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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Oct 13, 2022 20:28:27 GMT -5
After leaving the Safe, Dry, Sleep, Eat Spot, the pair travel out of Gazablaak after a quick resupply stop to prepare for many nights on the road. Well, maybe not so much on the road as much of the surrounding terrain is very swampy in the greater Marsh Flats.
The humidity is high and the sky is clear. That doesn't bode well for their trek through the swamps as it means that it will be boiling hot by midday and all the swarms of insects will be out in full force.
Their travel will also be slow going during the hours of the day they spend traveling across the Marsh Flats. Not just because of the terrain, but every slight bump of his injured arm makes Zarius pause and cringe in pain. His muscles still ache from the night before and every now and it became obvious pretty early on in the first travel day that they would have to make frequent stops to rest as he staggers and risks collapse from on-sets of dizziness. Still, he does his best to press on alongside Caedes and keep pace with him.
Hopefully once they were clear of the water saturated lands they would be able to hitch a ride on a wagon to traverse Moonglade easier. He wouldn't be opposed to commandeering one if given the opportunity at this point.
He tries hard to not to think about the possibility of infection or losing his arm. Veliky's voice echoes in his head from time to time.
Walk it off.
If the pain from her breaking her arm was anything like this, he owed her a lot more credibility for pressing on as she did during that whole ordeal.
He chuckles a bit under his breath at the thought of what she was would say if she saw him like this. She probably would not mince her criticism of his rash actions with the ooze. She wouldn't refrain from chastising him either, unlike Caedes who he was certain wanted to. He wanted to yell at himself as well.
As they stop for another rest under the shade of a large tree, Zarius sits down on a large gnarled root sticking out of the ground in an attempt to stay drier. He looks at Caedes.
"I do not think I have said it aloud yet, but thank you for not letting me die back there. I owe you."
He felt it had to be said though Caedes was likely already thinking it. Acknowledgement of the choices Caedes made of his own volition during that whole fiasco was important. The last thing he wants is for Caedes to feel bitter or resent him for taking his aid for granted. Zarius knew he would not be alive if it weren't for the changeling's quick thinking and care after he blacked out. He also hadn't forgotten that Caedes expected answers out of him and has been very patiently waiting for the opportune moment to have a real discussion not about oozes.
"So," he starts, "to start repaying you for sparing my life, oh mighty assassin Caedes Oleander, I will graciously grant you my full attention and complete honesty for the next few minutes."
He says this all with an over the top ostentatious flair as if he were mocking a far more pompous noble. He was joking about the time limit of course. He had just as many questions for Caedes as he suspected the changeling had for him. However long they needed to clear the air between them was however long he would cooperate.
He had little choice now considering his injury. If Caedes ends up wanting to kill him at any point, the worst he'd walk away with would probably only be a few broken bones rather than a completely shattered skeleton.
"I will have you know that I am aware of who you are, or rather who you used to be affiliated with. The fabled Shadow Crawlers and their work always had my parents and their associates passing suspicious glances at every darkened corner."
He pauses. "Ever since that night...The Crimson Hand has done nothing but use those events as an example of what happens should anyone dare cross them. My father has heeded their warnings, although begrudgingly."
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Oct 13, 2022 21:35:06 GMT -5
He hates the Marsh Flats. He has never liked the Marsh Flats, but he often forgets his hatred when he’s away from it; it’s only when he is here, walking in the humidity of midday in the bog, that he remembers how much he actually hates it. Even he, cool to the touch, swelters in this heat and humidity; and the sun feels… more bothersome than most on this day. It feels like a scratch against his skin; an unpleasant itch; one he can’t quite explain. He pulls his hood further over his head, casting the shade over his pale eyes as he walks beside Zarius. The tiefling has been fine, on most accounts, since the ooze incident; although, every now and then he seems to grow faint. So, they’ll pull over to the side of the road and allow him a moment to catch his breath; moments in which he finds himself gazing at Zarius’ wrapped arm with an idle stare. At first, it’s always a mild concern that the humidity would affect the application of the bandages; and then, the fact that infection could so easily settle into a wound so large before they reach the Moonglade; and then, a recollection of the blood. It’s an odd train of thought, actually: one in which he does not understand. He has not mentioned it to Zarius yet, remaining mostly silent as they walk the swamp together; but he feels ill. It started not long after they’d left; specifically, after stopping to resupply.
