Love Potions
Tenebrae - Friday, February 15, 2013, 8:25 PM
-=--=--=--=--=--=<* A07: Local Alexandria Market District *>-=--=--=--=--=--=-
Just west of the Northern Highbridge and east of the arena, commerce blooms. Noisy and bustling, most anything may be purchased here for a price. Vendors from all cultures sell their wares from exotically colored carts, and the smells of different nations and far-off city-states mix with local ones from Alexandria and its riverbanks.
For all its commerce, visitors are advised to keep hold of their purses. Even the merchants possess a certain, cunning look. Most are positioned at carts or stalls as opposed to a formal storefront, with trade here being mobile, and visiting from all parts of the world.
Though the quality of goods suffers here compared to Upper Alexandria, the options are more diverse. Too, the oversight of the Watch is slightly less, and during times events are held at the Arena, chaos abounds. After dark, the square becomes a hangout for bards and other entrepreneurs whose business is best conducted by night; the shadows at the edges of the square often contain furtive figures engaging in their own brand of business.
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Jessa has arrived.
Mikilos wanders the marketplace, peering about. Though on occasion the elf pauses to greet a familiar face or admire a fresh display, he seems seeking something specific, searching high and low. Mostly low.
Jessa's sweeping through the marketplace. Someone as tiny as her should not be able to sweep much less clear space in front of her but she does both. "Ah, look who we have here!" she calls out when she spots Mikilos. That's a wide smile on her face. She is so friendly!
Mikilos smiles in return, friendly as well. "Jessa! I've been looking for you!" How often does that sentence end well?
Squinting at him, Jessa pauses for a moment. Then she shrugs and finishes bounding over toward him, grinning widely. "And you've found me! Aren't you so very lucky!"
Mikilos mmms, and smiles. "In this case willing to place it to your luck. Mine hasn't been all highs of late." The wizard shrugs off his pack and rests upon one knee, putting himself a lot closer to eye level. He's a bit long limbed, even for a tallfolk. "Have a gift for you. Wasn't sure what to do with them, but then thought of you, and it seemed obvious." He pulls a pair of crystal vials from the pack, filled with a clear liquid, and offers them to the Muse.
Jessa's a bit tall for a halfling girl but. Let's be honest. She's still smaller than most human children. Peering up at him, she takes the vials and then holds them up to the light. "What are they? Not that I don't like gifts or anything but I like gifts best when I know what the hell they are."
Mikilos hehs. "Love Potions. Slightly defective. A bit of cat dander got into the mix, so while they should work just fine, their shelf life is only a few hours."
Agril has arrived.
There's a careful shift of the halfling's muscles though otherwise she remains calm. "You....you....gave me this. You said to yourself that it would be a good idea to give -me- a pair of slightly defective love poitions?"
Mikilos's grin widens. "Didn't say it was a -good- idea. Just the obviously entertianing one. Besides, there isn't time to come up with anything really devious, so damage limiter is already in place."
"AUGH. WAIT, DOG!"
There is a large, black and white dog on a leash that's dragging Agril along. It seems to be pulling him. A -lot-. "Humphries! Slow down!" The dog does not appear to be slowing down at all. He's having a -blast- on this walk.
Jessa's unscrewing the top and sniffing at it. "Do they have to drink it?" And then the dog heads toward her and she goes a little owly and....the tops are off the potions which will likely go alllllll over herself and Mikilos as the dog hits her.
"Heel! Humphries. HEEL." Agril is trying. He really IS trying to control the dog. The dog, on the other hand, has other ideas. He's approaching Jessa! There may yet in fact be a collision!
Mikilos nods. "Drink it, yes, they- look out!" The elf tries to impose himself between the canid and Lucht, but isn't in exactly the best position to do so. but the effort is made, none the less.
Jessa's nimble, sure, but she can't move fast enough to dodge the dog. And the potions go flying.
The dog, naturally, leaps up on Mikilos. HE's interposed himself, after all. The facelicking commences!
Agril sighs, staring at the potions in abject horror as they arch up into the air and begin their descent.
"Oh no..."
"Ack! Ptth! Off! Shoo!" The elf flails a bit, trying to keep the dog away while trying to save a vial. Or at elast see where it ends up.
