RP:A Magical Meeting

Synopsis: Upon a chance meeting at a garden in Frostmaw, while looking for herbs and flowers, Ansel and Lanara cross paths. The budding friendship leads to Ansel being tutored in elemental magic, and a temporary housing situation for Lanara.

Ansel was sent from Eleenin to the gardens today. Mostly for just some herbs that would keep a patient relaxed if they were breaking out in illness. Not like Ansel was not able to do anything about it. The only magic he knew was frost, but the rest of any elements did not come naturally to him. Oils were key to make, soothing the clinic for each patient. So the man moved about the garden with a bag at his side. He moved to the frost-fire roses and began to pluck a few. He knew things were going to go sparse due to the war, so he was more careful than usual when plucking each frosted flower.

Lanara carefully plucks a frost-fire rose, being extra selective today, as she was preparing to make a potion of utmost importance. A black boar was at her side, sweating and snorting, even though the temperature was frigid. Lanara moved along, humming softly to herself, and carefully removing the thorns from the rose, before lowering it into her backpack. She senses Ansel, before he nears her, and casts the male an inquisitive look. Not many knew about this garden, and even fewer would know what to do with the items found here. Tilting her head to the side, long, lustrous, dark brown locks, frame her pretty face, as she stares at him with chocolate brown, doe eyes. "Hello..." She eventually states, a faint smile splaying across her full lips.

Ansel sensed Lanara was there, he was a wolf. His senses were always thick, even within his human façade. His grey fur-lined hood was down, revealing short shaggy hair with one strange lock of a white birthmark, a claw mark across his left cheekbone and also a purple bruise on his left temple as if something had hit him in the head roughly. His scruff was starting to show, and would soon be clean shaven again most likely later on in the day. He would continue picking flowers, a few pricking his skin, but he would not worry about a little oozing blood; it would dry from the cold. “Hi,” his tone was calm; almost like awkward silk. He would not really give eye contact, due to quietness. He was not the most talkative man. Though, he was minding his own, he would shift eyes slightly to see what she looked like with hazel dull eyes before moving them back to the roses himself.

Lanara stands up straighter, to her full 5'6" height, and tucks an unruly lock of hair behind a pointed ear. The elf was very attractive, though it was obvious she didn't consider herself beautiful, as she shyly nips her lower lip and tugs at her form fitting corset. Donning black leather leggings, and knee high boots, and nothing more than a thin corset, she clearly wasn't dressed for such a location. Yet, the cold didn't seem to bother her. Sensing that Ansel was equally as shy with strangers, she takes the initiative and dips her head, to peer into his hazel eyes. "I'm Lanara, and I'm relatively new to the lands." Extending her left hand, he would spy a visible rune tattoo on her wrist.

Ansel was surprised the woman was so straightforward. The man would then stand up from being bent at the waist; he was at least four inches taller than her, looking down at her face now as he turned fully towards that extended hand. He took her in, noticing the beauty from the woman, and then the way she was dressed. He squinted and tilted his head, but brushed this off rather quickly. He also took notice of the rune tattoo on her wrist, he was curious, but instead he would just observe the attractive stranger for now. Not that Ansel would do much about her beauty like his two babe-drooling pals over in Cenril. Ansel was always more reserved. “I’m Ansel, a volunteer healer at the clinic over there,” he would point as if it was just around the corner, yet the location was actually deep into town. “Could I help you with something?” He was honestly just curious why she would be so forward with him; I suppose you can say Ansel was now just getting use to making acquaintances or friends.

Lanara grasps Ansel's hand and gives it a gentle shake, before lowering her appendage to her side. She seems taken back, at the question, and goes as far as taking a step away from the male, pricking her arm with a thorn, in the process. The young elf wasn't familiar with making acquaintance with others, either, and his question made her feel a pinch of rejection. "Um... No, thank you. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you...I'll just return to picking flowers for my spell work and potion making." With a half smile, she turns her back to Ansel and bends at the waist, picking some berries now. The hem of her corset inches up, only slightly, and reveals a pentacle tattoo in the center of her lower back. The witch glances over her shoulder at the male for a brief moment, before turning away, once more.

Ansel squints his eyes, not out of harshness, just out of question. He may have come off a little rude, but that was the lack of knowing how to communicate talking. “No, you didn’t bother-“he cut off momentarily, going back to pick his own again. Hazel eyes would shift at the peculiar woman. After a long gap of silence between the two, he would casually begin to converse in his that mellow tone. He was very mellow; he matched the temperature in the room. “So, spells you say… what type?” Curiosity killed the cat, but he was just willing to take that risk. Besides, she was the one who approached him first, so the wolf would only return the same favor to the witch.

Lanara peers over her bare shoulder, and studies Ansel for a brief moment, before responding. It seemed that everyone in the lands was quite eager to witness magic, or to learn it, and she was quite willing to explain herself, as long as the other wasn't planning on using it for nefarious means. Turning to fully face the male, she rises to her full height again, and stretches lazily, apparently sore from being bent over all morning, picking flowers. "I do all kinds of spells; I am a witch, after all. I can't explain exactly what sort of spell I plan on doing, as it's confidential, but I can tell you it's to assist someone, in regards to the war." Being an elf, it was obvious what side she was on, though being a witch, she would likely only remain on the sidelines, seeing as she was a firm believer in karma. "Spells aren't all I do, I'm skilled with all types of magic, and I am an empath. I have been schooled for many years." She beams at this; clearly proud to be an educated empathic witch, though it would likely confuse others. She was so skilled, and had many years of schooling, though she couldn’t pass for more than twenty five years of age. Though, being an elf, she aged far slower than a human. "Why are you here? If you don't mind me asking?"

