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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Dec 2, 2023 12:53:26 GMT -5
It took Kamille sometime to fully appreciate the flight - the disconnection from the solid earth seemed to have make her extremely anxious at first. Kalaf helped her in that regard, and the connection they shared was especially important for her anxiety to dissappear. Now, she felt the muscles of the great drake beneath her, the whiplashing wind on her wind, tugging at her clothes and hair, and the feeling of being weightless.
Kamille chuckled, a sound certainly lost to the wind, as she heard Dante.
"On the contrary! Not everyone has the same opportunity as yourself!"
While the Black Quills would on ocassion ride with her, it was more common for her to ride alone. It didn't seem to bother Kalaf as much, as the extra weight didn't seem to have any effect on him.
There seemed to be some special kind of connection between rider and beast there. The Witch didn't order the drake around, and yet he seemed to know where she wanted to go. She turned her head to one side, and the drake followed, without anything else needed. The drake would bend and turn, and the rider would appropriately adjust her position. It looked a bit more than just some practiced moves.
She seemed to finally breath freely once the drake leveled the flight, looking over her shoulder as Dante talked. The wind made her cheeks pink, but she seemed to light up even more as she saw Dante's unbridled joy.
"You like it? Could you get used to it?"
Moonveil forest spreaded out beneath them, a thick rug of tree tops ocassionaly cut by the shimmering streams. By now, she knew everything there was to know of that forest, and anything out of place would imediatelly stuck to her eyes.
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Post by Delta on Dec 2, 2023 13:15:47 GMT -5
Dante smiled and looked over his shoulder at her. It was a unique perspective, and even the cold air gave way to the brief but warm sensation of her breath on his neck. He chuckled as well and said, "I believe I already am growing accustomed to the sensation, yes." He turned to face forward again as he could crane his neck so far and said, "Kamille, I'll be frank. This is all... wonderful. You're wonderful. I'm happy to work with you. And I'd really like to get to know you more. I understand given our profession the dangers of that, but I live with danger all the time. That, and well I like you. Does that make sense?"
He laughed and said, "Don't worry, I'll behave myself, and I won't let it affect my judgment on the job. I'm a professional. But it's simply unfair to keep my feelings to myself. That and you seem like an observant woman. I doubt the sentiment would be lost on you forever if you had not already deduced it. I hope this revelation hasn't soured the moment, I do very much enjoy the view from up here, and your knowledge of Space magic is something that has been most helpful."
He patted Kalaf and said, "I suppose it's only natural to feel that way about someone who saved your home from a cantankerous dragon god and showed mercy when she was wronged by one that she saved. And you're not a half bad dancer. I need you at more of my parties and put the nobles to shame!"
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Dec 5, 2023 10:32:40 GMT -5
While it didn’t sour the mood per se, Dante could feel the Witch tense up for a moment as the meaning of his words started to sink in. The feeling of weightless, carefree flight suddenly made opposition to what she felt inside: confusion, distrust, and a heaviness that weighed her down.
"Oh, Dante...."
She seemed to reconsider her words for a moment, taking a minute or so to answer again.
"It's not appropriate for an employee to...... be a part of their boss' personal life, I believe..... and even if we weren’t to consider that..."
Kamille seemed to be fighting the urge to say more than she wanted. She wanted to talk about it, she wanted to open up, but she didn’t trust anyone with her feelings on the matter yet. The Witch, who have always worn her heart on her sleeve, was keeping things to herself. And it was taking a toll on her.
"I admire the way you live so lightly, carefree... I would weight you down, Dante. I don’t wish my baggage to anyone... You deserve better than that, trust me."
It was a rare moment she avoided his gaze, though a dry chuckle escaped her lips.
"I won't deny being a dance partner at some parties, though. It's hard to find a good partner at these galas..."
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Post by Delta on Dec 5, 2023 13:06:04 GMT -5
Dante gripped his heart and said, "Oh, how I have been spurned! *Spurned* I say! I shall live not a moment longer without thine love. Goodbye, cruel, cruel world...bleh!" He put an arm to his forehead and dipped back in melodrama. He waited a moment, but couldn't stop himself from giggling when he said, "Gods that had to be cringey to watch. I'm sorry for subjecting you to my schlocky acting, but I couldn't resist. Rejections are easier to swallow when you have fun with them. Just as well."
He sat up, not losing his smile. He had taken note of her body language and her anxieties, saying, "Your assessment of my nature is sound. I'm rather free spirited. And you need not fear of any more advances on my part. Unless you change your mind of course. But I also think it would be unwise to keep such feelings to myself. Unspoken feelings can quickly curdle like souring milk, and far better to explore them when they are smaller than when they are uglier."
