Diplomacy 2+13=15, bluh<br/>Kleris is a bit too upset with Travis to dig deeper, instead making a well-constructed, if shallow argument that he needs to get off his phantom steed and go apologize to Zull.<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Day 46, Dinner After 3rd Class</span></div><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Getting back to the Allainian business, we found out last week that Arisad, that tiefling archmage, probably knows something about Kleris' ring.  And with further research we found out that someone dear to her had planned on traveling to Bemmea."<br/>"I remember hearing him remark back in Bemmea.  He figured out your last name by looking at it, Kleris?  So...is your family Allainian?  Maybe that demon came for you?"<br/>"I don't think so.  Arisad wouldn't be stupid enough to enact such a risky maneuver against Redhurst, and for what, exactly?  He'll be at Redhurst for two more weeks before the academy <em>plane shifts</em> again."<br/>"So, if I'm reading this right, the new course of plans are one: meet with Arisad to find out more about the Merchiot family.  And two, see how the lust demon managed to sneak in?"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>"I know my dad was an adventurer, and I think he was pretty wide-traveled.  I don't know if he's been to Bemmea, or if Arisad know him from somewhere else.  He's been gone my whole life, if I can find out what happened to him through Arisad, that would be nice at least.  But this demon is also a more immediate and dangerous threat to everyone, or at least whoever helped it get in."<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Carson shrugged his shoulders.  "What's in it for me, exactly?  I'm not entirely keen on spending my free time chasing red herrings."<br/>"Then don't.  We let you in because we figured you might have something to share about these past events.  Or cared enough about Redhurst to be look out for any other attempts at sabotage."<br/>"I don't care much for you, but I'm doing this for Kleris.  I don't like you exactly, but I respect you enough to recognize your magical prowess and how you helped avert disaster last night.  If you need help finding things out about your family, I'll lend you my aid just this once."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>Kleris looked at Carson, mostly with that annoyance that accompanied everything he said, but also with a bit of unspoken connection for what happened at the party.  He wasn't sure how much of what Carson said was true, or what might be covering for other feelings.  "Well, thanks then.  For respecting my 'magical quality,' if nothing else," he couldn't help but twist his words slightly, sneaking innuendo inside.  "I'll take everything you can offer."  He was insufferable, but at the same time he wanted them to sneak off to an abandoned dungeon and rip off their clothes as well.<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Day 47, The Arcane Detective</span></div><br/>[Daily Will save 16+6=22, pass]<br/><br/>Kleris watched Arturon and Utari making small talk, but not looking directly at each other<br/>[Sense motive 14+5=19]<br/>"Well, while we did all do some things we wouldn't have normally, in your case, it might have been breaking the ice on some mutual unspoken or unknown attraction.  The fact that you still like her now means that your feelings seem to be genuine.  I think you should ask her out, I think she'd say yes.  And you can at least see how that feels for real.  A casual start would help smooth over the suddenness of last night."<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Day 47, Lillin's Dorm</span></div><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Kleris, I want you to be honest with me.  I painted this for the better part of the week.  I usually don't have much time to dedicate to this, but I've decided to try harder from now on.  What do you think of it?"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>He examined the painting carefully, respecting Lillin enough not to give unthoughtful automatic praise or flippant critique.  It was an amateur piece, but she was a beginning amateur.  The more important thing was her devotion to practicing her skills.  "I like it, the colors and brightness really convey the scene and emotion.  Its like the impressionistic artists I've heard about that convey feeling and sense more than a perfect<em>captured image</em>.  I think you're doing great, I can't wait to see what you can do next."  He gave her a hug and a kiss as they looked at the picture.<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Day 47, evening</span></div>Walking down to the spellflag field, Kleris watched Elmira and the others play their game.  He cheered her on as she displayed both her athleticism and skill of using just the right spell to get the final edge.  He set off some sparks at her goal, whooping.  As she walked up in her pads and mud, he had to admit she looked pretty tough and sexy.<br/><br/>"That looked pretty amazing.  Its interesting that its not just all strength or magic, it seems you really need both to compete.  I'm not sure if I'm at all capable, but sure, I'll give it a run with you."  With the flag in had to start, Kleris ran down the field, attempting to dodge the runners coming for it.  He tried to leap aside, but the other player just met him, bowled over, and kept running the other way, flag in hand with Kleris in the mud.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"I met this really hot Allainian guy at the party yesterday.  I've been thinking of trying a long-distance relationship if it works out, but I don't know of any inter-planar mail services.  Isn’t one of our prefects from there?  I’ll have to ask him if he has any ways of keeping in touch with his home country."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>"Really?  Is he playing here now?"  Kleris looked across the field at the players practicing and cleaning up.  "I think Arturon is from there.  I don't think he keeps in touch with anyone, but if anyone knew how, I would think he does."<br/><br/>With the next play, Kleris on the defense, he made an interception course for the flag runner.  When parallel, he made a push, but without any weight behind it, the player shrugged it off and left him behind.  Frustrated with the more traditional methods, Kleris decided to move on to the more esoteric solutions.  Running back field a bit, he set himself up before the next runner and his vanguard.  At the last moment before being overrun, he let out a<em>color spray</em>, catching both, who immediately fell senseless as he easily intercepted the flag to run off for his own goal for once.<br/><br/>[Acrobatics 8+2=10, fail<br/>Combat maneuver 11+1=12, fail<br/>Spellcraft 19+11=30, double win!]<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"I expected as much from one of the first year's top students.  In Spellflag you're what's known as a Big Caster.  We can all cast spells, but the Big's used as a way to enhance the other players and confound the opponents' own spells.  You'd be a tactical player, overseeing the field and predicting the other team's actions and spells."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>"Yeah, that seems more natural for me.  I'm better at support and tactics than direct attack.  That seems like it could be interesting.  I'm not sure I'll ever start playing, but thanks for showing me the ropes.  And I think I'll join you for that shower now that I've gotten covered in most of the field..."  While it was tempting to think about washing the grass and dirt off each other, covered in soap and water, Kleris ducked into a private booth again to shower and maybe catch a peek at Elmira before getting dressed.<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Day 47, Discovery and Disarming of Traps for Adventuring Wizards</span></div>[Perception 7+5=12, fail]<br/>Zull was obviously off her game, unable to concentrate on what was in front of her.  Kleris didn't have to guess very hard that his talk/accusation of Travis didn't help very much, and that they were still on the rocks.  "Um, how about I take that chisel and take a whack at this for now.  You seem distracted today.  Do you want to talk about it?"  Concentrating on the glyphs and trying not to set off a trap in his own face, he didn't quite catch whatever Zull was muttering to herself.<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Day 48?</span></div>[Daily will save 19+6=25, pass]<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Sunday came again.  It was a lot less hectic, and Kleris could see some visiting Allainian students using their free day to mingle with the friends they made at Redhurst.</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>Relationship:  Kleris went to see Artaxes to see how he's holding up after the demon-tainted party.  After, he goes to Carson to see why he's helping, and if it has anything to do with that night, and probably seduce him again in any case, because he needed a distraction from that damned demon, and to prove that it was his idea and not being out-enchanted by some lust aura.