Arioch
Approved
Level 6 — Barbarian
Posts: 333
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Post by Arioch on Mar 4, 2019 23:24:16 GMT
A week had passed since he had last seen the air genasi, their small adventure on the docks had been with the exception of his fight at the arena, the most interesting thing to happen all week. Arioch had been ejoying the benefits of his first earnings in the arena which had also come with a sponsor, a half-orc he mistrusted like he would any sub-human beast, but for the most part he had been keeping up his end of the bargain by getting him into the big tournament at the end of the month and also doubling as a coach. Not that he cared much for his teachings but a few of them maybe would prove useful in the arena. He wasn't, by far, the only fighter at his disposal but in his mind Arioch was certain that he was the best. At least, from the ones he had available. Only two had been able to get into the big tournament, while from the other two one had been wounded in combat and would have to rest for a few months while the other one had died of blood-loss after a fight, a wound that cut too deep into him having been his end.
Arioch on the other hand had managed to climb his way to the top of the trials, almost managing to rank first but he had to step down. Or rather, was stepped down by one of the judges after he was deemed unfit for combat after his last fight and had to spent the rest of the day being patched up, and watching the rest of the games unfold from the bleachers. Still, he had been thrilled to watch other people fight to the death, or at least, until surrender. He had managed to get a good look at the competition and now was hyped to face them. Most of his wounds had already been healed and only a few scars remained on his body but even those were obfuscated underneath his clothes; now not nearly as torn nor as run-down as last time they had met, but also by the shining new half-plate armor he had acquired. The metal was so fancy and of such good quality he had been in a good mood ever since he got it, and felt pretty much invulnerable and imprevious to any damage so long as he was wearing it.
Not that he believed himself vulnerable otherwise, but it was a whole other level of protection. It was just about the right kind of protection that would allow him to fight in the tournament and not die within the first few seconds. Judging by skill, everyone that would be participating there would be from decent to actually quite good. Let alone to mention the ammount of veterans that had participated in them before and knew all the tricks.
This time the barbarian was walking through Waterdeep seemingly strolling without any objective in mind, going from place to place. That was, at first glance. In actuality he was looking for Thea. Admittedly he wasn't sure what he had been thinking. He had figured finding her would be an easy thing, like walking down a street named Glassblower avenue and finding her shop almost instantly. Reality had proven different however, and it required him to ask around and get acquainted with pretty much every other glassblower and shop owner in the city as he was around asking for Thea, this super white girl, that often had patches of blue in her skin. A master glassblower, that actually worked in another shop with another apprentices. The one that made the glass sign with the broken fish at the docks.
"Who?"
"Bright pale blue eyes, she's kinda cute, drops everything"
"Doesn't ring a bell, I'm sorry"
"Tempus, vhy is everyone in this big city so clueless"
He ended up saying frustrated with the way no one seemed to know her. Shop after shop, eventually she reached one that knew her. Probably because they were in the same trade... Although it was a strange thing to walk in a place only to ask where you could find the competittion... Not that Arioch cared much for that or really thought about that. All that he cared right then was about finding Thea, and after having spent about an hour doing a urban investigation on the air genasi one could bet his ability to care for such details had long since been depleted.
"Ah, yes. She's over at Thond's I think. Thond glass and glazing is the name of the place you're looking for. Though if you want actual quality work you'll come back here. And by the way, she's an air genasi. That's what they're called."
"Right, thanks"
It took him a bit of further searching until the shop was well within view. Tasted like victory. It was almost enough to eclipse the thought of having had to search the city for her. One one hand it had been entertaining to do. On the other, he figured it would have been much faster. He approached, placed one hand on the door and pushed it open. A couple things were new in his face. A new small scar above his right eyebrow, vertical. A horizontal, barely even diagonal scar across his nose, and a small wound on his lower lip near the center. His hair was much shorter as well. Of all those, just the one on the eye and the hair would be visible, as the rest was hidden within his mask.
