RP:To Witch He Replied

Part of the Rise of Larket Arc

Summary: Josleen bumps into Valen at the Academy of Magic. The two estranged acquaintances discuss Valen's crush on Irenic, the new king, witches in general, and the witch Valrae in specific -- her recent imprisonment being news to Josleen.

Larket: Academy of Magic

Valen, after a very long and unusual day, would find himself smiling as he walked into the room that had become his new office back at the Larket Academy. All that was left to do it seemed, was to advertise that he was once more back at his position, and available to take students once more. So much work had to be done though to come up with a teaching curriculum that even the mere thought about just what he should offer as a syllabus made his head spin as there were so many different things to choose from! So it was, with a sigh, the Vampire would simply slump down in his chair and think about something that was more important...what was for dinner.

It's a rare day that Josleen braves the public eye--and public scorn in many cases, though with each passing day there are fewer and fewer who scorn her, for the pubic is fickle and gossip ever changing. Still, there's always some risk to leaving the safety of the fort. Just why the fort is so safe for Josleen remains the subject of rumor as well, which Valen may not yet be privy to so soon after his return. Josleen decided that mages care less about common gossip, and besides, an old family friend teaches here, a colleague of her father's nicknamed Tweedy. She's come to say hello and perhaps do a little damage control if the rumors about her have reached him. The door is open to the office and Josleen chirps "Tweedy!" as she lets herself in only to find not a mousey old hobbit but a tall vampire instead, and a hungry one at that. "Oh! Excuse me! I must have-- Valen?" Slowly she smiles at this acquaintance though she can't quite remember where she met him last. "It's been so long!" Since when? She can't recall.

Valen would immediately look up at the call to this...Tweedy person, fully intent on trying to help them find who they sought, and upon seeing Josleen would immediately stand and move to be right in front of her. There would still be enough room for personal space and all that but it had been -ages- since he had seen her. Where had they met? Perhaps they shared a drink, or maybe that was simply a story that his ex-husband had told him taking up residence in his mind. The point being, it was certainly showing on his features that he was happy to see this woman. "Miss Josleen! I have to say I did not expect to run into you again so soon after my return! If I had known you were going to be stopping by I would have tried to at least have some...what was it Mythayus said..Absinthe? Yes, that. If I had known you were coming I would have had some laid out." Then again, he knew right away where a bottle of the liquid was should she express an interest in the substance still. "Let me back up a bit though and explain something most exciting. The King of Larket has allowed me to assume my old position of an Academy Teacher!" Just as obvious as it was that he was glad to see Josleen, it would be the same with the news he just delivered. To the Vampire, it was almost like he had never even left to go and study magic abroad in the first place.

Josleen meets the offer of absinthe with a polite poker face. "Oh I could never stomach such a drink! Much too cowardly. Honey wine for me and little else." At the mention of the king, her poker face remains firmly fixed in place, but for different reasons. "Did he? How kind--and wise, of course, as you'll surely be an asset to the Academy. What exactly do you specialize in?" She glanced at the book shelf for clues. If Josleen has a purpose for being here, she reveals nothing.

Valen idly wondered if Mythayus had been fibbing when he had said, with a disgusted face, that he had been made to drink Absinthe by this woman but still managed to find that honey wine while answering her question. "You are too kind my Lady. I..practice many things, though my specialty is something that I unfortunately keep close guarded to the chest..." He would then offer the drink out to her, having poured it in full view as he usually did for guests. "I suppose though it could not hurt to give -some- insight." HEre he would set the bottle down and put on an almost pensive face as if trying to decide how to go about explaining. "I suppose you could just flat out and say that I can mend the mind. If there is a memory you wish to remember, forget, or possibly even see if it has been tampered with, that is what I excel at." A nod is given, as if satisfied with his own answer. "I only use my magic to help though, never for harm or personal gain. Memories are something that are held sacred and should be treated as such." Pouring himself a glass, Valen would look to Josleen right before taking a small sip. That delectable taste on his palate brought the smallest of shivers up the base of his spine as it was his turn now to ask something. "Miss Josleen, if you do not mind my asking, I seem to have made...well...a very good friend recently. Are you any good at coming up with ideas for a date...? I do not mean to change the subject but before I forget I simply wanted to ask that. I could certainly use some ideas..."

