Graceless KalibasEnd of Part 1Room play from 7/6 - 7/7/17
Reign Kaliba - Today at 9:01 PM
Reign sighed at the thought that this was a long time coming. His little girl, robbed from him- the wages of his sin, and one of the methods of his redemption. He remained seated by the fire, unneeded save for ambience. The fire was arcane in nature shedding no heat save the comfort of the flame. In his was a black box, two and half inches wide and 16 inches long wrapped with a white ribbon. His toe tapped nervously as he waited on.
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 9:06 PM
Lilwen sat on the floor within the Palace library with her back against the wall, safely tucked away between Ancient History and Magical Artifacts. Since finding out Elyn and Ardyn were leaving she'd stuck primarily to herself, using the private moments to indulge in bouts of wound licking and self pity.
Of course she understood Elyn leaving. Had she not done just the same thing herself? It was worse for that stupid bit of empathy that let her put herself in Elyn's place and know she would choose to leave, too. If there were someone to actually blame this would be much easier.
Elyn Kaliba - Today at 9:09 PM
It was different with Shelzi and Reign. Everyone else could say they were used to Elyn and her family saying 'goodbye for now' as she went back home with her parents. But this time... she was leaving on her own. Elyn was growing up and it scared her. Ardyn opened her eyes to a lot of things, but he robbed her of some too. The young woman came to meet with Reign, her hands held together in front of her as she smiled at him. It was a sad smile, one she knew she wore. "I'm scared..." No hello, no telling him not to worry. Elyn was blunt and to the point, as her father liked. It wasn't just what was ahead that she feared, but what she was leaving behind. Her parents, a baby sister, her second home, and her new best friend. Eyn found a bond with Lilwen that she never really understood until she and Ardyn made plans to leave. Did Lilwen hate her? Would they still be friends? Would she be willing to join up with them later?
Reign Kaliba - Today at 9:11 PM
"I know, darling girl. I know." he said as he gestured the chair across from him, a slate chessboard on the table between them, pieces haphahazzardly strewn across the board. It appeared Reign had played black. He had lost.
" Tell me about it. Then..we'll see to your gift." he said putting the thin box on the table.
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 9:18 PM
It was made even worser because she knew what she was doing was childish and immature. One part of her was tutting at the other part, shaming her for not acting more her age. Or at least, how people in Tyran seemed to act at her age. Back home she'd been known as one of the most mature among her peers.
People back home didn't deal with riots, arrow wounds from "friendly" fired bows, monsters, weird magic, and mysterious visits from people who were supposed to be dead.
People back home didn't have grandmothers who had been goddess twice, or friends who found out and just shrugged because, "eh, my grandpa did that."
Elyn Kaliba - Today at 9:20 PM
Elyn slowly took the seat, staring down at the board for a moment. It was hard to express her emotions where there was so much going on. Elyn never had an issue in admitting when she was scared- it gave her the chance to overcome such fears and be better. If one didn't admit it, they could never solve it. Only now, even though she admitted it, she couldn't seem to find a reasonable solution.
"It's childish," she sighed, playing with one of the pawns on the board. "I am struggling with the change. I've only ever had you to teach me and now I have to do that on my own." Of course, she had Ardyn there. They both agreed they needed to keep up their training. "What if I don''t know what I'm doing? I'm naive and childish."
She kept the Lilwen comment to herself. Not many really understood Elyn's affection for the other girl. It was obviously different from the love she felt for Ardyn, but that didn't mean Lilwen was less important.
Reign Kaliba - Today at 9:23 PM
"Yes, well. Fear is never childish in and of itself. Fear of change, most of all." He said considering her countenance as he lifted one leg over the other. "Tell me, do you doubt you'll not learn from your inevitable mistake? I believe I've taught you better than that."
"You know, surely by now- that mistakes, grevious ones can be made for many reasons. Your beau Ardyn, knows this first hand. But...with time. With effort, you can not only learn from those mistakes, but on occasion reverse them entirely. It is not a popular view among our family, but a Kaliba's strength comes not from always winning- though we seem to often enough."
