RP:A Gift For A Murder-Doll

Summary: Like they had talked about their first encounter, Meri drops by the garden that Chisel tends to occupy with a gift in tow. A painting. The two venture off to find a place for Chisel to keep the picture, off to another location where Chisel has a hoard of interesting stuff. Including a ship! Chisel tells Meri she can take some items as compensation for her painting, citing she has no idea that value of Meri's work nor the items she has collected here. Meri ends up making out like one of those bandits that Chisel kills...You know, in her endeavors to keep the forests safe. If only Meri had known Chisel could make her a bag for her haul, might have been able to carry more...

Larket: A Garden

"Okay, Kadence, I am just going to warn you right now that Chisel is kind of creepy? But just be cool. Don't get spooked. Everything will be alright," Meri explains as she walks along the path that runs through the center of the garden. Who is Meri speaking to one might wonder? Well Kadence is a solid gray mare, a couple of years old, who plods happily along right next to Meri. Kadence is presently equipped with all of the items you might expect to see on a horse, saddle, reins and so forth. The reason that Meri is having this conversation with Kadence is that Meri typically treats the animal like a companion rather than a beast of burden as many view horses. She is not taken into battle and tends to lead a pretty cushioned and mellow life, as much as the tattoo artist can afford at least. Then again, Chisel is a creature of the forest so perhaps Kadence will not be as unsettled by her as she is some of the other eclectic beings of the lands. The reason that Meri is on foot rather than on the back of the horse obvious. Kadence is presently assisting Meri by carrying something upon her back. It is a very large and flat looking something that is presently covered up by a couple of blankets to keep it from getting damaged. Just because Kadence is more companion than work horse does not mean Meri does not occasionally use her to lug things around. This thing does not look dreadfully heavy, just awkwardly sized and shaped. "Oooh Chisel..."

Busy as always, there isn't much to do. Exhaustion was not an option and so is sleep. Not doing anything tend to cause people to become insane. Boredom would kill anyone even someone like Chisel. She had already tended to the gardens today, one may have seen couple of dolls hanging by the windows of the garden and to the trees outside it, somesort of early warning perhaps? The dolls are creepily wrapped in plantlife, hanging from vines as their eyes kept looking around for any trouble. Meri. A woman she met the other day, she allows it, same reason why she was able to move closer to her garden. Normally they would have been confronted by the same Flora Colossi that is currently roaming the gardens, protecting the plants from pests and people. Looters have been a problem recently due to the earthquake and lack of food. Not her problem, still the Flora Colossi have thrown out numerous people since then. Upon the small path, marked by various colored flat stones, archways of plants above them that kept the sunlight from torching most people, glass walls upon one's left and right separating the two gardens while silhouettes of the guardians lumbers and walk about, looking for prey. Chisel on the other hand say by her shack. A small room at the back end of the path where she kept her tools to take care of the plants around her. Sitting there on a chair by a desk with numerous plants, moving on their own as she sipped tea. A pot is on a little stove sitting near her, waiting for Meri to come closer.

Meri could have unwittingly walked into an assault and she would have been none the wiser. Thankfully she has met Chisel before and they have even discussed Meri's want to pay her a visit at this very spot, the woman would not have ventured out all this way otherwise. The dolls meant to give warning, the silhouettes of the guardians roaming through the gardens -- all of these things are forced to the back of her mind. Kadence lets out an uneasy snort, but the horse presses on at the guidance of her owner. Finally Meri finds her way to the shack where Chisel rests outside in plain sight. Red lips twist up into a surprisingly warm smile for the little murder doll as Kadence's reins are tied to a nearby tree, one of the smaller and lower hanging branches. "Hey!" She calls out to Chisel in a rather excited tone of voice. "I brought you something. I hope you like it." Once Kadence is secured to a tree, Meri moves to untie the blanket wrapped board that is upon the horses back. "It was inspired by you, you are sort of in it, so I figured I would come gift it to you?" By the time these words are completed, Meri has undone the straps that held the picture in place and it is hoisted down to the ground. Blankets are still covering the piece of art, the big reveal not happening until Meri explains this much, "So just to be clear though? I did not go chopping down a tree to get this board, okay? I am repurposing it. After the whole bug assault on Rynvale, some buildings were damaged. I decided to do something with this rather than trashing it?" Basically what Meri is trying to prevent Chisel from stabbing her because she feels like maybe Meri is damaging nature in the name of art. Or maybe Chisel would have never minded to begin with and it is all in the artist's mind. Better safe than sorry?

