Closed Fellowship in Numbers (Miro)

[Verin Rush]

*

65th Day of Spring, 514AV

“I’m assuming that you must have had some reason for ignoring the couple who have been waiting for over a bell for their food?” Verin snapped at one of the barmaids, quite probably the same one he always did, for yet another transgression. The girl sighed but did not answer, which only irritated Verin further. Her poor attitude made it seem like, for something like the twentieth time this week Verin had deemed it appropriate to rebuke her for yet another menial thing. That wasn’t anywhere near the case, and the bartender did not appreciate the girl’s sub-par attitude.

“Since Grayson and several of your other friends insist that you do, in fact, have some form of higher brain functioning, I can only conclude that you did not believe me when I wasted my breath, along with several chimes of my time, explaining to you the specifics of each individual order. I have a good number of other things that I need to be doing whilst I’m here, and one of them does not include supervising you. The issue is that I have to, especially when the couple you have so carefully ignored come to me and complain, before leaving the tavern, likely never to return.” Though Verin understood why Grayson employed younger barmaids – his plan clearly worked, and many of the young, and older, men appreciated the aesthetics of the girls serving them – the blond did not approve. Most of them had little intelligence, and were scatter-brained, which ultimately damaged business for the Malt House.

Normally, the elder of the Rush twins would refrain from extended barbs towards those he worked with, but he was irritated; he did not appreciate a guest coming to him and complaining of a service that, in all actuality, had nothing to do with him. So, for once, he was not holding back on his language towards the girl. “Sorry…” the girl muttered, her remorseless gaze fixed defiantly on his own, and Verin’s eyes flashed with ire at the misplaced resentment that he could plainly see.

“ I never realised that you had such a penchant for apologizing to people,” the blond hissed, “ What are you sorry for this time? Breathing? Because nothing ever seems to actually make a difference with you. Are you actually sorry? Or are you just paying me lip-service?” Clearly unable to think of a response, the girl shrugged. Verin reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “You should stay in the kitchen today, and prepare the vegetables. Clearly anything else is far too taxing.”

The girl’s eyes widened; Verin was aware that he didn’t own The Malt House, but he still carried rank over the barmaids and kitchen staff, if ‘rank’ was how one could describe it. And he had not problem with telling the girl what to do if she needed to be told. Still, he wasn’t surprised when the girl tried to fight him. “What? No! I’m fine-”

“ And I feel weary of your dishonesty.” Verin interrupted, knowing that he had to return to the bar, before it got too busy. He was hoping to leave soon anyway, as Grayson had another hand working this evening too. “Go.”

OOCI'm sorry we're starting in the Malt House yet again... but I didn't know where else to begin and it's a easy location
*

[Miro]

Miro walked up to the door, past the people seated outside enjoying a drink. He entered the bar with a look of distaste hidden behind his mask. People stared at him anyways, they always did. The place didn't look all that great, despite being in the Merchant's Ring. At least it drew in a better crowd, one with a bit more sophistication. If only too they held the grace enough not to stare at a masked individual. He didn't even know why he was here. It upset him greatly not to know.

But then he saw why, or at least he thought he did. It appeared as if Venser was working here. Ender sensed the feeling of surprise, able to understand the reaction. "Ender, that is Venser, isn't it? So that is why we are here." The wizard's eyes were not perfect, but he could swear that to be the Legate. "No Miro, that is not Venser, but he is the reason we are here. That is my friend, Verin, though he looks nearly identical to Venser. It is time you two meet."

Miro was not sure how to approach such a thing. It was such an odd situation, and still there was no telling what this was meant to accomplish. "I have told him of me being a Familiar, and he knows you as my master exist, but may not recognize your name. Verin is an aspiring Hypnotist and a true Ravokian. However he is my friend, and I will not allow you to have influence over him." There was an odd protective sense coming from the Irylid.

The feeling was intent enough to show just how serious the Familiar was of this. It did not upset Miro as much as it inspired a sense of pride. The undead needn't have influence over Verin when he had it over Ender. At least he did not think as much, as he assumed his partner had great influence over him. Though doubt lingered, he dare not question such a thing. He trusted that this would work out in the end. If things were starting to go wrong, he could always fix them anyways.

Though as Miro tried to make an approach, he was caught by the most charming of displays. The mouth on this one, it was something. Verin verbally tore apart a young girl, not sparing any mercy. True Ravokian Ender said. Quite so it seemed. When finally the girl was finished with, Miro could not help but to let loose a slight chuckle and make a comment. He was here to meet the man anyways.

