Rogue and El- A Chance encounter

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:47 pm

Oh yes, oh yes, this was fun! Tabri had had to take a couple of weeks off her timetable of chaos, but it was definitely good to be back- doctor’s orders were such a drag. The sound of human screams made such a beautiful song- it was like angels singing. And percussion- the sound of houses breaking under her claws! Yes, here she could make a whole orchestra. The humans were the violins, the main event, the bulk of the music, then there was the odd infant’s cry- flute, or oboe; horses, tubas and trumpets; the houses, of course, were the drums and the percussion, and every so often the shriek of a dog or a bird that was like the clash of cymbals.

She was busy sculpting a house into a more pleasing shape- namely, rubble on the ground- when her attention was diverted from the wood and bricks to something much more interesting. A horse, and a rider, actually cantering towards her? What the hell was this? She abandoned the house, crawling out of its ashes and into the middle of the street, shaking her claws free of splinters and shards. She limped slightly- her wounds from that pesky elf hadn’t healed properly from a couple of weeks previous, and were still giving her a little bit of a hassle.

Wait a minute… pesky elf? This was the pesky elf, back for round two! She roared, lightning crackling from her mouth as she bounced down the road, tail swiping angrily from side to side and knocking in the fronts of buildings as she went. Well, this little two-leg really had it in for him this time, because she was angry, and he was not going to get away with what he had done again.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:17 pm

There she was, crawling from the ruins of the latest building she had destroyed. Armeno slowed Velox as the dragon turned her attention to him, lightning crackling around her face. He grabbed the bow from his shoulder and began to load and fire arrows in quick succession, loosing six at the beast's partially spread wings. The delicate sheets of skin there didn't need to be spread fully for him to damage them enough that she couldn't fly away. As Velox reached the dragon, Armeno swerved him sideways, steering with his legs, and slung his bow back over his shoulder to swap it for his sword. He swung out at the back of her legs as the arab clattered past them, hoping to sever some of the taut tendons beneath her skin, before directing his mount past the tail which was caving in buildings on either side of the street. Yelling an instruction to Velox, he slid his feet from the arab's stirrups and scrambled into a precarious standing position on his back. He swayed there for a moment, and just as he was sure he was going to fall he leapt from the saddle and hung in the air for a thoroughly unpleasant moment before landing hard on Tabri's flailing tail and wrapping his arms and legs tightly around it.

He was sure that the lightning storm wouldn't just wait while he killed her, and so he wasted no time in beginning to climb up along her tail, quickly reaching her back. He climbed onto it with a wave of relief, but stayed on all fours, sure that he'd be knocked off in seconds if he stood. Despite the fact that he had fought dragons many times before, he found it far worse this time. He told himself that it was because they had always had motives before, reasons for their actions, but this time Tabri was just out to destroy what she could, and it made her a lot more dangerous. However, an extremely loud voice which most definitely wasn't at the back of his mind insisted that it was in fact because he now had something to lose besides his life- and he knew that Kassandra could lose him. Trying and failing to push these thoughts away, he began to make his way along Tabri's back to her head.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:22 pm

Tabri’s roar of anger turned to one of revenge as the elf shot at her wings, arrows dragging great holes in the thin membranes. She didn’t turn to look at the damage as the elf continued to barrel towards her, waiting until later to assess- well, moan about- it. She was more prepared for his following attack, skittering sideways out of the range of his blade and destroying more buildings in her wake. Rubble spewed from the damaged fronts, adding an extra element of danger. A low growling sound rumbled from her throat as she spun, trying to get her front end closer to the elf, where she could do more damage. Her wings dripped blood onto the ground, red spraying through the air as she moved.

She should have been faster than him, but through some fluke he managed to leap onto her tail as she dragged it around, already scrambling to climb to a less precarious spot as she came to a dead halt. The snap she aimed at him with her jaws was too far back, her neck not twisting around enough to catch him as he dashed up her back- so this was how it was going to be, was it? Fine then.

