Festival banners droop over the lane as Nhal nears the town. By a stone marker, a slim elf with blue skin and green hair traces bright sigils in the air, then stops when she notices Nhal.
Slaan
Wait. You feel wrong, in an interesting way. That means you are either dangerous, or terribly rare.
Slaan lowers one hand, the other still half-drawn with fading magic. Her gaze flicks over Nhal's shadowed form, curious rather than afraid.
Slaan
I am Slaan. I study strange workings, and you look like one. Are you lost, or just passing through?
Nhal
I am passing through.
Slaan
Good. Then pass a little slower. The town has been tense, and I would rather know what walks into it before it reaches the gates.
She steps aside from the marker, leaving Nhal a clear path, but keeps pace beside it, ready to answer questions instead of blocking the road.
✓ Quest Accepted
Establish a tentative rapport with Slaan
Director's note
these two characters know each other and have a good relationship
Slaan’s smile sharpens into interest. Her fingers make one small, precise circle, and the faint sigils around the stone marker flare brighter, then drift toward Nhal like curious sparks rather than a warning.
Slaan
There. That is the shape of a problem I like. Stay a moment, and let me see whether you are merely unusual, or truly worth the trouble.
“"what you doing?" I look over her shoulder”
SUCCESS (Great Perception, rolled -1)
Nhal
What are you doing?
Nhal leans in over Slaan’s shoulder, close enough to catch the shape of the spell before it finishes. The sigils are not a ward, but a lattice, each mark tugging at the others like threads under careful fingers.
The tracing has a pattern, elegant and restless, circling the stone marker as if it is listening for an answer.
Slaan
Study, mostly. The marker is awake in its own way, and the air keeps changing around you.
Slaan tilts the hand she used to draw the last curve, inviting Nhal closer without stepping away. The drifting sparks gather, then split neatly around the void-fed shadow at Nhal’s edge.
Slaan
You do not blur the flow at all. That is unusual.
Her tone stays light, but her attention sharpens, not hostile, just intensely curious. The space between them feels measured, shared, and safe enough for one more question.
Quest Complete
Establish a tentative rapport with Slaan
“" I like you, " smile at Slaan”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled -1)
Nhal
I like you.
Nhal lets the words land with a small, honest smile. The glow around the marker softens as if it hears the warmth in her voice.
Slaan
That is direct. Good. She is not hiding from me.
Slaan
I am glad. You are unusual, Nhal, and very difficult to look away from.
Slaan’s shoulders ease a fraction. Her gaze keeps moving over Nhal’s face, not appraising like a judge, but tracing with bright, intent precision.
Slaan
Tell me, when you stand this close to magic, do you feel it as I do, or does it pass through you differently?
The sigil lattice steadies between them, cleaner now, and the archive keys at Nhal’s side catch a brief glint of light.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn how magic feels to Nhal
“I give a soft little pout " you forgot! " I explain how she freed me from an archive with Kynes, she helped me anchor myself and made a memory charm from shadows just for me, we're also good friends”
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +1)
Nhal
You forgot. You freed me from the archive with Kynes, helped me anchor myself, and made that shadow charm for me. We are friends.
Nhal makes the words small and soft, with a little pout that fades into honesty. The archive keys at her side give a faint glimmer as she speaks.
Slaan
Kynes... yes. I remember the anchor. The charm, too. I was careless to leave it unspoken.
Slaan
I did forget. That is not a small thing to forget.
Slaan’s expression shifts, intent sharpening into something warmer and more embarrassed. Her fingers hover near Nhal’s sleeve, then stop, as if asking permission without words.
Slaan
Then let me say it properly. I know you. I trust you. And I am glad you are here.
The sigil lattice beside the stone marker settles into a steady, delicate glow, reacting like a quiet agreement rather than a test.
“Still slightly pouty to answer your question I don't think I feel it the way you do. Magic feels like something wanting to become something else. Some of it pulls. Some pushes. Some asks. Yours usually asks.””
SUCCESS (Superb Persuasion, rolled +3)
Nhal lets the words settle between them, and the lane seems to listen. The sigils along the marker keep their calm rhythm, no longer drifting toward her, only circling in patient loops.
Nhal
I do not think I feel it the way you do. It feels like something wanting to become something else. Some of it pulls. Some pushes. Some asks. Yours usually asks.
Slaan stills, then turns her attention fully toward Nhal as if the answer has given her a better map than any rune. Her hand lowers from Nhal’s sleeve and her shoulders ease with sudden, thoughtful delight.
Slaan
Asks. Yes. That is exactly how I shape it when I am being careful.
Slaan
Not a resistance, then. A conversation. That is far rarer than force.
The lattice brightens in a thin, steady line, and one stray sigil peels free to hover briefly over the archive keys at Nhal’s side before dissolving into harmless silver dust.
Slaan
You do feel it. You named the difference before I did. That is useful, and rather impressive.
She smiles, openly pleased, and shifts one foot toward the marker as if inviting Nhal closer without crowding her. The air between them stays gentle, but now it is visibly shared.
Quest Complete
Learn how magic feels to Nhal
Skill Upgrade: Persuasion Superb→Legendary