Forest Encounter (Closed)

[NyxAvatar68]

After listening to Jon's story, the mayor was quiet for a moment before he sighed and shook his head. "And here I thought things couldn't get any worse. I may need to call in more help, but paying more people the same rate would kill the town's savings," the mayor muttered to himself before he returned his attention to Jon. "I thank you for bringing this to my attention, Jon, but I believe I warned everyone to avoid the forest until the situation with the magicians has been handled. You've seen what they've done, haven't you? The damage to town, the people they've kidnapped for their terrible rituals," the mayor continued, standing up from his chair and walking over to Jon. He put a hand on Jon's shoulder and smiled a bit. "You're still young, after all. Your family and friends would be worried about you if you put yourself in danger. Why don't you head on home, get something to eat, and forget about all of this craziness. We have someone working hard to keep our little town safe from that jester and his thugs," the mayor added.

Around the same time, Crystal was sitting in her room at the town's local inn, provided to her by the mayor. She had taken care of the burns from earlier and had been passing the time reading a copy of 'Fire Magic for Dummies' that she had brought with her from home. The room itself wasn't anything special, but Crystal didn't really mind it much. While she was reading, she would take occasional breaks to drink from the bottle of apple juice she had bought on the way to town when she started the job. Turning the page, she groaned and threw the still open book onto the bed. "I don't get any of this! How is this beginner level fire magic, anyway?" she said. Letting out a sigh, Crystal stood from the chair she was sitting in and walked towards the corner where she threw her backpack. As she walked, she took a quick glance towards the window. The sun had set while she was in the middle of reading, telling her it was about time to go and get something to eat. She dug through her backpack, grabbed her wallet, and headed out.

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon responds to the mayor saying, See sir, my family lives out in that area to get the maple sap for the syrup that my family has been making for the town for generations. I was just out walking checking the trees in my down time. No one normally is that far out, so I figured I would be safe as if someone was wanting to kidnap folk, they would be close to town where the mass is rather then out in the middle of nowhere where there is only a small hand full. I was shocked to see the damage from the fight. I am glad that young woman made it out of the fight ok tho who is working for the town. *Jon can feel him self getting hard as in the back of his mind he thinks of crystal being nude* Sir I shouldn't have been gone this long, but I knew you should know what I seen so you can tell her. Is it ok if I get back to my family's tree farm? We do have a cabin on are land if you want the young woman to stay closer to where the magical folk are. Its my old fort but could house a adult to sleep in, tho it has no water or power.

Part of Jon wants to get home, but part of him hopes to get to spend more time with Crystal... Maybe even find out where she is staying.

 

[NyxAvatar68]

"It's fine, Jon. I've already arranged for a place for her to stay. She did request I don't tell anyone where, though. I guess adventurers have their secrets to keep, after all. Besides, an old fort is no place for a young woman to stay," the mayor replied, leaning closer to Jon. "Besides, we want to be on the guild's good side. Who knows if something like this will happen again in the future," the mayor whispered into Jon's ear. He moved away and took his hand off of Jon's shoulder. "I wouldn't advise staying back there, just in case that jester makes a move, but if you want to go back, I won't stop you. If anything does happen, be sure to contact me right away, understand?" the mayor said.

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon nodded in agreement with every thing the mayor said other then not to go back to that area. Jon tired to hide the face that he had planned on going threw that area. Jon wanted to ask more about the guild, but way to sacred the interest could give him away as a magical being him self. Tho his magic cant do anything other then turn him in visible, but most viewed any kind of magic as bad.

Jon quickly promises to keep safe and report anything new in that area with out un-needed risk.

To Jon the key word being "un-needed" Jon had questions like if he was to use his gift, could othere magical being be aware of him. The jester seamed to be clueless, but was that with him being so warped up in what he was doing in a remote area. He lost track of what was around him? Was he to far from the jester? Could Jon use his gift to get closer to the young woman he seen at the waterfall?

Jon makes his mind up to learn a bit more about his magic. He is going to try and find that jester and spy on him. Maybe Jon can get some useful info for her, and redeem him self in her eyes a bit.