Angry like a wild stallion, she dipped into a quick crouch before leaping up into the air, neglecting her wings as she crashed back to the ground again on all fours. If that didn’t shake him off, she followed it with a move that was just as reckless as his leap, diving forwards and tucking her head under to one side as she rolled over onto her back, spines dragging sparks as they hit the cobblestoned road. She spread her wings wide again, hoping to trap him under their width as she writhed from side to side, hoping to crush him under her weight.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:09 pm

Armeno felt grim triumph at the holes his arrows ripped through Tabri's wings- he didn't think that she'd be able to fly with those injuries. However, there was little time for celebrating, as the dragon began what seemed like some sort of bucking bronco act. He clung grimly to the rough surface of her scale, wrapping his legs around her side and gripping them with the muscles he had gained from years of riding Velox. When she had finished jumping around, he saw what she was planning to do and swore violently, scrambling off her back and hurling himself sideways as she crashed to the ground, thrashing about with her wings fully spread. He held on around the top of her leg with one strong hand and gasped with shock and pain as she rolled onto his hand and he heard a sickening crunch of bone. However, he ignored the insistent pain in his hand and swung at her leg with the sword which he still clutched, hacking at the muscle. Even if he didn't succeed in killing the dragon, he was determined to return a worse injury for each one she gave him- and he wasn't sure whether or not that limp she apparently still had made up for what she'd done to him in their first encounter, either.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:42 pm

Tabri’s wings seared with pain as she threw herself from side to side, one of the holes that the arrows had shot through ripping further as she got it caught on a piece of wood sticking out from a mountain of rubble she had created. Her scream was laced with anger, lightning crackling from her mouth, more along the inside of her wings where constant veins of flickering purple ran up and down her membranes. It only got louder as Armeno sliced out at her leg, cutting through the softer scales where her leg joined her belly. She kicked out, rolling back onto her front and whipping her head around to knock him from where he still clung to her scales. She misjudged the action, the best result being that she headbutted the elf off her side.

Blood coursed down the inside of her leg as she struggled to gain some sort of advantage over the little two-leg, flaring her wings as she staggered and fell, leg giving way. She roared again, seeing red. This was going to end in death, and death of the elf.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:58 pm

The scream throbbed in Armeno's skull, making his sensitive ears ring, but it was hardly more painful than his hand or many other things he had experienced before and he ignored it too as he pulled his sword from Tabri's leg, before dropping to the ground and landing lightly as she attempted to shove him off her side with her head. He paused to examine his injured hand quickly- mercifully, the skin had only been broken by a sharp stone in the ground, and it was nothing like his arm- before going on the offence once more and darting between the dragon's legs, bending over, to attack her other hind leg. If he could damage it sufficiently, then she'd have only her front legs functioning, effectively ending her movement. He jumped as he ran past her leg, aiming again for the soft scales on its inside with a stab of his sword before he fell back to the ground, executed a neat backwards roll, and sheathed his sword as he did so, straightening with a dagger held in his good hand. He then proceeded to leap into the air once more, aiming for Tabri's meaty thigh with the knife and clinging onto it as he stabbed, hoping to get a good enough hold to climb onto her back once more. He wondered errantly what the citizens must think of their fight- probably they just saw it as a distraction to flee the area. Certainly nobody felt like helping him out.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:17 am

Staggering sideways, Tabri didn’t manage to clear much of a gap between herself and Armeno before he was coming after her again. The action actually saved her another wound on her other leg, and she had to flare her wings to stop herself from rolling over onto her side. The movement hurt, but it would have hurt more to receive another wound. The ground was starting to get sticky with blood, her limbs burning as she moved.

