The second~

[merlinus]

The mage wandered into the pub with his hood up as usual, his hands behind his head in a relaxed manner. "I swear it is so bored around here!" He yawned finding himself a table and pulling out some scrolls and unfurling it and laying it on the table  and tracing the parchment with his finger and using magic to write and draw designs onto it. He looked rather into whatever he was working on, he didn't seem like an idiot at all at first glance.

"This'll have to do, for now...I have to find more mages..." Said Meryl taking the staff off his back and setting it down and holding his chin as he glanced around. "I wonder if there is anyone here...I know the Queen said I could...but I still actually need others..." He whispered under his brother and leaning back in his chair.

[Luella Vaettir]

Elle stepped over a mud puddle, quickly getting out of the way of a carriage that was hurrying by. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry this evening, though she didn’t know why. It must not have been terribly important then. She continued on her way, heels clicking on the cobblestone. There were puddles here and there from the recent rains, and the storms cooled the summer air enough to warrant a light cloak. It was probably the most the elf dressed up in since winter broke. Wearing tight, cream color pants, which tucked into her mud spattered knee high boots. She had spent the night at Aerin’s on a whim, and hadn’t packed any extra clothing, so today she wore one of Aerin’s more colorful cotton shirts, which fell just past her waist. Topped off the outfit was her light cloak, which was green, and clasped shut with a jeweled leaf brooch. Only the finest for an elf.

She was on a mission to spend the rest of her last hunt’s money at the pub, having run out of legitimate reasons to spend it. She supposed she wouldn’t drink so much if she could spoil her brother, but she also found it damn near impossible to spoil. And she couldn’t spoil Lenore either, because Lenore couldn’t be spoiled through material objects. So, off to drink and eat!

She watched some children play in the streets, and smiled, watching them splash in a puddle. A carriage swept past the elf, and Elle had to spring forward and tug a little girl out of the way before the carriage ran her down. The horses of the carriage, being startled by the girl, reared up and halted, much to the displeasure of their driver.

“Oi! Stay out of the way you little urchin!” He spat at the girl. Elle glared up at the man, ignoring the window of the carriage that opened, a young nobleman’s head poking out to see what was going on.

“You best learn how to drive your carriage! You nearly ran the child over!” Elle snapped. The young lord rolled his eyes and commanded the driver to drive on, which the man did, whipping mercilessly at his horses and the carriage rolled on quickly, splashing Elle and the girl with mud. Elle muttered several curses under her breath, watching the girl child run off to her parents crying. Now she definitely needed a drink. Elle hurried her steps to the pub, and when she reached it she felt a little annoyance when she saw the same carriage parked outside. Great. Maybe tonight she’d kick some noble ass for staining her cloak and nearly killing a little girl. She stepped inside, greeted with noise and smells of booze, and her eyes scanned the place. She found the nobleman sitting at a table, drink already in hand. But what really caught her attention was the cloaked man sitting two tables away. Elle’s sour mood immediately went out the door, and she smiled, striding over towards Meryl. The nobleman gave Elle a glance over, finding her smiling face prettier than her scowling one no doubt.

She stepped up to his table, placing her hands on the rough, beaten wood. “A rather lovely evening for a drink, wouldn’t you say Meryl of the Lake?” She said, reaching up to push her hood back, the light of the pub shining in her golden, braided hair.

[merlinus]

Meryl wasnt prepared at all for the surprise appearance of the elven woman, he jumped up and fell back taking the chair down with him. His hood falling back on the way down, he blinked a couple times and stands up dusting himself off. He turned his attention to the lovely elven woman and he clapped excitedly moving to her and giving her a sensual kiss as he pulled back he noticed the mud that overed her and he waved his hand flicking his wrist and the goop that stained her stately appearance onto the nearby noble that caused it. Though of Course Meryl had no idea it was his fault he just didnt like the way the noble was looking at her.
"Elle the Huntress, she who pierced my heart with a golden arrow! I really didnt like the way he was looking at you." He cooed to Elle waving his hand and a chair was pulled out to her for herto take a seat. "I insist that you let me treat you to a fine meal and strong drink! Then let me walk you around town!" Said Meryl with a large smile glad to see her honestly though he tried to be sneaky and hide the parchments that had his secret plans for his mages guild.

