[ Trust him, he's noticed. Cagey at best, he reckons. If he'd had a choice in the popping in there, in particular, he wouldn't have done it. As for living where others die---well, he's old hand at that sort of thing. He leaves a wake of chaos and disaster in his wake. He walks away cause he's the only one willing to make the hard choices.
The only one willing to throw the whole rulebook away and actually do something about it. ]
I'm no hero.
[ He hopes that the creature didn't follow him through. The last thing he needs is it turning up during all this. His credibility is low with this one to start. ]
Power, yes but that one can also be a call through time or worlds like my dimension-hopping. [ He points to one that glows when he gets close. Funny, none of the others did that. ]
So you're trying to undo something? A curse? [ You are no babe. He sees the eyes and it makes a little more sense. At least part Elvish. He hasn't run into their kind in years. There was an older woman who swore John had something in him of the old blood and he'd laughed it off.
If anyone would've known it'd be his mum and she's long-dead. ] What'd you do? Trade your ability to make life for the rest of you?
[Walking away would have been preferred. No, she didn't. She stubbornly planted herself. It was to be her last stand. No rhyme, no reason, no Geralt. Fighting to the death so that fanatics would not have a hand in the dealings of The Continent was a good enough cause. And now Yennefer of Vengerberg lives. Surely that is for a reason? Destiny was not done with her. There were still parts to be played.]
Stop doing that.
[She assumes he is the one making the rune activate. That's what gets her at the very edge of the circle.]
Next are you to tell me that blades of grass are green? That water is wet? It is the way of things.
[Violet eyes are steely. He says he's not from around here. And these observations are too on the nose.]
[ Such is magic. It always has a cost. Most people can't give enough to manage it. Most people are too scared and busy pissing themselves to do anything about bad things. Evil can't just be wished away. You've got to fight it. ]
I'm not doing anything, sweetheart! It started glowing when I got near so check your own out of control magic.
[ There's an inhuman roar and John's eyes widen. ]
Bollocks, it followed me through. [ He hisses it out in frustration. ] You need to let me leave or something much worse than my annoying you is going to show up!
Change the bind runes and finish the circle. Do a protective one and stay inside it.
[She's about to tell him to watch that mouth of his again. The roar sounds and she straightens. The robe and a semblance of modesty is not so important anymore. Self preservation.]
It? What is it?
[There isn't exactly any time to do much. The air tears and ripples.]
A circle? A circle by means of protection? I'm not a novice.
[To John and her eyes are fixed on the many armed creature clawing from the space. Sighing she stamps her bare foot over the carefully drawn runes, smearing them as she goes counter clockwise. Both of her palms are raised and her hands spare like a live wire. It's too late to stop the beast from clamoring through. It's trapped now, the way John is though it hasn't done more than bristle and posture.]
[ Fat lot of good it'd do her if she did. He doesn't even do that for people he likes and she doesn't even come close to that. He shakes his head. ]
A demon. Clawed it's way out of the pits and decided it wanted a piece of me.
[ The stench of sulfur comes first. Then the heat. Claws appear as if they might tear through the very air around them as it comes through. Constantine.]
All right then fine. Do whatever you need to in order to keep it away from you.
[ More claws and appendages appear as it finally comes forth from thin air. An inhuman screech follows. Foolish mortal you thought you could escape me by running to this plane? I'll drag you screaming to the First of the Fallen by your entrails. ]
Charming, mate. [ To Yennefer. ] This here is Locenox. Lower ranking but eager to please his masters. Thinks bringing my sorry hide in now will earn him some favor.
You want a piece you're gonna have to work for it.
[And not to mention it has a very poor taste for a quarry.]
I thought a kikimora was loathsome.
[Her means of protection is an Elder Speech spell and an orb that resembles glass domes over her, the remains of the circle and a portion of the wall that John had been pressed to.
There is a strange sensation as her Chaos shapes. She has not touched John with her hands, though it's like a static jolt prickles over her head. It bends and wants to pull him in too. No other reaction. No pain. This was not what she had wanted. Fuck all. This is not at all how her magic behaves, not with actual incantations, not when she has done this a thousand times for safety.
