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colleydogstar · 7 years ago

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A Ranger’s Tale - 9 - Meister Silberschmidt

Story and all other character by @rollem-bones. As mentioned before, the log has a mix of 1st/3rd person tenses due to play styles.

Our story continues....

Ember glides across the floor with a predatory grace to a frosted glass door. "Are you coming in with me?" she asks you, looking over her shoulder. "Can answer more of your questions, but I'm going to relax in the heat of the sauna before I cool off and talk business with Silberschmidt." She smiles coyly. "Of course, you will have to remove your clothing."

"I..." Rhodie starts, and then coughs, "I mean..." She thinks this over in her head. Naked with giant she-hulk lion lady, or don't learn info she's gonna need to survive. Well, wouldn't be the first time she's stripped in front of someone today. "Y-yeah, coming." She quickly hurries toward Ember.

Through the frosted glass door and onto marble flooring. A few benches, also stone, sit on the floor, and shelves hold towels and robes. It's clear the place was meant to hold many guests at once. But you and Ember seem to have the place to yourselves. As she folds the cloth and sets them flat on the shelves before she looks at you. "You going to do it before you enter the steam area?" she asks with a grin. "And don't be so shy, nothing I haven't seen."

Rhodie looks around, and takes a breath. "Y-yeah.." She begins taking off the dress and clothes she got earlier in the day, carefully folding them and looking for a place to put them before joing Ember. She's fidgity, keeping an arm over her chest at first. "10 years.. so you've been here since.. 2006 our time?" She steps into the sauna, casting one last glance back out of concern someone would show up to swipe her clothes last second.

Ember doesn't really look at you as you cover up, and instead leads toward what looks like a swirling cloud of fog held in a cube shape. "Just walk in here, it's warm," she says, then pauses with half her leg inside of the cube. "No," she answers. "It was 2015."

The setter-demi follows, raising an eyebrow at the cube. Magic and tech here... so weird, yet she wants to learn about it when she can. Just another thing to ask about later. She reaches out to put her arm into the fog. "It was December 2016 when I got here... a month ago I think?" She tilts her head curiously.

The fog is hot, very hot. A sauna held in place by invisible force. "Time doesn't always line up between here and there," she explains as she sits on the wood bench surrounding a steaming pile of coals. From within the cube, the ones inside can see the outside of the sauna without trouble. "I've met some Errantbloods that arrive here after me, but they came from before I was born." She rubs her chin and sprawls out, open and comfortable in the heat. Perhaps being a bit teasing with your discomfort. It's not helped the lingering magic of submissiveness trying to thump down on her brain. It might explain Ember's behavior.

Quickly pulling her arm back, Rhodie rubs at her fur. "Whoah..." Her eyes narrow as she takes in Ember's explanation. "So the magic here, it sort of has the ability to pick and choose then. Any point in time? That's... Christ, that's some powerful stuff." Turning to look back at Ember, she sees the lioness sprawled out and is very thankful her whole body is already red. "haaa..." There's a little voice in her head saying that it would be very logical to do what this very powerful lady asked her to in the future, and for a moment, she almost listens to it. She shakes her head, trying to send those thoughts to the back. "Focus, Rhodie, focus..." she says to herself. "Any idea if it's just a random pick or.. I dunno.. targeted to a specific need?" She moves to sit on the other side of the sauna, still within talking distance, but putting space between the two of them

Ember points a finger at you. "Remember what I told you. The magic Silberschmidt uses is blunt, you have to be blunt in return or it's going to melt your brain." She puts her arm back down on the back of the bench. "I don't know. I know some of what it does, just not the hows." She looks at you with a caring look in her eyes. "I don't like going into my past. Because I've made something else of myself here, but I know what you went through, with the whole," she waves her hand at her body.

"The whole 'Welcome to the sisterhood' situation, yeah," she sits for a moment, silent, then growls in frustration, "This.. stupid... friggin' magic!" She pushes up and begins pacing, "I could be back home in Georgia, but nope, here I am, covered in fur, dealing with the joys of the mindjack hellhome. I haven't even met the Silberschmidt guy, and I already want to deck him in the shnoz for just this magic. What the hell use would a videogamer even BE in this world?"

"He's a punchable guy," Ember admits. "He's pushing you, once he respects you, you'll do better." She watches you pace back and forth. "Hell if I know, but I made do with myself, and you can do with yourself. Look at you. I mean, really look at you. I would be willing to bet you're already way more athletic than you were when you came here. And you can use a knife after only a few weeks. right?"

