Post by Wik on Jun 6, 2023 1:04:15 GMT
"Well! I think that's enough Sylvan for today. And, you need to rest a bit before you leave. Where did you say you were off to again? New Hillborrow was it?"
"Yes... New Hillborrow. This business with the Wild Hunt... it feels like it is coming to a head." Wik leans forward until their forehead is pressed to the table, their arms splayed out in front on them. "No thanks to me."
Rux smiles the kind smile of a parent who knows where their child has found themselves, and knows that the only way through is, well, through. They raise their eyebrows briefly before tutting quietly and standing to clear the few tea cups and saucers that have been strewn about. "I won't hear it, child. You've done your best. And you're working to make it right. That's the important thing."
The small home of Rux and Yom is cozy in the late evening, the curtains drawn tight as always to ward against the unwelcome gaze of the passersby. With a light clatter, Rux drops the dishes off in the small wash basin. "It's not all been doom and gloom though, has it? I remember you said something to Yom about a job you did out west of here. Something with a farmer and his crops?"
Wik looks up slightly, craning their neck until their chin rests on the table. The tablecloth, hand knit by Yom, rubs coarsely against Wik's chin. They wriggle slightly in discomfort before eventually giving up and leaning back in their wooden chair. "Farmer Jyles. That was an odd one. This harengon, the Crimson Vixen, she brought us in to help escort a druid, Friar Plume, to a farm west of the city. Me, and Seraphina, and Archie Haltuhr."
Rux rubs their hands together before reaching up to their long, white hair. A quick motion ties it back with a strand of orange fabric, and they roll up their sleeves before grabbing a bucket. "Ah, right. This Plume, he was to help the crops there, right?"
"Right. An interesting fellow. He seemed to take to Cechec alright, though my driving skills weren't really befitting an old soldier."
"Haha!" Rux chuckles, turning their head back to Wik. "Yes, well, Cechec did have a tendency to tip a cart over rather than steer it." Rux shakes their head softly, chuckling at the memory.
Wik rolls their eyes slightly, but returns the grin out of the corner of their mouth. "My persona doesn't include his strength, unfortunately. I had to buy potions for that. Do you know how expensive those are?"
"I do. I also know that there are other..."
"Other what, darling?" Rubbing their eyes, Yom returns from the bedroom, stretching with their free hand as they look slyly at Wik. Their close cropped white hair frames their light grey face, and their small white eyes glow softly through the haze of sleep. "Other reputable merchants from which to buy such things?"
"Why of course, love." Rux turns in step, leaving a peck on Yom's cheek. "You wound me." They wink quietly to Wik, who groans in response.
"What are you two scoundrels scheming out here? Lessons completed?" Yom finds a seat next to Wik and begins peering through the few papers that had been set aside.
"Wik was just telling me about that job they'd picked up. The one with the plant monster."
"Oh right. It was a plant dog, wasn't it?"
"There was a plant dog too," Wik replies. "It came first. Father Plume was filling the whole farm with nature magic, and apparently it had a bit of an impact on the local plant life. Then the plant monster appeared."
"Oh of course, that's right." Yom pulls one leg up until it crosses the other, and leans forward. "You were telling me it was the first time you used your new rapier."
"It was, yes. Funny how the first time I wielded the Thorn was against a mass of thorns."
"Haha! Ylana would have loved the irony. She was more interested in targets that walked on two feet." Yom reaches out to lay a hand on Wik's arm, and smiles softly. "She'd be very proud that you wield her blade."
"Thanks, Yom." Wik tentatively places a hand over Yom's, squeezing it lightly. Their mouth crumples as much as it can with so few defined features, and their eyes look down towards the floor. "I still can't..."
"It's okay." Yom places their other hand atop Wik's sandwiching it. "When you strike with that sword, you're her, no matter what your face looks like."
Wik nods in response, thoughtfully.
Rux turns back to the rest of their family. "So that was it? Magic spells, slay the beast, get paid?"
"Pretty much. There was an auroch there that looked at me a bit strange, but it got us back home okay. A bit quick, though - we nearly bowled over some of the Guard outside the Stone Gate!"
Rux and Yom share a small look, grinning to each other as though sharing a private memory. After a beat, Rux turns back to Wik.
"Well, driving a cart through a gate and bowling over the town guard does run in the family."
