Zeltiva Archives Building [Adventure Torc and Hadrian]

[Hadrian]

"I think perhaps I wasn't clear, or didn't go into it enough. I'm learning knowledge here, but I would also like wisdom. The way I see it, wisdom isn't something you can necessarily teach. A person can lead another in the right direction, but I think the wisdom comes out of one person taking their knowledge and figuring out how it all works together. That's why I would worship Eyris over Gnora. Pure logic is the ruin of the spirit. I would worship Eyris in order that I might gain wisdom, whatever that may be.

"As for sharing it with others, I don't know. I'm more worried about myself. If I were wise, perhaps I would worry about other people. Or perhaps I would hide up in the mountains like a hermit and keep it to myself... Who knows?"

He was going to need a drink or three to continue this conversation, because that sort of thinking gave him more headaches than regular scholarly work.

"I hope the blood-compass works for Hrair's sake. And his sister's, if she's even still alive. I hope he'll stay long enough to prepare for whatever might be in store, though. I don't want to give him a tool that leads him to death... but there are worse things in life than death. Guilt and losing a loved one being two of them."

[Torc Ironwood]

Torc watched Hadrain as he talked thinking about what he said. Torc merely shrugged his heavily muscled shoulders, making it look like two massive rocks were rolling under his shirt. “Fear is another. Fear is perhaps the worst thing in life, if can cage a man into doing nothing, when he should try to do something, anything… Aye, there are many things that stop us from doing anything. Makes you wonder.”

Torc shook his head when he looked at the Northwood house, “I hope you have been smarts and began buying dried supplies for this summer. With the weather being as dry as it has been I figured that now is the time to start buying supplies before the summer heat kills more.”

Torc cut across the street and began walking to the park. They were still a few more blocks from the bar and he was hoping that on such a nice day he could see a few more ladies relaxing in the park.

[Hadrian]

Hadrian meditated quietly upon Torc's opinion as they walked. He agreed that fear was a tricky thing. On the one hand it kept a person out of trouble sometimes, as fear might have prevented many accidents and injuries in Hadrian's studies, but on the other hand it kept one from trying, doing, and truly living. Perhaps someday he would have the wisdom to find balance between an awareness of fear and the wisdom and courage to find the right course and stick to it despite fear.

He also meditated on the fact that he was never going to get lucky with a woman in Torc's presence. Though the man looked younger than his years, he was also a physical specimen that Hadrian could never be unless he gave up his studies to lift heavy things and eat only egg yolks and rare red meat. He wondered if it was regret that he felt, but wasn't sure he could name the feeling. Perhaps a bit of envy, but more of a nebulous thing. He couldn't hate Torc for his Isurian blood and the physiognomy that his work afforded him.

"I have a little stash of food," he admitted finally. "I've lived here long enough to know how to weather a food shortage."

[Torc Ironwood]

Torc wondered why Hadrian was being so quiet. Then he realized that just the two of them going out for a kelp beer was going to be a long night. Torc stopped in his tracks, normally he would have preferred a quiet night just talking over magecraft and the like, but perhaps it was time to get into trouble… of the female kind. Torc took a circlurar path in the park and went back up to the art school.

Now Torc, normally was a quiet man, reserved in thinking and presence, but there were times when even he got into trouble. Torc wondered if Hadrian ever did. He watched the students coming out of the art building, somehow the predator in Torc came out and as classes let out Torc waited for two good looking dancers to split off from the entrance. Torc knew that it was stupid to approach a couple of girls with oneself. No, women tended to make sure their pack was never split, however, with Hadrian he had the divide and conquer play ready to go.

Torc walked up to the two dancers, they were pretty, but so much that they would be full of themselves. He also noticed that they had been trying to flirt with a few of the boys, but weren’t successful. Torc smiled, peopled tended not to notice something good right before them when they were waiting for their dream. Quietly he spoke to Hadrian, “Follow my lead.”

“Ladies,” Torc said in a pleasant tone, “My friend and I were walking to a local tavern, when Hadrian here said that it’s such a shame two lovely ladies don’t have an escort. Realizing my foolish error, we are here to remedy such a thing. Perhaps, we can escort you to where you are going next?”

Torc bowed slightly allowing his muscles to show about his shirt, hoping that it would peak the two's interest.

