RP:Candles, Gardens, and a Wannabe Wizard

Part of the Rise of Larket Arc

Summary: Artia hosts a candlelight vigil to honor the lives lost in the fermin attacks, as well as the celebrate the opening of the Botanical Gardens. Thronnel spots a fermin girl and, assuming her to be up to no good, threatens her. The girl, Kamakio, had no ill intent until Thron's threat, and her attempted petty revenge backfires into a spectacular light show. When she's caught by Anson, she fights her way free, breaking her arm in the process. Things calm down after she's fled, and the party continues on as normal

Botanical Gardens

The Apothecary moved forth from one of the green houses, infront of her moved the council members who each already held a burning white candle with off white colored petals inside of them. Above their hands resided a piece of cloth to aid in the wax not burning their hands. Each council member wore black attire in remembrance of those that fought and died in the Fermin war. To them they grieved the council lady that was slain and betrayed by the councilman that killed her, he himself was corrupted. The apothecary sported dark colors as well this evening, sleeveless gown but one shoulder had a frilled strap. The skirt is long and comes down to the floor, dragging a little bit behind her. Primarily black with a few grey stripes running into spirals down the length of the top, becoming straight vertical bands down along to the bottom of the skirt. Stitched in lace overlay of golden threads that light up organically all over the dress. Her hair is up in a elegant bun with black rose buds placed throughout, large cyan eyes scanned the ones that were here. Then a soft smile given to each she looked upon, the area was crowded with many from Larket. Even the children Artia and a few other rescued from the fermin were present too. SLowly, Artia climbing up the stage as others handed out the same matching candles, each person handing them lit the candle. "Thank you everyone for coming to the candle vigil as we remember those lost in the battle to the fermin, or due to the plague that costed so many lives. As you see everyone will get a candle and will be lit as we all silently pray to our gods in hopes those souls are not lost, but in a resting place. Resting in peace, we will begin our moment of silence once everyone has had their candle lit." The female went silent, herself. The council members eyeing everyone who showed up, in hopes the traitor would not disturb the vigil.

Kamakio wasn't versed in the politics of the world. She didn't have the money for newspapers, and any ones she found were always dirty. And it wasn't like she could sit in a cafe, sipping tea or coffee, listening to the gossip. Only wished that she could. The girl was not some well to do dandy. Clad in a cotton shirt and pants that had both seen better days, sporting a crinkled leather satchel that looked to have been repurposed as a book holder. There was a pointed hat squashed on her head, patched and lovingly sewn back together. Unfortunately, it still looked more crumpled and sad then the point of office it used to represent. A wizard's hat...only one down on her luck. If it was to be put charitably, anyways. Only the glasses that sat at the tip of her nose really stood out. She didn't even have shoes, her feet toughened from walking across everything and anything. The book itself, snug in the weathered straps, seems to have also seen better days. The leather was fine, but it seemed pitted. She'd traveled across the forest looking for something to eat. Sometimes berries came in early spring, but the weather kept turning cold. But as nose to the ground as she was, she'd heard something about a garden. And candles. Maybe that meant a picnic. At least, the garden might have something good to eat? Druids could grow flowers, what about berries? Or fruit? The thought made her salvate. So here she was, padding through the city. No one noticed the little ones. And she was good at not being noticed. The sight of the candles makes her head quirk. The effect was rather lost, with the sun shining and no twilight to dim it, but it was still nice. And the flowers were pretty, too.

As Artia and the council members made their way to the platform, Emerus reached down and scratched his lion, Sampson, on the top of his head. The wood elf's eyes seemed to be glued to Artia and the attire she wears. He smiles slightly, then when she speaks, it fades away into an emotionless face, allowing himself to take in her words. When it came time for him to have a candle, he hesitated for a split second then accepted the candle and held it with both hands. He knew the way of the drow, but to stand here with this candle gave him mixed emotions. SHould he continue with his love of the drow, or should he go in a new direction to honor the children he helped, or tried to help. He was confused, so he played along for now, keeping his silence and even closing his eyes. Still, he kept his ears open for anything out of the ordinary, his bow remains strapped to him, always within reach. The elf was never seen without it.

Anson had been standing in the back when the candles had reached him to take one. His hand took one from the councilman as he passed on down the aisle. Anson had seen Artia making her way to her place infront of the crowd. He had seen the dress hanging in her closet, and had picked out clothing that would compliment her own. His slacks had been pressed with creases, and his grey shirt was neatly to his body, all in all he had cleaned up to support the casualties the fermin war had taken away. "The children" he thought as the woman had spoke about things that had happened, for those innocence beings is what his heart aches for.