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Post by moralhazard on Mar 4, 2019 23:42:47 GMT
Seven days ago, Thea had met Arioch in the alleys of the dock ward, swapped a fish for the promise of a sign, and – eventually – successfully completed the errand she’d offered to run for Salantham.
The real fish had been given to the apprentices after some notes and drawings had been completed; Thea hadn’t asked, but she was pretty sure Pip, the apprentice she’d given it to, had cooked it in one of the glass-blowing fires for them all to eat.
Six days ago, Thea had been woken in the earliest hours of the morning by a massive snow thunderstorm brewing outside the city. She had fallen into a near trance-like state, hiking an hour that she barely remembered outside to the side, and staring into the storm until it had reached her. She had nearly frozen to death in a cave trying to wait it out; only with the help of Citrine, phoenix sorcerer, had Thea survived.
Five days ago, after a good night’s rest and a lot of soup and tea, Thea had started work on the fish. Making the sign had been all Thea had hoped and more; she’d made a small version to start, testing the concept in miniature. A hollow glass fish! Light enough to act as a sign, heavy enough not to shatter. The miniature one had turned out well, an excellent test for both the thickness to size ratio and the blue and gray coloring, with a faint silvery detail to give the fish a nice sheen.
Two days ago, Thea had wrapped up the glass fish sign as carefully as humanly possible and delivered it to the fisherman. She thought he’d been – well – fairly surprised that she’d returned at all, but pleased with the sign. It had only cost him two coppers, after all. Thea had left him after making him promise again to send anyone with questions to her, somewhat relieved that her second trip to and from the dock ward had been less, er, exciting.
Over the last two days, Thea had been largely working on a new project, a phoenix that she wanted to sculpt; a present for Citrine, who was due for a visit later that week. She was ensconced in the back of the workshop, bending over a handful of red and orange coloring rods, a little frown creasing her brow as she turned them this way and that, teeth teasing at her lip.
Thond glass and glazing was one of the largest glass shops in Waterdeep. If Arioch had been paying attention during his search, he’d notice, rather quickly, that the entrance to the shop was much larger than the others had been, with a larger variety of glasswork laid out. Thond glass and glazing had a number of different exhibits, scattered sparsely across the front. There was a magical goods collection on one side, with wands and orbs and staves. There was a window pane collection, with a few examples hanging from the ceiling, twisting slightly back and forth at the opening of the door, although never far enough to crash into anything else. There were plenty of mugs and vases and glasses, from slim champagne flutes to broad glasses for red wines and anything else which might need to breathe.
There was glass jewelry as well, necklaces and bracelets and earrings, arranged delicately beneath glass counters. In the center, there was a large black cushion, upon which sat a small glass orb with what looked like a thunderstorm trapped inside. A heavy black storm cloud seemed to brew in the center of it, and before Arioch’s eyes would send out little tendrils of lightning to strike at its container.
There was also a bored looking apprentice who was sitting on the edge of a service desk, a very short half-elf with messy hair, and several creases in what looked like a very official apprentice’s uniform. Her gaze snapped up as Arioch entered the shop, and her eyes went wide.
The little apprentice hopped off the counter and trotted over to Arioch. She bowed, politely. “Good afternoon, sir, and welcome to Thond Glass and Glazing! May I be of any assistance today?” She beamed up at Arioch, hands locking behind her back. Evidently his appearance didn’t disqualify him from top-notch customer service.
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Arioch
Approved
Level 6 — Barbarian
Posts: 333
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Post by Arioch on Mar 5, 2019 0:07:22 GMT
The collection of magic items called to his attention. Magic was something strange and scarce where he had come from, not nearly as common a sighting as it was here in Waterdeep. His attention first went to the wands. Strange things they were. Looked like simple pieces of wood. It was... unsettling to think they could hold any measure of power within. The orbs did seem more mage-like but he couldn't get over the fact that there was a shop. A shop of magic things. Magic glass. Glass. His reaction wasn't as intense as it had been when he had first arrived at Waterdeep, but he did have a reaction. Slight surprise. It was like two different worlds; the place where he had come from, hard and without commodities, where magic was a mysterious and borderline dreaded... To here. Where it was a common thing. Where they had magic shops. Beds. Nice weather. Plenty of food. Trade. A mix-match of every race known to sentients.
