RP:Your Secret Is My Secret

From HollowWiki

Part of the Time Heals All Wounds Arc


Synopsis: Magik runs into the healer, Penelope, and joins her in a bit of small talk. Magik lets her know that a certain scholar is interested in Penelope joining the shadows which gives Penelope an opportunity to grow in her healing and research.

Gualon Grogshop

The days in Gualon had been warm and long. A few days away from the thickets of Sage would put the woman at some ease. The desert had been hot, but the druidic lesson with Kailani did not remain in vain. After the departure from the blue-haired half-elf, the freckled Ardelian had made her way to Edith’s home, the elder of the Healer’s Academy. The woman was not present, though Penelope lingered in Gualon anyway, but today would be the last day before heading home to Kelay again. The healer sits quietly in a nestled booth with a glass of red wine and a book splayed onto the table. A book of herbs and what their properties and locations were. She was studying with a tired face and a tense posture. Studying for Leon Lovik—the ill boy she still had to cure. She still had one more ingredient to find throughout Lithrydel. So yes, she was studying in a bar because why not?


Magik needed to walk off all of the sushi he had been constantly ingesting since finally ridding himself of the Curse of Elazul. What better way to do that than to take a day trip to where it all went down, the desert just outside of Gualon. Moments of the day of his final surge of power are still a blur. The Lyastri inspected the Sea of Sand trying to reproduce the scene in his head. The trio of friends were spit out of the sky due to Quintessa's quick thinking. She had to get Magik away from the tavern and all of Kelay before it was blown to pieces. There was evidence of Magik landing first and sliding down a dune, quickly followed by Karasu. Quintessa was put through a table that had gotten pulled into the tavern as well, miraculously landing upright in the desert. The most noticeable evidence of any type of activity was a large round piece of glass where Magik had finally went 'boom' as everyone has been calling it. Hunger and thirst start kicking in as his investigation begins to wind down. Nearest place of nourishment would be Gualon, a city he wasn't a fan of. After cross the desert terrain, the former vampire finally finds himself at the Grogshop. Upon entering the establishment, he wipes the desert sand from his deep black attire, probably not the best color to wear out in the scorching heat of the desert. Arriving at the bar he leans against it to place a simple order: A beer. As he waits for his drink those dark fire filled eyes scan the patrons. "Penelope?" he thinks to himself upon spotting the Healer.


Penelope lifts the glass to her merlot, stained lips. Fingers gently tapping against the table. The atmosphere seemed simmered. No one knew her in Gualon, for she was only really known to most Kelay residents. It was refreshing to be away. Away from the people who she watched die a week ago. Died and then revived, really. The nightmare of what happened a week ago still rests heavy on her shoulders, so when Magik questions her name, a faint, jumpy pulse goes through her back. Who had known her? Moss eyes automatically flick to the echo and there he is. Her head cants in the odd happenstance, and then at the attire he wears. The black looked scorching just staring at him. The girl kept cooler clothing with the light cotton pants she wore with the loose blush, red tank-top revealing inked over scars on her forearm and shoulder blade, and an not-so-inked fresh one near her collarbone. “You know, you could melt with an outfit like that. Unless you’re a children’s book, stereotypical witch, then I’d stay away from water because it might melt you,” the druid’s accented tone is stale. Dry humor was really all she had lately, so that was her attempt at saying ‘hello’.


Magik finally received his requested beverage. Swiftly bringing the bottle down, the cap just knicks the bar top, popping the glass container open cleanly. The Lyastri smirks at Penelope's comment as he takes a drink of his beer. Well, more like a guzzle. He didn't take a break until the bottle was empty. As the beer is finished, he slams it on the bar, letting a refreshing "Ahh," escape his lips. The barkeep would of course be tipped well. The elf then weaves through the patrons to make his way to Penelope. "May I?" He gestures to the open seat at her booth.


Penelope lingers her gaze on him from across the distance between them. Brows raise slightly as the beer is downed. Eyes blink before returning her gaze back to the textbook. Once his shadow hovers the table, she folds the parchment of the book at the top corner. A small triangle to mark her place of reading. The book is then closed and pushed to the side. The amount of company that had crossed her since the night at the temple of Arkhen was strange timing. Or had she always had this many cross her path and this is the first time she actually noticed it? A hand is then gestured for the elf to sit across from her with a feigned smile—that seemed realistic enough—before it is hidden away by a wine glass. “Guess you caught me on my mini vacation. You’re not going to tell, are you?” She gives off a smirk.


