Perhaps Torgal should show him there's more joy in sticks rather than stones.
[An idea to keep the kids busy while the adult talk, surely.
And given a location, Torgal is at the door whining again, this time for Jill to hurry up and open it so he can go. He doesn't understand what an address is, but he know will lead him the right way. Still, though, he'll have to wait until she politely ends the conversations.]
I will meet you there in an hour or so, if that works for you.
[Jill is not the first to arrive at the meeting place. Torgal is, actually, and quite a few minutes ahead of her too. As soon as she unlocked the door, the frosthound bounded out and down the streets in search of his new feathered friend. Jill takes her time packing up a couple of loaves of bread into a basket, along with two other items, before making her way to the park.
If Davrin and Assan are already there, Torgal will practically knock them over with excitement, barking along the way. If they aren't, then he'll meet them as they walk, still just as enthusiastic about his play date. He still retains enough of his manners, though, to lead them to where Jill is perched on a tree stump, basket in her lap.]
[They arrive about the same time as Jill and Torgal. To be fair, Assan arrives before his guardian, diving out of the sky to land a couple feet away from Torgal, and prancing. He's so happy, look at this delighted little griffon face.]
[Davrin jogs up behind him moments later, waving to Jill as he comes.]
Not long at all. I've barely had a chance to rest my feet.
[She waves back, rising so she can hold the basket out towards Davrin. Inside of it are two loaves of the offered bread, though in truth, calling them loaves is a bit... generous. They're both misshapen and lopsided, one end bulging out farther than the other, but at least they're edible? Look, she's still learning her way around the kitchen and sometimes, the ugliest things come out first.]
I took the liberty of heating them up a bit just in case you wanted to enjoy them now.
[Though if he decided to be polite and pass on that offer just so he can toss the weird bread to some seagulls later, she won't be too upset. What Jill doesn't know won't hurt her.
Speaking of birds, Jill will hold a hand out for Assan to inspect before she offers to pet him.]
[Nah, he won't. Can't keep free bread waiting. Especially when he takes the basket and it's warm. Warm bread? Score. It could look like a blob as long as it's edible. He's not picky.]
You want some too? Hate to dig in and not share. [Because no matter how lumpy and weird, he's just going to rip into one.]
[Assan takes a break from pestering Torgal to trot over to Jill, and butt his head up against her hand like a cat. No sniffing required.]
[Underneath the bread and the cloth they're wrapped in are two small bottles filled with a mysterious liquid, stopped up with corks. They clink together as the basket gets shifted around, but for now, there's no risk of either of them breaking.
To his offer, Jill shakes her head. Gods, she's eaten far too many of her own loaves that just the idea of eating any more bread anytime soon makes her stomach twist.]
I think I've had my fill of bread to last me the next three summers. Not even the very best soup could convince me otherwise.
[Now that the griffon's accepted her attention, she cups his head in her hands, slim thumbs gently stroking lines against his feathers as she speaks to Assan in the sweetest softest voice.]
I do hope you've been keeping out of trouble, Assan. [A tilt of her head has her pointing in Davrin's direction.] And keeping him out of trouble too.
Fair enough. [He won't press further. Just tuck into one of the loaves, which lets him see the bottles at the bottom.] Dabbling in potions, too?
[Genuinely curious. They're not marked, and he can't immediately identify them.]
[Assan just presses his face more into her hands, eyes closed happily. He chatters a bit, like he's answering her.]
He's the only one who Harding could see for a while. Between the two of us, he hasn't had time to get into trouble, thankfully. [Himself though?] And neither have I.
[Indeed they are potions, purposely left unlabeled, just in case of some unwelcome eyes happening upon them. Even if it's now something of an open secret because of Cid's post, that doesn't mean Jill is taking any unnecessary risk in ferrying the stuff.
Her voice is still gentle as she continues petting Assan, like a mother soothing a baby to sleep. Surely, the bird will be spoiled by the end of this session from all this attention.]
It's past the time of when it was needed, but I had a few extra bottles of Cid and Zelda's concoction laying around and I thought perhaps you could put them to better use than I can. One never knows if we might need them again.
[A few extra bottles is an understatement. The man shoved so many at her, more than she originally agreed to take, and with her not really being the most social of butterflies lately, Jill didn't really use any of them. So off they go to a good home, just like the bread.]
Speaking of Harding, I brought one for her too.
[Just because she hasn't met Davrin's friend doesn't mean Harding wasn't on Jill's mind. Something something, a friend of my friend, etc.]
[It clicks, even as Jill starts explaining. He nods, slowly, setting the basket down carefully while he breaks off pieces of the bread loaf.]
