[Saoire Event 723] Balthazar to Kisaik

[Winston]

Some time before The Gifting

It was the beginning of a new trial as Balthazar awoke after a long night of dreams. As the world came into focus and the light around you dispelled the shadowy corners of 'the Dream', he spotted something beside his bed.

It was placed delicately atop whatever was usually beside where you sleep and had a bow on top, with a little note that read...

"Me taught yuh might find dis 'elpful far de coming season. Jost make share yuh use dis far yuh gift an don't tell anyone dat dis did nat come fram yuhself. Wateva yuh make fram dese will neva rost are tarnish."

Included in the box were the two ingots he had planned to use for his gift, only with some 'upgrades'. Once crafted into an item, said item(s) would never rust of become tarnished through age or weathering.

The specifics of the item above

The ingots are all imbued with the following properties and when crafted into something else, pass these properties to said items in addition tot he properties being added by Balthazar:
- They will never tarnish due to rust or weathering.

This is delivered at some time that would be convenient for you and the acquisition of the gift you are giving.

I know you might have powers that might prevent people sneaking up on you etc., so please assume that this gift appears in such a way that either it a) does not trigger defences as there's no ill intent or b) only serves to wake them to see the gift (as it's not there one moment but is the next).

Gifting Trial Arrives!

In the run-up to the Gifting, one Winston Millar had all but become a recluse as he spent his trials ferreting away at the preparations for what would come. A great many trials went by as his forge was operated by Cho as the Cadouri was nowhere to be seen. "Yup, dere... Noh, jost to de right a lit... STAP!" He commanded

Smokie

with an excitable energy he could barely contain.

As the gifter and giftie both passed through the doorway they chose to use to get to the Gifting, a world of enchantment was revealed as they stepped into what appeared to be the grand, stone-walled hall of a castle. A kaleidoscope of colors greeted them. The air was thick with the sweet scent of their favorite foods and the gentle melody of ethereal music played by invisible musicians.

For those able to see them, Fairies (Spirits) fluttered all around, placing decorations and plucking at musical instruments in a way that made the music feel like it was coming from the walls themselves.

The banquet hall stretched out before them, a dazzling display of festive joy. Glistening crystal chandeliers made of green and gold leaves hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow upon the room from their luminescent bulbs. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of ancient legends and mythical creatures from Idalos and the Dreaming, making unleavable scenes of heroism and gift-giving.

A long, banquet table stood in the center, covered with a rich, emerald-green velvet cloth that cascaded to the floor. On the table, an array of dishes awaited them. Plates were made of delicate leaves, and glasses were of sparkling daffodil cups with an otherworldly iridescence. The air was filled with the tempting aroma of dishes both familiar and exotic – Succulent, well-done steak lay like a culinary masterpiece, its outer layer seared to perfection, releasing an enticing aroma that beckoned even the most discerning palates. It had been cut into small slices and lay out like a meat-rainbow so that it could be consumed while chatting without inconvenience. The enchanted flames that had kissed its surface left behind a hint of char, complementing the richness of the meat.

Beside the steak, a cascade of exotic dishes awaited discovery. Spiced peppers, their fiery hues radiating an otherworldly heat, teased the senses with a promise of bold adventure. Each bite of the peppers unleashed a symphony of flavors, dancing between the realms of smoky warmth and a tingling spiciness that lingered like a magical incantation.

Amidst the feast, a dessert table adorned with treats from the enchanted bakery beckoned. Vanilla-scented clouds of spun sugar, crafted by mischievous hands, floated gracefully above the spreads of fantastical pastries as if defying gravity entirely, held from floating away by but a thread of sugar. The aroma of vanilla wafted through the air, a sweet undertone that harmonized with the fiery notes of the peppers, creating a culinary masterpiece that tantalized the taste buds and transported the banquet guests to a realm where flavor and magic intertwined.

At the head of the table, a ferret known to some as Winston stood, placing some finishing touches to one of the many dishes.

"Welcome, nobal guests, tuh de Gifting!" he declared, his voice full of a thick accent of the tiny creature's upbringing. "Com-com! Com en! Feast, dance, sit or talk. Dis place es yars totrial, as we celebrate de magic that binds us all and builds relashunships new an' old trough 'giving'." He gestured to the room around them. "Once yuh are done, yuh cun return 'ome, noooh prablem. Ontil den, yuh jost let meh know ef dere es anyting me cun doh tuh 'elp."

The words were undoubtedly practiced

, but delivered with the most genuine joy and intent. He was obviously uncontainable excited to be here, but with that, without leaving the room,

Winston adeptly made himself seem politely busy as his guests meet and greet each-other without his interference

.

Just then, the banquet hall erupted into a symphony of laughter and giggles. The fairies (should you be able to see them) gathered around the table, watching and listening as events unfolded. The air was alive with the fluttering of wings, the tinkling of laughter, and the soft susurrations of a great many playful beings.