Magik politely bows his head in thanks before squeezing his large frame into the booth, careful to not disrupt Penelope's setting in any way. As he rolls his sleeves up, he smirks at Penelope's question, "Oh. No. Of course not. Your secret is safe with me." The Lyastri chuckles as the tattoo of his family's crest is revealed on his left wrist. He looks around playfully, "You aren't going to tell anyone I was here drinking orcish beer, right?" He whispers, "It's actually not that bad.." Anyone who really knew Magikrios would know he hated almost anything dealing with orcs. That story is for another time though.


Penelope keeps that smirk present. “I think we can keep a secret for secret.” The healer’s small frame leans back against the booth. “I don’t think I’ve ever tried it, but I’m more of a wine girl, myself. I like to play it safe. Lord knows what a beer, let alone orc-ish would do.” After all, she was small and not a huge drinker since she always felt she was on the clock with business or someone in distress. After all, she was studying... at a bar. It was hard for a girl like her to let loose. “But I’ll keep it on the D.L. that you actually might kind of like it.” She snickers.


Magik chuckles, "That's a fair trade. Consider that a done deal." His focus shifts from Penelope to her glass of wine, "I think I'm all wined out for now. The whole blood and wine mixture got old after a few years of it.." Ah, memories. He then looks to her closed book to the side, "Find anything interesting in that?" He also sits back against the booth, folding his hands infront of him on the table with a rarely seen warm smile. He was legitimately interested in what Penny had to say.


A quaint expression crosses the girl’s sun-spotted face at the mention of blood, but it disappears as quickly as it shows. Vampires were rare in her world, to say the least. She still keeps that soft expression towards him. The look of ease and grace, even if internally she was far from it lately. Eyes lazily slide to her book he mentions. “Researching. I’m trying to find a specific herb and read up on the properties and the climate it could be in. Some herbs are rarer than others. Sphaeralcea ambigua, is the botanical name, but if I had the nickname for it, it might give me a hint. Unfortunately, no luck. I guess the plant I’m looking for is not in a damper climate.” Before he questions her further, she adds in. “A boy is sick. He doesn’t have long to live. There’s a list of things he needs to heal him, and I’m in search of that close-to-last ingredient. He’s getting worse, so time is… running out. So my ‘vacation’ sort of involves research. Before I leave tomorrow, I’m going to look at the library in time to see if I can snag any other books about it.”


Magik's smile fades as he learns of the boy in need. Children in any type of danger really hit close to home with him. He releases his folded hands, turning an open palm towards the patrons. A thick invisible wave of heat surrounds the booth, keeping Penelope safe from such heat but also concealing their conversation. Any outside noise seems to be unaffected as the patrons continue with their loud conversations and such. Magik's demeanor shifts to a slightly more serious tone as he studies Penelope. Again with the questions, "Is this part of your normal healing procedures? A more natural way of doing things?" Sphaeralcea ambigua. He thought on those words for a second, "Have you tried searching a more dry climate?"


Penelope feels the thick heated aura that is put up around them both. The healer’s eyes sort of wander in a circle before landing on his fiery gaze. The serious tone has her hold a breath for a moment before she reflects on what he is asking her. She answers his last question first. There is a long pause in thought. “Dry climate… not yet, but… well, maybe that will be my next grab.” She squints before nodding to confirm she will give it a try. “This direction of healing… is what I was given… the child is cursed by magic it seems. Whoever created the curse, gave the ingredients to save the boy. Only thing is… they need Ardelian druidic magic in order to open the last ingredient. The person who created it must not have thought the Ardelian chief knew where to find us. In Ardelia, only the single twin line can possess those druidic capabilities.” She releases the breath while she talks. “Unfortunately, I never learned how to produce or control my magic like my brother has. It’s really a complicated thing. They need both of us. Otherwise I specialize in non-magical for now at the Healer’s Academy.” Beat. She leans to grab the wine class to down the last remains. “My focus is more… trauma-based. Someone is hurt on the spot, I use my best resources to help them. Also, well, easy check-ups are also fun too. And… that’s not the case for this boy.”


