RP:One Promise Kept, Another Made

From HollowWiki

Summary: Valen meets Irenic's orphan buddy.


The Great Library of Cenril

You enter the library. The air smells musty, but by no means damp. The air tingles with magic, most likely from the enchantments placed upon the books to keep them preserved. The bookshelves are huge; they stretch as far as you can see. Looking up, you see that they also stretch up towards the very high ceiling. The floor is black marble and the walls seem to be constructed from contrasting white marble. The tables, which form an orderly line down the center of the library, appear to be green marble and have gold leaf decorating their legs. The place is deathly silent, probably due to the enchantments placed in the building rather than the compliance of the patrons. How would one find what they were looking for here? You could spend a lifetime in this hall of knowledge and not even read a hundredth of the books here.



Irenic was occupying a rather large table in the middle of The Great Library of Cenril with a plethora of books laid out before him some of them left open while his own notebook had plenty of scribbles in codded writing. He had his hair pulled back in some sort of pony tail which only made the shaved sides of his head accented behind those large pointy ears. Those bi-colored eyes solely focused on the literature before him, but one book seemed out of place and those augmented to magics could tell it's a witch's book of shadows. His attire is still rather business casual with his black button down shirt rolled up to his elbows and black slacks. There was a couple of giggling teenagers two tables away from him and before a librarian had a chance to come over and quiet them for the fifth time, Edlin did the job with a glare that could kill and the sharpest "Shhh!" slicing through the air. Once they look note of the Avian's height, stature, and massive wings they shut right up, quickly gathered their things and scurried out. The librarian may come over to thank Edlin for the slight help, but she would be rudely waved away while he took a seat once more to continue to focus, scribble, and plot.


Valen would have entered in right after that spectacle, and who should he run into but the Avian again. Honestly with how many times they seemed to just cross paths, feelings and whatnot aside, it was starting to be rather...odd, in a good way, but odd. He would wonder why of all places Edlin would choose a library, but realized that it must have something to do with their plans. Why else would he be studying so fiercely? A thought crossed his mind, and curiosity got the better of him so he moved towards Edlin and gave a soft clear of his throat as he sat across from him. In a hushed whisper, so as to not disturb the other guests, he would point at the strange book and ask rather inquisitively "Now...just pray tell, where did you find that?" A rather pointed question, but again he was a curious thing. "Oh...and hello." would be added with a gentle smile.


Irenic heard the footsteps approaching, but didn't pay any mind to them until a whispered voice asked a question. Those bi-colored eyes looked up and a smirk spread on his lips before he responded in whisper, "Hello, Valen… It's Valrae's she said we can use it if we need it." Once Valen was close enough he of course would smell his favorite scent coming from Edlin, but something else as well… Ah a basket of Mrs Mallard's baked goods from her Tea Room filled with all kinds of treats which seemed a little odd until a sort-of-scruffy looking kid rushes over with a book in hand, "Fea-!" he started with a shout before he remembered his manners and continued in a whisper, "Sir Feather-Stick… Look." The kid whispered excitedly and Edlin raised a pointer finger to excuse himself for a moment from Valen. He leaned over and whispered something to the kid who couldn't be more than eight years old. Edlin gently took the book from the kid and looked over what he was pointing out while the kid marches over to Valen with the baskets of goodies in one hand while the other was outstretched to the vampire, "Hi Sir Valen… My name is Pete, but everyone calls me Quizical." He held the basket up to the man, "Want one?"


