Elise Peeters
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Healer
Have you seen a man with a scar on his forehead? I'm looking for him...
Posts: 20
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Post by Elise Peeters on Jul 21, 2010 23:46:08 GMT -5
Elise Peeters loved her pub. It was her pride and joy, and she did her best to keep the place spotless, make sure the beer was the best in town, and always had something baking for her regulars. Even now, the smell of Tarte au Maton filled the back room (because the front always smelled of smoke and ale).
Now, Elise herself knew she needed to look presentable every time someone entered her establishment. Looking like a nasty old witch would not get her anywhere in this business. No, she always made sure her hair was done up in a pretty little ribbon, golden curls brushed to perfection, and her dress accented her just right. A kind, bubbly smile was a must, even when trying to get a drunken patron to stop standing on one of her tables.
Her patrons...If there was anything she loved more than her pub, it was the ragged bunch that frequented her little place. They were all just so funny! She could people watch them all day, though it never happened much. Most of them were friendly with her, so they usually let her listen in on their conversations (which was quite helpful, considering the main operation of the pub was to gather information that was useful to her) or urged her to join in their games. She usually refused the latter, only playing along when business was slow, though that wasn't often. The Devil's Punchbowl was a pretty happening place, something she took pride in.
Elise wiped down the bar once more before the usual rush began.
The sun was setting. Another hard day over. Time to hit the pub!
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Vash Zwingli
New Member
Ranger
?To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.?
Posts: 21
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Post by Vash Zwingli on Jul 23, 2010 20:45:19 GMT -5
With a yawn, Vash woke up from his rest. He'd decided to lay low until the streets returned to normal after his incident in the slums. Vash lumbered out of bed and opened his window in time to see the sun drift behind the rooftops. I overslept. How will I find Roderich now? Vash closed the window and paced about the small bedroom. After a time Vash had an idea; he checked his pocket-watch to be sure. Yes, I have enough time, he thought, putting on his jacket and boots. Vash hefted his crossbow onto his back, tucked his army knife into his belt, and headed downstairs. Vash walked past his store's weapons displays, checking that nothing went missing while he'd slept.
As Vash exited he noted the two vagabonds from before were not in the alleyway; after the morning's pickpocket excitement, Vash did not want to be ambushed again, and prepared himself mentally for the trip home. Vash's walk to the pub was uneventful aside from a few drunken patrons almost knocking him over as he reached the door. Vash walked in and was immediately blasted by the raucous action of the pub. Vash stood in the doorway, rethinking his decision. This pub... it's too much! I have to leave before I'm overwhelmed...
Vash steeled himself and walked into the pub and up to the bar.
"A, a mug of stout please," he said to the barmaid.
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Elise Peeters
New Member
Healer
Have you seen a man with a scar on his forehead? I'm looking for him...
Posts: 20
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Post by Elise Peeters on Jul 23, 2010 22:06:32 GMT -5
Elise blinked and turned away from her conversation with one of her regular patrons to face the one who had approached her. He was new to her little place, that much she was certain. She knew nearly all of her customers, as many of them frequented the place at least once or twice a week.
No, this man was rather stoic looking. His face had "serious business" written all over it. He had very nice eyes, she noted. Not exactly sea green, but not exactly emerald either. His hair was about average length, perhaps a tad longer, and even blonder than her own golden locks. He would have been attractive, she was certain, had he not looked so out of place. He looked far too stiff for her bar, which was full of characters roaring with laughter and having a good time. What a shame...Perhaps he was merely a bit shy. She would do her best to try and loosen him up a bit with conversation.
And if he was a traveler, that would be even better. A chance for new information was always welcome.
So Elise turned to this unfamiliar face, flashing him a bubbly smile and giving a little laugh. "Oh, you're not from around here, are you? Well, I certainly don't know you and I know everyone that stops by my little pub. My name's Elise. Miss Elise, if you want to be formal, but I don't mind either way," she introduced herself and threw in a playful wink for good measure.
