Shadows 9.3
Apr. 19th, 2007 10:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
measured_wordsI'm in to the end of term, so my time for typing as well as writing is limited. however this is ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
exis's birthday so I figured I would take the extra time to type this up, since it's ben done for a few days now!
Matteo was slower than the others and had naturally fallen to the rear with Qiu. He wasn’t sure is anyone else had seen the spell cast, but they all seemed surprised when Hadyn first spoke in the minds.
~I need to do some tests on him before I ca take him to the compound.~
~What kind of tests?~
~To make sure you won’t compromise security.~ Presumably he meant checking into whatever was keeping him hidden from magical detection.
~Alright.~
~Do you need the rest of us to attend these examinations?~ Sterling asked.
~That depends on what I find. I do need a private place to work.~
~Don’t you have your own place in the city?~ Triskin, this time. She sounded a bit annoyed. Space, especially private space, was probably at a premium, on the ship.
~I can’t take him there.~
~Fine. How long will it take?~
~Not long.~
~Alright then – we’ll be on hand.~ She sounded a little appeased, but the rest of the short trip continued in relative silence. Matteo tried not to think too much about what exactly Hadyn’s tests might reveal – he really had not idea what Geron might have done to him before he escaped. The priest had never seemed too concerned about his escaped. Save for a few attempts to bribe him for information he hadn’t had, he’d never even heard from his captor. There’d never been any real sign that the cult had pursued him either. It was a little worrying.
“Hey, what’s he* doing here?" Piove’s voice drifted down from where he was perched on a yard. Qiu looked nervously to Matteo, not understanding her use of common. He put her hand on her shoulder to offer some reassurance, though he wasn’t exactly certain how this would play out. It was still quite a nice day out, though cooler and windier along the waterfront. As far as he could tell, no one really understood the relationship between Piove’s mood and the weather.
Valentine stepped forward, smiling up into the sky. “Its alright, ma belle, if you come down we will explain everything.”
“I don’t want to come down. It’s *pretty* up here.” She tossed her hair pointedly. “And there are no jerks.”
“Don’t you want to come and see Hadyn?”
“If he’s not being a jerk, he can come up and see me top!”
The wizard grumbled something under his breath, and waved a hand at the rigging. “I don’t have time,” he said more loudly. After a pause he added, “Tell her I’ll see her later. Tell her Teah couldn’t up there.”
“Of course. If you don’t need me…” The knight looked up again.
“Go head.”
Valentine headed off. Piove made a rude gesture in Hadyn and Matteo’s direction, which the former didn’t seem to notice. Matteo tried his best to appear inoffensive as he followed the wizard below to where Sterling was waving them into a cabin.
It was cozy inside – the ceiling was barely high enough that Sterling didn’t have to stoop. Hadyn, slightly taller, quickly seated himself in one of the chairs at the short table. There were cabinets on either side of the bulkheads filled with dishes carefully held in place with wooden bars. A number of charts sat rolled up beside a small pile of books at the other end of the table. “Triskin is just clearing away the rest of her stuff – we weren’t sure how much space you might require”
“This should be fine.” Hadyn turned to Matteo. “Sit down. Take off your shirt to start.”
He complied, and Hadyn began. They didn’t have any perceptible effects, and weren’t anything he recognized. Triskin returned after a few moments to remove the rest of her paperwork, and winced when she looked his way.
“I’m going to see about getting you a bath and something else to wear at least. What about something to eat?”
He shrugged, and she looked to Qiu.
“He can’t eat solid food,” she supplied. “Or meat broth – it makes him sick.”
“Well, most Elves don’t eat meat. I’ll have the cook come up with something. Anyone else?”
Hadyn shook his head. Sterling also declined. Qiu smiled shyly.
“Why don’t you come with me, Qiu. I can show you around the ship, and leave the boys to do their thing.”
“I would like that…” She looked to Matteo, and he waved her off. Triskin extended her hand to the girl, charts and books tucked under her other arm, and the two made their exit.
“Good,” said Hadyn after they’d left. “I need you to take off the rest of your clothes.”
Sterling raised an eyebrow at that. “What precisely are you looking for?”
“Markings. There have been reports that the cult was able to disguise some of the ritual marks placed on their targets. If he can be used against the Loyalists, we can’t risk brining him in.”
