Castle Doctrine

Log Info

• Title:
• Emitter: Mikilos
• Characters: Mikilos, Braelnoir
• Place: A15: Mithralla Merchandise
• Time: Thursday, September 16, 2021, 10:39 PM
• Summary: After having raced to Mithralla Merchandise after the dispatch by Cryosanthia, and explaining the situation to Mikilos, the two reset the defensive parameters over the Shard of Animus, that should leave the mage and Korite the only two able to access the defenses and the precious artifact therein. Fatigued after not sleeping since before the terrible encounter in TaRrAcE, Brae settles in to their transdimensional Mansion to get at least a little rest, with Mikilos offering to keep a watch while she gets a nap in. They get to talking some, over the inertia of life's course, and briefly dabble in their respective militant histories. As Brae's fatigue finally demands it's due, Mikilos assumes his watch.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=<* A15: Mithralla Merchandise *>=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

Here, a large wooden structure has been built. Its somewhat eccentric yet elegant design suggests its owner may be of the arcane persuasion. To the side of the main structure is a small corral to for horses or wagons. Before the central building, a massive sword emerges from the earth. A sign upon it reads: "MITHRALA MERCHANDISE."

Inside is a small seating area with several comfortable chairs. To the back, an unobtrusive but businesslike sales counter, and two large signs. One asks patrons to please wait here and not disrupt those inside the lab. The other offers a lab rental at a very reasonable rate.

To the left and right are a large set of doors. The doors on the right lead to a large room which takes up most of the building. Several long tables are scattered about, many with small tool racks. A small forge sits off to the side. Unlike the average workshop, maps of celestial bodies and guides to the elemental planes line the walls. Large frameworks of brass, silver, and crystal occupy space between the tables. A large shelf dominates the far wall, the containers upon it sporting such labels as "wyvern bile," "sulfur," "tiger's tears," and other exotic items. A glass-covered hole in the roof, set with mirrors, offers direct sunlight, or moonlight, to shine upon various projects.

The doors to the left lead towards the direction of the mountains and what is reported to be a sildanyari-style ball room. Wizards.

During regular store hours, a young Llyranesi man, Belhan Mithralla, keeps an eye on the shop and the lab. When not cleaning or helping a customer, he can usually be found reading some book from the library.

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-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-- Starring --=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
 Braelnoir       A tall, pale Acanian woman, branded in silver.
 Mikilos         Tall male dawn elf, rosey blonde and handsome.
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Mikilos exits the invisible door into the shop, carefully holding the wicker basket in which The Egg can be found. Not an uncommon task, the Mansions only last a day. "Feels odd to exclude in the casting, but I suppose it's best to be safe."

On the mage's heels come the clatterous bootfalls of the grim and oddly, though understandably, taciturn Korite. The faint limp from the hideous, partly healed wound she came in with doing better, though likely from her training and her renewed focus, "How sh'wanted it. Don't trust'r self if if he tries ta use Lil as leverage."

She shakes her head, little flacks of scabbing from the small tear in her left ear whence her absent earring has been forcibly removed.

She rolls her neck, then, "Wanna keep it tight. Size of a room at the Fern two paces by two paces. Silver walls an' floor. Light from all corners, no shadows. Trail rations an' Strong coffee."

Mikilos smiles, and nods. "Not how the spell works, I'm afraid. Mansion has to be mansion sized, with room for a hundred. But, can set the floor plan pretty much how ever, have a secure hall off to the side with a room like you described at the end." He sighs, and frowns, considering. "...I don't recall for certain. Did E mention wanting the Shards, or is this strictly precaution?"

Braelnoir takes the correction in enough stride, though her hand does come to her face for a moment. She gives deep sigh and, "Precaution." then gets a hand halfway to fidget at her left ear, when she apparently gets a second thought on the matter and stops, "Ideally wanna do this where Lily ain't been."

Mikilos chuckles and sighs. "Few places like that, has a habit of getting most everywhere. But easy enough to find somewhere new and different. Side hall, third pillar on the left? Gets enough traffic wouldn't question you coming or going if need be, but empty enough to avoid snooping. The door is invisible, and same as a regular wall to any not keyed to enter."

Braelnoir pauses and looks to Mikilos, idly plucking the crimson soaked pantleg from the wound, "Is that proof 'gainst that demon's eyes, though?"

