The Artifact (Endless Echo & Lydyn)

[Lydyn]

Viktor was still in the kitchen at this point, Ardia raising a subtle eyebrow as she did her best to follow along with the conversation. "So you are a construct ... so eerily life-like too.." she mummers to herself as she folds her over over her chest in thought and stares at Ai for a few moments. "{Counsel maybe dead now ... not know.. know little of ancients. Doing best to talk. This old language. Not sure I can teach much, but maybe I try? I not know.}" Ardia shrugged lightly at that, a bit at a loss now with the last statement Ai had given her. Ardia may have known as much or maybe more than the mages did about ancient lore, but this was far beyond any of them - of that she was sure. What she did know though is that there was no reason to hunt down, destroy, or cage the construct. Even if it didn't have feelings, he hardly seemed dangerous at all, unless someone was afraid of knowledge being spread.

Finally, Viktor came back out with a few bowls of stew and smiled to Ardia before politely offering Ai a bowl, then giving one over to Ardia. He turned to grab a few glasses of water and repeated the process. "So? What did ya find out, lass?" he asked, dipping his spoon into the brown gravy, his eyes glancing over the construct curiously.

"Well.. she's definitely a construct.. and her creation doesn't seem to have been widely approved. Some counsel of sorts ... um, I guess Hanchi - her creator - said they wouldn't be pleased about her." Shaking her head a little, she brought her own spoon to her lips and slipped the pieces of meat inside her mouth, munching on them, sure Ai would have a reply soon enough. Viktor was just about to speak too, before the artificial human started speaking in her ancient's tongue to Ardia once more.

[Endless Echo]

{This smells really good. } Ai spoke lifting up the whole bowl to give it a gentle sniff as Ardia made her way to explain to Viktor that she was in fact a construct. Though watching her actions while Viktor was present didn't seem likely as she soon picked up a spoon, even adjusting it in her hands before taking the time to scoop up the strew and eat it just like any normal person. And while there was no sparks it was unclear if she was supposed to be able to eat or not, but she was actively doing so regardless.

{The Counsel can't be dead...} She made a comment but only after eating half of the food. {What I speak is not common?} She asked looking back to Viktor with a rather long puzzled look before smiling at him. {I can learn.} She spoke happily before taking another spoon full of food, but yet that puzzled look kept returning, almost as if she kept having to filter and process everything. {I can read, I can remember; show me then I can learn.} She beamed; all to eager, though despite it was way past midnight she energy level was high while the others around here had already been awake for some time; more so Arida who had been though the trouble of collecting her.

Finishing her bowl she gave a happy sigh before bowing her head in thanks for Viktor. {Thank you again, it was really good.} Though shortly after speaking she reached for the cup of water before pausing. She turned he head lightly as if trying to hear someone whispering, her face giving a rather curious expression. {Are there others here?} She asked before turning her head again as if trying to locate a sound. But to both of the normal sets of ears there would be nothing to be herd... Unless that is someone where sneaking around the house at such a late hour...

[Lydyn]

Ardia watched Ai take the bowl and start eating, surprise painting across her face rather quickly. She glanced over to Viktor as he did the same, though maybe because he was wiser or knew less about constructs, he didn't seem as surprised as she had been. "Livin' construct?" Viktor offered, looking back to Ardia and giving her a gentle shrug of his shoulders. At that, Ardia pursed her lips and gave him a look that said, 'maybe', before the bowl was handed back to the older man. Viktor had always been surprising aware and acute to situations that most would've thought beyond him and that comment had shown he had not lost his edge.

It hadn't been that Ardia was ignoring Ai - not in the least, after seeing her eat, but rather that she had little time to reply as the question of others being around came up. Ardia had always been the determined one and her mental state allowed her to stay alert in the late hours and today was no different. She may have been human, but it also helped that she had somehow absorbed the magics of endurance from the ancients, though to this day she still didn't know exactly how it had happened. "Viktor, get her some clothes and keep an eye on her ... someone's here. {I check it out.}" She addressed them both and made way towards the door and quickly disappeared into the night air as the wooden door shut behind her. As she disappeared, Viktor motioned for Ai to follow her into Ardia's room (gently tugging if she didn't seem to follow) before grabbing an outfit of the hero's and handing it over to the naked woman in a blanket. With that, his gaze slipped over to the nearby window, making sure he didn't see any thieves or whoever else might be outside.

Meanwhile outside, Ardia was just barely floating above ground as to avoid making any sound with her footsteps, hovering around the house until she caught sight of one of the monks. 'Great..' she thought to herself, pursing her lips for a brief moment. She should've expected they would've come and with him sneaking around, Ai was obviously a secret that they had wanted to keep. "May I help you? There's no need to go sneaking around my house in the middle of the night ..." she suddenly spoke up, uncaring if she'd make the man jump from surprise or not. She calmly laid a hand on the hilt of her sword, making it seem more like she was using it as a rest, but she was experienced enough in swordplay to draw it out on a moment's notice.

[Endless Echo]

Being pulled along did get the point across to Ai that she needed to go; more so when she was suddenly tossed clothing to wear. Though she didn't seem to have any confusion or objection to the clothing as she twisted and pulled as the clothing, and without shame she tossed the blanket to the side to pull the clothing on, though there was a few she had to look at twice to question what it's purpose was for...

Meanwhile outside it wasn't too hard to find one monk, an older monk he bowed his head in greetings to Ardia. "I am sorry to bother you in such a late hour; me and my fellow monks have been traveling all night in search of a girl who went missing from the temple today." He bowed his head to the woman; though for the most he seemed to be speaking in part truth, more so as another monk started to step up from around the corner. "Many monks are still looking in the city and in the woods, but you like a few other stray houses we are visiting to find any other possible locations where she may be found.

