*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jul 7, 2020 18:26:23 GMT -5
Danir
Danir chuckled. "Then I guess the spell's working," he said. Feeling better than he had in days, with no more pain in his shoulder or sides, he walked back over to Edlyn. He stooped and gathered his bag from where it rested on the ground."
"Remember, we'll be staying here if you need us," Baltore told them. "We'll be keeping an eye on things as best as we can. Finish your work, and return. No exceptions."
Danir nodded. "I know. I promise, I'll be back. You can trust me," the youngest replied, casting his brothers a grin. Honestly, he should have taken more care not to be as excited as he was, but he couldn't help it. He had just gotten himself more time to spend with Edlyn, as well as a chance to observe a human celebration. It was too much to ask him to hide the smile on his face. "Shall we go?" he asked the woman, offering her his arm and acting more like his normal self.
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Post by Amber on Jul 7, 2020 18:47:09 GMT -5
With a wordless nod, Edlyn grabbed the man's arm. She wouldn't be able to see in the woods, and needed the help getting around. The idea of Danir's brothers lurking around and watching them made her uncomfortable. However it was worth it to spend some more time with the elf. She could learn more about his culture and he could learn about hers. It had the added benefit of getting out of the house too.
(That was short, but I think it served its purpose. Should we go through with the timeskip?)
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jul 7, 2020 20:29:01 GMT -5
Danir
(Yeah, I think now is a good time. ^^ Should we pick up right before they head to the celebration?)
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Post by Amber on Jul 7, 2020 20:35:16 GMT -5
(I think maybe giving them a little conversation before the celebration would be fun. Do you want to start or should I?)
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jul 7, 2020 20:36:33 GMT -5
Danir
(Doesn't matter to me. If you want me to start, I'll get a reply up in the morning. I'm heading to bed right now.)
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Post by Amber on Jul 7, 2020 20:40:06 GMT -5
(Okay. I might get something up tonight, if not we'll hold off until tomorrow.)
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jul 8, 2020 8:36:51 GMT -5
Danir
The days that followed were better then the previous days. For starters, Danir was finally able to do more around both the house and the smithy. He still took over the chores of the house and the cooking, but now that he was healed, he was now able to use both arms like a normal person, which meant it was safer to learn how to work along side the blacksmith as she went about her daily tasks. Another thing he could do again was use magic. He didn't do anything too crazy for the fear of being caught by visitors, but he was able to show Edlyn a couple of interesting spells and tricks he had learned to do.
Along with the chores and the learning of how to be a blacksmith, the town had worked together in creating a story for his presence in her home. It was simple in nature, and one not entirely untrue. After hearing praise of her work, he had traveled from his home in hopes that Edlyn would craft him a weapon, as well as visit the town to take part of the festivities of the town's celebration. Upon agreeing to the job, Edlyn offered him a room in her home to stay until the work was finished. It wasn't a solid story, especially if anyone started asking questions about him and where he came from, but for now, it would do.
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Post by Amber on Jul 8, 2020 17:26:15 GMT -5
Three days had passed since Danir's brothers had broken in and decided to stick around. She hadn't noticed them around, but remained alert. They didn't bother either of them since that night. Edlyn was perfectly fine with that. Over the days since the "visit", Danir had been doing better. In fact, it appeared he was fully healed due to the spells Baltore had used on him. That, coupled with his new disguise, gave him more freedom to help out around both the house and the smithy. He helped her tend to her horses and make her orders. He listened and learned well. In between chores and work, the pair shared work meals and Danir got a chance to show off some of the spells he knew.
It was still early by the time Edlyn and Danir began their walk to town. The morning was in full swing, but it was well before eleven. The blacksmith knew there would be questions and gossip about the mysterious stranger who attended their celebration. If she was lucky, there would be plenty of other things- and maybe people -to distract them. As the pair took the half hour trip into town, they ideally chatted.
"Celebration of Aisling is, well, a celebration of the coming fall. Although it doesn't feel like it, or look like it, most of us hold festivals or parties to celebrate it. Some last only a day or two while others go on for weeks. It just depends on where you go. This holiday means a lot to devout followers of Aisling," Edlyn explained. "I don't worship her, but I still come to these events and celebrate with the town."
The blacksmith paused and let Danir make comments or ask questions. Afterwards, she spoke up again. "What about elves? Do your people have anything like this?"
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jul 8, 2020 19:39:10 GMT -5
Danir
The walk to the town was the perfect time to ask some last minute questions about the festival they were attending. He had learned a lot about the town and the culture during his extended stay, but there was still a lot that could be important to know. So he made mental notes of any names, dates, and people he thought might be brought up.
"We don't really have deities we worship," he told her, adjusting his shirt a bit. He had swapped his clothes for something more human. There wasn't much difference other than the material was more course and scratchy to him, as well as much more plain. While his own garments were simple, they still had small embellishments that spoke of the Elven style. The clothes Edlyn had managed to lend him were free of any small details or embroidery of any kind. It was traveling or work clothes, that's for sure. Not something he would dress in for a celebration, but as a new comer and a traveler, he wouldn't have been expected to have brought anything fancier. Besides, it's not like Edlyn had dressed up much for the occasion either. Not in any way that would have made him feel under dressed, that is.