That's one halfling falling back. With both potions in hand. Which both go ... okay. Probably males need to run. Now.
Not Agril! There's no running in him. THere's only alarm. He doesn't know what was in those potions! "Jessa! Are you okay?" Immediate concern for the halfling.
Mikilos sighs, and facepalms. Partly to remove the dog slobber. "That.... could have gone better. Also worse. Meh, at least won't be bored for a few hours."
"I hate dogs unless they have a saddle and are being used for riding." Jessa says that with a straight face, yo. Rubbing at her face, she makes a horrible face as she smacks her mouth. "Those things taste -terrible-."
"What were those?" says Agril to Jessa, concernedly. "Humphries! Sit!" The dog -finally- obeyes, mostly because he's already caused all the chaos he can, and the Sunguard bends down to help JEssa back to her feet, ahand extended to her.
Mikilos frowns, and looks to jessa with concern. "...I'm.... not sure any more. They're supposed to be flavorless. That's.... not good." This is a wizard who thinks fireballs are good. This is worse than a fireball. Yeah, running might be the best option.
"-Mikilos- said," Jessa says, glaring at the elf. And then she runs her hand through her hair, adjusting it slightly, "that they were love potions that got cat dander in them. They taste like a dirty sock."
So there's Agril, holding Jessa's hand, when this is explained to him. "Love potions," he says. His eyes get real big. Then he looks down at Jessa. Then at Mikilos. Then at Jessa again. There is worry on his face.
Mikilos is concerned, but less worried. Maybe because he's had time to adjust to the idea of a Muse with Love Potions. "Maybe. Dander got into the mix before they were done being made. I thought that would merely drop the shelf life to a handful of hours. But if the taste has changed drastically, other things may have changed as well. So I'm not sure what we're dealing with anymore. Hopefully nothing poisonous, I really don't want to see you hurt."
Jessa's pulling a small mirror from her pocket and, after giving Agril a coy little smile and slowly sliding her hand out from his, looks at her makeup--she has a bit--and her hair--which does need adjusting--then she gives Mikilos a highly amused look from beneath her lashes. "Please. I'm tough. I'm able to withstand some dirty socks and cat hair."
Agril looks immediately concerned. "Yes. There's no telling the effect. Ah...Oh dear." She's looking in a mirror. That can't be good. Agril clears his throat once, then says, "Humphries, stay. Jessa, how are you feeling?"
Mikilos grins again. "I'm sure you'll be fine. Eventually. In the meantime, however, things may be.... troublesome. Not as if an excuse is really needed for that."
"How does my hair look?" Jessa asks seriously, looking from Mikilos to Agril. Her hair looks fine.
"Quite good, actually," says Agril, politely, to Jessa. He then says to Mikilos, "I can chaperone the lady, if need be." A solemn nod follows.
Mikilos nods, and smiles. "You look fine." To Agril, his grin widens, and the elf arches a brow in exageration. "Yes, but who would chaperone you? I do have some experience watching over people under effects." He ponders a moment, and shrugs. "Or not. Is possible they've already gone cold, and have no effect. Other than the unfortunate flavor, I mean."
"I -feel- absolutely amazing." Jessa tosses her hair and smiles sweetly up at the two men. "I -am- completely fabulous. So. You know what? I think I am going to go to the main Council Hall. I think the Lady Telenil could use some attention. I'm sure she'd love mine." ........perhaps her brain broke when the potions hit.
"OhbsweetDaeus. I think the council is not at all in session today. Ever. At all," says Agril, hurriedly. "Fabulous is certainly one way to describe this situation," he adds, under his breath.
Mikilos rolls his eyes, and grins at Agril. "You're worrying. Stop it. There's nothing to worry about. She said she's fine." And then the elf slips in A Look. He is a -wizard-. He is a -professional-. He's -got this-. Easy-going smile returning, he grins to Jessa. "Sadly, he is correct, the Council is out for the day. But I think the Braggart Tavern is having another of their Tale Telling contests." Of course they are. They almost always are.
"No. This won't do at all, this won't do at all. Nonono." Jessa gives the pair of them a very sad look. She can pull off mournful. Waaaaaay too much time with actors. Then she brightens and she leaps up, squealing. "HOUSE CALL." And then she's dash off down the street. Toward the richyrich part of town.
