Good Old Villains

The snow continues unabated, and even Thurid is beginning to grow a little tired of it by now. She's retired to the Fernwood, the much beloved and occasionally incinerated de-facto hub for Alexandria's adventturers when they are not congregating at the Guild of Explorers looking for job postings, or attending to other business around town. The woman has a table to herself for now, and is sprawled expansively over a chair that looks comically small compared to her large frame. Currently dressed casually, in tunic and sandals, and with a large mug of beer and plate of bread and meats before her.

Carver is suddenly here! She plaps in a chair across from Thurid, her eyes and face once more painted like a raccoon's mask. "Oi, we sharin'?" She hopes so because the platter looks tasty. She brings her backpack around and drops it at her feet, all her supplies rattling, dispersing a thin dusting of snow. Rubbing hands together, she's even bold enough to reach for some of the bread and meat.

Thurid grins at Carver and slides the plate to a more equitable location on the table, "'course!" she exclaims cheerily. She takes a swig of her drink and then sets the large wooden mug down on the table. "Taking a little refuge from the snow, too?" she wonders. "It's not the cold I mind, but the grey sky is getting a little old. Feel like we need a proper storm, to clear the air." she says then as she settles back into her chair (which creaks in protest). "What's new in the life of Carver?" she asks then, peering over.

"I am hunting a cat," Carver says. "The meow kin'. Not the roarin' kind." She throws a piece into her mouth, chewing loudly. She then turns and takes her money purse, two coins, flashing. There is limitations to expected graciousness and taking Thurid's mug is very close to it. Once that transaction is done she can swallow what she ate and give more explanation. "Y'know the toys, righ'? Dancin' and fightin' and explodin'. I think it's fey related. I think it might even be a local lord muckin' with things. Got a connection that's right out of a weird children's novel but this black cat with gold eyes? I'm thinkin' maybe it's not just some cat what hangs out at Lord Ahu's house for fun. Thinkin' it's more."

Thurid nods her head slowly, "The one from the market?" she recalls then, and strums her fingers on her knee as she considers it. "And I'd heard, yeah. A mite offended I've not heard tale of my own miniature double, but I suppose that would be too much trouble even for the Fae to cook up." she grins. "Not had many dealings with them- the fair folk. One or two. They're strange, to be sure, but I found myself fond of them. There's something appealing about their carefree nature, even if the joke is not always so funny to who its played on." she muses. "And I'd say it's definitely more. You saw Verna's reaction- she's seen a lot, I know that much, and to be so shaken." she shakes her head then and takes another swig of her drink. "So what are you thinking? Laying a trap for this not so innocent kitten?"

"I can't prove it. Jus'... got a feeling." Carver admits as the mug is placed down in front of her. "Behavior of some of the people involved, this asshole who tried to drown my horse is half fey, seasonal snows... though, er, that priest you mentioned said that's because of the gods? She definitely knew whatever it was that doll turned into. I dunno if that's true and that remains just a coincidence. Don't have the political kowtow to really get answers though."

She smirks, "I don't know why people want all these lil' toys of themselves everywhere. Seems to me they jus' cause trouble. Ez, she was sayin' the same. Said it made her sad." At the last question, she pauses, thinking hard. "I don't know yet. Been keeping eyes on the people goin' in and out of the estate but your right, if this cat is a direct link? Then need to capture it somehow. An' there is no bleedin' chance it's just a cat so." Or she's mad and completely raving delusional theories. Not an answer she's likely to accept.

Thurid laughs a bit, "You're not curious at all? What a miniature you would get up to?" she wonders, but then pipes down to continue listening and nods her head along with the conclusions Carver is coming to. She thinks on it for a moment once the other one is done before she continues. "I agree there's no chance it's a cat, but don't mean its a fair folk neither if it's bothering them like what the lady said at the market." she says then. "Could be any manner of critter, but definitely not a cat. And whatever it is, it won't be easy to catch. You saw how it lashed out, and when I tried to scruff the bugger it was like trying to grab a fist full of lamp oil." she explains.

"I don't even know how to go abou' catching it." Carver admits, "Hadn't gotten that far in the..." Her fingers wave, like little spindly clouds. "The Plan." She frowns, "Maybe I'll talk with some people. I don't know exactly how connected this Lord Ahu is, or his lil' manservant who sets all the jobs out for him. You seen it then? The cat with golden eyes? Mmmm." She frowns, tucking her cheek into her palm, tossing back another piece of bread. Chew, chew, chew.

