westwhere | you’re the key that got lost

1) the noble pursuit of books and tea

There was far too much, and after one day of trying to see it all in one go Lily decided to take a more methodical approach to learn her way around Taravast. She wove her way across bridges, market stalls, and proper shops, going street by street and bridge by bridge with extensive breaks to allow for tea and the seemingly endless array of pastry and confection that accompanied them.

Between the spiders caught in crystal, and stalls selling feathers from birds Lily did not think were native to Britain (or anywhere else for that matter), she had concluded that seeing a place like Taravast, and having the potential to dwell here and learn from it had made the trek through those rubbish Stairs of Sighs worth it. It didn’t make the whole ordeal of being in this place worth it, but it was a good deal nicer than anything else had been.

It was at one bookseller’s where she became certain Taravast was worth the ghosts, and, lifting her mask so that it didn’t slow her scanning of titles Lily immersed herself in perusing the shelves, bouncing on her heels slightly in excitement. Without question, this happy occurrence called for a pastry afterward.

2) the magic part of town

There were no cups of tea and pastries here, but there were so many things she wanted to linger over and ask about. It wasn’t her first time in the southern part of the city, but each time Lily’s explorations led her to where the magic users clustered, she saw something different. Thus far she hadn’t dared to approach anyone about anything, but she browsed and people watched from behind her mask.

While the masks complicated things, she was sure she had spotted someone from the group turning a corner. Spying wasn’t at all her forte but catching up to them to say hello certainly was.

Falling into step beside the familiar figure Lily studied them from behind her mask

“Have you been to the stall with all the different eyeballs yet? It’s impressive, ghastly, but impressive. I'm uncertain if the two for one sale I saw a sign for was meant to be a joke or not.”

3) wallflowering

Glad she had the foresight to transfigure her sneakers to look like the shoes here did, Lily kept to the edge of the massive room, her teeth worrying her bottom lip as she watched from beneath her mask. She was nearly jittery with concern, but at least her toes weren’t being pinched - it was small mercy in the face of so much elegantly packaged uncertainty.

Studying the partygoers as she carefully picked her way along the corner of the room, she tried to look like she was at ease, but the tension that kept her shoulders tight could betray her to the studious onlooker. Spotting a pair of heavy drapes that hung, partly partitioning off a balcony Lily was swift to alter her course to head for it, lifting a goblet of wine off an offered tray as she moved.

Stepping into the fresh air she exhaled a deep sigh, lifting her mask to look around, hoping she hadn’t interrupted anyone as she raised the goblet to her lips and tried her best to feel less like she was precariously close to botching her part of the ruse.

4) two drinks on

By the second, rather healthily poured goblet of wine, Lily was sure she was going to be just fine. She had read books with brazen socialites in them before, would absolutely show her leg to the knee to gain access to something (at least in her present state), and in truth, this party wasn’t so bad at all.

While she wobbled ever so when she crossed the room Lily was in fine spirits, momentarily caught off-guard and nearly tripping over the hem of her gown when the musicians clustered at the corner of the room sprung into a lively tune, sending pairs of masked dancers back to the floor from all sides.

Weaving out of everybody’s way with a little laugh at how silly this all seemed, she ambled towards another person, her smile broad but concealed behind her mask as she stopped in front of them.

“You found this place too? Bloody marvelous isn’t it? They’ve got these little tiny fruits,” she trailed off, sunny and slurring, and lifted her hand to pinch her thumb and forefinger together as if to demonstrate just how tiny these fruits were. “Tiny fruits!” Lily repeated, obviously very pleased.

“I look like-” Lily began once the attendants had situated them in a pair of dresses and disappeared to let them admire themselves (before hopefully purchasing). “A very well-to-do milkmaid,” she finished gravely while studying her reflection in the gilded mirror in front of them

“But the more I look at it the more I like it, which is the oddest part.” She made a face as she looked towards Allison’s reflection and shrugged, bewildered by herself.

The dress’s likeability was a matter of taste. It wasn’t fancy enough to wear to court, but something about it was growing on her, however provincial she felt at first.

The shop she and Allison had been lured into appeared to be packed to the rafters in garments in seemingly every shade, and an assortment of fashionable styles. After roughing it first in Sa-Hareth, and then on the journey to Taravast, it felt nice to be elegantly dressed in a beautiful city.