"...Jessa! Wait! I have something very important to discuss with you!" and then he's after her. Because dear god, he's not about to let this go.
Humpries seems to be saying 'oh boy! More walks!'. Just so you know.
Mikilos sighs, swiftly gathers his things, and takes off after. At least short halfer legs aren't too hard to keep up with. But for the moment, it's the priest he needs to catch. "Do -not- tell her she's enchanted. It's a side effect. They may know they're charmed, but they don't really -know-. Trying to force the realization seldom ends well." He's a wizard. He knows this stuff.
"Come here boy! Come here! My Lady awaits!" And then Jessa's scrambling onto Humphries's back. Her own dog is apparently at him. "Go! FLY LIKE THE WIND!" Well. The dog runs faster than she does, at least.
...oh NO. Humphries is huge. And was, in fact, at one point slated to be a riding dog.
He runs like the wind with JEssa on his back. Agril is forced to let go of the leash, but he's *running* after her.
Mikilos blinks, for once at something of a loss for words. "...oh balls." The wizard redoubles his running efforts, muttering distractedly under his breath.
Jessa's nimble /and/ experienced with riding dogs. She leans low over his neck and shouts out, "I'M COMING BEAUTIFUL RAWYN!"
"Oh no," says Agril, still chasing after Jessa. Good thing he's in shape. "Jessa! Uh! Wait up!" This is a lost cause. The most he can do at this point is try to keep up.
Mikilos sighs, and skids to a halt, if only for a moment. He's a -wizard-, he solves problems with -magic-. Muttering rapidly, the elf reaches out, grabbing hold of the fabric of the universe. Which to the untrained eye looks a heck of a lot like grabing the air in front of him. Until he starts to open a hole in it.
Jessa looks over her shoulder at the sound of her name and there is MIKILOS the HANDSOME making a HOLE. Which may get her to her objective faster. She angles around in a long, curving path toward that hole.
"...Mikilos," says Agril, "...she is charging at you. I hope whatever you're doing, it is a -good idea- in this case. IT had better be." There is some obvious concern for JEssa's well being there. HE seems worried about her!
Mikilos blinks. That... wasn't the plan... but seriously, focus. Getting distracted mid-spell sledom ends well. ...although what will happen if she tries to enter the hole... erf. Thankfully it takes only a few seconds for the portal to open, and the through it bursts a cat. A very large cat, of light golden fur like spring sunshine, and spots of the deepest evening sky blue. A Celestial Cheetha, in short. "Halfling upon the dog. Delay and subdue. Do not harm. Dog, do not harm. Intimidation acceptable." A bit clinical of instructions, but it's hard to be sure what sort of personality your Summon has, unless you've worked with them before.
Jessa's adjusting her hair with one hand and smiling winningly at Mikilos even as she urges the dog toward the hole and then the dog tries to skid and dash away from the cheetah and Jessa's screeching and well. It is ugly already.
"Mikilos! No summoning exta-dimensional creatures like that!" Agril's voice is stern. HE's trying to catch up with her. "Jessa! Jessa!" This is just no good.
Mikilos blinks. "Wait, what? How else would I summon them?! There wasn't time for a runic circle!" Okay, maybe this wasn't so great an idea. "Jessa! The kitty's faster! Catch the kitty!" She likes cats, right? Wait... maybe that was someone else. Oh dear.
Jessa's thinking about it. She is oh my GOD SHE IS THINKING ABOUT IT. She manages to mostly push to her feet as she judges the distance between cat and dog. Then she launches herself up into the air. She's going to make it, she's going to make it, she.....didn't make it. Even a little. Oh god. THUD. ROLL. And then she's holding her head and groaning.
"Jessa!" Agril's shout takes on a more alarmed note and, well... he runs over ot her again. "Are you okay?" he asks her, kneeling down by her, panting. He's out of breath, of course.
Taurex has arrived.
The large kitty of Celestial Might and All Things Good pads calmly up to Jessa, and lightly places a large paw upon her. Stay. It's golden eyes turn towards Agril, uncertan and lacking orders, so it looks to Mikilos. Okay Boss, now what?
The elf is a bit uncertain himself, but hurries up to the small group. "....sorry about that. Didn't quite work out as I'd intended."
