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Myrsky was very upset about his current position; stuck in a healer’s tent in a loud and (worst of all) happily rambunctious troupe that sang and danced far too often. Noisy and always joking… he didn’t like it one bit! What sort of lies are they hiding beneath those constant smiles? There was no way someone could be so loudly happy so constantly!
But as much as he disliked it, he had to stay here until he could pull his arm out of the sling without pain. That was what he had been force to promise by the tall broad quiet one... Gyuri I think his name was, Myrsky thought as he pulled on his clothes, being careful of his arm in its sling. Just because I promised to stay here for a while does not mean I have to stay here here…
With that he slunk off towards the forest to escape the noisy sounds of the camp. Dawn may have liked it, but he just wanted to leave. The sooner I heal the better, he thought as he stalked through the tall trees. And while I am healing, might as well examine the plants hereabouts! I’ll heal faster out here in the quiet than lying down in that noisy camp. But before he could do more than kneel down by one plant that caught his eye, something disturbed the quiet of the forest. Someone was out there muttering and cursing.
He tried to ignore it; why should he go and see what troubles were out there? Better to ignore it since it sounded like a person. But the grumbling and cursing got on his nerves; here he was trying to study these new plants and maybe figure out a use as medicine or poison and someone just had to be throwing a fit nearby! With a muttered curse of his own, Myrsky got up and stalked towards the sound. What greeted his eyes was an older woman, wrapped in heavily embroidered cloths of bright reds, warm browns, and golds stumbling through the undergrowth. As he approached, her foot caught upon a tree root, causing her to stumble and fall. With a particularly inventive curse that made an impressed Myrsky raise an eyebrow, the older woman bounded to her feet and spun about, her heel jutting out to cause a spray of fire to light the offending root and surrounding plants on fire.
He sighed and shook his head before tracing a rune with his own foot into the ground; summoned by his rune, ice sprang up along the burning area, putting it out before it could do more than char some of the plants. Didn’t she see that it was rather dry about here and that the fire would spread quickly through the thick underbrush? Some people just don’t think of nature at all!
“There’s better ways to vent your anger than trying to burn the forest down about yourself, granny.” He said with a sigh.
The small woman turned to glare at him, giving him his first real look at the old woman. Her skin was wrinkled with age and a dark brown almost black color, making the wispy white strands of hair that had escaped her scarf wrapped head stand out even more. Her eyes were a faded orange but still sharp, and they narrowed when they spotted him.
An Oban! He thought with surprise, what’s one this old doing all the way out here of all places? At least she covered in more clothes than the wind or earth tribes tend to wear! He thought with amusement. Makes my zena styled clothing not so bad!
“Don’t tell me what to do blue one!” Her voice snapped out. “And don’t treat me like your granny!” The voice was so very familiar to him; cranky and confident, just like his Obalen’s! A small smile escaped him, tugging at his lips as he gave a small courteous bow.
“I meant no offense, great lady.” He said in a calm tone that those who he’d met in his travels would have been shocked to see and hear. Myrsky gave respect to only a few; those who earned it, and those like his Obalen. This woman had the same tone, the same stance, and the same feeling about her that his granny did. The attitude that she could and would beat you into the ground, that age wasn’t affecting her and don’t you dare mention it! Good thing I know how to deal with her, he thought with amusement. It’s almost like finding another granny… One who knew sire spells! I wonder if she does runes? Obalen’s book held no information beyond the very basics for fire… I’ll act polite for now, older folks (especially old females) tend to respond well to politeness. Perhaps I’ve found a teacher?
“But this land is very dry and fire tends to spread quite quickly. Mind you,” He said dryly, “I wouldn’t mind seeing the annoying troupe camped nearby burnt but the land itself does not deserve your wrath.”
“You certainly changed your tune.” She said as she crossed her arms and glared at him.
Myrsky matched her stare for stare. “You dislike respect?”
“Respect is all well and good…”
“What if it is respect for your power?”
She paused… respect for power was acceptable… respect for age was not! Of course no respect would earn this blue person a burning!
“That small spell?” She sniffed and waved a hand. “That is nothing worth respect. If you’re mocking me….”
Myrsky gave another small bow; “Respect for the power you hide within you, great lady, and the ease with which you wield it.”
She gave a smirk. “Hmph. And what, blue boy, is your name?”
“I am called Myrsky. And might I inquire yours? Or am I to earn the right to know your name?” Myrsky knew how to be polite… Obalen had spent hours pouning manners into him; it’d been an uphill struggle for her as he hadn’t wanted to learn, but learned he had. Just because he never used them didn’t mean he didn’t know how to use honeyed words and flattery! But if it made the older lady sweet at him then maybe he could get a teacher! He much preferred older teachers who had lived a long life to younger adults in their prime. The elders often had more than just lessons on how to use power; they had words of advice for situations, stories of things they’d seen, different and often more efficient and effective ways to bend their power! Plus they had less arrogance. At least he thought they had, of course he only had the few times he’d seen from a distance younger masters attempting to each apprentices his age. Myrsky hadn’t exactly had any teachers outside of Obalen and hadn’t really wanted one till recently.