As the young woman walked off with her shoulders down, the undead turned a glance to Verin. "That will certainly teach her, now won't it?" The wizard presented a hand to be shook, but doubted it would be taken so easily. "I am Miro, and you seem to be Venser, but you are not. You are Verin. Ender has told me much of you." He shook his wrist to draw attention to the sealed Familiar upon it.

[Verin Rush]

With eyes shining as the tears began to brim in her eyes, the girl, ducked her head and scuttled away, hopefully to the kitchen to work more efficiently. Verin himself felt no shame or guilt at berating the girl like that; there was a limit to his patience when it came to incompetent staff at the Malt House. They worked in a well-respected establishment, one which was lucky enough to boast richer patrons as well as more common punters, and they had to be efficient in order to cater to all. Pale blue eyes followed the girl out of the bar area before he turned towards the bar, where he began placing cleaned flagons on one of the lower shelves for storage until they were needed.

He didn't get through many, however, before he was approached by a masked, cloaked stranger. With a strong sense of professionalism, he did not allow himself to stare gormlessly at the man in front of him, though neither did he avert his gaze as if he were frightened. A tight, artificial smile remained on his lips at the man's remark about how Verin dealt with the serving girl; he wasn't one to discuss such things with patrons, especially strangers. At the mention of his brother, he nodded his head, probably needlessly explaining himself, “Yes, Venser is my younger brother. We're twins.” The blond bartender smiled, “In the interests of having an even field, might I enquire after your name, as you already know mine.”

Verin raised and extended his own hand and clasped the man's in a firm handshake, and his eye grew wide for a second as he learnt of the masked man's identity, a Mage. More specifically, Verin discovered that the Mage was Ender's Master, and his smile widened as the man brandished his arm to show Verin that Ender remained in what Verin now knew to be the Familiar's sealed form. Remembering that Ender could hear him when in such a form, Verin then spoke to the Irylid himself, “Hello again, friend. It's good to see you.”

It had been some time since they had last seen each other, and they hadn't met often, but in each meeting they had cultivated both a working relationship and friendship - something akin to the bond between Verin and Nolan Parnell. He appreciated Ender's naivety, believing that the quaint, socially ignorant creature would only ever speak plainly to him. Ebder was not a devout follower of Rhysol, so he also wasn't overly worried about duplicity or betrayal on the Familiar's part.

This Mage, on the other hand, was not someone Verin thought he could underestimate. Verin tried to think back to remember if Ender had made mention of his Master's loyalties, but he could not recall. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Miro.” Verin avoided adding on "finally", not sure of what Ender had told the Mage... nor did he say anything about what he already knew of the man. He did not presume to cause a rift between the bonded pair, so he kept his words short.

[Miro]

Both master and Familiar were excited to have met Verin here. Ender especially was pleased, seeing that his partner had listened so well. It was rare to find the undead so compliant, able to take direction without information. Perhaps somewhere underneath it all he sensed the happiness in the Irylid. Even better, the meeting seemed to go well, at least so far. There was no incident from either party, and now they had a common link, Ender.

The Familair loved to receive recognition from his best friend. It was an honor to be acknowledged as such, for none ever had before while he held this form. Most, even those who knew him well, treated him as a trinket when sealed away. But Verin was not like most, and instead even would call him friend. This was something that no one else did. Though there was a strange indecisiveness that the undead felt.

Miro bowed his head at the comments made to him and smirked slightly beneath his mask. He understood well now what Ender was attempting, and now had a decision to make. He now decided how much would he indulge his partner. The answer was as clear as anything else, as much as it suited him, the same way he governed all actions. "I am quite charmed by this meeting. Ender has led me to you, though I can only guess as to why."

Yes, there was a reason, but the motives of the Familiar were inconsequential. Instead what mattered were his previous interactions with this man, for they could be of use. "Perhaps we could go somewhere a bit more private to talk, somewhere that Ender might have a chance to speak." There was one thing that truly begged to be answered. "I am very curious to know what Ender has told you. What is it that has brought you two together?"

[Verin Rush]

Verin said nothing to the comment that Miro was 'charmed' by their meeting; it was slightly disconcerting, especially when it was becoming evident that this Mage was not as naïve and ignorant at his Familiar. Whilst he trusted Ender, and his motives, he did not know what ulterior motives Miro could have for wanting to meet Verin. The man knew his brother and, while the bartender wanted to believe that Venser would a t least attempt to warn him away from anyone dangerous, any dealings related to magic were often shrouded in mystery when it came to conversations between the twins.