"It comes from learning from each defeat, each lost pawn. Each knight stolen too soon. "
"You did not know your grandfather in the Empire as I did. To you he was a legend. To me, he was a hound of war, constantly baying and barking. His 'legendary battles' merely situations he should've never been in, in the first place."
Elyn Kaliba - Today at 9:30 PM
The corner of her lips lifted into a hint of a smile before it faded. "No, I suppose not." Elyn was naive, but she wasn't foolish. She made the best out of any situation and either conqured it or learned a valuable lesson. One way or another, she always came out on top.
"It's not just me anymore. I know things were never easy, but they were certainly easier when the only person I had to worry about was myself. I've made connections to people. I don't want to let any of them down."
Reign & Trent - Today at 9:30 PM
Trent needed to clear his head. He drifted quietly through the library, the sense of someone nearby alerting him that he was not alone. Despair. Juvenille, but poignant. Doubt. All of it called to him, or rather to it, and he moved to investigate. It was one of the youths, one of Elyn's friends. Trent's face assumed a smile, one genuine enough.
He was dressed in clothing most fashionable and yet austere, the wizard moving with the grace of the young. "Lilwen, correct? Am I interupting?"
Reign laughed at that, a soft sound- witheld, restrained. "Oh, Elyn they will get used to it. As will you with them. Life will soon illustrate that everyone cannot be pleased all the time. Especially me and your mother. "
"Elyn, my child...my sweet little girl absent for the time I'd of held you on my lap. I can promise you, you've chosen well enough in those friendships. Ardyn, while I still must object to any boy... Would die for you. The Nickleby child, will find her place. Her confidence, and only then can you keep confidence with each other. "
"The world never got to see me as a teenager. I don't envy you."
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 9:34 PM
Overseas, it was her mother, Lily, who she would turn to when things were too much and she needed to talk it out. She would shuffle into her mother's room where she was generally knitting in her favorite chair. Her mother rarely looked up, sitting quiet with only the faint sound of steadily pulling thread to break the silence. Eventually Lilwen would begin talking.
Often her mother would do nothing more than sit there, letting Lilwen pour out her troubles without worry of judgement or critique. Sometimes there was sage advice, although a small knowing smile or a certain look could be even more impactful and carry the greatest weight.
She could really use her mo---
"What?" she blurted, blinking rapidly as her mind struggled with the abrupt plummet into reality. Oh dear. Oh gods. It was him. "O-oh.. Lord Trent. I mean Kaliba. I m-mean Lord Kaliba... sir."
Blushing furiously she slapped the book she hadn't been reading shut and scrambled up to her feet. Should she curtsy? Bow?! Fall to her knees and avoid looking at his face?!
Lost in indecision she wound up performing a jerky twitch-nod-dip-bob before sagging in a defeated sigh.
Reign & Trent - Today at 9:37 PM
Trent smiled perhaps more to himself than anything else. "Lilwen, call me Trent. We are, well- not family. But close enough that you can take that liberty." he said offering his arm.
"You look...doubtful. Distraught. Come, will you walk with me?" He asked gesturing down the aisle of the library and towards the door to the nearest courtyard. He began walking with or without her, the question / command left floating in the air behind him.
Elyn Kaliba - Today at 9:42 PM
Violet hues glared up at him for laughing, but her line her lips formed was her straining from laughing. Elyn couldn't be mad at her father. "Does it ever get easier?" She never imagined herself in this situation, though what person ever did? Elyn knew some day a boy would come along and she hoped it was a wonderful time. No one ever warned her what it would actually feel like.
Ardyn was always on her mind. It was painfully obvious how much she cared about him and sometimes she hated it... but she was also glad. If everyone else noticed, surely he did too. Yet despite all that, no one could replace her father.
"Before I left, I wanted to thank you. I know you know that I love you and it's not like I'm leaving forever." She waved her hand dismissively. "But really thank you for all that you taught me. I wouldn't be able to handle all of this if it wasn't for you."
