[Open] who's the woman for whom we all kill?

[tricky_bowman]

He's been a recluse, Tristan. He managed to escape the blizzard. He managed to survive, hiding in one of those caves away from the Mansion1. He hunted, he lived alone in the woods for a while, visiting very occasionally the Merlin's hut - mostly to warm himself by the receding flames of the fire2. He's studiously avoided any contact - Tristan feels

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[blindbomber]

Icarus is outside, not really wanting to be inside at the moment, enjoying what warmth he can get from the sun and eating a 'small' pack lunch he'd made up for himself inside.

It the sound of unfamiliar footsteps and the scent of blood and feathers that catches his attention from his spot in a tree near the Mansion's grounds and he frowns.

"Um... hello?" He's pretty sure it's not someone he knows, but the whole feathers .... and blood.... it's a bit worrying. His own wings tighten even more under his heavy winter coat.

[tricky_bowman]

"Good morrow," Tristan replies, lifting a hand in greeting. His tone is unfailingly polite - you can expect Tristan to always be contained.

"Art well?"

His accent is heavily Cornish, rolled Rs and a lot of brogue that could almost be confused for Scottish. Thankfully, the Mansion is translating most of his medieval English.

[blindbomber]

He doesn't see the hand, but he does wave a bit himself. "Er, yeah." Wow, that accent. He's never heard anything like it before.

"Sorry if I'm being rude, but ... I can smell blood. Are you okay?"

[tricky_bowman]

Oh. Tristan finally noticed the hazy eyes - and laughs, to demonstrate that all is well.

"Aye, aye," he replies, grinning. "T'is only a few fowls, caught for ye olde hearth. Fear not, aye. All's well. I shan't bleed myself an' give up the spirit."

[needsmoarshiny]

Still faintly depressed dragon!

But she's making an effort. And even halfheartedly went and got a cow yesterday. She's still hiding, though, because there were people hacking at her, and she has a crick in her neck from the way she's been sleeping. However, she is fairly easily found, making a little bit of an effort to get the large rocks out of her cave and smooth down the sides. She's very glad none of her friends are here to see this, or Arkady especially, because it's not dignified at all.

[tricky_bowman]

They might perhaps meet then, at a moment when Tristan is on his way out - and he'll spot her, and pause. And clear his throat.

[needsmoarshiny]

She keeps her eyes shut, pretending to be utterly unconscious. The little twitch of her wings or her eyelid probably betrays her, though.

[tricky_bowman]

Tristan smiles and sits on a rock nearby, waiting. He's actually quite relaxed, for a dragon-slayer.

He has no clue what went down at the Mansion that day.

[comesindreams]

Sebastian is still a little haggard from the experience of having his lover forget him almost entirely, but he's getting a little better. And will wander out not expecting anyone, as usual, and start a little on seeing Tristan.

And then pause. They haven't spoken for a while, and his relationship with the knights that call themselves Guinevere's has never been...amiable.

[tricky_bowman]

Tristan hasn't noticed his presence yet - he's just warming his hands by the hearth before he goes off again and is lost in thought...

[comesindreams]

"...enjoying the fire?"

Might as well start out dry. It's probably easiest.

[tricky_bowman]

"But for a moment. Shall I leave?" His tone is neutral - he's not here for Sebastian.

[ice_white_lady]

Sybel has become, over the months, almost unbearably lonely. She misses her beasts. She misses Tam. She misses the quiet house on Eld Mountain where she was really alone, not surrounded by strangers. And she still wakes up in horror every night remembering what could have been.

However, outwardly she is as aloof and untouchable as ever. Sitting on the porch and focusing her energy once again on calling Cyrin, the wise boar, she senses someone approaching and recognizes him. Just to test herself, she murmurs his name, under her breath, to see if she can compel him to come to her, at least.

[tricky_bowman]

Compulsion can't be resisted - not when Tristan is a simple human, and Sybel is the powerful sorceress that she is.

So where ever she is -- he comes, then.

Can I have some details on the compulsion, exactly?

[ice_white_lady]

Sybel will be gratified to see that it works. She smiles at Tristan, even, or almost, her eyes and face as pale as ever.

It basically just creates an urge to go to whoever is uttering it, and nothing more. Just a summoning type of thing.

[tricky_bowman]

He bows when he sees her. "My lady." It's a polite greeting, he's not sure what he's doing here...

[tricky_bowman]

That's so nice! Tristan smile. "Aye, if it please you. Forgive my intrusion - the Merlin mentioned he minded little if I stole the heat of his hearth a moment."

[tricky_bowman]

Tristan bows. "And I am Tristram, son of Rivalen, of Lyonesse," he offers quite politely. "The reputation of your father precedes you, master Adaon."

It would be highly surprising for someone such as Tristan, who is also an accomplished harpist, not to have at least heard Taliesin's name.

He really should get a harp one of these days, too. >.> &hearts &hearts &hearts