Jessa beams brightly up at Agril, grabs a double handful of his robes and pulls him down for a kiss. It is involved. "You'll take me to Rawyn, right?" Then, "There's a cat on my chest. It is very big."
"Mmgmgh," sayhs Agril during the involved kiss. His arms flail a bit. When she finally breks it off, he clears his throat and says, "Jessa, ah. Jessa. You. Jessa. I'll.. You're not.. I mean." He looks at Mikilos, then says, "I'm holding you responsible." Nevermind that the halfling's behavior is at least partially his fault. Or at least the large, black and white dog's.
Mikilos nods to Jessa, stepping up to run his fingers lightly thru the golden fur. Because, kitty. Fortunately the Summon seems fine with this. "He's an ally. You okay? That's another fall have taken in the last hour. Might want to settle it down a little." He blinks at Agril. "...yeah, that's fair."
Taurex quite politely averts his gaze from the non-scaled ones courtship rites, though he pauses to stare a moment at the golden furred cat, tilting his head quizzically for a moment.
Jessa's smile gets wider. "Right. You'll do whatever I want." She at least seems to -think- Agril will. And then she's tugging at Mikilos. "Your turn." She's....tiny and not strong so really. He can't be forced. "Get the cat off me."
"Yes, of course," says Agril, "In fact, I have -just the plan-. You'll have to wait a while, though, but I think Lady Rawyn would absolutely -love- to see you. I'll send word to her, if you'll wait." He nods solemnly, trying to recover his composure after having been flustered.
Mikilos missed something. He's sure he missed something. But, kitty. He really needs to get some better focus on things. But for the moment Jessa wants something. Least he can do is help out, after all the trouble he's inadvertantly caused. Kneeling down, the elf distractedly nudges the Cheetha aside. All is well now, right? "I am sorry about all this. What was it you wanted?"
Taurex stops in his perusal of the goods available at a nearby stall. Was this a wild beast accosting the young lady? He turns his attention back to the golden cat, approaching close enough to visually inspect it for a brand or collar while doing his best to avoid intruding on the rite.
And then Mikilos gets a rather similar treatment as Agril. The good news? Jessa's a great kisser! The bad news? Jessa's kissing /him/. This is what he gets. When she's done, she sighs cheerfully at him, grinning like the little imp she is. "You can both help me get to her, yes."
The Celestial Cheetha, who as yet has not offered a name, peers back at the Sith with eyes far more intelligent than any mortal cat. And then yawns, showing off a large collection of very pointy teeth. A warning? A greeting? Who knows, it's still a cat.
"Ahem. I have this covered. Nothing to see here! Would you dismiss that cheetah already, sir?" asks Agril of Mikilos. He clears his throat, once, then stands up straighter. Then JEssa's kissing the elf and his hand goes over his face. HE looks pained.
Taurex considers the cat for a moment. Is it intelligent? Would it be appropriate to display his teeth back? After all, this is the big city, filled with strange smooth-skins. Would it really be that unusual? Perhaps, just to be polite he should try to greet it. In a low hissing voice, he politely greets the Cheeta in common, "Greeting, fur-clad hunter. Are these your smoothskins I see? I hope I do not interfere in their breeding by greeting you, for I am sure you hope for the young female to bear many fine cubs."
HE turns towards Taurex and explains, "An accident involving a tainted potion. It's really quite all right." since the SIth is observing, after all. "Ther is no actual breeding." He looks even more pained.
Mikilos blinks. Blinks again. "...what? 'Her'? What?" He blinks once more, looking to Agril and Taurex. "Kitty? Cubs? What?" Critial hit. Man down.
"I know," Jessa says in a smug voice. "I am very good." Then she points at the cheetah. "Get it off my chest. Please. Agril has a lady to take me to."
Zalara has arrived.
Taurex looks confused a moment, then turns towards the man speaking for the cat, "Ah. I see. You are the cat's voice and hands. Please tell your master that I am pleased to meet his acquintance and mean no harm to him or his smooth-skin servants. I saw him in the city without collar or brand and was curious to whether he was a resident, a pet, or food. Now that I know he is your master, I shall treat him with the respect he is due."
"...Jessa, please come with me," says Agril, "I will take you someplace to wait. Yes." He's totally lying. "And...noted, sir," he adds Taurex, "I am Agril Doran, a Sunguard of Daeus." It's offered automatically.