Ansel listened to her carefully. He was always a good listener, especially when he was trying to ignore, it was almost impossible. He would then halt the picking, gathering up his bag of roses he did pick. He figured this would be enough. She dealt with magic? He was even more intrigued, but he would let this go and answer the questions that she had for him. He sucked in a breath and eyes bounced about the area. “I am here to make oils for the clinic,” he would point to his satchel full of flowers. “I volunteered at the clinic for the war. I’m a healer, I need the practice. I have a bit of magic myself, but the only real magical thing I can come in contact with is frost magic. Now, I’m sure it helps with the fevers, but… I come from a family where they learn the elements to heal. I was my father’s apprentice once, but I travelled here,” that was another story, but the big picture was he wanted to become an expert healer at some point in time, and elemental magic was the next step to overcome before he could move on. He had someone for pyromancy; he conquered frost magic, now he just needed wind, water, and earth, which would have been nice. The man sheepishly scratched his stubble cheek before adding, “Figure helping people is what I want to do,” he shrugged idly.

Lanara leans in slightly, taking another step towards the male, and she quickly grabs his free hand. "May I?" She whispers, though she doesn't wait for his consent, as she turns his palm to face her and places her open palm above his, the hands close enough to touch, though they don't. Closing her eyes she inhales, momentarily, as she feels her energy flowing through her form, and allows it to linger on his open palm, projecting onto his skin. She also tries to get a feel for his magic, and she smiles, as she lowers his hand and remains holding it in hers now, the magical aura dissipating around their forms. "You have the ability; I can feel that it pulses through your veins. Ice, is obviously your strongest element. So water magic will be the easiest to teach you. I am adept at all the elements, though fire has always been my favorite. And being a child of the earth mother, of course, earth is a favorite, too. Do you have a teacher?"

Ansel tensed a little as she grasped his hand, yet he released gently. Eyes were a little wide at this magic she was projecting her energy into his palm. Tingles would now run down his own arm, and a crooked wolfish grin would form on his lips. Those were rare, but he was amused and enthused. “Oh, wow,” he would shake his hand when she would release. “I’ve attempted water before; I don’t even know how I skipped such an element if I can already freeze this. Though, I mean, I can only do frost magic in Frostmaw because it’s already frozen, you know? I guess it’s just the fact of melting it,” he was now spilling out words like a young childish boy. “No, no, I don’t have a teacher… Will you?” He blinked once or twice. “I know this is so straightforward… I thought working here would help me grasp the concept, but I’m not getting enough healing action.” He paused, “I’ve been trying to find someone for about a month, almost two,” he scratched the back of his neck nervously.

Lanara glances down and instantly drops his hand; her normally pale cheeks, now stained with a crimson hue. She had never held a man's hand before, this was a first! A nervous laugh escapes her, as she listens to his equally awkward ramblings. She lowers her gaze to the ground, and stares at the beautiful flowers that surround them, weighing her options. After a moment's hesitation, she raises her head and meets his hazel gaze. "I am honored that you would ask me to tutor you in the elements. And seeing as you wish to be a healer, I can sense that this isn't going to be put to misuse. Just please know, that magic can hurt, as well as heal. You must follow everything I say, practice often, and never be afraid to ask me questions or call on me, no matter the time of day or night. Understood? Also, you will need some tools, to start. It will help to aide you in learning the elements. If you don't have these tools, I suggest you get them, before we begin our lessons. It will make calling the elements, that much more powerful and faster. Eventually, you won't need tools to aid you. For earth, you can find a rock, or flower. For air, you will need a feather. For fire, I suggest a red candle. And for water, a simple bowl of water will do, or a sea shell. I will bring the rest."

Ansel did not notice the crimson colored cheeks, since he was so fascinated by the other news. He listened intently, nodding his head every so often. “Right, rock or flower, candle, feather, bowl of water. Of course, of course.” He was grinning. “When shall we begin?”

Lanara smiles at Ansel's eagerness to start, and pats him on the shoulder. "Very well. I will give you time to find the materials, and rest up. Using elemental magic can be quite draining, on your physical and mental energy. And I have to teach you about each element, how to ground yourself, and call and control each element. It won't be an overnight lesson, Ansel. It will take practice, and studying. But I have faith in you!" Pausing, she pats her chin with her pointer finger, and meets his eager gaze. "How about two days from now? Around the same time? Will that work? I can see you are eager to learn."

Ansel smirks and looks at the hand patting his shoulder. Learning from a stranger. What was knew? He then exhaled and nodded several times. “I’m dedicated enough to stay on track and focus.” He meant the studying and practicing part. He wanted this, and when he wanted something, he would go out and grasp it. “Two days, I can do that. I’ll be around.” He would then look at his satchel, he had to get back to the clinic before Eleenin would make him do urine bucket cleaning. He would then slowly start to back up. “I’ll see you in two days, nice to meet you, I’ll gather what you said and mentally prepare,” he nodded firmly, a stern look. He would then pivot as if he was leaving, but before he disappeared he would glance over his shoulder. “Thank you, Lanara,” he would smile slightly, there was actually a little life there, but there was still that silky tone of voice. Such a calm man, or was he? Who knew? He would then continue on his way, trekking through snow to move throughout the town to get back to the clinic.