"While we do have celebrations of this nature, most people that are the source of said celebrations were real people. Most were elves who have done something to shape our culture, or who have been said to influence or harness the true powers of the seasons. There are some that have questionable origins that have not been proven if the events of said lore is true or not, but we don't look into it much. We're suckers for a good party."
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Post by Amber on Jul 8, 2020 21:15:13 GMT -5
The elf hung onto her every word, keeping all the important information in mind. As he answered her own question, Edlyn noticed him tug aganist the clothing she lent him. None of it fit well on her. After she had moved in a few years ago, some clothing remained from the previous owner. As she explained to Danir, she just never threw them out. While it didn't fit him well either, he at least looked more like a human. The clothing wasn't too nice. Only those who worshipped Aisling wore things that would be considered really nice. Edlyn herself had on what she always did. A thin-sleeved shirt under a button up, a simple pair of pants, and leather boots. There wasn't much verity in her clothing.
With a thoughtful smile, the blacksmith hummed as Danir finished his explanation. "We do have a few celebrations like that too, though few of those are celebrated by everyone. Anyway, an elf party sounds interesting. Have you gone to many?" As they finished their topic of discussion, they had finally arrived in town. Scents of food, both freshly baked treats and savory snacks, hung around the town while the sounds of music, laughter, and joy filled the air. Edlyn smiled and drew in a deep breath. She didn't go into town all that often, especially recently, but she loved it. As she and Danir entered, Edlyn noticed two women setting up the final banners. Selby and Corliss were having a little trouble between the two of them. Neither were all that tall and the ladders only provided so much height. Edlyn gave a small nod to Danir before splitting off to help them.
"Morning, you two. Need any help?"
"Ah Edlyn! Good to see you," Corliss merrily greeted. "I think we're good. We're almost done anyway."
"Yup," Selby agreed. After another few minutes, the women finished their work and came down from the ladders. Corliss began to take down the ladder she used. As she did, the plump, redheaded woman noticed Danir. She titled her and smiled.
"Who's your friend?" Corliss wondered. Edlyn glanced at Danir and smiled. She wouldn't introduce him as Danir. It was a name that was clearly Elvish in origin. Although it was unlikely anyone would suspect anything, the blacksmith and the elf had come up with a new human name for him to use while around the residents of Willow Creek.
"Yeah, he's cute," Selby added as she watched him for a moment. Corliss hummed in agreement before returning to her task. The blacksmith rolled her eyes and sighed.
"He's a visitor from another town. He heard about my work and wanted to commission a sword from me. I let him stay at my place while I finished it. He also decided to stick around for an extra day to see our Celebration of Aisling," the blacksmith answered easily. It was just as they had discussed beforehand. A well rehearsed story that was unlikely to raise any suspicion. As the blacksmith helped Selby with her ladder, she realized the women had paused their work and were staring at her.
"What?"
"Oh, nothing. Just interesting that you let him stay with you instead of pointing him to the inn as you've done before. That's all." There was a clear teasing to Selby's voice, which caused Edlyn blushed slightly.
"Ah hush you," Edlyn grumbled good-naturedly. She glanced back at Danir, wondering if he heard the comment.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jul 10, 2020 19:31:52 GMT -5
Danir
Danir grinned at her first question. "I have gone to one too many if you ask anyone. Then again, no one else can really talk. Only a handful of people who choose not to go. We're social people. Sometimes I believe we make up any reason to put on a celebration. I would love for you to just witness it first hand, for words can't properly describe what goes on. That can be taken as both a good and bad thing."
It was all he could say about the topic because they finally reached the town. Butterflies were doing flips in his stomach, excitement and worry warring to be the primary emotion. He worried that the altercation spell wasn't working, but Edlyn had assured him that it was. Still, he felt as if any little thing he might do would give him away. He knew that he would have to meet and converse with other humans, he just wasn't prepared. Luckily, though, the two people they happened to run into seemed to know Edlyn.
While the women exchanged greetings, he stood behind, watching and studying the friends. When attention was turned towards him, he flashed a charming smile. "I'm flattered by the compliment," the elf said, extending his hand to shake with both of the other woman. "My name is Davin, a pleasure to meet you," he said. At the jab they sent Edlyn's way, he couldn't stop his grin from taking on a mischievous tilt.
"You're blacksmith has been the most gracious host," he said. "I can admit that I have learned many things during my stay in her home, and I am loath to leave it so soon. Perhaps you ladies might help me figure out a reason to stick around a day or two longer." Despite his appearances being more human, he still spoke with the elvish flourishes he was taught and grew up with. He was aware of it, but in his slightly unsure state, it was his default setting.
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Post by Amber on Jul 10, 2020 23:28:49 GMT -5
"Parties have never been my thing, though sounds like the same can't be said with you," she noted. There was a light teasing to her tone as she spoke. The conversation came to an abrupt end as they arrived in town. The two stumbled upon Selby and Corliss, Edlyn joining the pair to see of they needed help. After exchanging a few words, the women soon acknowledged, or at least noticed, the disguised elf. Danir, or rather "Davin", was loving the attention they gave him. Edlyn rolled her eyes, though smiled lightly as they all shook hands. It was all going well, even if Selby and Corliss were giving her a hard time. Danir was clearly enjoying her torment judging by his puckish smile and the mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
The elf contiuned speaking with his charming smile. His friendly nature gave for an easy conversation, which hopefully marked an uneventful day. At his last comment, Edlyn glanced at him with a raised eyebrow before her gaze shifted towards the other women. Corliss' eyes widened as she smiled lightly while Selby giggled, shyly covering her mouth.
