Flashback [Guest ST] Simply Irrelevant

[Aoren]

The young man’s eyes raked over Fallon’s form. It was very obvious what he wanted. The raging hormones of a man thirsty for more than alcohol practically dripped from his mouth with every word that he spoke.

“I can show you all of that and more.” He slid right up to Fallon roping an arm around her waist pulling her up against his body. Leaning in toward her he gave her a cat-like grin. He was generous with how close he got to her blatantly invading Fallon’s personal space.

“Let’s say you and I take a walk to some place a lot quieter? That way I can show you just how good of a hunter I really am. The name’s, Thomas. I don’t think I caught yours.” He gave her a wink. If one were to be completely honest, this young man wasn’t in the least bit compelling in the way he was approaching the situation. While he wasn’t an ugly man he certainly didn’t make up for his average appearance with suave style. There seemed to be nothing more interesting to him than the drink in his hand and the growing stiffness between his legs.

“What do we have here?”

The voice that intruded on the small exchange between Fallon and this Thomas character was a tad bit deeper. Upon seeing him he was certainly no more appealing. A portly man with a swollen belly and a fat head he was staring at Fallon like she was a piece of meat he were about to gobble up. He gave her a sleazy grin.

“Run along boy, a real man just came to claim this treasured prize.” Thomas glared at the newcomer.

“Shove off, I had my eye on this one first.” So Fallon was an object now? This was going from awkward to downright uncomfortable. There was still no sign of Cadmus. Indeed he seemed to have disappeared from view entirely though the gods awful twanging of his lute could still be heard. The crowd didn’t seem to mind as they roared with merriment at his risqué lyrics.

“Is that right, boy? Why don’t we let the lady decide? Hmm? Would you rather spend your evening with a boy?” The fat gentleman, if he could be called that, tugged his trousers up a little further on his waist rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet. “Or a man?”

“Oh come off it! You’re about as appealing as a skewered pig!” Thomas tugged Fallon a little closer eliminating any notion of there being space between them. He glared at the fat man. It looked like there was a storm brewing between the two. Fueled by hormones, alcohol and egos…this didn’t bode well.

It didn’t bode well at all.

NoteI apologize for the delay! Also, I promise there is a point to these shenanigans. Honest!

[Fallon]

Fallon gave a blink as she felt the eyes look over her. The mind gave a falter, searching and looking for an answer as he slid right up into her personal space. She stood a little bit straighter when that arm reached around her, reeling her in before she had a chance to object. It took all her focus to not spill her drink over him, and her willpower to not splash it in his face. She chewed upon her lip, her green-blue eyes darting up to him, before giving only a sheepish smile in response, "But... if we go as you say, then surely you would miss the show? No?"

Yes, distract him with what was going on around them. And perhaps silently pray that Cadmus, for all his intentions, would suddenly pluck her out of the crowd for the performance. Her eyes darted away as he gave his wink, and fixed themselves solely upon the liquid within the glass, "And surely... a hunter also knows how to be patient. Very patient." It was her free hand that snaked down to the hand that had pincered her in place then, fingers wriggling as she pondered upon the best way to pry herself free.

Her eyes looked hopeful when a rather rounded man intervened, and then the expression fell way behind the purse of lips. It was the same look as before, hungry, searching and looking, topped off with an almost mental undressing. There was a swallow, her pulse quickening as she resisted the urge to let her shoulders hunch in. There had to be something she could use, some way to get her way out this situation with as little mishap as possible. Her jaw however tightened when she felt herself turn into little more than an object. She managed to direct her drink away as he pulled her in closer, the red liquid slipping over the lip before rolling back down once more.

Fallon inhaled, and focused on speaking in a calm and gentle tone, "Surely, if you were both indeed gentlemen as you so claim - men instead of boys - then you would not be behaving in such a manner?" It was her free hand then that pulled upon Thomas' fingers, prying them back before she stepped free, "And undoubtedly you would not force a lady to make a choice between you? It is bad etiquette, more so for one to only know of two in terms of name at most." Her mind raced, blinking between the options as she took a step back. From there she was able to look upon the two men properly now. Exhaling, she created a scale with her hands, a simple gesture directed to them both.

