Descendants of the Light- Fantasy RP with Ravenshadow17

[PhoenixaSpark]

“Sounds good,” Brim replied, having only half-listened to her companion’s plan. Man, team strategy was even more boring than they had expected. Besides, some things turn out better when improvised, anyway.

Looking up, Brim saw that they had just entered the main square of town. Being later in the evening, many residents had already retired to various homes, taverns, and restaurants for dinner. They could spot a variety of stores, including the Smithy and Arcanum they had seen earlier, along with a large general store further down the street.

“So, where should we head to first? Anything in particular you need to get?”

[Ravenshadow17]

Alavara sighed. It had been obvious that her companion had completely brushed off her strategy. She felt a twinge of annoyance. She hoped they wouldn't act too rashly and get them both killed.
"I'm all set." She replied curtly. She had stopped in the previous town and had received maintenance and upgrades on all her gear. She had also replenished her supplies before she had entered the tavern.

[PhoenixaSpark]

Over prepared much? Brim thought to themself. As if! How do you know that you have what you need when you didn’t know what you were getting into yet?

Brim took a moment to think through the things she would need for their endeavor.

“Well, a bit of food wouldn’t hurt, but we can get that last, seeing as the tavern normally stays open late. I would like to swing by the Arcanum, though. It never hurts to have a few tricks up your sleeve, from my experience, and we might as well put some of this gold to use. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find something you didn’t think you’d originally need.”

[Ravenshadow17]

Alavara nodded in response. It was true, she may find something of use. "Very well. Let's get going." She began to head towards the entrance.

[PhoenixaSpark]

Brim heard a small bell chime as they opened the door to the Arcanum. The store itself was rather cluttered, and a variety of magical auras washed over Brim as they made their way towards the main counter, where a scholarly-looking Leov was busy scribbling down notes in a weathered tome. Noticing his new customers, he put down his quill and turned his attention to Brim.

“Welcome, my fine friend! Is there anything in particular I can interest you in?”

“I’m hoping to find some spellstones.” Brim requested. “The basic adventure set: healing, shielding, strength, the usual. Some magic-enhancing stuff wouldn’t hurt as well.” As they spoke, Brim began to notice how the Leov kept glancing over at Alavara, who was glancing over some items on the opposite end of the store.

“Why of course!’ the Leov replied with a chipper tone. “We do keep them in the back though, seeing as they fit into passing pockets quite well, if you know what I mean. I’ll have my nephew fetch them.” He called out into the back of the store, where a young Leov emerged. After sending his nephew off to fetch the requested items, he turned back to Brim and began to whisper to them, so that their companion across the store could not hear him.

“What’s with the elf?”

“Hm?” Brim replied, giving a quizzical look.

“The elf. Over there. I haven’t seen her around before.”

“Oh her? She’s with me. Urien has us working together. Ancient fortress, mysterious artifact, a basic retrieval job.”

“Urien, you say?” the Leov replied, still whispering. “Well, I suppose he has good judgement. I wouldn’t have voted for him otherwise.” His nephew returned, bringing with him a bag full of round objects that clinked together as it swung back and forth. Inspecting the contents of the bag, the Leov took a moment to record the transaction in his ledger.

“All should be in order. We have three spellstones, your basic adventurer’s set. It seems that we’re out of magic-enhancing stones, although my nephew was kind enough to find a handful of potions that should serve the same purpouse. Altogether, it should come to. . . 300 coins.” Brim dug out the pouch of coins Urien had given them, and placed the appropriate amount of gold on the counter. After double-checking the amount, he handed the bag to Brim.

“Thank ya!” Brim chortled. Turning to her companion, who was still wandering the store, she called out. “Hey Alavara, did you find anything you want?”

[Ravenshadow17]

Alavara had to physically restrain Onyx, by placing a hand on his shoulder when the Leov looked at Alavara as if she would suddenly turn violent. The Wolfane hated when people responded like that.

