Much scans the market and searches for an arms and armor dealer.
”How much for the owl?” He asks, trying to sound casual.
"Five gold," she replies. "For another 15 silver I'll toss in the bone grinder."
The owl looks at you, as if they know you're talking about them.
Maddox's face twitches when she mentions the bone grinder, but he says politely, "No thank you, just the bird." He pulls out five gold from his pocket and slides it over to her on the table, all the while turning his eye back to stare at the owl. He smiles at it in what he hopes is a friendly, reassuring way.
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Much scans the market and searches for an arms and armor dealer.
Much sees a pale, well-built, heavily tattooed human standing in front of a table with a sign that says, Maximum Murder for the Minimum. There is an Orc Necksplitter and a spiked shield hung from a pole by way of advertising.
The man's voice booms out as you approach. "Greetings! I am Max, one of Gorum's favored sons! I am happy to bring more murder into your life, and more death for your enemies. Do not disgrace yourself, your family, or your god by entering combat ill-prepared. What do you seek, to aid you on your road to valor? Let us find it together!"
"No thank you, just the bird." He pulls out five gold from his pocket and slides it over to her on the table, all the while turning his eye back to stare at the owl. He smiles at it in what he hopes is a friendly, reassuring way.
Makena takes the bird from its cage, holding a cord tied around one ankle and hands the owl to Maddox.
"You can take the cage too, if you want. Five silver."
The owl flaps its wings a few times, testing the air and stretching out.
"That's alright. No cage. Never again." Maddox says, continuing to smile up at the large avian creature. He takes the cord from Makena and allows the owl to perch on his forearm. He pulls a piece of dried meat out of his backpack and offers it up to her.
Maddox follows the rest of the group now, owl on arm.
The owl takes the meat from your hand and eats it in two quick bobbing motions. It steadies itself on your arm with little motions of its body, head steadily looking forward.
Over at the Maximum Murder shop, Max now has two customers. "Of course I have striking runes! The only thing Gorum likes more than someone getting hit is someone getting hit harder. Sixty-five gold."
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”AH. Hmmm…” Laesah manages, eyes bugging out of her head at the price. She recovers swiftly.
”Well, now I have something to save my pennies for, heh heh…” She coughs embarrasedly, then turns away.
What are you doing? You thought you’d be some bad-ass brawler, eh? Thought you’d teach ol’ Floats-on-the-Breeze a lesson, did you? Stupid girl… Laesah closes her eyes tightly as she tries to tune out her critical ego.
”We should get back, yes?” She suddenly seems to want to be anywhere else but the market.
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Maddox feels a glow of happiness at the bird accepting his food offering, which causes his nanites to surge. He turns green and considers trying to stroke the large bird on his arm.
The owls eyes widen and reflect the green glow from Maddox's face. Claws tighten into your arm for a moment, then relax when she realizes this is not a threat. She leans her head towards your hand with a gentle, "Whoooo."
You make it back with the chicks. They are very fragile, and struggled with the cold, but between the fur lined cage and Laesah's attention they all made it no worse for the wear.
As you cross the Welcome Walk, you spot a glider high up in the air, doing lazy circles. It lands near the Soaring Spire at the same time you arrive, clearly tracking you and timing against your progress. Haibram dismounts his glider and packs up the wings, leaning it against the dorm.
"Well, how'd it go? Get the birds? Have any trouble?" He asks.
Esi, seated on the porch, looks up from a book, patiently waiting for your reply.
Haibram takes the cage and holds it at eye level.
"I'll bring these to someone more druidic than me to make sure, but I think you did great," He says with a grin. "And the glider is a special project of mine. That's Mark 2. Mark 1 left me a little banged up..." He pauses, still grinning, to rub his left arm again. "I use the Spire here to shoot me into the air and cruise around. It was a fateful match for someone with my upward inclinations."
Esi cuts in. "For Haibram The Quest for Sky never ended," she says, mock seriously.
Haibram chuckles and continues. "I think I've reached the end of what I can squeeze out of Mark 2 here. I have plans for Mark 3, but might need a little help with the construction, if any of you are interested. And I'll definitely need help with the launch."
"Any questions?" Esi asks. "You did a great job with your first assignment, but you are done for today. We'll meet here tomorrow, around the same time, but grab some breakfast first. You'll likely need the energy."
"That's it for the day, yes," says Esi. "You all made short work of that assignment. I thought it might take you half the day to find the market and bring back the chicks, but you only took a few hours. You should be proud of yourselves, it's a great first impression."
Esi glances back at the dorm for a second and then continues. "I'm waiting on a couple others to go to lunch soon, if you are interested. Otherwise, I ask you to remain on campus, but you are free to spend your time as best suits you."
Haibram chuckles and continues. "I think I've reached the end of what I can squeeze out of Mark 2 here. I have plans for Mark 3, but might need a little help with the construction, if any of you are interested. And I'll definitely need help with the launch."
