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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 14, 2017 3:31:09 GMT -5
Nicholai listened with brows bent slightly, but that was a sign that he was actually bothering to listen. A moment or two passed after Zephyr finished before he spoke again, asking simply, and bluntly "Were you met with hostility there too?" He couldn't help asking, but didn't actually expect an answer. It was mainly because of curiosity, novice witches not usually being targeted unless it had something to do with a family member. And personal masters were always intriguing.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 14, 2017 3:53:42 GMT -5
He tensed and glanced down. 'We left when I was seven.' He mumbled. All he had to say, really- clearly, his family had been chased out. 'Came here. Parents passed away.' He moved away to make himself a coffee since the place wasn't too busy now, and sipped at it as he examined Nicholai, feeling slightly drawn towards him, though he wasn't sure why.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 14, 2017 4:06:31 GMT -5
Nicholai looked back at Zephyr, only looking away for a moment to make sure Alder hadn't destroyed anything yet. Upon looking back Zephyr again, only saying in response "Sorry about your parents." It was to be polite and nothing more though, having picked up, just by how he spoke, that at least one parent was killed by a Witcher, and for a bad reason. "Was I right in helping you?" Even though he didn't necessarily look it, Nicholai was a people person, and was usually right in deciding on who was good, and who was bad. Zephyr seemed... innocent, more or less, of any crime. And hopefully Nicholai didn't make a mistake in helping him.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 14, 2017 10:05:40 GMT -5
Zephyr examined him, then glanced at his sister, who was watching with a wary eye- but she trusted her brothers usually good judgement.
Zephyr sighed, then took a napkin and scrawled his number and address onto the paper. 'Come by tonight. I'll show you what me and my sister do.' He softly said. 'I don't like you witchers only envisioning Witches as chopping up bats and dancing around cauldrons.'
He smiled slightly, clearly nervous but putting great trust in Nicholai.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 14, 2017 11:17:13 GMT -5
Nicholai snorted with laughter at Zephyr comment on stereotyping. "I don't look it, but I am smarter than that. Witchers are not as primitive as some might think." Taking the napkin, he studied it for a moment before glancing at his companion, who signed something to him with his free hand. In response to the offer, Nicholai decided "I will take you up on the offer, but hopefully you won't mind if I bring Alder. He gets clingy when I go to meet with strangers." That, and he trusted Zephyr and his sister as far as he could throw them, so he wanted to bring an extra, capable, body with him. Still, he managed a smile of his own before turning to once again leave, Alder following after him. However, he paused after a few steps. Glancing back, he spoke "I never caught your name, which is?"
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 14, 2017 12:02:46 GMT -5
((Are you anywhere near Irma? You doing okay?))
'Zephyr.' The witch softly replied, lips pulling into an almost sweet smile. 'Zephyr Bledig. I guess I'll soon see if it's a pleasure to meet you...' he ran a hand through his hair, laughing softly.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 14, 2017 13:14:42 GMT -5
(No I'm not, thank goodness. I'm in Texas right now, so not too close to Irma. I was close to Harvey though :'3)
"Zephyr," Nicholai echoed, already storing it in long-term memory for whatever reason. "I am Nicholai Fedorov. And, if you don't give me reason to kill you, it will be a pleasure indeed to have met me." He painted his dry smile for a moment before he turned to leave, companion in tow. Probably every other Witcher would've used the invitation to go and kill the two witches. However, Nicholai would at least hear them out, like he had with a few before.
(Skip to later?)
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 14, 2017 15:30:30 GMT -5
((Sure :3))
Zephyr breathed trembling breaths as he paced inside of his flat, shaking and nervous about whether Nicholai would show. His sister had gone to work- she did night shifts whilst he did day- so he was alone, and very vulnerable. He hoped his house wards would be enough to stop any harm coming to him.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 14, 2017 16:35:30 GMT -5
Nicholai had kept his word and found himself arriving at the given address, Alder standing beside him. They didn't come dawned completely in weaponry, but Nicholai did bear his favored pistols, and his companion had a few tricks up his sleeve. Alder chattered softly, hands moving again to sign. He could be dangerous. Kill him? Nicholai shook his head, giving no verbal response. Once at the door, he raised the back of his hand to knock his knuckles a few times on the wood, alerting Zephyr that he was there.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 14, 2017 18:08:30 GMT -5
He jolted and gasped softly, then slowed his breathing, trying to soothe the panicking creatures he lived with. 'It's okay. I'll look after you, don't be scared.' He soothed, making his way to the door and opening it, a fearie alighting warily on his shoulder, cradling their left arm in a very tiny homemade sling.