[Hadrian]

When he was with Torc, it seemed like they went from one bad idea to another, but when he realized what was happening, he tried to correct his thinking. Invading the Archives, that was a bad idea. Chatting up some dancers, that was just an uncomfortable idea because Hadrian was not smooth in the least. Already he anticipated Torc choosing the one he liked best and the leftover dancer being disappointed to be left talking with the less impressive Hadrian.

Well, by that point, perhaps he would have consumed enough kelp beer not to mind so much playing second fiddle to the big man.

He grinned at the ladies, the faint flush hopefully reading as a drink or two in his body rather than embarrassment.

"You have to come with us," he assured them. "Otherwise Torc here will be inconsolable, crying in his beer all night. Please don't make me go through that."

[Liminal]

At the approach of the two young men, both girls turned. One was a blonde, with pale skin and a slightly crooked nose -- though not so much that it distracted overly from her appearance. The other was Chaktawe, with the typical long, black hair and dark eyes. Both had the bodies of dancers -- few curves, but long, lean and toned.

"So, you think we're going to a tavern, then?" It was the blonde who spoke, something more than a little mischievous in her tone. "It had better not be the one down by the docks. And, if you're going to take us there, you'd better be upfront about whether or not you plan on buying us a drink."

"Though," the Chaktawe chimed in, "we'd hate to leave anyone crying inconsolably for want of our company. Isn't that right, Vivienne?"

"True enough, true enough," Vivienne replied. Turning to Hadrian, she added, "Well, it's a good thing we're feeling noble today. All right fellows, Chashakja and I are at your disposal. Where shall we go?"

[Torc Ironwood]

Well good, Torc thought as Vivenne turned to Hadrian, the girls decided who they wanted. Torc approached the Chaktawe giving his arm to the lady. He quickly scanned her dark jet hair and her copper skin, the first stirrings of lust and perhaps excitement came about him. Torc had chosen found ladies perfectly willing to spend an evening with two gentlemen like themselves. Of course, Torc wanted to make sure that Hadrian went home with a lady that knew a thing or two.

“Well, Chashakja, there are no worries that we shall be walking down to the docks. We are both university students as well. Hadrian over there is quite a promising magecrafter, and it would only make sense to find a spot where customers are plentiful, and a decent drink helps loosen wits for negotiations.” Torc decided to step a little closer to Chashakja, he faced her feeling that his chest was twice her width and his arms seemed to be as big as her legs.

“Besides you ladies strike me as someone who wants to be raised above the filth of the street.” Without real thought in Torc’s head, he placed his hands upon the back of Chaktawe thighs and firmly lifted in into the air. Chashakja seemed almost impossibly heavy for such a sleight frame, however Torc had honed his muscles to a hardness reserved for beating metal into shapes, and his own heritage allow for such stupid stunts of strength. Holding her in the air for a moment or two to impress upon her his strength, he let pushed her up for a moment and let go catching her in his arms.

Softly, he spoke to her as he let his gaze fall into her eyes, “You’re such a wisp, I was afraid that I held you up any longer you would float away into someone else's waiting arms.”

Realizing the impulsive act for perhaps a stupid way to impress Chashakja, he lowered her to the ground and smile. “My apologies ladies, an impish act on my part, I will do my best to keep them to a minimum.” He said with a sly grin to Chashakja. Looking over to Hadrian, he realized that he had displayed an act that underscored Hadrian frame and probably left him feeling small. Torc realized that he needed to build the man’s intellect and station as best qualities for Vivenne.

Torc smiled, “Hadrian, my apologies, it was after all your idea to go drinking, please lead the way since I am helpless in these streets.” Torc hoped that Hadrian realized he had just made him the leader of their little group. That way it looked as if Torc was just a joker who couldn’t plan his way out of a shipping crate.

[Hadrian]

Hadrian would have admitted in private that he was rather startled that such a dancer as Vivienne would choose someone like him for a drinking partner. It seemed to him that two dancers, women highly focused on the physicality of their bodies and, he assumed, those of others, would be more impressed by Torc's native strength than his own whip-thin body. But here she was, proof that such might not be the case (unless these women had been paid by Torc previously, but as much as he liked Torc, he wasn't sure the man was the sort to make such plans for something so simple).