[Luella Vaettir]

Elle’s eyes widened and she gasped as Meryl’s chair tilted and tipped him out of it. She even reached forward, trying to grab for him, but she missed, the mage falling to the floor. The hand that would have saved Meryl then covered her mouth. A few of the drunkards nearby all laughed, including the noble who sat nearby. The noble laughed in mean nature, the others laughed because they were drunk and having a good time, enjoying the little spill the mage took. Elle suppressed a giggle of her own. The laughter died down though when Meryl stepped up to Elle and planted a kiss on her lips. Most turned back to their drinks and merriment, some gave a good hearted hoot to the couple that kissed, and a few eyed Meryl with envy. When they parted Elle let out the little giggle she had held in. Then Meryl flicked his wrist and sent the mud flying away. She was too surprised to even notice that the mud was flung onto the noble, despite his cry of disgust.

“Ah, thank you Meryl! I was saddened when this cloak was stained. It was a gift from my parents, and I was going to have to spend all night washing the stains out.” She said, looking at herself before giving a little twirl, as if she were dressed in a fine ball-gown. She stopped, facing the mage once more, tucking a renegade strand of hair behind one long ear.

“Drinks and food sounds wonderful. As does the stroll.” She said, taking a seat on the chair offered. A shadow fell on her, and she looked up to see the mud spattered noble. He was glaring at Meryl.

“How ungentlemanly of you to throw mud at a fine man as myself.” He said, gesturing to his fine, deep blue shirt which was stained with mud. He was a handsome man, and he did wear fine clothes, but Elle didn’t like him. She saw enough of what kind of man he was earlier. “I demand an apology!”

[merlinus]

Meryl didn't mind the laugh from the drunkards as most of them where not making fun of him rather just enjoying the comical nature of his mishap but he could feel on in the room being just cruel with his eyes and laugh, glad he had splattered him with mud afterward. His eyes settling on Elle as she twirled and his smile brightened whistling at her to him she was beautiful and might aswell have been in a ball dress. "You are so welcome! Though you don't need to thank me for saving such a precious truesure! Besides you look so lovely in it and I only approve of mud on you when we are alone and in a more naked form." Said Meryl stroking his chin with a chuckle of his own eyes lingering on her her in a very pleased manner.

Meryl looked at the noble and his eyes flared as the words brought on a cruel memory which reflected in his eyes. He turned to the noble watching with quiet contemplation at this moment squeeker left Meryl's robes and jumped onto Elle as if to run from his masters coming wrath. "An apology? Oh yes...let me..." Said Meryl running his hand over his face softly. "Apologies, right. And just how many did you have to crush for such a fine outfit? Hm?" Said Meryl reflecting a dark tone in his voice, this moment would reveal to Elle a much more darker form of Meryl. "I'm sorry this world is plagued by filth like you. Maybe I should rid it of this taint and make it a better place." Warned Meryl poking the nobles chest leaving a wind magic circle rune on the shirt and it activated. A powerful wind blasted the Noble across the bar and into a wall.

Meryl looked to Elle and frowned softly before casting his eyes and sat down slowly. "Sorry Elle...I didn't mean for our second date to be ruined..."

[Luella Vaettir]

Elle blinked as Squeeker jumped from Meryl to her. She caught the little creature, looking at his confusedly, before looking up at Meryl, noting that he looked…well he didn’t look alright. It looked like he checked out for a moment. And went somewhere bad.

The nobles eyes widened in anger when he didn’t get the apology he wanted, and instead got lip. Before he could reply though, he was suddenly blasted across the bar, slamming into the far wall, where he crumpled to the floor, looking dazed. The pub fell silent, and Elle found herself on her feet again, her hand once more covering her mouth. She turned to Meryl, who cast his gaze to the floor and sat.

“Are…are you alright?” She asked Meryl, feeling like she got a brief but clear look at the wounded man inside. She stepped towards the mage, but felt a hand fall heavily on her shoulder and roughly turn her. It was the noble’s carriage driver, who looked three mugs in and pissed.

“Oi! How dare you strike my master like that!” He snarled. Elle blinked before glaring and she lifted an arm and delivered a swift, harsh elbow into his nose, a crack sounding out as the bone in his nose broke. The man stumbled back, blood gushing. “You…you whore!” He screeched, cupping his hands over his nose. This little outburst from the driver got him many sounds of displeasure.

“Ya leave Elle alone now! Pretty lass’s don’t need to be touched by the likes of ya!” A man called, many other sounding out an agreement. Elle ignored this and turned back to Meryl, reaching out to gently touch his cheek.

“Our date doesn’t have to be ruined.” She said, giving him a small smile.

[merlinus]

Meryl smirked softly as Elle broke the nose of the man who came after him, he was surprised at the crowd that came to Elle's defense. "You are loved." Said Meryl with a soft chuckle hoping she hadn't upset her after his little outburst and after seeing her reaction he was afraid that was actually what he had done.

