thesphererp | Seregil

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Seregil | Memshare 1

It's already dark by the time you arrive. It's not the best of situations, but there were other things you had to look into. Things that hadn't boded well when you'd been there. Lips get loose when with a good drink and good entertainment is around; it's why you have several of this particular persona. It seems there's been a lot more activity in the north than you would have liked to hear. It's easy to surmise what they're doing. Take the north, take the Gold Road and they fill their coffers with untold riches to fund them in the war. No, that didn't bode well at all.

Which was why you were here, to find out just how far north they'd gotten. Asengai was the last stop before you headed for Wolde to meet up with Micum and head back south the Skala to give your report. Just in case you start making a mental note of your surroundings and where you've set up camp for the past few days, committing them to memory before heading off to the large keep. Hopefully, Asengai is fond enough of bards that you'll be able to get enough information to be out of here by morning.

You hadn't counted on Asengai immediately imprisoning you under the charge of your being a spy. He's not wrong, but that doesn't make the situation any more fortuitous. Even so, you have to play your part, so you curse and struggle, fight and protest. The light shifts to complete blackness as they drag you into the dungeon chamber.

"Unhand me, you cretinous brutes!" You make sure to remember the lisp that you'd decided on and continue to protest. "I demand to see your master! How dare you arrest me! Can't an honest bard pass unmolested through this country?"

You throw a less than accurate swing at one of the guards. If you were trying, you probably could have done some damage, but you're not. You're still Rolan, and Rolan isn't a fighter. So you let them beat you, heckling you about what will happen when you finally do meet Asengai. Torture, of course.

They drag you to the wall and manacle your hands and feet, and for the first time, you notice movement across from you. Someone's there. You don't say anything, it's not the right time. Once they finally leave, however, you're free to assess the situation.

"Who's there?" You ask, keeping to the role you're in. The other doesn't answer, and you have to squint in the scant moonlight to see anything. Of course, he'd push himself further into the shadows. Make the job harder for you. From what you can tell by the light of the moon it seems to be a young man, but you can't make out his features. You're about to open your mouth to say something when the door opens again.

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We can, there are other games as well.

Anything I know that you don't, I can teach you.

[And teach her to cheat.]

I don't know many games. [If any.]

I'll have to rely on your knowledge.

[She looks up at him and waits for him to take the lead.]

[Which he'll do with the skill of someone used to guiding another through crowded and crazy streets. Into the Black Market and a gambling den just slightly inside.

He hands her over a bag of stones.]

Hold these for now, we may need them.

[She feels a light touch on her arm, guiding her through the thick throng of people towards an out of the way building. Her eyes skim the area before falling back to her guide with a curious and uncertain glance.

This doesn't look like a safe part of town.]

What is this?

[She takes the back, resting the bulk of its contents in her palm as she peeks inside. Her curiosity has always been a rather dangerous thing.]

Stones for a game called bakshi.

[If pressed, he'd admit that this was no Street of Lights, but he guessed that few places had anything as inviting as that. Skala was one of the few places he'd found that did a good job of putting all of its deliciously debaucherous activities in one welcoming place. The thought if it brought a pang of longing to him even though he and Alec had just been there not too long ago. How many more days or years would it be until he had its to go there again.]

I'm working on bringing a bit of home here. Plus, it's easy to learn and master.

Bakshi.

[She repeats the name of the game as she hugs the bag of stones against her chest.]

Oh? [She still wonders what his home is like and maybe this will give her a piece of that answer.]

Then I'd like to learn and play.

I can teach you.

[It would help with him the overarching goal of bringing it soundly to the sphere. He'd already started working on it, selling stones here and there in the black market and getting people to learn the game. It was easy to learn and enjoyable to play. It was catching on well.]

Really?

[Her features brightened like the rays of the sun and her fingers curled protectively around the little bag. She doesn't believe that they have any monetary value but they feel very important, very heavy, in her palms.

She thinks that this game means an awful lot to him.]

I'll look forward to it. [She pads next to him and lightly bumps her shoulder against his as she turns and looks at those around her. She's careful not to run into anyone but it doesn't look like she's looking where she's going and she very nearly causes a handful of accidents because of it.

It's all very exciting for her.]

[She's right in thinking that the game is important to him, in many ways. Bakshi is a particular favorite of his, and, while the carved stones can be quite expensive given the stone material used, it isn't the monetary value that matters, it's the comfort of something that reminds him of Skala.

Skala holds Nysander and Klia, Micum and everyone at Watermede; it held the Cockerel and so many things that had made his exile bearable.]

I plan on playing a few rounds once we get into the gaming hall. I can show you there.

[There was, of course, poker and the other games that were there, but he found many of them tedious. Useful, yes, but also not the most exciting or entertaining of games.]

Maybe once you learn you can play a few as well.

