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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Dec 26, 2023 16:56:01 GMT -5
Rena hums softly to herself, one arm hooked around her glaive while the other adjusts the satchel-nest containing her eggs. There's only three left at this point, and she sometimes finds herself lost in memories of cold and hunger, of having to drive off her own starving clanspeople lest they take more from her already shrunken family...no, focus. that's over. this new place is nice and warm and better suited to her people's colors anyway. The crow hums to herself, softly chirping and trilling as she moves through the burnt growth, silver eyes glancing around warily as she takes slow, careful steps, testing each with a talon before settling her weight forward. It's been months since she laid, but still not long enough for them to have hatched yet. she gently adjusts the eggs in their bedding, gently smiling as she seals the satchel back up and refocuses on the path ahead.
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Fighter's Guild
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 27, 2023 14:02:25 GMT -5
Sylvari was seriously beginning to think that something about her was attracting the more monstrous beasts of the world. On the one hand, this summoning made tracking her foes and training easier, but travel was becoming more and more of a chore as she was forced to grapple with monsters whenever she journeyed through the lands. The theme for this month had been reptiles. No fewer than two Baloths, a couple drakes, and, most recently, three spire vipers, as she journeyed through the Ash Lands had made the justiciar loath to look upon anything with scales again for quite some time.
Her normally immaculate darkened plate was burnished and rent, and her shield dug uncomfortably into her back from how bent out of shape it was. Sylvari sighed, a habit she hadn't quite managed to break, despite her undead nature [Necromancer, Lord of the Underworld]. I just need to make it through the Deadwood. Then I can get to Darkveil and my next contracts. Gods, I could use a drink.
The vampiress craned her neck longingly toward the stash of emergency blood vials she kept in her pack, her last-ditch effort if the beast within threatened to harm others to sate its dark thirst. Sylvari quickly shook the thought away. She had been in far more dire situations than this and resisted the urge to break into her reserves. She merely set her face and began walking determinedly, her half-veil concealing her pure crimson eyes fluttering softly at the motion.
As she made her way through the brush, she came upon a humanoid shaped crow. Sylvari's eyes widened just the slightest bit, her trying journey creating a paranoia that caused her to reflexively summon her mighty warhammer to her hand [Spell Blade, Always There] before she relaxed and tried for diplomacy.
"Hello there, sorry about this," Sylvari gestured to her drawn weapon. "Been traveling for awhile. Jumpy nerves." She gave a self-deprecating smile to the stranger. "Sylvari Dawnsage... Please don't make me fight you."
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Tradesfolk
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Dec 27, 2023 14:14:42 GMT -5
Rena tilts her head at the stranger, taking a reflexive step back as she sees the warhammer just...appear. "...spellblade...out of my league unless I'm willing to..." she shakes her head, making a strange, almost choking sound before refocusing on the figure before her, those bone-white eyes burning bright amid the black feathers of her form, seeming to be trying to pick apart the stranger, their motives and intent. One hand brings her glaive - an old thing, lovingly crafted and stylized after a feather, from the look of it - around into a guard position while the other hovers protectively over...her...satchel...
she doesn't seem to realize how her action could be construed as odd or suspicious, or she simply doesn't care.
"...Rena Brighteyes...no intention to fight unless I'm forced to. not that it matters," she lets out a rasping chuckle, "...you could probably flatten me with little to no effort"
she shivers a little as the thing under her skin makes its hunger known with a hideous squirming behind her eyes, but she can't help but notice that the person before her...doesn't register as meat to the thing within her.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 27, 2023 14:52:07 GMT -5
Sylvari figured she should play up the mortal angle here. She let out an exasperated exhalation of breath and slid down to the ground against the nearest tree in a sitting position, setting her warhammer down at her side. She could have it again in a moment's notice, but figured with how Rena clutched her own weapon, the gesture would be an appreciated pretext of peace.
"Thanks for that. Sorry for the unorthodox introduction. I'm normally a bit more refined, but travel and fighting giant snakes really takes it out of you." Sylvari noted with a quirked brow how her new companion clutched her bag protectively, but thought better of inquiring after it. The justiciar detected no hostile intent from Rena, and no magical ability to speak of [Chaos Touched]. Sylvari also noticed the uncertain grip that the woman had on her glaive, a habit speaking of a just-emerging martial initiate. She was certain that she could put down this stranger if she proved to be a criminal if it came to that.
"So, what brings you out this way? Can't say the Ash Lands are particularly friendly country, least of all the Deadwood. Matter of fact, I believe this is the first new conversation I've had within this forest." Sylvari's tone was light and compassionate, and her subtle interrogation could almost be misconstrued as care for a little-seen friend.
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Dec 27, 2023 15:13:48 GMT -5
those piercing eyes remain bone-white, even as the polearm is shifted back to a position more appropriate for a walking staff. Rena hums softly, tilting her head a little as she considers how much to tell the stranger.