It was a charm kept above the door— and he thought as he passed through the threshold— that he felt something stir. Following, came a strange nausea. He’s felt a bit foggy since then; distant, each movement not quite his own; and yet, completely his own. It’s hard to explain. Caedes has kept to his hooded cloak for most of the day, despite the heat; away from the sun, and away from Zarius’ keen eyes— so far, he seems mostly preoccupied with his own grievances. Caedes, to his; which is perhaps why they wait so long for the bubble to burst. “ I don’t think I have said it aloud yet, but thank you for not letting me die back there. I owe you.” Caedes slides down the tree nearby, perching against a gnarled root; he opens up his cloak, allowing Charlotte to scuttle out from somewhere inside. She goes up his shoulder, and promptly scurries up the tree— she’s hunting, but she’ll come back if he calls. He looks to his side, smiling at Zarius. “ Thanks is not needed, but you’re quite welcome. Would’ve been a shame had you died without compensating me for all of this ooze research.” he jokes, his tone calm; he’s adjusting the hem of his sleeves when Zarius speaks again. Caedes looks up with only his eyes, pale gaze narrowing despite the smile on his face. “ Oh? So, it begins?” he hums, flicking his sleeves. He’s still feeling a bit out of sorts, but he’s been waiting for this moment; as much as it should surprise him to hear his name spoken back to him; he’s known there was no hiding it the moment he saw the gleam in his golden eyes. “ After all we’ve been through, you only plan to grace me with the next few minutes?” There’s a mocking pout in the way Caedes delivers the line; he bends a knee towards his chest, resting his elbow against it; and his cheek against his open palm. Zarius is curious; a man who knows his name, who knows his family, who knows what happened that night. As he talks about the Shadow Crawlers’ fate, Caedes’ taunting smile from earlier slowly fades. His pale eyes turn away, narrowing against the light of the sun against the murky ground, until Zarius finishes; and for just a moment, his expression is quite human. Pained. “ Of course they are.” He blinks, taking a slow breath, and then turns back to Zarius with that same smile; though this one feels significantly more hollow. “ I had a feeling you knew more than you let on ever since I met you that night.” he remarks, “ Ooze hunting wouldn’t have really interested me, had I thought you were only a researcher’s errand boy… I presume, you knew even then who I was; which is curious, because you say your family was suspicious…” His blink is lethargic; he looks Zarius over. “ Awfully bold of you to stroll up to a man you know to be a killer and offer him a job hunting ooze, of all things.” There’s a joke in his response, somewhere; but there lies a serious edge to it, as well. “ For as much as you know about me, however; I know less about you. So, let’s start with this: you’re from Darkveil.” It’s stated as a fact, “ So who are you, really, Zarius?” He leans off his elbow, head tilted as he narrows his eyes at him suspiciously.
“ And who have you told about me?”
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Oct 13, 2022 23:39:48 GMT -5
The tiefling watches Caedes closely, he knew that what they were about to discuss, what he was about to say, could change everything. There was a chance Caedes wouldn't like what he heard or wouldn't believe him. There was a chance a sudden stab wound to the chest would kill him faster than the blood loss or possible infection. There was a chance Caedes would just vanish in a puff of smoke, never to be seen again.
There were so many possible outcomes, many of them bad, but there was also a chance that getting everything out in the open would win the changeling's trust. It was a gamble. He would risk his life, his arm, his work...all to maybe, just maybe, gain a single ally in a man who carries a spider around in his cloak. He could hear his sister's voice in his head calling him an idiot.
“Awfully bold of you to stroll up to a man you know to be a killer...”
Zarius chuckles at that. It was a logical observation. Caedes, even without knowing who he was or what he was capable of, he doubts many folks would approach him. He was intimidating in appearance, and that seemed to be his preference. He could respect that. It was dangerous to let people get close, especially if you already had been stabbed in the back once.
"Takes a killer to know a killer. I've taken my fair share of lives, though my training is less about how to kill people and more about...well, how to break them. Whether that be physically or mentally."
It was true. Violence and death was not something he was far removed from. Growing up in the criminal underbelly of Darkveil made it impossible to avoid. You either were a victim of those things, or the perpetrator. Sometimes both...often both in the end. They lived with one foot in a jail cell and another in a grave. That was just their reality, and they embraced it. Maybe that's why the citizens of Darkveil partied so often and so hard. Any moment could be their last after all.
"Allow me to clear up one thing first. I know about your family, not necessarily you specifically. To be honest, I had no idea anyone survived that night before our path's crossed. I only recognized your last name. My family makes it our business to know everything about those who would pose a threat to our ambitions and survival. The Shadow Crawlers and their associates are no different."
He pauses, then continues.
"You can be at east. I have told no one about you. I have hardly had any chance to, and I do not intend to without your consent. Your secret is safe. No one in Darkveil has to know, including my own family. Of course, that is only if you swear you will not become a threat to them. I do have to put their safety first."
It was an honest answer, probably the most honest one he had given so far. But that wasn't everything Caedes wanted to know. No, he wanted to know who exactly was sitting before him well within striking distance. This was it. No more lies. No more delay. No more dancing around the truth. He owed Caedes his life. He owed him the truth.
