[ The person who answers the door is not Adrian, but The Knave does recognize this woman as an associate of his. What can she say, she likes to people-watch.
Thus she isn't overly surprised, only paying the unexpected face a second's extra consideration before responding cordially, if seriously. ]
Greetings. I am The Knave. Adrian is currently staying here, yes?
[ She asks, but it isn't a question. ]
If he hasn't managed to get himself killed in the scant time since I've seen him, then allow me to leave this for him. There is more than enough to share, if you'd like to partake as well.
[ She presents: the dish. Her movements are controlled and elegant, as if she were a server of fine dining — which makes it all the more incongruous when she uncovers the plate to reveal what appears to be a minor massacre. Lacking the tools for proper presentation, the unevenly cubed (meat) fruit mix is piled haphazardly, looking more like a savory salad on bread with a yolk hat on top. The flavor is fair enough though, if overly chunky steak tartare is your thing.
There is not one, but three of these things arranged on the plate. Generosity or unspoken criticism that Adrian needs more meat on his bones? That's anyone's guess. ]
[ Fern's face twitches for a moment as she processes that this woman must know about her and that Adrian even shared with her where they're staying. She's aware that Adrian is far more open with information about them and their whereabouts than she would normally be, which is a risk she must take on if they're going to continue to share the fees for these motel rooms they make use of every so often.
Normally, she might have shown further irritation and unease at being perceived in this way, but the food offering (and perhaps the spores in the room) help to smooth things over slightly. ]
... The Knave. [ Is that a title? She looks the stranger up and down again with a studying gaze. ] I assume you already know my name, then. [ She's not thrilled about it, to be honest.
Although the comment about Adrian getting himself killed draws far more of her attention. There's a knowingness to that tone, and more than that, Adrian has never mentioned this woman to her. It's odd, because he tends to tell her about most of the people who he interacts with via idle conversation here and there. So... why the omission? There must be a reason.
Then the food is revealed, and Fern isn't quite ready for what she sees next. She was expecting the raw meat, but the presentation leaves a bit to be desired. Not that she's much of a judge of such things, and so after a pause, she takes the plate. ]
I'll set it aside for him, though he usually isn't much of a meat-eater. [ You know, save for when the meat is the heart of a recently-deceased person. Nonetheless, they do have a little box that keeps things cold in the room, meaning that she can keep it for him until he returns and see if he wants any of it for himself.
Instead of leaving it at that, though, and shutting the door on the woman after thanking her, Fern can't help but ask: ] ... How do you two know one another?
[ Fern's studies will find The Knave immaculately presented, from her crisp formal clothing, to her precisely groomed hair and makeup, to the fresh floral scent about her. Everything about her is sharp — including the red-and-black nails that tip her blackened hands and her wicked stiletto heels. Her posture lacks true hostility, but it is confident, almost intensely so.
Adrian's companion is clearly a warier sort than he is — a fact The Knave finds interesting. "I assume you already know my name, then." Quite interesting indeed. Her lips spread mildly into a smile. ]
It would seem our dear friend Adrian is shyer than I thought. But no matter.
[ She's witnessed Adrian's earnest nature firsthand, and it sounds like his companion expects him to be forthcoming about a majority of things. Yet he's been withholding information about The Knave from her. Why? If Adrian is convinced of The Knave's decency, then there should be no reason for him to avoid mentioning her. How... fun. She crosses her arms and touches her cheek in an exaggeration of thought. ]
As it so happens, I first met him in passing. I chanced upon him in my travels only recently... Ah, but I'm afraid I'm not much of a storyteller. [ False. ] In short, we had a fleeting adventure together. I'm sure he'll do an admirable job regaling you with the details.
[ Have fun with that, Adrian. The Knave has no intention of getting entangled in whatever predicament he's accidentally laid for himself. She will, however, seize this small opportunity to vent. ]
But I must say that he's a bit more reckless than one would hope for. A constant concern, I imagine.
[ The woman's sharp, put-together look is certainly eye-catching. Fern would normally think she belonged to some branch of high society, but if that were the case, she wouldn't be caught dead anywhere near this motel. No, it seems to be more that she cares about how she presents herself to others, perhaps due to some position she held back home.