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 9:45 PM
What choice did she have but to take the offered arm? She obeyed before she realized she was doing so and spent the short, escorted walk trying to regain a semblance of grace and composure. This was her grandmother's kinda-sorta-not-really brother-in-law and her best friend's uncle.
Yeah, that was really complicated.
"I'm sorry, I'm not schooled in Arisalonian protocols...," she smiled at him shyly. She could do this. Odd that it was just when she'd been wishing for someone to talk to...
No. Surely it was inappropriate.
The night air was pleasantly cool. It felt good against her heated face. "Are you, uh, happy to be back?" she blurted out after a couple beats. What did you say to the hi-I'm-not-dead guy?!
Reign & Trent - Today at 9:49 PM
"Correct." Reign said with a grin. "Now, let it be known that you can come home whenever you wish. You know the way. You can even bring that damnable boy." He said as he pushed the box across the table.
" I made this while I was still the Avatar of Magic. I did it only one month from the day we first met. I knew it would fit you. I knew with it, you would make me proud. Open it. Tell me what you think."
Inside the box was a wand of a kind of white stone that felt light as a feather in the hand, like a conductors baton. It was bound one inch from it's tapered tip with a band of shining orichalum, polished to an almost mirrored shin, another band below the grooved handle. In the midst of the white wand was an inky stripe of black that seemed to oscilate around a visible core beneath what seemed to be glassteel. The core was a silvery liquid that would look very familiar to Elyn. It bubbled and writhed at her touch.
Her magic sang to it and it returned in countersong, she could feel it at her fingertips, crackling underneath her skin- great power suddenly at hand with nothing to slow it, to insulate it. It was a masterful conduit, seemingly blessed by power at once dark and divine, pure and full of light. It was a study in contrasts in that it was balance made manifest. This wand, was connected as much to the web as to her.
Reign & Trent - Today at 9:53 PM
"Of a sort, Lilwen. And you should not worry with Arisalonian protocols. Don't let the city fool you- most are quite long dead. " He said with rather droll expression before the smile broke through again.
"Lilwen, tell me what is the matter? Do you not feel at home?" He asked with an arched brow as the exited into the courtyard in the light of the pale blue moon.
"Perhaps there is a place I can take you, something we can find? You've been quite morose sense finding of my nieces departure." It was worth noting that while Reign was very old- more so than he'd ever appear, and Arc nearly ancient relatively, Trent was in his early tweenties. It became evident when one spent enough time in his proximity. He was in his youthful peak, not even the height of his mental abilities.
Something about the man seemed to drip with power, something not altogether light or dark, but an alluring comfort in between. " Is that the matter? "
Laelia and Rosewyn - Today at 10:00 PM
The volcano loomed in the distance. Bloody thing popped up out of nowhere and started moving of all things. They'd been keeping an eye on it for some time now. Covert operatives had been scouting in the area, giving the volcano a wide berth, but peacefully keeping watch over the comings and goings of the people who dwelled within. Reports suggested only one hostile interaction that took place only when someone came too close on wings.
When the General was given the last report, it detailed that a dwelling had been established at the base of the volcano. That perhaps it seemed to have ceased its movements and chosen a place to settle. It was time to approach them herself. It was too far to fly, but Laelia had other means of transportation. And so as she strode purposefully out of the Capital outpost, she pulled a small silver ring from her right pinkie finger and tossed it to the ground. It widened, the ground beneath it seeming to hollow and swirl with energy. She stepped within the ring and disappeared from sight.
In the distance in front of the guildhouse and in plain view, a figure appeared amidst a swirling mass of light. Armour clad, nothing about the identity of the stranger was revealed except that the armour they wore was well loved, polished, and hummed with subtle arcane energies. A black calf-length coat with brushed platinum buttons and buckles indicated an officer's rank, and a sword was belted at the figure's left hip.
When Laelia emerged from the portal, she stepped out of the ring and it shrank in size back to its original shape. She stooped to pick the ring up from the ground and replaced it on her finger before continuing her long stride towards the base of the volcano. Seemingly unphased by the heat that permeated the air around it.
