pawnstorm | OPEN: but a fire within

Entry tags:

OPEN: but a fire within

Who: Lux Crownguard, and you!
When: Mid Delphine (July); before dungeon shenanigans
Where: Caissa
What: Monthly catch-all, I'll be adding to this as the month goes on! If you don't find a prompt that interests you, or have an idea for something fun, message me on

sheepyton so we can plot!
Ratings: PG for the most part, but will change this if need be.
Warnings: Accidental charming may happen, depending on the direction of the thread. Please let me know if this is something that you are okay with when tagging!

♕ o1. A CHARMING DISPOSITION (OPEN)

[ All she wanted was a nice afternoon in the city. A little window shopping, maybe treat herself to a bit of ice cream. Since her promotion a few days ago, she had been working hard, shuttling between the training grounds and the library like a woman possessed. And she was, really. How could she not be? She had power now, and she needed to learn how to use it.

Unfortunately, she learned a few other things first, before mastering her magic. ]

[ There was something about a Queen that was hard to ignore. And for some reason, people really liked to give you things. Like flowers, chocolates, random curios (seriously what is this thing, someone please tell her) and most of allattention. All she did was smile at a few people! Why was everyone suddenly so nice?!

It was getting to be a bit much, her arms were full, and yet, people she met kept piling it on. ~~How was she going to fit all of this in her room?~~ There was a girl behind that horde of things, rest assured, but she wasn't going to be able to carry much more without toppling over at this rate. Please help. ]

♕ o2. WITH HER NOSE STUCK IN A BOOK (OPEN)

[ She was no Bishop, but that didn't mean that Lux wasn't a voracious reader. As a newly promoted Queen, she had a lot to learn about how her new(ish) powers functioned. This meant that she would be hitting the books, hard, and the young Hero could be found in a number of places, buried in a book.

The library, a corner bistro, the cafeteria, the courtyard; in order to master her magic, she had a lot to learn. And not just from magic books—a good magician could draw inspiration from anything that they saw or read.

Which... might explain the odd-titled book she currently held, intently reading. They say that when inspiration hits, one should follow it, but this... was a little odd. ]

[[OOC: Feel free to either come up with a book she's reading, or I can random it for you.]]

♕ o3. MORE OF A CANDY CRUSH GIRL (OPEN)

[ Lux rather liked griffons. While she had never seen one in person, she had come across them in books (maybe some of the books she was reading earlier?), and often the authors romanticized them to be beautiful and majestic creatures. Graceful in the air, their plumage gold as the sun, they were like art in motion. She wished that she could witness such a stunning creature in the flesh.

And today would be her lucky day. ]

[ Today, Lux would learn all about griffons, for better or for worse.

How dirty— ]

[ Bad-mannered— ]

[ And how utterly unmajestic they could be.

They were told to just make sure that the griffons didn't make a mess of anything. Just steer them away from unsuspecting passersby (please watch your heads, that isn't rain you're feeling...), and do so peacefully. And at first she tried. She really, truly did.

But after lobbing a large number of handmade charms at the pretty pests, they still wouldn't go away! They seemed to like the color of her hair (somewhat similar to their own feathers). Or maybe they just liked trolling her, it wasn't actually that hard. Nevertheless! Surrounded by a clutch of beastly beauties, she seemed to be in a bit of a pickle. ]

♕ CLOSED TO ALLEN.

[ Her breath came out in short, measured bursts, her body moving with a rhythm she had nearly forgotten in this place, in her previous state. Since her arrival here, she felt weak. Vulnerable. Like she had lost a part of herself.

She was a Pawn, then. Ordinary. Disposable. The powerful, and at times somewhat wild and uncontrolled, warm and real and powerful magic that coursed within her—a feeling she had known since her childhood—was gone. Severed. And what was left instead was the power of a Pawn. The limiting, dull light of a Pawn.

As if losing her home were not pain enough.

But when she awoke a few days before, she felt something different. Heavy and weightless, tense yet freeing, a light that threatened to swallow her whole if she did not learn to respect it, to master it. It was a startling sensation, not altogether unfamiliar, but different—so very, very different. She had learned to control her own light, reign it in and make it hers. Like the heart of a child, playful and curious, she nurtured it, taught it to sing, to dance, to fight. It served her well.

But this feeling was different.

It burned deep within, fueled by some seemingly unending force that she could not name. Passion. Intensity. And something else... what was it?

She had become lax with her morning training since arriving in Caissa. She understood her body, understood its new limits, and was disgusted by her limitations. But now... She had purpose, she had a drive, she had power. Power that guided her. Power that protected her. Power... that terrified her.

