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Post by Nadia on Jun 5, 2021 10:43:21 GMT -6
Nadia was put at ease, seeing the butterfly land. So there was no malice in them, at least! Though she'd never known a butterfly to be aggressive, the mansion was good at taking her by surprise, so she kept an open mind. The light glow of their wings was rather captivating.
The fire mote... it was difficult to ascertain a feeling towards it. But then it started creeping closer.
"Oh, no..." She flinched back, one hand flying out to grip Sarv's arm. Dylan lowered his head and gave a growl of warning, for all it was worth - the burning creature continued on, making a beeline for them. "Ah... I... I wish you would stay back, fellow--"
It drew to a halt at last right in front of the knight. It seemed to be... blinking, at them. Observing them just as they were observing it. Nadia didn't quite know what to do about that.
[13]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 5, 2021 15:11:24 GMT -6
Where the butterfly landing goes rather unnoticed, the motion of the mote receives an immediate response. He holds out a hand, between the mote and the lady, to gently guide her behind him, keeping it there for her to hold as needed. Something is.. off about this mote.. It doesn't exactly make him feel comfortable, but there's a difference between fire and fire. He should be feeling a warmth, a heat.. something. But instead it almost seems a cold light.
The manor is many things, but it's usually a lot more direct with its threats than this. If anything would have happened, it already should have. "Careful, my lady," he looks over his shoulder to her for a moment. "It might not attack us, but it would be best to keep a distance, just in case. It seems to be curious. I can check." With the focus back towards the mote, the knight considers a moment.. and reachs a hand out towards it.
If it truly is malicious, they would know for sure (And if it is something else, he'll know for sure. Fire, magical or otherwise, still burned much the same). But if not, well.. Then they might have truly been worried over nothing.
. 8 . June: 14
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Post by Nadia on Jun 7, 2021 9:12:53 GMT -6
Nadia, once safely positioned behind the knight, looked at where her hands were clasped around his elbow - and she was just as swift to draw them back as she had been to put them there in the first place. Oops. There was nothing improper in it, but she was as shy about touching a gentleman as ever once her brain caught up with her body. Dylan looking cross about it and huffing didn't help matters either. "Sarv, take care--" She couldn't help but blurt it out when she saw the mote drawing closer to his outstretched hand... and then it crawled onto his fingers. It took everything in her not to gasp, expecting to see him lit up in flame. When that didn't happen, her entire body sagged with relief. "I... how does it do that...?" An illusion of flame, without heat? Her grip on the leash slackened as she considered it, giving Dylan the opportunity to slip forwards a little, but she was okay with it in the circumstances. It wasn't burning them. "M-may I see it, please?" What am I saying, what am I saying?[15]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 7, 2021 10:00:11 GMT -6
If the knight notices the awkwardness, he isn't making a fuss about it. The arm had been intentional, both as barrier between her and the thing, as well as assurance. Nothing improper about staying protective of a lady in high standing.. Especially if said lady was scared. Admittedly fairy tales tend to tell stories with stakes being a lot higher in such conditions, but not everyone can fight a dragon (And sometimes fighting fire motes can be a bigger battle on the inside than others realize).
He doesn't flinch as the mote drifts closer. Fire isn't a stranger to him, in fact it's almost like an acquaintance.. (In that you enjoyed their company once, but then realized it wouldn't work out after a bit of a falling out, and now keep seeing them every now and again, creating awkward situations where it would be better if both sides just went their separate ways instead, and never talked about it, but can't ever quite manage to stay away for too long, so the cycle repeats).
But he is surprised when the flickering creature touches the fingertips and the gloves do not blacken. "I'm not sure," he responds slowly, standing a little taller as he lets the mote dance between fingers, posture relaxing "But it does not burn. Perhaps it cannot." At the request, his head turns towards her, studying her expression, before he adds in a tone half-cautious, half-soft, "Are you certain, my lady? If it makes you uncomfortable, you need not get too close. I could take it outside for you."
. 9 . June: 16
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Post by Nadia on Jun 7, 2021 11:49:20 GMT -6
Dylan's behaviour had fallen by the wayside in the excitement, but Nadia could see he was still skirting around Sarv while trying to remain close to her. Like he was repelled. The shifty glances from the houluh to the knight left her a little baffled, but she was content to put it down to his appearance; even with a butterfly sitting jauntily on one horn, there were horns nonetheless. The more pressing matter was the mote. The lack of heat and burning had taken the edge off the fear, even if it hadn't completely dissolved it. It wasn't going to hurt them. The way it weaved between the knight's fingers was downright playful. "I... am quite certain," She said, before she could change her mind. "I can see that it means us no harm, so... perhaps I might learn something from it." Dylan's nose nudging at the back of her leg was another means of grounding her. She could only hope that she was more stalwart than she felt, and that one close look at the mote wouldn't leave her cowering. [17]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 8, 2021 3:49:50 GMT -6
The reasoning brokers no argument - Even if her words were trying to be brave, he takes note of her expression more, showing the ebbing of panic. "Very well, my lady, then it is yours to hold," and he takes a small bow of the head, now holding out the other hand to her, as if presenting the fire mote. It's not quite on a platter, even if he tries to hold his fingers flat so it could float over the palm instead, but the gesture is close enough. (He just hopes the mote is with the program.. He doesn't want it stuck on his fingers the whole time they're here, nor to decide now would be a good time to, figuratively speaking, show true colours).
