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 Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:22 pm
The question of age had never occured to Mikaril, though had it crossed his mind, he would have automatically assumed that Kyil was younger than he was. Perhaps it was his naive way of viewing the world, or the way Kyil looked up to him and tried to look after him, almost like a devoted little brother. It would have been a rather arrogant method of assumption, but since the thought never really occured to him, it didn't really trouble him. What mattered was that Kyil wanted to be taught, and Mikaril was equally eager to teach him.
He smiled as he took the coins, taking a moment to jingle them in his hand, feeling their weight and hearing the clink as they struck each other; one of his favorite sounds. "Our wants are fairly simple; they should suffice. It's all a matter of finding the proper dealer and the best deal." He pocketed the coins in one of his inner cloak pockets and walked with Kyil out of the cave, past the stalagmite and on the road leading into the city. "I don't know if you've had much experience with haggling, but we're going to need some to make this money go as long as it can go."
They entered the marketplace and Mikaril found himself pondering; do they watch the magic shop first, or purchase the items? He decided immediately upon the magic shop; it was more vital to the mission, and when the shop was pointed out, they might be able to find stores close by that would have what they needed. Mikaril turned to Kyil. "Let us head to the magic shop. Lead the way; I'll try to follow alongside and try not to look as though I'm being led."
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:22 pm
Kyil's lips twisted dowards in a apologetic grimance at the mention of haggling. "I am sorry master. I really know little of bargaining and trade talk. I have no real idea the value of material items. I've never had to consider it really before now. But I will pay close attention to you to try and make up for my lack of knowledge." Eager yes. Desperate almost he was in his desire to learn what Mikaril could teach him. Those pink eyes of his keenly fixed on the worldly wise Mikaril with a fresh hunger to please.
As they walked, kyil bobbed his head. It was easy enough to lead Mikaril to the shop once he decided that was where they would go. Though he did not understand why Mikaril did not want to appear to be led by Kyil to the shop, he did not question him. "If you walk beside my right side Master, you will be able to know when to turn left because I'll be turning that way...what if I reach up and tuck my hair behind my right ear when we need to turn right? Then you'll know to turn and it will not seem like you'r unfamilar with where we are going? Would...that suit you?"
Reguardless of the answer though, he would easily lead Mikaril to the shop. He worried that he might be dissappointed in the small plain buildings appearance when they finally approched it. Kyil tilted his head in a slight incline towards the shop, then slowed his steps. They were to watch the shop...but from where? One of the nearby buildings roof's? A nearby ally? Surely not directly across the street?
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:15 pm
Far from being disappointed, Mikaril's eyes lit up with delight as he saw the plain ordinary shop exterior. It was a common thing for a shop to make itself look purposefully dull in order to hide the true worth of the interior. He watched a few customers trickle in and out, doing his best to look like a decisive shopper while letting his eyes rove all around the area looking for a good place to stay and watch the shop's goings on.
Across the street would be too obvious, alleys posed problems that he would rather not deal with, like it being already occupied. He looked up at the building across the street and grinned; the tall building with its flat roof looked perfect; they just had to keep their heads down and not move.
He gestured to the building and spoke in low tones.
"Let's look around nearby for some shops to buy from. Once we get what we need, we come back and settle in on the roof of that building. We're less likely to be seen, but we would still have to be well-covered and very still. Then comes the fun part; the watching and the waiting." With that, he strode forward, keeping an eye our for shops adjacent to the magic shop; that way they could get their items and still be close enough to the shop to keep somewhat of an eye on its regular crowd.
Fortunately the next shop over seemed to be a smaller magic shop competing with its neighbor for patrons. Mikaril waved the sour-looking shopkeeper over. "My friend and I are setting off on a rather long trip and would like to purchase some magically enhanced supply-carriers. We also could use a shield for protecting the mouth of any cave we might use for shelter along the way." Lying came smoothly, as always, and as every shopkeeper of the Underdark, he looked as though he couldn't care less as he brought forth a worn sack and a scroll that looked ready to fall apart. Mikaril deliberately made a face and sent a look of deep thought in the direction of the magic shop. Catching on, the shopkeeper gestured swiftly to Mikaril and when he handed the small amount of coins over, the shopkeeper snatched them up, turned and vanished deeper into the shop without a second look.
