RP:Jasper's Delivery Service

Synopsis: Having just returned from the market, Talyara returns to her temporary home (a cabin in Sage forest) to wash and prepare the produce for preservation. However, a knock at the door proves to be a distraction, one that carries a surprising gift for the witch.

Northern Sage Forest

Talyara arrived back at the cabin, her temporary home, with a large basket nestled in the crook of her elbow and laden with a ton of foodstuffs. With a grunt, she dropped it onto the counter with a thud; twas the season for a bounty of vegetables and while they were still in the midst of summer, the little witch knew it was time to get her stores of food back. She kicked her boots off haphazardly near the front door and grabbed her basket to head to the small kitchen to sort out her groceries. She spied a rose with a folded up note on the counter and frowned slightly. Picking up the parchment she read the single sentence and breathed out a heavy sigh which sent an errant lock of hair skittering across her face.

Jasper of the SIlversong has freed himself of winter's reach by leaving the wretched frozen hell that is Frostmaw earlier this day as the sun rose from its slumber. His task of finding the two intended recipients of the items Lita wished to be delivered having sent him from the warm sands of Rynvale, clear across the realm to that always frigid place! Half the trip the bard simply grumbles about being duped by the devious vixen, guessing it was the core reason she didn't desire to go herself if she could help it. I mean, its -summer- and that place still bites into one's very soul with its chill! Come on! Still, the trek down the mountain brought with it the embrace of summer's presence, and the sea of green from Sage Forest was quite the sight to behold as he traveled down the mountain path. Yes, he is half high elf, but that elven blood still holds a lingering love for the forest, and nature as a whole. Maybe its why he loves being by the ocean so much? A whole world exists beneath the waves that mortals have barely been able to touch or defile, and even thinking about it has the musician turned courier eager to return. But, first he has to complete this job so he can secure employment and hopefully be able to afford a place to sleep that isn't the storage room in the back of the warehouse that he aims to work at. All these thoughts course through the half breed's mind as he travels, and before he knows it most of the day was gone and he arrived at the location he was given, a few well placed enchanted words on others on the road also confirming that only one person stays around these parts. A woman, and one that had that man from Kelay absolutely flush when speaking of. Guess Jasp saved the best for last, as the man, that Krice fellow, was kinda of a stick in the mud as far as conversation. 'No, I won't sign anything!' comes the grumpy impersonation of the stoic warrior from the bard as he recalls his encounter with the strange man. "Whatever my guy." Says the half elf to himself as he spots a cottage in the distance. "Thats gotta be the place!" He says, again to himself, as he picks up his pace towards the door. Within moments the thespian is standing before the entrance, and with a slight series of rasps against the wooden frame of the door (always one to make a beat), Jasper awaits to see if anyone is home, a small wrapped package tucked under his left arm.

Talyara was pouring water into a large basin, adding a splash of vinegar, before carefully dropping her produce in. She rolled up the sleeves of her simple cotton shirt and dunked the vegetables and fruits into the mixture. She hummed to herself as she bustled around the kitchen, setting up a pot over the fire filled with water. Once it was boiling she carefully placed several glass jars along with their metal lids and rings in order to sanitize. The sudden knock at the door startled her–more than any normal person would react. She wasn’t expecting company and it wasn’t the normal knock Krice used (not to mention he had a key). The witch looked around and grabbed a nearby knife and slowly tiptoed towards the front of the cabin. She moved the corned of the curtain to peak out to see if she recognized who it was.

