Closed Mystery Meeting with The Wavy Haired Wizard [Celeste]

[Shane Wallsly]

Guest Storytelling : This story will be told by the account Shane Wallsly with permission given by Mirage, Domain Storyteller of Sahova. Timestamp: 12th of Winter SpeechBold is for common speech. Bold Italics are for Nadar Canoch It was an average day on the busy little Island of Sahova, not that average by Sahovan standards would hold up in any other part of Mizahar. Master's experimented, apprentices trained, helped or were used as living sacrifices and aspiring hopefuls trained for that big Judgement Day. One might even say it was a tad boring by Sahovan standards. On this moderately of boring days Celeste found herself instructed with delivering some Morphing Models back to Riyanna's lab at the Gug Adjak. As she exited the lab having deposited the scrolls she found herself face to face with a man she was only moderately sure had not been there before. He was possessed of blonde, wavy hair and light blue eyes and was dressed in a rather smart yet flamboyant set of yellow robes with light plum trimmings and the hint of a red shirt underneath. With his hands down by his sides they covered his hands concealing whatever ring he may have had on and, judging by the reek of embalming fluid that seemed to permeate the air around him, it was probably safe to say he wasn't a Pulser. “Oh dear.” He said with a polite smile showing off his pearly white teeth. He must have taken a body relatively recently to still retain non-rotting teeth. “It would appear that we almost had a most unfortunate collision. In a rush?” He laughed and took a step back so they weren't so uncomfortably close any more. He gave a small charming laugh and produced a flower from his sleeve like a street magician. It was a lilac flower. He gave it a sniff and smiled.“Lilacs are my favourite, don't you know?” With an elegant flourish he offered the flower to her. With this movement his sleeve pulled back to reveal the ring of a Wizard. “For you, young one.” He paused for a moment as if studying her reaction to the foreign word. “Won't you walk with me a while and entertain a lowly Wizard's questions?” OOCFeel free to PM with any questions you might have of course.

[Celeste Arumen]

Her eyes went wide for a moment, large and hazel, lost in the cornflower blues of the man who suddenly stood before her. That was, until her senses were overcome by the scent of embalming fluid. The stench made her stomach curl into a knot. But rather than wrinkle her nose, she merely opted to breathe through her mouth instead. It wouldn’t do to offend the mysterious stranger.

The girl gave him a subtle once over, noting the affluence of his attire. Definitely a Wizard. But then again, perhaps not. She too, went around dressed to the nines, to better blend with her surroundings. In fact, she wore a billowing arcane robe at that very moment, tyrian purple trimmed tastefully in gold. This man might not be any different. Sure, it was possible, but unlikely. Until she saw his ring, she just couldn’t be sure.

As she mulled this over, he did his best to charm her. Were the man human, she might have even been charmed. But instead, she smiled politely, uncertain of how to interpret his surprisingly easygoing attitude. Nuit were rigid and on the best of occasions, they were about as entertaining as pickling a plum. But this one, he seemed different and for that alone, she was willing to at least give him the benefit of the doubt.

The flower all but sealed it. She needed to know where it came from. Celeste received it graciously, bowing slightly before tucking it behind one ear. At his use of the ancient tongue, he would recognize the subtle raise of her brow. Was this man teasing her? Or was he assessing her talent? ”Mine too,” she replied at long last. ”Thank you.”

She inclined her head. ”Of course. You do me an honor,” she replied softly, with all the sincerity she could muster. ”Now to who do I owe the priviledge?” She paused. ”If you don’t mind me asking.” Were they to begin to walk, she’d follow, very slowly sinking into the depths of her auristic sight. Looking straight ahead, she’d be able to keep her eyes on the periphery of his aura without seeming rude.

[Shane Wallsly]

He seemed to study her for a moment before smiling again and entering a leisurely pace toward the stairs. “This way I should think.” He said simply without answering her question. He walked with an air of brisk eloquence. “I once knew a Wizard that had a new name for every life and a last name for every project he worked on. He said it was these things and only these things that define us.” He told her again not quite answering her question. He had, at the very least, broached a similar topic. “He was once called Maleisur Glyphvoiding. You know I couldn't tell you the last time I seen that old Wizard. He might have self-voided. Nasty business is Voiding I hear.” As they began to climb down the stairs he spoke again “It is such a shame to be cooped up in here on a day such as this.” The Wizard said wistfully. A Nuit remarking on the weather was quite an unusual site. Usually they cared little for such trivialities. However what was oddest was that today was a cold and bleak winter's day. No living creature would ever say something like that about such a chilly day. “What brings you to the Gug Andjak? I am thinking, apprentice, am I right?” He flashed her a smile again as they got to the bottom of the stairs crossed the short width of hall and began to climb down another flight of stairs. It seemed they were heading for the Ground Floor or rather Floor 20. “It is an interesting time to be in Sahova. Just this morning I heard of a young woman, such as yourself, had been made both an Apprentice here in the Citadel and an Initiate to a Warden of The Prairies. You didn't get drama like that when I first arrived here I can tell you that.” The Wizard seemed rather open, and perhaps a little dense, for a Wizard but every line he spoke was accompanied by watchful eyes. A rare cunning shown in those eyes. “I believe her name might have been Celeste. Might you know her? Or are Apprentices much too busy to be making friends?”

[Celeste Arumen]

He should think? His common was formal, dated even, but that was typical in regards to a Nuit. As they walked, he spoke of names being the only thing that defined them. ”Absolutely,” she remarked agreeably. The apprentice even laughed in spite of herself at the name Maleisur Glyphvoiding. How ridiculous could a person be? Despite her reservations, she was finding herself amused by the mystery man.