She does... sound excited, but it was laced in fear... weariness even. She smiles and waves as the woman approached. The dolls and guardians simply held their ground, some moving from tree to tree but they atleast did not intervene with the woman as she approached. "As they say, there is no use crying over spilled milk. Go on Ms. Meri, I would love to see your present." She smiles and takes a sip from her cup, plucking a leaf from one of the moving plotted plants that is sitting on a cart next to her, chewing on it before having more tea. She jots something down on a clipboard before watching Meri again. She listens to her, typical. Many 'acts' this way whenever they meet her. She can't blame them and she is quite aware why they are acting this way. Still, it wasn't something that would ever go unnoticed. She simply lets it, not wanting to point the awkwardness out. She watched the woman fidgets about and said, "Would you like some tea before the great reveal?" Curious what the artist have, though not really sure where she would put it. She is a forest spirit afterall and having a permanent home wasn't exactly her thing. Probably she could place it 'there'? thinking quietly. "I could also offer some food if you want, It is quite rare to have a visitor as I have mentioned before so maybe we can chat for a little bit? yes?"

It is true, Meri there was some amount of fear underlying everything that the woman was saying. She had met Chisel the once and the marionette had used the term 'murder doll' to describe herself to Meri. The fact that her statement was awkward had not even fully crossed Meri's mind. With her horse taken care of and the gift the artist has hauled removed from Kadence's back, Meri is actually quite alright with waiting on the reveal. To some extent it did occur to Meri that Chisel did not claim permanent residence, or that she may not, even Chisel confessed to traveling the forests. It may just be the thought that counts in this case. The picture was hauled toward the shack and then allowed to lean against one of the walls of the shack before Meri settles into a position next to Chisel. "Sure. Both tea and food sound good. Honestly I am in no hurry, I would love to stay and chat with you. What sort of tea?" Not that Meri is well versed in this topic, she is not a tea connoisseur. Prior to settling into her seat, Meri saw Chisel jot a note down on her clipboard and now that she is seated and settled, what better way to lead the conversation with a question. A faint smirk pulls at Meri's red lips, not so much because of anything Chisel has done herself but because the artist was recalling another time that she voiced this question. "So, what are you writing down on that clipboard of yours?" Meri may either be the Queen of Awkward or overly forward, maybe a combination of both. A little mixing and matching. "Alright maybe that was a bad leading question. Curiosity gets the better of me sometimes."

"Herbs." pointing at the cart of moving plants beside her. "Some of them are poisonous while the others are for healing. As I am immune to their effects, I consume them and write down what I discover while enjoying a bit of tea." She smiles as she extends her hand alittle and vines from a nearby tree began moving, providing her the utensils that she require for her visitor. A glass pitcher soon reached the table with a number of apples. Chisel held onto the apples as it began to shed it skin perfectly before she sections it into perfect little slices. She does this numerous times as she place atleast four of them into the pitcher, including the skin. A branch from a nearby tree leans in with what appears to be a bee hive before dropping some pure honey on the pitcher. And finally adding water before pulling out a cup for the woman. "What snacks can I offer you? I mostly could offer fruits or if you want I could send one of the guardians to hunt something for us." listening to the woman as she smile quietly. "Well be curious all you want. I am after all the one who invited you over. I am quite sure you are aware that I am not the 'typical' person you see out there, I have been told that I need to act properly if I wish to live amongst these mortals so here I am, trying to learn how to interact by watching. So... feel free to act normal I guess, I'll simply mimic it."

Meri was content with everything that was offered, indicated with a smile and a simple, "I am good with fruit and tea, if you are." The apples would be great! So great that Meri reaches across to pluck one of those bit sized slices up and popping a piece into her mouth while a cup of tea is poured for her. Blue eyes try and take all of the details, looking impressed but not surprised, for this is not the first time she has seen Chisel display such control of the environment around her. Perhaps control is not a good word, but in Meri's mind that is what she is witnessing. There is a brief perusal of the plants but it is obvious that Meri has not dedicated much time to learning their names and their purposes. Her gaze flits back to Chisel, a more serious expression worn across her face now. "Yes, I am aware that you are not your typical person." Painted red lips are pressed together in brief thought before she goes on to inquire, "So who told you that you need to act properly if you were live amongst mortals?" A brow as Meri goes on to explain. "I mean, I know in the grand scheme of things I have not seen much. I am not even thirty yet?" A conversation with a dragon or an elf could easily pale her experiences in life based on their lifespan. "But I have seen that it takes all sorts to take the world go around and there are definitely all shapes, sizes and personalities out there...Did you do something to incite this reaction from...whomever told you this?"

"I don't... exactly remember." pondering quietly. "It has been a while so I don't exactly remember. I believe it was when someone was threatening me to burn down my forest... something about if I wish to continue existing amongst mortals, I must learn how to act like them. I'll let you imagine what my response was." She smiles as she takes another sip of her tea. "Though I don't exactly... uhm... no offense. 'Care' if I live amongst mortals, co exist with them... simply out of habit or hobby I guess. I have nothing else to do, immortality is sometimes a burden. Insanity does follow boredom." She turned to the woman's present she said. "I am not exactly sure where would I put this up... I do not own this gardens. This is Lady Artia's. Placing art amongst its walls would be on her own discretion and not mine. As I am one with the forest, I cannot exactly own locations as territorial borders are simply a bunch of nonsense that mortals made laws with but in reality, Nature has no boundaries which in the same sense, I own no lands of my own. How...ever... I do have a place for this art if Ms. Artia would not let it, its pretty hidden though, art must be shown a crowd, for many to appreciate. Not hidden deep in the forest."

