The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
39/62
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,897 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Oct 31, 2022 11:52:19 GMT -5
After making her grand entrance, having several snacks, and dancing around for a while, Astrid sat aside and had a nice conversation with Cantio. Then they participated in a truth or dare game, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Especially given that her conversation continuing with Cantio afterwards went particularly well too. But eventually, she finds herself needing some air and makes her way out to the veranda where it's less crowded, and she can get a proper breeze running through the openings of her armor. At least, that's what she'd like from walking out on the veranda and leaning against a rail. Instead, her bulky wings, which she really should have left inside, bump into a bright red haired man in a peacock costume and catch a few of the gorgeous feathers. The poor man's costume has seen better days, and she's no help. Upon bumping him, she quickly steps away, apologizing rapidly.
"Ah, shoot, I'm sorry mister!" she says quickly. Unfortunately the damage is done. The man's costume has seen better days. This "break" may quickly turn into a "breakdown." Astrid quickly starts trying to pull the damaged feathers from her costume and fussing over trying to mend the nobleman's. "Oh, no, no, yer costume was one of the nicer ones too...!" Surely she'll be removed from the ball for this offense.
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
Renown
Human (Fiend Pact)
190 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Oct 31, 2022 23:02:41 GMT -5
The Lord of Ghouls sipped wine outside, taking in the air as he departed from Baram momentarily. He watched the hedges wave in the cool air, eyeing the moon and its grandeur. He was attempting to calm the fury within, as Zarius was quite talented at making him angry. The nerve. He pondered sending him an invoice for the damages. Certainly, he thought. It was far too expensive to have it ruined by childishness. Though, taking no responsibility for anything that occurred. As a matter of fact, he justified his own actions retrospectively.
As he toyed with the buttons on his vest, pressing his hand against his chest to lay it flat. He sighed and took a deep breath. Yet, the damage was not done. A large wing struck his side, tangling the silken feathers and stripping them bare further, now half a long strip of malleable wire. His eyes alight while snarling in a display of vampiric outburst. His fists tightened, shaking with tension as he pivoted on his high heel towards the source of the damage.
But a young voice rang in his ears.
He quickly repressed his violent emotions. Glaring down at Astrid still. He audibly sighed and spoke softly. Bellighul was not necessarily the tender type, lacking children. Yet, there was a sense of innocence about it that was calming. Though, he was to find that she was the culprit in grandoise vandalism. "No need to apologize, little one...I am sure it was an accident. Someone else ruined my outfit, surely out of jealousy." Again, not taking guilt. Yet, she flattered him. His vanity was paramount, a simple compliment often causing him to change tone and course of action quickly. It was his greatest weakness.
He returned one. "However, i dare say yours is the most impressive!" He was in fact, a bit jealous. He studied the costume, escpecially the wings and asked. "How did you come upon this? Who was the craftsman that designed such a marvel? Truth be told, I am considering purchasing it from you for a Villa, I would love to display it in my dining hall."
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
39/62
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,897 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Nov 1, 2022 16:30:07 GMT -5
Astrid expects harsh words and harsher punishment from the lavishly costumed man whose evening she surely just ruined. This gala has a plethora and variety of guests, and many of the ones she's interacted with so far seem as wild as she. Clearly he is angry and upset at the situation, so she is instead met with patience and calm, it's unexpected. It gives her pause.
"I... Erm..." she stammers, trying to formulate her words. "Accidents still warrant apologies though..." Her voice is sheepish, and there's clearly a lot on her mind. "I'm sorry someone else was bein' a jealous jerk and did a first number on yer costume," she says, looking him over. "I saw it when I first came in. I thought to meself, 'That man's got the only other bird costume here! A different take! I like it!' and I was gonna compliment ya and everythin', and..." Astrid realizes she's rambling then takes a deep breath. "Sorry, mister. It's been a....... Weird night."
Technically there is another "bird costume" - the ooze disguised as a little bird snacking at the hors d'oeuvres table.
It comes even more to her surprise when the stranger's tone shifts to complimenting her costume instead. "W-Wha...? Huh?" She's gotten a few compliments, but he speaks of details and asks specific questions, and she finds a blush creep across her cheeks. It's a proud blush, and she can't help smiling proudly. "Who's the craftsman?" Clank, clank. She puts her hands on her hips and beams up at him. "Yer lookin' at her!"