Once he got past that thought, however, he realised just how fragile most things in there were. He didn't think of himself as a clumsy person but for one moment contemplated the possibility of accidentaly nudging something over and starting a domino-effect cataclysm in the shop, that, unexplainably, ended up with an explosion to boot due to some unstable magic component in a jar. He vouched to be careful, internally.
And yet, in spite of this, he was magnetically attracted to the orb with the storm inside. That was amazing. Immediately he thought of Thea and her... storm magic. Lightning. Thunder. And the lightning armor. Maybe... Maybe this was something she had done. He felt like touching the stone. He was going to touch the stone. A small boop, was all. Just once. Maybe.
And in that moment the little half-elf thing surprised him, coming back to life and trotted over to where he was. That was enough to break him off his entrancement. He turned just enough to regard her, and looked at her from heels to eyes; she looked familiar. Well, a bit, if only to Aislinn. Definitely something about the ears. Weren't quite as long as an elf. But the height too, maybe?
"I am looking for Thea. She vorks here, right?"
Unless he had been lied to, but he doubted it. The storm in the orb was promising.
"Pale blue eyes, master glassblover, air genvasi..."
He gestured towards the eyes, and hair as he named those qualities.
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Post by moralhazard on Mar 5, 2019 0:19:38 GMT
“Oh!” The half-elf’s eyes widened. She paused. “… Yes she works here! Um – please wait!” The half-elf ran back to the desk, then to the door behind it, knocking rapidly.
The door opened, and a taller, dark-skinned person in the same uniform poked his head out. “Pip,” his voice was low and vaguely threatening.
“No it’s not – I – ” The little apprentice who’d greeted Arioch squirmed. “I need to go fetch Thea but I didn’t want to leave the front alone in case anyone else came in! Please Dharkand?”
Dharkand sighed. “Why do you need to fetch Thea?”
“This gentleman asked for her! Specifically!” Pip was almost bouncing, glancing at Arioch then back at Dharkand.
“… All right,” Dharkand stepped into the main area. Pip ducked beneath his arm and vanished into the back, visibly running.
“… Can I help you with anything while you wait for Master Baring, sir?” Dharkand’s voice was much more polite when he addressed Arioch, although he didn’t come quite as close as Pip had.
Thea took a deep breath, gathering some cane for a first attempt at the phoenix. She would, Thea decided, just practice the color now; the full shaping could come later. She still had plenty of decisions to make there, but the color – that was what she really needed to nail. The time she’d spent with Citrine had taught her a lot about flame; what had seemed fire-like before felt plain and dull now.
“Miss Thea Miss Thea!” Pip came bursting into the back workshop, skidding on the floor as she tried to slow down.
“Pip!” Thea laughed, setting the bowl down and half-catching the much smaller girl. “What’s got you in such a rush?” She smiled down at Pip.
“There’s a visitor for you!” Pip’s eyes widened. “A really, um – solid? Looking human? He has lots of scars and he’s wearing a mask and some really shiny armor.”
“Oh, Arioch,” Thea smiled, more than she quite meant to.
“You know him?” Pip’s eyes were wide.
Thea giggled. “Didn’t you think I would?”
Pip paused, and frowned, puzzling it over. “Well – well I guess it makes sense. Come on!” She grabbed hold of Thea’s hand, pulling her back towards the front.
Thea laughed. “Slowly, Pip, slowly. Let me just – ”
“I have to get back!” Pip said, urgently. “Dharkand’s watching the shop and he’ll be mad if I make him wait.”
“Dharkand?” Thea raised an eyebrow. “Well, we’d better hurry then.”
Pip re-emerged into the front of the shop, no more than a few minutes after she’d left, and beamed at Arioch, looking proud and triumphant. Thea followed after, white hair gently waving about her face. She was wearing a sleeveless blue tunic, today, with a brown belt at her hips, and baggy gray pants beneath. Unlike the last time Arioch had seen her, her arms were totally bare, from shoulders to the fingertips, revealing just a hint of muscle.