"Perhaps," Selby began, "I could arrange something for tomorrow. Maybe we could share lunch or I could bring something up to you." Edlyn glanced at the dark-haired woman. A part of her did feel bad. Even if Danir could stay for another day, he couldn't stick around for long. He was an elf and couldn't keep the disguise forever. The thought did put a damper on Edlyn's mood, but she didn't dwell on it. Now wasn't the time for that. "Assuming she already doesn't have plans with you," the woman quickly added. Another jab at Edlyn's expense. The blacksmith gave her a flat look that was quickly replaced with a friendly smile.
"Don't you have some ladders to put away? I'm pretty sure Tia's expecting them back," the blacksmith pointed out. Selby rolled her eyes, though still smiled.
"Okay, okay we're going," the dark-haired woman laughed as she waved her hand.
"See you, and your friend, later, Edlyn," Corliss added as the pair hauled off their ladders. The blacksmith waved after them before lightly sighing.
"That went pretty well, don't you think?" They didn't seem to suspect anything unusual. He had a light accent that would hopefully diffcult to place and spoke enough like a human. A well educated one at least. Of course the women's distraction might've helped Danir's case as well.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jul 11, 2020 9:38:47 GMT -5
Danir
Yeah, Danir would have been lying if he said he wasn't a bit proud of himself for making the two women flustered by his words. He was like this even with the women back home, although most of the women in his town were far older and not amused by his words to really give him a proper reaction. These ladies, however, seemed to be falling for it.
"Dinner sounds like a lovely idea, but you are right that I would have to ask the lady of the house first before accepting. It is her home you would be traveling to, after all, and not my place to invite guest. Even if a guest was a friend," Danir returned. "And it depends on if she's willing to keep me around any longer than she already has, but that's a matter to think of for another time."
It was hard not to smile at the entire exchange. Between his own part in the conversation and the bantering between friends, he was feeling his anxiety over the idea of being here slip away. This wouldn't be too bad, he thought If all his exchanges went as smoothly as this, then there would be nothing to worry about. "It went better than I was expecting," he agreed. He turned to look at her. "Shall we go on into the city?"
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Post by Amber on Jul 11, 2020 20:05:38 GMT -5
"Honestly, I should've kicked you out days ago. Would've saved me many headaches and sleepless nights," Edlyn joked with a smile. Corliss laughed while Selby rolled her eyes.
"I'm sure he's not that bad," the dark-haired woman replied.
"Maybe not. Anyway, if it makes a difference, you have my blessing or whatever. Just as long as you save some food for me." She shot a grin towards Selby, who rolled her eyes and smiled back. With a small wave, the women were off, leaving Danir and Edlyn to contiune into town. The blacksmith was relieved with how well it went. Danir seemed more relaxed, less tense than he was before. It was good to hear he thought it went equally well. He gestered to the town- though he called it a city -asking if they should contiune. Edlyn snorted.
"Eh, city is a nice way to put it. I would hardly call it one, though. Backwater village may be more accurate, but it's honestly one of the reason why I love it here. Not a lot of people. Quiet." And I don't have to worry what is "proper" for me either, she silently added. Together, the two entered the main area of town. Buildings constructed of wood and stone were decorated with vibrant reds, burnt oranges, and soft golds. All were the colors assoicated with the goddess herself.
People bustled through the town despite the early hour. Edlyn smiled as she took in the sights. A few children ran past playing some game of tag. Edlyn watched as they raced by a performance by some traveling bards, a small crowd forming around them. Various games lined the streets, between them were a couple of food vendors, selling everything from meat snacks to sweets. In the distance, there was even a place for a few "tournaments". She had attended the town's festival for the past four years and each time it had been a fun expierence.
"So, is there anything you want to do first?"
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jul 11, 2020 21:13:57 GMT -5
Danir
Danir had to bite his tongue. His first thought was to tease her for the choice of words. His brothers and him would always joke and tease each other whenever one would misspeak. It also didn't help they their humor was equivalent to a twelve year old. However, knowing Edlyn, he guessed she might not enjoy such comments, so he kept the possible quip to himself. Instead, he just bid the women fair well and continued walking with his friend.
He had to admit, she was right about him calling this place a city. Sure, there were a good bit of people and traffic around, but it was nothing compared to what he was used to. There was much more space among the buildings, and there was general signs of age. That, mixed with the games, performers, and food vendors, it was all very... quaint. As his eye roamed around, he fought to not look completely awed with the place. "Hmmm, I know we ate not too long ago, but the scent of whatever is being cooked is making my stomach grumble," he said with a chuckle.
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Post by Amber on Jul 12, 2020 10:56:10 GMT -5
Edlyn smiled. If it was food he wanted, it was food he would get. "Let's go, then," the woman merrily replied as she grabbed his arm. With a light tug, she began to lead him towards some of the food stands. The scents that had lightly drifted on the outskirts of town had grown stronger the closer they got. Spicy scents filled the air accompanied by savory meats, warm breads, and charred vegetables. The woman smiled as they reached a couple of the stands. With a sweep of her arm, she gestured to the vendors in the area.
