A Visiting Sage (crystal)

[~echo~]

He blinked and dipped his head. "I suppose you haven't. My apologies." He nibbled on a bit of bread as he thought. "Have you, then?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sorrell smiled faintly and shook her head. "I hear he's kind, honorable, and honest. I hear he has a commanding presence, the way any lord should. I think he'll meet with you... but I don't know if he'll accept your request."

[~echo~]

Eros's face hardened. "Then I will move onto the next lord, and then the next until I find somebody who will."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sorrell nodded slowly and went back to eating. She didn't know much about him, or the Sages, but she hoped he found what he was looking for. He seemed like a nice person.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

(Bump?)

[~echo~]

(Srry)

When they were done eating, Eros blinked and stood. "Will you take me now to see The Lord?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sorrell nodded and rose gracefully. "Of course. Let's head out. I don't know how long it will take, if at all, for you to get an audience."

[~echo~]

"Thank you for your help, as well as your hospitality. I will repay you as soon as I am able." The snowy fox stood and smiled at the coyote. "Shall we?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sorrell led the way out of her home and down the street. Despite the early hour, animals already bustled about their business, heading out for a day of hunting or to the fields, on their way to buy from the market. Normally Sorrell would be opening her shop soon, but that could wait until she returned.

[~echo~]

Eros followed slightly behind, watching everyone. He still got some strange looks, but mainly the other animals stayed away from him. He watched as Sorrell led him through the town, considering how kind she was for helping him.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sorrell glanced back at him, suddenly wondering if she should have found him some regular clothes. His mage robes definitely drew attention. But, no, it would be better for him to meet the lord in his magician's attire. Soon the palace became visible in the distance, emerging from the gray sky in the morning light.

[~echo~]

Eros looked up at the palace as they approached it. "Such oppulance. I shall know if he's lying if he says he doesn't have any money to spare. But let us hope that he is honest."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sorrell watched him for a few long seconds as they walked. "Looks aren't everything, Sage. You should know that. Wealth and glamour on the surface do not always speak of what lays underneath."

[~echo~]

The Sage looked back at her and shrugged. "But sometimes they do."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Sorrel turned her eyes back to the palace. "Yes, sometimes," she murmured. A few minutes later they arrived at the palace gates, where they were intercepted by two guards. "What's your business here?" One guard asked, not unkindly.

[~echo~]

Eros straightened up and looked directly at the guard. "I wish to have an audience with His Lordship, if it please you."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

The guard eyed the Sage's robes distrustfully. "We will notify the Lord of your request," he said. "Please wait." He slipped through the great doors. From inside came his quiet voice, "Please tell Lord Atru that a Sage is here to see him."

[~echo~]

Eros noticed the guard's distrustful gaze but didn't comment on it. Instead, he moved a bit away and sat, watching the door patiently.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

It took a long time. Sorrell stood in silence, her paws folded in front of her. Eventually the messenger the guard had sent returned. He spoke quietly to the guard, who then nodded and gestured Sorrell and Eros inside. He gave them a distasteful look as they passed though.

[~echo~]

Eros ignored the look they were given. He was used to it. The entryway they walked into was beautiful, though, and he looked around with a faint smile.