"Earn the respect of a guy with a mind control servant fetish. Great , so dealing with Deviantart fans," She says with a huff, but then looks at herself. "Yeah, way more. I feel like I can run for hours and not get tired. I out pace everyone in the group when I cut loose, bounding off obstacles like I parkoured." She looks back at Ember, and walks over toward her. "Even I'm not realizing it, this world is still messing with my head isn't it? You changed because you slipped into the role, right. So... because I was acting as their... I dunno.. Scout maybe? Because I was doing that, my body adapted accordingly? That quickly?"

Ember nods. "You want to sit?" she asks, moving aside for you, but still lounging quite openly. "And the first couple hours seem to be big. It slows down, but yeah, can still hit you." She takes a deep breath and exhales. "I've kept this body for a while. And I'm happy about it. Let's be honest, could I really complain about this?" she asks, gesturing to herself. "And I haven't heard deviantart in a long ass time. Anyways. I can't explain why it happens, or to what end. Person I arrived here with, found them shortly after. Jennifer. Well, they ended a scrawny looking guy. Last I saw them was a year ago, he's a freaking bronzed adonis that has his own privateer ship. Shared a bed with him for a month. We all adapt. Or we die. Or worse we disappear."

"We became she, she became he... Almost like it wants to give a 100% fresh start in a weird way." She taps her chin as she sits next to Ember. She's stopped covering herself at this point, to be fair she has far less to cover than Ember does, so... "So you two wound up creating bodies that look like they came out of comics in a way. I slept during my first hours. I woke up naked in the forest, stumbled through rain til I found Sgt. Donnel and the others, and they let me sleep in their tent.. There's been some things they said that made me wonder if they unconciously influenced my change. Like... Donnel said I remind him of his daughter. Salicia an old pet her family had. Pritchard...."

"That a line of thinking you want to go down?" Ember asks, leaning her head back. "Because if it's not a comfortable one, I could always you a partner to join me when I head out from here. You wouldn't be a big fish in the small pond like you are, but it won't have that thought hanging off of it." She closes her eyes, chest rising and falling with the deep breaths she's taking, relaxing into the steamy heat of the room.

She shrugs, "It.. is in its own weird way logical. You said you turned into a mouse, in a library, a library that had the information you needed to learn what you need to become better, literally stronger. I got dropped on a team that while functional, seemed to be dividing up a role amongst them that I feel the slot of quite nicely." She frowns, "It isn't an uncomfortable train of thought, but.. I dunno, I..." She pauses and looks at Ember. "That's a tempting offer, really, really tempting. Wait, big fish in a small pond? Shouldn't that be the other way around? I am the smallest fish in this pond."

Ember's eye opens up to look at you. She's smiling. "I thought I made it clear. You're the big fish out of your group. Or you will be given time and effort."

Rhodie shrugs, "Yeah, I see what they're too accustomed to. I adapt quickly, slower aging, and over time could alter my form like you did. Still kinda mortal though.... right?"

Ember laughs to herself. "You took to that knife how fast? You're faster, stronger, and your muscle memory is literally magic. By my guess, after a year, the only one that could even challenge you in a fight is that Pritchard, and only because he's a caster. And with casters, you never underestimate their tricks. Otherwise, once you get things down, you'll run circles around the other two."

"Hold up. You're saying a year from now, I'm going to be outclassing people who have been doing this their entire life?" She raises an eyebrow, "What the hell are we, superheroes?"

"And that's the attitude that gets most of us dead," Ember tells you. "We're magic, literally. Runs through us. We can make it do a lot without thinking about it. But the people here all know how it all works. You want to know why all the legends are about Errantbloods in some way? That's why. Once one of us figures things out, then we might be able to step up. But until then, there will always be clever bastards out there."

"So... basically, use the force, but remember that a blaster can still blow a hole in your chest when you're not paying attention." She looks at her hands. "Literally magic...No wonder Silberschmidt would want one under his control."

"Exactly. You're moldable. Get one early and, well, you can imagine just what that means." Ember stretches out her feet, toes splaying toward her glowing namesakes in the center of the sauna room. "You alone would probably help him acquire a lot of servants in this place, and a number of them being enemies, that helps him two fold."

"Yeah, no, screw that noise," Rhodie says in a growl. "He can do that crap himself, I want nothing to do with it. So.. why do YOU work with him?"

