“Yes, thank you, I'll take him,” says the pretty looking girl framed in the doorway of the Stormhawk House.
Vesper putting his cold nose into my ungloved hand and giving me a farewell look before heading inside. The girl had been wearing a flattering outfit - a tastefully short skirt and frilly blouse. Her makeup subtle and delicately applied. Much too much effort for merely answering the door and pet sitting. Maybe she'd been planning on heading out for the evening? Perhaps. But from her peeved expression, from her barely constrained scowl, from her much too judgmental scan of my field stained gear, perhaps not. What an amazing, new accomplishment. Things seem to be going pretty well - aside from the seemingly neverending series of fires springing up all over the place.
With a flick of my wrist dismissing those smoldering embers threatening to expand, those brilliant pyres already burning bright, and that raging inferno nearly choking me with its heat and ash. Receiving a farewell gesture from the guard on duty in front of the Stormhawk House in return. Walking away from the House feeling mostly confident and in control. One of the potential fires - Nico's relationship with me - in no way out of control. And being the object of some pampered, prepped and pretty girl's jealousy is such a fantastically intoxicating feeling - whodathunk it?
Vesper, not the most talkative companion – very arguably a net plus – also seems to be on good terms. He has to at least suspect he's still around thanks to my efforts the other day. A good lookout and good at interference - certainly better at interference for me than me trying to run interference for him. So that other fire quietly burning over at Haven - aside from being cursed out by that Ranger girl earlier in the day - also fine. Walking out with their group proved to be fairly informative.
Omen's looking good - um, doing good. That is, he's doing good. Significantly better than when he'd been coughing up blood during our last unfortunate meeting inside House Haven. And now, after all that, the man is a trusted member of the House, in good standing. Trusted enough to join the more heavily armed members of the group to go hunting, while the others split up to manage Haven's farms just outside of town.
For intel, they hadn't gone near the Spider Temple or clashed with any of its patrols since the guilds fell almost a full year ago. They hadn't even heard about anyone doing anything similar, either. Nico had said the same thing about Stormhawk - he hadn't heard about any, at least. No news should be good news, but with the Koln's cult getting itself back together, and with the rats allegedly gathering underground, it's possible the spiders are also preparing. Going to take a stroll over and do some scouting, one of these days. Maybe in a few cycles.
Getting back to my apartment and stripping off my visibly fraying armor. One too many applications of Mending had left it feeling quite flimsy. Two fresh sets already commissioned and stashed here, have to order another fresh sets to replace this one. Taking a hot shower and then stretching out in bed.
***
Getting in just after midnight, nice and comfy in my king size bed. All the lights, for some reason, on in the room. Don't recall doing that. A pile of linens stacked on the dresser, and the couch that had been in the living room now sitting in here against the wall. Definitely didn't do that, either. Holding my breath while listening for intruders, but everything's quiet. Remembering the note and payment given to Stacy next door. She got my order in already? That was quick. But, before taking a tour, first things first. Level 17.
Name: Lucilia Macarthy Profession: Runemage Level: 17 Sex: Female Experience: 161,161 (16,455) Age: 20 Until Next: 37,589 Health 86 Mana 90 Stamina 40 Spirit 8 Strength (STR) 58 (4) Constitution (CON) 65 (7) Dexterity (DEX) 70 (15) Agility (AGI) 88 (19) Discipline (DIS) 78 (14) Aura (AUR) 84 (17) Logic (LOG) 75 (17) Intuition (INT) 78 (19) Wisdom (WIS) 48 (-1) Influence (INF) 78 (14)
Name Trainings Bonus Armor Use 6 29 Physical Fitness 18 66 Simple Weapons 18 66 Arcane Symbols 23 72 Magic Item Use 18 66 Harness Power 18 66 Mana Control 18 66 Runemancy 18 66 Arance Lore, Decomposition 5 25 Arcane Lore, Shaping 18 64 Arcane Lore, Transference 6 29 Survival 15 60 Perception 18 66 Climbing 15 60 Swimming 13 54 First Aid 15 60 Trading 18 66 Stalking and Hiding 18 66
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Erase unlocked. Trying to visualize the rune and finding nothing. Maybe try and- no, too dangerous. Reshape had been like Copy - the object being Reshaped is itself the focal point. Erase... sounds fairly lethal, leaving me no choice but to visit my master. Had been deliberately putting off that task. Fewer Runemages running around willing to collect stones allows for enforced scarcity, making my services more indispensable to Sam. Sighing. That fire is going to start burning a little hotter, now. Hopefully not too much of a concern. Temporarily using my available points to peek at the next two available spells.
