerald eyes look to the man, looking him up and down closer as the girl almost hops over, dodging a few more people passing by. "M-my name is Pyrhra, Pyrhra Novelle. M-might I ask y-yours, sir?"

[Deathkeeper]

Busy Street

"My name's Aran. It's nice to meet you, Pyrhra. Uh." Aran's eyes flick between the girl's face and her hands. He raises and eyebrow. She's cute, but clearly out of her element.
"Um. I think your phone is one of those kinds that needs body heat to sense your touch. You can't use gloves with it." he tells her gently. A simple mistake for someone to make when it wasn't that cold when they first got their first phone.

[Aurora Alchemi]

Busy Street

Luckily, Ukry was good at hiding internal conflict. Otherwise a certain adorable bunny would be swearing like a sailor. Of course, the gloves, that would explain why the weave of the loop lightning wasn't properly knotting. Ukry shook themselves back into focus, however. Couldn't have Pyrhra getting a glazed look right now, after all. A glove comes off for a moment, then taps away at a few things, before the phone is put away. "O-oh. Yeah, that m-makes sense, how stupid of me." The bunny gives a little laugh, the sound jingling in the air like happy holiday bells, and her fidgeting slows a little as she smiles at Aran. "Aran? That's a cute name. Y-you look kinda s-sad though... Since you helped me, I-i owe you a favor anyways. Mind if I ask w-what's wrong?" Pyrhra steps gracefully over, not quite taking a seat, but close enough for the sweet smell of something flowery to drift off of them. "I don't have any c-clients here anyways, so it's n-not like I have anything to do, other than groceries for mistress!"

[Deathkeeper]

Busy Street

Mistress? Don't assume it's weird Aran. Maybe she's just a maid or servant to some noblewoman who came to the Nexus?
"Oh, I'm a magitek engineer. Or rather, I'm a regular engineer at a magitek facility. I don't have any magics of my own, so a lot of it doesn't quite work for me. It's hard to impress anyone when you've got a disadvantage on everything. Ra'Anin isn't any smarter than me but he is good-looking, works out, AND has enough magic to keep everything going. That jerk. He even knows that I've been trying to ask out Ena for months."
Though really he knows that the bangaa hasn't done anything wrong. Aran hasn't asked Ena out, so it's not that he has any right to stop someone else from trying to impress her.

[Aurora Alchemi]

Busy Street

Pyrhra tilts her head to the side, the long ears swishing slightly against her shoulders. "Oh? I don't know, I-i think personality is everything. I'm from a magical s-species too, but I never could do much more then a few pretty sparkles though... Now I work for a real witch though, and mistress Ukry takes care of all the magic stuff! My job is mostly just to look pretty, haha." Pyrhra gently moves a few locks of hair out of her face, the glittering gems of her irus shining especially brightly. "Miss Ukry even makes it so I don't h-hafta worry so much about my clients, since they can just magic everything better. Maybe you can work with them? We are both kinda new to technology, but Mistress is ooooollllllllldddddd. O-of course... as far as the girl you like, I-i dunno that I can be much help there..." Pyrhra fidgets with a lock of hair some. "I-i don't think you look terrible though."

[Deathkeeper]

Busy Street

Aran definitely looks confused by these things she's saying.
"Well, it's hard competing with three hundred pounds of scaly muscle. Um. Who are your...clients? If you work for a witch what do you...do, exactly?"
Aran knows absolutely nothing about witchcraft. He just knows that he doesn't really get what she's talking about at all.
"Thanks, though."

