Starlight

[The Future Warrior]

Really, she just didn't get why this guy was so jumpy and serious about everything. She'd already planned to not say anything about being affiliated with the Empire, that just seemed silly, when dealing with someone who was from that place's sworn enemy. Or something like that. She might have been a little slow, but she wasn't dumb. Really.

And the whole worry about this guy having seen them fight before, what was that about? Fighting wasn't really all that uncommon. Besides, given the circumstances at the time, it didn't really seem like it would be that big of a deal for someone to know about. It had kind of been a big, unpleasant ordeal all around. Death tournament or something, after all. She didn't really want to think about it much, but it was what it was. They'd fought, and then the thing had ended, and they didn't seem to be on hostile terms anymore.

It was how she'd ended up making a lot of friends before, really. Less of that whole 'to the death' part of those fights, but still. Same thing really, right?

Regardless, she opted to make one of the smartest choices she could have under the situation, and leave all the words and talking to the Sage. He seemed to have a more decent handle on this whole business, anyway. Following him through the doorway as he pushed it open, she peered around curiously. Rather...unimpressive, but then again she didn't really know what to expect in the first place. What she did know was that there was more in here than just the astronomer. Even without her scouter she could sense them, and for just a moment it put her on edge, making her hesitate. People around that she couldn't see...maybe just helpers or something, maybe people intentionally hiding to spy or something. Maybe just bodyguards for the astronomer, he had been well out of his element for some time now. She tried to shake it off, and focus on the important business.

Specifically, the business of the astronomer they'd finally managed to find. She tuned back in just in time to see the man in question in the middle of an introduction with the Sage, looking a bit...nervous, and tired. Given the hour, the tired part was understandable, for people who slept. The nervous part, well...yeah, maybe that one was expected too.

"The Humble Sage, is what I am called," she distantly heard. "...and this, is my...traveling companion, Graowr," the Sage spoke up, loud enough for her to hear, and for it to pre-emptively jar her out of her another mental wandering.

She raised a hand in a wave in response to her introduction, earning a very pointed stare from the Astronomer. She could feel it boring into her, studying her intently. It sharply swung back and forth between here and the Sage, first once, then again. "So, you two...work together? After that run-in you had in that Dante's Abyss thing?"

At the mere mention of it, the majin's shoulders drooped a little and her expression dropped. "That...that was..."

"That was just part of the event," the Sage cut in. "That was business, of the sort that was at hand. And so is this, business of the matter at hand. Both looking for the same thing, and two pairs of eyes are better than one." The offered explanation hung in the air uncomfortably heavy for nearly a full minute, the Astronomer staring pointedly at the old man before he broke off, heaving a sigh. "Yes, yes...I'm sure...even primes need a helping hand now and then, I suppose. Especially out in a place like this."

He ambled off, muttering darkly to himself, before shaking his head to get his thoughts in order again. "Bud Dupree," he finally said, turning around to face them again. "Astronomer, from Dalaran. Though I think you already knew that." The look in his eyes suggested he already knew the answer to what was about to pass his lips, but he spoke it anyway. "And what brings you here?"

By now, Graowr had completely forgotten her initial intent to just remain silent and let the Sage handle the business of talking. Before the old man could make a response, she piped up. "Lookin' for a star piece that fell here!" She tapped at her scouter, pulling the information back up. "They fell in...all but one verse. I was supposed to meet someone else out here, but think I missed them, and I decided to try and find the one that fell here, since I was already here."

The Sage managed to stifle the disgruntled and somewhat irritated sigh, managing to force out his own response over it. "And I'm here to help in locating the star piece as well. I ran across this one..." He gestured at the majin. "...by coincidence, and here we are." He rummaged around for something, pulling out a small bundle of papers. "I have this, from one of your colleagues. They suggested I come here, to assist."

Oh, right. He did have that. Maybe she really should have just stayed quiet.

All word/character counts according to wordcounter.net
Word Count -- This Post: 855 // Total Word Count: 6,588
Character Count -- This Post: 4,803 // Total Character Count: 32,059