Ivory
.
Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
|
Post by Ivory on Jan 13, 2021 20:05:44 GMT -8
Ivory's note with Kai's gift at Yule was plain. She was ready to fulfill her promise to help Kai in her goals. Kai need only bring the needle. A date was set and Kai was given the address to Ivory's abode, located on a wealthy street within Spring Valley. As before, with a guest being expected, the gate was open providing the Polychromatic easy access to the property, though with how low the gate was a slight vault would have been all that was necessary. All Kai Rose needed to do was knock.
|
|
|
Post by Kai Rose on Jan 16, 2021 11:55:56 GMT -8
God damn, this place was beyond anything Kai Rose had ever imagined she would live in. Spinning the needle given to her at Yule between dexterous digits once after the next in a dizzying dance, the Polychromatic's colors poured from her ever brighter. It wasn't just a projection or a glow anymore -- no, the world around her seemed brighter, more connected as emotion bent reality ever so slightly to its will.
A fist rose and rapped against the door once, twice, thrice.
Enter light...
|
|
Ivory
.
Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
|
Post by Ivory on Jan 17, 2021 13:11:51 GMT -8
The door remained closed for some time, but soon the light scamper of feet beyond announced Ivory's arrival. Opening the heavy door, Ivory beheld Kai with a smile. She was dressed all in white, with a loose pair of trousers and a hooded shawl. Perhaps more prominent was what she lacked, however. Ivory was barefoot, wore no makeup and did not bear any scent of perfume. The Pale Dragon had her own rituals that she preferred to prepare in the moments leading up to the contract Kai was due to witness. Among this was the need to escape distraction. "Welcome, Kai," she said as golden eyes moved to behold the needle, "I am happy to see you remembered... Shall we convene to the basement?"
|
|
|
Post by Kai Rose on Jan 17, 2021 14:43:05 GMT -8
Whoa. Ivory had suddenly gone granola-witchy, all in white. The lack of make-up, perfume, and general trappings of wealth was a surprise that got both of Kai's eyebrows up. She wiggled the needle at her side. "Sure," she said, letting herself be allowed to come in. Her head was on a bit of a swivel, taking in the scenery in the house.
"So, uh, what's in the basement?" It wasn't fear in her voice, but it was a certain degree of caution, like she had no idea what the needle or the white ritual-looking garb was about.
|
|
Ivory
.
Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
|
Post by Ivory on Jan 17, 2021 19:53:41 GMT -8
With Kai in the door was closed and locked before the Pale Dragon moved forward, passing the Polychromatic as she walked to the other end of the foyer. The house is well appointed, as one might expect from the Fairest. hardwood is abundant, as is wood paneling. The color palette within complemented the home's exterior color, evoking a sense of warm and vitality.
The foyer was dominated by a staircase leading to the second story, although large archways to the left and the right allowed Kai to spy Ivory's living room as well as a sizable kitchen and dining room. Along the right side wall a door was ajar, showing an office with abundant shelving, leather, and wood. Ivory's target seemed to be none of these areas, however, instead she moved to a wooden door adjacent to the staircase, fishing out a key form beneath her shawl and opening it.
At the caution in Kai's voice, a small, light laugh sounds from Ivory's throat.
"A private space, nothing more," she assured, "I prefer not to perform this service where prying eyes might see... It can be coveted."
Waiting outside the door, she'd look back to the cautious Wizened and grant a warm smile.
"All will be made clear, I promise," she offered, "For now, all I ask is that you trust me."
A hand gestured to the stairwell beyond the door. It was slim, befitting the age of her home, but was well finished, the sconces lighting the path to the basement below.
"If you are ready, please follow me," she offered before beginning her descent before calling back, "And, please, lock the door behind you."
|
|
|
Post by Kai Rose on Jan 17, 2021 20:43:30 GMT -8
Service? In a basement? "I'm dying of curiosity here," the Polychromatic said with a half-smile, plainly off the immediate concern about Backstab Alley and more into the realm of curiosity. "Sure."
She followed the Hunterheart into the Not A Murder Basement and locked the door behind her to follow.
|
|
Ivory
.
Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
|
Post by Ivory on Jan 17, 2021 21:15:38 GMT -8
Ivory descended the steps fully, not bothering to check if the Wizened was following or not. Her footsteps were signification enough. Down in the basement it was silent and only dimly, dials by switches signifying that the ambience was intentional. Soon, Ivory disappeared into side room.
