Elias, Sylvia, and Alex

[03:38] She nods at that point. Clearly agreeing.

"I have very little personal experience with such pain, but, I've witnessed it. People don't often talk about it, but you can sometimes tell it still hurts. Sometimes... Sometimes people don't sleep. Or they jump at some words, or sounds."

While it was true she personally hadn't experienced it, she had traveled with some who had. Her thoughts went back as they always did to the woman who slept poorly, who drank often, and who her uncle had to calm down from terrors where she seemed to be reliving a horrible dream in her waking hours.

She wondered how the woman was doing now.
(Sylvia Goldstein)
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[03:42] ??? says, "So uh... nice... creature you have there."
[03:42] Sylvia leans back in the chair just a liiiiiittle too far, lost in thought for a moment--
(Sylvia Goldstein)
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[03:45] Alex simply points a hand out from beneath her cloak, green lines visible and glowing ever so slightly as the stone floor beneath the chair shifts, a small rod of stone jetting up from the floor to stabilize the chair and prevent it from leaning any further back.
(???)
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[03:47] Sylvia had thought for just a moment there that her dignity was to be lost. Instead Alex had come to the rescue. Once the chair was back at a proper angle, the young woman smiled at her with gratitude.

"Thank you! That could have ended very badly. Ah! As for the creature, this is my skurn friend. It's silly, but I feel safer traveling when I have them out."

She motioned to the steam creature and it came a little closer.
(Sylvia Goldstein)
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[03:49] ??? says, "Oh... I don't think I've ever seen one of those before."
[03:51] Sylvia Goldstein says, "I think it's an elemental of sorts? The book I read on how to summon them forth was old, and a little water damaged..."
[03:51] Elias casually spies on two of her only three friends now that it's clear that they're not actively trying to kill each other.
(Elias Tanne)
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[03:52] ??? says, "Quite a feat to be able to summon an elemental... you must be a skilled magi."
[03:53] Sylvia Goldstein says, "Well, as far as control of magic, yes. But I'm a terrible fighter, so I'm not really sure if I count as all that skilled in the end. But, thank you."
[03:54] ??? says, "You underestimate yourself then... Humans are incredible and capable of feats unimagineable. If you set out to do it and be good at it, it would be inevitable to happen."
[03:56] Sylvia Goldstein says, "Thank you. That's reassuring. I admit my only interest in fighting is in self defense, not war. But my interest in magic is varied. I like being able to apply it in a multitude of ways. I think that's somethign that drew me to runescribing."
[03:57] ??? says, "Heh... Drew to runescribing."
[03:57] Sylvia Goldstein says, "Ehehehe, I couldn't help myself."
[03:57] Sylvia Goldstein says, "My uncle says that if there's a chance to make a pun, you take it."
[03:57] ??? says, "Your uncle is a good man then."
[03:57] Sylvia Goldstein says, "Unless it will get you killed, then you weigh jow important that pun really is to you."
[03:58] Sylvia Goldstein says, "He is. He really is."
[03:59] ??? says, "Ah yes... and whoevers here... I felt your presence of mana a while ago... If you are friend come greet, if you are a foe prepare for your demise..."
[04:00] Elias Tanne asks, " Ah, which am I, Alex?"
[04:00] Sylvia Goldstein exclaims, "Hello, Elias!"
[04:01] Elias Tanne says, " I didn't want to interrupt."
[04:01] ??? says, "Mmm Elias... well technically speaking you're both huh? <*She chuckles.*>"
[04:02] Elias Tanne asks, " Ah, you'll just have to give me a little death then, aye?"
[04:02] ??? says, "I'm not in much condition to be dishing out any sort of death... actually."
[04:04] Elias Tanne says, " Oh? You're welcome to rest here."
[04:07] Alex takes a deep sigh... She pulls back the hood concealing her face. If it were not for Alex's voice coming from her mouth, one wouldn't even know it was her. Her face was horribly burned to the point of extreme disfigurement. It wouldn't even be possible to read emotions from it.