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
Renown
Human (Fiend Pact)
190 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Nov 3, 2022 14:45:22 GMT -5
"Well, well. A student of the forge. A proud tradition and one sorely needed in times such as these." Her pride was admirable in his eyes, he believed one should not hide their abilities under the veil of modesty. It was a splendid creation, to feign humbleness would be a grave sin and insult to the craft. He was one to boast of his own accomplishments readily, he expected it from others. In large part due to his own arrogance but also a strong tradition of his homeland. Titles and deeds lived forever, as it is said amongst the nomads. To collect them is immortality in death and grandeur in life. Though, his tone became slightly enigmatic as he followed with the next sentence.
"You never know when the skill of hammer and anvil may yet turn the need of iron from ornament and art into sword steel." He admired the wings fine details for a moment, considering a rather large offer of gold. Though, his words still resonated with a hint of proclamation.
Yet, amidst the pause and a sip of his own vintage wine, he placed the stem on the small retaining wall and sat down a few meters of Astrid. Continuing as he folded one leg over the other. Relaxing as the wind rustled his tattered feathers and cascade of hair.
"Times are dire my dear..." His ruby eyes seemed to brighten, from a crimson to near coal red momentarily. His Vampirism was not immediately apparent, but the haunting gaze and subtle features attributed to signs of undeath. Mostly ignored by his peers, he did not hide his extended canines well; like pearl daggers against bloodless lips.
"Evil lurks around every corner in these lands. Guard yourself from it at all costs." He warned. Having seen horrible creatures in his summons and battled with dark forces in his fell sorcery. He meant not to intimidate. It was a noble suggestion. He was a protective man, often wading into battle liken to a knight rather than a mage.
Continuing swiftly, He lightly bowed with his torso only, placing a hand over his heart as he did so. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am called Bellighul. Master of the Villa of Lost Souls in far Zeinav." Followed by an inqusitive tone. "Who might you be? So I may carry home word to my people a smith of great prowess graced me with her presence."
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
39/62
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,897 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Nov 5, 2022 1:17:36 GMT -5
There's something off about this man, but Astrid can't quite put her finger on it. He is insanely handsome, beautiful she'd even call it. Not that she feels any attraction to him (she's twelve and more obsessed with armor than boys, girls, or the either), but she knows how to admire things and people that are pleasant to look at. She notices the pronounced canines and pallid skin, but with all the different people she's run into in the world, she thinks little of them. After all, she's a half-dwarf with horns and slightly pronounced canines herself that become more apparent when she gives anyone a gap-toothed grin.
He's quite morbid, she finds, but still, that doesn't bother her. She's learned it's important to realize the world is harsh, but that's a lesson she learned quickly with all her experiences. Astrid leans against the rail to ease some of the weight of her costume and shrugs a little, almost disaffected by the comment that times are dire and evil is everywhere. "If we always worry about the bad stuff that's in the world, it makes it kinda hard ta see the good stuff that's in front of us," she says and looks through the open doors at the people dancing inside and having a great time. "Things are always gonna be tough fer someone somewhere, but the best we can do is try ta make it just a little better fer the folks we come across, right? Some people aren't really in a position ta help themselves. A little kindness goes a long way, don't it? It did fer me, anyway."
Astrid recalls the time not so long ago when she herself was on the streets with no one to watch her back, no one to care for her, no one who cared for her. Things are different now. So she shrugs again and gets a bit of a thoughtful look. "I don't like wastin' energy worryin' about who's plottin' ta do some evil thin' cause there's always gonna be someone or somethin' who gets a kick offa makin' other people hurt. It don't seem all that fun ta always be lookin' over yer shoulder either. Seems exhaustin' ta me."
Oh, right, they haven't even introduced themselves! Shoot, she's terrible at fancy events. Street urchin with a penchant for snacking, she surely is. "Mister Bellighul, nice ta meet..." Astrid pauses, that name is familiar. But why? How? And the Villa of Lost Souls... in... Zeinav.... She's puzzling over the recognition and snaps back to attention. Pulling herself away from the railing and standing tall short and proud, Astrid puts her own fist over her chest. "I'm Astrid Stormstone, adventurer extraordinaire, future best blacksmith in the world, and daughter of the best da (read: only dad) I've ever had, Mister Cantio von Lumen!"
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
Renown
Human (Fiend Pact)
190 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Nov 8, 2022 20:26:47 GMT -5
"A blacksmith and a philosopher I see." He seemed to smile widely, not something he did often. He toyed with the frills of his cravat as he pondered for a short moment. She was more wise than he anticipated for a teenager. Lessons learned through hardships no less. Yet, she remained hopeful and kind. Unlike Bellighul, who saw the world in only cynicism and violence. He wished he could agree. Indeed, he hoped one day his mind could change on the matter. Yet, he remained solidly brooding and radical in spite of her revelation.