Josleen thanks Valen as she accepts the wine. "Had I known Academy offices are so well stocked with spirits, I'd have come sooner." She sips as she listens, grateful that the sip makes her lips purse naturally so that Valen would not read on her excursion her distaste for his magic. Mind-manipulating magic unnerves her, but she says nothing politely. "That's quite a talent. You say--" The vampire interrupts her prying questions and she smiles with false patience. "Aahh... a good friend" she repeats teasingly. "What are the lady's interests?"

Valen had to fight to hide the smirk that was doing it's hardest to make it's way to his lips. "Miss Josleen....Did you forget that Mythayus is my ex-husband, not ex-wife...?" It was asked playfully, not condescendingly. "Either way...-his- interests are...well...complicated it seems." He had to frown at that, as it was difficult for him to recall it seemed before brightening up. "He likes the Apple-Pecan pie that I made him, I...I -think- he likes my music...But I already did those things obviously and I want to do something new. Let's see...He likes to be in charge, he likes...to make people feel special, wanted." Blinking as a revelation came to his face, he would say suddenly "Maybe I should just tell you, to tell him, what -I- like..." Again, another joke, but it was very apparent that the vampire was smitten. "I am afraid that over all he is a very serious man, but he can also be sassy sometimes."

Josleen burns bright red as her heteronormativity is showing. She did know Valen's orientation, but the acquaintances are so distant her mind forgot the key details. Embarrassing. She listens and tries to make suggestions in several places, but cannot get a word in between Valen's swooning. Valen is so very smitten, and Josleen smiles genuinely to see it. Briefly she thinks of her own romance (is it a romance?) and realizes she'd not be able to gush so lovingly--indeed, she hasn't told a soul nor does she want to. "Yes, perhaps I should tell him! Any chance I know him? What's his name?"

Valen, if he could turn fully red, by now he certainly would be but alas..only that faint redness showed in his face. "I...It had just been a joke! I...I could not expect you to do that, especially since we have not known each other for very long! I..." He looks down in a moment of doubt "I am not sure that he would even want anyone to know..." An idea comes to him, and all that doubt is replaced by a sly grin. "If you promise me that you will not breath a word to anyone about the name I am going to say to you, and you -promise- to not make it obvious that you and I talked about this...Mayhap say it was something dropped by word of an Avian from Schezerade? I serenaded him in the tavern with..well...a romantic song or two, let slip I was a vampire, and he defended me in a rather big show of words, but I digress. If perhaps you say an Avian mentioned someone who looks like me...It might be perhaps a bit more believeable?" Taking a moment to pause, he would then utter the name. "Irenic. But for the love of gods please just...I dunno." He wanted so badly for any assistance as he was a bit rubbish at this sort of thing, but more than that he did not want to jeapordize anything between himself and the person of his affections.

Josleen laughs as she had understood all along it was a joke and was simply following along for the fun of it--and to pry. There's no chance she'll play matchmaker between an acquaintance and a stranger. She shakes her head to reassure Valen that his secret is safe. "I won't be telling anyone anything." She pantomimes buttoning her lips. "Besides, I don't know any Irenic. But alright, a date! There's a romantic play, with a happy ending, playing at the concert hall here in Larket. It's sweet, but perhaps a bit racy and suggestive in parts, which never hurts. It's never explicit. Perhaps it will help inspire a romantic feeling in Irenic. Why not invite him?" Standard high class bard date: the theater. "I may go myself, if I can find someone to accompany me."

Valen would calm down considerably and lean sideways against his desk with a relieved sigh and a wipe of his brow. "Well thank goodness for that! But...a play? Yes, I think that might just the thing! Especially romance! Then again, I get the feeling he would rather have deep meaningful conversations while looking up into a night sky but I can always ask to see if he would accompany me!" The thought of Irenic actually being culteral, made a slight laugh/giggle come from his lips and he would look away embarrassed. "You must think me silly for acting this way. If you like, I know a few I believe that would -love- to accompany you! Maybe I could at least ask around as I am sure you might now at least one of them. Like...that Krice fellow. Though, I'm not sure that would work but either way you need a date, so perhaps I might be of some assistance. Worst comes to worst, we could always go together." he would finish playfully.