"I got hurt, Elias."
(???)
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[04:14] Elias is no stranger to disfigurement, dismemberment, and other horrible things, but seeing Alex as she is still brings tears to her eye. "Alex. Oh, Kraus' mercy, Alex. How did this happen? Are you in pain? I-I can help, you know, with the right materials."

She flits around Alex like a bothered bee with her face twisted up in worry.
(Elias Tanne)
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[04:14] Sylvia quietly gets up and walks to Elias, trying to avoid interrupting. She pulls some ore out of her pack and holds it out to her wordlessly.
(Sylvia Goldstein)
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[04:14] {Item} You picked up Mythril x33. Dropped by Sylvia Goldstein.
[04:15] ??? says, "I had a... disagreement with some Atl fish, and a daemon tamer... as for pain I've had worse this is nothing."
[04:18] Elias Tanne says, " ...Well, erm."
[04:18] Elias Tanne says, " ...I can treat it, though I've not the orichalicum."
[04:20] ??? asks, "How much... do you need?"
[04:20] Elias Tanne says, " ...Four stone should be enough, I think."
[04:21] Elias Tanne says, " I'm not sure I could stretch anything less."
[04:23] A slow nod before Alex pulls the hood back over her head, concealing her face once again.

"Four... easily obtained... Give me but a moment and I will return."
(???)
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[04:23] Sylvia Goldstein says, "Stay safe while you're out."
[04:24] Elias Tanne says, " I'll start to work, Alex."
[04:24] Elias Tanne says, " ...Do stay safe."
[04:26] Two angelic wings of rieka sprout from the the back of the hooded oscuri. She was hiding herself less for attempting to hide her race at this point and more to just hide her face.

"You know I don't know how." Is the rebuttal, before she zips out of the church like a majestic green winged angel of death and destruction.
(???)
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[04:26] Sylvia watches as she goes, and then turns to Elias, watching to see the woman's reaction.
(Sylvia Goldstein)
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[04:28] Elias Tanne says, " That was Alexandrea."
[04:28] Elias Tanne says, " Ah, erm, former lover of mine."
[04:29] Sylvia Goldstein says, "You've mentioned before. I warned her that deseti has a poster out for her still."
[04:34] Elias Tanne says, " You two seemed to be getting along just fine."
[04:35] Sylvia Goldstein says, "We were. She seems very nice, and like she's been through quite a lot."
[04:35] Elias Tanne says, " I always forget how fast you are, Alex."
[04:36] Alex fwoops back into the room... already. Shiny metals flopped onto the floor in front of her.

"You can fly too... You should be just as fast."
(???)
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[04:36] Elias Tanne says, " Not quite as-- oh, Blue Mercury."
[04:36] ??? says, "Yes... there was a single vein of it."
[04:36] {Item} You drop Leather x1.
[04:36] {Item} You picked up Orchilacum x4. Dropped by ???.
[04:36] {Item} You picked up Blue Mercury x3. Dropped by ???.
[04:37] Elias Tanne says, " I suspect Sylvie would be able to make better use of it than I."
[04:37] Elias Tanne says, " ...Please feel free to sit or lie down. THis might take a while."
[04:37] Sylvia Goldstein says, "I don't think I've ever seen blue mercury... I remember seeing that it's usable in a few things in my books, but I can't quite..."
[04:37] ??? says, "I'm okay with standing..."
[04:37] Sylvia pulls a book out of her bag and begins to look through it.
(Sylvia Goldstein)
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[04:38] Elias Tanne asks, "... Is it just tissue damage? You can still taste and smell and see well, aye?"
[04:39] ??? says, "No I flew to the cavern, located said ore in question in the dark, and come back here all while being blind. <Sarcasm>"
[04:40] Elias Tanne says, " I said see WELL, not see at all."
[04:41] ??? says, "I can see quite alright Elias..."
[04:54] Elias is very, very, very delicate in how she goes about forging the replacement for Alex's mask. It's the sort of care and attention one puts into something that will be on someone's face forever. Her armor is quickly put to the side, and eventually so is her shirt. The forge's heat is oppressive.