[Aurora Alchemi]

Busy Street

Pyrhra laughs gently. "Sounds more like someone w-who would crush me, rather than someone I would get a crush on! Help, help, little bunny pancake!" The bunny girl twirls, a flash of ruby fluff and floral scent as the poof of her tail passes by, before sitting down. At the same time, she mimes her hands crushing together and makes a little comedic splat sound. "Oh, I am... er... I-i was a night escort. Started as a servant, but Mistress Ukry bought me, and now I don't hafta do anything more then bring drinks, look pretty, and keep folks happy in Ukry's presence. I-it's pretty easy for a lot of guys, haha." Pyrhra winks softly, with a coy smile. "Mistress Ukry sells a lot of potions, rune enhancements, and healing, but something about being a witch makes folks g-get on edge. I'm there to make sure everything goes comfortable and smooth." There is a long pause, and the bunny looks down. "I hope that doesn't make me too d-dirty for you to still talk a bit with..."

[Deathkeeper]

Busy Street

”O-Oh. Okay. No, that’s fine.” So she’s a slave. Wonderful. Skyside is just the worst isn’t it? Some day he has to get out of here.
”Well as long as you’re happy.” he says, doing his best to act totally normal.
”So what are you going to do now that your phone’s working?”

[Aurora Alchemi]

Busy Street

Ukry's mind races. That twinge of emotion, strumming the weave in the air, imperceptible to most but bright as day to the witch of faces. Something was said wrong... but what exactly. Ah, a mistake in logic. Right, not everyone likes slaves, even if there were many in this area. An adjustment to the story, perhaps?

Pyrhra's head tilts, the bunny's eyes scanning Aran. "W-why wouldn't I be happy? Mistress Ukry set me free, gave me a job that I-i don't have to do anything nasty any more, and there's a whole new world for me to explore here! I-it's not worth dwelling on the past much anyways..." Her hand rubs one of her shoulders, eyes cast down and away, somewhat vulnerable, as if the comment had slightly opened an old wound. B-b-but I can do whatever I want! Ukry will call me if they need anything from me, a-and I got all my chores done. Maybe I want to come sit on a bench with a stranger and talk..." A slight flair of sass, then it fades. "A-actually, if you don't mind.... I am curious about what you do. I-i might not be that Ena lady, but... m-maybe you could take a bit and tell me more about your enja... near ung? I've seen lots of magic, but never met someone who does enjurning." Pyrhra twiddles her fingers, lacing and unlacing them softly.

[Deathkeeper]

Busy Street

Aran does seem to relax a bit at that explanation.
"Ah. Well our workshop makes engines, devices, and all sorts of similar technological wonders. Of course, most of them are partially powered by magic, which means they mostly don't respond to me. That doesn't mean that I can't still work on the parts and the mundane aspect of the design and the construction. But the actual using of them, and the power source, it eludes me. It means that I can only ever do 80% tops of what the other engineers can." he explains. Men in his family never inherit their ancestor's magic. Her intention was that all her children with her mortal love would live happy, mundane lives without being hounded for being her descendants. This did introduce a loophole when his sister managed to be born a girl. But such did not affect Aran.

[Aurora Alchemi]

Busy Street

Ukry bristles with interest. The marriage of these more advanced technologies with magic was indeed something novel to them, and could be quite useful... Especially since it didn't sound like something that would require them to take another mask or pull apart someone to learn how their magic works. And this youngling seemed to know all that was necessary apart from the magic. Ideas began to blossom. "Does it have to be a specific k-kind of magic? Mistress Ukry knows all sorts, even how to teach some kinds to folks who don't ordinarily have connection to magic. She even helps me some!" Pyrhra pulls up a coat sleeve, her thin wrist wrapped in an elegantly jeweled bracelet. Each jewel sparkles half unnaturally, with a crisp and glowing rune in some strange language carved into each face. "I'm pretty small a-and weak, so this band helps me carry stuff. What do your crafts do? I bet a buncha them are super cool!" Pyrhra smiles wide, brilliant emerald eyes sparkling with cheer. Internally, Ukry muses to themselves, noting that the the vast majority of magic in this land must still be innate magic, rather than creatures accessing the weave directly.