"Yes, I am from Darkveil. Born and raised, actually. Those darkened streets were all I knew until I started traveling."
He draws his legs up sits cross-legged on the root while his tail curls around the root to anchor himself. He rests his injured arm gingerly in front of him and puts his other hand on his knee.
"I am no one special, at least not yet. I do not even know if you or the Shadow Crawlers would have given us a passing glance."
There's a pause of silence as if he is bracing himself for what he says next. His gaze lingers on the swampy ground between them before he meets Caedes sharp eyes. It was like staring down a predator.
"Let me reintroduce myself, my name is Zarius Rha'Oriyn. I am the first born son of Anselm Dvara'Oriyn and Zewala Rha'Esandi. My father is an Ashen Father, though one of the lesser known ones. I serve many roles in my family, but currently I am traveling across Charon to build connections which we can leverage to our advantage. I am an ambassador for my family's operation, a trained spy, and an interrogator by trade. I do not carry any weapons to put people at ease. I trained my body into a weapon to ensure I am always armed."
He considers something and a smile crosses his face.
"Before you can make any snide remarks, yes, I am aware of the irony of that statement given my currently...condition."
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Oct 14, 2022 17:20:47 GMT -5
"Takes a killer to know a killer. I've taken my fair share of lives, though my training is less about how to kill people and more about...well, how to break them. Whether that be physically or mentally."
That makes sense; Zarius has had clear training in combat— that much was made clear on their first job together. He had seemed merciless at first in their fight against the hunters; and Caedes has seen men in the business who can throw a punch, but he’s seen less who can hit as hard as he can. Zarius has been through something different than those men; the grunts of the Ashen Father’s. The petty criminals of Darkveil; he holds a higher stance of some kind… or perhaps, he’s just that talented in his art.
As he speaks of the Shadow Crawlers, then assures him he’s told no one; Caedes slowly leans back against the tree. There’s still a skeptical air about him; and he looks to Zarius from his peripheral vision, shaded by the overhang of his hood. “If you know what happened, you’d know why I can’t agree to that so carelessly.” There’s something mournful in that response; but it’s subtle. “Don’t get me wrong; I have never killed without reason. What I can swear to you, is that I have no business with you or your family if you weren’t involved in what happened. And, you weren’t.”
He makes no further elaboration on that comment, but he does lift his dagger from the confines of its sheath; a crimson red gem glints brilliantly against the sun. “So, you and your family have nothing to worry about… Unless you go back on your word; my family have always kept their promises.” There’s some bitterness in the way he speaks his last line; after all, it was they who had remained loyal to the Crimson Hand.
It was not them who had broken their agreement.
He knew what the Shadow Crawlers wanted; he knew what his father aimed for; but in the underbelly of Darkveil, it was an idea that was all too easy to take advantage of.
He lets the dagger dangle loosely between his fingers as he looks towards Zarius, eyes narrowed as the man agrees that he is from Darkveil— something he had guessed, himself— but he nods with the affirmation. “Try me.” he responds simply; flipping the dagger in his hand, he holds it loosely by its hilt— meeting Zarius’ eyes unwaveringly as he finally looks up and introduces himself in full.
Zarius Rha’Oriyn.
His gaze doesn’t falter; he listens quietly as Zarius explains his situation in full. Son of Anselm Dvara’Oriyn, and Zewala Rha’Esandi; born to an Ashen Father; used as an ambassador.
His father may have known exactly who these people were… but Caedes, himself, was not in the field for long enough to have this information. He is certain he’s heard of this family in passing— he has heard of many— but he is not intimately familiar with the family which Zarius originates from. He is unsure if this attests to how low in the food chain they actually are, or to how little he was able to fully learn in the few years he worked the field.
He wished he had his father’s reports; but by now, they’ve either been burned or confiscated.
As Zarius smiles and remarks about his arm, a smirk appears on Caedes’ face; a soft puff of a laugh escapes his lips, almost breaking the moment of serious conversation. “Well… I’m glad you’re not completely oblivious to the situation,” he remarks, snidely, before finally breaking their eye-contact. “It’s smart; training yourself as a weapon. I had a feeling there was much more to you than just a brawler or a petty criminal; but if I hadn’t…”
It’s a deadly combination, honestly.
He breathes a sigh, leaning forwards, and crossing his knees against his thighs as he looks to Zarius. “I’m going to make the jump, Zarius Rha’Oriyn, that you didn’t come to approach me out of a simple job offer. Many of the underbelly might even take advantage of this moment, to get on the Crimson Hand’s good side, and bring my head back as a trophy.” He tilts his head, “But you’ve sworn to keep quiet, and my head still seems to be quite firmly attached… so, why approach me? Is it connections you want? Because I hate to tell you, but the Shadow Crawlers are, in fact, dead.”