"As you can see, there are quite a few options. In fact, there seems to be staples from all over Kaidan. That man over there is selling roasted nuts, popcorn, and dried fruits. You see that woman over there?" Edlyn paused and pointed to a gray-haired lady wearing a thick set of spectacles. "Looks like she's offering flatbreads with whatever choice of meat or vegetables. Oh and it seems those two a few stands down are selling some cakes if you're wanting something sweet."
The woman paused again, letting the man decide what he wanted. She was unsure how different human and elven cuisine was from one another. Judging by the meals he had helped prepare over the past week, there didn't seem to be much if a different. Of course, it was entierly possible that he did that by design. Maybe the foods of their nations were vastly different and tried to make some apatizing for them both. Edlyn wasn't sure what the truth was and it didn't matter. She wanted to give Danir the chance to experience human culture before he had to go, that included the various foods the festivals had to offer.
Before the elf had a chance to wander off, the blacksmith turned to him. "Don't worry about money. I have plenty to pay for whatever you want."
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Jul 23, 2020 18:25:34 GMT -5
Danir
she wasn't lying when there were food stalls from all over the country. There certainly wasn't no shortage of options. As they walked down the street, Danir's eyes scanned the different stalls. All of it smelled wonderful, and his mouth watered at the though of getting a chance to try it all. That is. If he got a chance to try them all.
"How about we start off light," he suggested. It was a long way yet to dinner, and he didn't want to stuff himself too full too quickly. "Shll we try some of that popcorn?"
(Sorry it's short!!)
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Post by Amber on Jul 28, 2020 17:32:41 GMT -5
Edlyn smiled. "Yes, that'll be perfect," the blacksmith agreed. With a light tug on his arm, the woman led him to one of the stands. A wooden counter with a golden overhand seprated the pair from the food. A older man with gray hair and a wispy beard greeted them with a wide smile. He was missing one too many teeth, but seemed to be friendly. Edlyn didn't recognize him, which meant he was likely a travler or even a relative helping out with the festivities.
"Mornin ma'am. Sir. What can I get y'all?" The man asked in a raspy voice.
"Just two things of popcorn," the blacksmith answered.
"Alright, that'll just be a few copper." Edlyn nodded and fished out the correct amount, while the man helped preparw their food. A few minutes later he handed the small bags to the blacksmith and her companion. With a wave of thanks, the woman led Danir through the lively streets and to a spot to enjoy the popcorn. As Edlyn settled down beside him, she glanced towards the training ground where they would be holding some tournaments. If Marsh found her, he would certainly encourage her to participate in a duel. It's not that the blacksmith dislike duels. No, she loved them. It was fun sparring match that gave her a chance to show off or put someone in their place. However, that would, unfortunately, be less time she would spend with Danir. Edlyn focused on something else and glanced at her friend.
"So, what do you think of it so far?"
(No worries, it's fine!)
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 8, 2020 18:10:47 GMT -5
Danir
Danir stayed beside her as she ordered the popcorn, having to restrain himself from speaking as she handed over the money. He feared if he said anything it might prove he wasn't from around here. As the snack was handed over, his mouth watered at the delightful scent. Even before they made it to a quieter place to sit, he was already digging into the popcorn.
"I think that I just may have to come sneak back next year for the festival," Danir replied around a mouthful of the food. He swallowed it and nodded to the field. "Is that where the tournaments are going to be?" he asked. She had mentioned them when she was telling him about all there was going to be at this celebration. He as tempted to take part in the duels, but he was sure that his abilities would mark him more as an elf than his speech would. Still, he wouldn't mind watching a fight or two when they began.
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Post by Amber on Aug 12, 2020 17:01:48 GMT -5
The woman lightly laughed. "That would sure be interesting to see," she hummed in reply. Her attention turned towards the fields just outside of town. In the distance, she could see banners gently swaying in the breeze and the wooden stands to watchthe various competitions. Edlyn had competed herself on a few occasions when they really needed another person. It didn't happen often, though it did give her the opportunity to practice her skills while having a little fun. A part of her hoped she wouldn't be called upon so she could spend Danir's final hours with him. The other part, however, was itching for a fight as well. She hadn't had a good one in a while.
"Yeah. There are various types of activities to partake in. Drinking games, dules, races, jousting. Really almost anything you can think of it'll probably be a competition. Anyway, some of the more interesting competitions are probably going to start soon. You want to check them out?" Edlyn, of course, was talking about the dules. There was always something fun about facing off against someone in a match and coming out on top after a fair fight. As she finished the last of her snack, the blacksmith got up and stretched. Before she had a chnace to say anything to the elf, the sound of hurried footsteps grabbed her attention. Edlyn spun on her heels and smiled as she realized who it was.
"Hello, Marsh. How are you?"
"Glad I found you," the slightly portly man replied. Edlyn titled her head and raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"And why's that?"
"You see, I was wondering of you'd be up to a dule? Floke had to drop out and we need someone to take his place. I was hoping that person would be you. It's not like it's a bracketed fight or anything either. It would just be a short dude between the two of you."
"I would love to Marsh, but I promised to show him around." She gestured to Danir. "Oh, this is Davin by the way. He's from a few towns over," she gestured to Danir as she spoke.
"Nice to meet you, Davin. Anyway, I'm sorry to hear that. You sure you're not in for it? Brysen will be your opponate." Edlyn froze.
"Brysen's fighting?"
"Yup."
"Why didn't you lead with that! That fool needs a good buttkicking every once and a while. Unfortunately, he's also quite the dulest, which means Floke and I are two of the few people who could beat him in a fight. Nitsa's out because she just had her baby, but what about Wylkes?"
