TeaPunkin707

Your character has just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As they look around, their gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. They duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? She begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.” ((How do you respond?)) Maelin raises their brow, glancing behind themself in surprise before realising that the old hag had been referring to them. Their initial startle turns to suspicion, expression turning furtive. "You...have?" They linger by the entrance to the tent a moment longer, tentatively considering retreat, before stiffly navigating to the seat opposite the hag, placing their bag close at their side. Their posture remains awkward, but they relax at the relief of finally shirking the weight of several academic books and their toolset off their shoulders. "I come seeking a teacher. The past few years of my life have been dedicated to study and reading on the subject of alchemy, and I've become fascinated by the nature of the world, including that which pertains to magic. Do you know someone capable of sharing their knowledge with me?"

Baraqiel grimaced once they realised that the stranger was speaking to them, and not someone else in the writhing crowd around them. They awkwardly dragged their gaze downwards and continued walking, opting to ignore the man's question. He was unfamiliar, and ultimately, Baraqiel did not want to cause trouble.