Thronnel had arrived with Artia and had let her go off to do her thing while he hung out in the back of the crowd. His hands were in his pockets as he listened to her speak, his eyes moving across the gathered mourners. One amongst them, however, stood out. The tiny little wizard wannabe did not go unnoticed by Thronnel, nor did her rodent features. Thron moved through the crowd smoothly and came to a stop before Kamakio. "You have some nerve coming here, vile creature," he said. "You will not find any helpless victims, today." Flames engulfed his hand, the one holding the candle, and hot wax dripped onto the ground. "I will give you only one chance. Run away, fermin, run away."

Odhranos had heard about the vigil while in the tavern, just passing through and decided to come pay his respects to those lost in the fermin war. Taking up position near the back, the mage's height allowed him to see over the heads of most present. Listening solemnly to the speech, the mage was caught unawares when a sudden voice spoke out just beside him. "I'm terribly sorry, I missed what you said." the grey hooded mage apologised to the black-garbed councilman. "I'm afraid we're out of candles, I just gave the last one out" the man explained. The mage smiled amiably, "Oh, its no problem, I can make my own candle" he said quietly, so as not to disrupt the speech. Reaching over his shoulder to the staff strapped there, the mage quickly (and silently) sparked a small ball of his signature grey fire, which he plucked off with his bare hands and cupped the flame, his face solomn and respectful as he continued to listen.

Alvina sat at the far corner of the stage, perched delicately behind a large silvery harp. Before the appearance of the council, the woman was adjusting the block rests by the harp, smoothing the faded black dress against her legs and fiddling with a few rogue curls that had escaped her own taunt bun updo. Her silvered arm gleamed with the passing candle light and her fingers were poised on the spider silk threads of the harp's belly for the speaker's appearance. As soon as Artia began her entrance, a sorrowful melody flowed from the harp, filtering into the air in the botanical gardens. The sound wove a comforting melody for those present, waning the physical burden of their grief while it fills their hearts. This playing would continue until all the candles were lit and all present were in their proper places. Until that time, her eyes would be fixed at no point in particular in the crowd, her fluid movements pulling her own sorrows for Larket's lose loose into each note.

Artia saw something small in the distance, and instantly realized it was a fermin. Something she had learned to hate and kill was here during the vigil, she stood her ground. Glancing to the council as they sat, not sure if they seen what she saw yet. So far the creature seemed to be peaceful, remembering not all the fermin were crazed like the one that attacked the town. This one was dressed in a wizard hat, had glasses, staring into the aura she saw chaos. But not the type the others had, so for now Artia relaxed. When the children Emerus helped save saw the male they moved quickly over to him, standing with him even. The child he held lifted her hand, placing it into his own. Artia witnessed such and couldn’t help but to smile and wink to the little girl that decided to take Emerus hand. When candle made its way to Anson she nodded her head to him, as well any other close friends of her's that was in the crowd like Thronnel. Which her eyes stayed on him, moving off the stage to place a hand to his back, whispering in his ear. Once done, she grabbed Thronnel's free hand of flames to move away from the fermin. Moving back to the stage, she smiled like nothing had happened. Once all had their candles she spoke again, "Now let us all close our eyes, and think about those we want to send a prayer off for, a thought or a wish for. The children left parentless, the parents left childrenless, families without homes. The recovery of war ahead." With such said Artia bowed her head, closing her eyes as she took a few minutes for her prayer to be sent off to her god and goddess. After those minutes were up, she turned headed down off the stage the council members following as they each placed the candles on a pedestal which outlined the gates to the gardens. Turning to face the crowd Artia bowed to those gathered, then to the council members next. Stepping to the gate, she pushed them open stepping inside. The council moved infront of the gates, thanking each member for them coming as they passed through to the garden. "Thank you for coming, please join us in opening of the gardens in celebration of life." Each would say. Artia moved to stand out of the way to smile to each person that walked through.

Artia whispered something to Thronnel.

