[ 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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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. ]
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
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.