She pulls orichalcum into fine, thin wires. It's one thing to make a metal mask, of course, it's another thing entirely to make one that can feel and articulate, but that's what Elias is striving for. More orichalcum is consigned to gears, springs, sprockets, the wonderfully light and tensile material forming a bewilderingly complicated clockwork array. She seems almost to be creating by feel, though she does reference a stained and dirty textbook from time to time.

As the gear assembly cools, she forms the main body of the mask out of mythril. She makes it beautiful, polished, an echo of the beauty a younger and more lustful Alexandrea. Then comes the moving parts, brows and jaw. It's not exactly a perfect replica of a human face, but Elias is an artistically-inclined blacksmith, nothing more.

She finishes the mask on her desk, carefully wiring the assembly together with a pair of needle-nosed pliers. It, hopefully, will hold up to Alexandrea's standards, because she's not exactly getting a redo.

"It's done," she says quietly, wiping her forehead.
(Elias Tanne)
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[04:56] ??? says, "Wonderful..."
[04:58] Elias Tanne asks, " ...Shall I fit you with it?"
[04:59] ??? removes her hood to get it out of the way. "I've little choice."
(???)
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[05:06] Elias takes the mask and, with very little fanfare, presses it, still hot, into Alex's face with no anesthesia.

The orichalcum wires burrow into her skin, seeking fire-scarred nerves and fusing with them, becoming an extension of Alexandrea's own body. Braces tighten on her jaw and the side of her head, locking the mask into place. It's probably not a very pleasant experience, but then it's done.

(One now notices that Elias has lovingly painted Reika lines matching Alex's on the mask, which certainly would be a problem if she wanted to hide them.)
(Elias Tanne)
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[05:09] At some point during the work Sylvia had stopped looking through her books and watched Elias. Fascination filled her eyes as she saw the older woman work the metal, awed at how delicate it all appeared.

She also watched as the mask was installed, flinching just a little at how uncomfortable it looked.
(Sylvia Goldstein)
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[05:11] No screams of pain, no cries of agony. An unpleasant experience to be sure, but hardly comparable to the act that caused the injury in the first place. The occasional grunt or heavy breathing would be all that's heard from the woman during the process. She tries her absolute best to remain still for all of it.