The sun had yet to rise, but light danced over the training grounds, sweat dripping from her face. Her breathing slow, methodical, and her staff twirling in her hands, the crystals on either side shining brightly, she flung each bolt with every fiber of her very being, constantly moving in a dance, a pas de deux with the light. Her light. The light that threatened to burn her alive. The light that she would have to break, like a wild horse, lest it break her instead. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I must've snatched it out right from under you, then.

[Books aren't the most comfortable thing to carry, so he makes his way over to a long table, setting his pile down and shrugging. He should just give up the book for now, honestly. What are the odds that both of them would be looking for the same book, anyway?]

You were wanting to read it first, so it's only fair, isn't it? I'm the one that's been wandering around with it.

I guess so!

[ She doesn't sound like she minds at least, but seems more amused than anything. She isn't used to others sharing her weird fascinations. Although in this case it's more practical.

Following him over, she shakes her head. ]

Really, it's all right. That book was on my short list of ones to check out, but I can find others. I was just told that it was a good jumping-off point for anyone interested in Blanc politics. I'm happy to see someone else has taken an interest, especially after everything that has happened. I thought I was one of the only ones.

S'why I was after it, myself. [He gestures indicating some of the other patrons around the library.] I'd guess most of these people already know their stuff or aren't all that interested in a bunch of dry political topics. But I'm still getting caught up on how things're going here, since it's all new to me.

[He pulls the book they were both after from the pile and sets it aside.] If it's something we're both interested in, we'll be able to bounce ideas and questions off of each other, right? Sounds a lot better than trying to muddle through it all alone. [He grins, sliding the book in her direction.] I'm Lavi.

[ Oh! ]

I take it you're a new arrival? In that case, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'm happy to help.

[ Taking a few steps toward him again, she lets her hands rest on the back of a chair. He hadn't invited her to sit quite yet, so she would wait a little longer. ]

I think I would like that. After all, two heads are better than one.

[ Tilting her head slightly, she smiles. ]

And I'm Lux. It's a pleasure.

So, tell me what you know already, I can help fill in the gaps. Then we can hit the books.

Edited 2016-07-18 17:40 (UTC)

You got it in one-- I'm new. [And he can also be terrible with manners, so he pulls out a chair far enough to drop himself right into a sitting position, somehow slumping in his seat immediately. He nods at the chair she's resting her hand on.] You're gonna stick around, right, Lux? Considering you were here first..

[He makes a face, not at her, but at his general lack of knowledge on all things Blanc and Noir.] I don't know too much, really. I've got the basic idea about the war, obviously, and I know that the general population isn't too pleased; I saw the clippings about what happened last month.

And I know people like us haven't been showing up here for all that long, though it seems like everybody's bein' told what side to fight for soon as they get here. That's about as far as I've gotten-- everything else is just gossip getting tossed around so far.

Of course.

[ It's not her place to comment on things like manners and the like, but it certainly doesn't go unnoticed. Pulling out her own chair, the younger woman takes a seat.

The mention of newspaper clippings... Her expression darkens slightly. It was still a tender subject for some—herself included. She nods simply. ]

It's a complicated situation, not one that many of us like to talk about. Particularly in a place like this.

[ Although her tone indicated that she might, in a different space, at a different time. But not here. There were too many people, and she had opinions on what happened and what directly followed.

A pause, and a bit of a stare at his observation. Gods, you were blunt. ...She was kind of impressed, to be honest, and it took her a moment to chance a reply. ]

That... well...

[ You really shouldn't just say that kind of thing in public, Lavi... You just shaved a few years off her life, and she quickly looks around to make sure no one heard that.]

H-how about what you know about the way mana works? Since, ah, you seem to already be doing a bit of research on that.

[ Let's change the subject to something a bit less likely to get them thrown out, shall we? ]

[If she wanted great manners and tact she came to the wrong library patron. Her tone doesn't go unnoticed, and neither does the way she shelves the topic for now, so he gives up that line of conversation for now. Later, though, if and when he can get her somewhere more private, he fully intends to find out more, especially since he's even more curious now.

He settles for grinning widely at her, not in the least put out and makes a "so-so" waving gesture with one hand.] I'm working on that, too. I get the general idea, I think. S'like a pool that can tapped to perform certain tricks and spells, yeah? You can wear it down and use it up, but you can refill it, too.

[ Good, he took the hint. They would have this conversation later, in a place where they could speak more freely, but for now the potential crisis was averted. She eased a bit. ]

Yes, more or less. Obviously there is a bit more too it—some things you can read about, and others you may need to figure out on your own. You can "refill" through mana exchange. Physical contact, usually something like holding hands, or...