The examination was quick but thorough. No tattoos – Matteo was fairly sure he would have noticed even if ha hadn’t been awake for their administration. The only needles he remembered Geron using were the big long ones the priest stabbed into his chest to revive him. Hadyn made some notes. If the telepathy spell were still active he might have inquired as to their content, but as the wizard chose to ignore his curious looks, he was left to wonder.
A little while later, one of the sailors came down and led him further aft where Triskin had ordered a bath prepared. There were some clean clothes laid out as well – at least cleaner than the rags he’s been wearing for the past few months. He stepped carefully into the tub.
A hot bath and a change of clothes seemed an almost overwhelming luxury. The thought of it all – of going somewhere he wouldn’t have to worry about what he might get to eat, where there were other people who could make sure that he was safe. Safe and well. He might walk and see properly, hold things, swallow – talk. Sing. He felt a little weak, like the end of this great trial was in sight. A wave of relief washed over him as he sank into the water. It was lightly scented.
Matteo closed his eyes, shutting out the sight of the cabin. It was probably Triskin and Sterling’s. He could hear the two of them talking just outside the door but couldn’t make out the words. Hadyn was there too, and possibly valentine. He shut them out. The ship rocked gently on the waves, straining against its mooring lines. He could smell the salt mixed with the dirty scent of algae and other harbour wastes common to large ports. It was nostalgic. He let his mind drift, travelling to home and better times.
It wasn’t long before he was snapped out of his reverie. There was an impatient knock at the door before Piove popped her head inside the cabin.
“Hey you! Hadyn says you have to hurry up.”
Matteo sat up, startled. She was peering at him – at his face – with critical curiosity. It was discomfiting, but he brushed back his wet hair and tried a smile.
She frowned, perplexed. “You’re not hurrying.”
He picked up the soap, lathering it in water that was already looking a little dingy after his short soak. Apparently not quite satisfied, Piove remained. Fine, then. He set to washing, only willing to hurry so much, and determined to feel clean rather than simply rinsed. Piove hovered near the door, carefully not watching. He could feel the little breeze that followed her drifting through the room, and shivered.
“Are you really Matteo?”
He nodded. Maybe she did remember him. Maybe. She seemed uncertain, and snuck another look.
“Maybe Volaris can make you not ugly.” He raised his eyebrows. She tossed her hair. “Hurry faster – they want you to eat before we can go.”
With that she flitted out, leaving him to finish cleaning up in a less self-conscious environment. Along with everything else, he was looking forward to the end of the way people saw him now – pity or disgust marked on their faces.
The clothes he’d been given fit fairly well. They felt great, even the boots that were a size or so too small. It was step one toward rejoining society. Step two might involve a haircut or a proper meal, but for now he was content with what Triskin and Qiu had turned up. The latter was crunching an apple when he limped back into the other room. The others had apparently dispersed to tend to their own errands.
Qiu smiled at him, ad pointed to a bowl and a mug set on the table. “That is for you.”
It smelled good, at least. Even that seemed novel. He sat after a smile of thanks. The bowl held some kind of strained vegetable broth. He could taste, or at least smell, the seasonings. The mug contained a thick mix of fruit pulp and juice. After the rice gruel he’d been surviving on, it may as well have been a five star banquet.
Qiu watched quietly as he ate. It was unlike her to be so silent – she was generally content to chatter constantly unless she was around strangers. Even then she tended to recover quickly from her shyness. Matteo was her ideal companion, unable to rely or interrupt her rambling commentary. He shot her a concerned look.
“These people take very good care of you. It is good that you are going back to them.”
He nodded. Qiu was smart – perceptive.
“The others won’t get a chance to say goodbye, will they? You’ll be leaving very soon, and we’ll never see you again.”
It was a little abrupt, but what could he do? What could he say, even if he had the chance? He trusted Triskin and the others to come through for his traveling companions. He knew Volaris would see them taken care of if they were somehow incapable. But it was better this way. The less they knew the better. Maybe they’d be safer in their ignorance. He reached over and Squeezed Qiu’s hand, wishing he could make a better apology.
“You never told us your name, Matteo. I am sure you could have, but you never did. I don’t understand, but if that si how you want things, I won’t tell the others.”
He considered, nodded, smiled. She smiled too – it was their secret, then. A special gift just for her.
“Your friends said for you to go up when you were ready. And then you will leave.”
Matteo stood. His staff was leaning up against the cabin wall, and he reached out for it. Qiu stood too.
“You won’t forget us, will you?”