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 10:04 PM
Was there any way to resist the mood being set? A quiet stroll in a beautiful courtyard on the arm of a handsome, powerful man under the light of a pale, silver moon.
Lilwen had read this story. A few times. She'd had this dream. This fantasy. The face and details had always been blurry but it was so easy to let Trent's fill in the blanks. Now was the part when her bruised young heart would open just a little bit, a teeny ache as unadmitted wishes and yearnings began floating to the surface and changed...everything.
She grinned a little, ducking her head in a practiced move that swung her short hair forward to veil her youthful blush. "It's foolish. I'm going to miss her, both of them honestly. I'm happy for her and I understand why she's going, I'm not mad. It's just..." Lilwen twisted her lips in thought, relaxing a little more with every admission. "We didn't get enough time. I only just found them, found everyone, and poof...she's gone."
Reign & Trent - Today at 10:09 PM
"You are gifted Elyn, but you lack control. That wand will give you a resevoir of it. But yes... the room was / is mine. But you- you can use it. You'll find it's uses, myriad. When you look for a miracle, check there first." he said cryptically.
He rose from his seat. "That wand is a tool. A very dangerous one. Remember to be grounded- to remember your family, your friends. The pull of magic is seductive and for every bit of power borrowed, you will pay it back."
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 10:10 PM
Somewhere within the Palace, Lonnie Thatcher lay in deep hiding, a hand to her chest as she struggled to catch her breath.
The deed was done.
Footsteps sounded just outside and she quickly held her breath, all her focus on the muffled conversation drifting to her from the other side of the door.
"Did you take the tea in to Lady Shelzi?"
"Is that the pregnant one?"
"Yeah."
"I did but she wasn't in her room. The girl said she was off to visit Rosewyn."
"Those two have drank half the stores of tea already, I swear..."
Reign & Trent - Today at 10:15 PM
" Do you really think they'll go so far as to forget that they need a friend?" Trent said in reply. For a moment, he looked freer than he had a moment earlier. "I can tell you, leaving this place behind- it's intoxicating. I left to find my fortune, and the first place I went was to your Grandmother. I went to the Temple and I built a place to work. I impressed her so, she opened mysteries to me just to see what I would do. It was because of her, that I went searching for Valerian. Because of her, I met Sylvanna. Because of her, I went on my own adventures with a young love." He said it all in the kind of verse that sounded wistful, pleased at the memory and not yet recollecting its bitter end.
"Inevitably, Sylvie and I were not enough. Friends acocmpanied us after that honeymoon period. It would be wise, if you prepared yourself for their inevitable invite." Trent said with an almost scolding tone, despite the friendly air- the warmth. His rich baritone could bring chills, or bring security and through it, warmth.
"Lilwen, there is nothing wrong with missing the boat. But there is a great deal the matter with not being ready for the next one."
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 10:25 PM
Well that burst her bubble a bit. In the dim light and mediocre veil of her hair it was likely he missed the dry look she gave him out of the corners of her eyes. That was not what the handsome man was supposed to say. They weren't supposed to want you to go. Sheesh.
"I doubt I have it in me to deny any request of theirs," she said wryly. Inwardly she was laughing at herself for getting carried away. Just because Elyn had found a handsome hero to run off with didn't mean she got to copy. "I want to see more of Tyran, too. And it's probably a good chance for me to get to know my...grandmother...better. I've been avoiding it. I mean... what do I say to her? She's intimidating. Look at all the things you say she did for you." Lilwen shook her head.
Her mind never put it together that all those things he attributed credit to Shelzi for had not turned out so well in the end.
Laelia and Rosewyn - Today at 10:30 PM
Another meeting after dinner, another disgruntled group lobbying for more than their fare share of favour. The meeting had ended with the group receiving nothing further than perhaps a more detailed explanation of just why Rosewyn maintained her particular position of fairness. It seemed well enough for the moment. And now, New Arisalon's de-facto ruler retired to her chambers to finally allow the tension in her shoulders to release.
