Whisper to iron (closed)

[twin_blade]

WHO: Vax'ildan Vessar, Dion Lesage
WHEN: January
WHERE: Near the apartments
WHAT: Thief lessons
NOTES\WARNINGS: None.



[ It's been a rough couple of weeks since returning to Etraya. Between people disappearing and conducting searches, all the upset and worry can wear a half-elf down. Vax needs to remember that he can't simply dwell on those unfortunate circumstances all the time, even if brooding is something he's quite good at.

After recently gifting Dion a set of lockpicks, he needs to follow through with teaching Dion how to use them, and that provides a welcome distraction.

At first, he thought he'd just have Dion practice on a few padlocks, but then, he thought he'd make it a bit more interesting. Vax sends a message, asking Dion if he's up for some lessons and invites him to meet at an empty three-story building a few blocks from the apartments. That's where Vax is waiting outside for his friend to arrive. ]

Comments

[oblige]

[ Dion thinks he was either lucky or it's some lingering effect of his time in the bunker. In either case, his small successes thus far don't quite feel earned. ]

That doesn't surprise me.

[ If all locks functioned similarly, it would likely be easier for people to become skilled in getting past them.

He gestures for Vax to lead the way, since he knows what they're looking for. ]

What would you consider the most difficult to contend with?

[twin_blade]

[ Vax moves down the hall, glancing from one door to the next and stops before another for them to try. ]

In my world? Magic locks. Can't pick 'em.

[ He's sure there's plenty of locks from other worlds with designs he's unfamiliar with, too. ]

Try this one.

[oblige]

I suppose magic would complicate something otherwise mechanical.

[ The electronic varieties on Earth would pose their own problems, no doubt.

Dion looks the door over, finding it appears no different from the others. ]

Do you wish to test it first?

[ He didn't get to see Vax show off his skill since that last door refused to cooperate. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax hesitates but supposes he should, since he doesn't want Dion to practice on another busted door.

A nod, and he crouches down in front of the door, opening a hand to use Dion's tools again. He has his own, of course, but he also wants to ensure there's no issue with the picks.

He gets to work, eyes narrowing slightly in concentration. After a few moments, there's a click and the lock releases with a soft sigh of relief. He only feels slightly better after the last door refused to budge. ]

[oblige]

[ Dion observes quietly until that click comes. This door should be fine then. ]

You made that look easy.

[ He doesn't know whether Vax needs to hear that, but he says it anyway. Skill deserves acknowledgement. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax shrugs slightly, reaching around the door to turn the lock and shut the door again so Dion can practice on it. ]

So will you.

[ The tools are offered back to his friend. ]

[oblige]

[ Dion accepts the tools back, expression openly dubious. ]

I lack your breadth of experience.

[ So he has his doubts that he is going to make it look as straightforward as Vax did. Still, he kneels to make an attempt at it. The mechanisms are the same as previous locks, just more numerous, so he keeps that in mind.

He just doesn't expect the door to unlock soon thereafter. ]

...Is this some other form of jest?

[ Like that little bird earlier? ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax steps back to allow Dion some room. He hasn't even had time to get comfortable where he is before he hears the click. Unbelievable.

A soft chuckle follows Dion's question. ]

Not at all. Like I said, you're a natural.

[oblige]

It's difficult to think that could be the case.

[ Somehow it just feels unreal to him, as though some external factor is at play. But he reminds himself that Vax did make it clear what he was trying to do and how it worked. Maybe that made all the difference.

Whatever the case may be, he pockets the tools and gets back to his feet. ]

I'd not have had cause to try though, considering...

[ Dion points to the doorknob that bested them prior. A bolt of light bounds fron his fingertip to strike the knob, piercing clean through. It drops to the floor with a tinny clack. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Perhaps Dion's time in the bunker really did wear off on him, but Vax doesn't want to bring up unpleasant memories.

As Dion sends a shot of light that destroys the doorknob, leaving the apartment door to sway open, Vax blinks a few times, then chuckles softly. ]

Well, that also works.

[ So long as Dion has his powers, no locks will hold him, and Vax is glad about that. ]

[oblige]

Provided subtlety isn't a necessity, of course.

[ And provided he has his powers. That always seems a toss-up, with their missions. It's unnerving when he can't channel his aether, as though he has been fettered, yet with nothing to break free of.

In the present, however, they have been avenged. The jammed doorknob is no more. ]

Were there other locks here you intended me to try?