"I may disagree with you but I find your enthusiasm for life to be, charming. If all of Charon were to hold your views, it may be a better world...alas, there are many who find mass suffering tolerable. Especially that of others." He lifted the chalice to his lips, thinking of the Sultan, blaming him for the mass poverty of his kind. Vampires no, but rather the nomads in western Zeinav.
"Some must bear the weight of their people's suffering...and eradicate the source by all means necessary. A heavy burden but it must be done." He spoke once again, holding the chalice at chest height. His tall heeled boot bounced slightly in the air from his crossed leg at slight emotional distress. But his smiled remained. Before he could continue a philosophical conversation, she struck him with a name that made his heart glow.
"Cantio von Lumen you say?" He immediately stood up, a puzzled look about the Lord of Ghouls. His head twisted slightly to look for a resemblance. Eyebrow lifted high as he moved his cascade of hair from his face and approached closer. A soft giggle hinted out as he began."....the Song of Light. I am quite familiar with him. I have been hoping to host a performance at the Villa soon. We danced a bit before I came outside to...calm down, I suppose." He looked back at his tattered costume, yet the sense of vengeance was removed from his mind. Zarius may indeed had taken a toll on his psyche and emotions but finding out a dear friend had a child gave him happiness. He often did not feel such a thing. Bellighul, for the first time in months, was excited for something other than seeing Kamille. Bellighul wondered why this news was not given to him sooner. Yet, he indeed believed Lunala blessed him with this moment in spite of the ball.
"As you know, not all are as kind as your, Father. Especially here...perhaps we should go look for him soon. I was unaware he had a daughter. Which makes us, almost family now."
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
39/62
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,897 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Nov 8, 2022 23:44:53 GMT -5
The half-dwarf finds a blush crossing her cheeks. "I wouldn't call meself no philosopher..." Whatever that is. "I just figure it's easier ta see the glass half-full. Though I s'pose half-anythin' makes sense fer a half-dwarf," she jokes with a small grin, flashing her own pronounced canines at the mysterious Mister Bellighul. There's an odd melancholy about him, especially when he speaks of suffering. She wonders what he's gone through but knows better to ask. Instead, she can help him smile. She's certainly got her own reasons to smile nowadays, Cantio being one of them.
"Song of Light?" she asks. "Is that what his name means? That's fittin', I'd say. Mister Cantio lights up a room when he comes around. He wasn't kiddin' when he said he knows a lotta people..." He continues on, and she tilts her head. Right, it's probably weird for her to introduce herself as his daughter considering that piece of information was decided only just before she came out on the veranda. "Oh, I mean.... ta be fair, the "daughter" thing is kinda new. Like a few minutes ago kinda new." An anxious chuckle escapes her chest. She still can't actually believe it. "I actually came out here ta catch me breath, too. Tonight's been a whirlwind of new an' excitin' stuff." Then she remembers to elaborate. "Oh, he's not like... me actual da, but he did agree ta be me da. Like adoption type stuff. I'm buzzin'! I've never even had a regular da!"
Though it very much confuses her that they'd be related. Sure Mister Bellighul has glorious red hair, but is he related to Cantio? It doesn't matter, her eyes light up with even more excitement. "We're almost family???" she asks quickly. "What d'ya mean by that?? Are ya related ta Cantio??" More family?? Oh, this is absolutely wonderful.
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
Renown
Human (Fiend Pact)
190 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Nov 15, 2022 16:50:54 GMT -5
Bellighul's smile was wide, the smell of wine heavy on his breath, it mingled with the almost permanent scent of funerary balms he casually gave off. Pine resin and myrrh filling the air around him. "Blood relation has little to do with family, as you now know." His finger lifts into the air as if to suggest a point. His ruby hued gaze meeting her's to affirm his sentence. Though slowly his glee and enchanting demeanor changed suddenly, in an instant. He realized he was alone. Save for Kamille, who he had yet to reunite with this evening, his company were almost exclusively the dead. His creations. Thus, his brillant eyes seemed to dull into almost black and a manufactured smirk overtook him.
Regaling "I had many brothers once, but for the life of me I cannot recall their names. It was a long time ago." Ahriman, the garden in the sands, had seen them all buried surely. He had hoped alongside him once before, but found his mighty expansive tomb barren of all but gold. Recognizing not a name on the sarcophagi in the ruins within. One was at least a caligrapher, that he remembered and his people merchants of the finest rugs in Zeinav. Once upon a time, at least.
