Terdisas smiles softly, "Of Course May, though Emerald does have a point about our apparent intentions.  Even if I do prefer my wallet to be more on the full side.  Of course, you make it sound like you are less valued than you should be with the 'strong, Human man' line.  But I shall indeed spend more time with them beyond our chance meetings."

  "Chirp, yeah, somehow I don't think Ogre battles are the normal standard for bonding time."

  Terdisas braces for timeskip impact if that comes up.

*timeskip timewarp*

Liberty and Maverick are at the archery range, practicing bows. They are decent shots (as good of shots as can be without proficiency in bows, anyway), but certainly aren't the next Angel Bard or anything. Better than normal kids, but then, most kids don't practice archery. Even in RL boy scouts, it's not a very common thing.

Liberty sees Terdisas coming and nudges her bro. He looks and the two lower their bows.

Lucky is with the kids supervising their practice, offering words of encouragement.  He notices the approach of the others, smiles, and waves.

"Hey, everyone," he says, "How y'all doin?"

  Terdisas can totally out archery Maverick.  But, only if he gets to use a crossbow while Maverick keeps trying with a bow <.<  >.>

  "Hello Maverick, Liberty, Lucky.  It is good to see you again.  I don't suppose a crossbow would defeat the purpose of your practice?"  "Chirp, No. I'm sure point and click is much more skill building than having to physically fight your weapon while aiming."  "...Did May slip sarcasm pills into your birdseed?  Seriously."

Liberty says, "Maverick and I are already familiar with the crossbow, but thanks. Trying to get familiar with longbows."

Emerald says, "I thought it'd be nice for Terdisas to spend some time with the kids. I have a new study buddy I'm excited to hang out with, so I'll be doing that. Just came with Terdisas to show my support, really." she waves, gives the kids each a hug and then runs off to get some yay academic time with Gale.

Gale has much yay time with Emerald, sharing an enthusiasm for anything academic, and being entirely open to discussing any topic.  Even topics other scholars might be uncomfortable with.  Such as the comforting nature of Illithid music.

"Study buddy?" Lucky asks, "Ok...  Good to see you as always, Emerald.  I'd like to spend some one-on-one time with you some time too."

He waves goodbye to her.

"Heh if he gets out of hand, just remind him, 'opposable thumbs,'" he suggests to Terdisas with a smirk.

  Because Superbird is mostly polite, he does not pull a cartoon bird 'feather fingers' moment to give Lucky a middle one.  "I suppose there is that.  There of course is also dismissing them, but that's both just rude and defeatist."  Terdisas wanders over to closer behind (because closer in front would be a bad plan right now) Liberty and Maverick, saying "While I do feel I should spend more time around you in more normal circumstances,  I also find myself coming to the unfortunate realization the majority of my experience spending time with people your age of late is in combat...  I am open to suggestions, unless 'pick up a bow and join in' is the correct guess already."

  What do you mean none of the skills have a knowledge check for proper 'sorta parental figure' interaction!?

There's always rolling straight wis. Though in 3.5, there used to be straight knowledge skills you could train in that were int. So by those rules, parenting or working with kids is int.

Liberty says, "You good with a bow?"

"So... Who's Emerald's study buddy?" Lucky asks, "What are they like?"

He partakes in the archery as well.  His aim isn't great.

  Terdisas lifts a spare bow, saying "I have the basic coordination to hit a standing target just fine, but lack the experienced skill to fire swiftly and accurately under pressure."  He looks over to Lucky, and says "Gale, she is a Wizard second, and academic first.  Particularly when it comes to language, Eleven known apparently."

Liberty listens, readying her bow before firing an arrow. "Wizard second? She must study some pretty amazing things... eleven languages?!" she misses horribly, not even hitting the target. "Geez. And Maverick says *I'm* smart."

Maverick looks over at his sister. Liberty looks at him with that "we're talking with our eyes" look again before blushing. "Mav..." Liberty says in a flattered tone.

How lucky for the quiet boy that he has a telepathic sister.

"She..." Lucky says, sounding relieved, "Was a little worried there.  It'd be hard to compete with a guy study buddy.  Eleven languages is impressive.  But I can't imagine having the time to even make use of such a thing much less learn it.  Well you're in good company, Terdisas.  I think I'd do better with a javelin."

  "I have no doubt you are as much, if not more intelligent than many Liberty" Said the Charisma Primary to the Intelligence Primary, so no duh?  "I do suppose that while there would be many more chances you would know a language in use with that number, times where all would be needed at once are likely very rare.  Though I suppose the same could be said of many fields of academic study."

