Private with Mercer

[FluffyFox]

I turned my head towards Mercer as he asked me how it was to leave the town. My gaze drifted to the ground and I sighed."I will miss it, I know I may not have been liked or treated well there, but it will always be the place that I was born, and my mother is there. She was the only person who was ever nice to me once they found out about my powers." I said and looked back out the window.

 

[Tombstone]

Seria's statement caught Mercer off guard. Her parents had disowned her, yet her mother was nice? "I thought you said your parents abandoned you?" he asked. He was probably quick to judge because of the bad relationship he had with his parents. They had always cared more about power than giving him a a few moments out of the day, like typical noblemen. The only thing he felt when he left had been relief.

 

[FluffyFox]

I looked over at him as tears came into my eyes before I looked at the ground."My mother passed away when I turned ten, I was disowned later that year when my new step-mom convinced my father I must go." I said and looked out the window."My mother did not care about my magic or anything else like that. She would braid my hair and sing me lullabies, my father was never around after my magic was found out but my mom would spend all day with me."

 

[Tombstone]

Mercer felt like a bit of a jerk. "I......Im sorry," he said, "I wish Id have known, we could have left some flowers before we departed. It seems to me that your mother was a smart person." Mercer then looked down towards his feet. He felt bad that she had lived such sad life until now. Deep down he hoped taking her with him would give the chance to start a new successful life. The jobs that mages took varied to personal preference. Mercer was an S-Class specializing in monster and demon hunting. It was easy to say he usually took the most dangerous jobs available. The work he did in the town was a side to help improve the lives of the citizens and was fairly easy. He hoped that whatever jobs Seria took would keep her safe.

 

[FluffyFox]

I looked at him and smiled."It is okay, I can't even go to where she is buried anymore, my father closed the garden off from me. I can no longer go there." I said as I looked out the window. I looked back at Mercer and smiled softly." Do you think anyone will help me learn my powers or will I have to learn it on my own?" I asked as I hummed a lullaby softly. I don't know why but when ever I was nervous I would hum it, which was strange as my mother never sang me any lullabies.

 

[Tombstone]

Mercer listened to the lullaby she hummed, it was a familiar tune. For a moment his mind slipped away from reality and ventured into his past. When he was young his caretaker would put him to bed a melody every night. The piece that Seria now recited had been one of his favorites. Still he had to answer her question before he could dive any further into his thoughts. "In short the answer is yes, but only to a point. I have no doubts that others will help you become a competent magic user. I'll even help myself if I can be of use. The thing is once you learn the basics you will be on your own. From there your training will rest solely upon your shoulders. If you want to be the best you will have to dedicate yourself to the arcane arts and rigorously practice. You should also know that each of the expert mages has their own unique style, or flair if you will. We will use myself as an example. Unlike most lighting mages I make heavy use of weaponry to conduct and channel my power into devastating blows. I also posses a greater understanding of the scientific attributes and physics surrounding electricity. This allows me to use my magic in highly unorthodox but effective ways. Developing your own style is the only way to become a powerful wizard, and that is something you must figure out on your own."

 

[FluffyFox]

I looked at him and nodded as I listened to him."I think I could do it if I learn the basics." I said and smiled. I yawned as it was getting late and we would be travelling through the night. I leaned against the wall of the carriage as I looked out the window. I wondered how long we would be travelling. My eyes slowly drifted closed and I was starting to nod off. I tried to stay awake but my eyes closed again and I was soon asleep leaning against the wall.

 

[Tombstone]

Mercer watched Seria drift off into daze. He smiled, she really did seem like a sweet girl. It was sad that someone like her had to grow up in the lifestyle which she was accustomed to. He noticed how a tuft of her hair fell over her face and thought it was a little cute. Finally he sighed and pulled a book out of his back pocket. It was the journal of a little known alchemist. It was a shame he never gained more popularity and recognition, his work was ground breaking and simply incredible. Mercer already memorized several of his formulas and recepies which he could recreate and expand upon. He continued to flip through the pages of the journal, us the light from a small charge of electricity to see. Finally, well passed the witching hour, he grew too tired to continue and fell asleep. The next thing he new he could hear the chorus of song birds. Through the window he could see the sun creeping over the distance. Even with the little light he recognized the surroundings and knew they had come a considerable distance. They had completed over a third of their journey. Chances where that they would stop in the next town to change horses.

 

[FluffyFox]

I had woken up a little before Mercer smiling at him as his head rested to the side as he slept. I closed the book that he had open as set it to the side before I looked out the window with wonder. I heard some movement so I looked to the side and saw Mercer awake."Good Morning." I said and looked back out the windows, there were no birds in the city so I had never heard them before. They were so pretty."How much longer do you think we will be riding?" I asked wanting to walk around a bit, I was never very good at sitting still for a long period of time.

 

[Tombstone]

Mercer quickly brushed his hair back with his hand. Based on the terrain they were an hour from te closest sizable town. He was nearly certain that the stage line there would be where they rested. "I'd say we'll have a chance to get out when we arrive at the town of Eddarton. It's roughly a hour or so ride from here. We'll have enough time to get some food but then we will have to return to the stage. Otherwise we'd have to catch the next one which would arrive who knows when."

 

[FluffyFox]

I nod and look out the window with a smile."Can you tell me what your guild is like?" I asked with a smile as I looked back towards him. I wanted to know more about the place I would call home. I was a little nervous, would they like me?

