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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Jan 12, 2024 14:19:10 GMT -5
Rena hums softly to herself as she moves putters around Sylvari's kitchen, unbothered by the fact that everything was sized for someone at least a foot taller than her own four foot frame. The crow is currently making tea, humming softly to herself as she pulls out a couple of Sylvari's blood vials to fill a mug for her...her sister. stars, when had that happened? Rena shakes her head, trilling in gentle amusement as she continues her work.
She's been working on her own little burrow nearby for the last few months. excavating and packing the tunnels was one of the hard parts, but now she was onto the actual building process. and it...wasn't easy. getting the wood was one thing, but getting it all in and where it needed to be was another...
...no, no. now's not the time for those thoughts. now's the time for rest and relaxation with her sister and the ghost of her husband. it's unfortunate that Bell can't enjoy a good cup of tea in his current state, but the smell seems to be enough for him. That and the simple fact that he can see his wife properly for the first time in over a year, instead of being wholly trapped within her bayonets.
The ghost in question is settled on Sylvari's new couch, wisps of translucent smoke drifting off him as he just savors the ability to feel again.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Jan 12, 2024 14:38:04 GMT -5
It was always a little disconcerting to see the vampiress return from training. Despite their ample time of being together, necessitating that Rena had certainly seen and even likely participated in the justiciar's intense workout regimen, the crow woman had never seen her friend sweat, heave breath, or display exertion of any kind in the time afterwards. If the training was particularly intense, as today, Sylvari's hair would be slightly disheveled when she returned home, at least for as long as she left it be.
Sylvari could smell the intoxicating aroma of blood being poured as she walked into her kitchen, smiling as she saw Rena carefully preparing a drink for her and herself. Rena's ghost friend-her husband, she had told the justiciar-was seated on the couch, smiling pleasantly. It was certainly a surprise when that first occurred. Sylvari had been in the company of sorcerers and other spirt callers before, but she never would have estimated her friend to be among their number.
Sylvari smiled as she came beside her friend and gave her a quick hug. "Thank you for the thoughtfulness, Rena dear." The vampiress took a long sip of the blood, savoring the flavor. She had become experienced enough in drinking from mugs and glasses that the only evidence of her unusual drink was a slight redness of her lips. "How is the home construction coming along?"
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Jan 12, 2024 15:31:06 GMT -5
Rena smiles softly, trilling happily as she gently presses into the embrace, “t’os n’hil1, my friend! I figured you’d want something to help pick you up after your training.” The crow hums softly, reluctantly pulling away from her sister to settle next to her husband while she waits for the kettle to come to a boil.
Bell trills softly, wrapping one semi-corporeal wing around his wife and gently nuzzling into her feathers, the two of them nestling against eachother and visibly relaxing in a way that Sylvari hasn’t seen since before Rena managed to summon him.
The crow-woman smiles softly, idly slipping a bayonet free and beginning to play with it, spinning the blade in her fingers as she nestles a little closer to her Bell.
When the kettle begins to whistle and scream, Rena’s only response is to press closer to her husband, mumbling something about ‘not wanting to let go,’ even as he chuckles and gently pushes her away as best he can.
She grumbles softly, slowly stretching as she moves to take care of the tea, a little ice-magic helping to keep her from burning her hand on the kettle as she pours the boiling water into her own mug.
1. it is as nothing
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Jan 15, 2024 12:50:36 GMT -5
Sylvari took sparing sips of her mug of blood, feeling a bit out of place near this tender display. She had nothing but affection for her dear friend and was happy that she had found a way to reunite with her husband, but such proximity to enduring love set a dull ache within her heart that likely would have been piercing and unbearable had the vampiress not locked such desires deep within her mind so as not to deal with the pain of its loss. She felt simultaneously envious and intrusive on this intimate moment, a stranger in her own home.
She didn't begrudge Rena; after all, her friend was due a bit of happiness. However, the justiciar's mind wandered to other flames that might have been, were it not for her curse and her mission. Quite contrary to her concerted effort to appear content, Sylvari's pain was borne upon her face in the subtle downturning of the corners of her mouth as she gazed out a nearby window, trying to find a sliver of solace in the beauty of nature outside her home.