“Arioch,” Thea smiled at him. “It’s good to see you again!”
Dharkand shot a little squinting glare at Pip, smiled at Thea, and made his way back out of the front. Pip took a seat on the table where she’d been when Arioch entered, wide-eyed and watching.
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Arioch
Approved
Level 6 — Barbarian
Posts: 333
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Post by Arioch on Mar 5, 2019 1:46:15 GMT
He was actually quite relieved to know she did work here. It would have been just too much if the little girl said something like she didn't know who Thea was. At least, he was pretty sure it was a little girl. He squinted a bit at her when she ran off to the door behind the desk, trying to realise just how old was the half-elf in question. By what he knew, if you were strong enough to hold a tool, and smart enough to learn how to use it, you were already fit for work. In Waterdeep, he had noticed, the ages were a bit older in that regard but not too much really.
Arioch followed the short exchange between the dark skinned man and the much smaller half-elf with curiostiy. His gaze fell on the man named Dharkand when the little one pointed out at him as the one calling for Thea, meeting his, he would expect, but said nothing about it.
"Do you know any... potion brever you would recommend in the city?"
He asked the dark man once he asked if he could help him with anything. Might as well. Potions weren't exactly allowed in the arena but it wouldn't hurt to have a couple just in case he needed them. He knew now there existed potions that could heal you if you drank them, even from the brink of death. If such a thing existed he needed those. And also would be a good idea to ask around to find out what other kinds of potions existed.
His eyes went to meet the triumphant Pip when she returned. And immediately afterwards he stared at Thea. He didn't quite realise he was smiling, nor would anyone else thank to the mask. He only barely noticed when he began to speak.
"I vas around and I thought about dropping by to see you a bit"
Her arms suited her, he decided. There was a strange charm when you saw someone being presentable, only to meet them later in working garbs, often stained or torn from the demands of the job. An odd mixture between strength and humility that he liked. Strange, how most people sometimes tried to wear their best constantly, worried about appearing as less than they are, only for that contrast to end up being something positive in the end. Of course with him it had been the opposite. First the rags, now riches. Well, that was a bit of an exaggeration but it still was quite the jump for him.
He cocked his head albeit only slightly, taking in her whole image.
"And no collar, I take it that's a good sign I came in at a good time"
He chuckled. Pip and Dharkand might as well have been invisible for the acknowledgement he was giving them at the moment.
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Post by moralhazard on Mar 5, 2019 2:01:02 GMT
“Ah,” Dharkand blinked. “There are many good potion brewers here in Waterdeep, sir. I would recommend going south along the way of the dragon; you will see several reputable brewers not far from here, depending on your… needs.” His tone was polite and neutral; whatever he might have thought of the question didn’t show.
Dharkand made a slow trip around the edges of the shop as they waited, a small cloth in hand, flicking bits of dust off of glass pieces here and there, with an extremely light, delicate touch. Like Thea, he had his fair share of calluses and burns. On closer examination, his uniform wasn’t quite the same as Pip’s; he had a gray sash, instead of a brown one, and a gray undershirt. The tunic was much the same as Pip’s in color, but looked to be a finer material, and he had a second badge where Pip had had only one.
Nonetheless, Dharkand didn’t stick once Thea was there.
There was a smile in Arioch’s tone, Thea thought. It was hard to tell, with the mask he wore, but – she was almost positive. Whether or not it was true, Thea believed it, and her own smile widened a little as a result. Thea laughed. “Have you been back to the fish seller? I did manage to finish his sign in time, even collarless.”
Thea had half-hoped to see Arioch again when she went back to the fish-seller. She had known it was unlikely; even if he went daily, the odds that they’d be there at the same time were slim. It was, perhaps, easier not to see him; he had stirred up some uncomfortable emotions, even if hadn’t intended. Nonetheless, Thea had been more disappeared than she had expected, a feeling which now eased away.