Thurid nods her head, "At the market the other day." she tells Carver then. "We managed to snag it that time, and that fey lady took it away. But if it's escaped before I don't doubt it'll escape again." she says to Carver. "So having a plan for nabbing it again isn't the worst idea. Mourner Verna got a proper look at it with her magic, and lost her wits there and then." Thurid tells Carver. Despite the dire topic, she loads up a slice of bread with some ham and cheese and then takes a bite as she considers her next words. Washing the mouthful down with a swig of beer before she says, "I know a prayer or two that can keep evil beings in or out of a place, but I don't know if the thing's evil. I suspect it is, given the reaction- but it's hard to know these things."

Mikilos has arrived.

Thurid and Carver make strange, contrasting people sitting at a table. Between them are two tall mugs of frothy beer and a plate stacked high with meat and breads. On one side is the giant bare-footed, tawny haired giant woman whose deeds have been defined enough to join the likes of the few doll and toy-inspiring heroes of Alexandria. Then there's Carver who is brown and painted up with a racoon's mask, who is downright tiny in comparison. What brought them together?

Cats, as it happens. "Verna. She had me catsit for her once, maybe she would bother sharin' what happened. Maybe. Most of them big heads, they got no business with me. Too much going on but if she saw past the eyes, I surely wanna know what's behind 'em. Evil, good, one thing I know? Ain't it's place to be here."

Mikilos humms absently to himself as he enters, damp and steaming lightly, his cloak damp, but snow free. Stamping a bit of water off his boots, the tall elf peers a bout a moment before heading further in. "Greetings and salutations. How are you this wintery day?"

Thurid nods her head, "I've been meaning to pick her brain about what she saw, myself. But she seemed pretty rattled by it, at any rate." she tells Carver. She looks up as Mikilos approaches, and lifts her hand in greeting. "Hail, friend." she greets him. "Well enough. Tired of the grey skies. A little sunshine or a proper storm would do me good- I'm not fussy either way." she muses, and gestures to an open chair at their table in a wordless invitation should Mikilos want to join them.

"I'll ask Angoron to give me the sight to see evil. If I see that critter again I'll see if it fits the bill." she suggests to Carver. "If it does, we can prepare a magic circle to trap it, if it becomes necessary again. I mean, I'm assuming it's overworldly, but what else could it be if its true form is hidden behind a glamer and it causes misfortune wherever it goes- even to the fae?"

Carver toasts the arriving Mikilos with her giant mug, downing a healthy toss of it. "Maybe that's the play. Maybe, if this cat or its master are really a threat, a raid is in order. Though I reckon that's oversteppin'. A lot?" Pfft. She licks a dollop of beer-bread from the corner of her lips. "I'm sorry your friend isn't doing well. I know what it's like to have your head get targeted like that."

Mikilos makes eye contact with the waitress before he takes the offered seat, in no particular rush. "What's this about a cat? Something running around that might be in disguise?" Leaning back again he speaks a moment with the waitress, mulled wine and black bread. With butter, of course.

Thurid nods at Mikilos, "Pretty definitely in disguise." she tells him then. "I don't know all that much about it, I've only run into it the once but I gather folks have been seeing it around the city. And supposedly it brings ill luck with it wherever it goes." she says then. She takes another swill of her own drink and then shrugs her shoulders, "All seems a bit convoluted to me. Never been one for unraveling schemes. More the sort to walk into the middle of the web and holler for whoever spun it to come meet my hammer." she grins.

"Not jus' that, but promising annoying horse drowning asshole half fey they will guide them to the 'homeland' through dreams. Which, as I am told, ain't no usual cat business." Carver says with a disgusted snort. "Bes' thing for this cat is two arrows, quick and sudden."

Mikilos frowns mildly. "If it is something in disguise, couple of arrows are likely to just make it mad. I agree cat's aren't typically guides, but a dream homeland doesn't sound like a bad place to be led. I like puzzles, but these villian plots tend to be missing too many pieces to enjoy."

Thurid hmms at that, "Maybe, maybe." she says then. "And I'm certainly no fan of drowning horses." she adds with a nod over at Carver. "Might be a tad less forgiving if I happen on it a second time. It lashed out at a stall holder when he tried to grab it." she recounts. "Will have to keep an eye out for trouble." she muses.

