27 Blue Birds (2/2)
[So only one of the Lapises has a lapis stone, and the other two want it.Wait, but SmithGuild said they were just one mind.So why would it-slash-she want a stone for each bird?]
[Hopefully not for anything world-endingly evil.]
#
She joined SmithGuild in the parlor.
”I know my turning up must be disrupting your life; you probably had other things to be doing.”
SmithGuild smiled, nothing pressing.”
The stood and just sort of looked at each other for a while.
”This mya seem… foolish.” SmithGuild said, picking an apple from the table near his couch.But since the moment we first met I have felt there is a special connection between us.I felt immediate… very fond of you.” He studied the apple as if this was the true object of his affections.
[I must be very beguiling up a tree.It's a move I should try more often.]”I've had the same feeling,” she admitted.”Honestly I don't know what to make of it.I'm not a…like-at-first-sight sort of person.Not even at first sight really, but the moment I heard your voice.”
Thw gryphon looked up at her.His sincere golden eyes glinting in the morning light.”And what did you think when you saw me.”
”I thought: what the hell is that and why is he so gorgeous.”
SmithGuild laughed.
[It's true though.]”I do… I do wonder if there I any chance such a sudden feeling of attachment could be… I mean is this the sort of thing that could be caused by an outside agency.I don't understand how things work in this place but is there actually such a thing as magic, as spells?” {Oh god, that sounds like I wouldn't like him unless…].”I'm not saying….”
”Please, don't fear you will offend me.” SmithGuild tilted his head in tat beguiling way he had.”I find your honesty one of your most charming qualities. If you are a little more direct than I, that is my defect.”
”Not at all.We are very different individuals.” [And that's an understatement.]”But that's, ah, how it should be. I think. Well, this is, I'm not very good at this.” [This is weird. This is very weird.]
The gryphon nodded.”And as for magic.It is by no means as common as many people would have you believe.People are wont to be superstitious and even self-deceiving if it makes them feel better.But some things like the prophecies of the mermaids, I do not what else I would call them.Perhaps there is a mechanism to them that we will yet discover. But I would tell you this, I do not think may regard for you does require such an explanation.But it is a little counter to my usual conduct so I will be vigilance as regards the possibility.”
”I am grateful that you take me seriously when I barely know a thing about this place.”
”I hope I have the chance to help you learn.But there do seem to be great forces at work.And they do say: when dragons fight the world is injured. I feel like anything could happen now.”
[If you were a human man I have a pretty good idea what would happen now.But I guess I am going to have to expand my romantic repertoire.]