Elise leaned across the bar to whisper to him, almost as if she had a secret to share, her face still aglow with a bright smile. "You've come to the right place! I don't mean to brag, but we've got the best beer in town!" the blond reared back to slap one of her faithful customers, a rather large and burly man sipping on his ale quietly. "Ain't that right, Sanchez?"
She glanced over the newcomer's shoulder for quick second, then did a double-take and threw her hands up in exasperation. "Mister Smith! How many times do I have to tell you to stop dancing on my tables?! Sanchez, do you mind?"
Elise shook her head and turned back to the man in front of her, smile reappearing. "Sorry about that! Mister Smith is a wild one all right...Not even completely dark out yet and he's already trashed!" She shook her head, but the grin never left her face as she reached below the bar and then behind her to fill a glass of the dark liquid. "Here you go, Mister...?"
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Vash Zwingli
New Member
Ranger
?To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.?
Posts: 21
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Post by Vash Zwingli on Jul 23, 2010 22:57:24 GMT -5
"Zwingli. Vash Zwingli. Call me Vash," he said, taking the glass to his lips. "This is a good stout." Vash stared down into the rich brown drink and took another swallow of beer.
Vash turned to the happily smiling Elise. "I walked to this pub from my home; I live in this district, above my shop." He examined the pub as he spoke. "I moved to the city recently, but where I came from I have no intention of returning. My home is here now, and I want to know more about it."
He gulped some more beer before continuing. "I want information. I have been looking for someone, a street performer. Do you know of a Roderich Edelstein?"
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Elise Peeters
New Member
Healer
Have you seen a man with a scar on his forehead? I'm looking for him...
Posts: 20
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Post by Elise Peeters on Jul 23, 2010 23:21:50 GMT -5
Elise beamed when Vash complimented her draft. She was quite fond of it herself. She giggled when he flat-out told her he wanted information. So serious...Just as she had thought.
"You want information...Don't we all?" she placed her elbows on the bar, laced her hands together, and rested her chin atop the tiny bridge they created. "Hm...Roderich Edelstein...I've heard of him. Most have...A musician. He's quite good. Though he prefers a somber tune as opposed to a light one made for dancing, I've had the pleasure of dancing to one of his livelier tunes at the town square."
She looked towards the ceiling, trying to recall as much as she possible could. If she gave him the information he wanted, perhaps he would reciprocate the favor. And it was practically her job to be informed about nearly everything and everyone.
"He doesn't come here for drinks, though. He's much too good for us lot," she sighed and returned to her full height, placing both hands on her hips. "A bit of a snob...He has no idea what he's missing."
Her eyes strayed to the mug in his hands and she gave a coy smirk. "You tell him that when you see him, yeah? Tell him about that stout."
Elise winked at him as she reached below the bar to grab a glass and absentmindedly clean it.
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Vash Zwingli
New Member
Ranger
?To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.?
Posts: 21
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Post by Vash Zwingli on Jul 23, 2010 23:55:43 GMT -5
"Roderich... a snob?" Vash's brow furrowed as he contemplated the new knowledge. Did he leave because he felt I was inferior to him? Was my status too lowly? But we had such fun together...!
Vash brought his mind back to the present to see Elise staring at him. Embarrassed, Vash hid behind his mug, taking another gulp of beer. Once he'd composed himself, he brought the mug back down to the counter. "I'll tell him the stout is high-class," he said with a twinge of bitterness in his voice.
Despite himself, Vash was feeling better than when he'd come into the pub. Maybe it was the strong beer calming his nerves, but he also felt that Elise herself had comforted him. The atmosphere here is nice, most of the patrons are here to get relaxed, not to get drunk.
"Elise... your pub is nice." Vash idly checked his pocket-watch. "Do you have more questions for me? You seem to want information," he stated, looking up at her.
