RP:Exchange Of The Accursed Blade

This is a Necromancer's Guild RP.

Hanging Corpse Tavern

Synopsis Joan finds Quintessa inside of the Hanging Corpse Tavern one evening and she catches up with Provectus Malus, near the end she offers a strange, accursed blade she had been gifted by Raevyn to the other woman.

Quintessa has been frequenting the Hanging Corpse Tavern a lot more lately. Word of her exile coming to an end was old news by now and everyone knew that the Black Witch of Vailkrin had returned. Currently residing at the castle as a guest, the changeling made weekly visits to the tavern, not quite her nightly visits like when she was the teenaged "Lady Dragana" falsely charading as a vampire, but she had a presence here, nonetheless. Tonight, she sits at a table, false titles long cast aside, parchments half unrolled before her as she casually reads over them, a glass of red wine resting in her hand. She takes a sip before holding it out, her two pixie attendants Thistle and Dimglow quickly refilling it in silence as their mistress reads. "Hmm," she seems dissatisfied with the contents of her current letter. "Interesting..."

Joan made her way into the Hanging Corpse after making the portal trip back out from the frozen second headquarters for the guild. She had just recently exchanged that odd scythe with Khitti and now had on her the accursed blade she was gifted from Raevyn, it sat in a hip knife brace upon her belt, the vampiric healer rubbing her chilly hands together as she walked in spotting 'Tessa the undead woman would offer a cheerful wave before making her way over to the other's table. "Oh hey, I finally caught you, I was supposed to report in with you a long time ago, sorry I got caught up with everything and it kinda slipped my mind." She said as she stopped up close, the hilt of the accursed blade would be noticeable, that and the fact Joan normally ever wore any time of weapon besides her heavy load of books. She cast a curious glance down at what the other was pouring over but Joan didn't seem too interested to try to read over the other woman's shoulder, that would be rude.

Quintessa grants Joan a polite smile when she catches her attention, folding her letter in half and whispering something to the pixies before they fly away to clean up the table for them. If Joan had caught the contents of any of Quintessa's notes as she peeked, she'd likely discover that the changeling was digging up information on the other contenders of the Titans of Winter Tournament. If Quintessa notices this, she doesn't seem to mind. "No need to apologize. I was a difficult person to get a hold of for a little while- I could never blame you for that." She gestures to an open seat for Joan to join her as she takes another sip of her wine. "I understand you've been doing a lot of work with the Healers Guild. I think that is an honorable pursuit- and don't think I haven't noticed your progress in the Dark Arts either. I've been curious to see it with my own eyes." Quintessa's gaze drifts for a moment as the glint of Joan's accursed blade steals her attention, the polite smile giving way to a more genuine, curious expression. "Have you been practicing combat as well?"

Joan would take the seat Quintessa gestured to as she gave a slight nod of her amethyst tresses. "I have been cross-training for a couple of years now with the healer's guild. My main goal is to have a whole horde of risen zombies look whole and somewhat 'alive', it is easier to work them in and well...have them do what is needed without the populace having any idea until it's too late." She offered a small grin before resting her elbows on the tabletop, leaning on them as she goes on. "I have been working alongside Pyde, Lefty, and that new fellow Vareth. trying to work on getting the last few requirements in towards Provectus Malus rank." The leather of the knife sheath creaked and caused Joan to gaze down at it, a wrinkle of her nose followed, "Oh, combat training, nah it's not my thing. I don't have much reason to use combat if at all. Just not my way, I do have this blade here that Raevyn gifted me, I was wondering if you'd be interested in it perhaps, as you know I have no real use for weapons outside of my books."

Quintessa quirks a brow at the way Joan worded her ambitions, an amused smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth when she says 'before it's too late' in regard to her zombies posing as the living. "It's a devious ruse," she says, approval ringing in her voice, "It's common to search for glamor-magic and illusions when looking for undead pretending to be mortals. Who would ever think to check for those that appear to be living by other means?" She nods her head at the list of names, those who had helped Joan, and she makes a mental note to check their progress as well. "What more have you left to attain Provectus Malus? I do not believe I am able to raise someone to my current rank, but I can help you with your work. Listening to you describe your goals I believe my research on the False Life spell would be useful to you. It's been something I've been trying to perfect over many years." When the subject returns to the weapon, her smirk becomes a grin. "A weapon once wielded by Raevyn?" She leans forward, her eyes already filled with a greedy luster. "Let me see it. I'm very interested in such things."