"I don't think you silly at all. It's nice to see new love. And a play inspires the deepest conversations, and you'll learn a lot about his thinking and beliefs." Josleen perks up at the mention of Krice, but can't speak immediately for she is mid sip. She chokes down the sweet wine quickly. "Oh do you know Krice? He's been a friend for a couple years now, maybe more. Is he in town?" At the idea of being set up on a date, she simply smiles without enthusiasm or commitment. "Maybe." That's a no. Well, maybe she could go with Valen as his orientation makes him non-threatening to a certain man who cares about who Josleen sees, why, when, and where.

Valen knew all too well the power of the word 'Maybe', and figured it be best to simply leave it at that but did answer her question about the warrior. "Sir Needs-A-Hug? Yeah I know him, he was in Kelay and we had a run-in, brief, but still seems to be that same brooding beautiful man." It had been said simply as a term of endearment, though it was clear that Krice did not hold Valen's affection the same way that Irenic does...The glint in the eyes from before at having spoken Irenic's name would certainly give that away. "But enough about me and...things, what about you? I have yet to hear really anything going on in your life as of late, I hope things are mostly well?"

Josleen doesn't comment further on Krice, but laughs into the back of her hand at the Sir Needs-A-Hug. Judging by the twinkle in the Thane's eye, she agrees. Valen turns the subject to Josleen and the bard falters in the limelight for the first time in years. Her smile twitches and a sorrow settles in the cracks in her performance as giddy-woman. Not so giddy, quite morose it would seem, from what can be gleaned from huge seams. "I'm quite well!" She chirps. "Spoiled in the castle fort."

Valen would frown at the sorrow that seems to be embedded in her now. True, it may be mostly hidden, but Valen was certainly aware enough to catch what slipped from behind the cracks. "Jos...If there really is anything wrong I would hope that you understand that I hold everything told to me in confidence...Though, I will only say that once. If you tell me a second time that you are truly well, and that you are happy, then I will believe you." It was said in a serious tone, though he would try to at the least offer her a friendly smile...she seemed to need that at the very least.

Josleen shakes her head gently to Valen's offer to listen. Thane secrets are state secrets. "You're too kind, but I am well enough to know that anything that isn't pleasant will pass with time." She sets down her emptied wine glass. "I really should get going, but I have a question far and away from the matters of the heart. You mentioned your magic meddles in memories. I always thought that was a witchy magic. Do you consider yourself a witch?"

Valen understod that she would most likely not be able to indulge his curiosity, and what she said was most certainly true. Unpleasantness -did- pass with time, whatever she had going on...would turn out alright. At her announcement of departure, he would stand upright fully and offer a bow until her question caught him off guard. Looking rather confused, he would stare for a moment in thought. He had not thought about just what to brand himself in all honesty. "I...would not consider myself a witch exactly. A warlock maybe? I...do believe those are two different things, perhaps even just a Wizard. Vampiric Mage? An old bat who talks too much?" He had to give off a chuckle at that last one. "I use my magic to help, never to harm, unless it is for my defence or someone elses. The same goes for what I do with memories though I have -never- used it against anyone who did not wish me to enter their mind. Perhaps to you it might be witchy magic, but I actually know a witch...She is perhaps one of the most kindest souls, other than you, that I have the pleasure of knowing. She could never be capable of such things." WIth a sigh, he realized that he had not answered her question completely. "Forgive my rambling. I do not consider myself a witch." He would say with a lighthearted laugh.

Josleen laughs politely at the 'bat' joke. Vampire jokes... Valen's reply intrigues her and she sits back down. "I'm afraid I don't know the difference between a witch or warlock or mage or wizard. In your esteem, what are the defining characteristics of a witch? How would you go about identifying one?"

Valen would ponder his heavily, as he has not met any witches except for one, and she just simply looked like a wonderfully normal person...beautiful at that. All the stories he had heard painted them as ugly, full of warts but this one had not even a single beauty mark or scar...except perhaps in her heart, poor dear. "Well, I suppose you could identify one by whether or not they favor one element over the other? Witches, at least the one I know, seem to have an affinity for that...Let's see...They might ride brooms?" He would give off a laugh. "I'm afraid Miss Josleen you have me at a disadvantage. The one witch I know, looks just like anyone else really. Not a single wart, and certainly no cats. Might I ask why the interest? Perhaps if I knew more of the why...I might be able to help you a bit more."