The cauldron she had been hoping to find was waiting for her at the second stall she and Wen Qing passed, and now as they strolled the streets in the southern part of the city, she had to resist the urge to hug it to her chest. Not having been able to make things she knew would have benefitted the group had gotten under her skin about fifteen minutes into the siege at the farm. They still had a good deal of looking around to do, and Lily for one had her list of ingredients she hoped to come across.

“There’s so much,” she muttered quietly to the woman beside her, glad that her mask concealed how clear her amazement was at the presence of so many different magic users and vendors of all varieties catering to them. It was like a bizarre version of being home and doing her shop before the start of term, but Lily was quick to dismiss the thought, aware that dwelling on thoughts of home was counterproductive. Thankfully, the opportunity to shop for herbs was far more pressing, and the weight of the caldron she carried was far too exciting.

“Have you got a long shopping list too? It would be wonderful if we could find everything we need.”

No one would tell to look at him, but casinos held a special place in Eleven's heart. For a little while, at the expense of some hard-earned gold, the worries of the world didn't exist. Besides which, there wasn't much else to do in a small farming village in the mountains except for farming, fishing, and playing cards.

This.. wasn't a casino as he'd seen in Erdrea, but certainly there were card tables and best of all, a steady supply of alcohol. Nursing a pleasant buzz that successfully derailed his brain's every attempt to focus on more pressing matters, Eleven found his attention drawn from the tables to a masked lady and improbably, a voice he recognized.

He laughed, the slice of lemon on the rim of his drink more amusing than it had been moments before she pointed it out.

"'ts love-ely," he agreed, then raised his glass to the gambling hall at large. "This all is. Should've come here first."

Edited 2021-08-12 05:17 (UTC)

Taravast is liberal with its use of magic, so incongruous to everything Emilia's ever known. Only seconds ago, a man was lighting his pipe with fire magic out in the open, and doing so with a casualty that's beyond her. It momentarily distracts her.

This is a man confident with his magic, seeing no need to flaunt it so much as claim it: it is his birthright. The display feels so mundane and welcome in this colorful backdrop, but then she recalls Dona Rigarda's words — that witches are cockroaches under their feet — and reminds herself not everyone feels so warmly. Rigarda's disdain is more familiar to Emilia, and a warning not to let her guard down.

"...Did you say eyeballs?"

Nonna Maria would be aghast. Somewhere in the multiverse, one of her shrewd eyes is twitching.

The downside of arriving in the middle of a caravan is that you brought nothing with you from the last city, and you have nothing with you until you get where you're going. With a month of being on the road, Allison indulged in a very long bath before they were taken out to the shops, and she started putting together a desperately needed wardrobe.

She turns and balances on her heel in front of the mirror, admiring the gown before glancing over to what Lily's wearing.

"Nothing weird about it. You look great."

Allison moves to step behind her, moving her hands towards her hair. "May I?"

"We should go to parties like this every night," she agreed. Quick to lift her mask to sip her wine, Lily grinned brightly at Eleven, her face flushed from the drink and how bloody warm it was underneath that cumbersome mask.

"Where did you get one with a lemon in it? I've just had this," she paused to glance into her goblet, tilting it enough that he could see the wine within. "It's bloody lovely stuff though, it's like I'm down at gran's for Christmas." Lily swayed on her feet ever so slightly, still beaming widely at Eleven.

"Just a few stalls back that way. Rather dreadful-looking if you ask me, but I'm sure the Potions Master at my old school would be a very good customer." Potion ingredients could be terrible - bezoars alone were a repulsive thought much less touching them enough to use them.

"Have you gotten to work with any potions?" From what she had gleaned from their past conversations, Emilia had needed to keep her abilities secret as magic was even rarer in her world than it was in Lily's.

"Every night," Eleven agreed heartily, despite a part of him attempting to caution him that maybe that wasn't such a good idea.

He felt good, the drinks were good, and he was pretty sure he had a grasp on the concept of the cards being played. Granted, he could use less recognition from noblemen attempting to solicit his opinions on horse racing, but such was the misfortune of having half a mask, he supposed. On the other hand, he could drink without lifting it, so that was something.

"There's a bar," he pointed out helpfully. "Bit strong, but 'ts effective. Have to try the wine next I reckon." Eleven offered out a belated hand to help steady her, then blinking as he wasn't sure how to help exactly and just let it hang there if she needed it. "You doing good then?"