Then he felt her hand against his cheek and he smiled to her softly leaning into her hand. "I-It doesn't? I mean...o-of course! You're right. It doesn't!" Said Meryl being brought back to his happy nature by a her simple action. Meryl pulled her into his lap with a large grin on his and winked to her softly.

"You've earned much more then just a simple drink and meal! What do you want Elle? I'll get you whatever your heart desires, I promise!" Said Meryl nodding to her with a laugh in a confident tone having completely forgetting about his anger earlier or the ones who had caused the problem completely. "So tell me what happened with you since I last saw you."

[Luella Vaettir]

Elle shrugged when Meryl mentioned she was loved. “I’m a regular.” She said, figuring that would explain enough. As a pretty regular she had many men’s affections, and many of the drunk men here would put up a fight for her in a moment. They’d possibly regret it when they sobered up, but it was a sweet thought regardless.

Elle giggled as Meryl pulled her into his lap, arms wrapped about her. She leaned forward, giving Meryl a kiss on the cheek, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and readjusting to sit more comfortably in his lap.

“A simple drink and meal will suffice Meryl. I’ll let you know when you should start lavishing me with jewels.” She joked. She didn’t much care for jewelry really. All that shiny bulk and clinking would annoy her, and it wouldn’t help when she was out hunting either. He asked about her and her smile faded a bit.

“Nothing special but…well, I’m just worried about my brother.” She said softly, sighing. “He’s…I don’t know. Something is wrong with him. I had noticed lately he looked like he wasn’t getting any sleep. Well, he doesn’t really sleep often, he’s a workaholic, but he looks like he isn’t sleeping at all.” She said softly, a worried look on her features now. “Whenever I ask him about it he just dismisses it or shuts up. And I stayed over at his place last night and…well he fell asleep in his office again, and he looked like he was having a bad nightmare. When I woke him up he just started shouting ‘I don’t know!’ over and over till I calmed him down.”

[merlinus]

"I don't know if I wont be able to resist lavishing you with luxurious gifts and lingerie." Said Meryl with a large grin on his face as he looked into her eyes and kissed her chin in a gentle manner. Squeeker was on her shoulder nuzzling her cheek as if to get in on the affection the two were giving feeling a little left out.

Meryl became a little more serious as he held the girl in his lap letting her get comfortable as he listened to her plight. He showed some concern about what was happening with her brother, he raised his hand running it through her hair to comfort the girl. "Oh dear...what could be bothering him I wonder?" Whispered Meryl in a soft tone as he began to contemplate ways to help the girl he had stirrings for.

"We could invade his mind with magic and make him reveal what he is hiding from you!" Said Meryl with a devious smirk on his face.

[Luella Vaettir]

Elle gave Meryl a little smile, reaching up to pet Squeeker. Invade his mind with magic? She didn’t think Aerin would forgive her for that. Besides, who knew what his head was filled with? He always said mages were strange, which was why Meryl already had one mark against him in Aerin’s book. Apparently Aerin knew best, being a mage himself. What did mages get up to?

“I’d rather help him in a less invasive way.” She said softly. “When he was stirring in his sleep he mumbled something about a carriage. He absolutely hates the damn things.” She mumbled, before sighing.

“I just wish he’d open up. I’m getting worried, and so is Lenore. In fact she’s been acting weird too.” Elle added, wondering what the raven was up to. Lenore was skittish, like Aerin lately, and Elle caught the bird muttering in a rather terrifying, guttural sounding voice once.

[merlinus]

Meryl listened and nodded softly closing his eyes as he thought not aware he was already earning bad points with the brother. "I see, less invasive...that's gonna be tough and boring. But for you I'll find a way." Whispered Meryl now stroking his chin softly as he tried to fix her problem. He quickly forgot his thoughts when he looked to her again noticing how much this upset her.

"I'm sure he will open up Elle..." Said Merly stroking her cheek whilest Squeeker licked the opposite both doing what they could to cheer her up. "Carriages...awfully weird...maybe girl troubles?" Said Meryl trying to find a simple thought for her to latch onto.

[Luella Vaettir]

“Girl troubles? Maybe, he is interested in a woman right now, but I think he thinks she isn’t really available to him. That or he’s too scared to ask her out. He’s not good with girls or romance. Clueless, actually. I don’t think he’s ever been kissed.” Elle said, looking off to the side a moment before turning back to Meryl, and back on point.

