Carantathraiel

Greetings! Candy Cane Service!

I received a second candy cane this morning! There's no way more than one person on this website likes me, but I am deeply grateful. Thank you, again! This is wonderful.

Wanderers

As Kire objected to her word of choice, Ysaryn fluttered her lashes at her. "Do you think she's jealous?" She sang teasingly in Ruli's direction.
"No, I think she's nervous." He answered. "And rightfully so."
The elf clicked her tongue and moved away from Etta. "Worry warts."
Ruli winked at Etta again. "You'll do fine." He promised.

Neither he nor Envy made a move when their payment was brought out, though Ysaryn eased closer to Gavin as he counted, her eyebrows high. "What is this?"
"We're being paid for the work." Ruli said. "Don't you even!" He cut off the elf as she smirked in his direction, her mouth opening for what was undoubtedly an inappropriate remark in front of the younger cousins. "I asked for fabrics. If you behave, some may make it to you."
Her expression twitched, the elf visibly torn between her remark and her desire for new clothing. "Tch." She hissed, moving away again.

A quick trip back home to deliver their payment into Envy's chambers for later dispersal, and they were back, Ruli rolling his shoulders. He raised, in his hand, a small pouch, within were the leaves he'd mentioned earlier. It wasn't much, he informed Kire, but he could always wander back toward the desert for more supplies, if it was necessary.
Envy, too, raised his hand to display two smooth stones with carved runes on their faces. "They're generic." He mentioned. "But we may see if these help prevent visions."
Ruli's face twisted, announcing another argument that had happened while they were back in Úvano. "We tought, maybe, we could give them to the healers. Maybe it would give those effected some reprieve."
Envy's face, too, twitched, but he made no argument over handing them out.

The urgency in the men's faces sent tension through their shoulders when they emerged. Envy shifted uncomfortably, feeling the sunlight on his skin again, and didn't settle when the man mentioned that the forest was calling to those effected. Slightly, his head tilted, pointing his ears toward the trees, even if all he could hear was the rustling of their leaves. "I don't like the scent."
"Nor do we." Ysaryn answered, squaring her own shoulders, her eyes on the trees as if waiting for them to launch an attack. Even as they walked, her eyes never left the forest.
Ruli, however, glanced at Gavin, observing the way he followed Ysaryn's gaze, and the expression he wore.

As they met with Myka, Ruli took in her worried stature and frowned, looking past her to the camp when she said they feared the plague. That was not something he'd considered, nor how it would effect him, Envy, or Ysaryn, who weren't born to this world. Would their slight differences in immunities make them more susceptible? Or less so?
A glance to both the two elves said they weren't bothering with such thoughts.
"We brought items from our world to see if they'd help, by slim chance." The Kartaian offered, gesturing toward Ruli, who raised his satchel of leaves.

As they were permitted inside to take a look, Ysaryn paced in slow circles, breathing deeply in hopes of trying to gauge some clue through their scents. After taking the two charms from Envy, Ruli approached the healers and handed over them and the leaves. "Have them tuck a leaf beneath their tongue. It'll help with hydration." He instructed, unsure if they'd need his words translated. He also explained the stones, asking for one to be given to one of the more effected, to see if it would help clear the haze.
All of it a shot in the dark, but any answers would be helpful.

He glanced to Ysaryn, who was still circling, yet unable to discern any sort of foul illness beyond the sweat of fever. Then behind him to Envy, who was still; listening.

Enalais' 1x1 Search. V 2.0 MxF

Wanderers

"This is relatively new." Envy commented. "Originally, it was something that only Ruli or myself could sense. As a spider feels when its web is harassed."
"We had the idea when we moved to the cliffs, and we needed more people to alert."
Envy nodded. "Half useless if Ruli is out and my blind self is trying to locate an intruder." He chuckled. "Amusing, though, sure."
"And terrifying for the intruder." Ruli added. "Seeing you come flailing through the caves."

As the others moved through, Kire included, to see how bright the wards were illuminated, if at all, was amusing. Ysaryn chuckled, amused, she winked at Ed as he strolled though uneventfully. "Elvish is your only mystical talent, then." she teased.

However, when the conversation turned to Etta, the fuchia-eyed elf arched a brow. "I had wondered why I am not smelling strawberries." She offered, smiling. "You are not yet in bloom." The elf smiled at Etta.
"Indeed." Ruli grinned. "Don't be afraid, though. It's not like you have a shortage of people available to help, should you need. And you will." He added, slightly more stern in tone. "Magic is never easy, do not pretend that you're fine I'd you're not. Promise?"

Ysaryn inhaled, sniffing Etta curiously. "Mmm. And you will be strong." She winked. "I cannot wait to see what blossoms in you."
"You sound like you want to eat her." Ruli warned.
"Do you not sense it?" Ysaryn glanced at him. "Like a fruit tree, giving off its scent before it yields. It is interesting."