More agony seared up her leg as Armeno attacked her other side, dagger scraping against her scales before it found a purchase above the tousled knot of an old scar. Old pain exploded with the new, sending waves of hurt up and down her leg as she struggled to stay on all fours. Her tail whipped around to her side, thunking against her own scales before she whipped it back the other direction, trying anything to shake the elf free. She snapped her jaws together, pressing them tightly together as she let free her electricity magic, making her scales crackle as purple bolts zipped from her nostrils, the gaps around her mouth and her new wounds, sparking across the blood that was starting to coat her scales. One touch of that and Armeno wouldn’t be happy.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:25 am

Whether or not she intended to, the dragon managed to clumsily dodge his stab at her leg, but he was undeterred- and his second attempt was successful. Adding his bad arm to his good, Armeno heaved himself upwards and, boosting himself up off her legs, managed to clamber inelegantly onto the dragon's back once more, his hand numbed with pain after the pressure he'd put on it. Definitely broken bones there. Foen was going to be absolutely irate. Oddly enough, the thought managed to put a smile onto Armeno's face as he ran along Tabri's back and then flopped down at the base of her neck. He doubted that he'd have time to draw his sword, so instead he tried to get his dagger into the many veins and nerves which ran along her neck before she threw him off.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:38 am

An angry roar rumbled within Tabri as the elf continued to elude her jaws, the dragon managing to drag herself round in a half circle as she tried to catch him. Her back legs protested, muscles screaming for release as she forced them to move. Again, as soon as he was up on her back she was rolling, this time dropping onto her side and rolling right over before twisting her head and shooting a jet of fire over her back, whether or not the elf had managed to stay on. She almost singed the end of one of her own wings, pulling it out of the way just in time. Across the street, a house with a thatch roof caught fire, the dry straw crackling as smoke started to pour from underneath it, red and yellow flames already leaping up the front of the building. Soon the building would be blazing, lighting the street so the spectacle could be watched properly by the terrified citizens of Racksom.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:48 am

This time when the dragon rolled, Armeno was ready for it, quickly abandoning his last attack and instead hurling himself sideways, switching weapons yet again to his sword as he did so. He landed on the dragon's side as she rolled, before sliding down onto the ground next to her just in time to escape the blast of fire she sent along her back. Only his hair suffered, getting slightly scorched from the excess heat- perhaps the skin on his face was a little burnt, but like his other minor injuries such as bruises, he wasn't going to notice it as he twisted and stabbed at the dragon's thoroughly exposed chest with his sword, hoping to get lucky and strike her heart, or at least something else vital- he didn't exactly have time to study her anatomy and figure out where all her organs were right now. Besides, something seemed to be obscuring his vision- in his pain- induced state of slightly lethargy, it took him a few moments to realise that the air was clouded with smoke which made his eyes sting and threatened to send him into coughing fits.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:02 pm

Tabri shuffled backwards as Armeno rolled off her back, back legs screaming in protest as she made her wounded muscles move. She locked her back joints into place once she felt a house behind her, the front of the building buckling out where the damage she had done previously had made it unstable. She hissed as the elf charged forwards again, arching her head up into the sky and looking down at the little two-leg in disgust. Avoiding his next blow was easy, just a matter of swiping across the blade with one paw. This time she caught it with her claws, saving herself the pain of another sliced pad.

She opened her mouth wide and shot a long blast of fire across the width of the street, setting more buildings on fire at their bases, as well as at their roofs. The sky was slowly filling with smoke, charcoal making the night sky even blacker than it already was. The elf would have to run, or he would perish as the fires spread.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:27 pm

The dragon seemed to have very little difficuly deflecting his attack, catching the flat of the blade on her paw and pushing it away. Undeterred, Armeno took several steps backwards and wiped a few stray beads of either sweat or blood- likely both- from his forehead before readying himself to attack again. But before he could, Tabri puffed out a billowing cloud of smoking flames which polluted the air to a level where it was impossible to breathe- not to mention the flames themselves. Armeno stuck his sword into its sheath and dropped onto the ground, crawling along on his belly to breathe the clearest air he could. He hoped fervently that the dragon couldn't see him through the blackness which filled the air. When he had reached what he thought was the end of the narrow street, he jumped onto his feet, covering his mouth and nose with his sleeve, and ran to a place where he had seen a cart full of heavy fabrics on his way in. As he had expected, its owner had deserted it, and by feel he pulled out a heavy tarpaulin. He heaved it over to a spot against a wall and then burrowed underneath it, wafting the smoke out as best he could.

