RP:Always

Public Gardens

Betraying the mainly elvish blood of the residents the gardens are, in fact, a grove of intertwining trees. People come here to get away from the hustle and bustle of the town and, quite often, the unrelenting sun, seeking cool shade. Some spread blankets on the ground and get out picnics while watching their children on the beach. Others sit quietly, often close to a tree, communing with nature.

Skylei is, perhaps unsurprisingly, up a tree. The mainly costal town took its toll on the half-elf every so often, and then she would retreat to the grove so that she might be amongst the greenery of the trees. She could almost pretend that she was back in the forest that she loved so much when she was up in the trees, save from the salty smell of the sea that assaults the illusion she is trying to weave for her mind. Wrapped up tight to keep her warm in the ever chilled air, she is perched on a low branch with, as always, a tome in hand. She hopes that the last hours of daylight will provide her enough time so finish the book that she is engrossed in before she retreats back to the tavern to spend the night with her illusionist.

Tyler makes his way through the busy streets of Chartsend offering half-forced smiles, curt nods and swift "Excuse me"'s to the population until he makes his arrival at the public guardians, the thinning of the crowd bringing a sigh of relief. The human has managed to dress himself properly for once rather than running around in rags. He sports a two-toned robe of green and black accompanied by a long flowing scarf of the same cloth that is tucked above the bridge of his nose to shield the lower half of his face, his hands gloved and feet protected by thick fur boots. Proceeding through the garden it doesn't take long before he spots Skylei, a smile spreading as he halts to greet his wood elf. "Now, tell me why I'm not surprised to find you here?"

Skylei sighs as she hears the voice of her human. It was not that she was not glad to see him. She was always glad for Tyler's presence. It was because she knew that, with him there, she would not finish her book that day. Snapping it closed with resoluteness, the tome is rested upon her lap and the half-elf looks down to the illusionist on the ground. She's not that high up, but she cannot resist teasing him, "What did you say? I can't hear you up here. If only humans could climb trees, my love, then I might be able to hear what you're saying!" The grin that spans her face and her tone convey that she is not being serious in her words, but she doesn't move from her perch in the tree to the ground so that she can be by his side. Instead, she simply adjusts her scarf around her neck self-consciously and waits for his response.

Tyler tilts his head to the side with one eye squinted from the sun to Skylei's taunts. The human prompting to stick out his tongue before remembering it is hidden by the scarf and instead simply throws his hands up in the air and waves about; "Oh, of course, your highness! How foolish of me to approach without the royal step-ladder!" His arms would fall back to cross and wrap around his midsection as he takes a step closer to Skylei. He pauses to clear his throat as he decides to be blunt about his search for her. "So... I'm going to be gone for a few days. Something's come up, erm, well, yeah..." He shuffles his feet for a moment as he clears his throat once more, hoping that Skylei wouldn't take his sudden departure in a negative way.

Skylei scowls at this announcement. So unhappy is the half-elf that she is prompted to climb down from the tree so that she can speak to him properly. The gardens were never quiet, what with the high population of elves that frequented Chartsend, and so Sky wants to be able to talk without the residents of the town overhearing everything they were saying. They already knew far too much about their lives. The book is tossed down from the branch first, followed by the Halfling, who lands alongside the fallen tome. Bending down to embrace the book to her chest once more, Sky looks to Tyler, scowl still clear on her face and questions on her lips, "Where are you going? Why? And how long for?" Only slightly ironically asked given her own recent disappearing act…

Tyler follows her descent with his eyes until Skylei stands before him. Offering a glance in either direction to ensure no one occupied the immediate area around them. A sigh is given from behind the scarf, sending a cloud of his breath rising quickly above them; "I've received word on the location of the slavers that captured the blonde warrior and myself. They are traveling around a bit so the exact location I'm not sure of, but I have their pattern." In response to how long his departure will last he shrugs; "I'm not sure. Until I find them..." Expecting to see worry in her eyes he is quick to speak on potential companions; "I've written letter to your friend, Linken, and to the blond one. I expect the two of them would like to see the slavers ended just as much as I... You're free to come as well, if you'd like of course." Tyler is thankful for the scarf as his expression might betray his worry as his jaw flexes and teeth grind awaiting Skylei's reaction.

