searedpath

[searedpath]

"At first it'd seem a little too much, but I think with a bit of cinnamon, then something like that isn't entirely out of the question." It'd need to be sweet, he thinks, as cloying as hot cocoa. Mm, hard hot cocoa would be good too.

"And, well, if you're offering, I can't really refuse, it'd be rude." He absolutely could refuse, but he had no intention to. "Yeah, I like apples."

"A hot hard cider?' The look on their face suggests that they hadn't even considered that! "Damn, okay. I see you." They grin and they're already getting to work on it. It shouldn't take long with their magic.

"You said you prefer something sweeter, right? Maybe I can do a sweet hot hard cider." Clicking their tongue, "Do you like apples?" They ask curiously.

[searedpath]

If he was being entirely honest, he definitely was keeping Qifrey waiting.

"Not like you asked me before this, genius."

[text] In case you forgot, I only lived in the atelier at home because of my JOB. [text] If you want me to move in with you that badly, you need to ask me. [text] Go ahead, I'm waiting.

Olruggio is going to suddenly find his "cellphone" contraption absolutely bombarded with messages. Clearly Qifrey's grown rather adept at texting.

[ text ] Olly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [ text ] When are you going to move into the atelier?! [ text ] Your tower is left just the way you like it!!! Everything is just as it was! ☆ ～('▽^人) [ text ] You're not going to keep me waiting, are you?

@searedpath

[searedpath]

He does his best not to jump, assuming that part of the trick was to show and not singe, although it gets him a bit finicky over the whole ordeal, and he wipes away the illusory sparkles. Showmanship - something he doesn't really appreciate as a more practical witch.

"Magic is only practiced by those with the capabilities. Witches." He lies, opening his own palm and creating a small ball of fire.

"I'm one such witch. But I'm also in charge of monitoring magic use - making sure people don't take advantage of it." Even if he'd been kind of terrible at it lately, with everything he was letting slip under his radar - intentionally, of course.

"Myself, I'm far more interested in the usefulness of magic to everyone. I invent magic tools." Not that he can't appreciate a good song, especially when he's in his cups. "A bard, though. I imagine you use magic to enhance performances? That's useful, too. Cheering up people."

' absolutely it does, ' fiyero hums, more than willing to take somebody up on a conversation about magic. he's gotten all kinds of different reactions from people across the island, some more hateful than others, some entirely fascinated. calling it disconcerting is a new one, so he's interested enough.

   ' i know elves here entirely incapable of casting anything. back home, most are born with spells at their disposal. it's interesting to spot the differences. ' showing off, he chirps a note and weaves his hand into the symbol for prestidigitation, sends a shower of sparkles over the man's form. they don't stick, illusionary, but pretty nonetheless. fiyero grins, all cheeky, head tilted as he leans a bit closer. ' and entertaining, to impress those unfamiliar. '

   ' magic is not as practiced in your world? i can't say i like that idea very much. it's a part of me as much as ... say, my arms and legs. it's my trade, too. i'm a travelling bard. '

[searedpath]

"Also depends if you wanna serve food with it. Like meals."

He continues to sip his drink, cheeks already turning a bit pink. Either from his excitement, or, well, the more obvious answer.

"But then you wanna move into an ale or a wine. I can do either, though I'd really rather have...Well, something way sweeter."

"Hm, have you considered, maybe, a hot hard cider?"

"Okay, I see I see~," they say with an impressed tone. He certainly knows what pairs well with which and they're glad they asked him. There are options! More choices to choose from when creating different kinds of drinks and the pairings to go with it.

"Strong and sweet is a good combination. I like mine with a nice balance between the two for that reason. You have sometbing sweet, then you're gonna want something Strong and salty and vice versa."

[searedpath]

"It's pretty disconcerting, to see people using magic so...casually." He can't help but comment and sigh, exhaustion plain on his features. He's bundled up in the cold, and it's hard for him as a witch to blame the horned user for mending their clothing with the flick of a wrist - especially when it's outerwear.

