[open] test your metal

[subhuman]

Who: Dante & YOU
When: Throughout November & into December
Where: Castle Thorne, Horizon, & Nocwich
What: Causing trouble in Thorne (incidental) and getting lazy & crazy in Horizon (purposeful)
Warnings: Dante-brand stupidity, but other than that will update as needed.

Comments

[soothsighs]

( Urianger would be the first to confess he's growing fond of Nocwich, not least because the market stalls offer curiosities the likes of which very much appeal to mind such as his. During his last visit he hadn't been especially successful — that Stephen fellow had thrown him off somewhat — but this time he appears to be in the minority of mages keeping an eye out for arcane-looking trinkets.

All in all it's been a pleasant afternoon, and Urianger has a nonedescript purchase wrapped in brown paper tucked into the crook of his left arm. With his right hand he's receiving a cup of something warm enough to steam — not to mention sweet enough that the scent alone was enough to draw him to the stall. It's at that moment when a voice at his side draws his attention away from the vendor—

Where it lands on what actually seems to be a vaguely familiar face. Urianger looks to his cider, then back to the man before inticatin the drink with a slight tilt of the cup: )

'Tis a mulled cider, pressed from hand-picked apples and sweetened with orangeblossom honey.

( But he's distracted enough by trying to place the man that he trails off in thought, before catching himself moments before the moment can become awkward. Phew. )

Forgive me — thy countenance is most familiar ...

( And just like that, Urianger finds himself thrown back into a memory of a steaming bath, a monster rising from the deep, and an extremely naked man standing in his personal space. His eyebrows jump up towards his hairline in a moment of shock: )

... The baths of Castle Thorne, if I am not mistaken?

[subhuman]

[ That description sounds pretty tasty. Having something of a sweet tooth himself, Dante is definitely enticed. He whistles with a slow nod, jiggly the few stray coins he has left in his pocket. It's a quick decision on his part. Dante removes his hand and taps the counter, laying down a coin with a twitch of his lip. ]

Sounds like a treat if I've heard one. Barkeep, one more my good fellow.

[ He deserves a treat. Of course he does!

While he waits for his drink, he leans against the counter and turns his attention back to his new companion. Ah, so he strikes a familiar face too? Then Dante isn't going crazy. The mention of the baths doesn't lead much, however. He strokes his chin in thought. ]

I do like to spend time there, yeah. Nothing quite like winding down in a nice bath after a long day...

[ Dante you don't work.

--Hold up. He gets it! Dante snaps and points as is polite. ]

Ah! The new guy, right?

[ That was months ago. ]

[soothsighs]

( The problem here is that Urianger also likes to wind down in a nice bath after a long day (he does work), however since that little run-in he's been much more hesitant about visiting the communal baths. That isn't to say he's been avoiding them entirely — gods no — but he may be more of a familiar face around that part of the castle if he weren't being so mindful of deep-bath dwellers.

The new guy, right?

Revelation confirmed, Urianger's expression shifts to grimly amused acceptance. A polite smile touches the corners of his lips as he inclines his head in acknowledgement: )

Aye — the very same, although I would no longer count myself among the newly arrived.

( Of all the Scions Urianger is, perhaps surprisingly, one of the more adaptable, and has a knack for settling into a new position, role, or realm with relative ease. )

How fortuitous that we have been granted a second chance at a first meeting.

( His tone is somewhere between wry and earnest: he's pleased with his little joke, but he's evidently quite genuine in appreciating the do-over that this chance meeting has afforded them. One hand moves to rest against the centre of his breast: )

Urianger Augurelt. 'Tis a pleasure to make thine acquaintance on less startling terms, Master ... ?

[subhuman]

[ The fact that Dante may have scarred a man from indulging in the free shared bath water doesn't even cross his mind. After all, he's had much more terrible first impressions. Barely a blip on the radar in comparison, really. If anything, Dante was on better behavior than usual. Urianger is a lucky guy. ]

Ah, right. We've both got pants on this time.

[ The bartender does give pause at that remark. If Dante notices he doesn't seem to care.

He's about to go in for a shake but the little bow and, really, the whole elf-man's countenance does seem like it should come out of some fantasy novel from nearly a century prior. But he can dig it. Despite his own tendency towards the casual, he does a fine job of mimicking the gesture with it somehow not being a mockery. ]

Just "Dante" will do. Even my demons don't call me "Master".

[ It's a joke. Because he's a funny guy, Urianger! You'll see.

He straightens just in time for his own mug of cider to be set out. Dante doesn't waste a second. ]

So, Mister Urianger Augurelt-- [ That's so painfully French. ] --how have you been getting on these past few months?

[soothsighs]

( If the tips of Urianger's ears flush a little pink at Dante's offhand pants comment he does his best not to acknowledge it, choosing instead to clear his throat softly as he takes another (deeper) sip of his drink. Still, the other man seems happy enough to breeze past it — and to breeze past a conspicuous comment about demons that immediately tugs at Urianger's interest.

A saying from the man's homeland, perhaps? He tucks it away for later. )

If thy preference is simply "Dante", then I am simply Urianger.