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Elise Peeters
New Member
Healer
Have you seen a man with a scar on his forehead? I'm looking for him...
Posts: 20
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Post by Elise Peeters on Jul 24, 2010 16:41:28 GMT -5
Elise blinked with a bit of surprise. Surely, this man knew that Roderich was a bit on the snobby side. He wouldn't be caught dead in her pub; not when it was full of such a ragged bunch. But they were good men. She hardly had any problems other than the occasional drunk like Mister Smith, but the rest were quick to help her out in a pinch and it was rare she ever had to handle someone herself. These boys were like family to her, and she knew nearly all of their stories. Such is the life of a barmaid.
"Thank you kindly, Vash," Elise nodded with a small smile. "And yes, I do happen to have a few questions....You see...I'm looking for someone as well."
She busied herself with cleaning another glass, letting out a sigh. "I don't know what he's calling himself these days...Doubt he's using his real name. And I can't say I'm quite sure I know what he looks like now, either. But he's handsome, I'm sure. Always was a handsome boy, makes sense he'd grow up to be a handsome man. And strong. Definitely strong. He used to have sandy blond hair, and it was always sticking up in all different directions."
Elise frowned. The description wasn't good, she was aware. And hell, her brother may have even shaved all of his hair, but there were two things she was certain of.
"He's always smoking. And he's got a scarf. It's white and blue, and made of the softest cotton. He's never seen without it. I know he must have kept it. He wouldn't give it up for the world."
She looked at Vash desperately. Elise just wanted to know he was alive. That was all. Just that information would be enough to comfort her. If he was dead, then at least she knew she should stop hoping and quit searching, though she had no idea what she would do if that were the case. Her whole life since that fateful day had revolved around trying to reunite with her brother. Elise hoped that if he was alive, he was doing the same.
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Vash Zwingli
New Member
Ranger
?To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.?
Posts: 21
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Post by Vash Zwingli on Jul 24, 2010 19:13:52 GMT -5
"A man with blond hair and a strong build, who smokes and wears a white and blue scarf..." Vash searched through his memory for someone who fit the description. Is there a chance that I met him in the wilds? But Vash didn't remember any outlaws wearing scarves. Vash had not been in the city for more than a couple days and the only district he'd explored aside from his own was the slums.
Vash frowned. "Elise, I have not seen someone who fits that description. I've met met strong blond men where I used to live who might have smoked, but they did not wear scarves." Vash leaned over the bar and dropped his voice to a whisper. "What would you judge the chances to be of him becoming an outlaw? And for that matter, discarding his scarf?" Vash wanted to help Elise, and was frustrated at his inability to produce anything helpful.
Vash glumly took another drink of beer. "I'm sorry, that's not helpful; according to you he always wears his scarf. I'll keep on the lookout for him, and I'll let you know if I find any leads. Maybe you could give me some details other than physical about him? Does he use magic like you do?"
Vash hadn't noticed it before, but the more he was in her presence, the more he felt it: Elise obviously had some sort of magical energy. When Vash had tried to place the type of it, it felt like healing energy. When he focused on it more however, it took on a different feeling. It still felt healing, but it also burned with some sort of magic Vash had never experienced before. That's strange, I've practiced every type of magic except blood and summoning... could it be one of those? Why would it feel like healing and something like blood or summoning? No one who can practice blood or summoning can also heal!
Vash looked at her quizzically. "...What kind of magic do you practice?"
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Elise Peeters
New Member
Healer
Have you seen a man with a scar on his forehead? I'm looking for him...
Posts: 20
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Post by Elise Peeters on Jul 24, 2010 19:42:08 GMT -5
"Does he use magic like you do?"
Elise's blood ran cold at that, her face paled, and her body froze up like a wild animal about to be attacked. The words kept ringing in her head.
"...What kind of magic do you practice?"