The Korite looks about for vigilance's sake, but probably not paranoia as they are in jeopardy after all.

Mikilos hesitates. "A regular demon, I believe so. But a simple spell to detect magic would see the door. Not be able to enter, but see it's there."

Braelnoir sighs, "Which means all they gotta do is wait outside."

Her bandolier gets idly fingered here and there, checking inventory, even as she asks, "There a way ta block that?"

Mikilos considers. "Wouldn't be too hard to layer up some illusions. Moving pictures on the wall. Obviously magically, making it no surprise to see magic there. And of course a demon hanging out in the hall for a few hours will be noticed. But no, powerful enough a demon can certainly camp outside the door." The wizard frowns, rubbing absently at his shoulder, where he was beheaded the last time E camped outside his door.

Braelnoir nods, still scanning about the area, "Big hoodoo ain't m'knowhow. Take yer word fer it. Best w'mix it up each time, anyway."

With a shrug, she brings her weapon off her shoulder and looks around some more, "Nothin' ta do but get started."

Mikilos nods, headed to the back hall. Not the most direct way to get places in the Manor, but handy for reaching some of the back rooms. The pillars are mostly for show, this section carved of solid stone, but makes a handy point of reference. Just past the third pillar, the elf pauses, and murmurs quietly a few moments, before apparently stepping into the solid wall.

Braelnoir's stride carries her along after Mikilos, she continues to look about on alert, ignoring the pain in both leg and ear. Her eyes align on the mage as he invokes his spell, the words alien to her ears, but as his advance continues through the wall, so does hers.

Mikilos stretches and relaxes a little, confidant in the security of the extra dimensional pocket. Blank faced arcane servants in grey livery wait in perfect silence, lining a short hall in an opulent feasting room. Previous experience suggests dozens of smaller bedrooms lay beyond. But the elf turns, for a moment looking as if to exit again, but instead steps around the doorway, perfectly visible on this side, to a plain hallway hidden behind. At the end of which sits a plain, if comfortable room, fitting the description given before.

Braelnoir kinda got used to the spatial foolery at work in this sort of major invocation. Tactically grand, but...

She leans against one of the walls, frame sagging, if only slightly for the increased level of security about them.

She looks to Mikilos, watching him explore before moving along after a few strides

"I'ma hafta stay away from Cryo fer a while. May hafta hole up here now'n then, too. Big bastard ain't the only one after these."

Mikilos nods. "If he is at all. We don't know his goals. But yes, certainly other demons hunting for them, if not for themselves then on behalf of yet other villains. But it's safe in here. I don't know of any magics or abilities that can force their way in."

Braelnoir nods, her eyes lowering slightly, "I... ain't slept fer a spell... I cain't... risk gettin' nabbed cuz I ain't peak."

There's a glance over her shoulder toward one of the servants, then back to Mikilos, "We wanna pick a time ta meet up an' reset this each time?"

Mikilos nods. "I can stay for a while if you want to grab a quick nap. The spell lasts a little over 24 hours, so same time every day works best, but there if some flexibility."

Braelnoir nods, some gratitude in her eyes, but it doesn't quick quirk a smile at her lips, "May do you fer a spell too." A pause and a soft, "Thanks."

She looks to a spot along the wall off to one side, then, "I sleep bad, sometimes. It happens, don't touch me, alright...?"

Mikilos frowns, but nods in understanding. "Bad dreams seem common for Adventuring. Glad I can get by with almost no sleep. But I'll keep watch, take some time to study my spells. I don't know of anything that can get in here, but have been surprised before. I'll stay alert."

Braelnoir nods, "Hell... Merkabah's only adventurin' gig't ever added t'what I got in th'Stride." she says mirthlessly before settling on one of the benches. Her scythe is propped against the wall and she gives a low sigh before she looks up ta Mikilos, "Thanks, luv... I mean't."

Her hands busy themselves with settling her bandolier aside before scooting back against the wall and laying her cheek against an upraised knee behind the poleyn of her greave.

Mikilos chuckles. "I'm happy to help. Feels like I should be able to do more. Can just wave my hands and bend the universe. But there's a heck of a lot of universe out there that's already bent some other direction."