Taurex turns towards the golden cat, and, speaking directly to the cat, "I greet you Agril Doran. May your claws remain ever sharp and your prey falter in the chase. I am Taurex of Jhergal, hunter of magical beasts."
Mikilos and the Cat blink at each other, and both shrug. A moment later and the Celestial turns away, fadeing back to it's own realm. The elf blinks, and turns to the Sith. "Ah, no. The Priest is Agril. I am Mikilos, the wizard. The... uh... Great Hunter... has chosen not to reviel his true name, for, um, actions speak louder than words?"
"I am Jessa Hartose. Beloved of Ceinara and everyone else." And then Jessa's on her feet, a tiny fist on each hip. "I am feeling especially fantastic today because I have a /goal/." And way too much tainted love potion in her.
Taurex bows his head respectfully to Jessa, "Indeed young one. Not many are chosen to bear the blessed cubs of a divine spirit of Daeus. I must admit that I am somewhat surprised that the priest would perform such a ritual in a public market, but the ways of the city folk are still strange to me."
"All right, Jessa," says Agril, calmly, "I think it is time we be going. We have an appointment to make and keep, do we not?" He glares at Mikilos briefly. THIS IS HIS FAULT. Then he nods towards Taurex, of course. "Thank you. I have some familiarity with your people."
Mikilos sniffs, and mutters quietly. "Is -your- dog."
"How's my hair?" Jessa's hair is a bit of a mess now.
Mikilos hesitates. "...ah, just a moment." Murring rapidly, the elf reaches out and runs his fingers lightly over Jessa's mop-top. It helps. A lot. Magic!
Taurex narrows his eyes as he considers the situation for a moment, "Does the holy concubine of a spirit of Daeus not wish to journey with you this eve? Is she being held against her will?"
Grinning impishly, Jessa reaches up and had EVERY INTENTION of tweaking Mikilos's chin. But she's too short. So she settles for straightening the edge of his robe. "Thank you, m'love. Now, m'darlin'. You will take me to my lady." She points at Taurex. "We'll talk later. You need some basics explained to you."
Zalara comes out of the west and she is humming softly to herself. She has her umbrella with her. She spots the others and knows Jessa and Mikilos. She moves over towards them, "Hi there. How are you all doing?"
Taurex pulls out a small piece of parchment and a small lump of a chalky black substance. He carefully scratches a note on the piece of parkment, 'visit temple of Daeus. Ask about holy mating ritual performed by Priest Agril and a large golden cat in public market.'
Mikilos blinks, ponders, murmurs to Taurex, not too quietly. "The Holy Personage is not herself at the moment. The Spirit is upon her. She must be... restrained, from excessive enthuasim."
"Yes. Something like that," says Agril. HE doesn't quite understand what Taurex is writing, mostly because he can't see it. This is largely a good thing. A very positive thing. Or he might be distracted from getting Jessa to safety. From herself. "Come on, Lady Hartose. Let's go." And wiht that, he goes to lead her awy, a polite nod given to the Sith-Makar.
Jessa pats Mikilos on the chest, gives Zalara a little wave, Taurex a narrow eyed look, and then takes Agril's arm. "Yes. We will go. Have a good evening, all of you. I am sure you and I will have -words- later, Mikilos."
Mikilos sighs, and nods. "I'm sure you will have lots of words. Think I'll just have three. 'Yes Madam. Sorry Madam.'"
Taurex folds the piece of parchment in half and tucks it into his breastplate. Lady Hartose. So that is the name of the young woman. He bows his head, then replies to the departing servants of the Great Hunter, "Good fortunate. May all the gods bless you."
Jessa has left.
Zalara waves to Jess and Angril as they leave, "Good bye it was nice to see you." She smiles at Mikolos and Taurex, "So how are both of you doing?"
Mikilos phews, and shrugs. "Not too bad. Could have been a lot worse. Broke some potions, gave them to Jessa, things went downhill."
Taurex peers intently at Mikilos for a moment, before inquiring "The young woman had been drugged with potions?"
Zalara winces a little bit, "Tainted potions are never good. I hope that she'll be all right. I'm Zalara of the Anvil by the way." She introduces herself to the new person.