He gave her a wink and said, "Be steadfast. I'm sure whatever baggage or skeletons you have pale in comparison to some of my old Ash Land friends. I once set a man on fire for trying to kill my friend and had to dispose of the body. It's not usually the fate of party crashers, but I have a responsibility to my guest list."
Looking back over the view, he said, "Oh I just know this view is even more enchanting at night. You'll really have to bring us up here for the sunset and the stars. Besides, that seems more on brand for someone known as the Witch of Moonglade. I'm surprised you don't have a humble abode up on the moon."
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Dec 7, 2023 8:56:00 GMT -5
Kamille couldn't help but let a genuine, warm smile slide on her lips.
"Oh, Dante... I envy you so much... I wish I could make things that simple... That light... Never change that about yourself."
She could recognize the wisdom in his words, even if she had been living her life directly against such wisdom.
"I wish you had entered my life sooner to tell me those things... Not that I would listen, sadly... But you're completely right. Feelings are not meant to be kept inside."
It was not hard to fill in the blanks... But she decided to move on to the next subject.
"You'll probably love Stargazer Village, then! Perhaps we could go there sometime, if you'd like. It's not far from here..."
Kalaf closed his wings by the side of his body, pointing his neck downwards slightly. Clearly he was starting to make his descend, pointing directly to a river nearby.
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Post by Delta on Dec 7, 2023 9:06:47 GMT -5
Dante was about to reply when his stomach dropped with Kalaf’s sudden descent. Inertia pushed him back into Kamille, and as he collected himself, he said, “A light you say? I don’t think anyone has ever said I had such a thing, but it’s high praise if it’s coming from you.” She seemed to be struggling with something she’d rather not say. I wonder if she’s the type to hook up with bad influences… or perhaps she did something with her magic that she’s ashamed? Personal family drama?
Dante didn’t spend long speculating on what the issue could before shifting gears, saying, “Stargazer Village you say? That sounds lovely. We can go tonight even. That is, unless I made things awkward with my previous revelation. Otherwise that sounds just grand.” He straightened up once Kalaf was flying parallel to the ground once more and said, “Entered your life earlier? Now Kamille you can’t make such a vague statement such as that and expect me not to ask for details. It’s the most natural progression of the conversation! If you want to tell me something speak freely. You seem troubled my confessions notwithstanding. I promise you won’t sour any mood.” He wouldn’t pry too much, but her body language and how she phrased things gave him the impression she had something weighing on her that she wanted to express.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Dec 7, 2023 9:38:57 GMT -5
There was a moment of silence, as she laid on top of Kalaf as he made his way back to the ground. The pressure of the wind made it impossible to talk in the few moments it took for them to reach the ground. Quite as much as the taking off, the landing was also a complicated and uncomfortable part of the flight, but Kamille seemed quite used to it. Kalaf landed besides a river, his giant wings rustling the nearby foliage and making all the birds and small critters flee imediately.
For a moment, Kamille remained silent as she watched the giant, ancient lizard, covered in black mirrors for scales approach the river for a sip. She took off her boots and sat by the river, dipping her feet in the cold water. It would seem she had forgotten about his questioning, when she suddenly started:
"He showed up one night at my house. It was even more common for people to come by unnanounced, looking for help or a cure."
That felt like a lifetime ago. She sighed.
"We just talked that night. Exchanged stories. It was raining so much, I couldn’t just let him go face the storm, so he stayed the night and was gone the coming morning."
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Post by Delta on Dec 7, 2023 12:51:42 GMT -5
Dante frowned and put a hand over her’s. He wasn’t sure if the gesture was appropriate given his previous confession, but he instinctively wished to express some kind of solidarity. He said, “It can be difficult to express one’s emotions and feelings. Rejection is a sharp thorn on the rose of love, but those with the callouses to handle it will find their heart’s reward. I’m sorry you never spoke up and expressed your feelings. It’s funny isn’t it? Can’t speak one’s love, but you can stand firm again firm against a dragon god.” He chuckled as he dipped his own feet into the water and said, “Do you think you deserve love? I ask because… and forgive me if I’m being presumptuous but you seem like the type of person who feels they don’t. I’m delighted to be proven wrong!”
He made a Replicant that started washing and rubbing his feet and said, “I understand if you do not feel anything romantic with myself, but it would be a shame if you did feel that way about someone and let the chance slip you by once more. Don’t make me come over there and play matchmaker, I will do it!” He chuckle and winked, saying, “You know they say a date is like a party. Could hook you up with a romantic venue.”
