014. "Can I ask for some lessons?"

[Corwin]

[19:42] <Kotono> -------------
[19:43] <Kotono> With magic sword carried and reward in hand, the party then goes over to Andrea's teacher's home. He's found in the back again, practicing archery as Andrea leads the others along to him. No sign of Brent, though.
[19:45] <Andria> "Instructor Olan! I'm back!" Andrea exclaims in greeting, waving at him as she approaches.
[19:48] <Kotono> Olan is a weathered old man, bearded. "In one piece and without wolf teeth?" He half challenges, pausing to look over the others. "Your new friends?"
[19:49] <Aaeru> "My name is Aaeru," she introduces herself with a proper bow. "It is nice to meet you!"
[19:50] <Andria> Andrea nods. "Your blade came in handy, although we had, uhm, a close call. We really got lucky. Should have probably convinced Brent to come along and help or something," Andrea admits. "And yes, these are my friends, from my new job."
[19:50] <Janson> "Janson," the redheaded man greets him, offering his hand out. "You trained Andrea, huh? You must be proud."
[19:50] <Wayland> Wayland smiles, nodding respectfully. "I am Wayland."
[19:51] <Andria> Andrea blushes lightly at Janson's words. "Don't say it like that! It's not like I've done much the times we've gotten into fights...not like Aaeru..."
[19:52] <Andria> "Well, and you too, but your magic creeps me out a bit," Andrea adds with a small shudder. "Definitely useful, but all those vermin..."
[19:52] <Kotono> Each of them gets a long study, lingering most of all on Janson. "Vermin?" His eyebrow raises right up.
[19:53] <Janson> "I never saw you beat up Wayland's friends, but you sure whacked that wolf good!" Janson tells Andrea, before stepping back, "Hey, don't underestimate rats and spiders. They might be small but you see what they can do when they gang up!"
[19:53] <Aaeru> "It is very intimidating," Aaeru affirms.
[19:53] <Andria> "I did say they were useful! They're still kind of disgusting though..."
[19:53] <Kotono> "What manner of sorcery is that?" Olan's voice becomes slightly rockier, "I have only known one vermin-friend in my travels."
[19:54] <Aaeru> "Since they're summoned by magic I'm certain they are very sanitory," Aaeru says in her most conciliatory tone.
[19:55] <Andria> "I think he's a summoner or something. It's not a big deal, instructor!" Andrea says quickly, not sure why Olan is bothered by the idea.
[19:56] * Janson looks a bit put off at the sudden interrogation. "It's fey blood magic," he replies. "It's not like I'm raising zombies or conjuring fiends here, all my magic comes from the natural world. Vermin have as much right to exist as horses or people."
[19:57] <Aaeru> "Even shocker lizards, as long as they exist far away from everything else."
[19:58] <Wayland> "Yes, I'm not sure I enjoyed the shocker lizards. JAnson got himself a nasty shock."
[19:58] <Kotono> To this Olan relents enough to turn away from it. "Now those are past vermin and into a menace,' A rumble from within, "But that sword served you well?"
[19:59] <Aaeru> "I don't think nature put them here to be enjoyed," Aaeru whispers to Wayland.
[19:59] <Janson> "I can't talk to shocker lizards so I can't say I'm fond of them," Janson agrees, unconsciously patting his still singed hair.
[20:00] <Andria> Andrea sighs with relief. "Yes it did, thank you," she says as she draws the sword and shifts her hold on it so she can pass it back. "We managed to subdue the werewolf, and it would have been a lot harder if I hadn't had your longsword with me."
[20:00] * Wayland nods at Aaeru and whispers back, "One would wonder why nature put them her at all."
[20:00] <Kotono> Olan takes the sword, "Glad to hear. None of you were infected?"
[20:01] <Aaeru> "No, nothing like that," Aaeru responds, shaking her head. "Wayland just died so he was entirely safe."
[20:01] <Janson> "Didn't need the belladonna after all," Janson sighs, unable to hide a slightly amused grimace at Aaeru's phrasing.
[20:01] <Wayland> "I got better." Wayland says with a wry smile.
[20:02] <Aaeru> "You might need it if whatever cursed Gweonyrn is still out there," Aaeru reminds Janson brightly.
[20:02] <Andria> Andrea lowers her face and places it on the palm of her hand at how they're suddenly trivializing Wayland's death. It had been so traumatizing! Still...in spite of herself, she smiles a bit while her face is covered.
[20:03] <Kotono> This gets Olan to give Aaeru a very long look, "Ah, a close call with death? Well, as long as healing comes before the body dies..." He at last relents.
[20:04] <Janson> "Needs to be fresh, so unless that happens in the next couple of days..." Janson shrugs in response to the blonde.