“But that isn’t why he’s afraid of carriages. When we were children, he was hit by a carriage. It crippled him, and blinded him. It took him a year before he could walk, and several years after that to be able to walk as well as he can, and he still needs a cane.” She said, looking around, spotting a waitress, and waving the girl over to them. Elle wanted to cash in on that drink Meryl offered.

“It…was a bad time for him. If he hadn’t pushed me out of the way and taken the hit, I would have been run down instead.” Elle added, after she ordered a mug of the finest ale the pub could muster up.

[merlinus]

"I know how much I was squirming when I thought I couldn't dream of having you in my lap here." Said Meryl with a smirk on his face as he nuzzled her gently, waving to the waitress to make it two mugs for them. "I see...that sounds horrible. He is such a noble and loving brother to make such a sacrifice for his sister." Said Meryl smiling to Elle softly.

"Maybe he is just having flashbacks...sometimes traumatic events can be replayed by the mind." Whispered Meryl knowing all to well what he was speaking of. "...I wish I knew some way to help Elle." Whispered Meryl to her softly and looked at the table for a moment before snapping his fingers. "Squeeker! You can talk to his familiar bird! Find out whats going on!" Said Meryl with a smirk.

Squeeker lept off her shoulder and onto the table, running about in a circle and standing on his hind legs saluting her obediently.

[Luella Vaettir]

Elle shrugged, musing over Meryl’s guess. “I suppose…” She agreed softly, though she didn’t sound too convinced. Sure, Aerin had his fair share of flashbacks. He suffered from them a lot shortly after the accident. He could have them now, but…it was what he said upon waking. When she shook his trembling shoulder, how he bolted upright, clutching his head as if it ached, and shouting about how he didn’t know. Didn’t know. That didn’t sound like a flashback to her.

“Squeeker could talk to Lenore?” Elle asked, looking questioningly between the mage and his pet. “I don’t know. Lenore isn’t like normal raven. I think she’s something not from this world.” She added. Most from her village called the bird a demon spawn. Elle agreed, but she wouldn’t fault Lenore that. Lenore was a very faithful and caring companion for her brother. Probably the only creature Aerin could have befriended in their early days. Sometimes though, she’d gaze at the raven and it felt like a heavy presence gazed back. It was puzzling.

“You know…if Squeeker was to talk to Lenore…I guess that’d give you a reason to meet my brother…” Elle said softly, pondering the idea herself, even blushing a bit. She never brought men to meet Aerin but…well…Meryl seemed different. And he did seem to want to help. Maybe if he met her twin he’d have some more clues to what was happening.

[merlinus]

Meryl nodded softly watching her in thought becoming more and more enthralled by her brothers situation. "Yeah, Squeeker can chat it up with any animal. He got my natural smoothness. He'll have Lenore swooning in no time!" Said Meryl with a snicker and Squeeker made a flirtatious squeak up at Elle.

"M-Meet your brother...." Whispered Meryl as his own face turned red at the prospect knowing full well at what that meant. "We would be...kinda...maybe...official...a...I.." Said Meryl becoming flustered as he thought about it. He had thought about this moment and had hoped maybe that they would get to this point but he had his doubts after all it was Elle and she was far beyond his reach.

"We could be...if you know...look at me rambling....t-this is to help your brother not for our..." Coughed Meryl trying to regain himself without making it seem like he was rejecting the thought entirely. He did want to help her brother honestly but now his mind was pulled in the direction of meeting her family.

[Luella Vaettir]

Elle watched as Meryl himself grew flustered and stuttered a bit, she having caught him off guard about meeting her brother. She wondered if maybe it was too soon, but it didn’t seem like Meryl was saying no. It seemed like he was just searching for how to say yes. She smiled up at him, reaching up to touch him reddened cheek.

“Well, maybe we can take that stroll later on over to his shop and see him.” She suggested. She looked up when the waitress brought over their mugs of ale, and Elle slid off Meryl’s lap and sat next to him, grabbing her mug and taking a drink.

“Thanks for offering to help Meryl. It really means a lot. Aerin and I are really close.” She said, smiling up at the mage. It truly was kind. Not many men took an interest in her affairs like this, and those that did it was usually superficial and a means to get her into bed. Elle normally didn’t care, until it involved her family. That was a line one should never cross with her.

[merlinus]

Meryl leaned into her hand and nodded softly looking into her eyes. "Yes. Yes I'd like that." He finally managed to say yes to her without making himself look a fool, as she slid off his lap he gave her a soft playful pout. "Awwww..." He whined to sweeten his playful intent.

Meryl took his mug and chugged down half of it quickly and closed his eyes tightly. "Y-You don't have to thank me! If I am to deserve you I gotta help your brother since he is very important to you! So he is important to me! I have to keep you happy and him safe!" Said Meryl in an almost shout his courage inspired by the sudden introduction of ale.