As the Polychromatic neared she would hear the striking of a match and come to see Ivory in the process of lighting candles in a small room with the door open. The room itself possessed a large amount of stonework on the walls alongside a stone-tile floor. It looked to be a small sitting room of sorts, but had been repurposed. There were small side tables tucked away in the corners and a low, wide table in the center surrounded by a plethora of rugs and thick pillows.
"As I said all those months ago," the Pale Dragon began, speaking as she moved, lighting candles in the corners, "I do not have the means to help you through my information network. I'm simply not connected to the right people to get the paperwork moving. Thus, my aid is not of a mundane variety."
Moving to the center table, Ivory would move to the center table, seating herself on one of the pillows as she lit two more candidates, completing her goal of affording the room dim light. Then a stick of incense was lit and placed on a center tray, emitting it's earthy aroma into the space. Finally the match was shaken to the extinguish the flame and placed upon the table.
"What I can offer you is the assistance of fate," she said, her golden eyes turning to Kai for the first time since entering the room, "I can empower a promise within the Wyrd that can assist you in the path of finding one who can help. If you are willing to accept this boon, there are two things I must require."
A gesture is provide to the other side of the table, inviting Kai to seat herself.
|
|
|
Post by Kai Rose on Jan 19, 2021 22:47:27 GMT -8
Now Kai was just curious. Candles were being lit, stonework on the walls, rugs and pillows... she followed her to the doorway, glancing around as she lit candles and explained. She accepted the offered pillow seat and raised both her eyebrows at the notion of a blessing of fate.
"A Contract? That's cool."
Two things were needed, though. The lingering statement begged the question, which she decided to just ask as she let herself feel Ivory's energy and mind the cues that might suggest motives.
"What's that?"
"
|
|
Ivory
.
Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
|
Post by Ivory on Jan 20, 2021 14:26:47 GMT -8
Ivory offers her growing friend a soft smile as she sits.
"The first is a promise," Ivory offered, "This contract can be a highly desirable service, but I do not wish to offer it to just anyone. As you know there are some among my Court that engage in activities that I disagree with. I would like a promise that you will only share the knowledge of my knowing this contract to those whom you trust, preferably those not affiliated with the seedier side of the underground."
Ivory had signaled her displeasure of criminal behavior in the past. It seems it still held true.
"Exceptions can exist, of course," she assured, "but I would prefer my talents to be used towards amicable ends. It would pain me to know my Contract had caused undue pain or misfortune."
There was a pause there, letting Kai process and respond should she like.
"The second is a requirement of the contract itself. I have given you a needle," she said, nodding to the implement in Kai's hand, "When I begin, I need you to allow me to prick your finger for a droplet of blood. I cannot perform the contract without it given my... low connection to the Wyrd."
"If you agree to both, I will perform the Contract... although, if I may, I would prefer to ask for a small, future favor," Ivory said, "I promise it will not damage your standing amongst the Spear, I merely need your service to prepare another part of me."
As Kai looked over the Pale Dragon it seemed apparent that Ivory was being honest. She would perform the task in exchange for a promise and a drop of blood. There was also the matter of a favor, but the Pale Dragon's assurance that it was not required seemed genuine. Recalling earlier conversations would note Ivory had an interest in helping Kai since they met. More than just the kindness of her heart, Ivory also stood to benefit, as assisting an up and comer in the Summer Court could only benefit the Dragon's Goodwill with the Iron Spear.
|
|
|
Post by Kai Rose on Jan 20, 2021 14:59:36 GMT -8
"I promise that I will only share the fact that you know the contract with people I trust." She nodded to that request. Ivory could Seal it if she felt inclined. The point about the Contract needing Blood because Ivory's connection to the Wyrd was low caused her to smile. "Ivory, you know you can just focus for a few extra seconds and charge up your Glamour over time, hey? A bit of blood is fine, but you're not barred from using the big guns. Just takes time." At least, that was her understanding of the thing. When she'd first gotten out, she couldn't rewind time very effectively, but that had worked out. She waved the needle, no big deal. "I don't mind doing you a solid. What do you need?" A light smile crossed her face at that.
|
|
Ivory
.
Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
|
Post by Ivory on Jan 20, 2021 15:21:57 GMT -8
There is a sigh of relief as Kai speaks her promise, a dusky gray hand raising as Ivory's eyes glow slightly brighter, indicating the Pale Dragon's investment of Glamour in the Polychromatic's words. If there was true trust between them, Ivory believed Kai would allow it.
