shylarah

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

Amuné bit her lip in apprehension as Ethan and Nymira tried to formulate a plan. The man wanted Wyth to stay with her, but the child thought that was silly. After all, she was going to be hiding, while most of the others were fighting the thieves. Then again, Wyth was not the best when it came to knocking people out. A swat with his paw could knock a man dizzy, yes, but he was built for hunting. So they both stayed behind, hidden in the brush, as Ethan, Nymira, and Cecil headed for the steamboat. "Be careful!" she called after them softly.

As they went off, the girl clasped her hands, closed her eyes, and prayed to the Saints to keep them safe. She didn't speak the words out loud, but her lips moved slightly. When she finished, Amuné turned to watch the fighting. She didn't have the best view from where she was, and she felt nothing but worry. Would everyone be okay? Maybe it was a good thing they had the healer along after all. Amuné glanced at him for a moment before looking back at the ship.

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

@AlexStarsion What's this about a binding Oath? How do those work?

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

Zander talked slowly, like he was having to think about what he said when he replied to the girl's question. And then he apologized, though she wasn't sure why. She made a noncommital noise in reply. But he seemed genuinely concerned about Cecil -- that or nosy. She wasn't quite sure. "What's a Seal Paper?" Amuné asked, her curiosity overcoming her wariness. If this man was a healer it must be something related to his profession, but she'd never heard her mommy mention them. Besides, she could tell Zander was making Cecil uncomfortable, probably because the healer was asking to do things that might give Cecil away as a Machina.

When the Aube Doré came into view, Amuné's hand tightened on Cecil's. Bandits were bad people, stealing and sometimes hurting those they stole from. The child didn't really want to be anywhere near them, but neither would she have been willing to stay behind. She didn't know anything about fighting, so she couldn't be much help. "I can send Wyth with you three," she offered hesitantly. She was worried, though. She didn't want any of her friends getting hurt. "I don't think the merchant will be happy if we burn his ship, Cecil," she added. "Though it certainly would make the bad guys leave."

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

Amuné stayed close to Ethan as the group made their way to the docks. After asking around, they were pointed to a waterfront shop, and inside the merchant they sought, a man named Lazlo. He wore layers of colorful clothing and, in Amuné's opinion, looked really funny. She supposed it must be some sort of fashion wherever he came from, but it made him look silly. The cloth in his shop was lovely, though, and the girl had to resist the temptation to touch it. It seemed fabric wasn't the only thing the merchant dealt in, though, as he was also smuggling alcohol.

Outside, Ethan and Nymira got into a conversation about the merits of alcohol. Amuné's parents had always told her that it wasn't a bad thing as long as you didn't have too much. She'd never had any herself -- when she'd asked once if she could she'd been told she needed to wait until she was older.

Cecil seemed to be upset, so the girl slipped her hand into his and gave it a squeeze, before considering Ethan's question. "Well, he said it was a steamboat, right? So that means a big wheel that moves it. I've seen one before, they're pretty neat! And the name, Aube Doré, that should be on its side somewhere. But do you really think the thieves will bring it into town?"

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

@AlexStarsion Which two? You want me to post before you do?

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

Amuné was glad to rejoin Cecil and Nymira, but she wasn't thrilled to hear about the rescue mission they had to embark on, nor was she sure of the newcomer that was tagging along with the pair. She watched Alezander warily, though she didn't meet his eyes, and when she caught him staring at her she moved to put Ethan between them. A healer was a good thing, but could they trust him? He seemed mostly harmless, but was he really?

The man dropped Ethan's hand, but suddenly grabbed it again. And...suddenly used magic. Amuné gasped. The man was a Magi? Maybe since he was a healer he didn't have to worry about keeping his magic hidden? Her village had liked her mommy much better than they'd liked her daddy.

The girl didn't understand what he meant about papers, but she didn't want Alezander touching her. He was a stranger, and she didn't trust him. Maybe he was a healer and a Magi, but she hadn't liked the way he smiled at Nymira. It had been a mean smile. And he kept looking at her, and there was something odd in his expression when she caught him at it. Amuné kept Ethan between herself and the newcomer, and softly told Wyth to stay close too.

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

@AlexStarsion They're called demacite, and the easiest explanation is that it's a more common practice, so the use of demacite ink and sigils is...not as common as crystal use, but maybe it helps specify the desired effect? Focus it?

My real concern is whether Amune would have heard of using ink and sigils, or whether she'd be forced to conclude Zander is a Magi right off. Not that it will probably take her long to find out, but I imagine the "feel" of magic cast with crystals and the feel of magic used by a Magi directly is different.

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

@AlexStarsion Hey, getting started on my post, and I was wondering. Zander masquerades as non-Magi, using Seal papers. How well known is the use of said papers? If it's a more obscure method, that makes his disguise a rather weak one -- something that might be a cause for concern, what with the current state of the Church.

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

Amuné busied herself investigating the rest of their room while Ethan relaxed. They even had a tub with clawed feet. That meant if Ethan needed to soak all they needed to do was heat up some water. She looked over when the man said it was time to head out again. He had the idea of Wyth finding them, but the girl shook her head. "Don't be silly. He's a moorcat, not a dog. We should ask for directions. Wyth, come!"

She went back downstairs and headed for Trillian. The minstrel gave her a smile, and when asked for directions he nodded. "Ah, the mayor's place? Yes, I know where it is. You really can't miss it. It's very fancy, even compared to the rest of that part of town." Amuné thanked him, and then she and Ethan set off to rejoin Nymira and Cecil. She hoped the Dimuran had gotten what she wanted from the mayor.

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

Amuné was pleased that they found the inn without issue. The stable hands were very helpful, and were happy to give them directions. When they got there, the girl's attention was caught by an Ydran man seated in a corner tuning a lute. A travelling musician?! Lucky~ Amuné split off from Ethan, who went to inquire about rooms, and went over near where the minstrel was. He looked up from his instrument and gave her a smile, which she returned shyly. "You know, I wasn't going to start playing until dinner," he said, running his fingers gently over the strings before giving a slight turn to one of the tuning pegs. "But I suppose I can play you and your lovely cat a song, if you like. What's his name?"

"He's called Wyth," the girl told him, giving the moorcat a pet. "Um...and I'm Amuné."
"I'm Trillian," the Ydran replied. He nudged the satchel sitting next to his stool with a toe, and a grey-furred face with bright eyes peaked out of the bag. "And this is Palla." Wyth's ears pricked up at the appearance of the squirrel, and he looked disappointed when his girl told him, "No, Wyth. Friends." He made a whuffing sound and wandered over to where Ethan was wrapping up his transaction. "Um...I have to go right now, but maybe I can listen to you play later," Amuné said. She'd seen minstels before, on the road and occasionally when one would stop in her village on the way somewhere else. They were always a treat. She gave Trillian a small wave and went to join Ethan as he headed upstairs.

"Ethaaaan, how much did you pay for this?!" she asked in exasperation, when she saw the room. It was far nicer than anywhere she'd stayed with her Daddy when they travelled to market in another town. "You shouldn't waste money, Ethan, or we won't have it when we really need it." Sure, Nymira had what seemed like an endless supply of gold, but that didn't mean they shouldn't be smart about what they spent.

When Ethan collapsed on the bed, complaining about his behind being sore, Amuné hid a smile. She wasn't, but then he was a lot older and older people always seemed to hurt more than children her age. "Heat will help if you're sore in the morning," she told him. "I suppose relaxing for a few minutes won't hurt, though." She sat on a corner of the bed. "Tonight I wanna listen to the minstrel downstairs. He's Ydran, so he should know a bunch of the songs my daddy sings for me!"