"So... on the understanding you two do not know how to behave to a proper lady, well, I must decline you both," She gave a smile, the smallest bend before she turned on her heel and looked to make a hasty escape through the crowd, "Do have a pleasant evening."

[Aoren]

The two contenders looked between each other. They seemed utterly dumfounded that Fallon couldn’t be enamored with their charm, their cleverness and their questionable pick-up lines. The first to act was the young man. He stepped forward grabbing Fallon by the wrist completely disregarding any respect for her personal space. When it came to suitable partners neither one of these bumpkins were in the least bit appealing.

“Now wait just a minute here lass—“ Fallon would find her other arm roughly grabbed by the portly man. His grip was as greasy as his appearance. It induced a natural need to flinch away and thoroughly clean oneself. His rotten breath wafted over Fallon’s face as he got right up close and personal.

“Decline? Ha! I’ll show you something to change your mind, girlie.”
This situation was becoming more hopeless by the second. These two just would not take a hint. They were completely ignoring Fallon’s wishes. She received a rough yank from the younger man. Honestly, these two were fighting like little boys who were arguing over a favorite toy. It was maddening.

“Shove off, fat man, I was here first!”

“You are out of your league, brat!” There was more shoving and a little bit of yanking causing Fallon’s drink to swish roughly in her glass. Her protests would be thoroughly ignored. It looked like things were going from bad…to worse. The fat man opened his mouth to shout something at the younger when a very smooth, light hearted voice interjected.

“Excuse me, is there a problem here gentlemen?”

Cadmus presented himself not but a few feet away. He was wearing sweeping red robes with a tall pointed red hat to match. In one hand he held his lute. The other was placed lightly on his hip. His eyes glinted in amusement. Gesturing to the scene in front of him he quirked his head nodding to Fallon.

“I do believe the young lady has said she is not interested. Would you be kind enough to release her and be about your business?” It was the fat man who spoke up first.

“Look old man, I don’t have time to be bothered—“ It was then that the young man saw an opportunity to take advantage of the situation. He shoved the fat man in the shoulder pulling Fallon up against his body.

“Get lost, both of you.”

“See here—“ Cadmus brought up a hand to try and calm the situation down. The fat man stumbled forward throwing a punch in the younger man’s direction catching him in the jaw. The shock of the impact caused him to release Fallon as he tripped back spilling his drink on another patron.

“Hey! Watch it!” The young man growled leaping at the fat man inadvertently knocking another patron from his chair. Both the young man and the fat one had been reduced to throwing fists at each other knocking into other patrons. Things were steadily devolving into an all-out brawl that was quickly garnering the attention…and the participation of the other patrons.

Fallon would feel a hand on her shoulder and then Cadmus’s voice in her ear.

“My dear, I think it’s time to leave.” Cadmus stood in front of Fallon. He gestured for her to follow him only to find that their way was barred by the fat man. He looked disheveled and was sporting a bloody nose.

“Old man!” He charged Cadmus who didn’t look very intimidated by the loud growl the fat man let out. Cadmus brought up a hand sweeping his arm out in front of him. There was a sudden gust of wind that picked up seemingly emanating from that single gesture. The fat man was blow back as he was caught off guard stumbling into another drinker being drawn back into the brawl. Cadmus sighed. He adjusted his hat.

“Oaf. He nearly soiled my robes.” Glancing at Fallon the old man gave her a wink.

“We should go.” With that he quickly began sifting through the crowd away from the brawl. It would be very, very wise to not be there when the guards showed up.

NoteFeel free to embellish what you see with Fallon's perspective. If it was little confusing and fast paced, it was meant to be to express how quickly the situation got out of hand. You're welcome to transition us to outside the Inn.

[Fallon]

Well, that caused things to both backfire and escalate quickly. Her grabbed wrist caused her muscles to tense in reflex, her heels digging into the floor as she felt her heckles rise up. She barely had time to attempt to tug herself free from the grasp before the other was upon her. Leaning away in recoil to the touch and scent, it was her head that snapped away and searched the room for some form of help - not that any really seemed to spring to her aid. Lips pursed into a line, the drink slopping out and dribbling over her fingers as she became little more than a toy.
"Enough! Let go!" She protested only to have it fall upon deaf ears. The hold tightened and the tugging grew worse with every jerk. There was a second look around, the feeling of eyes prickling down upon her but doing nothing snagging at her core, the feeling of simple hopelessness taking over. That was, until that voice cut in.