As all of this sunk in, a figure made themselves apparent, a very finely dressed butler of impeccable manor bowed slightly to one side. They held a tray with daffodil glasses filled with delightful nectar and bowed.

Shinwa

gestured towards the tray to indicate that a drink could be taken, if so desired, after which he offered to unburden their guests of their coats or cloaks.

!

Message from: Winston

Welcome to your Saiore Gifting Event thread for 2023! How does this work? - So, this is your thread (the two of you) and you can get here via the magic portal, from where-ever you are and will be returned there once you decide to leave (unless I say otherwise! SHOCK! Secrets! AAAAAAAH!). This thread will be eligible for both skill points and knowledge, as long as the usual review requirements are met. It can be whatever you want, of course, but it is a modded event and so I control the surrounding and NPCs, so please don't assume control of them (unless, of course, they are yours). You can bring anything with you that you could reasonably be assumed to carry or BE carrying and of course your gift comes with you You may bring with you any flavour NPCs if you wish, but please either avoid making these a 'mass' of actual physical people (if you have a child or someone that you really feel like bringing, please do). Diri's, Spirits, small creatures/pets on your person, etc. that usually hang around you are also all fine. A 13 foot dragonling or horse, not so much What should you do? - Please post your first post in two sections: 1) "Some time before The Gifting": A section that describes the making or acquisition of your Gift. This can be anything from "Jeoff picks up the gift he made." To a fully fledged description of the shopping/making process. This can/should be a creative and enjoyable writing experience. Write something you enjoy, in any style you enjoy, IF it's something you will enjoy! The emphasis is on FREEDOM not requirement. Don't feel required to make a lenthy section here, but certainly feel free to (rewards will be issued for creative or well crafted gift sections). 2) "Gifting Trial Arrives!": Post your arrival! If you post first, you are there first. If you post second, you can assume you spot your companion on entering and respond to anything they provide for you in their first post. 3) When you have completed this thread, please place it up for review as normal. Once it’s been reviewed, post here to claim your event medal! Rules? As already noted, this is a modded thread so please play/post with that in mind. Winston himself is not here to feature greatly in the thread (this is YOUR thread, not mine) but please feel free to interact freely with him, of course. I will, as a mod, be running this thread beside operating Winston. There is no PC posting order. Feel free to post in whatever order between yourselves and change that as you see fit. Please don't double-post. Post once, then wait for me to reply, then you may post again. ALWAYS feel free to DM me if you want something to happen outside these rules or the thread's current direction. The buffet is tailored for you! Unless otherwise stated, please feel free to assume you find things your character likes and so describe them! Have fun! Posting cycle: This is not hard timeline for posting. I will monitor progress and reply to posts as and when replies are completed.

[Balthazar Black]

Zi'da 723

~ Inspiration Strikes ~

Balthazar awoke in his office at the Black Cat headquarters, sitting up with a sudden, shock as if rapidly being pulled out of a dream. He had in on his hands and his face from a letter he was trying to write before falling asleep. He didn't stay at his new house as often as he stayed in the headquarters. While having all the comforts he could reasonably afford, it was not as easy to sleep there as it was to sleep in the office. His glowing eyes blinked a few times to clear his vision and he noticed a box sitting beside his desk that had not been there before.

He let out a low growling noise but not because he was angry, he was just clearing his throat. He shifted his weight in his chair and turned his body to face the gift sitting beside his desk. The mage listened for anything that might have been amiss but even he hadn't figured out how to develop a timer for a bomb yet. He was just being cautious. He carefully took the letter from the top of the box and opened it. Slowly, he unfolded the parchment and soothed his mutations so that he could read without having to get up.

With each word his interest grew more profound. His eyes shifted from the letter to the box after a few lines and he set the letter aside to lift the box. It had a little weight to it but the weight was familiar and his senses were refined enough to feel the subtle shifts of two things moving inside the box as he brought it to his lap. He pulled back the top and an almost disturbing smile spread across his face. He had been battling back and forth with what he wanted to give this arc. He hadn't been sure what he was going to do despite the feelings and intuition being granted to him.

Now he knew.

I don't get it. Fuego's voice chimed into Balthazar's mind, suddenly springing the mage from his thoughts. The small burning rock with stubby arms, legs, no mouth, and two bright orange eyes that burned with Faldrass' fire slowly climbed the corner of the box and fell in beside the two metal ingots. It was an altogether clumsy but successful mission for the diri. After a trill or two to get himself upright, Fuego looked from the metal ingots to Balthazar who was still holding the box as if he was waiting for an explanation.

That's because you can't read. Balthazar thought back to the diri.

Teach me. Fuego thought back to Balthazar.

Maybe once we make the gift. Balthazar replied.

After that he went to work.

~The Trial After ~

Robin came around a short while after the sun passed the peak in the sky to visit Balthazar who had vanished from the office the prior night. Even outside the mage's new home, Robin could hear the familiar hammering of metal. Everything Balthazar owned had been moved to his new home in a series of trips back and forth to the abandoned settlement- including the forge and smithing materials Elisabeth had given him. Rather than set it up at the Black Cats headquarters, he had set it all up in his new home. It seemed to give him a reason to go leave work every once in a while. As soon as Robin reached for the door, it opened and he found Balthazar standing there with a dirtied shirt and two different smithing hammers in his off hand.