The answer that she gives about how she and Adrian met is frustratingly vague, and while Fern does wish that she could read between the lines a bit more, there doesn't seem to be much to find there (Insight: 11). Perhaps that's on purpose, as this woman would prefer she ask Adrian directly.
Well, Fern is perfectly fine with that. ]
... Yes, I'll be sure to ask him for the details when he returns. [ She's just turning back to cover up the plate of food and place it in the "mini fridge," as it's called, when there's that moment of venting which gives her pause. She looks back, still holding the plate. ]
... Then it seems you've had more than just a pleasant conversation with him. [ Not that it takes long to pick up on that particular character trait of Adrian's. ] Unfortunately, I don't think he'll be changing his ways any time soon, so if you do want to be his acquaintance, it's something you'll have to get used to.
[ But she sounds tired when she says this, rather than dismissive. Commiserating, even. ]
[ The Knave studies the woman's reaction. She looks like a long-suffering wife, but without apparent affection — clearly someone who's tied her fate to Adrian's long enough for their mismatched edges to dull against each other. It makes The Knave curious. ]
[ Fern is self-aware enough to realize that the way she and Adrian speak of each other and interact might be odd to an outsider. The bond between them was forged in the strangest of places, and has been tested multiple times besides through Adrian's less than wise choices.
Any uncertainty she might have felt about sharing more information with a complete stranger seems to be absent, though she'll only realize the oddity of that after the fact. With the food covered and safely stored away, Fern returns to the doorway where The Knave still stands. ]
We've been through a lot together. [ She also keeps it vague, for now. It seems only fair. ] ... Not here in Diadem, but before arriving here. When we realized we'd both been brought here, it felt only natural to continue to stick together.
[ As for his flaws being worth enduring, that's more difficult to speak on, or form any sort of opinion about without digging into relatively fresh wounds. So she leaves it at that. ]
Ah, compatriots from the same world. That does explain things. Even I've found myself maintaining ties with someone from my world that I otherwise wouldn't.
[ Not that there's anything wrong with Wriothesley. On the contrary, he's easy to get along with. Their jobs just didn't mesh very well with each other back home.
In any case, it's handy knowing that Adrian has someone he's irreversibly tied to... and doesn't want knowing about certain escapades. ]
I do hope this doesn't sound too forward of me, but would you be amenable to an exchanging of numbers? As you know, Adrian is the sort of person to get himself into unpredictable situations. Perhaps you'd be willing to serve as... an emergency contact of sorts.
[ Someone from her world? Fern hasn't heard of that many people who also have someone here from home with them, though the relationship sounds a bit more distant compared to what she has with Adrian.
It has occurred to her that they don't need to stay together like this, but it's become habit by now, and she prefers to be able to check in with him regularly. So it goes, for now, but she does wonder if it ever might change... If Adrian might someday decide he wants space from her.
At the question, though, Fern can't help but let out a huff of a breath that might be bordering on a laugh, if you squint. ]
Unpredictable situations. That's one way of putting it. [ But she nods, walking over to her large adventurer's pack in the corner of the room to dig out her phone. She still isn't all that used to having it on her at all times, so it's often tucked away there rather than in her pocket. ] So you expect you'll work with him again, at some point?
[ If this Knave hasn't yet decided that Adrian is more trouble than he's worth, then that says something about her as well. ]
"Expect" might be a strong word, but it wouldn't surprise me. Never mind my own intentions; Adrian is the sort of person you couldn't shake if you tried.
[ Just a gut feeling. She has a lot of those that end up being right.
She prepares the new contact page on her phone for the other woman to fill out whenever she's ready to take it. The phone is a little red thing, its soft buttons curiously pockmarked. (The keys are too small; The Knave is forced to peck at them with her pointed nails when she types.) ]
But I won't deny that he's talented. Certainly useful to have around.
[ The sort of person you couldn't shake. Yes, that might well be true. It's not like he's suggested that they go their separate ways yet, even though it's no longer as imperative that they remain together, as it had been in Barovia.
But that must mean that this Knave has made some sort of impression on Adrian, if she believes that he'll seek her out again. And get himself into trouble in the process.