  Arrow go shoot, arrow go edge of target.  Yay arrow.

Liberty says, "Well lucky me, as Maverick just reminded, I'm a telepath, so language is only a barrier if the person I'm talking to doesn't want to converse. Which would be the case anyway with normal language."

Her aim is much improved this time. It hits the black. Maverick hits around the same accuracy.

"Good point," Lucky says, "I wonder if she's thought of that and plans to somehow 'learn' telepathy.  Maybe there's some kind of magic item or some such that grants telepathy.  I dunno.  I just can't imagine the practical application for having so many languages.  Maybe she plans to be some kind of one-size-fits-all interpreter.  I guess if ever there were a place that could use such, this would be it."

Lucky gets in a lucky shot.  Imagine that.

  Weaksauce 'Language Of The Mind' is on the list of Languages for Lv2+ Linguist picks.  Heavily noted as 'don't give this to people unless they deserve telepathy', and is only understandable by beings with Telepathy anyways.  Yes, it is written form Telepathy that only telepaths can read or write.... POINTLESS!

  "True enough about Unity Greyhawk being in a much greater need of interpreter options than many.  I wonder at what point though it came to be that I do not find casual mention of telepathy odd?"  "Chirp, Shardminds, Kalashtar, everything else that has telepathy making it not so crazy?"

Liberty answers Lucky, "Lots of practical application. Such as knowing what your enemy is saying when you listen in on them, for starters. Emerald knows just as many languages. Maybe you can ask her why she knows so many and how she's used 'em..."

She then looks at Superbird with a "huh?" expression. "What? What's a shardmind or kalashtar?"

"Creatures with telepathy, no doubt," Lucky muses, "Telepathy is relatively common in legends.  Though usually associated with a psychic such as Liberty.  Emerald knows 11 languages?  Huh...  Odd coincidence.  Maybe it's a lucky number.  Or that's as many as can be learned in this city.  I only knew of 10 myself."

  "Chirp, Shardminds are like Warforged but made of shiny gems instead of shiny metal."  "Not quite so simple as that, but a good comparison."

Maverick says, "It's 'cause she knows the basic 10... and one other that she prefers not to talk about. But being heroes that Liberty and I trust, we figure you can be trusted with this fact, rather than us just withholding the fact she speaks so many languages."

Liberty nods. "Like I said... you should talk with her about it some time. Alone."

In response to Superbird, both kids look at him with wide eyes. Liberty says, "Mind if we link minds and I take a look at what they look like? Sounds pretty..."

(Telepathy: Useful for mental imagery as well! Whee!)

"Neat," Lucky says, "People made of gems.  That does sound pretty."

Lucky smiles at Maverick and reaches to pet him.

"I do intend to spend some alone time with her.  Hopefully lots of alone time.  I'd like to marry her."

  Superbird Wingflaps, "Tweet, I have no idea how this will work, do you boss man?"  "Haven't a clue."  "Tweet, well then, for SCIENCE!"  That said, Superbird goes to handperch on Liberty if it's available, or just sorta hang out on the ground by her otherwise.  'Parrot' Familiars being actually capable of not just communication, but linked communication meaning that Liberty can totally get a mental image of a Shardmind.

  Terdisas looks over to Lucky with a soft smile,  "While I could say the final step has come to your mind with surprising speed, I have a feeling that it could work out between you two."

Liberty makes the connection. Then shows Superbird some awesome images of sunsets in return. "Thanks." she says to him. Then shares the image with Maverick before looking at Lucky and showing him a mental image of a shardmind. "Cool, huh?"

She and Maverick are smiling. Seeing a pic of a creature made of crystals is awesome.

Liberty then adds to Ter's thought. "I'm positive she'll be flattered, and you are one of the few guys around who deserves her."

"Yeah..."

Lucky blink-blinks at the mental image.  He's happy to be made of flesh.  He can't imagine the inconveniences of being made of gems.  Shredding your bed sheets whenever you roll over for one.  He blushes at the well wishes and compliment.

"Thank you!"

He kneels to give Liberty a big hug and smiles brightly at Terdisas.

((OOC: Too bad for Lucky that it's been decided that even marriage is off the menu for RP from now on.))

  Ah, we knew there was a reason beyond trace shyness the more sociable than most of Will's Alts Terdisas had absolutely zero expectations regarding Romance.

  "Chirp, That sun is going down!... Probably poor choice of wording, I'm not punching Pelor."  Terisas discreetly eyerolls at this.  "While this goes for everyone of you here, you and Emerald deserve some personal happiness.  I hope you can manage to find it together."