[color=blue]"I quite understand," Fiona says with a smile. [color=blue]"I certainly don't want people knowing how old I truly am."
[color=blue]"Why don't we show you around the grounds, starting with the courtyard, to see if we can find a place that suits your needs."
((Didn't realize this chapter was about Praxelites's entrance, but figuring that Viscaria's sanctum is quite a walk up the mountain, this makes the delay reasonable.))
Viscaria bursts into the room like a hurricane made entirely of sunshine. "My friend! At last we meet in the flesh!" She pauses just long enough to determine which one of the figures in the room is her penpal before leaping at him with a tackle-hug that causes his wineglass to spin in midair a few times before dropping to floor.
She extracts herself from this assault/greeting with the skill of a seasoned assault-hugger, and turns to Alips. "And this must be Alips! Oh, I can certainly see how she must inspire you. Dear, you are absolute vision!"
Short little Viscaria reaches up straight past Alips's......inspirations, and gently clasps her face, moving her head from side to side. "Such cheekbones! My dear you simply must let me sculpt you once you get some maturity on this face..."
((just for fun - ))
Gasping, Tranquillina flings her arm out at the wineglass, attempting to slow or halt its fall before it breaks embarrassingly.
((Fast Cast roll, I dunno, against a plain stress die for the wineglass? Qik -1 + Finesse (moving things) 3 + stress die 9 = 11 beats the wineglass's stress die 3.))
((ReTe spell, +1 for glass, +2 Voice, Mom, Ind, rolling up for base spell level/amount of control: Sta -3 + Re 9 + Te 5 + aura 10 - fast cast 10 + stress die 9 = 20 / 2 = 10, good enough for a Base Level 3 spell!))
The wineglass falls only to about waist-height (on Praxiletes - shoulder-height on Viscaria) before suddenly halting in mid-air, then settling itself upright on the tabletop as Tranquillina lowers her hand, panting noticeably. Unfortunately the wine itself wasn't saved....
((no score for an Aquam requisite, durnit))
She puts her hand to her mouth and tries to muffle a cough, or is it a gagging sound?, as a bit of color drains from her face.
Tranquillina's efforts successfully saves the glass, but what comes next amazes the other magi who are present. Not the casting of magic, but the grace and precision of what follows.
While being tackled hugged by Viscaria, Praxiteles maintains his composure, and manages to form a cup with his hands behind Viscaria's back and then cries out ancient Greek, "Not the rug!" The wine is suspended in mid air for a moment, sloshing around in an invisible cup. Once the wine has come to rest, it appears to pour itself back into the resting wine glass on the table, defying gravity, and not a drop being spilled in the process.
Praxiteles fast cast roll totaled 18. I did a rough estimate of his CS for Rego Aquam by this far into his career, at 1225 he will be ~47 years PG, I think it would be sufficient to do this, and indeed, he may have even invented such a spell by this time.
Edit: I kept his Finesse ability score static here. By the time he would arrive here, it would be much higher. I have to estimate what it would be, though...
Tranquillina definitely appreciates the grace and precision (as well as the dry rug), but she's perhaps most interested in the fact that Praxiteles speaks Ancient Greek....
"It is good to finally meet you, Viscaria. I'm glad you facilitated this commission for me, it gave me a good excuse to make a Tour de France, visit some friends, including my pater now in Paris. After I'm done here, I'll go on and visit several other amici and my pater." He smiles, and pulls his wine glass back into his hand, holding his hand so it can grab the glass as it approaches.
"Viscaria, my hope is that maturity will be a long time off. Fiona and I have just concluded negotiations for the sculpture. She is going to intercede on my behalf and find a longevity specialist to create a more powerful longevity ritual." She smiles, as if she's just nabbed the greatest of prizes.
Fiona notices Tranquillina's discomfort after saving the wine ((Per 0 + Awareness 2 + die roll of 7 = 9)), but says nothing; she merely watches her for a moment to be sure she's okay.
Fiona waits patiently with an amused smile while she waits for Praxiteles and/or Alips to be ready for the tour.
((I'll come back and address any conversation with Viscaria. What follows below happens after everyone has been introduced.))