The mug in her hand slipped and shattered, the glass shards flying in all directions behind the bar. She didn't even blink, her eyes focused on the man in front of her. How could he have possibly have known?! I've not used magic in years! Elise tried to regain her composure. Her breathing had started to become heavy out of anxiety, and she was desperately trying to calm her body down. It took her a few moments to realize that some of the patrons closest to them were staring, a few like Sanchez looking a bit concerned for her.
Putting on a fantastic, albeit fake, grin, she shook her head. "What are you boys staring at? I've been told I'm quite the looker, but please! You're making me blush!" Elise turned her attention back to Vash. "I'm sorry. I'm so clumsy! Vash, would you be a dear and come with me to the back for a moment? I need to grab a broom and there's this awful little pixie living in my store room. I can't seem to get rid of her! She always pulls my hair and bites...Nasty thing. I don't like going back there alone."
A complete lie. Elise didn't have any sort of magical creature living in her pub aside from herself. But she needed to get Vash alone, for this conversation should be as private as she could possibly make it. Besides, she didn't know if this could turn ugly. If it did, she didn't want any of her patrons getting involved. Vash, who had seemed like such a nice person even if a little stiff, could very well be a demon or black market merchant. After all, he already seemed to know too much for her liking. Far too much.
Without even a glance back at him to see if he was following, she trotted away to her storeroom, trying to remain calm as she remembered her concealed dagger hidden up her thigh beneath her skirt. Elise had never had to use the knife before, but there was a first time for everything, she assumed. She would only use it to threaten and bluff, she decided. Elise couldn't kill anyone. It wasn't in her nature. Born to a village of magic users specializing in the art of healing, it would be a crime she would never be able to live with.
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Vash Zwingli
New Member
Ranger
?To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.?
Posts: 21
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Post by Vash Zwingli on Jul 24, 2010 20:17:14 GMT -5
Vash was startled by Elise's reaction to his questions. He reviewed what he had said that could have unnerved her so. She gave him such a wild look, a look Vash had seen in many faces of the "green" outlaws, the newly exiled. It was a look of the desperate, the hunted, the abandoned. How could such an innocuous question provoke such a reaction?
Vash sat in confusion, feeling the stares of the patrons on his back. Does she keep her magic a secret...? She's used healing magic, but then another type that I can't identify. Healing and summoning, or healing and blood... which would be so abominable as to want to hide it from everyone?... Summoning is commonplace, only summoners can summon. Blood magic is more rare and the only people who can practice blood magic are vampires- that's it! She's probably a vampire!
Vash reviewed quickly in his head the methods for subduing a vampire. I don't have stakes; if she attacks, I'll have to use light magic to stun her, so I can escape.
"The back room? Sure. I know many ways to take care of pixies." Vash followed her, preparing himself for whatever waited when he entered that back room. He put his hand on the hilt of his army knife and walked through the doorway.
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Elise Peeters
New Member
Healer
Have you seen a man with a scar on his forehead? I'm looking for him...
Posts: 20
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Post by Elise Peeters on Jul 24, 2010 22:15:10 GMT -5
"This is so very kind of you, Vash," Elise bat her eyelashes at him as she opened the door, stepping aside to let him through first. "Remind me to repay the favor sometime."
She couldn't let her nerves get to her now. This was a matter of life and death. She really would hate to have to kill such a good-looking guy, but beneath those nice eyes of his could lay a monster just waiting to eat her heart. Elise tried to suppress a shiver at the thought. She had seen the practice first hand, and the demons rarely ever killed their victims first, instead just clawing apart their chests as the struggling witch or wizard screamed out in terror and pain. She remembered being too scared to vomit at the time, but had later when the images wouldn't leave her alone.
That could be her if she wasn't careful. So she had to be extra cautious. That was why nobody could even know that she had the capability to perform magic. Anything the hunters could use to find her needed to be eliminated. Elise had heard the horror stories about the last of her fellow survivors being hunted down like dogs for their hearts. She wasn't about to become one of them.