She glanced to the side table near her favourite chair where a pot of tea sat steaming, the same as every evening. With a long sigh, her shoulders lowered and she moved to the table, pouring tea into a cup. Then while it cooled ever so slightly, she moved to her vanity and removed her jewelry and the pins from her hair, allowing it to tumble down to her waist.
Trent Kaliba - Today at 10:30 PM
If Trent blamed Shelzi for anything, it wasn't evident in tone or reasoning. But he did smile at Lilwen or rather the veil of her hair. "You say you've come looking for a grandmother. Then you ask her if she'd like to apply. I do think, my brother's lover- longs for family. Her choices, her tasks...they have robbed her of it. I feel often that my Father felt the same. "
"It's this land you see. It requires so much of so many just to keep from snapping apart. It makes unfair requests of us all." He said stopping amidst the roses to tarry a moment.
"Lilwen, you'd do well with some training before you go. Surely with your blood you can perform magic. You'll find no better resources than here to learn enough to get you by on the road...." He reached out for one of the buds and with a deft snap of the stem he procurred it for the lady he was escorting.
"Miss NIckleby, can I interest you in something for your room?" he asked turning and seperating from her to offer the young girl the flower.
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 10:43 PM
Now this was more like it! She knew her smile was stretched ear to ear, her jaw muscles would never be strong enough to rein that one in. He was playing along, she believed he knew that she knew that he was playing and she appreciated the effort all the more.
It was the first flower a boy had ever given her.
She took it with a slightly shaking hand and a level of gentleness the moment didn't really require. It was sweet and perfect and she would never forget it ever. Her fingertips lightly grazed his hand before drawing away and she let out a soft squeak of surprise as a little spark of energy passed between them.
Lilwen jerked her hand back and shook it out after switching the rose to the other. The sharp tingle rippled up her arm and shivered down her spine.
Well what the...
"S-sorry!" she exclaimed, embarrassed. She automatically assumed blame. Trent was golden and gorgeous and far too experienced.
If he was checking for magic potential, the girl had it in spades. A wealth of untapped power practically wailing to be used.
Laelia and Rosewyn - Today at 10:45 PM
Finally Rosewyn settled in her chair and reached for her tea, raising it to her lips. Blowing lightly on the surface of the tea, she then took a sip and exhaled another breath, allowing the scent and flavour of her favourite tea to sooth her.
Trent Kaliba - Today at 10:49 PM
Trent inclined his head towards her, and with a moment's pause he bowed. "No, I beg your pardon. I...should of anticipated sparks." he said with a coy smirk before gesturing for the two of them to continue their walk. "You see, Lilwen..magic has a way of wanting loose. It'll take from you, but oh....will it give. Like a lover, magic is both. It more than any woman, more than any man- has been my mistress. She kneels at my command.." and with that he gestured a flat palm, and the nearby stone statue of some long haired woman bent at the knee with the creaking of stone until it knelt before them, blocking the garden path.
"But...it also seeks always to humble me." with a relaxation of his hand, the stone lady lurched forward hands outstretched looking to seize the Wizard's throat, or worse the woman beside him. At the final moments- his palm was raised and the stone didn't just stop...it simply ceased...little more than gravel raining across the path.
" I believe you, could return a side of your family to power. If you committed to it. I think with the proper...sculpting, molding...teaching, You could become an enchantress in your own right."
Laelia and Rosewyn - Today at 10:50 PM
Rosewyn's head leaned against the high back of the chair. After several sips of tea, she set the cup down and raised her fingers to her temples, rubbing in slow circles. It was good to have Trent home. Not only for the sake of her heart, but for her sanity. He helped share a good deal of the tasks that needed to be done, which allowed Rosewyn to sleep more at night. Yet she still found herself so tired.
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 11:00 PM
Lilwen's heart was still pounding in her throat after that magnificent display of power and control. Impressed and breathless for a number of reasons it took her a couple of moments before she could find her voice. "Nooo," she automatically denied with a shake of her head. Eighteen years of living with very normal, very regular, comparatively boring parents had drummed that into her head. They did not do magic.