Valen gives a nod of understanding at the explanation that the book belonged to Valrae, it did make sense after all. He had heard tales of these types of books containing inordinate amounts of magic, depending on the witch who owned them, though usually they could only be read by the owner...or so he had heard. If that were true though it certainly did not strain credulity that she would have given him the key to read it. The smell of lavender, Avian blood, and Rose petals would be all too familiar to him at this point but it never failed to make him feel at ease, even when there was nothing really to worry about at the moment. The sudden appearance of the child though drew his full attention, as well as the basket of treats, and he could not help but release a small chuckle. "Well hello there young one." he would offer, as he took the outstretched hand and gave it a firm squeeze, bringing the other hand to his chest as he had seen Edlin do before. He hoped he didn't look silly, or that the other thought he was mocking him...imitation after all was the sincerest form of flattery. "Quizical huh?" He thinks for a moment before nodding in approval "Yep, I can honestly say that name goes well with you. Guard it well, alright?" At the offer of something from the basket, delicate fingers would tentatively reach out to pluck a baked good from it, perhaps a pastry? "My thanks Master Quizical. Though I have to ask a question....The name feather stick, I assume that means you know The Lady Emilia? She is one of my dearest friends you should know. Sweet girl, that one." He had to fight from giggling out the name feather-stick. He felt bad about that but when he had heard her use that exact same name in conversation he had found it most amusing.


Irenic grimaced at the nickname playfully, but remained quiet while perusing from the book Quizical brought to him. Quizical felt the cold touch of the vampire and spotted his fangs and an audible gasp was heard from him before he whispered in excitement, "You're a vampire?! How cool!" Quizical quickly places the basket on a nearby chair before his nickname would soon be realized, "Sir Valen, can you go out in sunlight? Do you really hate garlic? Can you turn into a bat?" He seemed to bounce with excitement where he stood, obviously curious and brave at the same time, "How do you sleep at night… Or is it the day? Upside-down or in a coffin?" The kids big doe brown eyes are alight with wonder and he goes to open his mouth once more before he is cut off by Edlin, "Pssst!" Edlin waves him over and points in the book, "I think we are on the right track here. Do you think you can figure this coded page out if I write out the code for you Quizical?" The boy nods excitedly before taking the book and sitting next to Edlin while he pencil's out the code for the boy. Edlin offers Valen any of the empty seats at their conference desk, "Ah so you know Shortstack as well…" Edlin glances down at the kid hard at work, "We are searching for buried treasure…" He explains to Valen. "Sir Valen and I are going to try to rescue a princess from being locked away in a tower…" He explains to the kid who gives an excited nod.


Valen could not help but find this child endearingly sweet, if perhaps a bit excitable but that was okay! He would also, take the time to answer each question in turn. Flashing a mischievous smile as he did so. "I can most certainly go into the sunlight, though it actually is harsh on my eyes and I can get headaches on occasion. Garlic? I actually enjoy it! It helps purify the blood, if you did not know that. Now, as for turning into a bat...? Well, no...sadly. Though I can most certainly do this..." The shadow wings would once more sprout forth with such flare that it was almost certain that he was showing off, if not just for this sweet dear one before him. Valen adored children in fact, hoped to adopt one or obtain one by other means even if it meant changing himself to give birth himself if he could. In his mind, children were a gift to be cherished throughout the ages. "I usually sleep on my side, and generally whenever I feel like it." He would lean down, that mischievous smile still in play. "Sometimes, I stay up really late just to watch the sun rise...and -then- go to bed! But, I tell you this seriously young one..." his smile would fade and so would his wings. "I would trade it all in an instant if it meant being myself again..." A pat to his head would be offered, before he looked to Edlin and the new book that was brought over. "I can say I am most certainly lucky enough to not only know her, but as stated be her friend. I remember when we first met, just as it was yesterday. Though she does seem to have...changed, outwardly that is. I hope to figure out more about her latest development." turning once more to the child he would add to Edlin's words. "It will certainly be a tale, one with a happy ending I am sure."


Irenic chuckled shortly and a bit quietly before patting the kid on his head who was still in awe over meeting his first vampire. Edlin looked a bit tired, but the fact he still brought the kid along on this trip remained surprising and curious at the same time. He stood up and brought his notes with him to wherever Valen chose to sit so they may plot further, "There is one little window looking into her ce-" He clears his throat, "The room in the tower." They were a couple seats away from the kid who was buried deep in the book and whispering, but he continued speaking in code anyway, "Have you looked into getting employment as a guard?" In his notes there was a rough sketch of what he saw in his visit and the outside of the jail where her little window was. Edlin even went as far as sketching out the best route to take back to the House of Dragana. "I even slipped her a tiny healing potion because the guards aren't being very nice to the princess." The tensing of his jawline proves that they are probably quite abusive to Valrae. "But I had a little chat with the guard about that.."