"I heard you coming." Balthazar smiled and invited Robin in with a wave. The gift was almost ready and Robin had come at the perfect time to finish it. Balthazar was decent enough with a hammer and his forge but he knew he needed help. The gift needed more than a single skillset. "Come in, come in!" Balthazar said enthusiastically inviting his friend into his home. "I'm glad you are here, come with me, I need your help finishing up a project."

"The others were concerned- Balthazar," Robin stopped in the doorway and forced Balthazar to slow down as well, "What are we doing?"

"We are making a gift." Balthazar said before grabbing Robin's arm and dragging him along to the forge. Once inside, Robin only asked one other question before getting to work,

"Why is it so small?"

~ Gifting Trial Arrives ~

Balthazar had the gift assembled and it sat in his office where nothing would disturb it until the time for delivery came. He could get to his office in seconds through any portal of his own making so he felt that it was the best place to store important and precious things. He had something else with him as well. He had brought it from his house because he didn't like keeping it at the headquarters. It was the small but magical cask that he'd been given by one of the immortals who marked him. An unlimited supply of a strong alcohol was best if not left unattended. Robin wouldn't drink but Lyanna and many of the Cats probably would have. Lyanna would have done it just because she knew she wasn't supposed to and it was relatively harmless. All the thrill of theft with none of the life-long consequences.

Regardless, Balthazar had brought the cask from his house to his office and set it beside the gift. While he was not giving the cask away, he wanted to share the content with whoever he'd prepared the actual gift for. What harm was a little drink between strangers? He wasn't dressed exceptionally but he rarely was. As usual he wore simple but dark clothing that wasn't made of heavy fabrics and his enchanted boots.

When the time finally arrived, Balthazar was sitting at his desk working through various reports about dark haired women with blue eyes. He had a constant stream of disappointing and dead ends as far as that investigation was going so the time for presenting his gift was a welcome break. He pushed his chair back and stood with a small stretch before picking up the ever-filled cask with the box containing the gift atop it. The cask wasn't the lightest thing in the world but it wasn't the worst either for Balthazar. Careful to ensure he didn't drop the gift, he opened his office door with a gentle kick and passed through it into the the kaleidoscope castle of stone.

His eyes widened first at the sudden abundance of color and then a trill later his face seemed to purse and his nostrils flared slightly. Balthazar's glowing eyes slammed shut and he focused inwards to soothe the spark affecting his vision. It was all just a little bit too much of a scenery shift for someone with his senses. The glow in his eyes subsided as the etheric cracks running down his cheeks sealed. When he opened his eyes again they were the same gold color they had been before his mutation took hold of him. Balthazar blinked a few times to adjust and then his smiled returned. He pressed forward, balancing the cask and the gift as he looked around to see who else had come.

He didn't notice the spirits immediately until he made an effort to look for Crow and Fuego. Crow, the diri of death, was in the the corner of the room in bird form looking around at the gathering. As soon as Balthazar spotted him, the diri took to the air and flew to another spot. Fuego, like a child with their parent in a new place, clung close to the top of Balthazar's boot- though it still looked as if the diri were attempting to ride atop of the mage's foot. Shortly after focusing his senses to look for spirits, Balthazar noticed an abundance of them around him in addition to his own companions. It was remarkable to say the least and yet Balthazar didn't remark on it- he just looked around with wide eyes, absorbing as much of his surroundings as he could.

Balthazar eventually found himself at a table where he set his cask and the gift down so that he was less encumbered while picking apart the world that surrounded him. It was hard for someone with his gifts to just enjoy something as magical as this. He wanted to know how it worked but in the end a different question always seemed to take the lead.

Who was this gift for?

Wait, was that steak?

Balthazar's attention was stolen again by the familiar scent of the only food Balthazar really liked. He ate plenty of things but he enjoyed steak. Burnt steak and purple whiskey. Maybe it was a mage thing. Maybe he just had strange tastes. It was shortly after noticing the steak on the table that Balthazar noticed Winston at the other end. Winston? The gift is for him? Well... that was not exactly what Balthazar expected given the little hints and ideas that had come to his mind but Winston quickly clarified with an introduction. As Winston spoke, Balthazar lowered himself and carefully set down the cask on the floor before picking up the box with the gift and setting it on the table. "It's great to see you again, Winston." Balthazar said, "I am grateful to you for helping make this happen. It's extraordinary. Truly."

While Fuego climbed atop the cask and looked around at all the fairies enjoying themselves, Balthazar turned his attention outwards to try and find the one he had made a gift for.

[Kisaik]

Having entered into his Gifting for one Tristan Venora earlier in the trial, Kisaik had to admit to some interest and intrigue at his own gifting, by a person that wouldn’t be known to him until he actually set foot into Winston’s feast hall.