Except she could. She already knew that. It's one of the big reasons for her rebellion. Of course she followed that with an almost painfully hopeful, "Do...D-do you really think so?" He had her undivided attention. She was caught, hook, line, and sinker.
Lonnie Thatcher waited the agreed upon length of time and then left her hideout to carry out the next necessary Act. Her plain face and outward composure kept any from questioning her reasons for slipping into Rosewyn's suite.
She did it all the time. In fact, it was literally her job.
Finding the woman right where expected added a genuine pleasantness to her expression as she crossed over and immediately set to massaging Rosewyn's shoulders. "You're tense, mistress," she clucked softly. This was another talent of hers, strong, deft fingers and a servant's good grip. It's how she got her first promotion.
Trent Kaliba - Today at 11:05 PM
" To decieve on the estimation of ability, is a sin most foul for all." he said in the tone of someone who was quoting someone. " It is not a sin I commit." He said before a momentary strong wind blew scree and gravel away from their path.
"Would you allow me, to teach you? No doubt your grandmother could- if she were to find the time." He said with a gesture. " I could not teach you quite so often- but perhaps each morning. Early. Before the sun, I can meet you in the training grounds below. Reign and Ardyn have been at work there, but with him gone- we should have plenty of time to work."
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 11:12 PM
Her eyes grew wider the more he talked. THE Trent Kaliba wanted to teach plain ol' her... Uh, alright she wasn't exactly clear on what he wanted to teach her. Magic? More?! That last came from a very dark, very quiet voice in an unmistakable leer.
Oh goodness.
She fanned her face and gulped. Her father would hate this. "I'd love it!" she screeched -- maybe not really a screech but it was too loud and too high pitched and she was so embarrassed gawds. Lilwen cleared her throat and tried to pretend she hadn't just impersonated a puberty-stricken boy. "I mean, ahem, yes... I'd be honored! But aren't you busy?" her practical side kicked in. "I don't want to be a burden! It's my worst fear since coming here. I'm imposing already."
Trent Kaliba - Today at 11:19 PM
" A Kaliba seldom suffers any imposition. You'd know if you were anything less than a desired guest." He said with a look that was not without stern rebuke. "You will never feel at home anywhere, if you are the deciding vote on the welcoming committee. Say no for no one- they'll quickly come to say it themselves."
He continued moving through the garden his steps weaving through memory. Sylvanna had stood right there. The summer sun illuminating the great golden streams of windswept hair, the soft fabric of her dress so light and airy as it flowed about her as if the wind were at her command. Trent didn't know why this place seemed haunted with her memory....but everywhere he went it tortured him. Reminded him what he had lost- and the grief threatened to swallow him again-despite his intense will to guide his family to their rightful place.
Still, Trent's mind perfectly comparmentalized allowed little clue that he considered anything else as he looked among the hedges leading to an open space marred only by a single stone bench.
"So it's settled them. Tomorrow morning."
Laelia and Rosewyn - Today at 11:22 PM
Rosewyn's eyes opened with a start. "Oh...Lonnie. I didn't hear you come in." She smiled apologetically. She nearly melted when Lonnie began to massage her shoulders. It was a casual thing that often happened and they would chat about their days. Rosewyn was always strived to be kind and approachable. "I am. Thank you, Lonnie." She sighed, taking another sip of her tea.
She raised a hand to pat Lonnie's. "You all take such good care of me. It has been a blessing, you know. I never take it for granted."
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 11:29 PM
Lilwen squirmed under that look. It further validated the inner voice currently writhing with frustration over her continued immaturity. Feeling quite small, she earnestly nodded. "Tomorrow morning! I look forward to it Lo-- T-Trent." That felt so weird to say.
Lonnie smiled affectionately down at Rosewyn. It would be sad if the lady was one of those who never woke. Such a pity. "'Tis an honor, Mistress. Working here is a blessing I never forget." Her hands knew by now exactly where to knead, where to press, when to squeeze and when to release.
Ardyn would be so surprised to discover her talent with her hands.
"Are you tired, Mistress? Should I help you to bed?" she asked, pausing long enough to lean around and check Rosewyn's face. Aw. So pretty, too. Not as beautiful as her Ardyn, but close.