Jasper is quite a sight, but not one would call 'threatening' by any means, just not the usual look for someone traveling in Sage, that's for sure! The half elf is garbed in skinny black leather leggings (yes, even in summer!), with a pair of steel toed boots of the same kind of black leather, a simple white shirt with three buttons (all undone of course) which also has the sleeves rolled up to fight off some of the heat. His arms are sleeved out in tattoos as well, unique ink that tells a different story on each. On the left side of his bottom lip is a piercing, as well as one on his right brow. Jasper's raven locks are fashioned into an edgy style to match his virtuoso roots. A close cut on the sides of his head with tousled and textured hair on top that matches the longer tresses along the nape of his neck in a haphazard fringy type mullet. His hair stylist calls it the three in one: three different hair cuts pasted together to make this monstrosity, a style all his own that screams "rebel" in his own way. His hair color is also rather unique, as the platinum hue has raven shaded roots that contrast perfectly, unknown to most also naturally. And his eyes are a shade of quicksilver not often seen in elves that only adds to his overall look. yes, standing before the witch's door is a rather unique person, that's to be sure. Again a knock upon the wooden portal, as he says. "Package for a ..." he checks the note given to him that is pinned to the package. "Talyara? From Lita." Patient and in no hurry now that he isn't freezing his ass off in Frostmaw, the bard simply starts to bob his head to a song in his head as he waits to see if anyone answers.

Talyara was less concerned about the man’s looks–although it sure was a style she had never seen replicated before–and more about him being a secret witch hunter. Sure it had been years since she had been abducted and tortured, but a strange person had shown up at her door then, too, bearing a not. Still, the specific mention of Lita gave her pause. Taly gnawed on her bottom lips and weighed her options. She could continue to pretend she wasn’t home and wait for Krice to return and explain the interaction to him or she could answer the door. There was a chain lock so, opting to utilize that to her advantage, she opened the door but kept that lock in place, so only a sliver of the witch could be seen. Her hair was tamed in two pigtail braids (although there were a few loose pieces here and there). She wore a dark purple shirt that swooped low over one shoulder and a pair of simple leggings. Taly was barefooted and her emerald eyes were wide and reflected the anxiety she felt. “Who are you?” she inquired.

Jasper is a bit empathetic, as is the nature of his calling as a bard, and the moment the woman opens the door like she does he takes a few steps back, slow and easy, to try to make her feel more comfortable. It's the tone, you see? The man is good on picking up vibes in tones, its part of the reason he is such a good musician, but also helps him navigate many a situation such as this a little easier. "Hello, ma'am!" he says, cheerfully and with a charming smile. " My name is Jasper, and I was asked..." He smirks, trying to toss in a joke. " More like bamboozled, but Lita to delivery you a gift from her." Again, the warm smile, but no sudden movements that may spook the woman. "I can leave it out here, but to make sure I delivered them, she does ask a signed bill to show you received it... probably to make sure I didn't run off with it!" Again, a light joke to try to ease tensions. He'd lay the package down in front of the door, within arms reach for the witch, as well as a quill and some ink to sign the paper he needs he takes a few steps back to offer her space to feel safe, and looks about the area. Sage is beautiful, and offers him plenty to occupy his attention so the witch doesn't feel gawked at by a stranger.

Jasper gave you 1 Jadeite Jasmine Crown Veil.

Talyara’s lips dipped down into a thoughtful frown as she looked back over her shoulder and back towards the kitchen where the note that Krice wrote. He had said Lita had given him something, too. Looking back towards Jasper she noticed how he had taken a few steps back and was being more respectful of her space. She carefully laid the knife in her hand on a side table and slowly closed the door. The bard might think she was ignoring him completely, but he might hear the chain slide so the door would open more fully. Taly was petite, barely clearing five feet. She always struggled to see her own beauty but she possessed feminine curves, lovely eyes, and a sweet face. She kept her emerald gaze on Jasper as she crouched down to retrieve the parchment, quill, and ink. “Did…did you deliver something else? To a man with silver hair and crimson eyes?”