Now is not the time to think it over. ]
Locenox. Yennefer of Vengerberg. You are not welcome. Fuck off.
[ He'll at least agree with that. He tried telling it this wouldn't go well but chatting wasn't on the docket. ]
Kikimora. [ If they both live through this she may yet have his attention. He's heard of those things. But they all died out eons ago.
John steps away from her protective orb. His eyes glow and his hands suddenly spark with flame. It billows over his palms, engulfing them. He feels the power from Yennefer and it tugs at him like nothing he's ever felt. He has to shake himself out of the thought to go back towards it.
More important things to handle, as it were. My quarrel is not with you, woman. I've come for the mage.]
It's like the lady said. Sod off. You can either go on your own or I'll help you out.
[Eons? Gods no. And Hell is a universal concept. There is not a single God with a single son and it is so much more complicated in these parts to be sure.]
John! Blast it, what on earth are you doing?
[Flames are all well and good, the room around them is made of clay, straw and wood. None of this bodes well. In fact the creature, their guest Locenox, is making the floorboards creak. Yennefer is not going to be welcomed back here again. It's not a premonition.
[ Don't go getting soft on him now, sweetheart. He was never going to stay inside that bubble like a lamb for the slaughter. If he's to die by this demon's hand then he'll face it head-on and fight until he can't. ]
Dealing with the problem.
[ The air heats around them. The clay absorbs it and he can feel sweat prickling on his skin. This spell is one of his go-to ones to utilize in a pinch. He's never really attempted to alter it. It takes little time for him to start in on another incantation and the orange dims to blue. It isn't quite ice but the fire itself is blue and cold.
John's breath fogs out and he grins as Locenox reels. A gesture and more flame licks towards the demon and at his fur. ]
Not a fan of that are you? Probably not your best move following after me.
[Be it from the demon or from John. Who is to say he is not a demon too? Many a monster has the face of a man.]
You die and they'll think I've killed you.
[Plain and simple. Point the finger at the nearest magical thing. And if not Yennefer than she invited Locenox. Look, she is not endeared to the mouthy, badly dressed stranger. Letting him die does not feel right either. Why did her protective spell encase him too? Why did he come at all?]
What are you waiting for, brave champion?
[Trying to retaliate to the icy flames licking the air, he crouches. The floorboards groan again. Yen curses and does her best to mend the pieces or this is going to be downstairs. In the bar.]
[ Her comment earns a laugh but he gives over and starts the incantation to open a portal to send it away. ]
If I die I'll have worse to answer to than you or anyone else around these parts.
[ Lucifer would be none too happy with his ending up in Hell while he wasn't around for it. Another few moments and gestures while the whirling portal spins to life. Locenox screeches as he's lifted off the floor. At least it might spare the bar underneath.
It doesn't stop his swiping and flailing as he goes into the portal. John isn't struggling near as much as he usually might with this spell. By now he might've lost his hold on it but now it feels even stronger. It's like being new at magic all over again. ]
[Is he always so insufferable? She truly wants to know. Only there is other elements at hand. The flailing has torn a hole in the wall. Bits of the ceiling is falling and it comes apart like brittle glass over Yennefer's shield and the wake of John's portal.]
Finally.
[A hold on her protective barrier and the floor. It is not going to be as it was.]
Do you know where you're putting it? Not some... temple or farm?
[ The usual exhaustion that might've come over him isn't the same here either. He feels it but it isn't so profound. Sort of a minor annoyance rather than something that might've brought him to his knees before. Little like swatting a fly. ]
Oh it's fine. I don't mind doing the hard work so long as I have a good audience to do the work for.
[ Smarmy and biting. He shakes his head and laughs a moment. That'd be terrible. He shouldn't laugh. ]
Don't worry your head over it. I sent it back to Hell where it came from. It won't be coming back out of there any time soon.
Don't think you'll get your deposit back here though. Sorry.