He couldn't remember if Ender had ever said that Miro was a supporter of Rhysol... but if he was, even though they would share a patron in common, that made him even more dangerous, especially if he embodied what The Defiler stood for. Yet he was curious, and he was keen not to insult Familiar or Wizard, and he quietly agreed that moving to somewhere more private would be sensible, rather than forcing Ender to morph in the presence of so many drunken simpletons. “Did you have anywhere in particular in mind? My own accommodations are currently at Tarsin's Boarding House, where my brother and I share adjoining rooms. You are welcome to accompany me there...”

He glanced around, and saw one regular punter who was staring at him, clearly waiting for a drink. Verin made a signal to the mate that he would return in a minute, and quickly slid down the bar as he made his apologies for making him wait. Accepting the flagon off of the customer, he swapped it out for a new, clean one, and lowered it to beneath the long, thin nozzle out of which the golden ale would pour. Wrapping his pale, long fingers around the lever, he pulled down as his relief walked into the tavern. The two shared a nod in greeting as Verin released the handle before pulling down again, allowing more ale out.

The newly arrived bartender accepted the money off of the punter as Verin passed the gallon of ale over the bar top. “Grayson's upstairs, I think... when you see him, tell him I'm gone? Thanks.” The two shook hands and Verin ducked out of the bar to return to Miro, embarrassed by the nature of his lowly work, in comparison to his brother's.

It was as he returned to Miro that he noticed the fleeting sight of a withered, black hand, mostly hidden in the folds of the wizard's cloak. He worked hard to keep the frown off of his face, but he couldn't be sure, especially because he couldn't see a reaction on Miro's own face. “My relief has arrived,” he gestured to the other bartender, “So I am now free for the rest of the day. Shall we?”

Leaving the tavern and hailing a ravosala, only then did Verin answer Miro's question of how the two met. “If you recall the beginning of the winter just gone, the second day, if I recall correctly, on the day of the execution of the remaining members of the Rising Dawn?” he waited for a nod of acknowledgement from Miro, “I was fortunate enough to be positioned such that I could see the bowman fire the shot and then promptly flee. I managed to alert a purple-robed wizard, who followed. And, following him, was an Eypharian fellow... and Ender. Your Familiar ultimately caught the assailant and saved my life.”

A new thought occurred to the budding Hypnotist, “You might say that I am indebted to him... but our friendship is borne out of common interests and well complementing personalities, rather than obligation.”

[Miro]

Miro waited patiently for Verin to be ready. He did what little he could to be accommodating, but was eager to hear a certain bit of information. He nodded and listened carefully, but never did the information come. Instead something else was revealed that he did not expect. The day of the execution, when Ender went with Lessomm and Rayage. So Verin was the cause of it. The wizard had taken credit for the entire situation, it should be him that was thankful.

But thankful was not a word to describe how he felt. Instead Verin looked useful, if only by luck tha the saw such an event, he made the choice to act. And in the end he was successful, and that meant something. Ender had taken an interest in him, and the Familiar seemed to have earned his favor. But the Irylid also had a motive here. Things were starting to become clear, but there was still much that hadn't been answered.

Luckily what Verin didn't say Ender would. Before Miro questioned the Familiar, he answered Verin. "That wizard, the Eypharian, my Familiar, I commanded them from afar to ensure the will of the Ebonstryfe was upheld. Ender worked as the agent of my will that day. You all did very well." Things became a bit more clear, a fine day that was to remember. The events unfolded in a most fortunate way, and much positive attention was gained then.

Though the undead needed to hear something from his partner, so he demanded an answer telepathically. "There is something more going on here. You two are keeping something from me. Now explain it to me! What is your motive in this?" There was definitely an unusual amount of uneasiness that the Familiar was feeling. Even more so when he was called out, which confirmed all suspicion.

Ender answered immediately and without hesitation. "Verin is my student in Hypnotism, and he is my friend. You are my master, and it is time you two meet." According to the rules, that would mean that Verin was off limits to Miro. But they both knew that the rules weren't for Miro to follow, but to break. This was the start of competition, one that Ender didn't want to lose.

Miro again addressed Verin and beckoned for him to follow as the wizard made his exit from the establishment. The Chained One limped quite slowly as he spoke in a hushed voice. "A Hypnotist, huh? I am sure Ender has shown you a thing or two, but there are things that only we together can show you. Ender is my partner, my Familiar. But I am his master." He pushed the door open and limped past the outdoor dining area.

For now it was the wizard's move. The Irylid was unable to do much from his sealed position on his master's wrist. And to act out of turn could call off the friendly nature of the competition. The undead hailed a Ravosala, and gave directions to his apartment. He turned to Verin. "There is much I would like to discuss with you. We can talk in my apartment. It is much more private there."