“Tis only proper that you earn the right to the name of such an illustrious beauty such as myself!” She said with a sniff as she walked away. Myrsky kept his eye roll and smirk to himself. Old grannies had ways of knowing you rolled your eyes or smirked even with their backs turned! Illustrious beauty? Well, maybe in her prime, but right now all I see is the remnants of a past beauty; Myrsky thought to himself. If that’s how she wants to be treated… then that’s how I’ll act… for now.
“Then how might I earn the right, noble lady?”
“Escorting me towards the village near here is a start.” She said before grinning; “You are far better versed in proper ways to address others than most I have encountered!”
“My grandmother would have it no other way.” Myrsky said wryly. Though she never insisted I actually speak like this! Just that I knew in case I ever went out into polite society. I’ll have to thank her when I get back home! It may actually end up being useful! Especially if Oban’s in general respond well to this… I ought to speak like this to the other tribes but… Nah. Why act polite when he had no reason to? “Might I inquire as to why you travel?”
“You might.” The Oban nodded as Myrsky motioned for her to follow and leading her towards the village that was near the camp of the troupe. “But first; why do you not act hostile like so many?”
“Several reasons that are my own.” He shrugged; “But why should I hate you who have done no harm to me?”
“Oh? No loyalty for your nation?” She asked with a cackle. He shrugged once more.
“Why should I be loyal to a group of people that abandoned me and my mother in a blizzard? I owe my loyalty to Obalen and myself; no one else.” No other Ice earthling had offered to help his mother when she’d been abandoned (not that there’d been too many nearby), and he’d seen that his father had not been punished for his actions... why should he be loyal to them at all? He was just going to live as a hermit in the mountains after he returned from his travels anyway! “I have no need of nations.” He said shortly.
“Interesting.” She said softly before being quiet for a while. “Are you sure we are headed in the right direction? I won't be led astray by you!” The sharp tone came back with a vengeance. What’s she thinking I’m going to do to her, Myrsky thought with amusement, even if she’d been a beauty my age I wouldn’t touch her! I would never do something like that!
“Yes dear lady. The town lies along the edge of the forest.” His answer held none of the amused condensation he felt.
“You came from a different direction!”
“I came from a camp that belongs to a traveling troupe camped nearby, not the town.” He led her out and waved his un- wounded arm towards the north where some smoke could be seen spiraling out of chimney. “As you can see, I have not led you astray. Might I ask a favor?”
She eyed him for a second, considering; “Ask, but I may not answer as you’ve already asked my name.”
He smirked; “I wish to learn from you. I am skilled mostly in ice and wind runes, my knowledge of fire and earthen spells is very lacking. I hope that perhaps you will think kindly upon this one who is far from his home land like you are and agree to teach.”
“Hmm… I shall consider it.” She smiled; “You can call my Liliana.” Her eyes twinkled and Myrsky buried another sigh. Oh well… it was at least a start! And it’s not like I’ve got anywhere to go until my wound heals.. and even then I don’t have much plans! Might as well stay here to woo her into being my teacher!
“Many thanks, illustrious lady.” He said with a yet another small bow. “I shall call upon you at a later date then after you have rested and feel up to my presence once more.” Hope that’s not laying it on too thick, he thought with amusement. It was a bit amusing to speak this way, but her much preferred being abrupt and honest than these sweet lying words.
“You will not escort me to town?” She said with a long suffering sigh and pout.
“I did not wish to presume, lady Liliana.” I wish to escape. If it wasn’t for the fact that she was an Oban and a mage, he would have left her there. But he wanted to know more about this new people and he had been thinking of getting a teacher. Two birds, one stone right? Is it worth it if I have to keep this act up though?
“I allow you to escort me to town. My grandson is there waiting… he apparently found himself a bride out here of all places.” She sniffed.
“So you are coming to live with him?” He asked as he headed out, offering her an arm to lean on. A different Oban? Maybe I can speak with this one and get clear answers without having to risk offending a potential teacher.
“To insure that our traditions and knowledge are passed on… And to insure this bride of his is worthy of him and not some wench luring him off to kill him! Or get revenge for the war… You never can tell with girls.” She whispered to him like it was a great secret.
She’s a little weird he thought, not my Obalen at all even if they do carry themselves the same.
As he escorted her to the village edge and bid her a courteous good bye he wondered if he really wanted to be taught by someone like her... But her mind is still sharp.... and she made it this far safety, he thought to himself; so she must have power and the skill to use it still! If I do not like her teaching methods or find acting polite too tiring I can always leave and find a different teacher!
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OOC 
