RP:Kovl Meets Lydrain

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Lydrain sits at the edge of the cliff, dangling his feet over the edge, lost in thought. There was just too much going on. He couldn't answer every question, but he still tried. Letting out a light sigh, the dragon-in-elven-guise laid on his back, staring up a the stars, "I simply have to wonder, how did I let myself get mixed up in all of this?"


Kovl flies toward the cliff's edge only to hear that a stranger occupies one of the pixie's favorite clearings. The dragon's words reaches Kovl's ears long before his eyes land upon the stranger, and of course, the curious creature is pressed to investigate. Someone from a different social sphere mixed up in some unknown situation could be material for later gossip. Kovl's tiny voice rises from the silence. "It truly is bad, what you got 'mixed up' into, huh?" His wings bring him closer to the dragon though he is still a short five feet away from Lydrain.


Lydrain answers without even looking for a source of the voice, "I suppose you could say that. Really it is a mess we are all going to get into, one way or another. Very few people are going to be able to avoid the coming tide." He let out a sigh and sat up, his elven frame giving no hint of his draconic nature, save for the slight smell of ozone in the air, almost imperceptible. Turning to face the newcomer, he nods in an informal greeting, "Greetings, little one. What brings one of your kind out here this late in the evening?" There was no hint of patronization in his voice, just simple curiosity, mostly due from the fact that he had not seen a pixie since returning to Hollow.


Kovl laughs and replies, "I move about Xalious pretty frequently, and this is a wonderful place to rest, is it not?" The pixie makes his way to the 'elven' before sitting his tush on a nearby stone. "What is this 'coming tide'? Something dangerous?" Kovl raises a brow to the stranger. "You speak as if all of Hollow is in danger." He adds, "And is this 'tide' of your doing?" Kovl's small face may be difficult to read in the shadows of the evening, but for the keen of eye, it displays curiousity more than anything.


Lydrain shook his head, "It is not of my creation, nor is it one of my desire. I intend to stand against it, when it finally comes crashing through. The parasite of Lithrydel is back, once again. If he follows his past strategies, he will raise an army, formed of most of the malcontents of this realm, and will then wage war against all of the land, attempting to make himself ruler of the entirety of Hollow. Never before has he succeeded, but, in his last attempt, he did control half of this world. He does not appear to have begun amassing an army yet, but he will soon, mark my words."


Kovl has dwelled in Hollow for his entire life, though he has stayed from the reach of those they call the 'parasite'. All he knows of the one this stranger speaks of has been from gossip and hearsay. The story of the fiend is close to Hollow's history, though Kovl is not intimate with its details. "Vuryal?" The pixie guesses. "How do you know?"


Lydrain lets out a sigh, "Because I trust the one who told me so, and the shattered hourglass seal has been seen in several places. It has been four years since he last plagued this realm with his presence, and I am afraid our time of peace is coming to an end. I'm not sure when he will make his move, but he will eventually, and then the world will be thrown into chaos once again."


Kovl remembers the seal Lydrain has been speaking of on the boards of Kelay Tavern. So this is the seal of Vuryal, the one who controlled Hollow and then faded away only to be back once again. "What did you mean when you said that you were mixed up in all this?" Kovl has heard of Vuryal's power, and a hint of worry crosses the pixie's face. "What else do you know?" Though such power concerns Kovl, a dash of excitement for the unknown is also felt in the pixie's chest. The conglomerate of the two feelings are not completely new to the pixie. What will happen next?


Lydrain cleared his throat, "I'm mixed up in all of this because I live in Larket. I am the Headmaster of the Academy of Magics there, and I am positive Larket will be one of the places Vuryal strikes first. As to what I know... He is a chronomancer, possibly the most powerful time mage other than Q'Na himself. He is egotistical, violent, proud, cunning, and ruthless. The parasite is charismatic enough to unify the common criminals and mass murdering psychotics under his banner, and make them listen. I also know that it is almost impossible to plan on how to fight a time mage... I've tried." The 'elven' man let out a sigh, "And I know, that if he has grown in power since his last attempt, he may very well be successful this time..."


Kovl raises his brow. "And how do you know Larket is his first target? Do you know of any other targeted regions?" Another statement from Lydrain stands out in the pixie's mind. The 'headmaster' of the 'Academy of Magic' in Larket... Kovl knows little about the establishment. "You are a teacher of magic? Are you in the Guild? Why not solicite mages to defend Larket?" The pixie knows hardly anything about this stranger, though a basic introduction now just seems out of place.