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Oct 15, 2022 11:37:51 GMT -5
“Not all of them." He interjects. "You are still very much here."
“I am curious as to how you managed to survive, but I understand if you do not want to entrust such sensitive information to me.”
He didn't want to push the changeling. He imagines that Caedes had likely gone through hell to escape with his life. It must have been a horrific experience, and while he hid it well, there were still lingering emotional scars. He wondered how many physical ones he hid under that cloak.
"Your family and the rest of your syndicate may be gone, but the Crimson Hand still uses your syndicate's name as part of veiled threats." He points out.
The Crimson Hand were hardly shy about making it known that they were vicious and powerful enough to even snuff out their own allies should they choose to do so. It's not like betrayal wasn't something that happened on the regular in Darkveil. It was very common. But that made unwavering loyalty and trust all that more valuable.
He wasn't expecting to get such promises or commitments from Caedes as they still were just acquaintances. He'd admit that he liked traveling with Caedes despite the doubts and paranoia. They were similar in a lot of ways, though they had very different circumstances. The changeling was still being very guarded despite all Zarius had confided in him. That's fair, but he hoped that Caedes realized that every piece of information he gained from the tiefling was a double edged sword. That information could be used against Zarius just as easily as it could land Caedes in a difficult situation if the wrong people learned too much.
The tiefling adjusts the position of his injured arm a bit. The bandages were itchy against his skin, at least where he still had skin. He continues to speak, ignoring the discomfort.
"Even within my own circle that name still means something. Before the incident, your group was like the boogey-man. 'You cannot trust the shadows, even your own, for it wields a knife as it waits in silence. Ready and willing to stab you in the back when you least expect it.'" He chuckles at bit at the poetic waxing of his father. The man would not strike anyone as being theatrical, but he did have a flair for the dramatic at times.
"You weren't people to us." He explains with a slight shake of the head. "You were some sort of silent, murderous supernatural force like malevolent spirits bound to the beck and call of the Crimson Hand. It wasn't until that night that it was made clear you were all made of the same flesh and blood as the rest of us, and that even you were not safe from being wiped off the face of existence."
He pauses. While what he said was true, there was a nagging in the back of Zarius' head that something was still wrong about that statement. Caedes clearly was here in the flesh and blood, but there was something off about him that the tiefling couldn't quite put his finger on. It wasn't like his mannerisms or appearance bothered him, even his magic was not something he had never seen before. It was likely that he would never figure it out unless Caedes told him himself. He lets out a sigh and his shoulders relaxing. If things went well, there would be plenty of time to worry about all that later.
"My family has lived with the fear of being victims of assassinations for generations. Has it always been from the threat of the Shadow Crawlers specifically? No. We are no strangers to all the dark things that roam the Ash Lands."
The tiefling's expression darkens as if a subtle wave of festering rage reaches the surface just enough to break the grinning devil's usual façade. He speaks in a measured and clear manner, but there is a venomous hiss to his voice.
“You can rest assured that I have no interest in playing nice with the Crimson Hand. They are arrogant, belligerent, and…it is very likely that they ordered the assassination of a member of my family. They are not people I want to be walked over by. They are not people I want to shake hands with. No, they are an obstacle that I would very much be in support of removing from the playing field. I suspect that you would agree given the betrayal your family faced. If my assumption is correct, then our goals are not in opposition.”
His grip on his knee relaxes as he finishes speaking of the Crimson Hand. It wasn't just them of course. All the other crime families were competition. His anger mostly stems from the uncertainty of who is actually to blame for the death of his aunt. The woman was a despicable individual in her own right, but she was family. If someone thought they could get away with killing her, they would not hesitate to target his parents or his siblings. That is where his anger burns from. It was his duty as the eldest son to protect them, and he was proud of shouldering that responsibility. Still, it was a heavy weight to carry alone.
"There is only so far you can go in life while leaving nothing but destruction in your wake." He says with a hint of resignation. "Eventually, to move forward you have to create something. That is my goal. I want to create a way to ensure that my family does not fall as yours did. I want to ensure that my family has the choice to live an easy normal life despite the risks that come with our work. I want to provide us security for future generations and control over our own fates.”
Zarius shifts his weight back and sits up straighter. The tree root was not the most comfortable seating for this long, heavy conversation. Part of him yearns for the lavish comforts of home. To sleep in his own bed far removed from this swamp would be a welcomed luxury. It was too bad they were headed in the opposite direction from home, Moonglade was far closer than the Ash Lands. The Witch's gentle and warm hospitality would have to do instead.
