Hart Scouts
Tenebrae - Monday, July 01, 2013, 6:23 PM
-=--=--=--=--=--=<* A07: Local Alexandria Market District *>-=--=--=--=--=--=-
Just west of the Northern Highbridge and east of the arena, commerce blooms. Noisy and bustling, most anything may be purchased here for a price. Vendors from all cultures sell their wares from exotically colored carts, and the smells of different nations and far-off city-states mix with local ones from Alexandria and its riverbanks.
For all its commerce, visitors are advised to keep hold of their purses. Even the merchants possess a certain, cunning look. Most are positioned at carts or stalls as opposed to a formal storefront, with trade here being mobile, and visiting from all parts of the world.
Though the quality of goods suffers here compared to Upper Alexandria, the options are more diverse. Too, the oversight of the Watch is slightly less, and during times events are held at the Arena, chaos abounds. After dark, the square becomes a hangout for bards and other entrepreneurs whose business is best conducted by night; the shadows at the edges of the square often contain furtive figures engaging in their own brand of business.
Jessa has arrived.
Mikilos wanders the crowd of the market at a swift pace, peering around booth, steps up on benches for a better look, searching high and low. Well, mostly low, truth to be told.
Jessa's over at one of the smaller booths, examining a few pots of paints and having a serious discussion with the goblin proprieter. It appears they are discussing various pigmets and supplies. It is one of the booths that tends to be rather higher end in merchandise for the serious artists.
Mikilos ahs and smiles, approaching the booth with a polite nod to the proprieter. The elf might not be much of a painter, but he knows quality product. "Jessa! You've been a difficult lady to find this afternoon."
"Yes, I'm told that," Jessa says in an absent voice as she holds up two different blue shades for comparison. "I like that I'm unpredictable. Were you looking for me in particular?"
Mikilos chuckles, and nods, kneeling down not only to converse better, but to get a better perspective on the products himself. "Yes. I havn't had a chance to thank you properly."
"Ah yes. I did move quickly, didn't I? You really have to for that spell." She sets one of the blues down and then starts to compare the one she's retained to various other shades.
Mikilos hrmms softly, but nods, peering a moment at the paints. "Are you shopping for something in particular?"
"Just some supplies. I go through paint fairly quickly, honestly, especially when inspired." Jessa glances at him and smiles faintly. "Hazards of my profession."
Mikilos grins, and stands up again. "Well, let's see if I can't help use up a couple jars. After all, I did say a -proper- thank you." The mage murmurs a phrase, and throws up his hands. There's a soft 'chuff', and two balls of light shoot up into the air, one red, one green, not unlike fireworks. Rather simple, and slightly pathetic fireworks, honestly. The wizard peers around expectantly. Not a show, a signal.
Jessa isn't impressed but, given his lack of ta-da, perhaps she wasn't supposed to be. Thus, holding on to her two bottles, she exchanges a glance with the goblins then looks around as well.
They come. Children. Some as individuals, many in groups, from two or three to collection of a dozen toddlers, led by an much older, though still young girl. Most are girls, though a few boys can be seen. Nearly all wear uniforms, though the word barely fits, as they're hardly alike. Reds and greens dominate, though other colors are certainly present. Some are bright, others mutted, most tasteful, and a few a fashion disaster only a tween could love. Many smile in greeting with pride, a few shy behind others. A few murmur to each other, but most remain quiet. The vast majority have a bright shiney copper bracelet, prominantly displayed. But whatever the details, they come. Children, dozens of them, perhaps a little over a hundred.
Mikilos watches silently, grinning, and eyeing Jessa's reaction.
Jessa just eyes the gathering children and then Mikilos. "What are they going to do?" she asks suspiciously.
Apparently, they're going to sing. It's simple, and slightly out of tune, but trying to get a hundred kids to sing together is no small task.
'Thank you, Jessa We're happy that you're here. Thank you, Jessa You fill the world with cheer!'
The kids break off into a babble of comments and observations, with several breaking out into a second verse. None of which are alike. A couple raise banners, or flags for diffrent chapters, or groups. 'Hart Scouts. Inspire!' Quite a few push foreward, asking questions and making comments in a jumbled mix, though most keep at least a small respectful distance.
Jessa's mouth drops open and she quickly puts the paint down. By the second little verse, she's covering her mouth with her hands and squealing with delight. "Come my little min--ones! Come here and everyone will get a kiss or hug! You were very good!"
Mikilos grins, glad for the warm reception, and kneels down again as the swarm presses foreward in glee. Though the vast majority keep their focus on Jessa, a rare few, which in a group this size means a small crowd as well, head towards the wizard. The one handing out yet more copper braclets. They read 'WWJD?'
It takes a while with that many children but eventually Jessa gives hugs, kisses, and blessings for all the little performers. She eyes the bracelets and then gives Mikilos a lopsided grin. "Not bad, Mikilos, not bad."
Mikilos chuckles, and holds his arms open for his own Jessa hug. He's already gotten a few from the kids. "I'd hoped to save something like this for your birthday, but this timeing seemed more approprate."
"I'd suppose it would." Jessa does give him a hug, laughing. "That must have taken some coordination. I'm rather impressed, I'll admit."