So with that being made up in his mind... Off he goes to make the shortest time there, running threw the woods off trail.... Cutting threw a few years into the woods and the wilderness to the waterfall area.

 

[NyxAvatar68]

Standing in the middle of the burned battlefield was a woman looking around sadly at the state of the destruction. She was dressed up like a shrine maiden and had a strange golden sheath at her belt. The main thing that stood out about the woman was that her hair was white as snow. She took a few steps forward and reached out for one of the burnt trees, putting her hand on the burnt bark. A faint light began to pour out of her hand towards the tree, but even as she tried to restore vitality to the tree, nothing happened. After realizing her healing was having no effect, she lowered her hand and stepped back. "Looks like it's worse than I thought," the woman said to herself, turning around and looking around at the ruined forest. "It's almost as if the life in this section of the forest has been sucked away," the woman trailed off as she looked up at the darkening sky. "Its getting late, and I should be on my way. As much as I wish I could help this place, my duties as a priestess take priority," the woman continued, even though nobody was around to hear her. When she heard a noise that reminded her of someone running, she very quickly reached for the sword she had with her, almost as if it were an instinct.

Around the same time, Crystal spent her time wandering around town, looking for somewhere to get something for dinner. She assumed it was because of the small size of the town and the time, but the lack of selection for places to go bothered her as she walked around, eventually settling on a small mom and pop restaurant that was still open.

 

[JonathanBair]

At the waterfall he stopped running and got undressed. He then turned invisible as he slowly and carefully sneaked to where the battle was. He never really lifted his feet more slid them to the next spot for the step to reduce the chance of braking twigs with each step...

As Jon gets near the clearing, he can see a new woman with a sword. He stops to watch and listen from the far side of the clearing.

 

[NyxAvatar68]

The woman moved cautiously and slowly, constantly glancing around the area. She knew someone was around, but she couldn't tell exactly where they were just through her eyes. 'Someone is here. They're hiding themselves, I can feel the flow of their magical power. Illusion magic, I believe. Are they the one who did this to the forest?' the woman thought to herself, slowly unsheathing her weapon from the golden sheath. As she did, the sheath itself began to glow. "Come forward," the woman said as she unsheathed the sword. Once the blade was free, two pale blue lights shot out of the sheath, transforming into two flying, phantom swords that floated at the woman's sides. As the woman walked around searching for the presence she felt, the two phantom swords followed behind her as if they had minds of their own.

 

[JonathanBair]

I am ready to make a mad dash far away from this woman. I get the feeling she may be hunting the Jester. I call out from behind a tree " Are you looking for the Jester? Are you one of his minions?"

In my voice i try to be firm and confident, but I hope the bluff don't show threw.

 

[NyxAvatar68]

Upon hearing a voice, the two phantom swords that had been following the woman launched towards the source, but with a move of her hand, the blades stopped in midair just before ripping through the tree. "Who is this jester? Why do you hide? Are you the one who stole the life from this forest?" the woman questioned.

 

[JonathanBair]

The jester is the leader of the group that has been running amuck around here. Kidnapping the local non magic folk.... I listen to her next question about why am I hiding. I say in a very blunt tone "I am not the one armed, who would be silly enough to show them self's to a stranger with folks that have the power to do this... Her question of "Are you the one who stole the life from this forest?" That makes me burst out laughing hard for a few seconds. In a chuckle while trying to hold back a laugh he says " No my family are tree farmers, they are all non magic folk who use tree sap for syrup to sell to the locals and other natural sweeteners. Tell you what, if you stay there I can get dressed and come out to talk but will only do so if you put your weapon's away.

 

[NyxAvatar68]

The woman silently listened to the stranger's words, only pausing for a moment when she heard the last part. Slowly, she put the pieces together in her head and her face turned red. "P-please, go and put your clothes on first," the woman finally responded. With a wave of her hand, the phantom swords turned into pale blue smoke and returned to her sheath while she returned her original sword to it's rightful place. 'An illusion magic user who lacks even the basics of proper control of their powers? Is there truly someone with a lost magic capable of being so weak with their power?' the woman thought to herself.

