RP:In Lithrydel, Cat Calls You

Part of the Home Sweet Home Arc

Summary: Zahrani and Cal cross paths finally. Zahrani finds out he's a witch and Cal discovers that Gilwen wants to see him.

Natural Crossroads, Southern Sage Forest=

Callum wandered along the path that spilled up from the south, leading somewhat from the Enchantment. Idly, the Catalian fiddled with a silver key, seemingly lost in thought. So much in thought, in fact, that he nearly missed his turn, to head towards Cenril. He stopped, backtracked to the crossing, and stopped again. Did he really feel like going to Cenril today? He -was- supposed to be taking orders, from some of the merchants that docked themselves in the city’s wharf, but he was feeling rather… distracted. He peered down at the key, thought of that bismuth skull that lay in the locked, anti-magic safe at home, then sighed. Maybe Valrae was wrong? And they weren’t -that- dangerous? Just imagine how many plants he could grow in such a short time with that thing! “Meri is -not- going to let you use that for work. Don’t even think about it.” Too late. He already did.

Zahrani quietly pads her way through the forest, her ears turning every which way. Sounds of wind, feathers, fur, and other footsteps. Her athletic form is covered in sleek black fur, the longer hair on her head braided tightly and meticulously. Beneath her cloak is a simple breastplate, her hands protected by gauntlets; each finger has a small hole for allowing claws to extend. Her legs and feet are covered in plating as well, her muscular arms protected by simple bands with holy symbolism on them. She walks to the crossroads, her nares flaring curiously as she looks up to see a very distracted human. Her footfalls stop, her tail swishing idly behind her. "Excuse me..." she says in her feline tenor voice. Despite her imposing frame, the paladin has an aura of warmth and comfort about her.

Callum quit speaking to himself the moment he realized someone else was there. Of course there’d be someone there the instant he did it. There was a brief eye twitch at the thought before he’s pulling down his shirt sleeve over the key, seemingly attached to a thin chain around his left wrist. “Hi. Can I help you?” Suddenly, the distraction was gone and Cal was back to his cool, calm, and collected self--or rather, the mask that made him appear as such had returned. He made mental notes of the feline’s armor and religious symbols. He almost lost that composure of his, nearly lost it to a smirk. It’d been a little while since he’d done anything remotely religious (he was never the super devout sort anyway) and suddenly wondered if that’s why this whole thing with him being a witch now happened. Karma, maybe. Figures. “Sorry, if I’m in your way.”

Zahrani makes note of the man's posture, and the changes in his behavior after seeing her. The paladin raises her hands, smiling warmly. "Fear not. I am just looking for someone who could help us with the forest." She looks around; some of Tiphareth's curse still remained, even after cleansing the Sage diadem months ago. She reaches into a satchel that had been slung over her shoulder along with a crossbow and bolts. As she searches through it, she says, "Gilwen of the Sage elves has asked me to seek out one named Callum. Do you know this name, by any chance?"

Callum frowned. It wasn’t necessarily an unhappy frown, but just the fact that -someone- was looking for him was cause for even the slightest amount of concern. “I’m Cal. What… uh… does Gilwen want me for?” He was cautious, that mask carefully slipping away. Maybe she’d heard he was a witch? Were the elves like Larket and hated them too? He never really meddled in their affairs and typically kept away from the druids--there was no telling if his herbomancy would be something to set them off, since it wasn’t -actual- natural magic after all. “I’ve not seen her since her tournament duel against this Lanara woman. I assume she’s alright?” He tried to regain composure as Zahrani seemed nice enough. “And, uh, sorry. Just moved from Larket, so I’m a little wary of people at the moment. Tough habit to break sadly.”

Zahrani looks to Callum, nodding in understanding. "Of course. I was away when I heard about the attack in Cenril. I spent a few days there to help the colony rebuild." She refers to the feline colony, where the majority of Cenril's catfolk dwell. The panther produces a piece of written parchment with a Sage elf seal, proving that Zahrani did indeed come from Gilwen. "This is for you. Last I saw Gilwen, she was well."

Callum’s frown remained, “I’m sorry. I guess the rest of the witches and I are kind of to blame for that. We didn’t know it was going to happen… We just wanted our friend back.” He took the parchment finally, eyeing the seal. He knew it well, if only because he made it a point to learn each race and guild and clan’s insignia--not for anything shady of course! “Right. That’s good. She was in bad shape up there. That witch, if we hadn’t been in a cave for that duel, she probably would’ve kicked her frakkin’ ass from Frostmaw back down here to the forest.” Cal shook his head then, returning his mind to business. “What does she need from me if she doesn’t need healing?”

