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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Jan 6, 2024 17:48:01 GMT -5
Zarius turns just as Askr appears at his side. He's a bit surprised as Askr takes his hand and pulls him along into the shallows. The water is calm and warm, thank the dead gods, and the wet sand is soft underfoot. The fellblood isn't too sure what Askr is up to, but he doesn't resist being led along until the gentle waves lap at the bottom of his rolled-up slacks.
He watches Askr search the water for something with intense focus. It's hard not to be curious as to what the duckling is up to with how attentive he's being. Still, this seems like an oddly sudden change in behavior. And wasn't Askr with Caedes just moments beofer?
Zarius starts to glance back over his shoulder to see where the changeling disappeared to when Askr holds something out to him. His attention returns to the young man which is bright eyes staring up at him.
Gods. This kid.
He reaches for the shell being offered to him when Askr speaks.
For you. So you can be happy.
The fellblood stares at him for a moment, a bit blindsided by the comment. He scoffs a laugh as he takes the shell. "Do I give off the impression that I am not?"
He runs his fingers across the smooth surface of the inside of the shell, then along the ridges along its edges. Maybe he's been more of a downer than he intended and Askr just happened to pick up on that. For the kid's sake, he really should try to stop thinking about work and just relax for the night. After all, no one else is around to mess with them.
"Thank you. You should try and find one for Caedes and Miss Charlotte as well," he suggests as he glances back toward shore for any sign of the missing assassin.
Where the hell did he end up anyway?
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Jan 9, 2024 22:27:34 GMT -5
Much to Caedes’ surprise, Askr does not ask a single question about Zarius’ secret admiration of seashells specifically found in the ocean around knee level for reasons that are unexplained and have never been mentioned prior. In fact, Askr is wide-eyed and attentive the entire time; he’s innocently hanging onto each word of nonsense that Caedes is putting out in the universe in a way that almost makes him feel bad— but then, Askr is marching off to Zarius without waiting for any further context. Gods, this kid… He make a mental note to talk to Zarius about teaching Askr the value of asking questions when their trip is over. Caedes’ fond laughter is soft nonetheless, muffled by the palm of his hand while he tries to stifle a puff of laughter; but even as he moves his hand away, he can’t help but grin through mischievous whimsy. It’s been a long time since he’s felt this sort of childish mischief; the kind that temporarily banishes all of the hardship and tension from days in Darkveil and missions— lets him live not in the past, not in the future— but the present, instead. … and there’s been a lot happening, recently. A lot that he wants to get off his mind, and a lot he wants to get off Zarius’ and Askr’s as well. The shores of the Crescent Isles are peaceful; they’re calm, and the moonlight shimmering off the water is beautiful. It’s all nice and good and lovely, but it could be a little more exciting. Askr starts to drag Zarius out into the water; and Caedes snickers; he waits for Askr and Zarius to crest the waves before he steps back into the shadows of the night to make himself scarce. (1) Unluckily for the fellblood, the changeling’s general penchant for being a nuisance contributes to the quick creation of a plan of attack. Splashing around in the water will alert Zarius, and so, the threads of the night are woven together to create a makeshift path; which, will also help him in general, given he is not nearly as strong as Zarius. (2, 3) His strengths lie in accuracy, agility, and ambush; and so, to solve this very real problem, he needs as much momentum as he can gather— which would only be slowed by waves and sand. By the time Askr finds a shell for Zarius, Caedes has already put the plan into effect; and so, by the time Zarius glances towards the shore, it’s definitely too late. The assassin barrels into him without warning, trapping him in a bear hug from the full momentum of a sprint, with every intent to drag Zarius into the water down with him.
1. Pass Without a Trace 2. Mass Shadow Control 3. Shadowsilk Slippers
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Post by Askr Mimameith on Jan 20, 2024 21:03:43 GMT -5
There is a moment, however brief, where Askr cannot read the emotion that flashes across Zarius’s eyes.