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Dec 7, 2023 14:25:44 GMT -5
There was no malice or second intentions on Dante's gesture, so Kamille didn't seem to mind much, squeezing his hand in return.
There hasn't really been a chance to talk about it all... Besides some drunken incoherent mumbling, she never laid out her feelings about the subject to anyone. How much could it hurt.....?
"It's.... It's not like that......"
She hesitated, taking some time to watch Dante's replicant without truly seeing anything. By all the dead gods, it was so much harder talking about it than she first thought...
"I think... He had his own way of saying such things... He liked gardening, so... He was breeding a variety of roses of a purple so dark as to eventually be completely black. And then he named them after me. He... He planted a whole herbal garden for me..."
Her time at the Villa felt like a lifetime ago.
"And then, one day... He simply vanished. His Villa is empty, the roses are a mess, and... And... I simply don't know what to do..."
The words seemed to choke her, and for a moment she hid her face in her hands. She remembered his deep, baritone voice from their first meeting, as if he was right next to her.
New memories are always made, Lady of Cinders. So long as you live and breathe, live in the moment...unshackle yourself from the past...do not become me. For it is a torture no one should endure forever. Promise me this.
Sorry, Amílcar... I can't...
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Post by Delta on Dec 7, 2023 14:55:11 GMT -5
Dante didn’t respond immediately, letting her cry and listening to the trickle of the water. After a moment or so had passed, he said, “Cruelties like that make for great stories but terrible tragedies. I’m sorry your lover disappeared. I can’t imagine he would go through all that trouble and disappear out of cruelty. Perhaps in time we may discover his fate together. After all, it’s the least I can do after you saved my home. Well… my childhood home anyone. I suppose Moonglade is my home now huh? I wonder if folks will find me suspect, think me a turncoat.”
He put a gentle hand on her shoulder and said, “I won’t tell you to feel better. Matters of the heart require a kind of finesse many do not possess. You know, it’s funny, I remember you playfully chastising me for being too open with personal information. You called into question my capacity to trust. And now you share your true thoughts with me. That’s the trouble with trust, love, and such: we need them. They say trust no one, but the catch is you have to at some point. Even if not for your happiness then at least for your sanity. How many tyrant kings and undead mages have succumbed to their own sorrow, stuck in the muck and mired of their diseased hearts? It’s easy to call the passionate foolish and the beautiful superlative. And yet it’s always in the matters of love, friends, and relationships that we bind our fates. It’s such a pernicious and dangerous lie to tell ourselves that we don’t need these things.”
Dante’s clone looked to turn and rub Kamille’s feet, but Dante waved him off and mouthed the words ‘not right now.’ The clone threw up their hands, and Dante just gave them a look and turned his attention back to Kamille.
“Who was this gentleman that captured your heart? Must be quite the botanist to grow such a garden.”
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Dec 7, 2023 17:08:19 GMT -5
So much for chastising other people about being trusting, it was certainly a trait she carried herself - a trait that had already made her suffer greatly at times. She hoped she was not making a mistake once again, trusting and venting to Dante. Everything he said was true, she wouldn't deny one word, and that only seemed to make the tears roll even more.
But she doubted Dante could offer anything but some consolation and company. She had a whole network of spies and informants and none had heard a bleep of Bellighul. The same way he suddenly appeared in her life, he was gone.
And he took her heart with him.
It took her a moment to let the tears finally stop coming - and she had wondered if she had any more to shed! The lack of closure clearly weighed in her heart. A moment of distraction would have Dante realize the giant black drake was starring at the fellblood. If Judgement had a stare, that was the one. Kalaf clearly knew what Kamille was feeling, and despite not completely understanding the turmoil in her heart, he turned to face the one he deemed responsible for it all: Dante.
"I told you the horned ones only bring you trouble, little one. Can I eat him?"
Whether or not Kamille understood word by word of what Kalaf was saying, he didn't actually act on it, especially when she finally came back from her hiding between her hands, taking a deep breath and wiping away her tears.
"I'm okay, Kalaf, don't worry... He... He's the Lord of Ghouls, Bellighul. Owner of the Villa of Lost Souls, by the coast of Zeinav."
Amílcar. But that name - his birth name - was one she offered no one. Amílcar was hers and hers alone, whispered during their first public waltz, during the Black Harvest ball.
A lifetime ago.
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Post by Delta on Dec 7, 2023 21:01:15 GMT -5
Dante looked curiously at Kalaf as he was staring at him. He thought to explain himself to the drake but decided against it. Arguing with a beast like a drake seemed like an exercise in futility. He doubted Kalaf would do anything to harm him when Kamille was right here. He pulled Kamille into a hug when the crying got really bad and remained silent in vigilant company. Eventually she would regain enough of her composure to speak, and Dante would withdraw to allow her some space. He even gave her a handkerchief to wipe her tears.