[20:04] <Wayland> "No no, I did die. Ilmater was kind enough to grace me with a second chance. I feel very fortunate."
[20:06] <Andria> "He really did die, instructor. I'm not sure what happened, one minute we were talking about trying to get the funds to raise him if we could, then it was suggested that Ilmater would not need funds, and then he was back...just alive again, and healed up. It was really sort of amazing as far as miracles go..." Andrea clarifies.
[20:06] <Kotono> "...very fortunate." Olan just shakes his head, "Born with a rabbit's foot around your neck."
[20:07] <Andria> "That rabbit foot might be why Gweonryn went for his throat then..." Andrea says, then pauses. "Oh great, now -I'm- trivializing his death too!"
[20:07] * Wayland laughs.
[20:08] <Wayland> "Whether or not we choose to make light of death is part of how we deal with it,Andrea. I'm just happy my friends were kind enough to bring me back."
[20:09] <Janson> "At least you didn't get turned into an elf," Janson agrees. "Ilmater's method might be better than Jannath's."
[20:09] <Andria> "Well, we didn't really get to do much. We just talked about it..." Andrea admits. "I'm still a bit ashamed that you died in the first place, but I'm glad you're back."
[20:09] <Wayland> "Being an elf wouldn't be so bad, I suppose."
[20:09] <Andria> Clearing her throat, Andrea turns back to Olan. "By the way, where's Brent?"
[20:10] <Aaeru> "Oh yes, I've heard rumors of this!" Aaeru exclaims. "Is it true that every reincarnation results in pointy ears?"
[20:10] <Andria> "Oh, Brent is Instructor Olan's son," she clarifies for her friends.
[20:10] <Kotono> "He's at the market, fetching victuals." Olan replies, simply shaking his head.
[20:12] <Janson> "I've only seen the one, but yeah - a sister got killed in a battle with the giants a few years ago, and the priestesses decreed it wasn't yet her time. They brought her back, but with the pointy ears," Janson explains. "She was pretty upset at first but she's gotten used to it I think. Jannath surely had her reasons."
[20:13] * Aaeru nods, listening intently.
[20:14] <Kotono> After this Olan glances at Andrea, "Thanks for returning the sword in one piece."
[20:15] <Andria> She nods back at him. "Of course. I did promise I would. Anyhow, I just wanted to return the longsword and introduce my friends," Andrea tells Olan. "I'll try to drop by more often for practice and to spar with Brent, I guess. That fight with the werewolf showed that I'm not as prepared as I should be, if I can't stop my friends from getting injured like that."
[20:15] <Kotono> "Take care," Olan agrees, "If you or your friends need lessons..."
[20:19] <Wayland> "Hmmm...That reminds me. Andrea, the sword we got from Lady Moongal, do you want it?"
[20:23] <Andria> "Oh, uhm, well I'd rather stick with a falchion, since I've had more practice with handling those, but if nobody else can use it...I mean, Lady Moongal did hope the blade would get put to use, so I'd feel bad if it went to waste in some armory or something," Andrea says, her hand fiddling with her necklace, the holy symbol of Alicia. "Does that make sense?"
[20:24] * Wayland nods. "Yes, I can understand it. If that is the case, then..." He turns to Branna. "What do you think, Branna? Would you use this sword for righteousness?"
[20:24] <Janson> "Seems a waste," Janson agrees. "But I'm not really practiced in combat that way, so it's no use to me."
[20:26] <Kotono> "Uh...okay?" Branna says, scratching as his head, "I can swing it pretty good, sure. I mean, hell, who doesn't want a magic sword?"
[20:27] * Aaeru raises her hand.
[20:27] <Wayland> "I'm not asking you if you want it. Yes, Aaeru, I know you don't want it. That's why I didn't offer."
[20:27] * Aaeru pouts.
[20:27] * Janson hopes Branna doesn't run off to sell the sword and live like a king, but keeps quiet rather than give him ideas.
[20:28] <Wayland> "I'm asking you if you will weild it in the defense of the innocent. If you'll do the right thing, instead of just using it to make a quick sack of gold. This is important."
[20:29] <Andria> "Well, at least the armory for Whimsical Sweets is growing, and we haven't been at this for very long," Andrea muses. "But better an armory getting put to use than one just for display."
[20:29] <Kotono> "...shit." Rubbing his chin, "If what's what you want, okay, boss." At last he agrees to that, "I can do that."
[20:30] * Wayland nods and hands Branna the sword. "Then take this and use it well. Perhaps you could even get some formal training in its use from Olan here."
[20:32] <Andria> Andrea nods. "Instructor Olan is about the best teacher you could get in the way of the blade here in Balmuria!" Andrea vouches strongly.