'Nicholai.' Zephyr softly greeted him, stepping back. 'Welcome... uhm... I hope you don't have hayfever.'
The inside of the pretty loft held a very rustic, age-old type look- wooden tables and warm brown walls, with hanging slats of wood from the roof filled with plants of all kinds. The windowsills were lined with cacti and sun-loving herbs, and almost every inch of the place was either filled with the plantlife, or tiny little /houses/.
In one corner of the room lay a hellhound, curled up on a bed, his right paw bandaged and a sad look in his amber eyes. In another corner sat what looked to be a fae- the male eyeing Nicholai through slanted eyes like a cats, pointed ears twitching slightly. He was very beautiful, and perhaps would be 6'6" if standing at his full height. The fairfolk were messy business- one did not simply live with a fae. However, he appeared ill, and was cradling a cup of what seemed to be tea with honey. Sipping slowly, the male leaned against the wall and chose to ignore the newcomer. Small fairies and tiny dragons zipped around the living space, many of them patched up in one way or another, and on a large table was a place for the currently flightless-yet-recovering.
Zephyr smiled at Nicholai. 'I'm a healer.' He softly said, gesturing. 'I mean... I can hurt like any witch, but... the supernatural doesn't always catch a break from the nastier of your kind. The little dragons here have all been rescued from hoarders, breeders and the exotic animal trade- the fairies the same. I found the hellhound in an alley by his slain mother... I raised her from a pup. I won't be releasing him like I did her. He's too young anyways.' He explained, rambling a little but needing to explain.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 14, 2017 18:44:33 GMT -5
Nicholai listened silently, eyes shifting to take everything in. Ugh, he hated fairfolk, having zeroed in on the taller creature the moment he walked in. Grunting, he said "What a... surprising setup you have here." It was a little surprising, seeing so many creatures penned up in one area. His brows furrowed at the mention of "his kind", and he held up a hand when Alder chattered angrily at Zephyr. "If hunters, even the "nasty" ones, did not exist, life would be much more cruel for human beings, or any caught on the receiving end of whatever fiend." Looking around again, he noticed most of the creatures avoided him, not that he cared much. "A shame that not many think like you do though, hm? I haven't come across many witches willing to tend to anyone besides themselves or their coven." One that tended numerous different beings was actually quite interesting.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 14, 2017 19:21:10 GMT -5
He rolled his shoulders. 'Ya'll call yourselves witch hunters. Not the best name.' He walked away, scooping up a small dragon and placing him safely up a height. 'Should be Warlock hunters. Or supernatural police or something. It's just... bad name, bad rep.' He took a seat on the leather sofa, patting the space next to him. 'You may name the Fae over there Callis. Callis, you may name this human Nicholas.'
The fairfolk eyed him. It was best to not use your real name when dealing with fairfolk. They could know it- but you had to give them permission to use it. Giving them a nickname was better, because then they can't ask you for favours you can't give.
'You'll find a lot of covens in this area take care of the smaller beings... it's the nastier cults and the southern covens who aren't.... aren't very... justified.'
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 14, 2017 20:00:44 GMT -5
Nicholai snorted at Callis, sparing him no more than a second of attention before going to sit with Zephyr on the sofa. "You see it as a bad rep because you can't comprehend the job." Usually, the only hunters and Witchers you'd see were humans. But, he'd come across a werewolf and a fallen angel who'd become predators to the supernatural world, just like him. Listening as Zephyr continued, his gaze was trained on him patiently. At one point, he didn't care one bit about details, believing all witches were malevolent creatures. "When I went to Lyria," he said after the other had finished "I was just like any other Witcher. Until I came across an individual who brought light to folk like you." As he recalled the memories, his expression was impassive.