"Then the promise is sealed," she offers, "Thank you."
At the revelation though, Ivory blushes, clearly boasting a strong sense of embarrassment.
"Ah... well," she said, "My apologies. This is how I learned... And I rarely break out the big guns, so..."
Eyes snap to the needle as the Pale Dragon sought to distract herself from her stumble. After a moment, a mirthful smile hit her lips.
"Although," she offered, her tone amused, "Seems like a wasted gift if we don't use it, don't you think?"
What was a bit of blood for a solid joke?
The amusement fades lightly as Kai asks about the request, the Pale Dragon's expression becoming more serious.
"There are people I wish to protect," she said, "And I've neglected honing the means I possess for doing so. I would like to come to you to spar in the near future. I'm not asking for a full training regimen, of course, you are far too busy for that. Just one night."
Ivory was looking for a fight. Consensually.
|
|
|
Post by Kai Rose on Jan 21, 2021 15:52:48 GMT -8
Kai gave her a thumbs up about the Sealed promise, shifting on the pillow to get comfortable. Poking herself seemed a bit weird when a bit of Glamour was an easy catch in Las Vegas, but whatever. If there was Cool Fate Nonsense to occur, she'd play along. Maybe it meant more if she did. Maybe it was part of the luck. She pantomimed poking her finger, clearly unconcerned about doing it. The request, however, caught her a bit off guard. Combat training? "Sure. What's the objective? I'm an archer, not a brawler, and I cheat. A lot. So how hard do you want to go? Toss some punches and roll around? Or are you looking for a proper simulation?"
Did she want training, or did she want Summer Training?
|
|
Ivory
.
Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
|
Post by Ivory on Jan 24, 2021 22:12:39 GMT -8
Ivory smiled as Kai inaudibly signaled her desire to play along. Sure, this was about Kai, but why should that mean the Contract was to be done with theatrics?
There was a chuckle, as Kai asked.
"No, no nothing specific. Throwing some punches and rolling around will do fine. And I expect you to cheat, few people wouldn't," she said, "What I need is a reminder of what I can do. Training, should any be required, can be discussed later with appropriate payments. Though if you decide to give me a few pointers, I won't be angry. I just know I may be in danger of losing that part of myself and, with everything that's happening, I don't want to call upon it in a time of need and find it gone. Does that make sense?"
Another smirk, "And it gives you the chance to kick an Emerald's ass," she quipped.
After a moment, Ivory would play her fingers in the smoke of the incense.
"Before we begin, I'm fairly certain of how to word what you are looking for, but I'd like to give you a chance to say it," Ivory said, "I assume you're looking for someone who can help you gain enough papers to make the day to day easier right?"
|
|
|
Post by Kai Rose on Jan 26, 2021 19:00:41 GMT -8
"Sure," Kai agreed, giving a shrug. "I'll give you a workout. Teach you a little something about dealing with ranged combatants, as well. Brawlers can be a real pain in the ass, but only if they are smart about it." A lot of people just let themselves be flown around at a distance, like a kite. You had to know how to close the gap and keep that way to make a shooter have to worry about your hands. "I'll bring some blunts. Where do you want to do this?"
Was she referring to the marijuana, or arrows? Who knows?
"Yeah, I'm looking to acquire a good identity. That's probably going to get done by making the right connections."
|
|
Ivory
.
Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
|
Post by Ivory on Jan 26, 2021 20:49:29 GMT -8
Ivory nodded as Kai signaled some vague plans. "Thank you, I'm very grateful."
To the question of a venue, she simply shrugged. "Haven't a clue. The sparring need not be immediate, but I don't really have a secure place to do it," she answered, "With Anthony home now, I need to be careful with this space and he will be suspicious as to why I am contracting a beautiful trainer and fighting in the dining room. I can look into renting a space at a later date."
That was the simple truth. The reasoning for the basement for this little shindig had more to do with theatrics. The door was locked to prevent unwanted intrusion and exposure. Indeed, Anthony was to be gone most of the day, but who knows with teenagers? Ivory knew the time was likely going to come when Anthony needed part of the truth, but that was not this day.
"I see, so we're seeking someone with the power to provide suitable documents," she said, confirming her previous thoughts, "I think I know enough. May I have the needle, please? And extend your hand, I promise to make this as painless as possible."
|
|