The semi-waterproof fabric blocked out much of the cloying smoke, and Armeno's breathing eased as little as he hid under it. However, he had no time to relax, as he pulled out his bow again and felt in his quiver to see how many arrows he had left. To his annoyance, it felt like several had been broken during his fight with the dragon, but he loaded his bow now and then retrieved a small vial from his pocket. He shook a few droplets onto the end of the arrow and smeared it thoroughly over the arrowhead with the edge of his charred and ripped shirt. Thus armed, he peered out through a slit in his makeshift tent, waiting for the dragon to arrive so that he could get a last shot at her before he was forced to retreat.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:35 pm

Although Tabri’s tactic of setting everything on fire had managed to make the elf back off enough for the time being, the smoke and flames that now edged either side of the street soon started to pose just as much of a problem to the lightning storm as it did to Armeno. She hadn’t taken into account the fact that she couldn’t escape into the air any more, what with her ripped and broken wings, so instead she had to drag herself down the road as quickly as she could, back legs refusing to move at anything faster than a slow lumber. Every step hurt like fire- halfway down the street one of her legs collapsed under her weight, and it took every ounce of her hatred of the elf to force herself to her feet again and continue on her labouring walk. He had disappeared into the smoke somewhere, but any desire to pursue him was put aside for the moment as she cleared the flames that licked up and down the buildings behind her, collapsing again into the next street along, her back legs both giving way and halting her completely. She twisted around so that she had a clear view of either end of the street- wherever the elf was hiding, hopefully she could get at least one good hit in; it would all she would need for such a tiny prey anyway. Then, snap! And he would be dinner.

But he would have to come to her first. Because she wouldn’t be going anywhere at speed for quite a long time.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Sat Dec 10, 2011 11:58 pm

There.
Almost like she wanted to be hit, the dragon lumbered right into the middle of the crossroads and collapsed into a sort of sitting position. She could hardly have been a better target if she'd just walked up to Armeno and impaled herself on his arrow. All the same, while it didn't look like the dragon was going anywhere quickly, he couldn't stay there choking on the smoke forever and so he carefully angled his bow, pulling back the string as far as he was able to in his cramped position. After sighting along the arrow shaft, one eye shut, the elf adjusted his aim slightly and then let the string twang forwards, sending the arrow flying towards his target. He just had to hope it would hit her; he didn't have time to poison and release another arrow. Not with all the smoke.

Subduing hacking coughs now, he crawled out from under his shelter, letting it crumple to the ground in a messy heap. He had no idea if his stallion was still around or not, but he figured it was worth a try, so he squirmed away from the worst of the smoke on the ground and then let out a piercing whistle. He didn't think it could have carried too far, not with all the smoke muffling it, but after a minute or so Velox came clattering triumphantly up to him. He hadn't come out of the smoke, and Armeno was immensely relieved that his beloved horse hadn't been harmed. As he swiftly- and painfully- mounted, he murmured to the arab in Elvish before moving him into a trot, not wanting to waste time in getting away or overexert his mount.

Ooc: Obviously, Tabri can still attack him if she wants- I wouldn't want to deprive her of revenge Wink

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:32 pm

A twang preceded the thunk of an arrow against Tabri’s scales. She snarled, twisting her head to look at the little annoyance. It clattered onto the ground, her scales having- as they should so rightly do- deflected it.

A low, growling laugh rumbled from her throat. The elf was obviously close enough for her to kill, so he would be able to hear her words as she pushed one front paw across to pick up the arrow. “You thinks a little twig is going to hurt me, pointy-face? We’re going to snap you like little twig in my paw.” She laughed again, tossing the arrow in her paw once before smashing it down against the ground and breaking it into little bits. “And we know where you are now, pointy-face!”

