[hr] [center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190105/2028f5823d09311584fb94c19898505c.png[/img][/center] [hr] [right]Interacting With: Ceara [@NorthernKraken][/right] Hunched over at a desk in the library, Eliza hummed a melodic tune. Soft hands were coated in clay, and while she was immensely focused on her crafting, at times she’d glance up to peer at the cups of materials pushed up against the wall. Cord, glass vials, paint, miniscule flowers, and shards of crystals. The placement would look random to anyone else, but to her everything was in meticulous order. Peering back down at her work, she ran her thumb over the runic piece again and again, smoothing out its surface. It was a basic speed charm, something she had made many times over, and yet, she never dared to rush. Not unless she was forced to. The more time she spent on her charms, the longer they lasted and the better they looked. Not to mention it calmed her. Footsteps approached her from behind as someone else entered the library. Tall and spritely, the woman approached her from behind, moving surprisingly quickly, she leaned over Eliza as she worked, [color=#db7272]“Hey, yellow, what're you doing in here so early?”[/color] Eliza jumped, her thumb pressing down harder than she would have liked on the clay, causing a dent to form on its surface. She pursed her lips, staring at it with distaste. Calmly, she set the piece down and turned to settle her gaze on the woman who had interrupted her work. A glance at her worn cloak was evidence enough that Eliza should give her respect. So, she straightened her posture and offered up a bright smile. [color=A187BE]“Just figured I’d get some charms done before I was tasked with something else.”[/color] [color=#db7272]“Sorry, did I make you jump?”[/color] She said, only a little sarcastic as she examined the charms laid out in front of Eliza with curiosity, [color=#db7272]“Spellcaster, huh? Heard it was a spellcaster that did for one of the trial beasts - was that you by any chance?”[/color] Eliza didn’t dare puff up her chest. She assumed any confidence would be met with sarcasm or disdain. Instead, she paused for a moment before nodding her head, seemingly indifferent. [color=A187BE]“Yes, ma’am, that was me.”[/color] The woman gave her a brief nod, [color=#db7272]“Good job. Certainly don't look like much, but I guess you pack a punch, huh?”[/color] She stood up straight, giving Eliza space once more, as she gave her a look,[color=#db7272] “Y'know, wouldn't kill you to have a little more pride in yourself, you did good. There's not many here who can say that. If you don't toot your own horn, there's not a soul in the world who'll do it for you.”[/color] Goddess, the reds were confusing. What did this lady want from her? Was she just trying to get her to ‘toot her own horn’ around a hood that didn’t appreciate it? Maybe that was just her overthinking things. Perhaps it was like being in a bar full of drunks, who all liked storytime. [color=A187BE]“I suppose I did do well,”[/color] She finally admitted. [color=A187BE]“But I don’t suppose that’s why you’re here.”[/color] She added, wanting to further the conversation and bring it away from her minor achievements. She didn’t want to come across as rude, but why would a red want to hang out with a yellow if they weren’t trying to get something out of them? Eliza mentally scolded herself. She really was overthinking. [color=#db7272] “You're right,”[/color] the woman said with a slight smile, [color=#db7272]“I'm not. You're one of Finlay's lot,”[/color] she didn't pause for Eliza to answer, just carried on, [color=#db7272]“which is all fine and dandy, only problem being, there's about eleven times as many of you that survived than anyone was expecting. So. I'm borrowing you. Favour to a friend of the hoods, if you will.”[/color] Eliza was only confused for a moment. She nearly interrupted and asked if she would no longer be a part of Finlay’s squad, something that would irk her...if she had to stay with the same roommates. But since she was only being borrowed, this was probably only a temporary shift. [color=A187BE]“Sounds great,”[/color] She said with a smile. [color=A187BE]“What are we going to be doing?”[/color] [color=#db7272]“Well, y'see, that's where things get a little…”[/color] she bit the inside of her cheek, apparently searching for the right word, [color=#db7272]“[i]fuzzy[/i]. All we know is that a local blacksmith's friend’s worried about a family member. The pair of them'll be going with you, mostly to help you figure stuff out, but from what we were told, she stopped getting letters off her sister a while back. Next thing you know, she gets a letter off a neighbour telling her to get back soon as she can cos her sister's life is in danger. Apparently the girl's not been home in years, hasn't seen her family in as long. So, looks like it's gonna be up to you to puzzle it out.”[/color] She gave Eliza a slight smirk,[color=#db7272] “You up for the challenge?”[/color] An estranged family member that hadn’t visited home in years? Sounded like her mentor. Though his reasons were likely different than this blacksmith’s friend’s. [color=A187BE]“This is the type of work I signed up for.”[/color] She remarked easily. [color=A187BE]“When do we leave?”[/color] [color=#db7272] “That's what I like to hear.” [/color]The woman grinned, [color=#db7272]“Told the last guy I talked to to get to the carriage waiting out front in an hour, so that'd probably give you forty five minutes. Still need to find a couple of others to tag along.” [/color]She started to walk away, before, over her shoulder yelling a quick[color=#db7272] “Good luck!”[/color] Eliza winced when she yelled over her shoulder. Despite the library being mostly empty, it was still rather...rude. She wondered what the woman’s name was, as she hadn’t caught it during their brief chat. Well, no bother. She had to get to cleaning. Turning back to her workspace, she began putting everything back into a sack that she carried with her to the library, wondering what she’d do before the trip.