Instead of taking his hand when he offered it, Lily opted instead to lean against Eleven's side, propping her hand on his shoulder.

"I'm doing just beautifully, you?" They'd both had a time of it coming through the Stairs of Sighs, but while the ghosts had been unpleasant to her, they had been far worse to Eleven. The welcoming nature of the people of Taravast was a splendid contrast to her, and she hoped he was faring better in friendlier surroundings as well.

Turning her head this way and that, she looked first to the bar and then to the card tables, taking an enthusiastic swallow of wine. "I'm meant to be a gambler," she said, in a suddenly quiet, slurred voice meant to be reserved for his ears only. "But I don't know what I'm doing, so I thought I'd get pissed and maybe I'd understand." Was she rambling?

Nodding Lily looked back towards the mirror, letting Allison do what she liked to her hair while she watched curiously. "That's easy for you to say, you always look like you've stepped out of a magazine or a painting." Allison did have a charisma about her that made her life as a movie star not that hard to believe, Lily hoped when she got home she would be able to find one or two films.

"I know we're unlikely to be able to afford these, but I can change the clothes they gave us to look like the dresses we like." She had managed to come into some money, but Lily was determined to hang on to as much of it as she could, though, a few nice treats in Taravast were certainly on the agenda.

Oh, well that was nice. Eleven settled his arm around her waist with a boldness he wouldn't have had sober, but didn't think very far into now. Just to help keep her standing. It was nice that Fox and Lily didn't seem to be allergic to physical closeness. And Wei Wuxian that one time.

He laughed into his drink.

"I know how to play cards," he offered, "Well, maybe not all of them. There's horse-betting, too. People keep asking me about them."

"Do you?" Looking at him in surprise, she laughed rather girlishly. It was certainly not a sound she made sober, but wine was good, and finally finding company was better.

"Do you want to go for more drinks and then watch them play? I want a drink with a lemon in it." Lily brightened, leaning in enthusiastically. "Maybe if you learn the game you can show me!"

Eleven beamed, proud of himself. Lily was happy, she was delightfully warm against him, and he could help her. Also, more drink.

"Yes," he said with perhaps too much enthusiasm, raising his glass to the hall at large. "That sounds wonderful. To the bar!"

"I was taught by my grandmother, not a Potions Master, but I have."

Potions and perfumes had been where Vittoria's magic shined brightest, not Emilia's, but she was diligent in her learning. Dutiful to her grandmother, always. Until she wasn't. "We never had anything like that in my world. A school."

The thought is as far-fetched to her as these bold and open displays of magic.

If there was one saving grace about the party, it was that the locals were drinking. Drunk people were less likely to notice signs that you'd hastily memorized a few local placenames and conflicts you supposedly fought in, or started talking GAR jargon instead of whatever the hells soldiers sounded like here.

He'd only had a few chances to drink back at home--all of it illicit. Stuff he'd picked up on the black market and shared with his squad as a gift, or been offered by guys he'd gotten friendly with. Public drinking was a weird idea, and one he wasn't going to do much of. Sure, raise the mask occasionally, put the glass to his lips, but most of it wasn't going any further than that. Damn shame, it tasted better than whatever engine grease the techies added to their rotgut.

He wasn't sure about Lily, though. Either she's a better actress than he expected, or she's well and plastered.

And then she got closer, and he caught a whiff of her breath from behind the mask. Definitely plastered. Only other way that smell would be on her was if she'd gone and bathed in the booze instead.

Under other circumstances this might've been funny. But here? That could be a problem, especially if she ran into somebody playing the other side. "Yes madame," he vaguely agreed, glancing about to try and gauge who was in the room right now. "Maybe you should consider having a few more of those between drinks."

Where initially she had been full of worries about how the party might go, things had taken a lovely turn, and she was still grinning ear to ear when she pulled her mask back down over her face.

"To the bar," she proclaimed, echoing his enthusiasm before letting her arm drape across his shoulders, tugging him along to where the drinks with the lemons in them presumably were.

He laughed and followed her along, glad he wasn't so far gone as to be stumbling too badly yet. It just felt a bit like he was out at sea, navigating the sway of the deck on the waves.

"Another one of these- for her," he told the bartender, reaching into his pocket for roughly the same amount of coins he'd paid for the first along with some extra. "And a goblet of wine, please."