Upon the completion of the process, she'd figured it would be alright to speak, "Is it done?"
(???)
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[05:12] Elias Tanne says, " Aye."
[05:12] Elias Tanne says, " ...Still lovely, you know."
[05:12] ??? says, "Hardly..."
[05:13] Elias Tanne says, " Mm, I think I'm the arbiter here."
[05:14] ??? says, "Well thank you young Krausite, you've done an excellent job of restoring an Oscuri. I'm sure your angels would be proud."
[05:15] Elias Tanne says, " Ah, you've never done wrong by me."
[05:16] ??? says, "Fair enough..."
[05:18] Elias puts one arm around Alex, very definitely knowing that she's RIGHT IN FRONT of her protégé. "Will you be leaving again, then? I'd... rather you stop getting into such dangerous situations, after all, but... I know you have to do what you have to do, ultimately."
(Elias Tanne)
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[05:20] ??? asks, "No I think I'll remain here for now... It wasn't even a dangerous situation, it was just in the plains... What was an Atl fish doing so far north?"
[05:21] Sylvia is completely unbothered, though, she is watching the two women much as she would any small group of people.
(Sylvia Goldstein)
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[05:21] Elias Tanne asks, " Why were you attacked? For being an Oscuri? For the bounty?"
[05:22] ??? says, "I think he was drunk."
[05:24] Elias Tanne says, " ...For fuck's sake."
[05:24] Elias Tanne says, " ...I'm sorry, Alex."
[05:24] ??? says, "Why? Wasn't your fault."
[05:26] Elias Tanne says, " An expression of sympathy."
[05:28] ??? says, "You shouldn't be sympathetic over it... You should help me turn him into fish sticks."
[05:29] Elias Tanne says, " Ah, but then I'd have to change the name of my church."
[05:29] Elias Tanne says, " And that would be so expensive."
[05:29] ??? asks, "It's fine it's just a fish... You've eaten a fish before haven't you?"
[05:30] Elias Tanne says, " I'm assuming you don't mean a literal fish, Alex."
[05:30] ??? says, "A Sirenian..."
[05:31] Elias Tanne says, " Aye, I've never eaten a Sirenian, because as I've expressed I am not a cannibal."
[05:32] ??? says, "It's juuuust a fish..."
[05:33] Elias Tanne says, " It's a person, Alex, and you know this little back-and-forth bothers me."
[05:34] ??? says, "It's a fish that gets drunk and hurts even more people the longer you allow it to..."
[05:34] Elias Tanne says, " And you know that argument doesn't hold water for me. "
[05:34] Elias Tanne says, " ...Now, if you want a hand restraining him? I'd be happy to assist."
[05:36] ??? asks, "And then what Elias? Tell him no bad don't do that? Hold him in a room forever and take away his freedom anyway?"
[05:37] Elias Tanne says, " Ah, a year's hard labor and having to sit in a room with me as I do my utmost to teach him proper conduct. "
[05:38] Elias Tanne says, " At least, that's more or less what I thought was an appropriate sentence when I wrote the constitution you so readily approved of."
[05:38] ??? asks, "And if that doesn't work?"
[05:40] Elias Tanne says, " Ah, well, if the bastard continues to offend then yes, we'll lock him up forever."
[05:40] ??? asks, "And how is that any different than ending his life?"
[05:40] Elias Tanne says, " As he lives, the possibility for redemption is always there."
[05:40] Elias Tanne says, " We deny that potential when we take a life."
[05:41] Elias Tanne says, " And I do not mean to pretend that it is never necessary, but I believe far more common are crimes born of ignorance, of lack of opportunity, of manipulation."
[05:41] ??? says, "Of being a dumbass."
[05:42] Elias Tanne says, " Aye, of being a dumbass."
[05:42] ??? motions to the mostly silent girl with her thumb, "So you're a mentor now?"
(???)
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[05:43] Elias Tanne says, " Oh, I've been a mentor since we met, Alex."
[05:43] Elias Tanne says, " Just took a while to meet someone who would put up with me."
[05:44] At that comment, Sylvia couldn't help but laugh.

"To be fair, you've put up with an awful lot of my terrible questions."
(Sylvia Goldstein)
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[05:46] "Ah, you're too hard on yourself. Nothing I wouldn't have asked at your age." Elias replies off-hand with a smile. Despite the heavy atmosphere in the room, and the fact that she just welded a mask onto her ex-lover's face, she seems determined not to let it get her down. There would be time to be sullen later.
(Elias Tanne)
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[05:47] Sylvia Goldstein says, "I hope you know I'm going to have some questions about blacksmithing after watching you make that mask."
[05:47] Elias Tanne asks, " Oh? You want to be a smith? You know smithing was my first love, aye?"
[05:48] ??? says, "Heh..."
[05:49] Sylvia Goldstein says, "Well, I've been reading about it and... Well... I'm not sure it's something someone as small as myself can become good at, but I'd still like to learn about it. Maybe try making some things."
[05:49] Elias Tanne exclaims, " I was half your height when I learned to smith, Sylvia!"
[05:49] Elias Tanne says, " I'd love to teach you."
[05:50] ??? asks, "Didn't I already basically tell you that you can do anything you set your mind to?"
[05:52] Her eyes widen at that information, and a hopeful smile crosses her face.

"And I'd love to learn! I do worry about my physical strength... But, I can use magic to help with that, can't I?"

She then turns to Alex and nods.

