Intermezzo (Ciran/Nemuru) (closed/social)

Nemuru looked up at her tall ...companion,... partner? She wasn't quite sure what they were to each other, save good acquaintances, perhaps even friends. She knew Ciran had her back, no matter the challenge.

With a stretch and a yawn, "now that we have that mission out of the way, what would you like to do before we leave Hargeon? We'll find more work if we continue to head north along the train's route. Magnolia, for example has a good bit to offer. Yet, all stops should."

"Hnnn. I think i'm going to have a look around town and explore a bit. Check out the smith shops and such." He was stretched out on a bench, fully relaxed. "First time ever here, so i'm sure there's plenty here to see. Tomorrow morning we can head north like you say. See what there is to see and find us a few jobs along the way."

"I'd like to hit up the public baths and stop somewhere for food and drink. We most certainly can look at smithies and armories first as well. However, I think a job like that deserves a proper celebration. Maybe not splurge, but... for a first job together, it should be a night to be remembered." She smiled softly up at her partner, yeah that was it.

"Oh, most definately. Life is a buffet to be enjoyed, for sure." He spun on the bench, sitting up. "so what sort of meal did you have in mind? I imagine lots of seafood around here to be enjoyed, what with it being a port town and all....and I grew up in the mountains. Seafood isn't something I've had a lot of." His eyes were almost begging as he talked, looking at her.

"There is seafood to be had, to be sure! I was actually thinking about visiting some of the street vendors. They offer cheap small portions in the evening. Braised skewered meats, little dumplings of octopus and scallops, skewers of fried shrimp and vegetables. A little of everything! The other option, if we wanna spend a bit more is 8-island, which is renowned for its magically prepared cuisine. I've never been able to afford going there, though. We'll be fine now, though! They serve things like bolognese, curry and parfaits. There's a nice public park to visit if you like here and the marina." A strange expression lit up her face, nostalgia.

"Hmmm. the little bites sounds better to me. try a lot of different things and walk around instead of sitting in one place. more variety that way." He stood, holding out a hand to help her up even as he looked around, curious. "I wonder what sort of food they have in Magnolia...Isn't that where fairy tail is based?"

"Alright, we can start by visiting the shopping district. The food stalls there will open soon enough." She eyed the pro-offered hand dubiously. Nemuru stood on her own, looking a bit apologetic. "Yes, Fairy Tail is in Magnolia, as is Lamia Scale here. I've been to Magnolia for a few jobs now, but I didn't take much time to sample the local fare. I have heard of grand festivals in Magnolia, though. I think, perhaps they'd have a variety of flavors cashing off that business. I've wanted to go to a festival there, perhaps someday we can between jobs. All life is not work after all."

"Come on Ciran, this way, back towards where we were gem shopping." She walked past the gem shop and down a few turns towards a bustling little commerce area. A few smith's shops were scattered to the left, between jeweler's and clothes shops, another carried books, yet another a rare to see magic shop. A man was trying to sell his long loaves of hard bread as he passed them. Some food stalls were open in the middle of the bustling road.

Without checking to see if Ciran had followed Nemuru quickly lined up for purchase. Handing a small handful of jewels over, she held two sticks each of grilled fish and braised meat slathered in a thick red sauce. The poison mage began to look around the way she had came.

He hadd followed, amused by her spunkyness. When she broke off for one of the stalls, he had done the same. There was this little stall that was selling tiny balls of baked dough with octopus in them that he had never seen. After watching a few moments he bought to trays worth, turning to find Nemuru, amused to see her doing similar.

Nemuru grinned as she walked over. She eyed the fried pieces happily, "I'd been looking for those. They have minced octopus, green onion and pickled ginger in them. Here, these two are yours. Though we may need to sit to traded them off and enjoy them. The meat was braised in wines and spices, carefully slow cooked, or so said the owner. The grilled fish... well you should see this."

As the poison mage sat on the nearby bench, she set the food trays on her lap and patted the bench next to her. She bit into one of her fish skewers and turned it to show him the rich pink inside, contrasting the seasoned exterior. Her face lit up with a delighted expression. "Don't worry, they're cooked through. Besides, it's fish."

He sat next to her, trading off one of the trays of takoyaki for one of the trays of skewers, snd pulling two drinks out of his pack. "Looks like a feast to me. And in good company." He slowly bit into the fish, savoring the flavors with a content expression. "Ah, this is the life. Good food, good company, and a job well done"

She took the drink from him with a smile. "It is, but there is only one way for us to get used to this kind of thing and that is to keep moving forward." Nemuru skewered a takoyaki and popped it in her mouth, chewing delightedly before continuing. "Next stop north of us along the train line is Magnolia, as we discussed earlier. As we were browsing the job boards earlier I got a few brief notes down. " She pulled nearly illegible scribbles on a battered piece of paper out.

“Magnolia seemed really promising for work. Many jobs we are qualified for are available. None of those legal, sanctioned ones on my list, either. It's all stuff that's anyone's game. There’s an escort on a train. You don’t get motion sick, do you? " She took a sip of the drink and was momentarily distracted. Nemuru stared into the container. "What am I drinking?" The poison mage took another sip and shrugged, seeming to enjoy it, at least.

"A kid is getting bullied and someone needs to take care of the perpetrators…. mmm… no killing or hurting them though just scare them off." The poison mage looked him up and down, "We can manage that." A sinister grin crossed her face as she bit into the braised meat."

"Some brat needs to learn how to swim. Erm, eh... How are your swimming skills? I can help, but I worry about what happens if he goes under the surface. I can’t exactly drag him back up."