Jasper was listening to a bird he couldn't see but heard in the distance singing its song as the woman fiddled with the lock, not taking her guarded demeanor personally in the slightest. He gets it. Cabin in the woods all alone tends to say either one wants to be away from people, or they are hiding. Sometimes you get the actual loner who just hates people, but she doesn't seem that type. Generalizations aside, when she makes her way out he can't help but notice that beauty. Ok, that makes the whole trip worth it. The urge to put on the charm is stifled tho. 'You don't have a chance, so don't even try.' The words from Lita echo in his mind, and remind him this is work, not play. Her inquiry about his previous drop causes that pierced brow to loft skyward for a brief moment. "Why, yes, just the other day." he starts off with. "Kinda hard read? Refused to sign, quirky awkward kinda guy?" He jests, his tone an obvious joking one. " Yeah, a painting. Was a fun climb up the mountain with that thing!" He chuckles, before saying. "But I delivered it and made my way down here afterwards. Probably could have stopped here first, btu I'm rarely mainland these days, like to stick to Rynvale you see, warmer climate and beaches and all." He again looks around Sage, restored back to full strength after the drow wars kicked the wood elves out some time ago, even laying a curse upon it. The lush green, the smell of the woods, the sound of the birds and the breeze of the wind all hold their own beauty that make Sage an enchanting place. "Still, this place is gorgeous." Those quicksilver eyes flash back to the woman, and admittedly follow along the line of those feminine curves, he is a hot blooded young half elf after all, but he quickly stops that, returning to a base relaxed stance with a warm smile as he awaits to see if she has any more questions.

Talyara only took her eyes off of Jasper to examine the parchment he wanted her to sign. She read it over carefully, thrice, to ensure that this wasn’t some ruse to enslave her or something horrific like that. Once she was sure that she was -only- signing to state she received the package does she sign her first name. The witch’s signature was everything you would assume it to be–feminine, loopy, and legible. She capped the ink and then placed the items back on the step before taking the package and hugging it to her chest. A small smile tugged up on the corner of her lips when Jasper described Krice–at least the Krice the world knew–perfectly. “Yeah, that sounds like him.” The little witch chuckled awkwardly, rolling back on her heels, as she admired the forest surrounding them. She nodded in agreement with the bard, “Aye, I can’t lie and say I didn’t miss living here.” Glancing back at Jasper she nipped her bottom lip. “Are you, uh, thirsty or something?”

Jasper is glad to see a little of the tension ease in the woman, so much so she offers him a drink, and not gonna lie ya boy was -parched- after today. His limited funds only allowed for him to purchase those dry kinda travel biscuits, and his water skin had already been depleted some time ago. "I could go for a drink, yeah!" He says happily, both not wanting to be rude but also actually in need of a drink if he was to keep on his trek back to the island of Rynvale. "Thank you very much!" He adds, again trying to be a courteous as possible. He'd find a spot that has a tree offering some shade nearby, and takes up a seat as he says. " It's amazing how timeless the forest remains." Again losing himself in the natural beauty that surrounds them as he settles into his spot, as not to impose but also allow the lady to feel secure with her chosen safe space, he'll remain outside. " Rynvale started to industrialize when shipping took off, the ports becoming trade hubs, warehouses lining the wharf. But... there is still the dragonlands, wild as ever." He was speaking just kind of out loud, as truly he has not gotten off the island, save for a trip in Cenril, in some time, let alone this far inland. The woman's elven heritage is noticeable due to his own too, though he can't quite place her. High elves are almost born with sticks up their asses, so he tosses that out, but she also doesn't seem like a wood elf. He knows there are all sort of elfkin throughout the world, as the elder races did spread far and wide, but its still a rare treat to find a sort of distant cousin in a way, even if he only can half way claim such a tie. For now, he simply enjoys another one of the slow moving breezes as he takes a moment to relax himself under the shade.

Talyara was thankful that Jasper seemed to pick up on social cues of still being a little tense. “I’ll be right back,” she assured when he moved over to a shady spot under a tree. She was gone for about five minutes, but when she finally came back outside she was carrying a tray, complete with a fresh pitcher of icy cold lemonade and two glasses. There was also a platter filled with some dried meats, cheeses, and fruits. “In case you’re hungry as well,” she said with a small smile, setting the tray down and kneeling to pour out the glasses. A puppy came scampering out of the cabin as well, a mix between a shepherd and a golden retriever; he placed himself between Talyara and Jasper, as he eyed the latter suspiciously. “I haven’t been to Rynvale since I first came to these lands several years ago,” the witch mused. “That’s actually where I stayed before I came to the mainland, that is. Is that where you’re from? Rynvale?”