[Exhaustion after that? That's nothing. Or at least for most days it would be. Yennefer's shield thins and bursts like a bubble. She now makes to try and straighten her robe this time bothering with the belt and fixing her hair.]
A showmen too? The wonders never cease.
[She sighs and looks down at the ruined circle her face falls only for a moment before she turns her attention to John again.]
How did it follow you if that was not where you were? Don't you guard your steps?
[Hold that thought. They both can hear clamoring, no it isn't an invading demon but people from the bar level trampling up stairs. She waves a hand to keep the door barred.]
[ The magic is different here. It feels different. Stronger but easier to hold. To wield. Like he's closer to the source of it. ]
Shame I don't plan on sticking around long enough to share a few more.
[ Now that the bastard demon is gone, he needs to get back to where he comes from. Casting the spell to dimension hop here isn't a good idea though. He doesn't need any errant travelers like her or the lot from the bar coming through.
He's had enough of a day as it is. ]
I do. I have plenty of protection but he drew me out a different way. He was threatening innocents. I had to get out of their quickly and I didn't have time to stop and ask for directions on my way through planes.
[ Through the snippy tone he catches the brief way her face falls. He hadn't meant to muck up her work. Maybe she can regather somewhere else. ]
Don't suppose you've got another way out of here, do you?
[ It's like that where he comes from. Not to this degree, of course, but the magic is still there. As for how he learned, yes, he did teach himself. He read every book and text he could get his hands on. Learned to conjure things all on his own. ]
Yeah, you sound really broken up about it.
[ They are speaking the same language. It's also a language of urgency. John is in no way keen on finding out how friendly the locals are if she was so welcoming. ]
Oi! There's nothing wrong with my portals when my magic isn't going barmy cause of whatever this place is. Fine, you want to go your way, I won't argue.
I'm not interested in sticking around for a mob of angry locals.
[Funny enough she gives him an actual smile for his coarseness. It makes her face look far less severe and pinched. Her garments melt to something more appropriate. A black dress suit for travel. All of her items fit in one leather shoulder bag. It's not an impressive trick. Given her companion's shown gifts so far he could do the same with as much ease.]
Whatever place. This is the Continent. Did your portal make it's on Conjunction of the Spheres?
[Speaking of portals, her's comes and tests the sturdiness of the room as wind moves through the circular doorway.]
[ Hey, she can look at him with something that isn't disdain or murder in her eyes. Who knew? He quirks a grin at the magic that turns her clothing more travel suited and irritatedly makes note that he's going to have to do a glamour if he's going to blend in here.
Bollocks. ]
Never heard of it. I'm not sure what went wrong with my portal. Like I said, I was a bit desperate and needed to get that bastard off my arse.
[ He gives a low whistle of approval when her portal appears. Grade A magic right there. ]
Lead on. Least you can do is give over a name. I gave you mine, after all.
[This is just her way. He'll find that she is quite prone to her moods. Dressed and with the airs of a lady, yes. She will not suffer fools and be meek as expected.]
We're outside of Novigrad. Does that ring a bell?
[Who knows. Maybe it does. Maybe it doesn't. If he doesn't know the name of the known world how could he know the name of the city?]
Yennefer of Vengerberg. And from where is it that you come from, John?
[The moment he steps through, she follows. They are suddenly in a market place. The inn is far down the road behind them.]
I've never heard of such places. Beyond the sea then? Farther?
[The sea is enormous, long past Skellig. She pulls an apple from her bag.]
John of Georgia or John of Earth...whatever or wherever, best stay close else you and your tastes offend someone. I can try and fashion another portal, this one just for you. Best done out of sight.
[Which is why she is heading farther from town. Also knowing full well Geralt is working in the forest. The plan was to meet. No time like the present she supposes. John gets a sideways glance.]
[ Get used to the sarcasm while he's here. It's not going anywhere so long as he's clinging on as he is. ]
Just John. [ He gives a brief sigh at the bit of attention his garb is getting versus hers. When he's sure no one is paying too close attention he whispers an incantation quickly. A wave of his hand and his garb is considerably outside of his usual fashion tastes but it fits well with where they are. ]
Ta for that. I'll be glad to be out of your hair as soon as I'm able.