( He replies, wrapping both hands around his cup for the simple pleasure of warming his fingers through. There's a beat of silence as he cocks his head in consideration of his answer: )

These moons since mine arrival hath not been without their travails, to be sure. 'Twould surprise me greatly to find thee ignorant of the difficulties we hath endured of late.

( One hand uncurls from around the cup to make an raceful gesture towards the market: how about a walk and talk, Dante? There's plenty to see (and indeed, to purchase!) while they enjoy their drinks. )

However, I consider myself fortunate in having the company of two companions from mine own Star; dear friends both, and equally brilliant. Their presence brings me great comfort.

( Urianger's polite smile softens just a little. )

And thyself? How farest thou?

[subhuman]

[ Appreciative of the agreement on informalities, Dante raises his mug in a mock toast before taking a sip.

It's a good thing Dante is the cultured guy that he is or else he'd find the way Urianger continues on to be a little odd. Okay, it is odd and he has vague recollection of something similar back in the baths, but that had been a lot more flustered fumbling than Shakespeare.

The urge to mimic these speech patterns is growing by the minute. ]

Oh, I read the news. Headlines, mostly. It would be nice if they printed some good news for once, wouldn't it?

[ He's up to date. He doesn't like getting involved if he doesn't have to, but with the way things are going...

Dante shrugs and rolls a shoulder. ]

Friends from home? You are a lucky guy.

[ Does he want to go into the whole Nero thing? Nope. Not at all. They're on okay terms, as much as they can be given the circumstances, but after their little reunion he doubts Nero would take too kindly on Dante singing his praises (or something) to others. ]

Ah...I am, quite tragically, ever at the mercy of this land's greatest malady--...boredom. But that's what makes a little weekend getaway a well-deserved break.

[soothsighs]

( Urianger inclines his head in agreement: he is lucky to have found Thancred and Himeka already here upon his arrival in Abraxas, and he's grateful that the Twelve saw fit not to leave him unmoored and alone. He'd have made the best of it, of course, and likely thrown himself into his research either way, but it is a comfort to know they're both within reach.

... Relatively speaking in Himeka's case, but it still counts. )

Boredom?

( He takes a moment to look Dante over, one eyebrow raised just a fraction as amusement settles at the corners of his lips. The man is built like Thancred — like Thancred but taller — and even if he isn't a warrior, Urianger suspects that he'd be able to find work with relative ease. Who doesn't need a big strong man around the place? Even Urianger can see the benefit: his books won't carry themselves! )

Surely a man of thy stature and vigour could find work within the walls of Thorne?

( ... Look, Urianger's sense of humour is horrible (and also a little too subtle), as if Dante doesn't realise he's being good-naturedly teased? That's very fair. He continues on: )

I prithee, let me enquire on thy behalf. Thou shalt be freed from the clutches of boredom 'ere the next moon.

[subhuman]

[ Good-natured is definitely the vibe that he's getting and Dante likes to believe he's a decent judge of character. (Citation needed.) But there is a problem with all of this--Dante likes to work, sometimes, mostly on his own terms and usually for a nominal fee that usually ends up being waved or taken by his business partner(s).

But hey, he'll take the compliments. He'll even do a little flex with his free arm like he's inspecting his own biceps for said vigor. ]

I may take you up on that, my friend. If you can find something that's a step above dusting off bookshelves or escorting migrating rabbits.

[ Though the latter did end up being eventful in ways he couldn't have predicted. ]

These old bones could use a little action every now and again.

[soothsighs]

( The flex is noted, as is Dante's easy acceptance of more work, and so Uringer files his willingness away in the back of his mind on the off-chance he needs assistance at some point in the future. Thancred has his own goals and his own missions that occasionally take him away from the city, and Urianger knows too well that having back-up on hand is never a bad thing. )

I feel there must be quite a tale to accompany thy mention of escorting migrating rabbits.

( He replies, the tail-end of an eyebrow lifting a little way. Rabbits, Loporrits, and Viera are all very different species, and yet ... )

Based solely on mine own experiences with such creatures, of course.

( And in this he definitnely means the Loporrits, but he presses on all the same: )

As for putting thy bones to action: mine abilities lean towards those of the healing arts, and there hath been occasions in which I hath much benefited from the aid of a more resilient companion. If thou art amenable to the idea, I should happily furnish thee with coin in exchange for thy assistance in more complicated matters.

gmail ate this but i FOUND IT

[subhuman]

[ Dante, of course, is assuming Urianger is referring to the whole bunny-moth debacle that happened a few months back. He assumes that those things were all over the place and not just Thorne considering how wide-spread they were, but who knows. Maybe they're popping up out of the woodwork. A few stray dust bunnies they didn't manage to clean out. ]

Not too much to say, really. Little guys though the kitchen was a good place to grab a snack and decided to bring their friends, their friends' friends, their mother, and half the county with them.

[ A rabbit month stampede, if you will. ]

You had a bit of a time with them to, eh?

[ Dante doesn't believe in moon bunnies but he could be convinced otherwise.

But hey, getting paid? Getting paid is something that doesn't happen very often. And while the need for coin with the whole arrangement in Thorne isn't really as pressing, Dante won't turn it down. ]

I think we can come to an agreement, my good sir. My bones are at your disposal.