[Verin Rush]

When Miro offered his praise for the party who had chased after the crossbowman, Verin was not surprised to find that the wizard had been with them the whole time, in a sense, ordering the Familiar and one other. “You and Ender have a constant connection, then? You can communicate with each other at a distance?” he knew he two were linked, and imagined that there must be many benefits to having a Familiar. A second set of eyes was, no doubt, valuable, but the blond hoped there was more, to make allowing the crossing of worlds worthwhile.

The bartender was not, however, accepting the praise; The Black Sun had long since offered him all the thanks he needed, and it was the recognition that kept him happy, kept him hopeful. This Mage, powerful though he undoubtedly was, could not begin to match the satisfaction he had felt when shaking hands with one of the agents. He did, however, thank the masked man, as was courtesy.

As they walked, the pair fell silent, and Verin made no move to initiate any conversation. It became apparent within a few chimes that Miro and his Familiar had been engaging in a silent communication, as suggested by Miro's next words. The blond nodded in confirmation, “Yes, Ender has introduced me briefly to the power that I might one day have if I excel at the art. Thus far, any learning has been private, self-driven, which is, evidently, not sufficient for mastery, or even competency, of Hypnotism.”

“I do not believe that Ender's tutelage has been poor, not by any stretch of the imagination. But I cannot deny that a second teacher wouldn't go amiss.” It was very diplomatic, Verin thought - he would not downplay Ender's contribution. His loyalties were with the naïve Familiar, after all. Yet he would not insult the wizard. “I do not have the same drive to learn the magicks as my brother. For me, it is more of a subsidiary of other skills I might learn. You might disagree with me, but I am of the opinion that magic should assist me, but I should not become reliant on it.”

The pair, with the silver form of Ender still sealed around Miro's wrist, stepped into the ravosala, and Verin agreed that the wizard's apartment would be an appropriate venue for them to talk. The rest of the journey was passed in silence, and Verin watched the dark, clear ripples in the water. The journey was not long, and Verin passed the ravosalaman the money for the trip before exiting the boat with a soft word of thanks. He then waited for the wizard to disembark before following him up into his building, wondering whether or not he should work under the pretence that he had never been in the man's apartment before.

[Miro]

Miro though carefully as he observed and reviewed all that Verin said and did. An interesting man, he was not like his brother. There was something off about Venser, if only that made him appealing. But the other twin, he was by no means eccentric. It was appealing in a completely different way. He was logical, his view plain, his mind sharp. Both of them had that trait in common. Only one had an affinity for magic though.

Luckily Verin was a rather professional man, and with a certain appealing quality. He was smooth, handsome, intelligent. He had a powerful will, that much was apparent, and too the presence to impress it upon others. A perfect Hypnotist, if the man was trained. He had the discipline needed. The best trait he possessed was that same presence that Miro's own Hypnotism master held. Ender had done well, it seemed.

A brief response was given, though there was little desire to talk on a Ravosala. "Ender and I are always in communication, no matter the distance. Such is our bond. However I failed to realize your existence, just how much potential you hold. When we arrive, well, you will see. There is much I must show you." And the wizard did not speak another word until they had arrived at his apartment.

The undead led the way, the short walk to his home. A key was produced from his sling and the door was hastily unlocked. The room was revealed, a small, cramped apartment. It had only a few furnishings, a desk, wardrobe, bed and a couple chairs. It would be a familiar setting for Verin, but Miro knew not that the man had seen it before.

Ender shifted immediately upon entering the room to his natural form. With his ability to speak regained, he did not hesitate to use it. "Yes, Verin, this is my master, Miro. And this is where we live. It is a pleasure to see you, my friend." Only a brief response, but the Irylid felt it enough. He knew his master had more to say.

And indeed Miro did. He was eager to make a move, a big one. It was meant to cast both Ender and Verin away from their preconceived notions of how things would go. It was meant to throw them off guard. A test more than anything. "I am a master Hypnotist, a master of the mind. I can replicate my knowledge, Hypnotize you for absolute success. But only if you want to, and only if you can get Ender's consent."

[Alea Davenport]

Thread Award! Verin Rush: Skills: Leadership +1 Rhetoric +2 Socialization +1 Bartending +1 Storytelling +1 Interrogation +1 Lores: Miro: Ender’s Master and a Mage Miro has a Withered Black Hand Miro can talk to his Familiar over Distance Notes: Please remember to edit your request to show that it was graded. Miro: If you ever return, let me know and I can award you a grade for your part in the thread. Additional Comments: If you have any questions about the grade, please feel free to PM me and we can discuss it.