[Being alive as long as she has, this is not the first or last time a person has been sharp with words. While annoying, it's harmless. Yennefer says absolutely nothing but gives him a thin smile.]
As you wish Just John.
[He brought that on his fucking self. And the change in air makes her spare a glance.]
That's an improvement.
[Another bite of her apple.]
Mages in your realm, they're of a different color I see. This is your chosen form.
[Not just in fashion. In practice and self. Yennefer picks up her skirts and steps from the road, trusting John to follow.]
[ He's only got the one lifetime under his belt. He does have travel through multiple dimensions, though. It's a useful trick in his line of work.
He shakes his head and gives a rough chuckle at her way of jabbing at his ribs. Downright gentle compared to earlier. ]
I'm only doing so as not to draw more attention than I already have. I'm not about to ditch my clothes cause I'm not staying long.
[ He spares a glance around as they go. What a strange place. How come this is the first time he's ever run into it? Why now?
What do you mean by that? Are there lots of mages round these parts?
[ Just the way she handles herself? There aren't a lot of magic users like him in his world. There's a few, sure, and a couple up-an-comings. It's not a well-known sort of thing. ]
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The only one willing to throw the whole rulebook away and actually do something about it. ]
I'm no hero.
[ He hopes that the creature didn't follow him through. The last thing he needs is it turning up during all this. His credibility is low with this one to start. ]
Power, yes but that one can also be a call through time or worlds like my dimension-hopping. [ He points to one that glows when he gets close. Funny, none of the others did that. ]
So you're trying to undo something? A curse? [ You are no babe. He sees the eyes and it makes a little more sense. At least part Elvish. He hasn't run into their kind in years. There was an older woman who swore John had something in him of the old blood and he'd laughed it off.
If anyone would've known it'd be his mum and she's long-dead. ] What'd you do? Trade your ability to make life for the rest of you?
You're not full elf.
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Stop doing that.
[She assumes he is the one making the rune activate. That's what gets her at the very edge of the circle.]
Next are you to tell me that blades of grass are green? That water is wet? It is the way of things.
[Violet eyes are steely. He says he's not from around here. And these observations are too on the nose.]
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I'm not doing anything, sweetheart! It started glowing when I got near so check your own out of control magic.
[ There's an inhuman roar and John's eyes widen. ]
Bollocks, it followed me through. [ He hisses it out in frustration. ] You need to let me leave or something much worse than my annoying you is going to show up!
Change the bind runes and finish the circle. Do a protective one and stay inside it.
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It? What is it?
[There isn't exactly any time to do much. The air tears and ripples.]
A circle? A circle by means of protection? I'm not a novice.
[To John and her eyes are fixed on the many armed creature clawing from the space. Sighing she stamps her bare foot over the carefully drawn runes, smearing them as she goes counter clockwise. Both of her palms are raised and her hands spare like a live wire. It's too late to stop the beast from clamoring through. It's trapped now, the way John is though it hasn't done more than bristle and posture.]
No introductions here, John?
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A demon. Clawed it's way out of the pits and decided it wanted a piece of me.
[ The stench of sulfur comes first. Then the heat. Claws appear as if they might tear through the very air around them as it comes through. Constantine.]
All right then fine. Do whatever you need to in order to keep it away from you.
[ More claws and appendages appear as it finally comes forth from thin air. An inhuman screech follows. Foolish mortal you thought you could escape me by running to this plane? I'll drag you screaming to the First of the Fallen by your entrails. ]
Charming, mate. [ To Yennefer. ] This here is Locenox. Lower ranking but eager to please his masters. Thinks bringing my sorry hide in now will earn him some favor.
You want a piece you're gonna have to work for it.
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[And not to mention it has a very poor taste for a quarry.]
I thought a kikimora was loathsome.
