Scrolling Thunder

Lower Markets, Afternoon

A fair weather day, but with a tinge of autumn in the air giving it a crisp twang to it when a breeze rolls through. Just after lunch, the markets are back in their second surge as the city folks get their second wind.

Those that didn't have time to grab a bite, the various food stalls serve bread and cheese, small pies, sandwiches and so on. One stall with a few barstools hosts one of the latter, various premade sandwiches ready to be sold, or hand made makes if one wants to take a break. Currently sitting at the far right stool is a rust red and white egalrin woman covered in a plethora of multihued ribbons. Slixvah has busted out her purple and cyan robes to ward off the chill.

In one hand, she's got a half nibbled sandwich, in the other, a quill that is carefully scratching a heavily glyph laden scroll. Right beside that, a tiny, golden eyed and white plumped thrush. They tweet something. "Yes yes, Fifi, I got it," Slix coos at the bird. "Jus' don't explode when done, aight?"

The little bird squints at Slixvah.

Bread. Such a fresh scent of bread. It is almost overbearing - and then a jute sack is dropped down on the ground nearby Slixvah, with a ruddy scaled makari soon sliding into the stool besides.

"Ribbon," The draconian greets with a sharp toothed smile, biting onto a freshly baked bread. It smelled heavenly. His eyes run over the scroll, then back towards the egalrin woman. "Trying to decipher one of Sharkie's shopping lists?" He then asks with an ever widening grin.

The thrush gets a curious look from him; and he bows his head.

Wandering through the market, Simony is taking a late lunch as well. A tasty meat pie is held in each hand, with bites taken out of both. She dodges the foot traffic with a practiced ease. The Gobbo's face soon appears at Slixvah's elbow.

"Whmchadoon?", she wonders of the Egalrin. Her eyes narrow, and she waves a meat pie in Aelwyn's direction. "Hmmmm!"

Slix perks slightly at the scent, looking down at her sandwich briefly before turning towards the thud. "Oh! Heya Flutter," she coos. "This thing? Naw, ain't Rishrish's doin'." She unrolls the scroll more for Aelwyn to see. Several layers of glyphs inscribed with gold dust make the page thick. The glyphs shimmer a blue hue, and the quill that Slix has (it's her own feather) seems to be carefully scratching a line through all of the glyphs. The line thrums with blue energy. "Learnin' some mojo, hon. Gonna get all this magic distilled, and give Fifi a little treat!"

"A little treat with electrifying potential," the thrush's tinny voice deadpans, turning to look at Aelwyn.

Slix's explanation goes out as Simony is there, but she blinks and looks down. And then smiles. "Moni! Darling! How ya doin'- oh! Ya hair! It's gorgeous!"

Aelwyn tilts his head as Simony simply... appears with all the meat pies. "... this one has no understanding why Slixvah suddenly has arms full of meat." The Dragoon grins and waves his plain old bread. It still had a heavenly scent. Fresh out of the oven, just needing to get buttered up and filled with slices of delight.

Taking another chunk out of his piece of bread - with the rest in the sack - he glances at the scroll and then the thrush. "This one hopes one is not going to get electrocuted from the good sensations." He rumbles in amusement. "That scroll looks expensive."

The Goblin's smile is broad, and slightly messy, as she scarfs down one of the meat pies. "Thankyooo. Telamun hlped!" She chews the large mouthful and swallows noisily. "My hair grew like crazy for four days. You're learning magic? May I watch?"

Simony looks to Aelwyn. "Technically her arms are meat." The second pie begins to meAt its fate, as the Gobbo gnaws at it hungrily.

Slix eyes the waving bread, waiting a beat before pecking at it and tearing a small chunk of it out. She winks playfully. "Thanks."

The trush, Fiadh, Slix's familiar, makes a high pitched, deflating sound. A sigh. "A moment of pain for a lifetime of knowledge. A fair trade," it tweets.