He was looking forward to it, however not knowing for sure who would be attending, nor their tastes for gifts, he was being more general in the preparation for his gift to the giver.

He thought, what more could anyone want or need, but a place to hold one’s drink. Everyone could use a canteen! So Kisaik got to work, using some specially crafted banana leaves that he’d bought from the market near Egilrun. These, he used special alchemical adhesives that wouldn’t’ come apart, or dissolve into whatever liquid they came into contact with. This particular canteen would be made to hold hot drinks, so Kisaik used a bit of spiritual alchemy, in tandem with the fire Anak he’d formed a agreement with earlier that arc.

He used its ability to suffuse the damage of fire and heat with the banana leaves, as he crafted the thermal canteen. Each part was made entirely of the banana leaves so imbued, as they were dried and cured, and finally stopped with some corked phoenix wood.

This done, he crafted a couple of hoops on the canteen so they could be looped through a belt, or else a strap across the shoulder. For ease of carrying. Then, he put this item on the back of Slate’s saddle, as he ventured into Winston’s feast hall once again.

He entered, with some wonder that couldn’t be suppressed, no matter how many times he’d been hosted by Winston. The fairies were of course out in force, and in all the spiritual hubub, he couldn’t ignore that it was a bit difficult to spot who he was meant to receive his gift from.

Finally, he arrived at the center of things, and greeted Winston and Shinwa, “Hello Winston, Shinwa! Well done you two!”

His congratulations aside, he turned to the man with whom he was meant to meet. He knew him by description, and reputation, but had never yet made his acquaintance yet, although they had several mutual acquaintances.

“Balthazar Black I presume? Wonderful to finally meet you!”

Kisaik said, and not to outshine Balthazar’s gift, whatever it might be, he hesitated to share his own just yet. Instead, he turned his eyes to the cask. “What’s in the cask?? Is it a tall folk drink? I do love those.”

This said, Kisaik sampled some of the fiery peppers, and was happy to note that he gained the knowledge of their plant-lore from the eating, as well as knowing how to grow its seeds from his own hair. He would have to add them to his growing garden in Sweetsong…

“I’ve heard much about you, Sir Black!”

[Winston]

As Balthazar settled into his seat, he might notice Shinwa arranging s few glasses for his use, should he want them. Beside these were a selection of small lunch-boxes, apparently provided just in case the mage was still choosing to eat in private. They were arranged inconspicuously just inside easy notice but not so obvious that 'it was a thing' or to press the idea that they had to be used.

The ferret gave his guest's Diri both a little wave and

sent Shinwa to collect something from the kitchen on seeing Crow

.

"Oh tanks, yuh are welcam, bot really me jot cooked som fud. Chest provided de room, de fairies 'elped decorate an' the spirit af Saoire brought os all 'ere." He said with kind modesty. "Et's been a littal while. Me glad tuh see yuh doin' well." His words were well balanced, to avoid suggesting there was any reason to believe he would NOT be doing well, only that the ferret was glad to see he was. "Yuh givtie will be 'ere shartly. Please partake af anytin' yuh wish..." He said, gesturing towards the food and drink. "...et's all gud tuh go an' will keep till yuh are 'ungry."

The first-time Gifting host was noticing that Balthazar was not the first to appear a little overwhelmed by everything on entry to Chest and he was coming to the realisation that some people might prefer their festivities a little more sedate.

No sooner than this had been said though, Kisaik entered Chest's banquet hall and got to introducing himself without delay.

As Kisaik picked up the pepper to try it, Winston did his best to suppress his anticipation as it approached the Tunawan's lips. It had to be said, that he was not great at doing so and as the pepper settled into his friends tummy and the flavour warmed his pallet, he turned red from head to root and

steam began to poor from his ears

. Kisaiks experience of the event was not in any way unpleasant, but for the rather odd appearance that lasted but a few moments, reoccurring with each new bight of the pepper.

Winston finally let out a cheeky little giggle as this transpired. "Sarry. De peppa's are a lital steamy." He said, with understatement hanging heavily in his words. "'ere, 'ave some glasses... Dem won't trick yuh." He clarified, with a wink.

The fairies all around them seemed very content to bask in the festive atmosphere, as Balthazer's diri of death perched to one side. If it was likely to notice, it might sense the lingering energy of recently deceased creatures upon a set of butchery knives that Sinwa came back in with and placed on the side.

!

Message from: Winston

Yay! Nice posts! In your next posts, please consider marking up some more knowledges using the Knowledge tags. Please continue your interactions as you see fit and also feel free to interact (or not) in some way with the playful fairies, if you wish Rules? As already noted, this is a modded thread so please play/post with that in mind. Winston himself is not here to feature greatly in the thread (this is YOUR thread, not mine) but please feel free to interact freely with him, of course. I will, as a mod, be running this thread beside operating Winston. There is no PC posting order. Feel free to post in whatever order between yourselves and change that as you see fit. Please don't double-post. Post once, then wait for me to reply, then you may post again. ALWAYS feel free to DM me if you want something to happen outside these rules or the thread's current direction. The buffet is tailored for you! Unless otherwise stated, please feel free to assume you find things your character likes and so describe them! Have fun! Posting cycle: This is not hard timeline for posting. I will monitor progress and reply to posts as and when replies are completed.