He didn't really care about the other's appearance, and instead about the fact that they had been able to repair the garment seemingly out of nowhere. And not in the 'out of nowhere' kind of way a talented witch can do without showing their proverbial hand and breaking the law.

"But I...well, I'd say I suppose, but I'm pretty sure magic works differently here depending on the person."

@viladlind

[searedpath]

"In the winter, something with a bit of spice to it would balance out the flavors. Actually, that'd be pretty good for the summer, too. For less spice, I'd go with...Almonds? Honey?"

"Maple goes pretty good with blueberries and lemon, too." He hums, taking another sup. "My favorite drink? I mean, it's sorta becoming this one the more I drink of it." A.K.A., he's a bit of a lightweight. "I like my drinks strong and sweet. Strong and sweet pair good with a lot of different foods, since you can either compliment a sweet or oppose it."

"Oh, fuck yeah. I'm going to have to put that in." taking notes, they mean! During the summer with Lemonade added into this, it would give a refreshing and rejuvenating experience, surely. "You know of any good side dishes for it? I'm thinking....some kind of fruit, a type of cheese, or a variety of nuts?"

"What's your favorite drink? Maybe I can put a spin on it the next time you stop by?"

[searedpath]

"My shoes don't work either. This place doesn't work magic in the same way our world does." He clicks his tongue at the display, clearly still retaining much of his Watchful Eye tendencies, but doesn't comment more on it, likely much to the kid's relief.

"You can draw whatever you want, and only certain things'll work. And, worst of all, there's people who can do magic of their own that doesn't follow our laws." Scratching the back of his head, he taps the paper. "That's pretty neat, though. Wanna explain it?"

@searedpath

He doesn't really get why it's just this spell. Tartah wishes he had a slightly more inconspicuous way of testing it out, but, well... Wandering around this shop will have to do. This clearly isn't Zozah anyway, so he doesn't feel the need to be so worried about it. To anyone who isn't a witch, this is probably just a pretty piece of paper with a design doodled on it. He's doing a fine enough job making sure no one actually sees it working.

He, as discreetly as he can, holds the paper up to some of the bottles that are on the upper shelf. Slowly, an image of plants and roots appear and tell him exactly what the contents are comprised of. Yeah, it still works!

"And yet my shoes don't seem to work anymore..." He mutters to himself, a bit dejected. He was just starting to have fun utilizing them! "Weird..."

[searedpath]

As the blanket rests on his shoulders, he can feel his face grow warm. He would blame the reddened cheeks on the cold air as he tugged it around himself. "'m less worried about me, you know," he murmurs, avoiding eye contact with his dearest friend after a quick glance.

"...Honestly I'd just generally be more comfortable if we stuck together. Better if we had a place a bit bigger in case any of those kids came back." Clicking his tongue at the apartments they were all staying in, he shook his head.

"Best if we could have some manner of control over where and when heat is applied to our living quarters, instead of relying on power structures here."

"I understand." Olruggio likely won't listen to Qifrey when he's like this. He knows winter best out of the two of them, being from further up north, and he's witnessed much since he was a child. Too much. More than a child should have to see.

So much he blames himself for. It's no wonder he's panicking.

"One moment," Qifrey murmurs, rising from his seat on the balcony and retreating into the apartment. He returns only a moment later with the throw blanket that had been tossed over the couch. Gently, he drapes it over his friend's shoulders.

Then he settles back down. "Did you have any ideas? You were always best at making sure the atelier was prepared for the colder months, after all."

[searedpath]

"Not odd at all, blueberry and mint go well with each other, like you said. And with gin -" he takes a sip before making his suggestion, letting the taste linger on his tongue and exhaling in the way one did when refreshed.

"Yeah, in the summer you could even add lemonade to this. It's great." He takes another sip, well aware of his limits that would quickly approach with a hard liquor.

@searedpath

"Yeah, actually I kinda made it myself," Sliding the drink his way, Indigo waits with anticipation for his reaction. "I mixed a little bit of tonic, gin, and blueberry syrup, with a hint of mint. A weird combination, but the blueberry and the mint bring a refreshing taste as well as a sweetened enhancement to it. What do you think?"