The post on the network. I remember. [He also remembered what he'd offered in return. As much as he appreciates it, there's a part of him that feels like he should be giving something in return.] I appreciate it, Jill. But - can I do anything for you? [He holds up a hand.] Just makes me feel better about taking these off your hands.
[It could be anything, really. Especially when she adds the bit about Harding.]
Thank you. It's bothered her more to be cut off from people than me. She's a people-person.
[Jill's already shaking her head, finally letting go of Assan's face. Even as Davrin presses, she didn't do all this for something in return. Sometimes the spirit of kindness moves her and to be honest, she owes him for that outing that she sorely needed a few weeks back. It was just a simple walk, but he never forced her to talk more than she was prepared to do and for that, Jill is grateful. It got her out of the house and out of her head, even for just an hour.
Aside from that, she really can't think of anything he could give in return because last she remembered, Davrin was a hunter, not a magician. He can't give Jill what she truly wants and she wouldn't dare ask the impossible of him.]
You're already helping me get rid of any extras I can't use rather than letting them go to waste. I can't imagine there's anything else you could do.
[Jill nods, not necessarily being a people-person herself, but understanding the dilemma all the same.]
All right, but the offer stands. If you need help with a bounty or anything in the future... you know where to find me.
[Maybe it's the Dalish upbringing. Everyone relies on each other. Or the group support of the Wardens. Either way, doing things for each other is ingrained in him. He won't force the issue further, just putting the offer out there is good enough.]
[Assan whines (somehow) when his face is released, but quickly realizes his friend is here, and darts off to chase Torgal around instead. This is one of the best days ever.]
She's doing all right. Trying to find her footing again. [He shakes his head with a sigh.] She's used to having a whole network to fall back on... and she's got to rebuild it now.
I do. I'll have to get the rest of the Paladins convinced that I'm just there to find you, but I'm sure that's possible.
[Sooner or later, Jill just might have to hold him to that offer. She doesn't know Davrin that well, but she feels confident enough to think he's a good enough guy who'll honor it when she needs him.
But for now, her arms are free to cross in front of her chest, though this time, she isn't closing herself off from the world like the last go round. Today, it's just a casual pose as she takes a few aimless steps in the direction Assan and Torgal ran off in.]
Is she a Paladin too? Not that it matters outside of the brands to most people, I think, but I believe figuring out where to start finding connections makes things a bit easier than starting from scratch.
[From his tone of voice, it's obvious how he feels about the entire affair. It's stupid. None of them asked to get pulled into this. No one asked any of these other-worlders what they wanted.]
[He packs up the rest of the bread, and slings the basket over an arm to follow her steps.]
Nah, the Corsairs picked up Harding. Neve though - she just got here, she's Paladin. [A beat.] You should meet her too. Your magic is pretty similar.
[Honestly, she feels the same. Some of her friends are Paladins and really, Jill is the worst kind of Corsair there is. She's too kind, too reserved, to truly belong to the rowdy bunch, but then again, she's been part of the outlaw life back home for years now.]
Ah, I see. Well, I'll keep an eye out for Harding. Maybe offload some bread to her too.
[She tilts her head in question at the new name being mentioned, but remains like that at the magic comparison.]
She's a Dominant?
[Jill is doubtful—there's only but so many of them—but then again, she remembers Rem and Tifa mentioning their versions of the Eikons. Perhaps there's something like Dominants elsewhere.]
that's ok it's too late at night for caffeine for me
[Perhaps, but also maybe there's a reason why they are put in the armadas that they are. But just like how the rifts bring in certain people and not others, no one knows those reasons.]
Well, I could use another taste tester as I continue to improve my kitchen skills. Maybe she would like to volunteer?
[Which means lots of lumpy bread, lopsided cakes, and questionable stews.]
Ah, I see. Do mages have elemental specialties where you're from or do some of them dabble in a bit of everything?
[No one knows, it's true. But Davrin's too pragmatic to put faith in anything but what he can see, touch, etc. Which made it a lot easier to say "let's kill the gods".]
I think she would, if I know her. You might even help her here and there.
[Nothing can be worse than the ham and jam slam.]
Depends on the mage. Neve's specialty is ice, but I've known mages who use a bit of everything. And... then there's mages like Emmerich, who raise spirits from the dead.
[And that's where they differ. She's all for killing a god or two if they need to be put in their place, but she's a firm believer in prayer to the intangible deities of fate and the universe. Not too devout, but quick to send up a quick plea Metia to keep those she loves safe is not unheard of.