There is also the matter of the june bugs, even though it's less imperative at the time. Certain patterns arose in the manor that both he and the panther took note of - light motes, glass roses, bottled dreams, seashells.. And now several june bugs of a similar make. They aren't the same inanimate objects like the others, but their frequency suggests they could be key to something within. Ultimately, the panther's theory of the rose-laid path leading to an exit hadn't proved true, but there was a strangeness of the well just as he was leaving last time.
. 10 . (added) June: 18
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Post by Nadia on Jun 8, 2021 3:58:43 GMT -6
Nadia took a stilling breath. There was nothing to be afraid of, there was nothing to be afraid of... she could repeat the mantra as many times as she liked, but she'd still feel the spike of fear needling at the back of her neck. Her fingers shook when she held out her hand for the mote to touch. Any second now, and the flames would touch her, and she'd be burned to a crisp-- Yet, no. The mote flickered forwards and slid onto her upright palm without issue. Other than something of a light tingling where the 'fire' touched her skin, she felt nothing. It was such a shock that she gave a startled laugh. "It truly doesn't burn," She said. It was too much, to ask her to move yet - her hammering heart and wobbly legs kept her rooted to the spot - but this breakthrough was enough of a marvel in itself. "What a wondrous thing, Sarv. Did you ever see anything of the like?" Dylan wasn't impressed. It was a being that wasn't him getting attention that was rightfully his! He barked, but when Nadia's head didn't turn in his direction, he flopped onto his backside and huffed. Phooey. [19]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 8, 2021 4:11:43 GMT -6
The knight observes carefully, ready to step in the second something goes wrong (The second any deception on the mote's part is afoot). When the transfer is made, he lowers his hand, but remains close enough to her, just in case. Given the shakiness of her person, there's almost an expectation of the sensory overload being so much so as to cause her to faint or collapse. And if that's the case, no lady should ever fall on the floor, even if it is made of grass and not cold hard stone. In fact, grass could almost be worse - Those stains never quite leave.
As she struggles, there's a look of admiration, one could almost swear even a smile behind the helm. Whatever their respective reservations regarding this mote, hers is certainly a much stronger battle within than his. (Not all the great battles of fairy tales were about defeating physical dragons. Some dragons huddled deep within the mind itself).
"I have encountered many wondrous occurrences in my previous visit, but none like this," he replies, standing more at ease now that the tension is lowering. "There has been a cosmic bear, a black dove, multicoloured dragonflies, different kinds of fish, what I assume is an imp of some sorts, and some shadow-based creatures." The voice he uses next is a shrug-in-tone, but not in posture (For a knight would not resort to such loss of form) "But I suppose there are still many secrets left undiscovered within this manor. The garden aesthetic is certainly new."
. 11 . June: 20
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Post by Nadia on Jun 8, 2021 4:18:02 GMT -6
Nadia was enraptured by the mote. Her fear had not left her, but it was ebbing, chased off by the knowledge that this fiery being could not hurt her. It wasn't trying to, even. It appeared to be dancing, swirling between her fingers and around her wrist in circles. It was... beautiful, almost, if she was brave enough to say such a thing. "A cosmic bear? It sounds... a very pretty being, but would give me a fright," She replied with a grin. Each smile came easier than the last - her eyes even managed to tear away from the mote to look at the knight. "What adventures you've had! Please, let us have one of our own. I am more eager than ever. Lead on." As if he'd understood, Dylan was raring to go. Even still sitting, he strained forwards against the leash, trying to go after a firefly ambling in the other direction. It was no fun, mooching around in the same spot with that weirdo. [21]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 8, 2021 4:28:59 GMT -6
"Yes, it was quite strange. I never understood which part of it was solid, and which phantasmal, but it appeared amiable enough. I suspect it was intended to be shaped after a constellation of sorts," the knight further explains, recounting one of the first creatures he had met here. He didn't explain the others, however. The lady is only just begun to cope with the fire mote, teetering on the edge of fear and excitement, and it's best to keep it on the 'excitement' part. The manor certainly had made his trip an adventure, but it hadn't always been nice. (It hasn't even always been good. The manor was neutral at best, but only because the absolute good and absolute bad tended to cancel each other out).
He would have to make sure to keep an even sterner eye on their surroundings. Perhaps this month isn't too terrible, but the lady doesn't need such concerns added to her worries at the moment. Plus, as the lady said, an adventure is requested..
