Smol Toast to Study Buddies

Early evening, Fernwood Pub

The Fernwood never fails to exude an aura of comfort, and familiarity, especially on poor weather days. The slight chill in the air outside is countered by the heat from the kitchens inside. A number of patrons at the bar enjoy hot beverages, mostly hot apple cider, but also a few hot cocoas, and the ubiquitous ale.

A poker game is being played at a round table by the far wall, a noisy affair with several players vying for a surprisingly generous looking pot. Hangers on alternately cheer or groan as their players fortunes rise and fall. Whiskey is the drink of choice there, and while the players sip sparingly, their hangers on drink more freely. A few burly men, and one Oruch woman, eye the table warily, obviously expecting trouble at any moment.

At a table made for smaller people, almost directly opposite from the noisy card game, sits Simony. Her invitation offered a dinner of Magpie's choice at the Fernwood, as well as a dessert from Magpie's favourite pastry shop (that the Gnome had highly recommended previously). Of course, drinks were also on offer. And so the Goblin sits, writing in her little notebook, patiently whiling away the time.

There are few better ways to get Magpie's attention, than with a dinner invite. Thus, Simony isn't waiting long before Magpie toodles into the Fernwood, appetite at the ready and a grin on her face. Orienting herself on the smol table, she waves a hand over her head, and proceeds directly to Simony.

"How's it been?" she says, dropping into her seat. "Been a bit, what's the occasion?"

The Gobbo's grin is immediate, bright and toothy, the return wave pronounced, extra energy spent so that it may be spotted among the tall people. The chair's pushed out with a foot, awaiting the Gnome's arrival at the table.

"Things have been mostly going alright. Still on the right side of the grass, as they say."

Her shoulders move slightly in a lazy shrug. "The occasion is that we've not spent time together recently, and I thought it'd be nice to catch up. Also, to see if there's been any more demon or werewolf activity that you're aware of, after the nifty item you created was used, and the plans of the bad guys were dashed."

Simony reaches up to pull her hood back, revealing a clean shaven head, and her sleeves pulled up, revealing bandaged hands. "My hair got burned off some time ago, due to a fireball tossed at my feet. I keep it shaved bald because my hair keeps growing back a little funny. And my hands and arms? Aryia's been offering training, and her martial art I am sure is named a word that means 'gently folding clothing while people are still wearing it' or maybe 'involuntary yoga'." The Goblin winks then, and giggles brightly.

"Hey, if you make it look good, may as well keep it, right?" Magpie says with a grin, reaching up to flick one of the chains on her headpiece. "I'm gonna have to look for a jeweler to send you to. Because *nothing* sets off a clean head like crow-bait!"

With that, she leans back in her chair and lets out a quiet breath. "Actually I haven't heard anything about the fruits of my labor... Which makes sense, don't really want a word breathed about it until it's *done,* but... Anyway since then I've put out my shingle on the enchantment market, cos I can't be going 'round with my hat in my hand *all* the time. But I figure it's a good way to put me in a spot where I can come up with *other* wild-ass solutions for wild-ass problems!"

Her head tilts, eyes flicking down to Simony's arms. "...Not sure I know her... But it sounds like she's teaching you punchy stuff, and that's great! May evil forever fear for tis kneecaps!"

Simony laughs then, nodding slowly. "I know what you mean, and ... that is a fantastic piece you have there. I'll happily take advice on distracting people away from my blindingly shiny bald head."

The Gobbo nods again, "Oh, I understand. I just felt that it was a bit too quiet, a little uncomfortably so. If there's nothing new on that front, which is a relief mind you, how about you personally?" Simony giggles. "Hey, wild-ass problems do require wild-ass solutions, as much as it may strike fear in the hearts of the meek and mostly sane."

Nodding, she grins again. "Aryia is a Mul'neissa, and a monk by profession. Indeed, she is helping me retrain. As for kneecaps... I do have Spider-masher, my warhammer. It's a great knee tenderizer."

"You'd be surprised, there's actually a *bunch* of options," Magpie says. "I've seen people do paint or tattoos -- personally I'd go with paint, but that's a me thing -- jewelry, hats... And even *hats* have their own sub-categories! Like, you could learn how they do it in Veyshan, and get super-elaborate embroidered silk bands to wrap around your head! Which, let's be honest, is the *perfect* platform to dangle all the shiniest charms and pendants and whatnot; maybe even use it for aeon-stone storage!"

Grinning, the gnome spreads her hands, shrugging. "Mostly doing that enchanting work, honestly. Might think about reining in my creativity a bit, and start turning out supplies for the Temples on request. Simple stuff that every front-line fighter needs, y'know? But that's pretty neat, about Aryia! Glad you found someone to help you be a little bit safer, like."

The Goblin's ears actually move upwards. "Paint, you say? Is that safe on skin? Are there paints that are safe to use on skin? I think the oil paints I have might be a little bit toxic if you let it sink into your skin."

