Ash Rose Jackals
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Sept 12, 2023 15:06:54 GMT -5
Upon seeing the tears in Astrid's eyes, Zarius kneels down next to Astrid. He doesn't reach out to touch her, making sure to respect her space in case she does not want to be comforted in that way.
"It is good you spoke to your father about it, as difficult as it probably was for you to say and for him to hear."
He can only imagine how seeing Astrid upset after the situation was still fresh in her mind must have been upsetting for the sensitive musician. Still, Cantio seemed like the type to be good at making others feel better even when situations are complicated and heavy. It's fortunate for Astrid that Cantio was there to find her that day in Dragon's Cradle.
The whole situation with Vikram's death is messy. The rumors about the Fighter's Guild having infighting between its members which started with the raid of Lilicors have only gotten worse with the incident in Sol City. The guild was floundering, and with the Expeditionary Force making a resurgence, there were critics wondering if the Crown should continue to let the Fighter's Guild even exist.
A rivalry with the Mage's Guild was one thing, a guild that can't even keep its members from maiming and killing its own members is another. Zarius can't even say that Shaa should be held responsible for all that has happened, the minotaur was doing his best with the cards he was unfairly handed when Athena went missing.
Zarius closes his eyes for a moment to gather his thoughts before looking back up at Astrid.
"You do not have to force yourself to go back, nor do you have to feel like you owe the guild anything. I am more than happy to take care of things for you. No one has to know you even reached out to me if that is what you would prefer."
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Sept 16, 2023 1:09:41 GMT -5
A quiet sniffle escapes Astrid, and she rubs her nose then wipes her eyes. She wouldn’t mind a hug, but Zarius doesn’t seem the type to give them, and she doesn’t know how to ask for one. Cantio’s a bit of a pushover, and she could just take one if she wanted, not that he would mind. So she takes a deep breath and lets out a shaky sigh.
“Aye… It was hard ta talk about… Guess I avoided it fer a long time, too,” she admits, looking down at her hands in her lap. After the events in Sol City, Astrid avoided going home specifically to avoid talking about it with Cantio. Because of their emotional connection through the earrings, she knew that Cantio would have felt everything and that he would have questions. So she kept adventuring and doing things to keep her mind busy without returning home. She’s glad she finally did.
“But pretendin’ nothin’ was wrong weren’t helpin’ at all, so I’m glad he had some good stuff ta say when we did talk about it. Made me feel better about it all, but…” Astrid’s voice catches in her throat again, and she swallows the lump and speaks again. “Don’t mean it don’t still make me sad ta think about.”
Looking to Zarius, she takes heed to his words. “I mean… I do want ta go back sometime. I liked the folks there, an’ I want ta help find miss Athena somehow… I just… I’m afraid they’ll ask a lot a’ questions that…are hard ta answer, ya know?” Astrid wipes her nose again and jokes through a weak smile, “Who wants ta look like a big baby in front of the best fighters in all of Charon? Besides, gran an' gramps an' da an' Wolfe are in the Mage's Guild, an' that's a lot 'a fun too. I'm learnin' all kinds a' stuff!”
For a moment, she searches his eyes and face and sees that Zarius is completely serious in his offer, so she takes another breath to steel herself and nods. "But... Aye, if ya don't mind keepin' me out a' it fer a while... I appreciate ya."
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Ash Rose Jackals
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Sept 18, 2023 14:19:16 GMT -5
"It is okay to still feel sad. People heal at their own pace. Just be careful not to wallow in that sadness."
Zarius isn't one for emotions most of the time. Or at least, not showing emotions or letting them interfere with his work. But he's seen how grief, guilt, and sadness can cripple even the strongest warriors. It's a factor he often considers when determining what approach to take when manipulating someone to his whims.
That's easy. He can detach himself so easily when it comes to pawns. It's a different story when it comes to those he sees as actual people like Astrid.
He considers Astrid's worries and concerns about returning to the guild. Shaa, while intelligent, could sometimes be a bit clumsy in delicate situations like this. Especially since the word was that Shaa did respond to the situation in Sol City. Then again, maybe he wouldn't ask questions or confront Astrid seeing as he knew the whole story by now.
"I am certain you would be welcomed back. And even if they ask, you do not have to answer. And if you need someone to mediate or go with you, all you need to do is ask."
The corner of his eye twitches at the mention of Bellighul. She just had to bring him up.
"It is good you have support in the Mage's Guild," he says with a smile.
What he doesn't bring up is that he still thinks of the Lord of Ghouls as an undead asshole. Come to think of it, he hasn't seen or heard of the leech in a while. He doesn't get the sense that Astrid is upset about that, so the jerk must still be fine.
He nods. "Of course. You have my silence."
Ironically, a moment of awkward silence follows before Zarius clears his throat and speaks again. "Do you need a hug?"