"D-Did...I just...say all that..." Said meryl opening his eyes in surprise, more surprised that he had said all of what was in his head in a sudden burst.

[Luella Vaettir]

Elle blinked as Meryl downed half of his drink. His volume seemed turned up a few notches, and he was inspired to speak more freely. Alcohol was a peculiar thing. Liquid courage, so it was appropriately called. She grinned as he went on, finding him rather adorable. She laughed as he silenced himself, looking surprised at his own outburst.

“Well, that is sweet, but despite his handicaps, he can take care of himself to a degree. I always stopped the other children from throwing their stones, but Aerin had a knack of pissing off the town elders and standing up to them. Our father included. Those two always fight so! It’s actually a miracle father finally named Aerin heir to the Vaettir fortune.” Elle said, drinking deeply of her ale before setting the mug down on the table.

“I bet the council head is glad Aerin and I left, too. Aerin drove that man nuts. He was always spouting about how magic is the devil’s art or something, and he condemned Aerin for bothering to learn it. Everyone rejected Aerin for years because he began studying magic, until our coming of age ceremony and after.” She sighed, looking around the pub at the laughing, drinking folk. Well, there were a few who were sulking, the nobleman included, who decided to nurse his pride in a wine bottle. He kept glaring over at Meryl occasionally, but it seemed he was cured of his desire to get an apology from the mage.

[merlinus]

Meryl was still in a daze about what he had said and looked to Elle nodded softly smiling to her gently. "Your brother sounds like a man after my own heart..." Said Meryl finding himself grinning at the image he was getting of a rebellious blind elf putting the rest of the annoying elves in their places.

He found himself frowning as he heard mention of magic being the devils work and he stared at his hand for a moment finding it ironic in his case, he looked to Elle with a smirk and nodded softly to her listening. "Is that a fact? Those old farts have no clue what they were missing with the tree in their asses and all, in fact, I'm glad they chased you two away. They don't know what they lost! Their loss is my gain, two treasures." Said Meryl finding himself admiring Aerin quite a bit now looking up at the ceiling for a moment.

"I think its time we rectify some wrongs done to him Elle." Said Meryl patting her leg and taking another swig of his ale. "First we are gonna cure his terrors then..." Meryl unfurled his scroll and showing her the designs for his mage tower and plans for the guild and school. "...I will ask him to join the Magus Association and who knows...with enough study and practice we could even restore his sight."  Said Meryl offering hopes that could be much too large for him to acclomplish, but, that was one of his greatest traits. He always aimed higher then anyone could reach and clawed his way to achieve it.  

[Luella Vaettir]

“A man after our mother’s heart apparently. Daddy says that Mama was as wild as a free horse in her youth. He says we both take after her rebellious spirit.” Elle said. Though her father usually said this with a little smile on his face, remembering the good times when he was still courting their mother. The one nice thing about her parents was the fact that they still acted like they were much in love, as if their love was as fresh as a newly blossomed flower. It didn’t seem to age like the other couples around them, and it really was inspiring to Elle.

She turned back to her mage, smirking at him before taking another drink of her ale. “Chased us away? It didn’t feel like we were running. But maybe we were. That village was getting too small for the two of us.” She paused though when he mentioned righting a few wrongs done to her brother.

“Like what? The carriage that hit him didn’t even slow down. The bastard that destroyed my brother’s body is still walking about a free man.” She said, sounding a bit bitter on the subject. Her sour look faded though as Meryl pulled out a scroll and unrolled it across the table, revealing what was written on it. She moved her mug out of the way and leaned forward, looking down at what was drawn. They looked like blueprints for a tower or something. She looked at Meryl with some shock and a bit of awe as he mentioned extending an invitation to some kind of guild. Then she slowly sat back in her seat as the mage went on to suggest they cure Aerin’s sight. She was quiet a while, tapping her finger on the table.

“…we tried magic to heal him.” She said softly. “Aerin was tutored by a powerful mage who lives outside of the village. First he tried to heal Aerin, but magic wouldn’t work. So then daddy asked him to teach Aerin, because he didn’t like how Aerin seemed so…empty, after the accident.” She turned to look at Meryl. “His name is Valerian. And Valerian has a theory that the carriage was laced with some kind of dark magic. A kind that infected Aerin and repelled any sort of magic that tried to help him. This is a theory only, but it’s all we have. The best my brother could do is learn to cope with constant pain. So if you really want to try to cure him, then I suggest you don’t mention it and get his hopes up.”