"...looking for a new home. someplace warm that isn't frequented by people of either inclination. this place seemed like a good fit," her soft, lilting voice carries across the distance even as her free hand nervously plays with a feather that's been tied into the crest along her scalp.
those burning, bone-white eyes glance from the hammer to its wielder even as the crow settles down against a tree of her own, her curse squirming under her skin, fruitlessly straining to make itself known.
"...though there's less here than I hoped. I might head elsewhere soon, if hunting doesn't go well..."
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 27, 2023 16:13:58 GMT -5
"Hunting...?" Sylvari's eyes, hidden behind her veil, narrowed at that choice of words. The silence that followed was cacophonous as pure crimson, obscured, bore into orbs of stark white, detecting intentions. "Why are you looking for a home away from others? Surely you and your 'cargo' there would be happier behind city walls where it's safe."
Sylvari paused, sensing the woman's obvious apprehension. Whoa there, Syl. Going detective mode right away certainly isn't endearing you to this woman. Seek your compassion. She seems scared. Alone. Just like you were. Sylvari's stern expression broke against the shore of her compassion all in an instant as her heart burst with empathy.
"Sorry, the wilderness doesn't do great things for my manners, apparently. What I meant to ask you is: are you fleeing from danger? I am a justiciar of the light, sworn to uphold the good of the innocents of Charon. Unless you prove to be a threat to others, that places your wellbeing under my purview. You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to, but it would make my job of helping you a lot easier."
The kind smile Sylvari offered was brimming with sincerity, devoid of the previous suspicion that haunted her visage.
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Dec 27, 2023 16:47:57 GMT -5
there's a long moment of silence as the crow considers the justiciar's words, those bone-white eyes seeming to soften and shift to silver before she speaks, the thing under her skin squirming against her bones, "...I recently came down with an...illness of sorts that's been subjecting me to a sort of...hunger..."
she shivers a little, fingers twitching as something profoundly alien and terribly hungry passes behind her eyes, "...it doesn't care where I get the meat, only that it gets to eat...so...no, a safer, more populated area really isn't an option"
those bright eyes refocus on the justiciar as Rena tilts her head, "...if you're going to kill me now, at least make it quick, and please, try and make sure the eggs make it somewhere they'll be cared for..."
there's a hopelessness in her eyes, a resignation in her voice, as though she's told people before and has some idea of what to expect...
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 27, 2023 17:04:59 GMT -5
The monster within... It's a brutal, thankless fight that no one else truly knows, no one besides the afflicted. It takes a rare breed of person to suffer the indignity of cursed blood, to struggle against the dark impulses, and to want to continue living after all of it. It had only been four years for Sylvari at this point, and she struggled with continuing on everyday, even with her mission to ground her and guide her. Rena had nothing, save for a clutch of eggs and a naïve hope that it would get better. It wouldn't. It would get much worse.
Sylvari moved slowly to remove the veil from her eyes, revealing her pupiless orbs beneath. She pulled back her lips to reveal her deadly sharp fangs. "I know a little something about the hunger. I won't lie to you: living with the curse will be hard. You will need to master yourself in a way no one unblemished ever will. You need to become strong enough to control your desires, else you risk those you love. Knowing this, I don't begrudge you for wanting an end, and I will give that to you if you want. But..." Sylvari's words caught in her throat, clearly overcome with emotion about such a personal obstacle they shared.
"But I have a place where you can be safe while you train. I bought it for myself, before I could trust myself among others. It's empty and remote, away from people, so you won't be tempted to do something you regret. It's in the Crescent Isles, so you'd have to be up to a journey that takes you into the unknown to the other side of the world. I do not offer you an easy solution, but it's all I can do. If you so choose, I swear upon my oath and honor as a justiciar, that I will save you from the worst impulses of the beast within for as long as you are in my care and show you what it means to master yourself. I'm sorry there are no easy answers." Tears flowed like water from the vampiress' eyes, but her lips were slightly upturned in a hopeful smile, as she extended a gauntleted hand to her companion.
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Dec 27, 2023 17:15:06 GMT -5
The thing under the crow’s skin squirms more, an almost visible shifting under her feathers as its writhing teeth gnaw at the back of her eyes, those silver eyes seeming to consider, to calculate and weigh the odds, the decision and potential consequences.
“...you would do that, for one such as I? Who consumed the flesh of her own clanspeople when the snow refused to leave?” tears begin to roll down her cheeks, starkly shining with reflected light against the black feathers that cover the woman, her hands clutching at the pole of her glaive as though trying to hold herself up, though she remains leaned back against the tree.
The cursed crow shudders, gathering herself up for a moment before stepping forward to take the vampiress’ hand, hope shining in those silver eyes for the first time since the snow came.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 27, 2023 17:32:45 GMT -5
Sylvari's smile softened as she placed her other hand over Rena's. She leaned in, a bit closer, and whispered comfortingly. "No one who wishes redemption is truly lost. You have made mistakes. As have I. As has everyone on the continent, but if you have a pure heart that wishes to be better, I can hardly turn you away. I was you, a short while ago."