Grinning, Mikaril gathered up the items and walked back out, chuckling at Kyil. "That was easier than I thought. We were lucky the magic shop has a lowlier competitor, and sometimes all it takes is to LOOK like you're wanting to seek your items out elsewhere for them to accept whatever you may have. He no doubt thinks that I shall take my tale of a good deal to be found at his shop and spread it around. I almost hate to disappoint him."
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:03 pm
Kyil's head bobbed quickly and eagerly. Okay. They were going to do a bit of shopping. He tilted his head to peer up at the building that Mikaril had made mention of. It was rather tall. Were they going to climb from the inside or outside? This was perhaps a question that was best answered just by observance. After all, if he asked it aloud someone could overhear them, and that could go poorly for them.
Kyil dutifully followed Mikaril as he selected a shop and spoke with the merchant. Inwardly he marveled at the manner Mikaril handled the shop keeper. He was doing a very good job! Remarkable in Kyil's own mind. However...there was something else that caught his attention far more firmly then any smooth talking.
They were in a magic shop. Surrounded by items of magical natures. WHile it was that Mikaril worked his verbal and body language magic...Kyil attempted to work his own. Of course he kept his hands at his sides. He did not want to risk doing something to gain the attention of the shop keeper. Still...He -knew- everything here had magic of some sort. He just..had to figure out how to notice it. There had to be a way?
Spell Thief. A thief who steals spells...he assumed there was a trick that worked with this ability. Kyil narrowed his eyes, and focused on seeing the magic. He had to see it in order to steal it right? Mikaril was handing off the coins, and Kyil felt a slight moment of frustration. Not yet! Well...maybe he could practice with...
His eyes fluttered wide, and he quckly slapped his hand over them. A wince of pain pinched his features. He was fortunate the shop keeper had left, and that Mikaril was close at hand. Blindly he reached out, and grasped at Mikaril's cloak, so as to help lead him out of the shop. Mikaril was very proud of himself, and Kyil was loathing to stop him. "Ah...M-master... I think I...made a error?"
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:20 pm
Mikaril didn't notice anything amiss until he felt Kyil grab his cloak. He felt the muted urgency in the grasp, and trying not to look conspicuous, he stole a glance at Kyil. "Are you alright? What do you mean you 'made an error?'" Seeing nothing amiss at first but trusting that his friend didn't stumble unless he was certain that he was in some sort of trouble, Mikaril carefully steered him into the entrance of an alley, where he anxiously peered into Kyil's face. "Can you see me? Are you in some sort of pain? Can you tell me what happened?"
Having been paying attention only to the shopkeeper, Mikaril couldn't even begin to guess what had befallen Kyil. Was it a stray spell sent by the disgruntled shopkeeper for playing the typical competitive game? Was it an advanced case of jitters? He didn't know, and not knowing made him nervous. He figured that whatever it was, if it was serious enough to make them abandon the raid, then so be it; he wouldn't risk his friend's health anymore than Kyil would risk his, and he had already proven just how far he would go to ensure that.
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:31 pm
He was grateful when he felt the stone of a wall against his shoulder. He felt less vulnerable with it there. less likely to topple to the ground should someone bump into him. His eyes were still stinging from what had happened. The concern in Mikaril's voice though...well...he couldn't help it..
Kyil smiled. A wavering doofus of a smile as he dropped his hand and squinted his dialated pupils at Mikaril. "I believe...master...that I just used Detect magic...in a magic shop..." He waited a moment for Mikaril to perhaps catch onto the inclemations of such a action. Fisting a hand, he rubbed at his eyes fiercely.
"I was not prepared for the whole shop to burst into blue light and I blinded myself unexpectantly...though..I believe I have successfully determined..I can see the aura of magic if I look for it...ouch though..."