He shook his head. Never. Good and bad, he doubted he could ever erase the past few months from his memory. Not in a thousand years. He pulled her in for a close hug, then limped towards the deck to recover his life.
exis's birthday so I figured I would take the extra time to type this up, since it's ben done for a few days now!Matteo was slower than the others and had naturally fallen to the rear with Qiu. He wasn’t sure is anyone else had seen the spell cast, but they all seemed surprised when Hadyn first spoke in the minds.
~I need to do some tests on him before I ca take him to the compound.~
~What kind of tests?~
~To make sure you won’t compromise security.~ Presumably he meant checking into whatever was keeping him hidden from magical detection.
~Alright.~
~Do you need the rest of us to attend these examinations?~ Sterling asked.
~That depends on what I find. I do need a private place to work.~
~Don’t you have your own place in the city?~ Triskin, this time. She sounded a bit annoyed. Space, especially private space, was probably at a premium, on the ship.
~I can’t take him there.~
~Fine. How long will it take?~
~Not long.~
~Alright then – we’ll be on hand.~ She sounded a little appeased, but the rest of the short trip continued in relative silence. Matteo tried not to think too much about what exactly Hadyn’s tests might reveal – he really had not idea what Geron might have done to him before he escaped. The priest had never seemed too concerned about his escaped. Save for a few attempts to bribe him for information he hadn’t had, he’d never even heard from his captor. There’d never been any real sign that the cult had pursued him either. It was a little worrying.
“Hey, what’s he* doing here?" Piove’s voice drifted down from where he was perched on a yard. Qiu looked nervously to Matteo, not understanding her use of common. He put her hand on her shoulder to offer some reassurance, though he wasn’t exactly certain how this would play out. It was still quite a nice day out, though cooler and windier along the waterfront. As far as he could tell, no one really understood the relationship between Piove’s mood and the weather.
Valentine stepped forward, smiling up into the sky. “Its alright, ma belle, if you come down we will explain everything.”
“I don’t want to come down. It’s *pretty* up here.” She tossed her hair pointedly. “And there are no jerks.”
“Don’t you want to come and see Hadyn?”
“If he’s not being a jerk, he can come up and see me top!”
The wizard grumbled something under his breath, and waved a hand at the rigging. “I don’t have time,” he said more loudly. After a pause he added, “Tell her I’ll see her later. Tell her Teah couldn’t up there.”
“Of course. If you don’t need me…” The knight looked up again.
“Go head.”
Valentine headed off. Piove made a rude gesture in Hadyn and Matteo’s direction, which the former didn’t seem to notice. Matteo tried his best to appear inoffensive as he followed the wizard below to where Sterling was waving them into a cabin.
It was cozy inside – the ceiling was barely high enough that Sterling didn’t have to stoop. Hadyn, slightly taller, quickly seated himself in one of the chairs at the short table. There were cabinets on either side of the bulkheads filled with dishes carefully held in place with wooden bars. A number of charts sat rolled up beside a small pile of books at the other end of the table. “Triskin is just clearing away the rest of her stuff – we weren’t sure how much space you might require”
“This should be fine.” Hadyn turned to Matteo. “Sit down. Take off your shirt to start.”
He complied, and Hadyn began. They didn’t have any perceptible effects, and weren’t anything he recognized. Triskin returned after a few moments to remove the rest of her paperwork, and winced when she looked his way.
“I’m going to see about getting you a bath and something else to wear at least. What about something to eat?”
He shrugged, and she looked to Qiu.
“He can’t eat solid food,” she supplied. “Or meat broth – it makes him sick.”
“Well, most Elves don’t eat meat. I’ll have the cook come up with something. Anyone else?”
Hadyn shook his head. Sterling also declined. Qiu smiled shyly.
“Why don’t you come with me, Qiu. I can show you around the ship, and leave the boys to do their thing.”
“I would like that…” She looked to Matteo, and he waved her off. Triskin extended her hand to the girl, charts and books tucked under her other arm, and the two made their exit.
“Good,” said Hadyn after they’d left. “I need you to take off the rest of your clothes.”
Sterling raised an eyebrow at that. “What precisely are you looking for?”
“Markings. There have been reports that the cult was able to disguise some of the ritual marks placed on their targets. If he can be used against the Loyalists, we can’t risk brining him in.”
The examination was quick but thorough. No tattoos – Matteo was fairly sure he would have noticed even if ha hadn’t been awake for their administration. The only needles he remembered Geron using were the big long ones the priest stabbed into his chest to revive him. Hadyn made some notes. If the telepathy spell were still active he might have inquired as to their content, but as the wizard chose to ignore his curious looks, he was left to wonder.