Skylei :: The scowl doesn't lift from Skylei's face. She longs to beg him to stay in Chartsend and her eyes convey this. But she doesn't say anything she simply nods her head, "You want to track them?" Sky sighs and looks down at her still battered body. This trip, of an unspecified length of time, does not appeal to her and she doubts that in her current state she can manage it, and yet she feels compelled to agree to go with him. Skylei would let out a sigh as she thinks of yet another problem, "I can't just get up and leave, T-…" She doesn't utter his name as she grows increasingly conscious of the people around them. She isn't sure if the human has got over his paranoia on this issue and she sees better not to push it. "My job. I have to be here."

Tyler doesn't feel resentment towards the wood elf as she rejects his offer. He nods and mutters; "Yeah. You're right, and yes, I do. They need to be stopped, would you not agree?" His brows are raised as he offers a concerned look. His hands fall to his sides and he moves to his satchel, unfastening the large button and he digs around for a moment while speaking to the wood elf; "However... Due to our recent situations of... shall we say distress and leaves of absence, I've found a way for us to stay in touch." He fumbles around in the bag offering a few mutters until he comes across two special items. As his hand is pulled from the bag, wrapped around his fingers are two thin silver chains with heart shaped icons attached at the end. While the back of the icons are the silver, the front seems to be glass with small runic inscriptions - Behind the glass the contents would seem a bit strange. Divided by a spacer down the center of the heart, each chain contains a small amount of crimson blood that is occupied by tiny flashing specks of blue mana, clearly the human's own. "Since the incident with the slavers, I've been taking up more time at the University here... I've been working on studying enchantments and well, it's come rather easy to be honest. I had someone in Xalious engrave the runes for me. These necklaces will allow us to communicate while we are separated. For most, it would only allow vocalization - something along the lines of telekinesis, but I've added a little extra..." Tyler nods down the swirling liquid within and then looks back to Skylei. "If we're both willing, we will be able to interact when our eyes are closed and both fully concentrated... Something like a dream. I've taken to referring to it as Soul traveling. All it takes is a bit of blood..." He points with his free hand to Skylei's own finger-tips and reveals a small needle in his grasp. "The vocalization will work so long as you wear the necklace, the Soul traveling however requires a concentrated mind and a strong dedication of will... I understand if you'd rather not, but still..." He seems worried that Skylei might reject his offer, hoping her not to find it a clingy attachment of sorts - even though it pretty much is.

Skylei feels more than a little guilty that the two of them will be separated again. She almost changes her mind; to hell with her job and her responsibilities until he offers her an alternative to separation. She almost makes a sarcastic comment as to the clichéd nature of the heart shaped charms until she realises what it is that he is offering her. The chance for the two of them to be together when they are separated by distance is more than a little appealing. She listens quietly as he explains the concept of 'soul travelling'. It will take more than his reassurances to convince the scholar. She is critical by nature and so naturally has questions. "How long are we able to exist in that state for? If something happens to our bodies in reality, will we be aware whilst we exist in the dream-state? And can it be in any way manipulated by another person? Say if we were to lose the charms… what happens then?" Skylei sighs and takes the needle from his grasp though she does not prick her finger and let her blood flow just yet.

Tyler listens to Skylei's concerns with great intent and nods every few seconds before addressing each of them. "I haven't been able to test them with another person yet, but, the way things should work is just as a dream. We should be able to remain so long as concentration is kept. We will be conscious while using the charms, so our surroundings will still be tracked with senses such as smell and touch - but if you pay more attention to reality, let's say you're "awoken" - then you slip out of the instance. As far as manipulation, not that I'm aware of though I'm not familiar with all efforts of magic within this land... However, if the charms are to be stolen or misplaced..." Tyler offers a stern stare as in 'you better not lose it'. "The charm wouldn't work unless the user drained the blood and filled it with their own, even then they would need the opposing parties blood as well." He points to the divider in the necklace. "Once your blood is added, we break this bit and they will mix together. A third party cannot be added, though if someone managed to drain the blood, add their own to -both- and then get one of ours - then they could use it." A smile is given from behind the scarf. "And I don't think anyone finds either of us interesting enough for that."

Skylei is actually quite impressed by the level of thought and planning that has gone into this idea of Tyler's. Though Sky stays silent for a few minutes, thinking over the potential risks and consequences and weighing up the benefits that the two would gain from this innovation, she is already fairly convinced that it is a good idea. Still, she can't resist making a joke, "I don't know about you love, but I am infinitely interesting. Why anyone wouldn't be interested in me, I couldn't possibly say." Still, she answers his question as to whether she is willing to join in with this scheme by bringing the needle against the tip of her right forefinger and pricking it. Giving it a soft squeeze to allow the blood to start flowing, she holds it out to Tyler expectantly. It is a strange gesture and any that look over to the two would likely be thoroughly confused.