Meanwhile inside the sound of Ai stumbling over could be herd as she got tangled up in her own over sized long hair while trying to put on the last few bits of clothing. Though she only giggled about it as she sat on the floor getting the rest of her hair freed, more so starting to braid it to prevent it from happening again; though the noise was noticeable from the outside even if it was faint.

The thump did catch the attention of the two monks, though they only reacted mildly to the sound; turning their heads in the direction of the sounds. "The girl wouldn't be too hard to notice, she is pale, like the people of the north, and carries blond hair." The monk continued to explain before pausing getting rather serious. "I have no doubt she is probably very lost and confused, there is a possibly too that she could be very ill too. The main reasons she was put into our care, so it is important that she is returned before any damage is done..."

It was clear the monk's where not giving the full truth, more so when they explained that she could be ill; but see'ing she wasn't even a real living creature.. or maybe so... But then again if the monks went around saying that a human-looking Golem was running around it would probably wouldn't have settled well with the public.... From where Viktor stood too a the window he would soon catch glimpse of two more monks that where sneaking around besides the two that where up and the front.

[Lydyn]

Viktor reached out and grabbed Ai, pulling her towards the bed and lightly pushing her against the side of it as she sat down himself and slowly drew his blade. The two were now hidden from sight if the monks decided to look through the window, but if they were so brave as to hop through the opening, it would've been far easier to spot the girl and the mentor ... and he was fully aware of that. He held his breath in hopes that the pair of strangers would pass the bedroom by, keeping completely aware and ready for anything that might come his way.

In the mean time, Ardia raised a slight eyebrow for a moment, looking at the pair in thought. Their avoidance of mentioning who or what Ai was would make it very easy for the hero to cover the fact that she was here, though she did make mental note in that the monks didn't seem fully aware of who she was. Ardia could only surmise that these monks were shut-ins and kept to their books and prayers, seeing as the villagers still spoke of Ardia's heroism against Nytor in spite of the few years that had passed since then, though even the crown knew of the hero that had saved the land. She didn't mind though - she was never one to gorge on fame and just let out a small smile instead. "Ah.. fair enough, but you only had to knock on my door. However I haven't seen any sick girls of late ... it's late, perhaps I might lend a hand in the morning?" she offered causally. Ardia wasn't above lying if it meant the safety of others - even constructs - though she often preferred wordplay than directly lying.

[Endless Echo]

"We didn't wish to bother you until it was necessary, otherwise we would have knocked." the monk bowed his head before turning to his fellow monk. "Then I think we shall go then; we may be back later if we can not locate her on our own." The two started to turn and leave making their way into the darkness with only small lanterns to lead the way. The monks themselfs where own to be pretty peacful aside from running intruders out of the forest... But to fight them would certainly have mixed results.

Meanwhile back inside of the house Ai squeaked being pushed back by Viktor. Though she suddenly quieted down when he started to draw his blade and wait. The monks too seemed to peer inside, one whispering to the other. No doubt questioning to enter the house while the lady at the front was distracted. One objected the other would meet Viktor's worse fear as he gripped the eage of the window frame and pulled himself up into the widnow. Though he didn't enter the house he stuck his head in a good ways; though it was only a short moment before he became eye to eye with a sword.

[Lydyn]

"I suggest ya leave lad. We dun take ta strangers breakin' in too kindly, yeah?" Apparently Viktor had noticed the monk leaning in just enough and quickly pulled himself up, drawing the sword with practiced ease, leaving Ai hidden for the moment behind the bed. The old man was completely aware that these monks could've spent their lives practicing martial arts as he had his own adventures to speak of, but he was no slouch himself and had a few tricks up his sleeve. Still, he glared at them both in irritation and scowled at them, knowing he'd need to make some noise if both of them came at him.

Ardia on the other hand watched the pair disappear into the distance before quietly making her way back to the front door, already planning for the fact to get Ai out of her and away from this danger. She needed to gather up a few of the reading books too so it was easier to communicate with the woman - now that was a thought, thinking of the construct as a person. What did you call a living construct? A person or a machine? It was probably more akin to a perfect mix of the two, but regardless, she needed time to figure this whole mess out and the language barrier made it hard enough, let alone monks trying to break into her house. Suddenly, she broke into a light jog as she thought to herself, 'could there be more?'

[Endless Echo]

The monk carefully lowered his head when his nose came nearly in contact with the sword held by the older man. "My apologizes sir." The monk slowly moved back. "We are seeking a lost girl." He stated though it sounded more of a distraction as he slowly moved his hand back to grasp at a wooden staff. The monks where known to be typically mellow and non-violent, though if they had even a shade of an idea of what the girl was; it was no doubt something they may fight for. Before he would make an attempt to strike though his eyes would rest on Ardia as she joged her way into the room. There was a long pause as they looked to one another before the monk suddenly stepped backwards clear from the window. "Again, I apologize." and with that he turned and left the area with the monk who was cowering outside of the house. Watching them both Ardia no doubt was more careful on double checking to make sure the area was free of the monks.

Once it was cleared though a jerk of thought came to mind... Where was Ai?!... It only took a moment to realize she was actually right where Viktor had left her; Which was under the bed. Sound asleep too by the looks of it as she seemed to curl around a pillow that had fallen from the bed during the sudden motions. But was she really tired? Did constructs even need sleep?... More so to the fact she had been asleep for who knows how long.... But it did prove to give both Viktor and Ardia time to rest themselfs but also plan for the new day.