“I am just one man, Caedes. I have my strengths, and it should be plainly clear for you to see that I have my weaknesses. There is only so much I can accomplish on my own and I am not ashamed to admit that. I need skilled allies with ambition in order to achieve my goals." He pauses and meets Caedes' cold, pale eyes. "If I may be so bold, I think you need the same to achieve yours. I am willing to put my trust in you, evidently. I am also willing to aid you to the best of my abilities if you are willing to do the same. This can be a purely transactional arrangement if that suits you."
It'd be a boldface lie for him to say that he didn't hope for more than just a transactional arrangement. While it would be dangerous for them both to work together it was all too tempting to reveal that the Crimson Hand had failed in eliminating the Shadow Crawlers and now one was working with a rival family. How much chaos would it bring to the lower echelon of the Ashen Fathers for them to suddenly assert their superiority while also being able to actually back up such bravado. Okay, so maybe his father's theatrics were genetic.
There was still much to do though, and they had to be careful. Making waves too soon would just make history repeat itself and he was not willing to risk his family's lives as things are. For the time being, they had other things to focus on, and ultimately there was no point making any plans until Caedes decides what it is he wants.
He glances down at his arm, a solemn reminder of the debt he owes the assassin. "I will let you have the final say on how this plays out. We can part ways, you can throw that dagger in my face, or we can work together. It is up to you."
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Oct 18, 2022 13:35:02 GMT -5
Is he? Caedes taps his fingers rhythmically against his bent thigh, his gaze turning from Zarius as he inquires about his ability to survive the attack, which… is not a story he knows how to explain. How does he admit that he’s not sure he actually did survive that night? That the fate of his own soul is entwined within the dagger in his palm, displaying a reality in which he fell that night? His expression falls slightly as he considers the many changes in himself that he’s experienced since then; ranging from a sudden inability to naturally be what he is, to the lack of a heartbeat in his own chest. He hasn’t given himself the time to process these things; hasn’t had the time to question it; doesn’t think he wants the time to question it. He shakes his head, exhaling slowly through his nose as he looks at Zarius, eyes narrowing. “I know.” he answers simply, his voice chilly in the humid air of the marsh. The Crimson Hand’s operations are quite intimate, even to him: though his father knew them best, he had been on his way… and it didn’t take a genius to understand how the Crimson Hand wanted the criminal underworld to view them.
The changeling listens quietly, his brows furrowed as Zarius explains the way that his family had viewed his own. In another time, he might have found pride in the fear brought upon by their name: but he finds only a hollow bitterness in its place as Zarius compares them to malevolent spirits. The taste that the Crimson Hand’s name leaves behind in his mouth is acidic; and to know that his father had been so close to achieving exactly what he’d wanted, only to have it ripped away in the end? To be used as an example? To have his name taken as a fool to the entirety of the criminal underground? His brows twitch as he looks away, fang-like canines baring in a scowl as the man continues. He wants to stop Zarius from talking. There's a prickle of irritation— of annoyance, of spite— the longer the tiefling keeps going: and not necessarily directed at him, but simply at the subject at hand. He has not returned to Darkveil since the incidents; and to hear all of this at once... to know that the Crimson Hand are dragging their name through the dirt like he knew they would, and having no way to stop it… Perhaps it’s this feeling settling in his soul that brings forth the quiet interest in his pale gaze when the anger breaks through in Zarius’ voice. He does not respond— no affirmation or declination— in regards to the assassination that Zarius’ family had endured… because truthfully, he does not know if they were responsible. Their body count is too high to pluck a single life from its mass grave of victims. An audible sigh escapes Caedes’ lips; pondering the words that come to follow— although Zarius’ comment of the fall of his family induces a visible grimace from the changeling’s expression. Quietly, he raises his hands to adjust the hood of his cloak, pale eyes turning to the tiefling; briefly, he meets his gaze. An offer is extended to him; a bold assumption that he does, in fact, need help to accomplish what he desires on his own… and he hates that he is correct in it. His soul survival, paired with the betrayal of those who they had trusted most, had been a deadly combination in more ways than one; not only had he lost everything, but every connection he’d ever made became a danger to his person while he looked like this— while he was unable to truly hide. He is a wandering bargaining chip; a danger to himself, and to others; a stepping stone for the lower echelon to throw back in the face of the Crimson Hand. He’s not going to be someone’s spectacle. Caedes pushes his back into the trunk of the tree as Zarius puts forth his final offer, allowing the choice to fall on his shoulders; his dagger glints in the sunlight as he tosses it into the air and catches it by the hilt while he rises up to his feet. He balances himself on the root he’d been sitting on and turns his gaze to the tiefling beside him, eyes narrowing. “ They were friends, you know?” he remarks idly. “ My father, and the head of the Crimson Hand.” He leans his back into the tree behind him, cloak pooling over the root beneath his feet. “ It’s how the alliance started; if we couldn’t trust everyone else… we could trust each other. That was the whole point.” He looks at his hand, quietly flipping his dagger between his fingers. “ Trust… real trust, is a rare find in our line of work, Zarius.” He looks towards the tiefling, pale eyes dull beneath the shade of his cloak. “ We worked together with the Crimson Hand for safety; for comfort; and for survival. My father’s ideal was to live alongside them; work together like a symbiotic being. We were an extension of the main family; an asset to fuel our joint endeavors, rise through the ranks to the safety of the top… but to ensure there was safety at the top…” He shrugs his shoulders. “ You have to ensure no one vies for it; and the easiest way to do that is to strike fear— real, paranoid fear— into the hearts of all who might dare with an unbiased, iron fist… Send a message. Ensure that you feed the mistrust so much, that those in the lower echelons of Darkveil could never possibly work with one another to tear you down; and you know what? It almost worked. The Crimson Hand secured their position… and so did we; had we kept going, maybe we could have reached the top.” He stops flipping his dagger, instead balancing the tip and hilt between two fingers; his expression grows dark when he hesitates for a moment. “ But, the Shadow Crawlers died because we kept our end of the bargain.” He tosses up the dagger, and snatches it with a new aggression by the hilt. “ We died because a man my father considered a brother, ordered it to happen; we died, because we were the ones who kept our word to a bunch of traitors.” He throws Zarius a frustrated look, the scowl deep on his face. “ My father sincerely believed in our relationship with The Crimson Hand; so of course, we trusted him. Trust was what made everything tick; and it was that which spelled our doom.” With a twirl on his heel, Caedes turns to the tiefling and drops back to sit on the root; knees bent, he crosses his arms over his thighs and leans towards him, as if divulging a secret. After all, the alliance between them is void; there is nothing left to hide for him. He’s lost it all. “ The Crimson Hand are arrogant cowards; Darkveil is scared of them because they think they overpowered us. They didn’t. They caught us off guard in our most vulnerable moments; they played their bluff to impress the rest of the underground; and it’s working, but they made themselves structurally weaker by killing us off.” He taps a foot with an anxious tick, pointing the sharp of his dagger at Zarius in a way that’s almost accusatory as he finishes speaking; but then he closes his eyes and takes a breath. He pulls his hand back, pale gaze hooded as he looks at Zarius.
“... With that in mind, I hope you won’t take offense when I say that your promise of trust does not mean much to me at this moment.” He smiles, almost in a way that does seem genuinely apologetic. “... But, you’re also right... The Shadow Crawlers are gone. I am not; and I will not sit by and allow the Crimson Hand to drag our name through the mud. We did their dirty work; they climbed us to the top; then they threw us away. You want to protect your family? Well, I want to see mine burn from the inside out; and I want them to know that they were the ones who pulled the trigger on themselves. I want them to feel their power slipping through their fingers like sand.” He takes a breath to steady himself before fully meeting Zarius’ eyes. “ ...But in order to achieve that, I can’t go it alone; and frankly, I have nothing left to lose…” He crosses one leg over the other. “ So… Zarius Rha’Oriyn… I’ll help you achieve what you’re looking for; and in return, you’ll help me tear apart the Crimson Hand… assure justice for my family, for your loss, and safety for those who remain.” The changeling leans forwards, offering Zarius his hand with a lax smile. “ I can assure you, I am my father’s son; and the Shadow Crawlers, dead as they may be, never go back on their word. Do we have a deal?”
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Oct 18, 2022 19:11:48 GMT -5
Zarius looks down at Caedes hand extended out towards him. He does not move to shake it though. He wants to. More than anything at this moment. But he had sat silently through Caede’s explanation of his side of everything and it gave him a lot to process.
The gravity of the betrayal. The broken trust. All the pain and anguish. Caedes had lived through what was basically the tiefling’s own worst nightmare, and was a heavy reminder that such tragedy could happen to anyone despite all their best intentions.
There’s a part of him that wants to offer the young man reassurance that such a terrible thing will not befall him again. That while giving trust is risky, it is necessary to move forward. He wants to be calm and offer Caedes some sort of condolences for his suffering and his losses. The problem is that Caedes said something that ticked him right off.
He meets Caedes pale eyes with a serious glare. “Nothing to lose? Are you an idiot?” The words have a hiss of irritation behind them.
He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. It wasn’t Caedes fault. It was just something that Zarius hated the common phrase for its implications. He checks his attitude towards the changeling before continuing with a firm tone.
“You have your revenge. You have your ambition. You have your future. Do not trivialize these things. Your family may be gone, your reputation has been corrupted, that is all true. However, just because that is how things are does not mean you cannot change it. But you do have to live to even have a chance of making it reality. So, take that ‘I have nothing to lose’ bullshit back. I will not waste my time on someone who claims they can take stupid risks because they have nothing to lose. I cannot work with someone who does not recognize and acknowledge the value in their existence on this plane.”
