A Good Day for Business [Iollan, Daeris]

For once, Iollan had nothing planned for the day. It had been a week since he returned from Wispwood, and two weeks remained before he was to head back. Ailín's girlfriend was in town again, and Iollan wanted to give them some space to catch up. Ciara, on the other hand, had made it clear that she didn't want to see him until after she handled some ‘important business contracts’. As for working on his own research, well, Iollan loathed to admit it but after countless long nights of doing just that in the forest, he wanted a break. Really, he should've been home catching up on sleep, but he was itching for something to do.

It made him realize just how habitual he’d become, once his usual ways of occupying his daytime were taken away. Maybe he should take up another hobby. Knitting, perhaps?

He covered a yawn as he turned into the small plaza. Knitting sounded nice, or crocheting (not that he understood the difference between the two) - maybe he could make some hats for his familiars. Or just a very long scarf for all of them to share.

Iollan shook his head slightly. No, he really needed to rest if he thought that was a good idea (if anything, the familiars would just eat the things). His home was far, though, so instead Iollan gravitated towards the closest bench. He sat at the opposite end of the woman already there, Iadlish ‘courtesy’ (more like distrust of strangers, as both silly and understandable that was) leading him to leave space comfortably between them. Eyeing the box of supplies at her feet curiously, he leaned back and stretched his legs out in front of him.

“Nice day we’re having, hm?” he joked, half to himself and half to the other dark elf. The Iadlish skies were as dreary as ever, but at least it wasn't pouring with rain or snow. Iollan just wondered if she’d pick up the conversation.

Iollan shrugged, a manner that could be almost considered careless if it wasn’t for the fact that the careless did not live long in Iadlain. “I think, once one gets used to living in a place like this, the rain isn’t so bad.” Smiling lightly, he looked out across the plaza as he continued. “Certainly would prefer a few showers over the haze or a unicorn, in any case.”

As the other tried to sneak glances at him he returned the favor, more curiously and about as politely friendly as a stranger could muster. Once she posed a question he turned to look at her again. “Just enjoying the day while it’s here. I don’t usually get much time off, so it’s nice to just relax for a bit.” Well, he supposed that depended if he considered his expeditions into Wispwood as a vacation. As long as no trouble occurred along the way, they were almost relaxing, with a nice resort at the end (and tons of research to work through). “I guess I can’t say the same for you - alchemy experiment?” He gestured towards the box as he offered his guess. “What’s the plan, miss...?”

He wasn’t expecting much of an answer. Friendliness was already rare in Iadlain, genuine care and curiosity about the lives of others more so. Whether he had the latter was questionable, but he saw nothing wrong with appearing so regardless. But possessiveness in research was something he could understand, being guilty of it himself. He could still ask, and see what information he could get. If anything, maybe he could learn her name.

Ah, she side-stepped that inquiry. Iollan gave a mental shrug – no big deal. Wariness was to be expected. Still a shame, he supposed, he would’ve liked to find the rare bit of friendliness in Iadlain. He probably would’ve been a bit more upset by this in his youth – if he defined his youth as…before. Before everything. It seemed like too simple of a thing to be bothered by now, though. He could find more info, in time, if he really was interested. He would have to see.

The woman moved on quickly, before Iollan could ask more about the supplies. A sore spot? Not interested in questions? He’d just have to politely back off the subject for now. “Heh, I suppose I’m busy, yes. Running errands for my siblings all the time, while trying making time for my own projects.” He gave a soft sigh that was more ‘ah well, what can one do’ than annoyance, then a shrug. “I could take more time off – I’m sure my brother would prefer that, really – but I tend to fill my schedule. Better to be productive than to relax all day, I think.”

He yawned, though he quickly covered it with mild embarrassment. “Though relaxing, every so often, is also nice.” He tilted his head. "But what about you? 'Moving in and stocking up' sounds like a pretty big task, on your own."

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((Sorry for short and late--))

Iollan waved a hand in casual dismissiveness, as though tiredness was nothing to be concerned about. And it wasn’t, really – he could catch up on sleep on less busy days (like…today, except he clearly wasn’t doing anything of the sort), and there was plenty of work he could do when not fully rested. As long as he wasn’t exhausted enough to mix up his tea with an extract of fire ether, he wouldn’t worry.

(He ignored the fact that his safety protocols meant no food or drink at an alchemy work station, and as such this was not the most useful standard to work by.)

His smile reformed when he spotted the woman’s own. Iollan considered that a success, especially since the smile didn’t seem to be one of those ‘I’d like to kill you right now, but I won’t because we’re in broad daylight’ types. He could easily be wrong, but at the very least it wasn’t openly hostile. “Well, since we’re already sitting here, it’s the perfect time to complain, if you find it relaxing.” But he paused, tilting his head slightly at her. Not alone? A Conjurer, perhaps? Iollan certainly knew the usefulness of having an extra pair or twenty pairs of hands to help with chores.

That would be intriguing. Iollan didn’t know if he liked fellow Conjurers, or if they liked him. But no use in making guesses. Maybe she just meant that she had friends or family to assist her. In any case, she did not try to deflect the conversation again, which meant that this was a thread he could follow. “Oh? What do you mean?”

((Sorry for the dreadful post--))