Valen would have taken one of the offered seats, indeed wondering how Edlin had even come across such a bundle of joy, and more than anything how he even tolerated such-. It then struck him. the boy, in some way, reminded the vampire of his own curious nature and in that instance it all clicked. Still, he had to hand it to his friend...he would make a damn good father one day though he would most likely deny it if even presented with the notion. As he looked over the sketches an thought to himself, an idea was forming though it would require some refinement. "I have indeed but I keep getting told the one in charge of hiring was far too busy." His voice was actually for once full of annoyance and it was a bit unusual to hear him speak in such a way. "I know a lie when I hear it, and it must be because I do not fit some already pre-conceived notion of what they look for. Either way, I will not give up on that. If you happen to have any tips with how to gain some sort of job there I would be most grateful, because they are making me very frustrated." The notion that the guards may be mistreating the poor witch was not surprising to him...as people tend to fear what they themselves do not understand though it did make him feel sorry for her. This whole situation was beginning to frustrate him to no end though he reigned it in well. Giving a nod of approval as he looked at the route laid before them, he did have one question that he now posed. "That window. It might be worth taking a good hard look at. If I can get into her room without alerting the dragon, it would be quite feasible for me to maybe make use of that. While I am a practitioner of darker things I also am knowledgeable of runes. I may be able to make some, apply them to that window, and give us our way out. I will need to test this theory of course, but so far it is the best plan that I have. Obviously you will be wanting to be there as well, so this will most likely give you and Valrae your way out, and I can secure another means for myself." The mention of the healing potion helped ease his mind on that front at the very least, at least someone was looking out for her.


Irenic let his thoughts be interrupted after a long pause of Valen's inputs by Quizical's yawn. Edlin's gaze finds a window and notices how late it is with a slight alarm to his expression, "We shall stake the place out later, meet me there in a bit and we will see about getting a closer look to the window." He stands and made his way to the boy who was nearly falling asleep on the pages before he picked up the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, "Mmm, Sir Feather-stick why do you always smell like a grandma's house?" Edlin chuckled softly, "I think it's time to go back to the orphanage…" The kid frowned as he wined softly to himself, "But I almost finished it." Edlin leans down to inspect his work, "Very well… Lets take the rest of the treats on back to the kids." Quizical nods, "Only if you give Sir Valen his gold back." The kid's face turns red with embarrassment before he slumps down the chair and meanders his way to the vampire, "I'm sorry Sir Valen." he worked up some tears in his water line of those big eyes, "Enough with the show, Quizy." Edlin has seen it all before and even did it at his age so he knew all the tricks. Quizical sighs and rolls his eyes, "Yes sir." He mumbles. "And if you straighten up your attitude we will fly back instead of walk." Quizical does so and straightens right up with a bright smile, one that breaks hearts - dimples and all. Edlin sighs with amusement before whispering to Valen, "See you later."


Valen nods to Edlin at his recommendation of meeting up later to check out the small portal to Valrae's prison. The cuteness of the question regarding the scent that Quizical had posed to Edlin brought a laugh to his features, light and melodious. At hearing about the gold though a raised eyebrow would be displayed before he reached down to feel where his coin purse should be, only to see the child coming over with those watery eyes and his heart melted. Leaning down, he would embrace the young one in his arms and hold him close. "It's alright little one, all is forgiven. I have to say that was some fancy finger work...I will have to watch where I keep things more closely. Now, go with sir Edlin and be a good boy. Do that for me, and I may just send a few extra treats your way soon." He stood up straight, only to see that at Edlin's words those heart wrenching tears turned out to be ones for crocodiles, and he could not help but offer a sheepish smile to the Avian. What could he say? He adored children. At his friend's words of parting, he felt a bit saddened that their meeting was over so soon, though he understood all too well that this child was up way too late. "Same to you. and...Edlin?" A pause before he concluded "Fatherhood looks good on you."