"Yeeeeah. Uh. It was a bit pricy. Got a hook up fo' some scrolls outta the University. Have a handful to parse through like this. This one-" she taps it with a finger as her quill goes through another rune, "-will give me a lil' bit of th' thunderclouds ta blast stuff. I will admit, Eztli's fire prowess made me a lil' jealous. And. Well. I /really/ don't want ta get in a mess like tha' again- a situation where I can't remove a problem from afar."

The egalrin shrugs, nodding towards an empty stool. "Sure, Moni. Take a seat." She snorts. "Thi' is tru'! Ain't much meat but they is meat. Interestin' tho' I guess Telamon's alchemy goes a bit further than medicine and alcohol."

She shakes her head. "Anywho, basically, I'm gonna turn thi' scroll into an elixir. Fifi here is gonna take a big ol' sip. And we gonna figure out how ta ask Dana fo' some angry clouds on call."

"Hmmh, so Ribbon desires to strike thunder and lightning," Aelwyn starts, "As if her presence wasn't causing enough sparks in minds already." He elbows Slixvah playfully, before swallowing the rest of his pecked-at bread. "And this one was always told to face their problems head on."

Simony gets another look, and Aelwyn does tilt his head. "Whyfor is she experimenting so much with her hair?" He asks, then looks towards the egalrin. "This one has understood it is common for the softskins."

"Pain? What sort of pain?" Simony licks at her hands and fingers, before pulling a small handkerchief from the pouch on her belt to wipe them clean. "Is it worth it?" She climbs up and settles on the offered stool. "Yes, Telamon is like an ogre. Lots of layers to him. Wait..." She blinks at SLixvah. "You're going to drink it... er, your familiar, I mean? That's uhm an interesting way to learn magic."

Her giggle is squeaky, her grin toothy. "Maybe not much meat, but they are really good at hugs."

The Gobbo shakes her head at Aelwyn. "It wasn't really an experiment, Telamon was unsure how how much and how fast it would grow, given I was small. He also neglected to say how much to use, I just used all of it at once. He should have realized I was going to do that."

Because Goblin.

Slixvah laughs. "Oh you." She elbows Aelwyn back. "Not all problems needs ta be faced head on- but there are some where tha's jus' the easiest solution."

She grins. "Oh totally. I /love/ messin' wit' my hair when I'm a softskin. So many ways ta wear it. Braids, different cuts. And if it don't work, let it grow back!" She winks at Simony. "They are good at hugs! The wings are better!"

The witch continues etching through runes, all the way until she gets to the final one, and lets the nib of the quill run off the scroll, and punch through the edge of the page. Fiadh, expecting this, steps on the space made with a tiny foot. A moment later, the hole glows a pale blue. "It is interesting, ain't it?" Slix grins to Simony as she takes out a small glass vial from her robe. She nods to Fiadh, pinches the hole with her own hand, then places the punched page into the lip of the vial.

A steady stream of bright blue light that crackles and pops drips into the vial. Each drop, a rune dies out and turns to dust. "It is oh so very worth it. Fiadh interprets how th' magic's supposed ta go. I can apply it. It's a very fun yet.... eh, testing circumstance."

Aelwyn leans his elbow forward and gestures with his hand, "Tch, maybe be gentler on the lotion. Not everything needs to be squeezed dry." He flicks his tongue out at Simony. He makes a clicking sound at the talk of hair, his own mane of quills flexing quietly. Why cannot they be braided? "Huh. This one never thought of it that way." He slides his hand across his chest. He really needed to find that scale polish, too.

"All this talk of hugs and seeing none is making this one confused." The ruddy Dragoon rumbles and flashes his teeth. Meanwhile, his attention is taken by the scroll - orange eyes watch it keenly as it just... does magic.

Finally, Aelwyn shakes his head, causing his ribbons to flutter. "Worth it? Tch. If it makes one sparkle, this one can see it." He gives another wide grin. "Did the scroll work?"

"No, I like having my hair this long. After having short hair and no hair, it's nice to have it back." The Goblin's own tongue is stuck out in reply. "You stick to wearing ribbons and swinging your glaive around, and leave the alchemy advice to those who actually practice it."