[Her means of protection is an Elder Speech spell and an orb that resembles glass domes over her, the remains of the circle and a portion of the wall that John had been pressed to.
There is a strange sensation as her Chaos shapes. She has not touched John with her hands, though it's like a static jolt prickles over her head. It bends and wants to pull him in too. No other reaction. No pain. This was not what she had wanted. Fuck all. This is not at all how her magic behaves, not with actual incantations, not when she has done this a thousand times for safety.
Now is not the time to think it over. ]
Locenox. Yennefer of Vengerberg. You are not welcome. Fuck off.
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[ He'll at least agree with that. He tried telling it this wouldn't go well but chatting wasn't on the docket. ]
Kikimora. [ If they both live through this she may yet have his attention. He's heard of those things. But they all died out eons ago.
John steps away from her protective orb. His eyes glow and his hands suddenly spark with flame. It billows over his palms, engulfing them. He feels the power from Yennefer and it tugs at him like nothing he's ever felt. He has to shake himself out of the thought to go back towards it.
More important things to handle, as it were. My quarrel is not with you, woman. I've come for the mage.]
It's like the lady said. Sod off. You can either go on your own or I'll help you out.
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John! Blast it, what on earth are you doing?
[Flames are all well and good, the room around them is made of clay, straw and wood. None of this bodes well. In fact the creature, their guest Locenox, is making the floorboards creak. Yennefer is not going to be welcomed back here again. It's not a premonition.
Her irritation charges the Chaos.]
He's a beast of flame, can't you conjure ice?
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Dealing with the problem.
[ The air heats around them. The clay absorbs it and he can feel sweat prickling on his skin. This spell is one of his go-to ones to utilize in a pinch. He's never really attempted to alter it. It takes little time for him to start in on another incantation and the orange dims to blue. It isn't quite ice but the fire itself is blue and cold.
John's breath fogs out and he grins as Locenox reels. A gesture and more flame licks towards the demon and at his fur. ]
Not a fan of that are you? Probably not your best move following after me.
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[Be it from the demon or from John. Who is to say he is not a demon too? Many a monster has the face of a man.]
You die and they'll think I've killed you.
[Plain and simple. Point the finger at the nearest magical thing. And if not Yennefer than she invited Locenox. Look, she is not endeared to the mouthy, badly dressed stranger. Letting him die does not feel right either. Why did her protective spell encase him too? Why did he come at all?]
What are you waiting for, brave champion?
[Trying to retaliate to the icy flames licking the air, he crouches. The floorboards groan again. Yen curses and does her best to mend the pieces or this is going to be downstairs. In the bar.]
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If I die I'll have worse to answer to than you or anyone else around these parts.
[ Lucifer would be none too happy with his ending up in Hell while he wasn't around for it. Another few moments and gestures while the whirling portal spins to life. Locenox screeches as he's lifted off the floor. At least it might spare the bar underneath.
It doesn't stop his swiping and flailing as he goes into the portal. John isn't struggling near as much as he usually might with this spell. By now he might've lost his hold on it but now it feels even stronger. It's like being new at magic all over again. ]
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Finally.
[A hold on her protective barrier and the floor. It is not going to be as it was.]
Do you know where you're putting it? Not some... temple or farm?
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Oh it's fine. I don't mind doing the hard work so long as I have a good audience to do the work for.
[ Smarmy and biting. He shakes his head and laughs a moment. That'd be terrible. He shouldn't laugh. ]
Don't worry your head over it. I sent it back to Hell where it came from. It won't be coming back out of there any time soon.
Don't think you'll get your deposit back here though. Sorry.
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A showmen too? The wonders never cease.
[She sighs and looks down at the ruined circle her face falls only for a moment before she turns her attention to John again.]
How did it follow you if that was not where you were? Don't you guard your steps?
[Hold that thought. They both can hear clamoring, no it isn't an invading demon but people from the bar level trampling up stairs. She waves a hand to keep the door barred.]
Gods.
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Shame I don't plan on sticking around long enough to share a few more.