[Deathkeeper]

Busy Streets

Aran has to stop to consider.
”Proper aether responds best, but any kind works. I think it has to be from me, though. And I know that making someone magic is never a free and easy thing.”
Last time someone had an idea it involved meddling with demon essence.
”Our magitek can do lots of things, from clean running engines to advanced guns and kettles. It’s pretty broad, really.”

[Aurora Alchemi]

Busy Street

"I s-suppose you are right. It couldn't hurt to try, though!" Pyrhra wiggles a little on the bench, kicking her legs softly. Her ear perks a little at his explanation of what the magic is being used for, however. "En gyms are those things that make all the noise and take up the middle of the streets, right? Why not just use a horse? O-or... A Dragon!" The bunny makes a little roar noise and giggles to herself. "And I use kettles a lot, f-for helping Miss Ukry make tea and potions. W-what's a gum, though? I don't have any of those where I come from... Is it like... a mapping tool? That'd be way useful. I like the map in my new phone, I used to get l-lost a lot." The bunny girl leans over, ruby locks shifting softly, her frame nearly vibrating with excitement. Ukry, however, was arm deep in thoughts, pulling at the hints of residual weave, looking at the patterns. Aether magic, hmmm? It was a specific weave, to be sure, and did look to need a innate. Perhaps unweaving one of the more magical workers would show where the magic knits into their bloodline? A thought for later.

[Deathkeeper]

Busy Street

"A dragon would be very nice, but you'd have to get permission from one. Legends say that my djinni ancestor was cousins to the great dragons. They wouldn't be happy with that."
They also probably wouldn't be happy with Ukry tampering with Anri's weaves either. Last time someone did that to make her powers manifest it caused her body to randomly shapeshift itself and the last vestige of her ancestor gently enchanted her so no one noticed. Her brethren pledged to intervene if it was attempted again.
"Ra'Anin's people are supposed related to his home's dragons, actually. Anyway. A gun is a weapon. Fairly common around here. Useful when you don't have the constitution for a sword."

[Aurora Alchemi]

Busy Street

"Oh... Yeah I suppose you would... h-huh. Dragons where I come from aren't really... u-uh. Or at least the legends say they weren't..." Pyrhra looks at the ground, kicking a foot softly. Normally, it probably would have scuffed the ground, but the little bunny was so small that her foot missed the ground by a full finger's width. "Huh, if he's anything like what the legends say dragons are like, I bet he's a real terror to work around. It sounds kinda like you've been having a rough time of it..." At the mention of weapon, Pyrhra's warm smile trembles and fades, however. "O-oh, you are a weaponsmith? T-that's... w-well... I mean, weapons a-are scary, but that's a very respectable job. I've never used a weapon, just... run a lot." There is a long pause, the girl silent for a bit. "I-if it's not too much to ask, w-would you... Show me around? You are the first person I've actually g-got to talk much with since I've come here. I-i mean, if you aren't busy or anything."

[Deathkeeper]

Busy Street

"Um, well, did you want to see anything in particular? I don't really think you ought to be going around too much in Skyside. Not good for someone like you. But maybe a couple of places." Skyside is not conducive to small innocent girls walking around. But there's probably some places he could show her.
Surely nothing could go wrong by Aran spending an hour alongside a witch.

[Aurora Alchemi]

Busy Street

Pyrhra bit her lip, seeming to think for a little bit. "How about... u-uh... something to eat? And then maybe you could show me some of what you do? I-i think I've got some extra gems for getting some food." The white gloved hands open a small pouch, several glittering gems falling into the hand, where the rabbit gently sorts through them. "Not that one though, that's an enhancement rune, haha. Oh dear, I don't know when I last organized my pocketpouches... Sorry." Putting the small pouch away, the little girl rises, offering a hand to help Aran up.

"O-of course, it doesn't all have to be about me, though. Did you have something you wanted to do? I-i'd be happy to help if you needed help getting groceries or something. I make a pretty good meal, too." The green eyes give a playful wink from behind the long red locks, the crystal chime of happy laughter ringing out once more through the street.

