The main doors of the Clery manor creaked open, though not from human hands. Instead, a large black raven swooped in, wings beating heavily as it soared through the foyer. The bird’s sleek form cut through the still air, feathers gleaming faintly in the dim light. It landed atop the banister of the grand staircase, ruffled its wings dramatically, and then hopped down to the floor.
Before anyone could make sense of the sight, the raven shimmered with an unnatural glow, warping and stretching in a burst of magic. In moments, where there had been a bird, now stood a man — or something like one. He was tall, lean, and roguishly disheveled, with dark, wind-tossed hair and a sharp, mischievous grin. His coat, a patchwork of fine tailoring and weather-beaten wear, hung rakishly on his frame. Rings glittered on his fingers, and a long staff rested against his shoulder.
Horus turned a slow circle in the foyer, his dark eyes taking in the spacious hall with visible approval. He exhaled sharply, clapping his hands together as if sealing a decision.
He spun on his heel and finally spotted Esme, his grin widening.
With a flourishing bow that was more dramatic than necessary, Horus straightened and gestured around the space.
He offered her a grin so crooked it seemed to have a personality of its own, then clapped his hands again.
@Caro Byrne
@Ceren Brynmor
@Esmé Lachance
@Genthus
Before anyone could make sense of the sight, the raven shimmered with an unnatural glow, warping and stretching in a burst of magic. In moments, where there had been a bird, now stood a man — or something like one. He was tall, lean, and roguishly disheveled, with dark, wind-tossed hair and a sharp, mischievous grin. His coat, a patchwork of fine tailoring and weather-beaten wear, hung rakishly on his frame. Rings glittered on his fingers, and a long staff rested against his shoulder.
Horus turned a slow circle in the foyer, his dark eyes taking in the spacious hall with visible approval. He exhaled sharply, clapping his hands together as if sealing a decision.
“Right. I can see myself liking this arrangement. Opulent yet practical. Plenty of nooks for napping, crannies for storing things that aren’t strictly mine… and the acoustics? Magnificent!”
He spun on his heel and finally spotted Esme, his grin widening.
“Esme, my dear, there you are! I was starting to wonder if this was the wrong old, suspiciously empty mansion. Although...”He leaned forward slightly, stage-whispering,
“...‘wrong’ is such a strong word. Who’s to say there *is* a wrong mansion when all of them look like this?”
With a flourishing bow that was more dramatic than necessary, Horus straightened and gestured around the space.
“So! Here I am, as promised. One eccentric shapeshifter, ready and willing to assist this merry band of Salamanders with whatever noble, ignoble, or questionably legal work you’ve got lined up. And before you ask, yes, I’ll pull my weight, and no, I don’t usually charge extra for delightful company, though I might make exceptions for long sea voyages.”
He offered her a grin so crooked it seemed to have a personality of its own, then clapped his hands again.
“Now, who else do I get to charm in this fine establishment?”
@Caro Byrne
@Ceren Brynmor
@Esmé Lachance
@Genthus
01-21-2025, 07:59 AM