[ Now that the bastard demon is gone, he needs to get back to where he comes from. Casting the spell to dimension hop here isn't a good idea though. He doesn't need any errant travelers like her or the lot from the bar coming through.
He's had enough of a day as it is. ]
I do. I have plenty of protection but he drew me out a different way. He was threatening innocents. I had to get out of their quickly and I didn't have time to stop and ask for directions on my way through planes.
[ Through the snippy tone he catches the brief way her face falls. He hadn't meant to muck up her work. Maybe she can regather somewhere else. ]
Don't suppose you've got another way out of here, do you?
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Truly a shame indeed.
[For all the bristling between them, they are speaking the same language of agitation.]
Out of this inn? Yes. Always. I don't know about your portals. I can trust my portals. Best we not stay here much longer.
[Her objects begin to gather themselves. Candles, garments, the chest of potions and creams from the small table.]
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Yeah, you sound really broken up about it.
[ They are speaking the same language. It's also a language of urgency. John is in no way keen on finding out how friendly the locals are if she was so welcoming. ]
Oi! There's nothing wrong with my portals when my magic isn't going barmy cause of whatever this place is. Fine, you want to go your way, I won't argue.
I'm not interested in sticking around for a mob of angry locals.
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Whatever place. This is the Continent. Did your portal make it's on Conjunction of the Spheres?
[Speaking of portals, her's comes and tests the sturdiness of the room as wind moves through the circular doorway.]
Then come this way, John.
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Bollocks. ]
Never heard of it. I'm not sure what went wrong with my portal. Like I said, I was a bit desperate and needed to get that bastard off my arse.
[ He gives a low whistle of approval when her portal appears. Grade A magic right there. ]
Lead on. Least you can do is give over a name. I gave you mine, after all.
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We're outside of Novigrad. Does that ring a bell?
[Who knows. Maybe it does. Maybe it doesn't. If he doesn't know the name of the known world how could he know the name of the city?]
Yennefer of Vengerberg. And from where is it that you come from, John?
[The moment he steps through, she follows. They are suddenly in a market place. The inn is far down the road behind them.]
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Not in the slightest.
[ He squints at the bright light as they end up out in broad daylight. Middle of some dusty town square from what he can tell. He shakes his head. ]
Yennefer. I come from Earth. Assorted places there about. I live in a place called Georgia, currently.
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[The sea is enormous, long past Skellig. She pulls an apple from her bag.]
John of Georgia or John of Earth...whatever or wherever, best stay close else you and your tastes offend someone. I can try and fashion another portal, this one just for you. Best done out of sight.
[Which is why she is heading farther from town. Also knowing full well Geralt is working in the forest. The plan was to meet. No time like the present she supposes. John gets a sideways glance.]
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[ Get used to the sarcasm while he's here. It's not going anywhere so long as he's clinging on as he is. ]
Just John. [ He gives a brief sigh at the bit of attention his garb is getting versus hers. When he's sure no one is paying too close attention he whispers an incantation quickly. A wave of his hand and his garb is considerably outside of his usual fashion tastes but it fits well with where they are. ]
Ta for that. I'll be glad to be out of your hair as soon as I'm able.
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As you wish Just John.
[He brought that on his fucking self. And the change in air makes her spare a glance.]
That's an improvement.
[Another bite of her apple.]
Mages in your realm, they're of a different color I see. This is your chosen form.
[Not just in fashion. In practice and self. Yennefer picks up her skirts and steps from the road, trusting John to follow.]
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He shakes his head and gives a rough chuckle at her way of jabbing at his ribs. Downright gentle compared to earlier. ]
I'm only doing so as not to draw more attention than I already have. I'm not about to ditch my clothes cause I'm not staying long.
[ He spares a glance around as they go. What a strange place. How come this is the first time he's ever run into it? Why now?
What do you mean by that? Are there lots of mages round these parts?
[ Just the way she handles herself? There aren't a lot of magic users like him in his world. There's a few, sure, and a couple up-an-comings. It's not a well-known sort of thing. ]
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wrap this one?
sounds good <3