Haunt cautiously raises a hand. "I'd be interested in helping with the Mark 3. As long as I don't have to pretend to be from a foreign country, or scare off a mouse."
Esi glances back at the dorm for a second and then continues. "I'm waiting on a couple others to go to lunch soon, if you are interested. Otherwise, I ask you to remain on campus, but you are free to spend your time as best suits you."
The amurrun catches Laesah's eye and raises a questioning brow. "I think I ... huh. I was going to say I thought I might go exploring, but I'm not set on that. What are you all going to do?"
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"I'd be interested in helping with the Mark 3. As long as I don't have to pretend to be from a foreign country, or scare off a mouse."
"Oh, Excellent!" Haibram says. "I heard about you. You were the first one from your cohort up the spire, right? You're just the kind of person I want on the team. And anyone else with a high tolerance for risk and any skill sourcing or working with various materials."
"Haibram, please let me know if I can assist you and Haunt. Flying without magic would be a story my pack would like to hear!" Much says.
"Esi, I am very interested in learning more about the Emerald Boughs. Will any of them be joining you for lunch?" Much asks.
"And if there are, could you introduce me?" She adds with a downward glance.
"Well you've already met one, and they will likely be joining us," Esi says. "Ignaci is in the Emerald Boughs, and will be happy to tell you all about it."
"Ignaci is in the Emerald Boughs, and will be happy to tell you all about it."
Excellent. I'll join you for lunch then!" Much says.
"Haibram, please let me know if I can assist you and Haunt. Flying without magic would be a story my pack would like to hear!" Much says.
"Lovely, getting a whole crew together!" Haibram says. "Here, let me show you how this thing works. Feel free to meet me up there for a closer look." He says with a wink, then runs off, grabs his glider, and with a few practiced motions straps himself in to a harness cleverly hidden among his belt and vest. Holding the glider above his head, he hustles back to the spire, bobbing slightly as the glider tries to lift him as he runs.
When he gets near the glider, he points the glider up, gives a hop, kicks off the spire itself, shoots up into the air with a "WHOOP! and performs a few tight rolls on the way to the apex of his ascent.
Laesah rockets into the air and once she gets about 60 feet up, hovers for a moment and then begins a slow descent. She has some control over her direction and can angle her body to pick a landing target.
In the distance you see Haibram bank his glider and start to approach.
Much settles back on her haunches. Her initial enthusiasm to fly overwhelmed by the feeling of puckering panic watching Laesah careen through the sky instilled in her, Much is now content to watch.
"I would also be happy to help with the Mach 3," Maddox says to Haibram, as he and the owl watch Laesah soar into the air.
He sidesteps closer to Esi and says in a quiet voice "I was hoping to drop by Teacher Ot's office this afternoon, to tell him what we've been doing. Do you think he'd have time to speak to me?
Haunt wastes no time joining Laesah in jumping around the Spire. AAAAAAAAAAHHHOOOOOOOOO
After he tires himself out, though, he sits on the grass next to Maddox and Much. "So what's with the owl, anyway?"
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For whatever reason, the sensation of jumping the Spire does not quickly lose its lustre for the anadi girl. She bounces and flails with glee for the better part of an hour before finally collapsing onto the lawn, panting and giggling, next to her classmates.
”We should get some food! I’ll bet folks are wondering where we are!” she says in sudden realisation, scrambling to her feet and racing to the mess hall.
Right before you run off, Haibram lands again and says, with a glint in his eye. "Lunch does sound like a good idea... Anyone what to fly there with me?"
Esi looks a little spooked at the idea. "Haibram, is that a good idea? Can that thing even support two people?"
Haibram's grin is nearly splitting his face in half as he answers. He's very excited. "Well, I don't know, because nobody has ever tested it with me, but I think Mark 2 is good for it. Anyone that wants to find out should meet me in the air. First one up gets a ride."
And with that he heads back to the Spire and rockets up, doing lazy circles waiting to see if anyone takes him up on his offer.
Haunt takes a running leap...
Haibram spins, swinging around and matching speed as best he can with the slow-descending Haunt.
He has a crazy look in his eye as he shouts to you, "Want to see if we can beat them to the cafeteria? Grab the rear strut, maybe strap yourself in, if you can, and let's go for a ride!"
Haibram does some quick adjustments, resetting his speed and altitude. "Come on, lad, grab hold and let's show 'em what speed really is!" He hollers.
Haibram nods to Haunt and says, "Enjoy your float, friend. I'm around if you ever want to see what this thing can do."
And with that he dips down, gathering speed and heading for lunch on his own.
Haunt spaces out again during his leap, coming back to himself in time to wave to Haibram as the dwarf glides away.
Darn, that would probably have been fun. Oh well, he'll be around, and I should get to know the gang a little better, too.
When he lands, the amurrun hurries to catch up to Laesah. "Wait for me! I don't want to miss seeing what Maddox tries to eat next!"