"He's in the bracket dules and Harva's out of town to visit her family, remember?" Edlyn sighed and gave a small nod. He was right, but where would thatleave her elf friend? The blacksmith glanced at him before turning her gaze back towards Marsh.
"I'll do it," she eventually replied. The man grinned.
"How wonderful! I'll let the otbers know!" With that, the bearded man ran off, leaving Edlyn and Danir alone.
(How have you been?)
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Post by Amber on Aug 20, 2020 20:14:13 GMT -5
(How have you been? Also, it's been a year since we started this, so that's cool.)
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 20, 2020 20:37:46 GMT -5
Danir
"Do I want to check them out?" Danir asked, feigning offense to her question. Then smiled. "Of course, I want to check it out. I'm curious to know if all humans are excellent fighters, or if you're just an exception to the norm." He knew that there were more good fighters in the human towns, but he still thought Edlyn to be one of the best. Was he biased because he had only seen her fight and no one else? Possibly, but his opinion still stood.
He heard the footsteps a bit before Edlyn, elf hearing and all that, but he didn't turn or acknowledge it until his companion did. It wouldn't do for him if he showcased his heightened hearing senses. The elf smiled at the man and nodded towards him. "A pleasure to meet you," he said. Then he fell into the background as the two conversed. The more he heard, the more he was tempted to step in and give this Brysen a fight, but Edlyn agreed to help with the fight. He chuckled. "Well, now I get a chance to really see you fight," he commented. "And I don't have to be worried about being mauled to death in the process."
(I'm doing good. Sprained my ankle at work the other day pretty badly, but otherwise doing okay. How about you? How are you doing?  And that's awesome! I know things have been slow on my end, but I'm really glad we've kept it going for so long.)
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Post by Amber on Aug 23, 2020 10:45:00 GMT -5
Edlyn returned his smile and playfully nudged him with her elbow. She blushed lightly at his comment and rolled her eyes. "I'm fairly certain I'm the only human you've ever seen fight. I think you're just a little biased," she teased as he finished his popcorn. Once done, the pair began to head towards the field, only for Marsh to appear moments later. He spoke to the blacksmith about joining a dule. She declined, though after some haggling on the bearded-man's part, she ultimately agreed. Marsh ran off moments later, likely to get the challenge set up.
"Well, now I get a chance to really see you fight. And I don't have to worry abojt being mauled to death in the process," Danir mused. Edlyn laughed.
"That is true. It's surely going to be an interest one, that's for sure. Hopefully I can knock Brysen down a few pegs for a while. At least until he starts back up and one of the others has an opportunity to put him in his place." The other dulest wasn't as bad as she made him out to be. Sure, he was arrogant, a flake, and a bit of a troublemaker from time to time, but he was also loyal and brave. That still didn't mean she wasn't looking forward to beating him in a fight. Sword at her side- Edlyn rarely traveled anywhere without at least one -the woman began to lead the way to the field.
(Sucks about your ankle, I hope it's doing better now. I'm doing good, thanks for asking. Getting ready for my semester to start here soon.
Now worries about slowness. I have been a little slow myself for these last couple of replies. Anyway, I agree. It hasn't really even felt like a year honestly.
Also, when do you think the disguise should fail/start to fail? During the dule? Towards the end of it? After it's finished? Also, also I've been playing around with this idea. So, the elves keep the more magical and dangerous creatures at bay on one side of the forest, right? Maybe things have been happening and for one reason or another, those animals have been escaping/wandering further and further away. Maybe we could have another animal attack, which leads to Edlyn being injured and taken so she can be healed (kind of coming full circle for them) and it's another potential plot thread if we want to play with it later.)
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Aug 29, 2020 13:26:58 GMT -5
Danir
Danir chuckled as she called out his bias opinions, to which he could only shrug in response. Regardless if that were the only reason or not, he was sure Edlyn was still one of the better fighters of the town. He couldn't claim she was the best of the human kingdom, just like he couldn't claim any one elf was the best. There were always different factors that made people better than the rest, and it was hard to justify crowning one above the rest. Still, she was a top notch fighter, even if she was the only human fighter he knew.
"Ah, well, do make a good show of it. I'm sure adding an extra layer of public embarrassment as you wipe the field with him will do wonders towards his attitude adjustment," Danir stated, smirking at the thought. "If I could, I'd be tempting to cast a tiny spell that'd help you with that, but I think that'd be pushing it a bit. You'll just have to do it the old fashioned way.
(It's getting better. Still sore, but I at least can walk on it. I hope the start of the semester goes/went well. I know the first week or so is the hardest to get back into the studying mood.
Still, thanks for bearing with me. I know we haven't gotten far, I really like what we've done so far. Re-reading the posts, and I like how the characters and everything have been established. I'll take that over speeding through a plot any day.
I think in towards the end of the duel should work. Edlyn will be busy with the fight, only seeing a fleeing Danir being chased by some of the town's folk and therefore no one will associate her with him. Then, when they reach the forest and she's dragged with him, it'll look as if she's been captured like we wanted it to seem. Also, I like that idea. Maybe something, or someone, could be releasing them into the human lands as an act of revenge or something. If not that, then there are still plenty of other things we could do with that idea. ^^ )
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Post by Amber on Sept 6, 2020 10:48:38 GMT -5
(Okay, I know I'm a week late, so sorry about that. I got distracted and was busy with work and I start my classes Tuseday, so yeah. Anyway, here it is after a long wait.)