Trent Kaliba - Today at 11:34 PM
"Good. We will start with practials. I have methods of drawing the magic out of you- in a training environment, you'll find it easy enough to control. To feel and touch." he said with a nod. "Come ready to learn, and Lilwen?" he asked as he turned to leave.
"Don't be nervous.Good night, Miss Nickleby.- oh, and mind the thorns." he gestured to her hand and the rose, before comitting his steps to guide him inside.
Laelia and Rosewyn - Today at 11:35 PM
"I think..." The rest of her words trailed off in an unintelligible murmur as her head dipped slowly forward, eyes closing. Her fingers loosened, the teacup falling from her grip to clatter to the floor. The sound caused her to inhale deeply and raise her head in alarm, blinking rapidly. She looked down with dismay at the broken teacup.
"Oh dear, I'm so sorr...so...clums..." Rosewyn's breath softly exhaled and she shook her head. She must be more tired than she thought.
"Please..." Her vision narrowed dangerously, growing hazy and dark.
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 11:39 PM
Lilwen stood staring after him until his proud back finally turned out of sight. The rose quivered between a trembling thumb and forefinger, held with a light reverence impressionable young women put on such small trinkets everywhere.
She should try to sleep. Too nervous.
Filled with the sudden need to see her grandmother, Lilwen scampered out of the courtyard and back inside.
Trent Kaliba - Today at 11:40 PM
Suddenly, Trent felt a disturbance in his wards. Somewhere, something had happened- a contingency upon contingencies. A brow arched, and while the warning was not so detailed, it only made it clear that this was not something vital to his strategems. Hell, it could be something he planned. At times he wasn't sure. Priorities first, he needed to find Milhin to make sure she was planning to kill his new student.
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 11:44 PM
Lonnie watched that brilliant light dim in Rosewyn's eyes as her hands guided the woman to the floor. "I'm sure you'll wake," she whispered, truly wishing for it. She waited a moment, paying Rosewyn the respect of artfully arranging her mistress' increasingly limp form as had been ordered.
She had no idea Rosewyn's body now perfectly echoed that of poor Sylvie's.
After a careful assessment of her work, Lonnie took one step back.
And then she screamed.
Trent Kaliba - Today at 11:51 PM
Wards conspired in every reverberation to carry a servant's scream to his ear through twisted corridors of spacetime. Through those same corridors, darkness manifested to pull his bodily form to the sound of the scream.
Trent's appearance was sudden, and so was his wrath. With a clench of his fist, pressure built tight, invisible hands squezed at Lonnie's throat to silence her screams, and apply enough pressure to ensure she'd known just how much danger she was in. His mind peered into hers, the Darklight an impossibly powerful tool to see the darkest of thoughts, the most deep of sin- but Lonnie's annonymity protected her well enough for the moment.
" Who did this!" He hissed, that Baritone giving way to a more insidious presence, where rage and grief surged to overtake the suave, controlled Trent Kaliba. The applied pressure at her throat was nothing to the phantom forces that threatened to lift her from the ground until feet scorned earth.
The fist opened slightly, allowing her to choose words, however carefully.
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 11:58 PM
Lonnie sucked in a great gulp of air. There was little guile to be found. She was madly in love with Ardyn. Almost fanatically religious to the "Brightest Lady" and currently experiencing little more than all encompassing fear.
"I b-b-b-brought her tea!" True. A memory there of her collecting the tray from the kitchens as she had for the last 13 years.
"I g-gave her a m-massage, she was t-tense, and th-th-then she fell!" Also all true. "Will she wake?! Is she d-dead?!" Slightly less genuine. Something there... delving deeper retrieved nothing more than a blinding white light.
Trent Kaliba - Today at 12:04 AM
Canting his head to one side, he considered snapping the whore's neck. Killing a servant was far worse than roughing one up a bit. The woman was in love...obsessed with the boy? Hmph. A pity for them both. This Brightest Lady? A curious enough opportunity there.... these were not his pieces. No. Not his at all.