Much makes her way to lunch, bothering Esi with friendly chatter and smiling at the bravery of her new flying friends.
Lunch is chicken over rice with root vegetables, with fried plantains on the side, or a fire-roasted eggplant dish served with beans.
Ignaci is there, and answers any questions about his branch that he can.
Maddox gets a slight look of concern from Chef Yao, and several students are clearly tracking him to see what he gets up to.
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After she finishes her meal (”Mmmm. Eggplant.”), Laesah seeks out Chef Yao, heading into the kitchens if need-be. She addresses the soothing figure.
”I would like to augment my learning here with an apprenticeship in the kitchens, if it be possible, Ma’am,” Laesah announces. ”My people —- we don’t really cook —- I find the entire process fascinating. Can you teach me?”
Lumusi considers you solemnly, taking your hands in hers and examining them. She then looks into your eyes, holding your gaze for several heartbeats.
She then lets out a musical laugh, and says, "Of course, dear. You've got wonderfully delicate hands, and a desire to learn - that'll get you most of the way there. If your tongue is sensitive and you can handle some cuts and burns, I might even be able to make you great." She tilts her head, considering you again.
"Tell me, what is your favorite food to eat? Or perhaps what food do you find most interesting? We'll start there."
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”Well…” her eyes dart upward as she thinks on Madame Yao’s questions, ”I would have to say that grubs cool from their earthen burrows are the most refreshing thing that I’ve tasted, especially mealworms that have recently gorged on fresh blood.” She blushes.
”I know, I know…morbid but delicious. As far as foods that fascinate me, well, my species aren’t big milk drinkers, as you might imagine, and so any dairy-based food I find fascinatingly alien. I’m not against using milk products in my cooking from some ethical point of view; I am simply extremely lactose intolerant. But I would be keen to learn to prepare it for others…”
She smiles.
Haunt fills a tray with chicken and sits near Ignaci (making sure to leave room for Much, if she wants to talk to him about the Emerald Boughs too). "Hi! We've been hearing about some of the different cliques at the Academy. No, that's not right. Clubs? No..."
Clubs are made of wood, though. And wood comes from trees. And that storm the other day knocked down a bunch of branches...
"Branches! We've been hearing about some of the different branches here at the Academy. You're in the Emerald Boughs branch, right? What's their focus? And hey - does the name mean the 'Green Branches branch'?"
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"MmmmHmmm," hums Lumusi, index finger tapping her lips. "Best not to start with foods you can't eat. You'll want to taste, taste, taste as you go."
She nods her head sharply, making a decision. "The first step of being a chef happens before the knives come out. You must ensure your ingredients are worthy of your guests. Bring me some of these grubs that you like, and we will make a meal to delight all but the most narrow-minded of fools. You can probably find them out in the jungle, or perhaps even in the garden we keep out back. Whenever you bring them to me, we will begin. If you need help, perhaps ask Anchor Root? She and her chicken have a great sense for finding such things, and sometimes work here as foragers."
Down the table, Ignaci is chatting with Haunt. "Hah! I thought the same thing! 'Why name a branch, branch?' It's because wizards stink at marketing. Don't tell any I said that..." He shoves some eggplant into his mouth and continues. "The Green Branch branch studies the world as it is. We study the communities, people, and events of the present day, if you will. There are some people who feel that simple observation and investigation makes us the Magaambya’s spies, but that misses the point entirely."
He leans in and takes a more hushed tone, that only you can hear. "Someone has to keep the school connected to the world. If we happen to make a sale, learn a secret, or return with a dangerous artifact, what's the harm?" He says with a wink.
Much leans in as well, very much enjoying the conspiratorial tone.
"Can Haunt and I help? I believe we're free today, even!" Much asks, trying and failing to be silent despite her excitement.
Ignaci winces a bit, surreptitiously glances over his shoulder, and says, "I appreciate your enthusiasm for tradecraft... Right now I'm just studying, and don't have any official work, but I'll tell you this: There are plenty of people that worry Mafika Ayuwari, one of the Tempest Sun-Mage instructors, has been keeping a low profile since his return from the Ruby Phoenix Tournament, and that's not really his style. Maybe keep your eyes and ears open and let me know if anything looks out of sorts? I'm positive he'll want to meet you once he sees you."
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Laesah nods enthusiastically to Madame Yao.
"Thank you, kaitiaki," she murmurs, using the Anadi word for 'mentor'. "I'll seek out Anchor Root today." She notices her friends dining with Ignaci, enjoying a garrulous exchange. "I should get back to my classmates."
She grabs a mug of rooibos and makes her way back toward Much and Haunt.
"What's this about the Ruby Phoenix Tournament?"
”Mafika and his team didn’t win the tournament, but they did well enough to make an impression. He’s a… boisterous sort, but he’s been downright understated since his return. It invites curiosity.” Ignaci shrugs. ”Maybe he just has teleport lag. Maybe he’s been replaced by a shapeshifter. Who could say? His offices are on the northern side of campus.”