She steps over, tilting her head when the phone is offered, but after a pause she takes it to type in her name and number. The keys are incredibly small, but with some effort she's able to get the correct string of letters and numbers in. ]
... You've seen some of his magic, then? [ Asked as she returns the phone. Well, that's some sort of clue. ] He is an adept warlock. [ She would never deny that. She's become quite used to expecting his support during a fight. ]
[ So there are magic-wielders where this Knave is from, then. That's one tidbit of information to keep in mind, though Fern also notes that it seems as if magic is not quite as robust in this woman's world. Interesting...
At what seems to be a joking comment, she raises an eyebrow and shakes her head. For all of Adrian's faults, this is not one she would necessarily put on him. He's never been the sort of person to yearn for fame or recognition. No, it was often quite the opposite. ]
While he's quite skilled, no, it's nothing like that. [ There's a small curve of her lips into a smile, and then she shrugs. ] The usage of magic is fairly common for us, and he's done a decent amount of expanding his collection of spells, as well as inheriting magical power from a patron.
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PARTYYY
Thus she isn't overly surprised, only paying the unexpected face a second's extra consideration before responding cordially, if seriously. ]
Greetings. I am The Knave. Adrian is currently staying here, yes?
[ She asks, but it isn't a question. ]
If he hasn't managed to get himself killed in the scant time since I've seen him, then allow me to leave this for him. There is more than enough to share, if you'd like to partake as well.
[ She presents: the dish. Her movements are controlled and elegant, as if she were a server of fine dining — which makes it all the more incongruous when she uncovers the plate to reveal what appears to be a minor massacre. Lacking the tools for proper presentation, the unevenly cubed (meat) fruit mix is piled haphazardly, looking more like a savory salad on bread with a yolk hat on top. The flavor is fair enough though, if overly chunky steak tartare is your thing.
There is not one, but three of these things arranged on the plate. Generosity or unspoken criticism that Adrian needs more meat on his bones? That's anyone's guess. ]
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Normally, she might have shown further irritation and unease at being perceived in this way, but the food offering (and perhaps the spores in the room) help to smooth things over slightly. ]
... The Knave. [ Is that a title? She looks the stranger up and down again with a studying gaze. ] I assume you already know my name, then. [ She's not thrilled about it, to be honest.
Although the comment about Adrian getting himself killed draws far more of her attention. There's a knowingness to that tone, and more than that, Adrian has never mentioned this woman to her. It's odd, because he tends to tell her about most of the people who he interacts with via idle conversation here and there. So... why the omission? There must be a reason.
Then the food is revealed, and Fern isn't quite ready for what she sees next. She was expecting the raw meat, but the presentation leaves a bit to be desired. Not that she's much of a judge of such things, and so after a pause, she takes the plate. ]
I'll set it aside for him, though he usually isn't much of a meat-eater. [ You know, save for when the meat is the heart of a recently-deceased person. Nonetheless, they do have a little box that keeps things cold in the room, meaning that she can keep it for him until he returns and see if he wants any of it for himself.
Instead of leaving it at that, though, and shutting the door on the woman after thanking her, Fern can't help but ask: ] ... How do you two know one another?
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Adrian's companion is clearly a warier sort than he is — a fact The Knave finds interesting. "I assume you already know my name, then." Quite interesting indeed. Her lips spread mildly into a smile. ]
It would seem our dear friend Adrian is shyer than I thought. But no matter.
[ She's witnessed Adrian's earnest nature firsthand, and it sounds like his companion expects him to be forthcoming about a majority of things. Yet he's been withholding information about The Knave from her. Why? If Adrian is convinced of The Knave's decency, then there should be no reason for him to avoid mentioning her. How... fun. She crosses her arms and touches her cheek in an exaggeration of thought. ]
As it so happens, I first met him in passing. I chanced upon him in my travels only recently... Ah, but I'm afraid I'm not much of a storyteller. [ False. ] In short, we had a fleeting adventure together. I'm sure he'll do an admirable job regaling you with the details.
[ Have fun with that, Adrian. The Knave has no intention of getting entangled in whatever predicament he's accidentally laid for himself. She will, however, seize this small opportunity to vent. ]
But I must say that he's a bit more reckless than one would hope for. A constant concern, I imagine.
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The answer that she gives about how she and Adrian met is frustratingly vague, and while Fern does wish that she could read between the lines a bit more, there doesn't seem to be much to find there (Insight: 11). Perhaps that's on purpose, as this woman would prefer she ask Adrian directly.