Wanderers

"Hardly." Ruli muttered. With your complexion, you'd be lovely with brown hair, too. Just not red."
Ysaryn chuckled. "Sometimes, I question you sexuality."
"Bite me." He retorted, turning to Gavin and joining him to work.

He took his directions from Gavin, without guiding him until he was asked. Once, Gavin nearly made a mistake on a ward, and Ruli was preparing to point it out, only to have Gavin realize the mistake on his own.
Not that it would have summoned some multi-headed demon, but it would have made the wards ineffective.

They used tools to cut into the palace walls in certain areas, filling the holes with the limestone chunks Ruli fetched from the quarry. Their additions seemed to melt into the original structure, blending perfectly to hide the wards, making it difficult for any potential saboteurs to disable them.
Can't destroy what you can't see.

"Well, we thought of that." Envy said, hands on his hips as he 'watched' Ruli and Gavin finish. "Those types of charms are still magic. They hide the wearer, however, they use magic to do so. It won't light up the wards, but it will still make them glow. Go ahead, walk through them. Let's see how much magic you have." He said with s grin.

"You first." Ruli said to Ysaryn with a grin.
She shrugged and strolled in through one of the open archways, turning to watch as the lines embedded within the walls lit up with the brightness of a torch. She grinned.
Until Ruli stepped in after her, and they illuminated far more brightly, enough to cast a glow on the ground.
"Show off." The elf grumbled at him, and Ruli chuckled.

"Judging by Ysaryn's remarks, its working." Envy said. "We thought we could make it glow based on how powerful the passer is. Kire will likely create a beacon."
"That will show you." Ysaryn muttered to Ruli, who grinned and wandered back toward Narda and the others.
"Even if we Walk or Kire portals, it will work. We hope." Ruli added, turning to wink at Gavin. "If you want secrecy in your portalling, we'll find a designated room to work on, make a 'hole' for discretionary travel."
"As for the hiding charms, even if Narda were to stroll through carrying one, it should glow. Any sort of magical item. Clothing, animals, weapons. We may need to touch it up after a few weeks, so keep your eye out for anything that seems dull or slow."

Wanderers

Ruli's eyebrow rose at Etta's portion of an inquiry, glancing at Ysaryn who burst into laughter. He looked curiously between Kire, Etta, and the elf for a moment before he shrugged, deciding that it wasn't his business to pry into whatever had the women in high spirits. "Sure." He agreed to their quick little detour. He took her offered hand, and the location, and took them to the quarry.

Immediately upon emerging, Ruli glanced at her, trying to see if any hint of a vision was written on her countenance; a distant gaze, a puzzled frown. But she merely blinked. Sighing, Ruli went to work when the foreman arrived, explaining that he only needed small chunks, overseeing the chiseling as they helped him obtain what he needed. More conveniently, they placed the stone chunks in a crate for him, which made the journey back a bit less quick, with the added weight he was lugging through the emptiness of the shadows.

"Her men are apparently quite efficient." Ruli commented, setting down the crate and letting Gavin pick through it and get to work. Envy's head tilted from where the elf sat, listening to Gavin work. Ruli watched from over Gavin's shoulder, only turning his attention toward Kire when she mentioned the vision at last.

Red hair.

Gods above, that felt so familiar. Like he'd dreamt it. But how? No scar, red hair. Not enough to be Akuma, no feeling of remorse and ice filled his stomach at the faded memory of red hair.
So why?
Ruli stared at her, blinking, struggling to recall. "Red hair." He said aloud, hoping it would shake something loose. Barely, he recalled seeing someone with red hair, as he held something ... something important.
"Ruli?" Envy's voice came, intrigued by his foster-son's tone.
Ruli closed his eyes and rubbed his face. "No. I don't know. It just sounds odd. You're better as a blonde."
Ysaryn snorted softly. "Red hair is far better."

Wanderers

"I'm not going to shu-" Ruli began to insist, only silencing when he caught the look on Envy's face. Frowning, Ruli went quiet.
When Kire and Ed began to speak in Taakalon, Ruli and Ysaryn both glanced in their direction. Ysaryn wasn't aware of Kire's plan or her previous slip, but Ruli somehow knew exactly what they were discussing.
Though he wasn't sure why Ed cast a glance his way when Kire mentioned a sign. When Ed did, Ruli dropped his gaze quickly, which prompted the fuchsia eyed elf to leer curiously at him, as well.

"What was all that secretive muttering about?" Ysaryn asked as they all got up to head to work on the wards.
Ruli shrugged. "Kire announced she wants to give up her throne. Ed likely thinks I'm the cause."
Ysaryn snorted. "Hardly. She made mention of such a desire long before she decided to bed you."
Ruli arched an eyebrow and glanced her way, wondering how she knew. But he merely shook his head and joined the other two, Ysaryn lingering to observe and offer her help if required.

