The Basilica: Naoki’s Office

"Indeed, Nels Óvættrson, though Nels alone is more than acceptable." With a graceful stride he moved to the offered chair, immediately crossing his legs as he sat down and laying the staff horizontally across his lap. Though subtle, this close the presence of soft perfumes was apparent on the man, though any distinct scent beyond 'flowery' was hard to discern, as he likely could not find or immediately afford something of more specific flavoring. The dual coloring of his eyes slowly washed over the Lady's desk, face kept in a polite and warm smile as he listened to her, lingering gaze on the depictions of architecture.

"Ah, I have no complaints, truly." He spoke honestly, accenting his words with motions of his fingers, one of his hands raised from a propped elbow on the chairs arms. "I've been fed appropriately and was given clean bedding, paired with the endless kindness of people like your son, a wonderful man by the way." He praised as he briefly eyed his freshly painted nails. "More than making the best of it! I can hardly imagine things having turned out much better for the folk here. You've done a marvelous job by any metric." It was clear that honeyed words came easily to the effeminate man.

"-And because of such kindness I feel rather compelled to seek how I can repay such favor. I will not pretend some familiarity with the more laborious talents, but the more arcane aptitudes of rituals and alchemy come far more natural to myself than others. Of course, this world is... Unkind to magic. It will take time for me to find my footing, but if it so pleases you and you have directions to point me..." He offers a large smile, his sets of fangs interlinking like puzzle pieces. "I am nothing if not ambitious."

The news of his skillset being more rare and thus in more demand seems to please the man as he nods, painted lips still smiling as he patiently listens. At the mention of paperwork his eyes once more scan over her desk, as if something more could be gleaned before he gave a short nod, softly clearing his throat before responding.

"Traditionally, magic within the realm I hail from was a slow affair. The instantaneous nature of cantrips was no more 'instantaneous' than the process of making a firework, only the sparking of a larger process seemed quick. Even then, the more offensive aspects of it weren't my forte. I specifically focus in the realms of rituals that either channel magic itself or appeal to the nature of a higher force." He raises a freshly manicured hand as if to clarify. "Though I cannot feel if such higher forces exist here, they are not necessary, only useful." He moves on as he accents his words with his raised hand. "Consider rituals to be the application of alchemical reagents, runes, images, acts and-or actions, performative behaviors, blood sacrifices, and-or art that is either committed once or sustained over longer periods of time. The exact details of such depend largely on what I am asked to do, and it seems, the nature of the world.

"These rituals appeal to the nature of magic, not its form. In a way they create grooves for which water can flow. walls to guide the direction, gravity for pressure to be gained. In a world of mists, I am admittedly eager to see what can be done. As for alchemy, well it depends on what grows here. An unfortunate amount of trial and error." He pauses, snapping his fingers as if coming to a great, wondrous conclusion. "I am a marvel at making perfumes." He states with such pride and confidence that it's easy to forget that the words 'blood sacrifices' just left his mouth.

Nels gave a brief nod to the explanation of magical, and its strange thinness. He seemed, at least at a cursory glance, to understand the implications enough. The fact that confidence remained in his abilities despite this spoke of something else, either he was far more sure of his capabilities than the average mage, or he had already found some way to at least touch the local magic. Despite this confidence, he kept his cards close to his chest and simply kept that toothy, fang-filled grin that seemed all the stranger coming from painted lips

"Magic," He starts as he taps a nail of his against the strange orb encased in his staff. "Is a curious beast. I find it best to treat it like an animal. Coercing a beast is far easier once you know its nature, after all." Was his simple response. "Magic in my homeland was a dark and oft terrible force, though I may miss its extent here I believe I can more than make due with something more subdued, whatever it may be."

The offer, both of employment and of a building definitely marks a more serious tone to the conversation, one that stills Nels face as he eyes Lady Naoki more critically. Strange as he was, he clearly took this part quite seriously. He remained quiet for several seconds as the full offer was made, including a tower that made Nels eyes widen ever so slightly. As much as he wished to use any other word, material possessions did appeal to the effeminate fellow. Subtly swallowing, he rubbed a pitch-colored thumb against his staffs head, before giving a short and serious nod.

"I believe such terms of employment are more than acceptable." His words were plain, delivered with a measured cadence. His lips parted to speak more, hesitating to continue for only a moment. "A tower would be... Appreciated, if it is not an overly large strain upon existing resources. I intend to ensure my contributions are more than worthy of such immediate support, but I cannot and will not make promises for immediate results. Testing of new rituals often results in failure in some capacity, with the biggest promise of effectiveness being something happening at all. As a result of both that and perhaps more latent mystical aspects of the mists..." He closes his eyes for a moment.

"I imagine the mists themselves represent some ambient trauma to the people of this town. It would be difficult for it to not be, and thus I would imagine there are parts of this settlement where the mists are more prevalent, thicker, and thus less inhabited by the folk who wish to forget how they were touched by them. In such a place is where I would request such a structure of mine to be built. As for immediate supplies, apothecary inventory of a basic sort will do for the immediate future, as well as copies for any bestiaries or botany literature that have been created this far. From there, I believe I can at least dig my heels in." He offers another small smile, tempered by the responsibility that the employment represents, tapping the slightly-extended heels of his boots onto the floor for emphasis.

Nels pinched his chin between delicate fingers as he studied the map, strange and layered eyes taking in what he could as thoughts and options clearly ran through his mind. He was quiet for a time, lips forming echoes and ghosts of words unspoken as if he were doing math in his head, rhythmically tapping his painted nails together to create some obscure rhythm to whatever he was contemplating. "I'll choose the Eastern Road option, then. While easy access is important to such things..." He clicks his tongue, tilting his head as if imagining a fresh and dangerous variable. "Magic can go awry. As unlikely as it may be, it would be irresponsible of me to put a potential risk so near and dear to the heart of this settlement." Images flashes behind his eyes, rituals and processions happening far from the reaches of civilized people.

"Though I understand appropriate space may be limited, I would request at least a bulwark of empty ground be kept as more buildings are formed. I don't anticipate anything... Drastic, with how the air feels here. However it's better to be safe than sorry." He gives a small, toothy grin as he shifts his hand to tap at the mottled burn scar that slashes his face. "Magic is a fickle beast. It may behave every day of the year, but much like a bottle under pressure all it really takes is a single fault to shatter."

Rune wasn’t surprised Naoki had heard of Fort Adamant, he was pretty sure he had heard of some people heading over to Isra at some point from the others at the fort. He didn’t chuckle along with her joke, however, as his smile faltered slightly - Fort Adamant was probably gone now after all, along with everyone who was still there at the time.

Rune’s smile returned quickly as Naoki began to talk of boons - at the mention of that his bright eyes mischievously flickered downwards from the cat-woman’s eyes to her chest where he viewed an admittedly more than modest pair of boons, but as quickly as they flickered downwards, Rune’s eyes met hers again and he gave her an even wider smile, flashing pure white teeth before speaking.

“A reward? Hmmm… I’d be glad to accept whatever you can offer, though fighting that dragon wasn’t that hard,” Rune tapped his chin, looking up towards the ceiling for a moment before looking at Naoki again, “Well, I’d be happy doing whatever I can to help out around here. You’ve seen what I can do. It doesn’t just have to be fighting things either - I can cut down a tree with a single swing of my sword, split boulders with my hammer... there’s lots of ways I can be useful. Just point me in the right direction to do the most good. Oh, and also a house would be cool, I don’t like sleeping in a tent.”