Tyler once again smiles beneath the scarf and chuckles lightly at Skylei's proclamation of her absolute amazingness. As she presses the tip of the needle into her fingertip, Tyler snags one of the charms and carefully picks at a piece of sliding glass with his nail then takes hold of Skylei's hand, pressing the bloody fingertip to the opening and allowing a decent amount to drip before changing amulets. Once he is finished, he would wipe any excess blood on his finger or the amulets to his robe. He then pulls out a small piece of gauze and hands it to her to cover her finger while he takes back the needle. Placing one of the amulets around his neck the man then carefully fastens the other one to Skylei's. He mutters to himself as he recalls the steps and then nods before reaching out to Skylei's amulet; "Alright. Here we go." Applying pressure with his thumb to the center of the heart the small divider within would shatter and the debris' seems to simply vanish as the blood of the lovers swirls together without any additional outside force. The mana seems to infuse with the combination and a bright blue glow emits within along with the highlight of the runic scripture. The process is repeated for the amulet on Tyler's neck and finally all seems to be done. "Right. So... I'd explain how to make it work but... well, It kinda' just comes naturally. Basically, just relax, be quiet, and think of me." He points to his own amulet just as a final glow is given. "It -should- glow when the other is reaching out..." Finally pulling his eyes away from the enchanted necklaces he finds his caramel gaze set upon Skylei as he grins, and chuckles to himself. Finding himself embarrassed about the entire ordeal for some reason.

Skylei takes the gauze from Tyler, but doesn't bother to use it to cover her new wound. It would heal quickly enough on its own without needing any assistance from her. And so the gauze is stuffed into a pocket and her finger is continually wiped against her clothes to mop up any excess blood. Sky would push her hair and scarf out of the way as Tyler attaches the necklace around her neck. The amulet feels cold against her neck and she shivers as it makes contact with her flesh. Her neck is quickly recovered with the scarf, although the amulet remains visible against her chest. Lifting her own amulet into the palm of her hand so that she can examine it, the half-elf asks a couple more questions, "So I wear it all the time, I guess? And then if I want to speak with you, all I need to do is think? And it works over whatever distance. I can find you wherever you are?" Sky blushes a little as she asks these questions, realising how clingy she must sound. Much as she would like to deny it, she's feeling quite clingy right now. She doesn't want Tyler to leave her but, if he must then she is grateful to know that she will not be fully alone.

Tyler nods in reply to Skylei. "That's the way it should work. Now, If we ever found ourselves... I dunno' in another realm or some nonsense I'm sure it wouldn't work but I don't exactly plan on going to the home of the 'kleks anytime soon." He chuckles and steps back for a moment to examine his work. As if picking up on her worries he pulls the scarf from his face and offers a reassuring smile; "Feel free to use it anytime. I'm always up for being with you." He raises his hand to brush Skylei's hair from her face and tuck it behind her ear. "Oh, also, the vocalization, it doesn't require as much concentration. If you've simply got something to say, just think of saying it face to face. It's been a bit sketchy, but it works none the less." Tyler inhales deeply and looks over the wood elf unable to wipe the grin from his face. Offering a glance to the sky above Tyler offers a heavy exhale. "Well, I need to get moving. I've got a lot of planning to do before I leave and I need to be at the Eel in case Linken or the blonde write back..." His eyes drop to Skylei and he reaches out to take her hand; "I love you, Sky."

Skylei snorts at the idea that either of them will find themselves in the land of the Prekleks. In spite of the fact that Tyler and Sky both know how they feel about each other, she tries to play down the fact that she is thrilled with the gift that he has blessed her with. "Yeah. I'm sure I'll use it when I need it." The blush on her cheeks betrays the fact that she is happier to have the power to speak with him whenever she wishes than her words would suggest. The blush fades and a pout comes to her lips as he states that he must leave. "Must you?" Skylei sighs after asking the question that she already knows the answer to. Her hand wraps around his and she replies to his words of love with words of her own, "And I love you too." Stretching up, she places a kiss on his lips before releasing his hand. "Go on then." It's not a conventional or particularly loving goodbye, but Sky is in no mood for getting overly emotional. She will undoubtedly see him back at the Eel in that night, but for now she has places to be and likely a half-elf bard, that Tyler has no love for, to see.

Tyler returns the kiss lovingly and would hold onto Skylei's hand even as he takes his first few steps away. Finally releasing he pulls the scarf back over his face and waves to her before turning his back and vanishing into the night.