[20:32] <Kotono> Branna takes the blade, drawing it! The air around it turns cold with icy mist! Olan steps forward as Branna swings it, taking his free hand and dragging him along. "It's dangerous to put that sort of sword in the hands of someone who isn't fully ready. Let's see about making sure you are."
[20:35] <Wayland> "Come see me when you're done, Branna!" Wayland calls as he leaves. "Where to next?"
[20:39] <Kotono> Thus the party returns to Whimisical Sweets! Sylvie is in the front, a flour stained apron on. She's placing candied treats all about under class cases while whistling to herself. There's no sign of Josa, but Silver is about. She flutters along Sylvie, gabbing away. "...he put away a third one! A third eclair! Do you believe it?"
[20:40] <Janson> "Oooh, are these for us?" Janson goes over to snag a treat.
[20:40] <Kotono> "'fraid not," Sylvie smiles winsomely and pulls the tray back, "They're for the customers; Josa wants to open the candy-side up again tomorrow."
[20:41] * Aaeru is still fasting, though she does admire the lovely-looking treats from close by. "Are there any customers at the moment?" she asks.
[20:41] <Andria> "Good, I'm glad he didn't give up on it after all," Andrea says.
[20:42] * Janson pouts as the sweets are pulled out of reach. "Shouldn't free food be a perk of the job?" he sighs a bit. "Hey, Silver, feel like whipping up another of those candy men for me, then?"
[20:43] <Kotono> "Josa's off meeting with someone," Silver says, "Some boring thing or another!" Silver flies over to Andrea and sits right on top of her head. "Sorry, no can do" Her expression darkens, "Oh, don't do this, don't do that! Bleh bleh bleh bleh bleh." With a grimace, "SUmmon one swarm of candy men like that and you get forbidden for a month. Hmph."
[20:43] <Kotono> "I'll get you some extra from the kitchens in the back," With her smile still in place "So how'd your job go?"
[20:43] <Wayland> Chuckling, Wayland says, "Careful, Janson, or you'll wind up round like Josa."
[20:44] <Janson> "Mmm... hey, did you know we beat a werewolf in savage combat?" Janson brightens. "That's surely worth a little reward, right?"
[20:45] <Kotono> Sylvie smiles nicely, "Oh good. None of you are going to start howling at the moon? Josa was talkinga bout making these Belladonna Cookies if you do."
[20:47] <Janson> "Wayland got torn up pretty bad, but he's all better now and devoting his life to Ilmater in gratitude," Janson nods easily. "Also, hey, show Sylvie that dragon scale we found?" he suggests to the blue man. "We saw a gold dragon fly overhead, it was *huge*!"
[20:47] <Andria> "It was a surprise to see a dragon," Andrea agrees.
[20:47] <Andria> "I'm just glad it didn't decide we looked tasty or anything."
[20:47] * Wayland fishes the scale out of his pack. "Here it is."
[20:49] <Kotono> "How bad?" Sylvie's smile slips, "You know, I get the idea this job's going to be more dangerous than I expected. War stories this, werewolves that!" Yet at the scale she narrows her eyes, coming over to it. "Gold dragon's scale, right?" She places the tray of candy down, "Give me twenty minutes and a book."
[20:49] <Janson> "I'm glad I wasn't getting in its face, that's for sure," Janson agrees, going to sit on the counter.
[20:50] <Wayland> "Well...I died."
[20:50] <Kotono> "Dangerous this, dangerous that." Silver drawls, kicking her legs, her feet just in the upper range of Andrea's field of vision. "And...wait, what? You don't look dead."
[20:51] <Wayland> "I was very dead. Ilmater was kind enough to bring me back to life."
[20:51] <Janson> "Thank Ilmater for that. He knew Wayland had so much more to offer in this life!" Janson points out brightly.
[20:51] <Kotono> Sylvie takes the scale, doing an abrupt stop, "Wait...how in Cr-oh, Ilmater. Oh, if you start eschewing your payments I'll be happy to take them!" With a quick, radiant smile she starts to go back, "Back soon, I'll let you know about the scale!"
[20:53] <Janson> "Also, he smells a lot better when he's alive. Gotta say, buddy, you were pretty rank by the time we were halfway back to Balmuria," Janson goes on. "I thought you might turn into fresh air or something, but definitely not!"
[20:54] <Wayland> "Well thanks for the compliment, Janson. Nice to know for the future. I'll be sure to keep some spices and herbs on me in the event of my future second death."
[20:56] <Janson> "I think there's a spell for it, actually," Janson scratches at his stubble-covered chin. "Might see if I can grab a scroll, just in case."