Lydrain shook his head, "I am making an assumption on the Larket call. It makes quite a bit of sense, strategically speaking, not to mention... other things... As far as I can tell, Vuryal wishes to rule all of Hollow, so unless you live somewhere that is allied with him, it would be safe to assume that you are a target." Listening still to the pixie, "I am a teacher of magic, though I mostly perform administration tasks, and I am not, yet, in the Guild. (ooc Svil has just been really busy) Larket has an army of its own, I am also the Mage-General of Larket's standing army, we simply don't know what it is that we will be facing. How do you fight something or someone who can bend time to their will? I'm just not sure..."


Kovl's ear perks at 'other things'. "What else do you know that leads you to believe he is attacking Larket first? You only mentioned guesses, but you hint at knowning more." Kovl continues with something he thinks is wise, but it is really an all-out guess. "Why not beat the chronomancer with time? In the past, he was defeated. How? If the past can tell us that, it can probably tell us how to defeat him now."


Kang stays by the sidelines listening to the vry srs talking about grommetmancers in Larket. Not his business, but possibly useful.


Lydrain let out a sigh, "Things I do not believe I am allowed to talk about. Confidential matters of state and whatnot." He then chuckles, "As for beating him at his old game... most of the time he gets put into a standstill, unable to progress and yet unable to lose any ground, and then it appears that he gets bored... and just leaves. Which effectively ends his 'empire'. The foundations crumble, and we, the survivors, have to pick up the pieces."


Kovl chuckles at the method of Vuryal's 'defeat'. "Why not read him an encyclopedia on different sewing techniques? He'll get bored and find a new hobby at the same time." The pixie continues, "And what information is so confidential that you cannot tell an innocent little pixie in the middle of nowhere? You think a peep would come from this little one's mouth? No way." But actually, yes way. Kovl is the king of gossip. "Pleease?"


Lydrain laughed, "I couldn't tell you if you were the King of Enchantment, it simply isn't my place. The only one with that right is Queen Jacklin, and I doubt she would take kindly to the blatant passing of information. I could lose my profession, and, with her title of 'Executioner', I might even lose my head, and I am rather attached to it. Sorry... It just dawned on me that we haven't even exchanged names yet. My name is Lydrain, pleasure to meet you."


Kovl's wings lift him gracefully to eye-level with Lydrain. "It was worth a try. My name is Kovl." The pixie extends his hand in greeting. "What branch of magic do you like, Mister Headmaster?" The pixie said jokingly. It is unclear whether Kovl is making fun of the stranger's title or whether the smile is to be shared. "I'm sure you favor something."


Lydrain nods his head, "I do, indeed, have a specialty, as almost every mage does. Though mine has undergone a... change recently. I used to specialize in storm magic, somewhat similar to druidic storm making, but... don't ever mention that to one of them." He chuckles, "Recently I have gained a manner of proficiency in using the raw force of magic, before it gets shaped and transmuted into fire or ice or wind or whatever have you.It is... rewarding. Much more potential for power, but it does come with a drawback. It has become much harder for me to manipulate said energy into things like fire. I'm not exactly sure why, but I have a guess or two."


Kovl brings his hand to his chin. "What do you do with raw magic? I suppose it has its own show of beautiful lights and colors? Beauty goes a long way. Or do you prefer the power?" The pixie giggles. "Power is fun, but bland with no flare."


Kang pays closer attention. Perhaps there may be some clue as to how to access the ethereal arcana that had so long eluded all of preklek kind.


Lydrain smiled, "Honestly, with the essence of magic, you can do either." Just as an example, Lydrain holds out his hand, palm up, and a bright purple orb coalesces into existence. Kovl would be able to feel the thrum of magic off of it. Still smiling, "Honestly, it is incredibly mutable. I can change its shape, brightness, even colour, to simply whatever I choose. The only thing I am really confused about, is that it simply appears in this shape of purple. Whereas my research partner's colouration tends to be blue shade. Though, with merely a thought either of us could change that..."


Kovl watches the glow in interest. "That truly is strange. When I conjure magic, it always comes in the shape of..." The pixie pauses to murmur a couple words before a thick, red liquid (illusionary) begins to pour from his hand. "Blood." Kovl's show is a joke to unsettle Lydrain. The pixie's eyes grow dark and excited as he looks to the elven man.