The Korite swallows and moistens her lips, her head bouncing a little bit from the play of her jaw, then she says, "Finally figgered out some magic... cuz'o Kae's gizmo... an' so far it ain't been much use a'tall."

Mikilos nods. "Lot of magic is knowing what to use when and where. The simplest of cantrips can make a major difference in the right moment. Just have to wait for that moment to come."

Braelnoir gives what's probably a little nod, "Can make people small... or I can make'm big." she explains quietly. There's a moment or two, then, "Most times, specially adventurin', th'fights close before ya can really do much."

Mikilos snorts and smiles. "There is a classic bit about having a lovely cluster of enemies, a perfectly good fireball, and -someone- charges in before can set it off. Or gets grumpy went set it off anyway."

"Yeah... I seen some a'that, too..." Brae returns, lifting her head to rest her chin on that knee to look Mikilos's way.

A snort, "Some... green fool suckin' down bards tales, stead'a voice'f experience, just run on out, an' fuck up a perfect firing line'r ambush."

Mikilos nods, and shrugs. "Is something to be said for hitting hard and fast before they can set their lines. But is seldom the best route. But, heat of battle, work with what you have, I suppose."

Braelnoir srugs a shoulder, "Power's nothin' if ya cain't..." she breaks off a moment, a somber darkness in her eyes, "If ya cain't land it when... it counts."

Mikilos nods, and sighs. "Why I've yet to challenge Big E. Pretty sure my magics can take him out, long term. But not at all confidant they'll stick."

Braelnoir gives that a moment and nods a little bit, the prop of her chin putting a little bounce to her head, especially once she starts to reply, "He's cocky. Aya done'm with'r bare hands. Even had time t'talk shit.... I couldn't... touch him."

Mikilos chuckles. "Aya is not exactly a typical case. And sadly, it didn't stick." The elf ponders a moment. "Last time I saw him, figured he'd come back. But thought would be... decades, maybe centuries. Not months."

Braelnoir closes her eyes, "Knew a bitch like that."

Her shoulders rise and fall then her eyes reopen, "Sh'started using a Witchcrow t'harass me... done me dirty a few times, too, back when I's..." She shakes her head a little, then, "Anyway, destroyed his ass, ain't heard anythin' else, since."

Mikilos nods. "I remember hearing about the WitchCrow, odd type of magic. I understand the concept of it, but not enough to follow what all it does. Glad you got things sorted, even if it took some time."

"Thanks. Enjoyed realizin' I killed th'miserable little fuck." Braelnoir answers, "Blind, half nuts from some... damned...magic tree fungus'r something... an' there's that damned bird puttin' his hoodoo on me. Got th'whole damned park ta fightin' each other."

Mikilos nods. "More than one battle had to sit down and figure out what had happened once all the dust was settled."

Braelnoir nods, "Musta been some scrape." she observes, brows furrowing, some new signs of expression coming to her features for the first time since she dropped in.

Mikilos smiles. "One that springs to mind was fighting Her. The Endless Winter. Had the blade of Mortal Dread. What it kills, stays dead, no exceptions. But we fought, killed her, and she just turned to snow, showed up later. Looking back, was a few seconds She was out of sight, switched with a snow clone. Merely killed the clone."

Braelnoir frowns and sighs, "I... hadda stay outta that trouble..." she notes sourly, "I had a condition, done weird shit when exposed ta certain magic... if I got that plague too, or even got pinched by that fuckin' Mouser that done Cryo so dirty..."

Mikilos nods. "Plague was deeply unpleasant, double so for those of us live on magic. So glad managed to cure myself. Pure dumb luck, but it worked. But yeah... wonder sometimes how things might have gone had Cryo never gone to the Tower."

Braelnoir nods, and her eyes half lid whilst seeking a spot elsewhere, "Yeah... What if's a helluva thing." she remarks bitterly.

She returns her focus on the mage and says, "Good on ya, fer sussing out how ta fix ya'self up."

She notes, "Had ta do that m'self... well, kinda... with some'a...."

A blink, "Elly's fish...."

Mikilos shrugs. "Figuring stuff out is what I tend to be good at. Plans, puzzles, riddles, ideas. Comes to the actual fight, I'm usually best staying back and watching the horses. Can throw raw power around, but I haven't the finesse to make it really effective in combat. Everyone has there place, mine tends to be the library or lab."