"No one shares my bloodline anymore...so family is more about friendship, and your "da" is one of my very few friends." Indeed, Cantio was kind when he was newly reborn; weak and a shadow of his former self. Now, as he was in his days of highest Sorcery, Cantio treated him the same. When all others despised him or found him haunting. One could not buy this with gold and luxuries. A fact Bellighul knew well.
"If anything were to happen to the Song of Light and now, his daughter...I could not imagine what I would do." He towered over Astrid, yet lowered himself putting his hands on his knees. Trying to smile, but the facade was thin. He then reached out his hand, to exchange a handshake to finalize the pleasantries.
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
39/62
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,897 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Nov 18, 2022 17:31:17 GMT -5
Oh, boy! Astrid loves a proper handshake! She grabs Bellighul's hand with much enthusiasm and shakes it, a solid shake for the shorty. "Nice ta officially meet ya, Mister Bellighul, good friend of me new da!" Her bird beak visor falls over her face, and she pushes it back and grins up at the pale man before her. Cantio's got a handful of interesting friends it seems, and she can't wait to meet them all.
His melancholy remains though even through his smile. Her smile wavers only a little bit as her head tilts, and there's a certain sympathy and understanding in her eyes. "I'm sorry ya can't remember yer brothers too clearly. Sometimes I have trouble tryna remember me ma. I know her hair's blond and long and braided. It falls down her back, but there's times where I can't remember what color her eyes were or-" what her smile looks like. She cuts herself off, not wanting to dwell on any more revelations of hurt. "Well, I just don't remember her all that well sometimes. S'pose it's been a long time. I hope there's somethin' pleasant that can help ya remember somethin' good about them."
Thinking back to the game she just played with a big group, she giggles to herself. "Personally, I like the funny memories best." However, her current top-ranking moment is the genuine, warm embrace of her new dad in a dress. She leans in and whispers conspiratorially, "Fer example, I'm always gonna remember Mister Zarius gettin' pantsed in front of a buncha fancy folks." Her gap-toothed grin spreads across her face and she stifles more giggles. "He don't even know it was my idea!"
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
Renown
Human (Fiend Pact)
190 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Nov 20, 2022 23:07:46 GMT -5
Her grip was impressive and strong, fitting for a blacksmith. Bellighul was taken back by it however and his eyebrow raised curiously. His pallid hand contorting in hers before they were released. The necromancer put his hands behind him and cuffed them together. This gave the air of regalness about his posture surely but a thin mask of rubbing his palm. He gave off an awkward chuckle for a moment, the dull pain imminent.
Her words again showed wisdom, but also a sense of longing. His head titled slightly as he navigated towards the wine glass again as he listened. Family was foreign to him now, even with those he called kinsmen in Zeinav. His clan was decimated and scattered during his own prior lifetime. Though the specifics remained vague, surely the nomadic skirmishes and raiding parties contributed to the demise of the Banu Enzara. Though, they lived still in fables amongst the fires and merriment of the old 'tales' told by the bards of his people. Had it not been for Kamille and Cantio, he would still be alone, with only shattered memories serving his isolation.
Upon mentioning the incident with Zarius, he let out a hearty laugh that broke through his sad eyes and forced grin. Clutching his chest as he reclined back on a stone barrier his laughter trickled as the corner of his eyes watered slightly. Sweet vengeance. Though, he lived vicariously in the moment, he felt the phantom of triumph.
"Young Astrid, I'd love to host you at my Villa, your newfound father and I shall discuss it by letter. I would still like to purchase your wonderful costume as well." The sleeve of his shirt wettened slightly as he rubbed his wrist to clear a gleeful tear. Though, his melancholy still prevailed, it seemed to be alleviated by her cunning, humor and overall personality.
"However, between you and I, the more you torment Zarius the more I shall pay for your costume..I suppose your father has quite a few birthday presents to catch up on now, perhaps that beckons me as well." He winked quickly.
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
39/62
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,897 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Nov 20, 2022 23:27:52 GMT -5
Astrid grins a wide grin at the Lord of Ghouls while he laughs. It makes her feel good to erase a bit of gloominess from her new friend if only for a moment. She can't help laughing along too. "I'd love ta visit yer villa," she says cheerfully, having completely forgotten the destruction she and the cultists wrought on it last she "visited." "And if we're gonna be friends, I s'pose I could sell ya me costume. I'd love it ta be appreciated as a work of art 'cause hoooooo boy" -She stretches her back.- "this thing ain't all that practical as a real suit. But it's just a prototype and a bit of a.... peacockin' piece. Fer showin' off, obviously." This is of course, a pun, which she follows with a wink of her own.