All heads seemed to whip round, her flustered expression and a flurry of blinks communicating all too well that this was not a situation she wished to remain in. She watched the hand of Cadmus move, a simple gesture as he dissected and defuse the situation before him. Which once more did not work. Eyes narrowed, the last of her drink slipping out across the floor when the younger man claimed her once more. Not that even that seemed to last for long. The punch forced him to release her, and it took little time for Fallon to snatch upon the opportunity and slide away - quickly putting down her glass in the process. Chaos was about to ensure after all and she was not looking to be near it when it all kicked off.

Others begun to be involved, her eyes darting about to the rising up of patrons to the disorderly. There was only the subtle flinch when she felt the hand upon the shoulder, her head turning to look down to the old hand that rested upon it, another series of blinks as she watched him go round and stand before her with the gestures to simply follow being more than happily accepted, "You don't have to tell me twice."
Things blurred, movements quickened as the situation twisting and turning before her eyes. One moment there was the fat man making his return, enough so that her own hands clenched into fists, for the next moment he was stumbling away again - seemingly from nowhere before she was ushered along once more.

Somewhere behind her the sounds of fists and flesh colliding sounded out, her form dipping and ducking the people pushed in for a closer view. She did not look back, her eyes too focused on the bright red that marked Cadmus out from the crowd. Hands were used to pry herself forward and out, gingerly squirming her form past the closing in bodies. Brawling was something dangerous to be involved in. Feet tripped and snagged, a writhe as she bumped past the individuals. It was rather suddenly that she was outside the Inn, a near stumble as she caught the open air. Eyes looked and darted, a turn around on the spot to make sure they had not been followed outside.

"Thank you for that. I mean, trying to calm it down and stop it from..." she mumbled after catching her breath. Fingers massaged at her brow, a chew upon her lip as she flickered through the situation, "So, what now? About the performance? I mean, we can't go back in there... right?" She withdrew, a few steps away as she tried to come to terms with what happened. Lips were wetted, the eyes peering at him with a curious glamour forming within them. It was only then that her head tilted to one side, "What did you do to him in there? You know what I mean. I mean, one moment he was coming at you, growling and stuff. Then there was..." She shook her head, "Wind? Dunno. Maybe you just socked him good and I'm just a light weight."

[Aoren]

Cadmus fanned himself for a moment. He removed his hat from his head using the brim to produce more of a current to cool himself down. After a few flaps of the hat he placed it back on his head adjusting it so that it sat comfortably. At Fallon’s expression of gratitude he waved it off.

“Nonsense, you didn’t think I would leave you to be eaten by metaphorical wolves did you? I am a gentleman, my dear. If one thing remains true about a true gentleman it’s that they will step in to help a lady in distress, truly. As for the performance?” The old man shrugged his shoulders with a sigh.

“Well, it looks like the show has been cancelled. I don’t think the city guard the Ebonstripes? Ebonstrippers? Ebon…Ebon-something-or-others will be too keen on any sort of performance other than shackle dances tonight. Speaking of which….” He looked around from one end of the nearby canal to the other.

“What say you and I get away from these shenanigans? Hmm? Perhaps we could adjourn to your quarters? I would offer my own as a hideaway until things quiet down but…” He inclined his head toward the Inn. Given the commotion that was going on inside there was certainly reason to avoid it. Ravok was not exactly known for its leniency toward public disturbances. Clearing his throat the old magician raised his right hand placing his left over his heart.

“I swear on my hat that I am not trying to take advantage of you.” He was midway through lowering his hand when Fallon posed her next query. The grin on his face lessened for a brief moment before he leveled her with a careful stare. Clasping his hands behind his back he rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet. The old man looked very much like a boy who got his hand caught in the cookie jar.

