RD14: Morning

[fairweather]

[A red-haired woman in her early twenties can be seen in the orb. She sits straight-backed and looks quite dignified as she smiles. In the background, one of the very fine rooms of the castle can be seen. When she talks, her voice is very cultured and the refined English accent of an upper-class Londoner.]

Tell me, loves, where can I find a dressmaker? I want something with a little more style and I’m afraid the hideous rags provided simply won’t do. These frills and extra fluff in the skirt, no, no, I want a dressmaker with a sense of style and elegance.

[She sighs. Concerned about her situation? Oh, sure, it's mildly distressing opening a book and waking up in a different dimension, but you learn to roll with the punches.]

And if you do not know where I can find a decent dressmaker, any information about this world will do. Do keep it fun, that dreadful old man was such a bore, droning on about saving the world and defeating thorns. Do I look like a gardener? No, of course not. I don't suppose I can find a decent spa around here, hm? Even natural hot springs will do.

Sophronia, if you're out there, I'm staying at the castle.

Comments

[fairweather]

[Nonsense, he is so very handsome even if he looks like death.]

My, my, this sounds like such a dangerous place. What's a woman to do all by her lonesome? Will I be safe within this city?

[folklorist]

Oh! Yes. You'll be perfectly safe here, miss. Ah...I'm sorry. I-I didn't get your name. I'm a bit...out of sorts today. I'm, um, Helios Sprensonne.

[ A pause. ] Is S-Sophronia your sister, friend? Sh-she might not have come with you. I-I'm not sure how that all works, the getting here part, m-magic most likely. [ He's not sure if you believe in that sort of thing though. ]

[fairweather]

[Helios Sprensonne. Helios Sprensonne. What a nice name.] I'm Lavinia Fairweather. A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sprensonne.

Sophronia is my sister. And yes, I do believe arriving here was due to some sort of magic. Magic books, such tricky little things. Never knew there was one in the collection that could transport you to another world. [How utterly inconvenient. Sigh.]

[folklorist]

[ So not a nice name. Just a boring generic name... ] Lavinia, that's a lovely name. It's a pleasure to meet you as well. [ His eyes widen a little at her response and then he smiles. ]

Ah. S-So you're familiar with magic then? That's g-good. It might have found its way there intentionally to be fair. I-I found a similar book in my own library. I'm more amazed at that magical aptitude of sending so many objects and people to another world. The energy needed must be, well, enormous.

[ It might be one person acting alone but Helios doesn't believe that. ]

[fairweather]

Yes, I am. I've dabbled a little bit here and here. [And by dabble, she mostly means lots of magical spells, artifacts, and agreements. And maybe one or two practical little spells.] And most certainly. There are very powerful forces at work, I do believe.

You know magic as well? That's wonderful. Perhaps we can work magic together sometime.

[folklorist]

Really? [ Helios perks up a bit at that. It's a bit of a weak spot, talking magic. ] What sorts of things have you dealt with before?

[ Because he is curious and at the offer he smiles a bit sheepishly. ] Ah. W-Well I-I do know a little, yes. Um but perhaps we c-could. [ When he's better. ]

[fairweather]

Little things, here and there. Rejuvenation spells, a ward here or there. My nephew used to ask for help with a spell now and then, just a little boost. Nothing much, I must say.

What about you? What sort of things do you work with?

[folklorist]

Those are far from little if you don't mind my saying. [ Rejuvenation spells were something of an oddity in Helios' world. Not illegal per say but they weren't exactly used too often. Having to draw life out of things and apply it to oneself was...a bit traumatic in the long run. ]

Oh! Ah. J-Just typical things. Wards, s-sigils for summonings and barriers and t-teleportation. I-I work typically with elemental m-magic mostly though. [ Helios gives a small shrug only to wince slightly due to his arm. ] N-Nothing very extravagant.

[fairweather]

Those are far from typical if you don't mind me saying. [Lavinia lightly mimics his words back to him. While barriers were the sort of thing any witch or wizard or sorcerer or Watcher picked up, summoning and teleportation were far more advanced, teleportation especially. She couldn't think of too many magic-users who could teleport. Demons could with ease, but it was a little tricker for most humans. Then elemental magic on top of that?]

Goodness, love, don't be so humble. You're quite the magician.