Jasper is once more playing a song in his head he casually hums as he waits for the woman to return with what he assumed would be water, only to be pleasantly surprised to see she kind of went all out! Being the poor bugger he is, this is like a five star meal to him, but to top it off there is a dog?! And a mutt at that! Half breeds and mixed blood things hold a special place in his heart, and all he wants to do is shower that doggo in attention and belly rubs already, but he knows each animal is different, even if a pup. He'll wait to see if the lil guy comes over naturally, then he'll shower him in lovins. Talyara is thanked, as he'd accept the glass of lemonade and take a few bits of the snacks from the tray eagerly. Some say it's rude to eat in front of people, but being as poor as he was all his life, that's a luxury the rich folk have, not him. He'd devour a few bits, as he is far hungrier than he realized, before chugging half his glass of that delicious and refreshing lemonade down. Now, according to a Larketian rumor, he just messed up. Taking food and drink from a witch, in a hut in the woods? Pretty sure most scary stories told to kids started this way, but there is something about this elf that...well, he doesn't feel like she plans to eat him. So, he relaxes, slanderous rumors for Larket cast aside, as he says. "Lita has been a bit busy on the island, or I'm sure she'd have come.... though maybe not to Frostmaw, I don't know if barefeet and freezing temps go well together. " he chuckles, trying his hand at small talk. "But I know she put some thought into your gift, and she threatened great pain upon my person should I not deliver!" A quasi jest, Lita is a very capable woman, as he saw first hand with the ruffians who came into the Jolly Roger that night. He finishes with. " I hope you enjoy whatever it is!" Before plucking one of those pieces of fruits from the tray again, and taking a sip of the lemonade. Delicious.

Talyara doesn’t seem to be interested in the food tray she brought out so Jasper would be free to eat it all if he so wished. She did partake in the lemonade though, enjoying the tart and slightly sweet refreshing beverage, perfect for this wam day. The puppy continued to eye Jasper but soon his gaze is following all the food that is going in his mouth. “Sabre, don’t beg,” Taly chided, patting him atop his head. He gave a quiet ruff of exasperation but laid down between them. She smiled kindly when the bard explained about Lita coming herself. While the witch had only been friendly with the woman, closer years ago, they also held another connection which made Taly a little uneasy. Less to do with who the connection was with and more to do with her own past traumas. “I’ll of course send my appreciation, but if you wouldn’t mind telling her thank you from me, I’d appreciate it.”

Jasper has mentioned he grew up poor, right? Probably not, at least spoken outwards, but the fact the pupper eyes the food the bard continues to munch on with eager eyes pleads to that struggling kid in him and he asks the elf first. "May I share it with the pup?" Leaving the witch to be bombarded by a double team of puppy dog eyes from her animal companion and the delivery man. How could she say no? If she allows, he'd offer the little guy some of the snacks as he listens to the woman speak, nodding at the right parts as he replies. "Oh, of course I will!" In regards to relaying thanks. Another shared snack with Sabre, before he says. "Island is nice this time of year, if you need a change of scenery, the Jolly Roger should be up and running soon, and I play there sometimes, you should come!" Invitation and self promotion, both for him and the Jolly Roger, not too bad, and natural too, as he means it wholeheartedly. "Pets are welcome too!" He adds, finally getting to scratch that adorable pup behind the ear gently.

Talyara smirked at the pair of “puppy eyes” that greet her from both Sabre and Jasper. She is not a hard witch to win over. “Fine, you can have some,” she said to the pup. “But not the grapes, they’re toxic to them,” she added to Jasper. Taly continued to drink her lemonade contentedly, enjoying the warm air and the occasional breeze. “If I can convince my companion to come with me, I’d love to come.” Of course she means Krice. Call her codependent, but that witch hunter ordeal really messed with her head and made her leery to be too far away from the warrior lest trouble find her (which it had a habit of doing). “So you’re a bard then?” she asked. “What do you play?”