Edlyn grinned. She was even more eager to win the duel now with Danir's excited words. At his suggestion of tampering with the match, the blacksmith dramatically put a hand on her chest and lightly gasped. "You wouldn't do such a thing. If you did, you would certianly have to face my judgment. Let's just say I'm sharp and to the point."
The woman put a hand on the hilt of her sword and smiled lightly at her own joke. After a moment, she motioned him to join her. "Come on, we should get going. After all, we need to find you the best spot in the place so I can, as you put it, 'wipe the field with him' for your entertainment." Edlyn led the way to the field where people had already been gathering. She recognized most of the faces, though some were unfamiliar to her. They were likely visitors from other areas, much like "Davin" was. Eager children excitedly pulled their parents toward the dueling grounds, while a couple of people around Edlyn's age- mostly men -were flirting with a small crowd, and a few people who were obviously participating in the various challenges all made their way to the small arena.
As the pair entered the main entrance, Edlyn received a few waves and friendly greetings. She returned those with a smile. Assuming news had spread about her participation, they were probably relieved they wouldn't be fighting her. Then again, maybe Marsh wanted to keep it a surprise to get more people interested in the matches. She wouldn't put that past him. The stands were filled with people. They were all excited to see some fights and she could hardly blame them. There were a few empty slots left, enough room for Danir to squeeze in somewhere.
"Alright, I need to go to the back to get ready. You think you can manage on your own for the time being?"
(Soreness isn't fun, but yay for it getting better. Yeah it is. I think it'll go fine, but we'll see~
Of course. Even if we haven't gotten insanely far, I wouldn't say this is anything to laugh at. Also, same here. The character interactions are quite fun.
Agreed. I think it'd be fun for it to be the climax/end of the duel where the winner is just about to be seen, when suddenly everyone is distracted with an elf in their midst. Exactly. They'll think "Now they have one of or own for who knows what, time to get the crown involved", which would just be trouble. Yeah, I can totally see someone allowing dangerous animals through, or capturing them and letting them to human lands for revenge, to cause chaos, or maybe provoke a war, which could be fun.)
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Sept 29, 2020 20:05:40 GMT -5
Danir
(Don't worry about it! You deal with my sporadic responses all the time, so you're all good!)
Danir chuckled at the subtle, and teasing, threat. "That I have no doubt about," he replied. Had the two of them not been friends, he might not have both taken her words serious and know that she didn't mean them. Edlyn was a dangerous foe, one anybody should be slow to anger and get on her bad side. At the same time, she meant no harm, and knew that even if he did do something to support her win, she wouldn't hurt him too badly.
So on they went, weaving through the growing crowd of eager onlookers, ready to watch the events of the fight. The whole sight made him smile, reminding him a bit of his own home. Even the elves got excited over a good fight. Really, there were a lot more people her than he thought would be, but it didn't bother him a lot. "I should be fine," Danir responded. The elf turned to give her a grin. "Go on and get ready. Be sure to put on the dramatics just for me."
(Hopefully everything school wise is still going well. ^^
Especially not when we've both put in quiet the effort on nearly all of the responses. It's hard to make two good paragraphs some days, but I don't think there's any post I've written that I'm not happy with. And all of yours are just amazing. That, and the attention we put into the characters and interactions are what makes a difference in things.
XD Nothing like releasing an elf into a crowd of humans. XD And then the level of over reaction on their part. XD Great! Now all we need to do is come up with the specific reasons for doing that and figuring out who this villain will be.)
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Post by Amber on Oct 11, 2020 23:01:51 GMT -5
"Why of course," the blacksmith replied with a grin. Without waiting for the elf to answer, Edlyn spun on her heels and headed to the arena quarters to prepare for the match. She passed a few more people who recognized her and offered them waves. It wasn't long until the crowds greatly thinned out and she found herself before the private quarters of the various competitors. Describing them as "quarters" was putting it nicely. In reality, it was a few tents hastily set up for the day. There were two large tents, one for men and the other for women. Beside them were a few smaller ones. Those would be the more private areas for people to clean up after the fights. Edlyn headed into the women's tent to prepare for her own duel. The opening lightly flapped behind her as she made her entrance. A few of the ladies gave her a friendly nod, though there was little acknowledgement of her presence beyond that.
Unlooping her sheath from her waist, Edlyn removed her sword. She tilted it on the counter next to her as she stood in front a mirror. She pulled her hair free from the ponytail and brushed her hair through it, trying to tame the light brown waves. Once manageable, she fashioned it into a side braid. Once satisfied, the blacksmith tucked her shirt into her pants and placed the sword back in the loops around her wait. She was ready. Exiting the tent, Edlyn made her way to the arena. It wasn't a huge crowd like she had seen back at the Kaiden capital, but it was fairly sizable for what she was used to in sleepy Willow Creek. Even from behind the rafters she could feel the excited energy through the air.
The duelmaster was easy enoughtk spot from her position. He was marked by a a bright red-and-black tunic with a mace stopped to his side. A board in one hand, he was busy marking down whatever important details of the event. She would have to check in and be placed on one side of the openair arena before the duel began. As she approched the man waved her down with a curt nod.