"I can't torment Mister Zarius too much, though," she continues. "He helped me off the streets and took me on me first adventure. S'pose I needed a real adult around, 'cause I wouldn't have made it on me own." Astrid reminisces on the day. "I was out on me own, and Cantio and Zarius saw me. Miss Veliky showed up too. It was kinda bizarre, but they all bought me food and got me new clothes and a bath. I was feelin' real good fer the first time in a while, so I'm real appreciative of 'em all." A devious gleam enters her eyes with the grin on her face. "Don't stop me from playin' pranks on 'em though."
His mention of birthday presents has her thoroughly befuddled. "What's a birthday present?"
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
Renown
Human (Fiend Pact)
190 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Nov 22, 2022 8:12:30 GMT -5
"Well, perhaps there is good in Mister Zarius after all and if they had not done so, my life would have not improved considerably." Narrowed eyes and a soft smile befell the Lord of Ghouls. Never known to be tender or truly kind to others except a select few. He recalled the grave he pulled himself from in the desert night, and the horrible solitude for months as he wandered. He reflected on her words and shared her story in part. Yet wine and enforcing callousness to his own emotions he stated. "Though, you must try a bath with rose essence, Zeinavian black soap, and mint. There is no luxury much better." Replacing tragedy with affluence and experiences were his coping mechanisms. While he would never thank Zarius or acknowledge the deed in the future, the case is entirely different for Cantio, it would be something he was grateful for.
"You poor thing..." The thought of this struck him deeply, though he was ignorant in this life of meager means and customs unrelated to Zeinav. He surrounded himself with items and extravagance and often gave them freely. More to assert his own will and influence than generosity, in many cases. "That is a special annual event when you will be given gifts for no reason other than being born. Marvelous really. It merely requires you to simply live long enough to see the following birthday....then, more gifts." Scratching his hairless chin for a moment, his eyes looked upwards at the star-studded sky as if in deep thought temporarily. Then suddenly removed his hand and pointed a single finger upwards as if to exclaim the following. "I give myself birthday presents whenever I feel like it, however. I have missed thousands of my own. The other day I thought to myself, for my ninth birthday this year, maybe buy an infernal hound of some sort. I would quite like to have one though I fear I do not trust my manservant to feed it correctly or take it for strolls daily." His smile widened but the sadness in his eyes remained, not just for himself however but for the young blacksmith. "Having such a creature loose on the grounds, without proper supervision, would put my roses in danger as well...it is a shame really."
|
|
The Tinkertons
IS OFFLINE
39/62
Renown
Dragon's Cradle
We're gonna get Zarius back.
1,897 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Nov 22, 2022 16:00:02 GMT -5
The Lord of Ghouls describes a bath that sounds, for lack of a better word which Astrid does not possess in her vocabulary (yet), opulent. For her, a bath is a tub of lukewarm soapy water where you scrub the dirt away and come out feeling refreshed. What Bellighul describes is more akin to what Astrid imagines a fancy spa would offer. Those places are expensive, and she'd usually rather fancy herself a fancy meal. "Well," she starts, drawing the note out for a moment. "If what I heard ya offer was a stay at yer villa, I'd love fer ya ta show me that fancy rose bath." A grin follows up the statement.
Then he describes birthdays, and it occurs to Astrid that she has heard of this concept before, but it isn't something she ever understood. She supposes that's right, that everyone has a day they were born, but she has no inkling of an idea when she was born. Her own age is mostly just a guess at this point as she can't recall ever celebrating a birthday or gift-giving holiday with her mother. Thinking back on it, she's pretty sure her best guesses about her age were because of her mother groaning about how many years she's been stuck with Astrid. Birthday celebrations are a foreign concept.
If a birthday is a day to give gifts to someone and celebrate their completed cycle around the sun, Astrid decides her birthday will be the day three grown-ups gave her the gift of renewal, of a new life. That's the day she'll celebrate. Her slightly melancholy look spreads into a smile.
Though she doesn't quite understand giving oneself birthday gifts on a day that isn't their celebration. The best she can equate Bellighul's actions to is rewarding herself with extra dessert if she has some leftover coin from adventuring. And she does absolutely not pick up whatsoever his indirect offer to have her watch out for this new pet he'd like to get. The hound sounds really cool though! "I'd love ta see the hound yer talkin' about! It sounds neat! And like a whole handful. I'm sure ya'll find someone ta take care of it properly!"
|
|