Kamakio keeps to herself, padding in between the rows. She'd kept the the edges for a little, but there was nothing here. Looking at the guests that were paying attention to Artia, she could see the finery on show. Golden thread? Jewelry? Some picnic. The rat's fingers itched. Even that necklace could...but no! The fist closes in on itself. She gave it up. She'd found her new way. She'd be better! A finger goes to her nose to adjust her glasses and then she primely straightens the sad pile of hat on her head. She could be the mighty wizard, she knew she could. So she moved away from the crowds so much, drifting elsewhere. The flowers at this particular part didn't even look good to nibble. Slowly, the girl opened up. Her instincts were hard won, but it was hard to be so uptight with all the flowers here. As she'd kept away, and her eyes preoccupied, the daggers flung into her back with the eyes by those that saw her. It seems that not everyone was content with merely hostile looks, though. Someone was stalking towards her. Her instincts sang and the peaaceful atmosphere was broken, pleasant music nonwithstanding. One hand goes to her breast and she starts backing away, the other grabbing her book as if to put it between her and her aggressor. "Um, I...um..." Stammering as she regarded the elf who was so hostile. She didn't do anything! Torn between running, fighting back, or crying, Artia solves the struggle, leading Thronnel away. Heart hammering, she regards the two leaving her be. Off she darts to some bushes to hide her small frame properly. Glasses having slipped down her nose, her lip wavers. And then suddenly grows solid. How dare he! She wasn't...whatever he thought she was! This hat was her badge of office, that of Mighty Wizard. She'd show him. Unsnapping the clasps to the book, the leather cracking open, "Okay, Dapper, give me some help here..." Muttering, the book's pages turn into a maelstrom for a moment and lay open. Holding it open with one hand, the other pushing her glasses back, the hand then performs arcane gestures. "So I do it like this, and then, um." The spells falter and build, fizzling. But the air charges with it, unknown to the small girl. Her gestures had a certain candence to them, as if following some hidden wave. Slowly building, though really it was over the space of a few minutes as she tried to get it right. And then suddenly, it does. Fingers draw the sigil, the same one glowing in the book. Light flashes red, and she speaks the word, "Ignis!" And that was where it all went wrong. She only wanted to melt Thronnel's candle and give him a hot hand, but the rhythm of her own heart she'd been following, that inner flow of mana, suddenly surges and flares hard. She lacked all control of it and the spells spirals. Instead of just a small flame on a candle, she'd have any unprotected candles gouting fire tens of feet high as the air sings with the whip-crack of unrestrained magic. The plants wouldn't be too happy, and Kio wasn't either. The sudden drain of magic floors her, falling with her book in her lap and she can only regard the results of her petty revenge.

Emerus was a bit focused on Artia, catching her smile just as a small hand took his own. Looking down he was surprised to see the girl he had saved and the others. He is relieved to see them all, and allowed them to gather around him. He motioned for them to be quiet with a finger then returned holding the hand of the little girl. His focus was now on the kids, no longer on Artia, and as she welcomed them into the Gardens, Emerus bent down and picked up the girl, spoke to her in a whisper, "You have been on my mind since I saved you. I'm happy you are doing better." He carried her close to him, other children in two beside and behind him. He noted his surroundings, just to keep on his toes, noticed the fermin and smiled. "Lets go somewhere to talk, shall we," he asked the girl. "You and your friends can meet Sampson." He was focused on keeping them from seeing a creature similar to the ones that tried to kill them.

Anson had dropped his candle when it had bursted with the accelerant of magic. "Damnit" he cursed slinging his hand in the air trying to cool it off. Muddy eyes scanned for the creature that had drawn everyone else's attention. Finding the tiny wizard exerted against the ground, he leaned down and picked her up into his palm. "Hey..." he poked at the creature with his pinky. His boots started to thud as he made his way beside Artia who was standing at the gate. "Artia... I don't think she wanted trouble.. Maybe food but not trouble" the man winced holding out the mouse towards the woman.

Thronnel listened to Artia, brows furrowed. He put his hand down, the candle now mostly melted, and followed Artia away. As people began to file into the gardens, he suddenly felt magic in the air. Before he could even think to find the source, his candle was a towering inferno. He dropped the candle in surprise and around him, others did the same. Shrieks of terror filled the air and he looked around for the source of the blaze. He didn't see any mages, not even the little fermin. Not that he thought the fermin could be responsible, after all, fermin didn't have the capacity for great magic, the unintelligent, feral beasts they were. Until Anson showed up carrying the critter. He narrowed his eyes. "Preposterous. Fermin are nothing BUT trouble." Of course, it didn't occur to him that maybe this was indirectly HIS fault. No, never his fault.

Odhranos clamped his hands shut over his flame, extinguishing it before it could be ignited by the wave of fire. However much damage regular flame might have done, arcane fire could have been a lot worse. He subtly opened his hand and grasped the wild flames with magic, then closed his fingers into a fist, cutting off the remaining fire before it could do any more harm. Casting flinty-grey eyes across the shaken audience, the mage spied the small, black-furred fermin in her crumpled hat, as Anson lifted her carefully from the ground and bore her towards the woman who had given the speech and another, rather-irate looking man. As the crowd settled and began to filter into the gardens, the mage made his way over to the group. "Is she alright?" he asked simply. Odhranos could feel the unstable nature of the spell cast and judging from the state the fermin wizard was in, it was no intentional attack.