She started to drag her front towards where the elf was hiding under his shelter, torching it to a crisp as he escaped from it. A hiss slipped from between her teeth as the arrow snapped even more under her paw, the sharp tip digging into her soft pad and opening up the long cut that Armeno had sliced across it the first time they had crossed paths. Pain exploded from the new wound, making her stumble as she put her weight on it, and she crashed back to the ground. Somewhere in the edge of her vision she saw a horse and rider making a getaway and she loosed a burst of fire in their direction, even more furious than she had been before.
“Get here, come coward-paws and fight not like a dog!”

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Wed Dec 14, 2011 7:02 pm

Over the sound of Velox's clattering hooves, Armeno couldn't hear the arrow fall to the ground, but it was impossible to miss Tabri's roared threats. While he had escaped from his shelter unscathed, he wasn't sure if he could make it away before she could act on any of her words, and so he didn't delay to see what had become of his arrow. Instead, he just urged his horse on, pressing himself flat against the stallion's back to speed their passage. But when the dragon crashed to the ground with another roar, this time from pain, he couldn't miss the noise. Even though he knew it was foolish, he glanced back just in time to see her collapsed on the cracked and red-hot stones, her mouth wide open as fire sparked within it. He buried his face in his wartorn clothing and threw the reins sideways, causing Velox to veer towards a sidestreet with a whinny of pain and alarm.

He moved immediately, but he wasn't fast enough. The wave of searing flames engulfed his back, making him involuntarily let out a raw yell. His horse screamed as well, a sound which was painful to the ears, but it didn't bother Armeno anything like as much as worry for his beloved stallion. The animal struggled to continue out of the flames, managing not to let anything other than his hindquarters be damaged, but as soon as they were clear his steps faltered. Armeno slid off his back and the horse thankfully flopped onto the ground. The elf stamped out the fire on Velox's tail, rolled hurriedly in a nearby puddle of murky water to put himself out, and then returned to his horse.
'Oh, Velox,' he murmured, before resorting to mutters of Elvish as he stroked the horse's neck with long, calming movements. The burns were horrible, the horse's hindquarters and back legs almost completely devoid of skin. That which did remain was badly damaged. Some areas were more badly burnt than others, with the exposed pink flesh darkened to an unhealthy red and even blackened in parts. Armeno was sure that his own back would look similar, but the horse's wounds were far worse and he didn't hesitate as he laid his hands on the open wounds and channeled his power into them. It made no noticeable difference, but the elf knew that he may have alleviated the horse's suffering somewhat- and prolonged his life. The burns would undoubtedly be fatal if they had no magical treatment, and so he whispered a few reassuring words in Elvish before leaping to his feet and running to a nearby inn, which he could see lights coming from.

As he burst in through the door, everyone went quiet and stared in shock at him. He briefly wondered just how bad he looked, but soon thrust away the thoughts. He didn't have time to waste.
'I need to borrow a horse,' he tried to say, but it came out as a hoarse whisper. The smoke had done him no good. He snatched up a nearby tankard, ignoring its owner's protests, and drained before trying again.
'I need to borrow a horse,' he said, more clearly this time. A woman hurried out from behind the bar, apparently somewhat recovered from the shock of his arrival.
'What you need is some care. Where's the nearest healer? Would Tirran be closest, or do you think we could get to Go-' She was addressing the occupants of the room, but Armeno cut her off.
'No. I need a fast horse. Can anyone lend me a horse?'
'He's an elf!' a woman suddenly observed, leaping off a man's lap. She turned back to him; he gazed hazily up at her. 'Lend him your horse,' she pleaded. 'Elves are always doing heroic things, I'm sure it's important.' Likely it was the woman's body rather than her intelligence which made her appealing to the drunken man, but he obligingly pulled out a small ticket from his pocket and wafted it vaguely in the air. She grabbed it and then thrust it at Armeno.
'A grey stallion,' she told him. 'Good luck.' She leant upwards, as if to kiss him on the cheek, but he was gone before she had a chance.
'Somebody watch my horse!' he threw over his shoulder. The woman gave a small shriek at the state of his back, and a larger one when she obediently followed him out to Velox and saw the state of the arab. Nonetheless, she knelt on the ground next to him and stroked his ears, quickly joined by a few of the tavern's other patrons.