[Balthazar Black]

Zi'da 723

It wasn't immediate, but when Balthazar saw Kisaik he felt that he recognized the tunawa from a time long, long ago. A time when he had lived in a very different land and done very different things. Kisaik had been there for his school for the elements. An experiment in defiance and teaching that had gone almost nowhere. It had been arcs since that trial and the only new student he had ever attempted to teach was Elisabeth. Now she was gone. Missing. Not dead. The elements would have told him. If nothing else, if every other ability failed him, he knew that the elements would not. The bond between initiate and initiator was a strong one that could not easily be broken. Even now, Balthazar could still see through the eyes of Isabella- as she could see through his. He could share his ether with Victor- as Victor could share with him. Those facts remained constant. If Elisabeth found danger, he would know. It was the silence that hurt the most.

It suddenly made sense why he'd felt compelled to make all the instruments involved in his gift in a smaller size. It would have done no good to craft such instruments in a size befitting Balthazar's stature. A simple trowel would have become a shovel. A gardening fork would have become a pitch fork. Robin had expressed doubts but Balthazar had a feeling he was crafting the right sized equipment as they built it in the forge. Even if the metals were... less than conventionally functional. He knew more about Kisaik's deeds than he did about the tunawa himself. Elisabeth had always spoken highly of him- as had almost anyone from Haven who had seen him help with the kitten bee situation.

"Mädärä Kisaik Ciuruọrun sọ Kufuata Karo Kashe Däuä, Tìfmi Härumtä sọ anou Faewun Samuwar, ọbavi sọ tẹlẹ, igbaradi sọ anou tabi ọludïbọ, Saoire's chieja kẹmïkälï kukïrï, Kuzïngätïä Kore, Akoko Nọọsi, qy’akot o'Creede, ar Yeztlik'o' Nïtọsï Ẹrẹkẹ- it is a pleasure to formally meet you as well." Balthazar didn't need to search his memory for the many knightly names Kisaik had so it rolled off of his tongue more casually than it could have. "I hope I said that correctly."

Kisaik asked about the cask and Balthazar shifted his attention towards it. "Purple whiskey from Yaralon. An endless supply. It was a gift given to me by Ilaren and I figured I could share it with you while we are here." Balthazar explained before gesturing towards the wrapped box he had set down. "That, however, is for you to keep. I hope it will be useful." Whether or not Kisaik opened the gift on the spot, Balthazar moved forward. Kisaik said that he'd heard a lot about Balthazar and the mage gave a somewhat awkward smile. It was hard to tell whether he had heard good things or bad things but it was best not to assume.

Shinwa provided glasses for the duo and Balthazar wasted little time pouring one full of purple whiskey. He didn't drink it like it was water but he definitely filled the cup as if it were. He raised the glass slightly, toasting Ilaren in his head as he always did when drinking from the cask, and then took a small drink while Kisaik ate the peppers. Fuego sat atop the cask, invisible to those who couldn't see spirits, and he swung his stubby stone legs back and forth while watching the world. Crow, on the other hand, kept moving back and forth between the different ceiling fixtures it could fit on.

Balthazar's drink did not turn him red or cause steam to shoot out his ears so he considered that a comparative success compared to Kisaik's reaction to the peppers. All and all it caused Balthazar to smile and he sent a look Winston's way. The effect was harmless enough but it was always interesting to see the things Winston could achieve with food. Shinwa returned with the knives and Crow flew down to stand beside them. Instruments of death. A diri of death. They should have been the best of friends.

The Gift

A Good Quality Gardening Skill Kit made from silver and gold. The implements in the kit have been alchemically enhanced to have the strength of embersteel and were created using the ingots provided in the first post- so they carry those qualities as well.

[Kisaik]

Much as Balthazar knew Kisaik more by reputation than actual direct personal connection, Kisaik knew of Balthazar similarly. Balthazar had a somewhat checkered history it had to be said, but had overcome it with a life lived interestingly which was all that really mattered to Kisaik. His intentions were always good to Kisaik’s knowledge, even when he had clashed with the Scalvoris government and Elements, by Kisaik’s remembering. And while it might not have had the impact that Balthazar might’ve desired, at least he tried, and didn’t give up. Keeping up the fight and not giving up was the most important aspect to fighting evil, afterall.

Kisaik came forward, bearing the water-skin that looked more like a big tankard strapped across Kisaik’s back, proportionally. To Balthazar it was large enough to contain a sizeable amount of beverage, but small enough that whatever went inside must needs be precious and sparingly enjoyed.