Pointing to a dark corner of the room where a crate of wine was resting, she said, "Right there, Vash. She's terribly fond of my wine and won't stop drinking it! I would take care of her myself, but I'm afraid I'm quite the failure at dealing with common household pests. Really, my mother was always ashamed. 'Course she always wanted me to be like her and have a handful of kids by the time I was eighteen, but I opted for running a pub and staying single. Guess I've always been a bit of a failure."
She closed the door behind them, her back towards him.
"But you know, I'm growing just a bit lonely," she sighed and tried to use a seductive voice. Even if he was stiff, he must at least be able to receive the picture she was trying to paint in his mind. Men, even serious types like Vash, were still men with desires. Elise wasn't above using this to her advantage to lull him into a false sense of security. "My room gets so cold at night...I can't start a fire for the life of me. Would be real nice to have someone to...ah...warm it up..." She chuckled a bit, trying to keep up the facade even though her hands were shaking as she pulled up the front of her skirt. "Hm...You've been so gentlemanly...Would you act as much in the morning?"
Swiftly, she grabbed out her dagger and rounded on him, dropping the act as she pointed it at his throat.
"Or would you cut out my heart like the typical man?"
Her voice was bitter. Those words had a double meaning, and she watched carefully to see if he would catch it.
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Vash Zwingli
New Member
Ranger
?To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.?
Posts: 21
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Post by Vash Zwingli on Jul 24, 2010 23:40:04 GMT -5
Vash drew his knife. He cursed the beer he drank, noting the sluggishness of his reaction. Vash could not hold his liquor; he was just too small. As he looked at her, doubt grew in his mind on whether she was a vampire or not. Surely she would have just leapt at him with her fangs if blood was her desire.
Vash narrowed his eyes as spoke. "I don't know what you are, but I'm sure that if we start to fight, you will bleed!" Vash was bluffing; he had no idea if she'd even be scratched, thanks to whatever special power she held.
"Now, answer this: what are you hiding that you'd stab someone you barely know? I thought you were a vampire, but you haven't leapt at my throat with your fangs. You might be a summoner but how would that be worthy of secrecy?" Vash kept his eyes trained on her knife. "I know you are a healer, but are you some sort of magic criminal? I was an outlaw once; you have the same mentality."
Vash's mind was racing as he stalled with words. What is she, what will she do? If she's martially trained, will I be able to win in a knife fight in my buzzed state? Can I load and fire my crossbow before she can kill me? Will it do anything to her? Then Vash looked at her face. Her face did not look battle-ready, but tortured. He looked at her hand and saw her trembling, white-knuckled grip on the knife. She's just as on-edge as I am!
Vash softened his voice. "Elise, no one is the aggressor here. I did not come to your bar to stab you or your patrons, I came here looking for Roderich." Vash brought back his knife, and closed it. He put the knife in his pocket, and showed Elise his open, unarmed hands. "I don't know what intentions you think I have, but when I asked what magic you practiced, I meant that I had no idea. You keep your magic ability a secret, as though it would be reason to punish or execute. Why? What about healing magic is an abomination?"
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Elise Peeters
New Member
Healer
Have you seen a man with a scar on his forehead? I'm looking for him...
Posts: 20
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Post by Elise Peeters on Jul 25, 2010 10:39:15 GMT -5
Still frightened, she could feel the tears welling in her eyes. She knew she couldn't hurt him. It would be a waste of time to try. Besides, she was awful with weapons. Not caring if it was a bit indecent to hike her skirt high enough to sheath the instrument, she did so and sighed, trying to blink away the tears. He sounded sincere, and he hadn't caught the double meaning, but she couldn't trust anyone out here. Elise hadn't used magic in years. How he could have possibly sensed a trace of magic on her...He must be a very special type of person.
