It was weird how he could almost feel Maea pulling away, even though she hadn't physically moved. His scowl was his armor, as much as that distant smile was hers, setting them at arms-length now that it was too late to un-acknowledge the things that they each had that the other wanted.
And would never get.
The shrine wasn't so much a sore spot for Tal as it was an awkward spot, but he had lots of those. He was doing his best, but even he had to admit that his best wasn't... wasn't very good. At least he managed to pick up on Maea's discomfort with his suggestion, and he gave a shrug, trying to pretend like he wasn't disappointed that she didn't want to go with him to ask her new patron about whether an epic godly team-up was in the forecast. "I mean, your consent for the shrine, yeah." He caught the hem of his shirt between his fingers, trying to squeeze out a little more water even though he was already mostly dry thanks to Maea's fire. "Askin' Dygra is more just... I guess, t'make sure it's not gonna be like it was with th'Voice all over again." They had Safrin's word that the old gods didn't have any enmity with this fiery goddess, but as far as he'd been told, no one had asked Dygra's side of things yet.
But if they couldn't do anything about magic or companions or shrines or Dygra today, they could at least do something about Maea's quest. Tal relaxed when he realized there was something concrete he could contribute, and the physical catharsis of a spar was more than welcome to help shake off the uncomfortable emotional rollercoaster of their conversation so far. His grin returned as Boreal did her part and the pale Ancient put the clues together. "Sure is," he confirmed proudly. "Was a pain in th'ass t'quest for, but it's saved my hide a few times. So, anythin' special we need t'do for yours? Blindfolds or standin' on one leg or fightin' underwater or anythin' like that?" Because if he'd learned anything over the years, it was that some quest requirements could be weird.
Type: Grey | Style: Defensive | Level: Mastered
Rockhide Vest | An armoured vest flecked in black and white and lined with cool, fur-like material. This item blocks physical damage at Talyson's Mastered level. Requires a 2 post cool-down between uses.
And would never get.
The shrine wasn't so much a sore spot for Tal as it was an awkward spot, but he had lots of those. He was doing his best, but even he had to admit that his best wasn't... wasn't very good. At least he managed to pick up on Maea's discomfort with his suggestion, and he gave a shrug, trying to pretend like he wasn't disappointed that she didn't want to go with him to ask her new patron about whether an epic godly team-up was in the forecast. "I mean, your consent for the shrine, yeah." He caught the hem of his shirt between his fingers, trying to squeeze out a little more water even though he was already mostly dry thanks to Maea's fire. "Askin' Dygra is more just... I guess, t'make sure it's not gonna be like it was with th'Voice all over again." They had Safrin's word that the old gods didn't have any enmity with this fiery goddess, but as far as he'd been told, no one had asked Dygra's side of things yet.
But if they couldn't do anything about magic or companions or shrines or Dygra today, they could at least do something about Maea's quest. Tal relaxed when he realized there was something concrete he could contribute, and the physical catharsis of a spar was more than welcome to help shake off the uncomfortable emotional rollercoaster of their conversation so far. His grin returned as Boreal did her part and the pale Ancient put the clues together. "Sure is," he confirmed proudly. "Was a pain in th'ass t'quest for, but it's saved my hide a few times. So, anythin' special we need t'do for yours? Blindfolds or standin' on one leg or fightin' underwater or anythin' like that?" Because if he'd learned anything over the years, it was that some quest requirements could be weird.
Type: Grey | Style: Defensive | Level: Mastered
Rockhide Vest | An armoured vest flecked in black and white and lined with cool, fur-like material. This item blocks physical damage at Talyson's Mastered level. Requires a 2 post cool-down between uses.