“Ah. Saw that did you? Well, I suppose in the spur of the moment any attempt at subtlety was thrown out the window.” Clearing his throat he smoothed down the front of his robes regarding Fallon curiously.

“Those Bright Eyes of yours certainly are keen. I’ll grant you that.” He winked at her with a small chuckle. “Tell you what, I will fill you in on everything. Just not here.”

Cadmus gestured for Fallon to lead the way.

“That is of course, unless you’d rather stick around?” He arched an eyebrow at the girl. Sticking around would most definitely not be a good idea. Cadmus however, made no move to convince Fallon otherwise.

[Fallon]

"A gentleman you obviously are then," she inclined her head back into the tavern then, her brow cocking and rising and the lip curling slightly, "Maybe you should educate those wolves on how to sit and roll over once they've beaten each other senseless." Shaking her head she followed the hand as it waved about, the original plan of the night was to be discarded and put to one side. Her brow creased, lips being licked as she watched him weigh up what was to be done next, "Ebon-tigers perhaps? No... staying around here isn't good. I can agree on that one, so no arguments from me."

There was a snort, a shake of the head as she gave a pivot round on the spot attempting to gauge some direction that her present lodgings were in. Ravok was indeed a maze of twists and turns to contend with, and one that she thought to escape sooner rather than later. She spoke, "Of course you would not take advantage of me. You said you're a gentleman after all, and to do so would suggest otherwise." She shrugged nonchalantly, and gave only a slight point in the general direction of the boarding house, "This way. I think. Ravok is a big watery maze. Just... when we get there keep your hands to yourself. Understand?"

She shuddered at the thought of what could of happened had he not intervened, her skin writhing slightly at the greasy palms and the closeness that was forced upon her. Inclining her head she turned back, ears prickling to the growing sounds from within. Lips were wetted, her eyes fixed as narrows for a while as she gave him a scrutinizing look over. So she had managed to catch him out on something that he did not want to be caught doing. Nostrils gave a flare, the thoughts ticking over as she remembered every warning she had been taught in her younger years.

"Keen eyes are my speciality," She muttered, "And you look like a guilty man or a child caught scrumping in the orchard." Arms folded, the finger almost getting ready for waggling, "And it's a good thing I like knowledge and answers, else you'll be out." Matter of fact she turned on her heel once more, "Come on. Before I change my mind."

It was with that Fallon begun the slow lead to the cramped room she had rented in Tarsin's, an almost silent seething as she remembered the state it had been left in before she left. A mess, she distinctly remember leaving her belongings scattered across to serve as various trip hazards. But regardless she kept on walking, if not for the occasional glance back to the old man. Cadmus was indeed a puzzle it seemed, and it was the mind that ticked over to try and work it all out - Or at least obtain a better picture. Regardless, when they finally managed to get to Fallon's lodgings there was a firm point at him, "And don't touch anything!"

The hand gave an usher in, a quick check of what laid beyond it before she snapped her attention round, "Now, what was that?"

[Aoren]

Cadmus made a show of bowing with a flourish. He swept an arm across his waist bowing low tipping his hat off of his head as he dipped down. When he stood upright there was a fiendish grin on his face. He gave Fallon a wink.

“As you wish, Bright Eyes. As you wish.” The trip to Fallon’s living quarters was done in relative silence. The old man moved as quickly as he was able given his apparent age. When the finally reached Fallon’s abode he followed her inside clasping his hands behind his back taking a look around. It was difficult to gauge whether he was assessing the living space out of curiosity or because he was comparing it to the character of its present owner. He made a placating gesture when directed not to touch anything making an X over his heart.

“You have my word I will touch only that you give me leave to.” He gave a soft chuckle followed by an almost weary sigh. For the first time since meeting Fallon he truly looked like an old man. His wizened face became distant. He turned his gaze in the direction they came with a wistful expression. Shaking his head softly he reached into the folds of his robes withdrawing his ever present pipe. He placed it inside of his mouth the click of his teeth coming down on the tip an announcement to the world that it was firmly in place. He retrieved a drawstring pouch from within his robes. Tugging it open he deposited a small amount of tobacco into the basin of the pipe.