Jill continues walking down the closest thing to a path in the woods ahead of her, nodding in agreement about potentially helping Harding and in politeness as she listens to Darvin explain the mages he knows... except one part has her freezing in place, staring at him as if he suddenly sprouted two additional heads.]
Pardon me?
[Did she hear him correctly? Spirits? From the dead?]
[... Right. Necromancy. He probably should have mentioned Bellara's enchanted arrows or something instead. Davrin stops too, rubbing at his face.]
Raising spirits. It's necromancy. [He literally has to stop himself from saying 'He's Nevarran' as an explanation, because that wouldn't actually help anything here.] Where he's from, it's normal. There's a whole... college and school around it.
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[Assan is trying his best to chip in, but, the look on his guardian's face is at least keeping the shrieks to a minimum. He's just kind of chirping.]
- Maybe it'd be best to let them meet up. I think we're going to lose our hearing otherwise.
You should meet her sometime. She's a great friend to have around.
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[Cover your ears, Assan. You don't need to hear that cliche.]
I wouldn't mind. I have, admittedly, been keeping to myself a bit too much lately.
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[He's helping. Really. Maybe.]
Hey, I get that. A lot's been happening, and none of it's been fun. [Plus your whole missing significant other, which he will not mention.]
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[Sir, please. Thank you for not mentioning the obvious.]
That said, I also have something else for you. Where shall we meet?
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[If he thought it would make you happy, anyways.]
Yeah? The bread would've been enough. But - we can head out to a park. [Insert name/location here.]
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[An idea to keep the kids busy while the adult talk, surely.
And given a location, Torgal is at the door whining again, this time for Jill to hurry up and open it so he can go. He doesn't understand what an address is, but he know will lead him the right way. Still, though, he'll have to wait until she politely ends the conversations.]
I will meet you there in an hour or so, if that works for you.
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[Seriously, he has the attention span of a golden retriever.]
No problem. We'll be there.
[And they will be, as he'll hang up with a whistle for Assan.]
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If Davrin and Assan are already there, Torgal will practically knock them over with excitement, barking along the way. If they aren't, then he'll meet them as they walk, still just as enthusiastic about his play date. He still retains enough of his manners, though, to lead them to where Jill is perched on a tree stump, basket in her lap.]
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[Davrin jogs up behind him moments later, waving to Jill as he comes.]
Hope we didn't keep you waiting long!
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[She waves back, rising so she can hold the basket out towards Davrin. Inside of it are two loaves of the offered bread, though in truth, calling them loaves is a bit... generous. They're both misshapen and lopsided, one end bulging out farther than the other, but at least they're edible? Look, she's still learning her way around the kitchen and sometimes, the ugliest things come out first.]
I took the liberty of heating them up a bit just in case you wanted to enjoy them now.
[Though if he decided to be polite and pass on that offer just so he can toss the weird bread to some seagulls later, she won't be too upset. What Jill doesn't know won't hurt her.
Speaking of birds, Jill will hold a hand out for Assan to inspect before she offers to pet him.]
Hello, young man. It's been a while, hasn't it?
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[Nah, he won't. Can't keep free bread waiting. Especially when he takes the basket and it's warm. Warm bread? Score. It could look like a blob as long as it's edible. He's not picky.]
You want some too? Hate to dig in and not share. [Because no matter how lumpy and weird, he's just going to rip into one.]
[Assan takes a break from pestering Torgal to trot over to Jill, and butt his head up against her hand like a cat. No sniffing required.]
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To his offer, Jill shakes her head. Gods, she's eaten far too many of her own loaves that just the idea of eating any more bread anytime soon makes her stomach twist.]
I think I've had my fill of bread to last me the next three summers. Not even the very best soup could convince me otherwise.
[Now that the griffon's accepted her attention, she cups his head in her hands, slim thumbs gently stroking lines against his feathers as she speaks to Assan in the sweetest softest voice.]
I do hope you've been keeping out of trouble, Assan. [A tilt of her head has her pointing in Davrin's direction.] And keeping him out of trouble too.
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[Genuinely curious. They're not marked, and he can't immediately identify them.]
[Assan just presses his face more into her hands, eyes closed happily. He chatters a bit, like he's answering her.]
He's the only one who Harding could see for a while. Between the two of us, he hasn't had time to get into trouble, thankfully. [Himself though?] And neither have I.
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[Indeed they are potions, purposely left unlabeled, just in case of some unwelcome eyes happening upon them. Even if it's now something of an open secret because of Cid's post, that doesn't mean Jill is taking any unnecessary risk in ferrying the stuff.
Her voice is still gentle as she continues petting Assan, like a mother soothing a baby to sleep. Surely, the bird will be spoiled by the end of this session from all this attention.]