"He pays well. Another thing to learn, people have their own customs and styles here. Sometimes you need to realize that it's not the same as home," Ember says. "Maybe if I hadn't spent that time as a real shebeast, I'd have a harder time living today." She closes her eyes and lays her head back. "This place can be nice, but it can be a lot more callous than you'd think. And unlike home, they don't hide that shit around these parts. He wants me to take care of some bandits down near Mikkelsbrugh. Port city, big place, major power in the region and Silberschmidt thinks the bandits were paid off by merchants."

"Everything out in the open, because they don't know better, or don't care," Rhodie says. "Taking care of bandits, huh? Sounds fun... but not sure I'm quite ready to take on that kinda task just yet." The Setter-Demi smiles, "I would like to maybe work with you in the future though. If all else, having someone that actually gets my jokes would be kinda nice."

"I think though.. I need time. Time to actually, I guess, settle into what I am now? If I go with you, it'll keep reminding me of what I lost, and right now that's kind of a deep wound still."

Ember nods. "I hear you. Take your time, be careful, and learn just what being careful means," she tells you. "Learn to fight, learn to get comfortable with that. You'll need it. And sometimes, you're going to have to learn to back away." She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "I'm going to do something that's going to bother you, but if you can hack it, you'll hand yourself better for a bit."

"Heh, backing away hasn't been an issue. Last two fights I was in, I ran like hell," Rhodie gives a small laugh, rubbing at her neck. She looks over at Ember, "OK?"

"Won't always be so easy when it's something you care about," Ember speaks quietly. "You want to come on over here, little puppy?" she says, looking at you, gently trailing a fingertip along her thigh. "I have something for you to do instead of panic and sweat."

The 'Little puppy' name makes Rhodie's eye twitch. "That.... Ok, one, we just met... Two, unless you're Chris Evans or Hemsworth, big and muscular are not really my thing...."

"Go fetch me my towel," Ember says, watching you. "And what, am I just too much woman for you? My tits too big? Too supple?" she asks, standing up and stretching her limber form. It really is a mixture of proportion, lean muscle and curve that isn't really natural.

She should really go get the big lion lady a towel before she gets an-Noooo, stop that, intrusive thoughts. Rhodie shakes her head, "You.. are fully capable of getting that yourself, Ember. And yeah, tits are too big, never been a fan, glad mine are as small as there are. Hot, yeah, just not my type of woman."

Ember smiles and puts her hands behind her head. "I know, they are huge, but they're proportional," she points out. "When you're as tall as I am, you know. But good. You're holding onto yourself." A person walks into the sauna room. A petite reptillian looking woman in a white and black maid's dress. Her hands are held demurely in front of her as she stands in silence by the door.

"It's.. yeah, I got a grip, for now. Like you said, blunt, stubborn, and after what you've told me, it's either that or become the maid," She looks up at the newcomer. "And I am betting that might be a cue someone is needed..."

Ember hums, nodding and a hand on her hip. "Yeah. I think so," she says. She walks to the edge and sticks her head out. "What do you need?" she barks, making the maid flinch. After a moment, a quiet voice. "I am looking to retrieve Rhodia for Meister Silberschmidt. He requests to speak with her privately."

"Rhodie. No A. Never an A," She gets up. "Welp... Ember, it's been.. informative. Hopefully our paths will cross outside of here. Thank you for the talk." She looks at the servant. That's what she has to look forward to if she falters here, all the more reason to be strong. "I'm going to get dressed, he can wait til I'm looking proper."

Ember nods. "And she can't hear you from outside. Sound and vision goes one way," she informs. "And I look forward to seeing you again. I promise I wear more clothes normally. Just sort of a training thing. And it puts people off guard when I'm here. Helps with the magic." She smiles at you. "Hope you and your boy work out."

Rhodie laughs, "You know, I'm kinda hoping so too. Keep my resume on file though, just in case I totally botch that and need a new job." She brings two fingers up to her head and gives a small salute before she heads out to put her dress and other clothes back on. She tries to take her time, drawing it out. "Alright, Mona Lisa," She says to the lizard maid once she's dressed, "take me to your leader."

"My name is Alina," the maid says, "I will take you to the Meister now." She seems unflappable, content and smiles at you with a gentle nod before she turns to walk out of the exercise room. She doesn't speak to you as she walks at a brisk pace, her tail swaying behind her. She keeps her hands out front at all times as the walk leads through the depths of the hunting lodge. She finally stops near a large room, by an open door. A den or a study of sorts, it's filled with books, maps, portrait art and trinkets in glass boxes. A number of trophies from hunts as well. Perhaps this is why he needs so many hands to clean a place this size. It would be a safe and comfortable place to be. Then there is the man inside, standing just shy of Ember and Salicia's heights, he's an athletically built man that appears to be mostly human in shape save for a stag's head. His long antlers have been capped in silver and he's dressed in a crimson robe and dark trousers. He stands with his back to you, looking into the roaring fire, a book held in hand and a glass in the other.

