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Posted by Neverwashere 
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Neverwashere
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 01:23PM
Something to think about at least. "All right. As long as it works." He chewed on his lip for a moment. "Could you at some point... check me over?"
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Anke
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 01:29PM
"I can try, when we have some time, or maybe if it happens again, but if it's a mind thing I doubt I can find anything. I work on the body. And the brain is just about the worst part to try to work on. Difficult and risky. That's why I didn't, or couldn't, do anything against your concussion back when we first met."
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Neverwashere
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 01:31PM
"Understood. Though, I was really referring to see if there's something physically wrong with my head. I..." he paused. "People don't like poking around in my head."
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Anke
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 01:36PM
"Did you have these episodes before that concussion, too?" She was too busy chipping away at the problem under discussion to pick up what Sebastian meant with his last comment."
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Neverwashere
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 01:40PM
Sebastian was beginning to answer but was left with his mouth slightly open and a frown sneaking on his forehead. Closing his mouth and pursing his lips, he walked on and contemplated. "I might, actually. I've only had these when I've dropped the... facade, let's say." The thought worried him.
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Anke
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 01:47PM
"Huh." It took her a while to work through the basic implication. Belatedly considering the topic, she switched to the language they shared that people here were very unlikely to understand. "Do you mean it's been more usual for you to put up one of your acts than not?"
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Neverwashere
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 01:59PM
He looked at her in silence for a while, wrapping his head around that question and the implication of what was going on inside his head. "It's easier to act like you're not hurt or afraid, I guess," Sebastian finally said, adjusting his satchel. Again, he kicked something in the dirt that jingled, then jingled again as it landed near a figure slumped next to a doorway. The half-elf paid no attention as he walked past the figure, who indeed did pay attention to the sudden bundle.
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Anke
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 02:06PM
"Not looking like a target," Sylvie muttered. Until you couldn't pretend anymore and it all came crashing down.
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Neverwashere
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 02:09PM
"Suppose so," was all he said, ignoring the low, hissing laughter coming from behind them, that of a person who has just had a lucky strike. He stopped to frown and glance of his shoulder, but only shrugged and continued walking.
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Anke
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 02:20PM
Sylvie fell silent for a while. Would that mean those "reveries" would be normal for him, and his acts somehow prevented them? What was normal, anyway? She had no ideas she considered worth mentioning.
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Neverwashere
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 02:22PM
Once the silence came too thick and and opressive, Sebastian snorted. He was sick of wallowing in misery. "You know, one more observation."

"Hm?"

"We've got two combs now," he said, eyes wide and staring at Sylvie.
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Anke
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 02:29PM
She broke out into laughter.

"All right. No mutual grooming on the open street, though."
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Neverwashere
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 02:34PM
"A shame," he said, glancing wistfully at the sky before turning a knowing look at her. "A peck at least, then." Which was provided.
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Anke
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 03:12PM
Another chuckle, and they continued on their way in a rather better mood than before.

At Montmore's, Sylvie knocked, seeing how she had met him more often than Sebastian. When he again opened the door himself, she smiled brightly and said, "Hello. I wanted to return your books. I hope it's not a bad time?"
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Neverwashere
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 03:23PM
Montmore looked taken by surprise for only a moment when it dawned on him that it was Sylvie and that... other... wait? Hm. Yes. The mage put on one of his charming twists of the mouth. "Why, hello! So soon? I'd thought you might peruse them a little longer, but my. Do come in. Excuse my wardrobe," the man said, opening the door to admit them; Sebastian did make the observation that their host only wearing trousers and a loose-fitting shirt, sleeves rolled up. Next he observed the paint in the man's hands, dried. No scent of turpine, though.

He wondered what to make of that as Montmore led them farther into his house. "You seem fit for the road, both of you, don't you?" he gabbed on. "I don't think leaving just yet might be wise, you know."
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Anke
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 03:27PM
"I know. I'm just moving quarters. It's a long story."
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Neverwashere
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 03:33PM
"Is it, now?" Montmore asked as they came into the drawing room, gesturing for them to take a seat if they preferred before looking at Sebastian very intently. "Would you happen to be the reason, sir...?"

For one reaason or another, the half-elf felt a little wary. There was something about that tone, that look that was (as he had learned from Sylvie and Garren by now) a little too perceptive for his liking. Still, he smiled politely. "Sebastian. I'm hardly a 'sir', but to answer the question, yes, sir. It's all my fault." He stood stock still, not looking around as if trying to evaluate the selling prices of several items in the drawing room.

He'd already done that.

"Well done then, I suppose," Montmore continued, clapping his hands together once. "Now! Refreshments? I'm afraid I've little to offer right now, unless either of you wants a slosh of brandy."
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Anke
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 03:57PM
All his fault... "I caught him and I'm not planning to let go," Sylvie corrected one possible interpretation. "No brandy for me, thank you. I'm fine." She set down the backpack in front of a couch and sat down to get the books out.
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Neverwashere
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 04:02PM
"Well, there is that," Sebastian conceded, likewise deflecting the offer of brandy. Too many drunks involved already; he'd probably hit the bottle with some temperance after it was all over, somewhere. Not enough to get drunk, but then...