When Fallon’s demand came out of her mouth Cadmus simply glanced at her. He returned the pouch to seemingly endless void that was the folds of his robes. Bringing up a hand he fixed Fallon with a stare as he passed it over his pipe. There was a sudden glowing emanating from the center of his palm that passed into the pipe. With a few well timed puffs Cadmus was indulging in what was quite obviously his way of passing the time. With his right hand he grasped the basin of the pipe. His left he rotated so that Fallon could see his palm. There in the center flickered a small flame no bigger than her pinky. He puffed his pipe eyeing Fallon for a moment assessing her reaction.

“That my dear…” Cadmus flicked his wrist gently dislodging the small flame from his palm. It drifted toward Fallon. The old man made a swirling gesture with his index finger. The flame brightened before twisting into a captivating spiral. It floated elegantly in the air before Cadmus walked forward cupping his hand beneath the fire. “…is Reimancy.”

A small breeze picked up centered around Cadmus’s palm. It circled around the fire drawing the air from the flames extinguishing them. Then just as soon as it appeared the breeze was gone as Cadmus dropped his hand to rest behind his back. He studied Fallon for a moment.

“Any questions?”

[Fallon]

There was a nervous rock upon her own heels as he simply stood there, analysing almost in his gaze as he took the room in. She gave a slight squirm, ensuring the door was firmly closed before working her way around the cramped space. The once discarded was picked up and put to one side - or shoved firmly into the depths of the backpack. Note books were neatly closed and compiled, surfaces smoothed out before she generally waved her hands about the room in gesture. Her thoughts were growing scattered once more, "Sit, somewhere. Maybe. Possibly. If you wish to."

Not that he seemed to make a move at first. She heard the chuckle, her eyes glancing up to him, followed by a cock of the head to one side as she considered what it was he was doing. Even she noted the loss of the usual energy that seemed to throb and gather around him. He took his time too, simply taking in what was before him as he took up his smoking pipe once more - patient, slow and thoughtful. Her attention was captivated, the returned narrowed eyes sparking with curiosity and want of learning. And whilst the silence reigned and lasted, did she simply wait and wonder. Sleight of hand? An illusion on the mind? Or perhaps it was just fast reflexes.

She swallowed when he fixed his sight upon her, but remained largely silent as she held it. Something flickered beneath the shadow of this palm, the subtle scent of tobacco being ignited as it passed over the pipe. She watched the puff, the turning of the hand to reveal the underside, her eyes widening slightly but otherwise the expression remaining thoughtful. She caught the ochre glow within her gaze, her head turning to one side as she caught the flame within her sights. Leaning away was inevitable when the flame came closer, twisting and turning in its shape as she simply tried to understand what it was.

Magic, spoke her thoughts, the knowledge that it made him a mage came second. It was the most basic answer she could find, and her instincts agreed with her on it very quickly. Lips mouthed the word of it back - Reimancy - the faint flickering of a breeze extinguishing what was there. Fallon licked her lips, "Magic? So... some form of manipulation of... well fire and air? So... elemental based magic?" There was a peeking of white as she tried to continue to work through the thoughts vocally, "Base elements... opposites, water and earth? Perhaps? Maybe? But where from? Nowhere? No, must come from somewhere. Something cannot be created from nothing. Djed? No... yes?" Fingers rubbed at her chin a pull away as she tried to grasp upon the concepts of what it was and attempted to compare it projection, "It's so... different... So, those squiggles... glyphs on the stage. Do they actually do anything? Or is it just your Reimancy?"

[Aoren]

“Clever Bright Eyes.” The old man meandered his way over to the nearest chair he could find. He sat down with a sigh. With a bit of wiggling and some grumbling he made himself comfortable in the chair. He puffed on his pipe for a moment before grasping it pulling it out of his mouth.

“With all of that jabbering to yourself I almost think you’re crazy, lass.” He gave Fallon a smirk reaching up to adjust his hat. “You are correct. It is magic. The magic of elemental manipulation. Call me a fraud. Call me a charlatan but whatever you call me you can call me a genius.” He shrugged his shoulders leaning back in the chair crossing one leg over the other.