"He was a witch of course," Nicholai continued "Yet, I was prepared to overlook it when I found out. However, another hunter, an old fart with a Hellhound for a b*tch, shot him just because of what he was before we properly repaired our relationship. Shot for what he was, not who he was. That was what drove me to be... selective with my kills, with note to make sure that I knew I was killing something that deserved death."
A look of slight amusement became present on his features. "And that is why I am different than most every other Witcher, to answer your question from yesterday, hm?"
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 15, 2017 5:10:43 GMT -5
'My dad deserved everything he got.' He mumbled, half-forgetting nicholai was beside him. He rubbed his eyes. 'Do you want some tea? I can make you some chamomile with honey and moonwater. Good for the soul and the mind.' His lips twitched with amusement as he looked at Nicholai, clearly finding it hilarious whom he was offering his magic to. 'If not I've got normal tea with normal tap water.' He then said, grinning.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 15, 2017 6:24:20 GMT -5
Nicholai raised a brow at the offer. He thought for a moment, wondering if he should accept at all. Of course, his animal companion was shaking his head No, but the Witcher ignored him. "The chamomile is fine. I've digested much worse than tea." A small part of his brain wanted to agree with Alder and deny both offers altogether. Yet, that would get him nowhere. So, there he was, trusting a witch not to poison him or something. Plus he, for whatever reason, wanted to further the small trust going on. Why, he wasn't sure. Maybe it was subconscious.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 15, 2017 10:03:25 GMT -5
Zephyr blinked, then smiled with warmth, clearly pleased at the acceptance. 'Won't be long.' He said, heading to the kitchen. A few minutes later he returned with two cups, handing one to the witcher before sitting and sipping his own, closing his eyes as the warmth spread through him. 'My sister is out working tonight. She watches witchers who purposely kill the good in our neighbourhood. We have two witchers who live near us... you might get along with one of them. She's the one who breaks down the trading operations and brings me the creatures you see here. Doesn't talk much, but gets the job done. We had a were attack few weeks ago, but she handled it.'
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 15, 2017 13:30:18 GMT -5
Nicholai took the tea with a small thanks, then listened as Zephyr gave insight to nearby Witchers. He wasn't surprised, suspecting someone more adept was collecting all these creatures for him. "At Lyria, Witchers were always paired in two-man cells for missions, and my cell specified in rescues. Instead of dragons and fae though, it was children and sometimes "regular" animals, cause that's what got stolen mostly." A moment of silence passed at the mention of a were attack, and he questioned "And what will happen if other witches find their way here? With intent to get in? The protection here smells a little... weak, and you are no adept at magic apparently." He was mostly referring to the witches that pursued Zephyr yesterday. What if more found their way to his living space, with true intent to get in?
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 15, 2017 18:30:11 GMT -5
Zephyr listened intently as Nicholai spoke, curious about his way of life, and training. Then at his question, he quietly looked away. 'I'll have to fight them. I have these beings to take care of after all. Or I'll have to ask the witcher for help.' He ran a hand through his hair, clearly uncomfortable. 'I have no training and no one to train me... there's no way I'll ever be able to defend myself.'
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 15, 2017 18:59:03 GMT -5
Nicholai looked at Zephyr with the slightest bit of pity. "You are not the first witch I have spared," he spoke slowly "Perhaps I can dig up an old friend and see about getting you at least a bit of training." A healer was indeed an honorable pursuit, but knowing how to defend yourself was more important.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 15, 2017 19:15:43 GMT -5
Zephyr hesitantly examined him. 'You would do that?' He nervously asked, sipping at his tea to calm himself down. He drank about half of the tea, before refilling the cup and setting it to the side, averting his gaze from it. The fae took the cup and moved away, sipping at it and silently eyeing them.
'I'm not even sure where my talents lie. My parents never told me what they were.'