"Bellighul... and he's the Lord of Ghouls? A peculiar title to be sure. And to disappear so suddenly. This is quite the intriguing mystery you have on your hands. But.." he would put hand on her's and said, "Perhaps this is bold of me to assume of someone who is a strange to me, but any man who would create such a lovely garden for you and profess their undying love for you would be heartbroken to know that you were suffering. Your heart is your domain, and I won't dictate to you what to do with it. I merely advise as humbly as I can that you do not close out others. You have good judgment... I mean, you hired me! There are good people in this world. Open up to them; allow them to love you and vice versa. It will never replace him, but it will make life a bit sweeter and a little brighter."
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Dec 8, 2023 6:34:57 GMT -5
Kamille didn’t seem to be bothered by Dante's display of support - much the opposite, she leaned into his arms when he hugged her.
When was the last time she was allowed to cry into someone's chest? Have someone tell her what she needed to hear? Not that everything was going to be alright, but what would truly make a difference? Dante was a good friend, she couldn’t deny that. Maybe even more than she deserved.
She accepted his handkerchief, delicately wiping away at her tears as she slowly gathered herself together. Come to think of it, she had never had the oportunity to be that open with someone about Bellighul. Gods, she wondered how Astrid was handling it?
She sighed deeply.
"We don’t get to chose who we love, Dante. Or how, for that matter. It didn’t happen overnight, this won't either. But I really appreciate your words, you really helps."
She squeezed his hand. Between teary, red eyes, the Witch smiled to him. It was fickle and sad, and soon she turned her gaze once more to the river before them. Once he seemed to understand Kamille was okay, Kalaf once again turned his back on them, slowly sliding into the river for a bath downstream. Because of his size, he almost blocked the river for a moment, before the water diverted around his body.
"But thank you, Dante. You're really helping." Do not become me. Promise me this.
Another deep breath.
"I'm sorry that I can’t be of help in the same measure."
Her gaze seemed lost in the shimmering stream before them.
"He's a vampire lord, you know. Judge me all you want. It's... easy to assume the worst. But what truly kills me is the lack of closure. I can’t help but have some kind of hope..."
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Post by Delta on Dec 8, 2023 9:49:32 GMT -5
Dante was comforting, empathic, and quiet for the most part. HE understood the gravity of her heart and gave her the space she needed to grieve. However, he couldn't stifle the laughter that expelled from his gut when she told him not to judge her. He held up a hand and said, "A thousand apologies truly and sincerely, your concern is well justified, but my dear sweet Kamille look at me."
He gestured to his horns and tail and said, "Judge you? Because you love a vampire? People think I came into this world by jumping out of a demon's loins! Part of the reason I've learned to expand my vocabulary and speak so loquaciously was to contest the addled belief that fellbloods are tainted savages that consume toddlers for sustenance. To them I'm just a vampire with horns, a tail, and a frightening resistance to the heat of the sun."
He laced his fingers together and said, "I've become so proficient in the art of linguistics that I can't help but laugh at the bigotry. I've been told by nobility that I speak well for a fellblood, that I'm a credit to my kind." He made air quotes when he said 'my kind' and draped his tail over her shoulders and said, "Sorry, but now I like you more now. You're stuck with me forever. Might as well get used to all the brunches and tea parties I'm going to throw for you. Such is the way of fate and friendships and love and all those gooey emotions that go with it."
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Dec 8, 2023 18:57:45 GMT -5
For a moment, Dante's laughter seemed to take her by surprise, and she widened her eyes at him in confusion. But even so she couldn't be angry, and soon found herself laughing along.
"Oh, I'm sorry... I guess you're right... Although I must say, I've only had the most delightful experiences with fellbloods! Let's see... I met a lovely violinist once... He helped me ruin a tea party. And then there was the scammer, much later, that helped me uncover a scheme against the Sultan... All lovely people, you must see."
Maybe she should leave out the son of an Ashen Father, since Dante was from the Ash Lands and she was still not sure of his standing with the local mafia.
"And then, of course, there's this handsome fellblood that makes the most amazing parties... Truly delightful! I wouldn't mind to some of those parties and brunches..."
She smiled at him.
"For what it's worth, I think the horns and the tail add to your charm. And you know it."
With another deep sigh, she pulled her feet out of the water, starting to dry herself to put her boots back on.
"So... Do you still want to go to Stargazer village tonight?"
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