“It seems like you’ve been working hard as well?” Thea asked, curiously, a lift in her voice turning the statement into a question. Her gaze lingered on the new scar above Arioch’s eyebrow, and the aggressively shiny half-plate armor. She knew little about armor – almost nothing, in truth – but even Thea could tell it was expensive and, she hoped, very good protection. Given what Arioch had told her about his life, there was only one path that came to mind for how he might suddenly have what looked like a good deal more money: the arena. Thea would have been willing to bet that he had fought and – from the looks of it – won.
Pip stayed silent, eyes wide, gaze fixed firmly on the two of them. She was still perched on the edge of the table, but her legs were still; this was clearly much more interesting than her shift had been before.
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Arioch
Approved
Level 6 — Barbarian
Posts: 333
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Post by Arioch on Mar 5, 2019 2:34:21 GMT
He took mental note about the way of the dragon. In his mind, it also sounded similar to the clan of the first warrior he had fought at Waterdeep, but regardless he'd keep an eye out and ask around. The different colored sashes... He could only assume they were about rank. If uniforms had taught him anything, at least as far as similar ones went, it was that the difference in rank was signaled by either colors or patterns. He guessed it was mostly a symbolic thing in a place where everyone already knew each other, but it was a powerful thing, and a source of pride as well. Overall, a good thing to have. He assumed Pip would be an apprentice of the lowest kind, whilst that Dharkand was higher up, though not quite as high as Thea.
"I saw it just yesterday, it vas a really pretty thing. You knov he didn't really believe you vould actually come through, he vas so sure ve had scammed him... Should have seen the look on his face."
He paused for a bit, reconsidering.
"Vait, no, you probably did."
He smiled again. There was someting oddly pleasant about Thea's presence. It could also be the fact that most of his social interactions had been with people trying their darned best to kill him. Or with shapeshifters in the woods who were definitely not going to eat him, or had tasted human or animal flesh while in their animal form. Or with deadly caves of glowing moss of doom. It was relaxing; but it also felt a bit like...
"Oh"
His train of thought interrupted as he brough one hand up, almost unconciously to touch the new scar on his eyebrow, idly.
"Yes, I got into the tournament."
Admitted with pride and enthusiasm in his voice, the smile still vividly holding up with the memories of the fighting and the thrill of victory. That was the taste of pride.
"Things vork out a little bit different than vhat I had in mind, but I liked it nonetheless."
His gaze shifted slowly to the side, towards the orb with the storm inside just as he was finishing his sentence.
"Is this one of your vorks?"
He asked outright, quizically and preemtively impressed with what he asumed would be a yes.
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Post by moralhazard on Mar 5, 2019 2:43:17 GMT
Thea laughed. “I did! You should have seen how surprised he was when I showed up with the sign,” she smiled, remembering. “I think he liked it, though – it was up, then? He didn’t just take it out from under the stall to show you?” Thea had stood there, waiting, while the fisherman had hung the glass fish – ostensibly to help, but mostly so he would have to actually do it. She was almost sure it wouldn’t have broken yet, but all the same it would be – well – she was sure Arioch wouldn’t have called the sign pretty if it had already been broken.
It looked good, Thea had felt, glistening in the sun, the scales sparkling just enough to call the eye. And she did hope, sincerely, that it helped the fisherman to improve her business. Mostly, however, Thea hoped that others passing by the wharf would see it, inquire, and come to her for their own signs. Freeblown glass signs – not just words passed onto a rounded glass sheet, like some she’d seen here, but true works of art, advertising one’s business. Thea didn’t think she could charge for them as much as she would for her art, but perhaps with a lifetime guarantee? It would be sensible to at least give some kind of insurance policy against breakage. Well – once she actually had a new customer, then she could figure all this out.
Arioch reached up to the scar, and Thea’s face grew a little more solemn. “I’m glad,” she said, a bit solemnly. She absolutely wouldn’t admit that she had been – well – a little worried. Not constantly or anything, but when she had gone by the fisherman’s, and – nothing had been mentioned – Thea had just… wondered. She believed in Arioch, but it was deadly down there in the arenas.
