Private Tales The Voe-d Trip

[Ispir Sione]

Deciding to return to Crobhear Keep to check in on the Noct Yaegir Ispir had made sure to hitch a ride with a large group of the monster hunters for the trip this time. Definitely not wanting a repeat of last time he found himself within the keep's walls. Thankfully for the mildly-traumatized Bard the journey went off without issue and, once the walls were in sight, he let out a sigh of relief. Nary a kobold nor arrow to be seen. For that matter no Irman Harefoot or Sigrun Flintfeet either which left him somewhat disappointed but if they were still keeping an eye on whatever that weird, evil thing from their cart was then maybe it was best they were busy with that.

In any case Ispir would approach the keep, the Yaegir that had brought him waving off any attempt to pay him, remembering the Bard's uplifting cocoa and songs from his last visit. This earned an appreciative bow from Ispir who, upon approaching the gate, would spy a familiar face! Scampering up to Voe as they seemed to be preparing for a trip Ispir would give him a wave and friendly smile.

"Hey! Voe! Good to see you again."

Of course Otho would receive headpats and scratches if they wanted them and Ispir would beam a bright smile at their Yaegir friend.

Spoiler: A Friendly Smile

"Are ya going somewhere? It umm......"

Ispir's smile would fall after a moment as he cleared his throat.

"It can be dangerous out there all by yourself....."

Realizing what he insinuated by this statement he would quickly add.

"Not that I'm saying you're not tough! But um... ya know."​

 

[Voe]

Otho was harnessed and already grown to twice his size, more a horse now than a hound and significantly more draconic looking but he welcomed the pets and scratches as Voe checked his supplies.

"Hi Ispir. It's good to be seen."
Save Cassia few provoked a smile as easily as Ispir did.

"Hmm, the danger I can handle."
He added grimly.
"It's what comes after that scares me."

Of course, Ispir had only arrived back and had not been privy to the previous days meeting and its unhappy results for Voe. So noticing the puzzled look on the young lads face Voe elaborated.

"I drew the short straw and now I have to beg tribute from three landowners west of the Spine to see if they'll give anything to us as we prepare for the spring."

He checked a strap twice and moved on to another one. Otho was carrying empty saddle bags which would no doubt hopefully be full when Voe returned.

Letting out a short rueful laugh at the notion of him negotiating anything Voe, quite uncharacteristically, offered his personal feelings on the matter.
"You may as well send a scorpion to beg a rabbit for its lunch. I have no gift for talking."

Otho nudged Ispir then, insisting on more attention and Voe caught himself eyeing the young bard and an idea condensed in his mind.

"But you do. You have a knack for it."

He let the statement hang in the air for a tick.

"I know you're only back but, I could use your help if you could come along."

@Ispir Stone

 

[Ispir Sione]

Ispir didn't mind Otho's bigger size, one hand going atop the draconic good boy's head while the other scratched under his chin. Ispir's voice was playful, friendly, taking on that natural uptilt that everyone's voice did when speaking to an animal.

"Wow Otho, look at you! You've gotten so big and strong! Keeping Voe safe out there?"

Ispir would giggle good-naturedly before tilting his head at Voe's assignment, and predicament, only to grin a cheeky grin as Voe mentioned he had a knack for talking to people. Leading to Ispir flicking one of their twintails over a shoulder and closing their eyes with a tilt of their head, planting their hands on their hips and chuckling.

"Ehe. I mean I CAN be a pretty charming guy I suppose."

Never mind how the last few conversations with women he was interested in those didn't count.

But at Voe's request Ispir would nod, giving Otho a gentle pat along the neck, and flare out his cloak to shake the bits of mountain snow from it.

"Sure thing! Will it just be the two of us umm.... I don't think I need to mention it but last time I traveled around here in a small group I almost died......"​

 

[Voe]

"No."
Voe stated flatly.
"Otho is coming too."
His hand patted the great beasts side as he smiled again. A wry one this time. Ispir was pretty cute when he acted it.

"I heard, kobolds right? I haven't seen one of them in years. They stay away from Otho. Those keen noses of theirs smell him coming a mile away and they are long gone by the time we pass by."

As he spoke he scratched behind Otho's ear.
"If only they knew what a softy he really is, then we'd really be in trouble."

Voe tossed his pack on his back and tightened the straps.
"Other than that, let's see. It's too early in the year for cave spiders and bloodvines. There's been no rain for a week or so, little chance of a landslide. The Giants have moved up north to follow the cold, bears and wolves are hunting in the lowlands so that just leaves trolls."

Voe's head snapped to Ispir.
"Do you worship any gods? They can smell that you know!"

