[open] as the water grinds the stone

[meiren]

Who: Zhou Zishu and Open
What: Exploring Cadens, poking around the Horizon, event nonsense
Where: Cadens, Horizon
When: March
Warnings: References to chronic pain and sense loss

[ Starters in comments below, open unless stated otherwise. Hit me up at talkincodes or PM for something specific or plotting. ]

Comments

roof top interruption

[rinwell]

[ It may be dark out, but between lamps, candles, and a recent spell she hadn't known she possessed, Rinwell has plenty of light at her disposal for a bit of late night reading.

So she's awake, at her desk by the open attic window, when something lands on the roof. She's used to the faintest tap of birds, and the landing of cats, but this is entirely too heavy by comparison.

Hootle perks up sleepily from his perch on the shelf Geralt made for him, as Rinwell slips off her chair and nudges the large window open; the slope of the roof runs either side, and it's not hard for someone as small and slight as she is to slip out onto the tiles. Not that she does, yet.

Instead, her head sticks out, followed by an arm holding a lamp. ]

...Hello?

[meiren]

[ He'd been preparing to push off again to make for the next roof when the voice suddenly catches him. It's too close to be from the ground, which is curious. ]

Hello yourself. [ It's said almost idly as Zhou Zishu steps closer, though he keeps a bit of distance from the edge. Strange impulses or not, he's still always going to be more than a little paranoid, and that's an excellent way for someone to get the drop on him.

But even from where he is, he can see the edge of someone peering out a window in the sudden lamplight. The light may catch the edges of him, but he's not trying overly hard to be subtle. ]

Something wrong?

[rinwell]

[ She honestly hadn't expected a reply, but to Rinwell's credit, she doesn't drop the lantern when she squeaks at the unexpected response. Part of her really hadn't thought a PERSON would be up here. Maybe a cat. A really large one.

Though the stranger certainly lurks with almost cat-like grace. She squints into the dark, trying to get a better idea of his shape - he certainly doesn't sound threatening. More like someone out for an evening stroll.

On the roof. Hmm. ]

You were rather loud. [at least loud enough to give away someone was there.] You interrupted my studies. What are you even doing up here?

[meiren]

Enjoying the view.

[ He sounds more than little bemused at her confusion. Roof travel is fairly common for martial artists in his experience, it's certainly a faster way to get around than on the ground.

The need to move is still jittering through him, but a certain amount of ingrained politeness keeps him from just walking away. It does, however, mean that the excess energy is getting pointed at his new friend instead. Good thing the grin he's wearing is harder to see in the dim light. ]

What are you studying so intently that any sound disturbs you?

[rinwell]

It IS a pretty good view.

[ She has to concede to that, even as she tilts a little further out to try and get a good look at him.

Then gives up, briefly retreating - so that she can sit properly on the window sill and slide her legs onto the roof. All the easier for climbing out, and all that.

Whether you wanted it or not, you have company. Besides, this is her roof. What u gonna do about it? ]

History. Old myths and legends. There's a lot more and less than you'd think that's common knowledge here.

[meiren]

[ One eyebrow lifts slightly as the girl appears, but Zhou Zishu makes no movement towards or away from her. Excess energy or not, stillness is always going to be his preference.

Still, her boldness at confronting a stranger on what is apparently her property is amusing. Doubly so that it appears to be for the sake of a lecture. He folds his arms lightly across his chest, content to just watch for the moment. ]

Ah? How so?

[ From what he's found, what he considers common knowledge is in very short supply here. But she's clearly the one who's been studying. ]

[rinwell]

[ Once, she wouldn't have been so bold. Standing out is still not something she likes to do. But she doesn't feel threatened, at least not yet, and she has a few tricks that he has no hope of seeing coming.

She sets her feet with care on the tiles, and keeps one hand on the side of the roof as she moves a little closer, a little higher, before sitting herself properly. It's a tall building - not the tallest, mind, but tall enough that the view is nice. ]

Yeah. They don't share the same view of magic as Thorne or Solvunn do, for one thing. They're entirely dismissive of any folklore than involves it, directly or indirectly. That's pretty foolish, if you ask me.

[meiren]

[ Zhou Zishu watches her pick her careful way closer with something like interest, apparently unconcerned with the unstable footing himself. Once she settles, he drifts a bit closer himself, almost impossibly light over the roofing tiles.

He comes to a stop a fair distance away, still standing but looking out into the same direction she is, rather than at her. Its easier for people to talk that way, sometimes. And the view is rather good. ]

Alright. I am asking you. [ So deadpan. ] Why is the magic so important?