"Had no idea more people seens it, all yous speakin' of it at least makes me feel like I'm not just crazy." Carver says. "Maybe a little over my head, but not out of it." She pops another piece of ham into her mouth. "I don't like puzzles. I like all these weird outsiders slippin' near where I sleep less. Between that dead guy in the temple and now maybe-cat-fey-demon prancin' in the snow?" Her hand is held up near her hairline, topknot bouncing. "Up to 'ere honest."

Mikilos shrugs mildly. "Some stall holder tries to grab me, likely lash out as well. Suppose I've delt with enough friendly Not Cats to assume is an ally. And who knows, maybe it's just someone's Familiar with a strange aura. Wouldn't be the first time, though the familiar's keeper usually steps forward when rumors start."

Thurid nods again at Carver, "Eztli mentioned having seen it before, and it showed itself at the lower markets a few days back." she informs the other woman. "'sides, I never dismiss a tale no matter how tall." she grins. "World's more fun that way." she adds. She sighs, "But you're right, there's all manner of troubling things happening of late. Sometimes get the sense there's something big stirring, but I couldn't tell you what if you asked."

"Too many points, like a buncha boots in the mud. Big. Somethin' big again?" Carver says, rubbing at her cheek. Her knuckles could cut grooves there. "Anyway... I get the impression, much like a real cat, this thing will appear when it's good and darn ready. In the meantime, why are you this far out from your library?" The last almost sounds accusatory of Mikilos.

Mikilos chuckles and shrugs. "I missed your lovely company? There was also the small matter of a comission to be delivered, and I make a point to get out now and again, keep at least mildly abrest of current events. Of course you're always welcome to drop by, if only to say hello." He nods to Thurid, making clear she's included in the last. Very few are those excluded.

Thurid nods again, "Something big. Feel it in my bones." she insists then, and sighs. "Does anyone else miss when the villains used to announce themselves as such so you could get right on with the fightin'?" she asks then and punctuates her point by snatching up her beer mug and draining the remainder of it in a few long gulps. She beckons a waitress over to get her a fresh one.

"It would be simpler." Carver admits to Thurid. "I'd settle for understandin' even the barest of hints what it even is at this point." She pffts loudly at Mikilos, but the cheeks darken at the likely less than sincere compliment. "Whatever. What was the commision?"

Mikilos nods to Thurid. "Maybe not fighting, but at least a clear side. Flashy introduction, grandeous speech outlining intentions, and a daring escape, maybe with a swarm of minions, cloud of smoke, whatever. I suppose I can understand the lack, hard to organize a reaction to a foe you don't know is there." He shrugs to Carver. "Sword for a merchant. Something that looked nice, functioned decently, and would help keep his hide in one piece. Magic is designed to turn aside other blades as much as to guide his own strikes."

Thurid conceeds the point then, "Aye, not every villain is for fighting. But usually." she says then and rocks back on her chair a moment- something which causes it to creak rather precariously with the half-jotun testing the skill of its carpenter. "I've been meaning to see about getting a piece comissioned, actually." she says, more musing to herself than directing it specifically at Mikilos at first, though she does turn to him then. "Juggernaut Paldrons. You familiar?" she wonders.

Carver does not interrupt. Maybe because she's curious what that is? Or she's currently snacking again. She does wrinkle her nose at something, but a wiser, more mature HER manages to keep the thought tucked away.

Mikilos nods, frowning mildly. "I'm familiar, though has been a while. Helped make a pair a while back. Needs a bit of necromancy, as I recall, though nothing unsavory. I'd want to read overa scematic before trying to craft one, but think I recall the relivant details."

Thurid nods her head at Mikilos then, "I know of the spell they mimic." she says to him, "I got to wear a set of them a few years ago. It was a mighty feeling- really put me in touch with my giant ancestors, and growing stronger after each foe felled." she recalls then. "Sadly, they weren't mine to keep. But I think I might have enough saved up to comission a set of my own."

"I'll let you two heroes talk business," Carver says with a smirk. "I got a delivery to get to. I guess nobody escapes the borin' jobs, no matter how strong." She grabs one last piece of bread before dipping.

Mikilos nods to Thurid. "That will help. Some magic I can tweak and work arond faking it, but items that mimic spells are hard to bluff." A nod to Carver. "Fare well, and boring can be nice to look back upon when something is trying to kill you."

Thurid offers a nod to the departing Carver, "Be well!" she calls after her and lifts a hand to wave to her on her way out. Then she settles back into her chair, the front legs hitting the cobbles again after her precarious lean, so she can hammer out the details with Mikilos.