@Ispir Stone

 

[Ispir Sione]

Ispir would nod at Otho coming along, grateful for the.... dragon... dog... horse.... friend's company! Ispir was thankful that there would be no kobolds but did give a giggle at Voe 's joke about how soft Otho really was. It was a bit fascinating to him, truth be told, hearing Voe casually list off different creatures and how they moved, how they thought, when they were active and not, it almost reminded Ispir of trying to write a new song. Knowing what notes went where and how to judge the tenor of his voice, when to include certain instruments and not.

Ultimately though when Voe mentioned trolls and asked if Ispir worshipped any gods he paused. He had never really considered it before. Sure the gods were REAL obviously but he'd never found himself praying to any of them. Crossing his arms Ispir would give it some genuine thought for a few seconds before shrugging.

"I've.... never really thought about it. I guess if there was a god of music I might see what they were like and I enjoy playing music of all kinds so I've played songs for certain temples about their gods but...."

Another shrug.

".... I've never been blessed by one or anything. So I suppose not?"​

 

[Voe]

"That's good."
Voe affirmed with a nod.

"I'd hate to ruin your image by making you wear a stink bag."
Another easy smile crossed his lips. A stink bag was a foul concoction indeed. Funkwart, burnt pumpkin seeds and cat urine all soaked in a small leather pouch. The smell was about the only thing that seemed to overpower the smell of worship but of course, many soon tossed the bag willing to risk the trolls.

"If you need to resupply now is your chance. We won't be stopping on any settlements or roadhouses."
The day was still somewhat early but Otho was very fast as he was and while Voe knew they'd make it there was no point in hurrying Ispir when he was so willing to help.

Ispir Sione

 

[Ispir Sione]

Ispir would make a face at the mention of a "stink bag" and shake his head.

"That is.... appreciated, Voe ."

Giving a somewhat nervous laugh Ispir would nod and purse his lips, thinking.

"Well umm.... okay I can go see if the keep is willing to spare anything. Ummm.... Oh!"

Reaching into his things Ispir would unwrap a staff of sleek blue-silver design, softly emanating an aura of chilly air that was cold enough to be visible around the staff.

"I also got this recently on an adventure with... u-umm.... with a friend."

Ispir would flush a bit but nod.

"It should be useful right?"​

 

[Voe]

"A friend eh?"

Voe would be lying if he said he wasn't a tiny bit interested.

"You'll have to tell me about that some...
His eyes landed on the road.
...time."

Slowly he approached it and gently ran his hand along it, feeling the chill reach into his fingers.

"That's some impressive piece of kit Ispir. What does it do?"

Even to Voe, who had no magical inclination, this rod was a thing positively dripping in magic.

Ispir Sione

 

[Ispir Sione]

Ispir would sheepishly avert their eyes, not entirely sure how to talk to anyone about their adventure with Ria, but as Voe seemed captivated by the staff they had acquired Ispir would slowly return to a more level smile. Tilting their head and gesturing vaguely with the staff.

"Well, I'm not a trained wizard. But from what I've asked of some people in my travels, and from what I can feel when I hold it, it's umm... a kinda-strong ice staff. Not anything a big mage would use but it belonged to a guy who seemed to specialize in ice magic."

Ispir let the insinuation about it's previous owner being dead go unsaid as he cleared his throat.

"So it's pretty good! I was able to use it to make a chilly bubble around me when I was near some lava and it worked great! It could proooobably freeze a troll maybe. At least long enough for you to use your.... uhh.... monster-slaying techniques. Like a big backflip before you cut it's head off.... or something."​

 

[Voe]

"Cutting off a trolls head is useless, if it comes to that you freeze it and we run."

Voe was utterly serious.

"And I don't do flips Ispir what gave you that idea?"
Bemusement entered his voice. The idea that he would be so flashy was preposterous. That was best kept for storybooks.

"I did not know you had any spellcasting. Good for you."
Voe gave Ispir a buddy slap on the shoulder.

"Should we keep an eye out for books too? Some of these landlords are bound to have a library."
As a big believer in self improvement Voe liked to encourage others and as for the dead ice mage, Voe knew better than to ask *too* many questions.

Ispir Sione

 

[Ispir Sione]

Ispir would blink at the serious answer. Responding with equally serious confusion.

"Oh. I.... I thought you knew how to kill them. With some uhh... special Yaegir.... stuff?"

Ispir shrugged before giving Voe a conspiratorial grin and leaning against Otho casually, petting Otho as he remarked.

"Well I just heard from umm... what was her name.... Cassiane that you were the best warrior in the Noct Yaegir so I thought you must have some really cool moves!"

At the mention of spellcasting Ispir would shrug.