Eleven had a moment to think in the appraising look sent over them that they might look a bit strange like this, but the concern was quickly shelved. Things were good right now.

"She's teaching me to play cards," he told the bartender as their drinks were assembled. "But I'm pretty rubbish at it. Where's a good place to start here?"

Long-suffering, the man pointed them in the vague direction of a table with a name for the game and Eleven's smile brightened with gratitude. Drinks in hand, he thanked the man with a small tip, then turned back to Lily.

"Shall we go?"

Edited 2021-08-14 01:41 (UTC)

"My family hadn't had a witch in it before me. Another boy in my town knew he was going to be invited to school, and he'd seen me doing things before - magic I mean. He told me all about it."

It was a shame that Emilia hadn't had a school to learn from, Lily could very easily picture her new friend flourishing in a place like Hogwarts. "Maybe I could show you a few of my favorite potions? We could do a bit of a recipe swap if you like."

Edited (BLESS YOU) 2021-08-16 23:10 (UTC)

Recognizing the distinctive sound of the accent Slick spoke with Lily hummed pleasantly in response to the advice, lifting her mask to look up at him in amusement.

"Do you mean to be my hero tonight as well? I haven't got any medals for you." There was no way in this world, or any others, that Lily was aware of how suggestive she sounded. If she had, she would have been mortified, but instead, she was as jolly as two goblets of wine might make a person, looping her arm through his.

"On the contrary, I believe you ought to consider having a few more drinks, but tiny fruit does sound lovely." She lowered her mask, cocking her head at Slick expectantly. "Shall we?"

Edited 2021-08-14 02:24 (UTC)

Hooboy.

"Just a concerned passerby." If she was legitimately looking to be bold with people, and drink gave her the courage to do it? Good for her. But that was a question to pose to a sober Lily, along with some sergeantly advice. Especially because she was still basically a cadet.

So he had every right to be a stick in the mud about this. "I know my limits on drink, madame. I hope you'll learn the same for yourself."

"Quite right!" Lily chimed in as Eleven explained their appearance to the gentleman making drinks.

"It would be simply uncouth to let him approach the card tables unprepared, someone might take advantage of him," she added, giving the barkeep a little wink beneath her mask, not entirely oblivious to what she was saying, but drunk enough to be wholly unbothered by the nuance.

Turning away as she lifted her drink, Lily bumped Eleven's hip with her own and leaned in the direction of the card table. "Lead the way, good sir."

Edited 2021-08-14 02:46 (UTC)

"Sir, I think you'll find I'm doing precisely, what I'm meant to be doing." And though she was just starting to slur around the edges, somehow she pulled it together to sound very pointed.

On the verge of explaining she was meant to be the sort of woman who showed her leg to the knee, something caught Lily's eye and she stopped, squinting at the side of Slick's head. "You've got something sparkly in your hair?"

Eleven dipped his head in a nod, heat spreading across his face. Once, he may not have caught on well, but since the brothel..

He cleared his throat and led the way back toward the tables they'd been directed to and sought a good vantage point to watch from. Eleven took a draught from his goblet, warmed by the sweetness and tart of the alcohol.

"I'm familiar with this game," he said quietly as the watched. "People bet based on what cards they have- different combinations of cards are better than others. But too, it's a game of deception, where others might try to bluff and make people think they have a good hand when they don't. So it's very... there's strategy, too."

And it's quite possible he shouldn't be trying to explain the rules of intricate card games while a bit drunk, but well, here they were.

"..Let's watch this next game and I'll try to tell you what's happening as it goes."

Doubly pleased that her drink not only came with her desired slice of lemon but was absolutely delicious (maybe too delicious to be safe) Lily was happy to follow after Eleven. Gambling was something Lily knew nothing about and ordinarily, she would have paid rapt attention. She might have even gone so far as to take a note or two while he explained how the game worked - but at present, under the warm haze of a decent buzz, nothing struck her as needing to be jotted down.

When he offered to explain as the people at the table played she nodded eagerly, lifting her mask for another drink before propping her arm on his shoulder once more, leaning into him as she watched the people at the table gather the cards they had been dealt.

"Are you good at bluffing?" Rather delighted by the revelation that he knew his way around games like these.

you’re the key that got lost

ota away, hurray

for allison

for wen qing

4

2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

fourrrrrr

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject