Interlude: Under the Night Sky
It was still dark when High Elf Archer woke up, the remnants of the powerful dwarven fire wine having mostly passed through her system. Blessed as the elves were she seemed to avoid the nasty after-effects most others would have to deal with, despite her low tolerance. Her ears twitched revealing all that was going around her even as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. The low rumbled of the Dwarf's unrestrained snore mixed with the light hiss of the Lizard Priest were two such sound she'd grown used to over the last weeks. The soft stirring of liquid and unnatural scent brought her attention back to the campfire. Two shadowed figures sat up in the firelight. Orcbolg, still asleep sitting up with blanket over his shoulders, and the Wizard who was carefully stirring a small pot over the dwindled flames. The rookie's distinctive pointy hat sitting on the log next to her, fully absorbed in her actions. The Archer stood and stretched before walking over to the fire, her steps effortlessly soundless.
"You know," waited to speak until she was nearly behind the young human taking satisfaction in the flinch of surprise. "When one agrees to take first watch, they're suppose to be actually keeping watch." she said coolly. She watched as he Wizard gathered her composure before turning to face her with her own neutral expression.
"I set up an alarm spell along the perimeter of the camp. Any intruded within ten feet will instantly be revealed to me." she adjusted her glasses, the right lens glinting from the firelight. "As a human I can't always trust my senses, but I can trust in the arcane to sense what I can not." It was clear she was trying to look more impressive then she was, it was almost cute.
"Isn't that a waste of a spell? I can't imagine you have many at your rank." she put her hands on her hips.
"I hadn't used any today on our travel, when I rest I'll be back to full strength." she replied unconcerned. Hopefully this rookie wasn't all talk.
"Fine," The Archer shrugged before taking seat on he log next to her, curiosity getting the better of her. "So, cooking something?" The Wizard hadn't had much to share in their meal earlier having only brought apples and bread for herself outside of the less appetizing hard rations... had she been holding out on them? She sniffed once more now that she was closer and she frowned. It certainly didn't smell like food. It was a sharp unnatural smell she couldn't place.
"Not exactly," The human muttered eyes never leaving the simmering liquid. "It's Alchemy." she clarified, carefully adding a pinch of white powder to the mixture causing it to hiss softly and change colors. "Making some last minute preparations for our delve."
"Alchemy?" The elf placed a finger on her lips. "Like potions?"
"Kind of, unfortunately even the most basic Alembic or Calcinator are not very affordable on a porcelain's budget. Thus I'm unable to safely distill mixtures for their effects." she muttered with a sigh. "So until then I have to make due with reactants."
"Reactants?" the Elf pressed further, always interested in learning something new. The human girl sighed softly but complied and began to explain more of what she meant. It seemed when the right plants and minerals were mixed together it could make several spell-like effects... Smoke, fire, adhesives and acids. She apparently used these to accent her limited magic and save her spells for when she needed them. Her current project for the night was of particular note. Pouring the liquid into three small shot-glasses it quickly began to crystallize as it cooled. Like watching an icicle form on a tree branch in a matter of seconds. The mixture was apparently called 'Thunderstone'. Despite it's crystalline appearance they were extremely brittle, shattering with a hard enough impact to make a loud crashing sound like it's namesake... Wizard wasn't adverse to her trying one herself but both girls deemed it unwise to do so while all their companions were sleeping. While the thunderstone set the two sat in a companionable silence with just the crackle and pop of the campfire to accent the snores.
"Look," The wizard spoke up only to nearly fall silent again. She took a breath and started one more time. "About before?"
"Hm?" she turned to face the human with curiosity, her ear twitched bringing her to glance quickly across the fire but was pulled back as the other girl began to speak.
"I... may have overstepped somewhat, back at the guild hall." she muttered to herself.
"Oh?" she crossed her arms. "You don't say?" she asked in wry exaggerated manner, sarcasm dripping from every syllable. The Wizard flinched slightly, fists clenching for a moment before she slowly relaxed. She kept her gaze forward toward the fire as she began to speak again.
"I didn't appreciate how you talked about Goblin Slayer." her voice was tight no doubt to keep her from getting too loud. "So immediately dismissive, like he was lesser somehow..." her whispers barely carried inches from her lips but High Elves superior senses picked it all up clear as day. "I know he's strange and his equipment looks so shabby. I know he doesn't really care what other people think about what he does... but if he won't I feel like I have to." her gaze flickered up slightly to the man in question. "He saved me, I owe him my life... no more then that." she shook her head. "All this time he'd been teaching me how to survive and be a better adventurer."
"Sounds like he means a lot to you."
"I guess, maybe... yeah." she waffled for a moment before she covered her face. "Just... don't tell him I said that."
"Weeell, we'll see." the archer said mischievously. "You do still need to learn to respect your elders." she chided choosing to ignore the younger girl's sigh of annoyance. "But it wasn't like I wasn't at fault a bit myself. So lets start fresh, sound fair." she offered with a grin getting the human to turn her way for the first time during the whole exchange. She forced a small smile and nodded.
"That sounds good."
"Alright then I look forward to see what you've got in store tomorrow Rookie."
"Just wait and see Granny."
"Oi, don't push it you brat." she narrowed eyes causing the other girl to chuckle tiredly. "Go get some rest, I'll take over the watch from here."
"Very well," she stood and stretched a bit, her back no doubt stiff from crouching over a pot for the past few hours. "Do you want me to keep the alarm spell up?"
"I'll be fine. I'll be able to pick up any suspicious sounds long before it would trigger."
"If you say so," she closed her eyes and muttered a few odd words. Though nothing physical happened it felt as though something disappeared. The world seemed more open somehow. The human offered a tired wave before walking over to the bedroll and pulling the blanket over her. High Elf waited until the girl's breathing slowed and sleep overtook her before she turned to face the hunched figure across the fire. Propping her head up on one arm she grinned.
"You know, it's bad form to pretend you're asleep."
"...I just woke up."
"Close enough I suppose." she mused lightly. "I take it you heard all of that."
"Most of it." he admitted but said little else. That wouldn't do at all.
"She really looks up to you. It's cute."
"Is it?" he queried with no irony. "Usually she's just difficult." he added coolly getting the elf to snicker.
"So I've seen."
"But she has skill." he admitted, his helmet turning down to the small pan and glasses full of cooling crystal. "She keeps insisting on accompanying me, so I will take her assistance." It definitely didn't have the same reverence as Wizard's own words but she was starting to see that Goblin Slayer played with his card close to his chest... if he was even playing with the same deck. The jury was still out on that one.
"Anyway, you're welcome to go back to sleep. I can handle this watch shift."
"Hm, Very well." Goblin Slayer stood, noting the blanket on his shoulders. He stepped away from the log and laid down to sleep properly. His breathing barely changed, but after a few moments she was fairly confident he was fell asleep. Now alone she stretched out and laid down looking up to the stars above her. A new adventure was just around the corner and she had two interesting new companions to see in action... This was going to be one to remember.
AN: So this time we go into High Elf Archer's perspective. The curious elf getting some insight on her new party members(mostly Wizard). I skipped the dining by the fire and 'where to goblins come from?" talk as it wouldn't change much. So once again i skip a nice scene I enjoy from canon for the purposes of keeping this story from dragging. Oh well...