[ She doesn't dodge the subject, but it's a little...

She makes a face. ]

Other things.

[ You can figure it out. ]

Edited 2016-07-19 21:51 (UTC)

[Since they were in the middle of a pleasant change of subject anyway, he was already in the process of resting his head on one hand. At the mention of "other things", though, he immediately places both hands under his chin, leaning forward and waggling an eyebrow suggestively at her.]

Other things, hm? Bet I can guess what a least a couple of those are. You know, like a guy and a cute girl such as yourself getting real friendly, real close...

[He leans forward even further, dropping his voice down to a conspiratorial almost-whisper and giving her a smile that's entirely too toothy.] And giving each other a hug.

[And with that bit of Lavi Wisdom (tm), he's leaning back, resting both hands behind his head and looking rather pleased with himself.] Or something along those lines.

[ Wh....what was that look for? Suddenly she felt a bit more self-conscious, her shoulders raising stiffly and chin dipping downward. It only got worse as he started to speak, an uncomfortable look crossing her face (was that a bit of a bluss creeping in?)

"You know, like a guy and a cute girl such as yourself getting real friendly, real close..."

She swallows down hard, suddenly really not liking where this was going. He wouldn't say something like that to a lady, here in broad daylight would he?!

Then he begins to lean in and, yeah, that was a blush; and it spreads. He wouldn't dare say—

Oh. Her face still nearly matching his hair, she looks down awkwardly. She can't believe this guy. Ugh. ]

I wouldn't know!

[ Lux you liar. ]

[That's even more of a reaction than he was expecting, and he wouldn't be surprised if she wound up yelling at him right there. It was a bit unfair, to tease her like that about a somewhat delicate subject when they've only just met.

Though he did get a fairly great reaction, she's not someone he truly wants to offend, and he laughs softly, ducking his head to try and get her attention.] Hey, I'll behave myself, really.

[He slides the history book that started all of this in her direction.] Peace offering?

[ She was a pure and delicate flower, Lavi. And he managed to press a button that entirely unaware of. It's not her fault that she reacted that way, nor would she like to know that he was satisfied with the result, although she could make some assumptions. ~~Ass.~~ ]

Will you really?

[ She huffed a bit, still warm under the collar. But seeing him slide the book toward him, her sudden low boil turned to a gentle simmer. Pulling it toward her with one hand, she picked it up, looking down at the cover before setting it down and pushing it back toward him. ]

It's easier to compare notes with someone when they're on the same page. You have some catching up to do.

[The fact that she didn't get up and leave is something that he takes as a good sign. He makes a faintly offended noise at being asked if he'll behave himself, because he's so obviously behaving now, but he knows he deserved the question.]

I'll be on my best behavior. [He takes the book back though, opening it to the first page and cracking his neck.] I have a lot of catching up to do. I hope you'll be patient with me when I have about a hundred questions to ask.

[Or when he opens his mouth to say something stupid at all, that too.]

[ You had better be, Lavi.

But that was that. She was still irritated to be sure, but even that was starting to cool by the time he opened the book. Putting out a small notebook from her stack of books, she opened it, retrieving the pen she tucked inside. ]

I expected as much. We all have to start somewhere.

[ Writing something on the page, she let him read for a few moments before tearing it out and sliding it over. ]

I'm not sure how up-to-date that book will be, so here are a few names you will need to know. We can go over recent events once you've done a bit more reading.

[He really does have a lot of catching up to do, so he figures that he writing things down is just taking notes. The book really does seem like it will be engrossing, and he knows that he's going to read it cover to cover, but he looks up when she slides the paper over.

It's only a list of names, but he appreciates it all the same. He'll probably be able to avoid some time-consuming cross referencing or hunting other books down with this. He picks up the piece of paper and reads the names off it, then waves it between two fingers and tucks it away into a pocket.]

Thanks, this'll come in handy. Are these more recent players, or bits of older history? [He smiles, glancing back down to the book.] Though I guess if I was doing some readin' instead of talking I'd be able to figure that out on my own.

Recent players, people you might come across on a regular basis. As Heroes, we have a certain amount of notoriety, especially after recent events. You might be surprised by who you meet.

I haven't had a chance myself to delve too deeply into Enprise's history or politics as a whole. [ Not yet, at least, but that was high on her list. ]

[He certainly wants to talk more about recent events, but another admonishment and change of subject until he could freely ask more pertinent questions isn't going to help things along, so he simply nods instead.]

I don't wanna be caught unawares if I meet someone important, that's for sure. What if I said somethin' inappropriate to someone like that? [He smiles, because he would never do that, no way.]