"Some. Mostly to make light, some simple evocation, and cantrips to clean my clothes and the like but... I-I don't really read about it. I'm not a wizard or anything."

Ispir would fish a piece of jerky out of his belongings and nibble on it, offering a piece to Voe, before heading inside to see about some more supplies.​

 

[Voe]

"Really? Cassiane said that about me?"

Voe suspected this was not entirely true. Not because he was above compliments but because Cassiane was twice the warrior he was even on his best days.

"That's a kind thing for her to say but I suspect she was being kind. I'm good but I'm not the best."

Voe had no use for vanity or ego. It got you killed in the wilds.

"Don't sell yourself short, all magic is powerful."
Voe took the offered jerky and called after him as he went for more supplies
"Take it from someone with none."
He smiled again, at this rate his cheeks would start aching soon. Otho sniffed at the jerky but Voe denied him by holding the reigns low.

"No. This is mine. You'll get fed soon."

Ispir Sione

 

[Ispir Sione]

Ispir would smile unseen by Voe as he entered the keep. One little fib to make his friend happy couldn't hurt right? Cassiane has seemed nice, seemed to like Voe, so he was sure it would work out okay. But for now he made his way to the quartermaster, inquired about supplies, and after some checking he was given a fresh pack of dried fruits and meats, some fish and a few water skins.

With a thankful nod Ispir would scamper back to Voe, slinging the pack over his shoulder, and snap to attention in a way that was energetic, if not exactly professional, and give Voe a salute.

"Ready to go Captain Voe! Recruit Ispir reporting for duty!"

Ispir would then snort and giggle, grinning cheekily at Voe, before adjust the pack on his shoulders and sighing.

"Just umm.... Being honest I'm not a good fighter so.... I'll try my best but I kinda get scared easily."

Ispir's cheeks burned softly at admitting his cowardice but he didn't want Voe thinking otherwise to cause him to get hurt on Ispir's account​

 

[Voe]

Voe and Otho started moving out as soon as Ispir saluted.
"Come along then. We're burning daylight."

Part of it was to not chuckle to much at the display. He wondered how he would survive being this entertained.
"It's okay to be afraid you know and not being a fighter is not a failing. For all my survival skill and prowess this task ahead of me frightened the life from me."

Continuing on for a few seconds before adding with a smirk and a gentle nudge to Ispir.
"Before you agreed to come along that is. You're kind of my hero right now."

It wasn't untrue. Voe understood little of life outside the Spine but knew enough that the civilized world respected skills he did not possess and could spend a lifetime learning before he was any good at it.

"Just stay close to me and Otho."

Ispir Sione

 

[Ispir Sione]

Ispir would nod and fall into step with Voe casually, taking in the tiefling's words with a thoughtful expression before giving their friend a reassuring smile.

"Well hey! They say the first step to being brave is admitting you're afraid, right?"

At the gentle nudge and being called, of all things, a "hero" Ispir would bashfully look away and flush a bit.

"M-Me? A hero? I don't think so. I sing about the things that heroes do, maybe write the stories, and even meet them if I am lucky!"

Ispir would only give a nod at the advice to stay close to Voe and Otho, thinking for a moment, before asking.

"So Voe umm what exactly do you get up to for hobbies? Besides hunting monsters, I mean?"​

 

[Voe]

Voe supposed there some truth in Ispir's statement. Getting over any challenge in life starts with acknowledging it first. In that way he reasoned to himself that it might not be so long until Ispir overcomes it.

"Hmm. Yes that sounds about right."

Ispir's in distance that he was no hero kept the grin on Voe's face.

"Modesty, that's a classic heroes trait you know."

It was a bit teasing but that did not mean he did not believe it and he kept the good natured tone as he answered the follow up question. A question few asked him.

"I like to cook. It's not just survival for me. When I get the chance I like to experiment with recipes, ingredients and the like."

His head turned to gaze down on Ispir.
"I hope you like stone pigeon. What about you. Any interests outside of work?"

Ispir Sione

 

[Ispir Sione]

Ispir would simply blush at Voe 's insistence he had heroic qualities. Though a genuine smile did blossom on his face as he nodded along with Voe's interest in cooking. Answering with honest enthusiasm after a moment.

"That's wonderful!"

Meeting their friend's gaze for a moment Ispir would hum and think.

"Well I guess music is my work, but I do genuinely enjoy it. I've heard countless people grumbling into their drinks about how work is just something they suffer through until tomorrow."

Ispir frowned a bit.

"That sounds awful. But! I also learned how to play cards recently and it's pretty fun!"

A brief pause before Ispir looked away sheepishly and huffed.

"I umm.... I'm just not very good is all."

A soft, slightly nervous chuckle would punctuate the sentence.​