Eighteenth rank.
Engrave: Allows the caster to permanently enhance weapons with a Rune of Accuracy, armor with a Rune of Deflection or a worn item with a Rune of Focus or a Rune of Warding. Chance of success is increased with additional ranks of Arcane Lore, Shaping. When attempting to enchant magical materials a significantly greater degree of preparation for the item is required, and the chance of success lower.
There it is, permanent item enhancement. A 'significantly greater degree of preparation.' A 'chance of success.' Likely an involved, difficult process requiring more than a little bit luck, and assuredly some practice. Absolutely no choice but to talk to my master, now. At least it'll be good to catch up.
Nineteenth rank.
Symbol: Energizes the caster and nearby group members. Duration is 10 seconds per Runemancy rank. Duration is further increased by 10 seconds per rank of Arcane Lore, Shaping. Range of effect is increased with more ranks in Arcane Lore, Transference. At one rank of Arcane Lore, Decomposition, all non-allies in range are subjected to periodic stamina and mana drains. This effect will occur more often with more ranks of Arcane Lore, Decomposition. Upon expiration the caster suffers 2 points of spirit damage.
It sounds amazing - but spirit damage. Only one point restored every hour, which is most noticeable after a death. It seems like such a powerful effect - but it causes spirit damage. For doing something like that, it had better be amazing.
Rolling out of bed and looking at my much more livable apartment. New matching sofa, loveseat and a chair in the living room. Black leather. The rug is a bit plain, but it doesn't look bad. A couple new freestanding lamps, let's bring one over to this side. Bookcase, empty. Here's the most important test of all. Getting a running start and landing on the couch. Passes with flying colors, it definitely plenty of cushion. Oh wait, the chair. A recliner. Very nice. Moving another lamp a bit over that way.
Dining room table, extendable. Six chairs in, two more chairs off to the side and two leaves. This rug is much nicer, this is a good design. Now, the most important room, the kitchen. There we go, frying pans, larger pots, smaller ones. Knife set. Cutting board. New trashcan. The copy of the key left on the counter. Looking like a real home. Wait, where are the shoe soles? Drawer, drawer, drawer. There they are. One almost finished. Going to dedicate some time next cycle and knock these other two out. Any food in here? No, of course not.
Getting my incognito black skirt and white shirt set on. Probably need to get some more of these types of clothes, perhaps even less formal than this. A purely loafing set for late night meals. Runes drawn and activated. Opening the door and a gust of cool wind blowing back my hair. Getting near the end of September, fall is definitely starting to come in. Grabbing my cloak and locking up.
Down the steps and then over to that same restaurant. What's the special tonight? The same as last cycle. Heading a few streets over. No, no, well this place looks good. Not as busy as that other one, but by no means empty. What's it say here, tonight's special is chicken cordon bleu. Good change of pace. Hi, a table for one. The special and a pint. Oh, what do you have? I'll do the lager. Thank you.
Taking a taste of the lager. Nice flavor. That settles it, tonight's a two pint night. Pure loafing. Copy. Downing the one in one go, and nursing the other. So, for tomorrow, graveyard and then out again at four. But where? Nowhere near Koln. Should probably take advantage while the weather's still somewhat nice. After all that excitement last cycle, maybe come up with something a little more laid back.
***
“Did Ink seem in any way upset to you?” Riley innocently inquires.
“No, not exactly.”
“No, she didn't.”
“Mac, don't be a baby,” Magpie adds, unhelpfully.
“I was just thinking maybe we could come back to them in a couple cycles.”
“Lucy, I,” Riley hesitates, “I know you're coming out to the graveyard to help me. And to get your little stones.”
“That's for all of us.”
“That's true,” she concedes. “You're right. And I appreciate it very much, we all do.” The other two echoing her sentiment and Wolfe putting a comforting hand on my shoulder. “But the reason I want to keep doing those things for the time being is because I need to. You can't hear them - none of you can - but they're in so much pain. Every one that we set free is a huge weight off my shoulders.” Her tone and expression brooking no dissention. “If doing that is what I can do to make the world better right here, and right now, I need to keep doing it.”
“Lucy,” says Wolfe, “I know you're still trying to get your whole chain thing down – and you're doing really great, I want you to know that – and I know that out of all of us you're in the most danger out there-”
“Because I suck at it.”
