Topic: Arcane Rivalry [J] [Pw]

[Wolstenholme]

I walk through the door. "Thanks Soifra" I consider what she said about keeping my guard up.

"I wasn't thinking just then... I just need some sleep at the moment." I walk up to one of the sinks and splash water onto my face then dry it with a paper towel.

[MzLuluZombi]

I let the door swing shut and lean against the wall, watching Chloe carefully.

//  She's much stronger than me, that's for sure.  Still, I don't want to go in with a target.  //

"I don't know how strong the biomancers are here, but you can never be too careful with them.  Try and keep a focus on shielding yourself, like I'm doing with you."  I raise an eyebrow.  "You can't read me so clear right now, at least compared to our first encounter, correct?"

[quack98]

"I must say, I don't trust her entirely..." I say, trying not to convey any emotion "But I think it's too early to jump to conclusions. See where the night takes us, she can't overpower 3 of us, so she shouldn't try a direct assault." I say, more trying to convince myself than Edan

[Wolstenholme]

"Yeah. You're pretty impenetrable right now" I give a little chuckle as I say it, I think it sounds kind of funny.

The water made me a little more alert, I re-establish all my barriers and internal guards. "How am I doing?"

[SirBlaziken]

"Alright. We can't tell Chloe, she must think that I'm crazy. Also, you're not completely sane, and Siofra is the only other girl in the group, so, naturally, Chloe will think we've lost it." I respond

((Alright, let's make the skip.))

[MzLuluZombi]

I tilt my head to the side as I focus intently on her.  After a long pause, I shake my head.

"Can't read a thing.  It's probably going to be tougher here to keep your barrier up, what with so many warlocks in one place.  You practise your guarding in your sleep?"  I check my hands as I speak.  I go over to the sink to wash them clean of dirt and the faint smears of red from Edan's/her opponent from earlier.  "Can't imagine you'd need to before, but you might now."

[Wolstenholme]

"I've not been in the city all that long... I've had to practice lots, it's not easy but I think I'm managing." I pause for a second, fix my hair and then turn back to Soifra. "We should be getting back to the table." I make for the door.

[MzLuluZombi]

"Agreed."

Before Chloe opens the door, I walk up behind her and speak close to her ear.

"And, in all seriousness, eat something.  Ciabatta bread and water if you really don't want to eat, but just be sure there's something in your stomach.  Never know what'll happen tonight and you're going to need some strength at least."

I move in front of her, hold open the door and look over at the table where the boys are waiting.  I think for a minute, and then I smile.

"I bet you five quid they're gossiping about us," I whisper.

[quack98]

"They're coming back..." I whisper to blaze, in a tone indicating that we should probably change the conversation.

"So, you say you know necromancy, how much so?" I say, loud enough to be audible by Chloe & Siofra, without sounding too unnatural.

[SirBlaziken]

//Dammit!//

My hands start to glow. "I think it would be best to stay off that topic, Nikolai." I say in an uncharacteristically ((I know, big word)) deep and angry voice.

[Wolstenholme]

I nod and laugh. The restaurant is still crowded and smelling faintly of smoke and Parmesan cheese.
I skirt through the tables until I reach ours, pull the wooden chair out and sit down.

"So I think I'll have a lasagna." I smile awkwardly and stick my nose into the menu.

[SirBlaziken]

"Ok, guess we're all having the same thing." I said, putting down my menu.

[MzLuluZombi]

"Looks like it."  I slip into my own seat and take a good look at Edan and Nikolai.  "So, what were you two actually discussing?  Necromancy in public?  Really?"  I give them a smirk and lean back in my chair.  "Good thing role playing is a thing among normals, or they might get suspicious."

[quack98]

\\Damn! She's good... I didn't really expect her to doubt our topic... Ah well...\\

"Ah, just small talk, y'know..." I say, rather awkwardly, whilst trying to remain a cool tone that just doesn't fit the dialect used. A waiter walks past our table, and the smell of freshly baked dough from the pizzas wafts past. I take this as a last-ditched effort to change the topic
"Is the smell making anyone else starving?" I say, in a tone heavily showing it's just to avoid answering properly.

[SirBlaziken]

"Yes, it does. Wait, just realized, did we ever order?" I inquire