"I see. Well, I'll stay parched myself as well," Montmore said charmingly enough, moving to the couch to have a gander at the books and whatever Sylvie's backpack held. Sebastian hung close to Sylvie, examining her hair with his gaze. It seemed the safest place to look at. "I trust it was interesting?"
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Anke
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 04:08PM
The books were right on top, with the first thing underneath Sylvie's own diary, so there was not much to see. As she handed them back, she said, "Yes, they were a help getting the weather fixed. Thank you very much." She wondered if he'd take it for a joke, or not, or make some connections himself.
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Neverwashere
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 04:13PM
<em>Now, that's a change of pace,</em> Sebastian thought, though for a moment it looked like he might lock up again -- but curiosity and common sense won; he wondered too if it'd be a joke and, sure enough...

...Montmore began to chuckle, eyes twinkling as he examined Sylvie's face. "Well, well, well."

<em>Oh.</em> The half-elf blinked twice and looked slowly at Sylvie.

The mage wasn't quite done yet, weighing the books in his hands. "How... coincindental," came the amused comment. He set the books back down on the couch and straightened, one hand at his side, the other behind his back (something Sebastian immediately was concerned about). "I think there's some explaining to be done."
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Anke
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 04:27PM
Sylvie's eyes flicked towards Sebastian at "coincidental", before she went back to watching Montmore. She was relaxed, open hands on her legs gesticulating gently as she spoke.

"The short version of the long story is that we knew for a while that the rain was not natural. We did not know exactly what was going on, or what was possible. That is what we needed your books for, basic research." She gave a little sigh. "I should apologise for not asking directly. Auker was in on it, though."
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Neverwashere
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 04:38PM
"Hardly a surprise that." He turned to look at Sebastian. "Is it, Kai?"

Said half-elf put on a faint smile that managed to be both sheepish and affirmative. He still didn't dare to move; a mage in his own house...

Satisfied, Montmore turned to regard Sylvie again. "I should apologise for not poking you more thoroughly, myself. It took a while for the pieces of the puzzle to fall in place, if you'll excuse the horrible clich&eacute;, but I'm afraid your friend here piqued my interest. Not often a man sees something from... where, exactly? That I do wonder about. And then this sudden interest of Auker's and yours in weather patterns, hm. Hah! Stop me if I gloat. I'm enjoying this!"

Evidently, Sebastian agreed with that assessment at least.
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Anke
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 04:47PM
Sylvie grinned at him. Just like Gemma taking care of protection of Old Ivy, it was good to see the world at large working.

"The artifact Sebastian asked about had been made by Langoll. He had later scaled up and created three big and powerful enough to have caused the recent weather."
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Neverwashere
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 04:51PM
It was at this point that the mage hmm'd and walked to the several crystal picthers and glasses, poured himself something (Sebastian deduced from the smell that it was something akin to port) and sipped. "Sit down, the both of you. Well, that would certainly make sense," the mage said as he came back to them. Sebastian, at least, sat down and felt a little more relaxed. Not very. It was difficult to defend oneself whilst sitting down. "So, a triangular formation I would surmise? My, not a bad idea. Economical, for certain, perhaps just as efficient as an entire circle or hexagon. Every tip causing ripples. Sounds like Langoll, at the very least."
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Anke
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 05:04PM
Sylvie only started to pick up how nervous Sebastian was when he sat down next to her, but she remained focused on Montmore. "Yes, they were spread out over the city. Not entirely evenly, I guess there was a limit to which locations could be rented." She bit her lip for a second. "They felt very powerful to me, though I have no basis to judge local work. The only artifacts I had a closer look at were Langoll's."
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Neverwashere
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 05:22PM
"I see. That would make sense in a way, too. Still, I'll suspect you'll find he calculated for maximum effect. That portly chap was always a perfectionist," Montmore said at length, seating himself down in an armchair that faced the couch. "You want something, don't you?" he asked and half-emptied his glass of port.
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Anke
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 05:28PM
"Yes." Sylvie took a deep breath. "The purpose of that project was to ruin the harvest. Langoll had been working for or with the Saba family, who wanted to raise grain prices and thus their profits. We have brought proof of that to concerned clergies, for them to take before the council, or a judge, whoever is appropriate. We were hoping you would be willing to examine the artifact, confirm to the authorities that they can do what we claim... and maybe destroy them safely."
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Neverwashere
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 05:34PM
That called for another sip of port. And another. Finally, Montmore leaned forward, glass still in hand, staring at the both of them -- before settling his stare on Sebastian. The half-elf met the stare and appeared outwardly calm aside from a hint of paleness on an already pale face. Making the wine twirl inside his glass, Montmore made a thoughtful sound and said, leaning back: "Well, I nearly think I should do so. Your friend seems to be in a hurry, anyway."

A piercing stare at Sebastian later, Montmore said: "I can't blame him, and he doesn't seem to be in the mood to talk. Who is he?" By the way the question was posed, he had at least <em>some</em> suspicions.
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Anke
Random Encounter Story
April 23, 2012 05:41PM
"Would you mind telling me your best guess? I'm very curious what our efforts looked like from the outside."
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