Kang frowns in thought. He thought magic was in the shape of pudding. Was his research wrong? Serves him right for studying magic in a bakery.


Lydrain quirks an eyebrow at the pixie, "It isn't incredibly common for the fey to dabble in the darker arts of magic. Though, that could just be a visual issue. If blood isn't your intent, I'm sure you could fix it, I could even assist you in that if you would like?" The problem about trying to play a joke on the headmaster of a magical academy, is that it happens to him all of the time.


Kovl frowns at the lack of reaction from the stranger. The blood instantly vanishes from his hands. Another simple utterance of words displays a sudden rainbow arching from his hands and shooting instantly toward the headmaster's face before vanishing before impact. Surely this will -at least- startle the unsurprised teacher in front of him.


Lydrain blinks his eyes in a slight sense of alarm as the rainbow shoots from the miniscule mans hands towards his face. Afterwards, he shakes his head, clearing his senses, and then chuckles, "So you would likely be an illusionist then? Or something of that persuasion? Very impressive. I have never really had much interaction with an illusionist. Some of the teachers at my academy are loathe to admit that illusions are even a worthwhile form of magic. Though most of them are stubborn wizards who believe that their way is the only way... barmy old codgers."


Kovl laughs at the mage's reaction. "The teachers in your academy should not be teaching if they loathe illusion. It's a powerful, fun, deadly, beautiful, awe-inspiring art. I can achieve the same ends as some of those mages using my method as they can with their method. It's silly to think that their brand of the arcane is always better than others."


Lydrain nods his head, "Unfortunately quite a few mages are much too proud to admit this fact. My students are much more openminded than my teachers, and, if I can help it, I intend to preserve the students from being jaded by the professors. If I thought I could get away with firing all of the teachers I would, but, unfortunately, politics and a lack of available replacements prevents me from doing so..."


Kovl shakes his head. "Then your students are wiser than your teachers, it seems. It's a shame that your teachers view illusionary magic in such a dim light." The pixie smiles at his not-so-obvious pun. You see, because some illusions are light. Get it? "I'm sure I can change a number of your mages' minds if given the chance. A short contest of power could prove their thoughts wrong." The small pixie seems to have a big ego. The recent promotion within the guild has Kovl full of pride in his art, and his own competitive personality does the rest.


Lydrain shook his head, "And if I allowed you to injure their pride, without defending the honor of the school myself, I would never hear the end of it. I simply have to allow them to be doddering old fools. Perhaps the children we are teaching magic to will change the face of the Academy in years to come, but, perhaps not. I appreciate your eagerness to help, even if the thought stems from a self-boosting reason, however I must decline that offer. Not all of them see your craft as worthless, only a select few do."


Kovl laughs, "Of course, of course." With a smile the pixie continues, "You live as though you are constrained. You're afraid to lose your head, and you are afraid of your teachers. Loosen up. Have fun. That's what life is." The pixie shrugs. "But if constrained is the way you must be to keep your head and your job, I wouldn't want to be you." So childish. So carefree, this pixie appears. Why does he feel the need to criticize the life of someone he just met? Perhaps he wants another soul to have the fulfilling life he and many of his kin enjoy.


Lydrain cocks his head to the side, "There are downsides to the path I have chosen, obviously, but I do enjoy where I am, and what I'm doing. My position has been nothing but a boon to me. I don't want to lose my job, because I enjoy it. The fact that I get to assist in bringing the next generation of mages into the realm of adulthood is an incredibly satisfying job." A smile crosses his face, "We, as mages, come in completely different shades. No two of us are identical. I know that can be said for regular people as well, but for us, it goes beyond the standard usage of that saying. Every single mages magic is unique. Ezekiel and I both use raw arcane energy, but in incredibly different ways. I doubt you could go out and find another illusionist who was just like you. Unless, of course, you made an illusion of yourself, but that is just cheating." He chuckles again, "The fact that I get to see these children discover their niche in the magical realm is one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever been a part of..."


Kovl nods, satisfied with Lydrain's response. "If you enjoy your job, then you are doing well for yourself." At Ezekiel's name, the pixie raises a brow. "Ezekiel? How do you know him?" Kovl floats to the nearby statue resembling a child feline and stands on its head. "I know him from the Guild." As he speaks, Kovl places his head on the stone and erects himself into a handstand, using his wings to balance him. "When did you last see him?"