[She pads excitedly behind him, her stormy gray eyes peeking with blue a little more blue as she followed at his side. Her curiosity is often a dangerous thing but at times like this, when she isn't alone, she's able to enjoy and relish the excitement thrilling through her limbs.]

Can I?

Should I stay behind you until then?

[She can likely learn by watching easily enough.]

If you like.

[It's what he's used to now; Alec often keeps behind him while he's playing. He is getting used to the game and now watching with peeked ears for anything that could be useful. It had become their way in the gambling halls since he'd gained Alec as a partner and it had been far more helpful than he'd expected. It wouldn't be a bad situation if he could steer Angel to doing the same. She seemed amiable enough to it; if a bit more nieve than Alec had ever been.]

If you have a knack for it, perhaps I'll make you a set of your own.

[Tilting slightly toward her, he offered a knowing grin. Looks like he'd be making another set soon enough.]

Really?

[Her attention turns to Sergeil and her smile widens. There is an odd feeling in the area around her; as if the air has become lighter and headier, shadows flee and a deep happy warmth radiates from her slender frame. A few people turn as they walk past but quickly go back to what they were doing.]

I'd love that.

Where are we playing? Should I do more than watch? [She really has no idea what Seregil's plan is and while she still doesn't know his name. She considers them friends already.]

If you hear anything particularly interesting remember it and tell me once we're out of earshot.

[He's not even trying to hide his grin. The girl really is better than he expected. She's eager and willing. If she's as quick a study as Alec, that's even better. Aoura really would be smiling on him today.]

By the way, what's your name? It wouldn't do for me to be unable to address you when I need to show you something.

Okay.

[She's more than eager and happy to listen to bits and pieces of conversations. More often then not, she'll avoid eavesdropping but she frequently over hears people and she'll tell Seregil what she happens hears.]

Oh. [Her head cants slightly to the side.] I don't have a name.

[For some reason she thought he knew that.]

[Seregil stopped, his brows raise at that. He hadn't known that there was no name to her, and the thought of it was upsetting. Names were more than simply important, they were the core of who you were. He himself had his own name ripped from him in the land of his people, only allowed being called it among the Tir, the thought of her having to live without one was almost the stuff of tragic ballads.]

None at all?

[She shakes her gently from left to right, a look of confusion spreading over her happy features.]

It's very uncommon for people to have names. That is, where I am from. My sister chose a name for herself but that... doesn't feel right somehow. I can't really explain it.

So, I have no name.

Names are important.

[It's an agreement and an explanation.]

They tell people who you are, where you've come from. Even nicknames have power; even those names that we use when conversing from our minds.

[He frowns slightly, thinking. This woman is curious, kind, but also exploring. It seems as if new things bring her strength and joy above most else. She seems a person that he can't help liking even through all his suspicion and carefulness. She is very much the epitome of a young Aurenfaie, and it's something that endears her to him. She deserves a name.]

I think I understand you enough to offer you one; should you want it.

Edited 2019-02-13 03:47 (UTC)

Oh?

[She lets his words settle in her thoughts before gently nodding her head in understanding.] I have a nickname of sorts. People call me an Angel but it always sounds like a title more than a name. [It doesn't exactly define her either.]

You would do that? [She looks genuinely surprised.] You'd really give me a name?

[It feels different from being told what her name is. He's giving her a choice and it's odd. She shifts uncomfortably, the world around her fading into background noise as she considers.]

Names... do you think you really know one that suits me? [Her gaze met his and there is a faint flickering of yearning there.] I- I've had been told many names but none have suited me.

If you do have one. I would like it.

It'd be my honor.

[And he meant it. Giving another a name, as he'd given Illia years ago was a great honor to the person giving the name. A name shaped you, it helped to make you who you were. This was allowing that person to do so.

After several moments he said-]

Inësa. It means kind and innocent.

[He hadn't told her about the Aurenfaie, so he wouldn't get into that now. No matter the language though, it seemed to fit, at least to him.]

Inësa.

[She repeats the name, letting it roll across her tongue in slow methodical syllables. It has a pleasant taste and is more than just it's letters. It sounds like a beginning. Does she want a new beginning? Here.

The answer startles her and her expression shifts to one of surprise.]

Yes. I like that name. It feels... like it could be mine.

Shall I call you that then?

[He doesn't want to take liberties before she says yes or no.]

[Her lips form into a warm smile.]

Yes. Please do. Thank you... [Her voice trails off and she frowns.] What is your name?

[Since he gave her hers, it would be odd for him to continue without giving her his. Besides, his instinct told him he could trust her, and his instinct of rarely wrong.]

It's Seregil.

It's nice to meet you Seregil.

[Her lips form into a sweet smile as she formally bows her head in greeting.] Thank you again, for my name. [Even if it's only her name while she's here, she'll hold it close to her heart.]

Shall we continue or is there something else you want to know?

[She really has no secrets.]

Just keep your eyes and ears open for anything interesting.

[He offered her a mischievous grin.]

Sometimes information is a better trade than money.

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