Son of Blood and Ash

Pyrrhus Cairen. Nineteen Witch: Ravenspeak & Conjuring "You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star."

[thedarkwitch-cynwrig]

Oh, it is more than within your capability, I assure you. [Cynwrig chose not to give details, at least not yet. Pyrrhus was interested in learning from him, but he far from had the boy’s allegiance. He could not be trusted, and the task which he intended for the lad to carry out would require much more trust than any simple conversation could cultivate.]

Well, if you can be bothered to find the time in what I am certain is your incredibly hectic schedule, you can find me at The Sanctuary. Whenever you should have the ability to travel to my home, that is when our lessons will begin.

[pyrrhuscairen]

I'll take your word for it, then. [Pyrrhus wrinkled his nose a little. He was slightly unsure about agreeing-- but only slightly. Being trained by one of the most reputable witches in Nore was an offer he knew he could not afford to pass up, in fact the idea of passing up such an offer had not even crossed his mind.]

In that case, I will be sure to make the travel. 

[norasblackheart]

"Well, I suppose that is my business to know and yours to keep away from."

[pyrrhuscairen]

"I suppose..." 

[miss-marion]

"Ah—I-I’m very sorry, sir, I—ah…"

[pyrrhuscairen]

"Cat got your tongue?" 

[hart-in-training]

…

What’s your problem anyway?

[pyrrhuscairen]

I don't see how that's at all your concern. 

[jackquint]

When he was accused again of being the cause of the collision, the boy fumed. Removing his journal from his pocket, he wrote quickly and shoved the words towards the older man—not before adding the angriest of faces.

Maybe you should watch where you’re walking! >:=◑

[pyrrhuscairen]

Pyrrhus rose his eyebrows at the journal the boy had handed him. He seemed quite peculiar. Maybe that's why he didn't seem to be as wary of Pyrrhus as most people in the village were.  He was caught a little off guard by the unusual boy so he wasn't entirely sure how to react except for to give the boy a look that made it obvious Pyrrhus had spotted his oddness. 

[jackquint]

Jack blinked up at the strange man, wondering what had crawled up his butt and died. Pulling himself up off the ground, the boy brush off the knees of his pants and realized he was being spoken to upon looking back. 

What! Jack hadn’t been the one to— How dare—

Cheeks reddening and lips pursing, the boy glowered up at the other and gave him a weak, childish shove.

"No. You."

[pyrrhuscairen]

Pyrrhus raised an eyebrow at the boy. He was still a child, from the looks of it, and Pyrrhus wondered what had given this boy the idea that he had any sort of right to talk back, never mind shove him. Pyrrhus had known that other people thought he was a bit rude but even so most people were too afraid of him to give it back.

Pressing his lips together and looked the boy up and down. 

"Me? Maybe you should know better than to get in other people's way." 

[hart-in-training]

You watch where you’re going.

[pyrrhuscairen]

"I believe you were the one who bumped into me." 

[norasblackheart]

She wanted to slap him. As hard as she possibly could, she wanted to drag her nails across his cheek as her palm left a welting red mark. “You couldn’t meet my price. And I am not in the business of putting myself through unpleasant experiences.”

[pyrrhuscairen]

Pyrrhus blinked, letting her comment roll off his back. "I would assume most of your experiences have been unpleasant." 

[thedarkwitch-cynwrig]

[There was a beat of silence before Cynwrig let out a rather loud laugh. He hadn’t considered it? Surely he didn’t think any intelligent witch would offer up their gifts with no reward.] Well then, lad, let this be your first lesson. Never give away your talents for free.

[The boy had proved to be an idiot in this regard, but Cynwrig wasn’t quite done with him. Though he didn’t intend to teach the lad without some sort of compensation, he was still intrigued by his gifts. The control was there, as was the will. Cynwrig could see Pyrrhus being quite powerful with the proper tutelage.

Perhaps he could use that to his advantage.]

Well, if you have no coin to offer me, I suppose there are some…errands I could have you run, in return for my instruction. That is, if you are up to the task.

[pyrrhuscairen]

[The way Cynwrig mentioned errands stirred Pyrrhus' curiosity. He obviously didn't mean any regular errands-- but really could any witch have 'normal' errands? Pyrrhus didn't think so-- he thought over the offer and didn't see any reason to decline Cynwrig's generosity.]

Of course, anything in my ability to help with. 

[pyrrhuscairen]

"Watch where you're going." 

[norasblackheart]

"It would be far more pleasant than what your own hand could offer," Nora bit, without really meaning to. What? Now she wanted to touch him? Perhaps on her parents’ dead graves, yes. All she was facing was an arrogant witch. It was painted all over his beautiful features. 

[pyrrhuscairen]

Pyrrhus rose an eyebrow at her response.  "Shame I don't have the money to pay you or we could find out for sure," he responded straight-faced. 