“Yes,” Thea beamed when Arioch mentioned the storm orb, taking a few steps closer and setting a proud, possessive hand on it. Her hair fluttered a little, the wind almost smug. “It’s called a storm orb,” she grinned at Arioch. “You can touch it, if you’d like.” She didn’t bother to tell him it wasn’t dangerous; surely a brave warrior like Arioch wouldn’t be afraid of a little glass bubble, no matter what seemed kind of storm was brewing inside.
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Arioch
Approved
Level 6 — Barbarian
Posts: 333
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Post by Arioch on Mar 5, 2019 2:57:47 GMT
"It vas still up there last time I checked"
He let out a small chuckle at the idea the man would just receive the fish and then toss it inside a box with a grunt. Work like that was possibly much more than he could afford, he had no idea about how much money did the man actually make but he guess about a year of his earnings perhaps would be enough to actually pay for something like that. Maybe. In any case it was definitely out of his reach. He purposedly left out the detail that he had been going around town asking for her. Maybe someone could think that had been some really great, unobtrusive publicity stunt. But in truth it had just been Arioch being Arioch.
Arioch's face lightened up like a child when he heard that he could touch it. A storm orb? Well it did look like a storm inside of an orb, so... yes. In his mind he imagined what would an armor made like that look like. Absolutely terrific was the answer. He needed an armor like that. Or a weapon like that. Or a full set of things like that. Specially if they could also throw out lightning. Was that even possible?
"It's not going to zap me if I do, is it?"
He asked then looking over at Thea with a funny, purposedly mistrustful expression in his eyes. He didn't think she'd have him touch something that could potentially kill him or explode and set the shop on fire... But he guessed no one was above a little bit of mischief, pranking someone. He had absolutely no idea what was the purpose of the orb, either, to boot.
Arioch didn't wait for an answer however, and looking back and forth between Thea and the orb his hand approached the thing. And gave it a soft boop. And then softly squeezed. Not hard, he didn't want to break the orb of doom just yet, just... have a feel for the surface. He legitimately was half expecting to get zapped though.
"Is this..." He said then absolutely enraptured by the orb "... Like... Vhat a lightning armor vould look like?"
Arioch was in awe at how beautiful the thing was. There was something about storms and their destructive power that called out to him, the fierce lightning most of all. And to be able to gaze at it continuously was... mesmerizing to him, to say the least.
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Post by moralhazard on Mar 5, 2019 3:06:18 GMT
Thea’s first inclination was to reassure Arioch, promise him – like she did most of those who admired the storm orb – that it was absolutely harmless. Instead, Thea kept a sweet smile on her face, and just raised her eyebrows at Arioch in a little challenge, her hand still on the storm orb. Slowly, slowly, she pulled her fingers back, leaving it for him.
The glass was cool and hard to Arioch’s boop; it didn’t give at all in response to his squeeze. He could see the lightning flicker and flash, encased inside the glass, but – he wouldn’t feel it at all. With his eyes closed, he wouldn’t even be able to tell where the lightning was striking; the glass didn’t even seem to get hot, as if the storm was entirely, perfectly encased inside.
Thea had seen all kinds of reactions to the storm orb. Most were at least fascinated by it. A few had dismissed it as a trinket; she didn’t think it appealed much to pragmatists. Art rarely did, though, so Thea didn’t bother herself over such opinions. Some were afraid to touch it; others flinched as they did so, or flinched when the lightning struck at their palms, even though they felt nothing. One or two had yanked their hands back and claimed to be shocked, although Thea knew it was impossible.
It didn’t surprise Thea at all that Arioch had gone for the orb; she wouldn’t have expected anything less, not after the conversations they’d had. It also didn’t surprise her that his mind jumped immediately to lightning armor.
Thea giggled. “Well – it’s not quite what mine looks like,” she said, after a moment.
There was an excited squeak from the table behind them. Pip had shifted to lying flat on her stomach on the table, legs kicking in the air. Now she sat up again, much too excited to stay lying down, practically bouncing on the table. “Lightning armor! Lightning? Really? It is really, Thea?”