Well, Fern is perfectly fine with that. ]
... Yes, I'll be sure to ask him for the details when he returns. [ She's just turning back to cover up the plate of food and place it in the "mini fridge," as it's called, when there's that moment of venting which gives her pause. She looks back, still holding the plate. ]
... Then it seems you've had more than just a pleasant conversation with him. [ Not that it takes long to pick up on that particular character trait of Adrian's. ] Unfortunately, I don't think he'll be changing his ways any time soon, so if you do want to be his acquaintance, it's something you'll have to get used to.
[ But she sounds tired when she says this, rather than dismissive. Commiserating, even. ]
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I did gather that he can be a bit stubborn.
[ There's a hint of a jest there. ]
Yet you seem to find his flaws worth enduring.
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Any uncertainty she might have felt about sharing more information with a complete stranger seems to be absent, though she'll only realize the oddity of that after the fact. With the food covered and safely stored away, Fern returns to the doorway where The Knave still stands. ]
We've been through a lot together. [ She also keeps it vague, for now. It seems only fair. ] ... Not here in Diadem, but before arriving here. When we realized we'd both been brought here, it felt only natural to continue to stick together.
[ As for his flaws being worth enduring, that's more difficult to speak on, or form any sort of opinion about without digging into relatively fresh wounds. So she leaves it at that. ]
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[ Not that there's anything wrong with Wriothesley. On the contrary, he's easy to get along with. Their jobs just didn't mesh very well with each other back home.
In any case, it's handy knowing that Adrian has someone he's irreversibly tied to... and doesn't want knowing about certain escapades. ]
I do hope this doesn't sound too forward of me, but would you be amenable to an exchanging of numbers? As you know, Adrian is the sort of person to get himself into unpredictable situations. Perhaps you'd be willing to serve as... an emergency contact of sorts.
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It has occurred to her that they don't need to stay together like this, but it's become habit by now, and she prefers to be able to check in with him regularly. So it goes, for now, but she does wonder if it ever might change... If Adrian might someday decide he wants space from her.
At the question, though, Fern can't help but let out a huff of a breath that might be bordering on a laugh, if you squint. ]
Unpredictable situations. That's one way of putting it. [ But she nods, walking over to her large adventurer's pack in the corner of the room to dig out her phone. She still isn't all that used to having it on her at all times, so it's often tucked away there rather than in her pocket. ] So you expect you'll work with him again, at some point?
[ If this Knave hasn't yet decided that Adrian is more trouble than he's worth, then that says something about her as well. ]
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[ Just a gut feeling. She has a lot of those that end up being right.
She prepares the new contact page on her phone for the other woman to fill out whenever she's ready to take it. The phone is a little red thing, its soft buttons curiously pockmarked. (The keys are too small; The Knave is forced to peck at them with her pointed nails when she types.) ]
But I won't deny that he's talented. Certainly useful to have around.
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But that must mean that this Knave has made some sort of impression on Adrian, if she believes that he'll seek her out again. And get himself into trouble in the process.
She steps over, tilting her head when the phone is offered, but after a pause she takes it to type in her name and number. The keys are incredibly small, but with some effort she's able to get the correct string of letters and numbers in. ]
... You've seen some of his magic, then? [ Asked as she returns the phone. Well, that's some sort of clue. ] He is an adept warlock. [ She would never deny that. She's become quite used to expecting his support during a fight. ]
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I have. His abilities are more versatile than I would normally see from magic-wielders of my world. There, he might be respected indeed for his skill.
[ Though his more powerful spells needing so much time to recover might put a damper on his perceived might... Half-joking, her tone lifts. ]
I don't suppose you'll tell me he was a renowned mage, famed throughout the land?
feel free to drop this if it's too old!
At what seems to be a joking comment, she raises an eyebrow and shakes her head. For all of Adrian's faults, this is not one she would necessarily put on him. He's never been the sort of person to yearn for fame or recognition. No, it was often quite the opposite. ]
While he's quite skilled, no, it's nothing like that. [ There's a small curve of her lips into a smile, and then she shrugs. ] The usage of magic is fairly common for us, and he's done a decent amount of expanding his collection of spells, as well as inheriting magical power from a patron.