Kang leaves as he arrived: unnoticed.


Lydrain thinks for a moment, "I spoke with him in Rynvale about two days ago. I know him through his... female companion, Josleen. Ezekiel is a research partner of mine, seeing as how we both have just begun to delve into the usage of raw arcane magic. It is incredibly fascinating. Ezekiel is a remarkable mage. I'm sure if he and I were the same age, and had the same amount of experience, he would outstrip me in an instant." Chuckling, again, partially at the handstand the pixie was doing, "Luckily I have almost two centuries of age and experience on him."


Kovl's long, dark brown hair falls toward the statue below/above him. "It's good to hear that he is excelling at magic in Rynvale. Tell him that Kovl says hello when you see him next." Kovl holds his handstand as he speaks. "I assume that studying raw magic can lead to great versatility." The pixie begins to tip backwards behind the statue, freefalling for a split second before catching himself in mid-air.


Lydrain nods his head, "I will do that, though he and Jos aren't living in Rynvale, we just happened to run into each other out of coincidence. They are residing in Xalious, partially so Josleen can be near her family." The 'elven' man chuckles at the pixie's antics, "It just occured to me, as you are here, you wouldn't be able to tell me anything about the recent bandit activity could you? I'm doing an investigation into it myself, which is one of the reasons why I'm here. If you know anything at all, i would be in your debt."


Kovl's wings bring him to the statue's top once again. He thinks for a moment. "I do not know anything about the bandits except what is posted on the board in Kelay tavern. Apparently some people were collecting an illegal toll, and that's all I recall hearing. It is all in Kelay tavern. Maybe you can ask around there?"


Daisy has decided that all this time she has been asleep, curled up under a tree while the little pixie prances around on her head since he seems to think she's a statue. Well she is no statue and you are not a bird so pixies better not do on kittens what birds do on statues or else! *fistshaka* Too much flutterprancing wakes the kitten. Not magical rainbowface blasts or mages bitching about bigot teachers. No. Pixie prancing. Why? Go on. Say pixie prancing once. It'll make you all sorts of happy. She lets out a mewling whine and ruffles her hair before sitting up and blinking at the intruders who had NO idea she was totes taking a nap.


Lydrain hears the mewling and turns to look towards the source, and spies a feline. The 'elven' man cringes at the fact that he had woken someone from their slumber, as he came out to this remote destination to avoid doing that. The headmaster clears his throat and then says, "I'm sorry for waking you ma'am. If you would like, I would be more than willing to move our conversation elsewhere, so you can return to your.. napping."


Kovl flinches in mid-air and lets out a small yelp as the feline wakes under him. He flies higher, hopefully from her reach. Kovl could have sworn he was on the statue he knew was there, but no... The statue he remembers is a couple of feet farther from the edge of the cliff. Obviously confused, the pixie looks to Daisy.


Daisy would never ever ever never times infinity sleep next to any cliff. Ever. Did I say never? Well never ever. She yawns widely, stretching those little arms up into the sky to strum her fingers in the air. Probably not enough to shift the air too much so Kovl's flying won't be all wonky because of it. Oh! How polite. Polite mages are offered a smile before just a moment ago sleeping kittens push themselves up onto their little feet. Go on, kitten. Return the pleasantries. "I--ack!" Her voice cracks the way voices do when you haven't used them yet. She clears her throat with an apologetic smile. "I am done." Green eyes meet pixie ones with a flash of remembering. Do you know him, kitten? Maybe. Do you remember him? Ah well, that is another story. Sometimes the ones typing forget and so the ones being typed about suffer for it. Hopefully the last encounter wasn't too horrid. She smiles at the pixie and waves a single paw. Although horrid can be amusing at times. We'll see.


Lydrain raises an eyebrow, "Alright then." He wasn't sure exactly what to say, or even do, as the situation had become rather awkward in general. he genuinely couldn't remember what he had been talking to Kovl about moments before, so, instead of doing the socially apt thing and simply asking, he would allow the awkward silence to permeate the area. Perhaps the pixie would break the awkwardness, that was typically their MO, wasn't it?


Kovl looks down to the ... newcomer? "Hi there." Kovl suspects that felines will have a tendency to try swatting him out of the air. "I would love to meet you, but I must leave." The pixie is not leaving out of fear, but out of tiredness. He's been out for much too long. Lydrain will be forced to fake the awkwardness on his own.