Thea glanced back at her. “Well – sort of,” she admitted, grinning despite herself. “It doesn’t shock anyone, unfortunately.”
“… would you show us?” Pip’s eyes were wide, and she hopped down to the ground. “Please, Thea? I love seeing magic!”
Thea blushed, blue creeping into her cheeks. “Oh – I really shouldn’t – just for show?” She glanced at Arioch, a little helplessly.
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Arioch
Approved
Level 6 — Barbarian
Posts: 333
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Post by Arioch on Mar 5, 2019 4:23:21 GMT
He started to press his fingers individually, see if the lightning inside reacted to it. First one finger, then two, then all five separated, then trying different patterns. He could have been trying different things for hours were it not for the fact that he remembered where he was right then.
"This is amazing"
He said then turning his eyes back to Thea, but before he could quite add anything else to it the little half-elf was jumping up and down like an hyper active squirrel. That was a lot of energy crammed up inside one kid, it was a wonder he hadn't broken anything yet... But maybe he was asuming to much he tought. And, in any case, it also kind of externalized how he was feeling internally... although to an uncomfortable degree. Maybe due to how accurate it could have been.
Arioch nodded encouraging her, smiling beneath the mask. There it was again that strange coloration he had eventually learn to accept as an aproximation to blushing, it only widened his smile without notice or permission.
"You've been teasing me about that since ve met"
He stated calmly with a chuckle. Of course, with the ammount of hype that had been built into the moment nothing short of an armor literally made of lightning with thunderous sounds and all would really meet the full expectations, but he was willing to accept some... phantom... looking... no, really, he had no idea what to expect other than some awesome sounding spell.
"I vant to see it too"
Declared, with more enthusiasm this time
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Post by moralhazard on Mar 5, 2019 4:40:51 GMT
Thea grinned, meeting Arioch’s eyes. She never tired of seeing people wonder at her storm orb. She never tired, quite, of wondering at it herself. It was Thea’s own crafting that had made the storm orb; by now she could do it by feel, much like casting spells. There was a trick to it, a way of blowing the air and coaxing out a memory of a storm, almost like – almost like talking to it. It didn’t bear too much deep thinking.
Arioch proved remarkably unhelpful in persuading Pip to let the armor go. Thea wasn’t exactly sure what she had expected, given Arioch’s consistent enthusiasm for anything resembling armor or weapons. Pip was still staring at her, eyes shining and bright. She had been the most enthusiastic of the apprentices when Thea had blown the storm orb, and it wasn’t remotely a surprise to Thea that she wanted to see more magic. As far as Thea knew, Pip wasn’t particularly magical herself, although she wouldn’t be surprised if the little half-elf picked up a thing or two along the way.
“… All right,” Thea sighed, taking a half step away from Arioch and Pip, giving herself plenty of space. It felt a little wrong, using her magic like this. But – hadn’t Citrine said she should… practice more? She wasn’t sure actually. Citrine had really said she should think about – well – there was a lot to think about.
Thea took a deep breath, one hand lifting to her chest and gently pressing her arcane focus into her skin; she could feel the edges of the wire first, then the fulgurite, smooth and a little cold against her chest. Another deep breath, a deeper memory.
The lightning started as a little glimmer on Thea's skin and clothing – just a little flash of light. It built, slowly, flicker upon flicker, until little lightning bolts were crackling over Thea – slow, at first, leaving expanses of blue skin and bluer tunic visible beneath, then faster and faster until it covered her like, well, armor, until there was a web of lightning spinning over her.
Thea’s eyes opened, and she raised an eyebrow at Arioch and Pip.
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Arioch
Approved
Level 6 — Barbarian
Posts: 333
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Post by Arioch on Mar 5, 2019 4:56:41 GMT
Arioch bit a bit of his lower lip in anticipation as she began to take a small distance between them, his eyes fixed upon Thea but at no part of her body in particular, just taking in every small movement and her general posture. Where was the center of mass, how was she standing, the expression on her face when she casted magic. If there were any indicators that it was working ,where it would show first. Watching her hair, her hands, her fingers, back to her hair, her eyes, her lips, and her eyes again. When the glimmer started he let out an audible exhalation of surprise, the smile was both audible and he was sure just, tangible in the air when he did it.