Meri has only just sat down for tea and some light snacking, so while she is excited to show off her work she does not jump up to do so. "Hm, well. As long as it is to satisfy your own curiosity or entertainment." A look of recognition crosses Meri's facade at the mention of Artia, explaining, "I have done a tattoo for her, I am familiar with her. Though I am not sure she would appreciate this piece hanging anywhere in her home...Nor do I think it is a subject that a crowd would like." The blonde artist takes pause here so that she can sip from her tea and nibble on another piece of apple. "Usually I do not paint. When I started this, I actually thought about painting upon a canvas? But it did occur to me, as you explained, that you spend most of your time on the move. I figured canvas would not withstand the weather." Thus the board, still wrapped up in that blanket, hiding -what- Meri actually painted for Chisel. "Maybe in time it will rot and the paint will fade but I did figure you could place this out in the forest, wherever suited you or wherever you were prone to traveling. Give you something to admire while when you are tending to things in that area. It does not have to stay here, nor does it have to be for the eyes of everyone. Maybe just a few select few. Maybe it can serve as a reminder to those traveling your forest that stumble across it?" With that said...Meri still does not get up! What happens is that board that was leaning against a wall begins to move of its own accord, positioning itself so it is within comfortable view and levitating there with ease, still cloaked from view. Art, in it's various mediums, was just one talent...which made sense, most people were good at a few things.

"Ah, does the master fear criticism?" She smiles as she teases, drinking a bit more of her tea before she moved her hand again, more fruits came into view, some are whole while the others are already cut into snackable sections, readied in a platter. Listening to the woman, the raised a brow and said, "I have only met Ms. Artia a couple of times. Though she has accepted me in this garden and showed me kindness... I have no ill words for her... though I don't think I am qualified to make judgements of people whom I have limited experience with." There was something with her reaction, probably a past between the two? not that Chisel cares though. She did saw that thing move, Interesting. They are surrounded by flora, allowing the forest spirit to see anything. Having no blindspot it seems. "There is a section in the forest, South West of here where I keep my things. As mentioned before, it wasn't exactly my land. If the forest wishes to reclaim that portion of the forest, I'll gladly have it moved but it remained undisturbed for the last couple centuries and hopefully for longer till I find a different place to settle down. Would you like to see it? So we can find a place to hang your portrait on?"

The teasing is taken for what it is and answered with a chuckle, accepted with a slow roll of tattooed shoulders. The subject of Artia drops, for Meri was not trying to speak ill of her in the slightest. Explanation would come as the blanket drops away for the reveal. The board itself is not perfectly cut, edges were ragged and burnt though Meri has done what she could to smooth down the sharper corners to prevent pokes, jabs, or splinters. Ultimately this board looks like it was once part of some building that was damaged. Shed wall? Barn door? Not really the point. The content of the piece is definitely more morbid than one might expect from Meri. It is actually a painting of the very same spot that she and Chisel first encountered one another, night flowers included and all. That is just the background, lovely at first glance but all is not so serene and peaceful. The ground is opening up! Just like Meri had witnessed the first night she had met Chisel, except roots are not pulling the body of a deer into it's depths but...the bodies of what looks to be bandits. Three bandits, their faces partially masked and their clothing dark, laying in a pool of their own blood, being pulled into the earth. What a great way to hide a body. Chisel is in the foreground of this image, with a very pleased smile held upon her features and a bloody knife held within her grasp. Yes maybe this was not Chisel's weapon of choice, maybe she borrowed it from one of those bandits, and maybe she would not be smiling quite like that! Artistic liberties you see. They happen. "Sure, I would be happy to tag along. If you give me your honest opinion of the picture now that you have seen it." The whole telekinetic levitating thing is put to a halt with the piece lowering to the ground quite carefully for now. Before she even entertains the notion of getting up, "Also. Take the horse? Leave the horse? Load her up? No?" In short, how far of a walk will this be?

Clearly impressed as she looked upon the detail of the painting from top to bottom. "Normally, portaits and art captivates beautiful emotions, vibrant colors and breathtaking sceneries that fills the viewers with positive feelings.... Normally." she smiles as looked a bit closer and said, "So this is why you said many may not enjoy it? Art is supposed to be appreciated by many, that is how masters feel pride from their work but I do agree... I use a chisel as weapons though... or an ax." It wasn't the woman's fault for not knowing her skillset, still it was an impressive image that captures the woman's power. Not only with her art but her attention to detail "I feel like I should hang this outside the forest like a warning sign... but I doubt it would fair well against the elements if I do that." she smiles as she turned to the woman and said. "Well you can ride it if you chose. I'm not exactly... light. My body is made out of hardened wood and metal, if we follow my usual route however... we'll get there by midnight as I thoroughly check every corner of my forests. If we just go straight there however.. a few minutes? maybe? I can ask a colossus to carry us."