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon can see the swords turn into smoke. That was good enough to show he could trust this woman. He also caught a bit of shock on her face when he mention he would get dressed...The blushing she started to do, also gave him some good feelings about this woman.

He didn't know if it was as simple as good vs evil or white magic vs black magic. Other then what was tossed around in the basic mainstream media showing folks doing voodoo as black magic.

Jon quickly dashed back in a rush to get his clothing, and get dressed... Slipping on his pants and shoes then starting to make his way back to the lady. As he makes it out of the tree line, he is just pulling his shirt down the last bit over his firm 4 pack abs from the labor of his life, but also shows he is not in tip top shape like a fighter would be.

As Jon gets his shirt pulled down, he cheerfully greats her with "Hi there, my name is Jon and my family is from over there with a tree farm." He tried to act calm and sure of him self, but there is doubt in the back of his mind... Tho now one person in this area knows his dark secret that he is not like the rest of his family, he has some of the old blood from long ago in him that can do magic. Even if its just turning invisible, nothing more then a trick letting light pass threw freely, but his mass dose not change.

 

[NyxAvatar68]

"A pleasure to meet you, Jon. I am Amane, a priestess from the church. I have come as a part of an exchange program from somewhere very far away," the woman replied, but it wasn't long before she cut right to the chase. "You come from the nearby village, correct? I have heard a few unsavory stories of that place. They say that the majority of the villagers condemn users of magic simply because they believe magic is evil, and yet you are an illusion magic user," Amane went on, stopping herself partway through when she thought she may have been getting ahead of herself. "But...maybe the systems of magic around here are different from where I come from," she added.

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon smiles and nods at hearing Amane's name. He also nodded to her questions about the village.

When she is done talking. Jon says "Well if someone was to use magic for good. I am sure the village would support them *he points to the battle area* but the group that stays outside of town kidnapping the town folk do evil with it. Far as for me, I am the first in my family in like 6 or 7 generations and I am just starting to get my gift that lets be blend in with what behind me, tho I am just as physical as you see me now. My family really lives just outside of town with a tree farm, but yes we consider are family apart of the town folk. Tho the mayor did higher a young woman who seams to have the magic to make her sword pop out of thin air from some other location. Think the mayor said shes working for a guild or something like that. *he shrugs not really worried about if he got the name/word right*

Jon says no one in the area knows about me other then you. I don't think I want them to know that I can turn invisible, as it can only get me into trouble with the locals. Its not like I am a fighter or wish to be, so folks would run there mouth and just wonder about where I am and odds are spread lies...

 

[NyxAvatar68]

Amane listened closely to the information she was being given, muttering to herself every so often. As she listened to the last of what Jon had to say, a thought came to her. "You say that you only acquired your power recently, correct, and yet you cannot even use anything beyond the most basic of basics of illusion magic?" Amane questioned. Even though she knew she might've sounded a bit rude, as someone who came from a place where magic had more influence than technology, she found it odd that someone with magical abilities couldn't go beyond even the most basic application of their ability outside a certain exception she knew of. "Invisibility on it's own may be a simple ability, but it appears you currently lack the capabilities to do anything with it. Even children blessed with illusion magic at birth can make objects, such as clothing, invisible, at the earliest stages of their training. You must set a better example, but such a thing would be impossible, living in an area such as this, where users of magic are treated badly," Amane went on, only stopping herself when she finally realized she sounded more like a teacher scolding a student. She took a breath and bowed to Jon. "My apologies for speaking in such a way. You see, I have been assigned by the church to teach children in villages about the basics of the prime elements of earth, fire, wind, and water. Where I come from, magic is far more common, and aside from very rare exceptions, just about every person is capable of at least using one of those elements," she explained.

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon could see the shock on her face and nodded yes to confirm he acquired his power rencently, and that it just effects his body only nothing other then his body. Jon knew she didn't mean to be rude, but was just in shock. Jon's own shock showed about hearing what kids could do with training. He started to smirk a bit as she went on her lecture. Jon just smiled and nodded at her asking for forgiveness as she told him what her job was. Jon's mouth feel open in shock hearing about it.

At the end he tells her " Its ok, maybe in a different area with folks having a different view. His skill would have been better. Is this area far from here?" Clearly he is interested in knowing more about the other area.