"Huh." She eyed here notes. "Here’s a strange one for you. A night club is going under because their comedy act is missing. The star got sick. We would need to make up some successful jokes and fill in. I'm not sure I'd be good at that one. I don't like being stared at or the center of attention."

She took another small bite. "Deliver a letter, modelling gig for the females and childcare… the usual stuff.” Nemuru shuddered a little at the memories of child care.

"As long as im not in armor im an okay swimmer....train escort going in the direction we are?" He took a sip himself "Sign said dragonfruit juice. Figured it might make us fierce as dragons when it comes to combat." He gave a grin and snarled playfully.

She laughed, flinching as the juice tried to make it's way out her nose. Eyes watering, "you remind me of those weretigers at times. The ones you see in children's story books." Nemuru curled her hand in cat's paw shape and made a rather cutesy, "rawr." The poison mage stuck her tongue out her travelling companion.

"The train escort is within Magnolia it seems we can get details from the client while there and see if its something we'd want to take up. How effective are you without your armor? Think we'd be letting our guard down to long? As far as I know there's no bounty on my head, at least."

"Any of the other jobs stand out as interesting to you? Can't tell me the big scary Smith is afraid to scare some sense into some bully... " Nemuru finished off her takoyaki, the last of her meal. She sat waiting for Ciran to finish, as well. "There's one more food I want you to try before we leave Hargeon, but we're gonna have to share. I'm already almost full. First though, let's go get the shopping done."

He shook his head with a smile "Bullies will be easy to handle....a few threats and easily solved. They all sound good to me" He polished off his food and stood to follow her, curious now what she had in mind

"Hrm... are you looking for pre-made armors and weapons or some ores and tools?" The poison mage walked towards a shop and looked in the window. "This is a Heart Kruez shop, though just the local outlet. They keep some magic armors and weapons." Her eyes longingly looked over an engraved dagger. "Though, I have no use for them. However, they also make clothing and accessories for the women. Do you have any skill making practical items? Bags and such?" She pointed to the next building over, "that shop sells budget metal goods, broken armor bits and random salvage items. Sometimes, they have hidden finds. I found my journal in a shop similar to that."

"Most my armor and weapons I make myself. otherwise i just can't get my magic to integrate into it properly..." He gave a faint shrug, then a rueful shake of his head. "Bags no. I'm all about the metal. Leather and such is limited to accents and grips and the like. Maybe a Skill I shall pick up someday, but we got plenty to worry about for now.

"Ah, alright then." Nemuru shrugged, "could be useful to have containers on hand, though we can easily do without. Too many important things to worry about, indeed." Her eyes narrowed in thought, "you can't get your magic to work on purchased items and armors, eh? Do other magics on them interfere with yours? While we are here would you like to look at ores or ingots?"

I can use my few enhancement spells on items made by others, but only at about half strength, and at times it ends up damaging the equipment...So i tend to prefer to use my own...Something to look into, i suppose, as my magic grows stronger..." He shrugged slightly. "I need to make you some gear sometime soon...Do you have a preference for a weapon?"

The poison mage stared at her hands. "I don't use weapons. Well... I used one to frame someone the other day for a stealth-based mission, but normally I have no use for them. My magic is channeled through the palms of my hands."

"yes, but what if your in a situation where your magic won't effect someone? Or you've exausted yourself down to the dregs of your mana and need to fight for time to recover?" He gestured to the hammer at his side. "And as I learn more, i'll be able to channel my magic through other weapons as well as my own. It could give you an edge you need in combat somtime.

"I can disable others magic," she murmured softly, "and there is always the ability to strike with my fists. Until I know how to utilize a weapon, I do not need one. Perhaps, in time I will. Until then, carrying a weapon I cannot use could be a liability."

She hesitated, "now, shall we look at ores or do you want to sit on the bench so I can get your treat for you?"

He flumped down with a smirk. "Just means i'll have to teach you how to use a weapon little Nemuru....maybe a staff to help channel your magic...." He pulled out a little sketchbook, starting to draw and take notes, lost up in whatever was in his mind as she went of to do whatever she had planned.

"Aren't daggers more suited to one like me?" Her voice sounded a bit pained as she spoke. As Ciran got lost in reverie the 'little' poison mage wandered off. She left her bag behind so he'd know she was just looking for something. She ended up gone for a good half hour and the lights along the street were soon lit by their lacrima. Minutes ticked by as she searched. Yet, soon enough, she returned with a bag. Handing it over, Ciran would be able to see it contained two take out containers of food, a few of those bottles of dragonfruit drink and a few forks.

"W-want to eat this here or at the park?" Her shy speech pattern had returned.

"Hnnn. A picnik in the park sounds lovely. We can watch the stars...and to answer your earlier question, daggers are usually what you hear about with poison using assassins...but your a poison mage, not an assassin...I mean, if you want a few daggers, i can make those too. But why limit yourself like that?"

"You think of me as more than a possible assassin? My poison magic as more than a tool to be used?"

Nemuru tucked his arm through Ciran's to guide him. Her eyes glittered with excitement, as she looked up at him. In short order they reached the park and ascended the hill in the middle. A lone tree shed its leaves on the late autumn ground. The crisp, clear night offered a perfect view of the night sky.

Letting go of Ciran, the poison mage took the bag from him and pulled out a steaming container. "A-ah... sorry. I-i forgot to ask for plates. I can use the lid of the container." Nemuru presented the container to him, blushing. "I-i hope its to your taste. I know you wanted to try some quality seafood." Through the steam evaporating on the lid, thick, flat black noodles, shrimp and white rings could be seen, as well as tomatoes, peppers and a red sauce.