"Ah yes, miss Edlyn Smith. Marsh warned me of your arrival. I assume you know you'll be dueling mister Brysen today, yes?" The blacksmith gave a nod.
"Very good. Just follow me so we can get the match started. It'll be one of the final opening matches of the day, so make it good."
"Of course," she answer. Wordlessly, the man led her to one side of the arena. Hidden from the crowd, she prepared herself for the upcoming fight. After a few minutes of standing around, the duelmaster finally announced the next match. First, he called out Brysen's name. The crowd cheered as the man entered the arena. He gave a few flourishing bows and handed out from flowers to people in the front row. After the roar died down, the duelmaster would introduce Edlyn next.
"Facing off against Brysen is the blacksmith herself, Edlyn Smith!" Once again the crowd cheered with excitment. Brysen's confident demnor faultered slightly as Edlyn entered the arena.
"I'm fighting her?!" He grumbled, his voice barely audible over the crowd. Either the duelmaster ignored him or he didn't hear him. Whatever the case, the blacksmith didn't care. Brysen's confidence quickly returned as he studied her for a moment. This was going to be an interesting match.
(Yeah, school's going good. Getting ready for my next class which will be start next week.
Exactly. I really like your replies and I'm enjoying Danir's character.
Haha, exactly! What can go wrong? Oh, wait. Anyway, coming up with a villian will be fun. Any ideas?)
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Oct 26, 2020 20:29:31 GMT -5
Danir
Danir watched as Edlyn left to go prepare for the fight to come. Without anything else to do, he decided he might as well go snag himself a spot to watch the match. Glancing around, he scanned the growing crowd for just the spot, though it was easier said than done. Had they gotten here earlier, there might still have been some open sections near the edge of the ring. However, now there was no good up and close spots. So he hunted for the next best thing. Thankfully, his elvish blood made him stand taller than most humans, nothing too suspiciously, of course, but a good six foot. Thus giving him some advantage in searching for a viewing spot.
He found one just in time, for as he settled into the position, a man in the ring was calling out the names of the first challengers. It was clear that Edlyn was a favorite among a few in the crowd, judging by the cheers that went up at the calling of her name. He joined it, voicing his support though his individual voice was lost in the combined noise of the audience. Still, it was nice to cheer along with everyone.
(Well, I hope it's still going great and that stress has been kept to a minimum. ^^
Same with your replies and Edlyn. I absolutely adore her.
Ah, the part I've never been good at. XD Okay, so I'm thinking it would have to be someone who had lost a lot, if almost everything, to the humans. Maybe an old elf, one that might have grown up in the days when the elves were still fleeing their lands and going into hiding?)
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Post by Amber on Nov 14, 2020 13:05:28 GMT -5
Edlyn stared at her opponate for a moment, a small smirk tugging at her lips. Brysen rolled his eyes before putting on a scowl. All part of the show. As they eyed each other, their swords were taken and dull caps were olaced to the edges to avoid injury. The sides of those were dusted with a colored chalk. This dust would leave marks on their clothing to see where they got hit. The first to three hits would win. As the duelmaster began to rile up the crowd, the pair both swung their swords around. Of course, it was all just a way to further excit the crowd. Edlyn took a moment to examine the makeshift arena. A large, painted ring was marked around the field. If either of them stepped out of it, the match was over and it would be considered a forfeit. Best not get herself towards the edge, then. Her attention turned to the aging duelmaster as he approched.
"Edlyn, you ready?" The man asked. It was customary to make sure the combatants were still ready for a duel. They had a right to forefit before a match, though she had never heard of that happening.
"Of course," the woman replied with a grin.
"Brysen?"
"Yes, I've been waiting for this." The blacksmith cooked an eyebrow at his comment. He gave her a small, barely noticeable shrug before gripping his sword tighter. The patrons in their wooden stands quieted. Only a quiet breeze whistled through the field. A tense moment passed, then the duelmaster raised his arms.
"Go!"
Brysen was dashing towards her as soon as the words left the man's mouth. Unsuprising, he always liked to strike first. Edlyn swiftly planted her feet on the ground, taking a stance made for defending aganist quicker opponates. The man expected this, changing his into an offensive stance midway through. Onehanded, he thrust his word forward. Edlyn easily deflected it, steady on her feet. Unfazed, Brysen pulled back his blade and swung to the side. Edlyn barely managed to block it and even lost her footing for a moment. Although she would like to admit it was for show, she hadn't practiced dueling like he had over the past few months. It was Brysen's turn to smirk as he caused her to faulter.
"You've gotten rusty I've seen. Not good for you or your weapons," the man gloated. Edlyn gritted her teeth and lurched forward. Brysen twisted to the side, but still got struck. A blue line of chalk appearing on his tunic. Unfortunately, the move left the blacksmith for an attack of his own. Regaining her balance, Edlyn spun, only to feel the weapon on her back. It wasn't a hard hit, but she cerrianly felt it. They were even. Grimacing, the blacksmith turned to face him once again. Metal struck metal as Edlyn managed to deflect his blade. The woman took a quick few steps back, distancing herself from her opponate. Brysen donned one of his characteristic scowls as he studied her for a moment, clearly trying to figure out the best course of action for hitting her. The woman changed her stance again, switching to one good for unpredictable attacks. There was a moment of hesitation before Brysen swung brashly, but efficiently. Edlyn barely had time to block his attacks as he struck with a ferocity.