[searedpath]

;; here's a lil rp ad, capping at 3 with castmates exempt

[searedpath]

"We don't...Really know what to expect, though, don't we." He appreciates the comfort, the weight of Qifrey's hand on his shoulder, but he finds it hard to shed his concerns, looking back over his notes. The temperatures fluctuating during the day, and then the drops at night. Often at least halved, and more oft recently more.

All indicative of Winter. Not a temperate one, but a chill one. So far no solid evidence that it would be nearly as catastrophic as what he was used to, but...

"Our captors are like magic run amok."

"Unpredictable, and leaving us on the backfoot with the ability to only react. With us at a fraction of our abilities, we'll need to be ready in case your apprentices come back."

The days remain mild, temperature wise—but the nights are getting colder, the ocean breeze biting. Qifrey turns his gaze over to his friend, blinking, and then smiles. Knowing and sympathetic.

"You know, I've been looking in some shops recently," he says, voice light. "They sell all sorts of clothing for the colder weather. Much different than our usual fare, of course."

Things have been mostly quiet. His student's sudden disappearance had been weighing heavily on himself, too. Reminding him any of them could disappear at any point. He already has, once before.

Right now, they have each other. And right now, his friend needs someone to pull him out of that dark place in his head before he falls further into it.

He reaches over, placing a hand on Olruggio's shoulder.

"Really, I would like to believe our benevolent captors wouldn't force us to fend off the winter ourselves. This place does not appear to be wanting for resources. Have you not been warm enough during the night?"

[searedpath]

"It's getting colder..." He murmurs, mostly to himself, the anxiety that the chill breeze brings apparent on his person. Brow furrowed, he holds a hand up, feeling the cool breeze from the ocean, indicating the shifting weather.

"There's a chance this island experiences catastrophic winters." And with Coco's recent departure, it's been weighing on his mind that any of those kids could appear at any moment.

"We should make sure we're prepared. We don't know what kind of winterproofing they have here."

@conjuringink

[searedpath]

;; here's a lil rp ad, capping at 3 with castmates exempt

[searedpath]

It was hardly a question in general, nevermind a question of comfortable. He falls naturally into step at Qifrey's lead, hand resting on the man's shoulder as they move into flow with the rest of the dancers.

"You know I'm terrible at these sort of events."

"I only came to check on Coco. Hardly expected to get swept up into it." Excuses, it seems, and he's full of them. He stumbles a few times, gripping Qifrey slightly harder every time he does.

"Well, I have no issue with leading, if you would be more comfortable that way."

Without waiting for a response he takes a step forward, gentle hands reaching out toward his friend. One rests on Olruggio's waist, the other scooping up his hand. Dancing wasn't any sort of required skill for a witch, but he did like to indulge from time to time.

And despite his occasional clumsiness, he's rather graceful on his feet.

Qifrey feels a callus on Olruggio's thumb brush over the top of his own. He squeezes his hand lightly.

"You're not that bad; give yourself more credit."

[searedpath]

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...I forgot my own birthday."

[searedpath]

"Nah, you're not too heavy at all. Just make sure you keep your balance." He does take her small hands in his own, trying to put a smile on his face to the best of his own dour sensibilities as he starts to move his feet around the dance floor.

"Are you having fun? Did any of your friends from the island come by?"

✦✧ Coco beamed when her head was pat, but reached up to take that big hand in her own before he could pull away. "If you're okay with it, professor!" A second hand was reached up for him to take and she positioned herself to easily step up onto his feet.

"Please let me know if I'm too heavy, though!"

[searedpath]

"You said it first, but I didn't expect to see you either. I wanted to make sure Coco was doing alright if she was here. Looks like I didn't have anything to worry about."

"I'm not really much good at dancing, but I'm pretty sure you know that." And unlike dancing with Qifrey's apprentice, letting her stand on his feet to make sure she had fun, this was definitely different.

"Can't just let you stand on my feet while we spin in a circle."

"I didn't expect to find you here; then again, it's not the type of event I'd typically find myself at."

"We should make the most of it, then. May I ask you for a dance, my friend?"

@searedpath