Meri sips lightly at her cooled cup of tea as Chisel speaks, finishing it off before lukewarm turns to cold. "I guess we could argue that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I do not frankly need the opinions of many to appreciate my work. But you are right. People would much rather normally look at flowers and butterflies." Nice things, so to speak. "Anyway! It is a gift. For you to do with as you please. I am equally not sure how well it will withstand the elements." Meri could not have knowledge of all things, everyone's skill set needed limitations. "If it ends up outside, so long as the wood does not rot." Surely it must have been treated in some fashion if it were being used in construction? "Then I can always come by and do touch ups periodically on the painting." If they go by Chisel'a usual route or by route of Chisel's colossus -- that is ultimately met with a nonchalant shrug. "Whatever suits you. Though I suppose if we go by colossus ride, he could make life easy and just carry the painting for us?" A beat, red lips twisting up into a darker sort of smirk as Meri connects the dots (she thinks). "You normally use a chisel." Or an ax, yes. "Is that how you came to your name?"

Chisel moved a hand as a colossus walked before them. It was a tall creature out of wood, moss, flowers and leaves. No visible mouth or eyes however but one could hear it groan as it move with its thunderous footsteps before lowering its hand before them as if waiting for them to ride. "No.. not really... It was one of the last few words he said. 'And for the finishing touches... A chisel'." she was lost in thought for a couple of seconds, staring at the table before her. "The man who ended my life and destroyed my body did not exactly lived long enough after that. So he failed to give his masterpiece a name." She moved closer to one of the creature's lowered hand as she said, "The place we are going are hidden within the Ancient Forest, this colossus can move great strides to get us close to our destination in mere minutes. The place... not really sure what to call it is hidden amongst the hedges, thick forest walls cover this section of the forest, almost impossible to find and enter without having the applicable power and knowledge of where it is. I have lived for hundreds of years and kept these forest clean... should I say... not everything decompose so I bring it to that place." she sits on one of the hands and the colossus raises it, still waiting for Meri to ride on the other. When she does, the collosus would begin walking right away. "I can give you a map to it if you want... that would allow you entry to this place. There isn't really much there... well, not much that matters to me. It is simply a stash of items that doesn't exactly decompose, looted from various things like bandits or warriors who have lost their lives. People went missing and ended up killed by the wild. Or I killed them, can't remember for sure but to be fair, the animals in these lands are pretty powerful so I can't take all the glory in that."

Meri needs a moment to wrap her mind around the first bit that Chisel just told her. It's not that she's trying to ignore the statements, it's just....quite the statement. Kadence is left behind without fear that someone might come into Chisel's garden and steal her horse. That animal is the most expensive thing that Meri owns, more or less, and more importantly she had quite the soft spot for the beast. Up onto the collosus Meri goes after hoisting that picture up off the ground, both picture and Meri end up in one of the collosus' hands. The artist is not entirely sure what to make of the collosus, but it's not the worst being that someone has suggested they hitch a ride off of. At least the collosus did not fly, Meri had this thing with falling from extreme heights. No dragon rides for Meri. "If you would like to give me a map...Otherwise, if you feel the painting needs tended to you could always send word and we could go together." Tempting Meri with maps and things. What a wicked little marionette. All of this talk comes while Chisel's collosus makes those long strides through the forest to their destination. "So...You are not living? You are a ghost trapped in that body? For how long?" They had sort of very briefly danced around the 'what are you' chat. Oh Meri. What a human. So young. So naive. Can ghosts even influence nature the way that Chisel has displayed? Go pick up a book more often -- then again most of her knowledge comes from first hand experience of conversation with others. She tries.

Chisel listened to the woman as she tried to make a conversation, while her head is turned to look, she had both of her hands extended before her. A fine vine began growing out of her palm before coiling to each other as the vines met in between. Soon it began wrapping onto itself, stitching onto a certain pattern while the two have a conversation. "I don't believe so. I mean... I feel, I am sentient but I doubt I am alive anymore." the vines continues to work on its own with the marionette glancing onto it every now and then. "There are thick hedgerows at the corner of the Ancient Forest. As my energy is present upon this map that I am currently making, the hedges would open up and allow entry. The powerful ancient trees aren't exactly happy with other means of entry, some tried cutting through or burning through them, those walls of flora have immense regenerative powers, its practically impenetrable... and the trees would pretty much escort you, either out of the forest or from the world of the living." she tries to answer the woman's curiousity before finally giving her the map she is making, the vines turned into silk but the markers weren't 'written' as if the silk itself knew when to change color to leave markers upon the map. "We are nearly there..." already able to see the edge of the Ancient Forest, where the hedges are.