She huffs, and looks to Slix. "Hmm, yes, wing hugs are best hugs. Though, your memaw's hugs are... uhm... hard to breath through." She giggles lightly. "I do like that you play around with the hair styles and colours, your softskin shapes are not boring, that is for certain." Simony eyes the progress of the dripping liquid and sputtering runes. "Testing, hmm? I get the feeling Goblins should like this sort of testing. Is there going to be a loud bang at the end? Perhaps a big fire?"

Slixvah playfully rolls her eyes. "Fine fine." Both wings unfurl- massive things for such a small figure- as one wraps around Aelwyn, and the other Simony. And they pull in for a squeeze. "Oh yeuh. Mamaw's hugs are th' best, but you ain't goin' no where!" she laughs.

The vial slowly gets fuller of this pure magical, crackling energy. Feathers stand up on her arms from the static in the air. "Thanks hon," she hums. "I like bein' them. But no. Not testing as in experimentin'. Thi' is a process, one tha' I've documented extensively. No, testing /mentally/. The knowledge is hard ta cram in. And there shouldn't be a big bang. Except for a floofy Fifi."

Fiadh stares at the vial as the last of it is filled, the scroll depleted to nothing more than a blank page. "That is the best outcome," the tinny voice says as they watch Slix pop a cork into the vial with a bird feeder nozzle attached to the end of it.

"This one quite enjoyed her with little hair. It was an interesting look." Aelwyn tells Simony, rumbling with his teeth sharply on display. "And this one has no rush to step into the business of alchemy - that tends to be a sticky trade."

Then he lets out a bit of a surprised sound as the wings floof out and he is hoisted along with the hug - and with a low thrumming sound he slides his tail around Slixvah's waist.

"This one feels bad for the bird, but one has to step forward with determination and no hesitance to reach for what they want."

Aelwyn says, looking at the proceedings unfolding.

Simony lets out a muffled squeak as she's pulled in for a hug. Her arms reach out to hug back, while a booted foot presses against Aelwyn's stool to steady things. "Mmpph." There's a snort in there somewhere, and then a noisy giggle.

"Feathers are so comfy and warm. Only need a little hot chocolate for it to be perfect."

Settling back down on her stool, she eyes the little bird for a moment. "So uh, she drinks it, and then... you know how to cast it?", the Gobbo wonders. "What spell is it, anyways."

Simony eyes Aelwyn a moment, her head canting a little. "You liked seeing my bald head? It didn't blind you?" She snorts. "Pfff. No hesitation? Really? Took you ages to accept a leather cloak."

"Wisdom is not gained through words. It is through trial, failure, and triumph that one learns," Fiadh chirps, hopping forth onto Slix's outstretched digit. The egalrin inverts the small vial. And the thrush sups from the nozzle.

Slixvah pats the tail briefly, comfortable with it, but also keeping Simony and Aelwyn close with her wings. As if she was showing a small painting to just the two of them. "It's how I learn new mojo," she whispers, watching.

Fiadh's golden eyes gain a bright blue hue as the magic is imbibed, not a single drop spilled. And the little bird pulls its beak out, staring off into nothing.

And then Fiadh's feathers poof up to be come a ball. As if from static. And they abruptly sneeze, a gout of electricity shooting from their little beak and striking Slix's hand. Slix yelps, pulling it back and shaking it off. "My apologizes. That one tickled. I have it."

The witch huffs, smiling, but rubbing her hand against her leg. "Flavor?"

"Raspberry tart."

"Oooh. Spicy." She glances to Simony. Grins. "Lightning bolt, baby."

Slix points to the paper. "I find magic." She points to Fiadh, who was preening their feathers down. "Fifi breaks it down ta its metaphysical properties." Shen points to herself. "Then Fifi gives me th' metaphysical inta my noggin' every mornin'. It is a... hard process, but worth it."

Aelwyn twists his lips at Simony. "Bravery and doing what one knows is right are different, Canvas." He clicks his tongue in an annoyed fashion. Then his attention returns to the show, chin propped up on his hand.

"That was quite the spectacle." Aelwyn rumbles, but then he nudges the egalrin on the side. "But has she considered learning how to use a crossbow?"