Armeno marched out of the tavern and round to the back of it, where he had seen the stables. A bored-looking stable boy was slouched against the entrance, and he hurriedly straightened when the elf approached.
'You can't come in without a ticket,' he said warily.
'I have a ticket.' When it was thrust abruptly at him, the boy gave up and stepped aside.
Armeno quickly located the man's horse, the stall number helpfully written on the ticket, and swiftly tacked it up. It was a fine specimen, and the tack was adorned with gold swirls and many other decorations. It was under a minute before the stallion was flicking his ears uneasily as a new rider forced him into a gallop towards Foen's house.

It didn't take long to reach the building, its windows dark with all the occupants asleep. Armeno half-fell from the grey's back, and dragged himself over to the door, where he began to slam the knocker down repeatedly, sending loud rapping noises out into the mostly silent night.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Sun Dec 25, 2011 9:13 pm

Tabri let out a final huff of smoke as the little elf disappeared in a haze of flames down the street, narrowing her eyes. Well, at least she had managed to cause him a little bit of pain.
“That’s it. Run rabbit, run. We’ll be a-waiting for so more two-leg cooking.”

==X==

“Raindrops keep… they keep… no I don’t want to be a sailor… sorcery is more my forte…” A gentle mumbling commentary came from Foen as he slept, then a sudden, very, very loud banging from downstairs woke with him in a sudden start. At first, he just buried his head under the pillow, but the banging just would not stop…

Trying to wake himself up as he dragged on a shirt and forced himself down the staircase wasn’t the easiest of tasks, and he was still half asleep as he answered the door. He yawned then unlocked it.
“Sorry, I don’t buy off door-to-door salespeople,” he said, scrubbing one hand across his eyes and going to close the door again before he even saw Armeno- then it registered.
“What the bloody hell are you doing outside?” he asked, eyebrows rising. Cold air filtered through the crack in the door. The whole thing just wasn’t right.

Then he noticed the state Armeno was in. Properly noticed. His jaw dropped in shock.
“Oh my god…” His hand dropped off the doorhandle and he was still for a moment, then he burst into a rush of action. “I’ll get the burn lotion and bandages, and the brandy… Can you walk?” He spun on the spot, looking worried. Armeno had managed to get so far, but even he had to rest sometime.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Sun Dec 25, 2011 9:39 pm

'I...' His voice cracked hoarsely, and he swallowed and licked his lips before trying again. 'I can walk. But there's no time... Velox is hurt more than me. He needs help...' Despite his words and a strong will to return to his stallion with aid, Armeno found his subconscious steering him clumsily inside. He grasped at the doorframe to support himself before flopping into a chair beside Foen's cluttered table.

'I'm sorry,' he muttered before the sorcerer could start telling him how stupid he'd been. 'Not sorry I went, though.' Only sorry that he was being such a burden on his host. He wondered why the man still put up with his guests; he was hardly being low maintenance. He'd have to pay Foen back some time. For now, though, he suddenly didn't feel up to anything much- the rest after his constant action to alert his host of Velox's condition had somehow alerted him to his complete lack of energy.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Sun Dec 25, 2011 9:58 pm

Foen paused in the middle of his rush around the his room a second time, the brandy bottle that he was holding (it had been on the side, no doubt for some late-night swigging) threatening to slip out of his arms. He carefully put it on the table, then made sure Armeno was safely sat in a chair before collecting the rest of the things he might need.
“Don’t you sit back in that chair,” he ordered, laying out a couple of bottles on the side. “Your hair’s all burnt, no doubt your back too, and it’ll just make it worse.” A hell of a lot worse. “And don’t think of going after that horse, wherever he is. You’re delusional.” You’ve been bloody delusional since I met you and Static. Where the horse had got to, he didn’t know, but it wasn’t like he could do much for the beast anyway. His potions might not work, and Armeno needed taking care of now.