The first part of what Chisel said is answered with a 'hm' but the subject is left well enough alone from there. Sensitive issues? Meri has probably already been a bit too forward with her questioning, but this is actually something that is not too uncommon with the woman once she actually gets to conversing, she is curious by nature. While the duo converse, Meri's baby blues are fixed on what Chisel is stitching together with those vines, but the realization of what is being made does not come until she is physically presented with the map. "So in short, the map is basically like a key? And therefore I should be careful with it, for if it gets into the hands of someone else, they could potentially find their way into your area?" Provided they actually knew the location of course. These questions were birthed from sincere want of understanding, so Meri did not make the mistake of leaving something important laying around for any John or Jane to pick up. Chisel's naughty list was not a place that Meri wanted to be, she figured, especially not since the two were seeming to get along well enough. Meri was actually starting to feel comfortable around the little murder-doll! Slowly but surely. It would probably only be a few more short strides from the collosus before they reached their destination and once he lowered those hands to the ground, Meri's feet would eagerly find the earth again and the gift will be hauled up into her grasp again. Again, it was not particularly heavy but it was sizeable enough that it covered a bulk of Meri's torso while it was carried.

Chisel ponders as vines from the colossus guides her as she climbed off, ofcourse Meri had to jump down herself as using vines might freak her out. "Not.. exactly. Whenever this map reaches this part of the forest, the forest itself calls for me, linking my mind with the watching trees, I can specify if it is an enemy or a foe. Finding yourself here at random and not carrying the map would make the forest hostile right away." she turns and extends her hands toward the massive hedgerows. "When one enters without a map, the hedgerows becomes an impossible maze." as she speak the hedges began moving away and giving away a clear path. As the path appeared before them, there something peculiar about the location. It wasn't natural, it was... man made. There were beaten, stone path that leads deeper in the forest, light posts, covered in moss and vines are present around them and some seems to have crumpled away. Deep inside the forest was a massive building. A broken castle or military outpost. But it was clear that the place have been abandoned for far too long as the forest are already reclaiming it. Moss and plant life have been growing between the rocks but the structure still appears hospitable. The center of the structure was broken down for some unknown reason, when Chisel found this place, it was already destroyed that way and never really bothered to find out its history. Upon the grounds lies a healthy garden of flora, on the gap upon the wall nested serenely a wooden ship. It appeared alot more recent than the rest of the camp. Here is where Chisel hoards everything she finds. Gold, Weapons, Clothing, Gemstones, all sorts of doodads that mean little to the forest spirit. Garbage as she calls them as it is clear that she isn't exactly interested on material objects.

Meri mouths an 'o' when she is given the insight that without this map the plantlife in the area would be hostile. Note to self, never forget the map if she comes this way. Obviously as a human, one who has lived most of her life being poor, is more than a little tempted by the gold and gems that she sees. More than a little, greed was a bewitching thing, wasn't it? There are so many uses that could come of the stuff that resides within Chisel's outpost! Of course in the back of her mind she knows that merely taking something from Chisel would not be wise and it would not go unnoticed. The plants seem to tell her all, Meri has gained that much knowledge. That stops Meri from at least outright taking anything, though it may not appear that way at first. Meri stops near one of the piles of gold, letting Chisel carry on if she so chooses. The only thing that may suggest that she has no intention of blatantly stealing is the fact that even if Chisel stops to observe what Meri is doing, Meri does not stop, jump, or act shady in anyway. The woman crouches to pick up a single coin, flipping it end over end. This does mean the picture she is carrying is temporarily grounded so that she can do so. "You just leave all of this here? It seems like such a waste to just leave it. There is an orphanage in Gualon that I used to work out. Do you know what those kids could do with these donations? Might actually give them a decent start. Maybe keep them from growing up to be bandits themselves. Shoot, you could probably donate to a couple orphanages and you could even donate to my favorite charity. It's called 'Meri is poor.'" Evidently there was enough gold in sight that Meri had come up with a few notions, some more selfish than others, as the Gualon bit was not even a lie.

Chisel frowns, not angrily however, out of confusion mostly. She turned to her and said, "Well... Initially... these items aren't mine. I stash and segregate them here after cleaning the forest. Wars have been fought here, banditry and all sorts of mishaps with the local wildlife. I find them later, loot the non-biodegradeables and let the earth have the corpse. I have been waiting for so long for.. families and loved ones to claim the items from the fallen and have less garbage all together. But so far no one came forward" She continued walking as she said, "You can have anything here if you want. Equivalent Exchange? I'm not really sure how expensive your masterpiece though. I feel horrible knowing that all I could offer to you are these garbage. I have little care about these things so it is impossible for me to gauge how important they are and if they could compensate for your present... And also I'll have less of these things." She turned about as she checked if everything is still in order, weapons have been neatly pilled ontop of a broken down wall, weapons of varying size and magical properties, armor, books and all sorts of literature, clothing, gemstones and other things. "Ah... the most fascinating in my collection.." She began walking towards it as she stood before a pile... of silverware. "I have no idea that bandits and thieves enjoy massive banquets. I mean... Look how many these are." pointing at the mountain of household items. The only other thing left in this camp is the wooden ship. There is no rivers here so... how?

