Elian Intros Pendaril to Selerik
It's Variday, Vhast 09 14:02:28 1019. The full moon is up. The tide is high and ebbing. The landscape looks ghostly and drained of color in the cold pale fog.
W01: Wayfarer's Inn
Ga'Elian and another (rather average-looking) Sylvanori male are sitting together at a table in the Inn's main room. Ga'Elian is seated so as to get the best view of the room and the exterior door. His companion is talking quietly in Sildanyari and probing a smallish slab of some red meat on his plate with the point of a dagger that seems more utility knife than weapon. Owing to the wintery cold outside, there are no free tables in the place and there is a raging fire in the hearth. The stage is currently vacant, too, but the din of everybody's conversations seems to fill what might otherwise be silence. The elf seated with Ga'Elian does seem slightly... nervous about something.
Selerik comes in not quite looking himself. Which is to say, he has a bit of costuming still on from some event. The fake scar on his cheek is believable for those who don't know him, but the bushy eyebrows that extend towards his ears and the old fashioned wizard robes are a give away. He isn't the only one to enter with some sort of costuming on, a small group of others in similar stages of fanciful dress entering by themselves or in small groups. Shouldn't that sort of thing be happening in the city? Then, the last to enter, are a duo of gobber pyrotechnical specialists. One of them is still smoking. Suddenly their presence practicing away from the city makes more sense.
Pendaril wrinkles his nose as the smoke of the gobbers wafts past, most of the other patrons sparing them no more than a curt glance as if this is perfectly normal for gobbers.
Ga'Elian says something quietly to Pendaril, who gives a meek shrug in response before he half-rises from his seat and calls, "Selerik, come join us, if you'd like."
Selerik scratches at one of his eyebrows. Is that made from some sort of fur? Looks like it is a bit itchy for him. He perks up when Ga'Elian says his name, glancing around a moment before spotting him and giving a bright smile. "Oh, good to see you. The company would be most welcome." He goes over to take a seat, gingerly lifting his robe to try keeping it from being damaged as he does. "They're working on a performance of the Cursed Rattus." He scratches a bit at the other eyebrow. "Their Wizard Maximus is out sick so I'm assisting, something about a terrible rash." He sets his hands on the table, smiling at Pendaril. "I don't think we were properly introduced last time, hello there."
Ga'Elian says, "Well, I am sure you do a fine portrayal of a wizard. I shouldn't wonder though that the usual actor caught a rash. Thy companions strike me as being less than concerned about personal hygiene." At this Pendaril smirks. Ga'Elian goes on, "Anyway, yes, this is Pendaril. Like me, he is from the Faravanilas Tribe in what Alexandrians call the Elvenwood. He and I grew up together."
Pendaril nods and adds, "I only did my Dreamwalk two months ago. In it, I was led by the Huntress to try and find Elian, so, here I am."
Selerik gives a small huff at the mention of poor hygiene. "It doesn't take a magical genius to use a cleaning cantrip." He glances towards the Gobbers a moment, attention shifting back towards Pendaril as the conversation continues. He extends a hand, smiling. "May the path of the Huntress has set you on never tire you. Elian and his winged friend are quality companions, your first steps on the path will be well guided."
Pendaril smiles. "Thank you, sir. I have seen griffons before, and even knew a couple of griffon riders, but that Elian has become one is... pretty cool, if you ask me. Still, I don't expect to really follow in his steps. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great, but I don't feel quite so drawn to the likes of hunting and adventuring. My thing is, well, I like to sing and play drums for fae revels. That's what really brought me to the Ygdrassil Union. I mean, the druids have made some places in the forests very welcoming to the fair folk. I love the old tales of Quelynos before Maugrim and Carcaroth putrefied the Great Tree. So, the Union knew where he was and put us together. To them, I'm his apprentice, but between us, I watch Erithamiel when he's inside or underground, and help out around the camp with the cooking and cleanup, but we spend a goodly amount of time just chit-chatting or singing the ancient songs."
Ga'Elian raises his eyebrows. "Well Selerik, Pendaril here must feel at ease with you. I can't remember ever seeing him open up to a new acquaintance so quickly before. Not that he's shy exactly, but at least here with all these city-folk about, he hasn"t been too forthcoming... until now." He chuckles. "Can I get you a drink?"
Selerik practically beams at Pendaril. "Very good, very good. Yes a drink would be wonderful, perhaps a cider." He gives Elian a nod, before looking back to Pendaril. "You know, I've been to some of the Union's gatherings, but I don't know any of the old songs. What I do know are stories and traditions, including a few obscure ones not practiced in the Elvenwood."
Ga'Elian beckons a busy-looking server at a nearby table and says, "A cider for the wizard, here?" Then says, "In exchange for the chores and griffon-watching, I provide the meat and Erithamiel and I keep Pendaril here from getting eaten by giant mosquitos or robbed by highwaymen." He smirks at Pendaril as if privately recalling a particular shared experience or private joke.
Pendaril facepalms to Elian then replies to Selerik, "Maybe we'll have to exchange performances sometime then."
That gets Selerik to lean back a bit in his chair to look between the two amusedly. "I believe I agree with the Huntress' wisdom." He taps the side of his nose with a wink to Pendaril. "Don't let the costume fool you, I'm not much for performing. More of an educator."
Pendaril takes a bite of the meat on his plate. Says, "I'm not so sure. I think there's more to you than meets many eyes."
Ga'Elian says, "So, what exactly are you doing with this troupe? I'm guessing the theaters in the City weren't too eager to host?"
"It is all inspiration at the root. Some inspire emotions, or feelings. Others dreams and goals." Selerik accepts his newly arrived cider with a smile, before looking back to the pair. "I have the gift in life of being able to help people find the path they want who are uncertain, perhaps help them take the first few steps. Gird them if they falter. I am no master of arms or magic or the arts, but I know enough to find the root of a person and nurture it."
Ga'Elian says, "That's power, indeed, although not in the sense that most adventurers think of. Still, as someone who dwells in nature and at more than 100 years of age is still regarded as young, your words carry great significance." Pendaril simply nods in agreement. Elian continues, "The path you follow, like raising a mighty oak, can take long to produce a healthy crop of acorns, but the wood is all the stronger for it."
Selerik raises his cider in agreement before taking a sip. "Sadly, it is not a path taken purely for the good of it. Like an oak whose roots were cut, much of my family rotted away into hollow remnants of what it was." He takes another sip. "I hope to find some of them, and help them to grow beyond what they are. It is a difficult task, all the more for not always knowing where to find them. We were scattered."
Pendaril says, "Then that clarifies matters. I don't know many humans (yet), but my surprise at meeting one such as yourself, who takes the long-view is now somewhat lessened.
Selerik offers a sad nod to Pendaril. "Do not mistake me, I didn't know of my family before I found my path in life. It is that which led me here though, to Alexandria. I would be leading a far simpler life not demanding of travel if I had not been called to it for the sake of others." He glances over towards the bar, noting something there. "Looks like the pyrotechnicians have finished their drinks. I expect they'll want to try another take shortly. It has been good speaking to you both."
Pendaril and Ga'Elian both glance over at the gobbers, then the ranger says, "Well, I'm glad you got the chance to talk." Pendaril adds, "Yes, and it was nice to meet you, Selerik. Don't get burned now."