RP:Ninety-Eight Problems?
Summary: What the heck?
Riverbank
Apart from the wood-lined stone road that leads to the north and back across the bridge, slightly muddy ground is the only terrain here at the river's edge. The Vibrance is a fast flowing river, and so no plants have a chance in it. Most other rivers are sluggish, algae-ridden, but this river is alive! It rushes and roars, creating swirling vortexes at the bases of the supports for the bridge that leads to the east. The only fish capable of living here are the powerful salmon, and even they struggle against the current. The stumps of trees stretch out for two hundred yards to the west, where the forest abruptly resumes.
The riverbank in Larket is usually a peaceful piece of scenery, perhaps there is the occasional traveler trying to soak up the atmosphere provided by the sound of rushing water and the soothing vibe of nature. Sometimes the occasional healer passes through, making their way to their respective House, but the foot traffic here remains very low when compared to other areas of Larket. Despite the fact that the sun has set, leaving the forest illuminated by only a few slivers of moonlight that manage to break through the canopy of leaves, the area is not devoid of people. The shadows of a few people are present and Meri is amongst them, standing next to a horse-drawn carriage, designed to transport cargo and not people, pulled by a horse that is definitely not Kadence. This is one is a lovely chestnut color. There is some amount of conversation happening but from a distance it is hard to hear and by the time anyone manages to get close enough, the men that Meri is conversing with will be climbing right up into that carriage and departing. Meri would remain behind. Totally normal, not shady at all.
Callum, only recently having moved his things into the Inn in town, decided to get a peek at the botanical gardens along the river where Meri just so happened to be. The gardens that Josleen had in mind, where he’d been assigned to work, hadn’t been built yet unfortunately, but he at least wanted to check out the old ones, in case they were to be destroyed. On the way, however, the voices caught his attention first, and then the sight of Meri only added more confusion to the mix, then before he knew it, the carriage was headed in his direction and instead of being caught, he’d jump further into the shadows of the forest to avoid detection. What the hell was going on? When it seemed like they’d gone for good, Cal exited the bushes. After spewing out a few leaves that managed to make their way into his mouth (note to self: close mouth when diving into bushes) and brushing himself off, he’d ever so carefully make his way towards the tattooed girl woman, “Meri…? What the frak are you doing out here?”
See, worst case scenario, Meri would have probably made fun of Cal right about now because, this guy? Fainting on ships, coughing up leaves, Cloud...The list could probably go on. After Meri finished making fun of him she probably would have taken the time to actually explain what she was up to, he shared some of his secrets so surely she could share some of hers? Yeah, probably. Best case scenario, even if she had decided to be a nice she-devil, Cal definitely would have gotten a hello from her? Duh? And still probably an explanation? None of these things happen. She is walking toward him as he is walking toward her, following the path of the carriage but keeping her distance well behind it, it was gaining ground anyway as she was on foot. It is obvious that she hears Callum, for she stops and looks directly at him, and that tongue of hers is definitely working because there was definitely a female voice heard in that hushed convo. Cal instead gets the blankest stare, how dare he question what she is up to, maybe? Possibly?
Um...what? No snark? No teasing? No nothing? Alright, what the hell did Cal do? This is what he was wondering as he closed the gap between them, concern written on his features. “Now, I know you heard me.” His tone was stern for the moment, but soon softened up, “What the heck is wrong with you, woman? What did I do now?” He -had- to have done something, right? Isn’t that how it went with these females? Knowing some of the sketchy company Meri keeps (okay, he’s definitely included in that), it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that that was probably a deal of -some sort-, though of course he didn’t know the ins and outs of what Meri did besides her artistry. I mean, what else would someone be doing out here in the woods at night? Didn’t she know there were witches running rampant in this town?!
Oh yes, Meri knew that there were witches running about. She has had a drunken rant about the awesomeness of witches, their vanity spells, like they clearly had spells for their hair and zit-be-gone spells. This was a real convo. Of course witches were far more capable than that. Anyway, yes Cal, maybe she is mad! Why could she be mad? What could you have possibly done? Well in typical female fashion evidently she is actually not going to take the time to explain what! You should know what, Cal! Dammit! Do you have chocolate? You could try throwing that at her? Maybe it will help? What about that tea? There still really is not much in terms of a facial reaction, and Meri does not seem like she wants to sit still and chat it up with Cal. Weird. Like really what did he do that was that bad to warrant a cold shoulder this hard? Feet are in motion again, intent on moving right past Cal, but at least she speaks! Flatly. "Nothing, Callum." That was basically like 'fine', wasn't it?