Make or break time, Rhodie. You are quite literally entering the den of the beast here, and you're alone. Remember what you were told. Demanding, belligerent, and do not be cowed. You can do this, you HAVE to do this. She takes a few breaths, clenching and unclenching her hands. Finally, she tightens her fists, and walks right in. "I'd like to file a complaint to management. Not once has the help staff offered me a drink in this joint."

The stag by the fire takes a deep drink of the glass that he has. "I see," he says, sighing pleasantly as he finishes the glass. He puts it down next to a glass decanter. "Pour me one, then, and you may have one yourself," he invites with a gesture of a hand. "Make certain to not spill, I'm certain you haven't learned to handle your small, delicate hands yet."

"Eh, maybe in a bit. Still savoring the oh so delightful salarin taste on the meal I had earlier." She looks around the room, "Not too bad a place for a mindwarping hellhole. Say, out of curiousity, and this is something I've been wondering since I got here. Did you know about the Necromancer in your cabin, or did whatever security spells you had on the place that told you about me not kick back on til we shanked her ass?"

"Allow me to admit that I know your intentions," Silberschmidt says, turning around to face you. He pours out a pair of glasses. "Join me, but I must ask you to realize that there is a gulf of difference between assertion and simple-minded rudeness. You're struggling, and I can tell you are, because you show no decorum." He smiles as he slides one glass in your direction. "And I was aware of the necromancer. It may not have occurred to you that they are exactly the reason I pay the Order of Antler and Thorn."

Rhodie looks at the drink, and then pushes it to the side. "Thanks, but still going to pass. As far as decorum goes, yeah, not showing much. Hard to be polite to someone trying to take over your mind. Oh, so you DO pay them? That's good to know, because we will need to at some point discuss reparations for my lossed wages, since it WAS your forest's magics that kidnapped me last month."

Silberschmidt sips his wine and looks down at you, literally and figuratively. "You understand you don't have legal standing, correct? You are a paperless trespasser on my lands." He crosses his arms and inclines his head. "I think I understand. You're attempting to apply your world's legality to my domain." He laughs quietly as he walks around the study desk to look at a large wall of books. "You don't approve of my security methods, do you?"

Rhodie smirks, arms crossed. "No standing whatsoever. Can't fault a guy for trying though." Stay defiant, don't let him shake you. "It's impressive, creative use of what must be very strong magical abilities. Knew some folks back home that would volunteer for it, but me? Not really a fan, no. Bit too gross for my tastes."

"I only pay for the best," Silberschmidt says, reaching up to replace the book he carries. "I'll make it a point to let you know when I consider your sensibilities in my operations. Would you rather I kill my enemies in a more direct manner?" he turns around to face you. "The young lady that showed you to me. She attempted to murder my wife, you know."

"Now there is where you're making the wrong assumption. Approve, no, but didn't say I didn't understand it," Rhodie says. "Your world is different than mine, crazy different. To think my world's rules and ethics would be constant here is laughable. I can't even say they were constant on my world. Only makes sense you're going to have more... extreme... ways of dealing with these things." She's silent for a moment, taking in that last part. "I'm glad she wasn't successful. I may not like you, but no one deserves to go through a loss like that. The loss of a spouse can destroy a person." She says with the tone of someone who has seen it first hand.

"I haven't seen her or my son in over a year," Silberschmidt says. "Safety, you understand. Someone in my position has a number of enemies, all capable of anything I may, and some of more." He looks at you, studying you and your tone. "I am the owner of the manufacturing concern that employs and maintains Estorly's modern economic state. I keep the money that gives the Order of Antler and Thorn reason to protect the forest that my hide trouble for my people and my trade. I protect the city and the people with in it." He sips his wine and looks into the liquid. He swirls the glass and his eyes close. "So when an Errantblood crosses into my home, I must take precaution."

