closed.

[exequy]

WHO: Ilias, Isaac, Kostos, Leander
WHAT: Four mages stuck in a library (a bottle episode)
WHEN: Early Solace
WHERE: Outside Starkhaven
NOTES: Probably some violence at some point

Comments

I. TRAVELOGUE

[exequy]

Conversations from the road. Excessive action punishable by death or fines up to $25.

[sarcophage]

—Some of them are quite dangerous, actually, if you fumble them badly enough. I once watched an apprentice lose a hand, right up to the elbow. That was a short lesson.

[wythersake]

[ skeptically: ]

And all that dangled from the doorknob was his bloody hook?

[sarcophage]

Yes, and his mangled spirit still haunts the tower to this very day, moaning about his wretched chalking skills.

It was an ice mine that did it.

[wythersake]

How did he even manage it? Sneeze midway?

[sarcophage]

He drew it backwards—had some strokes reversed, or something. Poor study. Obviously he wasn't going to repeat it, so it was never really figured out. I tried replicating it a few times, but it's difficult to draw that badly on purpose, even with a very long stick.

[exequy]

Don't give up.

[ He's being friendly. He hopes all his friends lose limbs in magical mishaps. ]

[sarcophage]

There's an idea—you're rubbish at glyphs, aren't you?

[libratus]

[ Helpfully: ] He is.

[exequy]

[ And there goes the possibility of relatively cheerful agreement that he's shit. ]

What the fuck do you know?

[libratus]

I did pay some attention to you in the Circle.

[exequy]

What an honor, [ and more quietly, like he's talking to himself and not totally aware everyone can hear him ] you self-important shithead.

[sarcophage]

All right, gentlemen, that'll do. If you use up all your hostility now there'll be none left for the return trip.

[When did he become the mom friend? Is this a fever dream?]

[libratus]

Do you actually— know anything about driving a horse?

[wythersake]

[ not remotely




however, ]


It's just — having a rest.

[libratus]

For the third time since lunch?

[wythersake]

Would you care to take over?

[libratus]

I'm only pointing it out.

[sarcophage]

[Sitting up—he'd have straw in his hair if it were that kind of wagon—]

Why've we stopped?

[exequy]

Incompetence.

[ He's reading. He doesn't stop. ]

[libratus]

[ To Kostos and/or his book cover, because Maker forbid they agree-- ]

It's having a rest.

[wythersake]

Now. Kostos is the expert.

[ on horse-driving. not incompetence. surely. ]

[sarcophage]

So let him drive, then.

I'd like to get there before my clothes go out of fashion.

[exequy]

If not being completely fucking inept counts as expertise now.

[wythersake]

Isn't that how our promotions work?

[ all three of you!! ]