Either way, Kisaik was ready to unsling it and give it to the mage, when he returned with Kisaik’s full titles. This, it had to be said, had an effect of blowing back Kisaik’s lichen, as he listened. For a moment he was in silence, but then broke out with a laugh and smile, “That’s quite an earful! I never quite realized! But it pleases me you remember. I think only Winston and Saoire themselves have committed it to memory like that. Vega too probably, but I’m not totally sure about her.”

“Looks like a good spread…” Kisaik said, as his ears still burned with the steam erupting from them. He giggled nonetheless at Winston. “Just a little forewarning next time, eh? Some of my animals might not appreciate a steam-pipe tunawa chasing them as he munches on a alchemically cooked pepper!”

Kisaik sat down, laying down the wineskin that he’d crafted for Balthazar. “This is for you! So you can have a easily ready drink on the road. Or perhaps put potions into it. All up to you. It’s very resilient against heat and wear and tear.”

He set this aside, and then pulled up a tiny glass that was offered by Shinwa. He poured some Nashaki coffee into it, that was all ready brewed with some special additives, of Grizzly Bee honey, and also a bit of extra spice and dash of chocolate. Kisaik sipped at this, and seemed to sprout a few thorns from his chin, into his lichen.

Then it was time for Kisaik to receive his gift. Laid before him, Kisaik opened it and revealed a set of astonishingly good quality gardening tools made from silver and gold. But there was something different about these… Kisaik could almost tell by looking at them. He carefully examined the tools, snapping his finger against the metal to test their resonance, and listening for… hmmm. A bit less noisy than silver and gold typically were? Potentially giving away that it was of stronger and stiffer construction, and not liable to warp or bend.

“I say, did you use alchemy to improve the durability of these tools?! They’re marvelous! Really good.” Kisaik smiled at Balthazar, “I say, if you ever need a bit of gardening, I’d be happy to call on your headquarters? Perhaps there are some special plants I can provide you might find useful for your own alchemy.”

He just enjoyed looking at this tool or that, which were small but not so tiny as to be less useful. It was easily weildable, at any rate, and that was what mattered. It would do for regular gardening work as well as his current tool set.

“Thank you Balthazar. Now shall we drink a bit? I say is that Purple Whiskey? I didn’t have any when I went to Yaralon and worried I’d missed out entirely.” Kisaik noted the presence of the diri of fire on top of the barrel, and smiled at Fuego, waving.

There was also the diri of death. To whom Lalia appeared to gravitate. The fairy-owl diri brought the death diri a bit of ephemeral infused meat, while enjoying some for herself.

[Winston]

As Balthazar began reeling off Kisaik's full name and title, Winston's face transitioned from 'Oh, ok' rought through 'Damn, he's still going' firmly into "Hat potatoe-pajama-pants-inna-dinna-dress, mun! Dat wus impressive!" He exclaimed as Kisaik roared with laughter. "Indeed, Saoire might 'ave tuh ron classes dedicated tuh saying dat name far when de histary af de Tree es told. Dere ar nat many dat cun rememba de lat." He replied with a chuckle. It was most certainly an impressive ability, or spectacular effort.

When Balthazar glanced over at the ferret, he beamed innocently back at him. He knew Kisaik enjoyed a prank... He was not so sure Balthazar was quite so keen. "Meh 'ave been workin' an someting tuh cambat de fallin' water stoff." He offered conversationally. "Me will show yuh latta ef yuh fancy."

When Kisaik protested at the suprise, Winston waved a hand, deciding he was speaking entirely in jest. "Where wud be de fon in dat?! Anyway..." He continued as he took and little

rainbow coloured cracker

from the table himself. "...Yuh nat tried nottin' till yuh tried de Ferret Fud." With a crunch, he ate the cracker and turned rainbow coloured from head to tippy-tail. He didn't behave as if anything was different, though he was obvious in this attempt to do so. "Don't eat de blue ones..." He said in a genuinely hushed tone to them both.

When Kisaik offered to visit Balthazar, Winston nodded, knowingly. "'im es very green fingad. Yuh wud 'ave a garden af de most knightly fashun en no time, far shar."

As the three of them chatted and the Diri's mingled, there was mischief afoot. The fairies of Sweetwine, or at the very least, the ones here on this trial were of mischief, joy and whimsy and in lue of something more exciting to distract them, they appeared to be eyeing up Kisaik. A long renowned paladin on love, loss and reformation, they were always happy to take the chance that a good prank might finally catch the whilie Tunawan off-gaurd.

"It is! It is! That's HIM. From the Tea Party." The first fairy insisted.

"Naaaaah. THAT Kisaik was MUCH more flambalty." Said the second fairy, quite convinced that one's flambalt was of utmost import.

"OK then. If it's NOT Kisaik, you can prank him then."

"Well, of COURSE I coooould, but I'm entirely too busy."

"Busy?"

"Busy."

"Doing what?"

"Busy things."

"Like what?"

