A Chance Encounter (PM for Entry, Trainee Classes Only)

[Sonneillon]

Sonneillon had made his way to Ilia, to a border city of no particular importance to him. Elburg, or something like that. The name did not matter to him. All that mattered was that he'd purchased a room for the night and a bowl of hot soup. Sitting alone at a table in the corner, the pupil kept his cloak wrapped tightly around him as he slowly ate his soup. It was warm and rich, a far better soup than he'd ever had with Verrine back on Valor. This soup was delicious.

Stopping eating for a moment, the pupil lifted a tall mug and took a long draught of the steaming tea. He'd brewed it himself, and it was very bitter and pungent. Just as he liked it. He found that tea had a way of calming and invigorating him, and it was very good for keeping out the Ilian chill. Soup and tea, a great meal.

Beside the boy, on the table, sat a thick book, with a grey, worn cover. Purple designs covered the exterior, and strange characters coated the book's creamy pages, which crinkled softly as the student pored over them. He mumbled something to himself, then shook his head and resumed eating his soup with vigor.

[Baako]

As far as Baako was concerned nothing, absolutely nothing good came from Ilia. Nobles taking over Bern fought by the rebellion, their guards always harassed the orphans who had been there long before they had, well some of them anyway, and now that Baako had made it into their territory nothing but biting cold awaited him. Lucky for him that he happened across an unsuspecting caravan when he did otherwise he'd freeze out here. Instead he had warm cloths for the first time in months, a pair of thick boots and a nice heavy cloak to ward off the terrible chill that came riding on the breeze. Sadly his sword was still naked, but there wasn't much he could do about that since every sword he got was pilfered from someone.

Forcing the door to one of the inns open Baako savored the feeling of warmth that came from four walls and a nice fire. The place didn't seem that busy, a few people sitting around drinking and eating but none of them seemed the rougeish type. He found a seat at the bar and slapped down a few gold coins, "Oi oi how about something warm?!" he'd have to work on his manners.

[Vincent]

Vincent had only recently started traveling and already he had interesting misadventures. Primarily that which he dubbed the bounty debacle and some sort of bandit take over. But it was all behind him now and he learned a great many things from it and he had finally reached Ilia the land he'd learned to be full of mercenaries.

Despite the cold and harsh snowy winds he trudged ever on having a fantasy of adventure and grandeur to occupy his mind. It was odd, only a month ago he never wanted this life and now he couldn't wait to see how his sword skills would develop.

Finally finding himself outside a tavern he found great relief. He could get food and water and out of the storm. Most importantly a tavern ment people and information. Pushing open the doors he relished in the moment. The warmth and the smell of food was overwhelming. He breathed deeply and casually walked in. Looking around he realized it was full of interesting and unique characters. One however he already knew. It was the boy who had been with the bandits.

[Sonneillon]

The incessant banging of the door had begun to annoy the teenage magician. In fact, he'd love to bash it off of its hinges if it would quiet it. But that would let the cold in. And then there were the noises... Hearing the rough request, Sonneillon looked up to see not a brigand or grizzled mercenary as he expected, but a guy younger than he. What nerve. And then another one entered, who seemed about his age. Both had swords. Both seemed relatively young and inexperienced.

This might not be so bad after all.

Walking up to the bar, he dropped a few coins on the counter and pushed the kid's back to him.

"Keep your gold. Have a seat over at my table in the corner."

Without another word, the pupil walked away, moving towards the other one.

"Please, join me at that table in the corner. I'll pay for a meal and drink for you if you'll oblige me."

Moving away, Sonneillon sat back down in his seat, taking another drink of his tea as he waited. Hopefully, they'd come over and he could move forward with his idea. Otherwise, he'd be hard-pressed to find anyone else to work with.

[Vincent]

Vincent began to approach the young swordsman when a cloaked boy beat him to it. After a brief engagement the boy came to him next.

"Please join me at the table in the corner, I'll pay for a meal and a drink for you if you'll oblige me." The man said before simply walking back to his table.

What was that about? Vincent debated on confronting Baako first but concluded that it was likely he'd join them soon enough. Vincent walked over to the table and took a seat. "This wouldn't happen to be a job? Would it?"

[Baako]

Baako raised his brow in faint surprise, not many people were willing to pay for his food for em, at least not without a catch. Baako had noticed that there was another the mysterious stranger was speaking too, the white haired guy that looked sort of familiar. He didn't ponder it long though, faces came and went so if he was someone of importance Baako was sure he'd place it eventually.

So he followed them over to the table, not too concerned but curious none the less. He let the other guy speak for now, no need to as the same question twice.

[Sonneillon]

"Job? No, not exactly. You see... You both have swords. From your age, however, I'd warrant that you aren't too... experienced with them. The same situation applies to me. I am a practitioner of the Elder arts. Magic. But I too am young and inexperienced. So what I was wondering initially is whether you two would be willing to spar with me, so that I can practice fighting an opponent who uses melee tactics.