Turning back to the wares, Alavara was surprised to see an advanced tome on water magic. A rare find, especially for a small town Arcanum. Grabbing it, Alavara made her way to the checkout. "This." She stated, but after a nudge from Onyx she added "Please." Nudging Onyx back, Alavara took out her coins.

[PhoenixaSpark]

After completing their purchases, Brim, Alavara and Onyx headed out into the night, and began to walk towards the tavern to purchase some food rations, as well as to grab a bite to eat, seeing as the rest of the town had already began their evening meals. Looking at their companions, Brim noticed that both Alavara and Onyx seemed sullen. They hadn’t thought that the two had overheard what the Leov in the Arcanum had said, but Brim had an inkling that they had suspected that he was disdainful towards them, to some extent.

“Hey, uh, sorry about that Leov back there. I suppose there’s still some grudges going around from that war a few decades back. . .”

Brim paused for a moment, unsure of how to continue. If they was bad at team strategy, she was even worse at moral support.

“So . . . uh . . . are you okay?”

[Ravenshadow17]

Alavara glanced at her companion, a calculating look in her eye. Sizing up the Cril, she debated revealing her true thoughts or just brushing them off. With another nudge from Onyx, Alavara forced herself to relax and open up. Her eyes softened and she sighed. "I'm ok. The tensions between our races never really abated, even if the war is over. Hopefully in future generations it will not the case, but for now... well... there is still mistrust and hatred. I'm used to it by now. I've traveled around more than most other Elves, so it's become a common occurrence for me." She explained. Granted most Elves stayed within their towns and never interacted willingly with the other races, so Alavara was certainly a rarity. The lack of contact was also a reason that he tensions had remained. There had been zero opportunities for Elves and Leovs to learn about each other and move toward peace.

[PhoenixaSpark]

“Fair enough,” Brim replied. “As long as we don’t get into any fights we can’t win.” Brim personally thought that the Elven/Leoven conflict bordered on petty at times, although they weren’t exactly free from prejudice themself. Either way, they preferred to stay out of squabbles that didn’t involve them.

The pair approached the tavern, and ate dinner in an awkward silence, with neither Alavara nor Brim knowing how to continue the conversation. Afterwards, after acquiring supplies, they headed to the inn, where they rented separate rooms for the night; they may be partners, but their relationship was far too awkward to justify the sharing of a room. Besides, it was not as if they were short on cash.

Brim slept well that night, although their dreams swirled with strange images and garbled words. In other words, the usual type of dreams for a Cril mage. Such dreams would be torment for a younger Cril, but Brim had long been accustomed to such things. Yet these dreams were still different, in some hidden, indescribable way. A pull, a voice, from deep beneath the lake, something long trapped, yearning to see the light of day. . .

Brim ate alone the next morning, having not seen Alavara at the inn, and proceeded to their meeting spot near Urien’s manor. They did not see Alavara at first, although they were able to see the tall figure of their companion propped up in the shadow of the nearby wall.

“Did ya sleep alright?” Brim asked as they approached.

[Ravenshadow17]

Alavara sighed as she entered her room. The tension at dinner had been exhausting. Onyx quickly jumped on the bed and made himself comfortable. He gave her a pointed look as she leaned against the window, glancing out. "I'll get to sleep soon. I promise." She reassured him. Onyx looked unconvinced, and after a moment he came over and practically herded her to bed. Annoyed, yet amused, Alavara settled down for the night. Her dreams were filled with memories. Finding Onyx, running through the woods. But then they shifted to purple eyes peering from the darkness. A distant rumble disrupting the silence.

Before dawn, Alavara found herself sitting in the rafters of the inn, eating an apple. Once it became a reasonable hour, she settled into the shadows to wait. Glancing up as Brim approached, Alavara's eyes narrowed. Eyeing her companion for any inconsistences. She may be cold, but the health of a companion was important. No matter how poorly they knew each other. Coming to the conclusion that all was well, Alavara relaxed.
"I slept decently." Alavara answered honestly. "You?"