Zahrani raises a brow. She had not known Callum was a witch. At his apology, her face becomes neutral and she shakes her head, "No. The one responsible for that attack was the attacker." That infernal king...needless to say, the paladin is not pleased with him. He's made the earnest worship of Cyris, the god of Freedom and Independence, more difficult, though the people of Larket are more partial to a priest healing and counseling them. But now, his soldiers attacking the city of her childhood seems to have struck a nerve with the cat. Whether or not she could do anything about it...remains to be seen. Back to Callum's question, the panther smiles sheepishly, "She did not specify, and we were both busy, so I did not think to ask. Perhaps you have other gifts that she would request of you." The feline shrugs, "My goal was to seek you out and bring you that summons. I have done so-" It just occurs to the feline that she has not yet introduced herself. She smiles warmly, extending a paw, "My name is Zahrani, by the way. I am a paladin of Cyris. Is there anything I can help you with, Callum?"

Callum nodded in understanding as he took the feline’s paw. “If it’s all the same, I still feel a bit responsible.” That sort of thing happens when you help save the King’s life--but Cal didn’t go into detail about this. “It is alright. I will see her out when I can then. Thank you for the message-relaying, at least, Zahrani.” There was a chuckle then, albeit a faint one, “I don’t think I require help, no. Not unless you know a realtor that can spin a good tale and get my house in Larket sold, and another here in the forest. I’m sad to see both of my gardens go, but I can always transplant them elsewhere. My fiance and I are in need of some place bigger, here in Sage, to accomodate for a new greenhouse and garden and horse stable. I think we’re going to get a dog at some point too.” He scratched the back of his head a bit, “The house I’ve got here is tiny. It was essentially my bachelor pad and won’t do anymore.” The Catalian shrugged, “I s’pose I’ll just have to hire a terramancer and get something set up asap and worry about the house-selling later.”

Zahrani nods, crossing her arms and offering a wry grin, "I...cannot promise I'll find you a realtor, but I'll keep an eye out. It is good to finally meet you." Gardens. Perhaps that's what Gilwen is interested in. His botanical knowledge. The feline's nose flares with curiosity at the man's scent, before asking, "Is your fiancee a very tattooed woman named Meri?"

Callum gifted Zahrani with a slight grin of his own, “That’ll be help enough, I’m sure. It’s nice to meet you too.” The smirk widened further at the name of that artist that had written her name all over his heart, “Yep. That she-devil’s mine.” He meant it in the best way possible, of course. A brief pensive, and mildly confused look ensued, “Or I’m hers. I think she laid claim on me well before I realized.” He raised both brows and shook his head, the smirk returning. “It’s probably definitely the latter. You know her?” He didn’t come off as overprotective, merely curious as to how Meri managed to get herself acquainted with a giant cat.

Zahrani nods, finding his obvious affection for Meri very endearing. "Yes, we were on a mission together with Khitti and a couple others. She handles herself well." The panther looks away, smiling at romantic memories of her own.

Callum tilted his head at Zahrani’s demeanor as it changed to suit those memories. Oh, he’s seen that look before. “Oh, right. Yes. I think I called it ‘Frakked-Up Hell Island’ when she told me about that place. Hopefully someone tends to it soon before it that stuff comes to the mainland.” Cal shuddered a bit, then shook his head. “I take it you’ve got yourself someone too, eh? I’ve seen that look waaaaay too many times when I was delivering flowers around in this area.”

Zahrani would blush if she currently wasn't wearing her more feline appearance, covered in fur. She offers a shy grin, before simply saying, "Her name is Taly." The feline's tail idly swishes at the elf's name.

Callum would tilt his head even more if he were a lycan--you know how dogs do that thing when they’re confused… or intrigued… or there’s food… or… “Taly? As in Lanara’s sister? As in the witch?” There were several blinks to be had now. “Interesting. With the way things are now, I’m glad she has someone to protect her. I wish I could say the same for the rest of the witches still stuck in Larket.” Cal sighed, then looked towards the east, “I really should head to Cenril. Money’s not gonna make itself anymore, like it did in Larket.” A shrug. “I’m sure we’ll see each other again, especially if I manage to run into the rest of them from the ritual any time soon.” There was a bit of a nod to the cat, “If I’m needed again, you know where to find me now.”

Zahrani nods, smiling, "The very same Taly." In response to Callum's desire to depart, the panther nods, "Of course. I shall not keep you. Safe travels, Callum." The panther prepares her own belongings for a journey north, to Larket.