Artia froze, her eyes caught sight of the flames on the candles. Her eyes darting around to each person, stepping past the gates into the crowd. The snake serpent armlet came to life slithering down her arm to her hand, turning into the dark wood wand. Mumbling a spell as a white orb appeared out from the tip of the wand, "Trace." Was all the druidic witch needed to say, the small white orb made any unstable flames back to a safe height. Then flowed to the fermin, Artia's eyes laid upon the creature. Shaking her head, the female was a reckless mage. Much like the reckless witch she use to be, she felt pity. Should it be pity or something else? Artia felt she should been outraged, but she connected the two. Thronnel had approached her and threatened, the fermin retaliated against it. A frown caressed her full ruby lips, she didn't want anyone to harm her. This fermin could be the answer to Larket making peace once and for all. She didn't try to attack with teeth and blade, instead it was a reckless spell. Out the corner of her eye she noticed Emerus was happily getting acquainted with the one he saved, good, less trouble from this little fermin. At least some didn't care to think of the spell slip up. Looking to Anson who had picked the fermin up, with a lofted dark strawberry blonde brow she chuckled at the sight. "I figured as much Anson, her aura is not like the ones that wished the town trouble. It was a mishap spell, she felt threatened so she did what I think any creature that is brave would've done. " Artia voice soon was booming above the shrieks and panic, "Calm thy selves! Go enjoy the gardens, eat and be merry." With that people followed her words, leaving Artia and who ever stayed behind. Looking to the fermin she smirked, "No more spells like that please, you need some practice maybe." Nudging Thronnel, she wanted to poke his ribs but she would mess with him about it later. "Shall we go enjoy the rest of the evening as we are to celebrate life now." With that said arita moved to go to the garden, heading straight to the drink area grabbing herself a glass of white wine.

Alvina paused her playing for the instructed moment of silence Artia took on stage before opening the gardens. Once the gates were opened, the bard began to play a tune more indicative of celebration without forgetting the undertone of grief they were all trying to remember. With each birth, there are a thousand deaths. Each life is born into the wilting shadow of it’s countless ancestors. While these grim thoughts swirl through her head, the nearby candles on the stage erupt into flaming beacons and startled the bard off her stool and into her harp. Her heart flutters like a caged sparrow; wings beating wildly as it tries to escape. Bodies began to move in the crowd and whatever the situation was, they were all looking to Artia for the judgment to be passed on the strange Fermin. Alvina did not feel any resentment or prejudice, despite the reason for the vigil resting squarely on the fermin species’ shoulders. It was people, not races that made decisions or had violent actions. She’d been on the bitter end of learning that about the naga...though she was always a little more cautious when dealing with them. Out of habit. “Is everyone all right?” She could mend any burns and would be happy to be of more assistance than just setting the mood. “Artia…?” The bard turned, her face flush with excitement to the Apothecary.

Kamakio was in trouble. This had never happened before! The rush of actually, successfully casting a spell was soon overridden by the realization of what she'd done. Fire! The trees were smouldering! Everything was so wet so it wasn't going to all go up, but those poor oaks. And guests were batting at clothes and hands. She'd hurt people. The lack of control she'd had. What was that she'd felt flowing? It was some feral thing and it'd seized her. Real tears welled up, but then she had scant time for feeling sorry for herself, because people found her. Panic rushes through her body and dispells the lethargy that was settling around her limbs. Flashes of her time on the streets, shadows closing in with crooked smiles and sharp things to take and tear and - It all snaps because she was being picked up and carried. The poor girl was so wrung out on emotions that it took time to process. The guilt, the panic, and finally, she arrived at indignation. She was used to be treated like some...thing. To be pushed around. She didn't have much, but that hat on her head symbolized one thing. She was done with being just a small thing. She'd be big. She'd be mighty. Twisting in Anson's grip in a fluid grace that her kind had, tempered by the time she'd spent doing less then moral things, and rears a fist back. A glint of a ring on her fist, some sort of bone, before it was borne directly into his face. That ring had appeared on her one day, when she woke up. With no idea where it'd come from she'd almost thrown it away. The feeling of unease she had when she looked at it...she knew something had died to make it. But it looked so strange under her glasses, the one gift from her mother that let her see. And the fancy scrawling on it. So she kept it. The ring was carved from the bone of a giant, and it fed on the haze of magic of her failed spells from earlier. The thing fairly glowed with it. The ring granted its boon, but only half way. The punch at Anson's face was phenomenally powerful, like that of a giant, but she did not get a giant's bones. So what went one way went the other. Her arm snaps with the force of it, but hopefully she'd be dropped so she could run from all these people she'd hurt, and that wanted to hurt her, and hated her. Even if it was not so much the case. Even on two feet, her slight frame was fast. Running she'd done plenty of. Scooping up her fallen spellbook, she'd flee as fast as she could, stiffling sobs of pain and other emotions.