The vampiress drew Rena into a gentle embrace, gently patting her back as she consoled her. "You don't have to be alone. I will provide the meat you need while you learn to control yourself. I will help you train, if you should want such. In time, you will stand as a paragon of strength for the trials you are forced to endure."
Sylvari simply held her new friend for a time, hoping to be able to convey the sense of belonging and welcomeness that she had so desired for so long as she stood alone with her curse. If she could provide a flicker of the support that her friends had for her along the way, the justiciar's heart would feel fulfilled that she was able to repay her debt in some small way.
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Dec 27, 2023 17:45:27 GMT -5
Rena shudders, a limp hand releasing her glaive to clatter onto the ground as the tears flow faster, hiccupping sobs beginning to sound out as she presses against her new...her new friend, the thing under her skin forgotten for the first time in weeks.
That feather tied in with the rest somehow seems more lustrous than before, her eyes gleaming silver as she hiccups and sobs through repeated, stuttering words of thanks.
The thing under her skin, meanwhile, squirms and shifts against her bones and behind her eyes, a wretched scraping inside her skull reminding her that she hasn't eaten in some time.
she doesn't seem to care, happy to simply savor the first ray of true hope she's found since escaping the remnants of her people.
she regathers herself, pulling away a little before speaking, "I...yes...I want that...I want to be able to control...this - " she raises a hand, grimacing as the appendage shifts and warps to the sound of cracking bones, briefly settling to something long and slender and clawed before another series of cracks and pops sees her forearm back to normal. Just from the look on her face, it's not a pleasant transformation.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 27, 2023 18:08:31 GMT -5
Sylvari looked at the morphing limb with an eminent dispassion, neither condemning Rena with disgust for her change, nor displaying a macabre interest in that which pained her. The vampiress merely gave an understanding nod and rubbed her friend's shoulder comfortingly. She knew well the pain of living with a curse. Hard-won experience had informed her of how to respond in this unique situation.
"I promise you the truth while you are under my care, Rena. You are right to be wary of your curse. It's smart: that's how you safeguard yourself against tragedy. At the same time, however, you must learn to embrace your new nature if you ever hope to master it. Suppressing every desire you have deep down will only cause you to hurt those you love. Take heart, my dear. I have tread this path and know well its pitfalls. With luck and dedication, we will see you to the other side without the harsh lesson of experience that I endured. Your suffering is valid. I see you. But you needn't worry anymore. I will stay by your side as we walk into a brighter tomorrow."
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Dec 27, 2023 18:19:44 GMT -5
"...thank you...my friend..." the crow murmurs, letting out a soft trill as she takes a step back, reaching to retrieve her weapon as she shivers, "...you said the crescent isles? that's...a ways away...I'll need at least one good meal before I can start, just judging on how my curse has been progressing with hunger these last few weeks..."
she glances back up at the vampire, "...is there anything I'll need to know about how to get there? any defenses I'll need to be wary of or traps I'll need to watch for?"
her free hand rests on the satchel holding her surviving clutch as she hums in thought, carefully ignoring the gnawing teeth that writhe and squirm and crack behind her eyes and under her skin.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Dec 27, 2023 18:34:34 GMT -5
Sylvari shakes her head with a kind smile. "I would hardly expect you to make such a difficult and lengthy journey alone, my dear. If you'll allow me, I will accompany you. I will show you the way and act as your shield and weapon against the outer world. You've little ones in your care that should capture your attention, after all," Sylvari murmured, gesturing towards the satchel.
"Focus your mind on what matters: what you're fighting for. Finding a reason for living is the one thing I cannot teach you. I will take care of everything else. What sort of meat do you need? I can buy it on our journey, or hunt if you need something more exotic. Please also tell me of any other accommodations you require. I will be your shadow, so you don't have to worry about losing yourself. I know well that fear, and will safeguard you by protecting others from you if you lose control. Entrust me with this task, and let joy take up residence in your heart."
Sylvari's words came breezily and freely, as if she was merely promising to prepare a simple cooked meal for a friend, rather than committing herself as a watcher and guardian of a woman struggling with a curse. More than anything, Sylvari knew she needed to be seen as a person. When one only feels like a monster, having friends remind them of their worthiness was the greatest assurance of survival one could have.
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Dec 27, 2023 18:58:07 GMT -5
Rena blinks, then smiles softly, letting out a quiet, grateful trill as she relaxes further, “I…alright…I can do that…”
She sighs, stretching a little and gently dropping to a crosslegged position, satchel in her lap to allow her to check on her clutch properly, her eyes sharp and focused as she tunes out most of the world around in her favor of making sure her yet-unhatched little ones remain unharmed.
After about thirty seconds of this, the crow sighs and looks up, “...’m gonna need to find a healer to look them over…I…never had the chance to learn the signs of health…for all I know they’re already dead…”
She shakes her head, then, “...no. we can find a healer-mage on the way, see if they can do some sort of checkup spell or something…and even if it turns out they’re dead, that just means I have to give them life as something else”
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