 

[Tombstone]

Mercer snickered to himself when he heard her question. Boy, would she be in for a surprised. The sad part was she didn't realize that she was more or less the punchline to a joke. "The mages guild, Silver Angle is often regarded as the best guild in and around this country. Even our average mages stand a head and shoulder above the rest. The select few most powerful members of our guild receive the rank of S-class. These mages take on the most dangerous and deadly tasks of all. Some of these include defeating demons, slaying ginormous monsters, saving villages from devastating plagues or even small armies. I should mention that everyone at the guild tends to have.....colorful personalities (This was an incredible understatement). However we treat each other like family, and are willing to go any distance for one another." He spared a few details for the sake of his own amusement. The shock that came to new members always gave him a good laugh and he didn't want to waste it.

 

[FluffyFox]

My eyes widened in amazement as I listened to him talk about his guild. A smile grew large and I nodded."It sounds like an amazing place." I said and looked out the window. As he had talked we approached the city's gates. Once we stopped I quickly hopped out and stretched before I looked at Mercer with a smile. I would see what he planned to do in town. I had nothing to do so I would go with him.

 

[Tombstone]

Mercer followed Seria out of the carriage. Judging from her speed she really was anxious to get out and stretch her legs. The truth was he couldn't blame her, he hated long rides two. Once he was down he saw that Seria was looking at him, it was appear ant that she was waiting to see what he would do. "Well, even masters of the arcane have to eat. How does me treating you to breakfast sound? There should be some diners opening up soon."

 

[FluffyFox]

I looked down at my hands and blushed."That sounds lovely." I said and looked at him before I turned around looking around the small square we were in for a cafe. I was hoping to find one open cause it still looked really early. I spotted one across the way and pointed."How about that one over there." I said with a smile as I grabbed Mercer's hand and started to pull on his arm lightly."Let's go!"

 

[Tombstone]

Mercer let himself get pulled along by Seria. She asked if the one cafe would be fine with him but by the way she tugged him it seemed like he didn't really have choice. He thought Seria's eagerness was kind of cute and really didn't it. "Sure, that sounds good," he said.


Once they had arrived Mercer pulled out a seat for his companion and then proceeded to sit down across from her.


When the waitress came he order coffee, biscuits with jelly, and scrambled eggs. He then waited for his partner to order. Once she had he would hope to start up a conversation.

 

[FluffyFox]

I smiled as I lead him over to the cafe. I smiled as he pulled out my seat for me."Thank you." I said as I sat down and then looked at what I could eat. I ordered an omelet and some tea. I smiled at Mercer and looked out at the square."Thank you for treating me to breakfast." I said and turned my head back to Mercer.

 

[Tombstone]

Mercer raised he head so he could look at her in the eye. "It's no problem at all. So since will be traveling together for a bit and I'm going to sponsor you, would you mind telling me a little more about yourself. What fields interest you? What kind of people do you work best with? Most wizards form or join a team which is a very effective strategy. I'd probably recommend you join one as well."

 

[FluffyFox]

I look at him as he asks the questions and I think for a moment." I don't know about how I work in groups, I've never worked with people. When ever my magic worked I had to be close to it to use and I can't send it pretty far. I don't know about teams, I think i'd be a little shy." I said softly and looked down at my hands."You were easy to get close to, but I'm a little worried about the others.

 

[Tombstone]

Mercer tapped his finger on the table for a second and thought about what Seria had to say. He then took a deep breath and spoke. "I must say that you've been pleasant company as well. The thing is you should keep the idea of joining a team in mind. If you do then you will be able to make money faster because you can rely on others. It will also benefit you as try and learn magic. Don't worry about being shy, the people at silver angle are very different than the people you are accustomed to. You'll make a lot of friends." When he was done the waitress came buy and handed the two of therm their food and drinks. Mercer picked up his coffee and took a sip.

 

[FluffyFox]

I listen to him and nodded at the end." I hope I make friends." I say and thank the waitress when she brought our food. I took a sip of my tea and started to eat very dainty like, cutting my eggs into tiny pieces and ate them in silence. After I was done I sat there sipping the last of my tea."I don't know about tea, the few times i've used my magic i've hurt everyone around me. I don't want to hurt any of the people around me on my side anymore.

 

[Tombstone]

Mercer finished off a biscuit and then took another drink of coffee. After a few moments he pulled a pocket watch out of his coat. "May I make a suggestion? We should have a little down time after breakfast. Its possible for us to go out into the woods so I can show you a few things. If I can teach you a few of the basics I know it will be a huge help once we arrive."

 

[FluffyFox]

I looked at him with wide eyes. I rapidly nodded." I would love to learn, I don't know if I will be all that good. Unless I'm near water I can't bring alot of it around to attack." I said and pouted softly as I looked at my tea."I'm not very strong or fast either." I say and frown as I slowly sip my tea.

 

[Tombstone]

Mercer analyzed what she said for a second. "The truth is that there is always water around, you just have to know whee to look. Water vapor can be found in the air and moisture can be found in the dirt. More advanced mages can even use the water flowing in a vegetation or a persons life blood. While you are nowhere near that level yet we can still help you out. While it's not much, carry a flask or two will give you plenty to work with. Besides a dagger defeat will an enemy just as effectively as a great sword. So if you want to learn how to become a competent mage there is one trick I can teach you here. You have to learn how to react quickly." As he said this he picked up a glass of water and threw it at her. "Think fast," he said. The truth was most beginning mages are subconsciously able to preform magic even though it is difficult when they think about it. He assumed this was the case with Seria.

 

[FluffyFox]

Before I could even think about it the water had stopped in midair and was then thrown back at Mercer drenching his hair. I blushed and looked at my hands."I'm sorry." I said and looked back at him."I told you i'm not all that good, if I was better I wouldn't have hit you with it." I said and finished the last of my tea."Maybe I should just not say anything anymore."