Meri would like to say that she needs time really think about what Chisel is telling her right now but nope. Can you see the money symbols in Meri's lovely blue eyes right now? Did she just die? Has Meri found her way to the afterlife? It seems relatively pleasant, she could dig this. Chisel is telling her to take what she wants, that she has no understanding of the value of this stuff here...and Meri is wishing she brought her dang horse because heck! She doesn't even have her satchel with her because she had opted to travel with her horse so Meri can't go too hog wild here but she does have a pouch, which was full of snacks for Kadence to nibble upon. Except the horse loves her treats and has greedily eaten them all. It will do. With the hope of making the most of this offer, Meri is actually going to try and be more selective in what she chooses to take with her here. "Uh, I mean. I am not really sure what the painting would be worth, honestly? I usually deal in tattoos." In her mind, there was a high chance that the gemstones would be worth more than the gold and the doodads in the big picture -- she thought. She meanders about to really have a look at the collection, collecting this blue gemstone and that clear looking one. "I'm not sure how much these things are worth either." Sort of true, Meri was not an expert in this area but she sort of presumed they were worth a lot more then her dang picture. "But they sure are pretty aren't they?" Meri proclaims as she holds up a stone that is more rainbow in color. It's right around this time as she gazes through that rainbow hued gemstone that those blue eyes fall upon the ship. "What the heck is that doing all the way out here?" Meri's tattoos were mostly ocean themed, she was easily able to puzzle that there were no nearby rivers. She was curious, yes, but not curious enough that she was going to stop collecting those gemstones. Until either Chisel put a stop to it or Meri's little pouch was full ...and probably the pockets of her pants and if she could shove a few into the back of her boots she dang well would too. The ride back would be interesting.

Chisel could always craft up a bag for the woman... or have the colossus carry whatever it was she wanted... But Meri didn't ask, she seems to be much more interested in gathering the stones. "I could only assume that these gemstones and silverware are stolen from homes by thieves? But finding someone who actually have enough gold to purchase the stones would be alot difficult, that's why it was stashed in large quantities before I found it." she turned to the ship and said, "I'm.... not exactly sure. One day I was warned by the forest that there was people inside this camp, I haven't told anyone about the location before so I wondered how they got in. I would assume that they came from above so I expected that they rode some sort of flying mount to bypass the hedgerows and yet all what's left is this ship. I have little knowledge nor interest on mortal contraptions to understand what this vessel is. All that occured that day is that the people that came along were thrown out of the forest right away and since then never returned." She continued toward the broken castle on the center, the large center room is already occupied with the ship along with the broken down upper floors. However in this floor are couple of doors leading to other rooms, if the woman followed. Chisel does enter one of the door into an oddly... clean room. Unlike outside that is already covered with flora and moss, this one was immaculate. The furniture of the previous owner are still there, portraits of various commanders littered the walls while other memorabilias were sealed on glass cases. A fine rug on the floor and a beautifully crafted desk with equally elegant chairs around it, one behind it and the smaller two before it, like an office. "We can hang the portrait here."

Meri did not ask for she did not fully realize, ah well. It's not as if what she was able to snag up won't sustain her for awhile, and probably a lot more comfortably than she has been living. But yes, Chisel does bring up a valid point that Meri would not be able to unload all of these somewhere all at once. "Huh. It is crazy the sort of stuff that you just have around here." Following Chisel was something that Meri would indeed do, the painted picture almost forgotten is drug along, but by use those psionic ability of hers this time....she wanted to keep her hands free just in case she spotted something particularly glittery. "I have only known ships found in the sea. I have never seen a single ship in the sky.." Then again Meri was never particularly keen on flying so she very likely has not put effort into looking or even chasing that dream. The portrait glides fluidly into position so that it sits suspended within the room that Chisel has indicated, wherever she could find space amongst the other decor left abandoned by previous owners...Except while Meri can position the painting, she does not actually have the means to fasten it into place. "Thoughts on how to fasten it into place?" Unlike the creation of a bag, Meri does seem to have the opinion that this is something Chisel could easily do for the telekinetic hold on the picture could only be held for so long with Meri present and there was no hope it would be maintained once she is not.

