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 Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 7:06 am
As he produced a ring with a yellow stone from somewhere in his robes, Shri couldn't help wondering how many other things Tal had hidden in his robes, and how prepared he was for all the eventualities. The tingle of energy when he touched her palm startled her, but she tried not to mind. She would have to become used to magic, but she was not ready for that, and it made her uneasy still. Rather than think of her discomfort, she made herself think of other things. She didn't like the smell of brass or the feel of it against her skin. It was a cheap metal, and not at all in keeping with the colors of her house. She would, at some point, have to see about replacing this cheap ring with one more appropriate to her station, or at least more flattering to her personal palette.
"Thank you. It is a relief to know that I have made an alliance with a mage who thinks of everything, though I may not be able to drop everything to suit your schedule, you know." It was a deeply-ingrained habit to protest being at the beck and call of a male, but she could overcome her upbringing if she so chose, and if doing so would secure her the aid of people as talented as Tal, she would. "But I will try."
"As for the other matter, you are correct. She is still training. I believe she is training in Llurth Dreir, where my House is. I do not think our aunt would spend a great deal to train her, even if she is our only mage. She is not the favored child. We are not close. I can tell you, however, that it is our family's custom not to send its children to train in a vocation until they are at least seventy years old, so she cannot be more than a beginner."
She would have liked to be of more help to Tal, because he raised a valid point, but Shri truly knew very little about what was going on in her cousin's life, except that she would probably be training by now. She hated her cousin too much to invest much interest in her doings, and she had not recently been in a position to learn of family goings-on anyway. She had received no communication from her family since her exile, just an allowance she never had time to spend.
Time. She had to go.
She put enough money on the table to cover both their drinks and took a step away.
"I look forward to our next meeting, and I will try to learn more of Tri-no's doings in the between."
On an impulse she took a quick step toward Tal and dropped a light, chaste kiss on his cheek before he could react. Then she was away, grinning at her own immaturity. But what was life without a little mischief and rule-breaking? Boring. Shri did not like to be bored.
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Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 2:00 pm
Tal raised his hands in a placating manner and bowed his head again. "No of course not, certainly I didn't expect the future Matron of my adoptive house to pull herself from her busy schedule to answer my ever whim. I merely meant I would be in touch later and we could discuss a convenient time and place to meet. The ring and spell are only an added precaution." As for thinking of everything Tal merely planned for any and every contingency within reason, such as having his purse stolen, the ring was intended as a means of tracking any thieves stupid enough to steal from a mage.
Listening to Shri's brief introduction of her cousin, Tal nodded thoughtfully, both pleased and disappointed. Pleased as it seemed this cousin was only begining her training, while Tal was already advancing quickly, which made him hopeful that many of his plots would be successful. He was a little disappointed though, as from all indications, Shri had a very low opinion of her cousins abilities which would make it perhaps too easy. Still there was nothing wrong with tasks being too easy and it would only make it easier for him to earn his future position if the only competition was an amateur.
Lost in thought again Tal was taken aback when he realised Shri was kissing him, unexpected and unusual Tal simply stood still and fidgeted a little. As Shri left Tal gave her back a puzzled look as he tried to decide how much meaning was behind that kiss. Eventually he pushed it aside for now as he headed out teh door, his mind already back on the more interesting topic of using magic to fill a persons life with misery. Oh the torments he could imagine, Tal had no idea what Tri-no had done to cross shri, but he hoped it was worth it for the faith about to befall her.
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