Got a lot of reading to do, right? [He taps the open book in front of him.] S'a good start here, though. Won't make much sense otherwise, but the nice thing about history is that it isn't going anywhere-- it's just waitin' for everybody else to catch up.

It wouldn't be the first time, and certainly not the last. Some of us aren't as good at keeping our opinions to ourselves as others.

[ It wasn't malicious, but there was a bit of weight to her words. There were a few people she could think of, a certain exorcist Lavi might know and his explosion at the ball coming to mind. ]

The two you're likely to see the most are Alexandre Verdoni and Commander Lisbrand. Although... the Commander is currently away on medical leave until further notice. Verdoni speaks on the Prime Minster's behalf, and will often brief us on what we need to do during operations.

[ Taken aback by his observation, she quickly smiled. Well that was a bit of insight that she wasn't expecting from him. ]

That's an interesting way of looking at it. I suppose you're right. Most of us haven't taken much of an interest in historical or political affairs—they're more concerned with either figuring out how to get home or trying to make sense of why we were brought here.

[He inclines his head to acknowledge her words; he's sure he's not the only one that she's referring to, but it is fair to mention it since he's been a bit outspoken himself already, never mind what anyone else might have done.]

Verdoni and Lisbrand... [Being away on medical leave after what he'd read and heard about last month's incident made sense, and those in charge often delegated the task of communicating orders to others, so that's familiar enough to make sense. Still, he'd remember to put some extra effort into learning what he could about them.] Gotcha-- I'll make sure I pay extra attention to them when they come up.

Those questions're all well and good too, don't get me wrong. [Though he figures the "how" and "why" parts were things that were going to take more than blindly scrambling for answers or coming up with endless theories to get to the bottom of. He can't blame anyone for focusing on trying to leave, though. It's only natural to want to escape after being abducted.]

But as long as we're here, if everyone's focusing on those questions, it's a good thing there's people like us that care about the boring stuff, too. Who knows, maybe one of us'll uncover something that'll help everyone get back in the long run.

[ ...Was he calling research "boring?" Even in the hypothetical sense, that was a bit harsh, and Lux held up a finger for emphasis. ]

I hardly think it's boring. Things like this are like a puzzle waiting to be solved. If anything, it should make them excited. I just don't get it.

[ Settling down again, she let her elbow rest on the table top, her fist curled against her cheek. She looked a bit... disappointed, maybe? Not everyone was a nerd like you, Lux. ]

I want to return home just as much as anyone else, maybe even more than most. But I'm here now, and the only way to keep moving forward is to learn everything that I can about this world. Maybe then I can find a way to get back.

[He laughs, quieter than he wants to because it is a library after all, but it's probably too noisy all the same. He's amused that he's managed to offend her, again, this time without meaning to, and because she so easily put into words what he already had kicking around in his own head.]

I didn't say I thought it was boring. Dusty old books filled with historical facts just don't do it for everybody, y'know?

[He does file away that "maybe even more than most" for later, because that might be an interesting story, but the rest of what she says is enough to keep a smile on his face.] I was thinkin' the same thing, that's all. Readin' up on all this is important, even if it doesn't seem like it at first.

[ His laugh surprised her and, blinking a few times, she smiled loftily, wagging her finger in the air. ]

And that is I simply don't understand.

[ Still propping her head against her fist, her smile turned almost fond, nostalgic, as she began thinking aloud. ]

These "dusty old books" can be more fascinating than some people you might meet, so I don't quite understand the lack of interest. Besides, how can you keep moving forward if you can't understand the past? It makes no sense at all.

But I'm glad you agree. At least someone here does.

You're preachin' to the choir over here. [He's... reluctant, maybe, to mention his life's work, since that's what had gotten him and his master taken before; it isn't likely that the same thing might happen here, but he doesn't want to pretend that it isn't important to him, either.]

Studying history is kinda my thing. Aside from just writing it down, it's should be up to people to remember things like this, yeah?

[He leans back in his chair, drumming his fingers on the table.] When it comes to books at least, it sounds like we think alike. I'm pretty glad to've run into you, even though it took me grabbin' a book out from under you to do it.

Oh? Are you a scholar, then?

[ It made sense, he was a bit too lanky to be a warrior. Perking up a bit, the younger blond giggles a bit. ]

It's all right, as they say, great minds think alike. I can get to it after you. It will probably still be there well after you're done reading it anyhow. Like I said, people don't always appreciate the finer things in life, like a good book. And I really should be focusing on things concerning magic for now. It's best to be prepared, and I have a lot to learn.

OPEN: but a fire within

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