Her face interested him as much as her body. The slight "defect" made her seem human and somehow more attractive than if she had been utterly symmetrical. He had read somewhere, sometime, "A beautiful young person is an accident of birth; a beautiful old person is a work of art." She seemed to be the sort of person who was an accident, but might become art. Of course, he would never tell her that...

He was about to answer the girl's query when Torc started showing off his strength, and Hadrian just smiled, trying to look comfortable while his weaknesses were made more pronounced. Part of him was pathetically grateful when Torc made amends by placing him in charge, but another part of him hated himself for that gratitude.

"Well, why don't we go to the Captain's Berth? They're more likely to have something other than kelp beer than most places."

[Liminal]

"Put me down!" Chashakja cried out, though she was giggling as she did so. As Torc finally complied, she laughed again. "You certainly know how to sweep a girl off her feet, don't you?" She seemed properly impressed -- after all, a Chaktawe dancer would have experienced someone underestimating her weight more than once.

Vivienne just rolled her eyes at her friend's antics. "The Captain's Berth? You've certainly got good taste," she said to Hadrian. The establishment in question was just over the boundary that separated the Old Quarter from the rest of Zeltiva. It had a much more dignified atmosphere than the Kelp Bar -- more students cramming for exams and fewer grizzled sailors -- and, occasionally, there was something else to serve. It was hit or miss, but imported beverages from Sylira or Lisnar occasionally made it onto the shelves behind the bar; they were more than a little pricey, but they were there. Additionally, one could sometimes get pastries or other simple desserts; full meals, of course, couldn't be ordered in any public establishment in the city, but even sweets were a welcome addition to the limited menu.

The blonde girl put her arm in Hadrian's, not waiting for him to make the first move. Chashakja in turn was practically hanging off of Torc; there was no secret that she was interested in the powerful man.

It wasn't a far walk to the Captain's Berth. It also wasn't terribly crowded -- the student component to the patrons meant that it tended to be busiest in the wee morning hours. A stone-faced woman stood behind the bar, and plenty of wooden tables and stools dotted the floor of the establishment.

[Torc Ironwood]

Torc made sure to place his muscled arm about Chashakja giving her a light squeeze now and again as they walked. Torc knew instantly from the giggling that his impulsive act had secured her interest, now it was up to him to start the fires of desire. Touch was an important step in doing so, however, just like starting a fire one had to be sure to tend it with care. Tenderly Torc touched her face, softly letting his fingers trace the jaw and close to her ear. As Chashakja spoke Torc came close to her to her ear as his hands tenderly took in her own. “Ah, but to pick up a desert flower one needs care and strength, for to bruise such beauty only tarnishes the man.” Torc backed away keeping one hand still within his grasp as he turned to Hadrian and Vivienne. He kept his fingers loose so that Chashakja could adjust her grip as needed, but the gentle pressure was there to give her a sense of closeness, as he looked to his friend. Torc became a bit worried about how Hadrian was handling the Vivienne. Vivienne seemed to be the more dominant of the two girls and if Hadrian wasn’t careful she might overpower him. Hadrian needed to be confident and powerful. Torc suspected that Vivienne wanted control over man, but it was up to Hadrian to set those terms. He needed to show her that the only avenue of her control was to please and be loving. Thank the gods that Chashakja had chosen him! She was perfect for his personality, give her affection and attention, and just like the desert flower he had called her, she would grow and show affection likewise. Torc thought about the problem that Hadrian faced, and wondered if the man was going to figure it out. As they walked to the Captain’s Berth, Torc used his thumb to stroke Chashakja’s hand every time she moved close. He wanted to reinforce touching and he did so by simple movements and looking into her face with a small smile. He needed to make sure Chashakja felt comfortable giving her attentions to someone. She had probably been rejected enough by her fellow classmates that the attention he was giving was helping her quite a bit. During the walk Torc bent to whisper once again in her ear. “I remember a poem that the Chaktawe people have, it’s about a wandering boy and I certainly like this passage. ‘A woman led him first, Her kisses fed his hunger, But it was her tears that sated his thrist.’ I almost felt like the boy, feeling kisses would feed the hunger that is felt by loneliness, but it was her tears of bliss that sated his longing of love. What do you think?” Torc said to her. As they arrived at the tavern, Torc waited for Hadrian to give directions, he was suppose to be leader of the group and if he arranged it right it would mean sometime to talk to each and give one another observations about how to approach their respected companions.