Emerus was doing his best to distract the children from the sight of a scared fermin. But it couldn't be helped, they watched her and feared, and he watched them. Setting the little girl aside, he stood and made his way to Artia's side, but didn't make it. That little girl seemed to be quite taken with him, so she pulled him back to keep him there with them, where they felt safe. So instead, he motioned them off to a quieter place, retrieved them some food and drink, and called for Sampson, his lion to come over. He lied down, waiting for the children to pamper him and give him attention, just like the ones in the Xalious Village. Now he could plan his escape of the children. Any other time he would want to be with them, but because of the misfortune of the little fermin, his priority now was to make sure the kids were safe and Artia was safe, plus he had something to ask of her, so once again he made his way to her side. He sighs as the little female was more scared than anything, "Perhaps its best to talk kindly to her." Swiftly as his elf abilities would allow, he moved to keep the fermin from running, but his touch would be soft and gentle, yet strong enough to hopefully gain her attention. He would smile softly to her, giving her a warm and kind apologetic look.

Anson hadn't been even looking at the mouse but at the man who seemed to be throwing a fit when the tiny thing had swung at him with the ringed hand. The force that hit him instantly shattered his nose making blood flow freely from his nasals. "Damnit to the lowest pits of hell" the man cursed almost dropping the rat harshly against the ground, he luckily caught her and gently sat her the rest of the way down. Tears was rolling down the man's eye ducts as he tried to blink them away to see. "Damnit my face..."

Thronnel couldn't help but feel Anson brought it on himself, though he was amazed at the fermin's strength. He was about to throw a firebolt at the retreating fermin, but he couldn't get a clear shot. He harrumphed as Kamakio made good her escape. "Hmph. Vicious creatures." He looked at Artia as she nudged him, and grudgingly followed her into the gardens. Well, might as well get some free food.

Odhranos stopped to let the fermin run past. He could have made some effort to try stop her, but it was quite clear how distressed she was and it would be a cruel act to detain her further. Odhranos frowned sadly as he glanced after the fleeing fermin. Turning back to the gardens, he was unsure whether to continue in or not, the whole affair had left a sour taste in his mouth, Odh wasnt keen on crowds and as enticing as the gardens looked, he longed for the quietness of the mountains. So, like a grey phantom, he tugged up his hood and faded into anonymity, disappearing as silently as he had come.

Alvina watched the fermin girl run off, frozen in place by indecision. No. She should run after her. The thought tugged through her body, pulling her off the stage and onto the grass as quickly as it could before she had the cognitive ability to reject it as reckless. “Hey!” The bard called, following through the last speck of green she’d watch the wizard bolt through with no possible hope of catching up to her.

Kamakio didn't need long. Her instincts were in full bore now. The streets of Cenril were harsh, and sometimes you needed to run. The twisting alleyways and turns were far from the streets she'd been raised on, but she knew how to make an escape. Scrambling underneath the dress of one woman, who shrieked, causing more of a ruckus then there already was. Emerus's dalliance with the children was all the time she needed. A thick bush of flowers was where she darted, going in. The spacing was just enough to squeeze through, though the contortions made her arm howl and she squeaked in pain. Adrenaline kept her going, though, and there was only one thing on her mind: escape. On the other side of the bushes, she'd keep darting into plantlife, where no amount of elven alacrity could hope to match. When it was all said and done she'd find a nice, small hole and cry then. The fermin soon is departed, leaving only the smouldering plants and a turmoil after her.

Emerus sighed and let the girl go. He would make it a point to search for her later, but for now, he had needed to get back to the kids and the little girl he was eager to get to know. He did save her, so it was natural. Finding his way back to them, they were all playing with Sampson, who was laying there allowing the tugging and pulling of his mane. He has been trained well. The wood elf smiled and sat down with the lion, only to have his lap claimed by, of course, the little girl. Any other commotion going on now was drowned out by the joy filling his heart and the laughter of the children.

Anson grumbled and looked through tears towards the gardens, it was pretty but a healer was needed. A twist of his body and he turned to walking to Sabrina's place.

With that bit of unpleasantness out of the way, the grand opening of the botanical gardens went smoothly. Many people enjoyed the remainder of the day, and the threat of the fermin was put out of their minds, at least for one night. [{Category:RP Logs]]