"Liiiiiiiike..." The fairy gave a long exhausted sigh. Avoiding getting into mischief (something Winston had insisted was on the 'Target for Totrial' board, whatever that was) was much more effort then they wanted. In truth, Winston found it was much easier to please a mischief spirit when there were rules to be broken. If there weren't any rules, then what mischief could one cause... This of course was NOT something he told the fairies, whom had clearly been told not to swim in the pink drinks or use the blue sweets as footballs. Both of which were not meant for actual consumption anyhow. "....OK. I give up."

!

Message from: Winston

Yay! Nice posts! In your next post(s), please accept a little (optional) side-quest: The fairies are playful and mischievous, not mean or unkind, but if you don't watch your step you will fall behind. Write some pranks, fun and play, that might be some fun, with you, your spirits or Winston Miller all are up for one. For this, feel free to control a few fairies (if you wish) and even apply a few fairy food magics. Have a little transient fun while you continue your chat. Play a prank on one another or yourself! As before, please feel free to interact directly and assume things you would enjoy to eat and drink are there for you to have. Anything up to Tier 10 but not extraordinarily rare is up for grabs. Though Winston is more likely to have cooked an inexpensive dish from your fondest memory as a super-expensive dish packed with expensive ingredients. Whatever it is, it would be immaculately well prepared however. Please consider marking up 3 (or more) knowledges in your next post. The fairies around the room are equally as likely to interfere as they are to wait and watch with bated breath. Please feel free to include some inconsequential encounters should you wish to. Rules? As already noted, this is a modded thread so please play/post with that in mind. Winston himself is not here to feature greatly in the thread (this is YOUR thread, not mine) but please feel free to interact freely with him, of course. I will, as a mod, be running this thread beside operating Winston. There is no PC posting order. Feel free to post in whatever order between yourselves and change that as you see fit. Please don't double-post. Post once, then wait for me to reply, then you may post again. ALWAYS feel free to DM me if you want something to happen outside these rules or the thread's current direction. The buffet is tailored for you! Unless otherwise stated, please feel free to assume you find things your character likes and so describe them! Have fun! Posting cycle: This is not hard timeline for posting. I will monitor progress and reply to posts as and when replies are completed.

[Balthazar Black]

Zi'da 723

"I am blessed with a very good memory." Balthazar said as if to dismiss the endeavor that it was to recall all of Ksaik's names. The real trouble was guessing which ones were actually part of his name and which things were just thrown on by people telling his story. Balthazar perked up slightly when Kisaik mentioned Vega. He didn't think she would be one to spend so many words on a name but he didn't imagine he knew enough about her to assume. She seemed like a good friend.

"You know I always like to see what you're working on." Balthazar said when Winston mentioned that he was working on something to repel water. It was good that Winston was still making progress on those fronts. Balthazar needed to remember to get the rest of his blood delivered.

Kisaik presented him with the wineskin that had been across his back. Balthazar noticed it but thought it was just something the tunawa carried around for his own drinks. "Oh?" He wasn't expecting anything and so was caught somewhat by surprise. He turned the wineskin over in his hands a few times. Kisaik had made a good suggestion. Potions. He had all the tools but nothing to carry a potion around with in the field- until now. A large smile spread over Balthazar's face and he held up the gift. "Thank you, it's wonderful. I'll put it to good use."

He presented his gift. He had to admit he was nervous about it but not so much that it showed. He'd done far scarier things than gift a gift he made with his hands... so why was he fidgeting as Kisaik was opening it? Probably the Rupturing spark. Standing still was never easy. Kisaik estimated correctly that Balthazar had used alchemy to make the metals stronger. He nodded when it was suggested and said, "It's an old trick with embersteel shavings. It makes the receiving material stronger." He did not suppose he had to explain alchemy to Kisaik. The noble tunawa offered to come by the headquarters and help with gardening which prompted a smirk from Balthazar.

"I've been sitting on books about gardening for a while. Elisabeth was always better with the earth than me- but I'd be happy to try." Balthazar decided. Part of him might have been avoiding gardening because he would think of Elisabeth and miss her. He knew that Kisaik was right though, gardening would be useful for maintaining a good supply of reagents.

After the cups had been retrieved, the drinks had been poured, and Kisaik mentioned a recent trip to Yaralon, Balthazar seemed to light up a little. It had been a long time since he'd been to Yaralon. "Well if you enjoy the drink, you now know someone very willing to share their supply. When did you visit Yaralon? How was it?" The last he had heard, a dragon tore out of the sewers and broke a gate. That was a long while ago now.

Fuego waved back to Kisaik and then hopped off the cask. He jumped off the table and disappeared to track down some fairies. Crow scooted a little closer to Lalia to share the meal.

What's flambalty? Is that like... your spirit disguise? Fuego's voice chimed in Balthazar's head after a few trills when he overheard the fairies talking about Kisaik. Balthazar chose to ignore the comment.

[Kisaik]

"Quite, if only it was needed!" Kisaik said bobbin ghis head in agreement withi Winston's assertion that his name should have classes dedicated to deciphering it. "I'd prefer to be known by Chip these days, most people I've met lately have been more than worthy of friendship."