Joan would reach for the leather sheath as a whole while she nodded at what Quintessa commented on, unclipping it from her belt she would offer it to the other woman to examine freely. "I have to work more on the Black Tides, a whole lot of alchemy and botany and I believe a few more lessons in spell crafting and magical literacy. I should have most of the requirements for resurrection and summing done. Yes, Raevyn just left me a few of her personal items before she traveled to other lands. I just left from the frozen mansion headquarters. There I gave Miss Khitti this really snazzy scythe." She sat back against the wooden chair as she watched what the other would do.

Quintessa rises from her seat as she takes the blade, her thumb carefully testing the blade as she unsheathes it. "If you need alchemy lessons, I would be more than happy to teach you what I know. The Healing Arts share a common thread in this field through the practice of medicine, and I think this would be a good opportunity to reinforce your skills in this dual training." Quintessa pauses to take a step back and assumes a fighting stance with the weapon, testing the balance and weight now. After a moment she meets Joan's gaze again. "What would you part with this blade for?"

Joan rubs her chin as she idly watches the other woman, "I dunno...a fair amount of gold or something else worth equal trade." Her chilly fingertips drum along the wooden tabletop as she grows thoughtful, it would be beneficial to her cross-training to learn from Quintessa, so she readily agrees with a firm nod.

Quintessa returns the accursed blade to its sheath as she listens to Joan, nodding her head slowly as she considers making her an offer. "Well, I certainly have plenty of gold. My business in the spider silk trade has always been very lucrative, even in times of war, but I also have lots of connections in the city. I'm not exactly sure what motivates you, but on top of gold, I can help fund your other endeavors. You must be planning on using all your accumulated skills for *something* in the city, right?" Quintessa gives a glance to Thistle, hinting at the pixie to get her gold ready. "But if you'd rather keep it to simple coin I will not protest. Give me a number."

Joan offers her first frown now, "I have a mind to fund the city it's very own fancy brand spanking new working morgue, we have a coffin maker but no real place for our fellow citizens to go for full undead and dead services. I was going to see the King about that...but I heard he might not be around anymore so that leaves me wondering who I approach next." She offers an open rolling shrug as she is stumped about what to do next on that project, but her thoughts go back to the accused blade. "It has a very dark heavy evil feel to it when I wear it, I think it would best go to you for let's say...fifteen thousand gold. Or..." She holds up her hand as she suggests, "something custom-made from your boutique."

Quintessa considers Joan's situation meticulously, taking time to choose her words carefully. She did not wish to discuss matters of palace intrigue, especially if it might weaken her position if word got out. Instead, she deflects, focusing on things she *could* influence. "A morgue? Yes, you're right, that particular niche needs to be filled... And while I don't have any official administrative powers in the city, I can make sure the proper zoning gets approved. It should be a simple matter if we find the right builders." What Joan says next leaves Quintessa disarmed, her mouth dropping just a little bit as she practiced, cool exterior cracks at the first mention of a commission from her boutique. She smiles, a genuine show of happiness as she brings her hands together to clutch the weapon in her hands. "Yes, this sounds appropriate. A custom-tailored item made by yours truly- I accept these terms, but I'll need more details- Do you want a hat or a cloak? Oooh, maybe a pair of magical silk gloves?" The changeling places a hand over her mouth as she stifles a childish giggle, "Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. I can make whatever you desire, but obviously, you know that my brand focuses on the Dark and Macabre. Once you make your request, I will work on making your commission as soon as possible."

Joan offers the empty knife leather sheath back to Quintessa, "How about you surprise me? I'm not too picky, only on color am I picky about things."

Quintessa said to Joan, "Alright. Tell me your favorite color and I shall let my muse do the rest."

Joan said to Quintessa, "Done, I like all purple colors, black, white, and grey or silver."

Quintessa has already found her seat again where she begins taking notes on the particular design. "Hmm yes... Purple, black, and silver I'm thinking... Perfect color combination..." She looks over Joan head to toe, already knowing the perfect addition to her ensemble. "Yes, yes. I have two ideas for you. Give me a few weeks and I'll have something gorgeous ready."

Joan offers a nod as she now turns to lift her gloved hand up towards Steadmen to let him know she would like her normal order of a hot chocolate as she draws her conversation with the other woman to a close. "Alrighty, well I gotta snag a drink order to go and be off. You have a nice rest of your evening 'Tessa, it was good to finally catch up with you and chat. You put that blade to decent use. I'll see you later then." As Steadmen sends over Joan's order she gives Quintessa a fully fanged smile then heads out.

Quintessa flashes back a grin full of all sharp teeth as Joan heads out, giving her a wave goodbye. "It was good to see you too. Good luck in your studies!"