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Jan 15, 2024 14:34:38 GMT -5
Rena hums softly, savoring the smell of her tea as she steps back into the living room…the crow tilts her head as she sees her sister’s morose expression - not much, but she’s learned to read the subtler nuances of the vampiress’ expressions by this point - and carefully sets her mug down on the table before gliding over and wrapping the justiciar in a hug with both wings and arms, trilling curiously as she murmurs, “...what’s got you down, sister mine?”
The crow pauses, blinking a little at her own choice of words before opting to simply tighten the hug, as though trying ti affirm that she’d meant exactly what she’s said…because she had. She’s seen the justiciar as something akin to an older sibling for a while now, but had never voiced it before now…
Bell chuckles, drifting over to nestle against his wife once more, quirking one feathered eyebrow up at Sylvari in silent...challenge isn't the right word. it's more like he's appraising the justiciar in this new light, reevaluating his opinions of his wife's sister for a moment before speaking, "...well. I wonder how that could possibly have happened...'s not like you've been doing everything a good sibling is supposed to do, though perhaps with less emphasis on friendly harassment..."
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Jan 16, 2024 11:18:49 GMT -5
Sylvari absentmindedly smiled as Rena enveloped her in an embrace, still consumed by her thoughts: she'd grown accustomed to her friend's growing penchant for physical affection. This familiarity was only heightened as her companion named her sister, prompting a rush of emotion for her people, not so far away but oh so similar. Memories and heartache went hand in hand coming back to the vampiress of close kinship and embraces of her childhood. Sylvari didn't want to cry, so she merely hugged Rena back tighter to give herself something to anchor her to the present instead of the tyranny of the past.
Rena's husband joining the embrace was a bit of a startling occurrence. Both she and the crow man's ghost had been engaged in a shadow war with one another: judging the other's intentions and commitment to Rena to be sure they could be trusted. It seems Rena's sudden proclamation had been the event needed to call a ceasefire, as Sylvari allowed herself to relax and enjoy the camaraderie.
"A bit of pain and some unrighteous errant thoughts, sister," Sylvari replied, smiling as she voiced the term of endearment. "A moment of weakness directed unjustly outward when the cause of my malady is within my own heart. I'm sorry..." The vampiress trailed off, silently cursing herself for causing her friend, her sister, to worry.
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Jan 16, 2024 12:48:14 GMT -5
Rena reaches up to gently bap the justiciar’s nose, those silver eyes flashing white for a moment, “don’t you dare apologise for having emotion. Feelings are not weak. Caring isn’t weak, it isn’t a failure,” there’s more words that she wants to say, about how you should honor the fallen by expressing your grief instead of bottling it up, about how she thinks her sister is letting the mistakes of the past rule her…but no. that’s a conversation for another time. In the meantime, she and her husband press close, softly chirping as they do their best to provide the affection the vampiress so clearly seems to need.
It’s only after reluctantly pulling away that Rena speaks again, “...I…on another note, I’ve actually been meaning to ask you about something…you’re something of a necromancer, right? Would…do you think you’d be able to teach me?” Six eggs laid, three lost with her husband...but the idea that her surrogate sister has the ability to raise the dead in any capacity, the idea that she might be able to...what, animate corpses to be inhabited by the children that never had a chance to live? it lights a small ember of hope in her chest, that her family might one day be complete in some fashion.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Jan 16, 2024 13:57:34 GMT -5
Sylvari's sad smile at Rena's admonishment turned to an expression of bewilderment as her friend asked to lead her in the dark arts. While, in principle, Sylvari had argued that the use of certain necromancies wasn't unethical as the souls of the departed had already left the bodies, which were only animated and directed by the caster's will, the vampiress was well aware of the prevailing opinion on the magics of undeath and its warranted reputation. She thought that Rena would experience enough difficulty from prejudice against her curse to warrant adding necromancy to her list of social ills.
Even so, Sylvari had found her friend to be stubborn and headstrong as herself. She knew that if she refused Rena, her friend would likely continue her study alone, perhaps acquiring an unsavory teacher or tome in the process. Sylvari dreaded that thought more than anything. The foray into the dark arts was a perilous one, its myriad pitfalls only barely avoided by the justiciar for her cursed nature's innate granted talent.