A little while later, one of the sailors came down and led him further aft where Triskin had ordered a bath prepared. There were some clean clothes laid out as well – at least cleaner than the rags he’s been wearing for the past few months. He stepped carefully into the tub.
A hot bath and a change of clothes seemed an almost overwhelming luxury. The thought of it all – of going somewhere he wouldn’t have to worry about what he might get to eat, where there were other people who could make sure that he was safe. Safe and well. He might walk and see properly, hold things, swallow – talk. Sing. He felt a little weak, like the end of this great trial was in sight. A wave of relief washed over him as he sank into the water. It was lightly scented.
Matteo closed his eyes, shutting out the sight of the cabin. It was probably Triskin and Sterling’s. He could hear the two of them talking just outside the door but couldn’t make out the words. Hadyn was there too, and possibly valentine. He shut them out. The ship rocked gently on the waves, straining against its mooring lines. He could smell the salt mixed with the dirty scent of algae and other harbour wastes common to large ports. It was nostalgic. He let his mind drift, travelling to home and better times.
It wasn’t long before he was snapped out of his reverie. There was an impatient knock at the door before Piove popped her head inside the cabin.
“Hey you! Hadyn says you have to hurry up.”
Matteo sat up, startled. She was peering at him – at his face – with critical curiosity. It was discomfiting, but he brushed back his wet hair and tried a smile.
She frowned, perplexed. “You’re not hurrying.”
He picked up the soap, lathering it in water that was already looking a little dingy after his short soak. Apparently not quite satisfied, Piove remained. Fine, then. He set to washing, only willing to hurry so much, and determined to feel clean rather than simply rinsed. Piove hovered near the door, carefully not watching. He could feel the little breeze that followed her drifting through the room, and shivered.
“Are you really Matteo?”
He nodded. Maybe she did remember him. Maybe. She seemed uncertain, and snuck another look.
“Maybe Volaris can make you not ugly.” He raised his eyebrows. She tossed her hair. “Hurry faster – they want you to eat before we can go.”
With that she flitted out, leaving him to finish cleaning up in a less self-conscious environment. Along with everything else, he was looking forward to the end of the way people saw him now – pity or disgust marked on their faces.
The clothes he’d been given fit fairly well. They felt great, even the boots that were a size or so too small. It was step one toward rejoining society. Step two might involve a haircut or a proper meal, but for now he was content with what Triskin and Qiu had turned up. The latter was crunching an apple when he limped back into the other room. The others had apparently dispersed to tend to their own errands.
Qiu smiled at him, ad pointed to a bowl and a mug set on the table. “That is for you.”
It smelled good, at least. Even that seemed novel. He sat after a smile of thanks. The bowl held some kind of strained vegetable broth. He could taste, or at least smell, the seasonings. The mug contained a thick mix of fruit pulp and juice. After the rice gruel he’d been surviving on, it may as well have been a five star banquet.
Qiu watched quietly as he ate. It was unlike her to be so silent – she was generally content to chatter constantly unless she was around strangers. Even then she tended to recover quickly from her shyness. Matteo was her ideal companion, unable to rely or interrupt her rambling commentary. He shot her a concerned look.
“These people take very good care of you. It is good that you are going back to them.”
He nodded. Qiu was smart – perceptive.
“The others won’t get a chance to say goodbye, will they? You’ll be leaving very soon, and we’ll never see you again.”
It was a little abrupt, but what could he do? What could he say, even if he had the chance? He trusted Triskin and the others to come through for his traveling companions. He knew Volaris would see them taken care of if they were somehow incapable. But it was better this way. The less they knew the better. Maybe they’d be safer in their ignorance. He reached over and Squeezed Qiu’s hand, wishing he could make a better apology.
“You never told us your name, Matteo. I am sure you could have, but you never did. I don’t understand, but if that si how you want things, I won’t tell the others.”
He considered, nodded, smiled. She smiled too – it was their secret, then. A special gift just for her.
“Your friends said for you to go up when you were ready. And then you will leave.”
Matteo stood. His staff was leaning up against the cabin wall, and he reached out for it. Qiu stood too.
“You won’t forget us, will you?”
He shook his head. Never. Good and bad, he doubted he could ever erase the past few months from his memory. Not in a thousand years. He pulled her in for a close hug, then limped towards the deck to recover his life.