Envy stood where he was to listen to the other two, offering his comments as they discussed the spacing, the height, the material. Ruli and Gavin wandered along the perimeter slowly. In an effort to allow Gavin to learn more, he let the Gemini take the reigns, making notes as they went along based on what he calculated.
Ysaryn, when the males grew focused in their work, turned to join Kire and the others, smiling down at the younger cousins as they emerged. Catching the bit of conversation about Ruli being Kire's suitor, the elf smirked, then laughed outright at Narda's addition to the conversation.
"While I am not so familiar with this word, unless 'wooing' means an abundance of the word 'ple-"
"Kire?"

Ysaryn went silent, a mischivous glint in her eye.
Ruli wandered over, glancing curiously at the elf for a moment. "What is the palace made of? Stone wise? Is there a quarry of excess stone somewhere? They'll word best if we use the same sort of stone. Any rubble from the siege is potentially ..." He peered at Etta again, tilting his head. "...damaged." Why was she staring at him like that? He glanced to Presy, who looked as inquisitive as ever. "Are you feeling alright?" He asked, slightly recalling mention of fevers.

Wanderers

Ysaryn winked at Kire as she began to eat, casting a secondary glance in Ed's direction in time to see him frown at his cousin. Her fuchsia eyes flit to Ruli, next, who shook his head before gesturing to Envy. Don't ask. He hinted, and turned toward Gavin.

"Visions and dreams are different, but part of the same strand of understanding." Envy said. "If I recall, there was a scholar, long ago, who said all dreams were visions that were simply not powerful enough to be accurate. He enjoyed the use of hallucinogenic devices to help let his mind speak more clearly and obtain more accurate visions. Though many denounced him as a simple imaginative addict."
"In theory, the same sort of charm we used on the palace could work to dispel dreams and visions if worn by us." Ruli mentioned to Gavin. "Assuming they are magic."
"What else are they to be?" Ysaryn asked, her mouth full.
Ruli shrugged. Envy tapped his finger to the table in thought. "If they truly are interference from the Gods, then they are divinity."
"There's no proof that divinity isn't magic. Or visa versa." Ruli argued stubbornly.
"I have not said that they-"

Daryll's sudden question silenced the Kartaian, who glanced in Ruli's direction with a gently frown before going back to his meal. Ruli arched an eyebrow before likewise resuming, his attention shifted to the Tower-dwelling Wyvern. At Narda's mention of the sunset, Envy grinned, while Ruli glanced back toward Kire.
"You think the strange visions you get have something to do with the Goddess?" He asked suddenly. He heard Envy put down his fork with a exasperated sigh, which Ruli ignored. "You were getting them long before the gate thing."

Greetings! Candy Cane Service!

Thank you to the kind soul who thought of me and sent me a greeting. (And the thread runner for doing this. It's a lovely idea.
Happy christmas / yule.

Wanderers

Only if they want a contract written up. Ruli's expression softened. That sounded much easier to handle. No official title, more than adequate payment for the odd little tasks would help with. He'd never been fond of titles, even one as none threatening as court sorcerer. And this way he could avoid whatever awkwardness came with bedding the empress.
As Kire so tactlessly pointed out, it would be a short contract anyway.

While he kept his head down, Ruli still went still as even Envy's head rose, sensing the sudden tension in the room. Kire's insistance that whatever she had brought up not be discussed. Envy turned his head from her to Ed, and then, shortly after, toward Narda, quite confused.
Ruli chuckled low as Daryll asked about Myka. "You certainly have the tact of someone who knows she has the final word." He said low towards Kire. "How ever will you get away with that, after?"
"Enough." Envy said warningly.
Ruli smirked, then looked around to Narda. "We have a lot of herbs for desert fevers that may help. Mix it with the leaves of a tree that grows in our desert, and it helps keep the drinker hydrated without tons of water ingestion. I'll bring some over to help."

"Something tells me you should go prepared." Envy suggested. "A charm to inhibit all visions."
Ruli frowned at the Kartaian. "But they are significant. I'm not going to avoid them."
"A Goddess, and one you're not fond of for good reason, is speaking to you. It isn't wise-"
"You don't think I should listen to whatever it is she has to say?"
Envy exhaled, sighing. "You cannot remember the last thing she said to you. I think thats a warning that she is not trying to ask you for tea."
Ruli pursed his lips and went back to eating. Behind them, a low, feminine chuckle announced Ysaryn's arrival. She'd redone her hair, now back in its usual tight plait, and her clothes were clean of all sand. "Envy wins again."
"Who asked you?" Ruli grumbled, and she only laughed before pouring herself into a vacant seat and pulling heaps of food onto her plate.