"Vash...It's not healing magic that is an abomination..." she looked at him. "I can't tell you why I was so paranoid. All you need to know is that I didn't commit a crime. I'm being hunted. It's not just me. Everyone that comes from where I do is being hunted down by horrible creatures and black market entrepreneurs. I would tell you more, but I've already said far too much. You probably even know my whole story already. Word spreads fast, and if you were once an outlaw, I'm sure you've heard the tales."
The walls had ears, and she couldn't tell him just what they were after. Using a spell to charm the room so that only they could hear their conversation would be counterproductive on her end, not to mention she wasn't sure she'd even be able to perform such a spell when she hadn't used magic for anything in over a decade.
But something else that he said had bothered her. Vampires? Summoners? That's impossible...Surely I would have felt--! Elise froze again as she thought about it. Vampires...Summoners...Here...I wouldn't feel it...I haven't used magic in so long, I can't even tell when a person has magical abilities or not anymore! I've grown too comfortable here! I let my guard down even when I was so sure I was vigilant!
"You said you sensed a vampire? And a summoner?" Elise walked closer towards him until she could shakily whisper, "That's not me...And if it isn't you, then..."
She trailed off, letting the unspoken information swing in the air. Somebody else here is. She eyed the door warily. It was too late to run, if they were here for her, and she could never win in a fight.
So she did the only thing she could in this situation: Turn to the only other person who knew about the problem and was capable of defeating such a creature.
"Vash...What do we do? I can't use magic! Not in a fight, anyway! And I'll be rusty if you need attention!" she bit her lip and asked him again, "What do we do? I'll help in any way I can. You have experience with this sort of thing, right? Please! Direct me however you see fit! This is my home and I want to protect it."
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Vash Zwingli
New Member
Ranger
?To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.?
Posts: 21
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Post by Vash Zwingli on Jul 25, 2010 19:56:31 GMT -5
Vash was taken aback at what he heard. "That is... monstrous, Elise. An entire village hunted down like animals because someone wants what they have. I will not ask any further; if your security depends on privacy, I understand completely."
Vash then remembered her other statement. "Elise, when I said I was worried about vampires and summoners, I was talking about you; the only magic I cannot identify is summoning and blood magic, and I assumed that you possessed one of those. I was so confused, because healing and blood or healing and summoning magic are incompatible, so I was really caught off guard." Vash flashed a crooked smile. "I half expected you to be some sort of golem or gorgon or something else I've only heard of in myth!..."
"We should probably get back to the front; who knows what Mr. Smith might be up to." Vash said, gesturing at the door. "I'm sorry to have caused you so much distress; I had no idea that I was bringing up old memories." Vash frowned, reflecting on his own past. Vash would certainly feel on edge if someone he didn't know new so much about him.
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Elise Peeters
New Member
Healer
Have you seen a man with a scar on his forehead? I'm looking for him...
Posts: 20
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Post by Elise Peeters on Jul 25, 2010 22:38:02 GMT -5
"Y-yes! Ah, you're right! I'm so sorry for causing you trouble, Vash!" she held a hand to her heart, the act of pleasant hostess returning. "I overreacted. Thank you for being such a dear! Please, your drinks are on the house tonight! And if there's anything else you need, do not hesitate to ask."
She felt it was the least she could do after dragging him back here and threatening him. Even if she wasn't much of a threat, he still didn't deserve such rudeness.
Still, she didn't know what he could have possibly sensed. Elise wasn't anything special aside from her village's curse. For him to be unable to identify a magical type...It set her a bit on edge and she tried to see if she could sense anything out of the ordinary. Everything seemed clear, but she hadn't used magic in so long and she wondered if perhaps being out of practice meant she could no longer sense people with magical abilities. After all, she hadn't been able to sense Vash's prowess.
Well...She'd just have to make sure to take some extra precautions tonight...
Elise opened the door and let Vash pass by first out of politeness. Making sure her smile was back on her face, she fully planned on taking her place behind the bar and continuing to chatter away with her boys.
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