“I need to see your back properly, so I can work out what cure’s the best to use,” he explained, crouching in front of the elf. ‘He looked terrible’ wouldn’t cover it. Being angry probably wouldn’t have any effect, so he would save it for later. “Don’t try and take off that armour fast, let me help you.” He paused, then stood up again and went back to his cupboard.
“Somewhere around here…” he muttered under his breath, hunting for a little vial of potion. His suspicions grew as he searched and came up with nothing, turning to look at Armeno.
“You took my special sleeping potion,” he stated. Something funny was going on, and Foen didn’t like it. “You’ve got a lot of explaining to do in a minute Armeno.”

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Wed Dec 28, 2011 1:59 pm

For the first part of Foen’s instructions, Armeno hadn’t responded, instead just wearily leaning forwards over the table. However, when the sorcerer mentioned the horse, he sat up with a painful effort.

‘No, I have to get Velox. Maybe… Maybe tomorrow. He’s in a tavern…’ He cleared his throat again. Delusional? Probably. He’d done many stupid things in his time, but he couldn’t have let Tabri wreak havoc all over the town without lifting a finger to stop her. Who was going to act if he didn’t?

‘My back… Yes…’ It throbbed horribly, the metal armour only having worsened the burn. No doubt it would take copious amounts of time to heal. The thought only made Armeno think of Velox, in a far worse condition than the elf. He needed a magical healer… But where could one be found? He pushed the thoughts aside for now. Once he was in a slightly better state, he could find a healer for his horse. He must have a day or two, at least. He wouldn’t let the stallion die.

‘What do you want me to do?’ he asked Foen wearily, before falling silent as he awaited any further instructions. When the man addressed him again, he felt a wave of guilt.

‘Yes.’ His voice was quiet as he agreed with his host’s statement. ‘I will explain. I’m sorry.’ He doubted that his explanation would provide sufficient reasons for his actions to the sorcerer, but he could only try.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:59 pm

Giving up on trying to find a replacement potion for the sleeping potion-come-anaesthetic, Foen went for his standard back up instead; brandy. Dumping the bottle and a glass in front of the elf, he left Armeno to work out what he had to do with it. If he was that out of it from his wounds, then he really was in trouble.

“You need to get that armour off, so I can see the state of your back,” said the sorcerer, hoping Armeno actually had a back left. He dug out all the supplies he thought he might need, setting them out neatly on the table, then carefully helped the elf prise his armour off, trying not to scrape it across his back. It got stuck a couple of times, and it was a delicate task trying to slide off the heavy metal without catching it on Armeno’s skin or his clothing, but they eventually managed.

“Hmm,” was all Foen said once the armour was all piled in a heap on the table. There was no need to worry the elf, but if he didn’t say anything, he was bound to decide that his burns weren’t as bad as they really were- and that would bode incredibly badly in the long run. “Going to find Velox tonight may not be the best plan. In fact, I think you should probably leave that to me, or maybe Static, in the morning. Incidentally, did you tell her you were going on this nut-job mission?”

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Sun Jan 08, 2012 11:30 pm

Despite his hand shaking somewhat, Armeno managed to spill only a small amount of brandy as he poured himself a glassful. Grimacing as the movement tugged at his back, he lifted the glass to his mouth and drank it down in a few large gulps before repeating the process.

As they eased off the armour, the elf not much of a help, he gritted his teeth and tried not to make too much noise. He couldn't help a few grunts escaping him, however. When the half-molten metal sat on the table, he regarded it with a gloomy air. He'd be needing some new chainmail, then. Typical that the only time he got to wear it was when it got molten onto his back, as opposed to any of the hundreds of skirmishes he'd had unarmoured with swords.