Simony ponders Magpie's wisdom. "It kind of becomes a temptation though, doesn't it? All that shiny on display. I know there's a thieve's guild working in the city, but I have no clue what to expect. They could likely rob me of my jewelry before I'd even know something is going on. Paint, though, is sort of my specialty. Tattoos, those I am getting into."

Her head cants slightly to one side. "Enchanting? Oh very nice, how is it going? And you might make good coin at the Adventurer's Guild too, they're always looking for such things, are they not?"

"I mean, probably?" Magpie says, shrugging. "You see people in war-paint all the time, so they've *got* to have something that won't cause as many problems. ... Honestly you'd probably do best asking around backstage at the Theater District, and maybe buy a wooden head to get practice on. It's not *that* far from makeup, really."

At 'all the shiny on display,' Magpie chuckles. "I mean it depends; the shiny on the costume could mean a lot of things, just based on the person wearing it. *I* don't get any trouble, because I stick to copper. And 'copper' means 'cheap' more often than not. But the fancier you go, yeah, that could be an issue... *if* you don't look like trying to roll you is a recipe for pain. *Or* you could be a known face around the poor town, and you'd have protectors just on the strength of you givin' more of a crap for them than most do. You're a priestess, right? That'd be easy."

Simony nods enthusiastically, "I had not made the connection from paint to makeup. Thanks very much, Magpie, you are fully of very good ideas too, to go with the wild, frightening ones." Giggling, the Gobbo reaches out to pat the Gnome's hand. "So, what would you like for dinner? I'd like to get our order in, we can talk while they ready it. I'm feeling like some hot apple cider, for the warm feeling inside for the walk home later."

She settles back in her chair then to consider the topic of jewelry. "AH, but copper can be very shiny and beautiful, and it would be no more work to deal with than silver, which tarnishes like copper, just a different colour. Erm... what's an aeon stone?" Stroking her chin, she nods. "I could do something passive aggressive, I think. Leave my warhammer covered in what looks like gore. Might give some pause to all but the hardest of muggers, eh?"

"...Y'know, those little magic crystals you can buy that spin around your head, and protect you? There's like a *bunch* of different kinds, and even when they're used up they make a great hands-free lanters with a Continual Light spell slapped on. Aeon stones! ...Or are they called something different, here? Anyway. Like, you can only have one active at a time usually, but if you've got an easy place to store them it's easy to switch out."

At the suggestion, Magpie chuckles. "I mean, yeah, but that'd cause other problems. But going back to dinner, cider sounds *great.* How 'bout some lamb to go with?"

"I uhmmmm have never heard of them before. But they sound interesting. Are they... expensive? Can these be created or are they just... found naturally in the world? And they just float around your head? I like the idea of these little crystals."

The Goblin's stomach gurgles and she nods in agreement. "Two questions.", she says while waving at one of the servers to catch their attention. "Hot or cold cider? And lamb with all the fixings?"

"Hot, definitely," Magpie says. "And dress that lamb up like it's goin' to a party! But yeah... You don't see it very often in the markets, because I mean... they *do* kind of glow colors and orbit your head, but like... They're *super* handy, y'know? I'll get you a list and some quotes, cos I *know* I can make some."

The server arrives, and is saddled with an order consisting of two hot apple ciders, and two full lamb dinners. Dressed up like they're going to a party /and/ it's the end of the world as we know it. The woman chuckles, and nods. "It will be a few moments for the food, but I'll be back momentarily with your cider." Smiling brightly, the server turns and heads off to the kitchen.

"So you can make some? I... I am very curious now. If I can afford one, I would like to commission you. When you're able, not asking to butt in line."

"Funnily enough I'm free right now," Magpie says. "And I mean, yeah, I can make most of them. Not the really expensive, high-test one, but I can get you one that can heal you back from the brink of death in, like, little over an hour. It's not great for combat, but it makes recovery a breeze as long as you've got some light reading. Or, how'd you like to not have to breathe? I wouldn't recommend getting that *stolen* from you in the middle of poison gas, but you get the idea."

The Goblin lets out a little sigh. "A rain check, then? It sounds like it would be quite expensive, but I am not flush with coin. I've donated to worthy causes of late. A magical item would be nice, make my life easier in those confused, terrifying combats... but I think I am doing better things by helping good causes."

The server arrives with their ciders, leaving them before the two smol women. The Goblin lifts hers, "To the Study Buddies!"

"I mean hell, it doesn't even *have* to be from me!" Magpie says. "Just about any competent enchanter could make any of them. All I care about is, you know what your options are!"

Once the mug is placed in front of her, Magpie lifts it and gives it a good bonk against Simony's mug. "To the Study Buddies!"

Simony clunks Magpie's mug in return, and then guzzles down about half of her drink. "I wish to commission you simply because I trust you, and we've done good work together. You're very worthy of my coin, so if it is something you can make, I would have you make it. I am loyal to my friends."

The dinners arrive a short time later, and they are almost too much food, given the look from the Goblin. "We are getting a very good deal here...", she says, wielding her knife and fork as if preparing to do battle.