Sylvari sighed looking Rena directly in her eyes, silver orbs meeting with crimson ones. "May I ask why you are interested in the art?"
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Jan 16, 2024 14:09:29 GMT -5
Bell lays a gentle, wispy hand on Rena's shoulder as she speaks, silver eyes flecked with bone white as they stare into Sylvari's crimson orbs, "...I laid a clutch of six," is all she says. it's all she feels the need to say, as though the implication is enough. and perhaps it is. She's shown her sister the clutch before, let her hold the tiny, blue, brown-spotted eggs one at a time. There were only three. Three eggs out of six. Three tiny unborn lives, protected by shells that the Justiciar had enchanted herself. And if the crow is saying that she laid six eggs in the context of learning necromancy...well, there's really only one possible thing she could be looking to do.
Rena stares up at her sister defiantly, silently daring the justiciar to speak...but there's a desperation in those eyes of a sort that Sylvari hasn't seen since the crow was working on becoming a Spirit Guardian so Bell could manifest...
In truth, she's nervous. she's been doing her own research into the dark, into the arts of necromancy, and what she's found is...disturbing. nothing that turns her stomach, but she's found enough to know that she'll need to be incredibly careful and precise in her work in order to resurrect her children as something other than slaves.
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Jan 16, 2024 14:22:28 GMT -5
Sylvari frowned, truly and deeply. She had worried that her friend was after this feeble hope ever since she had safeguarded her remaining clutch all those moons ago.
"Rena..." Sylvari's tone was low and warning, but fully laced with emotions of compassion, sorrow, and wistfulness. "Trust me, I know well the pain of losing people who will never come back. But that's just it: necromancy won't return your chicks to you. I raise vessels, conduits for my will. I could teach you to craft bodies in remembrance of your lost little ones, but that's all they would be. I'm sorry to say I don't know a way for you to be reunited with your children this side of the veil between life and death."
Sylvari reached out and laid a gentle hand on her friend, clearly still lost in the depths of her grief. "Sister. You know as well as I that I am acquainted with sorrow, and have been for many years. Believe me when I say that the only remedy that will quell the constant pain is by finding contentment in what we have, rather than chasing what we're missing. You have three healthy little ones. You reunited with your paramour. Take solace in these things."
Sylvari's heart broke for Rena. Her statement had been true: she was well-acquainted with grief. However, she remembered well the words her mother had spoken years ago when she had asked what it was like to love your child. It is powerful and all-consuming, dear one. Though I still love others, my love for you turns all other emotion to hatred by comparison. You are the culmination of my hopes and dreams, a manifestation of my heart in this world. I would sooner die a thousand deaths than see you hurt. The pain of motherhood is wanting to keep you safe and close to me forever, but knowing that you must grow and live.
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Jan 16, 2024 14:45:12 GMT -5
Rena shudders, tears beginning to drip down her cheeks as she presses into the touch, "...I...I know...but something else can, and then I can bind them to the shells, and...and..." it's at this point that she really breaks down, crumpling to the floor and sobbing, "th-they never h-had a chance, Syl! they n-never got to live, t-to grow and love and hurt, and I just want them back! I know that n-necromancy alone c-can only make puppets, but I'm a spirit guardian now. I c-can call them up and bind them to those puppets...can't I?" there's a quiet desperation in her voice, an almost manic need to know, to cling to that last crumbling fragment of hope that she might one day be able to hold her children - all her children - that her family might one day be whole, if not unharmed.
The crow sits there, staring up at the vampire with eyes full of desperate hope...she just wants her children back. to see them, to know they're safe, to hold them close and teach them everything she can...that's all she's wanted since she first learned the clutch was coming...stars, how long has it been? nearly a full year now, hasn't it? she's been sleeping better since Bell first manifested, but she still sees tiny, accusing eyes of silver and amber in her sleep, still hears small voices that will never get a chance to be heard accusing her of leaving them to die, of sacrificing them for her own life...she just wants them back...