Brysen was right, her dueling skills were rusty. Essentially cornered, the blacksmith had to find some way to get away. It was a risky move, bust she could distract him with a flurry of blows and slip away. Unfortunately, that would also give him a chance to win. He was quick, quicker than anticipated, and could easily end the match in her attempt. Better than standing there and losing. Brysen swung again, which Edlyn deflected again. In his moment of distraction, the blacksmith rushed away, turning her back on the man briefly. A mistake. She felt the blade hit her across the back, which meant another point for him. Glancing at her opponate, he was going to hit her once more. Edlyn managed to dash out of his range, causing his hit to go sideways. The man gritted his teeth and grabbed the hilt of his weapon tightly.
They stared at each other for a moment, waiting for the other to make the first move. After a brief moment, Brysen was the one to crack first. The man dashed forward, Edlyn ready for him. The clang of metal aganist metal rang through the air, though the excited cheering of the crowd managed to muffle it. For a few minutes they exchanged blows, the other always deflecting it. The blacksmith was growing tired for this exchange. With all her strength, Edlyn hit his blade. The force of the strike caught Brysen by surprise, allowing for an opening. The blacksmith felt her weapon make contact with his arm. She prepared to hit him again, only to discover he had regained his balance and block her hit. It seemed they were evenly matched, though it was time to finish this.
Edlyn continued to strike Brysen, at that point not caring if she got hit or not. It seemed her opponate felt the same as he fought back with an equal eager energy. They continued on for a few minutes, then Edlyn found an opening. She had one shot at this. Pulling her sword back, the blacksmith swung at his side again while Brysen prepared to strike her shoulder. With quick movements, they both swung and hit at the same time, chalk lines appearing on their clothing. Both out of breath, the pair slowly pulled away. Edlyn eyed Brysen before flashing a smile. He returned it, clearly happy with how the duel went. Their attention turned to the duelmaster as he joined them in the makeshift arena.
"It appears there is a tie," the man announced. "The judges and I will deliberate on the winner and announce them soon!" A mix of cheers and groans from the crowd arose in the air. It seemed that was an unpopular choice, though at least they put on a fun show for the audience. As the duelmaster scurried off and joined the judges, Edlyn stood up and began to move back towards the starting point.
"Nicely done," Brysen complimented with a nod.
"You too. It's rather surprising considering it seemed you were so intimidated by me." The man rolled his eyes, but offered a friendly smile. Edlyn glanced at the stands and noticed Danir. She smiled towards him before turning back to the edge of the arena. It was a fun way to start their final day together.
(I finally found time to get something up! Yay! But yeah it's still going good.
Same here. She's a lot of fun to write for and I enjoy her interactions with Danir.
No worries, it can be diffcult to come up with stories and motivations for certain characters. Anyway, I really like that idea. It could be interesting to have a hermit elf just hanging out in the woods and plotting some sort of revenge against humans. In this case, releasing beasts to terrorize the people. Maybe the elves at some point agree to come to a peace with the humans, and this hermit isn't having any of that, so they throw a coup or something.)
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Dec 4, 2020 21:31:17 GMT -5
Danir
(Can I just say, that your ability to describe fight scenes are amazing! I'm completely jealous. Also, I'm assuming it's by now that the spell would be wearing off, correct? For that's what I'll be starting, but I can change it if you want me to.)
The fight was a sight to behold. Danir had only seen a portion of Edlyn's fighting skills that day in the forest. Pitted against a wild beast, it required different techniques than it did with a human opponent. So while he did have an idea of her courage and determination, it hadn't been a true testament of just how skilled she was.
For him, it was easy to tell that the blacksmith had a moment of struggle to find her flow in the battle. Sure, swordsmanship might differ a bit from humans and elves, but he guessed the basics would be roughly the same. He spotted some missteps, some moments she should have reacted faster, and moves that left her open to a retaliating blow from the man she was paired with. Of course, he wasn't holding that against her. She had been asked to participate on such short notice. Most of these people had probably been training months before hand. The lack of preparedness didn't seem to phase her too much, however.
He, along with the crowd around him, watched as the pair traded blows, leaving the colored lines across their clothes with each one that found their mark. The fight had his own fingers itching to find a blade and take part of the sparing, but knew that would be a terrible idea. Even trying to hold back, it'd be hard to hide his elvish traits. Besides, he favored the bow much more than the sword anyway. As the last blows landed and the fight called to a halt, he was swept away with the crowd as cheers broke out for either contestant. He, of course, was only supporting Edlyn and the hell of a fight she had put up. Her eyes found his and he could do nothing but offer her a thumbs up as approval of the results. Had it gone on just a little longer, he had no doubts that she would have won fully.
(Lol, it's okay. You can take all the time you need. Lord knows, I do, and I can't produce replies nearly as good as yours.
She's an amazing character, and I think they do well matched with each other. They both have that same "go with the flow unless you hurt someone I care for" vibe. XD
Oh, got to love me a good old fashion coup. I like that idea. Maybe the hermit has a way to keep in touch with things happening in the city, and knows of Edlyn's presence. Which means he is also aware that the Council hasn't killed her, and, instead, things are being worked out to where she's more friends and kind of/maybe/sort of might be like an ambassador for them when she goes back home. He doesn't like that, so he steps it up a notch in his plans for revenge.)
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And that's awesome! I know things have been slow on my end, but I'm really glad we've kept it going for so long.)