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Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:24 pm
((Hope you don't mind a spot of auto-leading. ^^))
Relief swept through Mikaril like a flood of cool water; relief mixed with elation. "You can detect magic too, and without a spell? Goddess, can you get any more useful?" He was just glad that it wasn't something as awful as a malicious spell or a physical ailment. If he was merely blinded by light, then it would surely pass, the way it does when a drows eyes were exposed to regular light.
He smiled even though he knew that Kyil couldn't see it. "Let's just go ahead and head up to the rooftop; we don't have to be at the edge for a good while yet, and we can hide in the shadows and wait for your sight to come back." He took Kyil's hand firmly in his own and began to steer him toward the building. "Just stay behind me; I won't let you bump into anything. Until we get close to the roof, I'll be deliberately noisy, so you can follow the sound too."
Wincing a little as he forced his normally quiet feet to tromp around like a rothe's hooves, Mikaril walked into the building, which as luck would have it, turned out to be abandoned. Everything was covered in a fine layer of dust, and residual magic made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Strange markings were burned into the walls, and dark stains spotted the floor. This was probably a former meeting place for some unsavory characters; it wouldn't be the first place like it that he had come across. What amazed him was that the place stood unoccupied.
He began to walk along the wall, speaking quietly to Kyil as he did so. "You can put your hand against the wall here if it'll help, but keep your touch light. We're moving along the wall because there's dust here, and we need to move through it; people expect to see footprints going straight across the room; at a glance they might miss along-the-wall prints. Try to walk on the balls of your feet; leaves less of a mark."
They reached an equally dusty set of stairs at the back of the shop, and Mikaril began to slowly walk up them, not caring as much about hiding the prints this time. He pulled Kyil's hand up whenver he knew a stair was there so that he wouldn't trip. Even if he did, Mikaril would be able to tighten his grip and keep him from falling.
He led Kyil through the building, down corridors, and finally out onto a shaky balcony that was only a short distance beneath the roof. PLacing Kyil's hand on the worn stone, Mikaril said, "Wait here a second." He scrambled up onto the roof and leaned back over the edge. "Put your hand out; I'll pull you up." Bracing himself, he grabbed Kyil's hand and pulled up and back with all his might, falling down on his backside with a thump but hoping more that he hadn't accidentally wrenched his friend's arm out of his socket.
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Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:47 pm
"Ah...I do not know Master? Hopefully?" Kyil responded with a hint of laughter in his voice. Useful? How useful could he be half blind the way he was? Still, he smiles and blinked his eyes rapidly to clear them.
"I will do my best to follow with the least amount of inconvirnce master." He dutifully replied before he felt himslf pulled along behind Mikaril. It felt odd. Like he was a child being led through the halls of some dark corridor. He followed in silence. Waiting and quite grateful for the gradual returning of his sight. How embaressing this had been! When they snuck into the other magic shop, Kyil would certainly be ready for the glow when he tried to see the protective spells the mage may have erected.
He lifted his hand, and placed his fingertips upon the wall at Mikaril's direction. Even blind it seemed he was getting thief lessons, and he could not keep the amused expression from his face. "Yes master." He replied in a hushed voice. Walking along on the balls of his feet wasn't all that easy when you were walking alongside a wall. Perhaps a spell he should try and find would be a levetation one so they could just voice making prints in the dust period?
He would not focus on anything else except following Mikaril for the rest of the walk. His sight was rapidly returning, and by the time Mikaril hauled him to the roof he could see almost perfectly well again.
"Ngh." He grunted as he rolled onto the flat of the roof. Placeing a hand on one shoulder, then the other, he gently massaged the joint while he sat there. "My sight is just about recovered. I guess the blue light isn't half as bad as white or yellow...or perhaps it is just the strange color of my eyes that resists the effects....are we...in place now? Now we watch Master?"
((Pah! I do not mind at all. I was gunna suggest a little speeding forwards myself ^_^))
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Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 4:08 pm
Mikaril felt double the relief that Kyil's sight was returning and that he had apparently not wenched Kyil's arm off pulling him up. He was still used to looking out for himself and worrying about getting his own body up and around, and he still had his moderate levitation for that. But at least now they had made it up to the building, hopefully with no one the wiser.