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Sept 21, 2023 17:37:12 GMT -5
Hearing Zarius give her words of support and comfort does well to help Astrid quell the sadness. “Don’t wallow in it, huh?” she says quietly, a sad smile trying to tug at the corners of her mouth. “Don’t think I’ve really been one fer wallowin’ all that much.” And this is true. Maybe she didn’t wallow when she was left alone in Sky Peak because she held onto blind hope, an optimism that a promise would be kept to her.
Even while so much time passed, she stayed so focused on being there for the day that her mother returned because if she wasn’t, then her mother would worry or think she was gone forever and then Astrid would really be left alone. In all honesty, it was scary to leave Sky Peak with Zarius and turn to this life of adventure she’s manifested since then, but she doesn’t regret it one bit. Sometimes a bitter thought crosses her mind, but things are so much better now that she doesn’t find a reason to hold on to it.
With a little shrug, she lets herself smile. “Maybe they would,” Astrid agrees. “I still get along with ‘em well enough besides the…everythin’.” Looking up at him, she smiles more. “Are ya agreein’ ta be the mediator? ‘Cause I’d take ya up on that sometime, I think.” And even if she doesn’t want him to say something, Zarius will keep quiet and not spread the details? That’s nice to hear, too, especially when it can be tough to get Blue to keep something quiet.
It comes as a surprise to her that Zarius asks if she needs a hug. The silence that awkwardly follows the question is one of contemplation. This is not something Astrid ever expected from him, nor did she put effort into seeking it out. Unlike Cantio, Zarius never seemed like the affectionate type, but in all honesty…
“Aye,” her voice chokes out quietly. “I think I’d like that a lot.”
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Ash Rose Jackals
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Sept 23, 2023 21:03:56 GMT -5
He nods in response to Astrid's question. "If it would help, certainly."
Wouldn't be the first time he acted as a mediator. Likely would not be the last.
He waits for her answer before moving to sit next to her. He gives her a gentle hug, careful not to pinch himself on her armor. Astrid may notice an unnatural heat radiating from the fellblood as well as that smell that is all too similar to the scents of Mount Drakolt. It seems more intense than what might have been previously noticed.
When she's ready for him to let go, he sits back and looks at her. "You are strong, Miss Astrid, do not let anyone tell you otherwise."
Standing back up, he looks at the snacks on the counter. He gestures towards them. "Feel free to take some for the road. I will do as you have asked as soon as I have the time to spare. Unless you have anything else you need to tell me, I think it is best I not take up any more of your time. I am certain your father is anxious to have you back home so he can dote on you properly."
The mental image of Cantio a domestic housewife, apron and all, is somewhat amusing to him.
If Astrid allows him, he will escort her back out the way they entered and bid her farewell and best of luck on her future ventures.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Sept 26, 2023 18:47:25 GMT -5
Receiving a hug from Zarius is as unexpectedly comforting as it is generally unexpected. He’s warm, maybe unnaturally so, but for someone who seems to keep people at a distance, it feels gentle and caring. As long as Astrid’s known him, that kind of fits the bill. He’s always been kind. After all, he didn’t have to help her, and he certainly went above and beyond anything she could have imagined for a stranger that found her on the streets.
“Folks don’t tend ta tell me that I’ve found,” she says with a little smile. “‘Specially not the folks I’ve met since leavin’ Sky Peak.” Astrid looks at Zarius, almost searching his eyes, trying to gauge him, but he’s good at hiding things behind stoicism, but it’s different than Veliky, who Astrid’s managed to figure out. There are still things to learn about Zarius, and it has been a while since they’ve seen each other.
“Um, Mister Zarius, I’m real glad I met ya,” she says sheepishly. “Not just ‘cause ya helped me out when we met, but ‘cause yer a good person.” Then she adds a gentle jab, nudging him with her elbow, “Even if yer a little sketchy sometimes.”
When he stands, Astrid takes a deep breath to settle the last of her emotions. Her eyes follow the motion of Zarius’ hand to look at the snacks. “I mean if yer not gonna do anythin’ with ‘em, I’ll take ‘em,” she says. “Can’t waste good food, ya know?” While she gathers up a handful of extra snacks to take home, she pulls a key from her pouch and waves it a little. “Luckily, da won’t worry too much, an’ it won’t take no time at all ta get home!”
With that, she walks over to the door to the room and sticks her key in the hole and turns it. When she opens the door, it reveals the entryway to her own home. “Thanks fer talkin’ ta me. I’ll try not ta turn up unexpected next time!” Before she steps through, Astrid pauses, turns, and gives Zarius another big hug before she finally leaves with some weight lifted from her shoulders.
As she’s closing the door, she pauses and looks at him. “Oh, right, I might drop back by ‘cause I think Wolfe an’ I got into trouble with a mob in Sol City. But we can deal with that later! BYE!” Then she closes the door as if she didn’t drop some concerning information on him.
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