Fiona escorts Praxiteles through the outbuildings. There is a large shed typically used to shear the sheep, it's open on one side, and is protected from the prevailing winds, though it is wide open. It's not in use now, shearing season happening in mid spring.
"This will be suitable. I enjoy working outside, and it's large enough. Now, has Viscaria told you my preferred medium is a black stone, deep, jet black? And are you thinking of Pégasos? Jet black is perhaps not a traditional color for Pégasos, though it would still be impressive and beautiful. I have access to some white marble, but marble is softer than this stone. Since this is a commissioned piece, I am at your command, to some extent. We must come to a meeting of the minds of Artist to owner. We could also do a hippogriff, but they aren't quite as regal as the winged horse of Legend." Fiona can tell that when he speaks of the hippogriff he isn't as excited as he is when talking about Pégasos.
After a short pause, Praxiteles reinforces which he would most prefer to do. Coming close to Fiona Praxiteles has a large smile, "The largest block of black stone I have uncovered a spring. That is a powerful omen, but when I acquired the block, I wasn't aware of the significance of it uncovering a spring. I shall be as Bellepheron, capturing Pégasos. And once Bellepheron had Pégasos, victory was assured."
[color=blue]"Black stone is an excellent choice. My sigil is white, and I feel that the jet black would be a nice contrast to the white that I'm normally associated. Plus, since Pegasus could be seen as a transformed horse, in a way, that is even more fitting since my Tradition is very strong with transformation."
Fiona smiles at Praxiteles's growing excitement. It's good to have a craftsman excited about their projects, and she agrees that everything sounds...almost predestined.
[color=blue]"Would you like to continue your tour, or do you feel you've seen enough for now and wish to relax after your long journey? And ahem,"
Fiona leans in closer to Praxiteles. [color=blue]"Will you and your beautiful wife be sharing chambers," she whispers, [color=blue]"or would you prefer separate rooms?"
"One of my sodales at Laurus Argenti will be assisting me in the transport. He will likely stay a while, if that's alright. I try and get him away from the lab, but his research is consuming. So, perhaps a small suite, with three rooms to retire to, and a sitting area? The manor house is a bit small though, so two rooms are fine."
Answering Fiona's question directly, "I ask for forgiveness about my wife's hedonistic nature. She has been around magi for a considerable time and when we get away, she revels in her abandon. Sometimes I have to rein her in. Another sodalis at Laurus Argenti is strong in his faith she is more discreet. If we can find perhaps four? Yes, four should do. Four suitable companions for us, she might be less disruptive to everyone. We have no preferences of gender. She prefers men, I prefer women. If your covenant is more reserved I can ask her to moderate her impulses a bit. But any help you can provide in this matter will be...appreciated."
Fiona escorts Praxiteles and Alips to the manor house and finds a suite on the third floor with three bedrooms bounding a good-size parlor. [color=blue]"I trust this is to your liking?"
Fiona discretely checks him out as he speaks...or tries to, anyway. ((Com 2 + Guile (hide true feelings) 3 + die roll of 2 = 5.))
[color=blue]"I doubt that we can find anyone who compares to your wife, although I do have a few ideas for both of you," she says with a smile and a glance at Alips. [color=blue]"Is size a factor when considering companions?"
"Alips appreciates girth, yes." He looks directly at Fiona, "As for me, I enjoy beauty in all forms." He smiles broadly and adds a wink. "Do you mix business with pleasure?"
[color=blue]"If she finds someone of suitable...stature, I hope she lets me know," she says with a grin. [color=blue]"I can be hard to satisfy. But I take my pleasure when I can, as long as it doesn't interfere with my business, and vice versa. I certainly see no interference, here. One of my sodales, I learned quite some time ago, has similar taste in men. I will speak with her, see if she may be interested.
"Your wife...I don't see her needing much help in finding a suitable companion, unless...she has no problem consorting with muggles, mortals, does she? If not, I will spread the word that she may be available. From the way the guards were staring, they may have to take numbers" She grins.