[ravenspeaker]

"I am not in zhe business of making love spells zhis year," Ursula answered without any hesitation. She had no want for the boy’s company, and was perfectly content not teaching him anything more about his power. A boy as angry as that, so short-tempered and proud was nothing but danger if he had too much knowledge of what he was. It was better for everyone that he remained unaware.

Yes you are, Cesar muttered. It’s a fucking lie, and even he knows it, I bet. At least come up with something good.

"Hush, Cesar," Ursula scolded. "He is a young boy, do not insult him! Boys fall in love just as much as girls, and you should have learned zhat by now." It was a common thing, where they spoke as if having two different conversations at once, especially when Ursula was lying. Cesar squawked out an indignant fuck you, and Ursula rolled her eyes unkindly.

"You must forgive my bird," she said, to Pyrrhus once again. "He has yet to learn proper manners, and I doubt he ever will."

[pyrrhuscairen]

Pyrrhus rose his eyebrows at the woman conversed with her raven.  He knew that most people could not understand the bird that followed the witch around everywhere she went, in fact he was sure it was widely believed that only Ursula herself could understand it.  He looked between Ursula and her bird after she apologized. 

"Apparently," he replied. "You would think he would be a little more gracious towards you."

"I don't care that she's lying about that, it wasn't what I was interested in anyway," he said to the bird.

[thedarkwitch-cynwrig]

Pyrrhus… [Cynwrig let the name roll off his tongue and hang in the air between them. He thought that he might’ve heard the name before, but so many rumors floated about Nore that it was nearly impossible to keep them all straight. Still, he’d have to do a bit more digging on this fellow before he offered anything to him, if he offered anything at all.]

Hm, I imagine it must be quite a trial attempting to learn to conjure on your own. You are wise to come to me for help, lad, but…what am I meant to get out of this?

[pyrrhuscairen]

Quite the trial indeed. 

[Pyrrhus pressed his lips together, thinking, he wasn't sure what he could offer Cynwrig. He didn't have anything besides the clothes on his back, after all.] I hadn't considered that. 

[aloysiagraph-deactivated2021012]

[norasblackheart]

"My spiders know better than to be hanging around when I am with a customer," Nora snapped, not at all enjoying the smirk upon the stranger’s face. "Nor do we like being touched by those who do not have permission. And you, sir, are nowhere near being granted permission.”

[pyrrhuscairen]

Never in his life had Pyrrhus thought the spiders just learned not to be around a certain times. The patterns tended to do with the weather-- more were around if it was rainy-- at least for himself. The girl however seemed to carry herself with a sort of pride that he realized he had insulted. Not that he cared much, for this girl was not one of the known witches in Nore. Pyrrhus himself often thought he was better than others because of his powers, but now he wondered whether this girl's attitudes came from his being a homeless peasant. 

"Right," he replied, "I didn't plan on touching you much anyways. I do not imagine it would be all too pleasant."

[ravenspeaker]

Ursula noticed him. It was impossible not to. A young boy, burning with power, magic dripping from the heat of his body. She went about her task of scolding Cesar for insulting the merchant she was haggling prices with. But no matter how she ignored him, his presence weighed upon her. She hated to be watched, hated when people were too cowardly to simply come up and talk to her. And when she was done, Ursula turned, goods in hand, boredom in her eyes.

"Even street rats have better zhings to do zhan watch an old spider buy her supplies for dinner," she scolded, running a finger down Cesar’s beak. "Unless, of course, you want somezhing. Speak, boy. You are not a dog." Yet. Though that was only implied.

[pyrrhuscairen]

Pyrrhus hadn't expected Ursula to turn and approach him first. Like Cynwrig had been, she didn't seem too keen on being watched either. But, Pyrrhus looked past this as just a small detail that could easily be bypassed. The most important thing was that he now had Ursula's attention.  The trick now was just to figure out how to keep the witch's attention. 

Pressing his lips together Pyrrhus thought about how to word what he needed to. He was not one for asking things, hinting was the normal way he went about it. However he remembered that the other witch had not been so fond of his doing this. Pyrrhus exhaled before letting out the question he was most nervous to ask. "I wanted help," he said simply. 

[thedarkwitch-cynwrig]

[Cynwrig watched as the rock levitated off the ground, scrutinizing the control the young lad had over it. His hold was steady, and he was able to speak while he moved it, which was certainly a positive sign. But as he’d said, it wasn’t terribly impressive. Still, there was promise. And Cynwrig could certainly cultivate promise, if it was worth his time.]

You know, it is rather impolite that you have not yet introduced yourself to me. [With a snap of his fingers, the floating rock flew into his open palm.] Also, I fail to see how some vague slight of hand is meant to explain why you have been trailing after me for months. Speak plainly, boy, what is it that you want of me?

[pyrrhuscairen]

[Pyrrhus dropped his and tapped his fingers against his thighs. Straightforwardness was not at all his way of doing things, but it appeared to by Cynwrig's way so he didn't see any other choice.]

I go by Pyrrhus. I was hoping, perhaps, for some assistance in my learning. It is rather difficult trying to figure things out on one's own, you see.