“You're doing...” Wolfe trying to come up with a nice way of saying it. “Better. But next time I promise I'll do my best to help you. Better.”
“You patched me up plenty.”
“You're real good at taking hits.” Riley's jibe causing to Magpie to snicker. “I mean,” the girl offering an amendment, due to an angry glare from Wolfe, “you're tougher than you look.”
“Mac, have you always been good at everything?”
“Of course not.”
“But you play to your strengths, right?”
“Of c-” Stopping myself quick. Oh no you don't.
“And you also minimize your weaknesses, right?” Magpie saying the phrase anyway, echoing almost word for word one of the basic lessons learned in guild training. Staring at her, through her, trying to calm myself down. “And what do you do after that? You know I'm right,” she needles me. Wolfe taking an almost imperceptible step between us. “What's going on, Mac? You've been distracted all day.”
“I've got a lot on my mind. Anyway, I want to thank you guys for today. I'll see you next cycle.”
“Lucy,” says Riley, “I know you're extremely busy, but you really should take some time off, and come out with us to de-stress.”
“You really should,” says Wolfe, who then turns to Magpie, “Grace, it's at eight, right?”
“That's when it starts, so maybe get there a little early. And seriously, Mac, you're always welcome. I want you to know that.”
“I definitely want to. How about a couple cycles from now? What are you guys doing tonight, anyway?”
“Some of the people from the House are part of a theatre production. Bee is playing piano in the pit. It's been going all cycle and I managed to get some extra tickets for tonight. I could probably find another to swing your way, if you're interested.”
“I'm really looking forward to it,” says Wolfe, “I heard very good things about it yesterday from some people at the temple.”
“I do wish I could come. But we'll plan on doing something in a couple cycles, okay?”
Saying our goodbyes, but then a voice calling out “Lucy.” Wilde coming over. Their heads turning.
“Is that your guy?” Magpie smirks. “Looks rugged.”
“He's the one that you-” Wolfe says, before cutting herself off at his approach.
Getting all the way up on my tippy toes in order to give him a kiss. Riley bringing up her hand to her mouth to hide her smirk, Magpie's getting bigger, and Wolfe with a blank look.
“Nico, these are my friends. Kate,” Wolfe simply standing there, “Magpie,” Magpie giving him a wink, “and Evie.”
“We've met,” Evie says, not hiding her smirk anymore.
“Hi, uh, hello and hello again,” says Wilde, slightly confused.
“I'll see you guys next cycle.”
“If you need help,” Riley says to the guy, “blink twice.”
One surprised blink. “What?”
“You're doing something right,” Riley says to me.
“Have a good time, Mac.”
“I will, thank you.” Matching their smirks, but then a furry, heavy weight bumping into me from the side. “Vesper, bud, what's the deal? Why're you giving me that- Oh. I'm sorry I didn't say hello. Good to see you, too.”
Vesper permitting pets. Wolfe reaching out first, Riley slightly cautious, and then Magpie the most cautious. Afterwards, the three saying goodbye and heading off, leaving me with Wilde and his wolf.
“What were they talking about?” he asks.
“Oh, uh, inside joke, don't worry about it. Soooooo-” trying to move on before he can ask what the joke is “-for this trip I was thinking we take it easier than last cycle.”
“I don't think that'll be hard.”
“Probably not. And I was also hoping we could spend tonight sleeping in a warm bed.”
“I'm more fine with that.” His eyes twinkling.
“I didn't think that'd be an issue. So, anyway, I was thinking we should head over to Swan Lake. There's a village on the northern shore right by the road where we can get some dinner and a room for the night. But right now, before we head out, I was also thinking we should get some fishing rods over at the general store.”
“Fishing?” Looking at me with a mixture of disbelief and astonishment. “You actually want to go fishing?”
“I figure we get some booze and relax by the lake tonight, and then tomorrow we take a break around midday and cook up whatever we catch, if it's decent. But we don't have to, if you don't want to.”
“No, that's not a problem at all,” he says, while squaring his shoulders. “I definitely want to. But if that's what we're doing, then the general store isn't where we need to go. Over by the guild – that is, over by Haven – there's a much better store if we're going to be fishing.”
“In that case, lead the way. I'll cheerfully defer to your expertise.”
***
Back in town the next day. Getting in even later than the previous cycle, but feeling significantly more relaxed and rested, and generally better overall. Going to the same inn and sharing the same bath. Asleep before even hitting the pillow.