Magik's fiery eye don't leave Penelope's as she speaks, taking in every word she says. At the end of her explanation of the situation he says smoothly, "What if I told you I have a network of, characters, let's say..Who hide in plain view until they are called upon. In fact, there is at least one of them here now in this small crowd. He's been keeping an eye on you since you walked in incase some drunk decides to give you trouble." He breaks his gaze to look in the general direction of the exit where a small table full of human men are having a genuinely good time. Smiling, he looks back to the Healer. "I'm offering you the opportunity to elevate your research, perhaps work with you to fully grasp your magic should you decide to join us. You would have plenty of opportunities to practice your healing and magic in whatever way you see fit." The impromptu forcefield remains as he folds his hands on the table once more," Regardless, you can utilise one of my Unseen to aid you in this area to check the library out or head closer to the desert. Consider it a thank you for willing to look into my past ailment." The Lyastri almost wanted to brag about their centrally located headquarters and armory, but that can wait.


Penelope keeps her face expressionless as the man makes his offer. She stays steady and still even though the restlessness remains around her eyes. As the stranger near the door is mentioned and Magik’s gaze goes the direction, Penelope’s moss ones follow. The man smiles within the group, but the girl’s lips only twitch with interest before her attention falls back on the Lyastri. The offer is standing before her. An opportunity to grow was always something that the healer was looking for, and to slowly branch out from Yerrel and the Healing Academy would be an opportunity of more connections. Though it seemed strange to the witty girl, for the random offer is given. The idea of being in a group that seemed… secretive. The Ardelian traces her eyes over the taller man before her. “That sounds like an offer I probably would have a hard time passing up… considering, I need the practice. Though I have enjoyed our brief conversations and I am grateful for the gratitude you give me, I do have to ask… what’s in it for you? And your… people? Why me?”


Magik relaxes his form a bit but stays focused to keep any listening ears out, "One of my associates, a certain young scholar with mismatched eyes, is highly interested in your research. No pressure though, of course. We just all thought you would fit in nicely and grow as a healer. I would have loved to have you closeby after my episode in the desert was over with."


Penelope purses her lips at the mention of a young scholar with the mismatched eyes. There was only one person she knew of. Quintessa. The two had idolized each other from afar, but never came close to exchanging words of knowledge. A small smile perks, for Penelope had quite a bit to learn from the young girl. “Well, if it’s the scholar I’m thinking of, tell her… I have much interest in her own research.” Eyes slowly scrutinize the man as he mentions the incident in the desert. He appeared in one piece. “I’m guessing you had a bit of trouble in that story?” The druidic witch sort of grinds her teeth in contemplation at his words. “As long as my role is strictly healing-based and knowledge, next time, you won’t have to worry about me being too far away.” She had a thing for helping people. So was that a yes? It would be if he could agree.


Magik nods, "I will pass the message on immediately." He was good at that. Upon the mentioning of the desert incident he simply winked at her. The Lyastri then listened to her wishes if she were to be joining the ranks, "I can absolutely agree to that as long as you deny we exist should our identity leak to the public." He warmly smiles, "Welcome to the Syndicate of Shadows." With that, the warm barrier vanishes. "When you are ready, give that man by the door with the brown straight hair and green eyes a tap and he will give you a hand with your missing ingredient. If you need anything at all, just whisper to the shadows."


Penelope gives Magik a knowing look once he winks. “Your secret is my secret then.” Just like the beginning. The Ardelian knew how to keep her mouth shut, for there was plenty to hide up her sleeves. ‘Welcome to the Syndicate of Shadows’ and a crooked grin is formed. The warmth rushes away leaving the stale air of the tavern. Eyes land on the man that Magik describes before quickly flicking back to the Lyastri. “Thank you, I appreciate the assistance. I’m sure I’ll see you around sooner rather than later.”


Magik smiles as he removes himself from the booth, "Don't mention it." Turning from his newest recruit he walks to the bar and slaps down a couple more coins. Penelope would receive another glass of wine on Magik if she orders another. Without paying mind to the man mentioned earlier, he exits the bar to make his way back to Kelay.