Jasper continues his snack sharing with the pup who has taken the majority of the meaty bits to himself, not that the half elf is bothered by that. He is glad to see the woman open up a bit more, glad to have played some small part in showing her not all the world is bad. Growing up like he did he has seen the same type of body language. Guarded, almost fearful, from the women abused by lovers, or the children with foul parents. Even occasionally he saw true fear, when a young lad in his early twenties ventured too far into the dragonlands and came across one of those beasts, barely escaping the ordeal. Lad jumped at shadows every day after, thinking the beast had found him. Mid belly rub on a now content and happy pup, Jasper replies back about his calling. " I feel that title, bard, belongs to those who kind of earned it, ya know? The ones who went to the fancy colleges or the like, I just play. I picked up things here and there, flute was first, easy to make and play as a kid, then used coin to get other instruments, and found I had a knack!" he smiles, proud of his skills. "Learned I could play out on the street for coin, and even managed to sneak into some shows in local pubs. Guitar was first, and is my main squeeze now, but piano..." His face contorts in a "oh yeah" kinda fashion. "There was one in a tavern one day, and my guitar had been knocked over by this absolute brute, spilled his ale all over it, knocked it so hard it was out of tune! I was due on any minute too!" He scoffs, still mad about that. "So I improvised, sat down and just... let the music flow. Seems I've a good ear for tunes, and managed to rock the joint." He beams at that, still proud that it all worked out. "Since then, dream is when I make it big time, to buy a nice house, of course, but also to have a killer piano... custom made, of course, just for me." Ah, dreams, so motivating. "But, to get there, gotta start somewhere, and thus, I'm hoping to land a kind of permanent gig at the Jolly Roger. But, tough and close lot they are, I gotta earn my way in, so... delivery boy it is!" He chuckles, not ashamed to be willing to do tasks like this on his way to the top.

Talyara wasn’t super talkative with strangers, but she was always pleasant. Jasper was obviously so passionate about his music it was enjoyable to listen to him gush about it. She didn’t play any instruments herself aside from the occasional hand drum when it came to chanting during ritual, but she enjoyed it all the same. Her sister was in the bard’s college, or had been at some point, as a dancer. With her guard slightly down, Taly accidentally used her right hand to lift the glass of lemonade to her lips, exposing the ugly scar on her forearm; five crooked letters had been carved into her skin to spell out the word W I T C H. “I always wanted to learn piano myself, but I’ve never had the time or opportunity. Maybe one day,” she mused wistfully. “Well, I hope you are able to achieve your dreams some day and get that nice, big house with the custom piano,” she said earnestly with a smile.

Jasper is a keen observer, its a skill learned from being raised on the streets as well as honed as a performer when trying to get a feel for the crowds. Also helps during his little nefarious means of getting food, when ha has had to separate a coin purse from its owner, but tough times call for desperate measures from time to time. Besides, it's not like a noble will feel a few coins gone. Either way, that scar, that branding, doesn't go unnoticed and strikes a bit of a cord with the half elf. You see, he doesn't lie when he says the high elves are the worst. They don't take to crossbreeding, and in his younger days he was branded himself with a vulgar symbol that signifies his "impure" blood. Luckily he has it covered by a tattoo now, but he knows the feelings attached to such a mark can bring, so he doesn't even mention it and quickly makes sure his quick glance diverts elsewhere. But, the witch did just get infinitely more cool in his book, shared trauma kinda bonding that goes unspoken in his eyes. "Yes, and when I get to the top, I shall invite you and Sabre and your beau for the biggest concert in all the realm!" He proclaims, basically cementing a new kinship with the woman here and now, not from pity, or due to her looks, but because she is a kind soul deserving of nothing but all the kindness this world can offer. Rare, like unicorns, her lot is, and believe that Jasp has seen a lot of people in his time. The good ones are diamonds in the rough, and he feels like he found one. Looking towards the fading sun, the bard says. "Bah... gettin' late, I should try to get to Cenril fast if I wanna catch the last ship out." He hated being at sea at night, there was an eerie feeling about that ocean then, and he just didn't like it. "But! If I'm around these parts again, I'd like to stop by if you wouldn't mind?" he asks, not trying to be too forward about it all, he even adds a joke. "Me and Sabre have bonded, you see? And I know a guy who makes these treats? Well, really he is just a bad cook and normal people can't eat it, but animals -love- the stuff, I'll bring him some!"