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 Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 12:58 pm
There was a bit of a chill in the air, but Gabriel rather enjoyed a little biting cold with his floral blooming. He rode bareback upon his Guardian, dressed in warmer clothes and affectionately stroking his mount's neck. He and Morai had an understanding; they would go where Gabriel instructed and attempt to keep calm, and his Chosen wouldn't lose his mind if they had a mutual psychotic break, thus reins and a saddle were wholly unnecessary.
His reputation as an oddball meant barely any strange looks, and everyone minded their own damn business. He liked it that way.
Several months previous, the Blithe son had commissioned a particularly complicated dining set from a carpenter in Oldcastle. They had been children around the same time, but he could not remember having ever met the boy before his grandmother had commissioned a particularly old-fashioned carved arm chair. Now that he was trying to fix up the family manor in Palisade, he had remembered the boy's craftsmanship and returned for a new table and chairs. He would not be dining where his family had once sat.
Gabriel and Morai were both able to enter the shop, although the deer with a little more difficulty. He had been much younger upon their last visit and more prone to chattering and nipping, so he was already wary of the man that he had not trusted as a yearling. Gabriel had no such reservations.
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Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 4:55 pm
Nicholas had been hard at work since the first visit from the haunting man and his guardian. Commissions had been slow, leaving him with plenty of time to focus on the elegant dining set he had been requested to do. The man had taken a particularly careful stance on this particular set, taking his time to ever-so-delicately add detail to the edges of the table, and at the head of the chairs. He knew exactly what he was doing, and had even managed to varnish them prior to Gabriel and Morai's visit to the shop. There had been many changes to the shop that were noticeable once the chosen and guardian entered. The other pieces that had been placed to the side were gone now, and in the center was the dining set, perfectly finished and awaiting inspection. However, over to the side, pure white eyes watched carefully from under the stairs. Riven knew there would be company today, and had just awoken from her nap. Silently, the young, still not fully grown doe watched them, keeping to herself. It seemed in the months prior, Nicholas too had been chosen. "Ah! You made it!" Nicholas called, wiping his hands with a cloth in the back. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up, and the log he was working on splitting made it obvious why. He walked over, smiling brightly as usual. "Good to see the weather hasn't been unkind to either of you. Sir. Blithe, Morai." He greeted each of them, though was a little nervous when he nodded to the buck, given their prior meeting. "What do you think? I can always strip it down and make adjustments if you're not happy with it." He gestured proudly to the dining set.
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Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 5:27 pm
Gabriel smiled softly when he noticed the set in the center of the room. Hopefully that was his? It was certainly well-carved and to his tastes. His attention turned then to the carpenter, a brow arching as he offered his hand to shake and gave a small bow in greeting. He was one noble who particularly enjoyed interactions with the lower classes.
Morai had lost interest in the carpenter, however, and lowered his head deeply, beginning to clatter. It was only a soft sound, not a threat this time so much as a curious greeting. Another Guardian was always a treat; he knew so few and had so little chance to meet them! He didn't really mind remaining within his circle of safety either, and so didn't place any blame for the lack of Guardian-acquaintances.
It was the clattering that pulled Gabriel's attention from Nicholas and to the little doe in the corner. Eyes as white as milk, glazed with cataracts for exposure after death, rolled up in a skull with nothing left to see. There was a soft snorting sound in the back of his throat, and he went stock-still. A cervine ears swiveled, and he relaxed.
She was very much alive, and her eyes were brightly glowing. She wasn't attacking. There was nothing to worry about. He sighed and turned again to the carpenter.
"It's beautiful. Do you mind if I take a closer look?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 5:46 pm
Nicholas was very pleased to shake his hand, trying to be careful of his grip. He was by no means a mousy man, strong arms peering out from under the fabric, and muscle that covered every bone in his body. The smell of wood and varnish was strong on him, though it wasn't noticeable until after leaving the shop. Riven shyly peered out a little more at Morai, getting her her feet as she quietly stepped out from under the staircase. His clattering only made her more curious, as she too had yet to meet many others herself. Her main acquaintances were those of the abandoned. She kept away from him, unsure if he or Gabriel would allow her closer. This kind of person, the noble, was one she wasn't used to. She stood even stiller, barely daring to breathe when her eyes met with Gabriel's. Gently, she turned her head down and away, obviously unsure of this man. Though Morai's presence gave her the slightest comfort, and she relaxed, turning her attention back to Morai, bowing her head the slightest to him. "Ah...She never comes out." Nicholas seemed surprised, watching his young companion finally exit her hiding place. "But yes yes, feel free. Everything is dry, so feel free to touch as well. Or sit."
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Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 6:25 pm
"Morai hid in the shadows as a fawn. He grew more adventurous with time," Gabriel offered, approaching the chairs with unusual tenderness. He ran his hand gently over the top of a chair, his thumb finding a deep groove and running its length. This was new. It was his. It had no past, only a present and a future. h is first memories with it were being forged now... it was so nice.
Morai, meanwhile, saw that the little doe was not so willing to approach him. He couldn't really place why, but it wasn't entirely abnormal in the human race, so why not a young Guardian? He lowered his head even further to place his head beneath hers and approached to nibble her knee. Look, he wasn't so scary, bones and blood spatters aside!
"Very nice, very nice..." Gabriel mused, nodding and moving to crouch beside the table to inspect its lines. This boy really was quite an artist. "Fantastic..."
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Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 7:31 pm
"She chooses where she goes...Usually out on the streets at night. I can't really stop her...It's just something she does." Nicholas shrugged, standing back as Gabriel took time to admire his work. As per usual, the finish was like touching silk, and brought out the beauty of the wood. It hadn't been rushed, and was sturdy. Riven squeaked the slightest bit at the nibble, though made no effort to pull away, turning her head slightly to the side so he wouldn't bump his head when he came back up, careful to avoid his antlers. Nicholas smiled, looking down happily. He was very proud of his work, and was glad that Gabriel seemed to be pleased with it. He continued to wait, letting him take his time checking it over.