“Since the proverbial cat is out of the bag I might as well spill the beans. I am a wizard. Now don’t go all wide eyed and flabbergasted. I am not one to hole myself up in a lab concocting diabolical talking carrots or sinister squids that squirt multi-colored ink.” He frowned. The way he spoke suggested that he may or may not have had experience with such an affair. It was a ludicrous thought but one that floated in the air between them nonetheless. He blinked a few times as if dismissing a memory.

“Anywho, with Reimancy I can manipulate the base elements of air, water, earth and fire. I can even combine those elements to form different ones if I so choose but such grandiose displays of powers are so gaudy.” There certainly wasn’t an ounce of sarcasm in his voice. With a man like Cadmus, with his brightly colored robes, his pointy hat, his penchant for lewd songs and that gods awful lute, gaudy was the kindest word that could be used to describe him.

“Glyphs, girl. They’re called Glyphs.” He plucked a few strands of his beard out of his mouth spitting absently before popping his pipe back into his mouth. He puffed it a few times before proceeding. “Another testament to your powers of logic and reasoning. Well done. Yes, those glyphs do something. They focus my reimancy and allow me to more easily perform some of the fantastic feats you saw with the fire that I conjured. To the casual observer it would appear that I manipulated the flames with the powder, some matches and a bit of creativity. While that is true in part it is not the whole truth.” He gave Fallon a smug smile.

“It’s like I said my dear, people are going to believe what seems rational and reasonable. With a little bit of showmanship you can convince them that even magic is as mundane as a chamber pot.” Cadmus gave a small chuckle. He then leveled Fallon with a pointed stare.

“But I am not the only one familiar with magic here, am I? Your run of the mill person doesn’t use come to the conclusions you did purely by chance.”

[Fallon]

Fallon paused, blinked and finally steepled her fingers in careful thought. Lips pursed together, focus as she brought her thoughts down to focus upon the single point. Her lip curled up into a smirk, the orbs catching a glimmer before dying down once more, "Only almost crazy?" She turned her gaze to him properly then, "Does that mean I would have to work harder to obtain that level to satisfy you?" The brow only rose after that, a flicker of uncertainty on if she should truly call him that, "Genius? I... guess...?"

She shook the thought away, arms folding as she took him, his words and the frown in. Magic, was always an uncomfortable subject for many a mage - even she understood that much. Many lived in fear, silent observers forced to never speak out due to the possibility people would turn. An ever present danger that could be used against the user if it ever fell into the wrong hands. If anything it further proved it was indeed a double edged blade. Expression stilling, Fallon simply listened and consumed what information was before her, "Wizards do that? I mean, I thought that their quirky experimentations were little more than... well, stories?" Fingers pinched her brow then, "Of course. Even stories must originate from somewhere."

Little more was said after that, a deep inhale as she caught the scent of the tobacco smoke followed by a muffled cough. It was slightly intoxicating to her senses, more so as he settled himself down within the chair. It was gingerly that she took her own lean against the wall, a slight tilt of the head to one side as she contemplated, "Different elements? So..." She paused, and clicked her fingers as if to summon up a potential example. It sounded strange to say the least, but that did not mean she was about to deny it was not possible - it was something new after all, "Ah, fire and water. By heating up the water... it makes steam?" There was only a wiry smile to the subject of gaudiness and what may have counted towards it, she doubted any comments on it would be appreciated.

"Glyphs. Right," She corrected herself and rubbed at her chin, "Focus it, somehow. I... have no idea on that one. No analogy here." Briefly she chewed upon her lip, but the action did not last and was quickly replaced with the slight widening of the eyes. Her voice left her and was replaced by a nervous croak, the orbs darting back and forth between him and the rest of the room. Fallon blushed, turned her head, and felt her lips purse into a pout. It was with a snort that she managed to speak, "I don't know what you're talking about."

It became apparent quickly that such charades were not going to help her in this situation. Cheeks puffed, her toes rubbing against the floor as she tried to pick out an answer that would successfully allow her to back track. If that was even possible. Her hairs prickled, and she forced her gaze to meet that pointed stare, "Let's say that by chance, a possibility, that I am one who is familiar with magic. What of it?" She held it, tones dropping to that of seriousness, "What would you do?"