"You did! I'll try harder to take it to heart properly."
(Sylvia Goldstein)
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[05:53] Elias Tanne says, " Of course you can use magic, but if you think I'm going to let you get away with that in my forge, well."
[05:54] Elias grins, but an unaccountable dusting of tears appears on her eyelashes. She doesn't seem to notice, or acknowledge, still beaming at her talented protégé. "Learning to feel the hammer's weight is a big part of it, Sylvie. I'll not have you shirk that, magic or no."
(Elias Tanne)
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[05:59] She nods, her expression serious and intent as she listens. A part of her notices Elias' happiness at this turn of conversation and she starts to get excited. She didn't remember Elias getting nearly so emotional when she asked to learn to be a runescribe.

"Is there a way I can make it so I'm not at risk of dropping the hammer? I've been mining for a while now, but, I don't seem to put on muscle very easily..."

Sylvia pulls up the sleeves of her dress, showing that her bare arms, while fit, were only a little muscular.
(Sylvia Goldstein)
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[06:05] Elias laughs and rubs her hands together like some kind of schemer. "You can chalk your gloves. I trust you still have plenty of chalk, aye?"
(Elias Tanne)
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[06:08] She nods, looking as if she's trying not to laugh.

"I do. I have so much chalk I some days feel like my bag would be a quarter the weight if I just put half of it in a trunk. I have books in here, Elias."
(Sylvia Goldstein)
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[06:08] Elias Tanne says, " Ah, you can leave some books here if you'd rather. Angels' wisdom, I've more shelves than books."
[06:10] Sylvia Goldstein says, "I'll start leaving them here when I've finished reading them. Though some of them are for reference. The ingredients in alchemy are a little harder to remember than the designs of runes, at least for me."
[06:11] Elias Tanne says, " Oh? I always assumed alchemy was like..."
[06:11] Elias Tanne says, " Very hard cooking."
[06:11] ??? says, "Are you kidding? Cooking a proper meal is far harder than alchemy... alchemists just throw some crap together with magic."
[06:11] Elias Tanne asks, " Ah, then perhaps there's hope for me and alchemy some day, aye?"
[06:13] Sylvia Goldstein says, "I think that with alchemy, it's just that it's a lot easier to kill someone if you mess up. I'd rather avoid that unless I have to."
[06:14] Elias Tanne says, " Oh, then you haven't tasted my cooking from my sailing days."
[06:16] Sylvia Goldstein says, "As a word of advice, it's typically not advisable to put rocks in food, unless that rock is salt, and even then moderation is important."
[06:16] Elias gives an exaggerated look of shock. "Oh, no, I've been doing it all wrong. I always thought a light dusting of granite made the flavors really pop."
(Elias Tanne)
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[06:17] ??? says, "There is no such thing as moderation when it comes to adding salt."
[06:19] There isn't even a hint of a joke as Sylvia replies.

"You see, that's one of the problems. Granite is not cheese, no matter what some people say. and don't let anyone tell you pumice is just cheese with holes in it."
(Sylvia Goldstein)
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[06:20] Elias Tanne says, " ...I'm sorry, I don't know what pumice is."
[06:20] Elias Tanne says, " I hate to end the joke, but my curiosity overtakes me."
[06:21] Sylvia Goldstein exclaims, "It's a type of volcanic rock. And strange as it sounds, it can float in water!"
[06:22] Elias Tanne says, " Ah, historically, when I've put holes in things, they've tended to sink."
[06:24] Sylvia Goldstein says, "I don't really know why it floats. My uncle had some pumice stones from a visit to a volcano. He'd sometimes use them in our performances."
[06:32] Elias Tanne says, " Ah, well, given that it's taken me six minutes to respond to a simple fact, I , erm, rather think it's time for me to go to sleep."
[06:32] Elias Tanne says, " Alex, don't kill anyone. Sylvia, tell Ra I said hello. "
[06:32] Elias Tanne says, " ...Or don't. I posted something on the Deseti board asking if I was still wanted."
[06:33] Elias Tanne says, " I'd rather not remind them that I exist in any capacity beyond that."