Rhodie shrugs, "Yeah, that makes perfect sense. I can't argue that. But here's the thing with me being that Errantblood. I've spent the last month alternating between moments of thinking I can handle all this, and having the worst panic attacks of my life. And yeah, you got hyped up pretty good during that month I was with Donnel and them. Up until today? My game plan for meeting you was to try and be polite and not get myself killed by not knowing proper greetings. But after all this? After having to spend every minute here fighting to keep myself intact? Christ. Look, I have no intention of trying to overthrow you, or freeing the people here. How the hell would I even do that? Worst thing you gotta worry about from me is a growing desire to kick you in the groin and walk out of here. I am not a civilized demi by your standards, I make no apologies."

Silberschmidt stares at you for an extended time. His nostrils flare and settle, flare and settle, and it perhaps is a rare sight to see a deer that can look as flat and predatory as a crocodile, but it's standing before you. He sips of his glass and returns to his desk. "Drink," he says. "I won't have a guest in my house that refuses my offering," he states, fingertip glancing the rim of the second wine glass. "And then we shall see just what I have to worry from you."

That is not a look Rhodie ever expected to see in a deer face. She takes the glass, and looks it over, "The problem here, is I trust you about as much as you trust me. For all I know this has something in it that you're immune to, but will kick my red tail to the moon."

"Or it's a moderately price wine imported from Galsia," Silberschmidt says with flat face. "Consider your situation, and consider mine, what possible need would I have of resorting to poison?"

Rhodie holds the glass, and swirls the wine. She then shrugs, "Screw it, I've needed a drink all month." She takes a small sip.

It's a sweet, sweet wine that doesn't linger when swallowed. Its flavor exists only a moment in the mouth and leaves the pallet clean. But it is a potent wine, it may not be a good idea to slug it so swiftly as Silberschmidt seems to. He just watches you as you taste. "To your liking?" he asks, a strong sense of sarcasm coming off the man.

Rhodie looks to be mulling it over, and then gives a small nod. "Sweet, very sweet. Reminds me of one I had at wine tasting a few years ago. Couldn't tell you the name of it, unfortunately... not that it would do either of us any good. Bit strong, probably something I'd have a single glass of for the night."

Silberschmidt nods and walks to the fireplace. He hefts the long spear from the mantle and checks the tip. "You will indulge me, girl, so that I can teach you a few things about the way this world works."

"Rhodie, Mr. Michaels if you wish to be too polite. Donnel's the only one that gets to call me 'girl,'" she says, setting the glass down. She suspects she sees where this is going.

"Whatever property you held in your world, you don't have it here," Silberschmidt states. He turns the spear head at you. "Know this, power is what matters in this world. The power to take and the power to keep. It comes in many forms, but it must be displayed. If you are unable to demonstrate your power, do not hinder your allies. You do them no favors by pretending to be strong." He looks at you, staring down the length of a spear he holds surprisingly steady for a single hand grasp.

That fight or flight instinct flares up in her the moment the spear is pointed at her. Just like the undead, just like the necromancer. Run, get the hell out while you can. He is going to slaughter you. You're unarmed in nothing more than a dress. She can feel those legs tense, ready to spring into action for the door, but she swallows hard, and this time she forces herself to stand her ground. She looks at the spear, heart racing, and then moves her stare back up at Silberschmidt. "Then I will do what I need to become stronger for them," It takes almost all of her will power, but she takes a step closer.

Silberschmidt holds the end of the blade at your chest. "Don't make promises you cannot keep." His knuckles tighten on the haft of the spear. "And I will remind you, pointless bravery is foolishness. A weak mind is worse than a weak body. I would hope you could have figured that out from my security." Yet he takes the spear back and remounts it on the mantle. "You've been here a few hours, you will be here a few days. Do not enter any door that bares my family's sigil. Ask of my servants anything you may require. Do not violate your position as guest on my grounds."

That... was not what she expected. "..Wait.. what? You give this talk about how you can't trust a new errantblood on your grounds and...you want me to stay." Her face scrunches up as she realizes what that means for her. "...Lovely."

The Meister looks over his shoulder back at you. "You can make a show of strength, and you're beginning to become aware of the nature of things," he says. A move toward his desk and he sits down, tenting his fingers and looking down at some papers on his desk. "You can take your leave now. Alina! Retrieve Sgt. Donnel," he shouts out, looking past you to the door. Clearly finished with his time and moving onto further duties.

She pinches the bridge of her muzzle, and turns, shaking her head as she heads for the door. She shouts back as she steps out, "You should pair that wine with a green lentil curry if it exists here. Make a hell of a meal."

#Rhodie #ask rhodie #ranger's tale #rhodie's tale #irish setter

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