He nodded, knowing now tht Kyil could see him doing so. "Now we wait. It would probably be better if we take turns watching the shop; one of us should keep an eye on the ceiling for lizard riders or any other forms of patrol that aren't situated on the ground. You'd be surprised how many thieves get caught that way." He dropped down on his front and did a sort of odd wriggling shuffle on his knees and elbows until he was almost over the edge of the roof. He turned his head slightly and spoke in a whisper. "We should probably sign from here on in. Even though it would be less likely to be heard up here, no chances should be taken, especially since this building might not be as deserted as it seemed."
He motioned for Kyil to approach the building's edge the same way he had and he carefully peered over the edge, barely letting the top half of his head hang over. From here he could see the magic shop quite well, as well as the miniature forms going in and out. Pulling his head back, he turned to look at Kyil, signing as he did. I'll watch the shop, and you watch for the lizards. I'll signal to you when the shop closes.
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Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:10 pm
Kyil laid himself flat on the roof, and rolled over onto his back so he could watch the ceiling. Curling one arm up uns head, his pink eyes swept back and forth in search of any movement while he trusted Mikaril's eyes to watch the shop. He would know more of what to look for down there them Kyil would have.
He almost spoke. His lips parting to whisper, then he paued and caught himself. Mikaril had told him to use the hand signs...well...on his back it wasn't very easy to make the signs. Particularly when he knew Mikaril was looking below and his attention was fixed above. Actually this sort of set up seemed pratical. Mikaril was less likely to miss anything important below and he had no reason to worry about being spied upon by some sort of patrol from above.
He rather wished he had time to make more of the fish to bring up with them. It would have helped the passage of time to have something to nibble upon. The carvern above was pretty empty and a bit boring to continuousely watch. At least Mikaril had people below to keep his attention...All he had was rock. Kyil tilted his head to the side to glance over at Mikaril, and lightly he tapped the others shoulder to catch his attention for a moment. Lifting his hand, he signed.
-I think the stalagtite on the left is checking you out. Should I tell it your not interested?-
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Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:47 pm
After watching the small figures down below for what he figured had been just the right amount of time considering its passage, Mikaril found himself becoming a little bored in turn. Aside from a few regulars, there wasn't really much going on, which to him seemed a bit odd for a magic shop in a marketplace. No matter; even bustling marketplaces had their slow days.
He saw the shopkeeper move to usher the last of the customers out, and was waiting just a little bit longer to gauge how it would affect traffic on that street, when he felt Kyil tap his shoulder. He squeezed his eyes shut in a silent curse; after all that waiting around, it would be the most Goddess-awful timing to have lizard riders or something else sweep over their heads and discover them. And when he had become so excited he could barely keep still!
He turned his head, making himself look at Kyil instead of up over his head. Seeing his friend's signing, he made a face of severe mock-annoyance, though he failed to keep a smile entirely out of it, and signed back. No, no, I heard it just now asking if you had a brother. Gesturing his head toward the edge of the building, he signed. The shop has just closed; shall we head down?
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Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:05 pm
Kyil's lips broke into a merry grin at Mikaril's returning jest. Though, shortly following it he made mention of going down to the closed shop. Kyil's head shifted in a small nod, and with one last searching glance at the ceiling, he rolled onto his belly and crawled to the ledge they had used to get up there by.
This time Kyil would need no help getting down, orbeing led through the halls and rooms. Though he certainly would wait so that Mikaril went first. As he allowed his master and friend to lead the way, Kyil began to sign to him.
'Next time maybe we should consider bringing some sort of blanket that would blend in with the roof so we can hide under it and you can show me what to watch for?'
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Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:26 pm
Getting up slowly, mikaril perceived his friend's signing and nodded. It would be wise to obtain such a blanket, and one that hides our heat signatures. I was not sure how we were going to observe the shop, and I did not want to bring anything we would not use. He was beaming now; Kyil was most definitely beginning to think like a thief.