C-Callum? Had she ever actually used his full name before? Maybe just repeating it when he revealed the full thing to her? Cal just kinda stands there, blinking in disbelief, as she walks past and gives him that tone. What the heck. What. The. Heck. Cal’s feelin’ heckin’ bamboozled right about now. “H-hey, wait!” There’s about a million and one prayers to Selene and Zaytor right now going on in the back of Cal’s head, hoping that Meri doesn’t use those mind powers of hers on him. The reason? Because he’s about to try to grab her arm--more specifically her wrist. “Meri! Tell me what the hell is going on, woman!” Damn. These Catalians just can’t catch a break with the womenfolk. Unfortunately for him, he knows a hell of a lot less about them than either Captain Hot Pants or FireSwordLoserGuy does and he has no chocolate or flowers or any of the other things that might pacify the blonde. Poor Cal. Poor poor Cal.
Poor Cal?! Poor Meri! I mean, look at her! What the heck! And, oh sure! Blame the womenfolk! Not like those Catalian men weren't all handful in their own rights. Some of them a little more surly than others, all of them on the socially awkward side. This could not possibly influence the type of womenfolk that like to keep their company. Nope. It's the womenfolk. Brand and Lionel probably have a club, maybe they will let you join? Cal is successful in grabbing Meri by the wrist, which stops her from her attempts to just walk right past him without a care in the world. Meri would be having a field day with this moment right now. You are actually touching me, Cal? And not spazzing out on me? Heck, she might have even snotted off and reacted in horror just like he likes to do to her! (Perceptions, lack of understanding, obviously.) The lights were on, the information was still there, but was someone -really- home? Her reaction is still void of emotion and mechanical, like she were going through the motions. Cal gets to keep her wrist but there is absolutely no bite to her voice with the following words, just more monotone, "Let go of my wrist or I will make you let go of it." Possibly with those mind powers, Cal, possibly.
To be fair, not all touch between opposing genders is going to be intimate. This is definitely one of those times. If Meri wasn’t acting so frakking strange, Cal wouldn’t have touched her at all. If only she’d ask about such things, with regards to his freaking out, he’d probably explain it--albeit, likely at his expense for she’d surely laugh at him as such was her way. But, today was not the day for it and he’d release her wrist just as quickly as he grabbed it up. Fine, woman. Be that way. Damn. The monotone of her voice was a little unnerving, but, assuming she’d continue on down the path, Cal would follow along a few paces behind her to wherever the hell she was going, in silence.
There was a definite lack of understanding on Meri's part and it would likely come to light in a conversation that was about to be interesting. Maybe Meri would make fun, maybe not. Today was definitely not the day. Her wrist is released just as soon as it is taken up and the woman turns right around and keeps walking. How far Callum is going to actually want to try and follow Meri is debatable. Ultimately she would be making her way up and into Frostmaw, but for now they were in Larket and she was en route to make her way out of town. It does seem like this thing that looks like Meri may have thoughts about Cal following her. Though she does not look over shoulder to confirm he is following, she still seems to be aware that he is. Still no break in her behavior, or lack of it really, no chance in her tone of voice. "Your assistance is not required. Do not follow." What the heck? Dismissed? Just like that? Really the only clue that anyone gets as to what may be wrong with Meri is that one of her tattoos is not like the other. That new howling wolf tattoo upon her neck seems out of place. Does she have a crush on Hudson? Leo maybe? Who knows. Depends on Cal's ability as a mage, he may be able to sense that there is an ominous magical feel to it. Then again, such things easily can go unnoticed, this is what witches are for.
Cal definitely noticed that tattoo, but he certainly didn’t know whether or not it was by Lita or some other tattoo artist--there was a tattoo parlor in Larket, you know. He also didn’t know that Hudson and Leoxander were werewolves. Probably for the better actually. The whole robotic ‘Your assistance is not required. Do not follow’ bs was even more unsettling than her monotone voice. But… he just let her go on. What else could he do? While, yes, he’s a mage and likely sensed some other’s magic at work, what could he do about it? Nothing, actually. Just because he went through a sort of mage school in Catal didn’t mean anything, that was years ago. Or, maybe this -was- just Meri now. Perhaps he -did- do something wrong. Maybe telling her all his secrets was a mistake. Yep. It’s probably that and he’s overthinking -everything- as usual. With a sigh and an eyeroll, Cal pivoted around and headed back towards his original destination in silence. Not even a goodbye was given to the woman; it too likely wasn’t needed.
Poor Cal. Maybe Cal did do something wrong, maybe telling her all of those secrets was a mistake, and maybe this was just Meri now. No progress was going to be made on answering any of those questions. Callum was going his way to return to his business, Meri was going on hers. And it seems like that was just going to be that.