Mikilos winces slightly, and shrugs. "She was the one doing the doseing... but then there was this dog, and some yelling, and things didn't go as planned. I'm sure she'll be fine, eventually."
Taurex quirks his brow as he considers Zalara, "You do not appear to ahve the thick strong arms of a blacksmith." He then turns his attention back to Mikilos, "That was a cat, not a dog. You can usually tell by looking at the ears and paws. However, as you are city folk, I can understand how you would get confused."
Zalara hmms, "Well I'm stronger then I look, but I'm not a blacksmith. I'm an artificer, but don't worry I'm a follower of Reos so my artifice is safe."
Mikilos chuckles. "Dog was first, cat came later." He glances to Zalara. "Do you smith? In addtion to artificery, or whatever the proper verb is?"
Taurex nods slowly then notes to Zalara, "I have heard of the artificers. A dwarf came to my village once. He said artificers took junk and used mgic to make it seem to work just long enough to sell it. However, he may have just been upset about the competition." He then adds helpfull to Mikilos, "And the reason for all the animals?"
Zalara smiles, "I am a smith, a gun smith." She reaches to the holster on her side and she takes out her dragonspitter. "I've been considering putting a magical enchantment on this, but I'm not sure what."
Mikilos shrugs. "The dog I'm not sure about. Muse Jessa, the halfling, startd to ride away upon it. The Cheetha was to catch the dog, and rider." To Zalara, he quirks a brow. "I enchant items, if you've need. I've never done a DragonSpitter before, but I doubt the mechanics would be much diffrent from a ThunderBelcher."
Taurex dips his head down to look at the dragonspitter, "Why would you put magic in metal? How would you eat it? If you can't devour the magic, how would it make you stronger?"
Zalara smiles, "Thanks Mikilos, but I can enchant it myself. I learned how to do that I can enchant my Titan armor." She looks at Taurex, "Well to make it aim truer and hit harder. Although this is really just a back up weapon. My real weapon is my death ray." She holsters her weapon.
Mikilos blinks, frowns, and blinks again. "...you eat magic? What?"
Taurex grins, baring unusually sharp teeth. "I hunt magical beasts. By devouring their blood and flesh, I take their magic and grow stronger." He holds out his right hand and flexes the long slightly curved claws protruding from his fingertips. "Once I was weak. Sickly. Had but short stubby dull talons that could hardly tear the skin of a deer or wild hog. Now I am strong. A mighty hunter. The blessing of the Green Word that flows through such beasts blood and flesh. Did you not know this, mageling?"
Mikilos ahs. "Flesh of magical creatures is diffrent than eating magic itself. The later being more than slightly worrisome, though I suppose from a certain perspective, I do so myself."
Zalara hmms a little bit as she listens, "Very interesting idea that you have, but what if that magical beast has poison flesh and it makes you very ill so that you throw up, will that be all your magic too gets thrown up.' She asks curiously. "I've never heard anything about that, but if you think about it you should be trying to eat sorcerers, they are very magical."
Taurex shrugs then replies to Mikilos, "And I can see how, if one has an excess of magic floating about, and one is so unfortunate as to have only very small dull teeth and claws, that it might be wise to store such magic in weapons and such." He then turns to Zalara, "Is it the tradition here to eat sorcerers? So many new things I have I been learning since I came here. Is there a fee or a license? And, would it not be impolite to kill a sentient being?"
Mikilos eyes Zalara. "Please do not encourage the large carnivore to eat people." To Taurex, he shakes his head. "It is neither tradition, nor legal. Trying would likely find you in a cell, or hunted by the Watch."
Zalara hmms, "I was just curious about it, although Mikilos is right you shouldn't eat anything that is sentient, that's why it's okay to eat cows and chicken they can't think for themselves. You really shouldn't hunt other people that's bad."
Taurex glares at Zalara with narrowed eyes. "I see. In that case, I believe I will depart. It was a pleasure meeting you, Mikilos. Perhaps we shall talk at some other time."
Mikilos ponders a moment, and glances to Zalara. "By that, wouldn't it be okay to eat weak willed individuals? They don't think for themselves."
Taurex departs for locations unknown.
Taurex has disconnected.
Zalara hmms, "No just those that can't think, like cows and chickens and other animals like that. Well it was nice seeing you Mikilos. Have a good day."
Zalara has left.