"We could... always get rid of the existing portraits. I mean.. I only kept them hanging there because they blend well with the motif of the room but still, I hold no attachment to them. I don't even know who these people are." She moved close and began to unhinge one of the portraits that is clinging on the wall. Somewhat of same size as Meri's masterpiece so it would feel out of place. She then move the removed portrait to another room. "We can hang it here." she pointed. She looked around and let the woman hang it herself, maybe a way to say goodbye to one's child? Some people does feel attached to their creations every now and then. She barely knows her to check if that is correct. "I could... offer you a drink? However the liquor here has been here for ages... though they say drinks does taste better depending on its age, They don't exactly affect me to judge. I am a forest spirit after all and these drinks are made out of fruits or flora, though fermented and manipulated in certain ways, it is still flora and I have immunity to its poisons."

Sometimes the simplest solution is the most obvious, of course Meri had no way of knowing that Chisel had no sentiments to the other portraits. It is not attachment to the painting that inspires Meri to hang the picture, but the want to do something useful. Frankly Meri is not only glad that Chisel likes this impromptu piece but that they have managed to find a place to put it (the gems were admittedly a nice perk, can't lie). That was plenty more than the artist had even hoped for when starting this endeavor. The painting of Chisel with the bandits glides from the spot it presently levitates to the new home that Chisel indicates that she would like for it to go. Using the existing pins, the painting is easily able to settle against the wall and rest there -- this time thanks to the hold of hooks rather than Meri's psionic grasp. "A drink. Well I am a fan, so I am not going to say no, but I think I am mostly just curious to see what liquor you have stored here. Because you are right, they do often taste better with age..." But it may be a shame to crack open the bottle only for it to go to waste. Properly aged alcohol should be appreciated!

Chisel smiles as she looked up to the portrait as it hanged against the wall. "Hmm, I think I like it." turned to the woman and said, "Thank you, for your present. I appologize if I could not offer you anything in return. She bows alittle before moving behind the desk and pressing a button. As soon as she did, simple mechanism activates upon a nearby wall. Folding away to show a whole cabinet of liquor of various types and ages. It has been sitting there serenely since the outpost is abandoned and Chisel has preserved them after she found it. "There are also barrels upon barrels of the stuff downstairs. I simply like how the glass and color liquids create that." Pointing at the wall as the light from behind the shelves are making the collection of bottles refract light like a rainbow. The liquids in it also affects the color just as much as the designs of the bottles. "If you emptied one of them, I could always go downstairs for a replacement."

"What are you talking about? You have offered me plenty in return." How many gemstones did Meri grab? "Besides, the point of giving a gift is not to foster the expectation that something should be given in return. It's just to give it, for the reaction. So there is absolutely no need to be apologizing." The mechanism is pushed and Meri approaches, falling into a crouch so that she can have a nice long look at the various bottles that are provided. Typically Meri is one to favor hard liquors but today she reaches for the bottle that looks uniquely shaped and coated in a nice layer of dust, some vintage of champagne. "Oh geez, if I tried to consume barrels, I am pretty sure I would die. There would be no more Meri, I could not puke enough." The ugly truths of drinking too much, but she presumed Chisel was not one to care if Meri spoke perhaps too honestly, at least some might think that is one of those TMI moments! "But how about this one? We could indulge in a drink before we head back. I probably shouldn't drink too much anyway." Don't want to drink and ride.

Dust? Maybe she should clean more often. She has been busy recently, the beautiful rainbow of refracted light would be ruined if there are dust on her bottles. "Well.. you can keep that bottle if you want, could always replace it from downstairs, or take more than one? I'm not really sure. As I mentioned before, liquor doesn't exactly have effects on me as they are fermented from flora." She could taste it, but it won't actually make her feel drunk or merry which may be rude if she drinks it with the painter. "Well you have the map... you can always bring more drinks, just don't bring any other people here. I would know." she quietly moved at the seat by the center and said, "I never understood why I like this room, the color perhaps? Or maybe is this cushioned seat... when I first used it I thought I was sinking..." she looked upon the reddish motif of walls and ceiling where a chandelier sits, lit automatically as it knew there is people in the room. "We did traveled for a while... we could rest for a bit if you want, or chat. Or leave... your call."

Meri is just making out like a bandit today! I mean....Nope, she definitely has absolutely nothing in common with bandits! Not even greed. "I guess we should head back," Meri concedes, for they did travel for a time, and have spent time talking, and then there was the time Meri had to travel to even get here. Her traveling was not yet done for the day, "I actually should be collecting Kadence and be heading on my way. Appointments to keep. But maybe I will take this for the later consumption." But despite this announcement that leaving would be the wiser course of action, Meri is not in a rush. Her blue eyes travel around the expanse of the room to take in the details, "I could be a combination of things. It does have a cozy sort of feel to it, comfy chairs to sit in really do help to set the mood." Tattooed shoulders are rolled in a shrug as it was sometimes hard to pinpoint why exactly something was liked. Sometimes it just was. "I would actually love to drop by. Most of the time I travel by myself." Meri knew plenty of faces in the land but there were few that she truly considered friend enough to extend an invitation to. "I could perhaps see myself showing up with Lita? Sabrina? A guy named Cal?" Of course if Chisel indicates 'no' to any of those names dropped then Meri is more than content to visit on her own.

