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[bearshermark]

eleven

missives | encounters

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[lancifolium]

[ When the realization that they were both standing around awkwardly hit her Lily was quick to wave Eleven over to a pair of chairs on either side of a little table, settling down into one before pouring herself a cup of tea. ]

Well, sort of. I'm working on trying to reverse engineer a potion. A friend asked for my help determining what it's made from. Bit of a fun puzzle really.

[ Wen Qing had been very careful with the information she imparted to Lily, and as such Lily did the same for Eleven. Whatever was going on she had the sense the fewer people who knew, the better, and while normally she would have told Eleven everything - this wasn't her story to tell. ]

It's certainly a refreshing change from contending with the old men at court who are trying to converse with my chest.

[bearshermark]

[Eleven sat with some relief, nodding. Though he doesn't boast any knowledge of potions, it's nice that Lily has found herself with a project she seems to be enjoying on some level.

The mention of old men at court goes over a fair bit less well. ..And now it's an effort not to glance at the area in question himself. Goddess. His fingers curl and he frowns, focusing on the kernels of indignation he couldn't do much about]

I'm sorry. I know you don't want to say, but I could come talk to you sometimes without too much suspicion. We are allies, after all.

[lancifolium]

[ Her smile widened at the suggestion and she nodded while pouring him a cup of tea as well. ]

Well we've been seen gambling together, and Moran said I'm supposed to act like I'm above it all - so I don't think we'd be putting ourselves under too much risk. Though people might say I'm a bad influence on such a down-to-earth farmer like yourself.

[ Sliding his tea over to him she raised her eyebrows playfully at the suggestion. Maybe she was a bad influence already. ]

[bearshermark]

[The color is faint, but there. He accepts his tea with a grateful nod]

They might be right, but.. they don't know I'm the one teaching you to gamble, so I think that's fair.

[lancifolium]

It's always the sweet-looking ones making a problem.

[ She tsked at him lightly before sipping her tea. ]

We could try that again you know. Since you're the one with any actual talent, no one would suspect a thing.

[bearshermark]

[Sweet-looking. He'll take it with a pleased, if somewhat self-conscious smile]

We could. ..But it isn't talent, really. Just knowing the rules, some practice- and luck, of course.

[lancifolium]

It might be a way to raise gold if the group needs it. We can't expect our patrons to keep footing the bill for everything. I have some set aside to help everyone, but I worry.

[ After hearing the cost of resurrection, the paltry sum she had squirreled away seemed tiny in comparison. ]

If we disguise ourselves we might even have a proper evening of it.

[bearshermark]

[It's a good idea; they could always use more funding, it seems. He has a decent amount of gold to his name now, but the longer he could keep it, the better.

'Proper evening' in disguise, however.. Eleven glances up, a question writ into raised brows]

So long as we don't lose too much, it sounds like a pleasant way to spend a few evenings..

[lancifolium]

If we start to lose we can take refuge in your gondola.

[ Which, even though she was the one suggesting it, made her go a bit pink in the face to consider. ]

[bearshermark]

Oh.

[Well that.. sounds like an even more pleasant way to spend an evening, if she's implying what he thinks she might be. Eleven grips his tea and works to keep his expression cool]

I'd like that, either way.

[lancifolium]

[ Catching the way his grip tightened on his tea she looked down quickly at her own cup, clearing her throat as her ears burned. ]

And at least if one of our group needs to be brought back to life, we'll be a little better prepared. I'd be frightened to read the terms of a loan presented by her ladyship.

[ She peeked up at him briefly, attempting to shift the course of conversation back out of the gondola. ]

[bearshermark]

[It's quite a successful distraction, as Eleven's expression shifts into a thoughtful frown]

If any of them want to be resurrected, I guess. The necromancers practice a sickening craft by the sounds of it. Given their blood magic, I wouldn't trust that it isn't some strain of undeath, and I'd rather my soul destroyed than risk it myself.

[lancifolium]

If it's anything like the Dark Arts back home, I'm inclined to agree with you. Given their blood magic I'd prefer nobody need the help, least of all you or I.