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Jan 16, 2024 17:18:05 GMT -5
Sylvari's heart was pierced with the spears of guilt and compassion as she saw her friend sink to the floor. Always before, Rena had stood proud and tall, fiercely defying the outside world to shake her, no matter how bleak things looked with her curse. To see her now, a disheveled mess of tears and despondency, shook the justiciar to her core. Sylvari sank down to sit with her friend on the floor, taking Rena's hands into her own as tears from the vampiress' eyes began to flow, mirroring her sister's silver ones again.
"I don't know, Rena. I don't know... But then, I never thought you'd be able to see your husband either, but here he is. Your spirit calling is strange and veiled to me; perhaps you can bridge the gap where others cannot. If this is what you need to heal, to have a semblance of your family again, I will teach you. As best I am able, I swear that you will master the dead arts."
Sylvari leaned forward to envelop her friend in her arms, much softer without her customary armor, feeling protective. She wished desperately that she had the heat of body to comfort her grieving sister, but only possessed the coolness of dead flesh. Sylvari pulled Rena all the tighter against her, hoping her emotions alone would warm her friend.
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Jan 16, 2024 18:31:49 GMT -5
Rena shudders, slowly calming as she presses against her sister, Bell murmuring words of comfort and encouragement even as he nuzzles into her shoulder. She seems...drained, once she's calmed down. as though this was something that had been coming for a long time, just waiting for a moment of vulnerability to strike her down. It's strange, seeing the typically chipper and somewhat mischievous crow practically melt into a puddle of tears...but perhaps she's earned this. not the suffering that caused the grief, but the right to release that grief, to cry and mourn...but some part of this woman refuses to let go, refuses to wholly release that pain lest she lose her motivation to reach back even as she moves forward, intent on pulling her lost loved ones out of the past, to give them a second chance even at the cost of herself.
The crow hiccups a few more times, tears trailing down her feathers, the outer layers preventing them from being soaked as the tears flow...she calms, blinking the tears away and pressing into the hug, still shaking a little as she processes Sylvari's words, "...I-I...th-thank you, Syl...for being here...y'don't...y'don't have t' teach me, if'n y'don't want to...but I'd like to 'ave someone I know helpin' me along, y'know?"
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Post by Sylvari Dawnsage on Jan 17, 2024 11:04:33 GMT -5
Sylvari claimed the mantle of maternal love and protection as she reached to wipe Rena's tears away. She had always hated seeing others in pain, even from childhood, and had frequently wished to take on all the pain in the world to suffer for the sake of others. It was a special kind of hell, however, to see a loved one's grief, actualized in some small part by her actions. The resolute justiciar quickly melted to a puddle of acquiescence to alleviate her friend's pain.
"No, dear sister. If your heart is set on mastering the dead arts, I should be the one to teach you. The lamentable reputation of necromancy is unfortunately well-warranted with many villains and charlatans as practitioners. I would rather that you learn from me to avoid knowledge that should not be grasped."
Sylvari took a moment to adopt a more serious expression as she stared at Rena again. "But make no mistake, Rena, we must clearly define your goals and discuss the ethics of them going forward. Too many good people become devils by inches on their way to bettering themselves or the world, and I'll not see it happen to you."
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Post by Rena Brighteyes on Jan 17, 2024 16:58:13 GMT -5
Rena sniffles a little, trilling softly as she listens. That desperate drive is still there, but the grief she’d been hiding…it isn’t gone per say, but it’s softer, less jagged for having been let loose. She lets out a soft chirp, nodding as she processes her sister’s words, “...I…alright. We’ll do this. I’ll learn everything you’ll teach me, and use that to make bodies for them…and…and then Bell and I need to figure out how to get them to inhabit those shells…”
Bell trills softly, nuzzling into his wife’s shoulder before speaking softly, “...y’summoned me, right? Sure, I was ‘angin’ around…but the chicks wouldnae ‘ave any direction without some sorta psychopomp comin’ around t’ collect ‘em, so I doubt they’ve left the eggs…stars, I barely even noticed ‘em when I was bein’ pulled t’ those blades I made for ye, so I doubt any reaper’d notice ‘em with all the restless souls in that valley”
The living crow shudders, "...so we'll need t'go back...oooo that'snae gon' be fun..." too many memories in that place, both good and bad. She knew where to find them, provided they hadn't been moved, but still...
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