A nod, "I can plan, usually.... I mostly done short term stuff. Platoon level." Brae answers, "Trappin an enemy patrol, breaking out of an ambush. Raid a depot, that sorta thing. Th'Old Man" a note of respect in the phrase, despite the wording, "Handled most o'the long runnin' strategic stuff, though... he'd put us ta the test now an' then once one of us reached Sergeant."

Mikilos nods. "Never did proper military. Too arrogant to follow orders, among other things. Was part of the Irregulars in Sendor, but that barely counts. Struggle to even pretend to be organized."

"Come up a merc'n the Brazen Stride." Brae replies, "Done biz most'a the continent it feels like... lotta time in Bludgun."

Her hand lifts to her ear as a faraway look takes her eye-which ends with a flinch as her hand apparently finds the little bite taken out of the lobe.

Mikilos nods, considers. "For as much as I've read about the world, haven't seen much of it. More than average, I suppose, plenty who never leave their home village. But raised in SilverMoon, came to Alexandria, done. Been on trips to various places, seige in Sendor was months, but only proper lived in the two cities.

Braelnoir rubs her fingertips together as she brings them before her eyes, dried blood flaking off where she sits, then her hand lowers and she regards Mikilos again.

She nods, "Most folk don't travel more'n a few miles at the furthest their entire lives. Fer all'a belllyachin we done about forced marches.... we got ta see all manner o'places most people gotta be told about."

Mikilos nods. "Good to travel, see new things, learn just how vast and varied the world is. But can understand it doesn't suit some people. They were raised a certain way, and have no interest in learning about different options. Not to my tastes, but I guess if you're happy with what you have, you stick to it."

Braelnoir nods, "Yeah, ya got th'right of't, there." she grants. She shifts her butt a little, then swaps uppraised knees without looking from Mikilos's face, "Though, sometimes folk stick ta what they don't like, too, cuz it's what they know."

Mikilos nods. "That's the rub. Scared of different ways. Or worse, scared they've been doing something wrong, will look foolish if they admit to it. Rather stay ignorant than admit they might have been wrong. I can understand having a preference, keeping to traditions. But there's limits."

Braelnoir nods, her smile wan and thoughtful, and she rests her chin on this knee, now, "Reckon yer right, there."

With a little fidget, she lets her eyes half-lid, or they tell her brain 'fuck you, we're gonna do it, anyway', and she swallows again.

"Think that Snow Queen or whatever's gonna make another play in'middle of all this?"

Mikilos considers, and shakes his head. "I don't think so. I think that version of her is gone for good. I don't fully understand what happened, fae are complex at the best of times, but it's like she had a nightmare, and the nightmare entered the real world. But when she woke up, the nightmare went away. Then again, nightmare traveled though time, so maybe came to our future in her past. Or something. I don't think she'll be back, but is possible."

Braelnoir nods a little bit with a sigh, "Yeah... Cryo... tried explainin' it, once."

There's a little shrug, "Just... tired of...."

As if the word held some insidious magic, the Korite brings her spike shod hand up to stifle a yawn.

"Fuck'm sorry... s'just..." she starts, then, "Just... a lot gone on.. chasin' spooks that ain't there... tired'v old haunts comin' back this year..."

Mikilos smiles. "I quite understand. New troubles are bad enough, no need to bring back old ones. Anyway, rest. I understand you're tired. I'll keep watch. If anything happens, will wake you right up."

Braelnoir nods a little bit, looking just a smidge embarrassed for a moment. She shouldn't, it was already on the docket, but, maybe she's gettin' civil, after all.

She moistens her lips, then gives a soft, "Thanks, luv..." before, as previously, she rests her cheek against the upraised knee and her arms loosely encircle that leg, her spiked gauntlet stacked atop the demi, and in short order, the Korite sighs into a slower breathing rhythm, and the only movement after is the subdued swell and relax of her chest as she surrenders to a long overdue respite from fatigue, and the current burden on her thoughts.

Mikilos sits still and quiet for several long moments, before murmuring quietly. The lights dim a little, not enough for shadows, but elven eyes need little. Quietly, he draws a text from his bag, and starts to read, making a point to stop and look around on a regular basis. Safe enough here, but he said he'd keep watch, and he'll do it properly.