It wasn't as showy and over the top as he had imagined but by the time the actual lightning started to show he had forgotten all about his expectations in order to focus on what a crazy thing magic was and how cool it looked. He wanted to touch it. He had already began approaching slowly before asking.
"Vill it zap me if I touch you? It totally vill, von't it"
He said his eyes glistening with amazement, but still with a smile upon his face and his enthusiasm not fading even one bit.
"I still vant to touch it"
Declared then; he really was willing to get zapped in order to just get a feel of having actually touched an armor made out of lightning. These opportunities there were... to say there were fairly rare would be a grievous understatement. With the exception of the druid he had met this was possibly the most magical moment he had witnessed, in at least, two minutes, accounting for the orb of storms sitting somewhere behind him now. And, after that, probably in his whole life.
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Post by moralhazard on Mar 5, 2019 5:07:19 GMT
Pip let out a tiny, high-pitched squeal, bouncing a little on the ground. “Oh wow! Thea that is – that is brilliant! It’s really neat,” she followed Arioch when he approached, getting a little closer. “I’ve never seen anyone do mage armor like that!”
Arioch and Pip were both – well – more excited about the magic than Thea was. Thea glanced down at herself, at the lightning rippling over her tunic and pants, then back at Arioch and Pip. Both were staring at her with wonder in their eyes and – she was absolutely sure this time – matching bright smiles on their faces. The similarity was actually a little unsettling, although also cute.
Normally, her own magic didn’t really make Thea want to smile. Somewhat to her surprise, though, the enthusiasm dripping from Arioch and Pip was almost contagious. Despite herself, Thea felt a smile spread over her face.
“It won’t,” Thea shook her head at Arioch. She couldn’t help giggling, a strange, warm feeling growing in her chest. “It won’t! At least, it shouldn’t. It might – push at you a little bit. I think that’s the best way to describe it.”
It was true; if Arioch went to touch the mage armor (or, well - Thea; it wasn't exactly thick) he wouldn't feel lightning, exactly - just a faint sort of tingling, and a little pressure against his skin, like the lightning was pushing back against him. It wasn't enough to keep him from touching her skin, if he wanted, but it was distinctly noticeable.
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Arioch
Approved
Level 6 — Barbarian
Posts: 333
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Post by Arioch on Mar 5, 2019 5:22:05 GMT
Once again the little girl was echoing some of Arioch's thoughts, even if, to his own impression, these were quite exaggerated to the point it made it a little bit embarassing. Also the fact that he had absolutely no clue what mage armor was. But, kind of like with the orb of storms, which was an orb with a storm inside, he figured a mage armor was... while not an armor made out of mages, at least something that mages would do that doubled as an armor. Just not as cool as Thea, clearly.
When Thea said it wouldn shock him for trying he was only a little bit relieved. He had already steeled himself to receive an electric shock just for the satisfaction of touching the armor and there were no take backs now, but it was still a bit relaxing to know that. Then with his body closing in as well he extended one of his hands; towards the side of one of her arms. The tingling sensation had not been what he had expecting at all but it did feel electric at least... It was more scary than dangerous right then. The pressure it... was not quite like anything he had felt but it wasn't outright trying to kill him. It was just pushing him away.
He played with that force, continuing to push through but not with overwhelming strenght; using just the necessary strength to gently push past it until he felt his hand brush against her arm in a downwards motion, his hand had reached all the way around and by then were letting go in that same motion. He thought it was funny, he could feel that same low kind of electricity but across his body in that moment, not just his hand. Lightly.
The smile lit up in his face again, his gaze went up to meet Thea's from up close. He didn't say anything immediately, waiting on the edge of the last second to then add.
"This is amazing... And you can... Make it stay?"
Even if it only pushed back those that touched it he couldn't deny that it looked amazing... And it would look even more amazing if that effect could be done with armor... Or maybe, maybe even crafted into an armor? Like the orb of storms?
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