As Jon thinks about how nice it would be taught to turn his clothing invisible too, so he don't need to undress all the time. He knows he just had the powers for about a month.

 

[NyxAvatar68]

Unlike before, Amane took her time to answer Jon's question, as if it was something incredibly important. After several seconds of silence, she finally answered. "Very far. It is also very dangerous for one without the ability to fight for themselves. I do hear there are some schools of magic in this land, but one must either have a lot of money or be scouted for some of the better ones. Those seem to lie in unsafe places, as well, likely for the purposes of training," Amane answered.

 

[JonathanBair]

As Jon talks to Amane, he cant get crystal out of his head.

Jon asks Amane "how dose one turn invisible with there clothing, my family gets by. Don't think I am ready to out my self to them as a magic user. It would shake the family up to much I think even tho we know some magic is in the past. Would my kind of magic only allow me to stay as human form or do you think I could shift into other forms?"

 

[NyxAvatar68]

Instead of answering Jon's question verbally, Amane slowly walked over to Jon and reached out with her hand. She put her hand on his chest and took a deep breath while she closed her eyes. A few moments of silence later and Amane opened her eyes and took several steps away from Jon. "It is as you say. The flow of your mana is still very weak. It is similar to a child who has yet to properly understand how to channel it properly," Amane finally answered, trying to think of a simpler way to explain what she meant. "It is similar to training your body or your mind. You must practice with your mana, learn to channel it to parts beyond your own physical body. For example," Amane continued, taking a few more steps back and raising an arm towards the sky. The once calm forest was suddenly hit by a breeze that seemed to come out of nowhere, blowing the burnt leaves laying on the forest floor around as the breeze gathered around Amane, whipping around her long white hair. She pointed towards Jon, sending the breeze directly at him before lowering her arm. "You see, with the right application of your mana, you would be able to turn your clothing invisible along with your body. With enough practice, you could potentially turn distant objects or even people invisible," Amane went on, like a teacher giving a student a lecture.

 

[JonathanBair]

Jon watched in awe and listened to what Amane was telling him. Jon had no idea what his mana is but knew it had to be something like his magical being side.

 

[NyxAvatar68]

"As for your other question, there are only select individuals with such abilities to alter their shape so drastically. From what I could tell from your mana, you are not one of those who can use such abilities. Now, are there any other questions?" Amane answered.

 

[JonathanBair]

He shakes his head no. His face shows there is allot on his mind as he tried to process the info. Part of mind also has Crystal on the mind wondering about here... Tho mostly he is trying to take in all the new info.

 

[NyxAvatar68]

"I see. If that is all, then I believe I should be going now. It is getting rather late and I have quite a trip ahead of me. Staying longer would likely bring trouble," Amane said, bowing to Jon. "My apologies for almost injuring you earlier. If fate allows it, we might meet again," she added, turning around and starting to walk towards town.

 

[JonathanBair]

As Amane says "I see. If that is all, then I believe I should be going now." *Jon smiles friendly and nod.* Amane continues to say " It is getting rather late and I have quite a trip ahead of me. Staying longer would likely bring trouble," *Jon nods again then bows a bit to her* As she apologies about almost hurting him before. He just smiles and gives a small hand wave letting her know its water under the bridge, and not to worry. After all its not the first time that day he was in danger by a magic used on the good side. The both depart going different ways. Tho Jon snoops around the tree line of the battle ground not really in a rush to get home just yet.

 

[NyxAvatar68]

After eating her meal, Crystal returned to the place she was staying and returned to her studying, as much as she didn't want to. None of the magical theories or formulas into forming even the most basic of fire magic flew right over her head. Letting out a sigh, Crystal closed the book and lied down on the bed in her room. 'It's going to be a long day tomorrow. I need to find that jester soon before he does something. But...even then, do I really have what it takes to beat him?' Crystal thought to herself, remembering back to when she had encountered the jester earlier that day and bore witness to just how dangerous his fire magic was compared to his cronies.

'Whatever happens, I'll just have to figure it out. If I don't, this whole village will probably be nothing but ashes by the end of the week,' she added.