Josleen nods matter-of-factly, as if saying 'of course'. "I too know a couple witches. Actually, three, come to think of it. And indeed they are all beautiful, perhaps unnaturally so." She leans in conspiratorially as she whispers the last phrase, suggesting that perhaps use their magic for cosmetic enhancements. "I ask simply because I am curious." She smiles toothlessly, lips still pressed together to keep the lie from escaping between her lips. "I shan't take any more of your time." She rises and smooths her expensive, imported dress. "Thank you for the wine. Let's stay in touch, hm?"

Valen had a feeling that something...was wrong, he could not place it, but something about this woman now seemed so familiar but he waved it off as it was most likely nothing. "The only reason I asked why, I wa sjust making sure that nothing had happened to Valrae Miss Josleen. But, you took up no more than what I had to give...and i will most likely be bored until classes start but yes, we will deffinately stay in touch." He would stand, to offer a form of politeness, before adding "They truly are, unnatural I mean in the beauty department but then again I could say the same for the two of us." A coy wink would be given at this. Oh, he was a devil at times. "Should you need anything, you certainly know where to find me."

"Valrae?" Josleen cants her head to the side curiously. She knew the name from Alvina, but never met the witch. The three witches Josleen thought of were Lanara, Talyara, and Artia. She had completely forgotten about this fourth, in part because the bard never met her personally, and also because Valrae never caused her any pain or anxiety. "I know the name, but never met the woman behind it." Valen continues with his flirty goodbye, and Josleen returns the wink good-naturedly. "You're too much. Irenic would be lucky to have you. But before I go, you piqued my curiosity. What did you mean when you asked after this Valrae woman? Why should something happen to her?"

Valen blinks for a moment, wondering if he should indeed tell her just what was going on with the woman. There was a moment, where he thought about not saying anything, but he knew Josleen was becoming a friend so, with a sigh, he would explain "She is imprisoned in Cenril. Irenic told me about it, and the poor guy is really upset but from what I understand things are going to be alright, it sounds like it was all some misunderstanding so we will just have to see. It's a shame though, the way he talks about her she sounds like a truly nice person. I was simply hoping that no harm had come to her while she is there, prisons after all can be very dangerous for the inmates just as much as for the guards who work there."

"Prison?" Josleen looks shocked, but not regretful just yet. After all, Valrae caused Alvina much suffering and Alvina and Josleen are good friends. Still, Josleen doesn't take glee or sorrow in the news, but is simply curious for detail (gossip). "For what? What's the crime?"

Valen would give a somewhat melancholy shake of his head. "At this point, I am really not entirely sure. I did not wish to pry with Irenic earlier but I will most certainly be finding out. Something to do, I can only guess, with someone getting upset just because she practiced witchcraft...Or something like that." At this point, Valen had not known about the whole ordeal between Hudson, Alvina, and Valrae. "It's a shame though that, when you cannot help with what gifts you are born, that people should scorn you for them...and I speak from experience. They think just because I have some affinity with shadows, that makes me a dark person." a soft laugh would sound now. "But, I intend, as I always have, to prove them wrong on my behalf and I am most certain that Miss Valrae will do the same."

Josleen blinks twice at Valen's comment about the shadows not necessarily being evil (paraphrasing). The bard had come to conclude that recently herself, in regard to someone else entirely who has a dark character and is thus misjudged as evil when he is not: King Macon. "I agree. I admit I was quick to prejudge those who dealt in ambiguity and behaved perhaps coarsely as bad, but I've recently learned that's not always the case. Indeed," Josleen's expression darkens and her eyes narrow predatorily at a target not in this room. "Sometimes something good and pure turns out to be a lie." The acrimony in her tone suggests this happened to her, it happened recently, she's not over it, and she wants vengeance. "If this Miss Valrae is as innocent as you believe, then I wish her luck." She smiles diplomatically and rises for the second time to go. "If you come across any books about witches, I'd be curious to read them. I just realized I don't know the difference between a witch, a druid, and a mage and feel this ignorance must be corrected." She curtsies. "Don't let me steal another moment of your precious time. You've been too generous already. Fare well."