However, the idea of a job intrigues me as well. Perhaps, if all goes well with our sparring, we could take on one of the jobs this town has to offer. Surely there's something that three of us could take on without being slaughtered."

Leaning back, the pupil took up his glass and drained another draught of the wonderfully hot tea. It did wonders, he mused, not only for the mind but also the body. His complexion had improved ever since he started drinking it.

"So?"

[Vincent]

Vincent contemplated the potential. A chance to spar with a mage would be very beneficial. He'd seen enough from them to know how terrifying their powers are, but alongside Baako? The last time the two crossed paths wasn't a very pleasant encounter. He rubbed where Baako had previously cut his face. It had healed weeks ago and left no scar but it still irritated him. But the opportunity was too good to pass and he decided forgiveness was something he'd have to get used to as a mercenary. Enemies today and allies tomorrow.

"I'm game. It sounds interesting and I haven't really fought a mage before. Dodging and running yes." He chuckled. "If you wouldn't mind in the interest of fair contest, what type of magic do you wield?"

[Baako]

While those two talked the food had arrived and Baako dug in greedily. Didn't look like it would be a job or anything like that. Instead he was being asked on a training match, to fight the magic user and gain experience on doing so.

"Whatever I'm in. You paid for the food so the least I can do is whack you around for a bit." Still rude but now he was back to eating bread and slurping soup.

[Sonneillon]

"..."

Sonneillon broke into a wide smile as he raised his right hand, aiming it at his mug as he whispered in a strange tone. The words sounded foreign and harsh, but rolled off of the boy's tongue as if they were second nature.

"Aeternis tenebris, circumda tibi nectens tuum sit."

Dark tendrils extended from his fingertips, one from each, and wriggled like worms as they extended out, grabbing onto the mug of tea and lifting it to his outstretched left hand before dissolving into the air.

Taking a drink, the pupil recovered. That had taken focus and strength, to keep those tendrils solid for so long.

"Very good, very good. I'm sure it will be an interesting match... We'll see who's doing the whacking."

Turning to the white haired one, Neil smiled.

"As you can now see... I use the Elder arts. Dark magic. Let me introduce myself. I usually go by my surname, Gressil. And you two are?"

[Vincent]

Vincent watched the tendrils in awe. It was a simple trick but this was power. The boy soon asked his name.

"I am Vincent Clark," he said before partaking in his share of the food. "Thanks for the grub Gressil." Vincent had begun to strategize the upcoming match. It was two on one with the mage. He had confidence but Vincent could tell it took him more effort than the average mage to wield the power. He really was as new as Vincent. The dark skinned boy seemed unlikely to coordinate with him but that would be fine. Maybe he'd train his spell dodging most, or focus on getting in close. So many ideas were just waiting to be explored. "How soon do we begin?"

[Baako]

Once again Baako let them speak. It was an odd talent, to bend shadow and darkness to your will must be taxing. Then again, he was no magic user so maybe it was easier than breathing for them. Still he was up to the challenge of fighting--wait, Vincent.

So that's where he was from, how the hell did he forget that? This was the same guy who defeated him not that long ago, dam cold must be effecting his mind. He'd have to make sure to pay him back for that.

[Sonneillon]

"Vincent...Clark."

The pupil chewed the words slowly, burning them into his memory. Vincent Clark. The other boy hadn't spoken up. He seemed, on the whole, uncouth and barbaric. But such was his lot; he'd asked for their aid not because he sought the company of nobles or masters of etiquette, but because he wanted to learn the ways of the swordsman. That way, he would be able to defeat them in the future.

"Vincent, and... You. I didn't hear if you introduced yourself.

Anyway, that's beside the point. There's a small and crude structure for fighting in the town square. It feels wrong to even call it an arena, since it's more a ring of rocks and some old timbers. But it will provide us with a good place to spar. All I ask is that of course, we refrain from actively trying to slay one another. We'll be of no help if we're dead."

Standing up, Neil drained the last of his tea and left a few coins with his empty bowl and mug.

"Shall we, then?"

OOC: Feel free to move towards the 'arena'

[Vincent]

"Sounds good to me," replied Vincent as he began making his way there. He spared another glance to Baako; he beat him the last they met but, he knew he wasn't going to simply take the loss lying down. If the two did battle again he might lose. Good thing this was more about the mage.

Entering the 'arens' Vincent began to study it. The ground was some fine dirt, he could tell from living on the farm. The rocks and lumber had him contemplating what was once here. "I think there use to be a green house here."

[Baako]

Baako wasn't too keen on going back out into the cold but it seemed that was where the fighting would take place so he had no choice but to follow them. "Oh right, Baako is the name." He was a little late on the introductions but he didn't really care that much. He'd have to prove that his age wasn't what held him back, both to himself and to the other punk Vincent.