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 15, 2017 19:31:35 GMT -5
"Everyone deserves to at least know how to defend themselves." He glanced as the fae took Zephyr's cup, but did nothing in response. "Everyone finds out what they can do eventually," Nicholai said simply "Plus, who I have in mind will probably know what she is doing, even with someone of your situation. Just don't question anything she says or does. At all. She hates that." And this was even if the other individual agreed to even mentor someone.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 15, 2017 19:35:31 GMT -5
Zephyr looked at him. 'A mentor whom doesn't bear an open mind to opinions and change is not someone I wish to learn from.' He firmly responded, looking irritated. 'Not questioning a teaching figure is like accepting yourself the way others wrongly perceive you, and never attempting to show yourself to them.' He turned his head away from Nicholai in an almost huffy manner, pouting slightly.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 15, 2017 19:40:06 GMT -5
Nicholai rolled his eyes. "I never said for what reason. I meant in terms of her as an individual. Someone who can't listen can't teach or be taught, and I would not have referred her if she couldn't properly mentor someone." Perhaps he should've been more clearer. The Witcher would've hated that situation thrown on him by someone else. And an improper mentor for someone like Zephyr would be screwing the witch even further. "The best techniques are learned from survivors, and she's been around for a while."
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 16, 2017 7:47:11 GMT -5
Zephyr warily eyed him, clearly taking a while to think it over. 'Can you give me a day to think it over? I'll have to talk to my sister about it.'
He didn't want to make an immediate decision, just in case, and he valued his sisters opinion in these situations.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 16, 2017 8:07:37 GMT -5
Nicholai shrugged, saying "Of course. It would be your mentor, not mine." He pulled a face at the idea of accepting a witch's teachings, even a good one. "I assume you'd like to refrain from meeting her until you've decided on whether to accept or not?" For all Zephyr knew, he could be lying (he wasn't though.)
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 16, 2017 8:41:09 GMT -5
Zephyr hesitated, chewing his lip. 'Meeting her might help me make my decision.' He finally said, looking at him.
The fae set down the empty teacup, before drifting away, disappearing into the kitchen. He brought back some very tasty looking sugar cookies, offering them to Zephyr.
'No Thankyou.' Zephyr replied, looking at him and smiling. 'I have nothing of equal or greater value to repay you with.'
Mischief glimmering in the fae's eyes, he turned and set the cookies aside, before returning to his corner by the window and sitting down.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 16, 2017 8:57:19 GMT -5
Nicholai raised a brow as he watched Zephyr and the fae, but said nothing. Whistling, he caught Alder's attention, his friend having sat with some smaller dragons. The chimp came over, and Nicholai stood up, saying "I'll go see about setting up a meeting. Would you prefer to see her here, or outside of this area?" It wouldn't matter to the other party, as the meeting was going to tailor to Zephyr.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 16, 2017 9:41:41 GMT -5
'Here. I'll feel safer in my own space.' He warily replied, before examining Nicholai with a small smile. 'Uhm... Thankyou?' He hesitantly said, still clearly unsure of the male but starting to display some trust in him.
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Post by Smokey Feather on Sept 16, 2017 9:54:20 GMT -5
Nicholai didn't respond to the thanks, only turning to leave, Alder following after him. "I'll be back tomorrow afternoon." The two showed themselves out, leaving to who knew where to do who knew what. Yet, he was keeping his word, and by tomorrow afternoon he would have someone accompanying him back to Zephyr's home.
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Post by Bloodrose on Sept 16, 2017 9:59:27 GMT -5
Zephyr's night hadn't gone as meticulously as planned. At the moment, he was too busy trying to make sure his sister didn't bleed to death to even remember that Nicholai was bringing someone for Zephyr to meet.
He muttered under his breath as he removed another bullet- the third one, she'd had one in her thigh, one in her stomach, and the last in her shoulder he'd just removed- and dropped it onto a plate, before starting to clean the wound and spray it with antisceptic.
His sister was laying in silence- under the influence of painkillers, and exhausted from her fight with the witch who had followed her. She was more of a combatant than her brother- if it had been Zephyr in her place, he'd be dead.
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