Random 94

"Understood. Though, I was really referring to see if there's something physically wrong with my head. I..." he paused. "People don't like poking around in my head."

"Did you have these episodes before that concussion, too?" She was too busy chipping away at the problem under discussion to pick up what Sebastian meant with his last comment."

Sebastian was beginning to answer but was left with his mouth slightly open and a frown sneaking on his forehead. Closing his mouth and pursing his lips, he walked on and contemplated. "I might, actually. I've only had these when I've dropped the... facade, let's say." The thought worried him.

"Huh." It took her a while to work through the basic implication. Belatedly considering the topic, she switched to the language they shared that people here were very unlikely to understand. "Do you mean it's been more usual for you to put up one of your acts than not?"

He looked at her in silence for a while, wrapping his head around that question and the implication of what was going on inside his head. "It's easier to act like you're not hurt or afraid, I guess," Sebastian finally said, adjusting his satchel. Again, he kicked something in the dirt that jingled, then jingled again as it landed near a figure slumped next to a doorway. The half-elf paid no attention as he walked past the figure, who indeed did pay attention to the sudden bundle.

"Not looking like a target," Sylvie muttered. Until you couldn't pretend anymore and it all came crashing down.

"Suppose so," was all he said, ignoring the low, hissing laughter coming from behind them, that of a person who has just had a lucky strike. He stopped to frown and glance of his shoulder, but only shrugged and continued walking.

Sylvie fell silent for a while. Would that mean those "reveries" would be normal for him, and his acts somehow prevented them? What was normal, anyway? She had no ideas she considered worth mentioning.

Once the silence came too thick and and opressive, Sebastian snorted. He was sick of wallowing in misery. "You know, one more observation."

"Hm?"

"We've got two combs now," he said, eyes wide and staring at Sylvie.

She broke out into laughter.

"All right. No mutual grooming on the open street, though."

"A shame," he said, glancing wistfully at the sky before turning a knowing look at her. "A peck at least, then." Which was provided.

Another chuckle, and they continued on their way in a rather better mood than before.

At Montmore's, Sylvie knocked, seeing how she had met him more often than Sebastian. When he again opened the door himself, she smiled brightly and said, "Hello. I wanted to return your books. I hope it's not a bad time?"

Montmore looked taken by surprise for only a moment when it dawned on him that it was Sylvie and that... other... wait? Hm. Yes. The mage put on one of his charming twists of the mouth. "Why, hello! So soon? I'd thought you might peruse them a little longer, but my. Do come in. Excuse my wardrobe," the man said, opening the door to admit them; Sebastian did make the observation that their host only wearing trousers and a loose-fitting shirt, sleeves rolled up. Next he observed the paint in the man's hands, dried. No scent of turpine, though.

He wondered what to make of that as Montmore led them farther into his house. "You seem fit for the road, both of you, don't you?" he gabbed on. "I don't think leaving just yet might be wise, you know."

"I know. I'm just moving quarters. It's a long story."

"Is it, now?" Montmore asked as they came into the drawing room, gesturing for them to take a seat if they preferred before looking at Sebastian very intently. "Would you happen to be the reason, sir...?"

For one reaason or another, the half-elf felt a little wary. There was something about that tone, that look that was (as he had learned from Sylvie and Garren by now) a little too perceptive for his liking. Still, he smiled politely. "Sebastian. I'm hardly a 'sir', but to answer the question, yes, sir. It's all my fault." He stood stock still, not looking around as if trying to evaluate the selling prices of several items in the drawing room.

He'd already done that.

"Well done then, I suppose," Montmore continued, clapping his hands together once. "Now! Refreshments? I'm afraid I've little to offer right now, unless either of you wants a slosh of brandy."

All his fault... "I caught him and I'm not planning to let go," Sylvie corrected one possible interpretation. "No brandy for me, thank you. I'm fine." She set down the backpack in front of a couch and sat down to get the books out.

"Well, there is that," Sebastian conceded, likewise deflecting the offer of brandy. Too many drunks involved already; he'd probably hit the bottle with some temperance after it was all over, somewhere. Not enough to get drunk, but then...

"I see. Well, I'll stay parched myself as well," Montmore said charmingly enough, moving to the couch to have a gander at the books and whatever Sylvie's backpack held. Sebastian hung close to Sylvie, examining her hair with his gaze. It seemed the safest place to look at. "I trust it was interesting?"

The books were right on top, with the first thing underneath Sylvie's own diary, so there was not much to see. As she handed them back, she said, "Yes, they were a help getting the weather fixed. Thank you very much." She wondered if he'd take it for a joke, or not, or make some connections himself.

Now, that's a change of pace, Sebastian thought, though for a moment it looked like he might lock up again -- but curiosity and common sense won; he wondered too if it'd be a joke and, sure enough...

...Montmore began to chuckle, eyes twinkling as he examined Sylvie's face. "Well, well, well."

Oh. The half-elf blinked twice and looked slowly at Sylvie.

The mage wasn't quite done yet, weighing the books in his hands. "How... coincindental," came the amused comment. He set the books back down on the couch and straightened, one hand at his side, the other behind his back (something Sebastian immediately was concerned about). "I think there's some explaining to be done."

Sylvie's eyes flicked towards Sebastian at "coincidental", before she went back to watching Montmore. She was relaxed, open hands on her legs gesticulating gently as she spoke.

"The short version of the long story is that we knew for a while that the rain was not natural. We did not know exactly what was going on, or what was possible. That is what we needed your books for, basic research." She gave a little sigh. "I should apologise for not asking directly. Auker was in on it, though."