Shadow Contracts (for Ixis Naugus)

[conjuredskies]

Deep in the Parkland woods, twilight holds sway despite the early hour. The crumbling grey walls rise high and forbidding from the outside, but the heavy door stands ajar and swings open noiselessly when pushed – there’s fresh oil on the hinges.

Inside lies a great courtyard surrounded by a columned portico, with narrow doorways leading off into more dark corners. In the center, however, is a wide well with a low stone edge. Off to one side, its hooded summoner waits. Felix has spread a mat over the cracked paving stones, and now sits cross-legged beside his knapsack, picking over a few implements and books, checking the edge of a steel dagger. Aside from his hood, the conjurer has abandoned the legionary uniform for plainer leather armor, worn and mended from long use.

It’s been very quiet for some time. Just the skittering of breeze-blown leaves and birdsong drifting over the walls. Felix is quick to look up at a new presence.

Comments

[ixis]

Her words give him considerable pause, looking back to the lady, ears unconsciously sagging lower, a touch of colour draining from his face. Secrets left behind? His shadows? Surely a warning about his past, something he's always been content to leave forgotten. Ever since the Nexus, questions and concerns about it from others have been cropping up with annoying frequency. But this, this is an outright warning from a being he will accept as bigger than he is.

He doesn't entirely come back to himself in time to make any further comments to Felix. Naugus is left watching the place where Nocturnal vanished, still turning her words over in his mind.

[conjuredskies]

Felix watches the Prince's departure with fascination. Part of him can hardly believe what's just happened. What they've done - what he's holding! He shoots Naugus a triumphant grin... which vanishes at the sight of his companion's subdued air.

"...Naugus?" He sidles closer, ever-so-carefully touching the Mobian's shoulder. Maybe it's silly, but he has visions of what that claw could do in a startled reflex. "Are you well?"

[ixis]

"I-..." Words aren't coming back easily. Still lost in concerned thought. Soon, though, Naugus clears his throat and attempts to recover at least a facade of his usual glib and pompous self. But it's slow to happen and clearly an act.

"Ahem. I-...Well done. A job well done. You proved yourself most spectacularly, young Felix. And now I think-...I believe it is time to retire to our respective-...Eh. It-...I must go. I've things to research in the wake of this adventure."

He's certain if Felix can't find his own way out of this realm, the Nightengale can lead him. As is, Naugus himself turns and quickly heads back in the direction for the portal back to the Nexus. Things to consider, notes to write.

[conjuredskies]

"Of course." Nocturnal's vague warning seems to have meant much more to Naugus. Felix bows to the elder mage before he hastens off. "And I remain grateful for your help, sir."

He cocks his head at the retreating figure, and adds almost to himself, "I look forward to catching up with you."

He's going to be trying to recall Nocturnal's exact words for a while.