At Foen's commands, he rested his head unresistingly in his hands.
'Need to find help for him. Dragon. Or... An elf.' Or anything else with equally strong healing magic really, but he was sure Foen could appreciate his point. But as the sorcerer brought up Static, Armeno let out a shuddering breath.
'Kassie...' he murmured, for no particular reason other than to say her name. 'She can't see me like this. Not till I'm clean and... And all that. She should sleep for... A while.' He glanced sheepishly up and sideways at his host, knowing that the man wouldn't miss the connection between his words and the missing potion.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:45 pm

“Yes yes, but as I say, that will have to wait until morning. I’m sure Velox is in good hands,” said Foen, a touch of frustration edging into the man’s voice. It was obvious he thought that the elf ought to learn to take as good care of himself as he did his horse. Maybe he should try and drug the elf a bit more so he stopped worrying? Now there was an idea… probably not a good one though.

Keeping a sharp eye on Armeno, he grabbed a load of bandages out of his bag and dunked them in the sink, squeezing out the excess cold water before returning to the elf’s side. He started to lay the bandages carefully over Armeno’s back, making sure all of his burns were covered properly by the cool fabric. They would take away the heat and hopefully make the burns less bad in the long run. Hopefully. Armeno probably had other plans though; he would never make time for “resting” and “taking it easy”.

“And I suppose if I assume that she’s the direction my potion went in…?” Foen said rhetorically, understanding what Armeno was half getting at. God, what a mess. The sorcerer couldn’t quite decide what was worse; the mess of a relationship that Armeno had with his companion, or the mess that he had made of his back. No doubt the first would be a lot harder to untangle than the second- at least, in Foen’s eyes. He could do medicines, but relationships… not so much.
“What do you intend to do?” he asked, hoping that by keeping the elf talking, he might stay awake. Letting anyone (even an elf) fall asleep in the condition that Armeno in was definitely not a good plan. In hindsight, maybe the brandy hadn’t been such a wise choice of painkiller.

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:23 pm

With a complete lack of resistance, Armeno gave a weary nod.
'Will go tomorrow,' he warned Foen, just in case he hadn't made his intent clear enough yet. He let his eyes slip shut as the sorcerer moved away, sighing in relief when he applied the cool bandages and the heat was leeched from his skin. Now that he'd postponed his mission of getting aid to his horse, the pain on his back was searing- the brandy numbed it somewhat, but not as much as he would've liked. A flat, humourless smile came to his face when he wondered how many times he'd put himself in this sort of situation. A great many. It was more than just a small miracle that he was still around to be so reckless.

When Foen spoke to him again, Armeno lifted his head and forced his eyes open with a great effort. He felt horribly guilty as he confirmed,
'Gave it to her... She was asleep.' He rested his face in his hands, fingers splayed over his eyes and forehead. 'Going to... Find healer. Help Velox. Kassie will... be angry, but... I think dragon's gone.' He sighed deeply once more, trying to ignore the heat which was already returning to his back.

:trollface:

Subject: Re: Rogue and El- A Chance encounter Tue Jan 31, 2012 9:39 pm

Well, Foen would see about whether Armeno was actually going to be going anywhere tomorrow; maybe he could get hold of some other potion before then off a friend and knock the stubborn elf out for a few hours more. No doubt it would do him good, although he would never agree to it afterwards. Tough luck.

“I thought you might have done,” said the sorcerer as Armeno attested that he had indeed given Kassandra the sleeping potion; although why in the world would he- the two seemed glued together, and he would have thought that the elf would have wanted her by his side when he rushed off to battle the lightning storm they had been so preoccupied by. Maybe Foen had missed something somewhere… ah, it was beyond him. The same seemed to go for Armeno now; his mumbled responses were getting ever more jumbled, and he could hardly work out what he was trying to say now. Ohh, this was not good. He swapped the bandages across his back for fresh cool ones, letting the burns breathe and cool for a while before he bandaged them properly with burn cream. Hopefully the elf would still be awake when he did.

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