[folklorist]

I-I don't think so. Most magicians in my own world can do them. [ And here he'll look a bit more embarrassed at the compliment. Sheepishly he smiles and shakes his head. ]

I-I still have loads to learn though. I-I mean you can never have too much knowledge and there's always new things to discover. [ He's also blown up the apartment and other things once or twice. ] I've, ah, made plenty of mistakes in my time as one. I suppose though that we do learn from them. I most certainly have.

[fairweather]

Is knowing magic common in your world? [With all her dabbling in the arts, the idea of other worlds and dimensions is not unknown to Lavinia. Another world where magic is around? Why not.]

Of course, of course. I'm sure you'll learn much more in your time, you strike me as a bright man.

[folklorist]

It, ah, is f-for a certain group of people. Most people however don't really b-believe in magic anymore. I, um, suspect it's because they can't use it a-anymore.

[ And at that compliment Helios' face might brighten a little and he'll look away a bit sheepish. ] N-No not, not really. I'm just an ordinary man. [ Nothing bright about him, nope. ]

[fairweather]

A loss of magic in the world? [Very curious. Lavinia leans in a little more, curious if he's a man from her world, or some variation of.]

Hardly ordinary, I think. Extraordinary, I would say. [Oh, Helios, she could just gobble you up.]

[folklorist]

W-Well a loss of, of using and understanding it. Realizing it even exists t-too. [ Helios fumbles a little with the book he's fiddling with while he speaks to her. ]

O-Oh n-no. Me? N-Not at all. [ A sheepish laugh. ]

[fairweather]

Such a pity. I suppose magic is the sort of thing only known by select families and fairy tales and fluff to everyone else?

[She smiles a little sweeter.] Oh, I do think so. We must meet sometime.

[folklorist]

It-it used to be more widely used. B-But then, um, the witch trials affected that quite a bit. [ His tone is dour when he speaks of that occurrence. And he'll also blink and smile at Lavinia's offer. ]

I-I'd enjoy that. I've been meaning to-to talk to most of the magic users in this p-place. Perhaps it would help if we put together all our respective strengths and came up with a few ideas on how to combat the thorns.

[fairweather]

[Witch trials. Lavinia's own expression turns dour and she gives a small 'hm.' It wasn't always easy being a witch, especially when people noticed you never aging. It was one reason Lavinia and her sister moved around so much.]

My, what a brilliant idea. I'm sure a lot can be learned that way. [Though there's not much she can offer by the way of help and meetings aren't really her think, Lavinia recognizes it as a good idea.]

[folklorist]

I-I was hoping as much. It's...no good keeping knowledge from people when-when it can be made of use, correct? I just want everyone to, ah, l-learn from one another. [ Helios smiles a little, albeit it is tired and along the lines of being forced to an extent. ]

Maybe sometime soon.

[fairweather]

Absolutely. Knowledge should be shared with everyone, the more the merrier. [Because with such wonderful knowledge can come many other wonderful things.

She frowns a little, noticing a bit of his weariness.]

Dear me, are you all right? You don't look well.

[folklorist]

It'll h-help in, in our case at least.

[ Helios winces with pain as he shifts to get more comfortable. It's not really working and his already pale features blanch a bit more. ] O-oh! Yes. O-Of course. J-Just a little bit....tired is all.

[ And in a whole lot of pain. A breathless laugh as he moves only his good arm to rub the back of his neck. ]

[fairweather]

That looks more than just a bit tired, love. Are you hurt?

[folklorist]

N-No! No. [ Have a slight cringe at his all too eager reply. Smooth Helios. ] It's j-just a few bruises is a-all. [ Yep bruises. That's all it is Lavinia. ] I-I'm not the most graceful of-of people.

[ Another little laugh. ] I'll be alright though.

[fairweather]

Put some ice on it and do rest it. It's such a shame seeing such a handsome face in pain. Do tell me, what is your name?

[folklorist]

H-Handsome... [ His face goes even paler at that before his stops staring and clears his throat. ] O-Oh. Um. Y-Yes, of course, y-you're absolutely right. And it, um H-Helios. I-I apologize for n-not giving my name before.

[fairweather]

Helios... [Lavinia smiles a little. Hello, sunshine.] That's a lovely name. I'm Lavinia.