He thinks it might be… confusion. It is hard to say; facial expressions are already a difficult field to navigate, and Zarius’s face is quite different from most, devoid of some of the defining lines that paint feelings to their fullest. But based on the way the fellblood stares at him, sun-gold eyes paled by the moonlight, confusion seems like the closest assessment– at least before a quiet laugh spills from his lips and he takes the shell and asks if it seems like he’s not.
That is… tricky to answer. Askr is not quite a stranger to joy and the ways it wears people, in the ways the face shifts to accommodate it, but he also knows that the face is not eternally indicative of what goes on beneath it. People do not always smile when they are happy– people do not always frown when they are sad. Just as emotions wear people, people wear emotions, and they come in all forms, and… and it complicates everything even more. Zarius does not seem unhappy, and Askr is unsure as to whether or not he had been before; but Caedes had spoken of how stress had made its home within him, and Caedes… Caedes seems to know Zarius better than anyone.
Askr has a lot to learn, he thinks, about knowing people– about “love” and how it lets you know someone, lets you see things others do not. He does not fathom it yet, cannot wrap his mind around how deep the well runs, but he wants to. He will, one day.
“Mister Caedes said you were stressed,” he says, wanting to explain. “I wanted to help.”
He hopes that is enough of an explanation. He does not know if it is, but Zarius offers his thanks regardless, and gives a gentle suggestion that… perhaps he should go and find shells for Caedes and Charlotte, as well. To bring them happiness, in turn. It sounds like a good idea– he is quite sure Charlotte will enjoy it, and he thinks Caedes might be surprised to receive a gift after suggesting he get one for Zarius. Surprised in a.. Good way.
He gives a little nod and turns to go sift through the sand some more, searching the salt-streaked waves for more shells; a lot of what he finds is mere fragments, pieces of what were once greater shells, now broken down into tiny shards, incomplete and irreconcilable. They are pretty, but not what he is looking for, so maybe he should–
Both Askr’s search and his line of thought are quickly interrupted by the sound and sight of Caedes practically flying across the sand, barreling into Zarius with all the force of an assailant. He… blinks. It is hard to say what he is trying to achieve, but he does not think Caedes would do anything to legitimately cause harm to Zarius, so…
“...are you also trying to un-stress Mister Zarius? Do you… need assistance?”
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Jan 20, 2024 22:14:46 GMT -5
“Things have been stressful, but that is alright," he reassures the young mercenary. "I appreciate your concern.”
Dammit.
Has he really let the fatigue and frustration build up so much that he can’t hide it well anymore? Well, if it’s only Caedes who has noticed, then maybe it’s not showing too obviously yet. The assassin has a keen eye for detail after all, and they’ve been around one another enough to have a good feel for when something is off.
Right?
Maybe he just wants any excuse to avoid admitting that he's burned out. He doesn't want to slow down or take a break. Too many pieces were in motion right now and the stakes were incredibly high. He couldn't afford to rest for too long, and he couldn't entrust his burdens to anyone else.
Not even those he trusts the most.
As Askr searches for a suitable shell for Caedes, the fellblood turns to try and catch a glimpse of where the assassin got to. It was odd that he didn't come along with them, but maybe that whole vampires and running water rumor has more truth to it than he thought.
He could never anticipate what was actually going on until it was far too late.
Now, Zarius is a trained combatant with a special focus on being able to counter most things. What he makes up for with his lack of size and weight he makes up for in his agility and reflexes. He's learned how to topple foes many times his own size and use their momentum against them, he's also learned how to catch projectiles and deflect spells. Needless to say, he's built for reversals.
Of course, all that only works if his brain registers an incoming threat in time for his body to react to it.
This time, it did not.
All of Caedes' weight and momentum hits him above his center of gravity. With his arms pinned to his sides, the depth of the water up to his knees, and the soft sand shifting underfoot, he didn't stand a chance at staying upright. The star-filled sky spins above him before it is engulfed by the ocean's surface as he's plunged below the surface.
The whole collision was so sudden and unexpected that Zarius doesn't even realize he's underwater until he feels the changeling's hold on him lift.
Zarius sits up in the water quickly, blinking the seawater from his eyes as he coughs and sputters for air. The expression on his face when he lowers his hands from face his is unmistakably pure disbelief at what just happened.