The frustration was real, and he does his best to keep from chewing out Caedes for saying such things. He leans back, still refusing to take Caedes’ hand. He needed to hear his response before he felt comfortable making any promises to the assassin. He deflects the conversation to address Caedes’ earlier comments.
“I understand how your father and the Crimson Hand’s leader came up with such tactics. That said, I do not think that is the best approach.” He rests his chin in the palm of his good hand with his elbow propped on a knee. “You know what the problem is with ruling by fear alone? Cornered prey with no option to flee choose to fight back instead. It is the only option left to them other than surrendering to death’s embrace. No matter how small they may be or how deadly the predator before them, we are driven by survival.”
“All the proof you need of that is in this conversation.” He gestures with his bad hand between them. “Look at us. Both cornered with the noose slowly tightening. So here we are, turning our fear and anger back on those that hold the rope.”
As much as he hated to admit it, even his own travel had been an excuse to get away from Darkveil for a while. He hated leaving his family behind, but if they were going to increase their influence they needed allies outside of the city and its crazy politics.
“I am genuinely sorry that your father’s trust was abused and it led to the worst possible outcome. It was undeserved. That said, I do not expect you to trust me at all. Given what you have been through it would be stupid to give me your trust when I have not earned it. You however, had every opportunity to bring me harm. But you chose not to. You still have chosen not to. Call me foolish if you want, but you have earned my trust. If you end up stabbing me in the back then you are the one who will have to live with that because I will be dead and cannot really do anything about it.”
He thinks for a bit, reflecting on what had been said and what the future would hold for them. Two sons bound by the values instilled in them by their fathers. “Your father sounds like a respectable man. I wish I could have met him on good terms.”
Looking back at Caedes, he studies his face for a moment before smiling. “Do not make me any promises yet. Let us wait until my business with the witch is over. That way, if something happens and I die along the way, you will not suffer a second betrayal and I can rest knowing I did not break your heart.” The smile turns into that same stupid grin he usually wears.
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Oct 18, 2022 22:32:31 GMT -5
“ Nothing to lose? Are you an idiot?” Not the response he’d been expecting in all honesty; Caedes cocks his head, eyes narrowing quizzically at the Tiefling’s intense glare. In the back of his mind he traces what he’s said; he tries to find the offending target of the switch in his behaviour; and attempts to determine whether he’s becoming a threat or not while Zarius has his eyes closed. There’s the possibility that he’s said something to offend him, although he can’t really pick out just where… His train of thought trails off once Zarius starts to speak; his tone is scolding, like a parent to a child; and at first, it confuses him. He furrows his brows, taken aback by the aggressive pep-talk he’s receiving from a man with a melted arm and an angry glare.
He pulls his hand back, resting it against his upper thigh when it hits him: he’s genuine about this. In the middle of his speech, Caedes has to choke on a laugh in order to not be outright disrespectful. “You’re serious.” he manages to eek out after Zarius has finished, failing to tone the words into a question in his struggle to remain straight-faced. He actually looks mad about it; it’s almost touching in the weirdest kind of way. He’s not sure anyone has tried so hard to be this angrily optimistic in regards to hearing about such depressing circumstances; but he has to say… he actually prefers the scolding to something that might have sounded more pitying in tone. He can respect his gall to call an assassin an idiot, if nothing else. Caedes puts his palms in the air in a motion of surrender, lowering his head to hide the laughter on his lips. He moves to adjust his hood, falling back into a neutral expression before he looks back to Zarius. The tiefling transitions back into comment of his tale; and Caedes breathes a subtle sigh.
The good mood in which Zarius’ unexpected scolding had brought upon him vanishes with the mention of his father. “Perhaps,” he agrees, “It may not have worked in the long term, but it had its successes in the short term.” His pale eyes narrow as Zarius gestures between them, referencing them both; although, he’s unsure what the noose tightening around the tiefling’s neck is. A fear for his family? The state of his arm? Something else? He nods slowly regardless, showing his acknowledgement to the conversation at hand.
Zarius extends his apologies in regards to his father; but his sympathies are quick and well-worded— never quite lingering on sympathies long enough to make Caedes feel disdainful— or small and pitiful.
He breathes an exasperated chuckle, shaking his head as Zarius breaks into a stupid grin.
