There is no defense line, but defense territory.

[noonlight]

Who: Illumination & You.
What: Various goings on at the abandoned building that Lu has moved into.
When: Throughout the second and third week of the story.
Where: A former wine merchant (possible smuggler's) abandoned house in the 'neutral' territory.
Content warnings: None, yet.

Comments

I AM HERE ... belated, but I have arrived.

[logosmaxima]

"Miracle Max" -- foreign wonderworker -- has been gaining his own reputation throughout Montica's lower-end markets. Soothing incense, lessons in magic, and -- most famously -- healings, offered freely to the most desperate and at exorbitant price to those of means seeking remedies for the afflictions of the rich. It's enough there's always a little eddy of the curious watching for him; with his crimson hair and seven-foot stature, he's easy enough to look for even in a crowd.

But today, at least, he's yet to be swarmed by those in need of his help (or the coin he often gives away). It's enough freedom he can run a few errands of his own, including visiting a stall with a certain reputation for magical efficacy that's convinced even some of Montica's more jaded souls.

That marks its proprietor out as someone he very much would like to talk to. The glamour -- subtle and convincing enough that even he must look more than once to ascertain what he thinks he's seeing -- is further enticement.

"I have," he says, "two curious items I am told you might be able to identify for me." And he sets the first of them -- the journal the Library issued him -- out for examination. Though the journals are not by their own nature enchanted, this one has a faint haze of subtle warpfire wound about it -- a simple thing of his own devising to prevent tampering without his knowing it.

More importantly, it's a proof of identity, and a question asked without words.

[noonlight]

"What a lovely book." Illumination looks it over, acting as if they're just a typical merchant, before gently smiling. "I think I might have another in the series."

With that, Lu flips a sign to show that their stall is closed for now. "I don't have a chair that's really going to suit you, but you're welcome to a crate. Or if you'd rather go for a little walk, my home quite close."

[logosmaxima]

Sign and countersign exchanged, "Max" returns the proprietor's smile with one of his one. "Truly! An individual of distinction and discernment, then."

Exactly who he'd like to speak to.

"Your home would suit. The other item is a rarity, better discussed in a quieter venue than this. Lead on -- I shall follow."

[noonlight]

And so, off they go! Illumatinion's 'home' is an abandoned house that is very well warded and hidden. Approaching the house, most people would suddenly recall that they had left the gas on, needed to be somewhere else, or just otherwise were convinced they were on the wrong street. Past that, it's hard to really see the house itself. (Odds are, none of this works even slightly on Magnus, but Lu has done their very best and it's probably good enough to fool the locals.)

The front room shows that it was clearly once some sort of shop. Maybe wine? Import-export? That would explain the smuggler's exits in the basement.

"I don't have much to offer, but I can put the kettle on for tea - or what passes for it here."

[logosmaxima]

Even if the wards don't compel him, Magnus can feel them plucking at his will like the attentions of little fish to a wader's toes. The strength and intent behind the work is worth admiring, and in fact he does so as they approach the house, eye gleaming with appreciation.

He won't speak a word of what he sees until they're well inside, though. No sense further confusing any poor mortal who is already mazed by a hard-to-see house.

"I would be glad of a cup," he says, warmly. More for the sake of engaging with another's hospitality than any need for the depressingly weak stimulants in the stuff. "Though it does seem they treat the art of the leaf as an afterthought in this poor city, does it not?"

He'll locate himself a chair and suit himself to its bulk, losing a few inches of height to better fit what he finds. No sense being uncomfortable.

"I do not believe we were formally introduced, back in the Library. I am Magnus, called 'the Red', when I am not playing at Miracle Max." Magus extraordinaire, foreign werewolf of mystery!

[noonlight]

"I couldn't really say much of anything about the 'art of the leaf', but it's hot and brown," they call out from the kitchen while they return with two ceramic cups of tea (adjacent beverage). "Close enough for horseshoes and handgrenades."

After offering him a cup, they hop up to sit on one of the shop counters. Better to be at a more reasonable eyeline, hmm?

"And we were not. I'm called Illumination, or Lu if you want to shorten it."

gremlin part of my brain read the first line and went "mmm cup of gravy"

[logosmaxima]

"So long as it doesn't explode," Magnus says cheerily, "I will be content with whatever it may be."

He accepts the cup but does not drink immediately, curling his hands around it and permitting himself time to experience its aroma in full. It is, truly, not a thing of great complexity or subtlety. But it is a piece of offered hospitality, and that flavors it.

"Illumination," he repeats, "and you are a thaumaturge of some subtle skill with appearances. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and witness your works.

"What have you made of this Story, thus far?"