Speaking of raspberry tart - the draconian's stomach makes a sound. "... hnnh, a raspberry does sound delicious suddenly..."

The Goblin nods in agreement with the wee bird. "That is wisdom... distilled down to its barest principles." She watch the bird lap up the liquid spell. "What would happen if uhm ... I tasted it? Have you tasted it before, Slix?" She eyes the Egalrin, and then Aelwyn. The blue light coming from the Fiadh's eyes causes the Gobbo to blink.

Err... that's normal right? It's success?" Simony looks alarmed at the sneeze, and the crackle of electricity causes her to recoil slightly, though the Gobbo doesn't look away. Grinning broadly, she chuckles. "Your way of learning spells is kind of exciting."

She blink at Aelwyn, "Bravery is simply acknowledging fear, but telling it to sit the fuck down 'cause you have shit to do." And generally you're only doing that when you are doing what you know is right. And I do wonder what liquid crossbow would taste like."

Slix side eyes Aelwyn after the nudge. "A crossbow? I can use one, papaw taught me, but why would I do tha' when I can frickin' blow a hole through 'em? Or help a friend get in juuuust the right position ta cut 'em in twain?" she grins.

Fiadh shakes themselves off, getting their floofiness under control before they sit down on the spot and close their eyes. Just like that, they're asleep. Slix picks them up, gives them a little smooch on the head 'mwah!' and places them into a pocket in their robes. "I would not recommend tastin' the funky mojo juice," she informs sagely. "A concentrated version of whatever spell ya jus' did sounds very deadly. But-" she pats the Gobbo on the hair filled head before letting her and Aelwyn go out of her winged grasp. "-thank ya. It's reall' fun. It'll be doubly mo' fun when I do th' other scrolls. However, Fifi needs they nappy time."

She looks at Aelwyn, a brow raised. "I dunno how ya still hungry after how much of other people's bread ya munch on," she teases.

"Hmmh, this one sees Ribbon's point. Yet, loading a bolt, pulling the string and pressing the lever does not require one to feed birds liquid mojo." Then he leans in a bit closer with a wider grin. "Though this one is also curious about how her mojo tastes like."

Leaning away, he looks at the white gobbo, "May be, Canvas, but does not make them the same." Aelwyn says, then tilts his head as the gobbo goes off the rails. That's typical, so he instead begins to reach for his sack - only to pause again, as if caught. "Tch, bread is bread." He slaps his bared stomach and flashes off his toothy grin. "Besides, body like this does not run on a job well done alone."

The Gobbo awwws at the sleepy bird, and leans over to peek into that pocket. "Adorable. I knew a witch that had a pig for a familiar. Cute when it was a baby, but it grew up big. She could ride it around, though! She was really secretive around her spell learning, however. Never let us see how it was done."

Simony snorts. "So ... does it taste bad though? Now I am curious as to what a lightning bolt tastes like. And I'm not really in a rush to find out. Oh? What other spells do you have awaiting your attention?"

"Your body is not going to survive on bread alone either.", she quips to Aelwyn. "How much bread do you have in there, anyways?"

"And a silly bolt was going to do /how/ much ta those hell vines?" Slix counters before squinting at Aelwyn as he leans in. She calls his bluff, her leaning in towards him until she bonks her forehead against his in a retaliatory and jesting headbutt. "I'll have you know my mojo tastes li' life itself," she tuts, winking.

She pulls back, nodding towards Simony. "Makes sense, from what I can learn, lotta witches are prett' secret 'bout it. It's different for every one, bu' fo' me, I think thi' is a valid school of study, and others should learn 'bout it. It's weird, but weird can be good," she explains, leaning over some so that Simony could see Fiadh curled up in the pocket, several ribbons coiled in the bottom to make a soft nest.

She raises a brow. "Let me put it this way- I tasted a cure spell before. Tha' one tasted like dandelion tea. But my tongue swelled up to th' point I couldn' talk fo' a couple days. So we don't taste 'em. I let Fifi do the tastin'."