((And now, comes the question, would Alips and Praxiteles libidinous ways do any damage to Mons Electi? It's a covenant, but the magi have been relatively staid. Alexei professes his Christianity. Korvin's Lechery has yet to be explored, does he keep it in the Family Merceris and bed all the female Redcaps who come by? Fiona has never quite got her groove on. Tranquillina is too new to the saga for me to guess. Viscaria got busy at a soiree ostensibly led by Jormangund, but his particular group of hedonists came and left with him. What of the covenfolk? Something to consider about how far this goes...))
((Alexei was embarrassed enough when he thought he might have accidentally seen Fiona's goodies...I'm afraid to think what might happen if Fiona tried to fix him up with Alips.))
((At least Korvin finally checked her out at the meeting after she came back from Magic, but he hasn't shown any interest since, near as I can tell...maybe she's not his type.))
((Working on it. 
))
((Doncha hate it when they do that? But, yeah, Fiona plans on talking to Viscaria, since they seem to have similar tastes in men...or at least they both liked Jormungandr. Although she still can't figure out how his Midgard Serpent didn't do her a serious injury. 
))
((Depends on Praxiteles's answer about Alips having a problem consorting with muggles. If she doesn't, then Fiona will subtly suggest to Moire that the visitors are not overly concerned with marital decorum and that she's looking for someone to spend time with, and let her use her Gossip virtue to good advantage.))
"No, Alips doesn't have any problems, and if we're in the same room as I usually extend my Parma over her, so magi aren't a problem, either."
[color=blue]"In that case, I will see what I can do to help. As for us...shall I join you shortly after sundown?" she says with a bawdy smile, intrigued by Praxiteles's comment about his wife appreciating girth, and whether he's included in that particular appreciation.
[color=blue]"And as for anyone interested in spending time with your or your wife...shall I simply send them to you, or should I ask you about them first?" (note that she uses the plural "you" in both cases...it sucks that the only distinctive 2nd person plural that English has is "y'all"...although I guess I could use that if singular or plural "you" is relevant .)
Fiona will go about her normal business for the rest of the day, but keep an eye out for Viscaria. [color=blue]"Viscaria!" she calls if she sees her. [color=blue]"Just the person I wanted to see!"
[color=blue]"I wanted to thank you for introducing me to Praxiteles and his wife," she says when she catches up with Viscaria. [color=blue]"They are quite...interesting people."
((Korvin is having trouble keeping up on all the threads which is why he did not follow up right away.))
Before Fiona departs, with plans of coming back that night, "I must be back to Laurus Argenti to ask my amicus, Petronius for assistance in transporting the slab here. It takes me about two hours to perform the Leap of Homecoming and it often leaves me exhausted in the process. So, I will say adieu to Alips and begin my preparations to depart, returning early on the morrow. I'm sure that Alips would love to keep you company in my absence."
Praxiteles goes next door and gives his wife a hug and kiss, and tells her he'll see her in the morning and to enjoy herself. Then he goes back to his room and starts rearranging it, pushing the bed to the corner and making a large enough space where he begins construction of a crude ceremonial space to begin casting the Leap of Homecoming. After his space is prepared, whether Fiona remains or not, he strips his clothing and begins performing calisthenics and stretching exercises, building up a sweat. It's clear he isn't yet working magic, because he isn't speaking, just breathing with focused technique. Fiona, if she's there, or anyone going past the open door will notice what he said Alips appreciated.
If Fiona's still there, "I'll ask for your silence while I prepare to cast the spell." Whereupon for the next nearly hour and a half, Fiona can watch him prance about changing in a mixture of Greek and Latin to do the Leap of Homecoming and then he's gone in a flash of smoke, smelling of frankincense and myrrh. The smoke appears to crystallize for a moment forming a perfect statue of Praxiteles where he was before dissipating.
Fiona offers to help move stuff around, if he wants.
Fiona is about to say that she'll just be on her way, then, when he starts to strip, and she decides to stay. Once she sees what he brings to the party, her jaw just about drops, and she stays to watch, fantasizing as he exercises.
She watches closely, observing and analyzing everything he does. She plans on inventing a version of this spell at some point, and thinks that this may potentially give some insight into how the spell works...or possibly Rego, Corpus, and/or Ceremonial magic (the latter about which she knows practically nothing).