[20:56] <Aaeru> "It might be prudent," Aaeru agrees. "Ilmater has a hard, difficult fate set ahead for you."
[20:57] * Wayland nods. "Do you know the name of the spell?"
[20:58] <Janson> "Gentle Repose," Janson replies readily enough. "Also preserves the body for Reincarnation spells that need it to be somewhat fresh."
[20:59] <Kotono> As time creeps by, Sylvie returns. She's whistling, "Okay! This is worth about 50 marks. Dragonscale's useful in armorsmithing, as well as an alchemical and magical ingredient for improved defenses or elemental resistance. In the case of a gold dragon, it would be to resist heat."
[20:59] <Andria> "That's just weird. That there's an actual to goodness spell for that. Almost as if it's a regular occurance or something, that you'd need to create a spell for it."
[20:59] <Aaeru> "It also keeps food fresh."
[20:59] <Wayland> "Always a good thing."
[21:00] <Aaeru> "Not that I'm comparing, of course."
[21:00] <Janson> "That's pretty neat," Janson smiles at Sylvie. "But how often do you come across a dragon scale? We should put it in the window rather than sell it - it'd surely attract curious people into the shop!"
[21:00] <Andria> "Oh, then that makes a bit more sense. The whole keeping a corpse smelling fresh is probably just a side-effect that someone found by accident!" Andrea says.
[21:02] <Kotono> After that Sylvie clears her throat, "Can I ask all of you something?"
[21:02] <Aaeru> "Sure! What is it?"
[21:02] <Janson> "Go ahead?" Janson shrugs amicably.
[21:03] <Kotono> Going to take the tray back as she works, "This job's looking to be pretty dangerous for all of you, isn't it? First it was a Sharran, then a werewolf."
[21:04] <Andria> Andrea nods. "It's a bit more than I expected, but the excitement and knowledge that I'm doing good makes it worthwhile anyway!"
[21:05] <Aaeru> "Maybe, but I know that I became stronger in just two weeks than I have in the past two years!"
[21:06] <Kotono> "So," Taking a moment, "I know how to fight some from reading about it, but with all that's happening I want to make sure I can take care of myself. Just in case someone nasty comes along and wants to make trouble." With a charming smile all the way, "Can I ask for some lessons?"
[21:06] <Aaeru> "Oh sure, but you really need to put your life on the line to get a lot better really fast," Aaeru responds.
[21:07] <Janson> "Yeah, it's good to be useful, and you meet such interesting people!" Janson agrees with Andrea. At Sylvie's question he looks a bit downcast, "Most of what I know is blood magic... you could make a pact, I guess to get much the same effect, but I dunno if you really want to go that far, Sylvie. Other than fighting I can help with concealment and observation so you can *avoid* a fight, though."
[21:08] <Kotono> "I'd like that," With a smile to Janson, "I'd like to learn some of that punching, too. Maybe some magic...Aaeru's magic didn't look that hard, and if I just mimick the syllables right..."
[21:08] <Andria> "It's better if she's prepared, even if she never uses it," Andrea says. "You could join the training with Instructor Olan if you want to learn swordplay. I can help teach you a bit about that, but Olan Farres is the best you can get...although he'll probably have his hands full with Branna now...hrm..."
[21:08] <Andria> Andrea ponders potential swordplay lessons.
[21:09] <Aaeru> "Give all of this a try, and then decide what you like best? Or what goes easier, I guess?" Aaeru muses. "It's really best to just focus on one thing afterwards for a while."
[21:10] <Kotono> "Are you sure?" Sylvie frowns, "I try and study everything, since just one thing is boring."
[21:10] <Aaeru> "But do you try to study it all at the same time? Did you read that book Janson got you along with an entirely different one, all together?"
[21:13] <Kotono> "Uh huh," Sylvie says, "I also read about the history of the Crimson Guard and a book of fairy tales about the Fiefdoms of old."
[21:13] <Aaeru> "Ah, smart people," Aaeru sighs with just a bit of envy. "Then it just might work for you after all!"
[21:15] <Janson> "Wait, you mean you read them all at the same time, not one after the other?" Janson asks, confused. How would that even work?
[21:15] <Aaeru> "Smart people are different."
[21:16] <Kotono> "Well, I'd read a few chapters and then pause to read something else while I'm thinking that over," Sylvie admits, blushing red, "I mean...just..."
[21:18] <Andria> "I'd probably get a headache trying that, or confuse the contents of the books," Andrea admits.
[21:18] <Janson> "I guess if it gets boring you'd want to refresh yourself with something different?" Janson tries to get in that particular mindset. "I normally can't put something down until I've read it cover to cover. Either way it still takes the same amount of time to read three books, though, so I guess it doesn't matter?"