RP:Josiah in the City of Fangs
Walled Courtyard
Satoshi has claimed a portion of the lawn for herself and her companion--a seven foot tall golem wrought of living ice and built with all the lumbering bulk of a wrestling gorilla. Aptly named 'Buster', the construct stands facing his creator, low-sunk head cocked curiously at her. Satoshi, for her part, is a few paces away, poised in a battlestance and armed with a eerily black scythe. The kit bounces on the balls of her feet, not quite remaining still as she wavers around the stationary golem--the reason for her movements becomes apparent when Buster suddenly erupts into life, a fist drawn back in alarming speed before it's sent crashing toward the magus. With the deftness of one so small and agile, Satoshi twists around the incoming punch, dipping below the arm while bringing the butt of her scythe forward to slam into Buster's chest. The sound of ice striking ice resounds as both combatants retreat once more, neither harmed by the exchange. "Quicker, Buster~. You can punch like Hildegarde, but you're not as fast as her! We must be ready~!" The golem rumbles in agreement.
Josiah strides quickly through the courtyard, taking in everything. A beautiful place, and well protected. He looks for Satoshi specifically, and eyes her up almost immediately, doing battle training with a gigantic golem. He heads straight for her, smoothing out his braids and wiping snow from his eyebrows. He notices several archers above paying particular attention to him, and raises his empty hands slightly as he walks toward her. As he nears her, he beckons. "Satoshi!" he cries, and immediately drops to one knee, head bowed reverently.
Satoshi's ears flick back upon hearing her name and she half-turns toward the sound before catching a flicker of movement in her peripheral vision. Buster has taken the interruption as a moment to strike, shoulder lowered as he charges forward in a brutish tackle. Satoshi's vulpine reflexes are all that spare her the crushing collision, narrowly managing to twist her form out of the golem's immediate path by sheer virtue of that tiny forewarning. She receives a glancing blow for her trouble however, and her small size in comparison proves the hit is enough to send her tumbling across the grass to land in a tangle. Somewhere amidst the mess of tails, scythe, and coat, there are choice words being muttered before Satoshi rights herself. Shaking her head, she looks toward Josiah then with a lopsided smile. "I deserved that, letting myself be distrac-- Aww, hellfire, who went and told you?" Hurriedly Satoshi gets to her feet, and gestures with her scythe that the avian stop kneeling. "None of that, hmm? You didn't go bowing and humble when we met initially, no need for it now. If I wanted bootlickers, I'd parade around in a crown all day, dontcha think~?"
Josiah looks perplexed, and rises. "Still, I must apologize," he begins. "I had no idea." He gestures to his homemade suit of furs proudly. "I told you I would be ready," he says, grinning. "Although I could still go for a fire and a strong drink." He looks weary, but determined. His braids are slightly unkempt and his armor filthy from the dried blood of beasts he had to slay along the way. "Anyway," he continued, clearly eager, "I am here to learn."
Satoshi slings her scythe across her shoulders, carrying it as if it weighs nothing. At Josiah's apology, the kit gives a dismissive sniff. "You had no idea, because I said nothing. I prefer not to introduce myself in that manner. Folks are not quite so honest when they think they must bow or appease someone of rank. It's tiresome~. I'd rather folks meet me for -me-, not my titles." Well, for the most part. Satoshi does have a vanity streak that'd put most high elves to shame. She refrains commenting on this, however, in favor of eyeing Josiah's bloodied gear. "You certainly look like you've been preparing. C'mon~, the fort's just ahead, it's plenty warm. On the wa, you can tell me what manner of foe or beast is painting your armor~." Bringing up the rear is Buster, the golem quiet as it stomps along, making no move to attack again. He has his orders, and obeys them without hesitation.
Josiah takes up stride with Satoshi seamlessly, watching with a mixture of awe and disbelief. This was the Queen of Frostmaw. And she was guiding him along his way. He smiled as he walked behind her, his wing drawn tight to keep out the cold. "You have quite a variety of violent creatures up here," he began. Josiah scrapes at the dried blood on his new armor, almost angrily. "The wolves are bad enough...I don't even know what else I was fighting. If it moved, it died...and it didn't go down easy."
Satoshi nods in agreement, a grin flitting across her face. "Oui, this region is aptly named 'Frostmaw', for everything has teeth et intends to devour the unwary. I've seen the land itself tear open to swallow enemies into its depthless jaws." She glances sidelong at Josiah here, smirk widening. Satoshi's tone lowers to that of a conspiratorial whisper before she includes, "I tried to warn them, the snows do not respond well to my blood being spilt~. Pity they won't learn their lesson, flattened as they are undeground now. But you, you seem to be learning, and quickly. Keep ahead of the teeth, soon enough they'll learn you're equally equipped to bite back~!"
Josiah grins widely, understanding little but enjoying every minute of this conversation. "So...Sabrina said you had been asking about me," he continued, trying to keep up with the quick pace. "Might I ask why? What do I bring to the table?" He breathes deeply of the frigid air.
Satoshi's head cocks to one side, confusion passing briefly across her features before she perks up. "Sabrina? Oh! The Nuduin Nudist! She had mentioned she was off to meet you, I asked her to give you my regards, es all~. Although judging by your bloodied gear and eager step, I imagine you have quite a bit to bring to the table too. Lesser souls would not still be walking about."
Josiah laughs audibly. "The Nuduin Nudist? I hadn't heard that before," he said, prying. His eyes were sparkling with excitement at the mention of her name. He missed her already.
Satoshi shrugs. She's not entirely certain why Sabrina had been called a 'Nudist' by the Frost Giants, as the woman was thoroughly clothed when they'd met. Satoshi says as much to Josiah, along with a baffled guess, "Perhaps when not in such frigid climates, she prefers to be bare. She would not be the first elf to wear only what nature gave her, after all." The magus doesn't seem to be judging such life choices, likely because she's met more than enough people who ran about naked--and because Satoshi has no genuine concept of humility or shame. She'd probably go without clothes too, if she didn't think she looked so cute in her outfits.
Josiah smiles at Satoshi, looking down at her tiny frame with great respect. "I thank you for inviting me here," he says, bowing his head reverently. "I know I will gain incredible strength here, and go on to do great things." He spreads his massive wings, and cracks his neck. "Now where is Hildegarde the Silver? I am anxious to begin my training."
Satoshi glances ahead to the fort, and behind toward the path back into the city. With the looks, the kit points in both directions, saying, "She'll either be training on the fort grounds, or she's in the tavern. This time of day, I'd wager the tavern for a break from training, along with a warm meal. If all else fails, ask any fellow on the street if they've seen Aramoth's Daughter, they can point you in her direction with ease~."
Josiah bows as deeply and as formally as possible, knowing it is not necessary. "Then I bid you adieu, Queen Satoshi," he said, confidently. "May Arkhen guide your steps, and give you strength."
Satoshi returns the bow without any hit of mockery in the gesture. "And may Aramoth keep your sword arm strong, et your honor stronger."