[ It was an awful thought, all things considered. The Dark Arts as she understood them were an utterly ghastly business and something Lily would prefer to avoid whatever the circumstances. ]

[bearshermark]

[He nods, knowing he'd be upset if any of them died- particularly those he cared about- but neither would he be willing to disrespect them to the point of leaving them to the mercies of the necromancers unless they'd willed it in life.

But that's a heavy choice for any of them to make, as easy as it had been for himself]

Healing services are also quite expensive however, if it's beyond the abilities we have. I can heal even critical injuries if I get to them in time, but disease and serious illness, curses- those sorts of things are yet beyond me.

[lancifolium]

That, you certainly have a talent for, and can't write it off with luck.

[ She grinned at him again. He seemed to prefer to be elusive when it came to compliments, something she was quietly working to undermine. It was cute when he blushed. ]

I can only do a bit of mending to minor ones, hence my excitement over finding dittany. If it's real it can patch almost anything up no matter how old.

[bearshermark]

[Eleven lapses into a slight smile, warmed. His healing seems to be the one valuable talent he has, and so he's sought to enhance it through further study. That Lily has some ability as well, and with plants, is nicely complementary. ..It might be that they're well-suited after all]

That's wonderful. You know of course that I'd be happy to help you find more.

[lancifolium]

You know I'd be happy for the help.

[ The grin on her face curled into something a little more impish, and she nudged his ankle with her foot while trying to casually sip her tea. ]

Hopefully it doesn't come to that, and it remains dull. Court is awful but it's far better than Unhalad.

[bearshermark]

[He blinks, partially distracted from what she's saying by the nudge beneath the table. There's something mischievous in her face about it that implies more than a childish game. Eleven tips his head and lets his legs stretch under the table.

Though it does take him a moment to recall what they're talking about]

I would like to be able to fight some of them sometimes, however.

[lancifolium]

[ Laughing at his words Lily dipped her head in a nod. She certainly couldn't fault him for that. There were quite a few of the old goats at court who could do with a sound hexing.

Shifting in her seat enough to stretch she let the side of her leg rest lightly against one of his. ]

I'd prefer it if I didn't have to figure out how to break you out of jail.

[bearshermark]

[Oh, that's.. strangely intimate. Eleven focuses on finally taking in a sip of tea]

You shouldn't have to worry; I've reigned my temper well thus far.

[lancifolium]

[ Setting down her cup she refilled it before looking towards the window. ]

I think you're better at centering yourself than most.

[ Lifting her tea once again Lily peered at him over the rim, narrowing her eyes. ]

Should we go somewhere today?

[bearshermark]

[Eleven's smile is quick, knowing well that Lan Wangji would have good grounds to disagree. But the meditation has helped, and Lily herself, too.

He meets her eyes and lets her query wash over him a moment, then follows suit in peering out the window. He's yet a touch distracted by the warmth of her leg]

Ah, if you'd like to, of course.

[lancifolium]

Well.

[ She moved slightly in her seat again, keeping her eyes on the window as she considered the alternative. It was true she had asked him here, but she also hadn't quite planned what to do with him once he was there.

Even though she was becoming increasingly aware of the way she had painted herself into a corner with her own bravado she bumped her knee against his, watching him out of the corner of her eye as she did. ]

I think I could take a turn showing you something nice in this city - unless you're that taken with the decor in my room?

[bearshermark]

[Eleven's attention whipped back to her, then promptly ducked his head. He's not sure he can say anything about the décor, but neither is he bold enough to voice words to something far more flattering]

Yes, all right, I'd be happy to.

[lancifolium]

[ Maybe when looking back on this she would be thankful they both seemed wholly unable to stop getting flustered, but for the time being, all Lily could do is try and ignore the way her ears burned.

Giving him a nod when he accepted she rose to her feet, using her wand to change the appearance of the things on her desk - instead of a little potion-making area, just a surface scattered with the typical odds and ends of a lady. ]

Right, ready?

[ Lily stepped back over to the table and offered her hand, patting the pocket of her dress of her bag before she looked back to Eleven expectantly. ]