In Need of Assistance (Preston)

[Allison Kazim]

To say Ali was feeling unstasified was an understatement.  It seemed whereever she went, she wasn't good enough, especially with Xapham's mention of crafting on her mind after she'd tried looking itno what she coudl do herself.  The conclusion was: not enough.

So now she was swallowing her pride and seeking out soomeone who could help her, even if it meant needing something to wash the taste of her mouth as she thought about having to sit through a storm of superiority.

It was time to find Lord Salabim!

[Preston Salabim]

Preston was once again in the Libary with a large stack of books before him. Though he was penning something into his own books.

[Allison Kazim]

At least that part hadn't changed. The library was the closest reminder Cabal had to home, and seeing the noble hard at work was a second one. She was curious what he was was working on, but not that curious. Instead, teh battle mage approached the table and cleared her throat.

"Excuse me, Mr. Salabim. Do you have a moment?"

[Preston Salabim]

He held up a finger for her to wait while he finished his sentence. Taking a moment to reread it to make sure everything was accurate before lowering his finger and looking at her. Adjusting his glasses as he sized her up, his features passive, but his eyes judgemental and weighing.

"I can make time. How can I help you?"

[Allison Kazim]

Typical. Even if she did ask, she could do without the look. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she waited, shafting her weight to one hip as he finished his sentence.

"I wanted to ask for your assistance." She reached for the tainted wood she'd acquired weeks ago, holding it up but not out to him.

"I need to find other ways to bolster my strength - beyond training. I was hoping you would be willing to help me craft this into something usable."

[Preston Salabim]

"Mhm."

He had assumed she came to ask for his help. Why else would she go out of her way to find him and talk to him?

"I see."

He'd take the wood into his hands, feeling it and probing it to see what he could about it.

"What did you have in mind?"

[Allison Kazim]

"A grimoire." She let him take the wood, watching him as he inspected the material. At least on the battlefield, she would also have that with her. It was hard to think of replacing her old one, but it seemed appropriate instead of adding to it.

"I've looked into the properties it has." Not that he couldn't look, but...blessed mana, why was she already on the defensive about it?

"It feels the most accurate way to handle what it can do for now."

[Preston Salabim]

"You need me to make you a new grimoire? Or you'd like me to make you one?"

He asked slowly, his eyes peering up at her over the rim of his glasses. He was judging her, harshly. No matter her answer however he'd click his tongue and set the wood on the table.

"I will have it finished for you in three days' time."

[Allison Kazim]

Ali tried her best not to snap under his gaze, cheeks flushing red at her own misspoken words.

"I would like you to make one." It wasn't like she didn't know how or couldn't fix the one she had, but there was no denying he was...better at it. Ugh. Her head cocked forward in a slight nod as her tongue pressed into the roof of her mouth.

"Thank you, Mr. Salabim." There was one other matter that needed ot be addressed and she woudln't go without bringing it up.

"How much do I owe you for the commission?"

[Preston Salabim]

"I had no intention of charging you. However..."

He'd take a scrap of parchment and scribble down a small list. Though to say it was a scribble was inaccurate, as even this quick scrawl was superior penmanship to a large portion of the Academy back home when they took their time.

"If it is not too much trouble these are the materials I would like to use to ensure I craft something of suitable quality."

Meaning he was just going to do it at cost.

[Allison Kazim]

...We don't talk about Ali's handwriting in comparison. Needless to say, she can read it, and if there are loops and swirls, it's clear enough for her to make out the words on it with no difficulty. Show off.

"Of course." She nodded, tucking the paper inside her jacket pocket. "I will return with them shortly." However long it took her. But she was grateful for the lack of charge, enough so that it showed on her face.

[Preston Salabim]

He nodded and let her leave, returning to his notes and the task at hand. Shifting the wood closer to him to make sure no one got sticky fingers walking through the library.

[Allison Kazim]

After a time, Ali would return to the library with the rest of the components. The bookmark was going to be woven from her own hair, but the rest was being left to someone else's expertise. Which still felt..odd. It required things that were important to her or meant something, as well as the fact that some of the ingredients at Cabal were...different. But she had them, along with a wand, including ink made from the dying gasp of a holy man, metal forged from the flames of a forest fire.

She also tried not to dwell that some of this was more than she could have afforded when she made her first grimoire back home.

Assuming he would still be in the library, she would approach him directly and quietly lay her materials on the table before him.

"I believe these should do it."

[Preston Salabim]

When she returned Preston would look over the ingredients she brought, going so far as to touch the ink with a finger, rubbing it against his thumb with a frown before wiping it up with a handkerchief. He was unconcerned with the smudge that remained on his flesh, however.

"Barely, but I will make sure it is suitable for you."

The ingredients didn't meet his standards, but it wouldn't be the first time he was forced to do miracle work. In a way, it was his way of giving back to those lower than him. But there was more to it than that. She was, like it or not, from the Academy and so in some ways that made them peers. The pride of the Academy meant they needed to stand above the common rabble outside of their island, and if he had to uplift her to ensure that she didn't embarrass them, then so be it. He would do what he must.

[Allison Kazim]

Her lips pressed into a thin line once again at the assessment, but she refused to take the assumed bait. It may not be up to his standard, but they couldn't all be born with silver spoons in their mouths. Or gold spoons, in his case.

"Thank you." She would take a step back, knowing it would take time to work and that he had other things. She reminded herself other positive, in taht it wasn't wrong to request someone else's aid if it meant making herself more suitable to protecting her home and her family. To be a better mage. Even if it did gall her.

"Why is it you're not charging me?" It wasn't a favor, obviously, unless he decided she'd owe him later. But the other mage hadn't said anything like that. Just material cost. Was it bragging rights?