It's past the time of when it was needed, but I had a few extra bottles of Cid and Zelda's concoction laying around and I thought perhaps you could put them to better use than I can. One never knows if we might need them again.
[A few extra bottles is an understatement. The man shoved so many at her, more than she originally agreed to take, and with her not really being the most social of butterflies lately, Jill didn't really use any of them. So off they go to a good home, just like the bread.]
Speaking of Harding, I brought one for her too.
[Just because she hasn't met Davrin's friend doesn't mean Harding wasn't on Jill's mind. Something something, a friend of my friend, etc.]
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The post on the network. I remember. [He also remembered what he'd offered in return. As much as he appreciates it, there's a part of him that feels like he should be giving something in return.] I appreciate it, Jill. But - can I do anything for you? [He holds up a hand.] Just makes me feel better about taking these off your hands.
[It could be anything, really. Especially when she adds the bit about Harding.]
Thank you. It's bothered her more to be cut off from people than me. She's a people-person.
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Aside from that, she really can't think of anything he could give in return because last she remembered, Davrin was a hunter, not a magician. He can't give Jill what she truly wants and she wouldn't dare ask the impossible of him.]
You're already helping me get rid of any extras I can't use rather than letting them go to waste. I can't imagine there's anything else you could do.
[Jill nods, not necessarily being a people-person herself, but understanding the dilemma all the same.]
How is she handling being here in general?
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[Maybe it's the Dalish upbringing. Everyone relies on each other. Or the group support of the Wardens. Either way, doing things for each other is ingrained in him. He won't force the issue further, just putting the offer out there is good enough.]
[Assan whines (somehow) when his face is released, but quickly realizes his friend is here, and darts off to chase Torgal around instead. This is one of the best days ever.]
She's doing all right. Trying to find her footing again. [He shakes his head with a sigh.] She's used to having a whole network to fall back on... and she's got to rebuild it now.
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[Sooner or later, Jill just might have to hold him to that offer. She doesn't know Davrin that well, but she feels confident enough to think he's a good enough guy who'll honor it when she needs him.
But for now, her arms are free to cross in front of her chest, though this time, she isn't closing herself off from the world like the last go round. Today, it's just a casual pose as she takes a few aimless steps in the direction Assan and Torgal ran off in.]
Is she a Paladin too? Not that it matters outside of the brands to most people, I think, but I believe figuring out where to start finding connections makes things a bit easier than starting from scratch.
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[From his tone of voice, it's obvious how he feels about the entire affair. It's stupid. None of them asked to get pulled into this. No one asked any of these other-worlders what they wanted.]
[He packs up the rest of the bread, and slings the basket over an arm to follow her steps.]
Nah, the Corsairs picked up Harding. Neve though - she just got here, she's Paladin. [A beat.] You should meet her too. Your magic is pretty similar.
/returns late without starbucks
Ah, I see. Well, I'll keep an eye out for Harding. Maybe offload some bread to her too.
[She tilts her head in question at the new name being mentioned, but remains like that at the magic comparison.]
She's a Dominant?
[Jill is doubtful—there's only but so many of them—but then again, she remembers Rem and Tifa mentioning their versions of the Eikons. Perhaps there's something like Dominants elsewhere.]
that's ok it's too late at night for caffeine for me
She'd love that. Not even joking.
[Harding would love anything to do with homemade food. Jam, bread, anything.]
Not... quite. She's a mage. And frost magic is her specialty.
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Well, I could use another taste tester as I continue to improve my kitchen skills. Maybe she would like to volunteer?
[Which means lots of lumpy bread, lopsided cakes, and questionable stews.]
Ah, I see. Do mages have elemental specialties where you're from or do some of them dabble in a bit of everything?
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I think she would, if I know her. You might even help her here and there.
[Nothing can be worse than the ham and jam slam.]
Depends on the mage. Neve's specialty is ice, but I've known mages who use a bit of everything. And... then there's mages like Emmerich, who raise spirits from the dead.
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Jill continues walking down the closest thing to a path in the woods ahead of her, nodding in agreement about potentially helping Harding and in politeness as she listens to Darvin explain the mages he knows... except one part has her freezing in place, staring at him as if he suddenly sprouted two additional heads.]
Pardon me?
[Did she hear him correctly? Spirits? From the dead?]
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Raising spirits. It's necromancy. [He literally has to stop himself from saying 'He's Nevarran' as an explanation, because that wouldn't actually help anything here.] Where he's from, it's normal. There's a whole... college and school around it.
He's a professor, even.
[Is this helping?]
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