“You are foolish,” he remarks, smirking tauntingly at him in return as he takes Zarius up on his offer— merely to irk him a bit. Who else would stick their entire arm in an ooze, anyways? He rolls his eyes as he leans his shoulder against the gnarled trunk behind him; he looks at Zarius as he crosses his arms beneath his chest. “I won’t make you any promises yet, then.” he agrees, his voice growing lighter in tone as their conversation begins to sway into something easier and less tense. “There is time to revisit this topic in the future, when we've completed your trip to this witch.” He blinks, his pale eyes turning away from the tiefling for a pondering moment, before he blinks his attention back to him. “And for the record,” he states, leaning his head against the tree; he allows his weight to displace and relax, easing his tense posture.
“You are right; I have lost much of what I cared for in a short time, but I haven’t lost everything. For whatever reason this world may allow someone like me to have a second chance, I can assure you, Zarius: I do not plan to squander it.”
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Oct 19, 2022 19:31:46 GMT -5
"Good. I still have one good arm, you know. I will not hesitate to punch you in the face for being dumb." He smirks then sighs.
He knew the conversation would be heavy, but there was a lot he was not really ready for. Caedes was hurting a lot. He hid it well behind that cool and collected façade, but those looks of anger and the burning hatred behind those pale eyes had revealed just how much the betrayal had left a mark on him. He couldn't blame him.
Zarius looks up at the sky. "We still have some daylight to work with. I think I am fine to keep going if your delicate little feet are not too tired."
The tiefling laughs as he gets up but stops and leans against the root for a moment as his vision blurs in and out of focus. He closes his eyes and takes a few deep breaths. The dizziness passes and he takes out his water skin and guzzles down some water.
He doesn't look at Caedes. He didn't want to look so pathetic in front of the assassin. Although how much Caedes was actually willing to put up with was still debatable. One slip up. He's sure that would be all it takes for the shapeshifter to change his mind about this tentative alliance between them.
He shakes his head. He didn't need that doubt floating around in his head right now. Caedes had disclosed much to him and vice versa. Whether they like it or not, they both hold a lot of dangerous information about one another. Information that could be used to either help one another, or result in one, if not two graves. For the time being, there was no point thinking about the long term if they failed in the short term. They need to stay focused on covering as much ground as they can.
"Let us go. The more distance we make the better." He says as he tucks the waterskin back away and starts trudging through the mud again. "Hopefully we can find a dry place to set up camp for the night. I would rather not have to climb up into a tree if we can help it."
It wasn't actually the climbing he was worried about, it was more falling out of the tree and hitting the ground that was an issue. Oh, and the knowledge that oozes nest in trees. He didn't need one snacking on him in the middle of the night again.
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Oct 19, 2022 21:01:27 GMT -5
“ Ohhh?” he hums, a mischievous smirk crossing his face. “ Glad to see the fight didn’t melt out of you... I’ll keep that in mind the next time I make a stupid decision.” He chuckles, his eyes turning away from Zarius as the tiefling breathes a sigh; one which is ultimately whisked away by the sound of the leaves rustling up above. Caedes feels the humid breeze against his skin; too stuffy to be cooling, and too gentle to be refreshing; and with that breeze, their heavy conversation is swept away. He is, in fact, his father’s son; too trusting, despite having already been stabbed in the back by a man he considered family… and here he sits, in the company of a stranger, spilling his guts. It’s too late to take back what he’s said; and it’s too late for Zarius to take back his own words. That’s the price of a tentative trust between two wayward criminals; taking risks in order to gain. In the silence that follows, as Zarius moves in his peripheral vision, Caedes narrows his eyes at the tips of his boots: was this what it was like, when his father first made that promise? Would history repeat itself, if he found himself going through with it? Zarius’ voice resounds in the air; and Caedes blinks the distraction away. He tilts his head to look at the tiefling as he gets to his feet, casually insulting him all the while. “My delicate little feet are quite tired, but I suppose I could hang in there for a few miles, yet, if I really must.” he sighs dramatically; though, his eyes lift warily when Zarius suddenly bobbles upon standing. He sits up straight, watchful.
There’s a moment in which he’s uncertain if he’s going to pass out right then and there: but then, the tiefling is in motion again, seemingly recovered from whatever episode he's just had.
Caedes narrows his eyes at him, but dismisses the incident: there’s no point bringing attention to it. He places his hands on his knees and pushes himself up to his feet; a weight clutches at the back of his cloak as he gets up. He feels it move quietly upwards. He doesn’t need to look to know that Charlotte is back— likely hearing their conversation about moving on— or maybe just done with her hunt. “ Lead the way. There’s still a long walk to the Moonglade left ahead,” he sighs, starting on a leisurely pace after the tiefling as Charlotte ascends to his shoulder. “ Perhaps we can find some raised ground, if we’re lucky… If not, I’m sure Charlotte could cocoon you up; keep you from falling out of a tree and breaking any of your brittle, old man bones.” Caedes chuckles, picking up his pace to join Zarius as the two proceed forth, deeper into the Marsh Flats towards their destination.
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