Leading the way, he would his way back down through the dilapidated building, not bothering to hide the footprints he made; if this went well, there would be no more need to hide, and should it go awry, then they would move on to a different target and undoubtedly return in more than enough time for fresh dust to settle and once more hide the evidence of their passing.
Mikaril paused at the door, peering out through the dusty glass and into the street. When he was certain that all was clear, he turned and gestured to Kyil. We are to cross the street. Move quickly and move crouched. We shall be on the building's left side. That being signed, he slowly opened the door, which to his ears the door's protest almost sounded as loud as someone yelling in his ear, and stepped out into the street. Crouching down, he crossed the narrow street in several long strides, and hid himself in the inky shadown on the side of the building, turning and gesturing for Kyil to follow.
He then diverted his attention to the building itself. The door was certainly warded somehow, but he had no way of telling what it was, let alone disabling it. Kyil however....... He turned and signed quickly. Can you dispel the ward on the door?
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Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 7:20 pm
Mikaril's approval of his thoughts concerning a blanket brought a happy smile to Kyil's features. He enjoyed making suggestions that his friend approved of. It made him feel like he really was serving Mikaril well. The next following moments had Kyil bending his knees in a crouch and scuttling across the street as quickly as he could manage. In his light pink outfit he worried slightly that perhaps he would make too obvious a sight..but..well...it seemed that no one had taken any notice of him at all.
He peered at the door, the hand signals from Mikaril coaxing him to attempt for a second time to see the magical aura that betrayed to his senses where the effects of magic laid. Having achieved it once, Kyil was hardly a master at his skill. But he was confident enough now to not question whether or not he could manage the task. Inhaleing deeply, he let his pink eyes sweep over the door, and he willed once more for his sight to percieve the magic.
Just as it had before, it was only after Kyil stopped trying so hard to see the aura that it came. A complex weaving of what seemed to be brightly colored threads and glowing arcane symbols crossed the door. Kyil had no idea what the complex spell was. If it was a alarm or a trap or a simple sealing spell. His ignorance vanished though with a touch of his fingertips. He felt the magic flow into him, like warm water poured down his back. Pulling his hand from the door, he watched as tiny flickering glow sparks trailed from his hand a moment, then faded. Then, with the same hand, he signed to Mikaril.
-The spell is gone from the door, but I can only see the magic on this side. Be careful as there may be something waiting on the other side of the door when it opens.-
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Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 8:48 pm
Nodding, Mikaril reached for the handle of the door, keeping a sharp eye for any little surprises the door might contain; what a fine mess it would be if he fell for another amateurish trick and he would wind up incapacitated for another week. He smiled grimly and wondered for an instant if he was ever going to let himself live that down. Probably not.
His fingertips brushing the handle and hearing no snaps or clicks, or seeing anything unusual, Mikaril grasped the door and carefully eased it open, keeping his body in a crouch; if there were any unseen eyes, they would more than likely be drawn to the upper part of the door, where the intruder's head and shoulders would be. When nothing happened, he inched the door open just enough for him and Kyil to slip inside. Close the door once you're in, he signed behind him with a little difficulty.
He was surprised his fingers could still form words after what his eyes were still busily taking in. The shop was small and crowded with shelves, but every shelf was overflowing with items that radiated magical light helter-skelter. Hoping that Kyil's eyes weren't being burned out of his head with such an abundance of magica light, he continued forward, straightening out so that he could see the contents of the shelves better.
One had potion bottles, so cramped together it was a wonder none of them had fallen, with contents of all colors and consistencies, some even swishing around of their own accord. Another shelf had magical weapons; knives, daggers, dirks, needles, finger-knives, whips, maces, and a few that even he had no idea what they were. There were piles of little paper packets that from what the badly scribbled labels said were basic components for spells and potions. Off towards the back, magical bits of armor and magical swords were on display, and in a large glass case were dozens and dozens of wands, some with gems on the ends, some looking as plain as ordinary sticks, some with runes, and others that shone white enough to be made of bone.
Catching his breath, Mikaril turned to look at Kyil, hoping that his friend had found some way of shielding his eyes from the obvious auras of magic that were bathing this entire shop in its tingly sensations.
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