"Of course, my lady," he nods, before indicating towards the fireflies, "Should we try and take these with us? I'm sure we could find a sizeable jar somewhere, to safely contain them." In all this time, he still doesn't quite have a notion about the butterfly on the horn.
. 12 . June: 22
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Post by Nadia on Jun 8, 2021 4:54:56 GMT -6
Wow. Nadia was finding it difficult to image a creature like that - as if a constellation had fallen from the sky and decided to walk among the people of the world. The mansion was capable of many incredible things, and she hoped to see more in the near future, as long as they didn't bring her little party any harm. "Yes, I think that would be prudent in case-- oh, Sarv," She'd at last caught sight of the butterfly sitting at a jaunty angle on the knight's horn, and giggled, nodding her head in its direction. "You have acquired a friend, on your helmet. It quite suits you." Where to safely locate the fire mote, so they could move on? She was happy to let it sit on her satchel, if it behaved itself; where it was slung across her body and resting on her hip, she coaxed it onto the top. There. It appeared more than content to settle there. Dylan was not about settling. One of the fireflies had dared to come within his reach, and he was trying his best to nip at it. [23]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 8, 2021 8:53:06 GMT -6
The knight is taken back, a slow but confused blink given towards the sudden giggle. For a moment he wonders if something is off, or perhaps there was some social taboo crossed that caused her to laugh (He could be humorous when intended, but usually it didn't happen accidentally. And even if accidents did happen, usually people were anything but humorous about it). With her pointing to the helmet, he raises a hand in instinct, but can't feel anything on the horn. Mostly because it is not the right one.
He then angles the glaive to check the reflection in the flat of the blade, finally seeing the red-orange bug quietly sit on the other horn, wings folding and unfolding. "Ah.." there's an awkward pause, "Seems I have. Apologies, I thought perhaps the horn was skewed." There's a few more moments of inspecting the reflection, before the glaive is lowered, "It does not appear to be hostile, either. Most likely it is just resting. I shall leave it be.." Another pause, this time thoughtful, before he follows up with a slow "Unless you wish to hold it as well..?"
. 13 . June: 24
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Post by Nadia on Jun 8, 2021 13:09:43 GMT -6
With the mote settled and her managing to resist staring at it every two seconds, Nadia returned her attention to Dylan. She slackened the leash further, letting him bounce forwards after his firefly; as long as he wasn't snapping at it, she was happy to let him investigate. "No, no. Please, allow him to keep you company," She said, unable to stop herself from smiling. As they spoke, the second butterfly fluttered in a slow descent between them, coming to land on the back of her hand. "Ah, his friend has come to join me. Shall we proceed and find a jar?" It was quite a miracle, how much calmer she was when she began walking again. What a fast turnaround! It may be that it would catch up with her and give her some distressing symptoms later on, but for now she could revel in the moment, and enjoy the mansion's scenery. [25]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 9, 2021 7:01:34 GMT -6
"As you wish," he nods, and the butterfly flutters the wings, but remains fixed to the horn. Whatever free ride it was about to get, it seems intent on cashing in on it. Fortunately, the second butterfly makes the scene in time to settle any further dispute. "On occasion, the creatures can come in pairs. I noticed this last time, as well. More often, they share the same type and colour, but it is quite curious to see a difference between these two."
"Ah, yes," he agrees, noting the pup chasing after one of the fireflies. "I suspect the hound might chase them too far apart, otherwise." There's a look around this.. well, it is supposed to be an entrance hall of a manor, and certainly has the size and shape of it, but everything else suggests an indoor garden, or at the very least, a greenhouse. "I do not see any in this room, but there are certainly many options to explore. Perhaps in one of the side-areas?" he questions, indicating towards a stone archway. (And if these creatures are anything like the previous ones, they won't have to worry too much about them following. The trick was learning how to make them stop tagging along, if anything).
. 14 . June: 26
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Post by Nadia on Jun 9, 2021 10:56:49 GMT -6
The hound, indeed. Nadia had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing - she could only imagine what Dylan might say in retaliation to be labelled as 'the hound', if he could understand the concept. Their aversion to each other had been a concern at first, but it was becoming more humorous than anything. "We are blessed with variety," She teased, holding up her hand so she could examine the butterfly. They seemed to glow, like the fireflies! It was a surprise to her. "Yes, let's see. I hope the mansion will be kind... it is the type of being to withhold a jar from us now we have dared to mention the need for one." Hopefully she wasn't speaking it into existence. Dylan was delighted when his person finally started moving again, and was pacing a few feet in front of them on the leash, tail lashing back and forth. "Ah, perhaps this way..." Stepping through the stone arch was like entering a gateway to another dimension. Darkness swirled in and draped over her like a blanket; without the mote and the bugs, it would have been impossible to see. "A poor decision. You choose the direction next time, Sarv." [27]
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