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Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:00 pm
Gabriel nodded politely as Nicholas spoke and then stood, shaking his head softly. It was impossible to tell the emotion behind this gesture with the blank expression on his face. Thankfully, he spoke after a moment or two of silence.
"It's beautiful; definitely worth the commissioned price and then some," he nodded, turning first to the Guardians before looking to the carpenter again. "I'm afraid I didn't bring my funds with me. When you spoke of an inspection, I thought that I would be seeing unfinished pieces. They are nearby, however..." Voice musing, Gabriel's gaze went again to the Guardians. He could just as easily send Morai back for the coin, and let him enjoy his time with the creepy little doe...
He shook his head to clear it and offered an entirely superficial smile. Behind Nicholas' head, the darkness shifted within itself. He chose to ignore it.
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Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:11 pm
A slight wave of relief passed through Nicholas' eyes, obviously pleased. However, at this mention of funds. "Ah, I'd hate to send you out for such things....I just happened to finish them much quicker than I thought." He laughed the slightest bit, scratching slightly at the side of his head. "I've only had a lot of requests for toys lately, and those are simple enough." He nodded to a small plunder to the right side of the room, where a few of said items rested, among them a rather large rocking horse, and a toy sword, both of which were still quite intricate in detail. Riven perked up a little when Gabriel looked over to her and Morai, then shyly diverted her gaze again. She was enjoying the company, as odd as it was, and finally gave Morai a little nuzzle, backing off the slightest bit, very much so unsure of how he'd react.
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Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:21 pm
Morai clacked his teeth happily and gave a happy raspberry, raising his head only slightly as he did so. He had to be careful with this little one. She seemed rather skittish, perhaps the polar opposite of himself at her age. He stamped his front hooves happily.
"Well, I will also need to put together a crew to take all of this to Palisade, so perhaps I can pay whe--" He stopped, something not entirely unusual in his mannerisms, and eyed the toys in the corner. He had not been aware that this carpenter created more than furniture. He spent so much time away from home, perhaps he owed-- well, no. There was no such thing as owing gifts, but he certainly might like to give one, especially one with such intricate carving. "I hadn't known that you made toys as well. May I?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:27 pm
Riven was slowly warming up to Morai, and began to attempt to copy him a little, delicately stomping her own front hooves, which all and all didn't make too much noise. However, she was clearly smiling, her eyes alight with delight. Nicholas nodded, and was slightly surprised when he stopped, looking over the toys. "Yes of course, feel free! I do a little bit of everything....The children tend to come here if something breaks. I usually can fix it, so new toys are often in demand as well." He nodded, a little smile on his face. He was so fond of seeing the children smile in delight. It was just a little bit more brightness in the world that was darkening so fast.
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Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:32 pm
Morai gave a series of soft sounds that might have been a laugh and threw his head. Yes, that was it! There was no need to be afraid! For all of their differences, they were still both Guardians. If only he could ask her how she had been born into this world... he wondered if anyone had had an experience similar to his own.
He began to back up then, head still lowered but above the doe's, trying to draw her out of the darkness.
Again, Gabriel nodded and approached the toys, crouching to admire the horse and gently plucked the sword from the table. There was delicate carving... but how much more delicate could it get? He replaced it just as softly and peered up to Nicholas, breaking the noble habit of keeping your head above those of inferior people.
Really, anyone with such refined skills was not inferior to much of anyone, salary aside.
"Do you have any examples of finer detail? Something very small, perhaps..."
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Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:44 pm
Riven scraped her hooves a little against the dusty floor, bowing her head shyly a little. She however, had made no noise other than the squeak much earlier in their meeting. A quiet girl, yes, but surely a delightful one at that. She too had interesting origins, though had no reason to think at all that it would be any different. Slowly, she stepped out of the shadows a little more, much like a shy blushing maiden. She kept close to Morai, thinking him a teacher for the moment, at the very least a new acquaintance. Nicholas frowned at Gabriel's next question. "Ah....Maybe. What sort of thing are you wanting? Another sword?" He asked, thinking hard as he frowned. "If you're going to be gone for a day or so, I'm sure I could manage something to your specifications."
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Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:53 pm
Gabriel arched a brow. Well, certainly a sword, but one with a somewhat more complex hilt.
"There is a child who has a horse, but not a sword... for obvious reasons," he offered, looking back to the pre-made sword and turning back to Nicholas, "If it wouldn't be too much work. To return home, put together a crew, and return will take five days at least. It can easily take longer, if required."
If only there was a way to send messages more quickly, aside from hiring a trained rook. All of a sudden, he wondered if perhaps Nicholas had met the intended recepient.
"Have you ever met the Beauchene boy? He's about eight and walks with a limp."
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Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 9:21 pm
"Ah, yes. 5 days time should be more than enough. Business has been slow, so I will have plenty of time." Nicholas replied, confidant. "So something a little shorter, and more detailed? I can do that." At the mention of a boy, Nicholas thought for a moment, before shaking his head. "I'm afraid I haven't." He replied, frowning, "Perhaps I will one day, if he ever comes by, but not yet."
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Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 9:24 pm
"Not necessarily shorter," Gabriel replied, chewing his cheek slightly, "He is a boy who appreciates beauty, and I have seen what you can do. I trust that your attention to detail will carry to more intricate detail?"
Morai had made it now into the main space of the room and was gently stamping to try and draw the doe with him. Come, come! He was so distracted that he did not realize Gabriel was preparing to leave shortly.
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