[ Dion has never considered what varieties of locks might or might not exist in apartment buildings. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax shakes his head. ]

I didn't expect you to master it so quickly. I'll need to find some other types to challenge you with. We can stop for now.

[oblige]

Mastering is too generous, I should think.

[ He may have managed with these locks, but he hesitates to think that means he'd reliably do so in the future.

Still, it's kind of Vax to phrase it that way. ]

Regardless, thank you for the time you put into this.

[twin_blade]

[ Vax shrugs a bit and turns to move back down the hall with Dion. ]

It was nothing.

[ If anything, it was a brief reprieve from his daily search for Clive, which he'll get back to soon enough. ]

[oblige]

It was not nothing to me.

[ Dion falls into step beside him, supposing they've no reason to linger. They do have Rosfields to look for and look after.

But when they return to the room with the locked mail boxes, Dion does pause to relocate the one he opened before. ]

Allow me a moment.

[twin_blade]

[ Vax is glad Dion got something out of it, then. His skill sure surprised Vax.

As they pass into the entrance of the building, Vax pauses when Dion goes to the mailboxes. He opens the exit door, letting a little light into the dusty lobby and waits as a fresher breeze enters, stirring the feathers of his cloak. ]

[oblige]

[ Dion takes the time to get back into the box and extract the little plush bird. He closes the box once he does, tucking his tools away, and strolls over to where Vax is waiting. ]

It seemed a shame to leave the little fellow behind.

[ Vax confirmed he put it there, so Dion's not taking some stranger's uncannily Vax-appropriate toy. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax notices how efficiently Dion opens the box a second time. Dion might deny it, but Vax thinks he's probably a natural.

Once Dion joins him, he looks at the bird and smiles a bit. ]

I'm sure he appreciates it.

[ He lets Dion step out first and shuts the door behind them, then states casually. ]

Oh, I got you a death pass, by the way.

[oblige]

[ Dion, on the other hand, would argue he has a good teacher.

But since the thought isn't voiced, he can't fight it. He steps back outside with the small plush bird, handling it with care more appropriate to something very breakable.

The casual announcement halts him in his tracks. ]

But you're averse to making requests of Aurora.

[ He recalls Vax suggesting he might, but he hadn't dwelled on that. ]

[twin_blade]

[ The little bird will be well cared for. What a lucky guy!

When it's mentioned that a death pass means he must have made the request of Aurora, Vax groans softly and looks up at the sky. ]

Ugh, don't remind me. But she's the only one with the power to do it.

[ Necessary evil, he'd call it. ]

[oblige]

[ Here Dion is thinking it's Vax's property so it should be treated with care...

The reaction's about what he expected, and he smiles softly for it. ]

Indeed she is... [ He lapses into silence for a time, touched that Vax went to the trouble on his account. ] You need not have done so on my account, but thank you.

[twin_blade]

[ Need not have done so? ]

Didn't I say the same thing to you? Or are you too mighty and invulnerable to worry about?

[ He doesn't think Dion believes that bit of teasing. ]

If you're going to get me one and neglect yourself, it falls to me to correct that.

[oblige]

[ Indeed Dion doesn't think that of himself. He'd fought far too long against a foe who could fell him with a single blow to harbor such delusions of power. ]

I suppose that makes us even then, for you would not have considered one for yourself.

[ It seems Vax had only been willing to make a request of Aurora because it was for another's sake, after all. ]

Would you care to visit the diner? I've some time yet, since I wasn't certain what to expect for today.

[twin_blade]

[ The sheepish look means Dion is right. He would not have asked Aurora for one if it was just for himself. ]

Weird they call it a death pass, isn't it? I mean, you can still die, even if you have one.

[ So it's still better to avoid it all-together. Vax perks up a bit at mention of the diner. ]

Sure. I could use a bite to eat before I start looking again.

[ He'll forget to do so while hunting for Clive. ]

[oblige]

[ In turn Dion smiles softly, knowing full well Vax is liable to forget about meals while on the search. They're alike in putting others before themselves, in his observation. ]

Then let's see what new dishes await us.

[ Trying something new there is never boring, and the selection is broad enough that it could be quite some time before they exhaust that menu. On that note— ]

Supposedly, they also have "off-the-menu" items if one knows what to ask for. It seems a curious practice for an eating establishment.

[ Perhaps they'll figure that out sometime. In any case, with their destination decided, Dion turns and starts walking toward the diner. ]