This said, Kisaik smiled as he took a small rainbow cracker, and perked up immediately on eating it. "I'd like a whole tin of these, if you have them!" Kisiak beamed as he took several more bites of his rainbow cracker. "You've somehow managed to put ephemera in it, haven't you? My attunement to the spiritual world allows me to consume just ephemera, did you know that? So I have quite the taste for it by now."

He felt very energized by the food, and felt a second wind coming on before he was event exhausted.

Kisaik really enjoyed the gift Balthazar had given him, and placed them aside nonetheless, as he planned to make good use of them soon. He did examine one of the rakes, and it reminded him of something. "Oh yes, how is Mrs. Elisabeth Black these days? It's been so long since I heard from her. I hope the kitten bees are getting along well." Kisaik hadn't heard of the pirate unpleasantness in Haven, or else he might have had more tact than to ask after her.

"Wait, she did... Past tense?" Kisaik suddenly felt a pang of upset, "Has something happened?"

He became quite concerned at this point, but that didn't stop the fairies from plying their mischief.

While Kisaik was worrying about Elisabeth, the purple and red fairy were fiddling with some trinkets, here or there. Eventually they made themselves out to be a royal couple, with a shiny illusory exclamation mark over his head. "Mad Sir Kisaik of the flambity Helm!" Intoned the one impersonating a kingly figure. "I am Grand Poobah, Redly! I have come with a task, and a judgement. YOu have been most

troonatic

lately, especially at the Tea Party where you

poodled

most egregiously!"

"I must insist now that you do no less than five and fifty Blumwheels in a row, on this very table!" Redly rested his hands on his hips, giving Kisaik a stern look, "Well! What are you waiting for?!"

Kisaik looked from Balthazar, to Redly, to Winston. He whispered to Winston, "Ummmm, any idea what a Blumwheel is?"

[Winston]

As Kisaik munched his cracker, their host nodded gladly as he gestured politely to Shinwa, whom set about putting together a little food package that included many of the crackers. "Oh! Always! An dem will remain fresh far a very lang time, soh take plenty."

When his friend mentioned about the ephemera, Winston adopted an expression of genuine interest. What at first he had thought would be nothing more than a mission of his unending curiosity and whimsie, had proven to be an extremely useful talent. "Oh, yes! Me es gald yuh like et. De Fairies taught me a lat about 'ow tuh cook wid ephemera. Et's ticky, bot greeeeaat fon." He offered him another cookie to take away. "

'ere, dese ones will cheer yuh op ef eve yuh need a littal paick-me-op. Gat a lital 'appy' en et.

"

When Kisaik mentioned about Elisabeth, the ferret, whom had already heard about Elizabeth's disappearance, just politely made sure he was ready to break any awkwardness. He also knew that Balthazar was not eating in public last time they met, but was not sure if that was still the case. Thus, as if it were nothing more than a casual matter of better organising the table, he moved some treats around within easy reach of the man, should he be so inclined to partake... These included some 'happy' biscuits, should he be inclined to accept the gentle gesture.

When the Fairy... King(?) turned up and announced themselves, Winston pulled an 'aw snap' face as he understood all to well which party the Knight had left rather abruptly.

Fairies did not take kindly to such things, that much was certain. However, a good story was always filled with twists and turns and this was just another in the fable that the Fairies would embellish beyond the point it resembles the original events in any way at all.

He also wondered if his friend would add the title "Grand Poobah" to his name...

When Kisaik looked around the room for help with the nature of a Blumwheel, Winston shrugged as he leaned in and whispered. "Me don't know, pal, cud literally be aaaanyting. But ef yuh make et amusin' enough, dem shud forgive yuh anyway."

With that, he left his company to offer any further advice and his friend to face his fate.

!

Message from: Winston

Yay! Nice posts! Balthazar! Kisaik has set you a challenge! Guess what "troonatic" means (in narrative or an OOC will be fine) or hair will grow out of your ears! Kisaik! Well done for taking up the mantle! As before, please feel free to interact directly and assume things you would enjoy to eat and drink are there for you to have. Anything up to Tier 10 but not extraordinarily rare is up for grabs. Though Winston is more likely to have cooked an inexpensive dish from your fondest memory as a super-expensive dish packed with expensive ingredients. Whatever it is, it would be immaculately well prepared however. Please consider marking up 3 (or more) knowledges in your next post. Rules? As already noted, this is a modded thread so please play/post with that in mind. Winston himself is not here to feature greatly in the thread (this is YOUR thread, not mine) but please feel free to interact freely with him, of course. I will, as a mod, be running this thread beside operating Winston. There is no PC posting order. Feel free to post in whatever order between yourselves and change that as you see fit. Please don't double-post. Post once, then wait for me to reply, then you may post again. ALWAYS feel free to DM me if you want something to happen outside these rules or the thread's current direction. The buffet is tailored for you! Unless otherwise stated, please feel free to assume you find things your character likes and so describe them! Have fun! Posting cycle: This is not hard timeline for posting. I will monitor progress and reply to posts as and when replies are completed.