His pupils dialated as he felt that searing light, and his fist clenched in reaction. "Finish the pot." Came the instruction as he pointed to just that. "Do it and live. Refuse...and die." His voice brooked no argument as he released her, to collapse to the floor. His attention swayed to his mother. As if tended to by an unseen servant, the remaining pot was poured into another tea cup and placed on the floor infront of Lonnie.
Without even looking at her, Trent spoke again. "Drink." He commanded, his hand reaching out to check his Mother's pulse.
Laelia and Rosewyn - Today at 12:06 AM
As his fingers settled to the side of her throat, he would feel her pulse beating strongly enough, feel the breath of her soft breathing against his arm. Thankfully, it seemed she was alive.
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 12:13 AM
Without any hesitation Lonnie snatched up the tea and downed it like a shot. It was almost too easy. Her fear lessened the second he made his request and there was an odd satisfaction in eyes she quickly dropped.
For a brief flash that strange light dimmed and the Darklight could catch a glimmer of eerie euphoria. She knew it was poisoned. Her fear faded away as she began to sway where she sat.
Never work with a poison you do not know. Never dare a religious fanatic to potentially suicidal action - they had everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Her face relaxed, her eyes rolled back, and Lonnie collapsed into the deepest sleep she'd ever experience outside of death.
Trent Kaliba - Today at 12:17 AM
Trent smiled. "The light protects the living. But it cannot protect the dead.... Isn't that right Milhin?" he said to the wind as much as the butterfly never far behind. He brushed his Mother's face with the back of his palm, and lifted her up- not with magic but his arms- carrying her to her bed. He had set here, upon the foot of the bed on those rare visits...when this bed was hidden among their manor...far from Tyran's grabby people.
Another ghost. He had begun to think the entire world haunted at this time. When he finished tucking her in, his lips brushed her forehead. Poisons always had cures. She would taste it. The traitor would not.
Trent turned upon the slumbering body, his shadow looming longer than the moonlight through the window would of allowed. "No...the light is for the living...never the dead. "
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 12:21 AM
Lilwen swung into the room and staggered to a stop, her eyes overwide and face pale as milk. Unable to process the scene in front of her she focused on the one thing she (foolishly) considered safe. Trent.
"I can't find my grandmother and there's blood all over her room!" she blurted. She held up a trembling hand to reveal a crimson stained palm. The rose hung limp from the other.
Trent Kaliba - Today at 12:23 AM
Milhin and he could see to this in the morning. Until then, he needed a healer. The best he could muster, should be delivering a baby soon enough. Shame it was her own.
The second best? Well he supposed that could be him. But then again, better to test Verity. He could feel his MOther more or less stable.-
Well. Nevermind, so much for that. It looked like Verity would have to do. He looked to Vargas who came a little later than hoped for. "Wake the Twins, find Reign and his daughter. Signal for the boy. Not later....but now. There are some people far to interested in dying to wait their proper turn."
Whatever the way Shelzi had twisted her perspective of him as goddess- he would not allow someone to rob his brother of another heir. Arisalonian blood was too precious. Trent's goals pushed aside, the Darklight was petulant and reluctant but willing to help.
"Lilwen. Your lessons will start now, and I'm afraid they will be quite advanced. You're with me. The library. Let's see if you research as well as your Grandfather. The Brightest Lady. I want to know everything by morning. " Gone was the smile, gone the suave debonair Prince of the Arisalon.
Tonight, in plain view was that which Arc had wanted, but never expected. His Son. An Imperator... who for now, was roused to fight not for some new world build on the bones of the old- but for his family. For the first time, that warming presence fought it's way through...the challenge- almost drove away that grief.
Almost.
Lilwen Nickleby - Today at 12:32 AM
Lilwen nodded once and ran - not walked - all the way to the library where she'd spend a long night furiously absorbing every bit of information she could glean before the dawn.
But search as they might the young Imperator would not discover any sign of Shelzi. And probing Lonnie's unconscious mind revealed nothing but that same blinding white light.
Feel free to commence with Graceless Kalibas Part 2: The Investigation