[Deathkeeper]

Busy Street

"Well, I can't get you into the workshop but I can get something quick, I guess. I'm not super hungry but a snack wouldn't hurt anyone." There's a few stands that have warm snacks that aren't likely to be traps for body-snatchers or something. Tempest Row has all sorts of entertainment and food, good or bad.

[Aurora Alchemi]

Busy Street

Ukry internally sighed. Mortals can be indecipherable and fickle to manipulate, but it seems like this one is just dense. Maybe it was that Pyrhra was too cute? Or perhaps they were too infatuated elsewhere. Either way, this was going too slow for the ancient witch. Maybe a change of plans... but how? Perhaps he would take better to maturity? Ukry mulls the options, knowing that a decent number of masks were eliminated right away; After all, the lad didn't seem like the type to dote on a goddess, or try to snuggle up to a chief. Settling on a path forward, Ukry's shadow passes out into the weave, gathering and pulling at strands.

Pyrhra starts to answer, when there is a gentle chime of bells; a small glowing butterfly, appearing to be made of crystal lace and something not unlike a hologram but... more physical... flaps down and settles onto Pyrhra's cheek. "A-ah! Oh, mistress! I didn't expect you to be checking in on me so... Yes yes, I understand!" Pyrhra's eyes glow slightly with the colors of the strange magic insect, and there is a clear kind of 'communication' going on. "N-no! Mistress I'm not in any danger, he's very friendly! O-oh... Yes I understand." The butterfly dissolves into motes of sparkling energy, leaving a feeling of intense observance lingering in the air, though it doesn't feel malevolent. "Mistress has something they need from me... B-but they want to talk to you! Could you... wait here for a moment?"

[Deathkeeper]

Busy Street

Aran raises an eyebrow but nods. Seems legit. Her boss must have some errand. But whoever they are (she said they, remember that) they probably want a guide just like their...employee? Servant? Whatever.
"Sure, I'll be right here." he says gently.

[Aurora Alchemi]

Busy Street

Pyrhra hopped away, not quite running, but demonstrating a significant amount of hurry. After putting some distance between them, the bunny dodged into several blind corners, before stepping into the shadows hugging a wall. While the ally remained empty, any observant passerby might be able to hear the pulling of flesh and sinew from bone, and the gentle cries of two different people, seeming to come from the dust on the ground and the haze in the air. After a few moments, the face Ukry used to represent themselves, an antelope featured Lyrri with soft violet eyes, and a thin frame steps from the shadows. Ukry stretches slightly, before popping their jaw into place. Perfect.

Ukry took their time returning to Aran, careful to appear dignified and measured, with just a hint of the wisdom they had learned over the years burbling forth in the way they carried themselves. It wasn't obtrusive, or cocky, but there was a degree of confidence that seemed to demand respect, so much so that the crowds in the street parted for the figure naturally. Ukry wore a long feathered cloak, with a crooked staff emblazoned with softly glowing runes. Underneath, tight leather graced a form that was... neither male nor female, but somehow both? It carried with it a degree of unnatural beauty, like a porcelain doll. Rows of leather looking masks and vials of glowing or burbling fluids jingled softly over the inner garments, with feather and bead accents softly trailing here and there. The witch's eyes settle on Aran, and they approach, standing only a little taller at the head than Pyrhra, but long horns and presence making them seem much larger. "Aran? Pyrhra tells me you are... helpful." The eyes are piercing, but not aggressive.

[Deathkeeper]

Busy Street

Aran is of course, completely oblivious to the horrible sounds coming from the alley, masked as they are by the incomparable din of Tempest Row around him.
He looks up at the witch, for a witch they certainly are, even without Pyrhra's explanation. He stands up to incline his head in respect.
"I'm glad I could be so to your assistant. Did you need something as well?" he asks formally. The young man is the very image of politeness, if certainly not class.