Mikilos grins. "Thank you. Starting the Hart Scouts wasn't difficult, you had plenty of fans, I just planeted the idea. And the bracelets are easy to make. Then was just a matter of tracking down a few wearing them and spreading the word. But mostly I'm glad you enjoyed it. But now for the real question;" he speaks up a little to be sure the kids can hear "Would you prefer a ride around the market on a lion, or a golden rhino?"
"The Hart Scouts?" Part of Jessa says this is wrong and a bad idea. That part of shouted down by her Ego which thinks that inspiration is a wonderful thing and more more more. "Are you seri--" And then there's the offer and she waves her hands excitedly. "LION! LION!"
Mikilos laughs, not the slightest bit susprised, and begins a Summon. In no time at all, though far too long a wait, there is a massive lion, with bright blue eyes, a mane of solid sunlight, and a back large enough to carry not only a very special cleric, but a couple of lucky kids, if she cares to share.
Jessa does of course though she makes Mikilos pick. She has the seat of honor, of course, and is extremely pleased. "All right, all right. Only so many, we don't want to abuse Mr. Celestial Lion before he takes us on a ride!"
Mikilos laughs, and ponders a few moments before selecting a few choice children. Being a Hart Scout Chapter Leader now has tangible benefits. The wizard is quick to conjur up some additional illusions and a few lesser summons to amuse those who don't get a ride.
It is a highly entertaining--or aggrivating--length of a summon spell for those lucky enough to get a chance to ride around on the lion. Jessa is excited and energetic and she is good at pulling it out of others. When the summons finally ends, she cheers loudly, pulling the 'awwwww' to a more 'yaaaay' tone from the various children. Then she shoos them off to find their parents, flush with triumph as she watches them go.
Mikilos phews and takes a seat, a little tired from the entertaining. A few minor illusions linger, as do a few of the older kids, shifting focus to explore the market, as kids typically do. "Is a little sad they can't stay longer. Likely some way to allow it, I'll have to look into that. But glad you had fun."
"You can't have Hart Scouts," Jessa says, leaning against a nearby table. "That's too much. No. Too troublesome. Perhaps the Explorer Scouts or Inspiration Guild or something."
Mikilos chuckles. "I think that cat's already out of the bag. Not sure can be put back in. But I'll see what can be done. Kids chose the name themselves, you know."
"That's all well and good but it is tricky. I'm a priestess to a Goddess who is very big on image, blessed be the lovely Dancer." Jessa's serious.
Mikilos hrmms, and nods. "'If you wish to be as the greats, do not walk where they walked. Go where they were headed.' I can likely get that idea across. Though will always be a few diehard fans. Oh, before I forget." The elf fishes in his pockets a moment, then offers a scroll, wrapped in grey ribbon. "A replacement, from Kerbasy." It might be understood if the elf's hand trembles a little with the memory.
Jessa reaches out and takes it, inspecting the scroll for a moment before looking up at his face. "If I were you, my friend, I would get one of those fancy belts that make you tougher and some bracers that can armor you. Or one of those necklaces." She gently pats his hand.
Mikilos nods in general agreement. "Actually, I'm trying to track down materials for an illusionary cloak. Won't matter how good their aim is if they're not aiming for where I really am."
"No. No, no, no, no. That does not address the underlying problem. You need to be /tougher/ and /better able to withstand hits/. You're putting money into something to deal with a /specific/ problem when what you need to do is address an underlying issue."
Mikilos nods, and sighs. "One issue at a time. I've plans for some protective clothing that won't slow me down like regular armor. But the enchantments required are... complex."
"I understand. But it might be worth tracking them down. I can't imagine that would be something pleasant to experience again." Jessa watches him solemnly.
Mikilos flinches, but only a little, and nods. "Not at all something to look foreward to." the elf blinks, sitting up. "Oh, nearly forgot. 'Grandma says hello.' I'm not sure who's grandma, or to whom the message is intended, but the message itself I remember."
"That's rather vague. You may need to pass that on to your own family." Jessa's eyebrows raise up very high.
Mikilos nods distractedly. "Both my grandmothers are alive. I think was for someone else at the docks, but not sure. But I do plan to have a long visit with Mother... I'm pretty sure Father as there, waiting until her time comes and he can be with her again."
"Well. That's both sad and sweet." Jessa frowns. "Still. A belt. And some magical armor."
Mikilos smiles. "I've got magical armor. I'd used it, if you recall. Was about to layer more when saw the ship was going to ram the docks. Figured staying out of the water was the wise choice. Obviously, not my best choice."
"I mean the medallions and other things." Jessa waves her hands about vaguely.
Mikilos nods. "I'll certainly be giving them some serious consideration. But for the moment, think I'll try to avoid too much excitement. Take some time to look over the options and pick the one which suits me best."
"Good. Because I frankly would prefer to not have to deal with that again," Jessa says, still serious.
Mikilos nods in serious agreement. "I've utterly no intention of going thru that again. Not for a few centuries, at least." The elf sits up, peering to where a small cluster of kids have started shouting. "I'd best go see what that's all about. I'll be off to Silvermoon for a day or two, but will be back soon. Look foreward to chatting with you again."
"You have a few centuries. Your enemies might not. Either way, travel safely and I hope you survive that meddling aunt fairly well." Jessa grins at him, patting his hand. "It was a very good thank you."
Mikilos smiles, and heads off.