saffron wind

[golden_anvil]

Not everyone walks calmly into the streets of the Nexus. Not everyone is so distracted as to not see when the stones shift and the shops and buildings aren’t quite the same. She’s staring down into a sketchbook in her hands and muttering to herself for a fair distance before it even occurs to her to look up. Light brown eyes peer out from a mess of dark curls pinned up around her shoulders. She purses her lips in some amount of confusion and looks to her left, her right, and finally turns about in a small circle.

This stocky stranger traces her gaze over the various buildings as she slowly closes the sketchbook and returns it to a satchel strung across her shoulder by a long strap. After a moment of taking in her surroundings, she nods quietly and sighs. She shifts two things strapped across her back and shoulders: a satchel bag and a large pole with one end wrapped up in cloth. In less than a minute, she has the bag slung around her shoulders and over her back in the style of a backpack. The pole finds it’s way into her hands, the covered end pointing upward as she turns in a slow circle.

“This is…different.” Her voice is soft and deep, but quickly taking on a worried tone. The pole rests in the crook of one arm as she gathers up her skirt to tie off around her waist. Her leather sandals gently hug her all the way up to her knees. “All right, I’ll bite. Who did I offend this time?”

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[orko_of_trolla]

Being new to the Nexus himself, it didn't take much for Orko to notice the other newcomer. The woman with the sketchbook seemed pretty preoccupied, and the curious Trollan drifted a distance behind. The long scarf around his head and his wide brimmed hat obscured his face, save for very large almond shaped gold eyes. Not much of his tiny frame was visible; hidden beneath sleeveless robes that were tattered along the hem that had seen better days. With the dark blue skin, long tapered ears, thin bony arms and long fingered claw tipped hands this creature was very odd indeed.

The woman's question got Orko's attention and he drifted closer. "Offend? Probably no one." He spread his hands with a chuckle. "Not used to interdimensional travel huh?"

[golden_anvil]

He looks so much like old creatures who lived beneath the hills, her mind immediately went to old ideas of the Fair Folk. Certainly, he had the eyes for one who spent their life under the ground. Lysandra began to kneel down to try and match his stature, using her pole as a balance. Whatever manner of being he was, those garments had seen far better days...

"In truth, no. Only one person in my family can kind of manage that sort of thing, and it's all illusions. Whatever door I walked through to get here, I'm sure I'll find another that will lead back out."

[orko_of_trolla]

Seeing that the woman was going to hunker down to his level, Orko quickly waved his hands and drifted higher. "No no it's okay! I can float!" He hovered at her eye level so it was easier to converse. The tattered edges of his robes and scarf draped down low enough that not even his feet was apparent. "I was just lower to the ground to conserve energy..." He said sheepishly.

Oh, he was definitely curious now. He looked at the newcomer with wide eyes. "Oh, you have a mage in your family?" He asked curiously. He grinned unseen behind his scarf, but his tones definitely betrayed the smile. "Yeah! I'm a magic user too. This place is pretty wild. Interdimensional travel isn't as complicated as it seems. At least...this place seems to be pretty straight forward. Er...from what little I know. Most folks just show up randomly. Like I did! I did hear though that people can travel to their home realms pretty easily."

His long fingered hands tugged down the wide brim of his hat in an almost self conscious or shy gesture as he uttered another sheepish chuckle. "I'm Orko by the way. Nice to meet you!"

[golden_anvil]

She gasps seeing him float up and can't help but smile at how he looks like a bit of a scarecrow with his clothing such tatters. The explanation only makes her giggle. What a thoughtful man, whatever he might be!

"You don't have to expend yourself for me if it's easier to remain closer to the ground. I've been in far more uncomfortable positions than kneeling." She nods to his questions about her family, the looser curls on her head bouncing. "Her name is Circe! Technically everyone has odd powers of some kind, even myself, but she takes it to a level unparalleled."

Lysandra is completely charmed by this odd man, and takes a step away to bow in greeting. "A pleasure, mage Orko. My name is Lysanda."

[orko_of_trolla]

"It really is okay. I'm used to floating around at this height after spending so long on Eternia instead of my own dimension." Orko reassured. "When I first arrived here, I was a bit drained. But the strange nature of this place is slowly seeming to restore my energy. I'm a Trollan and magic is an intrinsic part of my kind. In the absense of magic we become really weak and can't survive. I'm not exactly sure of the nature of this dimension but it's not draining me which is a bonus!" He gave a thumbs up.

One could almost see the blush in the Trollan's body language. "Aw. Well met Lysandra!" He extended a thin hand for her to shake after bobbing in mid-air. If taken, it would be a warm firm grip, but also seemingly fragile to the touch. This Trollan had been ill previously for a long period and was very thin.

"I'd like to learn more about your abilities! Us magic users got to stick together you know?" He shrugged narrow shoulders beneath the scarf. "I know I'm new here myself, but I'll be happy to help if you need it. We can learn about this place together!"

[golden_anvil]

"So there is magic in this place... It has the feel of powerful magics, but I had no idea what to make of anything in the little time between walking in and actually processing my surroundings. While I'm not familiar with the Trollan, it is an honor to share names with you."

Lysandra is well aware of the power of names, especially from even the slightly Fey. All the same, she abandons some of her reservations and takes his hand to shake. His bones stick out to her the most. Only a weak body would feel that way, warm as the blood might be.

"My magic is in my mind, for the most part. I'm a builder. If it can be drawn, if I can take it apart, if I even so much as look at something, I'll figure out how to create it with my own two hands. Nothing in the world is too large or tiny for me to make, given the right tools."

[orko_of_trolla]

"Uh huh!" Orko nodded to confirm the presence of magic. "Interestingly it's difficult for me to tell what kind of magic. My theory is that it is a blend of different sorts. Kinda makes sense if this place is a hub dimension that connects many." At the pretty woman saying that it was an honor to share names - Orko clasped his hands and hunched a little. Clearly bashful.

The description of her abilities caught his attention and his long tapered ears perked up a little. "Ohhh that kind of sounds like a form of conjuring!" He said, impressed. "Do you summon it by simply imagining it in your mind, or do you replicate what you can see? I bet that skill comes in real handy!"

[golden_anvil]

"The best I can do is sense them, so you're better off than me if you can actually tell types of magic apart. It makes me wonder what I could accomplish in a place like this if it's a mix of different magic styles." She smiles at his shy posturing.

"I wouldn't say conjuring. I have to make it all by hand, so it's still a proper challenge. Although, I can see how one can look at my work and see it as a kind of magic."