She endeavored to focus on the outer periphery of his aura. It seemed sedate, for the most part, a uniform, sunny shade of yellow, which lined up with his chipper disposition. There were splashes of color and impression here and there; the rich, slightly alcoholic taste of humor or the quicksilver of curiosity, but nothing to really latch onto. He was quite mysterious indeed.

She also made note that he did not make any introductions. It was sort of customary for one to announce their name and rank upon meeting a stranger. But she was very quickly adapting to their strange repertoire. He was neither customary, nor ordinary for that matter. At the mention of the weather, it was all she had not to break out into giggles.

”It’s so cold though!” A piping, cheerful little voice came from behind them. Celeste broke her sight momentarily to grin back at her familiar, Illia. She walked along behind them in her sealed form, a longhaired cat with violet eyes and fur to reflect her natural state of being. ”I know, but it isn’t as if you can feel it.” The cat licked its lips. ”It isn’t about feeling. It is too heavy out there!” Ah yes. She thought back in amusement to the first snowfall, with Illia struggling to stay afloat in the dense, winter air.

”Apprentice, yes.” She confirmed, wiggling her ring for a moment. He’d note she was a Morpher, from the beast emblem etched upon it. They were going down, from the look of it, likely to the ground floor. But from there, where would he lead her? Or were they to simply part ways?

”Celeste? I know her.” A wry sparkle was in her eyes. Ah, so it’d be like that, eh? ”As far as I’ve heard, she’s a loudmouth brat from Alvadas. Scandalous, don’t you think? To let a pulser get ahead like that?” Of course, her tone was thick with irony. But she smiled.

[Shane Wallsly]

The Wizard had either not noticed the cat join them or was simply indifferent toward it's arrival. He smiled amusedly when she replied to him. A knowing twinkle shone in his eyes. He let her finish before replying in a light hearted tone “Is someone jealous perhaps? I have heard her prowess in Morphing has grown remarkably since her failed Judgement. They say that... Um... Hm...” The Wizard was quiet for a few moments as he supposedly tried to place a name in his head. “Riyanna perhaps? Yes that sounds about right. Yes they say she has taught her well.” As they began to ascend another flight of stairs, the very final flight to the Ground Level, the Wizard spoke again “I have always found the Wardens to be incredibly capable characters if a little unpredictable.” The Wizard sighed deeply and then continued “Capability is something prized here in Sahova but I am afraid it often plays second fiddle to subtler strengths. I once heard a man describe our Island as a Grand Piano. In order to play beautiful music you must have many keys with which to manipulate your strings.” They were almost to the Ground Floor. Only a couple of steps left. “And a Good teacher of course.”

[Celeste Arumen]

”Jealous?” She echoed in mock incredulity. ”Me?” But then she smiled, an airy sort of giggle passing her lips. ”Hardly. I’m confident enough to know where I stand.” The child brushed an errant lock of hair from her eyes. ”I have heard that though, it’s true. Riyanna is a real master, though you didn’t hear it from me.” She glanced about the stair conspiratorially.

As they approached ground level, she chose her words carefully. It was difficult to play a game when you didn’t know the rules. But something about the man was engaging. It was a gamble, but Celeste knew she had to take a risk or two. ”It isn’t all about what you know, right?” She paused for a moment. ”Rather, it’s who you know as well. At least, that’s what I’ve learned.”

Their feet soon touched the ground floor and she slowed her step, provided they kept walking. ”I think there is nothing better in all the world. I know my Master has certainly taught me well. But I too think I could learn from someone else, someone who knows how to play.” A slow smile spread across her lips. ”The grand piano, that is.”

Illia seemed excited by the prospect. The little beast loved music, after all. ”Me too!” She chirped.

Celeste turned an expectant eye toward the Wizard.

Eee!Sorry about the wait. I saw that you hurt your finger so I wanted to give you a break!

...Pun intended.

[Shane Wallsly]

When they had reached Ground Floor the Wizard's step had slowed as well. He seemed almost reluctant to pick a new direction. His eyes were almost twinkling with something as she spoke and she spied a smile curling around the edges of his mouth. “You appear to have learnt quickly. Many Apprentices have much less of their wits, or their original bodies, left by the time they decide to learn how to play.” The Wizard stopped and turned to face her. “Think about what I have said. There are many here who would appreciate a bright young Apprentice such as yourself and many more who would appreciate another stepping stone to crush beneath their feet.” He placed his cold hand on her shoulder and looked at her with deep intensity. “We will meet again, young one.” He told her adding that same Nador-Canoch phrase again. He clapped her on the back his face returning from sombre back into light cheer. “Farewell but more importantly play well, Celeste.” He said with a playful smile before striding over to the stairs ascending them down into the underground labs. It was clear her Mystery Meeting with The Wavy Haired Wizard had ended just as abruptly as it had begun.... OOCSorry about the rather abrupt ending but this was always going to be a rather short thread. And thank you, by the way, for being so kind as to consider my injury You can reply to this post if you want or you can just submit the thread for grading.

[Strange]

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Celeste Arumen

Skills

Skill Name	Experience
Observation	2 XP
Auristics	1 XP
Rhetoric	1 XP
Socialization	1 XP
Politics	1 XP

Lores

Mystery Wizard: Future Opportunities?
Familiary: Winter Air Impedes Avavali Movement

Grave Points

Reason	Grave Points
New NPC Contact Made	2

Comments :

This was a good thread. I liked the interaction that was going on here. Sorry it was so short but a certain aura of mystique had to be kept. I toyed with giving you a point in Familiary but I felt like I couldn't just give you a point for Illia just turning up but you did manage to earn yourself a Lore on that part. All in all though, good job. This thread was a pleasure to participate in. Also, yay, First Grade!

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