"Cal? You mean Callum? I suppose bringing people you trust won't hurt. Though I think I'll be less lenient as I barely know these people. They may visit but not take anything I suppose." She finally stood up from her seat before pressing the button again to close the shelves and hide it back to the walls. "I'll sort out the missing bottle later. Let's get back to the garden." She then walked toward the doorway and immediately began waving her arm toward the colossus. It soon began walking, slowly and heavily as always toward them before finally lowering its hands. "Did you at least enjoyed this little trip of ours Ms. Meri? If you are wondering what happened to your pet, don't worry. It is being taken care of." even at this distance she could control the garden, It is morning after all so her powers are greatly increased allowing her to do such feats.

Meri would first settle into the hand of the colossus for the trip back before speaking to Chisel, with all of her spoils. "I did, I enjoyed it quite a bit, enough to repeat it," Meri says with a smile first and foremost before shifting back to their previous topic, for the ride back to the garden. Ultimately, Meri was indifferent on if she did or did not bring people along any time she paid Chisel a visit, it was just a passing curiosity. On the off chance of 'what if'. "Yup, seems like we have someone in common." Meri gives pause here. "I won't make a habit of it, if ever, you did express you would rather not others here. But on the off chance that I do...!" Which in likeliness, she will not, but one does not know until they know. "Just maybe don't let your plants friends eat my friend. We are probably just trying to say hello to you." In this hypothetical situation of 'if Meri does bring someone' along. "At least not until you meet them. If you meet them and then decide you don't like them then...." No, that was a bad joke on Meri's part. Don't listen to Meri, Chisel. She seems proud of this joke made in poor taste though, evidenced by the grin on red lips.

"Well I won't know till I meet them. I met Callum once but that doesn't mean I like him." She smiles as the colossus began walking out, the hedgerows growing back into position, completely hiding Chisel's hoard. Without a map, these forest would appear just like any other forest, it would be impossible to navigate for those who are unaware of its mysteries. The creature walked back toward the garden as the sky turned a bit red, it was already afternoon. "Well, again, if you wish for their safety, tell them not to touch anything. Or atleast ask me to come along." She could hear the gemstones clinking here and there at every step of the creature, finally saying as soon as they reached Larket grounds. "You know... you should've asked me to make you a bag... but you were too busy so I didn't do so." The colossus lowers its hands by the entrance to the garden where the horse awaits where just where the woman left it. It does however have a bowl of water sitting next to it, given by someone? It was probably Chisel herself, doing things without anyone noticing.

The expression on Meri's face is a dumbfounded one -- how many more gemstones could she have possibly walked away with had she thought to ask for a bag. The blonde artist is mentally slapping herself around right now while proclaiming in a disappointed tone. "I did not even know you could do that!'" Oh well, no use crying over spilled milk, as Chisel had pointed out earlier. All and all this revelation was not enough to put any rain clouds in her blue skies today! Meri had still made quite the score. "No sense in asking for one now." Her satchel was upon Kadence and as soon as feet find the earth again, she would be unloading her haul, still not in a rush she just does not want to lose any gemstones or break her fancy looking wine. "I guess next time we are around one another and I find myself in need of a bag..." This probably could easily spark a whole different conversation, just what else could Chisel do? Something to explore next time, and Meri was quite intent on their being a next time. "Hm," is all she says in response to the bit about Callum. "Well as long as you like me." Meri states, though she figures she would not have been gifted with that map otherwise. "Thank for giving Kadence water while we were out. She does appreciate."

Chisel looked upon her in confusion. "I did made a map out of silk from my hand didn't I?" she assumed the woman already knew. Simply connecting the dots would give one the idea. "Or you could bring your own bag." She smiles as she followed the woman into the garden's premises. Eventually finding herself back to her seat where her tea is still kept warm. "Your presence alone is much appreciated. As I said before, it is rare for me to have visitors." she takes a sip of tea as the man readies to leave. "Well.. Till next time then Ms. Meri, Safe travels to you."

The confused look and the 'is it not obvious tone' that Chisel adopts with Meri is met with a chuckle. Yes, Meri had gotten that sense, but the psion was not expecting an answer to the statement. After Meri finishes unloading her haul into Kadence's saddle packs. From there her fingers wrap themselves about the reins that lay listless about the mare's neck and a boot finds its way into the stirrup. Up Meri goes with practiced ease that suggests she has had this horse for a few years. Once situated upon her horse, it is not the heel of a boot that spurns Kadence into motion but a couple of soft clicks of her tongue. "I will drop by again soon." It is at a slow trot that Kadence carries Meri away from the gardens.