He looks at Askr for a moment, barely registering what the young mercenary is saying before he turns his attention to the culprit of his current sodden circumstances. For a moment, he just stares at the soaked changeling as if trying to put some puzzle together in his head and comprehend just what the fuck he was thinking.
Mister Caedes said you were stressed. I wanted to help.
Then it dawns on him all at once.
Askr was set up.
He was set up.
This cunning bastard.
Now he’d done it.
The fellblood’s eyes narrow and a wicked grin spreads across his face before he gets his feet back under him. "You fucking jerk. Come here!" Throwing himself forward, he makes a grab for Caedes in an attempt to dunk him into the water.
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Post by Caedes Oleander on Jan 23, 2024 0:16:06 GMT -5
There is some part of Caedes that had already accepted that this could go horribly wrong; after all, he knows that Zarius is a talented combatant. The fellblood could fling him straight back to Darkveil if he really wanted to; which is, of course, where Askr comes in as a distraction. Even that is not a flawless plan given the kid’s straightforward honesty, and the fact that Zarius’ entire line of work revolves around picking up on subtle cues does not give him much slack to work with. No matter, though; because all of what could go wrong washes away with the plunge into the ocean; and Zarius is successfully trapped in his mediocre web of trickery and subterfuge. The changeling releases him quickly under the water, bubbles rising from between his lips in a silent bark of laughter that is met only with a rush of salt and ocean water. He rises back to the surface with a sputter, running his fingers through his hair to pull it out of his face while his shoulders tremble from the half-drowned bout of laughter. He coughs, one curled fist covering his mouth while he pulls it together. The waves buffet over his back and shoulders, but he seems to have no real intent to find his footing just yet; he remains sat in the shallows. … But when Zarius finally emerges from the depths— utterly drenched and looking like a wet jackal caught in the lantern light, he can’t help but lose it all over again. It’s been a while since he’s seen such a look of utter befuddlement on the fellblood’s face. The changeling waves his hands above the water, “You did plenty!” He assures Askr between laughs. “I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity. Wonderful job. I've never seen him so relaxed.” Caedes praises and jests; his voice is light, clearly delighted in this outcome regardless of its expectance from either party other than himself.
He offers Zarius a shit-eating grin when the fellblood stares blankly in his direction, doing absolutely no part of his own to not incite the consequences which are bound to follow; in fact, the changeling doesn’t actually make any effort to put distance between himself and Zarius. “Come on, you didn’t think you’d leave a beach without getting in the water, did you?” He’s never really been good at having heart-to-hearts; growing up with his involvement in the Ashen Fathers assured that he would always bottle up feelings better spoken. Zarius and he have had their talk; and it was difficult. He finds himself caught between the feeling of having too much more to say and nothing else to say should he even try to bring it up— and even if he did, what then? The fellblood is hardly the type to offload responsibilities or burden; he can just ask Eameia for proof of that. Memories of his conversation with her still linger, and he’s yet to forget about much she’s said. What he is good at, though, is this. Maybe there’s nothing left to say in terms of what’s already been said; and maybe he can’t find the words to properly navigate the bottled up concerns; and maybe he can’t bring himself to ask Zarius if he’s okay despite the subtle glances he’s offered him when his back is turned— because he can’t help but think that even if he did, the answer would always be the same. Maybe, though, he can at least displace those burdens and stresses— for a few hours, at least— if nothing else. A misplaced attempt to show some kind of care in rare moments of refuge from the immediate stressors of Darkveil. Caedes’ pale eyes glint mischievously when Zarius comes around, and right as the fellblood grins and lunges at him, he tries to scramble away with a bark of laughter. He uses both arms to create a splash in Zarius’ direction and attempts to back away; but the waves and the soft sand ultimately foil his attempt to escape. Caedes feels his feet slide out from under him, ultimately losing any resistance in his footing, and he yelps for help from the confused duckling standing nearby right before Zarius dunks him under. He disappears under the waves, bubbles rising to the surface, and flails about to create as much splash as humanly possible before he attempts to grab onto Zarius' arm in a bid to pull him back under the water... or, to pull himself up.
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