She glances to the stomach, a feather animating from her wings to unfurl near the Dragoon as it dances about the bare stomach to get a rise out of him from tickling. Slix pretends nothing is remiss, her turning to Simony with a grin. "Oh. Honey. So much fun stuff. A lil' somethin' ta block blows at a flick of th' wrist, fix blindness and deafness, magic glitter, truth forcing mojo, and a little somethin' secret that will be oh so fun ta use. Lets just say: I ain't ever payin' fo' rent again."

The headbutt makes Aelwyn reel back, and he rubs at his forehead; but there's a good natured laugh in him as he twists his lips. "Tch, thus far it only tastes like temptation, Ribbon." He flickers his tongue back.

"Enough for a stall." That he is supposed to go and restock - then he stiffens and attempts to keep a straight face. Leaning stiffly forward, he plays as if there was no one trying to tickle a giggle out of him.

"Tch, not all problems can be solved with a bolt. But with fire?" The draconian grins widely, swaying lightly in place. "Hmmh, Canvas is correct that this one cannot survive on bread. There was this place with sticks of meat this one passed by..." He glances over his shoulder, the direcction he came from. The bread awaits patiently.

"Hell vines?" Simony's eyes narrow, "Guild mission, I take it? How'd it go?" She blinks at the headbutting, and snorts. "Careful, he's likely to win the headbutting fight."

"It's cute that Fiadh has a little nest in there... made of ribbons. And I think it's also a valid method of learning magics. I mean, I've seen you do magic, so, however it works, it works."

Her expression grows curious. "Hmm, I wonder what part of the ingredients would make one's tongue swell... and I'd still like to know what liquid lightning would taste like. And feel like. Would it be interesting to find out, I think." A blink. "Wait, never pay rent again? You're going to magic yourself up a house, like Telmaon?"

There's a noisy gurgle from the Goblin's midsection then. "Sticks of meat?", she wonders, now looking excited. "Where?"

Slix, amused from the back forth, giggles. "Good! It should." The offending feather rolls back up into her wings, her retaliation successful. She'll probably get hers when she gets back to her night shift at the TarRaCe.

A sigh escapes her. "Well. Yes. Eztli proved tha'. Enough fire seems ta do th' trick. But there's so many tha' do fire. You. Eztli. Shashan. I'll do th' other things."

The witch looks down to Simony, her reaching out to ruffle the gobber's hair. "It went a little dicey, but everyone came out okay. I took th' worst of it. Was a bit back ago tho'. And don' worry. I'll jus' make a thicker skull, but that'll be hard ta do," she teases the man.

"Thanks. I gots ribbons all over in my pockets, theys just plop wherever." A brow ticks up. "Healing magic accelerates healing. Ergo, more flesh. Ergo, my tongue swelled. Fifi says it tastse like raspberry tart."

She grins. "Somethin' like that."

Talk of this meat stand gets her monch down the last of her sandwich. "... you both /just/ ate," she says in disbelief at the two as she gets up. "C'mon. Let's go find thi' meat stick stand. Else I'm gonna be surrounded by grumbling bellies."

"Because fire is effective. so plenty of fire users." Aelwyn says and starts to get up, leaning towards Slixvah midway. "But she can carry the spark." Another flash of his teeth. "Just watch the bar." The sack thrown over his shoulder, glaive reacquired, he was more than ready to conquer the meat stick stand.

The draconian brushes his hand over his horns, flicking some of the ribbons back, encouraged by the headbutt discussion. "This one may have eaten, but this one does not see a reason why more food wouldn't be needed." The draconian points out with a rumble. "Shall we?"

"Oh, okay. Glad that you and everyone else survived. It's sometimes hard to tell if you're going to make it in those missions." Simony looks worried for a moment, but the ruffling of her hair brings the smile back. "I used to think that clerical magic was almost ... boring. But I see that perhaps this is not always a bad thing. Imagine healing someone with a spell, and they suddenly inflated in size?"

The Gobbo's ears perk up, and she hops down from the stool, moving to bounce onto Aelwyn's back. "To the meat stick vendor!", she yells excitedly, gesturing vaguely ahead.